• President Sheikh Mohamed bids farewell to Sultan Haitham of Oman, at the Presidential Airport in Abu Dhabi. All photos: UAE Presidential Court
    President Sheikh Mohamed bids farewell to Sultan Haitham of Oman, at the Presidential Airport in Abu Dhabi. All photos: UAE Presidential Court
  • President Sheikh Mohamed bids farewell to Sultan Haitham of Oman, at the Presidential Airport in Abu Dhabi
    President Sheikh Mohamed bids farewell to Sultan Haitham of Oman, at the Presidential Airport in Abu Dhabi
  • Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, and Sheikh Nahyan Bin Zayed, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, bid farewell to Sultan Haitham
    Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, and Sheikh Nahyan Bin Zayed, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, bid farewell to Sultan Haitham
  • Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, and Sheikh Nahyan Bin Zayed, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, await the departure of Sultan Haitham (not shown), at the Presidential Airport
    Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, and Sheikh Nahyan Bin Zayed, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, await the departure of Sultan Haitham (not shown), at the Presidential Airport
  • Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed bids farewell to Sultan Haitham
    Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed bids farewell to Sultan Haitham
  • Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Nahyan Bin Zayed, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, and Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed, bid farewell to Sultan Haitham
    Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Nahyan Bin Zayed, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, and Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed, bid farewell to Sultan Haitham
  • Members of the Omani Delegation await the departure of Sultan Haitham at the Presidential Airport
    Members of the Omani Delegation await the departure of Sultan Haitham at the Presidential Airport
  • President Sheikh Mohamed and Sultan Haitham witnessed the signing of agreements aimed at further strengthening relations between the Gulf neighbours
    President Sheikh Mohamed and Sultan Haitham witnessed the signing of agreements aimed at further strengthening relations between the Gulf neighbours
  • Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, and Sultan Haitham, pray at the tomb of UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
    Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, and Sultan Haitham, pray at the tomb of UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
  • Sultan Haitham and Sheikh Mansour at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
    Sultan Haitham and Sheikh Mansour at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
  • Sultan Haitham signs a guest book during a visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
    Sultan Haitham signs a guest book during a visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
  • Oma's Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad and Commerce Minister Qais Al Yousef at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
    Oma's Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad and Commerce Minister Qais Al Yousef at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
  • Sultan Haitham visit to the UAE was aimed at promoting relations on a range of issues
    Sultan Haitham visit to the UAE was aimed at promoting relations on a range of issues
  • Sultan Haitham and Sheikh Mansour at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
    Sultan Haitham and Sheikh Mansour at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
  • President Sheikh Mohamed hosts a dinner reception for Sultan Haitham at Qasr Al Watan
    President Sheikh Mohamed hosts a dinner reception for Sultan Haitham at Qasr Al Watan
  • Sheikh Mansour with Sayyid Shihab Al Said, Oman's Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs, at the dinner reception
    Sheikh Mansour with Sayyid Shihab Al Said, Oman's Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs, at the dinner reception
  • Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and Sheikh Suroor bin Mohamed attend the dinner reception
    Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and Sheikh Suroor bin Mohamed attend the dinner reception
  • Sheikh Saif at the dinner reception for Sultan Haitham
    Sheikh Saif at the dinner reception for Sultan Haitham
  • Sheikh Khaled in discussion with Oman's Sayyid Bilarab bin Haitham
    Sheikh Khaled in discussion with Oman's Sayyid Bilarab bin Haitham
  • Musicians perform during the dinner reception
    Musicians perform during the dinner reception
  • Sheikh Suroor bin Mohamed and Sayyid Khalid bin Hilal Al Busaidi, Minister of Diwan of the Royal Court of Oman
    Sheikh Suroor bin Mohamed and Sayyid Khalid bin Hilal Al Busaidi, Minister of Diwan of the Royal Court of Oman
  • President Sheikh Mohamed arrives for a dinner reception for Sultan Haitham of Oman
    President Sheikh Mohamed arrives for a dinner reception for Sultan Haitham of Oman
  • President Sheikh Mohamed and Sultan Haitham
    President Sheikh Mohamed and Sultan Haitham
  • President Sheikh Mohamed receives Sultan Haitham of Oman for a state visit
    President Sheikh Mohamed receives Sultan Haitham of Oman for a state visit
  • Sheikh Mansour and Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed, National Security Adviser and Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi, at the reception for Sultan Haitham
    Sheikh Mansour and Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed, National Security Adviser and Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi, at the reception for Sultan Haitham
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad, Adviser for Special Affairs at the Presidential Court, and Mohammed Al Dhaheri, UAE ambassador to Oman, attend the reception at the Presidential Airport
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad, Adviser for Special Affairs at the Presidential Court, and Mohammed Al Dhaheri, UAE ambassador to Oman, attend the reception at the Presidential Airport
  • Sheikh Saif and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed attend the reception for Sultan Haitham at the Presidential Airport
    Sheikh Saif and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed attend the reception for Sultan Haitham at the Presidential Airport
  • Mohammed Al Dhaheri, UAE ambassador to Oman, attends the reception at the Presidential Airport
    Mohammed Al Dhaheri, UAE ambassador to Oman, attends the reception at the Presidential Airport
  • President Sheikh Mohamed and Sultan Haitham stand for the national anthems during a state visit reception at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi
    President Sheikh Mohamed and Sultan Haitham stand for the national anthems during a state visit reception at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi
  • Sheikh Mohamed hosts a state visit reception for Sultan Haitham at Qasr Al Watan
    Sheikh Mohamed hosts a state visit reception for Sultan Haitham at Qasr Al Watan
  • Sheikh Mohamed escorts Sultan Haitham to the state reception at Qasr Al Watan
    Sheikh Mohamed escorts Sultan Haitham to the state reception at Qasr Al Watan

