Gems Education, one of the largest private school operators in the world, has announced the cancellation of celebratory events in some of its schools due to the ongoing regional conflict.

This decision was made after careful consideration and consultation, deeming such events inappropriate given the current circumstances. The affected events include religious celebrations like Diwali, Christmas events, end-of-year and New Year celebrations, as well as other community events.

However, UAE national events, academic events, and curriculum-based activities of a non-celebratory nature will continue as planned. 

The school expressed gratitude to parents for their understanding and cooperation, and mentioned their thoughts are with those affected by the conflict.

The weather forecast for the UAE today indicates a chance of rain in some eastern and western regions, with cumulus clouds expected to form in those areas. 

Most parts of the country will experience fair to partly cloudy weather. Winds will be light to moderate, occasionally becoming brisk and causing dusty conditions.

Temperatures may drop to 21 degrees Celsius in the mountains near Fujairah, and range from 23 to 27 degrees Celsius in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. 

Waves in the Sea of Oman will be light, while in the Arabian Gulf they will be light to moderate.

Hyundai UAE unveiled the region’s first AI-powered smart taxi, set to revolutionize transportation in the UAE. The Hyundai AI Smart Taxi, a Sonata hybrid, combines advanced artificial intelligence, cutting-edge interior systems, and seamless streaming services.

Equipped with four AI-enabled cameras, the taxi monitors driver alertness and safety indicators. It also features facial recognition for added safety.

The taxis incorporate a unique lost-and-found system and utilize Edge computing for faster response times. The initiative marks a significant milestone for Juma Al Majid Establishment, the exclusive distributor of Hyundai cars in the UAE, aligning with the country’s vision for smart mobility. The smart taxis are set to launch nationwide in two months.

Expo City Dubai and Dubai Culture & Arts Authority have joined forces in a partnership aimed at empowering creatives, entrepreneurs, and young talents while promoting Emirati heritage and bolstering the UAE’s global cultural and tourism reputation.

Through collaborative programs, events, and educational offerings, they aim to enhance Dubai’s arts and culture sector, contributing to the emirate’s economic growth. 

The collaboration involves expertise in cultural activities, workshops, awareness programs, and hosting exhibitions and events, supporting artists, families, and youth in the region. 

Expo City Dubai has previously been recognized for its innovative and sustainable venues, such as Terra – The Sustainability Pavilion.

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, welcomed astronauts Sultan Al Neyadi, Hazzaa AlMansoori, and Mohammad AlMulla, along with the UAE Mission 2 team from the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), during a gathering at Qasr Al Bahr in Abu Dhabi.

During the meeting, His Highness discussed various aspects of the Arab world’s longest space mission with Al Neyadi and AlMansoori, praising their success in realizing the late Sheikh Zayed’s vision. AlMulla also discussed recent training sessions with Nora AlMatrooshi, preparing for upcoming human spaceflight missions. Al Neyadi presented Sheikh Mohamed with images of the UAE from space.

Sheikh Mohamed commended Al Neyadi and AlMansoori for inspiring youth and pushing boundaries in the UAE’s journey towards progress. He also congratulated the MBRSC team for their dedication. Al Neyadi shared insights from his six-month mission aboard the ISS, highlighting experiments and collaborations. AlMansoori explained his role in Expedition 69, detailing his experiences in aiding Al Neyadi.

The MBRSC team expressed gratitude to Sheikh Mohamed and provided an overview of the UAE Astronaut Programme. Hamad Obaid AlMansoori, Chairman, MBRSC, and Salem Humaid AlMarri, Director General, MBRSC, praised Sheikh Mohamed’s leadership and support in advancing the UAE’s space sector.

Hamad Obaid AlMansoori emphasized that Sheikh Mohamed’s visionary leadership forms the foundation for Emirati achievements. Salem Humaid AlMarri noted Sheikh Mohamed’s guidance in shaping the future of the UAE’s space sector. The success of Sultan’s mission signifies a significant milestone for MBRSC’s journey. They are committed to advancing innovation, exploration, and discovery in space.

Saudi Arabia is currently the sole candidate to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, as it was the only football association to submit a bid before the deadline set by FIFA. 

Australia, initially a potential candidate, decided not to pursue a bid. While Saudi Arabia’s candidacy has not yet been officially approved by FIFA, this is anticipated to occur in the coming year.

