News

You no longer need a passport to travel through Dubai Airport… sort of.
As the emirate continues to champion development in technology, a new smart travel system has launched.

The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) announced the launch of a new system which uses face-track technology to identify travellers without the need to look at their passports.
The new system is set to be a “fast-track passport control service that uses face and iris-recognition technologies enabling registered passengers to complete passport control procedures in around five seconds”.

#الإمارات_تبتكر #UAE_Innovates pic.twitter.com/vOZCno0OKQ
— Dubai Airports (@DubaiAirports) February 22, 2021

This means your next airport experience could be completely contactless.
Upon your arrival at the airport, when you’re issued with your boarding pass you’ll have “smart tunnel” printed on it, which gives you access to the smart tunnels around the airport.
In order to be eligible for completely contactless travel in Dubai Airport, you’ll need to pre-register your passport and the use of contactless travel will be valid until your passport expires.
As of now, 122 smart gates are now in use at arrival and departure terminals in Dubai airports.
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Since Dubai officially reopened its borders in July last year, residents of the emirate have been required to apply for approval to re-enter the country via the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).

However, Emirates Airline has confirmed to its passengers this is no longer needed via a text message update. The Dubai-based airline also updated its guidelines for residents travelling to Dubai, removing the GDRFA requirement from its key information.
Previously, passengers needed to fill out a form online on the GDRFA website where visa, passport and Emirates ID details needed to be provided. This is something that was implemented following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Current travel requirements for Dubai
At the end of January, it was announced that all UAE citizens must do a COVID-19 PCR test upon arrival in Dubai no matter which country they have travelled from.
Meanwhile, all UAE residents, GCC citizens and visitors will now be required to undergo a pre-travel COVID-19 PCR test regardless of where they are travelling from and the validity time of tests is now 72 hours, reduced from 96 hours.
It should be noted that a PCR test is required and you need to have a printed verification in English or Arabic – SMS or digital versions will not be accepted.
For other requirements visit the Emirates website to stay up-to-date.
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The thick fog which has engulfed the UAE for around four weeks may have only just lifted, but it seems rain is on the way to take its place.

It was reported that some cloud-seeding had taken place on Sunday, February 21 prompting some light showers around the country in Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm Al Qwain.
While Monday, February 22, is set to be mostly cloudy and overcast, the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has reported we can expect rain on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and even over the weekend.
This comes as the UAE enters into its last month of official winter.
Come March 20, spring will have officially arrived and we can expect temperatures to increase, with the days of sitting outside numbered.
So, in order to make the most of the cooler weather while it’s still here, enjoy the sunset at some of these amazing outdoor Dubai restaurants.
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As the UAE heads towards reaching its goal of vaccinating 50 per cent of the population by the end of March, active COVID-19 cases have hit a new low, which is a major win for the country.
The latest numbers which were published by WAM from the Ministry of Health stated that 165,357 COVID-19 tests had been conducted in the last 24 hours, which had resulted in 3,158 new cases being identified. Fifteen new deaths were also recorded.

However, there were also 4,298 recoveries bringing the active cases to a new low of 11,054.
UAE’s vaccination program
It was announced last week that the UAE had reached the milestone of administering over five million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

This milestone in the vaccination process bodes well for the nation’s aim to vaccinate half of the population by the end of March and also showcases the UAE as one of the leaders in the world in vaccination rates.
At present, there are four COVID-19 vaccinations being administered in the UAE.
READ: The 4 COVID-19 vaccines that are currently available in the UAE
The first vaccine to be approved in the UAE was the Sinophram vaccine, followed by the Pfizer vaccine being permitted in Dubai towards the end of last year.
In January, Russia’s Sputnik V was approved for emergency use. And now, just recently, the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine has been approved in Dubai.
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After months of speculation about their marriage, and reports they had been in counselling, Kim Kardashian has officially filed for divorce from Kanye West, whom she has been married to for just under seven years.
TMZ reported over the weekend that divorce paperwork had been filed by Kardashian. In the court papers, the reality star has reportedly requested joint custody of their four children together and the pair are “committed to co-parenting together”.

The outlet is also reportedly a prenuptial agreement, in which both parties are not contesting.
Separation reports
Back in January, E! News reported the pair – who first met back in 2002, but started dating in 2012 – had separated, but at the time Kardashian hadn’t officially filed for divorce.

The beauty mogul and the rapper were effectively living separate lives and hadn’t “spent time together as a married couple in months” and only spent time together with their four children – North, seven, Saint, five, Chicago, two, and 20-month-old Psalm.

