The Courts of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) have ruled in favour of the Al Khorafi family to the tune of $70 million plus costs and interest, according to a media statement.

The statement added that the latest verdict comes after the Court of First Instance published its judgment in November 2015, where the first and second defendants, Bank Sarasin-Alpen (ME) and Bank J.Safra Sarasin, respectively, were ordered to pay the mentioned sum to the claimants.

In a ruling with broad consequences for the international investment community, the DIFC Courts ordered Bank Sarasin-Alpen (ME), a joint venture entity between Swiss based Bank Sarasin and Alpen Corporation, to pay losses sustained by the Al Khorafi family from the sale of inappropriately structured real estate, commodity-backed and equity sector products in late 2007 to early 2008.

Based on the rules and regulations of the DFSA, the Court concluded that Bank Sarasin had committed "a clear case of mis-selling unsuitable investments to an investor without regard to the protection that the Regulatory Law was intended to afford Retail Customers".

In 2007, the investors engaged in discussions with Bank Sarasin through its Middle East wealth management and marketing affiliate Bank Sarasin-Alpen (ME), to identify an investment product or strategy that would meet their requirements. Bank Sarasin-Alpen was created to do business within the DIFC, and so was subject to Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) regulation.

The Government of Dubai has made sure that all such dealings are transparent and enforce the DFSA law, which required Bank Sarasin-Alpen to independently determine whether Claimants were Clients or "Retail Customers", as per DFSA regulations and definitions. Within the DIFC's exclusively "Wholesale" business zone, Bank Sarasin-Alpen was barred from dealing "with or for a Retail Customer", and could only offer financial services or products to clients of sufficient expertise or experience, who are able to participate in complex financial transactions.

The conclusion that Bank Sarasin-Alpen's dealing with the Khorafi family was a prohibited transaction under the Financial Services Prohibition in DFSA Article 41 was legally sufficient to dissolve the agreements between them. The AlKhorafi family will now await the Court's decision following the banks' appeal.

Naomi Johnson from Anchorage, Alaska, was at a friend’s house when she became the victim of a 10-minute brutal attack.

Sickening video of the incident which was posted on social media, shows a girl dressed in a pink top pushing the 14-year old victim in a garage.

She is quickly joined by two more teenage girls, who repeatedly shove and punch Naomi before dragging her onto the floor.

Microsoft has found a way to lure its cloud storage users to subscribe Office 365. It is now offering a one year long Office 365 subscription worth close to $120 (Dh440) for free to anyone who is an active OneDrive user using more than 5GB of cloud storage.

Last month Microsoft had announced that it was taking back a part of the free storage from 15GB to 5 GB and limiting the unlimited storage offered to Office 365 subscribers to 1TB.

“For customers of our free service who have over 5GB of content and who are directly impacted by the storage change, we will offer one free year of Office 365 Personal, which includes 1 TB of storage.  These customers will receive an email with redemption information early next year,” it said in a statement.

The news comes even as Microsoft announced a limited time offer, where customers could reclaim lost free cloud storage.

Onedrive customers with free storage can still claim their additional 10 GB of free storage and 15 GB camera roll bonus by clicking on a link.

Meanwhile, Microsoft also announced that it could offer a full refund to current Office 365 subscribers unhappy with the decision.

“Office 365 Home, Personal, and University subscriptions will continue to include 1 TB of storage and any subscriber who received additional storage as part of our unlimited offer will keep it for at least 12 months. For anyone unhappy with the decision to not offer unlimited storage, we will offer a full refund,” it said.

“While we are not changing our overall plans, we’d like to clarify what we are doing for customers impacted by the changes and share a new offer which we hope will go a long way in making the situation better for our biggest fans,” it added.
 

Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutierrez walks the runway during the preliminary round of Miss Universe 2015 at The Axis, Planet. (Getty Images)

Miss USA Olivia Jordan (Getty Images)

Miss France Flora Coquerel (Getty Images)

Miss Mexico Wendy Esparza (Getty Images)

Miss Brazil Martina Brandt (Getty Images)

Pia Wurtzbach (Instagram)

Smile (and selfie)! It's almost time for #MissUniverse 2015. Go behind the scenes of the competition with your favorite contestants on social media. (Instagram)

Miss Kosovo. (Twitter)

(Twitter)

(Twitter)

(Twitter)

Sri Lanka, India, Venezuela make a splashMiss Sweden, Camilla Hansson, Miss Universe 2015 contestants have taken part in the national costume show. (AP)

Miss Uruguay, Johana Riva (AP)

