• Police circulated images of Frank R James, 62, after the mass shooting in Brooklyn, New York. EPA
    Police circulated images of Frank R James, 62, after the mass shooting in Brooklyn, New York. EPA
  • Emergency crews at the entrance to the 36th Street subway station in Brooklyn, after the rush-hour shooting on Tuesday. AP
    Emergency crews at the entrance to the 36th Street subway station in Brooklyn, after the rush-hour shooting on Tuesday. AP
  • Police and fire officials at the scene in New York. EPA
    Police and fire officials at the scene in New York. EPA
  • Several people were shot, with wounded commuters left bleeding on the platform. EPA
    Several people were shot, with wounded commuters left bleeding on the platform. EPA
  • At least 13 people were injured. AP
    At least 13 people were injured. AP
  • Officers with dogs trained to sniff out explosives were among the police at the scene. AP
    Officers with dogs trained to sniff out explosives were among the police at the scene. AP
  • Sniffer dogs at the station. AP
    Sniffer dogs at the station. AP
  • Police and fire crews at the scene. EPA
    Police and fire crews at the scene. EPA
  • The fire department said 13 people were injured, while police said at least five had been shot. AFP
    The fire department said 13 people were injured, while police said at least five had been shot. AFP
  • Heavily armed police at the cordoned-off station. Getty
    Heavily armed police at the cordoned-off station. Getty
  • Onlookers stand behind the cordon. Getty
    Onlookers stand behind the cordon. Getty
  • Rush-hour commuters were caught up in the incident. AFP
    Rush-hour commuters were caught up in the incident. AFP
  • Bomb disposal experts arrive at the station. EPA
    Bomb disposal experts arrive at the station. EPA
  • Emergency services vehicles outside the scene of the shooting. AP
    Emergency services vehicles outside the scene of the shooting. AP
  • Police and rescue workers crowd the street outside the station after the shooting. AFP
    Police and rescue workers crowd the street outside the station after the shooting. AFP
  • New York commuters wait for a subway train after the shooting. Reuters
    New York commuters wait for a subway train after the shooting. Reuters
  • A police officer and dog check a subway station in Manhattan after the Brooklyn incident. Reuters
    A police officer and dog check a subway station in Manhattan after the Brooklyn incident. Reuters
  • Metropolitan Transportation Authority workers carry out checks in Manhattan. Reuters
    Metropolitan Transportation Authority workers carry out checks in Manhattan. Reuters
  • Stations throughout the network were on alert. Reuters
    Stations throughout the network were on alert. Reuters
  • Police and security officers on patrol at Manhattan's 42nd Street station. Reuters
    Police and security officers on patrol at Manhattan's 42nd Street station. Reuters
  • Heavily armed police at the scene of the shooting in Brooklyn's Sunset Park neighbourhood. AFP
    Heavily armed police at the scene of the shooting in Brooklyn's Sunset Park neighbourhood. AFP
  • Emergency workers at the scene of the shooting. EPA
    Emergency workers at the scene of the shooting. EPA

New York subway shooting: Frank James named as person of interest in Brooklyn attack


Ismaeel Naar
  • English
  • Arabic

New York police on Tuesday were hunting a gunman who fired randomly at commuters, injuring at least 16 people, in a subway carriage and on a platform in Brooklyn during the morning rush hour.

The man, who was wearing an orange construction workers' vest and green helmet, used a smoke device and opened fire in a Manhattan-bound carriage as it approached the 36th Street Station in the Sunset Park area.

On Tuesday evening, New York Police Department commissioner Keechant Sewell offered a $50,000 reward for information on a "person of interest" named Frank James, who has addresses in Philadelphia and Wisconsin.

Mr James had made social media posts with references to homelessness, and to New York Mayor Eric Adams, Ms Sewell said. There was also "concerning" language.

The NYPD said it found a bag with a jammed nine-millimetre Glock pistol, a hatchet, a gas mask, gas canisters and fireworks.

A key to a U-Haul moving van rented by Mr James in Philadelphia was also found at the scene.

Police officers say a bag at the shooting scene belonged to the gunman and was filled with ammunition, fireworks, a hobby fuse, petrol and smoke canisters. Photo: NYPD
Police officers say a bag at the shooting scene belonged to the gunman and was filled with ammunition, fireworks, a hobby fuse, petrol and smoke canisters. Photo: NYPD

Police found the van a couple miles away from the scene.

The shooting took place about 8.30am on the Manhattan bound N-train.

"An individual on that train donned what appeared to be a gas mask," Ms Sewell said on Tuesday morning.

