From star-studded fashion shows, Expo 2020 Dubai events and family vacations, plenty of famous faces have been spotted in Dubai over the past couple of weeks.
As the weather cools down and event season begins to boom, tourists are flocking back to Dubai to enjoy the winter sunshine, and the A-list are no exception.
Here are some of the stars pictured in Dubai recently ...
Conor McGregor
Irish MMA fighter Conor McGregor has been in Dubai, where he started training for his wheelchair boxing match in aid of the Irish Wheelchair Association.
McGregor was staying at a Palm Jumeirah hotel with his family, and was spotted at McGettigan's JLT Irish pub and new Bonnington Hotel bar, The Cheeky Camel.
He also enjoyed some family time at Trampo Extreme, Nakheel Mall, posting a photo to Twitter with the caption: "Chilling with my boy Rian McG while the other two savages run a muck in the bouncy castle place. He be in the mix soon."
McGregor is married to Dee Devlin and the couple have three children, Conor, 4, Croia, 2, and Rian, 6 months.
Vanessa Kirby
The Crown actress stopped by Expo 2020 Dubai for the opening of Cartier’s Women’s Pavilion. The Bafta-winning star wore a sleek black lace-trimmed suit for the occasion, sharing a photo with her 1.7 million Instagram followers.
Penelope Cruz
This month’s Vogue Arabia cover star was in town for Chanel’s Cruise 2021/2022 show, which took place on Tuesday evening at Dubai Creek Harbour. The actress of course wore Chanel for the occasion, wearing a white sequinned jacket and mini skirt two-piece.
John Legend
Also in attendance at Chanel’s Cruise 2021/2022 show was singer John Legend, who not only sat front row, but jumped on the piano for a performance post-show. The All Of Me singer chose a monochrome look for the occasion, pairing black trousers with a shirt that featured a white collar and cuffs.
Samantha Faiers
The UK reality star is a regular visitor to Dubai, and has returned to the city for a family vacation alongside partner, Paul Knightley, and children, Paul and Rosie. The family have shared various images from their trip on social media, including a mermaid experience at the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo in Dubai Mall.
Deepika Padukone
Indian actress Deepika Padukone has been spotted out and about on a recent trip to Dubai. The star was seen shopping with her mother in The Dubai Mall, keeping things casual in black sweatshirt and face mask, with her hair pulled back in a bun. She also visited Nammos where she dined with friends, including actor Nitin Mirani.
Tamara Ecclestone
Formula One heiress Tamara Ecclestone recently holidayed in Dubai alongside husband Jay Rutland and their young children. The couple, who are regular visitors to the emirate, shared a picture on social media of them posing on the beach in front of the Burj Al Arab, as well as plenty of poolside photos.
Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli
Power couple Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli are also in Dubai for Kohli’s stint at the T20 Cricket World Cup. The pair have been able to enjoy some downtime, however, and even dressed up for Halloween alongside their young daughter, Vamika.
Akshay Kumar
Veteran Indian actor Akshay Kumar was in the stands for the India-Pakistan match at the T20 World Cup in Dubai on October 24. Kumar, who is a regular in the city, was spotted enjoying the action alongside friends.
In numbers
Number of Chinese tourists coming to UAE in 2017 was... 1.3m
Alibaba’s new ‘Tech Town’ in Dubai is worth... $600m
China’s investment in the MIddle East in 2016 was... $29.5bn
The world’s most valuable start-up in 2018, TikTok, is valued at... $75bn
Boost to the UAE economy of 5G connectivity will be... $269bn
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
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UAE v IRELAND
All matches start at 10am, and will be played in Abu Dhabi
1st ODI, Friday, January 8
2nd ODI, Sunday, January 10
3rd ODI, Tuesday, January 12
4th ODI, Thursday, January 14
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Company Profile
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 consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Key products and UAE prices
iPhone XS
With a 5.8-inch screen, it will be an advance version of the iPhone X. It will be dual sim and comes with better battery life, a faster processor and better camera. A new gold colour will be available.
Price: Dh4,229
iPhone XS Max
It is expected to be a grander version of the iPhone X with a 6.5-inch screen; an inch bigger than the screen of the iPhone 8 Plus.
Price: Dh4,649
iPhone XR
A low-cost version of the iPhone X with a 6.1-inch screen, it is expected to attract mass attention. According to industry experts, it is likely to have aluminium edges instead of stainless steel.
Price: Dh3,179
Apple Watch Series 4
More comprehensive health device with edge-to-edge displays that are more than 30 per cent bigger than displays on current models.
Sam Smith
Where: du Arena, Abu Dhabi
When: Saturday November 24
Rating: 4/5
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
