General
Some previously blocked web sites now accessible
Some previously blocked web sites now accessible
By Asma Ali Zain KHALEEJ TIMES 21 August 2008
DUBAI – As the deadline to unblock 1,000 Internet sites in the country nears, some previously blocked medical sites are now accessible.
However, industry sources say that a majority of the popular social networking sites are likely to remain blocked. Earlier this month, the UAE Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) announced that web service providers, Etisalat and du, would be asked to unblock 1,000 sites by August 29 under its new ‘Internet Access Management Policy’. The service providers, on the other hand, claimed they had not been officially notified by the TRA in the matter.
A TRA official said the authority was unable to provide the list, but an investigation carried out by Khaleej Times showed that certain networking and medical sites that were previously blocked, were now accessible.
Industry insiders said that, in fact, there was no particular list of the 1,000 web sites to be unblocked, but categories to be opened up include some social networking sites, Internet forums and medical sites.
“Even after the decision is implemented, not much is expected to change because the initial Internet policy is not changing. Web sites that are against the UAE’s Internet censorship policy will remain blocked and they may include social networking channels,” said the official.
The decision means that 25 per cent of the currently blocked sites would, henceforth, be accessible, the official pointed out. He, however, was unable to clarify how many sites were currently blocked by the TRA.
Networking sites such as Orkut and Flickr are considered ‘dating’ sites, and therefore, fall under the TRA’s Internet censorship policy. Certain sites are blocked because they are against the country’s religious, social and moral values. But some medical and religious sites were previously blocked in error by a filtering software triggered due to a series of keywords such as sex, terrorism etc.
The sites currently accessible are: Hi5, StumbleUpon, MySpace. Friendster.
The temporary blockage of FaceBook and YouTube last year had sparked an outrage among the Internet community.
The previously banned medical sites such as sexualhealth.com and circumcision.com too, are now accessible.
The news that sites such as Orkut will continue to be blocked, has dashed hopes of majority of youngsters for whom socializing through the electronic network is the ‘coolest’ way.
Water taxis to relieve Dubai jams
Water taxis to relieve Dubai jams
Greg Aris THE NATIONAL Last Updated: August 03. 2008 10:37
A new fleet of water taxis will ferry commuters and tourists around Dubai from the middle of next year – bringing some much-needed relief to motorists stuck in traffic jams across the city.As part of the Roads and Traffic Authority’s plans to break the gridlock on the city’s roads, 20 water taxi stations and 10 new water taxis are scheduled to be up and running by the middle of next year.
Dubai Marina will have four stations with other drop-off points at the Jebel Ali Golf Resort, Habtoor Grand, Royal Meridian and Jumeirah Hilton Hotels. Improvement work to some existing stations, such as Bur Dubai and Old Deira Souk Station, will also be carried out.The modern, air-conditioned boats will be more expensive rivals to the city’s traditional abras.“Twenty locations have been approved for establishing water taxi stations during the initial phase of the project, which will contribute to alleviating traffic congestion in Dubai,” said Khaled Mohammed al Zahed, the acting chief executive of RTA’s marine agency.
“The project will be specifically important following the completion of giant maritime projects such as the Palm Deira, Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali, and The World.”The taxis, which can be booked only by phone, will carry up to 11 passengers and will be available for hire for tourists trips along the creek, Mr Zahed said.“In the initial stage, 10 boats, costing Dh30 million (US$8.1m), will operate as water taxis,” he said. “The project also covers Al Khor lines, the Coastal Line running along Jumeirah coast to serve tourists in the emirate, and the line linking downtown Dubai with the Palms projects and The World.”
The number of passengers crossing the creek by water has increased by 10 per cent since last year. The RTA’s marine agency is promoting water taxis – along with Dubai Creek’s abras and water buses – as a cheap, efficient mode of transport to cut traffic. Abras carried more than 7.5 million passengers in the first three months of this year, a 10 per cent rise from the corresponding period the year before. The boats, which cost Dh1 per trip, shuttle passengers between Deira Old Souq Station and Bur Dubai Station, and Dubai Old Souk Station and Al Sabkha Station.
Motorists to get meals on road during Ramadan
Motorists to get meals on road during Ramadan
Haneen Last Updated: August 18. 2008 THE NATIONAL
Red Crescent will distribute fast-food meals on roads leading from Abu Dhabi to Al Ain, Dubai and Al Sela before sunset during Ramadan.The initiative is part of the charity’s food distribution project Hefth al Neama (saving food). The project manager, Sultan al Shehhi, said about 1,500 meals would be distributed from bases on the side of roads near petrol stations.
“We’ve co-ordinated with a number of foodstuff companies and hotels,” he said. “Mainly the meals will be light, for motorists to break their fast while travelling long distances.”Hefth al Neama has been operating since 2004 under the patronage of Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan, the assistant to the chief of the Women’s Affairs Authority, and aims to limit the amount of food wasted at big celebrations and events.
