Month: March 2008
Want a sharp mind? Avoid wine
Want a sharp mind? Avoid wine
Press Trust Of India London, March 17, 2008
Binge drinkers, beware! Guzzling beer is better for brain while quaffing wine is a worry, a new study has claimed. Researchers at the University of Gottingen in Germany have found that drinking wine damages the brain more than beer or spirits – wine actually shrinks the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for memory.
According to them, the average size of the hippocampus – one of the first brain areas to be affected by Alzheimer’s disease – in non-alcoholics is 3.85ml while in beer drinkers it is 3.4ml, but for wine drinkers it is only 2.8ml.
“This is the first study investigating the impact of the type of preferred beverage on brain-volume shrinkage in patients with alcohol dependence,” British newspaper Daily Mail quoted the researchers as saying. They came to the conclusion after analysing the brain scans of alcoholics with those of healthy adults.
They found that the hippocampus, which is located deep within the brain’s temporal lobes, was ten per cent smaller in wine drinkers.
According to the researchers, a shrunken hippocampus can affect not only memory but also the brain’s navigation and spatial awareness, and as a result may cause feelings of disorientation.
However, in their study, the researchers also found that beer drinkers had the lowest levels of a compound in the blood called homocysteine which is often linked to heart disease and strokes.
The results of the study have been published in the Alcohol and Alcoholism medical journal. It may be mentioned that earlier researches have linked moderate wine drinking to a host of health benefits, including reducing high blood pressure and preventing the risk of a heart attack.
Heavy fog expected in parts of UAE on Monday morning
Heavy fog expected in parts of UAE on Monday morning
By Aftab Kazmi, Bureau Chief GULF NEWS Published: March 16, 2008, 14:23
Al Ain: Weathermen have warned of the chances of heavy fog and mist on Monday morning in different parts of the northern and eastern emirates.
The north-westerly winds can also kick up dust in the western areas of the country that will reduce visibility during the daytime. This condition is also expected to extend in most areas of the country by afternoon and evening.
The National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS), has forecast hazy and mild daytime weather in general, that would turn pleasant in the night.
“There will be another fall in the night time temperature,” said an official of the NCMS, indicating a good chance of fog or mist in some areas.
The winds may blow at the speed of 16 knots overland but they are expected to gain more strength in over sea, reaching to a speed of 24 knots. “The sea will also be rough with four to six feet high waves offshore,” he added.
The NCMS official said summer conditions are around the corner. The maximum and minimum temperature in different cities of the UAE ranges from 15 to 31 degree Celsius.
The level of maximum humidity has also increased, reaching 90 per cent in Sharjah, Ajman, and Ras Al Khaimah, while in other cities it is around 80 to 85 per cent.
New Garhoud Bridge inaugurated
New Garhoud Bridge inaugurated
Joy Sengupta (Staff Reporter)KHALEEJ TIMES 15 March 2008
DUBAI – The new Garhoud Bridge was officially inaugurated on March 15 by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), giving the motorists a much-needed breather.
Shaikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, inaugurated the bridge which consists of 14 lanes, seven in each direction.
He also gave the green signal for the construction of the 6th Crossing over the Dubai Creek, which will be named Shaikh Rashid bin Saeed Crossing.
The implementation of this project is part of RTA strategy to keep pace with the urban growth and cater to the current and future requirements of development and demographic expansion through provision of roads network and advanced transport facilities.
By opening the new Al Garhoud Bridge, the number of lanes crossing Dubai Creek rises from 19 to 48. The new lanes are added following the completion of the 13-lane Business Bay Crossing, the six-lane Floating Bridge, widening of Al Maktoum Bridge from 9 to 11 lanes and opening the 14-lanes Al Garhoud Bridge.
Engineers engaged in the New Garhoud Bridge project were confronted with three main challenges: the first was to work within a marine habitat, a matter which required temporary construction of the bridge over pads containing giant waterproof containers. The second was to provide two marine navigational lines to allow for ships and boats passage across the Creek. The third challenge was to fix 12-metre-high pillars supporting the bridge and casting them as one lot within 48 hours by adopting an advanced method to avoid cracks resulting from high temperature levels.
