When Robert Mardini threw his hat into the ring for the role of director general of the International Committee of the Red Cross, he was under no illusion about the long and rigorous process that lay ahead.
Yet somehow he was still stunned into silence from the outset when a stern interviewer asked point-blank: “Mr Mardini, why should we select you?”
Fortunately, the brain freeze occurred in front of a ‘’recruitment panel’’ convened by his 10-year-old daughter, allowing him to test, fail and learn in the same way that he has encouraged staff to do throughout a long career with the organisation.
“The little one, six, did not realise then what was really at stake so no big deal for her,” the Lebanese-Swiss civil engineer and humanitarian, 51, tells The National. “For our eldest daughter, however, it was tricky. There was excitement and pride because she loves the ICRC but she was enjoying New York.
“The prospect of family separation and moving back to Geneva was not great so we involved her in the process of grilling me. She was demanding. The answers to her first iteration of questioning were not, I think, very convincing. I had to improve the delivery and pitch,” he adds indulgently.
Mardini, then the ICRC’s permanent observer to the UN, couldn’t help an inward smile when confronted with the same “mother of all questions’’ posed by the real adjudicators a little while later.
On that occasion, he was more lucid about the desire to give back by leading from the front after more than two decades in various guises from water habitat engineer in Kigali to regional director of the Near and Middle East.
His overriding objective as the next director general was for the ICRC to remain relevant to all those affected by armed conflict and violence by continuing to play an essential role “even in the darkest of times”.
Back then, though, Mardini could not have known just how grim things were about to become. “You plan, and then life happens,” he says. “I got the job. I accepted a start date of April [2020] before the end of the school year, with the possibility to come back as often as possible … maybe work a couple of days from New York.”
Instead, he caught the last Swiss Airlines flight from Newark to Geneva, arriving on the first day of lockdown a week after the World Health Organisation characterised the outbreak of Covid-19 as a pandemic.
In spite of concerns about leaving his family stuck with a stay-at-home order in an apartment with no balcony, Mardini had to knuckle down to oversee the activities of the ICRC’s 20,000 staff in more than 100 countries and a budget of $2.5 billion.
His Skype, Teams and Zoom calls were punctuated by the recurrent sirens of ambulances transporting coronavirus patients to the Les Hôpitaux universitaires de Genève (HUG), where he is now looking forward to taking up a new job at the helm in September.
Perfect storm of needs
As the pandemic eased its grip, a perfect storm of rising humanitarian needs converged with shrinking aid budgets: a massive cyber attack targeting the personal data of more than half a million people receiving services from the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement; the Russia-Ukraine war; dramatic upsurges of violence in Sudan, Nagorno Karabakh, and Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories; food and fuel crises; and the accelerating impact of climate change.
“ICRC director general is a fascinating role because you're kind of a conductor,” Mardini says, listing the need to empower teams and acquire talents, garner political support vis à vis the Geneva Conventions, and secure funds as well as ensuring a culture of innovation and lessons learnt.
“It's an organisation that has a great mandate because it's basically about being the ultimate safety net to protect dignity in the worst of circumstances for people and communities, and making the best possible use of limited resources. At the end of the day, you cannot do everything.”
Mardini credits his heritage for shaping who he is and the way he operates. His adaptation skills were honed as a war child in Lebanon, where evading the constant threats from snipers, looters, shelling and car bombs required both self-reliance and collaboration with others.
Juxtaposed with the Levantine culture of hospitality and openness, the young boy began to understand diversity and the necessity for building bridges across divides, whether sectarian or political.
“I consciously rewire my brain to put myself in someone else’s mindset and perspective so I can better understand where they are coming from and comprehend what they are dealing with, their red lines, their fault lines, their triggers and what makes them click. There’s always room for engagement.”
Safe haven amid the devastation
Born in Tripoli in 1972, Mardini comes from a middle-class family that was well-educated and whose values were always at the core of any decisions.
