This account of the current state of foraging theory is also a valuable description of the use of optimality theory in behavioral ecology in general.
Organizing and introducing the main resexarch themes in economic analyses of animal feeding behavior, the authors analyze the empirical evidence bearing on foraging models and answer criticisms of optimality modeling.
They explain the rationale for applying optimality models to the strategies and mechanics of foraging and present the basic “average-rate maximizing” models and their extensions.
The work discusses new directions in foraging research: incorporating incomplete information and risk-sensitive behavior in foraging models; analyzing trade-offs, such as nutrient requirements and the threat of being eaten while foraging; formulating dynamic models; and building constrained optimization models that assume that foragers can use only simple “rules of thumb.” As an analysis of these and earlier research developments and as a contribution to debates about the role of theory in evolutionary biology.
DUBAI: Since the Dubai Opera famously opened its doors in 2016, the Zaha Hadid-designed building has brought a number of entertaining and mesmerizing shows to the Middle East. Among them: ‘The Phantom of the Opera,” “The Nutcracker” and most recently, a hologram concert of the late Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum. Now, the latest production to join the Dubai Opera’s inimitable lineup of performances is Georgia’s Sukhishvili National Ballet.
Formed in the capital city of Tblisi in 1945 by celebrated dancers Iliko Sukhishvili and Nino Ramishvili, the renowned ensemble of dancers is making their UAE debut on Friday with three shows spread across Jan. 3 and Jan. 4, in case you are unable to make the first viewing.
The show includes a spectacular mix of folk-inspired traditional dance, balletic pieces and acrobatics. Supplied
Often described as the “greatest dance in the world,” the show, which is orchestrated by the founders’ son Tengiz Sukhishvili, includes a spectacular mix of folk-inspired traditional dance, balletic pieces and acrobatics, performed by 100 dancers on stage, whose costumes were created specifically by Simon Virsaladze — one of the country’s leading designers of ballet, film and operas.
The company previously held a show at the Royal Opera House in Muscat, Oman.
DUBAI: The world has started ringing in the New Year, with cities around the globe gearing up for their moment of attention with fireworks, music, and hi-tech lightshows.
One of the first countries to welcome 2020 was New Zealand, which started its midnight celebrations by lighting up its iconic Sky Tower in Auckland, while fireworks erupted above the Kiwi skyline.
Other major cities of the world will show off their own versions of New Year’s Eve celebrations, including Dubai, where the tallest building in the world – the Burj Khalifa – will take the center stage as hundreds of thousands flock to the iconic tower.
Meanwhile in Australia, the city of Sydney kicked off its celebration with an early fireworks show at 9 p.m. local time.
New Year's Eve fireworks erupt over Sydney's iconic Harbour Bridge and Opera House during the traditional early family fireworks show. (AFP)
Almost nine hours ahead of most Gulf countries, its skies will light up again for the main midnight event which will happen at 1 p.m. GMT:
Bruno Mars to perform in Abu Dhabi on New Year’s EveDubai the destination of choice for Ronaldo’s New Year celebrations https://ift.tt/39wk06y December 31, 2019 at 11:13AM
DUBAI: Artworks from the collection of Sharjah’s Barjeel Art Foundation will be presented at New York University’s Grey Art Gallery as part of the upcoming exhibition “Taking Shape: Abstraction from the Arab World, 1950s–1980s,” from Jan. 14 to April 4 in Manhattan.
The exhibition is a collaborative project between the two institutions.
The four-month-long art show will feature nearly 90 works all drawn from the Emirati non-profit arts organization, including paintings, sculptures and a book of essays written by prominent personalities from the world of arts and culture, including three UAE-based authors — Salwa Mikdadi, Sultan Sooud Al-Qassemi and Suheyla Takesh, who co-curated and organized the event.
Featured artists include Lebanese poet and visual artist Etel Adnan, late Iraqi painter and sculptor Shakir Hassan Al-Said, late Moroccan painter Ahmed Cherkaoui and late Emirati artist Hassan Sharif among others. Paintings from Saloua Raouda Choucair, the late Lebanese artist who is credited with pioneering the abstract art movement in the Middle East during the 1950s, will also be showcased for visitors to view.
