CNN Enlists iReporters to Capture ‘The Moment’ of Obama’s Oath

Network to Use Microsoft Photosynth and User-Generated Photos to Create 3-D Image of Inauguration

CNN plans to create the most unique view of the exact moment US President-elect Barack Obama takes the oath of office on Tuesday 20^th January at 8pm (UAE). Using Microsoft Photosynth technology, CNN and Microsoft Corp. will produce the first “synth” of a major historical moment.

Photosynth, part of the Microsoft Virtual Earth product family, enables users to create synths, detailed 3-D environments of photos that are identified by minute similarities and then fused together. In this case, the initial images comprise those captured on cell phones, cameras and mobile devices by inauguration attendees of the moment Obama is sworn in as president. From the vast sweep of the crowd to a close-up on the new president’s raised hand, every angle of this historic moment will be frozen in time. To see examples of synths, visit http://photosynth.com.

CNN is inviting people witnessing “The Moment” to take part in a special iReport assignment by e-mailing their pictures to themoment@CNN.com. The photos will post immediately to iReport.com, CNN’s user-generated news community, and shortly after the oath of office, viewers and users can see the resulting synths on-air and online. In staying with CNN’s long tradition of using technology to reinvent political coverage, the network will feature the synths on the Magic Wall. The use of Photosynth within the multi-touch environment will be made possible by the strong relationship among CNN, Perceptive Pixel and Microsoft.

Visitors to CNN.com will also be able to explore the images captured in this transformative moment on either their PC or Mac. Photosynth will allow CNN.com visitors to glide around the Capitol, virtually experiencing the occasion from every angle. For more details on sending in photos and to view the synths on Inauguration Day, visit www.CNN.com/themoment.

“We’re pleased to partner with CNN to bring this historic event to life through the eyes of those attending the inauguration,” says Yusuf Mehdi, senior vice president, Microsoft. “Microsoft Photosynth technology enables an immersive experience for CNN to share with all of its viewers.”

“As the nation watches this momentous occasion on Tuesday, CNN, through its partnership with Microsoft, will again make television history,” adds David Bohrman, CNN’s senior vice president and Washington DC bureau chief. “From the YouTube debates to the Magic Wall, CNN has proven itself as the network which embraces technological tools to engage viewers and allow them to witness news events in ways never before imagined.”

On 20^th January, CNN’s The Inauguration of Barack Obama begins at 2pm (UAE), with continuous live coverage of the day’s events, including the swearing-in ceremony, parade and official inaugural balls. Throughout the special programming, viewers can expect to see the synths their pictures helped create.

For more information on Virtual Earth, visit www.microsoft.com/virtualearth.

SCCI hosts business meeting with key representatives of Sharjah’s banking and financial sectors

