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    Saudi Arabia has appointed its first female cultural attaches

    In another history-making move for Saudi Arabia, three female cultural attaches have been 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.

    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.

    #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

    Three other appointments for cultural attaches were also made – Dr. Ahmad bin Abdullah Al-Furaih for Egypt; Dr. Issa bin Fahd Al-Rumaih for Jordan; and Dr. Saad bin Mohammed Al-Shabana for Kuwait.
    READ: ‘Historical’ court ruling in Saudi Arabia will benefit equality for women
    This latest appointment of the three female cultural attaches is just one of the many things have changed for women in the last few years in the Kingdom, since Mohammed bin Salman was appointed Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia in 2017.
    Under his Vision 2030 initiative, an ambitious post-oil economic plan, there has been a major focus on women’s rights in the Kingdom.
    Just three months after he stepped into the role in 2017, the Crown Prince revealed in a royal decree, women would be able to secure driving licenses from June 2018.
    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.
    – For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram.
    Feature Image: Saudi MOHE Twitter More

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    Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram to perform live on TikTok

    While we await the return of live music in all its glory, TikTok has booked the one and only Nancy Ajram to perform on its platform.
    The Lebanese singer will host her first ‘magical show’ on August 6 at 10pm (Dubai time) which will be live-streamed on the social network to fans across the world.

    Celebrating an iconic regional superstar, the live concert comes off the back of Ajram’s announcement to join the platform to create inspiring content. She shared the news through a creative video on Instagram and Twitter, co-starring with her three daughters, Mila Ella and Lia.

    She’s not the first star to use live-streaming to her musical advantage. During lockdown, several singers hosted concerts from the comforts of their homes including John Legend. Lady Gaga even managed to organise a global festival with the likes of Hussain Al Jassmi and Jennifer Lopez to raise funds for the World Health Organisation.
    This Thursday night, all TikTokers have to do is follow @nancyajram, add the date and time to your calendar, dress in your favourite party look and turn the speakers to a maximum level.
    – For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Nancy Ajram Instagram More

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    Priyanka Chopra ‘would love to’ star in Arabic films

    With a career spanning over 20 years in both Hollywood and Bollywood, it’s safe to say Priyanka Chopra Jonas is a force to be reckoned with in the world of stardom.
    And it appears she’s not afraid of a new challenge, even if there may be some barriers to overcome.

    In a recent interview with Inspire Middle East‘s Rebecca McLaughlin-Eastham, the actress revealed she “would love to” appear in Arabic films, but admitted the fact she didn’t know the language could be a hindrance.
    “I would love to,” she told the publication. “I just don’t speak the language. I would love to be a part of the film industry anywhere. I love my job and I would learn a new language if I had to.”

    In the same interview, Chopra also opened up about life in the public eye, particularly the interest surrounding her relationship with her husband, singer Nick Jonas.

    “It’s the nature of the beast as we believe, and we’ve both chosen very public professions,” she said. “I distinctively choose what I like to share with the world and what I don’t like to share always remains private to me.”
    Excitingly, the married couple is also set to start on a new project – developing a new show together.
    It’s set to be part of her new multi-million dollar deal with Amazon in partnership with her own production house, Purple Pebble Pictures.
    – For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Feature Image: Getty More

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    More pre-flight COVID-19 testing facilities added to Emirates list

    Air travel has significantly changed in the last few months, and since August 1 passengers coming into Dubai have to obtain a negative PCR test before flying.
    Luckily, Emirates has continued to make it as easy as possible for Dubai bound travellers and has now added more approved testing centres from around the world to its original list where a PCR nasal swab can be done.

    It’s a significant increase, making the whole process a lot smoother. Note that your negative test has to be obtained 96 hours before flying to Dubai.
    According to the release, passengers travelling from the UK can use any NHS clinic or laboratory “but the PCR test has to be approved by the Public Health authority e.g. Public Health England, Wales or Scotland”.

    Those flying in from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh can get their negative test certificate from a facility approved by Pure Health.

    Test requirement is applied to anyone flying into Dubai, whether as a tourist, resident, or connecting passenger, and you can check out the full list here.
    Those coming from these 29 countries will need to have an additional test done upon landing in Dubai and self-isolate until they receive their results.
    Emirates can also assist residence visa holders with acquiring the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA) before booking their flight back.
    Children under the age of 12 or with moderate to severe disabilities are exempt from PCR testing.
    Keep an eye on the Emirates website for more helpful information, including a recent announcement that the airline is now offering free cover for COVID-19 medical costs.
    – For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Feature Image: RIMOWA Instagram More

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    Dua Lipa and Anwar Hadid reveal their adorable new ‘tiny best friend’

    Dua Lipa and Anwar Hadid recently celebrated a milestone in their relationship, their one year anniversary, and now the couple have just reached another milestone – adopting a new “tiny best friend”.
    The pair took to Instagram to share they had adopted a rescue puppy named Dexter, posting some adorable photos of their new addition to their family.

    “Our tiny best friend Dexter!!!” the singer said. “Thank you @thelabellefoundation HE’S PERFECT.”

    Posting some more photos on his Instagram, Hadid referred to their new puppy as “our spirit companion”, adding that “some things are just meant [to] be”.

    The couple began dating in June last year but didn’t go public with their relationship until about a month later.
    Hadid, 20, and Lipa, 24, were previously self-isolating together in the singer’s hometown of London due to the coronavirus pandemic, but it appears the couple are now in the USA as they have been seen with Hadid’s siblings Gigi Hadid and Bella Hadid, who were quarantining together in Pennsylvania.
    Speaking on her time in quarantine with her boyfriend, British-Albanian singer Lipa told Good Morning Britain she and Hadid were “used to making anywhere a home”.
    “We travel a lot, so this is fine,” she explained. “It’s been really, really good. We’re good at doing our things, then coming together when we want to watch a movie or play a game or do some painting or go on our daily walk.”
    Well, their daily walks will be even better now they have a loyal pooch to join them.
    – For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram.
    Feature Image: Dua Lipa Instagram More

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    The App That Will Help You Finally Master Your Personal Finances

    I’m ashamed to say that healthy personal finance has felt out of reach for the vast majority of my life. Discussing money has always seemed like a social taboo, I was an English major who never took one finance or business course my entire college career, and the extent of my financial knowledge when I started my first adult job was identifying how much I can allot to a seasonal clothing budget. Unfortunately, I’m not the only woman who feels confused about personal finances. There’s certainly a gender gap when it comes to money, and it’s not just about wages.But aren’t you tired of feeling confused about your money? If we’re going to smash the glass ceiling and destroy the patriarchy, we have to be as confident with our money as we are with our voices. Saving for retirement and having an emergency fund are just as crucial to self-care as taking baths and a yoga routine. Therefore, I knew I needed an easy-to-understand tool to take control of my finances and grow my money intelligence. Enter: The NerdWallet app, which makes mastering money easy. Not only can you keep tabs on all your cards, accounts, and bills in one place, but NerdWallet will also help you discover ways to grow your wealth, pay off debt, and be the financially confident badass we all should be.

    I’ve tried a lot of different financial recourses, but this app made the most difference because it not only helped me understand where my money was going when I first looked into my finances (AKA how much I was spending on UberEats, which was a true wakeup call), but has helped me grow my money and make smart moves for my future (you’re welcome, 2030 Josie!). Discover how to master your money with NerdWallet’s free app (available on the App Store and in Google Play), and read on to find out why this app can transform your finances.

    Stay on top of your money, all in one place.
    Does anyone else have financial fatigue with all the different websites, tools, and apps? Even with an organized app folder on my phone and a comprehensive spreadsheet, I was honestly confused. NerdWallet helped me get a handle on my money because everything is in one place. You get the big picture of your finances but can still focus in on the specifics (like cash, debt, loans, and investments). Plus, NerdWallet sends you alerts and assessments of your spending and savings across accounts, so you always know exactly what you have, how you’re spending it, and whether or not you can afford that trip to Mexico next spring (asking the important questions here). 

    Maximize the money you have.
    I’ve tried many different tools to understand my finances better, but NerdWallet is the only one I’ve found that will not only track my money, but help maximize it. Using expert, tailored insights and personalized recommendations, NerdWallet lets you know how to get the most from cards and financial products that you already have and recommends opportunities to upgrade them. For example, the app recommended a credit card based on my priorities and spending habits. Now I earn points on groceries (which is good because I regularly splurge on those bougie, vegan snacks) and feel less guilty about my afternoon iced coffee habit because I earn even more cashback (although if we’re being honest, I’d find any reason to justify an afternoon coffee).
    If you already have a good understanding of which credit cards are best for you, NerdWallet also detects and recommends tangible methods to grow your existing savings, like more interest, reducing fees, and finding extra cash you can transfer to give your savings a boost. It might suggest you could earn more interest on your money by opening a high-interest online savings account (and will give you options to find the best one for you). Basically, the NerdWallet app is not only convenient, but it’s free and offers comprehensive financial advice. Any level of financial knowledge and any income can benefit from the money-maximizing perks. 

