One of the largest retail experiences of the year is under way as Abu Dhabi Winter Shopping Season brings together thousands of shops and enticing deals.
Between now and January 31, shoppers can enjoy a wide range of activations and promotions, including discounts and deals, across more than 3,500 shops at 27 malls
The emirate-wide Winter Shopping Season, which began with an “amazing sale” last weekend, includes the signature Shop & Win initiative until the season closes.
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) customers holding an ADIB Visa Card have the chance to enter a draw when spending Dh300 or more through Shop & Win.
Abu Dhabi Retail has partnered with ADIB for the initiative and says ADIB provides a diverse card product suite, which underscores the bank’s commitment to delivering exceptional service to its customers while staying responsive to their changing banking requirements.
The next few weeks will see shoppers receive great purchasing opportunities with some leading luxury names partnering with Abu Dhabi Retail to ensure an array of exclusive brand experiences for mall visitors.
Abu Dhabi Winter Shopping Season curates an exciting programme with strategic partners keen to ensure there is something for everyone.
Another highlight during this year’s Winter Shopping Season comes courtesy of greater reward benefits.
Amber - an Al Tayer Group loyalty programme - is allowing members to earn five times the points when they spend on brands among its network, such as Bloomingdale’s Beauty, Emporio Armani, Gap and Coach, up until January 31.
Fans of luxury timepieces are in for a treat from December 11 to 24 when The Zayed Exhibit of Rare Watches is co-hosted by Caliber Cafe and Luxury Souk, at Caliber Cafe, in Al Bateen.
It will display a remarkable collection of more than 100 United Arab Emirates Rolex logo watches, paying tribute to the heritage and visionary leadership of the nation, as well as acknowledging the timeless elegance of Rolex creations.
Another date for the calendar is December 16 to January 6, when two brands combine for an “intersection of luxury and local culture” at the Tryano x Rain Cafe pop-up.
Launching at Liwa Village, in the Liwa Desert, visitors can elevate their style with exclusive, handpicked streetwear and athleisure collections.
Brought by two homegrown favourites, shoppers can also try activities such as customising fragrances and sneakers.
And, while savouring a tasty order from Rain Cafe, there’s an opportunity to discover the inaugural Bunka Pop-Up concept - home to popular local and international streetwear and sneaker brands - making its first appearance in Abu Dhabi, within the Tryano space.
Also happening from December 16 to January 8 is a chance to “immerse yourself in the Beneverse” and be part of Benefit Cosmetics’ colourful evolution.
Step into the brand’s vibrant pop-up at Liwa Village and be among the first to experience Benefit’s global rebranding, bursting with a new, vivid identity. Guests can seize Insta-worthy moments in the infinity photo booth and engage in an array of activities, from onboarding experiences that immerse visitors in Benefit’s transformation, to utilising artistic skills to customise the pop-up.
Meanwhile, the Michael Kors Holiday Pop-Up Shop, also in Liwa Village, is a great opportunity to explore and browse that brand’s latest collection and enjoy a unique, multi-sensory retail experience.
Between December 16 and January 8, shoppers will get a chance to snap a perfect photo in front of the infinity mirror and try their luck at the claw machine, where exclusive Michael Kors gifts are literally there for the taking.
Into the new year, Mirbad’s Winter 2024 Hotel - at a location to be revealed - is a four-day showcase of the region’s most influential designers and artists.
Shoppers can immerse themselves in a retail experience of curated elegance elevated by Instagrammable art installations and live performances.
Described as a one-stop destination for style, art, and social engagement, the Mirbad Winter 2024 from January 4 to 8 encompasses fashion to fine dining, making it more of a cultural movement than a marketplace.
Also marking a glamourous start to 2024, the Ounass x Amina Muaddi Retail Escape sees Amina Muaddi and Ounass present exclusive pieces from the coveted footwear brand at its first-of-a-kind showcase in the GCC. Designed by Crosby Studios, it happens at Mamsha Al Saadiyat from January 4 to February 4.
Abu Dhabi Retail says the travelling Ounass x Amina Muaddi pop-up has been masterfully designed as an escape from the real world, and a complete immersion into the brand and its latest collection.
