Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, chairs a UAE Cabinet meeting. All photos: Dubai Media Office
Sheikh Mohammed with Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, and Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs
Sheikh Mohammed was briefed on the achievements of the Emirates Genome Council, as the Emirati Genome Programme has succeeded in collecting more than 600,000 samples from various parts of the country
Sheikh Mohammed approved the country’s commitment to the principles and recommendations of the International Code for the Protection of Tourists issued by the UN Tourism Organisation
Sheikh Saif with Sheikh Maktoum at the meeting
Sheikh Mohammed alongside Sheikh Mansour
The Cabinet adopted a general framework for sustainable government digital transformation
Sheikh Mohammed, Sheikh Mansour, Sheikh Saif and Sheikh Maktoum leaving Qasr Al Watan after the Cabinet meeting
Sheikh Mohammed said the new federal law on traffic 'takes advantage of the technological progress that characterises the country's road network'
More than 600,000 samples have been collected as part of the Emirati Genome Programme, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, announced on Monday.
During a UAE Cabinet meeting in Abu Dhabi, members were briefed on the goal of reaching one million samples.
The Emirates Genome Council, headed by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, is also training more than 1,000 medical personnel to support the programme.
“The contribution of more than 600,000 citizens ensures the development of a clear map of genetic and hereditary diseases in the country … and helps in developing medicines specific to these diseases,” said Sheikh Mohammed.
“We call on everyone to co-operate with this comprehensive national medical programme in a way that makes our society healthier and our generations healthier.”
A pilot programme for premarital screening will also begin, which will include all genetic and hereditary diseases, Sheikh Mohammed said.
Self-driving vehicles
A federal traffic law was approved on Monday which included amendments to vehicle classifications and the use of modern technology on the roads.
“We also approved a federal law on traffic and road regulations, which includes amendments for vehicle classification and the use of modern technologies on roads to keep up with the rapid developments in global transportation,” said Sheikh Mohammed.
“The new legislation accommodates the expansion in the use of self-driving vehicles, electric cars, and various types of personal transportation means, relying on transportation methods that leverage the technological advancements distinguishing the UAE's road network.”
Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry
Also approved at the meeting held in Qasr Al Watan was the development of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, to be led by the Ministry of Economy.
“The rapid economic growth in the country requires continuous structural changes to keep up with these changes,” said Sheikh Mohammed.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, is accompanied by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, and Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, at the UAE Cabinet meeting on Monday. Photo: Dubai Media Office
The new entity will play a role in strengthening the economy and building partnerships, enabling local companies to enter international markets.
“During the meeting, we decided to form a working team led by the Ministry of Economy to develop the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry in the country, set a new path for it, and enhance its role in strengthening the economy, opening markets, and building new partnerships with the world.”
The UAE's commitment to the International Code for the Protection of Tourists was also discussed at Cabinet.
Issued by the UN Tourism organisation, the code will be used as a guide, Sheikh Mohammed said.
“The UAE is one of the first countries in the world in terms of safety rate. It leads the region and many countries in the world,” he added.
Brics representation
The Ministry of Finance was chosen to represent the UAE in the Brics group. The country became a member in January.
It will work in co-operation with the Central Bank of the UAE.
“Our membership within this important global economic bloc reflects our keenness to work with everyone, and building economic bridges with all economically active blocs in the world, and our commitment to building diverse global economic relations,” said Sheikh Mohammed.
AI
A charter for the use of AI was also adopted at the meeting, so that the UAE complies with high standards of safety and privacy.
“In today's session, we also approved a general framework for sustainable government digital transformation and a charter for the use of artificial intelligence in the country,” said Sheikh Mohammed.
“This ensures compliance with the highest standards of safety and privacy, guaranteeing a positive and lasting impact on society.”
Teams:
Punjabi Legends Owners: Inzamam-ul-Haq and Intizar-ul-Haq; Key player: Misbah-ul-Haq Pakhtoons Owners: Habib Khan and Tajuddin Khan; Key player: Shahid Afridi Maratha Arabians Owners: Sohail Khan, Ali Tumbi, Parvez Khan; Key player: Virender Sehwag Bangla Tigers Owners: Shirajuddin Alam, Yasin Choudhary, Neelesh Bhatnager, Anis and Rizwan Sajan; Key player: TBC Colombo Lions Owners: Sri Lanka Cricket; Key player: TBC Kerala Kings Owners: Hussain Adam Ali and Shafi Ul Mulk; Key player: Eoin Morgan
Venue Sharjah Cricket Stadium Format 10 overs per side, matches last for 90 minutes Timeline October 25: Around 120 players to be entered into a draft, to be held in Dubai; December 21: Matches start; December 24: Finals
Global Fungi Facts
• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally • Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered • Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity • Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin
Director: Shawn Levy
Rating: 3/5
When is VAR used?
• Goals
• Penalty decisions
• Direct red-card incidents
• Mistaken identity
The 12 Syrian entities delisted by UK
Ministry of Interior Ministry of Defence General Intelligence Directorate Air Force Intelligence Agency Political Security Directorate Syrian National Security Bureau Military Intelligence Directorate Army Supply Bureau General Organisation of Radio and TV Al Watan newspaper Cham Press TV Sama TV
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
AUSTRALIA SQUAD
Aaron Finch (captain), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Glenn Maxwell, Ben McDermott, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, David Warner, Adam Zampa
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11 What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time. TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
Friday, February 18: 10am - Oman v Nepal, Canada v Philippines; 2pm - Ireland v UAE, Germany v Bahrain
Saturday, February 19: 10am - Oman v Canada, Nepal v Philippines; 2pm - UAE v Germany, Ireland v Bahrain
Monday, February 21: 10am - Ireland v Germany, UAE v Bahrain; 2pm - Nepal v Canada, Oman v Philippines
Tuesday, February 22: 2pm – semi-finals
Thursday, February 24: 2pm – final
UAE squad: Ahmed Raza (captain), Muhammad Waseem, Chirag Suri, Vriitya Aravind, Rohan Mustafa, Kashif Daud, Zahoor Khan, Alishan Sharafu, Raja Akifullah, Karthik Meiyappan, Junaid Siddique, Basil Hameed, Zafar Farid, Mohammed Boota, Mohammed Usman, Rahul Bhatia
