• A boy dressed in a hay suit marks Easter with his friends near Vysoke Myto, Czech Republic. Reuters
    A boy dressed in a hay suit marks Easter with his friends near Vysoke Myto, Czech Republic. Reuters
  • The sun rises behind a cross as hundreds attend the Easter sunrise service on top of Stone Mountain in Georgia, US. AP
    The sun rises behind a cross as hundreds attend the Easter sunrise service on top of Stone Mountain in Georgia, US. AP
  • Members of the folk music group Skandenieki perform during the 'Great Easter' event in Riga, Latvia. EPA
    Members of the folk music group Skandenieki perform during the 'Great Easter' event in Riga, Latvia. EPA
  • Women wearing the traditional dress of the Slavic minority of the Sorbs sing early in the morning in Rohne, eastern Germany. AFP
    Women wearing the traditional dress of the Slavic minority of the Sorbs sing early in the morning in Rohne, eastern Germany. AFP
  • Dogs at the annual Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival in front of St Patrick's Cathedral on Fifth Avenue in New York. EPA
    Dogs at the annual Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival in front of St Patrick's Cathedral on Fifth Avenue in New York. EPA
  • Children dressed as angels attend the traditional procession to mark the festival in Metro Manila, Philippines. Reuters
    Children dressed as angels attend the traditional procession to mark the festival in Metro Manila, Philippines. Reuters
  • Nuns light candles as part of the Easter ritual in Jerusalem's Old City. Reuters
    Nuns light candles as part of the Easter ritual in Jerusalem's Old City. Reuters
  • Worshippers re-enact the events preceding the crucifixion in Bakote, Gambia. AFP
    Worshippers re-enact the events preceding the crucifixion in Bakote, Gambia. AFP
  • Demonstrators display peace signs during the Easter march in Berlin. AFP
    Demonstrators display peace signs during the Easter march in Berlin. AFP
  • The empty armchair of Pope Francis at the Vatican after the pontiff pulled out of Friday's Way of the Cross ceremony on health grounds. AFP
    The empty armchair of Pope Francis at the Vatican after the pontiff pulled out of Friday's Way of the Cross ceremony on health grounds. AFP
  • Families light candles and place flowers on the graves of their loved ones in Purulia, West Bengal. AP
    Families light candles and place flowers on the graves of their loved ones in Purulia, West Bengal. AP
  • A horse rider watches a Way of the Cross event in the San Mateo neighbourhood of Tepotzotlan, Mexico. AP
    A horse rider watches a Way of the Cross event in the San Mateo neighbourhood of Tepotzotlan, Mexico. AP
  • Easter Sunday mass at St Mary's Catholic Church in Oud Metha. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Easter Sunday mass at St Mary's Catholic Church in Oud Metha. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - MARCH 30: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Christian devotees participate in a 2024 Korea Easter Parade on March 30, 2024 in Seoul, South Korea. Christians around the globe are staging processions, festivals and rituals to commemorate Easter. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun / Getty Images)
    SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - MARCH 30: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Christian devotees participate in a 2024 Korea Easter Parade on March 30, 2024 in Seoul, South Korea. Christians around the globe are staging processions, festivals and rituals to commemorate Easter. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun / Getty Images)
  • The Passion of Jesus act by the Wintershall group of performers in London. Getty Images
    The Passion of Jesus act by the Wintershall group of performers in London. Getty Images
  • The faithful attend the Easter vigil in Nairobi, Kenya. EPA
    The faithful attend the Easter vigil in Nairobi, Kenya. EPA
  • Devotees carry a statue of Christ salvaged from rubble of the 2019 Easter Sunday bombing, during a procession in Katuwapitiya. AFP
    Devotees carry a statue of Christ salvaged from rubble of the 2019 Easter Sunday bombing, during a procession in Katuwapitiya. AFP
  • Children at the Good Friday procession in Managua, Nicaragua. Reuters
    Children at the Good Friday procession in Managua, Nicaragua. Reuters
  • Birds fly over penitents known as cucuruchos during the Jesus the Almighty Good Friday procession, as part of Holy Week celebrations, in Quito, Ecuador. AP
    Birds fly over penitents known as cucuruchos during the Jesus the Almighty Good Friday procession, as part of Holy Week celebrations, in Quito, Ecuador. AP
  • Plastic artists walk near a sand sculpture representing biblical passages during Holy Week celebrations in the Arenal de Cochiraya, on the outskirts of Oruro, Bolivia. Reuters
    Plastic artists walk near a sand sculpture representing biblical passages during Holy Week celebrations in the Arenal de Cochiraya, on the outskirts of Oruro, Bolivia. Reuters

