Open Mind - Free Thoughts

Pleasantly warm in Dubai

2009-04-30T10:18:00.002+04:00

"Dubai: It will be hot and sunny over the weekend with the temperature touching 40 degree Celsius during the day and pleasantly warm during the night, according to the Dubai Met Office."~ Gulf News, 30 April 2009

Enjoy the weather folks.

FP7 - Shame of Advertising

2009-04-07T10:08:00.006+04:00

http://www.mediaweekme.com/

The organizers of the Dubai Lynx Awards have stripped the most-awarded agency at last month's Middle East awards festival of its Agency of the Year title and seven prizes for work that turned out to be scam ads for Samsung, Nissan and a product called Higeen Mouthwash. The agency, FP7 Doha, is part of the Middle East Communication Networks, owned 51% by Interpublic Group of Cos., and works closely with McCann Erickson in the Middle East. ~ AdAge.com

The organisers of the Dubai Lynx are looking into more accusations of scam work (and copy-cats?), according to the Campaign Middle East blog. Adnationme.com

In addition to the Agency of the Year title, FP7 was stripped of a print Gold, a TV/cinema Gold and two print Silver awards for Samsung; print and outdoor silvers for Higeen mouthwash; and a TV/cinema bronze for Nissan. Another 10 FP7 ads that had been shortlisted in the print and outdoor categories were also disqualified, the festival said. ~ AdAge.com

Read more at:
Editor's Pick - Lynx mess: The whole story

Click to read the Anubis Blog view the copied ads and comments at -
http://bloganubis.com/

Aramex complains about FP7 Doha work
http://bloganubis.com/2009/04/05/aramex-complains-about-fp7-doha-work/

The last hurray of the FP7 Doha Group?

Draft Media Law in UAE

2009-02-09T22:52:00.002+04:00

Media in the UAE is set to be governed by a new draft "Federal Media Law" which will regulate all forms of media activities. It aims at abolishing 'jail terms' and imposing fines instead on the media.

The draft law consists of 45 articles in seven chapters binding audio-visual and print media as well as the related activities.

Related Articles:

Journalists face fines but not jail - The National

Provisions of the Law - The National

Journalists have nothing to fear: Director General, National Media Council - Khaleej Times

New law seeks to scrap jail terms - Gulf News

New law 'significant way forward for UAE media' - Gulf News

Pigeon in your pants?

2009-02-05T13:10:00.004+04:00

In Dubai, if there is one bird that is loved and equally hated - look no further than the humble pigeon. They are found nesting under almost every air-conditioning unit across residential areas. Pigeon droppings on cars, pavements and the occasional pedestrian are a daily reason for people to dislike the bird. Yet on most evenings, bird lovers are seen feeding grain to thousands of pigeons.

There is an interesting news story today about Australian customs arresting a man who arrived on a flight from Dubai with two live pigeons in his trousers. He even had 2 eggs in a vitamin container. Must have been one heck of a flight to keep two live birds taped to each leg considering the long journey. It is not made clear if the passenger was on transit through Dubai, so it could also not necessarily been Dubai pigeons.

Several cases have highlighted the smuggled of antiques and endangered animals, but this incident will have customs officials in a spot on how to scan for pigeons. I wonder what happens to the two pigeons? Will they be sent back on the next flight back to Dubai.

Story Links:
CNN
The Telegraph

Snowman on Jebel Jais!

2009-01-26T16:03:00.005+04:00

On Friday (23 Jan, 2009) snow fell on the mountains of Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. All the newspapers went gaga on the rare phenomena and how there was no proper word in the local Arabic dialect for 'snow'.

Weathermen did not have to dig too deep into the records to state that this was the second time it was snowing, the last being in 2004. So what happened five years ago? Why was there no pictures or reports the first time around? Not that it was not too long ago.

Most of the pictures the papers had were supplied. Then came the reports of people wanting to drive up into the Ras Al Khaimah mountains to see the snow firsthand. Gulf News reported that there was

"there is no road access to the mountain and that the snow on top of the mountain can only be viewed from a helicopter.
He called on the public to refrain from going to the mountain by road on their own as the mountain is unreachable without a plane."

Lo, behold today morning Abu Dhabi's newspaper The National had a front page photo of three Emiratis making a snow man! Miracles do happen!

Yet, Gulf News reported that the snow had started to melt by Sunday. Only wish I had a helicopter or a plane to fly into the mountains!

Worry not for all you who missed the snow! Gulf News thoughtfully added a PR note to the end of the article!

"Ras Al Khaimah has plans to capitalise on the attractive climate and spectacular scenery of Jebel Jais by building a mountain resort and ski slope on top of the mountains."

I hope it comes up soon like all the other freehold properties! Can't wait to slide down the slopes of Jebel Jais!

How low can it go??? Anyone?

2008-10-08T22:55:00.003+04:00

What happens when journalists underestimate a story? What happens when they run out of words to describe an event? What happens when a simple thesaurus can offer only a number of synonyms to express what is already in print?

For instance when writing on an "Accident", they could alternate with the following words in the follow up articles:

"calamity, cataclysm, catastrophe, tragedy, adversity, bale, blight, blow, calamity, casualty, cataclysm, catastrophe, debacle, devastation, fatality, fiasco, holocaust, misadventure, misfortune, mishap, ruin, tragedy," ~ Thesaurus.com

Two weeks into the global financial crisis, and you can already see the cracks and strain on the vocabulary of Business reporters especially when they used up the big words early into the crisis like “destruction, debacle, slide, slump, crash, etc.”

"Dubai: Another day, another fall. And when is the haemorrhaging of global stock markets going to end?...

Can you feel the pain of the reporter in that opening line? Perhaps, it is the overload of work since the 1930's great depression is taking a toll on reporters who have reported nothing but profits for the last decade.

"Hammered

In UAE, real estate stocks continued to be hammered with all the major names such as ... ...closing down as investors feared the global decline may side-swipe the property sector."

Hammered! Side Swiped.... haemorrhaging - can't make out if the vocabulary is getting better or worse! But who cares, can't wait for my newspaper tomorrow to read the next set of words to describe the global financial scenario! Don't you wonder "How low can it go?"

What happens when you don't read the news!

2008-10-08T22:21:00.003+04:00

Click to enlarge!

Some how the idea appealed to me how a newspaper used information about its high profile readers and combined humour to create a new marketing campaign! I have taken screen shots of the 3 frames of the online ad!
Visit the Guardian website to see it!

A bolt of Golden lightening!

2008-08-18T00:50:00.005+04:00

Jamaica's Usain Bolt (R) crosses the finish line to win the men's 100m final at the National stadium as part of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games on August 16, 2008. Jamaica's Usain Bolt won ahead of Trinidad and Tobago's Richard Thompson and Walter Dix of the US. AFP PHOTO

Once in a while comes along an event which captures the imagination of the public. A moment that imprints itself in the mind. A moment of history in the making. The Olympic games 100m sprint to find the 'world's fastest man' left the world speechless.

Date: 16th August, 2008
Venue: Bird's Nest - Olympic Stadium, Beijing

Name: Bolt, Usain
Age: 21 years

Facts (AP article)

"only began competing in the dash 13 months ago."
"skidded out of the starting blocks with the seventh-slowest reaction time in the eight-man final"
"left shoelace was dangling."
"official time: 9.69 seconds"
"the first Olympic 100 in which six men finished in under 10 seconds"

Relaxed: Bolt's undone shoelace (Reuters)

Life in the fast lane: Usain Bolt of Jamaica runs past Richard Thompson of Trinidad and Tobago to win the men's 100m final (Reuters)

Related Articles:
The world is left gasping as Usain bolts into history ~ Daily Mail, 16 August 2008

Bolt breaks 100-meter record, wins Olympic gold ~ Associated Press, 16 August 2008
The Fastest of all Time ~ The Australian, 16 August 2008

Pen with caution!

2008-06-06T00:57:00.003+04:00

Strangest label ever on a pen! (Freemind Pictures ©)

Available at all stationary shops in Dubai! (Freemind Pictures ©)

Inspiration or Plagirism? Too close to call?

2008-05-14T23:49:00.006+04:00

The tale of a two stories set in Palestine carried by two different news sources namely BBC and Gulf News, two different authors yet both stories have the same story flow from one paragraph to the next. It also shares the same source 'Kafr Birim'. Is it too close to call it a case of plagiarism or inspired story? What's your take? (Please observe dates, news source and words highlighted or in bold).

Article One
Clinging to dream of Palestine village
By Martin Asser
BBC News, Iqrit, Israel
Wednesday, 23 April 2008 09:13 UK

"They were, however, promised that they would return after a fortnight but these promises were never honoured and they continue to live to this day in nearby villages. Kafr Birim experienced the same treatment as many others in that region, falling prey to the "principle of an Arab-less border strip".

"On Christmas Eve in 1951, army officers took some village elders to a nearby hill and they watched as the old stone houses were blown up with dynamite and tank fire, as many other Palestinian villages had been."

Article Two
The lesson from Iqrit and Kafr Birim
By George S. Hishmeh,
Special to Gulf News
Published: May 14, 2008, 00:41

"They were, however, promised that they would return after a fortnight but these promises were never honoured and they continue to live to this day in nearby villages. Kafr Birim experienced the same treatment as many others in that region, falling prey to the "principle of an Arab-less border strip".

Three years later and on Christmas Eve, some of Iqrit's elders were taken by the Israeli army to a nearby hill to watch the demolition of the old stone houses in their village - a cruel step that was repeated elsewhere, presumably because of security concerns. "

Insensitivity? What's your take?

2008-05-12T21:48:00.004+04:00

When the whole of Lebanon is on the verge of civil war, is it the time to highlight the winner of Lebanese Idol? Would any one really be interested in reading who is the Lebanese Idol when the whole country is under going a crisis. Perhaps an example of another insensitive sub-editor carelessly pasting an agency story onto the City Time supplement front page.

The City Times in the picture is dated 8th May, 2008 and the other papers placed around are from the the same day or after to highlight the seriousness of the crises in Lebanon.

Time for the Khaleej Times Editorial Board to meet more often to ensure stories on their supplements and main pages don't clash.

Doha Media Freedom centre to be set up! Bahrain moots more Media freedom!

2008-02-16T22:41:00.004+04:00

Bahrain should build on its good intentions and remove the last obstacles to freedom of expression, the Secretary General of Reporters Without Frontiers has said.

Under pressure from journalists to amend the 2002 press law and drop its "repressive clauses", the government is currently drafting a new code.

Last month, Jehad Bu Kamal, the newly-appointed information minister, told reporters that the articles stipulating prison terms would be dropped.

This visit by Reporters Without Borders comes a month after the Paris-based organisation signed an accord with the Qatari authorities to set up the Doha Media Freedom centre.

The centre, funded by the government and run independently by Reporters Without Borders, will monitor freedom of the press in the region.

"Our mission as an international organisation is not to give grades to states, but rather to help improve the status of the press," Ménard said. "We want to work together and we are ready to offer assistance whenever requested."

Read the complete article: Activist tells Bahrain to scrap jail for journalists ~ Gulf News.com

New challenges face Qatar Journalists

2008-02-16T22:00:00.004+04:00

Excerpts from "Call for creation of journalists' association in Qatar", published February 16, 2008 in Gulf News.com

Media experts have called for the creation of a journalists' association in Qatar to discuss and protect journalists' rights and denounce abuses.

Representatives of media freedom watchdogs holding a number of workshops during the past two weeks have urged local journalists to establish an organisation to defend their rights.

Media experts have called for the creation of a journalists' association in Qatar to discuss and protect journalists' rights and denounce abuses.

Representatives of media freedom watchdogs holding a number of workshops during the past two weeks have urged local journalists to establish an organisation to defend their rights.

However there are challenges faced by the Qatar Media:

"But journalists said the country's legislation hinders the creation of professional associations for non-Qataris, who represent the majority of the professionals working in the field.

"But even the fact that foreign journalists, who are the majority, cannot create a professional organisation of their own, is an issue hindering freedom of debate," said a reporter who asked not to be named.

"Without a free media there cannot be free elections," said Ali Al Merri, secretary general of the National Human Rights Committee.

Yahia Shukkeir, an expert with the Jordan-based Amman Centre for Human Rights Studies:

Shukkeir observed that 26 articles in the Qatari Press Law envisage fines, detentions and punishing measures against journalists that hinder media freedom and contribute to the practice of self censorship.

"A free media needs professional journalists, codes of ethics and an appropriate legislation. Any violation of these three conditions is a violation of the right of the public to know," he said.

Journalists attending the course argued they find it difficult to work in an environment where many officials and public servants ignore the right of the public to seek, receive and impart information, as per the international covenants on human rights. "Journalists try to do their best to avoid direct and indirect pressures from officials.

Read the complete article: "Call for creation of journalists' association in Qatar" ~ Gulf News.com

Shackling the freedom of Arab expression!

2008-02-16T00:52:00.002+04:00

Arab media code 'risk to freedom'
Friday, February 15, 2008
Source: Al Jazeera and agencies

Al Jazeera has said a code adopted by Arab states to govern satellite broadcasting could shackle freedom of expression.

Arab information ministers meeting on Tuesday in Cairo endorsed the charter, which allows host countries to annul or suspend the licence of any broadcaster found in violation of the rules it sets.

Wadah Khanfar, director-general of Al Jazeera, said in a statement issued on Friday: "Any code of ethics or governance for journalistic practices should emerge, and be governed, from within the profession and not be imposed externally by political institutions.

"Al Jazeera considers the adoption of the charter ... a risk to the freedom of expression in the Arab world."

All members of the 22-member Arab League had voted in favour of the document, with only Qatar and Lebanon opposing.

Qatar said it was "still studying the document" and that it did not "currently want to adopt" it for legal rather than political reasons.

Al Jazeera has faced reporting bans in several Arab countries including Kuwait and Saudi Arabia over the past decade.

Iraq also banned Al Jazeera Arabic from reporting in Iraq three years ago - accusing it of fomenting sectarianism - but Al Jazeera English has a presence in Baghdad.

Read the whole article, "Arab media code 'risk to freedom'"~ Al Jazeera.net

Crackdown mooted to punish "straying" Arab Media!

2008-02-13T00:25:00.005+04:00

Excerpts from an article Arab countries seek broadcast curbs on Al Jazeera.net

"Several Arab countries have adopted a draft document which imposes "regulations" and restrictions on Arab satellite television broadcasters and bars offending their governments.

In Cairo on Tuesday information ministers of the 22-member Arab League all voted in favour of the document, with only Qatar and Lebanon opposing...

Anas al-Fiqi, the Egyptian information minister, said his country would be the "first to implement the Cairo document". "Some satellite channels have strayed from the correct path," he said. One of the points in the document requires that stations "not to offend the leaders or national and religious symbols" of Arab countries...

Cairo and Riyadh frequently complain of criticism of their governments in talk shows aired by Al Jazeera and other satellite channels.

The Cairo document authorises signatory countries to "withdraw, freeze or not renew the work permits of media which break the regulations"...

They should also "protect Arab identity from the harmful effects of globalisation"."

Related article:
Arab countries seek broadcast curbs ~ Al Jazeera News

Poems of the Earth

2008-02-02T13:43:00.001+04:00

Freemind Pictures © (Sony Ericsson K750i Mobile Camera)

Trees are poems that earth writes upon the sky,
We fell them down and turn them into paper,
That we may record our emptiness.
~Kahlil Gibran (جبران خليل جبران بن ميخائيل بن سعد)

(Lebanese American artist, poet and writer)

Everest Conquerer Dies at 88

2008-01-11T19:26:00.000+04:00

Sir Edmund Hillary (right) and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay after their legendary ascent of the Mount Everest in 1953 in Nepal. (Reuters File Photo)

Sir Edmund Hillary, the unassuming beekeeper who conquered Mount Everest to win renown as one of the 20th century's greatest adventurers, died on Friday, New Zealand's prime minister announced. He was 88. ~ Associated Press

Immediately after his Everest ascent, Edmund climbed 10 other peaks during 1956-65. He was the first one to stand at both the poles and the summit of Everest. On the golden jubilee to commemorate the first ascent to Mt. Everest in 2003, the Nepalese government conferred honorary citizenship on him. He was the first foreign national to receive such an honour. Back home he was the first living legend to appear on a bank note. He appeared on a 5$ note in New Zealand. ~ Times of India

On the morning of Queen Elizabeth's coronation in May 1953, her subjects were told that Sir Edmund had made it to the summit. As he was a New Zealander and therefore a citizen of the Commonwealth, British subjects celebrated his achievement as their own. Sir Edmund was knighted for his efforts, and Tenzing given a medal. ~ BBC

He was a darling to all those who lived in the harsh and hostile mountains under the protective gaze of Sagarmatha. He was a blessing for the Sherpas. He worked tirelessly to bring water and electricity in the upper reaches of the mountains where they lived. He built hospitals and schools. He was a true mountaineer in all sense and sensibilities. ~ Times of India

There is only one recorded photograph of the historic conquest of Mount Everest. A photograph of Sherpa Tenzing holding a flag clicked by Sir Edmund. Later when asked why he did not get Tenzing to photograph him despite Tenzing's offer, Sir Edmund quipped "“As far as I knew, he had never taken a photograph before, and the summit of Everest was hardly the place to show him how.”

Rest in Peace Sir. Edmund Hillary.

Sir. Edmund Hillary. Picture from Geelong Advertiser

You don't have to be a fantastic hero to do certain things - to compete. You can be just an ordinary chap, sufficiently motivated to reach challenging goals.
~ Sir Edmund Hillary

Related Articles:
Life in pictures: Sir Edmund Hillary ~ BBC news
Life in Pictures: Sir Edmund Hillary ~ Times of India

An obituary to Sir Edmund Hillary, 1919-2008 ~ Times of India
Obituary: Sir Edmund Hillary ~ BBC News
Edmund Hillary, first atop Everest, dead at 88 ~ AFP
Tributes for Everest 'colossus' ~ BBC News
Hillary one of 20th century's great adventurers ~ Reuters
First man on Everest, Sir 'Ed', passes away ~ Associated Press

Tata Nano wows an entry!

2008-01-11T00:31:00.001+04:00

Tata Nano by Tata Motors

After years of promising, Chairman of the Tata Group, Ratan Tata finally made good on his promise with the words "A promise is a promise" and delivered the world's cheapest four door car at a cost of One Hundred thousand Indian Rupees ($2500) with a mileage of 23km/liter (50 miles/gallon) and a seating capacity of 4 to 5 people.

