No Parking Fee in Dubai till December 11, 2008

Staff Reporter (Khaleej Times) 2 December 2008
DUBAI - There is good news for motorists in Dubai as the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced on Monday that there would be no parking fees during the holidays of the National Day and Eid Al Adha from today to December 11.
However, there would be no leniency towards people parking vehicles in prohibited areas and parking spaces designated for people with special needs, it said in a Press release issued on Monday.
The RTA urged users of public parking lots to cooperate and allow visitors and residents to make use of the exemption and not park vehicles in the lots for extended periods.
This is particularly important in areas that witness traffic congestion during such celebrations.
riyasbabu@khaleejtimes.com

Climate Change Could Affect Dubai Coast Radically

(Gulf News Report)
By Emmanuelle Landais, Staff Reporter- Published: October 25, 2008, 23:33
Dubai: Reinforcement measures around Dubai's coastline should be taken to avoid any damage from rising sea levels caused by climate change.
Regionally, Kuwait and the Nile Delta would be severely affected by sea levels rising by just one metre, said Raymond S. Bradley, director of the Climate System Research Centre and distinguished professor at the University of Massachusetts.
"You have to ask how will development be affected by sea-levels rising one to two metres here. The Deira side of Dubai's coastline is particularly low and lying close to sea level. So serious infrastructure needs to be thought out along the coast," he said.
Sustainability
Speaking on Saturday at the Green Dubai World Forum, held to commemorate the anniversary of the historic declaration on Green Dubai 2008, made on October 24 last year by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Bradley pointed out how sustainable agriculture had been left out of the sustainability discussions going on in the UAE.
"The build-up of greenhouse gases can be seen everywhere," he said. The same pattern of tremendous rises in carbon dioxide can be seen in the Arctic poles or the middle of the Pacific Ocean, he added. Seasonal trends of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere can be tracked due to green plants absorbing carbon dioxide at different times of the year, said Bradley.
Developments
A minimum percentage of green areas including beaches and parks are being integrated in the design stage by Nakheel on their developments, said Chris O'Donnell, chief executive officer of Nakheel. However, no standards to include a minimum amount of solar panels or renewable energy technologies currently exist, O'Donnell told Gulf News.
"You need to be careful about having mandatory levels, or approaches to sustainability," he said, adding that some water efficiency technologies were being used while solar panels were built into shoreline apartments on The Palm Jumeirah.
Study: Warming gains pace
According to recent scientific research released by the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), global warming is accelerating at a faster rate than climate change experts had previously predicted.
Latest studies shows the Arctic Ocean is losing sea ice up to 30 years ahead of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predictions. It is now predicted that the summer sea ice could completely disappear between 2013 and 2040 - something that hasn't occurred in more than a million years.
WWF's new report, 'Climate change: faster, stronger, sooner' combines new scientific data shows global warming is accelerating beyond IPCC's forecasts.
The number and intensity of extreme cyclones over the British Isles and the North Sea are projected to increase. Sea levels are expected to rise more than double the IPCC's maximum estimate of 0.59 metre by the end of the century.

Beware! Spitting in Public Costly as Dubai Launches Clean Drive

Beware! Spitting in Public Costly as Dubai Launches Clean Drive
(Joy Sengupta-Khaleej Times) 7 October 2008
DUBAI — A month-long campaign, titled ‘Say Yes to a Clean Naif’, will be launched by Dubai Municipality on Wednesday. The campaign is aimed at creating awareness about the unhealthy practices of spitting in public places, littering and drying of clothes in the balconies of buildings, municipality officials said on Monday.
“Spitting in public places is a serious problem. Many people, who chew betel leaves and tobacco products, tend to spit anywhere they wish without any concern for hygiene,” said municipality spokesperson Ismail Miladi.
Though there is no penalty or fine for hanging clothes in the open, municipality rules stipulate a fine of Dh500 for spitting and littering in public. The municipality will organise road shows and publicise the event in the print and electronic media.
“We need to keep the city clean. The Dubai Municipality is sure that the campaign will bear fruit and people will understand the importance of keeping their localities clean and hygienic.
“The municipality has placed several big and small garbage bins in the city for people to throw waste in them,” officials said.
The sale of betel and any of its derivatives is prohibited.
Those caught selling such products risk fines up to Dh5,000, officials said.
“People providing information about the sale of such products are rewarded up to Dh2,000 depending on the size of the seizure of prohibited items,” officials said. People wanting to report violators can call the municipality’s toll free number 800-900.
joy@khaleejtimes.com

Ramadan Offer by Emirates

(By a Staff Reporter) – Khaleej Times - 14 August 2008
DUBAI - Emirates passengers travelling to Dubai during the month of Ramadan can enjoy two nights accommodation for as little as $57 (approx Dh209) a night per person.

