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      HE Noura Al Kaabi becomes the latest UAE minister to receive COVID-19 vaccine

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      Her Excellency Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi has become the latest minister to receive the UAE’s COVID-19 vaccine.
      Taking to her official Instagram page, the Minister of Culture and Youth shared with her 138,000 followers a photo of her receiving the vaccine.

      In the caption of her post, Her Excellency thanked the nurse who administered the jab for her.
      “Thank you Nurse Ozma, from Lahore! She’s been working in the UAE for the past 18 years,” the minister said.

      Just under a month ago, the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine was administered in the UAE, which was given to the country’s Minister of Health and Prevention, Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Owais.
      Per the UAE’s state news agency WAM, the vaccine was developed by Chinese drug maker Sinopharm and has undergone extensive testing in the UAE with over 31,000 volunteers taking part in the trial over the last couple of months.
      The health minister received the first dose of the vaccine one week after approval was given by the UAE government for a COVID-19 vaccine to be administered on frontline workers including doctors, nurses and police.
      The principal investigator and chairperson of the National Clinical Committee for Coronavirus, Dr Nawal A-Kaabi noted that the initial results are “encouraging”, but that studies will be ongoing.
      “The initial results are encouraging in terms of the presence of antibodies in the body,” Dr Al Kaabi said.
      Shortly after, the COVID-19 vaccine began to be administered on frontline workers.
      It has been clearly stated by the Ministry that those who are receiving doses of the vaccine will be closely monitored.
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Her Excellency Noura Al Kaabi Instagram More

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      Emirates showcases the incredible 30-year transformation of Dubai

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      It’s hard to believe that three decades ago, Dubai is a far cry from what it looks like today.
      Emirates Airline recently shared two photos which showcased the dramatic transformation of the emirate over the last 30 years and it’s safe to say in the first photo Dubai would be unrecognisable to many.

      The post was simply captioned, “How it started vs. How it’s going.”
      In the first photo, which is thought to be taken around 1990, shared on the airline’s Instagram page, an old Sheikh Zayed Road can be seen.

      With only a handful of buildings seen in the image, you’d be forgiven if you didn’t know this image was of Dubai.

      Now, 30 years later, the road connects the buzzing emirate from Marina to Downtown and is filled with skyscrapers, hotels, residences, malls and more.
      In contrast, Emirates also shared a photo of the now hustling and bustling Dubai and one of its iconic landmarks – the Burj Khalifa.
      If this is what’s happened in just 30 years for Dubai, we can only dream of what the next 30 will bring…
      – For more luxury lifestyle, news and fashion follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Emirates Airline Instagram More

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      The ultimate vault based in Dubai which ensures your valuables stay safe

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      October’s – ‘The Bravery Issue’ – Download Now
      “Jewellery is a daily part of everyone’s life here in the UAE and there is a huge appreciation, in particular for fine jewellery in the region,” fine jewellery expert Vik Jethwani says. Seeing this first-hand with his own jewellery company Vik Jethwani Fine Jewellery, he took the brave leap of faith in launching a unique, bespoke service catering to VIP clientele in the Middle East.
      Enter the 818 Vault – a service Jethwani had always envisioned himself launching. “I would witness what a difficult situation it was for them to find a luxury and bespoke service they could trust, and so wanted to provide them with an additional part of our existing company, offering an ideal solution through a familiar supplier,” he tells Emirates Woman.

      Highly distinctive and individual, Jethwani talks us through the bespoke service, what it has to offer and how being a third-generation jeweller led him down this path.
      Why did you decide to launch 818 Vault?
      We noticed that there was a massive gap and an extreme shortage in the market for independent and luxury safety deposit lockers here in Dubai. As we have such a diverse and strong list of clients, we noticed that a number of banks where our clients were storing their jewellery were limited with the services that were offered. There was often no VIP area, no comfortable seating and most of all no insurance. Clients would also have to travel to the middle of the city to attain a safety deposit locker and it would take up a lot of their time. I also noticed that it was generally always a chore or headache for them and so I wanted to provide an enjoyable, safe, luxurious and convenient solution to the issue. People in this region spend so much on their jewellery, it should definitely be taken care of and kept in a safe, comfortable and VIP environment. I like to think of 818 Vault not just as a secure storage solution for your jewellery, but rather as a complete package with an exceptional standard of service to accommodate our clients’ varying needs. You can also have your jewellery professionally appraised and repaired through one of the many different services we provide.

