Warner Bros. To Open Theme Park & Cinemas In Abu Dhabi

2007-10-06T16:58:00.000-07:00

What’s up doc? Quite a bit in Abu Dhabi after a developer yesterday signed a multi-billion-dirham deal to bring the creative energy of Warner Bros Entertainment to the emirate.

A joint venture was created between Aldar and the newly-established Abu Dhabi Media Company and the studio that brought us the Harry Potter and Scooby-Doo films and Bugs Bunny.

The massive entertainment project will include a theme park, a luxury hotel and multiplex cinemas on Yas Island, the formation of a joint fund to finance feature films and develop and produce video games, as well as the growth of new media in the emirate.

And that’s not all, folks… New Warner Bros branded cinemas will also be built in Abu Dhabi’s under-construction Central Market, Ruwais in the Western Region and Al Ain.

Read More ...

This blog has a lot of GONU CYCLONE MEDIA

2007-06-12T16:55:00.000-07:00

The blogger has put in a great deal of effort - a lot of pictures and youtube videos.
Some of the pics are posted in Flickr, which are obviously blocked... URL HERE

Africa Day in Abu Dhabi

2007-06-12T16:53:00.000-07:00

On June 18, starting at 7:30pm, the African Embassies in the UAE come together for Africa Day, celebrating all things Africa. More information at www.crdsom.org.

CYCLONE GONU

2007-06-06T18:09:00.000-07:00

U.A.E. May Be Next to End Dollar Peg, Forwards Show

2007-06-05T18:29:00.000-07:00

U.A.E. May Be Next to End Dollar Peg, Forwards Show
By Matthew Brown

June 5 (Bloomberg) -- The United Arab Emirates may be the next Middle Eastern country to stop pegging its exchange rate to the U.S. dollar, according to trading in currency forwards.

The second-largest Arab economy may follow Syria and Kuwait, which both said in the past two weeks that they would dump the dollar peg to curb rising import costs and inflation. Middle East currencies have been dragged lower by declines in the dollar, pushing up the cost of imports from Europe and Asia.

Burj Construction Update

2007-05-29T15:19:00.000-07:00

Rem Koolhaas's Dubai Deathstar

2007-05-27T08:59:00.000-07:00

We show a lot of proposals for buildings in Dubai, often draped in photovoltaics and covered in propellers, or twisting and turning, it is a Disneyland of architecture. Sometimes we think they are going a bit overboard, as they evolve from Disney to Lucas with buildings like OMA's Ras al Khaimah Convention and Exhibition Centre. We have used Picasso's bon mot, updated by Le Corbusier before: "Good architects borrow but great architects steal" but never was the homage so obvious. Architectspeak below the fold....

rest of story

Maktoum launches largest education foundation with $10b endowment

2007-05-27T08:47:00.000-07:00

His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, today launched the 'Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation', a major initiative to promote human development and provide hope and opportunity by investing in education and knowledge-development in the region. His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed, made the announcement in a keynote speech at the World Economic Forum for the Middle East being held in Jordan.

[Dubai] The Lighthouse: An Innovative Green Skyscraper

2007-05-27T08:05:00.000-07:00

The Lighthouse is another innovative green skyscraper to be constructed in Dubai. For energy generation, it will have three enormous 225 kilowatt wind turbines (29 meters in diameter), and 4000 photovoltaic panels on the south facing façade. To optimize performance and operational periods, the turbines have windward directional wind vanes or limited yaw.

The Skyscraper That Creates All Its Own Energy

2007-05-27T08:03:00.000-07:00

"This skyscraper, to be built in Dubai, is called the Burj al-Taqa ('Energy Tower'), and it will produce 100% of its own power. The tower will have a huge (197 foot diameter) wind turbine on its roof, and arrays of solar cells that will total 161,459 square feet in size." more here

The Wheels On The Bus Go Round and Round...

2007-05-13T16:50:00.000-07:00

I decided to catch a bus the other day. In Dubai that's a strange concept. Firstly white people are rarely seen standing at the bus stop and secondly, as a woman there are only four seats available to you. Confused? So am I.

You go to the bus stop and wait with all the other people. The bus pulls up and you go to get on and there are eight women sitting in the first four seats. These seats are designated for women only. How nice and polite I thought...how cavalier...how old fashioned...how weird.

However the bus was full and those seats were already occupied by other women so I kept walking down the aisle in the aim of standing up and holding on. People started looking at me and then a women yelled out to me that I had to get off the bus because it was full. I looked around and to my untrained eye the bus still had plenty of standing room. I followed this woman and got off the bus, blushing, because I felt I'd committed some sort of crime.

The kind lady explained to me that women are only allowed to sit in the first four rows and are not allowed to stand on the bus. So when the four seats are full, bad luck, you have to wait for another bus. Even if it's 45 degrees outside.

I looked around me, there were at least 15 women waiting. I stood there feeling like an idiot, then did what every Euro expat here does - hailed a taxi.

New Palm Deira Design

2007-05-12T13:23:00.000-07:00

Visitor gets four-year term for drug possession

2007-05-12T13:21:00.000-07:00

Dubai: A Greek police official will spend four years in jail for possessing 0.17 gram of marijuana and two promazepam capsules for personal use, ruled a court yesterday. [more]

Fire on the Palm !

2007-05-10T08:35:00.000-07:00

More pictures here

Driving Rules

2007-05-10T05:39:00.000-07:00

1. If your road map is more than a few weeks old, throw it out and get a new one.

2. If you are in Rashidiya and your map is one day old, then it is already obsolete.

3. Forget the traffic rules you learned elsewhere. Dubai has it's own version of traffic rules, which can be summarized as "Hold on and pray!"

