• Dubai attracted 16.73 million tourists in 2019, before the pandemic. Reuters
    Dubai attracted 16.73 million tourists in 2019, before the pandemic. Reuters
  • Hatta is an exclave of Dubai high in the Hajar Mountains. Tourism in the area is being developed, with a focus on outdoor activities such as canoeing on the Hatta Dam.
    Hatta is an exclave of Dubai high in the Hajar Mountains. Tourism in the area is being developed, with a focus on outdoor activities such as canoeing on the Hatta Dam.
  • Ras Al Khaimah has positioned itself as the adventure emirate in the UAE and is home to the world's longest zipline.
    Ras Al Khaimah has positioned itself as the adventure emirate in the UAE and is home to the world's longest zipline.
  • Flyboard demonstrations at the Abu Dhabi International Boat Show. Christopher Pike / The National
    Flyboard demonstrations at the Abu Dhabi International Boat Show. Christopher Pike / The National
  • Sand dunes in the empty quarter area of the Rub al Khali desert in Abu Dhabi. Getty
    Sand dunes in the empty quarter area of the Rub al Khali desert in Abu Dhabi. Getty
  • Views of the famous Dubai skyline at sunset. AP Photo / Kamran Jebreili
    Views of the famous Dubai skyline at sunset. AP Photo / Kamran Jebreili
  • Sunset at Al Majaz waterfront in Sharjah. Reem Mohammed / The National
    Sunset at Al Majaz waterfront in Sharjah. Reem Mohammed / The National
  • An aerial view of the mountains of Hatta in Dubai. Photo: Moadh Bukhash
    An aerial view of the mountains of Hatta in Dubai. Photo: Moadh Bukhash
  • Dubai was ranked the most liveable city in the Middle East and North Africa in 2019. Getty
    Dubai was ranked the most liveable city in the Middle East and North Africa in 2019. Getty
  • A sandy beach in Fujairah. Getty Images
    A sandy beach in Fujairah. Getty Images
  • Water taxis on Dubai Creek take people from Bur Dubai to Deira and back again at sunset. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Water taxis on Dubai Creek take people from Bur Dubai to Deira and back again at sunset. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • The Burj Khalifa skyscraper (centre left) stands above the city skyline seen through the Dubai Frame architectural landmark in Dubai. Christopher Pike / Bloomberg
    The Burj Khalifa skyscraper (centre left) stands above the city skyline seen through the Dubai Frame architectural landmark in Dubai. Christopher Pike / Bloomberg

UAE ready for potential 'swift and robust' influx of Chinese tourists by 2023


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The UAE could welcome the return of Chinese tourists in the next six to 12 months, tourism analysts said.

But the expected surge in visitor numbers, which reached nearly a million in Dubai in 2019, will be on hold until there is a further easing of China's zero-Covid policy restrictions.

Hoteliers, real estate figures and government officials said the reopening of China, one of the region's most important source markets, would bring a tourism boom for the Emirates and the wider Middle East.

We anticipate that the rebound from one of our top international feeder markets, China, will be swift and robust once travel restrictions are further eased
Hoor Al Khaja,
Department of Economy and Tourism

A senior executive with Dubai Tourism said a further relaxation of China’s Covid-19 restrictions would lead to an immediate surge in visitors to the UAE.

“We anticipate that the rebound from one of our top international feeder markets, China, will be swift and robust once travel restrictions are further eased,” Hoor Al Khaja, associate vice president at Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, told The National.

"As we focus on driving sustainable growth in 2022 and beyond with our ever-expanding diverse destination proposition, we very much look forward to welcoming back visitors from China to Dubai.”

Beijing's decision last month to cut the ultra-strict 21-day isolation period to 10 days for arrivals was closely watched.

For now, however, travel is effectively off limits for all but the most essential business and diplomatic journeys.

In June, Etihad Airways resumed flights to Beijing and Emirates airline will increase its Dubai-to-Guangzhou service to twice weekly from August 3 ― the latest indications that the travel corridor between the two countries is opening up again.

