Khaleej Times

SHARJAH, Nov 7: A teacher has pleaded not guilty of molesting a seven-year-old boy.

The Sharjah Shariah Court of First Instance, which began hearing the case yesterday, was told that the 45-year-old teacher used to give lessons to the boy at the latter’s home.

On October 15, the boy’s father grew suspicious and confronted the teacher.

The court heard the boy’s father who described the incidents. The defence lawyer cross-examined him.

The court adjourned the hearing to November 12.

UAE: Widened Maktoum Bridge to Ease Congestion
Khaleej Times

DUBAI, Nov 7: Motorists had an easy ride on the Maktoum Bridge yesterday with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) opening the newly widened bridge for traffic.

According to senior RTA officials, widening of the bridge was part of integrated projects aimed at increasing the number of crossings over the Dubai Creek.

The Maktoum Bridge witnesses a traffic volume of around 250,000 vehicles per day at a rate of 9,500 vehicles per hour during peak hours.

“Projects associated with these vital crossings aim at easing traffic congestion, enhancing traffic flow on both directions and linking the two parts of Dubai. This will also contribute to matching the urban development requirements and the demographic growth in the emirate,” said Maitha bin Adai, CEO of Traffic and Roads Agency of the RTA.

Bin Adai said the improvements made on the Al Maktoum Bridge on the Bur Dubai side included widening of roads leading to the bridge at Umm Harir Road from two to three lanes.

This is bound to increase the capacity of the bridge and ease congestion of outbound traffic from Shaikh Zayed Road towards Deira. Roads leading to the bridge from the Deira area have also been widened.

“Improvement works and widening of the bridge, including the movable section, covered increasing the number of lanes from Deira to Bur Dubai from four to six lanes along the bridge. This has been done through utilising the existing space between the movable parts of the bridge, which would help increase the capacity of the bridge by 50 per cent and enhance safety,” she said.

The commuters appeared happy at the opening of the new lanes yesterday.

“The completion of any of the RTA projects spells relief for us. It was a pleasant ride for us as the bridge was free from traffic snarls,” said a daily commuter

UAE: Basic Health Check-up for Dh15
Khaleej Times

DUBAI, Nov 7: The UAE residents can now undergo basic health check-ups to detect problems like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity for Dh15.

The Ministry of Health has teamed up with a local pharmacy, BinSina Pharmacy and, for the first time, allowed it to conduct these check-ups.

At a Press conference in Dubai yesterday, the MoH announced a year-long campaign with Bin Sina Pharmacy to spread awareness on preventive health measures among the general public.

“The health strategies of the UAE Government have paid special attention to the welfare of its citizens and residents, and comprehensive health programmes have been adopted to meet the needs of the society,” said Humaid Al Quttami, UAE Minister of Health.

“This campaign, which encompasses educating the public on the dangers of high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and obesity as well as facilitating the required check-ups, demonstrates the success that can be achieved through mobilising the power of communities and volunteers to reach the public.”

Ahmed Khayyat from BinSina Pharmacy said: “The UAE Ministry of Health has   authorised the pharmacy to conduct these tests at its outlets spread all over the UAE.”

The community outreach campaign will spread the preventive health care concept across the country, Khayyat said.

 “We will maximise the benefits of the campaign by reducing the cost of the four consolidated check-ups for blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol and obesity (by checking  the Body Mass Index) to Dh15. These can be done in 15 minutes,” he said.

Licensed and trained pharmacists at BinSina will carry out the tests as well as offer advice on these issues.

 “Improving health is not a major concern among people due to the lack of education. The cost is also another factor. We have addressed the issue of cost by reducing it to the minimum to encourage as many people as possible to undergo the tests.”