Award-winning rapper Wyclef Jean will perform on Thursday at the official grand opening of Billionaire Mansion, a newly opened party spot in Dubai’s Taj Hotel. The former Fugees member will appear from 11pm to 3am, and the night will also include a meal of Italian food or Japanese bites to choose from. The Taj Hotel is in Business Bay. Tickets cost Dh350 per person. Call 04 348 3000 for more information. — The National
Gabriel Iglesias coming to Dubai
Stand-up comedian Gabriel Iglesias — also known as "Fluffy", and one of the most recognisable comedians in America — is coming to Dubai as part of a three-city tour of Asia this summer. He will appear with his #Fluffy Breaks Even show at the Dubai World Trade Centre on June 3, before moving on to the Star Theatre in Singapore on June 6 and the Asia Expo in Hong Kong on June 8. The show is based on his reality-TV show of the same name, which also features fellow comedians Martin Moreno, Rick Gutierrez, G Reilly and Alfred Robles, and has been picked up for a second season by US cable channel Fuse TV. Visit www.117live.com to register for tickets. — The National
Row over Salman Khan Olympics role
Salman Khan's appointment as an Indian goodwill ambassador for the 2016 Rio Olympics, announced on Saturday, has not been well received by some of the country's Olympians. 2012 Olympics wrestling bronze medallist Yogeshwar Dutt, champion athlete Milkha Singh and hockey legend Dhanraj Pillai were among those who criticised the Indian Olympic Association's decision. It has been denounced by many as a PR gimmick to promote Sultan, Khan's upcoming film in which he plays Sultan Ali Khan, an Olympic wrestler from Haryana. However, some athletes supported the IOA decision: Olympic medallists Vijender Singh (boxing) and Abhinav Bindra (shooting) were among those who welcomed the appointment, saying that Khan's popularity would gain attention for lesser-known sports. The IOA said it would be appointing other representatives from sports, arts and culture. — Sonali Kokra
Soul singer Billy Paul dies
Billy Paul, a star of the Philadelphia soul scene who won fame with the song Me and Mrs. Jones before attracting controversy with his racially charged politics, has died. He was 80. Known for his uplifting, mellifluous voice, Paul won a Grammy Award and helped shape the course of modern R&B. A message on his website read: "We regret to announce with a heavy heart that Billy has passed away today at home after a serious medical condition." Paul topped mainstream charts in 1972 with Me and Mrs. Jones, a song about an extramarital affair that has been covered by a range of artists including Hall & Oates and Michael Bublé. Artist and producer Questlove, best known as the percussionist of The Roots, said that Paul should be considered the forerunner of soul icons Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye. Questlove said: "Billy Paul, in every aspect of his presentation, was the first person to bring reality" into the music. — AFP
Michael Douglas pays tribute to Prince
Michael Douglas honoured Prince at the closing of the Tribeca Film Festival with a distinctive outfit — a matching purple shirt and pullover V-neck sweater. Douglas said: "He was such a private man; protected his work so much. But he was an extraordinary talent, just an extraordinary talent. I really feel a loss." Besides being a fan, in 1995 Douglas presented Prince with the Academy Award for Best Music, Original Song Score for Purple Rain. — AP
Prequel to Angry Indian Goddesses announced
Bollywood film Angry Indian Goddesses is getting a prequel that will explore the characters' pasts. Touted as India's first female-buddy film — with an ensemble cast including Sarah-Jane Dias, Tannishtha Chatterjee, Anushka Manchanda, Sandhya Mridul, Rajshri Deshpande and Adil Hussain — the movie earned good reviews in India and was well received at international film festivals. — IANS
Roshan-Ranaut row heats up
Amid the legal battle with actress Kangana Ranaut, actor Hrithik Roshan has posted a cryptic tweet about troubled times. He wrote: “When people call you names, the universe is not testing whether you can prove them wrong. It’s testing your own belief in your own name. #knowUrName.” Issues between the stars began when Ranaut hinted at Roshan being her ex-boyfriend. She said during an interview that she fails to understand “why exes do silly things to get your attention”. The controversy between the two actors, who were rumoured to have dated, took another turn for the worse after they slapped legal notices on each other. Roshan, meanwhile, has been celebrating the 45th wedding anniversary of his parents, Rakesh and Pinky Roshan. He shared an image of the family celebrations, along with a post that read: “When love is a commitment, the commitment can create more love. 45 years! #laughterBestwithFamily thank you all for your wishes.” – IANS
Zaha Hadid’s first project after death inaugurated
