ABU DHABI — Visitors to the Abu Dhabi Police Exhibition will be given 50 per cent discount on electronic gate cards, according to a senior officer with the Abu Dhabi Police General Headquarters.
The show, being held at Marina Mall on the occasion of the Abu Dhabi Police Golden Jubilee, will run till Thursday. Dh100, instead of Dh200, shall be charged against each electronic gate card, said Major Mohammed Batti Al Shamsi, head of the exhibition organising committee. When entering or departing from the country, one can save time by using the card which has a two-year validity.
All electronic cards are directly linked with passport control sections to automatically register the entry and exit data of the card-holder.
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Mobile help for pilgrim buses
ABU DHABI — A mobile bus repairing service has been launched at Al Ghwaifat checkpoint to ensure smooth journey for Haj pilgrims heading for Saudi Arabia through the UAE.
Drivers of buses carrying the pilgrims can call 999 if there is a breakdown or glitches, Colonel Omair Mohammed Al Muheiri, Director of Taraif Police Directorate, said.
Col Al Muheiri said the Tarif police would also provide alternative buses if the repairing team could not fix the problem in a short while.
The move was aimed at expediting the departure procedures and ensuring smooth travel for pilgrims, he said. The authorities would not leave the pilgrims in the lurch if the buses broke down.
Drivers of buses carrying the pilgrims can call 999 if there is a breakdown or glitches, Colonel Omair Mohammed Al Muheiri, Director of Taraif Police Directorate, said.
Col Al Muheiri said the Tarif police would also provide alternative buses if the repairing team could not fix the problem in a short while.
The move was aimed at expediting the departure procedures and ensuring smooth travel for pilgrims, he said. The authorities would not leave the pilgrims in the lurch if the buses broke down.
Etisalat offers reduced call rates during Haj
SHARJAH — Etisalat has announced reduced call rates from Etisalat mobiles to Saudi Arabia.
Also reduced are roaming rates on calls received by Etisalat roaming customers in Saudi Arabia from Etisalat mobiles in the UAE, translating to savings of over 50 over regular rates.
These discounted rates are applicable 24 hours a day from today until December 22.
All of Etisalat’s mobile customers will benefit from these offers, except customers who are already subscribed to other discounted price plans or offers
Also reduced are roaming rates on calls received by Etisalat roaming customers in Saudi Arabia from Etisalat mobiles in the UAE, translating to savings of over 50 over regular rates.
These discounted rates are applicable 24 hours a day from today until December 22.
All of Etisalat’s mobile customers will benefit from these offers, except customers who are already subscribed to other discounted price plans or offers
Nepalese official calls for contract
ABU DHABI — A senior diplomat at the Nepal Embassy here has proposed signing of a contract by the sponsor and the domestic servant or housemaid stating the latter’s responsibilities and duties before he/she is hired and brought to the UAE.
“An initial agreement on the terms of employment signed by the sponsor and housemaid is recommended before going ahead with the hiring procedures,” said Mohan Kumar Shrestha, Charge d’affaires, Nepal Embassy.
According to him, such contracts might avert disputes that are likely to arise later. The proposal comes in the wake of a young Nepali woman, who fled her Arab sponsor’s house complaining of torture and sought the help of the embassy to be repatriated.
Laxi Kunwar, 22, claimed she had been working as a housemaid with the family in the capital for one year. “I was beaten and harassed. That is why I fled the house and I do not want to work with that family anymore,” an embassy official quoted Kunwar as saying.
The embassy officials approached the family to sort out the matter. After enquiring about all aspects, the embassy asked Kunwar to continue working with the family. But she refused and wanted to get an air ticket and her pending salaries to return home, Shrestha said.
The Egyptian woman for whom Kunwar was working turned up at the mission and offered a salary increase if the maid continued but she refused. “We made the sponsor sign an agreement and made her pay all pending salaries and arrange an air ticket for her to return home,” added Shrestha.
“Nepali people are very hard working and honest. We are getting many calls from companies looking for domestic servants. However, if the situation remains like this, how would people come here as maids?” Shrestha asked.
“An initial agreement on the terms of employment signed by the sponsor and housemaid is recommended before going ahead with the hiring procedures,” said Mohan Kumar Shrestha, Charge d’affaires, Nepal Embassy.
According to him, such contracts might avert disputes that are likely to arise later. The proposal comes in the wake of a young Nepali woman, who fled her Arab sponsor’s house complaining of torture and sought the help of the embassy to be repatriated.
Laxi Kunwar, 22, claimed she had been working as a housemaid with the family in the capital for one year. “I was beaten and harassed. That is why I fled the house and I do not want to work with that family anymore,” an embassy official quoted Kunwar as saying.
The embassy officials approached the family to sort out the matter. After enquiring about all aspects, the embassy asked Kunwar to continue working with the family. But she refused and wanted to get an air ticket and her pending salaries to return home, Shrestha said.
The Egyptian woman for whom Kunwar was working turned up at the mission and offered a salary increase if the maid continued but she refused. “We made the sponsor sign an agreement and made her pay all pending salaries and arrange an air ticket for her to return home,” added Shrestha.
“Nepali people are very hard working and honest. We are getting many calls from companies looking for domestic servants. However, if the situation remains like this, how would people come here as maids?” Shrestha asked.
50pc drugs marketed via Internet are fake
ABU DHABI — Half of the pharmaceutical products marketed via the Internet are fake and some of them are actually veterinary medicines, warned a senior health official.
“We could safely say that 50 per cent of the drug products sold on the Internet are fake. Moreover, they could cause serious health complications and might even lead to death in some cases,” cautioned Dr Mohammed Abuelkhair, Head of Drugs and Medical Products Department at the Health Authority, Abu Dhabi (HAAD).
In an interview with Khaleej Times, Dr Abuelkhair said most of the electronically marketed drug items have unknown origin.
“The medicines marketed like this usually do not have physical addresses of manufacturing companies. They usually carry vague addresses and are displayed at cheap prices,” said Dr Abuelkhair.
It has been noticed of late, some websites are carrying advertisements of pharmaceutical products, the most common of which are drugs for enhancing men’s health and potency and slimming solutions.
People must be very careful about such advertisements, especially herbal products which are often falsely claimed to be 100 per cent natural, advised the expert.
“Natural products does not mean they are completely safe or non-toxic. We should bear in mind that ingredients of some natural supplements might have negative interaction with other medications,” said Dr Abduelkhair.
Another dangerous phenomenon is the advertisements of what are actually veterinary medicines for use by human beings.
“Changes are introduced to labels of some veterinary medications claiming they are good for certain problems and advertised on the Net,” warned Dr Abuelkhair.
He called upon people to be vigilant about medical products promoted through the Internet and always verify the manufacturer’s addresses, health claims, ingredients and side effects of medications, including herbal ones.
“We could safely say that 50 per cent of the drug products sold on the Internet are fake. Moreover, they could cause serious health complications and might even lead to death in some cases,” cautioned Dr Mohammed Abuelkhair, Head of Drugs and Medical Products Department at the Health Authority, Abu Dhabi (HAAD).
In an interview with Khaleej Times, Dr Abuelkhair said most of the electronically marketed drug items have unknown origin.
“The medicines marketed like this usually do not have physical addresses of manufacturing companies. They usually carry vague addresses and are displayed at cheap prices,” said Dr Abuelkhair.
It has been noticed of late, some websites are carrying advertisements of pharmaceutical products, the most common of which are drugs for enhancing men’s health and potency and slimming solutions.
People must be very careful about such advertisements, especially herbal products which are often falsely claimed to be 100 per cent natural, advised the expert.
“Natural products does not mean they are completely safe or non-toxic. We should bear in mind that ingredients of some natural supplements might have negative interaction with other medications,” said Dr Abduelkhair.
