Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of State, gives a speech at the UN headquarters in New York. Wam
Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of State, gives a speech at the UN headquarters in New York. Wam

A look at the people and politics of the UAE



Every week, The National takes a look at the people and politics of the UAE, as the country steps more confidently on to the world stage.

April 22

UAE and Kuwait discuss parliamentary cooperation

Mohammed Al Murr, Speaker of the FNC, met Kuwait National Assembly Deputy Speaker, Mubarak Al-Khurainej, and his accompanying delegation.

Ghobash strengthens cooperation with Jordanian, Moroccan and Somali labour ministers

Saqr Ghobash, Minister of Labour and chairman of the Arab Labour Organisation, reviewed prospects of cooperation between the UAE and Jordan, Morocco, and Somalia in the labour market field, by exchanging best practices and experiences.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs discusses relations with US

Hamad Al Shamsi, director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Office in Dubai, and Robert Waller, US consul general, discussed bilateral relations.

Sultan Al Jaber visits new Suez Canal

Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State and chairman of the Coordination Office of the UAE-funded Development Projects in Egypt, visited the new Suez Canal. He was briefed on the ongoing digging work in the canal and the latest developments in the dredging marine scheme. Sheikh Mansour receives US ambassador Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, received Barbara Leaf, the ambassador of the United States to the UAE.

April 24

UAE reiterates support to UN efforts to build world based on principle of mutual respect

The UAE took part in the high-level debate of the UN General Assembly, held under the theme Promoting Tolerance and Reconciliation: Promotion of Comprehensive and Peaceful Societies and the Fighting Against Violent Extremism.

April 26

Sharjah Ruler attends opening of Al Qasimia University

Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, attended the official opening of Al Qasimia University which he established as a specialised Islamic institution.

April 27

Chief of Staff of Armed Forces meets Australian counterpart and discusses cooperation

Lt Gen Hamad Al Rumaithi, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, received Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin, chief of the defence force of Australia. They discussed aspects of cooperation between the two sides and ways of boosting them in addition to reviewing a number of military issues of common interest.

UAE participates in GCC undersecretaries meeting in Doha

The UAE took part in the 7th preparatory meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council undersecretaries, which was hosted in Qatar’s capital, Doha, for two days. It was in preparation for the 16th consultative meeting of the GCC interior ministers which was held on Wednesday. The parties discussed a number of topics on the agenda in order to enhance cooperation and coordination between the GCC countries in various fields of common security.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed endorses fees for inspecting vehicles by Dubai Police

The resolution stated that Dubai Police will collect Dh100 for changing the colour or shape of a vehicle.

Ruler of Sharjah orders lighting of Al Safa street in Kalba

Eighty-one lampposts were installed to prevent traffic accidents and also ensure security and safety.

Sheikh Saif bin Zayed attends wedding in Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, attended the marriage of Awadh Salim Abdoun Al Kathiri to the daughter of Khamis Salim Fadhil Al Mehairbi.

President of Kosovo awards Mother Teresa Humanitarian Medal to Sheikha Fatima

Sheikha Fatima received the medal, the highest honour in Kosovo, from the president of the Republic of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, during a meeting at Al Bahar Palace.

UAE attends Arab League’s committee meeting

The UAE took part in the first meeting of the Arab Judicial Cooperation Network for Combating Terrorism and Organised Crime.

April 28

Congratulations sent to Al Bashir on his re-election

The President, Sheikh Khalifa, sent congratulations to president Omar Al Bashir of the Republic of Sudan, on his re-election for a new presidential term.

April 29

UAE leading in humanitarian work: honourary chairman of the Make-A-Wish Foundation

In a statement on World Wish Day, Sheikha Sheikha bint Saif bin Mohammed, wife of Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa, Adviser to the President and the honorary chairman of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, said that the UAE was operating through its charitable and humanitarian institutions inside and outside the country, adding that the UAE’s humanitarian role in the past few years had increased and become more prominent in most parts of the world.

UAE stresses the need to declare the Middle East as nuclear weapons-free zone

The declaration was made at the 2015 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons – held at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

President sends congratulations to Saudi king

President Sheikh Khalifa, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, congratulated the Saudi king on appointing Prince Mohammed bin Nayef as crown prince, and Prince Mohammed bin Salman as deputy crown prince.

Specs

Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

Range: Up to 610km

Power: 905hp

Torque: 985Nm

Price: From Dh439,000

Available: Now

The specs

AT4 Ultimate, as tested

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 420hp

Torque: 623Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)

On sale: Now

The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201.8-litre%204-cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E190hp%20at%205%2C200rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20320Nm%20from%201%2C800-5%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeven-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%206.7L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh111%2C195%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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.

Grand slam winners since July 2003

Who has won major titles since Wimbledon 2003 when Roger Federer won his first grand slam

Roger Federer 19 (8 Wimbledon, 5 Australian Open, 5 US Open, 1 French Open)

Rafael Nadal 16 (10 French Open, 3 US Open, 2 Wimbledon, 1 Australian Open)

Novak Djokovic 12 (6 Australian Open, 3 Wimbledon, 2 US Open, 1 French Open)

Andy Murray 3 (2 Wimbledon, 1 US Open)

Stan Wawrinka 3 (1 Australian Open, 1 French Open, 1 US Open)

Andy Roddick 1 (1 US Open) 

Gaston Gaudio 1 (1 French Open)

Marat Safin 1 (1 Australian Open)

Juan Martin del Potro 1 (1 US Open)

Marin Cilic 1 (1 US Open)

Mobile phone packages comparison
The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)