In the run-up to December 2, which this year marks the UAE’s 50th National Day, Yas Island is aiming to cement its position as the country’s foremost “leisure and entertainment destination”. It does, after all, house three theme parks, eight hotels (not counting the coming world-first Warner Bros Hotel), 160-plus restaurants, the F1 Grand Prix racing circuit, a golf course and the capital’s largest mall, all within a 25-square-kilometre radius.
From now until December 2, visitors, staycationers, daycationers and foodies alike can take advantage of the giveaways that are part of the island’s Yas for 50 promotion. Some of these are raffles posted on social media, others take the form of discounts and freebies.
We are told there are more than 400 prizes and offers up for grabs, with the Yas for 50 calendar being updated at yasisland.ae every day.
So, what’s in it for you?
Those signing up for the daily raffles on Yas Island’s website and social media pages stand to win staycations, annual theme park passes, discounted access to Louvre Abu Dhabi and Qasr Al Watan, karting sessions and other high-adrenalin drive experiences around Yas Marina Circuit and even tickets to the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2021. One couple will get a chance for a meet-and-greet with Bollywood singer Arijit Singh after his concert at Etihad Arena on Friday, November 19, while another can win a two-day holiday package at Yas Island Rotana.
Elsewhere, the restaurants at Yas Plaza Hotels will celebrate the UAE’s diversity by whipping up a new signature dish every day for 50 days. Diners can also partake in the Dh50 set menu at Galito’s; get a free cup of coffee every day at Crowne Plaza Yas Island; and sample the “Golden Jubilee Drink” by the mixologists at Filini Garden (a cool brunch spot for when the weather cools down some).
Staycationers can enjoy 50 per cent off the second night when booking a room at W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island, which is also hosting the making of the 50-hour mural by artist Lucas Beaufort, while the Hilton property on the island has curated a Golden afternoon tea in keeping with the 50th anniversary theme. Other events include the Harlem Globetrotters Show at Etihad Arena, with tickets going for Dh50, and winter wonderland-style events at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi.
The celebrations will culminate with a dazzling fireworks show at Yas Bay Waterfront on National Day.
MATCH INFO
Serie A
Juventus v Fiorentina, Saturday, 8pm (UAE)
Match is on BeIN Sports
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
Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
The biog
Favourite hobby: taking his rescue dog, Sally, for long walks.
Favourite book: anything by Stephen King, although he said the films rarely match the quality of the books
Favourite film: The Shawshank Redemption stands out as his favourite movie, a classic King novella
Favourite music: “I have a wide and varied music taste, so it would be unfair to pick a single song from blues to rock as a favourite"
Polarised public
31% in UK say BBC is biased to left-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is biased to right-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is not biased at all
Source: YouGov
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn (4.30pm)
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)
Sunday, May 17
Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)
Monday, May 18
Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)
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EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
The Facility’s Versatility
Between the start of the 2020 IPL on September 20, and the end of the Pakistan Super League this coming Thursday, the Zayed Cricket Stadium has had an unprecedented amount of traffic.
Never before has a ground in this country – or perhaps anywhere in the world – had such a volume of major-match cricket.
And yet scoring has remained high, and Abu Dhabi has seen some classic encounters in every format of the game.
October 18, IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders tied with Sunrisers Hyderabad
The two playoff-chasing sides put on 163 apiece, before Kolkata went on to win the Super Over
January 8, ODI, UAE beat Ireland by six wickets
A century by CP Rizwan underpinned one of UAE’s greatest ever wins, as they chased 270 to win with an over to spare
February 6, T10, Northern Warriors beat Delhi Bulls by eight wickets
The final of the T10 was chiefly memorable for a ferocious over of fast bowling from Fidel Edwards to Nicholas Pooran
March 14, Test, Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by six wickets
Eleven wickets for Rashid Khan, 1,305 runs scored in five days, and a last session finish
June 17, PSL, Islamabad United beat Peshawar Zalmi by 15 runs
Usman Khawaja scored a hundred as Islamabad posted the highest score ever by a Pakistan team in T20 cricket
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
