Tag Archives: environment
Dubai’s record fireworks leave the world breathless
Dubai’s record fireworks leave the world breathless (Muaz Shabandri ) / 1 January 2014 A staggering 450,000 fireworks were launched in six minutes to set the new world record. Record fireworks at Palm Jumeirah on New Year. – KT photos by M. Sajjad and Shihab The world watched in awe as Dubai set a new world record for the largest ever firework display. A dazzling array of colours illuminated the night sky above the city as a staggering 450,000 fireworks were launched in six minutes to set the new world record. The grand show started with a unique pyrotechnic countdown around the Palm Jumeirah’s crescent. Reminiscent of the spectacular opening of Atlantis, The Palm, in 2008, the show once again put Dubai on the world map with people from all over the world coming together to celebrate the new year. Source: DowntownDubai channel via YouTube The spectacular show provided a perfect backdrop for thousands of parties hosted around the city as Dubai added its name to the record books once again. For tourists and residents, the pyrotechnic extravaganza was yet another reminder of Dubai’s success story. Choreographed to perfection, the islands of The World also lit up in the aura of sparkling lights. Each of the seven continents was represented in the celebration of oneness with the world map recreated using pyrotechnics. For Saviona Maitra, a tourist watching the show from Jumeirah beach, the show promised the best any city could offer. “There is no reason to be in any other city than Dubai. People come here and see something they cannot find in any other city of the world. It always lives up to the expectations,” said Saviona. The fireworks started at the Burj Khalifa as the iconic tower lit up in a brilliant show of colours and designs. For the next 15 minutes, thousands of people on Dubai’s beaches were entertained to more fireworks with the Burj Al Arab also providing stunning reflections of the galaxy of colours. The world record attempt started well after midnight, with the crescent lighting up at around 12:20pm after the shows at the Burj Khalifa and the Burj Al Arab were completed. More than 200 pyrotechnicians planned the show at Palm Jumeirah and the islands of The World for over 10 months and Phil Grucci, the show’s choreographer and man behind ‘Fireworks by Grucci’ had every inch planned to perfection. Watching the night sky turn into a canvas of colours from a viewing deck at the Burj Khalifa, Phil said: “It has been planned for several months and Dubai wanted to break the record with something spectacular. Today, the world can see the scale of the show.” Roads leading up to The Dubai Mall and Palm Jumeirah were choc-a-block with cars trailing for several kilometres. Sultan bin Sulayem, representing the government, received the certificate from Guinness World Record shortly after the fireworks were over as the new record now belongs to Dubai. The celebrations will go down as yet another memorable moment in the country’s history as Dubai etched a special place in the hearts of people who watched the show. muaz@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
Nawaz Sharif thanks Shaikh Khalifa for aid to Pakistan
Nawaz Sharif thanks Shaikh Khalifa for aid to Pakistan (Wam) / 1 January 2014 President meets Pakistan Prime Minister on the sidelines of his private visit to Pakistan. The President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on Tuesday met Pakistan Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on the sidelines of his private visit to Pakistan. At the beginning of the meeting, Sharif welcomed Shaikh Khalifa and his accompanying delegation and wished him a pleasant stay in his second country. Shaikh Khalifa also expressed his happiness to visit Pakistan and meeting Sharif, hailing the level of the existing relations and cooperation between the two friendly peoples. “We are looking forward to further developing the fraternal relations between the UAE and Pakistan and always strive hard to bring benefits to the people of the two countries,” Shaikh Khalifa said. On his part, Sharif underscored that Shaikh Khalifa’s visit represents the strong relations and the bonds of love between the two friendly countries. He also pointed out the excellent role being played by the UAE in provision of aid to the people of Pakistan in the form of several projects aimed at improving the level of services in various provinces of Pakistan. He affirmed that Pakistani leadership and the people appreciate the UAE, led by Shaikh Khalifa, for this kid and noble gesture. During the meeting, the two sides discussed bilateral relations and ways to bolster them for mutual benefit. They also exchanged views on a number of latest regional and international developments, in addition to other issues of mutual interest. The meeting was attended by Shaikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President’s Representative, members of the accompanying delegation of Shaikh Khalifa, a number of Shaikhs, senior officials and Essa Abdulla Albasha Al Noaimi, UAE Ambassador to Pakistan. Earlier, Shaikh Khalifa, on his arrival at Rahim Yar Khan, was received by Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif along with a number of officials in the province. Clad in traditional dresses two girls presented bouquets to Shaikh Khalifa and the arena was decorated with the flags of two countries and welcoming banners. Earlier, Shaikh Khalifa was seen off in Al Ain by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces; Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, a number of Shaikhs and senior officials. — Wam Continue reading
News items promoting tobacco may be banned
News items promoting tobacco may be banned Asma Ali Zain / 26 December 2013 As the January 21 deadline of the implementation of the Anti-Tobacco Law approaches, different organisations and civic bodies are readying to take action against violators. Reinforcement of the Anti-Tobacco Law is off to a smooth start, said a senior health official, and hinted at a ban on news items promoting tobacco use. As the January 21 deadline of the implementation of the Anti-Tobacco Law approaches, different organisations and civic bodies are readying to take action against violators. The executive regulations were approved by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in Cabinet Resolution No. 24 issued on July 21 this year, and will come into effect on January 21, 2014. Dr Wedad Al Maidoor, head of the National Tobacco Control Committee at the Health Ministry said she is in talks with the National Media Council (NMC) to prevent indirect promotion of tobacco through newspaper articles. “According to the law and bylaws, direct or indirect promotion of tobacco is prohibited…and I am in talks with the NMC to put a curb on news articles that appear mostly in Ramadan and (about) Ramadan tents,” she said. She also said the civic bodies, especially the Sharjah Municipality, has already started implementing the law and had recently banned sale of cigarettes in groceries. “Sharjah is the only city in the world that does not have shisha cafes.” “However, the Dubai Municipality needs to be stricter in implementation especially against shisha cafes in some parts of the city,” said Dr Wedad. Talking about the ban on smoking in cars with children under 12, Dr Wedad said that it is the responsibility of the Ministry of Interior to implement this law. “In New York, a person is fined even if caught smoking in a car with only a child seat present,” she added. The law bans any content that advertises tobacco products. Importation of tobacco products that are not in line with technical standards set by the UAE is not allowed and growing or producing tobacco for commercial purposes is also forbidden. Tobacco products cannot be displayed near items marketed for children or sportswear, health, food and electronic products. Tobacco products are also forbidden to be sold within 100 metres of places of worship, and within 150 metres of kindergartens, schools, universities and colleges. Shisha cafes will have to be at least 150 metres away from residential areas and their operational timing will also be restricted. Shisha will not be served to customers younger than 18 years, and the cafes will be forbidden from delivering shishas to apartments. The law also provides specifications on the packaging of tobacco products with a large warning label on the front to raise awareness on the dangers of tobacco. Violators will be fined Dh100,000 to Dh1 million, and the fines can be doubled if the offence is repeated. asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
