Kristina Fidelskaya Presents – Sensation Dubai 2016
Enjoy from minute 8.20 the Exclusive Interview with Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano at Sensation Dubai 2016
Interviews by Imen Besrour
Brought you by: Dubai Fashion Tv
Zero carbon buses to ply on route
Zero carbon E-buses with self-charging features will play Dubai South from next year as part of the community’s efforts to develop a smart and sustainable living environment, Dubai South management announced on Monday.
The community management on Monday signed a deal with Transit Australia Group (TAG) that will supply the first E-Bus next year. The deal is part of Dubai South’s steps toward building a low carbon footprint city.
The zero-carbon bus is part of the next generation of mass transit vehicles and is said to cost 80 per cent less to maintain than a standard diesel bus.
Pegged as a game changer for public transport, the new bus utilises advanced battery and regenerative braking technology.
The environmentally friendly bus can be charged at the depot and while in service, and has a range of at least 300km and capacity for 50 passengers.
Design innovations of the bus include bench seats that can be reversed to allow passengers to face each other and socialise, as well as USB connections to allow passengers to charge mobile phones.
Ahmad Al Ansari, Acting CEO of Dubai South said: “The signing of this agreement brings us a step closer in fulfilling our ambition of building a sustainable urban destination with technology, innovation, and smart planning at its core.”
He added: “At Dubai South we are pioneering an ambitious smart city transformation guided by people’s happiness. The aim is to build a smart city that enables its people to do smart things with minimum ecological impact and the environmentally friendly e-bus is a positive step in that direction.”
If the thought of eating extra turkey before December 25 is too much to handle, head to Chamas and celebrate the Brazilian way. You’ll receive 18 variations of churrascos. If that doesn’t stretch your tummy before the big day, then nothing will.
Crowne Plaza Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, Dhs315 with soft drinks, Dhs415 with house drinks, 6pm to 11.30pm. Tel: (800) 276963. Taxi: Crowne Plaza Dubai. chamasdubai.ae
Prepare your stomachs for the big day with a specially created five-course menu full of seasonal Italian favourites, all set to the sounds of live Italian music.
The Ritz-Carlton Dubai, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai, 7pm to 11pm, Dhs575. Tel: (04) 3186150. Taxi: The Ritz-Carlton at JBR. ritzcarlton.com
The Anantara Festive Choir will be serenading guests as they tuck into a buffet of seasonal favourites, and there’ll be activities for the children too.
Anantara The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, 6.30pm to 10.30pm, Dhs310 with soft drinks, Dhs450 with house drinks, Dhs550 with sparkling wine, Dhs699 with champagne, Dhs175 under-12s, under-sixes free. Tel: (04) 5678888. Taxi: Anantara The Palm. dubai-palm.anantara.com
The Westin takes Christmas Eve seriously with a farm-to-table brunch featuring a host of cooking stations serving up traditional roast turkey as well as a variety of lighter international options.
The Westin Dubai, Al Habtoor City, Dubai, noon to 3pm, 6pm to 11pm, Dhs250 with soft drinks, Dhs350 with house drinks. Tel: (04) 4355577. Taxi: The Westin Dubai. alhabtoorcityhotels.com
Bring contemporary European flair to your Christmas Eve meal with German delicacies complete with party hats, crackers and favours.
Steigenberger Hotel Business Bay, Al Abraj Street, Dubai, 6pm to 11pm, Dhs395, Dhs550 with house drinks. Tel: (04) 3690000. Taxi: Steigenberger Hotel. steigenberger.com
Rüya’s regular brunch has been wowing crowds for over a month now, so we bet their festive take will be equally good. This glamorous Anatolian newcomer will be throwing a family-friendly brunch complete with themed dishes and a host of festive touches, including presents for children.
Tower 1, Grosvenor House, Dubai Marina, Dubai, 11am to 4pm, Dhs225 with soft drinks. Tel: (04) 4399123. Taxi: Grosvenor House. ruyadubai.com
Couples looking for a cosy Christmas Eve should check out the French menu at La Serre. Lovebirds can try an a la carte menu, with mains including whole seabass in pastry and duck with roasted pears.
Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai, Dubai, noon to 3.15pm, 7pm to 11.15pm. Tel: (04) 4286966. Metro: Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall. laserre.ae
For those who love a fabulous festive feast (complete with mulled grape on arrival), Les Cuisines in the Sofitel Dubai Downtown is offering up a street food menu brunch with food from around the world, complete with a live band to get things moving.
Sofitel Dubai Downtown, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs150 with soft drinks, Dhs230 with house beverages, Dhs595 for champagne package, Dhs75 under-12s, under-fives free. Tel: (04) 5036666. Metro: Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall. sofitel.com
Whether you prefer your Christmas in lunch or dinner form, Nosh has you covered with two seatings: one at 12.30pm and one at 6.30pm. You’ll find a selection of fresh seafood, oysters, sashimi and foie gras, alongside turkey with all trimmings.
Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai, 12.30pm to 3.30pm, 6.30pm to 10.30pm, Dhs199 with soft drinks, Dhs299 with house drinks. Tel: (04) 4380000. Taxi: Mövenpick JLT. facebook.com/movenpickJLT
Forget the winter wonderland view, embrace the sunshine and views of the Burj Khalifa as you enjoy an a la carte menu at Cabana.
The Address Dubai Mall, Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai, Dubai, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs295 with soft drinks, Dhs395 with house drinks, Dhs150 under-12s, under-sixes free. Tel: (04) 8883444. Metro: Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall. theaddress.com
Push the boat out by booking a ‘ski chalet’ for up to 12 people and enjoy Christmas dinner in front of a roaring fire, overlooking the snow of Ski Dubai.
Kempinski Hotel Mall Of The Emirates, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, four hour booking slots throughout the day, Dhs1,450 with house drinks, Dhs725 under-12s. Tel: (04) 3410000. Metro: Mall Of The Emirates. kempinski.com
Christmas Day is a good chance to check out this Downtown newcomer, which opened to much fanfare this summer. It features a range of festive favourites from roasts to Yule log, and the dress code features Christmas jumpers.
Rove Hotel Downtown Dubai, Al Sa’ada Street, Zabeel 2, Dubai, 11am to 3.30pm, Dhs99, Dhs49 under-12s, under-sixes free. Tel: (800) 7683. Taxi: Rove Hotel Downtown Dubai. rovehotels.com
Enjoy beach and pool access with this festive brunch, which features a host of roast and seafood stations, a caroling choir and a visit from Santa.
Sofitel The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs485 with soft drinks, Dhs595 with house drinks, Dhs260 under-20s, Dhs130 under-11s, under-fives free. Tel: (04) 4556677. Taxi: Sofitel The Palm. sofitel.com
Billed the ‘Grinches’ Brunch’, this one is for those looking to buck tradition, serving up a menu of Korean and Japanese cuisine without a turkey or tinsel in sight.
