WAM

News update: New ‘Stay Home’ App launched by DoH to reinforce self-quarantine procedures

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ABU DHABI, 3rd April, 2020 (WAM) — The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, DoH, has launched a new smartphone application “Stay Home” that ensures people requested to self-quarantine adhere to mandatory quarantine requirements.

Designed to protect both those in self-quarantine and the community, the app ensures they do not come into contact with other people during their quarantine period, thereby maximising the benefit of self-quarantine procedures.

The app is part of the Department’s constant commitment to limiting the spread of the coronavirus, COVID-19, and is among the series of comprehensives measures and preventative actions taken to safeguard the health and safety of the community.

The “Stay Home” app will enable the Department to stay informed of the whereabouts of people who are in mandatory home quarantine, determine their location and ensure that the conditions of the quarantine are not violated in the best interests of them, their families and society at large.

The “Stay Home” app can be downloaded through Google Play and the Apple Store. Every person asked to self-quarantine at home will get a username and password to be able to use the app. The app then sends alerts that inform users to stay within the range of movement allowed during the quarantine period.

Source: WAM

News update: Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism extends ban of events and wedding parties, closure of venues

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ABU DHABI, 3rd April, 2020 (WAM) — In line with the precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to ensure public health and safety, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, DCT Abu Dhabi, has extended the ban on all events and wedding parties, and the closure of venues in Abu Dhabi until further notice.

In addition, DCT Abu Dhabi has extended the period of suspension of all tour services and activities related to sea cruises, desert camps and tours (safari) as well as the operation of floating restaurants until further notice.

Read more at: WAM

News update: MBRSC releases image showing decline of NO2 in GCC

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DUBAI, 1st April, 2020 (WAM) — The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, MBRSC, has released a GIF image of the decrease in nitrogen dioxide, NO2, concentration in the GCC countries, between 26th November, 2019, until 27th March, 2020.

The Remote Sensing Department at MBRSC published the results using data acquired by the European Space Agency’s Sentinel-5P mission. The drop in NO2 concentrations beginning late-February coincides with the region-wide precautionary measures taken to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Nitrogen dioxide is mainly produced from engines, power generation and other industrial processes, according to the World Health Organisation. In view of the lockdown announced in various countries, fewer vehicles are on the road, fewer planes are taking flight and industries have also been affected over the period. This has led to the decline in NO2 concentrations, which in turn has improved air quality.

Source: WAM

News update:TRA publishes list of 22 online grocery apps in the UAE

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The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, TRA, announced ‘Online Grocery’ that includes the purchasing application of 22 online stores in the UAE, noting that this is a preliminary list and will be subject to updates in the coming days.

The online stores included in the list include large shopping centres and cooperatives, in addition to grocery stores, meat and vegetable shops, and other services.

The start of the current year has seen solid activity in the online shopping sector, indicating a high demand from consumers to shop on the internet.

Read more at: WAM

News U Wish To Read – 7 August 2017

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News U Wish to read - 6 August 2017

Energy

It’s a buyer’s market for LNG

The National

More liquefied natural gas (LNG) coming into the market will keep prices depressed despite an increase in demand from Asia, analysts said.

LNG producers are ramping up from Qatar to Australia and the United States, while Egypt is expected to emerge as a new export player.

Australia has increased its market share in the first half of the year to 20 per cent from 12 per cent last year, according to BMI Research, and  its exports are forecast to grow by 23 per cent over the financial year to the end of June, according to Australian energy advisory firm, EnergyQuest.

Published: 5 August 2017

Follow: https://www.thenational.ae/business/energy/it-s-a-buyer-s-market-for-lng-1.616942

Adnoc active on the debt front as it pushes ahead with transformation strategy

The National

The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company is studying a number of fund raising options at both group and asset level that will help unlock value and optimise the group’s balance sheet as it pushes ahead with its new approach to drive growth.

Adnoc is in discussions with banks for a club loan of approximately US$5 billion that will be used for ongoing corporate activities. It is also looking into financing options for select midstream infrastructure assets including potentially tapping debt capital markets via a bond issuance. Plans are at an early stage so the size and scope of any potential bond issuance has not been decided. The company said it has no intention to issue bonds at the holding or main operating company levels such as Adco, Adma-Opco and Zadco.

Published: 02 August 2017

Follow: https://www.thenational.ae/business/energy/adnoc-active-on-the-debt-front-as-it-pushes-ahead-with-transformation-strategy-1.616399

Total Ready to Make Acquisitions as Financial Strength Grows

Bloomberg

Total SA said it’s ready and able to make acquisitions and pursue growth, shrugging off uncertainties about oil prices as its financial position strengthens.

Europe’s second-largest oil and gas company has the firepower to buy up fields on the cheap and press ahead with new developments, taking advantage of lower levels of debt, rising profit and surging cash flow, according to a statement Thursday.

“Total has a stronger balance sheet,” Chief Executive Officer Patrick Pouyanne said as the company reported second-quarter earnings that beat expectations. “The group has the flexibility to take advantage of the low-cost environment by being able to launch profitable projects and acquire resources under attractive conditions.”