The presented works hail from a diverse range of countries from the Middle East and North Africa, including Algeria, Egypt, Palestine, Jordan, Kuwait, Palestine, Tunisia and Syria.
The aim of the exhibition is to explore the development of abstract work in the Middle East, North Africa and the Arab diaspora via paintings, sculptures and works on paper dating from the 1950s through to the 1980s.
Though art has always been prominent in the Arab world, various modes of abstract art began spreading like wildfire through the region during the 20th century in the form of Islamic calligraphy, printmaking, sculptures and paintings.
After debuting at the Grey Art Gallery at New York University, “Taking Shape” will travel to the Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art at Northwestern University in Illinois, where it will be on view from April 28 through to July 26, before heading to the Johnson Museum at Cornell University in New York from August 22 to Dec. 13, 2020.
“Taking Shape” aims to enlighten visitors about the lesser-known origins and influences of abstract art from the Arab world.
DUBAI: Lebanese-Australian model and humanitarian Jessica Kahawaty traded in her signature heels for a pair of stylish flat mules from up-and-coming regional accessories label Carat. The handmade-in-Italy footwear brand, which is helmed by Kuwaiti designer Fatmah Hussain, is poised to take the fashion world by storm.
The label’s piece de resistance, the Alexander heels, have already found a fan in Lebanese actress Nadine Abdelaziz, who declared on her Instagram that the shoes are “so comfortable to walk with” and that she was able to walk for “one hour with the heels.”
Meanwhile, Kahawty, who is currently in Sydney for the holidays, opted for a black, patent leather pair of mules with a pointed toe and gold detailing at the front.
“Love my new 80’s slides,” she captioned the photo of herself rocking the fanciful footwear with an oversized straw hat in her backyard.
Carat was founded only a couple of months ago, launching with a Fall 2019 collection of leather heels, mules and flats with names such as “Joy” and “Louis.” And just as every great shoe designer has their signature — think Christian Louboutin’s red soles, Manolo Blahnik’s jeweled buckle, Sophia Webster’s wings and Amina Muaddi’s flared stiletto heel — each piece from the Kuwaiti brand’s debut collection features a semi-precious gemstone engraved on the soles of each pair. It is set to become the unmistakable Carat trademark.
According to the brand’s official website, Carat was inspired by the creative director’s career reboot. After climbing the corporate ladder for years and working in the oil industry for more than a decade, Hussain made the choice to quit her office job and enroll in a private school in Italy to hone her skills as a designer before launching her own brand.
During her training, Hussain was able to learn the ins and outs of footwear design and went on to fuse the new-found knowledge she gained in Italy with her own Arab culture and personal fashion taste. Her mission? To transform heels into wearable art.
The newly-launched brand joins a lineup of other established regional footwear labels, including Liudmila, founded by Kuwaiti designer Najeeba Hayat, Emirati label Darmaki and the Moroccan-helmed Zyne.
First published in 1998, William Bowen and Derek Bok’s The Shape of the River became an immediate landmark in the debate over affirmative action in America.
It grounded a contentious subject in concrete data at a time when arguments surrounding it were characterized more by emotion than evidence— and it made a forceful case that race-conscious admissions were successfully helping to promote equal opportunity.
Today, the issue of affirmative action remains unsettled. Much has changed, but The Shape of the River continues to present the most compelling data available about the effects of affirmative action. Now with a new foreword by Nicholas Lemann and an afterword by Derek Bok, The Shape of the River is an essential text for anyone seeking to understand race-conscious admissions in higher education.
Ahead of 2020, we took it upon ourselves to trace the evolution of a few of our favorite Arab celebrities over the past 10 years, with side-by-side comparisons from the beginning of the decade to the end.
Gigi Hadid
Gigi Hadid in 2010 (left)
A decade ago, the part-Palestinian model was the captain of her high school's volleyball team. Since then, she’s gone on to become one of the most in-demand faces in the fashion industry, working with designers and houses that most models can only dream of.
Bella Hadid
The model in 2010 (left) and in 2019 ( right).
