Channel your inner romantic with this gorgeous list of Valentine’s Day gifts.
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Unbox this
From Hermès
We can’t decide what we love more – the iconic orange Hermès box in a heart-shape, or this glorious, limited-edition silk scarf from the French label. Far from your average pink-hued Valentine’s Day offering, this Brides de Gala Love Scarf is decorated with orange and blue hearts – and with its covetable packaging, is sure to win the heart of whoever opens it.
• Available at Hermès boutiques across the UAE; Dh1,680
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Classic update
If your loved one has a taste for timeless luxury, and an eye for Bottega Veneta, treat her to a piece produced exclusively for Valentine’s Day. Find the brand’s signature intrecciato woven leather in shades of China red or Barolo, embossed with hearts on a range of wallets, pouches and key chains.
• Available at select Bottega Veneta stores across the UAE; price on request
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Perfume, please?
Channel your inner Parisian romantic with an all-new aroma: the Mademoiselle Azzaro l’Eau Tres Belle. The cute 30ml perfume bottle releases a spritz of fragrance reminiscent of jasmine flowers and sweet berries. Plus, its adorable packaging makes the new scent an ideal vanity table-topper.
• Available at leading beauty retailers across the UAE; Dh180
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Nail game
If you’re not one to wear cheesy Valentine’s Day-themed outfits on February 14, consider a special manicure for the occasion instead. The Nail Spa has a wide range of pink, red and classic white nail art designs on offer, from angel French manicures to polka dots, linear stripes and metallic tips.
• Available at The Nail Spa locations across the UAE; from Dh15 per nail
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Run the jewels
What’s Valentine’s without glamorous fine jewellery? For the special occasion, S*uce Rocks is stocking designs that fittingly flaunt hearts and romantic verses, including the latest designs by Dubai-based fine jewellery label Glow Diamonds, with ruby-emblazoned 18-carat gold pendants and bracelets that set a beautiful benchmark for gifting.
• S*uce Rocks, Galleria Mall, Dubai; from Dh4,050
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Quirk alert
For kitschy, unconventional Valentine’s Day gifts that don’t break the bank, Ban.Do is your go-to brand. The Los Angeles-based design house has incorporated roses and ruffles in its latest collection of products, which include everything from tech accessories and stationery to pool floaties.
• Available at Virgin Megastores across the UAE; from Dh59
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
Match info
Huddersfield Town 0
Chelsea 3
Kante (34'), Jorginho (45' pen), Pedro (80')
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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 protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
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If you go:
The flights: Etihad, Emirates, British Airways and Virgin all fly from the UAE to London from Dh2,700 return, including taxes
The tours: The Tour for Muggles usually runs several times a day, lasts about two-and-a-half hours and costs £14 (Dh67)
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is on now at the Palace Theatre. Tickets need booking significantly in advance
Entrance to the Harry Potter exhibition at the House of MinaLima is free
The hotel: The grand, 1909-built Strand Palace Hotel is in a handy location near the Theatre District and several of the key Harry Potter filming and inspiration sites. The family rooms are spacious, with sofa beds that can accommodate children, and wooden shutters that keep out the light at night. Rooms cost from £170 (Dh808).
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