A woman walks past collapsed buildings in Talat N'Yaaqoub, Morocco. Getty Images
A woman walks past collapsed buildings in Talat N'Yaaqoub, Morocco. Getty Images
A woman walks past collapsed buildings in Talat N'Yaaqoub, Morocco. Getty Images
A woman walks past collapsed buildings in Talat N'Yaaqoub, Morocco. Getty Images

UN says quake-hit Morocco could demand assistance 'today or tomorrow'


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The UN said on Friday that quake-ravaged Morocco could ask for aid "today or tomorrow".

"We are expecting and hoping but expecting from our discussions with the Moroccan authorities that the request for assistance will go out within today or tomorrow," UN aid chief Martin Griffiths told reporters in Geneva.

The magnitude 6.8 earthquake, Morocco's strongest on record, killed about 3,000 people and injured more than 5,600 when it hit last Friday in Al Haouz province, south of the tourist centre of Marrakesh.

Morocco has also announced the launch of an aid programme to support and rehouse the residents of about 50,000 buildings damaged in last week's devastating earthquake.

Those left homeless will be provided with temporary shelter in “structures designed to withstand cold and bad weather, or in reception sites equipped with all the necessary amenities”, the royal office said after a meeting chaired by King Mohamed VI on Thursday.

Moroccan authorities have also ordered urgent aid of 30,000 dirhams ($2,900) for each household affected by the disaster, the royal office.

It said this would form the first stage of a programme covering about 50,000 homes that had fully or partially collapsed in the quake.

The number of people left without homes by the earthquake, which has devastated entire villages in Morocco's Atlas mountain region, is not known.

The royal office said 140,000 dirhams would be allocated for homes that had completely collapsed while 80,000 dirhams will be set aside to rebuild partially collapsed structures.

Morocco has allowed rescue teams to come to its aid from the UAE, Spain, Britain and Qatar, but declined offers from several other nations, including the US, France and some Middle Eastern countries.

How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
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Countdown to Zero exhibition will show how disease can be beaten

Countdown to Zero: Defeating Disease, an international multimedia exhibition created by the American Museum of National History in collaboration with The Carter Center, will open in Abu Dhabi a  month before Reaching the Last Mile.

Opening on October 15 and running until November 15, the free exhibition opens at The Galleria mall on Al Maryah Island, and has already been seen at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

 

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The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo

The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
​​​​​​​Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km

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Venue Insportz, Dubai; Admission Free

Fixtures - Open Men 2pm: India v New Zealand, Malaysia v UAE, Singapore v South Africa, Sri Lanka v England; 8pm: Australia v Singapore, India v Sri Lanka, England v Malaysia, New Zealand v South Africa

Fixtures - Open Women Noon: New Zealand v England, UAE v Australia; 6pm: England v South Africa, New Zealand v Australia

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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Airev
Started: September 2023
Founder: Muhammad Khalid
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: Generative AI
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
 
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The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

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The specs: 2018 Maxus T60

Price, base / as tested: Dh48,000

Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder

Power: 136hp @ 1,600rpm

Torque: 360Nm @ 1,600 rpm

Transmission: Five-speed manual

Fuel consumption, combined: 9.1L / 100km

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs

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UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
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THE BIO

Favourite book: ‘Purpose Driven Life’ by Rick Warren

Favourite travel destination: Switzerland

Hobbies: Travelling and following motivational speeches and speakers

Favourite place in UAE: Dubai Museum

Updated: September 15, 2023, 10:14 AM`