Dubai Atlantis whale shark could face death from being kept in “sterile and chemically treated settings” at the Atlantis
aquarium, the executive director of an influential animal welfare group has warned.
The Animal Welfare Institute has written to the UAE Ministry of Environment and Water to point out that whale sharks are protected under the CITES convention on endangered species.
If you are from Dubai you may be remember a few months back a french guy was caught after base jumping in the Burj Dubai the current tallest building in the world , was imprisoned, and was fined. Well they has been released and returned in France. He and his friend a British guy have now revealed something that not even Dubai’s authorities knew. There were two of them, an Englishman (who escaped) and the Frenchman, and they had both successfully completed the jump a few days before, got away scot-free, and documented the entire adventure on film. The footage was used to create this crazy little 7 minute short documentary below by Current TV. Watch the video below
DU the famous telecommunication in UAE, one of the competitor of ETISALAT are now in deep sh****t and I will tell you why. Here’s my story . 2 months ago I was staying Deira near Reef Mall a beautiful new building with 2 bedroom hall flat small kitchen with big balcony, we had a connection of 512 KB package of ETISALAT on that place for a year and half and I can say their service is great, and even 6 people using the wireless connection it never laggs, also even 1 computer is downloading movies the other is dowloading mp3 or music other are working with website and some are only surfing the net, you can still say that it never gives a problem or to have a slow connection.
After 2 months
We move in a beautiful place, International City going to HATTA | OMAN, we are staying in CHINA CLUSTER near Dragon Mart. International City is a freezone area and DU monopolize all freezone area in the U.A.E. (that’s what I know). I got a DU package subscription including with telephone line, Internet and TV connection. They install 256 KB and Im the only one using it, since I subscribe for the internet I cannot open 4 to 5 browser using FIREFOX at the same time, If im going to do that, it will not open any website the I browse. I thought it was only the computer, maybe it has some virus or spyware, I get my laptop in the office which latest DELL laptop and still the internet is so slow. I remormat my DESKTOP computer to makes sure it is clean, after a couple of hours I finish reformating and. VIOLA!!! my internet is still slow, I am so so so so upset for the service.
I called their support and they give me instruction to see if it makes different, like unplug the RJ45 cable, turnoff the router, unplug the cable to the wall and so on and so on… What do you think??!@&*%*&My problem is still not resolve, Now I don’t have any chance to work more and to become productive because of this sh***t connection..
NEVER GIVE UP
I’m not giving up and I think the solution and the best way to do is upgrade my subcription from 256 to 512 KB … Yes this is the last thing that I can think of, to resolve all this nonsense thingy… August 29 I called DU Telecommunication and told them to upgrade my subscription and they told me it will be activated for 24 to 48 hours before I can see the effects..
2 Days after.. Aug 31, 2008
I never use my computer for 2 days, as I thought it will be useless If Im going to work and then I will just make myself upset again.. I open my new reformat my 2007 DELL DESKTOP COMPUTER, it loads some anti virus, yahoo messenger, Microsoft messenger and xammp application..
I am a bit excited to work because i have so many pending jobs that I need to work on and it’s urgent. After all application open, I click firefox then it loads the google homepage quickly.. I open 2 of my website and it never opens, I type yahoo website on the navigation and still not loading…
I FAILED AGAIN…
oh men! oh men… what do I need to do for this connection that I have right now.. I am not upset but it peas me off!!! arrgghhh what is this people doing on their company.. From Sept 1 until today September 12, 2008 they told me the system is down, the next day they told me they are upgrading, the next day, they told me thta they forgot to upgrade and then back to system down to upgrading then gorgot… Is this a joke?? I am waiting for them to bill me out for the next month, and then I will tell them that I forgot my credit card or I upgrade my credit card, Do you think they are going to accept the reason.. ??b**lsh****t** !lmao excuse my language but arggghh If I can do anything to this people…!!
DU VS ETISALAT
It’s very simple! DU SUCKS! and ETISALAT is GREAT!
PS: I wrote this post in microsoft word then wait for an hour to load my wordpress blog! sigh!
Dubai earthquake - image source Khaleejtimes
While I’m writing this post earthquake hits Dubai near DIFC – Dubai International Financial Center, a friend of mine called me that they are evacuating the the building because of the earthquake in Dubai. There are still no official news that theres a earthquake, but I confirmed it to my friend that it is true and all residents near DIFC are announced to evacuate their houses.. will post more info soon…
According to Gulfnews
Dubai: Severe tremors were felt in Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman and other parts of the emirates at around 3pm forcing people to flee from homes and office.
The jolts were caused by a powerful earthquake measures 6.2 that occurred in the south-west of the Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas. The epicentre of the quake was 43m west of the Qishm Island in the Arabian Gulf.
According to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre, the depth of the quake was some 50km in the earth.
The jolts were so severe that they were felt by the people living in the first and second floors of the building. Police and Civil Defence department has not reported any material damage or causalities.
The quake sent a wave of panic among the residents and most them rushed out in the open and safe places. The National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS) is currently been working on collecting details of the earthquake.
