Canada VISA war, my intake !

The UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr Anwar Gargash, said recently that the UAE was working on securing visa on arrival for Emiratis in 34 countries, whose citizens can obtain visas on arrival here. [Gulf News]

This was in June 2008 and what happened since then? Nothing !

Actually, there is New Zealand which changed their rule recently giving Emiratis visas on arrival but who wants to wander with the sheeps anyway.

The only countries where there is reciprocity, beside the GCC, are Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, South Korea and New Zealand.

In HENLEY & PARTNERS VISA RESTRICTIONS INDEX the UAE scored 64 countries where Emiratis don't need to apply for visa prior to their arrival after Kuwait 71, Bahrain 67 and Qatar 66. This is kinda embarrassing especially if we compared ourselves to Bahrain and Qatar. [Arabian Business]

But there is this thing that has been bothering me for a while. It is the reason why I wrote this topic. No, its not the fact that I have to go all the way to Abu Dhabi to apply for the visa to go to Canada and then go all the way back to Dubai. Its not that we are almost treated like shit in the American consulate in Dubai Trade Center.

Here is the story; the privilege of easy visa regulations is mostly the effort of bi agreement between those two countries. It is also an indicator of the country status. The ministry of foreign affairs usually work to make this happen.

So I am wondering, and my non Emirati brothers wont like this, why is it that our effort go to waste for us Emiratis while other nationalities get privileges here that they wont get back in their country when it comes to visas. If it is because of our country effort that such visa measures were made easy with other countries, why should there be a rivalry or equal standards with other nationalities?

Why should I be in the same queue with someone who would have to book an appointment a month earlier for visa if he was in his country? Visa are sovereign decisions made by agreement between countries. So shouldn't I as an Emirati get my own queue here instead of being dipped in with 100 guys from other nationalties?

Ok, the topic does look silly, but am still annoyed !

Movie of the Week: The other guys

Another movie you should never see. Very silly but can be funny at times. Gets really boring by the end. Many have left the hall before the end of the movie.

Movie of the Week: Expendables

Bunch of old guys saying odd jokes and too much talking. The movie is so 1990s, with a predictable typical story line. I think they thought the movie will look better if they stick all those actors together. The movie should be watchable in MBC MAX or something.

Eid Mubarak

I forgive you Ultra[blue] :P

Picture stolen from dubaiinternetmarketing.com

The Development of Hypocrisy: Episode 3

Couldn't resist posting this one, its a continuation of my previous post.

The current trend seems like its going from this

TO THIS (project planned for Emirati housing)

The Development of Hypocrisy: Episode 2

For the clueless guys, Mohammad Bin Rashid Establishment is an entity that was formed to integrate the effort of several governmental institutions. The ruler court was responsible for giving the loans while the responsibility for granting lands was the Municipality. At that time and in the process of changing their procedures, when you go to the Municipality they would say that they can't give u a land unless u have 500k in your account and when you go to the Ruler court they say that they cant give you a loan unless you have a land so it was pretty messed up. Fortunately, they fixed all those issues.

I rememeber when they first annouced building 10,000 houses for Emirati youth worth 10billion dirhams, they even called it a gift "makruma" only to turn out as economical housing program where we need to pay a supposedly reduced amount of money. I bet the 10billion dirhams included the named land price and electricity and water connections and any form of infrastructure. They are not even that cheap especially considering that the land is being granted by the government, not to forget that they "stole" Emaar desings and the lands are smaller than our house extension. The lands are mere 8000 to 10000 sqft comparing to a general 15,000 in other areas. Oh, speaking of that, they lowered the new areas land plots sizes to 10,000.

So I heard from different sources that Mohammad Bin Rashed Housing Establishement has stopped accepting application forms from Emirati bachelors. In fact, they didn't only do that but also even the ones who applied 5 years ago and were about to get their loan was stopped. Ya3ny, its pathetic that we need to wait several years to get loans and then stopping it all together?

