There are so many more of us now in April 2018 as compared to 10 years ago – at least another one million living and working in the UAE, making it a place called home.
The country has also grown since the printing presses of The National first rolled in the early hours of April 17, 2008. Just like UAE, they bring something new every day.
Consider Abu Dhabi in the spring of 2008. The skyline was dominated – if that is the right word – by the headquarters of what was then the National Bank of Abu Dhabi on Sheikh Khalifa Street.
At 173 metres, it is less than half the height of the capital’s newest giant, the 382 metre Mohammed bin Rashid tower rising out of the World Trade Centre, which opened in 2013 on the site of the Abu Dhabi souq, a marketplace at the heart of the city going back two centuries.
Some of the city’s most spectacular buildings have sprung up in this time. The Capital Gate, attached to the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, is certified as the world’s furthest leaning manmade structure by Guinness World Records in 2010.
Zaha Hadid's Sheikh Zayed Bridge still wanted the centre span 10 years ago, before opening in November 2010. That month saw the state visit of Queen Elizabeth, her first since 1979, and the opening by the President of the Sheikh Zayed Bridge and the new motorway bearing the same name.
It opened a whole new gateway to the city, cutting across from the airport past mangroves and azure waters and across Yas and Saadiyat Islands, the new frontier of the city.
What more needs to be said about the Yas Marina Circuit, which brought Formula One for the first time in 2009, or Louvre Abu Dhabi, which opened on Saadiyat only last November.
But the city has evolved in other ways, perhaps less architectural spectacular but which have profoundly influenced the quality of life in Abu Dhabi.
The revival of the Corniche began with the first of three free Womad world music festivals in 2009 with stars such as Rashid Taha and Khaled, and continues with the expansion of the public beach as a place for families to enjoy their leisure time.
The Abu Dhabi Food Festival and the Liwa Date Festival are new additions to the cultural scene during this time, while the International Prize for Arabic Fiction, sometimes dubbed the Arabic Booker, was first awarded in 2008, to the Egyptian writer Bahaa Taher.
It is along the drive to Dubai that other changes over the past 10 years become evident. The road is wider in many places than it was in 2008, to reflect the growth in traffic and the construction of Kizad, the deep-water port and industrial zone in 2010.
Dubai as a city now begins just over the border with its neighbour, with the collection of theme parks that includes Legoland and Bollywood Parks.
It seems an age since the city watched the construction of the final stages and tried to guess the height of what was then called the Burj Dubai, but opened as the 828-metre Burj Khalifa in 2010.
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Read more of our 10-year anniversary coverage here:
SPECIAL REPORT: Chronicling 10 years of change in the UAE
The art of institution building
Cleveland hospital: medical partners bring rude health
Boom time: a decade when the cranes ruled the UAE's skies
Technology has transformed every aspect of life in UAE
____________
We wandered through the new Dubai Mall in November 2008 and wondered if there could ever be enough customers or retailers to fill what was soon billed the most visited building on the planet (oh, and the mall opened a 93,000-square-metre luxury brand expansion last month).
The Metro is so woven into the fabric of the city that it is hard to imagine life without it.
The idea of extending Dubai Creek with a canal through Jumeirah was postponed because of the financial crisis of 2009, revived in 2013 and finally opened in November 2016.
This is a city that is expanding not just upwards, but outwards. Using satellite imagery, the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre has calculated Dubai's coastline grew by 6 per cent between 2009 and 2015.
Even the quieter corners of the UAE have experienced dramatic change in the lifetime of this newspaper so far. Al Ain has further cemented its reputation as a cultural centre, with the restoration of Qasr Al Muwaiji, the birthplace of Sheikh Khalifa, in 2015 and the revival of Souq Al Qasr as a focus for local handicrafts and Emirati culture.
Ten years ago the drive west towards Ruwais and Tarif was a nerve-racking game of dodgems involving lumbering trucks and Saudi-driven Land Cruisers.
The old two-lane highway has been transformed to a modern motorway, easing access to getaways such as Sir Bani Yas island, once a wildlife centre established by Sheikh Zayed but welcoming guests as a luxury resort with a safari experience since October 2008.
Drivers along the improved E11 east will also notice something else new on part of their journey. Trains, which have been using the freight route built by Etihad Rail, were established in 2009 and operating services since 2013.
Transport has also been dramatically improved to the Northern Emirates. The Dubai to Fujairah motorway opened in 2011, halving the drive between the two emirates to just an hour.
Three years ago, in an impressive feat of construction that involved cutting through mountains, the Fujairah bypass further improved links to Dubai and Sharjah. In this sense as the UAE grows larger, it also gets smaller.
Ras Al Khaimah has established itself as a centre for tourism since 2008, with resorts such as the Cove Rotana attracting international visitors and the completion of a road that ends at the viewing platform opened last year on Jebel Jais, the country’s tallest mountain. As always, the UAE aims high.
More from Neighbourhood Watch
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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.
if you go
The flights
Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.
The hotel
Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.
The tour
Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Januzaj's club record
Manchester United 50 appearances, 5 goals
Borussia Dortmund (loan) 6 appearances, 0 goals
Sunderland (loan) 25 appearances, 0 goals
Bio:
Favourite Quote: Prophet Mohammad's quotes There is reward for kindness to every living thing and A good man treats women with honour
Favourite Hobby: Serving poor people
Favourite Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite food: Fish and vegetables
Favourite place to visit: London
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
If you go
The flights
Etihad flies direct from Abu Dhabi to San Francisco from Dh5,760 return including taxes.
