Lakeland comes to the UAE

The Mirdif City Centre outlet is the first international store of the UK-based leading creative kitchenware retailer

Lakeland International, the leading provider of creative and innovative kitchenware, recently marked the official opening of their store in Mirdif City Centre, Dubai. This is the first Lakeland outlet to be opened outside the United Kingdom. Lakeland has been brought to the region by Jawad Business Group.

The official inauguration event was attended by Faisal Jawad, Chairman and CEO, Jawad Business Group and Sam Rayner, Managing Director, Lakeland International.

Faisal Jawad said: “It is a pleasure to introduce Lakeland in the region. Over the years, this UK brand has set new benchmarks in innovation and convenience in kitchenware. We are certain that Lakeland will replicate its success story here too.”

He added: “Since its inception, Jawad Business Group has always strived to bring to the market leading brands and concepts that would enhance the lives of our customers. We have constantly been on the look out for opportunities that would enhance the lifestyle of our customers. It has been our endeavor to understand the customer needs and help provide solutions. We have been on a constant growth path, opening new outlets, bringing new brands to the region.”

Commenting on Lakeland’s opening in the UAE, Sam Rayner, Managing Director, Lakeland International, said, “We are pleased to open our first outlet in Dubai. There certainly is not a better place than this city to mark the opening of our first international store. This vibrant cosmopolitan city offers brands like ours the perfect platform to understand and serve to the preferences and tastes of different nationalities at one go.”

He added: “We are happy to have found a dynamic partner in Jawad Business Group. Lakeland offers a wide range of products that help prepare, serve and store food. Many items in our outlet are exclusive to Lakeland and all products are backed by their no-quibble guarantee. Every item is thoroughly tried and tested before the product earns its place in the Lakeland range. We are certain that the region will enjoy the Lakeland experience.”

Lakeland has around 4000 products in its range and delivers to over one million households around the world. The company has always endeavored to proactively look out for products to make everyday life easier and more enjoyable, be it for cooking, entertaining, doing the housework or searching for the perfect present.

As the years went by, the name Lakeland Plastics no longer reflected the wide range of products sold. So in 1997 the name was changed to Lakeland Limited, and a decade later, simply Lakeland.

LG UNVEILS WORLD’S FIRST FULL LED 3D TV

Boasting full LED technology with superb contrast and expansive picture the LX9500 goes beyond mere viewing to take you to the heart of the action.

 LG Electronics (LG), a global leader and technology innovator in the flat panel display and audio-video devices market, recently announced the launch of the LX9500, the world’s first Full LED 3D TV. Delivering a picture of outstanding clarity and brightness on LG's innovative INFINIA design, the LX9500 — a two-time award winner at this year’s CES and a winner of the reddot design award 2010 — invites viewers into an entirely new world of 3D TV viewing.

For the ultimate in 3D home viewing, the LX9500 employs shutter glasses-type technology, with glasses that add depth to an image by blocking one lens then the other in sync with the screen's refresh rate. The LX9500 is also the only 3D TV with dual IR-emitting sensors, which send signals syncing the lenses with the TV. Having dual sensors ensures a wider and longer viewing angle for the TV’s 3D pictures, creating a spectacular home theater experience for the whole family.

As the world’s first Full LED 3D TV, the LX9500 uses an innovative backlight structure to deliver its remarkable picture. Illuminated by panels of LEDs directly behind the screen, the Full LED display provides images of exceptional brightness and clarity, as well as a localized Spot Control for the ultimate in picture quality. With TruMotion 400Hz reducing image cross-talk and a picture further enriched by a 10,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, the LX9500’s mesmerizing 3D transports viewers right to the heart of the action.

As with all its features, the LX9500’s award-winning INFINIA design is geared toward creating the ultimate 3D experience. Slim and sleek, the LX9500 boasts a depth of just 22.3mm, and a 16mm super-narrow bezel that allows for a more expansive picture and 3D images that practically burst out of the screen. In recognition of its unparalleled design, the LX9500 this year won a reddot design award, one of the world’s top three design awards and a globally accepted standard for the very best in product design.

“Thanks to its superb picture quality, the LX9500 offers a 3D experience like no other, where instead of just watching scenes, you can actually be part of them,” said Mr H.S Paik, President of LG Electronics Gulf FZE. “Through advanced features such as Full LED and INFINIA design, LG is already pushing the technological boundaries for 3D. Along with our 3D Blu-ray disk player and 3D home projector, LG is well placed to become a true global leader in 3D home entertainment.”

