Here’s your must-read guide to the city’s biggest news stories…

In a fast paced city like Dubai, it can be hard to keep up with all the city’s happenings. Which is why we’re bringing you the week in review: a short, digestible overview of the weeks biggest news announcements, trending stories and top happenings.

From the UAE’s first floating station, to a huge expansion plan at Aquaventure waterpark, these are the stories you need to know about this week.

Huge expansion revealed for Aquaventure waterpark at Atlantis The Palm

Aquaventure waterpark at Atlantis The Palm is set to become one of the world’s biggest next year with the addition of a huge 34-metre tall new tower. Trident Tower will introduce an impressive 12 new slides to the waterpark on Palm Jumeirah when it opens in the summer of 2020. Aquaventure is already home to more than 20 rides spread across 17 hectares, so we can’t wait to get our thrill on at the new Trident Tower expansion.

 

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Dubai is now home to the UAE’s first floating station

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has unveiled the UAE’s first floating station. The floating station found at Dubai Festival City is aptly named Dubai Festival City Marine Transport Station and links the Jadaf to Dubai Festival City marine line with public buses and Creek Metro Station. The move is set to improve travel for both residents and tourists, giving easier access to Dubai Festival City. Able to accommodate up to 25 passengers, there is also a pier and shaded outdoor areas at the station, which will provide direct access for ferries, the water bus, water taxi and abras.

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You can now nominate your favourite celebrities for a Dubai Star

Downtown Dubai is set to get its very own Hollywood-style Walk of Fame when the Dubai Stars project opens in October 2019. And if you’ve got a local – or international – celebrity you think simply has to be included, nominations are now open for the first 400 Dubai Stars. Nominations are being split into nine categories: Music, Film, Art, Architecture, Sports, Literature, Social Media Influence, Innovation and Social Work, and you’re allowed to nominate up to three people in each application. You’ll need to be quick to make sure your favourites are nominated in time, as nominations will close on May 31.

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Lionel Messi shows off his skills in new Expo 2020 campaign

Legendary footballer Lionel Messi has kicked off his role as Expo 2020 global ambassador by starring in a new promo video. The recently released, 60-second video shows the world-renowned footballer showing off his football skills before passing the ball around the world. The video was filmed in the UAE, Kenya, UK and India to celebrate cultural diversity and global collaboration. The key theme of Dubai Expo 2020 is ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’, which is highlighted in the powerful new campaign.

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Careem to distribute food donations for free in Dubai over Ramadan

In the spirit of the Holy Month of Ramadan, residents from across Dubai can donate food to those in need in their communities thanks to the UAE Food Bank initiative. And to make it even easier to donate food, Careem will collect donations of fresh, home-cooked meals or extra portions of takeaway (so don’t throw it away) and deliver them to UAE Food Bank fridges across the city completely free of charge. Even if you’re not fasting, it’s a fantastic initiative to get involved in and give back to the community.

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We found a ‘DUBAI’ lake in the Dubai desert

The Dubai desert might be your go-to for dune bashing, sand boarding or a safari, but lake spotting? That might not be your typical Dubai desert hobby. But out on the Dubai – Al Ain road, there’s an amazing manmade lake that’s got ‘DUBAI’ spelled out in trees. The lake is found in a remote part of the desert, just before you get to Sky Dive Dubai Desert Campus and Al Maha Desert Resort, but before you get to the services at the Dubai/ Abu Dhabi border.

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UAE Rulers exchange Ramadan greetings with President Sheikh Khalifa

UAE Rulers, Crown Princes and Deputy Rulers gathered at Al Bateen Palace to exchange Ramadan Greetings with President High Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Wednesday May 8. H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum were among those present, alongside Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

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