标签： Asia

At the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, Ayesha Mohammed Saeed Al Mulla offered a rare personal glimpse into the life of her father, Mohammed Saeed Al Mulla, a key architect behind the formation of the United Arab Emirates. Speaking on January 22, 2026, she revealed how the prominent businessman and former minister served as a trusted diplomatic messenger between the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum during the crucial pre-Union period.

Unlike official historical accounts, Ayesha’s narrative focused on the character and values that defined her father both as a nation-builder and family patriarch. Born in Dubai’s historic Shindagha district in 1926, Mohammed Saeed Al Mulla belonged to a generation that laid the foundation for the modern UAE. His passing in 2023 drew formal tributes from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, acknowledging his considerable contributions.

Ayesha described growing up in a household steeped in authenticity, poetry, and historical significance, shaped by family origins in Liwa. As the youngest daughter for 17 years, she developed a particularly strong bond with her father, who became her primary role model. ‘I was raised in the same home he was raised in, by the same values and principles,’ she reflected during the emotional session.

The discussion centered on researcher Muayyad Al-Shaibani’s book ‘A Radiant Biography,’ which documents Al Mulla’s legacy through personal testimonies rather than conventional historical records. Ayesha highlighted her father’s exceptional diplomatic skills, noting that Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan had recently told her, ‘The only person who could calm matters down was your father.’

Beyond his political role, Ayesha remembered her father’s strict integrity and discipline. He prohibited any of his children from working in government until after his retirement, maintaining a clear separation between public service and family interests. Among his most enduring lessons were the importance of accurately conveying messages from leadership without alteration and protecting family reputation above all else. ‘Money comes and goes,’ he taught her, ‘but reputation can never be replaced.’

Ayesha concluded with simple pride: ‘He was a man of the Union, and I am proud to be the daughter of one of the men who helped shape it.’

Shanghai authorities are implementing comprehensive measures to manage an anticipated record-breaking travel period during the upcoming Spring Festival, with projections indicating nearly 49.15 million passenger journeys through China’s financial capital. The extended 40-day travel rush, officially scheduled from February 2 to March 13, is expected to establish new benchmarks in urban transportation management according to the municipal Spring Festival Transport Office.

Transportation analysts predict a 5% overall increase in passenger volume compared to previous year’s figures, with rail travel demonstrating the most substantial growth at 6%. Air travel is forecast to experience a modest 1% increase, while road traffic is projected to decline by approximately 5%, reflecting shifting transportation preferences among travelers.

The departure peak is anticipated around February 14, with an estimated 1.08 million passengers exiting the city as residents embark on homeward journeys, family visits, and vacation travels preceding the Spring Festival commencement on February 17, which heralds the beginning of the Year of the Horse. The return peak, projected for February 23, expects daily arrivals to reach 1.14 million passenger trips, representing an 8% surge over last year’s corresponding period.

Highway traffic is forecast to achieve unprecedented levels, with average daily vehicle trips predicted to increase between 3-6%, reaching between 1.32 and 1.37 million vehicles. This potential record underscores the massive scale of seasonal migration characteristic of China’s most significant annual holiday period, presenting substantial logistical challenges for urban planners and transportation authorities.

The United Arab Emirates has inaugurated a groundbreaking digital platform designed to revolutionize the employment experience for its citizens in the private sector. The ‘Emirati Work Bundle,’ unveiled by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) on January 22, 2026, represents a significant advancement in the nation’s workforce development strategy.

This comprehensive digital ecosystem provides end-to-end services that commence with registration on the established ‘Nafis’ platform and extend through the entire employment lifecycle, culminating with enrollment in the UAE’s pension and social security frameworks. The initiative forms an integral component of the nation’s Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme, aiming to eliminate administrative obstacles and enhance operational efficiency.

Khalil Khoori, Undersecretary of Labour Market and Emiratisation Operations at MoHRE, emphasized the platform’s capacity to streamline procedures and minimize documentation requirements for both Emirati job seekers and private sector employers. The system leverages unprecedented data integration across multiple government entities, including the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP), the General Pension and Social Security Authority (GPSSA), and several health and digital authorities.

Senior officials from participating institutions have welcomed the initiative. Major General Saeed Salem Balhas Al Shamsi, ICP’s acting director general, noted the platform’s potential to deliver exceptional and expedited services. Feras Al Ramahi, GPSSA director general, highlighted how the integration enables real-time tracking of citizen status updates, accelerating digital service delivery. Khalaf Abdullah Rahma Al Hammadi of the Abu Dhabi Pension Fund emphasized the critical importance of early and accurate pension registration for strengthening social protection systems and safeguarding citizens’ retirement rights.