The UAE will have a three-day weekend as Friday marks the Prophet Mohammed’s birthday. While it's still not cool enough to spend an entire afternoon at the beach, here are some ways in which you can entertain yourself – and the little ones.
Friday in Abu Dhabi
If you haven't already, take the children to Snow Abu Dhabi in the capital. The sub-zero family-friendly park opened in Reem Mall in June, and has 20 rides and attractions, as well as three food and beverage outlets.
Themed around an enchanted forest – complete with a mischievous mountain troll mascot named Graupel – the multilevel snow park spans 9,732 square metres.
Suitable for children over the age of three, it has rides such as Troll Bowl, an inflatable ball that rolls down a snowy slope; Flight of the Snowy Owl, an aerial roller coaster-zip line; and Drift's Downhill Run, where guests can slip and slide down a lane on sleds.
Open Friday to Saturday, 10am-midnight; Sunday, 10am-10pm; single-day entry pass from Dh215 per person, inclusive of a pair of fleece gloves and a locker; Reem Island, Abu Dhabi; reemmall.ae
Friday in Dubai
In Dubai, take toddlers, tweens and teenagers to Wild Wadi to make the most of the waterpark's continuing all-you-can-eat package, introduced this month.
On the menu is everything from Greek salads and chicken wraps to hot dogs and corn dogs, plus pizzas, burgers and nuggets, all of which can be picked up in unlimited quantities for the duration of your visit.
Open Friday to Sunday, 10am-6pm; Dh255 (children under 1.1 metres) and Dh290 adults for the all-you-can-eat package when booking online, children under 3 go free; Umm Suqeim 3, Dubai; wildwadi.com
Friday in Umm Al Quwain
If you're looking for a staycation, consider the child and pet-friendly Vida, Umm Al Quwain.
Both its pools are made for children, with one shallow bed of water a few steps away from a shaded splash pad, with vibrantly coloured water-spouting structures. The main pool is not more than 90cm for nearly three-quarters its length, with the deep end going up to only 152cm.
The infinity-style pool is a short walk away from the property’s private beach, which offers water sports from a third-party operator.
The swimmable beach, complete with an Instagram-friendly white swing, is also the centre for child-friendly activities organised by the resort each evening, from a scavenger hunt to a sandcastle-building session.
A few metres away from the splash pad is an outdoor play area – with a slide, jungle gym, climbing ropes and a minuscule rock-climbing wall – and an indoor kids’ club, which is stocked with toys, plus foosball and air hockey tables, and screens for both cartoons and gaming.
From Dh1,054 for a room for three; Al Raudah, Umm Al Quwain; www.vidahotels.com
Saturday in Abu Dhabi
In Abu Dhabi, check out the first beauty store in the world opened this week by department store Bloomingdale's.
Customers at the Reem Mall shop can expect products from luxury brands such as Chanel, Dior, Hermes, Estee Lauder and Ex Nihilo, as well as exclusive collections from Dries Van Noten, Van Cleef & Arpels Beauty and Gucci’s The Alchemist Garden.
The shop is equipped with advanced retail technology, including a “magic mirror” that allows customers to try on products digitally.
Open daily; 10am-10pm; Reem Mall, Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi; @bloomingdalesme
Saturday in Dubai
In Dubai, check out Mumbai artist Sudarshan Shetty's solo exhibition at Ishara Art Foundation.
Only Life, Myriad Places presents a survey of Shetty’s works that range from videos and multimedia installations to sculptures. Most hard-hitting is an untitled collection made up of six pairs of water utensils, displayed vertically within a glass column. Each pair consists of a metallic vessel found by Shetty, dented and misshapen with age, alongside a replica he made from wood.
“The historical connotation of utensils and rescuing them deeply connects with partition histories and migration histories,” says curator Sabih Ahmed. “A lot of people who move cities, either out of circumstance or by choice, carry their utensils with them. Many carve their names on to those utensils. These vessels are practically residues of the life you’ve left behind and the one you're carrying forward.”
Until December 9; Friday to Saturday, 10am-7pm; Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai; www.ishara.org
Saturday in Sharjah
In Sharjah, check out the newly launched outpost of indoor trampoline park Bounce.
The destination has everything the “home of freestyle” offers, from classic activities in the performance area and an infinity wall to a dodgeball court.
There's also a new offering in the Sharjah outpost, called X Run, a Ninja Warrior-style obstacle course.
Open daily; Sunday to Wednesday, 10am-10pm; Thursday to Saturday, 10am-midnight; from Dh75; Al Jada, Sharjah; bounce.ae
Sunday in Abu Dhabi
In Abu Dhabi, snap up tickets for singer-songwriter Charlie Puth's concert.
