Customers can now book their direct flights between Sharjah and Vienna by visiting Air Arabia’s website, by calling the call centre or through travel agencies….reports Asian Lite News
Air Arabia airline has announced the resumption of direct flights between Sharjah and Vienna, starting 15th October, 2021.
Customers can now book their direct flights between Sharjah and Vienna by visiting Air Arabia’s website, by calling the call centre or through travel agencies.
Last month, Air Arabia, which is also Middle East and North Africa’s first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC), had announced the resumption of direct flights between Sharjah and Bishkek starting July 2nd, 2021.
Seasonal direct flights between Sharjah and Batumi will also be starting from June 29.
Ensuring the highest standards of safety at every step of the journey by following all health and safety protocols, Air Arabia has also added to the convenience and confidence of passengers by introducing free COVID-19 insurance coverage. The insurance is automatically included as part of the booking and no additional documents are required from passengers.
Operation Smile UAE was established in January 2011 under the patronage of Sheikha Alyazia bint Saif Al Nahyan wife of Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan…reports Asian Lite News
‘Operation Smile UAE’ in cooperation with Healthpoint and the Department of Health-Abu Dhabi will be holding a medical mission, providing free surgeries for patients with cleft conditions from 4th-6th June at Healthpoint, Abu Dhabi.
Operation Smile UAE was established in January 2011 under the patronage of Sheikha Alyazia bint Saif Al Nahyan wife of Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
The foundation, which is a branch of the international charity “Operation Smile”, provides free and safe surgery for children and young people born with cleft lip and cleft palate, and was founded in 1982 and has so far provided more than 300,000 free surgeries to patients in about 30 countries around the world.
As part of its sixth campaign, Operation Smile UAE held three screening sessions to determine patients eligible for surgery. One at University Hospital, Sharjah, in January, where 11 patients were examined; one at Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital, Dubai, where 13 patients were screened; and the last at offices of Operation Smile in Abu Dhabi where seven patients were screened.
Over three days, 10 patients aged six months to 39 years will receive life-changing surgeries for their cleft conditions.
A team of 32 medical volunteers, including surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses, and paediatricians will be donating their time during the mission. Operation Smile UAE medical volunteers will be working alongside volunteers from Healthpoint.
Also, on this mission, 6 student volunteers from the Student Programmes initiative are participating to assist with paperwork and family care.
As part of the mission weekend on Saturday, June 5th patients who received operations at Healthpoint during the mission in December 2020 will be invited for their six-month checkup at Healthpoint. Operation Smile UAE’s volunteer medical team will examine the patients who received surgery and be available to answer questions from patient’s families on cleft follow-up care.
Since 2017, Operation Smile UAE has examined 109 patients of 24 nationalities and performed surgeries on 56 patients from more than 15 nationalities. Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi hosted four medical missions, while Healthpoint Hospital Abu Dhabi hosted its first medical mission in December 2020.
Japan is ranked tenth globally in the list of countries investing in the UAE, and eighth globally in terms of non-oil trade, which reached US$8.95 billion in the first ten months of 2020, reports Asian Lite News
The UAE and Japan are looking to put together a business council. During the virtual meeting between Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, minister of State for Foreign Trade, and Hiroshi Kajiyama, Japan’s minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, both sides approved the formation of an joint team tasked with putting together a UAE-Japanese business council, to improve the partnership between the Emirati and Japanese business communities towards creating opportunities for companies in both countries.
It would also aim to generate added value from joint investments, provide information and services for investors, and encourage communication between relevant government authorities.
The officials also discussed means of boosting mutual trade and investments and facilitating the movement of imports and exports between the countries.
Al Zeyoudi said that the partnership between the UAE and Japan is reflected by positive economic indexes, with the value of Japanese direct investments in the UAE since the start of 2020 totalling $4.01bn, a growth of 22.6 per cent from 2015 until 2020. Japan is ranked tenth globally among the list of countries investing in the UAE, and eighth globally in terms of non-oil trade, which reached $8.95bn in the first ten months of 2020, he added.
