I write to you in reference to Gillian Duncan and Shireena Al Nowais's story Coronavirus: How does Abu Dhabi's new border system work? (June 30): the Abu Dhabi-Dubai border temporary shutdown was a necessary measure undertaken by the UAE government to help contain the spread of Covid-19. It was also a significant act, unseen in the last 50 years of Emirati history. Not since December 2, 1971 has the border between the two emirates been restricted in such a manner.
There was a time, in the pre-union days, when one had to present a passport to enter Dubai from Abu Dhabi and vice versa. Modern day citizens and residents can still get a sense of this the next time they drive up or down the E11 motorway. A remnant of the Abu Dhabi-Dubai border still exists. It is a small green building on the coastal side of the motorway that today serves as the Saih Sheib Police Station.
The successful demarcation of Abu Dhabi and Dubai territory was one of the leading achievements led by Sheikh Zayed, the Founding Father, and Sheikh Rashid.
Sheikh Zayed Road for example, Dubai’s most famous road, was named in honour of the then ruler of Abu Dhabi. This road actually begins at Abu Dhabi’s Corniche as Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street (known more casually in Abu Dhabi as Airport Road).
The name changes from Sheikh Rashid Road to Sheikh Zayed Road the moment you cross the border from Abu Dhabi into Dubai. In naming their grandest streets after one another, the founders of the UAE enacted a symbolic gesture with a view to strengthen the union during its nascent days.
Abu Dhabi and Dubai’s current rulers have built on the foundations set by the UAE's Founding Fathers. The recently inaugurated E311 or Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed road now links the newer outer suburbs of Abu Dhabi with the new outer suburbs of Dubai and is a testament to the continued relevance and the enduring vision of the union. We will overcome the coronavirus crisis. But as we enter the 50th anniversary of the UAE, we need to maintain a historical perspective.
Ahmed Shubbar, Abu Dhabi
Plenty of trusted studies validated by doctors
With regard to the report WHO stops trials for drug Donald Trump promoted as a coronavirus remedy (July 4): the Lancet study was a scandal; even the journal admitted later that the study was based on fake data. However, there are a lot of trusted studies proving the efficacy of certain medicines when prescribed in the early stages – by doctors.
Lana L, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Percentage of coronavirus cases hasn't changed
With reference to Coronavirus: UAE records 716 new cases and three deaths as daily tests pass 70,000 (July 4): Look at the test numbers. Saturday's are based on 71,000 tests. The actual percentage of positive cases hasn't changed but the fact they are catching more at once now is a good thing. The more you catch those currently infected the faster we will get past this.
Suzanne Arruda, Dubai
Kathryn Hawkes of House of Hawkes on being a good guest (because we’ve all had bad ones)
- Arrive with a thank you gift, or make sure you have one for your host by the time you leave.
- Offer to buy groceries, cook them a meal or take your hosts out for dinner.
- Help out around the house.
- Entertain yourself so that your hosts don’t feel that they constantly need to.
- Leave no trace of your stay – if you’ve borrowed a book, return it to where you found it.
- Offer to strip the bed before you go.
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
Traits of Chinese zodiac animals
Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent
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.
THE BIO
Bio Box
Role Model: Sheikh Zayed, God bless his soul
Favorite book: Zayed Biography of the leader
Favorite quote: To be or not to be, that is the question, from William Shakespeare's Hamlet
Favorite food: seafood
Favorite place to travel: Lebanon
Favorite movie: Braveheart
Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere
Director: Scott Cooper
Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Odessa Young, Jeremy Strong
Rating: 4/5
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
The five pillars of Islam
MATCH INFO
Sheffield United 0 Wolves 2 (Jimenez 3', Saiss 6)
Man of the Match Romain Saiss (Wolves)
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
Company Fact Box
Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019
Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO
Based: Amman, Jordan
Sector: Education Technology
Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed
Stage: early-stage startup
Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.
