The launch takes place during ADHD Awareness Month. Its organisers say it highlights how young voices like Talia’s can help raise awareness and encourage more inclusive conversations around different ways of learning and growing.

The evening includes a book reading at 7pm. Journalists have been invited to meet Talia, hear more about her story and the book, and cover the milestone, and have been asked to RSVP before 20 October.

The Gifted Garden Book Launch: Details

• What: launch of The Gifted Garden, a children’s book by Talia Rida
• Date: Wednesday 21 October 2026
• Time: 6pm to 8pm, with a book reading at 7pm
• Location: Umm El Sheif, Dubai
• RSVP: media guests are asked to RSVP before 20 October

See also: UAE Author Rucha Daryani Launches The Light Never Left, a Picture Book for Children Whose Family Life Has Changed, more lifestyle stories and more UAE news.

Customers can donate in a few taps from Careem Quik, either on its own or added to their regular grocery order. Careem says it passes every donation to WFP, which buys the food and delivers it to families in greatest need in Gaza. The company has invited users to join a pledge to raise AED 2 million this month.

The Need

According to the release, 1.4 million people in Gaza, or 2 in every 3, still face crisis or worse levels of acute food insecurity, and 80 percent of people are out of work. Each month WFP reaches around 1.5 million people with food parcels, wheat flour, bread, hot meals, school snacks, nutrition services and cash. It adds that if assistance is not sustained, up to 90 percent of the population could face high levels of acute food insecurity by the end of the year.

The Boxes

There are four donation options, each covering the cost of a WFP food box that feeds a family of five. A box holds fortified wheat flour, pasta, lentils, beans, chickpeas, tomato paste, vegetable oil, salt and halva. The largest, which feeds a family for a month, contains more than 47 kg of food, including 25 kg of flour.

Mudassir Sheikha, Co-founder and CEO of Careem, said: “Through Seeds for Gaza, our customers and partners raised more than AED 3 million.” Bashar Al Hammami, Head of WFP Global Office in the UAE, said: “Partners like Careem help us keep food reaching the families who need it most, and give people in the UAE a simple way to help.”

Groceries for Gaza: Details

• How to donate: open the Careem app, tap Quik, find the Groceries for Gaza banner, choose a box, add it to the basket and check out
• Where: across the UAE, until 31 October 2026
• AED 92: feeds a family of five for 3 to 4 days
• AED 184: feeds a family of five for 1 week
• AED 367: feeds a family of five for 2 weeks
• AED 734: feeds a family of five for 1 month
• Note: WFP does not endorse any product or service

See also: Careem Reports Customer Trends Across Its App During Ramadan 2026, more UAE news and more business news.

This year’s Baby Loss Awareness Week (9–15 October) sees the region’s Love Through Loss collective return for a sixth year, with a free day of online education and support on Thursday 15^th October followed by an in-person Wave of Light remembrance on Saturday 17th October.

The return comes as the UAE marks 2026 as its Year of the Family, under the national theme ‘Growing in Unity’ – a timely backdrop for a collective built on the understanding that families can look very different from one another. Love Through Loss GCC exists precisely for the families whose stories don’t always fit the traditional narrative: those grieving a baby, navigating loss at any stage, or still hoping to grow their family – families who deserve the same unity, recognition and support as any other.

Baby Loss Awareness Week is now in its 24th year globally, providing a safe and supportive space for those whose lives have been touched by pregnancy and baby loss – a life event that will affect nearly half of all adults today. From 9–15 October, Baby Loss Awareness Week brings the global community together to speak out, increase understanding of the impact of loss, remove shame and stigma, and remember every baby. It also plays a crucial role in raising awareness of the importance of ongoing bereavement support and the work still needed to improve pregnancy outcomes and save babies’ lives.

Now marking six years in the GCC, Love Through Loss brings much-needed awareness, education and support to those affected by, and those supporting families through, baby and pregnancy loss – as well as those who have struggled or been unable to become parents. The collective provides support, open conversation and a sense of unity for all affected, alongside deeper emotional education for the professionals who support them. 

