<![CDATA[KT Mobile]]> http://www.khaleejtimes.com/ en-gb Sat, 17 Nov 2018 05:40:23 +0100 <![CDATA[UAE public, private sector holiday for National Day declared]]> Fri, 16 Nov 2018 22:24:44 +0100 https://www.khaleejtimes.com/news/general/uae-public-private-sector-holiday-for-national-day-declared FF085974-2BCA-426F-BC97-28EF7B0559CB It will be another long weekend.


The UAE Council of Ministers has announced a 2-day holiday for both public and private sectors on the occasion of the 47th National Day. 

The holiday starts on December 2, Sunday and will run until December 3, Monday. Work will resume the following day.  ]]> <![CDATA[Cyclone Gaja kills 13, leaves trail of destruction in Tamil Nadu]]> Fri, 16 Nov 2018 07:55:18 +0100 https://www.khaleejtimes.com/international/india/Cyclone-Gaja-kills-13-leaves-trail-of-destruction-in-Tamil-Nadu 04804475-4162-4672-BBE8-DE90D452B211 Over 82,000 people have been evacuated from low lying areas.


A severe cyclonic storm Gaja battered the Tamil Nadu coast on Friday, leaving at least 13 people and several livestock dead and a trail of destruction in several districts.

Authorities said the cyclone crossed the coast between Nagapattinam and Vedaranyam districts between 12.30am and 2.30am with wind speeds of about 110-120 kmph.

So powerful were the gales that the roof-sheets of the Nagapattinam railway station were damaged. Thatched and tiled roofs of several houses were also damaged in the strong cyclonic winds.

A ship was ground in Karaikal Port in Puducherry.

Traffic on the highways were affected owing to fallen trees while communication links in Vedaranyam were also affected.

Traffic out of hill station Kodaikanal was affected due to fallen trees.

In some places like Pudukottai walls of houses collapsed due to rains.

Apart from fallen 12,000 power poles in seven districts, 102 power sub-stations in districts like Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Thiruvarur were affected.

According to the state power utility, about 500 km of power supply lines were affected by Gaja. Officials said it would take at least two days to restore power supply in full in districts like Nagapattinam and Thiruvarur.

Chief Minister K. Palaniswami said in Salem, some 350 km from the state capital, that 13 persons had lost their lives in the cyclone.

He said a sum of Rs10 lakh would be paid to each family of the dead. For those severely injured, a sum of Rs 100,000 would be paid and those who suffered minor injuries would get Rs 25,000.

About 82,000 people living in low-lying areas have been sent to 471 relief centres, the Chief Minister said, adding the preventive measures helped keep the death toll low.

Relief centres were set up in Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Ramanathapuram, Thanjavur, Pudukottai and Thiruvarur on Thursday itself.

According to officials, 28 livestocks were killed in cyclone.

Owing to strong winds an Indigo Airlines Chennai-Trichy flight was not able to land in Trichy and was sent back.

R.B. Udhyakumar, Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management, said all the trees felled by the cyclone were being removed.

Piles of felled trees blocked traffic in parts of Nagapattinam and Vedaranyum.

Several universities in Tamil Nadu have postponed their exams slated for Friday. Schools remained closed on Friday in Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, Thanjavur, Pudukottai, Thiruvarur and several other districts in Tamil Nadu and in Puducherry, including Karaikal.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast scattered heavy to very heavy rain over Tiruchirapalli, Namakkal, Dindigul, Madurai, Theni, Karur, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Nilgiris and Virudhunagar districts of Tamil Nadu.

According to Chief Minister Palaniswami, the Fisheries Department will estimate the damage to the fishing boats before paying compensation to the fishermen.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Chief Minister Palaniswami and enquired about the cyclone damage. ]]> <![CDATA[Dh500 fine, 4 black points for this traffic violation during fog]]> Fri, 16 Nov 2018 18:15:20 +0100 https://www.khaleejtimes.com/news/transport/dh500-fine-4-black-points-for-this-traffic-violation-during-fog CC097D49-873C-4887-B6CD-F9D15FE3AFF2 RTA issues special text messages warning residents.


The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai has issued special warning text messages to UAE residents, asking them to exercise caution while driving in rough weather conditions. The authority said drivers who use high beam will be slapped with a Dh 500 fine and four black points.

Special text messages were sent to UAE residents on Friday, November 16, asking them to exercise caution while driving in rough weather conditions.