Japanese-Prime-Minister-Yoshihide-Suga
“We will continue advancing our bilateral cooperation in target areas and sectors that support the economy of the future, especially technology, electronics, advanced industries, medical research, space sciences, automation, artificial intelligence and entrepreneurship. The UAE-Japanese business council will play a key role in this regard,” Al Zeyoudi said.
Kajiyama highlighted his country’s desire to reinforce its relations with the UAE, most notably in the energy sector. He also stressed his country’s eagerness to actively participate in Expo 2020 Dubai, official news agency WAM reported.
Entities across both countries have collaborated earlier as well. The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) signed an agreement with Japan’s ispace earlier this year, by virtue of which the latter will provide payload delivery services to the Emirates Lunar Mission.
Japan to open tourism promotion office in Dubai
Last month, Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) said it will establish an office in Dubai within 2021, as part of its strategic efforts to achieve the Japanese government’s goal of welcoming 60 million international visitors to Japan by 2030.
It is the first such office by JNTO to open in the Middle East, and will be a focal point for the organisation’s promotional efforts in showcasing Japan as a preferred travel destination for residents in the region. JNTO has positioned the Middle East as a priority market and will promote tourism exchange between the Middle East and Japan in order to strengthen the relationship between the two.
JNTO President, Satoshi Seino, said: “JNTO is proud to open an office in Dubai, United Arab Emirates this year, which will be the first office to open in the whole Middle East by JNTO. Japan is a country with a long history, abundant nature and a unique culture. We are internationally renowned for our delicious cuisine, beaches, skiing, pop culture, shopping, and historic wooden architecture such as shrines and temples. A trip to Japan will surely be an unforgettable and special experience. To all in the Middle East, we look forward to welcoming you in Japan.”
The resolution was voted on last week, and passed with 24 countries voting in favour, nine against and 14 abstaining…reports Asian Lite News.
The Palestinian Authority’s foreign minister has expressed “concern” with India over its decision to abstain from a UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolution that called for a probe into alleged crimes committed during Israel’s 11-day offensive in the Gaza Strip.
In a letter addressed to India’s minister of external affairs, S Jaishankar, Riyad al-Maliki said he was concerned by the position taken by India at the rights council’s special session last week.
“The Republic of India missed an opportunity to join the international community at this turning point, [both] crucial and long overdue on the path to accountability, justice and peace,” Maliki wrote in the letter, which was sent on Sunday but made public on Wednesday.
“Your abstention stifles the important work of the human rights council at advancing human rights for all peoples, including those of the Palestinian people.”
Palestinian Territories, Gaza city: Fire billows from a building hit by an Israeli airstrike on the Gaza Strip, amid the escalating flare-up of Israeli-Palestinian violence(Photo: Mahmoud Khattab/Quds Net News via ZUMA Wire/dpa/IANS)
The resolution was voted on last week, and passed with 24 countries voting in favour, nine against and 14 abstaining. Other countries that abstained included the Bahamas; Brazil; Denmark; Fiji; France; Italy; Japan; Nepal; the Netherlands; Poland; South Korea; Togo; and Ukraine.
The resolution, which appoints a commission of inquiry to investigate possible war crimes and other abuses, was drafted after resistance against Israel’s attempts to forcibly evict Palestinian families from their homes in occupied East Jerusalem led to an Israeli aerial bombing campaign on the Gaza Strip last month, which killed around 250 Palestinians, including at least 67 children.
Israel’s foreign ministry said the country would not cooperate with the probe, deeming it a bid to “whitewash crimes committed by the terror organization Hamas”.
In the letter, Maliki said the UN resolution was “not an aberration to the human rights council” but rather a result of years of “thorough investigations into and reporting on Israel’s grave violations” by states, UN experts, human rights bodies and international organisations.
The “root causes of the injustice that befell the Palestinian people, the decades-long dispossession, displacement, colonization, oppression of the Palestinian people and the denial and violation of their every human rights by Israel, the occupying power, must be prioritized,” Malki continued, adding that, without accountability, “the situation will not only remain volatile but will continue deteriorating with far-reaching and grave repercussions”.
Growing India, Israel ties
India’s refusal to participate in the resolution comes as its relationship with Israel becomes increasingly close.
