Following worries over COVID-19, several schools in Dubai have prolonged online education by one week.

Last January 3, 30 schools in Dubai moved to distance learning for the second term.

GEMS Education’s Chief Operations Officer, Elmarie Venter, stated that the company continues to work closely with UAE authorities to ensure school communities as safe as possible.

She went on to say that they are keeping a close eye on the situation and that they are looking forward to bringing “our children back into the classroom as soon as it is safe to do so.”

Following an upsurge in COVID-19 instances, educational institutions are working on alternate academic schedules and class configurations.

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai and Patron of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award, today congratulated the winners of the eleventh edition of the Award.

An Award ceremony to be held at Expo 2020 Dubai on 9 January will bring together the sporting world’s most creative individuals and entities. Launched in 2009, the first ever award that honours creativity in sport, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award, part of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, is the largest award of its kind in the world in terms of both prize money and diversity of categories.

His Highness said: “In accordance with the leadership’s vision for the future and commitment to nurturing creativity in all spheres of life, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award has been honouring individuals who have made significant creative contributions to sports including players, coaches and administrators in the UAE and the Arab world, Emirati and Arab sports teams and Emirati, Arab and international sports institutions. Apart from honouring exceptional innovators in all aspects of sports, the Award is keen to support initiatives that enhance the status of sports across the world in line with one of the key objectives of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives to empower societies to advance their development.”

Expo 2020 Dubai will host the ceremony to honour the 11th edition of the Award, which coincides with the 50th Anniversary of the Union and the Golden Jubilee of the founding of the UAE. The Award celebrated the occasion by issuing a coin bearing the image of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the name of the Award in cooperation with the Central Bank of the UAE, as well as a commemorative stamp in cooperation with Emirates Post.

His Highness added: “Dubai has always fostered creativity in all its forms to enhance excellence in various spheres of life including sport. Creativity is vital to the progress of nations and cultures and a major driving force for shaping a brighter future. By celebrating innovators in the sporting field, Dubai seeks to enable role models in the sector to promote an ethos of creativity worldwide. The Award recognises the efforts of creative individuals who have overcome formidable challenges to make remarkable contributions to sport. Despite the exceptional situation the world has faced over the last two years, the outstanding individuals who are being recognised by the Award have transformed challenges into opportunities to strive for greater levels of creativity and performance. I wish all the Award winners even greater success in their sports careers.”

Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Award’s Board of Trustees and Vice Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, extended his deepest gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the National Olympic Committee and President of the Award, for their guidance and support, which have led to the Award becoming a major sports recognition programme that is playing a significant role in the development of the sports sector in the UAE, the Arab region and the world.

He said: “With the directives and support of His Highness the Sponsor of the Award and His Highness the President of the Award, 11 editions of the Award have contributed to developing sports, enhancing performance and raising creativity.

“Our efforts do not merely stop at honouring athletes, teams and institutions, we are also committed to spreading a culture of creativity in sports through many initiatives and motivating local, Arab and international sports institutions to intensify their efforts in this field, whether it is supporting women’s sports, promoting governance in sports work, or empowering communities through sports, in addition to many other development initiatives in the sector.”

The Chairman of the Board of Trustees concluded: “For the eleventh session, we extended the deadline for nominations to allow the Arab champions the chance to win the Olympics and Paralympics as well as win the Award. We were keen to send a message to the athletes before the start of the Olympics and Paralympics and to motivate them to excel and have the opportunity to be recognised by the current edition of the Award, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Union and the Golden Jubilee of the nation’s founding.”

The ceremony to honour the winners of the eleventh edition of the Award organised at the South Hall of the Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo 2020 Dubai will bring together leading sports figures, teams and institutions including Arab champions who took part in the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo. The Award will also honour six young athletes from the UAE in accordance with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, and the Patron of the Award, and His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the National Olympic Committee and Chairman of the Award.

WAM

Over the last few decades, Dubai has grown in popularity worldwide as a family tourism destination with a wide range of exciting places to visit and things to do for the entire family.

Underpinning this reputation is the variety of mega theme parks that offer everything from Guinness World Record holding rides to magical experiences for Hollywood and Bollywood fans.

The emirate’s diverse theme parks are key attractions being highlighted by the #DubaiDestinations initiative launched by the Dubai Media Council to showcase the exceptional activities and experiences offered by the emirate.

Dubai’s theme parks give people an opportunity to come together as friends and families to have wonderful entertainment experiences in both indoor and outdoor settings.

Dubai Parks and Resorts, the largest theme park destination in the Middle East offers an incredible scale and variety of entertainment.

Featuring Motiongate Dubai, Bollywood Parks Dubai, Legoland Dubai, and Legoland Water Park, all in one incredible location spread across 25 million square feet, Dubai Parks and Resorts offers endless fun with over 100 thrilling rides, record-breaking swing rides and enthralling live shows.

Motiongate Dubai invites people on exciting rides with themes of Hollywood blockbusters like The Hunger Games, Ghostbusters, Step Up and more. It also brings to life some of Hollywood’s biggest blockbuster films from DreamWorks Animation and Columbia Pictures including the Smurfs and Lionsgate.

Legoland offers over 40 Lego themed rides and shows where children can get creative as they build Lego structures, drive cars or steer a boat.

The adjacent Legoland Water Park, the only water park in the region designed specifically for kids aged 2-12 and their families, provides the opportunity to go on a splash safari or go down one of its 20 water slides and attractions.

Featuring 15,000 Lego models and more than 60 million Lego bricks, LEGOLAND Dubai and LEGOLAND Water Park are firm favourites among families in Dubai.

Promising endless fun for everyone, BOLLYWOOD PARKS Dubai is the ultimate family destination and the first and only theme park in the world that has been inspired by, and showcases, the bold and colorful storytelling of Bollywood. Immersing its guests in a cultural extravaganza, the park is home to 17 action-packed rides and family friendly attractions, immersive and authentic shopping experiences, captivating dance performances, live shows, and spectacular Indian food and beverage offerings.

Guests can stay just steps away from all four of the world-famous parks at Lapita, Dubai Parks and Resorts, Autograph Collection, a Polynesian themed family hotel that is part of Marriott International, or at Rove at The Park, a funky midscale hotel that is also perfect for families.

Dubai also has many water parks that offer exceptional entertainment and adventure experiences for people of all ages. They include massive slides, wave pools and smaller rides with children in mind. From an Arabian-themed water park to close-up experiences with marine life, everyone is bound to have a great time.

Located on the stunning Palm Islands in Atlantis, The Palm Resorts, Aquaventure Waterpark is one of the largest water parks in the entire Middle East and Europe. Offering unique experiences like the chance to swim with sharks and stingrays within a protected environment, this award-winning theme park features 105 record-breaking slides.

Aquaventure Waterpark is home to the best waterslides in the world, from epic heights and turns to high-speed drops.

Voted one of the top water parks in the world by TripAdvisor, Aquaventure Waterpark completed a highly anticipated expansion last year. Towering over Aquaventure is the awe-inspiring Trident Tower.

At 48-meters tall and with 12 high-performance water rides, the record-breaking structure commands the skyline. Key attractions include the world’s tallest waterslide and the longest family water coaster that offers the triple treat of speed, power and rafting adventure.

Guests can also ride the longest river in the region with gushing rapids that send you twisting and spinning through raging torrents. For a more relaxing experience, Aquaventure’s Raging Rapids takes you on a lazy river with different zones of wave intensity. The Waterpark also features a 1 km private beach that offers amazing views of the Dubai skyline.

Another exciting water park in Dubai is the Laguna Water Park, located at La Mer Hotel featuring a beautiful beachfront and promenade. With four zones (Surf, Relax, Slide and Splash) the Park is best known for its Ultimate Surf Machine which is only one of three in the world.

For those looking for a one-stop-shop for the best entertainment, shopping, dining, cultural and experiences and attractions in Dubai, there is no better place than Global Village. Currently in its 26th season, Global Village provides something different from other parks in Dubai with various lively festivals and exciting shows that showcase the cultural heritage of various parts of the world.

At Global Village, you can discover 80 different cultures across 26 pavilions featuring artisans to entertainers and wonders from all over the world.

Visitors can explore a treasure trove of unique products across more than 3,500 boutiques and stalls. The hugely popular Carnaval is home to more than 170 rides, games and attractions for the entire family. The current Season 26 of Global Village offers the finest and rarest flavours and dishes from every continent.

Guests are spoilt for choice with more than 200 restaurants, cafes and the most culturally diverse street food offering in the region.

Global Village also offers a unique line up of over 200 shows every day featuring more than 400 artists from around the world. A spectacular fireworks display lights the sky every Friday and Saturday evening throughout the season.

Capturing and inspiring the imagination of children is a very important part of the Global Village ethos. This season, the world’s first Peter Rabbit Adventure Zone features a series of fun and interactive activity areas. Another major attraction is the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium, which takes guests on a journey around the world and through the ages.

