Snow turns Saudi Arabia's Mount Dhaka white


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Saudi Arabia's Mount Dhaka turned white after the Al Shafa area in the west of the kingdom was hit by a heavy hailstorm on Saturday.

The city of Taif also experienced heavy rainfall. Videos on social media showed hail covering the mountains and roads.

On Thursday, Muslims across the country had offered rain prayers, known as Salaat Al Istisqaa.

Mount Dhaka is the highest point of Ash Shifa, a town about 20 kilometres from Taif and 2,900 metres above sea level.

The mountain is known for its juniper trees.

People travel to the region to hike, indulge in outdoor activities and watch the sunset from the 10,000-square-metre Dakka Mountain Park.

Temperatures in the region drop to as low as minus 1 degree Celsius between the months of November and February.

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Serene beauty: 50 of the best images of the UAE under fog

  • Reem Island in Abu Dhabi is covered in 2018. Emmanuel Samoglou / The National
    Reem Island in Abu Dhabi is covered in 2018. Emmanuel Samoglou / The National
  • Miguel Angel Jimenez and other golfers on the fog covered range at the Dubai Desert Classic in 2011. Mike Young / The National
    Miguel Angel Jimenez and other golfers on the fog covered range at the Dubai Desert Classic in 2011. Mike Young / The National
  • Dense fog engulfs Abu Dhabi's Al Maryah Island in December 2017. Ravindranath K / The National
    Dense fog engulfs Abu Dhabi's Al Maryah Island in December 2017. Ravindranath K / The National
  • Towers in Dubai Media City during the early morning fog in Dubai in April 2020. Pawan Singh / The National
    Towers in Dubai Media City during the early morning fog in Dubai in April 2020. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The Fairmont Marina peeks through the fog on the Corniche, Abu Dhabi, on a sunny morning. Victor Besa / The National
    The Fairmont Marina peeks through the fog on the Corniche, Abu Dhabi, on a sunny morning. Victor Besa / The National
  • Morning fog descends over Dubai Marina in 2013. Sarah Dea / The National
    Morning fog descends over Dubai Marina in 2013. Sarah Dea / The National
  • The ground below is swallowed up by fog in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
    The ground below is swallowed up by fog in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Only the tallest buildings in Dubai sometimes escape the blanket. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Only the tallest buildings in Dubai sometimes escape the blanket. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Window cleaners work on Al Ain Tower with view of Etihad Towers in the background in Al Khalidiyah, Abu Dhabi. Erica ElKhershi / The National
    Window cleaners work on Al Ain Tower with view of Etihad Towers in the background in Al Khalidiyah, Abu Dhabi. Erica ElKhershi / The National
  • A variety of light captured during fog in Abu Dhabi. Ravindranath K / The National
    A variety of light captured during fog in Abu Dhabi. Ravindranath K / The National
  • A fisherman on a misty morning in 2016. Rich-Joseph Facun / The National
    A fisherman on a misty morning in 2016. Rich-Joseph Facun / The National
  • Morning fog burns off near Electra Street in Abu Dhabi on December 31, 2008. Rich-Joseph Facun / The National
    Morning fog burns off near Electra Street in Abu Dhabi on December 31, 2008. Rich-Joseph Facun / The National
  • Fog in Abu Dhabi seen from The Gate Towers on Reem Island in 2015. Irene García León for The National
    Fog in Abu Dhabi seen from The Gate Towers on Reem Island in 2015. Irene García León for The National
  • A light fog covers the Dubai skyline in 2015. Sarah Dea / The National
    A light fog covers the Dubai skyline in 2015. Sarah Dea / The National
  • Cars drive through the morning fog on 24th street in Abu Dhabi in 2009. Galen Clarke / The National
    Cars drive through the morning fog on 24th street in Abu Dhabi in 2009. Galen Clarke / The National
  • Gate Towers on Abu Dhabi's Reem Island in 2013. Silvia Razgova / The National
    Gate Towers on Abu Dhabi's Reem Island in 2013. Silvia Razgova / The National
  • Fog over Dubai Marina in 2013. Sarah Dea / The National
    Fog over Dubai Marina in 2013. Sarah Dea / The National
  • Sheikh Zayed bridge engulfed in fog in 2017. Ravindranath K / The National.
    Sheikh Zayed bridge engulfed in fog in 2017. Ravindranath K / The National.
  • Abu Dhabi city on Christmas morning, 2017. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Abu Dhabi city on Christmas morning, 2017. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Fog in the city of Abu Dhabi on Christmas morning, 2017. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Fog in the city of Abu Dhabi on Christmas morning, 2017. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • The UAE flag stands in the clear against a misty backdrop in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    The UAE flag stands in the clear against a misty backdrop in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • A lady takes her morning walk amid the fog at the Khalifa City A in 2018. Victor Besa / The National
    A lady takes her morning walk amid the fog at the Khalifa City A in 2018. Victor Besa / The National
  • Fog engulfed with high humidity in Abu Dhabi. Rajesh Korde / The National
    Fog engulfed with high humidity in Abu Dhabi. Rajesh Korde / The National
  • The Sheikh Zayed Bridge in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    The Sheikh Zayed Bridge in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • A man goes for an early morning cycle as fog covers Dubai on September 21, 2020. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    A man goes for an early morning cycle as fog covers Dubai on September 21, 2020. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Misty conditions around JBR in Dubai. Sarah Dea / The National
    Misty conditions around JBR in Dubai. Sarah Dea / The National
  • A worker walks through Khalifa City in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    A worker walks through Khalifa City in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • Fog over Dubai Marina. Courtesy Ollie Maher
    Fog over Dubai Marina. Courtesy Ollie Maher
  • Towers in JLT in Dubai in April 2020. Pawan Singh / The National
    Towers in JLT in Dubai in April 2020. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Cars emerge from early morning fog on Muroor Road in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    Cars emerge from early morning fog on Muroor Road in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • Dense fog blankets the Abu Dhabi skyline with Etihad Towers visible. Erica ElKhershi / The National
    Dense fog blankets the Abu Dhabi skyline with Etihad Towers visible. Erica ElKhershi / The National
  • Workers during early morning fog in the Discovery Gardens area in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Workers during early morning fog in the Discovery Gardens area in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Dense fog engulfs Abu Dhabi's Al Maryah Island in December 2017. Ravindranath K / The National
    Dense fog engulfs Abu Dhabi's Al Maryah Island in December 2017. Ravindranath K / The National
  • Early morning fog in the Discovery Gardens area in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Early morning fog in the Discovery Gardens area in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The sun tries to break through a foggy sky in Dubai. Rajesh Korde / The National
    The sun tries to break through a foggy sky in Dubai. Rajesh Korde / The National
  • The Corniche in Abu Dhabi in February 2018. Victor Besa / The National
    The Corniche in Abu Dhabi in February 2018. Victor Besa / The National
  • The Dubai high rises peek out above the fog. Sarah Dea / The National
    The Dubai high rises peek out above the fog. Sarah Dea / The National
  • Fog hovers in Ras Al Khaimah. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National
    Fog hovers in Ras Al Khaimah. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National
  • A gloomy start to a day in Abu Dhabi in 2013. Delores Johnson / The National
    A gloomy start to a day in Abu Dhabi in 2013. Delores Johnson / The National
  • A morning fog rolls in over Abu Dhabi at the public beach in Al Bateen on October 28, 2009. Rich-Joseph Facun / The National
    A morning fog rolls in over Abu Dhabi at the public beach in Al Bateen on October 28, 2009. Rich-Joseph Facun / The National
  • Buildings on Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi wrapped in fog in 2013. Brian Kerrigan / The National
    Buildings on Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi wrapped in fog in 2013. Brian Kerrigan / The National
  • Thick morning fog over Dubai Marina. Mark Asquith / The National
    Thick morning fog over Dubai Marina. Mark Asquith / The National
  • Early morning fog around the Dubai Marina area. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Early morning fog around the Dubai Marina area. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Dubai Marina has almost vanished in the fog with just the walkway visible in 2014. Jaime Puebla / The National
    Dubai Marina has almost vanished in the fog with just the walkway visible in 2014. Jaime Puebla / The National
  • Dubai Marina in a mix of sunshine and fog in 2014. Jaime Puebla / The National
    Dubai Marina in a mix of sunshine and fog in 2014. Jaime Puebla / The National
  • Fog reported in areas of Dubai, the Northern Emirates and Al Dhafra on Tuesday. Pawan Singh / The National
    Fog reported in areas of Dubai, the Northern Emirates and Al Dhafra on Tuesday. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The seaside takes on a calm serenity in 2017. Ravindranath K / The National
    The seaside takes on a calm serenity in 2017. Ravindranath K / The National
  • Fog during the morning in the Tecom area in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Fog during the morning in the Tecom area in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Reem Island's Gate Towers stand tall above the cloud line in Abu Dhabi. Thamer Al Subaihi / The National
    Reem Island's Gate Towers stand tall above the cloud line in Abu Dhabi. Thamer Al Subaihi / The National
  • Despite heavy fog in Abu Dhabi, a woman spends the morning along the shore in January 2011. Rich-Joseph Facun / The National
    Despite heavy fog in Abu Dhabi, a woman spends the morning along the shore in January 2011. Rich-Joseph Facun / The National
ON%20TRACK
%3Cp%3EThe%20Dubai%20Metaverse%20Assembly%20will%20host%20three%20main%20tracks%3A%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEducate%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Consists%20of%20more%20than%2010%20in-depth%20sessions%20on%20the%20metaverse%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInspire%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Will%20showcase%20use%20cases%20of%20the%20metaverse%20in%20tourism%2C%20logistics%2C%20retail%2C%20education%20and%20health%20care%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EContribute%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Workshops%20for%20metaverse%20foresight%20and%20use-case%20reviews%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs

Price, base / as tested Dh1,100,000 (est)

Engine 5.2-litre V10

Gearbox seven-speed dual clutch

Power 630bhp @ 8,000rpm

Torque 600Nm @ 6,500rpm

Fuel economy, combined 15.7L / 100km (est) 

THE SPECS

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo

Power: 275hp at 6,600rpm

Torque: 353Nm from 1,450-4,700rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto

Top speed: 250kph

Fuel consumption: 6.8L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: Dh146,999

The bio

Studied up to grade 12 in Vatanappally, a village in India’s southern Thrissur district

Was a middle distance state athletics champion in school

Enjoys driving to Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah with family

His dream is to continue working as a social worker and help people

Has seven diaries in which he has jotted down notes about his work and money he earned

Keeps the diaries in his car to remember his journey in the Emirates

Favourite things

Luxury: Enjoys window shopping for high-end bags and jewellery

Discount: She works in luxury retail, but is careful about spending, waits for sales, festivals and only buys on discount

University: The only person in her family to go to college, Jiang secured a bachelor’s degree in business management in China

Masters: Studying part-time for a master’s degree in international business marketing in Dubai

Vacation: Heads back home to see family in China

Community work: Member of the Chinese Business Women’s Association of the UAE to encourage other women entrepreneurs

Sarfira

Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad

Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal 

Rating: 2/5

Women%E2%80%99s%20T20%20World%20Cup%20Qualifier
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20fixtures%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E25%20April%20%E2%80%93%20Ireland%20v%20UAE*%3Cbr%3E27%20April%20%E2%80%93%20UAE%20v%20Zimbabwe**%3Cbr%3E29%20April%20%E2%80%93%20Netherlands%20v%20UAE*%3Cbr%3E3%20May%20%E2%80%93%20UAE%20v%20Vanuatu*%3Cbr%3E5%20May%20%E2%80%93%20Semi-finals%3Cbr%3E7%20May%20%E2%80%93%20Final%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20squad%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEsha%20Oza%20(captain)%2C%20Al%20Maseera%20Jahangir%2C%20Avanee%20Patel%2C%20Heena%20Hotchandani%2C%20Indhuja%20Nandakumar%2C%20Kavisha%20Kumari%2C%20Khushi%20Sharma%2C%20Lavanya%20Keny%2C%20Mehak%20Thakur%2C%20Rinitha%20Rajith%2C%20Samaira%20Dharnidharka%2C%20Siya%20Gokhale%2C%20Suraksha%20Kotte%2C%20Theertha%20Satish%2C%20Vaishnave%20Mahesh.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E*Zayed%20Cricket%20Stadium%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E**Tolerance%20Oval%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Libya's Gold

UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves. 

The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.

Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.

A Prayer Before Dawn

Director: Jean-Stephane Sauvaire

Starring: Joe Cole, Somluck Kamsing, Panya Yimmumphai

Three stars

West Asia Premiership

Dubai Hurricanes 58-10 Dubai Knights Eagles

Dubai Tigers 5-39 Bahrain

Jebel Ali Dragons 16-56 Abu Dhabi Harlequins

RACE CARD

4pm Al Bastakiya – Listed (TB) $150,000 (Dirt) 1,900m

4.35pm Dubai City Of Gold – Group 2 (TB) $228,000 (Turf) 2,410m

5.10pm Mahab Al Shimaal – Group 3 (TB) $228,000 (D) 1,200m

5.45pm Burj Nahaar – Group 3 (TB) $228,000 (D) 1,600m

6.20pm Jebel Hatta – Group 1 (TB) $260,000 (T) 1,800m

6.55pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 – Group 1 (TB) $390,000 (D) 2,000m

7.30pm Nad Al Sheba – Group 3 (TB) $228,000 (T) 1,200m

Classification of skills

A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation. 

A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.

The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000. 

Updated: November 09, 2021, 12:08 PM