Miss Venezuela, Migbelis Castellanos (AP)

Zoe Metthez Miss Switzerland (AP)

Miss Sri Lanka, Marianne Page (AP)

Miss Colombia, Paulina Vega (AP)

Miss India, Noyonita Lodh (AP)

Miss Russia, Yulia Alipova (AP)

Miss India vs Miss Philippines vs Miss USA

Urvashi Rautela, Miss India 2015; Olivia Jordan, Miss USA 2015; Aniporn Chalermburanawong, Miss Thailand 2015; and Yun Fang Xue, Miss China 2015; take a selfie during a pre tape segment at Planet Hollywood Resort. (AFP)

Olivia Jordan, Miss USA 2015, presents her gift during the National Gift Auction at the Opportunity Village,  December 10, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (AFP)

Miss Philippines 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach rehearses for the upcoming Miss Universe telecast while at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. (Reuters)

Miss Vietnam 2015 Huong Pham (L) and Miss Aruba 2015 Alysha Boekhoudt rehearse for the upcoming Miss Universe pageant at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Reuters)

Miss Colombia 2015 Ariadna Gutierrez. (Reuters)

Romina Racamonje, Miss Bolivia 2015; and Anna Vergelskaya, Miss Ukraine 2015; take part in a pre-tape segment for the Miss Universe Telecast at The Neon Museum Las Vegas on  December 11, 2015. The 2015 Miss Universe contestants are touring, filming, rehearsing and preparing to compete for the DIC Crown in Las Vegas. (AFP)

Sharlene Radlein, Miss Jamaica 2015, takes part in a pre-tape segment for the Miss Universe Telecast at The Neon Museum Las Vegas on  December 11, 2015. The 2015 Miss Universe contestants are touring, filming, rehearsing and preparing to compete for the DIC Crown in Las Vegas.  (AFP)

Miss Universe Organization, Clarissa Molina, Miss Dominican Republic 2015, takes part in a pre-tape segment for the Miss Universe Telecast at The Neon Museum Las Vegas on  December 11, 2015. The 2015 Miss Universe contestants are touring, filming, rehearsing and preparing to compete for the DIC Crown in Las Vegas. (AFP)

Debbie Collins, Miss Nigeria 2015, takes part in a pre-tape segment for the Miss Universe Telecast at The Neon Museum Las Vegas on  December 11, 2015. The 2015 Miss Universe contestants are touring, filming, rehearsing and preparing to compete for the DIC Crown in Las Vegas.(AFP)

From the Miss Universe Organization, Myriam Arevalos, Miss Paraguay 2015, takes part in a pre-tape segment for the Miss Universe Telecast at The Neon Museum Las Vegas on  December 11, 2015. The 2015 Miss Universe contestants are touring, filming, rehearsing and preparing to compete for the DIC Crown in Las Vegas. (AFP)

Maria-Belen Jerez Spuler, Miss Chile 2015, takes part in a pre-tape segment for the Miss Universe Telecast at The Neon Museum Las Vegas on  December 11, 2015. The 2015 Miss Universe contestants are touring, filming, rehearsing and preparing to compete for the DIC Crown in Las Vegas. (AFP)

Hilda Akua Frimpong, Miss Ghana 2015, presents her gift during the National Gift Auction at the Opportunity Village,  December 10, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (AFP)
 

Lorraina C. Marriot, Miss Tanzania 2015, presents her gift during the National Gift Auction at the Opportunity Village,  December 10, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (AFP)
 

Huong Pham, Miss Vietnam 2015, presents her gift during the National Gift Auction at the Opportunity Village,  December 10, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (AFP)

Seoyeon Kim, Miss Korea 2015, presents her gift during the National Gift Auction at the Opportunity Village,  December 10, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (AFP)

Aniporn Chalermburanawong, Miss Thailand 2015, presents her gift during the National Gift Auction at the Opportunity Village,  December 10, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (AFP)

Cynthia Samuel, Miss Lebanon 2015; Iroshka Elvir, Miss Honduras 2015; Sharlene Radlein, Miss Jamaica 2015; and Shauna Ramdyhan, Miss Guyana 2015; pose for photos during the National Gift Auction at the Opportunity Village,  December 10, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (AFP)

Amina Dagi, Miss Austria 2015; Mirta Kustan, Miss Croatia 2015; Monika Radulovic, Miss Australia 2015; and Ariadna Gutierrez, Miss Colombia 2015; pose for photos during the National Gift Auction at the Opportunity Village, December 10, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada.(AFP)