Over 100 new exhibits are on show this season. Ripley’s Marvelous Mirror Maze – boasting over 250 mirrors, LED lighting, and digital sound – is upgraded with immersive features for newfound levels of illusion. Season 26 also features the 4D Moving Theatre featuring the magical mayhem of the Happy Family movie.

If you prefer to enjoy thrills and adventures in a virtual world, the electrifying VR Park, one of the world’s largest indoor virtual reality and theme parks, located at The Dubai Mall, offers a range of adrenaline-pumping experiences with 16 thrilling simulated rides that utilise next-level technology in innovative and exciting ways.

The first virtual reality-based theme park in the Middle East, the facility offers a sweet escape from the trappings of the real world, giving visitors the chance to go on breathtaking adventures and visit extraordinary places. The VR Park will appeal to the whole family with a diverse mix of rides and video games.

From helicopter malfunctions and skyscraper plunges to paragliding, dune bashing and battles against robo zombies, this futuristic amusement park offers entertainment that is literally out of this world. A new addition to the VR Park is the trampoline park and inflatable playground that provides fun experiences for the entire family.

What makes the venue truly special is the pronounced focus on shared VR experiences through the multiplayer functionality that is ideal for groups of friends and families. Experiences and rides range from education to action, gentle and exhilarating and everywhere in between.

All theme parks in Dubai follow globally benchmarked preventive protocols that provide the highest levels of health and safety for visitors. These protocols implemented across public facilities in the emirate are part of a comprehensive protective regime that has made Dubai one of the world’s safest destinations.

WAM

The last-minute sales phase for the FIFA Club World Cup 2021 presented by Alibaba Cloud, will start online today, 7th January.

Tickets during the Visa Presale phase were in huge demand; including the final on 12 February and semi-finals featuring Palmeiras and Chelsea on 8th and 9th February.

Fans will have the opportunity to grab seats for highly anticipated matches via FIFA.com/tickets starting at 14:00 UAE time (GMT +4).

With just under one month to go until the start of the tournament, a range of affordable tickets have been made available via FIFA.com/tickets. Tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis throughout the tournament and fans are advised to monitor FIFA.com/tickets for ticket availability and updates.

Seven international teams will take part in the knock-out tournament, with the opening match taking place on Thursday 3rd February between UAE representative Al Jazira FC and the Oceania Football Confederation’s nominee, AS Pirae.

The other five qualified teams are champions of Concacaf (CF Monterrey), UEFA (Chelsea), CONMEBOL (Palmeiras), the AFC (Al Hilal SFC), and CAF (Al Ahly SC).

All matches will take place in two stadiums – the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium and Al Nahyan Stadium – both of which have been prepared to offer world-class health and safety standards, guaranteeing an enjoyable and safe experience for football fans and the community.

Tickets are affordably priced and available for fans across the world, starting at just AED 20 for a Category 4 ticket up to AED 200 for a Category 1 final ticket.

Visa, the Official Payment Services Partner of FIFA, is the preferred payment method of the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2021 .

Strict Covid-19 measures are in place to ensure a safe environment during the tournament, in order to protect the health and safety of everyone involved. Ticketholders must present their Green Pass on Alhosn, showing their fully vaccinated status and a negative PCR test result valid for no more than 48 hours to gain entry to the venue. 

WAM

Authorities in Dubai are enacting stricter laws for E-scooters in response to an upsurge in reported mishaps, particularly in Dubai.

E-scooters, according to Hussain Al Banna, executive director of traffic at the Roads and Transport Authority, are a good alternative for “first-and-last-mile” excursions, but they must be regulated for the safety of users and others on the road.

Micromobility users can benefit from two-wheelers. However, there have been persistent safety concerns in the UAE and around the world about their use.

E-scooter incidents have resulted in a number of injuries at UAE hospitals, with physicians reporting that fractured bones, bruises, and scrapes from falling off the two-wheelers are widespread.

Passengers from the United Arab Emirates can rebook flights without penalty and receive a reimbursement for delayed COVID-19 findings.

Travelers who are unable to travel owing to insufficient COVID-19 documentation or who test positive for COVID have the option to rebook their flights without penalty or, in some cases, receive a refund.

According to the spokesperson of Emirates, “Our generous waiver policy means that customers unable to make their originally booked flights due to incomplete Covid-19 documentation or a positive test result can rebook to fly later without penalty, or refund their ticket.” 

“If customers do not show up for their flight, their tickets will be automatically suspended. This means they will not be able to make changes to their bookings themselves and will have to contact us via our sales office or contact centre to process any changes.” he also added.

