General
National Anthem competition
National Anthem competition
Monday August 11 2008 02:34 IST Express News Service KOCHI
KOCHI: AS the part of the Independence day celebrations, Chavara Cultural Centre is conducting separate competitions on National Anthem and patriotic songs.
The programme will be held at the Chavara Cultural Centre Hall on August 15, from 10 a.m. The students standard I to XII are eligible to take part in competition and more than one team from a school is allowed. A minimum of seven members in a team is mandatory and musical instruments are not permitted.
Those who wish to participate have to register their names on or before August 14 with the authorised letters from the school, said Chavara Cultural Centre Director Father Roby Kannanchira in a press release. For more details contact: 0484-4070250 or 0484-2377443.
Iconic Abu Dhabi landmark gets touch of colour
Iconic Abu Dhabi landmark gets touch of colour
By Marten Youssef, Staff Reporter GULF NEWS Published: August 10, 2008
Abu Dhabi: For the past decade the iconic painting of the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan has been a landmark in Abu Dhabi, located on the corniche at the corner of Emirates Palace.
The painting portrays the side of Shaikh Zayed that earned him respect: humble, traditional, authoritative and loyal. This larger than life 35-metre display towers over the city of Abu Dhabi.
Its painter, Liaqat Ali Khan, was a long-time resident of Abu Dhabi and this was his masterpiece and his personal legacy to a country that has transformed his life.
As Khan turned 60, he bid Abu Dhabi farewell and ventured back to his native Pakistan in April.
Having painted 1,060 portraits of the UAE’s prinicipal founder, Khan put his brushes away and said an an emotional goodbye.
But as the sun beat down on the decade-old painting with its fading colours and chipped paint, Abu Dhabi started calling back its artist for a final touch-up of his masterpiece.
Happy
Khan could not resist the offer to come back.
“I was so happy when I got a phone call from Abu Dhabi Municipality and immediately said yes. I didn’t even think about it.”
Since July 29, Khan has been sitting on a plastic chair overlooking the painting directing two men on a crane.
“This is much harder than when I first painted this. In 1997 I painted this in a warehouse and I had 12 workers,” he says.
For the past week, Khan has been spending 12 hours a day redoing the painting.
“We took all the paint off and then repainted everything,” Khan says, while holding a large poster of the original photograph of Shaikh Zayed that inspired the painting. “This will probably be good for at least five more years and then the paint will be affected by the humidity and heat again, but I would love to come back again in five years,” he laughs.
His reputation preceded him to Pakistan and he has become a much celebrated artist in his hometown.
Asked why he loves this picture so much, Khan answers without a pause. “It reflects who Shaikh Zayed was, his smile was from his heart.”
$1m for 7 nights at Emirates Palace
(By a staff reporter KHALEEJ TIMES) 6 August 2008
ABU DHABI – The Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi is offering a $1 million (Dh3.67 million) week-long holiday package, which it says is the most expensive in the world.
The package will include first-class air tickets, chauffeur-driven limousines and daily spa treatments in one of the most luxurious surroundings, and even a day trip to Iran to weave carpets if the guest so desires. ‘The package covers first class trip from any destination serviced by Etihad Airways to Abu Dhabi,’ said Janet Abrahams, the hotel’s director of sales and marketing.
She said chauffeur-driven Maybach will be at your disposal daily during your stay in Abu Dhabi, and daily spa treatment in the Anantara Spa’ said Janet Abrahams, the hotel’s director of sales and marketing.
Hans Olbertz, the hotel’s general manager, said the premier property was seeking to establish Abu Dhabi as a world-class favourite destination for vacationing by offering the seven-night stay in a 680 sq-m palace suite.
He said part of the money collected through the package would be donated to social and charitable organisations in the UAE. The hotel is attempting to get a slot in the Guinness Book of World Records.
‘The offer is tailor-made as per the guests’ requirements. As an example, we can include day trips by private jet to Iran to create your own hand-made Persian carpet from the most exclusive and well-renowned maker, to Dead Sea in Jordan to experience the famous sea and the afternoon Anantara Spa treatment in the Kempinski Hotel Ishtar, to Bahrain for a deep sea pearl diving experience. Your pearl will then be set in unique hand-designed jewellery. And, throughout your excursions, your Emirates Palace butler will be there to guide and assist you,’ Abrahams said.
