Latest news with #KIRSTINBERNABE
Al Etihad
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Al Etihad
Move over, pistachio kunafa: ‘Abu Dhabi Chocolate' is coming soon, says chef behind viral flavour
8 July 2025 00:14 KIRSTIN BERNABE (ABU DHABI)It's been a long time coming: Abu Dhabi is finally getting its own chocolate — one moulded in its own story, one that 'truly reflects its soul'. That's the promise of Nouel Catis, the chef who developed the recipe of the viral pistachio kunafa an interview with Aletihad, Catis confirmed that 'Abu Dhabi Chocolate' will be launched in two months. While he kept the flavour profile a secret, the chef described the upcoming release as a product 'that the city truly deserves'.Having lived in Abu Dhabi for seven years, Catis holds the capital close to his heart. The Filipino expat served as an inflight chef for the UAE's flagship carrier Etihad Airways for half a decade, before launching his own culinary consulting company in 2018.'I'm drawing from those memories to craft a chocolate that truly reflects the soul of Abu Dhabi and puts it on the global chocolate map,' he told Aletihad. Distinctly Local Flavours Looking back on the collaborative brainstorming session that led to the creation of 'Dubai Chocolate', it was Catis who selected what he believed was 'the right combination of ingredients to evoke a sense of nostalgia'.'If anything, I was the chef who created the original formulation — one that became the foundation for what would later evolve into the now-famous pistachio kunafa chocolate.'In Abu Dhabi, Catis sees a vibrant community of food lovers, especially among Emiratis. He has observed a growing interest in build-your-own desserts and a love for matcha, the popular Japanese green tea powder now used to flavour all things aside from the usual the hype, however, Catis believes Abu Dhabi has many distinctly local flavours that could play a key role in upcoming food trends.'Aseeda remains a cherished dessert, along with traditional Emirati flavours like saffron, cardamom, and other warm spices,' he said. 'I believe these ingredients will continue to evolve, being reimagined and paired with more contemporary flavour profiles to keep them exciting and relevant for the next generation of food lovers.' Pistachio Kunafa Wasn't the First Catis has been living in the UAE since 2009, following a previous post in Jordan. What many may not know is that pistachio kunafa wasn't the first viral Middle Eastern dessert that he had conceptualised. He was also behind the popular 'Baby Dynamite', for which he delivered a TEDx Talk in now has two brands under his name: SNA'AP Chocolate, known for its enhanced version of 'Dubai Chocolate', and The Sweet Life, the region's first build-your-own dessert concept. Abu Dhabi Chocolate will be launched under SNA'AP. 'Abu Dhabi is ready for its own culinary story to be told through chocolate,' he said — and soon, that story will be unwrapped.
Al Etihad
4 days ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
'The ChatGPT of Abu Dhabi': 92,000-member social media community fosters a culture of kindness
6 July 2025 22:58 KIRSTIN BERNABE (ABU DHABI)Anyone familiar with the Facebook group Abu Dhabi Q&A (ADQA) would agree that it could be the Google or the ChatGPT of the this community page, members can ask just about anything related to life in the UAE capital - from how to get traffic fine discounts and where to find affordable 2-bedroom flats for rent, to restaurant tips, and even parenting and marriage while ChatGPT can deliver answers in seconds, it can't comfort an anxious mother or broadcast a marriage proposal "to any woman". No AI bot can drive out in the middle of the night to help someone find a life-saving feeding tube for a seriously ill ADQA community has done all of this - and much more - over the past 12 years. Now with 92,000 members and counting, the private Facebook group broadcasts dozens of posts every day with members actively helping each other Jaffar, the founder of ADQA, doesn't think ChatGPT can replace the group, even if such bots can answer all essential how-to questions."The magic of the group isn't in the answers, it's in the community. The real people and their real stories," Jaffar, an Abu Dhabi resident for 17 years now, told the Year of Community, ADQA stands as proof of how human connections - even in an online space - can create a culture of kindness and compassion. How It All StartedJaffar founded the online community in January 2013 out of a need for "accurate, real-time information in the city". "Back then, I felt Google 'failed' Abu Dhabi. There was no reliable online space that acted like a local citizen's advice bureau where you could simply ask a question and get a trustworthy answer," she expat, who moved from London to Abu Dhabi in 2008, started the group with 70 of her friends on Facebook."What began as a small, practical solution to a personal challenge grew into something far bigger: a community-powered network of knowledge, kindness and connection," she there are dozens of similar groups on Facebook, ADQA stands out for the values it has consistently upheld through the years: accessibility, transparency and community."What sets ADQA apart is that it was created with no business motive or agenda. I started it purely to help, and I've stayed true to that," Jaffar said. An Unforgettable MomentFor many of the group's members, ADQA is a reminder of the