Duchess Catherine has been messaging fans who have taken part in her Hold Still initiative.

The Duchess of Cambridge has been encouraging people to partake in stay-at-home photography whilst the coronavirus pandemic has left us unable to travel.

And now the mother-of-three has been posting sweet messages on photos taken as part of the initiative.

On one entry, Duchess Catherine wrote: "Thank you so much for taking part in the Hold Still project. I get so much joy from being outside and gardening too. C"

Whilst another said: "My children will very much relate to this. Thank you for taking part and sharing your story! C."

In a third, the Duchess of Cambridge wrote under the photo: "A perfect example of Hold Still ... the chance to re-engage and value the simple things around us. C"

Back in May, Duchess Catherine revealed she was launching a photography project to "capture the spirit of the nation" during the coronavirus pandemic.

She said in a statement: "We've all been struck by some of the incredible images we've seen which have given us an insight into the experiences and stories of people across the country. Some desperately sad images showing the human tragedy of this pandemic and other uplifting pictures showing people coming together to support those more vulnerable. 'Hold Still' aims to capture a portrait of the nation, the spirit of the nation, what everyone is going through at this time. Photographs reflecting resilience, bravery, kindness - all those things that people are experiencing."

The project was open to "all ages and abilities" and people were asked to submit a photographic portrait, along with a short written submission, based on one of three themes; 'Helpers and Heroes', 'Your New Normal', and 'Acts of Kindness'. The winning photographs will form a digital exhibition of 100 portraits will then be staged and a selection of the photos will be sown across the UK later this year.

Shah Rukh Khan, Anushka Sharma and Imtiaz Ali

Al Ain Hospital, a healthcare facility that operates under Abu Dhabi Health Services Company, SEHA, has introduced technology-led services that allow patients to visually and vocally communicate with their first-degree family members, boosting their morale during their hospital stay.

This announcement is aligned with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi and Al Ain Hospital’s mission to provide holistic support, enabling them to improve their psychological wellbeing, which has a direct impact on their treatment journeys and physical condition.

Mohammed Salem Thaaloub Alderei, Chief Operating Officer, Al Ain Hospital, Al Ain Hospital, said, "With patient experience and comfort our top priority, we are committed to providing a unique model of care with a truly integrated approach that focuses on both medical and psychological wellbeing treatment methods. From the moment a patient walks through our doors, we are committed to providing a wholly holistic experience to ensure they are fully supported throughout their treatment journey."

Abdulla Gharib Al Darmaki, Patient Experience Director, Al Ain Hospital, said: "We have introduced a new unit that comprises of members from the Patient Affairs and clinical teams, who, from 8 am to 10 pm, are responsible for ensuring ICU patients have access to an easy and consistent method of remotely communicating with their family members. Not only does this provide patients with a large motivation boost, it also allows the patients’ medical teams to focus solely on the patients’ physical needs and wellbeing."

Patient family members who wish to avail this service and speak to their relatives are encouraged to call 03 702 2960 or 03 702 2962. Their identity will be first confirmed, in line with UAE laws and regulations before they are patched through to their relative.

Humaid Abdulla Al Shehi, Patient Relation Senior Officer, Al Ain Hospital, said, "The introduction of these communication services enable us to support our frontline staff as they focus on providing excellent care to our patients, while simultaneously elevating patients’ comfort levels and making sure that both their medical and non-medical needs are taken care of."

The new unit includes four patient affairs employees and three nurses and doctors. The hospital has also dedicated a room outside the inpatient department that hosts a large screen that allows one family member to video call their relative. The room has been prepared in line with safety and precautionary methods.

Emirates airline has announced that it will add another four destinations to its passenger schedule in July.

The Dubai-based carrier will re-start passenger flights to Cairo and Tunis from 1st July, and Glasgow from 15th July and Male from 16th July.

The addition of these four cities will bring Emirates’ list of destinations up to 52. The flights offer connections between the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Asia Pacific and the Americas, while ensuring the health and safety of customers and employees on the ground and in the air.

The airline has clarified that from the UAE, only Tunisian nationals and permanent residents of Tunisia are currently able to travel to Tunis. "Travellers originating from certain other countries may enter Tunisia with/without restrictions, and the return flight from Tunis to Dubai and onwards is open to all customers as long as they meet the travel requirements of their destination," it added.

From 7th July, customers from Emirates’ network can also travel to Dubai with new air travel protocols that facilitate travel for UAE citizens, residents and tourists while safeguarding the health of visitors and communities.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, today commended talented Emirati youth and the determination of the UAE society for the nation's optimistic and positive outlook for the near future which will focus on designing integrated and future-oriented strategies, anticipating changes and ensuring readiness to achieve tangible leaps in major sectors.

