For the evacuation of the Indian students stranded in Ukraine, Romania, and Moldova, special flights are being operated. Special flight under ‘Operation Ganga’ has already evacuated 1,156 Indians from Ukraine….reports Asian Lite News
Amid the ongoing Russian military operation in Ukraine, the Indian nationals are crossing the Ukrainian border to Romania where the Romanian Embassy is helping them with food, shelter, and blankets.
Meanwhile, the students expressed their happiness for the Romanian Embassy’s efforts.
Praneta, one of the Indian students stranded at the Ukrainian border for two days said, “We waited at the Ukrainian border for 2 days. Now we’ve entered the Romanian border & it’s very good here. We were provided food, shelter, and blankets. We’re happy and thankful to the Romanian department and Embassy who helped us through difficulties.”
For the evacuation of the Indian students stranded in Ukraine, Romania, and Moldova, special flights are being operated. Special flight under ‘Operation Ganga’ has already evacuated 1,156 Indians from Ukraine.
Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Ukraine has issued a second advisory for the Indian nationals stranded in Ukraine on Monday and advised them to reach the railway station as the weekend curfew in the city has been lifted.
“Weekend curfew lifted in Kyiv. All students are advised to make their way to the railway station for onward journey to the western parts,” said the advisory.
It added that Ukraine Railways is putting special trains for evacuations. It urged Indian nationals/students to remain calm, peaceful, and united.
“A large crowd can be expected at the railway stations, therefore, it is advised that all Indian students remain patient, composed, and especially not to exhibit aggressive behaviors while at the railway stations,” as per the advisory.
It also alerted students for the possible delay in trains’ schedule, even cancellation at times and long queues. It guided the Indian students to carry their passports, sufficient cash, ready-to-eat meals, easily accessible winter clothing, and only essential items, to ensure easy mobility. (ANI)
Maha ATS busts Bangladeshi human trafficking racket
The ATS has arrested four persons in connection with the human trafficking racket…reports Asian Lite News
The Maharashtra Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) has busted a human trafficking racket involving Bangladeshis immigrants entering India illegally and going to Mumbai or other cities with the help of forged travel and other official documents, officials said here on Monday.
The ATS has arrested four persons in connection with the human trafficking racket, but the kingpin based in West Bengal is reported to be absconding.
With tentacles spread across India and Bangladesh, the racket’s modus operandi involved sneaking Bangladeshi nationals on foot through the porous borders and providing them with fake Aadhar cards in their names from a UIDAI Centre in Bangaon, North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal.
Armed with the forged Aadhar cards, the illegal entrants reached various cities like Mumbai and with help of local agents, obtained more fraudulent documents like Indian birth certificates, school leaving certificate (SLCs) or even Indian Passports.
“We have arrested Indian agent Santosh Varne of Mumbai, besides three other Bangladeshis, including a 17-year-old girl, and Kajal Shaikh, 28, who managed to get an Indian passport based on the fake documents,” said an ATS official.
Leading UAE newspaper “The National” Trains Young Arab Media Leaders on Professional Interview Skills…reports Asian Lite News
The fourth edition of the Young Arab Media Leaders Program, with the participation of 50 Arab media talents from 17 Arab countries, hosted Mina Al-Oraibi, editor-in-chief of “The National” newspaper, in a special session to provide tips to future media professionals on the arts of conducting press interviews, dealing with guests, asking questions and obtaining information in a professional manner.
Al-Oraibi spoke with the participants about her experience in field work and press interviews, which spanned for more than 15 years covering Middle East, European and American news. Along with Joe Jenks, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of The National, she presented a workshop that included a practical simulation of field interviews.
The National trains young Arab Media Leaders on professional interview skills
Mina Al-Oraibi, Editor-in-Chief of The National newspaper, said, “I am always pleased to be at the Young Arab Media Leaders Program, and to talk to this generation of young media professionals about the most prominent challenges and ideas that occupy their minds while practicing their media work.” She presented realistic examples about the importance of highlighting the human side in daily journalistic work, especially when dealing with difficult and complex cases, the importance of preparing for interviews and being prepared to obtain valuable information that contributes to creating useful news for the public. She also presented a set of challenges facing journalist’s work and the tools available to overcome them by continuing to develop skills and adhere to professional standards.
