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Burj Khalifa beckons you to Sky At The Top

October 15, 2014

Dubai, Oct 15: The UAE is well renowned for its limit-pushing feats, and during a sneak preview of Burj Khalifa’s newest attraction on Tuesday, it’s clear even the sky isn’t the limit here.

UAE kalifAscending a knee-wobbling 555 metres above ground, ‘At The Top Burj Khalifa Sky’ opens to the public today and is the world’s highest observation deck — outgrowing its closest competitor in China by a staggering 67 metres.

Spread across two levels on floors 124 and 148, the new observation decks offer unmatched views of the ever-expanding city, with many calling level 148 the ‘hero’ as it’s now noted as the highest viewing point on earth in a building.

At Tuesday’s unveiling, the world’s tallest building added its seventh string to its record-holding bow and Country Manager for Guinness World Records Talal Omar told Khaleej Times the UAE is setting the benchmark when it comes to record making.

“Burj Khalifa was officially opened in 2010 and since then we’ve seen six records successfully attempted by it in terms of building records. But that has inspired other people to attempt records and since then we’ve seen the highest base jump from Burj Khalifa, as well as the highest building climb from it. I can’t wait to see what’s next.”

Rising 24 floors above the original ‘At The Top’, ‘Sky’ is set to see visitor numbers soar over the next few years and Emaar Properties executive director Ahmad Al Falasi is confident it will see a big increase on last year’s 1.8 million footfall.

“I urge all who live here and visit here to enjoy your bit of the sky,” he said at Tuesday’s preview.

Up, up and away

So what can we expect to see? With a stopover level on 125 hosting 360-degree indoor views, visitors will also get a new video perspective of the city with ‘Dubai — A Falcon’s Eye View’. But for those of you with a stomach to handle another 23 floors up, you won’t be disappointed.

Housing a premium food and drink lounge with panoramic views, level 148 also offers a brand-new, hands-on interactive experience for visitors allowing them to discover iconic destinations in Dubai using a life-size screen and sensory motion technology.

But enjoying the view from a steep height may mean even steeper pricing for some with pre-booked tickets costing Dh400 while immediate entry tickets will set you back Dh500. And it’s a view that just isn’t tempting enough, said British tourist Christopher Read.

“I’ve just been to At the Top and paid Dh125 for the privilege. I think that’s a fair price, so to me Dh400 is a little much and I honestly can’t see the view being all that different.”

But from what he’s seen so far in Dubai, people will always pay for the best, he said.

“I get the attraction though. To say you’ve visited the highest viewing deck in the world is pretty cool so I don’t think they’ll struggle to sell tickets, especially here.”

So if the dizzying prices don’t faze you, why not climb to even dizzier heights and become part of history.

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News Network
July 6,2020

Dubai, July 6: Even as the world’s one of the most sought after tourist destinations is gearing up to welcome foreign tourists from July 7, the authorities have taken necessary measures to prevent the spread of covid-19.

If the foreign tourists want to avoid self-isolation after landing in Dubai International Airport, they have to fetch covid-negative certificates from their home country. The certificate ought to have been issued up to 96 hours prior to the travel.

Those without a cvid-negative certificate, however, will need to undergo a PCR test on arrival at the Dubai airports and self-isolate until they receive their negative results.

"If passengers opt to take the PCR test on arrival in Dubai, they must self-isolate until test results are received. If the test result is negative, passengers can leave the hotel and enjoy the trip as normal. However, if the test result is positive, passengers are asked to follow the advice of the Dubai Health Authority and self-isolate," Emirates said in a statement.

Budget carrier flydubai said if a passenger tests positive for Covid-19, he/she would need to observe a 14-day quarantine. The airline also advised passengers to comply with all the precautionary Covid-19 measures in place in Dubai "including wearing a mask, observing social distancing and washing your hands regularly".

Tourists with Covid-19 symptoms

* If a traveller is suspected to have Covid-19 symptoms, Dubai Airports has the right to re-test to ensure the tourist is free of the virus

*It is mandatory for Covid-positive tourists to isolate themselves at an institutional facility provided by the government for 14 days at their own expense.

Other requirements

*Travel insurance: Tourists must have a travel insurance with Covid-19 cover or declare that they would bear the costs for treatment and isolation if required. "Bring an insurance certificate stating Covid-19 coverage to present at check-in," Emirates said.

*Visa: Referring to visa requirements, Emirates said: "Depending on your nationality you can get a visa on arrival, or you can apply for your visit visa from Dubai Immigration before you travel."

*Health Declaration Form: Tourists need to complete the form that states they are free from Covid-19 symptoms. This must be done before embarking.

*Tracing app: Tourists must download the Covid-19 DXB app and register details. "This is critically important since it facilitates easy coordination and communication with the health authorities if tourists experience Covid-19 symptoms," Dubai authorities had said earlier.

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Agencies
August 4,2020

Beirut, Aug 4: A massive explosion has shaken the Lebanese capital of Beirut, with a very high number of casualties expected.

A warehouse at the Beirut Port caught fire on Tuesday afternoon, triggering a huge explosion, Lebanon’s official National News Agency (NNA) reported.

Several smaller explosions were heard before the bigger one occurred.

Abbas Ibrahim, the head of Lebanon’s General Security, said that “highly explosive materials” confiscated earlier had been stored at the site.

Footage shared on social media captured the moment of the bigger explosion, with a colossal shock wave seen traveling fast across several hundreds of meters and shrouding the area in thick smoke.

The blast left enormous material damage to the surrounding buildings and structures. But it was not immediately known how big an area was affected.

There was also no immediate casualty count. Graphic amateur video from the scene showed bodies strewn on the ground, with their clothes blown off.

The NNA said rescue operations were underway. Ambulances were seen heading toward the scene in central Beirut.

Lebanese LBC television channel quoted Lebanon’s Health Minister Hamad Hasan as saying that the blast had caused a “very high number of injuries” and “extensive damage.”

Beirut Governor Marwan Abboud said an unspecified number of firefighters dispatched to extinguish the initial fire had been killed in the explosion.

“As they were putting out the fire, the explosion took place and we’ve [lost them],” he said, breaking down on live TV.

The explosion comes at a time when the Arab country is passing through its worst economic and financial crisis in decades, and amid rising tensions with Israel.

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News Network
June 17,2020

Abu Dhabi, Jun 17: The Ministry of Education (MoE) has allowed students still enrolled in universities overseas to obtain exceptions to attendance policies at their respective academic institutions in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a statement, the ministry said that the move stems from its keenness to ensure the continuity of education for those students and to maintain effective channels of communication with them.

Students' applications for exceptions to academic attendance in universities due to Covid-19 should be submitted following the end of the academic year, and not after the academic semester, via the following email: [email protected].

In their email, students have to explain the reasons for the required exceptions and should include an official message from the university concerned.

Scholarship approval issued by the Ministry of Education for studying abroad should also be attached.

The student's score reports for the academic years spent in the host countries and the duration of each academic year should also be attached, in addition to an entry and exit report of the student from the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship.

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