Raquel Welch at a rehearsal for the Broadway show Woman of the Year, with, from left, Ed Nolfi, Sterling Clark and Paul Bogave in New York, in November 1981. AP
Raquel Welch at a rehearsal for the Broadway show Woman of the Year, with, from left, Ed Nolfi, Sterling Clark and Paul Bogave in New York, in November 1981. AP
Welch in the 1966 film One Million Years BC. Getty
Welch in the 1966 film One Million Years BC. Getty
Welch in London in 1970. PA
Welch in London in 1970. PA
Welch at London airport in 1966. PA
Welch at London airport in 1966. PA
The actress in Valencia, Spain, in 2007. EPA
The actress in Valencia, Spain, in 2007. EPA
Welch on the roof of London's Dorchester Hotel in 1969. PA
Welch on the roof of London's Dorchester Hotel in 1969. PA
Welch in 1995. PA
Welch in 1995. PA
Welch at Heathrow Airport after an appearance on The Muppet Show in 1978
Welch at Heathrow Airport after an appearance on The Muppet Show in 1978
Welch in Paris in 1970. AP
Welch in Paris in 1970. AP
Gina Lollobrigida, left, and Welch at the Bafta Awards ceremony at the London Palladium in 1995. PA
Gina Lollobrigida, left, and Welch at the Bafta Awards ceremony at the London Palladium in 1995. PA
Welch with sailors from the aircraft carrier USS Saipan and a few marines in July 1982 in New York. AP
Welch with sailors from the aircraft carrier USS Saipan and a few marines in July 1982 in New York. AP
Welch at the Los Angeles premiere of How to be a Latin Lover in April 2017. AP
Welch at the Los Angeles premiere of How to be a Latin Lover in April 2017. AP
The actress and her husband, Andre Steinfeld, at the Lincoln Centre for a concert on April 25, 1988. AFP
The actress and her husband, Andre Steinfeld, at the Lincoln Centre for a concert on April 25, 1988. AFP
(FILES) In this file photo taken on January 14, 1970 in Paris shows US actress Raquel Welch. - Welch, the US actress who became an international sex symbol after appearing in a deerskin bikini in "One Million Years BC," died on February 15, 2023, her manager said. She was 82. (Photo by AFP)
(FILES) In this file photo taken on January 14, 1970 in Paris shows US actress Raquel Welch. - Welch, the US actress who became an international sex symbol after appearing in a deerskin bikini in "One Million Years BC," died on February 15, 2023, her manager said. She was 82. (Photo by AFP)
The actress signs copies of her book Raquel: Beyond the Cleavage, at Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena, California, in April 2010. AFP
The actress signs copies of her book Raquel: Beyond the Cleavage, at Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena, California, in April 2010. AFP
Welch with her newly unveiled star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1996. Reuters
Welch with her newly unveiled star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1996. Reuters

Culture

Pop Culture

Raquel Welch death: Reese Witherspoon leads tributes to ‘elegant and glamorous’ actress

The Hollywood star died on Wednesday aged 82

Press Association

February 16, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

Reese Witherspoon has led tributes to Hollywood bombshell Raquel Welch, describing her as “elegant, professional and glamorous beyond belief”.

Celebrities who knew and collaborated with the US actress shared fond memories of her after the announcement of her death, aged 82, on Wednesday.

Welch died after a brief illness, her manager and family confirmed.

Witherspoon, who worked with Welch on the 2001 cult classic film Legally Blonde, said she was “simply stunning”.

“So sad to hear about Raquel Welch’s passing,” she wrote on Twitter.

“I loved working with her on Legally Blonde. She was elegant, professional and glamorous beyond belief. Simply stunning.

“May all her angels carry her home. Sending love to her family and her many fans.”

Bridesmaids director Paul Feig described Welch as a “true superstar” and that the world had lost an “icon”.

“This is so sad. I had the great pleasure of working with Ms Welch when I was a regular on Sabrina the Teenage Witch and she was awesome,” he said.

