New Era store has opened in Abu Dhabi’s Al Wahda Mall with an exclusive line of limited-edition Star Wars caps to commemorate May the Fourth – Star Wars Day.
The two collectable faux-leather Stormtrooper and Darth Vader designs come in four sizes, and there’s only one of each size available in the store (eight hats in all). The character motifs are also printed on the satin that lines each cap’s interior. The caps are priced at Dh225 each.
Only 144 caps have been made in each style worldwide, and the Abu Dhabi store is currently the only place you can find them in the Middle East, although there are plans to open a branch in Fujairah City Centre in September, ahead of the latest film’s release on December 18.
Leonard Erlank, COO of merchandise distributer Al Book Marine, is a self-confessed Star Wars geek and says there’s more memorabilia on the way: “I’m thrilled to announce that next month, we’re bringing out R2-D2 and C-3PO caps, too.”
The store also stocks a regular collection of black and white caps emblazoned with “Star Wars”, which cost Dh175 each.
John Mullin, 46, from the UK, was wearing his prized possession on Star Wars day – his well-worn, decade-old Star Wars T-shirt. The Abu Dhabi-based paramedic isn’t sure yet whether he’s willing to part with his hard-earned cash to buy one of the new caps, but he’s considering it.
“It’s great to be here in Abu Dhabi where the latest Star Wars movie was filmed, and I guess that’s why the caps are available here. I have an 8-year-old son who’s also a big Star Wars fan, but I think he’d be embarrassed to see me in a Stormtroopers cap! He’d much rather wear it himself. So if I buy one, it’ll very quickly become his.”
Mullin will be donning his Star Wars T-shirt to see The Force Awakens when it comes out – “and the cap too, if I decide to get one. So I’ll be kitted out in my Star Wars uniform”.
Australian tech writer Jack ‘Skywalker’ Stanley, 28, won’t be buying a cap, but he is hoping to get his hands on a Darth Vader costume instead to watch the latest film. “I think the New Era hats are a bit gimmicky, but to some it will be seen as a collectors item.”
Stanley is celebrating Star Wars Day by watching the first three movies with his pals. “It’s going to be a late night! I think one guy is coming dressed as Lord Vader. May the 4th be with you, UAE.”
artslife@thenational.ae
The Birkin bag is made by Hermès.
It is named after actress and singer Jane Birkin
Noone from Hermès will go on record to say how much a new Birkin costs, how long one would have to wait to get one, and how many bags are actually made each year.
The biog
Name: Sari Al Zubaidi
Occupation: co-founder of Cafe di Rosati
Age: 42
Marital status: single
Favourite drink: drip coffee V60
Favourite destination: Bali, Indonesia
Favourite book: 100 Years of Solitude
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
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The five pillars of Islam
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
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Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
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
Sinopharm vaccine explained
The Sinopharm vaccine was created using techniques that have been around for decades.
“This is an inactivated vaccine. Simply what it means is that the virus is taken, cultured and inactivated," said Dr Nawal Al Kaabi, chair of the UAE's National Covid-19 Clinical Management Committee.
"What is left is a skeleton of the virus so it looks like a virus, but it is not live."
This is then injected into the body.
"The body will recognise it and form antibodies but because it is inactive, we will need more than one dose. The body will not develop immunity with one dose," she said.
"You have to be exposed more than one time to what we call the antigen."
The vaccine should offer protection for at least months, but no one knows how long beyond that.
Dr Al Kaabi said early vaccine volunteers in China were given shots last spring and still have antibodies today.
“Since it is inactivated, it will not last forever," she said.
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Brief scores:
Day 2
England: 277 & 19-0
West Indies: 154
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
