Cricket set to resume in Dubai soon
Cricket set to resume in Dubai soon
By K.R. Nayar, Staff Reporter GULF NEWS Published: February 11, 2008, 23:56
Dubai: Emirates, the Dubai based international airlines has stepped forward to the rescue of the Dubai cricket fans, who are reeling under the impact of lack of grounds.
“We will soon create seven cricket grounds in Dubai. It will be made in a land that our company is having near Silicon Oasis,” remarked Maurice Flanagan, the executive vice chairman, Emirates airlines and Group.
Cricket in Dubai had come to standstill ever since the seven grounds of the Dubai Cricket Council (DCC) ground in the Al Jadaf area were taken away for the construction of the Dubai Health City in 2005.
Tournaments used to be held regularly at the Al Jadaf grounds since 1990. In 1997, Emirates airline helped DCC to build two turf ground investing Dhs 800,000.
The International Cricket Council and Asian Cricket Council matches used to be held on these grounds. The Sri Lankan national team and Lord’s Taverners team from London had played on these grounds.
“It has been very difficult for our team (Fly Emirates) to practice. We have over five players who represent the UAE team and we badly needed a place for them to play as well as practice.
“We also host matches against foreign team like Lord’s Taverners and so we decided to have our own grounds,” said Flanagan, who also signed a sponsorship deal with the International Cricket Council (ICC) as their official partner till 2015, yesterday.
Flanagan, who is keen lover of the game, had assured all support to the DCC officials soon after their grounds were evicted.
“We will have turf wickets and some grounds with imported clay. It may be completed in a year and a half,” added Flanagan.
Malcolm Speed, the ICC chief executive, applauded the Emirates airlines initiative to create ground in Dubai.
“We are happy to see cricket grounds being built anywhere around the world. It has been a problem for the cricketers in Dubai and so it is great to hear that Emirates sporting complex is willing to accommodate cricket,” said Speed, who also appreciated Emirates’ contribution to the promotion of the game around the world.
Dolphin achieves 2b scfd daily production target
Dolphin achieves 2b scfd daily production target
(Staff Report) KHALEEJ TIMES 12 February 2008
ABU DHABI — Dolphin Energy Limited has achieved its target daily production rate of 2 billion standard cubic feet of gas a day (scfd), the equivalent in energy terms of over 350,000 barrels of oil equivalent.
Dolphin’s initial supplies of processed natural gas from Qatar to UAE began to flow in July 2007. Since then, Dolphin Energy has been transporting gas through the company’s export pipeline in ever increasing quantities. Production has gradually been ramped up as
all elements of the company’s complex gas processing plant at Qatar’s Ras Laffan have been tested and commissioned.
The gas is produced from Dolphin’s 24 production wells offshore Qatar. It is then processed at Ras Laffan Gas Project Plant and the natural gas compressed and flowed through the 48 inch, 364 kilometre subsea export pipeline — the longest and largest in the Middle East.
Dolphin’s CEO, Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, said that Dolphin has been able to achieve its agreed maximum daily production rate under its agreement with Qatar, whose support for this project has been essential to its success.
He added that next target is to meet daily target consistently, and the company will shortly be able to fulfill its gas sales agreement to supply Oman. Dolphin Energy has contracted to supply Oman with up to 200 million scf/day of gas in the second half of 2008. It is the culmination of a vision started nine-years ago by Qatar, the UAE and Oman.
Photo Speaks – Bike rider
Tongsai Bumroongtai, 52, looks on her pet black spotted female frog ‘Nong Oui’ as it sits astride a toy motorbike in the resort city of Pattaya, Chonburi province, Thailand, on February 10, 2008. Tongsai found the amphibian eleven months ago and trained her pet frog, ‘Nong Oui’ to sits on toy motorbike, a battery-operated dumper truck and lies on a plastic bottle in various positions for show and claiming she could speak to the frog.
Internet outage a boon to tech firms
Internet outage a boon to tech firms
BY LUCIA DORE (Assistant Editor, Business) KHALEEJ TIMES 11 February 2008
DUBAI — The recent internet outage across large parts of Middle East is proving a boon for technology companies providing business continuity planning and disaster recovery services.
“We have definitely seen an increase in interest in business continuity planning,” said Aruba Networks’ vice-president Middle East and Africa, Khalid Ishruq Laban, but added, “Disaster recovery has always been there, the new trend is secure mobility.”
Speaking to Khaleej Times, he said that following the Internet outage he has “definitely seen an increase in interest in his firm’s mobility solutions, which allow data to be accessed everywhere, at all times. Organisations in the region are seeking not only to upgrade their current solutions to cater for longer outages but are looking to find ways to increase their productivity as well, he said.
“Firms have increased their productivity with mobile phones and now they want to do with same with mobile data,” he said, adding that this strategy goes one step beyond business continuity planning for which most reputable companies already plan.
