Related: UAE National Day: Sheikh Khalifa optimistic after year of 'exceptional challenges'
The UAE's leaders have hailed 2020 as a key year for the country; when it weathered the Covid-19 storm.
Speaking to mark the 49th National Day, they said the country overcame the pandemic and set course for an even more prosperous future.
They also hailed a year which saw the launch of the Emirates Mars Mission, the opening of the Barakah Nuclear Plant – a first for the Arab world – and the signing of the Abraham Accords that ushered diplomatic relations between the UAE and Israel.
"This success is not a mere coincidence or luck but rather the outcome of our Emirati model that foresaw the future and developed appropriate strategies and plans to get the nation ready for emergencies and worst-case scenarios," said Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.
"Our Emirati model will ensure the efficiency and flexibility of our institutions and their ability to make the right decisions at the right time."
Sheikh Mohammed also paid tribute to the "white army" of medics and "its battalions of doctors, nurses, technicians and administrators, who have shown sincerity and dedication, have taken risks and advanced their ranks to combat the Covid-19 pandemic and treat the patients. Our health workers have presented new heroes to our country."
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, said the UAE's 49th National Day marks a milestone in the country's march to an even brighter future.
Also turning to the pandemic, Sheikh Mohamed said not only had the UAE dealt with Covid-19, it helped other countries do so as well
"The UAE believes that this crisis will pass and what is important is to not only tackle it effectively, but also have the ability to deal with the situation once the pandemic is over," said Sheikh Mohamed.
"The UAE has also actively participated in international scientific and research efforts aimed at finding treatments and vaccines for the virus and has co-operated with other countries to achieve this goal. It has called for these treatments and vaccines to be provided to everyone without exception."
The remarks were carried in Nation Shield, the UAE Armed Forces magazine. The edition also features words from all other Rulers, Crown Princes, ministers and key figures.
Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, said the UAE was a model of unity and cohesion emulated across the world.
"We reiterate our prayers for our dear homeland to achieve more successes, prosperity and development and gain more strength in its noble march for more glories," he said.
Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, said the UAE is a model of solidarity.
"The UAE is advancing confidently to secure its befitting place among advanced nations, by protecting our human, social and economic capacities and exerting all possible efforts to achieve overall development and advancement," said Sheikh Saud. "We are proud of our accomplishments and we are driven by the Spirit of the Union to achieve further successes."
Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Ruler of Umm Al Quwain, paid tribute to the country's martyrs.
"On this spectacular national occasion, we remember with all pride and glory the honourable martyrs of the homeland who, together with their brothers contributed to the implementation of the tasks assigned to them within the Arab Coalition forces to ward off dangers from the borders of the homeland and demonstrated unrivalled competencies with courage and sacrifice."
Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah, said the experience of 2020 showed the UAE can deal with any situation.
"The UAE has proved its ability to overcome and counter crises, most notably during the coronavirus pandemic," he said.
"It also eased the financial burden of companies and individuals and involved the local community in all social responsibility initiatives."
Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman, pointed to other big achievements this year such as the opening of the Barakah nuclear energy plant.
"As the UAE is looking forward to the next 50 years, we remember the achievements that we should be proud of, most notably the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, which made the UAE the first Arab country to possess nuclear energy technology to produce electricity," said Sheikh Humaid.
He also highlighted "the launch of the Hope Probe, the first Arab and Islamic probe to Mars, and the launch of the biggest national strategy to prepare for the coming 50 years in the federal and local levels as the country approaches its Golden Jubilee in 2021."
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, said the ambition of Sheikh Zayed had resulted in the UAE becoming one of the fastest growing countries in the world, while Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation also highlighted the Emirates Mars Mission.
"As a result of the aspirations and hard work of the Emirati people, the ambition of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan reached out to space towards the planet Mars, commemorating a journey of 50 years of ambitions and challenges," Sheikh Abdullah said.
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
'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.
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ENGLAND TEAM
Alastair Cook, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Joe Root (captain), Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Craig Overton, Stuart Broad, James Anderson
MATCH INFO
Asian Champions League, last 16, first leg:
Al Ain 2 Al Duhail 4
Second leg:
Tuesday, Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha. Kick off 7.30pm
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
Day 5, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day When Dilruwan Perera dismissed Yasir Shah to end Pakistan’s limp resistance, the Sri Lankans charged around the field with the fevered delirium of a side not used to winning. Trouble was, they had not. The delivery was deemed a no ball. Sri Lanka had a nervy wait, but it was merely a stay of execution for the beleaguered hosts.
Stat of the day – 5 Pakistan have lost all 10 wickets on the fifth day of a Test five times since the start of 2016. It is an alarming departure for a side who had apparently erased regular collapses from their resume. “The only thing I can say, it’s not a mitigating excuse at all, but that’s a young batting line up, obviously trying to find their way,” said Mickey Arthur, Pakistan’s coach.
The verdict Test matches in the UAE are known for speeding up on the last two days, but this was extreme. The first two innings of this Test took 11 sessions to complete. The remaining two were done in less than four. The nature of Pakistan’s capitulation at the end showed just how difficult the transition is going to be in the post Misbah-ul-Haq era.
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Retirement funds heavily invested in equities at a risky time
Pension funds in growing economies in Asia, Latin America and the Middle East have a sharply higher percentage of assets parked in stocks, just at a time when trade tensions threaten to derail markets.
Retirement money managers in 14 geographies now allocate 40 per cent of their assets to equities, an 8 percentage-point climb over the past five years, according to a Mercer survey released last week that canvassed government, corporate and mandatory pension funds with almost $5 trillion in assets under management. That compares with about 25 per cent for pension funds in Europe.
The escalating trade spat between the US and China has heightened fears that stocks are ripe for a downturn. With tensions mounting and outcomes driven more by politics than economics, the S&P 500 Index will be on course for a “full-scale bear market” without Federal Reserve interest-rate cuts, Citigroup’s global macro strategy team said earlier this week.
The increased allocation to equities by growth-market pension funds has come at the expense of fixed-income investments, which declined 11 percentage points over the five years, according to the survey.
Hong Kong funds have the highest exposure to equities at 66 per cent, although that’s been relatively stable over the period. Japan’s equity allocation jumped 13 percentage points while South Korea’s increased 8 percentage points.
The money managers are also directing a higher portion of their funds to assets outside of their home countries. On average, foreign stocks now account for 49 per cent of respondents’ equity investments, 4 percentage points higher than five years ago, while foreign fixed-income exposure climbed 7 percentage points to 23 per cent. Funds in Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and Taiwan are among those seeking greater diversification in stocks and fixed income.
• Bloomberg
Profile of Whizkey
Date founded: 04 November 2017
Founders: Abdulaziz AlBlooshi and Harsh Hirani
Based: Dubai, UAE
Number of employees: 10
Sector: AI, software
Cashflow: Dh2.5 Million
Funding stage: Series A
Scores
New Zealand 266 for 9 in 50 overs
Pakistan 219 all out in 47.2 overs
New Zealand win by 47 runs
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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