Month: November 2007
Dubai Police 50th anniversary
Dubai Police 50th anniversary
By Alia Al Theeb, Staff Reporter GULF NEWS
From a one-station police force with 29 members to a 15,000-strong organisation, Dubai Police has grown into one of the most successful forces in the region.
And today marks its 50th anniversary, with celebrations that will continue for 50 days.
Cultural, educational, sports and recreational activities will be held during this period.
Brigadier Jamal Mohammad Khalifa Saqr Al Merri, Deputy Commandant General of Dubai Police, says, “The celebrations include an introduction which will be conveyed through audio, video and written materials.
“A book detailing the establishment of Dubai Police, and the phases it went through, will be released. Dubai Police began operations with just 29 officers in 1956. One of them was Khalifa Bin Daen, who is still in service.”
The book comprises, among other topics, a timeline, the achievements of Dubai Police, and developments it witnessed through the years.
The celebrations will be promoted on television and through distribution of print material encouraging the public to participate.
“Today there will be a special military parade in which all the sections of the police, such as cavalry, air wing, anti-riot, explosive materials section, police dogs and various forces will participate,” says Brigadier Al Merri.
The parade begins in the morning along Shaikh Zayed Road and everyone is invited to participate. The Dubai Police Air Wing will also be participating – carrying banners promoting the Golden Jubilee.
“This celebration is a way of us saying a ‘thank you’ to all those who helped and supported Dubai Police and positively participated with it,” says Brigadier Al Merri.
During the celebration period, former police officers, including expatriates, who served Dubai Police for 25 years or more, will be honoured. They will receive the Golden Jubilee medal.
As part of the celebrations, Dubai Police will unveil a coin as well as a stamp.
“There will also be congratulatory messages sent via SMS to the public. Etisalat prepaid cards will have sentences such as ’50 years of excellence’,” he says.
Congratulation cards and gifts will be distributed in places such as petrol stations and shopping malls.
“Bluetooth technology will also be used in sending messages to people in shopping malls, while the new building of the General Headquarter will be illuminated,” says Brigadier Al Merri.
Police patrols will tour areas under their jurisdictions in their new uniforms.
Three children among five killed in Abu Dhabi crash
Three children among five killed in Abu Dhabi crash
By Rayeesa Absal, Staff Reporter GULF NEWS Published: November 27, 2007, 00:11
Abu Dhabi: Five members of a family, including three young children, were killed in a traffic accident on Sunday afternoon on the Musaffah Bridge.
Those killed included a 26-year-old UAE national A.M, the driver of the car, his 18-year-old sister S.M and his three nieces S.A., F.A., M.M. aged 11, 10 and 8 respectively. The accident involving four Abu Dhabi-registered vehicles happened at 3.45 pm.
“A 24-year-old Asian driver hit the car in front of him, probably due to speeding. This car with an Arab family hit the barrier and swerved to the next lane on the right hitting a third car with the five victims.
“The impact of the hit was so high that the third car was thrown on to the other side of the road, where traffic was flowing in the opposite direction. A four-wheel drive hit this car killing all five of its passengers on the spot,” said Colonel Hamad Adil Al Shamsi, the Director of the Department of Traffic and patrol police.
Hospitalised
The driver of the 4WD, H.S, a 26-year-old UAE national, has been admitted to Shaikh Zayed Military Hospital. The vehicle he was travelling was entering Abu Dhabi while the rest of the vehicles involved in the accident were leaving the city.
“All the vehicles involved have been badly damaged,” he said. Paramedics and ambulances rushed to the scene and in some cases extrication was necessary to take the victims out of the cars.
Saying that preliminary investigations to determine the cause of the accident are going on, Col Hamad added that most accidents are caused due to speeding. He urged motorists to be cautious while on the road.
‘Smoking turns men bald’
‘Smoking turns men bald’
26 Nov 2007, 1154 hrs IST,ANI
WASHINGTON: Asian men should kick the butt if they don’t want their locks to fall off, for a new study has stated that smoking might be the cause of age-related hair loss among them.
According to doctors in Taipei, the risk for the condition is largely genetic, however some environmental factors may also play a role.
“Androgenetic Alopecia, a hereditary androgen-dependent disorder, is characterized by progressive thinning of the scalp hair defined by various patterns,” the authors wrote as background information in the article.
“It is the most common type of hair loss in men”, they added.
A survey was conducted among 740 Taiwanese men of age 40 to 91 (average age 65) in 2005, where at an in-person interview, information was gathered from the men regarding their smoking habits.
They were also asked about other risk factors for their hair loss and if they were suffering from Alopecia, and if so, at what age they began losing their hair.
