A heron searches for breakfast at the Eastern Mangrove area Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
Social distancing is conciously adhered to during the tour at Jubail Mangrove Park, Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa/The National
A section of Abu Dhabi coastline in the Western Region. There are about 215 islands and the warm Arabian Gulf waters support a diverse and rich marine environment
A record 876 flamingo chicks hatched at Abu Dhabi’s Al Wathba Wetland Reserve this season. Victor Besa /The National
A record 876 flamingo chicks hatched at Abu Dhabi’s Al Wathba Wetland Reserve this season. Victor Besa /The National
The Al Wathba Wetland Reserve in Abu Dhabi, August 2017. The reserve is the second most successful breeding site, where 1,228 Greater Flamingos breed during the winter. Dr Salim Javed of EAD in one of the observation hutches. Antonie Robertson/The National
Flamingos at the Al Wathba Wetlands in Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National
Baby flamingos at the Al Wathba Wetlands in Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National
Waterbirds at the Al Wathba wetlands in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi
October 5 marks World Habitat Day. Since it was established in 1985 by the UN General Assembly (UNGA), World Habitat Day has been commemorated every year with two main goals. The first is to reflect on the state of our towns and cities, and on the fundamental right of all to adequate shelter. The second is to remind the world that we have a collective responsibility to shape the future of our cities and towns.
Globally, a significant part of the planet’s population lives under poor conditions without adequate access to the essentials of life, including clean water, electricity, sanitation and medical facilities.
Nearly a quarter of the global population lives in sub-par housing, including slums. The world needs housing for an estimated 3 billion more people by 2030 to accommodate rapidly growing cities.
Providing decent housing, especially for marginalised sections of our society, is an integral part of the 11th UN Sustainable Development Goal, which concerns ensuring sustainable cities and communities by 2030. The theme of this year’s World Habitat Day – “Housing for All: A better Urban Future” – encapsulates an idea that is also fundamental to achieving other SDGs, including the elimination of poverty and ensuring health and wellbeing. Part of this involves promoting affordable housing. Affordability, it is important to note, doesn’t just mean making it easier to purchase a home, but also to sustain and maintain it.
Housing for all is a wonderful mission. The UN and other institutions working tirelessly to realise it must be applauded for this ambitious project. However, the world must focus on more than just providing decent housing to those who are deprived of it at the moment.
Jubail Mangrove Park, Abu Dhabi, September 23. Victor Besa/The National
We must ensure that we get the infrastructure in place to integrate sustainability into every aspect of housing for everyone. This means putting more effort into sourcing, how we choose materials and the development of green spaces. It also means paying attention to how we use and recycle water and energy. This is a huge task for governments, NGOs and donor agencies, as well as individuals.
Housing also goes a long way in nation building. It not only provides families with a roof over their heads, but more importantly a place where they can bond, interact and educate to their children. These are the fundamentals of building nations with stable and safe societies.
In the UAE, fortunately, access to housing is not a major issue. The government’s desire to attain world-class infrastructure under its “Vision 2021” initiative has propelled significant spending in housing, health care, telecommunications, transportation and other forms of infrastructure.
Last year, the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report ranked 12th globally in the area of infrastructure development. Infrastructure development includes residential land and housing, roads, bridges and other support services. The fact that the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment is one of the federal bodies tasked with developing the country’s infrastructure highlights the importance the government places on environment and environmental sustainability.
This February, I had the opportunity to speak at the 10th World Urban Forum in Abu Dhabi. The emirate has been at the forefront of urban development and sustainability, with environment at the heart of such development. Its population has grown substantially, from nearly 500,000 in 1980 to almost 3.5 million in 2020. Scaling up the emirate’s infrastructure in line with this increase while meeting our commitments to the environment is challenging. But it is the chief mission of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, which I run.
Abu Dhabi goes to significant effort to connect the emirate's residents with their natural surroundings
We work very closely with the Department of Municipalities and Transport to develop urban and rural codes. By integrating them into master planning, as well as in the permitting processes to ensure better land-use planning, these codes ensure our natural heritage is protected.
As Abu Dhabi’s environment regulator, we also play an important role in regulating water and waste, as well as air and marine water quality. All of these are essential in reducing the adverse per capita environmental impact of the emirate’s cities. EAD also plays a big role in helping DMT with Estidama – Abu Dhabi’s green building rating system.
Moreover, we have worked closely with the Department of Energy to roll out the “Tarsheed” programme, which helps to manage water and energy demand in the emirate’s existing stock of buildings. The programme aims to cut water and energy use by 20 per cent by 2030.
