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Amongst the glitz and glamour of celebrity, there are many well-known figures who have Arab genes, many of whose roots might come as a surprise to you.
Steve Jobs

The late world-famous Apple founder was adopted by Paul and Clara Jobs, but his biological father was Abdulfattah Jandali, a Syrian Muslim.
Ariana Grande

Back in 2014, the famous popstar tweeted: “Just found out my grandparents are heavily Greek and part North African… I thought I was Italian… Who am I? My whole life is a lie.” Turns out she took a genetic test, which revealed that she has Moroccan, Tunisian, or Algerian roots from one side of the family.
MIKA
Image Twitter @mikasounds
The famous British singer, known for his hits such as Relax, Take it Easy and Love Today, was born in Beirut to a Lebanese mother and an American father. Due to the unforeseen circumstances in Lebanon, he was forced to flee during the war and moved to Paris and then UK.
Gigi Hadid & Bella Hadid

These supermodel sisters are hugely vocal when it comes to supporting Palestine, which is where their father, Mohamed Hadid, was born. Gigi and Bella Hadid are both incredibly proud of their roots, making it known often.
Salma Hayek

The American-Mexican actress, who’s previously starred in some gripping films, has never been shy about hiding her Arab roots and proudly claims her heritage. Her father is a mix of Mexican and Lebanese descent, hailing from the city of Baadat, Lebanon. Hayek’s first name also means peace and calm in Arabic.
Shakira

Latina-Arab singer Shakira, who’s songs have gained worldwide popularity, hasn’t forgotten her Arab roots which has also majorly influence on her musical career. From her belly dancing skills being showcased to supporting the super bowl performance, the loved singer was born in Colombia to a Spanish mother and a Lebanese father.
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As the UAE is one of the leading countries around the globe to conduct COVID-19 PCR tests at a rapid rate, the number of performing tests per capita has been one of the highest in the world and is a key strategy in the region in order to curb the spread of this pandemic.
Back in September, the price of COVID-19 PCR tests was dropped by more than Dhs100 from Dhs370 to Dhs250 which is now the cost in all licensed public and private healthcare establishments.

However, there are a few Dubai Health Authority (DHA) healthcare centres in Dubai that are offering for Dhs150 for many and some who fall under certain categories can have them done for free.
The DHA confirmed to Emirates Woman there are currently 12 healthcare centres across Dubai offering PCR tests for Dhs150.
The list of health care centres that fall under DHA include:
Al Barsha Health Center located in Al Barsha
Nad Al Hamar Health Center in Ras Al Khor
Al Safa Health Center on Al Wasl road
Al Badaa Health Center located near Trade centre 1
Al Mankhool Health Center located in Al Mankhool
Al Lusaily Health Center located in Al Lisaili
Al Khawaneej Health Center located in Al Khawaneej area
Al Towar Health Center located in Al Nadha
Nad Al Sheba Health Center located in Nad Al Sheba
Al Mamzar Health Center located in Al Mamzar
Al Mizhar Health Center located near Mushrif Park
Za’abeel Health Center located in Za’abeel 2

For those who wish to book an appointment, you simply need to download the DHA App and create an account. Then select the option to book a COVID-19 screening, where you can either select the Drive Though or Walk-In option for the appointment.

The cost of the test is Dhs150 for all Dubai visa holders and is free for all UAE nationals, those who have a valid health card, pregnant women, senior citizens and residents above the age of 50, people of determination, household of nationals and patients with chronic diseases including diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, arteries, tumours and rheumatism, chronic liver and kidney disease, brain and nerves disease.
It’s mandatory for each patient to carry their original Emirates ID and a passport copy for UAE residents while tourists need to bring in their original passport before the test.
For more information regarding the services and timings visit dha.gov.ae
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In the last few years, there has been a major shift for women in Saudi Arabia, and 2020 has been no exception.

