The countdown to New Year's Eve is on and there are plenty of spots to catch fireworks shows when the clock hits midnight in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Many of the most popular places have revealed their plans to ring in the new year, with others expected to follow suit in the weeks to come.
Meanwhile, those looking for budget-friendly year-end parties can find more information in The National's guides for Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Dubai
Burj Khalifa
The fireworks show at Burj Khalifa this year is set to be its biggest with 325 firing positions. They will shoot in 2,800 directions using 15,682 pyrotechnic elements. They will transform the sky into an intricate pattern of colours and shapes.
A special show for the Dubai Fountain has also been planned. Developer Emaar announced the first ticketed year-end party at Burj Park, priced at Dh150 for children between four and 12, and Dh300 for adults.
Additionally, numerous restaurants in the vicinity, including those at the promenade of The Dubai Mall, which has front-row seats to the fireworks and fountain shows, have New Year's Eve packages ranging from Dh1,500 per person at Wagamama to Dh7,000 at Maison de Curry.
Atlantis, The Palm
The Palm Jumeirah resort is known for its extravagant year-end parties. The fireworks display, too, is usually accompanied by a big-ticket name, and this year it is 17-time Grammy-winning artist Sting.
Guests can choose from several packages, from Dh7,000 for a Premium Circle spot to Dh12,500 for the Golden Circle, which includes a personalised caviar box and dishes with white truffle. The various restaurants within the hotel also have New Year's Eve offerings. At Ossiano, for example, prices start at Dh2,950 per person, while diners to Hakkasan will pay Dh1,950 each.
Bluewaters Island
Bluewaters is counting down to 2024 with restaurant deals galore, topped with a three-minute fireworks show as soon the clock strikes midnight. Diners can book tables at eateries including Virgin Izakaya (from Dh500), Miya (from Dh750) and Shi (from Dh1,500) among others. Most of the venues have different seating options and some offer more clear views of the fireworks than others.
If you miss the show on December 31, the island will also host daily fireworks from January 5 to 14, with a longer 10-minute display on January 13.
Al Seef
The charming and rustic Creek-side development is hosting daily fireworks shows from Christmas Day until January 4, at 9pm each evening.
Numerous dining options are also on site, as well as the picturesque sight of neon-lit abras sailing across the waters.
Dubai Parks and Resorts
Head to the Dubai Parks complex to catch an early fireworks display, ideal for families and those who want to hit bed early on New Year's Eve.
The laser and fireworks show is taking place at Riverland at 7pm and 9pm. Guests need to pay Dh15 to enter the venue, but those with annual passes or tickets to the other theme parks can enter for free.
Abu Dhabi
Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental
The Abu Dhabi hotel has a packed entertainment schedule for New Year's Eve, topped with its annual fireworks show. Starting at 10pm, the year-end party will include a live band as well as DJ sets and other performances.
The eight restaurants within the hotel are joining in the fun, too. Guests can pay Dh4,500 per person to enjoy dinner and drinks from any one of them, plus access to the hotel's after-party. A beverage-only package costs Dh2,500.
Yas Island
There will be two fireworks shows on Yas Island, one at midnight and an earlier one 9pm, which is perfect for families with younger children.
Yas Marina and Yas Bay are both good spots to witness the spectacle, with a handful of restaurant options along the promenade.
Sheikh Zayed Festival
The festival at Al Wathba is hosting a 40-minute-long fireworks display to ring in the new year, attempting to break a Guinness World Record in terms of size, type and formation.
This will be complemented by cultural performances on the ground, as well as other family-friendly activities that start at 4pm.
Al Maryah Island
The island's promenade is the perfect viewing spot for its annual 10-minute fireworks display, but there are also plenty of restaurants across The Galleria, Four Seasons and Rosewood hotels to book to enjoy the evening with a meal.
Hudayriyat Island
Marsana beachfront will be open until the wee hours of January 1, making it an ideal spot to ring in 2024, complete with a fireworks display organised by Hudayriyat Island.