With an unveiling any corporate media manager would die for, the world media and car industry representatives sat holding their breath as they came to watch Mr. Tata, now top bidder for luxury car brands Jaguar and Land Rover drive in on a marvel which makes driving a car affordable to the majority of the middle class in India. Laughing off the hype and skepticism from critics and competitors and not to forget rising manufacturing costs, Mr. Tata rolled out the Tata Nano. Suzuki officials had to eat their words from last year when they stated it was impossible to build a $2500 car.

Recently having been listed among the 25 most powerful people in business by Fortune magazine in November 2007, Mr. Ratan Tata might just have reinvented the car for a vast majority of the world's population which always saw the car beyond their means. With Tata Nano's rolling of the production line later this year and with plans to export to Latin America, South East Asia and Africa soon, Tata might be the new synonym for cars.

Already critics have spoken out against the car. They say India does not have the infrastructure or the necessary urban planning to accommodate the flood of Tata Nanos expected to flood the country. Others say it will be taxing on the environment, but with emissions which conform to Indian and European standard which are one of the most stringent in the world, the car takes the cake. Most of the protests are hollow at large, when one thinks where was all this outcry and hue against influx of cars when Ford and other foreign manufacturers setup manufacturing plants for produce petrol and diesel guzzling cars for the Indian roads? Is it suddenly the "have-its" are all worried they won't have space on the road to drive their super fast and over sized fuel guzzlers with these small Nano's being driven by the once "have-nots"! Hypocrisy is at its best when there is an outcry at a fuel efficient 33 hp car when there should be a global ban on Hummers, Escalades and other big brand fuel guzzlers.

An article in the American magazine Newsweek states "Western environmentalists know they have little moral standing to criticize Indians for wanting cars, particularly one that meets the highest Western emissions standards. But they're rattled in part because they didn't see this coming, and will have to recalculate projections for the buildup of greenhouse gases based on a world of many more drivers."

In India, owning a car puts the owner up the social ladder a few notches and now a car is available for little more than a high end scooter or motorbike which is the main mode of transport for many Indian families. Are people scared of the notches being lowered a few notches since most middle class can own cars? Most critics have their own luxury cars to drive off in after their say in the press conferences. But India's middle class once again hail the family who have over the years contributed tirelessly to the society at large with their huge social endowments and business which treats employees as family. Ratan Tata echoed his family's commitment to India's masses when he stated at the launch "“We need to think of our masses. Should they be denied the right to an individual form of transport?” It is not just a rich man's dream to drive his own car, every person has a dream of driving their own cars and this car might just be the answer to those dreams in India, Latin America, South East Asia and not to forget the dark continent which has been little more than a dumping ground for obsolete technology and vehicles from around the world.

Speaking at the launch, Ratan Tata said: "I observed families riding on two-wheelers - the father driving the scooter, his young kid standing in front of him, his wife seated behind him holding a little baby."

"It led me to wonder whether one could conceive of a safe, affordable, all-weather form of transport for such a family. Tata Motors' engineers and designers gave their all for about four years to realise this goal. Today, we indeed have a People's Car, which is affordable and yet built to meet safety requirements and emission norms, to be fuel efficient and low on emissions. We are happy to present the People's Car to India and we hope it brings the joy, pride and utility of owning a car to many families who need personal mobility."

Mr. Tata has just made the "car" affordable to millions in a single stroke, yet now the world waits to see what he has in store if he is able to materialize his dreams of acquiring Jaguar and Land Rover. This is truly history in the making. If the Model T by Ford in 1907 is regarded as the first affordable automobile, the car that "put America on wheels"; then the Tata Nano will be remembered as the India's first affordable car which put India on wheels.

Related Articles:
World's cheapest car unveiled ~ The Independent
1 lakh car drives 1 billion dreams ~ The Indian Express
It's a car, not an apology ~ Times of India
Interview with Ratan Tata ~ Times of India
US gives a grudging thumbs-up to Tata's Nano ~ Times of India
Thank you, Mr Tata, for thinking of the common man! ~ Rediff.com
India Driving ~ Hindustan Times
Ratan Tata: Hero to a nation starved of heroes ~ Rediff news.com
How Green is a Mini? ~ Newsweek
Tata Nano to dampen demand for bikes, second-hand cars ~ Reuters India

The Newspaper Drama in the UAE

2007-12-12T22:23:00.000+04:00

Excerpts from an article in the Guardian Unlimited.

"Frank Kane, the former business editor of the Observer, is to edit a new business newspaper in Dubai. Kane will lead a team of 70 journalists on Emirates Business 24-7, a daily tabloid that launches on Sunday with a print run of 60,000.

The new English-language paper is the reincarnation of Emirates Today, a tabloid launched two-and-a-half years ago by the Dubai-based Arab Media Group.

"The target audience is English-reading, affluent, aspirational people involved in business here," he said. "That's a huge market - and it's not a British expat product. The Asian community and Arab community read English - English is the international language."

Last year, following his departure from the Observer after five years, Kane was involved with former Sunday Times editor Andrew Neil in an ill-fated attempt to launch a daily business paper in Dubai. The project had to be abandoned because the UAE's government refused to grant publishing company ITP a licence for the paper, which was to be called the Arabian Business Standard.

There will be no such problem for Emirates Business 24-7. The paper has inherited Emirates Today's licence, and the Arab Media Group is a subsidiary of Dubai Holdings, a conglomerate owned by Dubai's ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum. Emirates Business 24-7 will sit alongside AMG's two Arabic-language newspapers, eight radio stations and two TV channels.

The booming UAE market is already being targeted by western newspaper groups. The Financial Times distributes its European edition there, an international version of the Times is also on sale, while the Wall Street Journal circulates a digitised edition.

And former Daily Telegraph editor Martin Newland is preparing a new English-language daily newspaper backed by the Abu Dhabi government, reportedly called Capital Tribune, for launch in March."

Source:
Frank Kane to edit UAE newspaper ~ Guardian Unlimited, Thursday December 6 2007

Mass Media and its turmoils!

2007-12-12T21:57:00.000+04:00

Reality shows hit TV serials, thousands out of work
Press Trust Of India
Posted online: Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Thiruvananthapuram, December 11: With reality shows becoming increasingly popular, a majority of the 5,000-odd independent artistes and technicians involved in the production of Malayalam television serials and family soaps have gone out of work.

“Most of the 5,000-odd workers, including actors, dubbing artistes, visual editors, sound technicians, cameramen and camera assistants are either out of work or have very less work. For the past six months or so, the industry is in a crisis,” Vijaya Krishnan, president, Confederation of TV Artists, Commercial Operators and Technicians (CONTACT) in Kerala, said. Read More...

Without writers, US TV loads up on reality, reruns
Reuters
Wednesday, December 12, 2007

LOS ANGELES: U.S. television viewers looking to settle back into such favorite series as 'Desperate Housewives', 'CSI' and 'The Office' will be in for a rude awakening after the Christmas and New Year's holidays. Fresh episodes of those shows and many others will be replaced by a glut of reality programs and reruns headed to the major networks in January as the Hollywood writers strike begins to affect prime time after first hitting late-night TV.

The writers' walkout, now in its sixth week with no settlement in sight, has halted production on 50 to 60 scripted comedies and dramas, and the supply of new episodes is about to run dry. Broadcasters are getting through December with traditional Christmas-season specials, TV movies and sports. Read More...

UAE Split Between Press Freedom And Social Stability
By Andy Staples, Staff writer
Xpress

Public support in the UAE for media restrictions designed to promote a stable society is among the highest in the world, a survey conducted by the BBC World Service has found.

But despite the value British people place on freedom of the press, just 56 per cent of them believe their media is actually free – exactly the same proportion as in the UAE, where residents place as much value on social stability as a free media. The figures emerged as part of a survey of more than 11,000 adults in 14 countries, published by the BBC on Monday. Read More...

Pakistan's Government Places New Curbs on Media
By VOA News
12 December 2007

Pakistani journalists are accusing the government of trying to restrict election coverage, after authorities barred them from airing live broadcasts. The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has warned satellite television networks against airing live coverage, including telephone calls, that could incite violence. Broadcasters who violate the regulation face up to three years in prison and a fine of $164,000. Read More...

American girls drink, party and post it on blogs
Agencies
Tuesday, December 11, 2007 23:00 IST

Students post their drunk pictures; parents are worried

NEW YORK: On a Facebook group that celebrates young women getting drunk, there’s no such thing as going too far. One young woman dances on top of a bar. Another sits on the toilet drinking a beer. Several vomit. One appears with a bruised and bandaged face (“I just got drunk and fell out of a car,” she writes.). In another photo, two women urinate into a waterfall.

What you won’t find on this page — called “Thirty Reasons Girls Should Call it a Night” — is humiliation and embarrassment. For the most part, the women post the photos themselves, seemingly with pride. This makes many adults — teachers, counsellors, parents — worry that students aren’t thinking through the consequences of showing themselves drunk to the world. Many photos on the site are accompanied by full names and the colleges the women attend, apparently without much concern that parents, or potential employers, will take a look. Read more...

Dubai based channels mulls moving out!

2007-11-24T17:17:00.000+04:00

From Gulf News:

"Dubai: The ARY television network is considering to move its base out of Dubai, said a network official a day after the Dubai Media City resumed its satellite signal. "We lost $8 million in the 22 days that we were blocked in Pakistan and one week from Dubai… We are scared that it could happen again," said Salman Iqbal, chief executive officer of ARY.

Officials from the other blocked news channel, Geo News, had told Gulf News earlier that they too were considering a move from Dubai. A decision on whether to move out of Dubai will be taken by Monday, said Iqbal, adding that options being considered were London and Singapore.

He said that the channel's signal was resumed after the network was asked to sign a letter promising to abide by TECOM regulations."

Related Articles:
Pakistani TV channels may move out of Dubai Media City ~Gulf News.com, 23 November, 2007.
Pakistani TV Media Silenced! ~Open Mind - Free Thoughts, 17 November, 2007

Gulf Media nothing more than PR fluff!

2007-11-19T23:23:00.001+04:00

The Media Marketing Show held at the Dubai International Exhibition Center from 11th - 13th November 2007, had a number of seminars, talks and debates that focussed mainly on the Media Scenario in the Middle East. Below, are a few excerpts of articles from the special coverage of the event by ArabianBusiness.com

Journalism in the Gulf: 'just PR fluff'
Mishal Kanoo launched a scathing attack on the region's journalists, claiming in a blistering speech that they lacked the courage to properly investigate controversial stories.

In the speech entitled ‘Is Journalism in The Gulf Just PR Fluff?' Kanoo, who is deputy chairman of the Kanoo Group, told delegates of the Arabian Business Media and Marketing Conference 2007 that he believed journalists in the region preferred to cut and paste news agency copy than to uncover the real stories in the region...

...Describing Dubai as "one of the best rumour mills in the whole of the Middle East," he said journalists preferred to skirt around controversial topics rather than drilling down to find the truth behind them. "There are some newspapers and magazines that do that but you reach a point where you stop," he said. "We don't want to get inside the onion. We will peel a few layers but we don't want to get inside."

The lack of proper investigative journalism is, he said, leading to a situation where UAE-based publications lack credibility and where readers seek verification from international publications to back up their claims. Read more...

Al Jazeera chief slams 24-hour news media
Media in the Arab world is "suffering from four major defects", the director-general of Al Jazeera today warned delegates at the Arabian Business Media & Marketing conference in Dubai.

Speaking to a packed crowd, Wadah Khanfar said that 24-hour news was "obsessed by breaking news", suffering from a "severe lack of historical context", was "betraying" the masses, and should focus on diversity as the key to future success.

"We are suffering from immediacy and are obsessed by being the first to break news, we should have something called 'slow journalism' which digs deep and understands the consequences,” said Khanfar. Read more...

Middle East media 'too laid back'
Piers Morgan, former editor of the UK's Daily Mirror newspaper, and a leading media player in the US and UK has called on the media in the UAE to be more competitive and more aggressive in its marketing and its reporting.

"There is a great opportunity in Dubai to create a really vibrant media world. There are a lot of great journalists coming here from [around the world], there is a great feeling of excitement, but it is not that competitive. The media here needs to shake itself up a bit - Dubai is exciting and vibrant, and the media should reflect this - the media in Dubai could set standard for the whole region," Morgan said. Read more...

Related Articles:
Complete coverage of the Media Marketing Show 2007 ~ArabianBusiness.com
Journalism in the Gulf: 'just PR fluff' ~ArabianBusiness.com
Al Jazeera chief slams 24-hour news media ~ArabianBusiness.com
Middle East media 'too laid back' ~ArabianBusiness.com
Media Marketing Show 2007 (MMS 2007) ~Official Site of MMS 2007

Pakistani TV Media Silenced!

2007-11-17T23:14:00.000+04:00

Geo Tv Logo

KARACHI (Reuters) - Two of Pakistan's leading private television networks, ordered off air during emergency rule, said on Saturday they had been forced to close down altogether after being ordered to halt transmissions via the United Arab Emirates. Geo, Pakistan's biggest television network, and ARY One World, both have offices and studios in Dubai Media City, from where they broadcast news. "We have been told by the (Dubai) Media City that our transmission will be shut down," Imran Aslam, president of Geo News, told Reuters. An official at ARY confirmed getting similar orders. Both channels went off air at
1 a.m. (3 a.m. EST). ~Reuters

Informed sources said President Pervez Musharraf himself intervened to stop all GEO news transmissions from Dubai, after a two-week standoff in Pakistan during which all major news channels were shut down by cable operators, who are directly controlled by the Pakistani authorities. ~Geo.tv

Shortly before the declaration of the state of emergency on Nov 3, the (Pakistan) government had used its influence over local cable operators to pull the plug on all domestic and foreign news channels. These included Dawn News, Aaj, Geo, Ary One World, as well as BBC World, CNN and Al-Jazeera. ~ Dawn.com

Musharraf's emergency order put several restrictions on the media, preventing journalists from expressing opinions prejudicial to "the ideology ... or integrity of Pakistan." Journalists are also restricted from covering suicide bombings and militant activity and could face three-year jail terms if they "ridicule" members of the government or armed forces. Almost a dozen journalists have been arrested. Musharraf has denied that his restrictions bar criticism, saying they only ask for responsibility in reporting. ~ CNN.com

The decision by the Dubai Media City to stop the transmission of two Pakistan's leading private television stations is in line with the UAE's foreign policy based on neutrality and non-interference in other's domestic affairs, said Ebrahim Al Abid, Director General of the National Media Council. ~ Gulf News

Ameena Al Rostamani, Executive Director of Media at the Dubai Media City, said: "The Media City as one of the UAE's institutions stresses its complete commitment to the country's internal and foreign policies." The move to suspend the transmission of the Pakistani channels is in harmony with the UAE's full commitment not to interfere in others' internal affairs, and hence, the city is keen not to transmit any news reports or programmes that are in contradiction with such its uncontroversial principles, Ameena said. ~ Gulf News

The US said the decision to shut the channels down was troubling. "We are troubled by this expansion of restrictions on the media despite our calls to ease the restrictions," a state department official said. ~ BBC News

Media authorities in Dubai said on Saturday they were considering whether to allow two leading private Pakistani news channels to resume broadcasting after shutting them down the day before. "We are in contact with them... to see if there is a possibility to (allow them to) resume" broadcasting, Amina Rustamani, head of Dubai's media watchdog, told AFP. ~ AFP

Rustamani was quoted by WAM as also saying that Dubai Media City cannot allow media it hosts to put out material that flouts UAE policies. Dubai Media City is "keen on safeguarding cooperation with the two channels, and its administration is currently discussing with those in charge of the channels the content of their news programmes," she said, expressing confidence that a settlement can be reached. Asked if the shutdown might scare off other foreign news organisations whose presence in Dubai has turned the emirate into a regional media hub, Rustamani told AFP: "There are (press) laws in any country." ~ AFP

Related Articles:
Pakistan's private TVs say forced to shut down ~ Reuters.com
Pakistan shuts down channels' Dubai broadcasts ~ ABC News
Dubai shuts down independent Pakistan TV station under pressure ~ International Herald Tribune
News channels of Geo, ARY shut down ~ Dawn (Pakistan)
Dubai agrees to pull plug on Pakistani TV networks ~ CNN.com
Private channels forced to shut down in Pakistan ~ Times of India
We're forced to shut down, says Pakistan's Geo TV ~ Indian Express
Press Release - Reporters sans Frontieres
Pakistani TV stations 'forced to shut down' ~ Gulf News
US seeks to end Pakistan crisis ~ BBC News
National Media Council clarifies closure of GEO, ARY TV stations ~ WAM (Emirates News Agency)
Dubai could allow Pakistan TVs to resume broadcasting ~ AFP

UAE journalists acquitted of libel charges

2007-11-09T14:33:00.000+04:00

KT staffers exonerated of libel charge

By a staff reporter
9 November 2007
Khaleej Times

DUBAI — Reversing the verdict of the lower court, the Dubai Court of Appeal yesterday exonerated the two senior journalists of Khaleej Times, former editor Prem Chandran and reporter Mohsen Rashed in a defamation case.

The Dubai Court of First Instance had recently sentenced the two defendants to two months in jail each on charges of defamation. The Public Prosecution had charged the two KT journalists with libel against a woman last year, following the publication of a news report headlined “Man tricked by wife to issue dud cheque.”

Commending the judgement, Mohammed Yousef, Chairman of the Journalists Association, said journalists have always had great trust in the judiciary. He, however, added that the authorities should devise a new mechanism to properly handle, scrutinise and investigate relevant cases before dragging the journalists to court, Yousef pointed out.

Related Articles:
Two senior journalists acquitted in libel case ~ Gulf News, 9 November 2007
KT staffers exonerated of libel charge ~ Khaleej Times, 9 November 2007

Related Posts:
UAE journalists sentenced to jail for libel ~ 24 September, 2007
Press gets Freedom! ~ 26 September, 2007

A Bumper Sticker to Jail!

2007-10-29T22:43:00.000+04:00

Every now and then an article appears in the local newspapers about a person being convicted for some imaginative and unheard off offence in the UAE. It helps readers update their list of 'what not to do' and 'what to watch out for'. The latest addition to the list - 'Keep your bumpers clean of messages.'

"Motorists who paste a 'kiss my ...' sticker on their car windshield might be jailed and deported if they are taken to court.

This is the current status of a 30-year-old Filipino computer programmer who is waiting for Dubai Court of Appeal to decide his fate. The Public Prosecution charged the Filipino, J.J., with breaching public decency when he posted a 'kiss my ...' sticker on his vehicle windshield.

