President Sheikh Mohamed on Wednesday addressed the nation for the first time since being elected leader of the UAE.
In a nationally broadcasted speech, he spoke of the country's successes and plans for the future, of which the backbone would be the strength and determination of its people.
He also paid tribute to the country's two previous presidents, Sheikh Zayed, the Founding Father, and his brother, Sheikh Khalifa, who died in May.
Here are five of the key quotes and takeaways from Sheikh Mohamed's 10-minute address.
1. Ensuring the happiness of UAE citizens
“The people of the UAE, and striving to empower them, always has been and continues to be our nation’s top priority. Their happy lives remain the basis of all our future plans.”
Laying out the country's key goals for the future, he said the happiness and prosperity of the Emirati people was the “first and end priority”.
Echoing the sentiments of the presidents that came before him, he said ensuring Emiratis have everything they need to live fulfilled, comfortable and happy lives “remains the basis of all our future plans”.
Since becoming president, Sheikh Mohamed has worked to improve the welfare of the country's citizens.
This week, he ordered the distribution of Dh1.5 billion ($410 million) worth of housing benefits to citizens living in Abu Dhabi. It was the second such announcement made this year.
Earlier this month, a Dh28bn ($7.6bn) social support package that provided subsidies to lower-income Emirati families for essentials including fuel, food and utilities was also announced.
Sheikh Mohamed said the existing social support programme for citizens would be restructured to raise annual financial assistance from Dh2.7bn to Dh5bn.
2. Acknowledging the contributions of UAE residents
“Our pride in our people is infinite. Equally, we deeply appreciate the valued role of our residents, who consider this country their second home. And their continued contributions in building and developing the UAE since its inception.”
Speaking of the challenges faced by Emiratis, before and after unification in 1971, Sheikh Mohamed said the country's citizens “have proven their spirit and determination” but he also acknowledged the contributions of the UAE's residents, who make up the majority of the country's population.
He saluted the hundreds of foreign residents that live and work in the UAE and “actively participate in the growth and development of our economy”.
Sheikh Mohamed said the UAE would continue to develop “thanks to the efforts of our people and those who have chosen to call the UAE their home.”
3. A need to further diversify the UAE's economy
“Further diversifying our economy is a key strategic focus of our future plans. It is therefore necessary to accelerate economic development efforts to continue building a leading global economy, to enhance our competitiveness and achieve the highest global rankings.”
The UAE's thriving oil and gas sector has been key to the development of the nation since its formation in 1971. Since then, it has worked to diversify its economy away from fossil fuels in preparation a more sustainable future and as part of plans to become a circular economy.
Great investment has been made across a variety of fields, including technology, heath, science and tourism, growing each sector to provide greater employment opportunities for citizens and residents, as well as scope for international collaboration and trade.
Sheikh Mohamed said all this has been possible thanks to the UAE's highly skilled human capital. He said the country possessed a “distinguished wealth of young manpower” that has contributed to turning the UAE into an advanced, sustainable and integrated ecosystem — making it an inspiration for people in the region and around the world.
He said the UAE was “blessed with many resources”, but none more so than its people.
Sheikh Mohamed also spoke of the importance of the private sector, saying it must be “further activated” through constant collaboration and diverse opportunities to increase its contribution to the growth of the economy.
4. Encouraging peace and respectful dialogue between nations
“The UAE’s policy will continue to champion peace and stability in our region and the wider world, supporting others and advocating for wisdom and co-operation for the good of mankind.”
He spoke of the UAE's relationships with other countries that share its values of peaceful coexistence. He said this was a continuation of Sheikh Zayed's legacy and that the UAE would continue to provide humanitarian aid and lend a helping hand to communities in need worldwide, regardless of religion or race.
He said the UAE would continue to work to strengthen co-operation between nations to enable positive, respectful dialogue to achieve stability and prosperity for all.
Sheikh Mohamed added that the UAE was well respected around the world and has fostered good relations with other countries “based on solid foundations of openness and constructive co-operation” since its foundation.
This will continue during the country's next chapter, he said, with the UAE building on its reputation by establishing “strategic partnerships” with other nations.
5. The best is yet to come
“The UAE has achieved a lot for a young country but our ambitions are greater still and we must continue to surpass our current success.”
Sheikh Mohamed acknowledged the UAE's achievements to date but said the goal was to strive for further development and growth. Over the past 50 years, the UAE has transformed from a quiet trading port to a formidable player on the global stage with a burgeoning economy.
In the span of a few years, the country also entered the space sector, sending the first Emirati astronaut to the International Space Station in 2019 and successfully launching the Hope Probe into Mars's orbit the following year. The UAE has since announced a lunar mission in which the Rashid Rover will be sent to the Moon's surface in November.
