Abu Dhabi is hosting Sail Grand Prix for the first time. Photo: Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix
Abu Dhabi is hosting Sail Grand Prix for the first time. Photo: Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix
Abu Dhabi is hosting Sail Grand Prix for the first time. Photo: Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix
Abu Dhabi is hosting Sail Grand Prix for the first time. Photo: Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix

Things to do in the UAE this week, from Exo concert to Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix


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It's been a busy start to the UAE's events calendar, especially as the weather remains optimal for outdoor fun.

This week, things to do include watching a sailing competition in Abu Dhabi, an al fresco market in Dubai and a K-pop concert by boy band Exo.

Here, The National rounds up seven things to do around the Emirates from January 8 to 14.

Monday

Look out for a Fenty Beauty pop-up at Etisalat MOTB. Photo: Etisalat MOTB
Look out for a Fenty Beauty pop-up at Etisalat MOTB. Photo: Etisalat MOTB

Dubai Design District is hosting Etisalat MOTB (Market Outside The Box).

This year's event has a treasure trove of retail, beauty and food vendors, both local and international. Highlights include handmade candles from Adore Sand; kaftans and abayas from Rai The Label; and the Fenty Beauty drive-in at the car park for make-up enthusiasts.

Food pop-ups include Vietnamese Foodies, Streetery Mamafri and Club Mochi.

An hourly live performance will take place on the main stage, in addition to dance battles and “rap Olympics”.

Monday to Thursday, 4pm-10pm; Friday to Sunday, 4pm-midnight; until Sunday; free; Dubai Design District

Tuesday

Topgolf is celebrating its third anniversary on Tuesday with a promotion.

Guests who book one hour of play will receive an extra hour for free. There are 96 hitting bays at the lounge and semi-indoor driving range.

The licensed facility is open to all skill levels and no prior golf experience is required. Players can choose from a selection of games where digital trackers measure and score every shot.

Tuesday, 10am-2am; from Dh140 per hour; Emirates Golf Club; 04 371 9999

Wednesday

The Smurfs are taking over City Centre Mirdif. Photo: City Centre Mirdif
The Smurfs are taking over City Centre Mirdif. Photo: City Centre Mirdif

Characters from The Smurfs are taking over City Centre Mirdif.

A magic forest activity area has games and other interactive sessions such as a mirror maze, gardening zone and an augmented reality mirror that turns guests into versions of the blue cartoons.

Daily, 2pm-10pm; until January 21; free; City Centre Mirdif, Dubai; citycentremirdif.com

Thursday

The Khalifa Park Library has turned into an outdoor gallery showcasing artworks from dozens of Emirati and other Arab artists.

Launched by Maktaba, the library management section of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, the KPL Art Hub has numerous formats on display, from sculptures and paintings to handicrafts and photographs.

Daily, 6pm-10pm; until Sunday; free; Khalifa Park, Abu Dhabi; 02 657 6182

Friday

Paw Patrol characters will be at Dubai Festival City Mall. Photo: Dubai Festival City Mall
Paw Patrol characters will be at Dubai Festival City Mall. Photo: Dubai Festival City Mall

The cartoon fun continues at Dubai Festival City Mall with a Paw Patrol-themed festival.

A section of the mall has been transformed into Adventure Bay with interactive elements from the popular children's franchise. There is an augmented reality trampoline game and a “Pup Park” play area among games and activities.

There are also daily shows that include live singalong performances with the Paw Patrol gang.

Daily, 10am-midnight; until January 28; from Dh130 per person, inclusive of a show; Dubai Festival City Mall; pawpatrolfest.me

Saturday

Watersports fans can head to Mina Zayed on Saturday for an adrenalin-fuelled weekend at the first Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix.

High-speed catamarans, manned by professional athletes, will sail through the waters of the Dhow Harbour during the competition. There will also be live performances, food pop-ups and other activations.

There will be various viewing decks – at varying prices – to watch the action, though guests can also bring their own boats to watch the competition from the waters.

Saturday and Sunday, from 1pm; from Dh145 per person; Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi; sailgp.com

Sunday

K-pop fans can head to Coca-Cola Arena on Sunday to see performances from Chanyeol, Xiumin and Chen, who are part of the boy band Exo.

