Upcoming architecture in the Gulf

Interesting article..
Sexy architecture alive and well in Middle East 
http://http://edition.cnn.com/?iref=intlglobal

How to catch a Bernie Madoff type?

I liked this article, enlightening!
Financial fraud 101 -- accounting for criminals
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/BUSINESS/10/09/accounting.fraud.101/index.html

Animation confronts Gaza breast cancer taboo

A diagnosis of breast cancer (or any cancer for that matter) is unbelievably traumatic for us, with medical services available right around the corner, and the hope of a cure present. Imagine being a cancer patient in Palestine, and having not only to deal with the associated taboos, let alone the oppression that exists in Gaza, the kind of oppression that does not care whether you live or die.
Animation confronts Gaza breast cancer taboo
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/10/07/palestinian.territories.animation.cancer/index.html

Switzerland vs. the Minaret

If you want to gauge the mood and attitude towards Islam and Muslims in Switzerland, here's something that will help you:
Swiss city allows controversial right-wing poster
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/10/08/switzerland.poster.campaign/index.html

Ig Nobel Prizes

First i heard of this and thought I'd share. Kinda silly, but i like its purpose: "The aim of the awards is to honour achievements that "first make people laugh and then make them think". " Hmm...
Gas mask bra traps Ig Nobel prize
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8285380.stm
For more info on the Ig Nobel prizes check out this Wikipedia link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ig_Nobel

More Japanese innovation

The Japanese continue to fascinate. Its just a whole different style of thinking!
Robot fish could prevent crashes
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8286500.stm

Tunnel Living in Vegas

Again, alifestyle I could never fathom.. Fascinating.
The secret world beneath Sin City
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8239319.stm

Naked for climate change, my foot!!

As far as I'm concerned they'd find any reason to get naked and then say its for a cause! Come on, its getting old!! If they were really concerned about climate change and the upcoming Copenhagen conference they wouldn't have traumatized the vegetation in the field by trekking through it in their birthday suits!!! Hello, a few critters must have died of shock too!!
Naked crowd gathers for climate change
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8289100.stm

The "Kakapo" in love ;)

Really funny clip of a rare "kakapo" (an exotic parrot found in New Zealand) mating with the head of one of the conservationists lol
First time i've ever seen this bird, its kind of cute in an ugly-cute way :)
Fry finds 'funniest ever' mating ritual
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8281382.stm

Our world today - Ingushetia

Walking in the shoes of an Ingushtian family who have just lost their son cos he was an alleged "militant" when in truth the country's security services tortured him to death. This is our terrible world today.
Ingushetia's cycle of violence
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/8287143.stm

Internet in China

even Google didn't get it right in China. Amazing how behaviour on the internet is a reflection of a culture.
'Sea turtles' powering China's Internet growth
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/TECH/09/30/digitalbiz.redwired/index.html

Butt-Bombers

ok, i'm not remotely interested in the politics of this, the terrorism, the what-have-you, so let's not even go there, s'il vous plait *sweet smile* I just felt like sharing this tongue-in-cheek article about the whole debacle. I mean, seriously!!
Particularly laughed at:

"“It sounds almost like drunk logic, where an idea sounds great until the
next morning and you’re sober, going, ‘Noooo, that won’t work,' "

hehe very "Dude, Where's My Car?" loooooooooool

The ‘keister bomb’ is the newest terror threat
http://www.kansascity.com/105/story/1479693.html

A day in their shoes..

Fascinating. This article has 2 stories in 1: the tunnel being built under the Bosphorous and the ancient civilization uncovered.
The history part, while pretty wow, is not what amazed me. Its the building of the tunnel that did. Its such a massive and dangerous undertaking that they actually have an emergency bunker on the bottom of the sea that is stocked with emergency supplies up to 10 days in case of a flood. Imagine walking a day in the shoes of one of the tunnel construction workers. Fascinating.
Tunnel links continents, uncovers ancient history
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/09/21/turkey.bosphorus.tunnel.marmaray/index.html?iref=intlOnlyonCNN

Entrepreneurs in China

I've always been interested in other cultures, and how they go about their daily lives- professionally, romantically, their family life, their values, etc. Recently, my fascination has only increased and I devour anything that gives me a new insight into these cultures. You should see my reading collection these days!
Here's something I came across on Anderson Cooper's 360 website:
A Wolf in Chic Clothing
http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2009/09/29/a-wolf-in-chic-clothing/