W Dubai, Al Habtoor City, Dubai, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs450 with soft drinks, Dhs550 with house drinks, Dhs650 with champagne. Tel: (04) 4366666. Taxi: W Dubai. namudubai.com
The Argentinian favourite has created a special festive set menu featuring the all-important steak, and will also be serving its full a la carte menu.
Gate Village 5, DIFC, Dubai, noon to 11.30pm, Dhs380. Tel: (04) 4227898. Taxi: Gate Village. gauchorestaurants.com
All the seasonal favourites are on offer here, while children aged three to 12 enjoy free access to the hotel’s Fairmont Falcon Kids’ Club.
Fairmont The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, 12.30pm to 3.30pm, Dhs355 with soft drinks, Dhs495 with house drinks, Dhs185 under-12s, under-sixes free. Tel: (04) 4573457. Taxi: Fairmont The Palm. fairmont.com
A special festive version of one of Dubai’s new brunches, the Departures Brunch will feature all manner of seasonal and international dishes, served on the largest terrace in DIFC.
Al Fattan Currency House, DIFC, Dubai, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs350 with soft drinks, Dhs450 with house drinks, Dhs550 with prosecco. Tel: (04) 3545435. Taxi: Al Fattan Currency House. dustysdxb.com
Extending onto ‘Le Patio’, this chic Christmas lunch will feature oysters, salmon, carving stations and live jazz.
St Regis Dubai, Al Habtoor City, Dubai, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs495 with soft drinks, Dhs695 with house drinks, Dhs895 with champagne, Dhs250 under-12s, under-fours free. Tel: (04) 4355555. Taxi: St Regis Dubai. alhabtoorcityhotels.com
Some say Christmas is for kids. If that’s true for you, head to Raffles where they’ve set up gingerbread houses and an ice cream igloo for children. There’s also a promise of a visit from Santa himself. Grownups can enjoy the buffet selection in the ballroom and grounds.
Raffles Dubai, Sheikh Rashid Road, Dubai, 12.30pm to 4.30pm, Dhs475 with soft drinks, Dhs685 with house drinks, Dhs250 under-12s. Tel: (04) 3248888. Metro: Dubai Healthcare City. raffles.com
Perfect for impressing guests, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray will be hosting seasonal celebrations with a BBQ. The views across the Palm Jumeirah might not scream traditional Christmas, but the turkey and all the trimmings will certainly help.
Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Palm Jumeirah, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs375 with soft drinks, Dhs495 with house drinks, Dhs695 with champagne, Dhs185 under-12s, under-fours free. Tel: (04) 4530444. Taxi: Jumeirah Zabeel Saray. jumeirah.com
There’s no danger of going hungry at this steakhouse. Along with a stunning evening view of Dubai Canal you’ll eat a festive six-course dinner with dishes ranging from pigeon pie to pan-seared sole.
JW Marriott Marquis Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, Business Bay, Dubai, 6pm to midnight, Dhs750 with house drinks. Tel: (04) 4140000. Taxi: JW Marriott Marquis. marriott.com
Looking for a festive day out with a difference? Spend the day cruising on a luxury yacht and enjoy a full Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, as well as five hours of drinks and entertainment. We’re told there’ll even be trees, real snow and an unusual visit from Santa…
Dubai Marina, Dubai, 2pm to 7pm, Dhs750 with soft drinks, Dhs950 with house drinks. Tel: (050) 2002290. Taxi: Dubai Marina Yacht Club. fswevents.com
Your digestive system hasn’t earned a break just yet – get stuck into St Stephen’s Day festivities at any one of McGettigan’s outlets, complete with live sports and huge breakfasts for those in need of a pick-me-up.
Next to Bonnington Tower, JLT, Dubai, noon to 3pm. Tel: (04) 3780800. Taxi: McGettigan’s JLT. mcgettigans.com. ALSO: Souk Madinat Jumeirah and Dubai World Trade Centre.
We’re already fans of an afternoon tea at What’s On; throw in a little festive magic and we’re in heaven. Guests can tuck into mince pies and Christmas cookies at this special festive high tea in the Lobby Lounge. Don’t panic, scones are still on the menu.
Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai, 2pm to 6pm, Dhs160. Tel: (04) 3722323. Taxi: Ritz-Carlton DIFC. Ritzcarlton.com
Fed up of turkey yet? Grilled kebabs, lamb kofta, grilled cream Dory and other Arabic flavours up for grabs at West 14th’s post-Christmas barbecue buffet will have your appetite back before you know it.
Oceana Beach Club, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs175. Tel: (04) 4477601. Taxi: Oceana Beach Club. west14th.ae
Enjoy a relaxed poolside BBQ stacked with seafood, meats and Arabic specialties, as well as carols, children’s activities and a final visit from Santa Claus.
Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach, JBR, Dubai, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs250 with soft drinks, Dhs350 with house drinks, Dhs125 under-12s, under-sixes free. Tel: (04) 4498781. Taxi: Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach. movenpick.com
The Mediterranean favourite has created a family-style sharing menu for the festive season, with dishes including braised beef short rib with gnocchi and vegan paella.
Gate Village 6, DIFC, Dubai, noon to 1am, Dhs245 with soft drinks, Dhs345 with house drinks, Dhs540 with champagne, under-eights free, all in three-hour slots. Tel: (04) 3231833. Taxi: DIFC Gate Vil-lage. boca.ae
Round off the festivities with a breakfast buffet overlooking the club’s equestrian activities, with food to please the whole family.
Dubai Polo And Equestrian Club, Dubai Studio City, Al Qudra Road, Dubai, 8am to noon, Dhs99, Dhs50 under-11s, under-sixes free. Tel: (04) 3627880. Taxi: Dubai Polo And Equestrian Club. poloclubdubai.com
In the day-to-day, it can be easy to forget just how beautiful the UAE can be.
But new footage published by Joel E Schaeffer, an aerial cinematographer with Dubai Film, will help refresh your memory. The shots from the sky, taken in 2016, showcase some of the country’s most iconic scenes – dune buggies in the desert, the Dubai skyline at night, the lights on the Palm Jumeirah.
Over the last 5 years, Dubai Film has collaborated with companies like Shotover Camera Systems to develop the very best technology in the world for Aerial Filmmaking. As a result, we are able to offer the greatest amount of options when it comes to shooting from the air for anyone in the region.
Whether it is Full-Size Helicopter Solutions or scaling down in size to the RC Drones, we have the right tools for whatever the job.
The above reel is compiled from some of Joel E Schaeffer’s aerial operation over the last 2 years in Dubai with the Shooter F1 & Shooter K1.
In addition to being an operator, Schaeffer is a certified technician by Shotover Camera after undergoing their rigorous and advanced training program.