President Sheikh Mohamed hails growing UAE-Oman ties on Sultan Haitham visit


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President Sheikh Mohamed and Sultan Haitham of Oman on Monday held high-level talks in Abu Dhabi as the two nations struck deals to bolster ties in key sectors such as renewable energy, technology and rail infrastructure.

The two leaders witnessed a number of agreements aimed at further strengthening relations between the Gulf neighbours as part of Sultan Haitham's state visit.

The raft of agreements also covered investment, sustainability and education.

Sheikh Mohamed said the visit would support joint efforts to build a “stable and prosperous future” for the friendly countries.

“I had the pleasure of welcoming my brother Sultan Haitham bin Tariq to the UAE today and discussing with him the deep and long-standing bonds that unite our two nations,” Sheikh Mohamed wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

“The strategic and economic partnership between the UAE and Oman grows ever stronger and we will continue to explore new collaboration opportunities that support our people’s shared aspirations for a stable and prosperous future.”

Ambitious transport plans on track

A $3 billion project to build a railway link between the UAE and Oman was announced last year.

Oman and Etihad Rail Company, a joint venture between Oman Rail and Etihad Rail, is overseeing the large-scale transport scheme.

Trains that can reach speeds of 200kph will connect Abu Dhabi with Sohar to the north of Muscat.

An agreement was signed with Mubadala, Abu Dhabi's sovereign investor, for the development of the 303km route.

Long-standing ties

President Sheikh Mohamed on Monday hosted an official reception in Abu Dhabi to mark the visit of Sultan Haitham of Oman.

Sheikh Mohamed had earlier greeted Sultan Haitham and his delegation at the Presidential Airport in Abu Dhabi.

His plane was accompanied by several UAE military aircraft as a welcome gesture.

The two leaders are expected to discuss the “deep-rooted, historical and fraternal relations” between the two nations, according to the state news agency Wam.

Pageantry on full display

Sheikh Mohamed hosted the reception at Qasr Al Watan in the UAE capital.

The two leaders were met by a procession of riders on Arabian horses and camels, and Emirati folk groups, as they arrived for the ceremony.

Sheikh Mohamed joined Sultan Haitham to inspect a guard of honour and witness renditions of the UAE and Omani national anthems.

The colourful ceremony also featured a 21-gun salute and a fly-past by the UAE's Al Fursan aerobatics team, which trailed smoke in the colours of the Omani flag.

Sheikh Mohamed and Sultan Haitham were greeted by groups of Emirati children waving the flags of both nations.

Abu Dhabi's streets and landmarks have been decked out in Omani flags and messages celebrating the state visit.

The official reception ceremony was attended by several ministers and senior officials from both countries, including Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Dr Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President.

On Tuesday, Sultan Haitham also met with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.

“Today, I met my brother, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, Sultan of Oman, during his auspicious visit to the United Arab Emirates,” Sheikh Mohammed wrote on X.

“Our relations are historic, our brotherhood is rooted, our economies are interconnected, and our future is one, God willing.