Ariana Miyamoto, Miss Japan 2015, poses for a photo at Exotics Racing. (AFP)

Monika Radulovic, Miss Australia 2015; and Sharlene Radlein, Miss Jamaica 2015,  laugh during a pajama party video shoot at Planet Hollywood. (AFP)

Shauna Ramdyhan, Miss Guyana 2015 poses for a photo inside Planet Hollywood. (AFP)

Alysha Boekhoudt, Miss Aruba 2015, poses for a photo at Exotics Racing. (AFP)

Clarissa Molina, Miss Dominican Republic 2015, poses for a photo inside Planet Hollywood. (AFP)

Kanisha Sluis, Miss Curacao 2015, poses for a photo inside Planet Hollywood. (AFP)

Miss Bulgaria 2015 Radostina Todorova, Miss Italy 2015 Giada Pezzaioli, and Miss Venezuela 2015 Mariana Jimenez pose with Miss Universe 2014 Paulina Vega at a Chinese Laundry sponsored event at Zappos, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Reuters)

Miss Korea 2015 Kim Seo-yeon, Miss Thailand 2015 Aniporn Chalermburanawong, and Miss Japan 2015 Ariana Miyamoto pose for photos at a Chinese Laundry sponsored event at Zappos, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Reuters)

Miss Sweden 2015 Paulina Brodd, Miss Denmark 2015 Cecilie Wellemberg, Miss Hungary 2015 Nikoletta Nagy, and Miss France 2015 Flora Coquerel, pose for photos at a Chinese Laundry sponsored event at Zappos. (Reuters)

Miss Great Britain 2015 Narissara Nena France and Miss Mexico 2015 Wendy Esparza film in their National Costume at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Reuters)

Miss Panama 2015 Gladys Brandao Amaya takes part in a pre-tape segment at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Reuters)

Tonie Maria Chisholm, Miss Cayman Islands 2015, Maja Cukic, Miss Montenegro 2015, Paulina Brodd, Miss Sweden 2015, Cecilie Feline Wellemberg, Miss Denmark 2015, Rosa-Maria Ryyti, Miss Finland 2015, and Jeimmy Tahiz Aburto, Miss Guatemala 2015, lead the charge during a pre tape segment at Planet Hollywood Resort. (Reuters)

Ariadna Gutierrez, Miss Colombia 2015. (Reuters)

Miss Universe 2014 Paulina Vega, the Colombian beauty queen, will soon pass her crown to during the 64th edition of Miss Universe.

81 contestants have finally arrived in Las Vegas, Nevada, and all are vying to win this year's Miss Universe beauty pageant.

The current top 10 favorites from Missossology, a beauty pageant forum, include the candidates from India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Sweden, France, Philippines, Thailand, Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Japan.

The competition has just started, but fans are already anxious to see who will be crowned as the next Miss Universe.

The Miss Universe 2015 pageant night will happen at The AXIS in Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada. The show will be broadcast live by Fox on Dec. 20.

Paulina Vega, Miss Universe 2014 (C) and the 2015 Miss Universe contestants during the Welcome Event at Planet Hollywood Resort. (Reuters)

Laura Spoya, Miss Peru 2015. (Reuters)

Gladys Brandao Amaya, Miss Panama 2015. (AFP)

Paola Nunez, Miss Canada 2015. (AFP)

Paulina Vega, Miss Universe 2014. (AFP)

Sheetal Khadun, Miss Mauritius 2015. (AFP)

Vanessa Tevi Kumares, Miss Malaysia 2015,  takes part in a pre tape segment while on stage at Planet Hollywood Resort. (AFP)

Rosa-Maria Ryyti, Miss Finland 2015; and Lisa Elizabeth Drouillard, Miss Haiti 2015; pose for a photo at Red Rock Canyon. (AFP)

Yun Fang Xue, Miss China 2015. (AFP)

Aniporn Chalermburanawong, Miss Thailand 2015. (AFP)

Paola Nunez, Miss Canada 2015. (AFP)

Claudia Barrionuevo, Miss Argentina 2015. (AFP)

Urvashi Rautela, Miss India 2015, poses for a photo during registration at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on December 4, 2015. (AFP)

Paola Nunez, Miss Canada 2015, poses for a photo during registration at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on December 4, 2015. The 2015 Miss Universe contestants are touring, filming, rehearsing and preparing to compete for the DIC Crown in Las Vegas. (AFP)
Ariadna Gurierrez, Miss Colombia 2015 poses for a photo during registration at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on December 4, 2015. (AFP)
Cynthia Samuel, Miss Lebanon 2015 poses for a photo during registration at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on December 4, 2015. (AFP)
 

Catalina Morales, Miss Puerto Rico 2015, poses during registration at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas on December 3rd, 2015. (AFP)
 

Annelies Törös, Miss Belgium 2015, poses during registration at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas on on December 2, 2015. (AFP)Chennai floods drown Dubai resident in waves of anxiety, despair.