4. If it is your priority to cross, forget it and wait.

5. There is no such thing as a dangerous high-speed chase in Dubai . Everyone drives like that.

6. When you plan to get a new car, ask first about its acceleration from 80 to 160 Km/h (recommended: 3 seconds). Very important if you frequently use the Emirates Road

7. All directions start with Sheikh Zayed Road , which has no beginning and no end.

8. The morning rush hour is from 5:00 AM to 1:00 PM, The evening rush hour is from 1:00 PM to 10:00 PM .

9. Thursday's rush hour starts Wednesday morning.

10. If you slow down at a yellow light, you will be rear-ended and then given a ticket by the Dubai Police.

11. If you are the first one at the intersection, when the light turns green ignore the car honking behind you and count to five to avoid crashing into one of the cars running the red light in cross-traffic.

12. Construction on all main roads is a way of life and a permanent form of entertainment. (Sorry for the inconvenience)

13. All unfamiliar sights are explained by the phrase, "Oh, we must be in Sharjah!"

14. Car horns are actually toys for big boys.

15. Anyone in a Land Cruiser, Tuned Patrol, jeep or Mercedes with tinted windows has the right of way. Period!

16. If you are driving a Corolla, Sunny, or another small Japanese car, stay on the far right lane. No comment!

17. Most roads mysteriously change names as you cross intersections.

18. To ask directions, you must have good knowledge of Hindi/ Malayalam

19. A trip across town will take a minimum of four hours, although Sheikh Zayed Road has an unposted minimum speed of 150 Km/h.

20. It is sobering to realize that local Arabs are taught how to drive by Malyalyee.

21. 18 wheeler trucks are one of the fastest vehicles in Dubai ; they can do 120 Km/h on Hatta-Oman Road when fully loaded.

22. The minimum acceptable speed on the Emirates Road is 160 km/h. Anything less is considered downright sissy.

23. Al Khail Road is Dubai's daily version of NASCAR.

24. Dubai Autodrome has a new extension: The Emirates Road.

25. WELCOME TO THE UAE!

Dubai retailers worry over rising gold prices

2007-05-07T17:34:00.000-07:00

Dubai retailers worry over rising gold prices
By Shakir Husain, Staff Reporter

Dubai: The emirate's gold industry fears consumer resistance to jewellery purchases if the precious metal crosses the $700 per ounce price threshold.

Dubai's jewellery sales volume last year was 108 tonnes and the industry is trying to achieve the same level this year amid anxiety over volatile gold prices, Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group (DGJG) vice-chairman Chandu Siroya said. [more]

BURJ ALIVE AND KICKING

2007-04-28T17:07:00.000-07:00

120th Floor Sold for $13.7 MillionThe 120th floor has been sold to Italian investors for Dh50 million (US $13.6 million) at last week's International Property Show.

The following shows other floors' prices:

Floor Area (ft2) Price (million)

----- ---------- ---------------

120 11,200 Dh50 / $13.6

117 11,200 Dh22 / $6

116 11,200 Dh23 / $6.3

115 11,100 Dh22 / $6

[Full Article]

Dubai Will Build & Export Rotating Pre-Fabricated Units For Rotating Towers

2007-04-28T17:01:00.000-07:00

Dubai: An Italian firm is setting up a facility in Jebel Ali to produce pre-fabricated units for a revolving tower that it intends to build in Dubai.

It said the facility will be set up with an investment of about Dh110 million, but the futuristic tower will cost about Dh1.28 billion and it was looking for investors to fund the project.

The fabricated units made in Dubai will be shipped to 11 other major cities including Moscow, Milan, New York and Tokyo, where similar towers will be built after one is completed in the emirate, said David Fisher, chairman of Rotating Tower Technology Limited.

"Dubai is going to be the first place to have this type of tower," he said at a press conference where he unveiled the "Dynamic Architecture" concept.

Each floor of the tower will rotate within a set speed, enabling the building to constantly change shape.

Article Here

Dubai Municipality - Pocket sized Contact Card

2007-04-28T13:41:00.000-07:00

On display at the Dubai Municipality office in Deira, this business card / pocket sized card contains their Contact Center numbers and contact numbers of all their branches throughout Dubai:

GUMBALL 2007 Tomorrow

2007-04-28T13:38:00.000-07:00

London to Asia…and back in 7 Days!

Starts this Sunday 4PM Pall Mall… Lets have it!!!!

3000 miles, 120 cars, 17 Countries, 7 days, 2 Continents, 1 amazing adventure!

Here we go… we’re just hours away from the start of the 9th Annual Gumball 3000 Rally. The event kicks off with the pre rally party tomorrow night (Sat 28th) at the Gumball Space Station (inside the Trocadero) with the Fun Lovin Criminals DJing and ‘Towers of London’ playing live!!!! Then on Sunday (29th) all 120 amazing cars go on display at 1 PM on Pall Mall - and then at 4PM England and Chelsea footballer Ashley Cole will wave the start flag!

Check out Jamiroquai’s Jay Kay, Star Wars’ Hayden Christensen, Supermodel Caprice, The Business’ stars Danny Dyer & Tamer Hassan (these guys are hosting this years Gumball TV series), MTV Pimp My Ride host and rap star Xzibit, Gumball host Maximillion Cooper, and loads more…driving Bugatti Veyrons, Ferrari Enzo’s, Rolls Royce Phantom’s and more Lamborghini’s that you’d care to mention! Come down to cheer off the amazing and eccentric cars!!!

Follow the rally live throughout the week on http://www.gumball3000.com/ as the cars head off on a 3000 mile adventure across 17 countries from London to Asia and back in just 7 days, partying each night with some of the world’s coolest DJ’s and celebs. Then head down to Great George Street opposite Big Ben next Saturday 5th May between 5-8PM - to see who crosses the finish line first!!!

“Imagine the scene; Jamiroquai’s Jay Kay leading the pack of supercars in his Porsche GT3 with supermodel Jodie Kidd in hot pursuit, whilst Star Wars Darth Vader Hayden Christensen vies for position just behind, as Danny Dyer chills out in his Range Rover, and MTV’s Pimped My Ride host Xzibit cruises in his pimped out Lamborghini and you start to get the picture. Gumball is no ordinary event!” Maximillion Cooper (Gumball host)

E-body loves Abu

2007-04-28T13:30:00.000-07:00

via mahmood tv

Great Documentary About Dubai (in French)

2007-04-25T16:57:00.000-07:00

: Dubaï, une ville mondialiséeEn quelques décennies, Dubaï, aux Émirats arabes unis, est devenue une ville prospère, un carrefour des échanges régionaux, et est de plus en plus souvent comparée à Singapour ou à Hongkong.

Data:
26.04.2007 à 08:15
26.04.2007 à 09:40
27.04.2007 à 08:15
27.04.2007 à 09:40
28.04.2007 à 11:00
30.04.2007 à 08:15
30.04.2007 à 09:40
01.05.2007 à 08:15
01.05.2007 à 09:40
02.05.2007 à 08:15
02.05.2007 à 09:40
02.05.2007 à 14:30

Dubai Creek Extension

2007-04-22T09:08:00.000-07:00

A 13 kilometre extension to Dubai Creek, which will more than double its length, was approved yesterday by the Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. It will run from Ras Al Khor, which is the wetland at the end of the natural Creek, into the Gulf at Jumeirah, giving it two outlets to the sea. [more]

housing emaar

2007-04-18T16:22:00.001-07:00

The NEW YORK TIMES is reporting that Emaar is taking a huge hit this quarter:
Dubai-based Emaar Properties (EMAR.DU), the largest Arab real-estate developer by market value, reported its slowest rate of profit-growth in the first quarter in at least two years as the U.S. housing market cooled.
The earnings missed even the smallest profit-forecast of four analysts polled by Reuters last month.Net income in the three months to March 31 rose 13.3 percent to 1.72 billion dirhams ($468.5 million), or 0.28 dirhams per share, compared with 1.52 billion dirhams, or 0.25 dirhams per share, in the year-earlier period, Emaar said.
Compared with the fourth quarter, revenue fell almost 30 percent. Cost of revenue tripled to 1.98 billion dirhams.
There may be a silver lining this cloud as per the Reuters:
Dubai's government took a majority stake in Emaar in March by exchanging land for $7.6 billion worth of stock.
The deal could increase Emaar's land holdings in Dubai by 55 percent, giving the developer more room to expand at home until foreign projects start generating profit, analysts have said.
That might actually work to your average Joe's advantage -- the larger the number of housing units available, the cheaper the purchase price or rent, no?

40% of INET blocked :-( in U.A.E. and i need a HQ :-)

2007-04-18T16:19:00.000-07:00

According to media luminary Al SAbdul Latif ayegh:

“The internet blockage rate [of unwanted material] in the UAE has reached 40 per cent that is among the highest in the world.”

Al Sayegh’s remarks came at a conference on Emirates Media Freedom at Zayed University in Abu Dhabi.

Not really something for the nation to be proud of, is it?

record after record for the Burj, 120floors and counting

2007-04-08T09:49:00.000-07:00

Burj Dubai, already the tallest structure in the Middle East and Europe, has set a new global record for having more floors than any other building in the world.

Currently at 120 storeys and 422.5 metres high, the iconic building developed by Emaar Properties is also one of the five tallest structures in the world.

Height-wise, the tower is now taller than the Empire State Building (381 metres) in New York City and the John Hancock Centre (344 metres) in Chicago – two of only five completed buildings in the world that have 100 storeys or more.

(Full Story)

JUST RECEIVED THIS CARD FOR MY BIRTHDAY !

2007-04-06T21:31:00.000-07:00

(real names blurred out)

Oops wrong picture

2007-04-05T13:59:00.000-07:00

Sunday, March 11, 2007

Metro wishes to unreservedly apologise for the mistake in Friday's paper where a photograph of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum was published in an article on page 21 about Guantánamo prisoners (more over here)

Dubai Agenda April

2007-04-03T14:35:00.000-07:00

5 - 7 april: Dubai Bike Week, Dubai Media City

5 april: Masters Football Cup Dubai 2007

7 april: Perrier Chill Out Festival, Madinat Jumeirah, inclusief DJ's als Stephane Pompougnac van Hotel Costes, DJ Ravin van Buddha Bar en Patrick Forge van Cosmic Jam. Organisator: OHM Records

10 - 13 april: The Bride Show 2007, Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre

11 - 13 april: Dave Crane Hypnosis Show, Madinat Jumeirah.

12 april: Sander Kleinenberg at Trilogy, Madinat Jumeirah, Deep Night.

20 april: David Morales at Peppermint Club

20 april: John Digweed at Trilogy, Madinat Jumeirah, Deep Night.

27 april: Tupac 10 year Anniversary Tour, Dubai Country Club

31 mei: Aerosmith Live in Concert, Dubai Autodrome

Dubai's postal history

2007-04-03T14:11:00.000-07:00

Dubai 1963 Hermit Crab 1np

Dubai's postal history may be divided into six periods. From 1909 to July 1947, Dubai used unoverprinted stamps and postal stationery of India. From August 1947 to 31 March 1948, Dubai used issues from Pakistan. From 1 April 1948 until 1961, Dubai used the stamps and postal stationery of the British Postal Agencies in Eastern Arabia (listed under Oman in Scott's Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue). From 1961 to 1963, Dubai used the stamps and postal stationery of the Trucial States. From 1963 to 1972, Dubai issued stamps and postal stationery under its own name. Dubai became a part of the United Arab Emirates December 2, 1971 and began to use the issues of the United Arab Emirates on 1 January 1973. Note: From 1 August 1972 to 31 December 1972, the post offices in Dubai sometimes sold Abu Dhabi issues overprinted with UAE in English and Arabic to meet shortages of various values. Covers with mixed UAE and Dubai issues are possible.

