Ain Dubai observation wheel back in circulation


Panna Munyal
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More than two years after it shut for “periodic enhancements”, Ain Dubai observation wheel reopened to guests on Thursday, with the first ride at noon. Tickets are available from the attraction's official website for 2025 and beyond.

The National visited Bluewaters Island for the wheel's relaunch and saw visitors buying tickets as well as printing pre-booked tickets from kiosks. Food and drink vendors have also opened pop-ups on site, in addition to the restaurants surrounding Ain Dubai.

Guests are advised to arrive 30 minutes before their booking slot to complete the entry process, buy snacks and use the facilities before embarking on the 38-minute ride.

Construction on Ain Dubai began in May 2015, with the attraction opening in October 2021. At more than 250 metres tall – about twice the height of the London Eye wheel – it has 48 glass cabins, each able to carry up to 40 people.

Tickets and contact details

There are four ticket categories listed on the Ain Dubai website.

Visitors take a ride in Ain Dubai on December 26. Antonie Robertson / The National
Visitors take a ride in Ain Dubai on December 26. Antonie Robertson / The National

A shared cabin is from Dh145. For Dh195, you can get into a fast queue, plus snacks and drinks. A ticket with lounge access, priority check-in and drinks is from Dh265. A private pod, with an in-cabin menu, lounge access, drinks and a separate VIP entrance is Dh1,260.

Ain Dubai cabins

The type of cabin you enter depends on the experience you’ve booked. If it’s the shared observation cabin, you’ll find yourself in a spacious glass pod, with a simple white table in the centre. A private cabin comes with plush seats, all of which face outward for the best viewing opportunities, and a centre bar where staff can make and serve drinks.

All the cabins are air-conditioned.

A ride on Ain Dubai aside, the attraction also regularly hosts light and fireworks shows. AFP
A ride on Ain Dubai aside, the attraction also regularly hosts light and fireworks shows. AFP

Once the doors close, it’s all about standing back and admiring the view. The wheel moves slowly and smoothly, offering uninterrupted views of Bluewaters Island, Address Beach Resort, the Dubai coastline and Jumeirah Beach Residence.

When the pod is at the top of the wheel, you can see the outline of Palm Jumeirah, right down to Atlantis, The Palm on one end, while Burj Al Arab can be spotted in the distance.

The experience also vastly differs according to the time of visit, with sunset widely touted as the optimum slot. However, if you’re a shutterbug, we recommend going during the day to avoid reflections on the curved glass walls post-sundown.

Squid Game season two

Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk 

Stars:  Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun

Rating: 4.5/5

Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
  • Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

Getting there
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Tbilisi from Dh1,025 return including taxes

THE BIO

Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.

Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.

Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.

Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.

 

 

Pad Man

Dir: R Balki

Starring: Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor, Radhika Apte

Three-and-a-half stars

Company Profile

Founders: Tamara Hachem and Yazid Erman
Based: Dubai
Launched: September 2019
Sector: health technology
Stage: seed
Investors: Oman Technology Fund, angel investor and grants from Sharjah's Sheraa and Ma'an Abu Dhabi

Winners

Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)

Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)

TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski

Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)

Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)

Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea

Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona

Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)

Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)

Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)

Best National Team of the Year: Italy 

Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello

Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)

Player Career Award: Ronaldinho

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How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street

The seven points are:

Shakhbout bin Sultan Street

Dhafeer Street

Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)

Salama bint Butti Street

Al Dhafra Street

Rabdan Street

Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)

The Sand Castle

Director: Matty Brown

Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea

Rating: 2.5/5

HIJRA

Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy

Director: Shahad Ameen

Rating: 3/5

How to wear a kandura

Dos

  • Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion 
  • Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
  • Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work 
  • Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester

Don’ts 

  • Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal 
  • Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut

Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”

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UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

What sanctions would be reimposed?

Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:

  • An arms embargo
  • A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
  • A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
  • A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
  • Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
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Updated: December 26, 2024, 2:27 PM`