Kuwait to ban digital camera use in public

Photographers in Kuwait are facing a ban on the use of larger digital cameras in public places, according to a local media report.

 

Three government ministries in the Gulf state have outlawed the use of "digital SLR" (single lens reflex) cameras in public for all citizens except accredited journalists, according to the Kuwait Times.

The Ministry of Information, the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Ministry of Finance implemented the ban late last week, according to the English-language newspaper. Smaller digital cameras and mobile phones are understood to be exempt from the ban.

The Kuwait Times reports: "What most Kuwaiti photographers have come to wonder is how such a decision could be reached by authorities, especially considering digital cameras and cell phone cameras have the same abilities.

"What most people think of photography as a hobby has become a bit misguided due to the fact that the country has so little exposure to art."

Digital SLR cameras may have been targeted as "big black camera[s] tend to worry people", the newspaper said. "Taking a picture of a stranger would seem like much less of an issue if you were using a more discreet camera or even a cell phone."

All Kuwait news media must obtain licences from the Ministry of Information, which regulates the publishing industry. A 2010 report on press freedom by campaign group Reporters without Borders gave Kuwait the top ranking among all Gulf states in terms of the freedom of its newspapers, despite the convictions of a number of high-profile bloggers in recent years.

Mohamed Abdel Qader Al-Jassem, a lawyer and prominent blogger, was jailed in Kuwait City on Monday evening after being found guilty of "attacking national unity" and defaming the prime minister.

source : Kuwait Times

guardian.co.uk Technology Web

Pacquiao wins over Margarito

Manny Pacquiao Wins his eight Title... with the official score of 120-108, 118-110, 119-109 all for the winner by unanimous decision ...

image from getty images

YAS MARINA CIRCUIT UNVEILS TIMINGS FOR F1 ACTIVITIES

Abu Dhabi, 09 November 2010 – Today Yas Marina Circuit announced the schedule for the upcoming Formula 1TM Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, including an array of activities and entertainment for all the family.

Spectators will not only enjoy the thrill of seeing the F1 World Champion being crowned in Abu Dhabi, but will also have the opportunity to see very close racing in the supporting GP2 and Porsche events and sample a wide range of off-track activities from breakdancing and skateboarding workshops to bungee trampolines.

Other family activities at the circuit will include karting for those aged 18 and under, the F1 Village, BMX bikers, food and beverage stands, an autograph zone, live music, a climbing wall, an arcade gaming zone, nail art stations, kids zone and entertainment from the Swat Crew, Killa Kela and Acrodunk basketball players.

Ticket-holders will have the opportunity to attend the live concerts by Kanye West on Friday the 12th, Linkin Park on Saturday the 13th and Prince on Sunday 14th of November. Concert access will open every evening at 18.30 until midnight.

“There is a huge variety of activities and entertainment available this year to suit all age groups and interests, in addition to one of the most compelling races of 2010,” said Richard Cregan, Chief Executive Officer of Yas Marina Circuit. “It is a great honour for Abu Dhabi to be the deciding race of the most exciting F1 season in recent years, and the excitement and anticipation is mounting. Combined with all the additional off-track entertainment, I believe race-goers can look forward to an amazing weekend."

Families and racing fans will also be able to experience the highly anticipated, multi-dimensional and newly opened Ferrari theme park, situated right next door to the circuit. Away from the track and in the heart of Abu Dhabi is the F1 Fan Zone on the Corniche which will provide everyone, whether they have a ticket for the race or not, with the opportunity to experience the F1 buzz and excitement, buy racing experiences, and enter Yas Marina Circuit prize draws. 

