Dubai, 14th December 2023 - Barracuda, the premier beverage destination in Um Al Quwain, is set to enchant visitors with a month–long celebration of festive joy, as it transforms into a captivating winter Wonderland for its December to Remember event.

With a focus on Gifting, Hosting, and Toasting, Barracuda invites the community to experience the magic of the season through a series of enchanting activations, an advent calendar of promotions, and a whole host of festivities.

Throughout December, Barracuda will be adorned with snow-kissed decorations and enchanting lighting, creating a picturesque setting that promises to immerse visitors in the spirit of the holidays. 

The store will become the ultimate one-stop-shop for all gifting, hosting, and toasting needs, ensuring an unforgettable winter shopping experience, filled with warmth, wonder, and merriment for all.

What to look forward to: 
•    Barracuda Christmas Tree: A majestic centerpiece to set the festive tone
•    Snow Fall: Get immersed into a snowy wonderland with frequent snowfall, creating a magical atmosphere to experience.
•    Digital Greetings Cards: Personalise your season’s greetings with digital cards to share with friends and family across the globe.
•    Daily Evening Light Show: Experience the joy of Barracuda this festive season with snowfall, twinkling lights, moving ornaments, and festive animations in the Winter Wonderland from 5.30pm.
•    Snowglobe Photo Moment: Capture memories in a magnificent snow globe, filled with snow, trees, and more.
•    Advent Calendar of Promotions: Look out for the special daily offers announced every day throughout the 31 days of December.
•    Festive prizes: Participate in exciting competitions for the chance to win a whole host of fabulous prizes.

Whether you're seeking the perfect gift, planning to host a memorable gathering, or looking forward to toasting the season, Barracuda has something for everyone. Just an hour away from Dubai, it’s the largest liquor store in the UAE with over 6,000 Wines, Spirits, and Beers to choose from so it’s worth the trip for your ultimate festive stock-up. 

Visit on a morning and treat yourself to a full English breakfast or visit the beer garden and tuck into a delicious dinner at Thunder Road restaurant and catch the evening snowfall. Barracuda’s “December to Remember” is an invitation for the whole community to visit, engage, and participate in the festive spirit this year.

For more information visit: https://www.originalbarracuda.com/
Barracuda’s Winter Wonderland is open from 1st – 31st December 2023, between 8am – 10pm Thursday and from 8am-11pm Friday- Sunday. 
Barracuda Beach Resort - Al Shebeakah - Umm Al Quawain. +971 6 768 1091 
https://www.instagram.com/originalbarracuda/
https://www.facebook.com/OriginalBarracudaUAE
https://www.originalbarracuda.com/ 

Media Contacts:
Poppy Hawe
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+971 50 384 6172

About The Original Barracuda 
Less than an hour from Dubai you’ll find the largest bottle shop in the UAE. The Original Barracuda first opened its doors in 1994 and has been servicing UAE customers ever since. With over 6000 different products we have the most competitive pricing in the UAE.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – December 13, 2023 – Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE: HPE) today announced that it had signed a partner agreement with du, from Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC), to expand its digital transformation solutions offering. Through this collaboration, du aims to advance its position as a leading reseller and managed services provider for next-gen technologies.

du, one of the leading service providers in the UAE, is focused on enhancing customer experience, driving business growth and scaling their service provider capabilities to address the local business needs of enterprise and public sector customers. 

This partnership with HPE will enable du to modernize and scale their capabilities, create new services to solve local market challenges and requirements, and support customers throughout their digital transformation journey. As an official managed service provider and cross portfolio reseller for HPE solutions, du will work closely with HPE to address digitalization, hybrid cloud, data and AI, as well as edge requirements. The organization will be able to leverage the global HPE Partner Ready ecosystem, solutions, and services to create new value opportunities and reduce time to market. 

“Strengthening our partnership with du will be vital to our strategy of providing our customers in the UAE with more flexibility and choice,” said Ahmad Alkhallafi, managing director, Emirates & Africa, Hewlett Packard Enterprise. “We are delighted at the opportunity to help more customers embrace new technologies across cloud, intelligent edge, infrastructure, and software, and look forward to our continued cooperation. This partnership further highlights our commitment to investing in the Middle East and supporting our customers in the region through our extensive partner ecosystem.”

