A Syrian refugee girl sits outside her tent, at an informal refugee camp, in Arsal, east Lebanony. Hussein Malla / AP Photo
A Syrian refugee girl sits outside her tent, at an informal refugee camp, in Arsal, east Lebanony. Hussein Malla / AP Photo

Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak donates Dh3.67 million to the Fund for Refugee Women



Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, chair of the General Women's Union and president of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, has donated Dh3.67 million to the Fund for Refugee Women.

Support for the displaced has always been a priority of national foreign aid, she said.

"The UAE leadership continues to step up its efforts to ensure the stability of displaced persons and refugees, with the aim to return to their homeland feeling safe and secure," Sheikha Fatima said in a statement reported by WAM.

Details of how the money will be used were not immediately released.

Sheikha Fatima praised the work the fund had done with the UN High Commission for Refugees to provide assistance to vulnerable communities and families fleeing natural disasters, crises and war.

"The strengthening of partnerships between humanitarian organisations is necessary to improve the status of refugees, and draw attention to their urgent needs,” she said.

“The UAE's refugee aid policy reflects the values of tolerance, love, and brotherhood between peoples, as instilled by the late [Founding President] Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.”

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The international community has a responsibility to assist women, children and youth fleeing violence and persecution, added Sheikha Fatima. "With the increasing number of refugees and displaced persons as a result of wars and crises around the world, united efforts to provide greater protections for the vulnerable must be applied.”

The Fund for Refugee Women was launched in 2000 in collaboration with the Emirates Red Crescent and the UN High Commission for Refugees.

"This latest donation to the Fund for Refugee Women confirms Her Highness's ardour to ensure that the lives of women are improved across the world,” said Dr Maitha Al Shamsi, the Minister of State.

Tank warfare

Lt Gen Erik Petersen, deputy chief of programs, US Army, has argued it took a “three decade holiday” on modernising tanks. 

“There clearly remains a significant armoured heavy ground manoeuvre threat in this world and maintaining a world class armoured force is absolutely vital,” the general said in London last week.

“We are developing next generation capabilities to compete with and deter adversaries to prevent opportunism or miscalculation, and, if necessary, defeat any foe decisively.”

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
Top investing tips for UAE residents in 2021

Build an emergency fund: Make sure you have enough cash to cover six months of expenses as a buffer against unexpected problems before you begin investing, advises Steve Cronin, the founder of DeadSimpleSaving.com.

Think long-term: When you invest, you need to have a long-term mindset, so don’t worry about momentary ups and downs in the stock market.

Invest worldwide: Diversify your investments globally, ideally by way of a global stock index fund.

Is your money tied up: Avoid anything where you cannot get your money back in full within a month at any time without any penalty.

Skip past the promises: “If an investment product is offering more than 10 per cent return per year, it is either extremely risky or a scam,” Mr Cronin says.

Choose plans with low fees: Make sure that any funds you buy do not charge more than 1 per cent in fees, Mr Cronin says. “If you invest by yourself, you can easily stay below this figure.” Managed funds and commissionable investments often come with higher fees.

Be sceptical about recommendations: If someone suggests an investment to you, ask if they stand to gain, advises Mr Cronin. “If they are receiving commission, they are unlikely to recommend an investment that’s best for you.”

Get financially independent: Mr Cronin advises UAE residents to pursue financial independence. Start with a Google search and improve your knowledge via expat investing websites or Facebook groups such as SimplyFI. 

If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.

When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.

How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
The specs

Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors

Power: 480kW

Torque: 850Nm

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)

On sale: Now

The specs
Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor
Power: 320bhp
Torque: 605Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh219,000
On sale: Now

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