VALENCIA // The last time Fernando Alonso shed tears in a Formula One paddock was after capitulating his world championship lead in Abu Dhabi on the final day of the 2010 season.
Sunday, at the Valencia Street Circuit, the Spaniard's eyes were moist once more having fought his way up from 11th on the starting grid to triumph at a chaotic, captivating European Grand Prix in front of his compatriots.
"Winning this race in Spain is probably the best victory I ever felt in terms of emotions," Alonso said.
"Nothing can compare to this one."
The result saw the Ferrari driver regain the championship lead as he became the first man to win two races this season, ending a run of seven consecutive different winners.
The 30 year old passed the chequered flag ahead of Lotus's Kimi Raikkonen and Michael Schumacher of Mercedes-GP, before - exhausted and emotional - stopping his car in front of a grandstand packed with Spanish supporters, climbing out and waving his country's flag.
"It's really difficult to express in words what is the feeling at the moment," Alonso said, after weeping on the top step of the podium.
"Winning the home grand prix is something unique, a very special feeling. I had the opportunity in Barcelona in 2006 with Renault, but now with Ferrari, with the grandstands full of red, I'm feeling very proud."
The unprecedented eighth different winner that many hoped would arrive at Valencia Street Circuit did not materialise, but Sunday's result was as unpredictable as any of the seven grands prix that have preceded it this season. The circuit at Valencia, having failed to produce anything other than processional racing in its four previous events, furnished fans with a thrilling, enthralling race.
Sebastian Vettel, the world champion, had started on pole for the third successive year and, having enjoyed a flawless start, quickly put a seemingly unassailable margin between his Red Bull Racing RB8 and Lewis Hamilton's McLaren-Mercedes.
Alonso, starting from outside the top 10 at home for the first time since 2008, jumped up to eighth early on, but the race was Vettel's to lose.
On the 28th lap, and with Vettel leading Hamilton by more than 40 seconds, Jean-Eric Vergne of Toro Rosso collided with Caterham's Heikki Kovalainen while fighting for 17th position. As debris sprayed across the track, the safety car was deployed, effectively resurrecting a race that was otherwise all but over.
When the safety car pitted six laps later, Vettel's lead had vanished and Hamilton had slipped down the field following an error-ridden pit-stop. Romain Grosjean, the Lotus driver now running in second, was immediately passed by Alonso and within one circumnavigation of the 5.419km street circuit, the Spaniard inherited the lead as Vettel's alternator failed, forcing him to retire.
When Grosjean retired five laps later with the same problem, Alonso's closest rival appeared to be second-placed Hamilton, but he, too, saw his race end prematurely when he collided with Pastor Maldonado, giving Alonso a free run to the flag and the opportunity to give back to the 51,546 spectators who turned out to cheer on their national hero.
"I know it's not the best time in Spain at the moment, with the [financial] crisis and all the problems that people have," the two-time world champion said. "There are families who have made long trips to come here; they sleep in the car or in a caravan, they try to enjoy the race and [in qualifying], we didn't deliver what they were probably expecting.
"I think we have paid back a little bit - only a little bit - of the support that they gave us. Together with the football team and [tennis champion Rafael] Nadal, there is some kind of pride in being Spanish right now with sport, and I felt that I needed to do something special. It is a very emotional day."
The remarkable unravelling of events left Raikkonen running in second to claim a third podium of the season, while Schumacher claimed his first podium since returning from a three-year hiatus from the sport in 2010. The seven-time world champion revealed he had no idea he had even taken third until he passed the chequered flag.
"It is these moments that definitely you enjoy deeply, and it's just a wonderful feeling to be back after such a long time," Schumacher, who last finished on the podium in China in 2006, said.
"We were a couple of times close to it, and finally it happened in a very spectacular way and on a track where it is difficult to pass. But that is what I am here for, to be excited, hearing finally the message 'P3' is a sweet finish to an unexpected race."
Results Sunday for the Formula One European Grand Prix at the 5.4-kilometer (3.3-mile) Valencia Street Circuit with driver, country, car, laps completed and time:
1. Fernando Alonso, Spain, Ferrari, 57 laps, 1:44:16.649
2. Kimi Raikkonen, Finland, Lotus, 57, 6.4 seconds behind
3. Michael Schumacher, Germany, Mercedes, 57, 12.6
4. Mark Webber, Australia, Red Bull, 57, 13.6
5. Nico Hulkenberg, Germany, Force India, 57, 19.9
6. Nico Rosberg, Germany, Mercedes, 57, 21.1
7. Paul di Resta, Scotland, Force India, 57, 22.8
8. Jenson Button, England, McLaren, 57, 24.6
9. Sergio Perez, Sauber, 57, 27.7
10. Bruno Senna, Brazil, Williams, 57, 35.9
11. Daniel Ricciardo, Australia, Toro Rosso, 57, 37.0
12. Pastor Maldonado, Venzuela, Williams, 57, 54.6
13. Vitaly Petrov, Russia, Caterham, 57, 75.8
14. Heikki Kovalainen, Finland, Caterham, 57, 94.6
15. Charles Pic, France, Marussia, 57, 96.5
16. Felipe Massa, Brazil, Ferrari 56, 1 lap
17. Pedro de la Rosa, Spain, HRT, 56, 1 lap
18. Narain Karthikeyan, India, HRT, 56, 1 lap
Not Classified
19. Lewis Hamilton, England, McLaren, retired
20. Romain Grosjean, France, Lotus, retired
21. Sebastian Vettel, Germany, Red Bull, retired
22. Kamui Kobayashi, Japan, Sauber, retired
23. Jean-Eric Vergne, France, Toro Rosso, retired
Did Not Start
24. Timo Glock, Germany, Marussia
Driver Standings (After 8 of 20 races)