Hoor Al Khaja from Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism expects to see a surge of visitors once restrictions in China are further relaxed. Photo: DET
Hoor Al Khaja from Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism expects to see a surge of visitors once restrictions in China are further relaxed. Photo: DET

In the years before the pandemic, Chinese tourists visited the UAE in droves.

Dubai welcomed almost 17 million visitors in 2019, with Chinese visitors making up almost almost 990,000 of that number ― an increase of almost 15 per cent over the previous year.

The introduction of visas on arrival for Chinese visitors in 2016 led numbers to double in four years, Dubai Tourism said in its 2020 report.

That all changed, however, with the outbreak of Covid-19, and while the UAE is performing better than most countries in terms of tourism, there is a noticeable absence of Chinese visitors.

Gradual increase

One expert says it is possible the Emirates could enjoy a significant return of tourists from the world’s second-largest economy sooner rather than later.

“Given the reduction in central quarantine length in China, and a continuing increase in vaccination rates in the country, growth in Chinese tourist numbers is likely this calendar year,” said Dr Ross Curran, an assistant professor at Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University Dubai, who regularly lectures on tourism.

“However, I would expect to see a gradual increase in numbers that move in tandem with the easing of quarantine requirements.

“Were the restrictions to be significantly eased or lifted in the coming months, a surge in numbers this year could be expected. Consequently, the industry needs to remain agile and flexible to respond to rapidly changing conditions.”

China reduced Covid-19 quarantine restrictions at the end of June for inbound travellers, the biggest indication yet the country was preparing to open up again.

Travellers need spend only seven days in a quarantine facility, before monitoring their health for a further three days.

  • Chinese tourists enjoy the sights at the Heritage Village, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa/The National
    Chinese tourists enjoy the sights at the Heritage Village, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa/The National
  • Tourists take photos of the Dubai Frame lit up in red for Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to the UAE in 2018. Pawan Singh / The National
    Tourists take photos of the Dubai Frame lit up in red for Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to the UAE in 2018. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Tourists from Inner Mongolia in China take pictures in front of the Burj Khalifa. Razan Alzayani / The National
    Tourists from Inner Mongolia in China take pictures in front of the Burj Khalifa. Razan Alzayani / The National
  • Chinese tourists shopping in Deira. Razan Alzayani / The National
    Chinese tourists shopping in Deira. Razan Alzayani / The National
  • Dubai's retail trade will be boosted by an increase in tourists from China. Victor Besa / The National
    Dubai's retail trade will be boosted by an increase in tourists from China. Victor Besa / The National

“The recent reduction to seven-day central quarantine will have a positive impact. However, it is yet unclear whether this will significantly affect travel where tourism is the primary motivation,” Dr Curran said.

“We may see tourists visiting the Gulf region for stays of longer duration or an increase in the extension of business trips to include additional leisure days.”

An influx of tourists from China would have a hugely positive impact on a range of sectors, not just hospitality, he said.

“Not only does a hotel stay benefit the hospitality industry, but visitor spending in retail and leisure activities boosts demand for employment and stimulates the wider economy,” Dr Curran said.

“Prior to the pandemic, real estate sales to Chinese citizens were at record levels. Despite a dip during the global lockdown, these are once again increasing.”

Global travel market research firm Phocuswright said nearly half (44 per cent) of all Chinese tourists travel in arranged groups and most (85 per cent) will travel to a destination that they had never visited before.

Xini Wei, 32, a Chinese citizen who lives in Dubai, said it would be 2023 at the earliest before large numbers of her compatriots would return to the UAE.

“It’s going to be at least six months, maybe even 12 before Chinese visitors start returning to Dubai,” said Ms Wei, who works in marketing.

“I haven’t had family or friends over since before the pandemic. So it would be great to have them here again.”

Xini Wei, who lives in Dubai, believes it will be next year before her compatriots return to the UAE in large numbers. Photo: Xini Wei
Xini Wei, who lives in Dubai, believes it will be next year before her compatriots return to the UAE in large numbers. Photo: Xini Wei

She said part of the problem was concern over the ability to return to China, once out of the country.