The meeting is a part of Chamber initiatives to enhance support to local business community.
The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) hosted a business breakfast on January 19, 2009 for representatives from Sharjah’s banking and financial sectors, at its new building. The event was attended by SCCI Director General Hussein Mohammed Al Mahmoudi; other senior representatives from SCCI; in addition to representatives from several banks and financial institutions in Sharjah.
This meeting is in line with the SCCI’s new agenda for 2009, which aims to improve communications and the exchange of views on vital issues with Sharjah’s economic sectors. The Chamber also wants to encourage dialogue on present and future challenges faced by Sharjah, ideas and visions on creating cooperative business opportunities, and strategies to enhance work performance in accordance with the highest standards of quality and excellence.
The event mainly focused on how the SCCI could assist the banking and financial sectors in overcoming obstacles to their optimal performance, especially in light of the global financial crisis. Discussions also highlighted the actions taken by the Federal Government to protect the national economy and the local banking system, including the development of convenient mechanisms to ensure more liquidity for banks in the short term; this would maintain the national economy’s high growth rates and protect it from global uncertainties.
The meeting commenced with Hussein Al Mahmoudi expressing his appreciation for the role played by the banking and financial sector in developing the local economy. He also noted the importance of organising this meeting and highlighted the Chamber’s continuous commitment to enhance its strategic relations with its partners in various sectors. He emphasized on SCCI’s role of facilitating the launch of new projects and initiatives that contribute to strengthening the process of sustained economic development in the business community of Sharjah and supporting economic concepts and practices that provide promising opportunities.
“This event is the first of several meetings that will be held by the Chamber during the current year with the various economic sectors of Sharjah. They will be part of overall initiatives to encourage joint cooperation with our partners and to create a superior economic working environment within the emirate. Actually, the business breakfast is an opportunity to attract new investments, forge new strategic partnerships and open communication lines with the private sector, as it provides a venue for interaction between businessmen and decision makers from government bodies. I would also like to thank all the parties in the banking and financial sectors for their efforts to develop their respective industries and to make the UAE a financial hub that gains the confidence of investors and attracts capital through a transparent regulatory environment,” Al Mahmoudi said.
The meeting also featured a general review of the economic conditions in the UAE at present, particularly of the banking and financial sectors. The participants also discussed the contributions made by the UAE’s private sector in promoting sustainable development.
“The following months will allow us to evaluate and review plans and strategies to enhance prevailing business realities. The implementation of principles of transparency at the regulatory level is a fundamental goal that must be achieved in Sharjah and throughout the UAE. The establishment of efficient governance practices for corporations is the ideal approach to attaining sustained development, especially in the banking sector. This shall be done by outlining qualifications and responsibilities expected from board members and providing them with insights on the latest developments in the financial sector, training them whenever necessary. As for the banking sector, there are plans to expand the scope of the regulatory and supervisory powers of the central banks to include investment banks and related financial brokerage firms,” added Al Mahmoudi,
According to data issued by the SCCI’s Information Centre, there are 36 banks operating in Sharjah; 22 are national banks while 14 are foreign banks. These institutions have branches all over the emirate, with eight branches of different banks in Khorfakan, four branches in Kalba, and three branches in Dibba Al Hosn.

Chilling out in desert: Safari tours pick up gear

by KK Moidu

Talks of recession or job cuts do not seem affect Desert Safari tour operators. In fact, such tours are gaining popularity with winter providing inspiration for the common people to chill out.
Tour operators are offering special packages at convenient times covering morning, evening and overnight for adventure enthusiasts.
People who do not find the evening hours convenient, but interested in dune bashing and adventure, can enjoy a morning desert safari.
These two-hour morning package includes awesome dune bashing, quad biking, camel ride and sand skiing with free water and soft drinks.

Evening desert safari, a six-hour tour package, begins in the afternoon with exciting dune drive before reaching the first destination.
People can enjoy the gorgeous Dubai desert sunset, camel ride and sand boarding before reaching the camp. A delicious barbecue dinner, Shisha and belly dance around the campfire are also part of the package.
Overnight desert safari, a 17-hour tour of the desert gives an opportunity to experience a night in the desert under the stars and also enjoy the inspiring sunrise in the desert.
Dune bashing, camel rides, shisha, traditional costumes, buffet dinner and BBQ, overnight stay at the camp site and breakfast are the highlights of the tour.
One of the main attractions of the desert safari tour is the adventure sport, dune bashing.
A smart driving over sand dunes is a highly popular pastime in the UAE.
Tourists consider adventure journey to the desert of golden sand dunes as a great experience to share with their family and friends back home.
Although dune bashing is possible anywhere in the Arabian deserts, certain places like Liwa Oasis in Abu Dhabi are known as the real playground and are chosen by adventures for unending fun.

