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    COVID-19 tests are now mandatory for all passengers travelling to the UAE

    In the latest travel update for those entering the UAE, it has been announced it is mandatory for everyone to have a COVID-19 test before travelling.

    The new ruling, which will come into effect on August 1, 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.
    READ: A complete list of the destinations Emirates is currently flying to
    Similarly, in a statement from the UAE National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, the authorities confirmed those who are travelling from the UAE to countries in Europe, the UK and other countries requiring a COVID-19 PCR test need to do so before boarding their flights.
    This latest regulation put in place is “in line with the country’s efforts to protect the health and safety of its citizens and residents and reduce the spread of coronavirus”, state news agency WAM said.
    – For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram.
    Feature Image: Visit Dubai Instagram  More

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    Kim Kardashian breaks silence on husband Kanye’s bipolar disorder

    Following a tumultuous few days for Kanye West, who has spoken about very private family matters in a public way, Kim Kardashian West has broken her silence.
    Opening up about her husband’s bipolar disorder, the makeup mogul asked for “compassion and empathy” from the public and media.

    Over the last couple of days, West has been posting a series of erratic Twitter posts regarding personal matters, his family and more after appearing at a rally in South Carolina to launch his presidential campaign.
    Kardashian took to Instagram to address the erratic behaviour her husband has been showing and also addressed his bipolar disorder.

    “As many of you know, Kanye has bipolar disorder,” she began. “Anyone who has this or has a loved one in their life who does, knows how incredibly complicated and painful it is to understand.”

    Kim Kardashian’s statement just posted to her Instagram stories is well worth reading. pic.twitter.com/XV9mIZvTlt
    — claudia irizarry aponte (@clauirizarry) July 22, 2020

    She continued to say, “I understand Kanye is subject to criticism because he is a public figure and his actions at times can cause strong opinions and emotions.”
    The 39-year-old went onto highlight how the loss of his mother has affected him, as well as struggling with mental health issues has put “pressure” on him.
    “He is a brilliant but complicated person who on top of the pressures of being an artist and a Black man, who experienced the painful loss of his mother, and has to deal with the pressure and isolation that is heightened by his bipolar disorder,” she said. “Those who are close with Kanye know his heart and understand his words some times [sic] do not align with his intentions.
    “Living with bipolar disorder does not diminish or invalidate his dreams and his creative ideas, no matter how big or unobtainable they may feel to some. That is part of his genius and as we have all witnessed, many of his big dreams have come true.”
    She asked that everyone give “grace” to the individuals, including her husband, who are struggling with mental issues, and also asked for “compassion and empathy” during this trying time.

    “We as a society talk about giving grace to the issue of mental health as a whole, however we should also give it to the individuals who are living with it in times when they need it most,” she said. “I kindly ask that the media and public give us the compassion and empathy that is needed so that we can get through this.
    “Thank you for those who have expressed concern for Kanye’s well being and for your understanding.”
    Following West’s outspoken words at the rally, Page Six reported that Kardashian and her family were left “mortified” by his behaviour, but are desperate to help the 44-year-old, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2016.
    “She has desperately been trying to help Kanye, keep him calm, and prevent him from having any public meltdowns,” a source told the publication. “The family believe he is having a bipolar episode.
    “He won’t take medications because he feels they make him less creative.”
    – For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram.
    Images: Kim Kardashian Instagram More

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    Kuwaiti influencer Rawan Bin Hussain has announced her divorce

    Popular Kuwaiti influencer Rawan Bin Hussain has announced she’s getting a divorce.
    Sharing the news earlier this week with her 4.8 million followers on Instagram, she said she hoped people would “understand” her decision.

    “Today I’m here to explain this without the filter and I’m hoping people, especially Middle Easterners who still follow the worst traditional rules, would understand me,” she said.
    The 23-year-old went on to explain she was “proud” of the steps she was taking.

    “I am very proud to say I am divorcing my husband,” she said.
    The mother-of-one claimed she was “mentally abused”, and was called “crazy, psychotic [and] unstable”.
    “I was mentally abused to the extent I did go to therapy because I thought I am unstable,” she said.
    Despite the difficulties she has gone through, the influencer said she was “excited” for the next chapter in her life.
    “If this will make me ‘Less of a human being’, then that’s totally fine!” she said. “I am super excited for my new chapter. And I can’t wait to start.”
    – For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Instagram More

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    A complete list of the destinations Emirates is currently flying to

    As travel slowly begins to recover, along with that Emirates is slowly but surely increasing its destination pool.
    By the beginning of August, the Dubai-based airline is set to be flying to over 60 destinations across the world. While it’s still significantly lower than the 157 destinations the airline was flying to pre-COVID-19, it’s most certainly a positive sign.

    With the destination pool increasing and the Dubai borders having opened, perhaps a summer holiday could be on the cards? However, for those who are thinking of travelling, it’s advised you check the requirements and policies in place in your destination country.

