Central News Hub

Category: UAE News

  • First virtual campus on space station in orbit around Mars

    First virtual campus on space station in orbit around Mars

    The campus leverages state-of-the-art immersive technology to provide students unparalleled access to top-notch quality education, allowing them to develop innovative content….reports Asian Lite News

    The New Media Academy on Monday announced the launch of the Middle East’s first virtual campus that will deliver an unrivalled learning experience.

    The campus leverages state-of-the-art immersive technology to provide students unparalleled access to top-notch quality education, allowing them to develop innovative content.

    The inauguration of the virtual campus drew the participation of several Academy members and alumni, including leaders from public and private sector institutions and independent content makers.

    Immersive and virtual reality technology specialist and Forbes columnist Charlie Fink delivered a presentation on the role of AR and VR in business and accelerating the global transition towards digital learning in virtual and immersive environments.

    The campus is a custom New Media Academy-branded Space Station in orbit around Mars. Users will be given the experience to transport down to the surface of Mars to explore the planet.

    “VR and immersive technologies are shaping the learning experience of tomorrow. It is not a moment; it is a permanent movement. With the extensive set of tools that comes with immersive learning, accessibility becomes a possibility and is the next best thing to real life,” said Rashid Al Awadhi, CEO of the New Media Academy.

    “Students become active participants in an elevated educational process, with exceptional multi-sensory 3D experiences, where they can interact with objects and each other. VR is not simply a supplement for other learning solutions – it is the future. Our students have access to the highest quality education, supported by the world’s best educators,” Al Awadhi added.

    The launch event included a conversation between the participants and Charlie Fink. Fink answered questions about the future of virtual and interactive learning environments, and their role in empowering the leaders of institutions to contribute to building future smart societies.

    It also cooperates with world-renowned experts and trainers to deliver its educational programs that cover various digital skills and grant the Academy’s members a competitive head start in communication, digital strategy design and content creation.

    ALSO READ: IPL to resume on Sep 19 in UAE

  • S&P assigns ‘AA-’ issuer rating to EDB

    S&P assigns ‘AA-’ issuer rating to EDB

    The bank has also been assigned a ‘gcAAA’ long-term GCC regional scale rating by S&P Global Ratings, said a statement issued by EDB on Monday….reports Asian Lite News

    S&P Global Ratings has assigned ‘AA-‘ long-term issuer credit rating with Stable Outlook to Emirates Development Bank [EDB], a key financial enabler of the country’s economic diversification and industrial transformation agenda.

    The bank has also been assigned a ‘gcAAA’ long-term GCC regional scale rating by S&P Global Ratings, said a statement issued by EDB on Monday.

    The rating is a major endorsement of EDB’s new strategic mandate to support the UAE’s economic diversification plan by enabling individuals, mSMEs, and corporates in priority industrial sectors while promoting innovative technologies to build a knowledge-based economy.

    The S&P Global rating follows Fitch Ratings’ affirming its ‘AA-’ Issuer Default Ratings [IDR] with a Stable outlook on EDB in May 2021.

    The S&P Global rating assessed EDB’s capitalisation as very strong positioning the bank for expected rapid lending growth.

    The agency believes the bank is well positioned for growth amidst its commitment to maintain robust capitalisation, underpinned by the Federal government’s backing.

    Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Chairman of the EDB, said: “The AA- ratings by S&P Global and Fitch reaffirms the bank’s strategic plans to play a pivotal role in the economic diversification efforts of the UAE in line with the vision of the country’s wise leadership. The ratings play a very important step for EDB’s future strategy and aspirations. This rating also reinforces the bank’s position and ability to mobilise financial resources and expand its services in the field of funding and loans.”

    In their assessment reports, S&P Global and Fitch have favourably considered the probability of sovereign support for EDB from the Federal government in line with its new strategy to support economic development across priority sectors, its strong capital and access to various funding and liquidity sources, the WAM reported.

    ALSO READ: IPL to resume on Sep 19 in UAE

  • Final exams for grades 4-12 to begin Tuesday

    Final exams for grades 4-12 to begin Tuesday

    Exams will continue until 17th June, and students from grades 4-11 will take the exams remotely, while students of the 12th-grade will take exams in schools….reports Asian Lite News

    The final exams for the academic year 2020-2021 will start tomorrow for 4th-12th grade students studying at public and private schools applying the Ministry of Education’s curricula.

    Exams will continue until 17th June, and students from grades 4-11 will take the exams remotely, while students of the 12th-grade will take exams in schools.

    The Ministry of Education and the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) had recently announced the national protocol covering 12th-grade examinations.

    The protocol includes the implementation of a set of precautionary measures aimed at ensuring the highest standards of safety for students, teachers, administrative staff and workers.

