Half-term is right around the corner, with many schools in the UAE set to enjoy the first break of the year. For the majority of educational establishments it runs from next Monday to Friday, but can vary.
And with Covid-19 restrictions having been lifted in many destinations around the world, including an easing of regulations in the UAE, perhaps the time is right to venture overseas.
Embrace the bustling streets of Istanbul, easily reached in less than five hours from the UAE, or head for the tropical shorelines of Zanzibar or Nepal's adventure-filled mountains. These last-minute getaways are available to book now, and there’s something for every budget.
1. A beach escape in Zanzibar
The tropical shores of Zanzibar await this month for travellers seeking a beachside escape. Book with flydubai holidays for a five-and-a-half-hour flight to the Tanzanian island to check in at the Nungwi Inn Beach Cottages. Nestled right on the shoreline, the resort offers 25 air-conditioned cottages with whitewashed walls and bright blue roofs, the ideal destination from where to enjoy island life. For those who prefer to be in a different part of the island or are seeking something more pocket-friendly or with additional luxury options, there are plenty of other accommodation options also available.
October is a great time to go to Zanzibar as it sits right in the middle of the island's two rainy seasons, meaning it is ideal for sun-seekers. Don’t forget to stop in Stone Town, where the ancient winding alleys are a well-preserved example of a Swahili coastal trading town and a place to easily lose yourself in hundreds of years of history. For ocean exploration, take a day trip to Chumbe Island Coral Park, off the coast of the capital. This non-profit private nature reserve has a coral reef sanctuary and a forest reserve and is home to some of the best snorkelling and scuba diving in East Africa.
From Dh3,743 per person for four nights, including breakfast, flights and taxes; www.holidays.flydubai.com
2. Exploration in Istanbul, the city of four empires
East meets West in Turkey’s Istanbul where delicious food, ancient markets and sprawling streets combine. History buffs can enjoy new wonders around every corner, thanks to the city’s history as the capital of four major empires including the Roman, Byzantine, Latin and Ottoman. The world's only megacity straddling two continents, Istanbul is a thriving metropolis and in October, the city typically basks in sunny days, with cooler evening climes.
Fly with Etihad from Abu Dhabi this half-term for a flight time of just under five hours. Check in at the Sura Hagia Sophia Hotel in the middle of the Sultanahmet district where the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, the Grand Bazaar and Taksim Square are all within walking distance.
Dh4,759 per person for four nights, including breakfast, flights and taxes; book.etihadholidays.com
3. Amazing adventures in Nepal
Travellers who want a few days of action-packed adventure, coupled with plenty of time to unwind, might consider a half-term escape to Nepal. TrekkUp’s Rocks'n Yoga trip departs Dubai this Saturday, reaching Kathmandu in four and a half hours.
The trip takes in six days of exploration in beautiful Nepal with activities including river rafting from Charaudi, canyoning in Lwang Ghalel and paragliding at Sarangkot on the radar. Hiking, yoga, meditation and a boating excursion on Pokhara’s most picturesque lake are also included. Wrap things up with an exploration of Nepal’s bustling capital by indulging in a traditional Nepalese meal, exploring myriad Unesco World Heritage sites and sample the city's bustling nightlife.
Dh3,650 per person, including activities and accommodation. Flights need to be arranged separately for last-minute bookings and start from Dh2,700; www.meetup.com
4. A blowout luxury stay in the Maldives
For a seriously luxurious escape, how about fusing the paradisiacal islands of the Maldives with classic Italian hospitality. Baglioni Resort Maldives on Maagau island in the Dhaalu Atoll is a seaplane ride away from Male’s Velana International Airport, reachable via a four-hour flight from Dubai.
Villa accommodation on the beach offers indoor-outdoor living and space for up to six people. The family-friendly resort has plenty to keep children entertained, including culture workshops where they can learn the Maldivian dance Boduberu, plus engage in arts, crafts and open-air beach games. The Baglioni Spa has also developed a range of massages dedicated for children and using all-natural ingredients.
Adults can enjoy their own treatments at the spa, where there’s also a yoga pavilion and fitness area. And for those that want to dive into the deep blue, the Maagau Dive Centre offers scuba, snorkelling, sunset cruises, dolphin watching and watersports.
