Tag Archives: education
Iranian occupation of islands invalid: UAE
Iranian occupation of islands invalid: UAE Staff Reporter ((With inputs from Wam)) / 30 September 2013 While welcoming the change in stance of Iranian President Hasan Rohani, the UAE reiterated that the dispute over its three islands — Abu Mousa, and Greater and Lesser Tunbs — occupied by Iran, should be resolved peacefully through direct, serious talks or by referral to the International Court of Justice. UAE Foreign Minister Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan urged Iran to settle the dispute either through direct, serious negotiations or by referral to the International Court of Justice in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter and the provisions of international law. Shaikh Abdullah said before the meeting of the 68th Session of the UN General Assembly that all actions and measures taken by the Iranian occupation authorities are null and void, and are contrary to international law and to all norms and common human values. ‘‘On the basis of these principles, the UAE Government expresses, once again, its regret regarding the continued Iranian occupation of our three islands of Abu Mousa, and Greater and Lesser Tunbs, and demands the restoration of the UAE’s full sovereignty over these islands,’’ he said in his speech to the UN General Assembly. On Iran’s nuclear programme, he said Tehran should ‘‘constructively cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in order to dispel all suspicions surrounding its activities in a transparent and clear manner and to avoid any negative consequences arising from the absence of such cooperation’’. ‘‘The UAE believes that peaceful use of nuclear energy has become an urgent requirement in order to meet the growing demand for energy. We are proud to have a successful pioneering experience in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, which is surrounded with all guarantees of security and safety,’’ the foreign minister said. He said the country had also opened the way for the production of renewable energy and development of clean energy techniques to tackle climate change. The following is from the speech of Shaikh Abdullah before the General Debate of the 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, New York: “First, I would like to join previous speakers in congratulating you on your election as President of the 68th Session of the General Assembly, and I am confident that your experience in international affairs will contribute to the success of this session. I would also like to commend your predecessor, Vuk Jeremic, for his wise leadership of the last session, and also thank Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, and his staff, for the tireless efforts they have been making to promote global peace, security and development. The UAE continues to deeply believe in the goals and principles of the United Nations, as enshrined in its Charter, calling for the protection of international peace and security, promotion of peaceful coexistence among nations and peoples through peaceful resolution of international disputes, and respect for provisions of international law and non-interference in the internal affairs of states. These goals have also called for creating a favourable climate for international relations based on tolerance, non-violence, recognition of the other, and respect for human rights and people. My country has followed this approach in its regional and international relations. Nevertheless, we cannot conceal our deep concern at the recent events in the Arab Region which were associated with sectarian strife, escalated terrorist attacks and growing incitement to violence, which led the region into a state of extreme polarisation, whereby stability and development were severely impacted. In the Arab Gulf, we see how extremism and terrorism in Bahrain are seeking to sabotage security and stability, and destroy a history of tolerance free from any sort of sectarianism. The situation was more aggravated by the politicisation and exploitation of religion to exclude and marginalise the other spectrums of society after they all used to live in harmony and peaceful co-existence. All these have led to widespread fears about the fate of the national state and the implications of that, which include shaking the pillars of the State, wasting its resources, and undermining its economy. You must be aware that such difficult conditions put the young people of the region at risk of falling into the clutches of extremism and violence, especially in a climate of growing despair and unemployment. This clearly affirms the paramount importance of the UAE’s efforts aimed at promoting a culture of moderation and non-violence, and fighting extremism in all its forms. In this regard, I refer in particular to my country’s initiative to establish the Hedayah Centre for Countering Violent Extremism. The UAE proposed its establishment at a meeting held within the framework of the United Nations. In this context, I condemn with the strongest terms the cowardly terrorist attack committed against a commercial centre in Nairobi, Kenya, which resulted in the death of dozens of innocent victims. The UAE is deeply disappointed at the inability of the international community until now to put an immediate end to the worsening tragedy suffered by the Syrian people caused by