Latest news with #Creek
Khaleej Times
11-06-2025
- Khaleej Times
Meet Dubai abra's ‘Big Brother', who took thousands across Creek for 54 years
When Ahmed Abdi landed in Dubai on September 18, 1970, he saw a small, quiet town on both sides of the Creek. The only way people crossed the water was on wooden boats called abras. 'I was just 13 years old then,' said Abdi, who has been driving abras for 54 years now. He flew in from Bandar Abbas, Iran, and arrived at the Dubai International Airport, which was far from the main town back then. 'The airfare was only Dh60 to fly from Iran. It was the first time I ever left home,' he recalled. At that time, Dubai was still a year away from becoming part of the UAE, and it was known as a busy trading port. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. First glance at the Creek 'I didn't know what to do after I landed,' said Ahmed. 'I went straight to my relatives' home in Bastakiya. I slept the whole day. The next morning, my cousin took me out, and that's when I saw the creek for the first time.' Back then, Dubai Creek was not as deep as it is today. 'It looked more like a narrow river with soft, sandy banks,' said Ahmed. The water sparkled under the sun, and wooden abras gently moved as they carried people between Bur Dubai and Deira - the two oldest parts of the city. 'There were no tall buildings, no glass towers. Most structures were just one storey. A two-storey building was a big thing. The skyline was flat, and the wind moved freely through wind towers and coral stone walls,' said the helmsman who steers boat number 63. From a helper to a helmsman Today, Ahmed is 67 years old and is lovingly called by his colleagues and long-time passengers 'Bozorg', which means big brother in Persian. He has been steering abras across the creek for over five decades. He started his journey in the abra world with the help of his family. 'My uncle was an abra driver. At first, I would just sit with him and collect money from passengers. Back then, every abra had two people in charge- one to steer the boat and one to collect fares.' He described it as a job with non-stop movement. 'We didn't even have time to drink water. The abra was the city's lifeline. People waited in long lines. Every trip was full.' In those early years, there were only about 30 abras. Today, there are 150 traditional wooden boats and many modern electric ones, ferrying residents and tourists across the creek for just one dirham. Ahmed has changed boats eight times, and the one he uses now has been with him for the last 30 years. 'We used to sell our boats after using them for a few years, just like how people sell their cars today.' Memories of old stations Ahmed still remembers the old names of abra stations that have disappeared from today's maps. What is now the busy Gold Souk station used to be called Bandar Talib. Baniyas station was Bandar Garage. Stations like Bazaar Murshid and Al Ras are now gone, Ahmed said. 'There used to be many stations. Now there are just four,' he said. But one thing hasn't changed: the sound and feel of the abra. 'I still love the sound of the motor, the splash of water on the wooden boat, and the peaceful feeling as it glides across the creek.' 'When I close my eyes, I can still picture the old creek. It was quiet. The air smelled like salt and wood. Life moved much, much slower back then.' Witness to Dubai's evolution Ahmed has seen it all - the birth of the UAE in 1971, the first buildings that touched the sky, the metro, and the shining towers of Downtown Dubai. 'I saw roads, parks, and bridges being built. Now, look at the skyscrapers, malls, trams, and people from all over the world,' he said. 'But the abra, it's still here.' 'My hair has turned grey, but my memory of Dubai is clear. I have seen the whole journey,' he added. Even today, he begins work at 6am, greeting passengers and guiding his abra across the creek. 'Some of my passengers now are the children and grandchildren of people I ferried in the 1970s and 1980s. I am proud to say I have served generations.' A proud grandfather Ahmed's family still lives in Iran. He has eight children - five boys and three girls - and many grandchildren, some of whom are doctors and lawyers. 'I am a proud grandfather,' he said with a smile. Dubai's floating memory Dubai has become a modern city, but the abra and its longtime drivers remain a link to the past. If you go to the creek today, you will likely find Ahmed there, with his enthusiasm, just like when he first arrived as a 13-year-old boy looking for a new life. Today, he is the elder of the creek, a living part of its history. 'Dubai has given me everything,' said Ahmed. 'And I have given my life to the abra.'
