93 kilometer indoor cycling super highway planned for Dubai

Feb 20 2023

Dubai could be transformed into a hub for sustainability and wellness, thanks to URB, a Dubai-based development firm.

URB has unveiled plans for two ambitious projects that are focused on the environment and aim to create a more sustainable future for the emirate.

One of the proposed developments, “The Loop,” is an indoor climate-controlled “sustainable urban highway” that would stretch over 93 kilometers and create a car-free green corridor for walking and cycling around the city.

URB’s CEO, Baharash Bagherian, believes that if built, it would be the world’s smartest cycling and running infrastructure, and make Dubai the most connected city on Earth by foot or bike.

The second project, the “Agri Hub,” would be a massive agritourism site in the desert, covering roughly 40 hectares. It would host spaces for education and research, as well as eco-lodges, farm shops, and farm-to-table restaurants and cafes.

The site is designed to be a benchmark for sustainable agriculture, environmental education, and green tourism in the region.

URB says both projects would be zero-waste, and on-site transport would be fossil-fuel-free, with its own biogas plant to generate energy from organic waste. Both projects would use recycled gray water for irrigation and feature drought-tolerant plants as well as rain gardens and bioretention areas that require no irrigation and create habitat for birds and insects.

URB is currently undertaking feasibility studies to establish the best site for the development of the Agri Hub, with construction planned to begin in 2024. Meanwhile, The Loop could be ready for Dubai’s cyclists and runners by 2040. URB hopes that these projects will put Dubai at the forefront of the world’s green economy, and create a more sustainable future for the city and its residents.

This comes as Maltese NGOs and activist continue to issue calls for better infrastructure for bike users on the islands due to severe accidents impacting those who utilise the alternative mode of transportation.

Most recently, three groups came together to call for the urgent redesign of the Sir Temi Żammit Road in Mġarr by issuing an open letter to the Infrastructure and Transport authorities.

#MaltaDaily

Maltese man goes viral for dancing with elderly woman in Valletta carnival

Feb 20 2023

A video of an elderly woman being cheered up by a costumed man in Valletta has gone viral as the guy gets massive praise for his positivity and all around attitude.

The post was uploaded by Mollie Debrincat to Facebook page ‘Are You Being Served?’, who went on to say:

‘I do not know who you are but I want to say thank you… you made my mum’s day by taking her hand and dancing with her. She had so much fun’ she said.

The man, dressed in a colourful green costume as he joined in the capital city’s carnival parade, was later identified as Duncan Paul Zammit Galea, who received a flood of positive messages for his charisma and bringing so much joy.

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7 fatal work accidents registered in second half of 2022

Feb 20 2023

According to new statistics by the National Statistics Office, the number of non-fatal work accident claims in the latter half of 2022 decreased by 24, or 1.9%, compared to the same period in 2021.

Seven fatal work accidents were reported during this time. In the July-December 2022 period, 1,229 individuals were involved in non-fatal work accidents, with the majority occurring in the construction sector (211 or 17.2%).

Another 201 or 16.4% of the accidents happened in the manufacturing sector, followed by the transportation and storage sector (173 or 14.1%).

The construction sector experienced the largest increase in accidents compared to the previous year (25 or 13.4%).

The majority of those affected in work accidents were in elementary occupations, followed by craft and related trades workers.

Nearly half of the injuries affected the upper extremities, with wounds and superficial injuries, dislocations, sprains, and strains being the most common types of injuries.

In the latter half of 2022, 29.2% of accidents occurred in enterprises with 500 employees or more. The standardised incidence rate of non-fatal work accidents was highest in manufacturing, followed by construction and transportation and storage.

OHSA reported seven fatal work accidents between July and December 2022, while there were three fatal work accidents in the same period in 2021.

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Read full report here.

Kate Middleton wears Zara earrings and up-cycled gown in bid to become more relatable

Feb 20 2023

The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, made a stunning appearance at the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) alongside her husband, Prince William, at the Royal Festival Hall in London.

While Prince William kept it classic in a double-breasted black velvet tuxedo jacket, Kate stole the show in a stunning Alexander McQueen one-shoulder gown that she previously wore to the BAFTAs in 2019.

What caught everyone’s attention were the pair of £18 earrings from Zara that the Duchess wore with her outfit.

The Duchess is known for her love of high street brands, and Zara is one of her favourites. She regularly wears pieces from the brand and mixes them with designer pieces.

The affordable and fashionable earrings added a touch of glamour to her outfit but, most importantly, made the Duchess much more relatable to a new generation as the royal family struggles to keep their status relevant in the 2020s and beyond.

The Duchess completed her look with dramatic opera gloves, which have become a must-have accessory for any formal occasion, according to stylists. The gloves made a statement with panache and elegance, adding to her old-fashioned Hollywood glamour look.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have made it a tradition to attend the biggest night in UK cinema each year. Their last appearance was in 2020, shortly before the Covid-19 pandemic brought lockdown to the UK.

The royal couple’s appearance at the event came just days after their visit to the National Maritime Museum Cornwall, where they learned about the area’s heritage and helped with the refurbishment of a sailing dinghy.

The Duchess looked effortlessly elegant, sporting a chestnut brown Hobbs coat and matching knee-high boots, teamed with a red outfit underneath, proving that she is the queen of the high street as she made a fashion statement with her affordable and fashionable earrings from Zara at the BAFTAs.

#MaltaDaily