Latest news with #MindGames
Al Etihad
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Al Etihad
Abu Dhabi kicks off summer with action-packed sports events
6 June 2025 01:27 AMEINAH ALZEYOUDI (ABU DHABI)Abu Dhabi is hosting an exciting array of sporting activities in June, involving families, athletes, and fitness enthusiasts of all sports, community runs, and strategy games like chess are just a few of the exciting events scheduled in the city's is a lineup of major sporting events coming up this month: Abu Dhabi Summer Sports 2025 Hosted at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from June 5 until August 21, the event provides the biggest indoor sports facility in the area. Football, basketball, badminton, padel, cycling, and even a special indoor jogging track are all available to guests in a completely air-conditioned setting. The vibrant destination promotes an active and healthy lifestyle, particularly during the summer months. UAE Warriors 59 and 60The high-octane combat sport brings together top fighters from around the world who will compete in back-to-back mixed martial arts events. The event will take place from June 12 to 13 at Space 42 Arena in Abu Dhabi. Chess TournamentsThe 33rd Abu Dhabi Chess Club Amateur Chess Tournament, from June 9 to 12; the Abu Dhabi Chess Club Cup 2025 on June 30; and the Women's Chess Cup 2025 on June 30 are three renowned competitions that the Abu Dhabi Chess Club and Mind Games will host for those who are into challenges that test their focus and strategic thinking. By giving both seasoned players and up-and-coming talent a stage, these tournaments hope to draw chess enthusiasts from across the UAE and beyond. Running Competitions and Yoga The Formula Run 2025 at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi on June 15 will feature different distance categories for runners of all ages. The Abu Dhabi Summer Family Run, held at ADNEC on June 18, promotes family exercise in a lighthearted and encouraging the National Rehabilitation Center Run, which will take place on June 29 at Yas Mall, blends athleticism with health consciousness. Additionally, ADNEC will celebrate International Day of Yoga on June 21 with a communal yoga session, which focuses on mental and physical health.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sean Lennon says his parents John and Yoko were ‘the first power couple'
Musician Sean Lennon, the son of late Beatles star John Lennon and his wife, fellow musician Yoko Ono, has suggested his parents were the first true 'power couple'. John and Yoko are the subject of a new documentary from Kevin Macdonald that explores their relationship and work around the time that John was organising his only full post-Beatles concert at Madison Square Garden in 1972. The film, which was made with the cooperation of Sean, Yoko and the Lennon estate, includes extensive archive footage along with audio recordings of interviews and private phone calls. 'Anyone who pays attention to John and Yoko in the latter part of The Beatles, and then together through the Seventies, can see that my dad had this feeling that John and Yoko had sort of fused into one person,' Sean told The Telegraph in an interview this week. 'He had all these terms [such as] 'JOKO'! He said that they were one, and there should be one word: JohnandYoko.' 'I think a modern psychologist might say that [my dad] was a bit co-dependent,' he continued. But the reality is, he didn't want to individuate any more. 'They were the first power couple, like Brangelina or whatever. He wanted them to be an institution beyond just marriage and family. He wanted them to be an artistic union, a political union, a romantic union.' The documentary also delves into the racism and hatred Yoko received from Beatles fans and members of the public who blamed her for breaking up The Beatles. In 2021, Yoko appeared to agree with fans who suggested that Peter Jackson's three-part documentary, Get Back, had helped to dispel this notion, as archival footage showed her sitting quietly reading the newspaper or knitting while the band are at work. 'The thing with Yoko, though, that they have to say, is that she doesn't impose herself,' Jackson pointed out in an interview with 60 Minutes. 'She's writing letters, she's reading letters, she's doing sewing, she's doing painting, sometimes some artwork off to the side.' In an interview with BBC Radio 6 Music last year about the Grammy-nominated expanded box set edition of John's 1973 album, Mind Games, Sean discussed the influence his mother had on his father's work. At the time he was writing his fourth solo album, Mind Games, John was in the middle of his famous 18-month separation from Ono, a period referred to as the 'Lost Weekend'. 'A lot of people said like, 'Yoko wasn't around for this record, why are they featuring her in the booklet' or something,' Sean began. 'And I think there's a lot of history, there's a lot of assumptions made about that time period because they were sort of on their way towards that famous separation that people call the Lost Weekend. 'But the truth is, even when they were apart they were always talking, so I don't think they ever really broke up, all his stuff was still in the apartment with my mum. It's not like they had a real separation. And on top of it, all my dad was thinking about was her.' He pointed to the album artwork for Mind Games: 'It's a collage of my mum literally the size of a mountain, and he's this little tiny thing sort of fading into the background. 'And I think it's clear what his view of my mum was in his life. She was monumental, obviously. And the whole album is about her.' One to One: John & Yoko shows in IMAX exclusive previews on 9 and 10 April – and is in cinemas nationwide from 11 April.