“There are a lot of weddings in the UAE where food is served in big amounts,” said Mr Shehhi. “Therefore, the food that is left untouched and in good condition is packed and distributed to needy families, orphans and labour camps. We aim to spread awareness among society that food is a blessing and should not be put to waste.”The secretary general of Red Crescent, Dr Saleh al Taei, said 88,870 meals donated by restaurants, hotels and benefactors had been given to the needy in the past year. Beneficiaries included 1,600 labourers and 700 families.
“We also co-ordinate with school catering companies to give away sandwiches that are left over. Sometimes, there are up to 1,500 sandwiches left, so at noon we give them out to workers; each get two sandwiches and juice.”Mr Shehhi said the food was given out on a day-to-day basis before its expiry date.“We are also co-ordinating with Abu Dhabi Inspection Control to inform us about foodstuff left over in food companies two months before its expiry date, so we can distribute it to those in need before the companies destroy it,” he said.”
He added that Red Crescent hoped to extend the project across the UAE.
Jet Airways starts daily flights to Mumbai and New Delhi from Dubai
Jet Airways starts daily flights to Mumbai and New Delhi from Dubai
By Jose Franco By a staff reporter – KHALEEJ TIMES 18 August 2008
DUBAI – Jet Airways will start daily flights from Dubai to Mumbai and New Delhi on Saturday, as the Indian airline has embarked on a major expansion plan that includes Dh13.59 billion ($3.7 billion) worth of investment in new aircraft.
The company’s chairman, Naresh Goyal, on Sunday said Dubai is Jet Airways’ second destination in the UAE after Abu Dhabi and the sixth in its Gulf network.
‘Dubai is extremely important to us, and we don’t want to be left out,’ he said in a media briefing.
He added that flights to Saudi Arabia would also begin in October, the same month that his company is to realise a partnership agreement with Emirates Airline to have a bigger market share of the regional market.
Jet Airways has also begun operations on the India-Gulf routes to Kuwait, Bahrain, Doha and Muscat. It also plans to its Brussels hub to connect more cities in India such as Bangalore, Ahmadabad, Chennai and Hyderabad to North America, particularly Los Angeles, Chicago and Vancouver.
In a statement early this month, Goyal announced the deliveries for the first of the 20-wide body aircraft in July. Valued at Dh7.71 billion ($2.1 billion), the order is composed of 10 Boeing B777-300ER and 10 Airbus A330-200.
Jet Airways also holds options for additional aircraft from both companies, and has recently signed a purchase agreement for 10 Boeing B787 Dreamliner aircraft with deliveries starting 2011 and valued at Dh5.88 billion ($1.6 billion).
‘In all, Jet Airways will invest $3.7 billion in new aircraft pursuing an aggressive growth strategy,’ the statement said.
Gaurang Shetty, the company’s senior vice-president for alliance and interline distribution, said higher revenues are expected due to massive growth and expansion programme. Last year’s turnover reached Dh7.86 billion ($2.14 billion).
He said the airline management has two airways including the budget carrier LetLite, which Jet Airways bought last year, bringing to 109 its current number of aircraft offering 526 flights daily to customers.
Three types of health policies announced by Dubai for visit visa seekers to the UAE
Three types of health policies announced by Dubai for visit visa seekers to the UAE By Anjana Sankar, Senior Reporter GULF NEWS Published: August 12, 2008, 11:32
Dubai: The Department of Naturalisation and Residency in Dubai (DNRD) has announced a mechanism to offer mandatory health insurance coverage to visitors, ending speculations among insurance providers, tour operators and residents regarding the new system.
Ministerial decision number 322 for the year 2008 makes health insurance mandatory to obtain any type of visit visa to the UAE. The new rule came into effect from July 29.
Brigadier Obaid Bin Surour, Acting Director of DNRD, announced yesterday that the department has concluded an agreement with two insurance companies; Oman and Aman to issue health insurance policies for visitors to Dubai with a minimum coverage of Dh150,000 per person per visit.
As per the agreement, the two insurance companies will offer three different types of health policies according to the visit periods. Prices start from Dh40 for short-term visas valid for 30 days; Dh90 for visas valid for 90 days; and Dh185 for multiple entry visas valid for 180 days. Bin Surour explained that these policies will cover accidents and emergencies during the visitor’s stay in the country.
The agreement implied that the beneficiary will receive treatment in a shared hospital room in case of emergencies. It indicated that the two companies will cover 100 per cent of services to be offered to the patient through a network covered by insurance companies in the country.
The agreement also obligates the insurance company to return the body of the insured person to his country in case of death, paying up to Dh7,000 of the costs incurred.
Bin Surour added that the agreement does not cover medical treatment outside the health services providers’ network, except in the case of emergency life threatening cases.
The policy also does not cover chronic illnesses and it will include treatment of serious complications of already existing chronic illnesses in the emergency room only. It also does not cover pregnancy, delivery and ophthalmology or dental treatment.
Health insurance policies for visitors can be obtained from special counters to be set up at the Dubai Naturalisation and Residency’s headquarters in Bur Dubai, and other branches in Abu Hail, the Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai Airport, DNATA office on Shaikh Zayed Road, Umm Suqeim, Jebel Ali and Bin Souqat Centre in Rashidiya.
