• Then-president Barack Obama blows out candles on birthday cupcakes brought to him by then-vice president Joe Biden in the Oval Office, August 4, 2016. Photo courtesy of the National Archives/Pete Souza
    Then-president Barack Obama blows out candles on birthday cupcakes brought to him by then-vice president Joe Biden in the Oval Office, August 4, 2016. Photo courtesy of the National Archives/Pete Souza
  • Mr Obama with predecessors Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and George W Bush in Dallas, Texas, in April 2013. Mr Obama turned 60 on August 4, 2021. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
    Mr Obama with predecessors Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and George W Bush in Dallas, Texas, in April 2013. Mr Obama turned 60 on August 4, 2021. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
  • Mr Obama greets US embassy staff and their families at a hotel in Kingston, Jamaica, in 2015. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
    Mr Obama greets US embassy staff and their families at a hotel in Kingston, Jamaica, in 2015. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
  • Throwings darts at Manuel's Tavern before an interview with 'Vice' in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2015. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
    Throwings darts at Manuel's Tavern before an interview with 'Vice' in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2015. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
  • Mr Obama inspects the replica of a prison cell at the National Voting Rights Museum in Selma, Alabama. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
    Mr Obama inspects the replica of a prison cell at the National Voting Rights Museum in Selma, Alabama. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
  • Awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Congressman John Lewis in 2011. The veteran politician died in 2020. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
    Awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Congressman John Lewis in 2011. The veteran politician died in 2020. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
  • Mr Obama strolls the lawn with Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Photo courtesy of former president
    Mr Obama strolls the lawn with Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Photo courtesy of former president
  • On vacation in Martha’s Vineyard, Mr Obama shared a moment with his young niece, Savita. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
    On vacation in Martha’s Vineyard, Mr Obama shared a moment with his young niece, Savita. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
  • Mr Obama looks at jewellery at a shop before a walking tour of the ancient city of Petra in Jordan, March 23, 2013. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
    Mr Obama looks at jewellery at a shop before a walking tour of the ancient city of Petra in Jordan, March 23, 2013. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
  • President Barack Obama participates the Gulf Co-operation Council Summit at Diriyah Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, April 21, 2016. The president is seated with King Salman of Saudi Arabia and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
    President Barack Obama participates the Gulf Co-operation Council Summit at Diriyah Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, April 21, 2016. The president is seated with King Salman of Saudi Arabia and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
  • Mr Obama poses for a group selfie with the US Women's National Soccer Team celebrating their Fifa Women's World Cup victory at the White House on October 27, 2015. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
    Mr Obama poses for a group selfie with the US Women's National Soccer Team celebrating their Fifa Women's World Cup victory at the White House on October 27, 2015. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
  • Mr Obama watches as a vendor writes a name using coloured sand in a bottle during a walking tour of the ancient city of Petra in Jordan, March 23, 2013. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
    Mr Obama watches as a vendor writes a name using coloured sand in a bottle during a walking tour of the ancient city of Petra in Jordan, March 23, 2013. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
  • Mr Obama receives a fist-bump from a US soldier as he greets hundreds of US troops during his visit to Camp Victory, Iraq, April 7, 2009. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
    Mr Obama receives a fist-bump from a US soldier as he greets hundreds of US troops during his visit to Camp Victory, Iraq, April 7, 2009. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
  • Mr Obama and then-vice president Joe Biden walk around the South Lawn of the White House during a break on a working Sunday, July 24, 2011. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
    Mr Obama and then-vice president Joe Biden walk around the South Lawn of the White House during a break on a working Sunday, July 24, 2011. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
  • Mr Obama delivers remarks with the help of comedic actor Keegan-Michael Key as his 'anger translator' during the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner in Washington, April 25, 2015. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
    Mr Obama delivers remarks with the help of comedic actor Keegan-Michael Key as his 'anger translator' during the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner in Washington, April 25, 2015. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
  • Mr Obama, wife Michelle, her mother, daughters Malia and Sasha join John Lewis, George W Bush, his wife Laura and other dignitaries to march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Bloody Sunday, March 7, 2015. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