“Kind, funny and a true superstar whom I was pretty much in love with for most of my childhood. We’ve lost a true icon.”

Aside from her big screen roles, notably in Fantastic Voyage and One Million Years BC in 1966, Welch also enjoyed a career in television — even appearing as a guest in an episode of children’s TV show The Muppets.

The Muppets' official Twitter account, and several of the cast members, posted their own tributes to the actress.

“We’ll never forget our remarkable friend Raquel Welch, one of our favorite guests on The Muppet Show,” The Muppets wrote.

“From dancing with a giant spider, to inspiring @FozzieBear, and duetting with @MissPiggy, Raquel could do it all!”

The account of loud-mouthed puppet Miss Piggy said Welch helped her “become the woman I am today”.

“Raquel Welch was one of the most wonderful people I’ve ever worked with,” Miss Piggy wrote.

“Performing a duet with her on The Muppet Show helped moi become the W-O-M-A-N I am today! We’ll never forget vous, Raquel!”

Muppets co-star Fozzie Bear added: “I have Raquel Welch to thank for becoming a more confident comedian.

“On The Muppet Show, she helped pick me up when I was down and she was someone I could confide in. Thanks for being my friend, Raquel.”

Other stars remembering encounters with Welch included British TV presenters Carol Vorderman and Gyles Brandreth.

Sharing a photo of Welch, Vorderman wrote: “I was at her son’s wedding (pic) to Yorkshire cricketer Fred Trueman’s daughter Rebecca.

Read more

De La Soul co-founder Trugoy the Dove dies aged 54

“It was wild. She was sensational. A lot of laughing & every other bedroom in the hotel had a news editing suite in it. I loved it all. Wild.”

Brandreth said he was “blown away” by Welch’s beauty when they met at a London restaurant.

“I love to claim that I’ve met everyone — but I haven’t, of course,” he wrote.

“However I was lucky enough to meet Raquel Welch — at Le Caprice restaurant in Arlington Street, London.

“I was blown away by her beauty & her extraordinary complexion. A memorable encounter for which I’m grateful.”

