ClicksandWrites

DSF plans 100 exciting events

Posted on January 8, 2008

DSF plans 100 exciting events
By a staff reporter KHALEEJ TIMES 8 January 2008

DUBAI — Altogether 100 colourful and exciting events will take place during the month-long Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) 2008 from January 24.

Laila Suhail, Chief Strategy Officer at DSF Office, explained that the DSF office is implementing a new strategy that emphasises on shopping in the coming editions of DSF. Additionally, the festival will play a significant role in promoting new entertainment projects and establishing a vibrant entertainment industry in Dubai. A key highlight of the strategy is the involvement of the private sector that will eventually organise 70 per cent of all entertainment activities in DSF with the DSF Office taking the lead in planning, marketing, and promoting the events within the festival.

“It’s only natural that we keep developing our event in order to capitalise on the fast pace of Dubai’s economic and social growth,” Suhail said.

“Our new calendar of events has something for everyone regardless of age and nationality, and we look forward to providing our visitors and residents with the ultimate shopping, winning and entertainment experience,” she added. The main highlights of the DSF 2008 calendar are the shopping promotions, Mega Draws and DSF signature events. With more than 4,000 retail shops and 40 shopping malls, DSF 2008 promotions will be breathtaking for all. Offers, added value promotions, sales and discounts reaching up to 75 per cent on international brands will surely further position Dubai as the leading shopping haven in the world, the officials said.

Also, the daily Mega Raffle Draws will be a life-changing experience as it offers lucky winners prizes that can reach up to Dh1 million per day. While Lexus is offering two brand new Lexus ES350 and RX350 models would be given daily to one winner, the same winner would have the chance to take home Dh100,000 in cash but the new twist in the scheme is that the cash prize will be in a different currency everyday. In addition to this, one kilogramme of gold will also be offered by the Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group on a daily basis. The officials added that the events like the Food Festival, Dubai Fashion, and Carpet Oasis etc are sure to attract a lot of people everyday.

UAE shivers under extreme cold spell

Posted on January 8, 2008

UAE shivers under extreme cold spell

Team KT 8 January 2008

DUBAI — Gale force winds reached 40 knots offshore causing big swells and a shipwreck off Ajman while boats were warned not to leave the port, according to authorities.

Visibility was reduced to 600 metres in parts of the UAE as strong shamal winds whipped up sand and caused damage to some property, and in Dubai and the Northern Emirates light showers were experienced and a minimum of one degree Celsius was recorded in Ras Al Khaimah. Gale force offshore winds reached as high as 40 knots — 10 knots higher than expected — with sea swells higher than 14 feet, according to forecaster Amna Yasin at Dubai International Airport Meteorological Office. A ship coming from Iran was in regional waters and trying to enter one of UAE’s ports when it experienced a technical fault that shut down its engines and high waves and winds pushed it to Ajman’s shore.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, Brigadier Salih Al Matroushi, Director-General of Ajman Civil Defence, said they received a call from a passerby who saw the ship floating at around 1.30pm. The ship was not carrying goods or passengers, but there were five crew members of Asian nationalities who were evacuated by the Civil Defence, Ajman Police’s rescue team and Coastguards with the help of small boats.

The crew members, who were in perfect health, were taken to the port immigration office where food and care was provided.

The ship was towed away by Civil Defence to Ajman Port for repairs.

To ensure public safety from rough weather conditions, the Abu Dhabi Marine Police started intercepting boats, launches and ships from venturing out too far yesterday.

Major Khaled Saeed Al Shamsi, head of Marine Police, told Khaleej Times the decision was taken due to bad weather. No distress calls or accidents had been reported in the four days up to Sunday, he added.

“We have deployed our patrols to block seafarers from venturing out to sea in four key exit port facilities at Mina Zayed, ships quay, free port and Bateen jetty,” he affirmed.

He warned against swimming or sailing even if the weather looked fine and clear during these days and weather forecasters also detailed that rough seas were expected over the next few days.

“Weather conditions in the sea could change dramatically at any time. The restrictions on venturing into the sea will remain in place until further notice, and after we make sure that the weather is stable,” he explained.

Forecaster Yasin said minor rainfall was experienced across Dubai and the Northern Emirates, although Dubai recordings were negligible, while Mohammed Abdullah Al Abri, forecaster at the National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology said Abu Dhabi also received light showers early in morning yesterday.

Ras Al Khaimah, which experienced hail and heavy rain on Sunday, received light rainfall yesterday.

Ras Al Khaimah’s mountain ‘Jais’ recorded the lowest temperature in the UAE of one degree Celsius yesterday morning, according to Al Abri.

The Traffic Police recorded one motor accident in which an Emirati man was killed when he lost control of his vehicle in the hail and his vehicle skidded off the road rolling over several times in Wadi Galeelah.

A senior officer from the Ras Al Khaimah Department of Civil Defence said rain water flooded some houses and roads, especially in the Al Shaam area, but not much property was damaged.

In Fujairah, some minor traffic accidents took place, according to a senior police officer.

“The strong winds uprooted some trees and dropped some signboards in the Dibba area. However, no other damages were registered,” said Lt-Col. Obeid Al Teneiji, Director of the Civil Defence and Fire Department, in Fujairah.

Dubai Municipality officials said inspectors had been checking for damage from the strong winds across suburbs, rural areas and parks but people’s main concerns were heavy sand and dust.

“Till now, we have not received any information about the damages. But then the winds have caused a lot of dust to accumulate on the roads. This is causing problems for the motorists and other commuters,” said an inspector in the Bur Dubai area.

Authorities across the UAE urged the public to take caution in this weather, particularly on the roads and inform the police and the Civil Defence of any hazard resulting from unstable weather conditions or municipalities regarding damage

Al Abri expected Abu Dhabi’s weather to improve from tomorrow but the temperature today was anticipated to dip to 4-6 degrees Celsius in the morning and the day will remain cold, but clear.

Dubai, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah may experience light drizzles today and cloudy weather was expected to prevail across the UAE.

Dubai will continue to remain cool for the next few days with a minimum of 15 degrees and maximum of about 20 and the wind was expected to reach no more than 15 knots on land.

Meanwhile, fish prices have gone up by at least Dh5 as the catch of fish is less after the seas turned rough, according to Saif Ahmed Saif Al Suwaidi, treasurer at Abu Dhabi Fishermen Cooperative Society.

Warning on visas for low-cost tourists

Posted on January 7, 2008

Warning on visas for low-cost tourists
Staff Report GULF NEWS Published: January 07, 2008, 00:29

Dubai: The Dubai Police chief has warned against allowing low-cost air carriers to acquire visas for tourists and visitors.

Permitting the passengers of economy carriers to enter the country may result in an increase in the number of residency law violators and pose a danger to public safety, Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan Tamim, Dubai Police Chief, said.

“It is a different issue when Emirates and Etihad airlines are considered, since their tickets can only be afforded by passengers with high financial capabilities, while the visit of the Dh190-traveller will not bring any advantages to the country,” he said.

Lt Gen Dahi said the latest statistics from the Criminal Investigation Department show an increase in the number of infiltrators and residency law violators, which will be announced later.

The Dubai Police Chief said he intended to visit the Director of the Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department to discuss the issue of some African nationals who came on visit visas but committed crimes.

Weathermen forecast more rain across the country

Posted on January 7, 2008

Weathermen forecast more rain across the country
By Aftab Kazmi, Bureau Chief and Binsal Abdul Kader, Staff Reporter GULF NEWS Published: January 07, 2008, 12:13

Al Ain: There are chances of more rain in most parts of the country on Monday, said weathermen.

Hamad Nasir, Duty Forecaster at the Meteorological Office at Dubai International Airport, said strong winds would kick up dust. Sea would be very rough with waves as high as 10 to 20 feet, said Nasir. “We expect light rain almost all over the country,” said Nasir.

According to the National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS) in Abu Dhabi, temperature has fallen below the normal scale, with around 17 degree Celsius in major cities.

It rained in almost all parts of the country in the morning. “Strong Shamal winds over the sea have caused the change in weather and it could continue till Tuesday,” said Mohammad Abdullah, National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology.

He warned fishermen against going out into the sea until Tuesday. Suspended dust particles formed over Iraq and Kuwait are moving towards the UAE and it could worsen the condition, said the official.

There was no flight disruptions reported so far due to the change in weather condition.

Wind speed in Ras Al Khaimah: 18 knots; 17 knots in Abu Dhabi; 15 knots in Al Ain; 21knots in Fujairah; 17 knots in Dubai.

Rain showers in Dubai, Abu Dhabi

Posted on January 7, 2008 Updated on June 6, 2015

Rain showers in Dubai, Abu Dhabi
Gulf News Web Report Published: January 07, 2008, 10:03

Dubai: Rain showers fell on Dubai and Abu Dhabi on Monday as meteorologist predicted unstable weather over the UAE in the next 48 hours.

On Sunday, brief showers have fallen on a number of areas along the East Coast, including Fujairah city and Dibba.

Overcast skies and light winds signalled a change of weather conditions on Sunday morning, with rain limited to a few minutes of drizzles later in the afternoon.

Heavy rain and hail also fell on Ras Al Khaimah on Saturday, causing a major fire at Ghaleelah Basic School.

Mission visa workers do not require NOCs

Posted on January 7, 2008

Mission visa workers do not require NOCs

By Ahmed Abdul Aziz (Our staff reporter)KHALEEJ TIMES 7 January 2008

ABU DHABI — Workers on mission visas do not require ‘No Objection Certificates’ (NOCs) from the current sponsors to change jobs, it was stated by an official.

Obaid Rashid Al Zahmi, assistant under-secretary of the Ministry of Labour (MoL), said that workers on mission visas can switch jobs after completing the period of three to six months (including three months after mission visa renewal).

Al Zahmi said: “In the case of mission visa workers, an employer has no right to demand a labour-ban if they want to join other companies because this is similar to the limited labour contracts.”

The MoL recently took the decision to issue mission visas to people who want to come to the UAE in search of jobs. The move aims at combating the menace of illegal workers as well as protecting the rights of the workers.

Meanwhile, Khalil Khoury, director of the Work Permit Department at the MoL, said that many companies had already applied for the mission visas. The formalities for the issuance of mission visas are easy and allow the sponsors to employ new workers under probation period, he added.