The stamp on the left was the issued perforated stamp. The others are examples of "errors" that were created for the philatelic market.

Delivery Menu of Jafla

2007-04-01T09:46:00.000-07:00

Language Classes @ lunch!

2007-04-01T09:43:00.000-07:00

Bebida - Door 2 Door delivery

2007-04-01T09:18:00.000-07:00

emergency numbers uae, dubai

2007-04-01T09:15:00.000-07:00

YellowDVD - UAE's first DVD Commercial Directory

2007-04-01T09:05:00.000-07:00

YellowDVD, cool instead of the european countries giving away free paper editions. There is this "Guy" that gave away hunderthousand books, why didn't he consider E-books or Usbkey-books. Great the "GoldenDVD" would have been cooler and more practical.

links:
(http://www.theyellowdvd.com)

Sheikh ordered stop on beach project building

2007-04-01T08:56:00.000-07:00

Dubai authorities yesterday ordered developers to stop building work on Jumeirah Open Beach.

The decision came directly from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. (source)

One man, 38 phones and a bill of 624,000

2007-03-30T07:16:00.000-07:00

One man, 38 phones and a bill of 624,000 , read the article here

UAE will not attack Iran

2007-03-28T18:29:00.000-07:00

"DUBAI, March 27 (Reuters) - The United Arab Emirates, a key U.S. ally, said on Tuesday it would not be involved in any military strike on Iran, but urged the Islamic Republic to avoid regional tensions."The UAE is an independent and sovereign state that rejects the use of its territories, air or regional waters to attack any country, especially if it is a neighbour and Muslim," President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahayan told Arab newspaper al-Hayat."We have informed the Iranian brothers ... that we are not party to its conflict with the United States and will not allow our territories to be used for any military, security or spy activities against it."

source-link

CAR ACCIDENTS, STATS

2007-03-28T18:27:00.000-07:00

Men responsible for 92% of deaths.

Drivers from the age group 18 to 27 have been held responsible for 37% of deaths.

Last year's death average was one every 28 hours.

Pakistani drivers were responsible for 25.6% of deaths, Indian drivers caused 20% followed closely by UAE nationals at 19%.

The number of accidents in 2006 was 243,386...an increase of 61% compared to 2005.

In these 312 people were killed while 1,812 were injured.

Fatal accidents at night made up 45 per cent of the total number of fatalities.

Private vehicles caused 1,164 accidents killing 167 people.

Heavy trucks were responsible for 128 accidents causing 32 deaths.

Light trucks were responsible for 133 accidents and 25 deaths.

Emirates Road continues to remain the most dangerous road, topping the list with 128 accidents in which 40 people were killed.

Sheikh Zayed Road stood second with 122 accidents although the death toll here increased to 45.

Al Khail Road followed closely with 34 accidents and nine deaths.

Dubai-Al Ain Road recorded 33 accidents and nine deaths.

Sheikh Rashid Road had 29 accidents and six deaths.

Al Ittihad Road had 24 accidents and seven deaths.

(source : Emirates Today)

Hooters coming to the U.A.E.

2007-03-21T07:25:00.000-07:00

A copy of the Hooters "employee handbook" obtainted by The Smoking Gun has the following glorious quote (first reproduced by a wikipedia article)

"Customers can go to many places for wings and beer, but it is our Hooters Girls who make our concept unique. Hooters offers its customers the look of the "All American Cheerleader, Surfer, Girl Next Door."
Female employees are required to sign that they "acknowledge and affirm" the following:

My job duties require I wear the designated Hooters Girl uniform.

My job duties require that I interact with and entertain the customers.

The Hooters concept is based on female sex appeal and the work environment is one in which joking and sexual innuendo based on female sex appeal is commonplace.

I do not find my job duties, uniform requirements, or work environment to be offensive, intimidating, hostile, or unwelcome."

Reuters article here

850,000$ for rare car number plate

2007-03-21T07:20:00.000-07:00

A Dubai car plate number (E15) was sold in an auction held by Dubai Roads & Transport Authority for AED 3,120,000 (US $850,000).

Start building more, where ? maybe the beach !

2007-03-20T10:41:00.000-07:00

The Burj al Arab beach has a very long fence going up, all the way from Umm Suqeim Fishing Port to beyond Umm Suqeim Park. It looks horribly like a typical construction site fence.

Just read what the press release in the papers today says:Zabeel Investments has begun work on a new 4.5 million square foot coastal development on Jumeirah Beach in Umm Suqueim."The unique mixed-use development will comprise residential, commercial and hospitality facilities reflecting a beachfront lifestyle."We have appointed a renowned master planner and architect who is putting together final touches to plans that will be one of the best that Dubai has seen."The development will add to the existing beachside environment, which is synonymous with new developments in the UAE."The new project will further extend Dubai's coastline and provide additional opportunities for the beachfront lifestyle."

SZR (Zayed Road) Morning Fire !!!

2007-03-20T10:07:00.000-07:00

Dubai Lynx

2007-03-16T20:05:00.000-07:00

The final winners of Dubai Lynx 2007 will be announced at the Dubai Lynx Awards gala dinner and ceremony on Monday 19 March in Dubai Media City Amphitheatre at approximately 11:00 pm UAE time (2300 hrs GMT).

Dubai Lynx 2007 - Useful links for you:

1. Dubai Lynx Awards 2007 for creative excellence: 1,679 entries to be judged by world’s top creative advertising professionals (Detailed post)

2. The Middle East Gets Its Own Advertising Awards: Enter the Dubai Lynx

3. Dubai Lynx 2007: World’s top advertising creatives to gather in Dubai, UAE (List of the jury members)

room with a view

2007-03-09T12:24:00.000-08:00

Want a piece of the Burj ... 550.000 £ cheapest

2007-03-07T14:44:00.000-08:00

Planning permission takes weeks, not years. But quality is not compromised by speed. As with most schemes targeting foreign investors, the Burj Dubai apartments (prices will range from £550,000 to £2·5 million) will be expensively finished and offer good views.Surrounding it will be a 3·5 kilometre boulevard, fringed with hotels and 12,000 properties all now under construction.

