Island escape
Anantara Desert Islands Resort & Spa on Abu Dhabi's Sir Bani Yas Island has seasonal full-board packages starting from Dh1,450. The deals include breakfast, lunch and dinner with soft beverages, overnight accommodation in a deluxe sea-view room for two and one activity per person based on double occupancy. Excursions include safari drives, traditional dhow cruises, mountain biking and nature-trail walking. This summer package is available exclusively on the website for a minimum of two nights per booking.
• www.desertislands.anantara.com
Book a spa day
Summer has officially arrived at The Waldorf Astoria in Dubai. Book any facial treatment this month and you’ll receive a complimentary bespoke massage. The hotel’s spa was voted Best Luxury Destination Spa at the World Luxury Spa Awards 2015, and boasts more than 3,200 square metres of indoor treatment space, with an extensive array of hydrotherapy facilities, flotation lounges and thermal relaxation rooms. The spa’s menu includes 50 services and pampering treatments for you to choose from. The Waldorf Astoria is on Crescent Road, The Palm Jumeirah.
• Call 04 818 2222 or visit www.waldorfastoria3.hilton.com
Family packages
Vida Downtown Dubai is offering UAE residents special discounts this season through its “Local Retreat” offers. Book a room and you’ll receive 10 per cent off the best available rate and 20 per cent off your bill at all restaurants operated by Emaar Hospitality Group. Children below 13 years of age dine for free. Options also include two complimentary VIP tickets to At The Top at the Burj Khalifa, and two free passes to Reel Cinema in The Dubai Mall. Alternative packages offer two complimentary VIP tickets to Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, and tickets to see a film in the world’s biggest mall.
• Visit www.vida-hotels.com
Regional retreat
For a regional retreat outside the UAE this summer, look no farther than Oman. The Alila Jabal Akhdar hotel is a luxury resort set on a dramatic gorge with panoramic views of the majestic Al Hajar mountains. This season, GCC residents will receive preferential rates, starting from Dh716 when booking a mountain-view suite. They’ll also receive breakfast and a 30 per cent spa discount. A valid ID card must be presented upon arrival. Also worth considering is the Mountain Retreat package, which includes breakfast, two set dinners and a 60-minute couples spa treatment when a minimum of two nights is booked. The deal is valid until September 30.
• Call 968 2534 4200 or visit www.alilahotels.com
Beat the heat
This month, guests who visit the Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi Grand Canal will be treated to a traditional Arabian tent experience. Traditional Middle Eastern savoury and sweet dishes will be served alongside shisha and refreshments from 4pm until 2am daily. Cold meze starts from Dh26, hot meze from Dh30 and main course from Dh40. Regional entertainment is also in store each evening.
• Call 02 818 8282 or email abudhabi.restaurants@ritzcarlton.com
rduane@thenational.ae
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.
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The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
TRAINING FOR TOKYO
A typical week's training for Sebastian, who is competing at the ITU Abu Dhabi World Triathlon on March 8-9:
- Four swim sessions (14km)
- Three bike sessions (200km)
- Four run sessions (45km)
- Two strength and conditioning session (two hours)
- One session therapy session at DISC Dubai
- Two-three hours of stretching and self-maintenance of the body
ITU Abu Dhabi World Triathlon
For more information go to www.abudhabi.triathlon.org.
Padmaavat
Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Starring: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, Jim Sarbh
3.5/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
If you go
The Flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Johannesburg from Dubai and Abu Dhabi respectively. Economy return tickets cost from Dh2,650, including taxes.
The trip
Worldwide Motorhoming Holidays (worldwidemotorhomingholidays.co.uk) operates fly-drive motorhome holidays in eight destinations, including South Africa. Its 14-day Kruger and the Battlefields itinerary starts from Dh17,500, including campgrounds, excursions, unit hire and flights. Bobo Campers has a range of RVs for hire, including the 4-berth Discoverer 4 from Dh600 per day.
The biog
Favourite hobby: taking his rescue dog, Sally, for long walks.
Favourite book: anything by Stephen King, although he said the films rarely match the quality of the books
Favourite film: The Shawshank Redemption stands out as his favourite movie, a classic King novella
Favourite music: “I have a wide and varied music taste, so it would be unfair to pick a single song from blues to rock as a favourite"
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'Saand Ki Aankh'
Produced by: Reliance Entertainment with Chalk and Cheese Films
Director: Tushar Hiranandani
Cast: Taapsee Pannu, Bhumi Pednekar, Prakash Jha, Vineet Singh
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
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 Penguin
Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz
Creator: Lauren LeFranc
Rating: 4/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Company%20Profile
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The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now