DUBAI: Occupancy levels in Abu Dhabi hotels rose in April despite the lack of major events in the emirates that would have meant a high volume of bookings during the month.
In fact, according to industry watcher STR, it was the “second consecutive April with occupancy growth in Abu Dhabi.”
“In fact, the absolute occupancy level would be the highest for an April in the market since 2008,” STR said in its preliminary analysis for Abu Dhabi hotels.
Occupancy rate in Abu Dhabi hotels rose 2.7 percent to 80 percent in April, as demand rose 6.9 percent and supply increased 4.1 percent.
Average daily rate (ADR) was down 3.3% in 432.12 dirhams, which resulted into a 0.7 percent decline in revenue per available room (RevPAR) to 345.88 dirhams. ADR is an industry bellwether which measures realized room rental per day, while RevPAR is calculated by multiplying a hotel’s ADR by its occupancy rate.
“ADR decreases have been common in the market with supply growth a factor in that trend,” STR said.
Abu Dhabi is targeting to attract 8.5 million tourists a year by 2021 and has been ramping up efforts to promote the emirate as a culture and heritage destination, especially with the opening of Louvre Abu Dhabi, the only regional presence of the famous French museum.
The emirate expects to welcome 5.5 million hotel guests this year, up from about 5 million in 2017.
Abu Dhabi hotels report higher occupancy levels in April
Abu Dhabi hotels report higher occupancy levels in April
UN General Assembly backs Palestinian bid for membership
- Vote by 193-member General Assembly a global survey of support for Palestinian bid to become full member
NEW YORK CITY: The United Nations General Assembly on Friday backed a Palestinian bid to become a full UN member by recognizing it as qualified to join and recommending the UN Security Council “reconsider the matter favorably.”
The vote by the 193-member General Assembly was a global survey of support for the Palestinian bid to become a full UN member — a move that would effectively recognize a Palestinian state — after the United States vetoed it in the UN Security Council last month.
The assembly adopted a resolution on Friday with 143 votes in favor and nine against — including the US and Israel — while 25 countries abstained. It does not give the Palestinians full UN membership, but simply recognizes them as qualified to join.
The General Assembly resolution “determines that the State of Palestine ... should therefore be admitted to membership” and it “recommends that the Security Council reconsider the matter favorably.”
The Palestinian push for full UN membership comes seven months into a war between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and as Israel is expanding settlements in the occupied West Bank, which the UN considers to be illegal.
“We want peace, we want freedom,” Palestinian UN Ambassador Riyad Mansour told the General Assembly before the vote. “A yes vote is a vote for Palestinian existence, it is not against any state. ... It is an investment in peace.”
“Voting yes is the right thing to do,” he said in remarks that drew applause.
Under the founding UN Charter, membership is open to “peace-loving states” that accept the obligations in that document and are able and willing to carry them out.
“As long as so many of you are ‘Jew-hating,’ you don’t really care that the Palestinians are not ‘peace-loving,’” said UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan, who spoke after Mansour. He accused the Assembly of shredding the UN Charter — as he used a small shredder to destroy a copy of the Charter while at the lectern.
“Shame on you,” Erdan said.
The ambassador said on Monday that, if the measure was approved, he expected the US to cut funding to the United Nations and its institutions, in accordance with American law.
An application to become a full UN member first needs to be approved by the 15-member Security Council and then the General Assembly. If the measure is again voted on by the council it is likely to face the same fate: a US veto.
“The council must respond to the will of the international community,” United Arab Emirates UN Ambassador Mohamed Abushahab told the assembly before the vote.
The General Assembly resolution adopted on Friday does give the Palestinians some additional rights and privileges from September 2024 — like a seat among the UN members in the assembly hall — but they will not be granted a vote in the body.
The Palestinians are currently a non-member observer state, a de facto recognition of statehood that was granted by the UN General Assembly in 2012.
US FUNDING
The Palestinian UN mission in New York said on Thursday — in a letter to UN member states — that adoption of the resolution backing full UN membership would be an investment in preserving the long-sought-for two-state solution.
It said it would “constitute a clear reaffirmation of support at this very critical moment for the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, including the right to their independent State.”
The mission is run by the Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited self-rule in the West Bank. Hamas ousted the Palestinian Authority from power in Gaza in 2007. Hamas — which has a charter calling for Israel’s destruction — launched the Oct. 7 attack on Israel that triggered Israel’s assault on Gaza.
The United Nations has long endorsed a vision of two states living side by side within secure and recognized borders. Palestinians want a state in the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza Strip, all territory captured by Israel in the 1967 war with neighboring Arab states.
The US mission to the United Nations said earlier this week: “It remains the US view that the path toward statehood for the Palestinian people is through direct negotiations.”
Under US law, Washington cannot fund any UN organization that grants full membership to any group that does not have the “internationally recognized attributes” of statehood. The United States cut funding in 2011 for the UN cultural agency, UNESCO, after the Palestinians joined as a full member.
