UAE

WATCH: the UAE's foray into art, space and taxes

A Cabinet reshuffle, museum opening and journey into space were just some of the developments that took place in the UAE in 2017

Juman Jarallah
Juman Jarallah
Abu Dhabi

December 28, 2017

  • English
  • Arabic

2017 was another huge year of growth for the UAE. One of the biggest milestones this year was the much anticipated opening of Louvre Abu Dhabi, the first universal museum of the Arab world.

Ten years in the making, the museum opened on November 11 to much fanfare and three days of celebration.

Moving upwards, much further upwards, this year was also monumental for the UAE's journey into space. At the UAE Government Centennial meeting, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, announced Mars Scientific City. The Dh500 million project will cover 1.9 million square feet and simulate conditions for human settlement on Mars. Sheikh Mohammed also called on young locals to apply for the UAE Astronaut Programme which will send the first four Emiratis into space.

Back on earth, the UAE became the first country to appoint a Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence after a Cabinet reshuffle in October. Nine of the 31 ministerial positions are now held by women, making the country more gender equal than US president Donald Trump's cabinet.

In Dubai, lightning struck twice in the same place when on August 4 a fire broke out at the Torch Tower, two years after a blaze tore through the high-rise building.

The fire, which started with a recklessly tossed cigarette, temporarily displaced hundreds of residents and re-ignited a debate on flammable cladding and the UAE fire safety code.

And finally, for the first time in UAE, a law on excise taxes doubled the prices of tobacco products and energy drinks while increasing the price of fizzy drinks by 50 per cent, after the law took effect on October 1. Officials said the tax would help discourage bad habits while diversifying the Government's revenue streams.

______________

Year in Review:

