There's plenty of variety across the UAE calendar this week — with events for foodies, sports enthusiasts and Broadway buffs alike.
This is The National's round-up of seven things to do over the next seven days, from February 20 to 26.
Monday
The annual food and beverage sourcing event, Gulfood, opens at the Dubai World Trade Centre on Monday.
More than 5,000 exhibitors are showcasing their products at the event, which runs until Friday. One of the key items on the agenda is Table Top, where renowned chefs are set to hold masterclasses and talks on sustainability and culinary fusions.
Chefs in attendance include Michelin-lauded Heinz Beck.
Visitor registration is required. More information is at gulfood.com
Tuesday
The WPT Modon Abu Dhabi Padel Master starts on Tuesday at Bab Al Nojoum, Hudayriyat Island in Abu Dhabi.
Global padel stars will descend upon the UAE capital to compete, while spectators can explore a fan village that includes family activities and food trucks.
The event is the first master tournament on the World Padel Tour's 2023 calendar. Padel athletes will be battling for a share of the €250,000 ($265,094) prize fund at the event, the highest amount ever awarded in a WPT tournament.
Tickets start at Dh50. More information is available at Abu-dhabi.platinumlist.net
Wednesday
Comedian Kevin Hart is performing at the Etihad Arena on Wednesday, bringing his Reality Check tour to Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
Hart, who was named Yas Island's chief island officer in a tourism campaign early last year, last performed in Abu Dhabi in 2016. The Jumanji: The Next Level actor has promised that “big things are coming”.
Tickets start at Dh439. More information is available at www.etihadarena.ae
Thursday
French record producer and DJ Bob Sinclar is performing at CouCou at Palm Jumeirah on Thursday.
Guests can expect to hear the artist's house hits, including World Hold On, Love Generation and Rock This Party (Everybody Dance Now). On the menu is an array of dishes such as burrata, truffle tuna with yuzu, guacamole and snails in garlic butter.
February 23; Dh2,000 minimum spend per person; dinner starts at 8pm, Sinclar to perform from 11.30pm onwards; The Palm Tower; 052 451 2188
Friday
Shrek The Musical, based on the Oscar-winning animated film, is playing at Dubai Opera.
The show had its premiere on Broadway in 2008 and was nominated for eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score, Best Actor and Best Actress in 2009.
Since its run on Broadway, it’s been performed on stages across countries including the UK, Ireland, France, Italy, Germany, Singapore, China and Thailand.
Tickets start at Dh275
Saturday
At the Dubai Festival Arena, personal development company Mindvalley, headed by Vishen Lakhiani, is hosting its first seminar in emirate.
The two-day affair includes sessions about conscious parenting, improving memory and starting a wellness journey. British therapist Marisa Peer, the founder of Rapid Transformational Therapy, is one of the speakers at the event.
Tickets start at Dh1,833. More information is available at mindvalley.com
Sunday
Alserkal Art Week returns on Sunday with a full week of exhibitions and pop-up events.
Some of the highlights in this year's Art Week include a solo exhibit by Rana Begum, featuring the artist's exploration of light and colour. The week-long event will also bring back Slow Art Walks, a series where guests are invited to tour the venue's galleries with a focus on “feeling and mindfulness” through art, rather than “observation and understanding”.
More information is available on alserkal.online
EPL's youngest
- Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
15 years, 181 days old
- Max Dowman (Arsenal)
15 years, 235 days old
- Jeremy Monga (Leicester)
15 years, 271 days old
- Harvey Elliott (Fulham)
16 years, 30 days old
- Matthew Briggs (Fulham)
16 years, 68 days old
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
UFC Fight Night 2
1am – Early prelims
2am – Prelims
4am-7am – Main card
7:30am-9am – press cons
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.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
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Getting there
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Tbilisi from Dh1,025 return including taxes
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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
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Meatless Days
Sara Suleri, with an introduction by Kamila Shamsie
Penguin
Brief scores:
Juventus 3
Dybala 6', Bonucci 17', Ronaldo 63'
Frosinone 0
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
