What do Middle Eastern dates and a plot of land in Australia have in common? They're both in the “Everyone Wins” bag that will be handed out to a select group of celebrities at this year’s Academy Awards.
Valued at $126,000 (Dh460,000), the gift bags will be given to 26 nominees in the acting and directing categories. Included this year is a box of dates from luxury Saudi brand Bateel, which is highlighted in the official video for the goody bags.
Here are 12 of the items in this year’s bag.
A box of dates from Bateel
Celebrities will be introduced to an array of Middle Eastern dates from Bateel, with a double layer assortment from the brand included in the gift bags.
“Bateel has taken an ancient fruit, the date, and transformed it into a modern delicacy,” says Lash Fary, founder of Distinctive Assets, the company that put the bags together. “These are nutritious, they’re delicious and the packaging is so exquisite.”
A three-night stay in Italy
Celebrities can take seven of their friends to the Italian island of Ischia for a stay worth $40,000, at the picturesque Faro Punta Imperatore Lighthouse.
A plot of land in Australia
Also to be had is one square metre of land in Queensland from the Pieces of Australia “Aussie Mate Conservation Pack”. The company plants two trees for each purchase of the “symbolic” ownership.
Havaianas flip-flops and luggage
Nominees will receive a pair of the popular Brazilian footwear as well as luggage from the brand in two tones.
Beli multivitamins
Any nominee thinking of starting a family will be pleased to receive these prenatal vitamins for women and men.
Opopop popcorn
Popcorn and films are the perfect pairing, and the stars will be able to feast on various flavours from this gourmet brand, from vanilla cake pop to Maui heat.
A three-night stay in Canada
Celebrities can jet off on a holiday worth $40,000, at The Lifestyle in Ottawa, a “10-acre ultra-modern estate”, where they’ll also have use of a 965 Shelby AC Cobra 427 Roadster and a 2023 McLaren Artura.
Miage skincare
Among the array of skincare items in the bag is a five-piece collection from Miage valued at $515, which uses human stem cell science to moisturise skin.
ReFa Fine Bubble S showerhead
This $300 showerhead will bring the Japanese spa art of “fine bubble” technology into the stars' homes. The attachment creates micro bubbles to cleanse the skin more thoroughly.
Tranquini Wellness Drink
Nominees will receive a pack of this adaptogen-infused drink, which is carbohydrate and sugar-free.
Artisanal Japanese milk bread
Gift bag recipients will find a loaf of Japanese milk bread from Ginza Nishikawa among the swag. The inclusion of the $18 loaf is to highlight female and minority-owned businesses.
$25,000 worth of home renovations
Celebrities will be given $25,000 worth of project management or construction time from Los Angeles company Maison Construction for house remodelling.
Going grey? A stylist's advice
If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”
Squid Game season two
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
Rating: 4.5/5
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
The%20specs
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Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
The%20specs
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Bert van Marwijk factfile
Born: May 19 1952
Place of birth: Deventer, Netherlands
Playing position: Midfielder
Teams managed:
1998-2000 Fortuna Sittard
2000-2004 Feyenoord
2004-2006 Borussia Dortmund
2007-2008 Feyenoord
2008-2012 Netherlands
2013-2014 Hamburg
2015-2017 Saudi Arabia
2018 Australia
Major honours (manager):
2001/02 Uefa Cup, Feyenoord
2007/08 KNVB Cup, Feyenoord
World Cup runner-up, Netherlands
Results
%3Cp%3EStage%204%3A%0D%3Cbr%3E1.%20Juan%20Sebastian%20Molano%20(COL)%20Team%20UAE%20Emirates%20%E2%80%93%203hrs%2050min%2001sec%0D%3Cbr%3E2.%20Olav%20Kooij%20(NED)%20Jumbo-Visma%20%E2%80%93%20ST%0D%3Cbr%3E3.%20Sam%20Welsford%20(AUS)%20Team%20DSM)%20%E2%80%93%20ST%0D%3Cbr%3EGeneral%20Classification%3A%0D%3Cbr%3E1.%20Remco%20Evenepoel%20(BEL)%20Soudal%20Quick-Step%0D%3Cbr%3E2.%20Lucas%20Plapp%20(AUS)%20Ineos%20Grenaders%20%E2%80%93%207%E2%80%B3%0D%3Cbr%3E3.%20Pello%20Bilbao%20(ESP)%20Bahrain%20Victorious%20%E2%80%93%2011%E2%80%B3%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
'The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey'
Rating: 3/5
Directors: Ramin Bahrani, Debbie Allen, Hanelle Culpepper, Guillermo Navarro
Writers: Walter Mosley
Stars: Samuel L Jackson, Dominique Fishback, Walton Goggins
Need to know
Unlike other mobile wallets and payment apps, a unique feature of eWallet is that there is no need to have a bank account, credit or debit card to do digital payments.
Customers only need a valid Emirates ID and a working UAE mobile number to register for eWallet account.
The biog
Age: 59
From: Giza Governorate, Egypt
Family: A daughter, two sons and wife
Favourite tree: Ghaf
Runner up favourite tree: Frankincense
Favourite place on Sir Bani Yas Island: “I love all of Sir Bani Yas. Every spot of Sir Bani Yas, I love it.”