Still thinking about going away for the coming Eid Al Adha break, but haven't decided where to go?
Luckily, the UAE, sitting between Europe and Asia, is a great base for travel, conveniently located for many holiday destinations.
Read next: UAE announces start date for Eid Al Adha
Whether you fancy hopping across to neighbouring Oman or are OK to spend a few more hours travelling to reach the magic of Istanbul, there's plenty on offer for a short break this Eid Al Adha.
Here are some destinations to consider, all of which are within a five-hour flight of the UAE.
Manama, Bahrain
How long is the flight? One hour and 20 minutes
Which airlines fly direct to Manama? Etihad, Emirates, Gulf Air, Air Arabia, flydubai
The neighbouring Gulf state might not be the first destination that springs to mind for UAE residents seeking a beach break, but the country has a lot to offer to history buffs, foodies and to those just looking to relax. The main island spans about 760 square kilometres, with beaches all around.
Fly into Manama, and stay here to make the most of the local restaurants and nightlife. Head to the Bahrain National Museum during the day, cross over to Muharraq in the evening to walk along the Pearl Path - documenting the nation's history in the pearl trade - and visit the local souks. Explore one of the smaller islands, such as Jarada Island or Al Dar Island, for the ultimate beach day.
Muscat, Oman
How long is the flight? One hour
Which airlines fly direct to Muscat? Etihad Airways, Wizz Air, Emirates, Air Arabia, Oman Air, Salam Air
For a super-quick escape, Muscat is a good choice and a well-worn favourite with UAE residents. Visit the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, head to the harbour to check out the imposing structure of Al Jalali Fort or book tickets for a tour of the Royal Opera House along with its music exhibition.
For ocean vibes, make for the coast to spend the day at Zale Beach Club at Kempinski Hotel Muscat, unwind at The Chedi, or take a trip to the old town to soak up the vibe at Mutrah Souq.
Baku, Azerbaijan
How long is the flight? Three hours
Which airlines fly direct to Baku? Emirates, flydubai, Wizz Air, Air Arabia
Expect Parisian-style boulevards and Caspian coastlines with fantastic seafood plus amazing architecture such as the Heydar Aliyev Centre, one of the last projects from the late architect Zaha Hadid. Baku’s centre is a Unesco World Heritage Site with a fascinating history; sights include the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and the 12th-century Maiden Tower. Elsewhere, discover mud volcanoes in Gobustan National Park – it's worth the hour-long bumpy ride to see these unique natural phenomena.
Dushanbe, Tajikistan
How long is the flight? Three hours
Which airlines fly direct to Dushanbe? Emirates, flydubai, Somon Air
Leafy boulevards, manicured parks and pastel-coloured buildings await in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, which is quite a contrast to the rest of the country’s wilderness. Visit Rudaki Park to see its animated fountains, statues and monuments. Or head to the National Museum of Tajikistan, which gets rave reviews, and don't miss the Ethnography Museum next door. Cuisine here tends to be a fusion of Arabic, Middle Eastern, Chinese and international influences. Highly recommended is Chaykhona Rokhat, a tea house built in 1958 that has elaborate decor.
Amman, Jordan
How long is the flight? Three hours and 15 minutes
Which airlines fly direct to Amman? Wizz Air, Emirates, Etihad, Air Arabia, Royal Jordanian, flydubai
Amman, the biggest city in the Levant, is a must-visit for history buffs. Considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities throughout history, it is now a busy metropolis, with business districts and nightlife spots, but the remains of the famed Amman Citadel can be seen on the eastern side of the city.
Grab a coffee at a cafe on Rainbow Street, walk by the King Abdullah I Mosque and visit the Jordan Archaeological Museum. If you have some extra time on hand, take a day trip to Petra.
Tbilisi, Georgia
How long is the flight? About three and a half hours
Which airlines fly direct to Tbilisi? Emirates, Air Arabia, flydubai
Georgia sits at the ancient crossroads between Asia and Europe on the Silk Road. Capital city Tbilisi has something for everyone with centuries-old ruins, beautiful botanical gardens and bustling street life. The Caucasus country has a summer average temperature of 30ºC, so not too hot for sightseeing. Take a wander around Meidan Square, hop on a cable car to Turtle Lake or keep little ones happy with a trip to Mtatsminda Park, the Georgian equivalent of Disneyland.
Alexandria, Egypt
How long is the flight? Four hours
Which airlines fly direct to Amman? Wizz Air, flydubai
Egypt's second-largest city sits along the coast, offering water views as visitors dive into its rich history. Visit ancient Greek and Roman ruins, head to its many museums, and stop by the Bibliotheca Alexandrina – a modern imagining of the city's famed library first established during the Ptolemaic Dynasty, accidentally torched by Julius Caesar in 48 BCE.
Elsewhere, the ancient city is known for its nightlife, with plenty of scenic restaurants and bars to visit.
