• Chinese pianist Lang Lang plays a showcase surrounded by the peaks of Eiger, Moench and Jungfrau and the Aletsch glacier on the Jungfraujoch, Switzerland, Thursday, April 14, 2022. Lang Lang visited the Top of Europe and uncovered an ice statue in the ice cave. (Peter Klaunzer / Keystone via AP)
    Chinese pianist Lang Lang plays a showcase surrounded by the peaks of Eiger, Moench and Jungfrau and the Aletsch glacier on the Jungfraujoch, Switzerland, Thursday, April 14, 2022. Lang Lang visited the Top of Europe and uncovered an ice statue in the ice cave. (Peter Klaunzer / Keystone via AP)
  • Visitors to Jurassic Empire drive past 30 animatronic dinosaurs in the car park at the Westminster Mall in California, April 9, 2022. AP
    Visitors to Jurassic Empire drive past 30 animatronic dinosaurs in the car park at the Westminster Mall in California, April 9, 2022. AP
  • Medical workers wave to Changchun residents during a farewell ceremony before returning to Meihekou, from where they were sent to help contain the Covid-19 outbreak in Jilin province, China, April 12, 2022. Reuters
    Medical workers wave to Changchun residents during a farewell ceremony before returning to Meihekou, from where they were sent to help contain the Covid-19 outbreak in Jilin province, China, April 12, 2022. Reuters
  • People search for items they can salvage on the beach after heavy rains caused flooding in Durban, South Africa, April 12, 2022. Reuters
    People search for items they can salvage on the beach after heavy rains caused flooding in Durban, South Africa, April 12, 2022. Reuters
  • Tightrope walker Tatiana-Mosio Bongonga crosses the market square in the Swiss town of Vevey on a 180-metre cable during the Ligne Ouverte show, April 9, 2022. AP
    Tightrope walker Tatiana-Mosio Bongonga crosses the market square in the Swiss town of Vevey on a 180-metre cable during the Ligne Ouverte show, April 9, 2022. AP
  • Isha prayers at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi on the 10th day of Ramadan, April 12, 2022. Victor Besa / The National
    Isha prayers at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi on the 10th day of Ramadan, April 12, 2022. Victor Besa / The National
  • Several 'costaleros' – participants carrying floats with religious sculptures – take a break during the 'Estrella de la Semana Santa de Avila' procession in northern Spain, April 12, 2022. EPA
    Several 'costaleros' – participants carrying floats with religious sculptures – take a break during the 'Estrella de la Semana Santa de Avila' procession in northern Spain, April 12, 2022. EPA
  • Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey attempts to stroke Mikee the cat after speaking to resident Kate Allden while canvassing before local elections in England, April 12, 2022. Getty Images
    Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey attempts to stroke Mikee the cat after speaking to resident Kate Allden while canvassing before local elections in England, April 12, 2022. Getty Images
  • Pupls enjoying the return to classes at British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi, April 11, 2022 Victor Besa / The National
    Pupls enjoying the return to classes at British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi, April 11, 2022 Victor Besa / The National
  • A mosque welcomes Ramadan worshippers in Syria's northern city of Raqa, April 9, 2022. AFP
    A mosque welcomes Ramadan worshippers in Syria's northern city of Raqa, April 9, 2022. AFP
  • A worshipper at Friday prayers at the Kashmiri Masjid in Kathmandu, Nepal, April 9, 2022. EPA
    A worshipper at Friday prayers at the Kashmiri Masjid in Kathmandu, Nepal, April 9, 2022. EPA
  • Stunt performer Ravi Kumar reaches out to receive money from a spectator at Maut ka Kuan, or the Wall of Death, at a fair in the north Indian city of Dharamshala, April 9, 2022. AP
    Stunt performer Ravi Kumar reaches out to receive money from a spectator at Maut ka Kuan, or the Wall of Death, at a fair in the north Indian city of Dharamshala, April 9, 2022. AP
  • Worshippers pray at the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. Saudi Arabia has said it will allow a million Muslims to participate in Hajj this year, April 9, 2022. AFP
    Worshippers pray at the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. Saudi Arabia has said it will allow a million Muslims to participate in Hajj this year, April 9, 2022. AFP
  • Muslims in Mahboula, south of Kuwait City, queue for iftar meals donated by a charity, April 10, 2022. AFP
    Muslims in Mahboula, south of Kuwait City, queue for iftar meals donated by a charity, April 10, 2022. AFP
  • A Muslim boatman performs an evening prayer after breaking his fast during Ramadan in Dhaka, Bangladesh, April 11, 2022. Reuters
    A Muslim boatman performs an evening prayer after breaking his fast during Ramadan in Dhaka, Bangladesh, April 11, 2022. Reuters
  • A landslide that hit the village of Kantagnos in Baybay town in the Philippines, after heavy rains brought about by tropical storm Megi, April 13, 2022. AFP
    A landslide that hit the village of Kantagnos in Baybay town in the Philippines, after heavy rains brought about by tropical storm Megi, April 13, 2022. AFP
  • Boys play football during Ramadan in Benghazi, Libya, April 7, 2022. Reuters
    Boys play football during Ramadan in Benghazi, Libya, April 7, 2022. Reuters
  • Danyk Rak, 12, in the ruins of his house, which was destroyed by Russian shelling in the outskirts of Chernihiv, Ukraine, April 13, 2022. Danyk's mother Liudmila Koval had to have her leg amputated after the attack in which she also suffered abdominal injuries. She is still waiting for proper medical treatment. AP
