ABU DHABI (AFP) — A new Abu Dhabi-based English-language daily was launched in the United Arab Emirates on Thursday by a 200-strong editorial team headed by a former editor of Britain's Daily Telegraph.
"We believe we have created a new paper for the modern age that puts Abu Dhabi on the world map," said chief editor Martin Newland to mark the first edition.
Appearing initially from Sunday to Friday, The National is the latest addition to the Abu Dhabi Media Com (ADMC) stable.
Its editorial staff includes people who formerly worked on such publications as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Times and The Daily Telegraph.
"Chamber acts to remove maverick property agents," was the launch issue's main story, reporting on new Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce regulations to ensure rogue estate agents can no longer operate in the emirate.
The daily also has an interview with Britain's former prime minister Tony Blair, now the special envoy for the international Quartet on Middle East peace.
The 80-page National is the first English-language daily in oil-rich Abu Dhabi, capital of the seven-emirate federation. The UAE already has four other English dailies -- Gulf News, Khaleej Times, Emirates Business 24 and 7Days.
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