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In a landmark announcement of the first-ever bone marrow transplant successfully conducted in the UAE, Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Centre, ADSCC, today inaugurated the Abu Dhabi Bone Marrow Transplant programme, AD-BMT. Typically used to treat patients with hematological and oncological illnesses, the bone marrow transplant was performed on a patient with multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer. Though cancer is the third-highest cause of death in the UAE, Emirati citizens and residents have often sought treatment abroad for cell therapy and regenerative medicine. The successful transplant, which was the result of collaboration between ADSCC and Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, represents a groundbreaking advancement for cancer patients living in the UAE who can now seek treatment closer to home to remain with family. Bone marrow transplants, or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, are one of the most established stem cell-based therapies in the treatment of cancer, particularly blood cancer

Ethiopia on Monday showcased its first locally assembled electric car to push forward the country's "greening and climate resilient aspirations." It is the “[…] first electric car fully assembled locally (in Ethiopia) by a Hyundai dealership, Marathon Motors,” office of the prime minister told Anadolu Agency. “The decision to assemble electric cars in Ethiopia follows the request put forth by the prime minister to the Hyundai president,” it said. The company’s plant, according to a local media report, has the capacity to assemble 10,000 cars per year. Fully battery operated and with no emissions, the electric car does not require charging at terminals, and can rather be charged anywhere. Ethiopia’s premier Abiy Ahmed, one of the the youngest leaders in Africa, got the vehicle delivered to him upon request. He said that such investments supported the country’s climate resilience and greening ambitions. "No emission cars can help reduce pollution,"

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, DCT Abu Dhabi, has launched ‘Picture Yourself in Abu Dhabi’ initiative in order to take full advantage of the current proliferation of remote communication and video conferencing applications due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative, which has been rolled out for Abu Dhabi Government entities, gives users the ability to customise their communication with background images of Abu Dhabi’s most iconic locations and scenery. The pictures are free to download and the range of destination images highlights Abu Dhabi’s attractions and experiences, including stunning skylines, sunset scenes and sea views, global landmarks like Louvre Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Al Ain Oasis, as well as activities showcasing the city’s vibrant cultural life. "Launching an imaginative initiative such as this one means that promoting and supporting Abu Dhabi can be going on – quite literally – in the background of every online interactio

- A rare confluence of fast-paced Dam construction, unprecedented rainfall ADDIS ABABA - Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed congratulated Ethiopians yesterday on the completion of first phase water impoundment at the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) describing the achievement as the embalm of present generation in accomplishing grand projects. Ethiopia has demonstrated the soundness of its argument that the GERD does not pose harm to downstream countries as the impoundment goes without reducing the water flowing to Sudan and Egypt, said the premier. In this regard, he expressed hope that the people of the world would understand Ethiopian's resolve to climb to the next height. "We have no intention of harming both Sudan and Egypt in the process of the construction and operation."

Ethiopia said on Tuesday that its first-year target for filling the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) has been reached, and that Egypt and Sudan have agreed to further technical discussions on outstanding issues as part of an African-led process. In a statement following a mini-summit between the three countries, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said that the current rainfall and runoff situation in the region have made it "conductive" to fill the dam, and that “it has become evident over the past two weeks in the rainy season that GERD first year filling is achieved and the dam under construction is already overtopping.” The mini-summit was hosted by South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa, the current head of the African Union, and saw the participation of five other African heads of state as observers. In a separate statement, Sudanese Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok also said that the technical talks on the mega-dam would be resumed. Egypt has not yet is

The United Arab Emirates successfully launched its Mars-bound Hope Probe on Sunday, marking the the  Arab world's first interplanetary mission  -- and the first of three international missions to the Red Planet this summer. The Hope Probe took off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Japan, after a delay last week due to bad weather. The solid rocket booster successfully separated from the launch vehicle, and the probe has established two-way communication with the ground segment in Dubai. The Al Amal probe, as it is called in Arabic, is expected to reach Mars by February 2021. It will be the first time the UAE has orbited Mars, and the probe will stay in orbit for a Martian year -- equivalent to 687 days on Earth -- to gather data about Mars' atmosphere. "It's an honor to be part of the global efforts to explore deep space," tweeted the official Hope Mars Mission account after the launch. "The Hope Probe is the culmination of every single step that

As Ethiopia emerges from its biggest uprising in three years, the country faces questions about increasing ethnic tensions and dubious government actions. The unrest was sparked by the June 29 killing of musician Hachalu Hundessa, a member of the Oromo ethnic group, which makes up about 35 per cent of Ethiopia’s population. He was known for his political songs and had a large following among Oromo youths. Ethiopia's attorney general said two men confessed to killing Hundessa as part of a plot to topple Prime Minister  Abiy   Ahmed's  government. Mr Ahmed is the country's first Oromo prime minister and introduced progressive reforms after assuming power in 2018. More than 230 people died in the violence that followed Hundessa's killing, with at least 10,000 people in the Oromia region of the country becoming displaced. There were reports of non-ethnic Oromos being threatened and members of the Oromo community protecting neighbours and their businesses. Les

(CNN) Although humans have yet to step foot on Mars, the  road to the Red Planet  has never been busier. Three countries -- the UAE, US and China -- are embarking on missions this summer, taking advantage of the biennial window when Earth and Mars are closest together. The  Emirates Mars Mission , which aims to capture the most comprehensive picture yet of the Red Planet's atmosphere, will be the first of the trio to lift off. With its planned July 15 launch delayed by weather conditions, it is now set to launch from Japan later this week; in doing so, it will make history as the Arab world's first interplanetary mission. "This is the golden age of space in the UAE," explained Fatma Hussain Lootah, manager of the team's instrument science section. "This is the time we decided to stand out in maybe a sector nobody expected us to develop in, because it's knowledge-based, it's very science-based." The Mars Hope Probe and

The United Arab Emirates is moving forward with third phase trials on two types of possible coronavirus vaccines with more than 15,000 volunteers so far signing up, according to the country’s Minister of Health and Prevention. Abdul Rahman al-Owais, the UAE’s Minister of Health and Prevention, said on Monday that the current stage of the trial includes conducting a research study with the participation of more than 15,000 volunteers. For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app. “The efforts of the UAE and its participation in global efforts to find effective treatments and solutions to COVID-19 has been demonstrated through various international collaborations and partnerships. A new achievement from the UAE's health sector, is the progression to the third phase of clinical trials for a COVID-19 vaccine,” al-Owais said. “The study, if successful will be approved and accredited by the Ethics Committee for Scientific Research in the E