NEWS FROM THE UAE
More men opt for cosmetic surgery to improve careers
Dubai - Nov 04: Beauty may be only skin deep, but more men in the UAE are going under the knife to get ahead professionally.
Plastic surgeons here are reporting an increase in surgical and non-surgical procedures for men, which they attributed largely to their patients' career concerns in the competitive work environment here.
Better looking people are more likely to make more money and be more successful than their less attractive and short colleagues, according to studies done in the US and UK.
Dr Mohan Rangasarmy, specialist plastic surgeon at Welcare Hospital, told Gulf News that he has had patients who underwent procedures to look "more energetic".
"I had a guy last week who has a good job but people said he always looked tired. And in this part of the world, if you start looking tired, they might think you're too old for the job and try to phase you out," he said.
He added that men now comprise about 30 per cent of patients in the plastic surgery department at the hospital, compared to about five per cent four years ago.
Popular procedures include removing excess fat from their belly and chest as well as Botox injections, rhinoplasty, eye lift, partial face lift and neck lift.
Other hospitals are reporting a similar increase. Dr Sanjay Parashar, visiting plastic surgeon at Jebel Ali Hospital, said he has treated more men since 2004 at the hospital and his Bur Dubai clinic.
He added that improvements to the appearance also helped the men to build confidence, cautioning patients against "unrealistic expectations" when undergoing cosmetic enhancements.
A pretty face does not guarantee success, however. Mike Hynes, a head hunter with the Kershaw Leonard Recruitment, said although good looks were important, they were not the only denominator in getting ahead.
GULF NEWS
346 people held for illegal activities last month
Dubai - Nov. 04: As many as 346 street vendors, beggars and illegal car washers were arrested last month by Dubai Police in cooperation with Dubai Municipality.
The sweep against the lawbreakers also resulted in the seizure of quantities of poor-quality goods, pirated CDs and foodstuffs, according to Obaid Salem Al Shamsi, Assistant Director General of Dubai Municipality for Administrative and General Services Affairs.
Civic inspectors conduct daily spot checks on streets and other public places to combat street vending, begging and car washing in public places in violation of a ruling by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs in this regard.
In October, 346 people were arrested, including 138 street vendors, 189 beggars and 10 car washers and 9 illegal butchers and fish cleaners.
The seized goods were destroyed after legal actions were taken against the violators.
The public is urged to call the Municipality emergency office on 04-2232323 round-the-clock to report these illegal activities.
GULF NEWS
Nine women arrested for alleged involvement in prostitution
Dubai - Nov. 04: Nine Filipinas have been arrested for alleged involvement in prostitution, following a police complaint filed by Philippine authorities on behalf of three women, who had been tricked into prostitution.
The Philippine Consulate General said the nine, most of them believed to be prostitutes, were arrested at their villa in Rigga on October 30.
Rafael Palencia, assistance to nationals officer at the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai, told Gulf News that the police acted on a complaint filed by the consulate and three women, who had come to the consulate seeking help after escaping their pimps on October 20.
"We are fed up with these pimps and requested the police to take action. Credit should go to the police for their quick action," he said.
"This is a breakthrough and will serve as warning that we will coordinate with authorities."
The consulate has received more than 30 cases since it opened its doors last year.
Palencia said this was the first time the consulate directly informed the police on prostitution cases involving their citizens.
He said the consulate did not take direct action previously. Some of the victims were reluctant to press charges or were "willing victims".
He said consulate officials would discuss the arrests and whether to pursue their own charges against the women if and when they were deported to the Philippines.
The Philippines have stringent anti-human trafficking laws, with penalties ranging from a lengthy jail sentence to death depending on the severity of the charges.
GULF NEWS
Pupils who set fire to teacher's car face charges
Fujairah - Nov.04 : Four pupils who set fire to a teacher's car will face criminal charges, the head teacher of the school said.
The head teacher of Anas Bin Al Nader School here said the incident occurred on Sunday, the first school day after the Eid holidays. The four pupils had been expelled from the school and their actions appear to be linked to that decision.
The teacher whose car was targeted apparently was just a random choice as he was not directly involved with teaching the pupils.
"If what they did was in revenge, you would think they would target my car and not the car of another teacher who has nothing to do with them," said the head teacher.
"This is a sad case, in my opinion. These kids are what I call 'family victims', that is victims of social circumstances which unfortunately have jeopardised their future even before this incident."
"Even before they were expelled, no one came to ask about them or follow up their progress. They had no-body to help them before and now things will be even worse".
Police were not available for comment.
GULF NEWS
Man dies in 12-storey fall
SHARJAH — Nov. 03: A 25-year-old Pakistani man, Mohammed Raheem, was found dead in the parking lot of the Al Shiba building, opposite Al Tawun Mall in Sharjah, after he reportedly fell off the balcony of his 12th floor flat in the building around 2am yesterday.
“The deceased was wearing a vest and a pair of trousers when the body was recovered from the building's car park area,“ said a police source.
Three women and a man were detained for interrogation, it was learnt. Sources said that Mohammed was sitting with a group of friends including women in the balcony when the incident occurred.
They said prior to his death, he had an argument with one of the women over her passport which was allegedly kept in the custody of Mohammed and his flatmates.
Eight people including three women were reportedly living in the flat.
When the police reached the spot, two women and a man had already fled the building while the others were taken into custody for interrogation.
Sources said the flat was allegedly used by these people for immoral activities. Some of the women living in the flat, according to sources, complained that they were being duped by the men who had brought them into the UAE on job visas, but forced them to get involved in immoral activities.
The Sharjah Police refused to divulge any information on the cause of Mohammed's death. The details of the case would be revealed after the investigation ends, an official said.
KHALEEJ TIMES
Singhania praised for hot-air ballooning feat
RAS AL KHAIMAH — Nov. 03:Aero sports and hot-air ballooning enthusiasts here celebrated the achievement of Indian businessman Dr Vijaypat Singhania who had set a world record for the highest flight in a hot-air balloon on Saturday.
A lunch was hosted on the occasion by Shaikh Majid Al Qasimi, Chairman of "Blue-sky Aviation Services" at Al Dehisa Palace in RAK.
The lunch was attended by a large number of representatives and dignitaries of the aviation clubs from all over the country.
Shaikh Majid Al Qasimi praised Singhania for his achievement calling it a great record for the hot-air ballooning community.
Singhania travelled in a pressurised aluminium capsule with a specially designed multi-coloured balloon and 18 burners and soared past 21,000 metres (69,000 feet)
The balloon was connected to a parachute that would have been released automatically in case of any emergency.
A helicopter carrying a technical team followed the balloon.
The Emirates hot-air ballooning team, which took part in the world championship recently in Switzerland, was also present.
Singhania is the only Indian to have won the aviation sports gold medal from the "Federation Aeronautique Internationale" (FAI) that ratifies aviation records for a 24-day world air race covering 34,000km in 1994.
Meanwhile, the Emirates team of hot-air ballooning presented the record holder with a souvenir.
Singhania was received at Al Jazeera Aviation Club (RAK) by Shaikh Majid Al Qasimi.
KHALEEJ TIMES