Expect to hear hit songs such as Love Shot, Growl and Overdose. South Korean DJ Raiden and Dubai's DJ Bliss will also take to the stage.

Sunday; doors open 5pm; from Dh295; City Walk, Dubai; coca-cola-arena.com

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The biog

Family: Parents and four sisters

Education: Bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing at American University of Sharjah

A self-confessed foodie, she enjoys trying out new cuisines, her current favourite is the poke superfood bowls

Likes reading: autobiographies and fiction

Favourite holiday destination: Italy

Posts information about challenges, events, runs in other emirates on the group's Instagram account @Anagowrunning

Has created a database of Emirati and GCC sportspeople on Instagram @abeermk, highlight: Athletes

Apart from training, also talks to women about nutrition, healthy lifestyle, diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure

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)
Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

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

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

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

The alternatives

• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.

• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.

• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.

2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.

• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases -  but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.

Pharaoh's curse

British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
PROFILE OF INVYGO

Started: 2018

Founders: Eslam Hussein and Pulkit Ganjoo

Based: Dubai

Sector: Transport

Size: 9 employees

Investment: $1,275,000

Investors: Class 5 Global, Equitrust, Gulf Islamic Investments, Kairos K50 and William Zeqiri

War 2

Director: Ayan Mukerji

Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana

Rating: 2/5

While you're here
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.

Iran's dirty tricks to dodge sanctions

There’s increased scrutiny on the tricks being used to keep commodities flowing to and from blacklisted countries. Here’s a description of how some work.

1 Going Dark

A common method to transport Iranian oil with stealth is to turn off the Automatic Identification System, an electronic device that pinpoints a ship’s location. Known as going dark, a vessel flicks the switch before berthing and typically reappears days later, masking the location of its load or discharge port.

2. Ship-to-Ship Transfers

A first vessel will take its clandestine cargo away from the country in question before transferring it to a waiting ship, all of this happening out of sight. The vessels will then sail in different directions. For about a third of Iranian exports, more than one tanker typically handles a load before it’s delivered to its final destination, analysts say.

3. Fake Destinations

Signaling the wrong destination to load or unload is another technique. Ships that intend to take cargo from Iran may indicate their loading ports in sanction-free places like Iraq. Ships can keep changing their destinations and end up not berthing at any of them.

4. Rebranded Barrels

Iranian barrels can also be rebranded as oil from a nation free from sanctions such as Iraq. The countries share fields along their border and the crude has similar characteristics. Oil from these deposits can be trucked out to another port and documents forged to hide Iran as the origin.

* Bloomberg

RESULTS

5pm: Maiden | Dh80,000 |  1,600m
Winner: AF Al Moreeb, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)

5.30pm: Handicap |  Dh80,000 |  1,600m
Winner: AF Makerah, Adrie de Vries, Ernst Oertel

6pm: Handicap |  Dh80,000 |  2,200m
Winner: Hazeme, Richard Mullen, Jean de Roualle

6.30pm: Handicap |  Dh85,000 |  2,200m
Winner: AF Yatroq, Brett Doyle, Ernst Oertel

7pm: Shadwell Farm for Private Owners Handicap |  Dh70,000 |  2,200m
Winner: Nawwaf KB, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi

7.30pm: Handicap (TB) |  Dh100,000 |  1,600m
Winner: Treasured Times, Bernardo Pinheiro, Rashed Bouresly

Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

The Sky Is Pink

Director: Shonali Bose

Cast: Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Farhan Akhtar, Zaira Wasim, Rohit Saraf

Three stars

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The specs: 2018 Nissan Altima


Price, base / as tested: Dh78,000 / Dh97,650

Engine: 2.5-litre in-line four-cylinder

Power: 182hp @ 6,000rpm

Torque: 244Nm @ 4,000rpm

Transmission: Continuously variable tranmission

Fuel consumption, combined: 7.6L / 100km

The National Archives, Abu Dhabi

Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.

Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en

57%20Seconds
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THE CLOWN OF GAZA

Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah 

Starring: Alaa Meqdad

Rating: 4/5

Signs%20of%20%20%20%20%20%20%20heat%20stroke
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Updated: January 08, 2024, 3:58 AM`