The collective’s goal is also to support and strengthen healthcare across the GCC by equipping healthcare professionals and allied services with the knowledge, skills and confidence to provide compassionate, informed care to families during some of the most significant moments of their lives.

Love Through Loss GCC 2026 will take place as follows:

• Saturday 10^th October – Therapeutic Art & Community Morning for Parents – Cornelia’s, 11:30am.
• Wednesday 14^th – Sound Healing  – Details to be confirmed.
• Thursday 15^th October – A full day online event providing education and support. Each session will be hosted by a specialist in a specific area of baby and pregnancy loss, alongside a person with lived experience. Sessions will cover loss experienced at any stage from conception to infancy, alongside interactive sessions such as mindfulness through grief and guidance for those currently navigating family building, pregnancy and baby loss. Full schedule to follow.
• Saturday 17th October 5:30pm – 7:30pm – An in-person gathering of Remembrance for the Global ‘Wave of Light’ at [Nature Escapes, Al Barari, Dubai.]. Everyone is invited, wherever they are in the world, to light a candle at 7pm local time as a mark of support and remembrance.

Over 130 dedicated pregnancy and baby loss organisations come together during this week across the globe. The Love Through Loss GCC collective of communities and advocates spans the UAE, KSA, Qatar and Bahrain, all dedicated to breaking down barriers in the region and opening conversations that can be difficult to have in the mainstream. The collective includes Small and Mighty Babies, IVF Support UAE, Lala Langtry White Support, TFMR Mamas, Twins Plus Arabia, The Fit Midwife and TishTash Communications.

Love Through Loss aims to become a widely recognised and trusted source of support across the UAE, so that families, friends, healthcare professionals and the wider community know where to turn or whom to signpost to following baby loss at any stage. The volunteer-led community also offers a compassionate first response when a loss occurs, supporting families with memory making, helping them understand and navigate practical and logistical considerations and signposting them to relevant professional and community services. By offering calm, informed support at an often-overwhelming time, Love Through Loss aims to ensure that every family feels held, guided and less alone.

Due to the online nature of the event, complete anonymity is possible, enabling a secure and private space that allows participants to take part in sessions with complete confidence and safety. Love Through Loss is completely free to attend and open to everyone. Participants can dip in and out of sessions as they wish and can register via Lovethroughlosssupport.com, where the full schedule of sessions will be made available in due course.  Together, we care.  

See also: more UAE news, more things to do in Dubai and our weekly Dubai This Week roundups.

Here’s how it happened. Careem started selling ice blocks in the app this summer to help people keep their pools cool. Mo Vlogs ordered every single one. When he posted about it, Aquaventure World commented asking if Careem could cool down its pool too. The catch: Aquaventure World holds 26.5 million litres of water across the waterpark. Farizon Auto replied in the same thread and offered to do the heavy lifting.

A few days later, Careem and Farizon delivered the heaviest order in the app’s history straight to the waterpark in a Farizon SV electric chiller van.

Careem calls itself the everything app. Most days that means rides, food, groceries and payments. This week it meant a giant block of ice in a waterpark.

This is proof that if it fits in a box, Careem delivers it. If it doesn’t, Careem delivers it anyway.

See also: our Dubai Marina, JBR and Palm Jumeirah guide, more UAE news and more things to do in Dubai.

Atmosphere Core has appointed Mr. Neeraj Seth as Assistant Vice President – Communication, bringing more than 25 years of international experience across luxury hospitality, real estate, consumer technology, marketing and strategic communications.

With a career spanning Africa, Asia, India and the Middle East, Neeraj has held senior leadership positions with global and regional organisations, leading integrated marketing and communications initiatives across diverse markets. His expertise includes strategic communications, public relations, media relations, brand positioning, digital communications, partnerships and major launches.