They also said that they will raise the pathetic loan of 750k in the boom but backed off when the crisis started saying that building houses is more affordable. Well, I don't think anyone can build a decent house with a stupid 750k before or now and while am not of those many people who say that we should be getting the 750k as a grant and not a loan I still think that they should raise the loan to 1.5 million dirhams and everyone will be happy.

Another final thing, they raised the mol7aq houses by 200 to 300 thousand dirhams too and that is in the so called depression and when the construction costs are way lower. Also the number of loans being granted every month has gone for 150 loans per month to God knows how many now. I don't even remember the last time the annouced granting those loans like they always do in the newspaper with an advertisement that occupy a full page, you know, the Dubai way of marketing and glorifiyng everything

So this is a main pillar the government didn't fulfill its duties in so some wonder, what should the government priority be?

Restaurant Review 1: Al Damyati

This is just another Karama resutarant. If you are looking for a fancy restaurant where you want to show off and use a fork and a knife then this one is not for you. It is tasty yet cheap.

• Value: 5
• Ambiance: 1
• Service: 2
• Decor: 1
• Food: 4

Location map

The food

The bill and the Menu

Ahmad Al Sheikh to turn Islamic Noor Dubai to a heritage channel

A source said that the general manager of Dubai Media Incorporation wants to to turn Noor Dubai to a heritage channel. Noor Dubai was once owned by the Dubai Media group, the same group that owns most Dubai radio channels as well as Nickelodeon and MTV Arabia and used to own Al Emarat Alyoum and Business 24/7 newspapers. Noor Dubai which calls itself a Social with an Islam vision channel won peoples heart with its creative yet traditional Islamic flavored was among the most popular channels in the UAE and the region.

Wonder why is it that when there is a brilliant idea someone comes from no where to ruin it. What's wrong with Noor Dubai the way it is? I don't think they had problems with advertisement revenues. If they do, why not turn the brilliant [not] Racing channel into a heritage channel since they are so into that. Don't think anyone will miss this channel. Not sure about the point of such awkward decision but am not surprised knowing how Al Shiekh think. All I know that it doesn't sound right and the channel will lose its main novelty factor. Lets hope they don't ruin it with too much falcon hunting, camel racing and Yolah. We already moved on from such ideas and if he wants a heritage channel why not make a new one? :D

Lets hope he comes back to reality and scrap the thought all together.

The Development of Hypocrisy: Episode 1

They cannot expand the Neonatal ICU in the only women and pregnancy government hospital in Dubai?

Fast News: Dubai freeze for Ramadan, Emiratis arrested in London

Dubai 'hot spots' freeze over as Ramadan nears
By Lynne Nahhas (AFP)

DUBAI - The music has been cut and the dancing has stopped -- Dubai is usually blusterous nightclubs are falling silent as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan approaches.

Many of the city's night spots were subdued Monday night while others had shut their doors altogether even though the fasting month has yet to begin.
"You usually find dozens of taxis picking up people to and from clubs in the late night hours, but tonight no one's going because of Ramadan," a taxi driver told AFP.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hb7_HeJNbr5Mc6iGEZTBzgjNWi4A

Two Arabs arrested after crashing Lamborghini in London square

Complaints: two supercars, not involved in the accident, in Knightsbridge. Residents are angered at the revving engines

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23865512-two-arabs-arrested-after-crashing-lamborghini-in-london-square.do

Security Researcher Warns on UAE BlackBerry Replacement

As much as am anti-Etisalat, this article does seem far-fetched. They have many other alternatives to spy but this is not one of them ...

An offer of free smartphones may be a ruse for users in the United Arab Emirates to receive a handset loaded with spyware, a security researcher has warned, saying people who trade in their BlackBerry for a new smartphone should do a spyware check. [PCWorld]

Ramadan Kareem

Why I won't be surprised if some idiot start arguing about why eating in the public of Ramadan is punishable by law and that we should be tolerant, after all that happens ever year. Ok, no bad mouthing ...

