ABU DHABI - As part of the various training programs offered by Emarat to its employees, the Corporation recently organized a series of training sessions focusing on food safety and hygiene. More than 400 employees working at the retail network attended the sessions in coordination with SGS institution, accredited by the Dubai Municipality.

Swaths of the Emirate are getting lusher with more landscaping. In 2009, 27 million flowering plants were planted throughout Dubai.

Dusty and windy conditions that hit most of the country after a spell of rains last week are likely to give way to bright and sunny days, with max temperature along the coast predicted to up.

ABU DHABI - Last week's rains have wreaked havoc in some parts of the industrial areas of Abu Dhabi. Sporadic power supply and frequent outages have hit small businesses and residents hard.

SHARJAH - A woman who was employed as a housemaid, and was absconding since stealing money and jewellery from an Arab family residing in Sharjah which had employed her, has been arrested by Sharjah Police.

ABU DHABI - Contacts are being made with advanced countries in the field of criminology to set up a database of non-radioactive isotope elements at the Forensic Evidence Department of Abu Dhabi Police, said Lt-Colonel Abdul Rahman Al Hamadi, Director of the department at the General Department of Security and Border Points Affairs.

NEW YORK - The UAE urged the United Nations to work to protect women and children during armed conflicts, and to get those who are detained as hostages or prisoners released. It also called on the UN bodies to follow up on their conditions and provide them with necessary assistance.

DUBAI - Dubai Police arrested a taxi driver for allegedly raping a 23-year old British woman.

DUBAI -The Middle East's first international Islamic exhibition will be held in Dubai from March 18 to 20.

ABU DHABI - A 37-year-old Asian air traveller man who was trying to carry about Dh12 million in his baggage to a money exchange centre here was arrested by the Abu Dhabi Police for possession of a large amount money in cash.

RAS AL KHAIMAH - Ras Al Khaimah Police saved a 33-year-old Asian man from drowning in a dam in Wadi Al Manaei on Friday evening.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius ratcheted up the pressure on health insurance companies on Wednesday, urging them to forgo short-term profits to make coverage more affordable and to stop fighting the Obama administration's reform effort.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Mexican tycoon Carlos Slim is the world's richest person, knocking Microsoft founder Bill Gates into second spot, as the wealth of the world's billionaires grew by 50 percent over the last year, Forbes magazine said on Wednesday.

CAIRO (Reuters) - Arab League chief Amr Moussa said on Wednesday that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas had told him he would not enter indirect talks with Israel, only days after the Palestinian side had agreed to the contacts.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrats in the House of Representatives moved on Wednesday to limit the ability of lawmakers to tuck pet projects into spending bills amid mounting election-year ethics concerns.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - With Governor David Paterson enveloped in scandal, New York's lieutenant governor is leading the notoriously difficult budget process and freeing up his boss to fight for his political life, experts say.

DETROIT (Reuters) - Federal regulators said they were looking into a report of another runaway Toyota Prius, this one in Westchester County, New York, where police said a woman pulling out of a driveway zoomed across a busy street and into a stone wall.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The leader of the House of Representatives -- a persuasive arm twister and deal maker -- faces her toughest challenge yet: getting 216 votes to pass final legislation revamping the U.S. healthcare system.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Three American detained in Iran last year and accused of spying have been allowed to telephone their families, although formal consular access has not been granted, the U.S. State Department said on Wednesday.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A Pennsylvania woman has been charged with plotting to kill a Swedish man and trying to recruit fighters via the Internet to commit violent attacks overseas, the U.S. Justice Department said on Tuesday.

JOS, Nigeria (Reuters) - Sporadic shooting rang out overnight in the central Nigerian city of Jos and witnesses said at least one person was killed by soldiers enforcing a curfew days after attacks on three nearby Christian villages.