“Oman is a depth and a support for the Emirates, and the Emirates is a depth and a support for Oman. We ask God to perpetuate the love and brotherhood between the two peoples, and preserve the two countries, and grant us all success in our journey to build a better future for all.”

Sultan Haitham also visited Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, accompanied by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court.

They visited the tomb of the UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, recalling his legacy.

The visit, which concluded shortly before 3pm on Tuesday, aimed to promote and enhance bilateral relations on a range of issues, Wam reported.

The UAE is one of the most important trading partners of Oman, according to Dr Sayyid Al Busaidi, ambassador of Oman to the UAE.

He said the visit will accelerate and develop co-operation, integration and partnership.

Omani exports to the UAE last year exceeded one billion Omani rials, an increase of 20.4 per cent compared to 2022.

Figures from the National Centre for Statistics and Information show the volume of trade exchange between Oman and the UAE by the end of last year amounted to about 5.439 billion Omani rials, compared to 5.571 billion Omani rials by the end of 2022.

NCSI statistics also showed that the value of Omani products exported to the UAE by the end of last year amounted to more than 291.7 million Omani rials, represented by metal products, chemical industry products, related industries, and other products and commodities.

The value of products imported from the UAE was more than 837.7 million Omani rials. They included machinery, appliances, electrical equipment and other products.

The Bio

Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Favourite place to relax in UAE: the desert around Al Mleiha in Sharjah or the eastern mangroves in Abu Dhabi
The one book everyone should read: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It will make your mind fly
Favourite documentary: Chasing Coral by Jeff Orlowski. It's a good reality check about one of the most valued ecosystems for humanity

Name: Peter Dicce

Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics

Favourite sport: soccer

Favourite team: Bayern Munich

Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer

Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates 

 

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.”

UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

Islamophobia definition

A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.

THE%20STRANGERS'%20CASE
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Saudi Cup race day

Schedule in UAE time

5pm: Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors Cup (Turf), 5.35pm: 1351 Cup (T), 6.10pm: Longines Turf Handicap (T), 6.45pm: Obaiya Arabian Classic for Purebred Arabians (Dirt), 7.30pm: Jockey Club Handicap (D), 8.10pm: Samba Saudi Derby (D), 8.50pm: Saudia Sprint (D), 9.40pm: Saudi Cup (D)

'Top Gun: Maverick'

Rating: 4/5

 

Directed by: Joseph Kosinski

 

Starring: Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Miles Teller, Glen Powell, Ed Harris

 
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.
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20IPHONE%2015%20PRO%20MAX
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%206.7%22%20Super%20Retina%20XDR%20OLED%2C%202796%20x%201290%2C%20460ppi%2C%20120Hz%2C%202000%20nits%20max%2C%20HDR%2C%20True%20Tone%2C%20P3%2C%20always-on%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProcessor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20A17%20Pro%2C%206-core%20CPU%2C%206-core%20GPU%2C%2016-core%20Neural%20Engine%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMemory%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECapacity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20256%2F512GB%20%2F%201TB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPlatform%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20iOS%2017%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMain%20camera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Triple%3A%2048MP%20main%20(f%2F1.78)%20%2B%2012MP%20ultra-wide%20(f%2F2.2)%20%2B%2012MP%205x%20telephoto%20(f%2F2.8)%3B%205x%20optical%20zoom%20in%2C%202x%20optical%20zoom%20out%3B%2010x%20optical%20zoom%20range%2C%20digital%20zoom%20up%20to%2025x%3B%20Photonic%20Engine%2C%20Deep%20Fusion%2C%20Smart%20HDR%204%2C%20Portrait%20Lighting%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMain%20camera%20video%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204K%20%40%2024%2F25%2F30%2F60fps%2C%20full-HD%20%40%2025%2F30%2F60fps%2C%20HD%20%40%2030fps%2C%20slo-mo%20%40%20120%2F240fps%2C%20ProRes%20(4K)%20%40%2060fps%3B%20night%2C%20time%20lapse%2C%20cinematic%2C%20action%20modes%3B%20Dolby%20Vision%2C%204K%20HDR%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFront%20camera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2012MP%20TrueDepth%20(f%2F1.9)%2C%20Photonic%20Engine%2C%20Deep%20Fusion%2C%20Smart%20HDR%204%2C%20Portrait%20Lighting%3B%20Animoji%2C%20Memoji%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFront%20camera%20video%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204K%20%40%2024%2F25%2F30%2F60fps%2C%20full-HD%20%40%2025%2F30%2F60fps%2C%20slo-mo%20%40%20120%2F240fps%2C%20ProRes%20(4K)%20%40%2030fps%3B%20night%2C%20time%20lapse%2C%20cinematic%2C%20action%20modes%3B%20Dolby%20Vision%2C%204K%20HDR%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204441mAh%2C%20up%20to%2029h%20video%2C%2025h%20streaming%20video%2C%2095h%20audio%3B%20fast%20charge%20to%2050%25%20in%2030min%20(with%20at%20least%2020W%20adaptor)%3B%20MagSafe%2C%20Qi%20wireless%20charging%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConnectivity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Wi-Fi%2C%20Bluetooth%205.3%2C%20NFC%20(Apple%20Pay)%2C%20second-generation%20Ultra%20Wideband%20chip%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBiometrics%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Face%20ID%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EI%2FO%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20USB-C%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDurability%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20IP68%2C%20water-resistant%20up%20to%206m%20up%20to%2030min%3B%20dust%2Fsplash-resistant%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECards%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dual%20eSIM%20%2F%20eSIM%20%2B%20eSIM%20(US%20models%20use%20eSIMs%20only)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EColours%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Black%20titanium%2C%20blue%20titanium%2C%20natural%20titanium%2C%20white%20titanium%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIn%20the%20box%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EiPhone%2015%20Pro%20Max%2C%20USB-C-to-USB-C%20woven%20cable%2C%20one%20Apple%20sticker%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dh5%2C099%20%2F%20Dh5%2C949%20%2F%20Dh6%2C799%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Zakat definitions