The best photos from Easter weekend celebrations around the world


  • English
  • Arabic

More from The National:

Tens of thousands flock to Easter Sunday services in UAE as calls for peace made

Polar prayers: Spring Ramadan makes midnight iftars a thing of the past for Arctic Muslims

Dubai World Cup 2024 fashion: Flamboyant fascinators and flowing dresses set the pace

Number of UAE students heading to US nearly halves due to safety concerns and costs

Countries recognising Palestine

France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra

 

RACE CARD

6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 – Group 1 (PA) $65,000 (Dirt) 2,000m

7.05pm: Handicap (TB) $65,000 (Turf) 1,800m

7.40pm: Meydan Classic – Listed (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,600m

8.15pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy – Group 3 (TB) $195,000 (T) 2,810m

8.50pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (T) 2,000m

9.25pm: Meydan Challenge – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,400m

The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder turbo

Transmission: CVT

Power: 170bhp

Torque: 220Nm

Price: Dh98,900

Wydad 2 Urawa 3

Wydad Nahiri 21’, Hajhouj 90'

Urawa Antonio 18’, 60’, Kashiwagi 26’

Electoral College Victory

Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate. 

 

Popular Vote Tally

The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.

This is an info box
  • info goes here
  • and here
  • and here
Where to donate in the UAE

The Emirates Charity Portal

You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.

The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments

The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.

Al Noor Special Needs Centre

You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.

Beit Al Khair Society

Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.

Dar Al Ber Society

Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.

Dubai Cares

Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.

Emirates Airline Foundation

Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.

Emirates Red Crescent

On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.

Gulf for Good

Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.

Noor Dubai Foundation

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).

Roll of honour

Who has won what so far in the West Asia Premiership season?

Western Clubs Champions League - Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners up: Bahrain

Dubai Rugby Sevens - Winners: Dubai Exiles; Runners up: Jebel Ali Dragons

West Asia Premiership - Winners: Jebel Ali Dragons; Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins

UAE Premiership Cup - Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners up: Dubai Exiles

West Asia Cup - Winners: Bahrain; Runners up: Dubai Exiles

West Asia Trophy - Winners: Dubai Hurricanes; Runners up: DSC Eagles

Final West Asia Premiership standings - 1. Jebel Ali Dragons; 2. Abu Dhabi Harlequins; 3. Bahrain; 4. Dubai Exiles; 5. Dubai Hurricanes; 6. DSC Eagles; 7. Abu Dhabi Saracens

Fixture (UAE Premiership final) - Friday, April 13, Al Ain – Dubai Exiles v Abu Dhabi Harlequins

Quick%20facts
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Avatar%20(2009)
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RESULT

Brazil 2 Croatia 0
Brazil: 
Neymar (69'), Firmino (90' 3)    

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

In numbers: China in Dubai

The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000

Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000

Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent

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The End of Loneliness
Benedict Wells
Translated from the German by Charlotte Collins
Sceptre

The specs: Volvo XC40

Price: base / as tested: Dh185,000

Engine: 2.0-litre, turbocharged in-line four-cylinder

Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 250hp @ 5,500rpm

Torque: 350Nm @ 1,500rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 10.4L / 100km

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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3EHayao%20Miyazaki%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%C2%A0Soma%20Santoki%2C%20Masaki%20Suda%2C%20Ko%20Shibasaki%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League, last-16 second leg
Paris Saint-Germain (1) v Borussia Dortmund (2)
Kick-off: Midnight, Thursday, March 12
Stadium: Parc des Princes
Live: On beIN Sports HD

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Pakistan Super League

Previous winners

2016 Islamabad United

2017 Peshawar Zalmi

2018 Islamabad United

2019 Quetta Gladiators

 

Most runs Kamran Akmal – 1,286

Most wickets Wahab Riaz –65

Tamkeen's offering
  • Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
  • Option 2: 50% across three years
  • Option 3: 30% across five years 

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-cylturbo

Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic

Power: 242bhp

Torque: 370Nm

Price: Dh136,814

Updated: March 31, 2024, 9:35 AM