Abu Dhabi is well on track to becoming a fitness-friendly city, with Dh100 million worth of cycling and running trails now 45 per cent complete.
The cycling tracks will stretch over 14.12 kilometres, while the walking and jogging lanes will take up 39.31km across 28 locations on both Abu Dhabi island and the mainland.
On Saturday, April 11, the Abu Dhabi City Municipality (ADM) announced the trails are nearly half complete, with Wam reporting that ADM is also planning to landscape and shade the areas surrounding the tracks to enhance their appearance, plus provide dedicated crossing areas so users can enter and exit the tracks safely.
The project works include a bicycle path in Shakhbout Bin Sultan Street, a bicycle path and jogging track on Arabian Gulf Street, a path to connect bicycle lanes between Arab Gulf Street and Sheikh Zayed Street, and a bicycle and jogging track on Arabian Gulf Street, aka the Fintair Walkway (the project also includes rehabilitation of the running paths that are already in place there).
Bike tracks and jogging trails aside, the project will also mean 145 rest and multiple exercise areas fitted out with equipment, including high-quality rubber tracks. The aim is not only to get residents moving and hence more fit, but also to promote walking and cycling as modes of eco-friendly transportation.
Earlier this year, the capital launched the highly anticipated Jubail Mangrove Park, dominated by a 2km boardwalk to attract both nature lovers and fitness buffs. "Some people might want to take a brisk walk, some would want a leisurely stroll and there will be people coming in to take pictures as this is a photographer's paradise," a ranger told The National.
Abu Dhabi Corniche, Yas Marina Circuit and Umm Al Emarat Park are some other areas where residents can enjoy a daily dose of exercise and fresh air: that is, once the coronavirus pandemic passes us by.
In that sense, the announcement by ADM gives self-isolating residents something to look forward to, although it's not entirely clear when the latest set of running and cycling tracks will open.
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Read more:
Jubail Mangrove Park: everything you need to know from parking to location
How to create a home workout space without spending a fortune
Dubai residents urged to get on their exercise bikes in fitness challenge
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The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
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6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
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Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
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Read more about the coronavirus
Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Other simple ideas for sushi rice dishes
Cheat’s nigiri
This is easier to make than sushi rolls. With damp hands, form the cooled rice into small tablet shapes. Place slices of fresh, raw salmon, mackerel or trout (or smoked salmon) lightly touched with wasabi, then press, wasabi side-down, onto the rice. Serve with soy sauce and pickled ginger.
Easy omurice
This fusion dish combines Asian fried rice with a western omelette. To make, fry cooked and cooled sushi rice with chopped vegetables such as carrot and onion and lashings of sweet-tangy ketchup, then wrap in a soft egg omelette.
Deconstructed sushi salad platter
This makes a great, fuss-free sharing meal. Arrange sushi rice on a platter or board, then fill the space with all your favourite sushi ingredients (edamame beans, cooked prawns or tuna, tempura veggies, pickled ginger and chilli tofu), with a dressing or dipping sauce on the side.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