Sheikh Mohammed's message, followed his inauguration of the Dubai Future Labs, DFL, a platform that is designed to be the first applied Research and Development lab specialising in future technology research, prototyping, business modeling and deploying technological solutions in the UAE and the region.

As a platform that attracts national and international experts to AREA 2071 in Dubai Future District, DFL not only focuses on research and development but ensures the successful transition of deployment and technology solutions in a real-world setting, benefiting industries and societies as a whole. Furthermore, by exploring global technology trends, practices, and state-of-the-art emerging technology applications, Dubai Future Labs acts as a collaborative bridge between academic research, industry, and key actors in the fields of technology to provide novel insights and means of implementation.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed was accompanied by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of Dubai Executive Council and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Dubai Future Foundation; Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and The Future and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Managing Director of the Dubai Future Foundation, Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence and Deputy Managing Director of the Dubai Future Foundation, and Khalfan Juma Belhoul, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation.

On his official Twitter account, Sheikh Mohammed tweeted, "Today, we have launched Dubai Future Labs as part of our belief in the importance of investing in the applied R&D sector in Dubai and the UAE the labs specialised in future tech R&D will build national capacities and shape solutions in Fourth Industrial Revolution sectors such as robotics, AI, and automation."

His Highness added that DFL would provide a global destination to develop latest applied research and technologies, enhance the culture of innovation, and address the demands of local markets to boost Dubai’s and the UAE’s position through leveraging expertise in diverse domains to create applied research and product development frameworks, design and produce prototypes, as well as to conduct feasibility studies with regard to their widespread implementation.

Under the supervision of the Dubai Future Foundation, the Dubai Future Labs aims to strengthen the status of Dubai and the UAE as a knowledge-based economy through forging partnerships with global R&D institutions to shape new markets and create job opportunities. In addition, DFL is mandated to bridge the gap and connect industries and relevant stakeholders through facilitating technology transfer.

During his visit, the DFL technical team briefed His Highness on two innovative projects that are currently under development. The projects included DFL’s recent successes in building ventilator models to meet the shortfall in the local health sector during COVID-19, M061, and the first commercial drones and autonomous ground vehicles it deployed in the logistics sector.

His Highness directed the DFL team to work closely with relevant innovation labs, specialised institutions, national and international universities, and with the private sector across the UAE and beyond to develop cutting-edge tech to accelerate the implementation and deployment of technological solutions that will contribute to overcoming future challenges.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid also viewed an innovative project in the AI and autonomous vehicles sector that is currently being developed in cooperation between the UAE AI Office and the Dubai Future Labs, and "AutoX"; a global company specialised in developing the future technologies of transportation, and employing AI in this vital sector to develop new solutions to increase reliance on self-driving vehicles in the future.

The project team is working closely with the relevant legislative entities in the country to ensure adherence to the highest standards of safety and security, to position the UAE as the leader in developing legislations, accelerating the adoption of modern technologies, and encouraging innovative ideas.

The DFL team is currently engaged in an innovative project that leverages drone technology, autonomous ground vehicles, and the latest shipping and storage solutions in the delivery services sector. The growing reliance on online shopping, as well as the social distancing measures in place during the COVID-19 pandemic, have led to a surge in demand for fast and efficient delivery services.

Phase one of this project includes building a prototype of the product, defining the customer requirements for deliveries, reviewing the regulatory frameworks for aerial traffic, as well as define the technical specifications for the delivery ecosystem for drones. It also involves real-life testing of drone delivery in a semi-controlled environment, a review of other autonomous delivery options, and collection of data necessary to transition to the next stage that focuses on building the technical development of commercially scalable solutions. In implementing the project to find broader solutions and applications for UAV technology and autonomous driving, the team hopes to achieve a preferred and cost-effective solution to delivering products in the UAE.

The DFL team will conduct experimental tours to collect data on the take-off, delivery, and movement processes. It will also utilise client feedback and evaluations of the pilot stage and analyse this information to generate ideas on providing best-in-class future services and applications that comply with the highest safety standards.

The M061 project team continues to develop ventilators that mainly rely on components available in the current supply chains, and that can be easily sourced, assembled, and deployed as needed, with a focus on durability and efficiency.

The team has used the available basic resources and easily accessible interchangeable components to facilitate the task of physicians and healthcare workers in the current scenario, where medical equipment and components are increasingly scarce globally.

The crucial healthcare project is a partnership venture between Dubai Future Foundation, the Office of the Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Dubai COVID-19 Command and Control Centre, Ministry of Health and Prevention, Dubai Health Authority, Mohammed bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, as well as government agencies, research centres, international institutions, and startups.

The project team plans to execute a rigorous testing cycle in collaboration with respiratory specialists and clinicians in Dubai’s hospitals to ensure that the ventilator system complies with established standards and meets international requirements. Trials will be conducted on patients once testing has been carried out to ensure safe deployment.

The Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development has launched the second phase of the National Creative Relief Programme to support creative and cultural companies during the pandemic.

The programme provides financial grants ranging between AED15,000 -75,000 to independent creatives and small creative companies with less than ten employees, in addition to a new category for companies that employ between 10-20 people. Applications are open from 1 to 14 July via the Ministry's official website.

Some of the cultural and creative industry areas covered by the programme include museums, performing arts, photography, books and interactive games.

Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, said that the National Creative Relief Programme achieved important results in the first stage by providing direct financial support to 87 creatives and companies, where the financial grant covered 100 percent of the monthly average financial commitment for individual creatives, and 70 percent of small companies’ financial liabilities.

She said the pandemic has revealed "many challenges and opportunities in the creative sector which we are currently studying to implement policies that will enable the growth of this sector and enhance its readiness and ability to respond to changes and developments."

"We continue to study the cultural and creative industries sectors and their vulnerability due to the crisis caused by COVID-19, where we saw an urgent need to launch a second stage of the programme and include a category of companies with 10-20 employees. We increased the financial value of the grant to a maximum of AED75,000 in order to maintain the sustainability of these companies, and ensure their growth and development in the creative market to drive the process of cultural development and knowledge sharing that comes at the forefront of the UAE’s development pillars," Al Kaabi added.

"The creative sector is the most resilient and powerful in the region, thanks to the close cooperation between different institutions that enrich the cultural scene in the country and ensure the competitiveness of the creative economy in the UAE. Many creative communities have provided support programmes and economic incentives to encourage entrepreneurs and creatives to overcome the challenges posed by the COVID-19 crisis."

The applications will be reviewed and evaluated by a specialised committee and according to a specific criteria which include size of loss, the amount of financial setback, and the production of creative content in the UAE during 2019, to ensure that the support reaches those who are most affected. All UAE residents and citizens who meet the criteria can apply for the financial grant.

The cultural and creative industry areas covered by the programme are the following; natural and cultural heritage; performing arts and celebrations; visual arts and crafts; books and journalism; and audio and interactive media.

The UAE government Monday announced that mosques, prayer spaces, and other places of worship will gradually reopen nationwide from 1st July and operate at 30 percent capacity. The development comes in coordination with relevant federal and local authorities who continue to take all considerations for precautionary and preventive measures.

However, prayer spaces located on motorways, industrial areas, labour camps, cooperative societies, commercial centres and parks twill all remain closed until further notice.

The development was announced during the UAE government’s regular media briefing today wherein Amna Al Dahak Al Shamsi, official spokesperson of the UAE Government, and Dr. Saif Juma Al Dhaheri, Spokesman for the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) provided an update on Covid-19 developments and the measures taken to reduce its impact.

Al Shamsi said that the daily average rate of recoveries exceeds 660 cases, heralding the tireless efforts made by the medical staff in all UAE healthcare facilities, including doctors and nurses.

She noted that more than 43,551 additional Covid-19 tests were conducted among UAE citizens and residents, resulting in the detection of 449 new cases, taking the total number of infections in the country to 48,246.

Al Shamsi said an additional 665 individuals have fully recovered from Covid-19, bringing the total number of recoveries to more than 37,076, with a total of 10,856 individuals still being treated, most of whom are in stable condition.

She also announced the death of one individual as a result of Covid-19 complications, taking the total number of fatalities in the country to 314.

Dr. Al Shamsi expressed her sincere condolences to the families of the deceased and wished current Covid-19 patients a speedy and full recovery.

"All UAE departments and institutions are forging ahead with all measures needed to ensure a safe return to normalcy across all fields," she said. "However, we are in a critical period that requires enhanced awareness and increased cooperation from all community members."

Addressing the briefing, Al Dhaheri said the decision to reopen places of worship does not include prayer spaces located on motorways, industrial areas, labour camps, cooperative societies, commercial centres and parks; these will all remain closed until further notice."

He added, "Reopening places of worship is due to the tremendous efforts made by all relevant departments who initiated the Covid-19 testing of all mosque imams and workers in places of worship.

"Friday prayers will remain suspended in all mosques until further notice and therefore mosques will remain closed on Fridays only," he said. The public is again instructed to comply with precautionary and preventive measures while coming for prayers, including adhering to a minimum 3-metre safety distance between worshippers, and avoiding congregations and handshaking in all forms.

"All should perform ablution at home and hand sanitize regularly in addition to wearing face masks before coming for each prayer," he added.

"Quran recitals and readings should be from the worshiper’s own personal or electronic Moshaf," he said, noting that using communal Holy books already available in mosques is prohibited.

"Every Muslim should bring his own prayer mat and should not leave it behind or store it at mosques after prayers," he said, noting all mosque goers have to download Al Hosn app on their smart phones.

All the guidelines related to the gradual reopening of mosques will be circulated to all places of worship by the relevant authorities.

