Head east with China Highlights package
Explore the Red Dragon with China Highlights' Classic Wonders package. The 11-day trip visits Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin/Yangshuo and Shanghai. Guests will explore the Forbidden City with an in-depth tour, the Great Wall, the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an, the Longji Terraced Fields and the Yangshuo countryside. Some cycling and moderate hiking will take place throughout the visit. The package costs from US$1,399 (Dh5,138) per person, based on a group of two to five people, and includes accommodation, meals, internal transportation, entrance fees and taxes. For more information, visit www.chinahighlights.com
A fresh budget choice in Amsterdam
Budget travellers exploring Amsterdam now have another hostel option to choose from. The Generator Amsterdam has opened its doors in trendy East Amsterdam, situated in what was the University of Amsterdam's science department. Twin and quadruple rooms are available, along with one luxury apartment that can fit up to six people, with views of Oosterpark and a self-catered kitchen. The cafe is open daily, for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and offers a selection of dishes, many featuring locally sourced ingredients. The Auditorium and The Library also offer spaces to unwind. Shared rooms cost from €40 (Dh164) per bed, per night, in a four-bed (two-bunk) room, including taxes. For more information, visit www.generatorhostels.com
Romantic staycation in Abu Dhabi
Surprise your significant other with the Romantic Escape package from Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan by Rotana in Abu Dhabi. Couples will receive a room upgrade, breakfast in bed or a buffet breakfast at the Horizon restaurant, a 90-minute massage for two and a romantic dinner. The package costs from Dh1,500 per night, including taxes. For more information, visit www.rotanatimes.com
Dusit Thani rings in the Thai New Year
You can celebrate the Thai New Year next month with Dusit Thani's new Songkran Splash offer. Those who stay two or more nights, during April in Dusit Thani hotels at Phuket, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Krabi or Bangkok will receive daily breakfast for two and a voucher worth 555 Thai baht (Dh58) for buffet lunch, dinner or spa treatments. From April 9 to 17, guests will also receive a "Songkran Splash" water-fight survival kit. For more information, visit www.dusit.com
Turkish 'add' Gotham and Metropolis routes
In celebration of the upcoming blockbuster movie Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Turkish Airlines has teamed up with Warner Bros for a movie-themed online experience. Fans can explore the airline's two new "destinations", Gotham City and Metropolis, via city guides, and can even "book" travel insurance and find out more about visa requirements. Visit www.tkairlines.com/gotham or www.tkairlines.com/metropolis
Small Victories: The True Story of Faith No More by Adrian Harte
Jawbone Press
Who is Mohammed Al Halbousi?
The new speaker of Iraq’s parliament Mohammed Al Halbousi is the youngest person ever to serve in the role.
The 37-year-old was born in Al Garmah in Anbar and studied civil engineering in Baghdad before going into business. His development company Al Hadeed undertook reconstruction contracts rebuilding parts of Fallujah’s infrastructure.
He entered parliament in 2014 and served as a member of the human rights and finance committees until 2017. In August last year he was appointed governor of Anbar, a role in which he has struggled to secure funding to provide services in the war-damaged province and to secure the withdrawal of Shia militias. He relinquished the post when he was sworn in as a member of parliament on September 3.
He is a member of the Al Hal Sunni-based political party and the Sunni-led Coalition of Iraqi Forces, which is Iraq’s largest Sunni alliance with 37 seats from the May 12 election.
He maintains good relations with former Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki’s State of Law Coaliton, Hadi Al Amiri’s Badr Organisation and Iranian officials.
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8
Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm
Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km
Price: Dh380,000
On sale: now
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
Draw
Quarter-finals
Real Madrid (ESP) or Manchester City (ENG) v Juventus (ITA) or Lyon (FRA)
RB Leipzig (GER) v Atletico Madrid (ESP)
Barcelona (ESP) or Napoli (ITA) v Bayern Munich (GER) or Chelsea (ENG)
Atalanta (ITA) v Paris Saint-Germain (FRA)
Ties to be played August 12-15 in Lisbon
Company%20profile
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Student Of The Year 2
Director: Punit Malhotra
Stars: Tiger Shroff, Tara Sutaria, Ananya Pandey, Aditya Seal
1.5 stars
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
Nepotism is the name of the game
Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, is one of Bollywood’s most legendary screenwriters. Through his partnership with co-writer Javed Akhtar, Salim is credited with having paved the path for the Indian film industry’s blockbuster format in the 1970s. Something his son now rules the roost of. More importantly, the Salim-Javed duo also created the persona of the “angry young man” for Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s, reflecting the angst of the average Indian. In choosing to be the ordinary man’s “hero” as opposed to a thespian in new Bollywood, Salman Khan remains tightly linked to his father’s oeuvre. Thanks dad.
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
