Maradona Emerges Unharmed Following Car Accident

Yesterday, Monday the 11th of July, Al Wasl coach, Diego Maradona was involved in a car accident near his home on the outskirts of Buenos Aires on his way to visit his mother in the hospital.

He was released from the hospital later that day after routine check-ups were performed, only as a precautionary measure. He was found to be in full health and capable of going home.

He will be flying back to the United Arab Emirates near the end of the month to begin pre-season training with the team.

We would like to take this opportunity to wish Maradona’s mother, Mrs. Dalma Franco, a speedy recovery from her illness and hope all the best for her and the entire family.
 

dnata Reveals New Brand Identity Following Global Success

dnata (www.dnata.com) today unveiled a new company philosophy and fresh visual branding after having undergone a global brand realignment following a period of unprecedented growth worldwide.

Hundreds of employees from across the Group celebrated dnata’s revitalised look and feel, which include a striking new logo, at a launch event held in Dubai today. A new company vision, mission and set of values have been created to encompass dnata’s diverse portfolio of businesses and unify over 20,000 employees around the world. These will also act as a spring board for future expansion including the launch of a corporate travel service in India next month, capturing the essence of the company as a global player.

The brand refresh comes during one of dnata’s most successful periods in its 52 year history, as the company has transitioned from regional to global status. Over the past six years, the organisation, which incorporates a range of services including ground handling, cargo, travel, IT solutions and flight catering, has quadrupled in size. It now has a global footprint across 73 airports, in 38 countries across five continents.

Despite the recent global economic downturn, dnata continues to expand. The recent acquisition of Alpha Flight Limited, which provides flight catering and retail services for over 100 airlines worldwide, catapulted the company’s international flight catering business to its current position, now present at 62 airports in 12 countries. This significant milestone was complemented by the 2008 acquisitions of a 23% share in worldwide corporate travel company, Hogg Robinson Group (HRG) and 49% of the global outsource provider, Mind Pearl.

“Today is the beginning of a new era for dnata, our customers and our staff,” said Gary Chapman, President, dnata. “The brand refresh represents the start of our journey as a global, unified company. It has been an insightful and creative process which will further enhance our customer offering through our values of ‘service excellence’ and ‘delighting customers’,” he added.

Staff events celebrating the new brand integration will also take place over the next few months in dnata offices across the globe including Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore, the Philippines and Iraq.
 

Following Overwhelming Response To Screening At The Walk, DIFF Opens Rhythm Reels Screenings For Free To The Public

Following the overwhelming response to the opening day screening of ‘The King’s Speech’ – the inaugural gala film of the seventh Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) – the management of DIFF has opened all ‘Rhythm & Reel’ screenings for free to the public.

DIFF introduced The Walk at JBR as a new venue for the festival, where the opening ceremony of the festival and the opening gala film were telecast live. Hundreds of movie-lovers thronged the venue to watch the glittering opening ceremony and the much-acclaimed Colin Firth movie.

Following the response, DIFF opened its ‘Rhythm & Reels’ screenings, which celebrate both films and music, for free to the public at The Walk at JBR, as a gesture of appreciation to the Dubai community. Film and music lovers can now watch an amazing selection of films centred on music for free. Age restrictions, where applicable, will apply though.

The eclectic line-up of compelling films in ‘Rhythm & Reels’ segment include John Lennon’s life in LENNONNYC, and a behind-the-scenes look into the life of popular American rock band The Doors in Tom DiCillo’s When You’re Strange: A Film About The Doors.

The screenings will be complemented by a series of musical performances by popular Arab and international acts from Rima Khcheich, Massar Egbari and Y-Crew to a mariachi ensemble specially flown in from Mexico.

Following the screening of Mexican classic Enamorada on December 15, will be a concert featuring 12 performers from Mexico, the six-member mariachi Grupo Impulsor de la Musica Representativa de Mexico and a six-member team of folk dancers from the Ballet Folklorico Yolitzi Widen de La Laguna.

Renowned Lebanese singer Rima Khcheich, a musical icon in the Arab world, will perform at The Walk at JBR following the screening of DIFF’s Lifetime Achievement Award’s recipient, Sabah’s My Wife’s Husband (Jaoz Marti) on Thursday, December 16. Celebrated internationally and in the region for her classical Arab singing as well as her fusion work, Khcheich has multiple albums and awards to her name.

Rhythm & Reels will host Arab rock-fusion band Massar Egbari, and underground hip-hop band the Y-Crew in concert on Friday, December 17, following the screening of Ahmed Abdallah’s Microphone. The award-winning Massar Egbari, which formed in 2005, specializes in alternative Egyptian music, fusing rock, jazz and blues with pure Oriental music. Y-Crew, the three-member Egyptian hip hop band, will also perform at the concert at The Walk at JBR.

