Located north-east of Damascus, Palmyra contains the ruins of a city that was once an important cultural centre of the ancient world.
Located north-east of Damascus, Palmyra contains the ruins of a city that was once an important cultural centre of the ancient world.
Located north-east of Damascus, Palmyra contains the ruins of a city that was once an important cultural centre of the ancient world.
Located north-east of Damascus, Palmyra contains the ruins of a city that was once an important cultural centre of the ancient world.

Before and after: What endangered Unesco sites would look like if perfectly preserved


Janice Rodrigues
  • English
  • Arabic

Ever visited a historic landmark and wondered what it would have looked like in its heyday? Now, thanks to the wonders of modern technology, you can actually get a glimpse of what some ruined and endangered Unesco World Heritage Sites would be like if they had been perfectly preserved.

The project is part of a series of campaigns released by the Budget Direct Travel Insurance team, in a bid to breathe new life into cultural heritage sites that Unesco has categorised as "in danger".

The Budget Direct team started by researching the 53 sites on the list, then selected locations that were man-made and had some elements remaining.

They decided not to include natural sites, nor sites for which accurate historical and design information was unavailable. The team collaborated with architect Jelena Popovic throughout the research stage of this project.

Considering the fact that World Heritage Sites exist under constant threat of degradation and destruction, the project gives viewers a look at cultural landmarks as never seen before. And, since it’s all virtual, you can “visit” these sites without leaving your house.

Here’s a look at the landmarks they’ve chosen to recreate:

Hatra, Iraq

This ancient city is located in the Nineveh governorate in present-day Iraq.

Hatra was a large fortified city that flourished under the Parthian empire. The fortress is believed to have been built between the 2nd and 3rd century BC.

It features high, thick walls reinforced by towers, and inner and outer walls; numerous sculptures and statues have also been discovered in the city.

Its ruins were discovered in the 19th century, and it was added to Unesco’s endangered list in 2015.

Leptis Magna, Libya

Expanded and embellished by Roman emperor Septimius Severus, who was born there, Leptis Magna was considered one of the most beautiful cities of the Roman Empire.

One of the ancient city’s main attractions was its theatre, which was dug into a low hill, and incorporated additional stands, built with natural stone and concrete. The site also featured a harbour, public monuments, a marketplace and residential districts.

Its ruins are located within Libya, 130 kilometres east of Tripoli.

Palmyra, Syria

Located north-east of Damascus, Palmyra contains the ruins of a city that was once an important cultural centre of the ancient world. It features art and architecture that married Greco-Roman techniques with local elements, with structures including the Roman Theatre at Palmyra, Palmyra Castle and a senate building.

During the height of the Syrian civil war, parts of the ancient city were destroyed. Today, work is being done to preserve the city.

Portobelo-San Lorenzo Fortifications, Panama

Located along the Caribbean coastline of the Colon Province in Panama, these military constructions were built by the Spanish Empire in the 17th and 18th century to protect transatlantic trade.

It was inscribed by Unesco in 1980 as a World Heritage Site because of its military architecture.

Nan Madol, Federated States of Micronesia

Built in the 8th or 9th century, Nan Madol is an ancient “city on water”. It features a series of more than 100 islets – made using stone and coral platforms – linked by a network of canals.

These ruins represent the ceremonial centre of the Saudeleur dynasty, a vibrant period in Pacific Island culture. The site features stone palaces, tombs, homes and more spread over 81 hectares of Pohnpei's mangrove-covered shore.

It is included on the list of World Heritage in Danger due to threats, notably its exposure to the elements and the siltation of the waterways.

ABU DHABI TRIATHLON

For more information, and to enter the race, please visit www.abudhabi.triathlon.org.

While you're here
Gothia Cup 2025

4,872 matches 

1,942 teams

116 pitches

76 nations

26 UAE teams

15 Lebanese teams

2 Kuwaiti teams

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 

A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
  • 2018: Formal work begins
  • November 2021: First 17 volumes launched 
  • November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
  • October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
  • November 2024: All 127 volumes completed
Disclaimer

Director: Alfonso Cuaron 

Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville 

Rating: 4/5

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FIGHT CARD

Bantamweight Hamza Bougamza (MAR) v Jalal Al Daaja (JOR)

Catchweight 67kg Mohamed El Mesbahi (MAR) v Fouad Mesdari (ALG)

Lighweight Abdullah Mohammed Ali (UAE) v Abdelhak Amhidra (MAR)

Catchweight 73kg Mostafa Ibrahim Radi (PAL) v Yazid Chouchane (ALG)

Middleweight Yousri Belgaroui (TUN) v Badreddine Diani (MAR)

Catchweight 78kg Rashed Dawood (UAE) v Adnan Bushashy (ALG)