People living and working in Al Quasis, Bur Dubai and Dubai Media City said that the tremors lasted for a few seconds. Residents in Sharjah reported their buildings swaying.
Jamal Abdullah, director at the Earthquake Observatory in the American University of Sharjah (AUS), said, ìThese tremors seem very similar to the ones experienced in November 2005. This is not new activity and could have been caused by the Zagrous fault that lies between the Arabian and Eurasian plates
“My office is in Al Quasis. I was so scared. All the 28 people working in our office ran out of the building,” said one worker.
Salik in Dubai - image source: Gulf News
I heard in radio that traffic jamming was at its worst yesterday in the emirates road, especially at key road exits.
RTA – Road and Transport Authority start the second part of Toll Gates System (Salik) it’s operation on Tuesday 9-9-2008 on Al Safa on Sheikh Zayed Road and on Al Maktoum Bridge going to Deira.
Having this toll gate system (SALIK) will reduce traffic jammed in the main road of Dubai. Motorist is now avoiding toll bunged on Maktoum Road and Safa, using Shindaga Tunnel and Floating Bridge.
Here are sa FAQ for you about Toll Gate System (Salik).
What are the alternative routes available for motorists who do not wish to use Salik?
There are five available alternative roads and a wide range of public transport services to support the new phase of Salik. The alternative roads include the Business Bay Crossing which includes 13 lanes and connects the airport tunnel with Sheikh Rashid and Al Khail roads. Al Shandagha Tunnel and Floating Bridge are other alternatives that link the end of Al Ittihad Road near Deira City Center with Al Riyadh Road in Bur Dubai.
Emirates Road is also an important alternative which has been expanded by the RTA from three lanes to six lanes in each direction, in addition to the Arabian Ranches intersection that will be finalized in August. One of the external alternative roads is the Dubai Bypass with 6 lanes in each direction and connecting Dubai with Abu Dhabi and Sharjah without having to pass through Dubai downtown. The construction work for expanding the Sharjah entrance with Dubai at Al Sajaa intersection up to the Al Rawia intersection on Dubai-Al Ain road will be finalized before activating the new phase of Salik system.
Construction on the road projects in Deira which will lead to the alternative routes will also be finalized within already set time schedule. In June 2008 RTA will finish phase one of the Al Nahda intersection – Beirut street project. The new project aims to develop a highway that connects the Al Quds intersection road with Beirut Street reaching up to the Al Nahda intersection with Beirut Street. The project is part of the development phase of the northern section of Dubai International Airport tunnel.
Traffic management on Al Nahda intersection with Beirut Road also includes diverting the intersection of Al Nahda Road with Beirut Road from controlled intersection using traffic lights to a layered intersection featuring separate levels. This will be executed by building an upper bridge on Al Nahda road in addition to constructing a tunnel on Beirut Road to improve the traffic performance on these two roads, and to provide a smooth flow on Beirut Road to the airport tunnel in both directions.
RTA has already finished the two lanes bridge in both directions which supports the traffic coming from Abu Hail and Salah Al Deen roads in the Sharjah direction. This project comes within the expansion project of Al Ittihad Road which will be completed by the end of this year.
RTA has provided another alternative in addition to the alternative roads that includes the introduction of new modernized busses. In the next three months, 112 modern buses will be introduced along with five additional lines to support them. A special bus lane on Kahlid Bin Waleed, Al Mankhoul, Al Khaleej and Al Mina roads will be activated during the coming three months.
A fast bus lane will be also activated on Al Ittihad, Emiartes Road and Sheikh Zayed Road to provide fast trips between Sharjah and Dubai, and Jebel Ali and Tecom. RTA will launch “Awsilni” service for RTA’s employees which features luxurious buses with internet services and registration attendance system.
The RTA has recently signed eight strategic agreements with renowned institutions in Dubai for mobility management. Accordingly, RTA will facilitate transport procedures for companies interested in allocating buses for transporting employees to and from homes to the workplace.
When will the new tariff be applied?
The new tariff will officially be applied by September 9, 2008.
How much a motorist needs to pay in case passing under the three toll gates (Al Gharhoud, Al Safa, Al Barsha)?
When a motorist crosses Al Safa toll gate, only four dirhams will be deducted if the car passes under Al Barsha and vise versa within a specified normal time required to do cover the distance. The motorist will need to pay fees when crossing Al Gharhoud Bridge toll gate as usual.
What do you mean by “the one trip” between the two gates on Sheikh Zayed road?
When a car crosses Al Safa toll gate, only four dirhams will be deducted if the car passes under Al Barsha toll gate and vise versa within a specified normal duration required to cover the two gates.
Would the minimum limit of the tariff per day cost AED 24?
Yes, it would be AED 24.
What are the alternative routes when the Floating Bridge is closed from 10pm till 6am for those willing to cross Dubai Creek? Will the Maktoum Bridge toll gate be free at that time?
Yes, crossing Al Maktoum Bridge toll gate will be free when the Floating Bridge is closed to ease the process for motorists, which comes in line with RTA strategy.
Will a motorist pay fees when crossing one of the toll gates and then exiting from Sheikh Zayed Street before crossing the other gate?
Yes, he will. For example, if a motorist crosses under al Safa toll gate, he will have to pay the tariff, but if he continues on the same trip and crosses Al Barsha toll gate, he will only pay AED 4.
What do toll gates and toll fees and sticker tags mean?
The toll gates are electronic toll gates, where toll fees (4dhs) will be electronically deducted from the account of each motorist entering specific tolled roads in Dubai. Through this system, the toll is deducted automatically every time the motorist passes through the toll gates from a pre-paid sticker tag card installed in the windshield of the vehicle. If the tag is not installed or it has no credit, electronic cameras will capture the car registration number on camera and be fined.
Where can motorists buy the toll system sticker tag and participate in Salik and recharge cards?
The sticker tags will be available in more than 300 locations, at petrol stations (Enoc, Epco, Adnoc and Emarat) and Dubai Islamic Bank and Emirates Bank branches, and authorized outlets related to RTA.
What is the price of the Salik tag and the participation fees?
The price is 100 dhs for each kit, 50 dhs will be deducted as an initial cost for the account, and the other half will be considered as credit.
Is it true that motorist will know that their accounts need to be recharged through an SMS?
Motorists will be notified through SMS when their accounts need to be recharged. They will receive the first SMS when the credit is 30 AED and the second one at the 20 AED, and the third one alerts the motorist that the credit is zero. They will also receive an SMS in case they are fined and in this situation motorist can recharge within 2 working days to cancel the fine and it will automatically be transferred in to the credit. Motorists can check their accounts through the toll system dedicated website www.salik.ae as well as the call center 800- Salik (800 – 72545).
How can motorists check their Salik credit?
They can check their Salik balance on-line by visiting www.salik.ae or through the IVR service offered by the call center by calling 800- Salik (72545) and following the voice instructions. They will also receive SMS about the status of their Salik balance.
Will there be a cap of 24 Dhs a day for using the tolled roadways?
The maximum limit of the toll fees will be 24 dhs per day. Once motorists reach this amount they can have free crossing for the rest of the day.
Are there any exceptional cases from Toll fees? And will school buses, cargo companies and taxis have any discounts?
Only vehicles registered as military, police, ambulances, school and college buses, and public buses are exempted.
Taxis are not exempted and passengers will bear the toll fees if they are willing to use the roads where the Toll Gates are located. Cab drivers must confirm the passengers’ willingness before using the road.
Companies with ten or more cars can open ‘Salik’ private account. There will be no discounts as the price is unified and fixed.
What are the procedures that will be taken by RTA in case of toll violation?
There will be 2 kinds of fines, the first one is for motorists who did not stick the tag on the windshield, and the fine will be 100 AED for the first day, 200 for the next day, and 400 AED for the third day. Any additional fine will stay on the limit of 400 AED.
The second kind type of fines is for motorists who already have the tag on the windshield but it is out of credit, they will be fined 50 AED for each entry, but the motorist can overrule the fine if they recharge within 2 working days and the 50 AED will be automatically transferred into credit. However, motorist will receive the first SMS when the credit is 30 AED and the second one at the 20 AED, and the third one alerts the motorist that the credit is zero.
Do you guarantee good flowing for the traffic movement for the motorist?
Planning for roads and transport is an integrated and strategic process, and finally we aim to provide smooth and safe transport for all the people in Dubai. We are looking forward to touch some traffic improvement on the tolled roads.
What about the tourists, who visit Dubai for one day, do they have to buy the tag for 100 AED and using it for one time?
All visitors from Gulf region and other Emirates are obliged to participate and buy Salik tags. When the tourist rents a car from a car rental agency it will be already have a tag. If he prefers to ride his own car he has to buy a tag and it will be activated for several years, in case the car window is not damaged and he can keep the credit of the card even he comes back to Dubai after several years.
RTA has installed signboards on the entrances of Dubai that show the locations of the toll gates and the free exits and points of sale.
Can I add vehicles (tags) to my account?
Yes. When you fill out the application, just indicate that you have an existing account and let us know the number and we will add the tag to your account.
Will I have a separate account for every Salik tag?
No. Each account can have multiple tags, one for each vehicle. However, each account will have one account owner and one associated mobile number for communicating account information.
Can I drive through the toll zone immediately after buying a tag?
Yes. If your application is submitted and your tag is purchased and installed properly, the proper toll will be assessed and no violation will occur.
What if I sell my vehicle?
Call the Salik Customer Service Centre right away to deactivate your Salik tag so your account is not linked to a vehicle you no longer own. If you buy a new car you should apply for a new application by using your current account number and fill the information of your new car at any point of sale.
What if I damage or lose my tag?
If your Salik tag gets damaged or lost the vehicle owner will need to pay for a new tag to replace it on the windshield, and in this case the subscriber can use the same account number.
Someone else was driving my car at the time of violation. Do I have to pay?Yes. The owner of the vehicle is responsible for any toll violation, regardless of who was driving at the time the violation occurred.
Everyday in Dubai 