One of the final works of Zaha Hadid, the acclaimed Iraqi-British architect who died suddenly last month, was posthumously inaugurated in Italy yesterday. Inspired by an oyster, the new maritime terminal at the southern port of Salerno features a hard shell above a soft, fluid interior and the wavy lines that were Hadid’s signature. It is her first major project to come to completion since her death from a heart attack at age 65. Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi said, “This extraordinary work adds to everything Salerno is doing to transform itself and I think it is marvellous. It is also a way of remembering the great architect that Zaha Hadid was. If Salerno is undergoing a transformation, it is also thanks to the contribution of this architectural star.” Hadid’s practice is now being run by German architect Patrik Schumacher, who worked alongside her for 28 years before her death. The studio had more than 30 projects at the design stage or under construction when Hadid died at a hospital in Miami, where she was being treated for bronchitis. Major works in the pipeline include a 2022 World Cup stadium in Qatar, a New York skyscraper and a new parliament for Iraq. -AFP
Prince tops US charts
On Sunday, Prince soared to number one on the US chart after his sudden death, with three of his albums entering the top 10. The Very Best of Prince, a greatest hits collection released in 2001, topped the weekly chart and his classic 1984 album Purple Rain came in at number two of the Billboard chart. A three-disc collection from 1993, The Hits/The B-sides, re-entered the latest chart at number six. The strength of the compilations indicates the renewed popularity of Prince's hits such as Let's Go Crazy, When Doves Cry, 1999, Raspberry Beret and Kiss. In one factor that likely increased outright sales, fans looking for Prince's music were unlikely to find it through streaming, which is factored into the chart through its own formula. Prince, whose relationship with the internet swung between love and hate, only streamed his music on Jay-Z's Tidal service, through which he released his last two albums. Prince, a champion of artists' rights against labels, aggressively took down unauthorised versions of his music from the internet, including YouTube. Prince released 39 studio albums during his life, selling more than 100 million records. -AFP
Notable salonnières of the Middle East through history
Al Khasan (Okaz, Saudi Arabia)
Tamadir bint Amr Al Harith, known simply as Al Khasan, was a poet from Najd famed for elegies, earning great renown for the eulogy of her brothers Mu’awiyah and Sakhr, both killed in tribal wars. Although not a salonnière, this prestigious 7th century poet fostered a culture of literary criticism and could be found standing in the souq of Okaz and reciting her poetry, publicly pronouncing her views and inviting others to join in the debate on scholarship. She later converted to Islam.
Maryana Marrash (Aleppo)
A poet and writer, Marrash helped revive the tradition of the salon and was an active part of the Nadha movement, or Arab Renaissance. Born to an established family in Aleppo in Ottoman Syria in 1848, Marrash was educated at missionary schools in Aleppo and Beirut at a time when many women did not receive an education. After touring Europe, she began to host salons where writers played chess and cards, competed in the art of poetry, and discussed literature and politics. An accomplished singer and canon player, music and dancing were a part of these evenings.
Princess Nazil Fadil (Cairo)
Princess Nazil Fadil gathered religious, literary and political elite together at her Cairo palace, although she stopped short of inviting women. The princess, a niece of Khedive Ismail, believed that Egypt’s situation could only be solved through education and she donated her own property to help fund the first modern Egyptian University in Cairo.
Mayy Ziyadah (Cairo)
Ziyadah was the first to entertain both men and women at her Cairo salon, founded in 1913. The writer, poet, public speaker and critic, her writing explored language, religious identity, language, nationalism and hierarchy. Born in Nazareth, Palestine, to a Lebanese father and Palestinian mother, her salon was open to different social classes and earned comparisons with souq of where Al Khansa herself once recited.
Results
5pm: Al Maha Stables – Maiden+(PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m; Winner: Reem Baynounah, Fernando Jara+(jockey), Mohamed Daggash+(trainer)
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Maiden+(PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: AF Afham, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Emirates Fillies Classic – Prestige+(PA) Dh100,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Ghallieah, Sebastien Martino, Jean-Claude Pecout
6.30pm: Emirates Colts Classic – Prestige+(PA) Dh100,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Yas Xmnsor, Saif Al Balushi, Khalifa Al Neyadi
7pm: The President’s Cup – Group 1+(PA) Dh2,500,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Somoud, Adrie de Vries, Jean de Roualle
7.30pm: The President’s Cup – Listed+(TB) Dh380,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Haqeeqy, Dane O’Neill, John Hyde.
La Mer lowdown
La Mer beach is open from 10am until midnight, daily, and is located in Jumeirah 1, well after Kite Beach. Some restaurants, like Cupagahwa, are open from 8am for breakfast; most others start at noon. At the time of writing, we noticed that signs for Vicolo, an Italian eatery, and Kaftan, a Turkish restaurant, indicated that these two restaurants will be open soon, most likely this month. Parking is available, as well as a Dh100 all-day valet option or a Dh50 valet service if you’re just stopping by for a few hours.