Zakat: an Arabic word meaning ‘to cleanse’ or ‘purification’.

Nisab: the minimum amount that a Muslim must have before being obliged to pay zakat. Traditionally, the nisab threshold was 87.48 grams of gold, or 612.36 grams of silver. The monetary value of the nisab therefore varies by current prices and currencies.

Zakat Al Mal: the ‘cleansing’ of wealth, as one of the five pillars of Islam; a spiritual duty for all Muslims meeting the ‘nisab’ wealth criteria in a lunar year, to pay 2.5 per cent of their wealth in alms to the deserving and needy.

Zakat Al Fitr: a donation to charity given during Ramadan, before Eid Al Fitr, in the form of food. Every adult Muslim who possesses food in excess of the needs of themselves and their family must pay two qadahs (an old measure just over 2 kilograms) of flour, wheat, barley or rice from each person in a household, as a minimum.

The President's Cake

Director: Hasan Hadi

Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem 

Rating: 4/5

Results

5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 2,200m; Winner: Gurm, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)

5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Al Nafece, Al Muatasm Al Balushi, Mohammed Ramadan

6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Ashton Tourettes, Adrie de Vries, Ibrahim Aseel

6.30pm: Arabian Triple Crown – Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Ottoman, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi

7pm: Liwa Oasis – Group 2 (PA) 300,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Hakeemat Muscat, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami

7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Ganbaru, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi

The drill

Recharge as needed, says Mat Dryden: “We try to make it a rule that every two to three months, even if it’s for four days, we get away, get some time together, recharge, refresh.” The couple take an hour a day to check into their businesses and that’s it.

Stick to the schedule, says Mike Addo: “We have an entire wall known as ‘The Lab,’ covered with colour-coded Post-it notes dedicated to our joint weekly planner, content board, marketing strategy, trends, ideas and upcoming meetings.”

Be a team, suggests Addo: “When training together, you have to trust in each other’s abilities. Otherwise working out together very quickly becomes one person training the other.”

Pull your weight, says Thuymi Do: “To do what we do, there definitely can be no lazy member of the team.” 

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

School counsellors on mental well-being

Schools counsellors in Abu Dhabi have put a number of provisions in place to help support pupils returning to the classroom next week.

Many children will resume in-person lessons for the first time in 10 months and parents previously raised concerns about the long-term effects of distance learning.

Schools leaders and counsellors said extra support will be offered to anyone that needs it. Additionally, heads of years will be on hand to offer advice or coping mechanisms to ease any concerns.

“Anxiety this time round has really spiralled, more so than from the first lockdown at the beginning of the pandemic,” said Priya Mitchell, counsellor at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi.

