Left, Mick Ferry and David Hadingham. Courtesy of Laughter Factory
Left, Mick Ferry and David Hadingham. Courtesy of Laughter Factory
Left, Mick Ferry and David Hadingham. Courtesy of Laughter Factory
Left, Mick Ferry and David Hadingham. Courtesy of Laughter Factory

5 things to do today: enjoy stand-up comic acts at The Laughter Factory and explore the works of local artists at Deerfields Art Exhibition


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Enjoy hilarious stand-up from this month's line-up of comedians at The Laughter Factory: Geoff Norcott, Mick Ferry and David Hadingham. From 8pm, Dh140, ages 21+ only, Park Rotana, Abu Dhabi, www.platinumlist.net

Head out to the American Community School for a game of Ultimate with Abu Dhabi Ultimate Association. A mix of running, jumping and throwing, the sport is a fun and healthy way to spend your Wednesday evening. Everyone, regardless of skill level, can join in. Every Wednesday, from 6.30pm to 9.30pm, American Community School (off Al Bateen Street), Abu Dhabi, www.facebook.com/abudhabiultimateassociation

Give yourself a midweek treat with Rebecca Treston at Euromed's Skin-Perfecting package. Buy four sessions of the best-selling treatments – Spectra laser, Dermapen, Radiofrequency, IPL and select chemical peels – for just Dh2,800. Available until May 31. Euromed, Villa 611, Jumeirah Beach Road, Dubai, 04 394 5422, www.euromedclinicdubai.com

Explore the works of local artists this morning at the Deerfields Art Exhibition. Showcasing emerging artists, the show will display a number of works in a variety of media including paintings and sculptures. From 10am to noon, levels 3 and 4, Deerfields Townsquare Shopping Centre, Abu Dhabi, 02 501 0888, www.deerfieldstownsquare.com

Sign up your kids ages 4 to 8 for a fun class with Molly Manners that will teach them table-setting etiquette through storytelling, featuring a tale starring the characters Princess Spoonela, Prince Fork, Knife Guard and the Cup Castle. On May 8, from 9.30am to 11am, free, G's Bakery and Cafe, F5C, PR level, Cluster F, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai, register at info.me@youngnetworkgroup.com

listings@thenational.ae

The specs: 2018 Mazda CX-5

Price, base / as tested: Dh89,000 / Dh130,000
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder
Power: 188hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 251Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
​​​​​​​Fuel consumption, combined: 7.1L / 100km

Another way to earn air miles

In addition to the Emirates and Etihad programmes, there is the Air Miles Middle East card, which offers members the ability to choose any airline, has no black-out dates and no restrictions on seat availability. Air Miles is linked up to HSBC credit cards and can also be earned through retail partners such as Spinneys, Sharaf DG and The Toy Store.

An Emirates Dubai-London round-trip ticket costs 180,000 miles on the Air Miles website. But customers earn these ‘miles’ at a much faster rate than airline miles. Adidas offers two air miles per Dh1 spent. Air Miles has partnerships with websites as well, so booking.com and agoda.com offer three miles per Dh1 spent.

“If you use your HSBC credit card when shopping at our partners, you are able to earn Air Miles twice which will mean you can get that flight reward faster and for less spend,” says Paul Lacey, the managing director for Europe, Middle East and India for Aimia, which owns and operates Air Miles Middle East.

ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025, Thailand

UAE fixtures
May 9, v Malaysia
May 10, v Qatar
May 13, v Malaysia
May 15, v Qatar
May 18 and 19, semi-finals
May 20, final

Engine: 5.6-litre V8

Transmission: seven-speed automatic

Power: 400hp

Torque: 560Nm

Price: Dh234,000 - Dh329,000

On sale: now

Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE

Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:

• Buy second hand stuff

 They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.

• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres

 Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.

• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.

Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.

• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home

Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.

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
The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

Results

3pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (Dirt) 1,000m; Winner: Dhafra, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)

3.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Al Ajayib, Antonio Fresu, Eric Lemartinel

4pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m; Winner: Ashtr, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi, Majed Al Jahouri

4.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m; Winner: Falcon Claws, Szczepan Mazur, Doug Watson

5pm: Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Cup – Prestige Handicap (PA) Dh100,000 (D) 1,700m; Winner: Al Mufham SB, Al Moatasem Al Balushi, Badar Al Hajri

5.30pm: Sharjah Marathon – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 2,700m; Winner: Asraa Min Al Talqa, Al Moatasem Al Balushi, Helal Al Alawi