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ABU DHABI: Local municipalities in Abu Dhabi, the largest emirate of
the United Arab Emirates, have decided to impose a fine on those
caught spitting in the streets and public places, local newspaper
Khaleej Times reported on Friday. The fine imposed by municipalities
of Abu Dhabi city, the Western Region of Abu Dhabi Emirate and Al
Ain, a city in the emirate’s eastern part, will be 100 dirhams
($27.25). The move is aimed at protecting the community from
unhygienic practices, as spitting in the streets and floors of
public places in the emirates have become a problem, Omar Al Hashimi,
Director of the emirate’s Department of Municipal Service Affairs,
was quoted as saying.
-- Xinhua
JAKARTA: A group of Indonesian mining experts
and public figures have launched an attempt to stop the mudflow in
the East Java town of Sidoarjo that has buried 11 villages and
thousands of houses since it erupted in May 2006. The group said it
would use relief well technology to stop the mudflow, and conduct
fund-raising activities to finance the project, local newspaper The
Jakarta Post reported Friday. Bandung Institute of Technology
drilling expert Rudi Rubiandini said that by drilling a relief well
to get to the source of the mudflow, which lies at a depth of 2,000
to 3,000 meters, they would be able to plug the source.
-- Xinhua
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s two biggest opposition
parties sought to thrash out their choice for premier Friday after
agreeing to form a coalition government that could drive President
Pervez Musharraf out of power. Ex-premier Nawaz Sharif and the
widowed husband of slain opposition leader Benazir Bhutto said their
parties, once bitter rivals, would join forces after trouncing
Musharraf’s allies in elections earlier in the week. Officials in
both parties said the most likely choice as prime minister was
Makhdoom Amin Fahim, the widely respected vice president of
Bhutto’s Pakistan People’s Party.
-- AFP
DILI: East Timor’s military on Friday joined
the police to resume a nationwide hunt for rebels accused of
attacking the nation’s top two leaders, its commander and the
prime minister said. Australian-led international peacekeepers along
with UN police have already been searching for at least 17 renegade
soldiers accused of trying to kill President Jose Ramos-Horta and
Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao on February 11. East Timor’s national
police and army had played a marginal role in the search, but the
military pulled out on Wednesday, with Brigadier General Taur Matan
Ruak saying he would review the situation on the ground.
-- AFP
AUSTIN, Texas: Barack Obama Thursday escaped
unscathed from a vital debate which Democratic foe Hillary Clinton
hoped to use to slow down his surge White House quest, 12 days
before their next electoral showdown. On another day of high drama
in the relentless 2008 election, presumptive Republican nominee John
McCain meanwhile was forced to deny he had an extra-marital affair
after a report linked him to a female lobbyist. Senator Clinton
needed a game-changing moment at the debate at the University of
Texas, as new polls showed her rival slashing her leads in her
must-win fortress states of Texas and Ohio, which vote on March 4.
-- AFP
TOKYO: As the Japanese have fewer and fewer
children, Tokyo Disneyland is setting its sights on the growing
elderly population, launching a cut-rate annual pass for visitors
aged 60 or older. It is believed to be the first time a special
annual pass for seniors has been available at any of the world’s
Disneylands, which are icons of entertainment for children.Oriental
Land Co., which operates Tokyo Disneyland and adjacent DisneySea,
will from March 1 offer a pass costing 35,000 yen (325 dollars)
allowing seniors to visit one of the parks as many times as they
wish in a year.The price is a 22 percent discount on a regular pass.
If seniors want to go to both parks, the annual pass will cost
55,000 yen, a 27 percent cut.
-- AFP
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