Dusty weather could cut visibility in parts of the UAE, the National Centre of Meteorology said. Antonie Robertson / The National
Dusty weather could cut visibility in parts of the UAE, the National Centre of Meteorology said. Antonie Robertson / The National
Dusty weather could cut visibility in parts of the UAE, the National Centre of Meteorology said. Antonie Robertson / The National
Dusty weather could cut visibility in parts of the UAE, the National Centre of Meteorology said. Antonie Robertson / The National

UAE

UAE weather: forecasters warn of dust clouds

Reduced visibility expected in parts of the country

The National

June 25, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Residents can expect dust clouds in parts of the UAE on Saturday.

The National Centre of Meteorology said winds of up to 40kph could kick up dust that cuts visibility to 2,000 metres in internal parts of the country.

Abu Dhabi Police urged drivers to be cautious due to low visibility.

"For your safety and for the safety of others on the road, please do not be distracted by taking any videos or using your phone," the force wrote on Twitter.

The weather is also expected to be humid this weekend, with levels potentially hitting 90 per cent in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, as temperatures remain high.

Humidity in Abu Dhabi and Dubai will be up to 80 per cent on Saturday, the NCM said, rising to 90 per cent in both emirates on Sunday.

Residents also woke on Saturday to tremors after a quake shook southern Iran.

The NCM said a 6.0 magnitude earthquake was recorded in southern Iran at 7:37am UAE time and was "slightly felt by residents but without effect in the UAE".

Sand and dust storms hit the Gulf - in pictures

  • A dusty, hazy day at Dubai Creek. The UAE has been in the grip of sand and dust storms since Tuesday. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    A dusty, hazy day at Dubai Creek. The UAE has been in the grip of sand and dust storms since Tuesday. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • The hot and dusty conditions witnessed at Dubai Creek will persist for the next few days, with the National Centre of Meteorology warning of blowing sand and dust until Sunday. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    The hot and dusty conditions witnessed at Dubai Creek will persist for the next few days, with the National Centre of Meteorology warning of blowing sand and dust until Sunday. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Official weather stations have been registering hazardous air quality in many areas such as Dubai's Global Village (pictured), with the scale reaching as high as 684 near Al Ain on Thursday morning. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Official weather stations have been registering hazardous air quality in many areas such as Dubai's Global Village (pictured), with the scale reaching as high as 684 near Al Ain on Thursday morning. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Dubai Creek has fared not as badly as other areas in the Gulf when it has come to the dust and sand storms affecting the region. Extraordinarily high levels of dust and pollutants have been a particular problem in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Dubai Creek has fared not as badly as other areas in the Gulf when it has come to the dust and sand storms affecting the region. Extraordinarily high levels of dust and pollutants have been a particular problem in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque viewed through a haze of sand and dust in Abu Dhabi. Winds reached speeds of up to 40 kilometres per hour. Victor Besa / The National
    Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque viewed through a haze of sand and dust in Abu Dhabi. Winds reached speeds of up to 40 kilometres per hour. Victor Besa / The National
  • The Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre is almost hidden by the dust. Visibility was down to a few hundred metres in the capital. Victor Besa / The National
    The Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre is almost hidden by the dust. Visibility was down to a few hundred metres in the capital. Victor Besa / The National
  • Jumeirah Lake Towers loom out of the haze in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Jumeirah Lake Towers loom out of the haze in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Strong winds stir up dust and sand in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    Strong winds stir up dust and sand in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • The Kingdom Centre skyscraper in the centre of Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh during the sandstorm on May 17. AFP
    The Kingdom Centre skyscraper in the centre of Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh during the sandstorm on May 17. AFP
  • The 302-metre building is almost obscured by dust. AFP
    The 302-metre building is almost obscured by dust. AFP
  • Saudi Arabia's National Centre for Meteorology issued alerts for large areas, including Riyadh and the Eastern Province. AFP
    Saudi Arabia's National Centre for Meteorology issued alerts for large areas, including Riyadh and the Eastern Province. AFP
  • A haze of dust covers Riyadh's skyline. AFP
    A haze of dust covers Riyadh's skyline. AFP
  • Dust storms created hazardous conditions for drivers in Kuwait City, Kuwait, where winds reached 50kph. EPA
    Dust storms created hazardous conditions for drivers in Kuwait City, Kuwait, where winds reached 50kph. EPA
  • A pedestrian waits to cross a road in Kuwait City, as orange-red dust shrouds the city. AFP
    A pedestrian waits to cross a road in Kuwait City, as orange-red dust shrouds the city. AFP
  • Pedestrians wait for a bus in Kuwait City. Kuwait's Ministry of Interior urged the public to exercise caution as the dust severely reduced visibility. AFP
    Pedestrians wait for a bus in Kuwait City. Kuwait's Ministry of Interior urged the public to exercise caution as the dust severely reduced visibility. AFP
  • Motorists caught in the sandstorm in Kuwait City. Schools were closed for the day, due to the weather conditions. AFP
    Motorists caught in the sandstorm in Kuwait City. Schools were closed for the day, due to the weather conditions. AFP
  • Towers in Dubai Marina silhouetted during the dust storm. Pawan Singh / The National
    Towers in Dubai Marina silhouetted during the dust storm. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Burj Al Arab hotel during the hazy weather in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Burj Al Arab hotel during the hazy weather in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Beachgoers view a hazy skyline at Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. The conditions appear to be the tail of a storm that covered Iraq. Pawan Singh / The National
    Beachgoers view a hazy skyline at Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. The conditions appear to be the tail of a storm that covered Iraq. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Traffic on a highway in the Seef district, in Bahrain's capital Manama. AFP
    Traffic on a highway in the Seef district, in Bahrain's capital Manama. AFP
  • Heavy dust reduces visibility on a road in Manama. AFP
    Heavy dust reduces visibility on a road in Manama. AFP
  • The dhow harbour and the spiral minaret at the mosque of the Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Islamic Cultural Centre, in Qatar's capital Doha. AFP
    The dhow harbour and the spiral minaret at the mosque of the Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Islamic Cultural Centre, in Qatar's capital Doha. AFP
  • A view of the haze obscuring the skyline of Qatar's capital Doha during a heavy dust storm. AFP
    A view of the haze obscuring the skyline of Qatar's capital Doha during a heavy dust storm. AFP
  • A man uses a scarf and sunglasses to keep the worst of the dust at bay in Doha, Qatar. AFP
    A man uses a scarf and sunglasses to keep the worst of the dust at bay in Doha, Qatar. AFP
  • Dust severely restricts visibility in the city of Abu Dhabi, UAE. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Dust severely restricts visibility in the city of Abu Dhabi, UAE. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • A dusty view of buildings on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    A dusty view of buildings on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • A cleaner in the Marina mall area along the Corniche, Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    A cleaner in the Marina mall area along the Corniche, Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Qasr Al Watan through a haze of sand and dust in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Qasr Al Watan through a haze of sand and dust in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Sand and dust storm in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Sand and dust storm in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Hazy conditions as a sand storm hits Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Hazy conditions as a sand storm hits Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Dust storm in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Dust storm in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Sand and dust storm in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Sand and dust storm in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Abras on Dubai creek during the dusty weather. Pawan Singh / The National
    Abras on Dubai creek during the dusty weather. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The Museum of the Future during the dusty and hazy weather in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    The Museum of the Future during the dusty and hazy weather in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
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”.

