New 200 AED Note to be Issued Today Tuesday, May 27 2008

The modified 200 AED note, complete with new security features, will be issued in the UAE on May 27, 2008. The announcement has come recently from the Central Bank. Initially, the bank had issued the 200 AED note in the year 1989 but the notes were not printed afterwards.

The new note has quality technical specifications and latest security marks and features. The design and specifications of the note remain the same as that of the present note but additional security features have been incorporated, which in turn are visible only under ultraviolet light.

The colour of the note has been modified so that in stead of brown, it is now orange. In addition to other features, an optically variable stripe has been added at the right side of the front of the note. The stripe shows the national emblem of the UAE along with value numerals.

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UAE Women Take the World by Storm! Monday, May 5 2008

In recent times, women from the United Arab Emirates have made their mark in socio-political and economic sectors both on the national and international levels. The country known for its conservative roots has developed itself to the point where there is no discrimination based on gender. In fact, women are held vital in their contribution towards the progress of the nation as they extend their roles in various fields.

Recently, there have been events in Dubai that marked outstanding women leaders in the country. Women have been projected as role models for the generations to come.

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Screening for Thalassaemia to be Conducted Earlier Friday, May 2 2008

Haematologists in the UAE have come up with a decision to screen people for thalassaemia quite early in life in a bid to prevent marriages among carriers of the disease. The move is being planned in wake of the fact that pre-marital screening of the disorder hasn’t proved helpful in preventing the birth of new patients.

Present Scenario in the UAE

At present, more than 6 percent of UAE nationals suffer from the disorder though there is compulsory pre-marital screening for blood-related disorders. As per the latest move, screening is to be done at the school-going stage itself so that individuals and families are spared the pain of cancelled weddings (which in turn is avoided in order to prevent heartache caused by the breaking of emotional ties already established).

Pre-marital thalassaemia screening came into place in the UAE two years back. Even then, there hasn’t been a drop in the number of new babies born with the disorder.

Thalassaemia

Thalassaemia is a genetic blood disorder in which there is a breakdown of red blood cells. Patients require regular blood transfusions in order to survive. Couples who are carriers of thalassaemia have a 25 percent chance of producing a thalassaemia-major baby.

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Camel Festival Debut in the Emirates Thursday, Mar 27 2008

UAE will soon have its share of the ship of the desert in the days to come. The first ever Mazayin Dhafra Camel Festival is being held at the Western Region in April. This is in continuation with the age old importance camels have been holding in Arab culture. A highlight of the event is the Camel Beauty Contest that will be organized from April 2 to April 10, 2008 at the Zayed City.

The Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) is organizing the camel festival which in turn is being sponsored by General Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The event is a part of efforts aimed at furthering local folklore and culture. Organizers hope that the event will become UAE’s annual date with some of the best camels in the world. 

Some eligibility criteria for the participating camels:

• The participating camels have to be pure-bred.
• The participating camels must not have any contagious diseases.
• The participating camels have to have proven ownership.

The camels will be divided as per age groups. An individual can participate with more than one camel as long as the ownership has valid proof.

Around 2,000 competitors have already registered themselves for the event. The number is expected to rise. Winners will get cash prizes worth 35 million AED along with 100 cars being given away as well.

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Prophet Mohammad’s Birthday (PBUH) to be celebrated on March 20, 2008 Thursday, Mar 20 2008

There will be an official holiday for the public and private sectors in the UAE on Thursday, March 20, 2008. This is to mark Prophet Mohammed’s birthday.

On the occasion, postal services will be available only during set timings at the main post offices only. The post offices that will operate are given below. These will stay open between 9 am to 1 pm:

@ Abu Dhabi:

• Abu Dhabi Central Post Office
• Al Butain
• Hamdan
• Musafah
• Beni Yas
• Nadi Al Seyahi
• Al Ain Main Post Office

@ Dubai

• Dubai Central Post Office
• Al Khor
• Jumeirah
• Satwa
• Rashidiya
• Hor Al Anz
• Deira Main Post Office
• Jebel Ali

NOTE: Post offices in Dubai that are located in shopping malls will remain open between 5 pm to 9 pm.

@ Sharjah

• Sharjah Central Post Office
• Al Corniche
• Al Ghuwair
• Khorfakkan
• Kalba
• Al Dhaid
• Muwaileh

@ Ajman

• Ajman Central Post Office

@ Umm Al Quwain

• Umm Al Quwain Central Post Office
• Sanaiyah
• Al Souq

@ Ras Al Khaimah

• Ras Al Khaimah Central Post Office
• Al Nakheel
• Al Uraibi

@ Fujairah

• Fujairah Central Post Office
• Dibba Al Fujairah

All other branches of the Emirates Post will remain closed. The collection of mail from post boxes will remain functional as usual.

At the given post offices, the collection and delivery of mail will continue as well.

