Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry has announced that it will launch five new initiatives in 2017 to boost start-ups and entrepreneurs. No details about the new schemes were revealed but a senior Chamber official said in comments published by news agency WAM that efforts to foster innovation and develop Dubai’s entrepreneurial ecosystem will remain a major priority. “With the UAE’s focus on instilling a spirit of […]
The UAE’s leaders gave thanks for the country’s achievements last year and voiced confidence for the future under the leadership of the President, Sheikh Khalifa. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, wished everyone a happy new year and was “looking forward to 2017 being a year of giving, joy and prosperity”. The country has declared 2017 to be the Year […]
The National staff ABU DHABI // The Emirates Red Crescent provided food parcels and winter clothes to a number of Syrian families living in temporary tents at the Emirati-Jordanian camp in the Mafraq Governorate. The foundation also provided medical care to refugees at the camp’s field hospital. Abdullah Al Mehrezi, director of the Emirati-Jordanian Camp, said: “the ERC visited the underprivileged and needy families at their residences […]
A Dubai outpost of the five-star luxury London brand Dukes opened this week on the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. While the British hotel is in a historic building in London’s Mayfair, the brand-new Dubai hotel aims to offer “the best of British in the UAE”. Located on the west trunk of The Palm, the hotel has 273 guestrooms and 64 suites, including a ladies-only floor and 227 […]
Two beauty queens with links to the Gulf have won the latest season of The Amazing Race Asia. After they returned from filming The Amazing Race Asia last summer, Maggie Wilson-Consunji and Parul Shah could barely contain their excitement. “Don’t let our invisible crowns fool you. We are beauty-queen fighting machines,” they told their fans on social media. “We are scared but also super excited. We cannot […]
ABU DHABI // The Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival in Al Wathba has been extended for three more weeks after attracting a strong turnout. The announcement implemented the directives of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, which were followed up by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs. The festival, which began […]
Your daily guide to community and cultural activities across the Emirates for December 31, 2016, including performances, festivals, art exhibitions, film screenings, health and fitness events, talks, classes, workshops and family fun. newslide Abu Dhabi Film screenings Catch two film screenings as part of the Cinema Space series. The family-friendly 1970 French musical Donkey Skin (Peau d’Âne), pictured, tells the story of a princess (Catherine Deneuve) who […]
Trade between the UAE and China is expected to increase to $60 billion by the end of this year, up from $54.8 billion in 2015, according to the Dubai Economic Council. It said the UAE is now China’s second largest trading partner in the Middle East and the region’s biggest market for Chinese goods, news agency WAM reported. China, whose trade with the UAE stood at only […]
From eco-friendly fashion and street wear to beauty boutiques, here are five brands to watch out for. newslide Eco-friendly fashion Beirut-based fashion-conscious label Vanina is known for its quirky upcycled statement accessories. This season, Tatiana Fayad and Joanne Hayek, the girls behind the brand, unveiled their first ready-to-wear collection, along with a range of chic handbags and festive footwear. Materials are ethically sourced, and many pieces are […]
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 […]