The National trains young Arab Media Leaders on professional interview skills
Launched earlier this week, the program will continue over the coming days to benefit from the youth pavilion at the Expo, as it provides participants with the opportunity to communicate with more than 190 countries from diverse backgrounds and cultures to acquire skills that open up more opportunities for them in the labor market and also to contribute to enhancing their career paths in their current positions.
Ali bin Hatem, President of the Emirates Publishers Association (EPA)
At the event, EPA is showcasing publications ranging in genres from literature and literary criticism to books…reports Asian Lite News
As part of its ongoing mission to represent Emirati publishers locally and regionally and strengthen their outreach in new markets, the Emirates Publishers Association (EPA) is showcasing 254 titles from 27 Emirati publishers through its ‘Manassah’ platform at the 26th edition of the Muscat International Book Fair (MIBF), which runs until 5th March.
Since the opening, several meetings were held between the EPA delegation and officials representing various cultural entities in Oman. The EPA delegates met with Dr. Abdullah Nasser Al Harrasi, Oman’s Minister of Information, and Sayyid Said bin Sultan al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture Sports and Youth in Oman. The two parties explored cooperation opportunities between EPA and entities dedicated to culture and books in Oman and discussed strategies to facilitate their participation in the forthcoming editions of the Muscat Book Fair, as well as ways to utilise EPA’s experience in establishing Oman Publishers Association.
The delegation also met with representatives of the Promising Generation Libraries and Beirut Library with the aim of creating niche markets for Emirati publishers in Oman and the Gulf region, and to sign off cooperation agreements to broaden the scope of distribution of books published in the UAE. Discussions also centred on joint action in book printing and logistics, and ways to facilitate showcasing these books in local and regional libraries and book fairs to enhance the Arab publishing industry.
At the event, EPA is showcasing publications ranging in genres from literature and literary criticism to books exploring topics of self-development, economics, philosophy, history and heritage, applied sciences and picture books, in addition to translations from a host of foreign languages into Arabic.
Ali bin Hatem, President of the Emirates Publishers Association (EPA), said, “Our participation at the Muscat International Book Fair is in line with our commitment to highlight the exceptional works produced by Emirati and other UAE-based publishing houses and showcase the vibrant creative landscape of the UAE. MIBF is an important cultural event for the publishing sector in the Arab world and attracts a high footfall of visitors, Arab publishers, and vital stakeholders in the industry.”
“Through the ‘Manassah’ platform, EPA is uniting the efforts of publishers and supporting the publishing sector in the UAE by showcasing their books under the umbrella of a single pavilion. This facilitates access of Emirati publishers to key international book fairs and contributes to enhancing their visibility and marketing their books in the UAE and on the international stage to create a robust cultural sector that supports our national economy, furthers the cultural movement of the UAE, and emphasises its global significance,” he added.
FROM PUNJAB TO MEXICO- Special screening in Birmingham
Indian singing superstar turned actor Ammy Virk flew into Birmingham for the world premiere of his new Punjabi film Aaja Mexico Challiye … reports Anasudhin Azeez
Indian singing superstar turned actor Ammy Virk flew into Birmingham for the world premiere of his new Punjabi film Aaja Mexico Challiye. The lavish premiere at Vue cinema Star City organised by Whitehill Studio UK was attended by high profile guests.
FROM PUNJAB TO MEXICO- Special screening in Birmingham
The event witnessed the popular Punjabi star interact with fans, who turned out in force to support his latest movie. He has also produced the newly released film, which is a first of its kind story of Indian immigrants.
“My latest movie is no less important than my last film 83’ and focuses on a different kind of reality that affects people in small-town India who are chasing big dreams,” the star told the audience.
