Middle East: Eid al-Adha 2016 date is expected to be on September 11

This year, the holiest Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha is expected to begin on Sunday, September 11.

The Eid al-Adha is Islam's holiest festival celebrated annually around the world and an official holiday in Muslim-majority countries.

Eid al-Adha 2016 is expected to begin on Sunday, September 11. Authorities in Saudi Arabia will confirm the actual dates of the Muslim festival and the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca on September 1 based on the sighting of the moon.

Dubai: Dubai's first 'water homes' feature in new $270m project

A $270 million (AED1 billion) marina development featuring the UAE’s first ‘water homes’ is to be built in Dubai’s Business Bay, it was revealed on Tuesday. Dubai Holding, through its real estate subsidiary Dubai Properties, unveiled plans for Marasi Business Bay, a 12 km waterfront scheme comprising shops, restaurants, a 1,250-berth marina and a park.

Singapore: Travel update

It’s illegal to drink alcohol in public places (eg beyond the premises of bars and restaurants) from 10.30pm to 7am and all day at weekends in certain areas. Offenders will be fined. 

Don’t become involved with drugs of any kind. Possession of even very small quantities can lead to imprisonment, corporal punishment or the death penalty.

The offence of ‘outrage of modesty’ (molestation) can result in a fine, jail or corporal punishment. Scams involving false claims of molest are thought to exist.

Site works start on Qatar’s World Cup final venue

Site works on the proposed host venue for the first and final matches of Qatar's World Cup 2022 have started, according to a report.
 
The 80,000-seat Lusail stadium is the country's sixth Fifa World Cup stadium project, said The National report.

News from Mozambique

Economy

Gas for development or just for money?

Mozambique's gas can be used to promote industrialization and rural development, but only if key choices are made now.  Current priorities are for export based mega-projects promising high revenues, but like past mega-projects doing little to create jobs or reduce poverty. Mega-projects costing tens of billions of dollars are essential, but the Council of Ministers can instruct that negotiations give a higher priority to using the gas to create a domestic industry and jobs, even if it reduces short term income.

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Mozambique to grow fastest among lusophone countries

The World Bank said in its Global Economic Prospects – released last week – that Mozambique’s gross domestic product is expected to grow by 7.2 percent this year before reaching 7.3 percent expansion annually in the following two years.

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Culture

Cycle of Italian Cinema

The cycle of Italian cinema has begun on June 16th and will close on June 20th.  Teatro Avenida, Italian school Giovanni Falcone and Instituto de Audiovisuais will be venues to the 2nd edition of this festival.

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Legal

Mozambique decriminalizes homosexuality from June 29

The previous penal code had been in place, aside from some amendments, since Mozambique was a Portuguese colony, and was written in 1887.  From June 29th the new legislation comes into effect.

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Daily living

The school year is almost over in some international schools

In June some international schools are wrapping up their school year and children are preparing for Summer.  Some will continue in Mozambique, some will start their life elsewhere in the world.  It is a very emotional month for expat children as some will stay and some will go.  Some children embrace moving as an opportunity to make new friends and to learn new things; others get anxious or develop behaviour problems.  It may take children and adults months to adjust after a move.  For many children and adolescents, giving up the familiar—friends, favourite places, and routines—can be difficult.  As parents focus on coordinating the moving process, some children react negatively to the decrease in attention. Children may experience anxiety and grief before, during, and after a move.

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Courtesy of Maputo Relocation.