It takes a lot for Usher to perform outside of the US these days.
For the last two years, the R&B star has built a successful residency in Las Vegas — perhaps rightfully understanding his fan base matured from the frenzied days of the late 1990s and prefer hearing the hits seated.
Then again, the allure of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, with its glamour and friendly crowd, was enough for the singer, full name Usher Raymond, to bring some of that Vegas razzle-dazzle to Etihad Park on Thursday.
Usher’s return to the UAE is also a case of unfinished business.
His last major performance, bizarrely, was part of the closing ceremony for the 2012 World Parachuting Championships Dubai.
Needless to say, it wasn’t exactly his crowd. Also, it was a different Usher who took the stage back then.
While the show was slick as expected, he carried the kind of added intensity of a champion defending his turf.
While still a bonafide star in those days, a new generation of acts, such as Chris Brown and Jason Derulo, were on the rise and nipping at his heels.
Fortunately, none of that tension was on display in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
He cut a friendly and suave figure as he took us on an hour-long journey of his greatest hits.
Backed by a cracking band, including a horn section and a panoply of dancers, Usher channelled the vibes of his Las Vegas residency at Etihad Park.
All songs, from the stomping Caught Up to smooth ballads like Burn, were lovingly performed with Usher’s velvety croon.
Usher spent part of the set celebrating the 25th anniversary of his second album My Way.
Tracks such as You Make Me Wanna... and the lush stylings of Nice and Slow exemplified the persona that made him a hit at the clubs and earned him a guest acting role in Bold and the Beautiful in 1998.
Confessions, an R&B ballad, was also a standout, with Usher leaning into the stark subject matter with an emotionally committed performance.
Despite the lyrical dramatics, Usher was in congenial mode throughout the evening.
Call it “The Vegas Effect”, as the show featured some of the old-school banter synonymous with residency shows.
“This one's for you, and you, and you …” he would say to the screams of the crowd.
At other times, he would trail songs by conversationally mentioning well-known lyrics such as “how many lovers and friends are out there?” before launching into the ballad Lovers and Friends.
This matured vibe suits Usher.
Nearly 30 years into his career encompassing music, film and television — not to mention being responsible for spotting future superstar Justin Bieber on YouTube — Usher has nothing left to prove and has seemingly embraced his seasoned status.
With his next performance in Saudi Arabia's AlUla on Friday, one hopes he takes his latest show further on the road, as some things shouldn't only stay in Vegas.
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after-race concerts continue with Swedish House Mafia performing on Friday, followed by Kendrick Lamar and Def Leppard on Saturday and Sunday respectively.
Access to after-race concerts is exclusive to Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ticket holders. Tickets are available online at www.yasmarinacircuit.com and through the Yas Marina Circuit Call Centre on 800 927 or 02 659 9800
<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html" charset="UTF-8" /></head><body><!--PSTYLE=* Labels%3aFH Label 18 Sport--><p>Beach soccer</p><!--PSTYLE=BY Byline--><p>Amith Passela</p><p /></body></html>
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Brief scores:
Manchester City 3
Bernardo Silva 16', Sterling 57', Gundogan 79'
Bournemouth 1
Wilson 44'
Man of the match: Leroy Sane (Manchester City)
Three trading apps to try
Sharad Nair recommends three investment apps for UAE residents:
- For beginners or people who want to start investing with limited capital, Mr Nair suggests eToro. “The low fees and low minimum balance requirements make the platform more accessible,” he says. “The user interface is straightforward to understand and operate, while its social element may help ease beginners into the idea of investing money by looking to a virtual community.”
- If you’re an experienced investor, and have $10,000 or more to invest, consider Saxo Bank. “Saxo Bank offers a more comprehensive trading platform with advanced features and insight for more experienced users. It offers a more personalised approach to opening and operating an account on their platform,” he says.
- Finally, StashAway could work for those who want a hands-off approach to their investing. “It removes one of the biggest challenges for novice traders: picking the securities in their portfolio,” Mr Nair says. “A goal-based approach or view towards investing can help motivate residents who may usually shy away from investment platforms.”
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HIV on the rise in the region
A 2019 United Nations special analysis on Aids reveals 37 per cent of new HIV infections in the Mena region are from people injecting drugs.
New HIV infections have also risen by 29 per cent in western Europe and Asia, and by 7 per cent in Latin America, but declined elsewhere.
Egypt has shown the highest increase in recorded cases of HIV since 2010, up by 196 per cent.
Access to HIV testing, treatment and care in the region is well below the global average.
Few statistics have been published on the number of cases in the UAE, although a UNAIDS report said 1.5 per cent of the prison population has the virus.
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
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Key features of new policy
Pupils to learn coding and other vocational skills from Grade 6
Exams to test critical thinking and application of knowledge
A new National Assessment Centre, PARAKH (Performance, Assessment, Review and Analysis for Holistic Development) will form the standard for schools
Schools to implement online system to encouraging transparency and accountability
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Dr Amal Khalid Alias revealed a recent case of a woman with daughters, who specifically wanted a boy.
A semen analysis of the father showed abnormal sperm so the couple required IVF.
Out of 21 eggs collected, six were unused leaving 15 suitable for IVF.
A specific procedure was used, called intracytoplasmic sperm injection where a single sperm cell is inserted into the egg.
On day three of the process, 14 embryos were biopsied for gender selection.
The next day, a pre-implantation genetic report revealed four normal male embryos, three female and seven abnormal samples.
Day five of the treatment saw two male embryos transferred to the patient.
The woman recorded a positive pregnancy test two weeks later.
Tips for taking the metro
- set out well ahead of time
- make sure you have at least Dh15 on you Nol card, as there could be big queues for top-up machines
- enter the right cabin. The train may be too busy to move between carriages once you're on
- don't carry too much luggage and tuck it under a seat to make room for fellow passengers
The stats
Ship name: MSC Bellissima
Ship class: Meraviglia Class
Delivery date: February 27, 2019
Gross tonnage: 171,598 GT
Passenger capacity: 5,686
Crew members: 1,536
Number of cabins: 2,217
Length: 315.3 metres
Maximum speed: 22.7 knots (42kph)
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
The Laughing Apple
Yusuf/Cat Stevens
(Verve Decca Crossover)
No.6 Collaborations Project
Ed Sheeran (Atlantic)
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Ordinary Virtues: Moral Order in a Divided World by Michael Ignatieff
Harvard University Press
