Six years ago this week, American singer Madonna brought her MDNA tour to Abu Dhabi. It was somewhat unprecedented for the capital to host such a big concert in the summer, but the "Material Girl" booked the stop as part of her 80-date tour schedule across the Middle East, Europe and the Americas. She stopped in Abu Dhabi for two shows at the du Arena, which had at that time been rebranded and was undergoing expansion.
Tickets for the shows sold out within hours and extra tickets were added for the first concert just days before the show. The National reported at the time that fans had travelled from as far away as Buenos Aires and London, and that Madonna's stage production – including lighting, stage props, LED screens and pyrotechnics – was flown in on three jumbo jets. With temperatures in the mid-40s, and to keep comfortable an estimated 50,000 concertgoers in two nights in the heat of the season, a cooling system was installed, but many concertgoers complained that it didn't make a difference.
Italian DJ Benny Benassi, who had produced three songs for the MDNA album, opened both shows, which started more than 90 minutes late, angering the loyal crowd. The song Girl Gone Wild from MDNA started the dazzling and dark set, which featured controversial imagery and themes, tin soldiers suspended from the ceiling, stunts and acrobatics. The temperature rose further when Madonna dug deep into her classic 1980s repertoire, including Papa Don't Preach, Open Your Heart and Like a Prayer, as well as more contemporary songs, performed across four themed acts.
________________
Read more:
Timeframe: When Cyclone Phet made waves in the UAE
Timeframe: Planet Hollywood opened 20 years ago in Dubai
Timeframe: Unwavering lines of friendship between the UAE and Oman
________________
Abaya trends
The utilitarian robe held dear by Arab women is undergoing a change that reveals it as an elegant and graceful garment available in a range of colours and fabrics, while retaining its traditional appeal.
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
'Gehraiyaan'
Director:Shakun Batra
Stars:Deepika Padukone, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Ananya Panday, Dhairya Karwa
Rating: 4/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Pox that threatens the Middle East's native species
Camelpox
Caused by a virus related to the one that causes human smallpox, camelpox typically causes fever, swelling of lymph nodes and skin lesions in camels aged over three, but the animal usually recovers after a month or so. Younger animals may develop a more acute form that causes internal lesions and diarrhoea, and is often fatal, especially when secondary infections result. It is found across the Middle East as well as in parts of Asia, Africa, Russia and India.
Falconpox
Falconpox can cause a variety of types of lesions, which can affect, for example, the eyelids, feet and the areas above and below the beak. It is a problem among captive falcons and is one of many types of avian pox or avipox diseases that together affect dozens of bird species across the world. Among the other forms are pigeonpox, turkeypox, starlingpox and canarypox. Avipox viruses are spread by mosquitoes and direct bird-to-bird contact.
Houbarapox
Houbarapox is, like falconpox, one of the many forms of avipox diseases. It exists in various forms, with a type that causes skin lesions being least likely to result in death. Other forms cause more severe lesions, including internal lesions, and are more likely to kill the bird, often because secondary infections develop. This summer the CVRL reported an outbreak of pox in houbaras after rains in spring led to an increase in mosquito numbers.
Drishyam 2
Directed by: Jeethu Joseph
Starring: Mohanlal, Meena, Ansiba, Murali Gopy
Rating: 4 stars
Maestro
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EBradley%20Cooper%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EBradley%20Cooper%2C%20Carey%20Mulligan%2C%20Maya%20Hawke%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