According to a Press release, the offer, which runs from September 1 to September 30, involves six select hotels in Dubai, including the Marco Polo Hotel, Novotel World Trade Centre Dubai and Hyatt Regency Dubai.

Big Family + Small Flat= No Residence Visa!

(By Mary Nammour) – Khaleej Times- 14 August 2008
DUBAI - Do you stay in a small accommodation with a large family? It's likely your application will be rejected the next time around you apply for renewal of your family's residency visas. The renewal of residency visas for families is now linked to the size of the family and the size of the accommodation they are staying in, said Brigadier Obeid Muheir bin Suroor, Acting Director of the Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD).

Speaking to Khaleej Times, the official stressed that the DNRD would not be issuing or renewing residency visas for families unless they were staying in a 'proper accommodation'. The DNRD official had said earlier this week that tenancy contract was not a prerequisite in Dubai for renewal of residency visas. However, he has now clarified that providing accommodation to the sponsored persons is an absolute must. Talking to KT, Bin Suroor said, 'We don't get into such details as asking for the tenancy contract, but we ensure that whoever applies for a residency visa for his family, first has accommodation available for himself. Otherwise, the visa application gets rejected.'

Bin Suroor said his department had now become strict on the accommodation condition for residency visa applications. 'When applying for the residency visa for family members, the applicant must furnish proof that he has a proper place to accommodate the family. This proof can be a tenancy contract or a letter from the person's sponsoring company stating it has provided accommodation for the applicant's family. The accommodation can be located in a building, a hotel apartment or a separate house,' he said. 'The space where the person lives should match the size of the family. If the applicant is living in a studio flat, he can't apply for residence visas for a family of many children.' However, when queried about the specifics like how many children for different sizes of flats he said there weren't specific / particular guidelines to be followed by the department in this regard.

He, however, said that DNRD would be looking precisely into the accommodation proof and the 'accommodation feasibility' for the members of family.

AED 91 m Contract Will Make Dubai's Roads Greener

Staff Report (Gulf News) Published: August 10, 2008, 00:02
Dubai: The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has awarded a Dh91 million contract to expand the amount of greenery on Dubai's roads. The project, which covers the 72 kilometre Dubai Bypass road, aims to highlight the importance of beautification and greenery on Dubai's roads. Plants have been selected which suit the local habitat, act as windbreakers and curb desertification.
Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA, said the project will add three million square metres (about 289 hectares) of greenery to the emirate. "We have given much attention to plants that match the location and importance of the Dubai Bypass Road. We have selected plants that fit well with the local habitat and that are considered the best in acclimatising to the prevailing weather conditions and soil nature.
Flora
"The flora will also cut down on irrigation and maintenance costs as well as act as a windbreaker and a means of curbing sand movement from both sides of the road." The Dubai Bypass road will provide motorists with an alternative route from Emirates Road and Shaikh Zayed Road. It will also give drivers heading from the northern emirates to Abu Dhabi, and vice versa, the opportunity to reach their destination without having to pass through downtown areas.
The first phase of the project was completed in March and the completion rate of phase two has just exceeded 95 per cent. Construction on the third and final phase, from Jebel Ali to the border of Abu Dhabi emirate, began in July 2007. It includes the construction of three camel crossings, water drainage channels, utility lines, a safety fence and lighting work.
Al Tayer added: "The RTA is pressing ahead with development work on a number of key roads in Dubai as part of a series of vital projects aiming to improve roads and provide better services in residential areas."

