Latest news with #PPT
Al Etihad
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Al Etihad
Emirati, UK artists unite at Kensington Palace for gala concert by Abu Dhabi Festival, PPT
9 June 2025 20:19 ABU DHABI (WAM)Abu Dhabi Festival, in collaboration with the Peace and Prosperity Trust (PPT), premiered an extraordinary gala concert with Emirati and international artists at the prestigious Kensington Palace on June 6, marking a significant milestone in the 'Abu Dhabi Festival Abroad' special performance also highlights the festival's mission to build cultural capacities and foster global collaboration through co-production was the culmination of an intensive three-week UK Artist Residency Programme, supported by the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) in partnership with the Peace and Prosperity Trust (PPT).During the residency, Emirati artists engaged in rigorous training, rehearsals and seminars with esteemed instructors across prestigious musical venues. The resulting performance presented a repertoire that blended Emirati traditions with global influences and underscored the vital role of cultural exchange in shaping artistic conversations and inspiring new creative the heart of the evening was the world premiere of Ruins of Time, a powerful new composition exclusively commissioned by ADMAF from acclaimed Emirati composer Ihab Darwish, recognised for bringing the UAE's cultural identity to global audiences through programme also featured mezzo-soprano Fatima Al Hashimi performing masterpieces by Saint-Saëns, Mozart and Jule Styne, and baritone Ahmed Al Hosani presenting celebrated works by De Curtis and Bizet, alongside international musicians from the concert was conducted by Toby Purser, Artistic Director of the Peace and Prosperity Trust. Together, they shone a spotlight on the immense talent emerging from the UAE and its meaningful contribution to the international creative landscape. The concert followed the success of the Abu Dhabi Festival's pioneering 'Arts @ Embassies' cultural diplomacy initiative, held on May 22 at the UAE Embassy in three exceptional Emirati artists took part in a panel discussion where they shared their artistic journeys and heartfelt reflections on heritage, identity, innovation, and discovery – narratives that are helping shape the future of music. The panel reaffirmed the power of the arts as a platform to foster dialogue, promote understanding, and strengthen cultural ties between the UAE and the Al Khamis-Kanoo, Founder of ADMAF and Founder of Abu Dhabi Festival, remarked that the Kensington Palace Gala Concert — held under the patronage and in the presence of HRH Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, in partnership with the Peace and Prosperity Trust — and the 'Arts @ Embassies' panel discussion, presented as part of the Abu Dhabi Festival Abroad programme, mark the beginning of a new chapter in cultural diplomacy between the UAE and the said, 'This world premiere performance by composer Ihab Darwish, mezzo-soprano Fatima Al Hashimi, and baritone Ahmed Al Hosani, reflects our vision to promote knowledge exchange, cultural dialogue, and the global presentation of Emirati artistic and musical achievements, consolidating the UAE's position as an incubator of creativity and a destination for innovators.'She added, "In parallel with this historic co-production, we also presented the fourth annual edition of our pioneering cultural diplomacy initiative, 'Arts @ Embassies.' As part of the programme, we organised a panel discussion featuring the three exceptional Emirati artists, moderated by Emirati filmmaker and producer Noor Kanoo, to highlight their journeys and experiences in composition and music.'"Culture enhances the depth and strength of diplomatic relations and adds momentum to them. The arts are the bridge that unites us, creating bonds that transcend borders. Therefore, our presentation of Emirati artists within the UK Artist Residency Programme - supported by the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) in partnership with The Peace and Prosperity Trust - allows art itself to lead the way."This is one of many successful partnerships that ADMAF has established with British cultural institutions for more than two decades, built on the foundation of cooperation and the long-standing friendship shared by the UK and the UAE,' she Khouri, Founder of the Peace and Prosperity Trust (PPT), stressed the uniqueness of the concert at Kensington Palace, noting it was the first-ever collaboration of PPT with the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF).'Not only is it the first time that Emirati artists have collaborated with PPT artists, but it also marks the world premiere of a composition by Ihab Darwish, created especially for this occasion. I was truly amazed that what started with a modest concept, a musical fusion between opera and Arabic music, has grown into a unique cultural brand, gathering its own audiences and practitioners,' he added, 'In the past, the repertoire was often chosen to mirror the needs and purposes of the concerts, but tonight's concert is a showcase for six artists, all at different stages of their careers, from a vast range of backgrounds and musical styles, and with no artistic agenda per se, except to produce music to the best of their abilities.'"This concert comes at the end of three weeks of coaching and training which the Emirati singers underwent with renowned professional artists. It is the result of a visionary idea made possible by Huda Al Khamis-Kanoo, when she met a couple of years ago with The Duke of Gloucester and me.'Through the universal language of music, the collaboration between the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation and The Peace & Prosperity Trust unites their vision of promoting Emirati culture on a global stage. This partnership also plays a vital role in raising the international profile of Emirati artists, fostering their professional growth and expanding their exposure to new and diverse audiences around the Kensington Palace concert and the 'Arts @ Embassies' talk in the UK signal a new chapter in a long-standing journey of exchange and mutual respect between ADMAF and the UK. Since 2007, ADMAF has initiated and supported a wide range of collaborative programmes, inspired by the vision of the UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, whose legacy of cultural exchange continues to shape the Festival's mission.
