UAE
UAE the team to beat in endurance event
Shaikh Rashid Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum , Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum, Shaikh Ahmad Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum and Shaikh Mayed Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum will lead the UAE’s challenge, along with Sultan Bin Sulayem in tomorrow’s 160-km endurance ride in the World Endurance Games.
UAE the team to beat in endurance event
By M. Satya Narayan, Staff Reporter GULF NEWS Published: September 06, 2007, 23:53
Alcochette, Portugal: Nearly 90 riders from 20 countries will start tomorrow’s 160-km FEI European Open Endurance Championship here about 25 kms away from the capital Lisbon and the team to beat will be the United Arab Emirates.
Ever since the UAE won its first-ever international championship, which was here in Portugal when the 1999 European Open championship was jointly held with Spain, the UAE riders have dominated the open category.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, was the architect of that first win in 1999 when the UAE won the team gold and after that the UAE has virtually dominated the Open championships.
Shaikh Mohammad himself won the 2003 individual gold in 2003 while Shaikh Rashid Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum won the individual gold in 2001 and now Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum starts as defending champion having won the gold in Compiegne, France in 2005.
Medal fight
Shaikh Mohammad announced the team last month which includes Shaikh Rashid Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum, Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum, Shaikh Ahmad Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum, Shaikh Mayed Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum, Sultan Bin Sulayem and Mubarak Khalifa Bin Shafya. The 160-km European Championship will have medals on offer for the Open event as well as the European event and the UAE will be challenged by traditional European powers France, Italy, Germany and hosts Portugal while two other GCC countries, Bahrain and Qatar along with the US add another dimension to the medal fight.
Ali Moosa, Endurance Head at the Dubai Equestrian Club said the UAE horses have been based in Newmarket through the summer and have been well prepared for the event.
The UAE, who last swept honours in the Doha Asiad winning the team gold and the individual gold and bronze are once again expected to be a strong force here.
Strong advantage
While the final team composition and the horses will be known today after the final pre-event veterinary check, the championship has attracted a strong field of 90 entries with at least 14 countries in the team championship.
Hosts Portugal will have a strong advantage as they will have 12 runners in the fray while all other countries will have just six.
Italian and former world silver medallist Fausto Fiorucci, who won a 160-km event at the same venue last year is back on the same horse Jaifar.
“It is really hot and one can expect a fast race. When I won we averaged around 18 kmph and you can expect a faster race tomorrow. The UAE will be the team to beat.”
Paul Branco, Vice President of the Portuguese Equestrian Federation said, “The venue is one of the best. With the river Tejo along with its estuary and marshes, large stretches of paddy field with cattle and the famous cork-oak trees all make it a scenic venue.”
Tomorrow’s ride will get off to a mass start and will be run in six phases of 34.5 kms, 21.75kms, 27.50kms, 21.75kms, 27.50kms and 27kms.
Shorter hours for all pvt sector staff in Ramadan
Shorter hours for all pvt sector staff in Ramadan
By Mary Nammour /KHALEEJ TIMES 7 September 2007
DUBAI — The working hours during the holy month of Ramadan will be shorter by two hours for all private sector employees regardless of their religion or nationality, a senior official of the Ministry of Labour (MoL) has said.
Any company found violating this directive will be penalised as per the Labour Law, said Humeid bin Demas, assistant under-secretary of the MoL. A Dh10,000 penalty would be slapped on the violating companies, besides a three-month ban.
The official warned: “If any company is found discriminating between its staff with regard to the shortened working hours on the basis of religion, it will be penalised.”
Islamic history exhibition to be held in Abu Dhabi
Islamic history exhibition to be held in Abu Dhabi
Compiled from WAM and staff reports / GULF NEWS Published: September 04, 2007, 00:37
Abu Dhabi: The capital will host an exhibition on Islamic history and heritage. The “Walk into Islamic history” exhibition will be held under the patronage of General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and is organised by the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation at the premises of the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage.
Free treatment for children with cerebral palsy
Free treatment for children with cerebral palsy
By Dina El Shammaa, Staff Reporter / GULF NEWS Published: September 04, 2007, 00:37
Abu Dhabi: Children with cerebral palsy (CP) can now benefit from updated technology, physiology, physiotherapy and phonation treatment.
The symptoms for CP are mainly developmental delay. The Health Authority in Abu Dhabi (HAAD) announced the launch of the free treatment programme at Shaikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC). The programme has been established in association with the Special Needs Centre at Mafraq Hospital and the Zayed Higher Organisation for Humanitarian Care.
“HAAD has formed a committee to monitor the medical rehabilitation services available in the emirate and provide recommendations for their development as well as to assess the need for setting up new specialised rehabilitation according to the highest international standards,” said Saif Al Qubaisi, Director of the Health Provision Sector at HAAD.
Dr Khalid Mohammad, Senior Consultant in Pediatric Neurology, SKMC; fellow of the Royal College of Pediatrics and British Pediatric Neurology Association, UK spoke to Gulf News regarding CP.
“CP is a common cause of disability in children worldwide and affects around three children in each 1,000 births,” he said.
Project management body launched at Knowledge Village
Project management body launched at Knowledge Village
Compiled from staff reports / GULF NEWS Published: September 04, 2007, 00:37
Project management body launched at Knowledge Village
Dubai: Dubai Knowledge Village has announced the launch of an independent Professional Project Management Association based in its premises. The announcement was made at a project management event held at the DKV Conference Hall on September 1. It was sponsored by DKV and SUKAD. The event was an occasion for project management professionals to share their experience and know-how on the strategic importance of this management discipline. Dr Ayoub Kazim, Executive Director of Dubai Knowledge Village and Dubai International Academic City, spoke of the growing awareness in Dubai and the region about project management as a special skill and competency. Hasan Makansi, Partner Development Manager, assured support to the association aimed at developing and promoting industry and professionals.
