lifestyle and culture

It’s official – we now know what the next move for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex is after they stepped down from public royal duties earlier this year.
The couple have signed a multi-year deal with Netflix for an undisclosed amount, they confirmed in a statement to the New York Times.

According to the US-based publication, the pair have founded a production company which is yet to be named which will work with Netflix to produce documentaries, feature films, scripted shows and docu-series.
“Our focus will be on creating content that informs but also gives hope,” Prince Harry and Meghan said in a statement to the outlet. “As new parents, making inspirational family programming is also important to us.”

They also added that working with Netflix – which has 193 million subscribers around the globe – will help them “share impactful stories that unlocks action”.

Meanwhile, Netflix is “incredibly proud” of their new partnership with the royal couple, as stated by the streaming giant’s chief content officer and co-chief exec, Ted Sarandos.
“We’re incredibly proud they have chosen Netflix as their creative home and are excited about telling stories with them that can help build resilience and increase understanding for audiences everywhere,” he said in a statement.
Earlier this year, Harry and Meghan stepped back from public royal life and announced their intention to relocate to North America.
For the first part of 2020, the couple were residing in Vancouver, Canada with their one-year-old son Archie.
The pair then relocated to Los Angeles where they were staying up until recently, but have now reportedly moved again further south of LA to Santa Barbara.
Two years ago at their lavish royal wedding, the couple made sure to honour Diana on their special day – Meghan included forget-me-nots in her bouquet.
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A new five-year visa has launched in Dubai for retirees, it was announced on Wednesday by Dubai Media Office.
Launched under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the visa is available for anyone over the age of 55.

Provided the requirements are met for the visa, and they are over the specified age, anyone can apply.

بإمكان أي مقيم أو متقاعد خارج الدولة يزيد عمره على 55 عاماً التقدُّم للحصول على تأشيرة التقاعد عبر الموقع الإلكتروني https://t.co/fhYjf3csGG، وفق مجموعة من المعايير والمتطلبات الخاصة للحصول على تأشيرة تقاعد قابلة للتجديد كل خمس سنوات. pic.twitter.com/LzbV9oEFQo
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) September 2, 2020

Per the Khaleej Times, specific income requirements must be met. Those intending to apply for the visa must have a monthly income of no less than Dhs20,000 from investments or their pension. If not, they must have a balance of Dhs1 million or own a property in Dubai valued at Dhs2 million.
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In a video released promoting the new visa, the emirate sent a message to those retiring: “Your next chapter awaits you.”
For more information on the new visa visit retireindubai.com.
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Lebanese singing icon Fairuz has made a rare public appearance to host the president of France, Emmanuel Macron, at her home for dinner.
Often referred to as the “jewel of Lebanon”, the famed singer, who stepped away from the public eye many years ago, shared a series of photos from her meeting with Macron on August 31.

In the photos, the 85-year-old – whose real name is Nouhad Haddad – is seen wearing a piece from Lebanese designer, Elie Saab, along with a black headband which held a visor in place over her face.

Macron, who was visiting Lebanon following the devastating explosion in the city’s capital, visited Fairuz’s Rabieh home to award her with France’s Legion of Honour – it was established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte and is the highest order of merit in the nation.
Recalling his exchange with the Lebanese icon, the French president told Al Jadeed, a local television station, “I told her what she means to me.”
“She represents stories of love and a Lebanon dreamed of and loved,” he added.

– For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram.
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It’s hard to believe it’s been 23 years since Princess Diana tragically passed away in Paris.
To mark the anniversary of her death, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex – who are both currently based in Los Angeles – made a subtle, yet heartfelt tribute to the late Diana during a recent public appearance they made.

On Monday, Prince Harry and Meghan made an appearance a preschool in LA where they planted an array of plants and flowers with some children.
One of the blooms planted included Diana’s favourite flowers – forget-me-nots – a small tribute to Harry’s mother on the anniversary of her death.

In an Instagram post by Assistance League Los Angeles with photos of Harry and Meghan at the Preschool Learning Centre, it explained the visit by the couple was a “surprise”.

“The children of our Preschool Learning Center got a wonderful surprise when The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited yesterday,” the caption stated. “In addition to helping the children replant the Preschool Learning Center’s garden, they spent time with them, sharing their appreciation for nature and helping to instill the importance of healthy eating.
“We truly appreciate their time and care for our students.”
Earlier this year, Harry and Meghan stepped back from public royal life and announced their intention to relocate to North America.
For the first part of 2020, the couple were residing in Vancouver, Canada with their one-year-old son Archie.
The pair then relocated to Los Angeles where they were staying up until recently, but have now reportedly moved again further south of LA to Santa Barbara.
Two years ago at their lavish royal wedding, the couple made sure to honour Diana on their special day – Meghan included forget-me-nots in her bouquet.
– For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram.
Feature Image: Getty / Sussex Royal Instagram More

In the last few years, things have changed drastically for women in Saudi Arabia when it comes to their rights and female empowerment.
The changes are part of the many initiatives under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 scheme, an ambitious post-oil economic plan, which has a major focus on women’s rights in the Kingdom.

Just three months after he stepped into the role in 2017, the Crown Prince unveiled in a royal decree, women would be able to secure driving licenses from June 2018 and he has gone on to do much more.
Then, in March 2018, it was announced by the Ministry of Justice that women who are divorced in the country would be able to instantly retain custody of their children.

Under his plans, women are now also able to attend sports events in stadiums in three cities, female students in the Kingdom are now allowed to carry their phones while on campus and as of August 2019, women aged over 21 are now allowed to travel independently.
In the last few months alone, there have been many notable history-making moments and appointments in Saudi Arabia paving the way for women.
Here’s seven history-making moments which have occurred for women in the Kingdom just recently.
A female member of the Saudi Royal Guard performing her duties
Back in June, Moaid Mahjoub, Director of Government Affairs, External Relations and Protocol at Princess Jawahar Al Saud’s Private Office, posted a photo on Twitter of a female member of the Saudi Royal Guard performing her duties.

Historical moment at Saudi Royal Guard Regiment . Thanks to The Crown Prince, His Royal Highness Mohammed Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud . #pif #g20saudiarabia #saudiarabia #riyadh #jeddah #السعودية#الحرس_الملكي pic.twitter.com/2r665rbdXT
— مؤيد محجوب Moaid Mahjoub (@moaidmahjoub) June 25, 2020

“Historical moment at Saudi Royal Guard Regiment. Thanks to The Crown Prince, His Royal Highness Mohammed Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud,” Mahjoub captioned the photo.
It was announced in October last year women would be able to start joining the military and land forces in the Kingdom in a wide range of positions including corporals and sergeants. This could be across any of the armed forces in Saudi Arabia including the Strategic Missile Forces, Armed Forces Medical Services, Saudi Arabian Navy and the Air Force.
Princess Reema’s new official appointment
HRH Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud has officially been elected as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Friday.
It’s a history-making moment, as she becomes the first Saudi female ambassador to be appointed as a member of the IOC.

Honored to be elected as a member of #IOC. Thank you to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, HRH Crown Prince, and @AbdulazizTF for their support. It has been an honor to serve my community through the universal language of sports. @iocmedia @saudiolympic pic.twitter.com/vLsNltgz0c
— Reema Bandar Al-Saud (@rbalsaud) July 17, 2020

Upon her official appointment, the princess took to Twitter to share how “honoured” she was to be elected onto the committee.
“Thank you to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, HRH Crown Prince, and Prince Abdul Aziz bin Turki Al-Faisal [President of the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee] for their support,” she added. “It has been an honour to serve my community through the universal language of sports.”
A groundbreaking court ruling
In a court ruling that occurred in the Kingdom in July, it was stated: “An adult, rational woman living independently is not a crime”.
Prior to this ruling, the parents of a woman who had disappeared or was living along without gaining permission from their guardians would be able to file a report with the police, according to Gulf News. It was known as the ‘absenteeism’ law.
However, the latest ruling that women can live independently could drastically improve gender equality in Saudi Arabia, was hailed as “historical” by lawyer Abdul Rahman Al Lahim.
“A historic ruling was issued on Wednesday, affirming that independence of a sane, adult woman in a separate house is not a crime worthy of punishment,” the lawyer said on Twitter at the time. “I am very happy with this ruling that ends tragic stories for women.”
Saudi Arabia appoints its first female cultural attaches
Last month, three female cultural attaches were appointed, which is a first for the nation.
The appointment was made by the Education Minister for the Kingdom, Dr. Hamad bin Mohammed Al-Asheikh, who determined the new positions of the three Saudi women, all of whom are educators, according to the nation’s state news agency.

#وزير_التعليم يصدر قرارات تكليف عدد من الملحقين الثقافيين في دول خليجية وعربية وصديقة من بينهم ثلاث سيدات؛ يتقلدن هذا المنصب للمرة الأولى، وذلك تمكيناً للمرأة السعودية لخدمة وطنها وقيادتها.https://t.co/CoFDoNU8HJ pic.twitter.com/scGn1VQSGZ
— وزارة التعليم – جامعي (@mohe_sa) August 2, 2020

Fahda bint Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh has been appointed as cultural attache in Ireland; Dr. Amal bint Jameel Fatani has been appointed cultural attache in the UK; and Dr. Yusra bint Hussain Al-Jazairi has been appointed as acting cultural attache in Morocco.
Female Secretary-General of Tabuk’s regional council appointed
Last month Dr. Khulood Mohammed al-Khamis was appointed Secretary-General of Tabuk’s regional council, it made her the first woman to hold this role across the entire Kingdom.
Having worked as an associate professor in the science department at the University of Tabuk, Dr. al-Khamis knows the area well.
To solidify her new role, the new secretary-general met with the Governor of Tabuk Region Prince Fahd bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz on Monday after her new appointment was announced.
The governor expressed how confident he was in Dr. al-Khamis being the first woman to hold such a position.
“His Highness congratulated Dr. Khulood al-Khamis on this confidence as the first woman to hold the position of Secretary-General of the regional council at the level of the Kingdom, wishing her continued success in her new work,” a statement said about the pair’s meeting which was obtained by the Saudi Press Agency.
10 women in senior positions at Two Holy Mosques
In mid-August, Saudi Arabia’s General Presidency for the Affairs appointed 10 women into senior roles at the Two Holy Mosques.
Per a statement issued to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the latest appointments are “empowering women to assume leadership positions is an important subject that will reflect on the development and the economy”.
The statement also added that the new appointments are set to “support the process of creativity and achieving the principles of quality and the highest standards of excellence in order to achieve the generous aspirations of the wise leadership”.
First female director-general appointed in the Foreign Ministry
In late August, another historical appointment was made with the announcement from the Saudi Foreign Ministry that Ahlam Bint Abdulrahman Yanksar would take on the role of director-general of the ministry’s department of cultural affairs. This makes her the first female figure to hold such a senior post in the Kingdom, per Gulf News.
Having obtained a master’s degree in international business administration from the University of London, Ahlam has had a successful career working in both the Ministry’s undersecretary for political and economic affairs. She has also worked in the Saudi embassy in London, where she studied, in the economic and cultural section.
It’s clear things are changing rapidly for women in the Kingdom, which is very exciting to see.
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