CAMERA: RED Digital EPIC-M – Dragon 6K Phantom Flex 4K Sony F55
Lenses: Angenieux 24-290 T2.8 Fujinon 14.5-45 T2 Premium Fujinon 18-85 T2 Premium Fujinon 75-400 T2.8-3.8 Premium Canon 30-300 T3
Dubai is attempting to crack down on rogue estate agents who put up advertisements for properties on which they have not been instructed to promote in an attempt to get a cut of the fees.
In an announcement yesterday, the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (Rera), the regulatory arm of Dubai Land Department, said that brokers will only be allowed to market properties in Dubai for sale or lease if they have a written agreement from the property’s owner.
The move has already been announced to property brokers in the summer and forms part of new advertising rules for estate agents that came into effect in October.
They require anyone wishing to issue “real estate announcements” to get Rera approval.
Rera said that to receive a permit to advertise a property through print and radio advertisements as well as on social media, agents must submit Form A – a contract between the owner and the broker that authorises him to start marketing.
“We regulate the process of advertisements within a specific agreement that defines the role of each party involved in any real estate sales or rent with total precision, which will guarantee the rights of all parties, including landlords, investors and brokers,” said Ali Abdullah Al Ali, the director of the real estate licensing department at Dubai Land Department.
Mario Volpi, the chief sales officer at Kensington Exclusive Properties, said that it was common in Dubai for rogue estate agents to duplicate official marketing material in an attempt to get a cut of the sales fees.
You don’t really need to be a Bollywood fan to enjoy the park, though. If you find yourself at a loose end to utilise half a day with the kids or visiting family and friends, then here’s where you can while away the time.
Combined with popular foods from the city of Mumbai – and then some more, at the fine dining restaurant Mughal-E-Azam – the park hopes to draw in a large footfall, mainly tourists.
“Yes, during the week it’ll really be difficult to bring in big crowds. But these parks are not [as such] built for the resident market. They are more for tourists who are either headed directly to Dubai or transiting through the city,” said Thomas Jellum, general manager of Bollywood Parks Dubai.
Spread over 158,000 square metres this is Dubai Parks and Resorts smallest property but with the maximum scope for expansion. When Gulf News tabloid! visited the site last Tuesday, final touches were being put to various areas for the Thursday opening. Retail operators and food kiosks (not the proper eateries though) had opened up for trial runs as we strolled through the five zones each categorised with iconic film attractions.
“The reason for [it being the smallest park] is that this is the first of its kind and we were not sure exactly what is going to be the most sought after – will it be the shows, the rides or something else? So we are ready for expansion and we have been looking at options, but have not decided [any] yet,” Jellum said.
It’s not just the attractions such as the Hard Rock-style café Rock On where the resident band promises to recreate the magic of the film’s band Magik or the high intensity chase ride Don Streets of Dubai or the Hunt for Gabbar Singh from the most beloved of Bollywood films, Sholay, that’s expected to draw in the crowds but also the food that will be on offer, said Jellum.
The fine dining Mughal-E-Azam would serve up royal Awadhi cuisine while you enjoy performances that will take you back in time to the Mughal courts. The Victoria Station will dish up some of the best known Indian street food that you can enjoy either sitting in the “train” or outside on the stations.
Or you can simply head off to the soon-to-open theatre Rajmahal which will showcase a homegrown Broadway-style Bollywood musical Jaan-e-Jigar. So go shooting the rogue Gabbar Singh in Ramgarh or “starring” in a movie Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara-style or better still flying with Hrithik Roshan – the 16 rides and attractions at the park promise to take you either back in time or on a flight of fancy with these hit films.
Rides and Attractions
Bollywood hits Don, Lagaan, Sholay, Krrish, RA.One, Dabangg, Rock On!! and Zindagi Na Milegi Na Dobara have inspired the immersive 3D and 4D experiences, as well as interactive live performances.
In Rustic Ravine hunt for Gabbar Singh at Ramgarh with 3D projection, themed show scenes and 4D effects; or head to the kid-friendly carnival in the Champaner village to ride a Ferris Wheel made in the form of cricket balls or a carousel before you play a game of cricket in the Thrill of Victory, a mostion-based simulator experience; or watch the Dabangg Stunt Spectacular, a live stunt show where you can see Chulbul Pandey fight off the bad guys through explosions and bullets to save his lady love.
Ride with RA.One and Krrish at the Bollywood Film Studios. Ra.One Unleashed is a 4D multisensory theatre experience which recreates the encounter between RA.One and G.One. Krrish Hero’s Flight will give you a virtual flying experience with panoramic views of famous Indian landmarks while Krrish fights off the bad guys. Or get backstage for a behind-the-scenes look of a Bollywood movie production based on the blockbuster Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. Experience deep sea diving, sky dive or run with bulls just like the stars in ZNMD, and take home a movie of your action.
A 3D immersive tunnel ride called Don, The Chase based on the movie Don, greets you in Mumbai Chowk. It takes you on a high speed car chase with thrills and twists as the rider’s chase Don.
Dining
The park offers food from fine-dining to Indian and international meals to fast-food options. Here are some you should not miss.
Mughal-e-Azam: Located within the Royal Plaza zone this fine dining restaurant – named after the iconic film that depicts the Mughal prince Salim’s love affair with the courtesan Anarkali – will serve Awadhi cuisine reminiscent of the royal kitchens accompanied with live performances of court dancing and classical singing. Head to the Raj Mahal (opening soon) after the meal to watch an opera-style musical Jaan-e-Jigar.
Rock On!! Restaurant and Nightclub: The music themed restaurant on Bollywood Boulevard, named after the 2008 Farhan Akhtar hit, will see a band inspired by Magik band from the film perform. Think of a Hard Rock Café but Bollywood-style. A separate entrance allows visitors to access the music lounge without entering the Park
Victoria Station: Dine in a train bogey stalled at the replica of Mumbai’s iconic Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, a Unesco World Heritage Site. Enjoy fast food native to the city as the roof of the bogey turns into a stage for dance performances.
Spicy Dhaba: This food outlet in the Rustic Ravine zone will remind you of highway cafes of North India that serve rustic home style dishes and tandoori (oven-cooked) and grilled meats and vegetables around communal style dining areas.
Juhu Juice Bus: Get on top of this double-decker BEST bus replica to refresh yourself with fresh juices, sliced fruit and iced concoctions with traditional flavours.
Retail therapy
Take back a bit of colourful Bollywood memorabilia from eight retail stores and stand-alone carts around the park. From park merchandise to collectibles from Bollywood hit movies.
Chalte Chalte is a convenience store at the park entrance with a selection of themed-merchandise in addition to stocking drinks, snacks and sundries.
At Bollywood Studio Store find merchandise inspired from the film Rock On!!, movie posters and souvenirs.
Desi Emporium located along Bollywood Boulevard is stocked with themed merchandise and souvenirs while Maharani Sweets is the classical Indian ‘mithai’ (sweets) shop next to it.
