Improvement in language skills a big step forward
Test shows state pupils lift skills in language (November 2) is very positive news.
If UAE students' performances are improving, it shows that the system is working.
However, an education system is always a work in progress, so this is not a time for resting on laurels.
As this nation grows, it needs to adopt the world's best practices in all areas, and especially in the academic field.
The demands on the next generation of Emiratis will undoubtedly be great, and they will need the best possible education to prepare them for challenges ahead.
M Morris, Dubai
Theatre festival is inspirational
I was pleased to read All the world's a stage, very briefly (November 4), about the festival being conducted by Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre (Ductac).
I do hope that the Short+Sweet festival's director, Alex Broun, is right when he says Dubai is on the cusp of a theatrical explosion.
As a longtime lover of live theatre, I am familiar with this festival from my homeland of Australia, and I will certainly try to be in the front row when the festival launches in the UAE in February.
I'd also like to encourage budding thespians, directors and stage crew to get involved. The only way to grow a theatre culture here is for people to embrace it wholeheartedly.
Mark Tucker, Abu Dhabi
Canadian rules are reasonable
I write in reference to Canada residency scam: how they do it (October 9). Why on Earth would anybody expect to be able to vote if he or she is not yet a citizen?
Canada is not alone in expecting that landed immigrants prove their commitment to their country, including by paying taxes, before they acquire citizenship.
If immigrants wish to work abroad, they may do so after they acquire citizenship.
If you wish to be a Canadian citizen it is reasonable that the Canadian government expect that you contribute to Canada for what is a relatively short time in comparison to some other countries prior to citizenship.
If another country is easier in regard to citizenship, then choose the other country.
P Cawley, Abu Dhabi
Accident reminds us of road safety
Yet another tragic road accident has claimed several lives (Eight Emiratis die in Oman tragedy, November 3). May their souls rest in peace.
These accidents serve as a constant reminder for motorists to drive safely and within the recommended speed limits.
Fatima Suhail, Dubai
Oldies are not always goodies
I groaned when I read that Nickelback were "paying back" their fans with old hits (Nickelback brings down house with no gimmicks, November 4).
Why are major events in Abu Dhabi always celebrated by hiring tired old rockers to play material that was already a cliché when it originally hit the shelves?
If the fans want to wallow in the past, why don't they stay at home and watch it on DVD? Promoters should give as many chances as possible to new talent.
Nick Capri, Abu Dhabi
Tomb discovery poses a question
I was fascinated by Tomb of Egypt princess found (November 4).
Given the number of riches already uncovered by archaeologists in Egypt, it is amazing that discoveries of this magnitude are still being made.
It makes me wonder what else is still there to be found, and how all these discoveries fit together to create a better picture of the past.
Noel Parker, Abu Dhabi
No benefit in US support for Israel
Regarding Israel turns away from Obama in drift to right (November 2), maybe it's time for Israel to be weaned off American support.
The Israelis only like the US when it does something to their advantage. But what advantage is the US getting from supporting Israel?
M Carver, Dubai
Thoughts are with victims of storm
I was sad to read US faces $50bn bill for storm (October 31), about the extent of the damage wrought by Hurricane Sandy.
Millions of people in New York and New Jersey were affected, but the relief work was fast and many of them were quickly evacuated.
I hope the victims have a speedy return to their normal lives.
K Ragavan, India
The%20specs
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Planes grounded by coronavirus
British Airways: Cancels all direct flights to and from mainland China
Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific: Cutting capacity to/from mainland China by 50 per cent from Jan. 30
Chicago-based United Airlines: Reducing flights to Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong
Ai Seoul: Suspended all flights to China
Finnair: Suspending flights to Nanjing and Beijing Daxing until the end of March
Indonesia's Lion Air: Suspending all flights to China from February
South Korea's Asiana Airlines, Jeju Air and Jin Air: Suspend all flights
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
The Buckingham Murders
Starring: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ash Tandon, Prabhleen Sandhu
Director: Hansal Mehta
Rating: 4 / 5
Schedule:
Pakistan v Sri Lanka:
28 Sep-2 Oct, 1st Test, Abu Dhabi
6-10 Oct, 2nd Test (day-night), Dubai
13 Oct, 1st ODI, Dubai
16 Oct, 2nd ODI, Abu Dhabi
18 Oct, 3rd ODI, Abu Dhabi
20 Oct, 4th ODI, Sharjah
23 Oct, 5th ODI, Sharjah
26 Oct, 1st T20I, Abu Dhabi
27 Oct, 2nd T20I, Abu Dhabi
29 Oct, 3rd T20I, Lahore
MATCH INFO
What: 2006 World Cup quarter-final
When: July 1
Where: Gelsenkirchen Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Result:
England 0 Portugal 0
(Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
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.
Indoor Cricket World Cup Dubai 2017
Venue Insportz, Dubai; Admission Free
Day 1 fixtures (Saturday)
Men 1.45pm, Malaysia v Australia (Court 1); Singapore v India (Court 2); UAE v New Zealand (Court 3); South Africa v Sri Lanka (Court 4)
Women Noon, New Zealand v South Africa (Court 3); England v UAE (Court 4); 5.15pm, Australia v UAE (Court 3); England v New Zealand (Court 4)
Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage
Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid
Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani
Rating: 4/5
Top investing tips for UAE residents in 2021
Build an emergency fund: Make sure you have enough cash to cover six months of expenses as a buffer against unexpected problems before you begin investing, advises Steve Cronin, the founder of DeadSimpleSaving.com.
Think long-term: When you invest, you need to have a long-term mindset, so don’t worry about momentary ups and downs in the stock market.
Invest worldwide: Diversify your investments globally, ideally by way of a global stock index fund.
Is your money tied up: Avoid anything where you cannot get your money back in full within a month at any time without any penalty.
Skip past the promises: “If an investment product is offering more than 10 per cent return per year, it is either extremely risky or a scam,” Mr Cronin says.
Choose plans with low fees: Make sure that any funds you buy do not charge more than 1 per cent in fees, Mr Cronin says. “If you invest by yourself, you can easily stay below this figure.” Managed funds and commissionable investments often come with higher fees.
Be sceptical about recommendations: If someone suggests an investment to you, ask if they stand to gain, advises Mr Cronin. “If they are receiving commission, they are unlikely to recommend an investment that’s best for you.”
Get financially independent: Mr Cronin advises UAE residents to pursue financial independence. Start with a Google search and improve your knowledge via expat investing websites or Facebook groups such as SimplyFI.
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
JOKE'S%20ON%20YOU
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Votes
Total votes: 1.8 million
Ashraf Ghani: 923,592 votes
Abdullah Abdullah: 720,841 votes
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.”
Small Victories: The True Story of Faith No More by Adrian Harte
Jawbone Press
ALRAWABI%20SCHOOL%20FOR%20GIRLS
%3Cp%3ECreator%3A%20Tima%20Shomali%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%C2%A0Tara%20Abboud%2C%C2%A0Kira%20Yaghnam%2C%20Tara%20Atalla%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000
Engine 3.6L V6
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm
Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km
Tuesday's fixtures
Kyrgyzstan v Qatar, 5.45pm
Company%20Profile
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