The Universe's sense of humour

I swear i always get floored by these freaky coincidences! This 911 operator received a call about a burning house that turned out to be his!! Talk about the universe having a macabre sense of humour..
Fire call hits close to home for 911 dispatcher
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/US/09/29/Massachusetts.911.dispatcher.fire/index.html

Sibling Rivalry

A little bit of sibling rivalry is always good, i guess, and this is another manifestation of the constant one-upmanship between Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Solar Powered Supertower to Eclipse the Burj Dubai?
http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/09/17/solar-powered-supertower-to-eclipse-the-burj-dubai/
But seriously, when is enough enough?

Making your own currency, and actually using it!

i'd never heard of this before, and i think its a pretty novel concept for our times and our advanced economies. I guess it is understandable 4 ppl to go back to using old methods that are tried and true (tho dated) when they are disenchanted with the status quo.
I still don't get how it works, and how they managed to convince the local community to buy into the whole idea. Wonder if it'd work in this part of the world? Would we even want to try this out? I really am clueless on this one..
No money? Then make your own
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8245276.stm

Magazines that... talk??!

They've found a way to run a tv show ad, or a movie preview (or whatver motion picture ad) in a normal paper magazine. When i first heard about it, i was like "wow". But now that I've seen the actual concept actualized, i'm not so sure. I like the idea, like it alot, but the actual implementation of it is kinda awkward and bulky, and seeing as we're finicky consumers who are never pleased with anything, i don't know how long it'll last in its current format, or how popular it'd be. It may go the way of a gimmick, or a fad..
Video adverts launched in the US
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8258307.stm

Dubai and the Media

What i find amazing is that when the going is good and all things are hunky-dory, there's nothing but good stuff that the world will find to say about u.
Let the tables turn shweya, and the atmosphere turn a bit bleak, and u have a hailstorm of criticisms and snide remarks, if not outright celebrations and shatama at ur change in fortune.
I remember before the economic downturn, practically all media coverage on Istithmar and Nakheel was positive, one "wow" after another. Now, all they can do is dig up as much dirt as they can.
Just goes to show that supposed media giants and media pioneers really have zero credibility, and they go with the flow just like everyone else does. What happened to independent, credible, honest reporting? Now i understand why the world mourned when Walter Cronkite passed away. There's no one we can trust, everyone's just pushing his/her agenda.
Dubai Fund Struggles With Debt Load
http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/15/dubai-investment-arm-struggles-with-debt-load/

3oqdat el-ajanib

So long as we have this inferiority complex, this 3oqda when it comes to ajanib, to "el-jild al-adyadh", we'll always be reading about these types of cases. When are we ever going to learn?!!!
I swear sometimes i believe we deserve the stereotype that is out there about us "stupid Arabs"!!!
Dubai World sues French man who made luxury subs
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/09/15/business-ml-dubai-submarine-suit_6887487.html

Freakin' Nokia N900

I hate this! I'm a die-hard Nokia fan (although i do also like Sony-Ericssons). I was all set on buying the Nokia N97 (which i was super keen about) when i do a search on Nokia and what pops out at me? The new Nokia N900!!! Now i'm not only confused, i'm SUPER confused! I love phone apps and stuff, and I'm practically online every hour checking something or the other, so both phones seriously appeal and now i don't know what to do!! *pout*
Maybe i should just ignore all the phone market has to say from now on and just go ahead and buy something already!! Especially as there seems to be a new freakin' phone every couple of seconds!!
Check out this video, maybe you'll understand my dilemma:
The Nokia Blog's Nokia N900 Hands-on
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zr-BF0Gs0_E&feature=fvst
and
Nokia N900 VS Nokia N97
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVxZj1ER8kI

Employer of Choice? Not France Telecom!!

