Tag Archives: business
Ramadan gift for a million kids
Ramadan gift for a million kids Muaz Shabandari / 11 July 2013 One million children around the world will become the beneficiaries of a new Ramadan campaign launched by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The initiative aims at collecting donations during the holy month of Ramadan to supply clothing to one million children. Calling on people to support the campaign, Shaikh Mohammed announced the initiative on Twitter. Tweeting with the hashtag #Dress1MillionNeedyChildren, he said: “Giving joy and support to 1 million children is our mission for this Ramadan. I invite everyone to be part of this campaign, and remember that the more we give, the more we get back.” Every Ramadan, Shaikh Mohammed announces a new charity campaign, in line with the tradition of giving and generosity of the people of UAE. Previous campaigns include the launch of Dubai Cares, Noor Dubai and the family village for orphans. “Giving is a deeply rooted value in our religion, and the UAE has built its foundation on that basis,” said Shaikh Mohammed in one of his tweets. This year’s campaign will be hosted in partnership with the UAE Red Crescent Authority and it will continue until September 19, which falls on UAE’s Humanitarian Work Day, and marks the 9th anniversary of the death of the late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. On the occasion of the launch, Shaikh Mohammed emphasised: “The Holy Month of Ramadan represents an exceptional opportunity to celebrate the values of goodness, giving and cooperation, which increases the importance of launching social and charitable constructive initiatives during the month, especially those initiatives in which the people of the UAE can share and collaborate.” He added: “In the Emirates, we have a tradition of goodness, to extend a helping hand to disadvantaged groups in different parts of the world, especially the poor and needy, as well as disadvantaged children regardless of colour and race. The spirit of giving is a characteristic of Zayed’s sons and daughters, it is a culture which is deeply rooted in our community.” Commending the initiative, Tariq Al Gurg, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Cares said: “Philanthropic as he is, it is in the nature of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to always take the initiative when it comes to supporting those affected by harsh realities around the world.” He added: “It is no surprise that His Highness aims to reach out to the underprivileged, specifically addressing the need of one million children worldwide. This campaign encourages the entire UAE community to extend its support to those who are forced to make do with little in their lives, providing them with basic necessities and helping them maintain their dignity in the harsh environment they live in.” “It is a great campaign and the first beneficiaries of the initiative will be children at a refugee camp in Jordan supported by the UAE Red Crescent. We hope to reach the target in two weeks and help these children at the earliest,” said Mohammed Abdullah Alhaj Al Zaroni, Manager of the UAE Red Crescent’s Dubai branch. To support the campaign, send a message to 7040 (Dh40 for one child). To support four children, send a message to 7160 (Dh160). To support six children, send a message to 7240 (Dh240). To support 10 children, send a message to 7400 (Dh 400). Donations can also be made through bank transfers to the UAE Red Crescent. Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (A/C number — 20000530), Dubai Islamic Bank (A/C number — 003-52051541-7001), Emirates Islamic Bank (A/C number — 0071679679-014). For more information on supporting the initiative, contact 800-RED (733) –muaz@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
India rape verdict to be given July 25
India rape verdict to be given July 25 (AP) / 11 July 2013 An Indian juvenile court will hand down a verdict later this month in the fatal December gang rape of a young woman on a New Delhi bus, a defence lawyer said Thursday. The verdict would be the first handed down in the rape case, which led to furious street protests in India and sparked major reforms to the nation’s antiquated sexual assault laws. Lawyer Rajesh Tiwari told reporters outside the court that his client would learn his fate July 25. The defendant was 17 at the time of the attack and is being tried as a minor on charges including murder and rape. He faces a maximum sentence of three years at a reform centre. Court rules forbid the publication of his name even though he has since turned 18. The defendant was one of six people accused of tricking a young woman and her male companion into boarding an off-duty bus Dec. 16. Police say the men then raped and brutalized the woman and savagely beat the man before dumping them on the roadside. The woman died from her injuries two weeks later in a Singapore hospital. Four of the other defendants are being tried in a special fast-track court in New Delhi and face the death penalty. The sixth accused was found dead in his jail cell in March. The attack set off furious protests across India about the treatment of women in the country and led to a swift overhaul of sexual assault laws. Continue reading
Nearly six million die from smoking every year: WHO
Nearly six million die from smoking every year: WHO (AFP) / 11 July 2013 Despite public health campaigns, smoking remains the leading avoidable cause of death worldwide, killing almost six million people a year, mostly in low- and middle-income countries, the World Health Organization said Wednesday. If current trends hold, the number of deaths blamed on tobacco use will rise to eight million a year in 2030, the WHO said in a briefing unveiled at a conference in Panama. About 80 percent of tobacco-related deaths forecast for 2030 are expected in low- and middle-income countries, the report added. “If we do not close ranks and ban tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, adolescents and young adults will continue to be lured into tobacco consumption by an ever-more aggressive tobacco industry,” said WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan. “Every country has the responsibility to protect its population from tobacco-related illness, disability and death.” Among the dead this year, five million were tobacco users or former users, while more than 600,000 died from second-hand smoke, according to the WHO. Tobacco use is believed to have caused the deaths of 100 million people in the 20 th century. Barring dramatic change, the tally for this century could soar to one billion people, the WHO warned. “We know that only complete bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship are effective,” Dr. Douglas Bettcher, the Director of the WHO’s Prevention of Noncommunicable Diseases department, told the Panama conference. “Countries that introduced complete bans together with other tobacco control measures have been able to cut tobacco use significantly within only a few years,” he said. The report noted that 2.3 billion people from 92 countries benefit from some form of smoking restrictions, more than double the number who did five years ago. However, that figure still represents just a third of the world’s population, it said. Continue reading
