We are a patient lot, we Melburnians. Just ask us.
We’re proud, too. Since this pandemic began, we have congratulated ourselves mightily for the manner in which we have handled six lockdowns, for a total of almost 250 days.
After so much time at home, with little social contact apart from panicked children flicking from TikTok to online classes at the sound of every approaching footstep, we feel we have a right to be a little smug.
This might play a part in the delight that many Melburnians, who are also great lovers of sport, are finding in the notion of the world No 1 tennis player – and Australian Open defending champion for the past three years – pressing against a window in a quarantine hotel and facing possible deportation.
Novak Djokovic really must learn to pick his audience.
Djokovic has split the ticcy, unsure faces of many in this city during record daily coronavirus cases into wicked, gaping smiles. If it’s good enough for us …
The outrage, on social media and elsewhere, over his apparent entry to the Australian Open despite his opposition to coronavirus vaccination softened considerably when it was announced that he was detained at Tullamarine Airport and had his visa cancelled.
The adjournment until Monday of an ensuing court appeal against the cancellation after he showed insufficient evidence for vaccine exemption meant at least one night in a quarantine hotel.
“Rules are rules,” said Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who can pick his audience. “And there are no special cases.”
And despite pressure for a deadline to allow Djokovic time for his crack at a record 21st Grand Slam title and 10th Australian Open, Judge Anthony Kelly warned in the Federal Circuit and Family Court that “the tail won’t wag the dog here”.
Mr Kelly did, according to reports, show concern over whether the Serbian star had training facilities at his hotel.
Notable defenders of Djokovic include his father, Srdan, who did not do a great job in calming things down when he was widely quoted as saying: “If they don’t let him go in half an hour, we will gather on the street. This is a fight for everyone.”
The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, also backed his countryman, the “best tennis player in the world”, against the “harassment” he has suffered in Australia.
“In accordance with all the norms of international public law, Serbia will fight for Novak Djokovic, for justice and truth,” Fox Sports quoted Mr Vucic as saying.
Djokovic fans protest in Melbourne
“Truth”. There’s an interesting word.
The truth is that we, like the rest of the world, have suffered dreadful losses over the past two years and made great sacrifices to avoid more.
To have that apparently cheapened by a man who has been welcomed as the true champion athlete he is, year after year, is grist for the mill in a country where taking the mickey is also a national sport.
Novak, you’ll have your respect again when you’ve earned it. Until then we could all do with a good laugh.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
De De Pyaar De
Produced: Luv Films, YRF Films
Directed: Akiv Ali
Cast: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Rakul Preet Singh, Jimmy Sheirgill, Jaaved Jaffrey
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
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Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
The bio
Favourite food: Japanese
Favourite car: Lamborghini
Favourite hobby: Football
Favourite quote: If your dreams don’t scare you, they are not big enough
Favourite country: UAE
Royal wedding inspired menu
Ginger, citrus and orange blossom iced tea
Avocado ranch dip with crudites
Cucumber, smoked salmon and cream cheese mini club sandwiches
Elderflower and lemon syllabub meringue
THREE
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Global state-owned investor ranking by size
1.
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United States
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2.
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China
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3.
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UAE
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4.
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Japan
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5
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Norway
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6.
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Four motivational quotes from Alicia's Dubai talk
“The only thing we need is to know that we have faith. Faith and hope in our own dreams. The belief that, when we keep going we’re going to find our way. That’s all we got.”
“Sometimes we try so hard to keep things inside. We try so hard to pretend it’s not really bothering us. In some ways, that hurts us more. You don’t realise how dishonest you are with yourself sometimes, but I realised that if I spoke it, I could let it go.”
“One good thing is to know you’re not the only one going through it. You’re not the only one trying to find your way, trying to find yourself, trying to find amazing energy, trying to find a light. Show all of yourself. Show every nuance. All of your magic. All of your colours. Be true to that. You can be unafraid.”
“It’s time to stop holding back. It’s time to do it on your terms. It’s time to shine in the most unbelievable way. It’s time to let go of negativity and find your tribe, find those people that lift you up, because everybody else is just in your way.”
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
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
THE%20SWIMMERS
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
The design
The protective shell is covered in solar panels to make use of light and produce energy. This will drastically reduce energy loss.
More than 80 per cent of the energy consumed by the French pavilion will be produced by the sun.
The architecture will control light sources to provide a highly insulated and airtight building.
The forecourt is protected from the sun and the plants will refresh the inner spaces.
A micro water treatment plant will recycle used water to supply the irrigation for the plants and to flush the toilets. This will reduce the pavilion’s need for fresh water by 30 per cent.
Energy-saving equipment will be used for all lighting and projections.
Beyond its use for the expo, the pavilion will be easy to dismantle and reuse the material.
Some elements of the metal frame can be prefabricated in a factory.
From architects to sound technicians and construction companies, a group of experts from 10 companies have created the pavilion.
Work will begin in May; the first stone will be laid in Dubai in the second quarter of 2019.
Construction of the pavilion will take 17 months from May 2019 to September 2020.
Temple numbers
Expected completion: 2022
Height: 24 meters
Ground floor banquet hall: 370 square metres to accommodate about 750 people
Ground floor multipurpose hall: 92 square metres for up to 200 people
First floor main Prayer Hall: 465 square metres to hold 1,500 people at a time
First floor terrace areas: 2,30 square metres
Temple will be spread over 6,900 square metres
Structure includes two basements, ground and first floor
How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now
Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.
The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.
1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):
a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33
b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.
2. For those who have worked more than five years
c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.
Note: The maximum figure cannot exceed two years total salary figure.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
The specs: Aston Martin DB11 V8 vs Ferrari GTC4Lusso T
Price, base: Dh840,000; Dh120,000
Engine: 4.0L V8 twin-turbo; 3.9L V8 turbo
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic; seven-speed automatic
Power: 509hp @ 6,000rpm; 601hp @ 7,500rpm
Torque: 695Nm @ 2,000rpm; 760Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 9.9L / 100km; 11.6L / 100km
Killing of Qassem Suleimani