A powerful sandstorm struck Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, bringing with it strong winds as well as rain.
Trees were torn from their roots as the weather system swept through the capital, drastically reducing visibility in some areas.
Large quantities of sand was blown across stretches of motorway, adding to the already treacherous driving conditions.
Municipality workers struggled to clear away the debris as a number of accidents were reported. Minor flooding also caused problems for some motorists.
Sandstorms often strike the UAE over the summer months and experts believe their number is likely to rise due to the impact of global warming.
According to the American Thoracic Society, sand particles can be inhaled but are usually too large to be deposited in the lungs and so generally become trapped in the upper airway.
As a result, upper airway and mucus membrane irritation is the most common health issue caused by the storms.
Despite their relatively frequent occurrence in the UAE, the country's location and climate means it is less exposed to the sorts of extreme winds found elsewhere in the region.
Forecasters say most of the sandstorms that reach the Emirates originate in the dried-up marshlands of either Kuwait or Iraq, and that these weather systems usually blow themselves out before reaching the UAE.
Third Test
Result: India won by 203 runs
Series: England lead five-match series 2-1
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
How much of your income do you need to save?
The more you save, the sooner you can retire. Tuan Phan, a board member of SimplyFI.com, says if you save just 5 per cent of your salary, you can expect to work for another 66 years before you are able to retire without too large a drop in income.
In other words, you will not save enough to retire comfortably. If you save 15 per cent, you can forward to another 43 working years. Up that to 40 per cent of your income, and your remaining working life drops to just 22 years. (see table)
Obviously, this is only a rough guide. How much you save will depend on variables, not least your salary and how much you already have in your pension pot. But it shows what you need to do to achieve financial independence.
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