“Our strategic partnership with HPE empowers us to deliver an even broader array of differentiated services that will truly enrich our customers' experience and empower them in their transformative journeys,” said Fahad Al Hassawi, Chief Executive Officer at du. “From the edge to the cloud, we possess the ability to proactively identify and address challenges, while offering expert guidance for ongoing improvements. Our unwavering commitment is to continuously support our customers as they innovate and shape their successful futures.” 
About du
Operating under the steadfast umbrella of Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC), du is an integral driver of the UAE’s economic, social and digital transformation. Thriving on digitally innovating all facets of the contemporary telecom experience, we touch the lives of millions of customers everyday as a dedicated enabler of connectivity, continuity and growth across consumer and enterprise segments. Whether delivering state-of-the-art Smart City infrastructure, bespoke enterprise ICT solutions, government communications, secure data solutions, or the very best in home entertainment and value, we are a reliable telco and ICT player shaping the future of communication for a more connected tomorrow.
http://du.ae 

About Hewlett Packard Enterprise 
Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE: HPE) is the global edge-to-cloud company that helps organizations accelerate outcomes by unlocking value from all of their data, everywhere. Built on decades of reimagining the future and innovating to advance the way people live and work, HPE delivers unique, open and intelligent technology solutions as a service.  With offerings spanning Cloud Services, Compute, High Performance Computing & AI, Intelligent Edge, Software, and Storage, HPE provides a consistent experience across all clouds and edges, helping customers develop new business models, engage in new ways, and increase operational performance. For more information, visit: www.hpe.com. 

Abu Dhabi, 14 December 2023: Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (“PTCL”), e&’s listed operating company in Pakistan, today announced that it has signed a binding agreement with Telenor ASA (Telenor) to acquire a 100 per cent stake in Telenor Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd (Telenor Pakistan) for Enterprise Value of PKR 108bn on a cash free, debt free basis.

The acquisition brings together the strengths and expertise of both PTCL and Telenor Pakistan, creating synergies that will drive innovation, bolster the market, and enable them to reach a broader customer base, accelerating their digital transformation journey. The milestone will add to e&’s strategic growth and market expansion in the region, solidifying its position as a key player in the Pakistan’s telecommunications industry.

Hatem Dowidar, Group CEO of e&, said: “The strategic acquisition of Telenor Pakistan presents a significant opportunity for market consolidation, empowering us to invest more in creating the best next-generation network in Pakistan. This move reinforces our commitment to the progress of the country’s telecom sector, delivering added value to our customers and shareholders. In shaping a telecom legacy where innovation and connectivity merge to explore future opportunities, we aim to accelerate digital transformation to better serve our customers and community.”

Hatem Bamatraf, President and Group CEO, PTCL & Ufone 4G, said: “We are confident that the strategic synergies created by combining forces with Telenor Pakistan will result in enhanced value for our customers and stakeholders, as they are the ultimate beneficiaries of this transaction. Both PTCL and Telenor possess strong and talented teams dedicated to developing a culture of delivery and teamwork by adopting the best of both companies. The merged entity will serve as a best-in-class provider across all domains, offering better coverage, seamless data experience, massive reach and a wide range of products and services for customers.”

Hassan Nasir Jamy, Chairman PTCL Board, said: “PTCL Group has played a pivotal role in connecting the people of Pakistan. This commitment further solidifies our resolve to build a prosperous and digitally connected nation and to be the national champion to support Pakistan’s digital transformation. This agreement will go a long way in ensuring that we provide our customers with the most efficient and technologically advanced solutions.”

About e&:

e& is one of the leading technology groups in the world. Boasting impressive financial figures for 2022, with consolidated net revenue reaching a staggering AED 52.4 billion and consolidated net profit surging to AED 10 billion, the Group's impeccable credit ratings reflect its strong balance sheet and track record of sustained success. 

Founded in Abu Dhabi over 47 years ago, the Group has a rich legacy as the pioneer in telecommunications in the UAE. Today, its footprint spans 16 countries across the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, making it a leading player in the industry.

Innovation is ingrained in e&'s DNA to create an unbreakable bond between communities using cutting-edge digital solutions, smart connectivity and advanced technologies.

The Group has designed five strong business pillars that address various customer segments: etisalat by e&, e& international, e& life, e& enterprise and e& capital. Through these pillars, we strive to revolutionise the way people communicate, work and live by providing unparalleled services and exceptional experiences.

At e&, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of what is possible and delivering measurable results that make a difference in people's lives.

To learn more about e&, please visit: https://eand.com/  

About PTCL:

Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) is the largest integrated Information Communication Technology (ICT) Company of Pakistan. With a humble start from a telephone and telegraph department in 1947, it has evolved to offer latest digital and telecommunication Technology today. It acts as the communication backbone for the country with the largest fiber cable network and submarine cables connecting Pakistan to the world. PTCL’s major assets include Ufone 4G, a well-established mobile operator in Pakistan and U Microfinance Bank Ltd. (“U Bank”) offering a wide range of microfinance loans and deposit products.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 07 December 2023: Benjelloun Piper Architecture has announced the sale of the most expensive penthouse in Dubai, ‘Como Residences Penthouse’ by Nakheel, in a historic move that cements the group’s position as a trailblazer in the world of architectural excellence.
The Como Residences Penthouse, which spans 21,949 square feet with endless bedrooms, recently sold for an extraordinary AED 500 million – equivalent to approximately USD 136 million – setting a new benchmark in the city's luxury real estate market. The architectural masterpiece stands as a testament to the firm's unwavering commitment to innovation, creativity, and unparalleled design excellence. 