As a teenager, Bella also had a sporty hobby. Before she was gracing the catwalks of international fashion shows and the pages of renowned publications, the 23-year-old grew up riding horses and had plans to become an equestrian.
Imaan Hammam
The model in 2010 (left) and in 2019 (right).
The Moroccan-Egyptian-Dutch beauty was first scouted in Amsterdam's Central Station by an agent from CODE Management in 2010. She would go on to make her runway debut in 2013 for Givenchy and the rest is history.
Rami Malek
Rami Malek at the beginning of the decade (left) and the end of the decade (right)
Little did the Egyptian actor know he would make history as the first actor of Arab descent to win and Academy Award for “Best Actor” when he turned to television ten years earlier for a recurring role as the ‘suicide bomber’ on the eighth season of the Fox series “24.”
Elisa Sednaoui
Elisa Sednaoui at 22 (left) and now (right.)
The Italian-Egyptian-French model and philanthropist has had an eventful decade. In addition to launching the Elisa Sednaoui Foundation in 2014, the Cairo-born beauty got married to gallerist Alexandre Dellal the same year and welcomed two children shortly after.
Shakira
Shakira in 2010 (left) and in 2019 (right)
The Lebanese-Colombian singer first gained global recognition for her smash hit “Whenever, Wherever” in 2001. Fast forward a decade-and-a-half: The certified hitmaker is married to football superstar Gerard Pique, has a number of successful albums under her belt, served as a coach on two seasons of the American singing competition “The Voice” and won many awards, including a Grammy in 2018 for Best Latin Pop Album.
A supporter of Egyptian president Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi became famous after a viral television interview in 2014 of her delivering a message in English to US President Barak Obama.
‘What about your first Oscar’
Egyptian Journalist Shaimaa Abdel Moneim made headlines in 2016 with her question to actor Leonardo DiCarpio during a press conference after he won his first Oscar in 2016.
“Leo, hi, I am the first Egyptian journalist covering the Oscars, what about a first Oscar for you?” she said.
And if that isn’t enough, here are some more viral videos that took the world by storm over the past decade…
Gangnam Style
In his 2012 song about the Gangnam district in Seoul, the South Korean musician Psy’s dance went viral after reaching a billion views in just five months. His horse riding dance was imitated by viewers from all over the world.
Harlem shake
A group of Australian teenagers sparked another Gangnam Style-like viral dance craze called the “Harlem Shake” in 2013.
The fivesome, from Australia’s Sunshine Coast, shot to fame with their 31-second clip “The Harlem Shake v1 (TSCS original),” with their pelvis-thrusting moves inspiring tens of thousands of Internet copycat clips.
Kiki challenge
The most recent of the dance challenges was the Kiki challenge, in which people are seen climbing out of slow-moving cars and dancing to Drake’s hit song.
Those caught carrying out the video challenge in the UAE were fined $545, penalized with 23 black points and had their vehicle impounded for 60 days.
Ice bucket challenge
Unlike many of the viral social media videos, the ice bucket challenge in 2014 was done for a good cause. It started as a way to raise money for, and promote awareness, of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS — or motor neuron disease as it’s known in the UK).
The challenge involved people pouring buckets of iced water over their heads, then nominating others to follow suit and/or donate.
DUBAI: When actors come to foreign countries to film blockbuster films, their schedules don’t usually permit them to explore as much as they may like. However, when Ryan Reynolds came to Abu Dhabi to film Netflix’s action flick “6 Underground,” he was not going to let the opportunity to discover the emirate pass him by. As a father to three with his wife, actress Blake Lively, Reynolds had the chance to introduce his young family to the rich culture of the Arab world for the first time.
“My experience was incredible. You would think that once they grow up, my kids would want to see the world and go to these places, but certainly before adulthood. That was a shot that I was excited about,” Reynolds tells Arab News. “Bringing them to Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates and having them run around and immerse themselves in that culture.”
Reynolds also used the trip as a teaching opportunity for his children, eager to let them explore and learn from their own curiosity.
“I wanted to foster as many questions as they might have about why people maybe dress differently, or look differently or eat differently. It was a really nice experience not just for us but for the kids,” shared the actor.