Innovation unit established
Innovation unit established
Dubai: The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has announced the establishment of its innovation unit that will engage in future studies and aid in creating a better educational future for youth. Dr Abdullah Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director General of KHDA highlighted the need for the unit saying that the it is necessary for the authority to forge ahead.
Shaikha Lubna among world’s most powerful women
Shaikha Lubna among world’s most powerful women
BY A STAFF REPORTER / Khaleej Times 4 September 2007
DUBAI — Shaikha Lubna Al Qasimi, the UAE Minister of Economy, is one of the five women in the Middle East considered by the US-based business magazine Forbes to be among the world’s 100 most powerful women.
The Forbes article credited Shaikha Lubna with creating more transparency and corporate governance in the UAE, and recognised her effective negotiation skills and intensive trade relations programme that sees her travel to four countries each month to promote the UAE.
The announcement comes only days ahead of Shaikha Lubna’s visit to Italy, where she will be the first Arab woman to be awarded the ‘Stella Re’ prize by the Italian Foundation, Sandretto Re Baudengo. The prize is awarded to only one woman every year. A special committee selected Shaikha Lubna for the Stella Re prize, which will be presented during an awards ceremony in Turin later this month.
No work visa for visitors
No work visa for visitors
By Ahmed Abdul Aziz / Khaleej Times 4 September 2007
ABU DHABI – The Ministry of Labour (MoL) will not approve work visa applications for workers who have entered the UAE on visit visas, according to Saleh Al Jabri, head of the Firms Department in the MoL. “It is a clear violation of the Labour law as visitors are not allowed to work on visit visas,” he pointed out.
Al Jabri told Khaleej Times that any company desirous of employing an expatriate should obtain a temporary work permit or employment visa, not visit visa.
In case of violation, the employers would risk Dh10,000 fine and suspension of transactions for six months.
Sources at MoL said that the ministry had recently rejected an application that had been initially approved by the Abu Dhabi Naturalisation and Residency Department (ADNRD) because the company had sought to hire employees on visit visas.
Taxi shortage and Passenger Sense!
I think it is time to present the problem of lack of taxis in Abu Dhabi and the lack of sense among road users while waiting for or boarding a taxi.
Most of the schools opened yesterday and people are back from their summer holidays, the scene in Abu Dhabi street is worth watching. At each of the taxi stands, I could see at least 15 to 20 passengers waiting. With no sign of taxis around, it was like a game of musical chairs, where each of the passengers was trying to stand in front of the other, and hoping to hop into the first arriving taxi. The one who was speedier and faster managed to get in, as and when a taxi arrived.
The situation remains the same today also. There are several people waiting on the road. Some may be for more than 15 to 20 minutes. A look at any taxi stops, you will find several men and women on their way to office waiting for taxis and the expressions on their face, reminds of a goalkeeper waiting for a penalty shoot, or a rugby/football player getting ready for a home run.
The question is, where have all the taxis gone in the morning? It is time to introduce more taxis or replace the cancelled taxis with new Taxi Services. Alternatively, it would be helpful if the public transport systems are strengthened, by starting a chain service or a circular service connecting all the major streets of Abu Dhabi (ie, Hamdan street, Khalifa street, Electra street, Salam street, Passport Road, Airport Road etc) in the morning, during lunch hours, and in the evening.
A general awareness campaign should also be initiated to educate or remind the general public who regularly uses taxi service to form a Q while waiting for the taxi. I sincerely hope to see a favorable response and wish to see the vehicle less Abu Dhabi work force going to office with a smile and bring more productivity to their offices and to this beautiful country.
While I admit that the traffic problems of Abu Dhabi when compared to those in Dubai and Sharjah is very minor, this requires immediate attention as it can be solved very easily – 1st by placing a Q system and barriers in the Taxi waiting area and 2nd by introducing a Circular Bus route in the Abu Dhabi with more bus frequencies.
Hope, a small spark of thought I ignited and aided with the wind of Khaleej Times, will spread a wild fire of thoughts and schemes within the planning structure of the relevant authorities and also among the taxi users to self discipline themselves to wait till the earlier passenger who arrived before him to board the taxi.
I hope through my columns, my readers add value to these words by supporting this initiative through their own methods.
Ramesh Menon
03092007
Waste not, want not
Waste not, want not
Gulf News/Published: September 01, 2007, 23:35
Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. The call to the public made by municipalities and others concerned with refuse disposal. But it is no longer such bodies alone, as environmentalists are now keen to see an end to the profligate wastage that occurs, more often than not resulting in harming the environment. This is especially true when it comes to disposing of electronic consumer durables like computers, mobile phones and similar such products.
Many modern-day electronic items contain chemicals that are difficult, if not harmful to dispose of, unless by professionals who are aware of the correct procedure. This is why there are an increasing number of locations where proper discard of unwanted items can take place. The Dubai Municipality has set up areas where old computer terminals and monitors can be dropped off, for recycling by their experts, if possible, and reuse, most often by some needy charity. There are also facilities in Dubai where mobile phones can be similarly discarded, knowing that in their disposal they will cause least harm to the environment.
All it needs now is for members of the public to get into the habit of using these facilities, rather than finding excuses why they should not.
ClicksandWrites 
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