"He then took a canister out of his bag and opened it. The train at that time began to fill with smoke. He then opened fire, striking multiple people on the subway and in the platform."

She initially said that 10 commuters were shot, leaving five of them in a "critical but stable" condition. That number is expected to rise.

The incident did not appear to be an act of terrorism, Ms Sewell said.

"We do not know the motive at the moment but we're not ruling anything out," she said.

Photos and footage from the scene posted on social media showed panicked commuters leaving a smoke-filled subway carriage and bloodied passengers lying on the platform floor.

Authorities initially responded to reports of smoke at about 8.30am at the 36th Street station in the Sunset Park area, which serves the D, N and R lines.

Once inside, emergency workers found people shot amid chaotic scenes at the station, a fire department representative said.

Ms Sewell said there were "no known explosive devices on subway trains".

The suspect, a short, stocky black man, was still at large, she said.

The NYPD urged people to stay away from the multicultural Sunset Park area, which is known for its bustling Chinatown and a warehouse district that houses many creative businesses.

US President Joe Biden was briefed on the subway shooting, the White House said.

"Jill and I are praying for those are injured and all those touched by that trauma," Mr Biden said at an event in Iowa.

"We're grateful for all the first responders who jumped into action, including civilians, civilians who didn't hesitate to help their fellow passengers."

Administration officials are also in touch with Mr Adams, who is recovering from a Covid-19 infection, and city police chiefs.

“We will not allow New Yorkers to be terrorised, even by a single individual,” Mr Adams said in a taped video message from the mayor’s residence, where he was isolating.

The newly elected mayor told CNN that the shootings were a “senseless act of violence” and pledged to double the number of police officers patrolling the city’s sprawling transport system.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul called the attacker "cold-hearted and depraved".

"This individual is still on the loose, this person is dangerous. We're asking individuals to be very vigilant and alert," Ms Hochul said.

The NYPD has urged witnesses to contact its hotline with any tips.

Trains coming to and from the station were delayed during the morning rush hour.

A police officer near the scene of the shooting. Reuters
A police officer near the scene of the shooting. Reuters

Shootings in New York City have risen this year, and the increase in violent gun crime has been a central focus for Mr Adams since he took office in January.

Last month, two men were shot by a man who was travelling between Washington DC and New York to shoot homeless people. One of the victims died.

This year, Mr Adams vowed to direct more police officers to transport stations to curb the rise in crime on the subway. The plan has been in effect since February.

For the period until April 3, shooting incidents rose to 296 from 260 compared with the same period last year, police data shows.

"We are sick and tired of reading headlines about crime, whether they're mass shootings or the loss of a teenage girl. It has to stop," Ms Hochul said.

"I'm committing the full resources of our state to fight this surge of crime."

The 36th Street station was serving about 13,342 passengers on weekdays in 2019 before the pandemic. In 2020, it served about 6,000.

Agencies contributed to this report.

TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:

- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools

- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say

- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance

- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs

- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills

- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month

- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues

Winners

Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)

Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)

TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski

Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)

Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)

Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea

Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona

Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)

Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)

Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)

Best National Team of the Year: Italy 

Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello

Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)

Player Career Award: Ronaldinho

Disposing of non-recycleable masks
    Use your ‘black bag’ bin at home Do not put them in a recycling bin Take them home with you if there is no litter bin
  • No need to bag the mask
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

INFO

What: DP World Tour Championship
When: November 21-24
Where: Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ae.

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.”

 

 

Sweet%20Tooth
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJim%20Mickle%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EChristian%20Convery%2C%20Nonso%20Anozie%2C%20Adeel%20Akhtar%2C%20Stefania%20LaVie%20Owen%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Fines for littering

In Dubai:

Dh200 for littering or spitting in the Dubai Metro

Dh500 for throwing cigarette butts or chewing gum on the floor, or littering from a vehicle. 
Dh1,000 for littering on a beach, spitting in public places, throwing a cigarette butt from a vehicle

In Sharjah and other emirates
Dh500 for littering - including cigarette butts and chewing gum - in public places and beaches in Sharjah
Dh2,000 for littering in Sharjah deserts
Dh500 for littering from a vehicle in Ras Al Khaimah
Dh1,000 for littering from a car in Abu Dhabi
Dh1,000 to Dh100,000 for dumping waste in residential or public areas in Al Ain
Dh10,000 for littering at Ajman's beaches 

Dhadak

Director: Shashank Khaitan

Starring: Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khattar, Ashutosh Rana

Stars: 3

Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

IF YOU GO
 
The flights: FlyDubai offers direct flights to Catania Airport from Dubai International Terminal 2 daily with return fares starting from Dh1,895.
 