At Atmosphere Core, Neeraj will lead strategic communication initiatives across the company’s Maldives and Sri Lanka operations, focusing on media relations, corporate communications and brand storytelling. He will work with leadership and resort teams to identify and amplify the distinctive stories, experiences and people behind Atmosphere Core and its brands.

Mr. Stéphane Laguette, Chief Commercial Officer, Atmosphere Core, said: “We are delighted to welcome Neeraj to Atmosphere Core. His extensive international experience across marketing, communications and hospitality, combined with his strong understanding of media and brand storytelling, will bring valuable expertise to our growing organisation. I am confident he will make a meaningful contribution as we continue to strengthen the profile of Atmosphere Core and its brands across international markets.”

Hospitality has been a significant focus of Neeraj’s recent career, spanning luxury resorts, real estate and strategic communications. He has led pre-openings, launches, rebranding and integrated campaigns, alongside international media engagement and brand partnerships across key EMEIA markets. He has also represented global hospitality and lifestyle brands as an official media spokesperson.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Neeraj Seth, Assistant Vice President – Communication, Atmosphere Core, said: “I am delighted to join Atmosphere Core at an exciting stage of its growth. Our distinctive brands and experiences offer a wealth of compelling stories, and I look forward to bringing more nuanced, market-relevant storytelling to different audiences, while strengthening our communications, deepening media relationships and building the group’s international profile.”

Neeraj’s appointment comes as Atmosphere Core continues to expand its presence across South Asia and international markets, with strategic communications playing an increasingly important role in strengthening the group’s brands, experiences and corporate reputation globally.

See also: more UAE news, more things to do in Dubai and our weekly Dubai This Week roundups.

The event will convene the global energy industry in Abu Dhabi as the world enters a new era of rising energy demand, geopolitical volatility, infrastructure constraints and the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI), underscoring the critical importance of energy security to economic stability and growth.

As the world’s largest energy conference and exhibition, and drawing on the UAE’s position as a reliable energy supplier, long-term investment partner and global hub for technology and industry, ADIPEC 2026 will bring together policymakers, producers, investors, technology leaders and customers to turn shared priorities into practical action.

Across its conferences and exhibition, participants will align priorities, advance commercial partnerships and accelerate the projects and solutions needed to support secure, reliable and affordable energy supplies and long-term growth. 

Among the early confirmed speakers for ADIPEC 2026 are: His Excellency Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, UAE; His Excellency Eng. Karim Badawi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Arab Republic of Egypt; His Excellency Saleh Kharabsheh, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan; Rt. Hon Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister for State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Nigeria; Wael Sawan, CEO, Shell; Patrick Pouyanne, Chairman & CEO, TotalEnergies; Meg O’Neill, CEO, bp; Richard Jackson, President and CEO, Oxy; Claudio Descalzi, CEO, ENI; Christian Bruch, President and CEO, Siemens Energy; Wang Yuetao, Chairman, Zhenhua Oil; Olivier Le Peuch, CEO, SLB; Lorenzo Simonelli, Chairman and CEO, Baker Hughes; Horacio Marín, Chairman of the Board and CEO, YPF;  Dr Angela Wilkinson, Secretary General and CEO, World Energy Council; Aliko Dangote, President & CEO, Dangote Group; Hunter Hunt, Chairman and CEO, Hunt Energy Holdings; Stuart Bradie, Chair of the Board, President and CEO, KBR;  Dr Olivier Oullier, CEO and Co-founder, Inclusive Brains; and Prof. Haruhiko Ando, CEO, Japan Cooperation Center for Petroleum and Sustainable Energy. 

Abdulmunim Al Kindy, Chairman of ADIPEC 2026, said: “Recent volatility has reaffirmed a simple truth: energy security is economic stability. As demand rises and AI transforms both the energy sector and the economies it powers, the world must invest ahead of demand, diversify supply and strengthen the infrastructure, technology and capabilities that keep energy moving.

“ADIPEC 2026 will focus on what the next energy system needs most: growth, reliability, intelligence and delivery. By bringing together policy, capital, technology and industry in Abu Dhabi, we will help advance the investments, projects and partnerships required to provide more energy, more securely and affordably, while supporting global economic growth.”