Without giving specific figures, he said the company aims to “at least double business every year” in the Middle East. Whereas three years ago a big deal was $10,000 to $20,000 it is now $1 million to $2 million, Laban said. “Mobility is a must have,” he added.
But if organisations adopt secure mobile solutions in an attempt to increase productivity it becomes even more important for them to have contingency planning in place to cover any lengthy internet outage. But, according to data from Gartner, a research consultancy firm, organisations have not been very good at planning for a business outage lasting longer than seven days. The recent regional wide Internet outage in the Middle East, as a result of damage to undersea cables, could take weeks to repair.
“The fact that most organisations plan for an outage that lasts up to seven days indicates a huge hole in those organisations’ ability to sustain business operations if a regional disaster strikes,” said research vice-president at Gartner, Roberta Witty. “The impact of a disaster that lasts more than one week can have enormous negative impact on revenue, reputation and brand. Regional incidents, service provider outages, terrorism, and pandemics can easily last longer than seven days. Therefore, organisations must be prepared. More mature business continuity management/disaster recovery programmes plan for outages of at least 30 days.”
Although the data is gathered from organisations in the US, Canada and the UK, the results are deemed indicative of trends in other regions as well. It shows that more organisations are planning for a pandemic for example.
When planning for specific types of disaster scenarios, 56 per cent of the companies surveyed also have plans for key service providers’ failure, IT outages, computer-virus attacks and terrorism. “With the growing use of third-party service providers to conduct mission-critical business functions, organisations that don’t plan for this type of business outage can find themselves in a tough position in the event that this scenario becomes a reality,” said Witty.
The importance of business continuity planning is vital. According to an IDC report commissioned by data storage company, Commvault, losing control of data has a two-fold impact on Middle East organisations: risk and cost. Organisations risk being unable to comply with international regulations and face the risk of failing audits, being fined, ruining their reputation and losing customers due to unresponsive service, the report says.
And CommVault’s marketing director, Fiona Moon, said: “Data growth in the Middle East is progressing faster than most emerging markets, and we believe that this trend will continue.
“IDC’s view that the region is on the verge of a data boom fully supports our existing position that regional organisations should be moving now to establish a clearly defined storage investment policy the places crucial importance on leading-edge back-up and recovery technologies.”
For the tourists
For the tourists
Gulf News Web Report Published: November 02, 2007, 01:20
Climate: Dubai has a year round sunny climate with rain a very rare occurance, happening only a few times a year.
The winter months (November to March) are the most suitable for tourists, with the weather averaging a pleasant 30C and humidity on the low side. The summer months can become very hot, with frequent low visibility caused by sandstorms – with average daytime temperatures rarely dipping below 40C (and often rising about 45C) and high humidity to accompany the high temperatures at night.
Local laws: Although you are allowed to drink in many of Dubai’s numerous bars, remember this is a Muslim country. If you wander around the streets drunk then there is a good chance you will be arrested.
There is also zero tolerence towards drinking and driving. That means the legal limit is zero and being caught will usually end in a prison sentence.
Certain prescripton drugs which are legal elsewhere in the world are banned in Dubai. If you need to take these then you must ensure that you take a doctors prescription with you.
A list of which drugs are illegal can be found at the: US consulate to Dubai’s website
Clothing: You will only need summer clothes when you’re here, however it is a good idea to bring a few light sweaters or cardigans as the air conditioning in some restaurants and malls can be chilly.
While there is no official ruling about exactly what you can and can’t wear, Westerners will be expected to dress with more modesty than you would at home in similar temperatures.
This doesn’t mean that women have to cover up completely or wear a veil but they should try to wear clothes that are not too revealing. Men should avoid short shorts and bare chests. Dubai is a liberal emirate, but it is also part of an Islamic country. You should also be respectful of Gulf culture.
Transport: The car is king in this city, and with wide, fast roads criss crossing the emirate, it’s the easiest way to get around.
A car can be hired from any of numerous car-rental companies operating in the city and with such a competitive market, rates are pretty reasonable. A renter needs to provide original passport, two photographs, and a valid international driving license or national license.
Compared to Europe and the United States, taxis are very cheap in Dubai. They are also plentiful and you won’t usually have to wait more than a minute before one races past. An average 10km journey will set you back around Dh15 (around $3.50)
The bus service in Dubai is cheap, clean and popular, but it is also limited. It tends to run mostly in Deira and Bur Dubai although there are services running along the Shaikh Zayed Road.
If catching the bus, male tourists should be wary of sitting next to women they don’t know as this is frowned upon in Muslim culture.
A monorail system is currently being built in Dubai. It is due to be completed in 2009 and will be one of the longest mass transit systems in the world – stretching some 40km from one end of the city to the other.
