Tag Archives: sports
State-of-the-art beach to be ready in two weeks
State-of-the-art beach to be ready in two weeks Staff Reporter / 4 February 2014 Shaikh Mohammed inspects project with The Beach Cinema, largest open air screen in the Middle East. His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, visited on Monday ‘The Beach’ project in Jumeirah, Dubai. Shaikh Mohammed and Shaikh Maktoum bin Mohammed touring ‘The Beach’ project area. — Wam Accompanied by Shaikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and a number of senior officials, Shaikh Mohammed familiarised himself with the progress of work on the project and its components as well as the tourist services to be provided to the public that may, along with other attractions, contribute to strengthening Dubai’s position as a first-class tourist destination. The project is being implemented by Meras Holding. Shaikh Mohammed was briefed on the project by Chairman of Meraas Holding Group, Abdullah Al Habbai, and the value it will add to the tourist landscape of Dubai as a state-of-the-art beach destination. Al Habbai said the project will open in two weeks. Al Habbai welcomed the visit and appreciated Shaikh Mohammed’s attention to national institutions in various sectors, which, according to him, is an incentive for hard work to meet the futuristic vision of transforming Dubai into the best city in the world. ‘The Beach’, located on the Arabian Gulf, as part of Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR), forms a qualitative addition to the integrated entertainment and recreational experience which Dubai provides to its residents and visitors alike. This is achieved through wide variety of facilities that will change the concept of traditional family entertainment, including the ‘beach cinema’ which will serve as the most prominent in the series of added attractions available in the project. The Beach cinema will have the largest open air screen in the Middle East and will allow visitors to watch screenings while enjoying the picturesque surroundings and the variety of restaurants and cafes spread throughout the area. A network of hallways and corridors will connect all parts of the project and over 70 brand outlets will be opened in the project including restaurants, cafes and recreational facilities. news@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
Solutions to combat hunger being discussed at forum
Solutions to combat hunger being discussed at forum Silvia Radan / 4 February 2014 Expert says sustainability and efficiency are two of the main reasons why the world needs artificially made meat. The proverbial food pill may well become a reality in the near future given the advanced technology and innovation in food production. The latest solutions to combat world hunger are being discussed during the three-day Global Forum for Innovations in Agriculture (GFIA), taking place in Abu Dhabi until February 5. There isn’t yet a food pill, but there is a ‘lab-burger’. One of the keynote speakers on the opening day on Monday, Dr Mark Post, Professor of Physiology at Maastrict University, presented his project, the world’s first beef burger created in a laboratory. The project became reality last summer, when the first burger was tasted by a London journalist. “She said it had good texture, but the taste could be improved,” revealed Dr. Post. The burger was made from cow cells (no animal had to be sacrificed) from the animal’s skeleton muscles. Altogether, the first ever cultured meat burger required three billion cow cells and Euro 25,000, if commercially produced, the price for the lab-burger would reach $65 per kilogram. The price is still high, but according to Dr. Post that would only be in the initial stage. Sustainability and efficiency are two of the main reasons why the world needs artificially made meat. “Meat production threatens our species! Eighteen per cent of green house gas emissions come from meat farming. If we shift from meat to vegetables, we cut pollution, gain more land and feed a lot more people. One way of doing it is for us all to become vegetarians, but we are a species who loves meat,” explained Dr Post. According to him, lab made meat would reduce the usage of land by 90 per cent, save 70 per cent energy and 90 per cent water. With the world population expected to reach nine billion by 2050, climate change is a serious threat to agriculture, food is becoming a major security issue. Particularly in dry areas, where water scarcity makes food production unreasonable, countries like Saudi Arabia or Qatar have little choice but expensive food imports. “There are a few solutions to food imports,” said Dr Frank Rijsberman, CEO of CGIAR Consortium, a global agricultural research partnership. “First, you can buy farm land somewhere else, but it will take years to get the crops growing. You can store large quantities of