This year alone, it has been revealed that there has been a 120 per cent increase in female employees in the Kingdom.
Per the Saudi Press Agency, it was recorded by the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technical Zones (MODON) that 17,000 Saudi women were working in industries by March of this year, meaning that is a 120 per cent increase year on year.
Discussing the achievement, Khalid Al-Salem, director-general of MODON, highlighted that the empowerment of women was at the forefront of the authority’s vision.
READ: A new fund has helped 73,000 Saudi women become homeowners
“MODON continues to empower women both as an employee and as an investor by creating a model environment in partnership with the public and private sectors,” he said.
This development is in line with the Saudi 2030 Vision, which is being spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Since being launched in 2016, the 2030 Vision has kept women at the forefront and has now made it legal for females to obtain their own licenses, travel alone and attend public sporting events. MODON’s strategy is also a reflection of this.
“MODON succeeded in increasing the number of Saudi women in industrial cities, reaching 17,000 female employees by the end of the first quarter of 2020, compared to 7,860 by the end of 2018,” Al-Salem said of the initiative.
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With endless sun all year round, amazing dining establishments, a plethora of activities and more, it’s easy to see why Dubai is such a popular place for so many to live, including celebrities.
What may have gone under your radar is that there are quite a few celebrities who call Dubai their second home as they own property here, some of which are incredibly luxurious.

With that, EW has rounded-up eight celebrities that you might not have known call Dubai home (sort of).
David and Victoria Beckham

This A-list couple have actually owned property in Dubai in Dubai for over 12 years. The pair bought their first property in the emirate in 2008, a seven-bedroom villa on in Palm Jumeriah which reportedly cost them an estimated Dhs5.9 million. The pair also own an apartment in the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, for a reported Dhs18 million.
Lindsay Lohan

Rather than being a second home, actress, singer and former EW cover star Lindsay Lohan’s main residence is in Dubai. The star has lived here since 2014 and while there’s not many details on her property, Lohan reportedly lives in the Downtown Dubai area.
Shah Rukh Khan

Legendary Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan owns a home on the Palm which is reportedly worth Dhs10.2 million ($2.8 million).
Giorgio Armani

Perhaps taking the top spot for the most luxurious residence of all is designer Giorgio Armani. He opened the Armani Hotel in Dubai in 2010 and, of course, it’s not just for him, but we’re sure when he’s in town the penthouse suite is always available for this fashion heavyweight.
Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

A-list Bollywood couple Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan own a luxury villa in Sanctuary Falls in Jumeirah Golf Estates, which the couple bought back in 2013.
Shilpa Shetty

Bollywood actress previously owned an apartment in the Burj Khalifa which received as a gift from her then-husband in 2010. Shetty now reportedly sold the luxe apartment and swapped it for a villa on the Palm.
Madonna

Grammy Award winner Madonna owns a mansion in the World Islands, which comes complete with 1.4km of private beach.
Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie

Back when they were still together, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie also reportedly owned a property on the World Islands. Whether they’ve sold it since or one of the parties owns it since their split remains a mystery.
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Her Majesty Queen Rania of Jordan has shared a brand new family portrait in celebration of the holidays.
Featuring her husband, His Majesty King Abdullah II, and their four children, Crown Prince Hussein, 26, Princess Iman, 24, Princess Salma, 20, and 15-year-old Prince Hashem, the whole family coordinated beautifully.

Queen Rania and her two daughters coordinated in satin and His Majesty and the two princes wore similar ensembles wearing button-down shirts.
Her Majesty, who turned 50 earlier this year, also shared a heartfelt message after what has been an incredibly difficult year for many.

“This year, even as we have kept our distance, we’ve all held our loved ones a little closer in our hearts. Sending prayers for health and happiness to all,” she said.

A couple of months ago to mark her birthday, Queen Rania shared another family portrait in a more casual setting.
In the caption of the photo which was shared to her official Instagram page, Queen Rania shared her delight at being able to spend her 50th birthday with the people she loves most in the world, but acknowledged the major hardships so many people have faced this year in a further interview.
“It has been such a blessing to have all my children around, particularly during the months when Jordan was under a strict lockdown,” she told Hello! UK.
She also took the opportunity to lovingly pay tribute to her husband of 27 years saying he makes her “want to do more and be more… inspiring me in every moment of my life”.
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Luxury fashion house Gucci is leading the efforts to support the most vulnerable communities around the world.
As millions around the world have been affected by this pandemic, Gucci is answering UNICEF’s global for support of COVAX – the vaccine pillar to provide equitable access to, COVID-19 tests, treatments and vaccines.