He and his younger sibling, Charles, now a wealth and asset manager, were raised by their stay-at-home mother, Gisèle, who endured many challenges, including a series of miscarriages and the loss of her first son from an accident at the age of two.
Mardini’s father, Emile, would, he thinks, have made a wonderful professor but after a head injury from a horse-riding accident set up the first colour photography lab in the city. Not shrewd enough to thrive in a war-torn economic landscape, Emile was, however, known for being a bibliophile who had read every book in his own vast library.
“I held him in high regard, for his stoicism amidst adversity, lack of security and instability. He was always true to his principles.’’
The stakes were high so young Robert was "one of those serious guys'' at school at the private Lycée Franco-Libanais Alphonse de Lamartine, making time for Tintin comics or the adventures of Jules Verne for escapism when at home and, later, French literature or Arabic classics and poetry to cultivate himself.
“We were relatively lucky because there were moments where school was closed but I did not lose any full academic year, which I think is a blessing.
“Education is the most important investment that one can ever make. Money comes and goes, but education stays. I heard my parents say this repeatedly. At the end of the day, it's your passport, to quote my mother-in-law.”
Throughout it all, the ambulances of the Lebanese Red Cross were ever-present and before long the ICRC opened an office next door to its headquarters near the Mardini family home.
After all the blessings I had during early childhood through to graduating from a very renowned school, I felt the calling
Out of curiosity, a precocious Robert began researching how the distinct organisations within the same movement shared similar principles and worked hand in hand in situations of armed conflict such as the one on his doorstep and around the world. “That was the beginning,’’ he says.
The same spirit of inquiry compelled him years later to approach a booth at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne’s annual jobs fair because it bore an instantly recognisable international emblem of neutrality.
'I felt the calling'
Having recently graduated with a master's in civil engineering, he observed at the time that the 1996 Forum EPFL had attracted the usual corporate suspects vying for acquisitions from the research university but why a humanitarian organisation?
“The recruiter explained that, yes, the ICRC hires engineers because access to water and sanitation is critical to public health, that it’s part and parcel of what they do in war-torn countries. After all the blessings I had during early childhood through to graduating from a very renowned school, I felt the calling."
Mardini had also come to realise that devoting years to sophisticated dam and hydraulic projects in Switzerland that might never be built was far less appealing than designing and implementing solutions to critical problems faced by the most vulnerable.
“That's a great incentive, to see the impact of your work. At the same time, you're not just a technical engineer, you have to do it all with your team.
Connecting the dots
“It's not coming in with the arrogance of the technician and saying: ‘I know what's best for you’, digging a hole and calling it a day. It's about connecting the dots between different things – understanding the context and where people are coming from, their deep-seated grievances, misgivings, their hopes and trying to engage first to co-create solutions with them and for them.
“And that is why 27 years passed like this,” he says with a snap of his fingers.
Aside from job satisfaction, the ICRC also brought Mardini deep fulfilment in his personal life. He would meet his future wife, Carla Haddad, a fellow compatriot, in Baghdad towards the end of 2002, where she was supervising repatriation operations of prisoners detained during the war with Iran.
Asked whether becoming parents gave the couple extra motivation to make the world a safer place, Mardini begins by conceding that it can be overwhelming to see the magnitude of conflicts, the disruption they create and the level of suffering.
He talks about people being killed, maimed or forced to move, sexual violence used as a weapon of war, and the mental health and psychosocial issues that were taboo in the humanitarian sector 20 years ago but for which victims now desperately seek support.
Beautiful moments in the field
“Despite all the misery that we were confronted with, Carla and I also had the chance in our respective worlds at ICRC to see vibrant communities. Even in the midst of war, you have people who thrive, who innovate to overcome the challenges and they are so inspiring that we were more on the edge of: ‘Yes, we're confident in life and in better times.’
“Working for ICRC is not something that should make you pessimistic. There are so many reasons for hope in this work despite all that you see on TV and sometimes in desperate situations. There are still, in my personal experience, much more positives.
