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SIBF back to its roaring best!

Published

4 years ago

November 7, 2021

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Visitors and exhibitors give a huge thumbs up to organisers for making SIBF return to pre-pandemic levels
Sharjah: Visitors and exhibitors at the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) have given a huge thumbs up to its organisers for helping it return to its roaring best.
Taking place at the Sharjah Expo Centre until November 13, the event is being held
under the theme ‘There’s always a right book’ by the Sharjah Book Authorty (SBA). As many as 81 countries are exhibiting over 1.7m titles during the 11-day festival now in its 40th year. An estimated 2.52 million visitors are expected to throng the festival that will see over 2,000 exhibitors and close to 1,000 cultural and culinary activities. But many first-timers say they have been wowed by the event’s vibe and opportunities already on Day 1.
“It’s been fabulous right from the start. The openness of the exhibition has totally floored me,” said Dr Daniele Buzzuro, founder of DreamyourMind, a two-decades old Italian publisher based in Rome, exhibiting in Hall number 5 while comparing SIBF to some of the recent film festivals he has been a part of recently. “SIBF is perhaps as big, if not bigger, as the Rome film festival I just attended last month and that is because of the openness of this festival. It’s relaxed for visitors and exhibitors and yet so safe making it accessible to everyone.”
“It is liberating and so refreshing to be back on the ground at a festival like this,” said Josephine Garanina, a representative of the National Literatures of the People of Russia stall at the SIBF. “This is also our opportunity to take other dialects and languages from Russia to the rest of the world and there couldn’t have been a better setting than this,” added Garanina, who’s making a return to SIBF this edition after a Covid-induced gap year.
However for most local entities, SIBF is back to where it belonged – to its ‘roaring best’. “There’s absolutely no doubt about it. You just have to look around and notice the vibes. I haven’t seen an opening day turnout like this in my 35 years here,” said Mohamed Hussienoun, a researcher at the Government of Sharjah’s Department of Culture that’s also exhibiting in hall number 5 at the SIBF.
“It’s the same feeling for me,” said Ahmed Abu Al-Dahab who is representing the Riyadh-based Saudi company International Islamic Publishing House that’s been exhibiting Islamic books in over 70 languages here in Sharjah for over three decades. “I have been coming to this venue for over 25 years and to me, everything looks like good old time,” added the Egyptian who works as the sales manager.

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Dubai-based expat wins Dh150,000 in Big Ticket Abu Dhabi raffle

Published

11 hours ago

June 26, 2025

Michael Gomes

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An Indian expat living in Dubai has won Dh150,000 in the latest Big Ticket Abu Dhabi weekly e-draw, part of Series 276.

Naushadh Chathery, a 37-year-old driver from Kerala, struck lucky in the weekly raffle. He has been living and working in Dubai for the past 15 years while his family remains back home in India.

Win 20 Years in the Making

Chathery has been participating in Big Ticket for two decades, sometimes solo, sometimes with a group of friends. For this draw, he opted for the popular ‘Buy 2, Get 4 Free’ bundle with 10 friends, and it was one of the free tickets that clinched their win.

Chathery said that the group plans to split the prize, and he will save his share. His eyes are now firmly set on the grand prize of Dh25 million.

Countdown to Dh25 Million Grand Draw

The Dh150,000 prize comes ahead of the grand finale on July 3, when one lucky winner will walk away with Dh25 million. On the same day, three others will win Dh75,000 each as part of the e-draw series.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.bigticket.ae or at counters at Zayed International Airport and Al Ain Airport.

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Got traffic fines in Abu Dhabi? Pay early and save up to 35%

Published

11 hours ago

June 26, 2025

Michael Gomes

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Abu Dhabi Police are reminding motorists to take advantage of generous discounts on traffic fines if they pay early.

Under the ongoing “Take the Initiative and Benefit” campaign, drivers can get a 35% discount on fines if they settle them within 60 days of issuance. After that, a 25% discount still applies, but only for non-serious violations.

Easy, Digital Payments

To make things easier, the fines can be paid through multiple digital channels, including the Abu Dhabi Police website and mobile app, ensuring quick, hassle-free transactions.

The initiative is part of a broader effort to:

Promote road safety
Encourage responsible driving
Support the community by easing financial burdens and encouraging legal compliance

Don’t Let Fines Pile Up

Brigadier Mahmoud Yousef Al Balushi, Director of the Traffic and Security Patrols Directorate, stressed the importance of timely payment and compliance with traffic laws. Avoiding delays not only ensures a cleaner driving record, but also helps residents make the most of available discounts.

The discounts

35% discount: Pay within 60 days
25% discount: After 60 days (excludes serious violations)
Pay easily via the official website and app
Campaign goal: Safer roads, less financial stress

So if you’ve got a traffic fine, now’s the time to clear it.

News

Dubai’s Jebel Ali Metro Station gets a new name

Published

11 hours ago

June 26, 2025

Michael Gomes

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Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced a major naming rights deal that will see Jebel Ali Metro Station rebranded as National Paints Metro Station for the next decade.

The move follows a partnership between National Paints Factories Co. and Hypermedia, in coordination with Mada Media, the RTA’s exclusive naming rights concessionaire. The deal positions the metro station, located in the heart of the Jebel Ali Free Zone, one of Dubai’s most active industrial corridors, as a powerful branding platform.

A Strategic Public-Private Collaboration

Abdul Mohsen Kalbat, CEO of RTA’s Rail Agency, said the agreement reflects the government’s ongoing efforts to deepen collaboration with the private sector while opening new doors for business and employment.

Mada Media CEO Mohamad Al Hammadi echoed the sentiment, calling the deal a new chapter in turning metro stations into high-impact media zones. National Paints Managing Director Samer Sayegh added that the renaming aligns with the company’s commitment to supporting the UAE’s urban and infrastructure development.

What’s Next?

The transition will roll out gradually between July and October 2025, during which all signs, maps, digital boards, mobile apps, and onboard announcements will be updated to reflect the new National Paints Metro Station branding.

The station is part of Dubai Metro’s Red Line, serving a key economic zone that’s home to major industrial players and logistics operations.