Etisalat To Reduce iPhone Rates

Etisalat is lowering the rates of its iPhone packages, including prepaid ones.
Starting tomorrow, its newer, reduced monthly rates for customers on a contract will kick into action. The new rates will also apply to prepaid iPhones, which users can buy from either Etisalat outlets, or other authorised dealers in the UAE.

Source: gulfnews.com

For more information visit: http://www.gulfnews.com/business/Telecom/10354949.html

Tawam Hospital to Launch Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign

Tawam Hospital is going to launch a breast cancer awareness campaign during the whole month of October.
October is typically used to raise awareness about the disease all over the world, and Tawam aims to do the same in the UAE.
The Health Authority of Abu-Dhabi (HAAD), and Abu-Dhabi’s health services organisation (SEWA), are supporting Tawam in its efforts during the coming month.
Although the campaign aims to raise awareness about breast cancer all over the UAE, its activities will be largely concentrated in the cities of Abu-Dhabi and Al-Ain, especially in those areas where awareness is low.
The campaign will educate men, women, and families about breast cancer by highlighting the importance of early detection, regular check-ups, and self examinations.
Tawam hospital is also going to screen women aged 40 and above free of charge, using their mobile mammography van, in the areas they visit.
Lots of family and community oriented activities will also be organised, to make the learning experience fun as well as educational.
There will even be a “Fun Run” at Al Tuwaya Public Park in Al-Ain, and it’s open to anyone who wishes to participate.
As a mark of solidarity, other organisations in the community, including some media organisations, are going to celebrate “Pink Day” on October 26th. Everyone will wear at least one piece of clothing that is pink.
Tawam Hospital wants to make sure people are aware of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, as well as being pro-active about their health. It emphasises the importance of early detection in being able to combat the disease successfully.
They do say prevention is better than cure. Here’s hoping the hospital succeeds in raising awareness, and saving lots and lots of lives.

Source: gulfnews.com

New Flamingo Breeding Colony Discovered in Abu Dhabi

A team of biologists from the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) recently discovered a breeding colony of flamingos somewhere in the west side of the emirate.
A total of 1,954 flamingo nests were found in the colony, with at least 224 of them currently in use. The rest had already been used, or were abandoned because of a storm in the area.
The EAD team has put the number of flamingos at 18,000, the highest that has ever been recorded in the country.
This is such an important discovery because the birds have only bred twice before in the UAE’s history, once as long as a decade ago.
EAD's biologists were aware of the site’s existence since 2005, after it was located via satellite, and have kept an eye on it since.
The usual number of flamingos during summer time is around 10, 000, so this is a significant jump.
The EAD will be monitoring the area, just to make sure everything’s running smoothly, and also to determine future conservation needs.
The UAE has a diverse array of wildlife, much of which is unfortunately in danger because of increased expansion and development.
Here’s wishing the EAD team lots of luck in their endeavours, as well as lots more flamingo sightings!

Source: gulfnews.com

For more details go to: http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Environment/10348625.html

Welcome to the UAE, Irena

The UAE recently won the rights to host the headquarters of Irena – the International Renewable Energy Agency.

Major competitors like Germany and Austria bowed out after it became obvious the majority of Irena’s 129 member states showed overwhelming support for the UAE.

Winning the bid to host the headquarters of Irena is a huge accomplishment for the UAE because its decision to compete was viewed with scepticism and surprise by most in the beginning, and chances of a win seemed slim, if not impossible.

The UAE has reason to be proud of its victory, because it is the first and only country in the developing world to host a major international organisation like the newly formed Irena. Till date, no developing country can make such a claim.

Irena’s headquarters are going to be in Masdar City, in the UAE’s capital, Abu-Dhabi.

Masdar City is touted to be the globe’s first carbon-neutral, zero-waste city, and is currently under construction. Its date of completion is set to be sometime in October 2011, and the city is going to have all its energy needs provided for by renewable energy sources, like solar energy, for example.