“Once the restrictions are fully lifted, you will see a lot of Chinese people coming here to see family and friends, as well as to work,” Ms Wei said.

“I have a lot of friends who would love to come here. Even though restrictions have eased a little, the government is still encouraging people not to travel.

“Once you are out, it’s very hard to get back in.”

Boost for airlines, hospitality and retail

The Chinese tourism market was the fourth most popular for visitors to the UAE in the first five months of 2019, according to a recent report released by Emirates NBD.

“By the end of May this year there were essentially no visitors from China, making it a sizeable proportion of usual visitors who have still not returned,” the report said.

“Now, the tourism sector is performing well so far this year but total visitors through the first five months remained down by about 14 per cent compared with pre-pandemic levels, and the dollar strength we have seen in recent months could slow down the recovery should it persist through the end of the year.

“A meaningful return of Chinese visitors would help mitigate that, and provide a fillip to airlines, hotels, restaurants and also luxury goods sales.”

Monica Malik, chief economist at Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, said China is an important source of visitors to the UAE, which will support sectors related to tourism and hospitality and retail spending.

"For airlines, this will not only be higher demand for visitors into the UAE but also transit demand," Ms Malik said.

"Chinese investment in the property sectors should also benefit, with Dubai being a popular destination for overseas purchases."

The UAE’s successful handling of the pandemic would put the country near the top of the list of potential destinations for visitors from China, said Heather Jeffrey, a lecturer at University of Birmingham Dubai who specialises in tourism.

“There is still a perception of international travel as unsafe and travellers from China will look for destinations with few cases of Covid,” Dr Jeffrey said.

“The UAE's reputation as a stable country with good health care may well make it a desirable destination.”

She said the country’s varied tourism offerings would also play a part in attracting visitors from China.

“As tourists do return their changing interests will need to be catered for, with many seeking transformative or cultural experience in addition to the traditional shopping holiday,” Dr Jeffrey said.

“As such, desert tourism and itineraries offering educational content may see an increase in demand.”

Investing in the region

Over the past decade, China has become one of the major sources of foreign investment in the Middle East and Gulf region.

While that investment took a hit over the past few years owing to the pandemic, Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer for Century Financial, said the reopening of the country will probably lead to a big revival of interest from investors, which will have a positive effect on the UAE economy.

“Between 2005 and 2021, cumulative Chinese investments in the UAE reached $36.16 billion,” he said.

“Because of its strategic location, the UAE has become a key axis and focal point for Chinese investment in other Mena regions and Arab countries.

"The UAE has also provided the necessary infrastructure and resources for the Chinese to expand their base here.”

Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial, says the reopening of the country will probably lead to a big revival of interest from investors. Photo: Century Financial
Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial, says the reopening of the country will probably lead to a big revival of interest from investors. Photo: Century Financial

Of the 200,000 Chinese citizens who call the UAE home, he said many run small to big businesses, such as commodity shops, wholesale, and retail trade, as well as other professional services like real estate agencies.

According to the latest estimates, the Chinese now own more than 6,000 businesses in the UAE and this is expected to grow as investors begin travelling again.

“While the overall trade value has gone down over the last three years, the reopening of the Chinese economy would likely bring in more tourists and investments for UAE,” Mr Valecha said.

“Removing lockdown restrictions in China will further increase the tourism base of the UAE and thus open up opportunities for more investment.”

Sights set on real estate

With optimism rising as China prepares to reopen, Lewis Allsopp, chief executive of Allsopp & Allsopp, a real estate agency in Dubai, said it will have a big effect on the UAE’s thriving real estate market.

“We already have a small but active Chinese client base but I see this growing and growing quickly,” Mr Allsopp said.

“Pre-pandemic saw a lot of interest in Dubai for Chinese investors. So much so that we hired Mandarin speakers to ensure investors were taken care of and communication was clear.

“Chinese buyers, especially investors, do like to buy off-plan. However, we have worked with Chinese expat families looking for family homes and people who are over to work looking for an apartment.”