The Abu Dhabi Police has announced a reduction in the speed limit on Khalid Bin Sultan Street in the Al Ain region, effective from November 1, 2023. 

The new speed limit will be set at 80 km/h. This change will apply in the section between Al Ghail Roundabout and Al Sarooj Roundabout, in both directions. 

The aim is to enhance traffic safety and facilitate smoother traffic flow on this road. All motorists are advised to adhere to the new speed limit and follow road safety instructions.

Etihad Airways, the UAE’s national airline, marked a historic milestone by operating the first commercial flight from Abu Dhabi International’s newly unveiled Terminal A. Flight EY224 bound for New Delhi departed at 2:35 pm, carrying 359 passengers aboard an Airbus A350-1000.

Passengers were treated to an inaugural experience at Etihad’s flagship lounges, spanning three floors in Terminal A. After indulging in a special celebratory menu, guests were greeted with themed decorations and a photo booth at Gate C27.

The moment was commemorated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by key figures from Etihad and Abu Dhabi Airport, including CEO Antonoaldo Neves. The CEO expressed excitement about this pivotal moment in Etihad’s history and commended Abu Dhabi’s leadership for the spectacular new airport.

Terminal A is a crucial element of Etihad’s growth strategy, capable of accommodating up to 45 million passengers annually and connecting Abu Dhabi to 117 global destinations. The terminal features dedicated check-in desks for various passenger classes, state-of-the-art biometric self-bag drop facilities, and premium lounges offering an array of amenities.

Starting from November 9, Etihad will transition flights to Terminal A in a phased approach, with full operations commencing from 11 am on November 14. Passengers are advised to double-check their terminal information for accurate details regarding their flights.

Skygazers in the UAE will have the chance to witness a celestial event on November 6 and 13, as the Taurids meteor shower, also known as the “Halloween fireball,” reaches its peak. This meteor shower is unique because it consists of two streams, the North and South Taurids, originating from different parts of the comet’s tail.

The Taurids are known for producing fireballs, making them particularly bright and striking. They travel at a slower speed compared to other meteor showers, moving across the sky at approximately 17 miles per second. The Taurid meteor shower is active from late September to early December, with the best viewing experience during its peak activity in mid-November.

The Taurids are a product of debris from Comet 2P/Encke, which orbits the sun every 3.3 years. These meteor showers can be observed from nearly any location on Earth, except for the South Pole. The Taurid meteor shower appears to originate from the Taurus constellation.

The South Taurids will reach their peak on November 6, 2023, at 4:47 a.m., while the North Taurids will peak on November 13, 2023, at 4:21 a.m. Although Comet 2P/Encke is too faint to be seen with the naked eye, it can be observed with a telescope having an aperture of 14 inches (350mm) or more.

Petrol prices in the UAE have seen a significant reduction, now standing at over 40% cheaper compared to the global average. This marks the first decrease in retail fuel prices in the past four months, providing welcome relief to motorists across the country.

The UAE’s Fuel Price Committee has implemented a reduction of around 12% in retail petrol prices for the month of November. This adjustment brings the costs of the three variants – Super 98, Special 95, and E-plus 91 – to AED3.03, AED2.92, and AED2.85 per litre, respectively. These prices represent some of the lowest levels seen over the past four months.

According to data from globalpetrolprices.com, the average global price of 95-octane petrol (equivalent to Special 95 in the UAE) is AED4.91, making November’s price of AED2.92 notably cheaper, at a reduction of 40.5%.

Petrol and diesel prices play pivotal roles in containing inflation within the country, with housing, transportation, food and beverage, and education being major contributing factors. Transport alone accounts for nearly 13% of the total inflation weightage, according to Trading Economics.

Since 2015, the UAE has been adjusting monthly retail fuel prices as part of its deregulation policy to align rates with the global market. As of Tuesday afternoon, WTI and Brent crude oils were trading at $82.64 and $88.06 per barrel, respectively.

The World Bank recently projected that oil prices will average $90 a barrel in the fourth quarter of this year but are anticipated to fall to $81 next year. However, the institution also issued a warning that the Palestine-Israel conflict could lead to unprecedented shifts in global commodity markets, potentially driving oil prices up to as high as $157 a barrel in the event of a major disruption to global supply due to the Middle East crisis.

Table of Petrol Prices (per litre) in UAE for November 2023: