Day: April 26, 2022

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EAD discovers new Eagle Ray species in Abu Dhabi waters

ABU DHABI, The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) today announced its discovery of a new Eagle Ray species in Abu Dhabi waters, marking a new addition to the global list of batoids.

The new species (Aetomylaeus wafickii) was discovered from specimens collected with other specimens of elasmobranchs and fish in the Arabian Gulf, during the Fisheries Resource Assessment (FRAS) carried out in 2016.

During that time, the eagle ray was identified as the Banded Eagle Ray (Aetomylaeus nichofii), which is very similar in appearance. However, it was then branded new after thorough examination and publishing of a scientific paper highlighting its astute physical description.

The newly described species can be distinguished from similar species, the Blue-banded Eagle Ray (Aetomylaeus caeruleofasciatus) and Banded Eagle Ray, by having a larger number of pale blue bands across its dorsal surface (8-10 bands), a larger number of tooth plate rows, and a shorter tail. This description was published in the Marine Biodiversity Journal on 11th February, 2022.

Ahmed Al Hashmi, Executive Director of Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity Division at EAD, said, “It is very exciting for us to discover a new species of Eagle Ray in Abu Dhabi. This is a prominent indication that our waters are healthy and that we have an abundance of marine biodiversity.

“Within the past two years, we have discovered a series of species, and I am confident that we can make even more discoveries in the future, as long as we continue to adopt accurate scientific methodologies to ensure credibility.”

“To ensure longevity and sustainability of our species, at EAD, we engage in extensive rehabilitation programmes so that our species can thrive for future generations and enjoy the breadth and beauty of Abu Dhabi’s biodiversity,” he added.

Source: Emirates News Agency

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Emirates to add 23 extra flights across 7 Arab cities during Eid

DUBAI, With Eid Al Fitr approaching and more travellers planning to take to the skies, Emirates is stepping up its schedule by adding 23 flights and layering on additional seats with the deployment of both A380s and Boeing 777s between 28th April and 8th May to the four cities it serves in KSA, as well as to Kuwait, Beirut, and Amman.

In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Emirates will be layering on two additional flights on 2nd and 8th May to serve demand in and out of Riyadh. In Jeddah, the airline will add five flights served by its Boeing 777, and will be upgrading one of its existing flights to an A380, to become an all A380 operation. Medina will also be served with four additional flights during this time, and travelers from Dammam will also have the option of one extra flight on 28th April as they start their holidays. This year, Emirates customers in KSA will be venturing to Dubai for their Eid Al Fitr celebrations, in addition to the Maldives, Paris, Bangkok, Mauritius, Manila and Los Angeles in the US.

Popular destinations for Kuwaiti travelers this year include Dubai, the Maldives, Manila, Bangkok, London, Mauritius and Paris and Emirates will be operating eight additional flights served by its Boeing 777 during Eid.

Emirates will be layering on three flights served by its Boeing 777s to the airline’s existing Beirut schedule to accommodate for more travelers as they head home to visit friends and relatives. Amman flights served by the Boeing 777 will also be upgraded with higher seat capacities.

Source: Emirates News Agency

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UAE showcases its experience in empowering People of Determination during Cairo symposium

DUBAI, The United Arab Emirates participated in “Responding to the Needs of Persons with Disabilities in Crises & Epidemics” symposium held in Cairo at the Arab League, in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Solidarity in the Republic of Egypt and the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA).

Wafa Hamad Bin Sulaiman, Director of Welfare and Rehabilitation Department for People of Determination at The Ministry of Community Development, represented the UAE by delivering a presentation about the “Response Policy to the Empowerment of People of Determination in Emergencies, Crises & Disasters”, its implications on people of determination and their empowerment to adapt to the pandemic or similar circumstances, ensuring the provision of health, educational and employment services in the community through six main themes, readiness and flexibility; information and integrity; working staff; culture and awareness; cooperation and coordination; and the focus on the effects and consequences of the crisis.

Representatives of Arab countries participating in the seminar lauded the UAE’s experience in dealing with the crisis by considering the needs and privacy of people of determination through a range of initiatives with specific objectives included in the policy to ensure that people of determination continue to adapt in difficult circumstances.

During the seminar, Wafa Hamad bin Suleiman highlighted the most important accomplishments achieved by the UAE during the pandemic in dealing with people of determination and considering their health, educational and logistic needs, such as guidance, distance learning, health services at home, information access and working remotely as well as studies and research carried out to track the circumstances and needs of people of determination during the pandemic.

The seminar also included a series of discussion sessions highlighting an Arab road map to support persons with disabilities during epidemics and crises. The participating delegations also listened to the experiences of the member states of the Arab League during COVID-19 pandemic and taking into consideration the needs of people of determination.

Source: Emirates News Agency

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Booking volumes up 195% YoY for Eid Al Fitr: dnata Travel

DUBAI, dnata Travel, the UAE’s longest-standing travel provider, has revealed that the total volume of local and international travel bookings for the anticipated Eid Al Fitr break is up by 195 percent so far in 2022, compared to overall bookings made throughout the same annual holiday period in 2021.

