Record-breaking temperatures and historic snowfalls are buffeting parts of the US, as states grapple with unusual winter weather and travellers' plans are thrust into chaos.
Alaska, which typically faces frigid temperatures and snowfall this year, has instead been hit with soaring temperatures and torrential rainfall.
Warm ocean waters north of Hawaii exacerbated a "heat dome" that delivered additional warmth to America's last frontier.
The island community of Kodiak set a new December high of 19C on Sunday afternoon, a state record, according to the Kodiak Tide Gauge Station. Kodiak Airport recorded a temperature of 18C, beating a previous December record set in 1984.
The soaring temperature also brought record rainfall in the state. Fairbanks experienced its wettest-ever day on record in December, with 23.6 centimetres of precipitation reported.
Meanwhile, after facing a historic summer drought earlier this year, parts of California are experiencing record-level snowfall.
The Central Sierra Snow Laboratory in northern California recorded nearly 5.2 metres of snow this month. Scientists say it is the snowiest December on record.
Snowfall is forecasted to continue in the Sierra Nevada mountains through Thursday, with additional rainfall and mountain snow expected to hit southern California.
The snowpack serves as a natural reservoir for California, and the Sierra snowpack accounts for 30 per cent of the state's fresh water supply for the year, according to the California Department of Water Resources. Last winter the Sierra snowpack was at an alarmingly low level and the reservoirs are still below the historical average, CNN reported.
With more snow expected, officials said this month's snowfall should help the parched reservoirs.
The snowfall and freezing temperatures have also disrupted travel. Interstate 80, buried by snow and beset by fallen trees, was shut down on Sunday from the Nevada state line to Placer County.
Travellers in Seattle, Washington, are still facing hundreds of airline cancellations because of excessive snowfall and cold. More than 1,000 flights into and out of Seattle-Tacoma Airport have been cancelled and hundreds more delayed since Sunday, the Seattle Times reported. On Tuesday, nearly one-quarter of all flights were cancelled.
Temperatures in normally mild Seattle have fallen well below freezing. The National Weather Service said the low for the city on Monday was -8.3C, breaking a record set in 1968.
City officials have opened severe weather shelters in response to the frigid temperatures and the mayor declared an emergency.
Warming shelters have also been opened in Oregon. The state on Tuesday issued a weather warning for several counties as temperatures were expected to dip below freezing.
December's unusual weather capped a year in which the US experienced a slew of extreme weather events, including the hottest summer on record, the largest wildfire in California's history and destructive hurricanes and tornadoes.
Dark Souls: Remastered
Developer: From Software (remaster by QLOC)
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Price: Dh199
CHATGPT%20ENTERPRISE%20FEATURES
%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Enterprise-grade%20security%20and%20privacy%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Unlimited%20higher-speed%20GPT-4%20access%20with%20no%20caps%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Longer%20context%20windows%20for%20processing%20longer%20inputs%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Advanced%20data%20analysis%20capabilities%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Customisation%20options%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Shareable%20chat%20templates%20that%20companies%20can%20use%20to%20collaborate%20and%20build%20common%20workflows%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Analytics%20dashboard%20for%20usage%20insights%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Free%20credits%20to%20use%20OpenAI%20APIs%20to%20extend%20OpenAI%20into%20a%20fully-custom%20solution%20for%20enterprises%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
Tuesday (UAE kick-off times)
Leicester City v Brighton (9pm)
Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United (11.15pm)
Wednesday
Manchester United v Sheffield United (9pm)
Newcastle United v Aston Villa (9pm)
Norwich City v Everton (9pm)
Wolves v Bournemouth (9pm)
Liverpool v Crystal Palace (11.15pm)
Thursday
Burnley v Watford (9pm)
Southampton v Arsenal (9pm)
Chelsea v Manchester City (11.15pm)
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3ECompany%20name%3A%20EduPloyment%3Cbr%3EDate%20started%3A%20March%202020%3Cbr%3ECo-Founders%3A%20Mazen%20Omair%20and%20Rana%20Batterjee%3Cbr%3EBase%3A%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20Recruitment%3Cbr%3ESize%3A%2030%20employees%3Cbr%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20Pre-Seed%3Cbr%3EInvestors%3A%20Angel%20investors%20(investment%20amount%20undisclosed)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MATCH INFO
Who: UAE v USA
What: first T20 international
When: Friday, 2pm
Where: ICC Academy in Dubai
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – UAE won by 36 runs
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
PSG's line up
GK: Alphonse Areola (youth academy)
Defence - RB: Dani Alves (free transfer); CB: Marquinhos (€31.4 million); CB: Thiago Silva (€42m); LB: Layvin Kurzawa (€23m)
Midfield - Angel di Maria (€47m); Adrien Rabiot (youth academy); Marco Verratti (€12m)
Forwards - Neymar (€222m); Edinson Cavani (€63m); Kylian Mbappe (initial: loan; to buy: €180m)
Total cost: €440.4m (€620.4m if Mbappe makes permanent move)
Tips to keep your car cool
- Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
- Park in shaded or covered areas
- Add tint to windows
- Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
- Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
- Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
