It hasn’t quite been the year we all hoped it would be, however, there are silver linings to be found. As most people spent more time at home than usual, many subsequently found time to explore new hobbies.
The gaming industry was one of the biggest winners to emerge from the pandemic, with people turning to their computers or gaming consoles to pass the time.
A number of new releases also helped push the industry to new heights, from anticipated titles such as Animal Crossing and Doom Eternal to the overnight success of Among Us and Fall Guys.
Here’s a look at the some of the best video games of 2020.
'Animal Crossing: New Horizons'
Released right at the start of the pandemic, this game proved an ideal distraction for those looking for a stress-free way of dealing with a stressful time.
In New Horizons, the cutesy villagers of Animal Crossing find themselves on a deserted island in this brand-new tale. For those unfamiliar with the series, players assume control of a character, which you can customise to your liking. You then perform tasks, meet new people and buy bigger and better homes. It's basically real life, except you're now an anthropomorphic animal.
There are a bunch of new features, as well. The in-game weather, for example, mirrors that of where you are in the world. And the ability to play with up to eight people simultaneously is enough to make you never want to leave the second life you live online.
'The Last of Us: Part II'
The Last of Us: Part II recently took home Game of the Year at The Game Awards. The highly anticipated sequel to 2013's The Last of Us puts the first game's protagonist, Joel, in the passenger seat as gamers play as young Ellie.
As a disease outbreak continues to pick off humanity one by one, the factions that have sprung up have become more brutal and desperate. Although once innocent, Ellie is fuelled by hate and is out for vengeance.
That intense feeling of having to fashion improvised weapons to overcome the odds is ramped up in this gripping survival-horror.
'Ghost of Tsushima'
Loosely based on the historic first Mongol invasion of Japan, this open-world exploration is all about the last samurai on the island of Tsushima.
It also promises to turn every encounter into an epic cinematic battle. Think sword fights under moonlight or going blade-to-blade with your enemy amongst the swirling grass.
Ghost of Tsushima also has a focus on stealth. So, instead of windmilling your sword into action at every opportunity, you can use the element of surprise to get the jump on your foes.
'Doom Eternal'
The Doom series returned with its latest release, Doom Eternal. Players once again take on the role of Doomguy, and through a first-person perspective must battle demonic creatures who have overtaken Earth, wiping out 60 per cent of the planet's population. The game is more gory and violent than Halo and it's a bit more hectic in its gameplay. However, for those who don't mind a change of pace, it's a good one to try while waiting for the next Halo instalment.
'Fall Guys'
This lighthearted battle royale game tasks players with competing against each other in rounds of obstacle-course-like puzzles. They range in difficulty and more players get eliminated each round until there's only one winner left. Fall Guys takes inspiration from game shows such as Takeshi's Castle and Wipeout, in which players need to use their skills such as jumping, grabbing, climbing and diving to win. Co-ordination and timing also play a pivotal role.
'Among Us'
Technically this game was released in 2018 but it didn't hit its stride until 2020, when the entire world seemed to discover it. Each game in Among Us can host between four to 10 players (the more, the better) and there are three different game maps to choose from, all of which are set in space.
