Rihanna likes to be "expressive" with her hair.

Her hairstylist, Yusef, has dubbed the 'Stay' singer's hairstyles as "all trendsetting works of art".

Asked what his favourite hair looks of Rihanna's are, he said: "They're all my babies. They're all trendsetting works of art. We like to have fun, we like to create, we like to be expressive."

And Yusef believes the 32-year-old singer and businesswoman really "kicked the door down" and "paved the way" for inclusivity across the beauty and fashion industry.

Speaking about inclusivity in the beauty industry, he added: "The direction is good. People just really have to follow through with it. Shoutout to Fenty Beauty for paving the way for that.

"Ri basically kicked the door down. That is something I've always thought was really important, for even me being a hairstylist - knowing how to deal with all textures of hair."

Yusef is backing a new campaign for retailers to pledge to stock at least 15 per cent of black-owned brands in their stores.

He told Glossy: "I'm just not really about, like, people talking about it; just do it. You know what I mean? I think it's a wonderful idea. I hope I'm in that number with my brand. And I just want it to be something that's consistent, not just for the moment. Stock up these aisles. Get black hair brands from the bottom of the aisle, off the floor, and put them right at the top, so people can be equal and not less than. It's just crazy. My goal is to go into these stores and be part of that market, and be on the top shelf, and stay there."

Planning on buying a new car? But don’t have the cash to splurge, or the time to research? Not to worry, you’ve just clicked your way to all the information that’ll help accelerate your journey on the road. Our extensive leg-work unveils 8 cars that will cheer you up without creating a dent in your bank account.  So, this way, you can have your cake and eat it too.

Hyundai i10 Price: Dh36,000Specs:

1.1 litre, 4-cylinder engine, 5-door hatchbackSafety feature: Driver airbag

 Offers: None

The Good: It’s cute. It’s tiny. And, it’s easy to park. Most motoring critics credit it with good fuel economy, which is a crowd-puller. In terms of styling, it’s fairly basic, as the budget would indicate, with a Kenwood CD player and powered front and back windows. It’s the tilt steering that we, particularly, applaud.

The Bad: With the tiny body comes the uneven handling. The interior styling is a bit sub-standard, with cramped rear seating area and a tiny boot space.

Kia Picanto Price: Dh37,000Specs:

1.2 litre, 4-cylinder engine, 5-door hatchbackSafety feature: Driver airbag

Offers: None

The Good: It’s got a funky, sporty make-over from its predecessor. It is fuel efficient, and is packed with power steering, powered front windows and stylish interiors. It’s got the usual frills like CD player/AUX input, keyless entry

The Bad: It’s low on safety features and that’s non-negotiable. Given the tiny body, the rear passenger seating and cabin space is limited.

Chevrolet Spark Price: Dh37,000Specs:

1 litre, 4-cylinder engine, 5-door hatchbackSafety feature: Single airbag for driver

Offers:  1 year free insurance

The Good: The styling is impressive, and should get you noticed on the road. Jazzy speedometer is striking. Its fuel intake is economical, so that should leave you with spare money, which is always a good thing. The air-conditioning is good, and for this part of the world that’s an absolute essential. It’s compact, yet boasts of decent boot space.

The Bad: Again, the safety features are limited and hence frowned upon. Being compact as its comes, the cramped interiors can be a turn-off for tall motorists. And, if you are a speeding fanatic, this machine might appear a bit slow.

Suzuki Celerio Price: Dh38,000Specs:

1 litre, 4-cylinder engine, 5-door hatchbackSafety feature: dual airbags, anti-lock braking system (ABS)

Offers:  1 year insurance and registration

The Good: Despite its tiny exterior, this one’s got enough room to accommodate tall motorists and that’s no mean feat. It’s easy on the fuel budget and comes packed with fog lamps, alloy wheels and power steering.

The Bad: The interiors are nothing much to write home about, with cheap plastic-y styling. Some motoring experts even claim it’s slow on the pick-up.

Renault Logan Price: Dh39,500Specs:

1.6 litre, 4-cylinder engine, 4-door sedanSafety feature: Driver airbag

 Offers:  3 year/100,000 km warranty and 30,000km/2 year free service

The Good: Another great example how budget cars are good on the fuel intake, leaving us with spare cash for other more important things. Being a sedan, it has got ample interior space in the front and rear, making it a good family car. The well-tuned suspension set-up is a plus.

The Bad: It lacks in power and, the interior styling is minimal. The safety features too are just adequate.

Nissan Sunny Price: Dh47,000Specs:

1.5 litre, 4-cylinder engine, 4-door sedanSafety feature: Dual airbags, ABS system, car divided into two zones – crushable (front engine and luggage space) and non-crushable (passenger zone), with the passenger zone protected during a crash

Offers: 1 year free insurance, 3 year warranty (unlimited mileage)

The Good: It’s fuel efficient and is packed with an impressive set of safety features. There’s even good head room, and ample leg-room for the rear passengers. It also brags of a big boot. Most motoring experts credit with good stability and easy handling

The Bad: The only downside being its mediocre cabin styling, with a basic CD player, manual windows and no central armrest.

