####Seven Arrested for Distributing UAE State Secrets to Hezbollah Of seven defendants accused of handing over sensitive information to Hezbollah, a Lebanese political and militant group, three were sentenced to life in prison on Oct. 31. Other defendants in the inquiry were given sentences ranging from 10 to 15 years, and all foreign nationals will be deported after serving out their time. The information included energy-related information, license registrations and knowledge from the Ministry of Interior. One of the accused, a Lebanese member of the group, was found guilty of heading Hezbollah’s operations in the UAE. The UAE has previously jailed individuals for links to Hezbollah.

####UAE Residents Unite for Flag Day On Nov. 3, the country celebrated UAE Flag Day with a series of patriotic events. The event was celebrated by Emiratis and foreign residents alike who united for activities like storytelling sessions for children and tree-planting. The UAE flag was raised around the country in schools, workplaces and the Crown Prince Court of Abu Dhabi. In an event attended by 22,000 students, Vice President of the UAE Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid raised the flag in a park in Dubai. The public holiday was created to mark the swearing-in of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan as president of the UAE in 2004. "This day is a precious occasion for us which coincides with the accession of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa to presidency, and reflects the continuous march of development established by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan who laid the foundation stone of the strong union," said Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court.

####Abu Dhabi Hosts IRENA Council for Climate Change On Nov. 1 and 2, over 100 countries attended the 12th meeting of the IRENA Council in Abu Dhabi. Hosted by the International Renewable Energy Agency, the meeting discussed sustainable development goals and renewable energy ahead of the [22nd annual Conference of the Parties next week in Marrakesh. "In COP22, we will have the chance to come together to enhance climate action and take concrete steps into achieving our intended goals," said Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment. At the conference, held this year in Morocco, 196 countries will plan the implementation of the Paris Climate Change Agreement to limit global warming. Al Zeyoudi also described the UAE’s plans to introduce laws curbing vehicle emissions and energy consumption in the coming years.