UAE

Emirati child missing after Nile trip

Search and rescue team sent to Egypt after father alerts authorities in the UAE.

The National Staff

September 08, 2012

An Emirati child has gone missing in Egypt.

The youngster, Hamad Abdullah Al Ali, was reported missing on Friday after taking part in a cruise on the River Nile.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs received a call from the boy's father saying his son had fallen into the river, WAM, the state news agency reported.

Juma Mubarak Al Junaibi, undersecretary of the Ministry, said: "Upon taking the accident report, the Ministry immediately swung into action, instructing the UAE Embassy in Cairo to approach the concerned authorities in Egypt to take necessary measures to search for the child."

He added the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had coordinated with the Ministry of Interior to despatch a search and rescue team to Egypt.

The team was expected to arrive in Cairo last night.Mr Al Junaibi added the Ministry gives top priority to the welfare of Emirati citizens abroad and will spare no effort to provide them with assistance.

newsdesk@thenational.ae

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Price, base / as tested Dh97,600
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BIO

Favourite holiday destination: Turkey - because the government look after animals so well there.

Favourite film: I love scary movies. I have so many favourites but The Ring stands out.

Favourite book: The Lord of the Rings. I didn’t like the movies but I loved the books.

Favourite colour: Black.

Favourite music: Hard rock. I actually also perform as a rock DJ in Dubai.

Coffee: black death or elixir of life?

It is among the greatest health debates of our time; splashed across newspapers with contradicting headlines - is coffee good for you or not?

Depending on what you read, it is either a cancer-causing, sleep-depriving, stomach ulcer-inducing black death or the secret to long life, cutting the chance of stroke, diabetes and cancer.

The latest research - a study of 8,412 people across the UK who each underwent an MRI heart scan - is intended to put to bed (caffeine allowing) conflicting reports of the pros and cons of consumption.

The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, contradicted previous findings that it stiffens arteries, putting pressure on the heart and increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke, leading to warnings to cut down.

Numerous studies have recognised the benefits of coffee in cutting oral and esophageal cancer, the risk of a stroke and cirrhosis of the liver. 

The benefits are often linked to biologically active compounds including caffeine, flavonoids, lignans, and other polyphenols, which benefit the body. These and othetr coffee compounds regulate genes involved in DNA repair, have anti-inflammatory properties and are associated with lower risk of insulin resistance, which is linked to type-2 diabetes.

But as doctors warn, too much of anything is inadvisable. The British Heart Foundation found the heaviest coffee drinkers in the study were most likely to be men who smoked and drank alcohol regularly.

Excessive amounts of coffee also unsettle the stomach causing or contributing to stomach ulcers. It also stains the teeth over time, hampers absorption of minerals and vitamins like zinc and iron.

It also raises blood pressure, which is largely problematic for people with existing conditions.

So the heaviest drinkers of the black stuff - some in the study had up to 25 cups per day - may want to rein it in.

Rory Reynolds

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