Ford Figo Price: Dh47,000Specs:

1.6 litre, 4-cylinder engine, 5-door hatchbackSafety feature: Dual airbags in the front, special bumper linings inside the doors to reduce impact of a crash

 Offers: 3 year /60,000km free service and warranty

The Good: Ford is known for its styling, and it doesn’t fail to enthuse even in its starting range. It’s frugal fuel consumption, which makes it value-for-money. Also, the safety features are notable.

The Bad: It’s good on the uptake but slow on the highway. The front and back manual windows is a letdown, in comparison with its spruced up interiors.

Mitsubishi LancerPrice: Dh48,000Specs:

1.3 litre, 4-cylinder engine, 4-door sedanSafety feature: Driver airbag

 Offers: 1 year free insurance, 5 year/100,000 warranty

The Good: Doesn’t burn your fuel budget. Good family car with ample space in the front and back, and a decent boot space

The Bad: Most motorists complain it’s slow on the pick-up. The interiors are basic and lack style.

Seven Tides International on Tuesday said it has partnered with Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) to install electric car chargers at two of its five-star hotels.

The move is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to driving its sustainable agenda, and electric car owners will now have a choice of two handy recharging points, with docks located at the Anantara, The Palm Dubai Resort on Palm Jumeirah, and at Mövenpick Hotel, Ibn Battuta Gate.

“Dewa is pioneering the adoption of sustainable technology across its remit and has already installed a number of charging points across the emirate, but we have a chance of convincing residents of a hydrocarbon-centric economy that it is possible to consider a switch to a more ecologically-sound alternative,” said Abdullah bin Sulayem, CEO, Seven Tides International.

The chargers are able to simultaneously charge two cars, with a full battery requiring four to six hours to charge. Once charged, vehicles can travel anywhere between 120 to 400 kilometres before needing to be recharged.

By end-2015, Dewa plans to have 100 electric vehicle charging stations fully up-and-running, up from its current tally of 16, as part of its long-term Electric Vehicle Initiative, which was launched in April 2014.

The programme aims to reduce the emirate’s carbon footprint and boost the use of renewable energy alternatives and Dewa has partnered with key stakeholders including Dubai Airports, Dubai Municipality, the Roads and Transport Authority, as well as petrol stations, malls, hotels and car park operators.

Dewa has employed the latest photovoltaic technology to power the three different categories of charging station, which are designed to accommodate all kinds of electric vehicle. The stations will be located on main thoroughfares, at the airport, close to shopping malls and in the heart of community hotspots like Jumeirah Beach Residences.

To date, a total of 12 stations have been installed at Dewa customer service centres, with the capacity to simultaneously charge 24 vehicles. To gain access to a charging station, electric vehicle drivers need to obtain a green card charger, which can easily be done by registering with Dewa and setting up an account. There is also the option of having a charger installed at home.

The green charging locations currently open can be found at Dewa head office, the Sustainable Building in Al Quoz, Al Wasl, Al Hudaiba, Burj Nahar, Umm Ramool, Dubai Silicon Oasis and Jebel Ali.

The schedule of charges is set at 29 fils per kilowatt a hour for the public charging stations and the standard residential tariff will apply for any home charging application.

Pakistan has approved $7.2 billion railway line upgradation project between Peshawar and Karachi under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, CPEC.

The approval of the project to upgrade the 1,872 km-long railway track from Peshawar to Karachi is a big milestone for the second phase of the CPEC, said Lt. Gen. (r) Asim Saleem Bajwa, chairman of the CPEC Authority.

The main railway will link the southern Chinese city of Kashgar with the Gwadar port on the southwest coast of Balochistan province. The Chinese President Xi Jinping will open the project during his upcoming visit to Pakistan.

The project includes the modernisation of the railway that runs from northwest Peshawar to South Karachi, with a length of 1,872 km, and an increase in the speed of passenger trains from 110 to 160 km per hour.

Bajwa added that the approval paved the way for final negotiations with China to finance the project with the knowledge of the International Monetary Fund, while the World Bank linked the project's success to bringing about governance reforms in the railways.

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, paid a glowing tribute to health and other workers and actors from the public and private sectors as well as public benefit organisations for being the country's "first line of defence'' while heroically fighting the COVID-19.

In a message of thanks and gratitude to more than 50,000 selfless heroes at the frontline, Sheikh Hamdan said:'' My dear brothers and sisters, the brave heroes at the frontline.

In our desperate times, you rose to the challenge. Armed with your selflessness, you've redefined the meaning of service and sacrifice. Your courage has built an invincible fortress protecting our society.

You are today's finest soldiers, the barrier between us and the pandemic. We cannot thank you enough for your spirit that protects our nation.

Thank you for putting our safety before yours. You have set an example for the heroes to come. Your sacrifice is inspiring, humbling, and a legacy that our history will remember forever.

With God's grace, we will get through these times. And together, we will emerge stronger and more determined to continue our journey of shaping the future.

Thank you

Dubai property developer Nakheel has announced the increase in demand for villas, with sales worth AED223 million in the last three months, as buyers look for more indoor and outdoor living space to adapt to the ‘new normal’.

According to a press release issued by the company today, Nakheel has sold 70 villas with a sales value of AED170 million since March in family villas at Nad Al Sheba.

