ABU DHABI // Camels owned by Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed, the President’s Representative, have won top prizes in the camel ‘mazayna’ beauty contest at this year’s Al Dhafra Festival. Sheikh Sultan’s camels won the Aayel category for the golden-red camel breed, originally from Oman. Camels belonging to Khamis Al Mazrouie scooped the Majahim category, the black camels of Saudi Arabia. Held in Madinat Zayed in Al Gharbia […]
ABU DHABI // Police patrols will be deployed in the desert to provide security to tourists, foreigners, and visitors taking part in safaris or camping. Major General Maktoum Ali Al Sharifi, Director-General of Abu Dhabi Police, launched the ‘Sand Patrols’ during the Al Dhafra Festival in the Western Region. The patrols will be equipped with communication systems to identify locations and tackle any eventuality in areas inhabited […]
Your daily guide to community and cultural activities across the Emirates for December 30, 2016, including performances, festivals, art exhibitions, film screenings, health and fitness events, talks, classes, workshops and family fun. newslide Dubai Farmers’ market Shop for fresh organic produce at The Farmers’ Market at Bay Avenue Retail Promenade. Buy farm-fresh seasonal goods directly from farmers and enjoy a host of family-friendly activities including live cooking […]
From an architecture pioneer to legends of screens, music and stage , the Arab world has lost its share of icons and stars in 2016. Here are some of those who we bid farewell to. Zaha Hadid October 31 1950 – March 31 2016 Born in Baghdad, Iraq, the award winning Iraqi-British architect pushed architectural boundaries with her designs and broke new grounds for female architects in […]
ABU DHABI // Heavy fog engulfed the country again Thursday morning, causing traffic problems and flight diversions. Twenty-nine flights were diverted from airports in Dubai and Sharjah to Fujairah in the past 48 hours. Abu Dhabi Police warned motorists to drive carefully because of low visibility. In Sharjah, the weather conditions caused long delays on Etihad and Mohammad bin Zayed roads into Dubai. In Dubai, no accidents […]
ABU DHABI // Five hundred taxis at Dubai airport will soon be equipped with free WiFi. Telecoms firm du has signed an agreement with Dubai Taxi Corporation of the Roads and Transport Authority to provide passengers with free internet and smart screens in the airport cab fleet. “Our cooperation with du to provide internet and smart screens across our Dubai Airport fleet embodies the Smart Dubai strategy […]
Your daily guide to community and cultural activities across the Emirates for December 29, 2016, including performances, festivals, art exhibitions, film screenings, health and fitness events, talks, classes, workshops and family fun. newslide Abu Dhabi Fitness event Take part in the vertical training at TrainZSC, presented by Daman Activelife, and run the 884 stairs of the National Stadium for a fun cardio workout. Or take advantage of […]
ABU DHABI // Emiratis can now travel to the Bahamas without first applying for a visa. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, MOFAIC, announced that citizens can travel to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas without requiring prior entry visa and can stay for a period not exceeding 90 days. According to Ahmed Saeed Al Dhahiri, Assistant Undersecretary for Consular Affairs at the Ministry, the UAE […]
Qatar Airways has reportedly spoken of a positive outlook for 2017, as its rivals Emirates and Etihad Airways scale back in response to tough economic conditions and lower air travel demand. A spokesperson for Qatar Airways told Doha News that the airline would be adding new routes next year, and had recently put in a new order for Boeing aircraft. The spokesperson reportedly added that Qatar Airways […]
Your daily guide to community and cultural activities across the Emirates for December 28, 2016, including performances, festivals, art exhibitions, film screenings, health and fitness events, talks, classes, workshops and family fun. newslide Dubai Art exhibition See the exhibition As If Anything Here Belonged To You, in which artist Cecilia Fattorini presents works about our impact on the world, sourcing her subject matter from the rhythms and […]
ABU DHABI // Ensuring social stability for Emirati families is one of the top priorities of the President, Sheikh Khalifa, said Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, during a meeting with a delegation from the Abu Dhabi Housing Authority. “Policies and programmes always focus on the welfare and well-being of Emirati citizens and improvement of their […]
The National staff ABU DHABI // Fog, mist and and increase in humidity are expected on Tuesday. Thick fog blanketed the roads on Tuesday morning but no flight disruptions were reported at Abu Dhabi and Dubai airports. Fog and mist are likely to form over scattered areas, according to the National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology. It will be fair to partly cloudy, especially during the morning, […]