      What does the name 818 Vault represent?
      The number 8 is a very special number for me as it’s an angel number, which represents balance, security, power, infinity and success. And that is what our vault provides. When you add up 818 you get 17 and 1+7= 8 – it’s genius!
      How did you start out in fine jewellery?
      I am a third-generation jeweller and my grandfather was the third-largest exporter of pearls in Kobe, Japan. My mother continued his legacy by bringing the pearling business to the UAE and I then continued it with my wife Natasha. Together we brought contemporary fine jewellery to Dubai and created our own brand called Vik Jethwani Fine Jewellery.
      Why is 818 Vault different?
      Well, to start we offer Dhs1,000,000 of insurance for each and every safety deposit locker through our qualified insurance brokers. We also provide appraisal services where we can offer you a value for each and every piece of jewellery you own but may not have a receipt for. All these documents can be kept so you can maintain your jewellery. Our location at the prestigious Almas Tower, home to some of the biggest diamond companies in the world and recognised as the safest building in the Middle East is also a distinct advantage. Additionally, 818 Vault is designed to be discreet yet accommodating, we offer a VIP setting where you can come and book the vault for just yourself and arrange your jewellery in our comfortable and opulent viewing chamber which includes a jeweller’s table, tasteful mirrors and plush seating. Furthermore, we offer each client a booking service where they can call ahead of time and secure the vault to themselves for 30-minute slots. This is ideal as no one else can access the vault during this time and we are completely contactless. The only thing you need to bring is your key which has been in your possession the whole time.

      Why did you choose this location for 818 Vault?
      I have been planning this for over two years and would not want our flagship vault to be in any other tower. Almas Tower is the definition of strength and security and is recognised as an iconic building within the global jewellery business.
      How long did it take to see the vision become a reality?
      We started in January 2020. Since then we have seen an increase in the number of clients coming to sign up with our safety deposit lockers. We’ve expanded our services to offer private viewings, private bookings and minimal contact in line with health and safety measures. Unfortunately, many banks are still overcrowded and aren’t maintained well. We sanitize the entire vault after every use!
      I remember sitting down with Natasha two years ago and mentioned to her that I was thinking about providing a service that would be quick, secure and convenient that would solve the issues a lot of our clients were having with other safe deposit facilities. She asked me about it every day on how the idea was progressing and I guess all the questioning made me get up every morning and get this vault built!
      How can we secure a deposit box?
      A potential new client would need to first visit our vault and fill out one of our registration forms. Once the application is complete, they just need to select a locker, sign our terms and conditions contract and then they have their locker. It’s easy, convenient and quick.
      This is ‘The Bravery Issue’ – how do you define bravery?
      Bravery to me is having the courage to step into the unknown and follow your heart. When you follow your passion, don’t look back and just go for it is what being brave is all about!
      For more information on 818 Vault visit 818vault.com
      October’s – ‘The Bravery Issue’ – Download Now
       – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Supplied More

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      The UAE launches new multi-million dirham grant for scientists to make it rain

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      All year round, 99 per cent of the time you can expect weather in the UAE to be one thing – hot and sunny.