The American pop star is launching his Asian tour from Etihad Arena, an intriguing prospect as it's full of songs from Charlie – Puth’s break-up album written when the singer was at his lowest (he has since announced his engagement to partner Brooke Sansone).
Expect tracks such as That's Hilarious, How Long and One Call Away.
October 1; doors open 6pm; from Dh270; Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; www.etihadarena.ae
Sunday in Dubai
In Dubai, take children between the ages of three and 10 to Leo and Loona, an indoor attraction that opened in Dubai Festival City Mall this month.
The family-friendly destination spans 2,200 square metres and has more than 30 activities, with facilities such as trampolines, ball pools, soft play areas with bridges, climbing walls, pedal karts and more.
The venue also has co-working spaces for parents (not that you'll need these over the long weekend, hopefully) as well as a restaurant serving American and European dishes.
Open Friday to Sunday, 10am-midnight; Dh129 per child for two hours; leoloona.ae
Sunday in Ras Al Khaimah
If you missed the staycation boat, consider heading to Ras Al Khaimah for the day. The Daycation Playcation package by the family-friendly resort Rixos Bab Al Bahr is valid throughout the long weekend.
Priced at Dh125 per child and Dh500 per couple, the daycation pass includes unlimited access to the all-inclusive resort's facilities between 11am and 6pm, from its beach and various pools to its sports club classes, gym, children and teen clubs. The resort also puts on live entertainment on a large, custom-made stage each evening. The package also includes buffet lunch at Seven Heights and unlimited drinks at Isla Beach Bar.
Although it's a school night, if you want to stay a little longer, you can upgrade for Dh400 per couple and Dh100 per child, and take in a buffet dinner, unlimited drinks and the evening entertainment, from 6pm to 11pm.
Friday to Sunday, 11am-6pm; from Dh125 (children) and Dh500 (couples); www.rixos.com/en/daycation-playcation
Review: Tomb Raider
Dir: Roar Uthaug
Starring: Alicia Vikander, Dominic West, Daniel Wu, Walter Goggins
two stars
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Essentials
The flights
Return flights from Dubai to Windhoek, with a combination of Emirates and Air Namibia, cost from US$790 (Dh2,902) via Johannesburg.
The trip
A 10-day self-drive in Namibia staying at a combination of the safari camps mentioned – Okonjima AfriCat, Little Kulala, Desert Rhino/Damaraland, Ongava – costs from $7,000 (Dh25,711) per person, including car hire (Toyota 4x4 or similar), but excluding international flights, with The Luxury Safari Company.
When to go
The cooler winter months, from June to September, are best, especially for game viewing.
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Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
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NYBL PROFILE
Company name: Nybl
Date started: November 2018
Founder: Noor Alnahhas, Michael LeTan, Hafsa Yazdni, Sufyaan Abdul Haseeb, Waleed Rifaat, Mohammed Shono
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Software Technology / Artificial Intelligence
Initial investment: $500,000
Funding round: Series B (raising $5m)
Partners/Incubators: Dubai Future Accelerators Cohort 4, Dubai Future Accelerators Cohort 6, AI Venture Labs Cohort 1, Microsoft Scale-up
Race%20card
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GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
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Sonchiriya
Director: Abhishek Chaubey
Producer: RSVP Movies, Azure Entertainment
Cast: Sushant Singh Rajput, Manoj Bajpayee, Ashutosh Rana, Bhumi Pednekar, Ranvir Shorey
Rating: 3/5
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
RESULT
Brazil 2 Croatia 0
Brazil: Neymar (69'), Firmino (90' 3)
Racecard
6.35pm: The Madjani Stakes – Group 2 (PA) Dh97,500 (Dirt) 1,900m
7.10pm: Evidenza – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,200m
7.45pm: The Longines Conquest – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 2,000m
8.20: The Longines Elegant – Conditions (TB) Dh82,500 (D)
8.35pm: The Dubai Creek Mile – Listed (TB) Dh132,500 (D) 1,600m
9.30pm: Mirdif Stakes – Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (D) 1,400m
10.05pm: The Longines Record – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,900m
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10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
MATCH INFO
Chelsea 4 (Mount 18',Werner 44', Hudson-Odoi 49', Havertz 85')
Morecambe 0
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
What is tokenisation?
Tokenisation refers to the issuance of a blockchain token, which represents a virtually tradable real, tangible asset. A tokenised asset is easily transferable, offers good liquidity, returns and is easily traded on the secondary markets.
