Whether hidden underground, as with the Ruby Falls in Tennessee, or acting as a dramatic border between countries, such as the Victoria, Niagara, Iguazu or Ban Gioc Falls, waterfalls are a sight to behold, and a humbling reminder of the immense, unstoppable power of water. Here are 10 of the best.
Victoria Falls, Zambia / Zimbabwe
Forming the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls was dubbed Mosi-oa-Tunya, or "the smoke that thunders”, by the Kololo tribe, which inhabited the area surrounding this natural wonder in the 1800s. Almost two kilometres wide, with up to 500 million litres of water descending every minute, it is the largest curtain of falling water in the world, emitting columns of spray that can be seen up to 20 kilometres away as it drops into a gorge more than 100 metres below. Running parallel to the falls and adding to their jaw-dropping beauty is another sheer wall of basalt, which rises to the same height and is covered in verdant rainforest.
Angel Falls, Venezuela
The majestic Angel Falls was named after James Angel, an American pilot, who became the first aviator to fly over it in 1933. His story of a “mile-high waterfall” quickly spread, but the natural phenomenon was not officially measured until 1949. It has since garnered two Guinness World Records, establishing it as the world’s highest waterfall. It is 979 metres tall, with a single uninterrupted drop of 807 metres and a further 172 metres of steep cascades and smaller drops. It is found in the Canaima National Park, in south-eastern Venezuela's Bolivar state, and has earned Unesco World Heritage status.
Niagara Falls, Canada
Perhaps the most famous of the world’s big waterfalls, Niagara spans the border between Ontario, Canada and New York in the US. It consists of three separate sections, Horseshoe Falls, which is the largest, American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls. As well as being a popular tourist attraction on both sides of the border, the rapids are an important source of hydroelectric power. Contrary to popular belief, Niagara does not even count among the top 50 tallest waterfalls in the world, but it is remarkable for its combined height, 670 metres, and the volume of water, 168 million litres, going over every minute.
Ruby Falls, Tennessee, US
You’ll have to head into the heart of Tennessee’s Lookout Mountain to see Ruby Falls, the tallest and deepest underground falls currently accessible to the public in the US. Visitors descend 80 metres in a glass lift before following a cavern trail to the thundering cascade, which descends 45 metres down a vertical shaft. The watery attraction was found by accident in 1928, when a cave explorer, Leo Lambert, took an unexpected journey into the mountain. He named his discovery after his wife.
Sutherland Falls, New Zealand
Sutherland Falls consists of a series of three cataracts on Arthur River in New Zealand’s South Island. Located within the Fiordland National Park, the falls are fed by water from the snow-fed Lake Quill. With a total drop of 580 metres, it makes a cameo in Peter Jackson’s Hobbit trilogy.
Skogafoss, Iceland
Legend has it that a Viking named Thrasi hid his plundered gold under Iceland’s Skogafoss falls, but it has yet to be discovered. A two-hour drive from Reykjavik, the falls are worth visiting even if there is no bounty to be found. Standing about 60 metres tall and fed by the Eyjafjallajokull and Myrdalsjokull glaciers, Skogafos produces such a dense amount of spray that single or double rainbows are visible around the attraction on most sunny days. Visitors who brave the 370 steps leading to the top of the fall will be greeted by stunning views of Iceland’s southern coastline.
Yosemite Falls, US
Yosemite Falls is one of the most popular attractions in California’s famed Yosemite National Park. The snow-fed waterfalls were formed by creeks descending into the Yosemite Valley and consist of three drops. The Upper Yosemite Fall descends 436 metres, while the Lower Yosemite Fall drops 98 metres, with a series of smaller cascades in between. The combined drop is 730 metres, creating one of the highest waterfalls in the world. It generally flows from November to July, peaking in May.
Ban Gioc, China / Vietnam
Straddling China and Vietnam, Ban Gioc is the collective name for a series of waterfalls on the Quay Son river. Part of the Unesco-recognised Non Nuoc Cao Bang geopark, water flows down a series of tiered cliffs in a striking semicircular formation, flanked by verdant forest. The waterfalls are at their most impressive during Vietnam’s wet season, between June and September.
Iguazu Falls, Argentina / Brazil
“My poor Niagara” is what former US first lady Eleanor Roosevelt is reported to have said when first faced with the majesty of the Iguazu Falls. It is true that, at 82 metres high and 2,700 metres wide, with 275 drops, Iguazu does dwarf its North American counterpart. The falls are shared by Argentina and Brazil and were granted Unesco World Heritage status in 1984.
Kaieteur Falls, Guyana
The Kaieteur Falls make an awe-inspiring 226-metre sheer drop off the edge of a sandstone plateau before falling through a 25-metre gorge. Located in west-central Guyana on the Potaro River, they are the central feature of the Kaieteur National Park, and among the world’s tallest and most powerful waterfalls.
Sunday:
GP3 race: 12:10pm
Formula 2 race: 1:35pm
Formula 1 race: 5:10pm
Performance: Guns N' Roses
Sarfira
Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal
Rating: 2/5
RACE CARD
6.30pm: Madjani Stakes Group 2 (PA) Dh97,500 (Dirt) 1,900m
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,400m
7.40pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 2,200m
8.50pm: Dubai Creek Mile Listed (TB) Dh132,500 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm: Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (D) 1,900m
10pm: Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (D) 1,400m
WORLD'S%2010%20HIGHEST%20MOUNTAINS
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From exhibitions to the battlefield
In 2016, the Shaded Dome was awarded with the 'De Vernufteling' people's choice award, an annual prize by the Dutch Association of Consulting Engineers and the Royal Netherlands Society of Engineers for the most innovative project by a Dutch engineering firm.