Shahenshah offers high-end merchandise based on the film Mugha-E-Azam.
In Mumbai Chowk you will find Mumbai Bazaar next to the Juhu Juice Centre, which is interestingly housed atop a BEST bus replica, selling merchandise, accessories and souvenirs related to the film Don.
Bollywood Haat is your “village marketplace” in the Rustic Ravine selling handicrafts and souvenirs reminiscent of Lagaan, Sholay and Dabangg.
Pick Krrish’s iconic mask or souvenirs such as photo frames, mugs, keychains and magnets with Ra.One motifs from the Heroes Vault in Bollywood Studios area.
Snapshot is your photo pickup store.
Number crunch
200 performers will be putting up 20 typical tapori style acts and yester-year and south Indian hits through out the day in different zones
Over 1000 employees will be manning the grounds on a daily basis
Dont miss it
Single day passes are for Dh285. Multi-park and annual passes also available. Log on to bollywoodparksdubai.com. Dubai Parks are situated on Shaikh Zayed Road, opposite Palm Jebel Ali.
This was the final round of the 2016 UIM XCAT World Series at the Abu Dhabi Breakwater.
The two boats were neck and neck throughout the red flag-interrupted race, but the Dubai boat managed to stave off the local challenge on two occasions when Al Tayer and Al Mansouri tried to use the long lap strategy to their advantage. The two boats were the class of the field, while T-bone Station’s Giovanni Carpitella and Ahmad Al Hameli managed to beat Lady Spain’s Joakhim Kumlin and Jay Price to confirm the final place on the podium. The result also gave Dubai 33 the runner-up spot behind the Victory Team in the UIM XCAT World Series points’ standings.
“I guess we must be happy with second position, but the win was the aim from the start,” said Al Tayer. “We thought we had the strategy mapped out perfectly. We took a long lap before them twice and thought we could nip inside and snatch the lead on both occasions. But, I guess, they were able to carry the speed and momentum down the straight and managed to stay in front.
“It was a very close race. We were evenly matched for speed.”
Arif Saif Al Zafeen and Nadir Bin Hendi stole a march on Team Abu Dhabi through the opening turns and first two laps, before flipping their Generation 2 four-stroke XCAT boat into retirement. The team had been having handling issues with the boat after Emaar Pole Position on Thursday. Carpisa Yamanay failed to start the race. Gold Coast Australia pitted early with technical issues. before continuing, and engine problems forced the Fujairah Team out of the running.
Team Abu Dhabi are sponsored by Etihad Airways and runs under the patronage of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, adviser to the Head of State and chairman of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club (ADIMSC).
The Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club (ADIMSC) now switches its attention to next week’s three-race UIM Class 1 World Powerboat Championship meeting that takes place between Tuesday and Friday.
2016 Abu Dhabi XCAT Grand Prix — results (unofficial):
1. Dubai 33 — Salem Al Adidi (UAE)/Eisa Al Ali (UAE) 40 min 44.36 sec
2. Team Abu Dhabi 5 — Rashid Al Tayer (UAE)/Majid Al Mansouri (UAE) @ 3.16 sec
3. T-bone Station 10 — Giovanni Carpitella (ITA)/Ahmad Al Hameli (UAE) @ 18.04 sec
4. Lady Spain 46 — Joakim Kumlin (SWE)/Jay Price (USA) @ 19.29 sec
5. Spirit of France (Yacht) 96 — Saul Bubacco (ITA)/Francois Pinelli (FRA) @ 44.63 sec
6. The Blue Roo (Team Australia) 8 — Brett Luhrmann (AUS)/Pal-Virik Nilsen (NOR) @ 1 min 07.19 sec
7. Swecat Racing 2 — Mikael Bengtsson (SWE)/Erik Stark (SWE) @ 1 min 10.30 sec
8. Raheeb 17 — Abdull Atif Al Omani (KWT)/Khalid Burabee (KWT) @ 1 min 49.92 sec
9. Gold Coast Australia 11 — Tom Barry-Cotter (AUS)/Ross Willaton (AUS) +4 laps
Fujairah Team 20 — Serafino Barlesi (ITA)/Alessandro Barone (ITA) +6 laps
Victory Team 3 — Arif Saif Al Zafeen (UAE)/Nadir Bin Hendi (UAE) +12 laps
Carpisa Yamanay 22 — Alfredo Amato (ITA)/Diego Testa (ITA) DNS
*New Star 9 — Mikhail Kitashev (RUS)/Dmitry Vandyshev (RUS)@ 2 min 09.03 sec
*not registered for points
The vast majority of UAE residents will continue to live in the cities, but the rural population is set to remain surprisingly steady at just under 20 per cent of the total. The expatriate proportion looks likely to remain around 80 per cent, which in the remote future of 40 years and beyond will give comfort to the growing Emirati population because they will be able to seek employment in their home country through natural replacement.
As expatriates settle in the country for longer, they will have to get much better at speaking Arabic than the current incumbents who largely fail that test. The combined conurbation of Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman will be the country’s largest population centre, with Abu Dhabi being large enough to form a natural nexus of its own.
Hrithik Roshan spotted at Mehboob Studio in Mumbai on November 16. He will be in Dubai for Big5 on November 21.
Roshan, who has signed up as the face of a Dubai-based pre-decorated wall and ceiling panel manufacturing company, will be at Dubai World Trade Centre on the opening day from 11am.
“It’s more than anything I expected it to be,” she says about winning the crown. “It has a lot of bonuses that I didn’t think would come my way. But I’m the type of person who, whatever you throw at me, I can make something out of it.”
What a lot of people didn’t know then was the battles the 27-year-old had to fight to be on that Las Vegas stage that night — and that no amount of criticism was going to rattle her.
“It’s because I’m very stubborn,” Wurtzbach says, laughing. “When I want something really badly, whether it’s good or bad, I never stop until I get it. It’s part of the way I was brought up. I was brought in an environment with a lot of challenges, so I wasn’t going to give up on that.”
Born in Germany to a German father and a Filipino mother, Wurtzbach’s parents separated when she was four. She moved with her mother back to the Philippines and, at a very early age, became the breadwinner of the family by doing odd modelling and acting jobs.
Soon, the pageant bug bit.
But the path to being a beauty queen in pageant-obsessed Philippines wasn’t easy. She was often criticised for her looks and she was told she was not Filipino enough. Wurtzbach placed fifth at the Binibining Pilipinas, the pageant that sends the country’s representatives to the Miss Universe contest, in 2013. She tried again the next year, and barely made it to the Top 15. Refusing to give up, she made another attempt, eventually winning the crown in 2015.
Of course, she had many moments of doubts, she says.
“There were many times I thought, ‘Is this really a good idea? Should I push through with this? Am I setting myself up for failure?’,” she recalls. “But it was important for me to stay realistic with my goals, and that’s what I did.
“I was still in the age range anyway. I would have been an embarrassment if I lost for the third time, but there were more pros and cons. That’s why I went for it.”
Wurzbach will share her inspiring story, and style and beauty tips, at an event at Dragon Mart 2 in Dubai on November 18. The event will mark her first trip to the UAE.
“l’ll be touring all the iconic buildings, trying out the amazing food and meeting people. I know there’s a massive Filipino community and I can’t wait to meet everyone,” she says.
Currently based out of New York as part of her Miss Universe tenure, Wurtzbach has made good on her promises of tackling the HIV/AIDS issues, actively campaigning for awareness and fighting the stigma of the disease.
She says she picked this cause because it hit close to home.
“When I was in the pageant in the Philippines, I noticed that a lot of the girls didn’t want to talk about this because they were scared about the repercussions or because they were misinformed. For me, it was very personal. When it hits really close to home, it impacts you in a very different way,” she says.
We haven’t won the fight against HIV, but we’ve definitely come a long way, she adds.
“If you look at the numbers from 20 years ago, there’s definitely been improvement. But we still need to focus on countries that have very strict regulations when it comes to testing and health care,” she says. “Yes, we are moving to different topics [about the disease] now. We have medicines to treat people to help them lead normal lives. But there are still countries that don’t have access to any of them. So we need to work on that.”
While life has changed since winning the crown, she says she’s not complaining.
“It’s more than anything I expected it to be,” she says. “It has a lot of bonuses that I didn’t think would come my way. But I’m the type of person who, whatever you throw at me, I can make something out of it.”
The only disadvantages are that it’s hard to date, she says, and she had to get used to flying a lot.
“I was a nervous flyer before, but now I’ve gotten used to it,” says Wurtzbach, who is rumoured to be dating Filipino-Swiss race car driver Marlon Stockinger.
But her biggest achievement as a Miss Universe, she says, is helping to bring the pageant home to the Philippines next year. The country last hosted the pageant in 1994.
Earlier this month, Philippines Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo confirmed her country would host the beauty pageant, with the coronation night to be held at the Mall of Asia Arena on Manila’s Diosdado Macapagal Highway on January 30.
Wurtzbach says she had to pull a lot of strings.
“First we had to come up with the idea, then we had to get the message out there to see if people were interested. Also we wanted the private sector to really get involved, and after a lot of visits, things started to fall into place. And the rest is history …
“I would love for the girls to tour around, see all the different islands,” she adds. “There is so much more to the Philippines than just Manila. The beauty is in the neighbouring islands. and I want to showcase the most of Philippines.”
As for Harvey, who is contracted to also host the next pageant, she says she’s still in touch with him regularly.
“I’m very excited for him to jump on board for the next pageant,” she says. “Of course, I’ll be there to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
Don’t miss it
Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach will host a free-to-attend lifestyle event at Dragon Mart 2 at 6pm on Friday, November 18. She will share fashion and beauty tips followed by a meet-and-greet. The event will take place at the main atrium.
As a part of its ongoing commitment to environment, health and safety (EHS), ENOC as a socially responsible organization has taken additional safety measures by installing bollards in front of all facilities across its service station network in UAE to protect customers, staff and assets.
In an effort to reduce the odds of vehicles crashing into stores, ENOC installed a total of 2,210 stainless steel cladded reinforced concrete bollards in all ENOC and EPPCO service stations.
The bollards are designed and built to withstand impact from vehicle crashing.
His Excellency Saif Humaid Al Falasi, Group CEO of ENOC, said: “We are committed to maintaining high standards of service excellence and safety and are continuously enhancing our service stations to make it a safe place for our employees and customers. The customer has, and always will be the core focus of ENOC, and these globally recognised practices ensure that we deliver on our corporate purpose.”
The vehicles will enable customers to use interactive LCD screens, where satisfaction surveys will be run, to help upgrade taxi services.
Dubai Taxi Corporation has already started fitting the touch screens, along with the Wi-Fi service, to its taxi fleet.
“Customers will also be able, for the first time, calculate taxi fares in advance,” RTA said in its tweet.
The touch screens will come handy for passengers to check out major tourist attractions in Dubai, as well as commercials about RTA’s services.
RTA said the introduction of LCD screens and free Wi-Fi service is “in line with Dubai Government’s strategy to rank Dubai as [the] smartest city worldwide.
Dubai Taxi to install in-cab interactive LCDs, launch free Wi-Fi service from December pic.twitter.com/BXrLsQ8MQK— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) November 16, 2016
The move is in line with Dubai Government strategy to rank Dubai as smartest city worldwide& realize RTA’s 1st Strategic Goal ‘Smart Dubai’.— RTA (@RTA_Dubai) November 16, 2016
Customers will also be able, for the first time, calculate taxi fares in advance.#RTANews— RTA (@RTA_Dubai) November 16, 2016
Road Safety UAE and QIC Insured release the findings of their most recent YouGov research wave, shedding light on one of the most dangerous behaviours behind the wheel: the use of the mobile phone while driving.
Thomas Edelmann, Founder Managing Director of Road Safety UAE states: “It is alarming to see, that only 26% of motorists ‘never’ use their mobile while driving. Distracted driving is among the top causes of accidents, injuries and death on UAE’s roads and the use of mobile phones behind the wheel is one of the major sources of distraction.”
Most vulnerable are the 25-29 year olds and Sharjah residents. Westerners have the best habits in resting their mobile phone while driving.
74% of drivers use mobile phones for incoming calls, and 43% for outgoing calls, 19% for incoming messages like SMS, WhatsApp and similar, and 14% for outgoing messages.
Interestingly, older drivers respond most to incoming calls, while younger drivers lead in outgoing calls and messages.
Mobile calling and texting is so dangerous, because it combines the 4 forms of distraction:
1. Manual distraction (taking the hands off the wheel)
2. Visual distraction (taking the eyes off the road)
3. Distraction of the mind (taking your attention off the road)
4. Auditory distraction (taking your ears away from traffic sounds)
Frederik Bisbjerg, Executive Vice President MENA Retail, QIC Insured, states: “We are proud to be associated with this behaviour study, as it demonstrates the efforts of QIC Insured to actively support the creation of safer roads. For UAE’s motorists we have a very clear message: When driving, put your mobile phone in silent and put it away. No call or message can be so important to handicap your own safety, the safety of your passengers and the safety of other traffic participants around you!”
60% of respondents use their hands-free in 50% of their drives or more.
35% use the car’s built-in hands-free, 31% cable hands-free and 23% portable Bluetooth devices.
Of those drivers, whose cars have built-in hands-free, 75% actually use it, and the ones who don’t use it, claim better functionality and easier use of their hand held mobile phones.
The use of hands-free is more popular with older drivers.
