A person cycles through the Times Square during a snow storm, amid the coronavirus disease pandemic, in the Manhattan borough of New York City on February 1, 2021. Reuters
A person cycles through the Times Square during a snow storm, amid the coronavirus disease pandemic, in the Manhattan borough of New York City on February 1, 2021. Reuters
A snowplough removes snow from the Times Square during a snow storm, amid the coronavirus disease pandemic, in the Manhattan borough of New York City. Reuters
A snowplough removes snow from the Times Square during a snow storm, amid the coronavirus disease pandemic, in the Manhattan borough of New York City. Reuters
A couple walks on the Brooklyn Bridge on Monday, February 1, 2021. A winter snowstorm walloped the Eastern US on Monday. AP
A couple walks on the Brooklyn Bridge on Monday, February 1, 2021. A winter snowstorm walloped the Eastern US on Monday. AP
People walk along a snow covered street as snow falls in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn. AFP
People walk along a snow covered street as snow falls in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn. AFP
Snow covers a social distancing bubble dining tent outside a restaurant in New York. Bloomberg
Snow covers a social distancing bubble dining tent outside a restaurant in New York. Bloomberg
A delivery person rides a bicycle as snow falls in New York. Bloomberg
A delivery person rides a bicycle as snow falls in New York. Bloomberg
An empty outdoor dining area of a restaurant during a snow storm in New York. Bloomberg
An empty outdoor dining area of a restaurant during a snow storm in New York. Bloomberg
A fire truck drives along a snow covered road during a Nor'Easter snow storm in Guttenberg, New Jersey. AFP
A fire truck drives along a snow covered road during a Nor'Easter snow storm in Guttenberg, New Jersey. AFP
A double parked car waits covered in snow in the Brooklyn borough. New York City and much of the Northeast is being hit by a major winter storm that is expected to bring as much as two feet of snow when done sometime Tuesday morning. Schools, public transportation and vaccine centers across the region are being impacted by the storm. AFP
A double parked car waits covered in snow in the Brooklyn borough. New York City and much of the Northeast is being hit by a major winter storm that is expected to bring as much as two feet of snow when done sometime Tuesday morning. Schools, public transportation and vaccine centers across the region are being impacted by the storm. AFP
A National Guard soldier stands his post in front of the US Capitol, on Monday, February 1, 2021, in Washington. AP
A National Guard soldier stands his post in front of the US Capitol, on Monday, February 1, 2021, in Washington. AP
A child is pulled on a sled along 14th Street in the Midwood neighborhood of Brooklyn. NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio declared a State of Emergency and MTA officials announced that above-ground subway service would be suspended. AFP
A child is pulled on a sled along 14th Street in the Midwood neighborhood of Brooklyn. NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio declared a State of Emergency and MTA officials announced that above-ground subway service would be suspended. AFP
Workers clear snow off a subway station platform in Brooklyn. AFP
Workers clear snow off a subway station platform in Brooklyn. AFP
A resident clears snow from his car in the Humboldt Park neighborhood on February 1, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. More than a foot of snow fell in some areas of the city during a winter storm that lasted most of the past weekend. AFP
A resident clears snow from his car in the Humboldt Park neighborhood on February 1, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. More than a foot of snow fell in some areas of the city during a winter storm that lasted most of the past weekend. AFP
A masked snowman sits on the National Mall in Washington, DC. AFP
A masked snowman sits on the National Mall in Washington, DC. AFP
A couple throw snowballs in Washington, DC. Bloomberg
A couple throw snowballs in Washington, DC. Bloomberg
People play with snow as snow begins to fall in Times Square during a snow storm in the Manhattan borough of New York City. Reuters
People play with snow as snow begins to fall in Times Square during a snow storm in the Manhattan borough of New York City. Reuters
A snowman is seen on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC. AFP
A snowman is seen on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC. AFP
A powerful winter storm is set to dump feet of snow along a stretch of the US east coast including New York City after blanketing the nation's capital. AFP
A powerful winter storm is set to dump feet of snow along a stretch of the US east coast including New York City after blanketing the nation's capital. AFP
A dog sits in Times Square during a winter storm in New York City. AFP
A dog sits in Times Square during a winter storm in New York City. AFP
A snowkiting sail hangs in the air over Medicine Lake in Plymouth, Minnesota.AFP
A snowkiting sail hangs in the air over Medicine Lake in Plymouth, Minnesota.AFP
Snowkiting is a growing sport, as people seek new outdoor activities in the winter. Stephen Maturen/Getty Images/AFP
Snowkiting is a growing sport, as people seek new outdoor activities in the winter. Stephen Maturen/Getty Images/AFP
Snowkiting is a growing sport, as people seek new outdoor activities in the winter. Stephen Maturen/Getty Images/AFP
Snowkiting is a growing sport, as people seek new outdoor activities in the winter. Stephen Maturen/Getty Images/AFP
Mike Kratochwill flies through the air while snowkiting on Lake Minnetonka. AFP
Mike Kratochwill flies through the air while snowkiting on Lake Minnetonka. AFP
Snowkiting is a growing sport, as people seek new outdoor activities in the winter. Stephen Maturen/Getty Images/AFP
Snowkiting is a growing sport, as people seek new outdoor activities in the winter. Stephen Maturen/Getty Images/AFP
Snowkiting is a growing sport, as people seek new outdoor activities in the winter. Stephen Maturen/Getty Images/AFP
Snowkiting is a growing sport, as people seek new outdoor activities in the winter. Stephen Maturen/Getty Images/AFP
Teenagers play with hail on the beach following winter storms that blanketed the region with rain, snow, and hail in Manhattan Beach, California. AFP
Teenagers play with hail on the beach following winter storms that blanketed the region with rain, snow, and hail in Manhattan Beach, California. AFP
People play with hail on the beach following winter storms that blanketed the region with rain, snow, and hail in Manhattan Beach, California. AFP
People play with hail on the beach following winter storms that blanketed the region with rain, snow, and hail in Manhattan Beach, California. AFP

