The first batch of Shebara island villas
The first batch of Shebara island villas
The first batch of Shebara island villas
The first batch of Shebara island villas

Saudi Arabia's Sheybarah island takes delivery of first batch of luxury pods


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The first floating room pods that will form part of a sustainable development project on the Red Sea arrived in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday from the UAE.

Red Sea Global said the first batch of Sheybarah island villas were delivered to the island by marine tanker.

John Pagano, chief executive of Red Sea Global, revealed the first-of-its-kind project last year.

The villas were manufactured by Grankraft factory and built off-site at Grankraft’s facility in Sharjah Free Zone.

The new luxury hotel is a 73-villa resort on the uninhabited Sheybarah island, which is 45 minutes by boat from the mainland.

Each overwater stainless steel orb (villa) will be suspended above the water’s surface, minimising the effects of the ground foundation. Each villa will have sliding doors that open to a deck, a seating space, and an infinity pool with views of the kingdom's untouched waters.

The Red Sea Development Company rebranded itself as Red Sea Global last year, and is responsible for developing the world’s most ambitious regenerative tourism projects on Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coastline.

The sustainable villas on the Red Sea archipelago were designed by Killa Design, the group behind the Museum of the Future in Dubai. The resort aims to be highly sustainable, powered by a centralised solar farm and supplied with fresh water from a solar-powered desalination plant.

Recycling of waste material will take place on the island, minimising the need to carry or remove materials from the island.

The island has a diverse environment with dense mangroves, desert flora, coral flats and one of the most beautiful untouched coral reefs in the world with diverse marine and bird life.

Brief scores:

Toss: South Africa, chose to field

Pakistan: 177 & 294

South Africa: 431 & 43-1

Man of the Match: Faf du Plessis (South Africa)

Series: South Africa lead three-match series 2-0

Countries offering golden visas

UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.

Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.

Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.

Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.

Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence. 

Asia Cup Qualifier

Final
UAE v Hong Kong

TV:
Live on OSN Cricket HD. Coverage starts at 5.30am

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.

Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi

“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
“The ginger should be eaten separately as a palette cleanser and used to clear the mouth when switching between different pieces of fish.”

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All the Money in the World

Director: Ridley Scott

Starring: Charlie Plummer, Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Williams, Christopher Plummer

Four stars

Know your Camel lingo

The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home

Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless

Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers

Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s

Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival

If you go

The flights

Emirates flies from Dubai to Seattle from Dh5,555 return, including taxes. Portland is a 260 km drive from Seattle and Emirates offers codeshare flights to Portland with its partner Alaska Airlines.

The car

Hertz (www.hertz.ae) offers compact car rental from about $300 per week, including taxes. Emirates Skywards members can earn points on their car hire through Hertz.

Parks and accommodation

For information on Crater Lake National Park, visit www.nps.gov/crla/index.htm . Because of the altitude, large parts of the park are closed in winter due to snow. While the park’s summer season is May 22-October 31, typically, the full loop of the Rim Drive is only possible from late July until the end of October. Entry costs $25 per car for a day. For accommodation, see www.travelcraterlake.com. For information on Umpqua Hot Springs, see www.fs.usda.gov and https://soakoregon.com/umpqua-hot-springs/. For Bend, see https://www.visitbend.com/.

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The bio

Favourite food: Japanese

Favourite car: Lamborghini

Favourite hobby: Football

Favourite quote: If your dreams don’t scare you, they are not big enough

Favourite country: UAE

Lampedusa: Gateway to Europe
Pietro Bartolo and Lidia Tilotta
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Updated: January 05, 2023, 1:27 PM