BODY IS OUR TAP LANGUAGE: WATER SAFE TO DON’T SEND DRINK? THE WRONG Security And SAfety for All MESSAGE! ISSUE 6 JULY 2012
TOWERING
InfernoA SPATE OF FIRE INCIDENTS IN THE UAE AND ACROSS THE GULF BRINGS THE FOCUS BACK TO SAFETY BASICS
IN THIS ISSUE: FOOD POISONING, INTERVIEW WITH UAE CIVIL DEFENCE CHIEF, JAYWALKING
Final 999 Cover JULY2012.indd 3 6/28/12 10:53 AM editor’s note Security And Safety For All
Bringing the focus back to safety e are very pleased with the positive response from the public to the cover story of 999 magazine’s June issue, which talked about Win detail, the menace of drink-driving. The story generated a lot of public discussion, which effectively increased the awareness that driving under the influence of alcohol is a serious offence. It not only endangers the life of the motorist concerned, but could also potentially harm the health and safety of other road users. Our July cover story is another must-see article. A number of recent major fires in the UAE and across the region have brought the focus back on safety measures to counter such occurrences. While fire safety has been a top priority for authorities, and UAE Civil Defense has stepped up efforts to educate people on fire prevention and response, it is sad to note that statistics on fire cases still reveal alarming trends. What is most tragic is that, in most cases, it is negligence that is responsible for the start of the blaze, which is then aggravated due to inflammable material in the vicinity and individual’s lack of awareness and readiness in dealing with the incident. We hope that our story and illustration on household safety will help our We hope that our readers to have a deeper understanding on the potential hazards in your very story and illustration home, and what to do when there is a fire. on household safety Just as water is vital in putting off a fire, we are also featuring an interesting will help our readers story on tap water – is it indeed safe to drink? If common wisdom tells you that to have a deeper bottled water is safer, think again. Our panel of experts says it could be the understanding on the other way around. Very timely as well is the food issue especially because the chances of food potential hazards poisoning increase during summer. 999 lists various ways you can protect in your very home yourself. and what to do when As well as 999’s usual enlightening regulars, we have some interesting there is a fire stories tackling body language. To avoid sending the wrong message, we give tips on how one must look beyond words. As we welcome the summer, let’s all stay healthy, safe, and fit.
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1-3 editorial & contents JULY2012.indd 1 6/28/12 12:41 PM Security And Safety For All Contents
Security And Safety For All
Ministry of Interior United Arab Emirates
Consultative Board Maj. Gen. Khalil Badran – Chairman Col. Thani Al Shamsi – Member Editor-in-Chief 30 Lt. Col. Awadh Al Kindi TEEN TEXTING: A DANGEROUS ADDICTION Managing Editor Teens’ texting habits should be monitored and limited by parents. Issam Al Sheikh 999 tells you the alarming risks for your child
13 FACTS & FIGURES Contact Us Some of the numbers and quotations in the Tel: +971 2 4194488 media that have attracted attention Fax: +971 2 4194499 56 P.O. Box: 38999 Abu Dhabi – UAE www.moi.gov.ae
[email protected] Toll Free: 800 9009 36
Subscriptions Dh100 – Individuals Dh200 – Companies & government departments
Published on behalf of Ministry of Interior by 44 FOOD FOR THOUGHT 26 WALKING INTO HARM’S WAY Food poisoning cases increase during summer. More than 4,200 jaywalkers have been fi ned 999 gives you ways to protect yourself in various parts of Dubai as authorities drive physically and legally awareness for proper road sense 48 BODY LANGUAGE: SENDING THE PO Box 77910 36 IS OUR TAP WATER SAFE TO WRONG MESSAGE Fit seamlessly in the cultural and business set twofour54 DRINK? 999 found experts say that tap water is safer up by learning the body language Abu Dhabi, UAE to drink than bottled water Tel: 02-4012835 [email protected] 52 THE POWER OF SPIN: HULA HOOP www.newperspectivemedia.com 40 SEAT BELTS SAVE LIVES YOUR WAY TO HAPPINESS Facts you need to know why you should wear Hula hooping is this summer’s fi tness fad, Distributed by Tawzea Tel. 02-6411440 Fax 02-6424842 a seatbelt promising a fi rm body and a happy life
Disclaimer: Published articles express the writer’s opinions and do not necessarily represent the official views or policy of the UAE Ministry of Interior. Copyrights for all the articles, Stay connected. Follow us on: twitter.com/999english facebook.com/999english features, photos and topics published are reserved for 999.
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COVER STORY TOWERING
InfernoA number of recent major fires in the UAE and across the Gulf have brought the focus back on safety measures to counter such occurrences, and galvanised authorities into revising rules and stepping up the drive to curb violations
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56 GAME FOR GLORY 84 GADGETS 56 999 talks to Emirati football coach Mahdi Ali on Feast your eyes on some of the hottest new the Olympic Challenge high-tech releases around
62 CRIME & PUNISHMENT More shocking real life criminal cases 86 BOOKS Choose a page-turner from our riveting selection of bestsellers 69 HISTORY Falcons are among the most potent symbols 4 of Arab culture – man and bird have hunted 89 MOVIES 4 NEWS together for centuries, and they still do Popcorn and hotdog at the ready for these top A round-up of MoI and Abu Dhabi Police news upcoming fl icks stories and important events 72 CRIME MYSTERIES 999 looks at the most horrifying serial killers in the world. 92 TIPS & TRIVIA Improve your well-being this summer with simple and healthy steps to keep your cool 75 HEALTH NEWS The latest news, issues and advice from the 38 world of health and well-being 94 PUZZLES
80 ENVIRONMENT 95 HOROSCOPE The issues and news that impact the natural world, including an amazing fi nd in the UAE
15 34 39 43 68 Maj Gen Nasser Maysa Rashed Ali Obaid Tim Maycock Elinor Ostrom Lakhreibani Al Nuaimi Former Member of the Head of the News Centre at Director of int. consultancy Nobel laureate in Economics, was Professor
COLUMNISTS Sec Gen of the Offi ce of HH Federal National Council Dubai Media Incorporated fi rm, Maycock Training of Political Science and Senior Co-Research facebook.com/999english the Deputy Prime Minister (FNC), and UAE writer Director of the Workshop in Political Theory and Minister of Interior and Policy Analysis at Indiana University
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1-3 editorial & contents JULY2012.indd 3 6/28/12 12:41 PM Security And Safety For All news UAE kEEn to bUild bridgEs of friEndship, sAys khAlifA
Sheikh Khalifa received credentials of 12 new ambassadors of various nations at Al Dhiyafa Palace in Abu Dhabi
The UAe is keen to extend bridges of at the disposal of serving the nation and Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the friendship, cooperation and tolerance its citizens,” Sheikh Khalifa said when Western Region. among nations, forging balanced the new UAE ambassadors to Canada The President instructed the two relations and in furthering economic, and Netherlands took the oath of office envoys to make every effort to promote cultural and tourist exchange with before him at Al Dhiyafa Palace in the UAE standing at the international brotherly and friendly countries, the Mushrif. community. President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Sheikh Khalifa also received The President accepted letters of bin Zayed Al Nahyan, affirmed. credentials of 12 new ambassadors of credence of five Ambassadors of The President highlighted the vital sisterly and friendly countries in the Maldives, Indonesia, Guinea, Bosnia role the UAE diplomatic missions play in presence of General Sheikh Mohammed and Herzegovina and Federal Republic assisting UAE citizens abroad and taking bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Somalia and seven non-resident care of their affairs. of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme ambassadors of Namibia, Ghana, “The UAE places its citizen at the top Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Estonia, Nicaragua, Malawi, Burkina of its priorities and puts all its potentials and Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Faso and Cote d’Ivoire. Khalifa issues several decrees The PresidenT His Highness Sheikh Adnan Sultan Saif Al Nuaimi, diplomatic Abdul Rahim, at the Ministry of Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has issued and consular corps member with the Presidential Affairs, provided that he is several decrees last month. One of which rank of Minister Plenipotentiary, to Abu paid pension in line with the provisions is that the UAE will have its embassy Dhabi Equestrian Club for one year from of Law No. 2 for 2000 with respect established in the Republic of Colombia. April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2013. to Abu Dhabi’s civil pensions and In addition, under Federal Decree Under Decree 43, Saleh Ahmed retirement benefits. 40 and 41 for 2012, Hassan Salem Al Salem Khalifa Al Suwaidi and Rashid Economic cooperation agreement Khayyal, UAE Ambassador to Kuwait, Mohammed Juma Al Mansouri, between the UAE government and will be transferred to the office of the diplomatic and consular corps members Montenegro has been ratified as per Foreign Ministry, while Ali Ahmed have been promoted from First Secretary Decree 45. Also, 133 Interior Ministry bin Shukr Al Zu’abi will be the UAE to Minister Plenipotentiary. officers have been promoted. The Ambassador to Kuwait. Decree 44 announced the termination decrees were published in the federal Decree 42 renewed the secondment of of service of Ahmed Mohammed Ahmed official Gazette.
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4-12 news JULY2012.indd 4 6/28/12 12:41 PM Security And Safety For All MohAMMEd honoUrs UAE govErnMEnt lEAdErs progrAMME grAdUAtEs Sheikh Mohammed was briefed on the newly-adopted vision by the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources to develop the UAE Government Leaders Programme as per the best international standards. Sheikh Mohammed directed the programme to include a “Young Leaders” category in the agenda aimed at creating executive leaders at all levels. Applauding the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources Humaid Al Qattami delivered a speech in which he announced the adoption of a new comprehensive framework for the programme in the areas of sourcing Emirati talent and providing them with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid distributes certificates to one of the graduates complete training to create the next generation of executive leaders in all UAe Vice President, Prime Minister development march in the UAE,” Sheikh government entities. and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed said. Sheikh Mohammed then took Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum “I take pride in distinct Emirati leaders the stage and distributed certificates honoured the latest batch of executive and executives who have fulfilled their to the graduates, wishing them leaders to complete the UAE Government national duty and worked relentlessly to further advancements in their careers Leaders Programme in a special benefit their institutions and the UAE and praising their role in serving ceremony at the Grand Hyatt - Dubai. community. Successful leaders hold the their country. On the occasion, Sheikh Mohammed key to a bright future... It is they who gave a speech highlighting the will see to it that UAE Vision 2021 is importance of investing in human fulfilled,” His Highness said. capital; a principle forged by the blessed Touching on the subject of future Federal child march of the Union in 1971 and evolved challenges, Sheikh Mohammed urged protection law into a future vision that still drives the graduates of the UAE Government development of the Emirati trait in all Leaders Programme to maintain their ordered aspects to serve the community. passionate quest for excellence. “The Speaking to future Emirati leaders in people of the UAE expect you to surpass his highness Sheikh Mohammed various fields of specialtisation, Sheikh all challenges and march on with high bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice Mohammed urged the graduates to spirits to place your country at the President and Prime Minister of the continue their quest for knowledge and forefront. We believe that you are up to UAE and Ruler of Dubai ordered build the required expertise and know- the challenge and that you will succeed,” the authorized entities to legislate a how to tackle future challenges, adding Sheikh Mohammed added. federal child protection law aiming to that special focus will be given to fresh Sheikh Mohammed concluded assure safe future for children in the Emirati graduates who are filled with his speech by asking the graduates UAE. The Emirates Human Rights energy. to be forward looking. His Highness Association (EHRA) has hailed the Sheikh Mohammed stressed that said: “Never look back, he who wants decision of the Sheikh Mohammed achievement is the true criterion development always looks ahead. Believe for drafting this federal law. Abdul of evaluating governments, leaders in yourselves, inspire your employees and Rahman Ghanem, Head of Child and executives. “We dedicate our create a challenging work environment Committee at EHRA said that the law achievements to UAE President His where teams work in perfect harmony will have a positive and active role in Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed with aims to achieve goals.” protecting the children rights. Al Nahyan who is the patron of the Prior to the distribution of certificate,
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4-12 news JULY2012.indd 5 6/28/12 12:41 PM Security And Safety For All news Welfare of our citizens is core of state’s strategy - MohaMMed Bin zayed
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed chairs meeting of Executive Council
his highness General Sheikh Retirement Pensions & Benefits Fund, The Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, approval of additional budget to increase confirmed that ensuring well-being Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy the number of beneficiaries for academic standards and social welfare for nationals Supreme Commander of the UAE scholarships, and establishment of is a key priority within the overall state Armed Forces, and Chairman of the new vocational schools throughout the strategy, in keeping with the guidelines of Executive Council of the emirate of Abu country to consolidate the labor market the UAE President. Dhabi, stated that the provision of well- with national skills. Sheikh Mohammed said: “Our wise being standards for all nationals is a key Chaired by Sheikh Mohammed with leadership will make every effort to priority and a core strategy of the state. the attendance of Sheikh Hazza bin provide integrated development and “We have a firm belief that achieving Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security welfare for our future generations in the a leading position for our emirate Counselor and Vice-Chairman of educational, medical and social fields and nation can only be achieved by the Executive Council, the Executive that reflect favorably on our country’s appropriately addressing national issues Council approved a series of projects development.” and aspirations as a basic theme of our in the infrastructure, economic, social, The Executive Council discussed the development plans,” Sheikh Mohammed and human development sectors related status of the Abu Dhabi Retirement said during Executive Council’s meeting to, social security, economy, education, Pensions and Benefits Fund’s financial held at the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s energy and transport. This is consistent liabilities and the steps required to be court. The Council took a number of key with the ongoing effort of the Executive taken to settle the financial shortfall decisions: approval of financial support Council to provide the highest quality of that had resulted from the most recent of Dh4.813 billion for the Abu Dhabi government services for the emirate. increase in salaries. funeral Prayer for Prince nayef PerforMed crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior the Al-Adl cemetery in Makkah. Deputy Supreme Commander of the at the Grand Mosque in the Holy City Sheikh Mohammed later offered UAE Armed Forces, His Highness of Mecca. Saudi princes, heads of states, condolences of the President, His General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed representatives of Arab and Islamic Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has joined the Custodian of countries and a large congregation Al Nahyan and Vice President and the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah performed the funeral prayer and prayed Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia in the to Allah Almighty to bestow mercy on His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin funeral prayer for the late Saudi Crown the soul of the late prince. The body of Rashid Al Maktoum to King Abdullah Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, the late Prince Nayef was then buried in and to their Royal Highnesses.
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4-12 news JULY2012.indd 6 6/28/12 12:42 PM Security And Safety For All
interior Ministry honours excellence aWard Winners
The MinisTry of Interior honoured participating personnel to work hard entities, comprising 16 ministries and the employees who were selected and spread the culture of excellence. 25 authorities. Three of the ministry’s for this year’s Emirates Government The awards, a component of the employees also won Prime Minister’s Excellence Awards at a ceremony Sheikh Khalifa Government Excellence Medals, awarded to a total of seven presided by Lt General Sheikh Saif Programme, were presented at a individuals for outstanding service to bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime special ceremony in the presence of the federal government. Minister and Minister of Interior. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Lt Colonel Yasser Mohammed Al The ministry, whose workers won Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President Wahhabi, who walked away with the nearly a third of the second edition of and Prime Minister of the UAE and medal for excellence in a technical the awards, attributed its success to Ruler of Dubai. The awards recognise field, was gratified for the honour. teamwork and a joint sense of national federal employees who have furthered “I’ve been working here for almost 20 responsibility. the objectives of “UAE Vision 2021”, a years and am currently the director Addressing the gathering, Sheikh government strategy striving to make of the E-infrastructure Department, Saif said: “The UAE is outstanding with the UAE one of the best countries running the network for the whole its leadership, whose support boosts in the world along social, economic UAE,” he said. “I am so proud about the country’s pride. Real excellence and environmental dimensions. The this award and the support of the is being an Emirati who belongs to Ministry of Interior collected 10 of the minister. This is pride for me and my this country.” Sheikh Saif called on all 26 awards given to federal government family.” Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed meets Kelna UAE Association delegates LT generAL His Highness Sheikh Association to achieve Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy its goals, which Prime Minister, Minister of Interior, include promoting met yesterday in his office a delegation and establishing the from Kelna UAE Association, headed concept of citizenship, by retired Major General Mohammed such as participating Bin Salem Bin Kardous Al Ameri, in National Day Chairman of the Association, alongside celebrations, members Khalifa Kalfout Al Qubaisi, attention to roads and Ahmed Juma Al Hosni and Ali Bin facilities, cleaning Ahmed Al Nuaimi. shores, roads, public His Highness hailed his membership parks, mosques and in the Association which played government facilities, a pioneering role and contributes and shedding light on UAE through handicapped centers, blood donations, significantly in promoting affinity and the media, among other community participating in official charity cohesion among society members. activities. campaigns, partaking in weddings and He also listened to a detailed Kelna UAE plays a leading role celebrations, attending funerals in the explanation regarding the work in society, and its activities include region, as well as strengthening ties mechanisms laid down by the visiting nursing homes, orphanages and among the active members.
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4-12 news JULY2012.indd 7 6/28/12 12:42 PM Security And Safety For All news Ministry of interior ties up with zayed foundation, signs a deal to boost uae youth programme Khalifa This partnership will promote government bodies’ efforts to provide excellent social services based on involvement and cooperation to achieve growth, progress, and prosperity. The MoU was signed by HE Lt General Saif Abdullah Al Sha’far, and Ibrahim Abdul Malik Mohamed, Secretary- General, General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare. These joint programmes will aim at promoting loyalty, national identity, and a volunteering culture among the country’s youth. The partnership will raise awareness among the UAE’s youth and educate them on the risks of drug abuse and its The UAe’s Ministry of Interior has Ahmad Shabib Al Dhaheri, Director consequences. The entities will actively signed a Memorandum of Understanding General of the Zayed bin Sultan Al participate in implementing plans and (MoU) with the Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian programmes to take care of youth talent Nahyan Foundation for Charitable and Foundation. as per operative rules and mechanisms. Humanitarian Works. The organisation of youth programmes The tie-up will also help facilitate field The tie-up aims to help the victims in the country received a boost with trips for the youth to different ministry of human trafficking and rehabilitate the recent signing of a Memorandum departments across the UAE in order to inmates by finding jobs for them so as of Understanding (MoU) between impart knowledge, exchange scientific to integrate them in the society. It also the UAE’s Ministry of Interior and the and modern methods and expertise aims to provide assistance for victims General Authority of Youth and Sports in youth care, spread coherent traffic of crimes, in addition to establishing Welfare. culture, establish plans and programmes projects that serve and enhance security The agreement to organise joint to educate and train youth in police work, and stability in the society. programmes for the youth is in line with as well as combine efforts to take care of The MoU was signed by HE Lt General the government’s strategy to initiate juveniles and set up joint programmes to Saif Abdullah Al Sha’far, Undersecretary partnerships among different state support their talents and integrate them of the Ministry of Interior, and agencies so as to achieve its objectives. into the society. MoI discusses ways to enhance cooperation with UAE Facilities Management
The UAe’s Ministry of Interior (MoI) recently discussed ways of enhancing cooperation with the UAE Facilities Management Company. In the meeting held at his office, Major General Khalifa Hareb Al Khaili, Assistant Undersecretary for Resources and Support Services at the MoI, addressed means to exchange know-how and benefit from the mutual potential of both sides. Major General Al Khaili stressed the MoI’s keenness to extend collaboration with various national authorities to share knowledge in order to serve the public interest. Engineer Jamal Salim Al Saeedi, Acting Director of UAE Facilities Management, gave a presentation on the company and its field of work. He highlighted the possibilities of providing technical, engineering and support services. He pointed out standards. that the company is regarded as one of the leading national Major General Al Khaili also met with the technical committee companies dedicated to providing world-class comprehensive assigned to assess the current fleet of vehicles and other solutions for support services as per the latest international machinery at the MoI.
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4-12 news JULY2012.indd 8 6/28/12 12:42 PM Security And Safety For All citizens’ children committee starts asian tour
According To the directives of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and under the follow-up of His Highness Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, the Citizens’ Children Comittee will visit and meet the children of Emirati citizens born abroad to foreign mothers. The Committee, presided by Major General Nasser Al Awadi Al Menhali, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior and Assistant Undersecretary for Naturalisation and Residency and outlets, will tour India, is expected to review 48 cases of citizens’ number of its citizens over there, where Pakistan, Philippines and Indonesia. children living abroad. The Committee the necessary tests were carried out to This visit is a culmination of the has achieved its mission aimed at limiting promote the national identity of citizens’ Committee’s work, having studied a the children of the Emirati citizens living children born abroad, and strengthen number of such cases, pursuant to in Arab countries where such cases are their integration in society. the Ministerial Decree No. 276/2012 present. He pointed out that the return of issued by the Deputy Prime Minister Until the time of going to press, the nationals’ children to the UAE reflects and Minister of Interior. The Committee had conducted interviews the UAE President’s attention to the Committee includes, in addition to the with a number of Filipino and Indian country’s children wherever they are, in representatives of the Ministry of Interior, children born to Emirati fathers and the UAE or abroad, to provide them with representatives from the Ministry of foreign mothers. a decent life, reaffirming the country’s Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Social Major General Al Menhali said that the solicitude that national identity, customs, Affairs. committee visited Indonesia to review and traditions are strengthened and During its Asian tour, the committee the applications brought forward by a integration in UAE society is achieved. Al Ketbi heads the F1 and emergency management meetings followers, and covered by global media outlets, stressing the importance of maintaining the success achieved and highlighting the event properly. The meeting was attended by Abdullah Khouri, Executive Director of Government Affairs; Brigadier Faris Khalifa Al Faresi, Director General of Guards and Special Tasks at Abu Dhabi Police, and representatives of the in The run up to the Etihad Airways the programmes, work mechanisms, and organising parties. Grand Prix, scheduled to take place visions of these parties. In addition, the Crisis and Disaster in Abu Dhabi on November 4, 2012, He underscored the importance of Department at Abu Dhabi Police held Major General Obaid Al Hairi Salem Al coordination and cooperation among its first meeting last month, chaired by Ketbi, Deputy Commander General of participating entities and working Major General Al Ketbi, at the general Abu Dhabi Police, and Vice-Chairman with a team spirit; stressing the need headquarters and in the presence of all its of the Higher Security Committee for to implement the highest regulatory members. Formula One, reviewed the role of the standards; to address the needs of The assembly discussed the agenda participating entities in organising the increasing the number of attendees, and propositions, as well as a number prestigious event. participants, and visitors; and provide of relevant issues and means to achieve Al Ketbi chaired the first preliminary all security and support means; which integration plans at local and national meeting, held in Yas Island, which reflects the civilised image of the state. levels and increase readiness. A deputy was attended by representatives of the Al Ketbi further added that the F1 and rapporteur were also elected at the organising parties, where he reviewed races are attended by huge crowds and meeting.
