• Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, participates in the Dubai Ride Challenge in November 2020.
    Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, participates in the Dubai Ride Challenge in November 2020.
  • Sheikh Hamdan led from the front as Sheikh Zayed Road was closed to traffic.
    Sheikh Hamdan led from the front as Sheikh Zayed Road was closed to traffic.
  • The Dubai Ride challenge took cyclists past major Dubai landmarks, such as the Museum of the Future, which Sheikh Hamdan passes here.
    The Dubai Ride challenge took cyclists past major Dubai landmarks, such as the Museum of the Future, which Sheikh Hamdan passes here.
  • Sheikh Hamdan with other cyclists. Karim Sahib / AFP
    Sheikh Hamdan with other cyclists. Karim Sahib / AFP
  • People take to the Sheikh Zayed Road for the Dubai Ride. Karim Sahib / AFP
    People take to the Sheikh Zayed Road for the Dubai Ride. Karim Sahib / AFP
  • The free event is part of the Dubai Fitness Challenge. Karim Sahib / AFP
    The free event is part of the Dubai Fitness Challenge. Karim Sahib / AFP
  • It was the first time the Sheikh Zayed Road was closed off for such an event. Karim Sahib / AFP
    It was the first time the Sheikh Zayed Road was closed off for such an event. Karim Sahib / AFP
  • Dubai residents carry the UAE flag as they ride on the Sheikh Zayed Road. Karim Sahib / AFP
    Dubai residents carry the UAE flag as they ride on the Sheikh Zayed Road. Karim Sahib / AFP
  • The event was led by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai. Karim Sahib / AFP
    The event was led by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai. Karim Sahib / AFP
  • Sheikh Hamdan, centre right in blue with headlights on, takes part. Karim Sahib / AFP
    Sheikh Hamdan, centre right in blue with headlights on, takes part. Karim Sahib / AFP
  • The event began in the early hours of Friday. Karim Sahib / AFP
    The event began in the early hours of Friday. Karim Sahib / AFP
  • Thousands of cyclists took part. Karim Sahib / AFP
    Thousands of cyclists took part. Karim Sahib / AFP
  • Cyclists passed Dubai landmarks such as Burj Khalifa. Karim Sahib / AFP
    Cyclists passed Dubai landmarks such as Burj Khalifa. Karim Sahib / AFP
  • Dubai has been encouraging more people to use bikes. Karim Sahib / AFP
    Dubai has been encouraging more people to use bikes. Karim Sahib / AFP
  • The roads were blocked off for hours. Karim Sahib / AFP
    The roads were blocked off for hours. Karim Sahib / AFP
  • The Sheikh Zayed Road turned into a cycling track for the Dubai Ride challenge. Courtesy: Jeremy Paul de Jesus
    The Sheikh Zayed Road turned into a cycling track for the Dubai Ride challenge. Courtesy: Jeremy Paul de Jesus

Sheikh Hamdan: Dh400m Dubai cycling strategy will encourage healthy lifestyle


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Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, has approved a Dh400 million strategy to make cycling safer in the emirate.

Sheikh Hamdan authorised the initiatives at a meeting of Dubai's Executive Council, of which he is chairman.

"We approved the Dubai Bicycle-Friendly City Strategy 2025, which includes 18 initiatives valued at Dh400m," he wrote on Twitter.

"Our goal is for Dubai to rank among the world’s best for quality of life, with projects that provide healthy lifestyles and a vision aimed at community happiness."

There are 425 kilometres of cycle paths in Dubai and the Roads and Transport Authority plans to increase this to 668km by 2025.

A bridge for cyclists and pedestrians over the Ras Al Khor Road opened in February, linking the tracks of Al Khawaneej, Mushrif and Al Warqa areas with the residential area of International City, and Dragon Mart mall.

The paths enable cyclists to pedal in their own lane without fear of being run over.

Sheikh Hamdan announced his intention to turn Dubai in a bicycle-friendly city at Dubai Police’s Innovation Lab in August 2020.

He urged authorities to adopt global best practices, and all of the safety and security measures needed to develop a bicycle-friendly network.

Sheikh Hamdan's directive was in line with the objectives of Dubai Vision 2021, which aims to strengthen Dubai's position as the world’s most preferred place in which to live, work and visit.

Improving cycling facilities will also help to reduce the UAE's carbon footprint in line with its Energy Strategy 2050, which aims to cut carbon emissions by 16 per cent by the end of 2021.

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Heavily-sugared soft drinks slip through the tax net

Some popular drinks with high levels of sugar and caffeine have slipped through the fizz drink tax loophole, as they are not carbonated or classed as an energy drink.

Arizona Iced Tea with lemon is one of those beverages, with one 240 millilitre serving offering up 23 grams of sugar - about six teaspoons.

A 680ml can of Arizona Iced Tea costs just Dh6.

Most sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, five teaspoons of sugar in a 500ml bottle.

UAE central contracts

Full time contracts

Rohan Mustafa, Ahmed Raza, Mohammed Usman, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Sultan Ahmed, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmed, Zawar Farid

Part time contracts

Aryan Lakra, Ansh Tandon, Karthik Meiyappan, Rahul Bhatia, Alishan Sharafu, CP Rizwaan, Basil Hameed, Matiullah, Fahad Nawaz, Sanchit Sharma

How to wear a kandura

Dos

  • Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion 
  • Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
  • Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work 
  • Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester

Don’ts 

  • Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal 
  • Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
Emergency phone numbers in the UAE

Estijaba – 8001717 –  number to call to request coronavirus testing

Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111

Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre

Emirates airline – 600555555

Etihad Airways – 600555666

Ambulance – 998

Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries

THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick

Hometown: Cologne, Germany

Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)

Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes

Favourite hobby: Football

Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk

The Gandhi Murder
  • 71 - Years since the death of MK Gandhi, also christened India's Father of the Nation
  • 34 - Nationalities featured in the film The Gandhi Murder
  • 7 - million dollars, the film's budget 
UAE v Gibraltar

What: International friendly

When: 7pm kick off

Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City

Admission: Free

Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page

UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Explainer: Tanween Design Programme

Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.

The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.

It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.

The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.

Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”

AGUERO'S PREMIER LEAGUE RECORD

Apps: 186
Goals: 127
Assists: 31
Wins: 117
Losses: 33

COMPANY PROFILE

Founders: Sebastian Stefan, Sebastian Morar and Claudia Pacurar

Based: Dubai, UAE

Founded: 2014

Number of employees: 36

Sector: Logistics

Raised: $2.5 million

Investors: DP World, Prime Venture Partners and family offices in Saudi Arabia and the UAE

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