The powerful story of a young Indian man who decides to enter the USA through the ‘donkey route’ by crossing the jungles of Mexico and faces incredible challenges shows the harrowing plight of immigrants in a unique way. The eye-catching film has received positive reviews since it hit cinemas globally and is another triumph for the rapidly growing Panjabi film industry.
The film was shot entirely during Covid-19 and saw the team overcome various challenges to get it made. Writer/director Rakesh Dhawan assembled a talented cast for the deeply emotional film and praised Ammy Virk for his commitment to the project. He said: “For an important film like this to get made it needs a visionary like Ammy Virk to fully support it. Thanks to him we are able to bring this film to audiences, which is not only a gripping and entertaining drama, but also a story that highlights a real-life issue.”
FROM PUNJAB TO MEXICO- Special screening in Birmingham
Leading distributor Whitehill Studio immediately picked up the film for a worldwide release and are pleased with the audience reaction so far. Representative of Whitehill Studios UK, Manjot Bajwa said. “Aaja Mexico Challiye will attract all types of audience and is very much aimed at all ages. There is everything from comedy to drama and heartfelt emotion. We are proud to be part of the international release journey of this very important movie.”
The critically film is another triumph for established Panjabi star Ammy Virk, who was last seen playing a key role in mega-budget Bollywood blockbuster 83’, which revolves around India’s history-making win at the 1983 cricket world cup. He also delivered the music for Aaja Mexico Challiye, which adds to his impressive track record as a chart-topping singer and acclaimed actor.
Produced by Ammy Virk, Gurpreet Singh, and Daljit Singh Thind.
Songs: The heart-touching songs of the film are written by Bir Singh, Happy Raikoti, and Harmanjit and voiced by Ammy Virk and Bir Singh.
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Expo School Programme surpasses 500,000 student visits (WAM)
As of 25 February, 532,794 students had visited the site through the Expo School Programme…reports Asian Lite News
School visit numbers to Expo 2020 Dubai – the world’s best classroom – have hit 500,000, as students from public and private schools across the UAE make the most of the myriad educational opportunities available across the site.
As of 25 February, 532,794 students had visited the site through the Expo School Programme.
The Expo School Programme has been working closely with educational authorities across the UAE including the Emirates Schools Establishment (ESE), the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), the Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA) and the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) to ensure all students get the opportunity to visit Expo 2020 Dubai before it closes its doors on 31 March 2022.
Expo School Programme surpasses 500,000 student visits (WAM)
Marjan Faraidooni, Chief Experience Officer, Expo 2020 Dubai, said, “It is exciting to see the high level of engagement from students. Through our Expo School Programme, we are offering a once-in-a-lifetime learning opportunity at Expo 2020 Dubai that better prepares our leaders of tomorrow for the demands of the 21st century in an inspiring and fun way.”
The Expo School Programme offers four immersive journeys, allowing students the chance to embark on educational tours through the site’s three vibrant Thematic Districts (Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability), as well as pavilions with experiences aligned with diverse school curricula in the UAE.
Expo School Programme surpasses 500,000 student visits (WAM)
It also includes the Expo Young Stars programme, which offers the unique opportunity for students from across the UAE to showcase their talents to the world on the spectacular Al Wasl Plaza, where global music icons such as Alicia Keys and Coldplay have performed. A total of 23 schools and 1,320 students have already impressed audiences with their wonderful talents and more than 40 performances are scheduled to take place before the final week of Expo 2020 Dubai.
Through the Young Innovators Programme, exceptional individuals are nurtured to shape the future, making huge strides in the fields of science, technology, entrepreneurship and creativity to make the world a better place. After receiving more than 6,200 submissions from more than 10,000 students, the Expo School Programme selected 298 projects to exhibit in Terra – The Sustainability Pavilion for the entire six months of Expo 2020 Dubai. A total of 563 schools from around the UAE made submissions.