It was assigned by the Dutch Ministry of Defence to modify the Shaded Dome to make it suitable for ballistic protection. Royal HaskoningDHV, one of the companies which designed the dome, is an independent international engineering and project management consultancy, leading the way in sustainable development and innovation.
It is driving positive change through innovation and technology, helping use resources more efficiently.
It aims to minimise the impact on the environment by leading by example in its projects in sustainable development and innovation, to become part of the solution to a more sustainable society now and into the future.
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
BULKWHIZ PROFILE
Date started: February 2017
Founders: Amira Rashad (CEO), Yusuf Saber (CTO), Mahmoud Sayedahmed (adviser), Reda Bouraoui (adviser)
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: E-commerce
Size: 50 employees
Funding: approximately $6m
Investors: Beco Capital, Enabling Future and Wain in the UAE; China's MSA Capital; 500 Startups; Faith Capital and Savour Ventures in Kuwait
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PROVISIONAL FIXTURE LIST
Premier League
Wednesday, June 17 (Kick-offs uae times) Aston Villa v Sheffield United 9pm; Manchester City v Arsenal 11pm
Friday, June 19 Norwich v Southampton 9pm; Tottenham v Manchester United 11pm
Saturday, June 20 Watford v Leicester 3.30pm; Brighton v Arsenal 6pm; West Ham v Wolves 8.30pm; Bournemouth v Crystal Palace 10.45pm
Sunday, June 21 Newcastle v Sheffield United 2pm; Aston Villa v Chelsea 7.30pm; Everton v Liverpool 10pm
Monday, June 22 Manchester City v Burnley 11pm (Sky)
Tuesday, June 23 Southampton v Arsenal 9pm; Tottenham v West Ham 11.15pm
Wednesday, June 24 Manchester United v Sheffield United 9pm; Newcastle v Aston Villa 9pm; Norwich v Everton 9pm; Liverpool v Crystal Palace 11.15pm
Thursday, June 25 Burnley v Watford 9pm; Leicester v Brighton 9pm; Chelsea v Manchester City 11.15pm; Wolves v Bournemouth 11.15pm
Sunday June 28 Aston Villa vs Wolves 3pm; Watford vs Southampton 7.30pm
Monday June 29 Crystal Palace vs Burnley 11pm
Tuesday June 30 Brighton vs Manchester United 9pm; Sheffield United vs Tottenham 11.15pm
Wednesday July 1 Bournemouth vs Newcastle 9pm; Everton vs Leicester 9pm; West Ham vs Chelsea 11.15pm
Thursday July 2 Arsenal vs Norwich 9pm; Manchester City vs Liverpool 11.15pm
THE BIO
Age: 33
Favourite quote: “If you’re going through hell, keep going” Winston Churchill
Favourite breed of dog: All of them. I can’t possibly pick a favourite.
Favourite place in the UAE: The Stray Dogs Centre in Umm Al Quwain. It sounds predictable, but it honestly is my favourite place to spend time. Surrounded by hundreds of dogs that love you - what could possibly be better than that?
Favourite colour: All the colours that dogs come in
Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
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Company%20Profile
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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
RESULT
Arsenal 0 Chelsea 3
Chelsea: Willian (40'), Batshuayi (42', 49')
Like a Fading Shadow
Antonio Muñoz Molina
Translated from the Spanish by Camilo A. Ramirez
Tuskar Rock Press (pp. 310)
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RESULT
West Brom 2 Liverpool 2
West Brom: Livermore (79'), Rondón (88' )
Liverpool: Ings (4'), Salah (72')
Yahya Al Ghassani's bio
Date of birth: April 18, 1998
Playing position: Winger
Clubs: 2015-2017 – Al Ahli Dubai; March-June 2018 – Paris FC; August – Al Wahda
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
The lowdown
Badla
Rating: 2.5/5
Produced by: Red Chillies, Azure Entertainment
Director: Sujoy Ghosh
Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Taapsee Pannu, Amrita Singh, Tony Luke
Company profile
Name: Infinite8
Based: Dubai
Launch year: 2017
Number of employees: 90
Sector: Online gaming industry
Funding: $1.2m from a UAE angel investor
Karwaan
Producer: Ronnie Screwvala
Director: Akarsh Khurana
Starring: Irrfan Khan, Dulquer Salmaan, Mithila Palkar
Rating: 4/5
Muguruza's singles career in stats
WTA titles 3
Prize money US$11,128,219 (Dh40,873,133.82)
Wins / losses 293 / 149
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Abu%20Dhabi%E2%80%99s%20Racecard
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KEY HIGHLIGHTS
Healthcare spending to double to $2.2 trillion rupees
Launched a 641billion-rupee federal health scheme
Allotted 200 billion rupees for the recapitalisation of state-run banks
Around 1.75 trillion rupees allotted for privatisation and stake sales in state-owned assets
The biogs
Name: Zinah Madi
Occupation: Co-founder of Dots and links
Nationality: Syrian
Family: Married, Mother of Tala, 18, Sharif, 14, Kareem, 2
Favourite Quote: “There is only one way to succeed in anything, and that is to give it everything.”
Name: Razan Nabulsi
Occupation: Co-founder of Dots and Links
Nationality: Jordanian
Family: Married, Mother of Yahya, 3.5
Favourite Quote: A Chinese proverb that says: “Be not afraid of moving slowly, be afraid only of standing still.”
The five pillars of Islam
