Global warming could soon force people out of Gulf countries like Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha

Global warming is not something to be scoffed at because a recent study has shown that rising global temperatures could soon push the sun-baked cities of the Gulf across a threshold of human acceptance. The temperatures would literally be beyond survival limits of humans.
This has been reported in nzherald.co.nz dated 28 October 2015.

The study carried out by scientists from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Loyola Marymount University has warned that at least five of the region's great metropolises could see summer days that surpass the "human habitability" limit. The heat and humidity would be so high that even the healthiest people could not withstand more than a few hours outdoors.
The report cautions that booming cities such Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha could cross the threshold by the end of the century, if temperatures continue to rise at current rates. The Saudi holy city of Mecca, a destination for millions of Muslim pilgrims every year, is also in the list.
Incidentally, a wet-bulb temperature of 35C is regarded as the survivability limit for healthy people. The wet-bulb temperature is measured by using a thermometer that has its bulb wrapped in cloth that is kept wet.
Climate scientists have indicated that some parts of the Earth could cross the 35C mark in future centuries if global warming continues. However, when the temperatures could rise well beyond 43C in the hottest summer months. That would affect Gulf cities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha. These cities already suffer from high heat-index values that contribute to high rates of heatstroke among outdoor workers.
(Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org)


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Mysterious bulge of the pregnant South African woman caught in Hyderabad

An apparently seven-month pregnant woman of South Africa, who had arrived at the RGI airport in Hyderabad, was actually carrying not a baby but drugs concealed in her belly and private parts. She was caught by the sleuths of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) who became suspicious after looking at her passport and travel pattern over the last one week.
When subjected to medical examination, it was revealed that she had swallowed the banned drugs which were packed in small polymer packets. She was immediately rushed to Osmania Hospital to extract the packets from her body.
This has been reported in timesofindia.indiatimes.com dated 31 August 2015.

The 32-year-old woman had landed from Dubai by Emirates flight and the NCB officers observed that she was walking with difficulty – she said that she was seven-month pregnant. But, once she was shifted to a hospital at the airport for preliminary examination, she admitted about the narcotics she was carrying.
By giving laxatives, the hospital staff succeeded in extracting 16 pouches of narcotics substance and it has been confirmed that there was no surgery done on her and she was under medical supervision.
Preliminary investigations from her travel pattern indicate that the origin of the drugs could be Brazil. She had landed in Dubai from Johannesburg on August 23. The next day, she took a flight to Sao Paulo City (Guarulhos International Airport) in Brazil. On August 28, she returned to Dubai from Sao Paulo and, on Sunday, she arrived at Hyderabad from Dubai.
(Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org)


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Sand from Germany on its way to Dubai – selling coal to Newcastle

Dubai is a land with plenty of sand in its deserts but, it is importing sand from Germany – it is similar to selling coal to Newcastle or selling a refrigerator to an Eskimo.
A German firm has agreed to supply Dubai with 1500-square-meters of sand which is to be used on the oil rich city's famous racecourse.
That is why, in spite of having an abundance of sand with it, Dubai has to go in for importing it.
The specially sifted sand from Germany is necessary because the local sand is allegedly too unstable for horses to race on, hence the decision to transport the right type of sand all the way from central Europe.
As reported by the officials at Dubai's race tracks and training yards, the local sand is 'too coarse' for their multi-million pound thoroughbreds.
Incidentally, The Dubai World Cup, which is held at Meydan racecourse every year has a cash prize of $10 million, the biggest in horse racing – it is being held annually since 1996.