The details: Access to the 2,900-metre elevation point at Mount Etna by cable car and 4x4 transport vehicle cost around €57.50 (Dh248) per adult. Entry into Teatro Greco costs €10 (Dh43). For more go to www.visitsicily.info

 Where to stay: Hilton Giardini Naxos offers beachfront access and accessible to Taormina and Mount Etna. Rooms start from around €130 (Dh561) per night, including taxes.

The specs

Price, base / as tested Dh960,000
Engine 3.9L twin-turbo V8 
Transmission Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Power 661hp @8,000rpm
Torque 760Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 11.4L / 100k

How%20to%20avoid%20getting%20scammed
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3ENever%20click%20on%20links%20provided%20via%20app%20or%20SMS%2C%20even%20if%20they%20seem%20to%20come%20from%20authorised%20senders%20at%20first%20glance%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EAlways%20double-check%20the%20authenticity%20of%20websites%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EEnable%20Two-Factor%20Authentication%20(2FA)%20for%20all%20your%20working%20and%20personal%20services%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EOnly%20use%20official%20links%20published%20by%20the%20respective%20entity%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EDouble-check%20the%20web%20addresses%20to%20reduce%20exposure%20to%20fake%20sites%20created%20with%20domain%20names%20containing%20spelling%20errors%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
Poacher
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERichie%20Mehta%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nimisha%20Sajayan%2C%20Roshan%20Mathew%2C%20Dibyendu%20Bhattacharya%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

'The Batman'

Stars:Robert Pattinson

Director:Matt Reeves

Rating: 5/5

THE%C2%A0SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.4-litre%20four-cylinder%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20210hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20320Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Starting%20from%20Dh89%2C900%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer

Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000

Engine 3.6L V6

Transmission: Six-speed automatic

Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm

Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm

Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km

Red flags
  • Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
  • Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
  • Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
  • Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
  • Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.

Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

Groom and Two Brides

Director: Elie Semaan

Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla

Rating: 3/5

Gran Gala del Calcio 2019 winners

Best Player: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)
Best Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini (Atalanta)
Best Referee: Gianluca Rocchi
Best Goal: Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria vs Napoli)
Best Team: Atalanta​​​​​​​
Best XI: Samir Handanovic (Inter); Aleksandar Kolarov (Roma), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli), Joao Cancelo (Juventus*); Miralem Pjanic (Juventus), Josip Ilicic (Atalanta), Nicolo Barella (Cagliari*); Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria), Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), Duvan Zapata (Atalanta)
Serie B Best Young Player: Sandro Tonali (Brescia)
Best Women’s Goal: Thaisa (Milan vs Juventus)
Best Women’s Player: Manuela Giugliano (Milan)
Best Women’s XI: Laura Giuliani (Milan); Alia Guagni (Fiorentina), Sara Gama (Juventus), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus), Elisa Bartoli (Roma); Aurora Galli (Juventus), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Valentina Cernoia (Juventus); Valentina Giacinti (Milan), Ilaria Mauro (Fiorentina), Barbara Bonansea (Juventus)

MATCH INFO

Manchester City 1 Chelsea 0
De Bruyne (70')

Man of the Match: Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City)

The specs

Engine: Turbocharged four-cylinder 2.7-litre

Power: 325hp

Torque: 500Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh189,700

On sale: now

UAE%20SQUAD
%3Cp%3E%0DJemma%20Eley%2C%20Maria%20Michailidou%2C%20Molly%20Fuller%2C%20Chloe%20Andrews%20(of%20Dubai%20College)%2C%20Eliza%20Petricola%2C%20Holly%20Guerin%2C%20Yasmin%20Craig%2C%20Caitlin%20Gowdy%20(Dubai%20English%20Speaking%20College)%2C%20Claire%20Janssen%2C%20Cristiana%20Morall%20(Jumeirah%20English%20Speaking%20School)%2C%20Tessa%20Mies%20(Jebel%20Ali%20School)%2C%20Mila%20Morgan%20(Cranleigh%20Abu%20Dhabi).%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Our legal advisor

Ahmad El Sayed is Senior Associate at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.

Experience: Commercial litigator who has assisted clients with overseas judgments before UAE courts. His specialties are cases related to banking, real estate, shareholder disputes, company liquidations and criminal matters as well as employment related litigation. 

Education: Sagesse University, Beirut, Lebanon, in 2005.

The Land between Two Rivers: Writing in an Age of Refugees
Tom Sleigh, Graywolf Press

Updated: April 13, 2022, 12:48 PM