good in humanity. Helena Jordan has seen firsthand how strangers are willing to go out of their way to lend a hand during a difficult a learning assistant who lived in Abu Dhabi with her family for 16 years, clearly recalls a core memory from 10 years ago, when her dad in Serbia was in critical condition and needed a particular feeding tube that was nowhere to be found. She raced against time as she had to catch a flight within hours, at 2am, and bring the life-saving tube to her father."In my panic, the only other thing I could think about was to post in the Abu Dhabi Q&A group," she said. The post garnered almost 200 responses within reached out with ideas on where to find such a tube. There were pharmacists who went back to their sites to check if they had it in stock. One orthodontist quickly drove to Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and coordinated with senior doctors on good Samaritan was able to help Jordan pack two different feeding tubes into her suitcase, in the hopes that one of them would help her father. None of them worked, and by the time the family managed to get one from Croatia, Jordan's father was already in a coma and all they could do was wait."Ten years later, the pain still feels fresh; however, every time I think of my father, I am reminded of the wonderful community of strangers who became friends, of people who sent prayers and offered their help - the amazing people of ADQA," she said. Rays of PositivityAnother group member, Muhil Sureshkumar, turned to the group during a vulnerable moment as a mother and "never expected the overwhelming wave of love, prayers and strength that followed". At that time, her newborn son was battling a rare congenital heart defect. "I was flooded with messages of encouragement and hope from complete strangers who became my pillars of strength," said the expat who hails from Sri will never forget how Jaffar went above and beyond her role as group moderator."She visited me at my home after I returned from the hospital with my baby, just to make sure I was okay. In a city where I had no extended family, her presence was a blessing. It wasn't just her kindness, it was her selfless nature, her genuine care, her quiet strength that held me during a time I was falling apart," said the expat, an AI engineer who runs her own online tutoring academy. Trust as Currency, not AlgorithmsRunning ADQA has completely shaped Jaffar's life as a resident of Abu Dhabi. "Behind every post is a person sometimes in need, sometimes angry, sometimes lost, but always seeking connection. And managing that space has taught me how to read people without ever seeing them," Jaffar a moderator, she makes sure posts are kind, polite and family-friendly, and urges members to be aware of the UAE's cyber the years, Jaffar has learnt that "digital spaces are deeply human"."I discovered that trust is the true currency online and not likes, not reach, not algorithms. And once earned, it's powerful. Once broken, it's nearly impossible to rebuild," she posts are not all SOS entries. Community members do get a good laugh once in a fact, one of the most popular posts in the group was shared in 2017 by a "handsome Lebanese man, aged 32" who was looking for a woman to marry."She must be rich - age and nationality not important," read his post, which received almost 700 comments. He's now 40, and still not married, Jaffar said. While ADQA has changed lives and helped many, some problems are just beyond its reach. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
Al Etihad
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Etihad
Swim under the stars as Abu Dhabi's first night beach opens
2 July 2025 23:13 KIRSTIN BERNABE (ABU DHABI)Abu Dhabi's first night beach is now open, inviting residents and visitors to enjoy a swim under the stars on Hudayriat Island's Marsana East this East Beach opened for night swimmers on Tuesday and will operate for a limited time until September Monday to Thursday, visitors can swim from sunset until 10pm, with tickets priced at Dh50 for those aged 12 and above, and Dh25 for children aged six to weekends, Friday to Sunday, and on public holidays, the beach stays open until midnight, with entry priced at Dh100 for adults and Dh50 for children. Entry is free for children under five on all swimmer safety, floodlights illuminate the waters while lifeguards remain on eateries are ready to deliver food and beverages directly to guests, with at least eight dining outlets offering on-demand service via QR line the beach, and mini-coolers are stocked with drinking water. Complimentary towels are also its child-friendly activities and amenities, Hudayriat Island has become a favourite leisure spot for many families in the the day, the island's Marsana West offers a more laid-back atmosphere for beachgoers. Across Marsana, a unique collection of art pieces and sculptures is on display, establishing the waterfront destination as a hub of creativity. It regularly hosts exhibitions featuring the work of local and regional its beaches, Hudayriat Island is also hosting water parties this summer. From Monday to Friday, daily activities are taking place at its Circuit X Splash Park until August 31. Children can enjoy a variety of experiences — from water play discovery, musical water games, and sensory stations to 'mini Olympics' and water creature crafts, promising plenty of splashing fun. Activities start at 10am.