Uefa Nations League

League A:
Germany, Portugal, Belgium, Spain, France, England, Switzerland, Italy, Poland, Iceland, Croatia, Netherlands

League B:
Austria, Wales, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, Ukraine, Republic of Ireland, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Northern Ireland, Denmark, Czech Republic, Turkey

League C:
Hungary, Romania, Scotland, Slovenia, Greece, Serbia, Albania, Norway, Montenegro, Israel, Bulgaria, Finland, Cyprus, Estonia, Lithuania

League D:
Azerbaijan, Macedonia, Belarus, Georgia, Armenia, Latvia, Faroe Islands, Luxembourg, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Liechtenstein, Malta, Andorra, Kosovo, San Marino, Gibraltar

Dubai World Cup Carnival card:

6.30pm: Handicap (Turf) | US$175,000 | 2,410 metres

7.05pm: UAE 1000 Guineas Trial Conditions (Dirt) | $100,000 | 1,400m

7.40pm: Handicap (T) | $145,000 | 1,000m

8.15pm: Dubawi Stakes Group 3 (D) | $200,000 | 1,200m

8.50pm: Singspiel Stakes Group 3 (T) | $200,000 | 1,800m

9.25pm: Handicap (T) | $175,000 | 1,400m

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Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

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Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

The specs
Engine: 2.4-litre 4-cylinder

Transmission: CVT auto

Power: 181bhp

Torque: 244Nm

Price: Dh122,900 

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Q&A with Dash Berlin

Welcome back. What was it like to return to RAK and to play for fans out here again?
It’s an amazing feeling to be back in the passionate UAE again. Seeing the fans having a great time that is what it’s all about.

You're currently touring the globe as part of your Legends of the Feels Tour. How important is it to you to include the Middle East in the schedule?
The tour is doing really well and is extensive and intensive at the same time travelling all over the globe. My Middle Eastern fans are very dear to me, it’s good to be back.

You mix tracks that people know and love, but you also have a visually impressive set too (graphics etc). Is that the secret recipe to Dash Berlin's live gigs?
People enjoying the combination of the music and visuals are the key factor in the success of the Legends Of The Feel tour 2018.

Have you had some time to explore Ras al Khaimah too? If so, what have you been up to?
Coming fresh out of Las Vegas where I continue my 7th annual year DJ residency at Marquee, I decided it was a perfect moment to catch some sun rays and enjoy the warm hospitality of Bab Al Bahr.

 

Sole survivors
  • Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
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  • Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
  • Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Test

Director: S Sashikanth

Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan

Star rating: 2/5

Crisis in Lebanon
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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

Emergency

Director: Kangana Ranaut

Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry 

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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 BIG MATCH

Arsenal v Manchester City,

Sunday, Emirates Stadium, 6.30pm

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A Dog's Journey 

Directed by: Gail Mancuso

Starring: Dennis Quaid, Josh Gad, Marg Helgenberger, Betty Gilpin, Kathryn Prescott

3 out of 5 stars

The bio

Favourite book: Kane and Abel by Jeffrey Archer

Favourite quote: “The world makes way for the man who knows where he is going.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson, American essayist

Favourite Authors: Arab poet Abu At-Tayyib Al-Mutanabbi

Favourite Emirati food: Luqaimat, a deep-fried dough soaked in date syrup

Hobbies: Reading and drawing

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Updated: June 25, 2022, 10:14 AM
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