Photos and videos of an Emirates aircraft billowing smoke at Dubai International Airport began circulating on social media Wednesday afternoon.

Emirates quickly posted confirmation of an “incident” on its official Twitter account.

Flight EK521, a Boeing 777-300, was traveling from India when it landed at Dubai International Airport, according to Gulf News. The Dubai Media Office has reported that all passengers have been escorted off the aircraft and no injuries were reported.

The airline later released a more complete statement regarding the incident, stressing that their were no fatalities of passengers or crew. There were 282 passengers and 18 crew members aboard the aircraft at the time of the crash.

Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Emirates’ Chairman & Chief Executive, also released a video statement about the incident.

From the images being shared on social media, it is clear the plane landed on its belly, without landing gear. Initial pictures show the plane intact with smoke billowing, however, the fire clearly spread as the top of the aircraft is completely destroyed in later images. The slide at the rear of the aircraft was deployed.

Dubai International Airport closed to all aircraft after the incident. Operations were set to resume at 6:30 p.m. Dubai time according to WAM.

Social media users shared personal images and updates about the incident.

Early on, some reported that the fire was under control but the plane was severely damaged.

The post Emirates plane in crash landing at Dubai Airport appeared first on StepFeed - The homepage of the Middle East.

Emirati businessman Mohamed Alabbar is set to launch a new technology fund in the Middle East and North Africa, aimed at growing the Arab tech-entrepreneurship scene, according to Al Arabiya.

Alabbar’s company Alabbar Enterprises is behind the fund, alongside many private investors from the region.

The fund aims to collect $1 billion worth of investments, making it the largest tech fund in the MENA region. It aims to create a sharing-economy business model and looks to explore opportunities in promising sectors including retail, transport and media.

The fund will be open to all Arab entrepreneurs.

Recently, Alabbar Enterprises and a group of Gulf investors purchased a combined 16.45 percent stake in Dubai-based courier Aramex, buying out founder Fadi Ghandour’s stake in the company.

The post Emirati businessman launches MENA’s largest tech fund appeared first on StepFeed - The homepage of the Middle East.

“As sad as we are for the loss of Jassim, we are proud of our youth and their sacrifices while performing their duties in protecting lives and saving people,” said Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Wednesday.

“The men of this country make our generations proud.”

“We offer our condolences to the family and friends of the martyr and the nation’s firefighter Jassim Isa Al Baloushi… We ask God to give his family and his family patience and solace”

Emirati firefighter Jassim Al Baloushi died on Wednesday after helping to save 282 passengers and 18 crew members aboard a crash landed Emirates flight at Dubai International Airport.

A funeral for the fallen 27-year-old firefighter drew hundreds of mourners to Sheikh Rashid Mosque in Kharran, Baloushi’s hometown in Ras Al Khaimah, on Thursday morning. Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud Al Qasimi, crown prince of the emirate, was among those who gathered for the service.

“My eldest son died as a hero while saving the lives of the plane passengers; he is a martyr, and he will be missed greatly,” Baloushi’s father said, according to The National.

The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) announced Baloushi’s death early Wednesday evening, after confirming that all passengers and crew were safely evacuated from the Boeing 777 aircraft.

“We are however, very sad to announce that one of the firefighters lost his life while saving the lives of the others,” the director general of GCAA said, according to Khaleej Times.

“On behalf of the General Civil Aviation Authority, I would like to offer my heartfelt condolences to the family of [the] deceased. I salute his ultimate sacrifice that kept many from harm’s way. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

Flight EK52 was traveling from India when it crash landed at Dubai International Airport around 12:45 p.m. Wednesday. The plane went on fire, sending smoking billowing into the air. Social media users shared shocking images of the crash.

As news of Baloushi’s death broke, Twitter remembered him as a hero.

The post Dubai’s Sheikh Mohammed salutes fallen firefighter appeared first on StepFeed - The homepage of the Middle East.

When we think of Palm Jumeirah in Dubai, we immediately think of the Atlantis hotel and the water park. But there is more to this modern architectural masterpiece than walking the corridors of the iconic hotel or sipping mojitos on Nasimi beach.