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4-12 news JULY2012.indd 9 6/28/12 12:42 PM Security And Safety For All news
al-nuaiMi: Moi suPPorts efforts to Protect children The MinisTry of Interior reiterated Higher Committee for Child Protection its support to local and international at the Ministry of Interior and the efforts to protect children from any Ministry of Interior Child Protection attempts of abuse. Centre, we work to achieve the vision This support was voiced in a statement of HH Lieutenant General Sheikh Saif by Major General Nasser Lakhreibani Al Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Nuaimi, Secretary General of the Office Minister and UAE Minister of Interior, of HH the Deputy Prime Minister and to make the UAE a civilised hub for Minister of Interior and Chairman of the child protection.” Higher Committee for Child Protection, Al Nuaimi assured the Ministry’s on the occasion of the World Day commitment and constant endeavour Against Child Labour. to adopt best international practices, Major General Al Nuaimi explained follow up all developments related to that the UAE is providing various kinds the security and safety of society, as well of care and service to protect children as to enhance and spread awareness from neglect and social, economic, to protect against any challenges, in line with the government’s strategy psychological, and physical abuse, which particularly when it comes to child and Vision 2021 that contributes to reflects the keenness of the government protection. enhancing the preventive aspect in the to promote child protection. He also commended the ministry’s fight against crime and making the UAE He also pointed out that protecting efforts in child protection since it the world’s safest country. children from violence, abuse and became a part of the global virtual Moreover, Al Nuaimi pointed out that harm represents an authentic element power, through the establishment of the child labour has a negative impact on in protecting children’s right to survive, Higher Committee for Child Protection society in general and on children in grow up and develop. and the Child Protection Centre. He particular, because childhood is one the Al Nuaimi added: “Through the stated that the ministry’s efforts were most essential phases in human life. Meetings of higher coMMand coMMittees of ajMan and fujairah Police Foreigners Affairs Directorate, Colonel Omar Mohammed Al Shamsi, Director General of Resources and Support Services, Colonel Rashid Jassim Mijlad, Director General of Police Operations, Colonel Adel Saif Al Matroushi from the General Directorate of Civil Defence in Ajman, and Colonel Mubarak Khalfan Al Rizzi, Director of the Punitive and Correctional Institution. The meeting discussed the recommendations of the previous meeting and the measures taken. Officers of the Strategy Department provided a detailed presentation on performance indicators for the first quarter this year. The higher Command Committee The meeting was attended by Meanwhile, Brigadier General of Ajman Police held its fourth meeting Brigadier General Sultan bin Abdullah Mohammed Ahmed bin Ghanem Al for 2012 under the chairmanship of Al Nuaimi, Deputy Commander- Kaabi, Commander-in-Chief of Fujairah Brigadier General Ali Abdullah Alwan, in-Chief of Ajman Police, Brigadier Police, chaired the sixth meeting of Commander-in-Chief of Ajman Police, General Mohammed Abdullah Alwan, the Higher Command Committee of and head of the committee. Director General of Residence and Fujairah Police.
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4-12 news JULY2012.indd 10 6/28/12 12:42 PM Security And Safety For All Badran: Environment protection is a joint responsibility of community members The MinisTry of Interior reiterated elevate the level of environmental its support to the efforts aimed at culture among the various segments protecting the environment on the of society. World Environment Day, celebrated Badran pointed out that the UAE each year. As per the directives of has always been keen to intervene at Lieutenant General HH Sheikh Saif the legislative level to maintain and Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime protect the environment from pollution Minister and Minister of Interior, the by enacting laws and taking part in Ministry stressed the importance of relevant international conventions. environmental life and the need to He also noted that the UAE has preserve it in light with the climate promulgated several laws to counter changes witnessed by different regions environmental pollution. Certification 12001:2004, as well as the of the world. Moreover, Badran added that Abu Health and Safety Certification 18001: Major General Khalil Dawood Dhabi Police General Headquarters’ 2007. Badran, Director General of Finance efforts and achievements come in These certifications were acquired and Services at Abu Dhabi Police, line with its mission to promote by the Finance and Services General stressed Abu Dhabi Police’s attention to the environment, pointing out that Directorate of Abu Dhabi Police. preserve the environment. Abu Dhabi Police is one of the first Around 522 cars were converted to run He reasserted that protecting the government institutions to acquire on natural gas as part of Abu Dhabi environment and planet Earth should be the Integrated Administrative System’s Police’s efforts to reduce pollution and a joint effort by all community members Certification, which include the maintain a clean environment, thus wherein all need to contribute diligently, International Quality Certification ISO completing more than the required and with determination, in order to 9001:2008, the Environmental target for 2011. committee of comprehensive Police stations meets in raK departments and officers. On the sidelines of the course, RAK Police hosted the meeting of the Permanent Higher Committee of Comprehensive Police Stations, chaired by Brigadier General Al Amimi, and attended by Colonel Ghanem Ahmed Ghanem, Director of Comprehensive Police Station Department in RAK Police, committee members, and a number of police officers. The meeting discussed the Ministry of Interior’s plan to activate the Comprehensive Police Station in Northern Emirates, set their functional details and organisational structures, define their competencies and the mechanisms to activate them, means of taking proper measures to limit, combat, BrigAdier generAL Mohammed presence of Brigadier General Hamad prevent and withstand crimes according Al Nubi, Deputy Commander-in-Chief Ajlan Al Amimi, Director of Al Ain to the Ministry of Interior’s strategy. of RAK Police, opened the ‘Activation of Police Directorate, Brigadier General At the conclusion of the meeting, Comprehensive Police Stations’ in Ras Abdullah Khamis Al Hadidi, Director- Brigadier General Al Nubi delivered Al Khaimah (RAK) course. General of Police Operations in RAK the Headquarters’ Memorial Shield to The course was opened in the Police, and a number of heads of Brigadier General Al Amimi.
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4-12 news JULY2012.indd 11 6/28/12 12:42 PM Security And Safety For All news Dhahi Khalfan chairs Police Commands Council meeting The meeting was attended by council members: HE Major General Rashid Al Matroushi, Director General of Dubai Civil Defence, HE Major General Khamis Saif Bin Suwaif, Director-General of Criminal Security Department at the Ministry of Interior, Major General Humaid Mohammed Al Hadidi, Director-General of Sharjah Police, and other members of the council. The council, a body launched by the The PoLice Commands Council held implementing traffic, and criminal plans Minister of Interior to enhance work its fifth regular meeting at the country are according to a vision that matches between the different police departments level at Dubai Police Headquarters last the strategic plan of the Ministry of in the country, meets once every month month to evaluate security work in the Interior and the Federal government. at least, or at any other time at the UAE. The monthly board meeting of The meeting also assessed the invitation of its President. the Council of Police Commands was security, traffic and criminal status in The council was set up at the behest chaired by His Excellency Lt Gen Dhahi the country; as well as steps undertaken of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Khalfan Tamim, Commander-in-Chief to counter drugs abuse, the mechanism of Interior, Lt General HH Sheikh Saif of Dubai Police. of implementing policing operations bin Zayed Al Nahyan after he issued During the meeting, Lt Gen Dhahi plans of the Ministry of Interior, and the decision (Decision No.207/Year Khalfan reviewed the strategy of the the mechanism of implementing the 2010). It is composed of the heads of all Ministry of Interior with regard to strategy according to approved methods. the general directorates of Police and fighting crime. He discussed with They also discussed the periodic Security Authorities from across the the council members the latest reports on the progress of the country and is chaired by Lieutenant local and regional developments, implementation process, the best General Dhahi Khalfan. security conditions in the country, practices used in police commands, and The recommendations made by performance indicators achieved by general departments at the Ministry of council members will be decided police directorates, efforts to achieve Interior to achieve the strategic goals through balloting and will be ratified by the strategic goals and progress in and help spread them. the Interior Minister. Social awareness in Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain Police coMMUniTy PoLicing Department at Sharjah Police has launched a drive under the theme ‘Give Testimony, Never Hide it’, which kicked in June and will run for three months. The drive is intended to instil the principle of bearing truthful witness and encourage people of different walks of life to give testimony in cases which they eyewitness, be they criminal, traffic, behavioural, or any other. The campaign aims at encouraging Another goal of the drive is to build delegation from Umm Al Quwain Police all members of the society, of different the public confidence via acquainting Headquarters, led by Captain Ali Issa segments and nationalities, to realise them with rights and obligations of Al Jasmi, Head of Media and Public the paramount importance of giving witnesses, as well as guarantees ensuring Relations Division. testimony in establishing justice, their protection, which are stipulated by The meeting discussed summer detecting crimes and bring perpetrators UAE Penal Code. training programmes for school and to justice, and by so doing, spare Meanwhile, Mohammed Ibrahim university students at government and community the woes of crime and Humaid, Director of Umm Al Quwain local directorates and departments in instability. Charity Association, met with a the Emirate of Umm Al Quwain.
12 999 Security and Safety for all JULY 2012
4-12 news JULY2012.indd 12 6/28/12 12:42 PM facts & figures Security And Safety For All
65 The number of traffic accidents caused by red light crossing during the first quarter of 2012, according to traffic accidents indicators in Abu Dhabi. These accidents resulted in six fatalities and two severe injuries.
“It is Abu Dhabi Police leadership’s solicitude to 28 motivate its personnel in an environment of The number of accidents recorded in 2011 due to driving creativity and excellence, which reflects positively on in a state of extreme fatigue or drowsiness in Abu Dhabi. developing police work to be up to par with world- Six people were killed while nine were seriously injured class international standards. Our strategy urges all leaders and officers to take care of human staff, and deal with personnel in utmost transparency and objectivity, motivating them to excel at work and develop services.” 32 Major General Ahmed Nasser Al Raisi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Police The number of children whose parents are Emirati and Central Operations were born outside the country by Indian mothers that are visited by Nationals’ Children Committee. The visit aims to promote the national identity of nationals’ children born abroad, and strengthen their integration in the society
1 The number of extinguisher that is required for every 15 meters in each floor, according to Lieutenant Colonel Sami Khamis Al Naqbi, Director of Civil Protection and Safety ”Respecting traffic lights prevent serious traffic accidents from happening. As many accidents happen when vehicles cross the red light and collide with other vehicles coming from the other direction, resulting, in most cases, in deaths and severe 32% injuries. Tathqeef Patrol and other traffic patrols The drop in the number of deaths in Dubai roads so take part by handing out awareness brochures and far this year compared with the same period of 2011, offering traffic advice to motorists on the risks of thanks to police safety campaigns. Dubai Police said crossing the red light signal and the need to pay there were 38 deaths, down from 56 last year attention and slow down upon approaching traffic signals.” Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed Rashid Al Shamsi, Head of the Traffic Control Department at the Abu Dhabi Police Traffic and Patrols Directorate
JULY 2012 999 Security and Safety for all 13
13 facts JULY2012.indd 13 6/28/12 10:54 AM 15 Nasser Column.indd 14 6/28/12 10:54 AM COLUMN Security And Safety For All
A cAll to focus on efficient communicAtion process Major General Nasser Lakhreibani Al An open and free communication strategy between Nuaimi, Secretary General of the Office of HH the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior the workforce and the management is key to providing a better security service to the public
ne of the major problems that managements concerning one of the issues, but an officer, with a rank face today is the lack of open, free and frank of lieutenant, offered a different viewpoint, and projected Ochannels of communication between the convincing justifications and evidence. I was convinced workforce and the management, and the absence of with his viewpoint, which was different from mine. So, I effective mechanisms capable of resolving organisational welcomed his idea and said: “The lieutenant’s idea and disputes. viewpoint is the right one and the best.” Due to the importance of communication and its At the conclusion of the meeting, a senior officer role in the management of any organisation, whether whispered in my ears, expressing his reservation: government or private, we highlight this issue and the “You could have rejected the lieutenant’s idea during role communication plays in achieving the goals of any the meeting and, after the conclusion of the meeting, organisation. accepted it between you and him.” On the police organisations level, a lot of experts I replied: “By accepting the idea of the lieutenant in the have called for the importance of meeting, I conveyed a message focusing on the communication to the other ten officers on the process and joint management importance of communication and between all administrative If the leader prefers sharing views and ideas, accepting levels in order to render the his own interest over and respecting others’ views, even strategic planning and efficient if they are different, and even if the performance successful, as well the common interest, I officer who offered this idea is of as providing a better security consider him unfaithful a lower rank than you. As long as service to the public. to his work and the idea or viewpoint is right and In previous articles, I have responsibility serves our common interest, you spoken about the significance have to listen to it. But if the leader of opening channels of free prefers his own interest over the communication with employees, and the importance of common interest, I consider him unfaithful to his work and such channels in developing the administrative work. responsibility.” Studies confirmed that communication represents Some managers delegate some of their 75 per cent of every organisation’s overall activities. responsibilities to other competent staff, especially at the Communication, which can be defined as the transfer medium administrative level. This is a completely right of information, data and concepts across different administrative approach, if implemented according to channels, significantly contributes to decision making and practical conditions. achievement of success. An effective leader is one who In conclusion, we call upon our colleagues, especially gives officers and staff the opportunity to discuss and at the medium leadership level, to pay attention to express their views, something that leads to innovation communication and participation, follow an open-door and creativity. I recall the day when I attended a meeting policy with their staff, and to consider every complaint at the court of the ministry. There were ten officers of from the staff or the public as a gift that helps them different ranks attending that meeting. The meeting improve performance and the level of services offered in focused on discussing certain administrative issues. order to achieve excellence high quality. Therefore, we I was giving directives to take certain measures say: ‘Welcome gifts!’
JULY 2012 999 Security and Safety for all 15
15 Nasser Column.indd 15 6/28/12 10:54 AM Security And Safety For All cover Story
TOWeRinG
infernoBY MARY SCOFIELD A nUmBEr of rECEnT mAJor firES in ThE UAE AnD ACroSS ThE GUlf hAvE BroUGhT ThE foCUS BACK on SAfETY mEASUrES To CoUnTEr SUCh oCCUrrEnCES, AnD GAlvAniSED AUThoriTiES inTo rEviSinG rUlES AnD STEPPinG UP ThE DrivE To CUrB violATionS
16 999 Security and Safety for all JULY 2012
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recent spate of fi re negligence and not adhering to fi re safety identifi ed fi res in households to be the incidents across regulations,” said UAE Civil Defence most frequent cause of fi res in the country. the Gulf region has General Commander-in-Chief Major General In 2011, UAE Civil Defence carried out exposed alarming Rashid Thani Al Matroushi. “[They] occur a nationwide door-to-door campaign, issues in the fi re-safety especially in kitchens and in electrical educating residents on fi re safety. People armour of the GCC connections,” he said. in the Northern Emirates were found to nations, prompting calls for an overhaul Nevertheless, fi re safety has been a be particularly careless with how they of safety standards, harsh penalties for top priority for authorities, and UAE Civil stored gas cylinders, leading to explosions, violators, and awareness drives for the Defence has stepped up eff orts to educate offi cials said. public. people on fi re prevention and response. Residents were also warned not to The statistics don’t make a good read, Following the fateful fi re in Doha’s Villaggio leave oil in pans on the cooking hub, not although there has been progress made by mall on May 29 that killed 19 people, to overload electrical connections and to authorities in controlling the blazes before including 13 children, experts have called check water heaters. A similar exercise is they could cause major damage. In the for a scrutiny of UAE shopping malls’ fi re scheduled for commercial warehouses. UAE, more than 4,000 fi res were reported preparedness too. UAE Civil Defence authorities launched in 2011, in which 95 people died and 1,817 In Manama, a fi re incident in late May a Dh25 million campaign on fi re safety in were injured. The majority of deaths in the killed 10 people, all semi-skilled workers, in February 2012, taking delivery of a fl eet of country were caused by fi re involving car a poorly ventilated housing unit. In the UAE, 25 new fi refi ghting vehicles. eruptions. a huge fi re in the 40-storey Al Tayer Tower In the past two years, Civil Defence There were 3,274 building fi res, down by in Sharjah forced more than 100 families to has added an estimated 45 vehicles to its more than a third compared with 2010, while vacate their fl ats and stay in the nearby Al fi re engine fl eet, investing Dh45 million in casualties from building fi res dropped from Nahda park on April 28. acquiring fi refi ghting equipment. A study 174 to 33. The number of fi res, however, has In Dubai, fi re incidents broke out in a has also been commissioned to analyse gone up substantially from 595 in 2008 and Jebel Ali warehouse and a Dubai Marina the types and patterns of fi re incidents, and 486 in 2009. residential block in early June, the fi rst from produce a nationwide plan for prevention More recently, a number of blazes in a garbage dump, the second from a source and response. Doha, Manama, Sharjah and Dubai have not immediately identifi ed. Thankfully, there The ultimate aim of the campaign is to kept fi refi ghters busy. While some of the was no loss of life in these fi res. cut down reaction time from the current fl ames were doused without major damage Worldwide, fi res start most often either in 5-7 minutes to zero minutes by turning to property, some others were tragic, residential units or in places full of rubbish. householders and commercial workers into resulting in unfortunate loss of lives and Data from the International Association of the fi rst line of fi refi ghters. property worth millions of dollars. Fire & Rescue Service (CTIF) shows that the What is most tragic is that, in most cases, general distribution of fi re by origin around tHe SoUrce oF A BLAZe it is negligence that is responsible for the the world is: 30 to 40 per cent of all fi res The origin of a fi re can be anything from start of the blaze, which is then aggravated originate in residential units. ‘Other’ fi res, a leaking gas cylinder or a gas oven not due to infl ammable material in the vicinity, like vehicle fi res and those in industrial units, turned off properly; someone doing a and individuals’ lack of awareness and account for just 7 to 8 per cent of all fi res, barbeque on a boat; or someone tossing readiness in dealing with the incident. while fi res from rubbish and grass account a cigarette without stubbing it out fi rst. Just “The majority of these fi res occur in for about 45 per cent of all fi res. days before the April 28 fi re in Sharjah’s Al residential buildings and are caused by UAE Civil Defence authorities have Tayer tower, the police released a statement
JULY 2012 999 Security and Safety for all 17
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that the January 18 fi re in the emirate’s Al and Life Safety Code in order to prohibit tough time dousing the blaze because of Baker tower had been started by a cigarette such cladding panels on tower blocks. these petroleum products. (see box). This particular fi re, according to Besides residential buildings and forensic experts, had gone out of control industrial areas, boats moored at the Dubai reDoUBLeD eFFortS because the exterior material of the building Creek and Abu Dhabi marina have also While Civil Defence is beefi ng up its was highly fl ammable. burst into fl ames. In an echo of the June fi refi ghting arsenal with advanced Between March 2010 and April 2012, 2010 fi re at the Abu Dhabi marina, a blaze equipment, it is also lining up more stringent there have been 19 major fi res in Sharjah, started in Dubai Creek on a boat in February steps and fi nes to ensure that fi re safety including the Al Tayer tower blaze. At 2012. regulations are adhered to in high-rises. least 12 of these started in industrial In the 2010 incident, an electrical fault Announcing this in May 2012, Civil Defence storage spaces or in small commercial on a boat started a fi re, which then spread said that violators would be fi ned up to establishments, including the massive to the vessel behind it. For more than 20 Dh50,000. National Paints fi re that gutted eight minutes, the fi re burned uncontrolled. To One of the violations that will not be warehouses. In most cases, substances prevent a repeat, fi refi ghting boats should tolerated is the use of low-density polythene such as chemicals and rubber tyres fuelled be introduced at the capital’s marinas, Al aluminium cladding tiles, which are not the fl ames. Matroushi had then said. The fi re in Dubai fi re-resistant but are reportedly used in Following media reports on the risk of Creek started on one of the boats and was many buildings throughout the country. non-fi re-rated cladding in residential high- aggravated as oil products stored on the Since last year, there have been regulations rises, there is a move to revise the UAE Fire vessel exploded. Firefi ghters had a very banning such material, but enforcement
BUilDinG On fiRe 999 GETS A firST-hAnD ACCoUnT tried to douse the fi re with the fi re hose in their of ThE TrAGiC firE in ShArJAh fl oor but there was no water and the sprinklers did not come on. ThAT DiSPlACED morE ThAn A Fire-fi ghters were there within 15 minutes of hUnDrED rESiDEnTS the fi re breaking out, and they began dousing cars around the building as well as getting the reena amos, a mother and a wife told us people out of the building. Because the fi re her story of the fi re in al tayer tower which reached halfway of the building, they needed to was her home for about three years. She get in bigger fi re trucks to extinguish it. recounts the events on the fateful night: We were very lucky because we were able to I recall that we went home late that night from get important documents, while our neighbours a show, just around 2 in the morning. When we were not able to salvage anything. None of us got into our fl at, there was a strong burning had anything with us because the fi re broke out smell, so my husband looked out the balcony but in the middle of the night. For the fi rst three or didn’t see anything amiss. So we closed the door four days after the fi re, everybody was eager to and got ready for bed. The smell got stronger, visit their fl ats, and get access to their stuff. and we checked again, and this time we could So much so that they did not question the see fi re refl ected on the windows of the building building management about why the sprinklers across us. didn’t come on and why there was no water in It was a fl oor below ours, so we cleared out the emergency fi re hose. They were more the balcony fi rst because the sheets and clothes concerned about how they will be able to move might feed the fi re. It was scary because the on. one SMall SParK diSPlaceS HundredS heat was intense even after we shut the balcony We were fortunate because I have a sister who stays in Sharjah and we shacked up with her until On January 18, 2012, an inconsiderate smoker door. I told my son to run down the stairs and we were able to get back what’s left of our rent tossed out a lit cigarette from an upper fl oor of leave the building, and he got our cat with him. and fi nd a new place to live in. We were also able Al Baker Tower 4, in Sharjah’s Al Taawun area. I went back to our bedroom to take our to salvage 90 per cent of our belongings, but The next thing people knew, 125 families had documents while the fi re alarm began ringing. It some others weren’t so lucky. to vacate their fl ats as the building went up in felt like an eternity to punch in the numbers of The management refunded our balance fl ames. According to investigators, the cigarette the safe, and I just wanted to stop and run away tenure’s rent, and they did the same for everyone landed on a fi rst fl oor balcony and the outer but I stuck to my guns and got the important else too. That’s the only credit I can give them in cladding of the building caught fi re. documents. In panic, I forgot to carry my wallet. this whole distressing tale. When owners of other “During our investigation, we learnt that a Good thing my husband was able to bring his buildings realised that 108 families from the cigarette landed on the balcony on the fi rst wallet along with our mobile phones. We were fi re-affected building were out looking for fl oor but we do not know from where it was some of the fi rst few people to get out because accommodation, they jacked up their rents by thrown,” a Sharjah Police offi cial said. we were still awake when the fi re broke out. Dh5,000 to Dh7,000, which didn’t help us either. The police also said that “the building’s The fi re spread so quickly because of the Slowly but surely, our lives are getting back on exterior was made of infl ammable materials plastic tiles used in the building that, in what track, but we’ll never forget that dreadful morning and the weather and wind speed caused the seemed like no time, reached the 15th fl oor. The of April 28. fi re to spread quickly to other fl oors”. fi re started on the fi rst fl oor and the people there
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induStrial Safety drive In March 2012, UAE Civil Defence General Commander-in-Chief Major General Rashid Thani Al Matroushi announced at a press meet the launch of the country’s biggest ever safety campaign, to be carried out over three months. The meet was attended by the directors of regional civil defence departments. Some of the main objectives of the campaign, he said, was spreading preventive awareness among the workers at industrial facilities; removing violations in these facilities that posed a direct threat to public safety; training 5 per cent of the workers at each industrial facility in firefighting/ safety skills; and creation of an electronic database on risk levels at the facilities.
Build your own civil defence The UAE authorities have a list of dos and don’ts for household fire safety • Use only approved and high-quality electrical devices • Windows should not have bars, so they can be used as emergency exits • Homes should have more than one emergency exit and an external escape ladder • Keep gas cylinders in well-ventilated closed cabinets, away from direct sunlight or inflammable materials • The kitchen, children’s rooms, bathrooms, has been an issue. “We are investigating all hallways and storerooms should be equipped buildings to see if regulations are followed. with smoke and heat detectors If not, changes need to be made,” said Abu We are a team: Civil • The kitchen should be fitted with a gas Nasser, Head of Information, Dubai Civil leakage detector and have a fire blanket. Defence, contractors, • All internal and external electrical wires must Defence. owners and high-rise be insulated The costs of fires and accidents are residents. It is not • Fire extinguishers should be available in the enormous. The total economic cost of about the fine, we kitchen and corridors fires amount to around 1 per cent of gross • Do not smoke in bedrooms domestic product in most advanced want to guarantee • Do not use barbecue grills or coal heaters in safety. Penalising with confined places countries. However, it is the loss of • Make an action plan to teach family members human lives that is the most disastrous a fine is only the last and house staff what to do during a fire consequence of a fire. resort • See that stairways are fitted with safety rails To reduce the number of fires and violation, said Nasser. He added that the and are kept clear accidents is a very important task for emphasis was on the older buildings as the entire community, and not just the new buildings were already subjected to and shattered the windows of 15 cars. authorities. The fire and rescue services can regulations. “The investigation is being Among the 31 types of violations that play a critical role in such efforts with the conducted in all emirates,” he said. the inspectors looked for were a lack of cooperation of the community. Last year, authorities in Sharjah extinguishers and sprinklers, an absence of Abu Nasser stressed that the authorities warned that companies violating fire emergency exits and the storage of cooking hoped to achieve more through cooperation safety regulations could be fined up to stoves in workers’ rooms. than threats. “We are a team: Civil Defence, Dh500,000. About 70 inspectors undertook Nevertheless, while UAE authorities contractors, owners and high-rise residents. an estimated 10,000 company visits for the have been proactive in ensuring that all fire It is not about the fine, we want to guarantee inspections. safety stipulations are met and new ones safety. We will first try to do everything to Hareb Al Tunaiji, Director General of the are introduced at regular intervals to keep this end. Penalising with a fine is only the Sharjah Emergency Inspection Committee, up with international standards, residents’ last resort.” said the purpose of the inspections was to awareness and readiness to counter the As for who would pay the fine, that would prevent a repeat of the gas explosion in a flames can play a huge role in minimising depend on who was responsible for the cafeteria that damaged more than 10 shops fires and their consequences.
JULY 2012 999 Security and Safety for all 19
16-23 COVER STORY.indd 19 6/28/12 12:41 PM Security And Safety For All cover Story safety tips
for house hold Unsafe use of fumigator Lit candle left near is considered as one of inflammable items, or fall fire causes, as it might • Selection of the • The house must be located far from on due to wind, children come in direct contact ideal design pollution sources and industrial areas or pets are the major with any near fabric or causes of fire respectively. inflammable materials. Villa/House fire fighting system requirements: House Safety 8) Deploy fire 9) Provide the 10) A fire blanket starts with extinguishers (powder kitchen with Fire should be available in + C02) in the kitchen Extinguisher the kitchen corridors and other Kitchen should be Ensure bathrooms are places as required to fitted with gas fitted with handles and fight different types leakage detector are anti-slippery, so old of fire people can use them
Rooms should be Stairway should fitted with smoke be fitted with and heat detector grills Ensure to use approved and high quality electrical devices, equipments, and networking
Ensure the windows are kept without rails as they could be used as exits during a fire emergency Never leave electrical wires uninsulated or run them under the carpet. Ensure wires & cables are periodically maintained
Put any fire or heat source a minimum of 1 meter away from inflammable items
Home/villa should have more than one emergency exit
Home/villa should have external escape ladder
Keep emergency exits free and unblocked
Kitchen should be provided with minimum ½ hour smoke and heat resistant doors
How to use a FIRe extInguIsHeR
Carry the extinguisher Aim at the base of the fire Squeeze the handle properly and pull the pin
20 999 Security and Safety for all JULY 2012
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Potential hazard areas in Home/Villa/Apartment electrical hazards: Kitchen Bathroom Living Room 1) Cooker 4) Exhaust fan 6) Electrical distributor 2) Exhaust fan 5) Heater Living room Ironing room 3) Gas cylinder Bathroom Unplug laptop from socket Ironing Room when not in use, do not put 7) Iron it on inflammable material as it can get heated and cause fire All internal and external electrical wires must be Switch off insulated Electrical devices electrical faults must be Unplug electrical sockets which appliances from rectified children could immediately the sockets if not reach in use
In case oF gas leakage
Open the Allocate the source Close nearby Never attempt to Ensure that gas valve Never use matches Make sure to turn Immediately doors and of leakage and call ignition open/close power is tightly closed to check leakage, off cooker burners evacuate the people windows for technician to rectify sources switches, light the instead use soap after every use, and from the place ventilation matches, or switch on foam. If bubbles close gas supply exhaust fan to avoid appear, then there source when going explosion is leakage to sleep or leaving the place
JULY 2012 999 Security and Safety for all 21
16-23 COVER STORY.indd 21 6/28/12 12:41 PM Security And Safety For All Q&A
Civil DefenCe:
Major General rashID ThanI al MaT EfEnCE GEnErAl CommAnDEr-in-ChiEf TAlKS To 999 ABoUT firE SAfETY AWArEnESS, firE SAfETY STAnDArDS AnD TiPS on firE SAfETY
999: What awareness programmes has Civil Defence initiated for fire safety? The General Command of Civil Defence carried out the first campaign in the world for Families’ Safety at Homes, which was launched, for six months, in all the Emirates at the same time by specialised Civil Defence teams, aimed at spreading preventive awareness among families. The campaign included visits to 206,490 houses across different emirates, out of the UAE’s total 336,322 houses, or 61.4 per cent of all UAE houses. During the campaign, Civil Defence distributed 1.3 million printed materials to the families, with an average of one brochure for every six people of the UAE’s population. Due to its strategic importance, Civil Defence teams continue to implement the safety campaign in industrial areas all over the country. The campaign, which began on March 20, 2012, and ended on June Major General rashid thani al Matroushi 20, 2012, included visits and inspections of The outreach teams in all regional about the risks of fire and how to avoid 29,057 factories, warehouses and workers’ departments of the Civil Defence them, and ensuring that all buildings and accommodations, removal of irregularities implement awareness programmes in facilities contain fire prevention systems, in 9,711 facilities and buildings, beginning of various government and private facilities which should be valid and ready for use training of 63,745 workers and employees and buildings, including evacuation around-the-clock, because this is an on safety skills, distributing 84,166 printed exercises. essential condition for protection and guidelines of fire safety in industrial prevention from fire. areas during the first two months of the 999: How important are the Fire campaign, in which 1.15 million employees Prevention Systems and the awareness 999: What are the latest International are being targeted. programmes for safety? fire safety standards? Within the framework of the Civil The law determines the tasks of Civil The UAE Civil Defence General Defence’s vision and strategic objectives Defence and its basic operations as: Command issued the UAE Fire Safety for spreading and consolidating the Awareness, Prevention, Control. Code, the latest code for fire safety preventive culture and the safety skills This means that priority is given to standards in buildings and facilities, which against risks, a series of awareness training awareness and prevention of risks, was compiled by specialised teams from programmes were carried out in schools, because only this can helps us avoid risks the highest European, American and which aimed at inculcating safe behaviour and contribute to minimising losses in case Asian standards, taking into account the in the minds of children of different age- incidents occurred. Hence, Civil Defence environment of the UAE and the Arab groups. is keen on raising awareness in the society Gulf region. This code is applied in all
22 999 Security and Safety for all JULY 2012
16-23 COVER STORY.indd 22 6/28/12 12:41 PM additional chances for residents to escape their buildings’ architectural plans from fire, before it engulfs them. an integrated the Civil Defence before commencing Civil Defence system for automatic fire fighting, direct the construction. This is to ensure the inspection teams make warning about smoke, heat and imbalance conformity of the fire safety architectural regular and surprise in the building’s air pressure. It also plan to the Civil Defence standards. electronically reports breakdown of A building cannot be inhabited before a visits to buildings and elevators and determines the location of completion certificate is obtained from the facilities to ensure the the elevator, and electronically provides Civil Defence, assuring the conformity of validity of fire safety all information to the Civil Defence about the installed systems in the building to the systems and devices in the extent of readiness or failure of the approved architectural plans by the Civil the buildings around fire protection and safety system devices in Defence, and ensuring their validity for the clock the building. operation by Civil Defence inspectors. A total of 27,512 buildings and facilities have been electronically linked to the 999: Finally, can you provide some tips the emirates in coordination with major central operations room of the Civil for fire safety? partners, like municipalities and economic Defence in Dubai. An additional 44,082 1) Determining the sources and levels of development authorities. buildings and facilities were surveyed to risk in the building. The Civil Defence General Command ensure the readiness of their electronic 2) Installing fire protection systems that are in Dubai adopts state-of-the-art fire safety safety systems in preparation for linking appropriate to the type of the building and technologies. The scope of such electronic them to the Civil Defence central the nature of its use. applications is constantly extended upon operations room. Our technical work will 3) Maintaining fire control systems the directives of Lieutenant General HH continue in order to electronically prepare constantly by a maintenance company Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy all buildings and facilities and manage certified by the Civil Defence. Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, them from the Civil Defence central 4) Setting up evacuation plans for every through electronically linking buildings operations room. building, which must be approved by the to the Civil Defence e-central operations Civil Defence. room. 999: How are fire safety systems 5) Training safety teams and building Such technologies provide multiple applied in buildings? residents on the evacuation plans with the ways to prevent fire, and control it if it The law stipulates that all building participation or under the supervision of occurs. This technology also provides owners have to get an approval for the Civil Defence.
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16-23 COVER STORY.indd 23 6/28/12 12:41 PM 16-23 COVER STORY.indd 24 6/28/12 12:41 PM 16-23 COVER STORY.indd 25 6/28/12 12:41 PM Security And Safety For All Feature
walking into harm’s way More than 4,200 jaywalkers have been fined in various parts of dubai as authorities drive awareness for proper road sense BY DAVID MANUEL
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trying to keep jaywalkers at bay while tackle a further three lanes with any degree educating them about the hazard of of safety. Yet, these cases are so common illegally crossing the road. on a daily basis. Jaywalking accounted for almost 95 “People often jaywalk because they per cent of all pedestrian deaths in Dubai want to take shortcuts especially when the this year, according to Major General weather is hot,” the official adds. “There Mohammed Saif Al Zafeen, Director of the are designated crossing areas that people General Department of Traffic of Dubai must use, but in most cases, they choose Police. to ignore them because they do not want This was equal to one-third of the total to walk a few metres to the crossing.” number of traffic accident deaths in the Authorities have always secured road year, wherein more than 40 people were perimeter safety by setting up barriers run over by vehicles and died while trying against habitual jaywalkers. Installation to cross the street at undesignated places. of high barbed fences along the dividers Along with jaywalkers, half of those who died were cyclists. “Pedestrians get themselves caught at the wrong place at the wrong time Pedestrians get every time they cross the road from an themselves caught undesignated crossing,” Major General Al at the wrong place Zafeen told 999. at the wrong time In April, jaywalkers were blamed after every time they three people died in separate accidents in cross the road from less than 11 hours along the busy Al-Ittihad an undesignated Road at the Dubai-Sharjah border, and then crossing in Dubai’s Al Barsha area. time a pedestrian Accidents often occur because separating oncoming and outgoing traffic Eachcuts corners to cross jaywalkers are unable to correctly assess lanes – all these imperative on all multi- the road from an undesignated route, he or the speed of an oncoming vehicle. lane expressways, like Emirates Road and she is seriously risking their limb and life, Road fatalities involving pedestrians are Sheikh Zayed Road. as well as endangering other road users usually attributed to the unpopular road Yet, despite efforts to sensitise the as they decide to irrationally take on the sense of the pedestrian’s almost suicidal masses, the habit has persisted, according approaching traffic. attempt to dash through the incoming to the Dubai Police Traffic Department. Jaywalking – the act of crossing traffic, causing approaching motorists to “Since the beginning of this year, more streets in a reckless way, especially swerve violently because they don’t have than 4,200 jaywalkers have been fined in at unauthorised places – is not only enough time to stop, thus endangering various parts of Dubai,” says Major General dangerous, it is also illegal in the UAE. other motorists. Al Zafeen. “It is common in the industrial Blaming it on the habit out of According to the UAE Traffic Law, it is a and some residential areas in Dubai.” convenience, practical laziness, and crime for a pedestrian to cross the road In spite of the growing number of often the absence of proper walkways; with a speed limit of more than 80km/h. jaywalking cases, however, it seems that jaywalkers tend to compromise road safety Pedestrians could be held liable for any first-time offenders have learnt their lesson as they take chances in braving high-speed accidents resulting from their irrational against jaywalking at a cost, particularly multi-lane superhighways or a typically behaviour, often with a fine or face a month inside the commercial and residential busy city intersection. in jail depending on the degree of the zones of the city. Pedestrians in the UAE continue to accident caused. Fines have multiplied over the years persistently cross roads as and where they A pedestrian cannot cross three lanes from Dh50 to what is now Dh200 with the like, but authorities have been proactively of traffic, scramble over a barrier and then added threat of the pedestrian’s labour
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launched to educate a large section of the Engineer Maitha bin Udai, CEO of Traffic society, especially for those residing in far- and Roads Agency at the RTA, tells 999 flung residential and with the need to cross that there are currently 74 pedestrian commercial roadways. crossings around Dubai roads including 34 “We have a programme that runs footbridges at metro stations, but admits continuously to educate people about the that these may not be enough. dangers of jaywalking,” he says, wherein “With the population of Dubai growing a team from the department conducts and more residential areas springing up, safety awareness in various labour camps, the need for road crossing facilities has residential areas and schools. equally grown,” she says. Maj Gen Mohammed Al Zafeen Eng Maitha bin Udai The team offers the distribution of ‘cross In the next five years, Udai says the city card being confiscated. There were also safely’ pamphlets in Arabic, English, Urdu will have 24 new pedestrian bridges, 121 suggestions from observers to stiffen and Bengali to workers in areas such as zebra crossings, 36 raised crossings and jaywalking fines with higher penalties. the outskirts of Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai 86 pelican crossings. “The fine for jaywalking is Dh200, which Bypass Road and places where workers “Just as drivers must follow the highway must be paid at the traffic department,” gather. code and take their responsibilities behind he tells 999. “Our records show very few “We decided to make it a continuous the wheel seriously, so should pedestrians,” cases of repeat offenders, meaning that programme along with other road safety Al Zafeen says. once they are fined, they learn to observe programmes to allow it to permeate the the rules while crossing the roads the next consciousness of the public,” says the time.” Head of Traffic Department at Dubai Police. However, some jaywalkers have “Even if it’s not them jaywalking, they can The fine for jaywalking argued that they don’t deliberately flout dissuade those who intend to.” is Dh200. Our records the law because they are only seeking In line with that, Al Zafeen says the traffic show very few cases a convenient and adequate number of department in conjunction with the RTA, of repeat offenders, crossings to safely cross the road. are fully enforcing this implementation To counter the problem, the authorities along with its support to build more road meaning that once have been proactive in reaching out to the safety infrastructures. they are fined, they communities for awareness while literally “The pedestrian crossing infrastructure learn to observe the building bridges to bring people safely to is built by the Roads and Transport rules while crossing the other side of the road. Authority (RTA), our duty is to enforce the the roads the next Major General Al Zafeen says a safety law and ensure that people cross from the time campaign for crossing the road has been designated pedestrian crossings.”
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26-28 JAYWALKING.indd 28 6/28/12 10:55 AM 26-28 JAYWALKING.indd 29 6/28/12 10:55 AM Security And Safety For All Technology
teen texting: A DAngerous
ByADDiction AndreA AnAstAsiou
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TexTing is fasT becoming an obsession wiTh The Uae’s yoUTh, and can carry risks for yoUr child. moniToring yoUr Teen’s TexTing habiTs and seTTing appropriaTe limiTs can help prevenT problems down The road
arah Matthews is addicted to her smartphone. She sleeps with it, takes it to school, and even exercises with it. The 15-year-old Abu Dhabi Sresident also admits to staying up late into the night while sending messages to her friends and missing out on sleep. “In the morning when I get up for school I’m always exhausted because I haven’t slept enough,” she says. Sarah’s situation isn’t unique; you only have to take a quick look at any group of youngsters to see how attached they are to their phones. The exchange of messages in the form of texts, in particular, seems to be one of the main functions youngsters use their mobiles for, but why is text messaging so addictive? And is there a certain type of personality that is more Dr Saliha Afridi Dr Victor Harms likely to be addicted than others? research into addiction suggests that it may stimuli such as text messages, BBMs, Dr Saliha Afridi, clinical psychologist and be hereditary. “Addictions tend to have and Facebook chats disrupts a child’s the director of The LightHouse community a genetic component, so it is also likely development of deep-thinking capabilities, psychology clinic in Dubai, says: “According that this applies to text addiction – with sustained attention and ability for to medical research, neuroimaging studies those teens who have a family history of information retention,” says Dr Afridi. have shown that sending and receiving addictions being more likely to become “Excessive texting is associated with text messages lights up the same neural addicted to texting,” she comments. numerous problems including lack of pathways in our brain as occurs in addicts So what are the negative implications eating and isolation, and that while using heroin. of youth being addicted to their mobile researchers believe texting has taken “Developmental psychologists have also phones and how does it impact their on a relationship maintenance function, found that adolescence and teen years are mental health, study habits and personal excessive texting has been shown to dominated by tasks of identity formation relationships? decrease a person’s ability to maintain and peer acceptance. Texting has become “While some experts in neuronal face-to-face relationships”, Dr Afridi an essential form of communication development believe that a child’s mentions. between adolescents, teens, and young immersion in technology advances their “Due to the new demands on cognitive adults, giving texting a relationship analytical skills and promotes faster processing and attention allocation maintenance function.” decision making abilities, others fear created by immersion in technology The psychologist continues to say that that being constantly bombarded by such as texting, many psychologists and
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researchers fear that children immersed in that happens to the brain when engaged electronic connectivity won’t be capable of in social media on a regular basis. We break the addiction the ‘extended focus’ that is a prerequisite are finding that the way we use our mind for dealing with complex emotions and (thinking) changes how our brain functions. If you’re a teen with an SMS addiction skills needed to sustain adult relationships,” Neuroplasticity is an emerging science and problem, there are a few easy steps you can she continues. area of study. take to try and break the cycle. Dr Afridi It has been found that regular “There is another critical aspect of says that through practising mindfulness, engagement with social media websites – engagement in social media: the concept people can improve their ability to sustain their attention and resist impulses to check which are also accessed regularly through of diminishing returns is a key driver in the phone when not appropriate for the mobile phones – can alter the way our the process. Simply put, the more that a situation. She also advises that teens should brains function. person engages in social media, the less make a concerted effort to engage in more Dr Victor Harms, a relationship expert the person gets out of the process. People, face-to-face social interactions, having a and professor at the Bellevue University in especially teens, want to be popular and in phone-free hour during the day, turning your the US, says: “There is an interesting thing order to be popular one must post on other phone off at night, and doing activities such people’s sites. If you stop posting on their as sports without taking your phone with sites they will stop posting on your site. you. Hence the vicious cycle. “A third aspect is the constant state of “Remind yourself that not too long ago we Children immersed lived in a world that did not have all the hyperactivity that exists when a person is in electronic technology that it does. Things happened in consistently ‘plugged in online.’ We have connectivity won’t a normal course of a day or week; not be capable of the found that there is a level of exhaustion everything needs to be dealt with right away that occurs when a person does not and in that instance. Why not dare to be ‘extended focus’ that ‘unplug’ for significant amounts of time on a is a prerequisite for different? Write letters, call instead of text, regular basis,” he explains. wait to respond rather than impulsively dealing with complex Indeed, a study that was conducted at engaging, do something just for the emotions and skills Abu Dhabi University found that students experience rather than wanting validation needed to sustain are so glued to their phones that some from everyone in your ‘network’,” she says. adult relationships admitted to missing out on sleep every
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day, as they stayed up to text friends. addicted is if they report significant levels of within a short period of time. They may also “Getting too little sleep creates a ‘sleep anxiety when not able to access their phone be addicted if they are preoccupied with debt,’ requiring us to get more sleep or when they do not receive a text response checking their phone or texting.” the next night. While we may adjust to a sleep-deprived schedule, research shows teens & texting: Setting BoundarieS that our bodies do not adapt to getting less sleep than we need and often leave tips to help your teen overcome texting addiction us with impairments in essential functions Text messaging can be a fun way for teens to communicate – but obsessive such as judgement, concentration, hand- texting carries risks too. To help your teen avoid texting problems, consider these eye coordination, and reaction time,” warns important teen-texting tips: Dr Afridi. Talk to your teen(s): Discuss proper mobile phone and texting use before issues arise. Sleep has been linked to the proper Discuss the risks – many teens may not be aware of the possible consequences of their actions. functioning of our nervous systems. Not Ask them if anyone has ever sent them an inappropriate picture without them being a willing only does being constantly awoken during participant. What would the parent do if they had? Provide your teenager with the opportunity to the night decrease the amount of overall use situational problem solving techniques before they are needed. sleep we get, it also impacts the amount of Switch phones off while in the car: Try this rule – all phones should be off while in the car. REM [rapid eye movement] sleep we get. This clear, simple rule could be applied to all kids in your car, not just your own teen. REM sleep is a special stage in sleep Set limits: Appropriate boundaries need to be set, such as ‘no texting during school hours.’ that researchers have linked to the Also set appropriate limits at home. You may decide to set rules such as ‘no texting allowed during meal times, family gatherings, religious events, or after certain hours.’ release of growth hormones in children Monitor your teen’s texting: Don’t snoop too often, but read your teen’s texts occasionally for and young adults, the stimulation of the appropriateness. Although teens need a sense of independence and privacy, parents are ultimately learning centres of the brain, and increased responsible for their well-being. Keep a close eye on the usage with your cell phone bill. As with production of proteins – the building any issue concerning with teenagers, it’s important to: blocks for cell growth and repair. Stay involved in their lives Parents who are concerned that their Know their friends child or teen is overusing their mobile Monitor their usage Let them know you care and have their phone can look out for certain signs. best interests at heart Dr Afridi says: “One sign a teen may be
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The TourisT nexT door Maysa Rashed is a prominent UAE writer A majority of the UAE’s tourism campaigns are focused on interested in local affairs and a former member of the Federal National Council (FNC) foreign tourists. These should also focus on promoting and encouraging domestic tourism
t is only a few weeks to go to the advent of the holy trips in spite of their importance for families, especially for month of Ramadan, when we all will enjoy fasting and children and youth, after a hard academic year. Ipraying during this very special month. Here in the UAE, we have federal and local directorates However, a majority of residents could not plan to spend and authorities concerned with tourism. A majority of their summer vacation abroad this year for many reasons, campaigns launched for tourism promotion are focused foremost of which is the Arab Spring that has affected abroad to invite tourists with attractive packages security and stability in many Arab countries, which were representing low prices. Those directorates and authorities the preferred choice of families for a short vacation. should do the same and more to promote and encourage Another reason is the high prices of tickets and domestic tourism, and provide affordable offers to UAE accommodation in European and other Western residents and nationals as well. destinations. As we all know, a short vacation isn’t the time In the near future, they could concentrate on the when a majority of families want to spend a lot of money. aspects of weakness and deficiencies, which need to be However, this situation is not that bad, as it will benefit reviewed, improved, and developed; so as not to make the UAE through diverting people and families into tourism in the UAE limited to certain locations more than domestic tourism. others. In other words, those who are familiar with Dubai Domestic tourism in the UAE is witnessing rapid and Abu Dhabi and visit them should often also get familiar growth, which has had remarkable results reflected in the with other emirates like Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, etc. emergence of tourist projects in Such reviews should inspect different areas within the UAE. the reasons for the concentration But the work conditions and busy of tourists in certain areas in some life of the majority of the UAE’s Many residents could emirates more than the others, which residents and nationals prevents not plan their summer may be a result of weak promotional them from visiting a number of vacation abroad this campaigns in other areas and those destinations to the extent emirates. It may be also because of that we sometimes hear about year. This will benefit the lack of entertainment facilities those sites from foreign tourists. the UAE through and hotels that can welcome a large Summer vacations may be the diverting people and number of visitors. most suitable time for families families into domestic If we can carry out tourist projects to visit such tourist destinations and hold the necessary research and new places, especially tourism for tourists at hotels and visitors at hotels, islands and beaches in the UAE. Yet, this requires shopping malls, it is necessary too to research domestic promotions and campaigns to be launched within the tourists and visitors’ aspirations and needs, because this UAE. This also requires financial support through offering will greatly benefit the country that has always been keen different and affordable price lists to different segments of on keeping tourism a major source of income. society. It is not difficult to achieve all these, especially with the This is because every family has its income source and concerted efforts and support of all concerned authorities a certain budget that controls it. And they cannot dispense and directorates. So, applicable plans should be drawn up with basic needs for secondary matters like recreational in order to promote tourism in this secure and safe country.
The views expressed by 999 columnists are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Ministry of Interior (MoI)
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34 Maysa column.indd 34 6/28/12 10:58 AM 34 Maysa column.indd 19 6/28/12 10:58 AM Security And Safety For All HealtH & Wellness
Is our tap
saFE to
DrBy SUE BRATTLE INK Common wisdom tells you that bottled water is safer to drink than tap water. but some experts say it Could be the other way around
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may think there is a simple You answer to the question about the safety of our tap water given Kausar reckons that the United Arab Emirates is one of the thirstiest nations in the world, drinking that in terms of more water per head than anywhere safety, “tap water except the United States and Canada. is probably safer In reality, the key to the quality of your than bottled water” water is where it comes from, and across – and she witnesses the UAE that will vary from emirate to approximately 80% emirate. The good news is that Abu Dhabi, savings in cost Dubai, Al Ain, and Ras Al Khaimah produce very high quality water from desalination plants. Elsewhere the quality varies. In parts of Sharjah and Ajman, for example, where groundwater is used, it is of poor quality. Similarly, some of Fujairah’s water is poor, and again is brought up from the ground. However, those of us who have nothing to do with the production of the water and just want it to come out of the tap when we need it can perhaps take some time to educate ourselves about content and quality. The fact is, getting water good enough to drink is a complicated process, involving technicalities that few people other than water engineers understand. Yet it is so vital to our well-being and health, and even our survival, that Dubai’s Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), points out that the cost of a litre of bottled water in the UAE is approximately the same as a litre of petrol. The standards set for quality here follow the World Health Organization guidelines for non-bottled drinking water and the Ahmed Abdullah is the General Manager International Food Code (CODEX) for at Magic Touch Group in the UAE, which The hurdles include: bottled water. cleans water tanks. He says: “We take The vehicles the water is Everything is in place to regulate world- pictures before and after cleaning so our transported in class drinking water. The question is: when clients can see what we have done. It is The water tanks it is stored in are these tests carried out? Largely, when compulsory to clean your water tank every The age and cleanliness of the the water leaves the desalination plant or six months in Sharjah, RAK, Al Ain, Abu pipes in our homes and buildings bottling plant. Dhabi and Dubai, and the municipalities Where bottles of water are kept How often the men who load the But then the water begins its journey to carry out inspections. They also take bottles/deliver them wash their hands us, the consumer, and along the way it can bacteria and micro-biological tests, and How long bottles are left in hot pick up all sorts of contamination and that we take an extra one for Legionnaires lorries with no AC, or in the sun means we do not get it at its best. Disease.”
36-38 Tap water.indd 37 6/28/12 10:58 AM Security And Safety For All HealtH & Wellness
The difficulty for casE stuDy many of us in the UAE is that unless we live Leena Al Abbas founded the first “green” in a stand-alone villa, beauty salon in the UAE and simply does not allow anyone to use plastic bottles of water on we may not have her premises. access to the water She has a Forbes water filter fitted at the tank and need to rely salon and in her home, and is in the process of on our landlords to getting filters for the hair-washing sinks at her be careful enough new Organic Glow Beauty Lounge in Dubai rukhsana kausar (formerly the Zen Beauty Lounge). Her staff fill leena al abbas to clean our tanks drinking bottles all day – but only glass ones. It seems how we get our water goes in and regularly. Leena says: “I think we should be proud of out of fashion, too. When Leena was a child in The cleaning of a tank in an apartment the quality of water we have and water Al Ain then Sharjah, her mother used a filter block, by the way, requires every tap in authorities should run a campaign to tell system before briefly switching to deliveries in the building to be switched on at the same people. I would like them to collaborate with plastic containers. She has now returned to filter companies, and perhaps offer free filters. Leena says: “We do what people around time, so unless you have been asked to do laboratory tests for people. That would be a us are doing.” this recently, it is a good bet that your tank better way to spend money, rather than selling As to the urban myth that the UAE’s water is going un-cleaned. water so cheap. We need to be more innovative. makes our skin bad and our hall fall out, Leena So, if the cleaning of your pipes and If we show people how much money they can says: “You can’t live on fast food and cola and tanks or the handling of your bottled water save by changing to a filter system, they will not expect your hair to fall out. And we all need give up buying their water in plastic to relax more, hair and skin is affected by inner is out of your hands, what can you do to containers.” and outer stress.” ensure your water is safe and healthy? Rukhsana Kausar is a partner in Liquid of Life and is passionate about our safe water by a laboratory, that is the only way we “tap water is probably safer than bottled supply being sustainable. She says: “We can know its quality and what sort of filter water” – and she witnesses approximately all need our own tap water to be tested system our own home needs. Everywhere 80 per cent savings in cost. If the taste puts is different.” you off tap water because it comes out Kausar recommends that we go to an warm from a rooftop tank, she says: “Put it room For accredited laboratory. She says: “I had one in a jug in your fridge”. client who wanted to stop buying bottled The UAE is not alone in facing ImprovEmENt water but their staff were nervous about challenges. Kausar says: “Some countries, The Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi’s tap water. The lab found the company’s like the UK or US, have old infrastructures National Strategy and Action Plan for bottled water contained 12 times the and need huge investment to modernize Environmental Health set out clear goals bacteria that the office tap water had.” their water systems and improve the quality in 2010, and urged the emirates to work Kausar reckons that in terms of safety, of their water.” together to improve drinking water, among other things. Their goals for drinking water towards 2014, then savINg watEr, savINg moNEy, savINg thE plaNEt 2030, include: Yes, we all know what we should do, but it’s worth reminding Your- self of these few simple rules 1 Reduce human exposure to pollutants • Shower instead of having a bath, and • Leaving the tap running while brushing 2 Improve data quantity and availability only turn on the shower when water is your teeth wastes around 4.5 litres of 3 Build sustainable human and needed. Combined, this can save more water or about 10,000 litres a year for a institutional capacity (more testing labs) than 90 litres of water each washing family 4 Support urban development that • Keep your taps tightly switched off. The • Use the economy run or half load promotes health (measure impact of smallest drip from a tap can lose 50 to 75 buttons on your dishwashers and washing development on water supply and source litres of water per day machines, and only use them when they water quality) • If you have a dripping tap, put a bucket are completely full underneath it and use the water for your • Sprinkle the garden early in the morning 5 Increase environmental awareness plants, or recycle sink or bathwater for your or in the evening. During the day most of (make farmers etc aware of effects of houseplants the water evaporates in the sun
pesticides on groundwater supplies) SOURCE: DUBAI MUnICIpALITY
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the cost of technology Ali Obaid is a veteran Emirati commentator What would you prefer – the ‘system’ being down, and you and writer on local issues; he currently heads the News Centre at Dubai Media Incorporated returning another day to complete your transaction swiftly, or the ‘system’ being slow so you will get the transaction done the same day but with a bit of delay?
ave you ever gone to renew your passport or This team often comprises the elderly, who were a business licence or car registration, or even born and lived in the golden age of paper, which was Hto get a certificate from a directorate, or tried ended by modern management theories. They are often to book a vacation at a travel agency’s office, but had accused of being biased to the past and nostalgia for to leave without getting the job done and with just the paper, not because of their love for it, but because of apologies of the staff concerned, because ‘System is their longing for the days of their youth, which are now Down’? just memories they recall often to feel that they are still ‘It’s the cost of technology’ – that’s what you might young. be told by helpless employees, who sit in front of their The second team drives away the suspicion of their computers, unable to help because their ‘System’ does nostalgia to the past, and go on trying to convince not respond to their clicks. themselves that the defect is not in the technology, but So, they ask the help of the IT staff while they sweat in the staff who do not know how to deal with it and in front of customers, some of whom may accept the they cause damage to the devices and systems, and situation in the beginning, hoping that the problem then resort to the engineers to fix what they damaged. would be resolved shortly. This team often adopt this Then those customers begin to stand when they are not the ones feel bored after 10 minutes without affected by the collapse of the any change in the situation, and it Customers begin to feel system, but quickly change this turns into a complaint after half an bored after 10 minutes, stance once they get affected and hour, and this complaint becomes and it turns into a one or more of their transactions a protest after the first hour of at a directorate, bank or any other waiting, then it turns into an complaint after half an body is interrupted. Then they agitation at the poor employee. hour, a protest after the long for the era of paper, paying Some people lose hope, first hour of waiting, no attention to their age, whether surrender to the status quo, and and then it turns into old or young. leave, while some others, long- an agitation at the poor Another case that is less breathed and patient people, stay employee serious than the case of ‘System on in the hope that the problem is Down’ is ‘System is Slow’. This would get fixed, so they can complete their transactions. case is reluctantly accepted by customers, because it In such a situation, when the ‘System is Down’, people means that the transaction will go through, but that it are invariably divided into two groups: the first criticises just might take a little longer than usual. technology, and hopes of a return to the era of manual This situation reminds us of the proverb ‘A loaf is transactions and files stacked on the shelves in archives better than no bread.’ sections, in which you can smell the scent of paper So, once the employee sitting in front of the computer that has been there for decades, and almost becomes utters the word ‘System’, you find the customers invoke manuscripts from the Pharaonic era. by stealth: “Oh God, please make it ‘Slow’ not ‘Down’!”
The views expressed by 999 columnists are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Ministry of the Interior (MoI)
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39 Ali Obaid column.indd 39 6/28/12 10:58 AM Security And Safety For All safety Seat BeltS Save liveS Seat BeltS Some Scary StatS & FactS
Not wearing a seat belt doubles your chances of being seriously hurt in a crash
Over the past ten years, Dubai drivers This year, 1 out of 5 2,134 deaths drivers will be involved in a traffic were booked for crash and 23,082 6,482 seat belt injuries have offences in the first been reported in 5 months of traffic accidents in 2012 Dubai alone
63%
Traffic accidents are responsible for 63% of deaths among children aged 14 and younger in the UAE INFOGRAPHICS: WOLF
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40-41 Seat Belts.indd 40 6/28/12 10:59 AM
Money is the dirtiest thing that we touch every day. It gets transferred from one hand to another and who knows where the last hand has been. Security And Safety For All
In 2008, there were 33,751 traffic violations for unfastened seat belts in Dubai, which rose to 41,472 in 2009, and 78,513 seat belt violations were recorded in Dubai in 2010
A seat belt is proven to reduce death by up to 45% in cars and up to 60% in trucks and SUVs
Although the UAE Ministry of Interior prohibits children younger than 10 years from sitting in the front seat, 28% of children continue sit in the front seat
As per Health Authority Abu Dhabi statistics, among UAE’s child passengers, 98% are not properly strapped in and 96% are not seated properly
98% 96%
59% 23% 12%
Between 2008 and 2010, 71% of fatal injuries among children in Abu Dhabi were due to traffic accidents. Of these children, 59% were from the Child car seat restraint can reduce risks UAE, 23% Arab and 12% Asian by 50-75% during a crash ILLUSTRATION: WOLF ILLUSTRATION:
More than 90% of all motorists believe safety 40km of home belts are good idea, but less than 14% actually use them properly More than half of all injury-producing motor crashes involve low speeds under 65kmph The number of serious traffic injuries reduced by 50% and fatalities by 60-70% when safety Of every 100 children who die in car belts are used properly crashes, at least 80 would survive if they were properly secured in an approved child safety 75% of crash deaths and injuries occur within seat or safety belts
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40-41 Seat Belts.indd 41 6/28/12 10:59 AM 43 Tim column.indd 42 6/28/12 10:59 AM COLUMN Security And Safety For All
We need to talk Tim Maycock is Director of Maycock Training Texting has become a very dangerous addiction, a form of Ltd, an international consultancy firm communication that has caused horrific self-inflicted wounds that have destroyed lives, reputations, and careers
ast month, I mentioned social networking as a potential harsh, but illustrates the danger of injudicious use of the threat to traditional family values, and I believe this critical media which is now readily available to us all. subject is worth discussing further. From international celebrities, politicians, sports stars, all LI have to admit I am not a great admirer of social the way to your son or my daughter, no one seems exempt networking. Perhaps my experience has caused me to focus from this almost obsessive propensity to bare their souls to on the negative aspects. Perhaps I am simply resistant to the rest of the conscious world, and the consequences can change. Whatever the reasons, this rapidly expanding medium be disastrous. has undoubtedly changed the way in which we humans So why do we do it? Why do we feel compelled to share communicate with one another, indeed, not only communicate, these darkest secrets? Why not remain conservative, but fundamentally connect. private and untainted, and keep our dignities and It seems that the young people of today are unable to go and reputations intact? meet their friends in person. If they wish to make arrangements Do you want to know what I think? I believe there is to socialize, it is all done online; in the some kind of thrill involved here. early days of this behavioural revolution, I believe that people who would it was by e-mail or instant messenger, but normally, before the advent of now Facebook is firmly established as Facebook and Twitter etc., have kept the medium of choice, and it’s not only Once we begin to themselves to themselves, perceive the kids who have become apparently express negative some element of risk and daring addicted to this new concept – we adults feelings, personal in posting their socially tenuous are signing up in millions too. feelings, perhaps our thoughts and/or deeds on what is Another popular medium in this new innermost secrets which for all intents and purposes a global genre is ‘Twitter’ where anyone from billboard. pauper to king, from celebrity to nobody really would be better A lot of us would never have the can vent their feelings, emotions, locked away in our nerve to express our outrageous beliefs, opinions, whatever, direct into hearts – that’s when thoughts and doings ‘face to face,’ cyberspace where it can be shared by trouble begins but if we can get away with remotely billions. pitching them into the public domain, And this, my friends, is where ‘the no presence required, there may be wheel begins to fall off.’ Facebook, Twitter et al are fine and a perception of something a little illicit, and nothing tastes dandy whilst we are all happy and content and in control of our quite so sweet as the forbidden fruit. feelings – but it’s not human nature to share all our feelings with So, do we continue evolving in this new transparent the wider world all the time. society, where our innermost hopes and fears, dreams Once we begin to express negative feelings, personal feelings, and aspirations are plain for all to see, or do we retreat perhaps our innermost secrets which really would be better hurriedly back to our comfort zones, jealously guarding our locked away in our hearts – that’s when trouble begins. privacy, albeit wallowing in our guilty secrets, like the souls A few days ago in the Emirates, four people were arrested over of discretion we once used to be? alleged comments on Twitter where insults were traded for all the The bottom line is, I guess, the world is changing and we world to see. The Attorney General’s office warned of the grave all have to change with it or get left behind. But whilst you consequences of such conduct on social networking sites, stating enjoy your evolution, your emancipation, your newfound such actions could attract a three year sentence – this may seem freedom, spare a thought for the integrity of your soul.
The views expressed by 999 columnists are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Ministry of Interior (MoI)
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43 Tim column.indd 43 6/28/12 10:59 AM Security And Safety For All HealtH & Hygiene
FOR tHOUgHt BY REENA AMOS DYES D
THE CHANCES OF FOOD POISONING INCREASE DURING SUMMER, BUT WHAT ARE THE WAYS YOU CAN PROTECT YOURSELF – PHYSICALLY AND LEGALLY?
n the summer of 2009, the UAE was 250 known diseases can be transmitted shaken by four deaths due to food through food. Come summer, and the poisoning. A four-year-old girl died of chances of food poisoning go up, not just However, the only food poisoning in Sharjah, followed in the UAE, but worldwide. I way to be sure that by the death of two children in Dubai, “According to the data from the Dubai while a two-and-a-half year old boy died Center for Disease Control and Prevention it is genuinely food of suspected food poisoning in Dubai after (CDC) for the fi rst nine months of 2011, poisoning is to test eating reheated food at home. there were 88 cases of food poisoning the food; and through Food poisoning is defi ned as an per 100,000 people in Dubai which has stool, blood, or vomit illness caused by the consumption of a population of 1.9 million,” says Dr Ihab testing contaminated food or water. More than Ramadan, Specialist Internal Medicine,
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Dr George Joseph Dr Ihab Ramadan Sunil Thacker
Head of ER, MedCare Hospital. “Mild cases, lasting less than 24 hours, “The numbers could be higher because can usually be treated at home with oral most cases are mild and such patients replacement of fluid and electrolytes,” says usually will not seek medical advice. Dr Joseph. However, fatalities due to food poisoning Small, frequent sips of clear liquids are very rare and in reality, one in every are the best way to stay hydrated. Avoid four people falls ill from food poisoning alcoholic caffeinated or sugary drinks. A every year.” number of over-the-counter re-hydration “Food poisoning occurs when we products are available in the market. Sports consume food which contains toxins or drinks are fine for adults if they are diluted toxin producing micro-organisms. Food with water because at full strength they gets contaminated when it is handled contain too much sugar, which can worsen with unclean hands or cooked in unclean diarrhoea. utensils,” explains Dr George Joseph, Plain foods that are easy on the stomach General Practitioner, Al Shaab Medical should be eaten in small amounts. Initially Centre. consider eating rice, wheat, breads, “When the food is left outside for a potatoes, low-sugar cereals, lean meats, long time during the summer season, it and chicken. However, if the diarrhoea is gets spoiled easily by organisms in the severe, they should be rushed to hospital. atmosphere. To avoid food poisoning, it should be consumed as early as possible SPOILT FOR CHOICE after preparation or it should be kept in the Food poisoning can be refrigerator. Always handle food with clean avoided by choosing our hands and utensils only,” he added. foods and restaurants wisely. The most common symptoms of food “Restaurants that cook from ‘scratch’ are poisoning are pain in the abdomen, often the safest because they control what vomiting and diarrhoea with or without ingredients are in the dish and how it is fever. Most cases of food poisoning are prepared,” says Dr Ramadan. mild, lasting from one to three days. “Buffets are usually not safe because
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foods are stored next to each other and utensils are shared,” he says. Babies and children are more susceptible to food poisoning than adults because their immune systems aren’t fully developed. Thankfully, cases of food poisoning in the UAE are far and few in between, but the question arises what should an individual do if they get food poisoning after eating at a restaurant?
