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From Sydney to Dubai: Global fireworks party welcomes in 2014
From Sydney to Dubai: Global fireworks party welcomes in 2014 (Agencies) / 1 January 2014 The world welcomed in 2014 with spectacular firework displays as a wave of pyrotechnic extravaganzas swept around the globe to celebrate the New Year. Record fireworks at Palm Jumeirah on New Year. – AFP With fireworks, dancing and late-night revelry, millions around the world welcomed 2014 on Tuesday, gathering for huge displays of jubilation and unity as the new year arrived. Europe joined in the party with a giant salvo in London, after Dubai attempted to break the work record for the biggest-ever fireworks show and Sydney got the ball rolling ahead of Asia with a dazzling display. Dubai glamour and over-the-top achievements like the world’s tallest skyscraper, sought to break another record by creating the largest fireworks show. In Ukraine, anti-government protesters hoped to set their own record for the most people to sing a national anthem at the same time. Crowds heading to New York City’s Times Square could expect the traditional ball drop but no mayor this year. The new year was to be rung in by US Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor instead. Revelers wait in New York’s Times Square to celebrate the New Year on December 31, 2013 in New York City. – AFP In Dubai, the Middle East hub was hoping to break the Guinness World Record by setting off more than 400,000 fireworks. The glittering display lasted around six minutes and spanned 100 kilometres (60 miles) of the coast, focusing on the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower at 830 metres high. People crowded in the streets below took pictures as the thundering display filled the skies. “It’s amazing,” said May Hinnawi, a 35-year-old Syrian. “I will tell my children and grand children I was here to see this event.” Kuwait set the record in 2011 with an hour-long blast of 77,282 fireworks. Pro-European integration supporters take part in New Year celebrations in Independence Square in central Kiev on December 31, 2013. – Reuters On Kiev’s main square, at least 100,000 Ukrainians sang their national anthem in a sign of support for integration with Europe. The square has been the scene of massive pro-European protests for more than a month, triggered by President Viktor Yanukovych’s decision to ditch a key deal with the European Union. Britain planned to welcome 2014 with a mixture of futuristic fireworks and torch-lit tradition. For people in London, the New Year offered the opportunity to taste the fireworks. Fireworks light the sky above the London Eye and the Houses of Parliament over the river Thames during the New Year celebrations in central London just after midnight on January 1, 2014. AFP The city’s mayor — in conjunction with telecommunications company Vodafone — said this year’s explosive display would come packed with peach-flavored snow, edible banana confetti and orange-scented bubbles, allowing people to feast with more than just their eyes. The multisensory display will also include scratch-and-sniff programs, LED wristbands and fruit-flavoured sweets. Fireworks explode over Sydney Harbour at midnight, ushering in the new year, in Sydney on January 1, 2014. – Reuters In Sydney, Australia, fireworks organisers expected to set off 7 metric tons (7.7 US tons) of pyrotechnics in 12 seconds in a display that sprayed from the sails of the Sydney Opera House and the city’s harbor bridge. “It filled up the whole sky,” said Mona Rucek, a 28-year-old tourist from Munich, Germany. Closer to the International Dateline, New Zealand concluded 2013 with its own fireworks that erupted from Auckland’s Sky Tower while cheering crowds danced in the streets of the South Pacific island nation’s largest city. People release balloons to celebrate the New Year during the annual countdown ceremony by the Prince Park Tower Tokyo on January 1, 2014. AFP In Tokyo, five priests at the Zojoji temple used ropes to swing a wooden pole against a large bell, sounding the first of 108 gongs to mark the new year. Simultaneously, “2014” lit up in white lights on the modern Tokyo Tower in the background. Juji Muto said he was curious to hear how the bell sounded. The 75-year-old retiree said he wishes every year for good health. Visitors take pictures and videos during a light show as part of a New Year countdown celebration as part of a New Year countdown celebration on the Bund in Shanghai on January 1, 2014. Reuters China planned light shows at part of the Great Wall near Beijing and at the Bund waterfront in Shanghai. The city of Wuhan in central Hubei province called off its fireworks show and banned fireworks downtown to avoid worsening its smog. Pope Francis leaves after visiting the traditional Crib in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican on December 31, 2013. – Reuters Pope Francis used his year-end prayer service of thanksgiving to urge people to ask themselves: Did they spend 2013 to further their own interests or to help others? The pontiff asked people to reflect if they used the past year to make the places where they live more livable and welcoming. Citing Rome as an example, Francis said the city is full of tourists, but also refugees. Fireworks light up the sky as Filipinos welcome the New Year on Jan. 1, 2014 in Manila, Philippines. AP Six killed and more than 260 people had been injured by firecracker blasts and celebratory gunfire in the Philippines, a nation marking the end of a year of tragic disasters, including a Nov. 8 typhoon that left more than 6,100 dead and nearly 1,800 missing. “Many here are welcoming the new year after losing their mothers, fathers, siblings and children so you can imagine how it feels,” said village chief Maria Rosario Bactol of Anibong community in Tacloban, the city worst hit by Typhoon Haiyan. “I tell them to face the reality, to move on and stand up, but I know it will never be easy.” In New York City, outgoing Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who hobnobbed with celebrities during past Times Square celebrations, was sitting out this year’s festivities to spend time with family and friends. Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio will be sworn in at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday at his Brooklyn home. Sotomayor, a New York City native, will lead the final 60-second countdown and push the ceremonial button to drop the ball. Continue reading
On a cultural trail at Global Village’s Yemeni pavilion
On a cultural trail at Global Village’s Yemeni pavilion Staff Report / 1 January 2014 The Yemeni pavilion is turning into a main attraction for all those wanting to experience tradition and hospitality. It’s a honey trap at the Yemeni pavilion at Global Village which also abounds in spices, dried fruits and nuts. Visitors can find fantastic deals for the wonderful treats that are sold in this pavilion. The smells that arise from the barrels filled with spices, honey, dried fruits and nuts, simply makes the Yemeni Pavilion a fantastic cultural experience. The Yemeni pavilion has always been one of the most popular at the Global Village, and this year it is turning into a main attraction for all those wanting to experience tradition and hospitality. The knowledge the vendors possess makes for an educational and entertaining visit. A culture trip The culture of Yemen is rich and diverse. It is a country that holds dear to the values of their forefathers which is why visitors will see the pavilion stall owners sporting the traditional Yemeni Jambiya, a curved knife. The beautiful curved knives, and their bejewelled scabbards are just one of the many culturally significant items on sale at Global Village, as the pavilion also has a wide selection of Yemen’s national dress. The Yemeni Pavilion has, year on year, become renowned for the high quality of its honey. Visitors who talk with the knowledgeable vendors will find out that the honey being sold is remarkably good. The quality, taste, and colour of the honey can all change depending on the weather, time of year, and the type of flower that has been used by bees to make the honey. Some of the honey has nuts and seeds added to it for additional nutritional benefits, others have honeycomb in it to add a different texture. Spice up your life Heading over to the spice shops of this pavilion will bring you face to face with a uniquely sculpted Burj Khalifa, made entirely of spices. While sampling the fantastic honey around the Yemeni pavilion, visitors will notice their sense of smell tingling as aromas from the spice bins waft around the pavilion. Stocking up the pantry with some high quality spices and herbs is the best reason to visit the Yemeni pavilion. Amateur chefs will love the dried onion, fennel, cumin, and even frankincense, among many more high quality products. Vendors can also help visitors find out which of the all-natural oils — there are over 80 to choose from — is the best for them. The oils can be good for a number of ailments affecting the hair and skin, or the digestive system. Antique jewellery The Yemeni pavilion also has a large pieces of jewellery decorated with precious stones and pearls. The vendors prove themselves to be fonts of knowledge and offering in-depth information on the antique rings and bejeweled necklaces. Many of the rings and necklaces have Yemeni produced Agate stones and Onyx set into them, with the beautiful colours of these natural Yemeni-found stones standing out against the copper and silver pieces. Experience one of the oldest cultures in the world and sample a traditional way of life through the exquisite art of honey making, spice selling and, fabulous pieces of jewelry made out of natural materials. news@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
Khalifa a unique world leader, says Mohammed
Khalifa a unique world leader, says Mohammed (Wam) / 1 January 2014 Vice-President pens heartfelt article about the qualities of the President His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, praised the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on Tuesday, describing him as a “unique international leader and a successful man, who is loved by his people”. Shaikh Khalifa being seen off to Pakistan on a private visit by Shaikh Mohammed and General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces. — Wam He said the President has “a different approach to leadership” and a unique philosophy on leading the country. The President has a new approach to creating happiness for his people, “since his philosophy is based on the concept of a human being”. Shaikh Mohammed made these remarks in an article titled ‘Thank You, Khalifa’. He wrote: “Seven years ago, immediately after assuming the office of the Vice President and Prime Minister, I held several meetings with officials in the federal Government, and assigned a work team to conduct a number of quick surveys on the most important needs of the citizens and the needs that we should meet in the work of the