Degree attestation for Educated Nationals of Pakistan was always a TASK It has been made convenient, by HEC

Please read and access the website as well,

This is completely my personal experience.

I had earlier also made a note on Taxi’s in Dubai. Still my experience to board a taxi is to wait for an hour atleast.

Dubai Taxi has now announced making available taxi on an sms. I tried earlier many times calling the call centre to get a taxi, but out of about 3 times, only once did I get a reply, that too after one and half hour.

Lets hope that the Dubai Taxi gets better this time.

Since the Dubai Government offered expatriates the right to freehold property in 2002, the Dubai property landscape has changed beyond belief.

Many of those individuals that took the plunge early-on now boast of 300 per cent returns or more on some of their off-plan property deals, causing many current home-seekers and investors to feel that they have missed the boat. But all the signs are that Dubai property is still on the up-and-up.

So where is the smart money going, apartments or villas? Both types of properties have their own merit. In both sectors, powerful and steady demand and the widespread availability of finance from local and international lenders is still driving prices aggressively.

That said, of the 55,000 residential units coming on line next year, just a fraction will be villas. In a relentless property climate, villas are therefore proving to be the hot ticket, specifically in the owner-occupier segment.

Villas

Each year, Dubai represents a land of opportunity for hundreds of thousands of new residents. A continuing surge in demand for family homes is the direct result.

The beauty of a villa is that you and your family can be part of ready made community, and with most developers committed to providing the very best for their residents, most villa developments offer schools, mosques and a wide range of shops and other facilities. This is something that apartment dwellers often do not get.

Capital appreciation for completed and off-plan villas remains very impressive. It is, however, the ‘des-res’ luxury segment that is increasing in price at the most extraordinary pace. Jumeirah Islands in Dubai, for example, has seen increases in price of up to Dhs1m since the start of the summer, and Emirates Hills and Palm Jumeirah villas continue to sell for unprecedented amounts, with no other property world-wide doing as well in the resale market.

At the medium end of the market, Springs, Meadows and Arabian Ranches are hitting an all time price high as well.

A major benefit of a villa purchase for investment purposes is that due to the extreme shortage in supply, prices and leasing potentials are exceptional.

Leasing agents have reported unprecedented hikes in overall rental income of up to 25 per cent since May 2007. And many investors that purchased early are receiving up to 15 per cent annual capital appreciation. The average return on capital investment is still 7-10 per cent, depending on the development.

The disadvantages of buying a villa as an investment are few. However, for the seasoned property investor, the prospect of paying 100 per cent of the original price plus a huge premium for a villa may not be as attractive as buying a property off-plan.

Here, over the medium term, returns on investment can potentially prove to be far more attractive. Off-plan villa projects tend to see their premiums climb at a slower rate though, as villa residents prefer being able to walk though a completed property before purchase when they plan to live there themselves.

Apartments

Apartments continue to perform well, though again, it is primarily the luxury segment of this particular market that is showing strong price improvements. There is little shortage in apartment supply, although the quality of available properties coming on line varies dramatically.

The better quality units set in desirable locations perform best and offering the strongest potential from a rental perspective. Off-plan, pre-launch apartment projects continue to excite overseas investors looking to develop in particular a Dubai property portfolio in the UAE.

Market confidence and the introduction of industry regulations, coupled with the advancement of the freehold law, has encouraged an increasing number of investors. They are increasingly looking at buy-to-let finance solutions because of the extremely vibrant rental market and prospective returns on completion of their properties. The growth in rental returns for apartments are, in general, clearly stronger than villas, ranging from 8-12 per cent.

The rule of thumb in the current market is that a villa purchase will bring you a strong capital appreciation, and an apartment will produce the best return on investment.

Property returns across the emirates vary, because of the different stages of property development each is at, combined with their desirability. But in Dubai, the most developed UAE market, the average premium for a completed off-plan villa is 90 per cent and the average premium for an apartment that is bought off plan is 60 per cent - demonstrating the comparison.

Either way, the property boom is far from over and any foray into the property market at this time can be approached with confidence providing you have done the groundwork.

Source: Khaleej Time & Gulf News

SHARJAH - The ordeal of motorists in Sharjah is expected to increase manifold with the busy Al Wahda Street being closed for traffic for two years from August 15.

The street will remain closed from the Al Falah Plaza near the King Faisal Bridge up to the Culture Roundabout.

One of the busiest roads in Sharjah, this part of the Al Wahda Street will remain closed till 2010 to pave way for the the second phase of the largest road network expansion project in the emirate, officials said.

Shaikh Khalid bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Director-General of the Sharjah Public Works Department, said the road section is being closed for the construction of two hanging bridges in Abu Shagara area and one in Al Tabaq Al Tayer roundabout, in addition to a tunnel to replace the Culture Roundabout to ensure efficient traffic movement.

The Al Wahda Road project started in March 2006 and is being built at a total cost of Dh2.1 billion. The project is expected to be completed by 2010.

Al Qasimi said the project is being undertaken under the instruction of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. The Public Works Department is making necessary efforts to improve the infrastructure and public premises which meet the high international standards.

Asked how they will manage the traffic chaos, Al Qasimi said the department has a comprehensive plan to complete the project without disturbing the traffic flow by charting temporary intersections and safe detours to avoid congestion during the closure period.

Motorists are advised to take alternative roads and follow the road diversions being put in place, he said.

As part of the Al Wahda Road project, many internal roads have been paved. The works that have been carried out in the past six months include the conversion of nine roundabouts into traffic signal-controlled intersections.

Despite the assurances, motorists are worried. They say once people who have abroad on vacation come back, the Sharjah traffic will be a nightmare. Shashank Nair, a motorist, said, “I take 30 minutes to cross the stretch from the King Faisal Road to Cultural Roundabout now. Once this section is closed, my drive will stretch over several hours.

Another motorist also voiced similar opinion, saying the authorities must resorted to partial closure of the lanes for the construction as being done in the neighbouring emirate of Dubai.

Credits: GN (Sunita Menon)
Dubai: From next week motorists will be filling up their cars themselves as Enoc is introducing a self-service system at selected stations in Dubai and the northern emirates.
The pilot project will start at three sites in Dubai and seven in the northern emirates on August 12.

The ten Enoc service stations where the self-service scheme will be introduced include Al Bada’a, opposite Jumeirah Prison, Al Hashimi behind the Sahara Centre, Al Rafia on the Dhaid-Sharjah Road, Al Gharafa on Ajman Main Street and Thouban on the Sharjah-Fujairah highway.

Under the system customers will need to park in front of the pump, switch off the engine, go inside the store and pay the amount they want after mentioning the pump number and desired product. The cashier will then give a receipt for payment and the customer can fill up. The pump will automatically stop when the authorised amount is dispensed.

A company spokesperson said: “We are pleased to be introducing this new initiative to our customers. In the initial stage, we will only introduce the project to ten of our sites.”

The self-service concept will allow for payment by cash only. As a safety measure smoking and the use of mobile phones while filling up are strictly forbidden.

In Abu Dhabi, some 14 petrol stations run by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) have already introduced self-service fuel filling terminals.

The concept generated a mixed reaction among a cross-section of motorists in Dubai. The majority were of the opinion petrol stations should focus on the safety aspect when the concept is implemented next week.

Alisha Fikri, a British national originally from Pakistan, said she had often come across motorists lighting up a cigarette at petrol stations right next to the petrol pump.

“Imagine the disaster that such motorists can bring when they are allowed to put fuel in cars. I did reprimand one of them but was bluntly asked to mind my own business. Self-service is quite good as it will not only save time but make people more responsible. Having said that, I think an awareness campaign of do’s and don’ts need to be launched before the concept of self-service is fully implemented.”

Ali Abdullah Jasem, an Emirati, thinks the concept will not go down well with Arab women.

Jasem who has completed his higher education in the UK said a lot of Western countries had a self-service fuel system implemented a long time ago and it was time the UAE stopped pampering those who live here.

Similar views were highlighted by Sukhwinder Pal, an Indian businessman who said: “We are pampered a lot over here. At every petrol station, grocery store and supermarket we have people employed to serve customers. This has made us lazy. I went to Kerala for a vacation last month and was quite surprised to see motorists filling fuel by themselves. It’s high time people living here became more active. They need to get out of their cars at petrol stations and fill fuel. I am very happy about the service and looking forward to use it.”

Dubai Police Chief in Manama Bahrain

READ HERE

A partial lunar eclipse — the last eclipse of the year 2008 will occur on Aug 16, 2008.

http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/OH/OHfigures/OH2008-Fig06.pdf

Local timings for various places are as follows.

UAE: Dubai timings (local timings)
22.25 to 3.55

A Lebanese singing star was found stabbed to death in her Dubai Marina apartment.

Suzan Abdul Sattar Tamim was also disfigured by her attacker. Dubai Police said the 31-year-old singer was stabbed several hours before her body was discovered.

Police had received a report from one of her relatives who lived in Sharjah, and went to her apartment at Burj Al Remal building in Dubai Marina Monday night where they discovered her body.

Suzan had been living alone in the building for the past eight months. A former winner of the Lebanese talent show Studio Al Fan in 1996, Suzan enjoyed many hit singles during her early career.
Suzan spent most of her short life between courts, police stations and hideouts. Her problems started with a long and unexplained absence period that she spent in France, even before her first short marriage to Ali Muzannar and their divorce in 2002.

Shortly after her divorce, Suzan met the man who would become her second husband, Adel Matouk. She was introduced to Matouk by star maker Simone Asmar, director of Studio Al Fan, who asked Matouk to take care of her.

Matouk took care of Suzan’s 10-year contract with Asmar, and started an extensive campaign to re-launch her music career with his company, Arab-European Production. He also signed a 15-year exclusive contract with the singer.

Less than eight months later, problems erupted between the couple. Matouk asked his wife to stop singing and become a housewife, which she refused. He obtained a court order banning Suzan from travelling outside Lebanon.

Just read on khaleejtimes.com that Cars Taxi has added 400 more taxis to their existing fleet of just 800 taxis.

My personal experiences with Taxis in Dubai at large is that you have to wait for something around minimum of an hour to get hold of a taxi. Either there is not taxi, or if there is a taxi, the driver does not stop to allow you to board it.

As the taxis move on, you have the other option of bus — the Dubai Bus. Now this also comes under RTA as the earlier one (the taxis). The buses are ON time — but not on all places. The site declared on all buses does not open at all !!! The RTA site has a link to dubai buses but the routes displayed there do not mention the stops at all.

The RTA needs a rewamp.

Writing for Metblogs has the potential to be the most rewarding experience in your entire life. It’ll make you rich, famous, good looking, will help you lose weight, make your clothes fit better, and get you a super good deal on a new car. It will make you the most well known person on the entire planet. Yes, each and every one of you. Really.

OK maybe not. Actually those are all lies, but it’s fun at least. The truth is Metblogs is the largest network of locally focused blogs on the web, covering almost 60 cities around the world and we’re looking to add a few new bloggers/writters/authors to this fine site. If you wanna know more about us check out this wikipedia entry but it’s kinda boring so I won’t waste time repeating it all here again. If you wanna write for us, here’s the scoop:

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