Something was missing. When Lindsay Lohan stepped away from acting for nearly a decade – stepped away from life as she knew it – nothing felt right any more.
To find herself again, she needed silence. Not the kind that falls between takes, but the kind she found in Dubai.
“Silence is something I didn’t grow up having,” Lohan tells The National. “Dubai is a long moment of silence for me, in a way – and that’s really refreshing.
“I love Dubai. I’m from New York, and it’s so fast-paced. To have somewhere that’s still moving fast around you, but where you don’t feel compelled to move fast with it – that’s something I really cherish as I get older.”
In Freakier Friday, she slips back into a role that defined her youth. But the person stepping into those shoes now is someone very different – someone who had to stop and ask herself whether she missed this life at all.
Jamie Lee Curtis, Lohan’s co-star, mentor and friend, did not understand the move at first.
“I made an assumption that somehow she had met her husband and he had brought her to Dubai. But that’s not the truth. Lindsay was in Dubai on her own because she needed space – safe space – to find what she was missing,” Curtis says. Lohan punctuates her sentiment with an emphatic “yes”.
Curtis continues: “Lindsay needed to see if she missed working – if she missed acting in movies. That was the most impressive thing to me. I really do think that when you get to understand who you are, it allows you to then pretend to be other people.
“One thing I’ve realised is that when you look in the mirror, you’re looking at the problem. But you’re also looking at the solution to the problem.”
And to her great joy, after building a new life and starting a family of her own, Lohan has rediscovered the passion that once made her one of the brightest young stars of her generation. And after three successful Netflix films, the actor makes her triumphant return to the big screen on Thursday – on her own terms.
“I feel the space that I have in Dubai gives me the time to really think about what it is I want to do and how I want to do it,” says Lohan. “I really find that there. It’s so disconnected from Hollywood. When I’m there, I’m with my family, and I can do my work calls and I can think more about things before I act on them. And that’s so important for me to have in my life.”
Freakier Friday takes the body swap concept of the first and doubles down – with Lohan’s character swapping with her own daughter and Curtis swapping with Lohan’s soon-to-be stepdaughter.
Just as in the original, the concept allows the characters to see the world through different eyes, which makes Curtis wonder what Dubai looks like through Lohan’s.
“Let’s say, all of a sudden, I’m in Dubai as you. What am I doing? Where am I going?” Curtis asks Lohan.
“Do something more spiritual because that’s the beauty of Dubai,” Lohan replies. “You have to go see the desert, see the peace that’s there, and have traditional food out there, and sit with people and see that side of the culture. I wouldn’t go to the Burj Khalifa and see the sights right away. Out there in the desert, it’s just wild.”
Lohan is not the only member of the returning cast that was able to find themselves in the interim. Chad Michael Murray, who played Lohan’s love interest Jake in the first film, was thrilled to be able to come back to the material more self-assured.
“I was such a kid on that first movie just trying not to screw it up. And here we are, 23 years since we filmed the first one, and we felt free to make different choices and just be a little bit more risky,” says Murray.
“I think everybody’s going to leave the theatre on cloud nine, just feeling good dancing out of the theatre, having a million laughs. It’s tough out there, man. I say this in jest, but honestly who knows – this kind of movie helps. It might help you live longer.”
And perhaps they have all become better at playing each other because they each are now far more sure of who they are themselves.
“To thine own self be true,” says Curtis, echoing Shakespeare.
Freakier Friday is in cinemas Thursday across the Middle East
HAEMOGLOBIN DISORDERS EXPLAINED
Thalassaemia is part of a family of genetic conditions affecting the blood known as haemoglobin disorders.
Haemoglobin is a substance in the red blood cells that carries oxygen and a lack of it triggers anemia, leaving patients very weak, short of breath and pale.
The most severe type of the condition is typically inherited when both parents are carriers. Those patients often require regular blood transfusions – about 450 of the UAE’s 2,000 thalassaemia patients – though frequent transfusions can lead to too much iron in the body and heart and liver problems.
The condition mainly affects people of Mediterranean, South Asian, South-East Asian and Middle Eastern origin. Saudi Arabia recorded 45,892 cases of carriers between 2004 and 2014.
