Halloween might be at the very end of the month, but spooktastic events and activities are already on the cards, in addition to plenty of action for brunches, movie buffs and culture vultures.
Here we round up seven things to do in the Emirates, from October 2 to 8.
Monday
Going back to school after an eventful long weekend can be tough. Why not treat the children to a movie afternoon with the After School Club at Roxy Cinemas?
The cinema will put on a weekly roster of child-friendly screenings, from Gran Turismo and Cats in the Museum to The Adventures of Jurassic Pet 2, for Dh59, inclusive of a ticket, unlimited popcorn and a beverage.
Monday to Friday, 3.30pm-5.30pm; Dh59; Roxy Cinemas in Dubai Hills Mall, City Walk, The Beach, and Al Khawaneej Walk; www.theroxycinemas.com
Tuesday
In Abu Dhabi, head to the National Aquarium in Al Qana to interact with its latest residents: A family of Asian short-claw otters.
Playful and adorable, the world’s smallest otters are known for their social tendencies, though it’s best to let animals take the lead if they are comfortable during an interaction.
The otter presentation and meet-and-greet will take place at 2pm each afternoon.
Open daily, 10am-10pm; Dh190; Rabdan, Abu Dhabi; thenationalaquarium.ae
Wednesday
Kick-starting Halloween festivities early, Motiongate Dubai launches its Fright Nights: Volume VI this month, with the theme Curse of the Taleweaver.
On five evenings of the week, the park will offer 13 immersive horror experiences and scare zones such as Twilight Mirror and Nightshade Street, plus put on parades and shows featuring characters such as Dracula, The Boogeyman and Midas.
The Candy Goblin can also be spotted trick-or-treating around the toddler-friendly Smurfs Village.
Wednesdays to Sundays until October 31, 4pm-8pm; Dubai Parks and Resorts; from Dh330; www.motiongatedubai.com
Thursday
Catch an evocative exhibition by Emirati visual artist Najat Makki at Dubai’s Aisha Alabbar Gallery.
The Scent of Memories exemplifies Makki’s sensibilities towards colours through speckled, vibrant paints, hallucinatory paisleys and patterns and forms emerging from dizzying brushstrokes. The quartet of works entitled Four Seasons embodies summer, winter, autumn and spring, with circles of gold, white, black and teal painted on Indian textiles with backdrops evoking each of the four seasons.
Until November 2; Monday to Friday, 10am-6pm; Warehouse 101, Al Quoz, Dubai; aishaalabbar.art
Friday
Finnish celebrity chef Mehmet Gurs will present a one-time menu at Garage, W Abu Dhabi. The founder of Michelin-starred Istanbul restaurant Mikla, Gurs specialises in traditional Turkish, notably Anatolian, cuisine.
The five-course meal includes oysters with pickle granita; savour lakerda pickled bonito with horseradish yoghurt; balik ekmek anchovy crisp with lemon mayo; chard-stuffed manti ravioli with yoghurt and tomato paste; and pistachio pipes and ice cream.
October 6; 6pm-10.30pm; Dh349 (food only); Yas Island. Abu Dhabi; 02 656 0000
Saturday
The latest offering in the city of brunches is the one by Mott 32. Located on the 73rd floor of Address Beach Resort, the fine-dining Chinese restaurant offers arguably the best views in Dubai.
On the brunch menu are appetisers such as fried soft-shell crab, shredded 42 days Peking duck salad and wild mushroom dumplings with black truffle.
Mains include dishes such as sweet and sour chicken with dragon fruit; Angus beef with scallion oyster sauce; and mapo tofu with chilli bean curd. Don’t miss Mott 32’s signature almond and chocolate oolong tea “xiao long bao” for dessert.
Saturdays, 12.30pm-4pm; from Dh375; JBR, Dubai; beartpro.com
Sunday
Now that the weather is starting to cool down, Ferrari World Yas Island has relaunched its Roof Walk experience. On five days of the week, visitors to the adrenalin-fuelled theme park can clamber on to its recognisable red roof and drink in far-reaching views of the capital.
A maximum of eight guests can walk at a time (weather-permitting), and they will be accompanied by a guide at all times. Participants must be between eight and 65 years, and those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Perhaps best of all, you don’t need to buy a general admission ticket for this stand-alone experience, which costs Dh195; however, if you do have one, you pay Dh125 for the Roof Walk.
