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UAE sends medics to Pakistan to evacuate girl shot by Taliban

15 Oct 2012 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}      

The United Arab Emirates has dispatched a medical team to evacuate a Pakistani schoolgirl shot by the Taliban if doctors decide she should be taken abroad for treatment, a UAE news agency reported on Sunday.

The WAM state news agency said the team would evaluate the condition of education campaigner Malala Yousufzai and facilitate her transfer to a hospital outside Pakistan.

Fourteen-year-old Yousufzai was leaving school in her hometown in the Swat Valley in northwest Pakistan when she was shot in the head and neck by the Taliban for speaking out against the militants and promoting education for girls.

A spokesman for the Pakistani embassy in the UAE told Reuters the UAE had sent an air ambulance to Pakistan, but a decision on whether she would be transferred out of the country had not been taken.

Yousufzai, whose shooting has drawn condemnation from world leaders, was being treated at a military hospital in Rawalpindi.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Said the attack must be "universally denounced."

"The attempt on Malala's life was not only an attack on a defenseless child, it was an attack on her and every girl's right to a future unlimited by prejudice and oppression," he said, according to WAM. "We must all stand with Malala in promoting tolerance and respect."

The shooting has outraged people in Pakistan, a country seemingly inured to extreme violence since a surge in Islamist militancy began after the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States.

(Reporting by Mahmoud Habboush and Praveen Menon; Editing by Rosalind Russell) from Earl’s Regency walked away as the winner of the recently concluded Absolute Bartender Challenge 2012. The competition organized by Periceyl (Pvt) Ltd in collaboration with the Kandy Hoteliers took place in the hill capital recently. The “Absolut Stinger” created by Arjuna bagged him the first place in the competition.

Arjuna Rathnayake who hails from Galagedara commenced his career at Earl’s Regency as a trainee waiter. Motivated by his passion and talent Rathnayake climbed up the ranks and was soon promoted to barman. In his new position the talented Rathnayake excelled in the competition arena where he went on to win a Gold and Bronze Medal at the Chefs Guild Culinary Art 2010.

“We are extremely proud to have in our team, talented members such as Arjuna. We take great pride in our staff and continuously encourage them to participate in competition in order to nurture their inherent skills. Seeing them excel motivates us and encourages the rest of the team to follow their dreams”, said Neroy Marso, General Manager, Earl’s Regency, Kandy.

Nested in the historical hill capital of Sri Lanka, Earl’s Regency is recognized as the premium five star property in Kandy. The Hotel owned by Sumiko Lanka Hotels is managed by Aitken Spence Hotels, a subsidiary of Aitken Spence.

(Source : Reuters)