FOR SALE IN DUBAI

2007-03-07T08:15:00.000-08:00

£150,000

La Residence at the Lotus. The first residential tower in the Business Bay comprises 58 storeys of furnished one- to three-bedroom apartments with 24-hour concierge. From £150,000. Damac Properties, 020 7499 9001

FOR SALE IN DUBAI

2007-03-07T08:13:00.000-08:00

£74,000

The Cube. This is the first residential complex within Dubai Sports City. Studio flats start at £74,000, with one- and two-bedroom apartments also available. The developer promises a minimum 10 per cent rental return for the first three years after completion. Dubai City Moves, 020 7474 7421.

Bright lights, boom city?

2007-03-07T08:10:00.000-08:00

A skyscraper is born every day in Dubai, but is it an investor's paradise? Don't forget the traffic problems and oversupply of houses, says Graham Norwood

Abu Dhabi Louvre

2007-03-06T20:54:00.000-08:00

Flic posted yesterday on the Louvre coming to Abu Dhabi.

Here are some excerpts from the New York Times report:
What’s the price of a good name?How about a cool $520 million? That is the amount that Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, agreed Tuesday to pay to attach the Louvre’s name to a museum that it hopes to open in 2012. And there is more: in exchange for art loans, special exhibitions and management advice, Abu Dhabi will pay France an additional $747 million. Controversy over the Louvre Abu Dhabi has been swirling in France for the last three months, with critics charging that the French government is “selling” its museums. But only now have the full details of the nearly $1.3 billion package been disclosed.
...
Abu Dhabi has also agreed to make a direct donation of $32.5 million to the Louvre to refurbish a wing of the Pavillon de Flore for the display of international art.
This gallery, to be ready by 2010, will carry the name of Sheik Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahayan, the founder and longtime ruler of the United Arab Emirates, who died in 2004.
...
For a government-owned cultural institution in France to carry the name of a corporate or foreign donor is also a first and may well raise eyebrows here. In the past, for instance, the Louvre has turned down offers of financial help from philanthropists who asked that galleries be named after them in return.
...
In a telephone interview from Abu Dhabi, Mubarak Al-Muhairi, the deputy chairman of the emirate’s tourism authority, dismissed rumors that the new museum would reject loans or exhibitions from France including Christian religious art or depicting, say, nudity. “In principle, there are no restrictions,” he said, “but both sides will agree on what is shown

First phase of Road Toll System to begin in July 2007

2007-03-05T09:58:00.000-08:00

Topless Sandals

2007-03-03T08:39:00.000-08:00

Topless sandals simulate walking barefoot while protecting your feet. Topless sandals stick to the bottom of your feet, but leave no residue on your feet when you take them off. The "stick" is guaranteed for a year, which is the typical life span of a flip flop. Order YOUR pair here.

Fly the road

2007-03-03T08:11:00.000-08:00

After all, the cars we see today, we also saw in the 80ies & 90ies. I cannot believe people will be so stupid to spend so much gasoline (even this concerns me, it's so 'old', a car on gasoline lol something for Americans maybe), I am different, I want something cool, trendy, ecologic, budget friendly, fast, modern, futuristic...

If I watch this 'car' I see millions of them in the year 2100 and beyond, a car will be no longer a car like the current, 4 wheels 'cubic' style.

For more information about this excellent product (only 20.000$ and you have one) check the product page.

After reaching the finals in Dubai, she also places for Doha Finals

2007-03-02T20:13:00.000-08:00

the best UAE DRIVER LICENSE GOES TO ...

2007-03-02T20:09:00.000-08:00

Mc Donald's not welcome in U.A.E. ?

2007-02-28T03:26:00.000-08:00

"LONDON - Prince Charles suggested Tuesday on a visit to the United Arab Emirates that banning McDonald's fast food was crucial for improving people's diets, a British news agency reported.

Charles made the comments while visiting the Imperial College London Diabetes Center in Abu Dhabi for the launch of a public health campaign, The Press Association reported.

"Have you got anywhere with McDonald's? Have you tried getting it banned? That's the key," Charles was quoted as asking one of the center's nutritionists.

A McDonald's spokesman, Nick Hindle, called the remark disappointing. He said other members of the royal family "have probably got a more up-to-date picture of us," alluding to reports that Charles' son, Prince Harry, was spotted eating a chicken burger at McDonald's in 2005."

see news.yahoo.com

World's most expensive homes

2007-02-26T17:58:00.001-08:00

read the document here

UAE releases cancer vaccine

2007-02-25T18:28:00.000-08:00

The UAE is the first country in the Middle East to release the HPV (Human Papilloma virus) vaccination “Gardasil” according to Dubai Health News. It protects against the two strains of HPV that are responsible for approximately 70% of Cervical cancer cases in women. According to UAE’s Cancer Registry Program, the annual average of the reported cervical cancer cases has tripled in 2005 when compared with that from 1998-2004.

Gardasil has come under attack in the USA as religious and parent groups resist mandated vaccinations of young girls. Meanwhile, in Australia where the vaccine was developed, the government is planning on spending over $436 million on programmes to vaccinate young girls with an ongoing cost of under $50 million per year.

The UAE’s Ministry of Health has approved the vaccine and it is available now, though no government subsidies are offered. The treatment consists of 3 injections over a 6 month period with a total cost of approximately 1860 dirhams and is available through most GP's and medical centres.

dubai police salary rising

2007-02-25T18:27:00.000-08:00

Congratulations for police staff for the new salary raise.