Park rangers taking the temperature of a San Cristobal island giant tortoise before been released, in Galapagos, Ecuador on September 28. Handout picture by Galapagos National Park / AFP
A group of park rangers release a San Cristobal island giant tortoise, in Galapagos, Ecuador on September 28, 2020. A group of 36 giant tortoises of an endangered species and born in captivity was repatriated to their habitat on San Cristobal Island, one of the main islands of the Ecuadorian archipelago of Galapagos. Handout picture by Galapagos National Park / AFP
A San Cristobal island giant tortoise before been released, in Galapagos, Ecuador on September 28. Handout picture by Galapagos National Park / AFP
San Cristobal island giant tortoises before been released, in Galapagos, Ecuador on September 28. Handout picture by Galapagos National Park / AFP
A hammerhead shark swims at Galapagos Marine Reserve, Ecuador, on August 19, 2013. Jorge Silva/ Reuters
Abu Dhabi takes pride in the emirate’s traditions and ensuring that cultural heritage, from falconry to camel racing and pearling, is preserved. In fact, EAD played a key role in falconry being recognised as “intangible cultural heritage” by Unesco in 2010.
The emirate also goes to significant effort to connect its residents with nature. Valuable spaces such as the Zayed Network of 19 terrestrial and marine protected areas, Al Wathba Wetland Reserve, Bul Syayeef, Mangrove National Park and Saadiyat National Park are all in line with the SDGs’ commitment to providing universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces by 2030.
Our mangroves, salt marshes, and tidal mud flats persevered within these protected areas provide important habitats to resident and migratory species. They are also vital in provisioning ecosystem services, providing defence against storms and diseases and mitigating climate change.
The importance of the environment and the delicate balance between environment, society and economy has been brought to the fore by the Covid-19 pandemic. It is a matter of urgency that while we continue to build cities, we also make adequate provisions for nature.
If housing for 3 billion more people is to be provided effectively, nature must be at the very heart of the process. It is only then that we will have achieved the goal of creating sustainable cities and safer, more inclusive societies.
Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri is secretary-general of Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi
Normcore explained
Something of a fashion anomaly, normcore is essentially a celebration of the unremarkable. The term was first popularised by an article in New York magazine in 2014 and has been dubbed “ugly”, “bland’ and "anti-style" by fashion writers. It’s hallmarks are comfort, a lack of pretentiousness and neutrality – it is a trend for those who would rather not stand out from the crowd. For the most part, the style is unisex, favouring loose silhouettes, thrift-shop threads, baseball caps and boyish trainers. It is important to note that normcore is not synonymous with cheapness or low quality; there are high-fashion brands, including Parisian label Vetements, that specialise in this style. Embraced by fashion-forward street-style stars around the globe, it’s uptake in the UAE has been relatively slow.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Indoor Cricket World Cup
Venue Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE squad Saqib Nazir (captain), Aaqib Malik, Fahad Al Hashmi, Isuru Umesh, Nadir Hussain, Sachin Talwar, Nashwan Nasir, Prashath Kumara, Ramveer Rai, Sameer Nayyak, Umar Shah, Vikrant Shetty
THE IRISHMAN - Leandro Estebecorena, Stephane Grabli, Pablo Helman
THE LION KING - Andrew R. Jones, Robert Legato, Elliot Newman, Adam Valdez
STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER - Roger Guyett, Paul Kavanagh, Neal Scanlan, Dominic Tuohy
MAKE UP & HAIR
1917 - Naomi Donne
BOMBSHELL - Vivian Baker, Kazu Hiro, Anne Morgan
JOKER - Kay Georgiou, Nicki Ledermann
JUDY - Jeremy Woodhead
ROCKETMAN - Lizzie Yianni Georgiou
BRITISH SHORT FILM
AZAAR - Myriam Raja, Nathanael Baring
GOLDFISH - Hector Dockrill, Harri Kamalanathan, Benedict Turnbull, Laura Dockrill
KAMALI - Sasha Rainbow, Rosalind Croad
LEARNING TO SKATEBOARD IN A WARZONE (IF YOU’RE A GIRL) - Carol Dysinger, Elena Andreicheva
THE TRAP - Lena Headey, Anthony Fitzgerald
BRITISH SHORT ANIMATION
GRANDAD WAS A ROMANTIC - Maryam Mohajer
IN HER BOOTS - Kathrin Steinbacher
THE MAGIC BOAT - Naaman Azh
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Saturday (All UAE kick-off times)
Valencia v Atletico Madrid (midnight)
Mallorca v Alaves (4pm)
Barcelona v Getafe (7pm)
Villarreal v Levante (9.30pm)
Sunday
Granada v Real Volladolid (midnight)
Sevilla v Espanyol (3pm)
Leganes v Real Betis (5pm)
Eibar v Real Sociedad (7pm)
Athletic Bilbao v Osasuna (9.30pm)
Monday
Real Madrid v Celta Vigo (midnight)
Specs
Engine: 3.0L twin-turbo V6 Gearbox: 10-speed automatic Power: 405hp at 5,500rpm Torque: 562Nm at 3,000rpm Fuel economy, combined: 11.2L/100km Price: From Dh292,845 (Reserve); from Dh320,145 (Presidential) On sale: Now
Backers: Berlin-based venture capital company Target Global, Kingsway, CE Ventures, Entrée Capital, Zamil Investment Group, Global Ventures, Almoayed Technologies and Mad’a Investment.
