UAE’s MoHAP launches World’s First Metaverse Customer Happiness Service Centre

The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has launched the world’s first Metaverse customer happiness service center at the Arab Health 2022, the first experience of its kind in a health exhibition in the world.

The step ushers in a new era of digital reality and human-computer interaction in government health care services, by enhancing the integration of the real, virtual and digital world.

The Ministry’s stand at the Arab Health being held at the Dubai Trade Centre from 24th to 27th January, will be a unique stage to showcase this unique technology and test the performance of virtual activities that provide real experiences in one of the most innovative and future initiatives launched by the ministry.

Although the full version of the MoHAP MetaHealth platform is expected to be launched by mid-2022, visitors to Arab Health 2022 will have the opportunity to instantly teleport into the world of MetaHealth and choose to speak with a real employee from the Customer Happiness Center in a must-try experience.

he new technology also provides an opportunity for customers to join the MetaHealth space and move from their current location to the Ministry’s virtual Customer Happiness Center, without actually crossing the distance between the two areas. Customers, then, can request information, submit documents, pay fees and more, with the actual faces of users being displayed in the virtual room instead of avatars.

The new service also provides a tangible solution for the people of determination who are unable to move physically from their homes to one of the Ministry’s customer happiness centers and finish their transactions smoothly.

Al Owais added, “Today, we are experiencing the world of “Metaverse”, with the launch of the world’s first virtual customer happiness center in the three-dimensional digital space, in the first experience of its kind, in preparation for a new and promising future health sector through Arab Health, one of the largest international exhibitions.”

The UAE health minister asserted that Virtual Reality technology will play a more important role in the future of the UAE during the next fifty years, especially in light of the development of advanced digital infrastructure, which is one of the best in the world.

“The flourishing of digital transformation in the government sector pushes us forward to continue achieving the goals and aspirations of the UAE to lead the artificial intelligence and virtual reality sector, which places the country in a perfect position to attract and use advanced technologies, especially Metaverse,” said Dr. Muhammad Salim Al Olama, Under-Secretary of the Ministry and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Health Services.

source/content: wam.ae

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UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (U.A.E)

Tunisian-French Film Producer Tarak Ben Ammar buys Studios De Paris from EuropaCorp

Tunisian-French film producer Tarak Ben Ammar has finalized a $37 million deal to purchase Studios de Paris, the production facility outside the French capital.

The studios are known for being home to Netflix shows such as “Emily in Paris” and “Murder Mystery 2” and blockbusters such as “Jackie,” “Lucy” and “Taken 2”.

The facility, which has nine sound stages, was placed under court protection a year ago for its debt which are being paid by the acquisition, reported Variety

The studios were co-founded by Ben Ammar, who co-owned them through his company Bleufontaine along with EuropaCorp, a French film and TV production and distribution company created by Luc Besson in 1999, Front Line, Europacorp’s holding company, and Euromedia, a live transmissions company.

Now, Ben Ammar has acquired the shares owned by all three other partners in a deal completed via Eagle Pictures France, a subsidiary of the producer’s Italy operation.

The studios will continue to “represent a center of excellence for the French film industry and be an attractive factor for the entire sector,” according to a statement released by EuropaCorp to investors.

source/content: arabnews.com

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The studios are known for being home to Netflix shows such as “Emily in Paris” and “Murder Mystery 2.” (Studio de Paris)

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FRANCE / TUNISIA

Ahmad bin Saeed tops Forbes Middle East’s Top 50 Travel & Tourism Leaders list

 Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, topped Forbes Middle East’s Top 50 Travel & Tourism Leaders list.

The list spotlights 50 leaders who drive growth in the Middle East’s travel and tourism industry, building on their desire to reconnect with the world.

Emirates Airline and Group’s revenue reached US$6.7 billion in the first half of the 2021/2022 fiscal year.

Moreover, Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths ranked third on the list.

The UAE dominated this month’s list with 24 of the leaders featured based in the UAE, followed by 11 in Saudi Arabia, and four in Egypt.

