Tag Archives: lifestyle
Syria to allow women, children to leave besieged parts
Syria to allow women, children to leave besieged parts (AFP) / 27 January 2014 UN mediator Lakhdar Brahimi says other civilians are also welcome to leave, but the government needs a list of their names first. The Syrian regime has agreed to allow women and children to leave besieged rebel-held areas of the central city of Homs, UN mediator Lakhdar Brahimi said on Sunday at peace talks in Geneva. “What we have been told by the government side is that women and children in this besieged area of the city are welcome to leave immediately,” Brahimi told reporters. “Hopefully starting tomorrow, women and children will be able to leave the Old City in Homs.” He said that as well as women and children, “other civilians are also welcome to leave, but the government needs a list of their names first”. The subject of Homs — where hundreds of families in the Old City are living under siege with near-daily shelling and the barest of supplies — has been discussed at length since the two parties started face-to-face talks on Saturday. Brahimi said talks also touched on continued efforts to have convoys of humanitarian aid brought into Homs, with rebel fighters pledging not to attack them. Speaking separately, Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Muqdad confirmed that women and children would be allowed to leave but blamed rebel forces for preventing that. “I have been personally involved over the past two years to get these women and children out of the Old City of Homs. But we could not. In all these attempts we have been prevented by the armed groups, who did not allow a single person out,” Muqdad told reporters. Brahimi admitted the talks were progressing slowly but said he was pleased with the atmosphere. “I am happy, because in general there is mutual respect and they are aware of the fact that this attempt is important and we must continue. I hope that this mood will continue,” he said. Sunday’s talks also touched on the thousands of people jailed, kidnapped or missing in Syria. Brahimi said the opposition agreed to try to draw up a list of people held by rebel forces they control or have contact with, to hand over to the regime and move the process of prisoner exchanges forward. Muqdad brushed off questions about a list of 47,000 people, including 2,300 women and children, allegedly held by the regime. “It is not as big as you described. More than 60 or 70 per cent of the people have never entered any prison, 20 percent were released, and the rest haven’t been in a prison,” he said. “I deny categorically that there are any children being detained,” Muqdad said. He accused the rebels of press-ganging children and said any youngsters captured by government forces were cared for, not jailed. The opposition has called for the talks on Monday to move to the core issue of political transition. “This is a political negotiation, everything we discuss is political,” Brahimi said. “I think tomorrow I expect the two parties to make some general statement about the way forward.” Muqdad said the government had come to Geneva “very seriously and in all sincerity”, but struck a note of caution. “When we say we are ready to discuss everything, this does not mean that the opposition will have our full approval of what they want, or that we shall have their full approval of what we want,” he said. For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
Dubai Tram’s technical trial run takes off smoothly
Dubai Tram’s technical trial run takes off smoothly Lily B. Libo-on / 27 January 2014 Dubai Tram is expected to transport about 27,000 riders per day at the start of operations in the initial phase in 2014. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) on Sunday began the technical trial run of the Dubai Tram, considered the world’s first tramway project powered by a ground-based electric supply system extending along the track. Dubai Tram is expected to transport about 27,000 riders per day at the start of operations in the initial phase in 2014. The ridership is estimated to hit 66,000 riders per day by 2020. The technical trial run of Dubai’s tram on Sunday. -KT photos by Rahul Gajjar Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA, said Sunday’s test runs encompassed the 2.5km stretch from Al Sofouh to Zone 1. “We conducted the trial run to ensure the readiness of the train along with the functioning and performance of all control systems under all conditions. The technical trial run is a milestone in the construction of the Dubai tram project. It will continue without passengers till the official operation of the tram service in the final quarter of this year. The test track will be expanded in the near future to cover the entire tramway,” he said. He said the tests covered a wide range of issues such as the air-conditioning system, electrical feed and braking system, coupling of tram coaches, disconnecting power supply, rail surveillance and control system, and testing the train under normal as well as emergency conditions. “The tram moved smoothly without wobbling or noises as it is powered by ground electrical feed stretching along the track. The Dubai Tram is considered the first of its type outside Europe powered by ground feed with no catenary cables involved,” said Al Tayer. Road users will now see the Dubai tram on the move on road sides at Al Sofouh, Jumeirah Beach Residence and the Marina. The tram track will intersect with vehicular and pedestrian traffic at certain points which requires motorists in particular and road users in general to be more attentive and aware of the rules