In the UAE, mall-crawling can easily be considered a favourite pastime. Over the years, malls in the country have developed from shopping destinations to modern marvels. From being home to an indoor ski slope to a roller coaster, there’s no dearth of remarkable and awe-inspiring attractions to check out. Here’s a look at the ones to try.
The Storm Coaster, Dubai Hills Mall
You don't have to go far if you fancy a ride on the world's “fastest indoor rollercoaster". Dubai Hills Mall, which opened earlier this month, is home to plenty of Instagrammable backdrops (think giant teddy bears and design installations) as well as The Storm Coaster. Described as a “multivehicle inversion coaster wrapping its way throughout the entire building”, this is a perfect thrill ride for adrenalin junkies. A single ride lasts a little more than two minutes and costs Dh55.
Open daily, 10am-10pm; Dh55; Dubai Hills Mall; www.entertainment.emaar.com/attraction/the-storm
Velocity Slide, WTC Abu Dhabi
Unleash your inner child at World Trade Centre Abu Dhabi. The mall recently introduced Velocity, which appears to be the tallest and longest indoor slide in the capital. The slide features a transparent section as well as a coloured-lights one, to make this a fun, one-of-a-kind experience that will have you zipping through the mall in a new way.
Open daily; Dh15 for one round, Dh25 for two rounds; WTC Abu Dhabi; www.wtcad.ae
Zero Latency Abu Dhabi, The Galleria Al Maryah Island
Bored with shopping and fancy shooting up some zombies instead? Zero Latency is a free-roam virtual reality game located right within The Galleria Al Maryah Island that allows you to play with (or against) your friends in virtual worlds. There are a number of cool games to try out, from Outbreak Origins, which has you killing zombies, to Engineerium, a “puzzling virtual reality walking journey”.
Open daily; Dh150 onwards; Level 3 at The Galleria Al Maryah Island; www.zerolatencyvr.ae
Rolling Wheels, various Abu Dhabi malls
Roller skating is an activity that boomed during the pandemic. If you’ve been thinking of dabbling in the sport — which combines fun with exercise and skill — Rolling Wheels is the skating rink to do it at. It aims to raise awareness on the benefits of rolling skating while also trying to raise its popularity. Rolling Wheels has three branches, all in Abu Dhabi malls, so you can take your pick, too. They also conduct professional training. For those aged five and older.
Open daily; Dh65 onwards for an hour; Delma Mall, Al Wahda Mall, Yas Mall; www.rollingwheels.ae
Dreamscape, Mall of the Emirates
It feels like there's no shortage of cool virtual reality experiences to partake in within UAE malls. Dreamscape offers free-roaming experiences that "transport visitors into new worlds". There are a number of adventures to choose between, from the daring and immersive Curse of the Lost Pearl: A Magic Projector Adventure (featuring an Atlantis-like lost city, majestic landscapes and wild rollercoaster rides) and the deep-dive yet soaring experience of The Blu: Deep Rescue (an underwater swim-with-the-whales outing) to MIB: First Assignment a trippy, fast-paced and edge-of-your-seat thriller.
Open daily; 11am-midnight; Dh78.75 onwards; Mall of the Emirates
The Virgin Mary, The Galleria Al Maryah Island
UAE malls have so many interesting and unique food concepts, that it’s almost impossible to pick favourites. But The Virgin Mary Bar or TVM in The Galleria Al Maryah Island is especially exciting as it’s the first-of-its-kind alcohol-free bar in the region and the first international outpost of the famous Irish bar.
On the drinks menu are concoctions such as upbeet (Borrago paloma blend, beetroot, watermelon and soda), pink preacher (Stillers Celtic Myst, Muscat grape, yerba mate herbal tea, raspberry, cucumber and lime) and Tiki st (pomegranate molasses, hibiscus, pimento, Syrah grape, lime and black cardamom).
