Emirates staff to receive bonus worth 22-week salary - What's On
Following on from a year of 'record financial results', the Emirates Group has informed its eligible staff that they can look forward to a massive bonus that's on its way, equivalent to 22-weeks of basic salary, in their upcoming pay packets.
Interestingly the staff bonus of 22-weeks, is a 2-week increase from the 20-week salary share of the previous year's profits as reported by Khaleej Times. Emirates Group currently has 121,223 employees employed, according to their website. Gulf News has reported that the group announced a record-breaking profit before tax of Dh 22.7 billion. It was reported that both areas of the Group's business, Emirates Airline and dnata, contributed record revenues during the financial year.
Emirates recently added lots of new aircrafts with retrofitted cabins, along with the new Emirates A350 planes that were revealed at the end of 2024. This was a landmark move in the airline's history, as it's the first time the Dubai-born carrier has added a new aircraft type to its fleet since 2008.
If you're interested in rerouting your own career, in the hope things will take off (sorry) with Emirates – you can check out their current vacancies on the emiratesgroupcareers.com website. 3 of 12
Images: Emirates
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Khaleej Times
2 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Meet Dubai student who launched AI website to help unprivileged with college applications
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Khaleej Times
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- Khaleej Times
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In a country better known for sand dunes than salad bowls, something quietly radical is growing behind glass walls. Inside brightly lit, climate-controlled farms, tomatoes ripen untouched by pesticides, and lettuce flourishes in vertical towers; no soil, no sunlight, no tractors. This isn't traditional farming; it's agriculture reimagined for the 21st century. No dirt under your nails. No crop seasons to worry about. Just smart tech feeding smart cities. Once dismissed as futuristic novelties, vertical farms are now rising in malls, warehouses, and hotel rooftops across the Emirates. They're feeding more than just a population — they're feeding a movement for cleaner, smarter, more sustainable food. At a time of water scarcity and climate disruption, the UAE isn't just adapting, it's innovating. As told to BTR magazine, both UNS Vertical Farms and Pure Harvest Smart Farms are reshaping how the UAE thinks about agriculture and food doesn't have to grow from the ground anymore — sometimes, it grows from innovation. And somehow — it tastes even better. Less water, more yield Ask anyone in agriculture and they'll tell you: water is everything. Which is precisely why the 90% reduction in water usage by vertical farms feels like a game changer — especially in a place like the UAE, where every drop counts. 'At UNS Farms, we run a closed-loop hydroponic system,' says Mehlam Murtaza, Executive Director at UNS Vertical Farms. 'That means water isn't lost to the soil or evaporated — it's recycled and reused. We deliver exactly what the plant needs, directly to the roots. No more, no less.' Instead of sprawling fields, UNS builds up — using vertical racks that multiply their yield per square meter. Combine that with a climate-controlled environment and you get high-output farming that's unaffected by the region's sweltering heat or unreliable rainfall. 'We've essentially engineered a micro-climate inside our farms,' Murtaza adds. 'It's about growing smarter, not just harder.' A farm without pesticides Walk through a UNS facility or Pure Harvest greenhouse, and you'll notice something odd: no chemicals. Zero. Not even the so-called 'safe' ones. For both companies, removing pesticides isn't just a marketing angle — it's a pillar of their sustainability ethos. 'We operate like we're guarding a castle,' says Sky Kurtz, CEO and Founder of Pure Harvest Smart Farms. 'Our climate-controlled, closed-loop system keeps pests out. And if something does get in, we don't reach for chemicals — we bring in beneficial insects or other natural interventions.' Pure Harvest leans into integrated pest management (IPM), a method that prioritizes balance over eradication. In short, it's about working with nature rather than against it. UNS, meanwhile, takes a similarly holistic route. 'It's about early detection, sanitation, and rotating crops regularly,' says Murtaza. 'When you have full control over your growing environment, you don't need to rely on chemicals. And that's better for the planet — and for people.' Both companies back their methods with international certifications, like HACCP and ISO 22000:2018, reassuring consumers that 'chemical-free' doesn't mean 'risky.' In fact, it means the opposite. Farms in malls, not fields There's something captivating about watching lettuce grow in the middle of a luxury mall or seeing a vertical herb garden inside a five-star hotel. It's not just for show. For UNS, these collaborations are part of a larger mission: making farming visible, accessible, and even stylish. 