The Court of Appeal earlier sentenced the suspect to one month in jail followed by deportation after the Court of First Instance acquitted him of the first charge and fined him Dh2,000 for the second.

The Cassation Court overturned the lower court's verdict and ordered the Appeals Court to hold a fresh trial with a new panel of judges. A verdict will be issued soon."~Gulf News

Related Article:
Expatriate faces jail for lewd car sticker ~Gulf News, October 28, 2007

In Dubai, Traffic scores over death!

2007-10-22T22:19:00.000+04:00

Many English medium journalists in UAE seem to be brainwashed on press releases 24/7, that they fail to see a new story or report serious news when it happens right in front of them.

Reporting standards in most of the English newspapers in the UAE are at rock bottom levels and perhaps in all probability feature in any self-worth journalism school's syllabi as 'How not to write articles!'.

A glaring example of deplorable reporting was in published in today's Gulf News. In an article 'Labourer is buried alive as embankment of deep pit caves in', the reporter states how an fatal accident took place in front of the Al Qusais Police Station.

"A team from Dubai Police's Difficult Missions Section tried to rescue the workers but one died due to lack of oxygen. The two other workers sustained serious injuries and were airlifted to Rashid Hospital by Dubai Police's Air Wing." ~ Gulf News

Then the article swerves sharply from the 'death of the worker' on to 'traffic coming to a halt on the road'. The article continues:

"A motorist who got stuck in traffic for an hour, said: "I usually take the airport tunnel and then the Business Bay Bridge to go to my office and face traffic on Beirut Road, but due to the incident, I got stuck in traffic for an hour before reaching the airport tunnel." Another motorist said he became frustrated because motorists were slowing down to watch the rescue operation. " ~Gulf News

Wow, a route map of a stuck driver and how people were frustrated by the traffic - Mind you - it doesn't even matter or strike the reporter that a person died on the side of the road and two more were severely injured and more details can be found out on that. All that matters in the article was why the traffic was not moving!

How about writing on who were the contractors employing these workers when they where in the pit! What was the comment from the company responsible for digging these pits? Where there any safety measures in place for this kind of work?

The Ministry of Labour and the Dubai Government have gone a long way in protecting workers rights. They do crack down on violators of safety measures at workplaces. But the point being - what is the reporter going on about? Doesn't the life of a person matter anymore in Dubai rather than taking a vox pop in the middle of the road about traffic build up. has journalism reached new lows of insensitivity?

In September this year, the Gulf News reported:

"Dubai: Two men have been found guilty of causing the accidental death of two workers who fell from the 18th floor of a tower under construction. The Dubai Appeal's Court sentenced the 49-year-old British national, S.K., and 28-year-old Egyptian to one month in jail. The court suspended the prison term for three years, on the condition that the crime will not be repeated. The two will have to jointly pay Dh120,000 in blood money to the families of the Indian victims." ~Gulf News, September 26, 2007

And on October 06, 2007, Gulf News published an article "Compensation for the injured" with the guidelines, rules and compensation details. This was a good article with the aim of making readers aware of safety standards at workplaces under the UAE Federal Labour Law.

Perhaps Gulf News and other newspapers should send some of their reporters back to journalism school to touch up on their news values, basics of writing a news story and researching for a news story. This story is not an isolated story in a single newspaper nor is the post directed against any individual reporter. There are several news stories by other newspapers and reporters in the UAE which are published day after day reeking of indifference and standing out as perfect examples of how to write articles trashing all journalistic norms.

"There is nothing harder than the softness of indifference."
~Juan Montalvo (Noted Ecuadorian author and essayist)

Related Articles:
Labourer is buried alive as embankment of deep pit caves in ~Gulf News, October 21, 2007
Two guilty for workers' fatal plunge ~ Gulf News, September 26, 2007
Compensation for the injured ~Gulf News, October 06, 2007

UAE & the World Press Freedom Index 2007

2007-10-18T20:10:00.000+04:00

"DUBAI — The UAE has jumped 12 places to a better ranking on the 2007 World Press Freedom Index in recognition of the initiatives taken to ensure Press freedom, including a proposed new Press law.

The index, prepared by Reporters Without Borders (RWB), issued yesterday ranked the UAE at 65 this year, ahead of all other Middle East countries except Kuwait at 63.

RWB noted the progress made by some Gulf countries in a statement released alongside the index yesterday, but tempered this statement with concerns over self-censorship.

“The authorities have displayed a tendency to be more open-minded and, in some cases, initiatives have been taken with a view to liberalising press laws,” the statement said.

“But self-censorship continues to be widespread in the Press in these countries.”

Hajar Smouni, the head of RSF Middle East and North Africa (Mena) Desk, welcomed the directive issued by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, that journalists in the country would not be jailed for reasons related to their work."

~Excerpt from an article in Khaleej Times, UAE fares well in World Press Freedom Index by Zoe Sinclair, 17 October, 2007.

In an article, "UAE upholds press freedom", it was quoted:
"Essam Eisa Al Humaidan, Dubai Attorney-General, praised Shaikh Mohammad's decision as appropriate and timely. But he cautioned journalists that it encourages them to search for the truth more and practice self-censorship without affecting the profession." ~Gulf News, September 25, 2007

Gulf News in another article, "Journalists' body hails decision" carried a quote by Mohammad Yousuf, Chairman of the UAE Journalists Association:

"Yousuf urged journalists to commit to the profession's principles, especially the truth, credibility and accuracy, and also asked them to abide by the ethics of journalism while considering the society's traditions and values. He also called on media men not to violate others' rights, not to deliberately raise personal issues or violate the society's system of values." ~ Gulf News, September 26, 2007

Is practicising self-censorship the same as following the code of journalism ethics? Or is there a difference? Perhaps the following definition highlights the enormity of the 'unsaid' meaning of self-censorship.

Self-censorship
noun [U]
control of what you say or do in order to avoid annoying or offending others, but without being told officially that such control is necessary:
These writers knew that unless they practised a form of self-censorship, the authorities would persecute them.
~Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Inspiration Rebound!

2007-10-17T18:37:00.000+04:00

A snap shot of Emirates Today - Page 4 - dated 17 Oct 2007

The proposed design for a Burj Al Arab inspired Building in UK ~ skyscrapernews.com

Reported in today's Emirates Today:

"Bosses at the Burj Al Arab have complained to a developer in Britain about the design of a proposed hotel that they say resembles Dubai’s sail-shaped icon too closely. The English Cities Fund is developing the Clyde Quay Tower in Plymouth, Devon, south-west England, as part of a Dh2,600 million regeneration scheme.

An artist’s drawing of the planned building has appeared on the internet, and bears a striking resemblance to the distinctive curved shape of the Burj Al Arab. A spokesman for Jumeirah Group, which runs the UAE’s best known landmark, said: “The Burj Al Arab is the most luxurious hotel in the world and an iconic symbol of the emirate.

“As we own the rights to the design of the Burj Al Arab, we sent a letter to the English Cities Fund asking them politely to reconsider their concept for the building.” However, reports in the UK said Jumeirah Group was taking legal action over the issue – but this was denied by the spokesman."

What's the big news story? Is it the that others are copying Dubai designs??? Irony isn't it when you wonder how Dubai wants to build replicas of every famous building and monument from the world?

Wonder what the Egyptians, French, Indians or the Italians thought when the Falcon City of Wonders announced plans to build the Dubai Eiffel Tower, Pyramids of Giza, Taj Mahal and Leaning Tower of Pisa. And not to leave out the English - there is an inspired replica of the 147 year-old clock tower of the Palace of Westminster called "Dubai Big Ben" coming up on Sheikh Zayed Road - only three times bigger of course.

Maybe the English Cities Fund developer should dedicate the song - "What Goes Around Comes Around" by Justin Timberlake to Dubai:

What goes around, goes around, goes around

Comes all the way back around

"What goes around comes around

Yeah

What goes around comes around

You should know that

Another classic case of a "Pot calling the kettle black"???

Changing Dubai!

2007-10-15T20:47:00.000+04:00

Pictures from Gulf News.com

From a fishing and pearling hamlet to one of the most vibrant cities in the world, Dubai has undergone a sea change in just 34 years. ~ Gulf News

Today's Gulf News front page had satellite pictures of Dubai in 1973 and an artist's rendition of the future Dubai on the same map. The changes are astounding and a testament to the continous change, development and growth of the Emirate.

Click on the link to view more pictures and a related story on the Gulf News website.

Eid Mubarak

2007-10-12T00:57:00.000+04:00

Freemind Pictures © (Nikon D50)

Eid Mubarak

Rivers of Sand

2007-10-10T12:06:00.000+04:00

Freemind Pictures © (Nikon D50)
Rivers of Sand

Dubai: Strong easterly winds whipped up huge dust storms across Dubai and Sharjah reducing visibility to under 500 metres at Dubai Airport, the met office said. ~ Gulf News, 10 Oct 2007.

Dangerous Laser Games

2007-10-01T20:15:00.000+04:00

Emirates Today front page, 1 Oct 2007

UAE newspapers reported today that an Emirati youth was briefly detained by the Abu Dhabi police after he flashed a police helicopter with a laser beam.

According to Emirates Today, the youth pointed the hand-held laser used for presentations at a police helicopter triggering a major alert. "The pilot took evasive action" and then alerted his colleagues on the ground.

"Immediately, a number of police and CID personnel reached the area pinpointed by the helicopter crew and took the suspect into custody, according to Major Juma Salem Al Ka’abi, Director of the Criminal Investigation Department." ~ Khaleej Times

"The youth said he had bought the laser pen-torch from an Asian vendor without realising the danger of using it. He also told the police that he and his brothers had been flashing the laser beam at helicopters quite often. The youth, it is believed, was let off after he signed an undertaking to refrain from such acts." ~ Khaleej Times

These lasers are being sold in the UAE for purely presentation purposes and it is ridiculous to note that Khaleej Times even mentioned the vendor was "asian" which has no relevance to the story unlike Emirates Today who chose to remain more focussed on the story and its implication. It would be weird, if vendors were to be blamed for the reckless acts committed by customers for an item which costs about a dirham or two.

It was also reported by Emirates Today that pointing lasers at airborne aircraft or helicopters can be dangerous as it can distract the pilot or make him believe the aircraft was being targeted with some kind of sophisticated weapon.
"Major Al Ka’abi has urged the public not to play around with laser pen-torches, and stressed that flashing laser beams at people and private property is a punishable offence." ~ Khaleej Times

Thus the moral of the story don't point lasers at flying objects, people or private property, after all according to the age old wisdom passed on by parents states clearly that it is rude to point at people.

Related Articles:
Youth held for aiming laser beam at copter ~ Khaleej Times , 1 Oct 2007
Laser prank grounds copter ~ Emirates Today, 1 Oct 2007

One road death every 30 hours in Dubai

2007-10-01T20:08:00.000+04:00

As reported in the Khaleej Times:

One road death every 30 hours in Dubai
By Salah Al Deberky
30 September 2007

FUJAIRAH — One person is killed every 30 hours in accidents in Dubai, while 40 per cent of the accidents taking place in Dubai involve pedestrians, according to Brigadier Mohammad Saif Al Zafeen, Director of the General Department of Dubai Traffic.

Brig. Al Zafeen was speaking at a Ramadan symposium organised by the Fujairah Cultural and Social Society last Thursday at the Mawada auditorium in Merbeh city in Fujairah.

To read more: One road death every 30 hours in Dubai ~ Khaleej Times, 30 Sep 2007.

Jailed for a Million Screws!

2007-09-29T21:38:00.000+04:00

BERLIN (Reuters) - A German factory worker stole over a million screws from his employer and skewed the market with his cheap stolen goods, police said Friday.

Over two years, the 33-year-old assembly plant worker smuggled between 2,000 and 7,000 screws out of work each night, and auctioned them on an Internet site, police said. The scheme cost his firm around 110,000 euros ($156,000). - Reuters.com

Talk about literally screwing up your job!

Related Article:
Thief nailed selling a million stolen screws ~ Reuters.com

Myanmar - Violence, Lies & Video

2007-09-28T21:01:00.000+04:00

Kenji Nagai - AP

Japanese news photographer Kenji Nagai lies injured after police and military officials fired upon and then charged at protesters in Yangon's city centre. - Reuters

The Japanese Photo-Journalist Kenji Nagai was shot dead point blank, while filming protests against the dictatorial military regime which is using all its might to suppress calls from the citizens of the country for democracy.

"Footage capturing the last, terrible seconds of Kenji Nagai’s life has been aired on Japanese television – horrifying a nation and raising official suspicion that the 50-year old photo-journalist was murdered by Burmese troops.

The shaky, indistinct moments of footage appear to show Nagai, who was on the edge of a crowd of panic-stricken demonstrators, shoved violently to the ground by a soldier and shot dead at point-blank range.

The crowd flees, leaving behind a visibly agonised figure believed to be Nagai – dressed casually in shorts and flip-flops – on his back in the street. In his right hand is a video camera, held above the ground to protect it from the fall.

The footage, say Japanese experts, squarely contradicts the official Burmese explanation of Nagai’s death – that he was killed by a “stray bullet”.

In the few seconds before he was killed, Nagai appeared to being filming the Burmese military as it faced down the crowd. One of the soldiers seems to spot him doing so, and launches his deadly response.

Masahiko Komura, Japan’s Foreign Minister, said that the footage appeared to show that Nagai was slain deliberately by Burmese troops as they charged on a crowd of civilians. The government has dispatched the deputy foreign minister to Burma to establish the truth behind Nagai’s death." ~ Times Online

Rest in Peace Nagai. A silent tribute to all the journalists and citizen journalists who risk their lives lives daily to bring out the truth.

Warning: video contains graphic content

YouTube video of a Japanese News Channel showing a secret video of the shooting.

Related Articles:
Video shows Japanese journalist 'being shot deliberately' ~ Times Online, 28 Sep, 2007
Japanese journalist killed in violence (Agencies) ~ Gulf News 28 Sep, 2007
Japan call over journalist death ~ BBC online
Results from Google News on the shooting. ~ Google News

UAE Press gets Freedom!

2007-09-26T22:35:00.000+04:00

Gulf News Front Page (26 Sep, 2007)

"In a victory for freedom of the press in the UAE, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, yesterday issued instructions that journalists in the country will not be jailed for doing their work." ~ Gulf News

"Two senior Khaleej Times journalists, who were each given a two-month jail term for libelling an Iranian woman on Sunday, were let out on bail after appealing the sentence." ~ Gulf News

On a personal note, it is to be noted that the Khaleej Times coverage of the entire situation is found wanting. This is despite the fact that the two journalists were not only employees of KT but also held the position of managing editor and senior reporter.

It seems Gulf News is more interested in trumpeting media freedom for all UAE journalists than Khaleej Times, which for some reason seems shy to admit and acknowledge freedom for its journalists and victory for its reporting values.

In fact, it is Gulf News that names and gives identity to the journalists, unlike Khaleej Times who diplomatically remain silent on the identity and newspaper the journalists worked for. Is it possible to imagine that Khaleej Times for some unknown reason does not seem happy to see the verdict in favour of their employees.

A free press can be good or bad, but, most certainly, without freedom a press will never be anything but bad. ~Albert Camus (French author and Philosopher)

Related Articles:
UAE upholds press freedom ~ Gulf News
Journalists get bail after appeal ~ Gulf News
Journalists' body hails decision ~ Gulf News
A huge boost to press freedom (Editorial) ~ Gulf News
No detaining journalists ~ Khaleej Times
Abu Dhabi - No detaining of journalists ~ 7days

UAE journalists sentenced to jail for libel

2007-09-24T18:38:00.000+04:00

Two journalists sentenced to jail for libel
By Bassam Za'za', Staff Reporter
Published: September 24, 2007, 00:25

Dubai: Two senior journalists have been jailed for two months each after they were found guilty in a libel case marking what judicial officials described as 'an unusual verdict'.

The Dubai Court of Misdemeanour found the senior Egyptian journalist and senior Indian editor guilty of libelling an Iranian woman.

The Public Prosecution charged the two defendants with publishing a defamatory article in the English newspaper where they work. In her complaint the woman accused the defendants of defaming her after publishing the story.

Gulf News has learnt that defence lawyer Samir Jaafar is planning to appeal the initial verdict today. The ruling is still subject to appeal.

A former judge who requested anonymity described the ruling as 'uncommon and unusual especially in the UAE'.

Fined
"I have heard of journalists getting fined but not jailed. This is very unusual here in the UAE and especially in Dubai," said the former judge.

In 2004, the Dubai Court of First Instance sentenced Kuwaiti national, Ahmad Jarallah, Editor-in-Chief of Al Seyassah, Kuwaiti newspaper, to six months in jail and Saudi national, Othman Al Umair, former editor-in-chief of e-newspaper www.elaph.com. The two were convicted of running defamatory news against a former Miss Lebanon accusing her of having sex with a UAE businessman for thousands of dollars.

Mohammad Yousuf, Chairman of UAE Journalists Association, said this ruling is the first of its kind against journalists working in local media. "We do not want to comment on the ruling which we respect. However, we would like to say this proves our repeated calls for cancelling imprisonment verdicts against journalists in libel cases as it terrorises them from doing their jobs."

Related Article:
Two journalists sentenced to jail for libel - Gulf News, 24 Sep, 2007
Indian sentenced to two-month jail in libel case - oneindia.in, 24 Sep, 2007

"Light and Darkness"

2007-09-23T12:20:00.000+04:00

Freemind Pictures © (Sony Ericsson K750i)

"Light and Darkness"~ Freemind

Health Care Exported?

2007-09-18T23:55:00.000+04:00

Screen shot of the Front Page of Gulf News (17 Sep, 2007)

The Gulf News front page yesterday (18 Sep 2007) carried a story "Destination Thailand" which stated that 70,000 UAE nationals went to Thailand last year for treatment because they distrust the health care available in the UAE.

70,000 Emiratis is no laughing figure considering that according to last year's census by the UAE Government the total population of the UAE was at 824,921. In short almost 10% of the local population went to Thailand last year for treatment. A simple reason stated was distrust of the current health care system in UAE.

It is staggering to imagine what kind of numbers would be generated if Emiratis traveling to other countries for treatment such as USA, Canada, India, France, Australia were included in that percentage.

This article is an eye opener and only warrants the need for similar articles. Yet, the article stops short of pointing fingers on specific reasons or departments other than mentioning general issues such as cost inhibitions and lack of care and so on. An excerpt of the article is pasted below with a link to the complete article for further reading.

