Set the table for some Solo sessions
Love good Italian food? Want to wow your friends at the next dinner party? You're in luck – Raffles Dubai has launched its new series of Italian Cooking Masterclasses. The two-and-a-half-hour sessions are being held every Saturday at Solo Italian Restaurant & Bar until March 3. Led by chef Doxis Bekris and his team, you'll learn how to cook classic dishes and master the making of pasta dough and fresh crusty bread. Afterwards, you get to sit down and enjoy the food you've prepared. The classes, which run from 11.30am to 2pm on Saturdays, cost Dh320. Go to www.solodubai.ae
Lose the negative energy
By the time Friday rolls around, many of us are seeking rest and relaxation, among other things of course. If you have trouble switching off and fancy a spa session, Espa at The Ritz Carlton Grand Canal has added a 90-minute Mindful Facial to its menu. The therapy is all about soothing and nourishing the skin as well as ridding yourself of negative energy. Calming the mind is something we could all do with focussing on. The Mindful Facial treatment (Dh740) is personal and ends with a soothing scalp massage. Go to www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/AbuDhabi/Spa
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Read more:
Some of Dubai's best shop names - in pictures
Where to watch DSF 2018 fireworks
Weekend in 60 Seconds: Thursday, January 18
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Gymnation vibes
If you're determined to start the weekend on an active note, Gymnation is worth considering. Their Bolly-Nation class is certainly unique and sounds like a good challenge, or perhaps you can take the boxing class, if that interests you. One of Dubai's "most affordable and flexible" gyms, Gymnation offers memberships from Dh99 per month (excluding VAT). It also offers cancellation options without the penalties. There are over 200 classes and 5,000 pieces of equipment to choose from. Go to www.gymnation.ae
Xclusive sharing
Love the idea of spending time on a luxury yacht, whether for business or pleasure, but the price tag puts the idea out of reach? Well, Xclusive Yachts in Dubai may have the answer, thanks to their new yacht sharing concept. Meet like-minded people, socialise and expand your network, while halving the cost. Each charter of the company's 64-foot yacht includes a full crew and a choice of breakfast or a barbecue. The service runs three times daily on select days. Go to www.xclusiveyachtshare.com
Reem ready
If you're in the capital, Reem Weekends is on again and that means shopping, music, activities and even family yoga workshops. It's on at Shams Abu Dhabi from 4pm today. Go to www.reemweekend.com
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
match details
Wales v Hungary
Cardiff City Stadium, kick-off 11.45pm
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylturbo
Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic
Power: 242bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Price: Dh136,814
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
THE DETAILS
Director: Milan Jhaveri
Producer: Emmay Entertainment and T-Series
Cast: John Abraham, Manoj Bajpayee
Rating: 2/5
Read more from Aya Iskandarani
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How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
Cultural fiesta
What: The Al Burda Festival
When: November 14 (from 10am)
Where: Warehouse421, Abu Dhabi
The Al Burda Festival is a celebration of Islamic art and culture, featuring talks, performances and exhibitions. Organised by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, this one-day event opens with a session on the future of Islamic art. With this in mind, it is followed by a number of workshops and “masterclass” sessions in everything from calligraphy and typography to geometry and the origins of Islamic design. There will also be discussions on subjects including ‘Who is the Audience for Islamic Art?’ and ‘New Markets for Islamic Design.’ A live performance from Kuwaiti guitarist Yousif Yaseen should be one of the highlights of the day.
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Women%E2%80%99s%20T20%20World%20Cup%20Qualifier
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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
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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 CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
UAE rugby in numbers
5 - Year sponsorship deal between Hesco and Jebel Ali Dragons
700 - Dubai Hurricanes had more than 700 playing members last season between their mini and youth, men's and women's teams
Dh600,000 - Dubai Exiles' budget for pitch and court hire next season, for their rugby, netball and cricket teams
Dh1.8m - Dubai Hurricanes' overall budget for next season
Dh2.8m - Dubai Exiles’ overall budget for next season
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