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
How long is the flight? Four hours
Which airlines fly direct to Bishkek? Wizz Air, flydubai, Air Arabia
Bishkek is laid out in a grid, with wide boulevards and plenty of green space. Soviet-era apartment complexes are next to marble-fronted buildings and orchards are flanked by irrigation canals. Ala-Too, Bishkek’s largest square, is its cultural epicentre. Visit the State Historical Museum, formerly known as the Lenin Museum, for a walk through history. Or explore the thriving arts scene by going to Gallery M, founded by local creatives Momunbek Akmatkulov and Zhyldyz Oruzbayeva, which specialises in contemporary art, including painting, graphics, sculpture and photography.
Kathmandu, Nepal
How long is the flight? Just over four hours
Which airlines fly direct to Kathmandu: Emirates, flydubai, Air Arabia, Himalaya Airlines
This valley-steeped capital city is one of the world's most sensory places, where colour, chaos and congestion combine. Expect endless traffic-filled alleyways, crowded streets and persistent traders at every turn. But stay a while, and you'll discover a fondness for its people, the delicious momos, ancient temples and perhaps even the chaos of Thamel, as well as the sprawling Chandragiri Hills that offer amazing views of Mount Everest on a clear day.
Colombo, Sri Lanka
How long is the flight? Just over four hours
Which airlines fly direct to Colombo? Etihad Airways, Emirates, flydubai, Air Arabia, Sri Lankan Airlines
Sri Lanka is a long-time favourite for those seeking a quick getaway from the UAE. The teardrop island has everything from beaches and lakes to jungles and mountains. And capital city Colombo is a buzzy spot that's a fascinating mix of cultures and religions, lined with churches, temples and mosques. There's a rich arts scene with countless galleries and markets, and urban renewal has created new hotspots such as the Dutch Hospital, a 400-year-old building converted into a shopping and dining complex; and the warehouses of Park Street Mews, which are now the place to go for retail therapy and dining out.
Chennai, India
How long is the flight? About four and a half hours
Which airlines fly direct to Chennai? Etihad Airways, Emirates, Air Arabia, Air India, IndiGo
The vibrant city by the sea has a rich blend of cultural, historic and modern attractions. This includes Marina Beach, a stretch of shoreline along the Bay of Bengal that's the world’s second-longest urban beach, and is ideal for a morning stroll or some evening relaxation. Visit Fort St George, a colonial relic on the edge of the city that houses a museum and the majestic St Mary's Church, or head for Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Mylapore that showcases Dravidian architecture and intricate carvings.
Larnaca, Cyprus
How long is the flight? About four and a half hours
Which airlines fly direct to Larnaca? Emirates, Wizz Air
Larnaca offers fabulous beaches thanks to a 75km coastline with plentiful sandy spots, ideal for activities such as kitesurfing, windsurfing and jet-skiing. The city is also conveniently compact, which is great for sightseeing. Head to Larnaca Castle and stop at the Church of Saint Lazarus. Or visit the Hala Sultan Tekke, an ancient mosque on Larnaca Salt Lake. There are great hiking opportunities with amazing vistas, and sea temperatures are pleasant and offer excellent diving opportunities. Enjoy traditional cuisine, inspired by Arabic, Greek, Mediterranean and Turkish fare.
Istanbul, Turkey
How long is the flight? About five hours
Which airlines fly direct to Istanbul? Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai, Air Arabia, Pegasus, Turkish Airlines
Istanbul lies at the crossheads of two continents. There is more than 2,500 years of history, culture, and traditions ripe for exploring in this fascinating city. Expect fantastic food, amazing landmarks and views that are well worth travelling for. Visit Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and go shopping at the Grand Bazaar. A cruise on the Bosphorus is one of the most interesting ways to soak in the vibes.
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
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
Super Rugby play-offs
Quarter-finals
- Hurricanes 35, ACT 16
- Crusaders 17, Highlanders 0
- Lions 23, Sharks 21
- Chiefs 17, Stormers 11
Semi-finals
Saturday, July 29
- Crusaders v Chiefs, 12.35pm (UAE)
- Lions v Hurricanes, 4.30pm
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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THREE
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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.”
The Birkin bag is made by Hermès.
It is named after actress and singer Jane Birkin
Noone from Hermès will go on record to say how much a new Birkin costs, how long one would have to wait to get one, and how many bags are actually made each year.
UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
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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.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
Jeff Buckley: From Hallelujah To The Last Goodbye
By Dave Lory with Jim Irvin
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
How Voiss turns words to speech
The device has a screen reader or software that monitors what happens on the screen
The screen reader sends the text to the speech synthesiser
This converts to audio whatever it receives from screen reader, so the person can hear what is happening on the screen
A VOISS computer costs between $200 and $250 depending on memory card capacity that ranges from 32GB to 128GB
The speech synthesisers VOISS develops are free
Subsequent computer versions will include improvements such as wireless keyboards
Arabic voice in affordable talking computer to be added next year to English, Portuguese, and Spanish synthesiser
Partnerships planned during Expo 2020 Dubai to add more languages
At least 2.2 billion people globally have a vision impairment or blindness
More than 90 per cent live in developing countries
The Long-term aim of VOISS to reach the technology to people in poor countries with workshops that teach them to build their own device
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
