• A masked woman holds a Winnie the Pooh inflatable balloon, inside the subway, in Paris. Some doctors expressed relief but business owners despaired as France prepared to shut down again for a month to try to put the brakes on the fast-moving virus. AP Photo
    A masked woman holds a Winnie the Pooh inflatable balloon, inside the subway, in Paris. Some doctors expressed relief but business owners despaired as France prepared to shut down again for a month to try to put the brakes on the fast-moving virus. AP Photo
  • South Korean police officers wearing face masks as a precaution against the coronavirus, stand guard in Seoul, South Korea. AP Photo
    South Korean police officers wearing face masks as a precaution against the coronavirus, stand guard in Seoul, South Korea. AP Photo
  • A member of staff wearing personal protective equipment prepares to work in the Intensive Care Unit for the novel coronavirus in the San Filippo Neri hospital in Rome, Italy. EPA
    A member of staff wearing personal protective equipment prepares to work in the Intensive Care Unit for the novel coronavirus in the San Filippo Neri hospital in Rome, Italy. EPA
  • Students attend a Tibetan composition class at Duilongdeqing District high school in Lhasa, during a government-organised tour of the Tibet Autonomous Region, China. REUTERS
    Students attend a Tibetan composition class at Duilongdeqing District high school in Lhasa, during a government-organised tour of the Tibet Autonomous Region, China. REUTERS
  • Dutch Queen Maxima speaks with a patient as she visits the Health Center De Bosrand in Driebergen, as the country faces a second wave of infection the Covid-19. AFP
    Dutch Queen Maxima speaks with a patient as she visits the Health Center De Bosrand in Driebergen, as the country faces a second wave of infection the Covid-19. AFP
  • A sign indicates that masks are compulsory in the city centre in Munich, Germany. EPA
    A sign indicates that masks are compulsory in the city centre in Munich, Germany. EPA
  • A neon sign reading 'Open' is seen on a window of a closed restaurant with a placard reading 'Wear a nose and mouse protection to protect others. Please only 2 customers in the shop at the same time' in Berlin, Germany. EPA
    A neon sign reading 'Open' is seen on a window of a closed restaurant with a placard reading 'Wear a nose and mouse protection to protect others. Please only 2 customers in the shop at the same time' in Berlin, Germany. EPA
  • A woman wearing face mask passes a three-monkey figure on display in the pedestrian zone in Cologne, Germany. EPA
    A woman wearing face mask passes a three-monkey figure on display in the pedestrian zone in Cologne, Germany. EPA
  • A protester wearing a mask walks past the Reichstag building housing the Bundestag in Berlin. AFP
    A protester wearing a mask walks past the Reichstag building housing the Bundestag in Berlin. AFP
  • A public security officer uses a red flag to stop a taxi for disinfection as part of preventative measures against the COVID-19 coronavirus, on a road at the entrance to Wonsan, Kangwon Province. AFP
    A public security officer uses a red flag to stop a taxi for disinfection as part of preventative measures against the COVID-19 coronavirus, on a road at the entrance to Wonsan, Kangwon Province. AFP
  • A man wears a golden mask costume walks down a street in Paris. Some doctors expressed relief but business owners despaired as France prepared to shut down again for a month to try to put the brakes on the fast-moving virus. The new measures are set to come into effect at midnight. AP Photo
    A man wears a golden mask costume walks down a street in Paris. Some doctors expressed relief but business owners despaired as France prepared to shut down again for a month to try to put the brakes on the fast-moving virus. The new measures are set to come into effect at midnight. AP Photo

UAE's top Google searches for 2020 revealed


Chris Maxwell
  • English
  • Arabic

Google announced its top trending online searches for the UAE in 2020 – a year in which the nation joined a global hunt for answers about the Covid-19 pandemic.

It comes as little surprise that coronavirus led the way for online queries during a tumultuous 12 months in which the virus rapidly spread around the world, infecting close to 70 million people, leading to widespread stay-home measures and causing major economic and social disruption.

Google's Year in Search results encompasses the top trending queries, people, events, sports, series and movies, generated from trillions of searches.

The list paints a picture of the pressing issues that captivated the Emirates, with a huge interest in events abroad highlighting the global outlook of the country.

