If there is anything that remote working and Zoom meetings have taught us, it's that we're nosy.
Sure, when you're on a video conference call you're listening to what your colleagues have to say, but a portion of your brain power is focusing on the food one workmate has stacked on the kitchen counters behind him, or the performatively lit candles and artwork serving as a backdrop of another. Don't even get me started on the bookshelf backdrops: we know it's not an accident that we can see Ulysses behind you.
It seems to be the same for celebrities. Last night, a collection of the biggest stars on the planet got together for the One World Together at Home concert. The music took most of my attention, but it was hard not to have a good look at the art, decor and interior accessories that Lady Gaga, Paul McCartney and Taylor Swift all had on show...
1. Lady Gaga has Versace weights
Gaga performed Smile from her home studio, which is a light, bright and homely room with plenty of colour. Despite being fairly minimalist, there are a few injections of personality around the room, from vases and a colourful geometric floor, to a stack of books and a musical-note-emblazoned briefcase.
One thing that caught my eye, in particular, was the pair of golden dumbbells by Versace, which retail at $600 (Dh2,200).
2. Elton John performed from a basketball court
For his performance of I'm Still Standing, we join Elton John outside in his garden, with a lush green hedge for a background. However, somewhat unexpectedly, as the camera pans around, it seems he's performing on a basketball court, or at least the portion of the garden assigned to the sport, as balls and a hoop can be seen. With two young sons – Zachary, 9, and Elijah, 7 – and plenty of space, it's no surprise there are games being played in the family garden.
3. Paul McCartney’s The Beatles memorabilia
If there is anyone on Earth who is going to have an enviable collection of The Beatles memorabilia, it's Paul McCartney (well, and Ringo Starr). In the background for the singer's rendition of Lady Madonna is either a Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band record sleeve or a poster. Rather than the classic colourful image of the familiar crowd we're all used to, this one depicts the drum skin from the original cover.
4. Kacey Musgrave’s arts and crafts
To perform Rainbow, country singer Kacey Musgrave is sat in a bay window, with a backdrop of trees. Also in the background is a pot of paint brushes, so perhaps she's been keeping busy in self-isolation by painting, like many around the world.
5. Both Sam Smith and John Legend have their awards on show
Between them, Sam Smith and John Legend have 15 Grammys and two Oscars, and for their distanced duet of Stand By Me the trophies were on show. Legend's were right behind him, and Smith's reflected in the mirror from across the room.
6. The Rolling Stones band members' homes perfectly reflect their personalities
Each of the Stones took us into their homes for the performance of You Can't Always Get What You Want, and getting a glimpse of Mick Jagger's curtains, Keith Richard's black-and-white photos and Ronnie Wood's artfully busy balcony room was a treat. The real joy, however, is drummer Charlie Watt's library of records, which served as a backdrop for his performances.
7. Taylor Swift’s wallpaper is a conversation starter
Most of the Twitter chat following the concert was focused on the music, naturally, but there was one decor detail that really got people talking: Taylor Swift's wallpaper. The camera remained focused on the pink and green painted lotus flowers – symbols of purity, enlightenment, self-regeneration and rebirth, all of which Swift says she has gone through with her new work, Lover. The wallpaper has been dubbed "very Taylor Swift" by fans on Twitter, with may others asking where they can get it from themselves.
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AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
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.
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Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
Top investing tips for UAE residents in 2021
Build an emergency fund: Make sure you have enough cash to cover six months of expenses as a buffer against unexpected problems before you begin investing, advises Steve Cronin, the founder of DeadSimpleSaving.com.
Think long-term: When you invest, you need to have a long-term mindset, so don’t worry about momentary ups and downs in the stock market.
Invest worldwide: Diversify your investments globally, ideally by way of a global stock index fund.
Is your money tied up: Avoid anything where you cannot get your money back in full within a month at any time without any penalty.
Skip past the promises: “If an investment product is offering more than 10 per cent return per year, it is either extremely risky or a scam,” Mr Cronin says.
Choose plans with low fees: Make sure that any funds you buy do not charge more than 1 per cent in fees, Mr Cronin says. “If you invest by yourself, you can easily stay below this figure.” Managed funds and commissionable investments often come with higher fees.
Be sceptical about recommendations: If someone suggests an investment to you, ask if they stand to gain, advises Mr Cronin. “If they are receiving commission, they are unlikely to recommend an investment that’s best for you.”
Get financially independent: Mr Cronin advises UAE residents to pursue financial independence. Start with a Google search and improve your knowledge via expat investing websites or Facebook groups such as SimplyFI.
The National selections
Al Ain
5pm: Bolereau
5.30pm: Rich And Famous
6pm: Duc De Faust
6.30pm: Al Thoura
7pm: AF Arrab
7.30pm: Al Jazi
8pm: Futoon
Jebel Ali
1.45pm: AF Kal Noor
2.15pm: Galaxy Road
2.45pm: Dark Thunder
3.15pm: Inverleigh
3.45pm: Bawaasil
4.15pm: Initial
4.45pm: Tafaakhor
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Abramovich London
A Kensington Palace Gardens house with 15 bedrooms is valued at more than £150 million.
A three-storey penthouse at Chelsea Waterfront bought for £22 million.
Steel company Evraz drops more than 10 per cent in trading after UK officials said it was potentially supplying the Russian military.
Sale of Chelsea Football Club is now impossible.
The specs: 2019 Mercedes-Benz C200 Coupe
Price, base: Dh201,153
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 204hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 300Nm @ 1,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.7L / 100km
MEYDAN CARD
6.30pm Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm Conditions Dh240,000 (D) 1,600m
7.40pm Handicap Dh190,000 (D) 2,000m
8.15pm Handicap Dh170,000 (D) 2,200m
8.50pm The Entisar Listed Dh265,000 (D) 2,000m
9.25pm The Garhoud Sprint Listed Dh265,000 (D) 1,200m
10pm Handicap Dh185,000 (D) 1,400m
The National selections
6.30pm Majestic Thunder
7.05pm Commanding
7.40pm Mark Of Approval
8.15pm Mulfit
8.50pm Gronkowski
9.25pm Walking Thunder
10pm Midnight Sands
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams