UAE convoy arrives in Gaza with more than 1,000 tonnes of aid
Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza An aid convoy from the UAE has arrived in Gaza carrying more than 1,000 tonnes of food supplies. The aid was sent as part of the UAE's continuing Gallant Knight 3 operation, launched by President Sheikh Mohamed to support Gaza's civilians. The convoy carried approximately 1,039 tonnes of food supplies and flour to address the urgent needs of around 1.3 million people, reported the state news agency Wam. "This latest delivery is part of the UAE's ongoing support for the people of Gaza, who are enduring dire humanitarian conditions amid severe shortages of essential food items," said Wam. Last month, The National reported on a charity organisation in Sharjah's launch of a scheme to deliver fresh bread to Gaza. Under the auspices of Gallant Knight 3, a Dh750,000 monthly budget was allocated to the project being helmed by Sharjah Charity International, as part of an emergency response to the worsening humanitarian situation in the enclave. The war, which is now in its 20th month, has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza authorities. Hamas is still holding 58 hostages taken during the October 7 attacks, in which 1,200 people were killed. Around a third of the captives are believed to still be alive.
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Khaleej Times
36 minutes ago
- Khaleej Times
'No one wants war': Indian, Pakistani expats in UAE stay up all night as tensions escalate
Mansoor Khan, a Pakistani expat from Mirpur in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, spent the night on his phone, his eyes glued to the news and his ears listening for calls from relatives in his hometown and other places. 'I couldn't sleep. I was looking through news websites and videos every few minutes just to see if my family was okay. We live in a peaceful area, but when missiles are flying, nothing feels safe,' he said. Mansoor works in a car rental company in Dubai and has lived in the UAE for eight years — but his heart is back home. As soon as he heard that India had fired missiles and Pakistan had responded with airstrikes, he went into panic mode. 'I am not interested in politics or who is right or wrong. I just want everyone to be safe. I want my Indian friends to be safe too. War benefits no one.' India attacked nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistani Kashmir on Wednesday, targeting 'terrorist infrastructure'. At time of publishing, eight civilians — including at least one child — were killed in the strikes, while 35 were reported injured. Pakistan has called the attack an 'act of war' and promised it won't 'take long to settle the score'. The strikes come as India blamed its neighbour for the violence in Pahalgam last month in which 26 tourists were killed. Pakistan has denied responsibility. News of military strikes between India and Pakistan started circulating early on Wednesday morning. By 1am, social media was flooded with photos, updates, and messages of concern. Many expats from both sides of the border stayed up all night, texting family and friends or just scrolling. Several flights from Pakistan to Dubai were either cancelled or delayed for hours on Tuesday, increasing the sense of anxiety that expat communities in the UAE were feeling. Rameela Ahmed, a Pakistani mother of two who lives in Sharjah, said she was crying herself to sleep. 'We had our dinner and family time and slept around 10.30pm. When my husband got up to drink water, he saw a notification on a news app of a military strike between the two countries. I just kept checking on my parents in Lahore. We have seen this kind of thing before, but now I have kids, and the fear hits differently,' she said. 'Even my Indian neighbour came over to check in on us. We were both shaken,' she added. Fears of war The fear of an all-out war is what's making many people from both sides of the border nervous. Amardeep Singh, a finance professional from Amritsar, said he stayed up till dawn. 'I was supposed to sleep early because I have a meeting today, but how can I? We don't know what's going to happen next,' he said. The Indian expat has been working in Dubai for over 12 years. He believes that dialogue is the only way forward. 'We may have different governments, different histories, but people on both sides are the same. No one wants war. Everyone just wants peace, safety, and a normal life. I have many good Pakistani friends here and we all are praying that this stops soon.' Of all the expats Khaleej Times spoke to, the overwhelming sentiment was clear: neither side wanted conflict. 'We have lived as neighbours here in the UAE for decades,' said Singh. 'We celebrate Eid together, work in the same companies, and our kids go to school together. No one here wants war.'
Khaleej Times
37 minutes ago
- Khaleej Times
Meet UAE's first Emirati female specialist in addiction treatment psychology
Ayesha Ameri has made history as the first Emirati woman to be officially recognised as a specialist in addiction treatment psychology. At just 30 years old, Aisha has dedicated the past nine years to her role at Erada Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation, where she currently heads the psycho-social section in the rehabilitation department. Ayesha's passion for psychology began in high school, where she discovered her natural inclination for humanitarian work. "Volunteering and listening to others came naturally, which made psychology an easy choice," she told Khaleej Times. With a supportive family who believed in the power of therapy, she felt encouraged every step of the way. However, she initially hesitated to pursue addiction treatment due to the stigma associated with it. 'But meeting my first patient changed everything,' she recalled. 'I quickly realised how misunderstood people with addiction are, and I knew I had found my purpose.' This transformative experience drove her to specialise further, and Ayesha pursued a master's degree in Addiction Science. Completing her studies at Dubai Medical College significantly shaped her understanding of addiction as a complex bio-psycho-social disorder. 'The programme gave me a deeper, holistic understanding of addiction,' she explained, noting how her thesis sharpened her research skills and provided an evidence-based perspective that now informs her daily practice. Personal approach Ayesha's approach to treating addiction, clinically referred to as substance use disorder, is grounded in a personalised, evidence-based method. She centres her treatment around Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which she finds most effective for addressing the psychological, social, and behavioural roots of addiction. 'Addiction is a complex disorder, and treatment needs to target all these aspects,' she said. Ayesha's triad CBT-based method, used in both group and individual settings, is unique in its adaptability. By incorporating regular screening tools, she can track each patient's progress and adjust the treatment to suit their specific challenges and strengths. Ayesha also believes that tackling the stigma surrounding addiction in Emirati society is crucial for progress. 'Addiction is a brain-based medical condition, not just a lack of willpower,' she emphasised. She advocates for raising awareness through schools, media, and healthcare campaigns, stressing the importance of a collective effort to change public perceptions. Support system in recovery In addition to medical treatment, Ayesha believes that family and community support play a pivotal role in the recovery process. 'It's important for families to understand that addiction is a disease, and recovery is not a linear journey,' she said. Ayesha encourages families to prepare for the challenges of recovery, advising them to maintain healthy boundaries while respecting the patient's confidentiality. 'Recovery works best when there is trust between the patient and therapist—and that trust can only grow when families support the process without being overly intertwined,' she noted. For young Emirati women aspiring to follow in her footsteps, Ayesha has a powerful message: 'The sky is the limit. There's a real need for more specialists in this field, whether in psychiatry, nursing, medicine, or mental health.' She credits the strong support she received throughout her career and is dedicated to offering that same encouragement to others who are eager to enter the field. Moreover, Ayesha underscores the importance of having more women represented in the field of addiction treatment psychology, particularly in the UAE. 'The UAE has been a strong advocate for women's empowerment, and I'm hopeful to see more women enter the field of addiction psychology,' she remarked. As the first licensed addiction psychologist in the UAE, Ayesha recognises the responsibility that comes with her role. 'For me, it's not just about breaking ground; it's about paving the way for others to follow.' In addition to her clinical work, Ayesha is involved in transformative projects at the Erada Centre aimed at addressing substance use disorder on a larger scale. 'We are collaborating with many different entities with the goal of 'not working in silos,'' she explained, feeling privileged to play a part in these ongoing and upcoming initiatives. Despite the emotional and mental demands of her work, Ayesha has learned to manage these challenges effectively. 'In the beginning, balancing the emotional demands of the work with everyday life was incredibly challenging,' she admitted. However, with experience, she has developed the ability to offer full empathy during sessions while maintaining her own mental space outside of work. Regular supervision with experienced professionals has been essential in helping her stay grounded, ensuring she provides the best care for her patients.
Gulf Business
an hour ago
- Gulf Business
Abu Dhabi: ADGM assets under management show 33% YoY rise in Q1
Image: ADGM Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) has recorded a strong start to 2025, posting significant year-on-year growth across its ecosystem in Q1, as investor confidence and international interest in the UAE capital's financial centre remain high. Backed by major regulatory developments, global engagement and jurisdictional expansion, 'ADGM's Q1 2025 performance marks the beginning of another landmark year,' said Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, chairman of ADGM. 'This is not just a reflection of ADGM's capabilities to deliver sustained growth, but also the trust it has gained among global and regional institutions. 'ADGM continues to expand and diversify with purpose, welcoming leading firms, deepening international partnerships, and driving digital and sustainable transformation across sectors.' At a glance: ADGM's key growth areas in Q1 Assets under management (AUM): AUM grew 33 per cent from Q1 2024. A total of 119 fund and asset managers now manage 184 funds. Licences: The number of new licences issued increased by 67 per cent year-on-year. Entities: Operational entities surged 43 per cent to 2,781. Financial services entities rose 26 per cent to 367. Workforce: More than 29,000 people are now employed on Al Maryah Island, up 17 per cent from the previous year. Work permits: 3,509 new work permits were issued for businesses establishing on Al Reem Island. Expanded international presence and strategic engagements In January, an ADGM delegation attended iConnections Global Alts in Miami, held bilateral meetings in New York and Washington, and joined a panel titled 'Abu Dhabi: The Capital of Capital'. In February, ADGM participated in a high-level UAE-China delegation led by ADDED, supporting efforts to deepen bilateral economic ties. In April, ADGM conducted nearly 30 strategic meetings in Japan with institutions focused on private banking, wealth management and family businesses. Al Reem Island integration and new incentives More than 600 new businesses established on Al Reem Island and 500 existing firms migrated to ADGM licensing during Q1. ADGM revised its fee structure in January, slashing commercial licence fees by 50 per cent or more for non-financial and retail businesses. A flat licence fee of Dhs1,000 was introduced to boost SME access. Digital and blockchain developments In March, ADGM signed an MoU with Chainlink to enable compliant tokenisation frameworks. Stacks Asia and Bitgrit joined ADGM under its DLT Foundations framework. ADGM launched an all-in-one mobile app offering compliance tools, licence renewals and regulatory updates. A new digital real estate platform was introduced, enabling fully virtual sale and purchase transactions. Read: Focus on sustainable finance The Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Declaration reached 170 signatories, including Aquila Capital, Century Financial, Oryx Global Partners, PwC and Olive Gaea. The initiative continues to promote ESG integration in the region's financial sector. Human capital and UAE National empowerment ADGM Academy created 800 job placements for UAE Nationals across nine career tracks. Signed strategic MoUs with Arab Youth and the Federal Tax Authority to support upskilling in technology and finance. Published six research papers on the impact of AI in the UAE financial sector via the ADGMA Research Centre. As the financial centre continues its expansion and regulatory innovation, it expects further growth in 2025, particularly from financial markets in Europe and Asia.
