Bloomingville teapot, Dh225. Courtesy of S*uce Gifts
Bloomingville teapot, Dh225. Courtesy of S*uce Gifts

The hot list: Classy cuppas



Whether you’re starting your day or having friends round for a natter, serve up the perfect cup of tea with these pretty pots.

1 Chatty chai

Bloomingville teapot, Dh225, S*uce Gifts, Al Wasl Square, Dubai

2 Blooming lovely

Crafted from fine bone china, this ­William Kilburn Range teapot is covered in a pretty floral pattern and comes with a matching plate and mug.

Ocean Fantasy Teapot, Dh199, Indigo Living, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai

3 A palatial pot

In addition to exquisite tea blends, TWG Tea offers a lavish range of tea-related accessories, such as this Grand Summer Palace pot, which has a colourful hand-painted exterior complete with 22-carat gold accents.

Grand Summer Palace teapot, Dh3,550, www.twgtea.com

4 Spot the difference

We love the jaunty red-and-white-polka-dot design of the Globe teapot by London Pottery. The pot has a capacity of four cups and promises ­zero-drip pouring action.

Globe teapot, Dh119, Virgin Megastores across the UAE

5 Shaping up nicely

If traditional shapes aren’t your thing, try the Pin-Chu Coffee and Tea Set by the Taiwanese company Geway. The stackable, three-piece, silicone-and-­ceramic set can be used to hold tea, milk and sugar.

Pin-Chu Coffee and Tea Set, Dh144, www.wamli.com

How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

How Filipinos in the UAE invest

A recent survey of 10,000 Filipino expatriates in the UAE found that 82 per cent have plans to invest, primarily in property. This is significantly higher than the 2014 poll showing only two out of 10 Filipinos planned to invest.

Fifty-five percent said they plan to invest in property, according to the poll conducted by the New Perspective Media Group, organiser of the Philippine Property and Investment Exhibition. Acquiring a franchised business or starting up a small business was preferred by 25 per cent and 15 per cent said they will invest in mutual funds. The rest said they are keen to invest in insurance (3 per cent) and gold (2 per cent).

Of the 5,500 respondents who preferred property as their primary investment, 54 per cent said they plan to make the purchase within the next year. Manila was the top location, preferred by 53 per cent.

Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
Rating: 4/5
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)
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Power: 268bhp / 536bhp
Torque: 343Nm / 686Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
On sale: Later this year
Sustainable Development Goals

1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere

2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture

3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation

10. Reduce inequality  within and among countries

11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its effects

14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development