STAPLE ADVICE “The individual should obtain doctor’s advice and ascertain whether their health deteriorated on account of consuming contaminated food at the restaurant or for some other reasons,” advises Legal Consultant and Advocate, Sunil Thacker. However, the only way to be sure that it is genuinely food poisoning is to test the food; and through stool, blood, or vomit testing. “To the extent possible, the individual should obtain medical reports that would provide the nature or type of contamination. Once that is confirmed, the matters where the health was significantly 2003 Public Health and Community Safety individual should file a complaint against affected. The individual should also request mandates health institutions to report any the restaurant before the Food Control the Food Control Department to procure food poisoning found by them in order to Department at the local municipality along and forward samples of the restaurant’s track the source of contamination. with the doctor’s medical report, copy of food to the Food and Environment Similarly, the Abu Dhabi Health Authority restaurant receipts if available, and other Laboratory Section at the Dubai Central puts an obligation on every medical documents necessary to support their Laboratory or the laboratory in the emirate practitioner to report food confirmed claim,” says Thacker. they are living in.” poisoning cases immediately within “Medical opinion should be obtained for Article 15 of Dubai Local Order 11 of 24 hours.
protect yourself The UAE protects the consumers’ health and safety Article 342 and 343 of the UAE Penal Code imposes criminal through its comprehensive laws. Fareya Azfar, Partner, sanctions on anyone who causes harm to a man’s life and his Head of Arbitration Practice, The Legal Group, tells physical integrity 999 some regulations that penalise individuals or entities that cause food poisoning to others Article 342 deals with death being caused as a result of anyone’s fault and it states that such action shall be punishable by Part 3 of the UAE Civil Code deals specifically with Acts confinement and by fine or by one of these two penalties any Causing Harm to others. Article 282 of the Civil Code establishes individual who, by his fault, causes the death of another person that there is a liability on every individual to compensate for any harm done to another as a result their action or their failure to act In cases where illness has reached an advanced or serious stage and may require an individual to incur surgical or high medical Article 299 of the UAE Civil Code states that compensation shall costs, the individual has the option to institute civil proceedings be payable for any harm caused to a person. Provided that in against the manager of the restaurant to claim compensation which cases in which the diya (blood money) or arsh (Shari’a damages will include medical related expenses, loss of salary/revenue, and for personal injury not resulting in death) are payable, they shall compensation towards pain and suffering caused. Whether such not be payable in addition to such compensation unless the compensation is allowable and the amount of compensation is at parties agree to the contrary the discretion of the court
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Body Language Sending the Wrong MeSSage By Amy Sherif
To fiT in seamlessly wiThin a culTural or business seT up, one musT look beyond plain words and learn To appreciaTe The body language
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“Body language is a very important part Visualise of human communication. Often, our body this scenario: a business lady is negotiating language conveys the messages that verbal a corporate proposal with a certain language fails to do. It has several functions, nationality businessman, and during the including, complementing, regulating, discussions, the Lebanese gentleman substituting, or further illustrating our verbal moves his eyes up and down while talking language. For example, while we say to her. ‘goodbye’ to someone, we wave our hands. If she isn’t aware of these mannerisms, This is complementing,” Peng explained. the lady might take the gesture to be a sign There are certain body language acts that of personal interest, as a wink would be. are universal, and there are those that are However, it is, in fact, a sign of disagreement culture-specific. with her proposal that the Lebanese “When we are surprised or scared, we businessman is displaying. usually back up and open our mouth or Communication between people widen our eyes. This is pretty universal. can generally be divided into two But in China, an educated woman should dr Shiyong Peng categories: verbal and non-verbal. Verbal not laugh with her mouth widely open,” he communication, including written or spoken explained. success in reaching your objectives. involves mastering well-studied rules in “Despite my warnings to my American The Middle East, and in particular the grammar, along with a long list of vocabulary. executive, attempting to close a major deal United Arab Emirates (UAE), contains Non-verbal communication, on the other with a Japanese company, to properly a multitude of societies with over 200 hand, is more of an art, as it is the message different nationalities and countless transmitted using body language such traditions regarding etiquette. as facial expressions, head movements, “From time to time, cultural differences posture, clothing, manners, etc. The importance may lead to miscommunication or Effective communication is the combined of proper communication break-down. For example, harmony of these two categories. According communication and the OK sign (using the thumb and index to communication experts, 55 per cent of etiquette – with finger) that is popular in America, may be the impact of our message is defined by our emphasis on non- considered an insult in some parts of the body language (mostly facial expressions) verbal – should never Arab world. Another example is the friendly while 38 per cent is determined by the be underestimated handshake between men and women – tone of the voice and only 7 per cent by the common in many cultures, but something words we use. handle and study the business card of his that may be discouraged or not acceptable Another study at University of California in counterpart. But he immediately put the in the UAE,” added Dr Peng. Los Angeles (UCLA) indicated that up to 93 card in his pocket once it was handed to Visiting or working in the UAE, and the per cent of communication effectiveness is him. That was a major insult to the Japanese Gulf region, presents a striking need to determined by non-verbal cues. Even small host. The meeting never really recovered,” understand the customs, practices, and cues, that may appear insignificant in one’s explains Jim Miller, an international business habits, not only of the host country, but of culture, can have a dramatic impression to consultant. the many nationalities that live and work in another. The importance of proper communication the UAE. “Using appropriate body language and etiquette – with emphasis on non- A visiting American senior executive who can avoid misunderstanding between verbal – should never be underestimated. arrived on time – as customary in his home communication partners,” Dr Shiyong Whether in a social setting or while base Chicago – to a meeting in Dubai grew Peng, Professor in the Department of negotiating a business merger, the impatient because he waited an hour for Communication Studies and Languages at impressions you make on the other party the negotiations to begin. He perceived Abu Dhabi University, told 999 magazine. will have a much greater impact on your the tardiness of the Emirati host as lack of
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According to communication experts, 55% of our message is defined by our body language while 38% is determined by the tone of the voice and only 7% by the words we use
respect for his time and stature. Uninformed that time is more fluid in the Middle East, his disappointment transformed into coldness, creating a perfect environment for hostile discussions, as his host perceived the American’s approach to exhibit arrogance and insults. Dramatic, but realistic. A housekeeper from Sri Lanka kept shaking her head side-to-side to her Egyptian employer when instructed to do tasks. She meant to signal acceptance of the job, as is in her culture, but her boss interpreted it as refusal, as it would have been read in Egypt. Learning how to decipher different non-verbal behaviours and gestures is crucial for anyone working across cultures, whether as an international assignee, an executive trotting the globe for business, or occasionally visiting an international location of your company. For instance, in some countries in Asia, men may walk hand-in-hand as a sign of friendship and closeness. This should not be interpreted as homosexuality as it would be in the West. Some do’S and don’tS when interacting with araBS
SeatinG PoSition: Don’t position your the males in her family. Some men can coffee: When you finish your Arabic foot in a way that it faces an Arab: It is hold business meetings with women, but coffee, thanking your host may not be a well-known fact that Arabs are some may not be comfortable to enough; shake the cup left/right a few insulted when you show the sole of hand-shake. This is not meant to be times. If you don’t, the server will refill your foot. Crossing legs is acceptable, taken personally; it is just part of the it for you. as long as it does not expose the sole. culture. Putting one’s feet on the table is an favourS: When asking for a favour, an absolute taboo. GreetinG maleS: When Emirati men Emirati might take his Eqal (head meet, they greet touching noses. To the rope) and put it on the table. This is GreetinG the oPPoSite Gender: casual observer, it may seem like kissing not a sign of frustration or refusal, but Females may talk to a man on the lips, although it’s actually not. a signal that he will do everything he comfortably, but refuse to shake hands Moreover, kissing on the cheek or can to grant you your request. even if the man is a close friend with shoulder is normal.
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48-50 Body language.indd 50 6/28/12 11:00 AM 52-55 HOLA HOOPS.indd 51 6/28/12 11:00 AM Security And Safety For All fitness
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52-55 HOLA HOOPS.indd 52 6/28/12 11:00 AM Security And Safety For All
The power of spin: hula hoop your
Bywa Harriet Walker y To happiness Hula Hooping is tHis summer’s fitness fad, promising not just to firm your abs but boost confidence, mood – and performance
by memories of housewives had the right idea: there’s companies such as Le Clique and now Besetpoor childhood nothing like developing your core strength runs classes geared specifically towards co-ordination and playground ignominy, I (that is, your abs and stomach muscles) for teaching hula as a means of fitness. She approached this year’s latest fitness craze keeping you trim. And there’s no better also has an app that will teach you how with a certain sense of gloom. But it is hard to get started, as well as a few simple to stay gloomy when you’re flinging a day- exercises. glo hoop around your waist and waggling “You can work on your calf muscles your hips like Ricky Martin. Lesson one of hula and do lots of chin-ups and have strong Hula hooping first rose to prominence hooping: simply arms, but if your core’s not right then in the Fifties as a cheap and faddy spinning the hoop on forget it,” she says. “Then there’s the phenomenon that somehow took hold your waist is not good theory that... it’s breaking up fat cells of an entire planet’s imagination. From at all if you’re rocking every time it runs over you – so it’s a housewives hooping at Butlins to kids on back and forth on your two-in-one: tightening up the core and the beach, even geishas in their kimonos, feet keeping that area nice and firm.” the hula hoop has proved its universality Wamp has been hooping for 10 years and its timelessness. Like the bicycle way to give them a rigorous going over and has the fluid-but-strong posture of a and the slanket, it feels like one of those than to stand and loop the loop with a ballet dancer. Her shoulders are straight, inventions that has just always been hoop for half an hour. she stands tall and she exudes sinuous around. It was immortalised in the 1994 “The reason it’s such a good tool for strength. I want to be like her, I decide. I Coen brothers’ film, The Hudsucker Proxy, exercise is that core strength is key to your will slay all those memories of having a with the line: “The hula hoop! You know – whole body,” says Marawa Wamp, a circus- hoop flutter to the ground past my skinny for kids!” trained hooper whose help I have enlisted. pre-teen knees and I will master the hula Except it isn’t anymore. Those Fifties She has performed across the globe with hoop.
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My first move is to Google for tips, of a kid, but not any more’,” Wamp says. “But after a few minutes of gyrating in the way course, and in doing so I discover a whole of course you can! They haven’t thought they tell me that I do feel slightly more hooping community, not to mention oodles about the fact that when they were a child, confident. That’s just what pelvis-thrusting of testimonials from women who claim they were probably half the height and a can do for you, I suppose. it has changed their lives. People hoop bit smaller – so you need a bigger hula After a few false starts, I manage to keep at home or in the park, some dressed hoop. You want one that comes up to your the hoop up for more than three spins. as fairies or simply in their pyjamas. hip. For most people, they pick up one of Then six, then 12, then suddenly it just One woman, Jen Moore, claims to have these and pretty quickly they can do it.” keeps going. I try hooping to the left and to lost 143lbs by using her hoop at home She pauses. “For some people it can take the right; the DVD teaches me how to turn as she watched television; she’s now a a little longer.” round in the hoop and to keep it spinning spindly spokeswoman for Hoopnotica, Before I meet with Wamp, I have a go and how to walk around the room with it the company that helped her get fit. It all with my hoop at home in front of the the still whirring away. I am not very good at serves to confirm my exercise-starved and Hoopnotica DVD, which is presented by the last one, but there’s time. I am thrilled, indolent sofa dream of becoming incredibly several gazelle-like winding creatures confident and filled with a boost in my thin by not doing very much. who promise that hooping will not only Hoopnotica is one of many companies give me great abs but will also boost that have sprung up to teach the ways my confidence, performance of hula to those looking to make their and feelings of positivity. fitness regime slightly more fun. With Having silently its instructional workout DVD comes an scoffed at this, adult-sized hoop that breaks apart and I realise reassembles for ease of storage. It is much bigger than I remember; I feel like a dwarfed Saturn standing in the centre of it. “Most people I talk to about hula hoops say ‘oh, I used to be able to do it when I was
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feelings of positivity. I’m terribly excited, I’ll explain to Wamp hisTory of hula hoop when we meet that I’ve been doing the Hooping has been in existence from as gained international popularity in the late video and following the instructions and early as 500 B.C as a form of exercise and 1950s when California’s Wham-O toy that, yes, I am now a hooper too. I can play. It used to be made of dried up willow, company, the same firm that helped hoop for most of Madonna’s new album, rattan, grapevines, or stiff grasses. The popularise another ancient toy, the Frisbee, I tell her, although I’m not sure I’ll bother term was coined in the early 1800s when successfully marketed a plastic version. listening to it all the way through again. But British sailors witnessed hula dancing in They trademarked the name Hula Hoop still. the Hawaiian Islands. Hula dancing and and started manufacturing the toy out of “It’s very difficult to engage your hooping look somewhat similar and the the new plastic Marlex in 1958. name “hula hoop” came together. The hoop core,” she smiles, ready to appraise my technique. “I thought I was doing it for a couple of years, even when I was performing, before I realised I wasn’t actually using those muscles at all.” Oh. I have been doing it wrong, it turns anyone can out. Lesson one of hula hooping: simply do a hoop! spinning the hoop on your waist is not good at all if you’re rocking back and forth Hoola hooping is fun, low impact and on your feet, even if you do it for days and burns as many calories as a treadmill workout. It may take a while to get weeks on end. You’ll burn some calories, the hang of it but it’s patience. Here’s but you won’t get those stomach muscles how to do it: working. The technique that Wamp teaches me is rather different, standing with my 1. Put the Hula Hoop on the ground. feet parallel and shoulder-width apart, 2. Step inside the hoop circle. then flicking the hoop around my middle 3. Reach down and grab the edges of by pushing out with my stomach as it the hoop. Place your hands apart at a comes into contact with my belly button. distance that is comfortable for you. It is much harder and I can’t do it. After 4. Bring the hula hoop up to your three revolutions (achieved only with the waist level. momentum of me hurling it around myself 5. Grip the hoop firmly with two hands. 6. Gently relax the hoop against one side of your torso and get prepared to send it into a spin. Hula hooping takes 7. Start to move your waist in a practice and patience, circular motion. but once you’ve 8. Spin the hoop. Keep moving your mastered it, it’s a bit in the first place), it simply clatters down to waist in a circular motion as you let like riding a bike. It the floor again. Oh well. go and aim to get the hoop to wrap works best when you Hula hooping takes practice and itself around your waist like a barber’s patience, but once you’ve mastered it, it’s pole, round and round and round. simply don’t think 9. Expect the hoop to fall the first few about it at all a bit like riding a bike. It works best when you simply don’t think about it at all, but just tries as you get used to the motion. let your body get into a rhythm and rely on Just pick up the hoop again and keep it to remember when to flick. I’m no pro, trying. It is as much about getting the feeling for the motion as it is about but the creaking of my abdomen the next following instructions. morning is proof enough that just a few 10. Keep doing it and you’ll soon get spins will awaken even the most neglected used to the movement, developing of cores. confidence and skill. After 26 years of searching and despairing, I think I’ve found my sport. The Independent
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Game for Glory the UAe’s ‘golden generAtion’ is gUnning for olympic glory. Mahdi ali is UAe footbAll coAch with the midAs toUch who hAs the UAe footbAll teAm All fired Up for the olympic chAllenge By MEHEROON OUSMAN
the UAE failed greater glory in London despite facing a Whento qualify for Herculean task, having been drawn in a the 2014 World Cup last year, it shattered group that includes Uruguay, Great Britain the dreams of a nation passionate about and Senegal. football. The UAE’s maiden appearance in the It also came as an embarrassment for a Olympic football tournament will be one to country that boasts one of the most lucrative savour for the players, irrespective of the leagues in the region, where the likes of outcome. Argentine legend Diego Maradona and “More than anything, the players have to Ghana World Cup star Asamoah Gyan ply enjoy playing at this tournament, because it their trade. is not something that happens all the time,” The upheaval it caused resulted in said Adnan Al Talyani, UAE’s most capped Slovenian Srecko Katanec being dismissed player who played in the 1990 World Cup. as national coach and the head of the UAE “We had to work hard to reach this Football Association (UAEFA) Mohammed position, and we have to continue working Khalfan Al Rumaithi stepping down. hard,” added Al Talyani, who is part of Ali’s “No, on the contrary, our dream is to However, a ‘golden generation’ of players support staff as team supervisor. reach those stadiums,” said Abdulrahman in moulded by Emirati coach, Mahdi Ali, during The dream of every footballer is to play at an interview. “We will enjoy it and we won’t the past seven years, lifted the spirits of a Wembley, the home of football. To be lining let it intimidate us. We are going there to nation by qualifying for the first time in the up against Premier League stars such as make the country proud, our sheikhs, and Olympic under-23 tournament. Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs and possibly the whole country.” Although prophets are never recognised even Sir David Beckham at the ‘Theatre of in their own country, Ali is considered some Dreams’ would be something to cherish for When The GOInG GeTS TOUGh kind of messiah not least by the players a lifetime. Mahdi Ali’s men are not just there to make who have graduated under his tutelage to But UAE’s striker, Omar Abdulrahman, up the numbers at the competition after an achieve mission impossible. is unfazed by the prospect of facing Great impressive run in qualifying which saw the It is a dream-come-true for UAE’s Olympic Britain or playing in Wembley and Old All Whites reach London after winning four coach who is on the cusp of achieving Trafford, home of Manchester United. matches and drawing two to top a group
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coach Mahdi ali feels playing at a Hallowed venue like Wembley will be the biggest motivation for the players
including Australia and Iraq in the Asian The UAE will start their Olympic campaign qualifiers. against Uruguay at Old Trafford on July 26, They are determined to showcase their before taking on Britain at Wembley three The UAE’s maiden talent on the biggest stage after the World days later and then Senegal in Cardiff in appearance in the Cup and are not overawed by the occasion their final group game on August 1. of playing against Team GB (Great Britain) in “There’s nothing in fact to worry about Olympic football particular. from playing in three different cities during tournament will be “Playing in the Olympics and playing at the preliminary round. All the teams have one to savour for the Wembley is a really big thing for us,” Mahdi been subjected to similar option,” he said players irrespective of Ali said. “We don’t know if we will ever when asked about the effect of playing in the outcome get this chance again. It will motivate the three different venues around England. players.” At the same time they won’t be weighed
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the uae olympic team seen on their return at dubai international airport after defeating uzbekistan to qualify for the london olympic tournament
down by high expectations because they stage is to see how this squad can shape fuel and asking them to compete against have set themselves realistic goals although and change the face of UAE football for the someone with a full tank,” the coach said. this squad has experience of playing in the future because these are the players who During his career overseeing UAE age- Under-19 World Cup. will constitute the core of our senior team group sides and the Olympic team, Ali has “In the tournament itself, I don’t want to in the future,” said Al Serkal as the team is encountered similar issues a number of raise the expectation level too high because ranked outside the world’s Top 100. times. He once took a UAE Under-19 side to we will be playing among the top 16 teams in an international competition that started five the world. We need to be realistic about our FAST AnD STeADFAST days after the end of the Holy Month. chances in London,” said Yousuf Al Serkal, The challenge of playing during the Holy president of the UAEFA. month of Ramadan is also unlikely to affect “In the Under-19 World Cup we their performance because players have participated in, we passed from stage one been given the option of abstaining from to the second stage and then we were fasting because they would be on the road Our dream is to reach knocked out. We have played three matches from July 21. those stadiums. We at a lower level and now in London we will The matches will kick-off in early evening will enjoy it and we be playing three matches at a much higher when the sun is still high in the British won’t let it intimidate level, possibly against the same players that summer sky. Ali will not force the players us. We are going we played in the Under-19 World Cup. So we to break their fast, even though a senior there to make the should be very realistic,” he reiterated. Muslim cleric has exempted them on country proud, our Nevertheless, this is the most successful account of the travelling involved – rather sheikhs and the age-group team ever produced by the than the physical exertions of playing – at whole country country, having already won the Under-19 the Games. Asian Cup in 2008. They also reached However, Ali took issue with the fact this The players undertook their usual fast the Under-20 World Cup quarter-finals in factor was not taken into consideration during the build-up, and the coach believes 2009 and the final of the Asian Games, an when there are around 3,000 Muslim it took at least two weeks for their bodies to Under-23 competition, in 2010. participants across all the sports. recover to an optimum level of performance. “For me, what is more important at this “It is like giving someone half a tank of He has given the players the choice of
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Olympic national teams during the qualifiers. “I would like to see the players in their best form from all respect. We are keen to give the players sufficient time to stay with their families and this is a very crucial part of my plan to fine tune the squad. The decision to split the external training camp into two periods was aimed at avoiding any feeling of monotony,” he noted. Regarding the teams which they will be taking on during the external training sessions, Ali said Mexico and Honduras were already confirmed. “Negotiations are underway with Italy, Argentina, and Angola,” he added. “We have played many games now ismail Matar will play a pivotal role as the senior statesman in the squad during Asian Games, World Cup and qualifying for this. They were really hard whether to fast or not, but hopes they give and we have learnt a lot. The players will themselves the best chance to perform LeT The GAMeS BeGIn know what is required of them when we get to their best, given the magnitude of the The UAE Olympic national team players there,” said Ali proudly reeling off statistics competition. began their preparations for the challenge of the team’s performance during his tenure “Playing in the Olympics during Ramadan from June 14 after a two-week break from July 15, 2005 to March 14, 2012. is not an easy task,” Ali said. “You have to be following the end of the pro-league They have played a total of 151 games ready for a level of matches which will be competitions on May 27. (both friendly and official) from Under-17, the equivalent of playing at the World Cup. After a medical check-up in Dubai, the Under-19 to Under-23 level, won 92, drawn “The players will not be forced to break 24-member provisional squad headed to 31, lost 28 and scored an amazing 302 goals their fast, but I am sure they will choose Switzerland for their first training which against conceding 136. to do the right thing. It is not easy to play ended on July 3. They played two warm up The Olympic team has played 26 official during fasting.” matches against European outfits before games, won 18, drawn 5, lost 3, scoring Abdulrahman felt fasting will be shifting their camp to Austria where they will 47 goals and conceding 12 goals. An impossible during and immediately after remain until July 19. interesting comparison which show Mahdi matches. Their programme will include four Ali’s men have a penchant for not just Players typically lose about 2 litres of friendlies against European, Latin American winning but a flair to play attacking football. body fluids in sweat every game, according and African opponents scheduled for July 5, “Even when we were not doing well in to a 2004 study by Loughborough 8, 11 and 16, with the aim of peaking in time terms of results at the beginning, coach University. for the Olympics. Mahdi was always so optimistic,” said Yousuf “It’s a personal decision – it depends Ali said his main focus would be on the Abdullah, the general secretary of the on what it’s like there,” Abdulrahman said. physical and mental comfort of the players UAEFA. “Everyone in the team knows if they can fast after a very busy season which included “We are proud of what they have done so they will, but if they can’t they won’t.” tough games with the clubs, senior and far and wish them well for the Games.”