The climate here is suitable for dune bashing except at the time of sandstorms and heavy rains.
"But the travellers should plan their route much in advance with a map and a tricky driving on soft sands by looking for camel footprints, which are the signs of hard and compacted sand or depend on the service of an experienced guide," according to a tour operator.
"Dune bashing is definitely a good way to enjoy the beauty and peace of the desert in the comfort of an air-conditioned four-wheeler."
All experienced 4WD licence holders can enjoy adventure tour by exploring sand dunes. First timers are recommended to book a trip with professional tour operators, who specialise in dune bashing to learn a few lessons on driving in the sand. This will save the inexperienced drivers from getting stuck on the deserts which will harm the expensive vehicle and a long wait for the rescuers.
A professional driver with experience and skill should accompany the group for preventing accidents.
Larger sand sailing vehicles like Toyota Land Cruiser, Nissan Patrol, Mitsubishi Pajero, Hummer etc. are comfortable, because smaller vehicles are not recommended by experts as they easily tend to get stuck in the sands.
"Those who want to enjoy the maximum, better seek a fully efficient driver, who can be arranged by a professional desert safari tour operator," he pointed out.
A vehicle can carry as many people but a working seat belt is a must.
Before entering the desert the tyre pressure must be reduced by half for increasing the footprint of the tire. A group leader can lead the vehicles through the desert in single file to prevent them from losing the direction.
An Indian expatriate, Ratheesh, explains his first desert safari tour with family as "real fun."
He said, "We were supposed to be picked up at 3pm, but as a Tunisian family arrived late, the Land Cruiser left Sharjah City Centre only at 4pm. The charge was Dhs150 per passenger. The vehicle was wonderful and the Indian driver from Mumbai was smart. Hence the bumpy, bouncy desert travel experience turned out to be highly enjoyable."
He added: "Up and down went the cruiser while sand splashed all around the vehicle for nearly 20 minutes. Taking photographs with traditional costumes, camel rides, watching the beautiful desert sunset and a henna session for my daughters made the safari really enjoyable. In less than six hours we were back in Sharjah at the pickup point after a wonderful dinner, which was part of the package."

People resolve to quit smoking on the New Year day

KK Moidu

Quitting smoking is one of the most common New Year resolutions this year too like the previous years. Grocery vendors have confirmed that the sale of cigarettes fell on the New Year day.
Rafeeq, a salesman at Al Jaf Grocery, Sharjah said, only a few people bought cigarettes on the New Year day and some regular customers who buy cigarettes on a daily basis talked about their desire to quit smoking on the New Year day. Rafeeq added, "This happens every New Year and unfortunately most of them couldn't succeed in their resolutions. They return to the bad habit of smoking after a couple of days or within a week or month. But a few of them who succeeded in quitting smoking. Of 25 smokers who regularly bought cigarettes from the shop, only two quit smoking last year and fulfilled their year commitment."

 
Nishad, a 28 year old Indian, who decided to quit smoking on the New Year day proudly says,  "I haven't smoke any cigarette on the New Year day and  will try to fulfill my New Year resolution. I married recently and stopped smoking inside the house but still I was smoking half a packet of cigarettes everyday. I started smoking for a fun during my college days and it became habit and now I  want to save my health by quitting the bad habit."
Fifty-year-old Abdul Muthalib, who smokes more than a packet of cigarettes daily quit  smoking on the New Year's eve. He said, "I  decided to quit smoking on the New Year day. My room-mate was admitted to a hospital due to health problems. He was a chain smoker and doctors warned him about the harms of smoking. Since he can't smoke, and If I smoke in front of him he may start smoking again, and I will become partially responsible for his ill health."
Although many people are taking New Year resolutions, but all of them are not confident about the success of their goals. Mohammed the owner of Abu Moosa Grocery said most of the smokers return to their bad habits later, but women smokers succeed more when they decide to quit smoking or lose weight.

Magsaysay award winners to be felicitated

By KK Moidu

Dr Prakash Amte and Dr Mandakini Amte, winners of the prestigious Magsaysay Award 2008, will be felicitated at Al Nasr Leisureland, Dubai on Jan. I. Consul General of India, Venu Rajamony will be the chief guest at the function. Renowned musician Padmashri Padmaja Phenany-Joglekar will give a concert. Bollywood actor and social activist, Atul Kularni and Ajit Bhure, a well known film producer and journalist will also be present on the occasion.
The programme will start at 5.30pm with a prayer. The documentary Divine Messenger will be screened and there will be a talk show as well.

