A protester holds aloft the flag of Palestine during a confrontation with Israeli forces in the Shuafat camp for Palestinian refugees, neighbouring the Israeli settlement of Ramat Shlomo, in Israeli-annexed East Jerusalem. AFP
Palestinian protesters light a Molotov cocktail petrol bomb during confrontations with Israeli forces in the Shuafat camp for Palestinian refugees, in Israeli-annexed East Jerusalem. AFP
A member of Israeli security rushes past burning barricades at the Shuafat camp for Palestinian refugees, in East Jerusalem. AFP
Israeli security forces fire tear gas at protesters the Shuafat camp for Palestinian refugees, in East Jerusalem. AFP
A Palestinian protester holds a Molotov cocktail during confrontations with Israeli forces in the Shuafat camp for Palestinian refugees, East Jerusalem. AFP
A Palestinian protester is silhouetted against a burning barricade during a confrontation with Israeli forces in the Shuafat refugee camp, East Jerusalem. AFP
At least 11 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire in the West Bank on Friday, amid mounting anger over Israel's actions in East Jerusalem and deadly air strikes on the Gaza Strip.
By Saturday evening the country was braced for more violence as Israel redeployed 1,000 border police to towns hit by rioting.
A Palestinian security source said the violence was the "most intense" since the second intifada – or uprising – that began in 2000.
Within Israel, an unprecedented wave of mob violence has seen Arab and Jewish citizens attack each other, and synagogues and mosques set alight. More than 900 people have been arrested this week, Israeli police said.
On Saturday, a Hamas rocket killed a civilian in the Ramat Gan suburb of Tel Aviv while Israeli authorities issued "red alerts" for impending rocket strikes in cities across the country.
Tel Aviv. Courtesy Magen David Adom
The West Bank regularly sees weekend demonstrations over the decades-old Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territory, but the protests on Friday were more widespread and violent.
Israeli forces fired rubber bullets and, in some instances, live rounds as protesters across the West Bank hurled stones, Molotov cocktail petrol bombs and other projectiles.
Israeli soldiers aim their weapons during confrontations with Palestinian protesters in the centre of Hebron, in the occupied West Bank. AFP
"It would be shameful to remain quiet with what's going on in Gaza," said Oday Hassan, 21, who was protesting in the city of Al Birah, north of Jerusalem.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health said more than 250 people had been wounded in the West Bank, as it appealed for blood donations.
The Israeli military said one of the Palestinians killed was shot dead after attempting to stab a soldier north of the city of Ramallah, and reported another attempted knife attack during "a violent riot" in Nablus.
The protests came a day before Palestinians observe the Nakba – or catastrophe – marking the loss of their homes during the creation of Israel in 1948.
Death toll rises in Gaza
Meanwhile, the death toll in Gaza rose as Israel carried out more air strikes throughout Saturday.
At least ten people were reported killed in an Israeli air strike on a home in Gaza city early on Saturday, according to the militant group Hamas that controls Gaza. The death toll, which included eight women and two children, was expected to rise as rescuers were still searching through the rubble of the three-storey house on the edge of the Shati refugee camp.
A combination picture shows a tower building before and after it was destroyed by Israeli air strikes in Gaza. Reuters
"I saw the bodies of four people, including children, being rushed to hospital," Said Alghoul told Associated Press.
In the hours after the air strike, the Israeli air force also bombed an office block which housed international media, including Associated Press and Al Jazeera. Journalists had been given one hour to evacuate the building.
"We have communicated directly to the Israelis that ensuring the safety and security of journalists and independent media is a paramount responsibility," White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said later.
The Israeli bombardment began on Monday, in response to rocket fire towards Jerusalem from Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups in Gaza.
Hamas rocket attacks began after Israeli police stormed the Al Aqsa Mosque compound, the third holiest site in Islam, in the Old City of Jerusalem, firing rubber bullets and stun grenades and injuring hundreds of Palestinians.
More than 2,300 rockets have been fired at Israel, while Israel has hit nearly 800 targets in Gaza, including a massive assault on Friday on a Hamas tunnel network.