While Reynolds and his family were sure to visit the UAE’s most famous destinations, the Canadian star was more eager to scratch beneath the surface of the country as much as he could.
“We did some of the tourist stuff, like go to the Louvre Abu Dhabi and those sorts of things, and then we would go get lost,” he reveals. “We had a tour guide who would take us to local neighborhoods and go eat in restaurants that aren’t necessarily the ones that are advertised to the tourists, which I think is much better— you get to experience the real city a little bit. We went to the desert—my kids had never seen the desert before, which was wild,” the actor added.
Ryan Reynolds shot his latest film in the UAE capital. Supplied
Reynolds’ co-star Corey Hawkins, of “2020’s Into the Heights,” was equally in awe of the hospitality that he received from the people of the UAE.
“[What I loved was] just the people and being able to experience something different. We got to go to the Grand Mosque, which was incredible. It was an incredibly eye-opening experience. [The UAE] welcomed us to come with this globe-trotting epic adventure into the country and really have fun and shoot whatever we wanted to shoot. It was great!” Hawkins stated.
Speaking to Arab News from the set of the film, director Michael Bay reveals that he was inspired by the opportunities that shooting in Abu Dhabi offered him, using the city to stand in for not only Abu Dhabi itself, but also Hong Kong, parts of Africa and another fictional nation.
“This place has great locations. It’s a new city. I’ve shot so many different places, and it’s exciting to go to a place that’s new. I’m tired of shooting in California,” Bay tells Arab News. “I’ve shot so many places I’ve run out of locations. You always like to go to a new place where you get inspired.”
DUBAI: If you’re unsure of where to travel in 2020, let the online travel agency Love Holidays help guide your decision. According to a report by the agency, the UAE has been ranked as the world’s best travel destination for jetsetters to visit.
What catapulted it to the top spot? Things like travel, hospitality, destination, business and entertainment. Coming in second was the United States, followed by South Africa, Maldives, Mexico and Portugal. The news coincides with a new report from the Global Passport Index that determined that the Emirati passport is the world’s strongest passport of the decade.
To determine the rankings, the agency looked at more than 3,000 destination awards won by countries from around the world from 2015-2019. The UAE came out on top, winning 282 travel-related awards overall — second place, the United States, won 188.
The UAE’s newest accolade hardly comes as a surprise. After all, it boasts the world’s tallest building, biggest shopping mall and largest man-made islands. The Middle Eastern nation also has a diverse art scene, which includes the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
Sprawling, palm-tree lined beaches, a diverse lineup of eateries, idyllic resorts and general extravagances are no doubt attractive to travelers, too.
Here’s the full list of the most award-winning countries around the world:
DUBAI: This week, part-Palestinian model Gigi Hadid posted an Instagram Story of herself cooking a curry-inspired dish plucked from a recipe belonging to Pakistani-British singer Zayn Malik’s mother, Trisha, and sent the internet into overdrive in the process.
The 24-year-old, who has been in an on-and-off relationship with the former One Direction popstar since 2015, uploaded a snap of a selection of colorful spices, which she revealed were from Trisha Malik’s curry pasta salad recipe, before tagging her in the post.
“Sunday in the kitchen: About to marinate the chicken for one of my favorites! @mammamalik’s chicken curry pasta salad,” she captioned the photo, alongside a drooling emoji. “Hopefully she’ll share the recipe with the world one day,” she added in brackets.
The part-Palestinian model made a curry dish inspired by Zayn Malik's mother. Instagram/@gigihadid
The singer’s mother took to her own Instagram Stories to repost Hadid’s picture and also uploaded an old video that showed the California-bred model revealing that her favorite restaurant to eat at was her “boyfriend’s mom’s kitchen,” further sending fans into a frenzy.
Following the exchange, fans of the former couple took to Twitter to speculate whether the duo, who were affectionately called “Zigi,” had rekindled their romance.
“Zayn and Gigi are back together??!” one user demanded to know.
Another added: “A friendship can remain even if the relationship ends. Maybe Zayn and Gigi have been together again for a long time, but just now they are showing (sic).”
