new pricing system<\/a>, which was announced in July by the Ministry of Finance and the Federal Tax Authority, links the tax rate directly to the level of sugar content per 100ml, marking an evolution from the flat-rate tax on soft drinks introduced in 2017.<\/p>\nUnder the new pricing strategy, drinks containing between 5 and 8 grams of sugar per 100ml will be taxed at 79 fils (Dh0.79) per litre, while those containing 8g or more of sugar per 100ml will be subject to a tax of Dh1.09 per litre.<\/p>\n
Beverages with fewer than 5g of sugar per 100ml, as well as those containing only artificial sweeteners, will be exempt from the new taxation rules.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe policy encourages both manufacturers and consumers to choose low-sugar or natural-sugar alternatives,\u201d said Dr Ali Elhouni, a consultant endocrinologist at Medcare Royal Specialty Hospital Al Qusais. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis method is more effective than the usual flat tax and this connects financial policy with health results, which is important in a place where obesity and type 2 diabetes rates among young people are increasing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Concern over obesity and diabetes<\/p>\n
The UAE obesity rates are forecasted to hit new highs by 2050, according to a Lancet study earlier this year. It showed that overweight and obesity prevalence among males aged 25-plus will increase from 84 per cent in 2021 to 94 per cent in 25 years, among the highest globally. For females, it is expected to rise to 95 per cent.<\/p>\n
As for type 2 diabetes, it is estimated that there is nearly a 21 per cent prevalence among the UAE\u2019s population as of 2024, according to the International Diabetes Federation. In the Middle East and North Africa region, it is believed 163 million people will have some form of diabetes by 2050, an increase from 85 million last year.<\/p>\n
\u201cCutting back on sugar can significantly improve long-term health,\u201d added Dr Elhouni. \u201cWhenever possible, individuals should opt for natural sugars found in fruits instead of sugary drinks, as the body can digest these sugars more effectively.\u201d<\/p>\n
International precedence <\/p>\n
While some may question whether these financial measures will lead to real-world change in the health space, international data suggests they do. <\/p>\n
For example, in Ireland, a Sugar-Sweetened Drinks Tax was introduced in 2018, with independent evaluations showing that sugar consumption from carbonated soft drinks fell by 30.2 per cent in retail purchases and 19.8 per cent in food service settings within a year.<\/p>\n
Similarly, the UK\u2019s soft drinks industry levy, which also came into effect in 2018, showed a significant drop in the amount of sugar in people\u2019s diets across the UK \u2013 about half in children and by a third in adults after the tax was announced in 2016 \u2013 according to the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.<\/p>\n
Protecting the next generation<\/p>\n
The medical community is particularly focused on how the tax might wean young people off high-sugar habits in the UAE. \u201cI wish more individuals would see that drinking high-sugar beverages is closely related to obesity and type 2 diabetes,\u201d said Dr Elhouni. \u201cEven slight decreases in the daily consumption of these drinks can lead to significant health improvements.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sugars in drinks can be easy to over-consume because they are not as filling as food, he added. \u201cBut they still add calories that can lead to weight gain and metabolic issues. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis is why it\u2019s advised to eat whole fruits instead of drinking fruit juice, where it\u2019s easy to add more sugar for better taste.\u201d<\/p>\n
Good for your teeth<\/p>\n
It is not just metabolic health disorders, either, as high sugar consumption is also linked to faster dental decay. Dr David Roze, founder of Dubai\u2019s Roze BioHealth and BioDental Clinics, also \u201cstrongly\u201d supports the new sugar tax as it\u2019ll help address the imbalances he frequently sees in the oral microbiome. <\/p>\n
\u201cFrom a dental perspective, this policy tackles one of the root causes of disease,\u201d he told The National. \u201cReducing sugar exposure directly lowers rates of cavities, gum disease and tooth loss.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr Roze said he commonly sees early signs of biological imbalances showing up in the mouth, such as aggressive tooth decay at a surprisingly young age, chronic gum inflammation and early bone loss around the teeth. There is often also advanced dental breakdown in patients with undiagnosed or poorly controlled diabetes or pre-diabetes. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe underlying pattern is often frequent and hidden sugar exposure not just from soft drinks, but from sweetened coffees, flavoured teas, energy drinks and products marketed as \u2018healthy\u2019,\u201d said Dr Roze. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhen sugar is consumed continuously throughout the day, the mouth remains acidic for hours, disrupting the oral microbiome and allowing harmful bacteria to dominate.\u201d<\/p>\n