Another dangerous phenomenon is the advertisements of what are actually veterinary medicines for use by human beings.
“Changes are introduced to labels of some veterinary medications claiming they are good for certain problems and advertised on the Net,” warned Dr Abuelkhair.
He called upon people to be vigilant about medical products promoted through the Internet and always verify the manufacturer’s addresses, health claims, ingredients and side effects of medications, including herbal ones.
Vehicle thieves arrested in Al Ain
AL AIN — The Al Ain police arrested two men and seized a four-wheel drive stolen by the duo from Al Ain Market recently. The Range Rover belonged to a local resident.
Colonel Hamad Saeed bin Trais Al Dhahry, Deputy Director of Al Ain Police Directorate, said the owner had left his car with the car keys inside in front of a shopping centre in Al Ain.
When he returned after five minutes, he found the vehicle missing.
The owner informed Al Madina police station and the General Directorate of Abu Dhabi Police and Al Ain Police sent messages to all police stations in the UAE about the missing luxury vehicle and its registration number, he said.
On the same day, a police patrol team roaming in Al Jimmi Area found the stolen vehicle with two persons inside who were arrested.
The duo confessed that they stole the vehicle with the intention of selling it abroad. They have been referred to the Al Ain Public Prosecution
Colonel Hamad Saeed bin Trais Al Dhahry, Deputy Director of Al Ain Police Directorate, said the owner had left his car with the car keys inside in front of a shopping centre in Al Ain.
When he returned after five minutes, he found the vehicle missing.
The owner informed Al Madina police station and the General Directorate of Abu Dhabi Police and Al Ain Police sent messages to all police stations in the UAE about the missing luxury vehicle and its registration number, he said.
On the same day, a police patrol team roaming in Al Jimmi Area found the stolen vehicle with two persons inside who were arrested.
The duo confessed that they stole the vehicle with the intention of selling it abroad. They have been referred to the Al Ain Public Prosecution
Posh hair salon on Shaikh Zayed Road robbed
DUBAI — Two conmen have stolen Dh4,000 from a posh hair salon on Shaikh Zayed Road during the weekend leaving behind only a $1bill for the victim’s trouble, according to the police and the salon staff.
A police source said the theft followed the pattern of a spate of similar incidents in the city which the police are investigating.
The salon receptionist L.R. was on duty when the two men came into the salon about 6.30pm on Friday.
In between juggling phone calls and dealing with customers, L.R. said one of the men asked to buy a hair serum and asked for change.
She claimed he then suggested he swap some Dh100 notes for a Dh 500 note which she did.
L.R. said she then opened Thursday’s takings and swapped a Dh1,000 note for hundreds thinking to fill up the till with change.
“When I thought about it, I should never have opened the pay packet,” she said.
“But we’re always desperate for change.”
As another phone call came in and L.R. turned to help a client, she claimed the man reached over and grabbed Dh 4,000 from the takings before he and his companion walked out.
“Before I turned away he left a US $1 bill saying “because I disturbed you so much for the change I’ll leave you a note”,” L.R. said.
L.R. immediately alerted security staff posted in the commercial complex when she turned back and realised what had happened.
“You never expect something like that on a quiet day like Friday. He just timed it when it was busy,” she said.
The salon’s general manager, who requested not to be named, confirmed the incident and said security footage had been given to police in the hope of catching the two culprits.
A police source said the theft followed the pattern of a spate of similar incidents in the city which the police are investigating.
The salon receptionist L.R. was on duty when the two men came into the salon about 6.30pm on Friday.
In between juggling phone calls and dealing with customers, L.R. said one of the men asked to buy a hair serum and asked for change.
She claimed he then suggested he swap some Dh100 notes for a Dh 500 note which she did.
L.R. said she then opened Thursday’s takings and swapped a Dh1,000 note for hundreds thinking to fill up the till with change.
“When I thought about it, I should never have opened the pay packet,” she said.
“But we’re always desperate for change.”