The message read, "Dear Driver, drive cautiously and use the low beam light during weather changes. Make sure your wipers blades and window demisters are working effectively as it helps you see the road while driving in rain."

The message added, "Slow down and maintain double safe distance. Remember driving during the fog without using the lights is a violation punishable by Dh 500 and four black points."

Tips for driving in bad weather



- Do not use hazard lights (they are meant for standing cars in case of an emergency)

- Do not use rear fog lights during normal visibility, since they can blind following drivers and rear fog lights can over-power your brake lights, hence following drivers might not see you braking

- Stay away from areas which are normally affected by bad weather like Wadis

- In case of rain, avoid low lying parts of the roads network like underpasses

*Source: Road Safety UAE

dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com ]]> <![CDATA[Sharjah-Tiruchirappalli flights delayed due to Cyclone Gaja]]> Fri, 16 Nov 2018 16:06:49 +0100 https://www.khaleejtimes.com/international/india/sharjah-tiruchirappalli-flights-delayed-due-to-cyclone-gaja E4A69603-3A2A-4C51-97D4-19C255CF7F3F The flight is now set to depart at 5.20 am on Saturday, November 17.


A Trichy-bound Air India Express flight from Sharjah to Tiruchirappalli has been delayed by a little under seven hours due to the aftermath of severe cyclonic storm Gaja.

Flight IX 614 from to Tiruchirappalli was supposed to depart from Sharjah Airport at 10.40 pm on Friday, November 16, to Sharjah International Airport. However, the flight is now set to depart at 5.20 am on Saturday, November 17.

An Air India official told Khaleej Times that minor delays on flights to Chennai were also reported, however, no diversions were reported.

(More details to follow)

dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com

  ]]> <![CDATA[Judge orders White House to return CNN reporter’s pass]]> Fri, 16 Nov 2018 20:55:33 +0100 https://www.khaleejtimes.com/international/americas/Judge-orders-White-House-to-return-CNN-reporters-pass 9F81AAD4-596B-4EED-AD98-17CDE08D3DFC The White House revoked Acosta’s credentials after he and Trump tangled during a press conference last week.


A US federal judge on Friday ordered the Trump administration to immediately return the White House press credentials of CNN reporter Jim Acosta.

US District Court Judge Timothy Kelly, an appointee of President Donald Trump, announced his decision following a hearing in Washington. The judge said Acosta’s credentials would be returned immediately and reactivated to allow him access to the White House.

CNN had asked the judge to force the White House to immediately hand back the credentials that give Acosta, CNN’s chief White House correspondent, access to the White House complex for press briefings and other events. CNN asked for Acosta’s credentials restored while a lawsuit over his credentials’ revocation goes forward.

The White House revoked Acosta’s credentials after he and Trump tangled during a press conference last week.

The judge said the government could not say who initially decided to revoke Acosta’s hard pass. The White House had spelled out its reasons for revoking his credentials in a tweet from White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders and in a statement after CNN filed its lawsuit. But the judge said those “belated efforts were hardly sufficient to satisfy due process.”

The judge also found that Acosta suffered “irreparable harm,” dismissing the government’s argument that CNN could just send other reporters to cover the White House in Acosta’s place.

The judge told attorneys to file additional court papers in the case by Monday.

Trump has made his dislike of CNN clear since before he took office and continuing into his presidency. He has described the network as “fake news” both on Twitter and in public comments.

At last week’s press conference, which followed the midterm elections, Trump was taking questions from reporters and called on Acosta, who asked about Trump’s statements about a caravan of migrants making its way to the US-Mexico border. After a terse exchange, Trump told Acosta, “That’s enough,” several times while calling on another reporter. Acosta attempted to ask another question about special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation and initially declined to give up a hand-held microphone to a White House intern. Trump responded to Acosta by saying he wasn’t concerned about the investigation, calling it a “hoax,” and then criticised Acosta, calling him a “rude, terrible person. ]]> <![CDATA[Video: Woman flies 5,000 miles to meet lover for first time]]> Fri, 16 Nov 2018 18:17:50 +0100 https://www.khaleejtimes.com/international/philippines/woman-flies-5000-miles-across-the-world-to-meet-lover-for-first-time 4A8EDD0F-0C12-4350-A115-43AB47F24289 They first met via Instagram.


A Lithuanian woman flew halfway across the world to meet her online boyfriend for the very first time. A video chronicling her story has recently gone viral and is proof that no distance could separate her from her Filipino beau.

