• Lester Cohen / WireImage
    Lester Cohen / WireImage
  • Courtesy of AB43
    Courtesy of AB43
  • Courtesy Yasalam Games and family fun in the FanZone
    Courtesy Yasalam Games and family fun in the FanZone
  • Handout
    Handout
  • Courtesy Ductac
    Courtesy Ductac
  • Courtesy Leila Heller Gallery
    Courtesy Leila Heller Gallery
  • Courtesy Puma
    Courtesy Puma
  • Courtesy Emirates Airline Festival of Literature
    Courtesy Emirates Airline Festival of Literature

10 things to do today: visit the F1 fanzone, catch the final day of Abu Dhabi Art


  • English
  • Arabic

Your daily guide to community and cultural activities across the Emirates for November 19, 2016, including performances, festivals, art exhibitions, film screenings, health and fitness events, talks, classes, workshops and family fun.

Abu Dhabi

Family festivities

Book your spot for a magical afternoon with Santa at the Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort. Families can take part in the Gingerbread Factory, where kids can decorate their own gingerbread house, plus enjoy a petting zoo, refreshments and a visit from Santa Claus, complete with a gift for each young guest. There will be a tree-lighting ceremony at 6pm along with cheerful Christmas carols.

December 7, 4pm to 6pm, from Dh139 for children; from Dh109 for adults, Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort, Corniche, Abu Dhabi, book at 02 677 3333, irene.vilches@sheraton.com

Abu Dhabi

Classics concert

Get tickets now for Stephan Moccio & Orchestra. As part of the Abu Dhabi Classics series, the Grammy Award-winner and Academy Award-nominated composer, known for his songs written for The Weeknd (Earned It) and Celine Dion (A New Day Has Come) as well as Miley Cyrus’s hit Wrecking Ball, will lead a string orchestra and two soloists to showcase his blend of classical and pop music.

December 14, 8pm, from Dh100, Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi, www.abudhabiclassics.ae

Abu Dhabi

Art festival

Catch the final day of Abu Dhabi Art, which features The View, a blend of theatre, visual art and performance by Miet Warlop; the talk Remembering Hassan Sharif: The Sandcastle as part of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Talking Art Series; a talk about public art and social change; as well as workshops, tours and exhibitions, plus various relateds events taking place at other venues.

Today, from 2pm, various venues in Abu Dhabi including Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Cultural District, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, www.abudhabiartfair.ae

Abu Dhabi

Motor sports festival

Visit the F1 Fanzone as part of the Yasalam events on the Corniche in the run-up to the 2016 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Take part in a variety of fun, family-friendly, adrenaline-pumping racing events, including simulators and contests, plus car exhibitions, a kids’ driving school and merchandise.

Open 4pm to midnight, Thursdays to Saturdays; 5pm to 11pm, free, Sundays to Wednesdays, West Plaza, Abu Dhabi Corniche, Abu Dhabi, www.yasalam.ae

Nationwide

New movie

Catch a screening of the animated adventure Raven the Little Rascal – The Big Race, in which Raven accidentally destroys the supplies the woodland animals need to survive the winter. Hoping to win money to restock the supplies, he enters a car race against a world champion driver. Along the way Raven learns something about teamwork.

Screening at cinemas across the UAE, including Vox Cinemas, Novo Cinemas, Star Cinemas, Cinemacity, Cine Royal and Reel Cinemas. (G)

Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah

Health festival

Attend the Live Healthy Carnival, which aims to encourage healthy living through good lifestyle habits, and features games, face-painting, competitions, fashion and magic shows geared towards helping children understand. Visitors will be encouraged to look at a wholesome, healthy lifestyle through contributions from all family members, as they address issues and find solutions together.

Today, 3.30pm to 8pm, free, RAK Diabetes Centre, Jumeirah, Dubai; RAK Hospital, Ras Al Khaimah, register at www.diabetesrak.com

Dubai

Theatrical performance

See the play Unfaithfully Yours, starring Indian television stars Mona Singh and Rohit Roy about Akash and Preet and their 26-year-long relationship that is the perfect love story, with one major glitch. The play will be performed in English.

Today, 5pm and 8pm, from Dh150, ages 21+, Ductac, Centrepoint Theatre, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai, 04 341 4777, www.ductac.org

Dubai

Art exhibition

See the exhibition by Frank Stella featuring six large-scale, high-relief artworks by the American artist who is known for his pioneering minimalism and post-painterly abstraction. Pictured: La Scienza della Fiacca.

Daily until January 4, 10am-7pm, Saturdays to Thursdays (closed Fridays), Leila Heller Gallery, I-87, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai, 056 831 3520, www.leilahellergallery.com

Dubai

Lifestyle Festival

Visit SoleDXB, the regional footwear, fashion and lifestyle fair, featuring activities and events such as a basketball tournament, live music including the German singer-songwriter Bibi Bourelly (pictured) at 5.30pm, and talks including Yassine Saidi, global head of Puma Select and Lifestyle Footwear, who will speak at 4pm with Trapstar founders Mike, Lee and Will about the collaboration with Puma.