Al Etihad
08-05-2025
- Health
- Al Etihad
Abu Dhabi Biobank offers a life-saving opportunity at half the cost
8 May 2025 23:34 KIRSTIN BERNABE (ABU DHABI)Abu Dhabi resident Felize Flores-Navarro, a mother of three, wishes she had been able to bank her children's cord blood. As a cancer survivor, she was well aware of the life-saving potential that stored stem cells could hold. But, because the service was too expensive for her growing family, she and her husband had to let the opportunity battled cancer twice, the expat wanted to do everything possible to give her kids the best fighting chance if they ever need personalised treatment for a life-threatening disease."I know that not all cancers and conditions can be treated with stem cells from cord blood, but who knows when they may come in handy? Who knows what can be possible through the next scientific discoveries?" Navarro told blood, collected from a newborn's umbilical cord at birth, contains stem cells that can treat diseases such as leukaemia, lymphoma, sickle cell anaemia and certain immune disorders. It has been used in over 60,000 transplants worldwide, with ongoing research exploring its potential in new life-saving the UAE, private cord blood banking can cost anywhere from Dh20,000 to Dh38,000 - prices that are too steep for many expecting Dhabi Biobank, which is operated by global health champion M42, comes in as a game-changer as it offers the service at half the current market rates. Through the facility, families can get their newborns' cord blood stored for as low as Dh7,500."The pricing is offered as bronze (Dh7,500), silver (Dh10,000) and gold (Dh12,500) packages with different benefits, making it accessible and affordable for most families," Paul Downey, General Manager of Abu Dhabi Biobank, told lower rates, he added that the centre offers flexible payment plans, "including minimal upfront payments and customers can convert the payments to easy monthly instalments through participating banks."Since launching the new, affordable pricing in March, Downey said they've seen an encouraging response from the public. Life-Saving Treatments There is growing interest in cord blood banking, said Dr. Mai Mohammed Elsayed, an obstetrics and gynaecology specialist at Medeor Hospital in Abu Dhabi."As more families hear about its potential benefits - whether through discussions or emerging information - they're increasingly inclined to explore this option," she told Elsayed encourages families to consider the blood banking option, especially those "with a history of genetic disorders or medical conditions that could potentially be treated with stem cells" - as was the case with cord blood can be used to treat more than 80 disorders, said Downey of Abu Dhabi Biobank. "The cord blood stem cells can combat life-threatening and highly prevalent diseases like beta thalassaemia, sickle cell anaemia and other blood disorders."UAE-based oncologist Dr. Arwa El Dhuwaib enumerated other conditions that can be cured through stem cell transplants. These include malignancies like leukaemia, lymphoma, myelodysplastic syndrome, and neuroblastoma, some bone marrow failure and other types of hereditary anaemia. They can also be beneficial in treating metabolic diseases like Gaucher's disease, Hurler syndrome, and Niemann Pick syndrome; and immune deficiency diseases like severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). Saving the Life of a Loved One Besides its powerful therapeutic potential, cord blood offers an advantage in genetic matching."The newborn's cord blood can be a perfect genetic match for family members requiring stem cell transplants or therapies. The 25% chance of siblings being a perfect match can help save the life of a loved one in a family," Downey El Dhuwaib, however, noted certain limitations, including "a risk that cord blood stem cells already contain premalignant cells and cannot be used to treat the child; the same is applied when there is a known genetic defect in a family."Nevertheless, the potential of cord blood in regenerative medicine remains significant."The development of stem cell-based therapies has a big potential to revolutionise the field of regenerative medicine and to improve the lives of millions of people worldwide," said Dr. El Dhuwaib, a paediatric haematology oncology specialist at NMC Royal Hospital Sharjah."There are plenty of ongoing research and clinical trials on using cord-blood-derived cells to regenerate or promote the repair of damaged organs, especially in cases when medical needs to prevent or reduce degenerative disease are still unmet with current practice. Examples of these trials are in type 1 diabetes, arthritis, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, and spinal cord damage," the specialist added. World-class Facility Abu Dhabi Biobank is the region's largest multi-modal cord blood collection and storage facility. Its centre in the capital's Masdar City can store up to 100,000 cord blood units and more than 5 million pan-human samples."We firmly believe that these capabilities, complemented by our scientific expertise, make us the partner of choice for families, entities and governments," Downey said. Families can register by visiting Abu Dhabi Biobank's website at The centre's hotline 800 213 can also connect families to an adviser, who can explain the banking options.