A shifting retail industry<\/p>\n
As obesity rates rise, there has been a move towards healthier lifestyles and decreased sugar consumption across the UAE in recent years, particularly in the retail sector. <\/p>\n
The country\u2019s healthy snacks industry is booming, as consumers demand more sugar-free, gluten-free, low-fat, plant-based and organic items. The healthy snacks market is expected to reach a projected revenue of more than $1 billion by 2033, a compound annual growth rate of 7.2 per cent, according to Grand View Research. <\/p>\n
As more manufacturers incorporate alternative and natural sweeteners, such as stevia, the UAE\u2019s sugar-free drinks market is also projected to reach $1.2 billion by 2033, with a CAGR of 9.3 per cent from this year, according to Deep Market Insights. <\/p>\n
\u201cBy pushing manufacturers to create products with lower sugar content and backing public awareness efforts about healthy eating, we might witness a slow decline in obesity and associated chronic illnesses over time,\u201d said Dr Elhouni. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis should be included in a wider health promotion plan that focuses on education, better access to nutritious foods and increased awareness of preventing chronic diseases,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
How to become a Boglehead<\/p>\n
Bogleheads follow simple investing philosophies to build their wealth and live better lives. Just follow these steps.<\/p>\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 Spend less than you earn and save the rest. You can do this by earning more, or being frugal. Better still, do both.<\/p>\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 Invest early, invest often. It takes time to grow your wealth on the stock market. The sooner you begin, the better.<\/p>\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 Choose the right level of risk. Don’t gamble\u00a0by investing in get-rich-quick schemes or high-risk plays. Don’t play it too safe, either, by leaving long-term savings in cash.<\/p>\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 Diversify. Do not keep all your eggs in one basket. Spread your money between different companies, sectors, markets and asset classes such as bonds and property.<\/p>\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 Keep charges low. The biggest drag on investment performance is all the charges you pay\u00a0to advisers and active fund managers.<\/p>\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 Keep it simple. Complexity is your enemy. You can build a balanced, diversified portfolio with just a handful of ETFs.<\/p>\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 Forget timing the market. Nobody knows where share prices will go next, so don’t try to second-guess them.<\/p>\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 Stick with it. Do not sell up in a market crash. Use the opportunity to invest more at the lower price.<\/p>\n
A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
\n2018: Formal work begins
\nNovember\u00a02021: First 17 volumes launched\u00a0
\nNovember 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
\nOctober 2023: Another 31 volumes released
\nNovember 2024: All 127 volumes completed
\nIslamophobia definition <\/p>\n
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: \u201cIslamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.\u201d It further defines it as \u201cinciting hatred or violence against Muslims\u201d.<\/p>\n
Evacuations to France hit by controversy
\nOver 500 Gazans have been evacuated to France since November 2023
\nEvacuations were paused after a student already in France posted anti-Semitic content and was subsequently expelled to Qatar
\nThe Foreign Ministry launched a review to determine how authorities failed to detect the posts before her entry
\nArtists and researchers fall under a programme called Pause that began in 2017
\nIt has benefited more than 700 people from 44 countries, including Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Sudan
\nSince the start of the Gaza war, it has also included 45 Gazan beneficiaries
\nUnlike students, they are allowed to bring their families to France<\/p>\n
Russia’s Muslim Heartlands<\/p>\n
Dominic Rubin, Oxford<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWithin 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,\u201d said Mr AbuShaban.<\/p>\n
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients\u2019 money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client\u2019s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Mercer Wealth\u2019s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.<\/p>\n
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Another general trend in the region is clients\u2019 looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.<\/p>\n