On Thursday, 25 US Republican senators — more than half of the party’s members in the chamber — introduced a bill to tighten those restrictions and cut off funding to any entity giving rights and privileges to the Palestinians. The bill is unlikely to pass the Senate, which is controlled by President Joe Biden’s Democrats.
Gang mastermind, extradited from Pakistan, jailed for life for UK police officer killing
- Piran Ditta Khan fled UK after Sharon Beshenivsky was shot at close range in Bradford in 2005
- Khan, a former takeaway boss, was said to be the ringleader of the gang involved in the murder
LONDON: A 75-year-old man who was extradited from Pakistan was jailed for life on Friday for the murder of a British police officer nearly 20 years ago.
Piran Ditta Khan fled the country after Sharon Beshenivsky was shot at close range as she and a colleague arrived at the scene of a robbery at a travel agency in Bradford, northern England, in 2005.
Although he did not pull the trigger, prosecutors at his trial said he was equally guilty of murder as he had planned the raid and knew that loaded weapons would be used.
Judge Nicholas Hilliard at Leeds Crown Court on Friday handed Khan a life sentence with a minimum term of 40 years and told him: “You will inevitably spend the remainder of your life in custody.”
Beshenivsky, 38, had only been an officer with West Yorkshire Police for nine months before her death, which happened on her daughter Lydia’s fourth birthday.
“Every birthday is a reminder of what happened that day,” Lydia said in an impact statement read in court.
“It has recently been Mother’s Day, and while my friends are celebrating with their mums, I sadly can never do that.”
She was “too young and innocent” to understand why her mother did not return from work to celebrate her birthday, the statement added.
Judge Hilliard praised Beshenivsky’s bravery in responding to the call “when she and her colleague had no way of knowing what they would be confronted with when they got there.
“Sharon Beshenivsky’s courage and commitment to duty that day cost her her life,” he added.
The rare fatal shooting of a police officer on duty caused widespread shock and revived calls for British police to routinely carry guns.
Khan, a former takeaway boss, was said by prosecutors to be the ringleader of the gang involved in the killing on November 18, 2005.
He remained in a lookout car during the robbery, played a “pivotal” role in planning the heist and knew that loaded firearms would be used.
As such he was as culpable of Beshenivsky’s murder “as surely as if he had pulled the trigger on that pistol himself,” prosecutors told his trial.
He claimed he was trying to recoup money owed to him by the owner of the travel agency but lawyers said there was no evidence for this.
The gang escaped with little more than £5,000.
Khan was arrested in Islamabad in January 2020 after years on the run and extradited in April 2023.
He was found guilty of murder as well as firearms offenses. He had admitted robbery.
Six other gang members have previously been jailed over the shooting, which also saw Beshenivsky’s colleague Teresa Milburn shot in the chest.
Milburn, who was 37 at the time, had joined the force two years beforehand.
Three of the men, including one who fled to Somalia but was later extradited, were jailed for life and told they would serve at least 35 years behind bars.
West Yorkshire Police Assistant Chief Constable Patrick Twiggs said members of the force “welcome the life sentence handed down to Khan.
“West Yorkshire Police will continue to honor Sharon’s memory, we still mourn the loss, we still miss her, she will be forever in our thoughts,” he added.
Pakistan shares close weekend trading at all-time high on improving economic indicators, Saudi investments
- KSE-100 index went up by 427 points and closed at 73,086 points on investor optimism
- Analysts say Saudi crown prince’s visit could see stock market cross 85,000 level this year
KARACHI: Pakistan’s key stock index crossed the 73,000 mark on Friday to close the weekend trading session at an all-time high on renewed hopes of an interest rate cut and improving economic indicators as well as optimism about Saudi investments, analysts said.
The KSE-100 index went up by 427 points and closed at 73,086 points on investor optimism stemming from an anticipated lower inflation rate this month, which fueled speculation of an interest rate cut in the next monetary policy in June.
Last month, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the State Bank kept the key interest rate steady at 22 percent for the seventh straight meeting.
“Pakistan stocks exchange made another new high today crossing 73,000 amid expectations that inflation may fall at a faster than expected rate,” Muhammad Sohail, CEO of Topline Securities, told Arab News, adding that optimism about Saudi investments had also played a key role in the bullish trend at the bourse in the last few days.
The Pakistan Stock market performed extremely well during the outgoing week and the index increased by around 1180 points.
“There are two to three reasons for this surge, first being the gradual improvement in Pakistan’s economic indicators,” Sheheryar Butt, Portfolio Manager at Darson Securities, said.
The South Asian nation has witnessed increasing remittance by 28 percent to $2.8 billion while the central bank’s reserves soared above $9 billion, the highest in 1.5 years.
“Along with this, our currency is maintained at Rs278 against the US dollar and it is also stabilizing in the interbank market. We are also seeing an increase in remittances,” Butt said.
Pakistan saw one of the highest inflation regimes last year, with 38 percent inflation recorded in May last year, which eased to 17.3 percent this April. Pakistani analysts expect a further fall in May, renewing optimism of an interest rate cut from the current 22 percent in the upcoming monetary policy.
