Queen Elizabeth II will celebrate her 95th birthday on Wednesday, her first in more than 70 years without her husband, Prince Philip.
The Duke of Edinburgh died on April 9, and was laid to rest at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle on Saturday in a ceremony attended by 30 family members, including the queen, just days ahead of her landmark birthday.
As a mark of respect to Prince Philip, the UK entered an eight-day mourning period, which ended at 8am on Sunday, with flags on government buildings being returned to full mast.
However, the royal family will remain in an official period of mourning until Thursday, after the Queen’s birthday, as a further mark of respect.
As such, the occasion will pass without the official gun salutes, which are traditionally fired to mark the day. The Ministry of Defence said the 41 and 21-gun salutes at Hyde Park and the Tower of London have both been cancelled.
It is the second year in a row that the tradition will not go ahead. In 2020, the salutes did not take place as the UK grappled with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
Reports instead suggest the queen will spend a quiet birthday walking her new Corgi puppies, Fergus and Muick, within the grounds of Frogmore Cottage in Windsor.
It is expected she will also be visited by her sons Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.
Queen Elizabeth II’s two birthdays
While Queen Elizabeth II was born on April 21, 1926, that’s not her only official birthday. Being the monarch (sometimes) comes with the privilege of a second birthday.
If the reigning monarch is born in a cooler month of the year, they are able to select a date in June to hold their birthday parade, known as the Trooping of the Colour, which is likely to have better weather.
Because the weather can be unpredictable in April, the Queen’s official birthday celebrations usually take place on the second Saturday in June, when she parades along The Mall towards Buckingham Palace, where she is joined on the balcony by members of her family to watch as a Royal Air Force fly-by takes place.
Financial considerations before buying a property
Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.
“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says.
Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.
Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier.
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Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion
The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".
The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.
He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.
"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.
As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.
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Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
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MATCH INFO
Everton 0
Manchester City 2 (Laporte 45 2', Jesus 90 7')
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What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
- Grade 2 = between grades E and F
- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
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What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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
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Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
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ADCC AFC Women’s Champions League Group A fixtures
October 3: v Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC
October 6: v Hyundai Steel Red Angels Women’s FC
October 9: v Sabah FA
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