\u201cInstitutional 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,\u201d said Mr AbuShaban.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u2019s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to \u201ctheir defensive characteristics.\u201d<\/p>\n
Results<\/p>\n
6.30pm: The Madjani Stakes (PA) Group 3 Dh175,000 (Dirt) 1,900m<\/p>\n
Winner: Aatebat Al Khalediah, Fernando Jara (jockey), Ali Rashid Al Raihe (trainer).<\/p>\n
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,400m<\/p>\n
Winner: Down On Da Bayou, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.<\/p>\n
7.40pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m<\/p>\n
Winner: Dubai Avenue, Fernando Jara, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.<\/p>\n
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 (D) 1,200m<\/p>\n
Winner: My Catch, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.<\/p>\n
8.50pm: Dubai Creek Mile (TB) Listed Dh265,000 (D) 1,600m<\/p>\n
Winner: Secret Ambition, Tadhg O\u2019Shea, Satish Seemar.<\/p>\n
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 (D) 1,600m<\/p>\n
Winner: Golden Goal, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.<\/p>\n
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs<\/p>\n
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12<\/p>\n
Power: 819hp<\/p>\n
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm<\/p>\n
Price: From Dh1,700,000<\/p>\n
Available: Now<\/p>\n
Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
\nGeorge Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as \u2018Millionaires\u2019 Row\u2019.
\nThen came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
\nTurkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for \u00a350m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost \u00a380m.
\nOther residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney\u2019s former wife Heather Mills.\u00a0
\nHunting park to luxury living
\nLand was originally the Bishop of London’s hunting park, hence the name
\nThe road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
\nIts earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Dubai Bling season three<\/p>\n
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rating: 1\/5<\/p>\n
THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick<\/p>\n
Hometown: Cologne, Germany<\/p>\n
Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children,\u00a0Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)<\/p>\n
Favourite dessert:\u00a0Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes<\/p>\n
Favourite hobby:\u00a0Football<\/p>\n
Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk<\/p>\n
Who was Alfred Nobel?<\/p>\n
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.<\/p>\n
In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund “prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind”.
\nNobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
\nNobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
\nPROFILE<\/p>\n
Name:\u00a0Enhance\u00a0Fitness\u00a0<\/p>\n
Year\u00a0started:\u00a02018\u00a0<\/p>\n
Based:\u00a0UAE\u00a0<\/p>\n
Employees:\u00a0200\u00a0<\/p>\n
Amount\u00a0raised: $3m\u00a0<\/p>\n
Investors:\u00a0Global\u00a0Ventures\u00a0and\u00a0angel\u00a0investors\u00a0<\/p>\n
GAC GS8 Specs<\/p>\n
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo<\/p>\n
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm<\/p>\n
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm<\/p>\n
Transmission: 8-speed auto<\/p>\n
Fuel consumption: 9.1L\/100km<\/p>\n
On sale: Now<\/p>\n
Price: From Dh149,900<\/p>\n
The%20specs<\/p>\n
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPowertrain%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle%20electric%20motor%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E201hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E310Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E53kWh%20lithium-ion%20battery%20pack%20(GS%20base%20model)%3B%2070kWh%20battery%20pack%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETouring%20range%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E350km%20(GS)%3B%20480km%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C900%20(GS)%3B%20Dh149%2C000%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A tiered beverage tax set to launch in the UAE from January 1 is being hailed by medical…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":374478,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[61],"tags":[97,5123,269,615,13546,130,66904],"class_list":["post-374477","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nutrition","tag-health","tag-health-news","tag-nutrition","tag-standard","tag-story","tag-uae","tag-uae-desk-team"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/374477","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=374477"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/374477\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/374478"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=374477"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=374477"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=374477"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}