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
How one gay kiss on 'Dawson's Creek' changed television forever
Picture it: May 24, 2000. The millennium had just dawned, Britney Spears was still a girl, not yet a woman, and the world of teen television was about to serve us an iconic queer pop culture moment we'd never forget. Dawson's Creek, notorious for angsty teens discussing existential dilemmas with a vocabulary beyond their years, showed the first passionate kiss between two men on primetime network television. to get a candid take on what's fresh and fun in + culture this week! Jack McPhee, the charming, gay heartthrob played by Kerr Smith, made history when he shared a heartfelt and unabashed kiss with Ethan, portrayed by Adam Kaufman. The brief scene was filled with courage and vulnerability, full of real and raw energy. For many queer teens watching, it was the first time we'd seen ourselves genuinely reflected, without caricature or comedic sidekick status, in a scene that mirrored our deepest hopes and fears. Jack wasn't comic relief; he wasn't a cautionary tale. He was a teenage boy navigating love, rejection, and self-discovery in the season finale, just like every other character on the show. Of course, the Creek was a primetime soap that didn't entirely reflect the real world. In a 2001 Entertainment Weekly article, Kerr Smith admitted that, while proud of helping to "break TV taboos," he drew the line at same-sex snogging once a year. "That's as far as I'm going to take it," Smith said, "I don't think teenagers need to see two guys kissing on a weekly basis." But that kiss proved that queer teen romance deserved space, visibility, and validation on mainstream television. The CW From that moment forward, the landscape shifted. TV execs realized queer stories weren't just groundbreaking—they were necessary. That brief kiss opened the closet doors of queer teen storylines we see today. Unlike Dawson's Creek, Ryan Murphy's Glee presented queer romance with exuberance, complete with show-stopping musical numbers and dazzling theatrically. However, the essence of that groundbreaking moment in the fictional Massachusetts town has been woven into every storyline since then. Netflix's hit series, Heartstopper, captured the innocence of first love. The power of Jack's kiss has even rippled through genres beyond teen drama. Most recently, in HBO's gritty, post-apocalyptic series, The Last of Us, Ellie (Bella Ramsey) and Dina's (Isabella Merced) relationship is central to the second season's storyline as showcased in the video game. Ellie's moment of romance amid a desolate world still shared that Dawson's Creek essence, full of vulnerability and unflinching honesty. Netflix Nick and Charlie kiss in 'Heartstopper' With one groundbreaking scene, Dawson's Creek established a legacy that enabled queer teen love stories to flourish boldly in mainstream media. But even more importantly, the show taught us that queer teens deserve to see their experiences woven seamlessly into the fabric of pop culture. Today's viewers, steeped and versed in diverse queer representation, might see Jack and Ethan's kiss as tame, perhaps even quaint, by compasrsion. But let's never underestimate the power of the "first." That kiss permitted countless other stories to bloom. - YouTube
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
May's full flower moon: When and where to watch the celestial spectacle
May's full moon, affectionately known as the Flower Moon, will light up the night sky this Sunday, even though it's what astronomers call a 'micromoon.' This name refers to its position at the farthest point in its orbit from Earth, making it appear smaller and dimmer than usual. Still, it promises to be a stunning sight. The moon will officially reach its full phase at 12:56 p.m. ET on Monday, it will appear full to the naked eye. Look toward the southeastern horizon after sunset on Monday; the moon will slowly rise and reach its highest point in the sky after midnight. This Flower Moon is the last in a trio of micromoons for 2025. At the time of this full moon, the moon will be about 251,939 miles (405,456 kilometers) from Earth, compared to its average distance of around 238,855 miles (384,400 kilometers), according to NASA. The name 'Flower Moon' comes from a Comanche tradition, symbolizing the abundance of blooming flora in May. However, different Native American tribes have their own names for this moon. The Creek and Choctaw call it the Mulberry Moon, the Cree refer to it as the Frog Moon, the Anishinaabe name it the Blossom Moon, and the Apache describe this time as the 'season when the leaves are green.' What's next in the night sky? After this micromoon , seven more full moons will grace the skies in 2025. Keep an eye out for supermoons in October, November, and December. Here's the upcoming full moon schedule, according to the Farmers' Almanac: June 11 – Strawberry Moon July 10 – Buck Moon August 9 – Sturgeon Moon September 7 – Corn Moon October 6 – Harvest Moon (Supermoon) November 5 – Beaver Moon (Supermoon) December 4 – Cold Moon (Supermoon) Eclipse alerts for 2025 Two eclipse events are also on the calendar for the latter part of the year: Total Lunar Eclipse (September 7–8) : Best visible from Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, eastern South America, Alaska, and Antarctica. During this event, Earth's shadow will cast a reddish glow on the moon — a phenomenon commonly known as a 'Blood Moon.' Partial Solar Eclipse (September 21) : Viewable mainly from remote areas of Australia, Antarctica, and the Pacific Ocean, this type of eclipse creates the illusion of the moon taking a 'bite' out of the sun.
