The UAE's debut at the long-running Miss Universe pageant will shine a light on the country's spirit of tolerance and inclusivity, organisers tell The National.
Emilia Dobreva, a Kosovo-born model and long-time Dubai resident aged 27, will represent the UAE at the competition, now in its 73rd year. Mexico City is hosting the event, where more than 130 countries and territories are competing for the Miss Universe 2024 title this weekend.
“The UAE proudly supports a harmonious blend of backgrounds, where Emirati women lead the way with expat women in supportive roles,” says Poppy Capella, national director of Miss Universe UAE.
“Expatriates have played a significant role in the UAE’s development across diverse fields. Miss Universe UAE stands as a testament to this inclusivity, promoting women’s empowerment and equal opportunities regardless of nationality, age or background.”
Dobreva's selection last month raised a few eyebrows as title-holders are required to possess a valid passport from the country they represent, according to Miss Universe's director’s manual.
But, Capella says her organisation has adhered strictly to previously announced criteria established in 2021 for Miss Universe UAE.
In 2021, Paula M Shugart, then-president of the Miss Universe Organisation, announced in Dubai that the global competition would welcome a participant from the UAE for the first time. Women of all nationalities, between the ages of 18 and 28, were welcome to compete for Miss Universe UAE as long as they had been official residents of the country for at least three years.
“I could not be more pleased to welcome the first-ever representative from the UAE to our globally televised event in December,” Shugart said then. “The UAE is marking a very important time in its history, from the signing of the Abraham Accords, to hosting the World Expo, and there has never been a better time to shine a spotlight on the women residing in this country.”
While thousands of hopefuls applied to participate, the event was eventually cancelled, with no explanation provided by organisers at the time. Shugart also stepped down from her role last year.
While no similar events have been held in the UAE since 2021, Capella, an Indonesia entrepreneur, was named national director in September. Despite the limited time frame, Capella says she received more than 1,000 applicants, including 20 Emiratis, for Miss Universe UAE 2024.
Following a round of interviews and competitions, Dobreva was crowned the eventual winner.
“To answer why Emilia was chosen as Miss Universe UAE, despite not being an Emirati, it’s essential to understand the spirit of tolerance and inclusivity that defines the UAE,” says Capella. “The competition is open to any woman over the age of 18, allowing even an 80-year-old to step forward if she believes she can make a positive impact – not just within the UAE, but on a global stage.
“In this way, Miss Universe UAE represents the country's dedication to creating a platform for any woman who wishes to champion progress, embodying the UAE’s vision of unity in diversity.”
Dobreva, she adds, is a proud UAE resident, having lived in the country for more than a decade. “She's fluent in Arabic, she married to an Emirati and all her three children were born here,” says Capella. “She is also an experienced beauty queen, having previously won Miss Friendship International in 2019.”
This year's Miss Universe is set to be its most momentous yet, with many previous limitations for contestants being scrapped, including age, marital status and body type. Last year, for the first time, mothers were also allowed to participate.
Besides the UAE, Somalia and Uzbekistan are making their first appearances at Miss Universe, and Iran is sending a representative for the first time, under the title of Miss Universe Persia.
Dobreva is among six participants representing the Middle East, along with contestants from Egypt, Lebanon and Bahrain.
Capella believes Dobreva will represent the UAE in the best way possible, from her custom-made abaya, which will showcase the transformation of the UAE, to the burkini she will wear in the swimsuit round.
Dubai-based Lebanese designer Fadi Abi Nader has designed a special abaya for the national costume competition, which incorporates real sand from the UAE, while the evening dress gown is by Atelier Zuhra, founded in Dubai by Omani designer Mousa Al Awfi.
“Emilia's journey is being closely followed by many, and I hope she will make a significant impact at Miss Universe,” adds Capella. “She’s well prepared. She's loves this country and she’s been here for quite some time. She will represent the country very well.”
Aquaman%20and%20the%20Lost%20Kingdom
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
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The%20specs%3A%202024%20Mercedes%20E200
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
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Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylturbo
Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic
Power: 242bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Price: Dh136,814
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The specs
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Need to know
Unlike other mobile wallets and payment apps, a unique feature of eWallet is that there is no need to have a bank account, credit or debit card to do digital payments.
Customers only need a valid Emirates ID and a working UAE mobile number to register for eWallet account.
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How to get there
Emirates (www.emirates.com) flies directly to Hanoi, Vietnam, with fares starting from around Dh2,725 return, while Etihad (www.etihad.com) fares cost about Dh2,213 return with a stop. Chuong is 25 kilometres south of Hanoi.
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Director: Mahdi Fleifel
Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa
Rating: 4.5/5
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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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Northern Warriors v Team Abu Dhabi, 3.30pm
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Background: Chemical Weapons
Saudi National Day
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
IPL 2018 FINAL
Sunrisers Hyderabad 178-6 (20 ovs)
Chennai Super Kings 181-2 (18.3 ovs)
Chennai win by eight wickets
Key recommendations
- Fewer criminals put behind bars and more to serve sentences in the community, with short sentences scrapped and many inmates released earlier.
- Greater use of curfews and exclusion zones to deliver tougher supervision than ever on criminals.
- Explore wider powers for judges to punish offenders by blocking them from attending football matches, banning them from driving or travelling abroad through an expansion of ‘ancillary orders’.
- More Intensive Supervision Courts to tackle the root causes of crime such as alcohol and drug abuse – forcing repeat offenders to take part in tough treatment programmes or face prison.
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Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sept 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
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Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
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Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.
As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.
Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.
Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.
Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.
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Scorecard
Scotland 220
K Coetzer 95, J Siddique 3-49, R Mustafa 3-35
UAE 224-3 in 43,5 overs
C Suri 67, B Hameed 63 not out
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
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Company%20Profile
SUCCESSION%20SEASON%204%20EPISODE%201
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Cyber crime - This includes fraud, impersonation, scams and deepfake technology, tactics that are increasingly targeting infrastructure and exploiting human vulnerabilities.
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Cyber warfare - Shaped by geopolitical tension, hostile actors seek to infiltrate and compromise national infrastructure, using one country’s systems as a springboard to launch attacks on others.
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THE SPECS
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 258hp at 5,000-6,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm from 1,550-4,400rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.4L/100km
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Guide to intelligent investing
- Stay invested: Time in the market, not timing the market, is critical to long-term gains.
- Rational thinking: Breathe and avoid emotional decision-making; let logic and planning guide your actions.
- Strategic patience: Understand why you’re investing and allow time for your strategies to unfold.
