DHABI, Nov. 22nd, 2008: A local UAE newspaper today warned against violent consequences of what it called "an inhuman Israeli blockade" on Gazans who it said were already living under impoverished circumstances.

"The consequences will not be limited to the Palestinians entrapped in this cycle of misery. Instead, the world community will also be affected, as its ineffectiveness and indifferent stance would lead to negative consequences", opined today the Gulf News.

NEW YORK, MANAMA, 22nd, 2008: Secretary-General of The Nnited Nations Ban Ki-Moon

Sheikh Khalifa stressed that "there will be no compromise with whatever threatens our values, our traditions and language, which are the heart of our national identity and the soul of the nation and our heritage." "Thus, we must confront the negative effects of globalisation and the defects in the make-up of our population. Any infringement of our identity is an infringement of the country itself. Simply, it is a violation of the country's sanctity", he remarked.

In this connection, he announced 2008 as the year of National Identity, to strengthen the national elements and components of our society and to specify the threats to them.

DHABI, Nov. 22nd, 2008: The UAE marks the 37th anniversary of its National Day on December 2, 2008 with adamant determination to maintain the momentum of the process of political, social and cultural empowerment which President H. H Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan had launched 2 years ago.

The process builds on the rich and impressive legacy left behind by the Late Founding Father of the nation Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan whose visionary leadership speaks of itself in all fields of development.

Dubai, Nov 21st, 2008 : Minister of Education HE Dr. Hanif Hassan emphasised the need for giving adequate attention to the extra-curricular activities of children to enrich their personalities.

Opening a special programme entitled: 'Innovate' at the Umm Suqeim Girls School in Dubai, the minister also reiterated the need for taking students beyond textbooks, and keeping them informed about the current developments on the local and global fronts.

Dubai, Nov 21st, 2008 : The Ministry of Health (MOH) has stressed the importance of partnership between private and public sectors to achieve better production and service quality in healthcare and pharmaceutical industry.