News

It’s rare to say an event is once in a lifetime, but something is occurring today – December 21, 2020 – that hasn’t happened in 800 years.

As today marks the first day of winter, this year is also marking a rare ‘Christmas Star’ being visit for the first time in eight centuries where two of the biggest planets in the solar system, Jupiter and Saturn will perfect align.
According to NASA, the two planets do align closely once every 20 years, but haven’t aligned this closely in 400 years and it hasn’t been visible at night in double that amount of time.
This close alignment of the planets also has a big effect in the world of astrology.
With these two planets lining up almost exactly, this will cause the energies of Saturn and Jupiter overlap and cause seismic shifts, which is known as ‘The Great Conjunction’. Such a powerful shift in cosmic energy, for those who are immersed in the world of astrology, means it’s time to make some affirmations that you have for your life. And after the difficult year 2020 has been we could all use a little positivity to focus on as the year draws to a close.
If you’re in the UAE and hoping to see the bright point, the ‘Christmas Star’ is set to appear at some point in the early evening.
Make sure you take the opportunity to try and spot this once-in-a-lifetime star.
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Dubai-based airline Emirates has announced it has suspended all flights to Saudi Arabia.
It was reported by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on Sunday evening that the Kingdom had made decision to suspend all international flights for one week after a new strain of COVID-19 has been reported to have broken out in the United Kingdom.

There’s also the possibility this grounding of flights may be extended for another week.
Following this announcement, Emirates confirmed it would be grounding all flights to the Kingdom until further notice.

“Due to the closure of borders as directed by the Saudi authorities, Emirates will be suspending flights to and from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia until further notice,” a statement on the Emirates website states.
“We regret any inconvenience caused, affected customers should contact their travel agent or Emirates contact centre for rebooking options.”
Similarly, Abu Dhabi-based airline Etihad would be suspending its Saudi flights.
“With immediate effect, Etihad Airways will temporarily suspend its passenger services between Abu Dhabi and all destinations in Saudi Arabia until further notice, based on the directives of the Saudi authorities to limit the spread of COVID-19,” an Etihad spokesperson said.
“The safety of its customers and crew is Etihad’s highest priority and we regret any inconvenience the suspension may cause.”
This comes after the UK government confiremd it had identified a new strain of COVID-19 which is fast-spreading. The UK has now implemented further lockdowns across the country, with many familieis being left unable to see each other for Christmas.
Many European countries have suspended inbound and outbound flights from the UK following the confirmation of the new strain.
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As many areas of the USA, Europe, Australia and more head into further lockdowns throughout the festive period, Zoom is ensuring it brings people together.
The video chatting platform, which has become hugely popular throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, announced over the weekend that the 40-minute call limit would be lifted on free accounts during the Christmas period.

For those who use Zoom regularly will know that free accounts are limited to 40-minute-long calls. However, these restrictions will be lifted throughout the festive period including the final day of Hanukah, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
A spokesperson from Zoom made a statement saying the move was to show its gratitude to customers during an “extraordinary time”.

“As a token of appreciation to our users during an extraordinary time, we’re removing the 40-minute limit on free Zoom accounts for all meetings globally for several upcoming special occasions,” the statement read.
“Whether coming together on the final day of Hanukkah, celebrating Christmas, ringing in the new year or marking the last days of Kwanzaa, those connecting with friends and family won’t get cut short.”
Many in Dubai and the rest of the UAE may make take comfort and take advantage of this lift on the call limits after the UK announced stricter lockdown measures which may have caused many to rethink their travel plans.
While it may not be the usual festive period many are used to, it’s amazing how technology can bring us together.
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A new chairperson has been appointed for the Arab International Women’s Forum and she’s from Saudi Arabia.

The AIWF is an organisation based in London which spearheads the women’s leadership and social growth both in the Middle East and North Africa.
Dr Afnan Al Shuaiby has recently been appointed as chair at AIWF from January 1, 2021 and will continue to spearhead the empowerment of women, which has been a key component for the initiative from the get-go.
While also being a member of the advisory commission at King Khalid University, she has also served as an advisor for government affairs and business development at Qorvis Communications and assistance advisor at Abu Dhabi Investment Agency.
This Saudi leader has also received a certificate in peace and conflict resolution from the American University, Washington, DC and also a certificate from the Harvard Kennedy School, while also being the director-general of international relations at the Ministry of Culture and the secretary-general and CEO for 11 years of the Arab-British Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) in London.
Al Shuaiby will assume her post as chair at the beginning of 2021. Meanwhile, the current chairman and founder of the AIWF, Haifa Fahoum Al Kaylani, will continue to be on the board after being chair for 20 years.
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His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai, has officially joined the hottest social media platform of the moment – TikTok.
In just 24 hours since setting up his official account, Sheikh Mohammed has gained over 160,000 followers and over two million views combined on the two videos he has posted.

The launch of the new social media account for His Highness, according to UAE state news agency WAM, is to be able to further connect with people around the world.
Sheikh Mohammed also announced he joined TikTok to his 10 million Twitter followers.