“Now that a COVID-19 vaccine appears to be ready for use, the true challenge is ensuring that it is procured and distributed fairly,” Marco Bizzarri, President and CEO of Gucci said. “This is why, under the ‘We Are All In This Together’ call to action we launched in March, we are today announcing a donation of $500,000 to UNICEF USA, to help in securing COVID-19 vaccines to the world’s most vulnerable communities.”

A nurse at the Los Pinos health centre in the Senkata district in El Alto shows a flu vaccine that is injected in the first year of life to babies. The health centre is part of the “Mother and Child-Friendly Hospitals” initiative, in which UNICEF promotes vaccination, adequate nutrition, loving care and breastfeeding. El Alto is the youngest city in Bolivia and is located next to the city of La Paz, at 4000 metres

With the donation provided by Gucci, UNICEF will be able to speed up the work in preparing for the roll-out of a safe vaccine. From the preparation of cold chains to the advance purchasing of supplies, the house will play a crucial role in the distribution of the most vaccine programme the world has seen to date.
From testing kits to oxygen therapy for monitoring patients, UNICEF with the help of Gucci’s funds will take strides in the medical arena to help low and middle-income countries fight the novel coronavirus.
The initiative comes under Gucci’s long term partnership with UNICEF to bring together the global community in the fight against COVID-19.
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With 2020 coming to a close many will be thinking about their New Year’s wishes.
While these are normally something you’d share amongst your loved ones, you can now have it displayed on the world’s tallest building.

If you wish to have a message of hope displayed on the Burj Khalifa for this NYE, you now have a chance to do so.
All you need to do is compose a 35-word message that can inspire the world and the phenomenal tower will display a selected set of wishes as Dubai welcomes 2021.

To enter the competition you simply need to comment on the post below with the hashtag #BurjWishes2021.

A couple of weeks ago it was announced that the fireworks and laser show at the Burj Khalifa will take place on December 31, starting at 8.30pm, with the New Year countdown beginning at 11.58pm.
In line with safety precautions, thermal cameras will be present, social distancing measures will also be in place for those attending in person and regular disinfection and cleaning will take place. In particular, for families attending, Burj Park will be a dedicated space for them with screens, food and beverage stands and more to see in the New Year.
The whole spectacle will also be live-streamed for those staying home.
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After months of essential restrictions in place in order to curb the spread of COVID-19, Abu Dhabi has announced that all activities in the emirate will be returning to normal in two weeks.
In a statement from the Abu Dhabi Emergency Crisis and Disasters Committee via the Abu Dhabi Media Office, it was confirmed that “all economic, tourism, cultural and entertainment activities in the emirate will fully resume”.

It was also noted that the current precautionary guidelines would be “enhanced to preserve all health gains achieved” which includes social distancing and mask-wearing.

Following the success achieved by implementing precautionary measures to curb the spread of Covid-19 and maintain a low rate of cases, Abu Dhabi Emergency Crisis and Disasters Committee for Covid-19 Pandemic has begun working with authorities to resume all activities in two weeks pic.twitter.com/pCnmisrsKx
— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@admediaoffice) December 9, 2020

The committee also reiterated its commitment to routine testing and tracking of the virus.
READ: Abu Dhabi residents and tourists no longer require an alcohol license
“The committee reaffirmed its commitment to continue the efforts made to contain the spread of the Covid-19 virus, including active tracing and testing programmes, and the humanitarian efforts that are supporting social stability,” their statement said.
This comes after the UAE capital reopened its borders to tourists at the end of September, three months after neighbouring emirate Dubai.
Since then those who are arriving into Abu Dhabi from international destinations – whether they are tourists or residents – must quarantine in their homes or a hotel room for 14 days even if they test negative for COVID-19. Travellers have also had to wear tracking wristbands during their 14-day quarantine.
At present, it appears the 14-day quarantine is still in place.
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