    Get a thorough understanding of your credit score.
    NerdWallet analyzes your credit score and offers suggestions on how you can improve it. Not only do you get your credit score number (and what that number means, for the other credit score newbies out there), but the app displays credit history, shows updates, analyzes payments, and sometimes, it even lets me know that my accounts are “aging like fine wine” (now this is an app that speaks my language). Feeling confident with my money not only feels like a (very expensive) weight has been lifted off my shoulders, but I feel like I’m doing what I can to close the financial gender gap. After all, knowledge really is power. Thanks to NerdWallet, knowledge is not only powerful, but it’s convenient and comprehendible too. 

    This post is sponsored by NerdWallet, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board. More

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    Lebanese singer Elissa receives praise for what could be her final album

    Twitter was overwhelmed with emotional reactions to Elissa’s latest, and possibly last, album.
    The Lebanese singer dropped the 18-track compilation on August 1 titled Sahbit Raey– translates to ‘Opinion Giver’.

    Met with widespread love for the artist, many have shared their thoughts on social media, including TV personality Zaven who wrote:
    “So much story telling. So much emotions. So much love. So modern. So sweet and so bitter. It’s not a farewell as it might sound. It is a story of a woman who is starting over. #صاحبة_رأي #اليسا love it. Alf mabrouk. @elissakh”

    Beirut… it all goes back to you ❤️I am very happy with the feedback I am getting on the album, and it makes me so happy to show that Lebanese people have the power to overcome everything to live in peace and happiness. To my lovely country Lebanon 🇱🇧
    — Elissa (@elissakh) August 1, 2020

    Sahbit Raey is available through Rotana Music’s YouTube channel and streaming platform Deezer, and follows the release of its lead single ‘Sahbit Raey’ a week ago.
    Elissa was quick to respond to her fans on Twitter, writing: “I am very happy with the feedback I am getting on the album, and it makes me so happy to show that Lebanese people have the power to overcome everything to live in peace and happiness. To my lovely country Lebanon.”
    This album release is something that the fans have been waiting for, especially after she announced last year that this could be her last album, saying:
    “I am preparing this new album with a lot of love and passion. The reason is that it will be the last one in my career.”

    I am preparing this new album with a lot of love and passion. The reason is that it will be the last one in my career. I am announcing this with a heavy heart but with a lot of conviction because I can’t work in a field that is similar to mafias. I can’t be productive anymore
    — Elissa (@elissakh) August 19, 2019

    She then went on to explain that she can’t continue to work in an industry that in her eyes is like the ‘mafia’.
    Officially the most popular Arabic singer after reaching 10 million Twitter followers, she has sold over 30 million albums, and received the World Music Award for Best Selling Middle Eastern Artist on three occasions.
    – For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram.
    Images: Twitter More

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    New Netflix TV shows and films to watch this month

    With movie production still playing catch up, we’re lucky that one of our favourite streaming giant Netflix is continuing to release new series and gripping films.
    Out now
    Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. the Reverend
    [embedded content]For laugh out loud comedy with a winning cast look no further than Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. This season they’re doing something different by releasing an interactive special where you decided what she should do next.
    World’s Most Wanted

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    [embedded content]An insightful look at the five most wanted criminals in the world and how despite the best efforts, they have managed to avoid capture. But has their luck finally ran out?
    August 6
    The Rain – Season 3
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    Back for its final season, the series follows survivors after a rain-borne virus wipes out most of the Scandinavia’s population. Now they seek safety and answers.
    August 7
    Work It
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    If you’re nostalgic for Step Up or Save the Last Dance then this new film is going to be right up your foot tapping street. The transformative story follows a group of misfit dancers who are dreaming of becoming dance champions. Think of it as Pitch Perfect but with dancing.
    August 14
    Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story
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    If you love to binge on gripping real-life crime drama gets you then the second season of Dirty John should be on your watch list. It follows Betty Broderick, who stands trial for shooting and killing her husband Dan and his second wife Linda in California in 1989. It is based on Betty’s own recollections, along with court testimonies and interviews and stars Amanda Peet and Christian Slater.
    Project Power
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    Nearly every single person you know would’ve imagined what kind of superpower they’d have. Us? Probably flying or some method of transporting ourselves to the Maldivian beaches. But what if a pill could make that happen? Project Power follows an ex-soldier a teen and a cop as they hunt down the source behind this new pill that gives temporary superpowers.
    August 20
    Biohackers
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    Conspiracy thriller following a medical student who secures a spot at a prestigious club of students at a top German university. They think she’s there to help push the boundaries of science, but she wants to uncover a family tragedy that is linked to her biology professor.
    August 21
    Lucifer
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    Our favourite cheeky devil is back for season 5, or is he? Looks like there’s a wannabe Lucifer on the scene and something tells us the Lord of Hell won’t be too happy when he learns of the imposter.
    – For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram.
    Images: Instagram, YouTube More