Latest news with #AbuDhabi
Telegraph
3 hours ago
- Automotive
- Telegraph
Race car mechanic engulfed in flames sues for £5m
A rally car technician who was engulfed in a fireball during training for a 1,300-mile desert race is suing for up to £5m compensation. Matt Finney, 52, was soaked in highly volatile fuel whilst filling up a rally car during testing before the November 2021 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. Mr Finney, 52, was put in an induced coma for three months, and was in hospital in Dubai for four months. He has now launched a compensation claim against his long-term employers, Prodrive Motorsport, over the physical pain and mental trauma caused by the incident. The company, based in Banbury, Oxfordshire, has been linked with multiple racing legends over the years, including rally stars Sebastien Loeb and Colin McRae, as well as with Lewis Hamilton's Extreme E Electric car race team. Lawyers for Mr Finney, who has been a senior motorsport technician for Powerdrive for over 20 years, blame the accident on the company's alleged defective 'working practices' at the time. But his employers say the mechanic was himself at fault in failing to wear full protective equipment. At the time of the accident, Mr Finney, who was tasked with 'building, testing, preparing and restoring' rally cars, was preparing for the Abu Dhabi desert race by maintaining its Prodrive Hunter T1+. The rally cars being tested would be 'subjected to chassis engine change and other adjustments' after being driven round a 35km circuit designed to simulate desert conditions – with refuelling after each loop. However, Mr Finney was set alight while carrying out the first refuelling of the day using a new fuel delivery system. His barrister James Candlin, explained Mr Finney had attached the electric pump to the car and switched it on when ' a fountain-like spray of fuel – emanating from behind him from the fuel pump components – struck him'. He then 'slipped on fuel in the ground tarpaulin whereupon fuel or fuel vapour ignited, and he was engulfed in the subsequent conflagration.' After the fire, he was driven to a Dubai hospital where he was treated for burns to his head, face, chest, back and upper and lower limbs – as well as to his throat. Although Mr Finney began a 'phased' return to work, he continued to be dogged by scarring and chronic pain, along with flashbacks and mental trauma. Explaining the impact on his work life, Mr Candlin continued: 'The claimant has recently been medically certified as unfit for work but when fit for work since the accident he has been limited to engagements mostly in desk work rather than hands-on mechanical roles for which he is trained'. He claimed the company failed to deploy enough crew, failed to ensure comprehensive training in the new fuel system, and failed to consider the maximum operation temperature of 40 degrees for the Piusi Ex50 fuel pump. The auto company insists that Mr Finney brought disaster on himself by neglecting essential safety procedures. In the company's defence documents, its barrister, Vaughan Jacob, claimed that Mr Finney 'failed to carry out his own risk assessment,' tried to refuel the rally car when it was still hot, failed to wear the right safety equipment, neglected to use the correct refuelling area – and failed to check the pump was securely attached. At the time of the accident, the temperature was below 40C, which meant the fuel pump in use was 'within its safe temperature range', the barrister added. The case will return to court at a later date.
Arab News
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Power Slap returns to Abu Dhabi Showdown Week in October
ABU DHABI: Power Slap, the world slap fighting promotion, is set to return to the UAE on Friday, Oct. 24 at the Space 42 Arena as part of Abu Dhabi Showdown Week, headlined by UFC 321. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport Last year, Power Slap hosted its first international event, Power Slap 9: Dumpling vs Da Crazy Hawaiian, in the UAE capital. A sold-out crowd witnessed a showdown between two of the world's best strikers, as former Power Slap super heavyweight champion, Da Crazy Hawaiian, defended his title against No. 1 ranked super heavyweight, Vasilii 'Dumpling' Kamotskii, in a match that ended in a dramatic draw. Power Slap 9 generated more than 700 million total views across social media platforms through promotional and event coverage content and drew global influencers with 1 billion-plus followers. This marked a big step in the sport's international growth and highlighted the region's enthusiasm for combat sports. 'Power Slap has had 13 straight sold-out events, and is now heading back to Abu Dhabi, one of the premier fight capitals in the world,' said Power Slap founder Dana White. 'In just two years, Power Slap has exploded with nearly 30 million followers and close to 20 billion video views across our platforms. The Middle East is becoming a hotbed for Power Slap, and I'm excited to bring it back.'