Scroll through the gallery below to see other people we've lost in 2023 so far

American comedian Kelly Monteith died on January 1 aged 80. Getty Images
American comedian Kelly Monteith died on January 1 aged 80. Getty Images
Daredevil rally driver Ken Block died on January 2 aged 55. EPA
Daredevil rally driver Ken Block died on January 2 aged 55. EPA
Child actor Adam Rich died on January 7 aged 54. AP
Child actor Adam Rich died on January 7 aged 54. AP
British guitarist Jeff Beck died on January 10 aged 78. AFP
British guitarist Jeff Beck died on January 10 aged 78. AFP
German model Tatjana Patitz died on January 11 aged 56. Reuters
German model Tatjana Patitz died on January 11 aged 56. Reuters
Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of Elvis Presley, died on January 12 aged 54. Reuters
Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of Elvis Presley, died on January 12 aged 54. Reuters
Italian movie star Gina Lollobrigida, one of the last from the Golden Age of Hollywood, died on January 16 at 95. PA News
Italian movie star Gina Lollobrigida, one of the last from the Golden Age of Hollywood, died on January 16 at 95. PA News
Wrestlers and brothers Jay, right, and Mark Briscoe. Jay died on January 17 aged 38. jaybriscoe84 / Twitter
Wrestlers and brothers Jay, right, and Mark Briscoe. Jay died on January 17 aged 38. jaybriscoe84 / Twitter
American folk-rock star David Crosby died on January 18 aged 81. EPA
American folk-rock star David Crosby died on January 18 aged 81. EPA
Balkrishna Doshi, one of India’s most distinguished architects, died on January 24 aged 95. AP
Balkrishna Doshi, one of India’s most distinguished architects, died on January 24 aged 95. AP
TikTok star Randy Gonzalez died on January 25 aged 35. @enkyboys / Instagram
TikTok star Randy Gonzalez died on January 25 aged 35. @enkyboys / Instagram
Cindy Williams, who played Shirley on the hit sitcom Laverne & Shirley, died on January 25 aged 75. AFP
Cindy Williams, who played Shirley on the hit sitcom Laverne & Shirley, died on January 25 aged 75. AFP
Barrett Strong, one of Motown’s founding artists, died on January 29 aged 81. AP
Barrett Strong, one of Motown’s founding artists, died on January 29 aged 81. AP
The Last of Us and 24 actress Annie Wersching died on January 29 aged 45. AP
The Last of Us and 24 actress Annie Wersching died on January 29 aged 45. AP
South Indian director and actor K Viswanath died on February 2 aged 92. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
South Indian director and actor K Viswanath died on February 2 aged 92. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Fashion designer Paco Rabanne died on February 3 aged 88. Reuters
Fashion designer Paco Rabanne died on February 3 aged 88. Reuters
Veteran Indian singer Vani Jayaram died in Chennai on February 4 aged 78. Photo: Twitter
Veteran Indian singer Vani Jayaram died in Chennai on February 4 aged 78. Photo: Twitter
Pop composer Burt Bacharach died on February 8 aged 94. AFP
Pop composer Burt Bacharach died on February 8 aged 94. AFP
South African rap sensation Kiernan Forbes, popularly known as AKA, died on February 10 aged 35. AFP
South African rap sensation Kiernan Forbes, popularly known as AKA, died on February 10 aged 35. AFP
David 'Trugoy the Dove' Jolicoeur of the US hip-hop band De La Soul died on February 12 aged 54. EPA
David 'Trugoy the Dove' Jolicoeur of the US hip-hop band De La Soul died on February 12 aged 54. EPA
Manga artist Leiji Matsumoto died on February 13 aged 85. AP
Manga artist Leiji Matsumoto died on February 13 aged 85. AP
American actress Raquel Welch died at the age of 82 on February 15. EPA
American actress Raquel Welch died at the age of 82 on February 15. EPA
Stella Stevens, pictured in New York in 1968, died on February 18 aged 84. AP
Stella Stevens, pictured in New York in 1968, died on February 18 aged 84. AP
Law & Order actor Richard Belzer died aged 78 on February 19. AP
Law & Order actor Richard Belzer died aged 78 on February 19. AP
Jansen Panettiere, who appeared in shows such as Major Crimes and The Walking Dead, died aged 28 on February 19. Getty