Schedule of the 2010 Formula 1TM Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Thursday 11th November
12:00 ENTERTAINMENT GATES OPEN TO TICKET HOLDERS
12:00 ENTERTAINMENT F1 VILLAGE OPEN
14:00 - 16:00 YAS MARINA CIRCUIT PUBLIC PIT LANE WALK
18:00 ENTERTAINMENT F1 VILLAGE CLOSES
01:00 YAS MARINA CIRCUIT VENUE CLOSES
Friday 12th November
10:00 ENTERTAINMENT GATES OPEN
10:00 YAS MARINA CIRCUIT OASIS VILLAGES OPEN
10:30 - 11:00 GP2 PRACTICE SESSION
11:30 - 12:10 PORSCHE GT3 CUP CHALLENGE ME PRACTICE SESSION
13:00 - 14:30 FORMULA ONE FIRST PRACTICE SESSION
14:55 - 15:25 GP2 QUALIFYING SESSION
17:00 - 18:30 FORMULA ONE SECOND PRACTICE SESSION
18:30 ENTERTAINMENT CONCERT DOORS OPEN
20:00 ENTERTAINMENT SOUTH & WEST OASIS CLOSED
20:30 ENTERTAINMENT F1 VILLAGE AND NORTH OASIS CLOSE
21:00 ENTERTAINMENT CONCERT STARTS - KANYE WEST
01:00 YAS MARINA CIRCUIT VENUE CLOSES
Saturday 13th November
10:00 ENTERTAINMENT GATES OPEN
10:00 ENTERTAINMENT OASIS VILLAGES OPEN
11:00 - 12:20 GP2 FIRST RACE (33 LAPS OR 75 MINS)
12:45 - 13:15 PORSCHE GT3 CUP CHALLENGE ME QUALIFYING SESSION
14:00 - 15:00 FORMULA ONE THIRD PRACTICE SESSION
17:00 - 18:00 FORMULA ONE QUALIFYING SESSION
18:00 ENTERTAINMENT CONCERT DOORS OPEN
20:00 ENTERTAINMENT SOUTH & WEST OASIS CLOSE
20:30 ENTERTAINMENT F1 VILLAGE AND NORTH OASIS CLOSE
21:00 ENTERTAINMENT CONCERT STARTS - LINKIN PARK
01:00 YAS MARINA CIRCUIT VENUE CLOSES
Sunday 14th November
10:00 GATES OPEN
10:00 ENTERTAINMENT OASIS VILLAGES OPEN
13:30 - 14:20 GP2 SECOND RACE (22 LAPS OR 45 MINS)
14:45 - 15:20 PORSCHE GT3 CUP CHALLENGE ME SECOND RACE (14 LAPS OR 30 MINS)
15:30 FORMULA ONE DRIVERS TRACK PARADE
17:00 FORMULA ONE GRAND PRIX (55 LAPS OR 120 MINS)
19:00 ENTERTAINMENT CONCERT DOORS OPEN
20:00 ENTERTAINMENT SOUTH & WEST OASIS CLOSE
20:30 ENTERTAINMENT F1 VILLAGE AND NORTH OASIS CLOSE
21:00 ENTERTAINMENT CONCERT STARTS - PRINCE
01:00 YAS MARINA CIRCUIT VENUE CLOSES

About Yas Marina Circuit:

Yas Marina Circuit is one of the most technologically advanced motor racing facilities ever developed. Located on Yas Island, the circuit debuted on October 30, 2009 with the final race of the FIA Formula One World Championship - the inaugural Formula 1™ Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to a capacity crowd of around 50,000. Year round, Yas Marina Circuit hosts an extensive programme of leading international and national motorsport racing series as well as major entertainment events and corporate activities. Supplementary facilities include the Yas Drag Racing Centre, the Yas Racing School and the Yas Kartzone.

Media Contacts:

Kawthar Bin Sulayem

Regional Media Manager, Yas Marina Circuit

Mobile: +971 (0) 50 358 8220

Email: kawthar.binsulayem@ymc.ae

Source: Yas Marina Circuit.Com

Canadian visiting UAE - New Rule

Abu Dhabi: Starting January 2, Canadians will have to obtain a pre-arranged visa to enter the UAE, official sources said yesterday, amid souring ties between the two countries.

The visa waiver policy will no longer apply to Canada because relations had dipped to a point where they were "neither healthy nor hopeful", the Associated Press quoted an official source in Abu Dhabi as saying. "The visa waivers are granted to countries with a special relationship ... built on economic and other areas of close and growing cooperation," the source said.

The official added that this decision has no negative impact on the bilateral relations between the two countries.

According to source Gulfnews.com this maybe due to the aviation dispute of the two contries.

Aviation dispute

* October 10: The UAE is disappointed that despite intensive negotiations over the last five years the UAE and Canada have been unable to arrive at an agreement on expanding the number of flights between the two countries.
* October 11: Canadians barred from military base, a crucial link in the supply line for its mission in Afghanistan.
* October 14: Official source announces UAE lobbied against Canada's bid to win a seat on the United Nations Security Council because of its anti-Arab policies.
* November 9: UAE cancels visa waiver policy for Canadians, in a tit for tat move.

Qantas plane A380 makes emergency landing in Singapore

• Technicians look at the damaged engine of Qantas Airways A380 passenger plane QF32 after it was forced to make an emergency landing at Changi airport in Singapore November 4, 2010. Image Credit: Reuters

A Qantas jetliner made an emergency landing Thursday in Singapore with 459 people aboard, after one of its four engines shut down over western Indonesia and following witness reports of a blast that sent debris hurtling to the ground.
The airliner denied there had been any explosion, and said the plane landed safely.

Witnesses on the western Indonesian island of Batam reported hearing a large blast and seeing pieces of debris - including panels painted white and red - falling onto houses.

A Qantas statement said the double-decker A380 plane, which is capable of carrying about 500 passengers, experienced an "engine issue" soon after taking off from Singapore for Sydney.

It made a safe emergency landing in Singapore with 433 passengers and 26 crew on board, the statement said.

"The aircraft landed safely at 11:45 am local time," the statement said. "Some media reports suggested the aircraft had crashed. These reports are incorrect. No Qantas aircraft has crashed," it said.

Qantas spokeswoman Emma Kearns in Sydney, Australia, said there were no reports of injuries and that the airline had not received any reports of an explosion on board.

source AP

CYGLO: TYRES BUILT TO BE SEEN

CYGLO:

TYRES BUILT TO BE SEEN

A unique, patented invention designed to revolutionise cycling safety.