According to a Filipino Times report, Vikachka Chaya Radaviciute and Eugene Galang first met on Instagram in May 2017 when Eugene, who was based in the Philippines, sent her a message that only said "Hi". This later turned into them becoming regular chat mates who would video call each other almost every day.



Separated by 5,802 miles of land and sea, Vikachka decided to fly to the Philippines to meet Eugene after a year of them constantly conversing with each other. While she was on her way to the Philippines, Eugene waited for her at the airport. When the plane finally landed, the two finally came face to face with each other for the very first time.

In a series of Facebook posts, Vikachka shared some photos of her and Eugene visiting several tourist spots in the Philippines. She was also introduced to Eugene's family.



Despite receiving minor comments from a few users, many on social media were touched by their cross-country love story. Many are wishing them happiness. One commenter who goes by the username "Dovahkiin069Nightfury" even said that "being able to find a rare kind of love even though you guys are 5,802 miles apart [is impressive]" ]]> <![CDATA[This road camera can catch you using your phone from a mile]]> Fri, 16 Nov 2018 15:52:39 +0100 https://www.khaleejtimes.com/international/europe/this-camera-can-catch-you-speeding-using-your-phone-from-a-mile 194E9AC3-D34E-4970-A786-06E932D6F009 New cameras will be able to capture clear video footage and still photographs of the driver and his passengers.


In a bid to spot reckless drivers, police in Southwest England unveiled a high-tech camera that can capture clear images of motorists inside a car almost a mile away.

Dubbed 'The Long Ranger', the long-distance camera is currently being tested in Gloucestershire. It will be used to tackle motoring offences such as speeding, tailgating and using a mobile phone while driving. While radar speed guns are able to detect vehicles going at high speed, the new cameras will be able to capture clear video footage and still photographs of the driver and his passengers.

Martin Surl, police and crime commissioner for Gloucestershire, said he hoped that the camera spots motorists who use their mobile phones while driving. The camera is being tested on routes linking Gloucestershire and Wiltshire where an estimated 35,000 vehicles pass through on daily basis.

Operation Indemnis was launched between Cirencester and the outskirts of both Cheltenham and Gloucester and it is stated that if it is successful it could be applied to any road in the county. "This is one of the country's busiest roads which also has one of the worst accident records. Many have come to me with their concerns about speeding and other safety issues along this road," said Surl.

"We now have a chance to test a new model of collaborative road policing. The aim is not just to penalise motorists but to uphold the law by creating a change in people's behaviour," said Surl who recently funded two additional camera enforcement officers and specialised equipment to reinforce the efforts of community speed-watching groups. ]]> <![CDATA[Thousands learn the 'art of living' in Dubai sessions]]> Fri, 16 Nov 2018 22:53:18 +0100 https://www.khaleejtimes.com/nation/dubai/thousands-learn-the-art-of-living-in-dubai-sessions D169721C-E11B-48CE-B506-BB51918535E7 This is the first time he is visiting the UAE to conduct meditation classes and yoga sessions across the country.


Thousands thronged the Dubai World Trade Centre on Friday evening to experience the art of living as the founder of Art of Living Foundation (AOL) Sri Sri Ravi Shankar started a unique two-day meditation master class titled Unveiling Infinity.

In order to build contentment and self-awareness among UAE labourers, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar conducted a meditation session with around 4,000 labourers on Friday morning at the Sharjah Expo Centre. The session, specifically designed to suit the workers' needs and circumstances, aimed at teaching them the art of happiness and helping them find inspiration to change their lives for the better.

This is the first time he is visiting the UAE to conduct meditation classes and yoga sessions across the country. The spiritual leader has been instrumental in bringing peace and empowerment in many countries riddled with wars, poverty and political upheaval.

After the session in Sharjah, he met dignitaries and held a meet and greet session with the members of the Press in Dubai.

He started the session with an enlightening talk followed by a 30-minute meditation.

Talking about the work his organisations - AOL and International Association of Human Values - do, he said: "We are not only looking at the wellness and happiness of the people but are also looking after the environment through planting saplings here in the UAE. We have planted about 1.7 million trees since our teams started operating here in the UAE."

One of the focus of his talk was developing clarity of mind and action, which can be attained if one gets self-awareness and lives the moment to the fullest. "A strong mind can carry a weak body but a weak mind cannot carry a strong body.

So, once you learn to expand the context of life, you will experience life in its true form. Meditation is the technology that expands the mind," he said during his first session on Friday.

