Chelsea drew Man Utd lost Spurs lost City drew Tomorrow's game just got bigger!!!!! Should be a great game.

Dadka ma caruur ayay u haystaan? Issa abuse trial draws to a close Loveday Morris Last Updated: December 11. 2009 11:57PM UAE / December 11. 2009 7:57PM GMT ABU DHABI // A court in Al Ain is expected to hear closing arguments in the trial of Sheikh Issa bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Monday, his attorney said yesterday. Sheikh Issa, a member of the Abu Dhabi ruling family with no official role, has been charged with “causing physical harm” and “endangering a life” after a video emerged depicting him allegedly abusing an Afghan man who was accused of cheating him. Sheikh Issa has plead not guilty to the charges, claiming “diminished responsibility” caused by prescription medications that were administered to him at the time, his defence attorney, Habib al Mulla said yesterday. The unprecedented trial at the Al Ain Criminal Court began in late October, with numerous witnesses testifying over the course of several hearings. The judge may offer a verdict following Monday’s hearing, or he may ask for further testimony and evidence, Mr al Mulla said. A guilty verdict could entail a prison term of between one and three years, Mr al Mulla added. An official in the Abu Dhabi Government declined to comment on the case citing the ongoing proceedings. The alleged offence came to light when a former business associate of Sheikh Issa, Bassam Nabulsi, of Houston, Texas, leaked the video to an American television network earlier this year. In the video a man identified as Sheikh Issa is seen taking part in the abuse, with other men observing and helping, including a man wearing the uniform of a security guard. The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department opened a criminal investigation into the case in May. The defence has argued that the incident was part of an orchestrated effort by Mr Nabulsi and his brother, Ghasan, to drug Sheikh Issa and manipulate events to cause him to carry out the alleged assault and record it in order to blackmail him. The video was released only when Sheikh Issa refused to settle with him, Mr al Mulla said. On the night of the incident, Mr al Mulla said, the Nabulsis asked Mohammed Shah Poor, an Afghan trader, to come to a farm in Al Ain, informed the Sheikh that he had been cheating him, administered him with drugs and “created this scene” with the aim of recording it. “The Nabulsi brothers controlled the medication of Sheikh Issa for quite a long period,” Mr al Mulla said, adding Sheikh Issa was given many different drugs at one time, some of which were banned in the UAE. “Sheikh Issa is saying that he does not recall what is on the tape and he is pleading no liability because he lacked free will at the time that this incident took place.” Bassam Nabulsi has been involved in a protracted legal case against Sheikh Issa in the US. Tony Buzbee, his lawyer, was unavailable to comment yesterday. There is legal precedent for people being found not liable for their actions if they are drugged without their knowledge or will, he said. Sheikh Issa is currently being held in detention in Abu Dhabi. http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091212/NATIONAL/712119797/0/TRAVEL

Good read with pics http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090411/NATIONAL/357587104