Ready villas at Al Furjan are also proving popular, with AED53 million worth of sales across 20 villas in the same period. Nearly 70 percent of villas released at Nad Al Sheba, and 95 percent of the 400-plus villas at the most recently completed phase at Al Furjan, are now taken.

Commenting on the announcement, Aqil Kazim, Chief Commercial Officer at Nakheel, said, "The robust sales highlight investor trust in Dubai real estate and the Nakheel brand. With a growing number of end-users among our customers, it’s clear that buyers are committing long term to the real estate sector with a home to call their own.

"Remote working, home schooling and earlier restrictions on movement have resulted in people spending most of their time at home – with many rethinking their living arrangements and realising that they could do with more space to work and play. This, combined with competitive deals and our new virtual sales tool, has led to strong demand for family villas with extra rooms and private gardens at some of our most prestigious communities."

Saudi Arabia’s oil minister, Ali Al Nuaimi, whose Gulf kingdom is the world’s largest crude exporter, used a tactful expression to dodge a barrage of questions by journalists about the oil market at a local mineral resources exhibition.

“Let oil rest,” he told the reporters at the show in the Eastern region, in an apparent attempt to shun answering questions about the sensitive oil market.

He had the same answer for them when they asked about the planned gasline between the capital Riyadh and the Eastern province.

“Let gas rest,” he said while smiling at journalists, who appeared to be grudgingly returning the smile.

Saudi Arabia pumps just below 10 million barrels per day of crude and it controls nearly 265 billion barrels of proven oil deposits, nearly 15 per cent of the world’s total. It also has the fourth largest gas reserves after Russia, Iran and Qatar.

Inspired by the vision of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and as per the directions of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, AND His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to enhance the quality of life for people of determination, H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, and Chairman of the Board of MOI's Social Security Fund has launched an initiative dedicated to people of determination, offering them Fazaa Hemam privilege card.

The card is an outcome of the strategic partnership between the Ministry of Community Development and Ministry of Interior’s Social Security Fund, Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination and the UAE Special Olympics. The initiative is supported by a number of several government entities offering a wide range of discounts and facilities.

The launch, made on video call, was attended by H.H. Sheikh Khalid Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination, Shamma Bint Suhail Bin Faris Al Mazrouie, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Chair of the Board of Trustees of the UAE Special Olympics, Falah Muhammad Al Ahbabi, Chairman of Department of Municipalities and Transport-Abu Dhabi, Abdullah Abd Alali Al Humaidan, Secretary-General of Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination, Rashid Al Qubaisi, Acting Chief Executive Officer of SEHA and Abdullah Al Sahi, Acting Undersecretary of Department of Municipalities and Transport, and Lt. Colonel Ahmed Bouharoun Al Shamsi, Director General of the Ministry of Interior’s Social Security Fund.

H.H. Sheikh Khalid bin Zayed Al Nahyan said that the Organisation is always working to cooperate with all its strategic partners in various initiatives and projects in order to enable and integrate for People of Determination into society in light of the wise vision of leadership and the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

He added that this cooperation comes with the Ministry of Interior’s Social Security Fund "Fazaa" by launching a membership with exceptional benefits for its holders of People of Determination, local or residents, in the name of "Fazaa Hemam " an embodiment of the vision of rational leadership in achieving social integration and encouraging the building of a society in which there are equal opportunities for all and the principles of the government in enhancing cooperation and coordination between agencies and institutions to serve those with determination .

H.H. Sheikh Khalid Bin Zayed Al Nahyan expressed thanks and appreciation to H.H. Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and praised the role played by the MOI in maintaining security throughout the UAE to provide the appropriate climate for development, progress, appreciating the interest and keenness of His Highness People of Determination through Launching many humanitarian initiatives.

The card of exclusive privileges is offered by Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination in partnership and coordination with the Ministry of Interior’s Social Security Fund "Fazaa" and UAE Special Olympics. The new card will provide people of determination, both citizens and residents, with exceptional proactive services which aim at making them happy. The personal and unique card, which bears joint logos, is officially registered in the UAE and approved by all government entities, and entitles its holders to obtain the preferential services offered by such entities.

Under the new initiative, people of determination will get the special card along with a version of Fazza membership called "Fazaa Hemam" which comes with exceptional privileges, promotional discounts, and free facilities for a number of government services, in partnership with Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination and the UAE Special Olympics.

The matchlessly designed card bears the logos of the three partner government entities, and after its official registration in the UAE, will be endorsed at all government entities to provide preferential services to its holders.

The new initiative aims to enhance the services provided to this valued group and improve their quality of life. It provides cardholders with a full suite of services in healthcare, government and social security services, better quality of life, and exclusive discounts in all activities, stores and centers offering special need services for people of determination. The initiative also cooperates with government departments, such as the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, offer them online job opportunities.

The card provides special facilities for people of determination in customer service, facilities and benefits from companies owned by people of determination, and free delivery in municipality, licensing and foodstuff services. In the financial field, privileges include exemption from fees in recreational and other facilities. A for the knowledge field, the initiative provides introductory booklets in several languages, in addition to brochures, publications, guidebooks and awareness-raising manuals in Braille writing system in both Arabic and English at the participating entities’ service centers. In the entertainment and sports field, the initiative provides fitness equipment for exercising and warming up to boost immunity and physical strength.