According to the Filipino Times, the UAE, together with Albania, Brazil, Gabon, and Ghana, has formally joined the UN Security Council.

Ambassadors made brief statements before placing their countries’ flags outside the council chambers alongside those of other members. In an awareness of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, they also posed for a group portrait while wearing face masks and standing apart.

The 15-member council is the most powerful body in the UN, with permanent members China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States having veto power.

The 193-member General Assembly elects other members for staggered two-year periods.

The Board of Directors of Dubai Chambers has approved the organisation’s strategy for the next three years (2022-2024), which is based on four main pillars, namely improving the business environment in Dubai, attracting foreign investments and international companies to the emirate, supporting member companies with global expansion and growing Dubai’s digital economy.

The priorities, listed under the newly-adopted strategy, were announced during the board’s first official meeting in 2022, which was hosted at Dubai Chambers’ headquarters and chaired by Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair, Chairman of Dubai Chambers.

The meeting was joined by Omar Sultan Al Olama, Chairman of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, Sultan bin Sulayem, Chairman of Dubai International Chamber, and board members Khalid Juma Al Majid; Dr. Raja Easa Saleh Al Gurg; Buti Saeed Mohammad Al Ghandi; Patrick Chalhoub; Faisal Juma Kalfan Belhoul; Tariq Hussain Khansaheb; Dr. Amina Alrostamani; Helal Saeed Al Marri; and Gassan Al Kibsi; in the presence of Hamad Buamim, President and CEO of Dubai Chamber.

During the meeting, the board approved the organisation’s 2022 budget and established new committees that will be tasked with overseeing matters related to investment, auditing, risks, nominations and remunerations.

Board members discussed potential plans to be implemented under the new strategy, which are aligned with Dubai’s strategic vision and support plans announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to boost Dubai’s trade to AED 2 trillion in five years.

The Chairman and members of the board congratulated His Highness Sheikh Mohammed on the 16th anniversary of his ascension to power, and expressed their gratitude for his wise leadership, which has put Dubai and the UAE on a stable path of prosperity and progress.

Al Ghurair said that the adoption of the Chambers’ strategy for the next three years reflects the Chambers’ commitment to achieving the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and expands the role of Dubai Chambers as the important organisation supporting the growth of Dubai’s economy. He described the strategy as a blueprint for a competitive economy with bolder ambitions that can adapt to future challenges.

He added, “Today we adopted an integrated strategy for the next phase that enhances the partnership of the public and private sectors, and reflects the new role that Dubai Chambers will play in shaping the future of Dubai’s economy and achieving the goals and vision of our wise leadership.”

He noted that ensuring a business-friendly regulatory environment and fostering public-private sector cooperation and partnerships, policy advocacy and raising standards of customer service will also remain top priorities for Dubai Chambers as works towards achieving its new ambitions.

Dubai Chambers was established under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, as part of a recent government restructuring that aims to drive a comprehensive economic development in Dubai. The organisation operates under a three-chamber model comprises Dubai Chamber of Commerce, Dubai International Chamber and Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy.

WAM

Green Universe has showcased its initiative titled “Creative Solutions for a Sustainable Green Connection of UAE”, in which it has addressed in detail the environmental, economic, health and social effects of the benefits generated from implementing the initiative.

The function was attended by Ermal Dredha, ambassador of Albania in the UAE, Xhabir Hamiti, ambassador of Kosovo in the UAE, Alban Fetahu, commissioner of Kosovo pavilion Expo Dubai 2020, UAE local media, a number of personalities concerned with the environment and green economies and a group of other attendees.

Mark Nikolli, Founder and CEO of Green Universe, started the presentation of the initiative by drawing up its outlines and clarifying how it relates to the general objectives of the UAE Green Growth Strategy. These include laying the foundations for an integrated action plan to increase the use of clean fuels and improving the methods of producing clean energy from renewable resources in a way that supports efficient energy consumption.

He pointed out that the objectives of the initiative intersect with both the ‘Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan’ and the ‘Abu Dhabi Vision 2030’ in terms of setting a legal and regulatory framework for urban planning processes in line with the best global environmental practices and adding green areas comprised by bamboo, enhancing and preserving the surrounding ecosystems and dedicating healthy lifestyles of high quality to the population.

Nikolli, also stated that the initiative is not the spur of the moment but rather the outcome of 3 continuous years of hard and diligent work by the company’s work team in the UAE. The team included economic and environmental elites and witnessed co-operation with major international universities specialized in environmental sustainability such as the Politecnico di Milano, which is well-known in Italy and Europe for its advanced research in ecosystems, and the University of Turin, whose Department of Science of Life and Biology of Systems is one of the most active and influential environmental research centres.