The hotels and hospitality sector is the most dominant on the list with 26 entries, followed by aviation with 17, and tourism with seven entries.

source/content: wam.ae

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DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (U.A.E)

March 09th – Egypt Commemorates Martyr’s Day

The day is originally held in the memory of Lieutenant General Abdel Moneim Riyad’s martyrdom in 1969, when he went to the front on the second day of the War of Attrition to personally follow up on the results of the previous day’s battle and to be among his armed forces’ colleagues

“I Am from Every Egyptian House.” Under this slogan, Egypt’s armed forces launched the celebration of Martyr’s Day on the 53rd anniversary of the martyrdom of Lieutenant-General Abdel Moneim Riyad.

source/content : egypttoday.com (edited)

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EGYPT

New Cookbook ‘Cooking Her Heritage, Saudi Arabia’ Showcases Cultural Heritage

A new cookbook focusing on traditional meals titled “Cooking Her Heritage, Saudi Arabia” was launched on Mar 02nd, Wednesday at the Diriyah Art Biennale Foundation.

Five women prepared the book: Dr. Awatif Alkeneibit, Sahar Jamal, Begoña Mateos, Jacqueline Jackaman, and Cristina Sanchez.

It is divided into five sections, each incorporating specific recipes from the Kingdom’s regions. It highlights the most classic and iconic Saudi dishes, revealing the cooking secrets and culinary practices handed down over many years in the nation’s homes.

  • Five female co-authors seek to highlight regional dishes, more than 100 recipes drawn from Kingdom’s homes
  • Over 100 recipes drawn from Kingdom’s homes published in Arabic and English

source/content: arabnews.com

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Authors attend the launching of ‘Cooking Her Heritage, Saudi Arabia’ at the Diriyah Art Biennale Foundation. (Supplied)

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SAUDI ARABIA

 Latifa Ibn Ziaten, Awarded ‘Zayed Award for Human Fraternity 2022’ : March 01st, 2022

Latifa Ibn Ziaten . French-Moroccan Activist. President, Association for Youth and Peace (IMAD).

Zayed Award for Human Fraternity has empowered me to continue fighting: Latifa Ibn Ziaten.

Anti-extremist French-Moroccan activist Latifa Ibn Ziaten, President of the Association for Youth and Peace (IMAD), called on countries participating in Expo 2020 Dubai to support the efforts aimed at supporting peaceful coexistence and combatting extremism.

She also lauded the UAE’s efforts to encourage social peace and promote the principles of tolerance and human fraternity.

In an exclusive interview with the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Latifa Ibn Ziaten, winner of the award in 2021, expressed her appreciation for the award.

“I am proud to be here in the UAE, the country that gave me the opportunity to win the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, which empowered and motivated me to continue my journey and fight to help marginalised youths,” she said.

“We need to help each other, most notably the youth who engage in terrorism. I will explore the reasons that led them to choose extremism, as people are not born terrorists, but factors, such as misery, ignorance, desperation and specific lifestyles, have led them to become prey for terrorism,” she added.

Ibn Ziaten said that she delivered several lectures in Abu Dhabi on terrorism and participated in seminars on how to save the youth from terrorism, in addition to delivering lectures in Morocco, the US, India and Mali. In France, she has worked with the Ministry of Education and conducts weekly lectures to raise the awareness of the youth.

After her son was killed in a terrorist attack in 2021, Latifa Ibn Ziaten has dedicated herself to promoting tolerance and countering terrorism.

source/content: wam.ae

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FRANCE / MOROCCO

Winners of 17th Algerian International Quran Contest Awarded

Top winners of the 17th edition of Algeria’s international Quran competition were awarded in a ceremony on Sunday, February 28th

Zeinab Bin Yousuf won claimed the title of the event. Yahya Bilal Yousuf from Bahrain and Syrian Abd al-Rahman Mohammad Hardan ranked third.

The ceremony was attended by a host of Algerian Quran activists and officials.

Representatives from 48 countries took part in this edition, which was held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The contestants went to Algeria’s embassies and consulates in their country to take part in the competition via video links.

Members of the panel of judges were from Algeria, Egypt, and Guinea.