The resort’s family getaway offer includes four nights for four people, with a complimentary dolphin or sunset cruise, non-motorised watersports and an introductory diving session. Two children under 12 stay and eat for free, and there’s a complimentary couple's massage plus 10 per cent off on spa treatments and a la carte menus. Guests will also get free early check-in and late checkout.
Dh35,256 on a half-board basis for two adults and two children. Direct flights start from Dh2,288 with Wizz Air Abu Dhabi or from Dh4,361 with Emirates, seaplane transfers cost an additional $1,600 for a family of four; www.baglionihotels.com
5. A budget break in Baku
Just more than three hours' flight time from the UAE, the capital of Azerbaijan is a good choice for anyone seeking an affordable half-term holiday. Book with Holiday Factory, and fly from either Dubai or Sharjah to the country's capital, where Unesco-listed sites, amazing architecture and luxury shopping await.
Famed for its impressive Flame Towers and 6th-century Old City, Baku also has a thriving cafe culture, bustling markets and is a great jumping-off point for day trips around the country. Staying at the five-star Hyatt Regency Baku, one of the best hotels in the city, guests can expect well-appointed rooms with pool, garden or city views, plus humongous bathtubs. There’s a swimming pool, tennis courts, squash courts and a steam bath and sauna on-site, and the hotel is located near Neftchilar Avenue and Nizami Street, the best spots in the city for shopping and entertainment. Day trip options include several biking and hiking trails, Qobustan's mud volcanoes and Ateshgah temple, famed for its ever-burning flame.
From Dh2,499 per person for three nights, including breakfast, flights, taxes and airport transfers; www.holiday-factory.com
6. Half-term in bustling Bangkok
A long-time favourite with holidaymakers, Thailand never fails to impress and the capital has something for everyone. Famed for its fantastic street food, cultural attractions and colourful markets, Bangkok is reachable via a six-and-a-half-hour flight from Abu Dhabi.
Capital Travel has a trip to Krung Thep that's still bookable for this half-term. It coincides with the end of Thailand’s rainy season and the time when summer humidity finally begins to subside. While there’s still likely to be a few downpours at this time of year, the heavy showers usually only last for a few hours in the afternoon.
Staying at the four-star Radisson Suites Bangkok Sukhumvit, travellers can enjoy the area’s nightlife, restaurants, malls and markets. Sukhumvit Road is one of the longest streets in the world, so there’s plenty to see and do. And of course, there's plenty of time to explore farther afield where you can take in Bangkok’s must-do’s such as Wat Phra Chetuphon — the temple with the famed reclining Buddha; Pak Khlong Talat flower market and a boat tour along the Chao Phraya River.
From Dh3,699 including flights, accommodation and airport transfers. Other accommodation options are available; www.capitaltravel.ae
7. An affordable autumn escape to Georgia
Fancy three days of cooler climes and autumnal colours without spending a fortune? Then consider a three-night escape to Georgia. Flying from Sharjah on October 20, a speedy three-hour flight to Tbilisi will have travellers check-in at the Hotel Magnolia, which is within walking distance of Freedom Square. The trip will keep everyone busy with plenty of sightseeing on the itinerary such as a visit to Mtskheta — a Unesco heritage-listed town that’s known for its historical buildings, and a half-day excursion to Old Tbilisi where the Metekhi Church, the Bridge of Peace and age-old sulphur baths await.
Head into the hills to Gudauri ski resort, and go visit Ananuri Castle where you can stop for panoramic views over the blue waters of the Zhinvali Reservoir, a man-made lake on the Georgian Military Highway. There’s also a day trip to the eastern part of the country where you can explore the historical treasures of Kakheti, and an optional exploration to Uplistsikhe Cave Town — one of the oldest urban settlements in the country.
From Dh1,899 per person, including flights, accommodation, airport transfers and sightseeing; houseoftours.com
8. Holiday Swiss-style at Five Zurich
Switzerland's largest city is home to the first Five Hotel in Europe and Emirates Holidays is offering half-term escapes to the Zurich outpost.
The famous party hotel from Dubai has a sleek sister hotel on the outskirts of Switzerland's financial metropolis and it's a great option for anyone seeking a holiday that blends great food, city life and fresh October air.
