Latest news with #Liwa
Times of Oman
6 days ago
- General
- Times of Oman
Four citizens arrested in arson and theft cases
Muscat: Police command in North Al Batinah apprehended multiple suspects in two separate criminal incidents. In the first case, a citizen was arrested for deliberately setting fire to a vehicle in front of a residence in the Wilayat of Liwa. Meanwhile, in another incident in the Wilayat of Sohar, three citizens were detained for forcefully entering a residence and engaging in acts of vandalism and theft. The suspects reportedly stole several air conditioning units from a building. Royal Oman Police said: 'Legal proceedings against the suspects are currently underway.'
What's On
22-05-2025
- What's On
What does a day out at Al Dhafra Resort in Abu Dhabi feel like?
Your ideal desert escape… Abu Dhabi's impressive portfolio of desert-themed escapes never fails to hit the mark – they're all-inclusive properties that come with a freeing road trip complimentary. So when we heard IHG were taking over this property to turn it into the ultimate desert escapade, our curiosity was piqued, the car was loaded, and we were on the nice, long 160/kph-limit stretch out to the desert in no time. Check-in and first feel You're welcomed with a selection of Liwa dates and steaming cups of traditional Arabic coffee upon arrival. For a resort, this has to be one of the easiest to navigate in our experience – without making you feel like there's too little to do and see. From desert-themed recreational activities to a very decent-sized gym, to an infinity pool and sunbeds to work on your holiday tan, and balconies that will have you plucking ripened dates off palms, you'll feel at home in no time while exploring a very impressive resort. The space One thing that stood out to us repeatedly is how ideal this resort would be for patrons seeking a full buyout, and you can't help, for a second, while you're stood at the centre of it all, feel like you're wandering around a private courtyard. If you're heading out to this resort to celebrate a destination wedding, have a big ol' family reunion, or hold a corporate retreat to remember, this is it. It's large enough to accommodate your F&B and R&R needs, with everything so wonderfully accessible – no waiting around for golf carts to get to the main plaza, pool or restaurant. Did we mention they also have a neat ballroom with a projector, in case that corporate retreat recommendation was giving you ideas? Rooms A Deluxe King Room with Desert View envelopes you in 32 square metres of Arabian comfort amid the mighty desert dunes. While their rooms may not be villas with private pools, they're very spacious and well-equipped, allowing you to sprawl out on lavish couches and comfy beds that will have you catching your Z's in no time. Most rooms have a pool view (overlooking the central courtyard), and for refreshments, your minibar comes with an impressive selection of soft drinks, alcoholic beverages and nibbles (chargeable). Of course, you also have a neat selection of herbal teas and coffee pods for that morning jump start. Your wardrobes are equipped with all the essentials for a comfy weekend getaway, such as two pairs of slippers, bathrobes, and ironing facilites. For larger parties, we'd recommend the One-Bedroom Liwa Suite or the Two-Bedroom Shamal Suite, complete 'homes', if you will. Food and Drink While Al Dhafra Resort only has the one restaurant on site, Al Badiya, it's all you'd really need. The menu packs in traditional Arabic favourites such as lentil soup and baba ghanoush, and other tasty dishes such as the truffle mushroom soup (our personal favourite) and the shish tawouk skewers. The breakfast buffet is flush with the usual favourites – bread varieties, eggs cooked however you like, fruit platters, cereals, and more. Layali, their neat on-site bar is classy and intimate without being intimidating. Complete with a baby piano just steps away from the main complex, it's a quaint spot where you can relax with friends and family after a day exploring the resort, or one you can head to for a quick nightcap before you retire with plans to get the best out of your next day on site. Activities Like most other resorts built in the desert here in Abu Dhabi, you'll be able to experience traditional Arabian activities – a popular draw especially for those visiting from overseas – such as taking pictures with a falcon, riding a camel across the dunes, a traditional basket weaving experience, sand bottle artistry and stargazing in the desert. What's On verdict: Relaxed and refined, this is a great staycation spot waiting to be discovered. Al Dhafra Resort, Vignette Collection, an IHG Hotel, Madinat Zayed, Abu Dhabi. Tel: (0)2 656 2512. @ > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
Bahrain News Gazette
23-02-2025
- Business
- Bahrain News Gazette
Shaikha Hessa bint Khalifa Inaugurates Fourth INJAZ Bahrain Youth Festival