The RTA also screened a documentary on Shaikh Rashid bin Saeed Crossing, which is one of biggest projects undertaken by the RTA. The bridge links Al Jaddaf at Bur Dubai with the road separating the Lagoons project and Dubai Festival City. It provides entry and exit points for the Creek Island on which Opera building will be constructed. The project will be constructed over four years and contains eye-catching pillars and distinctive beautiful arches adding architectural marvel to the Crossing, as well as a three-metre-wide pedestrian walkway.
Shaikh Maktoum was also briefed about the new crossing which will consist of 12 lanes, 6 in each direction. The Bridge will be 1600 metres long and 64 metres wide. The mega arch will rise 205 metres and will extend 667 metres. This will be the longest arched bridge in the world. The bridge will rise 15 metres above the sea level enabling free navigation 24 hours a day. The Green Line of Dubai Metro will pass across the median of the bridge.
Officials said that the Bridge will serve Dubai Healthcare City, Sama Al Jaddaf, and Culture Village at Bur Dubai, and Dubai Festival City, Lagoons Project, The Global City, and The Design Center at Deira.
It also contains a Dubai Metro and an Abra station.
ADNRD to issue temporary permits for maids
ADNRD to issue temporary permits for maids
By Ahmed Abdul Aziz KHALEEJ TIMES 15 March 2008
ABU DHABI – The sponsors, nationals and expatriates, can be issued temporary permits to allow them to hire house maids, drivers and domestic servants for three months from the current sponsors, if they agree, in the Abu Dhabi emirate, said an informed source at the Abu Dhabi Natrualisation and Residency Department (ADNRD).
Colonel Nasir Al Awadi Al Minhali, Director of ADNRD, told Khaleej Times in an interview that the temporary permits would cost Dh 500 and valid for three months and can be renewed in case the current sponsor agreed.
“This step was taken to give the new sponsors the chance to hire maids for the three months as a probation period before transferring the sponsorship if they want that”, he said.
He elaborated that the temporary permit for maids is to avoid hiring illegals and facilitate the formalities by giving the applicants various options. “In this case, there is no violation to the residency department because the two sponsors will receive the endorsement of the ADNRD.
“The temporary permit to hire maids to another sponsor is to protect the rights of the housemaids and also to weed out the illegals from the country”, he added.
The ADNRD will tighten its inspection on the housemaid hiring agencies in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. “So far, we didn’t find erring agencies, otherwise, in case of violating the NRDs’ instructions, agencies will face closure because excuses are not acceptable, in particular, for the rights of the maids and domestic servants”, said Colonel Al Menhali.
No fees increase
Colonel Al Minhali affirmed that the decision makers have no intention to increase the fees of issuance of the visit, employment, domestic servant visas.
However, he pointed out that the ADNRD is studying the causes that created the illegals phenomenon and the survey will be completed in the end of this month [March]. The survey also includes the number and premises of the housemaids’ agencies in the emirate that will ease monitoring their activities as a step to combat the visas trading.
For decrease the fines imposed on illegal expatriates, he said that the NRDs are not authorised to decrease the imposed fines, however, in case of the applicant demand that we transfer the application to the NRD court to state whether decrease the fines or not.
Temporary permits to hire housemaids
Temporary permits to hire housemaids
By Ahmed Abdul Aziz (Our staff reporter)KHALEEJ TIMES 16 March 2008
ABU DHABI – Sponsors – both nationals and expatriates – could be issued temporary permits allowing them to hire drivers and domestic servants like housemaids for three months from their current sponsors, if the latter agree, in Abu Dhabi emirate, said Director of the Abu Dhabi Natrualisation and Residency Department Colonel Nasir Al Awadi Al Minhali.
He told Khaleej Times in an interview recently that the temporary permits would cost Dh500 and would be valid for three months and could be renewed in case the current sponsor agreed.
“This step is being taken to give the new sponsors the chance to hire maids for three months as a probation period before transferring the sponsorship if they want to do so,” Col Al Minhali said.
The temporary permits for maids were to avoid hiring of illegals and facilitate completion of formalities by giving the applicants various options.
“The temporary permit to hire maids from another sponsor is to protect the rights of the housemaids and also to weed out illegals from the country,” Col Al Minhali said.
