• A child runs away from a confrontation between Palestinian protesters and Israeli security forces, at Beita village in the occupied West Bank. AFP
    A child runs away from a confrontation between Palestinian protesters and Israeli security forces, at Beita village in the occupied West Bank. AFP
  • Palestinian demonstrators at Al Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem. AFP
    Palestinian demonstrators at Al Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem. AFP
  • A Palestinian protester uses a sling during a confrontation with Israeli security forces during a demonstration against Jewish settlements, at Beita, in the occupied West Bank. AFP
    A Palestinian protester uses a sling during a confrontation with Israeli security forces during a demonstration against Jewish settlements, at Beita, in the occupied West Bank. AFP
  • Supporters of the Palestinian Hamas and Islamic Jihad movements rally after Friday prayers in Gaza City, following clashes at Al Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem. AFP
    Supporters of the Palestinian Hamas and Islamic Jihad movements rally after Friday prayers in Gaza City, following clashes at Al Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem. AFP
  • Palestinians gather around the Dome of the Rock shrine at the Al Aqsa Mosque compound, after Friday prayers. AFP
    Palestinians gather around the Dome of the Rock shrine at the Al Aqsa Mosque compound, after Friday prayers. AFP
  • Palestinian men wearing national flags kneel to pray near the Dome of the Rock shrine in the Al Aqsa Mosque compound. AFP
    Palestinian men wearing national flags kneel to pray near the Dome of the Rock shrine in the Al Aqsa Mosque compound. AFP
  • Israeli Border Police secure the perimeter of the closed Israeli army Qalandia checkpoint, used by Palestinians to cross from the West Bank into Jerusalem, near the West Bank city of Ramallah. AP Photo
    Israeli Border Police secure the perimeter of the closed Israeli army Qalandia checkpoint, used by Palestinians to cross from the West Bank into Jerusalem, near the West Bank city of Ramallah. AP Photo
  • A Palestinian man removes a police sign from a wall at Al Aqsa Mosque compound after Israeli security forces used force against worshippers gathered for Ramadan prayers. Reuters
    A Palestinian man removes a police sign from a wall at Al Aqsa Mosque compound after Israeli security forces used force against worshippers gathered for Ramadan prayers. Reuters
  • Palestinians return from Al Aqsa Mosque after Friday prayers. AFP
    Palestinians return from Al Aqsa Mosque after Friday prayers. AFP
  • Supporters of the Hamas and Islamic Jihad groups rally after Friday prayers in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, to express support for those at Al Aqsa Mosque. AFP
    Supporters of the Hamas and Islamic Jihad groups rally after Friday prayers in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, to express support for those at Al Aqsa Mosque. AFP
  • Worshippers during Friday prayers at Al Aqsa Mosque compound. AFP
    Worshippers during Friday prayers at Al Aqsa Mosque compound. AFP
  • Hamas and Islamic Jihad supporters at a rally on Friday in Khan Yunis. AFP
    Hamas and Islamic Jihad supporters at a rally on Friday in Khan Yunis. AFP
  • Palestinian protesters in Khan Yunis. AFP
    Palestinian protesters in Khan Yunis. AFP
  • Palestinian girls in front of the Dome of the Rock mosque in Jerusalem's Old City. AFP
    Palestinian girls in front of the Dome of the Rock mosque in Jerusalem's Old City. AFP
  • Israeli police officers keep watch after clashes with Muslim worshippers in Jerusalem. The overlapping religious occasions – Ramadan for Muslims, Passover for Jews and Easter for Christians – have increased tensions near contested sacred sites in Jerusalem. Getty Images
    Israeli police officers keep watch after clashes with Muslim worshippers in Jerusalem. The overlapping religious occasions – Ramadan for Muslims, Passover for Jews and Easter for Christians – have increased tensions near contested sacred sites in Jerusalem. Getty Images
  • Worshippers during Friday prayers at Jerusalem's Al Aqsa Mosque complex. AFP
    Worshippers during Friday prayers at Jerusalem's Al Aqsa Mosque complex. AFP
  • Palestinian protesters after Friday prayers in Jerusalem. AFP
    Palestinian protesters after Friday prayers in Jerusalem. AFP
  • Worshippers gather for Friday prayers at Jerusalem's Al Aqsa Mosque compound. AFP
    Worshippers gather for Friday prayers at Jerusalem's Al Aqsa Mosque compound. AFP
  • An Israeli police officer stops a Muslim woman on her way to Friday prayer in Jerusalem. Getty Images
    An Israeli police officer stops a Muslim woman on her way to Friday prayer in Jerusalem. Getty Images
  • Palestinians clean Jerusalem's Al Aqsa Mosque after Israeli security forces entered. Reuters
    Palestinians clean Jerusalem's Al Aqsa Mosque after Israeli security forces entered. Reuters
  • Palestinians clean the entrance to the mosque. Debris and broken glass cover the floor. Reuters