Hmmm, everyday i learn something new. Let's just say that "industrial suicide" is that new something new for today..
French firm plans suicide hotline
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8257498.stm

Google Fast Flip

i LOVE google. it always comes up with new stuff, and u know that there's always something interesting around the corner, and its like they know what you're thinking with regards to what u need!
Google turns page on news content
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8256054.stm

Centenarian desires 23rd husband

i haven't got anything to say on this... i'll just leave u 2 it lol
oh in fact i do have one thing 2 say- she's thinking of getting married while still married to another man! the things u hear about...
Centenarian desires 23rd husband
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8255239.stm

20cents or ur out (maybe dead)..

again, i know that i'm being naive, but what on earth is this world coming to? this 13year old boy was just trying to make a living, and now he's maimed for life! an amputee for the rest of his days! its disgusting.
Indian teen tossed from train loses leg
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/09/13/india.boy.thrown.train/index.html

Driving with epilepsy

I was just discussing this issue with a friend of mine who was worried that she may have epilepsy and was having tests run to (inshalla) confirm that she did not. She is a very active individual, with a lot going on career-wise as well as on the business side of things, and is always on the road. I mentioned that in several countries epileptics were not allowed to drive and while she understood and appreciated this, the possibility was understandably highly distressing to her.
As far as I know we don't have legislation in Oman on epileptics driving. Unfortunately i doubt that its even an issue that has shown up on the relevant authorities' radar (i could be wrong as i'm not privy to that sort of information). Having said that, it was heartwarming to see this issue being discussed and studied in the UAE. Let's hope that we can all benefit from the resulting recommendations.
Dubai Neurologist Calls for Clear UAE Epileptic Driver Guidelines
http://www.albawaba.com/en/countries/UAE/253328

We are... the McArabia?

an entire city, country, region (an entire religion) has been summarized in the McArabia. I don't know if i should laugh or cry...

Dubai's McArabia tastes exotic

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/dining/drivethru/6609607.html

The 99 by Dr Naif al-Mutawa

Found this on CNN. I'd never heard of it before, which is sad, as i'm from and live in the Region.
Can comic book heroes challenge religious stereotypes?
http://connecttheworld.blogs.cnn.com/2009/09/10/can-a-comic-book-challenge-religious-stereotypes/
So i did a litte reasearch and came across this: http://www.the99.org/
Maybe its just one of those things that despite wide-spread coverage, for some reason or other you still don't hear about.
The 99 are superheroes inspired by the 99 traits of Allah who fight evil and injustice. The great thing is that each superhero comes from a different country, which inspires great loyalty and creates a feeling of inclusion by all Muslims around the globe.
I can't believe i haven't heard about Dr. Naif and The 99 before! He's been covered by major news magazines, he has a theme park in Kuwait, The 99 are going to be made into an animated series, they are teaming up with Time Warner heroes (Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, etc.) and so much more!
i LOVE it!! am definitely buying all the issues :) for those interested, u can find them on the official website. They've got free copies (to whet our appetities, i guess), here's the link:
http://www.the99.org/include/contn/X1ZkxhXHSPO.pdf
it's 52 pages, enjoy :)

Hell hath no fury like [women] scorned!

Hilarious!! The guy should thank god that they didn't go Lorena Bobbitt on him!! hehe
Women face trial for staged motel tryst ending with glued penis
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/09/10/wisconsin.sex.assault/index.html

ex-President sentenced to life in prison

Ouch!! Talk about no immunity from prosecution! Let this be a lesson to all officials/politicians- corruption doesn't pay... at least in some parts of the world!!
Goerge W. Bush, Dick Cheney, Condoleeze Rice and all their neo-conservative cronies should have been Taiwanese!!!
Taiwan's Chen, wife sentenced to life
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/09/11/taiwan.chen/index.html

Palestine Will Be Free

Heard this song on Al-Resala and was amazed at how good it was. Goosebump-good. Enjoy :)
Palestine Will Be Free
Animated Music Video By Maher Zain
http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1248187950903&pagename=Zone-English-ArtCulture%2FACELayout

Anti-ozone? Ur out!

