Think Global School, the world’s only traveling school, is launching a 10-week supplementary program in Dubai for Grade 10 to 12 students in collaboration with the Dubai Future Foundation.
The program, called Future Leaders and Innovators Programme, aims to enhance students’ skills alongside their regular curriculum.
The school, which operates in four countries, offers education through real-world exploration, skills development, and project-based learning. The Dubai program will focus on urban futurism and design, digital networks, artificial intelligence, and possibly wellness.
It will run on Saturdays with virtual support in the evenings and is designed to complement traditional education. Students can choose to sign up for individual terms, each focused on a different challenge related to urban planning and design.
Many hotels in Dubai have already reached 75% occupancy for Christmas and New Year’s Eve, with industry executives predicting full occupancy of 100% by the middle of next month.
Booking.com searches indicate that 80% of places are already booked for Christmas and 88% for New Year’s Eve, even though there are still over 50 days left before the festive season begins.
Dubai is experiencing a surge in tourism, surpassing pre-pandemic figures, and industry players anticipate 2023 to be a record year for reservations. The increased demand and advanced bookings allow hotels to raise room rates by 20% compared to last year.
Bookings for the holiday season are coming from a diverse range of countries, with strong demand from both domestic and international markets.
Health insurance premiums for UAE residents have increased by up to 35% in the last two months, with nearly a dozen companies implementing these hikes.
This trend of rising rates has been ongoing since the pandemic, with annual increases of 15% to 20% due to medical inflation. Compulsory health insurance was introduced in the UAE a few years ago, mandating employers to provide coverage for employees.
Parents are also required to purchase health insurance for their children if they are not covered by their employer. Despite the premium increases, the minimum premium for the Dubai Health Authority basic plan remains unchanged for employees earning below AED4,000 monthly.
However, for those earning above AED4,000, premiums have increased, particularly for married females between 18 to 45 and those sponsored by their husbands. Industry experts attribute the premium hikes to factors such as medical inflation, increasing costs of treatments and technology, an aging population, and chronic diseases. It is advised that residents secure an insurance plan promptly to ensure coverage in case of emergencies.
The UAE is currently experiencing heavier rainfall than usual for this month, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM).
Parts of the country, including Ras-al-Khaimah, Fujairah, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi, have witnessed significant downpours, with Fujairah reporting a record high rainfall. More showers are expected throughout the week, with cloudy skies prevailing.
Photo by: Arabian Business
The NCM has advised caution, especially in mountainous areas, due to the potential for floods and wet roads. The rainy season typically lasts from November to March, with short downpours and occasional thunderstorms. The highest recorded rainfall so far has been in Fujairah, at 56mm.
The country is currently under the influence of a broad area of low-pressure system, leading to varying intensity of rainfall. Additionally, northwesterly winds are expected to strengthen, potentially causing dusty conditions.
Sea conditions are anticipated to be moderate to rough in the Arabian Gulf and slight to moderate, becoming rough in the Oman Sea.
A recent study from Switzerland suggests a potential link between increased mobile phone usage and lower sperm concentration in young men, contributing to the ongoing decline in global sperm counts.
While no significant differences were found in sperm motility or morphology among various phone users, there was no evidence supporting the theory that carrying the phone in a pocket rather than a backpack affects sperm concentration. The researchers conducted the study from 2005 to 2018 and noted a more pronounced association between high phone use and low sperm count during the earlier years of the study, possibly due to changes in mobile technology.
This study adds mobile phones to a list of factors that might impact fertility, including smoking, obesity, alcohol consumption, psychological stress, and certain chemicals found in pesticides and plastic wrappers. The research adds to concerns about radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs) emitted by mobile phones affecting human reproductive health, as previous studies have mainly focused on mice or in vitro sperm.
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will construct 40 air-conditioned rest areas for delivery riders across the city. These areas will be equipped with amenities like snack dispensers, water coolers, and mobile phone charging stations, and will accommodate up to 10 people, along with parking spaces for motorcycles.