While the agency has no immediate plans to hire additional Mandarin-speaking agents, Mr Allsopp said this will be reviewed if more Chinese clients approach the firm in the coming months, which is highly likely."

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League last 16, first leg

Liverpool v Bayern Munich, midnight, Wednesday, BeIN Sports

SPEC SHEET

Display: 10.9" Liquid Retina IPS, 2360 x 1640, 264ppi, wide colour, True Tone, Apple Pencil support

Chip: Apple M1, 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine

Memory: 64/256GB storage; 8GB RAM

Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, Smart HDR

Video: 4K @ 25/25/30/60fps, full HD @ 25/30/60fps, slo-mo @ 120/240fps

Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR, Centre Stage; full HD @ 25/30/60fps

Audio: Stereo speakers

Biometrics: Touch ID

I/O: USB-C, smart connector (for folio/keyboard)

Battery: Up to 10 hours on Wi-Fi; up to 9 hours on cellular

Finish: Space grey, starlight, pink, purple, blue

Price: Wi-Fi – Dh2,499 (64GB) / Dh3,099 (256GB); cellular – Dh3,099 (64GB) / Dh3,699 (256GB)

Spider-Man: No Way Home

Director: Jon Watts

Stars: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon 

Rating:*****

MATCH INFO

Manchester City 2 (Mahrez 04', Ake 84')

Leicester City 5 (Vardy 37' pen, 54', 58' pen, Maddison 77', Tielemans 88' pen)

Man of the match: Jamie Vardy (Leicester City)

The drill

Recharge as needed, says Mat Dryden: “We try to make it a rule that every two to three months, even if it’s for four days, we get away, get some time together, recharge, refresh.” The couple take an hour a day to check into their businesses and that’s it.

Stick to the schedule, says Mike Addo: “We have an entire wall known as ‘The Lab,’ covered with colour-coded Post-it notes dedicated to our joint weekly planner, content board, marketing strategy, trends, ideas and upcoming meetings.”

Be a team, suggests Addo: “When training together, you have to trust in each other’s abilities. Otherwise working out together very quickly becomes one person training the other.”

Pull your weight, says Thuymi Do: “To do what we do, there definitely can be no lazy member of the team.” 

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 
RESULTS

5pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner: Samau Xmnsor, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Ottoman, Szczepan Mazur, Abdallah Al Hammadi
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Sharkh, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 85,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Yaraa, Fernando Jara, Majed Al Jahouri
7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Maaly Al Reef, Bernardo Pinheiro, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: Jinjal, Fabrice Veron, Ahmed Al Shemaili
8pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: Al Sail, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Opening weekend Premier League fixtures

Weekend of August 10-13

Arsenal v Manchester City

Bournemouth v Cardiff City

Fulham v Crystal Palace

Huddersfield Town v Chelsea

Liverpool v West Ham United

Manchester United v Leicester City

Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur

Southampton v Burnley

Watford v Brighton & Hove Albion

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Everton

Poland Statement
All people fleeing from Ukraine before the armed conflict are allowed to enter Poland. Our country shelters every person whose life is in danger - regardless of their nationality.

The dominant group of refugees in Poland are citizens of Ukraine, but among the people checked by the Border Guard are also citizens of the USA, Nigeria, India, Georgia and other countries.

All persons admitted to Poland are verified by the Border Guard. In relation to those who are in doubt, e.g. do not have documents, Border Guard officers apply appropriate checking procedures.

No person who has received refuge in Poland will be sent back to a country torn by war.

UAE gold medallists:

Omar Al Suweidi (46kg), Khaled Al Shehhi (50kg), Khalifa Humaid Al Kaabi (60kg), Omar Al Fadhli (62kg), Mohammed Ali Al Suweidi (66kg), Omar Ahmed Al Hosani (73), all in the U18’s, and Khalid Eskandar Al Blooshi (56kg) in the U21s.