I officially joined TikTok, the fastest growing platform with more than 800 million users. We want to be where people are. We want to create positive Arabic content and we want to listen to young people and share our stories with them. https://t.co/O3SArpFwnr
— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) December 19, 2020

“I officially joined TikTok, the fastest growing platform with more than 800 million users,” he said. “We want to be where people are.
“We want to create positive Arabic content and we want to listen to young people and share our stories with them.”
His Highness has already posted his first two videos, both of which are very powerful, which show the strength and resilience of the UAE.
Follow His Highness on TikTok – @hhshkmohd.
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Over the weekend national holidays for 2021 and 2022 was announced by the UAE cabinet following a meeting chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai.

His Highness approved the holidays for the following two years for both public and private sector employees.
This decision, according to Sheikh Mohammed, is to streamline the work in both sectors, as well as being able to give UAE citizens and residents a longer lead time to plan holidays.

مجلس الوزراء برئاسة صاحب السمو الشيخ محمد بن راشد آل مكتوم يعتمد أجندة العطلات الرسمية للعاملين في القطاع الحكومي والخاص لعامي 2021 و 2022، وذلك في إطار تنظيم سير العمل في القطاعين وضمان استمراريته مع مختلف القطاعات. #حكومة_الإمارات pic.twitter.com/UaU7tOdL9v
— UAEGov (@uaegov) December 19, 2020

The holiday dates for 2021 and 2022 are as follows.
2021
January 1: New Year
29 Ramadan to 3 Shawwal: Eid Al Fitr
9 Zul Hijjah: Arafah Day
10 to 12 Zul Hijjah: Eid Al Adha
August 12: Islamic New Year
October 21: Prophet Mohammed’s (PBUH) birthday
December 1: Commemoration Day
December 2 and 3: National Day
2022
January 1: New Year
Ramadan 29 to Shawwal 3: Eid Al Fitr
Zul Hijjah 9: Arafah Day
Zul Hijjah 10 to 12: Eid Al Adha
July 30: Islamic New Year
October 8: Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday
December 1: Commemoration Day
December 2 and 3: UAE National Day
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The annual Forbes Celebrity 100 list has officially been released, revealing which stars made the most in 2020.
Topping the list this year was makeup mogul Kylie Jenner, who reportedly earned $590 million this year alone.

Despite topping the list herself, Jenner was the only female to make it into the top 10.
She led the way by a significant amount, with her brother-in-law Kanye West taking the second spot with earnings of $170 million in 2020.

Completing the top 10 was Roger Federer (3), Cristiano Ronaldo (4), Lionel Messi (5), Tyler Perry (6), Neymar (7), Howard Stern (8), Lebron James (9) and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson rounding off the top 10.
The next female to appear on the Forbes 100 list was Ellen DeGeneres who ranked 12, and then Ariana Grande who ranked 17.
Interestingly, the same publication who ranked Jenner in the number one spot was the same title who questioned her billionaire status earlier this year.
In 2019, Forbes magazine declared Jenner was the youngest self-made billionaire due to the growth of her makeup empire Kylie Cosmetics, and featured the mogul on the cover of their publication.
However, the outlet accused Jenner of inflating her net worth in her financial filings back in May. While Jenner sold 51 per cent of her cosmetics company to Coty, another beauty company, last year, for $600 million (Dhs2.2 billion), reportedly making her a billionaire, the publication alleged this is not true in an article titled ‘Inside Kylie Jenner’s web of lies’.
However, in response to the accusatory article, the 23-year-old makeup mogul said at the time that Forbes‘ claims were based on “inaccurate statements and unproven assumptions”.
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It’s been quite the year of change for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
After announcing they were stepping from public royal life in January, the pair temporarily located to Canada and then California, USA.

It was then announced the couple had signed a multi-year deal with streaming giant Netflix. Now, in some more exciting news, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s next venture has now been revealed – a huge deal with Spotify and a new audio-first production company.
Harry and Meghan have launched Archewell Audio and are set to produce and host a series of “uplifting” audio projects and podcasts in partnership with Spotify under a lucrative new deal.

Put. The. Kettle. On.
A new holiday special from Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, is coming soon only on Spotify ☕️ ️https://t.co/ZlFRPzLe9R
— Spotify (@Spotify) December 15, 2020

“What we love about podcasting is that it reminds all of us to take a moment and to really listen, to connect to one another without distraction,” the couple said in a joint statement confirming the news.
“With the challenges of 2020, there has never been a more important time to do so, because when we hear each other, and hear each other’s stories, we are reminded of how interconnected we all are.”
So, how long do we have to wait to be able to listen to one of their new projects or podcasts? Not long at all is the answer. In fact, the pair will be premiering their first project under the Archwell Audio umbrella before the end of 2020.
Set to be a special project, which will be produced with Spotify’s Gimlet studio, is set to “feature stories of hope and compassion from inspirational guests in celebration of the new year”.
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