Manchester City (0) v Liverpool (3)
Uefa Champions League, quarter-final, second leg
Where: Etihad Stadium
When: Tuesday, 10.45pm
Live on beIN Sports HD
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: Almouneer
Started: 2017
Founders: Dr Noha Khater and Rania Kadry
Based: Egypt
Number of staff: 120
Investment: Bootstrapped, with support from Insead and Egyptian government, seed round of
$3.6 million led by Global Ventures
The Beekeeper
Director: David Ayer
Starring: Jason Statham, Josh Hutcherson, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Minnie Driver, Jeremy Irons
Rating: 3/5
Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE fixtures:
Men
Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final
Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final
Company Profile
Name: HyveGeo
Started: 2023
Founders: Abdulaziz bin Redha, Dr Samsurin Welch, Eva Morales and Dr Harjit Singh
Based: Cambridge and Dubai
Number of employees: 8
Industry: Sustainability & Environment
Funding: $200,000 plus undisclosed grant
Investors: Venture capital and government
Company profile
Name: WonderTree
Started: April 2016
Co-founders: Muhammad Waqas and Muhammad Usman
Based: Karachi, Pakistan, Abu Dhabi, UAE, and Delaware, US
Sector: Special education, education technology, assistive technology, augmented reality
Number of staff: 16
Investment stage: Growth
Investors: Grants from the Lego Foundation, UAE's Anjal Z, Unicef, Pakistan's Ignite National Technology Fund
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The five pillars of Islam
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
RACE CARD AND SELECTIONS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,200m
5,30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,200m
6pm: The President’s Cup Listed (TB) Dh380,000 1,400m
6.30pm: The President’s Cup Group One (PA) Dh2,500,000 2,200m
7pm: Arabian Triple Crown Listed (PA) Dh230,000 1,600m
7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
The National selections
5pm: RB Hot Spot
5.30pm: Dahess D’Arabie
6pm: Taamol
6.30pm: Rmmas
7pm: RB Seqondtonone
7.30pm: AF Mouthirah
World Cup warm-up fixtures
Friday, May 24:
- Pakistan v Afghanistan (Bristol)
- Sri Lanka v South Africa (Cardiff)
Saturday, May 25
- England v Australia (Southampton)
- India v New Zealand (The Oval, London)
Sunday, May 26
- South Africa v West Indies (Bristol)
- Pakistan v Bangladesh (Cardiff)
Monday, May 27
- Australia v Sri Lanka (Southampton)
- England v Afghanistan (The Oval, London)
Tuesday, May 28
- West Indies v New Zealand (Bristol)
- Bangladesh v India (Cardiff)
The Mother
Director: Niki Caro
Stars: Jennifer Lopez, Joseph Fiennes, Gael Garcia Bernal, Omari Hardwick and Lucy Paez
Rating: 3/5
The specs
A4 35 TFSI
Engine: 2.0-litre, four-cylinder
Transmission: seven-speed S-tronic automatic
Power: 150bhp
Torque: 270Nm
Price: Dh150,000 (estimate)
On sale: First Q 2020
A4 S4 TDI
Engine: 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel
Transmission: eight-speed PDK automatic
Power: 350bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: Dh165,000 (estimate)
On sale: First Q 2020
RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 2,200m
Winner: Arjan, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer).
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: Jap Nazaa, Royston Ffrench, Irfan Ellahi.
6pm: Al Ruwais Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 1,200m
Winner: RB Lam Tara, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinal.
6.30pm: Shadwell Gold Cup Prestige Dh125,000 1,600m
Winner: AF Sanad, Bernardo Pinheiro, Khalifa Al Neyadi.
7pm: Shadwell Farm Stallions Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Patrick Cosgrave, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
7.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner: Dubai Canal, Harry Bentley, Satish Seemar.
SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
THE DETAILS
Kaala
Dir: Pa. Ranjith
Starring: Rajinikanth, Huma Qureshi, Easwari Rao, Nana Patekar
Rating: 1.5/5
Director: Romany Saad
Starring: Mirfat Amin, Boumi Fouad and Tariq Al Ibyari
Gran Gala del Calcio 2019 winners
Best Player: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)
Best Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini (Atalanta)
Best Referee: Gianluca Rocchi
Best Goal: Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria vs Napoli)
Best Team: Atalanta
Best XI: Samir Handanovic (Inter); Aleksandar Kolarov (Roma), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli), Joao Cancelo (Juventus*); Miralem Pjanic (Juventus), Josip Ilicic (Atalanta), Nicolo Barella (Cagliari*); Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria), Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), Duvan Zapata (Atalanta)
Serie B Best Young Player: Sandro Tonali (Brescia)
Best Women’s Goal: Thaisa (Milan vs Juventus)
Best Women’s Player: Manuela Giugliano (Milan)
Best Women’s XI: Laura Giuliani (Milan); Alia Guagni (Fiorentina), Sara Gama (Juventus), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus), Elisa Bartoli (Roma); Aurora Galli (Juventus), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Valentina Cernoia (Juventus); Valentina Giacinti (Milan), Ilaria Mauro (Fiorentina), Barbara Bonansea (Juventus)
Crazy Rich Asians
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Michelle Yeon, Gemma Chan
Four stars
The specs
Engine: 2.3-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 299hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 420Nm at 2,750rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 12.4L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh157,395 (XLS); Dh199,395 (Limited)
THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick
Hometown: Cologne, Germany
Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)
Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes
Favourite hobby: Football
Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk
25 Days to Aden
Author: Michael Knights
Pages: 256
Available: January 26
AGUERO'S PREMIER LEAGUE RECORD
Apps: 186
Goals: 127
Assists: 31
Wins: 117
Losses: 33