Lieutenant -General 69,000 AED
Brigadier General 54,800 AED
Brigadier 45,500 AED
Colonel 40,000 AED
Lieutenant Colonel 35,000 AED
Major 29,500 AED
Captain 25,000 AED
First Lieutenant 22,000 AED
lieutenant 20,000 AED

Senior managers allowance but the percentage hasn't been mentioned
Tickets allowance between 2,000 to 55,000 AED annually depending on the rank
Cars allowance between 200,000 to 350,000 AED for senior managerial ranks
Work environment allowance between 0% to 40% of the basic salary (which is 50% of the total salary)

Lower ranks get between 6,500 to14,800 AED

JUSTIN HENIN WINS DUBAI WTA

2007-02-24T08:53:00.000-08:00

LIVE FROM DUBAI JUSTIN HENIN

2007-02-24T07:46:00.000-08:00

Justin Henin leading set 1 with 4-3.

Update : Set 1 Justin Henin leading set 1 with 5-3.
Update : Set 1 Justin Henin leading set 1 with 5-4.
Update : Set 1 Justin Henin WINS SET ONE with 6-4 against Mauresmo.

...

Update : Set 2 started 0-1 for Mauresmo.
Update : Set 2 Justin takes the 2nd game, making the score 1-1.
Update : Set 2 Game 3, Mauresmo, score 1-2.
Update : Set 2 2-2. and 2-3. (two fast games) and 3-3. and 3-4. and 4-4.
Update : Set 2 Mauresmo leading 4-5. and 5-5. and 6-5 (3 break balls for JUSTIN)
Update : Set 2 Justin breaks Mauresmo 6-5 ! and own serve to finish it.
Update : Set 2 3 MATCH BALLS JUSTIN.

...
GAME SET MATCH !

JUSTIN HENIN WINS DUBAI WTA "6-4 & 7-5" CONGRATULATIONS JUJU

Abu Dhabi Formule 1 - 2009

2007-02-23T19:01:00.000-08:00

airbus F1 2009

2007-02-23T19:00:00.000-08:00

dancing

2007-02-23T17:55:00.000-08:00

dancing

the silver dagger

2007-02-23T07:04:00.000-08:00

Justine Henin in finals

2007-02-23T06:42:00.000-08:00

Justine Henin managed to win the semi finals against Svetlane Kuznetsova (WTA 5) scores 1-6, 6-4 and 6-0 ! Her opponent in the Dubai WTA final will be Amélie Mauresmo (WTA 3) or Jelena Jankovic (WTA 11).

Update : opponent in final = Amélie Mauresmo (WTA 3)

Celsius: Earth's First Calorie Burning Soda

2007-02-22T14:45:00.000-08:00

Celsius raises metabolism on average by 12% and significantly increases calorie-burning and energy for up to for three hours. Each bottle of Celsius has only 5-10 calories. (visit www.celsius.com for more info )

Hosni no Likey Free Speechy

2007-02-22T14:23:00.000-08:00

GULF NEWS reported yesterday that an Egyptian Blogger was tossed in jail for calling Hosni Mubarak a "dictator."

Personally, if it were me I would have removed the "tator" syllable -- but then again -- I'm not particularly known for my social graces...

Ghaftree what a tree !

2007-02-22T07:00:00.000-08:00

read more here :
conserving ghaftree
endangered tree

CARACAL

2007-02-20T20:58:00.000-08:00

Caracal International, the UAE's first defence hardware manufacturing firm, has been launched to tie in with the ongoing Idex 2007 event in Abu Dhabi. Hamad Khalifa Al Neyadi, the MD of Caracal, said the firm is set to manufacture its first products, the Caracal F and Caracal C pistols. The company has also registered more than ten patents worldwide, in order to develop further products in the future.

Caracal has also won a Dhs18 million deal to supply the UAE Armed Forces with a total of 10,000 pistols.

Official Website you find here

gulfnews readings

2007-02-20T20:56:00.000-08:00

Link - Gulf News - Nation's Mother tongue loses in the race of languages

Languages are like computer operating systems. The more people who use them, the more useful they become and the more people who adopt them. English has become the Windows of languages - And similarly loved and hated. Individual decisions on adoption affect everyone.

Culture and language are closely interwined. What happens to a culture when a language falls into disuse? Certainly many of those in the culture will feel threatened. And when threatened there is a desire to place blame. Does the blame reside in the encroaching language? In fellow members of the culture who have switched to the new language?

Can the native language be protected without closing the culture to economic exchange with the outside world?

good old dubai

2007-02-18T14:20:00.000-08:00

dubailand

2007-02-18T07:26:00.001-08:00

The animal residents of Dubai Zoo in Jumeirah will soon be enjoying a slightly more comfortable life. Dubai Municipality have unveiled plans to build a new 500 acres zoo at Dubailand. Over one thousand animals currently live in cramped conditions in Dubai Zoo, a facility that has been repeatedly criticised by animal rights activists and residents over the years. Plans for the new zoo include a night zoo, safari and educational facilities. The zoo is expected to be complete within 18 months.

Shakira at Dubai Autodrome

2007-02-18T07:24:00.000-08:00

Columbian pop sensation Shakira will perform at the Dubai Autodrome on March 23 as part of her Oral Sensation Tour. Around 25,000 people are expected to attend the concert.

Palm Jumeirah new design (trunk part)

2007-02-18T07:23:00.000-08:00

Developers Nakheel have amended the design of the Palm Jumeirah’s trunk. The planned 2 km canal will now be replaced by a landscaped park. Chief Executive Chris O’Donnell said, ‘In evolving The Palm Jumeirah into one of the world’s premier resorts for living, tourism and leisure we are constantly looking at ways to add to the amenity of life on the island. The new park will be an experiential feature, creating beautifully landscaped areas and a lively space for residents to engage, play and relax whether that’s a leisurely stroll through the park or a picnic with the family.’