New for 2026, ADIPEC’s Strategic Conference has been redesigned around the forces reshaping global energy, from rising demand and energy security to infrastructure, investment, AI, industrial execution and workforce capability. 

Across 11 programmes and more than 380 sessions, ministers, CEOs, investors, policymakers and technology leaders will examine the decisions, partnerships and capital needed to expand energy supply, accelerate infrastructure delivery and strengthen long-term system performance.

New Strategic Conference programmes include Energy Security & Resilience; Policy, Regulation & Governance; Upstream; Clean Power, Molecules & Carbon Management; Grids, Infrastructure & Industrial Execution; and Workforce & Skills. Existing programmes have also been updated to reflect the priorities shaping energy’s next phase, including AI, Digital & Technology Innovation and Downstream, Chemicals & Industrial Value Chains. 

The 11 Strategic Conference programmes are complemented by the Technical Conference, with its SPE Technical and Downstream Technical programmes, which together represent the world’s largest gathering of technical energy engineers and experts to transform strategy into operational delivery. 

Christopher Hudson, President, dmg events, the organisers of ADIPEC, said: “As the global energy landscape continues to evolve, ADIPEC’s role as a platform for dialogue, collaboration and commercial engagement has never been more important. Rising energy demand, supply constraints and rapid technological advancement underscore the need to bring industry leaders together to align priorities, mobilise investment and accelerate the projects and technologies required to support long-term energy security and economic growth.

“The strong early momentum behind ADIPEC 2026 reflects the industry’s recognition of both the scale of the opportunity and the urgency for action. By convening policymakers, investors, technology leaders and energy producers in Abu Dhabi, ADIPEC will help strengthen partnerships, advance innovation and support the delivery of the secure, reliable and affordable energy systems the world needs.”

The ADIPEC Exhibition will serve as a global marketplace where connections translate into commercial outcomes. In 2025, the event generated US$53 billion in value through more than 49,000 deals, demonstrating its role in advancing investment, partnerships and project delivery.

With more than 2,250 companies already confirmed to participate – including 54 NOCs, IOCs, NECs and IECs – across 16 halls and 30 country pavilions, ADIPEC 2026 is set to be one of the most influential gatherings in the global energy industry, bringing together the technologies, collaboration and investment opportunities shaping the future of energy. Four specialised zones will connect market-ready technologies and solutions with customers, investors and partners, helping move projects from opportunity to execution. 

See also: obal technology CEOs join ADIPEC 2026 as AI reshapes energy demand and operations, more business news and more UAE news.

At LION, dining starts with the feeling of being expected — a remembered order, a table held just for you. These small touches give the space the character of a private residence. The new season carries that spirit forward, with generous, shareable dishes and a pace that lets the evening unfold naturally.

Fire at the Centre of the Menu

The open kitchen anchors LION’s approach to Mediterranean cooking, where fire shapes both flavour and experience. The menu follows the seasons, spotlighting well-sourced ingredients and letting the flame add depth without masking their natural character.

Grilled lobster and king crab share the table with carefully aged cuts and seasonal produce, all served in true Mediterranean fashion — generous and meant for sharing. Each dish puts the ingredient first, carrying the energy of live-fire cooking straight into the dining room.

A Residence in the Sky

Warm wood, woven rattan and amber lighting give the dining room a residential feel. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame Downtown Dubai and the Burj Khalifa beyond, though the focus stays firmly on the people at the table. The terrace extends that experience outdoors, with the skyline lit up below.

It’s the hospitality that ties it together. The team reads the room, remembers preferences, and lets each evening move at its own rhythm — creating a sense of familiarity from the very first visit, and a reason to return.

The Evening Continues at LION Bar

LION Bar sets the tone before dinner and gives guests a reason to linger after. The cocktail menu plays with the link between flavour and memory, pulling from places and moments worth revisiting.

