Crackberry Blackberry Storm in UAE

EmBiz 24/7 reports the launch of the BB Storm in UAE:

"Etisalat is the first telecom operator in the Gulf to supply the ultra-advanced touch-screen business mobile...The handset is priced at Dh3,150 plus data package from etisalat."

So with all the latest gadgets coming into the UAE, like the iPhone and now the BB Storm, what do you think is better in terms of functionality, value-for-money and user-friendliness?

CNN Survey

So I'm in US and I'm watching CNN today.

They have a program about faith and President Obama's speech in Turkey, that "We are not at war with Islam."

They then gave statistics, some of which were;

1. 48% of Americans don't trust our Muslim Allies

2. 53% of Americans don't personally know anyone who is Muslim.

I think it's tragic that these are the statistics. I have some wonderful friends in the UAE (I'm American) and throughout the GCC and consider Abu Dhabi my second home.

How can this perception be changed? Why is it that with all the positive things going on in the UAE/Qatar/Oman, there is still a negative view of Islam?

The opinions offered were that many Muslims do not speak out against the extreme faction and this was also an opinion voiced by a woman Arab reporter.

The survey also said that the majority of Muslims in the US enjoyed their life, although they did find there were some difficulties with other people accepting them.

What is the solution, a spokesperson from the UAE?

BBC One airs Slumdogs and Millionaires tonight

BBC:

The branding of Dubai has to be one of the greatest PR triumphs of the past 20 years.

It works out incredibly well for the developers - they can charge first world fortunes for the dream villas and apartments, but pay third world salaries to the men actually building them.

Many in Dubai say that this is just globalisation working, and that while the lives of the workers, and the salaries they are paid, look bad to us, to them, where they come from, it's good.

This excuse doesn't stand up to scrutiny.

The story of Dubai's immigrant construction workers shocks and depresses in several different stages. The poor and often illiterate men, who come here in their millions from the Indian sub-continent, are getting exploited from so many different angles that it's sometimes hard to know who to be angry at.

The program airs in the UK on Panorama: Slumdogs and Millionaires, BBC One, Monday 6 April at 8.30pm.

Yes, there are abuses and the downturn in the economy has played a role. But on the whole these workers are here because it's better than the alternative of being home. Why else are they upset when there is talk of limiting the amount of time an expat can work in the country? And when considering how poorly they live consider that most are sending home a large portion of what they earn.

Half full or half empty?

A recent poll on expat sentiments have local newspapers split on the proverbial glass:

Emirates Business 24/7:
More than a third of expats in region will opt to stay put

Arabian Business:
One in three expats poised to return home

So what's your take on it? UAE two-thirds full or one-third empty?

Record Drive up Jebel Hafeet

UAE champion rally driver Mohammed Ben Sulayem set the first official record time up Jebel Hafeet last month: 3 minutes, 29 seconds.

YouTube + youth = "bad influence"

"Police are working to control web sites such as YouTube fearing that they are having a bad influence on UAE youngsters.

General Khamis Al-Muzaina, Deputy director of Dubai Police, met a representative from Google yesterday to discuss the issue after the head of Dubai Police Lt General Dahi Khalfan Tamim expressed concerns that YouTube can harm youngsters.

Al-Muzaina urged Google to help control the site. He said: “The internet is a good way to get information and communicate but there are some people using it for things that are against our country’s traditions and morals.” “We are not against freedom but it’s our duty to protect our country and its traditions.”

Speaking about YouTube Doctor Mohammad Murad from the Youth Protection Institute said: “There is porn and videos mocking religion and some videos which encourage violence and terrorism. It’s not good for youths and can cause hate and damage the nation,” he said.

Al-Muzaina added that the police were increasing their efforts and cooperation with Etisalat to protect society. “The youth is the future of our nation and we must protect them from bad things on the internet” he added.

Jesile Hiskok director of Google developer in the Middle East said a team from Google is discussing the issues with officials in the UAE."

more here

Does anyone else think it's just a little bit unlikely that Google would change the whole of YouTube to cater to a country that is equal to 0.068% of the worlds total population?

New minimum taxi fare of Dh10

"Dubai: The minimum fare for commuting in a taxi in Dubai is now Dh10 with immediate effect, Gulf News has learnt.

The move came after recent complaints from drivers that short trips waste their time and reflect badly on their daily minimum targets. The minimum starting fare, however, has not changed - it is Dh4.

The policy of charging a minimum Dh10 fare took commuters by surprise because it was implemented without any formal announcement by the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), which is authorised to approve such decision.

