Foo Fighters cancel F1 Abu Dhabi concert for medical reasons

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The Foo Fighters rock band has called off its concert at the Formula One race in Abu Dhabi due to “unforeseen medical circumstances,” event organizers said Sunday.

The organizers offered no further details about the medical issue, other than to say that Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters were “unable to travel” to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for Sunday’s concert.

“The band apologizes for any inconvenience or disappointment caused by this unexpected turn of events,” the statement added. The band offered no immediate comment about the issue on its social media.

Emirati state-linked newspaper The National quoted concert promoter John Lickrish as saying that a member of the band was rushed to a hospital from an airport in Chicago, where the band stopped on the way to Abu Dhabi. He didn’t elaborate on what happened but said the band managers had called him to cancel.

The Foo Fighters last performed in Fresno, California, on Thursday and had been scheduled to end their rock tour in Abu Dhabi.

Instead, organizers said that Dutch DJ Martin Garrix and France’s DJ Snake would perform at the concert that closes the Formula One season at Yas Island, off the east coast of Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates.

-Associated Press-

Following Dubai, more UAE malls, restaurants reopen

DUBAI - Malls in the United Arab Emirates' capital Abu Dhabi began reopening to a restricted number of customers this weekend as the UAE eases lockdown measures imposed more than a month ago to combat the novel coronavirus.

Three Abu Dhabi malls reopened on Saturday at 30 percent customer capacity after adopting safety measures, including installing thermal inspection devices, the government media office tweeted and Sharjah emirate said it would reopen malls on Sunday.

Malls, dine-in restaurants and cafes in Dubai, the UAE's business and tourism hub, had earlier resumed operations with limited capacity. Shoppers must wear face masks and gloves and keep their distance.

Sharjah emirate's media office said malls, salons and dine-in restaurants could resume operations on Sunday.

Other public venues such as schools, mosques and cinemas remain closed in the UAE, which has so far reported nearly 13,600 infections and 119 deaths from the virus. It does not give a breakdown for each of its seven emirates.

The UAE had also relaxed a nationwide curfew, first announced on March 26, with the start of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan on April 24.

-reuters-

World's oldest pearl found in Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABI - An 8,000-year-old pearl that archaeologists say is the world's oldest will be displayed in Abu Dhabi, according to authorities who said Sunday it is proof the objects have been traded since Neolithic times.

The natural pearl was found in the floor of a room discovered during excavations at Marawah Island, off the capital of the United Arab Emirates, which revealed the earliest architecture found in the country.

"The layers from which the pearl came have been carbon dated to 5800-5600 BC, during the Neolithic period," Abu Dhabi's Department of Culture and Tourism said.

"The discovery of the oldest pearl in the world in Abu Dhabi makes it clear that so much of our recent economic and cultural history has deep roots that stretch back to the dawn of prehistory," said its chairman Mohamed Al-Muabarak.

The excavation of the Marawah site, which is made up of numerous collapsed Neolithic stone structures, has also yielded ceramics, beads made from shell and stone, and flint arrowheads.

The "Abu Dhabi Pearl" will be shown for the first time in the exhibition "10,000 years of Luxury" which is opening on October 30 at the Louvre Abu Dhabi -- the outpost of the famous Paris museum.

Emirati experts believe that the pearls were traded with Mesopotamia -- ancient Iraq -- in exchange for ceramics and other goods. They were also likely worn as jewelry. 

"The Venetian jewel merchant Gasparo Balbi, who traveled through the region, mentions the islands off the coast of Abu Dhabi as a source of pearls in the 16th century," the culture department said.

The pearl industry once underpinned the economy of the United Arab Emirates, but the trade collapsed in the 1930s with the advent of Japanese cultured pearls, and as conflicts rocked global economies. 

Instead, the Gulf nations turned to the oil industry which dominates their economies to this day.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Etihad, IBM sign $700-M tech deal

MANILA - Etihad Airways and IBM have entered into a 10-year technology services agreement worth approximately $700 million.

The deal aims to provide Etihad with world-class infrastructure and security, and improve efficiency through IBM's technology services.

The agreement includes plans for the creation of a new cloud data center in Abu Dhabi, which is envisioned to be one of the most sophisticated technology facilities in the Middle East.

“This is a long-term, strategic partnership which will allow Etihad Airways and its partners to harness the latest technologies as we deliver our award-winning services. This is a game-changing agreement for Etihad Airways, for our partners and employees, and for Abu Dhabi," said James Hogan, Etihad Airways president and chief executive officer.

As part of the agreement, around 100 Etihad Airways information technology employees will transition to IBM, where they will have access to further IT skills development opportunities.

IBM will manage the data center operation, including individual infrastructure services and IT help desk for Etihad Airways.

“This landmark agreement, a fundamental part of our technology and innovation strategy, will bring us a global IT delivery platform that is secure, resilient and future-ready for Etihad Airways’ companies and equity partner airlines," Robert Webb, Etihad Airways’ chief IT officer said.

In 2014, Etihad Airways carried 14.8 million passengers.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

McIlroy upbeat despite another Abu Dhabi near-miss

ABU DHABI - Rory McIlroy remained upbeat despite a barren seven-hole spell ensuring he suffered yet another near-miss in his bid to win the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.

A final round 66 on Sunday left McIlroy one stroke adrift of surprise winner Gary Stal and meant he finished runner-up in Abu Dhabi, his usual season-opener, for the fourth time in five years.

McIlroy's troubles were mostly confined to a difficult third round on Saturday, when he carded a one-under par 71 including just two birdies to start the final round eight off the pace.

Still, he was left looking on the bright side. "I feel it's been great because there are a couple of things to work on and hopefully that will make me perform in a couple of weeks time," McIlroy told reporters.

"I went (seven) holes without a birdie from yesterday to today, so it was nice to finally get it going, but that little stretch cost me the tournament."

France's Stal emerged from the pack to claim his first European Tour victory as U.S. Open champion Martin Kaymer surrendered a 10-stroke mid-round lead.

Had McIlroy's eagle chip on the last hole found the cup instead of grazing the edge and drifting long, the world number one would have forced a playoff.

McIlroy's fortunes turned after he recruited long-time caddie JP Fitzgerald to help read the greens from the eighth hole onwards.

He then made six birdies to finish a stroke behind Stal's 19-under (269) and one clear of Kaymer, who dropped six shots following two penalty drops.

"I know what it's like to let a lead slip. It's tough, a couple of bad swings, some guys make birdies around you and all of a sudden from being very comfortable you're put under pressure," said McIlroy.

"You'd think there was only one winner, but it goes to show funny things can happen and if you stay patient your time will come. It was just a little too late for me."

McIlroy will remain in the United Arab Emirates ahead of Dubai's Desert Classic, which begins on Jan. 29.

"My only bogey was a three-putt. Tee to green, I can't fault that. I feel I hit the ball very well," said McIlroy.

"I didn't putt as well I would have liked this week. Yesterday was a bit of a disappointment, but overall it was a good start to the season."

(Reporting by Matt Smith; Editing by Ian Chadband)

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com