ABU DHABI // The Federal National Council, the UAE's only government body with elected positions, will today celebrate the 38th anniversary of its first session.
The FNC's Secretary General, Dr Mohammed al Mazrouei, said the council had been strengthened by the legislative programme set out by Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi.
The council, which acts as an advisory body to the Government and holds limited parliamentary powers, aims to improve the life of citizens, said the Speaker, Abdul Aziz al Ghurair.
Mr Ghurair said the council continued to have the support of the nation's leadership and commended FNC members for their work, according to the official news agency, WAM.
No details were available on whether events were planned to mark the occasion.
The body is the fourth most powerful in the governmental hierarchy, following the President, the Cabinet and the Supreme Council, which is made up of the Rulers of the seven emirates.
The FNC has evolved greatly since its first session on February 12, 1972.
In 2006, half of the 40-member council was elected for the first time, through the votes of 6,689 selected Emiratis. The remaining 20 council members were appointed by the Rulers of the seven emirates.
Nine women sit on the council, and there have been a host of reforms to broaden its mandate.
In December 2008, the Supreme Council extended the terms of FNC members from two to four years and gave them limited rights to debate international treaties, should the President ask them to do so.
The council is treated as a parliament by international parliamentary bodies and is a member of the International Parliamentary Union, the Parliamentary Union of the Organisation of Islamic Conference Member States and the Provisional Arab Parliament.
In its 38-year history, the council has held 457 sessions, discussed 495 draft laws, asked 367 questions of ministers and given 205 recommendations.
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Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
Company%20Profile
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Company%20Profile
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylturbo
Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic
Power: 242bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Price: Dh136,814
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
How to turn your property into a holiday home
- Ensure decoration and styling – and portal photography – quality is high to achieve maximum rates.
- Research equivalent Airbnb homes in your location to ensure competitiveness.
- Post on all relevant platforms to reach the widest audience; whether you let personally or via an agency know your potential guest profile – aiming for the wrong demographic may leave your property empty.
- Factor in costs when working out if holiday letting is beneficial. The annual DCTM fee runs from Dh370 for a one-bedroom flat to Dh1,200. Tourism tax is Dh10-15 per bedroom, per night.
- Check your management company has a physical office, a valid DTCM licence and is licencing your property and paying tourism taxes. For transparency, regularly view your booking calendar.
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Race card
1.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,200m.
2.15pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,200m.
2.45pm: Handicap Dh95,000 1,200m.
3.15pm: Handicap Dh120,000 1,400m.
3.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,400m.
4.15pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,800m.
4.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,950m.
The National selections:
1.45pm: Galaxy Road – So Hi Speed
2.15pm: Majestic Thunder – Daltrey
2.45pm: Call To War – Taamol
3.15pm: Eqtiraan - Bochart
3.45pm: Kidd Malibu – Initial
4.15pm: Arroway – Arch Gold
4.35pm: Compliance - Muqaatil
SHAITTAN
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WHAT%20ARE%20THE%20PRODUCTS%20WITHIN%20THE%20THREE%20MAJOR%20CATEGORIES%3F
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What is a black hole?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Islamic%20Architecture%3A%20A%20World%20History
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Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
The rules of the road keeping cyclists safe
Cyclists must wear a helmet, arm and knee pads
Have a white front-light and a back red-light on their bike
They must place a number plate with reflective light to the back of the bike to alert road-users
Avoid carrying weights that could cause the bike to lose balance
They must cycle on designated lanes and areas and ride safe on pavements to avoid bumping into pedestrians