The Award was given to Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed in recognition of his continuous support of, and efforts to foster international humanitarian and relief works….reports Asian Lite News
The Vatican’s Foundation Gravissimum Educationis has granted the ‘Man of Humanity’ Award Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
The Award was received by Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of State, on behalf of the Crown Prince, from Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi, prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education, President of Pontifical Foundation Gravissimum Educationis and Ministry of Education Vatican, during a ceremony held today at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, in the presence of the ambassadors accredited to the UAE.
The Award was given to Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed in recognition of his continuous support of, and efforts to foster international humanitarian and relief works.
In the UAE, Sheikh Mohamed has worked with determination in building the nation, serving its citizens, and helping them realise their aspirations. Globally, he has dedicated resources in support of the humanitarian causes by taking bold steps and launching innovative initiatives in the humanitarian fields for the good of the mankind.
To date, the UAE has provided aid to medical staff and front line workers in more than 135 countries to curb the spread of COVID-19.
In March, Sheikh Mohamed was awarded ‘The 2021 DIHAD International Personality Award for Humanitarian Relief ‘ as a gesture of international gratitude for His Highness’s continuous support and dedicated efforts in reinforcing humanitarian work.
This prestigious award is one of the most prominent of its kind, presented by the supervising scientific committee at ‘DIHAD’ in n recognition of international figures and leaders who play a prominent role in supporting people in need around the world and international institutions and international organisations working in the fields of humanitarian relief.
This prevented a deal that would have helped to soften crude prices a bit next month on the back of increased oil production of 2 million barrels a day….report Asian Lite News
There may be no respite for fuel consumers in the country facing high prices of petrol and diesel for the past couple of months as global oil scenario is expected to remain firm with oil cartel OPEC failing to reach an agreement on gradual raising of oil production to meet the growing demand.
At a meeting of OPEC plus (including Russia) differences surfaced between world’s largest oil producer Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE) over raising oil production marginally in August while maintaining production level at the same till 2022.
This prevented a deal that would have helped to soften crude prices a bit next month on the back of increased oil production of 2 million barrels a day.
With no deal among prime oil producers, analysts expect oil prices to remain firm and may hit even $80 a barrel over the next few days. At intercontinental exchange benchmark, Brent crude is currently hovering at $77.5 a barrel, up over 1 per cent from the previous day. This is the highest crude level since 2018. In fact, in the month of July itself crude prices have risen by over $7 a barrel.
“The situation in global oil markets is not good news for fuel consumers in India. Unless government intervenes by lowering taxes on the two fuels, petrol and diesel retail rates could touch new highs over successive days this month,” said an oil sector expert not willing to be named.
Petrol and diesel prices have been raised on 35 days since May 1. This has increased retail petrol prices by Rs 9.46 a litre in the last two months while diesel has also increased by Rs 8.63 per litre during the same time span.
Also, the Centre had raised excise duty by Rs 13 on petrol and Rs 16 on diesel between March and May last year when oil prices collapsed due to the pandemic. The two hikes raised excise duty by 65 per cent on petrol from Rs 19.98 to Rs 32.98 a litre and 79 per cent on diesel from Rs 15.83 to Rs 28.35 a litre. These high taxes are amplifying the impact of rise in crude prices, sending petrol price above Rs 100 a litre and diesel above Rs 90 in most parts of the country.
With expectation that global oil may rise further in coming days, consumers would have to brace for buying fuel at new record prices everyday.
It is the first greenfield project of COSCO SHIPPING Ports Limited (CSP) operating within Abu Dhabi Ports’ flagship deep-water port Khalifa Port….reports Asian Lite News
CSP Abu Dhabi container terminal has announced its terminal will be the first in the Middle East to implement an autonomous port truck system.
It is the first greenfield project of COSCO SHIPPING Ports Limited (CSP) operating within Abu Dhabi Ports’ flagship deep-water port Khalifa Port.
Following a two-month trial period, a total of six electric Q-Trucks will be commissioned by CSP Abu Dhabi Terminal and tasked with supporting mother vessel loading and unloading activities within the facility’s container yard.
Produced by Qomolo, a sub-brand of ShangHai Westwell-Lab Technology Company, the L5 Autonomous Freight Trucks are equipped with an advanced 360-degree sensory system with traffic monitoring and driving guidance system which enables operators to direct vehicles’ navigation and transportation of general and reefer containers with ease.
