分类： entertainment

Dubai prepares to host the highly anticipated return of the Big Bad Wolf (BBW) book sale, transforming into a 10-day literary extravaganza during Ramadan 2026. The event will run from February 26 through March 8 at Sound Stage, Dubai Studio City, operating daily from 10:00 AM to 2:00 AM to accommodate Ramadan schedules.

After a one-year hiatus, organizers have expanded the festival to create a comprehensive cultural experience beyond mere book shopping. With over millions of titles available starting at just Dh2 and discounts reaching up to 95%, the event aims to make reading accessible to all demographics. The selection encompasses diverse genres including children’s literature, educational materials, fiction, non-fiction, and self-development books in both English and Arabic.

Andrew Yap, co-founder of Big Bad Wolf Books, emphasized the event’s evolution into a family tradition: ‘BBW has become something that families look forward to, particularly during the meaningful period of Ramadan. We’ve witnessed visitors staying until 5:00 AM, and on some occasions, we’ve remained open 24 hours to meet overwhelming demand.’

The festival transcends traditional book sales by incorporating food trucks, complimentary children’s workshops, and various competitions. Strategic partnerships with Sharjah Book Authority and Dubai Culture & Arts Authority underscore the UAE’s broader initiative to integrate reading into daily life.

Eiman Al Hammadi, Acting Director of the Literature Department at Dubai Culture, noted: ‘Such initiatives help position Dubai as a city where literature constitutes an integral part of daily culture, building year-round momentum around books and storytelling.’

Mohamed Noor Hersi of Sharjah Book Authority added that the collaboration enables affordable book access across diverse communities, reaching families, children, and young readers from various backgrounds.

NEW YORK — Opera tenor Pene Pati transformed a discouraging warning into the driving force behind his spectacular career. At age 20, he was cautioned against pursuing opera as a Polynesian artist – advice he received with defiant determination rather than resignation.

“My motivation was partly spite,” Pati confessed with amusement. “Someone told me not to be disappointed if I failed because there weren’t many Polynesian opera singers. That sparked something in me – I needed to prove them wrong.”

Now 38 and scheduled at premier opera houses through 2030, Pati has unquestionably proven his capabilities. His recent debut in Massenet’s “Werther” at Paris’ historic Opéra Comique demonstrated his artistic maturity, with conductor Raphaël Pichon specifically seeking performers new to the production.

Pati’s career-defining moment occurred unexpectedly in December 2021 when he stepped into the lead role of Gounod’s “Roméo et Juliette” at the Opéra Comique with mere hours’ notice. This impromptu performance became his “springboard to international recognition,” catapulting him onto the stages of Europe and America.

Colleagues marvel at his technical prowess – mezzo-soprano Adèle Charvet documented Pati sustaining a high C for an astonishing 19 seconds – and his magnetic stage presence. Director Ted Huffman noted how Pati’s genuine warmth creates an immediate connection with audiences, allowing for nuanced character interpretations.

Born in Samoa to nurse parents, Pati relocated to New Zealand as a toddler. His musical journey began in Auckland choirs, nearly diverting to computer science before mentors recognized his vocal gift. His formal training took him to Wales’ International Academy of Voice in 2011, followed by the San Francisco Opera’s prestigious Merola Program in 2013.

Pati’s career accelerated through competition successes (placing second in Operalia 2015) and strategic role selections. He has since debuted at virtually every major opera house, including Vienna State Opera, London’s Royal Opera, and upcoming performances at New York’s Metropolitan Opera.

Despite his rapid ascent, Pati remains methodical about role selection, cautious about transitioning too quickly to heavier repertoire. Beyond performance, he demonstrates commitment to nurturing future generations, recently hosting workshops for New York vocal students.

As Met General Manager Peter Gelb observes: “He’s a tenor with enormous potential.” But perhaps conductor Pichon captures Pati’s essence best: “The most important thing about Pene is his humanity – his desire to share passion and music is properly unique.”

MACAU – The Tap Seac Gallery has become a vibrant cultural crossroads with the inauguration of a special exhibition featuring intricate embroidery artworks from Chongqing Municipality and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. This culturally significant event, which commenced on Wednesday, presents a comprehensive display of China’s diverse textile heritage to both local residents and international visitors.

The exhibition meticulously curates 154 individual and ensemble embroidery pieces representing seven distinct regional techniques. From Chongqing, the collection highlights four traditional styles: the sophisticated Shu embroidery known for its delicate craftsmanship, the ceremonially vibrant Wuxi wedding embroidery, the culturally rich Youzhou Miao ethnic embroidery, and the geometrically patterned Xilankapu brocade traditionally woven by Tujia artisans. The Xinjiang segment contributes three additional techniques preserved by the Uygur, Kirgiz, and Kazakh ethnic communities, each possessing unique aesthetic characteristics.

Cheang Kai-meng, Acting President of Macao SAR’s Cultural Affairs Bureau, emphasized the exhibition’s role as an educational platform. “This carefully assembled presentation enables audiences to appreciate the technical mastery and cultural narratives embedded within these textile traditions,” he stated. “It serves as both an artistic showcase and an important bridge for understanding China’s multifaceted cultural heritage.”

The exhibition will remain accessible to the public until March 15, offering ample opportunity for cultural enthusiasts to engage with these traditional art forms that have been passed through generations while maintaining contemporary relevance.

The Mumbai Crime Branch has established connections between recent threats targeting Bollywood celebrities Ranveer Singh and Aayush Sharma and the organized criminal network led by currently imprisoned gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. This development emerges alongside the ongoing investigation into the January 2024 shooting incident outside renowned filmmaker Rohit Shetty’s residence.