Open daily; The Galleria Al Maryah Island; www.thevirginmarybar.com/pages/tvm-abu-dhabi
Infinity des Lumieres, The Dubai Mall
Infinity des Lumieres is a digital art museum that offers a one-of-a-kind experience. Located in the Dubai Mall, it is spread over 2,700 square metres. The venue has more than 130 projectors, 58 speakers and 3,000 HD digital images working together to create moving artworks which you can step into and be a part of. There are a variety of exhibitions being showcased, from Van Gogh’s artistic world to its latest exhibit Destination Cosmos: The Ultimate Challenge, which pays tribute to the UAE’s achievements in space exploration.
Open Monday to Thursday, 10am-9pm; Friday to Sunday, 10am-11pm; tickets are Dh75 for children aged 3 to 13, Dh125 for visitors 14+ if booked in advance, Dh150 for visitors over 14+ on-site; www.infinitylumieres.com
Clymb Abu Dhabi, Yas Mall
How often do you get to step into a mall and wind up at an adventure hub which is home to the world’s widest indoor skydiving flight chamber and the region’s tallest indoor climbing wall? Clymb Abu Dhabi, which is connected to Yas Mall, is an adventure lover’s paradise, offering cool new experiences. For climbers, there are five walls ranging in height to choose from, but if you really want to challenge yourself, try The Summyt which is 42 metres. Meanwhile, the indoor flight chamber allows visitors to “skydive” like never before. They even have a Junior Flying Club for children ages 3 to 14.
Wednesday to Sunday; noon-9pm; prices from Dh100 onwards for a half-day climbing pass; Yas Island; www.clymbabudhabi.com
Ski Dubai, Mall of the Emirates
The Middle East’s first indoor ski resort comes with bragging rights. Ski Dubai, which opened in 2005, features five ski slopes, a family-friendly snow park and also a number of fun activities. This includes the Penguin Encounter, where visitors can spot a colony of King and Gentoo penguins, to the Snow Cinema, where you can watch a movie in sub-zero temperatures with a steaming cup of hot chocolate.
Open daily, 10am-midnight; prices start at Dh200 for two people at the Snow Cinema and Dh220 for two hours at the slope; Mall of the Emirates; www.skidxb.com
Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, The Dubai Mall
Undoubtedly a highlight within The Dubai Mall, the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo is currently home to 140 species of marine life, with more than 400 sharks and rays. It can be enjoyed from outside (selfies with Dubai Aquarium are almost a must) but if you happen to venture within, there are a number of experiences to choose between — from a King Croc Encounter to diving with sharks — if you’re brave enough.
Monday to Thursday, 10am-10pm; Friday to Sunday, 10am-midnight; Dh169 onwards; The Dubai Mall; www.thedubaiaquarium.com
UAE's biggest malls - in pictures
What is a robo-adviser?
Robo-advisers use an online sign-up process to gauge an investor’s risk tolerance by feeding information such as their age, income, saving goals and investment history into an algorithm, which then assigns them an investment portfolio, ranging from more conservative to higher risk ones.
These portfolios are made up of exchange traded funds (ETFs) with exposure to indices such as US and global equities, fixed-income products like bonds, though exposure to real estate, commodity ETFs or gold is also possible.
Investing in ETFs allows robo-advisers to offer fees far lower than traditional investments, such as actively managed mutual funds bought through a bank or broker. Investors can buy ETFs directly via a brokerage, but with robo-advisers they benefit from investment portfolios matched to their risk tolerance as well as being user friendly.
Many robo-advisers charge what are called wrap fees, meaning there are no additional fees such as subscription or withdrawal fees, success fees or fees for rebalancing.
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.
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F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Results
2.15pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,950m
Winner: Hello, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ali Rashid Al Raihi (trainer).
2.45pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,800m
Winner: Right Flank, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
3.15pm: Handicap Dh115,000 1,000m
Winner: Leading Spirit, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
3.45pm: Jebel Ali Mile Group 3 Dh575,000 1,600m
Winner: Chiefdom, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
4.15pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,400m
Winner: Ode To Autumn, Patrick Cosgrave, Satish Seemar.
4.45pm: Shadwell Farm Conditions Dh125,000 1,200m
Winner: Last Surprise, James Doyle, Simon Crisford.
5.15pm: Handicap Dh85,000 1,200m
Winner: Daltrey, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihi.
