On Wednesday, no wounded Palestinians or dual citizens were able to be evacuated from the Gaza Strip to Egypt through the Rafah crossing.
The crossing remains closed due to Israel’s refusal to approve the list of individuals slated for evacuation, as stated by a Hamas official. A large crowd had gathered at the crossing in hopes of crossing into Egypt on Wednesday.
Mazen Danaf, who holds a German passport, described the situation in Gaza as “horrible,” citing a lack of electricity, water, and fuel, along with overcrowded hospitals.
Egypt has expressed its intention to assist in evacuating approximately 7,000 foreigners through the crossing.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning about concerning developments in the spread of diseases in the Gaza Strip.
FILE PHOTO: Palestinian doctor Hassan Zain al Din, who travels on his bicycle from one makeshift shelter to another to provide treatment and medication to displaced patients, checks a girl at a school turned into a shelter, amid fuel shortages, as the conflict between Hamas and Israel continues, in Deir al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip October 29, 2023. REUTERS/Ahmed Zakot/File Photo
Israeli airstrikes have disrupted the region’s health system, access to clean water, and led to crowded shelters, increasing the risk of infectious diseases. Desalination plants have shut down due to a lack of fuel, heightening the potential for bacterial infections like diarrhea.
Since mid-October, over 33,551 cases of diarrhea have been reported, primarily among children under five. The fuel shortage has also hindered solid waste collection, creating conditions conducive to the proliferation of disease-carrying insects and rodents.
Maintaining infection prevention measures in health centers has become nearly impossible, raising the risk of infection related to trauma, surgery, and childbirth.
Disruptions in routine vaccination activities and a shortage of medicines for treating communicable diseases further contribute to the heightened risk of disease spread.
Kuwait has sent twelve new ambulances to the Gaza Strip, which arrived through the Rafah crossing, the main route for humanitarian aid to the region.
AFP
These ambulances were initially delivered to Egypt’s North Sinai city of Arish and were part of aid shipments sent after the Israel-Gaza war started on October 7. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, visited the Egypt-Gaza border, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
He also visited a hospital in Al Arish where he met with Gazans receiving treatment. Meanwhile, lorries carrying humanitarian aid were waiting at the Rafah crossing for clearance. The flow of aid into Gaza has been limited, with shops running out of essential food items.
Despite some food being available at wholesalers, damaged roads, safety concerns, and a fuel shortage have hindered restocking efforts. Egyptian authorities are working to increase aid and fuel supplies to the strip, and the crossing is open for foreign passport holders with approval from the Gaza border authority.
On Tuesday, 663 foreign citizens, including 139 children who received vaccinations, left the Gaza Strip.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced the “Economic Principles of UAE”, aiming to further enhance the country’s economic performance and develop it into the world’s best and most active economy.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said, “Today, the Economic Principles of UAE which represents our economic roadmap for the next phase in our national development.”
His Highness added, “Our aim is to place the UAE at the forefront of global economies, with a strong digital structure, secure systems, flexible legislative framework and future thinking. The UAE’s attractiveness to top talent is growing and its positive impact as a global economic hub is constant.”
His Highness’s statement came during the UAE Government Annual Meetings 2023, held in Abu Dhabi between 7th and 8th November. The meetings saw a number of discussions and sessions on various fields and sectors, in addition to launching new initiatives and programmes that contribute to the country’s national development plan to achieve the objectives of the “UAE Centennial 2071”.
Inspired by the Principles of the 50, which serve as a guideline for the UAE’s new era of political, economic and social development, the Economic Principles of UAE represents a roadmap steering the development of the country’s economy.
The 10 principles position the UAE as a globally integrated economy offering a fully-fledged digital infrastructure, secure systems, adaptable legislation, a forward-thinking mindset, and providing an attractive destination for innovative talent and investment.
The Economic Principles of UAE are:
1. The UAE is a globally open free-market economy The UAE serves as a model of a free economy, open to the entire world, welcoming international and regional economic and trade without constraints. It forges economic connections with the world, providing a global economic environment with clear and competitive advantages and incentives to drive investment and both inbound and outbound trade. It continually explores new economic opportunities to boost exports, diversify import sources and establish extensive trade and economic partnerships, thereby strengthening the UAE’s position at the core of the global free-market economy.