True to Ounass’s commitment to exclusive curations and convenience, guests will select their coveted footwear, and have it delivered directly to their doorstep.
While the seasonal retail diary may be filling up fast, there are also three major mall activations for families to consider.
The Galleria Al Maryah Island is the setting for magical seasonal scenes as Winter Wonderland offers a snowy haven filled with enchanting decorations and fun activities for all ages. It runs from December 4 to 26.
And to complement the shopping experience at The Galleria Al Maryah Island, shoppers will receive an exclusive, limited-edition fragrance with every purchase of The Galleria Gift Card valued at Dh250 or more during Winter Shopping Season, while stocks last.
The much-loved festive market returns to Abu Dhabi Mall, from December 8 to January 7 with appearances by Santa Claus. Shoppers can also take part in that mall’s Shop & Win initiative during this period.
Adding even more seasonal variety, visitors can shop for a cause at Marina Mall’s charity souk.
Taking place on December 2 and 3, the collaboration with the Make-A-Wish Foundation allows customers to make a meaningful impact this holiday season while sourcing great gift ideas.
To discover more about these activations, and to keep up to date with events throughout the shopping season, visit www.abudhabiretail.ae and follow @abudhabiretail on Instagram.
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
Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
Gran Gala del Calcio 2019 winners
Best Player: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)
Best Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini (Atalanta)
Best Referee: Gianluca Rocchi
Best Goal: Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria vs Napoli)
Best Team: Atalanta
Best XI: Samir Handanovic (Inter); Aleksandar Kolarov (Roma), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli), Joao Cancelo (Juventus*); Miralem Pjanic (Juventus), Josip Ilicic (Atalanta), Nicolo Barella (Cagliari*); Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria), Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), Duvan Zapata (Atalanta)
Serie B Best Young Player: Sandro Tonali (Brescia)
Best Women’s Goal: Thaisa (Milan vs Juventus)
Best Women’s Player: Manuela Giugliano (Milan)
Best Women’s XI: Laura Giuliani (Milan); Alia Guagni (Fiorentina), Sara Gama (Juventus), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus), Elisa Bartoli (Roma); Aurora Galli (Juventus), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Valentina Cernoia (Juventus); Valentina Giacinti (Milan), Ilaria Mauro (Fiorentina), Barbara Bonansea (Juventus)
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
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How to help
Call the hotline on 0502955999 or send "thenational" to the following numbers:
2289 - Dh10
2252 - Dh50
6025 - Dh20
6027 - Dh100
6026 - Dh200
Profile of Tamatem
Date started: March 2013
Founder: Hussam Hammo
Based: Amman, Jordan
Employees: 55
Funding: $6m
Funders: Wamda Capital, Modern Electronics (part of Al Falaisah Group) and North Base Media
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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 White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
UAE squad
Humaira Tasneem (c), Chamani Senevirathne (vc), Subha Srinivasan, NIsha Ali, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi, Chaya Mughal, Roopa Nagraj, Esha Oza, Ishani Senevirathne, Heena Hotchandani, Keveesha Kumari, Judith Cleetus, Chavi Bhatt, Namita D’Souza.
Tuesday's fixtures
Kyrgyzstan v Qatar, 5.45pm
Company profile
Name: Infinite8
Based: Dubai
Launch year: 2017
Number of employees: 90
Sector: Online gaming industry
Funding: $1.2m from a UAE angel investor
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MATCH INFO
England 241-3 (20 ovs)
Malan 130 no, Morgan 91
New Zealand 165 all out (16.5ovs)
Southee 39, Parkinson 4-47
England win by 76 runs
Series level at 2-2
Sri Lanka v England
First Test, at Galle
England won by 211
Second Test, at Kandy
England won by 57 runs
Third Test, at Colombo
From Nov 23-27
STAY%2C%20DAUGHTER
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The biog
Place of birth: Kalba
Family: Mother of eight children and has 10 grandchildren
Favourite traditional dish: Al Harees, a slow cooked porridge-like dish made from boiled cracked or coarsely ground wheat mixed with meat or chicken
Favourite book: My early life by Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah
Favourite quote: By Sheikh Zayed, the UAE's Founding Father, “Those who have no past will have no present or future.”
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
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
