Entertainment

Actors wear red pins calling for Gaza ceasefire on Oscars red carpet

Published

2 years ago

March 11, 2024

Staff Reporter

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Los Angeles [US], March 11 (ANI): On the Oscars red carpet, a striking departure from the typical glitz and glamour unfolded, with notable celebrities such as singer Billie Eilish and actor Mark Ruffalo proudly donning red pins as a poignant call for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, The New York Times reported.

This marked a significant departure from the general trend of Hollywood stars shying away from drawing attention to the ongoing conflict during this awards season.

The red pins served as a symbol of solidarity with Artists4Ceasefire, a coalition of celebrities and industry members who, in a collective effort, signed an open letter urging President Joe Biden to advocate for an immediate cease-fire, according to The New York Times.

The list of nearly 400 signatories includes this year’s Oscar nominees Bradley Cooper and America Ferrera, along with prominent names like Cate Blanchett, Drake, Ben Affleck, and Jennifer Lopez.

“The pin symbolizes collective support for an immediate and permanent cease-fire, the release of all of the hostages and for the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza,” Artists4Ceasefire said in a news release. “Compassion must prevail,” the release continued.

One of the entertainers who wore the symbolic pins was comedian and actor Ramy Youssef, who starred in the highly nominated film “Poor Things.” Youssef expressed a mixture of hope and disappointment, saying, “There’s a part of you that hopes it doesn’t have to get to pins… There’s a part of us that hoped we would already be at a cease-fire, and we’re not.”Youssef also reflected on the surprising lack of questions about the war during earlier red carpet events this season. At the Golden Globe Awards in January, he seized an opportunity to redirect a question about Jeremy Allen White’s Calvin Klein ad into a call for a cease-fire. He emphasized that this isn’t about political strategy but a simple plea: “Hey, let’s stop killing kids.”Other notable personalities joining this movement included director Ava DuVernay, actor Quannah ChasingHorse, and Billie Eilish, who won the Best Original Song for “What Was I Made For?” from “Barbie.” Eilish incorporated the red accent into her black-and-white Chanel ensemble, a sentiment echoed by her brother and producer, Finneas, as reported by The New York Times.

While the Israel-Hamas war had a limited presence on red carpets since the Golden Globe Awards in January, where stars wore yellow ribbons in solidarity with hostages held by Hamas, the Oscars served as a platform to renew attention to the humanitarian crisis.

The Artists4Ceasefire pins, resembling glossy red quarters with an image of a hand surrounding a small black heart, have made intermittent appearances throughout the awards season. At the Grammy Awards, members of the indie rock trio boygenius attached these pins to their suits, and actors Tony Shalhoub and Ebon Moss-Bachrach showcased them on the red carpet at the Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Mark Ruffalo, nominated for the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role in “Poor Things,” also proudly displayed an Artists4Ceasefire pin at the Directors Guild of America Awards in February. Ruffalo emphasised the need to give a ceasefire a chance, stating, “We’re not going to bomb our way to peace.”The Israel-Hamas war has resulted in a significant loss of life, with over 30,000 people reported killed in Gaza, according to Gazan officials, and around 1,200 casualties in Israel from the Hamas attack on October 7.

Red carpets at award shows have traditionally provided opportunities for stars to draw attention to various issues. At the 2023 Oscars, blue ribbons were donned to express support for refugees. In 2018, women in Hollywood wore black to the Golden Globes in solidarity with victims of sexual harassment. Natalie Portman, in 2020, wore a cape embroidered with the names of female directors at the Oscars.

While Hollywood stars have increasingly spoken out on political leaders, abortion rights, and racial inequality on award show stages, discussions surrounding the war in the Middle East have been relatively subdued. However, the Grammy Awards saw a slight shift last month when Annie Lennox called for a cease-fire during her musical tribute to singer Sinead O’Connor.

The Los Angeles Police Department anticipated possible protests related to the Israel-Hamas war on the day of the Oscars, leading to increased security around the Dolby Theater, the venue for the awards show.

Ramy Youssef emphasised the unique role of artists in encouraging viewers to engage with humanitarian issues, saying, “There’s that term ‘talking heads’ — I think artists are talking hearts,” he said. “We’re appealing on an emotional level,” The New York Times reported. (ANI)

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Staff Reporter

Entertainment

Emirates Dubai 7s 2026: Tickets on sale as festival returns with bigger family zone

Published

4 days ago

August 31, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Emirates Dubai 7s is returning to The Sevens Stadium from November 27 to 29, with tickets now on sale for the three-day sports and entertainment festival.

The 2026 edition will bring together international rugby, amateur sports, live music and family entertainment, with organisers promising a bigger programme than previous years.

The festival attracted more than 88,000 visitors in 2025 and will again take place during the final weekend of the Dubai Fitness Challenge.

Ticket prices

Ticket prices for General Admission and Hospitality have stayed the same for a third consecutive year.

Three-day General Admission tickets cost Dh595 per person, while the three-day Family Pass is Dh1,136 for two adults and two children.

Other ticket options

Group pass: Dh446 per person for four or more adults
Saturday or Sunday: Dh455
Friday: Dh75
Under 15s: Free
People of Determination + carer: Dh375

Tickets can be purchased through the Emirates Dubai 7s website and app.

