Day: August 21, 2008
Some previously blocked web sites now accessible
Some previously blocked web sites now accessible
By Asma Ali Zain KHALEEJ TIMES 21 August 2008
DUBAI – As the deadline to unblock 1,000 Internet sites in the country nears, some previously blocked medical sites are now accessible.
However, industry sources say that a majority of the popular social networking sites are likely to remain blocked. Earlier this month, the UAE Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) announced that web service providers, Etisalat and du, would be asked to unblock 1,000 sites by August 29 under its new ‘Internet Access Management Policy’. The service providers, on the other hand, claimed they had not been officially notified by the TRA in the matter.
A TRA official said the authority was unable to provide the list, but an investigation carried out by Khaleej Times showed that certain networking and medical sites that were previously blocked, were now accessible.
Industry insiders said that, in fact, there was no particular list of the 1,000 web sites to be unblocked, but categories to be opened up include some social networking sites, Internet forums and medical sites.
“Even after the decision is implemented, not much is expected to change because the initial Internet policy is not changing. Web sites that are against the UAE’s Internet censorship policy will remain blocked and they may include social networking channels,” said the official.
The decision means that 25 per cent of the currently blocked sites would, henceforth, be accessible, the official pointed out. He, however, was unable to clarify how many sites were currently blocked by the TRA.
Networking sites such as Orkut and Flickr are considered ‘dating’ sites, and therefore, fall under the TRA’s Internet censorship policy. Certain sites are blocked because they are against the country’s religious, social and moral values. But some medical and religious sites were previously blocked in error by a filtering software triggered due to a series of keywords such as sex, terrorism etc.
The sites currently accessible are: Hi5, StumbleUpon, MySpace. Friendster.
The temporary blockage of FaceBook and YouTube last year had sparked an outrage among the Internet community.
The previously banned medical sites such as sexualhealth.com and circumcision.com too, are now accessible.
The news that sites such as Orkut will continue to be blocked, has dashed hopes of majority of youngsters for whom socializing through the electronic network is the ‘coolest’ way.
Small change can make big difference
Mariam Al Roumi, UAE Minister of Social Affairs, and Nasser Al Sha’ali, CEO of the DIFC Authority, during the launch of the “Dirham Wa Bas” campaign.
Small change can make big difference
Staff Report GULF NEWS Published: August 20, 2008, 23:44
Dubai: One dirham only can go a long way towards helping others in a new campaign launched by the Ministry of Social Affairs’ Social Responsibility Fund.
The “Dirham Wa Bas” (One dirham only) campaign aims to raise funds for social care and development projects in the UAE. It is being supported by the Dubai International Financial Centre.
Mariam Al Roumi, Minister of Social Affairs, said: “The Dirham Wa Bas campaign aims to support sections of society that need our help, such as people with limited income, disabilities and the elderly. Everyone can contribute to this campaign. All financial contributions, starting from as little as one dirham, are needed and appreciated. The campaign is part of the Social Responsibility Fund’s objective of bridging the gap between the public and private sector and uniting them to address and solve social and community issues.”
The public will be encouraged to donate as little as one dirham, which can be deposited at donation boxes across the UAE. These locations include Emarat petrol stations, major shopping malls and retail stores.
“The Dirham Wa Bas campaign will tap the power of public participation to contribute towards social causes in the UAE. Small contributions can add up to make a huge difference. We seek the support of all members of the public across the UAE to make the Dirham Wa Bas campaign a success,” Al Roumi said.
The DIFC will be supporting the campaign by offering marketing expertise and developing publicity campaigns, which will target the retail industry and the public.
Nasser Al Sha’ali, CEO of the DIFC Authority, said: “The Dirham Wa Bas campaign is a wonderful example of how different sectors of society, including the Government and the private sector, can work together to involve the individual in contributing towards social issues in the UAE. DIFC’s support for the campaign is based on our strong belief that corporate organisations have an important role to play in the development and welfare of the community. We are committed to contributing to the well-being of the society we are part of.”
The Roads and Transport Authority, Dubai Municipality and Telecoms provider Du will also be offering support.
How to participate
* Donation boxes will be placed in shopping malls, Emarat petrol stations and retail stores.
* The public are being invited to donate as little as Dh1.
* The elderly, disabled and those on limited incomes are set to benefit from the donations, via the Social Responsibility Fund.
* The campaign was launched yesterday and will run until December.
തിരിച്ചുവരവ് ശീലമാക്കിയ ഒരു പറ്റം കളിക്കാര്
അങ്ങനെ ഇന്ത്യ ശ്രീലന്കക്കെതിരായ രണ്ടാം ഏകദിനം ജയിച്ചു . ഒരു സംശയം മാത്രം മുന്നില് നില്ക്കുന്നു, ഇവര് ഇതു ഇപ്പോള് ഒരു ശീലമാക്കിയോ എന്നുള്ള ചോദ്യം ? ആദ്യം തോല്ക്കുക, പിന്നെ ജയിക്കാന് വേണ്ടി നെട്ടോട്ടം ഓടുക! കാത്തിരുന്നു കാണാം – ഇനിയും മൂന്നു കളികള് കൂടിയുണ്ടല്ലോ?
ഇരട്ടി മധുരം
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