Not Always About Dubai...

Abu Dhabi's New Corniche

Like Dubai, Abu Dhabi is undergoing its own transformation. The new Emirates Palace Hotel opened over a year ago, and lots of work has been done around the Corniche, including dredging for a new 8-lane thoroughfare, tunnels, new green spaces, small lakes and fountains. The Corniche project, started about 2 years ago, is about 2/3 complete.

There's more to come with an expected new highway to run from Zayed port (which will be relocated), across Sadiayat and other islands, and joining the mainland somewhere between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Does it match what's going on in Dubai? Of course not, but it's nice anyway, especially the park-like areas on nice spring-like days.

Big Brother Is Reading Your Blog

Taking the net cafe non anonymity one step further, this article looks at anonymity in the blogosphere and the battle against the blogger.

got controversy?

The UAE is fast becoming a controversy generator....

WASHINGTON [MENL] -- The United Arab Emirates intends to operate U.S. military factories.

The Bush administration has informed Congress of a review of the UAE acquisition of a British manufacturer of engine components for U.S. military aircraft and main battle tanks. The British firm operates nine factories, including military production facilities in Connecticut and Georgia.

Officials said Dubai International Capital has acquired the London-based Doncasters Group for $1.2 billion. Doncasters produces engine components and turbine blades for military platforms, and its clients include Boeing, General Electric, Honeywell and Pratt and Whitney.

"It's a standard business deal by a consortium that seeks opportunities," an official said. "But it also fits in well with Dubai's plans to create an aerospace industry."

Article here

Israeli company installs antennas on US Capitol

Washington Post - Taking on the Week's Big Issue: Ports

In Dar Al-Hayat, there's disgust at the perceived double standard: No one objected when Jack Abramoff 'convinced Congressman Bob Nye, the chairman of the House Administration Committee, to grant $3 million contract to a new Israeli company called Foxcom Wireless to set up antennas on the Capitol, to improve mobile phone coverage,' the op-ed contends. 'This would make eavesdropping on congressmen's conversations easy for a third party, like Mossad.' (And that's not a terribly far-fetched concern.)"

Indeed.

The Debate - Taking on the Week's Big Issue

The Debate - Taking on the Week's Big Issue :: Alienating Our Arab Allies

Quote:

"The general public in america has a totally distorted view of what Dubai is," according to a terrific post on Metroblogging: Dubai -- read the comments under it, too. Others refuting misconceptions about Dubai and the UAE include this Emirati blogger and the Emirates Economist. For a sense of the general political climate of Dubai, read the first few paragraphs of this piece by Youssef M. Ibrahim.
. . .
"The nativist opposition to the port deal ... [throws] a wrench into the workings of globalisation while declaring that people's background matters more than anything else," writes Gideon Rose in a subscription-only piece in the Financial Times.

We know who you are, Mr Anonymous surfer!

Internet cafes in the UAE will now ask you for a photo ID before you can log on to the net. If you're under 16, your name will do.

The authorities feel that this would help curb cyber crime.

Your visit will be recorded in the cafe records and should you, gentle reader, be indulging in acts on the net that you don't want your mom to find out about - now's the time to quit.

They won't be monitoring each and every page you visit though. Well, that's what Gulf News is saying anyway.

If it stops Mr Anonymous posting nasty comments on our blogs, I'm all for it ;-)

UAE explained :: Slate

How United Are the United Arab Emirates? :: The Explainer

Loose Change 9/11 documentary

Here's a documentary that's been doing the rounds recently. I seriously couldnt find any arguable claims in it.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8260059923762628848&q=loose+change

Lets see which side you take on this.

moryarti on 103.8 at this very moment

Go listen. Great stuff.

Clinton v. Clinton: Resolved let Dubai invest in America

Heh.

You cannot make this stuff up.

U.S. Review a 2nd Dubai Firm

It seems like "Brand Dubai" is taking a second bout of abuse in the US, as relayed by this WP article, talking of concerns about Dubai International Capital. They also covers the Israeli firm that is going through the same scrutiny.

Remember London? The dark mystery ends.

So, this is what it was all about? And people thought it was a dark, evil joke.

skyptastic

some may consider the banning of skype a good thing for the UAE;
I certainly do after I was harassed by a weird communist chinese woman and some old Irish man that didn't believe I was samuraisam, because after all, people like me grow on trees.

Nonstop from Dubai penetrates US airspace twice daily

TIME.com: A New High Flyer -- Mar. 28, 2005 -- Page 1

Here's how one shock jock talk radio host spins this "news."

Most Americans will recognize this sort of blather for what it is.

More about this high-minded personality. Of course that's in his past, so I suppose it's not relevant to the discussion.

The 4th Dubai International Wine & Beverage Fair!

click above for larger image

More than 500 wines from 16 different countries. The largest ever display of fine wines and spirits for the 4th Dubai International Wine & Beverage Fair!

This fair is running from 28 Feb to 1 March 2006 at Madinat Jumeirah Convention Centre.

It looks like this fair has its own website ... although it says it is under maintenance:

http://www.dubaiwinefair.com/

Can you believe this? What is really funny and sad at the same time is that some officials are talking about boycotting Denmark (which I support) and then at the same time promoting such fairs that are against our Islamic beliefs and local traditions. Click at the picture above to see what I mean (you need to be able to read Arabic).

قال الله تعالى :

( يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنَّمَا الْخَمْرُ وَالْمَيْسِرُ وَالأَنْصَابُ وَالأَزْلامُ رِجْسٌ مِنْ عَمَلِ الشَّيْطَانِ فَاجْتَنِبُوهُ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ) المائدة/90

ففي سنن أبي داود ( 3189 ) عن ابْنَ عُمَرَ رضي الله عنهما قَالَ قال : رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ " لَعَنَ اللَّهُ الْخَمْرَ وَشَارِبَهَا وَسَاقِيَهَا وَبَائِعَهَا وَمُبْتَاعَهَا وَعَاصِرَهَا وَمُعْتَصِرَهَا وَحَامِلَهَا وَالْمَحْمُولَةَ إِلَيْهِ " وصححه الألباني كما في صحيح أبي داود