A number of specialists including Dr. Francesco Pittau professor of Politecnico Di Milano and Dr. Lindita Bande from UAE University reviewed the scientific bases of the initiative i.e. planting a green belt of giant tropical bamboo trees on the roads linking Abu Dhabi and Dubai and creating a certain number of forests surrounding selected residential communities.

These specialists underscored the great importance of choosing bamboo over other plants, relying on real and tangible results on the ground obtained from previous initiatives In Italy and other country in Europe where 2.000,000 square metres were planted with bamboo trees.

Add to this, the Delta Jatropha initiative in Madagascar, in which the company is projecting to plant green plants mostly bamboo trees of over 195 million square metres in area. Before this land were planted by Jatropha and other agricultural plants and our aim now is to change the cultivation because this contributes to increase soil fertility, rainfalls and tangible environmental outputs. Last but not least, the project will contribute to support the lives of 195,000 people from the economic point of view.

Green Universe is also is in project planing to plant 300.000 square of bamboo in Albania.

Dr. Fabrizio Pecci from Italian Bamboo Consortium, partner of Green Universe pointed out that planting bamboo trees, which belonged to the category of diverse plants, has many benefits. Bamboo trees include more than 70 main families, from which approximately 1,200 species are branched off, they said, adding that this would make it easy for these trees to be planted in the UAE, thanks to the intensive employment of the techniques devised by the company. At the same time, bamboo is distinguished from other plants by its ability to absorb 275 tonnes of carbon dioxide per square hectare and to produce oxygen by 35 per cent more than other plant options, they added.

Dr. Fabrizio alluded to the research carried out by the University of Punjab, which described bamboo as the food of the future as it is antitumor, antibacterial, antiviral and antioxidant, not to mention that it has a high nutritional value. Bamboo is rich in proteins, carbohydrates and amino acids, as it includes 8 main types of acids as well as minerals, fibres, potassium, calcium, zinc and A, B6 and E vitamins.

Dr. Fabrizio also talked about the industrial benefits of bamboo, which scientists describe as the green steel due to its multiple uses in construction processes, especially villas, furniture, decorations and interior designs over and above its wide uses in manufacturing industries such as paper and clothing, knowing that it has gained wide popularity due to the high quality of the final products used for its manufacture.

Bamboo has many other advantages including its use as wind barriers and noise barriers on roads if it is planted on both sides of the road. It is also used as fireproof barriers and plays a key role in enhancing soil fertility and air purification, not to mention its positive environmental impact.

Green Universe consists of a group of companies specialised in green economy and environmental issues. The aim is to help countries create sustainable environmental systems and consolidate the quality of life of their communities in such a manner that reflects positively on all economic, social, health and environmental aspects and contributes to building a sustainable future for current and future generations.

The group has already forged partnerships with major scientific and research establishments dealing with environmental issues such as Politecnico di Milano and the Department of Science of Life and Biology of Systems at the University of Turin. Through the system and methodology that we have developed together with our partners, we have all the capacities to make sure that tropical giant bamboo forests will get fertile conditions to succeed and thrive in UAE.

WAM

New strain of the of SARS-CoV-2 variant discovered by scientists in Southern France and it is called as IHU: 

1. The new COVID-19 mutation has been reported by researchers at institute IHU Mediterranee Infection in at least 12 cases.
2. This new strain of the COVID-19 has been linked to travel to African country Cameroon.
3. It is too early to speculate on how this variant behaves as far as infection and protection from vaccines are concerned.
4. IHU has 46 mutations and 37 deletions resulting in 30 amino acid substitutions and 12 deletions.
5. The B.1.640.2 has not been identified in other countries so far or labeled a variant under investigation by the World Health Organization (WHO).
6. The index (first) case was an adult diagnosed positive by RTPCR performed in a laboratory on a nasopharyngeal sample collected in mid-November last year.
7. COVID-19 variants, according to Epidemiologist Eric Feigl-Ding, keep emerging but it does not necessarily mean they will be more dangerous.
8. What makes a variant more well-known and dangerous is “its ability to multiply because of the number of mutations it has in relation to the original virus,” Feigl-Ding tweeted on January 4.
9. This is when it becomes a “variant of concern” – like Omicron, which is more contagious and more past immunity evasive. “It remains to be seen in which category this new variant will fall,” he added.

Source: The Filipino Times