Dubai Police's elite team of crime-fighting canines is helping to sniff out major drug operations, investigate fires and even tackle the spread of Covid-19.
The force's K9 Unit carried out more than 2,800 missions last year in its dogged pursuit of justice.
The team, ably supported by 63 professional trainers, is made up of 73 animals from six breeds – German shepherd, Dutch shepherd, Belgian Malinois, English springer spaniel, Labrador retriever and cocker spaniel.
The dogs assisted the force in conducting 1,321 security checks, 480 guard duty posts, 381 security patrols, 53 anti-drug operations, 20 raids, 11 fire detections, 542 Covid-19 screenings and another 879 special assignments at Expo 2020 Dubai during a busy 12 months.
A special breed of crime fighters
Maj Salah Khalifa Al Mazrouei, director of security at the K9 Unit, said each breed of dog was best suited to particular tasks.
"Missions and tasks are distributed among canines based on their specialities," he said.
"German and Dutch shepherds and Malinois dogs handle guarding duties, lead tracking and detection of all kinds as they are known for being more resilient.
"On the other hand, English springer, Labrador retriever and cocker spaniels specialise in recovering hidden narcotics and explosives, uncovering dead bodies, searching for missing persons and tracking possessions and flammable materials."
Smashing drug rings and investigating fires
Cpt Khalifa Al Suwaidi, head of the security missions section, said it was difficult to throw the dogs off the scent when they were closing in on drug gangs.
"Some canines are assigned for anti-narcotics missions to detect psychotropic substances such as opium, marijuana, hallucinations drugs, amphetamine, heroin and cocaine. During the mission, K9s sniff out hidden drugs even if buried," he said.
"We dispatched canines to determine if a fire breakout is to be considered an arson case by sniffing out gasoline, diesel or kerosene."
Supporting Covid-19 fight
Maj Al Mazrouei said the K9 Unit played a leading role in limiting the spread of Covid-19.
"K9 sniffer dogs have been stationed at airports across the country to help detect traces of the coronavirus from passenger sweat samples, with 92 per cent accuracy," he said.
"We have trained 38 canines, including German shepherds, Labradors, cocker spaniels and border collies, to recognise the scent of Covid-19 using samples of sweat from people with confirmed infections, collected by holding a swab in an armpit for a few minutes."
He said there was no direct contact between the canines and the passengers during this process.
Top dogs for the job
Maj Al Mazrouei said the force went to great lengths to secure the best canine candidates.
"A specialised committee has been formed to run tests to handle canine recruitments based on their instincts and their capabilities to undertake policing missions and handle the workload," he said.
"Canines join the Dubai Police team at 10 months or a year-and-a-half of age and continue to serve the force for seven more years.
"During their years of service, they undergo medical check-ups and performance tests to determine their capabilities to carry out police work.
"Suppose Dubai Police veterinarians or canines' trainers give reasons for necessary retirement. In that case, dogs are placed for adoption under certain conditions, and we get many applications from dog lovers among the public."
RESULTS
West Asia Premiership
Thursday
Jebel Ali Dragons 13-34 Dubai Exiles
Friday
Dubai Knights Eagles 16-27 Dubai Tigers
Hydrogen: Market potential
Hydrogen has an estimated $11 trillion market potential, according to Bank of America Securities and is expected to generate $2.5tn in direct revenues and $11tn of indirect infrastructure by 2050 as its production increases six-fold.
"We believe we are reaching the point of harnessing the element that comprises 90 per cent of the universe, effectively and economically,” the bank said in a recent report.
Falling costs of renewable energy and electrolysers used in green hydrogen production is one of the main catalysts for the increasingly bullish sentiment over the element.
The cost of electrolysers used in green hydrogen production has halved over the last five years and will fall to 60 to 90 per cent by the end of the decade, acceding to Haim Israel, equity strategist at Merrill Lynch. A global focus on decarbonisation and sustainability is also a big driver in its development.
Summer special
SUZUME
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
LILO & STITCH
Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Rating: 4.5/5
The Baghdad Clock
Shahad Al Rawi, Oneworld
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
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.
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