The show aside, check out food spots including Drvn, Babu Town and Shrimp Pot, as well as the family-friendly activities lined up from midnight to 5am.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Richard Jewell
Director: Clint Eastwood
Stars: Paul Walter Hauser, Sam Rockwell, Brandon Stanley
Two-and-a-half out of five stars
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Bharatanatyam
A ancient classical dance from the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Intricate footwork and expressions are used to denote spiritual stories and ideas.
'The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window'
Director:Michael Lehmann
Stars:Kristen Bell
Rating: 1/5
Match info:
Burnley 0
Manchester United 2
Lukaku (22', 44')
Red card: Marcus Rashford (Man United)
Man of the match: Romelu Lukaku (Manchester United)
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
Brief scores:
Day 2
England: 277 & 19-0
West Indies: 154
School counsellors on mental well-being
Schools counsellors in Abu Dhabi have put a number of provisions in place to help support pupils returning to the classroom next week.
Many children will resume in-person lessons for the first time in 10 months and parents previously raised concerns about the long-term effects of distance learning.
Schools leaders and counsellors said extra support will be offered to anyone that needs it. Additionally, heads of years will be on hand to offer advice or coping mechanisms to ease any concerns.
“Anxiety this time round has really spiralled, more so than from the first lockdown at the beginning of the pandemic,” said Priya Mitchell, counsellor at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi.
“Some have got used to being at home don’t want to go back, while others are desperate to get back.
“We have seen an increase in depressive symptoms, especially with older pupils, and self-harm is starting younger.
“It is worrying and has taught us how important it is that we prioritise mental well-being.”
Ms Mitchell said she was liaising more with heads of year so they can support and offer advice to pupils if the demand is there.
The school will also carry out mental well-being checks so they can pick up on any behavioural patterns and put interventions in place to help pupils.
At Raha International School, the well-being team has provided parents with assessment surveys to see how they can support students at home to transition back to school.
“They have created a Well-being Resource Bank that parents have access to on information on various domains of mental health for students and families,” a team member said.
“Our pastoral team have been working with students to help ease the transition and reduce anxiety that [pupils] may experience after some have been nearly a year off campus.
"Special secondary tutorial classes have also focused on preparing students for their return; going over new guidelines, expectations and daily schedules.”
MATCH INFO
Newcastle United 2 (Willems 25', Shelvey 88')
Manchester City 2 (Sterling 22', De Bruyne 82')
BRAZIL SQUAD
Alisson (Liverpool), Daniel Fuzato (Roma), Ederson (Man City); Alex Sandro (Juventus), Danilo (Juventus), Eder Militao (Real Madrid), Emerson (Real Betis), Felipe (Atletico Madrid), Marquinhos (PSG), Renan Lodi (Atletico Madrid), Thiago Silva (PSG); Arthur (Barcelona), Casemiro (Real Madrid), Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa), Fabinho (Liverpool), Lucas Paqueta (AC Milan), Philippe Coutinho (Bayern Munich); David Neres (Ajax), Gabriel Jesus (Man City), Richarlison (Everton), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Willian (Chelsea).
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
More from Neighbourhood Watch
Mane points for safe home colouring
- Natural and grey hair takes colour differently than chemically treated hair
- Taking hair from a dark to a light colour should involve a slow transition through warmer stages of colour
- When choosing a colour (especially a lighter tone), allow for a natural lift of warmth
- Most modern hair colours are technique-based, in that they require a confident hand and taught skills
- If you decide to be brave and go for it, seek professional advice and use a semi-permanent colour
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
MATCH INFO
Manchester United v Everton
Where: Old Trafford, Manchester
When: Sunday, kick-off 7pm (UAE)
How to watch: Live on BeIN Sports 11HD
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KEY%20DATES%20IN%20AMAZON'S%20HISTORY
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OPENING FIXTURES
Saturday September 12
Crystal Palace v Southampton
Fulham v Arsenal
Liverpool v Leeds United
Tottenham v Everton
West Brom v Leicester
West Ham v Newcastle
Monday September 14
Brighton v Chelsea
Sheffield United v Wolves
To be rescheduled
Burnley v Manchester United
Manchester City v Aston Villa
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
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