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BOYFRIEND?By AHMAD AL MUALLA AN ASIAN MAN GETS CAPITAL PUNISHMENT FOR KILLING HIS GIRLFRIEND BY STABBING HER 23 TIMES ALONG WTH HIS ACCOMPLICE
Caesar was when she met a 40-year-old Asian worker. collaboration of Ishtihaar, his 30-year-old JULIUSstabbed She fell in love with him and became his partner in crime. 23 times by people he considered his girlfriend. Police interrogators said Atash and friends. A similar fate awaited Mumtoza, Yet, Mumtoza did not expect her Ishtihaar pre-planned the murder and an East European lady who ran away boyfriend to turn violent and commit, along bought two knives for Dh26 from a from poverty in her homeland and came with his friend, a ghastly murder, and she discount centre in Deira, Dubai. They to the UAE on a visit visa looking for a job. paid the price of this mistake with her life. then visited Mumtoza’s fl at in Dubai’s Only, she found death waiting here Atash, the Asian worker, became Baraha area, where both of them stabbed for her in the face of two Asian workers. outraged with jealousy and stabbed his her 23 times and then robbed her When Mumtoza failed to fi nd a decent girlfriend 23 times to death because she belongings and escaped. job, she ended up working in the sex had slept with other men. Prosecutors charged the two trade. She used to sell indecent services Public prosecution accused Atash with defendants with premeditated murder to strange men for money, and that’s intentionally killing Mumtoza along with the associated with theft and asked the
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Criminal Court to implement a death Nilufar had just moved in to Mumtoza’s sentence against the two Asians. flat three days prior to the murder. She When the defendants appeared in testified during questioning: “Atash visited Atash came to the court, they pleaded not guilty citing ‘lack of Mumtoza a day before the crime. He spoke washroom and intention to kill her’. The Asian men claimed with her for a few minutes in a language they threatened me that they indulged in a heated argument that I didn’t understand and left. When I with Mumtoza, which developed into a fight. asked her about him, she informed me that with the knives and The duo claimed that the victim used a he was her boyfriend but they had broken repeatedly asked me knife to cut the fruits which they bought and up and then they reconciled. On the day of about where Mumtoza brought with them when they went to spend the incident, Atash called up Mumtoza at hid her money the evening at Mumtoza’s place. 10am and told her that he and his friend will When they, the defendants, scuffled with come in the evening. She told me that she the Asians hiding in a bakery in Sharjah after the victim, she pulled the knife in their face would introduce me to Ishtihaar. Mumtoza we identified them from the surveillance wanting to attack them. But they pulled it out also told me that Atash didn’t like the fact cameras of the shop from where they from her hand and acted in self-defence. that she was seeing other men and having bought the knives,” claimed the officer. They denied having any intention to murder relations with them and that he was coming The neighbour stated that he saw Mumtoza. However, they admitted to the to reconcile with her. Atash and Ishtihaar Mumtoza’s corpse through the broken robbery when they entered their plea came at 11:00pm. They brought food and window. “Minutes before I was to leave before the panel of three judges. beverages with them.” for work, Nilufar knocked on my door and An investigating officer said, Atash called In her statement to the interrogators, she cried and shouted. She seemed very Mumtoza prior to the incident and said he Nilufar claimed that Mumtoza took money frightened. She yelled ‘murder, murder’. The would bring his friend [Ishtihaar] along with from Atash and gave her Dh300. room was turned upside down and there him to visit her at her flat. “They went behind a curtain in the room was blood all over the room,” testified the to sleep with each other. Meanwhile, I slept neighbour. with Ishtihaar on my bed, then I fell asleep. Prosecutors said Atash and Ishtihaar I woke up suddenly upon Mumtoza’s premeditatedly killed Mumtoza and stole cries for help. Ishtihaar had a knife in his from her Dh600, two mobile phones, a DVD Minutes before I was hand he threatened me and prevented player and perfumes. to leave for work, me from moving or looking at what was They were additionally charged with Nilufar knocked my happening to the victim. When I tried to grounding Nilufar against her will in the door and she cried and push him away and move, he pushed me bathroom and threatening to kill her if she shouted. She seemed then locked himself up with me inside the tried to free herself or fight them back. very frightened. She washroom. Atash came to the washroom “I went to her flat and didn’t have any yelled ‘murder, murder’ and they threatened me with the knives and intention to kill her. I only indented to repeatedly asked me about where Mumtoza steal her money. We had a big fight and I hid her money,” claimed Nilufar. unintentionally killed her. The murder wasn’t “The two men bought fruits, energy drinks An Emirati police officer said Nilufar premeditated or intentional,” said Atash and Vitamin C, and went to the flat. Mumtoza admitted to him that the Asians locked her when he tried to defend himself in court. and her friend, a 42-year-old East European inside the washroom and ran away. Meanwhile, his accomplice, Ishtihaar, also prostitute, Nilufar, welcomed the two men. “She claimed that she had to break the pleaded innocent against the premeditated Atash paid money to Mumtoza and he took sink and used the broken pieces to break murder charge. They also denied locking up her to one part of the room to sleep with the bathroom door from inside following Nilufar in the washroom of the victim’s flat her. Ishtihaar took Nilufar to the other side a three-hour attempt. She then escaped and running away following the incident. of the room for the same purpose. Then the from the window after she discovered that The Criminal Court awarded the Asians two men locked up Nilufar in the bathroom her compatriot had been stabbed to death. capital punishment. The punishment against her will, murdered Mumtoza and She said she ran to a neighbour’s room and became irrevocable after the Courts of ran away after they stole her money and informed him about what happened then Appeal and Cassation upheld the primary belongings.” asked him to call the police. We arrested judgement.
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MAID OF
DISHONOURBy AHMAD AL MUALLA FOXY HOUSEMAID JAILED FOR SIX MONTHS FOR FAKING ROBBERY TO COVER UP HER OWN THEFT
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repeated when Brenda’s inner voice made her regret into the place, I was shocked to find her Despitewarnings this despicable act and confessed to it. tied up in my son’s bedroom. I untied her by the authorities against hiring suspicious The public prosecution charged Brenda and asked her what happened. She told and inadequate housemaids, a Western of robbing her sponsor and misleading the me that three strong African men stormed sponsor recently fell victim to the police by giving a false statement. into the house and attacked her and then shrewdness of an Asian housemaid. Prosecutors said Brenda abused her tied her. She alleged that the Africans stole The maid resorted to a foxy scenario sponsor’s trust and stole thousands of a lot of money and ran away. Thereafter and stole thousands of dirhams from her dirhams from his safe. She was also I called up the police and told them what sponsor’s villa in Dubai after being refused charged with deliberately lying to the happened.” emergency leave to travel to her home police and giving a false report by alleging “The police came to my house and country. that she was assaulted and bound by a started investigating. The next day, the The UAE authorities have repeatedly gang of thieves to cover up her own crime. housemaid solely confessed that she had warned residents to be alert and vigilant The Western sponsor testified during fabricated the story of the African men and when hiring housemaids. This incident questioning that on the day of the incident, that they robbed her and tied her inside highlights the need for sponsors to keep he called up the suspect but she did not the bedroom. She admitted that her story a close eye on their housemaids’ attitude take his calls. was a complete lie and that nothing of that and behavior in order to not fall prey to “I reached home along with my son. I sort had happened. Brenda confessed to their viciousness. me that she was the one who stole the The crooked scenario flashed in the money while I was out.” 49-year-old housemaid’s mind when she According to police records, the found herself alone in the sponsor’s villa. housemaid later gave her friend the money She decided to steal the money and The UAE authorities and instructed him to transfer it to her have her friend transfer it to her family in have repeatedly family in her homeland. She told police her homeland through a money exchange warned residents to be investigators that her friend was unaware house in Dubai. She then fabricated a alert and vigilant when that the money was stolen from her story that three African men broke into the hiring housemaids. sponsor. villa and claimed that they tied her up and This incident highlights When police officers questioned Brenda, robbed the house before escaping. the need for sponsors she pleaded guilty and claimed that she Believing her story, the sponsor called to keep a close eye stole the money because of her destitution the police. and poverty. The defendant, identified as Brenda, on their housemaids’ She claimed during questioning: “I had alleged that the men threatened to kill her attitude and behavior some personal and financial problems and before tying her up and pinning her down I needed to travel to my country. When my to the floor. She alleged that they then called Brenda to come and take my 4-year- sponsor rejected my leave, I decided to broke open the safe and took the money old son inside the house as she usually did, leave the country for good. So, on the day and fled. but she did not respond. The house was of the incident, I took the keys of the safe The sponsor never suspected that all this empty and no one was around to take my and kept it in my possession. When there was a part of Brenda’s wild imagination and child. I parked my car and went down to was no one else in the house, I opened ‘sly thinking.’ He found out the truth only check what was going on. When I walked the safe and took the money. There were
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The sponsor never suspected that all this was all part of Brenda’s wild imagination and ‘sly thinking.’ He found out the truth only when her inner voice made Brenda regret this despicable act and she confessed to it
theft and falsely reporting a crime to the police and sentenced her to six months in jail followed by deportation. When Brenda appeared in court, she pleaded guilty and asked for forgiveness and leniency. She confessed before the chief judge that she stole the money from the safe, and claimed before a three-judge bench that different currencies including US dollars, guilty and blamed myself for what I did. I she did so because she had some financial UAE dirhams, Singaporean currency and also felt ashamed and decided to tell my issues back home. Indian rupees.” boss about what had actually happened,” She alleged that when her sponsor “There were also gold and other Brenda confessed. refused to allow her to travel, she valuables in the safe. I stole the money According to records, the defendant fabricated the story of the African gang to and called my friend and asked him to informed her sponsor of the truth and that cover up for her theft. take the money and transfer it to my she fabricated the story of the gang. During “Your honor, I am sorry. I feel ashamed parents. I did not tell him that the money questioning, the suspect admitted that she and embarrassed of what I did,” Brenda was stolen. I used a cloth and tied myself cooked up the scenario because she did said when she stood trial. up and stayed in the boy’s bedroom and not want to be blamed for the robbery. She told the court that she had been decided to tell the police that some gang During police questioning, the detained for nearly three months and of Africans broke into the house tied me housemaid apologised to her sponsor asked for leniency. after they stole the money and ran away. and claimed that she felt remorse and was The six-month imprisonment became I did not want anybody to suspect me, embarrassed of her actions. irrevocable as it was upheld by the Courts yet when I woke up the next day, I felt The Criminal Court convicted Brenda of of Appeal and Cassation.
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Green from the Grassroots Elinor Ostrom a Nobel laureate in Economics, No single policy can be the solution to the climate change was Professor of Political Science and Senior Co-Research Director of the Workshop in Political issues we face today. So we need a number of overlapping Theory and Policy Analysis at Indiana University policies at city, subnational, national, and international levels
e cannot rely on singular global policy to than 900 US cities have signed up to the US climate- solve the problem of managing our common protection agreement. Wresources: the oceans, atmosphere, forests, This grassroots diversity in “green policymaking” waterways, and rich diversity of life that combine to makes economic sense. “Sustainable cities” attract create the right conditions for life, including seven billion the creative, educated people who want to live in a humans, to thrive. pollution-free, modern urban environment that suits We have never had to deal with problems of the scale their lifestyles. This is where future growth lies. Like facing today’s globally interconnected society. No one upgrading a mobile phone, when people see the knows for sure what will work, so it is important to build benefits, they will discard old models in a flash. a system that can evolve and adapt rapidly. For 20 years, sustainable development has Decades of research demonstrate that a variety been viewed as an ideal toward which to aim. But of overlapping policies at city, subnational, national, sustainability is now a prerequisite for all future and international levels are more likely to succeed development. Sustainability at local and national levels than single, overarching binding agreements. Such must add up to global sustainability. This idea must form an evolutionary approach to policy provides essential the bedrock of national economies and constitute the safety nets should one or more fabric of our societies. policies fail. The goal now must be to build The good news is that The goal now must be to sustainability into the DNA of our evolutionary policymaking is globally interconnected society. already happening organically. build sustainability into Time is the natural resource in In the absence of effective the DNA of our globally shortest supply. national and international interconnected society What we need are universal legislation to curb greenhouse sustainable development goals on gases, a growing number of city leaders are acting to issues such as energy, food security, sanitation, urban protect their citizens and economies. planning, and poverty eradication, while reducing This is hardly surprising – indeed, it should be inequality within the planet’s limits. encouraged. Setting goals can overcome inertia, but everyone Most major cities sit on coasts, straddle rivers, or lie must have a stake in establishing them: countries, on vulnerable deltas, putting them on the front line of states, cities, organisations, companies, and people rising sea levels and flooding in the coming decades. everywhere. Success will hinge on developing many Adaptation is a necessity. But, with cities responsible overlapping policies to achieve the goals. for 70 per cent of global greenhouse-gas emissions, We have a decade to act before the economic cost mitigation is better. of current viable solutions becomes too high. Without When it comes to tackling climate change, the United action, we risk catastrophic and perhaps irreversible States has produced no federal mandate explicitly changes to our life-support system. requiring or even promoting emissions-reductions Our primary goal must be to take planetary targets. But, by May last year, some 30 US states had responsibility for this risk, rather than placing in jeopardy developed their own climate action plans, and more the welfare of future generations.
The views expressed by 999 columnists are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Ministry of Interior (MoI)
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the bird that defines
theBy Dr Faleh hanDhal desert
Falcons are among the most potent symbols oF arab culture – man and bird have hunted together For centuries, and they still do
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the early 1970s, I spent accommodate extended families. around a month in the Abu Saeed was hospitable. At the time, Habshan area, at the heart Falcons helped people I did not realise that he would be the first of the Al Dhafra region to help me gather colloquial vocabulary, In get their sustenance of Abu Dhabi. Habshan is one of the most which I later used to write my dictionary important oil industry areas in the region – it and they have also of colloquialisms of the UAE. I visited Abu is the base of a large oil collection pool to been an instrument Saeed regularly at his house in Itab. The which pipelines from scattered oil wells of recreation – an friendship opened another sphere for bring crude, which is then kept in large evening spent taking me, as I came to know a number of Liwa storage facilities before being shipped to care of these birds is a residents who were part of the Bani Yas Jabal Al Dhanna for export. pleasure tribe and the Al Manaseer tribe, a Bani Yas When a project to dig water wells was ally. undertaken in that area, I arrived with my huge experience in the field of drilling Invitations from my new acquaintances equipment, including drills transported on equipment. When he looked at the water came one after the other. On one of these giant trucks with huge tyres. There, I met well drilling machines, he found them too visits, I met 10 people with the same name: a man called Abu Saeed, one of the first small compared to the giant oil well drilling ‘Sagr’ (Arabic for ‘falcon’). Obviously, the employees of the local petroleum company equipment. name connotes pride. Abu Saeed told me, since the reign of the late Sheikh Shakhboot This man invited me to his home in the “The falcon represents the relationship bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who signed the first oasis of Itab at Liwa. His house was like all between human beings and this species. oil concession in 1939. The company did the homes in the oasis area. The ceiling These birds helped people get their not start its operation until 1945 because of was made of ‘Areesh’, palm fronds braided sustenance and they have also been an World War II. together in an artistic way to withstand instrument of recreation – an evening spent Abu Saeed joined the company in 1950 winds and storms. Inside, the space was taking care of these birds is a pleasure.” to work at the camps, where employees divided into rooms; and outside, the house I liked what Abu Saeed told me, and lived. He stayed there until 1970, gaining was ringed by a fence. The place could asked him, “Can I come with you on a
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hunting trip to see how this is practised, and how a falcon takes its prey?” He replied, “I cannot take you right now. We are not in the ‘Houbara’ (Arabic for MacQueen’s bustard) hunting season, which means training the falcons on hunting tactics. These tactics are taught by a professional called ‘Saggar.’” Though I could not see the hunt, Abu Saeed took me to see the ‘Saggar’, also called Al Mukawakh. The first phase of training is ‘Jattab’, which is blocking the bird’s eyes from the light by putting a leather hood on its head. The bird is also given only one meal a day to make it easier to tame. After that comes ‘Al Tilwah’, a way of calling the falcon back to its trainer through a lure tied to a rope. As I revisit these memories of ‘Al Baizara’ (hunting by falcons), I feel the urge to explain this original Arab art. Hunting by falcons has been practised by Arabs throughout history, and still has a supreme status. It is closely linked to Arab environment and culture. ‘Al Baizara’ is a classical Arabic term, meaning the knowledge of this category of birds. It is also prominent in Arab literary works particularly, poetry. There are many terms used exclusively in falconry. ‘Zamamej’, for example, is the plural form of ‘Zamaj’, which is a bird belonging to the same category as the falcon, though the colour of its plumes is closer to red than brown. Falcons have pride of place in the history of the UAE. Many people name their children Saqr, Shaheen, Qutami – all names associated with this bird. The two main species of falcons kept in the UAE are the saker and the peregrine. The ‘Hurr’ bird has had special attention as it is one of the best falcons, flying high and low and capable of catching a rabbit and sometimes bringing down a deer. UAE people also like to eat the houbara meat. This family of birds has 22 types in eight categories around the world. While flying, the houbaras can migrate to the region – and also to Pakistan the rope used to attach the falcon to the manoeuvre fast and make swift turnings. and North Africa – to escape the cold wakr, among others. Falconry represents When surrounded and about to be caught, weather in other countries. an essential part of desert culture. The birds they spit out a liquid substance that burns Tools used in hunting include ‘Al Makhla’, have been traditionally used for hunting, to an enemy bird’s head and eyes. the bag used to contain the prey; ‘Al Burqa’, support Bedouin diet with some meat, such People of the region call a hunting trip the cover for the falcon’s eyes; ‘Wakr’, the as hare or the houbara itself, and in these ‘Mignas’. They make these trips when the platform on which the falcon stands when modern times, they help the Arabs relive weather is moderate, as the houbaras in the hand of the owner; and ‘Al Mirsal’, days that used to be filled with adventure.
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White collar crimes If you thought all criminals dressed in gangster clothing or hoodies and are loaded with bling and weapons, think again. White-collared crime is on the rise and is making news big time. Every now and then, we learn about yet another high-powered executive swindling millions from investors. 999 looks at some of the most famous international white collar crimes, which rank among the biggest and most scandalous corporate scams in history.
What makes white collar crimes so much more infuriating to the public than outright robberies? Well, besides the fact that high-profile white collar crime often involves more money than the usual smash-and-grab, it also involves more deceit than most thefts. Corporate executives can go on for years – even decades – posing as ethical idols in order to amass crazy sums by scamming others out of their savings.
