The UAE events calendar is ending February on a high note with a variety of big-ticket affairs this week.
Comedian Trevor Noah is set for a UAE return and petrolheads are in for a wild ride at this year's Custom Show Emirates.
Here, The National rounds up seven things to do, from February 26 to March 3.
Monday
Baby Sensory UAE, which has several branches in Dubai, is opening its first studio in Abu Dhabi at Khalidiyah Mall on Monday.
The centre is known for its science-backed programme for babies and toddlers, including sensory and play sessions that help little ones' development, from motor skills to socio-emotional capabilities.
The first 30 customers on Monday will receive a buy-one-get-one offer, while returning parents can choose from discounted packages that start at Dh500 for five sessions.
More information is available at babysensory.ae
Tuesday
Chocolate connoisseurs can head to the newly opened ChocoGelateria boutique in Dubai.
Luxury chocolatier Venchi is behind the cafe, which focuses on Italian chocolate craftsmanship and gelato artistry. Guests can sample chocolates in a variety of shapes, sizes and flavours, including those in Venchi's Chocoviar collection, which adorn the wall of the venue.
There is also a cascading chocolate waterfall on site, plus 90 ice cream and sorbet flavours from Tuscan cream to lychee, gourmet coffees, flavoured hot chocolate and crepes.
Daily, 10am-11pm; Dubai Mall; 04 297 4839
Wednesday
On Wednesday, comedian Trevor Noah will be performing at Etihad Arena.
The South African performer is known for his wit, satire and sharp observations. As well as being an Emmy winner, he was named one of the most influential people in the world in 2018 by Time magazine. He was in Dubai last year for his sold-out Off The Record show, which he is now bringing to the capital.
Wednesday; doors open 6.30pm; from Dh350; Yas Island; ticketmaster.ae
Thursday
The dog-friendly Dubai Islands Beach is now home to a dedicated park for dogs.
Aside from swimming, there are dog-friendly amenities on site, including a ramp, agility see-saw, obstacle course with slalom poles, as well as hoops and beams set across the 460-square-metre space.
The park also includes a dog waste bin and dispenser, as well as shower and drinking fountain facilities for pets.
Daily, 8am-6pm; free to enter; Dubai Islands Beach; @dubaiislandsbeach
Friday
The 10-day Big Bad Wolf book sale begins on Friday at Sound Stages, Dubai Studio City.
More than two million titles of various genres will be on offer, with discounts up to 75 per cent. This year, there will be a focus on non-fiction business books that are catered to seasoned professionals or budding entrepreneurs.
Visitors can browse through an extensive display of books, including bestsellers, children's titles, graphic novels and self-help guides.
Friday to March 10; 10am-midnight; free; Sound Stages, Dubai Studio City; @bigbadwolf.uae
Saturday
Indianwear by designer Varun Bahl will be on display at The Collective in Dubai. He is known for blending handcrafted embroidery with experimental silhouettes and working with floral patterns.
He has previously joined international fashion shows and created outfits for Bollywood stars such as Madhuri Dixit Nene and Karisma Kapoor.
Friday and Saturday; 10am-8pm; free to enter; SO/ Uptown, Jumeirah Lakes Towers; @thecollective.dubai
Sunday
Petrolheads can head to Expo City Dubai to view some of the city's most alluring vehicles.
The Custom Show Emirates features an array of modified motors, from bikes to sedans and 4x4s. Displays aside, there's also a line-up of high-octane activities, such as drifting and stunt driving, live customisations and a remote control car arena.
Friday to Sunday; 10am-10pm; from Dh90 for a single-day pass; Expo City Dubai; dubai.platinumlist.net
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
The specs
Engine: 5.0-litre V8
Power: 480hp at 7,250rpm
Torque: 566Nm at 4,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: L/100km
Price: Dh306,495
On sale: now
Read more from Aya Iskandarani
The Bio
Favourite vegetable: “I really like the taste of the beetroot, the potatoes and the eggplant we are producing.”
Holiday destination: “I like Paris very much, it’s a city very close to my heart.”
Book: “Das Kapital, by Karl Marx. I am not a communist, but there are a lot of lessons for the capitalist system, if you let it get out of control, and humanity.”
Musician: “I like very much Fairuz, the Lebanese singer, and the other is Umm Kulthum. Fairuz is for listening to in the morning, Umm Kulthum for the night.”
As You Were
Liam Gallagher
(Warner Bros)
A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
TOP%2010%20MOST%20POLLUTED%20CITIES
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Results
United States beat UAE by three wickets
United States beat Scotland by 35 runs
UAE v Scotland – no result
United States beat UAE by 98 runs
Scotland beat United States by four wickets
Fixtures
Sunday, 10am, ICC Academy, Dubai - UAE v Scotland
Admission is free
How to increase your savings
- Have a plan for your savings.
- Decide on your emergency fund target and once that's achieved, assign your savings to another financial goal such as saving for a house or investing for retirement.
- Decide on a financial goal that is important to you and put your savings to work for you.
- It's important to have a purpose for your savings as it helps to keep you motivated to continue while also reducing the temptation to spend your savings.
- Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
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The flights: South African Airways flies from Dubai International Airport with a stop in Johannesburg, with prices starting from around Dh4,000 return. Emirates can get you there with a stop in Lusaka from around Dh4,600 return.
The details: Visas are available for 247 Zambian kwacha or US$20 (Dh73) per person on arrival at Livingstone Airport. Single entry into Victoria Falls for international visitors costs 371 kwacha or $30 (Dh110). Microlight flights are available through Batoka Sky, with 15-minute flights costing 2,265 kwacha (Dh680).
Accommodation: The Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Hotel by Anantara is an ideal place to stay, within walking distance of the falls and right on the Zambezi River. Rooms here start from 6,635 kwacha (Dh2,398) per night, including breakfast, taxes and Wi-Fi. Water arrivals cost from 587 kwacha (Dh212) per person.
Evacuations to France hit by controversy
- Over 500 Gazans have been evacuated to France since November 2023
- Evacuations were paused after a student already in France posted anti-Semitic content and was subsequently expelled to Qatar
- The Foreign Ministry launched a review to determine how authorities failed to detect the posts before her entry
- Artists and researchers fall under a programme called Pause that began in 2017
- It has benefited more than 700 people from 44 countries, including Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Sudan
- Since the start of the Gaza war, it has also included 45 Gazan beneficiaries
- Unlike students, they are allowed to bring their families to France
Tips for used car buyers
- Choose cars with GCC specifications
- Get a service history for cars less than five years old
- Don’t go cheap on the inspection
- Check for oil leaks
- Do a Google search on the standard problems for your car model
- Do your due diligence. Get a transfer of ownership done at an official RTA centre
- Check the vehicle’s condition. You don’t want to buy a car that’s a good deal but ends up costing you Dh10,000 in repairs every month
- Validate warranty and service contracts with the relevant agency and and make sure they are valid when ownership is transferred
- If you are planning to sell the car soon, buy one with a good resale value. The two most popular cars in the UAE are black or white in colour and other colours are harder to sell
Tarek Kabrit, chief executive of Seez, and Imad Hammad, chief executive and co-founder of CarSwitch.com