The new card comes in two categories; the first with the UAE Special Olympics logo, in collaboration with the UAE Special Olympics, is dedicated to people of determination with intellectual disability. The second card is dedicated to all people of determination, both citizens and residents, with different disabilities from birth to 49 years, according to the Disability Classification Guide approved and issued by Zayed Higher Organization. Holders of the second card are people with intellectual and auditory disabilities, visual impairment in autistics and those with multiple disabilities, psychiatric disabilities and communication disorders, and those with attention deficit and the hyperactive.

In addition to all the privileges mentioned above, 10 thousand Fazaa e-Cards linked with ZHO cards for people of determination will be offered to beneficiaries. They can use the card without having to carry the other card, especially when both cards are linked with ZHO/Fazaasmart app. Applying for the cards will be available online as of today.

Germany will extend its travel warning for non-European countries until the end of August but lift border controls to all its neighbours by mid-June, Reuters quoted ministers as saying on Wednesday.

As the coronavirus crisis in many European countries eases somewhat, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said Germany does not yet have systems with the rest of the world to assess and coordinate travel without entailing potentially incalculable risks.

"We cannot and will not risk Germans being stranded all over the world again this summer or holidaymakers returning to Germany with the virus undetected," said Maas in a statement.

Germany had already announced it would lift a blanket travel ban for EU members, Britain, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland from 15th June, opening the way to separate travel advice for individual regions.

Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said on Wednesday Germany was going further and would lift border controls by 15th June, while cautioning it would reconsider if the virus situation worsens.

Seehofer also said existing rules for non-EU citizens wanting to come to Germany would be extended until the end of June.

An Algerian groom took his bride to court just a day after their marriage, accusing her of not looking as pretty as before the wedding and of cheating him with much make-up.

The groom, who is seeking $20,000 damages, told court in the capital Algiers that he was shocked when he got up in the next morning and found that his wife looked so different, that he could not recognise her.

Newspapers in the North African Arab country said the groom swore in court that he even mistook his wife for a “thief who came to steal his apartment".

“The groom told the judge that he could not recognise his wife after she washed the make-up off her face.

"He said he was deceived by her as she used to fill up her face with make up before their marriage,” the papers said, quoting a court source.

“He said she looked very beautiful and attractive before marriage, but when he woke up in the morning and found that she had washed the make-up off her face, he was frightened as he thought she was a thief.

"The groom told court that he is demanding $20,000 damages for his psychological suffering.”

Mystery continues to shroud the sudden death of British national Evelyn Rose Clarke, even as friends and family recalled the colourful life of the young airline stewardess who plunged to her death from a residential building in Bur Dubai earlier this week.

Liked for her “warm and loving nature”, while complimented for her powerful singing voice, the young 28-year-old Scot arrived in Dubai a few years ago from Bonnie in Scotland with four other friends and dreams of a career for herself with Emirates.

Who knew, within a few short years, her life would end so tragically, leaving behind many unanswered questions and a night cloaked in secrecy.

‘Evelyn’s smile was infectious’

Piecing together her life until that fateful April 8 morning in a residential building in Al Mankhool, Bur Dubai, a Facebook memorial page anecdotes about her from her family and friends, who refer to her as the “life of the party”, who, from a young age, had a “zest and smile that was infectious and simply lit up a room.”

Clarke was a precocious child who enjoyed watching shows such as ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’, and loved prettying up in front of the mirror.

In late 1998, young Clarke also dabbled a bit in media, “presenting a weekly programme on the hospital radio station at Ayrshire Central Hospital in Irvine from 1998 until 2000,” recalled one friend who presented a show with her during that time.

Another recalled meeting her in mid-2000, when Clarke decided to enrol in a beauty course, before venturing into aviation by getting a job at London’s Gatwick Airport.

A few years later, her love of adventure saw her switch to cabin crew, signing up with Thomas Cook Airlines, where her “compassion and winning personality” won her many friends and hearts.

But a greater purpose awaited her, and a job with Emirates was got soon.

Fellow mate P S wrote: “Evelyn, we all started out on a journey together – five girls from Bonnie, Scotland moving out to Dubai. I will never forget our joining flight, we had the best laugh and you made us all at ease during a very anxious time. I never thought it would end like this.”

Clarke appeared to be a well-loved flight attendant with this incident shared by CQ who wrote: “On a flight to Brisbane we had a very old woman on board, who had dementia. She was dazed and confused and Evelyn checked on this lady literally every few minutes for 14 hours, without hesitation and the woman felt comforted by Evelyn’s attentive nature; another passenger called and told her she was a patient and caring individual and he was glad she was on that flight to care for the lady.”

Fateful night

Even as her parents, brother, friends and colleague come to terms with their grief, questions still remain regarding Clarke’s whereabouts on Sunday night that led her in the wee hours into the Afaf Building from where she would never exit alive.

According to reports, Clarke spent Sunday night out on the town, and was discovered in the Afaf Building at 4.15am on Monday morning.

How she arrived there remains unsolved, while reports suggest she actually lived one block away in the Emirates staff residences behind Spinneys.

“She had never entered this building before,” confirmed a staff employee from Afaf, speaking to Emirates 24|7. “When we found her, she was hysterical. She kept screaming someone was after her, was trying to kill her. She identified him as male and feared for her life.”