"Elderly people, including Emiratis and residents, as well as children aged under 12 years old and people with chronic and respiratory diseases are not allowed to come to mosques or other places of worship under the current circumstances to ensure their safety," he warned.

He stressed the need for all those who are living with people in contact with COVID-19 patients as well as those living with patients under treatment should not to come to mosques until they get treated in order to ensure public safety.

"Mosques and places of worship where COVID-19 cases is detected shall be closed and necessary measures shall be taken," he said.

In the meantime, Al Dhaheri announced that excursion boats, and personal and commercial yachts can now operate at 50 percent. Jet skis are to be used by only one rider.

Concluding the briefing, Al Shamsi warned that any negligence and recklessness may undo all efforts made by the nation’s first line of defence and other authorities concerned.

"Despite the successes that have been made, the current situation is beset with challenges; as the novel coronavirus is evidently capable of spreading, which means that the failure to ensure physical distancing and adhering to other precautionary measures, especially in public areas, may result in negative consequences for individuals and wider society," she said.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, endorsed on Monday the implementation of the Union Museum project at a cost of Dh500 million.

Union Museum is a landmark that tells the federation formation story in 1971. The museum narrates the events from 1968 to 1974 and draw on the political and social circumstances surrounding this phase of UAE history.

The project also includes restoring the Union House to its original state, restoring Dar Al Dheafa to its original state and refurbishes its furniture and rebuilding the Ministry House in its original location and the building will be dedicated for state visitors.

The museum will be constructed underground and connected with the Dar Al Dheafa and the Ministry House.

The Union Museum is composed of eight permanent pavilions in addition to one temporary pavilion to exhibit items from international museums. The first pavilion is dedicated for a documentary movie about the history of the UAE.

The second pavilion illustrates a panoramic interactive map highlighting the era before the formation of the federation. The third pavilion is an interactive timeline that demonstrates key historical events before the union phase through photos and exhibits.

The fourth pavilion includes a visual presentation for the main events and meeting between late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum starting from Al Samha discussions to the day the declaration was signed.

The fifth pavilion utilises advanced technologies to stimulate imagination and offer visitors a visual tour to understand the backgrounds of the formation of the union.

The sixth pavilion highlights the leadership’s political approach and includes the formal and informal meetings and the important moments and challenges confronted the founding fathers before 1971.

The seventh pavilion is dedicated for the UAE Constitution and includes the declaration that turned the dream into reality in addition to a digital copy for the Constitution.

The eighth pavilion is an open gallery offers a sight on the new-born nation after the formation of the federation and the important events during that phase.

All pics: Wam

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, ordered those concerned to raise the value of prizes and increase the number of categories of the 16th Liwa Date Festival.

The festival, which will be held from 17th to 23rd July, 2020, in Liwa, Al Dhafra, under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and organised by the Cultural Programmes and Heritage Festivals Committee-Abu Dhabi, will offer prizes valued at over AED8.2 million.

The directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed highlight the significant support of the UAE’s leadership for palm trees, fruit farms and local farm owners.

Major General Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Commander-in-Chief of the Abu Dhabi Police, ADP, Member of the Executive Council and Chairman of the Committee, praised the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed to raise the value of prizes and increase the number of categories of the festival.

He added that festival reflects the approach of the Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and his words, "Give me agriculture, I guarantee you a civilisation."

Al Mazrouei thanked President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, for their keen support to the cultural schemes aimed at preserving heritage and traditions.

He also lauded the continuous following up of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region, and expressed appreciation to H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, for lending patronage to the event.

He stressed that the current edition of the festival will be limited to date and fruit competitions without visitors, to protect public health and the safety of participants and employees, in light of the exceptional conditions witnessed by the entire world.

Issa Saif Al Mazrouei, Deputy Chairman of the Committee, said that the festival’s organising committee added four new categories with 60 prizes this year, upon the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed.

The organising committee will distribute an e-brochure to farms owners and participants, which will explain all precautionary conditions, dates, categories and registration requirements, in addition to prize schedules and details, jury rules and results.

The Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology "ESMA" revealed details of the UAE standard for safety requirements in school buses updates, which was approved by the UAE Cabinet yesterday, and which included 5 additional technical requirements that have been included, to ensure the highest levels of safety for students when they using buses, when they get on and off the buses, as well as when they are on board.

The authority relied on updating the UAE standard, "Vehicles - Safety Requirements for School Buses", which carried No. UAE.S 5012: 2020, to the best international standards in safety and security, with a clear focus on enhancing the efficiency of school buses in the UAE, relying on the latest technical solutions.

Abdulla Abdelqader Al Maeeni, ESMA director general, said that "the development of the UAE standard comes within the continuous modernization process for systems, standards and technical regulations, in order to raise safety levels and reach them to the limits Entrepreneurial regionally and internationally.

