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Security guards in Dubai save the lives of two contractors stuck in a tank

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Three security guards helped save the lives of two contractors, who were stuck in a tank in a semi-conscious state.

Richard Estebat, Muhammed Zubair, and Muhammad Iftikhar, security guards from the Transguard group, saved two lives of contractors, who are both stuck in a tank. The three guards were deployed is a tourist sight in Dubai. On duty, Zubair noticed people were gathering near the mechanical room, and at that time, he saw the two contractors stuck inside the tank. He eventually called Estebat and Zubair for help and rescued the contractors.   

Local authorities discovered toxic gas in the tank following an investigation.

According to Dr. Greg Ward, managing director of Transguard Group, “We are proud of these three men for their timely display of courage in an extraordinary situation.” 

A recognition ceremony was held in honor of Zubair Estebat and Iftikhar.

Image credit: Khaleej Times

DUBAI EXPAT STORIES. Paul Mark Simmons: From travel agent to hotel sales director

“In those days,” says 50-year-old Paul Mark Simmons, Director of Sales at Southern Sun Abu Dhabi about his humble beginnings in the United Kingdom, “it was hand writing coach and rail tickets before you were allowed to sell package holidays to popular destinations like Spain and Greece.”

Paul wasted no time and hit the road soon as he finished college, where he started working as a travel agent.

He then moved to handing UK groups attending exhibitions, “which meant I then had to negotiate hotel rates for the groups,” Paul said. 

“Due to the coverage, I was contracting Rotana Hotels a lot and eventually joined their sales team in London promoting the hotels to the UK and Ireland market. 

“After five years with Rotana, I had the opportunity to move to Abu Dhabi and join Millennium Hotel, looking after their Millennium Hotel Abu Dhabi as director of sales and later director of sales and marketing,” Paul said. 

Following the stint, he moved to Cristal Hotels to look after the company’s two Abu Dhabi properties.

He then moved to Southern Sun Abu Dhabi to handle the opening of the hotel. Paul said he really wanted to experience a pre-opening. “That was seven years ago and the time has flown by,” Paul said.

“I think, when you are in hotels, you become part of the community very quickly. As a hotel, you want to be a meeting point for business meetings, dinners with clients or friends and family. 

“Nothing better that seeing returning guests, who stay or use your outlets, who use you as their go to place. That makes it all worthwhile,” shares Paul, a golf enthusiast, who starts his day walk the dog, having coffee before heading to the office to review reports from the day before and the present day’s forecast. 

His advice?

“Have patience, it will come to you either sooner or later; and just keep working hard and keep learning as market conditions and trends change all the time,” said Paul.   

As for success? 

“I think when you are in a revenue generating role it is easy to look at making budgets or forecasts as success……and it is important. 

“But you can also define success as seeing your colleagues grow within the team or even on to other properties. You can’t hold people back and if they move on the bigger and better things then you can take satisfaction with the thought that you helped them get there.”   

Paul has a long-term plan, too!

“Off to Asia in shorts and flip-flops and the occasional game of golf!”  

UAE intercepts two ballistic missiles launched by Houthi militia terrorist

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The Ministry of Defence announced on Monday that its air defence forces had intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles targeting the UAE, which were fired by the Houthi terrorist militia.

The ministry confirmed that there were no casualties resulting from the attack, as the fragments of the ballistic missiles fell in different areas around the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi.

In its statement, the ministry affirmed its “full readiness to deal with any threats,” adding that it will “take all necessary measures to protect the UAE from any attacks.”

The ministry also called on the public to follow the news from the UAE’s official authorities.

Maktoum bin Mohammed appoints Abdullah Sharafi to DFSA’s Board of Directors

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H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance, and President of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), has issued a resolution appointing Abdullah Sharafi to the Board of Directors of the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA).

Sharafi is an experienced businessman and banker with over 20 years of experience at Emirates Industrial Bank. He has extensive experience as a consultant to several ministries and organisations locally and internationally. He also sits on several other boards in the UAE.

Speaking on the occasion, Fadel Al Ali, Chairman of the DFSA, said, “We sincerely appreciate the constant support extended by H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for the development of the DFSA as part of realising the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to develop the emirate into a leading global financial hub.

“Sharafi joins us in place of Abdul Wahid Al Ulama, former DFSA Board member. We sincerely thank Al Ulama for his valuable contributions to the DFSA and wish him the best in his future endeavours. Abdullah Sharafi brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, especially in commerce and finance, to our Board.”

He added that the appointment reflects the DFSA’s commitment to play a vital role in consolidating DIFC’s position as the region’s pre-eminent financial centre and a major global financial centre.WAM

Temperatures to drop to 2°C on Sunday in the UAE

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According to the national Met department (NCM), there will be continued cold and cloudy weather in UAE on Sunday.

It will be partly cloudy at times today, especially near the coast.

By Monday morning, it will be humid with a chance of fog or mist over some coastal areas and internal areas. 

UAE requires students to take a Covid PCR test every 2 weeks for in-person learning

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On January 24, students at public schools and institutions across the UAE will return to in-person learning in two groups.