The security staff member said earlier: “It was around 4.15am and the night shift watchman was in his quarters, in the washroom, when he heard a noise in the lobby, along with the sound of the elevator being called.

“Curious, he went up to the first floor and found our regular newspaper delivery boy dropping the morning edition. When the security asked him to not make a racket, it was the delivery boy who informed him that a barefoot woman had entered the building and seemed quite scared.”

The security guard on duty had to check the floors twice before heading to the seven-storey building’s two-level rooftop.

The rooftop comprises two floors in Afaf, with the lower level housing the gymnasium, with a stairwell connecting to the upper level roof, which, the guard said, always remains locked.

According to an eye witness, the stairwell was filled with smoke when the door was opened, with clear indication that a fire extinguisher had been deployed.

He continued: “There was smoke everywhere and the fire alarm was also triggered. We were blinded for just a few minutes but by then she had fallen through the open window on the stairwell. There was nothing anyone could do.”

The staff employee was unclear whether she fell or jumped. “But there was no one else there. She was not pushed,” he added.

Questions remain

Puzzled residents of the building wonder what Clarke was doing in the building in the first place.

But wild theories abound.

One neighbour said: “Maybe she was taken to one of those dodgy massage parlours that are hidden away in the area and she escaped from there. Maybe someone from one of these places was chasing her.”

Why did Clarke deploy a fire extinguisher or was it a smokescreen to hide something?

Meanwhile, watchmen of neighbouring buildings have all voiced a similar question: “Why was such a dangerously positioned window left unlocked?

“Windows with no grills are usually left locked by building maintenance and checked by building security to ensure everyone’s safety. This is standard practice.

“Even if this window was halfway up a stairwell to a locked roof, there are children who usually play in stairwells. You simply cannot take a risk of leaving these windows unlocked.”

While Dubai Police continues to investigate the case, a forensic report is also awaited, which may shed some light on young Evelyn Rose Clarke’s tragic end.
 

[The building on the right from which Evelyn plunged to her death: All pictures by Bindu Suresh Rai]

EARLIER STORY:

A woman’s body was discovered outside her residential building in the early hours of Monday, with authorities speculating she fell to her death from her sixth floor apartment in Al Mankhool, Bur Dubai.

It is still unclear whether she committed suicide or it’s a case of wrongful death.

A source from Dubai Police spoke with Emirates 24|7, confirming the incident, saying: “A woman’s body was discovered outside her building in the morning hours of Monday, but we are still investigating whether it was suicide or murder.

“Several individuals have been remanded and are under investigation. However, details will only be clear once the autopsy report comes back.”

When quizzed, the official confirmed her as a British national who was reportedly out on the town the night before the tragic incident.

Meanwhile, the UK press have identified her as Evelyn Rose Clarke, an airline stewardess who worked with Emirates airline.

An airline spokesperson confirmed her demise, saying: “Emirates can confirm that a 28-year old British female whose body was found in Dubai was employed with Emirates as a cabin crew member. While investigations continue, our sympathies go out to her family, who are currently being supported by our staff welfare team.”

 A UK Foreign Office spokesperson has been quoted by British tabloid ‘Daily Mail’, confirming they were aware of the death and were providing consular assistance to authorities.

Eyewitness account

“It happened between 5am and 6am. The police and paramedics arrived shortly on the scene and the first thing they did was remove the body before other residents woke up,” a resident of the Afaf Building in Bur Dubai, where the body was discovered, said on the condition of anonymity.

“This is a residential community and the main road is a popular route for various school buses. They moved fast but the police and people from CID stayed there almost all day gathering evidence.”

The resident revealed that the woman lived on the sixth floor of the building, where “a few illegal massage parlours also operate.”

Tributes pour in

The 28-year-old’s untimely demise has seen a memorial page created on Facebook by family and friends, with an outpouring of grief from all those who knew her.

A friend wrote on the Facebook wall, saying: “I’m so shocked and saddened by this news. It hasn’ t sunk in that such a happy and beautiful girl has been taken from us.

“My thoughts go out to your family and to your many friends; sleep well angel.”

Another wrote: “I remember the day you came running into my room saying let’s open a night club call it ‘ME’ for M**** and E*****. It was 7.30am and you where so serious. So many memories I have with you I will never forget you my beautiful friend.”

A third friend wrote: “I am still so shocked and saddened by the news. My thoughts are with your family and friends at this very sad time.

“I’m so proud E***** that I had the pleasure of flying with such a beautiful and bubbly person a little ray of sunshine. You were taken too soon…”

This is the second balcony death this week, with an Indian resident in his twenties falling to his death from the 10th floor of a high rise in Jumeirah Lakes Tower (JLT).

That case is also under investigation.

In the first incident, the man landed on the terrace of the soon-to-open chicken restaurant Chesters.

According to eyewitnesses, the body was lying in a pool of blood before it was found and removed.

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H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, has approved the first batch of real estate conciliators working in the "Real Estate Dispute Settlement Centre in Abu Dhabi," "Tasweya."

Eighteen real estate conciliators, including one woman, were remotely sworn in before Yousef Saeed Al Ebri, Under-Secretary of the department, in the presence of Abdullah Al Sahi, Acting Under-Secretary of the Transport and Municipalities Department.

