Dubai is set to introduce autonomous drones for last-mile delivery, making it faster and more convenient for consumers.

This initiative, showcased at Gitex Global 2023, was demonstrated by FEDS Drone-powered Solutions (FEDS) based in Dubai and Chinese company Meituan UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems). 

The founder of FEDS, Rabih Bou Rached, highlighted that drone delivery is quicker than traditional methods due to the absence of traffic in the air. The full-scale operation is expected to roll out in the next two years, with a pilot test area in a residential community with low-rise buildings operational by next year. 

The drones can carry up to 2.5kgs of payload and have a 10-km radius for travel. Dubai Municipality is actively working on airspace mapping to plan routes and landing locations for drones, which is seen as a significant step toward widespread drone adoption.

Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, attended a mass wedding ceremony of 50 young couples in Dubai.

The event, supported by Emirati businessman Khalaf bin Ahmed Al Habtoor, aimed to provide financial assistance to young UAE citizens getting married and enhance social unity. Sheikh Mansoor congratulated the newlyweds and wished them a prosperous life, emphasizing the event’s role in promoting community harmony.

Khalaf bin Ahmed Al Habtoor also shared his happiness in celebrating with the couples. The ceremony was attended by officials, families of the newlyweds, and guests.

The event was organized as part of a partnership between the UAE Ministry of Community Development and the Al Habtoor Group, highlighting the Group’s commitment to corporate social responsibility.

Magesh Kumar Natarajan from India has won the FAST5 Grand Prize of AED25,000 per month for the next 25 years in the Emirates Draw.

He is the first global grand prize winner and the first winner outside the UAE. Magesh, a 49-year-old project manager from Tamil Nadu, India, learned about the draws during his work assignment in Saudi Arabia and started participating.

 He expressed his intention to give back to the community, support those in need, and invest in his daughters’ education for a brighter future. Magesh appreciates the Emirates Draw’s Coral Reef Restoration Programme, which aligns with his values of making a positive contribution to the community.

President Sheikh Mohamed reiterated his call for an immediate end to hostilities in Gaza during a peace summit in Cairo.

He emphasized the UAE’s commitment to safeguarding civilian lives, ensuring humanitarian aid access, and halting the conflict. Sheikh Mohamed stressed the need for international cooperation to prevent further violence and instability, highlighting dialogue, cooperation, and coexistence as the only paths to peace.

The summit focused on de-escalation in Gaza, prioritizing a ceasefire and ending hostilities to prevent further humanitarian crises. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas reaffirmed their determination to remain on their lands in Gaza, Jerusalem, and the West Bank.

The summit, hosted by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, aimed to work towards a ceasefire and sustained humanitarian aid for Gaza’s population.

The “Tarahum – for Gaza” campaign in the UAE continues to gain momentum, with significant contributions from citizens and residents. 

Over 10,100 volunteers have participated, resulting in the preparation of 25,000 relief packages and the collection of more than 550 tonnes of relief material. Additionally, 120 tonnes of humanitarian aid, including vital supplies for children and mothers, have been dispatched to el-Arish, Egypt, in collaboration with the World Food Programme, for delivery to Gaza.

The campaign is overseen by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in partnership with the Emirates Red Crescent Authority and the World Food Programme, with coordination from the Ministry of Community Development. 

A total of 20 charitable and humanitarian organizations, along with national volunteer platforms, are involved in the initiative. This effort reflects the UAE’s commitment to alleviating the humanitarian impact of disasters and crises, particularly on vulnerable groups like children and women, in line with the principle of human solidarity.

Dubai’s Crown Prince, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, offered a prayer for Palestine in the midst of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

He took to Instagram, sharing a photo depicting an individual waving the Palestinian flag at Al Aqsa Mosque. 

Alongside the image, he wrote ‘Palestine’ and invoked Allah for assistance to the beleaguered nation. 

The conflict erupted following a planned attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israeli soil on October 7, resulting in intense bombardment in the 45km Gaza strip.

The UAE can expect cooler temperatures today after recent showers.

The day will be partly cloudy with a chance of rain in the afternoon. Temperatures will range from 19ºC to 39ºC. 

Humidity will increase at night and on Tuesday morning, possibly leading to fog in certain areas. 

Light to moderate winds are expected throughout the day.

The Mleiha Archaeological Centre in Sharjah is set to host a partial lunar eclipse viewing on October 28. 

The event starts at 8pm in the specially designed Panorama Lounge in the Mleiha Desert and will feature an introductory lecture, presentation, guided observation of the moon and planets through telescopes, and naked-eye observation of the lunar eclipse.

Tickets are priced at AED200 for adults and AED150 for children, including dinner. Children under five have free admission without dinner. 

The event offers a rare opportunity to witness a cosmic phenomenon up close. In Dubai, the Astronomy Club is hosting a similar event at Al Thuraya Astronomy Center, Mushrif Park, on the same day from 9pm to 1am. 

General tickets cost AED60, while tickets for children under 13 are AED40. 

The Dubai event includes a question and answer session, telescope observation, and a phone photography session through the telescope.

British Airways will resume flights between London Heathrow and Abu Dhabi International Airport’s Midfield Terminal, starting from April 20, 2024. 

The route, serviced by Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner jets, will enhance connectivity between the two cities. The flight BA73 from London Heathrow will depart at 10:25 pm local time and arrive in Abu Dhabi at 8:30 am. 

The return flight BA72 will leave Abu Dhabi at 10:10 am, reaching London at 3:20 pm.

Promotional fares for World Traveller seats are available, with return tickets priced around AED 2,000, valid for bookings made by November 12.