Excitement is building as the World Cup in Qatar gets ever closer to the final whistle. If you’re looking to watch Argentina take on France on Sunday in Abu Dhabi, there's plenty of venues screening will screen the game live, alongside dishing out themed menus, entertainment, contests and activities for children.
Here’s where you can catch the action on December 18.
Emirates Palace fan zone
The grand hotel has a dedicated World Cup fan zone with open-air viewing spots at Oriental Cafe. The match is being screened live on a supersized LED screen, and there's four food chalets and two bars keeping guests satiated. Large groups have the option to customise sharing menus, while those with children can scope out the play zones and face-painting corners.
F&B is served at the fan zone from one hour before kick-off.
1pm-1am; from Dh180; Emirates Palace, West Corniche Road; 02 690 8888
Shangri-La football village
Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri's beachfront football fan zone will also show the World Cup final. The open-air venue promises a stadium-like setting with giant screens, pub grub, beachside barbecues and Sunday brunch, as well as match-break quizzes, themed competitions, DJs and stand-up comedy acts. A day pass can be redeemed against two drinks and offers complimentary beach access. There's also happy hour from 1pm to 5pm, with 50 per cent off all beverages.
Match days 1pm-1am; day pass for Dh100, brunch for Dh268; Khor Al Maqta, Qaryat Al Beri; 02 509 8555; restaurantreservations.slad@shangri-la.com
Cooper’s
The quintessential sports bar and pub, Cooper’s at Park Rotana has nearly a dozen screens peppered across its vibrant venue. Catch all the live football action, and in between head to the selfie booth, or participate in games and contests, including a spin-the-wheel challenge and raffle draws.
Cooper’s offers a moreish menu, with options ranging from sausages by the metre and a decadent truffle macaroni cheese to vegan falafel sliders and miso salmon.
Saturday to Wednesday noon-2am, Thursday and Friday noon-3am; a la carte menu; Khalifa Park; 02 657 3325
Glo
The lounge at Rosewood Abu Dhabi has set up a giant inflatable screen next to the swimming pool on its palm-fringed open-air terrace where you can see the match. Glo is offering a light-bites menu with battered fish and chips, chilli nachos, pulled BBQ beef sliders, and sweet and spicy chicken wings. There is a minimum spend of Dh200.
Noon-2am; from Dh200; 02 813 5550
Loca
The vibrant Mexican restaurant and bar promises fiesta vibes for the final with two “mega-large” screens. Loca has put together a football-themed menu, and is still serving its signature guacamole and tacos, which can be enjoyed with a minimum spend of Dh150.
Noon-2am; from Dh150; The Galleria Al Maryah Island; 02 582 3639
Stock Burger Co
The burger joint at Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi has put together some delicious deals for the World Cup, as well as a special menu. Sample the Mexican burger and receive eight soft drinks or juices; or order the Team World Cup sharing platter (with sweet potato fries, roasted parsnips, falafel, crab cakes and a trio of dips) and receive six bottles of hops, all for Dh150. Other dishes include the Argentinian Jawbreaker burger and Brazilian stack nachos.
The match can be viewed on eight screens inside or on one giant outdoor projector. Children under 12 eat free and can enjoy activity booklets, while adults can participate in games and contests to win free drinks, dishes and stays at the hotel.
Daily noon-midnight; a la carte menu; Embassies District; 02 657 4864
Vox Cinemas
Vox Cinemas across Abu Dhabi is another places to see the final. Offering a cinematic viewing experience with a state-of-the-art sound system, the cinema will show all the action until the final whistle blows.
Enjoy popcorn as well as a menu of tasty treats, including gourmet burgers, Parmesan truffle fries, hot dogs and Indian street-food options such as onion bhaji, dal vada and samosa.
From Dh59; 600 599 905; uae.voxcinemas.com
Zaatar w Zeit
Late-night revellers can head to Zaatar w Zeit to watch the World Cup live at this popular Lebanese joint.
