Throughout history, there are milestones that pave the way for new directions and decisions that shape the future of nations, their identity, and their standing among others.
On this day in 1976, the decision to unify the UAE Armed Forces marked a pivotal moment, embodying the vision of the Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and of his fellow leaders. They believed that unity creates strength, and that security and stability are foundational to the nation’s growth and leadership. This move heralded a new phase of power and stability, as the UAE established the bedrock for a national military capable of protecting the country’s interests.
Today, 49 years after that historic transformation, the armed forces stand tall as a model of strength, discipline and professionalism, and a pillar of support for the national development journey. They are now a regional and global force, with high levels of readiness, technological advancement, and leadership in developing defence and security capabilities.
In a world where power dynamics are shifting, and both conventional and non-conventional threats are on the rise, the armed forces have proved to be a comprehensive defence system capable of keeping pace with military and technological developments and responding to challenges. Their vision extends beyond merely defending the country’s borders, having built a deterrent force that ensures regional security and contributes to international stability.
This achievement would not have been possible without continuous investment in human and technological capabilities. The UAE understood from the outset that building a strong force does not rely solely on having the latest equipment and systems, but also on developing minds, training personnel and instilling a culture of military innovation. This forward-looking vision has positioned the armed forces at the forefront, making it a model to follow in the integration of human resources and modern technologies.
The founding fathers believed that unity creates strength, and that security and stability are foundational to the nation’s growth and leadership
Stemming from this vision, the role of Tawazun Council is crucial as a strategic partner in enabling the armed forces to achieve their goals. By supporting the growth of an integrated defence ecosystem, Tawazun contributes to enhancing technological self-dependence, fostering innovation and facilitating knowledge transfer. Developing an advanced defence industrial base has become a strategic necessity to ensure that the armed forces are continuously equipped with the latest solutions and systems.
Tawazun’s commitment goes beyond providing the best defence solutions; it extends to sustaining an advanced national industry that contributes to the leadership’s futuristic vision. Investing in national talents, training and knowledge transfer are all central elements in our strategy to ensure that innovation and technology are the cornerstones of the national defence system.
The progress of any country is not measured only by the size of its army, but by its ability to anticipate risks, adapt to challenges and craft advanced defence strategies. This is what distinguishes the UAE, which has successfully developed an integrated model of power that combines readiness, technological edge and strategic partnerships that enhance its position in the global security and defence system. The journey of the armed forces tells the story of a national success driven by determination, excellence and innovation. This is evident in their role in humanitarian and peacekeeping missions, reflecting the UAE’s position as a force relied upon to enhance global security and stability.
On this anniversary, we renew our resolve to continue on the path of excellence and leadership, believing that our strength lies in our unity and that our future is based on our rich heritage and strong will.
We reaffirm our commitment and loyalty to our leadership and express our highest pride and appreciation for all the servicemen, who have dedicated themselves to protecting the nation and defending its achievements. We also stress our commitment to continuing our support to the armed forces.
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
UAE squad
Humaira Tasneem (c), Chamani Senevirathne (vc), Subha Srinivasan, NIsha Ali, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi, Chaya Mughal, Roopa Nagraj, Esha Oza, Ishani Senevirathne, Heena Hotchandani, Keveesha Kumari, Judith Cleetus, Chavi Bhatt, Namita D’Souza.
Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
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A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
- 2018: Formal work begins
- November 2021: First 17 volumes launched
- November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
- October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
- November 2024: All 127 volumes completed
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Company name: baraka
Started: July 2020
Founders: Feras Jalbout and Kunal Taneja
Based: Dubai and Bahrain
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: $150,000
Current staff: 12
Stage: Pre-seed capital raising of $1 million
Investors: Class 5 Global, FJ Labs, IMO Ventures, The Community Fund, VentureSouq, Fox Ventures, Dr Abdulla Elyas (private investment)
The specs
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Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
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Price: On request
The five pillars of Islam
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
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THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Constant Variable (CVT)
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Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
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
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Ticket prices
General admission Dh295 (under-three free)
Buy a four-person Family & Friends ticket and pay for only three tickets, so the fourth family member is free
Buy tickets at: wbworldabudhabi.com/en/tickets
