A team of international scientists has reached the Holtedahlfonna icefield in the Arctic to drill ice cores, as part of the Sentinel project expedition.
They are studying the “Arctic amplification” phenomenon and aim to collect two ice cores, each 125m long, to reconstruct climate signals for the past 300 years.
One ice core will be preserved for centuries to come in the dedicated Ice Memory Sanctuary in Antarctica.
The Ice Memory Foundation, the organisation behind the initiative, aims to collect and preserve ice cores from around the world to enable future scientists to study the past climate of our planet and anticipate future changes, long after the glacier has disappeared due to global warming.
The Svalbard Archipelago in the Arctic is at risk from climate change, and its glaciers are disappearing at four times the global average.
The recent acceleration of temperature increases has already affected the quality of climate and environmental signals found in previous ice cores extracted on the same site.
To prevent further loss, the Ice Memory Foundation has joined forces with the scientists to collect an ice core to preserve for future generations of scientists.
The Arctic amplification phenomenon is responsible for warming the Arctic region much faster than the rest of the planet, and the scientists’ research objective is to increase scientific understanding of the roles of sea ice, bromine and mercury.
They will work for 20 days at an altitude of 1,100 metres and aim to reach a depth of about 125 metres into the glacier.
Jerome Chapellaz, President of the Ice Memory Foundation, said that ice scientists are seeing their primary material disappear forever from the surface of the planet. He said: “It is our responsibility as glaciologists of this generation to make sure a bit of it is preserved."
In addition to the immediate analysis of one set of ice cores, another set will be sent to Antarctica’s Ice Memory Sanctuary, which will allow natural storage of the ice cores at minus 50°C and guarantee long-term preservation.
Carlo Barbante, the paleoclimatologist, explains that glaciers at high latitudes, such as those in the Arctic, have begun to melt at a high rate.
“We want to recover and preserve, for future generations of scientists, these extraordinary archives of our Planet's climate before all the information they contain is completely lost”, Mr Barbante said.
The Ice Memory Foundation was founded by seven scientific institutions: University Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development — IRD, French Polar Institute in France, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, CNR in Italy, Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland and is sheltered by the University Grenoble Alpes Foundation.
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
MATCH INFO
Manchester United 2
(Martial 30', McTominay 90 6')
Manchester City 0
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Power: 650hp at 6,750rpm
Torque: 800Nm from 2,500-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 11.12L/100km
Price: From Dh796,600
On sale: now
Silent Hill f
Publisher: Konami
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Rating: 4.5/5
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
box
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: Letstango.com
Started: June 2013
Founder: Alex Tchablakian
Based: Dubai
Industry: e-commerce
Initial investment: Dh10 million
Investors: Self-funded
Total customers: 300,000 unique customers every month
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.
Racecard
6pm: Mina Hamriya – Handicap (TB) $75,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
6.35pm: Al Wasl Stakes – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (Turf) 1,200m
7.10pm: UAE Oaks – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,900m
7.45pm: Blue Point Sprint – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,000m
8.20pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy – Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (T) 2,810m
8.55pm: Mina Rashid – Handicap (TB) $80,000 (T) 1,600m
FFP EXPLAINED
What is Financial Fair Play?
Introduced in 2011 by Uefa, European football’s governing body, it demands that clubs live within their means. Chiefly, spend within their income and not make substantial losses.
What the rules dictate?
The second phase of its implementation limits losses to €30 million (Dh136m) over three seasons. Extra expenditure is permitted for investment in sustainable areas (youth academies, stadium development, etc). Money provided by owners is not viewed as income. Revenue from “related parties” to those owners is assessed by Uefa's “financial control body” to be sure it is a fair value, or in line with market prices.
What are the penalties?
There are a number of punishments, including fines, a loss of prize money or having to reduce squad size for European competition – as happened to PSG in 2014. There is even the threat of a competition ban, which could in theory lead to PSG’s suspension from the Uefa Champions League.
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The Lowdown
Us
Director: Jordan Peele
Starring: Lupita Nyong'o, Winston Duke, Shahadi Wright Joseqph, Evan Alex and Elisabeth Moss
Rating: 4/5
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