Residency centres across Dubai handle visa work with ease

Staff Report (Gulf News)
Published: August 03, 2008, 23:35
Dubai: The Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD) continues to offer its services to the public through its main branch in Al Jaffiliya and over 16 centres in Dubai following the implementation of ministerial decision no 322 for 2008 that introduced new visa structures. These external centres, which come as a great support to the Central Administration located in Al Jaffiliya, are spread across Dubai, and offer the same services as the main office in Bur Dubai, including the issue of passports for nationals and entry permits to residents, and other entry visa related procedures in addition to renewal of E-gate cards.
Following a unified comprehensive system, which has been recently implemented by DNRD, employees have undergone thorough training enabling each employee to finalise all transactions and be familiar with the new visa structures. Customers can benefit from DNRD flexible timings, as the new timings from 7.30am to 2.30pm and from 2.30pm to 8pm will suit the needs of a large number of people. Moreover, elderly people, namely at the Hatta Centre, receive special treatment where DNRD officials pick up and deliver their transactions directly to their residences.
Major-General Mohammad Ahmad Al Merri, DNRD Director, said: "Our main mission at the DNRD is to simplify procedures while offering a world-class service to all our customers."

RTA to Install 35 More Cameras on Roads

Staff Report (Gulf News)
Published: August 03, 2008, 00:09
Dubai: The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will install 35 more fixed and mobile cameras on junctions and highways across Dubai to monitor traffic. The latest additions bring the total number of cameras on the city's roads to 232, covering 108 kilometres of highway.

Mobility
Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA, said the latest developments sought to ensure smooth mobility for all road users. "By awarding this contract, the number of surveillance cameras installed rises to 232; 12 of them in the Al Shindagha Tunnel, 111 in the Airport Tunnel and 109 on highways and at light signal-controlled junctions.

Control centre
"These cameras are linked with the control centre through optic fibres and microwaves technology. "The project will boost the efficiency of the traffic system in a way compatible with the massive expansion of traffic volumes and road planning," Al Tayer said. Offices of the Intelligent Traffic Systems (ITS) will monitor the traffic situation from an advanced control room at the recently-renovated Traffic Signal Control Centre at Bani Yas. 
State-of-the-art technology will be used to cover key roads including Shaikh Zayed, Al Khaleej, Emirates, Shaikh Rashid, Abu Baker, Al Siddique, Al Ittihad, Al Mina and Bani Yas Road as well as Al Shindagha Tunnel, Al Maktoum Bridge and Al Garhoud Bridge. Al Tayer added: "Mobile cameras are characterized by their transmission of live events and ability to move in all directions horizontally and vertically." 

Moved
"Moreover, the camera can be moved and installed in another location in a short time. Cameras can be used in monitoring the ongoing roadworks, temporary traffic diversions, exit and entry points of key roads and other areas of concern."

Astronomy group in Dubai opens a bright new world of stars to children

Staff Report (Gulf News)
Published: August 03, 2008, 15:04
Dubai: It's stargazing time for children. Dubai Astronomy Group is imparting astronomy lessons to children of various age groups at the Children's City on Thursdays. The group, led by its President Hasan Ahmad Al Hariri, teaches children every Thursday from 7pm to 8.30pm stargazing techniques, using an advanced telescope. 
The programme forms part of Children's City summer activities, which began on June 19 and will go on till end of August. 

According to Al Hariri, stargazing is richly embedded in Arabian culture. "It is part of our tradition. We pray with the sun, we fast with the moon and we know in which direction to pray through the stars. Whether navigating on land or sea, stars have always been used. Even to tell which day, month or the time at night, stars are used," he said. 
"There is not enough education about astronomy in schools which is why we are willing to help children in whatever ways possible. Our tie-up with Children's City is part of these efforts."

Intimacy prevalent on Dubai's public beaches

Intimacy prevalent on Dubai's public beaches (Gulf News Report)
By Alice Johnson and Abbas Al Lawati, Staff Reporters
Published: August 02, 2008, 00:04
Dubai: As the Public Prosecution questions witnesses in Dubai's most recent public indecency case, beachgoers seem undeterred by the prospect of arrest. Public acts of intimacy were highlighted this month, after a British couple was arrested on a public beach. The couple has been referred to Public Prosecution on charges of consensual sex, public indecency and consuming liquor. At 1 am on Tuesday, hundreds of people were found by Gulf News reporters on the Jumeirah Open Beach, swimming in the sea and being intimate. Families and groups seemed to dominate one area of the beach and sea, while quieter areas were dominated by couples, frolicking together in public. One young Filipino couple, who were openly kissing, said: "The police never come down to the water."
The woman continued to say that it was "safe" for one to be in such a situation in the water with a boy or girlfriend, because police intervention is rare.