1. Fernando Alonso, Spain, Ferrari, 111 points.
2. Mark Webber, Australia, Red Bull, 91
3. Lewis Hamilton, England, McLaren, 88
4. Sebastian Vettel, Germany, Red Bull, 85
5. Nico Rosberg, Germany, Mercedes, 75
6. Kimi Raikkonen, Finland, Lotus, 73
7. Romain Grosjean, France, Lotus, 53
8. Jenson Button, England, McLaren, 49
9. Sergio Perez, Mexico, Sauber, 39
10. Pastor Maldonado, Venezuela, Williams, 29
11. Paul di Resta, Scotland, Force India, 27
12. Kamui Kobayashi, Japan, Sauber, 21
13. Michael Schumacher, Germany, Mercedes, 17
14. Nico Hulkenberg, Germany, Force India, 17
15. Bruno Senna, Brazil, Williams, 16
16. Felipe Massa, Brazil, Ferrari, 11
17. Jean-Eric Vergne, France, Toro Rosso, 4
18. Daniel Ricciardo, Australia, Toro Rosso, 2
Constructor Standings
1. Red Bull, 176 points
2. McLaren, 137
3. Lotus, 126
4. Ferrari, 122
5. Mercedes, 92
6. Sauber, 60
7. Williams, 45
8. Force India, 44
9. Toro Rosso, 6
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, last 16, first leg
Liverpool v Bayern Munich, midnight (Wednesday), BeIN Sports
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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.”
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
The Vines - In Miracle Land
Two stars
The figures behind the event
1) More than 300 in-house cleaning crew
2) 165 staff assigned to sanitise public areas throughout the show
3) 1,000 social distancing stickers
4) 809 hand sanitiser dispensers placed throughout the venue
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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
England v South Africa Test series:
First Test: at Lord's, England won by 211 runs
Second Test: at Trent Bridge, South Africa won by 340 runs
Third Test: at The Oval, July 27-31
Fourth Test: at Old Trafford, August 4-8
ATP WORLD No 1
2004 Roger Federer
2005 Roger Federer
2006 Roger Federer
2007 Roger Federer
2008 Rafael Nadal
2009 Roger Federer
2010 Rafael Nadal
2011 Novak Djokovic
2012 Novak Djokovic
2013 Rafael Nadal
2014 Novak Djokovic
2015 Novak Djokovic
2016 Andy Murray
2017 Rafael Nadal
2018 Novak Djokovic
2019 Rafael Nadal
Janet Yellen's Firsts
- In 2014, she became the first woman to lead the US Federal Reserve
- In 1999, she became the first female chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers
BULKWHIZ PROFILE
Date started: February 2017
Founders: Amira Rashad (CEO), Yusuf Saber (CTO), Mahmoud Sayedahmed (adviser), Reda Bouraoui (adviser)
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: E-commerce
Size: 50 employees
Funding: approximately $6m
Investors: Beco Capital, Enabling Future and Wain in the UAE; China's MSA Capital; 500 Startups; Faith Capital and Savour Ventures in Kuwait
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
EXPATS
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FIXTURES
Saturday
5.30pm: Shabab Al Ahli v Al Wahda
5.30pm: Khorfakkan v Baniyas
8.15pm: Hatta v Ajman
8.15pm: Sharjah v Al Ain
Sunday
5.30pm: Kalba v Al Jazira
5.30pm: Fujairah v Al Dhafra
8.15pm: Al Nasr v Al Wasl
TOUR RESULTS AND FIXTURES
June 3: NZ Provincial Barbarians 7 Lions 13
June 7: Blues 22 Lions 16
June 10: Crusaders 3 Lions 12
June 13: Highlanders 23 Lions 22
June 17: Maori All Blacks 10 Lions 32
June 20: Chiefs 6 Lions 34
June 24: New Zealand 30 Lions 15
June 27: Hurricanes 31 Lions 31
July 1: New Zealand 21 Lions 24
July 8: New Zealand v Lions
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RESULTS
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Ireland v Denmark: The last two years
Denmark 1-1 Ireland
7/06/19, Euro 2020 qualifier
Denmark 0-0 Ireland
19/11/2018, Nations League
Ireland 0-0 Denmark
13/10/2018, Nations League
Ireland 1 Denmark 5
14/11/2017, World Cup qualifier
Denmark 0-0 Ireland
11/11/2017, World Cup qualifier
The%20specs
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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More from Neighbourhood Watch
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
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
The years Ramadan fell in May