Al Ebri congratulated the conciliators and urged them to exert all possible efforts to amicably settle disputes, which will reduce the litigation burdens on all parties.

He also stressed the importance of their role in reinforcing confidence and stability in the emirate’s real estate sector and promoting alternative solutions to real estate disputes, noting that Abu Dhabi is the first to adopt real estate conciliation in the region, which has strengthened its real estate investment competitiveness.

He added that the emirate’s leadership in this area confirms the efficiency of its judicial system and its ability to offer alternatives to litigation, therefore, saving time and effort while pointing out that the approved conciliators have passed the appropriate standards introduced by the Abu Dhabi Judicial Academy.

A volunteer firefighter badly burned in a 2001 blaze has received the most extensive face transplant ever, covering his skull and much of his neck, a New York hospital announced Monday.

The surgery took place in August at the NYU Langone Medical Center. The patient, 41-year-old Patrick Hardison, is still undergoing physical therapy at the hospital but plans to return home to Senatobia, Mississippi, in time for Thanksgiving.

The surgery has paved the way for him to regain normal vision, and in an interview last week he said that will let him accomplish a major goal: "I'll start driving again."

Hardison was burned Sept. 5, 2001, in Senatobia, Miss. (AP)

More than two dozen face transplants have been performed worldwide since the first one in France in 2005. Dr. Eduardo Rodriguez, who led the surgical team that did Hardison's transplant and recently wrote a review of the field, said Hardison's is by far the most extensive performed successfully in terms of the amount of tissue transferred.

The transplant extends from the top of the head, over Hardison's skull and down to the collarbones in front; in back, it reaches far enough down that only a tiny patch of Hardison's original hair remains — its color matched by the dark blond hair growing on his new scalp. The transplant includes both ears.

The surgery began Aug. 14 and lasted 26 hours. It left no scars on Hardison's new face because the seam of the transplanted tissue runs down the back of his skull.

The donor was 26-year-old New York artist and competitive bicyclist David P. Rodebaugh. He had died of injuries from a biking accident on a Brooklyn street.

This 1999 family photo Patrick Hardison, with his two daughters, Averi, left, and Alison. (AP)

Hardison was burned Sept. 5, 2001, in Senatobia in northwestern Mississippi. A 27-year-old father of three at the time who'd served for seven years as a volunteer firefighter, he entered a burning house to search for a woman. The roof collapsed, giving him third-degree burns on his head, neck and upper torso.

He spent about two months at a Memphis, Tennessee, burn center. Doctors used a layer of skin from his legs to cover his wounded head, but he had lost his ears, lips, most of his nose and virtually all of his eyelid tissue.

Since he could not blink, doctors used skin grafts to reinforce what remained of his eyelids and sewed them nearly shut to protect his eyes. That left him with only pinhole vision.

"I was almost totally blind," he recalled. "I could see just a little bit."

The 26-year-old New York artist and competitive bicyclist was a facial transplant donor for volunteer firefighter Patrick Hardison. Rodebaugh had died of injuries from a biking accident on a Brooklyn street. (AP)

His face was "one huge scar," Rodriguez said. Hardison still went to baseball games and did other things outside, although people stared. He playfully told curious children that he had fought a bear. Still, he said, life was hard. He endured 71 surgeries.

Eventually a church friend of his wrote to Rodriguez, who had performed a 2012 face transplant at the University of Maryland Medical Center. The doctor said he would try to help, and in August 2014 Hardison was placed on a waiting list.

"We were looking for the ideal donor," one who matched Hardison on biological traits to minimise the risk of his body's rejecting the new tissue, as well as things like skin and hair color, said Rodriguez, who by then had moved to NYU Langone.

A year later, Rodebaugh was identified as a potential donor by LiveOnNY, the nonprofit organization that seeks transplant organs and tissue in the New York City area.

A native of the Columbus, Ohio, area, he had signed up to donate organs. His mother gave permission to use his face, noting that Rodebaugh had always wanted to be a firefighter, said LiveOnNY president Helen Irving.

The hospital paid for the transplant operation, which included attaching four bone segments to Hardison's skull, as anchors to prevent the face from drooping.

Now, three months later, the lower part of his face remains swollen, but Rodriguez said that will go away in a few months.

With his new eyelids and more surgery, he's expected to regain a normal field of vision for the first time in more than a decade. He will have to continuing taking medications to prevent his body from rejecting the transplant.

Eventually, "a casual observer will not notice anything that is odd" in Hardison's new face, which will blend features of his original face and the donor's, Rodriguez said.

Hardison said his new face has already made a difference when he goes outside.

"I used to get stared at all the time, but now I'm just an average guy," he said.

He's been told he can't return to firefighting because of insurance concerns, but he has another plan: motivational speaking or something similar, perhaps for wounded veterans.

His message? "Just how there is hope."

The Arab Parliament has put its full weight behind the people of Yemen to restore the country's legitimacy and end the Houthi and the Ali Saleh group rebellion.

While heading a high-profile Arab Parliament delegation in Aden, Arab Parliament Speaker Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Jarwan said: "This visit comes amid the winning streak in the battlefields to offer our congratulations to the people of Yemen, the local authority and the resistance in Aden, on their achievements in the light of backing of the Arab coalition-led by Saudi Arabia."