    Danyk Rak, 12, in the ruins of his house, which was destroyed by Russian shelling in the outskirts of Chernihiv, Ukraine, April 13, 2022. Danyk's mother Liudmila Koval had to have her leg amputated after the attack in which she also suffered abdominal injuries. She is still waiting for proper medical treatment. AP
  • A procession of clerics on Thursday during the Catholic Washing of the Feet ceremony next to the tomb of Jesus at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City of Jerusalem, April 14, 2022. EPA
    A procession of clerics on Thursday during the Catholic Washing of the Feet ceremony next to the tomb of Jesus at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City of Jerusalem, April 14, 2022. EPA
  • Students protesting against the price increase of basic commodities outside the regional parliament building in Surabaya, Indonesia on April 14, 2022. AFP
    Students protesting against the price increase of basic commodities outside the regional parliament building in Surabaya, Indonesia on April 14, 2022. AFP
  • Sports fields under water on April 15, 2022, days after heavy rains in Durban, South Africa. The death toll from the flooding climbed to 341 on Thursday. Some residents have been without power or water for four days. AFP
    Sports fields under water on April 15, 2022, days after heavy rains in Durban, South Africa. The death toll from the flooding climbed to 341 on Thursday. Some residents have been without power or water for four days. AFP
  • A girl admires two-metre Easter eggs painted in the traditional naive art style in Koprivnica, Croatia, April 14, 2022. The project started 15 years ago and involves painters decorating giant eggs, which are then sent to cities in the country and abroad to be displayed in public squares in time for Easter festivities. Reuters
    A girl admires two-metre Easter eggs painted in the traditional naive art style in Koprivnica, Croatia, April 14, 2022. The project started 15 years ago and involves painters decorating giant eggs, which are then sent to cities in the country and abroad to be displayed in public squares in time for Easter festivities. Reuters
  • A Nepalese boy watches the Biska Jatra festival in Bhaktapur, Nepal, on Thursday, April 14, 2022. During this festival, also regarded as Nepalese New Year, images of Hindu god Bhairava and his female counterpart Bhadrakali are placed in two large chariots and pulled to an open square where rituals and festivities are performed. AP Photo
    A Nepalese boy watches the Biska Jatra festival in Bhaktapur, Nepal, on Thursday, April 14, 2022. During this festival, also regarded as Nepalese New Year, images of Hindu god Bhairava and his female counterpart Bhadrakali are placed in two large chariots and pulled to an open square where rituals and festivities are performed. AP Photo
  • Israeli security forces during clashes with Palestinian protesters at the compound that houses Al Aqsa Mosque, known to Muslims as Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as Temple Mount, in Jerusalem's Old City. April 15, 2022. Reuters
    Israeli security forces during clashes with Palestinian protesters at the compound that houses Al Aqsa Mosque, known to Muslims as Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as Temple Mount, in Jerusalem's Old City. April 15, 2022. Reuters
  • Players during the Dubai City versus Pumas Unam match at the Mina Cup 2022 youth football tournament in Jebel Ali, Dubai. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Players during the Dubai City versus Pumas Unam match at the Mina Cup 2022 youth football tournament in Jebel Ali, Dubai. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • A young couple during a video and photography session at Galata bridge in Istanbul, Turkey. April 11, 2022. AP Photo
    A young couple during a video and photography session at Galata bridge in Istanbul, Turkey. April 11, 2022. AP Photo
  • People wait for food handouts outside the Mother House of the Missionaries of Charity, on Good Friday in Kolkata, India, April 15, 2022. Good Friday is a religious holiday observed by Christians in commemoration of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. EPA
    People wait for food handouts outside the Mother House of the Missionaries of Charity, on Good Friday in Kolkata, India, April 15, 2022. Good Friday is a religious holiday observed by Christians in commemoration of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. EPA
  • Americans Sebastian Korda and Taylor Fritz in action on day five of the Rolex Monte Carlo Masters in Monaco on April 14, 2022. Getty Images
    Americans Sebastian Korda and Taylor Fritz in action on day five of the Rolex Monte Carlo Masters in Monaco on April 14, 2022. Getty Images
  • Vermicelli, used to make a traditional sweet dish popular during Ramadan, drying in Lahore on April 12, 2022. AFP
    Vermicelli, used to make a traditional sweet dish popular during Ramadan, drying in Lahore on April 12, 2022. AFP
  • Mourners attend a memorial service for serviceman officer Taras Bobanych from the Ukrainian Volunteer Corps, who died during the conflict with Russia. The service was at the Saints Peter and Paul Garrison Church in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv on April 13, 2022. AFP
    Mourners attend a memorial service for serviceman officer Taras Bobanych from the Ukrainian Volunteer Corps, who died during the conflict with Russia. The service was at the Saints Peter and Paul Garrison Church in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv on April 13, 2022. AFP

