Sports
New images of possible Malaysia jet debris
New images of possible Malaysia jet debris (AFP) / 23 March 2014 The images had been passed on to Australian authorities who are coordinating the search for the plane Malaysia said Sunday it had received new satellite images from France showing floating objects in the search area for a missing Malaysian jet in the southern Indian Ocean. The images include “potential objects in the vicinity of the southern corridor”, the Transport Ministry said in a statement. It added the images had been passed on to Australian authorities who are coordinating the search for the plane, now focused on a remote stretch of ocean 2,500 kilometers (1,562 miles) southwest of Perth. The statement gave no details of the number, size or precise location of the objects shown in the French pictures. Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 went missing on March 8 en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 people aboard. Malaysia, which later revealed the plane turned back over the Malaysian peninsula after losing contact, has enlisted 25 other countries to help hunt for the plane. Efforts in recent days have focused on the coast off Australia after previous satellite images of large objects there were released, and a plane spotted a wooden cargo pallet, along with some belts or straps. Read more: Malaysian plane drama fuels aviation security rethink Read more: Relatives of Malaysia jet’s passengers struggle to cope For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
Umar Akmal stars in Pakistan’s win over Australia
Umar Akmal stars in Pakistan’s win over Australia (AP) / 23 March 2014 Put into bat by Australia, Pakistan scored an intimidating 191-5 and then dismissed Australia for 175 in 20 overs. Umar Akmal struck a career-best 94 on Sunday as Pakistan beat Australia by 16 runs in their World Twenty20 group 2 match. Put into bat by Australia, Pakistan scored an intimidating 191-5 and then dismissed Australia for 175 in 20 overs. Umar Akmal struck nine fours and four sixes during his sixth half-century. He shared a 96-run third-wicket stand with older brother Kamran Akmal, who scored a run-a-ball 31. Pakistan, which lost its opening game to India by seven wickets, was given a scare by Glenn Maxwell and Aaron Finch who produced stroke-filled half centuries. Maxwell raced to 74 off 33 balls with seven fours and six sixes while Finch made 65 from 54 with seven fours and two sixes. For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
Dubai Islamic affairs department launches e-services guide
Dubai Islamic affairs department launches e-services guide Ahmed Shaaban / 22 March 2014 The Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities in Dubai on Thursday launched its electronic services guide on its official website. Dr Hamad Al Shaibani, Director-General of the department, said the move was a step to turn it into a total smart entity in line with the Smart Government initiative announced by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in May 2013. “While smart services were first launched in some mosques of the emirate in February this year, all department services are planned to be smart for the benefit of the public.” The department is also planning to launch a packet of smart services soon, he added. The Department, late in February this year, launched the first ‘smart mosque’ in the country — the Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Mosque at Jumeirah 3. The mosque, equipped with QR (Quick Reader) code technology for the first time in government buildings, was part of Phase I, including nine smart mosques being planned this year. Nasser Mubarak, Head of the IT Section, said the Electronic Services Guide consists of three sections — the Islamic affairs sector, the charitable activities sector, and community and media sector. The Islamic Affairs Sector spans the services being provided to new Muslims, as well as fatwa, scientific and library researches, Quran study, family consultations, mosque affairs and other religious activities. Mubarak said the Charitable Activities Sector includes all services related to all Islamic and charitable societies in the emirate, along with Quran study centres, the Princess Haya Cultural and Islamic Centre, and Zakat and charity. “The community and media sector spans all activities of the Zayed bin Mohammed Family Forum, distribution of books and brochures, recruitment, media institutions, and other relevant electronic services.” Abdullah Al Dallal, head of the corporate excellence section, said the department has adopted a number of initiatives to make all its services smart. “Customers may benefit from the electronic services guide by simply filling an e-form.” The e-form shows customers the right way to get the service needed in a fast and convenient way, he noted. “Customers may also submit their remarks, complaints and suggestions using the same form to give feedback.” ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
