Visit Mall of the Emirates and enjoy a performance of The Flying Pearl as part of the DSF festivities.
Visit Mall of the Emirates and enjoy a performance of The Flying Pearl as part of the DSF festivities.
Visit Mall of the Emirates and enjoy a performance of The Flying Pearl as part of the DSF festivities.
Visit Mall of the Emirates and enjoy a performance of The Flying Pearl as part of the DSF festivities.

Top 10: See the acrobatic show The Flying Pearl at Mall of the Emirates, see a police dog demonstration in Al Ain, and more


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Dubai

Performance

Visit Mall of the Emirates to watch The Flying Pearl, an aerial performance that is part of the Dubai Shopping Festival entertainment. Inspired by the mall's campaign #thatMOEfeeling, the show combines aerial acrobatic artistry and roller-skating with performers suspended from a giant helium balloon and singers performing hits from musicians such as Whitney Houston and Céline Dion.

Today, 4.30pm; 6pm; 7.30pm; 9pm, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai, www.facebook.com/MallOfTheEmirates

Abu Dhabi

Triathlon

Sign up to take part in TriYas by Daman ActiveLife, a triathlon open to athletes of all ages and abilities. The event features a choice of courses including new, shorter routes for first-timers, younger athletes and short-distance participants. More experienced competitors can take part in the Olympic and Sprint categories. The KidsTri race is open to ages 9-16.

February 16, Yas Marina and Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, early-bird registration with discounts on standard rates is open for UAE residents until January 23, at www.yasmarinacircuit.com

Register now to take part in TriYas and enjoy discounted rates for residents until January 23. TriYas
Register now to take part in TriYas and enjoy discounted rates for residents until January 23. TriYas

Abu Dhabi

Concert

Angélique Kidjo will present her Remain in Light outdoor concert at NYU Abu Dhabi. The Grammy-winning artist makes her UAE debut with a reimagination of Talking Heads' 1980 album Remain in Light, with African guitars, layered backing vocals and the American band Antibalas Horns. Songs include Crosseyed and Painless, Once In a Lifetime and Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On). Tickets will go on sale on January 24 at 3pm.

February 3, 7pm, from Dh100, The East Plaza, NYU Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, www.nyuad-artscenter.org

Dubai

Art class

We Love Art presents an eight-week painting course that will teach the finer points of brushwork, colour and composition. The programme will end with an exhibition night where students can showcase their portfolio of work. Level One students start with basics and focus on artistic style through painting techniques and principles. Level Two students can further explore their creativity and become more confident as artists.

Starts February 3, 10.30am on Saturdays for Level One; noon on Saturdays for Level Two, from Dh2,750, Z Gallery, Four Points by Sheraton, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, www.weloveart.ae

Abu Dhabi

Talk

Register to attend today's panel discussion Journeys in Photography as part of the 10 Years of Emirates Photography Competition exhibition at Manarat Al Saadiyat. Professional photographers Mohammed Arfan Asif and Abbas Kapadia will discuss the concept of a journey in both a photographer's quest towards recognition and the beauty of travel photography.

Today, 6pm to 8pm, Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, register at manaratalsaadiyat@dctabudhabi.ae

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Al Ain

Cultural event

Al Jahili Fort in Al Ain hosts police dog shows every Wednesday, featuring sniffer dogs who show off their abilities and duties such as protection, hunting and the detection of drugs and explosives. The shows are organised by the General Directorate of Abu Dhabi Police to highlight the importance of the police and also the role of dogs in Emirati history.

Wednesdays, 5pm to 6pm, Al Jahili Fort, Al Ain, www.visitalain.ae

Abu Dhabi

Kids’ fun

Make plans to attend a family breakfast event with Music Monkeys at Berri’s Cafe. Children will enjoy the breakfast bar and a dedicated play area before taking part in a Music Monkeys session featuring singing, dancing, bubbles, parachutes and more. Enjoy the breakfast offerings and meeting other parents.