“I’m personally inspired by the top trending queries, because they reflect the adaptability and resilience of people, regardless of the circumstances," said Dalia El Fiki, communications and public affairs manager for the Mena region at Google.

"We’re glad that Google Search was able to help Emiratis and UAE residents to access the information they needed during these exceptional times and we hope to continue helping our users”.

The 2020 chart covers "top trending queries", "people", "news and events" and "movies and series".

The UAE's most popular queries

  • GOOGLE'S TOP TRENDING QUERIES: Coronavirus. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    GOOGLE'S TOP TRENDING QUERIES: Coronavirus. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • US Election 2020. Reuters
    US Election 2020. Reuters
  • Indian Premier League. Vipin Pawar / Sportzpics for BCCI
    Indian Premier League. Vipin Pawar / Sportzpics for BCCI
  • Coronavirus tips. Getty
    Coronavirus tips. Getty
  • Joe Biden. AP
    Joe Biden. AP
  • Bihar Election Result 2020. AP Photo
    Bihar Election Result 2020. AP Photo
  • iPhone 12. Getty Images
    iPhone 12. Getty Images
  • Champions League. AFP
    Champions League. AFP
  • Digital learning portal. For when students had to attend classes remotely. AFP
    Digital learning portal. For when students had to attend classes remotely. AFP
  • NBA. AP Photo
    NBA. AP Photo

The coronavirus outbreak was top of the charts as people sought out information on a fast-moving subject as the ramifications of the pandemic swiftly unfolded, governments grappled with the fallout and the race for a vaccine gathered pace.

But it was not the only major international event to grab the attention of UAE residents.

The bitterly contested US election was ranked in second place, as the UAE watched on with great interest as Republican incumbent Donald Trump and Democratic candidate Joe Biden vied for the White House hot seat.

As Mr Trump still refuses to formally concede the election, it could stay a popular search well into 2021.

The Indian Premier League – held in the UAE this year because of the surge in Covid-19 cases in India – was third on the list.

A search for Covid-19 tips was in fourth spot, demonstrating a desire among the public for a greater understanding of the virus and how to guard against infection.

Joe Biden rounded up the top five, again highlighting the appeal of the US election battle.

India's Bihar elections also made the top 10, with sport also featured in the form of football's Champions League and the premier basketball league, the NBA.

People in the spotlight

  • MOST SEARCHED PEOPLE 2020: Joe Biden. Getty Images
    MOST SEARCHED PEOPLE 2020: Joe Biden. Getty Images
  • Donald Trump. EPA
    Donald Trump. EPA
  • Kamala Harris. Reuters
    Kamala Harris. Reuters
  • Kim Jong Un. AFP
    Kim Jong Un. AFP
  • Arnab Goswami. Reuters
    Arnab Goswami. Reuters
  • Boris Johnson. EPA
    Boris Johnson. EPA
  • Tom Hanks. AP
    Tom Hanks. AP
  • Kanika Kapoor. Hindustan Times via Getty Images
    Kanika Kapoor. Hindustan Times via Getty Images
  • Haitham bin Tariq. Reuters
    Haitham bin Tariq. Reuters
  • Ankita Lokhande. AFP
    Ankita Lokhande. AFP

When we think of celebrity, we may conjure up images of movie stars and sporting greats, but it was politicians who were thrust into the limelight in 2020.

US President-elect Joe Biden won the vote here, with Donald Trump second. No call for a recount of Google's search results has yet been requested.

History-making Kamala Harris – due to be confirmed as America's first female vice president in January – was in third spot ahead of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who made headlines when unfounded rumours of his death began to circulate.

Other politicians included the Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tariq, who succeeded the revered Sultan Qaboos as leader after his death in January, and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who had an eventful 2020 during which he caught Covid-19 as he led the country's response to the pandemic.