Spanning an intimate indoor room and an open-air terrace high above the city, LION Bar offers one of Dubai’s best views — a backdrop that turns every drink into part of the night’s story.

From September 25th, LION invites Dubai back to the table for its new season.

Details
Monday to Sunday: 6PM – 12AM
Address: Mandarin Oriental Downtown, Wasl Tower – Albanny Street, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai
WhatsApp: +971 56 573 8283
Email: dubai@lioninthesun.com
Website: lioninthesundubai.com
Instagram: @lioninthesundubai

See also: our Downtown Dubai and DIFC guide, more hotel and hospitality news and the best restaurants in Dubai by neighbourhood.

HushDay, the Middle East’s pioneering premium private sales platform, is expanding beyond fashion with the launch of HushDay HOME EDIT, its first-ever premium home and lifestyle private sale.

Taking place from 18–20 September 2026, from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM at Area 57, Al Quoz, Dubai, the first edition will offer the HushDay community access to a curated selection of 23 premium brands, with exclusive discounts of up to 90% off across home décor, tableware, glassware, cookware, entertaining essentials, home fragrance and candles.

Built around the concept “An Invitation to the Table,” HushDay HOME EDIT celebrates the art of entertaining at home, bringing together pieces for cooking, hosting and creating considered living spaces, while introducing a new destination for those interested in premium home, lifestyle and design.

Standout names within the curated selection include Lalique, renowned for its French luxury crystal and decorative pieces; contemporary glassware and tableware brand LSA International; Italian home fragrance house Dr. Vranjes; French cookware specialist de Buyer; Peugeot, known for its iconic mills and kitchen accessories; and tableware and hospitality specialist LUSINI.

The wider selection includes Charingworth, Cole & Mason, Eternum, GEFU, Herbal, Kähler, Lehmann, Luzerne, Maison La Bougie, Mizensir, RIG-TIG, Rosendahl, Stelton, Stoelzle, Studio William, Stylepoint and ZiiPa, alongside a dedicated home fragrances and candles selection.

Available for three days only, the limited-time event is designed around the thrill of discovery, creating a treasure-hunt-style shopping experience where guests can uncover unexpected finds from premium international brands at exceptional prices. The launch also marks HushDay’s expansion into the home and lifestyle space, bringing its signature curated private-sale concept to a new category.

More than a private sale, HushDay HOME EDIT has been designed as a weekend experience for the whole family, with freshly prepared sweet and savoury crêpes by La Crêpe Française, drinks and plenty of surprises to discover throughout the event.

“September always feels like a fresh start in Dubai. Many of our members are moving homes, settling into new spaces or have only recently arrived in the city. We created HOME EDIT in response to what our community was asking for: one destination where they can discover everything they need for the home, all under one roof and at prices they will not find anywhere else, while enjoying the sense of excitement and discovery that defines every HushDay experience,” said Jennifer Cohen Solal, Co-Founder of HushDay.

Valet parking will be available at the venue for guests throughout the three-day event. To register and receive your invitation to HushDay HOME EDIT, visit hushday.com. Keep up to date with HushDay’s latest news, events and private sales, follow @hushday_me on Instagram.

See also: our summer perfume guide, more UAE news and more things to do in Dubai.

Zarna Garg is heading back to Dubai. The outspoken, New York Times bestselling comedian returns to the Dubai Comedy Festival this October with her brand new show, Million Dollar Excuses, live at Dubai Opera for one night only.

Presented by Dubai Comedy Festival, the show takes over the Main Auditorium at Dubai Opera on 16 October at 6.30 PM, as part of the festival’s run from 9 to 18 October. Tickets start from AED 195 and are on sale now at dubaiopera.com. Given Zarna’s history of selling out venues across the U.S., Europe, India, and the Gulf, fans are being encouraged to book early.

