It’s that time of year again when gifts for friends and family are top of mind for the upcoming Eid Al Adha celebrations. Flick through our top picks, from the latest spa deals and designer steals to family meals.
Amber for Eid
An exotically spiced scent has been released across the UAE by Chopard in time for Eid Al Adha. Amber Malaki, which is characterised by agarwood, rose and its core ingredient amber – is a warm, heady perfume which is highly evocative of the Middle East. While the scent is bold enough to be enjoyed by men given its smoky papyrus wood accords, it is also light enough to appeal to women thanks to hints of orange blossom and soft vanilla. In all, it's a complex, well-rounded scent with sophisticated floral notes and long-lasting citrus elements. As for the packaging, the weighty glass bottle - faceted to resemble a gemstone and decorated with gold mashrabiya motifs – is befitting of an Eid celebration. Amber Malaki costs Dh475 for an 80ml bottle. www.chopard.com
Green with envy
Emirati ladies and gents are known for their love of the many, varied shades of green. When it comes to accessories this Eid, Lanvin has just the thing. The maison describes its winter 2016 pre-collection as capturing the spirit of "freedom, individuality and assertiveness", and key pieces for ladies include a pistachio leather handbag with extended black leather strap and an emerald floral necklace. For men looking to make a statement, there are hand-sprayed leather trainers in vibrant pea green with a chunky vulcanized sole. Prices upon application, to find your nearest boutique click here.
Spa and supper deal
For the month of September, ladies and gents can enjoy a full body aromatherapy massage and a Radiance Natura Bisse Facial for Dh899 at The Address spa in Dubai Mall. The deal is a cost saving of Dh231 from normal prices, each treatment lasts 60 minutes and customers will receive a complimentary Natura Bisse Travel Kit to take home. For those feeling peckish before their pampering session, the hotel's Middle Eastern restaurant Na3Na3 will be serving an Eid breakfast of local delicacies and international dishes from 6:30am until 11:30am for Dh145 per person, from September 11 to 13. A special Eid dinner of Arabic-inspired dishes is also available for the same three days at the same venue, from 7-11pm. Prices start from Dh190 per person, including soft drinks. For reservations call 044388888 or visit www.theaddress.com
Statement stones
Perfectly offsetting kaftans and jalabiyas this Eid is the new hand-crafted collection from Dubai-based jeweller Juvelista. Designers Aarthi Raveendran and Payal Bachani have drawn inspiration from traditional Indian jewellery techniques this season in a range comprising gold-plated brass pieces embellished with coral, agates and crystals. The collection also has pendants and cuffs incorporating freshwater pearls and organic materials like shell, lava and carved wood. Hues of blue dominate the Eid range in shades ranging from rich sapphire to vibrant turquoise. Prices for chandelier earrings start from Dh150 while a grey quartz and peach pearl collier with kundan stones starts from around Dh600. For more information call 971552274474 or visit Juvelista's Facebook page.
Flower power
Forever Rose has come up with a novel gift for family and friends this Eid Al Adha. The company - which specialises in large Ecuadorian roses that last for years without water or sunlight thanks to a special preserving technique – has brought out a new range this September. There's the Forever Rose Ruby Prism containing two flowers and a gift of an amount of money from the sender, starting from Dh800. Alternatively, 18 roses can be sent in a glass treasure chest along with a gift of money for the cost of Dh1,500 upwards, or there's an upright Bella Mini rose encased in glass which can be ordered from Dh750. Deliveries – which are free within the UAE - require 24 hours notice. To see the full range visit www.foreverrose.ae
Winter of content
Dubai-based Saudi designer Effa Al Dabbagh has rolled-out a sleek and stylish collection of abayas and prêt-a-porter eveningwear for Eid al Adha. The fall/winter 2016/17 range – inspired by a Russian winter palace – is awash with rich jewel tones of emerald, ruby and golden topaz, offsetting ivory and classic black. Fabrics used include luxurious shantung's and jacquards with intricately hand-beaded embellishments, pearl detailing and lace. Abayas are sleek in silhouette, while full skirts are retro-inspired and exhibit peek-a-boo pleating. Check out the full range online or visit Effa's boutique in Dubai's Palm Strip Mall. Prices upon application, call 043463998 for more information.