“We are proud to be the first terminal in the Middle East to implement an autonomous port truck system following the addition of six of Qomolo Q-trucks to our container handling fleet,” said Naser Al Busaeedi, Deputy CEO of CSP Abu Dhabi.
“As well as being extremely efficient and cost-effective, the new vehicles enable us to sustain our container handling operations for longer periods and enable us to continue operating in cases where business continuity becomes an operational challenge.”
Featuring a highly stable, efficient, and environmentally friendly platform, the electric Q-Trucks are powered by a 281 kWh battery, carry a maximum load of 80 tonnes, and have an operating range of 200km.
Capable of operating for up to 44 hours continuously, the vehicle’s electrical systems are further enhanced by a temperature control system that aids in extending battery life in extreme weather.
The new Q-Trucks are expected to deliver reduced transformation and operating costs, a significant reduction in Co2 emissions as compared to traditional trucks and serve as a viable business continuity solution in the event of any manpower crisis.
“The addition of CSP Abu Dhabi’s Q-Trucks has not only accelerated Khalifa Port’s position as the Middle East’s leading maritime facility but also serves as a prime example of how innovative technologies can transform the maritime and logistics industries,” said Saif Al Mazrouei, Head of Ports Cluster at Abu Dhabi Ports.
“Employing solutions powered by ultra-modern technologies, such as artificial intelligence, Internet-of-Things, and electrification can enable businesses to achieve a higher level of efficiency, while simultaneously transforming their respective operations to be more sustainable and cost-efficient.”
The summit will host exhibitions and forums across clean energy and sustainability: Energy, Water, Solar, EcoWASTE, Smart Cities and Climate & Environment….reports Asian Lite News
World Future Energy Summit, part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, has signed key stakeholder agreements with the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, Bee’ah and EDF Renewables.
The event, which provides a platform to showcase clean energy and sustainable projects, initiatives and developments for the Middle East – will be held in Abu Dhabi’s National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, hosted by Masdar, from 17th-19th January 2022.
The summit will host exhibitions and forums across clean energy and sustainability: Energy, Water, Solar, EcoWASTE, Smart Cities and Climate & Environment.
It will also host Climate Innovations Exchange which connects global start-ups to investors, and a dedicated Sustainability Business Connect programme to help connect exhibitors to qualified buyers from the Middle East and North Africa looking for technology and services for their projects.
@WFES
“The UAE has set itself some seriously ambitious medium- and long-term environmental targets and put in motion a strategic plan which will facilitate clean power generation and increased energy efficiency while catering for our fast economic growth,” said Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure.
“Despite the challenges, we are already making significant progress as we work to achieve the goals outlined in the UAE National Energy Strategy 2050. The enormous investments we are now witnessing in clean energy, energy efficiency, carbon reduction and sustainable, secure water supplies provide a clear path for the UAE’s future development as a global force for driving sustainability.”
@WFES
According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), by the year 2050, sustainably produced electricity will have become the world’s most important energy carrier.
Electricity’s share of final energy use is forecast to increase from 21 percent today to 60 percent in 2050, a three-fold rise achievable through significant efforts to electrify our economies.
Current government plans call for $98 trillion of energy system investment in the coming three decades, yet IRENA’s ‘1.5oC scenario’ requires an additional $33 trillion related to energy transition over the planned investments and a significant redirection of money from fossil fuels into green assets.
Khaled Al Huraimel, Group CEO of Bee’ah, said that exhibiting at the World Future Energy Summit will provide a timely platform to highlight initiatives that drive progress towards a circular economy.
“We have been developing clean energy projects In the Middle East for over 25 years, actively strengthening our leading ambition,” commented Laurent Clement, CEO and Managing Director of EDF Middle East.
“Building a net-zero energy future with electricity and innovative solutions and services is EDF’s purpose, its “raison d’être”. It is a privilege for us to bring our vast experience and technologies to this world-leading event in the UAE’s capital.
Those vaccinated must quarantine for seven days and take a PCR test on day 6. If the PCR test result is negative, they can remove the wristband on day 7, reports Asian Lite Newsdesk
Abu Dhabi on Tuesday updated the home quarantine guidelines for those in contact with a positive case, to protect the health and safety of all community members.
According to Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee, in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, those vaccinated must quarantine for seven days and take a PCR test on day 6. If the PCR test result is negative, they can remove the wristband on day 7.
Those who are not vaccinated must quarantine for 12 days and take a PCR test on day 11. If the PCR test result is negative, they can remove the wristband on day 12.
