Donald Trump paraphernalia is displayed on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange. AP
Donald Trump paraphernalia is displayed on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange. AP
Donald Trump paraphernalia is displayed on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange. AP
Donald Trump paraphernalia is displayed on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange. AP


Donald Trump isn't the only unpredictable force the world is facing in 2025


  • English
  • Arabic

January 05, 2025

When it comes to forecasting, there always remains the element of the unforeseen and the surprising. Yet it is possible to make predictions for the new year based on the events that unfolded in the previous year.

This can also be done by drawing on political indicators and the profiles of global leaders, supported by insights from experts across various fields and regions.

It, therefore, makes sense to begin with the impact the inauguration of US president-elect Donald Trump could have on his country’s future and that of the rest of the world.

Mr Trump will bring back with him his mercurial personality, unconventional ideas, boldness to experiment with new approaches, occasional inconsistency in decision-making, and at times a fierce insistence on his views.

Mr Trump is likely to start by imposing more than 25 tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico, potentially sparking a trade war. Most significantly, a US-China trade war is expected to follow, shaking the global economy. A proposed tariff on EU goods could also lead to an economic crisis in Europe, which would have significant repercussions for the Middle East’s economies given their exposure to global markets.

The forced deportation of about 11 million undocumented immigrants in the US, which Mr Trump has promised, is expected to spark social unrest.

Trump’s bid to mediate between Russia and Ukraine is likely to fail

Meanwhile, recent developments in the US will have raised concerns regarding terrorism linked to groups such as Al Qaeda and ISIS, as well as the possibility of terrorism fuelled by white nationalism.

These issues highlight the deep social, political, intellectual and ideological divisions within the country. The problem is Mr Trump’s divisive personality exacerbates these fractures, as does the entrenched polarisation between the Republican and Democratic parties. Such polarisation undermines any hope of reconciliation.

In Europe, Germany’s general elections at the end of February will influence not only the country’s internal stability but also that of Europe. The identity of the new German chancellor will have a significant impact on reshaping the EU, with consequences for priorities such as the war in Ukraine and relations with Russia.

The conflict between the US and Russia carries potentially global repercussions, especially if it escalates.

A Russian expert I spoke to suggested to me that Moscow will never accept Mr Trump’s expected proposal to “freeze” the war while the US and Nato continue to arm Ukraine. Nor will it agree to merely “postpone” Ukraine’s Nato membership or to the introduction of international peacekeeping forces into Ukraine. For the Russian leadership, such measures would entrench the current government in Ukraine.

If this is true, then Mr Trump’s bid to mediate between Russia and Ukraine is likely to fail. Indeed, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has already laid the groundwork for rejecting Mr Trump’s proposals.

This increases the risk of direct conflict between Russia and Nato, particularly in the Baltic region.

Servicemen of Ukraine's National Guard fire a howitzer towards Russian troops at a position in a front line, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv region earlier in the week. Reuters
Servicemen of Ukraine's National Guard fire a howitzer towards Russian troops at a position in a front line, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv region earlier in the week. Reuters

This brings us to the Middle East, a region that raises the following question: is stability achievable?

It is known that Israel today is in its safest position in the regional balance of power, despite its internal turmoil. Its exceptional positioning is the result of American contributions to its regional achievements and a military partnership that has dismantled Iran’s capabilities and severely degraded Hezbollah.

It is true that Israel took risks. But it was the US that provided the weapons, intelligence and financial resources. Israel boasted, but without help from the administration of US President Joe Biden, it could not have achieved what it did. The US essentially delegated the task of cutting Iran to size to Israel without directly intervening in the conflict, thus achieving a strategic triumph for itself.

This has left the future of Syria and Lebanon, two countries where Iran had an outsized influence, uncertain.