The final – and most traditional way to get around Dubai is by abra. The abra has been the best method of crossing the creek for decades now and despite the presence of bridges and tunnels, each trip from Deira to Bur Dubai and back is crammed full of businessmen, workers and tourists.
Shopping: Many people come to Dubai solely to shop. Tax free Dubai is known as a shopper’s paradise. Most of the major designer brands in the world are available in the enormous shopping malls which populate every corner of Dubai.
Malls get much busier at the weekends (which are officially Friday and Saturday).
Annual shopping events include the Dubai Shopping Festival which usually takes place in February (see last years time table ) and Dubai Summer Surprises which runs during the scorching summer months.
Dubai is famous for offering top international brands at sale prices during these festivals. Independent shops are generally open from 10am until 1pm and from 4.30pm until 10pm.
Opening hours at shopping malls throughout the day are roughly from 10am – 10pm although some stay open until midnight. On Fridays, they open from 2pm – 10pm.
Away from the air conditioned haven of the megamalls, there are bargains to be had in Dubai’s souks (the gold souk and the spice souk are in Deira) as well as the textile specialist areas of Karama and Satwa where you will find both the material, and the tailor, to have bespoke clothing made for very reasonable prices.
Sponsoring a relative to visit
Sponsoring a relative to visit
By Bassma Al Jandaly, Staff Reporter GULF NEWS Published: November 02, 2007, 01:20
Dubai: Expatriates who have valid residency papers can apply for a visit visa for relatives or friends, but must fulfil certain conditions.
According to the Naturalisation and Residency Department (NRD) law, if the sponsored relative is a female, she should not be less than 25 years of age.
If an expatriate wants to sponsor his wife and children on a visit visa, he should personally apply at the NRD at the emirate which issued him residency visa.
Papers needed
The papers needed are: passport copies of the applicant as well his wife and children, marriage contract attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; attested work contract if working with a private company, or salary certificate if working in the public sector.
The salary of the expatriate should not be less than Dh3,000 per month with accommodation or Dh4,000 per month without accommodation. The applicant need not pay any deposit. He must get an e-gate card.
The e-form application will cost Dh100; another Dh100 if the visa is needed urgently, as well as Dh10 for delivery of the visa through Empost.
If an expatriate wishes to sponsor his parents on a visit visa, the application must be submitted personally at the NRD. The papers required are passport copies and an attested letter from the embassy proving the relationship.
Also needed are: an attested work contract if the person is working in a private company or a salary certificate if working in the government sector. The minimum salary requirements are the same: not less than Dh3,000 per month with accommodation or Dh4,000 per month without accommodation. No deposit is required, but the applicant must get an e-gate card.
If you are sponsoring a relative, a deposit of Dh2,000 is required and the salary must not be less than Dh5,000 per month with accommodation. But if you are sponsoring a brother or sister, the salary and accommodation allowance should be Dh6,000.
An expatriate can also sponsor two friends on visit at a time, but the salary requirements are higher – not less than Dh10,000 and Dh2,000 refundable deposit for each person which is returned after the friends leave the country. One should keep the receipt safely and present it for the refund.
Ceiling for categories
Some of the monthly salary requirements for sponsoring relatives or friends on a visit visa
* Wife or husband’s parents or grandparents. Salary must be Dh4,000 or Dh3,000 and accommodation facility.
* Wife or husband’s brothers and sisters and their sons and daughters who are less than 18 years. Salary should be Dh5,000 per month and Dh2,000 as deposit.
* Sister’s or brother’s sons and daughters. Salary must be Dh6,000 and Dh2,000 deposit for those above 18 years.
* Grandsons under 18 years of age. Salary must be Dh4,000 or Dh3,000 with accommodation facility. No deposit is required.
* Adult grandsons. Salary must be Dh6,000 as well as a deposit of Dh2,000.
Cousin. Salary of Dh8,000 and deposit Dh2,000.
* Wife’s minor sons and daughters. Salary of Dh4,000 or Dh3,000 with accommodation facility.
* Wife, sons and daughters. Salary of Dh4,000 or Dh3,000 with accommodation facility.
* A friend. Salary of Dh10,000. One can sponsor only two friends at a time. If there are more, one should justify the reason for the visit of so many friends.
Before and after having a baby
Before and after having a baby
By Daniel Bardsley, Staff Reporter GULF NEWS Published: November 02, 2007, 01:20
There are no events more exciting and momentous than the birth of a child, but UAE residents lucky enough to have a baby on the way must plan carefully.
The first choice facing the mother-to-be, who must be married to the child’s father, is where to go for maternity care. Several public hospitals in the UAE have large maternity units, including Dubai Hospital and Al Wasl Hospital in Dubai, and women who are residents and have a valid health card can have their baby at one of these.