    Mr Obama, wife Michelle, her mother, daughters Malia and Sasha join John Lewis, George W Bush, his wife Laura and other dignitaries to march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Bloody Sunday, March 7, 2015. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
  • Mr Obama and then-vice president Joe Biden high-five after watching Sasha Obama and Maisy Biden, the vice president's granddaughter, play in a basketball game in Chevy Chase, Maryland, February 27, 2010. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
    Mr Obama and then-vice president Joe Biden high-five after watching Sasha Obama and Maisy Biden, the vice president's granddaughter, play in a basketball game in Chevy Chase, Maryland, February 27, 2010. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
  • The former president talks with a young refugee as she paints at a Dignity for Children Foundation classroom in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
    The former president talks with a young refugee as she paints at a Dignity for Children Foundation classroom in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
  • Mr Obama waves goodbye from the steps of Air Force One as he departs King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on his way to Cairo, Egypt, June 4, 2009. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
    Mr Obama waves goodbye from the steps of Air Force One as he departs King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on his way to Cairo, Egypt, June 4, 2009. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
  • Mr Obama views the area near the Treasury during a walking tour of the ancient city of Petra in Jordan, March 23, 2013. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
    Mr Obama views the area near the Treasury during a walking tour of the ancient city of Petra in Jordan, March 23, 2013. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
  • Mr Obama walking near the pyramids in Egypt. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
    Mr Obama walking near the pyramids in Egypt. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
  • Mrk Obama removes his shoes as he prepares to visit the Blue Mosque April 7, 2009, in Istanbul, Turkey. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
    Mrk Obama removes his shoes as he prepares to visit the Blue Mosque April 7, 2009, in Istanbul, Turkey. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
  • Mr Obama sits on the grass with daughter Sasha during a barbecue with family and friends in celebration of his 49th birthday on the South Lawn of the White House. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
    Mr Obama sits on the grass with daughter Sasha during a barbecue with family and friends in celebration of his 49th birthday on the South Lawn of the White House. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
  • Mr Obama views science exhibits during the 2015 White House Science Fair celebrating technology, engineering and math (STEM) competitions, March 23, 2015. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
    Mr Obama views science exhibits during the 2015 White House Science Fair celebrating technology, engineering and math (STEM) competitions, March 23, 2015. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
  • Mr Obama and first lady Michelle Obama present a birthday cake to Assistant Usher Reggie Dickson following a Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony and dinner honouring President Shimon Peres of Israel, June 13, 2012. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
    Mr Obama and first lady Michelle Obama present a birthday cake to Assistant Usher Reggie Dickson following a Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony and dinner honouring President Shimon Peres of Israel, June 13, 2012. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
  • Mr Obama turned 60 on August 4. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
    Mr Obama turned 60 on August 4. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
  • Mr Obama hugs Gabby Giffords as he arrives to deliver the State of the Union address in the House Chamber on January 24, 2012 at the US Capitol in Washington. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
    Mr Obama hugs Gabby Giffords as he arrives to deliver the State of the Union address in the House Chamber on January 24, 2012 at the US Capitol in Washington. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
  • Mr Obama takes a moment to himself before delivering remarks to the nation after yet another mass shooting. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
    Mr Obama takes a moment to himself before delivering remarks to the nation after yet another mass shooting. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
  • Mr Obama jokingly scolds then-vice president Joe Biden for dropping birthday cake in the Oval Office of the White House. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
    Mr Obama jokingly scolds then-vice president Joe Biden for dropping birthday cake in the Oval Office of the White House. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
  • Mr Obama hugs first lady Michelle Obama after she introduces him at a grassroots campaign event at Lagomarcino's Confectionary in Davenport, Iowa, August 15, 2012. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
    Mr Obama hugs first lady Michelle Obama after she introduces him at a grassroots campaign event at Lagomarcino's Confectionary in Davenport, Iowa, August 15, 2012. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
  • Mr Obama attempts his best split with the gold medal 2016 US Olympic Women's Gymnastics Team after the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, September 29, 2016. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
    Mr Obama attempts his best split with the gold medal 2016 US Olympic Women's Gymnastics Team after the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, September 29, 2016. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
  • Mr Obama on a much-needed vacation in his home state of Hawaii. Photo courtesy of the National Archives
    Mr Obama on a much-needed vacation in his home state of Hawaii. Photo courtesy of the National Archives

