Built for William Vanderbilt between 1888 and 1892, Newport, Rhode Island’s Marble House, is the summer cottage that started it all. Vanderbilt gave the estate to his wife, Alva, on her 39th birthday. Photo: Preservation Society of Newport County
Built for William Vanderbilt between 1888 and 1892, Newport, Rhode Island’s Marble House, is the summer cottage that started it all. Vanderbilt gave the estate to his wife, Alva, on her 39th birthday. Photo: Preservation Society of Newport County
Three years after receiving Marble House, Alva divorced William Vanderbilt, married Oliver Belmont and moved down the street to another mansion. When Oliver died, she reopened Marble House and played host to suffragette rallies, but eventually moved to Paris and sold the house in 1935. Photo: Preservation Society of Newport County
Three years after receiving Marble House, Alva divorced William Vanderbilt, married Oliver Belmont and moved down the street to another mansion. When Oliver died, she reopened Marble House and played host to suffragette rallies, but eventually moved to Paris and sold the house in 1935. Photo: Preservation Society of Newport County
Christmas activities at the Newport mansions begin in November and continue through the first week of January. Marble House is decorated with hundreds of poinsettias, drenched in fresh flowers, wreaths, huge trees and trimmed in silver and gold. Santa makes his lap available every Saturday before the big day. Photo: Preservation Society of Newport County
Christmas activities at the Newport mansions begin in November and continue through the first week of January. Marble House is decorated with hundreds of poinsettias, drenched in fresh flowers, wreaths, huge trees and trimmed in silver and gold. Santa makes his lap available every Saturday before the big day. Photo: Preservation Society of Newport County
Night-time is a unique time at Marble House when it is bathed in candlelight and the Christmas trees are aglow. Visitors are serenaded by live jazz bands, choirs and opera tenors. Photo: Preservation Society of Newport County
Night-time is a unique time at Marble House when it is bathed in candlelight and the Christmas trees are aglow. Visitors are serenaded by live jazz bands, choirs and opera tenors. Photo: Preservation Society of Newport County
With the Blue Ridge Mountains as its backdrop, Asheville, North Carolina's Biltmore is the largest privately owned home in America. George Washington Vanderbilt II built the sprawling 8,000-acre estate between 1889 and 1895. Photo: John Warner
With the Blue Ridge Mountains as its backdrop, Asheville, North Carolina's Biltmore is the largest privately owned home in America. George Washington Vanderbilt II built the sprawling 8,000-acre estate between 1889 and 1895. Photo: John Warner
William Amherst Vanderbilt Cecil, the grandson of George Vanderbilt, inherited the Biltmore from his parents and still owns the 41,000-square-metre home. His cousin, Gloria Vanderbilt, is the mother of CNN’s Anderson Cooper. Photo: The Biltmore Company
William Amherst Vanderbilt Cecil, the grandson of George Vanderbilt, inherited the Biltmore from his parents and still owns the 41,000-square-metre home. His cousin, Gloria Vanderbilt, is the mother of CNN’s Anderson Cooper. Photo: The Biltmore Company
Every Christmas, parts of the 252-room castle are decked out with 41 trees, the largest being a 10-metre-tall Fraser located in the banquet hall. This monstrosity requires the brawn of more than 30 Biltmore staffers to lift it into place. Photo: The Biltmore Company
Every Christmas, parts of the 252-room castle are decked out with 41 trees, the largest being a 10-metre-tall Fraser located in the banquet hall. This monstrosity requires the brawn of more than 30 Biltmore staffers to lift it into place. Photo: The Biltmore Company
Christmas Candlelight tours are especially jaw dropping when Biltmore glows in 30,000 lights and more than 150 candles. At least 13,000 ornaments twinkle on the trees while at dusk, Biltmore elves (staff members) rush to set up 300 luminaries that will greet visitors when they reach the estate. Photo: The Biltmore Company
Christmas Candlelight tours are especially jaw dropping when Biltmore glows in 30,000 lights and more than 150 candles. At least 13,000 ornaments twinkle on the trees while at dusk, Biltmore elves (staff members) rush to set up 300 luminaries that will greet visitors when they reach the estate. Photo: The Biltmore Company
Biltmore has a total of 65 fireplaces and on the Christmas tour you’ll see them decked out in fresh garland and holly. More than 1,000 poinsettias, along with more than 1,000 amaryllis, Christmas cactus, orchids, peace lilies and other plants are placed throughout the estate and the grounds. Photo: The Biltmore Company
Biltmore has a total of 65 fireplaces and on the Christmas tour you’ll see them decked out in fresh garland and holly. More than 1,000 poinsettias, along with more than 1,000 amaryllis, Christmas cactus, orchids, peace lilies and other plants are placed throughout the estate and the grounds. Photo: The Biltmore Company