The exact allocation of hospital depends upon where the woman lives.
Alternatively expectant women can have their check-ups and delivery at a private hospital. This can cost several times as much as going to a public hospital, although for some women insurance pays the costs.
To organise maternity care at a public hospital, early on in the pregnancy the mother should book an appointment and take her health card, marriage certificate and her and her husband’s passport copies and pay the fees.
Private hospitals require a hospital registration card. For the first seven to eight months of a pregnancy, she is likely to have a check up once a month, increasing to once a fortnight in the final weeks.
Some women pay for check-ups on a visit-by-visit basis, while others buy one of the packages on offer at public or private hospitals and clinics. These packages usually include all routine tests, with additional treatment charged extra.
About six weeks before the delivery date, mothers-to-be should ring hospitals and register at the one of their choice, if they have not done so already – this cuts paperwork once the delivery is imminent.
The cost of delivery at a public or private hospital, including the stay in hospital and routine tests, varies depending upon whether the delivery is normal or a caesarian, with the latter about twice as expensive.
Private rooms, extra nights in hospital on top of the scheduled number and twins cost extra. When the baby arrives, the hospital will issue an Arabic notification of birth letter, which the parents should use to get a birth certificate.
In Dubai, take the stamped notification of birth letter to the Al Baraha Birth Certificate Office at Al Baraha Hospital between 8am and 2pm from Sunday to Thursday. Bring original and copy passports and residence visas of both parents.
The Arabic birth certificate, which costs Dh50, will be ready in two days’ time, after which, for a Dh10 translation fee and a further Dh50, you can get it translated into English.
The birth certificate must then be attested by the Ministry of Health for Dh10 – this can be done at the hospital – and then attested at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Dh50. The child’s footprint may need to be taken for this.
PAPERWORK
Getting a passport
Parents with an attested birth certificate should register the child, which takes the nationality of its parents, at their embassy or consulate.
It is crucial that registration is completed and an application for residency is made within 120 days of the birth, or a fine of Dh100 per day after this period will be levied.
The parents should go to their embassy or consulate and fill in a birth registration form. They should bring the Arabic birth certificate (and possibly the English one too) along with both parents’ passports and copies, birth certificates and their marriage certificate. The birth will be registered and a passport issued.
Parents can also apply for a birth certificate from their own country.
Once the passport is issued, parents should apply for a residence visa. This can take a couple of days.
Formalities to handle the dead
Formalities to handle the dead
By Bassma Al Jandaly, Staff Reporter GULF NEWS Published: January 11, 2008, 23:40
Dubai: The UAE is an open country and any person of any religion or ethnic backgrounds can shift to live here or choose to visit if he or she meets the residency and labour requirements.
However, if an expatriate dies here there is an established process and certain steps need to be taken either to bury him or her or to repatriate his or her body to their home countries.
There are seven emirates in the UAE in which expatriates are allowed to reside but when a person dies, his or her friends will encounter big differences in the law between the emirates which allows burying expatriates here.
Some emirates like Sharjah and some other emirates will not allow the burying of non-Muslims in its cemeteries as its cemeteries are open only for burial of Muslims. It is immaterial from which emirates their residency has been issued.
While in Dubai and Ajman they allow the burial of Muslims or non-Muslims in their grave yards.
However, in order for a burial in Dubai you must have your residency visa issued from Dubai only otherwise you will not be allowed to be buried in this emirate. While in Ajman incidentally, the law permits the burial of dead expatriates regardless of from where their residency visa has been issued.
There are some religions which do not bury their dead beloved but they cremate them such as Hinduism. One should know that the only emirate which has such facilities for cremating bodies is Dubai but one should have Dubai residency visa to be able to be cremated in Dubai.
The burying of Muslims of any nationality at any of the emirates is free of charge while non-Muslims have to pay specific amount of money for burying and using the municipalities vehicles to transfer the body from hospital or morgue to the graveyard.
At the same time there are many expatriates who do not want to bury their beloved here but they refer to transfer the body to their home countries. In order to do so, there are specific processes to repatriate the body of their beloved friends or relatives which could take a long time even exceeding one week.
If a worker dies here, the company where the labourer worked has to pay the cost of repatriating his or her body to their home country. In the case of a domestic helper too, the cost of burying or repatriating his or her body to their home country must be paid by the employer only.
People on visit visa are also allowed to be buried in UAE grave yards.
Raga Ratnam Junior – Manodharmam round – Mahadevan
Excerpts of a performance by contestant Mahadevan for the Manodharmam round of AMRITA TV Raga Ratnam Junior competition.
Raga Ratnam Junior – Manodharmam round – Harishankar
Excerpts of a performance by contestant Harishankar for the Manodharmam round of AMRITA TV Raga Ratnam Junior competition.
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