When you think about Turkey, Cyprus and Lebanon, a skiing holiday may not be there first thing that comes to mind. However, here we round up winter wonderland destinations, closer to home.
Gudauri, Georgia
Just three-and-a-half hours from the UAE, Georgia has dependable snow. Gudauri is one of the best ski spots, with more than 50 kilometres of powder-covered Caucasus slopes. The season runs until April and there are seven lifts to ferry you to the top of the runs, which start at 2,195 metres and rise to a peak that is over 3,000 metres high. There is also year-round heliskiing for adventurers keen to make tracks in some of Europe's most pristine runs. Check-in at Rooms Hotel Kazbegi for stylish suites deigned by a local duo, and traditional Georgian fare.
Mzaar Ski Resort, Lebanon
This is the largest ski resort in the Middle East and a Lebanese stalwart that has been attracting piste-lovers to its slopes for decades. With 80km of ski tracks, the three peaks range from 1,850 metres to 2,465 metres, while there are also 18 ski lifts. That means you will never have to wait too long to get back to the top and enjoy another serene run on the slopes. There are plenty of apres-ski activities, too. Base yourself at the Intercontinental Mzaar Lebanon Mountain Resort and Spa to be at the centre of the action. Authentic Lebanese food and a heated indoor pool with snow-covered views make it a great place to unwind after a day on the slopes.
Kartalkaya in the Bolu Province, Turkey
About 30 minutes from Bolu, Kartalkaya is one of the country's most-visited ski resorts. Nestled between Ankara and Istanbul, snow conditions are good here until the end of March and the slopes are surrounded by forest pines. There are 11 ski lifts and excellent glades and trails for alpine and cross-country skiing. Stay at the Kaya Palazzo Ski & Mountain resort where the main building leads directly to the ski lifts. Alpine-inspired food is served at the Swiss Fondue restaurant, while you can also recharge at the spa and wellness centre, or get your skates on at the open-air ice rink. Your little ones will love the on-site snow-tubing park.
Troodos Mountains, Cyprus
While it may be best-known for its sun-dotted beaches, Cyprus has a ski scene that dates back to the 1930s. The Troodos Mountain range is in season from December to early April when temperatures can drop to as low as -5°C. Mount Olympus is where the fun happens, with four main slopes to choose from, ranging from a 150m run for beginners to a 500m long, 1,915m-tall trail called Zeus that is reserved for advanced skiers. Nearby Troodos Square has everything you need for apres-ski fun, while the Troodos Hotel, located at an altitude of 1,725m, or the Jubilee Hotel a few kilometres higher, offer log-fire lodgings in pine-forest surroundings.
Ski Dubai, Dubai
Can't get away but still craving time on the crud? Ski Dubai is the closest thing the Emirates has to on-slope activity. Housed in Mall of the Emirates, the run is more of a mound than a mountain, but it is perfect for beginners and can keep powder hankerings at bay until you can actually make it abroad. There are five small ski runs – the longest is 400 metres with a 60-metre drop – a ski-school for those who want to learn the ropes and a snow park for little kids to play around in. Stop for a hot chocolate at Avalanche cafe halfway up and visit Apres restaurant for post-ski bites accompanied by snow slope views.
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: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
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 five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
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INDIA V SOUTH AFRICA
First Test: October 2-6, at Visakhapatnam
Second Test: October 10-14, at Maharashtra
Third Test: October 19-23, at Ranchi
THE%20SWIMMERS
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Tree of Hell
Starring: Raed Zeno, Hadi Awada, Dr Mohammad Abdalla
Director: Raed Zeno
Rating: 4/5
LIVERPOOL SQUAD
Alisson Becker, Virgil van Dijk, Georginio Wijnaldum, James Milner, Naby Keita, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Joe Gomez, Adrian, Jordan Henderson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Adam Lallana, Andy Lonergan, Xherdan Shaqiri, Andy Robertson, Divock Origi, Curtis Jones, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Neco Williams
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The five pillars of Islam
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THREE
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
What is cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying or online bullying could take many forms such as sending unkind or rude messages to someone, socially isolating people from groups, sharing embarrassing pictures of them, or spreading rumors about them.
Cyberbullying can take place on various platforms such as messages, on social media, on group chats, or games.
Parents should watch out for behavioural changes in their children.
When children are being bullied they they may be feel embarrassed and isolated, so parents should watch out for signs of signs of depression and anxiety
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company%20profile
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
Du Football Champions
The fourth season of du Football Champions was launched at Gitex on Wednesday alongside the Middle East’s first sports-tech scouting platform.“du Talents”, which enables aspiring footballers to upload their profiles and highlights reels and communicate directly with coaches, is designed to extend the reach of the programme, which has already attracted more than 21,500 players in its first three years.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
A cryptocurrency primer for beginners
Cryptocurrency Investing for Dummies – by Kiana Danial
There are several primers for investing in cryptocurrencies available online, including e-books written by people whose credentials fall apart on the second page of your preferred search engine.
Ms Danial is a finance coach and former currency analyst who writes for Nasdaq. Her broad-strokes primer (2019) breaks down investing in cryptocurrency into baby steps, while explaining the terms and technologies involved.
Although cryptocurrencies are a fast evolving world, this book offers a good insight into the game as well as providing some basic tips, strategies and warning signs.
Begin your cryptocurrency journey here.
Available at Magrudy’s , Dh104
MATCH INFO
Northern Warriors 92-1 (10 ovs)
Russell 37 no, Billings 35 no
Team Abu Dhabi 93-4 (8.3 ovs)
Wright 48, Moeen 30, Green 2-22
Team Abu Dhabi win by six wickets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
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 years Ramadan fell in May
Match info
Australia 580
Pakistan 240 and 335
Result: Australia win by an innings and five runs
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
Company%20profile
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Major matches on Manic Monday
Andy Murray (GBR) v Benoit Paire (FRA)
Grigor Dimitrov (BGR) v Roger Federer (SUI)
Rafael Nadal (ESP) v Gilles Muller (LUX)
Adrian Mannarino (FRA) Novak Djokovic (SRB)
