New Ras al-Khaimah Port Free Zone area begins operations

Ras al-Khaimah Port, one of the emirate’s five port facilities, has now established a new free zone area that comes under the licence jurisdiction of RAK Maritime City Freezone Authority.

Commenting on the new facility, Captain Clifford Brand, CEO of Ras al-Khaimah Ports, said, “We believe that introducing a free zone alternative within RAK Port will prove popular with tenants looking for a location that is within the city and also directly connected to the port facility itself. Importantly, we have ensured that accessibility is not an issue for tenants and their customers, something that can be problematic given the high security levels that are naturally associated with ports. To accomplish this, new security access points have been established which will enable easier entrance, while still adhering to the established customs and free zone protocols. The objective is to enable our tenants and their clients to conduct their business as efficiently and rapidly as they would want to.”

Justin Wardle, RAK Port’s Operations Director, said, “We have purpose built warehousing ready of 1,512 and 1,944 square meters, and open land of up to 50,000 square meters. We believe that our affordable pricing structure is one that potential tenants will be interested in. The free zone areas have direct access to our Port Zone and its quays. The smaller warehousing site can be split into two 756 square meter options if required.”

He explained that in addition to the free zone options, the Port Zone itself has a 1,944 square meter warehouse, and a further non-free zone area contains another 1,944 square meter warehouse and 2,000 square meters of open storage.

Mr. Wardle also confirmed that the existing services that the port provides will also continue. These include marine layby, afloat repair, logistics, import and export, crew and vessel services, warehousing, cold store warehousing and open land storage.

New Ras al-Khaimah Port Free Zone area begins operations

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Influenza virus highly active in the UAE

Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News ArchivesAnyone above the age of six months is advised to get vaccinated against influenza, which gives the individual protection for a year.

Dubai: A high incidence of influenza is being reported in the UAE as summers transit to winters and doctors are cautioning residents to prevent infection by getting the influenza vaccine administered.

Dr Hassan Kazia, head of Prime Hospital emergency medicine department and a specialist in internal medicine told Gulf News: ‘About 15 per cent of the emergency cases that we get these days are of patients suffering from flu.”

Dr Hemant Pargi, senior pulmonologist from Aster Hospital, Bur Dubai told Gulf News: “I have been signing at least two sick leave certificates per day for the last fortnight.” He attributes the high incidence of influenza to the change in season. “Every year the genetic make-up of viruses undergo changes. Just as our immune systems gets used to one strain, new strains appear. In addition to this, around this time, especially since a huge contingent of residents on vacation to their native countries return with new strains. The viral load gets high, and the changing season also has a high level of allergens in the atmosphere causing the onset of infections.”

Dr Kazia pointed out that people are reporting to the emergency with typical flu symptoms of high to moderate grade fever, chills, cough, cold, wheezing, body ache and general fatigue. A nasal swab test that tests for Influnenza A and B strain usually confirm the prognosis.

Dr Pargi added that infection was spreading because “People have been confined to closed air conditioned rooms for long owing to the heat and viruses were thriving in AC vents and spreading through it.”

The typical duration of an influenza bout is about 5-7 days. In case of children the infection can last up to a fornight and in cases of those who have a compromised immune system because of advancing age or diabetes or du to pre-existing respiratory diseases such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), asthma are more susceptible to catching the virus.

“An influenza vaccine gives up to 70 per cent cover against contracting any such virus,” said Dr Kazia. The vaccination approved by the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) is available at all government Primary Health Centres and private clinics and hospitals by the beginning of September which is the beginning of the influenza season in the UAE.

“It is advisable to get vaccinated to prevent flu right in the beginning of Septmeber. Anyone from the above the age of six months is advised to get this vaccination which gives an individual protection for a year.,” said Dr Pargi who advised against any antibiotic treatment. “Antibiotics are only given when there is a secondary bacterial infection. Otherwise, paracetamol, anti-histamines a strong dose of 1000 mg Vitamin C, some steaming and complete rest is enough to get your immune system to respond.”

How to keep influenza away

Practise hand hygiene and always sanitise especially when using public places or even touching door knobs in offices or cabs

Get an influenza vaccination at the beginning of September

Keep your immune system strong with strong doses of Vitamin C

Take steam inhalation and keep yourself warm

Cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough as a sneeze can transmit an infection droplet from six feet across.