"Most of the patients are either sponsored by government agencies, including the Ministry of Health, the Dubai Department of Health and Medical Services (Dohms), Dubai Police, or are military or private patients.Some travel to Thailand only for medical treatment, while others decide to include a medical check-up in their holiday plans."

Salim Al Za'abi, UAE ambassador to Thailand, told Gulf News distrust and dissatisfaction in the UAE's medical services are recurrent themes among Emirati patients.

Some feel the medical treatment and care they get in the UAE are not worth the money they pay, some feel the service and care are too slow and insufficient, while others believe that many doctors lack the medical expertise and did not care enough about their patients. Some others have gone to Thailand to correct medical mistakes that occurred in the UAE.

"Some people have complained that hospitals in the UAE cannot discover cancer and other serious illnesses. Some have complained that doctors in the UAE did no investigation and that there are poor physical therapy facilities," he said, adding that the medical sector is the UAE has room for improvement.

Government hospitals don't provide the same services as in Thailand and private hospitals are too expensive."

"Patients prefer treatment abroad" ~ Gulf News, 18 Sep, 2007

Vacation!

2007-07-13T01:59:00.000+04:00

A period of travel and relaxation when you take twice the clothes and half the money you need. ~Anonymous

Gulf News rebuked for Moral Policing!

2007-07-06T20:50:00.000+04:00

Screen shot from Gulf News.com

The poll taken by Gulf News is to be seen as a slap on it's face by its readers. The figures speaks for itself. Many users of the social networking site have been dismayed and angered by the over zealous reporting stance taken by Gulf News to highlight one particular adult community on the site and getting it blocked. According to wikipedia.org, Orkut has over 49 millions users and is the eight most visited site in the world.

"Orkut had been blocked before in the UAE, and was later unblocked after many users complained. The TRA spokesman said the TRA had never ordered that unblocking.

Orkut users each have their own profile and can choose to become a member of particular online communities. While some such communities are innocuous, being related to particular hobbies or schools, there are sex communities, including one called "Dubai Sex" that has more than 2,000 members.

A spokesperson for Google, the site's owner said: "We're disappointed that Orkut is being blocked because it's a great way for people to meet, socialise and share interests. We will be reaching out to the authorities to try to resolve this."

I would have no problem if Etisalat the internet service provider had directly blocked the site as it has done on earlier occasions and still does with several other social networking sites. But I am ticked off when my newspaper instead of focusing on the real news around, starts becoming the moral police. Blocking an entire site just because of a single offensive community out of the millions seems to be Dubai adult oriented.

Gulf News perhaps needs to write more articles advocating the blocking of Telephone lines and the Internet because after all it is a medium through which pornography and piracy of movies and music exist worldwide. Let's all go back to the days of a government censor reading your postal mail and blacking out words which may be considered inappropriate.

Read the numbers Gulf News! 80.36 disagree with your actions in highlighting adult communities on Orkut and getting it blocked. Maybe you would want to consider a public apology and a campaign to get it unblocked.

“The fact is that censorship always defeats its own purpose, for it creates, in the end, the kind of society that is incapable of exercising real discretion.” ~ Henry Steele Commager (American Historian).

Related Articles:
Orkut.com 'being used for immoral activities' - Gulf News
Orkut.com banned in the UAE - Gulf News
Google defends Orkut against comments -Gulf News
Orkut users should report offensive material - Google - Gulf News

The Salik Song

2007-07-01T08:25:00.000+04:00

(Please sing in tune of OMC's - How Bizzare)

Brother Ahmed's in the back
Sweet Sameena's in the front
Cruising down the freeway
In the hot, hot sun

Suddenly yellow orange lights
Flash us from behind
Loud voice
"all will please stick a salik on the front"

Ahmed breathes words of comfort
Sameena just hides her eyes
RTA taps his shades
Is that a Salik tag?

How bizarre
How bizarre
How bizarre

Destination Garhoud!
Home is across SZR!
As we pull in for some gas
A freshly pasted poster
Reveals a Salik from the pack

How bizarre
How bizarre
How bizarre

Ooh baby, (ooh baby)
It's making me crazy, (it's making me crazy)
Everytime I look around
Look around
Everytime I look around
Everytime I look around
Everytime I look around
It's in my face
It's in my face

Salik meaning open or clear, Dubai's new toll system to avoid the Dubai traffic congestion is now operational. To read more - check out Gulf News.com 's coverage. Till then, hum the Salik Song.

Consumer Rights - a dire need?

2007-06-27T20:48:00.000+04:00

"French retailer Carrefour SA has been fined about $2.88 million (Canadian) by a French regional court for false advertising, selling items below cost and collusion with suppliers. Carrefour, the world's second-largest retailer after Wal-Mart Stores Inc., was fined in a correctional court in Evry, south of Paris, the company said in a statement." ~ The Star

The bulk of the fine, 1.5 mln eur, related to the false advertising charge that saw Carrefour accused of advertising products, which were either unavailable in sufficient quantities, were not sold at the advertised price or did not match the description in the group's catalogue. ~ ABCmoney.co.uk

This news article gives some satisfaction that no matter how big you are, you can't get away for free at times. The fine may seem insignificant to the retail giant, but the fact the retailer has been indicted for false advertising and other misdeeds will hit their brand image.

Countless are the number of times that in Dubai, unbelievable promotions printed by retailers suddenly vanish into thin air or go "out of stock" despite only a handful of customers visiting the store.

Personal experience dictates that most items in the printed booklets are enlarged professionally clicked images with a bit of photoshop effects to add. For example, a cake in the leaflet looks big enough to feed 10 people. However, on reaching the shop, it is no bigger than a cup cake and in all probability hollow on the inside! Most advertised laptops or mobile phones always come with a catch or are suddenly no longer available in the market or it is out of production or discontinued.

Customer care and customer rights still have a long way to go in Dubai. Serious legislation and rules should be laid down in the near future - and a scheme to let people know their rights must be initiated in this city where supposedly the world comes to shop. This is something perhaps the journalists should look into and start reporting. After all most brochures and leaflets come with the morning newspaper as inserts.

“It takes less effort to keep an old customer satisfied than to get a new customer interested”

Related Articles:
Retailer Carrefour fined $2.88 million for false ads ~ The Star.com (Canada's largest daily newspaper)
Carrefour to appeal 2 mln eur fine for dishonest business practices ~ ABCmoney.co.uk

A Boot for the Hoot?

2007-06-27T20:03:00.000+04:00

A follow up to the earlier post on Hooters.

After generating much talk of - Will they? Can they? If so, when will they open? Hooter's plan to open in Dubai seems to have got the boot.

Today's Gulf News reported the following:

"Ali Ebrahim, deputy director-general for executive affairs at the Department of Economic Development (DED), said Hooters has not been registered with the department. The local laws will not allow restaurants that are in violation of "religion, traditions and culture," he said, according to a report in Al Khaleej. He said the DED is closely following the US firm's plans to open an outlet in Dubai."

So much noise and so much news print for mere speculation... Considering the fact, this is the "nth" article published by local papers, you may be mistaken to believe the arrival of Hooters was the next big thing after the first landing on the moon. If there is any journalist reading this - why don't you start a series of interviews, public polls and featured articles if the "Bunny" will get a chance to debut in the Middle East.

After all, in the end when the topic cannot be stretched any further - kill the story with the standard line stating that it is "inconsistent with the religious, cultural, political and moral values of the United Arab Emirates."

Simple! Just can't wait to read these articles filled with speculation and hype and experience the climax of the story being nailed shut of being inappropriate.

“The public have an insatiable curiosity to know everything. Except what is worth knowing. Journalism, conscious of this, and having tradesman-like habits, supplies their demands.” ~ Oscar Wilde (Irish Poet, Novelist, Dramatist and Critic)

Related Articles:
No place for Hooters in Dubai ~ Gulf News

Sorry no dice! But feel free to ogle while u order!

2007-06-20T23:48:00.000+04:00

A grab of the Gulf News Website - 20 June 2007

Please note articles marked in green.

"The Queen Elizabeth 2 cruise ship will jettison its casino in its conversion into a floating luxury hotel at the Palm Jumeirah Island.... "I believe the casino will be removed," Cunard managing director Carol Marlow told Gulf News. An Istithmar spokesman confirmed the cruise ship will no longer have its casino in its new role..." ~Gulf News

Hmmm, no Casino Royale happening here due to "moral reasons". But guess what they are willing to allow Hooters to open on the Beach Road instead.

"Hooters, a US restaurant chain famous for its scantily clad waitresses, may open this year in Dubai as it expands to the Arabic peninsula for the first time, the company's local partner said on Tuesday... Waitresses at Hooters, which describes itself as a "beach-theme" restaurant, wear tight revealing tank tops and skimpy shorts.... Al Shaheen said the original plan was to open a restaurant on Dubai's Palm Jumeirah. But delays on the gigantic construction site caused him to opt for a new location on the city's glitzy Jumeirah Beach Road." ~ Gulf News

"Exactly what values the restaurant will have to adhere to will need to be discussed, said Ali Ebrahim, deputy director general for executive affairs at the Department of Economic Development (DED). He said the department welcomed all investors, but he said the restaurant would need to follow all rules and regulations, including those dealing with proper dress..." ~ Gulf News

How does a business modify its sole USP and still expect to do business? Well, all of it looks like mindless press releases being printed. After all isn't that what the press does best instead of asking the questions and getting news. Asking the publics' opinion does matter, but there is nothing like a comment from the people creating the news! Is there? Well the media still has a long long way to go before they tackle real issues.

Perhaps, installing Salik the new road toll in front of Hooters, might be a good idea to tackle future congestion on the Jumeirah Beach Road.

Then again, makes you think! What's more of a vice? Money or Women?

Related Articles:
QE2 casino will go in conversion process - Gulf News
Hooters to open in Dubai - Gulf News
Mixed reaction over Hooters' entry - Gulf News

Media inciting violence - stooping low for TRPs!

2007-06-16T18:38:00.000+04:00

The competition among news channels in India is reaching a crazy crescendo, where channels compete with each other to announce breaking stories. Incidents as frivolous as a squirrel dropping an acorn from a tree is hyped to the frenzy of Chicken Little where it is reported the sky is falling down. Experts, Panel Discussions, Studio Debates with members of the public and graphics showing how the acorn drop means the end of the world are just the tip of the iceberg of gimmicks which adds to the charade in Indian Television News.

Before elections, all of them turn out predictions which have fallen consistently flat on their faces. Yet, they dust themselves up and start reporting how the public surprised the media. There is an old Indian saying - if you slipped because you didn't look where you where walking, don't blame the ground for being slippery.

But when the news media resorts to hyping up minor acts of violence by airing certain footage over and over again through the day with a "LIVE" tag, it only creates tensions and escalates the violence by mobs baying for retribution and revenge. Time and time over it is been seen how public mood can be easily affected by false footage. Right after 9/11, certain television news channels had to apologize for showing unrelated footage of celebrations in the Middle East and connecting them to celebrations for the attack of 9/11.

When the media crosses the thin line or being a party in escalating violence through the media, it is only fair that the judicial authorities hit hard at journalists quacks trying to get a high TRP ratings forgetting their code of ethics and conduct. In an incident which took place in Rajasthan, India, between two caste based clans, television channels in India hyped the entire issue to a point where people believed that it was more of a civil war happening which was far from reality. Repeated "LIVE" footage beaming into the villages of Rajasthan, had opposing clans go on the offensive in fear of being attacked first by the others. The violence quelled as soon as leaders of both parties met with government officials. This left the Supreme Court of India ordering 3 states in India where the violence took place to find out "how did a burning match stick create smoke as much as a burning tree".

This is an excerpt from The Indian Express article by Tannu Sharma. (Police to SC: TV fanned Gurjjar flames, old footage called ‘live’) :

"Responding to the wrath of the Supreme Court, which called disruption and violence following the Gurjjar agitation a “national shame,” state police chiefs have said that television news channels and their coverage was to blame.

“The manner of telecast by 24X7 news channels perhaps was a contributing factor in the wide spread of violence to places beyond those at which blockade call was given,” A S Gill, Director General of Police (DGP), Rajasthan said in his affidavit filed before the apex court today.

While appointing senior advocate Rajiv Dhawan as amicus curiae*, the Court also directed him to consider the footage of news coverage on the agitation from various TV channels.

In their affidavit, the Delhi Police, too, blamed media coverage saying, “In some places, protesters hitherto peaceful became belligerent and tried to resort to violence on seeing the electronic media. It would not be out of place to mention that some of the electronic channels have given highly exaggerated and distorted version of the events,” H M Meena, DCP Headquarters, said in the affidavit."

Related Article:
Police to SC: TV fanned Gurjjar flames, old footage called ‘live’ - The Indian Express

*Amicus Curiae: is a legal Latin phrase, literally translated as "friend of the court", that refers to someone, not a party to a case, who volunteers to offer information on a point of law or some other aspect of the case to assist the court in deciding a matter before it.

Sorry Bachelors - no more housing ads for you!

2007-06-16T16:48:00.000+04:00

The definition of "Bachelor" in the Oxford Dictionary:
• (noun) a man who has never been married.

The definition of "Bachelor" in the UAE:
• Constitutes 50% of the population in Abu Dhabi. -Gulf News
• Cannot acquire family visa if salary is below AED 4000 -Gulf News
• Cannot bring parents if minimum salary is not less than AED7000. -Gulf News
• Can only stay in segregated areas of the city away from family areas, or far from city limits. - Gulf News
• Sleeps on rooftops, in parks or on streets -Gulf News
• Live in groups of 10 in one room or beating slum records in Mumbai with 48 men in 5 rooms of 9 square meters each. - Gulf News
• Blamed for water shortage in family areas, instead of swimming pools, spas, personal jacuzzi's, water showers etc. or small water tanks in buildings built 10 years ago. -Gulf News
• Gets their water and electricity cut even though the accommodation is rented out by their company. -Gulf News
• Conveniently blamed for the city's litter on the rooftops including sofas which hardly fit into a room with 10 men or their budgets to throw one. -Gulf News
• Exploited by greedy building owners who increase rent by 500%. Owners let rooms out to individuals who, in a bid to maximize their sub-letting profits, cram as many beds in them as possible. -Gulf News
• Make neighbors uneasy by appearing shirtless on balconies -Gulf News
• Cannot be picked up by their company buses in residential areas or city limits and are forced to walk long distances in the searing heat. -Gulf News

And now to add one more point to the list:
• Cannot advertise for room partners in the local media.

"In an attempt to compel bachelors to move to accommodations in industrial areas, the Sharjah Municipality has urged all advertising and classified sections of all local newspapers not to publish vacancies of bachelor accommodations in Sharjah’s residential areas." -Khaleej Times

If the media as expected accepts the call and enforces the ban, it is left to wonder, who will be more sad? The media or the municipality? The media will sorely miss loss of revenue from the hundreds of classifieds charged at exorbitant rates. Or will it be the municipality workers who will have more work cleaning up printed adverts pasted on walls, telephone booths, light poles, shop shutters etc. asking for room partners. Maybe there might be more job openings for bachelors in the Municipality soon due to increased work load.

And they said being a bachelor was easy with no strings attached.

Related Articles:
Media told not to advertise bachelor housing -Khaleej Times
'Bachelors' of a building say rent has increased by 500% -Gulf News
Bachelors unhappy with segregated housing plans -Gulf News
Bachelors blamed for Al Rolla water shortage -Gulf News
Civic body cuts power supply to villas housing bachelors -Gulf News
Karama residents blame bachelors for littering rooftops -Gulf News
Hundreds of 'bachelors' crammed in squalid and dilapidated buildings -Gulf News
Residents complain about shirtless bachelors on balconies -Gulf News
Fines for buses in 'wrong area' angers firms -Gulf News
Sharjah ban on worker buses in city criticised -Gulf News

Whose war is it?

2007-06-15T23:27:00.000+04:00

Hamas fighter walks over a portrait of Yaser Arafat.
AP Photo - HATEM MOUSSA

The picture above probably summarizes the entire Middle East crisis. Yaser Arafat, known as "a heroic freedom fighter who symbolized the national aspirations of the Palestinian people." In a BBC article at the time of his passing, it was mentioned "The Islamic militant organisations, Hamas and Islamic Jihad, had deep differences with Yasser Arafat for many years. But in the hours after his death, even they talked of their sadness at this passing. They recognised him as a colossal figure in the Palestinian story." Yesterday, history was forgotten and Yaser Arafat's picture lay on the ground being trampled by the very Palestinians he fought for his whole life.

Every day, editors, commentators, experts churn out thousands of words in the news media blaming the West for the escalating violence. However, most violence today is from within. Inflicted by people on their own brethren. It is when countries and people forget their proud, unified and historic legacies do they fight each other. In Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine the so called hot spots for violence, the fight is between fellow countrymen much to the glee and amusement of their enemies.

“A house divided against itself cannot stand.”~Abraham Lincoln (US President)

Related Articles
Gaza mourns symbol of struggle - BBC
Hamas overruns Gaza - Gulf News

Cozying up to Online Advertisers???

2007-06-10T21:50:00.000+04:00

The fact that online companies collect data from its users is nothing new and hardly raises eyebrows. The companies state they have strict privacy measures and collect information solely to better understand its users so they can deliver more relevant services, data, results, offers or advertisements.

People are not comfortable in offering their information when it comes to direct marketing and tend to get aggressive when they feel their personal space is invaded. The online world however is changing such parameters and now redefining personal space. Services such as Google are always in the hit list of privacy advocates for collecting information and storing them for over years to analyze results from the millions of their users worldwide.

However the issue stands - what happens when people volunteer information to Google?

According to an article by Jamie Doward and David Smith, in the The Observer

· Users of Google's services must accept the company can retain a large quantity of information about them, often indefinitely.

· Google has access to additional personal information, including hobbies, employment, address, and phone number, from user profiles in its social networking service, Orkut.

· Google collects all search results from its Toolbar search service and identifies all users with a unique 'cookie' - information sent between a web browser and the server - that allows it to track users' web use.

The vast possibilities and wealth of information being availed to Google and other similar sites was also echoed by Cord Blomquist a Technology Policy Analyst for Competitive Enterprise Institute in his article Who’s Afraid of Google?:

"Privacy advocates will claim the real danger isn’t Google’s hold on tiny text ads, but in the constant stream of information that is constantly being added to Google’s database. Information from searches, emails, calendars, and the myriad other services is collected, analyzed and stored (for a maximum of 24 month). But fears of this treasure trove of data are best mitigated by markets, not government mandates."

