Emirati singers perform for crowds at That Concept Store in Dubai

The team at That Concept Store in Dubai marked Emirati Women's Day on Sunday with a special event.

The Mall of the Emirates department store hosted an intimate concert with performances by Emirati-British singer Alya, Emirati singer Sachii and Emirati-Palestinian artist Casa Vince.

The event was billed as an evening of fashion, music and fusion, taking place at Around the Block, organised by online music hub Musivv and The BarCoe Studio, a recording studio in Abu Dhabi.

Alya, who was close to being a member of the popular super-sized group Now United, performed a set wearing an eye-catching pink and white chequered jacket with a bright yellow smiley face pinned to her outfit.

The teenage singer has a burgeoning solo career and has released a number of tracks, including last year's Hung Up, a winning slice of 1990s-era RnB.

“I don’t want to be viewed as some kind of Disney act,” she previously told The National. “While I do act my age and talk about things we relate to, I want the song to be enjoyed by everyone.”

London-born Casa Vince, meanwhile, draws inspiration from the West and Middle East to create his RnB-style tunes, and he made a special guest appearance at the event, supporting the two female artists.

Sachii, an aspiring artist, also performed a set with a keyboardist, including never-before-heard tunes, wearing a shimmering, metallic dress with leather waistcoat and boots.

Her first single, Risk, came out in May 2020 on all streaming platforms.

Five Emirati women winning music fans by singing with purpose — in pictures

One of the region's biggest pop stars, Ahlam has also carved out a successful TV career. Reem Mohammed / The National

Emirati-Yemeni Balqees sang with Andrea Bocelli in 2016 and performed during the AFC Asian Cup opening ceremony in 2019. Ruel Pableo / The National

Shamma Hamdan was the first and only Emirati to make it to the final round of 'Arabs Got Talent'. Navin Khianey / The National

Singer-songwriter Fafa supported Bruno Mars at Etihad Park, while her single 'Anta Batal' has more than 2.9 million views on YouTube. Photo: The BarCoe Studio

After coming close to joining pop group Now United, Alya, who is Emirati-British, launched a solo career. Photo: Alya Al Ali

The Bio

Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Favourite place to relax in UAE: the desert around Al Mleiha in Sharjah or the eastern mangroves in Abu Dhabi
The one book everyone should read: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It will make your mind fly
Favourite documentary: Chasing Coral by Jeff Orlowski. It's a good reality check about one of the most valued ecosystems for humanity

Wicked: For Good

Director: Jon M Chu

Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater

Rating: 4/5

Jigra

Director: Vasan Bala

Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh

Rated: 3.5/5

The specs: 2019 BMW i8 Roadster

Price, base: Dh708,750

Engine: 1.5L three-cylinder petrol, plus 11.6 kWh lithium-ion battery

Transmission: Six-speed automatic

Power: 374hp (total)

Torque: 570Nm (total)

Fuel economy, combined: 2.0L / 100km

RESULTS

5pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner: Samau Xmnsor, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Ottoman, Szczepan Mazur, Abdallah Al Hammadi
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Sharkh, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 85,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Yaraa, Fernando Jara, Majed Al Jahouri
7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Maaly Al Reef, Bernardo Pinheiro, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: Jinjal, Fabrice Veron, Ahmed Al Shemaili
8pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: Al Sail, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

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ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA

Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi

Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser

Rating: 4.5/5

How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE

When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.

Points to remember

Debate the issue, don't attack the person
Build the relationship and dialogue by seeking to find common ground
Express passion for the issue but be aware of when you're losing control or when there's anger. If there is, pause and take some time out.
Listen actively without interrupting
Avoid assumptions, seek understanding, ask questions

Day 3, Dubai Test: At a glance

Moment of the day Lahiru Gamage, the Sri Lanka pace bowler, has had to play a lot of cricket to earn a shot at the top level. The 29-year-old debutant first played a first-class game 11 years ago. His first Test wicket was one to savour, bowling Pakistan opener Shan Masood through the gate. It set the rot in motion for Pakistan’s batting.

Stat of the day – 73 Haris Sohail took 73 balls to hit a boundary. Which is a peculiar quirk, given the aggressive intent he showed from the off. Pakistan’s batsmen were implored to attack Rangana Herath after their implosion against his left-arm spin in Abu Dhabi. Haris did his best to oblige, smacking the second ball he faced for a huge straight six.

The verdict One year ago, when Pakistan played their first day-night Test at this ground, they held a 222-run lead over West Indies on first innings. The away side still pushed their hosts relatively close on the final night. With the opposite almost exactly the case this time around, Pakistan still have to hope they can salvage a win from somewhere.

The biog

Mission to Seafarers is one of the largest port-based welfare operators in the world.

It provided services to around 200 ports across 50 countries.

They also provide port chaplains to help them deliver professional welfare services.

World Cup final

Who: France v Croatia
When: Sunday, July 15, 7pm (UAE)
TV: Game will be shown live on BeIN Sports for viewers in the Mena region

Small Victories: The True Story of Faith No More by Adrian Harte
Jawbone Press

UAE currency

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

Islamophobia definition

A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.