Bigger family attractions

Family entertainment will get a major boost this year as the UAE celebrates the Year of the Family.

The festival will feature its biggest-ever Kids’ Zone, including the UAE’s largest inflatable kids’ zone, along with a Ferris wheel and zipline. More attractions are expected to be announced ahead of the event.

Six sports and top rugby action

Alongside elite rugby, visitors can watch or take part in competitions across six sports — rugby, netball, cricket, WODON3 fitness, Rebound padel and Gaelic Football.

Gaelic Football will join the festival for the first time in 2026.

The Sevens Stadium will also host the opening round of the HSBC SVNS Series 2027, bringing the world’s leading rugby sevens players to Dubai.

The WODON3 Elite final will take place on Pitch 1 between HSBC SVNS matches, with competitors potentially performing in front of crowds of up to 20,000.

Music all weekend

Live entertainment will run throughout the festival, with local and international artists performing across three days.

Last year’s line-up included Tinie Tempah, Sean Paul and Fisher, while the 2026 headline acts will be announced later.

For a premium experience, The Sunroom returns with all-inclusive food and drinks, shaded seating, prime sporting views and dedicated access. Packages start from Dh1,925 per person.

With sport, music and family attractions packed into one weekend, Emirates Dubai 7s is gearing up for another big Dubai event.

Entertainment

Dubai launches ‘Dubai+’ family streaming platform to boost digital media and creative economy

Published

7 months ago

January 29, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council, has approved the launch of Dubai+, a new family-oriented digital media platform, reinforcing Dubai’s ambition to become a global hub for digital media and the creative economy.

The approval came as Sheikh Ahmed chaired the Dubai Media Council’s first meeting of 2026 at Dubai Media, where members reviewed sector strategies and plans to strengthen content creation, innovation and local production capabilities.

What is Dubai+?

Dubai+ will offer a wide range of family-friendly content, bringing together:

Local and Emirati productions
Arab series and films
International entertainment

The platform reflects Dubai Media’s integrated digital ecosystem strategy, responding to shifting viewer habits and the growing demand for high-quality, on-demand digital content.

“We believe media is a strategic force that shapes awareness, supports development and builds trust,” Sheikh Ahmed said.

Boosting Local Film and Content Production

The Council also reviewed plans to:

Enhance local production capabilities
Support cinema as a cultural and creative industry
Invest in programmes that drive creative and economic growth

Samr Al Marzooqi, Director of Films and Production at the Dubai Media Council, outlined upcoming initiatives aimed at showcasing Emirati and international talent while strengthening Dubai’s film sector.

Next Phase of Growth

Mona Al Marri, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council, said the next phase will focus on monitoring implementation and ensuring measurable outcomes across the sector.

Secretary General Nehal Badri added that priorities include encouraging private sector participation, accelerating content development, and investing in talent, advanced production technologies and future-ready capabilities.

Announcements

DP World ILT20 Crowns ‘Habibi & Habibti’ as mascot winners

Published

10 months ago

November 2, 2025

Staff Reporter

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The DP World International League T20 concluded its first-of-its-kind Mascot Design Competition this week. The competition was held from 4 July to 21 September.

The competition captured the imagination of students across the UAE. With an overwhelming number of entries, the activation demonstrated the extraordinary creativity, enthusiasm, and energy that cricket inspires among young minds, making it a truly nationwide celebration of sport, culture, and community.

The grand mascot unveiling was held at the Sheikh Rashid Auditorium, Indian High School, Oud Metha. The winning student, Levin Veeroy Fernandes, was officially announced, and his imaginative design (Habibi and Habibti) was transformed into the official mascot of the DP World ILT20, now set to become the face of the league for seasons to come.

The event featured an exciting reveal ceremony, with the student’s design brought to life and presented in front of a vibrant audience, celebrating not only Levin’s creativity but also the remarkable participation of schools and students across the UAE.

The DP World ILT20 extends its heartfelt thanks to all participants whose contributions made this initiative a resounding success. Each entry brought unique ideas and perspectives, reinforcing the league’s commitment to inspiring young minds and celebrating the spirit of cricket.

DP World ILT20 CEO David White: “On behalf of team DP World International League T20, I want to thank all the participants for their efforts. For us, all of you are winners, we are delighted with the interest that the competition created across the UAE.

“The DP World ILT20 is all about UAE and the development of the sport amongst present and future generations of cricketers. Sport and cricket in particular has helped bring together a number of communities and nationalities across the UAE. Cricket has a four-decade long legacy in the country and with the continued growth of the league, the future of cricket not only in the UAE but across the Gulf region is bright and exciting.”

Indian High Schools Group CEO Shri Punit MK Vasu: “Our partnership with DP World ILT20 presents a remarkable platform for our learners to witness world-class cricket in Dubai while embracing the deeper lessons the sport imparts.

“At The Indian High Group of Schools, we uphold the belief that cricket’s enduring spirit fosters respect, discipline, leadership, resilience, teamwork, and composure under pressure, values that cultivate not only accomplished athletes, but also well-rounded, future-ready individuals prepared to lead with integrity, ethics and purpose in a global arena.”

The DP World International League T20 Season 4 will begin on Tuesday, 2 December – UAE National Day (Eid-Al-Etihad) with a blockbuster opening, the six-team, 34-match tournament will conclude with the final on Sunday, 4 January 2026.