Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, reviewed major ongoing projects and initiatives as he met a team of officials from the Finance Ministry in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
During the meeting, he urged the finance ministry officials to work together to "enhance the financial planning processes of the federal government, boost financial sustainability and increase efficiencies in implementing the national budget", the Dubai Media Office said.
Sheikh Maktoum was accompanied by Minister of State for Financial Affairs Mohamed Al Hussaini and his predecessor Obaid Al Tayer.
Dubai's deputy ruler was appointed Finance Minister in a recent Cabinet reshuffle, which was approved by President Sheikh Khalifa.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, said the government was laying out a new strategy where government work “will be led by major transformative projects and not just long-term strategic plans".
“The next cycles of change will be flexible and fast [between six months to two years], unlike the previous strategic cycles which used to last five to 10 years."
During Sunday's meeting, Sheikh Maktoum stressed the importance of maintaining the highest international standards and keeping pace with regional and global changes to the Finance Ministry officials.
He encouraged them to strengthen their efforts to implement the vision of the UAE leadership for the next 50 years, the Dubai Media Office said.
The officials' "efforts should be driven by the goal of effectively implementing the leadership’s vision to ensure the welfare of citizens, advance the nation’s development journey and boost the UAE’s leadership and competitiveness regionally and globally".
The UAE unveiled the first few of the 50 new projects and initiatives last month that will drive its growth over the next few years. These initiatives will be the cornerstone of growth as the country marks 50 years since unification, officials said at an event in September.
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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WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
The Birkin bag is made by Hermès.
It is named after actress and singer Jane Birkin
Noone from Hermès will go on record to say how much a new Birkin costs, how long one would have to wait to get one, and how many bags are actually made each year.
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RESULT
Manchester City 5 Swansea City 0
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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.
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Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The specs
Engine: 0.8-litre four cylinder
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The biog
Name: Samar Frost
Born: Abu Dhabi
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Favourite singer: Adele
The Library: A Catalogue of Wonders
Stuart Kells, Counterpoint Press
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How to join and use Abu Dhabi’s public libraries
• There are six libraries in Abu Dhabi emirate run by the Department of Culture and Tourism, including one in Al Ain and Al Dhafra.
• Libraries are free to visit and visitors can consult books, use online resources and study there. Most are open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, closed on Fridays and have variable hours on Saturdays, except for Qasr Al Watan which is open from 10am to 8pm every day.
• In order to borrow books, visitors must join the service by providing a passport photograph, Emirates ID and a refundable deposit of Dh400. Members can borrow five books for three weeks, all of which are renewable up to two times online.
• If users do not wish to pay the fee, they can still use the library’s electronic resources for free by simply registering on the website. Once registered, a username and password is provided, allowing remote access.
• For more information visit the library network's website.
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
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