The Americas

Time to cool down ... Washington residents let loose with snowball fight on National Mall

America’s capital closes out eventful month with snowball fight on National Mall

Bryant Harris
Bryant Harris

February 01, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

It has been an eventful month in the US capital, with a pandemic, a failed insurrection, an impeachment and a heavily militarised inauguration.

But residents of Washington DC are determined to end January on a high note.

Several hundred masked revellers staged a snowball fight on Sunday at the National Mall, in between the US Capitol and the Washington monument.

Two weeks ago, this area was inaccessible for President Joe Biden’s inauguration as more than 25,000 National Guard troops and a metal fence cordoned off the public’s access to the mall and most of downtown Washington.

There was no sign of the remaining troops who are due to stay in the city until the end of March, and the fence blocking off access to the mall has come down.

The festive atmosphere marked a welcome departure from the dark events of the past month, making it easy to forget that a violent mob marched down that very spot to storm the Capitol building weeks earlier.

The organiser, an informal Facebook group called the Washington DC Snowball Fight Association, has put together major snowball fights throughout the city in other years.

But Sunday’s storm was the first major snowfall in the capital in two years, allowing the group to again pop into action.

At the time of the fight, the mall was blanketed in an estimated five to eight centimetres of snow.

Weather forecasters predict that the total snowfall will range between 10cm and 20cm in the next two days, although it will probably fall on the lower end of that estimate.