Here are 5 things to do while you are visiting the Palm Jumeirah that don’t include a trip to Atlantis:

1. Exercising under the trees

Source: Instagram/leila_dxb

Did you know that there is a 2.7 km running track in Ittihad Park on the Palm? What is great about this track is that it’s mostly covered with lush trees and dotted with small herb bushes and mini trees with name tags on each one of them. This means you can enjoy the aroma of fresh thyme or lavender while doing your morning power walk. Don’t forget to finish off your workout with a coffee or a light meal at one of the many cafes or restaurants on the Golden Mile.

2. Lounging at a beach club

Source: Instagram/rivabeachdxb

Palm Jumeirah offers a few independent beach clubs such as Riva and Solis, where you can enjoy a day at the pool or beach side with a cold drink in hand to beat the searing heat. These spots offer lower rates than five star hotels and are usually more quiet and relaxed.

3. Healthy lunches and casual meetings

Source: Instagram/sophiesdxb

If you end up on the palm for a business meeting then we advise you to visit Sophie’s Cafe for a casual lunch meeting or rendezvous with friends, where you can munch on delicious cakes or have a healthy and hearty meal.

4. Partaaaay

Source: Instagram/fitmissaddicted

If live music and performances are right up your alley then you will love the entertainment on offer at Zabeel Saray’s Music Hall and Supper Club. These two venues are excellent for birthday parties with a large group of friends or a night of dining, dancing and waving your hands in the air like you just don’t care!

5. Learn how to work a Paddleboard

Source: Instagram/hlbh12

Water sport enthusiasts can visit Ignite Surf School on the Palm to test their skills at stand up paddleboarding or they can take a few lessons to become experts. Paddleboard rentals are also available.

The post Top 5 things to do on Palm Jumeirah that don’t include Atlantis appeared first on StepFeed - The homepage of the Middle East.

Dubai spoils us with constant sunshine, great work opportunities and fantastic services to the extent that we become really picky after living in this emirate for too long. It’s Dubai’s fault really, for constantly trying to offer us and the world the highest standards of everything.

On the subject of being picky, and if we really want to be fussy, then we have to complain about these 4 first world problems that become kind of annoying after staying long enough in this city. They show just how spoiled we’ve really become:

1. Lack of clear signs on the roads

Dubai is a small place, but the roads are a bit complicated. One of the most annoying things about driving in Dubai is the few signs on the roads that give the drivers clear directions. On some roads, the signs suddenly disappear and you are left on your own! If you are new to Dubai then don’t feel bad about getting lost on your way home for the first month or so. We’ve all been there my friend!

2. The petrol station dilemma

Unlike Abu Dhabi, Dubai has a serious shortage of the number of petrol stations, which is weird since UAE is one of the world’s biggest petrol producers. Some of the city’s biggest neighborhoods don’t have petrol stations. Queuing up for up to 15 minutes at a gas station is a very familiar but an irksome chore for the residents of Dubai.

3. Chasing ATMs

Banks in Dubai are everywhere, but finding an ATM can be like going on an easter egg hunt. Sometimes, you have to take a long walk to find a cash machine. Other times, you have to visit the main branch to deposit a cheque or do transfers, which is really time consuming.

4. Where is my parking spot?!

How many times have you visited a friend but couldn’t find a spot in the visitor’s parking? Or got to your favorite restaurant but couldn’t figure out where the parking area is, let alone find a spot in it? Why are there three towers in every JLT cluster but not enough parking spots for visitors or residents? Why do we have to waste 10 minutes every morning in Media city to find a spot to park our cars? RTA… HELLO??

The post 4 first world problems we complain about in Dubai appeared first on StepFeed - The homepage of the Middle East.

Owning a car in the futuristic utopia that is Dubai is a rather special situation, especially in the summer. You’re buzzing through swirling highways in smoldering heat not fit for human life, and it starts to feel less like 2016 and more like being in a flying space car on the set of The Jetsons in 2063.

If you live in Dubai and own a car there, you’ll relate to these tweets:

1. Your car changes color depending on the weather…

2. And texture too…

3. And turns into a sauna in the summertime

4. And when parking your car, you try to find the closest spot or else

5. You do whatever it takes to avoid salik… at all costs!

6. OK, not all the time…

7. Even your car can’t handle the summer heat sometimes

8. And leaving anything in your car for more than an hour… is a definite no-no

9. You sometimes feel like your car is “not good enough” because the standards are astronomical

10. So, you think about selling your car and resorting to public transport

11. Because things like this happen too often…

The post 11 tweets by car-owners in Dubai that are too true appeared first on StepFeed - The homepage of the Middle East.

If you are hosting a dinner party, or just treating yourself to a homemade meal, then why not make your own healthy and delicious dip to impress your friends… and yourself?

Arabs love their laban (aka zabadi or yoghurt). They eat it hot or cold, as a side dish or as the base of a hot dish such as shish barak. But whatever you call it and however you consume it, it is still an amazing ingredient for healthy and tasty dips, which make perfect sidekicks to any snack or main course, from nachos to salads to roast chicken.

Here, we are going to show you 4 ways to upgrade your laban dip with unexpected and tasty ingredients:

1. The vegetable dip:

Source: Pinterest

Ingredients:

Parsley, green onions, dill, garlic, fresh basil leaves, oregano, laban, salt, pepper

Method:

After taking the amount you need from each ingredient, chop them very finely and mix them together with laban. Add some water to make the mix smoother, and then sprinkle the salt and pepper according you your taste. You can never go wrong with this classic dip!

2. The beetroot dip:

Source: Pinterest

Ingredients:

Canned beetroot, cucumber, fresh mint leaves, garlic, laban, salt, pepper.

Method:

Chop the ingredients according to your liking (fine or chunky) then place them in a mixing bowl. Add laban, salt and pepper and chill the mix in the fridge until serving time. This dip goes very well with chips and is a healthier version than the commercial salsa dips. It’s a dip without guilt!

3. The sweet ginger dip

Source: Pinterest

Ingredients:

Ground ginger, fresh ginger, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground cardamom, honey, laban.

Method:

Not all laban dips are supposed to be savory! In this amazing party dip you will have to combine all the ingredients together in a large bowl and chill in the fridge overnight to make it more flavorful. Serve it with fresh fruits, cookies or as a frosting for homemade cakes!

4. The avocado dip

Source: Pinterest

Ingredients:

Avocados, red onions, fresh coriander, chives, jalapeños (if you like them), lime juice, ground cumin, laban.

Method:

After deseeding the avocados, mix them well with the dry ingredients then add the laban, salt and pepper. This dip is an ideal choice after a gym session because it is rich with all the good fat and minerals your body needs. Spread it generously over grilled chicken or oven baked fish. It is also an amazing choice for a house party!

The post 4 guiltless laban dips to impress your friends appeared first on StepFeed - The homepage of the Middle East.

When visiting the United Arab Emirates, there is one thing every person just has to try. The desert safari.

Dubai is home to some of the most beautiful sand dunes and the most exciting safari tours ever. It’s a must-try when visiting the emirate.

Here’s just a few simple reasons why #DubaiSafari should be on your bucket list:

The view is just incredible

Photo source: Instagram

It’s the best place to just sit and chill in the most traditional Arabian setting ever

Photo source: Instagram

Like really

Photo source: Instagram

And the most beautiful place to watch the sun go down…

Photo source: Instagram

Where else would you get the chance to ride these cute things?

Photo source: Instagram

And gazing at the smooth sand dunes will take your breath away

Photo source: Instagram

Just look at that!!

Photo source: Instagram

The dune bashing beats any adventure out there, trust me

Photo source: Instagram

As does the dinner that comes with the safari package

Photo source: Instagram

Check out Dubai Desert Safari for different packages. Call +971 50 2768 111 for more information.

It’s definitely something every single person on earth has to try!

Photo source: Instagram

The post Here’s why #DubaiSafari should be on every person’s bucket list appeared first on StepFeed - The homepage of the Middle East.

Spa treatment, ongoing activities, five star service and food galore are what anyone looks for when booking a hotel. The Middle East is famous for its impeccable hospitality and great services.

Be it a vacation or possibly a simple weekend getaway, hotels in the Middle East are the epitome of what true luxury and pampering are all about.