Ramadan Kareem to all :P

Woman walking in underwear in Dubai Mall after a fight with another lady

What a $l*&^t, hope some one show her her place.

A British holidaymaker has been charged with indecency in Dubai after walking through the world's largest shopping centre in a bikini.

The woman was buying clothes and gifts in the Dubai Mall, fully dressed but in a low-cut top, when she was accosted by an Arabic woman and criticised for wearing 'revealing clothing'.

The pair then became embroiled in a heated row in front of hundreds of bemused shoppers.

Incensed by the Arabic woman's comments, the British woman told her to 'mind her own business' before stripping out of her clothes and 'taunting' the locals by walking around in only her bikini, it is alleged.

[Dailymail]

The Sun and 7days said that she was released. Grrr, #@$@# 325 12!$4 5#^$6$6 346 #4^

Bye Bye BB

According to Elaph, the reason for this ban is because the UAE wanted to have an access (spy) on all the blackberry phones that are located in the UAE, which RIM refused and offered an access of several thousands of phones instead, which the UAE rejected.

What is even funnier is that the so called survey where 75% showed their discomfort of a foreign company (RIM) being able to have an access of their data and stated 58% their concern that the applications of their phones might be out the jurisdiction of the country.

Etisalat and du said on their official statement that they will offer alternatives? Wonder what would they be? What about the compensations? Can we refund our blackberry phones? How would TRA deal with this? BB owners already invested couple of thousands on those devices so shouldn't they be treated fairly?

Some related this to an attempt of young Emiratis, who were arrested after the indecent, to protest against the raise of fuel few weeks back ...

Movie of the week: Salt

If you like movies that do not make sense with a super hero with many twists then this is the movie for you. Good movie though !

Movie of the Week: Inception

One of the greatest of this year or maybe in years. I confirmed today that most of the ones who don't like such movies are dumb. They don't understand them, hence say that they are not worth watching. Simpletons, lol.

Gas to Liter: What's behind the scene?

Ever wondered why they replaced the gallon with the liter as a unit of fuel?According to the director general of the Emirates Authority of Standardization and Meteorology, the reason behind is to consolidate the units of measurement with the world and reduce any possible margin of error.

[Gulf News]

Am I the only one who think otherwise?

The real reason behind changing the unit is purely so that the fuel increase doesn't look high. So by 20 Fils per liter is equal to 20 by 3.7 which equals to about 0.75 per gallon. So for the unfortunate ones who own an SUV like me, filling a car will be a pain in the @%#23.

and welcome to new hikes in the next few months !

[RANT]and then they say that we are in a united country, when the real reason behind the increase is because Dubai don't want to support the fuel of its companies ENOC and EPPCO and Abu Dhabi don't want to sell reduced fuel price to those companies.

So, shouldn't companies who lose in the market simply withdraw. Why can't we simply have ADNOC in Dubai. EMARAT, EPPCO and ENOC should declare bankruptcy or something.[/RANT]

UAE royalty lost the most in the crisis

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahayan, United Arab Emirates
Fortune: $15 billion (down)
Age: 62
Re-elected president of the UAE for a second five-year term in November by the emirates' Federal Supreme Council. The hereditary ruler of the tiny emirate of Abu Dhabi provided $10 billion bailout package to debt-burdened brother state of Dubai in December. Did not escape downturn; fortune down $3 billion as result of last year's 40% decline in oil export earnings, coupled with double-digit declines in real estate and stock markets. Continuing to promote his Abu Dhabi 2030 plan to reinvent it as a tourism and cultural hub.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai
Fortune: $4.5 billion (down)
Age: 60
Fortune tumbled due to emirate's heavy debt load of $109 billion racked up by state-owned companies in heady days; $15.5 billion of debt due this year. His own Dubai Holding owes banks $12 billion, majority through investment companies Dubai Group and Dubai International Capital, which own stakes in Sony's and Airbus' parent. Last December sold stake in Egyptian investment bank EFG Hermes at a 60% discount to purchase two years ago. Recently stated that the UAE economy is doing fine and that the worst for Dubai is over. Renowned horseman has valuable equine assets.

http://www.forbes.com/2010/07/07/richest-royals-wealth-monarch-wedding-divorce-billionaire.html?boxes=Homepagelighttop

U.A.E. diplomat mulls hit on Iran's nukes and the government says it was misquoted

I won't be surprised if this was true !




