    Palestinians clean the entrance to the mosque. Debris and broken glass cover the floor. Reuters
  • Palestinian youths who took part in a protest at the mosque are arrested by Israeli security forces. AFP
    Palestinian youths who took part in a protest at the mosque are arrested by Israeli security forces. AFP
  • A member of the Israeli security forces lifts his baton in front of the Dome of the Rock mosque. Witnesses said Palestinian protesters threw stones at Israeli forces, who fired rubber bullets. AFP
    A member of the Israeli security forces lifts his baton in front of the Dome of the Rock mosque. Witnesses said Palestinian protesters threw stones at Israeli forces, who fired rubber bullets. AFP
  • Israeli security forces detain Palestinian youths after a violent confrontation at the mosque. AFP
    Israeli security forces detain Palestinian youths after a violent confrontation at the mosque. AFP
  • Israeli security forces detain Palestinian protesters following the violence. Reuters
    Israeli security forces detain Palestinian protesters following the violence. Reuters
  • Israeli security forces take their positions during clashes with Palestinian protesters. Reuters
    Israeli security forces take their positions during clashes with Palestinian protesters. Reuters
  • Palestinians are kept at bay by Israeli police during clashes. AFP
    Palestinians are kept at bay by Israeli police during clashes. AFP
  • Israel said its forces entered to remove rocks and stones that had been gathered in anticipation of violence. Reuters
    Israel said its forces entered to remove rocks and stones that had been gathered in anticipation of violence. Reuters
  • Masked Palestinians take position. The Palestinian Red Crescent emergency service said 59 wounded people were admitted to hospital. AP Photo
    Masked Palestinians take position. The Palestinian Red Crescent emergency service said 59 wounded people were admitted to hospital. AP Photo
  • Israeli police fire tear gas towards Palestinian demonstrators. AFP
    Israeli police fire tear gas towards Palestinian demonstrators. AFP
  • Israeli security forces deploy in front of the Lion's gate. AFP
    Israeli security forces deploy in front of the Lion's gate. AFP
  • Palestinians are kept at bay by Israeli police. AFP
    Palestinians are kept at bay by Israeli police. AFP
  • Israeli security forces advance against worshippers and protesters Jerusalem's Al Aqsa Mosque compound. Witnesses said that Palestinian protesters threw stones at Israeli security forces, who fired rubber bullets at some of the demonstrators. AFP
    Israeli security forces advance against worshippers and protesters Jerusalem's Al Aqsa Mosque compound. Witnesses said that Palestinian protesters threw stones at Israeli security forces, who fired rubber bullets at some of the demonstrators. AFP
  • The Israeli Foreign Ministry said dozens of masked men carrying Palestinian and Hamas flags had marched to the compound early on Friday and gathered stones. AFP
    The Israeli Foreign Ministry said dozens of masked men carrying Palestinian and Hamas flags had marched to the compound early on Friday and gathered stones. AFP
  • Palestinian demonstrators throw rocks at Israeli police at Jerusalem's Al Aqsa Mosque compound. AFP
    Palestinian demonstrators throw rocks at Israeli police at Jerusalem's Al Aqsa Mosque compound. AFP
  • Videos circulating online showed clouds of tear gas at the mosque. AFP
    Videos circulating online showed clouds of tear gas at the mosque. AFP
  • Palestinians use boards to protect themselves from Israeli police, who also used rubber bullets and stun grenades. AP
    Palestinians use boards to protect themselves from Israeli police, who also used rubber bullets and stun grenades. AP
  • Worshippers set up barricades outside the mosque during the violence. AP
    Worshippers set up barricades outside the mosque during the violence. AP
  • Israeli police entered the compound before dawn as thousands of worshippers gathered for early morning prayers during Ramadan. AP
    Israeli police entered the compound before dawn as thousands of worshippers gathered for early morning prayers during Ramadan. AP
  • A man is carried on a stretcher after being wounded during the violence. AFP
    A man is carried on a stretcher after being wounded during the violence. AFP
  • The mosque is part of Haram Al Sharif, the third holiest site in Islam. It is built on a hilltop that is the most sacred site for Jews. AFP
    The mosque is part of Haram Al Sharif, the third holiest site in Islam. It is built on a hilltop that is the most sacred site for Jews. AFP
  • The mosque has been a major flashpoint for Israeli-Palestinian violence for decades.. AFP
    The mosque has been a major flashpoint for Israeli-Palestinian violence for decades.. AFP
  • One of the guards at the site was reportedly shot in the eye with a rubber bullet. AFP
    One of the guards at the site was reportedly shot in the eye with a rubber bullet. AFP