Five Zurich is all about offering guests a getaway experience and travellers checking in can look forward to luxury accommodation with views towards the city, first-rate restaurants and a fantastic underground spa. For those who want to stay up, The Penthouse is the place to go. As well as being a buzzy, slick Japanese restaurant, it's also where the DJ spins tracks every night.
Discreetly tucked away next door is the neon-lined Bathroom Bar and a Saturday night clubbing spot, but unlike its Dubai counterpart, this hotel is entirely family-friendly and also offers a place where people can simply unwind, take a walk in the surrounding green spaces and enjoy the indoor swimming pool that overlooks a natural waterfall.
Its location, only 15 minutes from Zurich's city centre, means there's plenty to see and do away from the hotel too. Dominating the skyline is the Grossmunster Church, well worth a visit, as are the Kunsthaus art gallery and Swiss National Museum. Take a stroll along the River Limmat, adorned with more than a thousand medieval and modern fountains, and stop for some cheese fondue or creamy Swiss chocolate at the myriad cafes, restaurants and bars that line the city's streets.
From Dh4,585 per person, including flights from Dubai and three nights on a room-only basis; www.emiratesholidays.com
9. An all-inclusive family escape to Mauritius
Known for its idyllic beaches, mountains and lush rainforests, Mauritius is one of the Indian Ocean’s best destinations for families. Travellers can enjoy the stunning azure blue waters and pristine shorelines, and there’s still plenty to do as it's easy to drive around the entire island. Book with dnata Travel and take the family to Club Med Resort at La Pointe aux Canonniers for three nights where you’ll stay all-inclusive, so you don’t need to worry what your bill will be when the children ask for yet another ice cream.
Located in the north of Mauritius, the resort offers access to two private beaches, four swimming pools, a lush spa by Cinq Mondes and a beach lounge for unwinding and catching some sunshine. The children's club is open for all children aged 0 to 17, with early years professionals on hand to take care of the littlest ones and daily activities to keep older children entertained. Try waterskiing on the calm Indian Ocean waters, go diving in the coral reef or head out to Mauritius's only 18-hole golf course, just a five-minute drive from the resort.
Dh6,262 per adult, on an all-inclusive basis and including flights; www.dnataTravel.com/offers/club-med
AndhaDhun
Director: Sriram Raghavan
Producer: Matchbox Pictures, Viacom18
Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Tabu, Radhika Apte, Anil Dhawan
Rating: 3.5/5
RESULTS
Dubai Kahayla Classic – Group 1 (PA) $750,000 (Dirt) 2,000m
Winner: Deryan, Ioritz Mendizabal (jockey), Didier Guillemin (trainer).
Godolphin Mile – Group 2 (TB) $750,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Secret Ambition, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
Dubai Gold Cup – Group 2 (TB) $750,000 (Turf) 3,200m
Winner: Subjectivist, Joe Fanning, Mark Johnston
Al Quoz Sprint – Group 1 (TB) $1million (T) 1,200m
Winner: Extravagant Kid, Ryan Moore, Brendan Walsh
UAE Derby – Group 2 (TB) $750,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Rebel’s Romance, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
Dubai Golden Shaheen – Group 1 (TB) $1.5million (D) 1,200m
Winner: Zenden, Antonio Fresu, Carlos David
Dubai Turf – Group 1 (TB) $4million (T) 1,800m
Winner: Lord North, Frankie Dettori, John Gosden
Dubai Sheema Classic – Group 1 (TB) $5million (T) 2,410m
Winner: Mishriff, John Egan, John Gosden
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
Boulder shooting victims
• Denny Strong, 20
• Neven Stanisic, 23
• Rikki Olds, 25
• Tralona Bartkowiak, 49
• Suzanne Fountain, 59
• Teri Leiker, 51
• Eric Talley, 51
• Kevin Mahoney, 61
• Lynn Murray, 62
• Jody Waters, 65
If you go:
Getting there:
Flying to Guyana requires first reaching New York with either Emirates or Etihad, then connecting with JetBlue or Caribbean Air at JFK airport. Prices start from around Dh7,000.
