Step on to Al Qawasim Corniche in Ras Al Khaimah at night during Ramadan and you will hear the sound of children playing and laughing in front of a stall selling dondurma, or Turkish ice cream.
The vendor will trick and tease them with the hard-to-melt ice cream, stretching it into long, chewing-gum-like strips before at last handing it over to them, their parents sharing in the joy too.
Families drink a coffee or puff on shisha in one of the nearby cafes or take a walk along the creek, surrounded by twinkling Ramadan decorations and lights.
“This is my favourite place in RAK,” said Asmaa Bashir, 25, a Syrian mother of two who was at the Corniche with her mother, sister and two daughters – Hala, 4, and Lana, 3. “I come here to enjoy family time and eat ice cream with the girls.
“It’s a good treat for us and like a reward – to be able to spend some free time away from the kitchen during Ramadan,” she said.
"The weather is still good enough to walk and the girls love it."
Al Qawasim Corniche, the most popular street in Ras Al Khaimah, comes to life after midnight as families arrive to unwind, catch up or simply stay active during Ramadan.
"I come here every day after taraweeh [additional Ramadan prayers] with my cousin to try to get rid of the extra calories we gained during iftar," said Emirati Mohammed Rashid, 31, who was walking with his cousin, Ahmed Rashid, 33.
"Many people choose not to exercise during Ramadan but we see it as very important before and after iftar."
Ahmed agreed, saying that people should stay fit and active during Ramadan.
“We should treat Ramadan as any other month. It’s the month of giving and taking care of people and yourself, therefore we should not neglect our bodies and always stay active,” he said.
The three-kilometre-long Corniche became an important recreational destination after it was renovated in 2017 and footpaths and cycle lanes were added to promote a healthy lifestyle.
Another Emirati who came to walk on the Corniche said she always encouraged her family to walk to stay fit.
"I always try to encourage them to join me for a walk," said Sara Khames, 30.
“Me and my friend come here to jog almost every day. We start at about 11pm and stay until at least 12.30am, and sometimes more.
“I see many people do the same at the Corniche. Some bring their children to walk with them or play around them while walking.
“The atmosphere is very encouraging and better than sitting at home watching TV and getting fat.”
Tourists also visit the Corniche to experience the holy month atmosphere, try traditional Emirati food and enjoy the outdoor weather.
Two visitors from Sudan said they came to the area to have a traditional iftar in one of the restaurants with family and then decided to stay until midnight.
“The weather is perfect and the area is very beautiful and well organised. We don’t want to leave yet,” said Hadeel Othman, 21.
"You can feel Ramadan vibes everywhere with the lights and the decorations – it is very special. Plus, everyone is enjoying their time here."
Her friend Khansaa Al Hassan, who went to the Corniche with her sister and two nieces, said the food was great and the atmosphere was family friendly.
"You can see families playing with their children," said Ms Al Hassan, 26. "It's a very friendly and warm atmosphere and we can't get enough of it."
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Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
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Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 611bhp
Torque: 620Nm
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
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Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
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Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
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Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
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Engine: 4 liquid-cooled permanent magnet synchronous electric motors placed at each wheel
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