A gigantic sunspot five times the size of the Earth has been identified by astronomers in Sharjah.
Researchers at the Sharjah Academy of Astronomy, Space, Science and Technology detected the radio solar emission earlier this month.
Dr Ilias Fernini, deputy general director of the academy's Research Laboratories and Sharjah Observatory, described sunspots as dark blotches on the surface of the sun that are caused by increased magnetic activity.
They are the primary indicators of solar eruptions that lead to solar storms.
“We detected a sunspot which is five times the size of the Earth,” said Dr Fernini.
In 1989, the entire Quebec province in Canada faced a power outage because of a solar storm that heavily damaged their electricity grid.
The electrically charged particles from the storm were so strong they crossed through Earth’s magnetic field, causing Central and Northern Canada’s skies to light up with Aurora Borealis – or Northern Lights – for two full days, and became visible in places such as Honduras and Dominica.
Now, thanks to advances in technology, space researchers and scientists can monitor the sun throughout the day and more efficiently for any increased solar activity.
Space scientists and astronomers have been closely monitoring the sun, as it has entered its new 11-year cycle (Solar Cycle 25), which could cause it to be more active.
For the past several years it has been quiet, with very little solar activity.
“It all depends how strong the cycle is. We expect it to be at a maximum by 2022,” said Dr Fernini.
The sunspot detected was part of a family of sunspots that were flagged by US space agency Nasa on May 29.
Nasa’s Parker Solar Probe detected the solar flare, which was the largest discovered since October 2017.
Dr Fernini said that increased solar activity could affect the global climate in the long run.
He said the particles released from the solar flares can also impact human-built space objects.
“Sometimes when we receive highly charged particles, it may also affect our satellites. We survived them in 2003 when the sun was very active and it sent huge amounts of particles towards our planet,” said Dr Fernini.
He added that more than 28 satellites in low Earth orbit were damaged and two others were destroyed in the 2003 solar storms, also called ‘Halloween Storms’ due to their occurrence around the autumn celebration.
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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.
MATCH RESULT
Liverpool 4 Brighton and Hove Albion 0
Liverpool: Salah (26'), Lovren (40'), Solanke (53'), Robertson (85')
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The specs: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ
Price, base: Dh1,731,672
Engine: 6.5-litre V12
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 770hp @ 8,500rpm
Torque: 720Nm @ 6,750rpm
Fuel economy: 19.6L / 100km
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Director: Monika Mitchell
Starring: Alyssa Milano, Sam Page, Colleen Wheeler
Rating: 3/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now
Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.
The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.
1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):
a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33
b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.
2. For those who have worked more than five years
c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.
Note: The maximum figure cannot exceed two years total salary figure.
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One in nine do not have enough to eat
Created in 1961, the World Food Programme is pledged to fight hunger worldwide as well as providing emergency food assistance in a crisis.
One of the organisation’s goals is the Zero Hunger Pledge, adopted by the international community in 2015 as one of the 17 Sustainable Goals for Sustainable Development, to end world hunger by 2030.
The WFP, a branch of the United Nations, is funded by voluntary donations from governments, businesses and private donations.
Almost two thirds of its operations currently take place in conflict zones, where it is calculated that people are more than three times likely to suffer from malnutrition than in peaceful countries.
It is currently estimated that one in nine people globally do not have enough to eat.
On any one day, the WFP estimates that it has 5,000 lorries, 20 ships and 70 aircraft on the move.
Outside emergencies, the WFP provides school meals to up to 25 million children in 63 countries, while working with communities to improve nutrition. Where possible, it buys supplies from developing countries to cut down transport cost and boost local economies.
