Khaleej Times

Come Saturday (March 26) evening and every corner of the UAE including the glittering Burj Khalifa, which has peak electricity demand to light up about 500,000 bulbs of 100w each, will be shrouded in darkness except for a few essential lights as part of Earth Hour and the city’s bid against climate change.

Pakistan Appeal, a star-studded gala dinner organised in Dubai to help the flood victims of Pakistan, raised more than $1 million at Armani Hotel, Burj Khalifa, in Dubai. Former cricketer Imran Khan’s gold-plated and autographed bat, was auctioned for Dh70,000.

Sculptured by Syrian artist Lutfi Romhein, ‘Together’ features an Arab couple dressed in the iconic white dish-dasha and black kandoora in typical Emirati style, made from Italian Carrara marble and Swedish black granite. Commissioned by the owner of the Courtyard Gallery, Samia Saleh, the 4.25 metre-high sculpture rest on a granite base, near the entrance to Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building.

Shoppers crowded the booth of the health festival, which will also be set up at Wafi City, Dubai Mall, Al Ghurair City and in select DSF locations in night souks at Al Riqqa Street, Al Seef Street in Dubai Creek, Global City and in corporate houses. Last year, the Family Health Festival attracted more than 100,000 visitors and tested more than 10,000 for free. This year, the Health Minister expected more individuals to avail of the free checkups and medical and nutritional counseling at the festival in the malls and night souks.

For diners at the world's highest restaurant, due to open today in the Burj Khalifa, the bill will be as stratospheric as the setting. Patrons will be expected to spend a minimum of Dh450 (US$122.52) a head for dinner at At.mosphere Grill & Lounge on the 122nd floor of the Burj Khalifa, according to the reservations hotline. Lunch featuring an "eclectic European cuisine" will cost at least Dh300, while those who want to sit in the lounge for drinks or snacks will need to spend a minimum of Dh200 per person.

The Burj Khalifa show was divided into four acts symbolizing the festive and vibrant atmosphere of DSF and of Dubai itself. The event’s unique water screen projection displayed images of the past and new Dubai in a back drop of light that matched the music beat and the rhythm of performers. Thousands of families thronged to this area to witness the performances. The water fountain came alive with lively music melodies at the event and a spectacular firework display lit the Burj Khalifa sky.

A few days after its first anniversary, the Burj Khalifa, is inspiring a similar structure in China. The People’s Daily, in a report on Thursday, said the proposed $1.3 billion tower (the Burj cost an estimated $1.5 billion to build) would come up in Mentougou district of the capital and would house a seven-star hotel.

Dubai Bank on Monday announced that it had won the award for Banking and Finance Implementation of the Year at the Arabian Computer News (ACN) Arab Technology Awards. The award was accepted by Dubai Bank CIO Faizal Eledath during the ceremony held at the Armani Hotel, Burj Khalifa.

Emirates NBD, a leading bank in the region, announced that customers applying for personal or priority banking products or services at any of the four Emirates NBD branches in the Burj Khalifa area, will have several opportunities to win a ‘stay for two’ at the Jal Fujairah Resort and Spa, located on the east coast of the UAE.

Emaar Hospitality Group, the hospitality & leisure subsidiary of global property developer Emaar Properties PJSC, won six awards at the World Travel Awards 2010 with Emaar Hospitality being voted as the ‘Middle East’s Leading Tourism Property Development Company,’ and The Address Hotels + Resorts winning awards for all its properties in Dubai.