1. Six Senses Zighy Bay – Oman

Source: Six Senses 

2. Al Maha Desert Resort – Dubai

Source: Al Maha 

3. Emirates Palace – Abu Dhabi

Source: Emirates Palace 

4. W Doha Hotel & Residences – Qatar

Source: W Doha Hotel 

5. Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay – Bahrain

Source: Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay 

6. Jumeirah Messila Beach Hotel – Kuwait

Source: Jumeirah Messila Beach Hotel 

7. The Ritz Carlton – Riyadh

Source: Ritz-Carlton Riyadh 

8. Bouyouti Boutique Hotel – Lebanon

Source: Facebook/Bouyouti

9. Kempinski Hotel Ishtar – Jordan

Source: Kempinski Hotel Ishtar

The post 9 hotels you want to visit in the Middle East appeared first on StepFeed - The homepage of the Middle East.

Arabs may not be winning gold medals at the Olympics this year, but they are winning hearts. From occupied peoples, to refugees, to women, the Arabs had a better show of the normally under-represented than ever before. In a region that saw an especially tumultuous 2016, the games, we believe, present a glimmer of hope.

It’s only been a few days since the Olympics took off, but here are 7 reasons why Rio 2016 has been epic for Arabs:

1. 18-year-old heroine Yusra Mardini won her first Olympic swimming race

Mardini swam to save 20 lives, so we’re not surprised that she won the 100-meter butterfly heat. But we’re extremely moved. The 18-year-old Syrian refugee is one of 10 athletes on #TeamRefugees to be competing in this years Olympic Games, and her backstory is extraordinary. A year ago, she was part of a group of refugees that took off on a boat from Turkey to Greece. The motor failed and he and her sister jumped into the open sea and swam for three hours to push the overcrowded boat to safety.

She didn’t qualify for the semi-finals, but Mardini won the race to roaring cheers and an outpouring of congratulations on social media.

2. #TeamRefugees deserved a standing ovation, and got one

This was the first ever team to participate in the Olympics under no flag. Two of the remarkable athletes are Syrian.

3. Palestine had the largest team since it joined the Olympics in 1996

The team of 6 was not afraid to flaunt the traditions of a state that the majority of the world’s countries refuse to recognize. Decked out in embroidered dresses and kaffiyeh scarves, the team was bursting with excitement as they waved the Palestinian flag at the opening event.

The Palestinian delegation had to overcome major setbacks to get to Rio de Janeiro. Upon departure, the team’s gear was confiscated by Israeli authorities, sparking media uproar. The team was forced to purchase new equipment in Brazil.

4. Lebanon refused to share a bus with Israel’s team

No matter what you think of the incident– and it definitely wasn’t a very popular move in the West–it definitely generated a much-needed debate about the normalization of ties between Lebanese and Israeli participants in international competitions.

Israel is considered an enemy state by Lebanon. It also maintains an illegal occupation in a fellow Arab state, Palestine, and has placed an illegal siege on the Gaza strip. Whereas some Western publications condemned the move, Lebanon and other supporters of Palestine’s struggle have hailed the move as a show of anti-normalization with an Apartheid regime.

5. Nada Al Bedwawi, a UAE Olympian, led the delegation at the opening ceremony; she was the second female flag-bearer the country has had in 32 years

6. Saudi Arabia sent four athletes to compete in Rio; twice the number of the Olympic Games in 2012

The four sportswomen competing at this year’s Rio 2016, two runners, a fencer and a judoka. The kingdom sent its first female Olympians to London in 2012.

7. The world’s #1 female trap shooter is Lebanese

Lebanon’s Ray Bassil, who ranks #1 in female trap shooting, arrived in Rio as the first-ever Arab participant in that Olympic category.

Stay tuned!

The post 7 reasons why #Rio2016 has been epic for Arabs appeared first on StepFeed - The homepage of the Middle East.

The summer heat in Dubai is keeping you holed up indoors, basking in AC. You’re likely scrolling through your friends’ holiday photos on Instagram and you just can’t stop. It really doesn’t feel great, does it?

We’ve come to rescue you from your idleness. Because, believe it or not, there is more to Dubai in August than your cubicle and your couch. Here are 6 new things Dubai has in store for you:

1. Source Cook Eat

Source: Instagram/sourcecookeat_dxb

How about eating a home cooked meal made of the freshest ingredients from across the world? This is what Chef Paul Morgan promises with his newly launched supper club concept in Dubai. He draws on his vast experience as a fresh produce buyer to source the freshest seasonal products from around the world. He then cooks you a meal at his very own home! It is a great new way to celebrate birthdays, throw parties and meet new people.