Irena’s director general, Helene Pelosse, says the UAE and the rest of the Gulf region is ideal for such projects because of the weather conditions and all the area available for construction and development. She called Abu-Dhabi the “renewable energy city of the future”, and said that, “the sun is tomorrow’s oil”.

Pelosse also added that the UAE would begin to export renewable energy well before its oil supplies run out, and the technologies needed to do this are in place.

The Gulf region is unique in that it’s blessed with warm and sunny weather almost all through the year, and that’s good news when it comes to projects like this.

At the moment, the UAE uses fossil fuels, like oil, to fulfil its energy requirements. Needless to say, this doesn’t help the environment, and nor is it a permanent solution because such resources will eventually run out.

The UAE makes a lot of revenue by exporting oil, but once all the oil is gone, it needs something to replace it for continued income from the trade.

Irena is good for the country not only because it puts it on the international map, but also because it is going to ensure the UAE has enough energy for export once its non-renewable resources run out.Irena will allow the UAE to become one of the main exporters of renewable energy to national as well as international markets, and may even trump the US and Europe’s energy supplies by 2020.

Irena currently has a 136 state member panel, with more states expected to join. Once its membership increases, it aims to become a UN agency.

Irena isn’t just a matter of prestige and increased trade for the UAE, but also promises to bring more employment and research opportunities into the country. New jobs and opportunities for studies in the field will draw experts and students alike to the UAE.

As Irena promises to be the start of something great, the UAE seems all set to be the leader in developing new technologies and making a carbon-free imprint of its own.

Sources: Gulf News

To view an illustration of Irena: http://archive.gulfnews.com/nation/Environment/10328839.html

For more info about Masdar City: http://archive.gulfnews.com/indepth/irena/more_stories/10327093.html

For what some residents think about Irena: http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/09/07/01/10327572.html

Because It's Ice cream!

On my latest trip to Dubai Outlet Mall, I decided to check out the Cold Stone Creamery store that is located on the first floor.
I’ve never tried one of their ice cream “Creations” before, and while I did expect something delicious, I was pleasantly surprised. I ordered “Chocolate Devotion” in a freshly made waffle cup dipped in thick chocolate. Not only was it absolutely heavenly, the way it was made was equally glee inspiring.
Options are abundant on how you want your tasty treat. You can choose a “Signature Creation” or a “Custom” one. Since this was the first time I was trying one, I decided to make things easier for myself and pick something from their diverse menu.
If you opt for a Custom Creation, you get to pick the ice cream flavour you want, and all the other ingredients used to make a Creation. Ingredients range from different types of cookies, chocolates, nuts, caramel, fudge, as well as your choice of waffle.
Once you’ve picked what you want, the fun begins. Stand back and watch your Creation take shape. Making your creation involves scooping, chopping, folding in, and believe it or not, throwing your in- progress creations high up in the air and then catching them. My “Chocolate Devotion” was made air bound a number of times, before being hurled across the room where it finally landed in its waffle-filled cup.
A variety of scrumptious looking ice cream cakes are also available. Once again, these can either be chosen from the Signature Creations menu, or made specifically to suit your tastes. A Custom Creation can be a great way to set your imagination free and create something truly novel. It will also give you bragging-rights when people compliment you on how delicious your cake is.
Cold Stone Creamery is an experience that is not limited just to your taste buds. I intend to visit every time I have a craving for a cold treat, and plan to take my friends and siblings as well. After a tiring day of shopping at the mall, this is just the energy booster you need!

Official website: http://www.coldstonecreamery.com/index.html

International store locator: http://www.coldstonecreamery.com/google/stores/store_locator.aspx
For some store locations in the UAE: http://www.arabianbusiness.com/index.php?Itemid=77&ln=en&option=com_pressreleases&pr_id=10319&view=detail
Want to contact the supplier in the UAE?

Visit: http://www.alibaba.com/member/sachin1968/contactinfo.html