Speaking from the launch of LG’s LX9500 at the Westin Hotel Dubai, event speaker and President of the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Dubai, Dr. Mustafa AG Abushagur, PhD added; “Technology is moving at a faster pace now than it ever has and 3D is transforming the digital entertainment and education landscape.

“This new technology is creating visual experiences that offer new opportunities and challenges for educators, manufacturers and consumers alike. With its tendency towards early-adoption of new technology, the Middle East is on the cusp of widespread changes in technological development.”

Delivering unbeatable levels of entertainment, the LX9500 also displays regular programming and content in the very best, high-definition 2D. In addition, the TV is seamlessly connected to home AV devices thanks to a Wireless AV Link, while its NetCast™ function delivers instant streaming, via a broadband connection, of virtually limitless online content, including videos, movies and web albums. In another first for the industry, the LX9500 supports the Multi Picture Format (MPF) which enables user-created 3D content to be enjoyed on-screen without the need of a PC.

The ultimate platform for 3D viewing, LG’s LX9500 was officially launched today and will retail at AED 17,999 (55”) and AED 12,999 (47”).

Specifications:

·     3D TV (Shutter glasses type)

·     Full LED Slim with Spot Control (Local Dimming)

·     INFINIA Design

-      Ultra Slim Depth, Narrow Bezel, Uni-layer, Uni-color

·     Full HD 1080p

·     10,000,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio

·     TruMotion 400Hz[1]

·     isf Certification

·     Picture Wizard II

·     Crystal Gradation with Varying Light (Facet)

·     Invisible Speaker (10W + 10W + 5W)

·     Infinite Sound

·     Clear Voice II

·     NetCastTM

·     Wireless AV Link

·     DLNA ready

·     USB 2.0 (HD DivX, MP3, Jpeg play, MPO)

·     HDMI 1.4

·     Intelligent Sensor

·     Smart Energy Saving Plus

·     ECO Flower

Gold festival mood upbeat

 BY KK Moidu

Although the price of the gold has touched Dhs149 per gramme for 24k and Dhs138.75 for 22k, the jewellery outlets across the emirates hope the high rates will not affect the gold business on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, which falls on Sunday.

The jewellers are gearing up to handle the surge of customers on Akshaya Tritiya, the day considered auspicious for the purchase of gold as per Hindu beliefs.

Pooja Arjun, a housewife in Dubai, said, "I have been buying gold jewellery on Akshaya Tritiya for the last 10 years without considering the increase in gold price. This year also I will buy not less than 10 grammes of gold ornaments on the occasion."

Like Pooja, many others trust that buying gold on this auspicious day will never be a business of loss and will result in wealth and prosperity throughout the year.

Sunanda Krishnan, who is residing in Sharjah for the last eight years and working in a private company in Dubai, said, "I started buying gold on Akshaya Tritiya after coming to Dubai. Last year, I bought 20 grammes of gold ornaments and this year also I am planning to buy some ornaments, but the quantity will not be that much due to the hike in the price of gold."

However, the World Gold Council, its trade partners and most of the outlets in the emirates offer special promotions such as minimal making charges, free gold coins, free Camera and Camcorder, 50 to 70 per cent discounts for diamond buyers etc.

"This region is renowned all over the world for its multi-cultural environment, where people from a number of nations and cultures live in harmony, therefore we are offering people the unique opportunity to appreciate different cultures and their practices. We are very pleased to announce our commitment to creating awareness about this festival - which is a very important event for the Asian community - and outlining the cultural significance of investing in gold for people on this day," commented Yogaani Bhatia, Country Manager UAE, World Gold Council.

In order to cash in the Akshaya Tritiya festival, World Gold Council's trade partners in the region also introduced their very own special-edition gold jewellery collections such as pendant, rings, bangles, diamond sets etc., as well as organising interactive competitions in honour of the occasion.

WGC and Malabar Gold launches interactive radio and print competitions for creating awareness of Akshaya Tritiya. The Akshaya Tritiya special-edition "Divine" collection available at Malabar Gold stores has been created in order to emphasise the importance of keeping this ancient heritage alive.

Malabar Gold is offering two gold coins for the buyers of Akshaya Tritiya Diamond set and half gramme gold coin free for those who buy jewellery worth Dhs6,000 and above. Joyalukkas gifts a Samsung Camcorder and Canon Digital Camera on purchase of the Exqusite Tyohaar Akshaya Tritiya Diamond Necklace worth Dhs17,000 and Elegenza Polki Set designed for Akshaya Tritiya worth Dhs15,500 respectively.

