As part of the UAE's effort to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, Dubai plans to cut carbon emissions by 30% by 2030. The UAE became the first Middle Eastern oil exporter to present its national contribution to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to achieve carbon neutrality by the middle of the century. Ahead of the COP26 in Glasgow, Dubai’s carbon abatement strategy follows the UAE’s pledge to offset all of its emissions by 2050. Vice-Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and head of the emirate’s utility, Saeed Al Tayer said, “The council has started evalua
On Wednesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) backed the use of Merck & Co Inc’s Covid-19 pill for high-risk patients. Post-six clinical trials involving 4,796 patients, the recommendation was made based on new data. The WHO’s Guideline Development Group (GDG) recommendations are aimed to help the doctors by providing the best care for the patients in fast-moving situations like the COVID-19 pandemic. The Molnupiravir pill was conditionally recommended by the expert panel for patients with non-severe diseases like immunocompromised, unvaccinated, older people, or with chroni
The United Arab Emirates government's National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority updated its guidance by ending the mandatory requirement to wear face masks and obligatory quarantine for COVID-19 contact cases. The rule went into effect on Saturday, where the fully vaccinated passengers will no longer require PCR tests. The management said, “for economic and tourist sector, physical distancing has been canceled while mask-wearing in closed places is still mandatory”. Abu Dabhi, UAE’s capital, also removed the requirement for those coming from other UAE emirates to
The Singapore government announced on 16 February 2022 that it will extend the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) scheme to several countries. These countries included Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, the Philippines, Israel, UAE, and a new VTL to Hong Kong. the scheme came into force in a phased manner starting from 25 February. This decision allowed vaccinated travelers to fly quarantine-free into Singapore from the approved countries. Singapore said it will gradually lift the 50% cap on VTL travelers to let more people in. In a press release, the Ministry of Health said, “We will progressi
On Thursday, Canada approved the use of the world’s first plant-derived Covifenz Covid-19 vaccine. The vaccine is jointly developed by GlaxoSmithKline Plc. and Medicago Inc. A two-dose regimen of 3.75 micrograms per dose is authorized by Medicago Covifenz which is to be administered 21 days apart. The trial for this was found to be 71% effective against the infection within the Symptomatic patients and 100% effective against the severe disease caused by the coronavirus. Covifenz uses Glaxo’s adjuvant that consists of DL-alpha-tocopherol, polyphosphate 80, squalene, phosphate-buffere
Bhutanese movie, “Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom” was nominated for the popular Academy Award- Oscars on 8th February. The film is Pawo Chonyning Dorji’s feature debut and is Bhutan’s first Oscar entry in 23 years. The film was the kingdom's second Oscar entry and the first nomination. Bhutan was selected last year to compete for an Oscar nomination at the 2021 awards. However, the Academy Awards refused to accept the film since Bhutan hadn't submitted a film since 1999. Bhutan's Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom is the second Oscar entry since Khyentse Rinpoche's The Cup in 1999 and
On Thursday, the United Kingdom pledged an extra $290 million to boost the global vaccine drive. The nation aims to produce a global shot within 100 of any future pandemic. In addition to the £276 million that Britain has already donated to the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), a global partnership to create vaccines against future pandemics launched in 2017. British health minister Sajid Javid said in a statement, “This pandemic is a global challenge and it has shown the best way to chart a course back to freedom is by standing side by side with our internation
On Tuesday, Dubai opened its Museum of the Future and its structure touts as the world’s most beautiful building. Build on Sheikh Zayed Road, the city’s main highway, the structure is a seven-story hollow silver ellipse. It is decorated with Dubai’s ruler quotes in Arabic calligraphy. Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum officially inaugurated the Museum. It was opened with a vision of the future that has been credited as the driving force behind the construction of the museum. Before the inauguration, the building was lit by the laser light show in the evening fo
On Monday, the United Arab Emirates has exempted Indian travelers from the at-airport RT-PCR test for the COVID-19 infection. The UAE announced the abolition of the at-airport RT-PCR ceding to aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia’s demand. Tho negotiate an increase in the number of flights between the two countries, one of the members said, “Minister Scindia made it clear to the UAE authorities that the increase in seat entitlements would happen after this requirement is removed”. The abolition is made for Indian nationals flying to Dubai and other emirates, bringing some relief
On Monday, Australia reopened its international borders to fully vaccinated travelers. The nation opened its borders for tourists after nearly two afters of being shut due to a pandemic. The tourism and hospitality sector is looking forward to rebuilding its economy after getting hammered by Covid-19 restrictions. Hundreds of people were reunited with their family and friends. Approximately 50 international flights are scheduled to touch down through the day that will including 27 flights in Sydney itself. Dan Tehan, Tourism Minister welcomed travelers with a jar of Vegemite- an essenti