According to official investigative reports, Aayush Sharma—known professionally and as Salman Khan’s brother-in-law—received threatening communications through Proton Mail, an encrypted email service specifically designed to conceal user identities. Law enforcement authorities confirmed the sender utilized this platform to evade standard digital tracking protocols while allegedly claiming affiliation with the Bishnoi criminal organization.

Preceding this incident, actor Ranveer Singh received extortion demands via WhatsApp voice messages directed to his manager’s mobile number. Police technical analysis confirmed the perpetrator employed Virtual Private Network (VPN) technology to mask their digital footprint and geographical location. Investigators have formally documented statements from Singh’s management team.

The pattern of intimidation appears strategically coordinated against high-profile entertainment industry figures, mirroring tactics observed in the Shetty residence shooting case where the Bishnoi gang publicly claimed responsibility through social media channels.

In response to these security threats, the Mumbai Crime Branch has invoked the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), indicating suspicion of structured criminal enterprise involvement. Five suspects were presented before a specialized MCOCA court on February 11th and remanded to police custody until February 17th following previous detention extensions justified by case severity and interrogation requirements.

Legal proceedings revealed defense challenges regarding prosecution assertions, particularly concerning alleged weapon provision by Praveen Lonkar—currently incarcerated for the homicide of Indian politician Baba Siddique. Investigators maintain accused individuals communicated via the Signal encrypted messaging application and are pursuing access to deleted correspondence records. Evidence suggests Asaram Fasle, previously employed as an automotive technician for the Bishnoi network, supplied firearms under instructions from alleged mastermind Shubham Lonkar, who is implicated in both the Siddique assassination and Shetty shooting cases.

The entertainment industry is grieving the loss of James Van Der Beek, the celebrated actor who rose to fame as the protagonist in the iconic 1990s television series ‘Dawson’s Creek,’ who passed away Wednesday at age 48 following a courageous battle with colorectal cancer. His wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, confirmed the tragic news through an emotional Instagram post, describing how her husband faced his final days with remarkable courage, faith, and grace.

Van Der Beek’s career spanned over six decades with appearances in more than 60 film and television productions, though he remained most recognized for his breakthrough role as Dawson Leery—the earnest, film-obsessed teenager navigating the complexities of adolescence in the seminal WB network drama. The series, which ran from 1998 to 2003, catapulted Van Der Beek into international stardom and established him as a definitive teen heartthrob of his generation.

Beyond his iconic television role, Van Der Beek delivered memorable performances in films including ‘Varsity Blues’ (1999) as quarterback Jonathan ‘Mox’ Moxon and ‘The Rules of Attraction’ (2002) as the morally ambiguous Sean Bateman. His professional versatility allowed him to transition between genres and mediums throughout his career.

The actor had been privately battling colorectal cancer since his diagnosis in 2024, which was discovered during a routine colonoscopy the previous year. He chose to document his health journey publicly through social media, sharing updates with fans and raising awareness about cancer prevention and early detection.

In response to his passing, an outpouring of tributes flooded social media platforms from colleagues, admirers, and co-stars. Sarah Michelle Gellar notably expressed that while ‘James’ legacy will always live on, this is a huge loss to not just your family but the world.’ A GoFundMe campaign was rapidly established to support Van Der Beek’s widow and their six children, surpassing $200,000 within its first hour and demonstrating the profound impact he had on his community.

Nestled along the pristine shoreline of Anantara World Islands Dubai Resort, Helios has emerged as a transformative culinary destination that masterfully captures the unhurried essence of Aegean coastal living. This Mediterranean sanctuary redefines the dining experience through its artful combination of authentic flavors, breathtaking vistas, and deliberately measured pacing that encourages guests to fully immerse themselves in the moment.

The restaurant’s architectural design enhances its coastal charm, featuring whitewashed interiors that seamlessly transition to an expansive beach terrace. This carefully crafted environment offers panoramic views where the Arabian Gulf’s shimmering waters meet Dubai’s iconic skyline, creating a visually stunning backdrop for both daytime lunches and evening dining experiences.

Helios’ culinary philosophy centers on Mediterranean comfort food executed with precision and respect for quality ingredients. The burrata starter demonstrates this approach through its sophisticated composition of creamy cheese, heirloom tomatoes, ripe peaches, and roasted pine nuts, elevated by a balsamic reduction and subtle hot honey accent. Similarly, the fried calamari achieves perfection in its textural contrast—featuring a light, crisp coating that gives way to tender squid, complemented by fresh lemon and house-made tartar sauce.

As daylight fades into evening, the restaurant transitions into a seafood-focused dinner service. The whole seabass stands as a signature dish, showcasing the kitchen’s technical prowess with its perfectly cooked flesh accompanied by sweet caper cream sauce, crispy potatoes, and smoked eggplant. This dish exemplifies Helios’ ability to balance richness with refinement, creating deeply satisfying yet sophisticated flavor profiles.

The menu comprehensively covers Mediterranean classics, including grilled meats, fresh seafood selections, house-made pastas, and artisanal pizzas—all designed for sharing and prolonged enjoyment. Service mirrors the establishment’s overall philosophy, striking an ideal balance between attentiveness and discretion while maintaining genuine warmth throughout the dining experience.

With an overall rating of 8.5/10, Helios distinguishes itself not merely as a restaurant but as a temporal escape where excellent food, stunning surroundings, and deliberate pacing converge to create memorable culinary moments.