Sharjah's House of Wisdom is one of the many fascinating and cool places to visit during the summer. Photo: House of Wisdom
Sharjah's House of Wisdom is one of the many fascinating and cool places to visit during the summer. Photo: House of Wisdom
Sharjah's House of Wisdom is one of the many fascinating and cool places to visit during the summer. Photo: House of Wisdom
Sharjah's House of Wisdom is one of the many fascinating and cool places to visit during the summer. Photo: House of Wisdom

My 15 tips to embrace the UAE summer


Saeed Saeed
  • English
  • Arabic

Here is a piece of advice from a seasoned UAE resident: the summer is not your enemy.

With the mercury rising, so does the worry from friends and colleagues about handling the sweltering temperatures. My answer to such pangs of anguish over the years is simple: be cool.

I am not only referring to ramping up the air conditioner at home or in the workplace, but also to discarding the concerns and embracing the languid rhythms that summer presents.

The relatively slower pace of UAE life over the next few months provides plenty of opportunities to recalibrate, reorganise, explore and, yes, also have plenty of fun.

I did not realise this immediately, of course. Instead, I gradually adjusted over the 14 years I have called the UAE home.

Each summer presented new opportunities to strengthen my bonds with the country, in addition to appreciating the calmer pace of life before the frenzied hustle and bustle returns in the cooler months.

Here are some tips that helped me and, now, hopefully yourself in making this a summer to remember.

1. Embrace the morning

The sun rise jog is perfect during the summer months. Victor Besa / The National
The sun rise jog is perfect during the summer months. Victor Besa / The National

If you ever aspired to be a morning person, this is your chance. This is a lesson passed on by my parents when I was living in Abu Dhabi as a child.

My parents, both night owls, would switch up their routines. My dad would see his friends for breakfast while my mum and her crew changed their daily evening strolls to the morning hours. Our night-time visits to our Emirati friends also changed to the morning in order to have tea and a chat on the patio.

That golden hour, beginning from sunrise, is also the perfect time to exercise. If you are lucky, you may get kissed by a cool breeze or two.

2. Check out some amazing indoor venues

A decade ago, I used to exchange notes with friends on which malls had the most impressive air conditioning systems (Al Wahda Mall remains my go-to), and I would head there to roam aimlessly while keeping cool.

Fortunately, the UAE now boasts a growing number of great indoor venues to visit that are not shopping centres. These include the majestic Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island, the Museum of the Future in Dubai, and the mega House of Wisdom library in Sharjah.

Not only are they beautiful to experience and engrossing for children, but their indoor temperatures are cool at all times, too.

3. Catch a concert, musical or comedy show

Comedian Bill Burr is set to perform at Etihad Arena on July 12. Photo: FilmMagic
Comedian Bill Burr is set to perform at Etihad Arena on July 12. Photo: FilmMagic

There was a time when big pop concerts in the UAE summer felt like the stuff of pure fantasy.

Fortunately this has transformed over the years with the arrival of first-class indoor venues such Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena, Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai Opera and The Agenda.

Not only has this made the UAE concert calendar open for all seasons but has allowed organisers to tap into the busy European summer festival market and bring high-profile acts to the UAE.

Scan the UAE event listings between now and September. There is a show for everyone this summer.

4. Check out the various UAE theme parks

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is a new attraction on Yas Island, which is also home to Yas Bay Waterfront. Photo: Miral
SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is a new attraction on Yas Island, which is also home to Yas Bay Waterfront. Photo: Miral

While Disneyland Abu Dhabi is highly anticipated, the UAE already boasts an enviable number of family theme parks – many of which are situated in sprawling indoor spaces.

Take the kids to SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, while film buffs should visit Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi. If you've watched F1 The Movie, you'll know Abu Dhabi played a big part in the film starring Brad Pitt - so make time to visit Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, as it's an ideal spot to indulge in the splendour of the competition.

