First global solar flight to start and end in UAE

on 09 April 2014.

Abu Dhabi: Two Swiss adventurers plan to start and end their historic round-the-world flight in a solar aircraft from the UAE.

The fuel-less aircraft, Solar Impulse 2, which was unveiled by the duo in Switzerland on Wednesday, will be manned by just one pilot for five consecutive days and nights. The solar aircraft aims to raise awareness about the need to adopt renewable energy to solve many of the world’s problems, including climate change.

Andre Borschberg and Dr Bertrand Piccard flew the world’s first solar plane, Solar Impulse 1, in 2010 and 2011 respectively.

Heavy rain and hailstorms expected to lash Oman

on 12 March 2014.

Muscat: Medium to heavy rains, hailstorms, and strong winds are expected to lash Oman for four days starting from Thursday, according to the Public Authority for Civil Aviation (Paca).

The latest satellite images and weather charts reveal the depression is likely to hit Oman on Thursday evening leading to thundershowers, hailstones and strong winds.

The forecast says that most parts of the country will be hit by medium to heavy rains.

UAE's first eco-friendly mosque to open soon

on 08 March 2014.

Dubai: The Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation (AMAF) on Saturday announced that the construction of the first eco-friendly mosque in the UAE is 85 per cent complete and is set to open its doors to worshippers shortly.

Tayeb Al Rais, Secretary-General of the Foundation, said that the Islamic world’s first green mosque would be the largest of its kind in Dubai, spreading across 105,000 square feet with a built-up area of 45,000 square feet. The mosque can accommodate 3,500 worshippers.

Expect foggy weather in the UAE on Sunday

on 22 February 2014.

Visibility was reduced to 50 metres in Liwa on Saturday morning and to 250 to 300 metres in Abu Dhabi

Dubai: Expect slightly foggy conditions, especially along the coast and western parts of the UAE, on Sunday.

The National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology said there are chances of medium to heavy fog blanketing northern and eastern coastal areas and the western part of the UAE early on Sunday.