Sony Science Show in Dubai

Show to Offer Students Experiential Insight into Realms of Science

Sony Gulf FZE announced it will host the fifth edition of the Sony Science Show in Dubai, following its phenomenal success over the past four editions that have drawn the participation of more than 11,000 students, from over 130 UAE schools, since its inception in 2006.

To be held from 12–13 May, at the Dubai Knowledge Village Conference Hall in collaboration with the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), the show will be led by renowned Japanese scientific entertainer Soichi Nishimura, who travels around the world to entertain and teach children about the magical world of science.

Japanese scientific entertainer Soichi Nishimura

Conceptualized to make science learning fun and encourage children to question natural occurrences that have scientific implications, the show will offer Grade-4 school children a wide array of interactive experiments and add a whole new dimension to scientific literacy in the region.

Pius Parackal, Director, External Relations, Sony Gulf FZE, said: “We are pleased to bring back the Sony Science Show to Dubai for the fifth time, following the unbridled enthusiasm the initiative has received from students. At Sony, we believe inculcating and fostering scientific thinking amongst children is vital for the future as it enables them to leverage their innovative best.”

 Fatima Al Marri, CEO of Dubai Schools Agency, Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA, said: “We are delighted to work in collaboration with Sony Gulf to host the fifth edition of the Sony Science Show, as we believe such events successfully contribute to knowledge creation in the region. We encourage schools to participate in interactive educational initiatives as they help young children develop a growing interest in science.”

Soichi Nishimura will focus on topics such as conduction, air pressure and flight dynamics, allowing children to experience the joy of converting text book theories into practical experiments, using basic props such as balloons, paper and strings.

Soichi Nishimura conducts an experiment with help of a Grade 4 student 

The Sony Science Shows are a part of Sony’s global community initiatives, which include the Sony Explora Science Museums in Japan and China and the Sony Wonder Technology Lab in New York, as well as various programs focusing on areas such as education, environment and health/welfare.

Graphic designer wins an iPad from Jacky’s Facebook competition

Dubai 92 FM's Geordiebird; Ashish Panjabi, Jacky's Electronics COO; Glenn Roxas, 27, Filipino, Jacky's Electronics Facebook Competition Grand Winner of an iPad; and Dubai 92 FM's Catboy.

Jumping atop Burj Khalifa, changing their names to Jacky’s and a lot more creative and innovative ideas were among the things people would do to win an Apple iPad for free but an artistic video executing what the participant would actually do to be the new owner of the iPad has bested the rest and was hailed the winner of the first Facebook competition of Jacky’s Electronics.

Dubai 92 FM's Geordiebird; Ashish Panjabi, Jacky's Electronics COO; and Dubai 92 FM's Catboy.

Glenn Roxas, a 27 year old Filipino national graphic designer won an iPad from Jacky’s Facebook Competition — ‘What would you do to win an ipad at Jacky’s? from April 18 to 25. Close to 600 comments, videos and pictures were entered onto Jacky’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/jackysuae for the contest. After much deliberation, the judging team at Jacky’s chose Roxas as the best entry, which showed uniqueness and real creativity.

Ashish Panjabi, Jacky's Electronics COO; Dubai 92 FM's Geordiebird; and Catboy with the winners of Jacky's Electronics Facebook Competition.

The second runner-up Dana Salim, 15 year-old from Syria, received an iPod Touch. The third runner-up Nicoli Malabonga, 17-year old, from Filipine got an iPod Nano. 

Ashish Panjabi, Jacky's Electronics COO; Tala Salim, 12, Syrian; Dana Salim, 15, Syrian, Electronics Facebook Competition Second runner-up winner of an iPod Touch; and Dubai 92 FM's Catboy.

Dubai 92 FM's Geordiebird; Ashish Panjabi, Jacky's Electronics COO; Nicoli Malabonga, 17, Filipino, Jacky's Electronics Facebook Competition third runner-up winner of an iPod Nano; and Dubai 92 FM's Catboy.

Jacky’s Electronics first Facebook Competition winners were announced in a function held at Jacky’s Electronics outlet in The Dubai Mall. Ashish Panjabi, Jacky’s Chief Operating Officer, Jimmy Patel, GM, were present at the event. Dubai 92 FM’s Catboy and Geordiebird distributed the prizes to the winners. Geordiebird also sung few karaoke songs to get herself an iPad while five shoppers also received iPod shuffles during the on-the-spot competition.