There are numerous success stories of teen businesses that were created in college dorm rooms and other modest circumstances. Below are some of the most recognisable names in the industry:
Facebook: Mark Zuckerberg and his friends started Facebook when he was a 19-year-old Harvard undergraduate.
Dell: When Michael Dell was an undergraduate student at Texas University in 1984, he started upgrading computers for profit. He starting working full-time on his business when he was 19. Eventually, his company became the Dell Computer Corporation and then Dell Inc.
Subway: Fred DeLuca opened the first Subway restaurant when he was 17. In 1965, Mr DeLuca needed extra money for college, so he decided to open his own business. Peter Buck, a family friend, lent him $1,000 and together, they opened Pete’s Super Submarines. A few years later, the company was rebranded and called Subway.
Mashable: In 2005, Pete Cashmore created Mashable in Scotland when he was a teenager. The site was then a technology blog. Over the next few decades, Mr Cashmore has turned Mashable into a global media company.
Oculus VR: Palmer Luckey founded Oculus VR in June 2012, when he was 19. In August that year, Oculus launched its Kickstarter campaign and raised more than $1 million in three days. Facebook bought Oculus for $2 billion two years later.
Ben Stokes (captain), Joe Root, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Foakes, Jack Leach, Alex Lees, Craig Overton, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts
Founders: Charaf El Mansouri, Nisma Benani, Leah Howe
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: TravelTech
Funding stage: Pre-series A
Investors: Convivialite Ventures, BY Partners, Shorooq Partners, L& Ventures, Flat6Labs
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11 What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time. TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
Drivers in Abu Dhabi spend 10 per cent longer in congested conditions than they would on a free-flowing road
The highest volume of traffic on the roads is found between 7am and 8am on a Sunday.
Travelling before 7am on a Sunday could save up to four hours per year on a 30-minute commute.
The day was the least congestion in Abu Dhabi in 2019 was Tuesday, August 13.
The highest levels of traffic were found on Sunday, November 10.
Drivers in Abu Dhabi lost 41 hours spent in traffic jams in rush hour during 2019
Tank warfare
Lt Gen Erik Petersen, deputy chief of programs, US Army, has argued it took a “three decade holiday” on modernising tanks.
“There clearly remains a significant armoured heavy ground manoeuvre threat in this world and maintaining a world class armoured force is absolutely vital,” the general said in London last week.
“We are developing next generation capabilities to compete with and deter adversaries to prevent opportunism or miscalculation, and, if necessary, defeat any foe decisively.”
Rocketman
Director: Dexter Fletcher
Starring: Taron Egerton, Richard Madden, Jamie Bell
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Be honest and transparent: It is always better to own up than be found out. Tell your partner everything they want to know. Show remorse. Inform them of the extent of the situation so they know what they are dealing with.
Work on yourself: Be honest with yourself and your partner and figure out why you did it. Don’t be ashamed to ask for professional help.
Give it time: Like any breach of trust, it requires time to rebuild. So be consistent, communicate often and be patient with your partner and yourself.
Discuss your financial situation regularly: Ensure your spouse is involved in financial matters and decisions. Your ability to consistently follow through with what you say you are going to do when it comes to money can make all the difference in your partner’s willingness to trust you again.
Work on a plan to resolve the problem together: If there is a lot of debt, for example, create a budget and financial plan together and ensure your partner is fully informed, involved and supported.
Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