Located on California’s Central Coast, north of San Luis Obispo and the sleepy beach towns of Cayucos and Cambria, is America’s most eclectic residence, Hearst Castle, eponymously named after its owner, William Randolph. Photo: Smith Collection/Gado
Located on California’s Central Coast, north of San Luis Obispo and the sleepy beach towns of Cayucos and Cambria, is America’s most eclectic residence, Hearst Castle, eponymously named after its owner, William Randolph. Photo: Smith Collection/Gado
For its Christmas tours, the castle features a splendid five-metre-tall tree, mantles festooned with garland and holly, as well as docents dressed in period costumes, laughing and enjoying holiday cocktails. The main house, Casa Grande, features 38 bedrooms, 42 bathrooms, 14 sitting rooms and 30 fireplaces. Photo: Vickie Garagliano
For its Christmas tours, the castle features a splendid five-metre-tall tree, mantles festooned with garland and holly, as well as docents dressed in period costumes, laughing and enjoying holiday cocktails. The main house, Casa Grande, features 38 bedrooms, 42 bathrooms, 14 sitting rooms and 30 fireplaces. Photo: Vickie Garagliano
Evening tours at Hearst Castle are especially fun as you get to see multiple rooms and locations that are not part of the daytime tours. Photo: Carlos Hoyos
Evening tours at Hearst Castle are especially fun as you get to see multiple rooms and locations that are not part of the daytime tours. Photo: Carlos Hoyos
Located in Akron, Ohio, Stan Hywet was built between 1912 and 1915 for Goodyear Tyre founder F A Seiberling and his wife, Gertrude. For its inspiration, the couple travelled to Europe with their architect, Charles Sumner Schneider, where they were given unprecedented access to English manors and other estates. Photo: Ian Adams
Located in Akron, Ohio, Stan Hywet was built between 1912 and 1915 for Goodyear Tyre founder F A Seiberling and his wife, Gertrude. For its inspiration, the couple travelled to Europe with their architect, Charles Sumner Schneider, where they were given unprecedented access to English manors and other estates. Photo: Ian Adams
A National Historic Landmark, Stan Hywet is the 14th largest home in the nation and the sixth-largest with public access. The 6,000-square-metre estate includes five historic buildings and eight historic gardens on 70 acres. Photo: Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens
A National Historic Landmark, Stan Hywet is the 14th largest home in the nation and the sixth-largest with public access. The 6,000-square-metre estate includes five historic buildings and eight historic gardens on 70 acres. Photo: Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens
Stan Hywet staff and volunteers pitch in with the Christmas decorations. Photo: Tim Evanson
Stan Hywet staff and volunteers pitch in with the Christmas decorations. Photo: Tim Evanson
Overlooking the city of Portland is Pittock Mansion, a grand chateau built in 1909 by a wealthy publisher and his wife who immigrated to the US from London. It was not completed until 1915 and its inhabitants Georgiana and Henry died in 1918 and 1919, respectively. Photo: Pittock Mansion/Amy Mintonye
Overlooking the city of Portland is Pittock Mansion, a grand chateau built in 1909 by a wealthy publisher and his wife who immigrated to the US from London. It was not completed until 1915 and its inhabitants Georgiana and Henry died in 1918 and 1919, respectively. Photo: Pittock Mansion/Amy Mintonye
When the mansion was facing destruction, the citizens of Portland rallied around Pittock and raised $75,000 to help the city purchase the estate. Their efforts were rewarded and the city not only recognised the historic significance of the structure but also gave $225,000 to complete the purchase. Photo: Pittock Mansion/Amy Mintonye
When the mansion was facing destruction, the citizens of Portland rallied around Pittock and raised $75,000 to help the city purchase the estate. Their efforts were rewarded and the city not only recognised the historic significance of the structure but also gave $225,000 to complete the purchase. Photo: Pittock Mansion/Amy Mintonye
After 15 months of extensive restorations, Pittock Mansion welcomed its first visitors and continues to thrive. Photo: Pittock Mansion/Amy Mintonye
After 15 months of extensive restorations, Pittock Mansion welcomed its first visitors and continues to thrive. Photo: Pittock Mansion/Amy Mintonye
Check out the old-school bathroom, which has all its original hardware, including a cast iron, claw-footed sitz bath. Photo: Pittock Mansion/Amy Mintonye
Check out the old-school bathroom, which has all its original hardware, including a cast iron, claw-footed sitz bath. Photo: Pittock Mansion/Amy Mintonye
Also located in Newport, Rhode Island, is the Breakers mansion, which was built as a summer retreat for Cornelius Vanderbilt II, son of William H Vanderbilt. Photo: Amy Meredith
Also located in Newport, Rhode Island, is the Breakers mansion, which was built as a summer retreat for Cornelius Vanderbilt II, son of William H Vanderbilt. Photo: Amy Meredith
