Sports
Man who uploaded assault video on YouTube arrested
Man who uploaded assault video on YouTube arrested Amira Agarib (news@khaleejtimes.com) / 18 July 2013 The Dubai Police have arrested the person who filmed a senior government official assaulting a van driver after a minor accident and uploaded the video which went viral on YouTube. Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Dubai Police Major-General Khamis Mattar Al Mazeina said on Wednesday that the man was arrested after the son and other family members of the government employee involved in the incident lodged a complaint at the Qusais police station. Maj-Gen Al Mazeina said that this person could have contacted the police and given them the video recording instead of publishing it. He said that the Dubai Police were committed to taking legal action against people who commited mistakes or crimes. The man who took the video confessed that he uploaded it on YouTube after he distributed the footage to a number of his friends. Maj-Gen Al Mazeina commented that this type of footage might be exploited in a wrong way by certain authorities or people. It is worthy to mention that a number of people, through various media forums, debated whether people have the right to photograph accidents or certain incidents which can bring wrongdoers to justice and used as evidence by authorities. In this regard, Maj-Gen Al Mazeina said the police were examining whether there was a possibility of allowing people to photograph traffic accidents and sending the footage to the police using the 3G network. He warned members of the public from publishing such footage on social networking sites or sharing it with friends and relatives as it would, more often than not, included the car number plates. Under the UAE’s cybercrime laws, recording videos in public without the permission of those being filmed is illegal and constitutes defamation, so people should not involve themselves in this act in order to avoid legal action against them. The assault was viewed by tens of thousands of people shortly after it was posted. It showed the official punching and hitting an Asian minivan driver with his Igal (head dress) following a minor accident in Al Muraqqabat area. Maj-Gen Al Mazeina earlier said that both parties were summoned for questioning. He stressed that whatever the reason behind the incident, no one had the right to assault others or to take the law into their own hands and he should have rather resorted to the police. Prosecution orders detention of assailant Marie Nammour dubai — The acting Attorney-General in Dubai, Youssef Hassan Al Mutaweh, ordered that the Emirati official, who was caught on a film that went viral on Youtube beating up an Asian driver, be put in provisional detention for investigation. The Deira prosecution questioned the official, who has not yet been named, as soon as they received the complaint from the police. “The physical assault accused was confronted with the video clip. The prosecution is also set to listen to the assault victim”. Al Mutaweh said that the law in the UAE applies to all, and everyone is equal before justice. “According to the UAE constitution, all foreigners enjoy all the rights and forms of freedom that are granted in the international treaties and conventions”. Asked whether the assault case against the official might be closed at the Prosecution or whether it would be referred to the court, a prosecution source told Khaleej Times that everything is possible. The source did not rule out the possibility that an amicable settlement could be worked out if the assault victim signs a waiver of his rights to pursue the case. The source pointed out that no criminal report has reached the prosecution as yet filed on the official’s part against the individual who filmed the incident and posted it on Youtube. “If there is any such criminal complaint it would still be with the police”. mary@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
Firms show a big heart to clothe needy kids
Firms show a big heart to clothe needy kids Staff Reporter (news@khaleejtimes.com) / 16 July 2013 Another Dh4 million has been pledged to the rapidly growing pool of funds for a campaign to clothe one million needy children around the globe, launched by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Just four days after last Thursday’s campaign launch, there is already Dh12 million in donations from corporate sponsors alone, with Emirates NBD bank and the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) the latest to jump on board, with Dh2 million and Dh1 million respectively. The General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments joined the campaign with its Chairman Hamdan Mussalam Al Mazrouei handing a cheque of Dh1 million to RCA Secretary-General Dr Mohammed Ateeq Al Falahi. So far the total donations are above Dh16 million. The other big donations have come from a Dh3 million pledge each from both the country’s major telecommunications companies du and etisalat, while Damac chairman Hussain Al Sajwani has donated Dh2 million, and Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority a further Dh1 million. It is not yet clear how much has been donated by private citizens, who can send text codes through etisalat and du to make a contribution. The Red Crescent Authority, which distributed the aid on behalf of Shaikh Mohammed, yesterday distributed the aid to 100,000 Yemeni children. Children in Yemen have joined those in Bosnia and Syrian refugees in Jordan, as some of the first to receive a new outfit at a cost of Dh40 — meaning the whole project must raise Dh40 million. So far enough has been raised to clothe 384,245 children. Chairman of both Emirates Group and Dubai Aviation Authority Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said the company was grateful to Shaikh Mohammed for “giving us the opportunity to support such a noble cause that truly reflects the humanitarian spirit of the UAE. This contribution allows us all to participate in giving to the most needy in the world and to help children who are in need of our support”. “I would like to join in calling all the people in the UAE to take advantage of this philanthropic act and to give to these deserving children in need.” The donation coincided with the bank’s celebrations of “50 years of giving back to the broader community”, he said. Meanwhile, Dewa chief executive Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer said Shaikh Mohammed had made good and noble deeds in the field of humanitarian aid, both nationally and internationally, through various charity organisations and initiatives, including the Mohammed Bin Rashid Humanitarian and Charity Establishment, Dubai Cares, Noor Dubai and others. “His Highness’ efforts aim to help the poor, the sick, widows, orphans, the needy, the distressed and afflicted people either in the UAE or all over the world,” he said. Al Tayer said the charity reflected the country’s leaders’ “relentless pursuit” to help the poor and needy — traits which are deep-rooted in Emirati society. “These initiatives are part of human development in our society and are considered civilised characteristics of societies that are keen to consolidate social solidarity and support giving to the needy, regardless of their race, religion or language.” Dewa has placed donation boxes inside its head office and all other branches as part of an internal campaign to collect donations from employees and customers, the authority said in a media statement on Monday. Dewa has also sent e-mails to encourage donations from employees. Continue reading
Mohammed opens MBC studios
Mohammed opens MBC studios 16 July 2013 His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Monday, inaugurated Dubai-based MBC Group’s “O3” Drama Production Studios, a state-of-the-art facility running on an area of 15,000 square feet, being one of three sound stages to be launched at the end of 2013. Accompanying Shaikh Mohammed during the inauguration ceremony, was Shaikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Media Incorporated (DMI). In presence of MBC Group Chairman Waleed bin Ibrahim Al Ibrahim and a number of senior officials and media leaders, Shaikh Mohammed reviewed the latest equipment that match the efficiency and capacity of the largest international production studios equipped with the latest audio/visual technologies that are in par with the best international standards; affirming Dubai’s leading position as a high-tech centre for delivering premium content of international standards and consolidating its statue as a favourable destination for major media institutions as well as a popular destination for Arab and International investment in various sectors. The ceremony was also attended by Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs; Ahmad bin Byat, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Holding; Khalifa Saeed Sulaiman, Director-General Of Protocol Department; Mona Al Marri, Director-General of the Government of Dubai Media Office; Sami Al Qamzi, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of Dubai Media Incorporated; and Dr Amina Al Rustamani, CEO, Tecom Investments. Shaikh Mohammed was briefed about the production of TV programming and drama carried out by MBC Group, which has a portfolio of 12 TV channels and two Radio Stations. He was also briefed on the most important contents MBC Group channels offer. Shaikh Mohammed also toured the studios, located in the heart of “Dubai Studio City”, and was familiarised with the state-of-the-art technologies available, expressing his admiration over the advanced level of the studio. During the tour, Shaikh Mohammed watched a short 3-D film, especially prepared for the occasion that embodied a future panoramic view, inspired by the character, cultural and humanitarian components of the city of Dubai, and that projected the larger-than-life future outlook of the city. Later, Shaikh Mohammed was familiarised with the “Visual Backlot” technique compiled by “Stargate” global production technology of simulation visual multidimensional and the green screen technology that allows one to feature scenes from around the world without leaving Dubai. Extending his best wishes for the MBC Group and its staff, Shaikh Mohammed affirmed that the UAE will continue to support both private and government media sectors as well as provide the necessary requirements and space for local, regional and international media outlets operating in Dubai so as to be able to spread the media message and boost their role in building the society and making the future. His Highness also toured two mega sound stages, the largest in the Middle East and Europe, running on an area of 50,000 square feet and inspected the technologies and logistics set up to meet the best international standards before being briefed about the most important achievements and future projects. Shaikh Mohammed expressed his satisfaction over the great accomplishment by Dubai Studio City noting its impact in supporting Dubai strategy towards establishing a high-tech centre for audio-visual production to compete with the best centres established worldwide and, consequently, towards cementing Dubai’s position as a TV and film production hub attracting global production institution and facilitating their work offering cutting-edge services. On its part, the MBC Group expressed its appreciation to UAE’s leadership support for Media institutions and media persons. Continue reading
