Thousands of revellers across the UAE welcomed the New Year in style on Tuesday, enjoying spectacular firework displays at the stroke of midnight.
Families and friends gathered together to say a last farewell to 2019 and embrace the start of a new decade.
In Dubai, below Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, partygoers looked up in wonder as a huge pyrotechnic display lit up the night sky.
Tourists and residents alike were left in awe as rockets blazed heavenwards, bursting into a gamut of colour and noise.
“It was an unforgettable display,” said Alan Crystal, 39, a South African who has lived in the UAE for five years.
“The sky was awash with explosions and the atmosphere was buzzing. It was packed but everyone around us was loving it.”
Luisa Coelho, 31, from Portugal said: "The array of colour and the amount of rockets was breathtaking. It seemed to go on for ever."
The UAE’s 2020 celebrations were every bit as dramatic in the other six emirates.
In Abu Dhabi, onlookers on the Corniche enjoyed another elaborate firework display, coming just weeks after similar celebrations for National Day.
And in Ras Al Khaimah, officials hoped to break two Guinness World Records: the first by using 190 drones to launch their display, and the second being the longest ever "firework firewall", stretching an impressive four kilometres.
But while it was all about the party atmosphere for many, others opted for a more relaxed approach on New Year's Eve.
"No fireworks for me this year," Trish Fin, 59, a veterinary nurse from Dubai, told The National.
"I moved here in 1999 and I've been there, done that – but I'm still partying with friends at a brunch, of course.
“All in all, the night will cost me about Dh300, not bad considering the city we live in and the time of year.”
Sherrie Stewart, 28, from the UK, spent her evening with friends at the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club.
"We wanted to avoid the crowds but still have great seats," she said. "We decided to watch the fireworks over Dubai's iconic skyline from the Creek."
Earlier on Tuesday, the UAE's leaders wished the country and the world and happy and prosperous new year.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, said: "I wish well-being to my country and the Arab world with each passing year. May mankind move forward towards a brighter, better and greater future."
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, used Twitter to express his hopes for 2020.
“We hope that 2020 will be a year of peace, stability, optimism and goodness for humanity,” he wrote.
“With God's will, we will keep fulfilling our civilised mission of promoting well-being, co-existence and tolerance.”
As the countdown to midnight drew closer on Tuesday, throngs of tourists headed towards Downtown Dubai and Burj Khalifa.
Cheering crowds from the world over came dressed in everything from superhero costumes to formal dinner jackets and ball gowns.
By 8pm the party atmosphere appeared to be in full swing. Music blared from rooftops in Al Bateen in Abu Dhabi while hotel bands belted out old favourites in Fujairah.
Meanwhile, on the Al Majaz Waterfront in Sharjah, revellers gathered to watch another spectacular 10-minute firework display, with partygoers determined to celebrate long into the night to make the most of the national public holiday on New Year's Day.
“New Year’s in the UAE is always very special,” said one. “It’s a chance to reflect but also to really soak up an evening full of atmosphere and noise. Everyone’s out to party.”
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, last-16. first leg
Atletico Madrid v Juventus, midnight (Thursday), BeIN Sports
The Penguin
Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz
Creator: Lauren LeFranc
Rating: 4/5
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The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
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
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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
SPECS
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
HEADLINE HERE
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UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
THE%20FLASH
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Andy%20Muschietti%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Sasha%20Calle%2C%20Ben%20Affleck%2C%20Ezra%20Miller%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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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
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MIDWAY
Produced: Lionsgate Films, Shanghai Ryui Entertainment, Street Light Entertainment
Directed: Roland Emmerich
Cast: Ed Skrein, Woody Harrelson, Dennis Quaid, Aaron Eckhart, Luke Evans, Nick Jonas, Mandy Moore, Darren Criss
Rating: 3.5/5 stars