The UAE has been named the country with the lowest level of public sector corruption in the Middle East and North Africa.
The Emirates was also ranked 23rd globally in the newly released Corruption Perception Index 2024 by Transparency International, an association dedicated to exposing corruption worldwide.
The UAE was particularly praised for its performance in the digitalisation of services.
“The UAE is building on previous strategic programmes with the 'UAE Digital Government Strategy 2025', designed to support cross-sectoral embedding of digital aspects into overall government strategies,” read a statement attributed to Manuel Pirino and Kinda Hattar, regional advisers for the Middle East and North Africa, Transparency International.
“The strategy has inclusiveness and user satisfaction among its measures of success, and aims to bridge the digital divide to help reduce inequality among citizens.”
The UAE scored 68 out of 100, with the next closest in the region being Israel with 64. The worst performing nation in the region was Syria with 12, with Yemen and Libya not far behind on 13.
“The state of anti-corruption efforts in the Middle East and North Africa region remains bleak,” read the statement.
“The region’s stagnation stems mostly from the near-absolute control of its political leaders, who benefit from the wealth they direct toward themselves, while clamping down on any dissent to maintain their power, allowing conflict to rage across a number of states.”
Not all bad news
While the report painted a challenging picture, there were some signs of encouragement.
“There are also positive trends, with coalition-building between like-minded actors becoming more frequent, in a transnational effort to counter corrupt forces,” read the statement.
“Unforeseen opportunities are also emerging. After the downfall of the Assad regime in Syria, there is a loud demand that the country works towards real democracy, that is truly inclusive and transparent.
“An encouraging development is the effort by countries within the Gulf Co-operation Council to invest in technological solutions in public administration – or 'e-governance'. This shift improves transparency and can help reduce corruption by removing middlemen and facilitators.”
Denmark topped the global rankings with a score of 90, followed by Finland, Singapore, New Zealand and Luxembourg.
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
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The Farewell
Director: Lulu Wang
Stars: Awkwafina, Zhao Shuzhen, Diana Lin, Tzi Ma
Four stars
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La Mer lowdown
La Mer beach is open from 10am until midnight, daily, and is located in Jumeirah 1, well after Kite Beach. Some restaurants, like Cupagahwa, are open from 8am for breakfast; most others start at noon. At the time of writing, we noticed that signs for Vicolo, an Italian eatery, and Kaftan, a Turkish restaurant, indicated that these two restaurants will be open soon, most likely this month. Parking is available, as well as a Dh100 all-day valet option or a Dh50 valet service if you’re just stopping by for a few hours.
Indika
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Why your domicile status is important
Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.
Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born.
UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.
A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.
'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
MATCH INFO
RB Leipzig 2 (Klostermann 24', Schick 68')
Hertha Berlin 2 (Grujic 9', Piatek 82' pen)
Man of the match Matheus Cunha (Hertha Berlin
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Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