Dubai is also home to its own suite of attractions, such as IMG Worlds of Adventure, featuring rides inspired by Marvel characters, and Motiongate, which showcases pavilions inspired by popular children's films, including Madagascar and Hotel Transylvania.

Adventureland Sharjah is a family-friendly affair with rides, musical performances and dining options.

5. Book the hotel deal of a lifetime

Some of the UAE's most prestigious hotels, such as the Burj Al Arab, launch summer staycation deals for UAE residents. Photo: Butj Al Arab
Some of the UAE's most prestigious hotels, such as the Burj Al Arab, launch summer staycation deals for UAE residents. Photo: Butj Al Arab

The summer is a time when even the most popular resorts experience a steep decline in room reservations. As a result, many launch eye-catching “summer staycation deals” where you can stay at the most lavish hotels at a discounted price.

If you have a bucket list of resorts you want to visit, now is the time to make those bookings.

6. Taste test Michelin-starred and newly opened restaurants

Tresind Studio in Dubai recently became the first Indian restaurant to be awarded three Michelin stars globally. Photo: Tresind Studios
Tresind Studio in Dubai recently became the first Indian restaurant to be awarded three Michelin stars globally. Photo: Tresind Studios

Those who love to eat out also have a lot to look forward to during the hotter months.

With the industry’s “off season” already underway, this is a time when you will find new venues quietly opening up as part of their soft launch phase.

This is also a great time to embark on your very own UAE Michelin restaurant trail before you're faced with a waiting list during busy season.

7. Go on that great UAE road trip

Al Bidyah Mosque in Fujairah. Photo: Pawan Singh / The National
Al Bidyah Mosque in Fujairah. Photo: Pawan Singh / The National

The UAE is blessed with seven distinct emirates, all accessible by car. This is what makes the country a perfect location for a family road trip.

With the motorways less congested during these times, it is recommended to set aside a week or a number of weekends to visit the hidden gems, such as the coastal city of Khorfakkan in Sharjah and the UAE's oldest functioning mosque, the 100-year old Al Bidyah Mosque, in Fujairah.

8. Volunteer and thrive

Food distribution to workers as part of the 1000 meals initiative part of the UAE Food Bank programme held at Zabeel park in Dubai. Volunteers distributing food boxes to the workers for iftar. Pawan Singh / The National
Food distribution to workers as part of the 1000 meals initiative part of the UAE Food Bank programme held at Zabeel park in Dubai. Volunteers distributing food boxes to the workers for iftar. Pawan Singh / The National

Such is the community and social benefits of volunteering that UAE authorities have designated it as a service that can qualify for a golden visa.

There are plenty of official online portals and organisations where you can register your interest in volunteering as an individual, groups or organisation. These include the Emirates Red Crescent, which conducts numerous local campaigns and projects.

Dubai Volunteering Centre and its Sharjah counterpart also provide opportunities in their respective emirates.

9. Do the things you have been putting off

Getting tasks like a wardrobe clear up ticked off in the summer months can feel rewarding. Photo: Pixabay
Getting tasks like a wardrobe clear up ticked off in the summer months can feel rewarding. Photo: Pixabay

Summer is the ideal time to tick off personal admin work.

A few friends of mine use the summer to undergo an annual health check in clinics, give cars a service, and declutter their homes and workplaces.

It may not sound like much, but ticking off those important boxes will bring you satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment.

10. Enrol in that class you always dreamt about

Enroll in a new class over the summer months. Photo: Unsplash
Enroll in a new class over the summer months. Photo: Unsplash

It sounds simple, but sometimes we get so swept up with work and other commitments that we don’t have time for new experiences.

With most major entertainment and cultural festivals on ice until winter, you can use the weekend or post-work time to learn and take on new skills.

The UAE has a thriving vocational sector and institutions offering classes for everything ranging from cooking to DJ courses to robotics for children.

With more time on our hands, this is the opportunity to upskill and have fun along the way.

