In pictures: The 20 stories that shaped the UAE

People join in celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the creation of the United Arab Emirates as they gather for a program of military and artistic parade on Friday afternoon, Dec. 2, 2011, at the Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi. (Silvia Razgova/The National)

Courts decriminalise bounced security cheques (Dec 31, 2012) Ali Khalfan Al Dhaheri, head of legal affairs at the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, said federal courts would no longer accept bounced deposit cheques presented by lenders as evidence of a c???

Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah is laid to rest (October 27, 2010) Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, was laid to rest in his family’s cemetery in Al Oraibi. Having ruled since 1948, he was the world’s second-longest serving head of???

Nanny and three children killed crossing the road (June 29, 2009) Three Emirati sisters, aged 4, 6 and 7, died when they were struck by a car as they crossed a busy road in Abu Dhabi. After several months in hospital, their 24-year-old Indonesian nanny d???

Tom Cruise on the Burj Khalifa (Nov 7, 2010) As filming in Dubai for the spy thriller Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol entered its second week, Tom Cruise was seen swinging from a rope outside the Burj Khalifa while a circling helicopter filmed. ???

Emirates Airline receives its first A380 (July 27, 2008) After an eight year wait, Emirates Airline received its first A380 during a ceremony at the Airbus factory in Hamburg, ushering in a new era of Middle East aviation. The airline has gone on to rece???

Etihad announces Manchester City deal (May 24, 2009) Manchester City confirmed a three-year, multimillion pound shirt sponsorship deal with Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airlines. Part of the deal included renaming their stadium in Manchester “Etihad Stadiumâ???

Yas Marina Circuit hosts the first Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (October 27, 2009) Some 50,000 people flocked to Yas Marina Circuit to witness history in the making as the UAE hosted its first Formula One race – an event three years in the making. Sebastian Ve???

UAE beat Iraq to take Gulf Cup victory (January 18, 2013) The UAE beat Iraq 2-1 to clinch the Gulf Cup title during a match in Bahrain. Ismail Al Hammadi scored the winning goal in extra-time, securing the second international trophy in the history of th???

Hamas leader assassinated in Dubai (January 19, 2010) Mahmoud Al Mabhouh, a senior member of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, was found dead in a Dubai hotel room. Hamas accused agents from Mossad, the Israeli foreign intelligence service, of assass???

Opening of the Dubai Metro (September 9, 2009) After four years of construction and its associated disruptions, residents of Dubai celebrated the launch of the Metro’s Red Line at the Mall of the Emirates station. The Green Line was launched two years ???

Four-year-old’s killer executed by firing squad (February 10, 2011) Most of the nation was celebrating Eid Al Adha when the body of four-year-old Moosa Mukhtiar Ahmed was found in the bathroom of an Al Qusais mosque in November 2009. He had been raped ???

Children jailed with their mothers in UAE visa amnesty (March 31, 2013) The National broke the news about the plight of at least 10 single mothers who had been jailed along with their children after they handed themselves in during a two-month visa amne???

Fujairah pipeline opens to bypass the Strait (July 16, 2012) A crude oil pipeline from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah delivered its first load. The pipeline took five years and 225,000 tonnes of steel pipes to build at an estimated cost of $3.3 billion. It has ca???

Special forces rescue UAE ship from pirates (April 2, 2011) UAE special forces stormed a hijacked Dubai-bound ship, rescuing its crew and arresting the pirates who seized it. The MV Arrilah-I, a bulk carrier en route from Australia to Jebel Ali, was resc???

The British Queen’s visit (November 25, 2010) Queen Elizabeth II concluded a state visit to the UAE with the unveiling of plans for Saadiyat Island and a banquet in her honour at Emirates Palace hotel. According to the state news agency Wam, the queen???

Dubai restructures debt with $10 billion from Abu Dhabi (December 14, 2009) The Dubai Government announced it would repay $3.5 billion of Islamic sukuk bonds after receiving support from the Government of Abu Dhabi and the Central Bank of the United Arab???

Snow falls in Ras Al Khaimah (January 25, 2009) When snow fell in the Jebel Jais area of Ras Al Khaimah for only the second time in recorded history, local residents told The National they had to invent a new word for “snow� as none existed in thei???

Child-protection law fast-tracked by Cabinet (November 13, 2012) A 72-article draft law aimed at protecting children from abuse and neglect was approved by the Federal Cabinet. The landmark legislation was dubbed Wadeema’s Law in memory of an eight-year???

Second FNC elections held(September 24, 2011) Thousands went to the polls for the country’s second Federal National Council elections. An estimated 130,000 Emiratis were selected by Rulers to cast their vote for candidates to fill 20 seats on the counc???