News and events

  • GOOGLE'S TOP TRENDING NEWS: QUERIES: No 1. The US Election 2020. Pictured: Democratic President-elect Joe Biden speaks about the election results in Delaware on November 6. Reuters
    GOOGLE'S TOP TRENDING NEWS: QUERIES: No 1. The US Election 2020. Pictured: Democratic President-elect Joe Biden speaks about the election results in Delaware on November 6. Reuters
  • No 2: India's Bihar Election Result. Pictured: Indian PM Narendra Modi celebrates with Bharatiya Janata Party supporters on November 11. AP Photo
    No 2: India's Bihar Election Result. Pictured: Indian PM Narendra Modi celebrates with Bharatiya Janata Party supporters on November 11. AP Photo
  • No 3: Iran Coronavirus: Pictured: Iranian medics tend to a Covid-19 patient at the Shohadaye Tajrish Hospital in Tehran on Cctober 15. AP
    No 3: Iran Coronavirus: Pictured: Iranian medics tend to a Covid-19 patient at the Shohadaye Tajrish Hospital in Tehran on Cctober 15. AP
  • No 4: Lebanon Explosion: Pictured smoke rises after an explosion in Beirut's port on August 4. At least 200 people died and thousands of others injured. Karim Sokhn/Instagram via REUTERS
    No 4: Lebanon Explosion: Pictured smoke rises after an explosion in Beirut's port on August 4. At least 200 people died and thousands of others injured. Karim Sokhn/Instagram via REUTERS
  • No 5: Italy Coronavirus. Pictured: A before and after photo of Duomo di Milano in March as the pandemic kills thousands in the European nation. Getty Images
    No 5: Italy Coronavirus. Pictured: A before and after photo of Duomo di Milano in March as the pandemic kills thousands in the European nation. Getty Images
  • No 6: Taal Volcano. Pictured: People attend a wedding ceremony as Taal Volcano sends out a column of ash when it erupted on January 11 in the Philippines. Courtesy of Randolf Evan Photography/Social Media via REUTERS.
    No 6: Taal Volcano. Pictured: People attend a wedding ceremony as Taal Volcano sends out a column of ash when it erupted on January 11 in the Philippines. Courtesy of Randolf Evan Photography/Social Media via REUTERS.
  • No 7: Australia Fire: Pictured: Adelaide wildlife rescuer Simon Adamczyk is seen with a koala during the height of the Australian bushfires. AAP/ Reuters
    No 7: Australia Fire: Pictured: Adelaide wildlife rescuer Simon Adamczyk is seen with a koala during the height of the Australian bushfires. AAP/ Reuters
  • No 8: Mars Hope Probe. Pictured: The launch of the rocket from Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre On July 20. AFP
    No 8: Mars Hope Probe. Pictured: The launch of the rocket from Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre On July 20. AFP
  • No 9 India China. Pictured: A satellite image taken on June 9 the Galwan Valley amid border clashes between the two countries. AFP / 2020 Planet Labs
    No 9 India China. Pictured: A satellite image taken on June 9 the Galwan Valley amid border clashes between the two countries. AFP / 2020 Planet Labs
  • No 10. Oscars 2020. Pictured: Kwak Sin Ae and Bong Joon-ho win the Oscar for Best Picture for 'Parasite' at the 92nd Academy Awards in Hollywood, Los Angeles on February 9. Reuters
    No 10. Oscars 2020. Pictured: Kwak Sin Ae and Bong Joon-ho win the Oscar for Best Picture for 'Parasite' at the 92nd Academy Awards in Hollywood, Los Angeles on February 9. Reuters

Major news stories from home and abroad inspired the UAE to put finger to keyboard to find out more.

The No 1 search in this category was the US elections, followed by the Bihar elections and Iran's coronavirus battle.

The port blast in Lebabon was fourth, with Australia's devastating bushfires seventh.

The UAE's landmark Hope probe mission to Mars was eighth, as enterprising achievements in the Emirates resonated with the public.

Movies and Series

  • Money Heist. Courtesy of Netflix
    Money Heist. Courtesy of Netflix
  • Soorarai Pottru. Courtesy of Amazon Prime Video
    Soorarai Pottru. Courtesy of Amazon Prime Video
  • Contagion. Courtesy of Netflix
    Contagion. Courtesy of Netflix
  • Dil Bechara. Courtesy of Fox Star Studios
    Dil Bechara. Courtesy of Fox Star Studios
  • Bigg Boss 13. Courtesy of Colors TV
    Bigg Boss 13. Courtesy of Colors TV
  • Parasite. Courtesy of CJ Entertainment
    Parasite. Courtesy of CJ Entertainment
  • Ertugrul. Courtesy of Tekden Film
    Ertugrul. Courtesy of Tekden Film
  • Gunjan Saxena. oCourtesy of Netflix
    Gunjan Saxena. oCourtesy of Netflix
  • Extraction. Courtesy of Netflix
    Extraction. Courtesy of Netflix
  • Shakuntala Devi. Courtesy of Amazon Prime Video
    Shakuntala Devi. Courtesy of Amazon Prime Video

Stay-home measures and remote working practices brought about by Covid-19 allowed people more time to catch up on their favourite shows in 2020.