Results

5pm: Reem Island – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m; Winner: Farasah, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Musabah Al Muhairi

5.30pm: Sir Baniyas Island – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: SSR Ghazwan, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami

6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Astral Del Sol, Sean Kirrane, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami

6.30pm: Al Maryah Island – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Toumadher, Dane O’Neill, Jaber Bittar

7pm: Yas Island – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: AF Mukhrej, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

7.30pm: Saadiyat Island – Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 2,400m; Winner: Celestial Spheres, Gary Sanchez, Ismail Mohammed

The Greatest Royal Rumble card as it stands

The Greatest Royal Rumble card as it stands

50-man Royal Rumble - names entered so far include Braun Strowman, Daniel Bryan, Kurt Angle, Big Show, Kane, Chris Jericho, The New Day and Elias

Universal Championship Brock Lesnar (champion) v Roman Reigns in a steel cage match

WWE World Heavyweight ChampionshipAJ Styles (champion) v Shinsuke Nakamura

Intercontinental Championship Seth Rollins (champion) v The Miz v Finn Balor v Samoa Joe

United States Championship Jeff Hardy (champion) v Jinder Mahal

SmackDown Tag Team Championship The Bludgeon Brothers (champions) v The Usos

Raw Tag Team Championship (currently vacant) Cesaro and Sheamus v Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt

Casket match The Undertaker v Chris Jericho

Singles match John Cena v Triple H

Cruiserweight Championship Cedric Alexander v tba

The Pope's itinerary

Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport


Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial


Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport

BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES

Friday (All UAE kick-off times)

Borussia Dortmund v Eintracht Frankfurt (11.30pm)

Saturday

Union Berlin v Bayer Leverkusen (6.30pm)

FA Augsburg v SC Freiburg (6.30pm)

RB Leipzig v Werder Bremen (6.30pm)

SC Paderborn v Hertha Berlin (6.30pm)

Hoffenheim v Wolfsburg (6.30pm)

Fortuna Dusseldorf v Borussia Monchengladbach (9.30pm)

Sunday

Cologne v Bayern Munich (6.30pm)

Mainz v FC Schalke (9pm)

Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENamara%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJune%202022%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMohammed%20Alnamara%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMicrofinance%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E16%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeries%20A%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFamily%20offices%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Sinopharm vaccine explained

The Sinopharm vaccine was created using techniques that have been around for decades. 

“This is an inactivated vaccine. Simply what it means is that the virus is taken, cultured and inactivated," said Dr Nawal Al Kaabi, chair of the UAE's National Covid-19 Clinical Management Committee.

"What is left is a skeleton of the virus so it looks like a virus, but it is not live."

This is then injected into the body.

"The body will recognise it and form antibodies but because it is inactive, we will need more than one dose. The body will not develop immunity with one dose," she said.

"You have to be exposed more than one time to what we call the antigen."

The vaccine should offer protection for at least months, but no one knows how long beyond that.

Dr Al Kaabi said early vaccine volunteers in China were given shots last spring and still have antibodies today.

“Since it is inactivated, it will not last forever," she said.

Classification of skills

A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation. 

A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.

The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000. 

The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm

Price: From Dh1,700,000

Available: Now

ETFs explained

Exhchange traded funds are bought and sold like shares, but operate as index-tracking funds, passively following their chosen indices, such as the S&P 500, FTSE 100 and the FTSE All World, plus a vast range of smaller exchanges and commodities, such as gold, silver, copper sugar, coffee and oil.

ETFs have zero upfront fees and annual charges as low as 0.07 per cent a year, which means you get to keep more of your returns, as actively managed funds can charge as much as 1.5 per cent a year.

There are thousands to choose from, with the five biggest providers BlackRock’s iShares range, Vanguard, State Street Global Advisors SPDR ETFs, Deutsche Bank AWM X-trackers and Invesco PowerShares.