Difficulties in 2020
Last year was a particularly difficult year for West’s mental health. In the latter half of 2020, West began posting a series of erratic Twitter posts regarding personal matters, his family and more.
Following this, there were various reports that the couple’s marriage was strained but Kardashian was determined to make it work.

At the beginning of August, Kardashian took to Instagram to address the erratic behaviour her husband has been showing and also addressed his bipolar disorder.
“As many of you know, Kanye has bipolar disorder,” she began. “Anyone who has this or has a loved one in their life who does, knows how incredibly complicated and painful it is to understand.”
She continued to say, “I understand Kanye is subject to criticism because he is a public figure and his actions at times can cause strong opinions and emotions.”
The 39-year-old went onto highlight how the loss of his mother has affected him, as well as struggling with mental health issues has put “pressure” on him.
“Living with bipolar disorder does not diminish or invalidate his dreams and his creative ideas, no matter how big or unobtainable they may feel to some,” she said. “That is part of his genius and as we have all witnessed, many of his big dreams have come true.”
She asked that everyone give “grace” to the individuals, including her husband, who are struggling with mental issues, and also asked for “compassion and empathy” during this trying time.
Kardashian and West are yet to make a public statement about their divorce.
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Bahrain has become one of the first countries to launch a digital COVID-19 vaccine passport in the world.
At present, there are four vaccines available in Bahrain – the same as the UAE – include Sinopharm, Pfizer-BioNTech, Astrazeneca and Sputnik V.

In a statement issued by the Gulf’s state’s media office, the use of a digital COVID-19 vaccine passport was announced.
Through this, authorities will be able to verify its validity by scanning a QR code linking to the national vaccine register. This initiative with aid various governments around the world in identifying the best possible method of how such certificates and passports can help revive economies again.

Other countries which also have plans to launch a vaccine passport by summer include Sweden and Denmark, in order to create a seamless service to keep a tab on its citizen’s health with hopefully an international standard in place for the governments there.
The BeAware app can be downloaded both on iOS and Android, as it displays people’s immunity status two weeks after receiving both doses, after the antibodies begin to develop. It displays a green shield alongside an official certificate with details including the person’s name. date of birth, nationality and the vaccination received.
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If you want to stay updated with fines you may not be aware of in Dubai? You’ve come to the right place.
Emirates Women has curated a list of penalties which you can receive for flouting any of the rules as declared by the government.
Here’s a list of fines you might not know about:
Not wearing face masks

While we may have been wearing masks for nearly a year straight in Dubai, it’s still a legal requirement to do so in public. In order to curb the spread of COVID-19, penalties have been imposed for those not wearing masks in any public setting will be given a fine of Dhs3,000 as the police across the emirates patrol various areas such as malls, beaches parks and hotels. Masks must also be worn in cars if you are travelling with other passengers.
COVID-19 patients not reporting to authorities

#نلتزم_لننتصر #متّحدين_ومتحدّين#ملتزمون_ياوطن#الامارات #الامارات_العربية_المتحدة #النيابة_العامة_الاتحادية pic.twitter.com/gk6nSYGxo2
— النيابة العامة (@UAE_PP) February 17, 2021

As per the latest news from The National, a fine between Dhs10,000 to Dhs50,000 along with a prison sentence will be faced for those who fail to report their infection to the Ministry of Health and Prevention or other health authorities.
Feeding stray cats
Leaving food and water for cats among residential communities could lead up to a Dhs500 fine as uneaten food can become a breeding ground for pests and diseases and last year became prohibited by the government.
Jaywalking

Pedestrians can land themselves with a penalty of Dhs400 if anyone is caught crossing a roadway outside pedestrian lanes or anyone caught crossing a roadway, while ignoring traffic lights.
More details on the fines and where they can be paid can be found on moi.gov.ae
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A member of the Moroccan royal family is officially off the market.

An intimate ceremony, in line with COVID-19 guidelines, took place with close family members for King Mohammed VI of Morocco’s niece, Lalla Nouhaila who married Ali El Hajj on February 14, it was announced by the Ministry of the Royal House, Protocol and Chancellery.
Lalla Nouhaila is the daughter of Princess Lalla Asma, who is the second daughter of Hassan II of Morocco and Lalla Latifa, and the sister of the current King of Morocco.
While not holding the title of Princess or Royal Highness, Lalla Nouhaila has been honoured with the title of Lalla Cherifa, as she continues to follow in the humanitarian footsteps of her mother, who spends her time focusing on several charitable organisations that support children with disabilities.
For the wedding celebration, she was dawned in a stunning emerald Kaftan embellished with gold stitching as she’s seen holding hands with her second half, with the first picture as the newly married couple looking happy to begin their lives together.
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Feature image: Instagram @princesse.du.maroc More