Two damning articles about Dubai have appeared in foreign publications over the past 2 days.
First on BBC, then another one in the Independent.
What's going on? Why the sudden Dubai-bashing? Again, nothing that's written in these articles is new, but they're shocking nonetheless.
Oh, and as a side note, when I tried posting the link to the first article on this blog's Twitter account, my post got deleted...TWICE! Guess someone's not happy with the bad rap Dubai's been getting.
Showing posts with label News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label News. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Dubai airplane incident
For those of you who may not have seen it yet, here's a video of the recent plane incident at Dubai airport that shut the airport down for around 8 hours.
I'm just glad to know that there weren't any casualties...the accident could have been so much worse!
Here's the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STNrwgENVgc
I still can't figure out how to embed my videos...You Tube keeps giving me a "failed to embed" message...
Oh, and I know I haven't been posting actively lately...just a combination of work overload and lack of inspiration. I'll be back in full form soon hopefully!
I'm just glad to know that there weren't any casualties...the accident could have been so much worse!
Here's the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STNrwgENVgc
I still can't figure out how to embed my videos...You Tube keeps giving me a "failed to embed" message...
Oh, and I know I haven't been posting actively lately...just a combination of work overload and lack of inspiration. I'll be back in full form soon hopefully!
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Prince Charles vs McDonald's
Prince Charles, who is on a Middle-East tour (and is in Dubai today) may have ruffled a few feathers when he said yesterday: "Have you got anywhere with McDonald's? Have you tried getting it banned? That is the key." He was discussing children's eating habits with an Abu Dhabi nutritionist yesterday when he blurted this out.
The news has already spread around the world, like in this article in the Daily Mail. Notice how they point out that a Duchy Original Cornish Pasty (whatever that is) contains more calories, fat and salt than a Big Mac. And incidently, Duchy Original is owned by Prince Charles! Woops...talks about putting your foot in your mouth!
And what about the fact that Prince Harry was recently seen buying chicken nuggets and a burger...Hmm...
Better watch what you're saying there Charlie...
The news has already spread around the world, like in this article in the Daily Mail. Notice how they point out that a Duchy Original Cornish Pasty (whatever that is) contains more calories, fat and salt than a Big Mac. And incidently, Duchy Original is owned by Prince Charles! Woops...talks about putting your foot in your mouth!
And what about the fact that Prince Harry was recently seen buying chicken nuggets and a burger...Hmm...
Better watch what you're saying there Charlie...
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Emirates News
I just watched Dubai One's Emirates News for the first time today. The half hour newscast is the first local English-language newscast in the UAE.
Kudos to One TV for taking that first step in catering to the non-Arabic speakers of the UAE (or to the Arabic speakers, like me, who do not read or watch the news in Arabic).
The newscast itself was OK, although could use some improvement. The studio is nicely designed, but the graphics looked a bit cartoonish.
The presenter looked like she had rehearsed one too many times, resulting in a lack of genuineness and believability. And she must have said "High Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai" around 5 times in just the first 3 minutes of the newscast!
Also, every time a headline or title or name appears on screen, there's an annoying bell and swoosh sound that accompanies it, which is very distracting when you're trying to pay attention to what the presenter or reporter is saying.
Some of the stories covered were far from exciting, while others could have been reported with more depth, but like I said, this is the first newscast of its kind, and it's still in its infancy, so I'm sure there will be improvements along the way.
Kudos to One TV for taking that first step in catering to the non-Arabic speakers of the UAE (or to the Arabic speakers, like me, who do not read or watch the news in Arabic).
The newscast itself was OK, although could use some improvement. The studio is nicely designed, but the graphics looked a bit cartoonish.
The presenter looked like she had rehearsed one too many times, resulting in a lack of genuineness and believability. And she must have said "High Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai" around 5 times in just the first 3 minutes of the newscast!
Also, every time a headline or title or name appears on screen, there's an annoying bell and swoosh sound that accompanies it, which is very distracting when you're trying to pay attention to what the presenter or reporter is saying.
Some of the stories covered were far from exciting, while others could have been reported with more depth, but like I said, this is the first newscast of its kind, and it's still in its infancy, so I'm sure there will be improvements along the way.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Dubai's dirty little secret
Samuraisam already posted this on the UAE community website, but I thought I'd post this here again, for my (few) friends who read my blog (and for whoever has not seen the UAE community website).
Dubai's dirty little secret is a 20/20 investigative report which aired on ABC in the US.
It's an interesting and fairly balanced report on Dubai, showing both it's glittery, luxurious facade, and its dark, hidden (or not so hidden for those of us who live here, but it's still shocking to see) exploitation secrets.
The report generated a heated debate with some friends today, with some arguing that the workers still choose to come here, despite the harsh living conditions, and that many of the workers state that their current conditions are still better that their living conditions back home. Another argument was that the workers come here for 5-6 years, save up some money, and go back home to live a very comfortable life which allows them to send their kids to school and provide them with a better life. There's a price to pay, but ultimately it pays off.