For Syria, it is important to hold elections as soon as possible for the establishment of a legitimate government. The head of the interim administration, Ahmad Al Shara, needs to revise his statement about the new constitution taking three years to draft and elections occurring after four years, which would be catastrophic for the country as its people seek to turn the page.

In Lebanon, meanwhile, the expectations are that a parliamentary session will be held on January 9 to elect a president. The new leader will then need to appoint a full-time prime minister and a fully functional government.

  • Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi meets Syria's de facto leader Ahmad Al Shara in Damascus. Photo: Jordanian Foreign Ministry
    Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi meets Syria's de facto leader Ahmad Al Shara in Damascus. Photo: Jordanian Foreign Ministry
  • The two men held extensive talks in the Syrian capital. Photo: Jordanian Foreign Ministry
    The two men held extensive talks in the Syrian capital. Photo: Jordanian Foreign Ministry
  • Mr Safadi, left, seen shaking hands with Mr Al Shara, is expected to meet other key Syrian officials during the visit. AFP
    Mr Safadi, left, seen shaking hands with Mr Al Shara, is expected to meet other key Syrian officials during the visit. AFP
  • Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt, with his son Taymur looking on, is received by Mr Al Shara in Damascus. Reuters
    Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt, with his son Taymur looking on, is received by Mr Al Shara in Damascus. Reuters
  • Walid and Taymur Jumblatt in talks with Mr Al Shara, Syria’s interim prime minister Mohammed Al Bashir and Druze leaders in Damascus. AFP
    Walid and Taymur Jumblatt in talks with Mr Al Shara, Syria’s interim prime minister Mohammed Al Bashir and Druze leaders in Damascus. AFP
  • Walid Jumblatt is the first Lebanese leader to meet Mr Al Shara since his Hayat Tahrir Al Sham group and allied rebel factions launched a lightning offensive, seizing Damascus and ousting long-time Syrian president Bashar Al Assad. AFP
    Walid Jumblatt is the first Lebanese leader to meet Mr Al Shara since his Hayat Tahrir Al Sham group and allied rebel factions launched a lightning offensive, seizing Damascus and ousting long-time Syrian president Bashar Al Assad. AFP
  • Taymur Jumblatt, Walid Jumblatt and Mr Al Bashir. AFP
    Taymur Jumblatt, Walid Jumblatt and Mr Al Bashir. AFP
  • Mr Al Bashir with Walid Jumblatt. AFP
    Mr Al Bashir with Walid Jumblatt. AFP
  • Taymur Jumblatt with officials in Damascus. Reuters
    Taymur Jumblatt with officials in Damascus. Reuters
  • Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan meets Mr Al Shara in Damascus. Reuters
    Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan meets Mr Al Shara in Damascus. Reuters
  • Mr Fidan, left, with Mr Al Shara during their meeting. Mr Fidan is the first foreign minister to visit Damascus since president Bashar Al Assad's overthrow two weeks ago. Reuters
    Mr Fidan, left, with Mr Al Shara during their meeting. Mr Fidan is the first foreign minister to visit Damascus since president Bashar Al Assad's overthrow two weeks ago. Reuters
  • Mr Fidan and Mr Al Shara held talks on Sunday during which they vowed to strengthen bilateral ties. EPA
    Mr Fidan and Mr Al Shara held talks on Sunday during which they vowed to strengthen bilateral ties. EPA
  • Mr Fidan, left, and Mr Al Shara attend a press conference after their meeting. EPA
    Mr Fidan, left, and Mr Al Shara attend a press conference after their meeting. EPA
  • Hayat Tahrir Al Sham leader Mr Al Shara at a press conference after meeting Mr Fidan in Damascus, Syria. EPA
    Hayat Tahrir Al Sham leader Mr Al Shara at a press conference after meeting Mr Fidan in Damascus, Syria. EPA
  • Mr Fidan at a press conference after a meeting Mr Al Sharaa in Damascus, Syria. EPA
    Mr Fidan at a press conference after a meeting Mr Al Sharaa in Damascus, Syria. EPA

More than anything else, what needs to flow from these changes is a fundamental reset – one that includes reforms in mindset, reasoning and performance in the governance structure, away from corruption, gender discrimination and the sectarian calculations that have long plagued Lebanese politics.