Talking about his masterclass in Dubai, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said: "The techniques I am teaching at this show are simple ways of self-awareness, motivation and sharpness of mind that will help people let go of deep-seated emotional issues and frustrations, and gain a better perspective on their thoughts. The sessions will include powerful breathing techniques, meditation, yoga and simple yet effective practical wisdom for daily living. Our aim is just to bring smiles back on people's faces."

Dubai residents Saumya and Nirmal said they had been waiting for this session for years and it left them completely satisfied and relaxed. "It was just one session today that relaxed us beyond imagination. We can't wait for the other two sessions on Saturday," said an excited Saumya.

Over 6,000 participants from the UAE and other countries in the region are undertaking three meditation sessions, spread over two days.

saman@khaleejtimes.com ]]> <![CDATA[North Korea tests ultramodern tactical weapon]]> Fri, 16 Nov 2018 21:34:01 +0100 https://www.khaleejtimes.com/international/rest-of-asia/north-korea-tests-ultramodern-tactical-weapon 19AD5994-2CD1-4CDE-8547-7FFF8617A5EC The weapon could be a long-range cannon that the North has been developing for many years.


North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has overseen the testing of a "newly developed ultramodern tactical weapon", Pyongyang's state media reported on Friday, a move seen by analysts as more of a political message than a provocation.

It marked the first official report of a weapons test by North Korea since it began a delicate diplomatic process with Washington over its nuclear and missile programme.

South Korea's Yonhap news agency, quoting an unidentified government source, said the weapon could be a long-range cannon that the North has been developing for many years.

"Kim Jong-un... visited the test ground of the Academy of Defence Science and supervised a newly developed ultramodern tactical weapon test," said the official Korean Central News Agency. It said the test was successful but did not specify the type of device involved.

Pyongyang's suspension of testing for atomic weapons and ballistic missiles has been key to this year's rapid diplomatic developments and North Korea-US negotiations, and has been repeatedly praised by President Donald Trump.

Trump and Kim met at a historic summit in Singapore in June, where they signed a vaguely worded document on denuclearisation of the peninsula.

Hours after the KCNA report, the US State Department said it was "confident" the process remained on track.

"At the Singapore Summit, President Trump and Chairman Kim made a number of commitments regarding final, fully verified denuclearisation and creating a brighter future for North Korea," a statement said.

"We are talking with the North Koreans about implementing all of those commitments. We remain confident that the promises made by President Trump and Chairman Kim will be fulfilled."

Progress since Singapore has stalled as Washington and Pyongyang spar over the document's meaning. A return to testing would cast grave doubts over the future of the process.

But analysts all but ruled out the North having broken its promise to suspend nuclear or missile launches while negotiations are underway with the US.

There was no immediate indication any such test had been detected by the South.

"We don't see it as a military provocation of any significance", a defence ministry official told journalists without saying what the device was.

Shin Beom-chul, an analyst at the Asan Institute of Policy Studies, said the test was likely aimed at sending "a political message" to Washington about the current stalemate. ]]> <![CDATA[At least 42 feared dead as flames gut bus in Zimbabwe]]> Fri, 16 Nov 2018 20:33:32 +0100 https://www.khaleejtimes.com/international/africa/at-least-42-feared-dead-as-flames-gut-bus-in-zimbabwe D21756AE-B282-4807-96D8-D5F5E2305CEB 20 survivors were taken to hospital.


At least 42 people were feared dead after flames swept through a passenger bus driving through southern Zimbabwe towards South Africa overnight, state media said.

Many of the bodies were burned beyond recognition and more than 20 survivors were taken to hospital, the Zimbabwe Red Cross said.

Photographs showed the bus's gutted shell on the side of a road in Gwanda district, about 550km south of Harare, Zimbabwe's capital.

Police said there had been a leak in a gas canister being carried on the bus, state broadcaster ZBC reported.

The force gave no immediate comment on what triggered the blaze, which erupted around midnight, Thursday into Friday, as the bus travelled from the city of Bulawayo to the South African border town of Musina.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa said he was devastated by the tragedy, which took place just over a week after 50 people died when two buses collided east of the capital.

"I urge all my fellow citizens to be extra cautious on the roads - check the safety of your vehicles, slow down, put safety first," he said on Twitter.

  ]]> <![CDATA[Video: Man fills bathtub with coins to buy iPhone XS]]> Fri, 16 Nov 2018 16:54:11 +0100 https://www.khaleejtimes.com/offbeat/video-man-fills-bathtub-with-coins-to-buy-iphone-xs 04859B75-4220-4818-86E1-C475960878A8 The tub weighed a total of 350kgs.