This year, the number of international travel bookings for the first Eid public holiday, expected in early May, have particularly increased with 65 percent of UAE travellers opting for worldwide destinations, and 35 percent opting for staycations. This is compared to 68 percent of travellers booking UAE staycations and 32 percent seeking international holidays, for the same holiday period in 2021.

The top five most-booked destinations for travel over the expected Eid Al Fitr holiday period in 2022 so far with dnata Travel in the UAE include the Maldives, UAE, Turkey, Mauritius and Oman.

Emily Jenkins, General Manager, dnata Travel Leisure, commented, “In 2021, UAE staycations and the Indian Ocean proved most popular for travellers from the UAE looking to take a well-deserved break over Eid Al Fitr. While these destinations remain ever-popular for travellers, this year, with more destinations opening we are seeing a broader range of travel options starting to trend, across Asia, Europe, and North America.

“The demand for travel is at a high as many countries are opening their borders to tourists once again, or relaxing, or removing COVID-19 related travel regulations, easing a passenger’s journey. Newly-opened and accessible, Bali and Singapore in particular are starting to gain traction, while Thailand is fast-climbing among our top ten most-booked destinations for Eid Al Fitr. The Maldives has remained the number one destination of choice with a spike in demand witnessed in early March due to removing its PCR-testing requirements for fully-vaccinated travellers.”

Source: Emirates News Agency

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MoHAP organises scientific session to develop, accelerate national immunization programme

DUBAI, In conjunction with the World Immunisation Week, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) organised a brainstorming session to develop a roadmap to upgrade the national immunisation programme and sustain achievements in accordance with the best innovative scientific methods by strengthening all capabilities to ensure high vaccination rates across the country.

The workshop also aimed to generate creative ideas in the field of vaccinations with the participation of immunisation, public health, and healthcare experts from supervisory and technical bodies to analyse the current landscape, review strengths, identify challenges, and develop action plans to achieve national indicators of prevention and immunisation.

Saqr Al Hemeiri, Director of Strategy and the Future, and Dr. Laila Al-Jasmi, Head of the Immunisation Department, as well as various representatives from health authorities, attended the workshop.

During his address, Saqr Al Hemeiri stated the goal of this session is to generate innovative ideas and solutions to increase vaccine coverage, while achieving health care quality indicators according to the highest standards of excellence and professionalism and achieve leadership in preventive health.

“This is accomplished by providing basic and booster vaccinations in accordance with the national immunisation programme, to prevent and eliminate infectious diseases, as well as increasing coverage rates to ensure the best results,” he added.

Al Hemeiri maintained that the ministry is constantly coordinating with partners and implementing global best practices, while providing vaccinations to ensure the safety of vaccines administrated to children and all segments of society.

Furthermore, Dr. Nada Al Marzouqi, Director of the Public Health and Prevention Department, highlighted the importance of spreading awareness and intensifying educational activities about the importance of vaccinations, in addition to strengthening healthcare workers’ skills in compliance with the latest global recommendations in the field of vaccines, while focusing on raising vaccination coverage.

Al Marzouqi emphasised that the UAE’s past governance success, and the country’s global leadership in the field of vaccinations, would not have been possible had it not been for the support of its wise leadership.

She added that this is a source of inspiration and a catalyst for further improving the immunisation system and enhancing its pro-activeness and sustainability in order to protect the UAE people’s health and safety and achieve health goals.

Speaking during the session, Dr. Laila Al Jasmi said, “The workshop included a brainstorming session to come up with creative ideas that support ongoing efforts to develop the vaccination policy, maintain vaccination coverage rates, keep abreast of global developments in the field of vaccinations, and promote public awareness.”

Source: Emirates News Agency

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Emirates plans to add 22 extra flights as Eid Al-Fitr approaches

DUBAI, With Eid Al-Fitr approaching and more travellers planning to take to the skies, Emirates is responding by offering more flights across seven cities in the GCC and the Middle East. The airline is stepping up its schedule by adding 22 flights and layering on additional seats with the deployment of both A380s and Boeing 777s between 28 April and 8 May to the four cities it serves in KSA, as well as to Kuwait, Beirut, and Amman.

In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Emirates will be layering on two additional flights on 2nd and 8th May to serve demand in and out of Riyadh. In Jeddah, the airline will add five flights served by its Boeing 777 and will be upgrading one of its existing flights to an A380, to become an all A380 operation. Medina will also be served with four additional flights during this time, and travellers from Dammam will also have the option of one extra flight on 28 April as they start their holidays.

This year, Emirates customers in KSA will be venturing to Dubai for their Eid Al Fitr celebrations, in addition to the Maldives, Paris, Bangkok, Mauritius, Manila and Los Angeles in the US.

Source: Emirates News Agency