Using high powered LED lights embedded in the tread or wall of the tyres, Cyglo Tyre creates a ring of light that maximises visibility on today’s busy roads.

Switched using a motion sensor within the tyre, The LED bulbs can either flash or be permanently on, so when the wheel turns at any speed, a high visibility ring of light is formed whilst continually and perpetually creating it’s own power.

Patented in the UK and USA, Cyglo Tyre revolutionises cycling safety and offers commuter cyclists, Police Officers, Paramedics, Royal Mail workers and couriers on the road today a unique and unprecedented safety measure.

Manufacturing bicycle tyres with LED lights already built in has significant benefits, not least that pedal cycles become aligned with all road vehicles by having permanent running lights on day and night to maximise visibility regardless of lighting conditions.

Cyglo Tyre also offers exciting after market coloured and flashing light options for trend setting BMX riders and fashionable mountain bike enthusiasts.

+44 (0) 1494 862423
+44 (0) 7787 571 783
info@nightbrighttyre.com
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Emirates SkyCargo Strengthens Trade Links Between UAE and Brazil

 

DUBAI, UAE – 31 October 2010 – Emirates SkyCargo, the freight division of Emirates, the Dubai-based international airline, has launched a new service to meet the demands of the bustling UAE-Brazil trade route.

...From today, a Boeing 747-400F – with a capacity of 117 tonnes – will operate weekly between Dubai and São Paulo, providing much needed support to the thriving import and export industry generated by South America’s largest city.

“Brazil is a major force in food production – exporting items such as meat, fruit, sugar, coffee and dairy products – so strengthening our commitment to São Paulo with the introduction of the world’s most advanced long-range freighter was an easy decision to make,” said Ram Menen, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President, Cargo.

Emirates has been operating a passenger service to São Paulo Guarulhos International Airport, with a weekly cargo capacity of 105 tonnes each way in the bellyhold, since 2007. The new service – to Viracopos-Campinas International Airport - will operate via Frankfurt, Germany, on the outbound journey and return through Dakar, Senegal, the most recent addition to Emirates’ network of 108 destinations.

With exports from the UAE to Brazil having increased by 79 per cent in the last two years, according to Dubai Export Development Corporation figures, the increase in cargo capacity is expected to fuel further growth.

“Brazil is recognised as one of the world’s 10 leading economies,” added Mr Menen. “And, with a population of almost 200 million driving its consumer market, is tipped to become increasingly more powerful over the next decade.

“This economic strength means Brazil will play a pivotal part to the future growth of the world economy, making it a key trade route with tremendous scope for growth.”

Dubai Export Development Corporation also believes the addition of São Paulo to Emirates SkyCargo’s network of 25 scheduled freighter destinations will provide significant business opportunities for local companies, especially in sectors where the UAE has competitive advantages, such gold and jewellery, building and construction, plastics and packaging, and food processing.

“The introduction of the weekly freighter service from Dubai to São Paulo will play a vital role in further growing UAE's exports to Brazil, where more than 12 million Brazilians are of Arab origin, and South America in general,” said Chief Executive Officer Engr Saed Al Awadi.

“Based on our findings, it is apparent that both regions have complementary economic strengths and by providing more connectivity, trade will grow and we will all benefit economically.”

From São Paulo, goods such as furniture, clothing, machine tools, medical devices, manufacturing equipment, toiletries and foodstuffs – including meat, hatching eggs and fruits, soy beans, sugar and coffee – will be distributed to locations across Africa, the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent and the Far East.

From Dubai, Emirates SkyCargo will provide another link to Europe and South America for the vast volume of electronic consumer goods and garments exported from the Far East and the Indian subcontinent, while freight from Frankfurt will include car parts, machinery and a diverse range of general merchandise.

Emirates SkyCargo recently appointed AGUNSA and Globe Air Cargo as general sales agents (GSA) in Chile and Colombia respectively. Strong demand in the Middle East and Far East for perishables, such as fresh fish and fruits, from the two countries represents a significant opportunity for Emirates. This cargo is transported on interline partner airlines to São Paulo, where it is then flown by Emirates SkyCargo to Dubai and other export markets.

About Emirates SkyCargo

Emirates' 151-strong fleet is one of the youngest in the skies. Emirates SkyCargo’s fleet includes seven freighters (three Boeing 747-400Fs, two 747-400ERFs and two 777Fs) and now serves 108 destinations in 65 countries on six continents.

In the 2009-10 financial year, Emirates SkyCargo carried 1.6 million tonnes of cargo, an improvement of 12.2 per cent over the year’s previous 1.4 million tonnes. Cargo revenue, at AED 6.3 billion (US$ 1.7 billion), including mail and courier, contributed 17.2 percent of the airline’s total transport revenue.

In 2010, the carrier has already won a clutch of awards: ‘Cargo Airline of the Year’, ‘Best Cargo Airline to the Middle East’ and ‘Best All Cargo Airline’ at the prestigious Cargo Airline of the Year Awards 2009 from Air Cargo News. It was bestowed the Gold Award at the Annual Air Cargo Excellence Awards at the IATA World Cargo Symposium.

Source: Emirates