Day: September 13, 2021

DUBAI, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced the resumption of the E101 bus shuttle between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The operation of this inter-city bus service is coordinated with Abu Dhabi’s Department of Transport for serving passengers between the two emirates.

Adel Shakri, Director of Planning and Business Development, Public Transport Agency, RTA, said that Route E101 would start from Ibn Battuta Bus Station in Dubai and head to the Central Bus Station in Abu Dhabi.

“This route is critical to the integration of mass transit means between the two emirates and the smooth movement of passengers. RTA stresses the importance of complying with all the applicable precautionary measures, such as physical distancing and wearing of masks to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. It calls upon all Dubai Bus and Intercity Bus riders to observe these measures for the public health of the UAE community,” noted Shakri.

Riders have to comply with the precautionary measures enforced by the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, which state that individuals allowed to enter Abu Dhabi Emirate are: Vaccinated individuals whose status is shown as green on Al Hosn App and designated by letter E or Star. Unvaccinated individuals will be allowed to enter Abu Dhabi within 48 hours of receiving the COVID-19 test result. Riders heading to Abu Dhabi must not use DPI test results to enter the Emirate two successive times. Such requirements must be reflected on Al Hosn App and in compliance with any new precautionary measures that might be introduced by the concerned bodies in the Emirate.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI, As a Premier Partner and the Official Banking Partner of Expo 2020 Dubai, Emirates NBD Group has joined hands with Mastercard, the Official Payment Technology Partner of Expo 2020 Dubai, to create two exclusive new card programmes: Emirates NBD Expo Mastercard Prepaid Card and the Emirates Islamic Expo Mastercard Credit Card.

The limited-edition cards are designed to enhance the Expo 2020 Dubai experience for both residents and visitors from across the globe, while also elevating their time spent in the UAE with memorable and Priceless possibilities to discover year-round. Both cards are underpinned by Mastercard’s secure technology and will be equipped with contactless capabilities for touch-free and seamless transactions.

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI, The Executive Office of Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) visited several branches of government in Italy as part of a series of cooperative and collaborative talks with the Ministry of Economy, Treasury, Foreign Affairs Committee, and intelligence bureaus ahead of the Rome Summit, and to debrief on the recent arrest of Camorra crime boss, Raphael Imperial.

Commencing its meetings in Rome, the Executive Office presented a series of strategies outlining its mission for enhanced international cooperation, and how its recent work with the Italian authorities resulted in the successful apprehension of one of Europe’s most wanted criminals.

Having recently signed cooperative agreements with the Dutch government, the Executive Office has been working in close cooperation with other UAE-based entities, including the Central Bank of the UAE, which signed an agreement with the Central Bank of Egypt in June to enhance the flow of information, and with the Dubai Financial Services Authority, which signed a memorandum of understanding with the Central Bank of Italy in March.

Commenting on the visit, Hamid Al Zaabi, Director-General of the AML/CTF Executive Office, said, “Our talks with the Italian government have proven to be most productive and set a strong foundation for further collaboration in our collective response to organised crime, money laundering and terrorism financing. Our Executive Office has demonstrated its ability to yield tangible results through the capture and arrest of several high-profile cases in the last few months alone, as well as the recovery of more than US$150 million in illicit funds. By working closely with our European counterparts, we anticipate further successes in protecting our communities and enhancing our respective business environments.”

The Executive Office’s visit comes just weeks ahead of the Rome Summit, a cornerstone of the G20, an international forum that brings together the world’s major economies to carry out negotiations and build consensus amongst leaders. According to the G20, its members govern 60 percent of the world’s population and control 80 percent of the global GDP.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI, Emirates has launched its fully-enclosed Gamechanger First Class Suites, enabling passengers to explore the airline’s signature A380 Onboard Lounge, or check out the cabin around their seats from the comfort of their homes, with the airline’s award-winning and industry-leading virtual reality (VR) experiences.

Available on emirates.com to anyone with an internet connection, via the Emirates app, and now on the Oculus Store for Oculus Rift users, Emirates has taken the next step in its ambition to reach and engage audiences around the world with cutting-edge VR technology.

Boutros Boutros, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, Marketing and Brand, said, “Emirates aims to provide innovative and outstanding customer experiences whether onboard, on the ground, or in the digital space. In 2018, we were the world’s first airline to introduce advanced web VR technology on our digital platforms, offering our customers an immersive opportunity to learn about the fantastic Emirates experience that awaited them before they stepped on board. We’ve continued to invest and develop that experience, and today we are delighted to be the first airline to launch a fully-fledged Oculus VR app.

“This initiative expands our global reach and ability to engage with our audiences across digital platforms. It is also particularly relevant right now, as many people have not travelled for a while due to the pandemic, and are seeking inspiration and researching and rediscovering their flight options.”

Emirates is working on an updated version featuring its Premium Economy cabin and latest A380 aircraft interiors.

In future developments, Emirates plans to offer customers the ability to explore destinations, select a cabin, and book and pay for their Emirates flight from within the Emirates Oculus VR app.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI, Under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences, the Sixth Middle East International Dermatology & Aesthetic Medicine Conference and Exhibition (MEIDAM) will begin on 23rd September, 2021, in the presence of 1,500 doctors, from 41 countries and with the support of the Dubai Health Authority, the Ministry of Health and Prevention, and the Abu Dhabi Department of Health.