Last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who took office in 2014, went so far as to urge the Palestinian leadership to accept former US President Donald Trump’s controversial Middle East plan, which was considered heavily biased in favour of Israel and was fully rejected by the Palestinians.
At the time, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tweeted that “between Israel and India, a deep friendship has emerged”.
The Modi government has also sent troops and police to Israel for special training, and in recent years has become one of the largest buyers of Israeli weaponry, in deals thought to be worth around $1bn annually. India also reportedly signed a secretive defence deal with Israel last year, to the tune of $200m.
Formerly a strong supporter of the Palestinian cause, the Indian government did not establish full diplomatic relations with Israel until 1992. It voted against the creation of Israel at the United Nations General Assembly in 1947 on several grounds, including opposition to settler colonialism and the creation of a government based on religion.
Speaking on the Government Stage, Ghaith Alsuwaidi, Deputy Director, Security Systems for the DESC, unveiled the new platform, designed entirely by a team of UAE nationals…reports Asian Lite News
The Dubai Electronic Security Centre (DESC) has launched a new cybersecurity platform, known as “TIRS”, which translates to “Shield” in English, at GISEC 2021, the 9th edition of the Middle East and Africa’s most influential and connected cybersecurity event, where is open until tomorrow at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).
Speaking on the Government Stage, Ghaith Alsuwaidi, Deputy Director, Security Systems for the DESC, unveiled the new platform, designed entirely by a team of UAE nationals, which scans Dubai government websites to detect vulnerabilities within departments, delivers top-line data and issues a safety score out of five.
The platform also creates a threat report to inform participating entities on critical weaknesses, enabling them to take appropriate action to resolve any security gaps. Once the threat is identified and dealt with, the DESC will confirm the action taken within the TIRS system.
“TIRS is one of the key pillars monitoring Dubai’s cyberspace, through the Dubai Cyber Index Platform. We continuously scan government websites and based on the security of the government entities we give them a score out of five. It ensures the security of government websites and introduces competitiveness in terms of website security, all the time making Dubai’s cyberspace safer,” said Alsuwaidi, adding that the TIRS scoring will be a parameter on the Dubai Cyber Index by the end of this year.
Dr. Marwan Al-Zarouni, Director, Information Security Services, Dubai Electronic Security Centre (DESC), stated, “In Dubai, we are not isolated from the world when it comes to regulation, and we participate in global programmes and contribute to policy-making. We are one of the first cities to mandate that all cloud providers to any government bodies need to be compliant to our security standards.”
UAE-based cybersecurity advisor, Digital14, launched its Cyber Resilience Report: The UAE Threat Landscape 2021, during GISEC.
Cyber defence experts evaluated and analysed multiple digital assets in the UAE to give an in-depth understanding of the country’s threat landscape.
Digital14’s research revealed an exponential surge in phishing and ransomware with 1.1 million phishing attacks in 2020.
Joshua Knight, EVP Cyber Defence, Digital14, said, “Traditional cybersecurity approaches are no longer enough. Traditional perimeter-based network defence, for example, is obsolete. Not only does the perimeter no longer exist in our newly connected environments, but organisations must also recognise that their networks have most likely already been breached.”
Key findings of the report include: In 2020, 249,955 vulnerabilities were found in 800,315 unique instances Significant numbers of old vulnerabilities, some dating back to 2000, have yet to be remediated within UAE organisations’ networks. These can easily provide an entry point for devastating cyberattacks Ransomware increased with a 33 percent rise in the number of new ransomware families compared with 2019
From 2nd June, a quarantine-free travel corridor has been established between Italy and the UAE enabling passengers to travel between the two countries with less restrictions….reports Asian Lite News
flydubai, the Dubai-based airline, has announced today the resumption of its operations to Naples in Italy. The three weekly flights to Naples International Airport (NAP) will commence on 1st July.
From 2nd June, a quarantine-free travel corridor has been established between Italy and the UAE enabling passengers to travel between the two countries with less restrictions.
A negative COVID-19 test result will be required 48 hours before departure from the UAE. On arrival in Italy, all passengers over the age of two years will be required to take a rapid antigen test.
