On Sept. 20, UAE residents were surprised when they first glanced on their phone screens. Instead of finding the usual career name on the top left hand corner they saw the phrase “UAE KSA TOGETHER.” People having breakfast in the East Dining Hall discussed the wide range of possibilities for the change. A quick Google search, however, would have revealed the answer straight away. The change in carrier names of both du and Etisalat was temporary and was there to celebrate Saudi Arabia’s National Day, which falls on Sept. 23. This is another demonstration of close ties between the two neighbouring countries.

On Sept. 16, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of the Emirate of Dubai and Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, announced the construction of the world’s largest concentrated solar power plant. The announcement falls in line with the UAE’s aim to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by 70% by 2050. The move has been praised by London-based research firm BMI Research, which now expects solar capacity in the UAE to expand by an annual average of 55% between 2017 and 2026.

On Sept. 23, Apple’s newest device became available in the UAE, initially only selling in Apple’s landmark store in the Dubai Mall. After last year’s sales of the iPhone 7, which had people queuing the night before its release and flying in from neighboring countries like Saudi Arabia, the store expected a big turnout for the iPhone 8 release. However, this year numbers failed to impress. Just around 100 customers showed up before the store’s opening at 8 a.m. on Saturday. Perhaps the decrease in turnout is a result of customers waiting for iPhone X, which is set to come out on Nov. 4