Those in contact and registered in the home quarantine programme can conduct a free walk-in PCR test and remove the wristband at COVID-19 Prime Assessment Centres at Zayed Port, Mafraq Hospital and ADNEC (Abu Dhabi City), Al Ain Convention Centre, Al Khubiaisi, and Madinat Zayed in Al Dhafra, as well as all SEHA hospitals in Al Dhafra.
Abu Dhabi had already updated travel procedures for its citizens and residents returning from travel abroad, which came effective on Monday.
Vaccinated travellers arriving from green list destinations must take a PCR test on arrival without the need to quarantine, and take a PCR test on day 6. When arriving from other destinations, they must take a PCR test on arrival, quarantine for seven days and take a PCR test on day 6.
The protocol applies to vaccinated UAE citizens and residents who received their second dose at least 28 days earlier, documented in the vaccine report on Alhosn app.
Unvaccinated citizens and residents arriving in Abu Dhabi from green list destinations must take a PCR test on arrival without the need to quarantine, and take a PCR test on days 6 and 12. When arriving from other destinations, they must take a PCR test on arrival, quarantine for 12 days and take another PCR test on day 11.
The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) announced that it conducted 258,483 additional COVID-19 tests over the past 24 hours from which it reported 1,552 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of recorded cases in the UAE to 642,601.
According to the Ministry, the infected individuals are from various nationalities, are in a stable condition, and receiving the necessary care.
MoHAP also announced four deaths due to COVID-19 complications, bringing the total number of deaths in the country to 1,843. It called on all members of the society to cooperate with health authorities, adhere to the instructions and physical distance to ensure the health and safety of all.
MoHAP also noted that an additional 1,518 individuals had fully recovered from COVID-19, bringing the total number of recoveries to 620,812.
Meanwhile, 76,347 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were administered during the past 24 hours.
The total number of doses provided up to today stands at 15,650,988 with a rate of vaccine distribution of 158.24 doses per 100 people.
According to Bloomberg’s Vaccine Tracker, the UAE leads the world, with enough vaccinations to cover 72.1 percent of its population and has overtaken Seychelles to become the world’s most vaccinated nation.
The UAE has so far administered 15.6 million doses, enough to cover 72.1 percent of its population based on a two-dose regimen. The UAE tests more people per capita than most nations and has one of the lowest fatality rates in the world.
In a statement, Abdul Rahman bin Mohammad bin Nasser Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, said that this new global achievement adds to the country’s success and record of achievements in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that it is an international recognition of the success of the National Vaccination Campaign, launched by the UAE, which is continuing to achieve its objectives.
“The proactive vision of the country’s leadership enabled us to address the challenges posed by COVID-19. Today, the UAE is the world’s most vaccinated country,” he added. He also highlighted the efforts of the national health sector, which is keen to provide diverse types of vaccines to all segments of the community, as well as the community’s awareness about the importance of being vaccinated.
Al Owais stressed that the National Vaccination Campaign is continuing in all emirates of the country, along with the adherence to relevant precautionary measures, which represent the foundations of the national efforts aimed at achieving recovery and ensuring the return to normalcy.
Medical teams and front-liners are working as one team, upon the directives of the UAE’s leadership, to achieve recovery from the pandemic, he added, affirming that the UAE is a unique global model of combating the COVID-19 pandemic, and has received widespread international appreciation, underscoring the community’s confidence in the procedures adopted by the UAE Government.
He also noted the importance of the community’s awareness of, and adherence to, precautionary measures to maintain the gains achieved by the country and protect its members.
The Business Bay tower will include an Olympic-size infinity pool and an outdoor winter cinema, the developer said in a stock exchange filing….reports Asian Lite News
Deyaar Development has revealed plans for a 1 billion dirham ($272 million) skyscraper in Dubai as high-rise construction in the emirate revives.
The Business Bay tower will include an Olympic-size infinity pool and an outdoor winter cinema, the developer said in a stock exchange filing.
Deyaar CEO Saeed Al-Qatami said the project would “set a new benchmark for high-end urban living in the heart of the city.”
Dubai developers have been encouraged to announce new projects amid rising demand for luxury real estate in parts of the emirate and despite a continuing glut of new homes due to be completed.
The developer, which is majority-owned by Dubai Islamic Bank, said units in its tallest ever project will be offered with a 10 percent down payment and a seven-year repayment plan.
Meanwhile, most economic and commercial activities in the UAE showed positive signs in May, recording their best performances since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and highlighting the solid recovery of key sectors that support the national economy.