Expo School Programme surpasses 500,000 student visits (WAM)
As part of the World Majlis programme, the Next Gen World Majlis received more than 1,500 applicants, and 77 students were shortlisted to participate in global conversations on subjects that matter to all of our futures.
Expo 2020 Dubai’s virtual visitation numbers have also reached 145 million, including more than three million virtual visits to the school journeys, and there have been 1.3 million visits to the Expo School Programme website. Here, Expo Adventures offers an interactive journey for those up to the age of nine, where children can play on their own devices and enjoy experiences filled with incredible facts, animated stories and exciting games.
Expo School Programme surpasses 500,000 student visits (WAM)
The latest Expo podcasts, talks, audio guides and 360 virtual tours are available through Virtual Expo for older students, while the Expo 2020 Dubai mobile app, for ages 13 and above, features stunning augmented-reality visualisations and quests to stimulate learning. (WAM)
One million visitors to Expo 2020 Dubai’s Terra (WAM)
Terra – Expo 2020 Dubai’s Sustainability Pavilion – hosted its one-millionth visitor on Saturday and celebrated its impact on people’s sustainable lifestyle habits…reports Asian Lite News
The pavilion demonstrates the damage being done to the planet, and ways everyone can make a difference before it is too late. The message is hitting the mark, with 95 percent of visitors making a pledge towards positive change, with promises ranging from meat-free days, to swapping cars for public transport.
The millionth visitor was Dubai resident Santhosh Fernandes, who was at Expo 2020 Dubai with his wife Sheetal, children Seona, 11, and Seana, six, and friend Tushar Kawli. They were presented with a basket of gifts, including a meal at Terra’s plant-based rooftop restaurant, Mudra.
One million visitors to Expo 2020 Dubai’s Terra (WAM)
Santhosh said: “This was the first pavilion we visited, so it is a lovely surprise! It was really interesting to look around Terra and it made us think. We are definitely going to make some changes to our lives, especially when it comes to using plastic.”
All of Saturday’s visitors were given packets of Ghaf seeds – the UAE’s national tree, and a symbol of tolerance – and volunteers performed a dance routine to add to the celebratory atmosphere.
World Wildlife Day will be celebrated at Terra on Thursday (3 March) to raise awareness and highlight the UAE and Expo participants success stories.
Meanwhile, the organisers of the Expo 2020 Dubai on Sunday confirmed that face masks are optional for visitors while in outdoor areas at the Expo.
“Expo 2020 Dubai Covid-19 preventive measures will continue to include the mandatory wearing of masks indoors,” read a statement issued by organisers of the expo.
While event organisers do not mandate the wearing of masks at outdoor public areas, guests and staff are encouraged to continue to do so at popular entertainment venues with large attendance, Khaleej Times reported.
“Health and safety remains a key priority, with stringent rules in place across the site,” the statement added.
All visitors ages 18 and above must show either proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test result taken within the previous 72 hours, while on-site measures include mask-wearing for visitors, staff and participants, and PCR testing facilities for Country Pavilion staff, frontline workers, and entertainers.
London Mayor Sadiq Kahn will unveil a campaign to tackle unacceptable attitudes and behaviours by men to help end violence against women and girls
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has announced he is launching a new campaign that will focus on addressing the sexist attitudes and inappropriate behaviours exhibited by some men, in order to tackle the epidemic of misogyny and violence towards women and girls.
Speaking directly to men and boys, the campaign will address pervasive misogynistic attitudes towards women and girls which, left unchecked, can allow harmful and violent behaviours to persist and escalate.
Launching next month [March], Sadiq’s new campaign will bring together partners from across the sporting world, high-profile male influencers, and include videos online and posters across the city in spaces where men will be captive audiences, which will remind men of their responsibility to challenge unacceptable attitudes and behaviour amongst their peers. It will urge and inspire men to make themselves responsible for effecting the change that is needed to root out sexism and misogyny from our society.
