Abu Dhabi’s Urban Planning Council (UPC) is launching the Al Wajeha Al Bahria mixed-use development in Mirfa in the Western Region to improve connections of the residential community to the region’s coastline, the council said.
Al Wajeha Al Bahria is the first project within the Mirfa master plan and the first housing and retail project in the Mirfa beach area of Al Gharbia or Western Region, UPC said in a statement.
The development, located on a site between Mirfa beach and Mirfa city, includes mixed-used blocks, villas and community facilities.
“On Al Wajeha Al Bahria, a stronger link between the residential part of the development and the natural beachfront and landscaped areas has been created through shaded pathways – we are confident that this will accentuate the living experience for its residents,” said Mohamed Al Khadar, the Executive Director of urban development and estidama sector at UPC.
“In line with community needs, the project will be a new attraction for Mirfa residents and local visitors to enjoy the amenities provided.”
The UPC is already planning the Mirfa Beach Development, also within the Mirfa master plan, which will comprise more than 400 villas for UAE nationals on a site close to Al Wajeha Al Bahria.
These projects come under the Plan Al Gharbia 2030, which include building a civic centre, a maritime centre, mosques, schools and other facilities.
The Western Region makes up 60 per cent of Abu Dhabi’s land mass and has a population of 302,000 – with about 29,000 people living in the town of Mirfa.
The redeveloped Al Mirfa Port, one of five planned as part of an economic development programme for the Western Region, was opened last week and will be followed by developments of Mugharrag Port, Delma Port, Sila Port and Sir Bani Yas Island in the Western Region next year.
Sir Bani Yas opens next year to cruise ships.
As well as supporting traditional industry, the multi-port development is particularly aimed at fostering tourism in the western part of Abu Dhabi along the road to Saudi Arabia, with Sir Bani Yas and nearby offshore islands the site of renowned nature sanctuaries.
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Total fights: 32
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Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
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COMPANY PROFILE
Company: Eco Way
Started: December 2023
Founder: Ivan Kroshnyi
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Electric vehicles
Investors: Bootstrapped with undisclosed funding. Looking to raise funds from outside
DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin
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Coffee: black death or elixir of life?
It is among the greatest health debates of our time; splashed across newspapers with contradicting headlines - is coffee good for you or not?
Depending on what you read, it is either a cancer-causing, sleep-depriving, stomach ulcer-inducing black death or the secret to long life, cutting the chance of stroke, diabetes and cancer.
The latest research - a study of 8,412 people across the UK who each underwent an MRI heart scan - is intended to put to bed (caffeine allowing) conflicting reports of the pros and cons of consumption.
The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, contradicted previous findings that it stiffens arteries, putting pressure on the heart and increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke, leading to warnings to cut down.
Numerous studies have recognised the benefits of coffee in cutting oral and esophageal cancer, the risk of a stroke and cirrhosis of the liver.
The benefits are often linked to biologically active compounds including caffeine, flavonoids, lignans, and other polyphenols, which benefit the body. These and othetr coffee compounds regulate genes involved in DNA repair, have anti-inflammatory properties and are associated with lower risk of insulin resistance, which is linked to type-2 diabetes.
But as doctors warn, too much of anything is inadvisable. The British Heart Foundation found the heaviest coffee drinkers in the study were most likely to be men who smoked and drank alcohol regularly.
Excessive amounts of coffee also unsettle the stomach causing or contributing to stomach ulcers. It also stains the teeth over time, hampers absorption of minerals and vitamins like zinc and iron.
It also raises blood pressure, which is largely problematic for people with existing conditions.
So the heaviest drinkers of the black stuff - some in the study had up to 25 cups per day - may want to rein it in.
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Sinopharm vaccine explained
The Sinopharm vaccine was created using techniques that have been around for decades.
“This is an inactivated vaccine. Simply what it means is that the virus is taken, cultured and inactivated," said Dr Nawal Al Kaabi, chair of the UAE's National Covid-19 Clinical Management Committee.
"What is left is a skeleton of the virus so it looks like a virus, but it is not live."
This is then injected into the body.
"The body will recognise it and form antibodies but because it is inactive, we will need more than one dose. The body will not develop immunity with one dose," she said.
"You have to be exposed more than one time to what we call the antigen."
The vaccine should offer protection for at least months, but no one knows how long beyond that.
Dr Al Kaabi said early vaccine volunteers in China were given shots last spring and still have antibodies today.
“Since it is inactivated, it will not last forever," she said.
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TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
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