The visionary local real estate developer, has seen a dramatic rise in prominence, with Benjelloun Piper Architecture playing an integral role in shaping the brand's image as a leader in luxury living experiences. The collaboration between Benjelloun Piper Architecture and the most important UAE-owned real estate company has resulted in iconic structures that redefine Dubai’s skyline and continue to set new standards for architectural opulence and sophistication.
Upon completion, Como Residences Penthouse, which is located on Palm Jumeirah, will offer residents an unrivalled living experience with exclusive access via a dedicated elevator to ensure both privacy and security.

According to Dubai Land Department (DLD) records, the Palm Jumeirah property now holds the title of the most expensive penthouse ever built and sold in Dubai. The anticipated completion is set for the latter half of 2026, beginning 2027 marking a significant milestone for both Benjelloun Piper Architecture and the city's wider real estate landscape.

Notably, the Como Residences Penthouse has not only secured its place as Dubai's pinnacle of luxury but has also globally ranked as the third-most expensive penthouse ever built and sold worldwide, and the most expensive front beach penthouse in the world. In tandem with this groundbreaking achievement, Benjelloun Piper Architecture has revealed the launch of its new office in Dubai’s vibrant City Walk. 

Benjelloun Piper Architecture is a leading architectural firm renowned for its innovative approach to design, commitment to excellence, and extensive portfolio of iconic projects that continue to redefine the architectural landscape. With a team of visionary architects and designers, the firm is dedicated to creating spaces that inspire, captivate, and endure.

Commenting on the sale, the firm’s Partners and Co-Founders, Boubker Benjelloun and Benjamin Piper, praised the developer’s willingness to step outside the box of conventional architecture, which they believe helped them achieve “incredible results”. The pair added: “We are proud of our role as architects in bringing our clients’ visions into reality.”

•    An exciting new festive-themed laser show launches in RIVERLAND™ Dubai, festive events and workshops, meet-and-greets with Santa and his elves from 8th December 2023 to 7th January 2024
•    New festive live stage show, parades, seasonal meet & greets, lively night market with delicious street food, gifts galore at MOTIONGATE™ Dubai’s ‘Hollywood Holidays’ 
•    Family-friendly Festive Bricktacular at LEGOLAND® Dubai Resort from 14th December 2023 to 7th January 2024 with activities including LEGOLAND Countdown to Christmas, Santa's Grotto and Festive Bricktacular bag with lots of goodies
•    Festive Lu'WOW Weekender from 24th to 26th December at Lapita featuring exclusive staycation packages with festive brunches, live music, street performances and kids’ activities including Christmas-themed scavenger hunt and a special meet & greet with Santa

UAE, Dubai: Dubai Parks™ and Resorts, the Middle East’s largest theme park destination, is set to thrill guests with a wide range of holiday experiences including a new spectacular Festive-themed laser show, festive events and workshops, live shows and parades, along with the park’s exciting rides, rollercoasters and attractions from Friday, 8th December 2023 to Thursday, 7th January 2024. 

At RIVERLAND™ Dubai, the night sky will come alive with a dazzling new Laser Show, Wednesday to Sunday at 7:30PM, 8:30PM, and 9:30PM, creating a mesmerising spectacle with colourful lights and laser beams choreographed to festive themed music for all to enjoy. Guests can explore Santa's Grotto and meet Santa himself at Viva Ristorante Restaurant and immerse in the festive spirit at the Peninsula Stage with Christmas carols and sing-along performances every Friday through Sunday. Guests can't miss Sandy's Candy World Spectacular, a parade that runs every Wednesday to Sunday at 9:00PM, promising a sweet and vibrant procession to captivate audiences of all ages. To extend the holiday celebrations even further, friends and families of all ages are welcome to enjoy the heavenly tunes of 35 children of Dubai Youth Choir singing festive carols on 16th December. 