DIFF 2010 box office locations are: CineStar Mall of the Emirates, the Madinat Souk, The Walk at JBR, and at the CNN Building in Dubai Media City. Tickets can also be purchased through DIFF’s Dial-a-Ticket service at (04) 391 3378 and from the website, www.dubaifilmfest.com.

The DIFF Rhythm & Reels section is presented by Dubai Pearl and Dubai Properties. DIFF 2010 is held in association with Dubai Studio City. Dubai Duty Free, Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai Pearl, Emirates Airline and Madinat Jumeirah, the home of the Dubai International Film Festival, are the principal sponsors of DIFF. The event is supported by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority.

For more and updated information about DIFF, please visit www.dubaifilmfest.com

Work On Al Murjan Reef Rehabilitation Project Is Officially Underway Following Stone Throwing Ceremony

Under the Royal Patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Women Establishment, wife of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Presidential Affairs, UAE; work on the Al Murjan Dubai Reef Rehabilitation Project was officially launched when with the placing of the first ceremonial stone on the project reef site.

During the inaugural ceremony, a Commemorative Plaque was unveiled, engraved with a special message from H.H Sheikha Manal. The plaque concisely said: “Every life has a beginning and this rock signifies a new one”.

On this occasion, Sheikha Manal said, “The UAE has always had a long standing sea tradition with a diverse marine life comprised of species indigenous to the waters of our coasts. Today there is a new urgency to protect and conserve these important and beautiful habitats, as high-biodiversity regions of incredible importance and beauty. I am therefore delighted to announce the official start to the Al Murjan Coral Reef Project; that will encourage the review and implementation of legislation and policy strategies, so as to ensure that this unique ecosystem continues to feed, protect and dazzle us and our descendants, for generations to come.”

Inspired by the vision of Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is the Honorary President of the Emirates Marine Environmental Group and a very experienced diver in her own right; Al Murjan – which means “coral” in Arabic – was borne out of her devotion towards the marine life sanctuary in Dubai.

Al Murjan will be executed by Dubai Ladies Club in association with Shangri-La Hotel Dubai, Traders Hotel Dubai and Emirates Marine Environmental Group. Following several prelimary tests, the site chosen for the rehabilitation of an artificial reef is a designated area off Dubai Ladies Club’s beach.

Aside from providing food and shelter for numerous fish and marine species, coral reefs in the UAE play important ecological, economic, recreational and cultural roles by protecting coasts from erosion, supporting commercial fishing and an array of recreational activities.

Al Murjan will be the first community-based coral reef development project within the UAE. The project will seek to build capacity at the community level through necessary trainings to community groups in coral reef education and awareness; management planning; and long-term financing and sustainability. Through Ladies Dive at Dubai Ladies Cub – which is the first and only Diving Centre dedicated for women from the local community will have the opportunity to get involved through a variety of volunteer programs and special diving camps organized by Dubai Ladies Club in collaboration with Emirates Marine Environmental Group.

Through the expertise of the Emirates Marine Environmental Group, the project will be done in three phases: acquiring as well as deployment of rocks onsite, transplanting of corals and follow up surveys.

The “Murjan” project is also supported by Barakat Trading and Regaltech.
 

Following The Success Of The Ramadan Experience: Asateer To Be Transformed Into A Premier Event Venue At Atlantis, The Palm

Atlantis, The Palm, the leading entertainment resort destination in the Middle East is honouring the success of Asateer by making it a permanent venue at the resort. Due to an incredible number of positive comments and requests from visitors during the holy month of Ramadan, Asateer will now be used as a premier private function venue for events such as weddings, fashion shows and product launches.

Serge Zaalof, Chief Operating Officer for Atlantis, The Palm said: ‘’The concept behind Asateer was to provide our guests with a traditional Ramadan experience in a luxurious setting.” He continued, “Throughout Ramadan, over 37,000 guests experienced Asateer and we had over 100 bookings for parties of 20 guests or more, proving to us that Asateer was a perfect venue for holding large scale events with a sea view and beach setting.”

Asateer, meaning ‘myths’, overlooks the Arabian Gulf and The Palm Jumeirah took over 300 workers 8 weeks to build and covers an area of over 2,625 m². Asateer has an independent entrance from Atlantis and a private parking area for over 500 vehicles including a helicopter landing pad. The stunning marble floors and water features at the entrance of Asateer are just part of the striking decor and ambiance of the venue, which upon request can be customized to suit the requirements or tastes of individuals for any event.

Reshma Tony, Office Manager for TECOM Investments said, “Everyone from our team enjoyed the excellent food and ambiance at Asateer, and I would like to commend the team at Atlantis on the service and quality maintained at this beautiful venue.”