What is the history of Jerusalem's Al Aqsa Mosque and why is it important?


  • English
  • Arabic

Israeli police raided Al Aqsa Mosque before dawn on Wednesday and detained 350 people, drawing international condemnation and a furious reaction from Gaza, from where rockets were launched into Israel shortly after.

There were fears before Ramadan of an increase in violence, especially on the eve of the Jewish holiday of Passover at this flashpoint site, which is important to all the communities living in Jerusalem and beyond.

Al Aqsa Mosque compound is a site considered holy by Muslims, Jews and Christians and is a focal point of Israeli-Palestinian tensions.

Why is Al Aqsa Mosque so important?

The compound is known as Al Haram Al Sharif by Muslims and includes Al Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock shrine.

Muslims believe that the Prophet Mohammed travelled from Makkah to Jerusalem and ascended to heaven from the site.

Israel captured East Jerusalem, including the Old City, from Jordan during the Arab-Israeli War of 1967 and annexed the area. Israel later declared a unified Jerusalem to be its capital, but that has not been recognised by the international community.

Violence at Al Aqsa during Ramadan in 2021 was one of the factors leading up to the 11-day war between Israel and extremist groups in Gaza. Further flare-ups since then have been averted with the help of mediation by Egypt.

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.

What led to the 2021 Gaza war?

Palestinians demonstrated for several weeks starting in March 2021 over a potential Israeli court ruling to expel Palestinian families from homes in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood in occupied East Jerusalem.

Israeli settlers in Sheikh Jarrah laid claim to the properties, citing historical and religious grounds.

The Palestinian protests turned into confrontations with Israeli police and far-right Israeli settlers in the area, followed by a spate of arson attacks and stabbings involving Israelis and Palestinians.

Palestinians gathered at Al Aqsa Mosque to protest against what they described as Israel’s attempts to change the demography of East Jerusalem and assert Israeli control over it. Israeli police raided the mosque after Palestinians started throwing stones at them, according to Israeli officials.

The incident left dozens of Palestinians injured. Hamas, which rules Gaza and is considered a terrorist organisation by Israel, the US and several other countries, fired rockets into Israeli cities and Jerusalem.

Israel responded with air strikes on Gaza and an 11-day war erupted.

According to the UN, 261 Palestinians were killed, including 41 women, 67 children, and three people with disabilities, most in Israeli strikes. At least 130 were civilians. More than 2,200 Palestinians were injured.

Ten Israeli citizens and residents were killed by rockets launched by Palestinian armed groups, and 710 others were injured, the UN said.

Why is Jerusalem Day controversial?

Israel's annual celebration of Jerusalem Day, an official holiday that commemorates its capture of the entire city, has added to the tensions.

The event, which starts at sunset on May 18 in 2023, is seen as a provocation by Palestinians, who aspire to have East Jerusalem as the capital of their long-awaited state.

Israeli nationalists regularly stage a flag march that takes them through the Old City's Muslim Quarter by the Damascus Gate. They usually sing patriotic songs, but in the past some marchers have been filmed chanting violent, often racist, anti-Arab slurs.

The march and prayers by Jews at the site have led to Palestinian-Israeli violence in the compound of Al Aqsa Mosque on several occasions.

Al Aqsa Mosque is administered by a waqf — an Islamic trust — that is funded and controlled by Jordan in a security arrangement with Israel after both countries signed a peace treaty in 1994. Under the arrangement, Jews are not allowed to pray in the grounds of Al Aqsa compound but can pray at the nearby Western Wall.

Last year, an Israeli court ruled that Jews could pray at Al Aqsa as long as they did so silently. The verdict was condemned by many Palestinians.

What are the controversial metal detectors at Al Aqsa?

In 2017, Israel introduced new security measures at Al Aqsa compound, including the installation of metal detectors and security cameras.