And long-term plans for the country are already in motion.
The UAE's Centennial 2071 Plan seeks to create a future-focused government, further improve education, diversify the knowledge economy and ultimately foster a happy and cohesive society.
Plans extending even beyond the next 50 years include building Mars Scientific City, a Dh500m project that will simulate the Red Planet's terrain, allowing researchers to prepare for future living on Mars by 2117.
But to make all of these dreams a reality, sustained focus and dedication is needed now, said Sheikh Mohamed.
“Our responsibilities are to ensure a bright future for our young people and achieving that depends on work and effort we put in today,” he said.
Also on December 7 to 9, the third edition of the Gulf Car Festival (www.gulfcarfestival.com) will take over Dubai Festival City Mall, a new venue for the event. Last year's festival brought together about 900 cars worth more than Dh300 million from across the Emirates and wider Gulf region – and that first figure is set to swell by several hundred this time around, with between 1,000 and 1,200 cars expected. The first day is themed around American muscle; the second centres on supercars, exotics, European cars and classics; and the final day will major in JDM (Japanese domestic market) cars, tuned vehicles and trucks. Individuals and car clubs can register their vehicles, although the festival isn’t all static displays, with stunt drifting, a rev battle, car pulls and a burnout competition.
Top investing tips for UAE residents in 2021
Build an emergency fund: Make sure you have enough cash to cover six months of expenses as a buffer against unexpected problems before you begin investing, advises Steve Cronin, the founder of DeadSimpleSaving.com.
Think long-term: When you invest, you need to have a long-term mindset, so don’t worry about momentary ups and downs in the stock market.
Invest worldwide: Diversify your investments globally, ideally by way of a global stock index fund.
Is your money tied up: Avoid anything where you cannot get your money back in full within a month at any time without any penalty.
Skip past the promises: “If an investment product is offering more than 10 per cent return per year, it is either extremely risky or a scam,” Mr Cronin says.
Choose plans with low fees: Make sure that any funds you buy do not charge more than 1 per cent in fees, Mr Cronin says. “If you invest by yourself, you can easily stay below this figure.” Managed funds and commissionable investments often come with higher fees.
Be sceptical about recommendations: If someone suggests an investment to you, ask if they stand to gain, advises Mr Cronin. “If they are receiving commission, they are unlikely to recommend an investment that’s best for you.”
Get financially independent: Mr Cronin advises UAE residents to pursue financial independence. Start with a Google search and improve your knowledge via expat investing websites or Facebook groups such as SimplyFI.
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
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%3Cp%3ECreator%3A%20Tima%20Shomali%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%C2%A0Tara%20Abboud%2C%C2%A0Kira%20Yaghnam%2C%20Tara%20Atalla%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
Richard Jewell
Director: Clint Eastwood
Stars: Paul Walter Hauser, Sam Rockwell, Brandon Stanley
Two-and-a-half out of five stars
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The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
The biog
Favourite colour: Brown
Favourite Movie: Resident Evil
Hobbies: Painting, Cooking, Imitating Voices
Favourite food: Pizza
Trivia: Was the voice of three characters in the Emirati animation, Shaabiyat Al Cartoon
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
HEADLINE HERE
- I would recommend writing out the text in the body
- And then copy into this box
- It can be as long as you link
- But I recommend you use the bullet point function (see red square)
- Or try to keep the word count down
- Be wary of other embeds lengthy fact boxes could crash into
- That's about it
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Brief scoreline:
Manchester United 1
Mata 11'
Chelsea 1
Alonso 43'
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
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Packages which the US Secret Service said contained possible explosive devices were sent to:
- Former first lady Hillary Clinton
- Former US president Barack Obama
- Philanthropist and businessman George Soros
- Former CIA director John Brennan at CNN's New York bureau
- Former Attorney General Eric Holder (delivered to former DNC chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz)
- California Congresswoman Maxine Waters (two devices)
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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
Mobile phone packages comparison
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Sui Dhaaga: Made in India
Director: Sharat Katariya
Starring: Varun Dhawan, Anushka Sharma, Raghubir Yadav
3.5/5
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Dolittle
Director: Stephen Gaghan
Stars: Robert Downey Jr, Michael Sheen
One-and-a-half out of five stars
PROFILE OF CURE.FIT
Started: July 2016
Founders: Mukesh Bansal and Ankit Nagori
Based: Bangalore, India
Sector: Health & wellness
Size: 500 employees
Investment: $250 million
Investors: Accel, Oaktree Capital (US); Chiratae Ventures, Epiq Capital, Innoven Capital, Kalaari Capital, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Piramal Group’s Anand Piramal, Pratithi Investment Trust, Ratan Tata (India); and Unilever Ventures (Unilever’s global venture capital arm)
