Day: April 10, 2023

DUBAI, 10th April, 2023 (WAM) — Al Jalila Foundation, a member of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives dedicated to transforming lives through medical innovation, has recognised Marriott International, the world-renowned hospitality chain, as a long-standing partner and major supporter of their mission. Since the collaboration began in 2015, Marriott International has raised AED11 million making it the largest contribution by any hospitality chain to date. ligned with the vision of Dubai Academic Health Corporation (DAHC) to work together to advance health for humanity, Al Jalila Foundation works with its partners to impact lives and shape the future of health. Philanthropic support is integral to achieving Al Jalila Foundation’s giving mission. Every year, since 2015, Marriott International and its employees across the UAE have raised funds to give hope to sick children and their families through the ‘Road to Awareness’ fundraising campaign. The programme runs throughout the year bringing together hotel employees and customers to support important humanitarian causes. In addition to championing children’s health, Marriott International is also a regular champion in the fight to end breast cancer, offering its support to Al Jalila Foundation #PINKtober campaign every October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. ‘Road to Awareness’ is an annual associate fundraising programme by Marriott International that has been making a valuable difference in the lives of children in the region since its inception in 2008. Every year, employees organise fundraising events to help raise funds to support the vital work local charities and organisations do to improve the lives of children. The annual cycle challenge has continued to be an anchor of the programme with cyclists from across Marriott International hotels riding for charity. Dr. Amer Al Zarooni, CEO of the Al Jalila Foundation said, “The Road to Awareness programme is a shining example of how creative collaborations and initiatives can generate sustainable charitable revenues. As a philanthropic organisation, our ability to create a lasting impact is dependent on sustainable donations. Fortunately, Marriott International has been a steadfast supporter of our efforts, sharing our vision to improve the lives of those in need. Together, with their continued support, we are able to make a meaningful difference in the communities we serve. We are grateful for Marriott’s extraordinary efforts and philanthropic spirit, and look forward to continuing our work together to make a difference in the lives of patients and their families.” “Marriott International is proud to have contributed to the Al Jalila Foundation’s mission over the past decade,” said Sandeep Walia, Chief Operating Officer, Middle East at Marriott International. “Our work with Al Jalila Foundation is a testament to Marriott’s commitment to serving the communities in which we operate. We recognise the critical role that Al Jalila Foundation plays in transforming lives, and we are honoured to support its work.” Marriott International’s support of Al Jalila Foundation falls under the company’s Sustainability and Social Impact Platform, Serve 360: “Doing Good in Every Direction”, which guides how the company makes a positive and sustainable impact wherever it does business. Pam Wilby, Chair of the UAE Marriott Business Council, said, “Since 2015 the Marriott Business Council has been supporting Al Jalila Foundation programmes through a number of fundraising activities. Our Marriott associates work hard to raise funds throughout the year to support Al Jalila Foundation healthcare programmes through the ‘Road to Awareness’ associates programme to support patient treatment. We are very proud that more than 16,000 Marriott associates across our hotels working passionately to make a difference in the lives of women and children in the UAE.” In 2021, the UAE Marriott Business Council sponsored the design and fit-out of Majlis Al Amal. The first of its kind community centre provides a safe, nurturing environment for women affected by cancer. It is a ‘home away from home’ to support patients and survivors’ well-being. Pam Wilby, Chair of the UAE Marriott Business Council, added, “We have been on an immensely gratifying, philanthropic journey with Al Jalila Foundation for several years now, and we remain committed to our relationship and the lives it impacts.” For more information about Al Jalila Foundation please visit: www.aljalilafoundation.ae

Source: Emirates News Agency (WAM)