2. The UAE attracts top talent The UAE provides an environment that both attracts the world’s top talent, entrepreneurs and innovators, and nurtures home-grown talent. It offers attractive incentives for skilled professionals and creative minds and provides a climate that supports turning great ideas into commercial opportunities and helping them develop and thrive. It offers world-class infrastructure, including healthcare, education, leisure and other facilities that combine to provide a place where people can live, learn, work and play in an environment of safety, security and stability.
3. The UAE invests in the digital economy The UAE serves as a global hub for the digital economy, offering an international platform for digital transactions and a compelling investment environment for pioneers in big data, technology development and innovation. This is achieved through the continuous development of both the UAE’s best-in-class digital infrastructure and business-friendly regulation. The UAE remains committed to investing in transformative technologies like Artificial Intelligence, which will play a critical role in shaping the future of the global landscape.
4. The UAE invests in developing and creating opportunities for its youth The UAE is committed to integrating young Emirati talent at the core of the country’s economic model, enabling them to discover and leverage opportunities across the economy by providing them with the skillsets and capabilities to ensure their competitiveness in global markets. Across the public and private sector alike, encouragement and investment are devoted to the creation of diverse and viable employment and professional development opportunities for young talent.
5. The UAE manages a sustainable and balanced economy The UAE is focused on ensuring the sustainability of the country’s economy through advanced legislation, policies that safeguard resource sustainability, environmentally friendly energy sources, and government plans and strategies aimed at preserving our natural resources for future generations. It invests in global sustainability initiatives and promotes sustainable practices, business and public infrastructure at home.
6. The UAE offers a strong and stable financial system The UAE maintains the strength and stability of its financial systems and practices, ensuring sound and resilient public finance together with a well-regulated financial sector that meets the highest international standards of transparency, efficiency and security. Embracing innovative financial instruments and models together with future-focused regulation and a strong role in the international financial system, the UAE provides an attractive environment for global banks and financial institutions to develop and prosper.
7. The UAE offers a strong and fair legislative environment The UAE maintains the continuous development of its legislative system and processes to guarantee a robust investment environment supported by flexible laws and business-friendly policies. Its legislation serves to bolster the UAE’s status as a secure, competitive and attractive destination for businesses and provide a framework for them to develop and grow globally. The UAE is investing in a legislative framework that is agile and adaptable to embrace current and future developments and continue to foster a strong, safe and fair business environment.
8. The UAE upholds the principles of transparency and the rule of law The UAE is dedicated to upholding transparency, compliance and the rule of law, creating an environment where trade can flourish against a background of credibility, probity and responsible economic management. The UAE actively strives to facilitate access to information from reliable sources and provide accurate public data supporting business decision-making and intelligence, fostering investor confidence and supporting sound opportunities for investment and economic growth.
9. The UAE’s business community is supported by a strong banking sector The UAE is committed to the development and operation of a robust and advanced banking system, in line with the best global standards, committed to safeguarding personal savings and supporting secure financial transactions for clients, both at the individual and business level. It collaborates with international organisations to implement best practices in compliance, banking data protection and financial security. Already home to world-class financial centres, thriving stock markets and global financial institutions, the UAE will continue to invest in expanding and supporting a financial sector that in turns supports business growth and investment.
10. The UAE offers the world’s finest transport and logistics infrastructure The UAE continues to develop the world’s most advanced transport and logistics infrastructure, including world-leading ports, airports, airlines and shipping companies. This effort solidifies its position as a major global hub for the movement of goods and people, a centre of trade that links East and West, North and South and, together with one of the most advanced global communications infrastructures, truly connects the world.
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai has received three Asian Leadership Awards (ALA) in the categories of Excellence in Sustainable Water Management, Business Innovation, and Digital Innovation.
The award for Sustainable Water Management was given to RTA’s Maintenance and Services Department for their Wastewater Management and Recycling project at bus depots. This initiative aligns with RTA’s sustainability goals, aiming to reduce water consumption and associated carbon emissions.
It also encourages the use of recycled water to enhance green spaces at the stations. RTA’s Rail Agency was also recognized with two awards: the Business Innovation Award for Configuration Management CDE Synergy, and the Digital Innovation Award for The Rail Engineering Information Digital Platform.
These projects demonstrate RTA’s dedication to digital transformation and the development of efficient transportation systems. The Asian Leadership Awards recognize outstanding business leaders and organizations in Asia for their commitment to excellence and innovative practices.
The awards have been celebrating business leadership in Asia since their establishment in 2011.
The weather in the UAE is expected to be fair to partly cloudy today. There is a chance of rain with convective clouds forming in some eastern and western areas.
Gulf News
The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has issued orange and yellow alerts for rain in certain parts of the country. Temperatures will reach 33°C in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, with lows of 22°C and 23°C respectively.
It will be humid at night and Friday morning in some western regions, and there will be light to moderate winds causing blowing dust. The sea conditions will be slight to moderate at times in the Arabian Gulf.
This wet spell has brought heavier rains than usual for this time of year, starting with light rains on October 14.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, inaugurated Gulfood Manufacturing 2023, a prominent global food and beverage manufacturing event held at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
In his address, Sheikh Mohammed highlighted the UAE’s commitment to driving innovation and sustainability in the food industry. The event, which runs until November 9th, features over 3,000 exhibitors from 80 countries, showcasing the latest products and solutions in sustainable manufacturing and innovation.
Additionally, the Foodtech Summit at Gulfood Manufacturing hosted discussions by industry experts, and the Gulfood Manufacturing Industry Excellence Awards 2023 recognized outstanding contributions to the industry, with a focus on sustainability.
Dubai Police have launched a campaign called “Child Seat, Safety and Serenity” to promote child safety. As part of this initiative, they will be providing free car seats to parents.
The campaign aims to educate parents and caregivers on the correct use of car seats, partnering with Audi Auto, Noon, and other organizations to offer guidance on selecting and installing the right seat based on a child’s age and weight. Major General Saif Al Mazroui emphasized the importance of using child car seats to protect children during car journeys.
Recent statistics revealed two child fatalities and 45 serious injuries in traffic accidents this year, often attributed to improper use of child car seats and allowing children to sit on laps. Child seats can reduce the risk of injury significantly, with penalties in place for non-compliance.
Thomas Edelmann, managing director of Road Safety UAE, welcomed the campaign, emphasizing the need for both awareness and enforcement.
The pre-sale for Ed Sheeran’s highly-anticipated ‘+ – = ÷ x’ Tour in Dubai kicks off on November 9th. To gain early access to tickets, fans can register on dubai.platinumlist.net.
Registered participants will receive a link for purchasing tickets starting at 10 am GST on November 9th. However, registration does not guarantee ticket availability or specific seats. Multiple registrations won’t increase chances.
For those not participating in the pre-sale, remaining tickets will be available to the general public on November 10th at 10 am GST. Authorized vendors for the event are edsheeran.com, edsheerandxb.com, and Platinumlist.
The concert, set for January 19th and 20th at The Sevens Stadium, promises to be Dubai’s largest open-air event, featuring Ed Sheeran’s signature 360-degree stage.
Special guest Calum Scott will join Sheeran for this spectacular performance.
In celebration of the Indian festival of Diwali, several schools in the UAE have granted students an extended four-day weekend. However, in light of the conflict in Gaza, schools are scaling back on on-campus festivities.
Gems Our Own Indian School, for example, will be closed on November 10 and 13, allowing families more time to celebrate. The school’s principal, Lalitha Suresh, stated that celebrations at the school will be subdued, with educational activities in class assemblies. Students are also encouraged to contribute to the Emirates Red Crescent’s ‘Tarahum – for Gaza’ campaign.
Other schools, such as Shining Star International and Sharjah Indian School, have also cancelled major celebrations and are focusing on essential curriculum elements while acknowledging the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Gems Education has directed its schools to suspend celebratory events, including Diwali and Christmas festivities, due to the regional conflict.
