• Wife and daughter of one of Bashar Al Assad’s cousins arrested at Beirut airport
  • Silent rally calls for action on disappeared Syrians
  • Ukraine sends shipment of grain to Syria
  • Israeli jets struck seven crossing points along the Syria-Lebanon border
  • Iran denies interfering in Syria
  • Mission to defeat ISIS mission remains top US priority
Syrians search for relatives whom they believe were detained in secret cells beneath Sednaya prison near Damascus. EPA
Syrians search for relatives whom they believe were detained in secret cells beneath Sednaya prison near Damascus. EPA
Rescue efforts to find prisoners at Sednaya prison continue. EPA
Rescue efforts to find prisoners at Sednaya prison continue. EPA
Israeli soldiers in southern Syria. Reuters
Israeli soldiers in southern Syria. Reuters
Mohammed Bashir, head of US-listed terrorist group Hayat Tahrir Al Sham's Salvation Government, at a press conference in the rebel-held northwestern Syrian city of Idlib in November. AFP
Mohammed Bashir, head of US-listed terrorist group Hayat Tahrir Al Sham's Salvation Government, at a press conference in the rebel-held northwestern Syrian city of Idlib in November. AFP
Crowds gathering at Saadallah Al Jabiri Square in Aleppo. AP
Crowds gathering at Saadallah Al Jabiri Square in Aleppo. AP
Senior insurgent commander Abu Mohammed Al Julani addresses a crowd at Ummayad Mosque in Damascus. Reuters
Senior insurgent commander Abu Mohammed Al Julani addresses a crowd at Ummayad Mosque in Damascus. Reuters
Members of the Syrian government security forces are herded into a field by gunmen in Homs, Syria. EPA
Members of the Syrian government security forces are herded into a field by gunmen in Homs, Syria. EPA
A hall inside the presidential palace gutted by fire after Syrian rebels took over Damascus. EPA
A hall inside the presidential palace gutted by fire after Syrian rebels took over Damascus. EPA
A Syrian rebel fighter fires rounds as people celebrate in Homs after the city's liberation from the stranglehold of the Assad regime. AFP
A Syrian rebel fighter fires rounds as people celebrate in Homs after the city's liberation from the stranglehold of the Assad regime. AFP
People gather to celebrate the Syrian government's fall at a mosque in Istanbul, Turkey. AP
People gather to celebrate the Syrian government's fall at a mosque in Istanbul, Turkey. AP
People gather around Umayyad Square in Damascus. AFP
People gather around Umayyad Square in Damascus. AFP
Rebel fighters cheer from the back of a pick-up truck at Umayyad Square having stormed into the centre of Damascus, Syria. AFP
Rebel fighters cheer from the back of a pick-up truck at Umayyad Square having stormed into the centre of Damascus, Syria. AFP
Syrian government forces cross the border into Iraq at Al Qaim. Reuters
Syrian government forces cross the border into Iraq at Al Qaim. Reuters
A multi-barrel rocket launcher fires at regime troops, in the northern outskirts of Syria's west-central city of Hama. AFP
A multi-barrel rocket launcher fires at regime troops, in the northern outskirts of Syria's west-central city of Hama. AFP
Syrian Kurds flee their homes in the outskirts of Aleppo. AFP
Syrian Kurds flee their homes in the outskirts of Aleppo. AFP

Opening day UAE Premiership fixtures, Friday, September 22:

  • Dubai Sports City Eagles v Dubai Exiles
  • Dubai Hurricanes v Abu Dhabi Saracens
  • Jebel Ali Dragons v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Background
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.

More on Quran memorisation:
The specs

The specs: 2019 Audi Q8
Price, base: Dh315,000
Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged V6
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 340hp @ 3,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm @ 2,250rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.7L / 100km
 

MATCH INFO

RB Leipzig 2 (Klostermann 24', Schick 68')

Hertha Berlin 2 (Grujic 9', Piatek 82' pen)

Man of the match Matheus Cunha (Hertha Berlin

Company Profile

Company name: NutriCal

Started: 2019

Founder: Soniya Ashar

Based: Dubai

Industry: Food Technology

Initial investment: Self-funded undisclosed amount

Future plan: Looking to raise fresh capital and expand in Saudi Arabia

Total Clients: Over 50

While you're here
On Women's Day
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE

Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.

While you're here
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
While you're here
The specs

Engine: 3.8-litre, twin-turbo V8

Transmission: seven-speed automatic

Power: 592bhp

Torque: 620Nm

Price: Dh980,000

On sale: now

Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
On Women's Day
Updated: December 29, 2024, 6:11 AM