ABU DHABI, 10th April, 2023 (WAM) — eand today announced the signing of a binding agreement with Uber Technologies, Inc. (Uber) and its subsidiary Careem to acquire a majority stake in Careem’s Super App spinout. Careem’s ride hailing business will remain fully owned by Uber and continue to be available with all other Careem services on the existing app for customers. eand is investing $400m to become a majority shareholder in Careem’s Super App alongside Uber and all three of Careem’s co-founders. The Careem Super App offers over a dozen services including food and grocery delivery, micro-mobility, a digital wallet and suite of fintech services, and additional third-party services such as home cleaning, car rental, and laundry. Careem serves customers in 10 countries across the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia. With this new investment, Careem plans to accelerate the realisation of its ambitious vision to create the first “everything app” serving customers across the Middle East. This will include expanding its core food, grocery, and fintech services and the Careem Plus subscription programme across the region while adding even more partner services to the app. Careem expects significant synergies with eand and anticipates benefiting from eand’s large customer base and extensive experience scaling complex tech-enabled businesses across a largely shared geographic footprint. This investment is in line with eand’s strategic ambition of scaling up consumer digital offerings and accelerating its transformation to a global technology and investments group. It provides eand with access to multiple digital verticals, new innovative digital services, strong talent, and new geographies. eand will leverage the Careem Super App to boost the growth of its consumer digital services, including the expansion of eand life’s fintech vertical, eand money, which will play an important role in the super app vision by providing eand money’s powerful financial service offerings. In recent years eand has transformed into a global technology and investment group. The company is integrating emerging technologies into its expanding business verticals. eand has 163 million subscribers across 16 countries in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Hatem Dowidar, Group CEO, eand commented, “Super Apps have catalysed the economic, social, and cultural growth of emerging markets today. The popularity of super apps has come from the need to provide a unique and seamless customer experience. The mobile-first population has given rise to an ecosystem that has encouraged the use and also expanded the scope for super apps with user expectations turned towards performing their daily activities on digital platforms. “The Careem Super App, is a digital native that has built a rapidly growing payment, food, and grocery delivery network, and a platform for other digital businesses to scale from. The shared vision between eand and Careem is exciting, we believe that together we’ll be able to enhance our impact across different markets in the region while pushing the boundaries of customer experience.” Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber said, “Over the last decade, Careem helped revolutionize mobility across the greater Middle East while building an incredible brand. I am thrilled to partner with Careem, and welcome eand, as we grow the Careem super app to deliver more services to millions of people in this fast-moving part of the world. All of us at Uber are excited about the impact the Careem platform will have on this region over the next decade and beyond.” Khalifa Al Shamsi CEO, eand life said, “We are thrilled to welcome Careem into the eand family with this exciting and ground-breaking deal. There are several growth opportunities between Careem and eand life as the “consumer digital” arm of eand. Our current strengths, primarily in fintech and multimedia, coupled with Careem’s services and regional footprint, will accelerate our joint vision towards a regional super app. With this partnership between eand, Careem and Uber we will set new standards of product innovation and customer experience throughout the region.” Careem CEO and co-founder Mudassir Sheikha said, “The opportunity to use technology to leapfrog the lives of people in the region is enormous. Uber has been an incredible partner over the last three years as we expanded our mission to simplify the lives of people with everyday services beyond ride-hailing. We are excited to bring eand into the family. Their passion for uplifting the region and the synergies across their portfolio is extremely valuable. With two strong partners in eand and Uber, I have no doubt that we will build the preeminent technology platform of the region.” Since Uber’s acquisition in 2020, Careem has evolved to become a multiservice app offering users over a dozen services. In 2022 in the UAE, Quik, the grocery delivery service, grew 46X, and food orders grew by 86 percent. Over the course of the year, Careem Pay launched as a true fintech in the UAE with a digital wallet and payments products including bill payments, international remittances, domestic peer-to-peer payments, and one-click checkout. Careem Bike doubled its network of pedal assist bikes and grew by 61 percent. Careem launched its popular subscription service Careem Plus, saw its first partner service (home cleaning) grow 4.9x while it also onboarded new third-party partners offering rental cars, spa, and laundry services. Completion of the transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals, customary closing conditions, and administrative procedures.