Al Etihad
16-04-2025
- Science
- Al Etihad
Look: Stunning Milky Way spectacle lights up UAE's darkest spot
17 Apr 2025 00:57 KIRSTIN BERNABE (ABU DHABI)In the heart of Abu Dhabi's desert, there's a spot so dark that the night sky comes alive — offering a clear, breathtaking view of the galaxy to those who are willing to wait. Expat Ralph Emerson De Peralta is among them, a patient stargazer and astrophotographer who camps out at one of the darkest places in the UAE to get a magical shot of the cosmos. His latest work captured an unusual celestial view: the Milky Way in two arches. To the uninitiated, the stunning photo seemingly shows two separate Milky Ways — but how can there be two when there's only one Milky Way, the galaxy that houses our solar system?Explaining the 'mystery' and why he considers the photo a bucket-list shot, De Peralta said this is the view of the Milky Way's winter and summer arches, captured in a time-lapse panorama. He drove to Abu Dhabi's Al Quaa Desert — one of the darkest accessible spots in the country — in early April, hoping to catch the dual-arch Milky Way. He had to wait at least six hours. 'This is by far the most challenging time-blended landscape astrophotography image I've ever captured and edited. It's not for the impatient, you need endurance and patience to pull this off,' he told Aletihad . He took the shot from a single tripod location with a six-hour interval between capturing the winter and summer arches. He used a star tracker to snap the winter arch at 9pm and waited until 3am to click the summer side. 'This vision had been in my mind for weeks, and I finally made it a reality,' he said. The Science Behind the ViewEng. Ibrahim Ghonaimat of the International Astronomy Centre confirmed that the photo shows 'two distinct sections of the Milky Way, photographed from the same location, but at different times of night'.'They form two opposing arcs in the sky, which — when captured on the same night — create a panoramic blend of both the feint and bright halves of the Milky Way.'March to early April is 'a sweet spot' in the Earth's orbital position, he said. 'The winter Milky Way (October-April) is still just visible after sunset, while the summer Milky Way (March-September) core rises just before dawn.'For those who wish to replicate the shot, however, it's a bit too late now, the expert said. 'After April 10–12, your chances rapidly decline due to seasonal transition and shorter nights,' he said. Year-round Mission For astrophotographers like De Peralta, any day could be a good day to capture the skies - and whenever he can, he heads to the desert, usually with other photographers who share the same passion for chasing the Milky Way. 'But sometimes, I go alone into the Abu Dhabi desert to take photos of the night sky. There's nothing more inspiring than photographing the Milky Way, it's my way of escaping the hustle and bustle of city life,' said the expat, who works as a civil engineer and has been living in Abu Dhabi for 19 years. 'Standing under the stars, I feel a quiet connection between us and the universe, a reminder that we are small, yet our dreams have no limits,' he said. Among his other stunning photos show star trails in circles, which were captured during the Eid Al Etihad holiday in 2024, and the Perseid meteor shower in August may be personal to hobbyists like De Peralta, but for astronomy, such photos have both artistic and scientific value. 'They sit at the intersection of science and art. It's storytelling with stars. Visual poetry. You're combining two time periods into one image, so it's not a literal representation of the sky,' Ghonaimat said.'To an extent, it can be scientific. Such images demonstrate spatial orientation of the galaxy, help educate about seasonal visibility, and are used in outreach, astronomy presentations, and planetarium projections,' he added. However, for raw scientific data analysis, astronomers rely on precise, timestamped, unblended images, the expert clarified. 'So these panoramas are not scientific data, but they inspire science — and that's just as valuable.'