The Vile

Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah

Director: Majid Al Ansari

Rating: 4/5

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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2041mm%20%E2%80%93%20352%20x%20430%3B%2045mm%20%E2%80%93%20396%20x%20484%3B%20always-on%20Retina%20LTPO%20OLED%2C%202000%20nits%20max%3B%20Ion-X%20glass%20(aluminium%20cases)%2C%20sapphire%20crystal%20(stainless%20steel%20cases)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProcessor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Apple%20S9%2064-bit%2C%20W3%20wireless%2C%202nd-gen%20Ultra%20Wideband%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECapacity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2064GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMemory%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPlatform%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20watchOS%2010%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EHealth%20metrics%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Blood%20oxygen%20sensor%2C%20electrical%20heart%20sensor%20and%20ECG%2C%203rd-gen%20optical%20heart%20sensor%2C%20high%20and%20low%20heart%20rate%20notifications%2C%20irregular%20rhythm%20notifications%2C%20sleep%20stages%2C%20temperature%20sensing%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEmergency%20services%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Emergency%20SOS%2C%20international%20emergency%20calling%2C%20crash%20detection%2C%20fall%20detection%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConnectivity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20GPS%2FGPS%20%2B%20cellular%3B%20Wi-Fi%2C%20LTE%2C%20Bluetooth%205.3%2C%20NFC%20(Apple%20Pay)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDurability%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20IP6X%2C%20water%20resistant%20up%20to%2050m%2C%20dust%20resistant%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20308mAh%20Li-ion%2C%20up%20to%2018h%20regular%2F36h%20low%20power%3B%20wireless%20charging%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECards%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20eSIM%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFinishes%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Aluminium%20%E2%80%93%20midnight%2C%20pink%2C%20Product%20Red%2C%20silver%2C%20starlight%3B%20stainless%20steel%20%E2%80%93%20gold%2C%20graphite%2C%20silver%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIn%20the%20box%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Watch%20Series%209%2C%20woven%20magnetic-to-USB-C%20charging%20cable%2C%20band%2Floop%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Starts%20at%20Dh1%2C599%20(41mm)%20%2F%20Dh1%2C719%20(45mm)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogenChromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxideUltramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica contentOphiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on landOlivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour

Essentials

The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Delhi from about Dh950 return including taxes.
The hotels
Double rooms at Tijara Fort-Palace cost from 6,670 rupees (Dh377), including breakfast.
Doubles at Fort Bishangarh cost from 29,030 rupees (Dh1,641), including breakfast. Doubles at Narendra Bhawan cost from 15,360 rupees (Dh869). Doubles at Chanoud Garh cost from 19,840 rupees (Dh1,122), full board. Doubles at Fort Begu cost from 10,000 rupees (Dh565), including breakfast.
The tours 
Amar Grover travelled with Wild Frontiers. A tailor-made, nine-day itinerary via New Delhi, with one night in Tijara and two nights in each of the remaining properties, including car/driver, costs from £1,445 (Dh6,968) per person.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Zayed Sustainability Prize
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While you're here
How tumultuous protests grew
  • A fuel tax protest by French drivers appealed to wider anti-government sentiment
  • Unlike previous French demonstrations there was no trade union or organised movement involved 
  • Demonstrators responded to online petitions and flooded squares to block traffic
  • At its height there were almost 300,000 on the streets in support
  • Named after the high visibility jackets that drivers must keep in cars 
  • Clashes soon turned violent as thousands fought with police at cordons
  • An estimated two dozen people lost eyes and many others were admitted to hospital 
Company profile

Name: Steppi

Founders: Joe Franklin and Milos Savic

Launched: February 2020

Size: 10,000 users by the end of July and a goal of 200,000 users by the end of the year

Employees: Five

Based: Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai

Financing stage: Two seed rounds – the first sourced from angel investors and the founders' personal savings

Second round raised Dh720,000 from silent investors in June this year

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On Women's Day

Monster Hunter: World

Capcom

PlayStation 4, Xbox One

On Women's Day
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPowertrain%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle%20electric%20motor%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E201hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E310Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E53kWh%20lithium-ion%20battery%20pack%20(GS%20base%20model)%3B%2070kWh%20battery%20pack%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETouring%20range%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E350km%20(GS)%3B%20480km%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C900%20(GS)%3B%20Dh149%2C000%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Dubai World Cup Carnival card

6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 Group 1 (PA) US$75,000 (Dirt) 1,900m

7.05pm: Al Rashidiya Group 2 (TB) $250,000 (Turf) 1,800m

7.40pm: Meydan Cup Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,810m

8.15pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,600m

8.50pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m

9.25pm: Al Shindagha Sprint Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,200m

10pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 2,000m

The National selections:

6.30pm - Ziyadd; 7.05pm - Barney Roy; 7.40pm - Dee Ex Bee; 8.15pm - Dubai Legacy; 8.50pm - Good Fortune; 9.25pm - Drafted; 10pm - Simsir

The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

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