New 200 AED Note to be Issued Today Tuesday, May 27 2008 

Abu Dhabi and Dubai and Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah and UAE and Umm Al Qwain and life and sharjah and updates eupdate 11:13 am

The modified 200 AED note, complete with new security features, will be issued in the UAE on May 27, 2008. The announcement has come recently from the Central Bank. Initially, the bank had issued the 200 AED note in the year 1989 but the notes were not printed afterwards.

The new note has quality technical specifications and latest security marks and features. The design and specifications of the note remain the same as that of the present note but additional security features have been incorporated, which in turn are visible only under ultraviolet light.

The colour of the note has been modified so that in stead of brown, it is now orange. In addition to other features, an optically variable stripe has been added at the right side of the front of the note. The stripe shows the national emblem of the UAE along with value numerals.

 

Middle East Film Festival 2008 – Prize Money Friday, May 23 2008 

Abu Dhabi and Film Festival and UAE and updates eupdate 6:09 am

Cash prizes worth more than 1 million USD will be given to filmmakers in the upcoming Middle East International Film Festival (MEIFF) to take place in Abu Dhabi between October 10 and 19, 2008. The huge prize sum makes it the largest ever offered for a film festival.

MEIFF will be running its second chapter this year wherein some changes have been incorporated making the festival last ten days instead of five earlier. In addition, an annual date has also been fixed for it.

The festival has in store awards for all kinds of films – feature, documentary and animation. In addition, there will be prizes for short and long films along with student films. A total of 60 films will participate in three competitions viz. 22 short films, 18 long films and 20 student films.

The monetary value of Black Pearl prizes will be divided equally between the producer and the director. There will be awards for best artistic contribution (besides directing and acting) in addition to those for best actor and best actress.

The Middle East International Film Festival consists of the following parts:
• Three competitions of short, long and student films
• A special show program
• Films from the Gulf Cooperation Council
• Arab world programs
• A program that honours two figures – one of them being an Arab

Highlights of MEIFF 2008:
• Environmental programs
• Festival of Festivals – showcasing of films from other festivals
• Films from history
• Competition for advertisements

 

New Airport Counters for People with Special Needs Thursday, May 15 2008 

Dubai and UAE and inclusion and life and special needs and updates eupdate 7:34 am

Dubai International Airport will soon have seventeen new counters meant for people with special needs. This inclusive step comes as a bid to provide hassle-free travel to one and all.

This year alone, Dubai International Airport has handled over 200,000 special needs passengers. And the number is expected to multiply phenomenally over the coming years.

At present, there are two check-in counters for passengers with special needs at the airport. But as per the new plan, there will be help counters in addition to special check-in counters. The airport has already come up with Riyaya - a team of professionals to take care of and support passengers with special needs.

The step is seen not only as a social responsibility but also as something that will encourage tourism in the Arab World wherein 30 million people are physically challenged and need special care.

 

Art For Aid Supports Red Crescent In Its Fight Against Poverty Saturday, May 10 2008 

Abu Dhabi and UAE and life and updates eupdate 5:40 am

The Art for Aid exhibition held recently in Abu Dhabi raised more than 1 million AED in a bid to assist the Red Crescent Authority. The funds raised thus will be utilized to eliminate poverty in the world.

The exhibition-cum-sale of artworks took place between May 1 and May 3, 2008. Art for Aid is a themed initiative aimed at supporting philanthropic causes around the globe through art. Poverty, education, health and nutrition are in focus at present.

Art for Aid is an event that has for its scaffolding support from and collaboration between various local and international artists and organizations. It aims to create awareness, raise funds and conduct programs for noble causes. Paintings and jewellery are the usual artworks on offer therein.

The importance of creativity and art in raising awareness and inspiring sensitivity is something that cannot be overlooked.

 

UAE Women Take the World by Storm! Monday, May 5 2008 

Abu Dhabi and Al Ain and Dubai and Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah and UAE and inclusion and life and sharjah and updates eupdate 5:36 am

In recent times, women from the United Arab Emirates have made their mark in socio-political and economic sectors both on the national and international levels. The country known for its conservative roots has developed itself to the point where there is no discrimination based on gender. In fact, women are held vital in their contribution towards the progress of the nation as they extend their roles in various fields.

Recently, there have been events in Dubai that marked outstanding women leaders in the country. Women have been projected as role models for the generations to come.

 

Screening for Thalassaemia to be Conducted Earlier Friday, May 2 2008 

Abu Dhabi and Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah and UAE and Umm Al Qwain and health and life and sharjah and updates eupdate 11:43 am

Haematologists in the UAE have come up with a decision to screen people for thalassaemia quite early in life in a bid to prevent marriages among carriers of the disease. The move is being planned in wake of the fact that pre-marital screening of the disorder hasn’t proved helpful in preventing the birth of new patients.

Present Scenario in the UAE

At present, more than 6 percent of UAE nationals suffer from the disorder though there is compulsory pre-marital screening for blood-related disorders. As per the latest move, screening is to be done at the school-going stage itself so that individuals and families are spared the pain of cancelled weddings (which in turn is avoided in order to prevent heartache caused by the breaking of emotional ties already established).

Pre-marital thalassaemia screening came into place in the UAE two years back. Even then, there hasn’t been a drop in the number of new babies born with the disorder.

Thalassaemia

Thalassaemia is a genetic blood disorder in which there is a breakdown of red blood cells. Patients require regular blood transfusions in order to survive. Couples who are carriers of thalassaemia have a 25 percent chance of producing a thalassaemia-major baby.