Getting around:
Wildlife Worldwide offers a range of Guyana itineraries, such as its small group tour, the 15-day ‘Ultimate Guyana Nature Experience’ which features Georgetown, the Iwokrama Rainforest (one of the world’s four remaining pristine tropical rainforests left in the world), the Amerindian village of Surama and the Rupununi Savannah, known for its giant anteaters and river otters; wildlifeworldwide.com
MATCH INFO
World Cup 2022 qualifier
UAE v Indonesia, Thursday, 8pm
Venue: Al Maktoum Stadium, Dubai
UFC Fight Night 2
1am – Early prelims
2am – Prelims
4am-7am – Main card
7:30am-9am – press cons
Meghan%20podcast
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New process leads to panic among jobseekers
As a UAE-based travel agent who processes tourist visas from the Philippines, Jennifer Pacia Gado is fielding a lot of calls from concerned travellers just now. And they are all asking the same question.
“My clients are mostly Filipinos, and they [all want to know] about good conduct certificates,” says the 34-year-old Filipina, who has lived in the UAE for five years.
Ms Gado contacted the Philippines Embassy to get more information on the certificate so she can share it with her clients. She says many are worried about the process and associated costs – which could be as high as Dh500 to obtain and attest a good conduct certificate from the Philippines for jobseekers already living in the UAE.
“They are worried about this because when they arrive here without the NBI [National Bureau of Investigation] clearance, it is a hassle because it takes time,” she says.
“They need to go first to the embassy to apply for the application of the NBI clearance. After that they have go to the police station [in the UAE] for the fingerprints. And then they will apply for the special power of attorney so that someone can finish the process in the Philippines. So it is a long process and more expensive if you are doing it from here.”
ENGLAND SQUAD
Team: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Anthony Watson, 13 Ben Te'o, 12 Owen Farrell, 11 Jonny May, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs, 1 Mako Vunipola, 2 Dylan Hartley, 3 Dan Cole, 4 Joe Launchbury, 5 Maro Itoje, 6 Courtney Lawes, 7 Chris Robshaw, 8 Sam Simmonds
Replacements 16 Jamie George, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Harry Williams, 19 George Kruis, 20 Sam Underhill, 21 Danny Care, 22 Jonathan Joseph, 23 Jack Nowell
8 traditional Jamaican dishes to try at Kingston 21
- Trench Town Rock: Jamaican-style curry goat served in a pastry basket with a carrot and potato garnish
- Rock Steady Jerk Chicken: chicken marinated for 24 hours and slow-cooked on the grill
- Mento Oxtail: flavoured oxtail stewed for five hours with herbs
- Ackee and salt fish: the national dish of Jamaica makes for a hearty breakfast
- Jamaican porridge: another breakfast favourite, can be made with peanut, cornmeal, banana and plantain
- Jamaican beef patty: a pastry with ground beef filling
- Hellshire Pon di Beach: Fresh fish with pickles
- Out of Many: traditional sweet potato pudding
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)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Stamp%20duty%20timeline
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Quick%20facts
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MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg
Rating: 4/5
Tips for used car buyers
- Choose cars with GCC specifications
- Get a service history for cars less than five years old
- Don’t go cheap on the inspection
- Check for oil leaks
- Do a Google search on the standard problems for your car model
- Do your due diligence. Get a transfer of ownership done at an official RTA centre
- Check the vehicle’s condition. You don’t want to buy a car that’s a good deal but ends up costing you Dh10,000 in repairs every month
- Validate warranty and service contracts with the relevant agency and and make sure they are valid when ownership is transferred
- If you are planning to sell the car soon, buy one with a good resale value. The two most popular cars in the UAE are black or white in colour and other colours are harder to sell
Tarek Kabrit, chief executive of Seez, and Imad Hammad, chief executive and co-founder of CarSwitch.com
Match info:
Portugal 1
Ronaldo (4')
Morocco 0
RESULTS
6.30pm Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
Winner Canvassed, Par Dobbs (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)
7.05pm Meydan Cup – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (Turf) 2,810m
Winner Dubai Future, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor
7.40pm UAE 2000 Guineas – Group 3 (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Mouheeb, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard
8.15pm Firebreak Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Secret Ambition, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
9.50pm Meydan Classic – Conditions (TB) $$50,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner Topper Bill, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
9.25pm Dubai Sprint – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner Man Of Promise, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
Tips from the expert
Dobromir Radichkov, chief data officer at dubizzle and Bayut, offers a few tips for UAE residents looking to earn some cash from pre-loved items.