Cord Blomquist goes on to say:
"After all, Google’s Web 2.0 offerings are just that, offerings. No one has been coerced into using Gmail or posting pictures with Picasa. Privacy advocates could immediately protect consumers from data collection dangers by encouraging them to turn on, tune in, and log out. This is getting easier as increasingly savvy users avoid being locked into proprietary services—they don’t travel down any one-way streets. Companies have recognized this and realize that for consumers to adopt new services they need an easy way back out. Google is no different, offering easy ways to export contacts, calendar information, photos, and other content from their services."

Will the knowledge that any online activity is not a private affair anymore turn away users? Rather not! With the numbers of internet users increasing each day, the number of people who perhaps cease to use such services may be too little to have any serious impact on the online companies.

However, what should be kept in mind is how we guard our physical privacy with zeal where as we are willing to divulge our personal photos, emails, contacts, calender schedules , search results to a computer which does nothing more than convert it into information to show us more "relevant" online advertisements.

If Google decides to bury a part of their information in a time capsule and maybe after centuries people living in the future were able to access it. They would be amused at our petty online albums, futile online calenders, mindless search results for worthless information by the majority of the now existing population. It would be a true reflection of our times- if you don't know - Google it!

Related Articles:
Watchdog accuses Google of invading the privacy of its internet surfers - The Observer (Guardian)
Who’s Afraid of Google? - Cord Blomquist, WRAL.com
Watchdog group pans Google's privacy policies as worst on the Web - The Associated Press

Sideshow At Cannes

2007-06-03T00:34:00.000+04:00

While Bollywood added to the glamour quotient at Cannes, a 'young' Indian entry was shown in the category called La Selection Cinefondation, which had students of cinema from all over the world, presenting their work. This was a 28-minute feature titled Chinese Whispers, one of the 16 entries in this section, by a student of the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, Kolkata. It was an experimental silent film with no dialogues, and was the only Indian film in a competition category this year......

....While Bollywood has come up with bolder themes in Hindi cinema over the last decade, stereotypes and old moralities haven't disappeared, people continue to be blatantly 'inspired' by Hollywood, and productions border on mediocrity.

Though Bollywood has become an inter-national brand, it is still greatly a desi affair in the diaspora, and more of a circus-like 'attraction' for mainstream audiences in the West.

Cannes 2007 clearly showed this up with Bollywood stars walking the red carpet in all their glamour - talking about post-wedding bliss and diamonds - but there was not a single nominated Bollywood entry, even though the industry now claims to have 'arrived' internationally.....

....The low-budget experimental film had its moment of glory, but do these parallel trends mean that only a small part of Indian cinema is destined to be acknowledged, while the largest body remains a carnivalesque curiosity? Or can we work from within the conventions of the Hindi film to generate an international presence rooted in a South Asianness?

~ Excerpt from Leader Article: Sideshow At Cannes, Times of India, Sharmishtha Gooptu, 2 Jun, 2007.

Lost Sharks don't bite???

2007-05-30T23:53:00.000+04:00

When you are taking a dip or swim off the coast of Dubai and you spot a shark, Fear not! It's just a shark gone lost while checking out the new extended coastlines of the emirate. After all Dubai is where the world comes! You can't believe that lost sharks don't bite?

According to an article in today's Gulf News:
"An official from the Al Mamzar beach management confirmed that a shark had been spotted near the rocks at the beach but urged the public not to worry as it was not dangerous and was probably "lost"."

This probably means in the coming weeks, there could be a detailed report in the local newspapers of a shark stakeout with exclusive pictures and quotes or perhaps just a big headline in the local papers screaming - " Shark Attack"!

Now life would be so much easier, if only some one could point out - how do you differentiate between a hungry shark and a lost shark???

Related Article:
Shark spotted off Mamzar beach park - Gulf News

Poison + Flowers + Extermination = Free Publicity

2007-05-21T19:34:00.000+04:00

Oleander Flowers

What happens when journalists have nothing to report and public relation managers are at their wits end thinking of fresh ideas on how to create publicity for their clients? After all, in Dubai there is only so much you can do! A new building project unveiling, product launches, dhow parties, desert safaris, art exhibitions and not to forget mindless 'Page 3' socialite parties. And with a long waiting list, to be featured in any of the local newspapers, how does one get oneself into a news item on page 2 or even better, page one?

It is all about looking around and making the most of the prevalent mood. In an unfortunate event a 48-year old UAE resident died after he drank a concoction made from the oleander plant, a pretty but poisonous plant, common to the UAE.

A certain consulate in Dubai announced it was to rip out two Oleander plants in its compound to protect visitors and their children. Wow! There was a full article on the upcoming event with a quote from the Honorable Consul General too!

Imagine, public relation managers kicking themselves silly for not thinking of this brilliant idea. Plant Oleander flower plants all over their premises in the night, then in the morning hold a press conference as to why the company is dedicated to pulling out poisonous flower plants. A dream photo opportunity, showing the CEO of the company or board members getting their hands dirty doing hard work, pulling out plants. Then release a full page ad lauding them for making Dubai a safer place for the company's visitors and their children who may have wanted to eat the office plants.

And if you think killing rodents and insects would get your company a news story? Try another idea, cause Nakheel's already done that with their news story on the extermination of rodents, some of which lived and reproduced in apartments. So what next? Swat germ carrying flies in the fish market? Swat disease spreading mosquitoes around the city or even better still catch polluting air in glass jars to contain air pollution from reaching the ozone?

The haunted ghaf tree, behind Ski Dubai, the largest indoor ski slope in the world seems to be a more interesting read. At times, reading the local newspapers make you wonder what is more dangerous? Nuclear holocaust or falling victim to poisonous flowers, rodents who live in flats and not the least haunted ghaf trees supposedly possessed by genies!

Better check your gardens! There might be a hidden photo opportunity there!

Related Articles:
Consulate rips out oleanders - Gulf News, 18 May 07
Nakheel moves in to exterminate rats - Gulf News, 19 May 07
Leaving the ghaf alone - Gulf News, 18 May, 07

The Times to print from Dubai

2007-05-18T02:00:00.000+04:00

The Times and The Sunday Times will publish their international editions in Dubai starting on Monday (21 May 2007). The paper will be published seven days a week and will be available in retail outlets or by subscription.

But with at a retail rate starting at Dh7 for the daily edition and Dh15 for The Sunday Times and subscription rates at Dh5 for the daily and Dh12 for the Sunday paper it needs to be seen how much will people be willing to spend for a newspaper compared to Dh2 or Dh3 for local English newspapers. There is no doubt to the vast difference in quality and coverage, but in the time of instant news on the internet, it needs to be seen how much of a competition it proves to be to the local players.

Related Article:
"Two UK newspapers to be printed in UAE" - Gulf News
The Times & The Sunday Times - Official Website

New look for Khaleej Times online

2007-05-17T00:24:00.000+04:00

The Old Look of the Khaleej Times website

The New look of the Khaleej Times website

After much afterthought or perhaps a new person on the job, Khaleej Times has finally switched to a neater and cleaner web layout. After a long lull, Khaleej Times seems to be experimenting on improving its layout design which reflects in its daily City Times.

The competition in the newspaper industry in Dubai seems dead or non-existent. It is almost if there was a secret consensus among the major newspapers to be collectively dull and to print the same bland PR releases day after day. Any competition is welcome, cause "ideally" competition creates better products.

Does cosmetic changes mean better journalism standards? Only time will tell...

Reporting - Sensationalism or Public Serivce?

2007-05-11T23:39:00.000+04:00

Khaleej Times

Gulf News

Above, are today's news stories from "the Nation" on the Khaleej Times and Gulf News websites! It is easy to distinguish the difference in reporting values of both papers. Makes you wonder, where is reporting going? But then again, sensationalism sells newspapers! Khaleej Times seems to be sticking to regular reporting beats with stories that are relevant and important to expats and locals alike in the local news pages.

But, it is scary how reporters are able to give first hand accounts of crimes in such flowery and descriptive language.

"In a plan to lure and catch the thief red-handed, CID staff spent an entire night with the Egyptian family after putting out tempting women's underwear to dry. The suspect did not show up at that night and early in the morning the CID staff left the house of the Egyptian couple. The court official said the CID officer found that the man was wearing at least five sets of women's underwear. The officer detained the suspect and took him to the police department. The police then got permission from the Public Prosecution to search the suspect's room, which he shared with other compatriots. Police investigators recovered five big packages filled with women's underwear stored in his closet." ~Gulf News

It is not about Gulf News reporting standards nor is it about the other papers, rather it is on how unnecessary word space is given to details which could be used for far better articles of social importance and social action by almost all newspapers. However, the newest weekly in town, the Xpress seems to have got it right for now, by concentrating on local news that matter and have an impact on the local readership. But given an option, it is better to watch CSI (Crime Scene Investigation) on Dubai One on see how crimes are really solved.

“I am unable to understand how a man of honor could take a newspaper in his hands without a shudder of disgust.” ~ Charles Baudelaire (French Poet of Decadent & Parnassian movements.)

Who needs the media to win Elections?

2007-05-11T22:09:00.000+04:00

Mayawati (Pic from NDTV.com)

Today, history was created when a woman was elected as head of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. India's most populous state Uttar Pradesh with a population of 170 million can easily be in 6th place in the list of countries population wise. It outnumbers major world countries like Russia (141 million), United Kingdom (58 million), France (61.5 million) and even Germany (82.3 million).

She was no Segolene Royal from France who had photo spreads across the world media. Nor did she have the fame of Hilary Clinton. She still remains a virtual unknown amongst the world media. Yet this woman won more than half the seats needed for a majority in a political fray that saw religion and caste factors, like all Indian Elections of late.

Mayawati never spoke to the press and did not have personal press entourages following her daily. She never gave any press statements except for an odd one or two till her victory was assured today. Mayawati held 2 elections rallies a day compared to the 11 organized by her opposition parties. Opposition parties roped in names like Amitabh Bachchan and other famous Bollywood stars and some parties tried using the religious plank to appeal to the voters. However, to no avail the Elephant which is Mayawati mascot stomped over them all.

Mayawati, used a political trick called social engineering which was widely used by the Congress party in its glory days after Independence to emerge from the messy and chaotic muddle of coalition politics for the first time since 1991 as a single party winner. This will be her fourth time as Chief Minister, but the first time without the help of coalition parties.

Appealing directly to the grass root voters using the WOM (word of mouth) method, she dispelled the notion that use of media could be instrumental in winning elections. To win control of a state which is the world's fifth most populated state is no mere feat and not a matter to be brushed away lightly. At present, she may not have an impact on world politics but her feat of uniting voters in India where religion and castes lines are strong dividing factors is to be noted. As India races to be a global force, it is indeed a positive step to see divisive notions of religion, caste, tradition and gender mindsets being dropped to usher in hopefully a new wave of politics which India desperately needs.

Related Articles:
It's Maya jaal all over Uttar Pradesh - Indian Express
End of coalition era in UP as BSP gets majority - Times of India
Mayawati's road to political prominence - NDTV
PM congratulates Mayawati - Times of India
Mayawati bags clear majority- NDTV

Blowing a trumpet of self praise over a dead horse!

2007-05-11T20:22:00.000+04:00

Gulf News website front page 11 May, 2007

Gulf News has done it again, taking UAE journalism to ever dizzying heights with an exclusive "Seven Minute" interview with Shilpa Shetty.

After every tabloid in the world has analyzed and viewed her antics under a microscope on Big Brother and then her famous kiss with Richard Gere, we have the Gulf News Tabloid blowing their own trumpet on their website claiming they had an exclusive 7 minutes with her. Wow- a real motivation to read the article! (See picture above)

"In town for the premiere of her film Life In A... Metro, by UTV Motion Pictures, Shilpa handled the press conference deftly. Later, we found a corner in Le Meridien Dubai's Falcon Ballroom and sat down for an exclusive one-on-one interview. We'd exactly seven minutes because Shilpa had a flight to catch." ~Gulf News

A dream come true for the tabloid editor probably! It is difficult to say if the article aims at ridiculing Shilpa Shetty or praising her. The article quotes the actress, "That moment of winning was unbelievable... The most surreal moment in my life. I've never won a major award. All the awards I expected I never got, the one I never expected I did," she said, laughing."

The article is more like a page from a Shilpa Shetty fansite, gushing adoration all over my morning paper! Even the article starts with the reporter exhibiting characteristics of a child in awe of a superstar, "All that Celebrity Big Brother adulation and hobnobbing with the Queen should have made Shilpa Shetty arrogant. But it hasn't. Perfectly dressed in skinny jeans and fitted white jacket, she displayed amazing sang-froid when facing the press yesterday morning." ~Gulf News

When did meeting the Queen of England make anyone arrogant? Do Gulf News reporters carry stop watches to time interviews? After all the only USP of the article is the time spent with her and not the content of the interview! Must have been tough, fixing an interview with an actress whose only claim to fame now is for winning a TV reality show, not seen by the majority of the UAE population amongst all the big names and acts coming in to Dubai everyday. Gulf News is expected to do much better, keeping norm with its better stories and informative layouts!

Flogging a dead horse, wont make it more alive or dead!

Media musings in a time of Global Media!

2007-05-11T00:24:00.000+04:00

Below is an excerpt from an article on the aftermath of the French Presidential Election that appeared in The Guardian by columnist Marcel Berlins. It gives an insight to how media laws in any particular country can be exposed as outdated and ridiculous, in a time of global and instant media. It adds to the irony that a charade has to be played out on national networks, feigning ignorance so as to adhere to a rule book drafted eons ago. That should give serious food to thought on how media laws in general need serious change and reform to keep up with the ever evolving modes of communication.

"I think I have discovered a little fraudlet perpetrated on viewers of French television on Sunday evening. Under French electoral law, no indication of the result of the presidential election was allowed to be broadcast until the stroke of 8pm. But the media outside France is not subject to the law. Both in the first round and last Sunday, Belgian television, for instance, broadcast the projected results after the first batch of polling stations closed, at 6pm; Sky News told its viewers of one such poll result. French broadcasters had to wait until the last stations - mainly in the large cities - shut at 8pm. But anyone in France with any access to anyone in Belgium could easily find out what the early exit polls had concluded.

My point is that all those politicians and experts who were animatedly discussing the contrasting futures of France, depending on who turned out the winner, must have known the result, just like the presenters. They were pretending to be as ignorant as their viewers, answering questions such as "Do you think Ségolène Royal has done enough to win over sufficient voters from the centre?" with a deadpan "We shall have to wait and see." They debated at length what Royal would do if she won, knowing that she had lost and would not be in a position to do anything. In other words, for an hour or so before the magic eight o'clock, much of the discussion was a sham.

It does not matter much, but I felt a little disconcerted, watching the apparently tense build-up to the result becoming public, already knowing what it was and knowing that those people chatting away on the screen also knew."

Related Article:
Ségolène Royal faced sexism, sour grapes and petty jealousies - and she never really stood a chance - by Marcel Berlins, The Guardian

Nationalism - a celebration for whom?

2007-05-10T23:57:00.000+04:00

India celebrates the 150th anniversary of it's First War of Independence which is also referred to in western history books as the Sepoy Revolution of 1857. A moment in history when a certain section of India rose against the British Colonialists in an attempt to gain freedom. Rather it's inability to rouse countrywide support meant it faltered and met its end after a while, to be remembered in history books.

Somehow, there is this underlying sense of disappointment that the anniversary of the First War of Independence of a nation does not hold the Indian media's attention or that of the general public the way a Bachchan-Rai wedding did a few weeks back. To most people, the celebrations on television almost seem forced. A festivity which was suddenly imposed on the unsuspecting public.

This event was a turning point in world history. "The rebellion saw the end of the British East India Company's rule in India. In August, by the Government of India Act 1858, the company was formally dissolved and its ruling powers over India were transferred to the British Crown. A new British government department, the India Office, was created to handle the governance of India, and its head, the Secretary of State for India, was entrusted with formulating Indian policy. The Governor-General of India gained a new title (Viceroy of India), and implemented the policies devised by the India Office. In 1877 Queen Victoria took the title of Empress of India. (Wikipedia)

For long, this uprising had been sidelined in post-Independent India where the almost uninterrupted Congress rule meant that the only Independence effort that would truely be recognized and taught in the history books would be that led by Mahatma Gandhi through his principles of non-violence and non-cooperation. The incident would be relegated to history books as an insignificant revolution. Attention was diverted away from the revolution with more focus on the lives of illustrious leaders like Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi, Bahadur Shah Zafar and Mangal Pandey.

"Bits of the 1857 uprising are played down in the interests of sanitizing the event for public consumption. The brutalities committed by both sides are less the focus of attention than the freedom-fighting zeal that gave birth to the independence struggle. For a nation publicly committed to Gandhian principles of nonviolence, the bloodthirsty nature of the struggle has to be overlooked." - The International Herald Tribune

How then, can the general public be expected to celebrate an event which they have lost touch with? Today, the Indian Congress Government is even being accused of hijacking the event for political mileage by keeping opposition parties out of the celebrations as reported by the Times of India.

"A government-organized march, retracing the steps of several hundred mutinous Indian soldiers who made their way from their base in Meerut to Delhi 150 years ago to seize the city from the British, descended into chaos on Wednesday, as the modern-day marchers (mainly students from around the country) rioted over the poor quality of the food they were served along the way. Showing less stoicism than their ancestors (but arguably the same restive, rebellious spirit), they smashed car windows and crockery and blocked the Meerut-Delhi highway for two hours in protest at the low-grade chapattis on offer.

A number of marchers had already been taken to a hospital, suffering from severe dehydration after just the first day of the 80-kilometer, or 50-mile, five-day trek. The 10,000 marchers were persuaded to continue on their way and, assuming things go more smoothly, they are scheduled to arrive in the capital on Friday morning for the start of a daylong gala ceremony, marking the anniversary of the 1857 uprising." (International Herald Tribune)

An event of historical significance commonly termed the "War of Independence of 1857", "First War of Independence", "Indian Mutiny", "Great Indian Mutiny", the "Sepoy Mutiny", the "Sepoy Rebellion", the "Great Mutiny", the "Rebellion of 1857" and the "Revolt of 1857" "the Uprising" could have been commemorated by the government in a much much better way with the aim of renewing interest in history and instilling a sense of nationhood.