The couple first parted ways in March 2018 after more than two years together, they revealed in separate statements at the time. “Gigi and I had an incredibly meaningful, loving and fun relationship and I have a huge amount of respect and adoration for Gigi as a woman and a friend,” the former One Direction singer wrote on Twitter at the time.
Hadid echoed his sentiment, writing on her Twitter page: “Breakup statements often seem impersonal because there is really no way to put into words what two people experience together over a few years.” The model continued: “I’m forever grateful for the love, time and life lessons that Z and I shared.”
They rekindled their romance a few months later, before calling it quits again in January 2019.
DUBAI: Just weeks before the 92nd edition of the Academy Awards are set to take place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, one of its Oscar-shortlisted nominees, Syrian filmmaker Feras Fayyad, has supposedly been denied entry into the United States.
The director, whose recent film “The Cave” was shortlisted in the Documentary Feature category, claims that he was barred from entering the US due to visa issues in a lengthy text uploaded to his official Facebook page.
Scroll down to watch Arab News’ interview with Syrian filmmaker Feras Fayyad
“I hold a Syrian passport and I am currently living in exile in Copenhagen, Denmark... I was meant to be in the United States right now, but instead I am stuck because the visa I need to enter United States has not been granted to me,” Fayyad wrote.
“It’s not my choice to born in Syria. I’m a filmmaker and all what I want is the opportunity to tell this story in person,” he continued, adding that he is unable to attend a number of screenings currently happening for the Oscar shortlists.
“It’s not fair to be away and lose my opportunity to share my story that comes from my soul and my pain and my determination to fight for my right to express and tell stories about the devastating experiences that I face with my people every day,” he wrote.
He concluded the post by urging people to go watch his film so that he may feel less “left behind.”
It’s not the first time the director, who made history when his documentary “Last Men in Aleppo” was nominated for an Academy Award, and his team have encountered visa-related issues. Last year, the producer on Fayyad’s Oscar-nominated film was initially refused entry to the US due to the short-lived “travel ban,” but was granted a last-minute visa just days before the award’s ceremony.
DUBAI: Egypt broke yet another Guinness World Record on Dec. 28 by making a mosaic of King Tutankhamun’s death mask out of 7,260 coffee cups at the not-yet-opened Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza.
The paper cup replica of the Egyptian pharaoh's mask utilized 65 kilograms of coffee, 1,000 liters of milk and took 12 hours to prepare, according to news agency EPA.
(AFP)
It’s not the first time the Egyptian nation has smashed a world record. Egypt has made the famous Guinness Book of World Records multiple times before with the world’s longest iftar table, largest koshari dish and widest suspension bridge, among others.
DUBAI: In recent years, Sharjah has emerged as the unofficial culture capital of the UAE. In fact, the tiny emirate was dubbed the “Cultural Capital of the Arab World” by UNESCO in 1998.
With events like the Sharjah Biennale and Islamic Arts festival, it’s no surprise that Sharjah would be internationally recognized as a cultural haven in the region.
Now, joining its ever-growing cultural agenda is the globally-renowned Fringe Festival, which is making its Middle East debut between Jan. 16 and Feb. 1, 2020.
The Sharjah version of the world’s largest arts festival that was first established in Scotland is set to transform the emirate into a figurative big top for 17 days, with approximately 600 shows and performances covering everything from magic and puppetry to theater and music spread across various locations throughout the city.
Venues such as the Al-Majaz Waterfront, Al-Qasba and Al-Noor Island will play host to versatile lineup of local, regional and international talent — both seasoned performers and Fringe first-timers — who will no doubt wow audiences with a diverse range of acts and performances that span from dance, comedy, interactive streets shows, stunts and more.
The first edition of the upcoming arts festival will feature 35 productions, “The Amazing Bubble Man” from the US, South Africa’s “Stick Stones Broken Bones,” “Grumpy Pants” from Spain and the award-winning magic performance “The I Hate Children’s Show.”
In a press statement, Ahmed Obaid Al-Qaseer, COO of Shurooq, which is presenting Sharjah Fringe Festival 2020, said: “The emirate enjoys a global cultural status and touristic appeal, which we wanted to reinforce by presenting an event full of choice for each of the 200-plus nationalities residing in the UAE,” revealing that the full line-up of shows will be unveiled to the public in the days to come.