Bernie Madoff and His Ponzi A number of celebrities, including scHeMe filmmaker Stephen Spielberg and actor Kevin Bacon were victims. No list of famous white collar crimes Madoff pulled it off by hobnobbing could be complete without mention of with New York’s wealthy Jewish Bernard ‘Bernie’ Madoff, who recently community. He also avoided suspicion swiped the ignominious record for the by offering high, yet realistic, returns biggest Ponzi scheme in history. on investment. Madoff also seemed A former money manager and Wall trustworthy due to his status as the ex- Street darling was sentenced to 150 chairman of Nasdaq. confessed to his family and attorney years in prison with no parole on June When the recession hit in 2008 and that his firm was “one big lie.” The 29, 2009, for orchestrating a $65 billion investors began to pull their cash from SEC arrested him the following day. In Ponzi scheme – the biggest fraud in Madoff’s firm, it spelled the end for March 2009, he pled guilty in federal US history. More than 1,300 investors his elaborate scheme. Rather than court and was sentenced to 150 years in were drawn in over two decades, with wait for the Securities and Exchange prison. many facing financial ruin as a result. Commission (SEC) to investigate, he The Loot: $65 billion
JoHn rigas and adelPHia it. earnings and secretly using millions in coMMunications In 2002, the corporate funds for personal use. Securities John Rigas was convicted of fraud and John Rigas, son of Greek immigrants and received a 15-year prison sentence and a World War II veteran, founded Exchange in 2003. His son Michael pled guilty Adelphia Communications in 1952. Commission and received 10 months of home Rigas brought his own sons into the (SEC) filed confinement and two years’ probation. business, which became the fifth largest suit against Today, the company John Rigas built cable company in the US. It seemed like Rigas, his sons and two other senior from scratch no longer exists as a cable a classic pull-yourself-up-from-your- executives, accusing them of hiding company. bootstraps story – until scandal ruined $2.3 billion in liabilities, exaggerating The Loot: $2.3 billion-plus
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KennetH lay, Jeffrey sKilling The SEC eventually learned that Enron and enron executives had hidden billions in debt and falsely represented revenue. Enron Energy giant Enron was the seventh filed for bankruptcy by December 2001; largest company in the US before its thousands of employees lost their jobs 2002 demise. Its fall seemed like the and savings. In May 2006, Lay and stuff of fiction – suspicious resignations, Skilling were convicted on fraud and anonymous memos, shredding conspiracy charges. Lay died two months documents – but it turned out to be all later, but Skilling received a $45 million too true. Kenneth Lay Jeffrey Skilling fine and a 24-year prison sentence. In March 2001, weeks after Kenneth warning him about Enron’s business In March 2010, the US Supreme Court Lay resigned as CEO and Jeffrey Skilling practices. In October, Enron’s accounting heard arguments in Skilling’s appeal; his took over, a Fortune magazine article firm was found shredding documents; attorney claimed – among other things questioned Enron’s worth and its after Enron reported large losses, the – that he did not and could not have secrecy. In August, Skilling resigned and company became the subject of a received a fair trial in Enron’s home base Lay returned to his former post. Soon Securities and Exchange Commission of Houston, Texas. after, Lay got an anonymous memo (SEC) investigation. The Loot: $30 billion
ivan BoesKy, MicHael MilKen known as junk bonds. These profits and insider trading helped fuel a slew of corporate mergers and acquisitions. But Milken’s success The character of Gordon Gekko in the soured in 1986 when the Securities and 1987 movie Wall Street is based on Ivan Exchange Commission (SEC) charged Boesky, especially regarding a famous Drexel investment banker Dennis speech he delivered on the positive Levine with insider trading. aspects of greed at the University of Levine sparked suspicion when he Ivan Boesky Michael Milken California, Berkeley School of Business invested in food giant Nabisco just including Milken. In exchange, Boesky commencement ceremony in May 1986, before a merger and promptly sold agreed to pay $100 million and spend where he said in part “I think greed is his shares for a large profit. Levine three years in jail. Incredibly, Boesky healthy. You can be greedy and still feel refused to go down alone and agreed to also found a way to legally deduct half good about yourself.” implicate Ivan Boesky. This was a huge his fine from his income taxes. Michael Milken made millions for victory for the SEC, who knew that The ordeal tainted Wall Street and himself and his company, Drexel Boesky was a mastermind inside trader. remained the country’s most shocking Burnham Lambert Inc., during the But Boesky made a deal of his own. He corporate scandal for years – until 1980s by convincing clients to invest handed over recorded conversations Enron came along. in high-yield but risky investments that incriminated numerous partners, The Loot: $20 billion
Bernard eBBers and WorldcoM telecommunications company in the US illegal dealings. The defence argued that in part through a series of acquisitions he never acted with criminal intent – – including one-time industry stalwart even if his ignorance made him a bad MCI. That acquisition turned out to CEO. The jury disagreed: In March be an ill-fated move, and WorldCom’s 2005, it convicted Ebbers on charges of stock suffered. conspiracy, securities fraud and filing Ebbers allegedly tried to cover up false reports with regulators. the losses by cooking the books and All in all, the fraud amounted to about artificially inflating stock prices. To $11 billion. When WorldCom filed for make matters worse, Ebbers had bankruptcy in 2002, it had been the borrowed $400 million from WorldCom largest bankruptcy filing in history. In to finance his other businesses. September 2005, Ebbers was sentenced Bernard Ebbers built WorldCom into Nevertheless, Ebbers maintained that to 25 years in prison for his crimes. the second-biggest long-distance he knew nothing about WorldCom’s The Loot: $11 billion
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Feeling sleepy? Stay away from junk food New research suggests that people who haven’t had enough sleep find junk food more appealing than those who have had a good night’s rest. The study included 25 normal-weight men and women who underwent brain scans after five nights of restricted sleep (four hours a night) and then again after five nights of being allowed to sleep for nine hours. The study showed that when people were sleep-deprived and then presented pictures of unhealthy foods, the area of the Depressed? Try phone brain that helps make the ‘right’ choice didn’t respond well, which made choosing healthy foods more difficult. Additionally, researchers noted that unhealthy foods therapy, says study activated areas of the brain considered as reward centres only If you’re too depressed to visit a psychiatrist, here’s something that in people whose sleep was restricted. When the same people doesn’t need you to step out of your chamber of sorrow – receiving were allowed to rest a full night, they had no such activation in therapy over the phone. the brain’s reward centre when they saw the unhealthy foods. New research suggests that patients counselled over the phone were less likely to drop out of an 18-week treatment programme “I think it’s related to cognitive control,” said Marie-Pierre compared to those who got face-to face counselling. St-Onge, a research associate at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital Phone therapy is a rapidly growing trend among psychologists, Centre and an assistant professor at Columbia University’s and 85 per cent of therapists now deliver their services over the Institute of Human Nutrition in New York City. “Your guard is phone in response to competing demands, transportation issues and somewhat down when you’re tired and sleep deprived. Even other problems that prevent patients from visiting their offices. though you know you probably shouldn’t eat certain foods. Researchers also found people who talked to their therapist on the When you’re tired, you might just decide to go for it.” phone got better at the same rate as those who spent time on the So, the next time you don’t get to sleep properly, remember counsellor’s couch. to stay away from your favourite fast-food haunt. The randomised control trial included 325 primary care patients with major depressive disorder. More than a fifth (20.9 per cent) of patients who had cognitive behavioural therapy over the phone dropped out compared to almost a third (32.7 per cent) for face-to- face therapy. In both therapies, patients showed equal improvement in their depression after treatment ended. Six months after the treatment, all patients remained much improved although patients who had the telephone therapy scored three points higher on a depression scale than those who had face-to-face sessions. “This research gives us a pretty clear indication that providing therapy via technology can be a useful strategy,” says Lynn Bufka, assistant executive director, practice research and policy at the American Psychological Association. It’s official: Air travel is indeed a headache Travelling is a headache for many people, but Italian researchers say the pain is apparently more acute when travelling by air for some people, the Daily Mail reported. Researchers have argued that ‘airplane headache,’ a form of pain that flares up during landing, should get more recognition in the medical world. The pain in the head, which can be characterised by its severity and position on one side of the head and near the eye, was first reported in medical literature in 2004, with several dozen more cases documented in the following years. Researchers are now suggesting that the ailment should be considered a new subtype of headache, putting forward a list of criteria doctors can use to diagnose it.
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Chocoholics rejoice: A team of researchers from Australia Here’s proof that dark used a mathematical model to predict the long-term health impact of daily chocolate helps your heart dark chocolate consumption in 2013 of people with a condition known as metabolic syndrome, a conditon which puts them at high risk of heart disease. The model suggested that mounting effective “dark chocolate prevention strategies” might cost an individual just $40 (Dh147) a year. The researchers, whose work was published in the British Medical Journal, stressed the protective effects have only been shown for dark chocolate contain- ing at least 60 to 70 per cent cocoa – not for milk or white chocolate. This is probably due to higher levels of flavonoids in dark chocolate. On the other hand, some cardiologists claim that the study is flawed in that, being a hypothetical study, it is pure academic and not proven. Additionally, they claim that a mathematical model Daily dose of dark chocolate can reduce The highly controversial findings, that are only takes into account the positives heart attack risk – sounds like a being vehemently disputed by a section of derived out of the flavonoids, but chocoholic’s fantasy, but a scientific study cardiologists, suggest that in the best case completely ignores the large amount of suggests that eating dark chocolate every scenario – with no patient missing any daily sugar and fat that would necessarily be day for 10 years could reduce the portions – the treatment could potentially consumed as part of the dark chocolate likelihood of heart attacks and strokes in avert 70 non-fatal and 15 fatal heart attacks daily dose, which may undo some some high-risk patients. or strokes per 10,000 people over 10 years. benefits found in this study. Beware of the Birthday Blues We are 14 per cent more likely to die on about four days before a birthday. our birthdays, according to new research Results for individual diseases show that based on a study of more than two million there was an 18.6 per cent increased risk of people. dying from cardiovascular disease, including The authors of the study blame what heart attacks, and a higher risk of up to 21.5 they have called anniversary reaction per cent for strokes. The risk increased with hypothesis, or birthday blues, with stress age, with the figure rising to 18 per cent playing a significant part. among the over 60. Causes of birthday deaths included Researchers said that there are heart attacks, stroke, cancer, falls and two competing explanations for the suicide. “We concluded that birthdays phenomenon. The postponement theory end lethally, more frequently than might suggests that seriously ill people can be expected,” Dr Vladeta Ajdacic-Gross, somehow hold on until their birthday has who led the Swiss study mentioned. passed, as they try to reach the milestone. Researchers analysed 2.4 million However, researchers said that this deaths over a 40-year period. Results theory is not supported by their findings. show there were 13.8 per cent more They support the anniversary hypothesis, deaths on birthdays than might be which maintains it is the event itself that is expected compared with any other day responsible. In the case of heart attacks and of the year. strokes, for instance, stress may be to blame. Among men, there was a 34.9 per Older people, in particular, they suggest, cent rise in suicides, and a 28.5 per cent may feel exposed to stress on birthdays. The increase in accidental deaths. There was research indicates that hospital admissions also a 44 per cent rise in fatal falls on for cardiovascular conditions occur more birthdays, with the risk increasing from frequently on birthdays.
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Dr Hala Fadli, a licenced dermatologist in the UK and in Dubai with PhD in Dermatology, talks to 999 about taking care of our skin during summer Q&A
Skin and the Scorching symptoms of skin asthma are: itchy and dry skin, skin lesions on the cheeks mostly in infants, oozing and crusting blisters on Summer Sun some parts of the body and rashes on the cheeks, arms and legs. Skin asthma is usually associated with bronchial asthma and 999: can facial treatments Worsen acne “situation”? allergic rhinitis. People with acne spots should consult a dermatologist before getting a facial. A facial is not the cure for acne. If you have 999: Which foods should people Who are prone to moderate to severe acne, then this can only be treated by a skin allergies stay aWay from? dermatologist. If a person has nodules and cyst and the skin is Some of the most common foods that cause skin allergies are inflamed, then a facial can worsen the condition. eggs, fish, shellfish, nuts, and fruits. The preservatives or dyes in certain foods can also cause skin allergies in some people. 999: What are the causes of dry skin in summer? What Depending on the person – and on the food – it may take a large can be done to remedy this skin problem? amount of the food to cause a reaction, but sometimes, a strong Dry skin is simply caused by harsh soaps, itchy clothing, misusing reaction might occur even if only a tiny bit of the food is eaten. moisturiser, and long, hot showers. Some medications can cause dry skin. Other causes are medical conditions such as diabetes, 999: What are some of the over-the-counter psoriasis, hypothyroidism, and malnutrition which can also cause products and home remedies for treating sun burnt severe dry skin. skin? To treat dry skin, you need to apply mild moisturisers that To treat sunburn, you need to apply cold compresses — such as a have no perfumes or alcohols. Often, the cheaper stuff you towel dampened with cool water — to the affected skin, or take a can get at the drugstore is better than the high-end products. cool bath. Apply aloe or moisturising cream to the affected skin. The moisturiser may be thick and greasy in order to seal in Avoid products containing alcohol, which can further dry out skin. the moisture needed for good dry skincare. However, some Beware of sunburn treatment products containing anaesthetics, people may not be able to tolerate such a heavy cream. Lighter such as benzocaine. If blisters form, don’t break them. You’ll only moisturisers can be used. slow the healing process and increase the risk of infection. Take painkillers if needed. Within a few days, the affected area may 999: What are the symptoms of skin asthma? if a begin to peel. This is simply your body’s way of getting rid of the person doesn’t have bronchial asthma, can he or she top layer of damaged skin. While your skin is peeling, continue still have skin asthma? to use moisturising cream. You need to see a dermatologist if Skin asthma refers to chronic inflammation in the skin. Medically, the burn covers a large area of your skin, if fever occurs, or if you the condition is called atopic dermatitis or atopic eczema. The don’t see any improvement after a few days.
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Solar Sister lights up life in Rural Africa
A teAm of spirited young women is trAnsforming the lives And economy of sub-sAhArAn AfricA by operAting projects to build A network of solAr sister entrepreneurs, women who sell solAr lAmps to their communities – And it is working
Solar iS the moSt diStributed way that reaches the people with the most and day out. energy source we have. The same sun need, the women and girls living in remote “The answers they gave me were full of shines down on everyone. And with rural villages? How to create a program that pride and dignity. As one woman expressed advances in technology, it is available is scalable and sustainable? How to involve her desire, ‘My children need light to study and affordable. Especially in sub-Saharan the women, not just as passive consumers so they can do well in school. That is what Africa, where only 5 per cent of the rural of technology, but as active participants in I hope for. I want to be able to care for population has access to electricity, solar the adaptation of that technology? my own family. If I have the opportunity to is the perfect energy source as it takes Katherine Lucey, Founder & CEO of earn some money, I can give them a better advantage of their most abundant resource, non-profit organisation Solar Sister, says future’,” she says. the hot African sun. she found the answers to those questions The organisation aims at eradicating The puzzle then becomes: How to by talking to and really listening to the energy poverty by empowering women with
Photos: james akena – solar sister james Photos: provide access to the solar technology in a women living with energy poverty day in economic opportunity. “We combine the
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My children need light to study so they can do well in school. That is what I hope for. I want to be able to care for my own family. If I have the opportunity to earn some money, I can give them a better breakthrough potential of solar technology to bridge the technology know-how gap. future with a deliberately woman-centred direct About 50 per cent of the women sales network to bring light, hope and interested in becoming entrepreneurs Women participate at the level that suits opportunity to even the most remote get through the first phase of the training, their needs, Lucey says. “We have many communities in rural Africa,” says Lucey. and only about 40 per cent of those who sell less, and are happy just to make “Investing in women is not only the right wind up doing well, she said. The others $10 a month to make ends meet or pay thing to do, it is the smart thing to do. Solar participate at a lesser level, perhaps selling school fees for the fifth child in the family, Sister creates sustainable businesses, a few lamps a month to supplement other and a few who sell much, much more.” powered by smart investment in women incomes. Solar Sister invests in women entrepreneurs. When you invest in a Solar Sister provides entrepreneurs with a entrepreneurs to empower them with woman, you invest in the future.” “Business in a Bag,” which includes a vetted economic opportunity. Investing in women Solar Sister is targeting women, because supply of inventory, marketing materials, a is a smart investment. Not only does the they typically are the ones who manage ledger sheet, a bag and a T-shirt. investment empower the Solar Sister household utilities. The non-profit now has The organisation also provides a variation Entrepreneur to build a sustainable solar 143 entrepreneurs who have sold more than of micro-credit. Products are provided up- business that will provide sustainable 3,500 solar lighting products in Uganda, front and entrepreneurs repay in 30 days, income and social benefits, but data shows Rwanda, and South Sudan, benefiting an after they get cash from sales. “This allows that the income she generates is reinvested estimated 17,600 lives. According to the them to start up a business without access to 90 per cent back into her family, improving industry rule of thumb, one solar lamp capital,” says Lucey. “If they are unable to sell their lives and providing benefits for the system will benefit an average of five the product, they can return it for full credit.” next generation, and the next. people in a household. A successful entrepreneur typically would Solar Sister’s model is structured to Solar Sister lights up life in Rural Africa Solar Sister is building a network of Solar sell ten products (student lamps, lamp/ create sustainable and growing investment Sister Entrepreneurs across Sub-Saharan phone chargers, a home system or two) per in the triple bottom line of people, Africa to bring light, hope and opportunity to month at an average retail price of $45 and profit and planet. As a social business, their families and their communities. earn a ten per cent commission, or $45. all profits are reinvested back into the Lucey is candid about the challenges, That’s $540 in annual income, at least in line business, generating economic, social and which include a heavy investment in training with per capita income figures in Uganda. environmental impact. Solar Sister’s Impact
solar sister entrepreneurs can double their household 100% income with their solar business 30% reduction in household expenses when customers use solar lamp to replace expensive kerosene 3 hours more study time for children every day when their families replace kerosene with solar light $46 of economic impact is generated for every $1 invested in a solar sister entrepreneur
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WAnted: volunteeRS foR cheApeR-poWeR teSt in Abu dhAbi Abu Dhabi government is looking for 400 Volunteers will be allowed to pocket consumption at any time of the day. In Abu volunteer households to test an energy any savings they achieve from the trial, Dhabi, peak electricity demand reaches savings programme that will charge which is expected to last 16 months. An 9,000 megawatts in summer and drops by participants higher rates for power during initiative of the emirate’s Regulation and a third the rest of the year. high-demand periods, and less when Supervision Bureau (RSB), volunteers will Although the peak only lasts a few electricity use is lower. be selected from among villa owners in months, the emirate must invest in Al Reef Village, Golf Gardens and Sas Al expensive infrastructure to accommodate Nakhl. it. The large difference sometimes Participants will have special metres and involves the use of add-on facilities, and electronic displays installed in their homes it means power plants are working less to help them keep track of electricity efficiently at other times of the year. dubAi StudentS tAke the leAd in convincing SchoolS to go SolAR QAtAR hAS WoRld’S lARgeSt ecologicAl footpRint: WWf Qatar has the largest ecological footprint per person in the world, displacing the UAE, which is now at No. 3 in terms of countries with the worst green record, according to new research by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The Living Planet Report 2012 ranked the gas-rich Qatar as the country putting the biggest demand on the earth’s ecological systems, despite A group of Grade 6 pupils in Dubai’s plants. Cost-wise, analysts estimate there having a limited ‘biocapacity’, or ability Emirates International School Jumeirah is an approximate 10-year payback period. to regenerate resources. have taken the lead in trying to convince The price for solar energy is falling, Its ecological footprint totalled schools across the country to convert to but it will fall even further if the panels 11.64 gha, representing the amount of solar energy. By doing so, the students are connected to the main power grid. biologically productive land and sea estimate, schools can save up to Dh1 Currently, none of the UAE’s private area needed to supply the resources its million a year on their electricity bills. solar power panels are being fed into population consumes and absorbs. According to the students, who the national grid. The Dubai Electricity Qatar was followed closely by Kuwait launched their mission under the banner and Water Authority (DEWA) recently and the UAE, which had footprints of ‘Make A Difference’, using renewable announced the development of a 1,000 9.68 gha and 8.4 gha respectively. sources of energy can help schools megawatt solar park in Dubai, worth “The ecological footprint is driven reduce electricity usage by a fifth. Dh11.5 billion, to supply five per cent of by consumer habits and the efficiency With ample sunshine in the UAE the UAE’s power needs by 2030. The first with which goods and services can be all-year-long, it will also prove to be a 10MW – around 77,000 solar panels – are provided,” stated the report. sustainable alternative to making huge to be installed and connected to the grid investments in hydrocarbon-based power by the middle of 2013.
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TAKE A PEEK AT THE NEWEST MUST HAVE HIGH-TECH ELECTRONIC DEVICES
TWO’S COMPANY wHAt iF you could carry everything that’s on your computer right in your pocket? What if you could just plug in and access the contents of your entire hard drive? Would it be useful to you to be able to view, edit and upload data to and from your remote computer? What if it was completely safe, and easy, and you weren’t getting charged any monthly fees? Then you should check out iTwin, a cool pair of USB keys that turns your computer into a server and VPN, letting you access sensitive data securely from a remote machine. Its end-to-end encryption is much more secure than a cloud solution, and at a great price.
Price: $99 (dh364) www.itwin.com
RECORD LIFE THROUGH YOUR EYES A boon For journalists, law enforcers, surgeons and even tourists, Pivothead glasses are simple to wear and allow users to record HD video, audio, and capture 5 megapixels rapid-fire photos through simply turning on the camera by tapping a button on the bottom left side. To shoot videos, one’s eyes must be directly facing the subject, and to help, there is the gadget’s built-in image stabilizer. The glasses also offer three video-shooting modes (1080x30p, 720x60p, and 720x30p), a micro-USB port for all hardware- related connections, and Windows, Mac, and Android support. For adjustments in settings, LEDs are also present in the glasses.
From $349 (dh1,282) www.pivothead.com
HOW DO YOU SAY ‘INDIGESTION’ IN JAPANESE? tHe VoiCe Travel Mate, a travel translator, is this summer’s must-have gadget. It not only says the phrase you need out loud in the language of your choice, but will say it in your language as well as the translated one, so that you know exactly what you’re saying and can avoid any awkward moments. This handy pocket sized gizmo holds 10,500 commonly used phrases in 15 global languages, handily organised into eight categories, so the next time you’re desperately trying to buy some Gas-X chewables after a few too many helpings of sushi, you’ll be able to zip in and out of the chemists without having to resort to an advanced series of mimes. It’s no easy task learning a new language, but everyone appreciates somebody who tries their best. Make sure you’re never lost for words on holiday again.
From $99.95 (dh367) www.languageworld.com.au
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MUSIC TO YOUR EARS Allowing budding producers and DJs to transform tracks on the go, the Mini Kaoss Pad 2 packs in over 100 effects including loopers, filters, delay and reverb – and lets you control them all via the built in touchpad. Within a month of its launch, this mini pad is fast becoming a must-have effect unit in every musician’s rig – especially in the DJ scene. It provides an MP3 player with adjustable pitch, making it ideal for creating DJ-Style performances. Instrumentalists, guitarists, sound designers and even just music fans will enjoy using the Mini Kaoss Pad 2. If this isn’t going to get you stage-ready, nothing will.
Price: From $159.99 (dh588) www.korg.com
SLIM IS IN Very SmAll and extremely thin, this ultra-portable mobile phone charger is the cordless power hub that stores in a wallet and recharges any device with a micro USB port. Thin and compact (just 1/4 inch thickness), this extremely thin and lightweight credit card-sized phone charger fits easily into the pocket or your wallet, along with your credit cards. Its powerful lithium-ion battery recharges a mobile phone to full capacity before requiring a recharge itself, and it connects to devices with its 1 1/2 inches-long fold-out micro USB cord (compatible with most Android and Blackberry smartphones or traditional mobiles).
