When it comes to global sport, this year will be remembered as the year of the underdog. Leicester City improbably won the English Premier League for the first time in the club’s history. Both Iceland and Wales advanced deep into the European football championship against all odds. Now, several major league baseball teams are fighting for a chance to break their long losing streaks.
The Chicago Cubs have not won a World Series since 1908. They are currently playing the Los Angeles Dodgers, who have not won since the 1980s, for the National League title and a ticket to the World Series. In the American League, the Cleveland Indians haven’t won a championship since 1948. The team standing in their way are the Toronto Blue Jays, who won back-to-back World Series in the early 1990s, but have not enjoyed much success since.
Regardless of who wins, this year has proven that outsiders have a strong place in global sport. That should give us all hope.
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Gully Boy
Director: Zoya Akhtar
Producer: Excel Entertainment & Tiger Baby
Cast: Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Kalki Koechlin, Siddhant Chaturvedi
Rating: 4/5 stars
Credit Score explained
What is a credit score?
In the UAE your credit score is a number generated by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), which represents your credit worthiness – in other words, your risk of defaulting on any debt repayments. In this country, the number is between 300 and 900. A low score indicates a higher risk of default, while a high score indicates you are a lower risk.
Why is it important?
Financial institutions will use it to decide whether or not you are a credit risk. Those with better scores may also receive preferential interest rates or terms on products such as loans, credit cards and mortgages.
How is it calculated?
The AECB collects information on your payment behaviour from banks as well as utilitiy and telecoms providers.
How can I improve my score?
By paying your bills on time and not missing any repayments, particularly your loan, credit card and mortgage payments. It is also wise to limit the number of credit card and loan applications you make and to reduce your outstanding balances.
How do I know if my score is low or high?
By checking it. Visit one of AECB’s Customer Happiness Centres with an original and valid Emirates ID, passport copy and valid email address. Liv. customers can also access the score directly from the banking app.
How much does it cost?
A credit report costs Dh100 while a report with the score included costs Dh150. Those only wanting the credit score pay Dh60. VAT is payable on top.