Tomorrow, 8.30am to 10.30pm, from Dh120 for one adult and one child, Dh50 per additional child ages 2 and older, Berri’s Cafe, Al Muneera Plaza, Abu Dhabi, reservations at contact@musicmonkeys.ae

Plan to attend a Music Monkeys event at Berri's Cafe in Al Muneera tomorrow morning. Music Monkeys
Plan to attend a Music Monkeys event at Berri's Cafe in Al Muneera tomorrow morning. Music Monkeys

Dubai

Exhibition

Alliance Française Dubai presents In-Between the Skyline of Kuwait City, an exhibition of works by Kuwaiti photographer Farah Salem, that includes photographs and a video installation. The images were shot over five years, during which time Salem explored the multicultural backstreets of Kuwait City. The artist shares the lesser-known stories of her city through images, books, video and sound, called a "dynamic meditative experience".

Opens today, then daily until February 10, 9am to 8pm, Saturdays to Thursdays (closed Fridays), La Galerie, Alliance Française Dubai, Oud Metha, Dubai, 04 335 8712, www.afdubai.org

Dubai

Theatre

Book tickets for Evita at Dubai Opera. The Bill Kenwright production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice show tells the story of Argentina's first lady, Eva Perón, who was seen as her country's spiritual leader after her work for women and the poor. The show, which debuted in 1976, includes songs Don't Cry for Me Argentina and On This Night of a Thousand Stars.

Opens Monday, then runs until February 3, 8pm daily; plus 2.30pm on Fridays and Saturdays, from Dh250, Dubai Opera, Downtown Dubai, www.dubaiopera.com

Dubai

Kids’ fun

Book a spot for your children to take part in a kids’ hair styling event at Pastels Salon in Jumeirah, where stylists will use the latest products to help inspire with hair braiding and styling for boys and girls. There will be a gift for each child who attends, as well as product discounts and refreshments.

February 3, 11am to 5pm, free, Pastels Salon Jumeirah, Dubai, book at 04 388 3534, www.pastels-salon.com

Pastels Salon in Jumeirah will host a kids' styling event that uses products from Hot Tot.
Pastels Salon in Jumeirah will host a kids' styling event that uses products from Hot Tot.
Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

Price: From Dh98,800

Available: Now

Syria squad

Goalkeepers: Ibrahim Alma, Mahmoud Al Youssef, Ahmad Madania.
Defenders: Ahmad Al Salih, Moayad Ajan, Jehad Al Baour, Omar Midani, Amro Jenyat, Hussein Jwayed, Nadim Sabagh, Abdul Malek Anezan.
Midfielders: Mahmoud Al Mawas, Mohammed Osman, Osama Omari, Tamer Haj Mohamad, Ahmad Ashkar, Youssef Kalfa, Zaher Midani, Khaled Al Mobayed, Fahd Youssef.
Forwards: Omar Khribin, Omar Al Somah, Mardik Mardikian.

MATCH INFO

Champions League quarter-final, first leg

Manchester United v Barcelona, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)

Match on BeIN Sports

Major honours

ARSENAL

  • FA Cup - 2005

BARCELONA

  • La Liga - 2013
  • Copa del Rey - 2012
  • Fifa Club World Cup - 2011

CHELSEA

  • Premier League - 2015, 2017
  • FA Cup - 2018
  • League Cup - 2015

SPAIN

  • World Cup - 2010
  • European Championship - 2008, 2012

Top 5 concerns globally:

1. Unemployment

2. Spread of infectious diseases

3. Fiscal crises

4. Cyber attacks

5. Profound social instability

Top 5 concerns in the Mena region

1. Energy price shock

2. Fiscal crises

3. Spread of infectious diseases

4. Unmanageable inflation

5. Cyber attacks

Source: World Economic Foundation

The specs: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ

Price, base: Dh1,731,672

Engine: 6.5-litre V12

Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 770hp @ 8,500rpm

Torque: 720Nm @ 6,750rpm

Fuel economy: 19.6L / 100km

The specs: Rolls-Royce Cullinan

Price, base: Dh1 million (estimate)

Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbo V12

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 563hp @ 5,000rpm

Torque: 850Nm @ 1,600rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 15L / 100km

Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

Singham Again

Director: Rohit Shetty

Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone

Rating: 3/5