"I think it's a cost-benefit analysis," Mr. al-Otaiba said. "I think despite the large amount of trade we do with Iran, which is close to $12 billion … there will be consequences, there will be a backlash and there will be problems with people protesting and rioting and very unhappy that there is an outside force attacking a Muslim country; that is going to happen no matter what."

http://www.washingtontimes.com/topics/islamic-republic-of-iran/

The United Arab Emirates dismissed as "inaccurate" on Wednesday statements attributed to its ambassador in Washington backing possible military action over Iran's nuclear programme.
"The statements attributed by the Washington Times to the UAE ambassador to the United States, Youssef Al-Otaiba, are not precise," the official WAM news agency quoted deputy foreign minister Tareq al-Haidan as saying.

http://mobile.france24.com//en/20100707-uae-says-ambassador-washington-misquoted-iran

Movie of the Week: Toy Story 3

First 'official' gurdwara in Dubai

Coming up at a cost of $20 million, the Guru Nanak Darbar at Jebel Ali, Dubai, will be the first official Sikh gurdwara in the entire Gulf, catering to religious needs of a 50,000-strong Sikh community. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Makhtoum, vice-president and prime minister of UAE and ruler of Dubai, who granted permission for building the gurdwara, has given 25,400 sq ft land free.

[Times of India]

Whats left, a synagogue?

Movie of the Week: The Joneses

Interesting movie and a new idea. It is about a working unit pretending to be a family to indirectly sell the products they have. Unlike other movies I posted, this isn't the premium release here in the UAE. Three weeks have passed; however; I don't think I liked any of the other movies they are showing this week. A good movie over all. I'd give it 6 out of 10.

Highlights On The UAE Citizenship And Passport Law

This is my poor attempt to translate what is called "UAE Citizenship And Passport Law (1972/17)" with the help of Google translator. I couldn't find any English translation of the law online. I translated the meanings of the articles (or what I understood as the meaning) so it might not be accurate 100%. I didn't post all the articles and some of them are not complete. The complete Arabic version of the law is here. There are no emendation or modification of the law that am aware of.

There are three ways or types of citizenship, they are either a) by law in cases mentioned in Article 1, b) extension by marriage, c) naturalization in cases mentioned in the remaining articles. It is interesting how in most of the cases that are eligible to acquire the citizenship the article say "may be granted" so there is no such thing as right and its solely up to the related authorities and the fact that they are not entitled to be part of elections, nominations or ministerial positions, which is good in a way from my point of view. Am not sure if they apply that or they simply forgot it now. From what I see, the cases in Articles 1, 2, 3 and 4 are applied indiscriminately. Cases in Articles 5,6,7,8 are applied randomly and rarely. It is pathetic the fact that Article 9 is currently used to naturalize worthless singers and soccer players who added nothing to the country.

I think the law needs to be modernized urgently to tackle the current situation at least. I don't see the point of having an outdated law that isn't even applied in most of the cases. It has a good substance though and should be used as a benchmark for any new citizenship law. Things I'd rather see staying is banning naturalized citizens from nominations and elections for a certain period, like 20 years for example. I don't mind the favorable status for the citizens of Oman, Qatar and Bahrain even though I don't see that coming and I encourage prioritizing Arabs in general. The law should give women the ability to inherit their citizenship to their children with the exception of Emirati women who got the citizenship by extension. Finally, Article 9 is vague so it should state clearly what yeoman services are.

Article 1

Acquiring citizenship by law, extension or by naturalization in accordance with the provisions of the following articles:

Article 2

Is a citizen by virtue of the law:

A- An Arab who maintained his residence in one of the Emirates since 1925 or before.