ABU DHABI // Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, has said the declaration of 2017 as the Year of Giving would show that the UAE was nation of “charity and peace”. Sheikh Hamdan called for government departments to coordinate with each other to back the campaign, which he said would solidify the UAE’s position as a leading supporter of humanitarian causes and charity. “The UAE […]
As the world’s reaction to news of George Michael’s death at 53 spread on social media, his UAE fans paused to fondly remember the pop legend. Taher Afridi, 36, a Pakistani who was born and raised in UAE, still recalled dancing to his favourite Michael song, Fast Love, when the pop-star played at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Sports City stadium in December 2008. “There are many reasons why […]
Stacie Overton Johnson and Adam Workman pick their favourite restaurants of the year, based on great decor and ambience as well as fabulous food. • Reviewed meals are paid for by The National and conducted incognito. Contact the restaurants as prices may have changed since our original reviews newslide Abu Dhabi Butcher & Still Very few of us will ever be cool enough to recreate the Al […]
Your daily guide to community and cultural activities across the Emirates for December 27, 2016, including performances, festivals, art exhibitions, film screenings, health and fitness events, talks, classes, workshops and family fun. newslide Abu Dhabi Performance Get tickets now for a performance by the Vienna State Opera Gala Evening. As part of the Abu Dhabi Classics series, the musical ensemble will perform Mozart’s masterpiece Don Giovanni, the […]
It is easy to forget there was a time in the UAE before big concerts such as Coldplay’s New Year’s Eve performance that will rock du Arena on Saturday night. That major shows put on by world-class acts such as The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Rihanna and Justin Timberlake were not always the norm in the UAE. The country has become such a regional entertainment hub in […]
ABU DHABI // Parking in the capital will be free all day on New Year’s Day. Residents can park for free from midnight on Sunday, January 1 until 8am on Monday, January 2. New Year’s Day will be a holiday for all federal ministries and departments, as well as the private sector. Official work will resume on Monday, January 2, it was announced last week. The Integrated […]
ABU DHABI // As Typhoon Nock-Ten struck the Philippines on Sunday, UAE residents voiced fears for relatives in their home country. Officials there warned 2.5-metre high waves and landslides posed the biggest threats as typhoon Nock-Ten, known locally as Nina, closed in on the Bicol peninsula and nearby islands. “It’s Christmas Day and we’re finding it hard to celebrate until we are assured of our family’s safety […]
After more than three months out of the spotlight, Kim Kardashian West is set to make her first public appearance of the new year in Dubai. The American reality television star rescheduled after cancelling her planned trip to the UAE back in October after being robbed at gunpoint in Paris, France, during fashion week. The 36-year-old most famous for reality series Keeping up with the Kardashians was […]
If your New Year’s resolution is to try something that gets the adrenaline pumping and takes you out of your comfort zone then read on. We have rounded up 14 ideas to get you started. newslide Skydiving The ultimate thrill for adrenaline-seekers is a tandem jump from 13,000 feet over the Palm Jumeirah. Although somewhat pricey, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but the fee includes a video […]
DUBAI // About 98 per cent of Dubai residents — more than four million people — have proper health insurance coverage, Dubai Health Authority has revealed. Humaid Al Qatami, chairman of the board and director-general of DHA, said this accomplishment adds to Dubai’s numerous achievements, making it one of the pioneers in health care field. The Dubai Health Insurance Law No. 11 of 2013 was adopted under […]
Your daily guide to community and cultural activities across the Emirates for December 26, 2016, including Christmas attractions, food markets, art exhibitions, fitness events, performances, film screenings and family fun. newslide Abu Dhabi Film screening Catch a screening of The Patience Stone. The film is about a young woman in a country torn apart by war, who watches over her comatose husband and begins to tell him […]
ABU DHABI // A new council to develop policies to protect the environment was formed by the government on Sunday. The UAE Council for Climate Change and Environment will also make recommendations to set up a green economy through management of natural resources. The council was established through a ministerial decision by Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment. Its members will come from […]