The Italian Renaissance-style mansion was built in 1895 and clocks in at at 6,000 square metres, making it the 16th largest home in America. During Christmas, there is plenty of room to host visitors as they watch twirling ballerinas, jazz ensembles and even choirs. Photo: John W Corbett
The Italian Renaissance-style mansion was built in 1895 and clocks in at at 6,000 square metres, making it the 16th largest home in America. During Christmas, there is plenty of room to host visitors as they watch twirling ballerinas, jazz ensembles and even choirs. Photo: John W Corbett
The Breakers replaced a building that burnt to the ground, which led to Vanderbilt’s insistence that no structural elements of the home be made from wood, save the flooring, trim and molding. Consequently, its main components include marble, concrete, steel, limestone and brick; the roof is terracotta. Photo: John W Corbett
The Breakers replaced a building that burnt to the ground, which led to Vanderbilt’s insistence that no structural elements of the home be made from wood, save the flooring, trim and molding. Consequently, its main components include marble, concrete, steel, limestone and brick; the roof is terracotta. Photo: John W Corbett
Underneath the Louis XV-style panelling in the home’s breakfast room is solid limestone, while below the chevron-patterned wood floor is concrete and steel. Photo: John W Corbett
Underneath the Louis XV-style panelling in the home’s breakfast room is solid limestone, while below the chevron-patterned wood floor is concrete and steel. Photo: John W Corbett
The family music room’s gilt coffered ceiling is lined with silver and gold and bears the inscription 'chanson, musique, harmonie et la melodie', French for 'song, music, harmony and melody'. Photo: Preservation Society of Newport County
The family music room’s gilt coffered ceiling is lined with silver and gold and bears the inscription 'chanson, musique, harmonie et la melodie', French for 'song, music, harmony and melody'. Photo: Preservation Society of Newport County
The music room’s fireplace was a popular gathering spot when the family enjoyed concerts at the Breakers. The mantle is made of veined Campan marble as are the tables, which were designed to match. The rare marble was imported from France. Photo: Preservation Society of Newport County
The music room’s fireplace was a popular gathering spot when the family enjoyed concerts at the Breakers. The mantle is made of veined Campan marble as are the tables, which were designed to match. The rare marble was imported from France. Photo: Preservation Society of Newport County
The Vanderbilt family leased the Breakers to the Preservation Society of Newport in County in 1948 for $1 a year. The group later purchased the home in 1972 for less than $400,000 with the stipulation that the family could still reside on site. Photo: Wally Gobetz
The Vanderbilt family leased the Breakers to the Preservation Society of Newport in County in 1948 for $1 a year. The group later purchased the home in 1972 for less than $400,000 with the stipulation that the family could still reside on site. Photo: Wally Gobetz
Located on the Hudson River in Tarrytown, New York, Lyndhurst was originally designed in 1838 to be a country villa for New York politician William Paulding. Upon his death, it was passed to George Merritt, who doubled its size. Photo: Lyndhurst
Located on the Hudson River in Tarrytown, New York, Lyndhurst was originally designed in 1838 to be a country villa for New York politician William Paulding. Upon his death, it was passed to George Merritt, who doubled its size. Photo: Lyndhurst
It is a Lyndhurst tradition to suspend a Christmas tree from the parlour room ceiling, perhaps to show that while the house is grand, no one is putting on airs. Photo: Lyndhurst
It is a Lyndhurst tradition to suspend a Christmas tree from the parlour room ceiling, perhaps to show that while the house is grand, no one is putting on airs. Photo: Lyndhurst
The Elms rounds out the Christmas tour of Newport’s mansions of the Gilded Age. Built between 1899 and 1901, it cost approximately $1.5 million and served as the summer home for Edward Julius Berwind and his family. Photo: Wally Gobetz
The Elms rounds out the Christmas tour of Newport’s mansions of the Gilded Age. Built between 1899 and 1901, it cost approximately $1.5 million and served as the summer home for Edward Julius Berwind and his family. Photo: Wally Gobetz
The ballroom at the Elms once played host to the socialites of the Gilded Age. After the death of Berwind's sister, Julia, the Preservation Society of Newport County bought the mansion for less than $120,000. Photo: John W Corbett
The ballroom at the Elms once played host to the socialites of the Gilded Age. After the death of Berwind's sister, Julia, the Preservation Society of Newport County bought the mansion for less than $120,000. Photo: John W Corbett
Julia Berwind was said to be one of Newport’s last great hostesses and continued traditions set for entertaining in the Gilded Age throughout the 1950s and until her death in 1962. Photo: John W Corbett
Julia Berwind was said to be one of Newport’s last great hostesses and continued traditions set for entertaining in the Gilded Age throughout the 1950s and until her death in 1962. Photo: John W Corbett