As of now, school buses will be committed to installing technical equipment so that schools, supervisors, drivers and traffic men can manage the bus and students in the framework of maintaining their safety.

And we have worked to achieve maximum benefit from technical developments and artificial intelligence by requiring the installation of systems in buses that work to alert Drivers and supervisors when one of the students forgot or stayed on the bus after the students left. Al Maeeni added.

The standard also required the buses to provide a safety system for fuel tanks and protect it with a solid metal cover. It is also mandatory to provide the bus with cameras for recording and monitoring the movement of other vehicles on roads.

School buses will also become obligated with fire extinguishers according to the size of the bus (medium or large), and put a first aid box in a clear location, and provide the school bus with a means to limit the maximum speed so that it does not exceed 80 km / hour in order to ensure the safety of students. He said.

The UAE standard prevented the possibility of opening the school bus window for more than 20 cm horizontally or vertically, and providing a manual means to control the opening of doors from outside in emergency situations, and other conditions for materials that make windows.

Al Maeeni confirmed that these updates are mainly aimed to raise the levels of security, safety and quality in school buses through the use and installation of the necessary equipment and appropriate safety factors and technological solutions that ensure increased safety rates for students.

As part of its keenness to strengthen the communal solidarity and to support children with COVID-19 by alleviating their psychological burden and reassuring them to get through this crisis, the Ministry of Health and Prevention, MoHAP, in cooperation with the "Make a Wish" Foundation has granted wishes of the children who are receiving the medical care whether in MoHAP’s hospitals, or quarantine centre or those in home isolation.

In order to put a smile on their face, MoHAP met with the children virtually to know more about their wishes. The children expressed their wish to acquire tablets and other electronic media to play some educational and interactive games that would help improve their way of thinking and their cognitive skills, in addition to watching useful entertainment programmes.

Thanking MoHAP and Make a Wish Foundation for this initiative which reflects the humanitarian values of the UAE society and encourages to spread meanings of charity and giving, the families expressed their happiness with the initiative which consolidates the communal solidarity and cohesion.

Dr. Kalthoum Al Balushi, Director of the Hospitals Department, said: "Such initiatives reflect values of solidarity and synergy in the UAE society. Our aim is to enhance the positive attitudes among the children with COVID-19 and to put a smile on their faces in these challenging time, as part of the keenness of the governmental institutions to grant children’s wishes and to motivate them to pass their crisis."

Hani Al-Zubaidi, CEO, Make a Wish Foundation, praised MoHAP’s efforts to grant wishes of children with COVID-19, stressing his foundation’s readiness to cooperate with the public and private agencies that are keen to fulfill their social responsibility and to spread happiness in society, as well as bring joy to the children with chronic diseases and to instill hope in the hearts of their families.

The Sharjah Book Authority has announced that the entirety of the 14,625 sqm exhibitor space at the Sharjah Expo Centre has been sold out, with thousands of purchases by publishers from across the world for the 2020 edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair, SIBF, which is scheduled for November.

For industry professionals worldwide, SIBF is a key opportunity to tap into both the commercial and customer potential of the Middle East and Asia regions. All exhibition spaces were sold out since the fair’s organisers opened registration this February, which testifies both the cultural and market appeal of this 11-day event.

Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of SBA, said, "For the past 38 years, we have been promoting knowledge and culture by hosting the Sharjah International Book Fair in line with the vision and directives of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. Today, SIBF is a major event on the global publishing industry calendar. Each year, it is a focal point for publishers, writers and thinkers from around 80 countries worldwide who deem it imperative to participate, explore new opportunities and showcase their products and services to millions of fair visitors."

"It is heartening to receive such strong industry support even in these challenging times, which drives us to host an exceptional edition this year to continue benefitting both the reader as well as local, regional and global publishing markets," he added.

Reiterating the power of knowledge and education in offering solutions for challenges of every kind, he said, "By hosting this SIBF 2020, we renew our commitment to Sharjah’s cultural message that emphasises the empowerment of communities through reading, literacy and knowledge."

Alongside publishers, several government and semi-government entities, rights agents and other industry professionals, educational and cultural institutions, public libraries, research centres, education service providers, university libraries, as well as local and international media will make an appearance at SIBF 2020. Staying true to tradition, the fair will have spaces dedicated for literary discussions, workshops, creative and artistic events, in addition to areas designated for managerial, administrative, and technical personnel who will communicate with publishers and facilitate their participation.

flydubai, the Dubai-based airline, announced a partnership with its passengers as the airline prepares to return to the skies following the lifting of the flight restrictions in the UAE.

Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer of flydubai, said: "the effectiveness of the response to the pandemic led by the UAE Government has enabled the flight restrictions to be lifted. We appreciate that no effort has been spared as we see the precautionary measures eased."

