President Sheikh Mohamed has sent his best wishes to those celebrating the festival of Nowruz, the Iranian new year.
“I extend my sincere best wishes to all those celebrating Nowruz, both in the UAE and around the world, and hope that the year ahead is one of peace and prosperity for you and your families,” he wrote on social media platform X on Wednesday.
He was joined by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, who also wrote on X: "We extend our warmest congratulations to all peoples around the world celebrating Nowruz, wishing them a joyful year ahead.
"May your days be abundant with blossoming springs, peace and security, and may you thrive in prosperity and stability."
Nowruz is believed to date back to about the sixth century BC, and is one of the holiest days in the ancient Zoroastrian calendar.
About 300 million people are said to observe the holiday, which celebrates renewal and the coming spring, every year.
The word Nowruz loosely translates to new day, combining the Farsi words “now”, meaning new, and “ruz”, meaning day.
It is traditionally marked in parts of Afghanistan, Albania, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, India, Iraqi Kurdistan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
Getting there
The flights
Flydubai operates up to seven flights a week to Helsinki. Return fares to Helsinki from Dubai start from Dh1,545 in Economy and Dh7,560 in Business Class.
The stay
Golden Crown Igloos in Levi offer stays from Dh1,215 per person per night for a superior igloo; www.leviniglut.net
Panorama Hotel in Levi is conveniently located at the top of Levi fell, a short walk from the gondola. Stays start from Dh292 per night based on two people sharing; www. golevi.fi/en/accommodation/hotel-levi-panorama
Arctic Treehouse Hotel in Rovaniemi offers stays from Dh1,379 per night based on two people sharing; www.arctictreehousehotel.com