The chain has erected a massive LED screen at its Abu Dhabi Salam branch (as well as its Barsha Heights, Motor City and Sheikh Zayed Road outposts in Dubai) for football season. Enjoy your fill of halloumi sticks, mighty kafta and the popular Famous Chicken wrap as you catch all the action. A minimum entry of Dh89 is not redeemable on food and beverage.
From Dh89; open 24/7; 600 522 231
Zsa Zsa at Four Seasons
The lounge at Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi will show the game live on multiple large screens and has various packages on offer such as happy hour and 30 per cent discount on select cocktails.
Those staying over at the hotel can watch the game from the comfort of their room, with room rates discounted by 20 per cent for the World Cup season.
4pm-1am; a la carte menu; Al Maryah Island; 02 333 2444; www.fourseasons.com
Yas Island
Yas Island's largest outdoor screen at Abu Dhabi fan zone at Yas Links has sold out for the World Cup final. The sprawling arena has made a name for itself in the capital with concerts, an e-gaming zone and food trucks, but it's too late to head there for Sunday's match.
However, a number of other locations across Yas Island will screen the match including Bushra by Buddha-Bar, Siddharta by Buddha-Bar, Cafe del Mar, La Carnita and The Lighthouse, all at Yas Bay Waterfront; Amici Terrace at W Abu Dhabi — Yas Island; The Overlook at The WB Abu Dhabi; and Boroughs, Stars n Bars and Iris, all on Yas Marina.
A massive screen and outdoor seating are also open to the public at Pier71, the 3km boardwalk at Yas Bay.
Various times and prices; www.yasisland.com
Scroll through the gallery below to check out dedicated football fan zones in Dubai
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
Read more about the coronavirus
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
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.
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
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
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'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
The UAE's journey to space
The more serious side of specialty coffee
While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.
The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.
Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”
One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.
Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms.
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Emiratisation at work
Emiratisation was introduced in the UAE more than 10 years ago
It aims to boost the number of citizens in the workforce particularly in the private sector.
Growing the number of Emiratis in the workplace will help the UAE reduce dependence on overseas workers
The Cabinet in December last year, approved a national fund for Emirati jobseekers and guaranteed citizens working in the private sector a comparable pension
President Sheikh Khalifa has described Emiratisation as “a true measure for success”.
During the UAE’s 48th National Day, Sheikh Khalifa named education, entrepreneurship, Emiratisation and space travel among cornerstones of national development
More than 80 per cent of Emiratis work in the federal or local government as per 2017 statistics
The Emiratisation programme includes the creation of 20,000 new jobs for UAE citizens
UAE citizens will be given priority in managerial positions in the government sphere
The purpose is to raise the contribution of UAE nationals in the job market and create a diverse workforce of citizens
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In the Restaurant: Society in Four Courses
Christoph Ribbat
Translated by Jamie Searle Romanelli
Pushkin Press
Why it pays to compare
A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.
Route 1: bank transfer
The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.
Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount
Total received: €4,670.30
Route 2: online platform
The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.
Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction
Total received: €4,756
The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.
Roll of honour 2019-2020
Dubai Rugby Sevens
Winners: Dubai Hurricanes
Runners up: Bahrain
West Asia Premiership
Winners: Bahrain
Runners up: UAE Premiership
UAE Premiership
Winners: Dubai Exiles
Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes
UAE Division One
Winners: Abu Dhabi Saracens
Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes II
UAE Division Two
Winners: Barrelhouse
Runners up: RAK Rugby
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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5
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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RESULTS
5pm: Rated Conditions (PA) Dh85,000 (Turf) 1,600m
Winner: AF Mouthirah, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: AF Alajaj, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Hawafez, Connor Beasley, Abubakar Daud
6.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m
Winner: Tair, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m
Winner: Wakeel W’Rsan, Richard Mullen, Jaci Wickham
7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 2,400m
Winner: Son Of Normandy, Fernando Jara, Ahmad bin Harmash
