THE NEW VISIT COVID-19 THE UAE, VARIANTS TRAVEL SAFE SECURITY AND SAFETY FOR ALL IN THE ISSUE 109 FEBRUARY 2021 SPOTLIGHT SOLVING THE WEIGHTY PROBLEM DEBUNKED: COVID-19 VACCINES DON’T HAVE A CODED CHIP PLUS OTHER VIRAL RUMOURS THAT ARE COMPLETELY WRONG UAE 5.000 AED KSA 5.000 SAR Kuwait 0.500 DK Bahrain 0.500 BD Oman 0.500 OR IN THIS ISSUE: THE UN MARKS ‘INT’L DAY OF HUMAN FRATERNITY’ IN RECOGNITION OF UAE’S PRINCIPLE OF PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE GSQJSVXIRIVK]IƾGMIRG]ERHWEJIX]MRFYMPHMRKW-R.ERYEV][IEGLMIZIHEWTIGMEP QMPIWXSRIF]TVSHYGMRKSYVQMPPMSRXLEGXYEXSV;I[ERXXSXEOIXLMWSTTSVXYRMX]XS XLEROXLIMRHYWXV]ERHSYVGYWXSQIVWJSVXLMWNSMRXWYGGIWW Ads Montage.indd 4 11/21/20 3:20 PM Ads Montage.indd 10 1/22/21 3:24 PM Security And Safety For All EDITOR’S NOTE Embrace human fraternity, not fear he year 2021 has begun with a big dose of optimism for the world, leaving behind the baffling, bleak months of 2020. Several new vaccines have been approved for Tthe novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and two of them are being administered at medical centres across the UAE. This public health crisis of the past year, as well as the UAE’s role in it, has reinforced this country’s reputation for promoting the forces of good. This nation has taken the lead in everything from people rescue to scientific research in the world’s fight against the pandemic, and it’s now reaping the rewards in the form of high levels of public confidence and strong prospects of economic recovery. What the UAE contributes to the world is, of course, not confined to periods of health emergencies. In 2019, the country had achieved a landmark: the first visit by an incumbent pontiff to any Arabian Gulf state. That meeting of His Holiness Pope Francis, Head of the Catholic Church, and His Eminence Dr Ahmad Al Tayyeb, Grand Imam of the Al Azhar Al Sharif, led to the signing of the document titled ‘Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together’. The vision of that document has now been actualised as a day to be globally celebrated, with the United Nations accepting a joint Arab resolution (put forth by the UAE, in cooperation with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Egypt) to mark every 4th of February as the ‘International Day of Human Fraternity’, starting from 2021. In this issue, we At 999, as your present an overview of this development of global significance and look at other aspects of the UAE’s mission for tolerance and humanitarianism. ally, we urge The country’s strategy to promote positivity is based on shaping public opinion through awareness campaigns and transparent official communication; support comes in the form you to trust only of legal provisions to punish offenders whose negativity targets peace and public order. In official sources our cover story, let’s draw your attention to the circulating fake news that the COVID-19 vaccines currently being administered cause a severe allergic reaction and even contain a for real news coded chip. This is rumour-mongering, designed to erode public faith in the available vaccines, and is a punishable crime as per a government decision taken last year. At 999, as your ally, we urge you to trust only official sources for real news. As of now, there’s a certain amount of fear around the world about the new variants of coronavirus and the potentially higher infection risk. Our special feature consults medical professionals on what impact the new variants may have on the global battle plan for the pandemic and how the new vaccines would cope with them. Even as the UAE government continues to expand the scope of vaccination and invites every individual in the country to “take the shot”, this magazine confronts a weighty problem that leads to compromised immunity. A large section of the population becoming overweight or obese is a bane of many modern societies, and the UAE has seen it happen as well. In the post-pandemic era, it’s vital to take charge of our own health — under the guidance of medical experts — so that enhanced fitness levels can fend off any virulent diseases. This is the perfect time to work on improving our individual selves, as the government is already doing all it can for the nation. Our features on mobility and gender balance at work show how every part of our life in the UAE gets attention from the leadership, which takes constructive measures for a better future. Indeed, a country as special as the UAE is a magnet for travellers, both residents and overseas visitors. Our feature on travel comes as a breath of fresh air after the long months spent at home, and it tells you all you need to know about seeing the world safely. 