UAE's Nawaf Salem Alkarbi in action arop Leander V during the Al Shira'aa Horse Show 2025 at Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club. Victor Besa / The National
UAE's Nawaf Salem Alkarbi in action arop Leander V during the Al Shira'aa Horse Show 2025 at Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club. Victor Besa / The National
UAE's Nawaf Salem Alkarbi in action arop Leander V during the Al Shira'aa Horse Show 2025 at Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club. Victor Besa / The National
UAE's Nawaf Salem Alkarbi in action arop Leander V during the Al Shira'aa Horse Show 2025 at Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club. Victor Besa / The National

Things to do in the UAE this week, from Veganuary menus to showjumping contests


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From food and family-friendly events, to a concert that melds music and meditation in the desert, the UAE events calendar continues to be busy this week. Here, The National rounds up seven things to do around the Emirates, from January 13 to 19.

Monday, January 13

Vegans and those trying out a plant-based diet for Veganuary have a number of limited-time options in the UAE. Signor Sassi at St Regis Gardens on Palm Jumeirah has a set menu (Dh320) with Italian dishes such as artichoke and rocket salad, pizzetta alla marinara, spaghetti al pomodoro, cauliflower with toasted seeds and strawberry panna cotta. Indian restaurant Punjab Grill, with branches at Ritz-Carlton Grand Canal Abu Dhabi and Anantara Downtown Dubai, has a three-course menu (Dh275) with dishes such as banana stem salad, beetroot phyllo in iceberg wrap and masala-pulled jackfruit.

Beetroot phyllo in iceberg wrap is one of the dishes on Punjab Grill's Veganuary menu, available in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Photo: Punjab Grill
Beetroot phyllo in iceberg wrap is one of the dishes on Punjab Grill's Veganuary menu, available in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Photo: Punjab Grill

Attiko, at W Dubai – Mina Seyahi, has a sharing-style set menu (Dh325 per head) with dishes such as sweetcorn and avocado tacos; charred cabbage and truffle; smoky eggplant miso yaki with rice noodles; and a dessert platter with mochi, yuzu cheesecake, dark chocolate banana and almond cake and coconut mango tart.

Daily until January 31; various locations and prices

Tuesday, January 14

Nala serves quick bites. Photo: Nala
Nala serves quick bites. Photo: Nala

Tashas – the group behind Flamingo Room and Avli – is opening a grab-and-go restaurant called Nala at Alserkal Avenue. While the official launch is next month, the venue is currently hosting diners for a “dress rehearsal”, where it aims to get honest feedback on the dishes. The canteen-style venue serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with comfort food such as creamy corn, pistachio bostock and beef patty baguette.

Daily, 9am-10pm; Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai; enjoynala.com

Wednesday, January 15

Professional comedienne Maysoon tours extensively in the region and abroad. Photo: The Arts Centre
Professional comedienne Maysoon tours extensively in the region and abroad. Photo: The Arts Centre

Renowned comedian, best-selling author and disability advocate Maysoon Zayid is performing at the Arts Centre in Abu Dhabi. Her show, Bint Balad, showcases her journey of resilience, humour and triumph. The Palestinian-American artist, who has cerebral palsy, is known for dishing out hilarious anecdotes about her family and culture.

January 15; doors open 7pm; from Dh52.50; NYU Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi; nyuad.boxoffice@nyu.edu

Thursday, January 16

Tatiana Pouille De Balkany with Cartier von der Held DXB at Al Shira'aa Horse Show. Victor Besa / The National
Tatiana Pouille De Balkany with Cartier von der Held DXB at Al Shira'aa Horse Show. Victor Besa / The National

Catch free showjumping displays at Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, as the Al Shira’aa Horse Show returns to the capital. World-class riders, including Saudi Arabia’s Ramzy Al Duhami, Germany’s Christian Ahlmann and Ireland’s Michael Pender, are taking to the tracks for the event that runs until January 19. A shopping village is also set up for off-track entertainment, complete with food trucks and children's games.