He noted that the Arab Parliament supports all positive trends that meet the interests of Yemen.

He commended the roles of the armed forces of the UAE, Saudi Arabia and other coalition members on supporting the brothers in Yemen.

"The security of Yemen is part and parcel of the Arab national security, and deserves our sacrifice. We have to defend the people of Yemen because they are our brothers, children and cousins," he said.

While meeting with the delegation, Governor of Aden, Major General Mohammed Saad, thanked the coalition for its valuable and unlimited support to end the rebellion, citing the role of the UAE in all fields, especially the role of the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC), which provides health, water, sewerage, electricity, education and other services.

Al Jarwan underlined that the Arab coalition's support to Yemen reflects the depth and strength of inter-Arab relations. "We are looking forward to forming the joint Arab Defence Force," he added.

He noted that Aden is now safer and stable in the light of increasing support from Emiratis, ERC and the King Salman Centre for Relief and Humanitarian Aid, with the relief aid reaching each house in Aden. 

 

Bollywood's most talked-about couple Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif have reportedly ended their six-year long relationship.

While rumours have been rife for quite some time that there have been tensions in Ranbir and Katrina's relation, now Pinkvilla has confirmed that the two have parted their ways.

"The two have officially parted ways. Three days back, Ranbir moved out of their Carter Road flat with all his luggage. Katrina soon flew off to Delhi to promote Fitoor. This is it for them. They have tried making it work for far too long but things weren't falling in place for them," a source told Pinkvilla.

The source further added, "Both of them have made peace with the fact that the relationship is not headed anywhere and their differences can't be resolved. For the last few months, there has been a lot of tension between them. Ranbir's proximity with Deepika during the promotions of Tamasha didn't go down well with Katrina. And she made no pretenses in vehemently putting it across to the media. In an interview with GQ, she'd said that she hopes Ranbir's choices change as he evolves. He has never been the kind of person who can stand being bound in a relationship like that."

Ranbir-Katrina had put up an united front during Christmas to silence rumours of trouble. So what led to this break-up?

Insecurity

The insecurities that Katrina had in the relationship is evident. The reserved, reticent actress' explosive GQ interview is testimony of that.

She had said, "My greatest fear is that if and when I get married and I am standing at the altar or the mandap, he (the groom) may not love me completely. That he may not know his mind well enough to be making those commitments. The anticipation of heartbreak is my only fear.”

Deepika Padukone

Ranbir's Kapoor ex-girlfriend Deepika Padukone had nothing to do with the break-up. But Katrina was not happy with the two ex-lovers working together.

She was quoted saying, "I can't enforce my will on the people in my life. Their choices are their own. I may not be happy with them but I hope that as they mature or as they evolve, their choices will change!"

But Deepika is committed to making her relationship with Ranveer Singh work.

Not close to Ranbir's parent

During her interview with GQ Katrina almost sounded unhappy for not being close enough to Ranbir's parents.

She said, "I am not as close to Ranbir's family as I would like. But I would like to hang out with them more. Family would be a defining factor when I make the decision to marry. I am a very responsive person. So, if my partner gives me what I need, I can be the best girlfriend you can wish for."

It was out in the open that Ranbir's parents did not approve of Katrina. His mother Neetu Kapoor was unhappy with Ranbir moving in with Katrina. At the Kapoor's Christmas brunch when Katrina accompanied Ranbir, Neetu decided to skip the party.

Commitment issues

From the very beginning the two actors were cagey about going public. Also, Ranbir's non-commitment on wedding plans was a big reason for the split. The actor would develop cold feet each time this subject came up.

Katrina's GQ interview again revealed that she feared of being cheated on

The actor stated, "See men and women, they're different. Women give birth to babies, men don't. We can't say 'oh equality on all levels, we're all the same. No, our biological needs and bodies are different. Men have been the hunters and the philanderers.

"Being with an actor has its own set of issues, but the basic differences arise because men are men. Cheaters will cheat anywhere," she added.

Ranbir moves out

Recently, Ranbir moved out of their apartment. He was seen leaving the house with all his belongings.

But all these break-up news doesn't sound that convincing. There could be more to the whole story then what meets the eye.

Ranbir and Katrina will have to complete their upcoming film 'Jagga Jasoos' and a scope of a reconciliation can't be dismissed.

Users of video conferencing apps can download free images showcasing the beauty and diversity of Dubai’s destination and use them as their backdrop, announced the emirate's Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Dubai Tourism.

In a statement, the Department said, "With the world’s business ecosystem embracing a virtual environment due to the global pandemic and more people working from home, Dubai Tourism has stepped in to help make remote communication and collaboration a truly immersive and positive experience."

In its latest initiative, the Department is providing users of web and video conferencing apps the opportunity to download free images depicting the diversity of Dubai’s offerings to create a customised digital scenery as their backdrop.

Dubai Tourism encouraged users to take advantage of their system’s virtual background feature to enjoy a more creative experience. Users can download the 'Free Dubai Backgrounds For Video Calls' and use them as virtual settings while using video conferencing apps such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom and Webex, to speak to colleagues and business partners or chat with family and friends.