The airline has redesigned its entire passenger journey and built upon the existing high standards of its operations to minimise the risk of transmission of COVID-19. For everyone to realise the benefit of travel, passengers need to have confidence that the airline is taking the correct measures and they also need to understand the role they must play to protect themselves and other passengers. This relationship between the airline and the passenger defines the flydubai partnership. It is recognition that the way in which passengers travel has changed and that these protocols set out the new way of travelling.

Commenting on flydubai’s redesigned passenger journey, Ghaith A Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai, said: "in these unprecedented times, we are very conscious of the role that we play as part of the global community in response to COVID-19. We have carefully reviewed the guidance and best practice published by a number of international organisations together with those of our regulator and our industry partners. We have further built on these which has resulted in a layering of measures by the authorities, the airport and flydubai. To realise the benefits of air travel is everyone’s responsibility. We recognise the importance of the role of the passenger in making these measures work. Together we have redefined a new way to travel which creates a partnership. It’s what we do together that will make this work."

The partnership is a set of simple steps that start before a passenger makes a booking until they arrive at their destination. It also recognises that passengers’ plans may need to change and flydubai will offer passengers flexibility in their travel arrangements.

Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer of flydubai, commented on the airline’s commitment to its passengers: "our passengers have long enjoyed the benefits and convenience of air travel. As we move into this next phase, we recognise that it is our role to enable travel in a safe environment and the role of the passenger is to be prepared and ready to travel. Only by working together can the passenger make informed decisions to book their travel. They can be confident in knowing that they can amend their travel plans should travel restrictions or personal circumstances change. This is our commitment."

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Dubai Future Foundation, DFF, said that Dubai 10X has achieved massive leaps in disruptive government services, empowering government employees with the skills to accelerate progress.

In the first phase of the initiative, Dubai has developed a futuristic system to position itself as a leading city in introducing innovative projects and solutions that can positively transform society.

His Highness said that by adapting innovative services and strategies to address rapid changes, Dubai 10X has disrupted the status quo and enabled government entities to embrace technology and future foresight. Agility, risk taking and the ability to embrace change have made Dubai one of the top cities in the world, he added.

His Highness’ comments came during his visit to DFF’s headquarters in Emirates Towers.

He was also accompanied by H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group; Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and The Future, and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Managing Director of DFF; and several government officials, directors and senior corporate leaders from across the UAE.

Sheikh Hamdan announced the conclusion of the first phase of the Dubai 10X initiative that featured disruptive projects launched by several government entities in Dubai.

He stressed the importance of following up on the efforts made through the projects and the wider initiative to build on the quality of government work. This initiative realises the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to establish Dubai as a pioneer among global cities in deploying emerging technologies to create advanced government services and a new model for government excellence.

Sheikh Hamdan emphasised Dubai 10X’s role in promoting collaboration, knowledge sharing and best practices to accelerate disruptive projects and solutions. In doing so, they aim to enhance competitiveness across various vital strategic sectors and rely on ambitious teams to review challenges and develop projects to meet future needs.

He was briefed on the progress of projects approved for the second phase of Dubai 10X. He also viewed the updated version of an online platform dedicated to monitor the progress of diverse projects in the second phase.

His Highness said: "We are proud of the efforts of all those who contributed to the Dubai 10X initiative that was launched to harness the drive and will power of our local talents and to instill a culture of innovation in government work. We have great confidence in continuing to work as one team to achieve the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for Dubai to become a leader among the world’s cities."

During the meeting, Lieutenant-General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-chief of Dubai Police presented an update on the Oyoon project, launched by Dubai Police with the support and participation of the governmental, semi-governmental and private sectors. By deploying modern technology, the project is working to develop an integrated security system that helps prevent crime, reduces traffic accident related deaths, prevents negative incidents in residential, commercial and vital areas and facilitates a prompt response to incidents even before they get reported to the command unit.

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority presented an overview of Digital DEWA, the digital arm of DEWA. The project served to showcase DEWA as the world’s first digital public utility to leverage autonomous systems for renewable energy and its storage, expansion in AI adoption, and the provision of digital services.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed had approved the first phase of Dubai 10X projects at an event held during the 6th World Government Summit in February 2018 in Dubai and directed its completion within 24 months.

His Highness said: "We commend the efforts of all employees and government entities who have successfully achieved this milestone in the Dubai 10X initiative. The race continues and the challenge is big, but we have immense faith in our teams. We will work together to achieve society’s happiness Dubai."

On this occasion, Sheikh Hamdan launched a comprehensive report by the Dubai Competitiveness Office, DCO within Dubai’s Department of Economic Development, DED, on the competitiveness of all the projects approved in the first phase of the Dubai 10X initiative.

The report aims to measure the projects across 98 associated competitiveness indicators and examine their impact on enhancing Dubai’s global competitiveness across 11 major domains. These domains include government regulations, development and use of information and communications technology, business and trade ecosystem, education and innovation, environment and sustainability, technology and development, security and safety, and community welfare and culture.