“Our rich slate of programs, including Fringe classics, will introduce new entertainment concepts and encourage the exchange of new and thought-provoking ideas with other cultures in a festive atmosphere.”
Sharjah Fringe Festival 2020 is will be organized by the National Arts Festival, South Africa, who also produce a South African version of the arts festival.
DUBAI: Television chef Nadiya Hussain cried “tears of joy” after being awarded the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) this week.
The “Great British Bake Off” winner received the award in the Queen Elizabeth II 2020 New Year Honors list. She was recognized for her contributions to broadcasting and the culinary arts.
“Even my car is crying tears of joy! Thank you for all the kind words and absolutely wonderful messages! Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine this would ever happen to me,” the chef and television presenter wrote in a lengthy Instagram caption that accompanied an image of a car window, in which “MBE” was written in the condensation.
“I know my grandparents would be really proud, they wouldn’t understand what was going on, or what it means but they would be proud none the less. Little old rice farmer family in the middle of nowhere with a granddaughter with an MBE! Who would have thought it?!” she added.
“I have had an exhilarating and exciting few years and I have done weird, wonderful and scary things. Long may it continue. Thanks to all the people who have supported me and believed in me and just made it all just a little bit easier. For all the love. For believing in me. Thank you! #ThankYou #Grateful #FeelingProud (sic),” she added.
After winning the “Great British Bake Off” in 2015, Hussain went on to present “The Chronicles of Nadiya,” “The Big Family Cooking Showdown” and “Nadiya's Family Favorites.”
DUBAI: A new museum in Dubai invites visitors to explore the world of ‘trick art’ or 3D art.
3D World Dubai, which opened on December 12, contains more than 185 paintings all of which are illusions. According to co-founder Schakun Singh, it is the world’s largest 3D art museum. “We have a total area of 23,000 square feet, and as far as the number of artworks is concerned, we can say very comfortably that we have the largest museum in the world,” Singh told Arab News.
She explained that 3D art originated in France in the 1800s, using a technique called ‘trompe-l'oeil,’ which translates as ‘deceive the eye.’
“This technique turns two-dimensional paintings into three-dimensional images through the use of optical illusions,” Singh said.
(Arab News)
Singh and her husband, Ramman Ticku, were inspired to open the museum after visiting a similar establishment while on holiday.
“We visited one such museum with our then-seven-year-old child,” she said. “We all had so much fun as a family; we were engaged and active.
“We then started to research museums in other countries and found that it was a successful business model. We wanted to bring this here and for Dubai to have the first one in the region.”
(Arab News)
3D World Dubai is based around nine themes (to add “a sense of adventure, mystery and fantasy,” Singh said): Illusion, Egypt, Water World, Animal Kingdom, World of Classics, Fantasy, Jungle, Humor, and the Arabic Zone (“essential to showcase the UAE and Dubai,” she explained). Singh said ‘Egypt’ is her personal favorite: “You’ve got the pyramids and the flying carpet; there is lots of interaction there,” she said.
It took 18 artists six months to produce the images, according to Singh. “The process includes choosing the artwork, designing and fine tuning on the computer, sketching and projecting the outline on the walls and finally painting,” she said. “Each artists was specialized In their own field.”
(Arab News)
Singh and Ticku traveled extensively, searching out the best artists and visiting other 3D art museums in Thailand, South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan and the Philippines.
Financing was a major challenge. “We saved and saved and then we fell back on family and then the bank,” Singh said. Now the project is finished, the couple — who run a tourism company — are focused on marketing the museum to residents and visitors alike. Singh said they plan to create a franchise model to enable them to open in other countries in the region in future.
The main draw of the museum, Singh believes, is that it can “bring the entire family together in one place.”
It’s been a long and expensive journey for the couple, but Singh said she would advise all aspiring entrepreneurs to stick with their dreams.
“If a thought or idea gives you sleepless nights and consumes you, it is worth chasing that dream. There will be delays and road blocks but don’t give up,” she said. “Nothing can replace hard work, so work hard.”
