Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, is marking the first anniversary of his appointment as the UAE's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence.
Sheikh Hamdan has played a significant role in the heart of government, at home and abroad in the past 12 months.
He was appointed to both key Cabinet positions on July 14, 2024, before being sworn in four days later in front of President Sheikh Mohamed.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, paid tribute to his son in a video with poetic verse, featuring Sheikh Hamdan in his early years and charting his rise in government.
"Today is your day Hamdan you always achieve hopes," Sheikh Mohammed says of Sheikh Hamdan, describing him as his "winning arrow".
One of the highlights of Sheikh Hamdan's year in office was an official visit to India in April, during which he held talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.
“It was a pleasure meeting the Prime Minister Narendra Modi today in New Delhi,” Sheikh Hamdan wrote on X at the time.
“Our conversations reaffirmed the strength of UAE–India ties which is built on trust, shaped by history and driven by a shared vision to create a future full of opportunity, innovation and lasting prosperity.”
The high-profile trip to India was one of a number of overseas engagements undertaken by Sheikh Hamdan in his ministerial capacity.
On the global stage
In May, he travelled to Muscat to meet Sultan Haitham of Oman in support of the long-standing friendship between the Gulf neighbours.
In September 2024, he took part in key discussions with Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of Uzbekistan, as part of an official visit to the country.
They witnessed the signing of a number of agreements aimed at furthering partnerships between the nations at the Presidential Palace in Tashkent.
Sheikh Hamdan has also sought to champion the UAE Armed Forces since taking up the role of Minister of Defence, demonstrating the deep connection between the country's leadership and soldiers in the line of duty.
During the first weekend of Ramadan in March, Sheikh Hamdan sat down with National Guard troops in Hatta to enjoy iftar.
“I was delighted to join the personnel of the National Guard in Hatta for iftar,” Sheikh Hamdan wrote. “Their dedication to safeguarding our borders, even while away from their families during the Holy Month, is truly remarkable.
"We deeply appreciate all those who work diligently around the clock to ensure our country continues to be a beacon of stability and prosperity.”
Sheikh Hamdan attended a ceremony in May in honour of the 49th anniversary of the unification of the UAE Armed Forces.
Sheikh Hamdan said unification of the Armed Forces was a momentous national occasion on which the military can reflect on the legacy of UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
The military was unified five years after the UAE was founded. Six of the seven emirates – Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah – formed the union on December 2, 1971. Ras Al Khaimah joined on February 10, 1972.
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Evacuations to France hit by controversy
- Over 500 Gazans have been evacuated to France since November 2023
- Evacuations were paused after a student already in France posted anti-Semitic content and was subsequently expelled to Qatar
- The Foreign Ministry launched a review to determine how authorities failed to detect the posts before her entry
- Artists and researchers fall under a programme called Pause that began in 2017
- It has benefited more than 700 people from 44 countries, including Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Sudan
- Since the start of the Gaza war, it has also included 45 Gazan beneficiaries
- Unlike students, they are allowed to bring their families to France
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ibrahim's play list
Completed an electrical diploma at the Adnoc Technical Institute
Works as a public relations officer with Adnoc
Apart from the piano, he plays the accordion, oud and guitar
His favourite composer is Johann Sebastian Bach
Also enjoys listening to Mozart
Likes all genres of music including Arabic music and jazz
Enjoys rock groups Scorpions and Metallica
Other musicians he likes are Syrian-American pianist Malek Jandali and Lebanese oud player Rabih Abou Khalil
The five pillars of Islam
The Greatest Royal Rumble card as it stands
The Greatest Royal Rumble card as it stands
50-man Royal Rumble - names entered so far include Braun Strowman, Daniel Bryan, Kurt Angle, Big Show, Kane, Chris Jericho, The New Day and Elias
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Intercontinental Championship Seth Rollins (champion) v The Miz v Finn Balor v Samoa Joe
United States Championship Jeff Hardy (champion) v Jinder Mahal
SmackDown Tag Team Championship The Bludgeon Brothers (champions) v The Usos
Raw Tag Team Championship (currently vacant) Cesaro and Sheamus v Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt
Casket match The Undertaker v Chris Jericho
Singles match John Cena v Triple H
Cruiserweight Championship Cedric Alexander v tba
Brolliology: A History of the Umbrella in Life and Literature
By Marion Rankine
Melville House
The specs
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Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch auto
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Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence".
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- The Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
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Company name: baraka
Started: July 2020
Founders: Feras Jalbout and Kunal Taneja
Based: Dubai and Bahrain
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: $150,000
Current staff: 12
Stage: Pre-seed capital raising of $1 million
Investors: Class 5 Global, FJ Labs, IMO Ventures, The Community Fund, VentureSouq, Fox Ventures, Dr Abdulla Elyas (private investment)
