French connection
Fire & Ice, the upmarket grill restaurant at Raffles Dubai, is offering a special menu throughout January featuring French Charolais beef. The meat, which is produced by Jean Roze, a family-run business, will feature in a number of French classics including steak tartare, steak frites and tournedos rossini (pan-fried tenderloin with foie gras and truffle). For reservations, call 04 324 8888 or email dining.dubai@raffles.com.
La Cure in Abu Dhabi
The upscale chocolate and confectionery company La Cure Gourmande has opened a shop in Abu Dhabi’s Al Wahda Mall, following the success of its store in The Dubai Mall. While the company has a distinctly French feel, it has created a range of region-specific gift boxes and sweets with packaging that features landmarks such as the Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab and Emirates Palace.
Las Brisas now open to all
Up until recently, Las Brisas restaurant at Emirates Palace has only been open to in-house guests and beach club members. Now, however, members of the public can drink in the views from the east wing relaxation pool every night from 4pm to 9pm. The menu is made up of light bites and nibbles and it sounds like a nice spot for watching the sunset. For reservations, call 02 690 7999 or email restaurants@emiratespalace.ae.
Spanish music and paella
It’s Spanish Paella Week at the Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel and Resort starting on Saturday, and Bravo restaurant will be celebrating this traditional Spanish dish. Live guitar strumming by Richark Gimenez will accompany your paella of choice: choose from chorizo and paprika, vegetables and salmon or chicken. Call 02 677 3333 for reservations.
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The specs: 2017 Lotus Evora Sport 410
Price, base / as tested Dh395,000 / Dh420,000
Engine 3.5L V6
Transmission Six-speed manual
Power 410hp @ 7,000rpm
Torque 420Nm @ 3,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined 9.7L / 100km
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
What's in the deal?
Agreement aims to boost trade by £25.5bn a year in the long run, compared with a total of £42.6bn in 2024
India will slash levies on medical devices, machinery, cosmetics, soft drinks and lamb.
India will also cut automotive tariffs to 10% under a quota from over 100% currently.
Indian employees in the UK will receive three years exemption from social security payments
India expects 99% of exports to benefit from zero duty, raising opportunities for textiles, marine products, footwear and jewellery
Brave CF 27 fight card
Welterweight:
Abdoul Abdouraguimov (champion, FRA) v Jarrah Al Selawe (JOR)
Lightweight:
Anas Siraj Mounir (TUN) v Alex Martinez (CAN)
Welterweight:
Mzwandile Hlongwa (RSA) v Khamzat Chimaev (SWE)
Middleweight:
Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Rustam Chsiev (RUS)
Mohammad Fakhreddine (LEB) v Christofer Silva (BRA)
Super lightweight:
Alex Nacfur (BRA) v Dwight Brooks (USA)
Bantamweight:
Jalal Al Daaja (JOR) v Tariq Ismail (CAN)
Chris Corton (PHI) v Zia Mashwani (PAK)
Featherweight:
Sulaiman (KUW) v Abdullatip (RUS)
Super lightweight:
Flavio Serafin (BRA) v Mohammad Al Katib (JOR)