As another phone call came in and L.R. turned to help a client, she claimed the man reached over and grabbed Dh 4,000 from the takings before he and his companion walked out.
“Before I turned away he left a US $1 bill saying “because I disturbed you so much for the change I’ll leave you a note”,” L.R. said.
L.R. immediately alerted security staff posted in the commercial complex when she turned back and realised what had happened.
“You never expect something like that on a quiet day like Friday. He just timed it when it was busy,” she said.
The salon’s general manager, who requested not to be named, confirmed the incident and said security footage had been given to police in the hope of catching the two culprits.
960 duplicate car engines put to crusher
SHARJAH — Sharjah Municipality, in collaboration with Honda Motors, will destroy 960 fake engines, which were seized recently, tomorrow.
The destruction will take place at 10am at the Sharjah Industrial Area under the supervision of the authorities and in the presence of international media and Honda representatives.
The destruction would involve crushing of the fake engines to put them beyond use, a municipality Press release said yesterday.
The action comes after Sharjah authorities stumbled on over 960 engines that looked like Honda’s famous GX engines during raids at two warehouses in the industrial zone in August this year. The warehouses belong to a Dubai-based trader who has been fined.
Earlier investigations had revealed that Dubai-based traders of fake or duplicate goods store their products in Sharjah, prompting the authorities to crack down on such activities.
The Honda’s GX engines have a three-dimensional trademark approved by the UAE Trade Marks Office. Special training was given to Dubai customs and the Sharjah authorities prior to the crackdown.
Zuieki Hayashi of Honda said yesterday: “This is an important step in the fight to protect consumers and businesses in the region from fake goods. The UAE is setting a precedent which, we hope, will send a strong message that no form of counterfeiting will be allowed in the country.”
The destruction will take place at 10am at the Sharjah Industrial Area under the supervision of the authorities and in the presence of international media and Honda representatives.
The destruction would involve crushing of the fake engines to put them beyond use, a municipality Press release said yesterday.
The action comes after Sharjah authorities stumbled on over 960 engines that looked like Honda’s famous GX engines during raids at two warehouses in the industrial zone in August this year. The warehouses belong to a Dubai-based trader who has been fined.
Earlier investigations had revealed that Dubai-based traders of fake or duplicate goods store their products in Sharjah, prompting the authorities to crack down on such activities.
The Honda’s GX engines have a three-dimensional trademark approved by the UAE Trade Marks Office. Special training was given to Dubai customs and the Sharjah authorities prior to the crackdown.
Zuieki Hayashi of Honda said yesterday: “This is an important step in the fight to protect consumers and businesses in the region from fake goods. The UAE is setting a precedent which, we hope, will send a strong message that no form of counterfeiting will be allowed in the country.”
Dubai film fest brings stars
DUBAI - Stars from Hollywood, Bollywood and the Arab world descend on multicultural Dubai on Sunday for the start of a film festival that sees itself as a bridge between East and West.
Gracing the red carpet for the fourth Dubai International Film Festival are Danny Glover, who will receive a lifetime achievement award, as well as Sharon Stone and Sadie Frost.
George Clooney, in town to support the opening film ‘Michael Clayton’, about a conflicted lawyer working for a chemical firm, said film was a great way to boost understanding among cultures.
‘We have to get to the point where we understand each other a bit more... art is a great way of doing that,’ Clooney said.
‘I said I would come back when we were working on Syriana and they were kind enough to let us shoot that film here.’
Parts of Syriana, a political thriller about a fictional oil-rich Arab state, were filmed in the United Arab Emirates. Dealing with terrorism, poor labourers, oil and Western policy, it drew both praise and criticism in the West and the Arab world. Many were surprised such a film was shot in the UAE.
But organisers say they want to bring international films and production houses to a Gulf Arab region often derided as a cultural desert, and are showing 141 films from 52 countries.