The Ministry of Education has announced a set of Covid safety precautions to aid their return. Although the protocol is a federal requirement, each Emirate has its own disaster management council that develops local crisis plans. As a result, they may not be applicable in all Emirates.

Students must have a negative Covid test result within 96 hours of returning to university, according to the protocol issued by Hazza Al Mansoori, a government official.

To continue learning on campus, they must take a PCR test every two weeks.

Only parents with the Green Pass active on their AlHosn app will be allowed to enter the school.

When fully vaccinated people have a negative PCR test result, the green status is activated for 14 days. They must also have a negative PCR test result within 96 hours of admission.

UAE leaders condole King Salman on death of Princess Seetah bint Jalawi bin Saud

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President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan sent a cable to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, King of Saudi Arabia, expressing his condolences and sincere sympathy over the death of Princess Seetah bint Jalawi bin Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, sent similar cables to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.

WAM

Filipino Institute Qatar campus wins ‘Most Popular Filipino Training Center’ award

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The Filipino Institute’s Qatar campus has very recently won the the ‘Most Popular Filipino Training Center’ award at the recently concluded Best Life Qatar Readers’ Choice 2022. 

The award is given to pay tribute to Filipino entrepreneurs in Qatar at the start of each year. 

Owned by UAE-based Filipino couple Mr. Gabriel John and Mrs. Camille Joy Rimando, the educational institution was independently chosen through an online survey and Instargam and Facebook likes. 

Mr. Rimando said that the new accolade is a manifestation and reflection of the academe’s service extension not only for Filipinos, but also for a lot of other nationalities. 

This year, there are 12 categories compared to five in the past two years, and by shortening the voting period to five days only–from January 16 to 20. 

This year, the Best Life Qatar searches for the most popular in the following category: 

Most Popular Filipino Beauty Salon

Most Popular Filipino Cargo & Forwarding Company

Most Popular Filipino Company – International Franchise/Operation

Most Popular Filipino Marketing Company

Most Popular Filipino Pastries & Bakeshop

Most Popular Filipino School in Qatar

Most Popular Filipino Speciality Coffeeshop

Most Popular Filipino Trading & Contracting Company

Most Popular Homegrown Filipino Company (Non-Trading & Contracting)

Most Popular Homegrown Filipino Restaurant

Most Popular Newcomer – Food Category

Most Popular Newcomer – Non-Food Category

RAK sets a new low for winter frost with a temperature of -0.1°C

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Winter season is unquestionably felt in Jebel Jais, Ras Al Khaimah as it dropped into a freezing point. National Center of Meteorology recorded 1.3 degrees Celsius on Saturday morning. 

On Friday at 9 pm in Jebel Jais, the mercury dropped to -0.1°C, according to another video posted by the NCM. 

In a new weather alert, the NCM warns UAE residents that strong winds will cause dust to blow across some parts of the country. Several UAE roads, especially those inside Abu Dhabi, will have low visibility as a result. It is recommended that motorists take precautions.

Things to know about Freelance visa in UAE

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Everyone aspires to have a self-employment permit in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), but only a few are eligible for this privilege. However, the authorities introduced a mandate for a wide variety of professionals that can get this kind of visa. 

In an effort to lure brilliant minds to the UAE, the UAE has introduced a host of categories of freelance visas (self-employment).

There are multiple free zones in the UAE that offer freelance visas to residents and foreigners. Regardless of which free zone people apply for a visa to, they can work across the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in their relevant field:

  • Twfour54
  •  Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone
  •  Dubai Media City
  • Dubai Internet City
  • Dubai Knowledge Park
  • Dubai Design District
  • Ajman Free Zone

Dubai Development Authority reports that a freelancer’s permit costs Dh7,500 excluding visa fees.

Below is information on how freelancers can apply for visas in the UAE:

Banking/finance professionals

Professionals in the field of 

  • Accounting
  • Auditing analysing 
  •  Reviewing accounting 
  • Auditing systems. 

Media

It includes:

  •  Actor
  • Aerial shoot photographer
  • Animator
  • Artist
  • Audio/sound engineer 
  • Brand consultant
  • Cameraman 
  • Choreographer
  • Commentator
  • Composer 
  • Content provider 
  • Copywriter 
  • Director
  • Editor
  • Events planner
  • Graphic and furniture designers
  • Journalists
  • Market analyst
  • Presenters 
  • Print media specialists
  • Web designers
  • Web developers and other professionals.

Educationists

Under this category:

  • Education advisors 
  • E-learning advisors
  • Executive coaches
  • Researchers and trainers 

IT professionals

Freelancers working in the field of:

  •  Web, mobile
  • Software development and architecture
  • IT and telecommunication networking
  • Data science and analytics 
  • Customer service 

Designers

  • Apparel designers
  • Concept designers
  • Fashion stylists
  • Image consultants
  • Fashion artists
  • Hairstylists 
  • Interior designers
  • Object designers
  • Personal shoppers
  • Textile designers
  • Visual merchandisers 
  • Wedding planners