Ask anyone around the world what they know about the UAE and it's likely that people will talk about the sky-high buildings, luxury hotels and love of the finer things in life.
One photographer in Dubai is trying to change that perception by travelling around the country capturing stunning shots of the Emirates' natural resources.
Florian Kriechbaumer has been a photographer for 15 years. After first moving to Dubai from Germany in 2007, he got his hands on his first drone around eight years ago.
The Dubai resident decided to shoot a series capturing the country's untouched landscapes "because I believe the natural beauty of the UAE is often undervalued among residents, as well as tourists and the media covering the country."
"While we all appreciate the amazing cityscapes we have the pleasure to live in, I personally find the variety of landscapes that you can explore in a radius of less than 100 kilometres is equally astonishing."
Desert-dusted Dubai roads and craggy Sharjah wadis
And astonishing is the right word.
The photographs capture a new perspective of landscapes across almost every emirate including Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain and Abu Dhabi.
From Ramhan Island in the capital to Al Zowair in Umm Al Quwain or Wadis Shis in Sharjah, the bright colours, shapes and textures of the aerial photography could almost be a series of abstract paintings.
In Abu Dhabi, drone footage from Saadiyat Island captures the impressive magnitude of the ocean. A shot from Umm Al Quwain showcases the intricate natural network between mangroves, shoreline and sea in the emirate's wetlands. The abandoned village of Al Madam in Sharjah is also seen from a new perspective, its grain-covered buildings being swallowed by the sands of time. Another image of Dubai's Al Awir beautifully captures a landscape transformed by human intervention.
Drone photography in the UAE
Budding photographers inspired by Kriechbaumer's series who want to get out there and shoot shouldn't find it too difficult to get started.
"The UAE has put in place very clear and easy to follow rules for drone photography, with an online registration process on the DCAA and GCAA websites, and in the case of Dubai, a training course requirement," he explains.
He recommends tools such as Google Maps and the UAE's My Drone Hub app to explore and plan potentially interesting compositions, and identify where footage can be best captured without violating any rules.
One thing that Kriechbaumer takes seriously is the need for photographers, and others, to be considerate of the natural environment.
"Too many times I have seen rubbish left around these amazing places, damage to flora, and impact on local fauna, which is truly saddening."
For that reason, he doesn't typically publicise the location where he shoots. Now that he's revealed some of these details in this story, he is asking fellow photographers to follow a simple request.
"My humble request is that anyone visiting these places makes an effort to maintain them, so they remain as stunning as they are now."
What is hepatitis?
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, which can lead to fibrosis (scarring), cirrhosis or liver cancer.
There are 5 main hepatitis viruses, referred to as types A, B, C, D and E.
Hepatitis C is mostly transmitted through exposure to infective blood. This can occur through blood transfusions, contaminated injections during medical procedures, and through injecting drugs. Sexual transmission is also possible, but is much less common.
People infected with hepatitis C experience few or no symptoms, meaning they can live with the virus for years without being diagnosed. This delay in treatment can increase the risk of significant liver damage.
There are an estimated 170 million carriers of Hepatitis C around the world.
The virus causes approximately 399,000 fatalities each year worldwide, according to WHO.
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What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
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Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
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Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
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SPECS
Engine: 4-litre V8 twin-turbo
Power: 630hp
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: 8-speed Tiptronic automatic
Price: From Dh599,000
On sale: Now
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Kathryn Hawkes of House of Hawkes on being a good guest (because we’ve all had bad ones)
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The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
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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
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
The%20specs%20
Fund-raising tips for start-ups
Develop an innovative business concept
Have the ability to differentiate yourself from competitors
Put in place a business continuity plan after Covid-19
Prepare for the worst-case scenario (further lockdowns, long wait for a vaccine, etc.)
Have enough cash to stay afloat for the next 12 to 18 months
Be creative and innovative to reduce expenses
Be prepared to use Covid-19 as an opportunity for your business
* Tips from Jassim Al Marzooqi and Walid Hanna
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RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,200m
Winner: Shafaf, Sam Hitchcott (jockey), Ahmed Al Mehairbi (trainer)
5,30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,200m
Winner: Noof KB, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: The President’s Cup Listed (TB) Dh380,000 1,400m
Winner: Taamol, Jim Crowley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
6.30pm: The President’s Cup Group One (PA) Dh2,500,000 2,200m
Winner: Rmmas, Tadhg O’Shea, Jean de Roualle
7pm: Arabian Triple Crown Listed (PA) Dh230,000 1,600m
Winner: Ihtesham, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: AF Mekhbat, Antonio Fresu, Ernst Oertel
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
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How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
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Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
