UAE favourite Craig David has won the prestigious slot of headlining the Amber Lounge parties on Saturday and Sunday. The ritzy evenings, at the Yas Links Golf Club, will feature the British R&B star performing his hits, including Walking Away and 7 Days, in addition to helming the decks as DJ. He explains that this freewheeling multi-platform approach is part of his live show called TS5.
You recently sold out your London gig with your TS5 show in less than 10 minutes. What’s the concept behind it?
This is me live mixing different tracks, as well as singing and freestyling over them. The whole TS5 movement started out as a house party at my home in Miami, so every time I play at a different event, I aim to bring that house-party vibe to the place. This is exactly what I’ll be doing at The Amber Lounge.
You have performed at many types of events, from festivals and stadiums to more intimate concerts – how does an F1 party such as the Amber Lounge stand out as an experience?
I’ve always loved performing in Abu Dhabi, so to do it while the F1 is happening is going to be an amazing experience. When F1 is in town, the place has an extra-special buzz, so I’m really excited to be performing while it’s on.
What kind of set should people expect?
I always play the tracks that I’m feeling at that particular moment. There’s a kind of adrenalin rush of going to a show and not knowing exactly what I’ll be playing. All my sets have a hip-hop and R&B vibe and people can check out the TS5 Spotify playlists to get a real idea of what I’ll be playing.
You have dropped a few new tracks online in the last year or so – how is work on the new album progressing and when can we expect it?
Work on the album is going really well. I’m in that place again where I feel like a 16-year-old kid starting out and who’s just hungry to put music out there. The album is really close to being finished. I’ve worked with some incredible artists and writers which has been a great experience – 2016 is going to be a big year.
Craig David performs on Saturday and Sunday as part of the Amber Lounge at Yas Links Golf Club. For booking, visit www.amber-lounge.com or email enquiries@amber-lounge.com
ssaeed@thenational.ae
The specs: 2018 Volkswagen Teramont
Price, base / as tested Dh137,000 / Dh189,950
Engine 3.6-litre V6
Gearbox Eight-speed automatic
Power 280hp @ 6,200rpm
Torque 360Nm @ 2,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 11.7L / 100km
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The bio
Favourite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite travel destination: Maldives and south of France
Favourite pastime: Family and friends, meditation, discovering new cuisines
Favourite Movie: Joker (2019). I didn’t like it while I was watching it but then afterwards I loved it. I loved the psychology behind it.
Favourite Author: My father for sure
Favourite Artist: Damien Hurst
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The years Ramadan fell in May
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015
- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany
- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people
- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed
- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest
- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France