      However, the UAE has now launched a new multi-million dirham grant in order for scientists to research into making it rain in the country.
      Spearheaded by the National Centre of Meteorology, grants of Dhs5.5 million could be available to those who can contribute to the National Rain Enhancement Programme with their research. This grant would be distributed over three years, meaning the yearly amount would equate to a maximum of Dhs2.02 per annum.
      Discussing the new initiative, the director of the National Centre of Meteorology and the President of the Regional Association II (Asia) of World Meteorological Organisation, Dr Abdulla Al Mandous said it was an “important step in pushing forward the rain enhancement research to the next level of impact and sophistication”.
      “This focus will improve our ability to address water-stress issues more effectively in line with the aspirations of our leadership, while enhancing the UAE’s position as a global hub for rain enhancement,” he added.
      In the last few years, cloud seeding has been used in the UAE in order to encourage increased rainfall.
      Last year, according to Statista.com, it rained a total of 38 days.
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Feature Image: Sheikh Hamdan Instagram More

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      This famous Dubai restaurant adds to its menu for the first time in 10 years

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      It’s no secret that Dubai is a hub for many incredible restaurants. With so many options to go to, it’s not often you’ll find yourself going back to the same place.
      However, one Dubai restaurant we just can’t ever get enough of is LPM Bar & Restaurant. Having been on the Dubai restaurant scene for over 10 years, it has solidified its place as one of the crowning jewels in the F&B space in the UAE – both in Dubai and in Abu Dhabi.

      To mark its 10-year anniversary in Dubai, there’s been some new dishes added to LPM’s menu for the first time in a decade – 10 new dishes for its 10-year anniversary.
      All have been created by LPM’s Chef Patron, Raphael Duntoye. Discussing the milestone for LPM Dubai, Duntoye said it was “something very special” for the internationally renowned restaurant.

      “Our guests love all our signature dishes and keep coming back for those, and I really wanted to come up with unique creations to celebrate this milestone,” he said. “The global situation made me think hard about new ideas, to add even more reasons for our long-term guests or new ones to keep discovering LPM at each and every visit.”
      New dishes include seafood paella, undressed crab with cucumber gazpacho, sweet peppers in olive oil, quinoa salad, raw vegetables with bagna cauda, cauliflower salad with almond and caraway dressing.
      However, for EW – we were lucky enough to get a sneak peek of the new menu – the standout dishes on the new menu include the chicken paella, seabass ceviche with smoked tomato jus, bean butter hummus with quinoa crisps and artichoke with lemon vinegarette.
      So, if you ever needed another excuse to head down to DIFC for a fabulous dinner at LPM, it could be to try the new dishes. But, to be honest, you never need an excuse to go to LPM.
      Take a look at the new LPM dishes below.

      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Supplied More

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      The Dubai-based supercar enthusiast who gave up her career to follow her passion

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      October’s – ‘The Bravery Issue’ – Download Now
      Giving up a successful career to follow her passion for supercars, Alex Hirschi, also known as @ supercarblondie, tells us about leaving your comfort zone for the dream.
      How did you decide to make the leap out of your comfort zone?
      I was a co-host on a radio show in Dubai for several years before quitting to set up my own business. I have always loved cars and have aspired to owning a luxury car since I was a little girl. I had the opportunity to drive a Bentley, at the time I pinched myself as I was driving my dream car! After that, I went knocking on doors, asking McLaren and Ferrari if they could possibly loan me one as well, in a professional capacity.

      I started uploading videos on social media of my personal experience driving these cars for the first time. It got to the point where my husband and I would spend every weekend hunting down cars in order to film them. We would come home from our full time jobs at around 8pm and start working on editing and arranging cars for the next weekend until midnight.
      We spent around 6 months uploading videos and photos almost every day on the side of our full time jobs, and grew my account to around 50,000 followers on Instagram. At that point, we had to make a decision, I loved my radio job, and it was a job that I had worked hard to get. Considering giving this up for an industry that was still so new to everyone including me, was a big risk but I took the leap of faith and put my all in to it. After a year I hired my husband full time. He quit his job in finance after 15 years to join me in building the business. He is my cameraman and my manager. After three years of doing this full time, my following has grown to around 37 million people across Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok.
      What’s the bravest step you took to follow your passion?