military actions and indiscriminate and systematic bombings by Syrian forces which have killed so far more than 100,000 people and injured and displaced millions of people, being to date the most serious violation of international law and international humanitarian law. We are deeply concerned about the growing serious implications of this conflict on Syria and the entire region, and we strongly condemn and reject all crimes against humanity committed by the Syrian regime, especially the chemical attack against Ghota, Damascus, which killed thousands of civilians and children. We, therefore, call upon the international community to take all necessary measures to punish the Syrian regime for its massacres against its civilians. All of you must be aware of the frustration we feel and the majority of countries in the region feel regarding the disabling of the United Nations mechanisms from acting against the aggressive acts of the Syrian regime against its people. The failure to act by international organisations is directly responsible for the aggravating humanitarian tragedy we witness in Syria and for the threat against the Syrian State, community and people. The UAE, which has fulfilled its duties regarding the ongoing relief operations for the Syrian people and continues to provide aid, hospitals, tools and the necessary medical teams, calls for concerted international and regional efforts to secure the humanitarian needs of the displaced Syrians inside Syria and across the borders to alleviate their suffering. Continue reading
City to turn pink for cancer awareness
City to turn pink for cancer awareness Staff Reporter / 29 September 2013 It’s that time of the year when you begin to see people sporting pink ribbons. World over, as in the UAE, October is the month for breast cancer awareness. One of the leading cancer types — second only to lung cancer as the most common cause of cancer related deaths in women — regular self-examination, early detection, and diagnosis is critical to fighting the illness. Pink Caravan, a UAE breast cancer awareness initiative launched in 2011 by Friends of Cancer Patients, will commemorate their anniversary celebrations with a line-up of activities this October. Corporate houses are going all out to honour the month. Galleries Lafayette is hosting a pink Buffet in aid of Pink Caravan. The pink pony campaign by Ralph Lauren will raise funds through the sale of limited edition tee shirts priced between Dh325 to Dh750, with one quarter of the proceeds going to Pink Caravan. Secretary-General for the Friends of Cancer Patients charitable society and Head of the Pink Caravan’s Medical and Awareness committee, Dr Sawsan Al Madhi said: “It is fantastic that fashion firms and retailers have embraced the notion of a pink October by creating special items to raise funds for cancer education and treatment. Ralph Lauren’s Pink Pony Campaign, in particular, has significantly increased breast cancer awareness and contributed towards many successful research projects around the world.” The Friends of Cancer Patients (FoCP) charitable society has revealed that women with advanced breast cancer (ABC) feel left out of the breast cancer movement. The results of the largest every global study, ‘Count Us, Know Us, Join Us’, gives a voice to the 250,000 women living with advanced breast cancer around the world. Based on testimony from 1,273 women in 12 countries, the survey shows two-thirds of women with ABC feel that no one understands what they are going through. Advocates for the cause, the Burj Al Arab will — much like in past years — each day in October between 7.30pm and 8.30pm show its support for the breast cancer awareness campaign by lighting its sail pink and adorning it with the symbolic pink ribbon. All afternoon teas at the hotel will include pink pastries including Ispahan macaroons filled with rose cream, pink choux, pink apple mousse cake, pink New York cheesecake, strawberry and pistachio tarts and pink-glazed traditional French mille feuilles. An estimated 1,00,000 pink roses will be flown in to further raise awareness. The hotel’s team of 12 florists have developed pink floral displays. All guests chauffeured to the hotel will be presented with pink roses and all women who dine at any of the hotel’s restaurants will be presented a single pink rose. For the staff at the hotel, Burj Al Arab will work with Pink Caravan to provide free voluntary medical examinations for the 1,600 staff as well as guidance on self-examination. All colleagues will also wear the iconic pink ribbons throughout the month. – news@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
US House approves one-year ‘Obamacare’ delay in bill
