Emily Armstrong and Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park performing at the opening ceremony before the UEFA Champions League Final 2025. Getty Images
Emily Armstrong and Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park performing at the opening ceremony before the UEFA Champions League Final 2025. Getty Images
Emily Armstrong and Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park performing at the opening ceremony before the UEFA Champions League Final 2025. Getty Images
Emily Armstrong and Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park performing at the opening ceremony before the UEFA Champions League Final 2025. Getty Images

Linkin Park announce first Abu Dhabi concert in 15 years


William Mullally
  • English
  • Arabic

Linkin Park will make their long-awaited return to the UAE next year, performing at Etihad Arena, Yas Island on January 20.

The concert will be part of the band’s From Zero World Tour – their first global outing in more than a decade and their first UAE show since 2010. Founding members Mike Shinoda, Dave “Phoenix” Farrell and Joe Hahn will be joined on stage by vocalist Emily Armstrong and drummer Colin Brittain.

The tour celebrates From Zero, the band’s latest album, which reached No 1 in 14 countries last November. Since its release, singles such as The Emptiness Machine and Heavy Is the Crown have topped various international charts, reasserting the group’s standing as one of rock’s most influential acts.

“It’s been 15 years since we last played in the UAE and we’re so excited to go back and see our fans there,” Shinoda said in a statement.

Presented by Live Nation Middle East, in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism and Miral, the show is expected to be a major draw. The band's last performance in the region, at Riyadh's Soundstorm Festival in December, drew more than 100,000 fans. Etihad Arena has an estimated maximum capacity of 18,000.

In The National's review of the performance in Saudi Arabia, Saeed Saeed highlighted the welcome addition of singer Armstrong, saying: “The nearly two-hour set, spanning their biggest hits and tracks from this year’s solid comeback album From Zero, should also help silence the two main criticisms levelled by hardcore Linkin Park fans.

Linkin Park returns to Abu Dhabi with a revitalised line-up a year after drawing 100,000 in Saudi Arabia. Getty Images
Linkin Park returns to Abu Dhabi with a revitalised line-up a year after drawing 100,000 in Saudi Arabia. Getty Images

“For those initially wondering – and I count myself among them – 'Emily who?' when Armstrong was announced as the new lead singer, the Riyadh set proved she is a dynamic and powerful vocalist in her own right,” Saeed continued.

How to get tickets to Linkin Park in Abu Dhabi

Tickets go on general sale on September 4 at noon via LiveNation.

Presales begin earlier, with the LPU Legacy Presale opening on September 1 at 11am, followed by the LPU Passport Presale at noon the same day. The Live Nation Presale will run from September 2 at noon until September 4 at 11.59am.

What to expect from the From Zero World Tour

Fans can expect a set list that spans more than 20 years of music – from early anthems such as In the End and Numb to new material shaped by the band’s revitalised sound. Heavy Is the Crown, released last year as the official anthem for the League of Legends World Championship, brought the band to a new generation of listeners.

With more than 54 million monthly Spotify listeners and strong acclaim for their comeback, Linkin Park’s return has been hailed as one of rock’s defining stories of the past two years.

First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus 

Match info

Bournemouth 0
Liverpool 4
(Salah 25', 48', 76', Cook 68' OG)

Man of the match: Andrew Robertson (Liverpool)

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COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Xpanceo

Started: 2018

Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov

Based: Dubai, UAE

Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality

Funding: $40 million

Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)

Abdul Jabar Qahraman was meeting supporters in his campaign office in the southern Afghan province of Helmand when a bomb hidden under a sofa exploded on Wednesday.

The blast in the provincial capital Lashkar Gah killed the Afghan election candidate and at least another three people, Interior Minister Wais Ahmad Barmak told reporters. Another three were wounded, while three suspects were detained, he said.

The Taliban – which controls much of Helmand and has vowed to disrupt the October 20 parliamentary elections – claimed responsibility for the attack.

Mr Qahraman was at least the 10th candidate killed so far during the campaign season, and the second from Lashkar Gah this month. Another candidate, Saleh Mohammad Asikzai, was among eight people killed in a suicide attack last week. Most of the slain candidates were murdered in targeted assassinations, including Avtar Singh Khalsa, the first Afghan Sikh to run for the lower house of the parliament.

The same week the Taliban warned candidates to withdraw from the elections. On Wednesday the group issued fresh warnings, calling on educational workers to stop schools from being used as polling centres.

TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:

- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools

- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say

- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance

- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs

- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills

- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month

- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues

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Abu Dhabi GP schedule

Friday: First practice - 1pm; Second practice - 5pm

Saturday: Final practice - 2pm; Qualifying - 5pm

Sunday: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps) - 5.10pm

The specs

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Transmission: ten-speed

Power: 420bhp

Torque: 624Nm

Price: Dh325,125

On sale: Now

What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE

Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.

Dubai Bling season three

Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed 

Rating: 1/5

Countries offering golden visas

UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.

Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.

Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.

Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.

Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence. 

Yahya Al Ghassani's bio

Date of birth: April 18, 1998

Playing position: Winger

Clubs: 2015-2017 – Al Ahli Dubai; March-June 2018 – Paris FC; August – Al Wahda

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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Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

Sunday's games

Liverpool v West Ham United, 4.30pm (UAE)
Southampton v Burnley, 4.30pm
Arsenal v Manchester City, 7pm

NO OTHER LAND

Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal

Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham

Rating: 3.5/5

How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE

When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.

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Day 2, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance

Moment of the day Dinesh Chandimal has inherited a challenging job, after being made Sri Lanka’s Test captain. He responded in perfect fashion, with an easy-natured century against Pakistan. He brought up three figures with a majestic cover drive, which he just stood and admired.

Stat of the day – 33 It took 33 balls for Dilruwan Perera to get off the mark. His time on zero was eventful enough. The Sri Lankan No 7 was given out LBW twice, but managed to have both decisions overturned on review. The TV replays showed both times that he had inside edged the ball onto his pad.

The verdict In the two previous times these two sides have met in Abu Dhabi, the Tests have been drawn. The docile nature of proceedings so far makes that the likely outcome again this time, but both sides will be harbouring thoughts that they can force their way into a winning position.

Updated: August 29, 2025, 6:59 AM