Middleweight Sallaheddine Dekhissi (MAR) v Abdel Emam (EGY)

Catchweight 65kg Rachid Hazoume (MAR) v Yanis Ghemmouri (ALG)

Lighweight Mohammed Yahya (UAE) v Azouz Anwar (EGY)

Catchweight 79kg Omar Hussein (PAL) v Souhil Tahiri (ALG)

Middleweight Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Laid Zerhouni (ALG)

Poacher
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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm

Price: From Dh1,700,000

Available: Now

The specs

Engine: 5.0-litre supercharged V8

Transmission: Eight-speed auto

Power: 575bhp

Torque: 700Nm

Price: Dh554,000

On sale: now

Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea

The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%20turbocharged%204-cyl%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E8-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E300bhp%20(GT)%20330bhp%20(Modena)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E450Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDh299%2C000%20(GT)%2C%20Dh369%2C000%20(Modena)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
From Europe to the Middle East, economic success brings wealth - and lifestyle diseases

A rise in obesity figures and the need for more public spending is a familiar trend in the developing world as western lifestyles are adopted.

One in five deaths around the world is now caused by bad diet, with obesity the fastest growing global risk. A high body mass index is also the top cause of metabolic diseases relating to death and disability in Kuwait,  Qatar and Oman – and second on the list in Bahrain.

In Britain, heart disease, lung cancer and Alzheimer’s remain among the leading causes of death, and people there are spending more time suffering from health problems.

The UK is expected to spend $421.4 billion on healthcare by 2040, up from $239.3 billion in 2014.

And development assistance for health is talking about the financial aid given to governments to support social, environmental development of developing countries.

 

Results

Stage Two:

1. Mark Cavendish (GBR) QuickStep-AlphaVinyl 04:20:45

2. Jasper Philipsen (BEL) Alpecin-Fenix

3. Pascal Ackermann (GER) UAE Team Emirates

4. Olav Kooij (NED) Jumbo-Visma

5. Arnaud Demare (FRA) Groupama-FDJ

General Classification:

1. Jasper Philipsen (BEL) Alpecin-Fenix 09:03:03

2. Dmitry Strakhov (RUS) Gazprom-Rusvelo 00:00:04

3. Mark Cavendish (GBR) QuickStep-AlphaVinyl 00:00:06

4. Sam Bennett (IRL) Bora-Hansgrohe 00:00:10

5. Pascal Ackermann (GER) UAE Team Emirates 00:00:12

Star%20Wars%3A%20Episode%20I%20%E2%80%93%20The%20Phantom%20Menace
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How%20champions%20are%20made
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SECRET%20INVASION
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Grand Slam Los Angeles results

Men:
56kg – Jorge Nakamura
62kg – Joao Gabriel de Sousa
69kg – Gianni Grippo
77kg – Caio Soares
85kg – Manuel Ribamar
94kg – Gustavo Batista
110kg – Erberth Santos

Women:
49kg – Mayssa Bastos
55kg – Nathalie Ribeiro
62kg – Gabrielle McComb
70kg – Thamara Silva
90kg – Gabrieli Pessanha

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
SOUTH%20KOREA%20SQUAD
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BRAZIL SQUAD

Alisson (Liverpool), Daniel Fuzato (Roma), Ederson (Man City); Alex Sandro (Juventus), Danilo (Juventus), Eder Militao (Real Madrid), Emerson (Real Betis), Felipe (Atletico Madrid), Marquinhos (PSG), Renan Lodi (Atletico Madrid), Thiago Silva (PSG); Arthur (Barcelona), Casemiro (Real Madrid), Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa), Fabinho (Liverpool), Lucas Paqueta (AC Milan), Philippe Coutinho (Bayern Munich); David Neres (Ajax), Gabriel Jesus (Man City), Richarlison (Everton), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Willian (Chelsea).

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ovo's tips to find extra heat
  • Open your curtains when it’s sunny 
  • Keep your oven open after cooking  
  • Have a cuddle with pets and loved ones to help stay cosy 
  • Eat ginger but avoid chilli as it makes you sweat 
  • Put on extra layers  
  • Do a few star jumps  
  • Avoid alcohol   
Cinco in numbers

Dh3.7 million

The estimated cost of Victoria Swarovski’s gem-encrusted Michael Cinco wedding gown

46

The number, in kilograms, that Swarovski’s wedding gown weighed.

1,000

The hours it took to create Cinco’s vermillion petal gown, as seen in his atelier [note, is the one he’s playing with in the corner of a room]

50

How many looks Cinco has created in a new collection to celebrate Ballet Philippines’ 50th birthday

3,000

The hours needed to create the butterfly gown worn by Aishwarya Rai to the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.

1.1 million

The number of followers that Michael Cinco’s Instagram account has garnered.

BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES

SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities

Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails

Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies

Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments