Broadcasters Abu Dhabi TV and sister channel Emarat TV have unveiled their Ramadan line-ups.
More than 20 new shows will appear on screen, ranging from Emirati and regional dramas to comedies. Also in the mix is a healthy array of informative programmes focused on the history of the UAE and its founder Sheikh Zayed.
Broadcast times will be announced a few days before Ramadan begins, which is approximated to be around Thursday, April 23.
Here are some of the key shows premiering during the holy month:
The big dramas
'Al Saahir' (Abu Dhabi TV)
Syrian star Salam Ksiri leads this taut Lebanese drama. He plays Mina, who hopes to turn his fortunes by seeking the help of astrologer Aziz (Stephanie Saliba). Their stormy relationship leads to Mina falling out with senior political figures and before long he is on the run.
'Al Nahaat' (Abu Dhabi TV)
This romance series is a Syrian Lebanese joint production and boasts stellar leads Bassel Khayyat and Algerian singer Amel Bouchoucha. The latter plays Maya, who in her search for clues behind her mother’s death, falls in love with the mysterious Yaman (Khayyat). Their subsequent relationship is as passionate as it is doomed.
'Reggalet Al Beit' (Abu Dhabi TV)
Translated to "men of the house", Egypt’s Ahmed Fahmy and Akram Hosny play a pair of careless cousins fighting against an eviction notice by a livid landlord. In order to win that battle, they have to prove they have what it takes to run a household, while finding ways to pay their longstanding rent.
'Jannat Halli' (Abu Dhabi TV)
The always brilliant Souad Al Abdallah leads a big cast in this Kuwaiti drama. The series is cross-generational saga about family and examines the notion of unconditional love in a Kuwait that’s rapidly changing and modernising.
Emirati productions
'Al Shahd Al Murr' (Emarat TV)
Emirati actor and playwright Habib Ghuloom returns with another provocative Ramadan drama. The show examines the concept of marriage through two distinct relationships. Suhail is having trouble navigating a relationship between his two strong willed wives Moza and Tarish. Meanwhile, Suhail’s brother is married to Noura. Tensions between both brothers and wives festers in a drama that will surely get people talking.
'Khashe’ Nashe’' (Emarat TV)
A sweet comedy set in an Emirati village in the 1960s. Stars Abdullah Zayed and Jomaa Bin Ali give us a glimpse of a simpler time in their role as brothers coming to terms with a rapidly evolving UAE.
'Miftah Al Qifl' (Emarat TV)
Written in the Emirati dialect, this series stars local stalwarts Jaber Naghmoush and Mais Kamara. The zingy plot revolves around the luckless artist Miftah and his relentless quest to become a celebrity.
Culture and History
'Rijalon Sadako' (Abu Dhabi TV)
An informative bite-sized selection of evocative quotes by the nation’s founder Sheikh Zayed. Aired throughout the month, these intimate five-minute segments recall Sheikh Zayed’s pioneering views on tradition, UAE culture, education and spirituality.
'Al Shara' (Emarat TV)
Ramadan TV would not be complete without a nightly game show. Al Sharah returns to test your knowledge of Emirati culture with questions based on local crafts, proverbs, dialects and key moments in history.
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Read more:
Ramadan line-up: Sharjah to release more than 90 new radio and TV shows in time for the holy month
'Health is more important than work': how the coronavirus is disrupting this year's Ramadan TV dramas
Box sets to binge: How to watch 'The Sopranos', 'This is Us', 'The Wire' and more in the UAE
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ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
Three ways to limit your social media use
Clinical psychologist, Dr Saliha Afridi at The Lighthouse Arabia suggests three easy things you can do every day to cut back on the time you spend online.
1. Put the social media app in a folder on the second or third screen of your phone so it has to remain a conscious decision to open, rather than something your fingers gravitate towards without consideration.
2. Schedule a time to use social media instead of consistently throughout the day. I recommend setting aside certain times of the day or week when you upload pictures or share information.
3. Take a mental snapshot rather than a photo on your phone. Instead of sharing it with your social world, try to absorb the moment, connect with your feeling, experience the moment with all five of your senses. You will have a memory of that moment more vividly and for far longer than if you take a picture of it.
How to keep control of your emotions
If your investment decisions are being dictated by emotions such as fear, greed, hope, frustration and boredom, it is time for a rethink, Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at online trading platform IG, says.
Greed
Greedy investors trade beyond their means, open more positions than usual or hold on to positions too long to chase an even greater gain. “All too often, they incur a heavy loss and may even wipe out the profit already made.
Tip: Ignore the short-term hype, noise and froth and invest for the long-term plan, based on sound fundamentals.
Fear
The risk of making a loss can cloud decision-making. “This can cause you to close out a position too early, or miss out on a profit by being too afraid to open a trade,” he says.
Tip: Start with a plan, and stick to it. For added security, consider placing stops to reduce any losses and limits to lock in profits.
Hope
While all traders need hope to start trading, excessive optimism can backfire. Too many traders hold on to a losing trade because they believe that it will reverse its trend and become profitable.
Tip: Set realistic goals. Be happy with what you have earned, rather than frustrated by what you could have earned.
Frustration
Traders can get annoyed when the markets have behaved in unexpected ways and generates losses or fails to deliver anticipated gains.
Tip: Accept in advance that asset price movements are completely unpredictable and you will suffer losses at some point. These can be managed, say, by attaching stops and limits to your trades.
Boredom
Too many investors buy and sell because they want something to do. They are trading as entertainment, rather than in the hope of making money. As well as making bad decisions, the extra dealing charges eat into returns.
Tip: Open an online demo account and get your thrills without risking real money.
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.
The five pillars of Islam
Read more from Aya Iskandarani
THE BIO
Favourite book: ‘Purpose Driven Life’ by Rick Warren
Favourite travel destination: Switzerland
Hobbies: Travelling and following motivational speeches and speakers
Favourite place in UAE: Dubai Museum
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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
How to donate
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
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Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Gulf Under 19s final
Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B
Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015
- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany
- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people
- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed
- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest
- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France
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