Dubai FM's Geordiebird sings few karaoke songs to get herself an iPad during the on-the-spot competition.

The Grand prize winner of an iPad, Roxas took a creative 1-minute video of himself to let everyone know about Jacky’s iPad competition by going around Dubai Superman-style, walking on the middle of Sheikh Zayed Road, and socialising with other nationalities.

“I shot the video one half day and I wasn’t really expecting to win. Thank you Jacky’s for holding the competition and I can’t wait to use my new iPad in rolling out my creative ideas,” said Roxas.

Ashish Panjabi COO Jacky’s Electornics said “Social networking sites such as Facebook are important tools for us to interact and engage with our customers. We, at Jacky’s, have always aim to provide our customers with updated information whether it’s on products, promotions or industry news in the UAE. This competition allowed us to not only reward our loyal customers with an iPad, but also know their feedbacks as well.” 

“Right from the time we announced this competition, we’ve been inundated with feedback from potential winners on all the whacky and crazy things they would do for an iPad.  With the craze for this product being unrivalled to anything else we’ve seen in a while, it was only natural we decided to have a contest based around this,” he added. 

Accidental injuries prime death cause of children in the UAE

A call for child friendly safe environments

Accidental injuries represent the number one cause of death among children up to the age of 14 years, in the Unites Arab Emirates, according to a study carried out by Dr. Michal Grivna, Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, of the University of the UAE, with the support of Johnson & Johnson Corporate Citizenship Trust — as part of their Safe Kids Middle East programme.

The findings of the study entitled “Epidemiology and Prevention of Child Injuries in the United Arab Emirates” were discussed during a policy session for injuries among children at the Arab Children Health Congress recently held in Dubai.

Dr. Grivna provided further insight on the types of injuries;

·     with traffic accidents representing 63% of mortality cases

·     Drowning and falls at 10% each

·     Surveys among local population showed that over 90% had never used car seats before and that the majority of children were not restrained whether seated in front or at the rear of the car.

“There are also environmental risk factors that need to be addressed such as ensuring appropriate traffic and urban planning around schools and safe drop off and pick up sites for children. We have found for example there are few school warning signs, speed signs, bumps or radars to slow down traffic and that in about 80% of cases children are dropped off into the main road or opposite of the road instead of directly into the sidewalk”, added Dr. Grivna.

The report calls for the introduction and enforcement of child safety restraints, effective traffic calming measures in and around schools to ensure that speed is low enough and safe energy free drop off and pick up points as well as the dispersion of schools in quiet residential areas away from high speed roads.

Participating in a separate policy roundtable session, Johannes Pattermann, Chairman of Johnson & Johnson Corporate Citizenship Trust Middle East shared best practice and lessons learned of the Safe Kids Worldwide and Safe Kids Middle East initiatives, which focus on preventing unintentional childhood injury.

“Over the past 5 years, we have been working with various partners such as the Dubai Road and Transport Authority and Dubai Healthcare Authority on educational safety programs for children and families within schools and hospitals such as the Safe Kids Booklet, the Safety School Bus and the Baby Memories Programme.

We strongly believe that a comprehensive approach that is built on a relevant policy and legislative framework, building capacity and creating awareness and education on safety makes a difference in terms of reducing child injuries and fatalities”, stated Patterman.

Several representatives from government authorities, international organizations such as UNICEF, WHO and the Arab League as well as academics and young people attended the policy roundtable. Key policy recommendations included strengthening and combining efforts in the areas of surveillance and research, building capacity in these areas, developing a regional strategy on child injury prevention, identifying clear indicators and targets as well as creating a culture of safety through awareness and education campaigns towards families and children.

OASIS Karate Centre Sports Meet 2010

OASIS Karate Centre, Sharjah, Sports Meet 2010 will be held at the Sharjah Indian Association Auditorium on April 16, 2010. His Excellency Sheikh Najeeb Bin Saqar Al Qassimi (Member of the Ruling Family) will inaugurate the annual meet and actor Captain Raju is the chief guest of the programme.

The students of Oasis Karate Centre will exhibit their martial arts skills in front of the audience. Distribution of Black Belts, Medals and Certificate to the winners will be awarded at the event. Karate Show participated by 25 Black Belt holders and 200 students of the Oasis Karate Centre and a Magic Show are the highlights of the event.