A Russian man stunned shoppers and storekeepers alike when he presented a bathtub filled with coins to buy the latest iPhone XS.

Russian blogger, Svyatoslav Kovalenko, decided to play a prank and walked into a store in Moscow with a group of seven men lifting the heavy tub. Weighing 350kgs, the tub contained the equivalent of at least ?1,300 in Russian roubles (Dh5,400 approx) enough to purchase the iPhone XS model.

The video of the prank was posted online showing the men hauling the tub into a car and then into a shopping centre's lift. As they carry the tub through the shopping centre, several shoppers are seen stopping by to record the unbelievable sight. 

Lyudmila Semushina, public relations manager at the store, told Euronews, "I received a phone call from our store saying that some bloggers came and brought a bathtub filled with coins. I thought they were joking but they sent me a picture to prove it. But the bloggers didn't say who they were."
 
 
 
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A post shared by ????????? ????????? (@kovalenkosvyat) on


According to NDTV, the men were stopped by security at the shopping centre but after convincing them, they eventually proceeded to buy the iPhone. Semushina said, "They came with company and they had a camera. I think they just wanted to film how funny it was to have a bathtub full of coins. We cannot say it was a usual case for us. Because, thank goodness, people don't come to us with that amount of coins every day."

The shopkeepers spent about two hours to count all the coins in the tub. "We had a similar case when two years ago a boy came with a change jar to buy an iPhone. But at that time an iPhone cost less money and there were less coins. Nevertheless, we accepted them just as well," Semushina said. ]]> <![CDATA[Video: Brazilian co-pilot accepts Islam on Saudi bound flight ]]> Fri, 16 Nov 2018 14:56:15 +0100 https://www.khaleejtimes.com/region/saudi-arabia/video-brazilian-co-pilot-accepts-islam-on-saudi-bound-flight 34430923-7A99-431D-9719-9DCF5631AB53 While cruising at an altitude of 18,000 feet.


A video clip of a blonde, handsome co-pilot accepting Islam at 18,000 feet from the cockpit of an airplane has gone viral on social media.

The first pilot narrates in Arabic that they are flying over Tabuk region in Saudi Arabia.

"My Brazilian co-pilot, Captain Amari, will be giving the Shahadah, or profession of faith," he continues.

He then recites the Shahadah word by word and the co-pilot solemnly repeats the words while staring into the camera.

The clip concludes with the first pilot saying, "My brother in Islam," to which the new convert replies, "My brother in Islam."


Recently, a 75-year-old German man's video had gone viral after he converted to Islam - on his deathbed.

According to reports, the ailing man in the video was gravely ill when he decided to accept Islam.

In the viral video, a Muslim man helps the German recite the Shahada (testimony):"There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad (PBUH) is His messenger." ]]> <![CDATA[Here's why you can love tea or coffee, but not both ]]> Fri, 16 Nov 2018 14:20:49 +0100 https://www.khaleejtimes.com/international/americas/study-reveals-secret-of-why-you-prefer-coffee-or-tea 439C6989-D29B-4B7A-82D2-0C08556DD019 It's more than just a matter of taste.


Are you a tea or coffee person? The answer may lie in your genetic predisposition towards bitter tastes, say researchers.

It could be because bitterness acts as a natural warning system to protect us from harmful substances.

The study, led by researchers from US-based Northwestern University, and QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Australia, explored reactions to three bitter substances -- caffeine, quinine and propylthiouracil (PROP) -- to understand how they affect people's preference for drinking tea, coffee and alcohol.

The findings showed that people who were more sensitive to caffeine and were drinking a lot of coffee consumed low amounts of tea. 

In other words, people who have a heightened ability to taste coffee's bitterness -- and particularly the distinct bitter flavour of caffeine -- learn to associate "good things with it".

"You'd expect that people who are particularly sensitive to the bitter taste of caffeine would drink less coffee," said Marilyn Cornelis, assistant professor of preventive medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. 

"The opposite results of our study suggest coffee consumers acquire a taste or an ability to detect caffeine due to the learned positive reinforcement (stimulation) elicited by caffeine."

The study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, also found that people sensitive to the bitter flavours of quinine and of PROP -- a synthetic taste related to the compounds in cruciferous vegetables -- avoid coffee. 

For alcohol, a higher sensitivity to the bitterness of PROP resulted in lower alcohol consumption, particularly of red wine.