Using clinical classifications, their degree of hair loss was assessed, height and weight were measured and blood samples were taken for analysis.
It was found that men increased their risk of hair loss with advancing age, but still had lower risk than the average white men.
“After controlling for age and family history, statistically significant positive associations were noted between moderate or severe Androgenetic Alopecia and smoking status, current cigarette smoking of 20 cigarettes or more per day and smoking intensity,” the authors wrote.
They noted that the relationship between the two could be caused by a number of means. Smoking may destroy hair follicles, damage the papilla that circulate blood and hormones to stimulate hair growth or increase production of the hormone estrogen, which may counter the effects of androgen.
“Patients with early-onset Androgenetic Alopecia should receive advice early to prevent more advanced progression,” the authors conclude.
Wholemeal bread checks cancer risk
Wholemeal bread checks cancer risk
26 Nov 2007, 1324 hrs IST,ANI
LONDON: A new research has revealed that having two portions of whole grains such as wholemeal bread and brown rice on a daily basis may almost halve the risk of developing pancreatic cancer.
According to the research, carried out by the University of California, San Francisco, a diet rich in these ingredients and other whole grain foods could bring about a substantial reduction in the risk of developing this form of cancer.
In the study of more than 2,000 men and women, a clear link between the amount of whole grains eaten and the chance of developing pancreatic cancer was revealed.
It was found that those who ate at least two helpings of whole grains a day – the equivalent of a cup of brown rice or porridge, or two slices of wholemeal bread – were 40 per cent less likely to develop the disease than those who ate less than one portion.
It was also found that those who ate more than 0.9oz (26.5g) of fibre a day were 35 per cent less likely to develop pancreatic cancer than those who ate less than 0.6oz (15.6g).
“There is a possibility that diet can affect one’s risk of pancreatic, as well as other cancers,” maintain researchers.
“Eating a diet rich in a wide variety of grains is likely not only to help in the prevention of diabetes and heart disease, but also this very deadly cancer,” they added.
In fact, during the study, it was found that eating more refined and sweetened grains – such as two or more servings of doughnuts a week – was found to raise the risk of pancreatic cancer.
Dr June Chan, lead author of the study, said, “The risk reductions associated with some whole grain foods and fibre provide general support for the hypothesis that eating whole grains is much better than eating more refined and sweetened grains for pancreatic cancer prevention.”
The study looked at grain intake among 532 people with pancreatic cancer and 1,701 people without the disease among the San Francisco Bay area population. The two groups were similar in age, gender, and body weight, and had a similar history of diabetes.It was found that those with pancreatic cancer were also more likely to be current smokers.
The life and times of Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan
The life and times of Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Excellent & Precious photographs by Mr. Noor Ali
Shaikh Khalifa watching army manoeuvers at Al Ain with the Chief of Staff, Abu Dhabi Defence Force, Shaikh Faisal Bin Sultan Al Qasimi.
There was always plenty for the young Shaikh to do and paperwork was never far away. Here we see Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nayhan in his office in Al Ain.
Shaikh Khalifa receives Queen Elizabeth II alongside the royal yacht Britannia, during an official visit by the British monarch to the United Arab Emirates in 1979. Also present are the Ruler of Ajman, Shaikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, standing in line next to Shaikh Khalifa and and the Ruler of Um Al Quwain, Shaikh Rashid Bin Ahmad Al Mu’alla, standing next to Shaikh Humaid.
Shaikh Khalifa with his first born son, Shaikh Sultan.
Shaikh Zayed, accompanied by his son, Shaikh Mohammad, and companions on a bird shoot during a private visit to England.
Seen from right to left, Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed, Shaikh Hamdan Bin Zayed and Shaikh Hazza Bin Zayed with their sister.
Shaikh Zayed on holiday in Lausanne, Switzerland, with his sons, Shaikh Hamdan Bin Zayed and Shaikh Hazza Bin Zayed.
Shaikha Maitha bint Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum won the gold medal in the women 60kg karate final
Shaikha Maitha bint Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the daughter of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, poses on the podium after she won the gold medal in the women 60kg karate final during the 11th Pan Arab Games in Cairo on Thursday, November 22.
Total seeks quick deal on Kashagan
Total seeks quick deal on Kashagan Reuters Published: November 23, 2007, 01:04
Tienen: France’s Total hopes for a swift end to the dispute between Kazakhstan and operators of its Kashagan oil field, but a deadline of November 30 will be hard to meet, the head of Total said.
Christophe de Margerie said Total was also keen to pursue its projects in Iran, which have been bogged down by discussions over terms and the French government’s request to French companies not to invest in Iran.
