1972
December 2 The first celebration of National Day. Flags are raised on houses, the Federal Forces participate in a large military parade for the first time, and VIPs attend a concert in which the Egyptian diva Najat Al Saghira sings the new national anthem composed by Mohammad Abdel Wahab.
1973
February 8 Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak opens the Abu Dhabi Women's Association.
May 6 The Girl Scouts are established in the UAE.
May 23 Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan attends the Hilton Hotel opening.
July 30 On behalf of the US president, Richard Nixon, Sheikh Zayed is presented with a piece of moon rock.
September 26 Traffic lights are introduced in Abu Dhabi.
1974
January 31 The first direct telephone line between Abu Dhabi and Dubai is launched, with a connection between Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum speaking from his office in Dubai to Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan at his office in Abu Dhabi.
December 2 The National Day military parade is broadcast in colour on television.
1975
March 5 Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum inaugurates the InterContinental Hotel in Dubai.
March 8 Sheikh Rashid opens the Dubai Museum.
1976
February 18 The Ministry of Information and Culture announces its plan to form an arts group.
1977
October 12 Sheikh Zayed inspects progress of the first children's park in Al Khalidiya.
1978
April 5 Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan approves the design for an equestrian centre in Abu Dhabi.
July 19 Sheikh Rashid opens Pepsi Cola's factory in Dubai.
1979
February 24 Britain's Queen Elizabeth II begins a state visit. In Dubai, she opens the World Trade Centre, then the tallest building in the Middle East at 149 metres, and inaugurates Jebel Ali Port.
July 22 Sheikh Rashid opens the Emirates Macaroni Factory.
October 10 Al Nasr Leisureland opens in Dubai.
November 16 Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan opens Zayed Sports City, where the qualifying games for the Asian Cup are held.
1980
The Hyatt Regency in Dubai is opened by Sheikh Rashid.
1981
December 4 The Al Nasr Sports Club hosts a Dubai Grand Prix.
1982
January 2 Abu Dhabi International Airport opens at its current location, taking over from Al Bateen airport as the main passenger hub.
1983
April 12 Sheikh Zayed attends the opening of Abu Dhabi Women's Association's headquarters in Al Bateen.
July 26 Sheikh Ahmed bin Hamad attends the first meeting of the Emirates Poets Groups.
1984
March 1 Sharjah's first arts festival, titled Expo, is opened by Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi.
1985
October 25 Emirates Airline begins operations out of Dubai. Its first destinations are in Pakistan and India.
1986
January 7 A major vegetable market opens in Madinat Zayed in Abu Dhabi.
February 10 The Abu Dhabi Executive council approves the creation of a national museum in Al Ain.
1987
November 19 Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi opens the Ras Al Khaimah National Museum in the Old Fort.
1988
February 27 A deal with signed to operate the first ice rink in Abu Dhabi's Zayed Sports City.
1989
January 29 Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum opens the first Dubai International Air show.
March 14 Sheikh Zayed receives Britain's Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales, who visit Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Dubai on their tour of the Gulf.
1990
Jun 9-19 The UAE national team plays in the Fifa World Cup in Italy, losing to Colombia, West Germany and Yugoslavia.
July 26 Designs for a 72-hole golf course are completed by Abu Dhabi Municipality.
1992
May 7 Sheikh Zayed orders that schools include educational trips in their curriculum, familiarising students with important sites in the country.
October 1 The new course at Emirates Golf Club in Dubai is opened by Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid.
1993
January 5 The Sharjah Archaeological Museum is opened by Dr Sheikh Sultan.
1994
January 25 Sheikh Zayed announces the Dh10 million Zayed Grand Prize for camel racing.
1995
April 11 The South African president Nelson Mandela meets Sheikh Zayed on his first official visit for the UAE.
1996
February 11 Abu Dhabi holds its first Arab Heritage Festival, with seven countries participating.
1997
December 13-17 The UAE plays in the Confederations Cup, the first to be organised by Fifa, held in Riyadh's King Fahd Stadium. After a 2-0 loss to Uruguay, the UAE defeats South African 1-0 before losing to the Czech Republic 1-6.
June 12 Dreamland in Umm Al Quwain, the first water park in the region, is unveiled by Sheikh Abdullah bin Rashid Al Mualla.
1998
February 4 The UAE marks its first National Environment Day.
1999
September 30 The Burj Al Arab is completed in Dubai, in time for a December opening and millennium celebrations.
2000
April 15 Construction is completed on Jumeirah Emirates Towers, at 56 storeys, the tallest building in the Middle East.
2001
March 28 Marina Mall opens in Abu Dhabi.
April 15 Abu Dhabi Mall opens.
2002
May The Palm Islands project is announced in Dubai.
2003
November 5 The first Etihad Airways flight takes off, a ceremonial trip between Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. Its inaugural commercial flight will be between Abu Dhabi and Beirut.
2004
December 6-11 The First Dubai International Film Festival includes an appearance by the actor Moran Freeman.
August 17 Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum wins gold in men's double trap shooting at the Athens Olympics, the UAE's first Olympic medal.
2005
February 25 Emirates Palace opens in Abu Dhabi.
September Mall of the Emirates opens in Dubai.
2006
June 15-17 Dubai hosts the International Indian Film Academy Awards.
July 8 The Guggenheim Foundation announces it has commissioned Frank Gehry to build a branch of the modern art museum in Abu Dhabi as a showpiece for Saadiyat Island's Cultural District.