Watch this space
To celebrate Eid Al Adha, Roger Dubuis presents his and hers timepieces. There's the Velvet by Massaro for ladies and the Excalibur Automatic Skeleton for men. The ladies timepiece – of which only 88 pieces have been created – is a collaboration Roger Dubuis and the French shoe maison Massaro. It was inspired by Greta Garbo and has been finished in black and rose gold with dark plumage detailing. Meanwhile, the imposing and Excalibur Automatic Skeleton watch is a titanium blend of a sharp lines, features a hand-finished bezel frame. Prices upon application. To find your nearest boutique in Abu Dhabi or Dubai go to www.rogerdubuis.com
Cooking up a storm
You can rely on Kate Spade to inject some colour and quirkiness into any occasion. This Eid, the brand's new collection includes a range of gift items for the home from calendars and pencil pouches to a box of novelty recipe cards. Kitchenware takes the form of pastel pink water bottles and juice tumblers personalised with letters of the alphabet. While crockery and tea trays pop with crimson flowers and verdant leaves. Prices start from around Dh130. To see the full collection of homeware, apparel and accessories go to www.katespade.com
All eyes on you
Walk on the wild side this September with a pair Cartier's new Panthère sunglasses. The imposing pilot shaped lenses are bejewelled with the maison's emblematic animal, the panther, represented by a three-dimensional gold head with black lacquer eyes. Lenses are either mirror-effect – coated in a gold tone - or graduated grey with a silver finish. The reinvented classic shape and style is now available across the UAE at Cartier boutiques. Price upon application. To find your nearest stockist go to www.cartier.com
Sun, sea and family
Al Raha Beach Resort in Abu Dhabi is offering overnight packages from Dh813 this Eid. The deal, excluding taxes and fees, includes a fruit platter in the room and an international buffet breakfast for two adults and two children (under six years of age). Also on offer throughout the stay are face painting activities and games for children as well as henna painting for ladies. Guests will be granted additional access to the hotel's hydro massage pool, fitness centre, beach facilities during their vacation. A discount of up to 20 per cent discount is available at select dining venues within the premises over Eid, in conjunction with 20 per cent discounts on massage and beauty treatments when advance bookings are made. For full terms and conditions go to www.alrahabeach.danathotels.com and to book call 025080555.
Napoleon
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20Ridley%20Scott%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20Joaquin%20Phoenix%2C%20Vanessa%20Kirby%2C%20Tahar%20Rahim%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%202%2F5%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
The five pillars of Islam
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
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
The specs
Engine: 5.2-litre V10
Power: 640hp at 8,000rpm
Torque: 565Nm at 6,500rpm
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto
Price: From Dh1 million
On sale: Q3 or Q4 2022
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
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.
The%20US%20Congress%20explained
%3Cp%3E-%20Congress%20is%20one%20of%20three%20branches%20of%20the%20US%20government%2C%20and%20the%20one%20that%20creates%20the%20nation's%20federal%20laws%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20Congress%20is%20divided%20into%20two%20chambers%3A%20The%20House%20of%20Representatives%20and%20the%20Senate%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%C2%A0The%20House%20is%20made%20up%20of%20435%20members%20based%20on%20a%20state's%20population.%20House%20members%20are%20up%20for%20election%20every%20two%20years%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20A%20bill%20must%20be%20approved%20by%20both%20the%20House%20and%20Senate%20before%20it%20goes%20to%20the%20president's%20desk%20for%20signature%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20A%20political%20party%20needs%20218%20seats%20to%20be%20in%20control%20of%20the%20House%20of%20Representatives%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20The%20Senate%20is%20comprised%20of%20100%20members%2C%20with%20each%20state%20receiving%20two%20senators.%20Senate%20members%20serve%20six-year%20terms%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20A%20political%20party%20needs%2051%20seats%20to%20control%20the%20Senate.%20In%20the%20case%20of%20a%2050-50%20tie%2C%20the%20party%20of%20the%20president%20controls%20the%20Senate%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The Vile
Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah
Director: Majid Al Ansari
Rating: 4/5
Destroyer
Director: Karyn Kusama
Cast: Nicole Kidman, Toby Kebbell, Sebastian Stan
Rating: 3/5
UAE release: January 31
THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS
Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.
Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.
Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.
MATCH INFO
Day 2 at the Gabba
Australia 312-1
Warner 151 not out, Burns 97, Labuschagne 55 not out
Pakistan 240
Shafiq 76, Starc 4-52
How%20champions%20are%20made
%3Cp%3E%0D%3Cstrong%3EDiet%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%0D%3Cbr%3E7am%20-%20Protein%20shake%20with%20oats%20and%20fruits%0D%3Cbr%3E10am%20-%205-6%20egg%20whites%0D%3Cbr%3E1pm%20-%20White%20rice%20or%20chapati%20(Indian%20bread)%20with%20chicken%0D%3Cbr%3E4pm%20-%20Dry%20fruits%20%0D%3Cbr%3E7.30pm%20-%20Pre%20workout%20meal%20%E2%80%93%20grilled%20fish%20or%20chicken%20with%20veggies%20and%20fruits%0D%3Cbr%3E8.30pm%20to%20midnight%20workout%0D%3Cbr%3E12.30am%20%E2%80%93%20Protein%20shake%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETotal%20intake%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204000-4500%20calories%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESaidu%E2%80%99s%20weight%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20110%20kg%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStats%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Biceps%2019%20inches.%20Forearms%2018%20inches%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
If you go
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Nairobi, with fares starting from Dh1,695. The resort can be reached from Nairobi via a 35-minute flight from Wilson Airport or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, or by road, which takes at least three hours.
The rooms
Rooms at Fairmont Mount Kenya range from Dh1,870 per night for a deluxe room to Dh11,000 per night for the William Holden Cottage.
The Specs:
The Specs:
Engine: 2.9-litre, V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Power: 444bhp
Torque: 600Nm
Price: AED 356,580 incl VAT
On sale: now.
Tips to avoid getting scammed
1) Beware of cheques presented late on Thursday
2) Visit an RTA centre to change registration only after receiving payment
3) Be aware of people asking to test drive the car alone
4) Try not to close the sale at night
5) Don't be rushed into a sale
6) Call 901 if you see any suspicious behaviour
Other IPL batting records
Most sixes: 292 – Chris Gayle
Most fours: 491 – Gautam Gambhir
Highest individual score: 175 not out – Chris Gayle (for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Pune Warriors in 2013)
Highest strike-rate: 177.29 – Andre Russell
Highest strike-rate in an innings: 422.22 – Chris Morris (for Delhi Daredevils against Rising Pune Supergiant in 2017)
Highest average: 52.16 – Vijay Shankar
Most centuries: 6 – Chris Gayle
Most fifties: 36 – Gautam Gambhir
Fastest hundred (balls faced): 30 – Chris Gayle (for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Pune Warriors in 2013)
Fastest fifty (balls faced): 14 – Lokesh Rahul (for Kings XI Punjab against Delhi Daredevils in 2018)
Tips%20for%20travelling%20while%20needing%20dialysis
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EInform%20your%20doctor%20about%20your%20plans.%C2%A0%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EAsk%20about%20your%20treatment%20so%20you%20know%20how%20it%20works.%C2%A0%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EPay%20attention%20to%20your%20health%20if%20you%20travel%20to%20a%20hot%20destination.%C2%A0%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EPlan%20your%20trip%20well.%C2%A0%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
THE%20SWIMMERS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESally%20El-Hosaini%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENathalie%20Issa%2C%20Manal%20Issa%2C%20Ahmed%20Malek%20and%20Ali%20Suliman%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Donating your hair
• Your hair should be least 30 cms long, as some of the hair is lost during manufacturing of the wigs.
• Clean, dry hair in good condition (no split ends) from any gender, and of any natural colour, is required.
• Straight, wavy, curly, permed or chemically straightened is permitted.
• Dyed hair must be of a natural colour
The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Price: From Dh215,900
On sale: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
The specs: 2019 Haval H6
Price, base: Dh69,900
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 197hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 315Nm @ 2,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
The team
Videographer: Jear Velasquez
Photography: Romeo Perez
Fashion director: Sarah Maisey
Make-up: Gulum Erzincan at Art Factory
Models: Meti and Clinton at MMG
Video assistant: Zanong Maget
Social media: Fatima Al Mahmoud