Foodies, fitness buffs and comedy fans are well served in Abu Dhabi and Dubai this week. One emirate brings a star-studded line-up of comedians as part of Abu Dhabi Comedy Week, while the other welcomes international chefs and wellness experts.
Here, The National rounds up seven things to do around the Emirates, from May 20 to 26.
Monday, May 20
Start the week right with a morning yoga session at Drift Beach Dubai, as experts from the Shimis centre offer their last few classes as part of One&Only Royal Mirage's wellness mornings.
The hour-long session enables participants to master basic yoga concepts and practise meditation techniques that channel serenity. If you're hanging about for breakfast after the class, the beach club offers a 50 per cent discount on its sunloungers.
Every Monday until May 27; 8.30am-9.30am; Dh120 per person; Dubai Marina; 04 315 2200
Tuesday, May 21
Foodies and fine-dining aficionados can sample a four-hands dinner curated by two of the world's leading chefs, as Michelin-lauded Gregoire Berger and Pam Pichaya Soontornyanakij come together in Dubai. Berger helms the kitchen at Ossiano in Atlantis the Palm, while Thai chef Pam runs apothecary-turned-restaurant Potong in Bangkok.
The 10-course meal will be served at the Atlantis' famed underwater restaurant, with dishes such as langoustine tom yum uni; Galician sea urchin; pad Thai and mud crab; and sticky rice with mango and curry ice sorbet.
May 21; 6pm onwards; Dh1,600 per person; Palm Jumeirah, Dubai; 04 426 2626
Wednesday, May 22
Catch some midweek laughs at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi via a stand-up performance by American actor and comic Andrew Schulz.
Current events, politics and general life observations are the subject of Schulz's The Life tour, so get ready to laugh, think and maybe even well up if the comic hits too close to home.
This week is a marathon for stand-up fans as Abu Dhabi Comedy Week takes place in the capital, with big names such as Bassem Youssef, Maz Jobrani and Dave Chapelle on the cards.
May 22; doors open 6.30pm; from Dh250; Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; etihadarena.ae
Thursday, May 23
Dancers or those who have a knack for ballroom styles can check out Dubai Tango Festival, which begins on Thursday.
The four-day extravaganza takes place at Lapita Hotel and will include performances from globally-renowned tango champions, plus expert-led workshops and energetic milongas. Each day starts with yoga sessions and there is also a gala show.
Workshops can be booked individually.
May 23 to 26; from 11am; Dh1,350 for full festival pass; Dubai Parks and Resorts; dubaitangofest.com
Friday, May 24
Take children aged three and above to see a live production of The Gruffalo’s Child, a popular children's picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler on Friday.
Taking place at the Cultural Foundation Abu Dhabi, the performance will feature whimsical storytelling complete with a vibrant set design, fun costumes and inviting music.
The story follows the Gruffalo's child wandering in the snow in search of the Big Bad Mouse – against his father's warnings. Over the course of her adventure, she meets several quirky characters.
May 24 (6pm) and May 25 (11am); from Dh115; opposite Qasr Al Hosn, Abu Dhabi; tickets.virginmegastore.me
Saturday, May 25
Go into the weekend with a rejuvenating wellness session at Indigo Hotel Dubai Downtown on Saturday.
The three-hour session includes chakra yoga, which focuses on gentle movements to guide participants in finding inner harmony and balance.
This is followed by an energy candle-making session led by Fosca Art. Afternoon tea will also be served on site.
May 25; 4pm-7pm; Dh250 per person; Business Bay, Dubai; 058 590 2583
Sunday, May 26
Head to Obeli at City Walk for a unique dining experience featuring an “honesty menu”.
To celebrate its anniversary, the restaurant is inviting diners to pay what they believe the dishes are worth. At the end of the meal, guests will be given a scorecard and envelope instead of a bill.
They can then pay what they deem appropriate and offer candid feedback. The envelopes will be deposited into a box and be kept anonymous.
Peruvian chef Roberto Segura's three-course menu includes dishes such as quinoa salad, Wagyu beef kushi, spicy prawn bao, veal ragu lasagne, kaffir chicken and textured chocolate desserts.
Dishes that earn top ratings will be included in the restaurant's summer menu update.
May 25 and 26; 7am-midnight; City Walk, Dubai; 04 887 5561
The story of Edge
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, established Edge in 2019.
It brought together 25 state-owned and independent companies specialising in weapons systems, cyber protection and electronic warfare.
Edge has an annual revenue of $5 billion and employs more than 12,000 people.
Some of the companies include Nimr, a maker of armoured vehicles, Caracal, which manufactures guns and ammunitions company, Lahab
How Apple's credit card works
The Apple Card looks different from a traditional credit card — there's no number on the front and the users' name is etched in metal. The card expands the company's digital Apple Pay services, marrying the physical card to a virtual one and integrating both with the iPhone. Its attributes include quick sign-up, elimination of most fees, strong security protections and cash back.
What does it cost?
Apple says there are no fees associated with the card. That means no late fee, no annual fee, no international fee and no over-the-limit fees. It also said it aims to have among the lowest interest rates in the industry. Users must have an iPhone to use the card, which comes at a cost. But they will earn cash back on their purchases — 3 per cent on Apple purchases, 2 per cent on those with the virtual card and 1 per cent with the physical card. Apple says it is the only card to provide those rewards in real time, so that cash earned can be used immediately.
What will the interest rate be?
The card doesn't come out until summer but Apple has said that as of March, the variable annual percentage rate on the card could be anywhere from 13.24 per cent to 24.24 per cent based on creditworthiness. That's in line with the rest of the market, according to analysts
What about security?
The physical card has no numbers so purchases are made with the embedded chip and the digital version lives in your Apple Wallet on your phone, where it's protected by fingerprints or facial recognition. That means that even if someone steals your phone, they won't be able to use the card to buy things.
Is it easy to use?
Apple says users will be able to sign up for the card in the Wallet app on their iPhone and begin using it almost immediately. It also tracks spending on the phone in a more user-friendly format, eliminating some of the gibberish that fills a traditional credit card statement. Plus it includes some budgeting tools, such as tracking spending and providing estimates of how much interest could be charged on a purchase to help people make an informed decision.
* Associated Press
Small Victories: The True Story of Faith No More by Adrian Harte
Jawbone Press
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
Mina Cup winners
Under 12 – Minerva Academy
Under 14 – Unam Pumas
Under 16 – Fursan Hispania
Under 18 – Madenat
The five pillars of Islam
The biog
Age: 23
Occupation: Founder of the Studio, formerly an analyst at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
Education: Bachelor of science in industrial engineering
Favourite hobby: playing the piano
Favourite quote: "There is a key to every door and a dawn to every dark night"
Family: Married and with a daughter
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
The years Ramadan fell in May
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Power: 650hp at 6,750rpm
Torque: 800Nm from 2,500-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 11.12L/100km
Price: From Dh796,600
On sale: now
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Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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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
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