Weekend

The best photos of the week: from a mountaintop recital to a high-wire act

The most striking pictures from around the world

Tim Knowles
Tim Knowles

April 15, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

More from The National

Friday's best photos: from Nepalese new year to British beetroot

Thursday's best photos: from a piano on a mountain peak to a street party protest

Wednesday's best photos: from beach salvaging to a petrol queue

Tuesday's best photos: from a tropical storm in the Philippines to Ramadan in Bangladesh

Monday's best photos: from Imran Khan supporters to little Bolivian dancers

Sunday's best photos: from tightrope walking to free birds

Saturday's best photos: from animatronic dinosaurs in California to the Australian Grand Prix

RACE CARD

6.30pm: Madjani Stakes Group 2 (PA) Dh97,500 (Dirt) 1,900m
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,400m
7.40pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 2,200m
8.50pm: Dubai Creek Mile Listed (TB) Dh132,500 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm: Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (D) 1,900m
10pm: Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (D) 1,400m

While you're here
More on Quran memorisation:
The biog

Family: wife, four children, 11 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren

Reads: Newspapers, historical, religious books and biographies

Education: High school in Thatta, a city now in Pakistan

Regrets: Not completing college in Karachi when universities were shut down following protests by freedom fighters for the British to quit India 

 

Happiness: Work on creative ideas, you will also need ideals to make people happy

More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
The Voice of Hind Rajab

Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees

Director: Kaouther Ben Hania

Rating: 4/5

The Perfect Couple

Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor

Creator: Jenna Lamia

Rating: 3/5

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale

Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni

Director: Amith Krishnan

Rating: 3.5/5

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.”