Registration of freehold property begins

2007-02-18T07:21:00.000-08:00

The Dubai Land Department has commenced registering freehold property in the names of owners. Thousands of properties are expected to be registered in the coming weeks, starting with apartments at the Dubai Marina. The process is part of the Real Estate Registration Law that was issued in March 2006. Before this properties could only be registered in the names of UAE and GCC citizens. Foreign owners only possessed a contract of sale from the developer and could only transfer ownership via the developer.

dubai upside down tower !

2007-02-18T06:28:00.001-08:00

"Amlak Al Madina Real Estates" announced the launch of the (Upside Down Tower) in Dubai with a total cost of AED 800 million (US $218 million). The tower consists of two buildings next to each other one of them is an upside down replica of the other.

Each tower is a 28-floor with an area of 30,000 squared foot. Not only that the tower will look inverted from the outside but it will look inverted from the inside as well. Mentioned examples are palm trees, other indoor plants, water fountains, elevators, and even the numbering sequence of floors.

The construction of the tower will start October 2007 and expected to end in October 2010.

** Not much English coverage but in the Alit Tihad Arabic newspaper they also mentioned it.

what a country !

2007-02-17T06:37:00.000-08:00

As a practical matter it is a good thing that genetics will still be taught given its connection to high level of birth defects due to the high rate of "consanguineous marriages among UAE nationals" (Centre for Arab Genomic Studies, Dubai, Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Science). Surely blood tests before marriage will continue to be required.

** I mean, how high can you go... It's only in christian and western world that people just fuck and spread like animals, with all the birth problems as a result. Hell, In Europe they even allow (and open debates and discussions about it) to let 2 mongols, handicapped and or retards have sexual intercourse... This is a good thing, to prevent DNA crashing making the offspring F1 generation worthless. People always want a 'child', they are not so smart. They don't want 'a child' they want 'a healthy child'. Insane level of brainpower, let's first check if we can make 'healthy offspring before marriage' ... what a world.

** It would be a good thing to do it with the kings and queens of other countries ;-) and the president of the us and a.

Madinat Jumeira, Dubai

2007-02-16T16:46:00.000-08:00

Toll roads are coming to Dubai. Is that Salik?

2007-02-16T16:43:00.000-08:00

Quoting Gulf News:
From July this year, motorists using Shaikh Zayed Road and Al Garhoud Bridge will have to pay a road toll. As part of the first phase of the introduction of the toll system in Dubai, the stretch of Shaikh Zayed Road, starting from the Fourth Interchange [near Mall of the Emirates] to Al Garhoud Bridge will be a "toll-controlled area.""The toll system will be called Salik which in Arabic means clear," said Maitha Obaid Bin Udai, Chief Executive Officer of the Traffic and Roads Agency at the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).She said Salik has been chosen as the brand name because it reflects the logic behind the toll system, which is to ensure smooth traffic flow....Motorists crossing Al Garhoud Bridge or entering Shaikh Zayed Road from the Fourth Interchange will be charged Dh4 per entry.The charge will be in both directions and round-the-clock. Toll gates will be installed at both locations. Also, a motorist who enters from Al Garhoud Bridge and exits from the Fourth Interchange and vice versa, will have to pay at both locations...."The main idea of introducing Salik is to reduce congestion and for better traffic management on Shaikh Zayed Road, one of the most crowded highways in the city, and to make motorists use alternate routes and other mode of transportation," said Maitha.

It's not just Dubai that's looking at tolls to solve traffic congestion problems. See here, and here.

Ferrari Theme Park in Abu Dhabi

2007-02-16T16:25:00.000-08:00

Price Tag 450M €. Scheduled to open in 2009. 24 attractions, including a G-Force Tower of 70m. Also a lot of the ferrari shares are disappearing in the Dubai Hands.

"
A Ferrari theme park? This sounds rather naff...
We've already seen Ferrari's licensing skills produce a range of merchandise from sunglasses to laptops - and now it's taking on Disneyland with the prancing horse's very own theme park. The doors will open in 2009 in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates, and CAR Online has obtained the architect's drawings revealing the plans for the first time.A large slice of desert on the island of Yas will be reclaimed to host the development, which will include 24 attractions, including a 70-metre high G-Force Tower and what's claimed to be the world's first F1-branded twin rollercoaster ride, allowing races between carriages.Budding Schumachers can try their hand at go-karting and dune buggy racing - and there are bound to be plenty of opportunities to snaffle up Ferrari-branded goodies, too. The plans by Benoy Architects even reveal plans for the Ferrari F1 pitlane experience"

More Info Here :

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/first_official_picture.php?sid=456&page=1

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 Edition in Dubai

2007-02-16T14:33:00.000-08:00

bruj dubai 100+ picture

2007-02-15T16:58:00.000-08:00

dubai by air movie

2007-02-14T17:25:00.000-08:00

Jumeirah Beach Picture

2007-02-13T12:52:00.000-08:00

abu dhabi projects value 1 trillion DHS

2007-02-13T12:51:00.001-08:00

"Dubai: The total value of announced and on-going projects in Abu Dhabi has inched close to Dh1 trillion, currently at Dh991 billion ($270 billion), a report says.
Abu Dhabi, the largest among UAE's seven states, is by far the wealthiest and in 2005 had the highest per capita income in the world at $46,147. It has proven oil reserves which are estimated to last for another 150 years and currently pumps 3.5 million barrels of oil per day generating in excess of $90 billion annually," it said.
Major players including Aldar, Sorouh, Escan, Tourism Development and Investment Company, Reem and Tamouh Investments are currently involved in projects estimated at over $60 billion.
The list of projects include the $14.7 billion Al Raha Beach development by Aldar Properties, the $27 billion Saadiyat Island by TDIC, $2.5 billion Shams Abu Dhabi by Sorouh, $1.4 billion Reem Island by Tamouh Investments and $3.5 billion Najmat Abu Dhabi project by Reem Investments.
The latest amendment to Abu Dhabi Property Law will help the emirate to attact more investment into the reality sector."
http://gulfnews.com/business/Construction/10103864.html

AQUA ?