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UAE in need of more blood donors Friday, Mar 7 2008

As per the health department of the country, UAE will be in need of more blood donors this year. This year about 2,000 more blood units are going to be needed as compared to last year’s consumption. The increase in the demand of blood units is directly proportional to the increase in the number of accidents and the rise in cases of diseases like blood pressure and diabetes.

The safety of the donated blood is also taken care of whereby it is ensured that the donor is in good physical health. For this, lab tests are undertaken to check blood pressure, temperature, weight and hemoglobin level of the blood donor. 

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Motorists in the UAE Come Under Stricter Law Monday, Feb 25 2008

The federal traffic law in the emirates has been amended recently whereby there will be stricter penalties in place for motorists from March 1, 2008. In particular, motorists who drink and drive will be strictly punished.

In addition to jail term, drunk drivers will invite a penalty of not less than 20,000 AED. The same punishment will be imposed on motorists who flee after getting involved with an accident.

Motorists who drive without a licence will be fined a sum not less than 5,000 AED along with a jail term of up to three months.

In addition to motorists, there are laws and directions in place for pedestrians as well. They are permitted to cross roads only at specified points and are not allowed to do so on roads where the speed limit for vehicles is 80 km per hour.

The Traffic Department will also impose a fine not less than 20,000 AED and prison term on people who imitate or use the number plate of other cars, or add to/ delete from the plate number without the permission of the traffic authorities.

If people, who have been ordered by law not to drive due to certain violations, are found driving, they will be fined a sum of not less than 5,000 AED or three month jail term.

Motorists, who furnish false personal details to the traffic department in order to avert punishment, will be fined anything between 2,000 AED to 5,000 AED, or a jail term of three months.

The stipulations are as per Article 49 of the federal traffic law.

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Total Lunar Eclipse Monday, Feb 18 2008

There will be a full lunar eclipse in the western region in the United Arab Emirates on February 21, 2008. The Emirates Astronomical Society (EAS) has made the announcement.

The moon will set before all the stages of the eclipse are seen in parts of Asia. The eclipse will also be seen in parts of Africa, Europe, the Atlantic Ocean and the Americas.

In a full lunar eclipse, the disk of the moon is seen in dramatic colour transformations – from bright orange to dark brown.

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UAE Spaceport Tuesday, Jan 15 2008

Local tourism was not attractive enough that UAE’s other lesser known state of Ras Al Khaimah is now the venue for the 30 billion USD Spaceport. Space Adventures is developing commercial spaceports in this region.  They are the pioneers of space tourism. The expansion will become global after a few years. The funding will be open to many of the venture capitalists. The revenues will be divided between the government of Ras Al Khamiah, Space Adventures and the funding agencies. The government has given clearance to this massive project. Space Adventures can operate suborbital spaceflights from their airspace. Prodea is their partner in this venture.

Why was Ras Al Khamiah chosen for this space trip odyssey? The main reasons are that the rulers agreed to become sponsors to the project and the place supports airport and spaceport facilities. The place is close to Dubai, a major tourist attraction in the region. The spaceflights cannot become congested in this region and they can have smooth operations. Space travel can become an important avenue for revenue in the near future. Myasishchev Design Bureau, a leading Russian aerospace organization is the main designer of the suborbital space transportation system. They have already designed high powered performance aircraft and space systems. Nearly five people can be put together in a spacecraft called ‘Explorer’ once operations commence. The highest degree of safety is being ensured on the space vehicle.

Explorer will have a flight-operational carrier aircraft - the M-55X - and a rocket spacecraft. It will have safety features like multi-redundant safety systems. The development schedule is being kept a secret by the Russian company. The civil aviation ministry has approved the project. The engineers working on the spacecraft have sorted out all the technical details with relevant federal authorities to support the operation of commercial suborbital spaceflight in UAE air space. The rulers consider this mega-project as a landmark in progress in the country. They are expecting tourists from the globe to come here and experience the spaceflight.

The project is based in Ras Al Khamiah which is in the northern part of UAE, with Oman on its border. It has one of the largest pharmaceutical firms, along with hectic real estate development in the region. Like Dubai, it is improvising on the infrastructure to attract tourists. It is also attracting commercial and industrial enterprises like Dubai. It has a free trade zone and a massive airport is coming up too. Space tourism is still in a nascent stage in other areas of the world. But with financial support, expertise and infrastructure facilities not a problem in UAE, it will become very popular soon. The rulers are leaving no stone unturned to make sure the development programs hit any snags till 2010, when they will become ready for tourists.  It has luxury hotels, villas and homes for visitors to stay. It is fully equipped to take on the load during vacations.

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Private sector holiday on New Hijri 1429 Wednesday, Jan 9 2008

Employees of private sector companies across the UAE will have a holiday on January 10, 2008 to mark New Hijri 1429. Public sector will also observe a holiday.

Read earlier post: Holiday to mark New Hijri 1429

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