"The findings suggest our perception of bitter tastes, informed by our genetics, contributes to the preference for coffee, tea and alcohol," Cornelis said.

Scientists applied Mendelian randomisation -- a technique commonly used in disease epidemiology -- to test the causal relationship between bitter taste and beverages. ]]> <![CDATA[UAE airline continues to cancel flights to Kuwait]]> Fri, 16 Nov 2018 01:01:00 +0100 https://www.khaleejtimes.com/region/kuwait/UAE-airline-continues-to-cancel-flights-to-Kuwait-- 1337F265-0767-4DA9-93DA-5E8EFA7B35AB As adverse weather conditions impact flight schedules.


Emirates airline continues to cancel some flights out to Kuwait as adverse weather conditions affect flight schedules.    

This was after air traffic at Kuwait International Airport had been temporarily suspended due to unstable weather conditions hitting the state, the country's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said on Thursday.


Flights cancelled:

Emirates

EK853
EK855
EK871

EK875
EK853


Etihad

EY-301
EY-305
EY-306
EY-302

flydubai

FZ069
FZ069
FZ055
FZ059
FZ8065

Air Arabia 

G9121
G9125


According to an official statement on Emirates Airlines website, the cancellations will affect customers who are booked on Thursday, November 15 and some flights on Friday, November 16.

As of 9.17am, flight EK853 and flight EK875 have been added to the Emirates list of cancelled flights.  

"Due to weather reasons, this flight has been cancelled. We are in the process of rebooking the flights to final destination and will send updated itinerary shortly. Customers can view their updated itinerary on www.emirates.com/MYB or contact your booking office for further queries about your booking," the airline said in a statement.

Yesterday, some Etihad Airways flights scheduled to operate from Abu Dhabi on November 15, were also cancelled but rescheduled for Friday and have safely arrived.

Flights from Dubai had also been affected, with flydubai's website reflecting the status of at least five flights scheduled to leave UAE being cancelled. 

"Your flight has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. We're currently working on rebooking you on the next available flight.

"You may also receive an email, SMS and/or a phone call from us informing you about your flight cancellation. We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused to your travel plans. Should you require any further assistance, contact our Customer Centre on (+971) 600 54 44 45 or the travel agent that made your booking.

They added a note: "As we are working on rebooking you on the next available flight, your new flight details will appear as soon as the rebooking is completed. If you are unable to view, we recommend you wait until you receive a notification from us via SMS or email."

For flights leaving Sharjah International Airport via Air Arabia, one of the two which had been cancelled due to the worsening weather conditions is on its way to Kuwait International Airport. 

No statement as of yet on their official website with respect to rescheduled flights. 

The deputy director general for airport affairs Fahad Al-Wugayyan told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that arriving flights have been redirected to other airports in the GCC due to the impacts of heavy rains on visibility. He said flights are being redirected to Saudi Arabia's Dammam and Riyadh airports, and Bahrain's Manama airport.

Schools shut down



The Ministry of Education in Kuwait had announced the closure of schools and colleges due to the unstable weather for the past five days on their official twitter handle.

It also issued a general advisory to all citizens to remain indoors and maintain caution while the weather conditions remain unstable.

UAE ministry warns citizens



The UAE Embassy in Kuwait had also issued an advisory to its citizens residing or visiting the country to be cautious due to the extreme weather which hit the Gulf state in recent days.

The embassy in its official Twitter account said, "Due to bad weather, the UAE Embassy in Kuwait advises UAE nationals to take precautions and follow the safety instructions issued by the authorities." 

Business closures



Meanwhile, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) had suspended work at all of its companies on Wednesday due to the extreme weather which has hit the country in recent days.

Kuwait Banking Association said in a statement on Tuesday that it had also suspended work in all its banks on Wednesday. These banks include National Bank of Kuwait, Gulf Bank , Ahli United Bank, and Kuwait International Bank. The decision was made in coordination with Kuwait's central bank.

Flash floods after heavy rains in Kuwait killed one man on Saturday and damaged roads, bridges and homes, officials said. The health ministry said the man, aged 30, was swept away by the flooding as he tried to rescue his family from their home which was submerged in water.

According to Kuwait's meteorology department, rain will continue in different parts of the country over the next few days with temperatures dropping even further. ]]> <![CDATA[2 Emirati sisters help 3 men narrowly escape death in UAE ]]> Fri, 16 Nov 2018 12:23:26 +0100 https://www.khaleejtimes.com/news/emergencies/2-women-help-3-men-narrowly-escape-being-crushed-to-death-in-uae CF367E7B-B4BA-4103-A77E-5432FB3F50E1 They had been driving on their way when they saw the wreckage.