Bahrain bid to protect ozone
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=259550
I'm all for protecting the ozone, and for all things related to protecting our environment. I continuously harass my colleagues at work not to waste paper and the lectures just take off from there.
Having said that, i dont know how reasonable this initiative is, and when i say this, i don't mean the idea itself (which i totally support) but what i mean is its implementation. This initiative will cover "automobile and truck air-conditioning units, refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers, water coolers, ice machines, air-conditioning, heat pump units, aerosol products except medical ones, portable fire extinguisher, insulation boards, panels and pipe covers". Will the Bahraini market have replacements (and affordable ones that will not act as barriers to replacement) in place by January?
In order to have consumer buy-in of these environmental initiatives there should be a phase-in process so that the authorities have enough time to raise awareness (i guess they do between now and January) but are they going to do so? That's the question. While they are training some 150 technical staff, i'm sure there are lots more that need to be educated (its still a great start tho). But that's only the first level. I'm sure these changes will have an effect on the bottom-line, especially with consumers. Is there going to be any awareness campaign (targeted at consumers and not technicians) to advise why costs may rise? (all this is assuming that costs do rise).
And they should assist in pointing consumers to affordable replacements.
I've seen these types of campaigns in the past, and i believe the goals are noteworthy, but many fail as consumers do not support and buy-in to the change and some actively condemn the authorities for a lack of foresight in implementation.
Having said that, I salute the Bahrainis for the initiative and wish them success in their goal.

Need a cop? How about a prostitute?

Policewoman turned escort jailed
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/tyne/8249369.stm
Again, what the...???!!! I don't get how she could work both fields! Talk about opposite ends of the spectrum!

Reality TV a la Turkey

Women rescued from Turkey TV scam
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8248792.stm
Seriously, i don't want to sound naive, but what the hell is the world coming to? Hello??!!!

Your choice: ADSL or a pigeon?

SA pigeon 'faster than broadband'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8248056.stm

Winston the Pigeon kicks serious butt!!! I wouldn't want to to be working in Telkom's PR Department- talk about major damage control!
And i complain about our internet!!!

Iraqi Anti-Corruption

Corruption sting nabs Iraqi deputy minister
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/09/07/iraq.corruption/index.html

On the one hand, its great that they actually have an "Iraqi Integrity Commission" and i'm amazed that they do! Especially in Iraq with the unbelievable black hole of corruption that has "disappeared" billion and billions of dollars.

On the other hand, and i have to come outright and say that i am not too familiar with Iraqi politics and i'm not sure that i want to be either with all the corruption etc etc., but i can't help but think that this is most probably political in nature. I wonder, is the Integrity Commission an equal-opportunity "stinger"? y3ne is it blind to sect, politics, interests etc etc? does it sincerely aim to get rid of all corruption no matter who the corrupt party is, wila is this just another method to get rid of those politicians they can do without?

Like i said, i don't know much about Iraqi politics, but these are just some of the thoughts of an everyday layperson..

Crasher Squirrel

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/US/09/09/minnesota.crasher.squirrel/index.html

Too cute!!

Are you woman enough??! The nerve!

Now this subject makes me so mad!! When i first heard about it, i was mortified on behalf of this poor woman. Imagine the entire world questioning your gender! imagine ppl thinking that you are not woman enough and ya rait it was only that! No, they actually thought that she may be a man! Walla, i think i'm a pretty confident woman, but even for me i'd have a whole lot of self-doubt and serious insecurities!

Talk about insenstive! I know its an issue due to the sport and the competition, but still! i just can't be objective or logical about this, it just gets to me at my very being.

El-meskeena had to have an entire makeover done just to prove that she could look feminine!

Makeover for SA gender-row runner
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8243553.stm

the Omani accent Pakistani-style

i'm sure you've noticed in some khaleeji musalsalat (tv shows) that when an Omani is depicted, they tend to pick a certain accent and overdo it for comedic effect. i must admit that even i find it hilarious. but this is the cat's meow hehe a whole new level!!

With friends like these...!!!

I swear, what happened to having ur friend's back? lool

But aside from my ethical issues with this, when i saw these idiots doing what they do, i had to salute their creativity, their organization, the sheer planning!!!

talk about a propensity for evil!

enjoy!!!

Prank War #6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMHidjDB_Uk

hilarious, but i really felt for his girlfriend. meskeena, aish thanb-ha.. Lesson learned: make sure ur future boyfriends don't have idiots for friends!


Prank War #7
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bI7AUgp5fPI

now this one is just pure, un-diluted diabolical evil genius. I take my hat off!

ChapStick Anonymous

Ok, I think its official. The denial phase is over.

Hello, my name is MCT360 and I'm a ChapStick addict.

Seriously.