Barack Obama's star-studded 60th birthday bash: who made the guest list?


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It was meant to be the summer party of the year, but a new wave of the Delta variant of the coronavirus led former US president Barack Obama to scale down his star-studded birthday plans.

Obama, who turned 60 on Wednesday, was set to host a garden party with a reported 475-person-strong guest list at his $12 million mansion in Martha’s Vineyard island in Massachussetts.

However, according to The New York Times, many of the A-list guests received a call earlier in the week, to be told that they’d been uninvited, because of growing concerns about the spread of the Delta variant.

Curb Your Enthusiasm actor Larry David, and talk show hosts David Letterman and Conan O’Brien were among those who didn’t make the cut, The New York Times reported, while close friend Oprah Winfrey and filmmaker Ava DuVernay pulled out of the party earlier because of Covid-19 concerns.

For those who did make it, however, the bash was a “magical” event, according to guest Chrissy Teigen, who, along with husband John Legend, are known to be close friends of the former president and his wife Michelle Obama.

“Well, that was magical. Goodnight Martha’s Vineyard. I have fallen in love with you hard,” Teigen posted on Sunday, along with a video of herself singing Happy Birthday.

Teigen and Legend also posted images of themselves at the venue, with one photo featuring Pearl, a basset hound they adopted in July.

The menu at the bash included an extensive meat-free selection, co-ordinated by musician Questlove, according to Bloomberg.

Items included Spam musubi, made with Impossible Foods's faux meat and Eat Just’s plant-based eggs. Questlove also created his cheesesteak eggrolls, made using Impossible “beef” and “cheese sauce” from Perfect Day, a start-up in Berkeley, California, that makes animal-free and non-dairy proteins.

In lieu of gifts, Obama encouraged guests to donate to programmes that support young people, such as My Brother's Keeper, which helps young men of colour; the Girls Opportunity Alliance, which empowers adolescent girls around the world; and the Obama Foundation's Global Leadership Programmes, which aims to equip the next generation of emerging leaders, according to USA Today.

Actress Gabrielle Union and her husband, NBA player Dwyane Wade, were also spotted at the event.

"He rang. I answered," Union posted, along with photos of herself and Wade.

Union also posted another photo of the couple in the same location the next day, suggesting that there may have been several events.

Other guests included Bruce Springsteen, who teamed up with the former president earlier this year for a Spotify podcast, as well as Beyonce and her husband Jay Z. The Late Show host Stephen Colbert also attended.

Guests listed by The Daily Mail also include actors Tom Hanks, Bradley Cooper, Don Cheadle and directors Spike Lee and Steven Spielberg. Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder and Alicia Keys were also in attendance.

Grammy-winning musician HER, who made it to Obama's summer playlist this year, was also spotted at the party, which had performances by rapper Common and singer Erykah Badu.

"Happy birthday to the coolest @barackobama what an amazing night!" HER posted on Sunday, along with a video of her and the former president dancing. She deleted the post a few hours later.

Current US President Joe Biden did not attend, but made sure to wish his former boss a happy birthday on Wednesday.

Critics of Obama, especially those from the Republican Party, have slammed the former Democratic president for hosting such a large-scale event.

Republican congressman Jim Jordan, a loyalist of Obama's successor Donald Trump, took to Twitter to joke that "if this was President Trump's birthday" Democrats would be saying "How can someone be so reckless?" or "They're killing people".

Obama's spokesperson Hannah Hankins said the outdoor event was "planned months ago in accordance with all public health guidelines and with Covid safeguards in place".

"Due to the new spread of the Delta variant over the past week, the [former] president and Mrs Obama have decided to significantly scale back the event to include only family and close friends,” Hankins said. “President Obama is appreciative of others sending their birthday wishes from afar and looks forward to seeing people soon.”

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.

The%20National%20selections
%3Cp%3E%3Cspan%20style%3D%22font-size%3A%2014px%3B%22%3E6pm%3A%20Go%20Soldier%20Go%3Cbr%3E6.35pm%3A%20Man%20Of%20Promise%3Cbr%3E7.10pm%3A%20Withering%3Cbr%3E7.45pm%3A%20Mawj%3Cbr%3E8.20pm%3A%20Falling%20Shadow%3Cbr%3E8.55pm%3A%20Law%20Of%20Peace%3Cbr%3E9.30pm%3A%20Naval%20Power%3Cbr%3E10.05pm%3A%20The%20Attorney%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
How%20champions%20are%20made
%3Cp%3E%0D%3Cstrong%3EDiet%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%0D%3Cbr%3E7am%20-%20Protein%20shake%20with%20oats%20and%20fruits%0D%3Cbr%3E10am%20-%205-6%20egg%20whites%0D%3Cbr%3E1pm%20-%20White%20rice%20or%20chapati%20(Indian%20bread)%20with%20chicken%0D%3Cbr%3E4pm%20-%20Dry%20fruits%20%0D%3Cbr%3E7.30pm%20-%20Pre%20workout%20meal%20%E2%80%93%20grilled%20fish%20or%20chicken%20with%20veggies%20and%20fruits%0D%3Cbr%3E8.30pm%20to%20midnight%20workout%0D%3Cbr%3E12.30am%20%E2%80%93%20Protein%20shake%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETotal%20intake%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204000-4500%20calories%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESaidu%E2%80%99s%20weight%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20110%20kg%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStats%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Biceps%2019%20inches.%20Forearms%2018%20inches%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Most match wins on clay

