Each week in the UAE brings with it a variety of things to do for foodies, families and culture buffs.
With winter still in full swing, an annual arts and culture festival returns this week, while fitness enthusiasts can make their weekly cheat meal a free one from Nando's.
Here, The National rounds up seven things to do around the Emirates, from January 22 to 28.
Monday
Football fans, especially those of Manchester City, have one last day to catch the interactive pop-up in Yas Mall, which ends on Monday.
All five trophies that the club won in 2023 – from the English Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League, Super Cup and the UAE-held Fifa Club World Cup – are displayed on-site for mallgoers to enjoy. There are also football-themed games at the pop-up and a retail corner to snatch up some City merch.
The pop-up is part of the Treble Trophy global tour.
Monday; 4pm-6pm; free; Yas Mall, Yas Island; @mancitychallenge
Tuesday
Residents of the bustling Bur Dubai neighbourhoods can head to B Hub, a newly opened community zone at BurJuman Mall, for free yoga classes every Tuesday and Thursday. These are held in partnership with Ancient Yoga Centre and have a maximum capacity of 25 people on a first-come, first-served basis.
Fitness aside, the space offers other workshops, networking sessions, coffee morning sit-downs and more. The end game is to become a hub where the city's diverse expat communities can connect.
Every Tuesday to Thursday; 10am-11am; free; BurJuman Mall; burjuman.com
Wednesday
If you're hitting 10,000 steps a day, and you can prove it, head to any Nando's across the UAE on Wednesday and get a meal on the house.
The South African casual dining chain, famous for its peri-peri chicken, is giving away free meals to fitness enthusiasts who hit the required steps a day. Eligible diners should present a step count tracker, like a Fitbit or an Apple Watch, to avail themselves of the promotion.
Wednesdays, times vary; until January 31; across the UAE; nandos.ae
Thursday
American pop rock group OneRepublic will perform on Thursday at Bla Bla Dubai as part of their Artificial Paradise world tour.
The Grammy-nominated six-piece led by Ryan Tedder will serenade fans with their biggest hits such as Apologise, Counting Stars and I Lived.
Thursday, from 8pm; from Dh295; The Beach JBR, Dubai; livenation.me
Friday
To commemorate the first full moon of the year, The St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort is hosting a sound-healing session on the beach focused on “coming home to yourself and turning into your intuition”.
Sound healing is known to have myriad benefits, including enhancing mood, relieving stress and even pain management to an extent. The evening session is expected to take participants on a deep journey of relaxation and meditation.
Friday, 7pm-8pm; Dh150; The St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi; bodytreestudio.com
Saturday
Head to Armani Hotel in Dubai on Saturday for an immersive showcase of the life of Italian designer Giorgio Armani.
Guests will be treated to high tea while enjoying a theatrical performance featuring untold stories, career highlights and other behind-the-scenes insights into the life and work of Armani. An after-party is also on the cards, where an expert will guide guests through a collage-making session.
Saturday, from 4pm; from Dh190; Armani Hotel, Burj Khalifa, Dubai; host-theatre.ae
Sunday
End the week with a visit to the Quoz Arts Fest at Alserkal Avenue.
Wander through the area's spacious warehouse galleries showcasing numerous exhibitions, from Gulf Photo Plus’s The Disappearing Art Show to nature-focused Symphony of Birds by Iranian artist Maryam Lamei. Exhibitions aside, there will be several musical performances, as well as workshops including one where children can learn about becoming a DJ.
Guests can also visit the Reel Palestine souq and browse crafts and souvenirs inspired by Palestinian traditions.