Jansen Panettiere, who appeared in shows such as Major Crimes and The Walking Dead, died aged 28 on February 19. Getty
Football commentator John Motson died on February 23 aged 77. PA
Football commentator John Motson died on February 23 aged 77. PA
Hollywood film producer Walter Mirisch died aged 101 on February 24. AP
Hollywood film producer Walter Mirisch died aged 101 on February 24. AP
Animator and director Burny Mattinson worked with Disney for nearly 70 years until his death aged 87 on February 27. WireImage
Animator and director Burny Mattinson worked with Disney for nearly 70 years until his death aged 87 on February 27. WireImage
French football player Just Fontaine died aged 89 on March 1. EPA
French football player Just Fontaine died aged 89 on March 1. EPA
Pulp bassist Steve Mackey, right, died aged 56 on March 2. Getty
Pulp bassist Steve Mackey, right, died aged 56 on March 2. Getty
Wayne Shorter, an influential jazz musician, died aged 89 on March 2. AFP
Wayne Shorter, an influential jazz musician, died aged 89 on March 2. AFP
Architect Rafael Vinoly died aged 78 on March 2. Getty
Architect Rafael Vinoly died aged 78 on March 2. Getty
Saving Private Ryan actor Tom Sizemore died aged 61 on March 3. Reuters
Saving Private Ryan actor Tom Sizemore died aged 61 on March 3. Reuters
Gary Rossington, a founding member of Lynyrd Skynyrd, died aged 71 on March 5. EPA
Gary Rossington, a founding member of Lynyrd Skynyrd, died aged 71 on March 5. EPA
Pakistani actor Qavi Khan died aged 80 on March 5. Photo: Parveen Shah Productions
Pakistani actor Qavi Khan died aged 80 on March 5. Photo: Parveen Shah Productions
Bollywood actor, comedian, writer and director Satish Kaushik died aged 66 on March 8. Jeff Topping / The National
Bollywood actor, comedian, writer and director Satish Kaushik died aged 66 on March 8. Jeff Topping / The National
Israeli actor Chaim Topol died aged 87 on March 8. AP
Israeli actor Chaim Topol died aged 87 on March 8. AP
British TV presenter and comedian Paul O'Grady died on March 28 at the age of 67. PA
British TV presenter and comedian Paul O'Grady died on March 28 at the age of 67. PA
Moonbin, a member of K-pop boy band Astra, died at the age of 25 on April 19. AFP
Moonbin, a member of K-pop boy band Astra, died at the age of 25 on April 19. AFP
Bodybuilding social media influencer Jo Lindner, popularly known as Joesthetics, died on July 1 at the age of 30. @joesthetics / Instagram
Bodybuilding social media influencer Jo Lindner, popularly known as Joesthetics, died on July 1 at the age of 30. @joesthetics / Instagram
Peter Hellyer, who moved to the UAE in the 1970s, died on July 2 at the age of 75. Pawan Singh / The National
Peter Hellyer, who moved to the UAE in the 1970s, died on July 2 at the age of 75. Pawan Singh / The National
British-French actress and singer Jane Birkin, who inspired the famous Hermes Birkin bag, died aged 76 on July 16. AFP
British-French actress and singer Jane Birkin, who inspired the famous Hermes Birkin bag, died aged 76 on July 16. AFP
American musician Tony Bennett died on July 21 at the age of 96. Reuters
American musician Tony Bennett died on July 21 at the age of 96. Reuters
Acclaimed Irish singer Sinead O’Connor died at the age of 56 on July 26. Sarah Dea / The National
Acclaimed Irish singer Sinead O’Connor died at the age of 56 on July 26. Sarah Dea / The National
Matthew Perry, one of the stars of TV sitcom Friends, died on October 28 aged 54. AFP
Matthew Perry, one of the stars of TV sitcom Friends, died on October 28 aged 54. AFP
Former US first lady Rosalynn Carter died at the age of 96 on November 19. AP
Former US first lady Rosalynn Carter died at the age of 96 on November 19. AP
South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun, best known for his role in Parasite, died on December 27 aged 48. Reuters
South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun, best known for his role in Parasite, died on December 27 aged 48. Reuters
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MATCH INFO