“Some have got used to being at home don’t want to go back, while others are desperate to get back.

“We have seen an increase in depressive symptoms, especially with older pupils, and self-harm is starting younger.

“It is worrying and has taught us how important it is that we prioritise mental well-being.”

Ms Mitchell said she was liaising more with heads of year so they can support and offer advice to pupils if the demand is there.

The school will also carry out mental well-being checks so they can pick up on any behavioural patterns and put interventions in place to help pupils.

At Raha International School, the well-being team has provided parents with assessment surveys to see how they can support students at home to transition back to school.

“They have created a Well-being Resource Bank that parents have access to on information on various domains of mental health for students and families,” a team member said.

“Our pastoral team have been working with students to help ease the transition and reduce anxiety that [pupils] may experience after some have been nearly a year off campus.

"Special secondary tutorial classes have also focused on preparing students for their return; going over new guidelines, expectations and daily schedules.”

NBA FINALS SO FAR

(Toronto lead 3-2 in best-of-seven series)

Game 1 Raptors 118 Warriors 109

Game 2 Raptors 104 Warriors 109

Game 3 Warriors 109 Raptors 123

Game 4 Warriors 92 Raptors 105

Game 5 Raptors 105 Warriors 106

Game 6 Thursday, at Oakland

Game 7 Sunday, at Toronto (if needed)

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%3Cp%3EDavid%20White%20might%20be%20new%20to%20the%20country%2C%20but%20he%20has%20clearly%20already%20built%20up%20an%20affinity%20with%20the%20place.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EAfter%20the%20UAE%20shocked%20Pakistan%20in%20the%20semi-final%20of%20the%20Under%2019%20Asia%20Cup%20last%20month%2C%20White%20was%20hugged%20on%20the%20field%20by%20Aayan%20Khan%2C%20the%20team%E2%80%99s%20captain.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EWhite%20suggests%20that%20was%20more%20a%20sign%20of%20Aayan%E2%80%99s%20amiability%20than%20anything%20else.%20But%20he%20believes%20the%20young%20all-rounder%2C%20who%20was%20part%20of%20the%20winning%20Gulf%20Giants%20team%20last%20year%2C%20is%20just%20the%20sort%20of%20player%20the%20country%20should%20be%20seeking%20to%20produce%20via%20the%20ILT20.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%E2%80%9CHe%20is%20a%20delightful%20young%20man%2C%E2%80%9D%20White%20said.%20%E2%80%9CHe%20played%20in%20the%20competition%20last%20year%20at%2017%2C%20and%20look%20at%20his%20development%20from%20there%20till%20now%2C%20and%20where%20he%20is%20representing%20the%20UAE.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%E2%80%9CHe%20was%20influential%20in%20the%20U19%20team%20which%20beat%20Pakistan.%20He%20is%20the%20perfect%20example%20of%20what%20we%20are%20all%20trying%20to%20achieve%20here.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%E2%80%9CIt%20is%20about%20the%20development%20of%20players%20who%20are%20going%20to%20represent%20the%20UAE%20and%20go%20on%20to%20help%20make%20UAE%20a%20force%20in%20world%20cricket.%E2%80%9D%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Our House, Louise Candlish,
Simon & Schuster

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Indoor cricket in a nutshell

Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sept 16-20, Insportz, Dubai

16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership

Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.

Zones

A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full

THE SPECS

2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid LE

Engine: 1.8 litre combined with 16-volt electric motors

Transmission: Automatic with manual shifting mode

Power: 121hp

Torque: 142Nm

Price: Dh95,900

The Vile

Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah

Director: Majid Al Ansari

Rating: 4/5

Engine: 5.6-litre V8

Transmission: seven-speed automatic

Power: 400hp

Torque: 560Nm

Price: Dh234,000 - Dh329,000

On sale: now

The bio:

Favourite film:

Declan: It was The Commitments but now it’s Bohemian Rhapsody.

Heidi: The Long Kiss Goodnight.

Favourite holiday destination:

Declan: Las Vegas but I also love getting home to Ireland and seeing everyone back home.

Heidi: Australia but my dream destination would be to go to Cuba.

Favourite pastime:

Declan: I love brunching and socializing. Just basically having the craic.

Heidi: Paddleboarding and swimming.

Personal motto:

Declan: Take chances.

Heidi: Live, love, laugh and have no regrets.

 

Updated: April 23, 2024, 11:43 AM