“The most beautiful moments in the field visits are when you sit and listen to people's stories. Just spend time – sometimes over a cup of tea, sometimes you get invited to share their meals – to understand what is really at stake and what matters for people. This is the only recipe to shape how you can help them best to uphold their dignity.”
Such personal interactions were critical for renewing his own faith in humanity and motivation to continue even in situations where options were limited such as when access to prisoners of war, an obligation under international humanitarian law, was refused.
“We don't have armies and we cannot force our way through. Our job is to try and try and try again, and never take no for an answer. This is the perseverance and determination that is expected from any humanitarian, and at the ICRC there is a premium on these people who will never let go and give up or give in to please any party to the conflict. The only bias we have is for the people affected by armed conflict, and that's the North Star for us."
These days, his two daughters, 15 and 11, provide the light relief. As Mardini tells it, the girls use a mix of humour and charm in their tactics to “get to yes” that often test him more than what he encounters in his professional environment. “They were actively trained by my wife who is known for her negotiation skills,” he points out.
A challenging new chapter
Mardini is now just past the midway point of a break between the end of his four-year tenure as director general at the ICRC and the start of his new demanding D-G role with Geneva University Hospitals.
Some of the time is spent as executive in residence at the IMD Business School engaging with students. The rest he is using to reconnect with family members, recharge the batteries and read through a daunting-sounding pile of books on everything from geopolitics to medicine and hospital management.
Before getting breakfast ready and the school drop-off, he fits in a 5km run around the neighbourhood, an essential part of “the daily hygiene’’, while listening to either opera (“energising”) or Bach (“helps me structure my day”).
As I built on the shoulders of my predecessors, I hope they will build on the shoulders of their predecessor
“I'm now pivoting from a very global role to a very local role. Leading the largest university hospital in the country is a big honour and a very exciting prospect. What this hospital is able to contribute to the local community and to global health, in terms of innovation, in terms of initiatives, is really inspiring.”
It has not, however, been easy to close the ICRC chapter after almost three decades of commitment and all the emotional investment. There are still wars raging and issues that Mardini feels a deep connection with – not least the hundreds of thousands of missing people, including colleagues, who constitute "the less visible side of conflicts'' – but he gave a solemn pledge in the last week of the job not to meddle after his departure.
“It takes discipline to say: ‘No, this is not me any more’ but there are other people in charge. As I built on the shoulders of my predecessors, I hope they will build on the shoulders of their predecessor. They will steer it maybe differently, which is how organisations evolve, and this is as it should be.
“I think I have a great challenge ahead that will require 150 per cent brain power and attention,” he concludes.
Our time up, Mardini leaves the Zoom, gets on his bike and heads off for the latest in a series of informal lunch meetings with the hospital’s executive team to make good the transition. After all, there’s always room for a little more engagement.
UK’s AI plan
- AI ambassadors such as MIT economist Simon Johnson, Monzo cofounder Tom Blomfield and Google DeepMind’s Raia Hadsell
- £10bn AI growth zone in South Wales to create 5,000 jobs
- £100m of government support for startups building AI hardware products
- £250m to train new AI models
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
EPL's youngest
- Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
15 years, 181 days old
- Max Dowman (Arsenal)
15 years, 235 days old
- Jeremy Monga (Leicester)
15 years, 271 days old
- Harvey Elliott (Fulham)
16 years, 30 days old
- Matthew Briggs (Fulham)
16 years, 68 days old
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
Match info
Uefa Champions League Group H
Manchester United v Young Boys, Tuesday, midnight (UAE)
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
MATCH INFO
Everton 0
Manchester City 2 (Laporte 45 2', Jesus 90 7')
Dolittle
Director: Stephen Gaghan
Stars: Robert Downey Jr, Michael Sheen
One-and-a-half out of five stars
How to turn your property into a holiday home
- Ensure decoration and styling – and portal photography – quality is high to achieve maximum rates.
- Research equivalent Airbnb homes in your location to ensure competitiveness.
- Post on all relevant platforms to reach the widest audience; whether you let personally or via an agency know your potential guest profile – aiming for the wrong demographic may leave your property empty.
