It’s been a star-studded week across the UAE. With the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the start of the Fifa World Cup in Qatar, celebrity golf tournaments and prime holiday season in full swing, stars have been flocking to the Emirates in their masses.
Of course, all the Formula One drivers were in town for the last race of the season, and they found a rare moment to enjoy some time away from the track to celebrate Sebastian Vettel's retirement. All 20 drivers joined each other for a meal together at Hakkasan Abu Dhabi in Emirates Palace, with several including Lewis Hamilton paying tribute to their peer on social media afterwards.
Scroll through the gallery above to see pictures from the meal
Here’s who else we have spotted this week:
Will.i.am
Black Eyed Peas front man Will.i.am was among the A-list stars to attend the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Ahead of Sunday’s race, he spent time touring the garages and taking part in a pit lane walk, posing for photographs.
Usher
As well as performing for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after-race concerts and in Saudi Arabia’s AlUla over the weekend, Usher still made sure he had some downtime to enjoy the Formula One in the capital. As well enjoying a pit walk ahead of Sunday’s race, the star also performed an impromptu concert in the lobby of his hotel, the Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island, in the early hours of the morning, much to the delight of several onlookers.
Usain Bolt
The world’s fastest drivers were watched by the world’s fastest man, as Usain Bolt flew into the capital for the F1 action. The star took part in a race-day pit lane walk, and happily smiled for the cameras making his signature pose.
Winnie Harlow
Supermodel Winnie Harlow was also in the UAE capital for the last Formula One stop of the 2022 season. She posed from the exclusive Paddock Club overlooking the track, and also joined Usher for his impromptu hotel lobby singalong in the early hours.
Molly-Mae and Tommy Fury
After his fight at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena earlier this month, boxer Tommy Fury and his influencer girlfriend Molly-Mae Hague enjoyed a “baby moon” in the emirate. Staying at the One & Only Royal Mirage, the couple enjoyed a relaxing trip, and paid visits to Global Village and Blended Wellness.
Patrice Evra
Former Manchester United footballer Patrice Evra also took part in a pit lane walk ahead of the F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday. Speaking to The National last week, he explained that he was on the circuit to take a victory lap of his own.
“I just signed an agreement to create my own content company in Abu Dhabi,” he said. “I feel very excited because this feels like a new chapter for me and to do it here in the UAE, which has been my home for two years, is what makes it special.”
Steve Harvey and Akon
UAE regulars Steve Harvey and Akon were back in town for the race, and took part in a round of celebrity golf on Friday at Yas Links, as part of the Steve Harvey Golf Classic. Named after the comedian and television host and organised by Melt Middle East other stars to play included Emmy Award-nominated actor Anthony Anderson, comedian D L Hughley, model Chanel Ayan, fashion designer Lesa Milan and boxer Badou Jack.
Ranveer Singh
Indian actor Ranveer Singh also enjoyed a weekend at the F1, and spent time greeting fellow stars and posing for photographs. Dressed in his signature colourful style, the actor waved to fans and documented his day on social media.
Shaquille O’Neal
Fresh from the NBA’s Middle East debut in the capital last month, basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal was back in town for the F1. Spotted in the exclusive Paddock Club, the star took in all the race day action, joined by members of his family.
Paris Hilton
Hotel heiress and reality television star Paris Hilton was also spotted at the F1, wearing a fitting chequered head band for the occasion. Ahead of race day, she had her hair done by Abu Dhabi hairstylist Mike Hamdan, and also posed for pictures with Ranveer Singh on the day, who captioned the shot with her signature catchphrase “that’s hot”.
President Sheikh Mohamed attends the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix — in pictures
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RESULTS
2pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
Winner: Najem Al Rwasi, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Ahmed Al Shemaili (trainer)
2.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Fandim, Fernando Jara, Majed Al Jahouri
3pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner: Harbh, Pat Cosgrave, Ahmed Al Mehairbi
3.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner: Wakeel W’Rsan, Richard Mullen, Jaci Wickham
4pm: Crown Prince of Sharjah Cup Prestige (PA) Dh200,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Jawaal, Fernando Jara, Majed Al Jahouri
4.30pm: Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup (TB) Dh200,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Tailor’s Row, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
'THE WORST THING YOU CAN EAT'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
RESULTS
5pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000, 2,400m
Winner: Recordman, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer)
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000, 2,200m
Winner: AF Taraha, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic Prestige (PA) Dh110,000, 1,400m
Winner: Dhafra, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Colts Classic Prestige (PA) Dh110,000, 1,400m
Winner: Maqam, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh85,000, 1,600m
Winner: AF Momtaz, Fernando Jara, Musabah Al Muhairi
7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000, 1,600m
Winner: Optimizm, Patrick Cosgrave, Abdallah Al Hammadi
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
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
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
The Uefa Awards winners
Uefa Men's Player of the Year: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Uefa Women's Player of the Year: Lucy Bronze (Lyon)
Best players of the 2018/19 Uefa Champions League
Goalkeeper: Alisson (Liverpool)
Defender: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Midfielder: Frenkie de Jong (Ajax)
Forward: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Uefa President's Award: Eric Cantona
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Washmen Profile
Date Started: May 2015
Founders: Rami Shaar and Jad Halaoui
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Laundry
Employees: 170
Funding: about $8m
Funders: Addventure, B&Y Partners, Clara Ventures, Cedar Mundi Partners, Henkel Ventures
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
more from Janine di Giovanni
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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
The distance learning plan
Spring break will be from March 8 - 19
Public school pupils will undergo distance learning from March 22 - April 2. School hours will be 8.30am to 1.30pm
Staff will be trained in distance learning programmes from March 15 - 19
Teaching hours will be 8am to 2pm during distance learning
Pupils will return to school for normal lessons from April 5
Global Fungi Facts
• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
Brief scores:
Barcelona 3
Pique 38', Messi 51 (pen), Suarez 82'
Rayo Vallecano 1
De Tomas Gomez 24'
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.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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