Miss Bolivia 2015, poses for a photo during registration at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on December 4, 2015. The 2015 Miss Universe contestants are touring, filming, rehearsing and preparing to compete for the DIC Crown in Las Vegas. (AFP)

 

 Authorities in Saudi Arabia has closed down 15 males massage centers in Riyadh after receiving complaints of shameful acts beings committed in these centers.

 The authorities has also stopped 14 Asian workers in these centres from working in the country as they violated the labour laws.

 This news went viral on social media as many welcomed the move and said that majority of Asian men working in these centres were committing shameful acts with the customers.

Ahmed, a Saudi man said that whenever he sought these massage centres, the Asian workers would offer him banned services.

 “It’s disgusting. They will not say it openly, but you know from the way they look at you and touch you. I am glad they closed down such centres because they were doing no good, and instead, were only spreading bad behaviour and diseases.”

 Naïf, another Saudi man also agreed, and said if men want to get a massage, they must ask their wives.

 “It’s ridiculous, men can ask their wives to massage them, and not go to these centres. I heard many bad stories from people who tried these centres, and I am glad that they started monitoring them and closing down the bad ones.”

A Saudi millionaire property developer has been cleared of raping a teenager after he claimed to have accidently tripped and fall on her.

Ehsan Abdulaziz, 46, was accused of forcing himself on an 18 year-old-girl who had slept on his sofa after a night out, reports UK daily Metro.

The businessman had already had physical relationship with the teenager's 24-year-old friend and said his penis might have been poking out of his underwear when he fell on the teen.

The young woman said she had woken up in the early hours of the morning, with Mr Abdulaziz on top of her, forcing himself on her.

He claimed he had gone to see if the young woman wanted a t-shirt to sleep in, or a taxi home. But he said she pulled him on top of her and started doing things.

His semen and DNA was found inside the young woman, but he said it was possible he had semen on his hands from having sex with the 24-year-old earlier.

The jury acquitted Abdulaziz of one count of rape after just 30 minutes of deliberations.

In his evidence, Abdulaziz demonstrated how the complainant had put her hand behind his head to pull her towards him, causing him to fall down.

During the trial Judge permitted the rare step of allowing 20 minutes of Abdulaziz’s evidence to be heard in private.

The women met the millionaire in London’s West End club, Cirque le Soir nightclub, where he invited them to his private table.

China's tourism authority is naming and shaming another five tourists for bad behaviour and says it is working with airlines on a possible flying ban.

They include two women and a man who brawled after one woman's seat was bumped on a flight from Cambodia to the western city of Chengdu, forcing them to be taken off the flight.

Another fought with a Japanese convenience store clerk and the last was involved in a dispute over tickets to a western China scenic site.

Their names and a description of their alleged misbehaviour were entered onto a National Tourism Administration list and will remain there for up to three years.

Over that period, they can be refused service by travel agents, airlines, hotels and scenic sites.

(Shutterstock)

A 34-year-old mother has been sentenced to life in prison in the microwave oven death of her 1-month-old daughter.

A California judge imposed the 26-years-to-life sentence on Friday on Ka Yang.

She was convicted of first-degree murder and assault for putting Mirabelle Thao-Lo in the microwave for up to five minutes in 2011. Prosecutors say the child had fatal thermal injuries.

Investigators found the infant's pacifier in the microwave at their Sacramento-area home.

Yang's attorney says her client had an epileptic seizure and didn't know what she was doing.

She has a history of seizures, but paramedics say she wasn't disoriented when they arrived.

She told investigators she blacked out and awoke to find the baby injured next to a space heater.

Yang has three other children.
 

Want to watch Bollywood’s latest release ‘Dilwale’ free? Head to Fujairah today.

Majid Al Futtaim’s City Centre Fujairah is offering mall visitors a chance to watch the movie free of charge on Sunday, December 20, 2015. Doors open to public at 7pm.

The offer coincides the conclusion of City Centre’s 20th anniversary celebrations.

It’s not only ‘Dilwale’, but City Centre Fujairah will offer diverse UAE audiences the choice of viewing three megahit releases from the most recent English and Arabic hits, too.

Based on a first come, first served basis, moviegoers can choose to watch ‘Dilwale’, starring Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol; the 2015 UAE thriller ‘Zinzana’, starring Ali Suliman, Saleh Bakri and Ahmed; as well as the seventh installment of the ‘Star Wars’ franchise, Star Wars - The Force Awakens, which will be screened two days after the UAE premiere.

(Reuters)

“We are pleased to offer complimentary smash hits from three popular film industries,” said Mohammed Al Rais, Mall Manager for City Centre Fujairah. “With offering exclusive cinematic experiences, we aim to create great moments for everyone, every day. This will be our final entertainment extravaganza before the year-end.”

Also, on December 20, during the movie event from 7pm onwards, Arabic radio station, Al Rabia FM will broadcast live from the mall.

Visitors who participate in various competitions will be rewarded with exciting giveaways during the day.

Additionally, the second and final winner of the ongoing ‘Visit Back and Win’ campaign will be announced during the show.

The lucky winner will receive a RAM 2015 vehicle.

Meanwhile, Majid Al Futtaim Cinemas has launched its new cinema outlet on the first floor of City Centre Al Shindagha.

Launched as part of the company’s Dh1billion expansion plans for the VOX Cinemas business, the new cinema at City Centre Al Shindagha is the 13th VOX Cinemas location to be rolled out in the UAE.  

Jewellery shops in Dubai will no longer be able to charge additional credit card fee on buying gold jewellery after Department and Economic Development (DED) and Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group signed an agreement to install electronic price display units to ensure uniform and transparent pricing across retail jewellery outlets.

Mohammad Lootah, Executive Director, Commercial Compliance & Consumer Protection, DED, told reporters in a briefing that jewellery shops in Dubai cannot charge customers paying by credit a 2.5 per cent fee over the display price because the retailers have been given cushion of three to per cent to cover any losses.

The sudden drop or surge in the price of yellow metal will be adjusted in the next change under the five per cent buffer, he said.

“DGJG advocates for the maintenance of a 3-5 per cent mark-up over the international commodity price in order to protect the interest of the local gold & jewellery industry,” Tawhid Abdullah, Chairman of Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group, said in a statement.

DED’s Lootah said the consumer protection body is also considering a proposal to include craftsman or making charges on the purchase receipt so that the customers know the gold prices and the money they paid for the making charges.

Under the deal  between the two bodies, the gold jewellery prices will be updated four times day – 9am, 2pm, 5pm and 8pm – in line with global rates of the yellow metal plus a 3-5 per cent cushion has been provided to the retailers on the price.

The rates – of 18ct, 21ct, 22ct and 24ct, will reflect be in line with international gold price fluctuations to ensure transparency and help consumers make purchases without the fear of being cheated.

In the first phase, nearly 500 members of the DGJG will install the new units and eventually over 1,000 outlets will have the electronic display across the emirate.

DGJG will offer from a 10-inch display screen to 22-inch screen to member outlets plus the GSM technology and maintenance for one year.

Retail members could renew this service next year by paying a service charge.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) awards Dh482 million contract for improving Umm Al Sheef Street and Latifa bint Hamdan Street project.

The project extends from Al Safa Interchange (second IC) up to Al Manara Interchange on the Sheikh Zayed Road (third IC). It costs about Dh482m and is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2018.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, said: “The new project is a part of a major project to upgrade Al Wasl and Jumeirah Streets, as well as RTA’s master plan for upgrading the network of roads, bridges, crossings and tunnels to accommodate the growing traffic movement and improve mobility throughout Dubai. The project is also included in the strategic plan of RTA calling for upgrading the infrastructure of roads network and mass transit systems in Dubai. The plan aims to develop integrated solutions of roads as well as land and marine transport networks that are safe for users, compatible with the comprehensive development plans, addressing the needs of demographic expansion, and contributing to sustainable development and investment in the emirate.”

“The project covers linking Jumeirah Street with Al Khail Road and parallel roads (Al Asayel, First Al Khail Road) through constructing two-level bridges and roads providing smooth and free traffic movement from Umm Al Sheef Street in the direction of Sheikh Zayed Road up to Latifa bint Hamdan Street, and from Al Zomorrud Street to the East up to the Sheikh Zayed Road. The new bridges will be constructed up and down the Red Line of the Dubai Metro without affecting the operation of the metro. The two bridges will be linked with the Sheikh Zayed Road through ramps enabling free exit points.

“The project comprises the construction of a flyover on Latifa bint Hamdan Street intersecting the First Al Khail Road, a signalized at-grade junction underneath the bridge, and the improvement of the intersection of Umm Al Sheef Street with Al Wasl Street. The project also includes the construction of key surface roads, improvement of service roads, and landscaping works all along the Sheikh Zayed Road in the sector from Al Safa Interchange to Al Manara Interchange as well as at Umm Al Sheef Street, Latifa bint Hamdan Street and Al Zomorrud Street,” he said.

“The number of lanes in the diversion will also correspond to the same number of the existing lanes in order to avoid any negative impact on traffic volumes and accordingly extra congestions or delays in construction works. The contractor’s work area will be entirely separated by a high barrier to reduce the disturbance of road users to the minimum,” explained Al Tayer.

"Previously, I was never even asked to show my card. If I was, I would confidently show my gold card. They just needed to see it. Now, they scan the card.

The violator will be caught if an inspector enters the same compartment, asking for proof of payment. With a scanning machine it will immediately be clear that the commuter did not pay up.

It is difficult to ignore the threat of a Dh100 fine.

Emaar Properties has unveiled a new website (www.burjkhalifa.ae) of Burj Khalifa, which unravels 160 untold stories of the world's tallest tower.

The website unlocks doors to several new facets of the tower including the art pieces that have been specially commissioned for the tower, insights into the industry-defining technology used and its exclusive events venues.

Visitors can also learn all about the history and making of the tower, from its evolution as "History Rising" to now being "A Living Wonder" and the world's first "Vertical City" with homes, offices, the Armani Hotel Dubai, At.mosphere, Burj Khalifa restaurant and other attractions.

The highlight of the website is the booking tab that provides a direct link to explore At the Top, Burj Khalifa SKY, which holds the Guinness World Record for the "Highest Observation Deck" on Level 148 and 555 metres high. The experience also includes a tour of Level 125. Visitors can also make bookings for At the Top, Burj Khalifa, the first observation deck that opened in the tower on Level 124.

All facts and figures about Burj Khalifa, its design aspects, the milestones during the construction stage over four years, spectacular photographs from and of the tower and other interesting tidbits feature in the dynamic website available in English. Arabic and Chinese versions of the site will go live soon.

A mobile-friendly version of the website is also available for effortless navigation on smartphones.

At 828 metres, the 200-plus-storey Burj Khalifa has 160 habitable levels. It holds the Guinness World Records for the Tallest Building, the Tallest Man-made Structure on Land Ever, Highest Restaurant from Ground Level for At.mosphere and Highest Observation Deck for At the Top, Burj Khalifa SKY.

An Indonesian housemaid became the owner of a large villa in Saudi Arabia after she saved up from a SR1,000 (Dh1,000) monthly salary during her 10-year work at a local house, newspapers reported on Sunday.

The papers published a picture of the villa taken by the maid’s former sponsor who appeared to be admiring the woman for her achievement.

“This is a picture of the villa owned by my previous maid in Saudi Arabia.

“She had worked for me for around 10 years and I swear to God that she has been honest and has not stolen me,” Mohammed Azuz said of the picture published on social networks.

Newspapers said scores of Saudi viewers expressed their surprise at the maid’s property, saying thousands of young citizens have not been able to own a house, although they earn much higher than the maid.

Gold rates for December 19, 2015

DD/TT RATES AT 9.45 AM - 19 Dec 2015

Weekly Gold Rates 

   
Get retail Gold and Forex rates with Emirates 24|7 

Rates will be updated twice daily

Emirates 24|7 brings you the daily Dubai gold rate (22k, 24k, 21k and 18k), as well as currency exchange rates, including the Indian rupee, Pakistani rupee, Philippine peso, Sri Lankan rupee, sterling pound, euro and may more against the UAE dirham (US dollar).

The rates for 24 carat, 22 carat, 21 carat, 18 carat and Ten Tola (TT) Bar (11.6638038 gram) will be updated four times a day to keep them fresh and relevant for buyers of gold bars and gold jewellery in the UAE.

The update times for Retail Gold Rate in Dubai will be at 9.30am, 2.30pm, 5pm and 8pm (unless there is drastic fall or rise in the international rate).

On Saturdays, the gold rates will be updated at 9.30am and this rate will stay static through Saturday and Sunday until the international market reopens on Monday.

Please note that the retailers add making charges separately to the quoted rate of gold.

The Retail Gold Rate in Dubai is being supplied by the Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group.

Foreign Exchange Rates

The Foreign Exchange Rates of major currencies will be updated twice each working day at around 8:30am and 3:30pm.

These will cover both the Remittance Rates [for sending money] and the Currency Notes Rates [for buying and selling of currency notes].

The Foreign Exchange Rates are being supplied by UAE Exchange.

“I have a two-bedroom apartment in the Gardens and I am looking for one bedroom. If you wish to exchange, please call…”

Such notices have been distributed in some buildings of the Gardens, a residential community, in Jebel Ali.

“Someone pushed in the apartment swap notice last week. Although we were looking for a two-bedroom unit in the same location, we avoided calling the number as it looked like a sham,” VR, a resident, told Emirates 24|7.

This website tried calling the number mentioned on the notice, but no one answered or called back.

A Nakheel spokesperson confirmed to this website that any exchange of apartments between the tenants was not allowed.

Property agents highlighted the fact that exchange of apartment did amount to sub-letting, which is termed illegal in Dubai, unless and until the leasing party gets a written consent from the owner/landlord.

A number of scams related to sub-letting have been reported earlier, whereby the agent rents the apartment in multiple cheques and sub-leases at a lower amount in a single cheque.

“All tenants must have an Ejari registered contract and without it no authorities will give you either utility connections, or process your family residence visas. Besides, the unit owner will be held liable for any illegal activity conducted within the apartment,” the agent warned.

In Discovery Gardens, a neighbouring residential community, notices have been put up earlier to remind tenants that sharing and sub-leasing was strictly prohibited.

In many cases, landlords also include clauses in their rental contract that bars the tenant from sharing or sub-leasing with the breach leading to eviction.

As per Trakhees, which manages, regulates and enforces rules and regulations related to environment, health and safety in various freehold communities, the maximum allowable occupancy limit for apartments under its authority is one person per 200 square feet from the total property area. Violators can face a minimum fine of Dh1,000 or a maximum of Dh50,000.

Communities managed by Trakhees include Palm Jumeirah, Discovery Gardens, International City, Jumeirah Lakes Towers.

Even the Dubai Municipality follows the same regulation on occupancy limit in apartments. Violators face fines of up to Dh50,000.
 

Emaar Properties has unveiled a new website (www.burjkhalifa.ae) of Burj Khalifa, which unravels 160 untold stories of the world's tallest tower.

The website unlocks doors to several new facets of the tower including the art pieces that have been specially commissioned for the tower, insights into the industry-defining technology used and its exclusive events venues.

Visitors can also learn all about the history and making of the tower, from its evolution as "History Rising" to now being "A Living Wonder" and the world's first "Vertical City" with homes, offices, the Armani Hotel Dubai, At.mosphere, Burj Khalifa restaurant and other attractions.

The highlight of the website is the booking tab that provides a direct link to explore At the Top, Burj Khalifa SKY, which holds the Guinness World Record for the "Highest Observation Deck" on Level 148 and 555 metres high. The experience also includes a tour of Level 125. Visitors can also make bookings for At the Top, Burj Khalifa, the first observation deck that opened in the tower on Level 124.

All facts and figures about Burj Khalifa, its design aspects, the milestones during the construction stage over four years, spectacular photographs from and of the tower and other interesting tidbits feature in the dynamic website available in English. Arabic and Chinese versions of the site will go live soon.

A mobile-friendly version of the website is also available for effortless navigation on smartphones.

At 828 metres, the 200-plus-storey Burj Khalifa has 160 habitable levels. It holds the Guinness World Records for the Tallest Building, the Tallest Man-made Structure on Land Ever, Highest Restaurant from Ground Level for At.mosphere and Highest Observation Deck for At the Top, Burj Khalifa SKY.

A view of #BurjKhalifa's LED lights last night! Come down and watch it live today starting 6 pm! pic.twitter.com/3sprDo1vOC

— Burj Khalifa (@BurjKhalifa) December 20, 2015

Burj Khalifa glowed in red as it saluted the leadership and people of Qatar and Bahrain on their National Day with spectacular illumination.

Through the colourful illumination of Burj Khalifa, Emaar joined the UAE’s leadership and people in extending their warm wishes and felicitations to the leadership and people of Qatar and Bahrain on the joyous occasion.

It also underlined the spirit of solidarity across the GCC highlighted by the UAE leadership at the 36th Summit of the GCC leaders recently.

At 828 metres (2,716.5 ft), the 200 plus storey Burj Khalifa has 160 habitable levels, the most of any building in the world.

