Regarding your article Bon Jovi fails to hit the high notes at Abu Dhabi concert (October 2), I would like to sing the praises of du Arena for hosting another fantastic concert by a world-famous band.
Bon Jovi’s guitars were definitely hot and the air temperature even hotter. It was an evening of pure unadulterated rock ‘n’ roll with songs from their latest album causing fans to stand still and listen carefully. The old favourites had the whole arena singing their hearts out. Praise too, to all the staff who ensured the facilities and services were first class.
However fabulous the line ups become though, customers will definitely lose patience and commitment to purchasing tickets for these events because the ticketing agents charge an astronomical Dh50 surcharge per ticket – not per order – and then ask the customer to print their own tickets.
Du Arena will end up being a cold and lonely place for such hot bands without an audience. Many fans are simply fed up with paying high fees and we will find alternative venues to entertain ourselves.
Susie Bett, Abu Dhabi
France is a country of law
I am writing concerning your recent comment piece In France, hate crimes fuel a spike in violence (September 27).
France, it is true, is paying a heavy price in terms of the number of terrorist attacks on its soil, because of its unwavering fight against terrorism.
I will not deny that some of our compatriots, as well as other European citizens, may have seized the opportunity of the current context to wrongly stigmatise the Muslim community. But others, and I should say the huge majority of the French people, still warmly embrace the visible presence of our Emirati and Arab friends during the massive Paris demonstration on January 11, 2015.
Islamophobia is a disgusting phenomenon, fuelled by fear and ignorance. It has to be fought by all means, not only in France but also in Europe and elsewhere. That being said, assuming as the author of the article does that mosques are burning regularly all over France and are sprayed with blood and that murders of Muslims are quite common, is nothing but a lie. France is a country of laws where each crime is subject to investigation, prosecution and punishment.
A majority of French citizens believe in the concept of secularism, which is a fundamental principle in our institutions and daily life. As such, diversity is part of France’s DNA.
The author of this article should have recalled that in 2014, the French government of Manuel Valls decided to strengthen the struggle against racism and anti-semitism.
“Liberty, Egalité, Fraternité” is the motto of the French Republic. It is not just a formula. It is the spirit of our Nation, as well as a daily struggle for each of us.
Michel Miraillet, Ambassador of France to the UAE
A near tragedy for thrill seekers
Concerning your report Skydive Dubai plane runs off runway (October 3), I must say this wasn't a minor accident. It could have resulted in a fatality. It was sheer luck that the plane had no passengers other than the pilot when it crashed.
The plane could also have crashed on to a busy road resulting in more deaths. I hope that they take the necessary measures to ensure that such mishaps do not occur again in the future.
Fatima Suhail, Sharjah
Skydive Dubai has some of the best pilots and staff in the world. I would not hesitate to get on any of their planes on any day, and in fact, I often do.
Ahmad Al Dabbagh, Saudi Arabia
Peace talks in Palestine
After reading your article Netanyahu says he wants to resume talks with Palestinians 'immediately' (October 2). I believe that this is one of the most dramatic developments to happen in recent Middle East politics.
That the Israeli prime minister said that he would resume talks is significant but he must act on his promise.
Will honest peace negotiations ever happen between Israel and the Palestinians? That is the question we all want answered soon.
K Ragavan, India
Going purple for a good cause
With regards to your article, Attractions in UAE go pink for Breast Cancer Awareness month (October 1), it is a shame they don’t go purple for World Prematurity Day. Many great landmarks around the world do and it is an important issue for all of us here as well.
Jayde Ellis, Dubai
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.”
Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Elvis
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The stats: 2017 Jaguar XJ
Price, base / as tested Dh326,700 / Dh342,700
Engine 3.0L V6
Transmission Eight-speed automatic
Power 340hp @ 6,000pm
Torque 450Nm @ 3,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined 9.1L / 100km
The%20specs
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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).
Zidane's managerial achievements
La Liga: 2016/17
Spanish Super Cup: 2017
Uefa Champions League: 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18
Uefa Super Cup: 2016, 2017
Fifa Club World Cup: 2016, 2017
EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