I can't live without the stuff, I kid you not. I just went online to order some cause my supplies are dwindling (yes, supplies) and I kinda went trigger happy. I haven't been to the States in years and so it never clicked that they'd come up with new flavors (though it should have been obvious!). I usually use to ask my cousins to get me the regular and the strawberry flavors, never thought there was a whole new world out there.

So.. let's just say i ordered ALOT; peppermint, spearmint, berry shimmer, in addition to my regulars.

So yeah, i'm set 4 a while...

To smooth, moist, luscious lips!

Water great, anyone?

Ok ppl, i know stuff like this has been floating around for a while now, and i've seen my fair share of it. But this!! And right here at home!! When i came across this email yesterday i just couldn't help myself!!! Read it out to my mom, my sis, my bro- we were all in tears hehe

nothing beats the "tabbouleh" translation loool the classical thing is that someone out there saw this menu and just couldn't resist scanning it and sending it out to the world looooooooool

Man, the hypocrisy...

http://http//news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8234359.stm

I really don't get it.. do they really think that they are enforcing equality amongst religions etc etc when they pull such stunts? ya3ne 7alal 3alaihom, 7aram 3alaina?? and we're supposed to believe that they're not racist towards us? come on...

“Off the Deep End: A Look at the Decline of Dubai” Slideshow | Fast Company

“Off the Deep End: A Look at the Decline of Dubai” Slideshow | Fast Company

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Badwater Ultramarathon

This is the kind of willpower, discipline and determination that I need to develop!

I'd never heard of this ultimate of ultimate endurance marathons, but I can't imagine it getting any tougher than this.

Badwater ultramarathon: 135 miles in 130 degree heat

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/wayoflife/08/12/california.badwater.ultramarathon/index.html

UK Taxes on GCC Money- let's give them more!

GCC rich list facing new scrutiny from UK taxman - Politics & Economics - ArabianBusiness.com


Click on the above link. The timing of this couldn't be better in light of my last post.

Poverty, in the Gulf? I think not!

I tend to think of myself as pretty jaded, as I take most things in stride. Something has to be pretty "out there" for me to be flabbergasted (yup, I used that word lol). But having said that, this article that I came across on the L.A. Times shocked me. I don't know... I don't like to think of myself as naive, but the fact that the reality on the ground is what it is makes it a bit hard for me to take in.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2009/08/qatar-public-outrage-as-demand-for-saudi-maids-rises-amid-fears-of-black-magic.html

The above article is about Saudi women who live in such abject poverty that the option of working as housemaids in Qatar is a preferred alternative.

Let me say though that the LA Times article is based on an Al-Arabiya segment, which, in my eyes, takes away from its credibility because I tend to think of Al-Arabiya as a news channel that has a tendency to sensationalize issues, with a penchant for creating a mountain out of a molehill, and whose credibility has been questioned on various occasions.

Regardless, the reality is the same, and it breaks my heart. As an Omani, I strongly believe that all work is noble, no matter what the work is, or how blue-collar it may be. Good, honest work is good honest work, period. But for a Gulf citizen, one who resides in one of the richest regions in the world, to have to leave home and hearth, to move to another country in order to survive on minimum wage, while our Region's rich pump over USD 9 billion in one year into London's tourism economy... there's something wrong with this picture. When are we going to wake up?

Burqinis not allowed..

Just came across this article. Carole, a French lady, a convert to Islam, was forbidden from wearing a burqini (I need to find out if its really called that lol) which appears to be an Islamic-style swimsuit at a Paris public pool.

See article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8197917.stm).

What I find hilarious is the comment made by the mayor:

Emerainville Mayor Alain Kelyor said "all this has nothing to do with Islam",
adding that the swimsuit was "not an Islamic swimsuit" and that "that type of
suit does not exist in the Koran".

I mean seriously, who is he kidding? Is he aware of how ignorant he sounds? Or does he think we're all fools who do not think this is discrimination pure and simple? Plus, hello, what did he mean when he said that "that type of suit does not exist in the Koran"??!!! I very much doubt you'll find reference to any form of swimsuit in the Torah, the Bible or the Quran!!

*sigh* the ignorance... and this man is an elected official. Says it all, doesn't it?

On a side note- I need to get me a burqini ;)