Source: Emirates News Agency (WAM)

ABU DHABI, 10th April, 2023 (WAM) — The Emirates team were crowned champions of the UAE Pro League Sponsors Tournament, which was held on 7th April at the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental in Abu Dhabi. The UAE Pro League team ranked second, after losing the final to the Emirates in a penalty shootout, while the ADNOC team came in third place. The winners were honoured by UAE Pro League Chairman Abdulla Naser Al Jneibi, in the presence of representatives of the TV broadcast rights holders. The tournament was attended by members of the UAE Pro League’s board of directors, and many guests, in addition to fans of the participating teams. Teams of ADNOC, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB), Emirates, Emirates Palace Company, Rixos Hotels, Rasasi, Al Nabooda Automobiles, and UAE Pro League partook in the one-day tournament. Following the coronation ceremony, the UAE Pro League organised a Suhoor party for the tournament participants and guests, during which Al Jneibi delivered a speech in which he said, “We appreciate your pioneering societal role, your keenness to consolidate the concept of sport as a sustainable lifestyle, and endeavor to push our partnership towards broader horizons.” The tournament comes within the UAE Pro League’s keenness to continuously engage with its distinguished success partners within the framework of community activities aimed at extending bridges of cooperation with these prominent institutions, promoting physical activity, and strengthening their long-term cooperation. hlam Almazrooi/ Esraa Esmail

Source: Emirates News Agency (WAM)

Seven people died and more than 30 others were injured as a result of the heavy rains that fell in the state of Maharashtra, western India.

Media outlets quoted the local authorities in the state as saying that heavy rains and strong winds hit the city of Akola in the state and caused the fall of a huge tree, killing seven people and injuring more than 30 others, who were taken to hospital.

Last June, more than 137 people were killed as a result of floods, lightning strikes and landslides due to heavy monsoon rains in parts of northern India.

Source: Qatar News Agency

The High Judicial Council issued, on Sunday, a decision to pardon convicted prisoners in accordance with the controls and conditions set by the Council.

The amnesty decision (55) for the year 2023 stipulated that the convict must have served at least half of the sentence, and it is sufficient to spend a third of the period for the convict who suffers from a chronic disease and needs special medical care, or who is over the age of sixty Gregorian years.

The amnesty decision also includes those sentenced to life, provided that the term of their sentence is not less than fifteen Gregorian years in prison, and that he has paid the value of restitution amounts and fines adjudged to the state treasury, and that he is not a habitual criminal or entered into an armed gang formation.

According to the decision, the controls and conditions of amnesty do not apply to those convicted of crimes related to terrorism, crimes against state security, retaliation and hudud crimes, those convicted of premeditated and attempted murder, beating leading to death and kidnapping, and those convicted of coercive theft unless reconciliation is reached with the victim. Convicts for drug offenses are those whose sentence exceeds five years.

According to the decision, the Public Prosecutor shall assign public lawyers, each in his jurisdiction, to coordinate with the relevant authorities regarding examining the files of the convicts, preparing statements for those included in the amnesty in accordance with the provisions of this decision, and referring any difficulties that may arise from implementing the provisions of this decision to the Supreme Judicial Council.

Source: Libyan News Agency

The UN envoy to Libya, Abdullah Batili, met today, Sunday, with the military and security leaders in the city of Sebha, in the presence of the mayor of the municipality, Abu Bakr Jama’a Bashir.

The municipality of Sebha said in a statement that the meeting comes within the framework of supporting the stability plan in Libya and unifying the military and political institutions.

The meeting included the commander of the Southern Operations Room, Major General Al-Mabrouk Sahban, the commanders of the security forces in the region, and the delegation of the UN mission accompanying Bathily.

The head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, Abdallah Bathily, and his accompanying delegation arrived in Sebha as part of his efforts to urge all Libyan regions and institutions to participate effectively and support the holding of free, fair and inclusive elections this year.

Source: Libyan News Agency