The ADNRD would intensify inspections at the agencies involved in hiring housemaids.
Col Al Minhali affirmed that the decision-makers had no intention to increase the fees for visit, employment and domestic servant visas.
The ADNRD was carrying out a survey to find out the reasons behind the emergence of illegals in the country. The survey would be completed by the end of this month. The survey would also enumerate the numbers and addresses of the agencies supplying housemaids in the emirate.
Biggest ever UAE Yearbook released
Biggest ever UAE Yearbook released
(Wam)16 March 2008
ABU DHABI – The 2008 UAE Yearbook’s Arabic edition is the most comprehensive yearbook ever published on the country. With 96 more pages than the 2007 edition, it is an up to date compendium of information covering a wide range of topics, from history to modern economic and social development.
The 464-page book has also been produced in a new more interactive page design that is aimed at helping readers find the most important information in the shortest possible time. The prime purpose of the annual publication is to cover events that occurred over the previous twelve months and it plays a valuable role in chronicling the UAE’s rapid development.
Published in Arabic, English and French the UAE Yearbook also looks at present and future developments and its publishers chose the iconic shape of the planned Guggenheim Abu Dhabi for its front cover pictures. Maintaining a tradition established over ten years ago, the front cover flap contains a ‘Cover Story’ that explains the thinking behind the choice of cover image. The 2008 Yearbook’s Cover Story states that, in the publisher’s view, the announcement of the new Saadiyat Island Cultural District was one of the most significant initiatives in ‘raising the global profile of the UAE’.
A Foreword to the 2008 UAE Yearbook, written by Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, draws attention to the wide range of initiatives being taken to raise the living standards and general economy of the UAE. In this regard he highlights the launching of the new National Strategy together with complimentary strategies set forth by Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Strengthening of the Federal National Council, enhancement of public-private partnerships, major infrastructure projects such as the Dolphin gas pipeline, Dubai Metro rail system, Khalifa Port, expansion of key airports and the construction of the world’s largest airport, Al Maktoum International Airport, combine to make the past year one of tremendous advancement. Shaikh Abdullah also draws attention to the achievements in health, education, and social welfare. It was, he says, a great year for UAE sport with the country’s football team winning the 2007 Gulf Football Cup and many individual sportsmen and women bringing home trophies from international events.
The sheer scale of some infrastructure and real estate projects has had a strong impact in terms of focussing worldwide attention on what the UAE is achieving. As the first new owners took up residence on the Jumeirah Palm and the world’s tallest building, Durj Dubai, continued to climb skywards, other major development projects were announced throughout the Emirates. The 2008 Yearbook provides a valuable source of information that avoids the hype and presents the facts behind these impressive projects.
Meanwhile, 2008 itself began with a major international conference and exhibition devoted solely to to future energy. Coinciding with the announcement that the Government of Abu Dhabi is allocating 15 billion US dollars to develop alternative energy projects, Abu Dhabi in particular and the UAE in general has once again placed itself firmly on the world stage in a key area of research and development that will benefit not just its own people but the entire global community.
In the closing remarks of the Foreword to the book Shaikh Abdullah draws attention to the core strengths of the UAE and its people. “But however we plan for the future, and however grand our development projects may be, we have not forgotten who we are or where we came from. We in the Emirates are a people who retain strong cultural links with our past and who have huge respect for the leaders who have guided our nation’s growth.It has been an exciting year and there are clearly even more exciting times to come. I believe this book gives a good sense of where we have come from and where we are going”.
The 2008 Yearbook is distributed worldwide and is available under special request from the National Media Council. In addition the book may be purchased at UAE bookshops and digital versions are available free of charge, online, at http://www.uaeinteract.com.
Want emergency leave? Don’t ask your employer
Want emergency leave? Don’t ask your employer
Ahmed Abdul Aziz (Our Staff Reporter) KHALEEJ TIMES 16 March 2008
ABU DHABI – An employee can take emergency leave without seeking permission from the workplace or the sponsor, provided he/she has completed two years with the current sponsor and has leave balance, said an informed source in the Ministry of Labour (MoL).
Goumaa Al Roumaithi, Legal Advisor to the Disputes Department in the MoL, told Khaleej Times on March 16 “According to the labour law, if a worker has completed two years with the current sponsor, he/she can apply for any number of days as emergency leave.
