InShort: National news 01/12

Dubai: The UAE has drawn up an emergency plan to protect UAE nationals in different parts of the world in case of disasters and catastrophes there, according to Dr Anwar Mohammad Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, an Arabic newspaper reports.

The plan, which comes in the wake of the recent Mumbai attacks where Emiratis were also trapped, involves the establishment of a joint-operation rescue team at the ministry ready to fly to any UAE embassy abroad during emergencies to help in rescuing Emiratis and to provide aid, he added.

The ministry will also set a database listing the names of countries that suffer wars, frequent disasters or other dangerous conditions.

Dubai cracks down on harmful toys

Dubai: Dubai Municipality has said it will conduct further inspections and implement stricter measures to ban harmful toys in the local market, an Arabic newspaper reported.

Municipal inspectors seized 177 samples of toys from toy shops during a major crackdown on hazardous toys that do not comply with safety standards, according to Sultan Al Suwaidi, Head of Public Safety Section at Dubai Municipality.

The trading outlets were slapped with a Dh10,000 fine and the shops were told to take the requisite permission before importing any toys which did not comply with the municipality's safety standards.

Tramadol among banned drugs

Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Police have banned the painkiller Tramadol under the Federal Anti-narcotics Law, after studies revealed large-scale usage of the medicine among drug addicts, a police official said, according to an Arabic newspaper.

Laboratory tests have revealed the presence of Tramadol in the urine and blood samples taken from drug addicts, according to Major Kabeer Mohammad Saeed Al Jaberi, Head of Chemical Analysis Section at Abu Dhabi Police.

Parking shortage at Sharjah petrol stations

Sharjah: Motorists visiting petrol stations for fuel or to shop at the supermarkets there, have complained about parking lots there being occupied by residents living close to the station, the Arabic press reported.

Residents, on their part, maintained that they had no option due to lack of parking lots in their crowded neighbourhoods, and described it as an “everyone for himself situation now''.

Staff at these petrol stations pointed out that despite signboards stating that parking at the station was only for customers, residents continued to park there, forcing customers to seek other petrol stations.

A regular customer at a petrol station in Al Taawun area said, “Every time I come to the station, I find those living near the station have taken over the parking spots.''

Red spiders spread fear in RAK

Ras Al Khaimah: The infamous red spider, driven from their webs due to heavy rains, have been spotted near homes in the past few days in Ras Al Khaimah, spreading panic among residents, Al Khaleej reported.

Some residents saw the poisonous spiders near their homes.

Authorities at the RAK Municipality have warned people against direct contact with these spiders and urged them to report to the municipality in case they spotted any.

Speeding violations increase in capital

Abu Dhabi: During the past nine months, speeding violations in the capital have increased by 11 per cent at 15,688, compared with 13,196 in the same period last year, Al Khaleej reported.

Colonel Hamad Adel Al Shamsi, Director of Abu Dhabi's Traffic and Patrols Department, said 7,163 violations were recorded for exceeding the speed limit by 30km/h followed by 3,463 violations for those exceeding the speed limit by 40 km/h.

He added that during the same period, 237 motorists were reported for driving at speeds exceeding 200 km/h.

Meanwhile, Dubai Police's Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Traffic Police Department have issued stern warnings to those found breaking the law during the National Day and Eid Al Adha holidays.

Brigadier Mohammad Saif Al Zafein, Director of the Dubai Traffic Department, called on the public, particularly drivers, to be vigilant against violations.

“We shall deploy an extra number of our officers,'' he said, adding that unnecessary decorations that are likely to distract motorists will not be tolerated.

He also asked the public to strengthen the "We Are All Police" spirit by reporting improper behaviour on the roads.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID), meanwhile, has set up two hotlines for the public to ensure security and safety during the holidays. The numbers are 04-2036 324 and 050-8820 011.

"We expect the public to hold measured celebrations that will not expose their families to danger and safety risks," said Brigadier Abdul Jalil Mahdi, Deputy Director of Dubai Police's Preventative Security Department.

The marine section at Dubai Police has also set up a hotline for “anything that may go wrong on the water in terms of weather or accidents''. The number is: 02-6095 555.