When Atlantis, The Palm opened in 2008, it attracted A-listers in full force


Sophie Prideaux
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More than 14 years after it opened its doors on Palm Jumeirah, Atlantis, The Palm remains one of Dubai’s most recognisible landmarks.

And now it stands proudly next to the city’s newest property, sister resort Atlantis, The Royal, which is set to celebrate its grand opening this weekend in spectacular fashion.

There will be fireworks, gala dinners, A-listers and a performance from global superstar Beyonce. Celebrity chefs will be on hand to cook for the invited guests, who will be among the first in the world to experience the luxury resort.

It might be the biggest party to take place in the city since the original Atlantis opened in 2008.

Back then, the towering structure, known for its signature pink shade and keyhole design, cut a lonely figure on the now-booming Palm Jumeirah.

At the time, The National reported that the $1.5 billion resort invited 2,000 guests to mark its lavish opening, attracting global stars, royalty and the attention of the world.

Among those in attendance were actors Charlize Theron and Robert De Niro, basketball star Michael Jordan and singer Kylie Minogue, who also performed at the event.

Mischa Barton, Lindsay Lohan, Mary-Kate Olsen, Lily Allen, Natalie Imbruglia and Sir Richard Branson were among some of the other stars who walked the hotel’s blue carpet.

In true Dubai fashion, there was a spectacular fireworks show to mark the opening, with the whole of Palm Jumeirah lighting up. Fireworks were placed around the manmade island’s crescent and along its fronds.

The party did not unfold without criticism, however, as it took place during the 2008 global economic downturn.

“It’s not the perfect timing to open a $1.5 billion resort,” Sol Kerzner, former chairman and chief executive officer of Kerzner, which built the resort, told Reuters at the time. “On the other hand, we don’t build something like this with the short-term in mind.

“I believe Dubai will come to be one of the top destinations in the world,” he added.

And it appears Kerzner, who died in 2020 at the age of 84, was right. Dubai has just been named as the world's number one destination by Tripadvisor for the second year running.

Before the Covid-19 pandemic halted global travel, Atlantis, The Palm also enjoyed a record year, welcoming more than half a million visitors and operating at 90 per cent capacity, the resort said.

It has undergone several updates since its inception, and this weekend will unveil its latest new feature — the world’s biggest Nobu restaurant. The famed Japanese outlet, which closed its former spot in the resort last year, will now occupy the space which formerly housed the ultra-luxurious Royal Bridge Suite.

Following Atlantis, The Royal’s grand opening party this weekend, the resort will welcome guests from February 11.

Spanning 63 hectares and housing 795 rooms and suites, countless hospitality venues and no fewer than 90 swimming pools, the resort’s opening has been anticipated for years.

It will have 17 restaurants, including the Middle East's first Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, from the famed British chef; Cantonese restaurant Hakkasan; and Ariana's Persian Kitchen by the Iranian-American celebrity TV chef and cookbook author Ariana Bundy.

A first look inside the new Atlantis, The Royal

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The two riders are among several riders in the UAE to receive the top payment of £10,000 under the Thank You Fund of £16 million (Dh80m), which was announced in conjunction with Deliveroo's £8 billion (Dh40bn) stock market listing earlier this year.

The £10,000 (Dh50,000) payment is made to those riders who have completed the highest number of orders in each market.

There are also riders who will receive payments of £1,000 (Dh5,000) and £500 (Dh2,500).

All riders who have worked with Deliveroo for at least one year and completed 2,000 orders will receive £200 (Dh1,000), the company said when it announced the scheme.

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BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES

Friday (UAE kick-off times)

Cologne v Hoffenheim (11.30pm)

Saturday

Hertha Berlin v RB Leipzig (6.30pm)

Schalke v Fortuna Dusseldof (6.30pm)

Mainz v Union Berlin (6.30pm)

Paderborn v Augsburg (6.30pm)

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Sunday

Borussia Monchengladbach v Werder Bremen (4.30pm)

Wolfsburg v Bayer Leverkusen (6.30pm)

SC Freiburg v Eintracht Frankfurt (9on)

Healthy tips to remember

Here, Dr Mohamed El Abiary, paediatric consultant at Al Zahra Hospital Dubai, shares some advice for parents whose children are fasting during the holy month of Ramadan:

Gradual fasting and golden points - For children under the age of 10, follow a step-by-step approach to fasting and don't push them beyond their limits. Start with a few hours fasting a day and increase it to a half fast and full fast when the child is ready. Every individual's ability varies as per the age and personal readiness. You could introduce a points system that awards the child and offers them encouragement when they make progress with the amount of hours they fast

Why fast? - Explain to your child why they are fasting. By shedding light on the importance of abstaining from food and drink, children may feel more encouraged to give it there all during the observance period. It is also a good opportunity to teach children about controlling urges, doing good for others and instilling healthy food habits

Sleep and suhoor - A child needs adequate sleep every night - at least eight hours. Make sure to set a routine early bedtime so he/she has sufficient time to wake up for suhoor, which is an essential meal at the beginning of the day

Good diet - Nutritious food is crucial to ensuring a healthy Ramadan for children. They must refrain from eating too much junk food as well as canned goods and snacks and drinks high in sugar. Foods that are rich in nutrients, vitamins and proteins, like fruits, fresh meats and vegetables, make for a good balanced diet

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Canada

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Australia

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Saudi Arabia

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The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


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Other promotions
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VEZEETA PROFILE

Date started: 2012

Founder: Amir Barsoum

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: HealthTech / MedTech

Size: 300 employees

Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)

Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC

Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

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England's Ashes squad

Joe Root (captain), Moeen Ali, Jimmy Anderson, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes. 

Updated: January 20, 2023, 3:59 AM`