“To improve the situation, the UAE needs ongoing education efforts, the creation and promotion of safe driving mobile phone applications (including an auto mute function) and a strict enforcement of the current rules and regulations with regards to the ban of mobile phones while driving. We appeal to all UAE traffic participants to obey to the above statement of Frederik Bisbjerg of QIC Insured: ‘When behind the wheel, put your mobile on silent, put it away!’”, Edelmann concludes.
The fieldwork for this study was done in August 2016 by YouGov, with a representative sample of 1,033 residents living in all seven emirates of the UAE. Details of the research project can be found in the ‘featured’ section on: www.roadsafetyuae.com
Dubai International has been voted as the world’s Best Airport for Layovers for the second consecutive year at the Conde Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards Middle East at a ceremony in Dubai on Monday.
Dubai was the top choice among the three final nominees chosen in the category by readers of the luxury travel publication, the other two being Doha’s Hamad International Airport, and Singapore’s Changi International Airport.
Speaking on the occasion, Anita Mehra, Senior Vice President, Communication and Reputation, said, “This recognition means a lot to everyone at Dubai Airports and all our stakeholders at DXB who work very hard together to ensure the comfort and happiness of our customers. DXB had a great start to the year with the opening of the US$1.2 billion Concourse D which not only elevated airport experience but also provided timely capacity for our growing traffic.”
DXB was voted as the favourite among international hubs based on the round the clock availability of a wide range of contemporary food and beverage options, a variety of top-class retail brands, the comfort of luxurious airside hotels, and unique relaxation concepts such as spa treatments and sleeping pods.
The Special Olympics International Board of Directors unanimously voted to award the World Games to Abu Dhabi based on a comprehensive bid proposal, a site visit by a Board Committee, and the country’s vision to create inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities throughout the UAE, the region and the world.
A press conference detailing the event will follow at a later date in Abu Dhabi.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, announced Abu Dhabi’s victory on Wednesday in a tweet: “UAE’s hosting of the 2019 Special Olympic World Games reflects the world’s confidence in UAE’s capabilities, youth & humanitarian image.”
” I congratulate UAE President, Emiratis & athletes on UAE’s winning the bid to host the 2019 Special Olympic World Games”— أخبار محمد بن زايد (@MBZNews) November 16, 2016
“UAE’s hosting of the 2019 Special Olympic World Games reflects the world’s confidence in UAE’s capabilities, youth & humanitarian image”— أخبار محمد بن زايد (@MBZNews) November 16, 2016
“We welcome the world’s best athletes to the UAE, congratulate Special Olympics leadership on promoting inclusion & tolerance through sport”— أخبار محمد بن زايد (@MBZNews) November 16, 2016
“I’d like thank special needs athletes for their achievements & distinguished record,which boosted our winning bid of hosting World Games”— أخبار محمد بن زايد (@MBZNews) November 16, 2016
“Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi is revolutionary for our movement and for the Middle East region,” said Timothy Shriver, Special Olympics Chairman.
“There’s no better or more profound location than Abu Dhabi to invite the world to come together in celebration of sport, in celebration of people of all kinds, and to demonstrate to the world that the lines of division can be erased. We are thrilled to be the first Olympics Games in the Middle East region of the world.”
Residents from Sharjah use their phones the most when driving, according to recent survey
A recent YouGov survey has revealed that 25-29 year olds are more likely to use their mobile phones while driving, while 19 per cent of UAE motorists use it to send text messages.
Dubai: It is not uncommon to see UAE residents with their ears glued to their mobile phones, be it at the supermarket, the post office and even at the cinema.
But when it comes to road safety, how many motorists flout the traffic rules and use their mobile phones while driving? And how often do they text?
A recent YouGov survey has revealed how often UAE motorists use their mobile phones, and which emirate has the highest rate of offenders.
Thomas Edelmann, Founder and Managing Director of RoadSafetyUAE said: “It is alarming to see that only 26 per cent of motorists ‘never’ use their mobile while driving. Distracted driving is among the top causes of accidents, injuries and death on UAE’s roads and the use of mobile phones behind the wheel is one of the major sources of distraction.”
RoadSafetyUAE and QIC Insured on Wednesday released the findings of their most recent YouGov research wave, which showed that 25-29 year olds were the most vulnerable in using mobile phones while driving.
The majority of offenders who broke the traffic rules were found to be residents of Sharjah, followed by Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Western expats have the best driving habits, according to the survey, as they almost never used their devices while on the road.
The survey also found that 74 per cent of drivers use their phones for incoming calls, 43 per cent for outgoing calls, 19 per cent for incoming messages such as WhatsApp, and 14 per cent of motorists used it for outgoing messages.
Edelmann further said: “To improve the situation, the UAE needs ongoing education efforts, the creation and promotion of safe driving mobile phone applications (including an auto mute function) and a strict enforcement of the current rules and regulations with regards to the ban of mobile phones while driving.”
Research further discovered that older drivers were most likely to respond to incoming calls, while younger drivers lead in outgoing calls and messages.
Frederik Bisbjerg, Executive Vice President for Middle East and North Africa (Mena) Retail, QIC Insured, said: “For UAE’s motorists we have a very clear message: When driving, put your mobile phone in silent and put it away. No call or message can be so important to handicap your own safety, the safety of your passengers and the safety of other traffic participants around you.”
60 per cent of respondents use their hands-free for more than half of their time on the road.
35 per cent use the car’s built-in hands-free, 31 per cent cable hands-free and 23 per cent use portable Bluetooth devices.
Of those drivers whose cars have built-in hands-free, 75 per cent said they actually use it.
The use of hands-free is more popular with drivers above 35 years old.
The fieldwork for the study was caried out in August 2016, with a representative sample of 1,033 residents living in all seven emirates of the UAE.
Motorists holding ADCB credit cards can now pay off their traffic fines between three and 12 months
Dubai: If you’ve got traffic fines to pay, there’s no need to worry about breaking the budget anymore.
Thanks to Dubai Police’s new installment plan, motorists that hold credit cards from Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank can now pay off their traffic fines over a course of three, six, nine or 12 months – at interest free rates.
The minimum payment for installments start at Dh500.
The new service was launched on Monday following an agreement signed by Dubai Police and ADCB that follows in line with the Dubai Smart City initiative, which promotes increased usage of digital channels such as mobile and online platforms.
All credit card holders have to do is simply download the Dubai Police app or use the police’s website to pay off their fines. Payments can also be made through service centres that can be found at various locations across the city.
Brigadier Humaid Salem Al Suwaidi, acting director of finance at Dubai Police, said the agreement aims to open new channels for motorists and to make them happy customers.
Omran Taimour, Regional Head, Branch Banking at ADCB said, “We are proud at ADCB to be the first Abu Dhabi based bank to sign up with Dubai Police by launching this unique facility that provides our customers with a quick and efficient system of clearing their traffic fines, whilst facilitating payment flexibility and customer convenience.”
