• Ashes series player ratings. England: Rory Burns – 7 (out of 10). Hinted at the fact he might be one-half of the solution to England’s opening problems in Sri Lanka last winter, and he confirmed the point with 390 runs in the series. AFP
    Ashes series player ratings. England: Rory Burns – 7 (out of 10). Hinted at the fact he might be one-half of the solution to England’s opening problems in Sri Lanka last winter, and he confirmed the point with 390 runs in the series. AFP
  • 2. Jason Roy – 1 (out of 10). England’s experiment with their white-ball hero was an unmitigated failure. A top score of 31 and an average of 13.75 across eight innings. Reuters
    2. Jason Roy – 1 (out of 10). England’s experiment with their white-ball hero was an unmitigated failure. A top score of 31 and an average of 13.75 across eight innings. Reuters
  • 3. Joe Root – 6. Signed off the series with two fine catches and two wickets. But his batting remains unfulfilled, especially when set against the yields of Steve Smith. AFP
    3. Joe Root – 6. Signed off the series with two fine catches and two wickets. But his batting remains unfulfilled, especially when set against the yields of Steve Smith. AFP
  • 4. Joe Denly – 7. Was messed around as England tried to find a home for Roy, yet Denly still put together an admirable body of work with three second-innings half-centuries. AFP
    4. Joe Denly – 7. Was messed around as England tried to find a home for Roy, yet Denly still put together an admirable body of work with three second-innings half-centuries. AFP
  • 5. Ben Stokes – 9. England’s man of the summer, the New Zealander of the Year (perhaps), and cricket’s comic-book hero. Two centuries, two half-centuries, and unforgettable Headingley. AFP
    5. Ben Stokes – 9. England’s man of the summer, the New Zealander of the Year (perhaps), and cricket’s comic-book hero. Two centuries, two half-centuries, and unforgettable Headingley. AFP
  • 6. Jonny Bairstow – 5. Just one 50 in the series, but it was not a complete failure. He helped spark the comeback at Headingley, and his glovework was top-notch in the Oval win. AFP
    6. Jonny Bairstow – 5. Just one 50 in the series, but it was not a complete failure. He helped spark the comeback at Headingley, and his glovework was top-notch in the Oval win. AFP
  • 7. Jos Buttler – 5. He was finding his range just as the series was coming to a close. Feels a little like a luxury player in a batting line up that needs some prosaic accumulators. AFP
    7. Jos Buttler – 5. He was finding his range just as the series was coming to a close. Feels a little like a luxury player in a batting line up that needs some prosaic accumulators. AFP
  • 8. Chris Woakes – 4. The mainstay of the attack at the start of the summer, by the end he was flagging badly. Deprived a wicket at The Oval because of the first no-ball in his Test career, which summed up the mood. AFP
    8. Chris Woakes – 4. The mainstay of the attack at the start of the summer, by the end he was flagging badly. Deprived a wicket at The Oval because of the first no-ball in his Test career, which summed up the mood. AFP
  • 9. Moeen Ali – 2. Have we seen the last of Moeen in international cricket? Surely he has too much class for that, but he is now on the outside looking in on both Test and ODI teams. Reuters
    9. Moeen Ali – 2. Have we seen the last of Moeen in international cricket? Surely he has too much class for that, but he is now on the outside looking in on both Test and ODI teams. Reuters
  • 10. Sam Curran – 6. His up-and-at-them display at The Oval, where he took three wickets, added to the sense England might have fared better if they had taken a chance on him earlier in the series. AFP
    10. Sam Curran – 6. His up-and-at-them display at The Oval, where he took three wickets, added to the sense England might have fared better if they had taken a chance on him earlier in the series. AFP
  • 11. Jofra Archer – 8. Man of the match at The Oval, and might have been close to it at Headingley, had Stokes not been so ridiculous. The find of the summer for England – and world cricket. AFP
    11. Jofra Archer – 8. Man of the match at The Oval, and might have been close to it at Headingley, had Stokes not been so ridiculous. The find of the summer for England – and world cricket. AFP
  • 12. Jack Leach – 7. Happily, Leach showed with four wickets to win The Oval Test that he has a role to play with the ball for England. He is the ultimate trier. AFP
    12. Jack Leach – 7. Happily, Leach showed with four wickets to win The Oval Test that he has a role to play with the ball for England. He is the ultimate trier. AFP
  • 13. Stuart Broad – 8. Made a joke of the pre-series doubts over whether he still fitted into England’s best bowling line up. A class act throughout, he ended England’s leading wicket-taker with 23. AFP
    13. Stuart Broad – 8. Made a joke of the pre-series doubts over whether he still fitted into England’s best bowling line up. A class act throughout, he ended England’s leading wicket-taker with 23. AFP
  • 14. Craig Overton – 6. Might have been an iffy selection for the Old Trafford match, but he again showed he is made of strong – if not spectacular – stuff. Should be part of England’s winter tours. AFP
    14. Craig Overton – 6. Might have been an iffy selection for the Old Trafford match, but he again showed he is made of strong – if not spectacular – stuff. Should be part of England’s winter tours. AFP
  • 15. James Anderson – Unmarked. Regarded as a key component in England’s bid to regain the Ashes, he limped out after just four overs as his calf injury had not healed. Will he be back? PA Photo
    15. James Anderson – Unmarked. Regarded as a key component in England’s bid to regain the Ashes, he limped out after just four overs as his calf injury had not healed. Will he be back? PA Photo
  • AUSTRALIA: 1. David Warner – 1 (out of 10). Enough runs in the bank so as not to have to worry about his place. Anyone else would have been jettisoned for a series average of 9.50 in 10 innings. AFP