Two young women rescued an elderly man and two workers from two collapsed shops in Ras Al Khaimah.

The 25 and 31-year-old Emirati nationals had been going on their way when they noticed the front walls of two shops collapsing sometime between 10.30 and 11am on Thursday morning.  

Two store signs also fell, as well as concrete blocks and metal girders, trapping the three men inside the grocery and supermarket located in Mua'ridh area.

After stopping their vehicle, they disembarked and helped the first worker pry open the door before the rest of the supermarket collapsed on him.

With the help of the newly freed man, they were able to get the second and third out of the grocery store safely before the complete collapse of his shop as well. 
 
 
 
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]]> <![CDATA[Hidden message in Deepika Padukone's wedding dress]]> Fri, 16 Nov 2018 13:18:20 +0100 https://www.khaleejtimes.com/citytimes/bollywood/hidden-message-in-deepika-padukones-wedding-dress 3EA37735-60B9-424E-9BD8-08F4B54B831C Deepika looked every bit a queen in the elaborate red and golden outfit.


Recent pictures of Bollywood's most spectacular couple Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh's lavish wedding in Villa del Balbianello in Lake Como, Italy, are ethereal in every way. The actors shared two pictures on social media one each from their Konkani and Sindhi wedding ceremonies, showcasing their well colour-coordinated ensembles by Indian designer, Sabyasachi.

Deepika looked every bit a queen in the elaborate red and golden outfit but her 'dupatta' (a shawl-like scarf) draped over her is grabbing eyeballs. The intricate work on her wedding ensemble which she adorned on the second day of the ceremony had a message weaved on the border in Sanskrit language. It read: 'Sada Saubhagyavati Bhava' which means "May you forever be married and steer away from the curse of widowhood embroidered onto it", Filmfare reported.

Deepika oozed royalty with her huge maangtika, heavy traditional jewellery, rings on her henna-laden hands and her statement nose ring. While the groom was twinning with his bride in a red Sabyasachi 'sherwani' with layers of ruby necklaces around his neck, reminding of the couple's regal looks in the film 'Padmaavat'.

For the Konkani wedding on November 14, Ranveer wore a traditional white dhoti-kurta while Deepika looked ravishing in a gold Sabyasachi saree, layered necklaces, jhumkas and a statement 'maathapati' on her forehead by the designer completed her traditional South Indian look. ]]> <![CDATA[Father of drowned 4-year-old vows to bring school to justice]]> Fri, 16 Nov 2018 11:40:46 +0100 https://www.khaleejtimes.com/news/crime-and-courts/father-of-drowned-4-year-old-vows-to-bring-sharjah-school-to-justice 9884CA61-9975-4EE7-9CB1-710B3C483A14 He revealed chilling details of what happened the day of the incident.


The father of the 4-year-old Emirati child who drowned on Wednesday will be pressing charges against the private school in Sharjah.

Abdullah Saeed Al Kitbi said the school administration is fully culpable and exhibited negligence with respect to his child's safety, as per Emarat Al Youm report.

On the day of the incident, Al Kitbi was notified by the school's administration that his son was in the emergency room of Al Qasimi hospital. They refrained from informing him of the details of the incident.  

Upon calling the hospital, they informed him that his son was fine but he should come at once. 

All attempts at resuscitation had failed.

Unverified sources at the school revealed to him that his son had been absent from his chair following the swimming period. His teacher had checked the hall and then notified the supervisor that he was missing. After going back to the pool, they found the child's body lying facedown in the water. 

Al Kitbi vowed that once the investigations have been concluded, he will file a court case against the parties responsible for the tragic death.

Read: 

Sharjah school closes after boy drowns in pool ]]> <![CDATA[Items in Indian woman's stomach shocks doctors]]> Fri, 16 Nov 2018 11:38:43 +0100 https://www.khaleejtimes.com/offbeat/indian-woman-complains-of-stomach-pain-doctors-make-shocking-discovery 566E6BA5-9220-4D99-B03C-4D797E2C1427 "The stomach of the woman had become rock hard."


Doctors in Ahmedabad, India, were startled to find dozens of metal objects, including bracelets, rings and hair pins lodged in a woman's stomach. The woman had complained of severe abdominal pain and tests revealed she had been consuming metal objects over a long period of time.

