Tag Archives: lifestyle
Egypt names Mehlib as new premier ahead of key election
Egypt names Mehlib as new premier ahead of key election (AP) / 26 February 2014 New prime minister says his cabinet members will be “holy warriors” in the service of Egyptians. Egypt’s interim president chose the outgoing housing minister, a construction magnate from the era of ousted autocrat Hosni Mubarak, as his new prime minister on Tuesday, some two months ahead of key presidential elections. The switch from veteran economist Hazem Al Beblawi to Ibrahim Mehlib, who successfully led Egypt’s biggest construction company for a decade, appeared orchestrated to give Field Marshal Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, the country’s military chief, a window for a quieter street after a spike in labor strikes with the potential of triggering wider unrest. Al Sisi overthrew President Mohammed Mursi in July and backed Al Beblawi’s government through tumultuous times, including a heavy crackdown on Mursi’s Muslim Brotherhood, and a nationwide referendum that adopted a new constitution while militant insurgency and terror attacks surged. With his presidential bid almost certain, Al Sisi must leave the military to run for president. However, a senior government official said the 59-year-old soldier will retain his defence minister’s post in the next Cabinet. “There is a need for a fresh face to deal with the strikes,” said Mohammed Aboul Ghar, head of the Egyptian Social Democratic party, from which el-Beblawi hails. “Al Beblawi was supposed to stay for two more months but the strikes propelled a speed-up in pushing through the changes.” A change of government before the presidential vote would also spare Al Sisi the disruption associated with forming a new one if he becomes president, a near certainty given his sweeping popularity and the relative weakness of his rivals — likely a leftist politician and a retired general. Minutes after news broke that he had been chosen prime minister, Mehlib told reporters his cabinet members will be “holy warriors” in the service of Egyptians. He said that his top priority is to improve living standards, combat terrorism and restore security. This, he said, would pave the way for presidential elections. “God willing, the presidential elections will pass and will take place in proper conditions of safety, security, transparency,” he said, adding, “the priority is to work day and night … anyone in the cabinet will be a holy warrior to achieve the goals of the people.” When asked about the strikes, Mehlib said that excessive labour demands can “topple the state.” Labour official and activist Kamal Abbas saw a positive sign in the resignation of Al Beblawi’s government “in response to the strikes,” but added that workers will wait and see what the new one will bring. “This is an example of failed response to the strikes. Instead of sending the buses, why don’t you talk to the workers and when negotiations fail, talk again until we reach a solution,” said Abbas. The military, meanwhile, sought to head off a backlash over the strike by public transport workers, sending its own buses to ferry passengers across the capital. “This is to lighten the suffering of citizens and the harm caused by the strikes,” said a statement posted on the Facebook page of military spokesman Col. Ahmed Mohammed Ali. Mehlib, the prime minister-designate, has a reputation for being a hard worker and a successful chief executive of several large companies. Born in 1949, he is a graduate of Cairo University’s school of engineering. He rose through the ranks of the construction conglomerate Arab Contractors to become its chief executive for 11 years before resigning in 2012. He worked in Saudi Arabia for one year before he returned to become housing minister under Al Beblawi. In a separate development, courts on Tuesday sentenced 220 mostly Mursi supporters to up to seven years imprisonment for instigating violence and holding protests without a permit. Three courts in the port city of Alexandria issued the verdicts in separate cases, all related to street protests. For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
30 people died of drug overdose across UAE in 2013
30 people died of drug overdose across UAE in 2013 Amira Agarib / 26 February 2014 The people who died of overdose, were found to be using different kinds of drugs including heroin, amphetamine and keptagon. About 30 people died due to drug overdose across the UAE in 2013, a Sharjah Public Prosecution official said. This year, he said, already six people have died due to drug overdose, including two this month. Pointing out to the increasing drug use in the country, the official warned that drug traffickers are targeting the youth. Ghanim Ali Al Mansour, Head of Prosecution of Anti-Narcotics at the Sharjah Public Prosecution, said most of the people who died of drug overdose are UAE nationals and aged 30 and above. According to Al Mansour, currently the Sharjah Public Prosecution is investigating the death of two persons, who reportedly died of drug overdose. Aged 44 and 45, these men were UAE nationals and resided in Al Khuzama area. People who died of overdose, he said, were found to be using different kinds of drugs including heroin, amphetamine and keptagon. He said the number of people who have died from drug overdose is considered “high” as the monthly average is over two. “We should face the fact that the number of drug-related cases are on the rise,” he said. Drug-related cases referred to the Sharjah Public Prosecution has increased during the past few years. Majority of the drug users in the UAE, especially Sharjah, use tramadol pills, he said, noting the recent police operation, which led to the seizure of 60,000 tramadol pills. “Drug traffickers distribute these drugs among the youth, who get addicted to them after just trying it out. Tramadol, which is supposed to be used for medical purposes, is being used by the youth — sometimes in double doses — to feel active,” he said. He said the smuggled tramadol pills may have a cover of 100 grams, but the real dosage might actually be 400 grams. “So when a person taken a double dose of the drug, he dies,” he said. The UAE, he said, is among the first countries in the Arab world to have banned tramadol. news@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