Kazakhstan’s energy minister said last week the settlement of the dispute over Kashagan, the world’s biggest oil find in three decades, could go beyond the November 30 deadline but that a deal was possible by the end of the year.
De Margerie said it would be hard to meet the formal deadline given that time is now so short, but was keen to see a settlement quickly.
“Let’s do it as fast as possible. One must not give too much importance to deadlines… The goal is to find a solution as fast as possible,” de Margerie said on the sidelines of the inauguration of a solar energy production plant in Belgium.
Kashagan’s development has been plagued by cost overruns and delays which have irked Kazakhstan.
The oil-rich country has accused ENI and its partners of ecological and other violations.
Gold for Shaikha Maitha
Gold for Shaikha MaithaFrom Hisham Al Gizouli 23 November 2007 for KHALEEJ TIMES
CAIRO — Shaikha Maitha bint Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum won the gold medal in the women’s karate competition last night.
She made easy progress in the 65kg category, making short work of her opponents from Lebanon and Syria to secure her path into the final before she won 1-0 to make a golden day for the UAE sport.
A 1-0 defeat in her first match in the open category put her out of the running for gold and silver, but she was declared the winner in the bronze-medal bout over an Algerian opponent in the open weight.
In the men’s kata final, the UAE team secured silver, losing out to the crisp, acrobatic display from Egypt’s world championship-winning team, 5-0.
In the men’s kumite open category, Mohammad Khamis suffered an injury during his bout against a Tunisian opponent and forfeited the match. However, the UAE is now appealing the decision.
Randa Mohammed Ebrahim won UAE’s first silver medal in the women’s karate competition at the Pan-Arab Games which opened at Hall-3, Cairo Stadium yesterday.
The UAE girls karate team started as pre-tournament’s favourites to bag the gold medals by the end of the competition. Led by UAE skipper, Shaikha Maitha bint Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the team has been training regularly and going from one tournament to another in many parts of the world.
They have also picked up many gold medals at the team and individual levels in different official and friendly tournaments, including the recent Asian Games in Doha 2007.
Meanwhile, the other UAE contender Hiba Abu Harmoush received her first defeat at the hands of Morocco’s Fatima Al Zahra in the 53-60kg category. In the men’s competition, Khalid Sulieman was knocked out by Algeria’s Hicham Buleef in the 60kg and Mohammed Khamis Al Meshrikh was beaten by Mohammed Jadid from Jordan in the 65kg category. UAE disabled continued their impressive performance and picked up more medals for their country in the weightlifting.
Paralympics gold medallist Mohammed Khamis lifted the gold in the 90+ men’s competition and Fatima Rashid Khamis walked away with the silver in the 82+ women’ competition.
Meanwhile, the only UAE woman cyclist and winner of the 2004 Pan-Arab Games silver medal in the road race Maitha Al Blouchi did not have much luck in her start at the Games and finished disappointingly 10th.
Dubai to move on cards from 2008
Dubai to move on cards from 2008
By Joy Sengupta (Our staff reporter)23 November 2007 KHALEEJ TIMES
DUBAI — In Dubai, card is in, cash is out.
Soon, one will not have to pay in cash to a taxi driver or for using buses but just ‘flash’ the card before a machine and go one’s way.
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai yesterday announced the introduction of a Unified Automated Card Project which would cover all modes of transport, including buses, taxis and abras, and parking.
The project costing Dh102 million would be completed in phases. The project is being handled by Electronic Document Centre (EDC).
The fourth quarter of 2008 would see its introduction in buses, taxis, abras and waterbuses. Phase two would see the Dubai Metro also starting to accept the card.
RTA sources told Khaleej Times that there would be a system at a later stage in which the same card could be used to buy things like movie tickets and fill petrol.
According to the RTA officials, there would be two types of cards. One, known as the plastic cards, would be for people who use public transport services on a permanent basis. The second, called the Paper Ticket, would be for a short term basis valid upto a maximum of one week.
Ali Mahdi, Director of the Unified Automated Card of Transport Systems, said, “The cost of the cards has not been decided yet.”
The system works like this. If a person is travelling in the metro, he would just need to wave the card in front of a machine near the exit gate when he is coming out. The machine would automatically calculate the fare and deduct the amount from the card. Once the money in the card is over, one can top it up just like the phone cards. “Recharging could be done in any of the metro and bus stations,” Ali Mahdi said.
He said the parking metres in Dubai would also be upgraded so that the cards could be used.
“We are not going to change the existing system at the moment. Gradually, we would stop the manufacture of the existing parking cards. The new cards would replace them,” added the official.