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg

Bayern Munich 1
Kimmich (27')

Real Madrid 2
Marcelo (43'), Asensio (56')

Scores

Oman 109-3 in 18.4 overs (Aqib Ilyas 45 not out, Aamir Kaleem 27) beat UAE 108-9 in 20 overs (Usman 27, Mustafa 24, Fayyaz 3-16, Bilal 3-23)

Details

Through Her Lens: The stories behind the photography of Eva Sereny

Forewords by Jacqueline Bisset and Charlotte Rampling, ACC Art Books

The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre turbo

Power: 181hp

Torque: 230Nm

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Starting price: Dh79,000

On sale: Now

The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

Reputation

Taylor Swift

(Big Machine Records)

The more serious side of specialty coffee

While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.

The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.

Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”

One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.

Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms. 

UJDA CHAMAN

Produced: Panorama Studios International

Directed: Abhishek Pathak

Cast: Sunny Singh, Maanvi Gagroo, Grusha Kapoor, Saurabh Shukla

Rating: 3.5 /5 stars

WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?

1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull

2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight

3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge

4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own

5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed

World%20Cup%202023%20ticket%20sales
%3Cp%3EAugust%2025%20%E2%80%93%20Non-India%20warm-up%20matches%20and%20all%20non-India%20event%20matches%0D%3Cbr%3EAugust%2030%20%E2%80%93%20India%20matches%20at%20Guwahati%20and%20Trivandrum%0D%3Cbr%3EAugust%2031%20%E2%80%93%20India%20matches%20at%20Chennai%2C%20Delhi%20and%20Pune%0D%3Cbr%3ESeptember%201%20%E2%80%93%20India%20matches%20at%20Dharamsala%2C%20Lucknow%20and%20Mumbai%0D%3Cbr%3ESeptember%202%20%E2%80%93%20India%20matches%20at%20Bengaluru%20and%20Kolkata%0D%3Cbr%3ESeptember%203%20%E2%80%93%20India%20matches%20at%20Ahmedabad%0D%3Cbr%3ESeptember%2015%20%E2%80%93%20Semi-finals%20and%20Final%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Story of 2017-18 so far and schedule to come

Roll of Honour

Who has won what so far in the West Asia rugby season?

 

Western Clubs Champions League

Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins

Runners up: Bahrain

 

Dubai Rugby Sevens

Winners: Dubai Exiles

Runners up: Jebel Ali Dragons

 

West Asia Premiership

Winners: Jebel Ali Dragons

Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins

 

UAE Premiership Cup

Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins

Runners up: Dubai Exiles

 

Fixtures

Friday

West Asia Cup final

5pm, Bahrain (6pm UAE time), Bahrain v Dubai Exiles

 

West Asia Trophy final

3pm, The Sevens, Dubai Hurricanes v Dubai Sports City Eagles

 

Friday, April 13

UAE Premiership final

5pm, Al Ain, Dubai Exiles v Abu Dhabi Harlequins

TRAP

Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue

Director: M Night Shyamalan

Rating: 3/5

Six pitfalls to avoid when trading company stocks

Following fashion

Investing is cyclical, buying last year's winners often means holding this year's losers.

Losing your balance

You end up with too much exposure to an individual company or sector that has taken your fancy.

Being over active

If you chop and change your portfolio too often, dealing charges will eat up your gains.

Running your losers

Investors hate admitting mistakes and hold onto bad stocks hoping they will come good.

Selling in a panic

If you sell up when the market drops, you have locked yourself out of the recovery.

Timing the market

Even the best investor in the world cannot consistently call market movements.

Results:

Men’s wheelchair 200m T34: 1. Walid Ktila (TUN) 27.14; 2. Mohammed Al Hammadi (UAE) 27.81; 3. Rheed McCracken (AUS) 27.81.

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Conflict, drought, famine

Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.

Band Aid

Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.

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Checks continue

A High Court judge issued an interim order on Friday suspending a decision by Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots to direct a stop to Brexit agri-food checks at Northern Ireland ports.

Mr Justice Colton said he was making the temporary direction until a judicial review of the minister's unilateral action this week to order a halt to port checks that are required under the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Civil servants have yet to implement the instruction, pending legal clarity on their obligations, and checks are continuing.

Updated: August 03, 2022, 4:12 AM