MOTIONGATE™ Dubai invites guests to step into its Hollywood Holidays, promising an unforgettable festive season filled with parades, character meet and greets, mesmerising snowfall, and a magnificent 40-foot Christmas tree. The park transforms into a spectacle of lights and enchanting decorations, setting the perfect festive ambiance. Adding to the holiday cheer is the debut of a new live stage-show, ‘Home for Christmas’ at the Hollywood Theatre. Guests are invited to watch this heartwarming experience, adding an extra layer of joy to the holiday celebrations. Meet Rudolph and his reindeer friends as they dance to popular holiday tunes in the ‘Time to Sleigh!’ street show or catch the elves and toy soldiers dance to popular seasonal hip hop tunes in the ‘Toy Factory Fellas’.  For those craving delicious holiday treats, MOTIONGATE™ Dubai's festive night market will offer various delights, including crepes, gingerbread cookies, churros, hot chocolate, and much more. To enhance the holiday experience, guests can explore the 15 themed retail shops, each offering an exclusive selection of souvenirs inspired by fan-favourite films such as Kung Fu Panda, Ghostbusters, Hunger Games, Shrek, and more! 

Meanwhile at LEGOLAND® Dubai Resort, families are invited to join the Festive Bricktacular from Thursday, 14th December 2023 to Sunday, 7th January 2024. Guests can participate in the LEGOLAND Countdown to Christmas, an advent calendar that will give them the chance to open a door and win a LEGO® box set every day until 24th December 2023. In addition, guests can also explore Santa's Grotto and meet LEGO Santa himself (*Exclusive Paid experience for just an additional AED 125 when visiting LEGOLAND Dubai this December) who has special presents awaiting with a limited edition Festive Bricktacular bag, a photo with LEGO Santa, exclusive Santa’s Grotto LEGO Brick, LEGO box set and a letter from LEGO Santa. Even more daily prizes await guests with the introduction of a new Countdown to New Year advent calendar from 25th December to 31st December.   

The fun doesn’t have to end there, families are invited to join Lapita, Dubai Parks™ and Resorts’ third edition of the Lu’WOW Weekender. The UAE’s first and only Polynesian resort will be hosting exclusive festive-themed staycation packages from 24th to 26th December 2023, starting from AED 1,399++ for a King Room and AED 1,799++ for an Upgraded Family Suite. Two children under the age of six are welcome to stay and dine with the hotel’s compliments. Here, families will start Christmas day with a nutritious breakfast, followed by a festive brunch from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, with the resort coming alive with live music and street performances. Outdoor kids’ and activities and attractions will ensure the little ones are entertained, with a festive-themed scavenger hunt featuring prizes as well as a special meet & greet with Santa, spreading joys and gifts to his young fans. On Tuesday, 26th December, guests can start their day with morning yoga sessions, while those seeking to stay active can enjoy Aqua Gym sessions at the family pool and children are invited to participate in Mini Olympic competitions, for some perfect family bonding. 

Guests looking for the perfect festive gift to their loved ones are invited to explore the different Dubai Parks™ and Resorts Annual Passes, offering 12 months of unlimited access to MOTIONGATE™ Dubai, LEGOLAND® Dubai Theme Park and LEGOLAND® Waterpark the park's incredible attractions, thrilling rides, exciting entertainment, special events and various benefits. 

Dubai Parks™ and Resorts is the ultimate family-friendly destination for all festive celebrations. For more information, please visit dubaiparksandresorts.com or call 800-AMAZING (2629464). 

Follow the Dubai Parks™ and Resorts social media channels for the latest updates:
Instagram: @ dubaiparksresorts 
Twitter: @dxbparksresorts
Facebook: @DubaiParksandResorts

Dubai, UAE: Brace yourself for the arrival of the Anooki characters to the iconic waterfront destination, Al Seef, where the past meets with the present. From 8 December 2023 to 14 January 2024, these larger-than-life, globe-trotting characters will transform Al Seef into a dazzling canvas of light and neon as part of Dubai Lights, captivating audiences with their world-class light and sound shows.

Visiting Dubai for the first time, the Anooki characters have chosen Al Seef as their temporary residence, promising to enchant all who encounter them. Drawing inspiration from their surroundings, including the architecture and history of Al Seef, the Anooki characters will create vibrant art and light shows, turning the destination’s building facades into magical playgrounds.

Created by French designers, Moetu Batlle and David Passegand, the characters from the Anooki universe are stalwart messengers for the environment. Having already charmed millions of spectators from across the globe, the brilliant Anooki are now visiting Dubai to continue their exploration of the fragility of the planet and climate change.

Immerse yourself in the festive spirit at Al Seef, where the Anooki characters will join a vivacious lineup of events complementing the Al Seef Creek Festival. This exciting calendar boasts cultural and educational activities, family entertainment, and exclusive dining and shopping offers. Join us at Al Seef to extend a warm welcome to the Anooki as they make their dazzling Dubai debut.