      The bravest thing I suppose has been to keep pushing on with the business even though I faced so much negativity from people online. When my videos started going viral and being seen by millions of people, this opened me up to the subjective opinions of all kind of individuals. After a while of trying to deal with this negativity myself, I realised I needed help, and went to see a therapist. I suppose that was one of the smartest, if not bravest decisions I’ve made. It often has such a stigma to it, when you seek help, but if I hadn’t have done that, I don’t know how I would have got through that initial phase.
      Can you describe your career evolution & determination?
      I graduated university in Brisbane and came to Dubai straight away. I was 22 years old and followed my husband here who had found a graduate job in banking. Unfortunately, a few months after we arrived the financial crisis hit and I found it very difficult to get a job. I took random freelance gigs here and there, wherever I could, just to make some money, but for the first year I couldn’t find anything full time. I then followed my husband to Singapore who got transferred there and that’s when I found my first full-time job as a TV presenter on a cable network about real estate.
      My husband got transferred back to Dubai 6 months later but I decided to stay in Singapore, living with a local family in order to get some work experience. I wasn’t ready to move again and face finding another job again. I moved back to Dubai 6 months later and again couldn’t find a job in journalism, so I got a job as a receptionist in the DIFC just so I could pay the bills. After two years I quit and I’d finally found an opportunity to be a freelance journalist on the radio. I read the news on Virgin, Dubai 92 and Dubai Eye for several years picking up shifts as often as I could. This involved getting up at 3am every day for a year. I’m not a fan of early mornings so this was a tough year, but I loved the job! Then a few years later I scored my dream job as the co-host of an evening show on Dubai Eye. I did that for 3 years before quitting to set up my own company.
      How do you feel while you’re driving these super cars?
      It just makes me so happy. I could be having the worst day and then sit behind the wheel of a fast car and have a smile on my face within a minute.

      Tell us about having your husband as your manager?
      It’s interesting! It was really difficult at first. We’ve gone through some rough patches because we are both really driven and we found it hard at first switching off ‘work mode’. We would literally be talking about work from the moment we woke up to the moment we went to sleep. It was hard for my husband too because he quit his career and had a lot to prove to both himself and me, that he had made the right decision, so he really went for it. Eventually, we found ways to draw a line between personal and work, but it’s always a constant battle and something that we work on every day. I’ve been with my husband since I was 17 so our relationship is the most important thing to me, and we do everything to make it work.
      How has social media affected the industry?
      The best thing is being able to connect to people all over the world. I am hardly ever a tourist anymore. When I used to travel, I just did all the typical touristy things, visiting monuments, going to tourist hotspots and tourist traps. Now, that never happens because whenever I travel to a city anywhere in the world, I will connect with other supercar owners or groups and they are all happy to show me around. This means I get to have a completely authentic experience of each city and each culture because I’m invited into the homes of locals.
      This year has been challenging – how do you approach challenges?
      Honestly, this year has been a blessing in disguise. I went through a period earlier this year where I wasn’t sleeping, I wasn’t feeling myself, and actually had a full burn out. When Coronavirus hit, it gave us an opportunity to rest, stay in one place and rework the business. It made us realise we couldn’t keep going the way we had been otherwise we’d both be burned out. We also had the opportunity to hire people and expand the team. Now, our team has expanded from 2 to 6 people in the last 6 months. I just hired my sister and my brother in law as well this month. They flew over to join the team from Australia. It’s super important to surround yourself with people you really trust in this business.
      This issue is ‘The Bravery Issue’. How would you define bravery?
      Not knowing the outcome, but taking a calculated risk. Doing something that puts you outside your comfort zone in order to achieve something greater.
      October’s – ‘The Bravery Issue’ – Download Now
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Supplied More

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      How to Edit Any Photo With Ease (With Just Your Phone!)

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      Since visuals are a huge part of our business, we get a ton of questions about photo editing—from shoots with models to featured article images to posts on Instagram. 
      That’s why we built this online course: to teach you everything from our favorite apps (VSCO, Snapseed, Tezza, and more) to the exact steps we take when brightening, cropping, and editing a photo, all with just a phone. You’re here because you want to better document those day-to-day memories or take better photos for your personal blog, brand, or Instagram—we’ll show you how to make it happen. 
      These days, we don’t think you need fancy equipment or an expensive camera. You can shoot, edit, and post great photos with just your phone, and this course is all about how to make that happen: from tips on setting up your initial shot to the exact edits we make in our favorite apps to removing imperfections and making small, selective edits that make a world of difference.
      Click the link to claim your spot below and hurry, enrollment closes in two weeks!