    AUSTRALIA: 1. David Warner – 1 (out of 10). Enough runs in the bank so as not to have to worry about his place. Anyone else would have been jettisoned for a series average of 9.50 in 10 innings. AFP
  • 2. Cameron Bancroft – 2. He cannot live off just being a freakishly good short-leg fieldsman. Had his chance at the start, when the Sandpaper Three were all restored to the line up, but failed to take it. Reuters
    2. Cameron Bancroft – 2. He cannot live off just being a freakishly good short-leg fieldsman. Had his chance at the start, when the Sandpaper Three were all restored to the line up, but failed to take it. Reuters
  • 3. Marcus Harris – 1. Could scarcely have gone much worse. Just 58 runs in six innings at 9.66, two vital catches dropped, and stitches to repair split webbing in his hand as well. AFP
    3. Marcus Harris – 1. Could scarcely have gone much worse. Just 58 runs in six innings at 9.66, two vital catches dropped, and stitches to repair split webbing in his hand as well. AFP
  • 4. Usman Khawaja – 4. Has the unfortunate body language of someone who appears not to care – even if he might be trying really hard. Lost his place after a lean run with the bat. Getty Images
    4. Usman Khawaja – 4. Has the unfortunate body language of someone who appears not to care – even if he might be trying really hard. Lost his place after a lean run with the bat. Getty Images
  • 5. Marnus Labuschagne – 9. A breakthrough series, after becoming Test cricket’s first concussion substitute. He made four half-centuries in a row thereafter, each full of character. AFP
    5. Marnus Labuschagne – 9. A breakthrough series, after becoming Test cricket’s first concussion substitute. He made four half-centuries in a row thereafter, each full of character. AFP
  • 6. Steve Smith – 9.5. Only misses out on a perfect 10 on account of the fact his super-human batting did not, in the end, lead to a series win. He could have done little more, though. A colossus. AFP
    6. Steve Smith – 9.5. Only misses out on a perfect 10 on account of the fact his super-human batting did not, in the end, lead to a series win. He could have done little more, though. A colossus. AFP
  • 7. Travis Head – 5. A return of 191 runs at an average of 27.28 saw him lose his place for the final match. He needs to do better, but in fairness he was on the wrong end of some stunning deliveries. AFP
    7. Travis Head – 5. A return of 191 runs at an average of 27.28 saw him lose his place for the final match. He needs to do better, but in fairness he was on the wrong end of some stunning deliveries. AFP
  • 8. Matthew Wade – 7. “The human foghorn,” as he was labelled in the English press, was either feast or famine. Two pugnacious tons at the start and end, with little of note in between. AFP
    8. Matthew Wade – 7. “The human foghorn,” as he was labelled in the English press, was either feast or famine. Two pugnacious tons at the start and end, with little of note in between. AFP
  • 9. Mitchell Marsh – 6. His first five-wicket Test haul was received joyfully by his teammates at The Oval. It went to show he is a popular member of the side, even if he doesn’t fit into the line up often. AFP
    9. Mitchell Marsh – 6. His first five-wicket Test haul was received joyfully by his teammates at The Oval. It went to show he is a popular member of the side, even if he doesn’t fit into the line up often. AFP
  • 10. Tim Paine – 5. Will always be able to say he was the first Australian captain to take home the urn in 18 years of touring England. But his contribution was mixed, and his use of DRS dire. AFP
    10. Tim Paine – 5. Will always be able to say he was the first Australian captain to take home the urn in 18 years of touring England. But his contribution was mixed, and his use of DRS dire. AFP
  • 11. James Pattinson – 6. Only risked in two matches, as Australia seemed cautious about his workload. He bowled better than his return of five wickets at 33.40 suggests. Reuters
    11. James Pattinson – 6. Only risked in two matches, as Australia seemed cautious about his workload. He bowled better than his return of five wickets at 33.40 suggests. Reuters
  • 12. Pat Cummins – 9. Somehow went without a five-wicket haul in the series, despite being its best bowler. He bowled more overs than any other seamer, yet barely flagged at all. afp
    12. Pat Cummins – 9. Somehow went without a five-wicket haul in the series, despite being its best bowler. He bowled more overs than any other seamer, yet barely flagged at all. afp
  • 13. Peter Siddle – 5. His 44 in the first innings at Edgbaston was a seminal moment in the series. But, like Leach for England, he was indifferent in his main discipline, with the ball. afp
    13. Peter Siddle – 5. His 44 in the first innings at Edgbaston was a seminal moment in the series. But, like Leach for England, he was indifferent in his main discipline, with the ball. afp
  • 14. Mitchell Starc – 5. Curious that a player of Starc’s talent would be restricted to just the one appearance. He had his moments at Old Trafford, without threatening the sort of dominance he brings to bear in ODI cricket . Reuters
    14. Mitchell Starc – 5. Curious that a player of Starc’s talent would be restricted to just the one appearance. He had his moments at Old Trafford, without threatening the sort of dominance he brings to bear in ODI cricket . Reuters
  • 15. Nathan Lyon – 7. He will always remember this series for two reasons. One, he went past Dennis Lillee in the wicket-taking charts. Two, that botched run out at Headingley. Reuters
    15. Nathan Lyon – 7. He will always remember this series for two reasons. One, he went past Dennis Lillee in the wicket-taking charts. Two, that botched run out at Headingley. Reuters
  • 16. Josh Hazlewood – 8. Some pundits are claiming Australia have never had a better new-ball pairing than Cummins and Hazlewood. That is a big claim, but they were outstanding in this series. AFP
    16. Josh Hazlewood – 8. Some pundits are claiming Australia have never had a better new-ball pairing than Cummins and Hazlewood. That is a big claim, but they were outstanding in this series. AFP