Manama: Her Highness Shaikha Hessa bint Khalifa Al Khalifa, Chairperson of INJAZ Bahrain, inaugurated the fourth edition of the INJAZ Bahrain Youth Festival at Marassi Galleria, attended by Rawan bint Najeeb Tawfiqi, Minister of Youth Affairs, and more than 10,000 visitors. The festival featured a marketplace showcasing local products and services developed by young Bahraini entrepreneurs from various schools and universities. According to Bahrain News Agency, the festival, held on February 20-21, commenced with the Company Programme qualifiers, where participating student companies were assessed. On the second day, Shaikha Hessa bint Khalifa Al Khalifa formally launched the event alongside officials, including Minister of Youth Affairs Rawan bint Najeeb Tawfiqi, Shaikha Hessa bint Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and INJAZ Bahrain Board Members. More than 800 students participated in the festival, showcasing 73 student-led companies, including 25 from universities and 48 from high schools. Supported by Tamkeen as a strategic partner and hosted by Marassi Galleria, the event underscored Bahrain's entrepreneurial spirit. A panel of judges assessed the student companies on the opening day, nominating the top teams for INJAZ Bahrain's National Competition in April. The judges included Buthaina Amin (Bapco Refining), Latifa Mutaywea (Brinc), Sara Adel (Tamkeen), and Yasser Abdulaziz for the secondary school category, while Eyad Ebrahim (National Bank of Bahrain), Faten Mattar (Mattar Jewellers), Manaf Al Muhandis (Al Salam Bank), and Safa Sharif (WSI Consulting) evaluated university teams. The first day featured a traditional Liwa performance, followed by student evaluations, an oud recital by Mansoor Faisal, and a performance by Abyooki and the Kushari band. The second day included a qanoon performance, stage activities, and concluded with a musical performance by the Mohammed Bin Faris Band. Shaikha Hessa bint Khalifa Al Khalifa described the festival as a celebration of youth creativity and entrepreneurship, reinforcing INJAZ Bahrain's 20-year commitment to empowering young minds. She expressed appreciation for Tamkeen's strategic partnership and Marassi Galleria's support in providing a platform for young entrepreneurs. Rawan bint Najeeb Tawfiqi, Minister of Youth Affairs, commended INJAZ Bahrain for fostering youth innovation and entrepreneurship, aligning with Bahrain's vision to empower future leaders. She highlighted INJAZ Bahrain's efforts in equipping young people with essential skills and high-quality programmes that prepare them for active participation in national development. Since its establishment in 2005 as part of Junior Achievement Worldwide, INJAZ Bahrain has equipped young people with the skills and mindset needed to thrive in the global economy. Guided by its core values of youth potential, hands-on learning, integrity, and collaboration, the organisation, under the leadership of Shaikha Hessa bint Khalifa Al Khalifa, has impacted more than 680,000 students over 18 years, supported by over 11,000 volunteers, 290 schools, and 15 universities.
The Guardian
26-01-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Dealing With the Dead by Alain Mabanckou review – surreal murder mystery in Congo-Brazzaville
Alain Mabanckou, the acclaimed Francophone-Congolese writer, repeatedly returns in his books to his childhood home, Pointe-Noire in Congo-Brazzaville, where he was born in 1966. His latest novel is no exception. Dealing With the Dead begins as a ghost story and ends with an excoriating account of kleptocracy. Mabanckou, who studied law in Paris and currently teaches literature at the University of California, Los Angeles, clearly enjoys experimenting with styles and blends magic realism, crime, mythology and satire into the mix, while echoes of Marcel Proust and Nathaniel Hawthorne add to the tale's rich texture. Like his titular protagonist in Black Moses (translated by Helen Stevenson and longlisted for the 2017 Man Booker international prize) Mabanckou's picaresque hero, Liwa, is an orphan. The novel is divided into three parts. In the first, entitled The Longest Dream of Your Death, Liwa wakes in Frère-Lachaise, the 'cemetery of the poor', to discover he had died three days earlier, aged 24. Through a series of vignettes, we are transported with Liwa back to Trois-Cents, the poor neighbourhood where he grew up. In the middle segment, Liwa is visited by his new, ghostly community, eager to share their own experiences and deaths – these surreal encounters are treated matter-of-factly by Mabanckou. In the final part, Liwa returns to the fateful night he lost his life in order to confront his murderer and the novel turns into something darker. Dealing With the Dead is peopled by an array of memorable characters, from Prosper Milandou, a former director of human resources who becomes Frère-Lachaise's head of department, to Lully Madeira, a hump-backed musician who sold his soul to the féticheur (witch-doctor), in return for fame and glory. Mabanckou immerses us in Liwa's tale, creating the uncanny sense of a corpse communing with his sentient self. The three parts never fully coalesce, but Mabanckou interweaves horror and gallows humour to great effect, the shifts in tone are beautifully controlled, and his prose is rendered into exquisite English by Stevenson. Dealing With the Dead by Alain Mabanckou (translated by Helen Stevenson) is published by Serpent's Tail (£14.99). To support the Guardian and Observer order your copy at Delivery charges may apply