2. Cruel Summer

This is not your typical movie night! The Cruel Summer is an evening of short film screenings that looks at the dark side of summer, from loss to loneliness, heartbreak to horror. The films have been selected by Hind Mezaina of The Culturist blog, which covers arts and culture in the UAE and beyond. The event is on the 13th of August in The JamJar at Al Quoz.

3. Off Beat Wednesdays at Indie

Source: Facebook/Indie DIFC

As the heat wave in Dubai rages on, an ideal thing you can do on a Wednesday night is head to Indie at DIFC for the Off Beat Wednesday which features live music by local talents and international singers. Consider this a warm up for Thursday night and a great way to spend those hot summer evenings in Dubai.

4. Jamaican brunch at Ting Irie

Source: Facebook/Ting Irie

If boozy and loud brunches aren’t your thing then maybe you should try this new chilled out brunch at Dubai’s first Jamaican restaurant Ting Irie in Downtown. Get your groove on with reggae and hip hop music as you savor authentic Jamaican cuisine such as Rotisserie Jerk Chicken, Jamaican oxtail, or Chips O’Mon Burger.

5. Saruq Alhadid Museum

Source: Instagram/saruq_alhadid

In this newly opened museum, Dubai reveals the secrets of the most exciting and mysterious archaeological sites uncovered in the Emirate. It turns out Dubai isn’t so new, after all!

Using state-of-the-art technology, visitors can explore Saruq Al Hadid or ‘the Way of Iron’ which is a remote desert site that served as a metalworking spot around 3,000 years ago. It is a great way to be transported back in time to see the skill and accomplishments of the people who worked at this Iron Age ‘factory’.

6. E!11 Last Exit

Source: Facebook/Last Exit Dubai

Commuter snacks don’t need to be boring…at least not anymore, anyway! The newly launched Food Truck Park concept just after interchange 11 on Sheikh Zayed Road offers two things most dear to the hearts of Dubai people: food and food trucks! Have a rest and grab a quick bite while on the move, or spend some fun time with friends and kids at the entertainment and leisure facilities the place has on offer.

The post 6 things to get you through Dubai in August appeared first on StepFeed - The homepage of the Middle East.

The Arab World has won its first 2016 Olympic medal.

Four days after the Rio 2016 Olympic Games officially kicked off, the United Arab Emirates’ Moldovan-born judo competitor Sergiu Toma registered the first mark on the Arab world’s medal tally, with a historic bronze medal win.

Ranking 9th in the world for the 81-kilogram category, Toma took out German and Brazilian opponents to book a ticket at the quarterfinals, where he defeated Japan’s reigning world champion Takanori Nagase.

His chances at a gold or silver medal were shot down by Russia’s Khasan Khalmurzaev, who went on to win the gold. Toma still earned a spot at the Olympic podium, after beating Italian Matteo Marconcini in the bronze medal bout.

This marks the UAE’s second Olympic medal since its debut at the 1984 Los Angeles Games and its first one since shooter Ahmed Al-Maktoum’s double-trap gold in 2004.

Toma was naturalized by the UAE in 2013, and has been competing for the Gulf nation since. “This is the result of huge effort we’ve been putting in at the federation for a long time,” the president of the UAE federation said, according to Sport 360.

Toma is one of three Moldovan judo competitors representing the UAE at the Rio Olympics. The 13-strong Emirati delegation also includes Ethiopian-born Alia Saeed Mohammed and Betlhem Desalegn, who will partake in athletics.

The post Emirati wins first Rio Olympic medal for Arab country appeared first on StepFeed - The homepage of the Middle East.

Canadian trans model Gigi Gorgeous, a close friend of Kylie Jenner, was denied entry to the United Arab Emirates.

Source: Instagram/gigigorgeous

According to Gorgeous, she was detained at the Dubai airport for more than five hours.