food, but that is very expensive. You can buy ready established agri-food lands like I’ve seen in the newspapers countries here do now; or you can invest in agricultural innovation and this is what I recommend for you! UAE should massively invest in food innovation research,” said Dr Rijsberman. Throughout the three-day forum, 160 agricultural innovations are being presented, while the exhibition running alongside has some global 150 stands showing their latest solutions to growing food. silvia@khaleejtimes.com Clean-up drive abu dhabi — Tadweer (Centre of Waste Management – Abu Dhabi) has launched a comprehensive clean-up drive targeting stockyards and farms in Al Wafia, Dharat Al Tayeb and Razeen areas located nearly 45 kilometres east of Abu Dhabi City. The campaign is in line with Tadweer’s strategy of implementing the highest hygienic standards and raising awareness about the need to preserve the environment. The campaign involves the cleaning up of collection sites of animal waste and fallen stock as well as the removal of compost leftovers. More than 50 labours and 20 vehicles were deployed for the clean-up campaign. Mubarak Al Ameri, Waste Collection Projects Department Manager at Tadweer said: “The campaign was launched a week ago and is part of Tadweer’s ongoing efforts to raise hygienic standards in Abu Dhabi’s Eastern Region and contribute to the preservation of desert environment and its development into a vibrant ecosystem.” “The clean-up drive at stockyards and farms comes as part of Tadweer’s effective action plans and ongoing campaigns to provide a clean and healthy environment within the Emirate within the strategic vision of the Abu Dhabi government, and our shared national responsibility to achieve sustainable development.” Al Wafiya, Dharat Al Tayeb and Razeen areas comprise nearly 1,150 stockyards, and throughout the year Tadweer runs various awareness initiatives and clean-up campaigns in the Eastern Region as part of its keenness to protect the health and safety of the public and support the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 which aims to create a clean and sustainable environment in the emirate. news@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
Shaikh Khalifa is fine, says Abu Dhabi Crown Prince
Shaikh Khalifa is fine, says Abu Dhabi Crown Prince (Wam) / 4 February 2014 General Shaikh Mohammed says UAE leadership would not hide anything from the UAE people regarding the health of the leader of the nation. General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, on Monday reassured the people of the UAE about the health of the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. “The President’s state of health is stable and reassuring,” he said. Speaking to his guests at Al Bahr Palace, Gen. Shaikh Mohammed said: “His Highness Shaikh Khalifa is fine. Yes, we have passed through difficult moments, but we have been able, thanks to God, to pass beyond them.” He added that the UAE leadership would not hide anything from the UAE people regarding the health of the leader of the nation, may God safeguard him. Strong brotherly ties with Qatar Gen. Shaikh Mohammed also spoke about what he referred to as the “strong brotherly ties” between the UAE and Qatar. “There are no differences between the UAE and Qatar,” he said. “Qatari people are our brothers and our family. Qatar is part of the GCC. Personally, I have a special relationship with His Highness Shaikh Tamim. I have full confidence that Shaikh Tamim acknowledges that Qatar’s interests are part and parcel of the interests of the GCC countries.” He was referring to the fact that differences between brothers in the same house can occur, “but that nothing will separate us from our brothers, the people of Qatar”. Gen. Shaikh Mohammed noted that he had full confidence in the wisdom of Shaikh Tamim and said that the solidly-established relationship between the brothers in the GCC countries is too strong to be affected by ill-intentioned voices. Gen. Shaikh Mohammed commented: “The Arab street has misunderstood what has happened recently. We would like to reassure all concerned that we have no disputes with Qatar. All that we have is that we reject any attempt at impinging on us or any insolence aimed at the sovereignty, honour and doctrine of the UAE and its people, and any extraordinary voices that do not wish anything good for the two brotherly countries.” Gen. Shaikh Mohammed said that the UAE rejected any attack from UAE citizens aimed at Qatar, “just as it did not accept anything against our people from Qatar”. “We are confident that people in Qatar do not accept this against us. I repeat, again and again, our full confidence in Shaikh Tamim and his people and in Qatar. This will not be disturbed by those who are full of hatred and malign intentions,” he concluded. For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