Avoid visiting public places such as swimming pools, Turkish baths and even pubs which are crowded

If you areaa diabetic or suffer from any respiratory disease visit your GP for a preventive check.

Influenza virus highly active in the UAE

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Abu Dhabi Tour: Yousif Mirza living the dream

UAE cyclist delighted with development of cycling in his homeland and Middle East

Abu Dhabi: When he was young, cycling fanatic Yousif Mirza had to beg his parents to ride because his parents thought the UAE roads were too dangerous.

He followed his brother around on his bike. Once he had his first smartphone, he began following every big race in cycling.

Fast forward to this weekend, and the 27-year-old has lived out his cycling dreams by making his debut in the second Abu Dhabi Tour as leader of the Al Nasr Pro Cycling Team-Dubai.

Such nirvana comes after Mirza, who used to work at Dubai International Airport, became the UAE’s first cyclist to take part in the Olympic Games in August.

Understandably, then, life could not be better for Mirza, given the burgeoning growth of cycling in his homeland.

For now he has not one, but two, national Tours to choose from — the Dubai Tour was inaugurated in 2014 and has been held three times — and the Abu Dhabi Tour will become a World Tour race in 2017.

“You can see the organisation is strong, how the hotels and the roads are,” Mirza said during the four-stage Abu Dhabi Tour, which ended on Sunday. “The teams are happy and the people are happy, you can’t say something bad about the organisation.

“It’s not about the country or the Middle East. The Tour of Qatar has been doing it for 14 years. The teams are happy, they are fighting to come to this tour.”

“I hope to improve to ride in the WorldTour or the pro level. It’s possible,” added Mirza, in an interview with VeloNews.com. “It’s possible. I prefer to do something here in the UAE and then after that, move up. If you move up too fast, it’s too hard. You have to build slowly.”

Of his Olympic experience, he said: “It was a big experience to ride at that level, it’s really a high level with many champions.”

He crashed on the cobble section and had to abandon his participation in the road race, luckily with no injuries. His quick rise to the top is similar to his country’s. “We are building up young riders and supporting them with the Dubai Sports Council and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council,” Mirza said. “If it’s not me, maybe it’s the next generation who will make it.”

The rise of cycling in the UAE is matched throughout the Middle East, with Qatar and Oman both holding top-level events.

Bahrain will also have its own elite team next season led by Vincenzo Nibali and Joaquím Rodruguez. It should become the first Middle East team in the World Tour.

“Cycling’s growing massively in the world, there are some places you expect to race, but the fact is that you wouldn’t immediately associate cycling with Abu Dhabi,” said Friday’s stage winner Mark Cavendish.

That has all changed now, however.

Abu Dhabi Tour: Yousif Mirza living the dream

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Dubai’s Fashion Forward day two

Mermaids, tennis, a rising European fashion star and a fairytale of endless pale gowns

How many full-length, red-carpet-worth gowns can you make in shades of pale peach, white and biscuit?

If you’re the fashion designer Zareena, the answer is: infinite.

A veteran of Fashion Forward (FFWD), the twice-yearly Dubai fashion showcase for local and regional designers, Zareena can be depended upon for a dazzling fashion show and typically, princess-like design.

Her show closed out day two of FFWD on Saturday at its new venue, Dubai Design District (d3), opening with a dramatic forest scene apt for the near-Halloween date. But what emerged from the smoke and twilight was not fashion darkness, but pastel-georgette-clad dryads; the better-dressed cousins to Swan Lake’s imprisoned princesses.

What took the endless stream of bridesmaid-ready gowns to the higher level of design were the finishings — heavy pleats lent weight, as did neckpieces and tunic overlays, with an almost medieval feel. Embroidery, in complementary shades of pale green, pink and gold, appeared on bodices, and flowing around the edges of skirts. The collection will be available at Fasateen, a multi-brand boutique opening at d3.

Earlier in the day, there were presentations in the smaller halls (a presentation sees the models walking in a theatre-in-the-round format, following which they stand still and guests can walk up and take pictures and see the clothes close up), most notably from Zena Presley, Mrs Keepa, Said Mahrouf and Bedouin.

