For the people of Abu Dhabi, the Arabian Gulf is much more than a body of water. It stirs memories of hardship and hope, when fishing and pearl diving were the main source of income and daily meals. It reminds one of ancient trade, where goods were exchanged between the East and the West; and of course, of beauty and nature.
The Arabian Gulf is busier than ever. Maritime traffic is booming. In 2014, the emirate of Abu Dhabi received around 35,000 commercial vessels and nearly 100 cruise ships. Twenty per cent of oil traded worldwide moves by tanker through the Strait of Hormuz. Furthermore, Abu Dhabi is set to become the regional hub for “halal cruising”. The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi is working on new initiatives to encourage cruise lines to cater for the needs of Muslim travellers and expects the annual growth rate to exceed more than 10 per cent. To accommodate the current and future marine traffic, the Abu Dhabi Ports Company is dredging to deepen and create channels and build new harbours.
While shipping and dredging are key elements of Abu Dhabi’s economic development, they surely have an environmental impact. Ships may discharge wastewater, oil and grease, fuel spills, anti-fouling chemicals (to impede the growth of marine organisms in vessels' hulls) and ballast water (to improve vessels’ stability) into the marine water. Those discharges are not only a source of pollution that affect marine water quality but also of exotic species carried in ballast tanks that may become invasive, out-competing native species that can disappear. Dredging places additional pressures on marine water quality. Excavations can reduce water clarity by moving sediments from the bottom. If the lack of clarity persists for several months, it can kill seagrass beds and corals, which need sunlight to thrive.
To reduce the pressures on our marine waters, we need to raise awareness of the problems associated with shipping and dredging and implement regulations consistent with the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments that was ratified by the United Arab Emirates last June and entered into force in September 2017.
Marine Water Quality in Abu Dhabi has also been affected by rapid population growth. More people means more demand for food, energy and water. Abu Dhabi depends on desalination plants to produce fresh water. The emirate has seven major desalination plants, which produce nearly 3.2 billion litres of water per day. Discharges from these plants affect the salinity level of the water as well as its temperature and have a negative impact on marine life.
More people also means more treated wastewater from residential and industrial areas is discharged into the Gulf, increasing the concentration of nutrients in seawater, causing a phenomena called eutrophication, which can lead to outbreaks of harmful algal blooms that can cause oxygen depletion and kill aquatic organisms. HABs can also affect desalination activities, as algae can clog the intake pipes and membrane filters of desalination plants shutting them down. Abu Dhabi’s marine water quality is considered good and safe for public use, including swimming, as eutrophication does not present a direct health risk to recreational water users and there is no bacterial contamination that can pose a threat to public health.
Ensuring that the emirate’s coastal waters remain safe for people, plants and animals is a fundamental mandate of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi.
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In 2006, EAD started a marine water quality monitoring programme. Through a network of monitoring stations, we collect samples and measure different water quality parameters to understand the levels of nutrients, organics, microbes and heavy metals in seawater. We have also developed an early warning automated system that helps forecasting the formation of HBAs. The system collects data every hour, seven days a week, which is evaluated by our staff to assess water quality. We use this information to develop and enforce policies and regulations to mitigate the impacts of human activity on the marine environment to protect public health, biodiversity and our economy.
EAD also plays an important role in regulating and controlling the industrial sector from polluting marine water since effluent discharges from industrial facilities are a source of nutrients, sediments, heavy metals and other contaminants into waterways. This control is done by issuing environmental permits for industrial facilities and projects. We also provide recommendations on how to reduce their environmental impact. Our role does not end with this, but extends to the construction and operational phases of the projects by reviewing quarterly monitoring reports and inspecting the facilities to ensure their complying with the terms of the permits.
In 2012, the Higher Committee for Enhancing Marine Water Quality was established under the chairmanship of Mohamed Ahmed Al Bowardi, EAD’s managing director. All relevant stakeholders are represented on the committee. Its role is to follow up on implementing all projects and initiatives in the executive plan for improving marine water quality, and to ensure co-ordination between relevant stakeholders to handle challenges and develop appropriate solutions to protect public health and the marine environment. The committee develops and oversees the design and implementation of inter-agency marine water quality protection initiatives. About 37 initiatives have been completed and 26 are under study.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, once said: “water is more important than oil”. This is inclusive of marine water in a country whose past, present and future is intrinsically linked to the Arabian Gulf, a living system that we need to preserve.
Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak is secretary general of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi
BELGIUM%20SQUAD
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Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
FIGHT CARD
Bantamweight Hamza Bougamza (MAR) v Jalal Al Daaja (JOR)
Catchweight 67kg Mohamed El Mesbahi (MAR) v Fouad Mesdari (ALG)
Lighweight Abdullah Mohammed Ali (UAE) v Abdelhak Amhidra (MAR)
Catchweight 73kg Mostafa Ibrahim Radi (PAL) v Yazid Chouchane (ALG)
Middleweight Yousri Belgaroui (TUN) v Badreddine Diani (MAR)
Catchweight 78kg Rashed Dawood (UAE) v Adnan Bushashy (ALG)
Middleweight Sallaheddine Dekhissi (MAR) v Abdel Emam (EGY)
Catchweight 65kg Rachid Hazoume (MAR) v Yanis Ghemmouri (ALG)
Lighweight Mohammed Yahya (UAE) v Azouz Anwar (EGY)
Catchweight 79kg Omar Hussein (PAL) v Souhil Tahiri (ALG)
Middleweight Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Laid Zerhouni (ALG)
THE BIO
Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13
Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier
Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife
What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents.
Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.
SWEET%20TOOTH
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Kandahar%20
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The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
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
Company Fact Box
Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019
Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO
Based: Amman, Jordan
Sector: Education Technology
Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed
Stage: early-stage startup
Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.
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
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
The biog
Name: Timothy Husband
Nationality: New Zealand
Education: Degree in zoology at The University of Sydney
Favourite book: Lemurs of Madagascar by Russell A Mittermeier
Favourite music: Billy Joel
Weekends and holidays: Talking about animals or visiting his farm in Australia
Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
%3Cp%3EHigh%20fever%20(40%C2%B0C%2F104%C2%B0F)%3Cbr%3ESevere%20headache%3Cbr%3EPain%20behind%20the%20eyes%3Cbr%3EMuscle%20and%20joint%20pains%3Cbr%3ENausea%3Cbr%3EVomiting%3Cbr%3ESwollen%20glands%3Cbr%3ERash%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
OPINIONS ON PALESTINE & ISRAEL
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Museum of the Future in numbers
- 78 metres is the height of the museum
- 30,000 square metres is its total area
- 17,000 square metres is the length of the stainless steel facade
- 14 kilometres is the length of LED lights used on the facade
- 1,024 individual pieces make up the exterior
- 7 floors in all, with one for administrative offices
- 2,400 diagonally intersecting steel members frame the torus shape
- 100 species of trees and plants dot the gardens
- Dh145 is the price of a ticket
The specs
Engine: four-litre V6 and 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: six-speed and 10-speed
Power: 271 and 409 horsepower
Torque: 385 and 650Nm
Price: from Dh229,900 to Dh355,000
Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
Company%20Profile
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
JOKE'S%20ON%20YOU
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MOTHER%20OF%20STRANGERS
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Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
HEY%20MERCEDES%2C%20WHAT%20CAN%20YOU%20DO%20FOR%20ME%3F
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Brief scoreline:
Wales 1
James 5'
Slovakia 0
Man of the Match: Dan James (Wales)
How much sugar is in chocolate Easter eggs?
- The 169g Crunchie egg has 15.9g of sugar per 25g serving, working out at around 107g of sugar per egg
- The 190g Maltesers Teasers egg contains 58g of sugar per 100g for the egg and 19.6g of sugar in each of the two Teasers bars that come with it
- The 188g Smarties egg has 113g of sugar per egg and 22.8g in the tube of Smarties it contains
- The Milky Bar white chocolate Egg Hunt Pack contains eight eggs at 7.7g of sugar per egg
- The Cadbury Creme Egg contains 26g of sugar per 40g egg
Tips to keep your car cool
- Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
- Park in shaded or covered areas
- Add tint to windows
- Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
- Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
- Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