2007
October 15-17 The first film festival opens in Abu Dhabi, originally called the Middle East International Film Festival.
March 6 France and the UAE sign an agreement to open a branch of the Louvre on Saadiyat.
2008
January 21 The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque opens to the public.
September 1 Manchester City Football Club are taken over by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan's Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment.
November 4 The Dubai Mall opens.
November 20 The grand opening of the Atlantis hotel on the Palm in Dubai.
2009
September 9 At 9.09.09pm, the first section of Dubai Metro's Red Line, serving 10 stations, is inaugurated by Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid.
November 1 Abu Dhabi's first Formula One race takes place on the new Yas Marina Circuit; many hotels, including the Fairmont, open for it.
2010
January 4 Dubai inaugurates the world's tallest skyscraper, the Burj Khalifa.
November 24 Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip make their second visit to the UAE.
November 26 Sheikh Zayed Bridge, designed by Zaha Hadid, is completed.
2011
January 17-18 Jeffery Deaver visits Dubai to launch his James Bond book, Carte Blanche, partly set in the city.
April 23 The launch of Yahsat's first commercial telecommunications satellite.
December 2 The UAE celebrates its 40th anniversary.
2012
June 3 and 4 Madonna plays Abu Dhabi, drawing fans from around the world.
2013
January Work restarts on the Louvre Abu Dhabi after TDIC awards a contract to the joint venture headed by Arabtec.
August 26 The Galleria luxury mall on Abu Dhabi's Al Maryah Island opens.
Sources: Chronicle of Progress: 25 Years of Development in the United Arab Emirates; newspaper archives
The Sky Is Pink
Director: Shonali Bose
Cast: Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Farhan Akhtar, Zaira Wasim, Rohit Saraf
Three stars
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
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
The specs: 2018 Honda City
Price, base: From Dh57,000
Engine: 1.5L, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 118hp @ 6,600rpm
Torque: 146Nm @ 4,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 5.8L / 100km
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
More on animal trafficking
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RESULTS
6.30pm: Maiden Dh 165,000 1,600m
Winner: Superior, Connor Beasley (jockey), Ahmad bin Harmash (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap Dh 185,000 2,000m
Winner: Tried And True, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
7.40pm: Maiden Dh 165,000 1,600m
Winner: Roy Orbison, Fernando Jara, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
8.15pm
Handicap Dh 190,000 1,400m
Winner: Taamol, Dane O’Neill, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
8.50pm
Handicap Dh 175,000 1,600m
Winner: Welford, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
9.25pm: Handicap Dh 175,000 1,200m
Winner: Lavaspin, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
10pm: Handicap Dh 165,000 1,600m
Winner: Untold Secret, Xavier Ziani, Sandeep Jadhav
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
Juliot Vinolia’s checklist for adopting alternate-day fasting
- Don’t do it more than once in three days
- Don’t go under 700 calories on fasting days
- Ensure there is sufficient water intake, as the body can go in dehydration mode
- Ensure there is enough roughage (fibre) in the food on fasting days as well
- Do not binge on processed or fatty foods on non-fasting days
- Complement fasting with plant-based foods, fruits, vegetables, seafood. Cut out processed meats and processed carbohydrates
- Manage your sleep
- People with existing gastric or mental health issues should avoid fasting
- Do not fast for prolonged periods without supervision by a qualified expert
Results
2.30pm Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 1,200m
Winner Lamia, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel.
3pm Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 1,000m
Winner Jap Al Afreet, Elione Chaves, Irfan Ellahi.
3.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 1,700m
Winner MH Tawag, Bernardo Pinheiro, Elise Jeanne.
4pm Handicap (TB) Dh40,000 2,000m
Winner Skygazer, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
4.30pm The Ruler of Sharjah Cup Prestige (PA) Dh250,000 1,700m
Winner AF Kal Noor, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel.
5pm Sharjah Marathon (PA) Dh70,000 2,700m
Winner RB Grynade, Bernardo Pinheiro, Eric Lemartinel.
The biog
Name: Sari Al Zubaidi
Occupation: co-founder of Cafe di Rosati
Age: 42
Marital status: single
Favourite drink: drip coffee V60
Favourite destination: Bali, Indonesia
Favourite book: 100 Years of Solitude
The distance learning plan
Spring break will be from March 8 - 19
Public school pupils will undergo distance learning from March 22 - April 2. School hours will be 8.30am to 1.30pm
Staff will be trained in distance learning programmes from March 15 - 19
Teaching hours will be 8am to 2pm during distance learning
Pupils will return to school for normal lessons from April 5
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 80,000 (Turf) 1,200m
Winner: AF Majalis, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer).
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 80,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Sawt Assalam, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami.
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 80,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Foah, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel.
6.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Faiza, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 80,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner: RB Dixie Honor, Antonio Fresu, Helal Al Alawi.
7.30pm: Rated Conditions (TB) Dh 100,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner: Boerhan, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard.
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
The Good Liar
Starring: Helen Mirren, Ian McKellen
Directed by: Bill Condon
Three out of five stars
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
Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
Sanju
Produced: Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Rajkumar Hirani
Director: Rajkumar Hirani
Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, Paresh Rawal, Anushka Sharma, Manish’s Koirala, Dia Mirza, Sonam Kapoor, Jim Sarbh, Boman Irani
Rating: 3.5 stars
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Company%20Profile
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