The safe travel corridor with Italy is the latest in a series of agreements signed by the UAE including those with Bahrain, Greece and Serbia.
flydubai will increase the frequency of flights to Naples to a four-weekly service from 1st August.
Flights to Bodrum and Trabzon in Turkey will start from 4th and 24th June respectively. The carrier will commence flights to Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt from 15th June and to the Greek islands Santorini and Mykonos from 18th June.
flydubai will also restart its operations to Batumi in Georgia and Tivat in Montenegro from 25th June and both destinations offer UAE residents visa on arrival.
Besides topping several global and Arab indices in different fields including smart government, telecommunication, education, health and digital solutions, reports Asian Lite News
The Digital Transformation in the UAE Report 2020 released by the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) has revealed the many first and the efforts made by the Emirate in making it the hub of digital transformation globally.
Besides topping several global and Arab indices in different fields including smart government, telecommunication, education, health and digital solutions, the UAE has also emerged as the leader in artificial intelligence infrastructure in the Arab region.
Commenting on the report, Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director-General of TDRA and Head of Digital Government, said, “The achievements highlighted by this report are fruits of accumulated efforts and vision of the wise leadership to set the UAE as a leading model for future foresight and happiness on basis of technology, advanced science and digital transformation. I appreciate the efforts of federal and local government entities, which worked as one team in harmony to serve the UAE’s objective of digitalising government services.”
In the health sector, UAE has been ranked first in the number of accredited medical facilities index. Accredited medical facilities which met required standards (including IT management and employment in healthcare services) reached 88.33 percent. It has been ranked 12th in health infrastructure.
In the economic sector, UAE has been ranked first in several indices, including public-private partnership and its impact on technology development, use of virtual professional networks, and government purchase of advanced technology products.
UAE has also been ranked first in the Arab region for its readiness in future index, IMD’s digital competitiveness index, and market value of information and media technology index.
With regard to capacity building, the UAE has been ranked fourth globally in the legal framework’s adaptability to digital business models, second in ICT usage, big data usage and analysis, and government future orientation.
The report also reveals on the achievements of federal and local governments in the field of digital transformation. The initiatives by the UAE includes orientation to paperless government, digital service platforms, and digital connection among government entities through the Federal Network (FedNet), UAE Pass and Government Service Bus (GSB). The initiatives also reveal the optimistic strategies approved by the government to enter the age of the fourth industrial revolution, artificial intelligence and big data analysis.
“In the UAE, we are determined to save no efforts to enhance the due position of the UAE since the start of the Union and under directions of our wise leadership. Today, we achieved many top ranks, particularly in digital transformation, under the directions of our leadership and with the help of our national cadres. We prepare for the next fifty years to make more achievements,” said Al Mansoori.
UAE tops mobile phone network coverage
The UAE has been ranked first globally in mobile broadband internet subscriptions, mobile phone network coverage, mobile broadband subscriptions, and wireless broadband. The report referred to a set of leading initiatives related to information society and digital economy, including the E-Health Information System ‘Wareed”, robotic pharmacy, eService integration, and Human Resources Management Information System (Bayanati).
In the economic and security sectors, the UAE has made significant achievements, including the development of “Start your business in 15 minutes”, the police station in your phone, and the Hassantuk project.
The report highlighted the UAE’s smart platform for big data and transition to IPV6. The UAE is the first country at the regional level to apply IPV6, the federal network “FedNet” and the digital identity “UAE PASS”.
The report reviewed achievements made at the level of local governments of the seven emirates of the UAE, highlighting the large volume of work that has been achieved in terms of digital transformation of public services. These achievements enhance the UAE’s orientation towards a new brighter future in the era of the 4th industrial revolution, artificial intelligence, space and the digital knowledge society.
Forty years to the top
The report states the story of digital transformation in the UAE, which started in the early 1980s with the establishment of the Public Information Authority. That authority was responsible for the automation of government processes and the introduction of computer in federal government work. The report highlighted some achievements in the digital world till 2021, the year of the UAE golden jubilee and preparation for the next fifty years.
The BCCI will also speak to the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the T20 World Cup scheduled to be held in India in October-November…reports Asian Lite News
Indian Premier League’s (IPL) remaining matches this season will be held in United Arab Emirates in the months of September-October, the Indian cricket board confirmed on Saturday.
