His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, held a meeting with His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain at the latter’s residence in Abu Dhabi on October 24, 2023. 

During the meeting, they discussed the strong fraternal ties between their nations and their shared dedication to advancing cooperation in various sectors for the mutual benefit of both countries. 

The leaders also addressed regional and international developments of common concern and explored avenues for further enhancing bilateral collaboration. 

The gathering was also attended by H.H. Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty the King for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs.

Taxi drivers in Sharjah, UAE, with a clean traffic record for a year were honored recently. These drivers had no traffic violations, accidents, or complaints against them. 

The Traffic Safety Award, organized by Osool Transport Solutions and Sharjah Taxi, recognizes drivers in three categories: Gold, Silver, and Bronze. 

To qualify, drivers must have covered a distance of over 100,000km in the past year, in addition to maintaining a clean record. 

The award aims to promote safe driving practices and reduce accidents on the roads, as well as raise awareness about safe driving.

The Sharjah International Airport has implemented automated processes to streamline travel for passengers.

These self-services cover check-in, baggage drop, passport control, and boarding. Passengers, regardless of residency status, can use self-check-in kiosks to scan their passport or enter their Passenger Name Record (PNR) for printing boarding passes and bag tags. 

Baggage drop counters are also available for those who have completed online check-in. Passport control is facilitated through smart gates, where passengers scan their passport photo page and barcode before proceeding. 

Boarding is conducted through electronic gates, and a ‘smart information desk’ allows virtual communication with customer service staff for added convenience. 

These innovations have led to reduced travel times and increased efficiency at the airport.

In an extraordinary display of courage and compassion, British-Egyptian national Ahmed Ali, 36, has embarked on a mission to provide vital humanitarian aid to the beleaguered residents of Gaza. Currently stationed in Cairo alongside a dedicated group of aid workers, they await the crucial permit that will grant them access to the Palestinian territory, where countless lives hang in the balance.

“The situation is very dire,” Ali conveyed in a heartfelt message from Egypt. “It’s a humanitarian catastrophe that we don’t want to happen. Over two million people have been deprived of access to food, water, electricity and fuel supplies. To say it’s heartbreaking is an understatement,” he added, underscoring the urgent need for assistance.

Ali’s journey began a week ago when he positioned himself among the first wave of international volunteers authorized to enter Gaza. While awaiting clearance, Ali has been tirelessly engaged in preparing donated goods, a lifeline for the suffering population.

Despite some relief trucks successfully reaching Gaza from Egypt, the scale of the crisis far surpasses the current efforts. “They are only a very small fraction of what are urgently needed by the Palestinian people, especially the women and children,” Ali emphasized. UN estimates indicate that approximately 100 truckloads of essential supplies are required daily to meet the staggering needs, given the devastating toll exacted by Israeli airstrikes – a toll that has claimed over 5,000 lives and displaced over a million people.

Ali and fellow relief workers fervently call upon the international community to address the sluggish delivery of aid, and implore for an immediate ceasefire to ensure unimpeded access to critical resources.

Despite the perilous conditions, Ali bears witness to an increasing number of courageous volunteers, moved by the harrowing images and stories emanating from Gaza. “In my 15 years of various charity work – my latest being in Morocco after the earthquake – I have never seen braver volunteers than the ones I see today who are willing to help the Palestinian people,” he attested.

While physical presence is one form of assistance, Ali highlights that everyone can contribute in their own way. He shares his story and experiences in the hope of inspiring more UAE residents to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people, emphasizing that every act, no matter how modest, makes a profound difference in this time of urgent need.

Source: Khaleej Times interview

The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) in the UAE is set to launch a new system called Akeed. 

This system will allow private sector companies to directly access accurate data about residents from the ICP database without the need for card readers. Akeed is expected to be implemented either later this year or in the following year. 

Currently, Emirates IDs are used in card readers to retrieve information about residents and citizens from the ICP database. Akeed aims to streamline this process and save time for individuals and companies. It is not yet confirmed whether this service will be provided free of charge or if companies will be required to pay a fee for it. 

This initiative was showcased at the Gitex Global technology exhibition. Additionally, the ICP revealed other smart initiatives, including the introduction of kiosks for instant passport and Emirates ID renewal, and a system for seamless border crossings. 

The ICP, established in 2004, is responsible for various identity-related services in the UAE.

The weather in the UAE today is expected to be partly cloudy with a chance of rain, especially in the east. 

Some internal areas may also experience cumulus clouds. Winds will be light to moderate, but may become brisk and stir up dust. 

Temperatures could reach a high of 38 degrees Celsius in parts of Abu Dhabi and 36 degrees in Dubai. Waves in the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman will be light.

In exactly one month from today, on November 24, 2023, the internationally acclaimed Filipino boyband SB19 is all set to make history with their first live performance of ‘GENTO’ right here in Dubai at the prestigious Sheikh Rashid Auditorium. This promises to be an evening filled with music, magic, and memories for the A’tin and SB19 fans eagerly awaiting this grand event!

The announcement of SB19’s concert in Dubai sent waves of excitement through their fan base in the UAE. Within just days of tickets going on sale, the event was completely sold out, a testament to the immense popularity and influence of this phenomenal group.

SB19, known for their chart-topping hits like ‘MAPA’ and ‘GENTO’, has captured the hearts of fans not only in the Philippines but all around the world. Their emotionally resonant lyrics, captivating melodies, and stellar performances have earned them a dedicated global following.

This concert holds special significance as it marks SB19’s first live rendition of their latest track, ‘GENTO’. The song has struck a chord with listeners for its poignant lyrics and powerful message. The anticipation for experiencing this song live in Dubai has reached a fever pitch among fans.

The Sheikh Rashid Auditorium, a venue known for hosting world-class events, is the perfect stage for SB19 to showcase their musical prowess. The auditorium’s state-of-the-art facilities and acoustics promise an unforgettable experience for concert-goers.

For the lucky fans who have secured their tickets, this evening promises to be an intimate affair, creating cherished memories that will last a lifetime. The palpable excitement among both A’tin and SB19 is a testament to the deep connection between the group and their devoted supporters.

As the concert date approaches, the buzz surrounding the event continues to grow. Fans are eagerly counting down the days, eagerly anticipating the moment when they can sing along with SB19 to their favorite songs and experience the magic of ‘GENTO’ live.

SB19’s Dubai concert is not just a musical event; it’s a celebration of the unwavering bond between the group and their fans. It’s a night that promises to be filled with emotion, energy, and pure musical brilliance.

To everyone who managed to secure their tickets, get ready for an unforgettable night with SB19. For those who missed out this time, keep an eye out for future opportunities to catch this extraordinary group live. Dubai is about to witness a concert that will be talked about for years to come!

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Samsung Gulf Electronics have partnered to introduce digital nol cards for Samsung users.

This agreement enables commuters to use their smartphones as a digital nol card for public transportation payments. Users can download the nolPay app and install the digital nol card, allowing for cashless transactions when boarding or exiting Dubai’s public transportation. 

The digital nol card is also usable at stores, parks, museums, and more. This initiative aligns with Dubai’s goal of becoming a leading smart city and sets a regional precedent for digitalizing public transportation cards on mobile devices.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations are set to introduce a unified Gulf tourist visa in the next two years, allowing travelers to explore all six Gulf countries seamlessly.

Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, the Minister of Economy, announced this at the seventh GCC tourism ministers meeting in Oman. The rollout is targeted between 2024 and 2025, subject to each GCC country’s readiness. The UAE, anticipating an influx of international tourists, has designed a tourist route connecting all seven emirates.

This move aims to draw in international tourists to the Arabian Gulf region, aligning with the GCC 2030 tourism strategy. The tourism sector currently contributes 14 percent to the UAE’s GDP, with aspirations to raise it to 18 percent.

GCC countries also plan to increase inbound trips by 7 percent annually and boost the spending of inbound tourists by 8.0 percent annually.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has introduced priority services to enhance customer satisfaction and streamline request processing.

These services categorize customers into diamond, gold, and silver tiers, with the diamond tier being the first to be implemented, followed by gold and silver by January 2024. 

Priority services offer accelerated request processing, dedicated account managers, specialized training programs, and proactive communication for feedback. The classification is based on the MoHRE’s Establishment Classification System, with specific criteria for each tier. 

This initiative aims to provide the best services, create an ideal business environment, and ensure compliance with contractual regulations. 

It also seeks to drive efficiency and maintain high customer satisfaction levels in government services.