    The Emirates Foundation for School Education (Taaleem) organised mock exams for public school students in grades 4-12 from 23rd to 27th May. The Foundation stated that these exams contributed to ensuring that students are well-prepared and helped in avoiding any technical issues that may occur.

    Taaleem indicated that in case of any technical error that prevents any student from finishing the exam on time or due to a justified absence, make-up exams will be held from 20th to 24th June.

    ALSO READ: IPL to resume on Sep 19 in UAE

  • IPL to resume on Sep 19 in UAE

    IPL to resume on Sep 19 in UAE

    BCCI official says remaining IPL games will be held in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, reports Asian Lite News

    The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has zeroed in on the date for the resumption of the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League to be held in UAE.

    The first game on resumption will be played on September 19 while the final will be hosted on October 15 — the day India will be celebrating Dussehra this year.

    A BCCI official in the know of developments of the recent meetings between the BCCI and the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) said the discussions went well and the Indian board is confident that the remaining IPL games will be held successfully in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi.

    IPL

    “The discussions went really well and with ECB already giving us the oral nod to host the event ahead of the BCCI SGM, it was about closing the deal over the last week. The first game after the season resumes will be held on September 19 while we will have the final on October 15. The BCCI was always keen on a 25-day window to finish the remaining matches,” the official said.

    ALSO READ: 1st England-NewZealand Test ends in a draw

    Asked about the situation with regards to availability of the foreign players, the official said talks are on and the Indian board expects positive outcomes.

    “The discussions have started and we are keeping fingers crossed that the foreign players will be mostly available. If a couple of them do not manage to turn up, we shall then decide on the future course of action. But keeping fingers crossed for now and hoping to have an action-packed end to the 14th edition in UAE,” the official said.

    In fact, franchises are also confident that the BCCI will engage in positive discussions with the foreign boards and make players available for the remaining games.

    “What we were made aware after the BCCI SGM is that the board will be speaking to the foreign boards and check on the availability of the foreign cricketers. We are confident that the BCCI will find the best possible solution and honestly it is a matter of the BCCI officials speaking to the respective board officials, so we should wait to hear from the board on this. Yes, if we do end up missing some of the foreign stars, that is an area which would need some attention when it comes to picking replacements as the foreign players are also integral to the teams. Team balance can go for a toss, so keeping fingers crossed on that one,” the franchise official told ANI.

    ALSO READ: IPL 2021 shifted to UAE

  • ADIB named best Islamic bank in UAE

    ADIB named best Islamic bank in UAE

    Since its establishment in 2006, the IFN Awards have continued to grow significantly with the rise of demand for Sharia’a-compliant products and services….reports Asian Lite News

    Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) has announced it won five categories at the Islamic Finance News (IFN) Awards 2021 ceremony, including Best Islamic Bank in the UAE, Iraq and Egypt. The bank also received the awards for Best Islamic Private Bank and Best Islamic Bank for Treasury Management.

    Held in Dubai, the IFN Awards is a highly regarded awards ceremony within the Islamic finance industry, honouring organisations that have displayed leadership, innovation and excellence in deal execution over the past year.

    Since its establishment in 2006, the IFN Awards have continued to grow significantly with the rise of demand for Sharia’a-compliant products and services. The winners are selected by a panel of independent experts who judge each candidate based on a set of predetermined criteria.

    ADIB continues to be recognised for its success in the Islamic banking sector, receiving numerous awards in recent months including ‘Best Islamic Digital Bank’ and ‘Innovator in Islamic Finance’ awards by Global Finance. The bank was also named ‘World’s Best Islamic Bank’ by the FT’s The Banker Magazine and ‘Best Islamic Bank in the Middle East’ at the MEA Finance Awards 2020.

    ALSO READ: Non-Arabs pump in AED3.255 bn to UAE in five months

  • UAE expands clean energy sector in record time

    UAE expands clean energy sector in record time

    The country also drafted ambitious future goals, through the launch of the National Energy Strategy 2050, which aims to reduce demand for energy by 40 percent…reports Asian Lite News

    Sharif Salim Al Olama, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, stated that the UAE has expanded its clean energy sector in record time due to its laws and legislation that encourage investment in current developments and future projects.

    The country also drafted ambitious future goals, through the launch of the National Energy Strategy 2050, which aims to reduce demand for energy by 40 percent, increase the contribution of clean energy to the national energy mix to 50 percent, and encourage cooperation with the private sector in related areas, he added.

    During his virtual participation, representing the UAE on behalf of Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, at the 12th annual Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) summit hosted by Chile, Al Olama called for joint international efforts to provide clean energy for all countries, noting that the UAE believes that the transformation to clean energy is a real opportunity to help solve social, environmental and economic challenges.

    “In the past, our ambition was to benefit from solar energy. Now, our production is over 2 gigawatts of installed capacity, as well as an additional 4 gigawatts to be delivered within the next two years. Solar energy is the cheapest available form of energy in the UAE’s energy mix. Moreover, we have launched several projects that support the country’s plans to invest in clean energy, most notably the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, which has four reactors capable of producing 5.6 gigawatts of clean energy,” he said.

    The UAE is also the home of the first commercial-scale carbon dioxide plant in the Middle East, which captures 800,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide from the iron and steel industry, he added, noting that the country aims to increase this capacity by over five times by 2030.

    The UAE will continue its significant efforts to diversify its sources of energy to ensure flexibility in its energy mix, he added, affirming that it also aims to utilise hydrogen to generate energy.

    CEM members agreed to work together to increase the ambition of the Clean Energy Ministerial in its third phase, CEM3.0. They reaffirmed the CEM’s goal to accelerate the global clean energy transition through international collaboration and to increase the global deployment of clean energy technologies.

    The Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) is a forum committed to accelerating a global clean energy transition. This year’s event addressed climate change challenges in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the prospects for recovery.

    ALSO READ: UAE suspends arrivals from Vietnam

  • EAD records 22% increase in Arabian Oryx population

    EAD records 22% increase in Arabian Oryx population

    Initially, there was a herd of no more than 160, and today, the herd has successfully reached 946 heads…reports Asian Lite News

    Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has recorded a 22 percent increase in the number of Oryx in the protected area, in comparison to previous studies.

    EAD conducted an aerial survey for the Arabian Oryx Protected Area, last November, confirming the success of the Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Arabian Oryx Reintroduction Programme which was launched in 2007 to relocate the Arabian Oryx.

    Initially, there was a herd of no more than 160, and today, the herd has successfully reached 946 heads, EAD said.

    Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary-General of EAD, said, “This survey is a major part of our efforts to preserve the Arabian Oryx, under the hugely successful Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Arabian Oryx Reintroduction Programme. Our leadership support to establish protected areas across the emirate has been fundamental to protecting species and biodiversity, which were once on the verge of extinction. Arabian Oryx is an iconic species of the desert landscape and a symbol of our cultural heritage and was almost hunted to extinction in the wild in the early seventies and only survived in captivity.”

    “Thanks to extensive captive breeding of the species undertaken by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the species was saved. With this insight, he successfully launched a programme to help preserve the Arabian Oryx, increase their numbers, and relocate them for protection. His attention to the topic, continuous support, and farsightedness are the real reasons behind the recovery of the Arabian Oryx into the wild. This project has become an example to be followed across the world and represents a great success for protection and captive-breeding programmes.”

    She also attributed the next phase of conservation action and success of the programme to the leadership and directions of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to reintroduce the Arabian Oryx, as part of the Abu Dhabi government’s vision to establish the population of the Arabian Oryx within the region.

    Ahmed Al Hashemi, Acting Executive Director of the Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity Sector in EAD, commented, “Within the framework of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed’s programme to translocate the Arabian Oryx in the United Arab Emirates, there are now around 100 heads in the Houbara Reserve, which is located in the Al Dhafra region and managed by EAD.

    “As a result of the efforts of cooperation in the region and coordination with international environmental bodies and organizations, several countries were able to increase the number of Arabian Oryx and reintroduce them in a number of countries in the Arab region. Through the General Secretariat for the Conservation of the Arabian Oryx, hosted by EAD, these regional efforts were crowned with unique success in 2011 when the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, (IUCN) shifted the status of the Arabian Oryx from an Endangered category to the category of Vulnerable,” he added.

    Khaldoun Al Omari, Section Manager-TPA Management and Infrastructure and Maintenance in EAD, explained, “The method of aerial surveys has been adopted to count the Arabian Oryx within the reserve to ensure the largest possible coverage of the Arabian Oryx Protected Area, within the shortest time possible, and to ensure that the results are accurate.

    ALSO READ: Non-Arabs pump in AED3.255 bn to UAE in five months

  • Qatar Airways to resume direct daily flights to Sharjah

    Qatar Airways to resume direct daily flights to Sharjah

    All passengers travelling to Qatar as their final destination need to present a negative Covid-19 PCR taken within 72 hours prior to their scheduled arrival time in Doha, reports Asian Lite News

    Qatar Airways said on Sunday that it would resume daily services to the emirate of Sharjah within the UAE starting July 1, 2021.

    The airline said that the Sharjah services will be operated by its Boeing 787 Dreamliner featuring 22 seats in First Class and 232 seats in Economy Class.

    According to the airline’s website, entry into Qatar is currently only open to Qatari nationals, their children and spouses, permanent resident permit holders, and regular resident permit holders currently in Qatar who will automatically receive an exceptional entry permit upon departure.