DCO’s technical team held extensive meetings with Dubai 10X teams to develop a comprehensive vision and define a methodology to verify the competitiveness of these projects and measure their impact based on global competitiveness indicators.

The report’s authors applied the methodology and simulated the impact of each project to highlight the project’s role in promoting Dubai on a global level.

Every expatriate renting and/or owning a property in Dubai has to pay housing fee.

"The housing fee is collected by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) on behalf of Dubai Municipality and the fee is applicable for all expatriates resident accounts in Dubai," a Dewa call centre executive told Emirates 24|7.

As per directive of the government of Dubai, the housing fee is charged to an account on the basis of 5 per cent of the annual rent amount (for tenants), or 0.5 per cent of the property purchase price (for expatriate owners residing in their properties).

The value is then divided by the 12 months to charge the customer on a monthly basis.

UAE nationals are exempted from paying this fee.

Asked how a resident can file a complaint if s/he is being overcharged, the executive said that if the person believes the calculation to be wrong then s/he needs to provide a letter to Dewa, which will be updated in the Municipality system and checked.

Copies of rent contract and the title deed must also be provided.

“Whatever extras is paid will be credited to his/her account if one is overcharged. In case the calculation is right, the person will continue to pay the same amount on a monthly basis,” he added.
So is the housing fee charged for vacant home?

Yes, Emirates 24|7 did report earlier that even if an apartment remains empty, but has a Dewa connection, then the owner has to pay housing fee.

The former Head of Housing and Marketing Fees at the Dubai Municipality Abdulla Hashim Abdulghafoor had told this website that Dewa connection is the only requirement for the municipality to charge housing fee.

"Whether an apartment is rented out or remains vacant, one still has to pay the housing fee as long as he has a Dewa connection. There is no exemption,” he said.

Read: Pay housing fee even if your property is vacant
 

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Emirates airline has announced that it will add another four destinations to its passenger schedule in July.

The Dubai-based carrier will re-start passenger flights to Cairo and Tunis from 1st July, and Glasgow from 15th July and Male from 16th July.

The addition of these four cities will bring Emirates’ list of destinations up to 52. The flights offer connections between the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Asia Pacific and the Americas, while ensuring the health and safety of customers and employees on the ground and in the air.

The airline has clarified that from the UAE, only Tunisian nationals and permanent residents of Tunisia are currently able to travel to Tunis. "Travellers originating from certain other countries may enter Tunisia with/without restrictions, and the return flight from Tunis to Dubai and onwards is open to all customers as long as they meet the travel requirements of their destination," it added.

From 7th July, customers from Emirates’ network can also travel to Dubai with new air travel protocols that facilitate travel for UAE citizens, residents and tourists while safeguarding the health of visitors and communities.

Producer Jackky Bhagnani has got Yash Raj Films’ Vaani Kapoor onboard for his high-end espionage thriller Bellbottom. For Vaani this is the first film outside the Yash Raj camp after having done films like Befikre Opposite Ranveer Singh, WAR opposite Hrithik Roshan and the upcoming Shamshera opposite Ranbir Kapoor. Vaani will be sharing screen space with Akshay Kumar for the first time in her career.

Sharing her excitement for the film, Vaani says, "I am excited to share the screen space with Akshay Sir. It is definitely a script I instantly clicked with and knew I wanted to be part of. I am also thrilled to partner with Pooja Entertainment who have already made me feel at home at this initial stage of our film. I’m eagerly waiting to start shooting Bellbottom."

The actress will be playing a key role in the ‘80s set film, inspired by true events. Directed by Ranjit M Tewari, the story is about one of India’s forgotten heroes and is scheduled to go on floors this year. It is written by Aseem Arrora & Parveez Shaikh. Producer Jackky Bhagnani says that the script made him choose a fresh pairing. “Vaani is an intelligent and an effective actor and I have loved all her performances. The female lead in Bellbottom has to be in sync with Akshay Sir's screen persona. The role is meaty and I am confident that Vaani will ace this one.”

Director Ranjit says, “Vaani’s character in the film is extremely intriguing. She has a certain flair and we’re all very excited to have her on board!” Bellbottom is produced by Vashu Bhagnani, Jackky Bhagnani, Deepshikha Deshmukh, Monisha Advani, Madhu Bhojwani and Nikhil Advani and will release on April 2, 2021. 

Anil Kapoor has been quietly dubbing away back to back for many days. The actor was shooting just before the lockdown for the Vikramaditya Motwane directorial AK Vs AK which is about a film director who kidnaps the daughter of a movie star and then without his knowledge films how he searches his daughter. The film was being shot extensively in Dharavi. “The shoot of the film is more or less complete. The dubbing has been on as the film is slated to get onto a premiere on a digital platform soon. The genre of the film is quite like how the Steve Martin and Edddie Murphy film Bowfinger was. Bowfinger was about a filmmaker Bob Bowfinger who gets Kit Ramsey to unknowingly work in his film. AK Vs AK also has Anurag Kashyap as the filmmaker while Anil Kapoor plays the role of the film star in the movie,” says our source.

