Regarding US puts pressure on Putin (July 21), this is an appeal to Russian president Vladimir Putin to intervene with the pro-Russian rebels in Ukraine, and to cooperate with the retrieval of victims' bodies and any investigation into the shooting-down of flight MH17.
The situation has been heartbreaking for the relatives of the victims. Even when some of the bodies were loaded onto a train, the prime minister of Ukraine was unsure where the train was headed.
This is a very bizarre situation. Mr Putin has to instruct the pro-Russian rebels to withdraw and let inquiries proceed. All forces in the area must declare a complete ceasefire.
Whoever shot down the plane has shown no consideration for the innocent civilian passengers; now, at least, there should be some respect for their remains.
Rajendra K Aneja, Dubai
Israel has no right to attack Gaza
I refer to 100 killed in Gaza's bloodiest day (July 21).
US president Barack Obama claims that Israel has the right to defend itself.
However, occupying someone else’s land illegally is an attack in itself. How is it that an attacker can simultaneously be a victim?
Israel is not the victim here.
Sydra Malik, Dubai
Frustration over safe-driving signs
I refer to "Am I driving safely?" No, but there is no point in calling the number on the lorries (July 19), about the phone numbers displayed onheavy vehicles.
The other day, I had this commercial vehicle honking and flashing its headlights at me, with the driver trying to get me to give way or to speed up. However, we were approaching traffic lights, so there was no way I could do this.
After the light turned green, I pulled over and called the phone number on the back of the van.
The call was promptly answered by the driver himself – and he began shouting at me for slowing down. I had no other option but to hang up.
Rajesh Lakshminarayan, Dubai
These stickers are compulsory; they are not free and have nothing to do with the companies that own the vehicles. They are a source of revenue for the Road Transport Authority.
Aziza Al Busaidy, Dubai
Don’t ban dogs, but do regulate
I was upset by Rosemary Behan's comments about dogs (I rarely hear a barking dog in the UAE and long may that situation continue, July 20).
While I agree about the number of dogs and cleanliness in the streets, the biggest problem is the number of pet shops that have been allowed to import totally unsuitable animals for this climate.
When I arrived in 1977, the only dogs I saw were little white Pomeranians. Now, you can see Huskies, Alsatians and Briards among other breeds developed in much cooler climates.
I understand that families who relocate here want their pets to come with them – because, as much as your writer might disagree, our pets are family.
We have had many beautiful dogs as part of our family. Now we have only two, and both of them will definitely leave with us when we go, along with our cats, of course.
The government must stop the wholesale import of dogs, cats and other animals for sale. It should allow only animals that are accompanied by their families to enter the country and ensure that those pets leave with that family.
And, as Behan says, designated dog areas should be created so we can let our pets socialise freely.
G Gordon, Dubai
Why do I have to deal with irresponsible parents in restaurants, shopping malls, grocery stores, planes and so on? I don’t like to hear children screaming or crying when I’m trying to watch a movie or eat a meal.
Behan is obviously not an animal lover. I choose to feel sorry for her, because pets are awesome.
Lynn Marie Taylor, Abu Dhabi
Support those who help others
I was pleased to read The zakat campaign by UAE-based Friends of Cancer Patients provides support to cancer patients (July 17).
Please donate to the Shaukat Khanam Hospital, as they gave free treatment to my father.
Muddassar Abbas, Dubai
Cycling is not an option for many
I am writing about UAE must target younger generation for public transport to succeed (July 15), in which an expert suggests people use cycling tracks.
One has to remember about the strong possibility of heatstroke. Also, walking and cycling are not options for mothers with children, the elderly or those with illnesses.
J Bishop, Dubai
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Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup – Sep 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
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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Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
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.”