Best images of the Year

  • 1. SEAGULLS: A Sharjah fisherman and boat owner waits for the day's catch to come ashore near Sharjah's corniche in November 2017. Pawan Singh / The National
    1. SEAGULLS: A Sharjah fisherman and boat owner waits for the day's catch to come ashore near Sharjah's corniche in November 2017. Pawan Singh / The National
  • 2. SHREK: A little girl is taken aback by the Shrek fountain at the DreamWorks zone at Motiongate in Dubai. Reem Mohammed / The National
    2. SHREK: A little girl is taken aback by the Shrek fountain at the DreamWorks zone at Motiongate in Dubai. Reem Mohammed / The National
  • 3. SKELETON: Someone you know? A pupil at Repton School Dubai looks at an exhibit during the celebration of the school's 10th anniversary in October 2017. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    3. SKELETON: Someone you know? A pupil at Repton School Dubai looks at an exhibit during the celebration of the school's 10th anniversary in October 2017. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • 4. STREET ART: Street art at December 2 Street, Al Satwa in Dubai, in May 2017, after the Ruler decided to turn the entire city into an art museum. Christopher Pike / The National
    4. STREET ART: Street art at December 2 Street, Al Satwa in Dubai, in May 2017, after the Ruler decided to turn the entire city into an art museum. Christopher Pike / The National
  • 5. CROWD: The King is here ... the crowd who met Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Anushka Sharma at Abu Dhabi's Dalma Mall in July 2017. Antonie Robertson / The National
    5. CROWD: The King is here ... the crowd who met Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Anushka Sharma at Abu Dhabi's Dalma Mall in July 2017. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • 6. MOSQUE: Tourists walk past the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi on the eve of Eid Al Adha in August 2017. Christopher Pike / The National
    6. MOSQUE: Tourists walk past the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi on the eve of Eid Al Adha in August 2017. Christopher Pike / The National
  • 7. EID AL ADHA: Bright patches of colour punctuate Abu Dhabi's Corniche Road to mark Eid Al Adha in August 2017. Antonie Robertson / The National
    7. EID AL ADHA: Bright patches of colour punctuate Abu Dhabi's Corniche Road to mark Eid Al Adha in August 2017. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • 8. DOTS: Young Thai expatriate Thanita Denkaew in the Dots Obsession installation by artist Yayoi Kusama at the Sharjah Art Foundation in January 2017. Christopher Pike / The National
    8. DOTS: Young Thai expatriate Thanita Denkaew in the Dots Obsession installation by artist Yayoi Kusama at the Sharjah Art Foundation in January 2017. Christopher Pike / The National
  • 9. FISH: The life aquatic ... a guest listens to Mike Tyson speak at Ossiano restaurant at Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai in May 2017. Pawan Singh / The National
    9. FISH: The life aquatic ... a guest listens to Mike Tyson speak at Ossiano restaurant at Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai in May 2017. Pawan Singh / The National
  • 10. NET: Elite athletes tackle the A-frame cargo net in the XDubai Spartan Race at Al Ghazal Golf Club, Abu Dhabi, in September 2017. Ravindranath K / The National
    10. NET: Elite athletes tackle the A-frame cargo net in the XDubai Spartan Race at Al Ghazal Golf Club, Abu Dhabi, in September 2017. Ravindranath K / The National
  • 11. LOUVRE ABU DHABI: French artist M performs under the magnificent canopy of the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, on opening day in November 2017. Christopher Pike / The National
    11. LOUVRE ABU DHABI: French artist M performs under the magnificent canopy of the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, on opening day in November 2017. Christopher Pike / The National
  • 12. PLANES: An Etihad Airways A380 and the UAE's precision flying team Al Fursan thrill at the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in November 2017. Christopher Pike / The National
    12. PLANES: An Etihad Airways A380 and the UAE's precision flying team Al Fursan thrill at the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in November 2017. Christopher Pike / The National
  • 13. BALLOONS: Balloons in the colours of the UAE flag are launched into the Fujairah skies as part of the emirate's National day celebrations. Reem Mohamed / The National
    13. BALLOONS: Balloons in the colours of the UAE flag are launched into the Fujairah skies as part of the emirate's National day celebrations. Reem Mohamed / The National
  • 14. SKYLINE: A man relaxes with a coffee and his smartphone in front of the Abu Dhabi skyline. Christopher Pike / The National
    14. SKYLINE: A man relaxes with a coffee and his smartphone in front of the Abu Dhabi skyline. Christopher Pike / The National
  • 15. BOAT: The Sharjah skyline lights are reflected on the Al Khan Lagoon on a humid September night. Antonie Robertson / The National
    15. BOAT: The Sharjah skyline lights are reflected on the Al Khan Lagoon on a humid September night. Antonie Robertson / The National
While you're here
ETFs explained

Exhchange traded funds are bought and sold like shares, but operate as index-tracking funds, passively following their chosen indices, such as the S&P 500, FTSE 100 and the FTSE All World, plus a vast range of smaller exchanges and commodities, such as gold, silver, copper sugar, coffee and oil.

ETFs have zero upfront fees and annual charges as low as 0.07 per cent a year, which means you get to keep more of your returns, as actively managed funds can charge as much as 1.5 per cent a year.

There are thousands to choose from, with the five biggest providers BlackRock’s iShares range, Vanguard, State Street Global Advisors SPDR ETFs, Deutsche Bank AWM X-trackers and Invesco PowerShares.

%20Ramez%20Gab%20Min%20El%20Akher
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStreaming%20on%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMBC%20Shahid%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MATCH INFO

Juventus 1 (Dybala 45')

Lazio 3 (Alberto 16', Lulic 73', Cataldi 90 4')

Red card: Rodrigo Bentancur (Juventus)

AL%20BOOM
%3Cp%20style%3D%22text-align%3Ajustify%3B%22%3E%26nbsp%3B%26nbsp%3B%26nbsp%3BDirector%3AAssad%20Al%20Waslati%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%20style%3D%22text-align%3Ajustify%3B%22%3E%0DStarring%3A%20Omar%20Al%20Mulla%2C%20Badr%20Hakami%20and%20Rehab%20Al%20Attar%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EStreaming%20on%3A%20ADtv%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%203.5%2F5%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency
Game Changer