Electronic link
Bin Surour added that the system will be linked electronically with the DNRD main electronic online services soon.
When asked why the two companies were selected by the department, Bin Surour said, “The department received a number of proposals from several companies and appointed the companies that offered the most suitable offers and quality of services in order to streamline the procedures for all visitors and ensure a comfortable stay in the country.”
However, he added that health coverage policies issued by other companies will also be accepted provided they meet the same criteria including the minimum limit of Dh150,000 and the types of services offered like emergencies and repatriation of bodies.
Meanwhile, visitors who are already covered under a international insurance policy need not take local coverage. Likewise, companies and tour operators that bring in visitors should arrange for health insurance policies for their guests.
Meanwhile, National Health Insurance Company (Daman) has announced it will offer three schemes valid for 30, 60 and 90 days at premiums of Dh40, Dh70 and Dh90 respectively.
This covers emergency medical treatment at Daman’s UAE network, with the upper limit being Dh100,000 per person. The coverage would exclude out-patient consultations and services such as dental care and child delivery.
By Shakir Husain Staff Reporter
Dubai Insurance companies said yesterday they are well-prepared to offer health coverage to foreign visitors but want official guidelines on the subject in order to better design their policies.
They welcomed the introduction of compulsory travel health insurance requirement for people entering the country.
Good system
“We think it is a good system because the country relies a lot on tourism. We have visitors [annually] more than the population of the country, so it is also good for insurance companies,” said Saleh Bin Rashid Al Daheri, vice-chairman of Emirates Insurance Association, an industry group representing 50 insurers.
The UAE receives about 10 million tourists a year and their numbers are growing with the rapid expansion in local tourism infrastructure.
He said most insurance companies have the necessary experience in providing medical coverage and would be able to deliver products to visitors as required by the new visit visa regulation.
Al Daheri, who is a board member of Al Dhafra Insurance Company, however regretted that the industry was not consulted before the government introduced the scheme.
This led to some confusion in the market about financial limit of the coverage, premiums and legal requirements.
“We are hoping that the authorities concerned will issue guidelines to all insurance companies in this regard soon,” said Mustafa Vazayil, secretary-general of the Insurance Business Group under the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Vazayil, who is also managing director of Gargash Insurance, said the local insurance was already providing medial and travel coverage to outbound travellers.
Rules: Dh1,000 deposit
* Tourist visas can only be applied for by a licensed hotel or a tourism agency.
* Residents can apply for a visa for their spouse or blood relative.
* Expatriates are no longer be allowed to sponsor friends, and all visitors should have a health insurance cover.
* People applying for any visa will have to pay a refundable deposit of Dh1,000.
* Medical treatment visas can only be applied through licensed hospitals and clinics.
* Education visas can only be applied by a licensed educational institution.
* Exhibition and conference visas can only be applied for by the organisers.
* Visitors have to go back to their home country to renew the visit visa.
Abu Dhabi and Dubai pass on Sharjah visa rule
Abu Dhabi and Dubai pass on Sharjah visa rule
By Anjana Sankar, Senior Reporter GULF NEWS Published: August 11, 2008, 23:23
Dubai: Dubai and Abu Dhabi will not follow suit with Sharjah to make tenancy contracts a pre-requisite to get residency permits for families, officials have confirmed.
Brigadier Obaid Bin Surour, Acting Director of Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department said there is no need to submit tenancy contracts while applying for family visas in Dubai.
“We are getting queries from people. But we are not introducing any changes to the existing rule. There is no need to state where you are staying while applying for a visa,” said Bin Surour.
An official at the Ministry of Interior confirmed that Abu Dhabi will not be introducing the regulation either.
Sharjah introduced the new regulation beginning this month according to which applicants of family visa should produce attested copies of tenancy contracts in their own names of in a close relative’s name.
The move is to curb the practice of illegal shared accommodation and to ensure that only those who can afford to house their families in decent accommodations are given the residency permits.
Lieutenant Colonel Salim Ali Mazaini, Head of visa section at the Sharjah Naturalisation and Residency Department clarified that those who are residing outside the emirate can provide tenancy contracts from the respective emirate they are staying.
Those living in company accommodations can also submit tenancy contracts in their employer’s name.
Three types of health policies announced by Dubai for visit visa seekers to the UAE
Three types of health policies announced by Dubai for visit visa seekers to the UAE
By Anjana Sankar, Senior Reporter GULF NEWS Published: August 12, 2008, 11:32
Dubai: Oman and Aman insurance companies have been selected by Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department to provide health insurance to visit visa seekers, it was announced at a meeting on Tuesday.
The UAE government revamped visa requirements, which came into effect on July 29, 2008.
Under the new regulations, visitors to the UAE are required to purchase health coverage as a condition of obtaining visit visas.
The department on Tuesday announced three types of health policies: Dh40 for a short-term visa of 30 days, Dh90 for 90 days, and Dh180 for multiple-entry visa valid for 185 days.
Residents of 34 countries, mainly those from Europe and North America, are exempt from this health insurance rule.
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