In late October 2020, at Olso’s Ulleval Stadium, Norwegian patriots saw a plan come together beautifully.
The national team were playing Romania. They won handsomely. Better still the country’s celebrated young centre-forward scored two of the night’s four goals direct from passes from the midfielder who had been feted even longer than Erling Haaland as a generational talent.
Martin Odegaard’s assist for the first was sumptuous, a through-ball gauged to Haaland’s strengths – acceleration, power and a jackhammer of a left foot.
The pass to set up Norway’s third was simpler, but executed coolly, anticipating Haaland’s uncanny instinct to be in the right place to poach from close range.
One day, Norwegians imagine, this combination of Odegaard and Haaland will shine on an elevated tournament stage. So far, the fact that a relatively small country – population around 5.5 million – boasts two of football’s finest young talents has not been shown off at a European Championship or a World Cup. But there is plenty of time. Haaland turns 23 in July, Odegaard is 24.
Both are still improving and learning about intense pressure as they animate a tight contest for a league title in the richest, most watched domestic competition in the club game.
By the end of next month, one of these Scandinavian superstars will have claimed an English Premier League title. If it is Odegaard, he will be lifting the trophy as captain of Arsenal, who hold a five-point lead over Manchester City, where Arsenal play on Wednesday knowing that, given City have played two matches fewer, their advantage could fade fast.
If it is City’s Haaland, he will be adding the prize to several individual awards from his first season in English football: The Premier League’s top marksman is all but guaranteed; Footballer of the Year is very plausible.
Both were stars in their teens, hot-housed into the sport by fathers who had been professional players. Odegaard was exceptionally precocious, at the centre of an auction involving Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Real Madrid before he turned 16.
Madrid won it, and, unfortunately for Odegaard, they were at the time bringing together a senior trio who would form the most enduringly excellent midfield of the last decade. No kid, however dazzling, was going to drive a wedge between Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro.
It meant Odegaard’s pathway to the top would not be through Madrid, but by a route that more resembled Haaland’s – judicious steps up through the hierarchy of European leagues. Haaland left Norway for Austria’s top division and RB Salzburg, then joined a Bundesliga club with a superb record for developing young talent, Borussia Dortmund.
Odegaard thrived in Dutch football, on loan from Madrid at Heerenveen and Vitesse, and, in another loan, at Real Sociedad, who like Dortmund, know how to maximise potential.
The big break came when Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, a former Real Sociedad player, heard positive reports of Odegaard, not only about his midfield vision but his impeccable professionalism. Two winters ago, Arteta hired him on loan, and soon made the deal permanent.
No Arsenal recruit has been more significant in Arteta’s own success in his first senior coaching job. When Odegaard made his Arsenal debut, the club sat in the bottom half of the Premier League; he will play his 100th Arsenal game on Wednesday with them top, as captain, and second only in goals (12) and assists (8) for the season to Bukayo Saka.
Those statistics represent Odegaard’s best return of his career. Haaland’s staggering 32 Premier League goals in 2022/23 are smashing records. He and his compatriot can both smile about the doubts that were whispered about them in their early months in England.
Arsenal 1 Man City 3: Player ratings
There were concerns, in early 2021, Odegaard might not have the steel Arsenal needed. But as City manager Pep Guardiola noted, he now leads by example a side who “play an aggressive game, man-to-man, all around the pitch. You have to challenge Arsenal on those terms. With the quality they have in the build-up, on the second balls. It’s difficult”.
Haaland, joining a City who had thrived without a conventional centre-forward, was initially mistaken for a square peg in a round hole. As City chase a treble, he looks ever more the piece that completes the jigsaw.
“When you look at the numbers, there’s no comparison with anybody else,” acknowledged Arteta, who expects, for fitness reasons, to be without two of his more muscular competitors, William Saliba and Grant Xhaka at the Etihad.
“With Haaland, City have the capacity to play in different ways. Playing far from your goal, they have the capacity to exploit open spaces. Attacking low blocks they have a different threat because they are now a very physical team.”
Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
Ad Astra
Director: James Gray
Stars: Brad Pitt, Tommy Lee Jones
Five out of five stars
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
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”.
TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
The specs: 2019 Haval H6
Price, base: Dh69,900
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 197hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 315Nm @ 2,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
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.
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Results
6.30pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,400m. Winner: Rio Angie, Pat Dobbs (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer).
7.05pm: Handicap Dh170,000 (D) 1,600m. Winner: Trenchard, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
7.40pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m. Winner: Mulfit, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
8.15pm: Handicap Dh210,000 (D) 1,200m. Winner: Waady, Dane O’Neill, Doug Watson.
8.50pm: Handicap Dh210,000 (D) 2,000m. Winner: Tried And True, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
9.25pm:Handicap Dh185,000 (D) 1,400m. Winner: Midnight Sands, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Squid Game season two
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
Rating: 4.5/5
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
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Graduated from the American University of Sharjah
She is the eldest of three brothers and two sisters
Has helped solve 15 cases of electric shocks
Enjoys travelling, reading and horse riding
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Profile
Company: Justmop.com
Date started: December 2015
Founders: Kerem Kuyucu and Cagatay Ozcan
Sector: Technology and home services
Based: Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai
Size: 55 employees and 100,000 cleaning requests a month
Funding: The company’s investors include Collective Spark, Faith Capital Holding, Oak Capital, VentureFriends, and 500 Startups.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
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.”
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