UAE motorists will pay 10 per cent more at the pumps next month as the cost of petrol rises for the second straight month. But for some, it signals a positive economic change.
With the exception of diesel, which increased a marginal 2.5 per cent, petrol prices shot up about 10 per cent, according to figures from the energy ministry.
This means that Super will cost Dh1.78 a litre compared with Dh1.62 in April, Special will be Dh1.67 compared with Dh1.51, diesel Dh1.60 compared with Dh1.56, and E Plus is to rise to Dh1.60 from Dh1.44. Dubai resident Emmanuelle Artins, 35, said that she filled her Toyota Rav4 with Special at least once a week, averaging about Dh80.
However, the UAE fuel prices are still seven times cheaper than in her native France. “I’m happy to participate in making this economy work and be stable,” she said.
Similarly in Abu Dhabi, Wilson Craig, 47, from the UK, said although the price fluctuations have been noticeable, it was not a significant drag on his finances. For him, his Porsche Cayenne is a gas guzzler that costs him on average between Dh90 and Dh100 a week.
“I have noticed the price fluctuations, but it is not too much of an inconvenience to me so far and prices are still cheaper than the UK,” he said. “I do believe that UAE petrol prices should rise as the cost of oil goes up and agreed with the move last year.”
The UAE changed its pricing system last August, and until last month, prices had been on a steady decline. The rise in petrol prices can be linked to the price of oil, which has recently rallied.
Brent crude, the global benchmark, is now about $47 a barrel compared with last month’s close at near $40.
“If prices rise then it would hopefully introduce some shift to public transport where available,” Mr Craig said.
For Dubai resident Orla Phillips, the move was a welcome sign given that her family has personally been affected by job losses as a result of the slump in oil prices.
“My brother lost his job in Canada because of the drop in prices, so I’m happy it’s turning around,” said the 34-year old Irish national.
The global oil and gas industry had shed more than 250,000 jobs globally by the end of last year after prices dropped about 60 per cent from highs of $110 a barrel nearly two years ago.
“This shows that the market is improving and all the regular people working in the industry who have been adversely affected by the drop in oil prices can breathe a small sign of relief at the increase,” Ms Phillips said.
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The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
Sweet%20Tooth
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The schedule
December 5 - 23: Shooting competition, Al Dhafra Shooting Club
December 9 - 24: Handicrafts competition, from 4pm until 10pm, Heritage Souq
December 11 - 20: Dates competition, from 4pm
December 12 - 20: Sour milk competition
December 13: Falcon beauty competition
December 14 and 20: Saluki races
December 15: Arabian horse races, from 4pm
December 16 - 19: Falconry competition
December 18: Camel milk competition, from 7.30 - 9.30 am
December 20 and 21: Sheep beauty competition, from 10am
December 22: The best herd of 30 camels
Set-jetting on the Emerald Isle
Other shows filmed in Ireland include: Vikings (County Wicklow), The Fall (Belfast), Line of Duty (Belfast), Penny Dreadful (Dublin), Ripper Street (Dublin), Krypton (Belfast)
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Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
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Famous left-handers
- Marie Curie
- Jimi Hendrix
- Leonardo Di Vinci
- David Bowie
- Paul McCartney
- Albert Einstein
- Jack the Ripper
- Barack Obama
- Helen Keller
- Joan of Arc
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Essentials
The flights: You can fly from the UAE to Iceland with one stop in Europe with a variety of airlines. Return flights with Emirates from Dubai to Stockholm, then Icelandair to Reykjavik, cost from Dh4,153 return. The whole trip takes 11 hours. British Airways flies from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Reykjavik, via London, with return flights taking 12 hours and costing from Dh2,490 return, including taxes.
The activities: A half-day Silfra snorkelling trip costs 14,990 Icelandic kronur (Dh544) with Dive.is. Inside the Volcano also takes half a day and costs 42,000 kronur (Dh1,524). The Jokulsarlon small-boat cruise lasts about an hour and costs 9,800 kronur (Dh356). Into the Glacier costs 19,500 kronur (Dh708). It lasts three to four hours.
The tours: It’s often better to book a tailor-made trip through a specialist operator. UK-based Discover the World offers seven nights, self-driving, across the island from £892 (Dh4,505) per person. This includes three nights’ accommodation at Hotel Husafell near Into the Glacier, two nights at Hotel Ranga and two nights at the Icelandair Hotel Klaustur. It includes car rental, plus an iPad with itinerary and tourist information pre-loaded onto it, while activities can be booked as optional extras. More information inspiredbyiceland.com
South Africa squad
Faf du Plessis (captain), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper), Theunis de Bruyn, AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen (wicketkeeper), Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada.