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National interests hamper complex Malaysia jet search
National interests hamper complex Malaysia jet search (Agencies) / 19 March 2014 Thailand’s failure to quickly share information about the plane raises questions about the degree to which countries are sharing their defence data. National self-interest and confusion about operational control looked Wednesday to be unsettling the already daunting 26-nation search for a missing Malaysia Airlines jet, with boats and planes sitting idle pending clear orders. Malaysia has underlined the importance of outside help in scouring two land and sea corridors equivalent in size to the entire land mass of Australia. But Indonesia acknowledged Wednesday it had only just provided clearance for surveillance aircraft from Australia, Japan, the United States and Malaysia to overfly its territory, while saying its own vessels await instructions from Kuala Lumpur. Latest: Maldives Police probe reports of MH370 sighting “It is not that Indonesia does not want to issue permits, but we have a mechanism to follow that we have to respect,” military spokesman Iskandar Sitompul said, insisting Jakarta was not trying to “slow down” the process. “It must go through the foreign ministry first before being submitted to the armed forces,” he told AFP. MH370 went missing early on March 8 with 239 passengers and crew, spawning a massive international search across Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean. The hunt has turned up no trace of wreckage as the clock ticks down on the 30 days that the aircraft’s black box transmits a signal. The Thai air force revealed Wednesday that its military radar had picked up what appeared to be Flight MH370 on March 8, just minutes after investigators believe it was deliberately diverted from its intended flight path by someone on board. Read more: Information vacuum breeds wild theories over missing Malaysia plane Although the aircraft ID could not be 100 percent verified, the Thai data represents crucial corroborative evidence for the conclusions drawn from Malaysian radar tracking of MH370. But it went unreported by the Thai military for nine days after the plane disappeared and only emerged following a check of radar logs on Monday. According to Air Marshal Monthon Suchookornat, the same plane was picked up again later swinging north and disappearing over the Andaman Sea. Nothing was done before because the aircraft was not in Thai airspace “and it was not a threat to Thailand,” Monthon said. Malaysia has sought help from more than two dozen countries in the form of radar and satellite analysis, as well as surveillance vessels and aircraft. Acknowledging the “diplomatic, technical and logistical challenges” inherent in running such a multi-national task force, Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said Tuesday that Malaysia was ceding some operational control. Hishammuddin said Australia and Indonesia had agreed to take the lead in the southern corridor across the Indian Ocean, with China and Kazakhstan doing the same in the northern corridor, stretching from northern Thailand into South and Central Asia. But many of the countries involved are not used to such close cooperation — especially when it comes to sharing possibly sensitive radar data. Many countries in the region, and beyond, have offered and provided technical and logistical support, but bureaucracy and lingering confusion appear to be delaying their operational deployment. Indonesia said it was facing delays in deploying its own resources as it waits for a green light from Malaysia. “Five navy warships temporarily halted their search of the Malacca Straits on Monday, as we await further information from Malaysia or elsewhere,” Sitompul said. India has similarly suspended search operations in the Andaman Sea for several days. “No instructions received. ANC (Andaman and Nicobar Command) on standby awaiting further instructions,” a navy spokesman said in a message sent to AFP. “It is not for us to take a call on this. It is between governments. We have to simply follow instructions. We are awaiting orders,” said a source in the Indian defence ministry in New Delhi. Paul Yap, an aviation lecturer at Temasek Polytechnic in Singapore, expressed sympathy for the Malaysian authorities, saying it was always going to be tough to steer so many countries in one direction. “Right now, I think it is out of Malaysia’s hands,”Yap said. For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
Dubai to get 2,000-seat opera house in The Opera District
Dubai to get 2,000-seat opera house in The Opera District Staff Reporter / 19 March 2014 Dubai Opera within The Opera District in Downtown Dubai to take the shape of a traditional dhow. The city is set to make a lasting contribution to the performing arts and events sector with Dubai Opera, a 2,000-seat multi-format venue for opera, theatre, concerts, art exhibitions, orchestra, film, sports events and seasonal programmes, within The Opera District, the newest development by Emaar Properties in Downtown Dubai. Set to promote the arts, culture and events scene of Dubai by ensuring global exchange and promoting local talent as well as serve as a vibrant events venue, The Opera District will also feature luxury hotels, elegantly designed residential and serviced apartments, a retail plaza, waterfront promenades, recreational spaces and parks. A technological masterpiece, Dubai Opera will feature state-of-the-art audio-visual technology and support systems to ensure an unmatched events experience. Entered from Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai’s main thoroughfare, The Opera District faces the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, Burj Park, and The Dubai Fountain. Complete with a sky garden and rooftop restaurant, Dubai Opera will be the centerpiece of this wider development. Envisaged to be as iconic in appearance as the world-famous Sydney Opera House, Dubai Opera is styled on the traditional sailing vessels of the Arabian Gulf, the classic wooden dhows that are synonymous with the famous Dubai Creek. The ‘bow’ of the structure will contain Dubai Opera’s main stage, orchestra and seating areas, as well as the proposed sky garden and restaurants. The elongated ‘hull’ area will feature the waiting areas for spectators, taxi drop-off area, and parking amenities. Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman of Emaar Properties, said: “The Opera District highlights the vision of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to develop a vibrant cultural community and events destination in the city which will encourage our talented local artists and also promote global cultural exchange. “Dubai Opera, which is central to the new arts and lifestyle district, will be a spectacular addition to Downtown Dubai, already home to global icons such as Burj Khalifa. The state-of-the-art opera house and the varied lifestyle components of The Opera District will energise Dubai’s events and tourism sectors. With the city establishing its global reputation as an arts hub, the new development will also strengthen the ‘Dubai Art Season,’ which brings together the city’s vibrant arts initiatives.” Downtown Dubai has already established its clear differentials in the arts and culture scene. In addition to hosting premier events, the vibrant community also has several exquisite works of arts, including Al Sidra, a free-shaped bronze sculpture by Kuwaiti sculptor Sami Mohamed Al Saleh; world-renowned figurative artist Fernando Botero’s Horse 2007, a bronze sculpture weighing 1,500kg; Syrian artist Lutfi Romhein’s Together featuring two sculptures — that of an Arab man and an Arab woman; Spanish sculptor Xavier Corbero’s Gathering; South African sculptor Vincent Da Silva’s Life Size Andalusian Horse and Rhims Gazelle Herd Edition 1; and South Korean sculptor Jaeyho Lee’s Chorus. news@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
Minimum speed on highways may be increased to 80kmph
Minimum speed on highways may be increased to 80kmph Amira Agarib / 19 March 2014 It’s part of recommendations made by the Traffic Federal Council for amendments to be made to the Traffic Law. The minimum speed on highways could be increased to 80km per hour from 60km to reduce the number of accidents, according to Major-General Mohammed Saif Al Zafin, Chairman of the Federal Traffic Council and Assistant Commander-in-Chief of the Dubai Police for Operations. He said these changes were part of recommendations made by the Traffic Federal Council for amendments to be made to the Traffic Law. He said changes were required and awaited and there was a possibility that new texts would be added commensurate with the evolution of traffic and security needs. He explained that the council issued a package of recommendations to be submitted to the Supreme Committee of the Policies and Strategies which is headed by Lt-General Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, to take the final decision. “The Minister of Interior has issued clear directives for unifying and standardising traffic procedures in all emirates to avoid differences in regulations or the applications,” said Al Zafin. The council has also recommended to stop issuing licence for vans or light buses used for transportation purposes. Companies will be provided a one-year grace period to address the matter. There is a possibility of allowing vans to transport goods only. Non-availability of security and safety requirements in vans caused many fatal accidents, he said. He explained that there are vehicles that can carry nine people, such as the Toyota Land Cruiser or other similar vehicles that have sufficient safety and security measures instead of the vans that resemble sardine cans and often result in deaths or injuries. The council’s recommendations in its meeting held on Thursday also included unification of traffic files for all drivers in the UAE to link it with Emirates Identity Card that will take the same number as the card so as to make it easier for dealers in any emirate. Al Zafin pointed out that there was no justification for existence of a separate file for each person as long as there is a uniform traffic system applied in the state. He said the most important recommendations included reconsidering the minimum speed for roads, which is normally fixed at 60 kmph on the highways whereas people drove cars at a speed of 140 kmph. “This big difference in speed usually leads to accidents.” The council proposed certain routes for minimum speed and also suggested writing the speed on the road surface until drivers were aware of the speed limit on that track. He stated that it is also necessary to reconsider the rate of minimum speed because there is a difference between heavy vehicles and light vehicles. “Speed can be increased to 80 kilometres per hour on the highways to be on a par with the maximum speed of the trucks to avoid problems caused by differences in speed,” he said. He added that members of the Board of Directors of the traffic departments in UAE agreed to these recommendations which will be coordinated with the relevant authorities in each emirate before implementation. news@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