In 2006, the Dubai festival launched the Muhr Awards for Excellence in Arab Cinema. This year, the competition will include seven world premieres in its three categories—features, documentaries and shorts—which carry top cash prizes of $50,000, $40,000 and $30,000 respectively.
It will also introduce $10,000 prizes for Best Actor and Best Actress and $7,000 prizes for Best Scriptwriter, Best Cinematographer, Best Editor and Best Composer.
Over 300 films were submitted for the 2007 competition.
‘This year we have a diversity of topics, in addition to the social issues and current political situation of the Arab world,’ said Mohammed Rouda, Competition Associate Director.
‘Arab cinema is no longer stopping at presenting issues, but trying to draw attention to artistic and stylistic techniques.’
This year, audiences will also be able to vote for their favourite films with a people’s choice award and there will be a special competition to nurture fledgling UAE film-making.
Among Arab films on offer are Mohammed Khan’s ‘In the Heliopolis Flat’—Egypt’s entry for best foreign-language film at the Oscars—and Mahmoud Al Massad’s ‘Recycle’ about a former jihadist struggling to cope with civilian life in Jordan.
Also showing are a slew of films on the 2006 war in Lebanon.
They include ‘33 Days’, a documentary by Lebanese director Mai Masri that follows a group of journalists and aid workers, and Philippe Aractingi’s ‘Under the Bombs’, which explores interfaith love in war-ravaged south Lebanon.
Lebanese-Belgian director Borhane Alaouie’s film ‘Khalas’, about life after Lebanon’s 15-year civil war, is also showing.
Gracing the red carpet for the fourth Dubai International Film Festival are Danny Glover, who will receive a lifetime achievement award, as well as Sharon Stone and Sadie Frost.
George Clooney, in town to support the opening film ‘Michael Clayton’, about a conflicted lawyer working for a chemical firm, said film was a great way to boost understanding among cultures.
‘We have to get to the point where we understand each other a bit more... art is a great way of doing that,’ Clooney said.
‘I said I would come back when we were working on Syriana and they were kind enough to let us shoot that film here.’
Parts of Syriana, a political thriller about a fictional oil-rich Arab state, were filmed in the United Arab Emirates. Dealing with terrorism, poor labourers, oil and Western policy, it drew both praise and criticism in the West and the Arab world. Many were surprised such a film was shot in the UAE.
But organisers say they want to bring international films and production houses to a Gulf Arab region often derided as a cultural desert, and are showing 141 films from 52 countries.
In 2006, the Dubai festival launched the Muhr Awards for Excellence in Arab Cinema. This year, the competition will include seven world premieres in its three categories—features, documentaries and shorts—which carry top cash prizes of $50,000, $40,000 and $30,000 respectively.
It will also introduce $10,000 prizes for Best Actor and Best Actress and $7,000 prizes for Best Scriptwriter, Best Cinematographer, Best Editor and Best Composer.
Over 300 films were submitted for the 2007 competition.
‘This year we have a diversity of topics, in addition to the social issues and current political situation of the Arab world,’ said Mohammed Rouda, Competition Associate Director.
‘Arab cinema is no longer stopping at presenting issues, but trying to draw attention to artistic and stylistic techniques.’
This year, audiences will also be able to vote for their favourite films with a people’s choice award and there will be a special competition to nurture fledgling UAE film-making.
Among Arab films on offer are Mohammed Khan’s ‘In the Heliopolis Flat’—Egypt’s entry for best foreign-language film at the Oscars—and Mahmoud Al Massad’s ‘Recycle’ about a former jihadist struggling to cope with civilian life in Jordan.
Also showing are a slew of films on the 2006 war in Lebanon.
They include ‘33 Days’, a documentary by Lebanese director Mai Masri that follows a group of journalists and aid workers, and Philippe Aractingi’s ‘Under the Bombs’, which explores interfaith love in war-ravaged south Lebanon.
Lebanese-Belgian director Borhane Alaouie’s film ‘Khalas’, about life after Lebanon’s 15-year civil war, is also showing.
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