“In such cases, workers should have enough leave balance, otherwise the employer has the right to make deductions from the worker’s salary,” said Al Roumaithi.
He pointed out that about 90 per cent of the labour complaints are about their rights regarding the annual leave, overtime and air tickets.
The MoL’s Disputes Department has received many complaints from workers demanding their rights after employers deducted amounts from their salaries although they had leave balance.
M.S., a Syrian accountant, said that the company he works at deducted about Dh1,300 from his salary after he had applied for one week’s leave to travel to his country to attend to serious family matters.
The accountant was shocked when he received the salary slip to find the deduction from his salary. “I asked the administration and they told me that I’m not allowed to apply for further vacation other than the annual leave despite there being more than 20 days leave balance,” he said.
“In case a company deducted an amount for the number of days a worker went on leave, it would pay the deducted amount back to the employee because he/she has already completed two years with the company. Moreover, he has leave balance. Hence, there were no justification to deduct the days of the additional leave,” added the MoL’s legal advisor.
Workers who face such violations of their rights by employers can go to the Disputes Department of the MoL in Mussafah Industrial Area and lodge a complaint.
The legal advisor warned the companies not to victimise and terminate any employee arbitrarily because he/she has complained to the ministry.
“If a company does that the employee can demand three months’ compensation, the right to transfer his sponsorship without referring to the current sponsor, and inform the Inspection Department at the ministry to inspect the erring companies,” said Al Roumaithi.
Sociable parents’ kids better at exams
Sociable parents’ kids better at exams
15 Mar 2008, 1150 hrs IST,PTI
LONDON: Here’s another reason to party – a new study has showed that children born to sociable parents are better at exams.
Researchers in Britain have found that parents who are involved in clubs such as political parties, voluntary groups or religious organisations are likely to have kids who succeed at school, The Daily Telegraph reported on Saturday.
According to the University of Sheffield study, children score better in reading, maths and vocabulary tests the more socially active their parents are.
“Children’s scores in reading, mathematics and vocabulary tests are positively associated with the extent of their parents’ formal social interaction. The results suggest lack of social interaction may have adverse intergenerational effects in terms of educational attainment.
“Children of parents who engage in relatively low levels of social interaction attain relatively low scores in reading, maths and vocabulary,” according to the study’s lead author Professor Sarah Brown.
Meditation can keep BP in control
Meditation can keep BP in control
15 Mar 2008, 1523 hrs IST,ANI
WASHINGTON: Meditation is not only a stress buster, it also helps in regulating high blood pressure with an added benefit of bypassing possible side effects and hazards of anti-hypertension drugs, says a new study.
In the new meta-analysis, researchers from University of Kentucky conducted nine randomized, controlled trials with Transcendental Meditation as a primary intervention for hypertensive patients.
The findings revealed that practicing Transcendental Meditation led to approximate reduction of 4.7 mm systolic blood pressure and 3.2 mm diastolic blood pressure.
Dr. James W. Anderson, lead author and professor of medicine at the University Of Kentucky College Of Medicine, insisted that reduction the blood pressure could significantly reduce the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease without the side effects of drugs.
“Adding Transcendental Medication is about equivalent to adding a second antihypertension agent to one’s current regimen only safer and less troublesome,” he said.
Fine for jaywalkers upped by Dh150
Fine for jaywalkers upped by Dh150
By Adel Arafah (Our staff reporter) KHALEEJ TIMES 16 March 2008
ABU DHABI – The fine for crossing the street from non-designated places by pedestrians will go up from Dh50 to Dh200, Colonel Hamad Adeel Al Shamsi, Director of Traffic and Patrols Department at Abu Dhabi Police, told Khaleej Times recently.
The department had started to impose Dh50 as fine against violators from February but the amount had increased to Dh200 following the penalties stipulated by the black points system and the amended rules.
The fine would be paid by the jaywalker on the spot. In case he/she did not pay, the policeman would take away his/her identify card, which would be returned only after the offender paid the fine at the Traffic Department, he noted.
The Dh200 fine against jaywalking is being enforced throughout the country, he added.
ClicksandWrites 
You must be logged in to post a comment.