Guillermo Vilas - 659

Manuel Orantes - 501

Thomas Muster - 422

Rafael Nadal - 399 *

Jose Higueras - 378

Eddie Dibbs - 370

Ilie Nastase - 338

Carlos Moya - 337

Ivan Lendl - 329

Andres Gomez - 322

Marathon results

Men:

 1. Titus Ekiru(KEN) 2:06:13 

2. Alphonce Simbu(TAN) 2:07:50 

3. Reuben Kipyego(KEN) 2:08:25 

4. Abel Kirui(KEN) 2:08:46 

5. Felix Kemutai(KEN) 2:10:48  

Women:

1. Judith Korir(KEN) 2:22:30 

2. Eunice Chumba(BHR) 2:26:01 

3. Immaculate Chemutai(UGA) 2:28:30 

4. Abebech Bekele(ETH) 2:29:43 

5. Aleksandra Morozova(RUS) 2:33:01  

The BIO:

He became the first Emirati to climb Mount Everest in 2011, from the south section in Nepal

He ascended Mount Everest the next year from the more treacherous north Tibetan side

By 2015, he had completed the Explorers Grand Slam

Last year, he conquered K2, the world’s second-highest mountain located on the Pakistan-Chinese border

He carries dried camel meat, dried dates and a wheat mixture for the final summit push

His new goal is to climb 14 peaks that are more than 8,000 metres above sea level

Brief scores:

Toss: Nepal, chose to field

UAE 153-6: Shaiman (59), Usman (30); Regmi 2-23

Nepal 132-7: Jora 53 not out; Zahoor 2-17

Result: UAE won by 21 runs

Series: UAE lead 1-0

Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea

Wenger's Arsenal reign in numbers

1,228 - games at the helm, ahead of Sunday's Premier League fixture against West Ham United.
704 - wins to date as Arsenal manager.
3 - Premier League title wins, the last during an unbeaten Invincibles campaign of 2003/04.
1,549 - goals scored in Premier League matches by Wenger's teams.
10 - major trophies won.
473 - Premier League victories.
7 - FA Cup triumphs, with three of those having come the last four seasons.
151 - Premier League losses.
21 - full seasons in charge.
49 - games unbeaten in the Premier League from May 2003 to October 2004.

The design

The protective shell is covered in solar panels to make use of light and produce energy. This will drastically reduce energy loss.

More than 80 per cent of the energy consumed by the French pavilion will be produced by the sun.

The architecture will control light sources to provide a highly insulated and airtight building.

The forecourt is protected from the sun and the plants will refresh the inner spaces.

A micro water treatment plant will recycle used water to supply the irrigation for the plants and to flush the toilets. This will reduce the pavilion’s need for fresh water by 30 per cent.

Energy-saving equipment will be used for all lighting and projections.

Beyond its use for the expo, the pavilion will be easy to dismantle and reuse the material.

Some elements of the metal frame can be prefabricated in a factory.

 From architects to sound technicians and construction companies, a group of experts from 10 companies have created the pavilion.

Work will begin in May; the first stone will be laid in Dubai in the second quarter of 2019. 

Construction of the pavilion will take 17 months from May 2019 to September 2020.

Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

Juliot Vinolia’s checklist for adopting alternate-day fasting

-      Don’t do it more than once in three days

-      Don’t go under 700 calories on fasting days

-      Ensure there is sufficient water intake, as the body can go in dehydration mode

-      Ensure there is enough roughage (fibre) in the food on fasting days as well

-      Do not binge on processed or fatty foods on non-fasting days

-      Complement fasting with plant-based foods, fruits, vegetables, seafood. Cut out processed meats and processed carbohydrates

-      Manage your sleep

-      People with existing gastric or mental health issues should avoid fasting

-      Do not fast for prolonged periods without supervision by a qualified expert

Mubadala World Tennis Championship 2018 schedule

Thursday December 27

Men's quarter-finals

Kevin Anderson v Hyeon Chung 4pm

Dominic Thiem v Karen Khachanov 6pm

Women's exhibition

Serena Williams v Venus Williams 8pm

Friday December 28

5th place play-off 3pm

Men's semi-finals

Rafael Nadal v Anderson/Chung 5pm

Novak Djokovic v Thiem/Khachanov 7pm

Saturday December 29

3rd place play-off 5pm

Men's final 7pm

BMW M5 specs

Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor

Power: 727hp

Torque: 1,000Nm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh650,000

Vidaamuyarchi

Director: Magizh Thirumeni

Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra

Rating: 4/5

 

Race%20card
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New Zealand squad

Tim Southee (capt), Trent Boult (games 4 and 5), Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson (games 1-3), Martin Guptill, Scott Kuggeleijn, Daryl Mitchell, Colin Munro, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Ross Taylor, Blair Tickner

Updated: August 09, 2021, 11:32 AM