A blur of bright colours, thumping beats and hearty laughter, the Rolleristas are hard to miss. Known for their jazzy outfits, loud music and cool skating videos, this roller-skating group was founded by Hala Krunz, 34, last summer, when Abu Dhabi’s stay-at-home measures were starting to be lifted.
A socially distanced sport
“I really struggled with having to stay indoors,” says Krunz, a graphic designer. “So, when we were able to go out again, I formed a skating community to help people work out in a fun way that’s also socially distanced.
“Skating gave us back our freedom; it’s how we got our slogan, ‘Freedom on Wheels’. For us, skating is far more than just a sport or exercise. Whatever you’re stressed about, it all disappears when you skate.”
The group’s weekly meet-ups are free to attend, and are for people of all ages. While most are more suitable for advanced to intermediate skaters, some events are open to complete beginners.
Valuable mental therapy aside, skating is a super-intense form of cardio – especially when done in the UAE summer. It has helped several of the group’s members to lose weight and get considerably fitter.
From gamer to skater
One Rollerista in particular, Abu Dhabi resident Adam Benjenna, 25, has shed an admirable 13 kilograms since he returned to skating nine months ago. “The Rolleristas have changed my life,” he says.
“That’s no exaggeration. I used to be obsessed with gaming, so I ended up putting on a lot of weight. I didn’t like exercising, but one day I saw Hala and the others skating and I decided to join them just because it looked like so much fun. I bought my own pair of skates and now I skate every day.”
I want to cheer people up, make them dance and forget their worries
Hala Krunz,
founder, The Rolleristas
Benjenna has since ended up selling his gaming console.
“A year ago, I wouldn’t have dreamed of doing that, but now I have no interest in gaming. I just want to keep learning new skating skills and tricks,” he says.
His active lifestyle has also encouraged him to start eating more healthily, and he’s found a new set of friends and a support network.
“The Rolleristas are like my second family,” he says.
“It’s a really welcoming and safe environment. Hala vets people before letting them join us permanently, so we know we’re all like-minded, friendly and relaxed. Even if it’s your first time skating, we’ll look after you and you won’t feel uncomfortable. We’re one big community.”
Lifting spirits
For the past year, Krunz, Benjenna and about 15 others have been meeting to explore Abu Dhabi’s picturesque areas, such as Soul Beach, Yas Island, the Corniche, Al Hudayriyat Island and Al Qana, among others.
Fancy dress plays a major part in the community. So far, the skaters have donned colourful headdresses (in tribute to the Rio Carnival), onesies, Hawaiian shirts and a number of other vibrant outfits.
These fun get-ups aren’t only intended to lift their own spirits. After all, seeing a group of luminous skaters covered with flowers and feathers, tearing around the capital’s landmarks, is enough to make anyone smile.
“People are always taking pictures, smiling and waving at us," says Krunz. "Once when we were in Saadiyat Island, we heard residents calling out to us from their balconies, asking us who we were and what we were doing. Some of them then joined us the next time we met."
The group’s vibrant demeanour, positive energy and Krunz’s background in social media and content creation also makes the @rolleristas Instagram page the perfect tool for attracting new members.
“Of course, there are other skating groups in the UAE and across the world, but I haven’t seen any that are exactly like us,” she says. “We have an individual identity that we love to express through music and dress-up. I want to cheer people up, make them dance and forget their worries.
“For each session, I tell everyone to bring a positive mindset. As long as you have that, and the proper protective equipment, like knee and elbow pads, then anyone can skate. You won’t get injured, either, if you’re wearing the right gear.
“We help each other, we support each other, we spread love. That’s what it’s all about.”
The Rolleristas will continue to meet throughout the summer, and the group also sell skates and have a few pairs available for first-timers to borrow. Those under 16 are welcome to join, as long as they are accompanied by an adult.
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
GOODBYE%20JULIA
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Tell-tale signs of burnout
- loss of confidence and appetite
- irritability and emotional outbursts
- sadness
- persistent physical ailments such as headaches, frequent infections and fatigue
- substance abuse, such as smoking or drinking more
- impaired judgement
- excessive and continuous worrying
- irregular sleep patterns
Tips to help overcome burnout
Acknowledge how you are feeling by listening to your warning signs. Set boundaries and learn to say ‘no’
Do activities that you want to do as well as things you have to do
Undertake at least 30 minutes of exercise per day. It releases an abundance of feel-good hormones
Find your form of relaxation and make time for it each day e.g. soothing music, reading or mindful meditation
Sleep and wake at the same time every day, even if your sleep pattern was disrupted. Without enough sleep condition such as stress, anxiety and depression can thrive.
Women%E2%80%99s%20T20%20World%20Cup%20Qualifier
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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
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 247hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm from 1,500-3,500rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 7.8L/100km
Price: from Dh94,900
On sale: now
Company%20Profile
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US%20federal%20gun%20reform%20since%20Sandy%20Hook
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Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
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
Difference between fractional ownership and timeshare
Although similar in its appearance, the concept of a fractional title deed is unlike that of a timeshare, which usually involves multiple investors buying “time” in a property whereby the owner has the right to occupation for a specified period of time in any year, as opposed to the actual real estate, said John Peacock, Head of Indirect Tax and Conveyancing, BSA Ahmad Bin Hezeem & Associates, a law firm.
French Touch
Carla Bruni
(Verve)
Five healthy carbs and how to eat them
Brown rice: consume an amount that fits in the palm of your hand
Non-starchy vegetables, such as broccoli: consume raw or at low temperatures, and don’t reheat
Oatmeal: look out for pure whole oat grains or kernels, which are locally grown and packaged; avoid those that have travelled from afar
Fruit: a medium bowl a day and no more, and never fruit juices
Lentils and lentil pasta: soak these well and cook them at a low temperature; refrain from eating highly processed pasta variants
Courtesy Roma Megchiani, functional nutritionist at Dubai’s 77 Veggie Boutique
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
What are the main cyber security threats?
Cyber crime - This includes fraud, impersonation, scams and deepfake technology, tactics that are increasingly targeting infrastructure and exploiting human vulnerabilities.
Cyber terrorism - Social media platforms are used to spread radical ideologies, misinformation and disinformation, often with the aim of disrupting critical infrastructure such as power grids.
Cyber warfare - Shaped by geopolitical tension, hostile actors seek to infiltrate and compromise national infrastructure, using one country’s systems as a springboard to launch attacks on others.
'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
Profile box
Founders: Michele Ferrario, Nino Ulsamer and Freddy Lim
Started: established in 2016 and launched in July 2017
Based: Singapore, with offices in the UAE, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand
Sector: FinTech, wealth management
Initial investment: $500,000 in seed round 1 in 2016; $2.2m in seed round 2 in 2017; $5m in series A round in 2018; $12m in series B round in 2019; $16m in series C round in 2020 and $25m in series D round in 2021
Current staff: more than 160 employees
Stage: series D
Investors: EightRoads Ventures, Square Peg Capital, Sequoia Capital India
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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The Word for Woman is Wilderness
Abi Andrews, Serpent’s Tail
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
A%20QUIET%20PLACE
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PROFILE OF HALAN
Started: November 2017
Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport and logistics
Size: 150 employees
Investment: approximately $8 million
Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