Dr. Prakash Amte

Dr. Mandakini Amte

The Magsaysay Award was constituted in the name of Ramon Magsaysay, the third president of the Republic of the Philippines after the World War II. The award is presented by the Ramon Magsaysay Foundation to individuals who address issues of human development in Asia with courage, creativity, integrity and selflessness and while doing so they make contributions in transforming their societies for the better.
Dr Prakash and Dr Mandakini were honoured this year with the award in recognition of their community leadership. The award is considered Asia's Nobel Prize.
The eminent doctors carry forward the great Baba Amte's legacy of compassion. The couple has been serving millions of tribal people, who are living in remote highlands and forests. For example, the Madia Gonds occupy 150 square kilometres of dense forest in eastern Maharashtra, bordering Andhra Pradesh and Chattisgarh states. They have been instrumental in setting up health-care and educational institutions, and transforming the tribal's life completely.
Their selfless service over the last three decades has now gained International recognition.

Unusual crowds expected at offices owing to long holiday

By KK Moidu


Government offices and schools are reopening today after about two weeks of holidays. Unlike previous Eid holidays, which used to be around one week along with weekly offs, this year the National Day, Eid and weekly offs combined together extended the holidays to two-weeks for government and educational institutes.
Most of the employees who had left for their native places to celebrate Eid with their dear and near ones have returned to the emirate. Many members of the expatriate community utilised the long holidays for a short visit to their parents and relatives.
The airlines made brisk business carrying passengers up and down. Shopping malls also recorded big business.
The private sector, including banks, resumed work much earlier.
However, those who preferred to stay back decided to go to parks, beaches and shopping centres.
Children probably would have the happiest, as they got a rare opportunity to be with their parents and enjoying the holidays together.
But, for the first few working days, heavy rush is expected at government departments, especially at labour, immigration departments and the municipality.
Adbul Rahman, an Indian expatriate, said, "I am waiting anxiously for the reopening of Ministry of Labour for renewing my computer card. Another expatriate, Muhammad Ashraf, said, "I have finished all the immigration typing works in advance for applying for a visa for my new-born daughter, expecting big rush at typing centres during the first week. "
Many fear heavy rush on roads and lengthy queues at government offices. A Sharjah resident, Hari Kumar, said, "I plan to leave my home at least 45 minutes early for my office in Dubai on Sunday, otherwise I won't be able to reach in time."

FIC launches Fox Sereis in the Middle East

By KK Moidu

Fox International Channels (FIC) announced in Dubai on Saturday the launch of its flagship channel Fox Series in the Middle East. The new channel is brought to the region through the strategic partnership between the media group, Rotana Media Services (RMS), which is owned by the media doyen Prince Al Waleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, (chairman of Kingdom Holding Company and Rotana Holding) and the Fox International Channels (FIC).

Speaking at the press conference held at Emirates Golf Club (Dubai), Ward Platt, president, FIC, Asia and Middle East, said, "Today's launch is yet another milestone for us in the Middle East. After the successful launch of FOX Movies earlier this year, today we find ourselves at the threshold of another success story with Fox Series, which is the region's first dedicated free-to-air series channel. We are confident that the channel through its vibrant, innovative and strong programming content will attract its own patron following that demands and believes in quality home entertainment." Ward told The Gulf Today that FIC will add more channels in the future but have no plans to make it a pay channel in the near future.

Nezar H Nagro, president of Rotana Media Services said, "Today's launch of Fox Series clearly reaffirms and demonstrates our commitment in providing the region's viewers the quality and the television watching experience that is unmatched anywhere in the Middle East. Fox Series adds one more important channel genre to our bouquet and enables RMS to provide an even more comprehensive solution to advertisers."

He assured that all the series airing on the channel would be edited keeping in view the family values. Fox Series will be telecast from Dec. 1. It will be the region's first free-to-air television series channel in the Middle East and North Africa offering viewers a line-up of award-winning television series, from the blockbuster series that have wowed audiences the world over like Desperate Housewives , Kyle XY , and CSI: Miami , to productions, which are never seen before in the region like Brothers and Sisters , Nip/Tuck , Crusoe and The Listener , and long-running popular smash-hits like The Simpsons and Stargate SG1.

The new channel is aimed at providing the region's demanding young audience a compelling entertainment experience that is engaging, charismatic and exciting.