government. “After I had a clear idea on what we needed and what the citizens needed from us, I paid a visit to the President one afternoon. He received me with his usual smile that all of us are familiar with; any one who has met with the President would know his smile. I presented to him the most important priorities in my work plan, the most important changes that needed to be made in the government, and the most important future phases.” Shaikh Mohammed said the President responded by saying that with the blessings of Allah, “we are one team”. “If you are short of anything, I will complete it. The needs of the citizens will be a priority for all of us,” Shaikh Mohammed quoted Shaikh Khalifa as saying. “I know Shaikh Khalifa has his own research on various projects and follows up on the citizens’ conditions, but I was surprised at the accuracy of his information when we started working in the field,” Shaikh Mohammed wrote. An illustration He illustrated this with an example, saying that they received complaints from Emirati fishermen in a remote area, who needed a small fishing port. When directions were issued to meet the demand, he was surprised to see that the President’s work team had already earmarked a budget and put it in their plans before they did. “We asked for the number of citizens who were in need of rebuilding their houses, and surprisingly we found the lists were ready in the Presidential court, and were being studied. “We always follow the live broadcasts about citizens’ complaints regarding unpaid bank loans and I directed the work team to make a study on the issue with the authorities concerned. They told us that the President had asked them to make the same study and that the staff in the Presidential court had told them that Shaikh Khalifa had allocated Dh10 billion for the same,” Shaikh Mohammed wrote. When Shaikh Mohammed announced 2013 as a year of Emiratisation, to his surprise, he found there was a similar project with the President to find jobs for 25,000 citizens. In 2010, he had several meetings with local governments to coordinate plans. Some Emiratis expressed the need for roads in certain areas, he said. “We decided to conduct a survey. I was told by Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, that the study was ready as per a request from the President on the infrastructure development in the UAE, and that he would double the budget for these projects to the tune of Dh20 billion nationwide. “The same was repeated in the housing project, new hospital project and other projects. We discussed new government policies with the banks to support young people with small and medium projects. I was surprised when Shaikh Mansour said that Shaikh Khalifa would establish a fund for this purpose and will cover the whole country so as to develop the projects of the youth, with an investment of Dh2 billion.” A testimony to the President’s farsightedness “Today, I write this article not to commend the President but as a testimony to the fact that when we rush to do something for the benefit of the citizens, we find the President has done it before us. I write this to tell leaders everywhere that the needs of the citizens can be met without much hue and cry. I write this so that many generations may know that Shaikh Khalifa, from the time he took up government responsibilities in the 1960s until today, has never stopped meeting the needs of his people and solving their problems.” Shaikh Khalifa covers expenses of the health care of citizens, pays off citizens’ liabilities, follows up on housing programmes, pardons prisoners, honours expatriate residents and provides help for the underprivileged people, despite his pressing engagement with affairs of the country and its citizens. He is, Shaikh Mohammed said, one of those leaders who care greatly about the needs of other peoples. “He is a leading international personality who helps others, shows mercy to the poor, the homeless and the hungry. His big heart, sensitive feelings and humane qualities have made him a source of pride for all of us in the field of charitable work. “When the wise man of the Arabs, the late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan, decided to appoint Shaikh Khalifa as the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi in 1969, he was only 21. Shaikh Zayed understood the characteristics of that calm young man, his foresightedness and his love to serve people,” Shaikh Mohammed wrote. For Shaikh Khalifa, every citizen is a priority, everyone deserves to live a dignified life, every woman deserves to achieve her ambitions, every patient deserves to receive medical treatment, every family has the right to be housed, every needy person deserves help, regardless of his place, work, gender or religion. Shaikh Khalifa finds all this to be his responsibility and duty, and is a priority on his agenda, Shaikh Mohammed wrote. “Khalifa is an international unique leader — successful and loved by his people. He works calmly, follows up closely and is a hard worker. He is a leader and a role model. “I extend thanks to him on behalf of myself, every citizen, family, fisherman, teacher, engineer and doctor and other people. I extend thanks on behalf of thousands of people, who got jobs; thousands of patients, whose medical expenses he bore; and many needy people, whose debts he paid. I thank him on behalf of the UAE, to which he gave his thoughts, time, life and efforts, until it reached global standards. I thank him and call upon everyone to thank him,” he concluded. Continue reading