The Department has also created a fun digital activity for families that allows children and adults to download colouring sheets featuring popular Dubai attractions. Families and children can enjoy their time at home as they make use of their artistic skills to add their favourite colours to the beautiful designs depicting Dubai. The colouring sheets can be download from here.

Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, DCTCM, said, "We’re committed to communicate and collaborate efficiently while inspiring the people we connect with. As the focus is also on personalising daily experiences during these challenging times, Dubai Tourism is supporting ongoing efforts at creating a cheerful ambience for all, as well as providing families, business and leisure travellers who plan to visit Dubai later the opportunity to stay connected with the city through innovative ways. With many individuals and families continuing to spend hours online, we hope these virtual effects will also serve to keep the city top-of-mind among travellers and encourage users to make Dubai their destination of choice."

The range of destination images that can be downloaded and used as virtual backgrounds highlights the attractions and experiences that await visitors to Dubai. They include stunning skylines, sunset scenes and sea views, as well as global landmarks like the Burj Khalifa and Burj Al Arab, and activities showcasing the city’s vibrant cultural life.

As the current situation has led to work-related meetings and happy hours with friends and loved ones in faraway places being conducted from the same room, the virtual background is the best feature to activate during online conversations. It allows users a creative way of ensuring privacy or hiding the clutter or a messy surrounding by replacing it with a beautiful scenery or landmark of Dubai.

Pakistan has approved $7.2 billion railway line upgradation project between Peshawar and Karachi under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, CPEC.

The approval of the project to upgrade the 1,872 km-long railway track from Peshawar to Karachi is a big milestone for the second phase of the CPEC, said Lt. Gen. (r) Asim Saleem Bajwa, chairman of the CPEC Authority.

The main railway will link the southern Chinese city of Kashgar with the Gwadar port on the southwest coast of Balochistan province. The Chinese President Xi Jinping will open the project during his upcoming visit to Pakistan.

The project includes the modernisation of the railway that runs from northwest Peshawar to South Karachi, with a length of 1,872 km, and an increase in the speed of passenger trains from 110 to 160 km per hour.

Bajwa added that the approval paved the way for final negotiations with China to finance the project with the knowledge of the International Monetary Fund, while the World Bank linked the project's success to bringing about governance reforms in the railways.

Billie Eilish has "huge issues" with her body.

Although the 18-year-old singer/songwriter is starting to gain body acceptance, she admitted that she is still not 100 per cent happy with it.

Speaking about the video interlude in her 'Where Do We Go?' tour - in which she strips down to her bra while standing in black liquid as it rises - she explained to Britain's GQ magazine: "I definitely didn't want it to come off as, 'Oh, now I am 18 now I like my body.' I still have huge issues with my own body.

"Sometimes I dress like a boy. Sometimes I dress like a swaggy girl. And sometimes I feel trapped by this persona that I have created, because sometimes I think people view me not as a woman.

"That tour video was about all that. It is me saying: look, there is a body underneath these clothes and you don't get to see it. Isn't that a shame? But my body is mine and yours is yours. Our own bodies are kind of the only real things which are truly ours. I get to see it and get to show it when I want to."

In the voiceover for the video, Billie says: "The body I was born with, is it not what you wanted? If what I wear is comfortable, I am not a woman. If I shed the layers, I am a sl*t. If I wear more, if I wear less, who decides what that makes me? What that means? Is my value based only on your perception? Or is your opinion of me not my responsibility?"

During the holy month of Ramadan, special prayers called Taraweeh are conducted after every evening’s last daily prayer (Isha).

Taraweeh is derived from the Arabic word meaning “to rest and relax”, as it is seen as a special form of Islamic meditation.

These special prayers involve reading long portions of the Qur’an, as well as performing many rakahs (cycles of movement involved in Islamic prayer).

After performing four rakahs, one sits for a brief period to rest before continuing.

During the standing portions of the prayer, long sections of the Qur'an are read. The Qur'an is divided into equal parts for the purpose of reading sections of equal length during each of the Ramadan nights, and so 1/30 of the Qur'an is read on successive evenings. The aim is read the entire Qur’an by the end of Ramadan.

Taraweeh prayers commonly take place in mosques where Muslims pray in congregation. Although they are not compulsory, taraweeh are strongly recommended during Ramadan.

Rakahs vary from 14 to 20 cycles, depending on the imam leading them. According to a hadith, however, Bibi Aisha is reported as stating that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) would not perform more than 11 or 13 rakahs on any given day.

An Algerian groom took his bride to court just a day after their marriage, accusing her of not looking as pretty as before the wedding and of cheating him with much make-up.

The groom, who is seeking $20,000 damages, told court in the capital Algiers that he was shocked when he got up in the next morning and found that his wife looked so different, that he could not recognise her.

Newspapers in the North African Arab country said the groom swore in court that he even mistook his wife for a “thief who came to steal his apartment".

“The groom told the judge that he could not recognise his wife after she washed the make-up off her face.

"He said he was deceived by her as she used to fill up her face with make up before their marriage,” the papers said, quoting a court source.

“He said she looked very beautiful and attractive before marriage, but when he woke up in the morning and found that she had washed the make-up off her face, he was frightened as he thought she was a thief.

"The groom told court that he is demanding $20,000 damages for his psychological suffering.”