Month: April 2011

Dubai, April 01: The Workers’ Affairs Committee in Dubai is planning to launch an yearlong drive to educate all workers in the emirate about their rights and duties.

Dubai, April 01: Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s (DEWA) has assured its customers of faster and convenient services with the authority adding 16 more counters to its Customer Service Section at its main office after the recent renovation.

“The expansion has added 16 new counters designed to meet the various requirements of DEWA’s customer database,” MD & CEO of DEWA, Saeed Al Tayer said in a press statement.

Dubai, April 01: Hawksbill sea turtles are a critically endangered species, often hunted and eaten illegally in many countries. However, when 11 malnourished Hawksbill sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) recently reached Dubai shores during migration, they were rescued, rehabilitated and released to their habitat, thanks to Dubai Municipality (DM) officials.

Abu Dhabi, April 01: The Western Region Municipality inaugurated a 2.5-kilometre long walkway for the residents of Al Mirfa. The walkway was inaugurated by Abdullah Mohair Al Ketbi, undersecretary of the Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region.

The project consists of main walkways of 2.4 metres width and corridors of 1.2 metres. The walking track is lined with local palm and ghaf trees on either side and overlooks the sea.

Abu Dhabi, April 01: Motorists who talk on their mobile phone while driving have diminished capacity similar to that of a drunken driver, said Professor Hassan Al Yahmedi of the Tunisian Association for the Prevention of Road Accidents.

“When a driver is using the mobile (phone), this affects his ability to concentrate, similar to the one under the influence of alcohol. He cannot concentrate fully,” he stated.

Mobile phone usage also impairs his ability to gauge his vehicle’s distance with others and becomes unaware of his speed.

Abu Dhabi, April 01: Fun and competition in the water, sky and on land have been mesmerising visitors at Al Gharbia Water Sport Festival, which concludes tomorrow.

The festival saw a debut of rowing-while-standing competition in addition to training sessions on kite surfing and kayaking. Traditional Souq activities, popular competitions and draws continued on the sidelines of the festival.

Tripoli, April 01: “A month after the start of the conflict, the number of displaced people fleeing the violence is again on the increase at the border between Libya and Tunisia,” Action Against Hunger (ACF) said in a statement on Thursday.

“Today 9,000 people are living in the camp at Choucha,” compared with hardly 3,000 last week, ACF said.

More than 100,000 people — most of them migrant workers — have crossed the border since February.

This is while the latest US-led airstrikes targeting the Libyan capital city of Tripoli have reportedly killed at least 40 civilians.

Dubai, April 01: Dubai will once again honour the unsung heroes of the emirate’s cultural and arts scene, under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

The second edition of the Shaikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Patrons of the Arts Awards will be presented at an exclusive event to be organised by the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) on April 3.

Dubai, April 01: A federal legislation that will make it obligatory for schools to follow unified canteen and food safety guidelines is being readied, said officials adding that the law would help reduce childhood obesity and promote healthy eating habits in schools.

The law, which officials say should be in place within a year or so, will make it compulsory for school canteens and its related food industry to strictly adhere to school guidelines that are currently being updated by health authorities and municipalities from the entire UAE.