The writer Pavan Varma, author of "Being Indian," an analysis of modern Indian life, noted: "Indians have no sense of recent history. They are so avalanched by the vicissitudes of daily life and their current aspirations. That is why it is important to have such events as an antidote. Newly independent nations need to find such milestones to consummate the sense of nationhood." (International Herald Tribune)

“It is not easy to see how the more extreme forms of nationalism can long survive when men have seen the Earth in its true perspective as a single small globe against the stars.”
~Arthur C. Clarke (English Writer)

Related Articles:
Letter from India - International Herald Tribune
Who were the sepoys of 1857? - The Indian Express
Mangal Pandey village forgotten in 1857 hype - The Indian Express
Unexpected 'mutiny' erupts in Parliament - Times of India
First War of Independence 1957 - Wikipedia

Erasing keeps the Doctor away!

2007-05-07T20:53:00.000+04:00

Now available in Dubai, the new magnetic eraser, a break through in medical science indeed! Looks the Chinese factory mixed up the label of a magnetic health belt with that of a white board eraser!

Think of all the boardrooms and classrooms, where people cleaning white boards will have their "circulatory and internal secretion systems of the human body - Adjusted"!

Scary???

Hardly, cause it also claims to strengthen immunity! So much for the vitamin tablets and doctors, why didn't one just think of buying a magnetic white board eraser instead for the common cold? Makes you wonder if there is anything this eraser can't do!

Must be available in all pharmacies and grocery shops near you!

Radioactive advertisements!

2007-05-04T18:24:00.000+04:00

The three-bladed radiation warning symbol adopted by the Atomic Energy Commission in 1953. (www.uaf.edu)

There are no limits to what extent governments use the media as tools of information dissemination to reach out to the masses. Government advertising is seen usually as nothing more than propaganda and public service information. But nothing beats the way the Pakistan Government is using advertising according to news reports.

According to a report, "Pakistan's Nuclear Regulatory Authority on Thursday played down a series of advertisements it placed in national media asking citizens to inform authorities of any 'lost and missing' nuclear material."

It seems that the organisation published quarter-page ads over the last week in the Urdu-language newspapers warning people that radioactive material that may have gone missing from medical or industrial research facilities could be harmful.

Does that mean something went missing? "The adverts are nothing to worry about as we are only trying to fully account for every bit of radioactive material," spokeswoman Sherin Akhtar said. Hmm, nothing to worry about radioactivity! What a relief! But, the next statement takes the cake!

"The authority was responsible for keeping a record of radioactive material used in various sectors, also including agricultural research, and it was possible that some may have been 'misplaced' over the years, she said. The campaign was not linked to any specific missing or stolen radioactive material, she said." (Pak places ads for lost nuclear material- TOI)

So does it imply that there are radioactive material lying around for the public to find! Makes you think doesn't it? Perhaps the ads should have offered a financial reward to motivate people to inform the authorities rather printing a health advisory stating radioactivity is dangerous to health.

Now why didn't the UN and Allied weapon's inspectors think of putting out Ads? Might help them in their elusive quest for WMD's especially in Iraq, where they are still struggling to account for it even after years of searching!

Related Articles:
Pak places ads for lost nuclear material - Times of India
Pakistani authority places ads for misplaced nuclear material - Hindustan Times

The Media's obsession with kissing!

2007-05-04T16:29:00.000+04:00

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad kissing the hands of religious clerics

Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad kisses the hand of his school teacher in Tehran on Tuesday ahead of Iranian teachers’ day. (AFP)

No, it is no about the Shilpa Shetty kissing incident, rather it is the hype created by the media over a respectful kiss by the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on his teacher's hand.

"Iran's president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stood accused of "indecency" on Wednesday after he publicly embraced and kissed on the hand an elderly woman who used to be his school teacher. The elderly woman, who was not named, wore thick gloves along with a headscarf and long black coat, meaning that Ahmadinejad avoided any skin contact. "The Muslim Iranian people have no recollection of such acts contrary to sharia law during Islamic rule," since the 1979 revolution, seethed the ultra-conservative Hezbollah newspaper on its front page.

This controversy which was picked up by the agencies raises eyebrows as to who is adding to the hype? One paper airing their views in Iran does not reach a global audience until the agencies pick it up and distribute it world wide.

Hand-kissing is a ritual of greeting and respect. It is initiated by the person receiving the greeting by holding out her/his hand with the palm facing downward. The person kissing bows towards the offered hand and (symbolically) touches the knuckles with his lips, while lightly holding the offered hand. The gesture is short, lasting less than a second. (Wikipedia)

Once common, it has largely disappeared as a common greeting habit in Europe, although it can still be observed in Central Europe, especially Austria, Hungary, Poland, Turkey and Romania. In Turkey hand-kissing is the common way to greet old people of both genders. After kissing the hand, the greeter will draw the hand to his own forehead.

Even in religious circles, clergy members are kissed on hand if there is no ring. "The hand kissing is used quite prominently in The Godfather series, as a way to indicate the person who is the Don." (Wikipedia)

In an age of leaked scandalous videotapes and televised paternity battles, kissing the hand of your elderly school teacher out of respect is neither a crime or hardly a news item to be hyped by the media. When the rest of the world seems to have forgotten this mode of respectful greeting and does not acknowledge their teacher's, it is sad to see they missed the greater story of respect and gratitude expressed by a president to his aging teacher. The agencies should also take a good hard look at their shortcomings in under-reporting incidents of significance from Iran rather than trivial gossip mongering.

George Pell, pictured kissing the hand of Pope John Paul II on his appointment as a cardinal, says radical change is unlikely. (AFP)

President Chirac of France kissing the hand of Amercian First Lady Laura Bush

Related Links:
Iran prez kiss raises heat - Times of India
Hand-kissing - Wikipedia

Emirates Evening Post - folds into the Sunset!

2007-04-24T02:09:00.000+04:00

A total of 400 employees on three tabloid newspapers of a Dubai-based media group were caught by surprise on Sunday when they were informed through a memo that the company had stopped functioning as of April 22.

The three newspapers are Urdu Express (morning daily), Arabiya (Malayalam afternoon tabloid) and Emirates Evening Post (English afternoon tabloid), which was launched three years ago. The publisher, Press Centre and Art Production, posted a notice saying that the National Media Council in a letter dated February 14 instructed the company to stop printing and publishing its newspapers.

It is believed the three newspapers had no licence.

Read More - 400 employees of shutdown dailies face uncertain future - Gulf News

The Emirates Evening Post was the only evening paper being printed in English in the UAE. Just less than a year back, the newspaper had revamped their logo and come out with a fresh layout and design.

The Emirates Evening Post along with its Urdu and Malayalam sister papers cornered a small yet loyal readership which allowed it to thrive despite stiff competition from larger newspapers like Gulf News, Khaleej Times, 7 days and Emirates Today.

The three options given to the staff - "go on a long leave, resign or take a release" clearly reflects the uncertainty of the future of the newspaper. It's coverage and emphasis lay in UAE centric stories. The paper was also acknowledged for its social and local reporting.

It will be a loss for the newspaper community, among whom the Emirates Evening Post will be fondly remembered as a launch pad for many journalists who today are in the mainline UAE English newspapers. It is never a good day when a newspaper closes down.

Related Articles:
UAE's only evening newspaper closes - Arabian Business.com
400 employees of shutdown dailies face uncertain future - Gulf News

Passing of the Old Guard. Boris Yeltsin 1931 -2007

2007-04-23T23:16:00.000+04:00

Boris Yeltsin 1931 - 2007 (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianchenko)

Moment of History: Boris Yeltsin stands on a tank to defy coup. ~AP

Former president Boris Yeltsin, the first Russian President after the fall of the Soviet Union, died on Monday at the age of 76 according to a statement from the Kremlin.

Russian politicians have remained for young adults, names from history text books which have an aura and awe from the mention of their names and ideologies. Yet most of the younger adult generation would only remember the era of the fall of the mighty USSR under the leadership of Michael Gorbachev to a new Russian Federation under the new president Boris Yeltsin.

For most young adults as myself remember the live coverage from Parliament headquarters in Russia on BBC and CNN in 1991 of Boris Yeltsin on a tank. The importance or impact of those images did not seem of much importance in those years. But reflecting back to those years, one cannot help thinking how inadvertently television gave us a ring side view of events which stand out as landmarks in 20th century politics.

Boris Yeltsin became a household name worldwide overnight in August 1991, when he mobilized the people of Russia from the top of a tank turret to protest and successfully thwart the attempted coup against Micheal Gorbachev. On 6 November, 1991 Yeltsin decreed the dissolution of the Communist party on Russian territory. Then on 8th December, Yeltsin and the presidents of Ukraine and Belarus proclaimed the dissolution of the Soviet Union. It was the death of a superpower. One of the two powers which had the world on the edge with the threat of nuclear annihilation in the height of the Cold War with the other existing super power USA.

Yeltsin's death may not have the relevance or even a tinge of importance to the present college going generation, who can claim he was from of a time before they can remember. Yet, today with his passing it should be noted with a tinge of nostalgia rather than that one of sorrow that the world is silently witnessing the passing of statesmen who changed irrevocably the world we live in today. They were the men, when at the height of their power held the world's destiny in their hands. The men who shaped the world we live in after the shadows of the world wars and cold war. Boris Yeltsin with Michael Gorbachev will be remembered as the last of the Old Guard of a Russia, once under the red legacy of the Communist USSR.

"A man must live like a great, bright flame and burn as brightly as he can. In the end he burns out. But this is better than a mean, little flame.'' ~ Boris Yeltsin

"Russia must enter the new millennium with new politicians, with new faces, with new, smart, strong, energetic people. And we who have been in power for many years already, we must go."~ Boris Yeltsin (Farewell Speech on 1999 New Year Eve)

Boris Yeltsin (R) talks to Communist Party General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev in Moscow in this 1991 file photo. (Alexander Natrus/Reuters)

Former President Bill Clinton (R) wipes away tears of laughter as he leans on former Russian President Boris Yeltsin in New York in this October 23, 1995 file photo.(Rick Wilking/Reuters)

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat kisses Russian President Boris Yeltsin during their meeting in Moscow's Kremlin in this Feb. 18, 1997 file photo. Associated Press

Related Articles:
Russia plans day of mourning for Yeltsin - Associated Press
Key dates in Boris Yeltsin's turbulent career - Times of India
Boris Yeltsin 1931-2007 - Google News Links
World Leader's Tribute to Boris Yeltsin - Guardian Unlimited
Boris Yeltsin - A picture tribute - Yahoo.com

Collapse of the USSR - 10 years on - BBC News
Eyewitness: Inside Yeltsin's bunker - BBC News

Does a Wall Imprison or Protect?

2007-04-23T00:17:00.000+04:00

Areas to be walled off. (Ap/Gulf News)

The grand plan of the allied peace makers in Iraq to build a wall to separate warring communities in Iraq is being met with aghast reactions from people around the world. Can they do that? How can they do that? Is it feasible? The fact remains the wall is being built whether anyone likes it or not.

This will be of no significant surprise to history buffs who know the 'allied peace makers' passion in building walls and enclosed communities. This wall in Iraq is another 'Berlin Wall' or similar to a wall being built all over Palestine. It should also be noted that in history the so called "peace makers" are known and documented for their innovative idea and creation of reservations where Red Indians were herded and kept under lock and key supposedly for their own safety and well being. Will Iraq have separate reservations to keep the warring factions apart? Will it become the next reservation country?

"Resident Khalid Ibrahim said the wall will only divide Iraqis. "This is good if it is temporary, to help the area with security problems. But if this wall stays for the long term, it will be a catastrophe for the residents," Ibrahim said." Gulf News (Sunnis fear wall dividing Iraq)

Politics of today bring to mind stories from childhood which are perfect metaphors for the prevalent situations.

Story: Once upon a time there was a piece of bread and two cats in the same neighbourhood. There was contention for the piece of bread. Obviously there was a judge around, a monkey in this case and the matter was presented to him. He "generously" agreed to resolve the matter by dividing the piece into two equal parts. But Alas! the parts were not equal. The cat with the smaller piece complained. So the monkey took a bite from the bigger piece only to find that it became smaller than the other. Now the other cat complained. Monkey was only too happy to continue offering his services and with each passing iteration ended up with a fuller stomach. Soon the bread piece reduced to an invisible size and the cats returned home being hungry equals!

It cannot be more obvious, as to who is the monkey and who are the cats. Yet, the fact remains that peace to the region will only come when the cats realize that conflicts can only come to an end when they both come to an amicable understanding and do not require the services of the mediating monkey anymore. But as long as the fetters of ethnic community, religion, caste, tribe, nationality, beliefs and ideologies chain humankind, peace is a far cry!

“We learn from history that we do not learn anything from history.”

Related Links:
Sunnis fear wall dividing Iraqis - Gulf News
US general: No end to bomb attacks - Gulf News

Online Profiles - A future self created memorial?

2007-04-18T18:33:00.000+04:00

Front Page of DNA newspaper published in Mumbai

Screen shot from Minal Panchal's profile on Orkut.com

~ Freemind Pictures

Can the page you create for yourself on a networking site become your own online memorial?

Can the fact you are a member of an online community emotionally connect with total strangers in the event of your demise? This seems to be the case in the tragic death of Minal Panchal. She was one of the 32 lives taken by a crazed student who went on a shooting spree in the Virgina Tech Campus, before turning the gun on himself.

For the first two days, the media reported Minal Panchal (26) a first year student at Virginia Tech missing while continuously reporting on the death of Indian Professor G V Loganathan (51). As the hours passed, her name spread from one news media to the next resulting in a search for her in the only place people could - "online." The search led to her Orkut profile (a Google networking site) by netizens across the world. The media had no information about her, excpet for testimonials written by her friends on her profile page.

At first messages posted were by friends, asking her to confirm that she was safe, later it quickly turned to condolence messages as the media confirmed her death. From a few hundred scraps, the number of messages have reached 16682 and still counting. Thousands of friends and more importantly strangers who only came to know of her from the news media are posting messages on her profile. What was it about her that connected to the thousands of strangers only linked by the fact they were members of the same networking site?

It is a reflection of changing times where society is redefining the concept of condolence books to using Internet sites as a medium of online mourning. While, students in the United States used Facebook and other networking sites, netizens in Asia logged into Orkut to pay their respects.

The Internet continues to change the way people live their lives. Now it goes one step further. When people sign up into networking sites, they create a page for others to link up and exchange online messages, share videos & photographs and even write testimonials about each other. They even have forums for like minded people to join and discuss issues and events.

Today, it has undergone a transformation as a self created page which has the potential in the future to become an online memorial to yourself, where family, friends and acquaintances from around the world could meet up to share their grief and comfort each other in the event of your death. An errie thought, but a very realistic one.

It may all have to do with the very fact, Orkut users were able to see a picture, a profile to which they would relate too. The little details of her life, such as her likes, dislikes, characteristics, hobbies all filled in by Minal herself or her friends gave her an identity which made her more than a mere number in the list of causalities. "Unintentionally that opened doors for people to be more connected to her death. Its made it more personal for you and me. More real!" ~Nefere

This will not be the last of the outpouring of grief for a victim on a networking site. As the Internet gets more and more public, we allow ourselves to become part of an online world where we do not have to be celebrities to be noticed, but by virtue of being a member perhaps in the future people around the world will share your joys, sorrows and even grieve for you at your passing. The photo albums, videos, blogs and profiles would be the online memorials for people to visit as tribute to the works and life of another common person that they could relate too in a virtual world.

Grief knits two hearts in closer bonds than happiness ever can; and common sufferings are far stronger links than common joys. ~Alphonse de Lamartine (French writer & poet)

Related Articles:
Missing Mumbai student dead - Mumbai Mid Day
Korean’s rage kills city girl Minal Panchal in US shootout - DNA (Mumbai)
Minal's dreams brought her to Virginia Tech from Mumbai - Times of India
Virginia Tech Shooting Leaves 33 Dead - The New York Times
IITians lose one of their 'brightest' - Times of India

Jewel Thieves strike Dubai Mall

2007-04-17T19:26:00.000+04:00

From the front page of The Emirates Evening Post (17 April, 2007)

From the Emirates Today front page (17 April, 2007)

From the Khaleej Times front page (17 April, 2007)

From the Gulf News front page (17 April, 2007)

It has been two days since the great Wafi City shopping mall heist which have been discussed bare and analyzed from every angle possible by the whole of Dubai and perhaps every member of the UAE Blogging community. Yet, like all good stories, the real story comes to light, only in the days after the crime when the finer details are revealed by the investigating authorities.

As of today, the cat and mouse game has begun where the cops are on the hunt and the thieves are on the run. The robbery lasted 1 minute and 45 seconds which resulted in a loss of jewellery worth 54 million dirhams.

This is not the first time that a robbery has happened in Wafi City shopping mall. Last year, Ahmed Al Siddique and Sons stores in Wafi City and BurJuman Center were broken into and thieves made off with a number of expensive watches from the stores worth hundreds of thousands of dirhams. That case was quickly cracked by the police.

This robbery however, which happened around 10 p.m. on Sunday night in front of shoppers have been the talk of the town. The malls are the lifeline for most expats in Dubai and the very fact armed thieves could drive in and drive out have made people think twice when visiting malls.

This is not the old Dubai, that one grew up in. The days when shops were left shut without locks, while Friday prayers were held. The old sleepy town where almost every one knew each other . That has passed into the history books. Now, Dubai with its tag line of being a global city is not only attracting tourists and business but also catching the eye of international criminals who are supposedly behind the latest heist.

The Dubai Police having completed a distinguished 50 golden years are now faced with solving crimes worthy of a Hollywood movie on the likes of Ocean's Eleven. While the cat and mouse game continues, people throng Wafi City to get a glimpse of the robbed store while security experts work with Dubai Police on making the mall experience a safer experience!

Related Articles:
Wafi heist: Airports, exit points on red alert - The Evening Post
Selling stolen Graff diamonds in UAE next to impossible: Experts - The Evening Post
Curious shoppers throng mall- The Evening Post
Dubai Police to train security guards - The Evening Post
Dh54m Dubai heist: Hunt continues for armed robbers - Khaleej Times
Wafi robbers 'highly skilled' - Gulf News
Shopping centre employees worried - Gulf News
Armed robbers raid Wafi jewellery store- Gulf News

Jawbreaking Parents!

2007-04-13T14:11:00.000+04:00

“Anger is a brief madness.”

~ Horace (Ancient Roman Poet)

Every individual always has this fear what will happen if their parents loose their cool and become angry. But what happens if it is not your parent who is angry but the parent of the person you are fighting with?