Source: Instagram/gigigorgeous 

“After being detained and held at the Dubai airport for over 5 hours, this was the moment my baby came to rescue me. Yesterday was one of the scariest moments of my entire life and I wouldn’t wish it upon anyone. How you can be denied entry somewhere just because of who you are is seriously disgusting and also very scary. This further proves the need for CHANGE. I am now on my way to somewhere much more accepting. Safe and sound and happy. I love you guys,” the model posted on Instagram.

“I was told you are transgender. You cannot come into the country,” an immigration officer told Gorgeous, according to TMZ.

Airport police said that the issue was with the model’s passport, which they claim identifies her as a male and shows her as a male. However, Gorgeous told TMZ that this is not true and that her passport was updated since her transition with her legal name, Gigi Loren.

On Tuesday, Gorgeous had tweeted her excitement for her upcoming trip…

Unfortunately, Dubai didn’t turn out to be quite as dope as Gorgeous had hoped.

Although there is a growing international consensus that gender dysmorphia – a mismatch between an individual’s biological sex and gender identity – is a medical condition that individuals should be able to treat by transitioning to the gender they identify with, the Arab world has lagged behind in recognizing transgender rights.

In 2013, Egypt legalized sex reassignment surgery and allowed transgender individuals to change their identification documents, joining Iran and Pakistan among Muslim states that recognize transgender rights.

The post UAE refuses entry to trans model Gigi Gorgeous appeared first on StepFeed - The homepage of the Middle East.

Sharjah is often overshadowed by its larger, world-famous neighbor Dubai – but art enthusiast and columnist Sultan Al-Qassemi is helping change that.

The founder of Barjeel Art Foundation, which recently got Arab artwork featured in Google’s “tabs for art” project, launched a Twitter tag #ArchitectureOfSharjah at the beginning of August – and we can see why.

Check out some of our favorites, and if you’re in Sharjah, join in and show off the city’s jewels!

Museum of Islamic Civilization

American University of Sharjah

Central Souk

Cultural Palace

Other Twitter users have started to join in with some of their favorites, too:

The post Sultan Al-Qassemi wants to show you the #ArchitectureOfSharjah appeared first on StepFeed - The homepage of the Middle East.

Need a rush of adrenaline? The countdown to Dubai Parks and Resorts has begun. The resort is set to open its doors Oct 31.

The 25 million square foot resort, located on Sheikh Zayed Road between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, is considered to be the Middle East’s first “smart” theme park.

“From booking tickets, to finding parking spaces, to choosing rides with lower wait times or deciding on the right cuisine to eat, this collaboration will facilitate an unforgettable trip for visitors with few simple clicks on their smart devices,” CEO of Dubai Parks and Resorts, said in a statement.

The park will include more than 100 rides spread over four different theme parks!

Including Bollywood Parks…

This Bollywood inspired theme park will be the best place to experience an authentic Indian experience … in Dubai!

Motiongate Dubai

Motiongate Dubai will include 27 innovative rides and attractions inspired by world’s biggest hits from international studios including Ghostbusters, The Green Hornet, Shrek, The Hunger Games & more!

Legoland Dubai

From a Lego brick replica of Dubai’s iconic Burj Khalifa to all the amazing rides, Legoland is definitely going to be a dream spot in the UAE.

And of course the legendary Legoland Water Park!

How excited are you?

Annual passes for all four parks can be found here.

The post First Arab smart theme park opens its doors in October appeared first on StepFeed - The homepage of the Middle East.

The United Arab Emirates has released an animated video highlighting the 4.3 billion AED ($403.7 million) in foreign aid the country has contributed to war-torn Yemen between April 2015 and July 2016.

In the video, shared by Emirates News Agency, a young Yemeni boy attempts to draw a happy child with chalk on the wall of a bombed out building.

As the boy completes the stick drawing, a thunderstorm begins and rain starts to wash away his creation. Frustrated, he battles the rain as he tries to redraw the smiling stick figure.

But help is on the way. An man wearing traditional Emirati garb emblazoned with the nation’s flag approaches the boy with an umbrella, shielding him and his drawing from the rainfall.

Smiling at each other, the man and the boy walk through the bombed-out city as the rain stops and the world rebuilds around them in vivid rainbow colors, restoring everything to perfection.

The video details how the aid has been distributed, including $218 million for energy generation and supply…

$123.3 million for government and civil society…

$57.2 million for health…

$43.6 million for education…

and $36.5 million for infrastructure and development.

The video concludes with a message of unity.

“The UAE was in the forefront of countries who hurried to send relief and assist Yemen to ride over the current crisis, support its stability and unity, and stand with its people by providing all forms of assistance needed to realize and fulfill the aspirations of Yemeni people for building, development and stability,” Reem Al Hashimy said, according to The National.

The UAE was part of the Saudi-led coalition of Arab states, supported by the United States and the United Kingdom, that carried out a series of airstrikes in Yemen from March 2015 until June 2016, targeting the Houthi insurgency against the Yemeni government.

Human Rights Watch and other humanitarian organizations heavily criticized the coalition airstrikes and the Houthi insurgency, accusing both parties of carrying out indiscriminate attacks that left many civilians dead.

“Dozens of coalition airstrikes were indiscriminate, violating the laws of war and killing and wounding thousands of civilians. The coalition also used cluster munitions, banned by international treaty. Houthi forces also committed serious laws-of-war violations by firing indiscriminate rockets into southern cities and Saudi Arabia, killing dozens of civilians,” a report from HRW said.

The post UAE tackles aid to Yemen in cartoon appeared first on StepFeed - The homepage of the Middle East.

It is not easy to fit in as a local in a country where 180 different nationalities live together. But we are here to help!

Here’s our guide to talk, eat, drive and behave like a local in UAE (and by local we mean Emiratis and expats):

1. Speak perfect English when you are with a friend. Switch to broken English when speaking to a taxi driver:

“You come five o’clock no late! Enta fi ma’aloum?”

2. Use your blinding high beams as a way to tell the driver in front of you: “get out of my way dude! Can’t you see I’m in a hurry?”

3. And if they don’t move away then use the hard shoulder to get ahead…

I mean, isn’t it there for that reason?

4. Park your car as close as possible to the entrance of the mall

And if you can’t find a parking… just give it to the valet!

5. Fall in love with Friday brunches, burger sliders and hippy breakfast cafes

And always be on the hunt for the perfect eggs Benedict.

6. God forbid you spend a day without drinking chai karak

7. Confuse people with how many kisses you should give them when you greet them:

Three the Lebanese way? Or two the Syrian way? Or five on the same cheek the Emirati way? Or just a hand shake the western way?

8. Become very excited when it rains and post as many photos and videos about it on social media as you can…

but also complain about how people drive like crazy when it rains.

9. Learn how to quickly recognize what JTL, JBR, JVC, DMC or WTC stand for and where to find each one of them on your GPS.

10. You are not a true UAE local until you have cried at least once in a du office while trying to sort out your bill

11. Your iPod must contain an eclectic song mix from Hussein Al Jassmi, Ranbir Kapoor and Jay Z

12. Your masculinity/femininity must not feel bruised if you are greeted with a “hello ma’am sir” by a Costa barista

The post 12 ways to pass as a local in UAE appeared first on StepFeed - The homepage of the Middle East.

There’s nothing better than heading to a local bookshop and spending the entire day there, especially if the place is also known for having some of the most delicious snacks and meals.

Luckily for all the bookworms in the region, there are a number of bookstore cafés that will give the reading addict in you just the right fix. You should consider these 8:

Lebanon

1. Dar Bistro & Books, Hamra

Photo source: Facebook

The perfect combination of a bistro, a bookshop and some greenery. Located in the heart of Hamra, Clemenceu to be exact, this place is a definite mood booster.

2. Paper Cup, Mar Mikhael

Photo source: Facebook

This cozy, neighborhood spot has been around since 2009. If you haven’t stepped foot in this place, I guarantee you it will change your life when you do. Completed with a selection of magazines, children reads, graphic novels and much more, this little bookshop is brimming with character.

Jordan

3. Books at Café, Amman

Photo source: Facebook

Located in Jabal Amman, this place is considered to be one of Jordan’s most iconic and revolutionary establishments. Having opened its doors in 1997, it is known for nurturing creatives and triggering tectonic shifts in the local culture. It also has a gourmet coffee bar, which is ideal for a night out with a good friend.

