People of all ages are being urged to become more active under a major Abu Dhabi health drive. Victor Besa / The National
People of all ages are being urged to become more active under a major Abu Dhabi health drive. Victor Besa / The National
People of all ages are being urged to become more active under a major Abu Dhabi health drive. Victor Besa / The National
People of all ages are being urged to become more active under a major Abu Dhabi health drive. Victor Besa / The National

Abu Dhabi launches Festival of Health to keep emirate fighting fit


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Abu Dhabi on Thursday launched its first Festival of Health as part of a major drive to champion well-being and encourage the public to adopt better lifestyle choices.

Under the key initiative – introduced by Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre in partnership with the Department of Health – a host of family-friendly activities are being held across the emirate this month.

Citizens and residents alike are being invited to take part in free fitness sessions, nutrition workshops and well-being consultations at the series of community events.

It is part of a broader push putting the health of the capital under the microscope and encouraging people to play their part in efforts to reduce lifestyle-related conditions such as obesity and diabetes.

The Abu Dhabi government unveiled its Healthy Living Strategy last week to help people live longer, healthier and happier lives.

“Community health begins with awareness, daily routines and the support of a strong environment," said Dr Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, under secretary of Abu Dhabi's Department of Health. "With the recent approval of Abu Dhabi’s Healthy Living Strategy, this Festival offers a timely opportunity to bring its goals to life for our community.

An early morning run on Saadiyat Beach. Photo: The National
An early morning run on Saadiyat Beach. Photo: The National

"Through the Festival of Health, we are giving the community the confidence and opportunities they need to make their well-being a priority. Our goal is to empower families with practical tools and enjoyable experiences that inspire healthier choices and strengthen the foundations of a more resilient Abu Dhabi.”

The launch comes at a time when global and regional trends signal the need for renewed focus on healthy daily habits. Childhood and adolescent obesity has more than doubled in the past 30 years, while non-communicable diseases remain among the leading causes of death worldwide.

In the UAE, more than half of children and adolescents do not meet recommended daily activity levels, a factor linked to lower energy, increased stress and reduced mental well-being.

“The Festival is designed to make well-being engaging, interactive and meaningful for people of all ages," said Rashed Alsuwaidi, director general of Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre.

"By uniting partners from across sectors, we are creating a vibrant community space where people can learn, connect and take simple steps that improve their health. This initiative turns Abu Dhabi’s public health priorities into everyday action, helping shape long-term positive habits.”

How to take part

The festival will be held over three weeks across different parts of the emirate:

  • December 12-16: Hudayriyat Island
  • December 19-21: Madinat Zayed Park, Al Dhafra
  • December 26-28: Al Jahili Park, Al Ain

Dr Ahmed Al Khazraji, executive director for healthy living at the Department of Health, highlighted the need to keep the emirate active to ensure the Healthy Living Strategy achieves its goals.

“Multiple initiatives are under way as part of the Healthy Living Strategy. We’re building the right infrastructure to make exercise easier, more accessible, and closer to where people live,” he said.

“We know there are gaps in certain areas – whether in schools, workplaces, or communities. People are busy, especially those in office settings, and can’t always step out. So the question is: how do we bring physical and mental health programmes directly to them?”

He said new regulations and policies would be announced soon, along with a “strong focus on awareness and literacy”. Dr Al Khazraji added: “We want individuals to be able to make decisions for themselves – what to eat, what to buy, how much to exercise. That literacy and awareness component is extremely important for the Public Health Centre and the Department of Health.”

He said achieving healthy living “is not the work of one or two entities” but a cross-sector government drive involving private-sector and community partners. “We’re not taking away people’s autonomy – we’re making healthy choices easier and more accessible.”

PRO BASH

Thursday’s fixtures

6pm: Hyderabad Nawabs v Pakhtoon Warriors

10pm: Lahore Sikandars v Pakhtoon Blasters

Teams

Chennai Knights, Lahore Sikandars, Pakhtoon Blasters, Abu Dhabi Stars, Abu Dhabi Dragons, Pakhtoon Warriors and Hyderabad Nawabs.

Squad rules

All teams consist of 15-player squads that include those contracted in the diamond (3), platinum (2) and gold (2) categories, plus eight free to sign team members.

Tournament rules

The matches are of 25 over-a-side with an 8-over power play in which only two fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle. Teams play in a single round robin league followed by the semi-finals and final. The league toppers will feature in the semi-final eliminator.

Email sent to Uber team from chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi

From: Dara

To: Team@

Date: March 25, 2019 at 11:45pm PT

Subj: Accelerating in the Middle East

Five years ago, Uber launched in the Middle East. It was the start of an incredible journey, with millions of riders and drivers finding new ways to move and work in a dynamic region that’s become so important to Uber. Now Pakistan is one of our fastest-growing markets in the world, women are driving with Uber across Saudi Arabia, and we chose Cairo to launch our first Uber Bus product late last year.

Today we are taking the next step in this journey—well, it’s more like a leap, and a big one: in a few minutes, we’ll announce that we’ve agreed to acquire Careem. Importantly, we intend to operate Careem independently, under the leadership of co-founder and current CEO Mudassir Sheikha. I’ve gotten to know both co-founders, Mudassir and Magnus Olsson, and what they have built is truly extraordinary. They are first-class entrepreneurs who share our platform vision and, like us, have launched a wide range of products—from digital payments to food delivery—to serve consumers.

I expect many of you will ask how we arrived at this structure, meaning allowing Careem to maintain an independent brand and operate separately. After careful consideration, we decided that this framework has the advantage of letting us build new products and try new ideas across not one, but two, strong brands, with strong operators within each. Over time, by integrating parts of our networks, we can operate more efficiently, achieve even lower wait times, expand new products like high-capacity vehicles and payments, and quicken the already remarkable pace of innovation in the region.

This acquisition is subject to regulatory approval in various countries, which we don’t expect before Q1 2020. Until then, nothing changes. And since both companies will continue to largely operate separately after the acquisition, very little will change in either teams’ day-to-day operations post-close. Today’s news is a testament to the incredible business our team has worked so hard to build.

It’s a great day for the Middle East, for the region’s thriving tech sector, for Careem, and for Uber.

Uber on,

Dara

6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 (PA) | US$95,000 | (Dirt) 2,000m
7.05pm: Meydan Classic Listed (TB) ) | $175,000) | (Turf) 1,600m
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) ) | $135,000 ) | (D) 1,600m
8.15pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy Group 3 (TB) ) | $300,000) | (T) 2,810m
8.50pm: Curlin Handicap Listed (TB)) | $160,000) | (D) 2,000m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB)) | $175,000) | (T) 1,400m
10pm: Handicap (TB) ) | $135,000 ) | (T) 2,000m

A cryptocurrency primer for beginners

Cryptocurrency Investing  for Dummies – by Kiana Danial 

There are several primers for investing in cryptocurrencies available online, including e-books written by people whose credentials fall apart on the second page of your preferred search engine. 

Ms Danial is a finance coach and former currency analyst who writes for Nasdaq. Her broad-strokes primer (2019) breaks down investing in cryptocurrency into baby steps, while explaining the terms and technologies involved.

Although cryptocurrencies are a fast evolving world, this  book offers a good insight into the game as well as providing some basic tips, strategies and warning signs.

Begin your cryptocurrency journey here. 

Available at Magrudy’s , Dh104 

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Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo

Power: 217hp at 5,750rpm

Torque: 300Nm at 1,900rpm

Transmission: eight-speed auto

Price: from Dh130,000

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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.
Diriyah%20project%20at%20a%20glance
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Updated: December 05, 2025, 10:44 AM