Khaleej Times
5 hours ago
- Climate
- Khaleej Times
UAE weather tomorrow: Slight decrease in temperatures; fog, mist likely
UAE residents can look forward to a slight decrease in temperatures on Wednesday (July 23), according to National Centre of Meteorology (NCM). The weather department noted that Abu Dhabi's temperature will see a high of 41°C, a slight decrease compared to Tuesday's 45°C. Meanwhile, Dubai will see a high of 39°C compared to Tuesday's 43°C. The weather department noted that it will be humid by night and Thursday morning over some coastal areas with a probability of fog or mist formation. Winds will shift from southeasterly to northwesterly, remaining light to moderate at speeds of 10–25kmph, but could reach up to 40kmph, stirring blowing dust in some areas. Gusts will get freshening at times. The sea will be slight to moderate at times in the Arabian Gulf and slight in Oman Sea.
Khaleej Times
5 hours ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Abu Dhabi inspects illegal partitions, explores affordable housing for residents
Abu Dhabi authorities have stepped up efforts to prevent overcrowded and illegally divided villas, echoing concerns that came to the fore in Dubai last month following a city-wide clampdown on unauthorised accommodations. While routine inspections and stricter enforcement are already in place, the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) says it is also exploring long-term solutions that would make affordable housing more accessible to lower-income residents — including the potential refurbishment of older buildings and the reclassification of existing units for regulated shared use. 'As Abu Dhabi's population continues to grow, ensuring access to affordable, quality housing remains a key priority,' said Mohamed Almaazmi, Advisor at DMT. 'Efforts have been made to introduce a broader mix of housing options that cater to different income segments, including low- and middle-income residents.' Among the government's key initiatives is the Value Housing Programme, which encourages the development of reasonably priced units — from studios to larger apartments, within well-connected communities. The programme is part of the capital's preparation for an expected population increase of more than two million residents by 2040. In recent weeks, increased attention has been paid to unregulated subletting practices that have surfaced in older villas and apartments, particularly in densely populated neighbourhoods. 'Common issues include unauthorised subletting and rental arrangements conducted outside official channels,' Almaazmi said. 'In particular, some accommodations are found to be leased through informal agreements that are not registered within the approved tenancy contract system, Tawtheeq.' The municipality is carrying out regular inspections and has rolled out public awareness campaigns such as 'your home, your responsibility ', urging landlords and tenants alike to formalise all rental agreements. Penalties for non-compliance can include fines and the suspension of access to tenancy registration services. However, Almaazmi noted that the department is 'open to a range of solutions that support varying housing needs beyond new construction alone". This includes the possible reclassification of older properties for legal shared use, provided safety and regulatory standards are met. 'Existing buildings may be eligible for reclassification through established channels,' he said. 'At the same time, opportunities to encourage the refurbishment of older properties are being explored as part of broader actions to expand the availability of affordable housing in a balanced and sustainable manner.' The approach suggests a more flexible stance than what has recently been observed in Dubai, where authorities have issued eviction notices to tenants occupying partitioned villas and other unauthorised conversions. In Abu Dhabi, housing violations are handled on a case-by-case basis. 'While compliance is essential, all cases are handled in a manner consistent with regulations and broader community welfare,' Almaazmi noted. Authorities are also working with private developers to boost investment in affordable housing and worker accommodations, aiming to reduce the need for informal or illegal arrangements. 'The broader objective is to support the development of well-integrated, sustainable communities and encourage more formal, accessible housing solutions over time,' he added.
Khaleej Times
6 hours ago
- Automotive
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Ras Al Khaimah reduces speed limit on Sheikh Mohammed bin Salem Road
Ras Al Khaimah authorities on Tuesday (July 22) announced the implementation of reduced speed limit on Sheikh Mohammed bin Salem (E11). The limit was reduced by 20 kmphh — from 80 kmph to 60 kmph — between Al Jazeera Al Hamra Roundabout and Al Marjan Island Roundabout, in both directions. Ras Al Khaimah Police shared the update on their official X account, stating that the change was made to enhance road safety for all users. This move follows a similar change earlier this year, when authorities in the emirate reduced the speed limit on another stretch of the same road. Effective from January 17, the speed on the section between Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Roundabout (Al Riffa) and Al Marjan Island Roundabout was lowered from 100 kmph to 80 kmph. Additionally, the radar speed limit were adjusted from 121kmph to 101kmph to better enforce the new limit. Meanwhile, speed regulations have also changed in other emirates. In April this year, Abu Dhabi, authorities lifted the minimum speed limit system of 120 kmph on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Road (E311). Previously enforced on the leftmost lanes, this rule carried a Dh400 fine for driving below the speed limit. However, on April 14, motorists noticed that the minimum speed markings had been removed — a move intended to ease the movement of heavy vehicles and reduce driver stress. The maximum speed on E311 remains at 140kmph. Also starting April 14, Abu Dhabi reduced the speed limit on the Abu Dhabi–Sweihan Road (E20) from 120kmph to 100kmph. On the same day, a 20 kmph reduction was implemented on the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed International Road (E11), bringing the limit down from 160 kmph to 140kmph.