She added that the guests can enjoy a royal golf experience at Abu Dhabi Golf Club and make their own individual perfume with experts from YAS Perfumes.
The other features include a deep sea fishing trip, sunset and desert island tour, gifts including Emirates Palace gold champagne, the rarest pearls in the world from Robert Wang, and a selection from Holland Sporting Guns.
You Too can Make a Difference
You Too can Make a Difference
Dear Friends,
Many of us are regulars to may web forums and e-portals and often spend a lot of time on it from office and home. While watching the late night Middle East news of Amrita TV yesterday, I happened to notice the story of a lady seeking assistance for medical help. A little bit of extra search lead me to this link on the Amrita TV main site which is highlighting on a regular basis about those deserving cases they telecast
http://www.amritatv.com/helpline/
I thought of adding it here, in case you didn’t notice it. Even if you have noticed it, I feel, it will be an extra highlighting of this worthy cause and may someone from you feel it right to extend a helping hand.
Starting with the two cases already listed there:
Case: Reeja
Amrita News has telecast the tragedy of Reeja, daughter of Rajalekshmi, Ottappalam,Palakkad, who is suffering from pancreatic disorder. She needs to be treated immediately and the growth inside the gland has to be removed as per expert opinion. Reeja, a student of Thrikkettiri PTM High School, is finding it extremely difficult to pursue her studies due to this pathological disorder. You can give her a helping hand by sending in contributions as DD/Cheque drawn in favour of Rajalekshmi, A/C No.2089, SBI, Thrikkadeeri and send it to-
Chief Executive Editor
Amrita News
Amrita TV
Gandhi Nagar
Vazhuthacaud
Trivandrum 695014
Case: Bhuvana
Amrita News carried the tragic plight of a nine year old child Bhuvana from Kannur, who is fighting with death at the Regional Cancer Centre, Trivandrum. She has been diagnosed with Blood Cancer and is undergoing treatment at RCC. Her father is no more and her mother is finding it extremely difficult to manage the situation. Total cost of the treatment is expected to be more than Rs 2.5 Lakhs. You can make a difference to her life by sending in contributions as DD/Cheque drawn in favour of A/C No.67045882028, SBT Town Branch, Thalap, Kannur and send it to-
Chief Executive Editor
Amrita News
Amrita TV
Gandhi Nagar
Vazhuthacaud
Trivandrum 695014
UAE to impose Dh20,000 fine for animal cruelty
UAE to impose Dh20,000 fine for animal cruelty
By Emmanuelle Landais, Staff Reporter Published: August 03, 2008, 00:09
Dubai: Penalties for mistreating animals in the UAE will range from Dh5,000 to Dh20,000 once an animal welfare law is introduced, Gulf News has learnt.
An initial draft of the law which was under review last year has been approved by the Ministry of Environment and Water and will be passed this month, said a veterinarian source who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Gulf News acquired a copy of the draft law which states that owners and keepers of animals shall take all reasonable steps to ensure the welfare of animals and that they are not caused any unnecessary pain, suffering or injury.
Animals must be given protection from the weather and predators and be fed a wholesome diet appropriate for their age and species, and receive a continuous supply of fresh drinking water each day, the law says.
The law is similar to European laws and is very positive for the UAE, he said.
“There are cases of people burning chickens alive to death here. There are many important welfare issues to be addressed,” he added.
Penalties for mistreatment of animals will range from Dh5,000 to Dh20,000 and prison terms.
Gulf News acquired a copy of the draft law which states that owners and keepers of animals shall take all reasonable steps to ensure the welfare of animals under their care; and to ensure that the animals are not caused any unnecessary pain, suffering or injury.
Wholesome diet
Concerning impounded animals, the law states they will only be returned after recuperation on condition the owner’s negligence will not recur. It states no person shall set free or abandon any animal whose survival normally depends upon human care. In the case of a desire to abandon an animal it must be handed over to the competent or specified authorities.