Saturday and Sunday, 8am-11.30pm; Dh63 for a single day pass; Alserkal Avenue, Dubai; quozartsfest.alserkal.online
ILT20%20UAE%20stars
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UNSC Elections 2022-23
Seats open:
- Two for Africa Group
- One for Asia-Pacific Group (traditionally Arab state or Tunisia)
- One for Latin America and Caribbean Group
- One for Eastern Europe Group
Countries so far running:
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
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
Ruwais timeline
1971 Abu Dhabi National Oil Company established
1980 Ruwais Housing Complex built, located 10 kilometres away from industrial plants
1982 120,000 bpd capacity Ruwais refinery complex officially inaugurated by the founder of the UAE Sheikh Zayed
1984 Second phase of Ruwais Housing Complex built. Today the 7,000-unit complex houses some 24,000 people.
1985 The refinery is expanded with the commissioning of a 27,000 b/d hydro cracker complex
2009 Plans announced to build $1.2 billion fertilizer plant in Ruwais, producing urea
2010 Adnoc awards $10bn contracts for expansion of Ruwais refinery, to double capacity from 415,000 bpd
2014 Ruwais 261-outlet shopping mall opens
2014 Production starts at newly expanded Ruwais refinery, providing jet fuel and diesel and allowing the UAE to be self-sufficient for petrol supplies
2014 Etihad Rail begins transportation of sulphur from Shah and Habshan to Ruwais for export
2017 Aldar Academies to operate Adnoc’s schools including in Ruwais from September. Eight schools operate in total within the housing complex.
2018 Adnoc announces plans to invest $3.1 billion on upgrading its Ruwais refinery
2018 NMC Healthcare selected to manage operations of Ruwais Hospital
2018 Adnoc announces new downstream strategy at event in Abu Dhabi on May 13
Source: The National
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The advice provided in our columns does not constitute legal advice and is provided for information only. Readers are encouraged to seek independent legal advice.
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
- Grade 2 = between grades E and F
- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
Citizenship-by-investment programmes
United Kingdom
The UK offers three programmes for residency. The UK Overseas Business Representative Visa lets you open an overseas branch office of your existing company in the country at no extra investment. For the UK Tier 1 Innovator Visa, you are required to invest £50,000 (Dh238,000) into a business. You can also get a UK Tier 1 Investor Visa if you invest £2 million, £5m or £10m (the higher the investment, the sooner you obtain your permanent residency).
All UK residency visas get approved in 90 to 120 days and are valid for 3 years. After 3 years, the applicant can apply for extension of another 2 years. Once they have lived in the UK for a minimum of 6 months every year, they are eligible to apply for permanent residency (called Indefinite Leave to Remain). After one year of ILR, the applicant can apply for UK passport.
The Caribbean
Depending on the country, the investment amount starts from $100,000 (Dh367,250) and can go up to $400,000 in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take between four to five months to receive a passport.
Portugal
The investment amount ranges from €350,000 to €500,000 (Dh1.5m to Dh2.16m) in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take a maximum of six months to receive a Golden Visa. Applicants can apply for permanent residency after five years and Portuguese citizenship after six years.
“Among European countries with residency programmes, Portugal has been the most popular because it offers the most cost-effective programme to eventually acquire citizenship of the European Union without ever residing in Portugal,” states Veronica Cotdemiey of Citizenship Invest.
Greece
The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Greece is €250,000, making it the cheapest real estate residency visa scheme in Europe. You can apply for residency in four months and citizenship after seven years.
Spain
The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Spain is €500,000. You can apply for permanent residency after five years and citizenship after 10 years. It is not necessary to live in Spain to retain and renew the residency visa permit.
Cyprus
Cyprus offers the quickest route to citizenship of a European country in only six months. An investment of €2m in real estate is required, making it the highest priced programme in Europe.
Malta
The Malta citizenship by investment programme is lengthy and investors are required to contribute sums as donations to the Maltese government. The applicant must either contribute at least €650,000 to the National Development & Social Fund. Spouses and children are required to contribute €25,000; unmarried children between 18 and 25 and dependent parents must contribute €50,000 each.
The second step is to make an investment in property of at least €350,000 or enter a property rental contract for at least €16,000 per annum for five years. The third step is to invest at least €150,000 in bonds or shares approved by the Maltese government to be kept for at least five years.
Candidates must commit to a minimum physical presence in Malta before citizenship is granted. While you get residency in two months, you can apply for citizenship after a year.
Egypt
A one-year residency permit can be bought if you purchase property in Egypt worth $100,000. A three-year residency is available for those who invest $200,000 in property, and five years for those who purchase property worth $400,000.
Source: Citizenship Invest and Aqua Properties
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League last 16, first leg
Liverpool v Bayern Munich, midnight, Wednesday, BeIN Sports
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
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