House Republicans defy Obama; shutdown nears (Reuters) / 29 September 2013 The US House of Representatives on Sunday, ignoring a White House veto threat, approved a one-year delay in funding major provisions of President Barack Obama’s landmark healthcare law as part of a government funding bill. The House of Representatives early on Sunday brought the federal government closer to a shutdown as it voted to delay President Barack Obama’s landmark healthcare law for a year as part of an emergency spending bill. By a mostly partisan vote of 231-192, the Republican-controlled House approved the ‘Obamacare’ amendment, despite a veto threat from the White House. It also voted 248-174 to repeal a medical device tax that aims to help fund healthcare programs under the 2010 law. And in a sign that lawmakers might be resigned to a government shutdown beginning Tuesday, the House unanimously approved a bill to keep paying US soldiers in the event the government runs out of money to run many programmes. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid reiterated on Saturday that the House bill would be dead on arrival in the Democratic-controlled Senate, which is not scheduled to meet until 2 p.m. on Monday. Obama also threatened to veto any bill that delays his healthcare restructuring. There is a slight chance the two sides could reach a funding deal before the government’s fiscal year ends at midnight on Monday. Congress could also act at any time to end the impasse if a shutdown did occur. But the bitterness of the House debate on Saturday night that spilled into early Sunday did not bode well for prospects of a compromise. “You have been hijacked by a group called the Tea Party,” Democratic Representative David Scott of Georgia said angrily, referring to the powerful conservative, anti-government movement that holds significant sway over Republicans. “The American people deserve to have time to see what this monstrosity will do before it is implemented,” shouted Republican Representative John Culberson of Texas, referring to ‘Obamacare.’ The high-stakes manoeuvring between Democrats and Republicans is likely to continue through much of Monday. The standoff is also a harbinger for the next big political battle in Washington: a far more consequential bill to raise the federal government’s borrowing authority. Failure to raise the debt ceiling by mid-October could result in the government defaulting on its obligations. Medical device tax The funding impasse is the culmination of more than three years of failed conservative efforts to repeal ‘Obamacare,’ a programme aimed at extending health insurance to millions of those without coverage. Republicans argue that ‘Obamacare’, which is set to launch on October 1, is a massive and unnecessary government intrusion into medicine that will cause premiums to skyrocket and damage the economy. Failure to pass a funding bill would close down much of the government for the first time since 1996. More than a million federal employees would be furloughed from their jobs, with the impact depending on the duration of a shutdown. The current timetable could leave House Speaker John Boehner with the most difficult decision of his career: whether to approve a straight-forward spending bill passed on Friday by the Senate or allow the government shutdown to begin. Neither side wants to be the last to cast the final vote that would lead to a shutdown, a concern that has turned the funding measure into a hot potato tossed between the two chambers. While polls consistently show the American public is tired of political showdowns and opposed to a shutdown, House conservatives were jubilant about the fight. “This is a win-win all the way around,” said Republican Arizona Representative Matt Salmon, who described the mood of Republicans before the vote as “ecstatic.” Republicans and a handful of Democrats also approved an amendment to the bill repealing a tax on medical devices that helps fund the healthcare law to the tune of about $30 billion. That provision, sought with heavy lobbying by the medical device industry, has been supported in the past by some Democratic senators. In a government shutdown, spending for functions considered essential, related to national security or public safety, would continue along with benefit programmes such as Medicare health insurance and Social Security retirement benefits for seniors. But civilian federal employees – from people who process forms and handle regulatory proceedings to workers at national parks and museums in Washington – would be temporarily out of work. The last government shutdown ran from December 16, 1995 to January 6, 1996, and was the product of a budget battle between Democratic President Bill Clinton and Republicans, led by then-Speaker Newt Gingrich. Republicans suffered a public backlash when voters re-elected Clinton in a landslide the following November, a lesson never forgotten by senior Republicans, including Boehner. This time, Boehner tried to avoid a showdown but was overruled by his rebellious caucus, largely influenced since the 2010 election by newcomers endorsed by the Tea Party. While Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor, the top House Republicans, worked behind the scenes, they did not deliver floor speeches in support of the bill – something they often do on major legislation. Instead, some of the House’s most conservative members who drove the ‘Obamacare’ delay effort, dominated the debate. With Boehner effectively sidelined, rank-and-file Republicans boasted of their unity. Members chanted, “Vote, vote, vote, vote,” in their closed-door meeting, they reported later. Afterward, Democratic Representative Louise Slaughter of New York, took to the House floor to accuse Republicans of throwing a “temper tantrum” about ‘Obamacare’ under pressure from ‘Tea Party extremists.’ Conservative and liberal groups, from the Tea Party to women’s rights organisations, have been cashing in on the showdown over ‘Obamacare,’ using it to rally supporters and raise money for next year’s congressional elections. Continue reading