Coffee: black death or elixir of life?
It is among the greatest health debates of our time; splashed across newspapers with contradicting headlines - is coffee good for you or not?
Depending on what you read, it is either a cancer-causing, sleep-depriving, stomach ulcer-inducing black death or the secret to long life, cutting the chance of stroke, diabetes and cancer.
The latest research - a study of 8,412 people across the UK who each underwent an MRI heart scan - is intended to put to bed (caffeine allowing) conflicting reports of the pros and cons of consumption.
The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, contradicted previous findings that it stiffens arteries, putting pressure on the heart and increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke, leading to warnings to cut down.
Numerous studies have recognised the benefits of coffee in cutting oral and esophageal cancer, the risk of a stroke and cirrhosis of the liver.
The benefits are often linked to biologically active compounds including caffeine, flavonoids, lignans, and other polyphenols, which benefit the body. These and othetr coffee compounds regulate genes involved in DNA repair, have anti-inflammatory properties and are associated with lower risk of insulin resistance, which is linked to type-2 diabetes.
But as doctors warn, too much of anything is inadvisable. The British Heart Foundation found the heaviest coffee drinkers in the study were most likely to be men who smoked and drank alcohol regularly.
Excessive amounts of coffee also unsettle the stomach causing or contributing to stomach ulcers. It also stains the teeth over time, hampers absorption of minerals and vitamins like zinc and iron.
It also raises blood pressure, which is largely problematic for people with existing conditions.
So the heaviest drinkers of the black stuff - some in the study had up to 25 cups per day - may want to rein it in.
Rory Reynolds
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What went into the film
25 visual effects (VFX) studios
2,150 VFX shots in a film with 2,500 shots
1,000 VFX artists
3,000 technicians
10 Concept artists, 25 3D designers
New sound technology, named 4D SRL
Results
5pm: UAE Martyrs Cup (TB) Conditions Dh90,000 2,200m
Winner: Mudaarab, Jim Crowley (jockey), Erwan Charpy (trainer).
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap Dh70,000 1,400m
Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Richard Mullen, Hassan Al Hammadi.
6pm: UAE Matyrs Trophy (PA) Maiden Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner: Salima Al Reef, Jesus Rosales, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
6.30pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (IFAHR) Apprentice Championship (PA) Prestige Dh100,000 1,600m
Winner: Bainoona, Ricardo Iacopini, Eric Lemartinel.
7pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (IFAHR) Ladies World Championship (PA) Prestige Dh125,000 1,600m
Winner: Assyad, Victoria Larsen, Eric Lemartinel.
8pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown (PA) Group 1 Dh5,000,000 1,600m
Winner: Mashhur Al Khalediah, Jean-Bernard Eyquem, Phillip Collington.
Zakat definitions
Zakat: an Arabic word meaning ‘to cleanse’ or ‘purification’.
Nisab: the minimum amount that a Muslim must have before being obliged to pay zakat. Traditionally, the nisab threshold was 87.48 grams of gold, or 612.36 grams of silver. The monetary value of the nisab therefore varies by current prices and currencies.
Zakat Al Mal: the ‘cleansing’ of wealth, as one of the five pillars of Islam; a spiritual duty for all Muslims meeting the ‘nisab’ wealth criteria in a lunar year, to pay 2.5 per cent of their wealth in alms to the deserving and needy.
Zakat Al Fitr: a donation to charity given during Ramadan, before Eid Al Fitr, in the form of food. Every adult Muslim who possesses food in excess of the needs of themselves and their family must pay two qadahs (an old measure just over 2 kilograms) of flour, wheat, barley or rice from each person in a household, as a minimum.
Profile of Foodics
Founders: Ahmad AlZaini and Mosab AlOthmani
Based: Riyadh
Sector: Software
Employees: 150
Amount raised: $8m through seed and Series A - Series B raise ongoing
Funders: Raed Advanced Investment Co, Al-Riyadh Al Walid Investment Co, 500 Falcons, SWM Investment, AlShoaibah SPV, Faith Capital, Technology Investments Co, Savour Holding, Future Resources, Derayah Custody Co.
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