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 […]
The UAE is set to be one of the world’s main centres for New Year’s Eve concerts on Saturday, with a variety of gigs in genres ranging from stadium rock and EDM to Arab pop and hip-hop. The locations are as eclectic as the sounds on offer, with mammoth venues such as Abu Dhabi’s du Arena and Dubai’s Meydan Racecourse hosting events along with resorts, restaurants and […]
Mohammed bin Zayed Falconry and Desert Physiognomy School, the first institution in the world to teach original Arab falconry traditions, rules and ethics, has been officially inaugurated in Al Ain City. Named after Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, the project was launched in 2014 to educate future generations about deep-rooted heritage and history of the UAE and the wider Arabian Peninsula. […]
ABU DHABI // It will be a pleasant Christmas Day with fair to partly cloudy weather predicted. However, forecasters at the weather bureau urged caution as strong winds on the coast could cause the sea to be rough during the day. Wind speed around coastal areas may reach up to 36 kilometres per hour in a south-easterly to north-easterly direction. In the interior, it will be 32 […]
UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has declared 2017 as the “Year of Giving” to promote the culture of volunteering and loyalty to one’s country. The “Year of Giving” will focus on three main pillars – the sense of community responsibility in the private sector, the spirit of volunteering and instilling loyalty and commitment in the next generations to serve their country, news agency WAM […]
DUBAI // Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, attended Saturday a reception hosted by Ali bin Humaidan Al Falasi to mark the weddings of his sons Abdullah and Mohammed to the daughter of Ahmed Mohammed bin Humaidan Al Falasi and the daughter of Hamad Mohammed bin Humaidan Al Falasi. Sheikh Mohammed was accompanied by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al […]
Last-minute trawls round malls or petrol-station flowers aside, it’s probably time to accept that it’s getting a tad late for thoughtful festive presents this year. But for car-idolising types who get the best gift of all this Christmas – cash, obviously – there are plenty of, err, wheely great gifts to splurge on from around the world. Innovative toys A few months ago, we reviewed the impressively […]
ABU DHABI // The Sheikh Zayed Book Award has announced the 12 longlisted nominees for this year’s prize in literature. The nominees for the Arabic language book prize were chosen from 274 entries, with the majority coming from Egypt, Syria, Morocco, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Iraq, UAE and Tunisia. There were also entries from The Netherlands, Canada, Norway, the UK, Eritrea, Sweden, Australia and Belgium, reported state […]
Your daily guide to community and cultural activities across the Emirates for December 22, 2016, including performances, festivals, art exhibitions, film screenings, health and fitness events, talks, classes, workshops and family fun. newslide Abu Dhabi Art exhibition See the exhibition Flamboyant Impressions, in which German photographer Andreas Denstorf presents Platux photo art, which is based on multidimensional images that include separations, reflections, overlays and colours. Pictured: Nature […]
Dubai, United Arab Emirates- December 22, 2016-(ME NewsWire) Space Imaging Middle East (SIME) is pleased to announce that Crime Prediction- its latest predictive policing software- has been successfully launched by the Dubai Police force. The software, which is the first of its kind in the region, was developed in support of the UAE’s Smart Governance Initiative, and specifically designed to complement the Dubai Police force’s modernized approach […]
Aamir Khan’s new film Dangal is a weighty biopic in more ways than one. One of Bollywood’s most acclaimed actors, he put on a staggering 27 kilograms to play the role of former wrestler Mahavir Singh – then shed it all in just five months to shoot scenes of a younger, fitter version of the character during his wrestling heyday. Dangal, which is now showing at UAE […]
Your daily guide to community and cultural activities across the Emirates for December 23, 2016, including performances, festivals, art exhibitions, film screenings, health and fitness events, talks, classes, workshops and family fun. newslide Abu Dhabi Festive fun Visit Al Maryah Island for the Winter Wonderland, featuring cosy winter cottages hosting activities including bauble-decorating, cracker-making and gingerbread-house-decorating. A skating rink and snow park offer a wintry feel, while […]
Dec 23, 2016 10:30 am IST Sri Lanka is getting ready to join dozens of other countries that have broken festive records by building the world’s tallest artificial Christmas tree. A Wall Street Journal article explains why the tree nearly didn’t get made. Below are a few other holiday records that remain unbroken, according to the Guinness World Records. Tallest artificial tree Sri Lanka looks set to […]