One can recall how Kapoor has been practicing his running as well in recent times. “There are a lot of running and chase sequences in the film which requires Anil to be in top shape and that is one reason that apart from his gym routines, he has also been running hard on the race track for many months,” explains the source.

AK Vs AK is being made for a digital platform and not for a theatrical release.  Kapoor has been dubbing for the past six days for the film and getting his detailing of the voices right. Kapoor also voiced Baloo in the Hindi version of the Netflix film Jungle Book. AK Vs AK is also slated to go on the same platform.

The Dubai Police General HQ has called upon members of the public to remain vigilant when using social media platforms and not to fall prey to online cybercriminals and scammers.

These remarks were made by Expert Major General Khalil Ibrahim Al Mansouri, Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Criminal Investigation Affairs at Dubai Police, as he revealed the details of Operation "Shadow" which led to the arrest of 20 African gangs for committing blackmailing and cyber extortion crimes as well as fraudulent activities against social media users. He also said the force has recently arrested a married couple who deceived social media users by posing as a recruitment agency for domestic helpers.

Al Mansouri attributed the success of both operations to the efforts and professionalism of the General Department of Criminal Investigations (CID) who utilised the latest technologies at the Criminal Data Analysis Centre of Dubai Police. He further reiterated the force's readiness to shield the community against all forms of harmful and criminal activities.

Al Mansouri confirmed that search and investigation teams at Dubai CID are qualified and trained to the highest levels. They are also ready to tackle emerging crime and unprecedented security challenges.

"Our officers keep abreast of the latest crime prevention methods including harnessing the artificial intelligence capabilities of the Criminal Data Analysis Centre of Dubai Police to track down criminals and foil their bids to harm our society," he said.

According to Al Mansouri, since it's inauguration by Dubai Police's chief Lt. General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, the Centre has helped the force identifying hotspots of interest and conducting comprehensive crime prediction studies to develop solutions and improve early intervention methods.

Brigadier Jamal Al Jallaf, Director of CID at Dubai Police, revealed that they had received a reliable tip-off about some African gangs who lured men by posting and sharing photos of girls on social media platforms and via e-mails.

"When the victim arrives at the specified address, he would find a different girl than the one he had chatted with online" Al Jallaf said.

"The gang would threaten victims and take their belongings including mobile phones and credit cards after they take pictures of the men in indecent positions and threaten to post their videos online and share it with the victims' contacts if they report the matter to the authorities. The victims would end up sharing their mobile phone passcodes and credit card security pins, and paying huge amounts to avoid being defamed online and among their family members", he added.

Lt. Col. Abdullah Mohammed, head of Criminal Investigation Department at Dubai Police, said a team was formed immediately upon receiving the tip-off, and a thorough plan was set up to apprehend the 47 African suspects; ten women and 37 men. He confirmed that comprehensive investigations have led to the arrest of suspects in Dubai and in a nearby emirate, and they that had been renting flats under fake IDs so they won't get caught.

Brigadier Jamal Al Jallaf revealed another fraud case involving a married couple, of an Arab nationality, who claimed that they could bring domestic helpers into the country despite the shutdown of airports imposed by the recently completed National Sterlisaition Programme. He noted that 46 people had fallen victims to the online fraudsters who lured victims with expedited procedures for only AED 3,000 in recruitment fees.

"During the National Sterilisation Programme, the Smart Police Station (SPS) received several reports against anonymous for defrauding victims and posing as representatives of a labour recruitment agency promising victims with domestic helpers," the director of CID explained.

"Task teams were formed to investigate the reports and track down the suspects with the aid of available digital forensics tools," "Soon after, our investigation teams gathered the necessary information and pinned down the married fraudsters," Brig. Al Jallaf continued.

"The couple confessed to their crimes and revealed that they had been scamming families across the emirates by exploiting the suspension of labour recruitment during the National Sterilization Programme and taking advantage of people's need of help during the quarantine period," he concluded.

Captain Abdullah Al Shehhi, Deputy Director of the cybercrime department at the General Department of Criminal Investigation, warned members of the public not to fall prey into the trap of online conversations with strangers, and not to drift behind services they provide and not to respond to suspicious e-mails.

He further warned the public against drifting behind the hyperlinks sent to smartphones, especially via WhatsApp, indicating the necessity of activating two-step verification feature that prevents criminals from stealing data.

Al Shehhi urged members of the public to report suspicious accounts and online extortion to the "e-crime.ae" platform by Dubai Police, noting that received reports remain confidential.