Million Dollar Excuses is Zarna at her sharpest, an hour built around the creative, ridiculous, and painfully relatable excuses people use to dodge responsibility. Expect rapid-fire storytelling, fearless takes on marriage, motherhood, and modern family chaos, and the crowd work that has made her one of the most in-demand comics working today. Dubai’s mix of cultures and backgrounds is exactly the audience this show was built for. Her humor travels across borders, languages, and generations without losing its edge.

This isn’t Zarna’s first time winning over the region. Her Practical People Win tour previously sold out shows across Dubai and Riyadh, and this October marks her return to a city that has already shown up for her in a big way.

What makes Zarna impossible to look away from is the story behind the punchlines. She grew up without a home in Mumbai, built a life from nothing as an immigrant in America, and turned every bit of that struggle into some of the sharpest comedy on the circuit today. Her memoir, This American Woman, a New York Times bestseller with over 20,000 five-star reviews, tells that story in full, and it’s the same honesty that runs through every one of her live shows. She isn’t just funny; she’s proof that the hardest chapters can become the best material, and audiences keep showing up because of it.

With two hit comedy specials on Amazon Prime and Hulu, a growing film and TV career that includes A Nice Indian Boy and the upcoming Clashing Through the Snow, viral moments watched by millions, and some of the biggest names in comedy as her collaborators, Zarna Garg has become one of the most talked about voices in stand-up today. This October, Dubai gets her live.

Tickets for Zarna Garg Live at Dubai Comedy Festival are on sale now at dubaiopera.com, with prices starting from AED 195.

See also: our Downtown Dubai and DIFC guide, more UAE news and more things to do in Dubai.

The inaugural session, held on 13 September at the Head Office of Dar Al Ber Society on Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, brought together 80 families, along with representatives from government entities and leading corporate organisations. Participating families took a pledge towards the SDGs and committed to exploring practical ways to create positive impact within their homes and communities.

Inspired by the UAE Year of Family 2026 and aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Smart Sustainable Family is designed to encourage parents and children to learn, plan and act together. Rather than viewing sustainability as a distant global challenge, the initiative focuses on how small, practical decisions at home can contribute to wider social and environmental change.

Keynote speech was delivered by Nesar Reza Khan, Specialist in Sustainable Development Goals highlighted the importance of making sustainability economically viable so that governments and organisations can adopt and scale initiatives that benefit society. He also emphasised the importance of families understanding the SDGs and recognising the role they can play in creating lasting impact for future generations.

The interactive programme encouraged families to discuss sustainability habits that can be incorporated into everyday life. Each family was then encouraged to identify a goal that was meaningful to them and develop a one-month Family Impact Plan outlining specific actions they could undertake together.

Importantly, the initiative does not end with the event. Families are encouraged to implement their plans at home and within their communities, document their progress and subsequently share their achievements and the impact they have created.

The Smart Sustainable Family journey follows a simple action-oriented model:

REGISTER → LEARN → CHOOSE A GOAL → CREATE AN IMPACT PLAN → TAKE ACTION → SHARE YOUR ACHIEVEMENT

By involving parents and children together, Smart Sustainable Family aims to make sustainability engaging, practical and achievable, while encouraging families to see positive social impact as a shared responsibility across generations.

SmartLife plans to conduct a series of such sessions until December 2026. Individuals and families living in the UAE, as well as those wishing to represent their families in their home countries, are encouraged to participate.

To register your interest, please visit www.smartlifefoundation.org/ssf

We also invite corporate organisations to host exclusive sessions for their employees in partnership with SmartLife.

About SmartLife Foundation

SmartLife Foundation is a Dubai-based multiple award winning non-profit organisation registered with the Community Development Authority of Dubai. Through education, skills development, health and wellbeing, community engagement and specialised programmes, SmartLife works to empower frontline and blue-collar communities while creating opportunities for individuals, families, volunteers and organisations to contribute towards positive social impact.

SmartLife’s programmes are supported by volunteers, government entities, community partners and corporate organisations across the UAE, with its initiatives contributing towards several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

See also: more UAE news, more things to do in Dubai and our weekly Dubai This Week roundups.