Dubai residents are being urged to not forget the plight of earthquake survivors in Turkey and Syria and to pledge their support to donation drives being held this weekend.
More than 44,000 people have been killed and millions more affected by the natural disaster that struck last week.
The United Nations on Thursday launched a $1 billion appeal to help more than five million survivors of the devastating earthquake, the largest to hit Turkey in a century.
Former pupils at Al Mawakeb Schools have teamed up with Emirates Red Crescent to organise a drive-through donation event at Al Mawakeb School Al Barsha on Saturday.
A similar collection got under way at Alserkal Avenue, Dubai's arts and culture district, on Friday and will continue until Sunday, with people able to give cash as well as essential supplies.
'Keep Turkey and Syria in our minds'
Alissar Nasr, chief academic officer at Al Mawakeb Schools, said it was crucial that people showed their support, even as media coverage of the tragedy inevitably diminishes.
“Let's not forget. We have a tendency to get very enthusiastic about campaigns like this one, when the disaster first happens," she said.
“Then throughout the few weeks that follow, we tend to forget and put it in the back of our minds.
“We need to remember that it's something that's going to affect them for a long time. Let's not forget, let's keep them in our minds.”
Ms Nasr said people needed to continue their support for earthquake victims.
On Saturday, almost 150 people, including Dubai Police, will be working and volunteering at the school’s drive-through campaign.
Ms Nasr said their target was to get more than 50 tonnes of goods.
She said they chose to do a drive-through because it was efficient, convenient and included the whole family.
“It's a drive-through. That's what makes it unique in terms of comparison to what others are doing," she said.
"What also makes it unique is the fact that it's driven by our alumni.
"When you come to donate, you don't have to get out of your car and you don't have to worry about the crowds. You go through, you drop in and people will be there to take the stuff from you, and you drive out of the school. It's that simple.
"If you want to teach your kids about giving, this is an opportunity to do that. We want to teach our children to have empathy.”
Majid Al Shaibani, a former pupil at Al Mawakeb School, said he launched the initiative to help others.
“I graduated 12 years ago. And there are people who graduated 20 to 25 years ago, and we still meet when something like this happens and when we need to help people,” said Mr Al Shaibani, an Emirati who works for Dubai Police.
“It's so heartwarming to see our school supporting this as we continue to put these values into action.
“We wanted it to be as easy as we could make it so we decided on a drive-through.
“Our goal is to collect initial items such as food, clothing and medical supplies to provide some relief to the affected families. We are getting some calls from people who want to donate bulk orders.”
Determined to help
On Friday, people were already making their way to Alserkal Avenue to lend a helping hand.
“I saw the advertisement online with my country’s webpage so I wanted to come down to help," said Kai Kulbayev, 33, a stylist from Kazhakstan who lives in Dubai.
“I have been trying to find ways to donate this week but I have been very busy.
“My friend came with me because we want to drop off some things that people need, like food, rice and noodles and some baby products, like diapers, for the babies.
“I know they need this stuff, I only wish I could help more.
“Life is short and we have to help each other. This could happen to anyone, no one knows.
“Because I am in a position to help I felt like it was my duty, I have told my friends and hopefully they will also donate even small items to help a family.”
Eddie Ryan, from Ireland, who works at Middlesex University in Dubai, felt compelled to help after watching news reports of the earthquake.
“We have all seen the footage on TV and read the newspaper reports, so it is clear how devastating it has been,” Mr Ryan said.
“It is imperative for all of us to help out. I have seen a list of what is needed, so we will give what we can.”
What can you donate?
People can donate cash at Alserkal Avenue.
At Al Mawakeb School and Alserkal Avenue, people can also donate items such as family-size tents, sleeping bags, folding bags, blankets, portable heaters.
Other essentials include perishables such as baby food, baby formula, powdered milk, canned food with an expiry date no less than six months, and non-perishables such as hygiene parcels including toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap bars, shampoo, nappies for babies, winter clothes.
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Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.
Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born.
UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.
A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.
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SMEs in the UAE are defined by the number of employees, annual turnover and sector. For example, a “small company” in the services industry has six to 50 employees with a turnover of more than Dh2 million up to Dh20m, while in the manufacturing industry the requirements are 10 to 100 employees with a turnover of more than Dh3m up to Dh50m, according to Dubai SME, an agency of the Department of Economic Development.
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- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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Accommodation: The Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Hotel by Anantara is an ideal place to stay, within walking distance of the falls and right on the Zambezi River. Rooms here start from 6,635 kwacha (Dh2,398) per night, including breakfast, taxes and Wi-Fi. Water arrivals cost from 587 kwacha (Dh212) per person.
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Centre Court
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The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
Mazen Abukhater, principal and actuary at global consultancy Mercer, Middle East, says the company’s Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index - which benchmarks 34 pension schemes across the globe to assess their adequacy, sustainability and integrity - included Saudi Arabia for the first time this year to offer a glimpse into the region.
The index highlighted fundamental issues for all 34 countries, such as a rapid ageing population and a low growth / low interest environment putting pressure on expected returns. It also highlighted the increasing popularity around the world of defined contribution schemes.
“Average life expectancy has been increasing by about three years every 10 years. Someone born in 1947 is expected to live until 85 whereas someone born in 2007 is expected to live to 103,” Mr Abukhater told the Mena Pensions Conference.
“Are our systems equipped to handle these kind of life expectancies in the future? If so many people retire at 60, they are going to be in retirement for 43 years – so we need to adapt our retirement age to our changing life expectancy.”
Saudi Arabia came in the middle of Mercer’s ranking with a score of 58.9. The report said the country's index could be raised by improving the minimum level of support for the poorest aged individuals and increasing the labour force participation rate at older ages as life expectancies rise.
Mr Abukhater said the challenges of an ageing population, increased life expectancy and some individuals relying solely on their government for financial support in their retirement years will put the system under strain.
“To relieve that pressure, governments need to consider whether it is time to switch to a defined contribution scheme so that individuals can supplement their own future with the help of government support,” he said.
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“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
“The ginger should be eaten separately as a palette cleanser and used to clear the mouth when switching between different pieces of fish.”
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Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
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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
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D - Feyenoord, 3-3
L - Tottenham, 4-0
L - Brighton, 2-1
L - Sporting, 4-1
L - Bournemouth, 2-1
L - Tottenham, 2-1