It holds the Guinness World Records for the Tallest Building, the Tallest Man-made Structure on Land Ever, Highest Restaurant from Ground Level for At.mosphere and the World’s Highest Observation Deck for At the Top, Burj Khalifa SKY.
 

An Indonesian housemaid became the owner of a large villa in Saudi Arabia after she saved up from a SR1,000 (Dh1,000) monthly salary during her 10-year work at a local house, newspapers reported on Sunday.

The papers published a picture of the villa taken by the maid’s former sponsor who appeared to be admiring the woman for her achievement.

“This is a picture of the villa owned by my previous maid in Saudi Arabia.

“She had worked for me for around 10 years and I swear to God that she has been honest and has not stolen me,” Mohammed Azuz said of the picture published on social networks.

Newspapers said scores of Saudi viewers expressed their surprise at the maid’s property, saying thousands of young citizens have not been able to own a house, although they earn much higher than the maid.

Alert airport police staff found a precious watch with a housemaid who was travelling home and asked her employer to file a theft compliant, the Dubai Criminal Court heard.
 
On November 6, at around 5pm, AA, 36, Emirati, dropped the housemaid at the airport and waited until she finished check-in procedures before returning home.
 
“At around 7pm, I received a phone call from airport police, telling me that they had confiscated a precious watch from the housemaid and asked him to file a complaint with Bur Dubai Police station,” he said.
 
JB, 34, admitted stealing the watch of her employer’s wife and keeping it in their son’s room.
 
“Before leaving for the airport, I grabbed the watch and put it in my luggage,” admitted the maid.
 
The watch was worth Dh40,000, said the employer.
 
  The court will reconvene on December 30.

 

Three new decrees, which will be effective beginning of the New Year, will help promote the transition to a knowledge-based economy while meeting international labour standards, said Saqr Ghobash, Minister of Labour.

"The three new decrees, to start beginning of next year, which meet wise leadership guidance, are consistent with the Constitution and labour market requirements. They also promote the transition to the knowledge-based economy and are compatible with international labour standards," he revealed on Saturday.

Ghobash said, “The stability the labour market is a reflection of the stability of the working relationship between both parties, something which is expected to be reinforced by decisions that would establish a better relationship between the employer and workers due to transparency of the unified contracts. They also enable workers to shift to other firms at any time preserving their rights, all in accordance to regulations set forth, which enhances the UAE labour market mobility and flexibility."

The Minister of Labour put forth his statement while meeting over 300 ministry employees and legal scholars to review and discuss the upcoming decrees, in the presence of Mubarak Saeed Al Dhahiri, MoL Undersecretary; and Humaid bin Deemas Al Suwaidi, Assistant Undersecretary for Labour Affairs; and Dr. Omar Al-Nuaimi Assistant Undersecretary for Policy and Strategy.

"Files highlighting labour rights by the Human Rights watch is one of the most vital issues of concern, urging us to provide them protection and rights preservation. This follows the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to be the number one nation globally," Ghobash said.

"The three resolutions are in line with the UAE 2021 vision of creating a stable labour market and a productive workforce to promote a competitive knowledge-based economy that revolves around UAE citizens, including an emphasis on providing better protection to workers' rights,” he said.

The minister praised government employees’ capabilities and contributions to institutional development and expressed his confidence in their ability to properly implement the new decisions to achieve marked objectives. Similarly, efforts by legal scholars had not gone unnoticed, the minister stated that they handle labour disputes fairly and work endlessly to find amicable solutions to preserve their rights.

On the sidelines of the meeting, a workshop was held by Humaid bin Deemas Al Suwaidi, Assistant Undersecretary for Labour Affairs, to explain texts of each of the three new decrees and implementation procedures.

The first decree requires employee signature preceding a contract renewal to obtain a new work permit, something that will terminate procedures currently implemented to renew work permits after only receiving a notification through the employer stating that both ends agreed to renew the contract, stating all privileges and requirements enclosed in the contract to be renewed.

Workers, under the new procedures, shall enjoy better options of either accepting to renew the contract according to marked privileges and stipulated requirements in the new contract, or amend these privileges and conditions upon agreement by both parties, which actively contributes to promoting a strong working relationship, or on the other hand enable employees to completely end the relationship search for alternatives or return back home.

The second decree, points six cases of labour contract termination for fixed-term contracts and four cases for non-term contracts.

Additionally, the third decree regards terms and conditions of granting a new work permit to workers who choose to end a working relationship through four cases to issue a permit if the contract between both ends was a fixed-term contract and three cases for non-term ones, something which promotes flexible mobility and maintains labour market competencies and exchange experiences internally.