11. Chill with a pool pass

Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi has four swimming pools and 9km of private beach. Photo: Park Hyatt
Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi has four swimming pools and 9km of private beach. Photo: Park Hyatt

The off-season in UAE resorts means more opportunities for local residents to savour the lavish sites. An ideal and cost-effective way to do this is to take advantage of the pool and beach pass offers at leading UAE hotels. The best part of all is that the cost of passes often includes redeemable food and beverage items.

12. Catch a summer film

Check out smaller venues such Cinema Akil as well as the bigger names. Photo: Cinema Akil
Check out smaller venues such Cinema Akil as well as the bigger names. Photo: Cinema Akil

The UAE’s cinemas are not only well air-conditioned but also increasingly creative with their programming. In the summer months, venues like Cinema Akil in Dubai often run themed film festivals or retrospectives, from global cinema to cult classics.

Even multiplexes like Vox and Reel occasionally offer throwback screenings or discounted weekday showings. It’s the perfect way to escape the heat for a few hours and discover a new favourite film – or revisit an old one.

13. Explore indoor wellness and fitness options

Courtesy The Retreat Palm Dubai MGallery
Courtesy The Retreat Palm Dubai MGallery

While outdoor workouts can be limited in the summer, indoor wellness centres flourish. This is the time to sign up for trial classes at boutique studios offering yoga, Pilates, indoor cycling or even martial arts.

Many gyms and studios run summer packages at reduced rates to attract new members. It’s also an ideal season to book a day pass at a spa or try out wellness offerings such as salt rooms, cryotherapy, or hammam treatments. Places such as The Retreat Palm Dubai MGallery run affordable 24-hour retreats during the summer months too, if you need more than just an hour-long session to unwind.

14 . Discover lesser-known cultural spaces

Visit one of the many art galleries in Alserkal Avenue. Photo: Alserkal Avenue
Visit one of the many art galleries in Alserkal Avenue. Photo: Alserkal Avenue

Beyond the big-name museums, the UAE is also home to numerous hidden cultural gems. Visit the Etihad Museum in Dubai for a deeper understanding of the country's founding, or explore Alserkal Avenue’s many contemporary art galleries and studios.

Sharjah’s Heart of Sharjah district offers a historical experience indoors, with traditional architecture and museums such as Bait Al Naboodah and Sharjah Calligraphy Museum. Many of these spaces also offer workshops, exhibitions and talks throughout the summer.

15. Finally … relax and be still

There is always that temptation to fill your time in the summer by constantly travelling abroad.

While many don’t have the financial means to simply book a flight and leave, the reason to resist the urge is not only monetary but mental as well.

In addition to the daily pressures of working in the peak season, UAE residents have also been blessed with a packed winter season of events and countless concerts, festivals and conferences.

While fun and stimulating, all that action is exhausting. So take it easy, unwind and enjoy these quiet days of relative calm.

Considering the heightened anxiety of our times, we surely need it.

An earlier version of this story was first published on June 20, 2024

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Huddersfield Town permanent signings:

  • Steve Mounie (striker): signed from Montpellier for £11 million
  • Tom Ince (winger): signed from Derby County for £7.7m
  • Aaron Mooy (midfielder): signed from Manchester City for £7.7m
  • Laurent Depoitre (striker): signed from Porto for £3.4m
  • Scott Malone (defender): signed from Fulham for £3.3m
  • Zanka (defender): signed from Copenhagen for £2.3m
  • Elias Kachunga (winger): signed for Ingolstadt for £1.1m
  • Danny WIlliams (midfielder): signed from Reading on a free transfer
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street

The seven points are:

Shakhbout bin Sultan Street

Dhafeer Street

Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)

Salama bint Butti Street

Al Dhafra Street

Rabdan Street

Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)

FROM%20THE%20ASHES
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Khalid%20Fahad%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Shaima%20Al%20Tayeb%2C%20Wafa%20Muhamad%2C%20Hamss%20Bandar%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Our legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