B- The born in the country or abroad of an Emirati by virtue father.

C- The born in the country or abroad of an Emirati by virtue mother who is not attributed legally to a father.

D- The born in the country of unknown parents

Article 3

The marriage of a foreign woman to an Emirati doesn't entitle her to the citizenship unless announced otherwise by the ministry of interior and was married for three years from declaring the wish to get the citizenship and required to give up her original citizenship.

Article 4

The wife who acquired the citizenship by extension may keep the UAE citizenship if her husband died except the following cases:

A- Married a foreign national.

B- Returning back to her original citizenship or acquiring a new citizenship.

Article 5

May be granted the citizenship of the following categories:

A- Arab of Oman, Qatar or Bahrain if stayed continuously and legally for no less than three years and have a legitimate way of living, have a good character and not convicted of a crime involving honesty and morality.

B- Members of Arab tribes who migrated from neighboring countries to the country and lived in the county legally and continuously for at least three years.

Article 6

May be granted the citizenship any Arab if they resided continuously and legally in the United Arab Emirates for no less than seven years and have a legitimate way of living, have a good character and not convicted of a crime involving honesty and morality.

Article 7

May be granted the citizenship any person if they resided continuously and legally in the United Arab Emirates since 1940 or earlier and maintained his residency there and have a legitimate way of living, have a good character, not convicted of a crime involving honesty and morality and good in Arabic.

Article 8

May be granted the citizenship any person other than those mentioned in Articles 5 and 6 if they resided continuously and legally in the United Arab Emirates for no less than thirty years, twenty of them after issuing this law and have a legitimate way of living, have a good character, not convicted of a crime involving honesty and morality and good in Arabic.

Article 9

May be granted the citizenship anyone who has done yeoman services for the country without adhering to the number of years stated in the previous articles.

Article 13

Not be those who gain the citizenship by naturalization in accordance with Articles 5,6,7,8,9 and 10 the right of nomination, election or appointment in any representative bodies or ministerial positions and excluded from the provisions of this article citizens of Oman, Qatar or Bahrain after seven years of acquiring the citizenship.

Abu Dhabi to deport hundreds of Palestinian teachers

"Alquds Al Arabi have learned that Abu Dhabi government terminated the contracts of most of the Palestinian teachers, 132 from Abu Dhabi, 78 from the western region and 100 from Al Ain. Those sources have said that they have been terminated because of their Islamic sympathetic cause and collecting donation for the Islamci Resistance Movement 'Hamas'. Many of those have been living in the UAE before the independence in 1971." [AlQuds Al Arabi]

Here is what the directer general of Abu Dhabi Education Council Dr. Mugheer Al Khaili have said about the termination.

"The teachers were terminated for four basic reasons. 1) Reaching 60 yo which is the legal age for retirement. 2) Resignation, 3) ending the contract and 4) Emiratization" [Albayan]

He didn't refer to the Palestinians in anyway though. Albayan titled the article as "Commenting on the termination of the services of 300 teachers. I personally would believe what AlQuds Alarabi news paper have said. There have been a systematic cleansing in the education sector for so long. And since when was turning 60 years old an excuse to terminate the contracts? I've seen workers reaching the age of 70 and they still get an extension for their so called "holy" job and what is holier than teaching? And what did he mean by "ending the contract". As far as I know all contracts for non Emiratis end after a certain number of years so eventually all of the workers will have their contracts ended when they are due so this isn't a termination reason. They simply do not want them.

There is a gap between what the government is trying to show us and what they are doing in reality. What do they really want and what do they fear?

As for Emiratization, give me a break. They don't want Emirati male teachers in the sector for the same reasons that made them kick those Palestinian. There are barely 500 Emirati male teachers comparing to 6,000 Emirati female teachers in Abu Dhabi. Their number is probably way less in other Emirates because most of the Emirati males go to work specifically in Abu Dhabi because they earn like 8k more than teachers from other Emirates.