"A woman who beat up a teenager causing permanent disfigurement of his teeth, has been ordered by the Federal Supreme Court to pay Dh8,000 as compensation to the father of the victim. The woman had attacked the boy while he was engaged in a fight with her son at the time." ~ Khaleej Times (Woman told to pay damages for injuring teenager)

That woman must have been one powerful lady to cause permanent disfigurement of the teenager she beat up. This is one jawbreaker the none of the two in the fight will forget in a hurry!

“Anger punishes itself”

A twist in Journalistic perspectives?

2007-04-12T22:43:00.000+04:00

Do you wonder what journalists hear? Have you wondered, do they write what they hear? Or do they just write what they want to hear despite what may have been said is totally opposite to what was written!

What happens when two reporters speak to the same source and give us two different stories, especially when the two reporters are from the same newspaper group? Please note the contrasting views between Gulf News and its new sister concern the Xpress, pasted one after the other.

Event: Seminar on 'Seismic Hazards in the Gulf'
Speaker: Angus McFarlane, Technical Director of Building Structures, Hyder Consulting Middle East.
Organizer: Dubai Municipality in cooperation with Hyder Consulting Middle East.
Date: 11 April 2007

Gulf News headline: Earthquake risk in Dubai 'lower than that of London'
Xpress headline: Earthquake Risk For Low-Rises

Gulf News: The seismic risk in Dubai is lower than that of London and it is not dangerous as has been reported in some risk assessment reports, said an expert.
Xpress: A major earthquake could “flatten” low-rise neighbourhoods since Dubai’s building code has only quake-proofed buildings five stories and higher, warned a seismic engineer yesterday at a municipal conference.

Gulf News: "There is also no possibility of a tsunami in this region because Arabian Gulf waters are not deep enough to trigger a tsunami," said Angus McFarlane, Technical Director of Building Structures at Hyder Consulting Middle East.
Xpress: Tough revisions are needed to the city’s building code to standardise the future construction of all buildings in Dubai, tall or short, said Angus McFarlane of Hyder Consulting Middle East.

Gulf News: Khalid Mohammad Saleh, Director of the Building Department at Dubai Municipality, ... "While the UAE is relatively safe from seismic activity due to the nature of its soil, there is a growing national emphasis on seismic risk assessment and seismic design requirements for new structures," he said.
Xpress: The current 1997 building code, says McFarlane, imposes tight earthquake design specifications for high-rise construction but completely ignores buildings four stories and under.
Smaller buildings, he said “are stiffer and therefore attract a higher proportion of seismic loading than taller buildings”.

Gulf News:"Minimum distance to Zagros Fault from the UAE is 120km but Dubai is not at high risk in case of any seismic movement on the fault," said McFarlane.
Xpress: McFarlane called the lack of building code coverage for shorter buildings “totally illogical” given that there is a real, but remote, chance of damage from quake activity in what is known as the dormant fault off the UAE coast and highly active areas of southern Iran.

It is mind boggling to think both reporters were at the same press conference! Who was hearing what? Did they all play Chinese whisper or copy it off the press release? The issue does not arise on the possibility of an earthquake, which neither paper deny? Rather, the question is - what are the reporters reporting?

The Gulf News reporter seems to be dismissing all the possible warnings issued by "the expert" and does not even see the bigger story, that buildings 'four stories or under' in Dubai are not earthquake proof - which make up most of Dubai barring SZR, Marina and a a few places in Deira and Bur Dubai! Did the Xpress reporter catch on onto the larger picture of what was being said? You decide!

“We are so cleverly manipulated and influenced by the media and establishments on both the right and left, that the truth has become hopelessly lost in semantics.” ~ Jules Carlysle (Canadian Author and Humorist)

Related Articles:
Earthquake risk in Dubai 'lower than that of London' - Gulf News
Earthquake Risk For Low-Rises - Xpress
UAE plans earthquake monitoring centre - Gulf News
Earthquake hits UAE's East Coast - Gulf News
Bigger quake possible, says academic - Gulf News

Is 1 Terabyte hard disk, enough storage space?

2007-04-11T23:32:00.000+04:00

The world's first 1 terabyte Hard Disk (DS 7K1000) from Hitachi

333,000 high-resolution, 3MB JPEG photos; 250,000 MP3s (4MB per song); about 250 hours of high-definition video--the equivalence of about 125 movies--encoded as 9 Mbps MPEG-4 video - that's the capacity of the new Hitachi 1 Terabyte (1000 gigabytes) hard disk released in the market.

In a world where finding enough storage space is like finding parking slots in rush hour traffic. It is a far cry from the early days of the 5.25 Floppy disks (with maximum storage of 360 KB on a double-sided format). Hitachi Global Storage Technologies was the first to announce the 1-terabyte hard disk drive, and Dell became the first computer manufacturer to offer the 1 terabyte hard disk with their systems from March 2007.

With the Dell price tag fixed at around $540 ( around 2,000 AED) for the 1TB drive, it won't be long before it becomes the standard hard disk in systems at home.

There is a saying “No matter how fast your computer system runs, you will eventually come to think of it as slow.” This can rightly be modified to “No matter how much storage your computer system has, you will eventually come to think of it as not enough.”

Related Articles
Official page of the 1 terabyte (1TB) page - Hitachi Global Storage Technologies
Hitachi Introduces 1-Terabyte Hard Drive - PcWorld.com
1-Terabyte-Drive PCs Coming from Dell - PcWorld.com
Dell Starts Shipping PCs with 1TB Hard Drives - DailyTech.com

World bids adieu to The Wizard of ID

2007-04-09T22:41:00.000+04:00

Johnny Hart

In life, there are the little things which brighten your day - make you smile at moments when it was most needed. No, it is not the people around you, rather a comic strip in a newspaper, something so small in the pages and pages of information one comes across in a single day. Yet, the words of prehistoric men, ants, turtles, snakes, wizards and a despotic king frozen in the captions were filled with irony, reality and wisdom unmasking the humor in everyday life. That was the magic of Johnny Hart

American cartoonist Johnny Hart, known as the creator of the comic strip B.C. and co-creator of the strip The Wizard of Id, has died of a stroke at his home in Nineveh, N.Y., at 76. The funeral is scheduled for Friday, his wife of 55 years, Bobby, told AP. She said he was working at his drawing table at the time of his death.

Hart's "B.C." strip was launched in 1958 and eventually appeared in more than 1,300 newspapers with an audience of 100 million, according to Creators Syndicate Inc., which distributes it.

After he graduated from Union-Endicott High School, Hart met Brant Parker, a young cartoonist who became a prime influence and eventual co-creator with Hart of "The Wizard of Id" in 1964.

Besides his wife, Hart is survived by two daughters, Patti and Perri. He was a native of Endicott, about 135 miles northwest of New York City, and drew his comic strip at a studio in his home in Nineveh until the day he died.

We will miss your wisdom through your immortal cavemen, animals, wizards and kings. Rest in Peace!

By bouncing a word, visually, you're putting in an inflection, you know, the way a sentence should be if somebody heard it spoken. And I think a lot of humor depends on inflection, how a person says something. Certain things you could say as a question, and as a statement. ~ Johnny Hart

Wizard of ID by Johnny Hart - www.comics.com

B.C. by Johnny Hart - www.creators.com

Wizard of ID - comic site
B.C. - comic site

Lights out gets you Shopping vouchers!

2007-04-08T22:37:00.000+04:00

Today Khaleej Times carried an unusual report where "a woman was given gift vouchers worth Dh.200 and an apology by a shopping centre in Abu Dhabi when it switched off the lights for the night. It seems the woman panicked when the lights were switched off as she was still shopping inside the mall all alone.

“When the lights were switched off, she got scared. Therefore, she complained to us,” said Ahmed Rashid Al Mansouri, Head of the Consumer Protection Section at the department, adding that the complaint was the first of its kind. Shopping centres should not switch off the lights after the end of the official working hours without checking if there’s any shopper left inside, Al Mansouri warned. He said if malls fail to comply with this, strict actions will be taken against them."

With all due respect for the petrified lady, one does wonder where did the shopping centre staff vanish? Did all the employees of the stores leave on the sly leaving behind a customer in the store? So much for security of the shops and an eye opener to the shop owners!

With shopping vouchers up for grabs, shopping center and mall securities better watch out for opportunists hiding in the stores humming - "Baby when the lights go out!"

Related Article
Mall leaves female shopper in the dark - Khaleej Times

Aspirations of Women!

2007-04-07T23:54:00.000+04:00

"Take four wives, urges Bahrain MP," on the Gulf News front page (5 April 2007) threw open a debate in context to women's rights and their commodification. The independent Bahraini lawmaker stated his view, "We do not want to have spinsters in the country and we do not want a rise in the divorce rate either. Taking more than one wife is the solution, and I advise that the members of the Council of Representatives should set the example."

His request to his male peers to take four wives, three Bahraini women and one foreigner, in order to help address the issue of the high number of spinsters in the country, is clearly mentioned in the article as uttered in a light tone (what ever that meant).

Today's Gulf News had another article "Aspirations of young UAE women revealed" which stated, "The majority of Emirati women would prefer spinsterhood to being a second wife, according to statistics revealed at a workshop held at one of the leading universities in Sharjah."

The article also stated that the research among Emirati women revealed that 65 percent planned on working immediately after graduating from university, while only one per cent planned to stay at home.

This is a positive sign of women's empowerment and awakening in the UAE, by a new generation who want equality of genders and wish to make meaningful contributions in the once conservative Middle Eastern society.

On March 8th, International Women's Day, a Gulf News article on women around the world, mentioned "Women in the Islamic republic have been pushing for equal rights and the nullification of a law allowing men in Iran to have four wives. And in Afghanistan, two million girls have returned to school since the fall of the ultraconservative Taliban regime - but widespread discrimination and domestic violence persist..."

Noeleen Heyzer, executive director of the UN Development Fund for Women, said "89 countries currently have legislative provisions on domestic violence, 104 countries have made marital rape a crime, 90 countries have provisions against sexual harassment, and 93 states prohibit trafficking of women and men."

Today's article stating the aspirations of the UAE women and the apt reply to the "Four wives Solution" by a fellow Council Member Hassan Al Dossari, who stated "Please, just speak for yourself" are to be seen as positive signs of gender equality and empowerment which is silently sweeping the region.

However, the first article "Take four wives, urges Bahrain MP" noted that, "Latifa Al Gaood, the only woman in the lower council, preferred not to comment". A point to ponder indeed! "Men are not the enemy, but the fellow victims. The real enemy is women's denigration of themselves." ~Betty Friedan, American Feminist & Social Activist.

I never doubted that equal rights was the right direction.
Most reforms, most problems are complicated. But to me there is nothing complicated about ordinary equality.
~ Alice Stokes Paul, American suffragist leader

Global Warming Could Wipe Out ¼ Of All Species!

2007-04-06T22:04:00.000+04:00

The United Nations on Friday issued its most dramatic warning yet about the potentially catastrophic effects of climate change on the planet. More than 100 countries represented in the UN's panel on climate change spent a tense Thursday night in Brussels trying to agree unanimously on the language of a final draft.

The report, prepared by more than 2,500 scientists for the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), provides the first confirmation from the entire international scientific community that the burning of fossil fuels by humans is one of the main culprits of global warming.

The report claims that global warming will lead to desertification, droughts and rising seas and that those living in the tropics will be the worst hit -- from sub-Saharan Africa to the Pacific islands. Billions could face water shortages, and ocean levels might rise for centuries to come. It could lead to a sharp drop in crop yields in Africa and bring heatwaves to Europe and North America. Europe's Alpine glaciers will disappear and much of the coral that comprises Australia's Great Barrier Reef will die from bleaching.

"The urgency of this report prepared by the world's top scientists should be matched by an equally urgent response from governments," said Hans Verolme, director of the global climate change program at the conservation organization WWF. "Doing nothing is not an option."

Read the full article "Report Confirms Climate Change Is a Fact",© SPIEGEL ONLINE 2007.

Related Articles
World Scientists: Global Warming Could Wipe Out ¼ Of All Species - NBC 10.com
Scientists, governments clash over warming report - Reuters
Emissions Already Affecting Climate, Report Finds - The New York Times

Read the Full Report at the Official Website of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

Clean Air is a necessity, not a luxury!

2007-04-04T21:08:00.000+04:00

Pollution in Dubai! The world's tallest tower under construction, the Burj Dubai appears significantly dwarfed by the smoke or smog in the air. The thick grey haze hanging over Shaikh Zayed Road (SZR) on most mornings is a disturbing sight and one which evokes serious thought on the air we breathe each day.

In a Gulf News article "UAE air samples to be scrutinised", it is interesting to note how researchers commented "We didn't want to capture air from highways which we know is polluted from the exhausts. " Talk about stating the obvious!

"Previous research discovered a level of ozone which was around 30 to 40 per cent higher than the levels over nearby stations in Isfahan and New Delhi. Unnaturally high ozone levels are hazardous to humans, animals and plant health. Different research models show that the region is a hot spot for the level of ozone reacting with petrol chemicals which is a precursor of smog...

The research has been called for and funded by the Ministry of Presidential Affairs in Abu Dhabi and will be undertaken alongside the UAE Meteorological Department and the National Centre for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, Colorado, USA."

It does not take research, rather it is in plain view as seen in the photograph for the average Dubai citizen to know there is pollution in the air. The Dubai government must be lauded for its strict checks on vehicle emissions from cars, yet we see trucks belching out black smoke as they cart along heavy containers on the various roads of Dubai.

The inconsistent weather around the world and the impact of global warming is fast becoming a reality. The Dubai government has announced an environment plan as one of its top priorities to preserve the ecological balance. However, it must be the top priority for everyone in Dubai and not just the government to take steps in order to reduce this pollution. Communication scientist Marshall McLuhan stated, "There are no passengers on spaceship earth. We are all crew." It is time, we took a stand and did our little parts in saving the environment.

“There's so much pollution in the air now that if it weren't for our lungs there'd be no place to put it all.” ~Robert Orben (US magician and comedy writer)

Related Articles
Mohammad approves Dubai's environmental plan - Gulf News
UAE air samples to be scrutinised - Gulf News
An Inconvenient Truth - Official Site of the 2007 Oscar Winning Documentary on Global Warming

Every path has its puddle

2007-04-02T20:38:00.000+04:00

“Every path has its puddle” ~ Proverb

Perhaps all we need to do is to look behind us once in a while; to see the patterns we leave in our wake. ~ Nefere

Read "Thunderstorm lashes Dubai"~ Gulf News

A Time to purge the National Madness!

2007-03-25T00:23:00.000+04:00

Indian cricket fans use black paint to deface pictures of Indian cricketers in Mumbai. (AFP Photo)

Dejected cricket fans mount portrait of Dhoni and Ganguly on a donkey and take out a procession in Ahmedabad on Saturday. (TOI Photo)

Cricket fans burn posters of the Indian cricket team as a form of protest in Allahabad on Saturday. (AP Photo)

Never in modern Indian history, unless it was war against Pakistan, has one single incident united the hundreds of political parties and politicians ranging from the extreme Right to the extreme Left including the Middle secular parties.

An outraged political establishment called for an inquiry into India's shockingly pusillanimous performance in the cricket World Cup and demanded that the administration of the game be made more accountable so that national prestige did not take a hammering as it has in the West Indies.

Cutting across party divides, MPs said that commitment of the players to the game was clearly questionable as commercial interests seemed to have been accorded a higher priority.

India has always been a cricket crazy nation just like all its sub continent neighbours who are also "in" and "out" of the World Cup. But the shame of Big Brother India loosing out to little brothers Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have been bitter pills to swallow for Team India which endorses everything from underwear to toothpaste to the devoted public.

Anyone who gets into the Indian Cricket Team is accorded demi-god status, and is quickly forgotten for better ones, as and when they are chucked out of the team. However the ones in the team can command millions for endorsements which only Bill Gates can dream off to increase sales of his Microsoft products.

Cricket must be the only business where you can make more money in one day than you can in three. ~Pat Gibson

Bob Woolmer is not the only victim of cricket. "Team India" is directly responsible for the death of three fans, two of shock-related cardiac arrests and another committed suicide. Effigies were burnt, as people took to the streets, blackening and burning posters of their ‘fallen gods’. Lewd messages were flashed across about the Indian team. s

Is it madness on the part of the fans? Well, for a country where even the poorest of poor skip daily wages to watch their gods in action, they expect nothing less than a valiant show if not victory on the battlefield of cricket. However, it is truth that most public know that the cricketers are where they are because of the fans.

Sensing the seething anger of the volatile Indian cricket fan, authorities in several cities rushed policemen to provide cover to families of Team India members and protect their homes. Whether in Ranchi, where irate fans smashed down a part of the house local icon Mahendra Singh Dhoni was constructing ..... or around Harbhajan Singh’s home in Jalandhar, police were sent in to keep mobs away as protests flared....

This World Cup however has been a major turning point for many loyal hardcore cricket fans. Faithful for decades, they shake their heads in disappointment and have vowed not to watch the game again with the same passion and vigour they had all these years.

This World Cup may be the death knell for the ICC and the shattering of pedestals created by fans to uphold the Asian teams nearer to heaven. The growth of cricket was too good to be true when it bumped off hockey as the national sport, this at a time when India and Pakistan were long time reigning Olympic Hockey Champions. Today hockey receives little or no attention in these countries and their players even more oblivious to the sports enthusiast or common man.

Will cricket too be abandoned like hockey for something else? Why not, it may soon be tennis looking at the fans Sania Mirza is gaining! Unless cricket is just enjoyed and treated like another game, History is bound to repeat itself!

The way to do it is enjoy our cricket and relax, to accept that occasionally you'll have a bad day and try to get out of bed with a smile on your face. ~Graham Thorpe

Related Articles
Now, outraged netas seek probe into Cup defeat
Angry fans bring players down from pedestal
Police guard cricketers’ homes, restaurants
Early exit: India Inc loses money, fans heart

Murder they Bowled!

2007-03-23T13:39:00.000+04:00

Bob Woolmer in a mortuary at Kingston, Jamaica
Picture by AFP, from Gulf News Cover Page

It is finally official, more official than the Pepsi's catch line "Nothing official about it", Bob Woolmer was murdered. The Jamaican Police after days of speculation have finally admitted the fact that it was no longer a mysterious death and that it is beyond proof a murder case.

This World Cup is now turning itself worthy of a Sherlock Holmes thriller. The Scotland Yard is already making it's presence felt by sending two detectives to aid investigations.