Director: Shankar 

Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram

Rating: 2/5

The%20stats%20and%20facts
%3Cp%3E1.9%20million%20women%20are%20at%20risk%20of%20developing%20cervical%20cancer%20in%20the%20UAE%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E80%25%20of%20people%2C%20females%20and%20males%2C%20will%20get%20human%20papillomavirus%20(HPV)%20once%20in%20their%20lifetime%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EOut%20of%20more%20than%20100%20types%20of%20HPV%2C%2014%20strains%20are%20cancer-causing%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E99.9%25%20of%20cervical%20cancers%20are%20caused%20by%20the%20virus%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EA%20five-year%20survival%20rate%20of%20close%20to%2096%25%20can%20be%20achieved%20with%20regular%20screenings%20for%20cervical%20cancer%20detection%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EWomen%20aged%2025%20to%2029%20should%20get%20a%20Pap%20smear%20every%20three%20years%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EWomen%20aged%2030%20to%2065%20should%20do%20a%20Pap%20smear%20and%20HPV%20test%20every%20five%20years%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EChildren%20aged%2013%20and%20above%20should%20get%20the%20HPV%20vaccine%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
While you're here

Pad Man

Dir: R Balki

Starring: Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor, Radhika Apte

Three-and-a-half stars

Know before you go
  • Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
  • If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
  • By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
  • Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
  • Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.

 

The%20specs%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%204cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E261hp%20at%205%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E400Nm%20at%201%2C750-4%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10.5L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C999%20(VX%20Luxury)%3B%20from%20Dh149%2C999%20(VX%20Black%20Gold)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
While you're here
Key 2013/14 UAE Motorsport dates

October 4: Round One of Rotax Max Challenge, Al Ain (karting)

October 1: 1 Round One of the inaugural UAE Desert Championship (rally)

November 1-3: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Formula One)

November 28-30: Dubai International Rally

January 9-11: 24Hrs of Dubai (Touring Cars / Endurance)

March 21: Round 11 of Rotax Max Challenge, Muscat, Oman (karting)

April 4-10: Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge (Endurance)

Bombshell

Director: Jay Roach

Stars: Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron, Margot Robbie 

Four out of five stars 

Iraq negotiating over Iran sanctions impact
  • US sanctions on Iran’s energy industry and exports took effect on Monday, November 5.
  • Washington issued formal waivers to eight buyers of Iranian oil, allowing them to continue limited imports. Iraq did not receive a waiver.
  • Iraq’s government is cooperating with the US to contain Iranian influence in the country, and increased Iraqi oil production is helping to make up for Iranian crude that sanctions are blocking from markets, US officials say.
  • Iraq, the second-biggest producer in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, pumped last month at a record 4.78 million barrels a day, former Oil Minister Jabbar Al-Luaibi said on Oct. 20. Iraq exported 3.83 million barrels a day last month, according to tanker tracking and data from port agents.
  • Iraq has been working to restore production at its northern Kirkuk oil field. Kirkuk could add 200,000 barrels a day of oil to Iraq’s total output, Hook said.
  • The country stopped trucking Kirkuk oil to Iran about three weeks ago, in line with U.S. sanctions, according to four people with knowledge of the matter who asked not to be identified because they aren’t allowed to speak to media.
  • Oil exports from Iran, OPEC’s third-largest supplier, have slumped since President Donald Trump announced in May that he’d reimpose sanctions. Iran shipped about 1.76 million barrels a day in October out of 3.42 million in total production, data compiled by Bloomberg show.
  • Benchmark Brent crude fell 47 cents to $72.70 a barrel in London trading at 7:26 a.m. local time. U.S. West Texas Intermediate was 25 cents lower at $62.85 a barrel in New York. WTI held near the lowest level in seven months as concerns of a tightening market eased after the U.S. granted its waivers to buyers of Iranian crude.
UAE