For decades, a large part of the GCC's success has been linked to its vast contribution to global energy markets. On Tuesday, the Emirates opened a new chapter in this story, showing just how much the region has changed since its oil reserves were discovered in the first half of the 20th century.
The UAE's Barakah facility, the Arab world's only nuclear energy plant, is now producing a steady stream of electricity at its 1400-megawatt Unit 1. This is the first of four sections, with the second set to open later this year. Building at the remaining two is 94 and 89 per cent complete respectively. When the $25 billion project, which was launched in 2008, is fully operational, it will begin a lifespan of at least 60 years, producing a quarter of the country's energy.
Barakah has two principles at its core: safety and transparency
Barakah is another in a series of scientific firsts for the Arab world, happening weeks after the UAE's Hope Probe entered the Mars atmosphere in February and Tunisia launched its first domestically made satellite, Challenge-1, in March. This has all happened amid the Covid-19 pandemic, a sign that the region is growing a resilient culture of the pursuit of science.
It is also a success of international co-operation, something that has proven its value time and time again, particularly during the past year. Throughout the project, South Korea has been on hand to lend its expertise through a partnership with the Korea Electric Power Corporation.
The Barakah plant proves that nuclear power has a place in the 21st century, particularly as a means of producing electricity that does not contribute to global warming. When it reaches full capacity, its clean energy will reduce the nation's output of carbon dioxide by 21 million tonnes, a reduction that is equivalent to removing 3.2 million cars from the country's roads.
Comment from The National
The project adds a new scientific dimension to the UAE's economic diversification strategy. A nuclear sector is a mark of an advanced nation. Across the world, the most developed states have been harnessing its strategic benefits not just for eco-friendly power, but for a sovereign source of energy that can be used to power submarines, ships and shore up a nation's electricity expenditure at times of market instability. Domestic nuclear capability empowers all citizens. Women represent 40 per cent of the workforce at the UAE's Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation and young scientists will have a new home to pursue their dreams.
Barakah has two other principles at its core: safety and transparency. Whether protection at the site itself, or protocols to deal with radioactive waste, the facility uses the latest technology to ensure that atomic energy’s benefit is not clouded by risk. It is deemed one of the safest nuclear programmes in the world.
We will save the planet by embracing, not shying away from innovative approaches to the climate crisis. With the Arab world’s first nuclear plant now online, the region is one step closer to a carbon-free future.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Dr Graham's three goals
Short term
Establish logistics and systems needed to globally deploy vaccines
Intermediate term
Build biomedical workforces in low- and middle-income nations
Long term
A prototype pathogen approach for pandemic preparedness
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The biog
Name: Mohammed Imtiaz
From: Gujranwala, Pakistan
Arrived in the UAE: 1976
Favourite clothes to make: Suit
Cost of a hand-made suit: From Dh550
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
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Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
Januzaj's club record
Manchester United 50 appearances, 5 goals
Borussia Dortmund (loan) 6 appearances, 0 goals
Sunderland (loan) 25 appearances, 0 goals
The specS: 2018 Toyota Camry
Price: base / as tested: Dh91,000 / Dh114,000
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
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Wales 20-19 France
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● Company: Bidzi
● Started: 2024
● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid
● Based: Dubai, UAE
● Industry: M&A
● Funding size: Bootstrapped
● No of employees: Nine
The Laughing Apple
Yusuf/Cat Stevens
(Verve Decca Crossover)
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Company name: Big Farm Brothers
Started: September 2020
Founders: Vishal Mahajan and Navneet Kaur
Based: Dubai Investment Park 1
Industry: food and agriculture
Initial investment: $205,000
Current staff: eight to 10
Future plan: to expand to other GCC markets
The specs: 2017 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn
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Engine: 5.7L V8
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 395hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 556Nm @ 3,950rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
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5.55am: Wheelchair Marathon Elites
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Released: 2017
Peak chart position: No.1 in more than 47 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Lebanon
Views: 5.3 billion on YouTube
Sales: With 10 million downloads in the US, Despacito became the first Latin single to receive Diamond sales certification
Streams: 1.3 billion combined audio and video by the end of 2017, making it the biggest digital hit of the year.
Awards: 17, including Record of the Year at last year’s prestigious Latin Grammy Awards, as well as five Billboard Music Awards
MATCH INFO
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Ajax v Juventus, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Match on BeIN Sports
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League quarter-final (first-leg score):
Juventus (1) v Ajax (1), Tuesday, 11pm UAE
Match will be shown on BeIN Sports
Scoreline
Al Wasl 1 (Caio Canedo 90 1')
Al Ain 2 (Ismail Ahmed 3', Marcus Berg 50')
Red cards: Ismail Ahmed (Al Ain) 77'
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