Daily Express
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Be patriotic, Tawau reporters urged
Published on: Tuesday, April 22, 2025 Published on: Tue, Apr 22, 2025 By: Amir Anuar Text Size: Woo (seated centre) with PPT members. TAWAU: Members of the Persatuan Pemberita Tawau (PPT) are urged to carry out their journalistic duties with full responsibility without neglecting elements of patriotism. 'Journalists play an important role in safeguarding national sovereignty and fostering the spirit of unity among the people,' said PPT Deputy Chairman Woo Soon Fatt. 'In carrying out our routine duties as journalists and media personnel, we must ensure that the voices we convey never disregard the spirit of love for the homeland,' he said. Woo said this during his address at the 2025 PPT Annual General Meeting at the Thai Spoon Meeting Room, Jalan Air Panas, here, on Sunday. Elaborating further, he said every member must possess an unwavering love for the country as responsible citizens. 'The field of journalism is full of challenges and rapidly evolves with time, but I am confident that we can overcome future obstacles if we remain united. 'Solidarity and close cooperation must continue, aligning with PPT's purpose as a medium to foster camaraderie and strengthen friendships among media practitioners,' he added. Regarding PPT, he expressed hope that all members would move forward together in a spirit of cooperation, openness and mutual respect. For the record, PPT was officially established on May 30, 1996 and currently has 29 registered members, most of whom are journalists from the East Coast. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Fox News
26-03-2025
- Fox News
FBI warns about document conversion sites spreading malware
Online document conversion sites have been a lifesaver, whether you need to turn a PDF into an editable document, convert a PPT into a PDF or open a lesser-known file format. Most of these sites are free and deliver quick results, but many also pose serious privacy risks. When you upload your documents, you're essentially handing them over to a service with no obligation to protect them. Now, the FBI is warning that some free online document converters go a step further by loading malware onto your computer. These malicious sites complete the conversion but also silently install malware on your device. The FBI Denver Field Office is warning about a scam involving free online document converter tools that cybercriminals are using to spread malware. These malicious tools can lead to serious incidents, including ransomware attacks. Hackers worldwide are exploiting any type of free document converter or downloader tool to carry out this scheme. The scam may involve websites that promise to convert files, such as turning a .doc into a .pdf, or tools that claim to merge multiple images into a single document. Some even pose as MP3 or MP4 downloaders. While these tools perform the advertised task, the resulting file may contain hidden malware, giving attackers access to the victim's computer. These tools can also extract sensitive information from submitted files, including personal details like Social Security numbers, dates of birth and phone numbers. They may also harvest banking details, cryptocurrency data such as seed phrases and wallet addresses, as well as email addresses and passwords. "Unfortunately, many victims don't realize they have been infected by malware until it's too late, and their computer is infected with ransomware or their identity has been stolen," the feds note. The FBI advises you to pause, slow down and think carefully before taking any actions online. To reduce the risk of malware infections, keep your antivirus software updated and scan any downloaded files before opening them, the security service noted. A strong antivirus software safeguards you from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices. The FBI Denver Field Office also urges anyone who has fallen victim to or encountered this scam to report it to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at "The best way to thwart these fraudsters is to educate people so they don't fall victim to these fraudsters in the first place," said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek. "If you or someone you know has been affected by this scheme, we encourage you to make a report and take actions to protect your assets. Every day, we are working to hold these scammers accountable and provide victims with the resources they need." 1. Use official conversion tools: Instead of relying on random online tools, download and use reputable document conversion software provided by reputable companies like Adobe Acrobat, LibreOffice or Microsoft Office. These programs let you convert files securely without exposing your data to potential threats. 2. Check the website's reputation: Before using an online converter, research the site. Look for reviews and see if cybersecurity forums or sources have flagged it as unsafe. If the site lacks basic security measures, avoid it. 3. Avoid downloading executable files: If an online document converter provides an .exe, .bat or .scr file instead of a standard document format, do not download or run it. Legitimate converters should only generate files like .pdf, .docx or .png, not executables that could contain malware. 