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Flower Moon 2025: Best date and time to watch the May 2025 full moon
A Distant Glow in the Spring Sky Live Events Why It's Called the Flower Moon Looking Ahead: More Lunar Events in 2025 When and Where to Watch FAQs What is the flower moon? What is the nickname for May's Full moon? (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Skywatchers across the globe are set to witness a special lunar event this week, as the May 2025 full moon — commonly known as the flower moon — graces the night sky in the form of a phenomenon, expected to peak on Monday, May 12 at 12:56 p.m. ET, will be visible from Sunday evening through early Tuesday, offering stargazers an extended window to enjoy this unique full moon, as mentioned in a report by USA the moon will shine brightly, this full moon qualifies as a micromoon, a term used when the moon reaches apogee — the farthest point in its elliptical orbit around this event, the moon will be approximately 251,939 miles (405,456 kilometers) from Earth, significantly farther than its average distance of 238,855 miles (384,400 kilometers), according to a result, the moon will appear around 14% smaller and 30% dimmer than a typical full the reduced size and brightness, the moon's fully illuminated surface will still dominate the sky shortly after sunset on May 11, rising in the southeast and reaching its zenith just after May full moon derives its name, flower moon, from a tradition observed by Indigenous communities across North America, particularly the Algonquin people, who noted the moon's arrival during the height of spring's blooming tribes have offered their own seasonal designations: the Cree call it the frog moon, the Creek and Choctaw refer to it as the mulberry moon, while the Anishinaabe and Apache peoples know it respectively as the blossom moon and the time when 'the leaves are green.'This lunar naming tradition, passed down through generations, continues to be a popular reference point in modern lunar calendars and this final micromoon of the year, there are seven additional full moons slated for 2025. These include the strawberry moon on June 11, buck moon on July 10, and the harvest moon on October in the year, supermoons are forecasted for October, November, and December, when the moon will appear larger and brighter due to its proximity to lunar calendar also features significant eclipses. A total lunar eclipse will take place on September 7 and 8, visible from much of Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, parts of eastern South America, Alaska, and type of eclipse occurs when the Earth aligns between the sun and the moon, casting a shadow that darkens the lunar observe the May 2025 full moon, enthusiasts are advised to find a location with a clear view of the horizon, ideally away from city the moon reaches its fullest point during daylight hours, it will appear near-full on the evenings of May 11 through May 13, offering ample opportunity to witness this seasonal full moon, often called the "Flower Moon" in celebration of spring's abundant blooms, will shine brightly in the night sky this Sunday, even though it qualifies as a 'micromoon.'In many cultures, May's full moon is called the Flower Moon, a tribute to the widespread blossoming that marks the height of spring. It's also known by other names, such as the Hare Moon, Corn Planting Moon, and Milk Moon.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
How to see May's full flower moon
Sign up for CNN's Wonder Theory science newsletter. Explore the universe with news on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements and more. May's full moon, known by its popular nickname as the flower moon to signify the many blossoms of spring, will be bright in the sky on Sunday night — despite it being a 'micromoon.' The full moon technically peaks at 12:56 p.m. ET on Monday, but it will appear full on Sunday and Monday evening, according to EarthSky. The moon will rise low in the southeast after sunset on Monday and ascend to its highest point in the sky after midnight. May's full moon is the third, and final, in a succession of this year's micromoons, which occurs when Earth's natural satellite is at its greatest distance from Earth and appears smaller than a typical full moon. The moon will be 251,939 miles (405,456 kilometers) away from Earth, versus its average distance of 238,855 miles (384,400 kilometers), according to NASA. The moniker of flower moon draws from a Comanche name associated with May's full moon. But indigenous tribes vary in how they refer to the silvery orb during this time of year. The Creek and Choctaw people both refer to it as the mulberry moon, while the Cree call it the frog moon. The Anishnaabe tribe knows it as the blossom moon, and the Apache refer to this moon rising during the 'season when the leaves are green.' Following the final micromoon of the year, there are seven more full moons to look out for in 2025, with supermoons occurring in October, November and December. Here's the list of full moons remaining in 2025, according to the Farmers' Almanac: June 11: Strawberry moon July 10: Buck moon August 9: Sturgeon moon September 7: Corn moon October 6: Harvest moon November 5: Beaver moon December 4: Cold moon In the lead-up to the fall season, two eclipse events will grace the sky. A total lunar eclipse will be most visible from Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, parts of eastern South America, Alaska and Antarctica on September 7 and 8, according to Time and Date.A lunar eclipse, which causes the moon to look dark or dimmed, occurs when Earth is between the sun and moon and the three celestial objects line up in a row so that the moon passes into our planet's shadow. When the moon is within the darkest part of Earth's shadow, called the umbra, it takes on a reddish hue, which has led to the nickname 'blood moon' for a lunar eclipse, according to NASA. That shadow isn't perfect, so sunbeams sneak around the shadow's edges, bathing the moon in warm hues. A partial solar eclipse will occur on September 21 as the moon moves between the sun and Earth but the celestial bodies aren't perfectly aligned, according to NASA. In this type of event, the moon only blocks part of the sun's face, creating a crescent shape in which it appears the moon is taking a 'bite' out of the sun. This event will be visible to more remote areas of Australia, Antarctica and the Pacific Ocean.