2 999 SECURITY AND SAFETY FOR ALL FEBRUARY 2021 Fifty years in the service of the nation We extend our best wishes to the Magazine issued by the Ministry of Interior on an occasion The Magazine's golden jubilee Ads Montage.indd 18 1/22/21 5:29 PM Security And Safety For All CONTENTS 27 Security And Safety For All Ministry of Interior United Arab Emirates Khalil Dawood Badran Head of the Development Committee of 999 Magazine Editor-in-Chief Col. Awadh Al Kindi WITH THE UN MARKING ‘INTERNATIONAL DAY OF HUMAN FRATERNITY’ IN RECOGNITION OF THE UAE’S PRINCIPLE OF PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE, 999 HIGHLIGHTS THE COUNTRY’S SIGNIFICANT Managing Editor CONTRIBUTIONS TO GLOBAL HARMONY SINCE THE TIME OF THE LATE SHEIKH ZAYED BIN Issam Al Sheikh SULTAN AL NAHYAN, THE UAE FOUNDING FATHER Contact Us Tel: +971 2 4194488 Fax: +971 2 4194499 P.O. Box: 38999 14 FACTS & FIGURES 67 THE WEIGHTY PROBLEM Abu Dhabi – UAE Some numbers and quotations in the media Weight-loss resolutions made in the New Year www.moi.gov.ae that grabbed people’s attention usually lose steam by the second month, as motivation levels drop for most people. But in [email protected] 16 UAE NEWS BULLETIN the UAE, where obesity has been creeping Toll Free: 800 9009 Police news, people, numbers, and events upon the population, staying on the right health track is essential in the post-pandemic era Subscriptions 35 ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW: 72 TIPS & TRIVIA Dhs50 – Individuals THE NEW COVID-19 VARIANTS Explore more opportunities for career Dhs100 – Companies & government As several nations begin a COVID-19 vaccine development by boosting your professional departments rollout, new variants of the novel coronavirus connections. 999 gets you started are causing a concern and, in some cases, renewed restrictions. 999 discusses the 75 CRIME MYSTERIES basic yet still most effective tenets to prevent Published on behalf of Reckless driving and difficult terrain or poor any COVID-19 strain the Ministry of Interior by road conditions are a lethal combination, especially for large vehicles like buses. Here 41 THE ROAD TO PROGRESS are some incidents of bus crashes that leave From new traffic-optimising toll gates to a many families in extreme grief vastly upgraded marine transport system, this year has begun seeing a slew of measures 78 CRIME & PUNISHMENT that make movement easier across the UAE Two greedy people abuse the trust of society and exploit little children to make money in 48 VISIT THE UAE, TRAVEL SAFE dishonest ways The UAE’s successful fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, especially with the rollout PO Box 77910 of its massive national vaccination programme, twofour54 has allowed this nation to reopen its travel & Abu Dhabi, UAE tourism sector to the world. 999 showcases Tel: 02- 491 7100 how leisure and safety can be balanced [email protected] 35 www.newperspectivemedia.com 56 CLOSING THE GAP The UAE government has taken the lead in putting women at the core of leadership and governance, pushing private institutions to Distributed by Tawzea follow suit in order to ensure gender balance Tel. 8002220 Fax 02-6424842 Disclaimer: Published articles express the writer’s opinions and do not necessarily represent the official views or policy of the UAE Ministry of Interior. Copyrights for all the articles, features, photos and topics Stay connected. Follow us on: twitter.com/999english facebook.com/999english published are reserved for 999. 4 999 SECURITY AND SAFETY FOR ALL FEBRUARY 2021 Security And Safety For All 18 999 FACT CHECK COVER STORY COVID-19 VACCINES DON’T HAVE A CODED CHIP RUMOURS AND FAKE SCIENCE, WHICH ALWAYS MAKE ANY CRISIS WORSE, HAVE BEEN ABUNDANT DURING THE COVID-19 CONTAGION. AND NOW, MALICIOUS CLAIMS ABOUT VACCINE ‘SIDE-EFFECTS’ MAKE IT MORE URGENT THAN EVER TO REMAIN VIGILANT 88 BOOKS 11 Enjoy reading about the unique history of an empowered minority, the power of music in a nation’s cultural revolution, and guides about mindfulness and mystery novels 90 ENVIRONMENT NEWS NEWS Campaign to bring together people from all Federal traffic safety plans for 2021 get underway segments of society for a common cause 92 HEALTH NEWS 80 HISTORY Keep your health in check, stay updated The two great empires of the East clashed over control of Baghdad, one of the most remarkable 94 HOROSCOPE cities in the Arab world What February has in store for you 86 GADGETS 96 PUZZLES Take a peek at the newest must-have high-tech Have some fun and see how good you are electronic devices with words and numbers 26 34 66 Ali Obaid Dr Maysa Rashed Dr Samar Al-Shamsi Head of the News Former Member of the Internationally Centre at Dubai Federal National Council respected artist Media Incorporated (FNC), and UAE writer COLUMNISTS 75 FEBRUARY 2021 999 SECURITY AND SAFETY FOR ALL 5 Security And Safety For All NEWS UAE ranks 1st in several indexes related to COVID-19 measures of daily doses of the COVID-19 vaccine from 5 PUBLIC SATISFACTION January 12-18, 2021.