Netflix's Spanish crime drama Money Heist stole the top spot in this category, ahead of movies Soorari Pottru, Contagion and Del Bechara.

Bigg Boss 13 (series), Parasite (movie), Ertugrul (series), Gunjan Saxena (movie), Extraction (movie) and Shakuntala Devi (movie) make up the top 10.

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.”

Farage on Muslim Brotherhood

Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.

Skoda Superb Specs

Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol

Power: 190hp

Torque: 320Nm

Price: From Dh147,000

Available: Now

Lexus LX700h specs

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

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

ARGENTINA SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Franco Armani, Agustin Marchesin, Esteban Andrada
Defenders: Juan Foyth, Nicolas Otamendi, German Pezzella, Nicolas Tagliafico, Ramiro Funes Mori, Renzo Saravia, Marcos Acuna, Milton Casco
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Guido Rodriguez, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Roberto Pereyra, Rodrigo De Paul, Angel Di Maria
Forwards: Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Lautaro Martinez, Paulo Dybala, Matias Suarez

BMW M5 specs

Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor

Power: 727hp

Torque: 1,000Nm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh650,000

QUALIFYING RESULTS

1. Max Verstappen, Netherlands, Red Bull Racing Honda, 1 minute, 35.246 seconds.
2. Valtteri Bottas, Finland, Mercedes, 1:35.271.
3. Lewis Hamilton, Great Britain, Mercedes, 1:35.332.
4. Lando Norris, Great Britain, McLaren Renault, 1:35.497.
5. Alexander Albon, Thailand, Red Bull Racing Honda, 1:35.571.
6. Carlos Sainz Jr, Spain, McLaren Renault, 1:35.815.
7. Daniil Kvyat, Russia, Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda, 1:35.963.
8. Lance Stroll, Canada, Racing Point BWT Mercedes, 1:36.046.
9. Charles Leclerc, Monaco, Ferrari, 1:36.065.
10. Pierre Gasly, France, Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda, 1:36.242.

Eliminated after second session

11. Esteban Ocon, France, Renault, 1:36.359.
12. Daniel Ricciardo, Australia, Renault, 1:36.406.
13. Sebastian Vettel, Germany, Ferrari, 1:36.631.
14. Antonio Giovinazzi, Italy, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:38.248.

Eliminated after first session

15. Antonio Giovinazzi, Italy, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:37.075.
16. Kimi Raikkonen, Finland, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:37.555.
17. Kevin Magnussen, Denmark, Haas Ferrari, 1:37.863.
18. George Russell, Great Britain, Williams Mercedes, 1:38.045.
19. Pietro Fittipaldi, Brazil, Haas Ferrari, 1:38.173.
20. Nicholas Latifi, Canada, Williams Mercedes, 1:38.443.

Name: Peter Dicce

Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics

Favourite sport: soccer

Favourite team: Bayern Munich

Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer

Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates 

 

The specs

Price, base: Dh228,000 / Dh232,000 (est)
Engine: 5.7-litre Hemi V8
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 395hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 552Nm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.5L / 100km

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

if you go

The flights
Flydubai offers three daily direct flights to Sarajevo and, from June, a daily flight from Thessaloniki from Dubai. A return flight costs from Dhs1,905 including taxes.
The trip 
The Travel Scientists are the organisers of the Balkan Ride and several other rallies around the world. The 2018 running of this particular adventure will take place from August 3-11, once again starting in Sarajevo and ending a week later in Thessaloniki. If you’re driving your own vehicle, then entry start from €880 (Dhs 3,900) per person including all accommodation along the route. Contact the Travel Scientists if you wish to hire one of their vehicles. 

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League final:

Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League final:

Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports

While you're here
WHAT%20MACRO%20FACTORS%20ARE%20IMPACTING%20META%20TECH%20MARKETS%3F
%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Looming%20global%20slowdown%20and%20recession%20in%20key%20economies%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Russia-Ukraine%20war%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Interest%20rate%20hikes%20and%20the%20rising%20cost%20of%20debt%20servicing%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Oil%20price%20volatility%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Persisting%20inflationary%20pressures%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Exchange%20rate%20fluctuations%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Shortage%20of%20labour%2Fskills%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20A%20resurgence%20of%20Covid%3F%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Pharaoh's curse

British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.