Animals must be given protection from the weather and predators and be fed a wholesome diet appropriate for their age and species, and receive a continuous supply of fresh drinking water each day.
The law prohibits the sexual abuse of animals and ill-treatment, such as lashing, as well as the sale or trafficking of any diseased or injured animals.
According to a ministry source a committee is now being formed for the application of the federal law on animal welfare.
Jobs are being created to involve the public sector and bring different bodies together.
Residents will also have to be made aware of the law and it may come as a surprise to some, said the ministry source.
“Some people really don’t know that this can exist and will exist. The law has penalties and any cases will and can be taken to the police. A lot of animal lovers have written to the ministry and we have received many letters about animal cruelty,” he said.
The federal law also prohibits the use of animals for scientific purposes without permission from competent or specified authorities.
A marine mammal guide will also be prepared.
The law: Access to water vital
It is prohibited to organise general exhibitions, competitions, wrestling of animals or birds or animal shows for commercial purposes (article 13).
Whoever molests an animal shall be jailed for a period of not less than one month and fined personally a minimum of Dh5,000 (article 17).
Animals should always be able to have access to good water sources (article 8).
The animal’s owner is forbidden to release any animal under his care, whether healthy or sick (article 4).
Watch out, radar guns point at you
Watch out, radar guns point at you
By Amira Agarib 3 August 2008
DUBAI – The Dubai Police are going all out to nab motorists who ignore speed limits. There would be 513 fixed radars and 30 mobile radars monitoring Dubai roads by the end of this year, said Brigadier Mohammed Saif Al Zafin, Director of the General Department of Traffic.
Al Zafin told Khaleej Times recently that the police are going to introduce 14 more mobile radar guns very soon.
The new radar guns would help police catch the ‘arrogant’ drivers who don’t comply with the speed limits.
According to the latest statistics, the radars had recorded 1,182,000 of the 1,872,000 speed violations during the first 11 months of 2007. The statistics for December 2007 are not available.
The installation of radars and cameras on the roads, on the directions of Lt-Gen Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, aims at discouraging motorists from speeding and reducing the number of fatalities and losses in terms of money and property. Al Zafin said the Traffic Department would also install 64 speed radar cameras at a number of intersections. The total number of installed cameras would reach 158 by the end of the current year. Al Zafin pointed out that the traffic department has installed 174 speed radars so far this year, including 84 at traffic signals, 14 on road shoulders and 15 mobile radars.
He said the recent statistics show a drop in jumping of traffic signals due to the installation of the cameras at intersections and signals. They also show that the number of fatal accidents has dropped during the first half of the current year compared to the corresponding period in 2007.
He said that the Traffic Department has identified specific areas that need intensive radar monitoring. On the basis of this, the department installed 241 fixed and mobile radars on Emirates Road and Al Garhoud and Business Bay Crossing in addition to another 15 mobile radars on various roads in 2007.
(The radar gun is a small doppler radar used to detect the speed of objects at which it is pointed. The radar guns could be hand-held, mounted on vehicles or mobile.
The hand-held units are mostly battery-powered and are used as a stationary speed limit enforcement tool. The stationary radar is mounted on police vehicles and may have one or two antennae.
Moving radar guns are used when the police vehicle is in motion. These devices are very sophisticated — able to track vehicles approaching and moving away from the patrol vehicle. They can also track the fastest vehicle in the selected radar beam, in front or on the rear side.)
amira@khaleejtimes.com
New visa rules: the facts
New visa rules: the facts
Last Updated: July 29. 2008 12:18AM UAE / GMT from THE NATIONAL
Exempted countries
Citizens of 33 countries are exempted from any visa fees, no matter what the purpose of their trip, and will be granted an entry visa free of charge at airports, seaports and border crossings. Such visas are valid for one month and can be renewed for another month for Dh500. Those wishing to stay more than two months can apply for a long-term visit visa, which is good for three months. These are issued by the Ministry of Interior and UAE embassies and consulates. Nationals of exempted countries are not required to pay deposits or have health insurance.
These countries are: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the United States and Vatican City.
Tourist Visas
The tourist visa is initially issued for one month for Dh100. It can be renewed for another month for Dh500. Nationals of all countries are eligible to apply for tourist visas. The visas are issued directly by travel agencies and companies involved in the tourism industry such as hotels.