World

US

Go inside America's castles all decked out for Christmas

Take a virtual tour of some of the world's most incredible homes, splendid with holiday cheer

Holly Aguirre
Holly Aguirre

December 25, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Ever wondered how Christmas was celebrated amongst the fabulously wealthy during the Gilded Age? We've got your peek into some of America’s most beautiful and celebrated homes.

Christmas activities at the Newport mansions begin in November and continue through the first week of January. Marble House is decorated with hundreds of poinsettias, drenched in fresh flowers and evergreens and wreaths; massive trees and trimmed in silver and gold. Photo: Preservation Society of Newport
Christmas activities at the Newport mansions begin in November and continue through the first week of January. Marble House is decorated with hundreds of poinsettias, drenched in fresh flowers and evergreens and wreaths; massive trees and trimmed in silver and gold. Photo: Preservation Society of Newport

Marble House

Located in Newport, Rhode Island, Marble House is decorated with hundreds of poinsettias, drenched in fresh flowers and evergreens and wreaths and filled with massive trees, trimmed in silver and gold.

Built for William Vanderbilt between 1888 and 1892, this spectacular mansion was a gift for his wife Alva and used as the family’s summer cottage.

In 1963, Alva’s son Harold helped the Preservation Society of Newport County buy the house back and then donated much of its original contents so that it appears much as it did during its gilded days.

With the Blue Ridge Mountains as its backdrop, Asheville’s Biltmore is the largest privately owned home in America. Photo: Biltmore Company
With the Blue Ridge Mountains as its backdrop, Asheville’s Biltmore is the largest privately owned home in America. Photo: Biltmore Company

The Biltmore Estate

Tucked in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Biltmore Estate and gardens is a year-round must-see. During Christmas, almost all 8,000 acres are awash in Christmas cheer with over 135,000 white lights on the exterior alone.

Built between 1889 and 1895 by George Washington Vanderbilt, the estate was designed to be completely self-sustaining with the land and gardens providing everything residents needed for comfort. It originally sat on close to 100,000 acres; most of the land was sold to the US Forest Service at $5 an acre, creating the Pisgah National Forest.

The home is no stranger to the spotlight and has appeared in many motion pictures, most notably Being There, which stars Peter Sellars and Shirley MacLaine.

For Christmas, parts of the 252-room castle are decked out with 41 trees, 30,000 lights and over 150 candles. 13,000 ornaments twinkle on the trees while at dusk Biltmore staff elves rush to set up 300 luminaries that will greet visitors when they make the journey down the long drive.

The estate’s 65 fireplaces are dressed with handmade ornaments and Fraser fir wreaths ornamented with golden arborvitae, holly, or other natural materials.

Around 360 fresh wreaths and sprays are placed the estate during the holiday season, requiring seven full-time floral designers and 14 members of the floral reserve team.

The best part is that you can book a room in one of the estate’s cottages, the five-star inn or at the village hotel and live like a Vandy.

For its Christmas tours, the castle features a splendid 18-foot-tall tree, mantles festooned with garland and holly as well as docents dressed in period costumes, laughing and enjoying holiday cheer. Photo: Vickie Garagliano
For its Christmas tours, the castle features a splendid 18-foot-tall tree, mantles festooned with garland and holly as well as docents dressed in period costumes, laughing and enjoying holiday cheer. Photo: Vickie Garagliano

Hearst Castle

Located on California’s central coast is America’s most eclectic residence, Hearst Castle, built by publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst.

