McDonald’s UAE, which is fully owned and operated by Emirates Fast Food Company LLC, has announced a donation of AED1 million to support Gaza relief efforts. 

This charitable contribution will be channeled through the Emirates Red Crescent’s “Tarahum for Gaza” campaign. The boycotts originated after McDonald’s Israel revealed plans to provide meals to the Israeli Military and medical personnel. 

People in Arab countries have been boycotting McDonald’s and other fast-food chains. Stock market values have dropped, and McDonald’s Israel’s social media accounts on platforms like Instagram have been suspended. 

While franchises in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Egypt clarified their local ownership, some individuals still believe that the parent company indirectly supports Israel. The controversy arises from McDonald’s decision to provide free meals to Israelis rather than Gazans, leading to widespread disappointment and protests.

Dubai’s iconic Global Village is set to reopen its doors this month, and with it comes an exciting new development for visitors. The Dubai Road Transport Authority (RTA) has announced the launch of a budget-friendly public bus service, providing easy access to the popular attraction.

Following the customary summer hiatus, Global Village Dubai is ready to welcome guests from far and wide once again. Starting from Wednesday, October 18, 2023, the newly introduced bus service will ensure a hassle-free journey to this cultural extravaganza.

The RTA has meticulously designed the operational network, featuring four distinct routes that connect the village to various parts of the city. Here’s a breakdown of the routes:

• Route 102: Departing from Rashdiya Bus Station, this route will rotate at intervals of 60 minutes.
• Route 103: Starting from Al Ittihad Bus Station, this route will transport visitors to Global Village every 40 minutes.
• Route 104: Commencing from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station, this route offers service to Global Village every 60 minutes.
• Route 106: Setting off from the Mall of the Emirates Bus Station, this route runs to Global Village every 60 minutes.

In an effort to make the experience as accessible as possible, the fares for these buses have been capped at a remarkably reasonable rate. A single trip to Global Village Dubai will cost passengers just AED10, allowing a wide range of visitors to enjoy this cultural spectacle without breaking the bank.

To ensure a comfortable and secure journey, the RTA has deployed deluxe coaches for this service. These high-quality buses come equipped with a range of amenities, prioritizing passenger comfort and safety.

With this new bus service, Global Village Dubai aims to enhance accessibility for residents and tourists alike, making it easier than ever to experience the diverse cultural offerings that the attraction is renowned for.

As the countdown to the reopening of Global Village Dubai continues, the introduction of this affordable bus service is sure to be a game-changer for visitors seeking a seamless and cost-effective way to explore this cultural extravaganza.

For further information and updates, visit the RTA website or contact their customer service helpline.

Dubai has earned another Guinness World Record for having the ‘Highest Running Track on a Building.’ 

The record was awarded to Wasl, a prominent real estate development company, for their Sky Track located on the 43rd floor of the luxury residential tower, 1 Residences. This track stands at 157 meters above the ground and spans 335 meters, offering a unique opportunity for walkers and runners. 

The achievement reflects Dubai’s commitment to promoting an active lifestyle for both residents and visitors. The CEO of Wasl, Hesham Al Qassim, expressed delight in achieving this record, emphasizing how Sky Track will enhance the daily lives of residents. 

Talal Omar, VP of Guinness World Records, commended the accomplishment, highlighting it as a symbol of Dubai’s dedication to reaching new heights in various aspects. 

Wasl has previously received a Guinness World Record for the ‘Largest Aerial Projection Screen’ in celebration of the Year of Zayed in 2018.

Pope Francis met with Mohamed Abdel Salam, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, in Rome to discuss preparations for the Faith Pavilion at COP28.

This pavilion, organized in collaboration with COP28 Presidency and the UN Environment Programme, aims to provide a global platform for interfaith dialogue on addressing climate change.

Additionally, discussions were held with Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Cardinal Miguel Ayuso Guixot regarding the Confluence of Conscience, a global summit for faith leaders scheduled for November 6-7 in Abu Dhabi in partnership with COP28 Presidency.