The Independent
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Sean Lennon says his parents John and Yoko were ‘the first power couple'
Musician Sean Lennon, the son of late Beatles star John Lennon and his wife, fellow musician Yoko Ono, has suggested his parents were the first true 'power couple'. John and Yoko are the subject of a new documentary from Kevin Macdonald that explores their relationship and work around the time that John was organising his only full post-Beatles concert at Madison Square Garden in 1972. The film, which was made with the cooperation of Sean, Yoko and the Lennon estate, includes extensive archive footage along with audio recordings of interviews and private phone calls. 'Anyone who pays attention to John and Yoko in the latter part of The Beatles, and then together through the Seventies, can see that my dad had this feeling that John and Yoko had sort of fused into one person,' Sean told The Telegraph in an interview this week. 'He had all these terms [such as] 'JOKO'! He said that they were one, and there should be one word: JohnandYoko.' 'I think a modern psychologist might say that [my dad] was a bit co-dependent,' he continued. But the reality is, he didn't want to individuate any more. 'They were the first power couple, like Brangelina or whatever. He wanted them to be an institution beyond just marriage and family. He wanted them to be an artistic union, a political union, a romantic union.' The documentary also delves into the racism and hatred Yoko received from Beatles fans and members of the public who blamed her for breaking up The Beatles. In 2021, Yoko appeared to agree with fans who suggested that Peter Jackson 's three-part documentary, Get Back, had helped to dispel this notion, as archival footage showed her sitting quietly reading the newspaper or knitting while the band are at work. Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up 'The thing with Yoko, though, that they have to say, is that she doesn't impose herself,' Jackson pointed out in an interview with 60 Minutes. 'She's writing letters, she's reading letters, she's doing sewing, she's doing painting, sometimes some artwork off to the side.' In an interview with BBC Radio 6 Music last year about the Grammy-nominated expanded box set edition of John's 1973 album, Mind Games, Sean discussed the influence his mother had on his father's work. At the time he was writing his fourth solo album, Mind Games, John was in the middle of his famous 18-month separation from Ono, a period referred to as the 'Lost Weekend'. 'A lot of people said like, 'Yoko wasn't around for this record, why are they featuring her in the booklet' or something,' Sean began. 'And I think there's a lot of history, there's a lot of assumptions made about that time period because they were sort of on their way towards that famous separation that people call the Lost Weekend. 'But the truth is, even when they were apart they were always talking, so I don't think they ever really broke up, all his stuff was still in the apartment with my mum. It's not like they had a real separation. And on top of it, all my dad was thinking about was her.' He pointed to the album artwork fo r Mind Games: 'It's a collage of my mum literally the size of a mountain, and he's this little tiny thing sort of fading into the background. 'And I think it's clear what his view of my mum was in his life. She was monumental, obviously. And the whole album is about her.'
Al Etihad
31-03-2025
- Sport
- Al Etihad
Rouda Alserkal makes history as first Emirati Woman Grandmaster in chess
31 Mar 2025 23:04 KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)For long, the UAE has had one flag-bearer in chess. But now, it has two. Joining Salem AR Saleh in the Grandmaster (GM) category is Rouda Alserkal, who has become the first Woman Grandmaster (WGM) of the UAE and the Gulf region at prodigious talent has represented the national team across age categories as well as at the Abu Dhabi Chess Club & Mind Games. Although she achieved the title after winning the Arab Women's Championship – held in November at the Sharjah Chess and Cultural Club - the world governing body FIDE issued the certificate certificate, seen by Aletihad, is signed by FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich and says: "FIDE is pleased to confirm herewith that Rouda Essa Alserkal (ID: 9314318) of the United Arab Emirates has obtained the title of Woman Grandmaster in the year 2025."With this, the UAE has its second GM after Saleh, who incidentally achieved his GM status in 2009, the year Alserkal was born."Winning the Grandmaster norm feels amazing," Rouda said."I was so happy and honestly a bit relieved because all the hard work and training finally paid off, it was one of those moments where it takes a little while to sink in, and I just sat there thinking about how far I'd come."Personally, it felt like a huge achievement, that all the effort was worth it. For women's chess in the UAE, it meant a lot too, I hope it shows other girls that they can reach for big goals in chess. It's all about believing in yourself and working hard," she is now looking forward to competing in the Asian Individual Chess Championship in Abu Dhabi from May 6 to 15. She said that receiving the WGM title is a strong motivation for the UAE to achieve global recognition in expressed gratitude to Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the Mother of the Nation, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union (GWU), President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF).On behalf of the UAE Chess Federation, the chairperson of the women's committee, Kholood Al Zarouni, thanked the sports ministry, the National Olympic Committee, the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, and the Abu Dhabi Chess and Mind Games Club for their cooperation in developing the sport and players across emphasised that this achievement is a boost for women's chess and opens the door to more international titles, while motivating young players to continue training and participating in the Highlights· Won the 2014 Asian Championship Under-6 title· Won U20 title at the UAE Championship at the age of eight· 2017 World Cadets Championship in U8· World Schools U9 crown in 2018· Bronze medal in the 2023 Asian Youth U-14 category · Arab Women's Champion (multiple times)