Once the weekend playground for Hollywood’s elite, including Cary Grant, Charlie Chaplin, Greta Garbo and Joan Crawford, the property has indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, a full-scale screening room/theater, an airfield, and the world's largest private zoo. Zebras and other exotic animals still roam the grounds and you might spot one if you keep your eyes peeled when the shuttle bus takes you up the long and winding driveway.

For its Christmas tours, the castle features a splendid 18-foot-tall tree, mantles festooned with garland and holly as well as docents dressed in period costumes, laughing and enjoying holiday cheer.

The 65,000-square foot main house, Casa Grande, was never completed as construction ceased in 1947 when Mr Hearst's health began to fail. It features 38 bedrooms, 42 bathrooms, 14 sitting rooms and 30 fireplaces. There are also three guesthouses on the estate.

The family donated the home to the California Department of Parks and Recreation in 1958.

Some of the castle's outdoor elements are under repair due to recent storms and is consequently closed to the public.

Every holiday season the Stan Hywet estate in Akron, Ohio is decked out in some one million lights and features holiday film screenings throughout the house. Photo: Ian Adams
Every holiday season the Stan Hywet estate in Akron, Ohio is decked out in some one million lights and features holiday film screenings throughout the house. Photo: Ian Adams

Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens

The inspiration for Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens started with a trip to Europe and unprecedented access to English manors and other estates. Imagine if someone knocked on your door and asked to take a look around because they wanted to copy elements of your home, which is basically how the Tudor Revival was designed.

Located in Akron, Ohio, it is the 14th largest home in the US and the sixth largest with public access. The 65,000-square foot estate includes five historic buildings and eight historic gardens on 70 acres, though it originally sat on 3,000. All of the collections and furnishings in the manor house are original and were once used by the family.

Every year the estate is decked out in some one million lights and features holiday film screenings throughout the house.

The Breakers in Newport, Rhode Island was built by newsman Anderson Cooper's great-grandfather. Photo: John Corbett
The Breakers in Newport, Rhode Island was built by newsman Anderson Cooper's great-grandfather. Photo: John Corbett

The Breakers

Also located in Newport is the Breakers mansion, which was built as a summer retreat for Cornelius Vanderbilt, the great-grandfather of Anderson Cooper.

The Breakers replaced a building that burned to the ground, which led to Vanderbilt’s insistence that no structural elements of the home being made from wood, save the flooring, trim and molding. Consequently, its main components include marble, concrete, steel, limestone and brick; the roof is terracotta. It is so solid and sound that it survived the New England Hurricane of 1938 with minimal damage and hardly any flooding.

During Christmas there is plenty of room to host visitors as they watch twirling ballerinas, jazz ensembles and even large choirs.

The Vanderbilt family leased the Breakers to the Preservation Society of Newport County in 1948 for $1 a year. The group later purchased the home in 1972 for less than $400,000 with the stipulation that the family could still reside on site. The family donated most of the furnishings back to the society.

Not part of the tour is the home’s entire third floor where Countess Anthony Szapary, the great-great granddaughter of Cornelius Vanderbilt, lived part time until her death.

The countess would occasionally join tours and correct docents' mistakes about the home. Sounds just like being home for the holidays.

See more images and even more homes in our gallery.

Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Conflict, drought, famine

Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.

Band Aid

Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

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While you're here
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

WORLD CUP SEMI-FINALS

England v New Zealand (Saturday, 12pm)

Wales v South Africa (Sunday, 1pm)

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

IF YOU GO

The flights

FlyDubai flies direct from Dubai to Skopje in five hours from Dh1,314 return including taxes. Hourly buses from Skopje to Ohrid take three hours.

The tours

English-speaking guided tours of Ohrid town and the surrounding area are organised by Cultura 365; these cost €90 (Dh386) for a one-day trip including driver and guide and €100 a day (Dh429) for two people. 

The hotels

Villa St Sofija in the old town of Ohrid, twin room from $54 (Dh198) a night.

St Naum Monastery, on the lake 30km south of Ohrid town, has updated its pilgrims' quarters into a modern 3-star hotel, with rooms overlooking the monastery courtyard and lake. Double room from $60 (Dh 220) a night.

