UAE helicopters fly in to help tackle wildfires in Albania amid summer heatwave

UAE emergency teams on Tuesday launched an air operation to help tackle wildfires in Albania that have forced residents to flee homes and caused widespread damage.

Emirati helicopters carried out flights over Petrela, Gramsh and other affected areas, in support of critical efforts to contain intense blazes that have been fuelled by a record heatwave across vast parts of Europe.

The UAE response units were taking part in the firefighting efforts amid challenging weather after being sent to the country on the directives of President Sheikh Mohamed.

Several Albanian officials participating in the operation praised the UAE’s role in extinguishing the fires and its swift response.

Sheikh Mohamed had on Monday ordered a number of specialised units to the capital, Tirana, to aid continuing relief efforts.

The Emirates has sent aircraft, equipment and materials to help contain the raging fires, which come amid soaring temperatures gripping the Balkans region.

The humanitarian operation is being carried by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Interior, represented by Abu Dhabi Civil Defence.

Emergency services in Albania have been fighting to limit the spread of a series of wildfires that have broken out over recent weeks.

In July, the Albanian Ministry of Defence reported 18 such blazes, which threatened both residential areas and environmentally protected sites.

The Lura National Park, in north-eastern Albania, was among the areas worst affected by the fires.

The crucial assistance reflects the UAE's solidarity with the Albanian government and its people, state news agency Wam reported on Monday night.

Sheikh Mohamed met Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama in Tirana last month to advance the growing partnership between the countries.

Sheikh Mohamed set out his commitment to forging robust ties across the Balkans. He said Albania was an important partner for the Emirates.

During the meeting, Mr Rama awarded Sheikh Mohamed the Benemerenti medal, the highest public honour conferred by the Prime Minister of Albania, in recognition of the President's pivotal role in strengthening UAE-Albanian relations.

The Prime Minister praised Sheikh Mohamed's commitment to bolstering bilateral ties, describing the award as a mark of his country's deep respect and appreciation for him.

Many parts of Europe have been scrambling to limit the spread of wildfires, particularly in the Mediterranean.

UAE relief teams have arrive in Albania to battle wild fires in the country. Wam

In Italy, a four-year-old boy died of heatstroke in Sardinia and extreme weather alerts were issued for a number of major cities.

Meanwhile, France has sent out heatwave warnings covering about half of the country and Spain has raised the alarm over dangerous conditions in Zaragoza and the Basque Country.

The surging temperatures in August come after the world's third hottest July on record. The average surface temperature last month was 1.25°C above the average pre-industrial level.

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The candidates

Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive

Ali Azeem, business leader

Tony Booth, professor of education

Lord Browne, former BP chief executive

Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist

Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist

Dr Mark Mann, scientist

Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner

Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister

Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster

Red flags

Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.

Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

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What is Folia?

Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.

Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."

Folia first launched at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in July 2018. It is available at the poolside Cabana Restaurant and for in-room dining across the property, as well as in its private event space. The food is vibrant and colourful, full of fresh dishes such as the hearts of palm ceviche with California fruit, vegetables and edible flowers; green hearb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa; and a savoury coconut cream pie with macadamia crust.

In March 2019, the Folia menu reached Gulf shores, as it was introduced at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it is served at the Bay View Lounge. Next, on Tuesday, November 1 – also known as World Vegan Day – it will come to the UAE, to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and the Four Seasons DIFC, both properties Prince Khaled has spent "considerable time at and love".

There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.

While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."