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Over 200 turtles rescued, rehabilitated in Abu Dhabi this year

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Over 200 sea turtles have been rescued and rehabilated by the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) since the start of the new year. EAD has been backed by its Wildlife Rescue Programme partner and the largest aquarium in the Middle East, The National Aquarium of Abu Dhabi (TNA).

Ahmed Al Hashmi, executive director, terrestrial and marine biodiversity sector at EAD, said, “Through our strategic partnership with TNA, we have been able to rescue and rehabilitate a number of turtles to ensure the longevity of several different turtle species found in Abu Dhabi waters.

Furthermore, after releasing a large majority of these turtles back into their natural habitat, our specialised research team is monitoring them on a regular basis and frequently studying their behaviour and habits.

As part of our efforts, we are very pleased to include the rehabilitation of an Olive Ridley Sea Turtle, a species rarely seen in UAE waters; this is a sign of the abundance of our biodiversity, which we aspire to conserve so that future generations can enjoy it for decades to come.”

Due to the increasing number of turtles that continue being stranded in Abu Dhabi’s waters every year, EAD is now ramping up its efforts to further protect and conserve native wildlife. Accordingly, they have now added more manpower and invested in building state-of-the-art facilities.

Beatriz Maquieira, curator at TNA, added, “Sea turtles are among the most migratory animals on the globe, and two of the seven marine turtle species found worldwide frequent Abu Dhabi’s waters – the critically endangered Hawksbill Turtle and the endangered Green Turtle. With over 5,000 sea turtles residing in Abu Dhabi and a huge number of turtles arriving on a yearly basis, we want to continue providing the finest care possible for these animals.”

In 2021, the collaboration between EAD and TNA productively led to the rescue and rehabilitation of 250 sea turtles, of which, 150 were released back into the ocean, and three were satellite tagged. Additional release events took place last summer and now the current rescue of more than 200 turtles, which is the strongest start yet, will soon be released back into the Arabian Gulf; the current rescues can be seen one last time at The National Aquarium before the release commences.

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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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