    Emirates will resume passenger services to Stockholm @Arlanda from 1 August. Now fly better and safer to 22 cities in Europe and 63 destinations worldwide from @DXB. https://t.co/aUMpd9dw8l #FlyEmiratesFlyBetter #Above_The_Clouds pic.twitter.com/WIdwHXxowG
    — Emirates Airline (@emirates) July 20, 2020

    With destinations continuously being added to the Emirates flight schedule, we’ve rounded up the complete list of where Emirates is offering regularly scheduled flights to.
    Africa
    Addis AbabaCairoDar Es SalaamKhartoumTunis
    Americas
    BostonChicagoNew YorkTorontoLos AngelesSao PauloWashington
    Asia
    ColomboDhakaIslamabadKabulKarachiLahoreMaldivesThe SeychellesHanoiHo Chi Minh CityHong KongGuangzhouJakartaKuala LumpurManilaOsakaSeoulSingaporeTaipeiTokyo
    Australasia
    AucklandBrisbanePerthSydney
    Europe
    AmsterdamAthensBarcelonaBrusselsCopenhagenDublinFrankfurtGenevaGlasgowLarnacaLondonMadridManchesterMilanMunichOsloParisPragueRomeStockholmViennaZurich
    Middle East
    AmmanBeirutBahrainDubaiTehran
    – For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Instagram More

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    Eid Al Adha 2020 holidays announced for the UAE public sector

    The holiday dates for Eid Al Adha for those who work in the public sector in the UAE have been announced.

    Per an announcement from the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources, those who work in ministries and federal entities will receive a long weekend from Thursday, July 30 to Sunday, August 2, with work resuming on Monday, August 3.
    Holidays for the private sector are yet to be confirmed but will be announced by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE).
    While Eid Al Adha is likely to fall on Friday, July 31, the official date is dependent on the sighting of the moon.
    The rest of the UAE public holidays for 2020:
    Islamic New Year
    A couple of weeks later it’s the Hijri New Year. Falling on Muharram 1, it’s expected to take place on Wednesday, August 19 or Thursday, August 20.
    The Prophet’s Birthday
    The Prophet Mohammed’s birthday will fall on the 12 of the Hijri month of Rabi Al Awwal, which will coincide with Wednesday, October 28, or Thursday, October 29.
    Commemoration Day and National Day
    To close out 2020, those in the UAE will have another three-day break to look forward to with Commemoration Day, Tuesday, December 1, and National Day, Wednesday, December 2, with a day off also on Thursday, December 3.
    – For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram.
    Feature Image: Visit Abu Dhabi Instagram More

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    Kim Kardashian is ‘furious’ with Kanye West but also ‘desperate to help him’

    While Kanye West is currently on a quest for the US presidency, it seems he’s been airing some very private family matters about his wife Kim Kardashian and their children.
    In fact, according to People, the makeup mogul is “furious” at the rapper for sharing their private matters in such a public way at a rally in South Carolina.

    “Things have broken down significantly between the two of them, and it’s happened pretty suddenly,” a source told the magazine.
    Following the rally, Kanye seemed to go on a Twitter rant airing more personal matters to the public.

    As a result, the Kardashian-Jenners have become increasingly worried for his mental health.
    The 44-year-old was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2016, and while Kim has been left “mortified” by his behaviour, she’s still desperate to help him.
    “She has desperately been trying to help Kanye, keep him calm, and prevent him from having any public meltdowns,” a source told Page Six. “The family believe he is having a bipolar episode.
    “He won’t take medications because he feels they make him less creative.”
    – For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram.
    Images: Getty, Feature Image: Kim Kardashian Instagram More

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    ‘Historical’ court ruling in Saudi Arabia will benefit equality for women

    In recent years, many things have changed for the better for women in Saudi Arabia.
    Now, in a recent court ruling in the Kingdom, it has been 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, has been hailed has “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. “I am very happy with this ruling that ends tragic stories for women.”
    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: Getty More

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    Here’s when Eid Al Adha is likely to fall

    Another public holiday is right around the corner in the UAE with Eid Al Adha (the Festival of Sacrifice) set to fall next weekend.
    While there has been no confirmation in the UAE as to what the exact date of Eid Al Adha will be, Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court recently announced it would fall on Friday, July 31.

    Previously, as reported by Gulf News, top UAE astronomer Ibrahim Al Jarwan also predicted the Muslim holiday would likely fall on July 31.
    “The crescent of the lunar month of Dhu Al Hijjah 1441 is to be spotted on Monday, July 20, 2020 at 9.33pm UAE time,” he told the outlet back in May.

    “July 22 will mark the first day of Dhu Al Hijjah month and Friday, July 31, shall be the first day of Eid Al Adha, according to astronomical calculations.”
    While there has been no official announcement as of yet, a public holiday on Sunday, August 2 could be on the cards.
    The rest of the UAE public holidays for 2020:
    Islamic New Year
    A couple of weeks later it’s the Hijri New Year. Falling on Muharram 1, it’s expected to take place on Wednesday, August 19 or Thursday, August 20.
    The Prophet’s Birthday
    The Prophet Mohammed’s birthday will fall on the 12 of the Hijri month of Rabi Al Awwal, which will coincide with Wednesday, October 28, or Thursday, October 29.
    Commemoration Day and National Day
    To close out 2020, those in the UAE will have another three-day break to look forward to with Commemoration Day, Tuesday, December 1, and National Day, Wednesday, December 2, with a day off also on Thursday, December 3.
    – For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram.
    Feature Image: Unsplash More