UAE
Heavy fog covers Abu Dhabi
Heavy fog covers Abu Dhabi
By Binsal Abdul Kader, Staff Reporter GULF NEWS
Published: November 13, 2007, 12:27
Abu Dhabi: The heavy fog on Tuesday morning, which affected the visibility in Abu Dhabi, will continue on Wednesday, the meteorological department told Gulf News.
“The visibility was reduced to about 50 meters in the city, the surrounding areas and the south west desert in the morning,” said forecaster Mohammad Al Tal. “The fog did not affect other emirates where the visibility was about 4,000 metres.”
Al Tal forecasted the same phenomenon in the emirate for Wednesday morning, but said that the density of the fog will be lighter, with visibility at about 1,000 metres.
Al Tal said the fog was brought about by regular weather change in November.
The fog slowed down traffic on the roads. “It took me one hour to reach the city from Mussafah instead of half an hour,” said motorist Mohammad Ayoob.
Abu Dhabi diverts flights after thick blanket of fog reduces visibility
Abu Dhabi diverts flights after thick blanket of fog reduces visibility By Binsal Abdul Kader and Rayeesa Absal, Staff Reporters GULF NEWS
Published: November 13, 2007, 22:04
Abu Dhabi: Thick fog covered the skies of the capital city yesterday morning, significantly affecting visibility of road users.
However, no serious accidents were reported, according to traffic officials.
Abu Dhabi airport diverted five flights to Al Ain and Muscat airports.
Meteorological Department told Gulf News that heavy fog is expected today morning also.
“The visibility was reduced to about 50 metres in the city, the surrounding areas and the south west desert in the morning,” said forecaster Mohammad Al Tal.
“The fog did not affect other emirates where the visibility was about 4,000 metres.”
Al Tal forecasted fog in Abu Dhabi today morning, but said the visibility will be better at about 1,000 metres. He said the fog was brought about by regular weather change in November.
Minor accidents
The Abu Dhabi Police Traffic department said three accidents took place yesterday.
“The accidents were minor ones, but the main issue was slowing down of traffic on most of the roads,” said Colonel Hamad Adil Al Shamsi, Head of the Department of Traffic and Patrol Police.
Urging motorists to exercise caution, especially during peak hours, Col Al Shamsi asked them to avoid using hazard lights.
“People commonly use the hazard lights during foggy weather, this should be avoided. Instead, Headlights should be switched on.”
“Though the fog affects the visibility, it is careless driving by certain drivers that result in accidents,” he added.
He also advised drivers to slow down and maintain safe distance between vehicles to avoid accidents.
Commuters were also surprised by the thick fog cover in the morning and were late to office.
“It took me one hour to reach the city from Mussafah instead of half-an-hour,” said motorist Mohammad Ayoob.
About Five flights to Abu Dhabi Airport were diverted to Al Ain and Muscat airports due to bad weather conditions, Abu Dhabi Airports company told Gulf News.
While flights from Paris (EY038), Cochin (EY280), Brussels (EY056) and Bahrain (EY370) were diverted to Al Ain, a flight from Chittagong (BBC027) was diverted to Muscat, said a statement.
Bus driver questioned after fatal Deira crash
Bus driver questioned after fatal Deira crash
By Bassam Za’za’ and Alia Al Theeb, Staff Reporters GULF NEWS
Published: November 13, 2007, 22:39
Dubai: A Roads and Transport Authority bus driver who reportedly drove “recklessly and at speed” is being questioned for accidentally killing one person and injuring ten others in a collision on Tuesday morning.
Police sources said the bus driver had jumped a red signal before hitting four vehicles, including another bus.
Salah Bu Farrousha, Head of the Traffic Public Prosecution Department in Dubai, did not confirm the driver had jumped a red signal and said the actual cause of the accident would be determined after technical reports by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and the police and pictures from cameras installed on the interchange.
The Indian driver is being questioned for alleged speeding and reckless driving. The accident happened on Salahuddin Road at 10am, it resulted in massive traffic jams in Deira.
The RTA bus hit two vehicles when it swerved to the left side of the road then hit a bus which was dropping passengers off after it veered off to the right before it landed on a four-wheel drive killing a Pakistani passenger,” Bu Farrousha told Gulf News.