The move followed two attacks in and around Jerusalem in which five Israelis were killed, including two police officers. The attacks came after the fatal shootings of three Palestinians by Israeli security forces.

The metal detectors sparked more unrest, in which six Palestinians were killed.

In protest, Muslims prayed in front of police barricades in the streets around the Old City. The detectors were removed after weeks of protests, violence and international pressure.

In 2000, Ariel Sharon, who was Israeli opposition leader at the time, centre, visited Al Aqsa Mosque compound. His visit played a major role in sparking the Second Intifada. AFP
In 2000, Ariel Sharon, who was Israeli opposition leader at the time, centre, visited Al Aqsa Mosque compound. His visit played a major role in sparking the Second Intifada. AFP

What is the Al Aqsa intifada?

A controversial visit to Al Aqsa Mosque by the late Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon in 2000, when he was leader of the opposition, sparked what became known as the Second Intifada, or uprising. The first one began in 1987 over Israel's occupation of Gaza and the West Bank.

Protests against Sharon's visit ballooned into an armed conflict in which more than 3,000 Palestinians and 1,000 Israelis were killed.

The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3.0%20twin-turbo%20inline%20six-cylinder%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eeight-speed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E503hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E600Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Efrom%20Dh450%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Babumoshai Bandookbaaz

Director: Kushan Nandy

Starring: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Bidita Bag, Jatin Goswami

Three stars

Disclaimer

Director: Alfonso Cuaron 

Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville 

Rating: 4/5

The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Power: 510hp at 9,000rpm
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Price: From Dh801,800
UK’s AI plan
  • AI ambassadors such as MIT economist Simon Johnson, Monzo cofounder Tom Blomfield and Google DeepMind’s Raia Hadsell
  • £10bn AI growth zone in South Wales to create 5,000 jobs
  • £100m of government support for startups building AI hardware products
  • £250m to train new AI models
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.

World record transfers

1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
9. Angel di Maria - to Manchester United in 2014/15 - €75m
10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m

How will Gen Alpha invest?

Mark Chahwan, co-founder and chief executive of robo-advisory firm Sarwa, forecasts that Generation Alpha (born between 2010 and 2024) will start investing in their teenage years and therefore benefit from compound interest.

“Technology and education should be the main drivers to make this happen, whether it’s investing in a few clicks or their schools/parents stepping up their personal finance education skills,” he adds.

Mr Chahwan says younger generations have a higher capacity to take on risk, but for some their appetite can be more cautious because they are investing for the first time. “Schools still do not teach personal finance and stock market investing, so a lot of the learning journey can feel daunting and intimidating,” he says.

He advises millennials to not always start with an aggressive portfolio even if they can afford to take risks. “We always advise to work your way up to your risk capacity, that way you experience volatility and get used to it. Given the higher risk capacity for the younger generations, stocks are a favourite,” says Mr Chahwan.

Highlighting the role technology has played in encouraging millennials and Gen Z to invest, he says: “They were often excluded, but with lower account minimums ... a customer with $1,000 [Dh3,672] in their account has their money working for them just as hard as the portfolio of a high get-worth individual.”

Trump v Khan

2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US

2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks

2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit

2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”

2022:  Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency

July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”

Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.

Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”

Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors

Power: Combined output 920hp

Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic

Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km

On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025

Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Alaan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202021%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Parthi%20Duraisamy%20and%20Karun%20Kurien%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%247%20million%20raised%20in%20total%20%E2%80%94%20%242.5%20million%20in%20a%20seed%20round%20and%20%244.5%20million%20in%20a%20pre-series%20A%20round%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
WHAT%20ARE%20THE%20PRODUCTS%20WITHIN%20THE%20THREE%20MAJOR%20CATEGORIES%3F
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAdvanced%20materials%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20specifically%20engineered%20to%20exhibit%20novel%20or%20enhanced%20properties%2C%20that%20confer%20superior%20performance%20relative%20to%20conventional%20materials%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAdvanced%20components%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20includes%20semiconductor%20components%2C%20such%20as%20microprocessors%20and%20other%20computer%20chips%2C%20and%20computer%20vision%20components%20such%20as%20lenses%20and%20image%20sensors%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAdvanced%20products%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20includes%20personal%20electronics%2C%20smart%20home%20devices%20and%20space%20technologies%2C%20along%20with%20industry-enabling%20products%20such%20as%20robots%2C%203D%20printing%20equipment%20and%20exoskeletons%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3ESource%3A%20Strategy%26amp%3B%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
From Zero

Artist: Linkin Park

Label: Warner Records

Number of tracks: 11

Rating: 4/5

Chatham House Rule

A mark of Chatham House’s influence 100 years on since its founding,  was Moscow’s formal declaration last month that it was an “undesirable
organisation”. 

