Classical radio station now available nationwide


  • English
  • Arabic

DUBAI // The UAE's only classical music radio station is now available nationwide. Abu Dhabi Classic FM, broadcasting at 91.6FM in the capital, today launched a new frequency, 89.7FM, which will be available in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. Abdulrahman Awadh al Harthi, the director of Abu Dhabi Radio Network, of which AD Classic FM is a subsidiary, called the launch a "milestone" for the station. "[It] reaffirms our earlier commitment to broadcast UAE-wide. We are confident this will further boost the station's popularity," he said. Reaction from listeners was mixed. Rebecca Rendell, 26, a Ras Al Khaimah-based artist from the UK, who often listens to Vivaldi's Four Seasons in the studio, said she was excited about the new station. "I grew up on this kind of music and I find it extremely relaxing," she said. "I always play it when I'm in the studio because it helps me get into the zone. I like a lot of different sorts of music, but I can't listen to hardcore dance while I am working. I will definitely tune in." Tarek Naja, 28, who works in IT security, also in RAK, said he hoped coverage reached all the emirates. "I don't know whether it's my radio or the coverage, but I don't seem to get any good radio stations up here," he said. "I really like classical music so I'll be looking out for it." Iman ben Chaibah, who works as an IT product manager in Dubai, said she did not think it would have much on an impact in the city. "We already have a diverse mix of stations here, which gives me whatever I want from pop music to hits from the '70s and '80s, as well as lots of talk shows and discussions. I don't really think we need any more," she said. Although she listens to the radio for a minimum of two hours a day when she is in her car, Miss ben Chaibah, 25, an Emirati, said she wouldn't be a listener. "It's really not my kind of music, I guess I'm just not that interested." Listeners to the new frequency will have the same schedule of programmes already been transmitted in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. Abu Dhabi Radio Network is part of Abu Dhabi Media Company, which owns The National. aseaman@thenational.ae

Electric scooters: some rules to remember
  • 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
Men from Barca's class of 99

Crystal Palace - Frank de Boer

Everton - Ronald Koeman

Manchester City - Pep Guardiola

Manchester United - Jose Mourinho

Southampton - Mauricio Pellegrino

About Takalam

Date started: early 2020

Founders: Khawla Hammad and Inas Abu Shashieh

Based: Abu Dhabi

Sector: HealthTech and wellness

Number of staff: 4

Funding to date: Bootstrapped

The specs: 2018 BMW R nineT Scrambler

Price, base / as tested Dh57,000

Engine 1,170cc air/oil-cooled flat twin four-stroke engine

Transmission Six-speed gearbox

Power 110hp) @ 7,750rpm

Torque 116Nm @ 6,000rpm

Fuel economy, combined 5.3L / 100km

Sole survivors
  • Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
  • George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
  • Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
  • Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Defence review at a glance

• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”

• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems

• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.

• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%

• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade

• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels

RESULTS

5pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (Turf) 2,200m
Winner: M'A Yaromoon, Jesus Rosales (jockey), Khalifa Al Neydai (trainer)

5.30pm: Khor Al Baghal – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner: No Riesgo Al Maury, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami

6pm: Khor Faridah – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner: JAP Almahfuz, Royston Ffrench, Irfan Ellahi

6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh110,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Mahmouda, Pat Cosgrave, Abdallah Al Hammadi

7pm: Abu Dhabi Colts Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh110,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: AS Jezan, George Buckell, Ahmed Al Mehairbi

7.30pm: Khor Laffam – Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m
Winner: Dolman, Antonio Fresu, Bhupath Seemar

The specs: 2018 GMC Terrain

Price, base / as tested: Dh94,600 / Dh159,700

Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder

Power: 252hp @ 5,500rpm

Torque: 353Nm @ 2,500rpm

Transmission: Nine-speed automatic

Fuel consumption, combined: 7.4L  / 100km