Dr Amna Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, helping plant a young tree at the UAE-China Friendship Forest of Date Palm, in Wenchang City, Hainan, south China. Photo: UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment
Dr Amna Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, helping plant a young tree at the UAE-China Friendship Forest of Date Palm, in Wenchang City, Hainan, south China. Photo: UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment
Dr Amna Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, helping plant a young tree at the UAE-China Friendship Forest of Date Palm, in Wenchang City, Hainan, south China. Photo: UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment
Dr Amna Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, helping plant a young tree at the UAE-China Friendship Forest of Date Palm, in Wenchang City, Hainan, south China. Photo: UAE Ministry of

Environment Minister visits date palm forest in China as ties grow


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The UAE's Minister of Climate Change and Environment has hailed the country's growing ties with China after seeing how a thriving date palm partnership is bearing fruit on an overseas trip to the country.

Dr Amna Al Dahak visited the UAE-China Friendship Forest of Date Palm in Wenchang City, on the southern island province of Hainan, where an ambitious mission to plant 100,000 date palm trees is reaping rewards and is serving to symbolise the deep-rooted relations from Far East to the Middle East.

The green initiative was launched by President Sheikh Mohamed, in his previous capacity of Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, during his visit to China in 2019.

Dr Al Dahak was told that 25,000 date palms have been planted under the scheme in two phases, with 35,000 more to follow between September and December of next year, ahead of the final 40,000 palms being planted in 2028.

The minister concluded a four-day visit to China last week, which aimed to advance bilateral links in key fields of climate action, sustainable agriculture and food security.

“The historical bonds between the UAE and China have evolved beyond traditional relations into a comprehensive and interconnected strategic partnership,” said Dr Al Dahak.

Dr Amna Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, led a UAE delegation to China. Photo: UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment
Dr Amna Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, led a UAE delegation to China. Photo: UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment

“This collaboration serves as a unique model for successful co-operation across various fields and projects, serving the mutual interests of both nations and supporting stability and sustainable development regionally and globally.”

Dr Al Dahak said both countries were committed to working together to address pressing environmental issues facing the planet.

“The UAE is an active partner for the People's Republic of China, serving as a pivotal gateway to the Middle East and African markets,” she said.

“Bilateral ties in sustainable agriculture and climate issues have been paramount, with both countries committed to finding effective solutions. Given that the National Food Security Strategy 2051 is a cornerstone of the UAE's national priorities, we seek to strengthen these relations and leverage China's advanced capabilities in agricultural innovation, integrating them with our ambitious agricultural goals in the UAE.

“This will enhance both countries' food production capacities. We will also redouble bilateral efforts concerning climate issues and deepen cultural understanding and enduring friendship – bonds that transcend ordinary projects and support the shared aspirations of our friendly peoples.”

The environment was high on the agenda for the Emirati delegation, who took in visits to leading institutes in the vast country, including the Beijing Tongzhou International Seed Industry Science and Technology Centre and Tsinghua University, the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and the Beijing Pinggu Agricultural Sci-Tech Innovation Park.

“Our enduring relationship with China spans a vast array of fields, and this visit marks yet another significant chapter in the comprehensive strategic partnership between the UAE and China,” said Ibrahim Al Hammadi, UAE ambassador to China.

“This collaboration, particularly in climate action, environmental preservation, agriculture, and cutting-edge research, is a direct reflection of the visionary leadership in both our nations, committed to building a prosperous future for our peoples and the wider world.”

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Fuel consumption, combined: 7.0L / 100km

How to wear a kandura

Dos

  • Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion 
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Don’ts 

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What sanctions would be reimposed?

Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:

  • An arms embargo
  • A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
  • A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
  • A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
  • Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
'The worst thing you can eat'

Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.

Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines: 

Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.

Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.

Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.

Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.

Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.

