Month: August 2022

The store also provides an opportunity for those yet to visit the museum…reports Asian Lite News

The Museum of the Future is connecting with people from around the world through its online store, which offers memorabilia inspired by the museum’s design and exhibits, and also gives a glimpse into its rich experiences.

The new store, which comprises six unique collections, represents a window for visitors to recall their experience in the form of delightful souvenirs that will eternalise their visit in their memory.

The store also provides an opportunity for those yet to visit the museum. It gives people a taste of what to expect from exhibits, with products designed in innovative, artistic ways that reflect the spirit of the museum and its values.

Among the products are creations by Emirati talents and national small and medium companies, including clothes made from recycled materials, souvenirs, as well as entertaining and educational games inspired by the future.

Locally inspired products include those from the Calligraphy collection. They are beautifully decorated in Arabic calligraphy (the cursive script also known as thuluth is the same one wrapped around the building) inspired by quotes from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, which embodies the spirit of the museum and its mission.

Among the collections are souvenirs related to the unique design of the museum and its character, depicting elements such as the building’s recognisable stainless-steel façade.

The museum’s splendid Arabic calligraphy and the building’s use of 3D printing technology in the construction process are among the features that have inspired gifts for the store. Exhibits including OSS Hope, the Heal Institute and Al Waha have inspired beautiful yet functional souvenirs.

Products within the OSS Hope collection include keychains, acting as a constant reminder of the exhibit’s depiction of humanity’s home in space and the potential for future space travel. The Heal Institute collection comprises mesmerising prints impressed on tote bags, coin purses, pouches, and scarfs, for everyday use.

There are also A3 prints allowing people to gaze at a beautiful digital recreation of flora, replicating the museum’s digital rainforest. Reflecting Al Waha’s earthy tones, the collection includes cream-colored tea and coffee sets made to fit perfectly for a relaxing atmosphere.

There are also gifts related to the Future Heroes exhibit, which is dedicated to children from 3 to 10 years old. Lastly, there are also products inspired by the museum’s Tomorrow Today exhibit, related to areas such as health, education, smart cities, energy, and transportation.

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The AWS Middle East (UAE) Region will also add an estimated $11 billion over the next 15 years to the UAE’s gross domestic product (GDP)…reports Asian Lite News

Amazon Web Services (AWS), an Amazon.com company, on Tuesday announced the launch of its second Region in the Middle East, the AWS Middle East (UAE) Region.

AWS estimates that its projected spending on the construction and operation of the new Region will support an average of nearly 6,000 full-time jobs annually at external vendors, with a planned $5 billion investment in the local economy through 2036.

The AWS Middle East (UAE) Region will also add an estimated $11 billion over the next 15 years to the UAE’s gross domestic product (GDP).

Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, said, “The opening of the AWS Middle East (UAE) Region is a significant milestone for Abu Dhabi and the UAE as a whole, reflecting our efforts to generate opportunities for all. It strengthens Abu Dhabi’s commitment to positioning itself as a leading digital economy by leveraging cutting-edge technology to support business growth.”

“The enhanced cloud capabilities enabled by AWS are expected to generate significant advantages and efficiencies that can propel businesses to success and realise major economic benefits for the country,” he added.

Abdulla Abdul Aziz AlShamsi, Acting Director General of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), said, “Abu Dhabi aims to enable transformative technology that delivers opportunities for businesses and residents alike. Smart infrastructure is powering the thriving private and public sectors by opening new economic possibilities, fostering inclusive growth, and creating opportunities for collaboration across our innovation ecosystem. At ADIO, we are contributing to this through many valuable ecosystem-enabling partnerships that support Abu Dhabi’s position as a leader in the region’s digital revolution.”

Prasad Kalyanaraman, Vice President of Infrastructure Services at AWS, said, “With the launch of the AWS Middle East (UAE) Region, we are making it possible for even more customers to harness the power of the cloud to drive innovation across the UAE, while also investing in the local economy through job creation, training for highly sought-after technology skills, and education resources to further advance the UAE’s strategic priorities.”

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Sheikh Abdullah highlighted the long-standing, fraternal relations between the UAE and Iraq and their keenness to develop the prospects of cooperation…reports Asian Lite News

UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan has spoken with his Iraqi counterpart Dr. Dr. Fuad Hussein to discuss the latest developments in the latter’s country.

During the phone call, Sheikh Abdullah underscored the UAE’s solidarity with Iraq in light of the challenges it is going through, and its support for its security, stability, unity and territorial integrity, state media WAM reported.

Sheikh Abdullah highlighted the long-standing, fraternal relations between the UAE and Iraq and their keenness to develop the prospects of cooperation in various fields for the common good of their peoples.

PM threatens to quit

 Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi expressed regret that the political conflict had reached the level of the use of weapons among Iraqi factions, warning that he would declare his post vacant if the dispute continued.

In a televised speech late Tuesday, al-Kadhimi said that he was overwhelmed with pain by the political conflict, “the Iraqi blood that was shed yesterday sends a warning to every Iraqi that today we must put weapons under the authority of the state”, reports Xinhua news agency

“I warn that if chaos, conflict, discord, and hostility continue and the voice of reason is not heard, I will take my moral and patriotic step to declare the position of (Prime Minister) vacant in due course… and holding them (conflicting parties) the responsibility before the Iraqis and before history,” he said.

He said that Iraq has been bleeding for many years as thousands of Iraqis were killed, stressing that “every drop of blood is caused by chronic political failure”.

Earlier in the day, President Barham Salih also said in a televised speech that “going to early elections under a national understanding represents a way out of the stifling crisis in the country instead of political dispute or clash”.