“Inflation in Pakistan is expected to decrease significantly to around 15 percent in May 2024. This substantial drop is a testament to the effective efforts of the government and central bank in curbing inflation,” Sohail added.
Talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a new bailout package and Saudi investment optimism have been key drivers of the stock index in recent days while the expected arrival of the Saudi Crown prince later this month is being seen as another “milestone achieving factor.”
“The IMF team is going to visit Pakistan and there are brighter chances for Pakistan to get a longer program with the IMF. Pakistan will easily get a program of $6-8 billion for 2-3 years,” Butt said, adding that the Saudi crown prince’s visit could see the stock market cross the 85,000 level this year.
Hyo-Joo Kim’s dazzling finish gives South Korean star Seoul lead
- World No.12 leads Aramco team Series-Korea after hole out eagle from 60 yards on penultimate hole
- Team Gustavsson (-13) lead the way with a three-stroke lead at New Korea Country Club
SEOUL: The Hyo-Joo Kim fan club was treated to a clinic at the New Korea Country Club, as an eagle-birdie finish catapulted the world No. 12 to the top of the leaderboard at the Aramco Team Series presented by PIF–Korea.
The 2014 Evian Championship winner was trailed by her devoted fans across the undulating landscape of New Korea Country Club, with the climax coming on the last two holes. A remarkable 60-yard eagle on the eighth hole, followed by a birdie on nine, propelled her to a four-under-par score, secured top spot at the close of play.
With the course proving tough for the field, Hyo-Joo Kim was able to use her knowledge of the course to her advantage, taking sole lead into the second day of the tournament, in her Aramco Team Series presented by PIF debut.
“I wish they had played the music a bit louder, but it was quite enjoyable,” said the leader of her debut. “Also, it was the first time playing with four people in a match. I’m working on the things that I wanted to improve this year and I feel like it’s getting better and better.”
Colombian Mariajo Uribe posted an impressive early score, with an opening round of three-under-par keeping her hot on the heels of Hyo-Joo Kim.
Uribe, who won her first LET event in Australia in March, is looking to make the most of her final year on tour before retiring after the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“It’s a tough course, so it’s good to be taking advantage of those opportunities, and we’re happy to be close to the (top of the) leaderboard,” said Uribe.
“This is my last year traveling the world, so I’m taking advantage of it. My sister-in-law came with me, so we’ve been buying a lot of Korean skincare products and just going around eating my favorite foods, like Korean barbecue.”
On the team side of the event, Team Gustavsson stormed into an early lead, with a score of 13-under-par placing them atop the leaderboard at the close of play. Made up of Johanna Gustavsson, Laura Beveridge, Gemma Clews and amateur Jaeho Shin, the team sit in pole position to claim the team trophy on Saturday.
“I hit a lot of fairways,” said captain Gustavsson, who finished the day one-under-par. “I drove it very well, putted OK, but missed a few chances, so hopefully tomorrow there’s a chance to be even better.”
World No. 8 Charley Hull finished the day even par, after an up-and-down day recording four birdies and four bogeys, while LPGA star Danielle Kang struggled, recording a score of eight-over-par, with two double-bogeys on the front nine an unfortunate start.
It was a tough day of golf for the most part, with high scores on the leaderboard demonstrating the challenge that New Korea County Club will pose this weekend.
Indeed, only 14 players finished the day on even par or lower. However, forecast rain for day two could improve scores, helping slow the action around the greens, and offering more birdie opportunities.
Pakistan to play Japan in Azlan Shah Hockey Cup final tomorrow
- This is first time Pakistan have advanced to tournament’s final since 2011
- Pakistan have won the Azlan Shah Cup title thrice, in 1999, 2000 and 2003
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan remained unbeaten in the Azlan Shah Hockey Cup on Friday as their match against New Zealand ended in a tie and will take on Japan in the final tomorrow, Saturday.
Pakistan are already through to the final which will take place at 5:30pm (PKT) on Saturday at the Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh. This is the first time Pakistan have advanced to the tournament’s final since 2011.
Friday’s match ended in a draw, with both teams securing one point each, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) said.
“Pakistan has managed to make it to the finals with a total of 11 points from five matches on the points table,” PHF said. “Pakistan won the bronze medal in the last event [Thursday] by winning the third place match. The final match between Pakistan and Japan will be played tomorrow [Saturday].”
Six teams are participating in the event, including host team Malaysia, Pakistan, Korea, Japan, New Zealand and Canada.
Pakistan have won the Azlan Shah Cup title thrice — in 1999, 2000 and 2003 — and came third in the last edition which was also held in Ipoh in 2022. Malaysia are the defending champions of this year’s edition.
Addressing the squad via video link, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar reiterated the government’s commitment to hockey, state-run Radio Pakistan said, adding that the prime minister had ordered focusing on removing obstacles in the development of hockey in Pakistan.
“The entire nation is praying for the victory of Pakistan and is looking forward to welcome a champion team,” Tarar said.
Pakistan is now 18th in hockey rankings after being consistently among the top four and winning a record four World Cups. The nation has not won a single hockey medal at the Olympics since 1992.
