{"id":120639,"date":"2025-08-05T10:36:10","date_gmt":"2025-08-05T10:36:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/120639\/"},"modified":"2025-08-05T10:36:10","modified_gmt":"2025-08-05T10:36:10","slug":"lindsay-lohan-dubai-gave-me-the-space-to-find-what-i-was-missing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/120639\/","title":{"rendered":"Lindsay Lohan: Dubai gave me the space to find what I was missing"},"content":{"rendered":"

Something was missing. When Lindsay Lohan<\/a> stepped away from acting for nearly a decade \u2013 stepped away from life as she knew it \u2013 nothing felt right any more. <\/p>\n

To find herself again, she needed silence. Not the kind that falls between takes, but the kind she found in Dubai<\/a>.<\/p>\n

“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 \u2013 and that\u2019s really refreshing.<\/p>\n

“I love Dubai. I\u2019m from New York, and it\u2019s so fast-paced. To have somewhere that\u2019s still moving fast around you, but where you don\u2019t feel compelled to move fast with it \u2013 that\u2019s something I really cherish as I get older.”<\/p>\n

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 \u2013 someone who had to stop and ask herself whether she missed this life at all.<\/p>\n

Jamie Lee Curtis<\/a>, Lohan’s co-star, mentor and friend, did not understand the move at first. <\/p>\n

“I made an assumption that somehow she had met her husband<\/a> and he had brought her to Dubai<\/a>. But that’s not the truth. Lindsay was in Dubai on her own because she needed space \u2013 safe space \u2013 to find what she was missing,” Curtis says. Lohan punctuates her sentiment with an emphatic “yes”.<\/p>\n

Curtis continues: “Lindsay needed to see if she missed working \u2013 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.<\/p>\n

“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.”<\/p>\n

And to her great joy, after building a new life and starting a family<\/a> 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<\/a> Netflix<\/a> films, the actor makes her triumphant return to the big screen on Thursday \u2013 on her own terms. <\/p>\n

“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.”<\/p>\n

Freakier Friday takes the body swap concept of the first and doubles down \u2013 with Lohan’s character swapping with her own daughter and Curtis swapping with Lohan’s soon-to-be stepdaughter. <\/p>\n

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<\/a>.<\/p>\n

“Let’s say, all of a sudden, I’m in Dubai as you. What am I doing? Where am I going?” Curtis asks Lohan<\/a>.<\/p>\n

“Do something more spiritual because that’s the beauty of Dubai,” Lohan<\/a> 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.”<\/p>\n

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. <\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

“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 \u2013 this kind of movie helps. It might help you live longer.”<\/p>\n

And perhaps they have all become better at playing each other because they each are now far more sure of who they are themselves. <\/p>\n

“To thine own self be true,” says Curtis, echoing Shakespeare.<\/p>\n

Freakier Friday is in cinemas Thursday across the Middle East<\/p>\n

HAEMOGLOBIN DISORDERS EXPLAINED<\/p>\n

Thalassaemia\u00a0is part of a family of genetic conditions affecting the blood known as\u00a0haemoglobin disorders.<\/p>\n

Haemoglobin\u00a0is 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.<\/p>\n

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\u00a0patients – though frequent transfusions can lead to too much iron in the body and heart and liver problems.<\/p>\n

The condition mainly affects people of Mediterranean, South Asian, South-East Asian and Middle Eastern origin. Saudi Arabia recorded\u00a045,892 cases of carriers between 2004 and 2014.<\/p>\n

A World Health Organisation study estimated that globally there are at least 950,000 ‘new carrier couples’ every year and\u00a0annually there are 1.33 million at-risk pregnancies.<\/p>\n

Paatal Lok season two<\/p>\n

Directors:<\/strong> Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy\u00a0<\/p>\n

Stars: <\/strong>Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong<\/p>\n

Rating: <\/strong>4.5\/5<\/p>\n

COMPANY PROFILE <\/p>\n

Name:\u00a0<\/strong>Kumulus Water<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Started:<\/strong> 2021<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Founders: <\/strong>Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Based:<\/strong> Tunisia\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Sector:<\/strong> Water technology\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Number of staff:<\/strong> 22\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Investment raised:<\/strong> $4 million\u00a0<\/p>\n

The%20specs<\/p>\n

%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPowertrain%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle%20electric%20motor%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E201hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E310Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E53kWh%20lithium-ion%20battery%20pack%20(GS%20base%20model)%3B%2070kWh%20battery%20pack%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETouring%20range%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E350km%20(GS)%3B%20480km%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C900%20(GS)%3B%20Dh149%2C000%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A<\/p>\n

