Traffic Increase, Property Prices Rocket: Dubai’s ‘Groundhog Day’
ALEXANDER MCNABB: We appear to be back in the, ah, ‘glory days’ of 2006 and 2007 if recent reports are to be believed. Oh joy.
Omani Tabloid ‘In Hot Water’ Over Gay Article
ALEXANDER MCNABB: The furore over a piece describing the everyday life of a gay individual in Oman shows no signs of dying down.
The Dubai Book Club War: Curbed In the Nick of Time
ALEXANDER MCNABB: A new regulatory authority for social clubs in Dubai has appeared. So is the humble book club included?
‘Waitresses Are Prostitutes’: Saudi Media Firestorm
CROSSROADS ARABIA: The obstacles facing women in the workplace in Saudi Arabia are exemplified by a row which has broken out via social media.
Censored: Jordan Extinguishes Internet Freedom
ALEXANDER MCNABB: The vote was carried by 69 attending parliamentarians, with a significant number walking out in protest.
Foreign Powers Take Positions, Eye End Game in Syria
FRANCIS MATTHEW: The continuing fighting in Syria is a golden opportunity for foreign governments to put military forces on the ground in advance of any political end-game.
UAE and Waste: On Your Bike You Old Mucker
ALEXANDER MCNABB: Where in blue blazes is somebody who’s making his living rooting through bins going to find Dhs 1,000 to pay a fine?
SIMply Mad: Queue Up for A Telecom Farce
ALEXANDER MC NABB: Time to ready yourself for another pointless exercise in waste-of-time bureaucracy – SIM card re-registering. Great.
The Curious Case of the UAE and Balcony Deaths
A significant number of deaths have resulted from young children being left alone to play and crawling through, up or over the grilles.
Iran Threat Neutered as UAE Pipeline Starts Pumping
In the short term the new pipeline is likely to increase the already high levels of distrust between the UAE (and Gulf in general) and Iran.
Child Brides: Action Is Being Taken At Last
MICH CAFE: It’s an issue throughout the Arab world and beyond. Finally, it’s being addressed.
FB in the M.E: Respect, Sensitivity, Slammer
ALEXANDER MCNABB: It’s all part of the Emirati culture of respect, which is also the reason why insulting someone here can land you in very hot water.
Petrol-Gate in the UAE: ADNOC To The Rescue
ALEXANDER MCNABB: It’s been an unmissable soap opera for some time. Now there’s an interesting twist in the tale.
‘What’s That Smell?’: A Tale of Two Nakheel ‘Icons’
ALEXANDER MCNABB: Same old, same old on The Palm but residents of International City have no cause for complaint
GCC Union: Practical Thinking Required
FRANCIS MATTHEW: It’s likely to succeed if it focuses on ways to make the existing GCC work better, rather than offer any new political structure.
Sustained Criticism Leaves Netanyahu Unmoved
RAMZY BAROUD: He’s been pummelled by leading political, intelligence and military heavyweights but polls still put him in the lead
Dubai Airport Queues, Bye-Bye! Scan To Rescue
ALEXANDER MCNABB: More high tech at Dubai Airport should lead to less furrowed brows in the Immigration Hall.
Democracy: Why Winner Should Not “Take All”
FRANCIS MATTHEW: Just because the religious parties are far better prepared for this new public debate, they should not overplay their hand.
UAE School Holiday Plan: Curriculum Mayhem
ALEXANDER MCNABB: Teachers will be torn between exasperation at having to fit so much more in and glee at getting (even) longer holidays.
UAE: Social Crimes on the Up, or Just Their Reporting?
ALEXANDER MCNABB: Give people technology and they find all sorts of interesting and different ways to use it, no?
