ABU DHABI // Ten thousand homes for Emiratis will be built or renovated nationwide in a Dh1.5 billion project over the next four years.
The scheme consists of mixed-use housing complexes, each containing 100 villas and associated facilities.
The variety of house shapes and sizes planned will take into consideration the lifestyle of Emirati families, as well as functionality, comfort and privacy.
“It is a creative approach,” said Abu Dhabi resident Mohamed Al Hammadi, 35, an ambassador for tourism and cultural affairs.
“I imagine myself in the place of these people who receive this kind of privilege. It’s very nice because this way the whole society will be feeling at peace and ease and have comfort of mind because we are all enjoying housing together. This way we are sharing the welfare with all. The standards of living will be unified for all – for the old houses and the new houses – the locals will feel the same privilege.”
The housing scheme is one of the projects overseen by the follow-up committee on initiatives by the President, Sheikh Khalifa, and is scheduled for completion by the end of 2017.
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, who approved contracts for phase one of the housing project on Saturday, said it reflected the keeness of the President to provide high-quality living standards and prosperity.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, approved a grant of Dh2.1billion in August under the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme that will help 5,000 Emirati families who want to build a home.
The programme offers interest-free loans to build a house and grants to assist in buying, building or maintaining a house, and builds government houses for applicants, who must meet the requirements to receive aid, which include a maximum income.
The application process operates a points system to determine where an applicant falls on the priority list. An applicant receives 20 points if he lives with family or rents, and each child adds another point. The higher the points the sooner an application is processed and assessed.
Also in August, more than 1,300 Emirati residents of Abu Dhabi received keys to their new homes in Al Falah.
The aim of Al Falah Housing City project is to provide Emirati families with a stable living environment. The project, which is being built over several phases, consists of 4,857 villas on about 1,250 hectares spanning five residential districts, and mosques, schools, a mall, a hospital, office space and shops.
* Additional reporting by Wam
Results
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 Group 1 (PA) US$75,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Ziyadd, Richard Mullen (jockey), Jean de Roualle (trainer).
7.05pm: Al Rashidiya Group 2 (TB) $250,000 (Turf) 1,800m
Winner: Barney Roy, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
7.40pm: Meydan Cup Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,810m
Winner: Secret Advisor, Tadhg O’Shea, Charlie Appleby.
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Plata O Plomo, Carlos Lopez, Susanne Berneklint.
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner: Salute The Soldier, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass.
9.25pm: Al Shindagha Sprint Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Gladiator King, Mickael Barzalona, Satish Seemar.
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In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
Jumanji: The Next Level
Director: Jake Kasdan
Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, Jack Black, Nick Jonas
Two out of five stars
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
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)
If you go...
Etihad flies daily from Abu Dhabi to Zurich, with fares starting from Dh2,807 return. Frequent high speed trains between Zurich and Vienna make stops at St. Anton.
The National in Davos
We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.