General Shaikh Mohammed: UAE-Japan ties an ever-evolving one
General Shaikh Mohammed: UAE-Japan ties an ever-evolving one (Wam) / 26 February 2014 Abu Dhabi Crown Prince says the leadership of both countries have been keen to promote and develop relations in various fields. General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, has said that the UAE-Japan relationship represents an “ever-evolving” model. Ever since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1971, he said, the leadership of both countries have been keen to promote and develop relations in various fields in a way that achieves the interests of the two countries and enhances the prosperity of their peoples. General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed speaks with Miyazaki, Vice-Chief of the Meiji Shrine at Yoyogi park in Tokyo during his two-day visit to Japan on Tuesday. Emperor Meiji (November 3, 1852 – July 30, 1912) or Meiji the Great was the 122nd Emperor of Japan — Wam On his arrival at Tokyo Haneda International Airport, General Shaikh Mohammed was accorded a warm welcome by Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito. General Shaikh Mohammed in a press statement expressed hope that his official visit to Japan will contribute in achieving a “quantum leap” in the march of bilateral relations. He hoped the visit would serve as an important occasion to exchange views on current developments and work on exerting every possible effort in support of peace and stability in the region. Visit signifies progress of relations: Japan minister General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, said he is looking forward to take bilateral relations between the UAE and Japan to a new era where the two countries can share expertise and experiences in areas of education, scientific research, physiotherapy, industry, technology and renewable energy. General Shaikh Mohammed made his remarks during a meeting on Tuesday in Tokyo with Toshimitsu Motegi, Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry. The meeting was also attended by Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Foreign Minister, and Shaikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chief of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court. The two sides discussed ways of enhancing friendly ties between the two countries as well as an array of issues of common interest. The Japanese minister welcomed General Shaikh Mohammed and his delegation, stressing that the trip signifies the progress of bilateral ties in all fields. He expressed Japan’s “sincere desire” to expand cooperation with the UAE and generate new opportunities for joint projects. The leadership of the UAE and Japan, he affirmed, are keen to strengthen these ties for serving mutual interests. The meeting was attended by Suhail bin Mohammed Faraj Faris Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy; Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Affairs Authority; Nasser Ahmed Al Suweidi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development; Shaikh Sultan bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, Advisor at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Director of the Department of East Asia and Pacific; Mohammed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Under-Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court; Abdullah Nasser Al Suwaidi, Director-General of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company; and Saeed Ali Yousef Al Nowais, the UAE Ambassador to Japan. “I can only express my happiness at visiting the friendly country of Japan and meeting with His Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan and Shinzo Abe, the Prime Minister, and (other) Japanese officials. On this occasion, I would like to convey the greetings of the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to His Majesty the Emperor and the Prime Minister and his wishes for Japan for further progress and prosperity,” he said. “I have come back today to Japan after my visit in 2007, demonstrating that relations between the two countries are based on a strong foundation driving it forward to further growth and development in all fields and to serve the common interests of the two countries and the two friendly peoples. It also confirms that the relations between the two countries are strategic and necessary for the continued progress and prosperity for our peoples. “The UAE, led by Shaikh Khalifa, is keen to strengthen its external partnerships and establish special relations with the countries of the world in all fields, and Japan is of particular importance as it represents a successful development model,” he said. General Shaikh Mohammed pointed out that the ties between the two countries have seen a quantum leap over the past few years. This, he said, has culminated in the signing of several cooperation agreements in a number of areas with the aim of strengthening economic relations and the development of trade in the goods and services sector, and developing investments between the two sides. “There is outstanding cooperation in the scientific and academic fields between the two countries, as many of our Emirati students are completing their higher studies in Japan. In the future, we are seeking to promote this approach in order to maximise the benefits of scientific and technological renaissance taking place in Japan. This will help in building a base of Emirati cadres in the field of modern science and technology to serve the march of development and progress in the UAE,” he said. General Shaikh Mohamed explained that the UAE and Japan today possess many opportunities for developing bilateral relations and strengthen strategic partnerships. He pointed out that the UAE aims to boost its knowledge-based economy and benefit from different experiences in the world, especially those of Japan, as it represents a gateway to the markets of the Middle East and North Africa. Japan, he said, is currently the first trade partner in the region for many countries around the world. He also highlighted that Japan is the world’s third largest economic power and has enormous expertise in the industry and technology sectors. For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
