The Galleria Al Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi is playing host to an exclusive collaboration – the Beirut POP UP concept store.
Created through a partnership between the Lebanese Business Council in Abu Dhabi and Bhebak Ya Lebnan, a collective supporting Lebanese designers, Beirut POP UP brings together scores of small, artisanal brands to help those affected by the Beirut blast of August 4, 2020.
Featuring the work of more than 50 Lebanese creatives, as well as 10 Emirati designers, you'll find fashion, jewellery and even accessories in this unique three-month pop-up. Open daily, it will run until the beginning of April.
Located on the third floor of the mall, visitors have the chance to snap up jewellery, such as the delicate filigree gold work of Nada Zeineh, or pieces by silversmith Sahar Bash, with tiny silver pendants on barely there chains. Those who prefer their jewellery to make more of a statement should look for the bold, asymmetric designs of Zena Baroudi Jewellery, while Maggie Baroud’s line is bang on trend with chunky chain necklaces.
Fashion brands include Marie-France Younane (look for her fabulous sequin cyprus tree designs) as well as the snappy city separates of Purple Wolf.
For something a little more dressy, head to Designers Empire for dresses trimmed with marabou feathers, while the modern graffiti-style embroidery of Jujule Lemonie (across the back of swing jackets) is nothing short of wonderful.
Those craving simplicity should look out for the understated tailoring of Emirati brands Blanc and Shatha Essa.
There are accessories, too, including pieces by Sarah's Bag, cute leather pouches by Kleyn that are just big enough to carry hand sanitiser in, while L'Artisan du Liban will bring its array of handmade artisanal products to the pop-up.
The latter, which works with craftspeople across Lebanon, will offer items such as grain sacks made into one-off bags, beaten copper coffee cups and patchwork table runners.
The Emirati names taking part, meanwhile, have each created designs especially for the pop-up.
Beirut POP UP, third floor, The Galleria Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi; open Saturdays to Wednesdays, 10am-10pm, Thursdays and Fridays, 10am-12am; www.thegalleria.ae
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
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
Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015
- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany
- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people
- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed
- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest
- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