'Unrivaled: Why America Will Remain the World’s Sole Superpower'
Michael Beckley, Cornell Press

The more serious side of specialty coffee

While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.

The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.

Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”

One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.

Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms. 

The biog

Name: Dhabia Khalifa AlQubaisi

Age: 23

How she spends spare time: Playing with cats at the clinic and feeding them

Inspiration: My father. He’s a hard working man who has been through a lot to provide us with everything we need

Favourite book: Attitude, emotions and the psychology of cats by Dr Nicholes Dodman

Favourit film: 101 Dalmatians - it remind me of my childhood and began my love of dogs 

Word of advice: By being patient, good things will come and by staying positive you’ll have the will to continue to love what you're doing

Profile of MoneyFellows

Founder: Ahmed Wadi

Launched: 2016

Employees: 76

Financing stage: Series A ($4 million)

Investors: Partech, Sawari Ventures, 500 Startups, Dubai Angel Investors, Phoenician Fund

FIGHT CARD

Fights start from 6pm Friday, January 31

Catchweight 82kg
Piotr Kuberski (POL) v Ahmed Saeb (IRQ)

Women’s bantamweight
Cornelia Holm (SWE) v Corinne Laframboise (CAN)

Welterweight
Omar Hussein (JOR) v Vitalii Stoian (UKR)

Welterweight
Josh Togo (LEB) v Ali Dyusenov (UZB)

Flyweight
Isaac Pimentel (BRA) v Delfin Nawen (PHI)

Catchweight 80kg​​​​​​​
Seb Eubank (GBR) v Mohamed El Mokadem (EGY)

Lightweight
Mohammad Yahya (UAE) v Ramadan Noaman (EGY)

Lightweight
Alan Omer (GER) v Reydon Romero (PHI)

Welterweight
Ahmed Labban (LEB) v Juho Valamaa (FIN)

Featherweight
Elias Boudegzdame (ALG) v Austin Arnett (USA)

Super heavyweight
Roman Wehbe (LEB) v Maciej Sosnowski (POL)

Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20myZoi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202021%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Syed%20Ali%2C%20Christian%20Buchholz%2C%20Shanawaz%20Rouf%2C%20Arsalan%20Siddiqui%2C%20Nabid%20Hassan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2037%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Initial%20undisclosed%20funding%20from%20SC%20Ventures%3B%20second%20round%20of%20funding%20totalling%20%2414%20million%20from%20a%20consortium%20of%20SBI%2C%20a%20Japanese%20VC%20firm%2C%20and%20SC%20Venture%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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
It’ll be summer in the city as car show tries to move with the times

If 2008 was the year that rocked Detroit, 2019 will be when Motor City gives its annual car extravaganza a revamp that aims to move with the times.

A major change is that this week's North American International Auto Show will be the last to be held in January, after which the event will switch to June.

The new date, organisers said, will allow exhibitors to move vehicles and activities outside the Cobo Center's halls and into other city venues, unencumbered by cold January weather, exemplified this week by snow and ice.

In a market in which trends can easily be outpaced beyond one event, the need to do so was probably exacerbated by the decision of Germany's big three carmakers – BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi – to skip the auto show this year.

The show has long allowed car enthusiasts to sit behind the wheel of the latest models at the start of the calendar year but a more fluid car market in an online world has made sales less seasonal.

Similarly, everyday technology seems to be catching up on those whose job it is to get behind microphones and try and tempt the visiting public into making a purchase.

Although sparkly announcers clasp iPads and outline the technical gadgetry hidden beneath bonnets, people's obsession with their own smartphones often appeared to offer a more tempting distraction.

“It's maddening,” said one such worker at Nissan's stand.

The absence of some pizzazz, as well as top marques, was also noted by patrons.

“It looks like there are a few less cars this year,” one annual attendee said of this year's exhibitors.

“I can't help but think it's easier to stay at home than to brave the snow and come here.”