Presley, like Zareena, was a study in femininity — sheer femininity. A a printed silk slip dress gets a pink, see-through oversized shirt atop; or in another version, a sheer blue skirt overlaid. Another slip dress is covered with ruched sheer black fabric embroidered with birds, a motif that reappears on tops and a matching skirt-and-top pairing.

Mahrouf turned folds and drapes — soft layers of fabric — into something architectural, especially in a white dress that appeared sculpted, yet soft. In keeping with the play of hard and soft, many of the fabrics were striped, the lines a contrast to the flowing feel.

If it’s a white dress you’re looking for, Bedouin is your label. The summer looks hinged on white eyelet pieces, pastel pyjama stripes, and satins — in a vibrant Marrakesh blue or juicy peach. The new off-the-shoulder is one side hanging off, and a dress can still be worn over trousers.

In the most themed show of the day, Mrs Keepa — launched by Egyptian-French designer Mariam Yehia earlier this year — saw models wander around a tennis court, occasionally grabbing a raquet or taking a seat in the umpire’s chair. Unsurprisingly, the theme translated into fun, retro styles — a vibe that Mrs. Keepa has channelled since her debut collection. Take away the white knee socks and tennis shoes (although 50 per cent of the people attending FFWD appeared to be in sneakers — what a change!) and there were off-court aces in a one-shouldered striped minidress, and in the printed matching suits.

In between running to presentations and shows, the occasional private party in the bar area, and the popular pizza truck, there were talks of interest, especially Stella Jean’s explanation of how she merges her two backgrounds — Italian and Haitian — into her designs without turning them into costume.

“Every look is a fusion,” Jean said. “For me it comes really naturally. Since I have both, it simply comes to me to respect them both. It’s the lucky part of being a metisse — a mix of races. I work in the direction to show that it’s more natural than you think. If we start to take that direction, we can discover and grow so much more.”

And if you think you need to be brilliant at drawing or sewing, then Jean, a protege of Giorgio Armani, will prove you wrong. She freely admitted that she can’t sketch — instead, she drapes directly on a fit model — or sew, although if you’ve lost a button, she can just about help you there.

Dubai’s Fashion Forward day two

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UAE woman pioneer, mother and sister laid to rest

Sharjah: Ameera Bin Karam, chairperson of Sharjah Business Women Council, her mother Badriya and sister Sama, were laid to rest on Sunday in Sharjah.

They died of smoke inhalation after a fire broke out at their villa in Sharjah on Saturday evening.

Their funeral was attended by Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development and top officials.

The funeral prayer was held at Al Sahaba Mosque at 12:30pm following the midday Dhuhur prayer. Besides family and friends, many residents also joined in the prayers.

People lent support to the bier and a convoy escorted the vehicle carrying the bodies to Sharjah’s main graveyard. Relatives and well-wishers followed behind.

Deadly fire breaks out at villa

Fire broke out at the Bin Karam’s villa on Saturday afternoon. The Emirati mother, Badriya, 57, her two daughters Ameera, 38 and Sama, 40, died of suffocation when their villa went up in flames, official sources said.

Her 32-year-old brother Khalid was rescued and moved to Al Kuwaiti hospital and later to Al Qassimi hospital as his condition was stated to be serious, officials said.

On Saturday evening, firefighters were sifting through the rubble of the burnt-out villa in Al Qadisiyah area of Sharjah to determine the cause of the deadly blaze. They reached the scene of the incident shortly after the operations room received a call about the incident.

Senior officials from Civil Defence and police also reached the villa and monitored the operation.

The bodies of the three victims were moved to Al Kuwaiti hospital.

An official at Sharjah Civil Defence said that they received call from a man saying there was fire in their neighbour’s house.

When firefighters reached the villa, they found that the fire started in the living room and the family members were sleeping at that time. The smoke engulf the house and entered other parts of the villa, which resulted in the death of the three women, the officials said.

UAE Businesswomen Council mourns Bin Karam’s death

The UAE Businesswomen Council mourned the death of Bin Karam, whom they described as a “role model of a working citizen”.

