ABU DHABI // It was the night the capital’s pop music fans had been waiting for with a host of musicians performing across Abu Dhabi – the only question was who would pull in the bigger crowd.
As British pop star Rita Ora stepped out on stage at the Yasalam 2014 Beats on the Beach concert at Abu Dhabi Corniche, American singer Pharrell Williams was wowing the crowds as part of the F1 after-party on Yas Island.
Fans gathered at Lagoon Beach stage to catch London-born Ora as well as R&B singer Tinashe, Arabic superstar Ragheb Alama, Lebanese-born singer and dancer Sabine and Dubai rockers Juliana Down as part of the free international music festival.
But the biggest crowd of the night was reserved for the US superstar Pharrell, with many in the audience travelling from far and wide to catch his show to hear him perform his global hit Happy.
Thousands were already at the Du arena to see Pharrell, who last made an appearance in the UAE in 2011 as lead vocalist and drummer of N.E.R.D.
Zayed, a 26-year-old Emirati, said he attended the Yasalam concerts every year. “It’s the most fun part of the year and we make sure we remain part of these festivities,” he said.
Although he admitted he didn’t know too many of the singer’s songs, Zayed said he was looking forward to hearing ‘Happy’.
Will Anazy travelled from Saudi Arabia for the concert. But the 26-year-old was still struggling to find tickets with an hour to go before the show. “It’s a long queue but I am hopeful that my love for Pharrell will eventually take me in,” he said.
Friends Asim and Ahmed were waiting restlessly outside the venue for pals who had their passes.
“We come every year to attend Ya Salam concerts. They are not only very entertaining but also very organised and tickets are affordable for students,” said 18 Ahmed, 18, who is from Sudan.
Asim, 19, from Canada, said he and his friends were big fans of all of Pharrell’s songs, but their favourite is Happy.
Julia Maahan, a 37-year-old Briton who made the trip to Yas Island with her family, couldn’t have been happier to have tickets for the biggest night of the year.
“It’s a double treat. We are not only having fun in the most happening event in the country but also attending the most talked about concert. We are Pharrell fans and will be looking forward to hearing Happy,” said Julie, who was attending Yasalam for the first time.
Last year more than 400,000 people participated in the city-wide entertainment programme. Since Ya Salam began in 2009, more than 2 million people have enjoyed the free concerts.
akhaishgi@thenational.ae
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
Company%20Profile
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AL%20BOOM
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Company%20Profile
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Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
- The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
- US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
The Land between Two Rivers: Writing in an Age of Refugees
Tom Sleigh, Graywolf Press
TO A LAND UNKNOWN
Director: Mahdi Fleifel
Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa
Rating: 4.5/5
The specs
Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor
Power: 320bhp
Torque: 605Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh219,000
On sale: Now
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
- 2018: Formal work begins
- November 2021: First 17 volumes launched
- November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
- October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
- November 2024: All 127 volumes completed
THE DETAILS
Solo: A Star Wars Story
Dir: Ron Howard
Starring: Alden Ehrenreich, Emilia Clarke, Woody Harrelson
3/5