At least 145 people have been killed in Gaza – including 41 children – and 1,000 others wounded, Palestinian medical officials said.
Among the ten dead in Israel were a soldier patrolling the Gaza border and seven civilians, including two children, Israeli authorities said.
The strikes on Gaza levelled buildings, forcing families to seek shelter in schools and mosques.
"All the children are afraid and we are afraid for the children," said Kamal Al Haddad, who fled with his family to a UN-supported school in Gaza city.
Early on Saturday, the Israeli military said it had hit a Hamas "operations office" near the centre of Gaza city, with additional overnight strikes targeting what the military called "underground launch sites".
There were overnight confrontations in the Palestinian neighbourhood of Shuafat, adjacent to the Israeli settlement of Ramat Shlomo in Israel-occupied East Jerusalem.
Mob violence in Israel sparks fear of 'civil war' as tensions rise in Lebanon
In one of the most shocking episodes of the intercommunal violence, a far-right Jewish mob beat a man they considered an Arab in Bat Yam, south of Tel Aviv, on Wednesday, leaving him with serious injuries.
In the north, where Israel remains technically at war with neighbouring Lebanon and Syria, tensions are also rising.
The Israeli military said it "fired warning shots towards a number of rioters who crossed from Lebanon into Israeli territory" on Friday.
Israel's arch-enemy, the Iran-backed Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah, said one of its members, 21-year-old Mohamad Kassem Tahan, was killed by the Israeli gunfire.
Three rockets were later launched at Israel from southern Syria, where Hezbollah is present, but there was no immediate confirmation of a link between the events.
Pro-Palestine protests take place across the Middle East – in pictures
Protesters demonstrate in solidarity with Palestinians in the Jordanian town of Karameh, on the border crossing with Israel. AFP
Protesters fly the flag of Palestine as they demonstrate in solidarity with Palestinians, in the town of Karameh, Jordan. AFP
Demonstrators express solidarity with the Palestinian people in Jordan's capital Amman. AFP
Protesters pray for Palestinians who have died in Israel's attacks on the Gaza Strip, at the Haci Bayram mosque in Ankara, Turkey, during a pro-Palestinian rally held after Friday prayers. AFP
A boy looks on during a pro-Palestinian rally after Friday prayers at the Haci Bayram mosque in Ankara, Turkey, held to protest against Israel's attacks on the Gaza Strip. AFP
Ankara Castle is illuminated with a composite of the Turkish and Palestinian flags to show solidarity with the Palestinian people, in Ankara, Turkey. Reuters
A demonstrator carries the flag of Palestine during a anti-Israel protest in the Iraqi capital Baghdad. AFP
Protesters wave Iraqi and Palestinian flags during a demonstration against Israel's use of force against Palestinians, in Baghdad, Iraq. AP Photo
Protesters wave Palestinian flags at a demonstration to express solidarity with the Palestinian people, after Friday prayers in Istanbul, Turkey. Reuters
A Palestinian flag flies near the southern Lebanese town of Khiam, near the border with Israel, Lebanon. Reuters
UN to meet as US envoy arrives in Tel Aviv for ceasefire talks
The UN said the Security Council would meet on Sunday to address the crisis.
US Secretary for Israel-Palestinian Affairs Hady Amr arrived in Israel on Friday as part of mediation efforts.
Mr Amr will hold talks with Israeli officials and Palestinian leaders in the West Bank and encourage a "sustainable calm", State Department deputy spokeswoman Jalina Porter said.
But Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave no indication that Israel was ready to ease its campaign.
"I said we'd deliver heavy blows to Hamas and other terror groups, and we're doing that," Mr Netanyahu said.
Israel estimates that more than 30 leaders of Hamas and its ally Islamic Jihad have been killed.
The UN said 10,000 Gazans had been forced from their homes by the bombardment.
From Beirut and Amman to London and now Dubai, hairstylist George Massoud has seen the same mistakes made by customers all over the world. In the chair or at-home hair care, here are the resolutions he wishes his customers would make for the year ahead.
