Emirati conceptual designer Mattar Bin Lahej has made his mark across the UAE – from designing the Museum of the Future's eye-catching facade with thuluth script, to creating an artwork entitled Movement of Stillness, which combines calligraphy and the essence of a speeding horse, for last week's Dhai Dubai Light festival.
Most recently, the prolific artist teamed up with Range Rover on the car brand's most exclusive vehicle to date.
The ultra-opulent Range Rover SV Bespoke Sadaf Edition is inspired by the heritage of the Arabian Gulf and was unveiled this week at Range Rover House, a small complex ensconced within Anantara Santorini, the boutique luxury hideaway located on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi.
Production is limited to only 20 units, and the recipient of each car will also receive a coveted Bin Lahej sculpture.
The Sadaf, which translates as seashell, is decked out in blue and white to mirror the ornate colours found on the inside of a pearl shell. The treadplates feature a Sadaf Edition wordmark alongside a “1 of 20" designation and the car is powered by Range Rover's V8 twin-turbo mild hybrid petrol engine.
The Emirati artist's work, meanwhile, is a sculpture made up of several layers and shapes that open to reveal an intricate core decorated with traditional Arabic calligraphy. It is appropriately named The Pearl.
All this makes for an elevated price, which goes a little over and above a traditional Range Rover, of course.
Should you get yourself into the venue and decide to invest, each car will be a little more than Dh1.5 million.
More about Middle East geopolitics
Schedule:
Pakistan v Sri Lanka:
28 Sep-2 Oct, 1st Test, Abu Dhabi
6-10 Oct, 2nd Test (day-night), Dubai
13 Oct, 1st ODI, Dubai
16 Oct, 2nd ODI, Abu Dhabi
18 Oct, 3rd ODI, Abu Dhabi
20 Oct, 4th ODI, Sharjah
23 Oct, 5th ODI, Sharjah
26 Oct, 1st T20I, Abu Dhabi
27 Oct, 2nd T20I, Abu Dhabi
29 Oct, 3rd T20I, Lahore
Charlotte Gainsbourg
Rest
(Because Music)
One in nine do not have enough to eat
Created in 1961, the World Food Programme is pledged to fight hunger worldwide as well as providing emergency food assistance in a crisis.
One of the organisation’s goals is the Zero Hunger Pledge, adopted by the international community in 2015 as one of the 17 Sustainable Goals for Sustainable Development, to end world hunger by 2030.
The WFP, a branch of the United Nations, is funded by voluntary donations from governments, businesses and private donations.
Almost two thirds of its operations currently take place in conflict zones, where it is calculated that people are more than three times likely to suffer from malnutrition than in peaceful countries.
It is currently estimated that one in nine people globally do not have enough to eat.
On any one day, the WFP estimates that it has 5,000 lorries, 20 ships and 70 aircraft on the move.
Outside emergencies, the WFP provides school meals to up to 25 million children in 63 countries, while working with communities to improve nutrition. Where possible, it buys supplies from developing countries to cut down transport cost and boost local economies.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Sugary teas and iced coffees
The tax authority is yet to release a list of the taxed products, but it appears likely that sugary iced teas and cold coffees will be hit.
For instance, the non-fizzy drink AriZona Iced Tea contains 65 grams of sugar – about 16 teaspoons – per 680ml can. The average can costs about Dh6, which would rise to Dh9.
Cold coffee brands are likely to be hit too. Drinks such as Starbucks Bottled Mocha Frappuccino contain 31g of sugar in 270ml, while Nescafe Mocha in a can contains 15.6g of sugar in a 240ml can.
Results
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More from Armen Sarkissian
if you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Kolkata from Dh1,504 and Dh1,450 return including taxes, respectively. The flight takes four hours 30 minutes outbound and 5 hours 30 minute returning.
The trains
Numerous trains link Kolkata and Murshidabad but the daily early morning Hazarduari Express (3’ 52”) is the fastest and most convenient; this service also stops in Plassey. The return train departs Murshidabad late afternoon. Though just about feasible as a day trip, staying overnight is recommended.
The hotels
Mursidabad’s hotels are less than modest but Berhampore, 11km south, offers more accommodation and facilities (and the Hazarduari Express also pauses here). Try Hotel The Fame, with an array of rooms from doubles at Rs1,596/Dh90 to a ‘grand presidential suite’ at Rs7,854/Dh443.
WORLD CUP SEMI-FINALS
England v New Zealand (Saturday, 12pm)
Wales v South Africa (Sunday, 1pm)
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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Braun Strowman won the 50-man Royal Rumble by eliminating Big Cass last