Caught fire
The bus caught fire due to the impact of the accident. According to investigations, the Indian driver claimed that “when he pressed the brakes they didn’t function properly,” said Bu Farrousha.
He confirmed the driver had been speeding and described the crash as a major accident.
“A Pakistani man sustained serious injuries while his two compatriot males, three Indian men, two Filipinas, a Nepali man and a Bangladeshi woman escaped with minor injuries,” said Bu Farrousha.
The deceased succumbed to serious head injuries shortly after the accident.
Khalifa Bin Darai, Executive Manager of Dubai Ambulance Services Centre, told Gulf News that nine ambulances attended the scene.
A witness, Ahmad, described the accident as “horrible” as he saw the bus on top of one of the cars. Another witness said he heard a bang and the sound of brakes.
“I saw people trying to help the victims by pulling them out of their cars before the police came,” he said.
Joanna Huang, Communications Manager at Traders Hotel near where the accident happened, said: “When we realised an accident had occurred we quickly mobilised our emergency response team”
One motorist stuck in the jam said he was wary when near a bus because the drivers were “unpredictable.”
Road safety: 16,000 offences recorded in a week
Newly-formed traffic control teams recorded more than 16,000 traffic offences in one week.
Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan Tamim, Chief of Dubai Police, had ordered the formation of traffic control teams from the traffic department.
The teams issued 16,185 fines and confiscated 128 vehicles between October 23 to 30.
300 new taxis to ease Abu Dhabi shortage
300 new taxis to ease Abu Dhabi shortage
By Binsal Abdul Kader, Staff Reporter GULF NEWS
Abu Dhabi: Residents will not face a shortage of taxis anywhere in the emirate at any particular time as a high-tech monitoring system to ensure the availability of taxis everywhere will be introduced soon, a senior official said.
“If any passenger informs the call centre about the non-availability of taxis at any particular area, the system can despatch more taxis there,” Khalid Saleh Al Rashedi, General Manager of Trans AD, which was previously known as Centre for Regulation of Transport by Hire Cars.
“A device installed in the cars, called ‘MDT’ developed by CERT technology will make it possible.”
He spoke to Gulf News yesterday after launching new taxis at a ceremony at Emirates Palace Hotel auditorium.
About 300 sleek new silver taxis hit the city roads today. The basic fare will be raised from the current Dh2 to Dh2.6 for standard cars and Dh3 for premium cars (which will be clearly marked).
“The monitoring system and some other facilities like credit card payments will be introduced with the launch of a second batch of about 800 taxis at the end of December. We launched the taxis without such advanced facilities to solve the shortage of taxis in the city,” he added.
Replying to a question he said an online system for the public to track their complaints against taxis will be considered. “Residents can register their complaints with the present system by calling 600535353 and we will surprise the public with immediate solutions,” said Rashedi.
By the end of 2008, Trans AD, the single regulatory authority in the hire car sector, will replace the majority of existing taxis.
Seven companies have been authorised to run 7,147 taxis in the emirate out of which 70 per cent (about 5,005) will be in Abu Dhabi city, 29 per cent (about 2,072) in Al Ain and one per cent (70) in Western region,” said Sultan Mohammad Al Shamisi, Director, Customer Services and Compliance Division.
The companies which successfully applied to run a taxi franchise operation are: Tawasul Transport; Arabia Taxi; Cars Taxi; Emirates Taxi; National Taxi; Q-Link Transport, and Al Ghazal Transport. They will be regulated by the Centre for Regulation of Transport by Hire Cars, which today also announced its name change to Trans AD and revealed its new corporate logo.
Taxi drivers also benefit from the new scheme. All taxi drivers will now be registered as private company employees, with an agreed optimum wage and additional benefits.
It’s silver for Abu Dhabi!
It’s silver for Abu Dhabi!By M. A. Qudoos / KHALEEJ TIMES
ABU DHABI — Silver will be the iconic colour of Abu Dhabi from today.
The Centre for Regulation of Transport by Hire Cars (Trans AD) yesterday unveiled the design of the new taxi fleet, signalling the dawn of a new era of modernisation in Abu Dhabi.
Over 300 of the sleek new silver taxis will commence operation today, with another 800 on the capital’s streets and in Al Ain city and western region by the year end.