The initiative aims to enhance road safety and provide a comfortable resting place for riders while waiting for orders. The rest areas will be strategically located in various districts across Dubai, with completion expected by July of the following year.
This move is part of RTA’s efforts to support the growing delivery business and ensure the safety and well-being of delivery riders in the emirate. The initiative is a response to the significant increase in the number of companies offering motorcycle delivery services in Dubai, which saw a 40% rise in 2022 compared to the previous year.
Similar plans for rest stations have also been announced in Abu Dhabi.
On November 5, 2023, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, commended the contributions of Emirati women across various sectors and emphasized their pivotal role in shaping the nation’s future.
He reaffirmed the UAE’s dedication to supporting women and promoting their active participation in national progress, positioning the country as a global leader in gender balance. Sheikh Mohammed honored the recipients of the fifth edition of the Gender Balance Index, recognizing outstanding figures and entities in three categories: “Best Figure for Supporting Gender Balance,” “Best Federal Entity for Supporting Gender Balance,” and “Best Initiative for Supporting Gender Balance.”
Notable awardees included Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, and the Emirates Schools Establishment. Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, lauded the efforts of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak in advancing gender balance, and praised Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi for her exemplary achievements.
The UAE’s achievements in global gender balance rankings were attributed to the support of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The Gender Balance Index, organized by the UAE Gender Balance Council, has spurred policies and initiatives promoting gender balance in workplaces, bolstering the country’s global competitiveness.
The Council, led by Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has forged significant international partnerships and launched projects to raise awareness about gender balance on both local and global scales since its establishment eight years ago.
The UAE SWAT Challenge is set to return for its fifth year, endorsed by Lieutenant General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police.
The event, scheduled from February 3rd to 7th, 2024, is known for attracting rapid intervention units and tactical teams from around the world. Major General Abdullah Ali Al Ghaithi emphasized the importance of early and meticulous planning for the event’s success.
The previous edition saw participation from 55 teams across Asia, Europe, Africa, South America, Latin America, and the United States, and even greater competition is anticipated in 2024. The Challenge aims to enhance competitiveness and operational proficiency in various security disciplines, including SWAT units.
The event features five challenging events designed to test participants on tactical and strategic aspects. Brigadier Obaid Mubarak Al Ketbi highlighted the significant advancements made in the Challenge, thanks to the support and guidance of Lt. Gen. Al Marri.
The event promotes the exchange of expertise among participating tactical teams and exposes them to the latest global practices. The organizing committee looks forward to welcoming participating teams to the competitive atmosphere of the fifth edition.
Israel has disconnected internet and phone lines in the Gaza Strip for the third time since the start of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7, according to telecoms firm Paltel.
The health ministry in Gaza reported at least 9,770 people killed in the conflict. The latest strikes included a bombing in Al-Maghazi refugee camp that resulted in 45 fatalities, including children.
Ground battles continue in the north of Gaza, despite calls for a ceasefire. Israeli troops are engaged in house-to-house combat as they work to tighten the encirclement of Gaza City.
From November 6 to 18, passengers arriving at Dubai’s airports will receive a special commemorative stamp on their passports.
This initiative is in preparation for the upcoming Dubai Airshow, which is set to be the largest event of its kind. The 18th edition of the show, running from November 13 to 17, will bring together over 1,400 exhibitors from 95 countries, including 400 first-time exhibitors and over 80 startups in various sectors of the aerospace industry.
The event will feature innovations, displays of advanced aircraft, and presentations from manufacturers. Additionally, an expanded space pavilion will highlight the collaboration between space and aviation industries in shaping the future of travel.
The Dubai Airshow 2023 will also host a comprehensive conference agenda with international speakers covering industry topics. The strong growth and transformation in the aviation industry will be reflected in the attendance of regional and international airlines at the event.
