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Manila: ADB’s Climate Initiative reported a significant increase in cofinancing commitments, reaching $16.4 billion in 2023, a 44% rise from the previous year. This surge in funding strengthens ADB’s efforts to tackle the complex challenges faced by developing member countries, as detailed in the ‘Asian Development Bank’s Partnership Report 2023: Climate Action, Sustainable Development’. “Working hand in hand with partners, ADB is accelerating climate action and sustainable development in the Asia and Pacific region,” stated ADB Managing Director General Woochong Um. “We are boosting renewable energy with Southeast Asia’s biggest wind power plant, the Monsoon wind power project, in the…

Abu Dhabi: The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has unveiled its latest initiative, the ‘Abu Dhabi Experts’ eLearning platform, at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM 2024). This new platform is specifically designed to educate B2B partners, transforming them into certified ‘Experience Abu Dhabi Experts’. The platform provides specialized training through nine detailed modules that cover various aspects of Abu Dhabi’s tourism offerings. These include the emirate’s rich culture and heritage, major landmarks and attractions, and accommodation options. Each module is crafted to equip partners with essential knowledge to help them design tailored travel itineraries…

New York: May 3rd – In observance of World Press Freedom Day, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called attention to the escalating dangers faced by journalists, particularly those reporting on environmental issues. According to Guterres, these journalists play a crucial role in educating the public about the urgent environmental and climate crises threatening future generations. The profession has become perilously risky, as evidenced by a recent report from the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), which indicates a significant increase in violent attacks against media workers. “Journalists covering illegal activities such as mining, logging, and poaching have been increasingly targeted,…

It’s easy to think of children as naturally healthy. But more and more, kids are developing illnesses that were once only seen in adults. These are called lifestyle diseases because our behaviors and choices play a big role in causing them. Why It Matters Lifestyle diseases are a major cause of health problems–sometimes even serious ones–for kids and teens. The good news is, that preventing these diseases is often possible by focusing on healthy habits. The Top Culprits Obesity: When children carry too much extra weight, it puts them at risk for many other health problems. The causes are often…

Abu Dhabi: The UAE flood damage assessment committee held its inaugural meeting under the presided of Minister Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei to assess and address the damage caused by the recent unprecedented floods to infrastructure, roads, and dams. During the meeting, Minister Al Mazrouei, Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure set forth the committee’s tasks, including assessing the damage’s extent and developing solutions. The committee is organized into four specialized groups, each responsible for different sectors: roads and infrastructure, houses and properties, dams and water facilities, and energy and water. Minister Al Mazrouei praised the prompt actions of field teams…

Dubai: Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council has endorsed a series of initiatives to alleviate the impact of severe weather conditions in Dubai. Following a meeting with government entity heads, Sheikh Hamdan, guided by the principles of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, emphasized the emirate’s preparedness and robust crisis response capabilities. Key actions include: Supporting Affected Citizens: A committee will prioritize repairs to homes of Emirati citizens impacted by the heavy rains. Restoring Normalcy…

Tehran: On Sunday, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, and Israel reopened their airspace following closures due to an Iranian drone and missile attack on Israel. The closures, initiated late on Saturday, were lifted earlier than planned in some cases. The attack prompted Israel to shut down its airspace at 12:30 am, which was reopened by 7:30 am as the threat was mitigated with most of the Iranian launches intercepted overnight. Jordan resumed air traffic operations more than three hours ahead of schedule, as reported by the country’s state TV. The Jordanian Civil Aviation Commission confirmed the normal resumption of flights. In Iraq,…

Abu Dhabi: Today, three ships and a barge embarked from Cyprus towards northern Gaza, loaded with hundreds of tonnes of food, leveraging improved weather conditions for the voyage. This operation marks the second such shipment destined to support Gaza’s residents, featuring essential food supplies sufficient to prepare over one million meals. The cargo includes a variety of self-stable and ready-to-eat items, including rice, pasta, flour, legumes, canned vegetables, and proteins, aimed at alleviating food scarcity in the region. This significant effort to open a maritime route to Gaza has been spearheaded by World Central Kitchen and Open Arms, in collaboration…

Geneva: Promoting gender equality and addressing the complexities of modern warfare, the UAE Parliamentary Group made noteworthy participation at the 37th session of the Forum of Women Parliamentarians. This event, conducted alongside the 148th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly and the 213th session of the Governing Council, became a platform for vital discussions on the impacts of autonomous weapon systems, artificial intelligence, and their social and humanitarian consequences. Held in Geneva, the forum served as a confluence for global leaders to deliberate on pressing issues surrounding women, peace, and security. The UAE delegation, comprising members from the Federal National Council (FNC),…

Dubai: The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has pledged AED 20 million to the Mothers’ Endowment campaign, a charity initiative unveiled by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai. The campaign aims to establish an AED 1 billion endowment fund dedicated to supporting global educational programs. Launched during the holy month of Ramadan, this initiative reflects the UAE’s commitment to promoting values of respect, kindness, and solidarity, alongside its humanitarian efforts to provide sustainable support through education and empowerment. Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, DEWA’s CEO, expressed pride in…