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Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz

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The Details

Article 15
Produced by: Carnival Cinemas, Zee Studios
Directed by: Anubhav Sinha
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Kumud Mishra, Manoj Pahwa, Sayani Gupta, Zeeshan Ayyub
Our rating: 4/5 

Match info

Wolves 0

Arsenal 2 (Saka 43', Lacazette 85')

Man of the match: Shkodran Mustafi (Arsenal)

QUALIFYING RESULTS

1. Max Verstappen, Netherlands, Red Bull Racing Honda, 1 minute, 35.246 seconds.
2. Valtteri Bottas, Finland, Mercedes, 1:35.271.
3. Lewis Hamilton, Great Britain, Mercedes, 1:35.332.
4. Lando Norris, Great Britain, McLaren Renault, 1:35.497.
5. Alexander Albon, Thailand, Red Bull Racing Honda, 1:35.571.
6. Carlos Sainz Jr, Spain, McLaren Renault, 1:35.815.
7. Daniil Kvyat, Russia, Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda, 1:35.963.
8. Lance Stroll, Canada, Racing Point BWT Mercedes, 1:36.046.
9. Charles Leclerc, Monaco, Ferrari, 1:36.065.
10. Pierre Gasly, France, Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda, 1:36.242.

Eliminated after second session

11. Esteban Ocon, France, Renault, 1:36.359.
12. Daniel Ricciardo, Australia, Renault, 1:36.406.
13. Sebastian Vettel, Germany, Ferrari, 1:36.631.
14. Antonio Giovinazzi, Italy, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:38.248.

Eliminated after first session

15. Antonio Giovinazzi, Italy, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:37.075.
16. Kimi Raikkonen, Finland, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:37.555.
17. Kevin Magnussen, Denmark, Haas Ferrari, 1:37.863.
18. George Russell, Great Britain, Williams Mercedes, 1:38.045.
19. Pietro Fittipaldi, Brazil, Haas Ferrari, 1:38.173.
20. Nicholas Latifi, Canada, Williams Mercedes, 1:38.443.

The Vines - In Miracle Land
Two stars

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Trolls World Tour

Directed by: Walt Dohrn, David Smith

Starring: Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake

Rating: 4 stars

Company profile

Name: Infinite8

Based: Dubai

Launch year: 2017

Number of employees: 90

Sector: Online gaming industry

Funding: $1.2m from a UAE angel investor

Top goalscorers in Europe

34 goals - Robert Lewandowski (68 points)

34 - Ciro Immobile (68)

31 - Cristiano Ronaldo (62)

28 - Timo Werner (56)

25 - Lionel Messi (50)

*29 - Erling Haaland (50)

23 - Romelu Lukaku (46)

23 - Jamie Vardy (46)

*NOTE: Haaland's goals for Salzburg count for 1.5 points per goal. Goals for Dortmund count for two points per goal.

Greatest Royal Rumble results

John Cena pinned Triple H in a singles match

Cedric Alexander retained the WWE Cruiserweight title against Kalisto

Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt win the Raw Tag Team titles against Cesaro and Sheamus

Jeff Hardy retained the United States title against Jinder Mahal

Bludgeon Brothers retain the SmackDown Tag Team titles against the Usos

Seth Rollins retains the Intercontinental title against The Miz, Finn Balor and Samoa Joe

AJ Styles remains WWE World Heavyweight champion after he and Shinsuke Nakamura are both counted out

The Undertaker beats Rusev in a casket match

Brock Lesnar retains the WWE Universal title against Roman Reigns in a steel cage match

Braun Strowman won the 50-man Royal Rumble by eliminating Big Cass last

Essentials

The flights
Whether you trek after mountain gorillas in Rwanda, Uganda or the Congo, the most convenient international airport is in Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali. There are direct flights from Dubai a couple of days a week with RwandAir. Otherwise, an indirect route is available via Nairobi with Kenya Airways. Flydubai flies to Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, via Entebbe in Uganda. Expect to pay from US$350 (Dh1,286) return, including taxes.
The tours
Superb ape-watching tours that take in all three gorilla countries mentioned above are run by Natural World Safaris. In September, the company will be operating a unique Ugandan ape safari guided by well-known primatologist Ben Garrod.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, local operator Kivu Travel can organise pretty much any kind of safari throughout the Virunga National Park and elsewhere in eastern Congo.

The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
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Dust and sand storms compared

Sand storm

  • Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
  • Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
  • Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
  • Travel distance: Limited 
  • Source: Open desert areas with strong winds

Dust storm

  • Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
  • Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
  • Duration: Can linger for days
  • Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
  • Source: Can be carried from distant regions
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Updated: July 17, 2025, 7:07 AM`