Breast Cancer Awareness Month is held every October and there really is no better time to support the cause. From informative talks to comedy shows and purchasing products that donate proceeds to charities, organisations are stepping up – and you can do your part, too, by participating and donating.
Here’s a look at some initiatives that are raising awareness and funds for the cause.
Dubai
Laugh out Loud with Dubomedy
The comedy group will be hosting its 10th annual Breast Cancer Awareness event on October 26. The show will be hosted by co-founder Mina Liccione and feature all-female stand up troupe Funny Girls, DJ Trina, local musicians, poets and surprise guests. There will also be an appearance by cancer survivour Mais Mohammed and an information booth with vouchers. The free event aims to raise awareness about breast cancer.
Tuesday, October 26; 7.30pm onwards; free but RSVP is a must; The Arena, Phileas Fogg at Montgomerie Golf Club Dubai; www.eventbrite.com
Drink pink with LDC Kitchen + Coffee
The restaurant has collaborated with Al Jalila Foundation to introduce two limited-time hot and cold pink drinks. Customers can choose between the cold and glittery pink lemonade or hot pink drink, made with rose tea and caramel. The cups feature Pinktober-themed sleeves and all proceeds go towards Al Jalila Foundation.
Available throughout October; prices start at Dh16 onwards: all LDC Kitchen + Coffee locations in Dubai; @ldckitchen on Instagram
Enjoy coffee and an informative chat with That Hair Tho
The JLT beauty salon will be hosting a coffee morning to raise awareness on breast cancer. Guests can expect an educational segment on how self-screening is important for early detection and treatment. There will also be a guest speaker from health app Valeo, talking about the importance of monitoring your health in and out of illness. That Hair Tho will also offer all guests a complimentary shoulder massage and mini-mani as well as a voucher for a hair treatment. These offers are also redeemable at a later date.
Thursday, October 21; 10am-1pm; free; Cluster N, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, The Dome building, B04; 04 589 6670; thathairtho.me
Have a pink staycay with Lapita hotel
If you want to pretend you’re on an island escape – while supporting breast cancer awareness – the Polynesian-themed hotel in Dubai Parks and Resorts has a special offer valid throughout October. Those booking a twin or king room will get a free breakfast, spa treatment and daily access to Dubai Parks and Resorts, and 50 per cent of the room rates will be donated to Al Jalila Foundation.
In keeping with the theme, all the hotel rooms will be done up in pink. That includes the furniture, flowers and amenities.
Until October 31; prices start at Dh1,100 for a twin or king bedroom with promo code ES7; Dubai Parks and Resorts; lapita.dubai.sales@autographhotels.com; 04 449 0868
Enjoy pink treats with W Dubai – The Palm
W Dubai – The Palm has introduced an array of limited-time dishes to raise funds for the annual health campaign. This includes Torno Subito’s Pinky Blinders pasta and a special sushi roll from Akira Back, for which 25 per cent of revenue will be donated to Al Jalila foundation’s Brest Friends programme. Meanwhile, there will be Dh10 donated for every W Lounge pink pastry sold. Finally, all those booking a 60-minute massage have the option to upgrade to a hot stone massage, with Dh50 donated for every massage.
Throughout October; prices vary; W Dubai – The Palm; 04 245 5800; wdubaithepalm.com
In Abu Dhabi
Work out with Bodytree Studio
The popular Abu Dhabi wellness centre is hosting a series of “pink classes” to celebrate Pinktober. Attend any of those classes and all fees will be donated to Rahma Cancer Patient Care Society. The studio will be having a BTB (high intensity full body workout) barre session at 10.15am this Thursday; prenatal yoga at 10.30am on Thursday, October 28; and BTB Dance Cardio at 8.45am on Sunday, October 31. Don’t forget to wear pink, as pictures will be taken.