2007-02-12T19:36:00.000-08:00

A recently published report revealed that an estimated $100 billion in investments will be needed over the next decade for water and desalination projects in the GCC.With only one percent of the world's renewable fresh water resources and five percent of its population, "the provision of adequate water supply is one of the key issues facing governments across the region today," the report said according to Gulf News.Twenty-four million cubic meters of water per day, or approximately 70 percent of the UAE's daily water supply comes from desalination plants. "The scale of the demand is illustrated by the fact that the UAE consumes more water per capita than any other country with the exception of the US and Canada."
Read more
Huge as it sounds, it will beinteresting to see if mega-sized corporations would want to do such investments in this region. Ofcourse investments in WATER won't be quiet similar to investments in OIL unless we are going to have a GCC Wide Water Exchange.

camel track, nad al sheba (8am, feb 9, 2007)

2007-02-12T12:57:00.000-08:00

Dubai Monopoly Edition

2007-02-11T18:08:00.000-08:00

World Most Complex Origami

2007-02-10T07:57:00.001-08:00

More Here http://forum.programming-designs.com/viewtopic.php?pid=4526

dubai lynx

2007-02-09T08:30:00.000-08:00

Dubai Lynx, the inaugural advertising and communication awards honouring creative excellence across the Middle East and North Africa has handpicked the jury members from creative teams across the world.Which means that once again Dubai is going to host some of the world top personalities of the advertising world, after it made history last year by having the largest ever World Congress of the International Advertising Association (IAA).[Read more... Marketing, Advertising & Creativity in the UAE]

lol the Marina is melting away

2007-02-09T08:28:00.000-08:00

What used to be part of the promenade that made for a pleasant stroll along the Dubai Marina was breached when the excavation wall at the site of the Infinity tower gave way--noon yesterday. (Photo from Skyscrapercity.com forum.)

Camelicious

2007-02-08T02:56:00.000-08:00

Camelicious, product of Emirates Industry for Camel Milk & Products, is said to have many health, beauty and wellbeing benefits. According to their website, Camelicious contains naturally occurring moisturizing and anti-ageing properties and is closes in composition to human milk. Camelicious is locally produced to the EU health and hygiene regulations.'Camel milk has always been a traditional staple of the Bedouins throughout the Middle East, and our research has now scientifically proven that it has incredible health benefits,' said Hareb Juma Bin Subaih, General Manager of Emirates Industry for Camel Milk & Products.'Emirates Industry for Camel Milk & Products was initially established as a pilot project in 2000 with just 20 camels. It's an exciting time for us to be finally launching Camelicious to the market. We are convinced that camel milk will not only appeal to local taste-buds, but that the wider community will also benefit from its life-enriching properties,' Subaih concluded. According to some sources, Camelicious currently available in Union Co-operatives across the UAE since early this week and most likely to be available by the end of this month in other supermarkets such as Spinneys and Choitrams.

Camelicious Official Site

Ferrari New AD Facility

2007-02-06T13:13:00.000-08:00

UAE Ferrari dealer Al Tayer Motors plans to open a new showroom and after sales service centre in Abu Dhabi by April, Gulf News reported. Abu Dhabi accounts for 40% of Ferrari sales in the UAE, according to the report. Ferrari kicked off its 60th anniversary in the emirate last month. The show will go to Dubai then to 50 countries where the brand is sold.

Burj Dubai Delay

2007-02-06T13:11:00.000-08:00

Work on the $900m Burj Dubai tower is behind schedule after cladding contractor, Switzerland-based Schmidlin, went bankrupt last year, Gulf News reported. An Emaar official said work was 'a couple of months' behind schedule. A new cladding contractor has been hired. The building is scheduled for delivery in Q4 2008.

Realty Check Dubai

2007-02-06T12:55:00.000-08:00

dubai 24hours

2007-02-05T16:36:00.000-08:00

self destructing emails

2007-02-05T15:21:00.000-08:00

Bigstring.com allows you to take control of your email. Until now, email messages that you send stay as a permanent record on countless mail servers, inboxes, delete boxes etc. Bigstring.com's patent pending technology allows email users to recall, modify or set an expiration date for emails that have already been sent. These emails can be erased, modified or expired even if the recipient has read them. The email is not "deleted" from the recipient's computer.

The message that the email refers to is dynamically generated, and therefore you can have full control over it. A few days ago, BigString announced the beta release of video email that can be programmed to self-destruct after a specific number of viewings or a set time. "This self-destructing feature allows individuals and companies to maintain control of their intellectual property,"stated Darin Myman, President and CEO of BigString Corporation. "For individuals it can prevent the forwarding of personal videos that can become embarrassing fodder for the Internet. Entertainment companies and musicians can now send a once-viewable video of a performance or song. Videos that are time sensitive can be set to self-destruct at a specific time or day."

Meningitis @ Dubai

2007-02-05T14:53:00.000-08:00

The Ministry of Health has issued a warning against meningitis after four children in Dubai contracted the disease. The youngsters, aged between five and seven-years-old, are currently being treated at the Al Baraha Hospital. The children all live in the same building in Deira, said health officials. Read article

no alcohol plz plz

2007-02-05T14:50:00.000-08:00

A British man yesterday pleaded guilty to molesting a Dubai Airport employee by slapping him on the buttocks - three times. The trial, which started yesterday, heard that the 30-year-old British visitor, AJ, who is charged with molestation and consuming alcohol, groped his victim as he was going through airport security after arriving in Dubai on December 18. Read article