      How does the course work? 
      We start the course with our best tips and tricks for actually taking your photos. Even though editing can cover a lot of sins when it comes to photos, it always helps to set yourself up for success when shooting. We go over how to create balance in the composition of your shots and our process for taking our fave photos—like outfit flatlays, exterior shots, and interior vignettes. 

      Next, we take you through all the edits we routinely make on our photos—from brightness to contrast to removing imperfections. With guided video tutorials and pro tips from our guest instructors Lauren Taylor and Ali Stone. 

      You’ll learn our favorite apps for making specific edits—like Snapseed and Tezza—as well as the order we make our edits for the best results. Playing with filters is fun, but sometimes you need to overhaul a photo and a filter just won’t cut it. In this course, you’ll learn the separate core elements of photo editing, so you can edit any photo with ease.

      What do I need to take this course? 
      All you need to take the course is a smartphone capable of downloading apps. All the apps we use in the course are either free or less than $2. 

      This course is for you if…

      Meet Your Instructors

      We put together this course with the help of our pro instructors to teach you all the steps you need to style, shoot, and edit your photos with just your smartphone. It’s easier than you think to get the final shot of your dreams. Ready to get started? Let’s do this. 

      As a connoisseur of all things comfy and as an aspiring Princess of Genovia, Lauren is always encouraging women all over the world to love their REAL selves. She loves partnering with brands as a model, ambassador, and speaker that empowers and celebrates ALL women.
      Lauren’s style of photography is bright and clean, beautifully pairing colors and backgrounds for an end result that shines.
      Find Lauren at laurenwtaylor.com, on Instagram at instagram.com/laurenwtaylor, and on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/c/LaurenTaylorYT. 

      Ali is a Chicago-based professional photographer and lifestyle blogger. She fell in love with the art of photography when she found her mom’s old film camera at age 12. She has a BA in photography and has worked as a professional photographer since age 15. At age 21, she launched her blog, Those White Walls, her way of marrying her two loves of fashion and photography.
      Since then, Ali has become an expert in her fields (and a boss at editing on her iPhone) and has created content for brands such as Orbitz, Almay, KLM Airlines, The Peninsula Hotels, Moncler, Stella Artois, and more.
      Follow Ali on Instagram here and find her online at Those White Walls here. 

      How do I claim my spot? 
      Enrollment is open now! You can enroll through this link: 

      After you purchase, you’ll have immediate access to the course and the ability to start learning right away. Remember, the course is completely self-paced, so you can move through it at a rate that works for you.

      Questions? 
      If you have any questions about Mastering Photo Editing on Your Phone or any of our other online courses, leave a comment here or reach out to us at [email protected] and we’ll be happy to help! More

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      Dubai is set to launch a new residency programme

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      Dubai is set to launch a residency programme which will encourage remote-working.

      The new programme will grant permission to working professionals to live in Dubai and work remotely, whilst still being employed by their respective companies abroad.
      The development of this initiative, according to the director-general of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Helal Almarri, has been largely due to the knock-on effects of the COVID-19 pandemic as it has forced many businesses to change the way they operate.
      “The global pandemic has changed how we live and work,” Almarri said in a statement. “As multinationals and leading start-ups across the world accelerate their rates of digital adoption, the need to be physically present to fulfil professional responsibilities has been redefined.”
      She also added, “Dubai is uniquely positioned to offer a safe, dynamic lifestyle opportunity to these digitally savvy workers and their families while they continue to work remotely, whether it is for a couple of months or an entire year.”
      Under the new scheme, those using the remote-working model encouraged will be eligible for services that Dubai residents currently have – phone, internet, schooling and even the tax-free salaries which UAE residents receive.
       – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Feature Image: Unsplash More