The entire Pakistan Cricket squad have been questioned and had their fingerprints taken, and now the race is on to find out the murderer. This rat chase has left the World Cup at second place in people's mind. Who cares about the Super Eight, now it is all about who are the major suspects? We have bookies, Sub-continental mafias, Irish Mafia, and even possibly some one from the Pakistan Cricket Squad. Everyone's a suspect! Now it turns out the venue of the crime was a crime scene on two earlier occasions as well.

This World Cup is turning out to be more like a script of "Murder they Bowled." It is a wait and watch game as the Jamaican Police bowl all over and see which one of the suspects will have their wickets busted and exposed as the "murderer".

One thing for sure, Greg Chappel and other team coaches will be having sleepless nights and nightmares as the "Coach Killer" is still on the loose. So much for the tagline of being the gentleman's game - it is all about the money and the off-field players who run the game now (read bookies). Just a shame that a highly talented coach had to be cricket's first high profile victim.

“Baseball and cricket are beautiful and highly stylized medieval war substitutes, chess made flesh, a mixture of proud chivalry and base - in both senses - greed” ~ John Fowles

The Bob Woolmer Conspiracy! Part 2

2007-03-21T23:18:00.000+04:00

In an earlier post - The Bob Woolmer Conspiracy! it was said that the possible assassination of Pakistan Cricket Coach Bob Woolmer could have been a creation of the media to hype the whole incident. Today however, the Jamaican Police seem to have bowled a yorker into the cricketing fraternity and into the spirit of the game with their findings.

"Police have reportedly found traces of poison on the floor of Woolmer's hotel room. There was blood on his cheek and eyes and scratches on his neck. ''There is now sufficient information to continue a full investigation of the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr Woolmer, which we are now treating as suspicious,'' said Jamaica deputy commissioner of police Mark Shields."

However, this comes on the heels of a conflicting view point from Mrs. Woolmer ruling out a conspiracy only adds fuel to the entire situation.

Ruling out the possibility of foul play in Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer's death, his widow Gill on Tuesday rubbished reports that match-fixing may have anything to do with the tragedy. "No, I don't see any conspiracy in his death. I am aware that his death is being viewed as a suspicious death. He had nothing to do with the match fixing controversy and any such person being involved is highly unlikely. We never got any threats as far as I know," Gill told NDTV .

However, if the Jamaican Police do uncover some sinister plot behind Woolmer's death, then it would be the darkest period of International Cricket. The International Cricket Council is been trying hard to project a clean image after several incidents of match fixing and alleged links of players to international bookies who roll millions of dollars per match.

It is also akin to Colombian football which has seen a number of high profile violent incidents, with coaches and players often victim to the violence fuelled by the country's cocaine trade.

"National team defender Andres Escobar was murdered in 1994 shortly after returning from the World Cup in the United States. Many fans had blamed Escobar for Colombia's elimination after he scored an own goal in a match against the USA, and it was rumoured that the gunmen who killed him had previously been taunting him over the error. " ~ www.eurosport.com (Also read Football's day of shame - BBC Sport)

It also a repeat of an incident in January when "An American footballer was shot dead in a drive-by shooting yesterday hours after his team was dramatically knocked out of the Super Bowl play-offs. The Denver Broncos cornerback, Darrent Williams, was killed and two other people were injured when his limousine was sprayed with bullets in the centre of Denver."

In fact, former Pakistan cricketer Sarfaraz Nawaz has not only called it a murder but has accused an international betting mafia - also involving ICC and Pakistan board officials, match referees and umpires - of doing in Woolmer. He said that Woolmer was about to spill the beans on this syndicate in a forthcoming book.

There is also another conspiracy theory about Pakistan's startling and unexpected defeat against Ireland. According to it, the match might have been fixed and Woolmer possibly got to know about it. No doubt those who put their money on Ireland made a killing, but it must be stressed that this theory has no basis so far.

It is not a good day for cricket, the attention has shifted from "Who will win the World Cup" to 'Who killed Bob Woolmer." Not exactly the kind of publicity that the organizers and sponsors of the World Cup would have liked.

It is should be noted that the 1986 Mexico World Cup Football is only remembered by a single incident - the Hand of God by Diego Maradona. In the same manner, unless something happens to eclipse the death of Bob Woomer this edition of the World Cup Cricket in West Indies will be remembered only for Bob Woolmer.

Related Articles
Woolmer's widow rules out conspiracy in death
Poison found in Woolmer's room
Jamaican cops treating Woolmer death as 'suspicious'
Woolmer post-mortem inconclusive, say PCB

Special Coverage: Bob Woolmer - A Mystery Death

Part 1 - The Bob Woolmer Conspiracy!

Morning Blaze!

2007-03-21T00:01:00.000+04:00

A building under construction on the Sheikh Zayed Road caught fire at around 6 am, bringing the entire Dubai traffic to a crawl. Luckily there were no mishaps or loss of life or injuries.

For more up close pictures and detailed reports, read "Tower fire causes Shaikh Zayed Road closure." (Gulf News)

A spark neglected makes a mighty fire. ~Robert Herrick, English poet

The Bob Woolmer Conspiracy!

2007-03-19T21:29:00.000+04:00

The unfortunate death of Bob Woolmer, the Pakistan Cricket Coach less than 24 hours after their humiliating defeat to minnows Ireland in the Cricket World Cup has shocked the cricketing world. Theories floated by the media include drug overdose, stress induced heart attack, suicide and who knows according to the word on the streets, it could have even been a possible assassination!

If poor Bob was coach of any other team, his untimely end would have been condoned as unfortunate and the passing on of a respected coach. However, being the Pakistani coach, surely the media might be looking for a connection between a "organized hit" either by the bookies who lost millions in that match or who knows maybe even by the General himself in order to draw away attention from the deteriorating home situation.

A media conjured conspiracy that can only rival the JFK assassination, who or what killed Bob Woolmer? Let the man rest in peace and wait for the official word from the Jamaican authorities on the cause of death. It is an open plea to the Mainstream Media not to bore its audiences with irrelevant theories and interviews. Then again, maybe, just maybe there could be an angle which was overlooked and in reality it could have been the Irish Mafia - who may have lost millions betting against their own team.

Bob Woolmer will be forever immortalized throughout Pakistan and by millions of cricketing fans by the very circumstances of his passing.

With all respect to Woolmer, Rest in Peace Bob!

Nature Green!

2007-03-19T20:30:00.000+04:00

Verde que te quiero verde. Verde viento. Verde ramas.
Green I love you green. Green Wind. Green branches.
~Federico García Lorca,
Spanish poet and dramatist.

Riding into a Dubai Sunset!

2007-03-11T22:21:00.000+04:00

Wadi Bloom!

2007-03-11T21:02:00.000+04:00

“Full many a flower is born to blush unseen, And waste its sweetness on the desert air” ~Thomas Gray (English Poet)

A Journey from Hatta to Dubai!

2007-03-09T00:03:00.000+04:00

Freemind Pictures ©

Freemind Pictures ©

Freemind Pictures ©

Freemind Pictures ©

Big Red on the Dubai - Hatta Road
Freemind Pictures ©

That's not ants on the dune, but hundreds of quad bikes!
Freemind Pictures ©

Freemind Pictures ©

Buildings on a Bridge!

2007-03-08T18:00:00.000+04:00

The Sheikh Zayed Road skyline appears to be built on the flyover.

Hanging up boots!

2007-03-06T21:32:00.000+04:00

Wonder what those cowboy boots are doing there? Never seen a Cowboy in Dubai! Must have hung up his boots and left!

Pune Rave Party Busted!

2007-03-05T22:46:00.000+04:00

The Indian Police yesterday created records of sorts in busting one of the largest rave parties being held under the guise of a Holi party being held at a farm house in the outskirts of Pune city.

"An international drug racket was exposed during an all-night raid on a rave party near Pune where as many as 280 youths, including an international disc jockey, his Chennai-based counterpart, air-hostesses, IT professionals, call centre employees and students from Mumbai, Pune, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Haryana were nabbed on Sunday." (Pune rave bust: BPO execs among 280 held - Times of India)

News Camera Crews competed with each other to give exclusive footage of hundreds of youths being hauled off into the police station on the several dozen Indian news channels. This was definitely an eye opener and confirmation to the changing trends and a glimpse into party scenes among middle class youths, which earlier was associated with "rich spoiled brats." The newly moneyed youths, an outcome of the call center phenomena is rearing its ugly head in a situation where there is too much money and no idea what to do with it.

However, on the more positive note, kudos to the young men and women police officers who were able to mingle in plain clothes with the crowd and surround the whole venue before beginning the bust.

"The police seized seven bottles of phenyl fine hydrochloride, which they suspect the youths were consuming. The samples from the bottles have been sent to a forensic laboratory for further tests. Apart from these bottles, police recovered two and half kg of marijuana (ganja), 100 gram of hashish (charas), beer cans, cigarettes, music systems, a car and mobile phones, totally worth Rs 5 lakh." (Pune rave bust: BPO execs among 280 held - Times of India)

It is said that sms and the networking site 'Orkut' were the tools of the organizers in gathering a crowd from several cities. "The students arrested will undergo tests to confirm whether they consumed drugs or not. If the tests are positive, they will get a minimum sentence of two-three years."(zeenews.com)

At night however, Times of India reported "All the 271 youths who were arrested for attending a Pune rave party, and some of them for possessing illegal drugs, were granted bail by a session court on Monday. The youths have to pay Rs 30, 000 each for securing bail. The organisers of the party were denied bail and have been sent to police custody."

“Drug misuse is not a disease, it is a decision, like the decision to step out in front of a moving car. You would call that not a disease but an error of judgement.”
~ Philip K. Dick (American Writer)

Tutankhamun on a Public Bus!

2007-03-02T20:52:00.000+04:00

In a literally eye catching advertisement, Eithad Airways has used the Eye of Tutankhamun from his death mask on the back of the Public Transport Buses in Dubai.

The Eye is an important symbol of ancient Egypt. It is known as the "Eye of Horus" or originally as "The Eye of Ra." A symbol of protection and power, from the deity Horus or Ra.

However, this is one eye that is not going to blink and will catch many an eye as the public bus takes it's daily routes across the city of Dubai.

“Every closed eye is not sleeping, and every open eye is not seeing.” ~ Bill Cosby (American Actor and Comedian)

“Bad artists copy. Good artists steal.”

2007-02-28T22:39:00.000+04:00

Picasso’s “Maya With Doll”

Paris: Thieves have stolen two Picasso paintings with a combined value of more than US$50m from his granddaughters house. The paintings - Maya with Doll and one of his second wife Jacqueline - were taken from the home in Paris on Monday night. ~ Gulf News

It is surely not jealous artists who have stolen Picasso's paintings, but in all probability professional art thieves. “Bad artists copy. Good artists steal.”~ these words by Pablo Picasso and the sheer brilliance of his paintings prompt art lovers, to go to any extent to posses one of his original works. Picasso's work's rank among the most expensive paintings in the world. "Garçon à la pipe"- sold for USD $104 million at Sotheby's on May 4, 2004, establishing a new price record. (Wikipedia)

"According to the Art Loss Register , a major database of stolen and missing art, there are currently 444 missing Picasso pieces — a function of the artist’s prolific nature, in addition to his popularity, according to Antonia Kimbell, a staff member of the Register, speaking to The A.P.

Ms. Kimbell also addressed the age-old question, arising when art of such widespread familiarity is swiped: What kind of money can a thief expect to make, if everyone recognizes a piece as stolen? A pittance, Ms. Kimball suggested, if anything at all, on the black market. Buyers are afraid to touch them.

“It’s unlikely a legitimate dealer would purchase or acquire any of these pieces,” Kimbell said."
~The New York Times

"Give me a museum and I'll fill it." ~ Pablo Picasso

It has been estimated that Picasso produced about 13,500 paintings or designs, 100,000 prints or engravings, 34,000 book illustrations and 300 sculptures or ceramics. (Wikipedia)

I don't own any of my own paintings because a Picasso original costs several thousand dollars -- it's a luxury I can't afford. ~ Pablo Picasso

It is indeed a luxury which will have the Organized Crime Department of the French Police having a few sleepless nights as pressure mounts to find the art work reportedly valued at USD 65 Million.

When I was a child, my mother said to me, 'If you become a soldier, you'll be a general. If you become a monk you'll end up as the pope.' Instead I became a painter and wound up as Picasso. ~ Pablo Picasso

Afternoon Stories!

2007-02-27T22:42:00.000+04:00

Emirates Towers against the afternoon sun.
Freemind Pictures ©

More the stories, higher the building! Buildings on Shaikh Zayed Road gleaming in the afternoon sun!
Freemind Pictures ©

A moment of peace in the morning rush!

2007-02-27T22:27:00.000+04:00

Freemind Pictures ©

The stillness of the early morning scene enables me to take in and enjoy many things which pass me by during the bustle of the day. First, there are the scents, which seem even more generous with their offerings than they are in the evening.
~Rosemary Verey

A patch of green next to Sheikh Zayed Road, on of the busiest roads in Dubai.
Freemind Pictures ©

“Let us go in; the fog is rising.”

2007-02-26T22:18:00.000+04:00

Silhouette of the SZR towers in the morning fog!
Freemind Pictures ©

Shadow theatre with a mixture of sun light and fog.
Freemind Pictures ©

A walk in Fog Park?

Vehicles at a crawling pace, searching for the road ahead!

It was not a day to drive around, with visibility dropping down to less than hundred meters! The fog covered Dubai, Sharjah, Umm Al Quwain and certain parts of Al Ain. Emily Dickinson perhaps did have a reason when she said, "let us go in, the fog is rising" considering the accident rates which predictably shoot up when ever it drizzles let alone rains, or in the case of fog, and not to forget dust storms.

The final toll of yesterday's fog - 1 dead, 100 injured, 8 critically injured, 152 minor and major road accidents on Dubai roads. ~Khaleej Times

The day also saw a 35-vehicle collision on Dubai-Al Ain Road. The heavy fog yesterday morning caused severe disruption at UAE airports, causing more than 20 incoming flights to be diverted and delaying countless outbound services. ~Gulf News

Colonel Al Shamsi, director of Dubai Police Control and Command Room, said drivers should turn on their headlights so other motorists can see them. ~Gulf News The picture below only justifies why there should be an effort to make people aware of the rules of driving in different weather.

“Like a man travelling in foggy weather, those at some distance before him on the road he sees wrapped up in the fog, as well as those behind him, and also the people in the fields on each side, but near him all appears clear, though in truth he is as much in the fog as any of them.”

~Benjamin Franklin (American Statesman, Scientist, Philosopher, Printer, Writer and Inventor.)

A bus camouflaged in the fog with no rear lights! An accident waiting to happen!
Freemind Pictures ©

For more pictures, click “Let us go in; the fog is rising.”

The Fellowship of the Palm Trees!

2007-02-25T00:19:00.000+04:00

Angels whisper to a man (woman) when he (she) goes for a walk."
~ Raymond Inmon

Chimneys of Oxygen!

2007-02-22T19:26:00.000+04:00

Tree, gather up my thoughts
like the clouds in your branches.
Draw up my soul
like the waters in your root.

In the arteries of your trunk
bring me together.
Through your leaves
breathe out the sky.
~ J. Daniel Beaudry, Breath

Adieu Robert Adler!

2007-02-21T18:35:00.000+04:00

Robert Adler, co-inventor of the TV remote. (AP)

Click click click,

Television channels appear and vanish at every click. TV programs and movies flicker briefly on screen as the eye momentarily scans the channel before changing the channel again.

The remote control brought about the world famous non-Olympic sport Channel Surfing. Most champions don't even budge from the comfort of their seat. No movements are noticed except for the quick flick of the finger. Yet most television viewers or channels did not come to know the passing away of Robert Adler, the co-inventor of the television remote on 15th February 2007 at the grand age of 93.

The remote has revolutionized and initiated several PhD researches on the phenomenon of the TV couch potatoes. Yet Adler was a man who rarely watched television. He is known for more than a hundred patented inventions other than the television remote which he invented in 1956 with fellow engineer Eugene Polley.

His wife, Ingrid, said Adler wouldn't have chosen the remote control as his favourite invention. "He was a man who would dream ... and wake up and say, 'I just solved a problem'. He was always thinking science," she said.

"People ask me all the time - 'Don't you feel guilty for it?' And I say that's ridiculous," he once said about his invention that stopped people from getting up from their couch in front of their TV. (Gulf News)

May Adler rest in peace. Like some media suggested "Viewers wishing to pay their respects may wish to press the mute button for a minute's silence." or "Turn Your TV On and Off 21 Times as a Salute."

Related Articles: Robert Adler

We are Lions!

2007-02-20T23:59:00.000+04:00

A warrior and a lion guarding the wares on sale at Dragon Mart, Dubai.

Achilles: [to his men] Myrmidons! My brothers of the sword! I would rather fight beside you than any army of thousands! Let no man forget how menacing we are, we are lions! Do you know what's waiting beyond that beach? Immortality! Take it! It's yours! ~Troy, (Film - 2004)

Life and Death in History

2007-02-18T18:46:00.000+04:00

In a land where once palm trees towered tall, the Burj Dubai touches the sky. The trees of old, unlike their manicured and implanted cousins are witnesses for decades to an exponential growth in Dubai's history. They are few and silently diminish day by day into history. They are the true trees of the soil which have grown from the soil, once near an old and dusty roundabout called Defence Roundabout. Today the roundabout is an interchange of flyovers and a traffic block most of the time!

The wheels of the unending circle of life rolls on!

Death? Why this fuss about death? Use your imagination, try to
visualize a world without death! . . .
Death is the essential condition of life, not an evil.

- Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Rashidya Water Tank - Old Landmarks of Dubai

2007-02-17T23:25:00.000+04:00

The Rashidya Water Tank. Once an important landmark and the only structure which rose out of the sandy waste of Rashidya. It could easily be spotted from Garhoud Bridge and always a silent landmark of the wasteland after that.

The water tower today is no more the edge of the city rather stands lost in the midst of the changing roads, new flyovers and bigger landmarks. Freemind will be on the look out for more old landmarks which were once the most common reference points of taxis of yore.

“Writers are the main landmarks of the past.”
Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton (British politician, poet and prolific novelist)

Doorways of Perception!

2007-02-16T21:19:00.000+04:00

“There are things known and there are things unknown, and in between are the doors of perception”~ Aldous Huxley (English Novelist and Critic, 1894-1963)
Freemind Pictures ©