In 2021 a number of high-profile cases led to a renewed focus on the problem of violence against women and girls, with figures showing an increase in reports of sexual and violent offences in London. Across the country, 22 per cent of women report having been a victim of sexual assault, and 14 per cent of women aged 16 to 19, and 10 per cent of women aged 20 to 24 say they have been a victim of domestic abuse. In 2020, 99 per cent of adult offenders sentenced or cautioned for sexual offences in London were men.
The Mayor’s new campaign will focus on the role men must play in ending violence against women and girls. It will highlight that seemingly ‘harmless’ attitudes and behaviour can lead to intimidation, threats, and violence, and make the case that it is men’s responsibility to be allies for women and girls by changing their behaviour and challenging the behaviour of those around them. City Hall has partnered with advertising, marketing, and public relations agency Ogilvy, who have offered their pro bono support to create the campaign.
The new campaign comes as the Mayor is finalising his newly refreshed Violence Against Women and Girls strategy, which will be published in the coming months. This builds on Sadiq’s record level of investment in tackling violence against women and girls and will set out measures from City Hall to make London a city in which women and girls are safer and feel safer. It will take a public-health approach that protects women’s right to safety, with a focus on preventing violence against women and girls from happening in the first place. It will work to ensure victims receive a better engagement with and outcomes from the criminal justice system, and address the behaviour of the perpetrators of abuse.
“It is simply not right that women and girls across our country feel unsafe going about their daily lives,” said Sadiq. We have to be clear – these problems are caused by the unacceptable attitudes and behaviours of too many men. This is not just an issue with the minority of men who are violent, but also with those men who are sexist, who continue to behave inappropriately around women, who perpetuate a toxic form of masculinity or who just stand by silently when women feel threatened or are being threatened. Men must change.
“That is why I am launching a new campaign to help tackle the appalling attitudes and behaviours that need to change. If we are going to truly fix the problem of violence against women and girls we need to see a fundamental cultural shift which puts the onus of responsibility on men. It must include men calling out and choosing to reject sexism and misogyny, which if left unchecked or unchallenged can lead to abuse and violence towards women and girls.”
Women entrepreneurs lead the way in digital presence
Suzanne Jacob OBE, Chief Executive of SafeLives: “For the longest time, boys and men have been left outside the conversation about violence against girls and women. We are so encouraged and pleased to see this changing. SafeLives started a ‘Voices of Men and Boys’ conversation in 2019 and we really look forward to working with the Mayor’s office on their new initiative.
“Without recognising that violence against women and girls is very often male violence against women and girls, we cannot change the culture underpinning VAWG. For public campaigns and targeted interventions to achieve their full potential they should speak directly from, with and to men and boys – they have to be part of the solution.”
Andrea Simon, Director, End Violence Against Women Coalition (EVAW): “We welcome this important work to reframe narratives around violence against women and girls, putting the focus where it belongs – on perpetrators. It’s really important to engage men and boys in this conversation – it’s not up to women and girls alone to tackle this issue. We can’t prevent abuse of women and girls without tackling the language, narratives and attitudes that minimise and normalise it, so we really welcome work to shift these attitudes and behaviours. Work to prevent violence is always a better solution than solely responding to victims and perpetrators after the harm has been done. We want to see more investment in prevention so that as a society, we can continue to have these difficult but necessary national conversations and build a future without violence against women and girls.”
France Pavilion opens Jean Paul Gaultier’s exhibition at Expo 2020 (WAM)
The France Pavilion on Sunday unveiled Jean Paul Gaultier’s new and fully recyclable exhibition, as well as the opportunity to meet the personable prêt-à-porter and haute couture designer himself…reports Asian Lite News
Gaultier said, “In some cities, the architecture only works well at night because of the lights, but Dubai is beautiful both during the day and at night-time.”
