From the unveiling of Abu Dhabi’s dedicated medical city to the cultural marvel of the Royal Diriyah Opera House, and the spiritual journey of TV actress Hina Khan, the spectrum of topics promises to captivate and inform. Join us as we navigate through an array of stories, exploring the richness and diversity that characterise our ever-evolving Middle East and its news.
10 Middle East News For You
1. Abu Dhabi’s Dedicated Medical City For Women And Children
دائرة الصحة – أبوظبي وبيورهيلث القابضة تكشفان النقاب عن المدينة الطبية الجديدة التي تُعد إضافة نوعية في مجال الرعاية الصحية في أبوظبي. وتسهم المدينة، التي تُعنى برعاية الأطفال وصحة المرأة وإعادة التأهيل والصحة النفسية، في دعم الجهود لضمان مستقبل صحي في الإمارة. pic.twitter.com/XeYr5s81eN
— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) January 11, 2024
In 2027, Abu Dhabi plans to establish a medical city focusing on women’s and children’s health, reinforcing its status as a healthcare hub. The facility will feature 205 beds, including 90 for children, 15 maternity wards, and a team of over 130 doctors and 460 specialists providing expert care in obstetrics, gynaecology, fertility, assisted reproductive services, as well as women’s mental and general health.
2. Sip With A View At The Bench Pop-Up In Abu Dhabi
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The Bench has launched a pop-up at The Founder Memorial in Abu Dhabi, offering a stunning view of the city skyline. This spot is perfect for a leisurely day of sipping. The Bench in Abu Dhabi offers a variety of aesthetically crafted drinks and desserts. Open daily from 4 pm to 11 pm.
3. Royal Diriyah Opera House: A Cultural Marvel By Snøhetta, Middle East
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Currently under construction in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia’s historic district, is the Royal Diriyah Opera House, designed by Snøhetta. With a grand opening planned for 2028, this innovative concept seeks to give spectators, performers, and cross-cultural exchanges a new venue.
Across four locations, the opera house spanning 46,000 square metres will accommodate roughly 3,500 people. These comprise a 450-seat covered rooftop amphitheatre for captivating outdoor concerts, two smaller multipurpose theatres, and a 2000-seat theatre for big-name shows and events.
4. Hina Khan’s Worshipful Journey To Medina And Mecca, Middle East
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TV actress Hina Khan recently embarked on her second Umrah, a sacred pilgrimage to the Islamic holy places in Saudi Arabia, Medina and Mecca. Sharing her profound experience, she expressed overwhelming emotions as she once again beheld the majestic Kaaba. This trip, her second to Mecca and Madinah, follows her initial visit in March 2023.
5. Bahrain’s Traffic Laws Amended For Enhanced Safety
Bahrain’s new legal framework aims to boost the traffic system and elevate road safety. Edict (165) of 2023 revises provisions in edict (68) of 2016, extending vehicle seizure from 30 to 60 days. The amendment introduces two new violations: prohibiting modifications causing noise and preventing stunt driving from endangering road users’ lives.
6. Scorpios Expands Globally, New Venues In Bodrum And Tulum, Middle East
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The upscale restaurant and lounge, Scorpios, is gearing up for global expansion, with two additional locations joining its flagship establishment in Mykonos. In June 2024, Scorpios is scheduled to inaugurate its new venue in Bodrum, Turkey, followed by another opening in Tulum.
7. The Second Edition Of The Sohar Festival
فعاليات #مهرجان_صحار في نسخته الثانية بمحافظة شمال #الباطنة تبرز الموروث الثقافي والتاريخي لولايات المحافظة.https://t.co/j3mA82GtL0#العُمانية pic.twitter.com/j7AGegsDCo
— وكالة الأنباء العمانية (@OmanNewsAgency) January 11, 2024
The Sohar Entertainment Centre in the Wilayat of Sohar hosted the opening of the second edition of the Sohar Festival, which is centred on the historical and cultural legacy of North Al Batinah Governorate. This year’s event not only showcases cultural elements but also generates employment chances for job seekers in the area. The additional importance of the festival is highlighted by the participation of 24 craftsmen and over 160 prosperous families from different governorates in Oman. With over 928 thousand visitors to the first edition, it is anticipated that the second edition will bring even more people.
8. Fraudulent Websites Posing As RTA Threaten Finances
#RTA urges its valued customers, users of public transport and nol cards, to be careful not to deal with deceptive marketing campaigns that aims to exploit digital service users, It involves the sale of fake nol cards at token amounts, misleadingly topping up credit, and…
— RTA (@rta_dubai) January 10, 2024
The goal of fraudulent websites mimicking RTA’s platform is money laundering. A Google search for “Nol recharge” yields four fake results. The United Arab Emirates is confronted with an increase in cyberattacks; in the first three quarters of 2023, 71 million events were handled. Authorities regularly issue advisories cautioning against answering calls requesting One-Time Passwords (OTPs) or paying fines.
Also Read: Dubai RTA Announces Service Timings For 2024 New Year’s Eve; Take A Look
9. Ancient Egyptian Marvels Unearthed In Saqqara Necropolis, Middle East
Archaeologists at Saqqara, around 20 miles south of Cairo, unveil a 4000-year-old rock-carved tomb. A human remains discovery, adorned with a vibrant mask, and a child’s burial site from the Second Dynasty (2890 – 2686 BC) mark the groundbreaking find. The tomb, dating back to the 18th Dynasty (1550-1295 BC), houses a remarkably preserved alabaster vessel. Terracotta statues of Isis and Harpocrates, a stela identified as “Heroides,” and various amulets and ostraca were also found.
10. Tesla’s Debut In Qatar, Middle East
News:
The first @Tesla pop up store just opened in Qatar!🇶🇦
Open from 10.00-10.00 every day.
Located in Doha Festival City.@teslaeurope @cb_doge @elonmusk @TeslaDubai pic.twitter.com/WTHOlGk7Qq— Esther Kokkelmans (@EstherKokkelman) January 11, 2024
Tesla’s inaugural physical presence in Qatar comes with the opening of a Pop-Up Store at Doha Festival City. It was followed by the launch of its online configurator in December. Positioned in the Luxury Court on the Ground Floor, this location provides Qataris with the opportunity to explore and test-drive Tesla vehicles. The store, open seven days a week from 10 am to 10 pm (extended until 11 pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday), offers insights into the impressive performance, advanced technology, and convenient charging solutions of Tesla vehicles.
Until next week! Till then, Maa Sa’alama Habibis.
Cover Image Courtesy: Nadynne Almasalkhy / Linkedin, X/ Abu Dhabi Media Office
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