McIlroy's struggles in 2016/17

European Tour: 6 events, 16 rounds, 5 cuts, 0 wins, 3 top-10s, 4 top-25s, 72,5567 points, ranked 16th

PGA Tour: 8 events, 26 rounds, 6 cuts, 0 wins, 4 top-10s, 5 top-25s, 526 points, ranked 71st

Arsenal's pre-season fixtures

Thursday Beat Sydney 2-0 in Sydney

Saturday v Western Sydney Wanderers in Sydney

Wednesday v Bayern Munich in Shanghai

July 22 v Chelsea in Beijing

July 29 v Benfica in London

July 30 v Sevilla in London

Director: Jon Favreau

Starring: Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, John Oliver

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

England v South Africa schedule:

  • First Test: At Lord's, England won by 219 runs
  • Second Test: July 14-18, Trent Bridge, Nottingham, 2pm
  • Third Test: The Oval, London, July 27-31, 2pm
  • Fourth Test: Old Trafford, Manchester, August 4-8

Funk Wav Bounces Vol.1
Calvin Harris
Columbia

Major matches on Manic Monday

Andy Murray (GBR) v Benoit Paire (FRA)

Grigor Dimitrov (BGR) v Roger Federer (SUI)

Rafael Nadal (ESP) v Gilles Muller (LUX)

Adrian Mannarino (FRA) Novak Djokovic (SRB)

England v South Africa schedule
  • First Test: Starts Thursday, Lord's, 2pm (UAE)
  • Second Test: July 14-18, Trent Bridge, Nottingham, 2pm
  • Third Test: The Oval, London, July 27-31, 2pm
  • Fourth Test: Old Trafford, Manchester, August 4-8
West Indies v India - Third ODI

India 251-4 (50 overs)
Dhoni (78*), Rahane (72), Jadhav (40)
Cummins (2-56), Bishoo (1-38)
West Indies 158 (38.1 overs)
Mohammed (40), Powell (30), Hope (24)
Ashwin (3-28), Yadav (3-41), Pandya (2-32)

India won by 93 runs

Madrid Open schedule

Men's semi-finals

Novak Djokovic (1) v Dominic Thiem (5) from 6pm

Stefanos Tsitsipas (8) v Rafael Nadal (2) from 11pm

Women's final

Simona Halep (3) v Kiki Bertens (7) from 8.30pm

Tewellah by Nawal Zoghbi is out now.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

Juventus v Napoli, Sunday, 10.45pm (UAE)

Match on Bein Sports

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20OneOrder%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20March%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Tamer%20Amer%20and%20Karim%20Maurice%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Cairo%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E82%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Series%20A%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs: 2018 Peugeot 5008

Price, base / as tested: Dh99,900 / Dh134,900

Engine: 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder

Transmission: Six-speed automatic

Power: 165hp @ 6,000rpm

Torque: 240Nm @ 1,400rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 5.8L / 100km

Crazy Rich Asians

Director: Jon M Chu

Starring: Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Michelle Yeon, Gemma Chan

Four stars

Tell Me Who I Am

Director: Ed Perkins

Stars: Alex and Marcus Lewis

Four stars

Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?

The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.

A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.

Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.

The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.

When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.

THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick

Hometown: Cologne, Germany

Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)

Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes

Favourite hobby: Football

Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk

The Voice of Hind Rajab

Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees

Director: Kaouther Ben Hania

Rating: 4/5

Overview

Cricket World Cup League Two: Nepal, Oman, United States tri-series, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu

Fixtures
Wednesday February 5, Oman v Nepal
Thursday, February 6, Oman v United States
Saturday, February 8, United States v Nepal
Sunday, February 9, Oman v Nepal
Tuesday, February 11, Oman v United States
Wednesday, February 12, United States v Nepal