Days and times vary; Dh95 for a BTB class and Dh80 for the yoga class; www.bodytreestudio.com
Stay in a pink room with Marriott Hotel Al Forsan
The property is offering guests a one-of-a-kind pink suite all through the month. Think pink decor, towers, tissue paper, even toilet rolls. The entire net room revenue for the month will be donated to breast cancer awareness initiatives through Brest Friends by Al Jalila Foundation.
Until October 31; Dh395 per night (excluding tax and breakfast); mhrs.auhal.room.reservation@marriott-service.com; 02 201 4000
The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal
The hotel has teamed up with Al Jalila Foundation to bring back its Pinktober Chef’s Brunch at Giornotte, held every Friday throughout October. In addition to enjoying Giornotte’s Wagyu, seafood specialities and chocolate pudding, guests can donate Dh50 or more to Al Jalila, upon which they will be entered into a raffle draw for a chance to win dining experiences, staycations and more.
Many of the hotel's outlets have also put together Pinktober special dishes and experiences, with Dh15 from each purchase being donated to the foundation. This includes Alba’s afternoon tea, Li Jiang’s pinku sushi, The Forge’s pinkburger, and Mijana’s pink mezze.
Pinktober brunch will take place every Friday until October 31; 1pm to 4pm; Dh320 onwards; Giornotte, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal; abudhabi.restaurants@ritzcarlton.com; 02 818 8282
Read more
The best ladies-only fitness centres in the UAE, from FitnGlam to FitHub
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Gulf rugby
Who’s won what so far in 2018/19
Western Clubs Champions League: Bahrain
Dubai Rugby Sevens: Dubai Hurricanes
West Asia Premiership: Bahrain
What’s left
UAE Conference
March 22, play-offs:
Dubai Hurricanes II v Al Ain Amblers, Jebel Ali Dragons II v Dubai Tigers
March 29, final
UAE Premiership
March 22, play-offs:
Dubai Exiles v Jebel Ali Dragons, Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Dubai Hurricanes
March 29, final
MAIN CARD
Bantamweight 56.4kg
Abrorbek Madiminbekov v Mehdi El Jamari
Super heavyweight 94 kg
Adnan Mohammad v Mohammed Ajaraam
Lightweight 60kg
Zakaria Eljamari v Faridoon Alik Zai
Light heavyweight 81.4kg
Mahmood Amin v Taha Marrouni
Light welterweight 64.5kg
Siyovush Gulmamadov v Nouredine Samir
Light heavyweight 81.4kg
Ilyass Habibali v Haroun Baka
MATCH INFO
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Ajax v Juventus, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Match on BeIN Sports
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
More from Aya Iskandarani
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.”
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
More from Neighbourhood Watch
How to become a Boglehead
Bogleheads follow simple investing philosophies to build their wealth and live better lives. Just follow these steps.
• Spend less than you earn and save the rest. You can do this by earning more, or being frugal. Better still, do both.
• Invest early, invest often. It takes time to grow your wealth on the stock market. The sooner you begin, the better.
• Choose the right level of risk. Don't gamble by investing in get-rich-quick schemes or high-risk plays. Don't play it too safe, either, by leaving long-term savings in cash.
• Diversify. Do not keep all your eggs in one basket. Spread your money between different companies, sectors, markets and asset classes such as bonds and property.
• Keep charges low. The biggest drag on investment performance is all the charges you pay to advisers and active fund managers.
• Keep it simple. Complexity is your enemy. You can build a balanced, diversified portfolio with just a handful of ETFs.
• Forget timing the market. Nobody knows where share prices will go next, so don't try to second-guess them.
• Stick with it. Do not sell up in a market crash. Use the opportunity to invest more at the lower price.
RESULTS
Cagliari 5-2 Fiorentina
Udinese 0-0 SPAL
Sampdoria 0-0 Atalanta
Lazio 4-2 Lecce
Parma 2-0 Roma
Juventus 1-0 AC Milan
Brief scores:
Manchester United 4
Young 13', Mata 28', Lukaku 42', Rashford 82'
Fulham 1
Kamara 67' (pen),
Red card: Anguissa (68')
Man of the match: Juan Mata (Man Utd)