Each player is a crewmate on the spaceship, but two are imposters whose main goal is to kill everyone else before being discovered. The crew can win the game if they finish their tasks or if they figure out who the imposters are and kick them off. The imposters can win if they kill everyone on board or get other players to vote off everyone else.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
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THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
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RESULTS
Catchweight 63.5kg: Shakriyor Juraev (UZB) beat Bahez Khoshnaw (IRQ). Round 3 TKO (body kick)
Lightweight: Nart Abida (JOR) beat Moussa Salih (MAR). Round 1 by rear naked choke
Catchweight 79kg: Laid Zerhouni (ALG) beat Ahmed Saeb (IRQ). Round 1 TKO (punches)
Catchweight 58kg: Omar Al Hussaini (UAE) beat Mohamed Sahabdeen (SLA) Round 1 rear naked choke
Flyweight: Lina Fayyad (JOR) beat Sophia Haddouche (ALG) Round 2 TKO (ground and pound)
Catchweight 80kg: Badreddine Diani (MAR) beat Sofiane Aïssaoui (ALG) Round 2 TKO
Flyweight: Sabriye Sengul (TUR) beat Mona Ftouhi (TUN). Unanimous decision
Middleweight: Kher Khalifa Eshoushan (LIB) beat Essa Basem (JOR). Round 1 rear naked choke
Heavyweight: Mohamed Jumaa (SUD) beat Hassen Rahat (MAR). Round 1 TKO (ground and pound)
Lightweight: Abdullah Mohammad Ali Musalim (UAE beat Omar Emad (EGY). Round 1 triangle choke
Catchweight 62kg: Ali Taleb (IRQ) beat Mohamed El Mesbahi (MAR). Round 2 KO
Catchweight 88kg: Mohamad Osseili (LEB) beat Samir Zaidi (COM). Unanimous decision
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
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
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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The Bio
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Favourite place to relax in UAE: the desert around Al Mleiha in Sharjah or the eastern mangroves in Abu Dhabi
The one book everyone should read: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It will make your mind fly
Favourite documentary: Chasing Coral by Jeff Orlowski. It's a good reality check about one of the most valued ecosystems for humanity
Awar Qalb
Director: Jamal Salem
Starring: Abdulla Zaid, Joma Ali, Neven Madi and Khadija Sleiman
Two stars
Graduated from the American University of Sharjah
She is the eldest of three brothers and two sisters
Has helped solve 15 cases of electric shocks
Enjoys travelling, reading and horse riding
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Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
Heather, the Totality
Matthew Weiner,
Canongate
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
TEAMS
EUROPE:
Justin Rose, Francesco Molinari, Tyrrell Hatton, Tommy Fleetwood, Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, Alex Noren, Thorbjorn Olesen, Paul Casey, Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, Henrik Stenson
USA:
Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas, Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Bubba Watson, Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Webb Simpson, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau ( 1 TBC)
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David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
Pad Man
Dir: R Balki
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor, Radhika Apte
Three-and-a-half stars
More from Aya Iskandarani
Babumoshai Bandookbaaz
Director: Kushan Nandy
Starring: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Bidita Bag, Jatin Goswami
Three stars
Notable salonnières of the Middle East through history
Al Khasan (Okaz, Saudi Arabia)
Tamadir bint Amr Al Harith, known simply as Al Khasan, was a poet from Najd famed for elegies, earning great renown for the eulogy of her brothers Mu’awiyah and Sakhr, both killed in tribal wars. Although not a salonnière, this prestigious 7th century poet fostered a culture of literary criticism and could be found standing in the souq of Okaz and reciting her poetry, publicly pronouncing her views and inviting others to join in the debate on scholarship. She later converted to Islam.
Maryana Marrash (Aleppo)
A poet and writer, Marrash helped revive the tradition of the salon and was an active part of the Nadha movement, or Arab Renaissance. Born to an established family in Aleppo in Ottoman Syria in 1848, Marrash was educated at missionary schools in Aleppo and Beirut at a time when many women did not receive an education. After touring Europe, she began to host salons where writers played chess and cards, competed in the art of poetry, and discussed literature and politics. An accomplished singer and canon player, music and dancing were a part of these evenings.
Princess Nazil Fadil (Cairo)
Princess Nazil Fadil gathered religious, literary and political elite together at her Cairo palace, although she stopped short of inviting women. The princess, a niece of Khedive Ismail, believed that Egypt’s situation could only be solved through education and she donated her own property to help fund the first modern Egyptian University in Cairo.
Mayy Ziyadah (Cairo)
Ziyadah was the first to entertain both men and women at her Cairo salon, founded in 1913. The writer, poet, public speaker and critic, her writing explored language, religious identity, language, nationalism and hierarchy. Born in Nazareth, Palestine, to a Lebanese father and Palestinian mother, her salon was open to different social classes and earned comparisons with souq of where Al Khansa herself once recited.
