News

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.
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As coronavirus continues to affect everyone across the world, Gigi and Bella Hadid’s father, Mohamed Hadid, is sending an important message to everyone: wear a mask.
Ensuring he’s also looking stylish, the Palestinian-American property tycoon wore a mask designed by Palestinian designer Noor Subeh.

“Stay safe for others to keep yourself safe from others,” the 71-year-old captioned the photo, wearing one of Subeh’s mask designs.
The fashion designer, who is based in Los Angeles, runs her own brand called Noor Alla Moda, which is still relatively unknown. So much so, Suleh describes herself as a “fashion designer in the making”.

However, receiving a shout out from the father of two of the world’s top models will certainly help her on her journey.

As Hadid was born in Palestine, his children have continually vocalised how proud they are to be part-Palestinian.
Just recently, his youngest daughter Bella called out Instagram for a deleting a post she made to her story of Hadid’s, passport stating his birthplace as Palestine.
The supermodel revealed the social media platform took down her Instagram story, sharing a screenshot stating the post had violated their community guidelines.
Along with the screengrab the 23-year-old said, “Instagram removed my story that only said ‘My baba and his birthplace of Palestine’ with a photograph of his American passport.”
“Are we not allowed to be Palestinian on Instagram?” she continued. “This, to me, is bullying. You can’t erase history by silencing people. It doesn’t work like that.”
Hadid has previously opened up about her father’s heritage in an interview with Porter magazine in 2017.
“My dad was a refugee when he first came to America, so it’s actually very close to home for my sister and brother and me,” she said. “He was always religious, and he always prayed with us. I am proud to be a Muslim.”
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Feature Image: Getty More

Former Miss Lebanon Valerie Abou Chacra married her fiance, Lebanese businessman Ziad Ammar over the weekend despite the current restrictions in place in Lebanon due to COVID-19.
The couple wed in Bkerke outdoors in an open space, which was officiated by Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai.

The 28-year-old wore an incredible Dior wedding gown for the ceremony, which was intricately designed with gold embroidery throughout, and also had statement puffed shoulders and a long flowing train.
To complete her bridal look, Chacra opted for a classic up-do which was styled by hairstylist Georges El Mendelek, who is based in Abu Dhabi.

As for her makeup, celebrity makeup artist Bassam Fattouh kept it elegant and simple with glowing skin, nude lip and a bronzed eye look, making Chacra look every bit the blushing bride.
Congratulations to the happy couple!
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Feature Image: Instagram More

Those who are travelling to the UAE may be among the first in the world to experience the implementation of using K9 sniffer dogs to detect COVID-19.
In a world-first, dogs have been placed across airports in the UAE in order to detect coronavirus.

A video showcasing the stationing of dogs at Dubai International Airport was posted to the UAE’s state new agency WAM’s YouTube page, which also outlined exactly how the detection works.
“An area was dedicated to detect Covid-19 using K9 police dogs at Dubai International Airport,” Major Salah Al Mazrooei from Dubai Police explains in the video.

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“Samples are taken in collaboration with partners from Dubai Health Authority; results are out in less than one minute.”
As for how it works, samples are taken from travellers which are then taken into an isolated room where the dogs are able to sniff the samples in order to detect potential signs of coronavirus.
While it’s still in the testing stages, it’s been thought that the K9 sniffer dogs are able to detect the COVID-19 virus through their scent.
“The test was very fast, absolutely easy to do and I was surprised that it was available upon arrival,” a passenger who underwent the process says in the video.
To date, the UAE has had 60,999 confirmed cases of COVID-19 – 54,615 of which have recovered and there’s been 351 deaths.
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Feature Image: Sara Shakeel Instagram  More

Emirates is the first international airline to resume it’s flights to the Seychelles.
The picturesque island with all-year-round perfect climate and enviable beaches can be reached in less than five hours from Dubai airport, and is the perfect destination for beating the summer heat.

Over the weekend, the airline took to Instagram to share videos of it’s Boeing 777 landing on the island with flight booking already available since August 1.
During these uncertain times, Emirates continues to make flying around the world easy and safe. It most recently introduced medical travel insurance cover for coronavirus related needs to passengers, the first airline to do so.

