Latest: UAE revellers welcome New Year in style at spectacular displays
Dubai Police has set out its New Year's Eve safety plan, with thousands of officers on duty and a series of road closures in place hours before the clock strikes midnight.
Police said key routes in Downtown Dubai, including Al Asayel Street, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard and Burj Khalifa Street, will be sealed off from 4pm on Sunday as tens of thousands prepare to gather in the area for the annual Burj Khalifa fireworks display.
The Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station is to close at 5pm, or earlier if capacity is exceeded, police said.
The rest of the Metro's Green and Red lines will operate continuously for 40 hours from 8am on Sunday to help commuters travel across the city on one of the busiest periods of the year.
Dubai Media Office said on Thursday that Metro services would operate from 8am on New Year's Eve until 11.59pm on New Year's Day.
The Dubai Tram will be in service from 9am on New Year's Eve until 1am on Tuesday.
Metro and tram lines will then return to their standard timetables.
Taxi fares
For Hala taxis, surge pricing will be in effect for rides near firework celebrations, doubling the price of fares between 6pm on Sunday and 6am on Monday morning. A Dh20 ($5.45) starting fare will also be in effect in those areas.
The new flag fall rates for regular metered taxis and Hala Taxi services will also apply around main events including exhibitions and international conventions, and during major events in areas such as World Trade Centre, Expo City and Global Village.
Free public buses and additional parking will be available to help ensure the celebrations run smoothly.
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority is encouraging motorists to make an early start if they plan to find parking space close to the Burj Khalifa, which will allow them to drive home following the festivities.
More than 20,000 parking spaces will be available at Dubai Mall, Zabeel, Fountain View expansions and Boulevard lower parking spots.
Alternative parking areas will be available at Al Wasl Club and Al Jafiliya, where shuttlebuses will transport the public to and from the New Year's Eve festivities.
The RTA said that parking on Al Khail Road and Sheikh Zayed Road, in both directions, is prohibited.
Public buses will transport the public for free to Dubai Metro stations after the celebrations.
Maj Gen Abdullah Al Ghaithi, Dubai Police's assistant commander-in-chief of operations and chairman of the Events Security Committee, said comprehensive plans had been drawn up to bolster public safety.
“This year's logistic preparations have doubled, reflecting the increased number of tourists and local visitors,” Maj Gen Al Ghaithi said.
Polcie will have 10,000 officers at 32 firework display sites across Dubai, including Burj Khalifa, Global Village, Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Beach Hotel and Hatta.
About 950 civil defence personnel and 178 ambulances will be on standby throughout the evening.
“New to our preparations this year is installing 19 support tents across Dubai,” Maj Gen Al Ghaithi said.
The tents are equipped to handle lost and found reports and host civil defence, ambulance and police staff, as well as ushers to assist and direct crowds.
Tents have been set up in areas incudling Jumeirah, Al Mamzar, Al Seef Road, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, Kite Beach, JBR, Ain Dubai and The Point, in Palm Jumeirah. Temporary toilets and food trucks have also been set up to cater to families.
“This is to help reduce the need to walk far from celebration spots for basic amenities,” Maj Gen Al Ghaithi said.
He urged revellers to avoid carrying large bags, as these require searches, which can lead to delays.
Maj Gen Al Ghaithi called on the public to abide by the law to ensure a happy end to 2023. “I urge them to abide by laws and safety rules, especially avoiding taking pictures and videos while driving,” he said.
“To prevent congestion, the public is advised to leave early and not to leave children unattended.”
Large screens will be set up for blue-collar workers to view firework displays in Jebel Ali, Al Quoz, Al Qusais, Hor Al Anz, Al Satwa and Al Bidaa.
New Year's Eve road closures
*Al Asayel Street will be closed at 4pm
*Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard closure will close from 4pm
*Burj Khalifa Street will close from 4pm
*The Financial Centre Street lower deck will close from 4pm
*Al Mustaqbal Street will close from 4pm
*Al Sukook Street will be closed from 8pm
*Financial Centre Street upper deck will be closed from 9pm
New Year's Eve celebrations 2022 - in pictures
Who is Allegra Stratton?
- Previously worked at The Guardian, BBC’s Newsnight programme and ITV News
- Took up a public relations role for Chancellor Rishi Sunak in April 2020
- In October 2020 she was hired to lead No 10’s planned daily televised press briefings
- The idea was later scrapped and she was appointed spokeswoman for Cop26
- Ms Stratton, 41, is married to James Forsyth, the political editor of The Spectator
- She has strong connections to the Conservative establishment
- Mr Sunak served as best man at her 2011 wedding to Mr Forsyth
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Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
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Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
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
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
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A new relationship with the old country
Treaty of Friendship between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates
The United kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates; Considering that the United Arab Emirates has assumed full responsibility as a sovereign and independent State; Determined that the long-standing and traditional relations of close friendship and cooperation between their peoples shall continue; Desiring to give expression to this intention in the form of a Treaty Friendship; Have agreed as follows:
ARTICLE 1 The relations between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates shall be governed by a spirit of close friendship. In recognition of this, the Contracting Parties, conscious of their common interest in the peace and stability of the region, shall: (a) consult together on matters of mutual concern in time of need; (b) settle all their disputes by peaceful means in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.
ARTICLE 2 The Contracting Parties shall encourage education, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two States in accordance with arrangements to be agreed. Such arrangements shall cover among other things: (a) the promotion of mutual understanding of their respective cultures, civilisations and languages, the promotion of contacts among professional bodies, universities and cultural institutions; (c) the encouragement of technical, scientific and cultural exchanges.
ARTICLE 3 The Contracting Parties shall maintain the close relationship already existing between them in the field of trade and commerce. Representatives of the Contracting Parties shall meet from time to time to consider means by which such relations can be further developed and strengthened, including the possibility of concluding treaties or agreements on matters of mutual concern.
ARTICLE 4 This Treaty shall enter into force on today’s date and shall remain in force for a period of ten years. Unless twelve months before the expiry of the said period of ten years either Contracting Party shall have given notice to the other of its intention to terminate the Treaty, this Treaty shall remain in force thereafter until the expiry of twelve months from the date on which notice of such intention is given.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned have signed this Treaty.
DONE in duplicate at Dubai the second day of December 1971AD, corresponding to the fifteenth day of Shawwal 1391H, in the English and Arabic languages, both texts being equally authoritative.
Signed
Geoffrey Arthur Sheikh Zayed
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Naga
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THE BIO
Favourite place to go to in the UAE: The desert sand dunes, just after some rain
Who inspires you: Anybody with new and smart ideas, challenging questions, an open mind and a positive attitude
Where would you like to retire: Most probably in my home country, Hungary, but with frequent returns to the UAE
Favorite book: A book by Transilvanian author, Albert Wass, entitled ‘Sword and Reap’ (Kard es Kasza) - not really known internationally
Favourite subjects in school: Mathematics and science
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• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
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Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylturbo
Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic
Power: 242bhp
Torque: 370Nm
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