Killing of Qassem SuleimaniThe%20Genius%20of%20Their%20Age<\/p>\n

%3Cp%3EAuthor%3A%20S%20Frederick%20Starr%3Cbr%3EPublisher%3A%20Oxford%20University%20Press%3Cbr%3EPages%3A%20290%3Cbr%3EAvailable%3A%20January%2024%3C%2Fp%3E%0A<\/p>\n

SPEC%20SHEET<\/p>\n

%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProcessor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Apple%20M2%2C%208-core%20CPU%2C%20up%20to%2010-core%20CPU%2C%2016-core%20Neural%20Engine%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2013.6-inch%20Liquid%20Retina%2C%202560%20x%201664%2C%20224ppi%2C%20500%20nits%2C%20True%20Tone%2C%20wide%20colour%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMemory%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208%2F16%2F24GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStorage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20256%2F512GB%20%2F%201%2F2TB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EI%2FO%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Thunderbolt%203%20(2)%2C%203.5mm%20audio%2C%20Touch%20ID%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConnectivity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Wi-Fi%206%2C%20Bluetooth%205.0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2052.6Wh%20lithium-polymer%2C%20up%20to%2018%20hours%2C%20MagSafe%20charging%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECamera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201080p%20FaceTime%20HD%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EVideo%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Support%20for%20Apple%20ProRes%2C%20HDR%20with%20Dolby%20Vision%2C%20HDR10%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAudio%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204-speaker%20system%2C%20wide%20stereo%2C%20support%20for%20Dolby%20Atmos%2C%20Spatial%20Audio%20and%20dynamic%20head%20tracking%20(with%20AirPods)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EColours%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Silver%2C%20space%20grey%2C%20starlight%2C%20midnight%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIn%20the%20box%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20MacBook%20Air%2C%2030W%20or%2035W%20dual-port%20power%20adapter%2C%20USB-C-to-MagSafe%20cable%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh4%2C999%3C%2Fp%3E%0A<\/p>\n

The candidates<\/p>\n

Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive<\/p>\n

Ali Azeem, business leader<\/p>\n

Tony Booth, professor of education<\/p>\n

Lord Browne, former BP chief executive<\/p>\n

Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist<\/p>\n

Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist<\/p>\n

Dr Mark Mann, scientist<\/p>\n

Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner<\/p>\n

Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister<\/p>\n

Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Federer’s 19 grand slam titles<\/p>\n

Australian Open<\/strong> (5 titles) –\u00a02004<\/strong> bt Marat Safin; 2006<\/strong> bt Marcos Baghdatis; 2007<\/strong> bt Fernando Gonzalez; 2010<\/strong> bt Andy Murray; 2017<\/strong> bt Rafael Nadal<\/p>\n

French Open <\/strong>(1 title) –\u00a02009<\/strong> bt Robin Soderling<\/p>\n

Wimbledon <\/strong>(8 titles) –\u00a02003\u00a0<\/strong>bt Mark Philippoussis; 2004<\/strong> bt Andy Roddick; 2005<\/strong>\u00a0bt Andy Roddick;\u00a02006<\/strong>\u00a0bt Rafael Nadal;\u00a02007<\/strong>\u00a0bt Rafael Nadal;\u00a02009<\/strong>\u00a0bt Andy Roddick;\u00a02012<\/strong>\u00a0bt Andy Murray;\u00a02017<\/strong>\u00a0bt Marin Cilic<\/p>\n

US Open <\/strong>(5 titles) –\u00a02004<\/strong> bt Lleyton Hewitt; 2005<\/strong> bt Andre Agassi; 2006<\/strong> bt Andy Roddick; 2007<\/strong> bt Novak Djokovic; 2008<\/strong> bt Andy Murray<\/p>\n

What the law says <\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome 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,\u201d she explains.<\/p>\n

\u201cAny 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\u2019s discretion and require approval.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

COMPANY%20PROFILE<\/p>\n

%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESupy%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2021%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDani%20El-Zein%2C%20Yazeed%20bin%20Busayyis%2C%20Ibrahim%20Bou%20Ncoula%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFood%20and%20beverage%2C%20tech%2C%20hospitality%20software%2C%20Saas%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20size%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EBootstrapped%20for%20six%20months%3B%20pre-seed%20round%20of%20%241.5%20million%3B%20seed%20round%20of%20%248%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EBeco%20Capital%2C%20Cotu%20Ventures%2C%20Valia%20Ventures%20and%20Global%20Ventures%3C%2Fp%3E%0A<\/p>\n

Tips to stay safe during hot weather<\/p>\n