According to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), the temperature in the UAE could drop as low as 12°C this month.

Whereas the temperature will continue to drop throughout the month, it will rise somewhat in some regions in the second half compared to January.

According to the weather office, February is one of the winter months when the Arabian Gulf region stays under the effect of the Siberian high-pressure system’s extension. This occurrence is frequently linked to a cold air mass moving in from the north.

The average maximum temperatures in the UAE in February could range between 23°C and 28°C, while average temperatures could fall between 12.4°C and 16.1°C. 

Alhosn, the official app for Covid-19 testing, vaccination certificates, and exemption certificates in the UAE, has been named ‘App of the Year 2021’ by the US-based Global Excellence Award (GEA). It won under the category of Covid-19 Response. 

With its QR code, Alhosn can be accessed in Arabic, English, and Hindi using a smartphone camera or a scanner.

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque’s main prayer hall housed the world’s largest carpet, a unique masterpiece with dazzling beauty and design. The carpet was hand-knotted by a group of the world’s most skilled artists and weavers.

The wool and cotton carpet was hand-crafted by around 1,200 artisans. It is 5,400 square metres, with 40 knots per 6.5 centimetres and 2.5 billion knots for the entire carpet, weighing 35 tons after completion.

Despite its enormous size, the carpet was designed as a single piece, which qualified it for the Guinness Book of Records in 2017 as the largest carpet in the world. Its knotting took approximately 12 months.

With unique harmony and integration of aesthetic elements, the carpet covers the floor of the main prayer hall and magnifies its splendour. The hand-woven carpet has an astonishing design, looking like a reflection of the above chandelier. Its background features a variety of 25 natural colours from traditional herbs, including local madar roots, pomegranate peels, leaf veins, and others.

The carpet is predominately green, bringing a sense of calm and comfort to the place. To maintain the beauty of the design, a shaving technique was used to define the rows of worshipers on the carpet.

The carpet weaving took place in three large workshops on a built-up area of 5,000 square metres. The carpet’s high-quality materials, colours, and creative design make it one of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque’s finest elements. It is carefully supervised by Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre, with its maintenance work taking more than 12 days according to thoughtful plans by specialized teams.

 The UAE is continuing to advance its laws and procedures to facilitate business and enhance the competitiveness and productivity of the national labour market.

The new law represents progress in the efforts to improve the national labour market’s sustainability.

Recent statistics issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation revealed the number of registered private sector workers totalled 4,903,612 at the end of 2021, with the 30 to 34 age group being the most employed, followed by the 35-39 and 25-29 age groups.

The number of private sector facilities registered with the ministry at the end of 2021, excluding companies in free zones, amounted to 373,966, an increase of 22,999 compared to 2020.

According to statistics, the construction sector leads in terms of the number of workers, amounting to 1,301,359, followed by the trade sector.

The new law’s amendments stipulate employers may not use any means of force against workers or use threats of penalty to make them work against their will. The law also prohibits sexual harassment, bullying or any verbal, physical or psychological violence against workers by their superiors or colleagues and any type of discrimination based on race, colour, sex, religion, nationality or disability.

The amendments aim to ensure women’s equality and prohibit any discrimination against them, ensuring women should receive the same wage as men for the same work or for a job of equal value.

Moreover, the law introduces new work models to meet employers’ needs for workers and reduce costs, including full-time, part-time, temporary and flexible work models.

The new law further stipulates that the term of fixed employment contracts must not exceed three years, which could be extended or renewed for similar or shorter periods any number of times.

The law stipulates workers are entitled to one paid leave day every week, with the possibility of additional weekly leave days upon the company’s own discretion, and introduces a five-day or a three-day paid bereavement leave, in addition to the five-day parental leave.

The law’s amendments include an article stipulating citizen workers are entitled to an end-of-service compensation upon the end of their service, in line with legislation regulating pensions and social security in force in the country.

The law regulates the duties of employers, such as providing adequate housing, means of prevention, and capacity and skills development training.

Moreover, the law also regulates the duties and responsibilities of employees, such as respecting working hours, maintaining good ethics and behaviour, and seeking to improve their professional skills.

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is participating in the 12th Dubai Award for Sustainable Transport as the strategic sponsor. The award is organised by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA highlighted DEWA’s support for all efforts to enhance sustainable transport in the UAE and abroad. This consolidates Dubai’s position as a global capital for a green economy and achieves sustainable development to ensure a brighter future for generations to come.

