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French astronaut takes photo of Expo 2020 Dubai site from ISS

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French astronaut Thomas Pesquet took a photo of the Expo 2020 Dubai site from the International Space Station (ISS), during his 200-day mission which launched from Florida, US.

During a Q&A session organized by France Pavilion on Friday at Expo 2020 Dubai, Pesquet responded to a number of questions from growing food in zero gravity to installing solar arrays (systems of multiple solar panels) on the International Space System (ISS).

“Before the mission starts, there is a lot of travelling around the world to different space agencies,” Pesquet, who was the first person from France to command the ISS, said of his second mission. “We have to train for every kind of emergency, such as how to deal with a fire, which reacts very differently in zero gravity.”

Not only did he have to be familiar with all the systems in place, but he and his crew of four – NASA astronauts Megan MacArthur and Shane Kimbrough, and Japanese astronaut Aki Hoshide – needed to ensure the maintenance of the ISS. Intense daily physical training was also essential in preparation for zero gravity, which causes muscle loss. But the preparation was worth it, he said. “You move by floating onboard ISS, like you dreamt as a child. It looks like a sci-fi movie or a maze in 3D,” Pesquet added. “You can move up and down – everywhere – so it takes a few days to adjust.”

In their free time, the crew would look through the windows and take time-lapse photos. “It was incredible to admire the beauty unravel in front of us – to see the different colours of deserts and shapes of snow glaciers. It’s amusing to see streets of famous cities. I took a photo of Expo in Dubai,” Pasquet said.

“The wonderful thing about space is that there are no borders,” he added. “We may all be from different countries and cultures but we are all on the same side. ISS is a good example of people from around the world cooperating and working together. And we need to use those values for the future of humanity.”

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Sharjah sets deadline for owners to collect impounded vehicles

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Motorists in Sharjah have been urged to take immediate action to retrieve vehicles and other items impounded by the Sharjah City Municipality, with a deadline set later this week.

In a notice issued on Monday, the Municipality called on owners of vehicles, machinery, motorcycles and bicycles that have been impounded for more than six months to complete the required release procedures.

Owners have been instructed to visit the Inspection and Control Department in Industrial Area 5 within four days from the date of the notice, ending January 29, to address the reasons for impoundment and collect their properties.

The Municipality warned that failure to comply within the specified period will result in the impounded items being sold through a public auction after the deadline.

The notice was shared via the Municipality’s official social media channels, where a QR code was also provided to allow owners to access a list of impounded vehicles and related items.

Residents are advised to act promptly to avoid losing ownership of their impounded properties.

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Abu Dhabi introduces new safety guidelines for e-scooters

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If you ride an e-scooter or electric bike in Abu Dhabi, it’s worth knowing where you’re allowed to go, and where you’re not.

The Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities and Transport has outlined designated areas where electric bikes and scooters are permitted, along with clear restrictions aimed at improving safety, easing traffic flow and supporting smarter urban mobility.

According to the department, e-bikes and scooters are allowed on internal roads with speed limits below 40km/h, dedicated cycling and e-bike lanes, and shared paths designed for both pedestrians and cyclists.

However, riding is strictly prohibited on highways, pedestrian-only paths, and roads outside the city where speed limits are 60km/h or higher.

The Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) said the rules are part of a broader plan to create a safe, connected network of cycling and e-bike routes across the emirate, encouraging active transport and better integration with public transport.

Pedestrian safety remains a top priority. Riders are required to follow traffic laws, obey road signs and markings, ride in the direction of traffic, keep a safe distance from pedestrians and use designated cycling lanes whenever available.

Cyclists are also reminded that riding on roads with speed limits above 60km/h requires a special permit. On roads with speed limits of 60km/h or below and no cycling lanes, riders should keep to the right-hand side.

Parking is only allowed in designated areas to avoid blocking pedestrians or vehicles. Riders must also maintain at least a five-metre distance from school buses when warning lights are on, and the stop arm is extended. Group cycling tours must obtain prior approval from Abu Dhabi Police.

Authorities say the measures are designed to keep everyone, riders, pedestrians and motorists,  safe while supporting a more active and sustainable transport culture in the capital.





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Planning a trip to Mleiha? Sharjah warns against entering the park without permission

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Sharjah authorities have warned that strict legal action, including hefty fines, will be taken against any vehicle entering Mleiha National Park without official authorisation.

The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) said the park is a protected national site established by Emiri decree and governed by a strict legislative framework aimed at preserving its archaeological, cultural and environmental significance.

Shurooq stressed that unauthorised access by any type of vehicle, without exception, constitutes a direct violation of the park’s protected status and will result in financial penalties and other legal measures. The enforcement is intended to prevent damage to the park’s fragile terrain and irreplaceable archaeological remains, which cannot be restored once disturbed.

Mleiha National Park forms part of the Al Faya Site, which was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2025. The designation places additional responsibility on local authorities to ensure the long-term protection of the site as a rare and continuous record of early human history.

Public access to the park is therefore strictly limited to approved, organised activities supervised by the Mleiha Archaeological Centre. All visits must be booked exclusively through the centre and conducted along designated routes in accordance with established guidelines designed to safeguard the site.





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