The UAE is celebrating Emirati Women's Day on Monday, meaning residents can expect a week of discounts and deals across restaurants, hotels and other lifestyle venues.
Additionally, there is a gaming festival in Abu Dhabi and a Kuwaiti stage play in Dubai.
Here, The National rounds up seven things to do in the Emirates, from August 28 to September 3.
Monday
Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental in Abu Dhabi has an extensive Emirati Women's Day programme.
The hotel offers a 50 per cent discount on a day pass to the beach and pool. All women are eligible for the offer, which includes morning stretching and aqua aerobic sessions.
There are also deals at dining venues Lebanese Terrace and Episodes, as well as the spa. At the Grand Dome, there is an exhibition of eight artworks created by female Emirati artists. All proceeds will be donated to communities in need in Afghanistan.
Until Thursday, 7am-6pm; prices vary; West Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi; 02 690 9000
Tuesday
Gamers can head to Yas Mall in the capital to take part in the Yas Gaming Festival as it returns for the fourth year.
The mall's town square has been transformed for both casual and professional players. There are game showcases, racing simulators, retro games and virtual reality programmes to try. Visitors can also participate in Fifa 23 and Fortnite tournaments.
Daily until September 12, 10am-10pm; free; Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; yasmall.ae
Wednesday
Form Hotel has a special offer celebrating Emirati Women's Day.
Guests can stay at the four-star Dubai property in Al Jaddaf for only Dh199 per night, inclusive of all taxes. The booking also includes breakfast.
Until September 3; Dh199 per night; Al Jaddaf, Dubai; 04 317 9000
Thursday
Take the little ones to City Centre Al Zahia, Sharjah, and join the Smiley World Activation – a bright and colourful activities area complete with games, puzzles, arts and crafts.
Visitors can enter by spending Dh200 at any of the stores. The event alludes to Sharjah's tourism tagline, “Smile, you're in Sharjah”.
Until Sunday, 2pm-10pm; Dh200 minimum mall spend; City Centre Al Zahia, Sharjah; citycentrealzahia.com
Friday
Indian actor, singer and director Farhan Akhtar is performing at the Coca-Cola Arena on Friday.
Fans can expect to hear Akhtar belt out chart-topping hits from his films such as Rock On!!, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and Dil Dhadakne Do.
Friday, doors open at 8pm; from Dh249; City Walk, Al Wasl, Dubai; coca-cola-arena.com
Saturday
Kuwaiti stage actors will perform the play Room 13 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
The comedy follows the story of newlyweds who check into a hotel room recently occupied by a deceased relative. The cast includes Ahmed A Aounan, Abdel Nasser Darwish and Sultan Al Faraj.
Saturday, doors open at 8.30pm; from Dh200; Dubai World Trade Centre; alqiser.com
Sunday
Head to any of the restaurants at W Dubai – The Palm, including the Michelin-starred Torno Subito, for a 20 per cent discount off the bill.
Other restaurants at the property include Japanese venue Akira Back, rooftop lounge Sobe, and Liv, the property's all-day dining area.
Sunday, timings vary; West Crescent, The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai; 04 245 5555
Emirates exiles
Will Wilson is not the first player to have attained high-class representative honours after first learning to play rugby on the playing fields of UAE.
Jonny Macdonald
Abu Dhabi-born and raised, the current Jebel Ali Dragons assistant coach was selected to play for Scotland at the Hong Kong Sevens in 2011.
Jordan Onojaife
Having started rugby by chance when the Jumeirah College team were short of players, he later won the World Under 20 Championship with England.
Devante Onojaife
Followed older brother Jordan into England age-group rugby, as well as the pro game at Northampton Saints, but recently switched allegiance to Scotland.
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
UAE FIXTURES
October 18 – 7.30pm, UAE v Oman, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
October 19 – 7.30pm, UAE v Ireland, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
October 21 – 2.10pm, UAE v Hong Kong, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
October 22 – 2.10pm, UAE v Jersey, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
October 24 – 10am, UAE v Nigeria, Abu Dhabi Cricket Oval 1
October 27 – 7.30pm, UAE v Canada, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
October 29 – 2.10pm, Playoff 1 – A2 v B3; 7.30pm, Playoff 2 – A3 v B2, at Dubai International Stadium.
October 30 – 2.10pm, Playoff 3 – A4 v Loser of Play-off 1; 7.30pm, Playoff 4 – B4 v Loser of Play-off 2 at Dubai International Stadium
November 1 – 2.10pm, Semifinal 1 – B1 v Winner of Play-off 1; 7.30pm, Semifinal 2 – A1 v Winner of Play-off 2 at Dubai International Stadium
November 2 – 2.10pm, Third place Playoff – B1 v Winner of Play-off 1; 7.30pm, Final, at Dubai International Stadium
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Gran Gala del Calcio 2019 winners
Best Player: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)
Best Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini (Atalanta)
Best Referee: Gianluca Rocchi
Best Goal: Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria vs Napoli)
Best Team: Atalanta
Best XI: Samir Handanovic (Inter); Aleksandar Kolarov (Roma), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli), Joao Cancelo (Juventus*); Miralem Pjanic (Juventus), Josip Ilicic (Atalanta), Nicolo Barella (Cagliari*); Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria), Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), Duvan Zapata (Atalanta)
Serie B Best Young Player: Sandro Tonali (Brescia)
Best Women’s Goal: Thaisa (Milan vs Juventus)
Best Women’s Player: Manuela Giugliano (Milan)
Best Women’s XI: Laura Giuliani (Milan); Alia Guagni (Fiorentina), Sara Gama (Juventus), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus), Elisa Bartoli (Roma); Aurora Galli (Juventus), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Valentina Cernoia (Juventus); Valentina Giacinti (Milan), Ilaria Mauro (Fiorentina), Barbara Bonansea (Juventus)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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).
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
