Tag Archives: weather
Pink Taxi drivers turn cancer educators
Pink Taxi drivers turn cancer educators Amanda Fisher / 14 October 2013 Campaign as part of International Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a collaboration between breast cancer awareness initiative Pink Caravan, Dubai Taxis and advertising agency JWT. Any woman who rides in a Dubai Pink Taxi this month will find a lump during the journey, though thankfully, one that is easily removed with the click of a seatbelt. Taxi drivers have taken on a new role as cancer educator in the novel campaign as part of International Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which the UAE’s Friends of Cancer Patients (FoCP) charitable society says has been the most active month in their history. The campaign, a first of its kind, which is a collaboration between FoCPs’ breast cancer awareness initiative Pink Caravan, Dubai Taxis and advertising agency JWT, which dreamed up the concept, will educate women riding in Dubai’s ladies-only Pink Taxis. FoCP secretary general Dr Sawsan Al Madhi said the ride starts with drivers instructing their passengers to put seatbelts on, at which point the women would feel a ‘lump’ attached to their seatbelt on their chests. On the embedded ball is a message which reads: “Breast cancer is not always this easy to find. Feel for the signs. Early detection is your protection”. Dr Al Madhi said such innovative campaigns in the fight against breast cancer consider the “very real possibility” of developing breast cancer. “The lady feels the lump, then the dialogue starts and she’s handed a leaflet with more information. Even the driver is more of an educator in that role.” Drivers have been trained to explain the importance of early detection of breast cancer to passengers, while the leaflets contain details on how to conduct self-examinations and when to begin getting mammograms. Dr Al Madhi said the concept was piloted in one taxi in April, and the success led to the roll out in all taxis this month. “Hopefully it’s going to be a positive campaign and if all the parties are happy with it … why shouldn’t it be something we could carry on with, and even in more than just Pink Taxis, but normal taxis…. I think the right question is ‘How big do we want it to be?’,” Dr Al Madhi said. She hoped the campaign would spark discussions among women that would eventually saves lives — both here and abroad. – amanda@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
Dubai all set to welcome Eid visitors
Dubai all set to welcome Eid visitors Mustafa Al Zarooni / 14 October 2013 Dubai and other emirates are decked up to receive visitors during Eid Al Adha as thousands of residents prepared for the annual Haj pilgrimage and holidays. With government offices and schools closed for the week, many residents left for their holiday destinations last week.The pleasant weather, combined with the UAE’s range of tourist attractions and shopping opportunities, is luring thousands of tourists for the festivities which is the longest in the region. Saudi officials say 400,000 Saudi citizens are expected to visit Dubai and other emirates during the Eid holidays. Eid in Dubai celebrations is attracting families from the region and malls will stay open for 24 hours as the city transforms itself as an entertainment hub during the season. “Three years ago we celebrated Eid in Dubai for the first time, and since then we regularly come to relive the experience. We are very busy, my husband and I; and we hardly go out together with the kids in our hometown — the holy city of Makkah. We love to shop all day, dine at different outlets and take the kids to theme parks. As a family, our favourite shopping mall is Dubai Festival City Mall,” said Um Mani from Saudi Arabia. Naseema Al Flaij from Kuwait is visiting Dubai with her sister, nieces and nephew. “Dubai has become a destination during school holidays and unites us as a family. To us Dubai is like a second homeland, it’s clean and organised,” she said. She says the kids are fascinated by the programmes and the entertainment is top notch. “Dubai is a safe place and enjoys a high level of security,” she adds. Naseema’s nephew Ali Al Osaimi loves the Zabeel Saray Hotel while Nawal enjoys shopping and dining at The Dubai Mall. The youngest sister, Hind who is only three, loves Wild Wadi Water Park. Expats have also been busy shopping and stocking up food and sweets for the big day. Many purchase gifts for friends and family, with retail outlets obliging with special rates and promotions. Hisham Kiwan, a Lebanese national, has spent 19 years in Dubai. He was out enjoying the holiday season with his wife and little daughters Reem and Sara. “Most of our relatives usually come over to stay with us to celebrate and also tour Dubai. We also spend a lot of time shopping. Reem, my eldest, loves the Dubai Aquarium and she never gets tired of observing the fish. My youngest just loves to visit the Burj Khalifa all the time.” Cem Ali from Turkey has convinced his parents to visit Dubai this year. “What I like most about Dubai is the blend of nationalities and that unique social fabric. The blend is like the colourful fireworks, which we have discovered by mere coincidence and that the show is on every day during the Eid in Dubai — Eid Al Adha celebrations.” -malzarooni@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
DH, Emaar to develop The Lagoons
DH, Emaar to develop The Lagoons Staff Report / 8 October 2013 Dubai Holding (DH) and Emaar Properties on Monday signed a joint venture agreement to develop The Lagoons, a magnificent waterfront city that will define the ambitious new face of Dubai’s future, within Mohammed Bin Rashid City (MBR City). “The six million square metres development will feature a business district, residential units and hotels,” the companies said in a statement on Monday. The project stretches from the banks of the Dubai Creek, through central parcels of land linked to Al Khail Road and across Ras Al Khor. It serves as a modern architectural continuum from Dubai Creek to the modern business and lifestyle centres of the city today. Inspired and built by the banks of the Dubai Creek, this prestigious project will bridge modernity with tradition by upholding the core values that have shaped Dubai as a cosmopolitan hub that is home to over 200 nationalities. At the heart of the project is The Dubai Twin Towers, a mixed-use iconic development that defines a new skyline for the city, and is envisaged to join the rank of the world’s most prestigious skyscrapers. In a joint statement, Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman of Emaar Properties, and Ahmad bin Byat, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Holding, said: “His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, constantly reminds us that Dubai has achieved less than 10 per cent of its development potential. Dubai has always been a forward-looking city, and today, as we enter our next phase of growth led by our youth, it is important that National Champion companies such as Dubai Holding and Emaar work jointly to launch projects that are important to boost the city’s future development. “As the city further underlines its credentials as a global hub by welcoming professionals and entrepreneurs from around the world, and led by the Dubai Tourism Vision to record 20 million visitors by the turn of the decade, it is important to continue to build our world-class infrastructure to meet future needs. The project, which will be a new catalyst for growth and create robust opportunities for commerce and entrepreneurship, will set new benchmarks in urban development, with its focus on the tech-savvy and connected youth population who are taking centrestage in driving Dubai’s impressive growth. “We are thus creating a vibrant destination that will not only address their lifestyle requirements of modern retail, entertainment and hospitality, but also connect them to their Arab heritage. This prestigious development fulfills His Highness Sheikh Mohammed’s vision by creating a world-class infrastructure that will firmly establish Dubai as one of the Top 10 global cities by 2020. Truly world-class in design, it will be an inspiring work, play and live environment with several iconic developments, further driving the city’s growth.” The distinguishing feature of the development is its focus on creating distinctive neighbourhoods, which are pedestrian friendly. It will be supported by several sustainable transport modes including a direct link with Dubai Metro’s Red and Green Lines, an eco-tram system, light monorail, and water taxis. The sweeping waterfront of the project lined by retail, commercial and residential zones will be built around two central parks. The ‘green’ theme will further resonate in several environmental-friendly features including eco-resorts, water features, and gardens. A number of small marinas will also be developed across the waterfront. — business@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