Registered activities in May 2021 suggested a growing demand, amidst signs suggesting that demand will further increase in the coming months.
Statistics from the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC) reported increases in price indexes covering the seven sectors that constitute the UAE’s Consumer Price Index (CPI), led by the culture and entertainment sector, whose index rose to 106.36 points in May 2021, compared to 103.68 points in April.
The clothing and footwear sector recorded 115.02 points compared to 114.03 points during the same reporting period in April, while the food and beverage sector recorded 107.57 points in May compared to 106.82 points in April.
The other goods and services sector rose to 115.75 points from 114.77 points, including the restaurants and hotels sector rising to 115.85 points from 115.09 points, the health sector increased to 106.31 points from 106.17 points, and the transport services sector recorded 110.80 points, rising from 110.33 points.
The tobacco and education sectors also witnessed steady performances, while other indexes that comprise the CPI declined.
In light of these performances, the CPI in the UAE surged to 106.49 points in May 2021, a growth of 0.25 percent compared to April.
The 11 contemporary artworks will form a creative journey around Expo 2020’s public spaces and will live on as part of the future city of District 2020…reports Asian Lite News
An enormous iridescent, oil drill-shaped sculpture by Kuwaiti artist Monira Al Qadiri has launched Expo 2020 Dubai’s Public Art Programme, which brings together 11 leading artists from the UAE, the region and the world.
Alongside Al Qadiri, the commissioned artists are Hamra Abbas, Afra Al Dhaheri, Shaikha Al Mazrou, Abdullah Al Saadi, Asma Belhamar, Olafur Eliasson, Nadia Kaabi-Linke, Khalil Rabah, Yinka Shonibare and Haegue Yang.
The 11 contemporary artworks will form a creative journey around Expo 2020’s public spaces and will live on as part of the future city of District 2020. As the first curated permanent open-air art exhibition in the UAE, it will leave a lasting impact as part of the next World Expo’s legacy, provide an exciting addition to the UAE’s vibrant and thriving artistic scene, and boost Dubai’s position on the global cultural map.
The Public Art Programme of Expo 2020 Dubai takes inspiration from the famous Arab mathematician, astronomer and physicist Ibn Al Haytham’s seminal work, Book of Optics, written in the 11th century. Ibn Al Haytham has been called “the father of modern optics” for his significant theories and foundational principles of optics and visual perception.
The programme provides a prism to view contemporary art creations and a context that allows an exploration of the philosophical aspect of Ibn Al Haytham’s theories on visual perception, including his definitions of vision, recognition and the impossibility of envisioning a full picture of reality within oneself without the power of imagination.
“We are thrilled to be launching the Public Art Programme with Chimera by artist Monira Al Qadiri. Her bold sculpture, with its magnified size and reflective colour, makes it seem like a futuristic creature from outer space. Through this sculpture, the artist attempts to merge the pre- and post-oil eras into one body. She creates aesthetic connections between pearls and oil, through their colour, materiality, symbolism, ecology and economy in order to reimagine the past, present and future of the wider Gulf region,” said Tarek Abou El Fetouh, Public Art Curator, Expo 2020 Dubai.
Expo 2020 will run from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022, inviting visitors from every corner of the globe to discover a wide range of cultural and artistic initiatives dedicated to broadening horizons and bringing people, communities and nations together.
A UAE government spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment. Israeli officials had no immediate comment…reports Asian Lite News
Israeli defence officials were checking whether Iranian forces were behind a possible attack on a cargo ship under partial Israeli ownership on Saturday on its way from Jeddah to the United Arab Emirates, Israel’s N12 Television News reported.
The crew were not hurt and the ship, possibly hit by a missile, was not badly damaged and continued on its journey after the incident, N12 said, citing unnamed sources within Israel’s defence establishment. Lebanese pro-Iranian TV channel Al Mayadeen had reported the incident earlier.
N12 said the vessel, the Tyndall, was owned by Zodiac Maritime Ltd, a London-headquartered international ship management company which later said it did not own or manage the CSAV Tyndall.
Ship-tracking data from Refinitiv Eikon showed the CSAV Tyndall container ship, which sails under a Liberian flag, was last docked in Jeddah and was now off the coast of Dubai.
A UAE government spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment. Israeli officials had no immediate comment.
Iranian media widely reported the attack, citing Al Mayadeen, which was among the first news outlets to report an attack on a commercial vessel owned by an Israeli company in April.
Iran’s largest navy ship sank in early June after catching fire in the Gulf of Oman, in what appeared to be the latest incident in a region of sensitive waterways, where arch-enemies Iran and Israel have traded accusations of attacks on each other’s vessels.
