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Al Etihad
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Al Etihad
UK rock legends Oasis kick off 'historic' comeback tour
5 July 2025 00:50 Cardiff (AFP)British rock legends Oasis kicked off their hotly anticipated worldwide reunion tour in Cardiff on Friday, commencing an unlikely comeback few thought possible nearly 16 years after last performing together."Manchester vibes in the area," Liam Gallagher, frontman for the band from the northern English city, told an ecstatic 74,000-strong crowd in the Welsh capital shortly after coming on 1990s Britpop outfit behind hit songs including "Wonderwall" and "Live Forever" then launched into their first track of the night, the 1995 hit "Hello". Oasis play two consecutive nights of concerts in Cardiff's Principality Stadium to mark the start of a 41-date run of gigs spanning the once-warring Gallagher brothers have put aside their differences for the Oasis Live '25 tour, which will see them next play five hometown gigs in Manchester starting July sold-out British and Irish concerts will follow at London's Wembley Stadium, Edinburgh's Murrayfield and Dublin's Croke Park, before the tour's international band's 1990s gigs are the stuff of legend but the chance to see them perform again was long seen as a remote prospect, following one of music's bitterest break-ups. Carnival atmosphere Fans began packing Cardiff's stadium from late afternoon, thrilled at the end of that long hiatus. Fans thronging the Welsh capital had travelled from far and wide -- including from across the Americas and various European countries -- to witness what many were calling a "historic moment"."We've come just for this," said American Mark Cassidy, 31, who flew to Britain with a friend from New York for the opening tour is expected to be a boon for the struggling UK economy, with fans spending on tickets, transport and accommodation."I literally can't wait -- I'm so excited!" Kira, a 25-year-old operations manager from Dundee in Scotland, said after splashing out £130 ($177) at the official merch shop on an Oasis hoodie, poster and recounted snagging her two opening night tickets in the frenzied online scramble last summer. 'Rough and ready' Oasis announced the comeback tour last August, days before the 30th anniversary of their debut album "Definitely Maybe".The Manchester rockers split acrimoniously in brothers maintained a war of words about each other for more than a decade, performing individually over those years but never chaotic clamour for tickets after their surprise reunion announcement devolved into outrage over sudden price hikes that saw Britain's competition watchdog threaten legal tickets costing thousands of pounds have surfaced, while fans have also been targeted by online are being supported in the UK by Richard Ashcroft, frontman of British rock band The Verve, as well as 1990s indie band his debut tour performance, Ashcroft said he was "proud to be here on this historic night", joking that he felt like he was in then launched into "Sonnet", the 1997 hit song he released as frontman of The Principality Stadium has its roof closed for both nights, adding to an anticipated incredible reportedly began jamming together months ago, before rehearsing in London more band has welcomed several new members for the tour, including a keyboard player and in the tour programme, Noel, 58, reflected on the band's enduring popularity, saying "a new generation recognises how Oasis wasn't manufactured". "It was chaotic, and flawed, and not technically brilliant. We were rough and ready guys from a rehearsal room, and people recognised it."
Al Etihad
3 hours ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
UAE hosts ‘BRICS Youth Dialogue' in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
4 July 2025 22:25 RIO DE JANEIRO (ALETIHAD) Marking a milestone in youth engagement, the United Arab Emirates brought its pioneering 'Youth Dialogue' model to Brazil for the very first time as part of its broader participation in the BRICS partnership with Rio de Janeiro's iconic Museum of Tomorrow, the UAE hosted a dynamic BRICS Youth Dialogue, uniting 40 Brazilian university students from four universities in a future focused conversation on international cooperation, sustainability, and the essential role of youth in shaping and influencing the global session was led by Saeed Al Hajeri, Assistant Minister for Economic and Trade Affairs and UAE's BRICS Sherpa, alongside Saleh Al Suwaidi, UAE Ambassador to the Federative Republic of his remarks, Al Hajeri said, 'This dialogue reflects the UAE's deep belief that multilateral cooperation must embrace the voices, ideas, and ambitions of the next generation. We do not see youth merely as future leaders, but as essential partners in shaping the solutions we urgently need today. "Brazil is a key partner for the UAE both within the BRICS framework and beyond - and we believe that lasting partnerships are built not only through trade and diplomacy, but through trust, connection, and shared aspirations. That begins with open conversations like the one we are having here today. 'It is no coincidence that for more than a decade the Arab Youth Survey has named the UAE as the country where most young people in the Middle East would like to live. A testament to the safety, opportunity, and optimism we strive to foster. Through partnerships like this, we aim to extend that same spirit of possibility across the BRICS community.'
Al Etihad
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Al Etihad
UAE expresses solidarity with Italy over explosion at gas station
4 July 2025 23:09 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD) The United Arab Emirates has expressed its solidarity with the Italian Republic, over an explosion at a gas station in the capital, Rome, which resulted in several injuries. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) affirmed the UAE's support for the people and government of Italy, as well as its wishes for a speedy recovery for all the injured.
