There's no time like the holidays for cold sport: go ice-skating with the kids at the Al Ain mall.
There's no time like the holidays for cold sport: go ice-skating with the kids at the Al Ain mall.
There's no time like the holidays for cold sport: go ice-skating with the kids at the Al Ain mall.
There's no time like the holidays for cold sport: go ice-skating with the kids at the Al Ain mall.

Happy holidays


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The holidays are upon us in full force. A variety of events will entertain all ages throughout the Emirates. With shows, parties and events for every age group, this week is sure to be entertaining.

Abu Dhabi: Join in the festive celebrations at Hayya! fitness club at The Lakes on Friday. The children's Christmas party will run from 3.00pm to 6.00pm, with activities including Santa's Grotto, a bouncy castle, games and competitions. Dh100 per child including snacks, soft drinks and entertainment. Dh40 for both parents or Dh30 per single parent. Dubai: On Dec 22, at 9.45am and 11.15am, join Manda's Magic Workshop. Comedy, magic and festive fun for the family, plus a chance to meet Santa. The workshop is suitable for children aged three and above. Book in advance and as early as possible. For details call 050 456 0413 or email @email:dubaiconnect@helloworld.com. Al Ain: The Christmas tree lighting at the Al Ain Rotana will take place from 5.00pm to 8.00pm on Thursday and will include a visit from Santa.

Dubai: The classic children's pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk will be running from Dec 21 to Jan 2 at the Madinat Theatre. There are both afternoon (3.30pm) and evening (7.30pm) shows and tickets cost Dh135 for adults and Dh100 for children. See @email:www.madinattheatre.com for details. Abu Dhabi: Visit the grotto at the Abu Dhabi Mall until Dec 24. Santa will be available to chat to kids in the Christmas Village. A bazaar with stocking fillers for sale is running at the mall until Dec 31. Al Ain: Join the Rugby club Christmas party on Dec 20 at 3pm. Santa will be making an appearance. Tickets must be purchased by tomorrow and cost Dh20.

Abu Dhabi: On Friday, the Hilton Abu Dhabi will hold a night of carols from 6:15pm. Admission is free and a variety of bands, choirs and dance troupes will perform. Call 02 681 1900 for details. Dubai: Get into the festive spirit at Jam Jar with the cartoonist Joanne Brooker, who will be demonstrating how to create cartoons of Santa, elves, fairies and more. The workshop is aimed at seven to 12-year-olds and will take place on Monday and Dec 23 from 10am to 11am. For bookings call 04 341 7303 or email @email:nerissa@thejamjardubai.com. Dh100 per child. Al Ain: Visit Al Ain mall and go ice skating at the rink. Sessions are in two-hour blocks from 10.00-12.00pm, 12.00-2.00pm, 2.00-4.00pm or 6.00-8.00pm. Charges are Dh25 without support or Dh32 with a support.

Dubai: Favourite Things will be having a Christmas party tomorrow, featuring the debut of a puppet show, a holiday dance and singalong and an appearance from Santa. Treats and goody bags will be available. First session: 4.00-6.00pm (first hour play, second hour party). Second session: 5.00-7.00pm. Member rate: Dh50 per child. Non-member rate: Dh90 per child (adults not charged). Buy your tickets early to avoid disappointment. Call 04 345 2725 for details.

From Zero

Artist: Linkin Park

Label: Warner Records

Number of tracks: 11

Rating: 4/5

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Indoor Cricket World Cup

Venue Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23

UAE squad Saqib Nazir (captain), Aaqib Malik, Fahad Al Hashmi, Isuru Umesh, Nadir Hussain, Sachin Talwar, Nashwan Nasir, Prashath Kumara, Ramveer Rai, Sameer Nayyak, Umar Shah, Vikrant Shetty

Poland Statement
All people fleeing from Ukraine before the armed conflict are allowed to enter Poland. Our country shelters every person whose life is in danger - regardless of their nationality.

The dominant group of refugees in Poland are citizens of Ukraine, but among the people checked by the Border Guard are also citizens of the USA, Nigeria, India, Georgia and other countries.

All persons admitted to Poland are verified by the Border Guard. In relation to those who are in doubt, e.g. do not have documents, Border Guard officers apply appropriate checking procedures.

No person who has received refuge in Poland will be sent back to a country torn by war.

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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.”

The biog

Hobby: Playing piano and drawing patterns

Best book: Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins

Food of choice: Sushi  

Favourite colour: Orange

Tips to stay safe during hot weather
  • Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
  • Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
  • Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
  • Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
  • Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
  • Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
  • Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
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Scores in brief:

Day 1

New Zealand (1st innings) 153 all out (66.3 overs) - Williamson 63, Nicholls 28, Yasir 3-54, Haris 2-11, Abbas 2-13, Hasan 2-38

Pakistan (1st innings) 59-2 (23 overs)