The UAE is getting ready to celebrate its 49th National Day with a five-day break and celebrations across the country. While things will look a little different this year, with scaled-down events to ensure safety and social distancing measures are adhered to, the UAE still has a number of its signature firework displays planned.
From spectacular free shows to a new fountain and fireworks spectacle, here are all of the events you need to know about:
ABU DHABI
Abu Dhabi Corniche
The capital's annual National Day fireworks will return to the Corniche on Wednesday at 9.25pm. While this year's event will be spectator free, the display will be broadcast live on Abu Dhabi TV and Emarat TV, as well as on the UAE_BARQ Instagram page.
Al Reem Island
Residents living on Abu Dhabi's Al Reem Island will be able to enjoy a fireworks display from the safety of their own home. A show will take place at 9pm, lighting up the sky in the area, which should be visible from most windows and balconies.
Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival
Those living in and around Al Wathba can celebrate Emirati culture at the Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival. The festival features arts, crafts, food and performances, with a special programme of celebrations in place over the National Day holiday, as well as falconry displays, camel races and fireworks. Festivities begin from 4pm on Wednesday, December 2.
Wednesday, December 2, from 4pm; free; Al Wathba; zayedfestival.com
The Corniche
While fireworks at the Corniche will be held spectator-free, that doesn't mean you can't enjoy the show. The display on National Day will be streamed live on the Barq media Instagram page, as well as broadcast on Abu Dhabi TV and Emarat TV, so you can watch even if you're overseas.
Wednesday, December 2, from 9.25pm; free; instagram.com/UAE_BARQ
DUBAI
Dubai Festival City Mall
Dubai Festival City Mall's annual National Day celebrations are set to return this year, with a special Arabic-themed Imagine light show and two firework displays, as well as a family entertainment programme. This year, for the first time, restaurants around the water's edge will be offering seats directly on the promenade, with socially distanced front-row seats to the fireworks, which will take place at 9pm and 11pm. There will be two seating timings, from 7pm to 9.15pm, and from 9.30pm to 11.30pm, which will need to be pre-booked. Participating restaurants include Al Fanar, Chili's, Peppermill, Famous Dave's, Five Guys, Nando's, Semsom, Turkish Village, Joe's Crab Shack and the InterContinental Dubai – Festival City.
Wednesday, December 2, 7pm-11.30pm; Dubai Festival City, dubaifestivalcity.com
The Palm Fountain
Updated: The fireworks display and concert at The Pointe's The Palm Fountains have been cancelled with organisers citing safety precautions.
Just last month, The Pointe's The Palm Fountains officially became the biggest fountains in the world, when they were switched on alongside a spectacular fireworks display, set against the backdrop of Atlantis, The Palm. And for the 49th National Day, the fireworks will be back, alongside a special fountain and light show. The show, by Emirati composer Ihab Darwish, will include a live orchestra and is inspired by the spirit of Dubai. The fireworks will take place at 9pm. Selected restaurants at The Pointe will offer special promotions to celebrate.
Tuesday, December 1 and Wednesday, December 2, 9pm; free; The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai; thepointe.ae
La Mer
Beachfront destination La Mer will be celebrating National Day on Wednesday, December 2, with two firework displays. Taking place at 9pm and 11pm, its annual displays will be set against the backdrop of the Arabian Gulf. In line with guidelines set by the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority, La Mer will be undertaking added measures to ensure visitors' safety and physical distancing during the National Day holiday.
Measures will include public announcements reiterating precautionary measures, appointment of additional on-ground security teams to implement social distancing norms, closure of access and parking at full capacity, and any other steps necessary to offer a safe and comfortable dining, shopping and leisure experience. It is advised to get in early to make reservations at beachfront outlets to enjoy fireworks from a safe distance.
Wednesday, December 2, 9pm and 11pm; free; La Mer, Dubai; lamerdubai.ae
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More on UAE National Day:
National Day staycations under Dh1,500: Getaways in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and more
National Day 2020: themed menus and meal deals in Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Things to do this UAE National Day: deals, days out and activities in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah
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David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Sebastian Stefan, Sebastian Morar and Claudia Pacurar
Based: Dubai, UAE
Founded: 2014
Number of employees: 36
Sector: Logistics
Raised: $2.5 million
Investors: DP World, Prime Venture Partners and family offices in Saudi Arabia and the UAE
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Best Agent: Jorge Mendes
Best Club : Liverpool
Best Coach: Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)
Best Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker
Best Men’s Player: Cristiano Ronaldo
Best Partnership of the Year Award by SportBusiness: Manchester City and SAP
Best Referee: Stephanie Frappart
Best Revelation Player: Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid and Portugal)
Best Sporting Director: Andrea Berta (Atletico Madrid)
Best Women's Player: Lucy Bronze
Best Young Arab Player: Achraf Hakimi
Kooora – Best Arab Club: Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
Kooora – Best Arab Player: Abderrazak Hamdallah (Al-Nassr FC, Saudi Arabia)
Player Career Award: Miralem Pjanic and Ryan Giggs
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- Pakistan: Imran Khan and Shahid Afridi (rumoured)
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Countdown to Zero: Defeating Disease, an international multimedia exhibition created by the American Museum of National History in collaboration with The Carter Center, will open in Abu Dhabi a month before Reaching the Last Mile.
Opening on October 15 and running until November 15, the free exhibition opens at The Galleria mall on Al Maryah Island, and has already been seen at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
All kick-off times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Saturday
Liverpool v Manchester United - 3.30pm
Burnley v West Ham United - 6pm
Crystal Palace v Chelsea - 6pm
Manchester City v Stoke City - 6pm
Swansea City v Huddersfield Town - 6pm
Tottenham Hotspur v Bournemouth - 6pm
Watford v Arsenal - 8.30pm
Sunday
Brighton and Hove Albion v Everton - 4.30pm
Southampton v Newcastle United - 7pm
Monday
Leicester City v West Bromwich Albion - 11pm
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Director: Christian Schwochow
Starring: George MacKay, Jannis Niewohner, Jeremy Irons
Rating: 3/5
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- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
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Favourite team: Bayern Munich
Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer
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Roger Hunt 285
Mohamed Salah 250
Gordon Hodgson 241
Billy Liddell 228
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Rating: 3/5
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Russia and Ukraine have been locked in a bitter conflict since 2014, when Ukraine’s Kremlin-friendly president was ousted, Moscow annexed Crimea and then backed a separatist insurgency in the east.
Fighting between the Russia-backed rebels and Ukrainian forces has killed more than 14,000 people. In 2015, France and Germany helped broker a peace deal, known as the Minsk agreements, that ended large-scale hostilities but failed to bring a political settlement of the conflict.
The Kremlin has repeatedly accused Kiev of sabotaging the deal, and Ukrainian officials in recent weeks said that implementing it in full would hurt Ukraine.