- Factor in costs when working out if holiday letting is beneficial. The annual DCTM fee runs from Dh370 for a one-bedroom flat to Dh1,200. Tourism tax is Dh10-15 per bedroom, per night.
- Check your management company has a physical office, a valid DTCM licence and is licencing your property and paying tourism taxes. For transparency, regularly view your booking calendar.
Miss Granny
Director: Joyce Bernal
Starring: Sarah Geronimo, James Reid, Xian Lim, Nova Villa
3/5
(Tagalog with Eng/Ar subtitles)
More on Quran memorisation:
Notable groups (UAE time)
Jordan Spieth, Si Woo Kim, Henrik Stenson (12.47pm)
Justin Thomas, Justin Rose, Louis Oosthuizen (12.58pm)
Hideki Matsuyama, Brooks Koepka, Tommy Fleetwood (1.09pm)
Sergio Garcia, Jason Day, Zach Johnson (4.04pm)
Rickie Fowler, Paul Casey, Adam Scott (4.26pm)
Dustin Johnson, Charl Schwartzel, Rory McIlroy (5.48pm)
RESULTS
Main card
Bantamweight 56.4kg: Mehdi Eljamari (MAR) beat Abrorbek Madiminbekov (UZB), Split points decision
Super heavyweight 94 kg: Adnan Mohammad (IRN) beat Mohammed Ajaraam (MAR), Split points decision
Lightweight 60kg: Zakaria Eljamari (UAE) beat Faridoon Alik Zai (AFG), RSC round 3
Light heavyweight 81.4kg: Taha Marrouni (MAR) beat Mahmood Amin (EGY), Unanimous points decision
Light welterweight 64.5kg: Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK) beat Nouredine Samir (UAE), Unanimous points decision
Light heavyweight 81.4kg: Ilyass Habibali (UAE) beat Haroun Baka (ALG), KO second round
Racecard
6pm: Mina Hamriya – Handicap (TB) $75,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
6.35pm: Al Wasl Stakes – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (Turf) 1,200m
7.10pm: UAE Oaks – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,900m
7.45pm: Blue Point Sprint – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,000m
8.20pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy – Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (T) 2,810m
8.55pm: Mina Rashid – Handicap (TB) $80,000 (T) 1,600m
The specs: McLaren 600LT
Price, base: Dh914,000
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 600hp @ 7,500rpm
Torque: 620Nm @ 5,500rpm
Fuel economy 12.2.L / 100km
10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
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.”
FIXTURES
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Friday
Saint-Etienne v Montpellier (10.45pm)
Saturday
Monaco v Caen (7pm)
Amiens v Bordeaux (10pm)
Angers v Toulouse (10pm)
Metz v Dijon (10pm)
Nantes v Guingamp (10pm)
Rennes v Lille (10pm)
Sunday
Nice v Strasbourg (5pm)
Troyes v Lyon (7pm)
Marseille v Paris Saint-Germain (11pm)
Take Me Apart
Kelela
(Warp)
VERSTAPPEN'S FIRSTS
Youngest F1 driver (17 years 3 days Japan 2014)
Youngest driver to start an F1 race (17 years 166 days – Australia 2015)
Youngest F1 driver to score points (17 years 180 days - Malaysia 2015)
Youngest driver to lead an F1 race (18 years 228 days – Spain 2016)
Youngest driver to set an F1 fastest lap (19 years 44 days – Brazil 2016)
Youngest on F1 podium finish (18 years 228 days – Spain 2016)
Youngest F1 winner (18 years 228 days – Spain 2016)
Youngest multiple F1 race winner (Mexico 2017/18)
Youngest F1 driver to win the same race (Mexico 2017/18)
Cricket World Cup League 2
UAE squad
Rahul Chopra (captain), Aayan Afzal Khan, Ali Naseer, Aryansh Sharma, Basil Hameed, Dhruv Parashar, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Waseem, Omid Rahman, Rahul Bhatia, Tanish Suri, Vishnu Sukumaran, Vriitya Aravind
Fixtures
Friday, November 1 – Oman v UAE
Sunday, November 3 – UAE v Netherlands
Thursday, November 7 – UAE v Oman
Saturday, November 9 – Netherlands v UAE
THE%20SPECS
%3Cp%3EEngine%3A%204.4-litre%20twin-turbo%20V8%20hybrid%0D%3Cbr%3EPower%3A%20653hp%20at%205%2C400rpm%0D%3Cbr%3ETorque%3A%20800Nm%20at%201%2C600-5%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3ETransmission%3A%208-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E0-100kph%20in%204.3sec%0D%3Cbr%3ETop%20speed%20250kph%0D%3Cbr%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20NA%0D%3Cbr%3EOn%20sale%3A%20Q2%202023%0D%3Cbr%3EPrice%3A%20From%20Dh750%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
If you go…
Emirates launched a new daily service to Mexico City this week, flying via Barcelona from Dh3,995.
