In a year where the world had to remain home to keep safe during a global pandemic, many of us turned to online distractions to help us navigate through 2020.
Gaming was a popular release for people sheltering indoors, as it offered an escape to other realities, arguably some better than ours.
One of the most popular games released in 2020 was Animal Crossing on the Nintendo Switch. The game allows players to inhabit an island and partake in chores, some fun, while others tedious.
The game captured the imagination of gamers and non-gamers alike, and, according to Statista, Animal Crossing: New Horizons sold more than 13 million units worldwide in the first six weeks of its release.
This is reflected in the number of people who spoke about the game on social media last year. According to Twitter, Animal Crossing was the most tweeted about game in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, followed by Fate / Grand Order and Disney: Twisted-Wonderland. Final Fantasy and Fortnite round out the top five.
The top 10 most tweeted about video games:
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons
- Fate / Grand Order
- Disney: Twisted-Wonderland
- Final Fantasy
- Fortnite
- Ensemble Stars!
- Knives Out
- Genshin Impact
- Apex Legends
- Identity V
Gaming, on the whole, was the sixth most talked about topic on Twitter in Emea in 2020, and the most followed gaming topics of the year include Gaming News, Esports, Gaming Influencers, Minecraft, Playstation and Xbox.
According to Twitter, there were 2 billion tweets about gaming throughout the year, which is up 75 per cent from 2019.
Gaming events were of high interest as well, as many fans discussed what would claim the top spot of game of the year at the 2020 Game Awards.
Other much-discussed events on Twitter include the Future of Gaming on PS5 Event, Niconico Net Chokaigi 2020 and the Xbox Games Showcase. While in the world of Esports, the most discussed events were the 2020 League of Legends World Championship, EVO Japan 2020, CBLoL Split 2 Finals 2020, Call of Duty League 2020 Championship and the 2020 Overwatch League Grand Finals 2020.
The social media platform explained: "From global championships to major announcements, Twitter continued to be the virtual esports bar in 2020. The esports conversation was up 14 per cent compared to 2019."
There is no doubt that 2021 promises a lot of excitement for gamers, as more games are released for the new consoles. Fans can look forward to titles like Hitman 3, Far Cry 6 and the newest Halo game.
Some excitement is also reserved for playing the highly anticipated Cyberpunk 2077 on the next-generation consoles, after gamers had a lot to complain about with playing the game on the previous generation.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Squid Game season two
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
Rating: 4.5/5
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
Sheikh Zayed's poem
When it is unveiled at Abu Dhabi Art, the Standing Tall exhibition will appear as an interplay of poetry and art. The 100 scarves are 100 fragments surrounding five, figurative, female sculptures, and both sculptures and scarves are hand-embroidered by a group of refugee women artisans, who used the Palestinian cross-stitch embroidery art of tatreez. Fragments of Sheikh Zayed’s poem Your Love is Ruling My Heart, written in Arabic as a love poem to his nation, are embroidered onto both the sculptures and the scarves. Here is the English translation.
Your love is ruling over my heart
Your love is ruling over my heart, even a mountain can’t bear all of it
Woe for my heart of such a love, if it befell it and made it its home
You came on me like a gleaming sun, you are the cure for my soul of its sickness
Be lenient on me, oh tender one, and have mercy on who because of you is in ruins
You are like the Ajeed Al-reem [leader of the gazelle herd] for my country, the source of all of its knowledge
You waddle even when you stand still, with feet white like the blooming of the dates of the palm
Oh, who wishes to deprive me of sleep, the night has ended and I still have not seen you
You are the cure for my sickness and my support, you dried my throat up let me go and damp it
Help me, oh children of mine, for in his love my life will pass me by.
The years Ramadan fell in May
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Analysis
Members of Syria's Alawite minority community face threat in their heartland after one of the deadliest days in country’s recent history. Read more
THE BIO
Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.
Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.
Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.
Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.
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