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Riyadh boy’s death sparks alert on dangerous fireworks

July 30, 2014

Riyadh boys death

Jeddah, Jul 30: The festive fireworks that mark the beginning of Eid ended in tragedy for a Riyadh family when a 14-year-old boy died on Monday evening trying to burst a firecracker.

The latest incident comes among several other firework-related casualties during the Eid holidays.

Firecrackers are still widely available on the streets of Jeddah, Makkah, Taif, Riyadh and other cities despite strict measures to combat the phenomenon, including a financial reward of SR5,000 for anyone who reports fireworks warehouses.

Fireworks are reportedly being distributed to other parts of the Kingdom from Jeddah, believed to be the main hub.

The “Alqaat,” “Nafur,” “Thob” and “Zingabel” are popular types of firecrackers purchased by the Kingdom’s children, according to vendors approached by Arab News.

Firework packs cost SR5 last year but have since been sold at SR15.

“Parents should not allow their children to purchase fireworks, which can impair eyesight and even cause finger amputation,” said Col. Abdullah Al-Harithy, Civil Defense spokesman. “We urge parents to buy only low-density firecrackers if they must.”

Other firecrackers simply burst in the heat.

“Children used to play with amateur firecrackers in the past, but have since taken a liking to sophisticated and explosive fireworks thanks to rogue traders running loose in the market,” he said.

Dangerous fireworks manufactured in China are being smuggled into the Kingdom through the southern borders.

“We seized nearly 10,000 kg of fireworks being smuggled into the Kingdom during the first two weeks of Ramadan,” said Brig. Abdullah bin Mahfouz, Saudi Border Guards director for the Jazan region.

Ironically, fireworks are often sold by women and children during the Eid holidays, both in Jeddah and in other parts of the Kingdom.

Jeddah police have arrested several expats in the downtown area, a hub for firework sales.

Police also seized a huge quantity of fireworks and arrested vendors in Taif during Ramadan, according to Lt. Aati Al-Qurashi, Makkah regional police spokesman.

Police and municipal authorities have attempted to combat the sale of fireworks in the Hammam and Azizia areas of Riyadh, meanwhile, but these markets continue to be a major source of firework supplies sold in the capital, according to sources.

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News Network
June 5,2020

New Delhi, Jun 5: As part of global efforts to combat COVID-19, the UAE has provided more than 708 tonnes of medical aid, personal protection kits and supplies to 62 countries, including India, with direct beneficiaries exceeding 708,000 health workers, a UAE Embassy statement said.

The UAE is regarded as the main lifeline for the logistic operations of the international organizations' strategic warehouses in Dubai's International Humanitarian City (IHC) where the UAE is the first responder to the global crises, especially in providing assistance in relation to the current COVID-19 pandemic, it said.

Dubai's IHC has dispatched more than 132 shipments to 98 countries around the world so far since the beginning of this year, and is working as a central hub to distribute the personal protection kits, the statement said.

While the UAE continues its constant work of supporting the global efforts aimed at curbing the spread of the COVID-19 disease, it has provided more than 708 tons of medical aid, personal protection kits and supplies to 62 countries worldwide to date, with direct beneficiaries exceeding 708,000 health workers, it said.

In addition, 65 million indirect beneficiaries profited from the UAE's global efforts in combating the spread of the virus, the statement said.

Meanwhile, Etihad Airways, effective June 10, said it will link 20 cities in Europe, Asia and Australia via Abu Dhabi.

The new transfer services will make it possible for those travelling on the airline's current network of special flights to connect easily through the UAE capital onwards to key global destinations.

Etihad recently launched links from Melbourne and Sydney to London Heathrow, allowing direct transfer connections to and from the UK capital via Abu Dhabi.

Easy transfer connections via Abu Dhabi will now be available from Jakarta, Karachi, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Melbourne, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney, and Tokyo to major cities across Europe including Amsterdam, Barcelona, Brussels, Dublin, Frankfurt, Geneva, London Heathrow, Madrid, Milan, Paris Charles de Gaulle, and Zurich, the airline said.

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News Network
April 11,2020

Dubai, Apr 11: Saudi Arabia has reported another 382 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 4,033, the Ministry of Health announced on Saturday.

The ministry also confirmed five more deaths from the virus, pushing the death toll in Kingdom to 52.

A total of 35 people has made full recovery from the deadly disease, taking the tally of patients recovered to 720.

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Agencies
May 25,2020

Abu Dhabi, May 25: Dusty weather to persist in the UAE on Monday as well with a chance of rainfall in parts of the country, the national Met department reported.

According to the NCM, the weather today will be fair to partly cloudy, with a chance of some convective clouds formation by afternoon - eastward and northward - extending to some internal areas that may be associated with some rainfall.

The weather will get humid by night and Tuesday morning over some coastal areas.

NCM predicts a wet Eid break.

Sharjah Police issued a weather warning as heavy rain flooded roads in Sharjah's Kalba among other areas.

Moderate to fresh winds will gain strength during the day causing blowing dust and sand.

The sea will be slight to moderate in the Arabian Gulf and in Oman Sea.

Earlier on Sunday, a weather alert was issued by authorities as moderate to heavy rain - accompanied with hail - lashed parts of the UAE. A rainbow in Dubai skies cheered up residents, celebrating a unique Eid this year amid the coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic - by mostly staying home.

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