- Sellers should focus on providing high-quality used goods at attractive prices to buyers.
- It’s important to use clear and appealing photos, with catchy titles and detailed descriptions to capture the attention of prospective buyers.
- Try to advertise a realistic price to attract buyers looking for good deals, especially in the current environment where consumers are significantly more price-sensitive.
- Be creative and look around your home for valuable items that you no longer need but might be useful to others.
Director: Paul Weitz
Stars: Kevin Hart
3/5 stars
Manchester City transfers:
OUTS
Pablo Zabaleta, Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy, Willy Caballero and Jesus Navas (all released)
INS
Ederson (Benfica) £34.7m, Bernardo Silva (Monaco) £43m
ON THEIR WAY OUT?
Joe Hart, Eliaquim Mangala, Samir Nasri, Wilfried Bony, Fabian Delph, Nolito and Kelechi Iheanacho
ON THEIR WAY IN?
Dani Alves (Juventus), Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
The specs
BMW M8 Competition Coupe
Engine 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8
Power 625hp at 6,000rpm
Torque 750Nm from 1,800-5,800rpm
Gearbox Eight-speed paddleshift auto
Acceleration 0-100kph in 3.2 sec
Top speed 305kph
Fuel economy, combined 10.6L / 100km
Price from Dh700,000 (estimate)
On sale Jan/Feb 2020
UAE Falcons
Carly Lewis (captain), Emily Fensome, Kelly Loy, Isabel Affley, Jessica Cronin, Jemma Eley, Jenna Guy, Kate Lewis, Megan Polley, Charlie Preston, Becki Quigley and Sophie Siffre. Deb Jones and Lucia Sdao – coach and assistant coach.
Traits of Chinese zodiac animals
Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent
The specs
Engine: 2-litre 4-cylinder and 3.6-litre 6-cylinder
Power: 220 and 280 horsepower
Torque: 350 and 360Nm
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Price: from Dh136,521 VAT and Dh166,464 VAT
On sale: now
In numbers
- Number of children under five will fall from 681 million in 2017 to 401m in 2100
- Over-80s will rise from 141m in 2017 to 866m in 2100
- Nigeria will become the world’s second most populous country with 791m by 2100, behind India
- China will fall dramatically from a peak of 2.4 billion in 2024 to 732 million by 2100
- an average of 2.1 children per woman is required to sustain population growth
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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23-man shortlist for next six Hall of Fame inductees
Tony Adams, David Beckham, Dennis Bergkamp, Sol Campbell, Eric Cantona, Andrew Cole, Ashley Cole, Didier Drogba, Les Ferdinand, Rio Ferdinand, Robbie Fowler, Steven Gerrard, Roy Keane, Frank Lampard, Matt Le Tissier, Michael Owen, Peter Schmeichel, Paul Scholes, John Terry, Robin van Persie, Nemanja Vidic, Patrick Viera, Ian Wright.
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Silent Hill f
Publisher: Konami
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Rating: 4.5/5
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RESULT
Valencia 3
Kevin Gameiro 21', 51'
Ferran Torres 67'
Atlanta 4
Josip Llicic 3' (P), 43' (P), 71', 82'
MATCH INFO
Tottenham Hotspur 0 Everton 1 (Calvert-Lewin 55')
Man of the Match Allan (Everton)
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Getting there
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Tbilisi from Dh1,025 return including taxes
Profile of Udrive
Date started: March 2016
Founder: Hasib Khan
Based: Dubai
Employees: 40
Amount raised (to date): $3.25m – $750,000 seed funding in 2017 and a Seed round of $2.5m last year. Raised $1.3m from Eureeca investors in January 2021 as part of a Series A round with a $5m target.
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RACE CARD
6.30pm: Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm: Meydan Sprint – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (Turf) 1,000m
7.40pm: Curlin Stakes – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (D) 2,200m
8.15pm: UAE Oaks – Group 3 (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,900m
8.50pm: Zabeel Mile – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,600m
9.25pm: Balanchine – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,800m
10pm: Al Shindagha Sprint – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,200m
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
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.
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Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015
- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany
- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people
- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed
- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest
- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France