January 16 to 19; 10am onwards; Mubarak Bin Mohammed St, Abu Dhabi; 055 525 7255

Friday, January 17

Enjoy a family-friendly rave at Emirates Golf Club. The event brings together a number of DJs to spin beats for all members of the family. Organisers promise the decibel level is safe for children of all ages. The venue will have a festival atmosphere, complete with bubbles, balloons and glitter. Arts and crafts stations and face-painting spots are also on site. The event is free, but registration is required.

January 17; 3pm-6pm; Emirates Golf Club, Dubai; 050 878 6728

Saturday, January 18

Multi-instrument artist Ape Chimba is performing in Dubai. Photo: Al Qudra Yoga Centre
Multi-instrument artist Ape Chimba is performing in Dubai. Photo: Al Qudra Yoga Centre

Art, music and meditation are all on the cards as Ape Chimba Collective fills the Al Qudra desert with its captivating sounds and immersive art on Saturday. Taking place at Al Qudra Yoga Centre, the event will weave music, dance culture and spirituality, kicking off with a meditation flow followed by a ceremonial sunset opener. A curated marketplace will be on site, as well as food vendors. Guests are welcome to bring camping supplies to stay on post-event.

January 18; 4pm-3am; Dh555; Al Qudra Yoga Centre, Dubai; 054 517 3334

Sunday, January 19

End the week with a dip in the cool waters of Dubai Islands at the King and Queen Swim. Participants can choose among different race options, from 200 metres to 3.2km. People of all ages and skill levels are welcome to join. The fastest male and female swimmer of the longest-distance race will be crowned the first king and queen of Dubai Islands.

January 19; from Dh50; Dubai Islands; info@raceme.ae

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

The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Power: 510hp at 9,000rpm
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Price: From Dh801,800
The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

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

BACK%20TO%20ALEXANDRIA
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Key features of new policy

Pupils to learn coding and other vocational skills from Grade 6

Exams to test critical thinking and application of knowledge

A new National Assessment Centre, PARAKH (Performance, Assessment, Review and Analysis for Holistic Development) will form the standard for schools

Schools to implement online system to encouraging transparency and accountability

'Peninsula'

Stars: Gang Dong-won, Lee Jung-hyun, Lee Ra

Director: ​Yeon Sang-ho

Rating: 2/5

MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

Porsche Macan T: The Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo 

Power: 265hp from 5,000-6,500rpm 

Torque: 400Nm from 1,800-4,500rpm 

Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto 

Speed: 0-100kph in 6.2sec 

Top speed: 232kph 

Fuel consumption: 10.7L/100km 

On sale: May or June 

Price: From Dh259,900  

The five pillars of Islam
Match info

Deccan Gladiators 87-8

Asif Khan 25, Dwayne Bravo 2-16

Maratha Arabians 89-2

Chadwick Walton 51 not out

Arabians won the final by eight wickets

The specs

Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel

Power: 579hp

Torque: 859Nm

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

Price: From Dh825,900

On sale: Now

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: ARDH Collective
Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector: Sustainability
Total funding: Self funded
Number of employees: 4
The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Part three: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

Founders: Ines Mena, Claudia Ribas, Simona Agolini, Nourhan Hassan and Therese Hundt

Date started: January 2017, app launched November 2017

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: Private/Retail/Leisure

Number of Employees: 18 employees, including full-time and flexible workers

Funding stage and size: Seed round completed Q4 2019 - $1m raised

Funders: Oman Technology Fund, 500 Startups, Vision Ventures, Seedstars, Mindshift Capital, Delta Partners Ventures, with support from the OQAL Angel Investor Network and UAE Business Angels

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

 

if you go

The flights

Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Seoul from Dh3,775 return, including taxes

The package

Ski Safari offers a seven-night ski package to Korea, including five nights at the Dragon Valley Hotel in Yongpyong and two nights at Seoul CenterMark hotel, from £720 (Dh3,488) per person, including transfers, based on two travelling in January

The info

Visit www.gokorea.co.uk

Politics in the West
The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

About Karol Nawrocki

• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.

• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.

• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.

• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

David Haye record

Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4

Cricket World Cup League Two

Teams

Oman, UAE, Namibia

Al Amerat, Muscat

 

Results

Oman beat UAE by five wickets

UAE beat Namibia by eight runs

Namibia beat Oman by 52 runs

UAE beat Namibia by eight wickets

 

Fixtures

Saturday January 11 - UAE v Oman

Sunday January 12 – Oman v Namibia

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

Saudi Cup race day

Schedule in UAE time

5pm: Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors Cup (Turf), 5.35pm: 1351 Cup (T), 6.10pm: Longines Turf Handicap (T), 6.45pm: Obaiya Arabian Classic for Purebred Arabians (Dirt), 7.30pm: Jockey Club Handicap (D), 8.10pm: Samba Saudi Derby (D), 8.50pm: Saudia Sprint (D), 9.40pm: Saudi Cup (D)

GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

BMW M5 specs

Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor

Power: 727hp

Torque: 1,000Nm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh650,000

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Europe wide
Some of French groups are threatening Friday to continue their journey to Brussels, the capital of Belgium and the European Union, and to meet up with drivers from other countries on Monday.

Belgian authorities joined French police in banning the threatened blockade. A similar lorry cavalcade was planned for Friday in Vienna but cancelled after authorities prohibited it.

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Countdown to Zero exhibition will show how disease can be beaten

Countdown to Zero: Defeating Disease, an international multimedia exhibition created by the American Museum of National History in collaboration with The Carter Center, will open in Abu Dhabi a  month before Reaching the Last Mile.

Opening on October 15 and running until November 15, the free exhibition opens at The Galleria mall on Al Maryah Island, and has already been seen at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

 

'The Sky is Everywhere'

Director:Josephine Decker

Stars:Grace Kaufman, Pico Alexander, Jacques Colimon

Rating:2/5

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

Analysis

Maros Sefcovic is juggling multiple international trade agreement files, but his message was clear when he spoke to The National on Wednesday.

The EU-UAE bilateral trade deal will be finalised soon, he said. It is in everyone’s interests to do so. Both sides want to move quickly and are in alignment. He said the UAE is a very important partner for the EU. It’s full speed ahead - and with some lofty ambitions - on the road to a free trade agreement. 

We also talked about US-EU tariffs. He answered that both sides need to talk more and more often, but he is prepared to defend Europe's position and said diplomacy should be a guiding principle through the current moment. 

 

Things Heard & Seen

Directed by: Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini

Starring: Amanda Seyfried, James Norton

2/5

The story in numbers

18

This is how many recognised sects Lebanon is home to, along with about four million citizens

450,000

More than this many Palestinian refugees are registered with UNRWA in Lebanon, with about 45 per cent of them living in the country’s 12 refugee camps

1.5 million

There are just under 1 million Syrian refugees registered with the UN, although the government puts the figure upwards of 1.5m

73

The percentage of stateless people in Lebanon, who are not of Palestinian origin, born to a Lebanese mother, according to a 2012-2013 study by human rights organisation Frontiers Ruwad Association

18,000

The number of marriages recorded between Lebanese women and foreigners between the years 1995 and 2008, according to a 2009 study backed by the UN Development Programme

77,400

The number of people believed to be affected by the current nationality law, according to the 2009 UN study

4,926

This is how many Lebanese-Palestinian households there were in Lebanon in 2016, according to a census by the Lebanese-Palestinian dialogue committee

PSA DUBAI WORLD SERIES FINALS LINE-UP

Men’s: 
Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY)
Ali Farag (EGY)
Simon Rosner (GER)
Tarek Momen (EGY)
Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL)
Gregory Gaultier (FRA)
Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)
Nick Matthew (ENG)

Women's: 
Nour El Sherbini (EGY)
Raneem El Welily (EGY)
Nour El Tayeb (EGY)
Laura Massaro (ENG)
Joelle King (NZE)
Camille Serme (FRA)
Nouran Gohar (EGY)
Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG)

Squid Game season two

Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk 

Stars:  Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun

Rating: 4.5/5

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The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
FOOTBALL TEST

Team X 1 Team Y 0

Scorers

Red card

Man of the Match

 

What are the influencer academy modules?
  1. Mastery of audio-visual content creation. 
  2. Cinematography, shots and movement.
  3. All aspects of post-production.
  4. Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
  5. Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
  6. Tourism industry knowledge.
  7. Professional ethics.
Updated: January 13, 2025, 2:07 AM`