Steve Smith almost perfect, Jason Roy an unmitigated failure: Ashes series player ratings


Paul Radley
  • English
  • Arabic

England crushed Australia by 135 runs in the fifth and final Ashes Test on Sunday to level the series at 2-2, ending their historic World Cup-winning season on a high.

Victory for the home side at the Oval means the Ashes series ends in a draw for the first time since 1972, although holders Australia retain the urn.

Tim Paine became the first Australia captain to take home the Ashes urn from English shores in 18 years, while there were many standout displays throughout the five-match series.

Steve Smith's return to Test cricket following his role in the infamous "Sandpapergate" could not have been scripted any better if it had been inked in a Hollywood studio.

The Australia batsman blunted England's bowlers, scoring 774 runs at an average of 110.57 including three centuries.

Here Paul Radley gives his player ratings for every player who took part in this year's Ashes series in the photo gallery above.

To move on to the next position, click on the arrows on the photo, or if using a mobile device simply swipe.

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.”

GRAN%20TURISMO
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TO ALL THE BOYS: ALWAYS AND FOREVER

Directed by: Michael Fimognari

Starring: Lana Condor and Noah Centineo

Two stars

The%20BaaS%20ecosystem
%3Cp%3EThe%20BaaS%20value%20chain%20consists%20of%20four%20key%20players%3A%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsumers%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20End-users%20of%20the%20financial%20product%20delivered%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDistributors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Also%20known%20as%20embedders%2C%20these%20are%20the%20firms%20that%20embed%20baking%20services%20directly%20into%20their%20existing%20customer%20journeys%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEnablers%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Usually%20Big%20Tech%20or%20FinTech%20companies%20that%20help%20embed%20financial%20services%20into%20third-party%20platforms%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProviders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Financial%20institutions%20holding%20a%20banking%20licence%20and%20offering%20regulated%20products%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Etwo%20permanent%20magnet%20synchronous%20motors%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Etwo-speed%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E625hp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E850Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERange%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E456km%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Efrom%20Dh737%2C480%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
THE 12 BREAKAWAY CLUBS

England

Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur

Italy
AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus

Spain
Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid

Tree of Hell

Starring: Raed Zeno, Hadi Awada, Dr Mohammad Abdalla

Director: Raed Zeno

Rating: 4/5

BAD%20BOYS%3A%20RIDE%20OR%20DIE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Adil%20El%20Arbi%20and%20Bilall%20Fallah%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EWill%20Smith%2C%20Martin%20Lawrence%2C%20Joe%20Pantoliano%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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”.

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Alaan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202021%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Parthi%20Duraisamy%20and%20Karun%20Kurien%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%247%20million%20raised%20in%20total%20%E2%80%94%20%242.5%20million%20in%20a%20seed%20round%20and%20%244.5%20million%20in%20a%20pre-series%20A%20round%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Quick pearls of wisdom

Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”

Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.” 

THE BIO

Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.

Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.

Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.

Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.