“The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday announced to complete the remaining matches of VIVO Indian Premier League 2021 season in the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E) considering the monsoon season in India in the months of September-October this year,” said a statement from the BCCI on Saturday.
“The decision was taken at a Special General Meeting (SGM) held virtually, where members unanimously agreed to resume IPL,” the statement added.
The BCCI will also speak to the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the T20 World Cup scheduled to be held in India in October-November.
“The BCCI SGM further authorised the Office Bearers to seek an extension of time from the ICC to take an appropriate call on the hosting of ICC T20 World Cup 2021,” the statement said further.
Headquartered in Bristol, UK, IVC Evidensia operates a network of more than 1,500 veterinary clinics and hospitals in 12 countries across Europe…reports Asian Lite News
Mubadala Investment Company today announced that it has invested GBP ₤350m in IVC Evidensia, Europe’s largest veterinary care provider.
Headquartered in Bristol, UK, IVC Evidensia operates a network of more than 1,500 veterinary clinics and hospitals in 12 countries across Europe caring for over four million pets. Founded in 2011, the company operates a decentralised model that promotes innovation and clinical freedom within its network, supported by a range of integrated services such as procurement, veterinary advisers and clinical boards.
IVC Evidensia is widely recognised for pioneering new standards both for clinical excellence and staff wellbeing within its sector. IVC was originally acquired by EQT Private Equity in December 2016 and in May 2017 it merged with Evidensia, the Swedish veterinary group. Since then, the company has further strengthened its position as Europe’s leading veterinary services provider through strong organic growth and strategic add-on acquisitions.
Justin Sabet-Peyman, Head of Consumer at Mubadala, said, “Our investment in IVC Evidensia aligns well with our focus on investing in market leading consumer businesses in resilient and growing sectors. We are excited to be partnering with EQT, Silver Lake, Nestlé and IVC’s world-class management team to help drive the company’s continued leadership and innovation in pet care.”
Mubadala’s investment in IVC Evidensia joins its growing global portfolio of world-class consumer businesses, including Reliance Retail Ventures Limited, Coupang and Truck Hero. Within the consumer sector, Mubadala focuses on investing in businesses led by strong management teams with leading positions in attractive markets with strong tailwinds.
It kicked out London Heathrow from the top spot, with the UK airport plummeting to seventh place at capacity of 747,420…reports Asian Lite News
Dubai International Airport (DXB) has been named the world’s busiest international airport in May, as travelers gradually return to the skies.
The airport’s scheduled capacity was 1,895,866 in May, according to aviation intelligence firm OAG, despite many of its source markets being closed to international travelers.
It kicked out London Heathrow from the top spot, with the UK airport plummeting to seventh place at capacity of 747,420.
Two other regional airports dominated the list, with Istanbul Ataturk coming in second at around 1.3 million capacity, followed by Doha International Airport at 1.24 million.
The rankings are based on scheduled capacity compared to the same month in 2019, pre-pandemic.
Four Middle East air routes were the busiest in May, according to OAG data, three of which connect Cairo to Jeddah, Riyadh and Dubai.
Within Saudi Arabia, the Jeddah-Riyadh route was one of the busiest in May with 547,936 capacity.
Last year, DXB handled 25.9 million passengers, despite the Covid-19 pandemic wreaking havoc in the aviation industry, forcing airports to shut down and grounding airlines across the globe.
The travel restrictions and suspension of flights from certain countries also impacted airports and airlines.
The new variants of Covid-19 also continue to batter the sector with travel bans on passengers from the worst-hit countries.
But governments are increasingly reopening their borders with those countries that have largely vaccinated their citizens.
Data from the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority showed international passenger traffic reaching 7.61 million during the first four months of 2021, including 1.87 million during the month of April.
The numbers are significantly higher when compared with last year’s April figures of 39,794 passengers, when international flights from Dubai airports were suspended after the Covid-19 outbreak.
OAG data showed Turkey’s Istanbul International Airport emerged as the second busiest airport with 1.3 million seats, followed by Doha Airport at 1.22 million, and Amsterdam Airport at one million.