4. Readers Bookshop, Amman

Photo source: Facebook

For all the book lovers in Jordan, this place is home to a wide variety of books catering to even the pickiest readers out there. The place went above and beyond when J.K. Rowling’s latest book, Harry Potter & the Cursed Child, was released!

Dubai

5. BookMunch Café

Photo source: Instagram

If you’re a bookworm and foodie, this is the place for you. It’s Dubai’s first literary café, and we find it so easy to lounge around here for hours and hours.

6.  Kuttab Library and Café, Uptown Mirdiff

Photo source: Instagram

With a selection of both English and Arabic books, Kuttab library, founded by Kuttab Publishing, is the place you should consider going to if you want a day of pure relaxation with a funky twist. To get to the café, you have to pass through the library…and I can’t gaurantee that you will ever arrive at the café.

Egypt

7. Diwan Bookstore

Photo source: Instagram

The Diwan bookstore transports you out of Cairo’s busy streets and into the atmosphere of an old English university town. It’s definitely a place for quiet time.

8. Sufi Bookstore, Zamalek

Photo source: Facebook

Located in an old apartment in Zamalek, this place is more than just a bookshop. With a chilled cafe being an integral part of this place, you just have to make it out to both the Arabic room and English room. Yes, that actually exists.

The post 8 Middle Eastern bookstores for the bookworm in you appeared first on StepFeed - The homepage of the Middle East.

Abu Dhabi’s film and TV production company Image Nation is looking to help Saudi Arabia build its TV and film industry with officials negotiating plans to do so, in line with the kingdom’s Vision 2030.

“[Saudi officials] are now just realizing as part of their own 2030 plan the need to engage young people and build this [film] industry,” Michael Garin, CEO of Image Nation, told Arabian Business.

“We’re hoping to do basically everything in Saudi that we’re doing here – training, production and development – and helping to build an industry that will ultimately be populated by Khaleejis [Gulf nationals] – that it won’t be a Saudi industry, because we don’t have enough people here. Our aspiration is to build a regional industry.”

Cinemas in the kingdom have been banned since the 1980s. Although there have been numerous campaigns targeted to change that, the kingdom still does not offer basic entertainment hubs for film.

Despite the restrictions, Saudi nationals have taken the lead in the industry, proving their talent time and again.

In February, the first Saudi horror film,”Ghabash,” to be written, directed and produced by Saudis was released via YouTube. The six-minute film included an all-Saudi cast and was shot entirely in the kingdom.

In March, the third Saudi Film Festival took over the Gulf coast city of Dammam, another initiative aimed to increase the acceptance of cinema in the kingdom.

In more recent news, Saudi director Mahmoud Sabbagh’s film “Barakah Meets Barakah” is set to screen at the 41st Toronto International Film Festival in Canada. The film won the Ecumenical Jury Prize at Berlinale, where the film premiered to sold-out crowds.

In 2015, an Arabic hashtag “Allowing Cinema in Saudi Arabia” began trending shortly after false reports began circulating, claiming that cinemas would be allowed in the country.

Several media outlets reported that officials had signed agreements with investors to launch the kingdom’s first theaters, however authorities denied all these reports.

The post Image Nation poised to jumpstart Saudi film industry appeared first on StepFeed - The homepage of the Middle East.

If you thought Dubai was done impressing you, you were wrong.

The emirate is set to open a crocodile park towards the end of 2016!

Dubai Municipality confirmed that 75 percent of the Crocodile Park has been completed so far. Construction on the $5.9 million project started last summer.

Located close to the Dubai Safari project, the park is set to cover 20,000 square meters. It aims to create a natural habitat for the aquatic reptiles.

The park will include various crocodiles including Nile crocodiles, which live mainly in bodies of fresh water throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. The park also aims to be an environmental reserve for the aquatic reptiles, providing optimal transportation and nutrition conditions, as well as contributing to the preservation of the species in line with the CITES convention to protect endangered animals.

But, considering the rate at which animals escape in the region, let’s hope these crocodiles don’t go loose!

Last July, videos of sheep running down the middle of Doha’s Salwa Road began circulating. We’ve also seen tigers on the run… so let’s just hope these crocodiles are content with their new home.

The post Crocodiles set to invade Dubai real soon appeared first on StepFeed - The homepage of the Middle East.