Expatriates
Expatriates living in GCC countries can obtain a one-month entry visa for Dh100. The visa can be renewed for a second month for Dh500.
Deposit and Insurance
Financial deposits and health insurance are prerequisites for obtaining any of the 16 types of visas to gain entry into the UAE, including tourist visas, except for citizens of the exempted countries.
Visit visas
There are two types of visit visas. Short-term ones, issued for one month, are non-renewable and cost Dh500. Long-term ones, issued for three months, are also non-renewable and cost Dh1,000. The new law allows residents to sponsor their spouses and direct relatives. Distant relatives can only be sponsored after obtaining approval from the Ministry of Interior’s under secretary. Only Emiratis are permitted to sponsor friends. A visit visa does not permit visitors to work in the country. If a person happens to find a job while visiting, they should fly to their home country before entering on a work permit, which the employer should secure. Officials say they will not grant visit visas to those who reapply for one immediately after leaving. The same applies for other types of visas.
mhabboush@thenational.ae
New visa system launched
New visa system launched
The National Staff
Last Updated: July 29. 2008 11:18PM UAE / July 29. 2008 ABU DHABI/DUBAI // The new visa system was inconsistently applied on day one, with some officials saying they did not have key information about the new rules.
The changes, which mainly affect non-exempt people from countries such as India, Pakistan, the Philippines and Russia, came into effect yesterday, but staff at Abu Dhabi International Airport and a major embassy said they had not received official notification of the new regulations, and were still working under the old rules. At Dubai International Airport officials said the rules were applied, although some requirements – such as compulsory health insurance – were waived because the necessary infrastructure was not in place.
People entering the UAE now must apply for a tourist visa, through a registered tourist company or hotel, a visit visa sponsored by a direct relative living in the UAE, or one of 14 other visa types, such as a conference or a medical visit visa.
Anyone wanting to work in the UAE needs a work permit sponsored by an employer. The regulations also require people to leave the country when any existing visa expires, and those seeking to re-enter immediately are unlikely to be granted another visitor visa.
The rules, from which 33 nations are exempted, are intended to give officials better information about people entering the country, including the specific reason they are here. A Ministry of Interior official said immigration departments had implemented the new system nationwide. “It has been applied across the board,” he said.
However, officials at centres affected by the changes such as embassies and airports said they had been unable to implement the new rules fully.
It was “business as usual” at Abu Dhabi airport, said an airline official who did not wish to be named because he was not authorised to comment. Airline staff, responsible for checking the validity of passengers’ visas before they board a plane, were not given clear instructions about the visa changes. The official said no one at the airport knew what the new policies were or whether immigration or airport staff should be collecting fees for tourist visas.
He also questioned whether immigration staff had installed the infrastructure for the changes.
“Whilst these proposed changes are well-intentioned, the way they have been communicated to date could certainly have been better. There appears to be an information vacuum regarding exactly when the changes come into force and, critically, what airport processes are being put in place to make them run smoothly,” he said.
“Clarification is urgently required on these matters so that the airport authorities and airlines can best advise passengers of how these changes will affect them.”
All passport systems at Dubai Residency and Naturalisation Department (DRND) border points were shut down for 10 minutes for the system changeover at 11.50pm on Monday.
Brig Obaid bin Suroor, the acting director of the DRND, said: “We supervised the transition at the Dubai International Airport departure and arrival passport control counters to ensure the switch was completed smoothly. The systems were switched off at exactly 11.50pm and restarted at 12.00am to handle the large number of passengers on both sides.”
According to the DRND, the main offices and centres also had a smooth transition to the new visa regime. “There were no issues to mention. We continue our campaign to raise awareness amongst the public and offer an overview of the requirements to our key strategic partners about the new amendments and the list of visas and prerequisites.”
The DRND assigned 44 extra IT staff to supervise and follow the transition process of the new system. Brig Suroor also formed a team of senior officers to answer queries from individuals, corporations and public relations officers about the new visa regulations.
The Indian Embassy said yesterday it had not received any official letter from the immigration office about the new visa rules. A spokesman said the only information it had was from media reports.