    All passengers travelling to Qatar as their final destination need to present a negative Covid-19 PCR taken within 72 hours prior to their scheduled arrival time in Doha. Passengers arriving or transiting in Qatar who have been in or transited through Vietnam, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the Philippines need to present a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to their scheduled departure time from these countries.

    ALSO READ: Qatar’s Emir in Saudi Arabia

    Passengers travelling to Qatar who have been in or transited through these countries in the previous 14 days must also undergo 10 days’ quarantine in a dedicated quarantine facility, or 14 days if quarantine is at Mekhaines facility regardless of previous vaccination or immunity against Covid-19.

    GCC nationals and those accompanying them arriving in Qatar are exempt from quarantine if they have received a full dose of one of the vaccines recognised by the Ministry of Public Health in Qatar more than 14 days prior to their arrival. However, any GCC citizen and their accompanying family/staff traveling from one of the countries designated as high-risk by Qatar will be subject to hotel quarantine regardless of their Covid-19 vaccination status.

    Qatar Airways’ extensive international network in Asia, Africa, Australia and the Americas currently stands at over 130 destinations. It plans to operate over 1,200 weekly flights to more than 140 destinations worldwide by the end of July.

    ALSO READ: Non-Arabs pump in AED3.255 bn to UAE in five months

  • Non-Arabs pump in AED3.255 bn to UAE in five months

    Non-Arabs pump in AED3.255 bn to UAE in five months

    The growth is reflective of the steady capital inflows received by the two markets since the beginning of the year…reports Asian Lite News

    The net investments of non-Arab investors in UAE financial markets significantly jumped to AED3.255 bn during the first five months of 2021, statistics revealed by the Abu Dhabi and Dubai bourses show.

    The growth is reflective of the steady capital inflows received by the two markets since the beginning of the year, as a directive result of the increased investor confidence in the UAE capital markets thanks to the lucrative dividend yields paid out by the listed companies, considered the highest in the Gulf and the Middle East.

    Cash dividends distributed by these companies surged to over AED41 bn for 2020, according to the Securities and Commodities Authority.

    In more detail, the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange saw net investments by Arabs hitting AED2.945 bn from January through May: AED44.752 bn in purchases and AED41.807 in sales. This segment of investors accounted for 38 percent of total trades in the capital’s bourse, which amounted to AED227.639 bn, from January through May.

    In Dubai Financial Market, the non-Arabs’ net investments amounted to AED311 million during the reference period: AED7.302 bn in purchases and AED6.991 bn in sales, which accounts for around 30 percent of the DFM’s total trades, estimated at AED47.8 bn during the reference period.

    ALSO READ: UAE, Japan to launch business council

  • UAE suspends arrivals from Vietnam

    UAE suspends arrivals from Vietnam

    The decision exempts transit flights coming to the UAE and heading to Vietnam…Reports Asian Lite News

    The United Arab Emirates have announced that entry from Vietnam will be suspended for all incoming passengers on national and foreign carriers, and those carrying transit passengers, starting from 5th June, 2021 at 23:59.

    ‎‏The decision exempts transit flights coming to the UAE and heading to Vietnam.

    ‎‏It applies to travellers who were in Vietnam in the last 14 days before coming to the UAE.

    ‎‏Flights between these countries and the UAE will continue to operate, allowing the transportation of passengers from the UAE to Vietnam.

    ‎‏It will also allow the transfer of some exempted groups from Vietnam to the UAE, with strict enforcement of precautionary measures.

    ‎‏These groups include UAE citizens and their first degree relatives, and diplomatic missions accredited between the UAE and Vietnam, including administrators working in embassies, official delegations, chartered flights by businessmen, those holding golden and silver residency visas, provided that they receive prior approval, and those who have received the full vaccine doses approved by the World Health Organisation, provided that 28 days have passed since receiving them.

    ‎‏This can be approved through the applications approved in the two countries or an approved vaccination certificate.

    ‎‏The holders of essential jobs according to the classification of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) and the crews of foreign shipment and transit aircraft are exempted, provided they obtain a negative PCR test for COVID-19 within 48 hours of departure and upon arrival and adherence to quarantine until departure.

    ‎‏The exempted groups are required to undertake preventive measures that include a 10-day quarantine and a PCR test at the airport, as well as on the fourth and eighth day after entering the country.

    ‎‏Moreover, the validity of the PCR test period has been reduced from 72 hours to 48 hours before travel, provided that it is administered by accredited laboratories that issue results with a QR code.

    ‎‏The authority also confirmed that it is required for those coming from Vietnam through other countries to stay in those countries for at least 14 days before being allowed to enter the UAE.

    ‎‏Cargo flights will continue to operate between the UAE and these countries.

    ‎‏The authority called upon all travellers affected by the decision to follow up with the relevant airlines to change or reschedule their flights and to ensure their safe return to their final destinations without delay.

    ALSO READ: ‘Operation Smile UAE’ offers free surgeries