By the end of 2008, the majority of the 7,000 vehicles would be on the roads.
Speaking at the official launch at the Emirates Palace, Khaled Saleh Al Rashedi, General Manager of Trans AD, said: “It is only right that Abu Dhabi, as a dynamically developing global hotspot, should have a taxi fleet to match. The new fleet will have high standards in passenger comfort, safety and style, and we are confident that they will be immediately popular with both residents and visitors.”
The minimum fare will be raised from the current minimum Dh2 to Dh 2.60 for standard cars, and Dh3 for premium cars which will be clearly marked.
The fare per additional kilometre will be 65 fils for standard and 75 fils for premium class cars.
Al Rashedi also revealed details of the new taxi scheme: “Today is the result of a lengthy consultation process with key government stakeholders, operating franchisees, licence-holders and the public.
“The new fleet will be run by selected private franchisees, which will encourage high standards and give customers more choice. We are communicating with existing national taxi licence owners to educate what this means for them and what financial compensation they are going to receive.”
The selected operators are: Tawasul Transport; Arabia Taxi; Cars Taxi; Emirates Taxi; National Taxi; Q-Link Transport, and Al Ghazal Transport.
They will be regulated by the Centre for Regulation of Transport by Hire Cars, which also announced yesterday the change of its name to Trans AD and revealed its new corporate logo.
By the end of 2008, Trans AD will replace the majority of the existing public taxis.
The licence owners will be compensated on a monthly basis according to a scientifically endorsed rate.
Licence cancellation will only be applicable if the vehicle has been in operation for more than five years.
Taxi drivers also benefit from the new scheme, said Al Rashedi.
All taxi drivers will now be registered as private company employees, with an agreed optimum wage and additional benefits.
To qualify under the new scheme, drivers are required to hold a valid taxi driver permit upon successful completion of the certification process conducted by Emirates Driving Company which has been appointed by Trans AD.
To mark the historic occasion, a convoy of the new fleet paraded the city’s streets yesterday to showcase the emirate’s new icon.
A checklist for property buyers
A checklist for property buyers
LEGAL VIEW by K.K Sarachandra Bose / KHALEEJ TIMES
K.K Sarachandra Bose is a Partner/ Corporate, Commercial and Contract Lawyer at Dar Al Adalah Advocates and Legal Consultants. Readers may e-mail their questions to: ktedit@emirates.net.ae or send them to Khaleej Times, Dubai P.O Box 11243.
Q: I am writing from Shanghai, China. I have purchased two flats in Dubai from a developer by an agreement signed between the agent and me. The construction is still going on. The title deed of the flats has not yet been transferred to my name and my lawyer in Dubai informed me that it is taking time. Now I want to buy more flats in Dubai as an investment. Can you please advise how I should make payments and how safe it is as an investment?
A: In order to protect the payments made by purchasers of real estate properties in Dubai, the Government of Dubai has promulgated three important laws, which are applicable in the emirate — law No. 7/2006 which streamlines land registration; bylaw No. 85/2006 which regulates real estate brokers’ register; and law No. 8/2007 which governs trust accounts of real estate developments.
The land registration law is applicable to real estate properties situated in the emirate of Dubai. Foreigners may, subject to the approval of the ruler, be granted the rights to acquire absolute ownership of land without time restrictions in certain areas, and usufruct or leasehold of properties for a period not exceeding 99 years. Land means any plot of land and all that are located thereon such as buildings, plants etc.
As per the said law, all transactions that create, transfer, change or cancel rights over land shall be recorded in the Land Register and no transaction shall have any effect unless registered in the register.
As per the bylaw on real estate brokerage in Dubai, every person carrying on brokerage activities must be registered at the Electronic or Documentary Register of the Real Estate Brokers at the Land Department.
As per the law on trust accounts of real estate developments in Dubai, every developer selling units of the project is bound to open a trust account in the name of the property developer in a bank or financial institution approved by the Dubai Land Department and deposit the amounts paid by the buyers of the units or the financing parties.
In short, to buy a property in Dubai, the buyer should see whether the following three points have been adhered to:
(i) that the developer has registered in the developers’ registry at the Dubai Land Department — ask for the Developer’s Registration Number;
(ii) that the developer has opened a trust account with one of the approved financial institutions by the Land Department — issue all payments to the project’s trust account number; and
(iii) that the broker has registered in the brokers’ registry at the Dubai Land Department — ask for the broker’s ID card.