 

 

COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
%3Cp%3EName%3A%20DarDoc%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Abu%20Dhabi%3Cbr%3EFounders%3A%20Samer%20Masri%2C%20Keswin%20Suresh%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20HealthTech%3Cbr%3ETotal%20funding%3A%20%24800%2C000%3Cbr%3EInvestors%3A%20Flat6Labs%2C%20angel%20investors%20%2B%20Incubated%20by%20Hub71%2C%20Abu%20Dhabi's%20Department%20of%20Health%3Cbr%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%2010%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

Our legal columnist

Name: Yousef Al Bahar

Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994

Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers

Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale

Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni

Director: Amith Krishnan

Rating: 3.5/5

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDate%20started%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202020%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Khaldoon%20Bushnaq%20and%20Tariq%20Seksek%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abu%20Dhabi%20Global%20Market%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20HealthTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20100%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20to%20date%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2415%20million%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
SERIES INFO

Afghanistan v Zimbabwe, Abu Dhabi Sunshine Series

All matches at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Test series

1st Test: Zimbabwe beat Afghanistan by 10 wickets
2nd Test: Wednesday, 10 March – Sunday, 14 March

Play starts at 9.30am

T20 series

1st T20I: Wednesday, 17 March
2nd T20I: Friday, 19 March
3rd T20I: Saturday, 20 March

TV
Supporters in the UAE can watch the matches on the Rabbithole channel on YouTube

Groom and Two Brides

Director: Elie Semaan

Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla

Rating: 3/5

SQUADS

Bangladesh (from): Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Soumya Sarkar, Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Mahmudullah Riyad, Mohammad Mithun, Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das, Taijul Islam, Mosaddek Hossain, Nayeem Hasan, Mehedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadat Hossain, Abu Jayed

Afghanistan (from): Rashid Khan (capt), Ihsanullah Janat, Javid Ahmadi, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Asghar Afghan, Ikram Alikhil, Mohammad Nabi, Qais Ahmad, Sayed Ahmad Shirzad, Yamin Ahmadzai, Zahir Khan Pakteen, Afsar Zazai, Shapoor Zadran

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

Building boom turning to bust as Turkey's economy slows

Deep in a provincial region of northwestern Turkey, it looks like a mirage - hundreds of luxury houses built in neat rows, their pointed towers somewhere between French chateau and Disney castle.

Meant to provide luxurious accommodations for foreign buyers, the houses are however standing empty in what is anything but a fairytale for their investors.

The ambitious development has been hit by regional turmoil as well as the slump in the Turkish construction industry - a key sector - as the country's economy heads towards what could be a hard landing in an intensifying downturn.

After a long period of solid growth, Turkey's economy contracted 1.1 per cent in the third quarter, and many economists expect it will enter into recession this year.

The country has been hit by high inflation and a currency crisis in August. The lira lost 28 per cent of its value against the dollar in 2018 and markets are still unconvinced by the readiness of the government under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to tackle underlying economic issues.

The villas close to the town centre of Mudurnu in the Bolu region are intended to resemble European architecture and are part of the Sarot Group's Burj Al Babas project.

But the development of 732 villas and a shopping centre - which began in 2014 - is now in limbo as Sarot Group has sought bankruptcy protection.

It is one of hundreds of Turkish companies that have done so as they seek cover from creditors and to restructure their debts.

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

Company Profile 

Founder: Omar Onsi

Launched: 2018

Employees: 35

Financing stage: Seed round ($12 million)

Investors: B&Y, Phoenician Funds, M1 Group, Shorooq Partners

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

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

Our legal consultant

Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

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

Defined benefit and defined contribution schemes explained

Defined Benefit Plan (DB)

A defined benefit plan is where the benefit is defined by a formula, typically length of service to and salary at date of leaving.

Defined Contribution Plan (DC) 

A defined contribution plan is where the benefit depends on the amount of money put into the plan for an employee, and how much investment return is earned on those contributions.

THE SPECS

Engine: 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbo

Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch automatic

Power: 169bhp

Torque: 250Nm

Price: Dh54,500

On sale: now

Kanye%20West
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High profile Al Shabab attacks
  • 2010: A restaurant attack in Kampala Uganda kills 74 people watching a Fifa World Cup final football match.
  • 2013: The Westgate shopping mall attack, 62 civilians, five Kenyan soldiers and four gunmen are killed.
  • 2014: A series of bombings and shootings across Kenya sees scores of civilians killed.
  • 2015: Four gunmen attack Garissa University College in northeastern Kenya and take over 700 students hostage, killing those who identified as Christian; 148 die and 79 more are injured.
  • 2016: An attack on a Kenyan military base in El Adde Somalia kills 180 soldiers.
  • 2017: A suicide truck bombing outside the Safari Hotel in Mogadishu kills 587 people and destroys several city blocks, making it the deadliest attack by the group and the worst in Somalia’s history.