• Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed visits people who were wounded in a gas explosion in Abu Dhabi on August 31. Courtesy: Abu Dhabi Government Media Office
    Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed visits people who were wounded in a gas explosion in Abu Dhabi on August 31. Courtesy: Abu Dhabi Government Media Office
  • Three people died and several more were wounded in the blast at a KFC and Hardee's restaurant. Courtesy: Abu Dhabi Government Media Office
    Three people died and several more were wounded in the blast at a KFC and Hardee's restaurant. Courtesy: Abu Dhabi Government Media Office
  • Sheikh Khaled ordered a review of safety measures for transporting gas and its storage. Courtesy: Abu Dhabi Government Media Office
    Sheikh Khaled ordered a review of safety measures for transporting gas and its storage. Courtesy: Abu Dhabi Government Media Office
  • Sheikh Khaled visits people who were admitted to hospital following the gas explosion. Courtesy: Abu Dhabi Government Media Office
    Sheikh Khaled visits people who were admitted to hospital following the gas explosion. Courtesy: Abu Dhabi Government Media Office
  • Workers board up a building on Airport Road in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, September 1, a day after the deadly gas blast. The National
    Workers board up a building on Airport Road in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, September 1, a day after the deadly gas blast. The National
  • Workers began clearing debris that was flung into the street after the ground floor blast at the KFC and Hardee's outlet. The National
    Workers began clearing debris that was flung into the street after the ground floor blast at the KFC and Hardee's outlet. The National
  • Two people died and others were injured in the accident on Monday morning. The National
    Two people died and others were injured in the accident on Monday morning. The National
  • The area was cordoned off to the public. The National
    The area was cordoned off to the public. The National
  • The authorities are carrying out checks in the surrounding area to ensure any gas pipe faults are found. The National
    The authorities are carrying out checks in the surrounding area to ensure any gas pipe faults are found. The National
  • Police released this image of extensive damage to a building in central Abu Dhabi. Courtesy: AD Police
    Police released this image of extensive damage to a building in central Abu Dhabi. Courtesy: AD Police
  • An eyewitness took this image showing the damage that the blast caused. Courtesy Naeema Baloch
    An eyewitness took this image showing the damage that the blast caused. Courtesy Naeema Baloch
  • A nearby resident shared these images of the blast on Airport Road.
    A nearby resident shared these images of the blast on Airport Road.
  • Abu Dhabi Police said it was thought the blast was caused by a gas leak.
    Abu Dhabi Police said it was thought the blast was caused by a gas leak.
  • The accident left debris strewn across the street in front of the building.
    The accident left debris strewn across the street in front of the building.
  • Abu Dhabi Police said a number of people were taken to hospital with 'minor and moderate injuries'.
    Abu Dhabi Police said a number of people were taken to hospital with 'minor and moderate injuries'.

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed visits people injured in Abu Dhabi gas explosion


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Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed visited people who were wounded in a gas explosion in Abu Dhabi, on Tuesday.

The member of the Executive Council and chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office visited Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City and wished the wounded a rapid recovery.

He also directed Abu Dhabi's Department of Community Development to attend to the patients and ensure their full recovery.

Three people died as a result of the explosion at a building on Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Road – known locally as Airport Road – on August 31.

Investigations showed the explosion was caused by a misalignment in the gas container fittings after the residential building was refuelled.

The blast instantly killed two Filipino people and fatally injured another from Sri Lanka. The blast also destroyed a KFC, neighbouring Hardee's and other shops near by.

The Sri Lankan embassy in the UAE said another of its citizens, injured in the explosion, was in the intensive care unit of a hospital.

Police reminded the public to be careful when dealing with gas connections and other energy sources.

On Tuesday, Sheikh Khaled instructed Abu Dhabi's government offices to review safety and security requirements for buildings’ gas transport and storage and to upgrade them in line with best international practice to ensure the community's safety.

Following the explosion, Emirates Red Crescent came forward to cover the cost of accommodation of more than 200 people who were left temporarily homeless.

The humanitarian organisation will provide support for 208 people living in the building who had to be relocated.

ERC said volunteers from its Abu Dhabi centre were involved in the evacuation of the building and transferring residents to hotels in the city.

How to safely use gas:

On Tuesday, Abu Dhabi Civil Defence issued a list of points reminding the public how to safely use gas and prevent any dangerous leaks.

Here are the recommendations for residents living in villas or flats:

  • Ensure that gas pipes supplying cookers are correctly installed using the appropriate regulator
  • Ensure the gas cooker has a safety system to prevent or warn against leaks
  • Provide adequate ventilation in the kitchen
  • Do not place the cylinder in direct sunlight
  • Install gas leak detectors

Advice for facilities and businesses:

  • Ensure gas contractors have a valid licence
  • Ensure gas maintenance and installation technicians are licensed
  • Use gas system equipment licensed by Civil Defence
  • Ensure maintenance and gas supply contractors are approved by Civil Defence

Warlight,
Michael Ondaatje, Knopf 

Fifa Club World Cup:

When: December 6-16
Where: Games to take place at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi and Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain
Defending champions: Real Madrid

The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre turbo

Power: 181hp

Torque: 230Nm

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Starting price: Dh79,000

On sale: Now

Tamkeen's offering
  • Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
  • Option 2: 50% across three years
  • Option 3: 30% across five years 
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Our legal columnist

Name: Yousef Al Bahar

Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994

Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers

The five types of long-term residential visas

Obed Suhail of ServiceMarket, an online home services marketplace, outlines the five types of long-term residential visas:

Investors:

A 10-year residency visa can be obtained by investors who invest Dh10 million, out of which 60 per cent should not be in real estate. It can be a public investment through a deposit or in a business. Those who invest Dh5 million or more in property are eligible for a five-year residency visa. The invested amount should be completely owned by the investors, not loaned, and retained for at least three years.

Entrepreneurs:

A five-year multiple entry visa is available to entrepreneurs with a previous project worth Dh0.5m or those with the approval of an accredited business incubator in the UAE.  

Specialists

Expats with specialised talents, including doctors, specialists, scientists, inventors, and creative individuals working in the field of culture and art are eligible for a 10-year visa, given that they have a valid employment contract in one of these fields in the country.

Outstanding students:

A five-year visa will be granted to outstanding students who have a grade of 95 per cent or higher in a secondary school, or those who graduate with a GPA of 3.75 from a university. 

Retirees:

Expats who are at least 55 years old can obtain a five-year retirement visa if they invest Dh2m in property, have savings of Dh1m or more, or have a monthly income of at least Dh20,000.

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WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?

1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull

2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight

3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge

4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own

5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed

A State of Passion

Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi

Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah

Rating: 4/5

How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now

Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.

The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.

1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):

a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33

b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.

2. For those who have worked more than five years

c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.

Note: The maximum figure cannot exceed two years total salary figure.

RESULT

Copa del Rey, semi-final second leg

Real Madrid 0
Barcelona 3 (Suarez (50', 73' pen), Varane (69' OG)