He also called on the Shiite Coordination Framework (CF), an umbrella group of Shia parliamentary parties, to communicate with the leader of the Sadrist Movement, Moqtada al-Sadr, to come up with a political solution that addresses the issue of the new elections and the formation of a new government.

On Tuesday, al-Sadr called on his followers to end their protests and withdraw from the Green Zone in Baghdad, after clashes killed 22 people and wounded more than 200 others.

At a televised press conference in the city of Najaf, al-Sadr apologised to the Iraqi people affected by the violence, stressing that he was hoping for peaceful protests, “not bullets and bombs”.

He called on his followers to “withdraw in 60 minutes”, including from the sit-in in front of Parliament, or he “will not recognize them”.

On Monday, al-Sadr’s supporters stormed some of the main government headquarters in the Green Zone following their leader’s announcement that he was quitting politics in protest against the corruption of political parties in the country.

Political tensions in Iraq have escalated in the past weeks between al-Sadr and his rivals in the CF.

On July 30, al-Sadr’s followers broke into the Green Zone and held an open sit-in in and outside Parliament, demanding the dissolution of the parliament and holding early elections, which are rejected by the CF parties.

ALSO READ: UAE opens air bridge to provide flood relief to Pakistan

The visa fees is reduced to AED 100 and will be paid once for the whole period….reports Asian Lite News

The UAE has announced an integrated programme supporting holders of the “Hayya” Card issued by FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, which will take this year from November 20 to December 18.

The programme comes within the UAE’s initiatives aiming to support the State of Qatar, in hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Through the Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa options, the UAE will be hosting the world cup fans, allowing them to enter UAE multiple times over a period of 90 days.

The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, explained that the programme includes granting a multiple-entry visa to the UAE for a total period of up to (90) days from the date of issuance of this visa.

The visa fees is reduced to AED 100 and will be paid once for the whole period.

The Authority indicated that holders of “Hayya” card, can enter the UAE by applying for this visa starting November 1, 2022, and it will allow them to enter the country several times during the validity period.

This visa can be extended for another 90 days according to the conditions, procedures and the normal fees followed in the current visa system in the UAE.

Citizens of visa-exempt countries are excluded from the above procedures, as they can enter and stay in the UAE according to the current procedures.

“Hayya” card holders can apply to the Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa through the website (www.icp.gov.ae), by choosing “Smart Channels”, and then selecting “Public Services”, followed by choosing “Hayya Card Holders” Visa and completing data and documents and paying the applicable fees.

ALSO READ: UAE opens air bridge to provide flood relief to Pakistan

The second batch of aid included further relief supplies, shelter material, humanitarian aid, food and medications for people affected by the floods that hit the country, reports Asian Lite Newsdesk

The Joint Operations Command of the UAE Ministry of Defence is continuing its humanitarian operations in Pakistan, through the launch of a second airlift of humanitarian aid from the UAE.

The second batch of aid included further relief supplies, shelter material, humanitarian aid, food and medications for people affected by the floods that hit the country.

The humanitarian aid was dispatched as per the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to support flood-hit Pakistan.

The armed forces have dedicated military aircraft to transport humanitarian aid on account of the competitive edge they have gained in transporting relief material regionally and internationally.

The provision of the UAE aid falls under the Article No.9 of the ‘UAE’s Principles of the 50’, which considers foreign humanitarian aid an integral part of the country’s ethical commitment toward friendly countries.

Earlier this week, the Joint Operations Command started operating an air bridge to transport humanitarian aid provided by the UAE to Pakistan.

Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al Zaabi, UAE Ambassador to Pakistan, said that a number of other aid planes will be flying to Pakistan over the coming days to provide the required support.

He added that the move highlights the strength of relations between the two countries and that the UAE has contributed over the past years to alleviating the severity of many humanitarian crises that Pakistan witnessed, especially those related to natural disasters.

Al Zaabi stressed that the Emirati humanitarian support extends to provide a helping hand to all affected communities around the world, based on the global humanitarian role of the UAE, whose principles were laid down by the Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Charity provides aid

The Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation has also provided urgent relief aid to Pakistan, which witnessed torrential rains and floods that resulted in deaths, injuries and damage to infrastructure in several provinces.

Hamad Salem bin Kardous Al Amri, Director-General of the Foundation, said that under the directives of Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, the foundation has begun providing urgent relief aid, which includes 5,000 tents, to ease the suffering of those affected by the repercussions of these difficult climatic conditions.

He added that – since its inception – the foundation has been keen to respond swiftly to humanitarian conditions and provide support and assistance to all target groups in different regions of the world without distinction to race, colour, gender or belief. This aid aims to alleviate the suffering of the affected Pakistani people during these challenging conditions, he further added.

Shehbaz appeals for more support

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has appealed to the international community for further support, saying “much more is required to be done”.

“It is a yawning gap between our requirements and what we are receiving at this point in time,” he said and pointed out that this year the intensity of rains has been three to four times more than the average of the last 30 years.

“Pakistan is facing the toughest time of its history,” he told foreign journalists at a press briefing telecast live on Zoom.

 The death toll in Pakistan’s catastrophic flooding has increased to 1,162 as the cash-strapped country struggles to rescue and care for millions of people displaced by the surging waters.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said the victims included 384 children and 231 women, and the death toll is expected to further increase in the coming days, dpa news agency reported on Wednesday.

More than 33 million people in some 116 of Pakistan’s 160 administrative districts have been affected by the floods triggered by incessant monsoon rain since mid-Jine, with at least 72 districts being declared disaster areas.

The floods inundated over 2 million acres of agricultural land, destroying crops of cotton, rice, dates, tomato, chilli and other vegetables.

On Tuesday, the UN issued a flash appeal for $160 million in emergency aid to help Pakistan.

ALSO READ: UAE opens air bridge to provide flood relief to Pakistan