“As a member of the Dubai Green Mobility Initiative Committee, DEWA works closely with government entities and stakeholders from the private sector to adopt electric vehicles in Dubai. This supports the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to turn Dubai into the smartest and happiest city in the world. It also aligns with the Dubai Green Mobility Initiative 2030 to encourage sustainable transport in line with the Emirate’s strategic objectives in terms of sustainability, air quality, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” said Al Tayer.

“As a global logistics hub for transportation, Dubai aims to effectively manage emissions from the transport sector by creating effective solutions for green mobility in the UAE. To support these efforts, in 2015, DEWA established the first public infrastructure for electric vehicle charging in the region. This is part of DEWA’s Green Charger initiative to encourage sustainable transportation, such as hybrid and electric cars. DEWA currently has more than 320 stations with more than 530 charging points across the Emirate,” he added.

DEWA provides the Green Charger services for all EV users in Dubai, including local and international visitors. Unregistered users can use the ‘Guest Mode’ without the need to create an account with DEWA.

DEWA works closely with RTA to enhance the registration process for Dubai residents, by creating an EV account instantly once the customer registers their vehicle with RTA. Customers can accurately locate charging stations through DEWA’s website and smart app as well as a variety of digital map platforms.

 The UAE has strongly condemned the terrorist missile attack that targeted Baghdad International Airport and caused material damages.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) affirmed that the UAE expresses its strong condemnation of these criminal acts and its utter rejection of all forms of violence and terrorism that aim to destabilise security and stability in contravention of all humanitarian values and principles.

MoFAIC expressed its solidarity with brotherly Iraq in the face of terrorism and affirmed the UAE’s keen support for security and stability in Iraq.

UAE countertenor star to unveil new song after hit dance track Take Flight

Alira—the Emirati singer-songwriter behind the viral Tuwing Umuulan cover song in Dubai—will be launching his new Expo-inspired song We Are One in a special performance at Expo 2020 on January 30.

The song debut will feature a stunning, multi-layered choreography, with Alira taking centre stage, backed up by scores of performers and giant wings at 6:45pm on the Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre Stage of Expo 2020.

“We Are One is a song of unity and a celebration of our diversity. That is what built this nation, and this is exactly the message behind Expo 2020,” Alira said.

More than 50 UAE residents from various nationalities, including the Philippines, will wave their country’s flag in a show of unity, turning the amphitheater into a sea of flags as the song unfolds.

The performance will also feature the performance of community groups, including the FilSoc Chorale, St. Mary’s Filipino Community Choir, African gospel choir and various dance troupes.

We Are One is Alira’s original composition inspired by Expo 2020 Dubai, and comes after he released his first single, Take Flight, which went on to become a dance craze on TikTok and Instagram.

In December, videos of Alira went viral on social media after he perfectly sang Filipino hit song Tuwing Umuulan by Regine Velasquez at a concert in Dubai that also featured KZ Tandingan, Catriona Gray, Yeng Constantino, K Brosas and Erik Santos.

He also stunned the UAE with his countertenor rendition of Celine Dion’s My Heart Will Go On at another concert in Dubai in December, featuring legendary Danish band Michael Learns To Rock and American cover band Boyce Avenue

With We Are One, Alira showcases his unique, pop music mixed with his rare musical talent: singing in countertenor while hitting high ranges of up to six vocal octaves.

Born and raised in Dubai, Alira developed his love for global music at a young age, with the influences of different musical styles, including pop, jazz, blues, ballads, rock, country music and classical music.

Universities, basic education and early childhood centres can resume physical classes and other school activities from January 31. 

According to the directive of the Knowledge and Human Developmement Authority (KHDA), the new rules and regulations are also applied to early childhood centres and universities in Dubai. 

The Emirate’s private education regulator tweeted, “Thanks to the support and cooperation of parents, educators and students, PE lessons, gatherings, trips and extra-curricular activities can resume from January 31.”

There has been a phased return of students at all public schools across Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Thanks to the support & cooperation of parents, educators & students, PE lessons, gatherings, trips and extra-curricular activities can resume from Jan 31. Canteens & eating areas can reopen. This applies to all private schools, early childhood centres & universities in Dubai. pic.twitter.com/sbTLVQUNnd

— KHDA (@KHDA) January 28, 2022