A World Health Organisation study estimated that globally there are at least 950,000 ‘new carrier couples’ every year and annually there are 1.33 million at-risk pregnancies.
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
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%20specs
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Killing of Qassem SuleimaniThe%20Genius%20of%20Their%20Age
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SPEC%20SHEET
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The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
Federer’s 19 grand slam titles
Australian Open (5 titles) – 2004 bt Marat Safin; 2006 bt Marcos Baghdatis; 2007 bt Fernando Gonzalez; 2010 bt Andy Murray; 2017 bt Rafael Nadal
French Open (1 title) – 2009 bt Robin Soderling
Wimbledon (8 titles) – 2003 bt Mark Philippoussis; 2004 bt Andy Roddick; 2005 bt Andy Roddick; 2006 bt Rafael Nadal; 2007 bt Rafael Nadal; 2009 bt Andy Roddick; 2012 bt Andy Murray; 2017 bt Marin Cilic
US Open (5 titles) – 2004 bt Lleyton Hewitt; 2005 bt Andre Agassi; 2006 bt Andy Roddick; 2007 bt Novak Djokovic; 2008 bt Andy Murray
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
The specs: 2019 Jeep Wrangler
Price, base: Dh132,000
Engine: 3.6-litre V6
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 285hp @ 6,400rpm
Torque: 347Nm @ 4,100rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 9.6L to 10.3L / 100km
Jordan cabinet changesIn
- Raed Mozafar Abu Al Saoud, Minister of Water and Irrigation
- Dr Bassam Samir Al Talhouni, Minister of Justice
- Majd Mohamed Shoueikeh, State Minister of Development of Foundation Performance
- Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research
- Falah Abdalla Al Ammoush, Minister of Public Works and Housing
- Basma Moussa Ishakat, Minister of Social Development
- Dr Ghazi Monawar Al Zein, Minister of Health
- Ibrahim Sobhi Alshahahede, Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Environment
- Dr Mohamed Suleiman Aburamman, Minister of Culture and Minister of Youth
Out
- Dr Adel Issa Al Tawissi, Minister of High Education and Scientific Research
- Hala Noaman “Basiso Lattouf”, Minister of Social Development
- Dr Mahmud Yassin Al Sheyab, Minister of Health
- Yahya Moussa Kasbi, Minister of Public Works and Housing
- Nayef Hamidi Al Fayez, Minister of Environment
- Majd Mohamed Shoueika, Minister of Public Sector Development
- Khalid Moussa Al Huneifat, Minister of Agriculture
- Dr Awad Abu Jarad Al Mushakiba, Minister of Justice
- Mounir Moussa Ouwais, Minister of Water and Agriculture
- Dr Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education
- Mokarram Mustafa Al Kaysi, Minister of Youth
- Basma Mohamed Al Nousour, Minister of Culture
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
Zayed%20Centre%20for%20Research
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more from Janine di GiovanniF1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
– Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
From Europe to the Middle East, economic success brings wealth – and lifestyle diseases
A rise in obesity figures and the need for more public spending is a familiar trend in the developing world as western lifestyles are adopted.
One in five deaths around the world is now caused by bad diet, with obesity the fastest growing global risk. A high body mass index is also the top cause of metabolic diseases relating to death and disability in Kuwait, Qatar and Oman – and second on the list in Bahrain.
In Britain, heart disease, lung cancer and Alzheimer’s remain among the leading causes of death, and people there are spending more time suffering from health problems.
The UK is expected to spend $421.4 billion on healthcare by 2040, up from $239.3 billion in 2014.
And development assistance for health is talking about the financial aid given to governments to support social, environmental development of developing countries.
Company: Instabug
Founded: 2013
Based: Egypt, Cairo
Sector: IT
Employees: 100
Stage: Series A
Investors: Flat6Labs, Accel, Y Combinator and angel investors
First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus
THE SPECS
Touareg Highline
Engine: 3.0-litre, V6
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Power: 340hp
Torque: 450Nm
Price: Dh239,312
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JOKE’S%20ON%20YOU
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