The car
Etihad Guest members get a 10 per cent worldwide discount when booking with Hertz, as well as earning miles on their rentals. A week's car hire costs from Dh1,500 including taxes.
The hotels
Along the route, Motel 6 (www.motel6.com) offers good value and comfort, with rooms from $55 (Dh202) per night including taxes. In Portland, the Jupiter Hotel (https://jupiterhotel.com/) has rooms from $165 (Dh606) per night including taxes. The Society Hotel https://thesocietyhotel.com/ has rooms from $130 (Dh478) per night including taxes.
More info
To keep up with constant developments in Portland, visit www.travelportland.com. Good guidebooks include the Lonely Planet guides to Northern California and Washington, Oregon & the Pacific Northwest.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.6-litre turbo
Transmission: six-speed automatic
Power: 165hp
Torque: 240Nm
Price: From Dh89,000 (Enjoy), Dh99,900 (Innovation)
On sale: Now
Brief scores:
Toss: Rajputs, elected to field first
Sindhis 94-6 (10 ov)
Watson 42; Munaf 3-20
Rajputs 96-0 (4 ov)
Shahzad 74 not out
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
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Schedule for Asia Cup
Sept 15: Bangladesh v Sri Lanka (Dubai)
Sept 16: Pakistan v Qualifier (Dubai)
Sept 17: Sri Lanka v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 18: India v Qualifier (Dubai)
Sept 19: India v Pakistan (Dubai)
Sept 20: Bangladesh v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi) Super Four
Sept 21: Group A Winner v Group B Runner-up (Dubai)
Sept 21: Group B Winner v Group A Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 23: Group A Winner v Group A Runner-up (Dubai)
Sept 23: Group B Winner v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 25: Group A Winner v Group B Winner (Dubai)
Sept 26: Group A Runner-up v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 28: Final (Dubai)
The rules of the road keeping cyclists safe
Cyclists must wear a helmet, arm and knee pads
Have a white front-light and a back red-light on their bike
They must place a number plate with reflective light to the back of the bike to alert road-users
Avoid carrying weights that could cause the bike to lose balance
They must cycle on designated lanes and areas and ride safe on pavements to avoid bumping into pedestrians
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
MATCH INFO
Day 2 at Mount Maunganui
England 353
Stokes 91, Denly 74, Southee 4-88
New Zealand 144-4
Williamson 51, S Curran 2-28
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
Juvenile arthritis
Along with doctors, families and teachers can help pick up cases of arthritis in children.
Most types of childhood arthritis are known as juvenile idiopathic arthritis. JIA causes pain and inflammation in one or more joints for at least six weeks.
Dr Betina Rogalski said "The younger the child the more difficult it into pick up the symptoms. If the child is small, it may just be a bit grumpy or pull its leg a way or not feel like walking,” she said.
According to The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases in US, the most common symptoms of juvenile arthritis are joint swelling, pain, and stiffness that doesn’t go away. Usually it affects the knees, hands, and feet, and it’s worse in the morning or after a nap.
Limping in the morning because of a stiff knee, excessive clumsiness, having a high fever and skin rash are other symptoms. Children may also have swelling in lymph nodes in the neck and other parts of the body.
Arthritis in children can cause eye inflammation and growth problems and can cause bones and joints to grow unevenly.
In the UK, about 15,000 children and young people are affected by arthritis.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
'Moonshot'
Director: Chris Winterbauer
Stars: Lana Condor and Cole Sprouse
Rating: 3/5
Seven tips from Emirates NBD
1. Never respond to e-mails, calls or messages asking for account, card or internet banking details
2. Never store a card PIN (personal identification number) in your mobile or in your wallet
3. Ensure online shopping websites are secure and verified before providing card details
4. Change passwords periodically as a precautionary measure
5. Never share authentication data such as passwords, card PINs and OTPs (one-time passwords) with third parties
6. Track bank notifications regarding transaction discrepancies
7. Report lost or stolen debit and credit cards immediately
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The biog
DOB: March 13, 1987
Place of birth: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia but lived in Virginia in the US and raised in Lebanon
School: ACS in Lebanon
University: BSA in Graphic Design at the American University of Beirut
MSA in Design Entrepreneurship at the School of Visual Arts in New York City
Nationality: Lebanese
Status: Single
Favourite thing to do: I really enjoy cycling, I was a participant in Cycling for Gaza for the second time this year
Race card:
6.30pm: Maiden; Dh165,000; 2,000m
7.05pm: Handicap; Dh165,000; 2,200m
7.40pm: Conditions; Dh240,000; 1,600m
8.15pm: Handicap; Dh190,000; 2,000m
8.50pm: The Garhoud Sprint Listed; Dh265,000; 1,200m
9.25pm: Handicap; Dh170,000; 1,600m
10pm: Handicap; Dh190,000; 1,400m
Company%20Profile
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Asian Cup 2019
Quarter-final
UAE v Australia, Friday, 8pm, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
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The%20specs
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Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Why seagrass matters
- Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
- Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
- Biodiversity: Support species like sea turtles, dugongs, and seabirds
- Coastal protection: Reduce erosion and improve water quality
