While you or I can't invite former president Barack Obama round for a cup of mint tea to quiz him about his incredible life, his wife, former first lady Michelle, certainly can, and that's exactly what she did for the first episode of The Michelle Obama Podcast.
In recent years, the celebrity podcast has become the place for the world’s most influential stars to get their famous friends (or spouses) to unbutton, spill secrets and share opinions, not to mention offer advice on everything from dating to body image.
Here are 10 of our favourite all-star podcasts to download.
1. Michelle Obama, ‘The Michelle Obama Podcast’
What's it about? The hour-long podcasts, which are available exclusively on Spotify, focus on news, social and community stories happening around the world.
"My hope is that this series can be a place to explore meaningful topics together and sort through so many of the questions we're all trying to answer in our own lives," the formerfirst lady told Spotify.
Notable guests: Former president Barack Obama (obviously!), talk show host Conan O'Brien, and author and Washington Post journalist Michele Norris.
2. Anna Faris, ‘Anna Faris is Unqualified’
What's it about? The Mom actress – and ex-wife of Jurassic World star Chris Pratt – takes on the complicated world of dating in her chatty, informal podcast, in which celebrity guests are given hypothetical dating situations and asked to offer their advice.
“I started this podcast with zero qualifications, only curiosity, the desire to connect, and a genuine interest in your life and your stories,” she says on her website.
Notable guests: Paris Hilton, Eva Longoria, Josh Hutcherson, Padma Lakshmi and Seth Rogen.
3. Dax Shepard, ‘Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard’
What's it about? The comic actor and husband of Frozen star Kristen Bell, with whom he has two children, is the host of one of the most popular celebrity podcasts. Happy to delve into his own life experiences, the Bless This Mess actor says on his website: "I love talking to people. I am endlessly fascinated by the messiness of being human, and I find people who are vulnerable and honest about their struggles and shortcomings to be incredibly attractive."
Notable guests: Aly Raisman, Sofia Coppola, Bill Gates, Tom Brady and Sean Penn.
4. Jameela Jamil, ‘I Weigh with Jameela Jamil’
What's it about? The British actress and activist, and star of Netflix show The Good Place, tackles a subject close to her heart in her podcast: weight and body image. Having started the hashtag #iweigh on Instagram, encouraging her followers to measure their worth in achievements rather than the number on the bathroom scales, she told Stylist: "I'm so polarising on Twitter. I think it's hard to ever get a gauge of what I'm actually like … It's nice to have more than 280 characters to have a proper conversation."
Notable guests: Reese Witherspoon and Demi Lovato.
5. Gwyneth Paltrow, ‘The Goop Podcast’
What's it about? Hosted by Oscar-winning Goop founder Gwyneth Paltrow, the actress, along with the company's chief commercial officer, Elise Loehnen, discuss the wide-ranging subject of wellness. From mental to physical health, marriage and relationships, dealing with trauma and learning to apologise properly, the pair welcome expert guests each week.
Notable guests: Oprah Winfrey, Cameron Diaz, Laura Wasser and Ambassador Susan Rice.
6. Kate Hudson and Oliver Hudson, ‘Sibling Revelry’
What's it about? The actor siblings and children of Hollywood great, Goldie Hawn, discuss all things family in their podcast, with a focus on the relationships between siblings.
"We had a childhood that I think a lot of people would look at and think it was the best childhood," the Almost Famous actress told Grazia. "And in retrospect, I look back and think we had a wonderful upbringing. But like any other family dynamic, at some point you have to accept the fact that yes on the outside everything looks great but there's always going to be something."
Notable guests: Kourtney Kardashian and Kendall Jenner, Elle and Dakota Fanning, and Danica Patrick and Brooke Selman.
7. Alec Baldwin, ‘Here’s The Thing’
What's it about? The 30 Rock actor and father-of-six uses his impressive Hollywood and political connections to showcase what goes on behind the scenes when it comes to work.
“Alec pursues great conversations in unexpected places to find out what motivates his guests, how they feel about what they do and what keeps them up at night,” says his podcast website.
Notable guests: Chris Rock, Michael Douglas, Anjelica Huston and James Caan.
8. Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey, ‘Office Ladies’
What's it about? The stars of the US version of The Office, Jenna Fischer (Pam Beesly) and Angela Kinsey (Angela Martin), who just so happen to be best friends in real life, teamed up to create a podcast that's perfect for fans. Each episode breaks down an episode of the TV show, which ran for nine season from March 2005 to March 2013, providing insights "only two people who were there can tell you".
9. Amy Schumer, ‘3 Girls, 1 Keith’
What's it about? The American actress and stand-up comedienne has teamed up with her three friends, Rachel Feinstein, Bridget Everett and Keith Robinson, for a podcast in which they discuss pop culture and comedy.
“I know that everybody feels like you can only take in so much news. We’re all just trying to do the right thing and stay home and not go completely insane,” Feinstein told Spotify of the podcast’s ethos. “So, I feel like it has to be a balance between taking in enough information so that you know whether you’re supposed to wipe down cardboard or not, and staying calm and entertained.”
Notable guests: Quentin Tarantino, David Byrne, Jerry Seinfeld and Harley Pasternak.