.@Emirates received a warm welcome today as it became the first international airline to return to Seychelles, coinciding with the country’s re-opening to tourists.
Images credit: @seychellescaa, @LcPointe, ATSEP Seychelles pic.twitter.com/cpczoOClI4
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) August 2, 2020

The news of medical costs being covered by the airline comes after it was announced it is mandatory for all those entering the UAE to have a COVID-19 test before travelling. In addition, 29 selected countries have to have a second test done upon arrival in Dubai.
The new ruling came into effect on August 1 and is for all passengers including UAE citizens, UAE residents, tourists and those in transit coming into UAE airports on inbound flights or transit flights. Tests must be done prior to travel, a maximum of 96 hours before.
Emirates now flies to over 60 destinations, check out the full list here to book your next escape.
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Since they got back together earlier this year, Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik have been keeping their relationship out of the public glare.
However, in a rare move from Gigi, the supermodel posted a sweet PDA-filled photo with Zayn making a reference to the impending arrival of their first child together.

The 25-year-old took to Instagram on Friday sharing an image of her and Zayn kissing and affectionately captioned the snap “baby daddy”.

The model first spoke of her pregnancy – news which was revealed in the press and not by Gigi or Zayn – during a video call appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, admitting they would have liked to reveal the news on their “own terms”, but also thanked everyone for their congratulations.
“Obviously, we wish we could’ve announced it on our own terms, but we’re very excited and happy and grateful for everyone’s well wishes and support,” she said.
Gigi is set to give birth to her first child in September, and it’s been reported the couple are expecting a girl, but neither of them has officially confirmed the gender.
Just recently, Gigi opened up to her fans about why she hasn’t shared much of her pregnancy in real-time. The model revealed she has been documenting her whole journey and will share it “in the future” when she feels it is the right time.
“I have been taking a lot of pictures of my bump and sending it to friends and family and it’s been really cute and exciting,” she said. “I’m trying to document it well because I’ve heard a lot of people say obviously, ‘make sure you don’t miss it.’”
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Feature Image: Getty More

If you’ve struggled to get a table at one of your favourite eateries in Abu Dhabi, we have some good news.
Dining outlets in the capital are now allowed to operate at 80 per cent capacity. Abu Dhabi’s Department of Economic Development (ADDED) has circulated a notice informing that restaurants, coffee shops, cafes and other licensed food outlets (including those inside malls) can increase their capacity.

This news is a positive indication of how the emirate has been dealing with the ongoing global pandemic, and is helpful step for businesses as they slowly get closer to normal operations.

.@AbuDhabiDED has issued a circular instructing restaurants, coffee shops, cafes and other licensed food outlets inside and outside malls to operate at 80% capacity. This follows measures implemented by Abu Dhabi Emergency Crisis & Disaster Committee for COVID-19 Pandemic. pic.twitter.com/39AK50XSIl
— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@admediaoffice) July 29, 2020

However, all of the outlets must meet the required measures set in place by the Abu Dhabi Emergency Crisis & Disaster Committee for the Covid-19 Pandemic.
They have to make sure that all the staff undergo laser-based DPI screening for coronavirus every two weeks and maximum of four people per table rule is still in place. Clear social distancing markings remain, as does contactless payment method.
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Travelling somewhere special this Eid al Adha? You’re not the only one.
Emirates warns that this weekend is going to be a busy one for holidaymakers and advises everyone to arrive at the airport three hours before departure (regardless of class of travel). Be warned, that if you rock up less less than 60 minutes prior to your scheduled flight departure, you will be turned away.

Peak travel is expected to start this evening, with Thursday July 30, marking the busiest time for departures in Terminal 3. Passengers are encouraged to build in extra time to avoid any delays with expected traffic congestion.
Remember that you can check in online on both their desktops and mobile devices from 48 hours to 90 minutes before flight departure, but you have to stop by the Emirates check-in counters at the airport to collect boarding passes and to verify travel documents.

After checking in, keep an eye out for the information boards as all gates are timed to open 90 minutes in advance, with boarding commencing 45 minutes before each flight with gates closing 20 minutes before departure.
Travelling during these times can be confusing, so make sure to check out the airlines website for the latest requirements.

Travelling back to Dubai
Note that from August 1, COVID-19 PCR tests taken a maximum of 96 hours before departure will be mandatory for all travellers arriving to Dubai or transiting in Dubai. This includes UAE citizens, residents and tourists, irrespective of the country they are coming from. In addition, travellers heading to the UK and Europe on Emirates will also be required to hold a negative PCR test certificate.
Peace of mind
Earlier it was announced that Emirates has committed to cover COVID-19 related medical expenses, free of cost, should they be diagnosed with COVID-19 during their travels abroad. The airline will cover medical expenses of up to Euro 150,000 and quarantine costs of Euro 100 per day for 14 days. This cover is immediately effective for customers flying on Emirates until 31 October 2020 (first flight to be completed on or before 31 October 2020), and is valid for 31 days from the moment they fly the first sector of their journey.
– For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram.
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