Newcastle United 1 (Carroll 82')

Leicester City 2 (Maddison 55', Tielemans 72')

Man of the match James Maddison (Leicester)

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On Women's Day
The specs: 2019 Mini Cooper

Price, base: Dh141,740 (three-door) / Dh165,900 (five-door)
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder (Cooper) / 2.0-litre four-cylinder (Cooper S)
Power: 136hp @ 4,500rpm (Cooper) / 192hp @ 5,000rpm (Cooper S)
Torque: 220Nm @ 1,480rpm (Cooper) / 280Nm @ 1,350rpm (Cooper S)
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 4.8L to 5.4L / 100km

%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4-litre%20twin-turbo%20V8%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E470hp%2C%20338kW%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20620Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh491%2C500%20(estimate)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
About Proto21

Date started: May 2018
Founder: Pir Arkam
Based: Dubai
Sector: Additive manufacturing (aka, 3D printing)
Staff: 18
Funding: Invested, supported and partnered by Joseph Group

OPINIONS ON PALESTINE & ISRAEL
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3EFounder%3A%20Hani%20Abu%20Ghazaleh%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Abu%20Dhabi%2C%20with%20an%20office%20in%20Montreal%3Cbr%3EFounded%3A%202018%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20Virtual%20Reality%3Cbr%3EInvestment%20raised%3A%20%241.2%20million%2C%20and%20nearing%20close%20of%20%245%20million%20new%20funding%20round%3Cbr%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%2012%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Palestine and Israel
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Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

%3Cp%3EMATA%0D%3Cbr%3EArtist%3A%20M.I.A%0D%3Cbr%3ELabel%3A%20Island%0D%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Transgender report
SHAITTAN
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EVikas%20Bahl%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAjay%20Devgn%2C%20R.%20Madhavan%2C%20Jyothika%2C%20Janaki%20Bodiwala%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
How to improve Arabic reading in early years

One 45-minute class per week in Standard Arabic is not sufficient

The goal should be for grade 1 and 2 students to become fluent readers

Subjects like technology, social studies, science can be taught in later grades

Grade 1 curricula should include oral instruction in Standard Arabic

First graders must regularly practice individual letters and combinations

Time should be slotted in class to read longer passages in early grades

Improve the appearance of textbooks

Revision of curriculum should be undertaken as per research findings

Conjugations of most common verb forms should be taught

Systematic learning of Standard Arabic grammar

Russia's Muslim Heartlands

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Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.

When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.

How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
The specs

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Transmission: seven-speed auto

Power: 420 bhp

Torque: 624Nm

Price: from Dh293,200

On sale: now

The biog

Hometown: Cairo

Age: 37

Favourite TV series: The Handmaid’s Tale, Black Mirror

Favourite anime series: Death Note, One Piece and Hellsing

Favourite book: Designing Brand Identity, Fifth Edition

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The flights
There are various ways of getting to the southern Serengeti in Tanzania from the UAE. The exact route and airstrip depends on your overall trip itinerary and which camp you’re staying at. 
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Kilimanjaro International Airport from Dh1,350 return, including taxes; this can be followed by a short flight from Kilimanjaro to the Serengeti with Coastal Aviation from about US$700 (Dh2,500) return, including taxes. Kenya Airways, Emirates and Etihad offer flights via Nairobi or Dar es Salaam.   

THE%20SPECS
%3Cp%3EEngine%3A%203-litre%20V6%20turbo%20(standard%20model%2C%20E-hybrid)%3B%204-litre%20V8%20biturbo%20(S)%0D%3Cbr%3EPower%3A%20350hp%20(standard)%3B%20463hp%20(E-hybrid)%3B%20467hp%20(S)%0D%3Cbr%3ETorque%3A%20500Nm%20(standard)%3B%20650Nm%20(E-hybrid)%3B%20600Nm%20(S)%0D%0D%3Cbr%3EPrice%3A%20From%20Dh368%2C500%0D%3Cbr%3EOn%20sale%3A%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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Tuan Phan of SimplyFI.org lists five signs you have been mis-sold to:

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3. You have also been sold investment funds with an upfront initial charge of around 5 per cent. ETFs, for example, have no upfront charges.

4. The adviser charges a 1 per cent charge for managing your assets. They are being paid for doing nothing. They have already claimed massive amounts in hidden upfront commission.

5. Total annual management cost for your pension account is 2 per cent or more, including platform, underlying fund and advice charges.

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Klipit%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202022%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Venkat%20Reddy%2C%20Mohammed%20Al%20Bulooki%2C%20Bilal%20Merchant%2C%20Asif%20Ahmed%2C%20Ovais%20Merchant%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Digital%20receipts%2C%20finance%2C%20blockchain%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%244%20million%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Privately%2Fself-funded%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million

On Women's Day
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BIO:
Born in RAK on December 9, 1983
Lives in Abu Dhabi with her family
She graduated from Emirates University in 2007 with a BA in architectural engineering
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Her ambition is to spread UAE’s culture of love and acceptance through serving coffee, the country’s traditional coffee in particular.

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  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
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