On Wednesday, three researchers were awarded a grant of $5 million for their work on rain enhancement.   Chris Whiteoak / The National
On Wednesday, three researchers were awarded a grant of $5 million for their work on rain enhancement. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week is fostering potentially planet-saving innovations



This country's commitment to "sustainable practices" and "reducing its environment footprint" is not a recent undertaking. It is, in fact, as Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, told the attendees at last year's Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), a foundational principle of this country. The ADSW has emerged as a leading forum for the exchange of ideas and the development of solutions in the pursuit of sustainable development.

This year's session of the ADSW has drawn experts from virtually every corner of the world; there will be innovations down the years that will directly be traceable to this year's gathering. Subjects that have long been neglected have been thrown into sharp relief. The International Water Summit on Wednesday addressed water security. Diminishing water resources, one of the most overlooked topics in discussions about climate change, is perhaps the greatest threat facing tens of millions of people in Africa, South Asia and the Middle East. As freshwater becomes scarce, competition for what remains intensifies and the possibility of conflict grows. Averting such a crisis ought to be a top priority for policymakers everywhere.

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On Wednesday, three researchers were awarded a grant of $5 million for their work on rain enhancement. The trio – comprising professor Eric Frew of the University of Colarado, who is researching the use of drones to seed clouds; Dr Lulin Xue of Beijing's HuaXin ChuangZhi Science and Technology Centre, who is trying to broaden our understanding of rain enhancement; and professor Ali Abhashev of the Rain Suppression Research Centre in Nalchik, Russiaa, who is studying the creation of artificial updrafts in crowds – who were selected from a pool of more than 200 competitors for the grant will now collaborate and share their research with global institutions. By rewarding and empowering researchers directly, the ADSW is accelerating the search for workable solutions. In this quest, as Sheikh Mohammed said last year, sustainability week and the UAE are honouring the "legacy of promoting sustainability left behind by the late Sheikh Zayed".

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Fixture and table

UAE finals day: Friday, April 13 at Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City

  • 3pm, UAE Conference: Dubai Tigers v Sharjah Wanderers
  • 6.30pm, UAE Premiership: Dubai Exiles v Abu Dhabi Harlequins

 

UAE Premiership – final standings

  1. Dubai Exiles
  2. Abu Dhabi Harlequins
  3. Jebel Ali Dragons
  4. Dubai Hurricanes
  5. Dubai Sports City Eagles
  6. Abu Dhabi Saracens
Libya's Gold

UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves. 

The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.

Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.

JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH

Directed by: Shaka King

Starring: Daniel Kaluuya, Lakeith Stanfield, Jesse Plemons

Four stars

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The Sand Castle

Director: Matty Brown

Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea

Rating: 2.5/5

Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage

Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid 

Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani

Rating: 4/5

Five expert hiking tips
    Always check the weather forecast before setting off Make sure you have plenty of water Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon Wear appropriate clothing and footwear Take your litter home with you
Business Insights
  • Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
  • The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
  • US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
ICC Awards for 2021

MEN

Cricketer of the Year – Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan)

T20 Cricketer of the Year – Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan)

ODI Cricketer of the Year – Babar Azam (Pakistan)

Test Cricketer of the Year – Joe Root (England)

WOMEN

Cricketer of the Year – Smriti Mandhana (India)

ODI Cricketer of the Year – Lizelle Lee (South Africa)

T20 Cricketer of the Year – Tammy Beaumont (England)

$1,000 award for 1,000 days on madrasa portal

Daily cash awards of $1,000 dollars will sweeten the Madrasa e-learning project by tempting more pupils to an education portal to deepen their understanding of math and sciences.

School children are required to watch an educational video each day and answer a question related to it. They then enter into a raffle draw for the $1,000 prize.

“We are targeting everyone who wants to learn. This will be $1,000 for 1,000 days so there will be a winner every day for 1,000 days,” said Sara Al Nuaimi, project manager of the Madrasa e-learning platform that was launched on Tuesday by the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, to reach Arab pupils from kindergarten to grade 12 with educational videos.  

“The objective of the Madrasa is to become the number one reference for all Arab students in the world. The 5,000 videos we have online is just the beginning, we have big ambitions. Today in the Arab world there are 50 million students. We want to reach everyone who is willing to learn.”

If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.

When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.

How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets