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  The  BAPS Hindu Mandir  in Abu Dhabi, UAE, opened for public worship on March 1, following Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s inauguration. The temple is open to all religions from Tuesday to Sunday, 9 am to 8 pm. It will be closed every Monday. To maintain a tranquil atmosphere, visitors must register before their visit, and groups with more than 10 people must book a group package. The temple also requires visitors to follow dress codes to ensure a safe, enjoyable, and respectful visit. Dress codes include covering the body between the neck, elbow, and ankles, wearing offensive clothing, and avoiding translucent or light-fitting clothing. Non-compliance may result in entry. Staff conduct routine security checks upon arrival, so visitors are advised to allow extra time to pass through metal detector gates and luggage x-ray machines. Photography, filming, and recording are permitted for personal, non-commercial use only, with permission for commercial or journalistic...

  The 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) of the  World Trade Organisation  (WTO) has begun in Abu Dhabi, bringing together leaders, ministers, and representatives from 166 member states for negotiations on trade issues and discussions on the global trading system. The UAE has provided a $10 million grant to support key WTO initiatives, including the Fisheries Funding Mechanism, the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF), and the Women Exporters in the Digital  Economy (WEIDE) Fund. The  UAE  is at the heart of international trade through its Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (Cepa) program and is committed to modernizing the trading system and contributing to sustainable and inclusive economic growth. WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has raised concerns over conflicts, uncertainty, and instability in the global economy.

  Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accepted an invitation to inaugurate the largest Hindu temple in the UAE, the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. The organization met with Modi in New Delhi and extended the invitation, expressing his enthusiastic support for the historic temple. The meeting focused on the significance of the temple for global harmony and unity.  The BAPS Hindu Mandir, designed to resemble a blossoming lotus flower, is an architectural marvel that transcends borders and celebrates unity, spirituality, and community in the heart of the Emirates. The temple, built just outside Abu Dhabi , is expected to attract millions of devotees.  The project represents global collaboration, with skilled artisans in India crafting carvings and statues. Over 50,000 individuals have laid bricks in the construction of the mandir, including Indian actors Akshay Kumar and Sanjay Dutt. The emirate allocated over 17 acres of land for the temple project during Modi's UAE trip in...

  The Sheikh Zayed Festival in Abu Dhabi, a cultural event honoring the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is set to run for nearly four months until March 9, offering visitors a chance to spend joyful times with family and friends. The festival's New Year's Eve could set four Guinness World Records, with a show involving 5,000 drones and a one-hour fireworks display aiming to break three others.  New attractions include a Chinese market, a camping village, and a Flying Cup experience, as well as a small zoo, face painting, VR games, talent competitions, and rides. The festival also features a Crazy Car arena with safe cars for small children and the House of Horror, inspired by Disney's 'Haunted Mansion'. On December 31, the festival organizers announced more activities, including a massive laser show, one of the largest of its kind in the region. Visitors can watch 100,000 colorful balloons being released into the sky, amid live DJs and music performers. Gia...