Camel beauty pageant champion lives on after scientists clone 11 calves

Two cloned camels took centre stage on day four of the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (Adihex) on Tuesday.

They are the cloned offspring of one of the most famous and valuable camels in history, Mabrokan, whose cells were used to successfully clone 11 calves in total. Before his death in 2010, Mabrokan won several beauty awards, which inspired the UAE’s Biotech Research Centre to freeze his cells.

On Tuesday, four years after their birth, two of his cloned offspring wowed audiences at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. They were not for sale, or on display during the exhibition’s camel auction, and instead there to showcase the research centre’s hard work.

Inside the UAE's multimillion dollar camel beauty pageants

The goal of the camel cloning project is to marry cultural history with innovation and preserve the most prized camels for future generations.

Visitors admire the cloned camels at Adihex. Victor Besa / The National

How significant is the camel auction?

Aside from the clones, the camel auction has so far fetched total sales of Dh1.7 million ($480,000), state news agency Wam reported. This follows total sales of Dh2.5 million at last year’s event. It featured young, purebred Arabian camels from prestigious bloodlines with detailed pedigree information.

Organised by Adnec with the Emirates Falconers’ Club, the exhibition is set to run until Sunday, September 7. This year’s is the largest such event yet, featuring an extensive programme of activities across 15 sectors.

It has undergone continuous growth, attracting more than two million visitors since its inauguration, with features such as eight falcon auctions – four held before Adihex and four during the exhibition. This year's event includes a falcon beauty contest, Arabian Saluki beauty contest and the most beautiful falcon hood and perch.

On Saturday, those in attendance told The National the event embodies some of the foundations of Emirati culture, activities and heritage that have not only survived for thousands of years, but provided a means of survival.

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.”

New UK refugee system

A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds

UAE currency

Business Insights

As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.