'When we bring vertical farms into public spaces, it changes the way people think about agriculture,' Murtaza explains. 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'Consumers are now willing to pay a bit more for food that's not only good for them but good for the planet,' Kurtz says. 'There's a real hunger — pun intended — for climate-conscious, zero-mile produce.' According to him, tomatoes, leafy greens, and strawberries are leading the demand for clean, local, pesticide-free food. These are everyday staples — proof that sustainability isn't just for specialty items anymore. 'We're not just selling produce,' Kurtz adds. 'We're selling trust.' Tech at the root At the heart of this movement is technology. From moisture sensors to automated nutrient dosing systems, both UNS and Pure Harvest rely heavily on smart tools to keep their farms efficient and scalable. 'Automation reduces human error and ensures consistency,' Kurtz says. 'But more importantly, it helps us grow the same quality of produce year-round, even in the brutal heat of August.' IoT systems monitor everything — light levels, humidity, nutrient balance, CO2 levels — and make minute adjustments in real time. This allows farms to optimise every input while producing 10–15 times more food per square metre than conventional farms. Kurtz calls this approach 'veridical farming'— not just vertical, but truthful. 'We don't make vague claims,' he says. 'We show the numbers. That's what our customers, our partners, and our investors want.' A national priority The UAE isn't just watching from the sidelines — it's actively supporting this new wave of agriculture. With food security ranked as a top national priority, and a goal to reduce dependence on imports, innovations in vertical and hydroponic farming fit neatly into the government's broader vision. Controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) is seen as a long-term solution to climate stress, population growth, and unpredictable global food supply chains. And in many ways, companies like UNS and Pure Harvest aren't just riding that wave — they're helping shape it. The future is up As urban populations swell, farmland shrinks, and climate concerns intensify, the question is no longer if vertical farming is the answer—but how fast it can scale to meet growing demand. In the UAE, it's not just a futuristic experiment. It's happening now, behind glass walls, under LED lights, and in places no one expected—shopping malls, hotel rooftops, even within logistics hubs. These farms don't just grow food—they grow resilience. They bring agriculture closer to the plate, cut the carbon miles, and give consumers confidence in what they're eating. They're a quiet but powerful rebuttal to the belief that sustainable food production isn't possible in arid, resource-scarce regions. For pioneers like Pure Harvest and UNS Farms, the work is far from done. Their eyes are firmly set on the next phase: scaling up, improving affordability, expanding crop diversity, and helping the region move one step closer to food independence. But beyond the metrics and machinery, there's something profoundly human about this shift. It's about reconnecting with what we eat, about feeding growing cities without depleting the planet—and doing it with intention, intelligence, and integrity. So, the next time you're biting into a crisp local salad in the UAE, consider this: it may have never touched soil, never seen a pesticide, and never traveled more than a few kilometers. And yet, it may just be the most grounded thing on your plate. The future of food isn't out in the fields anymore. It's growing up. What's Growing in the UAE's High-Tech Farms No soil? No problem. Crisp greens and juicy tomatoes grow vertically — in towers, not fields. Soil's out, science is in. 90% less water, 100% more wow Hydroponics and closed-loop systems mean each drop is reused. It's farming tailor-made for the desert. Pesticide-free, planet-friendly No sprays, no chemicals. Just clean produce grown in sealed, climate-controlled environments. Farming without sunlight LEDs mimic daylight so precisely, plants don't miss the sun — and they thrive indoors, 24/7. Lettuce in the lobby? Yes, please. UNS puts vertical farms in malls and hotels. It's fresh, flashy, and fabulously futuristic. QR codes tell all Scan your salad — Pure Harvest lets you trace every tomato to its tech-savvy roots. Farming on auto-pilot AI, sensors, and smart climate tools run the show — ensuring perfect crops every single day. No bugs, no drama Natural pest control and integrated systems mean no creepy crawlies — and no harsh fixes. Certified clean HACCP, ISO, and Global GAP certifications mean safe food that's as trustworthy as it is tasty. Rooted in national strategy The UAE is investing big in smart farms to feed its future — no imports, just innovation.
