Human Interest

Pantone has introduced two colours for 2021.

As we turn a new page and welcome 2021, we can’t help but wonder… are we as technologically advanced as we thought we would be by now? We grew up watching the Jetsons and saw flying cars, and talking robots!

COVID-19 stopped meetings and events in their tracks earlier in the year.

Many businesses have seen the effects of the infamous COVID-19 pandemic causing several of them to adapt to a ”new normal” lifestyle.

If you haven’t already heard about it, Abu Dhabi-based doctors have announced pioneering work in stem cell therapy to repair lung damage caused by the coronavirus infection.

The Presidential Palace, a labyrinthine network of white domes, ornate buildings and gardens, has been hidden from the world – until now. The palace, or at least part of it, has opened to the public for the first time, granting visitors the opportunity to gain deeper understanding of the UAE’s governing traditions and values.

Dubai Land Department (DLD) has announced plans for a real estate platform called Real Estate Self Transaction (REST), allowing landlords to sell and manage their properties online. The platform is part of the Dubai 10x initiative aimed at placing government entities 10 years ahead.

Five Waitrose stores in Abu Dhabi are charging 25 fils for grocery bags as part of a 12-week trial to discourage consumers from using single-use plastic bags. The trial runs from June 16 to September 8.

They say an act of goodwill can go a long way, and Dubai is embracing this concept with full force. Many initiatives in the UAE are created with the intent of making the city a safer and happier city to live in. One I’ve recently come across is Unspoken Smiles.

Making a stand against single-use plastic, the Environment Agency, Abu Dhabi, has established Team Zayed, joining 20 countries to encourage positive environmental behaviour, pledging to reduce single-use plastic in everyday lives.

For the fifth year in a row, the UAE has beaten Sweden and Luxembourg to take the title of “world’s largest donor of official development aid relative to its national income.”

This year on January 1, a 5% value added tax was introduced in the UAE and has since then been the hottest topic within the region.

A growing number of Dubai restaurants are ditching the plastic straw in favour of more sustainable alternatives. Working with marine conservation group @SeaShepherdMENA, they aim to reduce the amount of plastic waste entering our oceans and in turn the food chain.

A new social movement campaign by @JohnsonsMiddleEast is encouraging people to rethink their perceptions of gentle in the hope of reconnecting humanity and starting a wave of change around the world.

Netflix is set to debut its first Arabic original series from the Middle East. The supernatural drama “Jinn” will be filmed in Jordan later this year and released on Netflix in 2019.

CyberSWIFTT is a movement founded by Aalia Ahmed, Momina Afzal and Reem Ibrahim in an attempt to raise awareness about the dangers of cyberbullying in the UAE and the various ways it manifests itself on the internet – in order to reach positive and constructive solutions.

Communicating complex information is often a challenge for businesses. Endless communication channels and competition can make things even more difficult. These strategies can help you keep your clients informed and engaged:

Just a couple of months after a new tax was introduced that ramped up the price of tobacco by 100%, another action taken by the Dubai government is ready to hinder habits of smokers.

New Year’s Eve in Dubai was nothing short of spectacular (as usual), from the record-breaking light show at the Burj Khalifa, to the numerous fireworks that dotted the Dubai skyline. But one record-breaking dish took centre stage.

Imagine growing up alone, with no family, friends or loved ones. It’s far from imaginary. But what if you knew that 1 out of every 10 children are growing up without the loving care of a parent or are at risk of losing parental care?

Equestrian tradition has been a vital part of the Emirati culture and has long given Emiratis a sense of pride and nobility.

With a family full of talent, it’s no surprise another member of the Maktoum family is a high achiever.

The National Law of Reading is an unprecedented legislative initiative to help achieve the UAE’s vision of a knowledge-based economy.