Published: 27 July 2017

Follow: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-07-27/total-ready-to-make-acquisitions-as-financial-strength-grows

Politics & Economy

Indian rupee to get stronger, NRIs should remit now

Khaleej Times

If you’re a non-resident Indian (NRI) and looking to remit a handsome amount back home or planning to buy a property or invest in any venture, the time is now.

Going by views of analysts and industry executives, the Indian currency is likely to strengthen further against the US dollar — thereby against the UAE dirham, because the Emirati currency is pegged to the greenback — in the wake of Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) decision to cut interest rates last week, and may strengthen as much as 1.1 per cent.

Published: 7 August 2017

Follow: http://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/economy/indian-rupee-to-get-stronger-nris-should-remit-now

Looking for a job in UAE? Here’s the salary guide

Khaleej Times

Starting salaries for professional roles in finance and accounting, financial services, technology and administration in the UAE will grow by 2.5 per cent over the next year, according to the Robert Half 2017 Salary Guide.

The guide is the most comprehensive and authoritative resource on starting salaries and recruitment trends in finance and accounting, financial services, IT, legal, and HR and administration. The Salary Guide enables employers and employees to benchmark salaries for over 185 different permanent professional roles in the UAE.

According to the survey, competition for the best candidates is heating up in the UAE with 68 per cent of employers planning to attract new employees in 2017 and on an average, pay scales could increase by up to 5.8 per cent in comparison to 2016.

Published: 6 August 2017

Follow: http://www.khaleejtimes.com/news/general/looking-for-a-job-in-uae-heres-the-salary-guide

Community, Environment & Society

Year 2018 to celebrate Zayed’s vision

Gulf News

Abu Dhabi: President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has declared 2018 the “Year of Zayed” in the United Arab Emirates.

The year 2018 marks 100 years since the birth of the late founding father Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and yesterday’s announcement is coinciding with the anniversary of Shaikh Zayed’s Accession Day, the day he assumed leadership in Abu Dhabi on August 6, 1966, marking the start of a new epoch in the history of the country.

Published: 6 August 2017

Follow: http://gulfnews.com/news/uae/government/year-2018-to-celebrate-zayed-s-vision-1.2069463

Apply for UAE visa from comfort of your own home

Gulf News

You can now, from the comfort of your home, complete applications related to nationality, and residence, without having to visit typing offices or customer service centres.The Ministry of the Interior on Tuesday launched “E-channels”, a new system of smart services that lets nationals and residents apply for entry permits and residency visas within 10 minutes.

Published: 01st August 2017

Follow:http://gulfnews.com/news/uae/government/apply-for-uae-visa-from-comfort-of-your-own-home-1.2067647

Thousands of road-safety breaches by lorry drivers leads to police campaign

The National

More than 30,000 fines have been issued to lorry drivers in Dubai in the first six months of this year alone for not abiding by road safety rules.

Police on Tuesday launched a one-month lorry driver safety campaign in a bid to reduce the number serious accidents and deaths involving heavy-goods vehicles. So far this year there have been 14 serious accidents and 15 deaths involving HGVs on Dubai roads.

Published: 01 August 2017

Follow: https://www.thenational.ae/uae/transport/thousands-of-road-safety-breaches-by-lorry-drivers-leads-to-police-campaign-1.616104

Don’t come on visit visas for job hunting, Indians told

Gulf News

Indian Consulate asks expatriates to verify job offers and visas before arriving in the UAE. Indian jobseekers should not come to the UAE on visit visas and must authenticate their employment offers and entry permit visas before heading to the UAE, the Indian Consulate in Dubai has said. The advisory from the mission follows high numbers of calls and visits by Indian workers who have been duped by agents or employers on a regular basis. “We have got several cases of people falling into trouble when they come for employment or for looking for employment on visit visas. There are also cases of women being forced to work as maids etc by dubious agents who get them to the UAE on visit visas as well as sending them to Oman and other countries.”

Published: 02 August 2017

Follow: http://gulfnews.com/news/uae/society/don-t-come-on-visit-visas-for-job-hunting-indians-told-1.2067777

Technology

iPhones, Facebook and internet are sucking our time and making us miserable

AFR.COM

In a past life, we served on our local council. Despite the impressive size of our gross budget, our free choice in spending was remarkably limited.

By the time our road grants were spent on roads, child care funding on child care, the indoor and outdoor staff paid and the rubbish collected, funds for truly discretionary spending were tight. According to Associate Professor Adam Alter, a psychologist at New York University, the days of our lives are just like that.

Published: 4 August 2017

Follow: http://www.afr.com/technology/mobiles-and-tablets/iphones-facebook-and-a-neverending-internet-are-sucking-our-time-and-making-us-miserable-20170803-gxom8o

Sports


Gatlin spoils Bolt’s farewell in 100m with remarkable gold

Khaleej Times

Usain Bolt was no longer stunning. He was just stunned.

At the end of a career in which he has dominated his sport for a decade, Bolt was beaten in his final 100-meter race by an American almost five years his senior – Justin Gatlin.

Calling it quits at the age of 30 and looking for a golden farewell in his last individual race at the world championships, Bolt lost to a man who produced a comeback not only on Saturday but also through a doping-tainted career.

Published: 6 August 2017

Follow: http://www.khaleejtimes.com/sport/athletics/gatlin-spoils-bolts-farewell-in-100m-with-remarkable-gold