Maniar is the chairman of the member’s advisory committee of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants in the UAE….reports Asian Lite News
Saad Maniar, who works as a senior partner at accounting firm Crowe UAE, is the latest Indian expat to receive the UAE’s coveted ‘Golden Visa’ or long-term residence visa for 10 years.
Maniar was awarded the Golden Visa on Thursday. “I got a call from the Ministry of Economy saying that they have selected me for the golden visa and they asked me to submit few details. After submission of these details, within a couple of months, I got my Golden Visa,” Maniar said.
Maniar came to Dubai 20 years ago as an auditor for Crowe UAE. A chartered accountant from the United Kingdom, Maniar now serves as a senior partner and a member of the company’s board, leading the financial services audit and consulting practice for Crowe in DIFC.
Maniar is the chairman of the member’s advisory committee of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants in the UAE. He is also an elected member on the board of the Dubai Quality Group.
Pic credits twitter@maniarsaad
“I considered Dubai as my home and it will always be my home. This 10-year visa has given me more stability and meaning to build a long-term career here in the UAE, even for my kids. I don’t know what my kids will end up doing, but given a choice I would like my kids to build their career here in this beautiful nation,” Maniar said.
The UAE’s Golden Visa allows foreigners to live, work and study in the country for a long period without the need of a national sponsor and with 100 per cent ownership of their businesses there.
Last week, an Indian artist, who has been living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) since 2007, received the Gulf nation’s coveted Golden Visa, according to a media report on Wednesday.
Hailing from Odisha, Mona Biswarupa Mohanty applied for the Golden Visa on the basis of advice by a senior artist.
“I am honoured to have received the Golden Visa. These milestones in life mean a lot. They reassure you that if you follow your heart and put heart and soul, gradually you will be rewarded in more ways than you can imagine,” Mohanty said.
“Receiving the Golden visa has strengthened my belief in myself and if this can inspire other young artists, I’d consider that my biggest contribution. I listened to my heart and took this plunge and being rewarded for it tells me that when you follow your passion and give in your best, good things start happening to you,” she added.
A fashion designer, Mohanty came to the UAE in 2007 as a Lecturer for Manipal University in Dubai.
Life has not been a bed of roses for the father of one, but on Saturday, Lady Luck decided to smile on Somarajan and nine of his friends….reports Joy Chakravarty
Each year, thousands of people from the Indian subcontinent head over to Dubai in search of better opportunities and lifestyle. Some lucky ones, like Renjith Somarajan and his friends, actually do strike gold in the ‘City of Gold’.
The 37-year-old Somarajan came to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2008 from Kollam district in Kerala. He started his Gulf career as a taxi driver, and after 13 years of hard work, is on the verge of joining a new job in a private company with a monthly salary of 3,500 dirhams (Rs 71,200).
Life has not been a bed of roses for the father of one, but on Saturday, Lady Luck decided to smile on Somarajan and nine of his friends.
The Indian had crowd-funded and brought an Abu Dhabi Big Ticket, a monthly raffle held by Abu Dhabi International Airport, along with nine friends hailing from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
When ticket number 349886, purchased at a price of 500 dirhams (Rs 10,160) was drawn, the group became richer by a whopping 20 million dirhams (Rs 40.64 crore).
Somarajan, who has been purchasing tickets for the past three years, said he heard the announcement live just as he was passing a mosque along with his wife and son.
He said “I have worked as a driver with Dubai Taxi and different companies. Last year, I worked as driver-cum-salesman in a company, but it was a difficult life. My wife works at a hotel. I used to buy tickets with the aim of improving my quality of life. I always wanted to start my own business. I will consult my family and make a decision (on how to spend the money).”
The amount will be shared, meaning each person gets 2 million dirhams (Rs 4.06 crore).
Not bad for an initial investment of 100 dirhams each (Rs 2,032).
The 3-for-2 Big Ticket offer meant they could purchase three tickets for the 1,000 dirhams pooled.
Somarajan added: “We are a total of 10 people. Others work in the valet parking of a hotel. We took the ticket under the abuy two and get one free’ offer. The ticket was taken in my name on June 29.
“All I can tell others is to continue trying your luck. I was always sure that my lucky day would come. I was always sure the almighty would bless me one day.”
Another Indian, Rence Mathew, won the second prize of 3 million dirhams (Rs 6.09 crore) with ticket No: 355820.
