UAE

Ibtissama initiave puts smiles on faces of orphaned children in UAE

After a warm greeting at the zoo entrance, the children took a train tour around the zoo where they fed giraffes and held reptiles.

The National staff

December 25, 2014

Orphaned children were treated to a jam-packed day at Al Ain Zoo as part of the Ibtissama, or smile, initiative.

The children took a train tour, fed giraffes and held reptiles. They also watched the zoo’s famous bird show and were taken to the children’s zoo where they were introduced to some of the species native to the UAE.

Ibtissama was launched this year by Sheikha Shamma bint Mohammed, chairwoman of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan Cultural Centre.

newsdesk@thenational.ae

The Abu Dhabi Awards explained:

What are the awards? They honour anyone who has made a contribution to life in Abu Dhabi.

Are they open to only Emiratis? The awards are open to anyone, regardless of age or nationality, living anywhere in the world.

When do nominations close? The process concludes on December 31.

How do I nominate someone? Through the website.

When is the ceremony? The awards event will take place early next year.

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THE SPECS

GMC Sierra Denali 1500

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Power: 420hp

Torque: 623Nm

Price: Dh232,500

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if you go

Getting there

Etihad (Etihad.com), Emirates (emirates.com) and Air France (www.airfrance.com) fly to Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport, from Abu Dhabi and Dubai respectively. Return flights cost from around Dh3,785. It takes about 40 minutes to get from Paris to Compiègne by train, with return tickets costing €19. The Glade of the Armistice is 6.6km east of the railway station.

Staying there

On a handsome, tree-lined street near the Chateau’s park, La Parenthèse du Rond Royal (laparenthesedurondroyal.com) offers spacious b&b accommodation with thoughtful design touches. Lots of natural woods, old fashioned travelling trunks as decoration and multi-nozzle showers are part of the look, while there are free bikes for those who want to cycle to the glade. Prices start at €120 a night.

More information: musee-armistice-14-18.fr ; compiegne-tourisme.fr; uk.france.fr

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Our family matters legal consultant

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Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

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