For the property that you have already purchased, you will have to follow up with the developer till such time the property is registered in your name at the Dubai Land Department. Your investments will be safe as per the laws if you follow the above guidelines. — Compiled by Ahmed Shaaban
Guardianship of children
Guardianship of children
By Bassma Al Jandaly, Staff Reporter GULF NEWS
Dubai: The custody of a child is described as ‘Hadana’ in Arabic, which means holding the child close to one’s heart by protecting, taking care of and offering education to the child.
The UAE Personal Affairs Law No 28, 2005 gives attention to child custody issues.
In the UAE, there are more than 200 nationalities of various ethnic backgrounds, many of whom are married and live with their children in the country.
If for any reason a couple wishes to end their marriage, they can approach any of the country’s courts.
Permission from father
According to Article No. 50 of the Personal Affairs Law, if the expatriate parents are divorced and the children are in their mothers’ custody, she is not allowed to take the children out of the country.
The law says that whatever the nationalities of father and mother, the children should live in the same country where the father is living.
However, if the father submits to the court a letter that he agrees and approves that his children can go and live outside the country with their mother, then she can travel with them.
According to article No.142, in case of a divorce, the guardianship or the custody of the children is handed to the mother if the child is very young.
The mother is also entitled to the custody of her infant child after separation from her husband. There are several conditions that needs to be met before a parent is given custody of the child. The custody of the child is given to a person who is an adult of sound mind, good character and has not been sentenced for any crime. The person should not suffer from infectious diseases or mental problems.
In the case of the mother, she should also not be married to a person who is a stranger to the child.
If any one of these conditions is not fulfilled and there is an obstruction, such as insanity or the mother having remarried, the woman has no right to custody.
If the woman is married, a sister of the woman is entitled to the custody of her child.
The law here sets the location of the child’s custody at a place where the father lives.
However, there is no objection to the wife moving with the child from a village to the city if this is advantageous to the child.
If the mother of the child is dead, the custody passes to the maternal grandmother, but she cannot move the child to her own city. The guardianship of a minor for the management and preservation of his property involves the father first.
CRITERIA
Several conditions
* The law and Sharia gives women more rights in the custody of small children, as women know better how to raise small children and they are more patient in dealing with the difficulties involved.
The mother has more rights in the custody of her child, whether a boy or a girl, so long as she does not re-marry and so long as she meets the conditions of custody.
* In order for the mother to be able to take custody of her children, she should be of the same religion as her children.
* If the child is Muslim, the guardian must be a Muslim. The guardian has the right to keep the child’s passport with him and it should be handed over to the person who will take care of the child.
* The woman’s custody of a boy ends when he reaches seven or eight years, while the custody of a girl ends when she becomes a teenager.
* The man’s custody of a boy continues until he becomes a teenager, and for a girl until she can safely be left alone and can be trusted to take care of herself.
* If no one can be found to take care of a child, the judge will decide who is suitable to take care of that child.
* If a boy or a girl passes the period of ‘hadana’, he or she has no option to be with one parent or the other, but must remain in the charge of the father.
* Expatriate mothers who has children from a previous marriage and comes to live in the UAE with their husband should submit at the Naturalisation and Residency Department a proof of child’s custody and an approval from the father of the children that he agrees they will live here with their step father.
Sponsoring teenagers
Sponsoring teenagers
By Bassma Al Jandaly, Staff Reporter GULF NEWS
Dubai: The residency laws of the UAE allows expatriate parents to sponsor their sons as long as they are less than 18 years old.
The laws are different for a daughter and the parents can sponsor her beyond 18 years of age. The parents can sponsor her if she is a divorcee or if she becomes a widow. Her residency visa will be valid for three years.
The situation is different if it is a son and if he reaches 18, the parents cannot sponsor him anymore.
The residency laws give the parents only one option in order to keep their 18-year-old son with them here.
According to the law the parents of the teenager can keep him here if he is studying at a local educational institution, a university or a college in the UAE.
The teenager can be sponsored either by the educational institution or by either one of the parents after submitting a document at the residency department that he is continuing his studies here in the UAE.
