In Case of Emergency "ICE"

W e all carry our mobile phones with names & numbers stored in its memory but nobody, other than ourselves, knows which of these numbers belong to our closest family or friends.

If we were to be involved in an accident or were taken ill, the people attending us would have our mobile phone but wouldn't know who to call. Yes, there are hundreds of numbers stored but which one is the contact person in case of an emergency? Hence this 'ICE' (In Case of Emergency) Campaign

The concept of 'ICE' is catching on quickly. It is a method of contact during emergency situations. As cell phones are carried by the majority of the population, all you need to do is store the number of a contact person or persons who should be contacted during emergency under the name 'ICE' ( In Case Of Emergency).

The idea was thought up by a paramedic who found that when he went to the scenes of accidents, there were always mobile phones with patients, but they didn't know which number to call. He therefore thought that it would be a good idea if there was a nationally recognized name for this purpose. In an emergency situation, Emergency Service personnel and hospital Staff would be able to quickly contact the right person by simply dialing the number you have stored as 'ICE.'

For more than one contact name simply enter ICE1, ICE2 and ICE3 etc. A great idea that will make a difference!

Let's spread the concept of ICE by storing an ICE number in our Mobile phones today!

Please forward this. It won't take too many 'forwards' before everybody will know about this It really could save your life, or put a loved one's mind at rest .

ICE will speak for you when you are not able to.

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Philippines and UAE to enhance trade ties

Philippines and UAE to enhance trade ties
By Irish Eden Belleza, Staff Reporter
Published in Gulfnews: January 28, 2008, 00:28


Dubai: A memorandum of understanding signed by the Dubai and Philippine chambers of commerce and industry was the highlight of Philippine President Gloria Arroyo's visit to Dubai.

Under the agreement, the two countries are expected to strengthen and expand trade, economic, scientific, technological and business cooperation by organising conferences, seminars, study tours, exchange programmes for trade groups and trade fairs.

Statistics released by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) indicate that non-oil foreign trade with the Philippines reached Dh788.3 million at the end of 2006.

Moreover, exports by DCCI members to the Philippines surged 321.6 per cent to Dh72.52 million in 2007 from Dh17.2 million the previous year.

Rising exports

In 2006, the UAE was the Philippines' third major trading partner in the region with trade reaching over Dh486 million or 1.35 per cent of the Philippines' total global trade.

The UAE was also the top export market with a total value of Dh66 million, and the third top import supplier with imports valued at Dh420 million or 2.21 per cent of total imports.

Gil B. Herico, trade assistant of the Philippines' Department of Trade and Industry office in Dubai, UAE, pointed out that garments and fresh fruits like banana and pineapple are the country's top export products in the UAE, with up to 99 per cent of bananas and pineapples in the country exported from the Philippines.

The highlight of Arroyo's agenda in Dubai was meetings with officials and investors.

Arroyo early on Saturday said the Dubai trip is an extension of her visit to Davos to open up and possibly finalise several negotiations.

She went to Davos to attend the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF).

"Because Dubai is a financial capital, several businessmen from around the Gulf have also made appointments to see me. So I am going to have an extension of my trip to Davos there," the president said in statement released by the presidential palace in Manila. ShareThis Read more...

58 pedestrians in Dubai to be prosecuted

58 pedestrians in Dubai to be prosecuted
By Alia Al Theeb, Staff Reporter
Published: January 19, 2008, 23:12


Dubai: Dubai P olice have referred at least 58 jaywalkers to the public prosecutor for repeatedly crossing the roads at undesignated points, causing danger to their lives and motorists.

Brigadier Mohammad Saif Al Zafein, head of the Dubai Traffic Police, said that police launched a campaign on Thursday against pedestrians who cross roads at undesignated points on the roads.

"A total of 157 people were nabbed and were released after taking an undertaking that they would not repeat the offence during the first three days of the campaign," he said.