Evacuations to France hit by controversy
  • Over 500 Gazans have been evacuated to France since November 2023
  • Evacuations were paused after a student already in France posted anti-Semitic content and was subsequently expelled to Qatar
  • The Foreign Ministry launched a review to determine how authorities failed to detect the posts before her entry
  • Artists and researchers fall under a programme called Pause that began in 2017
  • It has benefited more than 700 people from 44 countries, including Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Sudan
  • Since the start of the Gaza war, it has also included 45 Gazan beneficiaries
  • Unlike students, they are allowed to bring their families to France
THE SPECS

      

 

Engine: 1.5-litre

 

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

 

Power: 110 horsepower 

 

Torque: 147Nm 

 

Price: From Dh59,700 

 

On sale: now  

 
New Zealand squad

Tim Southee (capt), Trent Boult (games 4 and 5), Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson (games 1-3), Martin Guptill, Scott Kuggeleijn, Daryl Mitchell, Colin Munro, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Ross Taylor, Blair Tickner

The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
The lowdown

Rating: 4/5

Cryopreservation: A timeline
  1. Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
  2. Ovarian tissue surgically removed
  3. Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
  4. Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
  5. Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

While you're here
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."
Brief scores:

Pakistan (1st innings) 181: Babar 71; Olivier 6-37

South Africa (1st innings) 223: Bavuma 53; Amir 4-62

Pakistan (2nd innings) 190: Masood 65, Imam 57; Olivier 5-59

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

Red flags
  • Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
  • Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
  • Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
  • Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
  • Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.

Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

Specs

Engine: 2-litre

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 255hp

Torque: 273Nm

Price: Dh240,000

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How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now

Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.

The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.

1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):

a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33

b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.

2. For those who have worked more than five years

c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.

Note: The maximum figure cannot exceed two years total salary figure.

Autumn international scores

Saturday, November 24

Italy 3-66 New Zealand
Scotland 14-9 Argentina
England 37-18 Australia

Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium

Date: Sunday, November 25

Sri Lanka v England

First Test, at Galle
England won by 211

Second Test, at Kandy
England won by 57 runs

Third Test, at Colombo
From Nov 23-27

Our legal columnist

Name: Yousef Al Bahar

Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994

Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers

Packages which the US Secret Service said contained possible explosive devices were sent to:

  • Former first lady Hillary Clinton
  • Former US president Barack Obama
  • Philanthropist and businessman George Soros
  • Former CIA director John Brennan at CNN's New York bureau
  • Former Attorney General Eric Holder (delivered to former DNC chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz)
  • California Congresswoman Maxine Waters (two devices)
MWTC info

Tickets to the MWTC range from Dh100 and can be purchased from www.ticketmaster.ae or by calling 800 86 823 from within the UAE or 971 4 366 2289 from outside the country and all Virgin Megastores. Fans looking to attend all three days of the MWTC can avail of a special 20 percent discount on ticket prices.

The Bio

Favourite vegetable: “I really like the taste of the beetroot, the potatoes and the eggplant we are producing.”

Holiday destination: “I like Paris very much, it’s a city very close to my heart.”

Book: “Das Kapital, by Karl Marx. I am not a communist, but there are a lot of lessons for the capitalist system, if you let it get out of control, and humanity.”

Musician: “I like very much Fairuz, the Lebanese singer, and the other is Umm Kulthum. Fairuz is for listening to in the morning, Umm Kulthum for the night.”

Abandon
Sangeeta Bandyopadhyay
Translated by Arunava Sinha
Tilted Axis Press 

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%3Cp%3EDungeons%20%26amp%3B%20Dragons%20began%20as%20an%20interactive%20game%20which%20would%20be%20set%20up%20on%20a%20table%20in%201974.%20One%20player%20takes%20on%20the%20role%20of%20dungeon%20master%2C%20who%20directs%20the%20game%2C%20while%20the%20other%20players%20each%20portray%20a%20character%2C%20determining%20its%20species%2C%20occupation%20and%20moral%20and%20ethical%20outlook.%20They%20can%20choose%20the%20character%E2%80%99s%20abilities%2C%20such%20as%20strength%2C%20constitution%2C%20dexterity%2C%20intelligence%2C%20wisdom%20and%20charisma.%20In%20layman%E2%80%99s%20terms%2C%20the%20winner%20is%20the%20one%20who%20amasses%20the%20highest%20score.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
TOURNAMENT INFO

Opening fixtures:
Friday, Oct 5

8pm: Kabul Zwanan v Paktia Panthers

Saturday, Oct 6
4pm: Nangarhar Leopards v Kandahar Knights
8pm: Kabul Zwanan v Balkh Legends

Tickets
Tickets can be bought online at https://www.q-tickets.com/apl/eventlist and at the ticket office at the stadium.