I still think it's slavery. Even worse than slavery...I mean, 600 dhs a months is just mind-boggling. So mind-bloggling, as a matter of fact, that I can't even begin to image how someone can live on so little. And the fact that the workers can't do anything about it and have no rights is simply ridiculous! And I also think that embassies here are not being proactive at all about the situation. Heck, they're not even being reactive!
It's really sad. And what's even more sad is that every day, we live in our own little bubble, sheltered from reality, and that it takes a report by 20/20 on ABC in the US to open our eyes to the things going on in our own backyard.
I do hope this report will have some positive repercussions for the workers, and that the government will actually do something to improve their living conditions...or maybe that's just wishful thinking on my part.
Dubai's dirty little secret is a 20/20 investigative report which aired on ABC in the US.
It's an interesting and fairly balanced report on Dubai, showing both it's glittery, luxurious facade, and its dark, hidden (or not so hidden for those of us who live here, but it's still shocking to see) exploitation secrets.
The report generated a heated debate with some friends today, with some arguing that the workers still choose to come here, despite the harsh living conditions, and that many of the workers state that their current conditions are still better that their living conditions back home. Another argument was that the workers come here for 5-6 years, save up some money, and go back home to live a very comfortable life which allows them to send their kids to school and provide them with a better life. There's a price to pay, but ultimately it pays off.
I still think it's slavery. Even worse than slavery...I mean, 600 dhs a months is just mind-boggling. So mind-bloggling, as a matter of fact, that I can't even begin to image how someone can live on so little. And the fact that the workers can't do anything about it and have no rights is simply ridiculous! And I also think that embassies here are not being proactive at all about the situation. Heck, they're not even being reactive!
It's really sad. And what's even more sad is that every day, we live in our own little bubble, sheltered from reality, and that it takes a report by 20/20 on ABC in the US to open our eyes to the things going on in our own backyard.
I do hope this report will have some positive repercussions for the workers, and that the government will actually do something to improve their living conditions...or maybe that's just wishful thinking on my part.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Is this guy for real?
I found this article in 7Days today:
His trousers fell down? All by themselves? And did his lips move by themselves as well when he asked her to touch him? What a friggin idiot!
I hope they throw him in jail and let him rot there. I can't even begin to imagine how traumatising the experience must have been for the little girl.
Speaking of which, here's what happened to me a couple of months ago: as I was walking out of work with a colleague, I saw what I thought was a guy standing on the sidewalk, touching himself. I told my colleague but by the time she turned to look at him, he had stopped doing whatever he was doing.
The very next day, that same colleague was leaving work, and called me to tell me she thought she saw the same guy touching himself again. She asked me to check if he was still there when I left work, but he wasn't. If I ever see him again, I'm calling the cops on him!
A man exposed himself to an eight-year-old girl by accident when his trousers fell down, he claims. The 36-year-old Indian man was cleaning in a building in the Refa area when he allegedly exposed himself to the girl, who was also Indian. He asked her to touch him, but she refused, the Dubai Court of First Instance heard. The man denied the charges yesterday, telling the court: “I was wearing old pants and the belt was also weak - it came off while I was working and my pants just fell down.” The trial was adjourned until next month so the accused can be given a lawyer.
His trousers fell down? All by themselves? And did his lips move by themselves as well when he asked her to touch him? What a friggin idiot!
I hope they throw him in jail and let him rot there. I can't even begin to imagine how traumatising the experience must have been for the little girl.
Speaking of which, here's what happened to me a couple of months ago: as I was walking out of work with a colleague, I saw what I thought was a guy standing on the sidewalk, touching himself. I told my colleague but by the time she turned to look at him, he had stopped doing whatever he was doing.
The very next day, that same colleague was leaving work, and called me to tell me she thought she saw the same guy touching himself again. She asked me to check if he was still there when I left work, but he wasn't. If I ever see him again, I'm calling the cops on him!
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Feeling violated
An interesting article in today's 6Days, where a female reporter writes about her experience on a Dubai public beach during Eid (oh how brave she is!).
A couple of weeks ago I wrote a post about being able to walk without feeling like we are being undressed by some stranger's eyes. Well, now it seems women can't swim in peace either, with hundreds of men standing there, staring blatantly at half naked women, trying to brush against them and even trying to talk to them....
When asked why they behave this way, some men admitted to going to the beaches purely to gawk at women: "I regularly stroll around the open beach. I like to see beautiful women [...] I only look at them from far and if I really find them attractive, I go near them. There is some sort of satisfaction when I look at them" said Khalid Khan, a 36 year old married man.
That's why I never go to public beaches. I go to a beach to be able to relax and enjoy the sun, sea and sand....I would definitely not be able to relax if there are dozens of men walking around searching for the next victim of visual harassment. So, instead, I am stuck having to pay for a pricey membership fee at a hotel (or a pricey daily entrance fee of Dhs 150 or above on average), when I could be enjoying a perfectly beautiful, free public beach instead!
A couple of weeks ago I wrote a post about being able to walk without feeling like we are being undressed by some stranger's eyes. Well, now it seems women can't swim in peace either, with hundreds of men standing there, staring blatantly at half naked women, trying to brush against them and even trying to talk to them....
When asked why they behave this way, some men admitted to going to the beaches purely to gawk at women: "I regularly stroll around the open beach. I like to see beautiful women [...] I only look at them from far and if I really find them attractive, I go near them. There is some sort of satisfaction when I look at them" said Khalid Khan, a 36 year old married man.
That's why I never go to public beaches. I go to a beach to be able to relax and enjoy the sun, sea and sand....I would definitely not be able to relax if there are dozens of men walking around searching for the next victim of visual harassment. So, instead, I am stuck having to pay for a pricey membership fee at a hotel (or a pricey daily entrance fee of Dhs 150 or above on average), when I could be enjoying a perfectly beautiful, free public beach instead!
Monday, October 09, 2006
Emirates Toady
When Emirates Today (ET) was first published a year ago, I used to enjoy (and even look forward to) reading it. I enjoyed the format: short and straight to the point, more features, and more news written by locally-based reporters, rather than just syndicated columns from American and British papers.
I also used to enjoy the blog bytes column that used to be published every Friday.
Then, something happened around 6 months ago, and now, ET gets on my nerves. The articles have become uninteresting (case in point: this article), the format changed, the business section appears out of nowhere smack in the middle of the newspaper, and they no longer publish blog bytes (kudos to Gulf News for having started to publish blog bytes every Tuesday!). Their website sucked a year ago and it still sucks now.
An article in this month's edition of Communicate (I really enjoy Communicate by the way...you should all read it) sheds some light as to why ET is going down the drain (they don't present it under such a pessimistic light by the way....that's just my take on the future of ET):
"One former Emirates Today editorial staffer says as many as 20 of the initial 45 newsroom employees have quit the paper since its launch one year ago. [...] Launch editor Jason leavy left in April due to a well-publicised clash with management over issues of censorship. Staffers there currently say things are considerably different under his successor, Heyam Abdul Hamid.
A few months after Abdul Hamid took over, a senior journalist inquired as to why a particular story was being canned. "She replied: 'it makes Dubai look bad'" says one person present at the meeting. [...]
Staffers have become complacent, says one current senior employee. "Why work on writing, subbing and designing a page three when you know that it will probably end up spiked? [...]
Claims of self-sensorship relate to a number of stories that received widespread coverage in other publications over the past year, including a piece on a taxi driver strike, the arrest of American rap producer Dallas Austin (despite an Emirates Today reporter allegedly having secured a jailhouse interview with the prisoner) and a story on an Egyptian property developer who left investors in the lurch with a failed property in Dubai Marina."
It makes Dubai look bad??? Are they publishing a tourist guide or a daily newspaper that's supposed to be presenting a balanced view of what's happening in the UAE? How will Dubai ever improve if no one reports about its mediocre side? What credibiliy do they expect to have if they keep writing about "fluffy" subjects, and ignore the ones that could really make a difference in our lives?
What a shame...It really started out as a promising publication...and now, it's promising to be just another boring, uninteresting, unreadable piece of poo poo.
I also used to enjoy the blog bytes column that used to be published every Friday.
Then, something happened around 6 months ago, and now, ET gets on my nerves. The articles have become uninteresting (case in point: this article), the format changed, the business section appears out of nowhere smack in the middle of the newspaper, and they no longer publish blog bytes (kudos to Gulf News for having started to publish blog bytes every Tuesday!). Their website sucked a year ago and it still sucks now.
An article in this month's edition of Communicate (I really enjoy Communicate by the way...you should all read it) sheds some light as to why ET is going down the drain (they don't present it under such a pessimistic light by the way....that's just my take on the future of ET):
"One former Emirates Today editorial staffer says as many as 20 of the initial 45 newsroom employees have quit the paper since its launch one year ago. [...] Launch editor Jason leavy left in April due to a well-publicised clash with management over issues of censorship. Staffers there currently say things are considerably different under his successor, Heyam Abdul Hamid.
A few months after Abdul Hamid took over, a senior journalist inquired as to why a particular story was being canned. "She replied: 'it makes Dubai look bad'" says one person present at the meeting. [...]
Staffers have become complacent, says one current senior employee. "Why work on writing, subbing and designing a page three when you know that it will probably end up spiked? [...]
Claims of self-sensorship relate to a number of stories that received widespread coverage in other publications over the past year, including a piece on a taxi driver strike, the arrest of American rap producer Dallas Austin (despite an Emirates Today reporter allegedly having secured a jailhouse interview with the prisoner) and a story on an Egyptian property developer who left investors in the lurch with a failed property in Dubai Marina."
It makes Dubai look bad??? Are they publishing a tourist guide or a daily newspaper that's supposed to be presenting a balanced view of what's happening in the UAE? How will Dubai ever improve if no one reports about its mediocre side? What credibiliy do they expect to have if they keep writing about "fluffy" subjects, and ignore the ones that could really make a difference in our lives?
What a shame...It really started out as a promising publication...and now, it's promising to be just another boring, uninteresting, unreadable piece of poo poo.
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