SHARJAH // Widows and divorced women with families and decent housing for all residents will be among the priorities of a new housing department in the emirate.
The consultative council voted unanimously last week to set up the new organisation that will oversee the accommodation needs of nationals in the emirate and all local and federal housing projects.
"Today, we welcome the Department of Housing among the family of local departments of Sharjah," Dr Obaid Seif al Hajri, the speaker of the council, said.
The organisation will work with other departments to identify public housing in need of renovation or demolition. Electricity and water shortages will also be addressed.
Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed, the Ruler of Sharjah, must approve any draft laws and policies regarding the department before they can be implemented.
Public housing issues in the emirate were previously handled by the Sharjah Department of Public Works, the municipality and the Sharjah Directorate of Town Planning and Surveying.
Emiratis in need of public housing had to submit their supporting documents to federal authorities. Once reviewed, the Government allocated dwellings according to their list of priorities and the number of available homes.
Those who received assistance would have their names published in local Arabic papers and printed on notice boards, while the rest would go on a waiting list.
The process will change under the new department and applications will be handled at a local level as will the rulings on who is awarded housing.
Meanwhile, in Ajman, authorities announced the completion of 167 villas that will be distributed to needy nationals early next month, according to Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid al Nuaimi, the chairman of Ajman Municipality.
He said that among these completed houses were 60 villas donated by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. A further 45 villas were donated by Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid, Ruler of Ajman, and 62 villas were constructed by the Humaid bin Rashid al Nuaimi Foundation.
Among the nationals who have submitted their applications for public housing, priority will be given to widows, divorcees, single women and poor families.
This year, the Zayed Housing Programme plans to build another 400 villas in Al Helio area for nationals in need.
ykakande@thenational.ae
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
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SCHEDULE FOR SHOW COURTS
Centre Court - from 4pm (UAE time)
Angelique Kerber (1) v Irina Falconi
Martin Klizan v Novak Djokovic (2)
Alexandr Dolgopolov v Roger Federer (3)
Court One - from 4pm
Milos Raonic (6) v Jan-Lennard Struff
Karolina Pliskova (3) v Evgeniya Rodina
Dominic Thiem (8) v Vasek Pospisil
Court Two - from 2.30pm
Juan Martin Del Potro (29) v Thanasi Kokkinakis
Agnieszka Radwanska (9) v Jelena Jankovic
Jeremy Chardy v Tomas Berdych (11)
Ons Jabeur v Svetlana Kuznetsova (7)
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6.30pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 – Group 1 (PA) $49,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner RB Frynchh Dude, Pat Cosgrave (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
7.05pm Al Bastakiya Trial – Conditions (TB) $50,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner El Patriota, Vagner Leal, Antonio Cintra
7.40pm Zabeel Turf – Listed (TB) $88,000 (Turf) 2,000m
Winner Ya Hayati, Mickael Barzalona, Charlie Appleby
8.15pm Cape Verdi – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner Althiqa, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby
8.50pm UAE 1000 Guineas – Listed (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Soft Whisper, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor
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Winner Bedouin’s Story, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution