Flickr Ban Lifted

According to a report in The National, the TRA has lifted the Flickr ban.  Good news for UAE internet users and photographers.  Apparently, it's been made possible by Yahoo utilising the same content filter that they are using for Singapore's Flickr access.

Let's hope that it stays lifted, this time!

Eid Mubarak

Have a wonderful Eid everyone.. :)

nItrnetainaol tliraeyc ady

eraindg nad wiritgn si osemtinhg ew tkae ofr rgtnaed. omsetnhig 776 imlilno tcna od. dtyoa ew eclbearte orlwd tliraeyc ady, a ayd roecnzgide owlrdidwe dan foiafcilyl spurpoerdt yb NUSECO nad ete nutied aniotsn. ltes amek tihs nirtnaetaoialn tliraeyc ady arelyl amen osmhtiegn nda phle omer eopoel elanr ot erda. pehl aemk a ifdreenefe dan letl ruoy eraesdr – adn het wlodr – ubaot eth irmpatnoce fo earindg adn od osmtehngi ot ephl rbeka hte liiltarcey yccel.

Having trouble reading this? Now you know what it is like for the 776 million people who can’t. Visit www.hope140.org to learn more.’

Serious Business

"These types of crimes are very serious, and according to the tip-off the department organised a team to investigate the case," said Major Salah Bu Aseeba, Director of the Department of Economic Crimes at Dubai Police."

Damn. What could be so serious? Not only serious, but "very serious"? And not only that, what could be so bad to catch the attention of the "Economic Crimes" department?

Corporate espionage? Price fixing? Cement and steel industry cartels? Monopoly?

No... Far more serious...

VoIP. Seriously.

Under The Knife

"Some plastic surgeons in Dubai are reporting an increase in business despite the global economic slowdown. An industry that once catered mostly to women is becoming increasingly popular among Dubai men.

"The number of men seeking cosmetic surgery has increased tremendously. A good 30 per cent of men are seeking liposuction. A common procedure for men is called male breast reduction which is on the rise because people are getting more conscious. Other popular procedures include botox, liposuction, rhinoplasty, body lifts and hair transplants," says Dr Parashar.

While the ratio between men and women is evening, the nationalities seeking procedures still remains a broad mix. Surgeons report the mix to be made up of around 50 to 60 per cent western expatriates and 40 to 50 per cent local and regional residents with the latter percentage slowly increasing."

More here