ABU DHABI // A decree to establish a Dh1 billion library in Dubai has been issued by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.
The Mohammed bin Rashid Library will hold more than 1.5 million volumes, 1 million audio books and 2 million e-books, making it the world’s largest electronic collection and the biggest library in the Arab World.
‘We want this library to serve as a cultural forum, an incubator for knowledge and a civilisation centre in the region,’’ said Sheikh Mohammed, adding that the library would play a part in the promotion of reading as well as contributing to the development of the country.
“The knowledge provided by the library will encourage the movement of authoring and translation, bring intellectuals and thinkers closer, and spread the culture of dialogue, tolerance and acceptance of others,” he said.
Overlooking Dubai Creek in the Al Jaddaf area, the book-shaped library will cover more than 92,000 square metres, be seven storeys tall and have children’s, Arabic, international, business and media sections to make reading accessible to all.
It will include a centre for conservation and restoration of historical manuscripts, and a museum section displaying rare artefacts from the Maktoum family collection.
Plans for the future library – which will be able to accommodate more than 42 million visitors a year – include hosting more than 100 cultural and intellectual events each year in its seminar and conference rooms.
The law also set up the MBR Library Foundation, which will be responsible for running, promoting and making the library into the Arab World’s largest knowledge incubator. Chairing the foundation’s board will be Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr, former Speaker of the FNC and chairman of the Dubai Cultural Council as well as an Emirati short-story writer.
The project, which is scheduled to open at the end of next year, was first announced by Sheikh Mohammed in February at the launch of the Year of Reading, declared for this year by the President, Sheikh Khalifa.
newsdesk@thenational.ae
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'THE WORST THING YOU CAN EAT'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
RESULT
Fifth ODI, at Headingley
England 351/9
Pakistan 297
England win by 54 runs (win series 4-0)
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
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Three trading apps to try
Sharad Nair recommends three investment apps for UAE residents:
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Dust and sand storms compared
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Dust storm
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- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
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What is graphene?
Graphene is extracted from graphite and is made up of pure carbon.
It is 200 times more resistant than steel and five times lighter than aluminum.
It conducts electricity better than any other material at room temperature.
It is thought that graphene could boost the useful life of batteries by 10 per cent.
Graphene can also detect cancer cells in the early stages of the disease.
The material was first discovered when Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov were 'playing' with graphite at the University of Manchester in 2004.