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

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

T20 WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS

Qualifier A, Muscat

(All matches to be streamed live on icc.tv) 

Fixtures

Friday, February 18: 10am Oman v Nepal, Canada v Philippines; 2pm Ireland v UAE, Germany v Bahrain 

Saturday, February 19: 10am Oman v Canada, Nepal v Philippines; 2pm UAE v Germany, Ireland v Bahrain 

Monday, February 21: 10am Ireland v Germany, UAE v Bahrain; 2pm Nepal v Canada, Oman v Philippines 

Tuesday, February 22: 2pm Semi-finals 

Thursday, February 24: 2pm Final 

UAE squad:Ahmed Raza(captain), Muhammad Waseem, Chirag Suri, Vriitya Aravind, Rohan Mustafa, Kashif Daud, Zahoor Khan, Alishan Sharafu, Raja Akifullah, Karthik Meiyappan, Junaid Siddique, Basil Hameed, Zafar Farid, Mohammed Boota, Mohammed Usman, Rahul Bhatia

Read
The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

 

How to wear a kandura

Dos

  • Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion 
  • Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
  • Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work 
  • Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester

Don’ts 

  • Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal 
  • Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
Gertrude Bell's life in focus

A feature film

At one point, two feature films were in the works, but only German director Werner Herzog’s project starring Nicole Kidman would be made. While there were high hopes he would do a worthy job of directing the biopic, when Queen of the Desert arrived in 2015 it was a disappointment. Critics panned the film, in which Herzog largely glossed over Bell’s political work in favour of her ill-fated romances.

A documentary

A project that did do justice to Bell arrived the next year: Sabine Krayenbuhl and Zeva Oelbaum’s Letters from Baghdad: The Extraordinary Life and Times of Gertrude Bell. Drawing on more than 1,000 pieces of archival footage, 1,700 documents and 1,600 letters, the filmmakers painstakingly pieced together a compelling narrative that managed to convey both the depth of Bell’s experience and her tortured love life.

Books, letters and archives

Two biographies have been written about Bell, and both are worth reading: Georgina Howell’s 2006 book Queen of the Desert and Janet Wallach’s 1996 effort Desert Queen. Bell published several books documenting her travels and there are also several volumes of her letters, although they are hard to find in print. Original documents are housed at the Gertrude Bell Archive at the University of Newcastle, which has an online catalogue.
 

The Gandhi Murder
  • 71 - Years since the death of MK Gandhi, also christened India's Father of the Nation
  • 34 - Nationalities featured in the film The Gandhi Murder
  • 7 - million dollars, the film's budget 
MATCH INFO

West Ham United 2 (Antonio 73', Ogbonna 90 5')

Tottenham Hotspur 3 (Son 36', Moura 42', Kane 49')

PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE

1 Man City    26   20   3   3   63   17   63 

2 Liverpool   25   17   6   2   64   20    57 

3 Chelsea      25   14   8  3   49   18    50 

4 Man Utd    26   13   7  6   44   34    46 

----------------------------------------

5 West Ham   26   12   6   8   45   34    42 

----------------------------------------

6 Arsenal      23  13   3   7   36   26   42 

7 Wolves       24  12   4   8   23   18   40 

8 Tottenham  23  12   4   8   31   31   39  

THE SPECS

      

 

Engine: 1.5-litre

 

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

 

Power: 110 horsepower 

 

Torque: 147Nm 

 

Price: From Dh59,700 

 

On sale: now  

 
On Women's Day
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors

Power: Combined output 920hp

Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic

Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km

On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025

Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
  • Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Transgender report
While you're here
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
Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

Islamophobia definition

A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.

Updated: April 15, 2022, 6:01 PM
WeekendPhotography