1. 'I will seek consultation from professionals'
You may know what you want, but are you sure it’s going to suit you? Haircare professionals can tell you what will work best with your skin tone, hair texture and lifestyle.
2. 'I will tell my hairdresser when I’m not happy'
Massoud says it’s better to offer constructive criticism to work on in the future. Your hairdresser will learn, and you may discover how to communicate exactly what you want more effectively the next time.
3. ‘I will treat my hair better out of the chair’
Damage control is a big part of most hairstylists’ work right now, but it can be avoided. Steer clear of over-colouring at home, try and pursue one hair brand at a time and never, ever use a straightener on still drying hair, pleads Massoud.
Key facilities
Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
Premier League-standard football pitch
400m Olympic running track
NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
600-seat auditorium
Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
Specialist robotics and science laboratories
AR and VR-enabled learning centres
Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Other ways to buy used products in the UAE
UAE insurance firm Al Wathba National Insurance Company (AWNIC) last year launched an e-commerce website with a facility enabling users to buy car wrecks.
Bidders and potential buyers register on the online salvage car auction portal to view vehicles, review condition reports, or arrange physical surveys, and then start bidding for motors they plan to restore or harvest for parts.
Physical salvage car auctions are a common method for insurers around the world to move on heavily damaged vehicles, but AWNIC is one of the few UAE insurers to offer such services online.
For cars and less sizeable items such as bicycles and furniture, Dubizzle is arguably the best-known marketplace for pre-loved.
Founded in 2005, in recent years it has been joined by a plethora of Facebook community pages for shifting used goods, including Abu Dhabi Marketplace, Flea Market UAE and Arabian Ranches Souq Market while sites such as The Luxury Closet and Riot deal largely in second-hand fashion.
At the high-end of the pre-used spectrum, resellers such as Timepiece360.ae, WatchBox Middle East and Watches Market Dubai deal in authenticated second-hand luxury timepieces from brands such as Rolex, Hublot and Tag Heuer, with a warranty.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE) TV: Match on BeIN Sports
Your rights as an employee
The government has taken an increasingly tough line against companies that fail to pay employees on time. Three years ago, the Cabinet passed a decree allowing the government to halt the granting of work permits to companies with wage backlogs.
If wages are 10 days late, the new measures kick in and the company is alerted it is in breach of labour rules. If wages remain unpaid for a total of 16 days, the authorities can cancel work permits, effectively shutting off operations. Fines of up to Dh5,000 per unpaid employee follow after 60 days.
Despite those measures, late payments remain an issue, particularly in the construction sector. Smaller contractors, such as electrical, plumbing and fit-out businesses, often blame the bigger companies that hire them for wages being late.
The authorities have urged employees to report their companies at the labour ministry or Tawafuq service centres — there are 15 in Abu Dhabi.
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
Jebel Ali card
1.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,400m
2.15pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,400m
2.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,000m
3.15pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,200m
3.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m
4.15pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,600m
4.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,800m
The National selections
1.45pm: Cosmic Glow
2.15pm: Karaginsky
2.45pm: Welcome Surprise
3.15pm: Taamol
3.45pm: Rayig
4.15pm: Chiefdom
4.45pm: California Jumbo
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 specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
On sale: now
Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Just as McDonald’s has the Big Mac, Jollibee has Spicy Chickenjoy – a piece of fried chicken that’s crispy and spicy on the outside and comes with a side of spaghetti, all covered in tomato sauce and topped with sausage slices and ground beef. It sounds like a recipe that a child would come up with, but perhaps that’s the point – a flavourbomb combination of cheap comfort foods. Chickenjoy is Jollibee’s best-selling product in every country in which it has a presence.
Racecard:
6.30pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah (PA) | Group 2 | US$55,000 (Dirt) | 1,600 metres
Tokenisation refers to the issuance of a blockchain token, which represents a virtually tradable real, tangible asset. A tokenised asset is easily transferable, offers good liquidity, returns and is easily traded on the secondary markets.