Price: $29.95 (dh110) www.hammacher.com
MAKE A MOVIE, ON-THE-GO eVer took a road trip and wished you could record all you can see without having to stop at every picturesque spot? Well, now you can, with this cool Roadtrip Video Recorder. This is the video camera that sets up in a car and enables hands-free visual and audio documentation of travels. The suction cup mount attaches to a window or dashboard and the camera can be directed to record colour video at 640 x 480 resolution of the approaching horizon or roadside views. The lens has a 120˚ viewing angle, an 8X zoom, and integrated motion detection that automatically initiates recording when the car is moving. The 2.4 inches LCD viewfinder rotates 270˚, enabling travellers to monitor what’s being recorded or view stored video, and four infrared LEDs allow night-time video recording. Rechargeable battery provides up to two hours of video recording after a two-hour charge via the car outlet adapter. It also captures still photographs.
From $129.95 (dh477) www.hammacher.com
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IF HEALTH IS WEALTH – AND YOU KNOW IT IS – THEN HERE’S A TREASURE TROVE OF HEALTH AND FITNESS NUGGETS
BUSTING STRESS, AND SOME MYTHS Title: Managing Stress: Principles And Strategies For Health And Well-Being Author: Brian Luke Seaward Publisher: Jones & Bartlett Learning Price: $106.95 (Dh393)
Managing STreSS, Seventh Edition, provides a comprehensive approach to stress management honouring the integration, balance, and harmony of mind, body, spirit, and emotions. The holistic approach taken by internationally acclaimed lecturer and author Brian Luke Seaward authority on stress management by students gently guides the reader to greater levels and professionals, this book gives students TURN BACK THE HEALTH of mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual the tools needed to identify and manage CLOCK well-being by emphasising the importance stress while teaching them how to strive for of mind-body-spirit unity. Referred to as the health and balance. Title: Oby’s Wisdom! A Caveman’s Simple Guide to Health and Well-being, 2nd edition Author: Mark William Cochran Publisher: Bitterroot Mountain Publishing LLC Price: $15.95 (Dh59) HOW TO SWING YOUR MOOD FOR Turn your healTh inside out! Dr Mark THE BETTER William Cochran was virtually crippled with Title: Exercise for Mood and Anxiety: Proven Strategies for chronic inflammatory arthritis for years and Overcoming Depression and Enhancing Well-Being then transformed himself into a triathlete Author: Michael Otto Ph.D., Jasper A.J. Smits Ph.D. and marathon runner. On the journey to his Publisher: Oxford University Press healing miracle he discovered something Price: $17.99 (Dh66) he never expected, a healing miracle is within reach of everybody. Yes, even you! exerciSe haS long been touted anecdotally as an effective tool for mood improvement, The main character of the book is Obsidian but only recently has rigorous science caught up with these claims. With this book, Michael J. ‘Oby’ Stone, whose simple and timeless Otto and Jasper Smits, well-known authorities on cognitive behavioural therapy, take their wisdom cuts through the fog of today’s empirically-based mood regulation strategy from the clinic to the general public. Written for healthcare drama and teaches you how to those with diagnosed mood disorders as well as those who simply need a new strategy for create the holistic mindset and lifestyle that managing the low mood and stress that is an everyday part of life, this book provides readers will lead you to a lifelong state of vibrant with step-by-step guidance on how to start and maintain an exercise program geared health. towards improving mood.
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RIGHT BRAIN KIDS IN A LEFT BRAIN WORLD Title: The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind, Survive Everyday Parenting Struggles, and Help Your Family Thrive Author: Daniel J. Siegel, Tina Payne Bryson Publisher: Delacorte Press Price: $24 (Dh88)
your Toddler ThrowS a tantrum in the middle of a store. Your pre-schooler refuses to get dressed. Your fifth-grader sulks on the bench instead of playing on the field. Do children conspire to make their parents’ lives endlessly challenging? No – it’s just their developing brain calling the shots. In this pioneering, practical book, Daniel J. Siegel, neuropsychiatrist and author of the bestselling Mindsight, and parenting expert Tina Payne Bryson demystify the meltdowns and aggravations, explaining the new science of how a child’s brain is wired and how it matures. Especially in young children, the right brain and its emotions tend to rule over the logic of the left brain. PRE-PAID SERVICE PLAN – FOR YOUR BRAIN Title: Save Your Brain: The 5 Things You Must Do to Keep Your Mind Young and Sharp Author: Paul Nussbaum Publisher: McGraw-Hill Price: $16.95 (Dh62)
Beginning wiTh a diagnostic quiz to help you determine your overall brain health, and ending with meal plans and recipes for a brain boosting diet, Save Your Brain is an easy-to- follow comprehensive guide to getting the brain in the best shape possible, and keeping it there – for life. Doing the daily crossword puzzle and drinking green tea may not be enough in fighting off mental decline. Alzheimer’s and Dementia are on the rise but clinical neuropsychologist, Dr David Nussbaum presents a comprehensive five-part programme for keeping brains operating at their best and fighting off these debilitating diseases. Our brains can remain as strong and as sharp at 70 as they were by 20 by following Dr Nussbaum’s five essential steps.
I THINK I’M WELL, SO I AM and after service, how innovative schools educate and motivate, and how corporations augment Title: Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding performance and goal-setting. With its interactive of Happiness and Well-being exercises that help readers explore their own Author: Martin E. P. Seligman attitudes and aims, Flourish is a watershed in the Publisher: Free Press understanding of happiness as well as a tool for Price: $16 (Dh59) getting the most out of life. In his most life-changing in a faScinaTing evoluTion of thought, book yet – which has electrified his already Flourish refines what Positive Psychology is all about: massive readership – Seligman explains his Well-Being. Featuring inspiring stories of Positive theory of happiness and purpose. Building on his Psychology in action, Seligman shows how the US game-changing work on optimism, motivation, and Army improves soldiers’ emotional resilience during character. Here is the way to get life right.
www.amazon.com
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86-87 Books.indd 87 6/28/12 11:18 AM AD
88-91 Movies.indd 88 6/28/12 11:18 AM THE HOTTEST NEW INTERNATIONAL MOVIE RELEASES COMING SOON TO A CINEMA NEAR YOU
the AmAZinG spiDer-mAn Director: Marc Webb Starring: Andrew Garfi eld, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans Movie type: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Peter Parker fi nds a clue that might help him understand why his parents disappeared when he was young. His path puts him on a collision course with Dr Curt Connors, his father’s former partner. Like most teenagers, Peter is trying to fi gure out who he is and how he got to be the person he is today. Peter is also fi nding his way with his fi rst high school crush, Gwen Stacy, and together, they struggle with love, commitment, and secrets. As Peter discovers a mysterious briefcase that belonged to his father, he begins a quest to understand his parents’ disappearance – leading him directly to Oscorp and the lab of Dr Curt Connors. As Spider-Man is set on a collision course with Connors’ alter-ego, The Lizard, Peter will make life-altering choices to use his powers and shape his destiny to become a hero.
think like A mAn
Director: Tim Story Starring: Gabrielle Union, Kevin Hart, Regina Hall Movie type: Comedy, Romance
Based on Steve Harvey’s best-selling book, Think Like A Man follows four interconnected and diverse men whose love lives are shaken up after the ladies they are pursuing buy Harvey’s book and start taking his advice to heart. When the band of brothers realise they have been betrayed by one of their own, they conspire using the book’s insider information to turn the tables and teach the women a lesson of their own. The sharp, funny and truth-telling romantic comedy is an ingenious adaptation of comedian and radio host Steve Harvey’s New York Times best-selling book, Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man.
the DeCoy BriDe Director: Sheree Folkson Starring: Kelly Macdonald, David Tennant, Alice Eve Movie type: Comedy, Drama
When the wedding of internationally famous fi lm star Lara Tyler to tweedy English authour James Arber is sabotaged by a paparazzi, they decide to relocate the event to the one place where the world’s press won’t fi nd them: the sleepy Island of Hegg, as featured in James’ bestselling novel The Ornithologist’s Wife. But to the shock of Lara’s PA Steve Korbitz, the reality of the island is diff erent from the romanticised picture James has created (without ever visiting), and he has to transform this fantasy world before the superstar arrives. At the same time, a local girl is hired as a decoy bride to put the paparazzi off the scent this time around. www.voxcinemas.com
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88-91 Movies.indd 89 6/28/12 11:18 AM Security And Safety For All MOVIES
seekinG A FrienD For the enD oF the WorlD Director: Lorene Scafaria Starring: Steve Carell, Keira Knightley, Melinda Dillon Movie type: Comedy, Drama, Romance
As an asteroid nears Earth, a man finds himself alone after his wife leaves in a panic. He decides to take a road trip to reunite with his high school sweetheart. Accompanying him is a neighbour who inadvertently puts a wrench in his plan. Set in a too-near future, a man searches for a meaningful connection as humanity’s last days are at hand. Can he find his greatest love at the worst possible time? As the respective journeys of Dodge (Steve Carell) and Penny (Keira Knightley) converge, the two spark to each other and their outlooks – if not the world’s – brighten.
DArlinG CompAnion Director: Lawrence Kasdan Starring: Diane Keaton, Kevin Kline, Dianne Wiest Movie type: Drama
Darling Companion is the story of a woman who loves her dog more than her husband. And then her husband loses the dog. On a wintry day, Beth (Keaton) saves a bedraggled lost dog from the side of the freeway. Struggling with her distracted, self-involved husband Joseph (Kline) and an empty nest at home, Beth forms a special bond with the rescued animal. When Joseph loses the dog after a wedding at their vacation home in the Rockies, the distraught Beth enlists the help of the few remaining guests and a mysterious young woman in a frantic search. Each member of the search party is affected by the adventure, which takes them in unexpected directions – comic, harrowing, and sometimes deeply emotional.
GrAystone Director: Sean Stone Starring: Oliver Stone, Alexander Wraith, Sean Stone Movie type: Horror
In October 2009, a trio of filmmaking friends breaks into an abandoned psychiatric hospital to explore the ‘haunted’ institution, famous for its radical treatment of patients with mental illness. But legend has it that anyone who ventures into the hospital will lose their mind, and the young trio will now have to suffer the consequences of their journey into a mysterious realm of escaped patients, ghosts and demonic ‘shadows.’ Besides, electroshock, insulin therapy, and lobotomies are commonplace. Once inside, the filmmakers quickly discover that they are not alone; this story is based on their experiences.
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88-91 Movies.indd 90 6/28/12 11:18 AM 88-91 Movies.indd 91 6/28/12 11:18 AM Security And Safety For All TIPS & TRIVIA
your cool Improve your well-beIng thIs summer wIth these sImple yet healthy steps to keep your cool
n the warmer, longer, lazier days of Add a bit of Eat light, eat summer, desert living may not be spice to your often: Try and easy, but your life probably feels a life and snacks: eat small but little less chaotic with thinner traffic Salty snacks can frequent Ithanks to school holidays. Still, a scorching 2 5 help. Try adding some meals, and summer does take a toll on your health salt to sliced fruits like ensure that even if you stay indoors most of the times. apples or water melon, your meals That’s why this is a perfect time to improve or a bit of spices to have a healthy your health without overhauling your cucumbers to turn it dose of fluids. Start the routine. Here are six golden tips that we into a refreshing snack. morning with a sweet, juicy fruit at gleaned from the hundreds floating breakfast. Ripe summer fruits - peaches, around to give you that perfect head start plums, melons and pears, are exactly what this summer: Wear light-coloured clothing: your skin craves for in the hot season. What you wear also plays a role. Citrus fruits are also very cooling. Keep yourself Light clothing is important to help hydrated: the skin breathe. Cotton or light Leaves are good: Include salads Drinking the 3 fabrics like linens are a good option. Such with lots of leafy vegetables to your 1right kind of materials let the body sweat, yet keep it lunch and dinner meals. Consuming fluids is important, cool and airy. Save all your silks and satin leafy lettuce and summer greens, as it is to not wait 6 outfits for the night. corn on cob and until you feel thirsty cucumbers, are – keep sipping on Stay indoors when possible: delicious ways liquids in between The sun is at its fiercest between 12 to stay cool. your daily activities. noon and 3pm – so try and avoid These foods Water is the best venturing out at these times. If you contain a option and it may be 4 must, make sure you are suitably protected significant amount a good idea to start carrying a bottle with with a high SPF sun-protection lotion, of water and can actually thin the blood, you while travelling. While we all love our carry an umbrella or wear a hat, if which has a cooling effect. Onions are also cup of chai and coffee, try to keep caffeine possible, and try to minimise your stay great in the summer, because of their drinks to a minimum. Instead, stick to under the sun. Also, remember to wash off ability to beat the heat and provide relief lemonades or fresh fruit juices. the sunscreen once you’re back in shade. from summer ailments.
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92-93 Tips&Trivia.indd 92 6/28/12 11:19 AM Security And Safety For All
sunBuRn sootHinG tips The summer sun will be stronger than ever. And even if you take all the care in the world, there remains a chance that you’ll get sunburnt. So if you find yourself sporting lobster-like skin this season, here are some quick tips and tricks to treat it:
Cool off couple of leaves off an aloe vera plant and pop The first step to soothing searing skin is them into your fridge. After an hour or two, to hop into a chilly shower or a bath. The peel off the top layer of the leaves, give them a cold water will fight off swelling from squeeze, and rub the gel directly on your the heat and lower your skyrocketing sunburn. Or, buy the bottled version and body temperature. However, skip the store in your fridge for a refreshing treatment soaps and the bath gel, as harsh cleanser for toasted skin. may just further irritate your skin. If you just can’t submerge yourself in an icy bath yet, cover the affected areas with a Just CHill Continue to soothe your sunburn like you cold compress or fill a spray bottle with would a headache: Drink plenty of water and ice water, and spritz your sunburned pop ibuprofen or aspirin, as needed. Moisturise every day to skin for some relief. minimise peeling.
Hello, Aloe know wHen to Get Help There is a reason the aloe vera plant has been around If a bad sunburn causes painful blisters, makes since the prehistoric times. The gel that oozes out from you feel faint or dizzy and you have difficulty this cactus contains active compounds which breathing, feel clammy and nauseated, or if fight pain, infection, inflammation, and you have fever and the chills, head straight can prevent the dreaded to the doctor, you could possibly have sun post-burn peeling. Clip a poisoning.
DiD you know? Some fun facts for you to break the ice ◘ Adrian Hayes, a UAE-based explorer and adventurer, holds the world record of the longest unsupported snow-kiting expedition across Greenland. It took him 67 days to walk 4262km from the northern tip of Greenland to the north-west along with teammates Devon McDiarmid and Derek Crowe. ◘ Ski Dubai is the first indoor ski resort in the Middle East and offers an amazing snow setting to enjoy skiing, snowboarding and tobogganing or just playing in the snow. The construction covers 22,500 square metres covered with real snow all year round. ◘ The ice lolly, (or Popsicle in American English), was mistakenly invented by an 11-year old boy named Frank Epperson on a cold night in San Francisco in 1905. He left a glass of soda with a stirring stick outdoors, and the next morning the soda had frozen. He pulled out the stick and ate the first Popsicle. Years later he started to sell them at an amusement park in New Jersey. ◘ A watermelon is a vegetable, not fruit, and is the official state vegetable of Oklahoma, USA. It is from the botanical family Cucurbitaceae and is most closely related to cucumbers, pumpkins and squash. The watermelon is composed of 92 per cent water and early explorers often used hollowed out watermelons as canteens. There are more than 1,200 varieties of watermelons in the world. ◘ The biggest ice cream sundae weighed over 24 tons (or 20,000 kg) and was made in Edmonton, Canada in 1988.
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92-93 Tips&Trivia.indd 93 6/28/12 11:19 AM Security And Safety For All PUZZLES PUZZLES Test your wits with our classic crossword and sudoku puzzles easy Across 1- Language elements 6- Artist Chagall 10- Black cuckoos 14- Red as ___ 15- D-Day beach 16- Soviet news service 17- Wash lightly 18- Big rig 19- Elevator man 20- Four-door 21- Adorn with heraldic emblems 23- Man’s best friend medium 25- Women’s ___ 26- Account 29- Winglike parts 32- Intolerant person 37- GI mail drop 38- Counterfeiter catcher 39- Term of holding 40- Study of communicative 69- Ballerina Pavlova 27- Expeditiously attitudes 70- Pulitzer category 28- Actress Sophia 43- Person with a cool job? 30- PC linkup 44- Just manages, with “out” Down 31- Celestial being 45- Convened 1- Bloody confl icts 33- CD earnings 46- Kidney-related 2- Off-Broadway theater award 34- False front 47- Chicken cordon ___ 3- Tear 35- Killer whales tricky 48- Boxer Willard 4- Marquis ___ 36- Quizzes, trials 49- Harem room 5- Pad user 38- Aztec god of rain 51- 21st letter of the Greek 6- Think 39- Mooring place alphabet 7- Up and ___! 41- Doc bloc 53- Demon in female form 8- Stroll 42- Luau instrument 58- Divisions politiques 9- Hot stuff 47- Large terrestrial monkey 62- House rodents 10- All-inclusive 48- Fluctuating movement 63- Thick cord 11- Defense grp. since 1949 50- Indian millet 64- Baffl ed 12- The doctor ___ 52- Got wind of 65- ___ do 13- Draft org. 53- Locale 66- Dig like a pig 22- Superior of a convent 54- Arthur Ashe’s alma mater 67- Put a new price on 24- Street urchin 55- Honeycomb unit 68- Bargain 26- Rhino relative diabolical
SOLUTIONS for the June issue easy medium tricky diabolical
www.bestcrosswords.com - www.sudokuoftheday.com
94 999 SECURITY AND SAFETY FOR ALL JULY 2012
94 puzzles.indd 94 6/28/12 11:20 AM HOROSCOPE Security And Safety For All WHAT THE MONTH Looking into the future, with HAS IN STORE Tita B
ARIES (21 March – 19 April) Turbulences in the relational area could generate rivalry, Libra (September 23 – October 22) worries related to contracts, maybe even separation. In July Action! On July 3, 2012, Mars will enter Libra full of initiative 2012, Venus and Jupiter will nevertheless be able to bring and energy. There’ll be a change of rhythm and some refreshing you new opportunities. It’s important not to act impulsively, self-discovery. This month, you’ll seize control of the situation but judge things calmly and patiently. Your strength will be communication. and things will depend on you more. You’ll be vigorous, Use it! As for the rest, you’ll manage intellectual procedures excellently: courageous, and ambitious, you’ll know what you have to do and you’ll go for it. writing, studying, calculations, exams, etc. Financially, you’ll do well. The Sun will be in your house of career in the fi rst 20 days, promising success and accomplishments. Material issues will also get under your direct control. TAURUS (20 April – 20 May) July 2012 will be a busy month for you. If you’re active, you Scorpio (October 23 – November 21) can expect a lot of work, challenges and a lot of professional Above all, July 2012 promises fi nancial chance. With the two stress. Even if you’re on holiday, you won’t escape worries benefi cial planets, Venus and Jupiter, in one your house of completely. One way or another, in July 2012, you’ll end up with money, you’ll be lucky. This month is also good for investments. responsibilities. The good side of things will be effi ciency: You’ll manage to get However, you must assess your resources carefully. The things done much faster now. There’ll be money, gifts, opportunities to raise the professional life will be rather stressful and can be marked by emergencies. income, and your efforts will be rewarded generously. Communication with bosses, authorities and collaborators is important and you must be very careful when it comes to documents, agreements and calculations. Gemini (May 22 – June 20) With the two benefi ces – Venus and Jupiter – in Gemini, the key Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21) to success is in your hands. This will be a month of enthusiasm July 2012 promises success with relationships in general. It’ll and fulfi lment, in which you’ll carry out almost everything you’ll be a favourable month to collaborate and associate, team set your mind to. You’ll have opportunities to develop, progress, work, interaction with clients, etc. The stars will favour you get promoted, and you’ll receive collaboration proposals. You’ll benefi t from in competitions, trials, and rivalry. Fate will be on your side, money, gifts and welfare. All you have to do is be more careful about what you indicating victory. Financially, it seems that there’ll be some pressure. It could be promise, write, negotiate or sign in the second part of July 2012. connected to the stress caused by a business idea or by loans.
Cancer (June 21 – July 22) Capricorn (December 22 – January 19) With the Sun in Cancer, success is nearer. The Sun lends you This is an active month that could bring you stress and struggle, prestige and authority, highlights your qualities, places you as well as accomplishments. In your house of career are Mars and in a privileged position and strengthens your leading and Saturn. This month, ambitions will be high, the desire to stand out organisational abilities. However, you’ll have to put up with a will become a priority, and the necessity to do something will be lot of pressure that requires changes. If you have felt lately that it’s time to bring very big. The issues of a fi nancial nature need to be treated most carefully, especially something new to your career, then this will probably become more acute. if it’s about business, loans, joint fi nances (with the partner, family, associates).
Leo (July 23 – August 22) Aquarius (January 20 – February 18) July 2012 will be favourable to popularity and group actions. The Sun will be in your house of work, and the energetic Mars It’ll supply opportunities to show yourself in a good light, to will be in the same sign as Saturn. You’ll go through an intense make fans and followers. You’ll have a lot of initiative and you’ll and active period, but this month, nothing will be solved be very persuasive. This month will be animated and has the without effort. You might be forced to overcome unexpected potential to supply opportunities and solutions. Success seems to be more visible obstacles. Good communication would spare you of many troubles. Financially, in the last 10 days, when the Sun is in your sign. partnerships don’t seem to be very profi table. Be clear when making a deal.
Virgo (August 23 – September 22) Pisces (February 19 – March 20) The planetary confi gurations promise a lot in July 2012: with July 2012 will demand a lot of you. Mercury will be in your both Venus and Jupiter, in your house of career, you should house of work, focusing not only on intellectual activities, but expect a successful month. There’ll be plenty of opportunities, also on various exchanges. Order, rigor and discipline will be but you’ll have to use them. You need to focus, devise a clear essential this month for decent professional development. You’ll strategy and dare for more. Financially, if you don’t spend excessively and don’t be a little luckier when it comes to patrimony and real estate. The fi nancial area make rash decisions, there’s no reason to worry. Money will come. will take up a lot of energy, and it’ll be an area of stress.
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