and regulations governing the tram operation. “All must follow the directional signage in place to ensure streamlined traffic movement,” said Al Tayer. During the test run, the tram moved at varying speeds and tests were conducted covering the safety systems, power propulsion of tram carriages, brake system, sudden braking during emergencies, ground electrical feed along the tram track, overhead power feed used in the depot, and the tram’s doors operation. The Dubai Tram, also known as Al Sofouh Tram, is the world’s first tramway that uses Platform Screen Doors in passenger stations fully synchronised with the tram’s doors opening and shutting mechanism, providing maximum convenience, safety and security for passengers, and at the same time protecting the quality of the air-conditioning in the interior of both stations and carriages from external climatic conditions. He said the Dubai tramway extends 14.6km alongside Al Sofouh Road, and the initial phase of the project envisages the construction of a 10.6km-long track starting from the Dubai Marina and stretching up to the Tram Depot near Dubai Police Academy. The tram network comprises 17 passenger stations, 11 of which are covered under Phase I and spread across activity and population density areas along the tramway. Fourteen trams will be added in Phase II to make a total of 25 operating trams. Each of the 11 trams measures 44 meters in length and has a capacity to accommodate about 300 riders. The tram has a First Class (Gold Suite) and one cabin designated for ladies and children as well as a Silver Class cabin. The tram’s carriages and stations will have deluxe interior finishing, and feature state-of-the-art technologies in the transmission and display of entertainment materials. The track extends at grade level along Al Sufouh Road but rises in an elevated section passing across certain parts of Dubai Marina due to the urban constructions in the locality. Al Tayer said that the tram links up with the metro system at two stations, namely Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Lakes Towers via footbridges to facilitate the mobility and exchange of passengers between the two transit modes. “It will also be linked with the Monorail of The Palm Jumeirah at the entrance of the Palm from Al Sofouh Road to facilitate passenger movement between districts served by both modes.” The Dubai Tram testing schedule started with Zone 1. It will continue to Zone 2 by April 16 then to Zone 3 by June 14 until November 10 this year. lily@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
Projects to improve roads in Godolphin and Zabeel areas
Projects to improve roads in Godolphin and Zabeel areas Staff Reporter / 26 January 2014 Directives issued to rename Al Khail First Road as Al Saadah Road. The Al Saada Road extends about 7.5km linking Shaikh Rashid Road and Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard Road. — Supplied photo Inspired by the nature of the district, Al Khail First Road has been renamed Al Saada Road which means happiness in Arabic. His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has also ordered improvement of two parallel road projects in the Godolphin and Zabeel areas costing about Dh1 billion, according to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The now Al Saada Road extends about 7.5km linking the Shaikh Rashid Road and the Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard Road and is inspired by the nature of the district which harbours towering facilities including the Executive Council of Dubai, Dubai World Trade Centre, Burj Khalifa, The Dubai Mall in addition to an array of hotels and tourist attractions. Starting from a point nearby the World Trade Centre, Al Saada Road passes by the Dubai Financial Center and stretches up to the downtown Burj Khalifa. “These vital facilities bring welfare and happiness to citizens, residents and tourists alike,” said Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of RTA. “This classifies the UAE as one of the happiest countries on earth,” Al Tayer said that the Parallel Roads Improvement Project in Godolphin area would be undertaken in the last quarter of this year. “It requires about 30 months to complete and costs about Dh900 million,” he added. The project comprises construction of several roads, bridges and tunnels to ensure smooth traffic flow on the parallel roads and alleviate congestions in the neighbourhood. “It is considered an extension to Al Asayel Road and Al Saada Road aimed to support the existing roads in the Business Bay district improve the traffic services and provide entry and exit options for the area stretching along the Shaikh Zayed and Al Khail Roads besides linking with the surrounding communities such as Al Qouz, Zabeel and Jumeirah,” continued Al Tayer. The eastern Parallel Roads Project at Zabeel will be an extension of the Al Asayel Road and will cost about Dh100 million. Work on the project is set to start as early as February 2014 and will continue for 210 days. “The project links the Business Bay district with the existing Oud Metha Road through the underpasses of the Financial Centre Road and Zabeel 2 Road. This new road extends 3km and comprises three lanes in each direction,” said Al Tayer. “In future it will be linked with the Shaikh Rashid bin Saeed crossing through a bridge passing over Oud Metha Road to link Bur Dubai with The Lagoons, Al Warqaa, Nad Al Hammar and the International City. The project works include ceramic cladding and lighting of the underpasses of the Financial Centre Road and Zabeel Road,” he added. news@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
