April 26, 2011
Etisalat warns people against mobile phone scam
Etisalat has issued SMS warnings to its customers against a scam.
Victims received calls from individuals — posing as an etisalat employee — who informed them that they had won a large amount of money.
April 23, 2011
UAE's newest satellite launched successfully
The 5.9-tonne UAE satellite Yahsat Y1A will supply high definition television to the Middle East, Africa, Europe and South West Asia
- An Ariane-5 rocket placed two telecommunications satellites into geostationary orbit early on Saturday, including the UAE's Yahsat Y1A, from the European Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana.
The Ariane 5 rocket carrying the UAE spacecraft lifted off at 1:37am UAE time. The 5.9-tonne UAE satellite Yahsat Y1A, built by Astrium and Thales Alenia Space, will supply high definition television to the Middle East, Africa, Europe and South West Asia.
Yahsat Y1A is the first UAE satellite launched by Arianespace and will be positioned at 52.5 degrees East. With a design life of 15 years, it will be operated by the Al Yah Satellite Communications Company.
Waleed Al Mokarrab Al Muhairi, Chairman of Yahsat and Chief Operating Officer of Mubadala Development Company, said: "The launch of Y1A is hugely important for Mubadala and Abu Dhabi. Satellite communications are an integral component in establishing the world-class information and communication infrastructure that will support the continued economic diversification of the Emirate.
Yahsat is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mubadala Development Company, the Abu Dhabi-based investment and development company. Yahsat has commissioned two satellites to create regionally-focused capacity to manage the expanding requirements for government, commercial and consumer satellite communication services.
April 14 2011
Saudi Arabia's Kingdom Holding Co has approved a plan to build the world's tallest building
Saudi Arabia's Kingdom Holding Co has approved a plan to build the world's tallest building, the Saudi Gazette reported. The 275-floor Kingdom Tower will be 1.6km tall, twice the height of Dubai's Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest skyscraper.
April 15 2011
Qatar plans to empower women politically and economically
The government will improve support for working families, particularly women, by expanding child care facilities and family-friendly employment practices and encouraging gender-sensitive working environments.
The NDS says that the increase in the number of women joining the labour force is consistent with their rising educational attainment and that as learning opportunities continue to increase, women's participation in the workforce will also increase.
Qatari women made up 27 per cent of the labour force in 2001. This gradually rose to 36 per cent in 2008 and remained steady in 2009.
However, the NDS says that while implementing measures to provide better care for children and families and to strengthen marriages, the government must be aware of the delicate balancing act of preserving and enhancing the traditional Qatari family core while empowering women economically and politically.
April 16 2011
April 17, 2011
April 18, 2011
April 16 2011
US wants President Saleh to step down within a month
US and EU ambassadors in Sana'a suggested that Saleh should declare that he is stepping down within a month after he appoints a new deputy, Al Ola daily newspaper quoted unnamed sources as saying.
A deal will be signed soon by Saleh and opposition parties. Saleh should transfer his presidential powers to a new deputy within a week after signing the Washington-sponsored deal.
The paper said that Saleh requested that the new deputy be Dr Ali Mohammad Mujawar, prime minister of the current interim government, or Rashad Al Alimi, deputy prime minister for security and defence affairs.
After appointing a deputy and handing over powers to him, Saleh should submit his resignation to the Parliament and should have a guarantee that he would not be put on trial.
April 17, 2011
Mandarin Oriental to open landmark hotel in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi's Saadiyat Island will be the site of the first Mandarin Oriental hotel in the region, with the opening scheduled for late 2013 or early 2014. This will be followed by one in Doha.
The hotel on Saadiyat Island, being developed by Abu Dhabi's Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC), will feature 195 rooms, including serviced apartments, and 50 residences, a signature spa and a host of food and beverage outlets. Talks are on to finalise the architects and interior designers for the property.
April 18, 2011
Dubai will have up to 3,500 new villas by year-end
Dubai is likely to see anywhere between 1,759 and 3,500 new villas being completed by year end, real estate experts believe.
Many deaths reportedly occurred in a village near Deraa in the south, and in a suburb of the capital, Damascus.
The US White House urged the government to stop attacking demonstrators.
Spokesman Jay Carney said it should "cease and desist in the use of violence against protesters" and follow through on promised reforms.
UK Foreign Secretary William Hague said he was "extremely concerned" by reports of deaths and casualties across Syria and urged restraint on the country's authorities.
"Political reforms should be brought forward and implemented without delay," he said. "The Emergency Law should be lifted in practice, not just in word."