Wednesday to Sunday, 3pm-8pm; Dh195; Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; www.ferrariworldabudhabi.com
Four reasons global stock markets are falling right now
There are many factors worrying investors right now and triggering a rush out of stock markets. Here are four of the biggest:
1. Rising US interest rates
The US Federal Reserve has increased interest rates three times this year in a bid to prevent its buoyant economy from overheating. They now stand at between 2 and 2.25 per cent and markets are pencilling in three more rises next year.
Kim Catechis, manager of the Legg Mason Martin Currie Global Emerging Markets Fund, says US inflation is rising and the Fed will continue to raise rates in 2019. “With inflationary pressures growing, an increasing number of corporates are guiding profitability expectations downwards for 2018 and 2019, citing the negative impact of rising costs.”
At the same time as rates are rising, central bankers in the US and Europe have been ending quantitative easing, bringing the era of cheap money to an end.
2. Stronger dollar
High US rates have driven up the value of the dollar and bond yields, and this is putting pressure on emerging market countries that took advantage of low interest rates to run up trillions in dollar-denominated debt. They have also suffered capital outflows as international investors have switched to the US, driving markets lower. Omar Negyal, portfolio manager of the JP Morgan Global Emerging Markets Income Trust, says this looks like a buying opportunity. “Despite short-term volatility we remain positive about long-term prospects and profitability for emerging markets.”
3. Global trade war
Ritu Vohora, investment director at fund manager M&G, says markets fear that US President Donald Trump’s spat with China will escalate into a full-blown global trade war, with both sides suffering. “The US economy is robust enough to absorb higher input costs now, but this may not be the case as tariffs escalate. However, with a host of factors hitting investor sentiment, this is becoming a stock picker’s market.”
4. Eurozone uncertainty
Europe faces two challenges right now in the shape of Brexit and the new populist government in eurozone member Italy.
Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at IG, which has offices in Dubai, says the stand-off between between Rome and Brussels threatens to become much more serious. "As with Brexit, neither side appears willing to step back from the edge, threatening more trouble down the line.”
The European economy may also be slowing, Mr Beauchamp warns. “A four-year low in eurozone manufacturing confidence highlights the fact that producers see a bumpy road ahead, with US-EU trade talks remaining a major question-mark for exporters.”
Temple numbers
Expected completion: 2022
Height: 24 meters
Ground floor banquet hall: 370 square metres to accommodate about 750 people
Ground floor multipurpose hall: 92 square metres for up to 200 people
First floor main Prayer Hall: 465 square metres to hold 1,500 people at a time
First floor terrace areas: 2,30 square metres
Temple will be spread over 6,900 square metres
Structure includes two basements, ground and first floor
Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
Results
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Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
SPECS
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Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Brief scoreline:
Liverpool 2
Mane 51', Salah 53'
Chelsea 0
Man of the Match: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Brief scores:
Arsenal 4
Xhaka 25', Lacazette 55', Ramsey 79', Aubameyang 83'
Fulham 1
Kamara 69'
The distance learning plan
Spring break will be from March 8 - 19
Public school pupils will undergo distance learning from March 22 - April 2. School hours will be 8.30am to 1.30pm
Staff will be trained in distance learning programmes from March 15 - 19
Teaching hours will be 8am to 2pm during distance learning
Pupils will return to school for normal lessons from April 5
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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TOURNAMENT INFO
Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier
Jul 3- 14, in the Netherlands
The top two teams will qualify to play at the World T20 in the West Indies in November
UAE squad
Humaira Tasneem (captain), Chamani Seneviratne, Subha Srinivasan, Neha Sharma, Kavisha Kumari, Judit Cleetus, Chaya Mughal, Roopa Nagraj, Heena Hotchandani, Namita D’Souza, Ishani Senevirathne, Esha Oza, Nisha Ali, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi
It
Director: Andres Muschietti
Starring: Bill Skarsgard, Jaeden Lieberher, Sophia Lillis, Chosen Jacobs, Jeremy Ray Taylor
Three stars
Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
Tips to keep your car cool
- Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
- Park in shaded or covered areas
- Add tint to windows
- Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
- Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
- Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
PROFILE OF HALAN
Started: November 2017
Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport and logistics
Size: 150 employees
Investment: approximately $8 million
Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EShaffra%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDIFC%20Innovation%20Hub%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Emetaverse-as-a-Service%20(MaaS)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Ecurrently%20closing%20%241.5%20million%20seed%20round%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Epre-seed%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFlat6Labs%20Abu%20Dhabi%20and%20different%20PCs%20and%20angel%20investors%20from%20Saudi%20Arabia%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enine%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