According to Algeria’s Awqaf ministry, Wa Rattil al-Quran Tartila (referring to verse 4 of Surah a-Muzmmil that orders reciting the Quran in Tarteel) was the motto of this year’s competition.

Unlike previous editions that were held in the holy month of Ramadan, this edition was organized in the lunar Hijri month of Rajab on the occasion of Lailat-Al-Miraj, the day when Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) ascended to all the seven stages of heaven.

Launched in 2004, Algeria’s international Quran contest is held annually on memorization of the Holy Quran with the participation of young people under the age of 25.

source/contents: iqna.ir

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ALGERIA / BAHRAIN / SYRIA

Saudi Arabia Unveils Guinness World Record-Breaking Riyadh Season Postage Stamp

Saudi Arabia has officially unveiled a special Riyadh Season stamp that set a new Guinness World Record.

Measuring an incredible 64 square feet 7 square inches, it broke the record for the biggest special stamp in the world on Feb. 14. The public finally got a glimpse of it when Saudi Post displayed it at Boulevard Riyadh City, one of the special Riyadh Season zones.

“By revealing this stamp, the world’s largest special stamp, we broke Walt Disney’s record, set in 2019,” Bandar Al-Toaimi, Saudi Post’s general manager of corporate communications, told Arab News.

“We are so delighted it has been achieved by Saudi capabilities; from concept to design and implementation, it was all done by Saudi talents devoted to Riyadh season.”

The special stamp celebrates Riyadh Season, which was introduced in 2019 and has become one of the biggest events in the Saudi entertainment calendar. The design includes a winter wonderland scene, the Riyadh Season logo, a hot air balloon, a fountain, a racing car and fireworks.

source/content: arabnews.com

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The special stamp is modeled around Riyadh Season, Saudi Arabia’s major event, and features winter wonderland, the Riyadh Season emblem, an airship, a fountain, a race vehicle, and fireworks. (Basheer Saleh)

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SAUDI ARABIA

Oman’s Ahmed Al Maskari Wins Silver at ‘Arnold Classic Europe 2021’, Spain

Ahmed bin Saleh al Maskari. Athlete. Body Building.

Oman’s Ahmed bin Saleh al Maskari won silver medal in the 90kg weight category at the Arnold Classic Europe 2021 bodybuilding championship held in Spain from September 16 to 18.

Badr al Amri, head of the Technical Committee of the Oman Committee for Weightlifting and Bodybuilding, supervising the player’s training, said that Maskari was able to make his presence felt among the world’s most experienced bodybuilders.

“The Arnold Classic is one of the biggest bodybuilding tournaments in the world, and Maskari proved his mettle as he prepared well for it,” Amri said.


“Maskari is an important member of the national bodybuilding team. He has achieved great success and brought laurels for the sultanate in many international and local events.”

source/contents : muscatdaily.com

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OMAN

RECORDS : Morocco holds the Record for ‘Africa’s Tallest Turbine’ : February 2022

The state-of-the-art wind turbine in Morocco’s Oualidia is expected to generate an annual average of 2.500 MW/h, reducing CO2 emissions by 2.500 tonnes every year.

The 144-meter tall structure, part of the InnoVent’s Oualidia wind farm, provides a milestone thanks to high production capacity and cost-efficiency.

Construction work for the turbine began in 2019 following a deal between Morocco’s government and Spanish renewable energy company Nabrawind Technologies.

The installation is the first “self-erecting turbine” for Nabrawind Technologies.

Aside from breaking the continental height record for turbines, the Nabralift tower is special on grounds of the innovative construction method. The company used an innovative self-erecting system to construct the tower, without the need for conventional large-size cranes.

Built in collaboration with French developer InnoVent, the turbine additionally breaks the record for the tallest turbine constructed with a self-erecting system.

The innovative construction model was also cost-optimal as the tower only needed 80 square-cubic meters of concrete for its foundation, down from 500 square-cubic meters necessary for structures of such height, lowering cost by 60%.  

source/content: moroccoworldnews.com

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MOROCCO