In any case the consequences for the Levant are already profound.

Turkey’s rapprochement with its fellow Nato members is notable in light of what it considers to be its achievements in Syria, including gradually pushing Russia out of its Mediterranean bases and marginalising Iran in the country. What Washington needs from Ankara now – especially under Mr Trump – is to assume some responsibility for stability in Syria and fulfil its commitments to prevent the resurgence of ISIS, in exchange for Washington limiting its own influence in the country’s north-east.

Turkish influence in Syria will undoubtedly contribute to the reshaping of the Middle East and will profoundly affect regional power balances. Iran’s regional decline will continue, and Mr Trump may decide to strike its nuclear facilities if Tehran continues to manoeuvre and refuses the new administration’s offers of rewards in exchange for major concessions, including curbing its nuclear ambitions and abandoning its expansionist doctrine.

All of this is to say that the beginning of Mr Trump’s second term will coincide with a period of global anxiety and anticipation.

Company Profile

Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million

Match info

Uefa Champions League Group H

Juventus v Valencia, Tuesday, midnight (UAE)

How to wear a kandura

Dos

  • Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion 
  • Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
  • Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work 
  • Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester

Don’ts 

  • Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal 
  • Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
OPENING FIXTURES

Saturday September 12

Crystal Palace v Southampton

Fulham v Arsenal

Liverpool v Leeds United

Tottenham v Everton

West Brom v Leicester

West Ham  v Newcastle

Monday  September 14

Brighton v Chelsea

Sheffield United v Wolves

To be rescheduled

Burnley v Manchester United

Manchester City v Aston Villa

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
How to vote in the UAE

1) Download your ballot https://www.fvap.gov/

2) Take it to the US Embassy

3) Deadline is October 15

4) The embassy will ensure all ballots reach the US in time for the November 3 poll

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
  • Never over populated areas
  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
  • Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
  • Should have a live feed of the drone flight
  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less

Profile of Foodics

Founders: Ahmad AlZaini and Mosab AlOthmani

Based: Riyadh

Sector: Software

Employees: 150

Amount raised: $8m through seed and Series A - Series B raise ongoing

Funders: Raed Advanced Investment Co, Al-Riyadh Al Walid Investment Co, 500 Falcons, SWM Investment, AlShoaibah SPV, Faith Capital, Technology Investments Co, Savour Holding, Future Resources, Derayah Custody Co.

OPTA'S PREDICTED TABLE

1. Liverpool 101 points

2. Manchester City 80 

3. Leicester 67

4. Chelsea 63

5. Manchester United 61

6. Tottenham 58

7. Wolves 56

8. Arsenal 56

9. Sheffield United 55

10. Everton 50

11. Burnley 49

12. Crystal Palace 49

13. Newcastle 46

14. Southampton 44

15. West Ham 39

16. Brighton 37

17. Watford 36

18. Bournemouth 36

19. Aston Villa 32

20. Norwich City 29

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE BIO:

Favourite holiday destination: Thailand. I go every year and I’m obsessed with the fitness camps there.

Favourite book: Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. It’s an amazing story about barefoot running.

Favourite film: A League of their Own. I used to love watching it in my granny’s house when I was seven.

Personal motto: Believe it and you can achieve it.

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

 

It Was Just an Accident

Director: Jafar Panahi

Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr

Rating: 4/5

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

Medicus AI

Started: 2016

Founder(s): Dr Baher Al Hakim, Dr Nadine Nehme and Makram Saleh

Based: Vienna, Austria; started in Dubai

Sector: Health Tech

Staff: 119

Funding: €7.7 million (Dh31m)

 

if you go

The flights 

Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Kolkata from Dh1,504 and Dh1,450 return including taxes, respectively. The flight takes four hours 30 minutes outbound and 5 hours 30 minute returning. 