Emirati citizens are among 67 nationalities who do not require a visa to Mexico. Entry is granted on arrival for stays of up to 180 days.
PROVISIONAL FIXTURE LIST
Premier League
Wednesday, June 17 (Kick-offs uae times) Aston Villa v Sheffield United 9pm; Manchester City v Arsenal 11pm
Friday, June 19 Norwich v Southampton 9pm; Tottenham v Manchester United 11pm
Saturday, June 20 Watford v Leicester 3.30pm; Brighton v Arsenal 6pm; West Ham v Wolves 8.30pm; Bournemouth v Crystal Palace 10.45pm
Sunday, June 21 Newcastle v Sheffield United 2pm; Aston Villa v Chelsea 7.30pm; Everton v Liverpool 10pm
Monday, June 22 Manchester City v Burnley 11pm (Sky)
Tuesday, June 23 Southampton v Arsenal 9pm; Tottenham v West Ham 11.15pm
Wednesday, June 24 Manchester United v Sheffield United 9pm; Newcastle v Aston Villa 9pm; Norwich v Everton 9pm; Liverpool v Crystal Palace 11.15pm
Thursday, June 25 Burnley v Watford 9pm; Leicester v Brighton 9pm; Chelsea v Manchester City 11.15pm; Wolves v Bournemouth 11.15pm
Sunday June 28 Aston Villa vs Wolves 3pm; Watford vs Southampton 7.30pm
Monday June 29 Crystal Palace vs Burnley 11pm
Tuesday June 30 Brighton vs Manchester United 9pm; Sheffield United vs Tottenham 11.15pm
Wednesday July 1 Bournemouth vs Newcastle 9pm; Everton vs Leicester 9pm; West Ham vs Chelsea 11.15pm
Thursday July 2 Arsenal vs Norwich 9pm; Manchester City vs Liverpool 11.15pm
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201.5-litre%204-cylinder%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20101hp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20135Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20Six-speed%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh79%2C900%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick
Hometown: Cologne, Germany
Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)
Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes
Favourite hobby: Football
Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk
How they line up for Sunday's Australian Grand Prix
1 Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
2 Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari
3 Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari
4 Max Verstappen, Red Bull
5 Kevin Magnussen, Haas
6 Romain Grosjean, Haas
7 Nico Hulkenberg, Renault
*8 Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull
9 Carlos Sainz, Renault
10 Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
11 Fernando Alonso, McLaren
12 Stoffel Vandoorne, McLaren
13 Sergio Perez, Force India
14 Lance Stroll, Williams
15 Esteban Ocon, Force India
16 Brendon Hartley, Toro Rosso
17 Marcus Ericsson, Sauber
18 Charles Leclerc, Sauber
19 Sergey Sirotkin, Williams
20 Pierre Gasly, Toro Rosso
* Daniel Ricciardo qualified fifth but had a three-place grid penalty for speeding in red flag conditions during practice
FIRST TEST SCORES
England 458
South Africa 361 & 119 (36.4 overs)
England won by 211 runs and lead series 1-0
Player of the match: Moeen Ali (England)
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
