Etihad Rail, which has completed preliminary engineering for the second stage of its network, is looking to award contracts this year.
The second stage of the US$11 billion project, which has provision for passengers as well as freight, will extend the network by 630 kilometres. It will connect Musaffah in Abu Dhabi with Khalifa Port and Jebel Ali, and extend to the Saudi and Omani borders.
“We are hoping to award contractors for the stage two packages this year. We are on track for 2017-18 [completion],” Khuloud Al Mazrouei, the assistant structure manager at Etihad Rail, said on the sidelines of the Al Gharbia Development Forum in Abu Dhabi yesterday.
Passenger services linking communities in the UAE are highly anticipated but also represent challenges including their economic viability given the relatively low number of potential commuters. In February, Nasser Al Mansoori, Etihad Rail’s chief executive insisted that passenger services would indeed run on the network and would link up with light railways like the Dubai Metro and the planned Abu Dhabi Metro.
Connectivity with Saudi Arabia and Oman for the wider GCC rail network was likely to be delayed, however.
“Each country has its own priorities. Saudi is not currently doing the link between the UAE and them. They are building now the Haranain [high-speed rail network between Mecca and Medina]. Oman is still not [building their rail] yet, so our connection will be delayed,” said Ms Al Mazrouei.
The preliminary engineering, which defines the requirements of stage two, was completed by Atkins, a British design, engineering, and project management consultantcy.
The next tender will be for “the design and build” of the second stage, according to Ms Mazrouei. The contracts for stage two are divided into five packages: A, B, C, D, and F. Package A is to connect Ruwais to the Saudi border, package B is to connect Tarif to Al Ain, package C is to connect Musaffah to Jebel Ali, package D is for a system integration of the previous locations, and package F is for the facilities operations, or a control centre.
Etihad Rail is currently testing and commissioning freight services on the first phase of its l network, running from Shah and Habshan to Ruwais, with a view to launching services by the end of the year.
The company in March announced a contract with DB Schenker, Europe’s largest railway company, to operate and maintain the first phase of the network.
In February last year it secured $1.28bn in financing for the 264km first phase. Stage 3 which will add almost another 300km will be operation from December 2018.
The completed UAE rail network – set to span 1,200km – is part of a 2,000km GCC-wide rail project, due to be connected in 2018 and expected to require investment of about $100bn. However, Bahrain’s minister of transport earlier this year admitted that its rail link with Saudi Arabia may not be completed according to schedule, with Kuwait and Oman also reported to be facing delays.
An expected 80,000 railway staff will be needed across the GCC within five years, according to a Saudi rail industry training academy.
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Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 402bhp
Torque: 760Nm
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What are the main cyber security threats?
Cyber crime – This includes fraud, impersonation, scams and deepfake technology, tactics that are increasingly targeting infrastructure and exploiting human vulnerabilities.
Cyber terrorism – Social media platforms are used to spread radical ideologies, misinformation and disinformation, often with the aim of disrupting critical infrastructure such as power grids.
Cyber warfare – Shaped by geopolitical tension, hostile actors seek to infiltrate and compromise national infrastructure, using one country’s systems as a springboard to launch attacks on others.
Why seagrass matters
- Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
- Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
- Biodiversity: Support species like sea turtles, dugongs, and seabirds
- Coastal protection: Reduce erosion and improve water quality
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg
Rating: 4/5
MATCH INFO
Newcastle United 3
Gayle (23′), Perez (59′, 63′)
Chelsea 0
MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium, Malayisa
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia on October 10
The specs
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Who is Allegra Stratton?
- Previously worked at The Guardian, BBC’s Newsnight programme and ITV News
- Took up a public relations role for Chancellor Rishi Sunak in April 2020
- In October 2020 she was hired to lead No 10’s planned daily televised press briefings
- The idea was later scrapped and she was appointed spokeswoman for Cop26
- Ms Stratton, 41, is married to James Forsyth, the political editor of The Spectator
- She has strong connections to the Conservative establishment
- Mr Sunak served as best man at her 2011 wedding to Mr Forsyth
UK’s plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as “high-contributing” individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
Race card
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 (PA) US$100,000 (Dirt) 2,000m
7.05pm: Meydan Classic Listed (TB) $175,000 (Turf) 1,600m
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 2,000m
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (D) 1,600m
8.50pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy Group 2 (TB) $300,000 (T) 2,810m
9.25pm: Curlin Stakes Listed (TB) $175,000 (D) 2,000m
10pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 2,000m
10.35pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 1,400m
The National selections
6.30pm: Shahm, 7.05pm: Well Of Wisdom, 7.40pm: Lucius Tiberius, 8.15pm: Captain Von Trapp, 8.50pm: Secret Advisor, 9.25pm: George Villiers, 10pm: American Graffiti, 10.35pm: On The Warpath
GOLF’S RAHMBO
– 5 wins in 22 months as pro
– Three wins in past 10 starts
– 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
– Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
– 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
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Transmission: Six-speed gearbox
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Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
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More on animal trafficking
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick “walls” of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Profile of VoucherSkout
Date of launch: November 2016
Founder: David Tobias
Based: Jumeirah Lake Towers
Sector: Technology
Size: 18 employees
Stage: Embarking on a Series A round to raise $5 million in the first quarter of 2019 with a 20 per cent stake
Investors: Seed round was self-funded with “millions of dollars”
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
BMW M5 specs
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Cofe
Year started: 2018
Based: UAE
Employees: 80-100
Amount raised: $13m
Investors: KISP ventures, Cedar Mundi, Towell Holding International, Takamul Capital, Dividend Gate Capital, Nizar AlNusif Sons Holding, Arab Investment Company and Al Imtiaz Investment Group
The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
Remaining Fixtures
Wednesday: West Indies v Scotland
Thursday: UAE v Zimbabwe
Friday: Afghanistan v Ireland
Sunday: Final
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEric%20Barbier%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EYoussef%20Hajdi%2C%20Nadia%20Benzakour%2C%20Yasser%20Drief%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Zayed Sustainability Prize
