ABU DHABI // As this newspaper prepares to mark its seventh anniversary next week, visitors to the Corniche were treated to a special picnic on Friday.
On a stretch of the beach, people stopped by to escape the heat, enjoy some refreshments, and lounge on beanbags while chatting with the paper’s editors and writers.
There were also a number of presentations, including one where the Editor-in-Chief, Mohammed Al Otaiba, was interviewed by chief columnist Faisal Al Yafai on the role of the newspaper and the media landscape in the country.
In explaining the ethos behind The National's editorial policy, Mr Al Otaiba said: "We choose stories that are most important to our readers. We tell the story of the UAE, and we are integral to life here."
He continued that "The National is a window into the country. We want our readers to know that we are accessible to them, and want to engage with them more and more." He added that "we also have a better perspective to events in this part of the world, and we are making a difference."
Mr Al Otaiba also explained that the newspaper’s website was also gaining increasing importance. “The industry is evolving. We are focused on our online offerings, and will also improve it further,” he said.
In response to a question from a member of the audience, Mr Al Otaiba pointed out that transparency and communication were key values in the newsroom. Cultural commentator Ali Al Saloom, best known for his Ask Ali column, also spoke of how the paper had widened the understanding of Emirati culture. “Everything in the Emirati identity has a beautiful story and you should share it,” he said. “When I started writing, there was not much content on the internet about UAE culture.” He added: “I am very emotional about my experiences at The National.”
Recently, the paper has also focused attention on helping residents improve the state of their health, initiating campaigns such as Cycle to Work Day and #startwalking.
Speaking to that goal, Dr Nairah Rasul-Syed, a specialist in family medicine at Healthpoint and Dr Alejandro Jimenez, cardiologist from Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, came on stage to discuss how people could lead healthier lives, get more vitamin D and encourage young ones to become fitter.
For members of the public who turned up to yesterday’s event on the beach, there was also a chance to win a women’s Rolex watch if they bought a subscription to the newspaper. The lucky winner was Dmytro Nadolinski, 23, a Ukranian, who said he would surprise his wife with his prize. “I haven’t told her that I have won it,” he said.
Readers at the event talked about the role The National has played in their lives.
Nimmy Suresh, 25, an Indian, said she reads The National on most days, usually online.
“The website is user-friendly and it’s easy to find things. It gives me news about most of the things happening in UAE,” said the mother of two, who has lived in the country all her life.
Alina Mofrad, 35, a Ukranian, said she was fascinated to learn about the working life of the Editor-in-Chief through his interview.
She said she has been reading the paper for two years as it was “progressive” and covers local issues well.
“Everything is there. They don’t miss any news and it is so well planned. I love the arts and culture section,” she said.
arizvi2@thenational.ae
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
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
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
If you go
The flights
Etihad (etihad.com) flies from Abu Dhabi to Luang Prabang via Bangkok, with a return flight from Chiang Rai via Bangkok for about Dh3,000, including taxes. Emirates and Thai Airways cover the same route, also via Bangkok in both directions, from about Dh2,700.
The cruise
The Gypsy by Mekong Kingdoms has two cruising options: a three-night, four-day trip upstream cruise or a two-night, three-day downstream journey, from US$5,940 (Dh21,814), including meals, selected drinks, excursions and transfers.
The hotels
Accommodation is available in Luang Prabang at the Avani, from $290 (Dh1,065) per night, and at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort from $1,080 (Dh3,967) per night, including meals, an activity and transfers.
The Birkin bag is made by Hermès.
It is named after actress and singer Jane Birkin
Noone from Hermès will go on record to say how much a new Birkin costs, how long one would have to wait to get one, and how many bags are actually made each year.
RESULTS
6.30pm: Handicap (rated 95-108) US$125,000 2000m (Dirt).
Winner: Don’t Give Up, Gerald Mosse (jockey), Saeed bin Suroor (trainer).
7.05pm: Handicap (95 ) $160,000 2810m (Turf).
Winner: Los Barbados, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass.
7.40pm: Handicap (80-89) $60,000 1600m (D).
Winner: Claim The Roses, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer.
8.15pm: UAE 2000 Guineas Trial (Div-1) Conditions $100,000 1,400m (D)
Winner: Gold Town, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
8.50pm: Cape Verdi Group 2 $200,000 1600m (T).
Winner: Promising Run, Patrick Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor.
9.25pm: UAE 2000 Guineas Conditions $100,000 1,400m (D).
Winner: El Chapo, Luke Morris, Fawzi Nass.