A deposit of Dh5,000 must be made at the naturalisation and residency department if he is studying in the UAE at an educational institution which is not an accredited institution or one which is not approved by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. There is no need for a deposit if the educational institution or the university where the son is studying is an accredited one.
Similarly, if the sponsored son who is less than 18 and is studying abroad, the parents must deposit Dh5,000, which is refundable, to retain the residency visa.
The residency visa for the 18-year-old son is valid only for one year and should be renewed every year. In order to obtain a residency visa the son should submit to the residency department a letter from the educational institution which states that he is studying there.
Have you been looking for a quite weekend? Jumeirah Bab Al Shams Resort & Spa is our choice for you.
Have you been working hard, the last 11 months? Then it’s time to ask your HR/PR department to organise a special weekend.
Are you in a mood to write a story or create a work of art? Then it is time for you take your laptop or brush and hit the Emirates Road.
Do you feel exhausted from work and life?
For all the above, and more, I have a beautiful place for you to travel during this weekend. Straight down the Emirates Road, travel 35 odd kms through the dessert listening to the sound of sand and counting the numerous developments coming up and the radar cameras passing by. By the time you finish 6 or 7 of them, you will reach, Jumeirah Bab Al Shams & Spa Resort.
Voted the favorite weekend getaway hotel in the UAE, this is the place you should hit up on or tell your boss to reward you as for your performance. To rejuvenate and refresh in the quiteness of the dessert and the silent sounds of the dessert sands humming at night and listening for the birds to sing, which never happens for hours……
Emerging from the heart of the desert, Jumeirah Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa is an elegant desert resort in a traditional Arabic fort setting. Located just 45 minutes from Dubai International Airport (only on a Friday morning traffic!!!), the Resort features 115 rooms and suites appointed in traditional Gulf decor, complemented by the region’s first authentic open-air Arabic desert restaurant, and a superb range of recreational facilities.
For those seeking a unique desert experience within easy reach of Dubai, Jumeirah Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa presents the ideal destination.
Jumeirah Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa Offers the ultimate in comfort and entertainment and your experience will be enhanced by history, splendour and magnificence.
Children’s Activities:
Sinbad’s Kids Club
The Sinbad’s Kids Club offers a varied programme of activities for children aged between 2 and 12, under the supervision of very highly trained and qualified staff, from 8.00am to 8.00pm everyday.
* Activity room
* Indoor and outdoor playground
* Daily activity programmes – arts and crafts, nature trails, swimming games, theme days and more
In addition to Sinbad’s Kids Club, Jumeirah Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa also offers:
* Shaded children’s pool attached to the main resort pool
* Children’s menu in all restaurants
* Baby sitting service upon request (6 hours notice required)
A boutique store is located in the lobby and is open between 9:00 am and 9:00 pm daily.
* Souvenirs, books, newspapers and other amenities
* Jumeirah Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa branded merchandise
* Satori Spa products
* Prayer room
* Foreign currency exchange
* Concierge and Guest Relations
* Landscape with 1,200 palm trees
* Guest safety deposit boxes
* Daily shuttle bus to and from Dubai and Wild Wadi
* Wireless internet connection available in all our meeting rooms, lobby, pool area, Al Sarab Rooftop Bar & Lounge, Ya Hala Lounge and Al Forsan Restaurant
Satori Spa
Tel: +971 4 8326699
Email: JBASspa@jumeirah.com 
A variety of leisure activities are available and subject to applicable tariff rates. Advance bookings are required:
* Archery
* 4×4 desert exploration
* Guided horse riding
* Bicycle rental
* Satori Spa
* Falconry
* Camel rides and safari
and much more… 
For enquiries and more information, please contact our Leisure Reception:
Tel: +971 4 8326699
Email: JBASleisure@jumeirah.com
Do not hesitate, contact the following number and enjoy a great weekend. And of course, do not forget to send your fun time pictures to Team 1.
JUMEIRAH BAB AL SHAMS DESERT RESORT & SPA PO Box 8168, Dubai, UAE TEL: +971 4 8326699 FAX: +971 4 8326698 
It’s just never ending road, dessert sand and quite serene thoughts. Do not miss it…..
ClicksandWrites 
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