The 1 Billion Followers Summit, the world’s largest gathering of content creators, has unveiled its second lineup featuring 12 influential figures with a combined reach of over 160 million followers.

Scheduled for January 10-11 in Dubai, the event, organized by New Media Academy under the theme ‘Get Connected,’ will bring together influencers from various fields, including lifestyle, food, sports, science, education, and media. Among the notable participants are Osama Marwah (‘Ossy’), Wissam Qutob, Bashayer Jumaah (‘BJ Life’), Ghaith Marwan, Ahmad Aburob, Saif Shawaf, Raghad Fahmi, Abdullah Annan, Malek Maktabi, Chef Shaheen, and Sèan Garnier.

The summit aims to be a confluence of creativity, insight, and inspiration, building upon the success of its previous edition with an expected attendance of over 7,000, including 3,000 content creators and influencers from around the world.

Registration is open at https://1billionsummit.com/.

Abu Dhabi has launched a pioneering service allowing couples to receive their marriage contracts instantly through text messages and other digital channels, according to the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD). Following the ceremony and digital authentication, couples will immediately obtain their contracts through this first-of-its-kind initiative. Notably, Abu Dhabi has facilitated over 7,000 digital marriage contracts since the introduction of this service in October 2022, making it possible for individuals to get married without leaving their homes via video conference.

Counsellor Yousef Saeed Al Abri, the undersecretary of the ADJD, emphasized that this service reflects the department’s dedication to excellence in Abu Dhabi’s judicial and notarial sectors.

For those interested in getting married digitally in Abu Dhabi, the process involves submitting a marriage application online using the UAE Pass on the ADJD’s website. Upon approval, applicants can complete the necessary procedures online, choosing between an in-person ceremony or a video-call marriage session. After scheduling an appointment, the digital contract is promptly delivered upon the completion of the marriage session. The finalized contracts can be shared through official channels using a digital signature.

The ADJD’s marriage platform offers users flexibility in scheduling, visibility into officiants’ availability, and automated medical examination results. The documents are digitally authenticated and assigned a unique contract number, eliminating the need for traditional paper documentation. This innovative service streamlines the marriage process, aligning with the department’s commitment to excellence in judicial and notarial services.

Dubai International (DXB) has maintained its status as the busiest international airport in 2023, handling over 56.5 million seats, as reported by aviation consultancy OAG. Dubai Airports recently projected an annual passenger traffic figure of 86.8 million for 2023, marking a significant recovery beyond 2019 levels.

Despite the challenges of the past year, DXB exhibited a remarkable 25% increase in seating capacity compared to the previous year. The airport, which held the top position in 2022 and 2019 with capacities of 53.98 million and 45.27 million, respectively, remains a key driver of post-pandemic recovery and growth in the emirate.

London Heathrow Airport (LHR) secured the second spot with 46.5 million seats, a 24% increase from 2022 but comparable to 2019. Other notable airports in the rankings include Amsterdam Airport, Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, Singapore’s Changi International Airport, Istanbul Airport, Seoul Incheon International Airport, Frankfurt Airport, Doha International Airport, and Madrid Adolfo Suarez-Barajas Airport.

OAG reported that DXB was the second busiest airport globally in 2023, trailing behind Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) with 61 million seats. Additionally, the Dubai-Riyadh route ranked as the world’s sixth busiest route in 2023, handling 3.99 million seats.

These rankings underscore the resilience and continued growth of DXB, contributing to the emirate’s optimistic outlook for the remainder of 2023 and beyond. The success is attributed to effective pandemic management, fostering a robust travel and tourism sector in Dubai.

An Austrian aviation firm, FlyNow, is collaborating with authorities in Dubai to introduce an air taxi inspired by Nasa’s Mars helicopter, ‘Ingenuity.’

The commercial and airborne project is set to be operational in 28 months, addressing global concerns about traffic congestion in megacities. FlyNow’s eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) offers an efficient configuration and infrastructure footprint, with plans for a cargo version preceding passenger production.

With a cruise speed of 130 km/h and a quiet operation similar to a dishwasher, the eVTOL can carry up to 200kg and follows a flight plan designed by air traffic management. The company is in talks with various entities and investors in the UAE, viewing the region as a lucrative and innovative market for their groundbreaking air taxi technology.

Today’s weather forecast indicates a generally fair day with occasional clouds, specifically low clouds over coastal regions and islands, as per the National Centre of Meteorology. As the day unfolds, conditions are expected to turn humid by night and into Saturday morning, potentially leading to mist formation in select coastal and internal areas.

Anticipate light to moderate winds, with sea conditions likely to be slight in both the Arabian Gulf and the Oman Sea.

When it comes to temperature fluctuations, the mercury is set to drop to 7ºC in mountainous regions, providing a chilly experience, while the highest temperature is forecasted to soar to 29ºC in the internal areas of the country. Stay prepared for the day’s weather developments.

The “Gallant Knight 3” humanitarian operation led by the United Arab Emirates has achieved a significant milestone by successfully pumping desalinated water to Palestinians in Rafah, within the Gaza Strip. This crucial water supply is sourced from UAE-built desalination plants located in Egyptian Rafah, facilitated through the use of a newly installed 900-meter pipeline. The responsibility for distributing this water within the Gaza Strip lies with the Palestinian Water Authority in Rafah.

The success of the water-pumping initiative comes at a critical time when residents of Gaza are facing a shortage of desalinated water. The water supplied through this pipeline will cater to the daily essential needs for drinking water, particularly in shelter centers.

Ambassador Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs and UAE’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, inaugurated three desalination plants built by the UAE for this purpose. The construction of these plants was carried out in cooperation with the Arab Republic of Egypt. These three desalination stations are expected to desalinate about 600,000 gallons per day, addressing the water needs of approximately 300,000 people in the Gaza Strip.

This inauguration is part of the broader “Gallant Knight 3” humanitarian operation initiated by the UAE on November 5th. The operation aims to provide crucial humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people in Gaza. Since its launch, the UAE has sent 115 aircraft, carrying a field hospital, desalination plants, and more than 7,615 tonnes of food, medical, and relief supplies to alleviate the challenging conditions faced by the people in Gaza.