‘Jean Paul Gaultier, from A to Z’, is more than just a retrospective; it is a journey across almost five decades that showcases his values of tolerance, humanity, inclusion and commitment. Open to Expo visitors until 31st March, it will then be transported to Marseille, France. (WAM)
France Pavilion opens Jean Paul Gaultier’s exhibition at Expo 2020 (WAM)France Pavilion opens Jean Paul Gaultier’s exhibition at Expo 2020 (WAM)France Pavilion opens Jean Paul Gaultier’s exhibition at Expo 2020 (WAM)France Pavilion opens Jean Paul Gaultier’s exhibition at Expo 2020 (WAM)France Pavilion opens Jean Paul Gaultier’s exhibition at Expo 2020 (WAM)
UAE rare disease community marks Rare Disease Day at Expo 2020 Dubai (WAM)
The UAE Rare Disease Society, yesterday, launched the Expo 2020 Dubai portal opening to mark World Rare Disease Day 2022 and shed light on rare diseases and families and patients living with rare conditions throughout the UAE…reports Asian Lite News
The society also hosted a family event at Al Wasl Dome featuring live performances and entertainment. It led the daily parade in solidarity with the 400 million worldwide living with a rare disease.
The activity marked this year’s Rare Disease Day, which takes place on the last day of February each year, is a global initiative. The campaign seeks to raise awareness amongst policy makers, public authorities, industry representatives, researchers and health professionals. While rare diseases are typically classified as those which affect fewer than 5 in 10,000 people, as there are more than 7,000 individual conditions, collectively, they have a significant impact on families and communities.
UAE rare disease community marks Rare Disease Day at Expo 2020 Dubai (WAM)
Marwan Janahi, Chair of the UAE Rare Disease Society and Managing Director of Dubai Science Park, said, “We at the UAE Rare Disease Society are here today at Expo 2020 Dubai to support those living with rare diseases in the UAE and to mark Rare Disease Day. It is critical that we share the stories of people living with rare conditions and are grateful to our partner at Expo 2020 Dubai for providing us with this platform. Our society is committed to giving our heroes living with rare diseases and their families the medical, psychological and social support they need and deserve. But we cannot do it alone. We want to raise awareness and reduce stigma among the public, work with medical professionals to speed up times for diagnosis, and encourage more research and investment into rare diseases, their identification, treatment and prevention.”
The Expo 2020 Dubai portal launch led to a family-friendly event at Al Wasl Dome, which began with an opera performance of the UAE national anthem. It featured live performances and entertainment, including an immersive and educational session for parent, patients, and the audiences. The society’s new mascots also made their first official appearance at the event, and this included Mayed and Meera. They provided the audience with an informative session on the topic of rare diseases in the UAE. The Wasl Dome was also lit up with blue, green, pink, and purple lights, the official colours of Rare Disease Day.
UAE rare disease community marks Rare Disease Day at Expo 2020 Dubai (WAM)
Khazina Al Mansoori, the parent of Shamma, an 18-year-old living with Williams syndrome, said, “Being a parent of a child living with a rare condition comes with its challenges as well as its magic moments. I am grateful for the society’s unwavering support and for raising awareness of rare diseases in the UAE as we continue to fight the stigma and lack of understanding about those affected by rare conditions. I am also thankful for the UAE Government and all of our doctors’ commitment and dedication to ensuring that our children are provided with the quality treatments and therapies that they need.”
Dr. Amal Al Tenaiji, Consultant Paediatric Metabolic Genetics Khalifa Medical City, stated, “Around 80 percent of rare diseases in the UAE are genetic, and it is important that we continue to shed light on the rare conditions affecting numerous families across the Emirates. It is events such as these that help us to educate the public and raise widespread community awareness. We also need to raise awareness among our colleagues in the medical community to ask them to think about the possibility of rare diseases when making a diagnosis. On average, patients with rare diseases and their parents wait six years before being properly diagnosed, and that is something we can work to improve.”
The event concluded with the daily parade, led by Dubai Police Marching Band, followed by the society and its friends, including families and heroes from across the UAE. It took participants through some of Expo 2020 Dubai’s pavilions.
Some 400 million people worldwide live with rare diseases, 72 percent of which are genetic. An estimated 7.8 million people in the Middle East live with a rare disease today – three in four of which are children. (WAM)
