As temperatures drop in the UAE, people are eager to soak up the pleasant weather, and the resurgence of the alfresco culinary and social scenes. From luxurious seaside lounges to cosy outdoor dining spots, here are some to include on your radar.
BCH:CLB
Opens: Now
Among the newest beach clubs at W Dubai – The Palm, the venue boasts a sprawling outdoor area with an infinity pool and luxurious day beds. The Mediterranean menu includes tuna pop tarts, sea bass ceviche, burrata pizza, watermelon and feta salad and a delectable mountain toast with Wagyu, caviar and truffle on buttery brioche.
Daily, 11am-8pm; Palm Jumeirah, Dubai; 04 245 5555
Siddharta Lounge by Buddha-Bar
Opens: Now
The venue at Grosvenor House in Dubai is back this winter with a refreshed menu, featuring Mediterranean and Asian-inspired dishes such as seared scallops with roasted capsicum and chorizo foam, spicy aubergine with miso and black rice puff and Canadian lobster spaghetti. The lively rooftop lounge includes a terrace pool with views of the Dubai Marina skyline.
Sunday to Thursday, 6pm-1am; Friday, 6pm-2am; Saturday, 5pm-2am; Dubai Marina; 04 317 6000
Cala Vista
Opens: Now
One of the newcomers in town, this beachfront spot at Jumeirah Mina Al Salam serves classic Italian dishes such as braised oxtail ravioli and Amalfi-inspired lemon sorbet, courtesy of chef Luca Crostelli. A day pass costs Dh500 per person, which includes access to the venue's pool area and Dh250 worth of redeemable dining credits. The restaurant only serves dinner as of writing, and will include lunch service as the weather gets even cooler.
Daily, 9am-5pm; Al Sufouh 1; 800 323232
Soul Beach
Opens: September 21
DJ MK is set to lead the season-opening party at JA The Resort's beach club. Dotted with sunbeds and loungers, it benefits from a quieter beachfront in Jebel Ali. Entry to the adults-only beach club is priced at Dh250, which is fully redeemable on food and beverages.
Daily, 10am-10pm; Jebel Ali, Dubai; 04 814 5126
Drift Dubai
Opens: September 23
The popular beach club at One & Only Royal Mirage is reopening its doors on Monday, with a packed schedule of post-summer events. Executive chef Sylvain Noel still helms the kitchen, which serves classic French cuisine. From October, the venue is relaunching its Ladies Who Drift promotion on Tuesdays and Thursdays, while guests can enjoy a French lunch menu courtesy of the adjoining restaurant on Wednesdays.
Guests can also opt to lounge beach or poolside via sunbeds. For group visitors, the venue also offers beach houses and villas for a more private experience.
Daily, 10am-7pm; Dubai Marina; 04 315 2200
TerraMar
Opens: October
This rooftop restaurant and pool lounge on the eighth floor of Marriot Hotel Al Jaddaf is reopening in October with a newly renovated bar inspired by those along the Mediterranean coast. On the menu are dishes such as tzatziki seared salmon, paella with grilled seafood and grilled chicken bossan. The menu also features a plant-based section. A weekly ladies' day and a rooftop Sunday brunch are also on the cards.
Daily, 8am-midnight; Al Jaddaf; 04 317 7576
Cafe Fountain
Opens: October 1
The outdoor cafe on the grounds of Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental is ideal for families to unwind and relax amid luxurious surroundings. An array of tea and coffees are available, as well as light meals and pastries inspired by Emirati recipes. Guests can opt for the afternoon tea package, which is priced at Dh175 per person.
Daily, 3pm-midnight; Corniche, Abu Dhabi; 02 690 7999
Sand & Koal
Opens: October 1
Closed during the summer, the outdoor-only restaurant, which is also at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, offers stunning seaside views and decadent meals cooked on an open fire. A DJ is on-site to set the mood, while fire dancers lead the live entertainment during weekends. The venue also has a lounge area that is open until 1am.
Daily, 6pm-11pm; Corniche, Abu Dhabi; 02 690 7999
Nuska Beach
Opens: October 3
The Jumeirah Beach Hotel spot is reopening with a revamped Mediterranean menu. Luxurious sunbeds and private cabanas are peppered across the venue, complete with live entertainment while offering glittering views of Jumeirah Beach. On opening night, fire dancers will perform.
Daily, 12.30pm-1am; Jumeirah Beach Hotel; 800 323232
How has net migration to UK changed?
The figure was broadly flat immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic, standing at 216,000 in the year to June 2018 and 224,000 in the year to June 2019.
It then dropped to an estimated 111,000 in the year to June 2020 when restrictions introduced during the pandemic limited travel and movement.
The total rose to 254,000 in the year to June 2021, followed by steep jumps to 634,000 in the year to June 2022 and 906,000 in the year to June 2023.
The latest available figure of 728,000 for the 12 months to June 2024 suggests levels are starting to decrease.
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Specs
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Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
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Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE fixtures:
Men
Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final
Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final
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Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
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Squads
India (for first three ODIs) Kohli (capt), Rohit, Rahul, Pandey, Jadhav, Rahane, Dhoni, Pandya, Axar, Kuldeep, Chahal, Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar, Umesh, Shami.
Australia Smith (capt), Warner, Agar, Cartwright, Coulter-Nile, Cummins, Faulkner, Finch, Head, Maxwell, Richardson, Stoinis, Wade, Zampa.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Results
2.30pm: Park Avenue – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (Dirt) 2,000m; Winner: Rb Seqondtonone, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
3.05pm: Al Furjan – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,200m; Winner: Bosphorus, Dane O’Neill, Bhupat Seemar
3.40pm: Mina – Rated Condition (TB) Dh105,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Royal Mews, Tadhg O’Shea, Bhupat Seemar
4.15pm: Aliyah – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (T) 1,900m; Winner: Ursa Minor, Ray Dawson, Ahmad bin Harmash
4.50pm: Riviera Beach – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 2,200m; Winner: Woodditton, Saif Al Balushi, Ahmad bin Harmash
5.25pm: Riviera – Handicap (TB) Dh2,000 (T) 2,000m; Winner: Al Madhar, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
6pm: Creek Views – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Al Salt, Dane O’Neill, Erwan Charpy
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Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
Afghanistan squad
Gulbadin Naib (captain), Mohammad Shahzad (wicketkeeper), Noor Ali Zadran, Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Asghar Afghan, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Najibullah Zadran, Samiullah Shinwari, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Dawlat Zadran, Aftab Alam, Hamid Hassan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
BELGIUM%20SQUAD
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani