willie v

I have a Dodge Durango 2003 SLT 5.9 that runs perfect except during the last few days. Upon start the engine emits a noisy sound at low rpm low gear and will have its normal low humming sound once shifted to the 3rd gear and above. I have noticed as well that after a long constant speed drive of 50-55mph again (at least an hour) the engine will have the same noise when you slow down and start to accelerate again. Any suggestion/comment?

Sharjah Electricty and Water Authority (SEWA) - the sole power provider in Sharjah emirate once again is in deep trouble plagued with blackouts all over the city and yet electrical tariff were raised and is now the highest in the UAE. So many stories and logical explanations have came out from angry and affected residents but no official comments from SEWA has since came out. Worst, speculative technical reasons presented as comments in dailies articles were even funnier. So, is there anybody amongst us who really have the slightest idea what is going on before we cast the first stone to SEWA?

I'm planning to buy some electronic stuffs and checked out some high ends in the market and surprised that they are almost the same price (if not higher to some %) compared to those in th US, Europe and Singapore market. Prices of basic needs (milk, detergents, foods, etc) are comparable as well. Been to some local restaurants (Dubai & Abu Dhabi) and my local bills are almost the same as my taxed bills from the US... worst is Abu Dhabi for having tourism tax even though I live in Abu Dhabi and the UAE long before those hotels were erected....

If the costs of goods here in the UAE is comparable to taxed goods in some other places in the world then what could be it if not for tax?

When Burj Dubai (the worlds highest building) was inaugurated and opened to the public, it was renamed Burj Khalifa in honor of HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan during the dedication of the building. Overnight, all tourism items like T-shirts, crystals, figurines, carvings, pens, exclusive watches, postcards, scarves, etc.... you name it - all went down in terms of prices and value. Millions were lost by businenesses and traders. Items were selling below cost and still - none were buying (who will buy something that is no longer existing :)

What are the schools that are really international in a sense that the students are a mixture from different nationalities not only majorities from the Arab World or Indians or Pak or British, Americans, Philippinos etc.

Or is there really such schools in existence in Abu Dhabi ? Quite a number of such schools are present in Dubai but I wonder whether Abu Dhabi got it?

Appreciate any suggestion or recommendation....

Is the economy in the Philippines really that bad that a lot of Philippinos in Dubai and Sharjah has to accept a salary of Dhs. 2000/month and cramped in a sharing room with other six people? Or they just sacrifice their well beings here and swallow their prides not to be back in thier country even though learning Dubai is sometimes not a place for them?

To work in Abu Dhabi with an all inclusive salary of AED 22,000/month if you are a family of 4?

Knowing that today 20 April, 2008

1 B/R Flat in Abu Dhabi is AED 85,000 to 120, 000

2 B/R Flat is AED 100,000 to 190,000.

Sharing accomodation is AED 3,500/month

Bedspace is AED 800 to 1,100/month

School Fees for Graders range between AED 8,000 to 15,000

While for upper levels range betwen AED12,000 to 18,000 p.a

Otherwise, how much should it be?

+ Yearly vacation to point of origin with Free return tickets of family of 5 + BD 20 Monthly Tel Allowance.

Is this a good deal for a Philippino Project Manager (40 yrs with 18 years experience from Saudi) to work in Bahrain?

This is for a friend based in Jeddah who got a job offer from large European Company having Regional Office in Bahrain.

In 1981, Begin activated IAF contingency plans from former administrations, that called for bombing the French-built Osirak nuclear reactor in Iraq, where the Iraqi regime of Saddam Hussein was developing nuclear weapons. Though Israel was roundly condemned by the international community at the time, it became apparent during the 1991 Gulf War that Israel's action had succeeded in hampering Baghdad's drive to acquire nuclear weapons.

Is this enough for a family of 5 (with 3 young kids)? First issue is that the family needs to move from Dubai, UAE after the immigration papers are completed. The company by the way is issuing the work guarantee and sponsorship to the head of the family for his Canadian Immigration Application.

2nd issue is that Dubai, UAE is a tax-free City (meaning no income tax, no VAT, no state tax, no federal tax, health insurance for the family is covered by the employer, etc)

By the way, the family is originally from the Philippines where the husband is an Engineer and wife is a Physical Therapist.

Is this enough for a family of 5 (with 3 young kids)? First issue is that the family needs to move from Dubai, UAE after the immigration papers are completed. The company by the way is issuing the work guarantee and sponsorship to the head of the family for his Canadian Immigration Application.

2nd issue is that Dubai, UAE is a tax-free City (meaning no income tax, no VAT, no state tax, no federal tax, health insurance for the family is covered by the employer, etc)

By the way, the family is originally from the Philippines where the husband is an Engineer and wife is a Physical Therapist.