Travellers said they were largely unaffected by the changes and many passed through immigration on visas arranged under the old system. But some said they were concerned about the impact when the rules were fully implemented.
Tarik Shehzad, who was waiting with his family at the entrance to Abu Dhabi airport, said: “I haven’t a clue what is changing or what is going on.”
Another visitor, Mr Jai from India, said: “I came on a tourist visa expecting lots of problems but I walked through with no problems, which surprised me. My uncle applied for me a few weeks ago, so it was all organised for my arrival.”
A man representing a Jebel Ali-based electrical company who was waiting for 90 men to start work for the company in the free zone said there had been no difficulties getting them into the country.
“About half of them are out already,” he said outside the arrivals gate. “None of them have said anything about problems passing through. Our company’s HR department organised all their work visas. There are no problems if the paper work is in order.”
It was calm at the Al Hili border crossing between Al Ain and Buraimi in Oman. Hundreds of people made visa runs across the border before today, according to a hotel operator in the area.
“Daily, I normally have around 150 guests in the hotel, staying to change their [UAE] visas,” said Jamal al Safar, the manager of the Al Salam Hotel in Buraimi. “But, in the last few days, I have had around 250 people trying to change their visas before [yesterday].”
newsdesk@thenational.ae
Khaleej Times plans relaunch
Khaleej Times plans relaunch
Bradley Hope for THE NATIONAL Last Updated: July 26. 2008 8:03PM UAE
ABU DHABI // Khaleej Times, a 30-year-old English-language newspaper based in Dubai, is preparing for a major relaunch at the end of August to compete in the region’s rapidly expanding media market.
Sources familiar with the newspaper report that earlier this month the board appointed Rahul Sharma, formerly the Delhi editor of Hindustan Times, as editor and Didier Brun, the former senior vice president of strategy and development at the International Herald Tribune (IHT), as the chief executive. Both declined to comment for this article.
The relaunch of Khaleej Times would come less than six months after the launch of The National, which is printed six days a week by Abu Dhabi Media Company.
Earlier this year Arab Media Group, based in Dubai, relaunched a daily newspaper as a business publication, Emirates Business 24/7.
And the Financial Times recently began publishing a Middle East edition, with increased coverage of the GCC countries. Gulf News, which was established the same year as Khaleej Times, 1978, is also a long-standing English-language publication.
“For years Gulf News and Khaleej Times were the established, must-read papers here,” said Austyn Allison, the managing editor of Communicate magazine. “Now there’s this new competition from The National and other publications. Newspapers are having to change.”
To meet the challenge Khaleej Times has been drawing on resources from abroad. For instance, the paper’s layout is being redesigned by Paula Scher, a partner at Pentagram Design in New York, who has done work for The New York Times Magazine.
Mr Sharma, the new editor, has been given an open-ended budget for hiring reporters and editors from around the world, according to sources familiar with the newspaper.
In early May Khaleej Times announced it had formed a strategic alliance with IHT to print and distribute its newspaper in the UAE. The companies said at the time that further publishing arrangements, including running the IHT as an insert in some editions of Khaleej Times, were potentially on the horizon.
IHT has relationships with nine English-language newspapers around the world in which the local affiliate runs a daily edition of the newspaper as an insert, according to the company’s website.
Achilles Tsaltas, the vice president of circulation and development at the IHT, said that his company had signed the agreement with Khaleej Times in the belief that the newspaper would undergo major changes.
“We are investing in the thinking of Khaleej Times – they are very committed to changing their game,” he said. “They want to emulate The New York Times’s editorial credibility. We’re confident that is where they are heading.”
The Government of Dubai has a considerable stake in Khaleej Times and was pressuring its board members to improve the newspaper, the sources said.
Two years ago the Investment Corporation of Dubai, an investment group owned by the Dubai Government, acquired a 30 per cent share of Galadari Brothers, the parent company of Khaleej Times.
The chairman of the newspaper division is Adel al Shirawi, who is the vice chairman of Istithmar World – an investment group owned by the Dubai Government.
