International Youth Day: Sheikh Mohammed hails nation's young in uplifting video

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid has hailed the nation's youths, calling them its “hope and treasure” and urging them to take the future into their hands.

The Vice President and Ruler of Dubai said investment in the talent of the next generation remained the UAE's greatest success.

In the video shared on social media, which highlights some of the Emirate's brightest and best young citizens, Sheikh Mohammed remarks that he too was “young once”.

He said his own dreams were fulfilled and that “after hardships, good days followed”. The inspiring message was published before International Youth Day on Friday.

“We thank God that we have succeeded in many things,” said Sheikh Mohammed in the recording.

“However the UAE and the union has achieved its biggest success — its youth. They are the future. They are the ones that will take matters into their own hands in the future.

“To the youth who overcome obstacles, to those who are hope and treasure, I was young once like you. And my dreams did come true. After the hardships, good days followed.”

The minute-long video features citizens making their mark in a variety of fields.

They include Fatma Khalid, a chief cultural guide, Maryam Buhumaid, a robotics engineer, Abdulrahman Belgaizi, a shipwright, Maitha Rashid, who is carrying out national service, and Shamma Al Thehli, who secured first place in a Korean speech contest in the UAE.

Chefs, triathletes, a camel owner, a horse rider, an engineer and a pilot are among the other top achievers featured in the footage.

“Our country has become a heaven. May it always thrive. It is now your time to flourish with ease,” Sheikh Mohammed said.

“Unlike our old days which were very tough. Lean from our history and old days. And with hard work and willpower, you will continue to thrive.”

Young people have long been at the heart of the UAE leadership's vision for the future. Last month, President Sheikh Mohamed met Emirati students and doctors in France on the second day of his state visit to the country.

Accompanied by Shamma Al Mazrui, Minister of State for Youth, Sheikh Mohamed was introduced to the students, who are attending universities in France.

He urged them to strive to achieve academic excellence, which he said would enable them to contribute to the UAE's growth.

Sheikh Abdullah honours Emirati youths — in pictures

At a special ceremony held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, the Emirates Foundation also paid tribute to its strategic partners and programme mentors for their instrumental role, guidance and support of the Foundation’s mission to deliver impactful philanthropy. Wam
Under the patronage of Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of Emirates Foundation, outstanding Emirati youth have been recognised for their contributions to the advancement of youth development in the UAE at the Emirates Foundation Annual Recognition Event. Wam
At a special ceremony held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, the Emirates Foundation also paid tribute to its strategic partners and programme mentors for their instrumental role, guidance and support of the Foundation’s mission to deliver impactful philanthropy. Wam
Under the patronage of Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of Emirates Foundation, outstanding Emirati youth have been recognised for their contributions to the advancement of youth development in the UAE at the Emirates Foundation Annual Recognition Event. Wam
Under the patronage of Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of Emirates Foundation, outstanding Emirati youth have been recognised for their contributions to the advancement of youth development in the UAE at the Emirates Foundation Annual Recognition Event. Wam
Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid, Crown Prince of Ajman, met with the Prime Minister of Uganda, Ruhakana Rugunda, at his resort in Helio district, Ajman. Wam
The Federal National Council Speaker, Dr Amal Al Qubaisi, attended a reception hosted at Abu Dhabi Intercontinental Hotel, by Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Ali Al Qetbi, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the UAE, on the occasion of the 45th national day anniversary of Sultanate of Oman. Wam

How to apply for a drone permit

Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
Submit their request

What are the regulations?

Fly it within visual line of sight
Never over populated areas
Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
Should have a live feed of the drone flight
Drones must weigh 5 kg or less

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome

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

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

RESULT

Valencia 3

Kevin Gameiro 21', 51'

Ferran Torres 67'

Atlanta 4

Josip Llicic 3' (P), 43' (P), 71', 82'

Country-size land deals

US interest in purchasing territory is not as outlandish as it sounds. Here's a look at some big land transactions between nations:

Louisiana Purchase

If Donald Trump is one who aims to broker "a deal of the century", then this was the "deal of the 19th Century". In 1803, the US nearly doubled in size when it bought 2,140,000 square kilometres from France for $15 million.

Florida Purchase Treaty

The US courted Spain for Florida for years. Spain eventually realised its burden in holding on to the territory and in 1819 effectively ceded it to America in a wider border treaty.

Alaska purchase

America's spending spree continued in 1867 when it acquired 1,518,800 km² of Alaskan land from Russia for $7.2m. Critics panned the government for buying "useless land".

The Philippines

At the end of the Spanish-American War, a provision in the 1898 Treaty of Paris saw Spain surrender the Philippines for a payment of $20 million.

US Virgin Islands

It's not like a US president has never reached a deal with Denmark before. In 1917 the US purchased the Danish West Indies for $25m and renamed them the US Virgin Islands.

Gwadar

The most recent sovereign land purchase was in 1958 when Pakistan bought the southwestern port of Gwadar from Oman for 5.5bn Pakistan rupees.

A new relationship with the old country

Treaty of Friendship between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates

The United kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates; Considering that the United Arab Emirates has assumed full responsibility as a sovereign and independent State; Determined that the long-standing and traditional relations of close friendship and cooperation between their peoples shall continue; Desiring to give expression to this intention in the form of a Treaty Friendship; Have agreed as follows:

ARTICLE 1 The relations between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates shall be governed by a spirit of close friendship. In recognition of this, the Contracting Parties, conscious of their common interest in the peace and stability of the region, shall: (a) consult together on matters of mutual concern in time of need; (b) settle all their disputes by peaceful means in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.

ARTICLE 2 The Contracting Parties shall encourage education, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two States in accordance with arrangements to be agreed. Such arrangements shall cover among other things: (a) the promotion of mutual understanding of their respective cultures, civilisations and languages, the promotion of contacts among professional bodies, universities and cultural institutions; (c) the encouragement of technical, scientific and cultural exchanges.

ARTICLE 3 The Contracting Parties shall maintain the close relationship already existing between them in the field of trade and commerce. Representatives of the Contracting Parties shall meet from time to time to consider means by which such relations can be further developed and strengthened, including the possibility of concluding treaties or agreements on matters of mutual concern.

ARTICLE 4 This Treaty shall enter into force on today’s date and shall remain in force for a period of ten years. Unless twelve months before the expiry of the said period of ten years either Contracting Party shall have given notice to the other of its intention to terminate the Treaty, this Treaty shall remain in force thereafter until the expiry of twelve months from the date on which notice of such intention is given.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned have signed this Treaty.

DONE in duplicate at Dubai the second day of December 1971AD, corresponding to the fifteenth day of Shawwal 1391H, in the English and Arabic languages, both texts being equally authoritative.

Signed

Geoffrey Arthur Sheikh Zayed

Omar Yabroudi's factfile

Born: October 20, 1989, Sharjah

Education: Bachelor of Science and Football, Liverpool John Moores University

2010: Accrington Stanley FC, internship

2010-2012: Crystal Palace, performance analyst with U-18 academy

2012-2015: Barnet FC, first-team performance analyst/head of recruitment

2015-2017: Nottingham Forest, head of recruitment

2018-present: Crystal Palace, player recruitment manager