Latest news with #AANI
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Brave NI man turns 'horrific' work injury into something truly amazing
A man from Northern Ireland who suffered an injury at work has turned his 'horrific' experience into something positive for his local community. In October 2024, Paul Brannigan from Galbally, Co Tyrone, suffered a serious workplace injury when a metal object struck his head. Emergency services, including Air Ambulance Northern Ireland (AANI), responded swiftly, providing critical care and transporting him to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. READ MORE: Man dies and woman injured as pedestrians involved in hit-and-run collision in Co Antrim READ MORE: 'I suffered life-changing injuries at hands of elderly driver'- urgent changes are needed Grateful for the life-saving support he received, Paul and his family organised a fundraising Irish music session at Quinn's Corner in Dungannon on March 22. The event successfully raised £20,671 for AANI, covering three days of the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) and potentially helping up to six future patients. Paul said: 'I'm beyond grateful to be here today — and it's all thanks to the fast response and incredible care from the air ambulance service. This fundraiser was a way for us to give something back, and we managed to raise £20,671 for Air Ambulance NI. "It was so great to visit the base recently with my family, to hand over our donation and speak to the medical team and thank them for their support that day. "I am blown away by everyone's generosity. A huge thank you goes to my family, friends and everyone who attended the event or supported us in any way- we can't believe how generous people have been" Air Ambulance Northern Ireland works in partnership with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service to provide urgent pre-hospital care to people across the province experiencing serious trauma or medical emergencies. Air ambulances play a crucial role in saving lives by reaching patients quickly, especially in rural or hard to access locations where traditional ambulance response times can be longer. By bringing specialist medical teams directly to the scene and enabling faster transport to hospitals, air ambulances improve patient outcomes in critical situations. Their ability to provide advanced care on the spot, including advanced airway management and pain relief, can mean the difference between life and death. In Northern Ireland, where much of the population lives outside urban centres, the air ambulance service is an essential part of the emergency response network, bridging gaps in access to rapid medical care. For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
No cash, no problem: India-UAE payments go digital with UPI-AANI link
India and UAE connect UPI and AANI for seamless payments/ Image: Representative TL;DR India and the UAE are linking UPI and AANI to make cross-border payments seamless. This benefits over 3 million Indians living in the UAE and millions more visiting annually. It reflects a shift towards shared digital systems as a tool of diplomacy. India and the UAE are stitching a new kind of connection. Not pipelines, highways, or oil deals, but a payments system that could change daily life for millions. Soon, Indian users will be able to pay in the UAE using UPI, the same app they use back home. No cash withdrawals, no forex card charges, no currency confusion. UPI-AANI Link: What's Happening India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and UAE's new instant payments platform AANI are being connected. The goal: make sending money between the two countries instant, secure, and cheap. For the 3.5 million Indians living in the UAE, this could mean sending money home as easily as transferring funds domestically. For tourists and business travellers, paying for groceries, taxis, or restaurant meals could be as simple as scanning a QR code. Officials say this is more than a technical upgrade. It adds another layer to an already deep relationship built on trade, energy, and people-to-people ties. One App, Two Countries Imagine paying your Dubai rent with your Indian bank app. Buying shawarma at Lulu Hypermarket without converting currencies. Booking a Careem taxi or ordering food, all directly from your UPI wallet. That's the vision. Integration with AANI will expand UPI acceptance beyond select retailers like Lulu and Dubai Duty Free, where pilots have already launched. When fully operational, users will be able to: Pay merchants in Dirhams using UPI Transfer funds between Indian and UAE accounts in real time Skip traditional remittance fees and delays This isn't just convenient. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo It's symbolic of how technology is collapsing old barriers and creating a single digital experience across borders. Digital Infrastructure as Diplomacy This move is part of India's larger strategy: exporting its digital public infrastructure to partner countries. Beyond UPI, India offers: Aadhaar for digital identity DigiLocker for verified documents e-RUPI and ONDC for targeted welfare and open commerce Singapore was among the first to link with UPI for cross-border payments. The UAE is now building a similar bridge, aligning with its push towards a near-cashless economy by the latter half of this decade. For India, such digital diplomacy strengthens its leadership in the Global South, creating models that could be adapted from Africa to Southeast Asia. Why This Partnership Matters At its core, this is about people. Indians in the UAE send billions of dollars home every year. They travel back and forth for work, family, and business. By linking UPI and AANI, the two governments are making these movements faster, cheaper, and safer. But there's a deeper message: shared digital infrastructure builds trust. It's a trust that opens doors beyond payments, into deeper trade, data flows, regulatory harmonisation, and stronger economic ties. What's Next? Technical integration, regulatory approvals, and security testing are underway. NPCI International is expanding UPI acceptance across the UAE, prioritising sectors like transport, food, and retail. Officials expect phased rollouts to begin later this year, with full interoperability to follow. If successful, the UPI-AANI link will become a blueprint for India's digital diplomacy, exporting not just goods or services, but the very infrastructure that powers its economy. FAQs Q1. Can I use UPI in the UAE right now? Yes, at select major stores like Lulu Hypermarket and Dubai Duty Free. Wider acceptance will grow with the AANI integration. Q2. What is AANI? AANI is UAE's national instant payments platform, launched in 2023 to facilitate real-time transactions domestically and internationally. Q3. What are the benefits for Indian residents in the UAE? They can send money home faster, avoid high transfer fees, and use familiar apps for everyday payments abroad.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
£1,550 presented to Air Ambulance Northern Ireland in memory of Valerie Joyce Wilson
The Wilson family recently presented a cheque for £1,550 to Air Ambulance Northern Ireland (AANI), in lieu of flowers in memory of their sister, Valerie Joyce Wilson, who died suddenly in January. Pictured at the presentation are David Wilson, Anne Clarke (sister) and Harold Wilson, presenting the funds to Myrtle and George Irvine, local AANI volunteers. Missing from the photograph are sisters, Georgina and Ruth, and also Valerie's brother, Sammy. The family would like to thank everyone who donated to this very worthy charity, with AANI also expressing their thanks to all involved for donating and presenting the funds, which will be used to help support AANI's vital work all across the province.
