C House Lounge
Its modern interior offers a respite from the hot and crowded streets of Abu Dhabi - and the food and coffee make it well worth seeking out
Sure, this modern new Italian cafe in Abu Dhabi has a red carpet and velvet rope outside - but don't let that put you off. Somehow, despite an interior big on chandeliers and white leather couches, C House manages to be both welcoming and down-to-earth. The staff are friendly, accommodating and knowledgeable, and the coffee and food are delicious. I've had an Arabic breakfast (Dh48 including freshly squeezed OJ and coffee) and the first of what I hope are many of their open sandwiches: the Portofino Al Basilico, a tasty combination of soft white cheese, pesto and mouth-watering roasted chicken (Dh56). There are also some seriously photogenic salads on the menu and there are plans to add new pasta, chicken and salmon dishes. And good news for local creative types: the management wants to lend the interior out to emerging fashion designers, photographers and artists for shows, exhibitions and other events. There are real hand towels in the bathroom, and a window-facing iPad bar, where customers can browse on six of the devices for free. My favourite perch is a window seat facing the greenery of the Corniche, where I have twice lost all track of the crowded, frenetic capital city sprawled out behind me.
* Ann Marie McQueen
Bun maker
My bun maker has to be my favourite - and only - hair accessory. I love it. Put this over a ponytail, smooth your hair around it into a bun shape and kirby grip it into place. Finish off with a spritz of hairspray and you are ready to go. Fabulous 1950s glam in mere minutes and the illusion of voluminous, thick hair to boot. To complete the look, channel your inner Mad Men femme fatale: just slick on some liquid liner, go heavy on the mascara, slip into a pencil skirt and team with some killer heels. Find it at any girlie accessories store, such as Claire's or Accessorize, or from a pharmacy like Boots.
* Felicity Campbell
Kiehl's Cross-Terrain All-In-One Refueling Wash
My shower routine used to be limited to whatever three-pack soap bars I found in the supermarket. That changed when I came across this all-in-one wash for men, which a friend had brought to a weekend camping trip. Made by the no-frills grooming house Kiehl's, it delivers on all counts: coconut extract, aloe vera and citrus oil combine to cleanse the hair, face and body. It even works as a shaving salve. Its scent? Manly and clean. In the morning, when I can't walk a straight line and confuse the shampoo for the face wash, it's all I need. I buy my supply at Bloomingdale's in The Dubai Mall, where it's almost always out of stock - seems I'm not the only one hooked - so when you spot a bottle, grab it.
* James Gabrillo
Rumi's poetry
His words are with me always. It was he who said: "Words are a pretext. It is the inner bond that draws one person to another, not words." While reading The Essential Rumi - a collection of spiritual poetry by the 13th-century Sufi poet and philosopher Jalal Ad'Din Rumi - it is impossible not to be blown away by it and by all his other writings. Born in a city called Balkh, now in modern Afghanistan, Rumi - a Muslim of Persian origin - is often regarded as one of the world's most important spiritual and mystical poets, and his work has been translated into numerous languages. It is not surprising then that most bookshops in the UAE always seem to sell out of his volumes fast before having placed new orders. I can't seem to get enough of his inspirational poetry; a website I've bookmarked for my daily fix is www.rumi.org.uk.
* Maey El Shoush
Steamer
There's a moment when presents from parents stop being fun and start being useful. Unwrapping a shiny new food steamer last Christmas, however appreciative I was and still am, plastering a look of delight on my face may have required a little effort.
But this quick-fix dinner solution has since become invaluable. It is the scatty-brained's best friend - bung in your chopped veg, rice or whatever, crank up the timer and leave it to the job without fear of burning the house down. The worst you can do is end up with soggy broccoli.
The limitations of what can be steamed means that one ends up eating healthier - more fish and more vegetables. The steaming process also locks in so much flavour that it's rarely necessary to douse anything in bloating spices or lashings of salt. And forget butter and oil; there's just no need. Prices vary, but for a decent brand, expect to pay between Dh200 and 400. You can find steamers everywhere; try a megamart such as Géant. A great solution to the nightly chore of cooking after a long day.
* Christopher Lord
artslife@thenational.ae
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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
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.6-litre turbo
Transmission: six-speed automatic
Power: 165hp
Torque: 240Nm
Price: From Dh89,000 (Enjoy), Dh99,900 (Innovation)
On sale: Now
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
TO A LAND UNKNOWN
Director: Mahdi Fleifel
Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa
Rating: 4.5/5
A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
- 2018: Formal work begins
- November 2021: First 17 volumes launched
- November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
- October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
- November 2024: All 127 volumes completed
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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
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
MO
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Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Company%20profile
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SPECS
Engine: Two-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 235hp
Torque: 350Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Price: From Dh167,500 ($45,000)
On sale: Now
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
More on Quran memorisation:
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
Essentials
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Los Angeles, from Dh4,975 return, including taxes. The flight time is 16 hours. Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Aeromexico and Southwest all fly direct from Los Angeles to San Jose del Cabo from Dh1,243 return, including taxes. The flight time is two-and-a-half hours.
The trip
Lindblad Expeditions National Geographic’s eight-day Whales Wilderness itinerary costs from US$6,190 (Dh22,736) per person, twin share, including meals, accommodation and excursions, with departures in March and April 2018.
Reputation
Taylor Swift
(Big Machine Records)
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Quick%20facts
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Porsche Taycan Turbo specs
Engine: Two permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors
Transmission: two-speed
Power: 671hp
Torque: 1050Nm
Range: 450km
Price: Dh601,800
On sale: now
Normal People
Sally Rooney, Faber & Faber
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Famous left-handers
- Marie Curie
- Jimi Hendrix
- Leonardo Di Vinci
- David Bowie
- Paul McCartney
- Albert Einstein
- Jack the Ripper
- Barack Obama
- Helen Keller
- Joan of Arc
The smuggler
Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple.
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.
Khouli conviction
Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.
For sale
A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.
- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico
- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000
- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
Book%20Details
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