Asateer already has a booking for a wedding this November. Fizah Pasha, the future bride commented, “Asateer provides the grandeur of a ballroom, but what makes it unique is the backdrop-the Dubai skyline. The chandelier lights in Asateer along with the entrance way make it all the more exquisite.” She added, “I can’t wait for my guests to walk in through that entrance and be swept away by the interior set against that beautiful backdrop. I went for iftar at Asateer, and I was amazed at how beautiful the entire tent was designed. The effort can be seen and was much appreciated by my family and I. The buffet was also served in a very nice and professional manner. Asateer definitely stood out from all the other tents we visited during Ramadan.”

Atlantis, The Palm transports guests into a dazzling, imaginative world, the resort encompasses a 46 hectare site with 17 hectares of water themed amusement at AQUAVENTURE, extensive fresh and salt-water pools and lagoon exhibits, an open-aired marine habitat second only to Mother Nature, a seemingly endless stretch of beach, luxury boutiques, numerous dining choices including four celebrity chef restaurants, an exciting nightlife experience, a Spa and Fitness Centre, and 5,600m² of meeting and function space. With its enviable location atop the crescent of The Palm Jumeirah, the opening of Atlantis is a landmark event, redefining tourism in Dubai as the first truly integrated entertainment resort.

For more information on Asateer or any events at Atlantis, please call +971 4 426 0376.

Dubai Properties Group Sees Surge In Demand Following Leasing Campaign

Dubai Properties Group (DPG), a member of Dubai Holding, today announced a significant increase in demand for its built-to-lease communities throughout Dubai as UAE residents opt for quality and location at excellent value for money.

The increased demand is the direct result of DPG’s comprehensive six-week-long campaign to promote its built-to-lease communities across Dubai. DPG has received thousands of calls each week driving hundreds of visits to the community’s site offices daily. The comprehensive campaign was rolled out earlier this month across various marketing channels including the radio, print, digital, online and outdoor platforms.

The increased demand for DPG’s communities confirms the success of its leasing strategy. With a diverse portfolio in prime locations and flexible pricing that meets the market conditions, DPG has successfully consolidated its status as one of the region’s leading real estate companies that develops, creates and manages residential and commercial communities and destinations in Dubai.

Khalid Al Malik, Group Chief Executive Officer, DPG, said: “The demand for apartment and villas in our communities reflects the new market requirement for quality and affordability. DPG’s diverse real estate offering is focused on delivering sustainable communities that offer an enhanced lifestyle in diverse neighbourhoods and in every price range. The leasing campaign has been instrumental in featuring the breadth of our portfolio and has drawn thousands of new residents to our communities.”

The leasing campaign features eight of DPG’s diverse communities located across Dubai including the uniquely-themed beachfront development – Jumeirah Beach Residence, the Mediterranean-themed desert oasis in the heart of DUBAILAND – Layan, and Shorooq – a popular residential community in Mirdif.

Cordoba, a family-focused community in an ideal location in Dubai Knowledge Village, and Al Khail Gate, affordable apartments conveniently located off Al Khail Road, are also featured along with commercial projects including Office Park 1 & 2. The premium skilled staff accommodation, Nuzul, rounds out the portfolio.

For leasing inquiries, please contact 800 DPG.
 

DEWA Initiatives Receive Significant Boost Following ’Water Days’ Event

The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) today announced its ongoing initiatives on sustainable natural resources, in particular water management, received significance boost during the two-day Water Days conference.Held at the conference auditorium at Dubai Knowledge Village, a member of TECOM Investments, Water Days is the second module in a green building conference series organized by Sesam Business Consultants. Each module offers presentations, open debates, project tours, and a training workshop around important issues on green buildings.Amal Koshak, Senior Manager – Demand and Tariff Management, DEWA, said: “Our primary focus in participating at Water Days this year was to share knowledge and facilitate meaningful exchange between DEWA and organizations that are active in resources management. Special emphasis on treated sewage effluents (TSE) and new technologies in water recycling were also featured as part of the event that drew significant participation from a wide number of stakeholders.“The conference helped us raise awareness on green building concepts in line with Dubai Government’s initiative to drastically minimise the emirate’s carbon footprint.”Spearheading the drive for energy conservation in the region, DEWA has been conducting several programmes and initiatives including the World Environment Day activities, hosting a series of exhibitions and workshops on water and paper recycling.DEWA’s more recent ‘Best Consumer’ campaign rewarded 13 home consumers with cash prizes amounting to AED22,000 for reducing individual water and electricity consumption. The ‘Conservation for a Better Tomorrow’ campaign, which aimed to encourage students and academic institutions in Dubai reduce their energy consumption, also helped participating organisations minimize the use of water by nearly 42 per cent.