Today, noon to midnight, free before 3pm with registration; Dh100 after 3pm, Dubai Design District (d3), Dubai, www.soledxb.com

Dubai

Performance

Get tickets to attend The Recipe for Happiness – Storytelling Performance, an event organised by the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature. Paola Balbi (pictured) and Martina Pisciali, artists and storytellers from the Raccontamiunastoria Storytelling Company in Italy will search for happiness across five continents.

Friday, 7.30pm to 9pm, Dh100, Emirates Literature Foundation, House 290, Al Shindagha Area, Bur Dubai, www.elfdubai.org

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

The biog

Hometown: Cairo

Age: 37

Favourite TV series: The Handmaid’s Tale, Black Mirror

Favourite anime series: Death Note, One Piece and Hellsing

Favourite book: Designing Brand Identity, Fifth Edition

VEZEETA PROFILE

Date started: 2012

Founder: Amir Barsoum

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: HealthTech / MedTech

Size: 300 employees

Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)

Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC

Thanksgiving meals to try

World Cut Steakhouse, Habtoor Palace Hotel, Dubai. On Thursday evening, head chef Diego Solis will be serving a high-end sounding four-course meal that features chestnut veloute with smoked duck breast, turkey roulade accompanied by winter vegetables and foie gras and pecan pie, cranberry compote and popcorn ice cream.

Jones the Grocer, various locations across the UAE. Jones’s take-home holiday menu delivers on the favourites: whole roast turkeys, an array of accompaniments (duck fat roast potatoes, sausages wrapped in beef bacon, honey-glazed parsnips and carrots) and more, as  well as festive food platters, canapes and both apple and pumpkin pies.

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, The Address Hotel, Dubai. This New Orleans-style restaurant is keen to take the stress out of entertaining, so until December 25 you can order a full seasonal meal from its Takeaway Turkey Feast menu, which features turkey, homemade gravy and a selection of sides – think green beans with almond flakes, roasted Brussels sprouts, sweet potato casserole and bread stuffing – to pick up and eat at home.

The Mattar Farm Kitchen, Dubai. From now until Christmas, Hattem Mattar and his team will be producing game- changing smoked turkeys that you can enjoy at home over the festive period.

Nolu’s, The Galleria Mall, Maryah Island Abu Dhabi. With much of the menu focused on a California inspired “farm to table” approach (with Afghani influence), it only seems right that Nolu’s will be serving their take on the Thanksgiving spread, with a brunch at the Downtown location from 12pm to 4pm on Friday.

Medicus AI

Started: 2016

Founder(s): Dr Baher Al Hakim, Dr Nadine Nehme and Makram Saleh

Based: Vienna, Austria; started in Dubai

Sector: Health Tech

Staff: 119

Funding: €7.7 million (Dh31m)

 

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Astroworld
Travis Scott
Grand Hustle/Epic/Cactus Jack

Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?

The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.

A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.

Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.

The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.

When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.

Getting there
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Tbilisi from Dh1,025 return including taxes

Our legal consultant

Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

WITHIN%20SAND
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MATCH INFO

Manchester United 2 (Heaton (og) 42', Lindelof 64')

Aston Villa 2 (Grealish 11', Mings 66')

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIXTURES

All kick-off times 10.45pm UAE ( 4 GMT) unless stated

Tuesday
Sevilla v Maribor
Spartak Moscow v Liverpool
Manchester City v Shakhtar Donetsk
Napoli v Feyenoord
Besiktas v RB Leipzig
Monaco v Porto
Apoel Nicosia v Tottenham Hotspur
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid

Wednesday
Basel v Benfica
CSKA Moscow Manchester United
Paris Saint-Germain v Bayern Munich
Anderlecht v Celtic
Qarabag v Roma (8pm)
Atletico Madrid v Chelsea
Juventus v Olympiakos
Sporting Lisbon v Barcelona

RESULTS

1.45pm: Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winners: Hyde Park, Royston Ffrench (jockey), Salem bin Ghadayer (trainer)

2.15pm: Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Shamikh, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard

2.45pm: Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Hurry Up, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.

3.15pm: Shadwell Jebel Ali Mile Group 3 (TB) Dh575,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Blown by Wind, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer

3.45pm: Handicap (TB) Dh72,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Mazagran, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.

4.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh64,000 (D) 1,950m
Winner: Obeyaan, Adrie de Vries, Mujeeb Rehman

4.45pm: Handicap (TB) Dh84,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: Shanaghai City, Fabrice Veron, Rashed Bouresly.

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