4. Scan files after conversion: Even if you use a trusted converter, always scan the converted file with up-to-date strong antivirus software before opening it. 5. Check file permissions: After conversion, verify that the new file doesn't have unexpected permissions or properties that could indicate malware. 6. Create backups and enable ransomware protection: Regularly back up important documents on an external drive or a secure cloud service. Some security suites, like Microsoft Defender, offer ransomware protection features that prevent unauthorized changes to your files. 7. Be cautious of browser extensions: Avoid installing browser extensions for file conversion, as these can often be browser hijackers or adware. 8. Consider paid services: If you frequently need to convert files, invest in a reputable paid service that offers better security and privacy protection. 9. Use cloud-based solutions: Consider using cloud-based productivity suites that offer built-in conversion tools, reducing the need for third-party converters. The convenience of free online tools often blinds us to the risks they carry. Many users assume that if a website looks professional or ranks high on Google, it must be safe. Cybercriminals understand this mindset and take full advantage of it. The real issue is not just malware-laced converters but the habit of trading security for convenience without a second thought. The internet is filled with services that appear free but come at the hidden cost of stolen data, financial fraud or compromised devices. Instead of trusting every tool that offers an easy solution, it is important to think critically about what we are giving away whenever we upload a file or click a download button. Do you verify the reputation of websites before uploading sensitive files? Let us know by writing us at For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Alert: Malware steals bank cards and passwords from millions of devices. Follow Kurt on his social channels: Answers to the most-asked CyberGuy questions: New from Kurt: Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
Al Jazeera
17-03-2025
- Health
- Al Jazeera
How Trump's US aid freeze stymied Colombia's immigration system
Children like Samantha are the core group currently eligible for Colombia's temporary protection permit (PPT), since eligibility for adults was restricted in 2023. Colombia established the PPT programme in 2021 to encourage Venezuelans to seek legal immigration status. It was hailed as a breakthrough in addressing the migration and refugee crisis: The permits are valid until 2031 and allow Venezuelans to access Colombia's education system, employment and other services. Andrés Moya, a professor at the Universidad de Los Andes School of Economics, has studied the benefits of the PPT. He found that Venezuelans with regularised immigration status had higher monthly incomes, better health and higher consumer spending. And it costs the Colombian government less to support them, compared with migrants and refugees without documents. The upside is particularly evident with children, Moya added. "If we invest in these children, they're going to be in a better position later on in life to contribute back, to work, to create their own businesses, to increase consumption," he said. If not, Moya warned, families are "going to either keep migrating and increasing the crisis throughout the region, or they're going to become a burden to the system". But since USAID stopped distributing foreign assistance, the programme that processes the special permits — called the "Visibles" project — has sputtered. Some Visibles offices reopened on February 28 with a skeleton staff. The Colombian government has had to rehire employees with its own funds. There were originally 171 staff processing documents nationwide before the aid freeze, according to a spokesperson for Colombia's migration agency. Now, the government hopes to keep 92. When the sites shut down around the country last month, Llano Medina said only a single person was left on the Medellín staff — a programme coordinator — to handle high-level complaints. She credited her informal link to that coordinator with helping to save an eight-month-old child's life. When the Venezuelan infant contracted a high fever in late February, the coordinator managed to arrange an emergency PPT so the baby could receive hospital care. She worried other children without documents might not get the same help in an emergency. From 2021 until the funding freeze, Llano Medina estimated that she registered at least 1,500 kids for their PPTs. She showed Al Jazeera the three notebooks and two tablets where she writes out each child's information and stores their pictures to fill out their paperwork. Now, she struggles to scrape together bus fare to get to the hospital for her volunteer shift. "It's a commitment that I make from the heart. I like contributing because, honestly, there aren't many people who do it for free," she said. Llano Medina pointed to Samantha as one of the lucky ones. The five-year-old's fever eventually broke, and within days, she felt well enough to go to school. But her mother, Loaiza, still worries about what may happen next time they face a medical emergency. She plans to restart the PPT registration process for both Samantha and Clarion once her local migration office can rehire staff.
