The UAE events calendar is fired up this week, featuring activities from Dubai Police demonstrations to Chinese New Year celebrations.
Foodies can explore new dishes from some of Dubai's top-tier dining spots, while comic enthusiasts can attend a star-studded pop culture event in the capital.
Here, The National rounds up seven things to do around the Emirates from Monday to Sunday.
Monday
The 2024 UAE Swat Challenge continues at the Dubai Police training city in Al Ruwayyah.
Open to the public, the show includes exhilarating displays of military grandeur performed by various units of the city's force – from K9 unit shows to horse-mounted police demonstrations. Swat challenges prove to be the main event, where eligible teams engage in high-powered contests to test their tactical skills, precision and teamwork.
Drills and competitions aside, visitors can take a look into the past at the Dubai Police Museum. The Dubai Police esports tournament, being held at the same time, is set to entertain gamers. Food trucks are also scattered around the venue.
Until Wednesday; 8am onwards; free of charge; Al Ruwayyah; uaeswatchallenge.com
Tuesday
If you're craving jellyfish on Tuesday, head to award-winning Japanese-inspired restaurant 3 Fils to try some of the new items on the menu, including, yes, a jellyfish ceviche (Dh58).
The dish comprises cured moon jellyfish from China, marinated in a Peruvian dressing. It is topped with thin slices of rausu kombu, a seaweed from Hokkaido, as well as crispy sweet potato strings, drizzled with tomato and coriander oil.
Meat lovers can go for the foie-gyu (Dh99), a bowl of sushi rice topped with two skewers of chargrilled Wagyu kebab and slices of torched foie gras, finished with tare and sudachi zest.
There's also duck noodle soup (Dh54), charcoal oysters (Dh38) and salmon nori tempura (Dh47).
Open daily, noon-11.30pm; Jumeirah Fishing Harbour, Dubai; 04 333 4003
Wednesday
Lebanese-American comedian Nemr Abou Nassar, popularly known as Nemr, is performing on Wednesday at Festival Bay.
Known as one of the pioneers of stand-up comedy in the Middle East, the comic has travelled the world to share his wit and humour. Performing his material in English, Nemr has made eight full feature shows. He is known for his observational comedy, often making relatable jokes about his Arab heritage.
Wednesday; 7.30pm; from Dh200; Festival Bay; dubai.platinumlist.net
Thursday
Celebrate Chinese New Year early at Dragon Mart on Thursday, as activities are lined up to welcome the Year of the Dragon in the lunar calendar.
Visitors can join a dragon head lantern-making workshop that blends traditional crafting techniques with contemporary methods or be mesmerised by a 42-metre dragon dance – an important symbolic performance in Chinese culture. There will be a Peking Opera Show, which is a historic form of Chinese theatrical art, and skilled acrobats and Kung Fu professionals will also be showcasing their moves.
Until Sunday; 3pm-8pm; free of charge; Dubai International City; dragonmart.ae
Friday
Head to the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre on Friday as the star-studded Middle East Film and Comic Con begins.
An exciting line-up of celebrities are set to appear, including Oscar Isaac and Inaki Godoy, who plays Monkey D Luffy in the live action Netflix production of One Piece. Godoy's co-star Taz Skylar, who plays Sanjim will also be there, as well as James and Oliver Phelps, the popular Weasley twins from Harry Potter.
Aside from on-screen stars, the event will also be attended by prominent voice actors, illustrators and more from the who's who of today's pop culture.
More than the meet-and-greets, visitors can also buy merchandise, cosplay as their favourite characters or visit the Japanese Village dedicated to fans of anime and manga.
Until Sunday; Friday, 3pm-11pm; Saturday to Sunday, noon-11pm; from Dh145 for a single day pass; Adnec; mefcc.com
Saturday
Flavours of modern Spanish cuisine await diners at Jaleo by Jose Andres for their new weekend brunch, La Feria.
Guests receive a welcome beverage before indulging in small tapas plates of semi-cured aged Spanish beef, avocado salad with goat's cheese and charcoal-grilled octopus with potato and confit tomato, as well as croquetas de pollo or chicken fritters.
Three dishes are available for the mains, including the restaurant's signature paella that also comes with a vegetarian version. Diners can end the meal with churros dipped in chocolate, Galetta Maria chocolate with salted hazelnuts or tarta de queso basque cheesecake.
There is a live band, as well as flamenco performances throughout the brunch.
Every Saturday; 1pm-4pm; from Dh295 per person; Atlantis The Royal, Palm Jumeirah; 04 426 26 26
Sunday
The Abu Dhabi Flea Market is popping up at Fotouh Al Khair Mall on Sunday.
The regular second-hand community event is the best place to browse through preloved bits and bobs, including books, toys, clothes, accessories, household items and sports equipment. The one-day affair is free to attend, but those who want to declutter their own homes by selling old or unused items can book a table for Dh266.50.
Sunday; 10am-5pm; free of charge; Fotouh Al Khair Mall, Airport Road, Abu Dhabi; abudhabi-fleamarket.com
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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
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
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylturbo
Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic
Power: 242bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Price: Dh136,814
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.
How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now
Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.
The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.
1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):
a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33
b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.
2. For those who have worked more than five years
c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.
Note: The maximum figure cannot exceed two years total salary figure.
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How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
HEADLINE HERE
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Wenger's Arsenal reign in numbers
1,228 - games at the helm, ahead of Sunday's Premier League fixture against West Ham United.
704 - wins to date as Arsenal manager.
3 - Premier League title wins, the last during an unbeaten Invincibles campaign of 2003/04.
1,549 - goals scored in Premier League matches by Wenger's teams.
10 - major trophies won.
473 - Premier League victories.
7 - FA Cup triumphs, with three of those having come the last four seasons.
151 - Premier League losses.
21 - full seasons in charge.
49 - games unbeaten in the Premier League from May 2003 to October 2004.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Tips for used car buyers
- Choose cars with GCC specifications
- Get a service history for cars less than five years old
- Don’t go cheap on the inspection
- Check for oil leaks
- Do a Google search on the standard problems for your car model
- Do your due diligence. Get a transfer of ownership done at an official RTA centre
- Check the vehicle’s condition. You don’t want to buy a car that’s a good deal but ends up costing you Dh10,000 in repairs every month
- Validate warranty and service contracts with the relevant agency and and make sure they are valid when ownership is transferred
- If you are planning to sell the car soon, buy one with a good resale value. The two most popular cars in the UAE are black or white in colour and other colours are harder to sell
Tarek Kabrit, chief executive of Seez, and Imad Hammad, chief executive and co-founder of CarSwitch.com
ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA
Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi
Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Rating: 4.5/5