“During her service, Ameera contributed to empowering and strengthening the economic status of women. She was a role model of a working citizen who attaches utmost importance to the interests of the country. She never hesitated to work and never spared any effort to give or fulfil achievements,” said Mariam Mohammad Al Rumaithi, Chairwoman of the Emirates Business Women Council.

Ameera had set an example for the creative, innovative and successful women in all tasks assigned to her especially in the initiatives, humanitarian, economic and social campaigns that she led. She had a profound impact on the international level, Al Rumaithi added.

Bin Karam was a successful businesswoman, unique leader, and rich personality who bent on giving and sacrificing for the sake of the country, she added.

Al Rumaithi extended her condolences to Shaikha Jawaher Bint Mohammad Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, from whom the deceased learnt noble values and persistence.

With inputs from Mary Achkhanian, staff reporter, and WAM

UAE woman pioneer, mother and sister laid to rest

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Free WiFi access on 50 airport taxis from November 15, and all taxis to have access by mid-2017 in Abu Dhabi

Free WiFi access on 50 airport taxis from November 15, and all taxis to have access by mid-2017 in Abu Dhabi

NAT_160924_TAXI_AD Taxis waiting for customers in Abu Dhabi. Photo Ahmed Kutty/Gulf News

Abu Dhabi: The capital’s public taxis are closely monitored for speeding and reckless driving and erring drivers face a three-month suspension, an official has said.

The taxi regulating authority, the Centre of Regulation for Transport By Hire Cars (TransAD), has recently been certified for the safety standards in its vehicles, which are ensured by in-car cameras and a rigorous tracking system for all taxis, Mohammad Al Qamzi, general manager at TransAD, told Gulf News.

“An average taxi travels about 375 kilometres every day, but we have an extremely low incident rate, specifically 0.7 per cent per 100,000 kilometres. We also have a rigorous system in place to monitor any incidents and ensure that they do not recur,” Al Qamzi said.

“We are also working to further enhance safety, including the introduction of a system that will soon ensure better complaint resolution. Once it is implemented, investigators will have to call up every customer who has made a complaint before corrective action is taken,” he added.

TransAD has recently been certified by the International Organisation of Standardisation for the safety standards in its vehicles (ISO 39001:2012). These standards are ensured by a number of measures, including in-car cameras and a rigorous tracking system for all taxis, Al Qamzi said.

There are 7,645 taxis in the capital, and they are operated by seven franchisee companies. Between them, the companies employ more than 10,000 drivers. TransAD regulates the sector.

Speaking about adherence to safety standards, Al Qamzi said that every driver who receives a complaint or is involved in an accident is thoroughly investigated.

“For every instance of speeding or reckless driving, the driver can be given up to 12 black points. And the moment they hit 24 black points, the driver is taken off the roads and has to undergo three months’ training,” he explained.

As reported by Gulf News last month, the authority is also currently overseeing the introduction of free WiFi across the fleet.

“The WiFi will start as soon as the meter starts running. After all, our aim is to provide convenient access to all our users and, today, internet access has become a requirement. So, from November 15 onwards, 50 airport taxis will begin providing WiFi access. Soon afterwards, other vehicles will follow suit,” he said.

Routers are currently being installed on taxis, and the safety of the WiFi system will be guaranteed by telecommunications provider etisalat.

Meanwhile, the authority hopes to further enhance its smartphone application, which allows commuters to hail a ride.

“Within the next two to three months, customers will be able to file complaints through the app, or report lost items. About 30 items are reported lost every day,” Al Qamzi said.

At present, 18 per cent of taxi trips in the capital are booked through the app, Abu Dhabi Taxi. In contrast, nearly 50 per cent of bookings are made through the TransAD call centre.

Free WiFi access on 50 airport taxis from November 15, and all taxis to have access by mid-2017 in Abu Dhabi

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More Dubai Metro trips to ease peak-time rush

Dubai: The Dubai Metro will operate additional trips from Sunday, increasing the frequency of trains on both Red and Green lines, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced on Saturday.

On a weekly basis, 276 new trips will operate, 154 on the Red Line and 122 on the Green Line, aiming to cater to the growing number of commuters.

The RTA has also introduced short trips to address the morning rush, including three additional short trips each day from Saturday to Thursday and five additional trips on Friday on the Red Line.

 

More Dubai Metro trips to ease peak-time rush

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