The specs

Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 620hp from 5,750-7,500rpm
Torque: 760Nm from 3,000-5,750rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch auto
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh1.05 million ($286,000)

Results

2-15pm: Commercial Bank Of Dubai – Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (Dirt) 1,400m; Winner: Al Habash, Patrick Cosgrave (jockey), Bhupat Seemar (trainer)

2.45pm: Al Shafar Investment – Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Day Approach, Ray Dawson, Ahmad bin Harmash

3.15pm: Dubai Real estate Centre – Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Celtic Prince, Richard Mullen, Rashed Bouresly

3.45pm: Jebel Ali Sprint by ARM Holding – Listed (TB) Dh500,000 (D) 1,000m; Winner: Khuzaam, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson

4.15pm: Shadwell – Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Tenbury Wells, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer

4.45pm: Jebel Ali Stakes by ARM Holding – Listed (TB) Dh500,000 (D) 1,950m; Winner: Lost Eden, Andrea Atzeni, Doug Watson

5.15pm: Jebel Ali Racecourse – Handicap (TB) Dh76,000 (D) 1,950m; Winner: Rougher, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson

Dubai Bling season three

Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed 

Rating: 1/5

Indian construction workers stranded in Ajman with unpaid dues
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
  • Riders must be 14-years-old or over
  • Wear a protective helmet
  • Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
  • Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
  • Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
  • Do not drive outside designated lanes
ENGLAND SQUAD

Joe Root (c), Moeen Ali, Jimmy Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Alastair Cook, Sam Curran, Keaton Jennings, Ollie Pope, Adil Rashid, Ben Stokes, James Vince, Chris Woakes

Saturday's results

Women's third round

  • 14-Garbine Muguruza Blanco (Spain) beat Sorana Cirstea (Romania) 6-2, 6-2
  • Magdalena Rybarikova (Slovakia) beat Lesia Tsurenko (Ukraine) 6-2, 6-1
  • 7-Svetlana Kuznetsova (Russia) beat Polona Hercog (Slovenia) 6-4. 6-0
  • Coco Vandeweghe (USA) beat Alison Riske (USA) 6-2, 6-4
  •  9-Agnieszka Radwanska (Poland) beat 19-Timea Bacsinszky (Switzerland) 3-6, 6-4, 6-1
  • Petra Martic (Croatia) beat Zarina Diyas (Kazakhstan) 7-6, 6-1
  • Magdalena Rybarikova (Slovakia) beat Lesia Tsurenko (Ukraine) 6-2, 6-1
  • 7-Svetlana Kuznetsova (Russia) beat Polona Hercog (Slovenia) 6-4, 6-0

Men's third round

  • 13-Grigor Dimitrov (Bulgaria) beat Dudi Sela (Israel) 6-1, 6-1 -- retired
  • Sam Queery (United States) beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (France) 6-2, 3-6, 7-6, 1-6, 7-5
  • 6-Milos Raonic (Canada) beat 25-Albert Ramos (Spain) 7-6, 6-4, 7-5
  • 10-Alexander Zverev (Germany) beat Sebastian Ofner (Austria) 6-4, 6-4, 6-2
  • 11-Tomas Berdych (Czech Republic) beat David Ferrer (Spain) 6-3, 6-4, 6-3
  • Adrian Mannarino (France) beat 15-Gael Monfils (France) 7-6, 4-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-2
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Zimbabwe v UAE, ODI series

All matches at the Harare Sports Club:

1st ODI, Wednesday, April 10

2nd ODI, Friday, April 12

3rd ODI, Sunday, April 14

4th ODI, Tuesday, April 16

UAE squad: Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed

The rules on fostering in the UAE

A foster couple or family must:

  • be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
  • not be younger than 25 years old
  • not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
  • be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
  • have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
  • undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
  • A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
Why it pays to compare

A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.

Route 1: bank transfer

The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.

Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount

Total received: €4,670.30 

Route 2: online platform

The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.

Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction

Total received: €4,756

The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

Brief scoreline:

Manchester United 2

Rashford 28', Martial 72'

Watford 1

Doucoure 90'

THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS

Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.

Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.

Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.

What are the influencer academy modules?
  1. Mastery of audio-visual content creation. 
  2. Cinematography, shots and movement.
  3. All aspects of post-production.
  4. Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
  5. Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
  6. Tourism industry knowledge.
  7. Professional ethics.
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm

Price: From Dh1,700,000

Available: Now