“This card is safe, difficult to counterfeit and modelled on worldwide practices. In the future, it could be sold at the commercial outlets, petrol stations and ATMs. This will make it accessible to our customers and enhance their confidence in the services delivered by the RTA,” said Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA.
Ali Mahdi said the top-up method would be made easier. “Facilities will also be provided for ‘auto top-up’ where cards are linked to a designated credit or debit account of the cardholder for debiting the recharge amount. Internet top-ups will also be available.”
All transactions, including sales, top-up and usage transactions, would be processed through a central clearing house operated under the direct control of RTA, through the Unified Card Department, said the official.
The unified card service would be launched for public buses, water buses, taxis and parking metres in the fourth quarter of 2008.
In the third quarter of 2009, the unified card would be launched in Dubai Metro, whereas in the fourth quarter of 2009, more customer care-related services would be introduced on the web, including online recharging (topping up) and automatic reloading to start using the same card on the Metro.
Who gains most in a volatile market?
Who gains most in a volatile market?
23 Nov, 2007, 0521 hrs IST, TNN
Long-term passive investor gains most
Anurag Tripathi Executive VP (Equities), AGSL*
Every time the stock market touches a new high, it enters into an unchartered territory associated with higher volatility. History shows that the so called “intelligent money” is seldom able to exploit such bullish moves in the market. This happens because conservative investors move out of the markets into cash or cash equivalents. Attracted by the euphoria and sensing an opportunity to make quick money, new investors enter the market.
There is a general belief that increased volatility favours day traders as they get more opportunities to trade. Increased volatility is a double-edged sword which can result in higher profits or losses. As volatility increases, the ability of a day trader to hold a leveraged position declines. Stop losses in relation to the underlying volatility become smaller/tighter and as a result the likelihood of the stop loss being triggered on a given trade increases. The risk reward ratio thus favours risk rather than reward.
Further, the market often opens with large gaps as compared to the previous day closing. This implies that the day trader is not able to exploit the entire upward move in the market. Higher volatility often leads to panic reaction by the various market constituents, which results in inadvertent financial mistakes.
A passive long-term investor on the other hand is not influenced by the volatility in the market. He is usually sitting on deep notional profits and consequently has a much higher ability to hold on to his investments. His investment decisions are based on fundamentals of the company in which he is invested and the general macro environment. As long as these two factors remain positive, the long-term investor stays invested. He does not give much weightage to the price movements of stocks.
Further, the ratio of profitable trades to loss making trades is also skewed in favour of the long-term investor. This happens because as the investment horizon increases, the ratio of trades resulting in profits to the trades resulting in loss improves in a bullish volatile market.
The cost of doing the trade is negligent in the case of a long-term investor, but is extremely high in the case of a day trader. Hence, a bullish volatile market generally favours the long-term passive investor.
Day traders may gain, but not continuously
R Swaminathan VP, IDBI Capital Market Services Ltd
Volatility is the result of pricing upheavals in the market due to irrational market response. The liquidity in the market pushes demand beyond a level creating valuations that are illogical. Even a perfect market with reasonable pricing can turn volatile due to sensitive issues like political or global issues or even liquidity.
One who invests for long term reaps the benefit, subject to the fundamental strength of the stocks invested. Long term sustainability of the prices denotes the inherent strength and the potentials of the future. As such a long term investor depicts the character of calm and patience over the investment decisions made and the possibility of certain growth. As for the day traders, they are hitting in the dark and trying their luck.
The market is surging on liquidity and expected liquidity. The valuations at PE of around 25-plus and PBV of around 6-times with a negative dividend yield (unheard of in recent times) with a swinging open interest positions in derivatives all denotes the market imperfections and gyration.
Day traders may succeed on a hunch once or twice but not continuously. The order of volatility even in percentage terms vary with the base. The markets have entered a different plane with the sensex over 12,000, 15,000 and 17,500 and even touching 20,000. Hence, the upheavals are wild.
In market swings, only long term investors make profits. In the upward market volatility, the day traders cannot benefit continuously. One should not get swayed by the consistent upward market. As the index moves up continuously, with every 1,000 points, the base for volatility increases. Hence even small percentage change of 1% can move the values in big way. As such investors who stayed invested have benefited, as growth over a period is always higher than the one time gain.
Last but not the least, churning always proves costly in missing opportunities and also results in expenditure like brokerage, STT and other charges. Long-term investors benefits on the taxation front too if the investment and sale is planned properly. Investing is like running a marathon and not a sprint. As such day trader’s greed cannot be compared with the long term yield.
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