He said that Dubai police would compile a database of the pedestrians caught crossing roads illegally. ShareThis Read more...

29 workers injured as bus overturns

29 workers injured as bus overturns
By Rayeesa Absal, Staff Reporter
Published in Gulfnews: January 17, 2008, 14:03

Abu Dhabi: 29 workers were injured as a bus transporting labourers overturned near Khalifa City late on Wednesday, said traffic police.

Speeding led to the accident, said the police. “The driver was driving over the speed limit and as he tried to take a turn at a roundabout he lost control of the bus. The bus overturned, injuring at least 29 workers,” said a police source.

Three workers suffered from serious injuries while others suffered from minor to medium injuries, the source said.

25 of the injured were Filipinos while four were Egyptians.

Soon as the central control room received the information, rescue and ambulance vehicles rushed to the scene and took the injured to Al Mafraq hospital, the source said. ShareThis Read more...

Rain lashes the UAE

Gulf News web report
Last updated: January 15, 2008, 12:40

Dubai: Rain has lashed the UAE, causing widespread flooding across the country and traffic chaos.

While Abu Dhabi has largely escaped serious rain, the major roads in Sharjah have been completely flooded.

Police are advising people not to take the Emirates Road into Dubai because of the wet conditions.

Police also cordoned off the National Paints roundabout in Sharjah, making it more difficult to access the major roads.

Several schools in Dubai and Sharjah have cancelled lessons for the day, while Our Own English High School in Sharjah has cancelled exams.

Residents in the Al Nahada area of Sharjah have reported their cars being partially submerged by the heavy rains.

Flooding has also been reported at the Emaar office building near the Burj Dubai

Satellite dish antennas were blown off the roof tops in the Al Meena Bazaar area of Dubai

Traffic has come to a standstill in Dubai with heavy flooding causing long delays on all roads.

In Bur Dubai, readers have reported widespread flooding, with residents having to wade through knee deep water to get to their cars.

More Photos Here: http://gulfnews.com/nation/Environment/10182101.html

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Unified visit visa soon

Unified visit visa soon
By Ahmed Abdul Aziz (Our staff reporter)
Published in Khaleej Times Online 31 December 2007



ABU DHABI — The Naturalisation and Residency Departments (NRDs) at the Ministry of Interior have completed all preparations to implement the unified system of issuance of visit visas in all the emirates, Colonel Nasir Al Awadi Al Minhali, director of the Abu Dhabi Naturalisation and Residency Department (ADNRD) disclosed yesterday.

The move comes with a view to weeding out the menace of illegal workers from the country.

Talking to Khaleej Times, Al Minhali said, “The new system will restrict the issuance of visit visas for immediate relatives only, such as parents, brothers or sisters.”

Al Minhali added that workers who had entered the country on business visas would face life ban. “The NRDs across the country will reject any application to amend the status of the applicant from his/her business visa to worker’s visa,” Al Minhali noted.

Al Minhali said the measures would be implemented soon after getting the approval from the Minister of Interior, Shaikh Saif bin Zayed. ShareThis Read more...

The Philippine Pavilion @ the Global Village

Here are some of the pictures as I have taken from my trip to the Global Village
I must say that the Global village this year is less attractive compared to last year. Some of last year's participating countries did not join this year like UK, Japan, etc. As usual Thailand, as expected has a lot of visitors. I personally like the Thai Pavilion simply because of their delicious Thai food. In fairness to the Philippine Pavilion, it's better now. More spacious though there are still Chinese traders that shouldn't be there. The lantern in front of the Pavilion makes it more attractive to the passers by.

P.S.

If you know the schedule of of the Philippine Day or schedule of activities in the Philippine Pavilion please let me know so that I can post it here.

A big Parol at the facade of the Philippine Pavilion

Friends Liza, Ronald, Rona ----------------- An African Pavilion

Make your dream vacation in the US check in at San Diego Hard Rock Hotel

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