 

The depth of knowledge and academics that it drew on
following the Ukraine invasion had broadcast Mr Putin’s chicanery.  

 

The institute is more used to accommodating world leaders,
with Nelson Mandela, Margaret Thatcher among those helping it provide
authoritative commentary on world events. 

 

Chatham House was formally founded as the Royal Institute of
International Affairs following the peace conferences of World War One. Its
founder, Lionel Curtis, wanted a more scientific examination of international affairs
with a transparent exchange of information and ideas.  

 

That arena of debate and analysis was enhanced by the “Chatham
House Rule” states that the contents of any meeting can be discussed outside Chatham
House but no mention can be made identifying individuals who commented.  

 

This has enabled some candid exchanges on difficult subjects
allowing a greater degree of free speech from high-ranking figures.  

 

These meetings are highly valued, so much so that
ambassadors reported them in secret diplomatic cables that – when they were
revealed in the Wikileaks reporting – were thus found to have broken the rule. However,
most speeches are held on the record.  

 

Its research and debate has offered fresh ideas to
policymakers enabling them to more coherently address troubling issues from climate
change to health and food security.   

 
Gender pay parity on track in the UAE

The UAE has a good record on gender pay parity, according to Mercer's Total Remuneration Study.

"In some of the lower levels of jobs women tend to be paid more than men, primarily because men are employed in blue collar jobs and women tend to be employed in white collar jobs which pay better," said Ted Raffoul, career products leader, Mena at Mercer. "I am yet to see a company in the UAE – particularly when you are looking at a blue chip multinationals or some of the bigger local companies – that actively discriminates when it comes to gender on pay."

Mr Raffoul said most gender issues are actually due to the cultural class, as the population is dominated by Asian and Arab cultures where men are generally expected to work and earn whereas women are meant to start a family.

"For that reason, we see a different gender gap. There are less women in senior roles because women tend to focus less on this but that’s not due to any companies having a policy penalising women for any reasons – it’s a cultural thing," he said.

As a result, Mr Raffoul said many companies in the UAE are coming up with benefit package programmes to help working mothers and the career development of women in general. 

THE BIO

Occupation: Specialised chief medical laboratory technologist

Age: 78

Favourite destination: Always Al Ain “Dar Al Zain”

Hobbies: his work  - “ the thing which I am most passionate for and which occupied all my time in the morning and evening from 1963 to 2019”

Other hobbies: football

Favorite football club: Al Ain Sports Club

 

The%C2%A0specs%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4.4-litre%2C%20twin-turbo%20V8%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eeight-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E617hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E750Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Efrom%20Dh630%2C000%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.

The full list of 2020 Brit Award nominees (winners in bold):

British group

Coldplay

Foals

Bring me the Horizon

D-Block Europe

Bastille

British Female

Mabel

Freya Ridings

FKA Twigs

Charli xcx

Mahalia​

British male

Harry Styles

Lewis Capaldi

Dave

Michael Kiwanuka

Stormzy​

Best new artist

Aitch

Lewis Capaldi

Dave

Mabel

Sam Fender

Best song

Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber - I Don’t Care

Mabel - Don’t Call Me Up

Calvin Harrison and Rag’n’Bone Man - Giant

Dave - Location

Mark Ronson feat. Miley Cyrus - Nothing Breaks Like A Heart

AJ Tracey - Ladbroke Grove

Lewis Capaldi - Someone you Loved

Tom Walker - Just You and I

Sam Smith and Normani - Dancing with a Stranger

Stormzy - Vossi Bop

International female

Ariana Grande

Billie Eilish

Camila Cabello

Lana Del Rey

Lizzo

International male

Bruce Springsteen

Burna Boy

Tyler, The Creator

Dermot Kennedy

Post Malone

Best album

Stormzy - Heavy is the Head

Michael Kiwanuka - Kiwanuka

Lewis Capaldi - Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent

Dave - Psychodrama

Harry Styles - Fine Line

Rising star

Celeste

Joy Crookes

beabadoobee

GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

Updated: April 08, 2024, 10:54 AM