Here is a video of a peaceful march of 84 Emiratis teachers near the ministry of education building about two years ago who were either kicked off to other ministries or forced to retire from the ministry of Education.

Movie of the week: The Karate Kid

Several guys asked to write reviews about the movies I suggest. Am not good in reviews so all I can say about this movie is that it's teenagers heaven. Fun to watch but didn't need two whole hours and it was kinda silly.

Naser Nabulsi: Before and After

For those who keep whining since ever about granting the citizenship to expatriates. This is a prime example where I don't mind but actually encourage such procedure. The first picture is him in 2003 when he was appointed as the CEO of DIFC.

Naser, age 42, worked from 1989 until 2000 with Merrill Lynch International as a top performer internationally, holding the position of First Vice President at age 27, and managing relationships for institutions and high net worth families in the region. He led the team which created the first structured commodity-linked transaction in the Middle East with Dubai Aluminium in 1994, securing a 5 year, USD 250 million syndicated loan which received Deal of the Year accolades from Euromoney and Institutional Investor magazines for its creativity and vision.

From 2000 until early 2003 he served as Senior Investment Officer and Head of the Asset Management Group for The Executive Office, based in Dubai. Naser oversaw the formation and launch of two successful joint venture funds, one with Deutsche Bank (Estithmaar Ventures) and the second with Citigroup (Estithmaar Islamic Real Estate Fund).

In 2003, he was requested to take on the role of initial Chief Executive Officer of the newly-announced Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). Naser transformed DIFC from an idea into a recognized and respected brand in regional and global financial circles. Under his leadership, DIFC laid the groundwork for its future success by establishing the legal, regulatory and physical presence for the world's next significant financial hub.

In 2005 he founded Al Mal Capital, set to become one of the largest UAE-based investment company. [Almalcapital]

Dubai is Part of a World Conspiracy?

A series done by some one called noreagaaa, don't ask me who he is, I didn't do my homework in that.

"This Series Explores the Revelations in World Religions Regarding the Arrivals of the Antichrist Dajjal, Imam Al-Mahdi, and The Second Coming of The Christ. A Work Inspired by Hashemsfilms and of Course the Words of the Noble Qoran, The Holy Bible, and The Torah, The Arrivals is a Joint Production by truthseekers Noreagaaa and Achernahr."

It is interesting and an eye opener, it makes you see the world from a different perspective.Some of the stuff he mentioned make sense and no one can argue with their truthfulness. It has like 51 parts and 10 minutes each so like 510 minutes = 8 hours and half.

It has its share of bullshit though. This is the part where he mentions Dubai. He says that there are energy regions to draw in either good or evil energy and Dubai is one of them. When you go further in the series you will understand that, according to them, the "bad guys" are trying to draw evil energy in so that they can open a star gate to bring their God anti-Christ.

DON'T laugh okay :P

Dubai Denies Al Fayed Claims

Google translation

Sources denied the allegations of Mohamed Al Fayed about his relationship with former Dubai ruler Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, and saying that he built the port of Dubai and Dubai Trade Center, and that he brought 6 billions of investments to the city at the end of the seventies. The sources pointed out that Al-Fayed visited Dubai in that period and deal with some of its constituents, but he left the field for reasons not to disclose them.

[Elaph]

He says that thanx to him Rashid Port was built and oil was dug. He also says that he owns 20% of Dubai Trade Center. Elaph writer didn't provide any info about this source who denied what Al Fayed have said.

Stowaway survives flight from Austria to London on Sheikh's jet

Sources said that the Boeing 747 is understood to belong to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates.

The aircraft, operated by Dubai Air Wing, the private fleet used by the Dubai royal family, had been sitting, on the apron for three days after flying in from Geneva by the time it took off just after 6.30pm local time on Sunday bound for London.