10. Oprah Winfrey, ‘Oprah’s SuperSoul Conversations’
What's it about? Promising to "light you up, guide you through life's big questions and help bring you one step closer to your best self", the most well-connected person in Hollywood opens up her vast contacts book to interview "thought-leaders, best-selling authors, spiritual luminaries, as well as health and wellness experts". Expect plenty of Winfrey's signature uplifting messages.
Notable guests: Beyonce, David Letterman, Rihanna, John Legend and Deepak Chopra.
______________
Read more:
Why scripted drama series ‘The Basement’ is a landmark for the Arab podcast scene
Michelle Obama launching a podcast on Spotify: It's a place to 'open up and be vulnerable'
Soon, you won't find Joe Rogan's podcast on most apps, and it won't be on YouTube either
______________
What is type-1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a genetic and unavoidable condition, rather than the lifestyle-related type 2 diabetes.
It occurs mostly in people under 40 and a result of the pancreas failing to produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugars.
Too much or too little blood sugar can result in an attack where sufferers lose consciousness in serious cases.
Being overweight or obese increases the chances of developing the more common type 2 diabetes.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Rain Management
Year started: 2017
Based: Bahrain
Employees: 100-120
Amount raised: $2.5m from BitMex Ventures and Blockwater. Another $6m raised from MEVP, Coinbase, Vision Ventures, CMT, Jimco and DIFC Fintech Fund
From Conquest to Deportation
Jeronim Perovic, Hurst
Mia Man’s tips for fermentation
- Start with a simple recipe such as yogurt or sauerkraut
- Keep your hands and kitchen tools clean. Sanitize knives, cutting boards, tongs and storage jars with boiling water before you start.
- Mold is bad: the colour pink is a sign of mold. If yogurt turns pink as it ferments, you need to discard it and start again. For kraut, if you remove the top leaves and see any sign of mold, you should discard the batch.
- Always use clean, closed, airtight lids and containers such as mason jars when fermenting yogurt and kraut. Keep the lid closed to prevent insects and contaminants from getting in.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
The winners
Fiction
- ‘Amreekiya’ by Lena Mahmoud
- ‘As Good As True’ by Cheryl Reid
The Evelyn Shakir Non-Fiction Award
- ‘Syrian and Lebanese Patricios in Sao Paulo’ by Oswaldo Truzzi; translated by Ramon J Stern
- ‘The Sound of Listening’ by Philip Metres
The George Ellenbogen Poetry Award
- ‘Footnotes in the Order of Disappearance’ by Fady Joudah
Children/Young Adult
- ‘I’ve Loved You Since Forever’ by Hoda Kotb
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
The specs: Volvo XC40
Price: base / as tested: Dh185,000
Engine: 2.0-litre, turbocharged in-line four-cylinder
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 250hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 350Nm @ 1,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 10.4L / 100km
Your rights as an employee
The government has taken an increasingly tough line against companies that fail to pay employees on time. Three years ago, the Cabinet passed a decree allowing the government to halt the granting of work permits to companies with wage backlogs.
The new measures passed by the Cabinet in 2016 were an update to the Wage Protection System, which is in place to track whether a company pays its employees on time or not.
If wages are 10 days late, the new measures kick in and the company is alerted it is in breach of labour rules. If wages remain unpaid for a total of 16 days, the authorities can cancel work permits, effectively shutting off operations. Fines of up to Dh5,000 per unpaid employee follow after 60 days.
Despite those measures, late payments remain an issue, particularly in the construction sector. Smaller contractors, such as electrical, plumbing and fit-out businesses, often blame the bigger companies that hire them for wages being late.
The authorities have urged employees to report their companies at the labour ministry or Tawafuq service centres — there are 15 in Abu Dhabi.
The%20Killer
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3EDavid%20Fincher%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3EMichael%20Fassbender%2C%20Tilda%20Swinton%2C%20Charles%20Parnell%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Gifts exchanged
- King Charles - replica of President Eisenhower Sword
- Queen Camilla - Tiffany & Co vintage 18-carat gold, diamond and ruby flower brooch
- Donald Trump - hand-bound leather book with Declaration of Independence
- Melania Trump - personalised Anya Hindmarch handbag
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Thursday (All UAE kick-off times)
Sevilla v Real Betis (midnight)
Friday
Granada v Real Betis (9.30pm)
Valencia v Levante (midnight)
Saturday
Espanyol v Alaves (4pm)
Celta Vigo v Villarreal (7pm)
Leganes v Real Valladolid (9.30pm)
Mallorca v Barcelona (midnight)
Sunday
Atletic Bilbao v Atletico Madrid (4pm)
Real Madrid v Eibar (9.30pm)
Real Sociedad v Osasuna (midnight)
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
PROFILE OF STARZPLAY
Date started: 2014
Founders: Maaz Sheikh, Danny Bates
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment/Streaming Video On Demand
Number of employees: 125
Investors/Investment amount: $125 million. Major investors include Starz/Lionsgate, State Street, SEQ and Delta Partners
Singham Again
Director: Rohit Shetty
Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone
Rating: 3/5
Four%20scenarios%20for%20Ukraine%20war
%3Cp%3E1.%20Protracted%20but%20less%20intense%20war%20(60%25%20likelihood)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E2.%20Negotiated%20end%20to%20the%20conflict%20(30%25)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E3.%20Russia%20seizes%20more%20territory%20(20%25)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E4.%20Ukraine%20pushes%20Russia%20back%20(10%25)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3EForecast%20by%20Economist%20Intelligence%20Unit%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