"The stomach of the woman had become rock hard. When we conducted the X-ray, it showed a lump in her stomach," Mirror.uk quoted Dr Nitin Parmar, senior surgeon at the Ahmedabad Civil hospital, as saying.

The woman, known only as Sangita, was found wandering on streets and is said to be suffering from 'acuphagia', a rare disorder of consuming sharp metallic and indigestible objects. One of the items she had consumed was a 'mangalsutra', a traditional necklace worn by married Hindu women in India.



Doctors revealed the safety pins consumed by the woman had partially perforated her lungs while another pointed pin had punctured her stomach walls which required an emergency surgery to extract the objects.

Although all the objects were removed from her stomach through a surgery, the woman will be kept in observation to ensure that she does not consume anymore metal objects. ]]> <![CDATA[Bride honours fiancee's memory by taking solo photoshoot]]> Fri, 16 Nov 2018 11:04:53 +0100 https://www.khaleejtimes.com/international/rest-of-asia/jet-crash-victims-bride-takes-solo-photoshoot-while-family-sues-boeing 9DF4C02D-5FF3-4753-879F-A3B71394A303 Her husband-to-be had asked in jest that she carry on with the photo shoot if he did not return from his fateful trip.


The family of an Indonesian man killed in a Lion Air jet crash is suing Boeing, alleging that the accident may have been caused by a problem with the flight-control system in its newest 737 plane.

The father of Rio Nanda Pratama filed the lawsuit Wednesday in the US state of Illinois, where the plane manufacturer is headquartered, over the death of the young doctor who was to have married his high-school sweetheart this week.

Pratama's fiance Intan Syari, 26, has made headlines after she posed alone for photos in a wedding gown that she was to have worn at the couple's nuptials in Indonesia.

Syari said her husband-to-be had asked in jest that she carry on with the photo shoot if he did not return from what turned out to be a fatal trip.

The 26-year-old man was among the 189 people killed when the Boeing 737-MAX plunged into the Java Sea on October 29, less than 20 minutes after leaving Jakarta on a routine flight to Pangkal Pinang city. There were no survivors.

The 737-MAX in question had only begun service for budget carrier Lion Air in August.

Questions have swirled about Boeing's alleged failure to tell airlines and pilots about changes to an anti-stall system that is being investigated for its possible links to the crash.

The jet's engines are heavier than those installed on prior versions, meaning the plane can stall under different conditions.

Boeing made modifications to the anti-stall system without informing air carriers and their crews, according to the Allied Pilots Association.

"The government investigators typically will not make a determination of who is at fault, and just compensation to these families will not be provided by the governmental investigations," Curtis Miner from US-based firm Colson Hicks Eidson, which filed the lawsuit, said in a statement.

"That is the critical role of private lawsuits in a tragedy like this."

There is still no answer to what caused one of the world's newest and most advanced commercial passenger planes to crash. A preliminary report is expected at the end of the month.

Pratama's family could not be immediately reached. ]]> <![CDATA[Famous actress, model Kim Porter dies at 47]]> Fri, 16 Nov 2018 10:48:49 +0100 https://www.khaleejtimes.com/international/americas/famous-actress-model-dies-at-47 BABBA484-CD53-4D16-9152-970FCBB7DFE3 Dated a famous rapper and was the mother of his three children.


Model and actress Kim Porter, who dated rapper P. Diddy for 13 years and is the mother of three of his children, is dead. She was 47.

Porter died on Thursday at her Toluca Lake, California, home, a source close to Porter confirmed to variety.com.

According to tmz.com, Porter went into cardiac arrest on Thursday at noon after suffering from pneumonia for several weeks, though her official cause of death has not yet been revealed.

Diddy and Porter have three children together. 

Christian Combs was born in 1998, followed by twin girls Jessie James and D'Lila. Porter also has a son, Quincy (named after her personal mentor, Quincy Jones), from a previous relationship with producer Al B. Sure!

Diddy and Porter began dating in 1994 and were on and off until their final break-up in 2007.

"Sadly, I can confirm the passing of Kim Porter. I ask that you give the families privacy at this time," Diddy's representative Cindi Berger told Variety.

Porter, who was born in 1971 moved to Atlanta to pursue a modelling career, appearing on the covers of Runway and Essence magazines. She appeared on television shows including "Law & Order" and "Wicked Wicked Games".

She also had roles in the films "The Brothers" and "Mama, I Want to Sing." ]]>