Dubai Air Wing operates a small number of 747s which until recently include a dedicated aircraft for transporting racehorses around the world, fitted with its own stables

[Telegraph]

Movie of the Week

The provincial lawyer who is helping plot an emirate coup

Peter Cathcart works for ousted prince of Ras al-Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates to co-ordinate a plot to return him to power

A bloodless coup to take control of an Arab Gulf state is being plotted by an unlikely alliance that includes a powerful firm of US lobbyists and a provincial English high-street solicitor Peter Cathcart, a 59-year-old lawyer from Farnham, has been hired by the ousted crown prince of Ras al-Khaimah (RAK) in the United Arab Emirates to co-ordinate the plot aimed at returning him to power after seven years in exile. [The Guardian]

And here is an interesting reply in the Facebook of the ex Crown Prince of RAK from " U.S. Communications Team for His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates". Its too long so read it urselves. [Facebook]

The army confronting the supporters of Sheikh Khalid Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, the former Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah, to prevents breaking into his father's palace after his dismissal and the installation of his brother Saud in his place in the summer of 2003. [BBC]

He has several videos in his facebook and statements about his view about the stuff happening in RAK. It is some how interesting. I was expecting at least statements of how he support his people and how they support him, not how Iran is a threat to the region and how Ras Al Khaimah is helping in that.

Iran using Dubai to smuggle nuclear components

Iran is using the Gulf port of Dubai to smuggle sophisticated electronic and computer equipment for its controversial uranium enrichment programme that are banned under United Nations sanctions.

[Telegraph]

Movie of the Week

Israeli's Diamonds Are Dubai's Best Friend as Profit Trumps Emirate Policy

I loved how [LocalnewsUAE] titled the arabic version of this article to "To Dhahi Khalfan, with a salute: Israeli Leviev shops to expand in Dubai" especially after his remark of not allowing Israelis from entering the country even if they had a dual nationality.

Some highlights about the article. For more read [bloomberg]

The name of the store’s owner appears only on catalogues and gift bags: Israeli billionaire diamond investor lev leviev, who has four other outlets in the emirate under the Levant name.

He is expanding just as Dubai vows to crack down on links with Israel after the January murder of a senior Hamas official that local police blamed on Israeli agents. Separately, companies in the emirate import high-value polished diamonds from Tel Aviv for sale to Gulf neighbors in defiance of a boycott of Israeli goods by Arab nations, including the United Arab Emirates to which Dubai belongs.

he diamond trade is too self-contained to allow Dubai to boycott Israel, said Yitzhak Gal, chief executive officer of Rosh Ha’ayin, Israel-based Gulf Links, which aids Israeli companies operating in the Gulf. “If you are a large player, you can’t be left out.”

Why not hate the US?

In 2001, shortly after the unfortunate events of September the 11th , Harris Interactive conducted a poll on the reasons why people hate the US:

When asked to pick one "main reason why those who attacked us and their supporters hate the United States," the reasons given most often were "our democracy and freedom" (26%) and "our support for Israel" (22%). However, almost as many believe the main reason is "our values and way of life" (20%), and "our influence on the economy and lives of Middle Eastern countries" (17%). Only 11% believe our economic and military power is the main reason.

[Harris Interactive]

So over 50% of them live in lala land apparently.

So the United States of America blew it up now. I mean come on, after all their efforts trying to come closer to the Arab and Islamic world since Obama was elected they came back to square one. The United States is deeply disturbed by the recent violence and regrets the tragic loss of life and injuries suffered among those involved in the incident last night aboard the Gaza-bound ships. We are working to ascertain the facts. We expect a credible and transparent investigation and strongly urge the Israeli government to investigate the incident fully.

Remarks by Ambassador Alejandro Wolff, Deputy Permanent U.S. Representative to the United Nations, at an Emergency Session of the Security Council

So they decided to 1)block condemning Israel and 2) stopped an independent investigation by the UN. [Aljazeera]

Conclusion:

Wonder how extreme would they be if we are still under the Bush era. So my final remark, congratulations for their stupidity, they did it again .... hurray ...