The meeting emphasized the significance of the summit’s message for COP28.

His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court & Chairman of Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, has issued Decision No. 38 of 2023 to establish the Notary Services Bureau in English in Abu Dhabi. 

This marks the first-ever English language judicial services bureau in the Middle East, aiming to facilitate business operations in Abu Dhabi. The bureau will streamline legal documentation procedures, enhance competitiveness, and attract foreign investments. It will offer digital services, saving time and effort for customers. 

The office caters to non-Arabic speakers, removing language barriers for accessing judicial services, and providing notarization and authentication for English-language documents. This initiative is in line with Abu Dhabi’s efforts to boost economic development and improve the quality of services for businesses and investors. 

The office specializes in notarizing and authenticating various types of transactions and documents in English without the need for an Arabic translation. This includes contracts, declarations, settlement agreements, powers of attorney, signature authentication, and more. 

The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department is committed to ongoing improvements in judicial services to align with Abu Dhabi’s vision as a global economic hub.

King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH&RC) plays a critical role in the upcoming Global Health Exhibition 2023, a major event hosted in Riyadh from October 29th to 31st. KFSH&RC’s participation as a strategic healthcare partner reflects its commitment to solidify its position as a knowledge leader. This unwavering dedication centers around promoting education, conducting cutting-edge research, fostering innovation, and ensuring the provision of healthcare services that consistently adhere to the highest standards of quality and safety.

During the event, the KFSH&RC pavilion at the exhibition will be a hub for showcasing a wide range of innovative healthcare solutions and their profound impact on elevating healthcare outcomes and enhancing the overall patient experience. The spotlight will be on KFSH&RC’s initiatives aimed at optimizing operational efficiency in critical medical domains. These initiatives encompass the patient care journey, space research, genetic studies, state-of-the-art radiation therapy techniques, advancements in organ transplantation, capacity management, and the production of radiopharmaceuticals.

KFSH&RC’s participation in the Global Health Exhibition underscores its efforts to invest in innovation and advance healthcare both locally and globally. The medical institution is eager to establish strategic partnerships with industry leaders and innovators worldwide, as it firmly believes in shaping the future of healthcare through collaboration.

Internationally renowned for its specialized healthcare services and pioneering innovations, KFSH&RC has earned its status as a leading center for medical research and education. Its dedication to developing medical technologies and elevating healthcare standards on a global scale is widely recognized. Through collaborations with local, regional, and international institutions, KFSH&RC continuously strives to provide world-class services in clinical, research, and educational domains.

The Global Health Exhibition, featuring 250 exhibitors from 15 countries, stands as the foremost gathering for healthcare professionals in the Middle East. This event serves as a valuable platform for networking and collaboration between the Saudi and international healthcare communities. It brings together regional and global manufacturers and suppliers, fostering partnerships and knowledge exchange. This year’s Global Health Exhibition is themed “Investing in Health” and promises to be a transformative experience that will significantly impact the future of healthcare.

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About King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre 

King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSH&RC) is a leading tertiary & quaternary healthcare provider in the Middle East. KFSH&RC’s mission is to provide the highest level of specialized healthcare in an integrated educational and research setting.

KFSH&RC has a rich history of providing high-quality clinical services, including leading-edge treatments in oncology, transplantation, cardiovascular diseases, neurosciences, and genetics.

This year, Brand Finance recognized KFSH&RC as the number one Academic Medical Centre in the MENA region and the top 20 internationally. Meanwhile, in 2022, KFSH&RC was ranked among the leading healthcare providers across the globe by Newsweek.

Guided by the goals of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, KFSH&RC is undertaking a Transformation towards a financially sustainable, independent, not-for-profit hospital. KFSH&RC has been internationally recognized for its continuous achievements in patient experiences and outcomes by accreditations from the HIMSS Davies Award of Excellence, CHiME Most Wired, JCI, CAP, ISO 22301 & 27001, to list a few.

For media inquiries, please contact: KFSHRC@mcsaatchi.com