Global TV stars Mayyas performed in public for the first time in their home country Lebanon, celebrating its capital with a new dance show.
The decorated troupe, who garnered an international fan base after winning America's Got Talent in 2022 before sharing a stage with Beyonce at the launch of Royal Atlantis Dubai, performed Qumi at Beirut Waterfront.
Ahead of the show, founder and choreographer Nadim Cherfan told The National it was Mayyas's most extravagant production to date with more than 70 dancers on stage. "It is really a story about Beirut, or at least the way we see it,” he said.
“The story does take some fantastical turns but when it comes to our discussion of Beirut and Lebanon as a whole it is grounded in reality. Qumi poses questions like what the characteristics of the city are and what are the Lebanese people made of.”
Mayyas emerged in 2019 when they became the first act from Lebanon to win Arabs Got Talent. Amid the economic decline gripping Lebanon, a situation described as one of the world’s worst economic crises by the World Bank, the group kept their dance studio afloat and were soon invited to participate in America's Got Talent, where they won the $1 million prize.
"It was so meaningful for all of us to win, considering the situation in Lebanon. And while we are grateful for all the love and support it still feels, to me at least, that it’s not yet time to fully celebrate,” Cherfan says. “My mindset has always been ‘well, what’s next’. If I climb a mountain, I feel I have to get ready for the next one.”
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Gulf Women: Dubai Sports City Eagles
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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.
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Torque: 230Nm
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1) Organ donors can register on the Hayat app, run by the Ministry of Health and Prevention
2) There are about 11,000 patients in the country in need of organ transplants
3) People must be over 21. Emiratis and residents can register.
4) The campaign uses the hashtag #donate_hope
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Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion
The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".
The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.
He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.
"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.
As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.
A meeting of young minds
The 3,494 entries for the 2019 Sharjah Children Biennial come from:
435 – UAE
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808 – United Kingdom
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16 – Bangladesh
6 – Ireland
3 – Egypt
3 – France
2 – Sudan
1 – Kuwait
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Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae