For the first time, Non-UAE nationals will be able to own land in investment areas, the Emirates News Agency reported. As of Apr. 17 non-nationals will be able to purchase a freehold contract instead of a 99-year lease. The amendment to Law No. 19 (2005) was announced as part of the Ghadan 21 economic plan which includes a 50 billion AED stimulus package and a series of business reforms. The amendment comes at a time when the UAE is trying to retain more of its foreign population and accelerate economic growth with the issuing of ten-year visas for certain job categories and retirement visas for those over 55 years old.

The Annual Terry Fox Run was held on the Abu Dhabi Corniche Friday morning. More than 1,000 people participated in the run to raise money for cancer research. The event is held in over 40 countries in order to commemorate Terry Fox, who ran more than 5,000 kilometers across Canada in 1980 after having one of his legs amputated due to cancer. Fox passed away in 1981. The Terry Fox Foundation raised over 2.7 billion AEDs for cancer research. The Abu Dhabi Races have raised 22 million Dirhams since it came to the country in 1997.

The trailer for a documentary series produced by Image Nation about the history of the UAE was released last Wednesday.

"The UAE has a remarkable history of exploration, innovation, and tolerance. History of the Emirates will follow this epic story across 125,000 years. Image Nation has created a landmark documentary that uncovers the many ways in which the nation’s past has shaped the country we see today," Mohamed Al Mubarak, Chairman of Image Nation Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi, told the Emirates News Agency.

History of the Emirates will air in September 2019. The series announcement comes at the same time as the announcement of a new book, The Emirates: Our History, which will be taught in schools in a pilot program before public release.

The book is co-authored by archaeologist Professor Peter Magee, Mohammed Khalifa Al Mubarak, the chairman of Abu Dhabi's Department of Culture and Tourism and historian Peter Hellyer, who has lectured at the NYU Abu Dhabi Institute , discussing the UAE’s natural and cultural heritage.