WHAT I TRIED
The Talise Spa Anti-Ageing Programme, consisting of a wellness body scan, blood analysis, lifestyle consultation, yoga class and anti-ageing facial.
WHAT I WANTED
The youth and vitality of a teenager, obviously. Thanks to the drying-out effects of AC, hectic work weeks and some not-so-healthy holiday indulgences, my sluggish body was feeling the need for a spring clean. Plus, this anti-ageing programme promises to work holistically to help slow down the ageing process and try to minimise any damage.
WHAT HAPPENED
I must confess I had a slight pang of anxiety before this treatment. Wellness scan? Blood analysis? This didn't sound like your usual pampering spa treatment. However, I'm greeted at the reception - which is elegant and impressive, smelling of fragrant scented oils - by warm smiles and assurances.
The beautiful labyrinthine walkways lead me to the changing rooms and I don my white fluffy dressing gown to enter the spa facilities. The saunas, Jacuzzis, steam room and monsoon showers appear first-rate, and I immediately relax.
My first appointment is with the Australian naturopath Jaclyn Harris, who after asking questions about my physical, physiological and psychological well-being, carries out a series of tests: a wellness body scan (a hand-held electrode device to determine the health of my vital organs); a blood analysis to check for vitamin and mineral deficiencies (it's only a small pinprick); and an iris diagnosis to check for long-term health imbalances.
Jaclyn explains the health and anti-ageing benefits of reducing stress levels, correcting any hormone imbalances and maintaining a diet rich in antioxidants. As we wait for the test results, I head downstairs for my hour-long yoga class, where I feel pulled and stretched. I can feel my muscles relaxing and my tight "short as a hamster's" hamstrings begin to loosen and lengthen.
After a quiet sit and a refreshing drink of honey and ginger tea in the glorious Arabesque relaxation room, I walk to the treatment rooms for my facial. The Talise Rejuvenating Serum contains powerful antioxidants and my therapist, Rosarin, says many benefits can be reaped from the massage when it's applied. After cleansing, toning and exfoliating my skin, she applies the serum with skilful strokes. A collagen mask is next, which hardens after it has dried. The treatment is gentle and soothing, and the neck and head massage is bliss. Also, the best thing is that my skin is more radiant for more than a week afterwards.
THE VERDICT
"You are an eight out of 10," Jaclyn tells me when my blood analysis comes back, meaning that I scored highly on overall wellness but I was deficient in some essential fatty acids. My iris scan also highlighted that I was slightly dehydrated and needed to eliminate toxins more efficiently. I am told that this can all be corrected by diet and lifestyle.
If you are stressed, overworked or concerned about your well-being then this programme could be just the tonic. I learnt a lot, not only about anti-ageing but also about my own body make-up. And the best thing is, I've continued to practise what I was taught.
Starting from Dh 1,495, Talise offers anti-ageing programmes for three, five and seven days and also tailors programmes to your availability.
Talise, Al Qasr at Madinat Jumeirah, 04 366 6818
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.”
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 specS: 2018 Toyota Camry
Price: base / as tested: Dh91,000 / Dh114,000
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 298hp @ 6,600rpm
Torque: 356Nm @ 4,700rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
Manchester United v Club America
When: Thursday, 9pm Arizona time (Friday UAE, 8am)
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
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%3Cp%3EThe%20UAE%20flag%20was%20first%20unveiled%20on%20December%202%2C%201971%2C%20the%20day%20the%20UAE%20was%20formed.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIt%20was%20designed%20by%20Abdullah%20Mohammed%20Al%20Maainah%2C%2019%2C%20an%20Emirati%20from%20Abu%20Dhabi.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EMr%20Al%20Maainah%20said%20in%20an%20interview%20with%20%3Cem%3EThe%20National%3C%2Fem%3E%20in%202011%20he%20chose%20the%20colours%20for%20local%20reasons.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThe%20black%20represents%20the%20oil%20riches%20that%20transformed%20the%20UAE%2C%20green%20stands%20for%20fertility%20and%20the%20red%20and%20white%20colours%20were%20drawn%20from%20those%20found%20in%20existing%20emirate%20flags.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The biog
Name: Abeer Al Shahi
Emirate: Sharjah – Khor Fakkan
Education: Master’s degree in special education, preparing for a PhD in philosophy.
Favourite activities: Bungee jumping
Favourite quote: “My people and I will not settle for anything less than first place” – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.
