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Commercial operation at unit 2 of Barakah nuclear power plant starts

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The Barakah Nuclear Power Plant is a positive success story that signifies the cooperation and collective action between various stakeholder organisations and authorities, a Wam report said.

The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), in cooperation with its partners, is a major player in the development of the country’s peaceful nuclear programme.

ENEC on Thursday (March 24) issued a recent report marking the commercial operation of Barakah’s second reactor, which highlights the fact that the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (Fanr) has reviewed more than 15,000 pages of the application for obtaining an operating licence before granting it for the first unit in 2020 and the second unit in 2021.

Fanr has currently conducted more than 360 inspections at the plant to ensure that it meets all regulatory requirements, and 44 relevant reviews have been completed by international experts, such as the World Nuclear Association and the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The plant is a major contributor to the country’s initiative to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, and is the largest single source of environmentally-friendly electricity in the region.

Upon completion, the plant will generate 5,600 megawatts of environmentally-friendly electricity, which will cover 25 per cent of the UAE’s electricity needs while reducing carbon emissions by 22.4 million tonnes annually.

Construction work on the plant’s first reactor began in 2012 and the remaining work has continued to progress steadily. The construction of the third reactor was completed in November 2021 and its operating systems have been delivered in order to obtain an operating licence from Fanr, which is expected to happen this year.

Construction work on the fourth reactor has reached its final stages, and it is currently 92 percent completed while the overall level of completion of the four reactors stands at 96 percent.

The plant has four third-generation APR1400 reactors, each with an operating life of 60 years.

ENEC and its subsidiaries employ more than 3,000 people from about 50 different nationalities, 60 per cent of whom are Emirati nationals, and women constitute 20 per cent of the total workforce.

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July 1 deadline: UAE ministry reminds firms to meet Emiratisation targets or face penalties

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The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has issued a final reminder to private sector companies with 50 or more employees: meet your mid-year Emiratisation targets by Monday, July 1, 2025, or face monthly fines.

Compliance Checks Begin July 1

Starting July 1, the ministry will begin verifying that:

  • Emirati employees are officially registered with approved pension funds
  • Monthly contributions are being paid in full

Companies failing to comply will be fined Dh9,000 per month for every unfulfilled Emiratisation slot for the first half of the year.

Support and Opportunities for Firms

MoHRE noted that the UAE’s strong economy and job market make it easier than ever to meet hiring goals. Support programmes like Nafis continue to assist companies in attracting qualified Emirati talent.

New Rule for Smaller Firms

The ministry also reminded companies with 20 to 49 employees, especially in 14 key economic sectors, that they are required to hire at least one Emirati by the end of 2025.

These sectors include:

  • Information & communications
  • Finance
  • Healthcare
  • Real estate
  • Manufacturing
  • Transportation & logistics
  • Hospitality
  • Education
    … and more.

More than 12,000 companies are affected by this rule, and electronic notifications have already been sent.

Act Now to Avoid Penalties

MoHRE urges companies to act without delay and ensure full compliance with Emiratisation policies as the government continues to build a more inclusive and diversified national workforce.

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How these UAE cities are winning the war on mosquitoes with smart technology

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Abu Dhabi is taking mosquito control to the next level, using AI-powered smart traps that are transforming how the city monitors and manages mosquito populations, and the results are impressive.

Smarter, Cleaner, More Effective

Unlike traditional mosquito traps, Abu Dhabi’s smart traps don’t rely on chemicals. Instead, they mimic human body emissions, releasing carbon dioxide and a chemical scent similar to human skin, to attract blood-seeking female mosquitoes. Once close, a fan draws the mosquitoes into a net, safely trapping them for analysis.

Each trap is equipped with high-precision sensors and wireless connectivity, allowing it to transmit real-time data, including the number of mosquitoes caught, temperature, humidity, and time, to a central cloud-based system.

AI at Work for Public Health

Using artificial intelligence, the data collected is instantly analysed via smart dashboards. This enables mosquito control teams to identify high-risk areas, peak activity times, and how environmental factors like heat and humidity influence mosquito behaviour, all without the need for on-ground chemical spraying.

Game-Changing Results

Since the smart trap network launched in 2020, Abu Dhabi has seen:

  • 400% increase in mosquito capture efficiency (from 60 mosquitoes per traditional trap to 240 per smart trap),
  • A 42% drop in identified breeding sites,
  • Significant improvement in tracking mosquito populations and seasonal trends.

Dubai has Also Installed Smart Traps to Protect Residents

Dubai had earlier this year rolled out smart traps to protect its residents from insect-borne risks.

237 Smart Traps Installed Across Dubai

Dubai Municipality recently announced the deployment of 237 smart traps in key locations across the emirate, forming part of its proactive efforts to improve public health and enhance pest control systems.

The traps have been strategically positioned in:

  • Residential and commercial neighbourhoods
  • Industrial zones
  • Markets and public parks
  • Areas near water bodies and public facilities

Powered by the Sun, Driven by Data

What makes these traps truly smart? They run on clean solar energy and provide real-time mosquito activity data. By continuously monitoring insect populations, Dubai’s pest control teams can respond more quickly and accurately, especially during the winter season, when mosquito reproduction spikes due to favorable conditions.

A Unified, Tech-Driven Public Health Strategy

Together, Abu Dhabi and Dubai are setting a regional benchmark in sustainable, tech-powered public health protection. While Abu Dhabi’s network has already led to a 400% improvement in mosquito capture efficiency and a 42% drop in breeding sites, Dubai’s new deployment complements the national push toward smarter, cleaner pest control.

By harnessing innovation and sustainability, the UAE is building safer cities, where data, AI, and clean energy play a key role in protecting public health.

Why It Matters

With climate change, urban expansion, and the rise of pesticide-resistant mosquito strains, smarter, sustainable solutions are essential for protecting public health.

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Road diversions in Dubai and Sharjah: What motorists need to know

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If you’re driving in or between Dubai and Sharjah over the next few weeks, take note, major road diversions are in place due to ongoing infrastructure upgrades.

Dubai: Umm Al Daman Underpass Diversion

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced a temporary diversion at the Umm Al Daman Underpass on Dubai–Al Ain Road, starting Friday, June 28. The closure will last for two months as the RTA carries out essential upgrades to rainwater and groundwater drainage systems, as well as road resurfacing, to improve driving conditions.

Alternative Route:
Motorists heading towards Dubai are advised to use the Umm Nahad Bridge (Intersection 4), where a U-turn has been set up to maintain smooth traffic flow.

The RTA is urging all drivers to plan ahead, follow posted signs, and allow extra travel time during the diversion period.

Sharjah: Al Intifadah Road Closure

Meanwhile, in Sharjah, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has begun the first phase of a major infrastructure development project, resulting in the closure of a key section of Al Intifadah Road (toward Al Corniche Road) from Friday, June 27, to Sunday, July 27.

The closure is part of Sharjah’s long-term plan to upgrade roads and enhance traffic flow in high-density areas.

Detours in Place:
Traffic will be diverted via Jamal Abdul Nasser Street and nearby internal roads in Al Majaz 2. SRTA has posted detailed maps of the alternative routes on its official social media platforms.

Drivers are encouraged to:

  • Follow all traffic signs and instructions around the area.
  • Avoid the affected roads where possible.
  • Use pre-announced alternate routes to prevent congestion.

For live updates and detour maps, commuters can check the SRTA website or scan the QR code posted around the affected area.

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