According to a previous statement issued by Dubai Police, more than 51,000 traffic violations were recorded in 2015 through its new speed monitoring radars.
The traffic violations included 20,780 for jumping red lights; 21,374 for overtaking on the hard shoulder; 6,512 fines for lane violations by heavy vehicles, and 3,009 for drivers disregarding traffic regulations, such as driving heavy trucks in undesignated times.
Up to 109 fines were issued for not buckling seatbelts, 89 for using mobile phones while driving, 19 for failing to fix a license plate in the correct position, and two for failing to install a license plate at all.
Top ballet company from France will present a grand gala at the Ductac next mont
Les Ballets de France, an internationally acclaimed dance ensemble from France, will perform at the Centrepoint Theatre at Ductac, Mall of the Emirates. on December 2 and 3.
The gala programme includes moments from popular ballet performances such as Le Corsaire and Coppelia, as well as famous contemporary pieces such as Bolero or Mauro de Candia’s Something I had in Mind.
Their performances are a mix of classical and contemporary dance movements.
Tickets to the show at 8pm on both days, with a 3pm show only on December 3rd, range from Dh150 to Dh300. For details. contact ductac.org.
In a message on International Tolerance Day, Shaikh Mohammad recalled his memories of the majlis of his father, the late Shaikh Rashid, who used to receive Emiratis and expatriates of different tribal, sectarian and ethnic backgrounds without discrimination. Shaikh Rashid showed the same respect and appreciation to his citizens, and those who made rich contributions and served the country were very close to him, Shaikh Mohammad said.
What makes us proud is not the height of our buildings,but rather the openness and tolerance of our nation https://t.co/8rM9hsbwBZ— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) November 15, 2016
Our pride stems from the fact that we are a country where everyone thrives equally regardless of their differences. https://t.co/8rM9hsbwBZ— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) November 15, 2016
A message of Tolerance .. wanted to share a few heartfelt words with our citizens and residents https://t.co/8rM9hst80z
— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) November 15, 2016
“The world is celebrating International Tolerance Day. In light of this important occasion, I wanted to share a few heartfelt words with our citizens and residents and particularly with the young people among you. I vividly remember my late father Shaikh Rashid’s majlis, over 40 years ago; I remember the nature of the majlis and its attendees. It comprised citizens, young and old, fresh graduates and traditional Bedouin, citizens from various tribes and sects, and people of different backgrounds and races.
“They were equal in Shaikh Rashid’s eyes, and treated as such: with equal respect, appreciation and rights. Those sitting closest to Shaikh Rashid were the hardest workers and leaders in their respective fields. Residents from different religions, nationalities and cultures from around the world attended as equals alongside Emiratis. Shaikh Rashid’s majlis embraced them. Dubai embraced them. They reciprocated with their unwavering love, gratitude and loyalty, which we still see today among them and their children.
“After the creation of the Union, I came to know the late Shaikh Zayed more closely. Our relationship developed into that of a father and his son. I learnt about his leadership, about his character, and about his appreciation of humanity. His governance, inspiration and management of people were an invaluable example. Shaikh Zayed welcomed everyone into his majlis, regardless of their tribe, sect, or denomination. He was generous with his time and love and, in return, people loved him irrespective of their differences. They all prayed for his soul when he departed, passing on their admiration of him to their children and grandchildren.
“These ethics are Shaikh Zayed and Shaikh Rashid’s greatest legacy to us. What makes us proud of our nation is not the height of our buildings, the breadth of our streets, or the magnitude of our shopping malls, but rather the openness and tolerance of our nation. Our pride stems from the fact that we are a country where everyone thrives equally regardless of their differences, with true love and acceptance: a country where people live and work harmoniously, raising their children to enjoy a future free of the fear of extremism, intolerance or discrimination based on their race, colour, religion, sect or ethnicity.
“While we all respect opinion and discussion shared online, we cannot allow it to spill into intolerance. We do not differentiate between one another in the UAE, nor do we use race or nationality to discriminate against one another; we see all people as equal, as God created us. No preference or merit is given to anyone except for those who work diligently, respect our laws and constitution and contribute to our nation. Shaikh Zayed imparted his values and wisdom in the people of the UAE. Therefore, it is no surprise that my brother, [His Highness Shaikh] Mohammad Bin Zayed [Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces] has introduced ‘Moral Education’ in the school curriculum. He wishes to immortalise the message that Shaikh Zayed spread among his sons and daughters in the UAE.
“His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and heir to Shaikh Zayed’s wisdom and tolerance, recently introduced an Anti-Discrimination Law in order to protect our community and preserve our legacy of tolerance. We have a Minister of Tolerance, whose mandate it is to follow up on the implementation of this law, especially with a view to online platforms such as social media. We do not want to experience the side effects of sectarianism, racism or hatred in our communities. We do not want to see any discrimination based on colour, sect or origin.
“We urge our Minister of Tolerance to apply this law to everyone with equal diligence — young or old, private employee or government official — no one is above the law. The greatest achievements of the UAE are the upstanding morals, values, and principles that the world respects us for and that we wish to pass on to our future generations to come. It is in our best interests to protect our country’s reputation; to promote a tolerant, cooperative and socially cohesive society; to uphold Shaikh Zayed’s legacy and protect the UAE.
“May God be with us, UAE citizens and residents, to serve this great nation.”
Etihad Airways has won awards for Best First Class and Best Long Haul Airline Middle-East and Africa in the AirlineRatings.com 2017 Airline Excellence Awards.
The Abu Dhabi-based airline was also named in the global Top Ten.
AirlineRatings.com Editor-in- Chief and Publisher, Geoffrey Thomas, said: “Etihad Airways’ attention to excellence at every level has resulted in a third consecutive win for Best First Class and Best Long Haul Airline Middle-East and Africa as well as a placing in AirlineRatings.com Top Ten.
“It’s an outstanding achievement to win an Airlineratings.com award but Etihad Airways has taken that to another level by winning each category three years in a row.
“The airline is only one of a handful that has also achieved a seven-star ranking for both product and safety with Airlineratings.com.”
Etihad Airways’ Chief Executive Officer, Peter Baumgartner, said: “To win Best First Class and Best Long Haul Airline Middle-East and Africa for the third consecutive year is a great honour and cements our position as a leader in innovative products, intuitive service and world-class hospitality.
“The awards also underscore our uncompromising commitment to engineering and operational excellence as well as safety which is, and will always be, our number one priority.”
The 2017 AirlineRatings.com awards come just weeks after the UAE flag carrier received a Skytrax Certified 5-Star Airline Rating.
This followed Skytrax awards for the World’s Best First Class Airline, World’s Best First Class Onboard Catering, and World’s Best First Class Airline Seat for its Airbus A380 First Apartment in July 2016.
The Danish-built motorbike, which is on display at the World Trade Centre, can reach speeds of up to 300km/h
For illustrative purposes only.
Dubai: The world’s fastest motorcycle has found its way to Dubai, and its breaking records for more than just its speed.
The Autonomous Street Racer holds the world-record in its class for acceleration times, reaching speeds of up to 300 km/h, but most importantly – its driverless.
Nerve, the Danish company that invented the bike, are currently touring Dubai to forge relationships with the public and private sector with the hope of implementing the technology locally.
The motorcycle is currently on display for the Gulf Traffic event, which runs from 13-15 November 2016 at the World Trade Centre.
During the Gulf Traffic conference, Nerve Founder and chief technology officer Soeren Ekelund shed light on the balance between people, society and technology in an effort to fuel discussion on how technology can be used to drive Dubai’s Smart City ambitions.
Ekelund said: “These are really exciting times in the world of transport and mobility. Sustainable development is forcing everyone to rethink the concept of public and private transportation. The vehicles of the future have to be more flexible, stronger, faster, smarter and greener.”
The driverless motorcycle was previously showcased at the NaTrans Expo that was held in Abu Dhabi last month.
“It’s no longer sufficient to think about how a vehicle meets the needs of an individual – how it gets him or her from A to B – rather, we need to consider the requirements of society as a whole,” said Ekelund.
He added: “It’s a privilege to be part of this automotive revolution, and we’re looking to Dubai very closely as a fertile breeding ground for the smart technologies of tomorrow”.
Dubai Summer Surprises is behind us and we’ve got more than a month to wait for the-month-long Dubai Shopping Festival (which kicks off on December 26th).
But the great news for those of you that still haven’t done your festive shopping is that a new city-wide sale is being launched in Dubai, and it will happen in just a few week’s time.
The National Day Sale will run from December 1 to 3 across most of Dubai’s malls, and all shops participating in the sale will offer discounts of between 30 and 90 per cent on selected items in their stores (so not the whole lot).
Warning: malls get very busy over long weekends in the UAE, so if you’re keen to shop uninterrupted get to the stores by 10am.
The sale has been launched by Dubai Tourism and Dubai Festivals (so it’s official) and is part of the celebrations surrounding the UAE’s 45th National Day.
Which stores will be on sale? Well we don’t yet know, and shops keen to register for the sale have until November 29 to do so (so more and more shops will be added to the sale, we’ll keep you updated).
Ooh, and remember, for all-year-round sales you can check out Dubai Outlet Mall on Al Ain Road, or the brand new Dubai Outlet Village, which is right next to Dubai Parks & Resorts (although the latter is more focused on high end brands, so while you’ll bag a bargain, it won’t be a cheap day out).
– For more about Dubai straight to your newsfeed, follow us on Facebook.
Motorists holding ADCB credit cards can now pay off their traffic fines between three and 12 months
Dubai: If you’ve got traffic fines to pay, there’s no need to worry about breaking the budget anymore.
Thanks to Dubai Police’s new installment plan, motorists that hold credit cards from Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank can now pay off their traffic fines over a course of three, six, nine or 12 months – at interest free rates.
The minimum payment for installments start at Dh500.
The new service was launched on Monday following an agreement signed by Dubai Police and ADCB that follows in line with the Dubai Smart City initiative, which promotes increased usage of digital channels such as mobile and online platforms.
All credit card holders have to do is simply download the Dubai Police app or use the police’s website to pay off their fines. Payments can also be made through service centres that can be found at various locations across the city.
Brigadier Humaid Salem Al Suwaidi, acting director of finance at Dubai Police, said the agreement aims to open new channels for motorists and to make them happy customers.
Omran Taimour, Regional Head, Branch Banking at ADCB said, “We are proud at ADCB to be the first Abu Dhabi based bank to sign up with Dubai Police by launching this unique facility that provides our customers with a quick and efficient system of clearing their traffic fines, whilst facilitating payment flexibility and customer convenience.”
According to a previous statement issued by Dubai Police, more than 51,000 traffic violations were recorded in 2015 through its new speed monitoring radars.
The traffic violations included 20,780 for jumping red lights; 21,374 for overtaking on the hard shoulder; 6,512 fines for lane violations by heavy vehicles, and 3,009 for drivers disregarding traffic regulations, such as driving heavy trucks in undesignated times.
Up to 109 fines were issued for not buckling seatbelts, 89 for using mobile phones while driving, 19 for failing to fix a license plate in the correct position, and two for failing to install a license plate at all.
Space enthusiasts gathered at Abu Dhabi Corniche on Monday evening to see the moon like never before — or the supermoon as it’s called, when the moon appears larger and brighter than usual because of its close proximity to earth.
Supermoons happen when a full or new moon occurs on its closest approach to earth during its orbit. This year’s supermoon was extra special because of its historical significance. The last time the moon got this close to earth was in 1948 and the next one is in 2034.
Marwan Badra, from Syria, was on hand to view the space spectacle. “My hobby is photography, in particular taking photographs of nature, and so I had to come out here to take photos of the moon because it’s very rare that you ever get the chance to see the moon like this. It really is a once in a lifetime opportunity, I have been living in the UAE for 40 years and I have never seen something like this,” he said.
Ganesh Dcholkar from India said he wanted to catch a piece of space history. “I am a fan of astronomy. In Abu Dhabi because of all the lights you don’t normally get to see the stars so clearly, but with this supermoon it is a fantastic opportunity to get that chance to observe what is happening outside our planet and I really felt so happy and excited to see the moon so big and bright.”
Emmanuel Palmeiro, from Portugal, said the experience made him feel at peace and part of something much bigger.
“I am really happy with what I saw. I really felt at peace seeing the moon come up like that. It allowed me for a moment to forget all the problems and bad things that are happening on earth, and made me feel like I was up in space. This has never happened during my life so it is an extra special feeling to be able to witness history,” he said.
Raquel Filipa, also from Portugal, said she heard about the supermoon event on the news and decided to check it our for herself.
“I have been hearing about this event on the news over the previous few days, and I got excited about it and wanted to come and see what it would be like. It was definitely worth it and very exciting. The moon looked so close to us from where we standing so that was amazing,” she said.
Joanna Cacpal, from the Philippines, like many other watchers, said she wanted to come and see a small bit of history.
“It’s quite rare to get the chance to see historical space or astronomy events, so I wanted to come down for that chance, and to also obviously see the moon in a different way than we normally view it. It was a very nice show to watch.”
Facts about the 2016 supermoon
The moon was 14 per cent bigger and 30 per cent brighter in the sky
The moon appeared at its brightest at around 5.52pm
The moon’s distance to the earth during the event was around 363,000 kilometres
The last time the moon got this close to earth was in 1948
The next time the moon is expected to get this close to earth will be in 2034
Supermoons occur because the full or new moon happens when it comes closest to earth during its orbit