An RTA spokesperson told Gulf News that the final decision was taken on March 31 after consultation with the Dubai Taxi Agency and four other franchise taxi companies in Dubai. The new fare structure was implemented from April 1. However, he failed to give reason why the new policy was not advertised to make commuters aware."

more here

Commander of Chechen Battalion Killed in Dubai

On a photo: Sulim and Ruslan Yamadayev holding a portrait of their brother Jabrail



Sulim Yamadayev known as a former commander of Chechen battalion Vostok was reportedly shot dead in an underground parking of JBR, Reem tower, where he resided for last 4 months.

Local and Russian news agencies have offered confusing if not mutually exceptive information. Family of the victim insists that Sulim Yamadayev is still alive and is in intensive care unit of one the Dubai hospitals. Other sources claim that he had been buried in Al Quos cemetery this Monday.


Reuters gives a brief account.

One more short article from finnish-russian community

Dubai police have made first arrests. Among them, one tourist arrived earlier last week to Dubai, the other person is an owner of a small business in Dubai. Rumours say that the number of arrests made range from 4 to 7.

Caching...

Is it just me, or are the blogger feeds slow in updating new posts? Also, comments and new posts take atleast an hour to show up on the blog, despite frequent refreshing.

"Duplicity"

If anyone has not yet seen the new Julia Roberts/Clive Owen movie, "Duplicity," or if you (like half of everyone in Dubai) were late arriving and missed the first few minutes, you missed seeing something remarkable.

The opening scene is set in exotic Dubai, circa 2003. The U.S. Embassy ... (embassy? in Dubai? umm... sure, whatever, move on.) A barbecue. (right, makes sense, that's what happens here.) For the Fourth of July (yea, yea, ok, gotta love those American holidays) ... Outside (in July?) ... During the day (???) ... Well. All that is, um, plausible, but here's the kicker: no one sweats!

Ah, the movies.

iPhone 3G launched for Wasel prepaid customers

Etisalat has finally launched the iPhone 3G for Wasel, according to an EmBiz report:

...the iPhone 3G 8GB device will be available in black colour for Dh3,121, while the 16GB device will be available in both white and black colours for Dh3,570, said a press statement.

Etisalat is also offering free 250 MB monthly data package for six months and one free Wasel SIM Card with every device, providing return benefit of over Dh2,000, effectively bringing down the device cost to a little over Dh1,000.

Would you buy the iPhone with this new deal? Is it value for money?

Anchor Proof cables

Today the Telecommunications Revolutionary Authority announced it's plans to install anchor-proof cables on the ocean floor. Previously the cables have been cut by wayward boat captains, but only once or twice. During these times the speed of browsing internet was said to have increased greatly despite there being no physical way of data traveling.



Many users have been completely satisfied with the services provided during these times and vouched to continue paying for them; in appreciation of the public's enthusiasm a price raise of 325% was announced this weekend.

The authority has also put plans on the table to possibly paint the cables red in order to achieve maximum possible speed, they have not however at this time discussed upgrading the typewriter in the communications ministry's office.

Salikh

Earlier this week, hundreds of people took to the street gathered to praise the 5th anniversary of Salikh; Salikh gates have already dotted the landscape for some time, and some of the revenue raised was put towards a potaytet field.


OVER 9000 people took to the street to show their happiness and enthusiasm for Salikh

Among the people at the spontaneous community praise session was Burakhbar, who commented “Now with Salikh it only takes me 4 hours to pass under the gate at 6 PM! Before it used to take me 4 and a half hours! The reduction in time has certainly freed up my schedule”


Salikh gates are considered to be a great sign of progress and have helped to control traffic on the 18-lane highway

The Revolutionary Transport Authority thanked the public for their enthusiasm and made a surprise announcement of a further 67 gates in the next two months.

Flickr

Yesterday, the communications ministry succeeded in apprehending 14 dissidents who attempted to bypass the scheme enacted by the ministry to prevent people from accessing flickr; among the items found uploaded by the dissidents were several pictures of kittens and a photo of a walrus pleading for his bucket, although these photos may sound harmless, the ministry has promised that they were a grave threat to the security of our youth. The communications ministry server has so far caught 312 people this year trying to access flickr, and also a further 442 people who tried to make cheap phone calls using the web-service skype, which is considered a grave threat to the funding of the 5th potaytets field.


The modern equipment utilized by the communications ministry in protecting our internets; this particular device even has the ability to interface with modern typewriters. Also catering to previous requests, the machinery is now insulated should anyone accidentally spill tea on it.

The comrades at the Telekom Revolutionary Authority ask all party members to keep a look out for miscreants who will try to subvert the revolution by trying to circumvent the "firewall of red".

Be Vigilant! Report them for a safer neighbourhood!

nyet

Early today in support of great communist way of life, a wall collapsed. Fortunately no injuries were reported, however the plan for the great hole in ground for planting potaytets has now been put on hold.

Please find attached pictures [NO CARRIER]