Al Etihad
3 hours ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
Rwanda Embassy in UAE marks National Day
4 July 2025 22:33 ABU DHABI (WAM)Sultan Mohammed Al Shamsi, UAE Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Development Affairs and International Organisations, attended a reception hosted by John Mirenge, Ambassador of the Republic of Rwanda to the UAE, on the occasion of his country's National reception, held at Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi, was also attended by members of the Arab and foreign diplomatic corps accredited to the UAE, along with members of the Rwandan community residing in the his address, the Rwandan Ambassador praised the strong and longstanding relations between Rwanda and the UAE, particularly in the economic field, where the UAE stands as Rwanda's largest trading partner globally. He affirmed the presence of numerous opportunities to further enhance and develop bilateral ties in the interest of both friendly nations, calling on Emirati companies and investors to explore investment prospects in Rwanda.
Al Etihad
5 hours ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
Mohammed bin Rashid announces completion of '1 Billion Meals' project
4 July 2025 20:46 DUBAI (ALETIHAD)His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced the successful completion of the humanitarian project launched in Ramadan 2022 to provide one billion meals to those in need Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid stated, 'Three years ago we launched a humanitarian project aimed at distributing 1 billion meals to those in need globally. The project has fully achieved its goal this month, distributing one billion meals across 65 countries. An additional 260 million meals will be distributed over the course of next year.'His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid added, 'We have also established sustainable real estate endowments to ensure the continued provision of food aid in the years to come.'His Highness concluded, 'We thank God for the ability to give, for the chance to fulfil our promise, and for the blessing of this good nation, whose kindness has touched the world. May God protect the UAE and its people, and may they always be a symbol of good and generosity.'The 1 Billion Meals initiative built upon the success of the previous '10 Million Meals' and '100 Million Meals' campaigns launched in 2020 and 2021, the largest food aid initiative of its kind in the region, the 1 Billion Meals initiative aims to provide nutritional support to underprivileged individuals, families, women, and children, reflecting the UAE's inclusive approach to humanitarianism, which offers assistance and aid to all communities without ensure its long-term impact and the continued distribution of meals worldwide, the 1 Billion Meals Endowment initiative was launched in 2023 as the largest sustainable food aid endowment Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Secretary-General of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), stated that the MBRGI, guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, mobilises resources and efforts to improve food security in underserved attributed the success of the 1 Billion Meals initiative to the significant community engagement and generous contributions from individuals and organisations across the Gergawi highlighted the vital role of partners, including UN agencies and regional and local organisations, in implementing the initiative, enabling it to deliver one billion meals by the end of July 2025, with plans to reach the pledged total of 1.26 billion meals by the end of Gergawi stated, 'We remain committed to strengthening our strategic partnerships locally, regionally and globally to support those most in need and create sustainable solutions to address food challenges. The MBRGI's commitment to eradicating hunger extends beyond providing meals; it encompasses empowering communities to develop comprehensive strategies to combat poverty and malnutrition. This aligns with the MBRGI's vision for sustainable development and is being actively pursued by a wide range of UN agencies and regional and local partners.'The 1 Billion Meals initiative partnered with UN organisations through two main avenues: direct food aid through distributing food parcels, meals, supplements, smart vouchers, etc., and sustainable projects empowering individuals and families to become self-sufficient. These include empowering farmers and creating jobs in food production and other relevant 1 Billion Meals initiative recorded remarkable achievements in collaboration with several UN partners, including the UN World Food Programme (WFP) - the initiative's largest partner in the direct food aid avenue through the distribution of food parcels and smart UNHCR's contribution to the initiative focused on refugees and displaced communities by delivering food parcels, vouchers, and sustainable 1 Billion Meals initiative collaborated with the UN Trust Fund (UNITLIFE), which focused on sustainable agriculture and women's empowerment in food production. It also collaborated with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), which champions international efforts to eradicate Food Banking Regional Network, a key partner of the initiative under direct food aid, distributed food parcels through local food banks. Life for Relief and Development helped provide food aid to low-income families and individuals through the delivery of food Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment is a strategic partner of the initiative, distributing food parcels in the UAE and other countries. The Emirates Food Bank focused on supporting low-income families and individuals within the the region's largest organisation in the field of charity, humanitarian and aid work, invested over Dh2.2 billion, impacting 149 million people across 118 countries in 2024. The impact encompassed MBRGI's five pillars: Humanitarian Aid and Relief, Healthcare and Disease Control, Spreading Education and Knowledge, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and Empowering Humanitarian Aid and Relief pillar encompasses emergency relief during crises and disasters, as well as sustainable development projects and in 2015, MBRGI consolidated over 30 humanitarian and development initiatives and organisations supported by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for over two decades. Focusing on underserved communities and vulnerable populations, the MBRGI aims to foster hope and address pressing global challenges, particularly in less fortunate regions. It invests in human capital by empowering individuals, honing skills, and building a qualified workforce to drive development. The MBRGI also prioritises improving education, combating poverty and disease, and promoting tolerance and coexistence.