Five of the seven boardmembers are employees of companies wholly owned by either Dubai Holdings – a private company of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai – or the Investment Corporation of Dubai.
bhope@thenational.ae
Abu Dhabi and Dubai among world’s most pricey cities
Abu Dhabi and Dubai among world’s most pricey cities
Vivian Salama THE NATIONAL Last Updated: July 26. 2008 8:26PM UAE
ABU DHABI // Abu Dhabi and Dubai remain among the world’s most expensive cities, though at a lower ranking than last year, a new cost-of-living survey has revealed.
This year Dubai ranks as the 52nd most expensive city, down from 32nd place last year, while the capital is number 62, down from 45th, according to Mercer, the international human resources company that conducts the annual survey. The cities rank second and third in the Middle East respectively, behind Tel Aviv, which ranked 14th. Conversely, a number of European cities have risen in the ranks and dominate the top of the list.
Yvonne Traber, a principal and research manager at Mercer, attributed much of the change to exchange rate fluctuations. “Current market conditions have led to the further weakening of the US dollar which, coupled with the strengthening of the Euro and many other currencies, has caused significant changes in this year’s rankings,” she said.
The survey, covering 143 cities in six continents, is designed to help multinational companies and governments determine compensation allowances for their expatriate employees. It charts the cost of more than 200 everyday items, from clothing and footwear, to groceries, personal care needs, transport costs and dining out, as well as the cost of renting a high quality two-bedroom furnished flat.
The cost of living in many European cities has grown more rapidly than in Abu Dhabi and Dubai because, in addition to inflation, the cost of goods is denominated in euros, which have strengthened against the dollar.
On the other hand, soaring oil prices and the rapid growth of GCC economies has fuelled inflation in the Middle East this year at a faster rate than in Europe and the US.
UAE inflation accelerated to a 20-year high of 11.4 per cent last year and will rise slightly to 11.8 per cent this year, a Reuters poll last month showed. Food, beverage and tobacco accounted for 11 per cent of that rise and, according to the Emirates Consumer Protection Society, a division of the UAE Ministry of Economy, food inflation could rise as high as 40 per cent this year.
“The saying goes that Emirates Hills is now more expensive than Beverly Hills,” said Mary Nicola, an economist with Standard Chartered Bank in Dubai. “Day-to-day expenses in terms of groceries and such have become more expensive here.”
Soaring rent prices have also become a burden for UAE residents. A report released by the Abu Dhabi Department of Planning and Economy (DPE) estimated that rents during the first quarter alone increased by 18 per cent.
A recent survey found that rents in the capital had risen by an average of 49 per cent since June of last year and, in some cases, almost doubled since the beginning of the year despite a Government cap of five per cent. The survey by Asteco, a UAE property services company, found that rent for two-bedroom apartments in the Muroor and Tourist Club areas increased by 80 per cent or more in the 12 months from last June.
The annual rent for two-bedroom apartments ranged from Dh180,000 (US$49,000) to Dh194,400 in Hamdan Street, on the Corniche, in the Tourist Club area, Salam Street, Muroor and Khalifa Street. The average rent for one-bedroom apartments throughout the city ranged from Dh110,000 to more than Dh140,000, depending on the quality and location of the unit, the survey found.
In comparison, the UK estate agent Foxtons is offering two-bedroom flats in the fashionable districts of Kensington or Notting Hill for £2,167 (Dh15,843) a month, or Dh190,838 a year. A similar two-bedroom apartment in the Financial District of New York was advertised by the CitiHabitats agency for $4,350 (Dh15,977) a month, or Dh192,000 a year.
Ms Traber said that multinational companies were attracted to countries with a high rate of economic growth. “Companies may assign high priority to expansion in these economies but may have to deal with inflationary pressures due to competition for expatriate-level housing and other services,” she noted.
Ms Nicola said inflation would have an impact on attracting new people to the GCC.
“Businesses trying to set up shop and attract new talent have to fork out more money,” she said.
Worldwide, Moscow ranked as the world’s most expensive city for the second year running, followed by Tokyo, and London. The only US city in the top 50 is New York, which is down from 15th place last year to 22nd this year, due to the weakness of the dollar.
vsalama@thenational.ae
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