Gulf Business
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- Gulf Business
Insights: Gulf ports face new security challenges as trade ambitions accelerate
Image: Supplied Ports have evolved beyond their role as trade gateways. Today, they stand as critical pillars of national resilience and economic continuity. In the modern-world, where over 80 per cent of global trade moves by sea and the Gulf plays a central role in global energy and logistics, port security should not be viewed as a cost or a compliance exercise. It must be treated as a vital economic enabler. Without strong and modern security, the Gulf's ambitions to lead in manufacturing, trade, and supply chain integration will remain a challenge. At the recent 'Make it in the Emirates' forum, the UAE laid out a bold industrial vision. Officials highlighted that local manufacturers can now access a global market of 2.5 billion people. Free zones, re-export hubs, and logistics corridors powered by ports including The threat landscape is escalating Port security has moved far beyond fences and surveillance cameras. Today, it involves tackling everything from phishing attempts and cyber intrusions to insider threats and the growing risk posed by smuggling, irregular migration, modern-day slavery and autonomous drones. According to the Center for Internet Security, malware-based attacks rose by 30 per cent in the first half of 2024, with a staggering 92 per cent increase recorded in May alone. These figures are not abstract. They represent very real risks that port operators face daily while trying to maintain efficient operations. Rising geopolitical tensions, from unrest in the Red Sea to broader regional flashpoints, are putting new pressure on Gulf ports. Ensuring their resilience is no longer just about protecting trade. It is now central to national security and regional stability. Compliance is the starting line, not the finish Most Gulf ports meet the basic international security standards under the ISPS Code. But that is not enough. Compliance provides a framework, not a solution. Too often, operators treat it as a checklist rather than a foundation. True resilience requires a different mindset. Port security should not be seen as an obstacle to trade but as a core pillar of competitiveness.. Jebel Ali Port is a leading example. Its global reputation was not earned by simply meeting minimum standards. Its success is the result of ongoing risk assessments, continuous training, and a proactive approach to every aspect of security – particularly in its adoption of technology and its integration into its production primacy approach. This is a model that other ports in the region can learn from and adapt. Integration is the future of security Modern ports function as complex ecosystems. They bring together free zones, logistics providers, customs authorities, and digital infrastructure into a single operational environment. Within this space, security must be fully integrated. Physical access control, cybersecurity protocols, intelligent surveillance, and emergency response planning all need to work together as one. Technology plays a critical role. From biometric access systems to artificial intelligence for threat detection, there are advanced tools that can help enhance security. However, these tools are only effective when guided by skilled professionals with the right training. As Bill Gates once noted, automation applied to an inefficient operation only magnifies the inefficiency. Without strong processes and capable people, even the best technology will fall short. The Gulf's advantage must be used wisely The Gulf has already demonstrated that it can deliver world-class infrastructure. The next frontier is building secure infrastructure that can adapt and evolve with emerging risks. This will require moving beyond paper-based plans and embracing real-world testing. Scenario-based exercises and crisis simulations should become standard practice. Security cannot be a one-time investment. It must be embedded into the daily culture of port operations. Governments and private sector operators must also collaborate more closely. Intelligence sharing, regional coordination, and the development of Gulf-specific security standards can raise the overall r At the heart of this transformation is human capital. The region must invest in developing a new generation of trained and trusted security professionals who understand both physical and digital threats. Security is an investment in growth A single breach at a Gulf port would do more than delay containers. It could disrupt entire supply chains, shake investor confidence, and damage the region's reputation as a dependable trade partner. In a global economy driven by trust, security is no longer optional. It is a non-negotiable investment in sustainable growth. One of the Gulf's strengths lies in its ability to build with foresight. Unlike older ports that are burdened with legacy systems, Gulf ports can design modern security architecture from day one. The UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman have already begun this journey by introducing smart surveillance systems, AI-driven monitoring, and integrated command centers. These are promising steps, but more must be done. A final question for the region Port security should not be treated as a side function or a technical afterthought. It is central to growth, to national strength, and to the region's future as a global trade and industrial hub. The Gulf can lead not just in port development but in redefining what secure, resilient trade infrastructure looks like for the rest of the world. As the region accelerates toward a more industrial and interconnected future, one question must be asked. Are we just expanding our ports, or are we securing our prosperity? The answer will determine how far and how smart, secure, and geen the Gulf travels on the path to economic leadership. The writer is the CEO at Neptune P2P Group.