Privacy
Many pairs of heads could be seen sticking out of the water, leaving enough distance apart from other couples to ensure mutual privacy. While most couples kept their swimming costumes on in the sea, some women had taken their tops off. One man was observed watching a couple in an intimate position from the shoreline.
Another couple, who were kissing in an intimate embrace on the sand until questioned by Gulf News, seemed generally undeterred by the prospect of police patrols.
"You do have to be a bit careful. The police patrol comes every hour or 90 minutes, but the light from the car is enough to warn you. If they do catch you doing something they just give you a warning and say, don't ever do it again," the South-Asian male said.
"The police might ask for your labour card - you just have to make sure you have everything," the Filipina said.
The couple said they have been coming to the beach every seven to 10 days for the last couple of years. In a two-hour period, only one police patrol was observed on the stretch of beach.
Two Emirati teenage boys were the only non-romantic beachgoers that ventured to the area used by intimate couples. It was their first time at the beach, they said, as they were not from Dubai.
Besides the occasional curious glances at the frolicking couples in the sea, the two were minding their own business.
"I couldn't believe what I saw," one of them said shyly. "I didn't know these kind of things happened here. They don't happen where we are from," said one of them. The affectionate couples were concentrated in a small area towards the end of the public beach.
Although only a stone's throw from areas frequented by families, the couples' area was free of children, families and singles.

Beach safety:
Swimmers are oblivious to dangers of swimming at night
7pm, hundreds of people were in the sea - including families with young children.
Four people drowned recently - one at Al Mamzar and others at Jumeirah beaches
Lifeguard works from 6am to 7pm at Jumeirah Open Beach
An ambulance was present at the Open Beach at 1.30am
32 deaths and 39 injuries in drowning and near-drowning over last three years

Where Does Dubai Get all Money from?

Q: Where does Dubai get all its money from? They are building incredible buildings and artificial islands... are they an oil rich country? They seem so small! (Asked through Web)
A: At first, Dubai is not a Country and an Emirate of United Arab Emirates (Country)
But if you calculate Dubai Emirate's revenue income, only 6% of Income they are earning from petroleum (oil) or natural gas, and the rest from Trading, Manufacturing, Industries (like free zones), financial Services, etc.
Now investments from all over the world in Dubai's real estate sector and they are building the most recordable buildings, towers and artificial islands. Dubai Emirate's share to the UAE's gas revenue is only 2%. Most of Oil Production is in Abu Dhabi Emirate only.

Transit Visa in Dubai

Q: How can a Polish national get a 96 hour transit visa to see Dubai?

I am a British Citizen. My fiance is Polish. We will be catching a connecting flight at Dubai airport but have 12 hours between flights and wanted to leave the airport to see the City. I can, but he (being Polish) cannot get a visa upon arrival without a sponsor. Do you think the airline (Emirates) can help? (Asked by: Jojounia)

A: See this information on Transit Visas

"This type of visa is a 4-day (96 hours) visa, which is issued by sponsorship of an airline operating in the United Arab Emirates. A transit visa can only be issued if a visitor has a valid ticket for an onward flight and the issuing of transit visas is normally free of cost."

So please contact with your airline office for obtaining the transit visa for your fiance.

Citizenship of Abu Dhabi, UAE

Q: I was born in U.A.E/Abu Dhabi, Does that entitle me to a citizenship?

A: See the below given quote from another website: (Not From My Assumptions)

“Dubai’s government is keen to protect the status quo and doesn’t want to compromise its cultural values or standard of living by allowing foreigners to become a permanent part of society. Your only route to becoming a naturalized citizen is by marriage to a national; even this, however, doesn’t guarantee citizenship, particularly for non-Muslims.

In exceptional circumstances only, a Dubai’s ruler might grant citizenship to a foreigner who has provided outstanding service to the state over a number of years. A generous employer might reward a loyal worker who has made a major contribution to the company over many years by providing him with a work and residence permit of indefinite duration. After your retirement, however, the employer would have to be a figure of considerable influence to maintain this gift and satisfy the labour authorities. In this case, you wouldn’t be a citizen, but merely be allowed to remain in the country indefinitely.

Children of foreigners born in Dubai don’t have rights of local citizenship and automatically assume the nationality of the parents. If one of the parents is a national of Dubai, the child will usually be granted local nationality and may later become a national of Dubai and obtain a local passport.”

So hope, this will help you a little

Should I submit my Passport to Employer

Q: Is it compulsory to submit passport with your employer in UAE? I will be going to Abu Dhabi on work permit. My Bank is going to provide me Family visa. Is it compulsory to submit the passport with my employer? Will they take my wife's passport also? Is there any other way if I don't want to submit my passport to them? (Asked by: Purvi D)

A: As per rules, "the act of retaining the employee's passport is not legal and the employer should hand over the passport to the employee". This quoted from an expert advocate from Dubai, UAE.

Also the Passport is the property of the respective issuing Government (not even the property of the holder - the name "holder" itself saying that, the person is just a holder of the passport only.). So as per the law it is absolutely against LAW.

Anyhow, sometimes most of companies will retain the passport of their employees for security reasons here, because in UAE anyone can go out of country even without the permission of employer if he holds the passport. But in some other countries like Saudi Arabia / Qatar even if the employee holds the passport he cannot go out of country without stamping a exit & re-entry pass/visa in his/her passport.

If the company mention in your job contract that they will keep the passport, it will be acceptable. Even if the statement is not in the offer/appointment letter, it will be a non-written rule here to submit your passport with employer for your job there. But, no need to give your wife's passport to them, hope the employer will not ask this to you

Burj Al-Arab is 5 Star Hotel & Not a 7 Star One

Q: Is Burj Al-Arab a 5-star or a 7-star hotel? (Some websites say 5 stars; other websites say 7 stars) Which one is correct?

A: As of now, there is only one 7 Star rated hotels in UAE as per seven stars & stripes ratings and is,

Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi, one of world's costliest hotel, Kempinsky hotels international managed one.

In case of Burj Al-Arab, in Dubai, even the hotel's official web site or some other rating company's official websites, it is not mentioned that it's having a rating of 7 star or 5 Star.

Advertisements in non-official sites are like this: "The Burj al-Arab Hotel - The worlds 'ONLY' 7 star hotel" but the fact everyone knows. Do the world only having a single 7 star hotel? It is 100% misleading...
But, the real fact is Burj Al-Arab only a 5 Star hotel.

An addition to my answer:

It is now 100% clear that Burj Al-Arab is only a 5 Star hotel. The information I received officially from Burj Al-Arab Management:  a part of the mail is 

"We have reviewed your email and we would like to inform you that Burj Al Arab is a 5 star deluxe property as per the hotel classification association, however many journalists have proclaimed the hotel as a 7 star because of its uniqueness and service quality. "

Mail from Sales Relations Officer of Burj Al-Arab

Hope this is enough. www.emiratespalace.com; www.burj-al-arab.com; www.jumeirah.com; 

Is Dubai a Country/City?

Q: Where Dubai is situated and is it a city or standing alone country? I got a job in Dubai and would like to know for those who know about Dubai were it is situated and it is a good idea to go and work that far. I would well want to know if it will not close chances for me to come back to my country at least yearly to see my parents, relatives, friends and my wife.

Please kindly help as l require adiquate information before l may leave. (Asked by: Douglas M)

A: UAE comprises of 7 emirates and Dubai is an emirate out of the 7. Well, UAE is the country and Abu Dhabi is the Capital of this Country, Dubai is second largest economy in UAE.

You didn't mentioned your home country name, so that it is impossible to tell you that how long it will take to go back to your country, and how often the flight services are available. Anyhow, from Dubai Airport, flights are available almost all locations in the world.

If your company offering annual ticket, you can go home by using that ticket, otherwise you can purchase and go.