It is the first conference where so many doctors will participate after recovery and life returning to normal, post the coronavirus pandemic, and days before the EXPO 2020 global event hosted by Dubai.

The conference will host 164 regional and international lecturers, including speakers from the World Health Organisation (WHO), with six parallel scientific programmes over three days. For the sixth year in a row, at the conference premises, there will be a clinic licenced by the health authorities in Dubai, in which injections and cosmetic procedures will be performed throughout the days of the conference, with a total of six workshops per day. The conference will also include workshops and scientific programmes for scientific partners such as the Saudi Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery and other associations such as the Pakistan Association of Dermatologists and other regional and international associations and societies.

Dr. Khaled Al-Nuaimi, the conference president, stated, “The most important characteristic of this year’s conference is the presence of the WHO as a scientific partner, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) as a humanitarian partner to which the conference allocated part of its income to support the UM body in its humanitarian programmes in some Arab countries.”

The conference will discuss the latest developments related to dermatology and cosmetic medicine after the coronavirus pandemic and new treatments proposed for incurable skin diseases such as psoriasis and vitiligo, in addition to laser devices and devices related to plastic medicine and surgery.

Dr. Al-Nuaimi informed that on the sidelines of the conference, a meeting of officials from training programmes in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries would be held, including an interactive workshop with doctors from different Arab countries to provide doctors with sufficient skills, refine their knowledge and develop their capabilities on the best global methods used in plastic surgery and dermatology.

Abdulla Bin Souqat, Executive Director of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences, said, “The award has been keen, since its launch, and under the directives of the late Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum to support serious and purposeful medical conferences, to broaden the knowledge of the doctors in the UAE and the Arab countries. The award annually supports many medical conferences in addition to providing an annual budget dedicated to supporting medical research in the UAE.”

Bin Souqat confirmed that the award will proceed with its scientific programmes to stimulate the medical sector with all its specialities and ramifications in the UAE, the Arab world and the world at large, as per the approach set by the late Sheikh Hamdan.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI, Emirates Mars Mission, in partnership with the Dubai Airshow 2021, has launched Planet X – a new nationwide competition designed to inspire a new generation of talent to build careers in the fast-growing global space and aviation industries.

The multidisciplinary contest will create and exciting opportunities for the country’s youth who are interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics through a two-month contest to build, code and design robots for deep space exploration.

Emirates Mars Mission’s Planet X challenge kicks off with a prequalification round in September, followed by a week of training in October. The main challenge takes place during the Dubai Airshow 2021, running from 14th-18th November, where high school and university students will be required to create ground and aerial robots for reconnaissance missions on Planet X Up to AED 50,000 is available for the winning team.

Omran Sharaf, Project Manager of the Emirates Mars Mission – Hope Probe, said, “Empowering youth is an important part our long-term vision to enhance the nation’s global position in all space-related fields and create a new cadre of leaders that can push the boundaries of science and technology. Planet X, in partnership with the Dubai Airshow 2021, aims to inspire young people with skills in science, engineering, technology and maths. By building and coding robots to successfully carry out complex reconnaissance missions on Mars, we will demonstrate how exciting and rewarding a career in space science can be. We want to inspire students to reach for the stars and contribute to our nation’s meteoric rise in deep space exploration and I believe our new competition will deliver on this.”

Timothy Hawes, Managing Director at Tarsus F&E, organisers of Dubai Airshow 2021, added, “Since its launch, Dubai Airshow has been a platform for fostering new talents and inspiring the next generation to be part of the global aerospace industry. We are delighted to be supporting major initiatives like the Emirates Mars Mission Planet X, which provides students with an opportunity to showcase their skills, learn from the industry’s leading experts, and pave their way towards a career in the space industry.”

To enter Planet X, students must complete a pre-qualification challenge which is open. Applicants are required to design an aircraft capable of carrying out missions on Mars, answer technical details about how it would work in practice, as well as compete in a live coding challenge that will take place in September. For more information and to participate send email with your team info to emm.edu@mbras.ae.

The most successful 40 students will be invited to receive rigorous training and mentorship from engineers and technologists. They will learn how to build, design and develop state-of-the-art robots and 3D-printed aircrafts alongside the team that successfully sent the Hope Probe to Mars.

The main challenge will take place in November during the Dubai Airshow 2021. To complete their mission successfully, students will have to complete a number of complex challenges: First, build an unnamed ground vehicle to study the surface of Planet X and seek out a specific location to collect samples using Lego Mindstorms EV3, a third-generation robotics kit. Where there will be different programming complexities for high-school and university students. All robots will have to feature built-in sensors and actuators. Student teams will also have five minutes to complete a simulated mission without any support or assistance.

The second challenge will involve designing an unmanned aerial vehicle to glide above the Martian planet for reconnaissance missions. Students will be required to use CAD Fusion 360 modelling software to design and 3D print the aircraft, as well as share a technical presentation on its design.

The Planet X challenge is part of continuous efforts to inspire future generations to pursue careers in STEM. As part of this, Emirates Mars Mission is driving innovation, building educational capabilities and creating new opportunities for the nation’s youth.

Source: Emirates News Agency