TV info
The tournament will be broadcast live in the UAE on OSN Sports.

THE TWIN BIO

Their favourite city: Dubai

Their favourite food: Khaleeji

Their favourite past-time : walking on the beach

Their favorite quote: ‘we rise by lifting others’ by Robert Ingersoll

Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region

Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

Pakistan v New Zealand Test series

Pakistan: Sarfraz (c), Hafeez, Imam, Azhar, Sohail, Shafiq, Azam, Saad, Yasir, Asif, Abbas, Hassan, Afridi, Ashraf, Hamza

New Zealand: Williamson (c), Blundell, Boult, De Grandhomme, Henry, Latham, Nicholls, Ajaz, Raval, Sodhi, Somerville, Southee, Taylor, Wagner

Umpires: Bruce Oxerford (AUS) and Ian Gould (ENG); TV umpire: Paul Reiffel (AUS); Match referee: David Boon (AUS)

Tickets and schedule: Entry is free for all spectators. Gates open at 9am. Play commences at 10am

AUSTRALIA SQUAD

Aaron Finch, Matt Renshaw, Brendan Doggett, Michael Neser, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine (captain), Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Jon Holland, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle

Specs

Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

Range: Up to 610km

Power: 905hp

Torque: 985Nm

Price: From Dh439,000

Available: Now

TOURNAMENT INFO

Fixtures
Sunday January 5 - Oman v UAE
Monday January 6 - UAE v Namibia
Wednesday January 8 - Oman v Namibia
Thursday January 9 - Oman v UAE
Saturday January 11 - UAE v Namibia
Sunday January 12 – Oman v Namibia

UAE squad
Ahmed Raza (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Waheed Ahmed, Zawar Farid, Darius D’Silva, Karthik Meiyappan, Jonathan Figy, Vriitya Aravind, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Basil Hameed, Chirag Suri

Tuesday results:

  • Singapore bt Malaysia by 29 runs
  • UAE bt Oman by 13 runs
  • Hong Kong bt Nepal by 3 wickets

Final:
Thursday, UAE v Hong Kong

Abu Dhabi GP starting grid

1 Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

2 Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes)

3 Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)

4 Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)

5 Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull)

6 Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

7 Romain Grosjean (Haas)

8 Charles Leclerc (Sauber)

9 Esteban Ocon (Force India)

10 Nico Hulkenberg (Renault)

11 Carlos Sainz (Renault)

12 Marcus Ericsson (Sauber)

13 Kevin Magnussen (Haas)

14 Sergio Perez (Force India)

15 Fernando Alonso (McLaren)

16 Brendon Hartley (Toro Rosso)

17 Pierre Gasly (Toro Rosso)

18 Stoffe Vandoorne (McLaren)

19 Sergey Sirotkin (Williams)

20 Lance Stroll (Williams)

HIJRA

Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy

Director: Shahad Ameen

Rating: 3/5

MATCH INFO

England 241-3 (20 ovs)

Malan 130 no, Morgan 91

New Zealand 165 all out (16.5ovs)

Southee 39, Parkinson 4-47

England win by 76 runs

Series level at 2-2

MATCH INFO

Real Madrid 2

Vinicius Junior (71') Mariano (90 2')

Barcelona 0

Juliet, Naked
Dir: Jesse Peretz
Starring: Chris O'Dowd, Rose Byrne, Ethan Hawke​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​Two stars

Updated: June 30, 2025, 5:36 AM`