 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESally%20El-Hosaini%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENathalie%20Issa%2C%20Manal%20Issa%2C%20Ahmed%20Malek%20and%20Ali%20Suliman%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs: 2019 BMW X4

Price, base / as tested: Dh276,675 / Dh346,800

Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged in-line six-cylinder

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 354hp @ 5,500rpm

Torque: 500Nm @ 1,550rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 9.0L / 100km

Whiile you're here
Kareem Shaheen on Canada
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%3Cp%3EYears%3A%20October%202015%20-%20June%202024%3Cbr%3ETotal%20games%3A%20491%3Cbr%3EWin%20percentage%3A%2060.9%25%3Cbr%3EMajor%20trophies%3A%206%20(Premier%20League%20x%201%2C%20Champions%20League%20x%201%2C%20FA%20Cup%20x%201%2C%20League%20Cup%20x%202%2C%20Fifa%20Club%20World%20Cup%20x1)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
On Women's Day
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
On Women's Day
MATCH INFO

Cricket World Cup League Two
Oman, UAE, Namibia
Al Amerat, Muscat
 
Results
Oman beat UAE by five wickets
UAE beat Namibia by eight runs
Namibia beat Oman by 52 runs
UAE beat Namibia by eight wickets
UAE v Oman - abandoned
Oman v Namibia - abandoned

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WORLD CUP SQUAD

Dimuth Karunaratne (Captain), Angelo Mathews, Avishka Fernando, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Isuru Udana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Jeevan Mendis, Milinda Siriwardana, Lasith Malinga, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep

On Women's Day
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While you're here
War and the virus
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?

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.

A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.

Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.

The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.

When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.

match info

Maratha Arabians 138-2

C Lynn 91*, A Lyth 20, B Laughlin 1-15

Team Abu Dhabi 114-3

L Wright 40*, L Malinga 0-13, M McClenaghan 1-17

Maratha Arabians won by 24 runs

While you're here
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Key findings
  • Over a period of seven years, a team of scientists analysed dietary data from 50,000 North American adults.
  • Eating one or two meals a day was associated with a relative decrease in BMI, compared with three meals. Snacks count as a meal. Likewise, participants who ate more than three meals a day experienced an increase in BMI: the more meals a day, the greater the increase. 
  • People who ate breakfast experienced a relative decrease in their BMI compared with “breakfast-skippers”. 
  • Those who turned the eating day on its head to make breakfast the biggest meal of the day, did even better. 
  • But scrapping dinner altogether gave the best results. The study found that the BMI of subjects who had a long overnight fast (of 18 hours or more) decreased when compared even with those who had a medium overnight fast, of between 12 and 17 hours.
Email sent to Uber team from chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi

From: Dara

To: Team@

Date: March 25, 2019 at 11:45pm PT

Subj: Accelerating in the Middle East

Five years ago, Uber launched in the Middle East. It was the start of an incredible journey, with millions of riders and drivers finding new ways to move and work in a dynamic region that’s become so important to Uber. Now Pakistan is one of our fastest-growing markets in the world, women are driving with Uber across Saudi Arabia, and we chose Cairo to launch our first Uber Bus product late last year.

Today we are taking the next step in this journey—well, it’s more like a leap, and a big one: in a few minutes, we’ll announce that we’ve agreed to acquire Careem. Importantly, we intend to operate Careem independently, under the leadership of co-founder and current CEO Mudassir Sheikha. I’ve gotten to know both co-founders, Mudassir and Magnus Olsson, and what they have built is truly extraordinary. They are first-class entrepreneurs who share our platform vision and, like us, have launched a wide range of products—from digital payments to food delivery—to serve consumers.

I expect many of you will ask how we arrived at this structure, meaning allowing Careem to maintain an independent brand and operate separately. After careful consideration, we decided that this framework has the advantage of letting us build new products and try new ideas across not one, but two, strong brands, with strong operators within each. Over time, by integrating parts of our networks, we can operate more efficiently, achieve even lower wait times, expand new products like high-capacity vehicles and payments, and quicken the already remarkable pace of innovation in the region.

This acquisition is subject to regulatory approval in various countries, which we don’t expect before Q1 2020. Until then, nothing changes. And since both companies will continue to largely operate separately after the acquisition, very little will change in either teams’ day-to-day operations post-close. Today’s news is a testament to the incredible business our team has worked so hard to build.

It’s a great day for the Middle East, for the region’s thriving tech sector, for Careem, and for Uber.

Uber on,

Dara

Updated: December 25, 2021, 9:57 PM`
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