The trains

Numerous trains link Kolkata and Murshidabad but the daily early morning Hazarduari Express (3’ 52”) is the fastest and most convenient; this service also stops in Plassey. The return train departs Murshidabad late afternoon. Though just about feasible as a day trip, staying overnight is recommended.

The hotels

Mursidabad’s hotels are less than modest but Berhampore, 11km south, offers more accommodation and facilities (and the Hazarduari Express also pauses here). Try Hotel The Fame, with an array of rooms from doubles at Rs1,596/Dh90 to a ‘grand presidential suite’ at Rs7,854/Dh443.

The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204.0-litre%20twin-turbo%20V8%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E680hp%20at%206%2C000rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E800Nm%20at%202%2C750-6%2C000rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERear-mounted%20eight-speed%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E13.6L%2F100km%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Orderbook%20open%3B%20deliveries%20start%20end%20of%20year%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh970%2C000%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Pathaan
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Siddharth%20Anand%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Shah%20Rukh%20Khan%2C%20Deepika%20Padukone%2C%20John%20Abraham%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Tottenham's 10 biggest transfers (according to transfermarkt.com):

1). Moussa Sissokho - Newcastle United - £30 million (Dh143m): Flop

2). Roberto Soldado - Valencia -  £25m: Flop

3). Erik Lamela - Roma -  £25m: Jury still out

4). Son Heung-min - Bayer Leverkusen -  £25m: Success

5). Darren Bent - Charlton Athletic -  £21m: Flop

6). Vincent Janssen - AZ Alkmaar -  £18m: Flop

7). David Bentley - Blackburn Rovers -  £18m: Flop

8). Luka Modric - Dynamo Zagreb -  £17m: Success

9). Paulinho - Corinthians -  £16m: Flop

10). Mousa Dembele - Fulham -  £16m: Success

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
if you go

The flights

Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.

The hotel

Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.

The tour

Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg

The National selections

Al Ain

5pm: Bolereau
5.30pm: Rich And Famous
6pm: Duc De Faust
6.30pm: Al Thoura​​​​​​​
7pm: AF Arrab​​​​​​​
7.30pm: Al Jazi​​​​​​​
8pm: Futoon

Jebel Ali

1.45pm: AF Kal Noor​​​​​​​
2.15pm: Galaxy Road
2.45pm: Dark Thunder
3.15pm: Inverleigh​​​​​​​
3.45pm: Bawaasil​​​​​​​
4.15pm: Initial
4.45pm: Tafaakhor

Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ovasave%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20November%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Majd%20Abu%20Zant%20and%20Torkia%20Mahloul%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abu%20Dhabi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Healthtech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Three%20employees%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Pre-seed%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%24400%2C000%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPowertrain%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle%20electric%20motor%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E201hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E310Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E53kWh%20lithium-ion%20battery%20pack%20(GS%20base%20model)%3B%2070kWh%20battery%20pack%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETouring%20range%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E350km%20(GS)%3B%20480km%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C900%20(GS)%3B%20Dh149%2C000%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid

When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid

AT%20A%20GLANCE
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Company Profile
Company name: OneOrder

Started: October 2021

Founders: Tamer Amer and Karim Maurice

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Industry: technology, logistics

Investors: A15 and self-funded 

The specs

Engine: Two permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors

Transmission: two-speed

Power: 671hp

Torque: 849Nm

Range: 456km

Price: from Dh437,900 

On sale: now

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.”

Info

What: 11th edition of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship

When: December 27-29, 2018

Confirmed: men: Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Kevin Anderson, Dominic Thiem, Hyeon Chung, Karen Khachanov; women: Venus Williams

Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ae, Virgin megastores or call 800 86 823

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Updated: January 06, 2025, 2:20 PM