Besieged Somali leader is trying to be heard MOGADISHU // When President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed wants to tour his territory, the trip takes less than an hour. That is because his government controls only a few city blocks of Somalia’s capital – an area smaller than Yas Island in a country the size of France. Sheikh Sharif is practically a prisoner in his own house, a palatial hilltop villa with stunning views of the Indian Ocean. He rarely leaves his compound: rebel snipers are waiting just beyond his walls. When he does move, it is in a convoy of heavily armoured vehicles. On the rare occasions that he flies out of the country, militants usually lob mortars at his plane. The president’s isolation has prevented him from interacting with Somalis, which is essential to winning their support. Overrun by Islamist extremists, Sheikh Sharif’s government has failed to unite the warring factions and end the conflict that has destroyed Somalia. “Sometimes you may have plans to accomplish certain things, but if you don’t have the financial resources to accomplish that, it may not happen,” the president said in an interview at his villa. “Sometimes people ask why the government doesn’t do a list of things. But they don’t ask themselves what are the challenges they face, what resources they have to work with and how much that can stretch.” In a serious blow to the already weak government, a suicide bomber dressed as a woman last week blew himself up at a university graduation, killing four government ministers and 19 others. Islamis tmilitant groups that control most of the country denied responsibility for the bombing, but government officials blamed al Shabab, an insurgent group with ties to al Qa’eda. “We condemn that evil act perpetrated by people working on foreign ideas,” Sheikh Sharif said of the bombing. “This is not Somali work. It is a newly imported idea to destroy Somalia and prevent its people from having stability, peace and their own government. We are committed to making the dreams of our people a reality, and such terrorist acts will never deter us.” Sheikh Sharif, 43, came to power in January amid high hopes that he could negotiate with the Islamist rebels and bring them into the government. A teacher and Islamic scholar, he led the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) when it briefly controlled Somalia in 2006. After the ICU was overthrown by Ethiopian troops backed by the United States, Sheikh Sharif went into exile in Yemen. The US government, which supported his enemies in 2006, is now one of his strongest backers as he leads the transitional federal government. Sheikh Sharif has one of the hardest jobs in the world. His country has been at war for 19 years. Clan-based warlords destroyed most of Somalia as they fought for power. In the past three years, however, the war has turned religious. Al Shabab and other Islamist factions that were once allied with the president have tried to overthrow the government. “The people who are fighting us are skilled professionals who are creating havoc in different parts of the world,” the president said. “This is not a problem that was faced by previous governments.” One of the first things Sheikh Sharif did was establish Islamic law in Somalia, a move meant to appease the Islamists. But his version of Islam is too moderate for the radicals, and they disapprove of his ties to the United States. In August, Sheikh Sharif met Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, in Nairobi. Mrs Clinton pledged money and weapons to Sheikh Sharif’s beleaguered government. “We believe that [sheikh Sharif’s] government is the best hope we’ve had in quite some time for a return to stability and the possibility of progress in Somalia,” she told reporters. “No one knows better than the president the challenges facing Somalia and his people.” The international community pledged $200 million (Dh734m) to the Somali government at a donor conference in April, although most of that has not materialised. “The resources needed to build the security forces, to rebuild infrastructure, the services to the people, the humanitarian services – all that requires financial resources and the international community could help,” Sheikh Sharif said. “Unfortunately, we’re still at the stage of receiving promises and not at the delivery of needed resources.” Experts say Sheikh Sharif has not done enough to win the hearts and minds of the people. “There was a lot of hope and optimism when this president was elected,” said Rashid Abdi, a Somalia analyst with International Crisis Group, a think tank in Brussels. “Almost a year down the road, he’s not anywhere near consolidating power in Mogadishu or in the rest of the country.” To accomplish this, analysts say, he needs to leave his compound more and interact with the population, as dangerous as this may be. “This battle can be won in the mosque,” Mr Abdi said. “It’s an ideological battle. He should go out and use his great oratory power and his intellect to undermine the support that the hardliners have. The president must be seen out in public, talking to his people, giving broadcasts. A president needs to be seen and heard.” Sheikh Sharif understands this and has begun to make himself more visible. On a recent Friday, he ventured out to a mosque to give a sermon. “We have brought elements of the people opposing us into the government, but there are some remaining who are still fighting and we are working on them,” he said. “But since we have tried and they are not moving forward, many people are convinced it’s important to focus on governing and taking care of the people. Especially those who have been misled, who have been brainwashed; we’re hopeful they will come to their senses.” MOGADISHU // When President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed wants to tour his territory, the trip takes less than an hour. That is because his government controls only a few city blocks of Somalia’s capital – an area smaller than Yas Island in a country the size of France. Sheikh Sharif is practically a prisoner in his own house, a palatial hilltop villa with stunning views of the Indian Ocean. He rarely leaves his compound: rebel snipers are waiting just beyond his walls. When he does move, it is in a convoy of heavily armoured vehicles. On the rare occasions that he flies out of the country, militants usually lob mortars at his plane. The president’s isolation has prevented him from interacting with Somalis, which is essential to winning their support. Overrun by Islamist extremists, Sheikh Sharif’s government has failed to unite the warring factions and end the conflict that has destroyed Somalia. “Sometimes you may have plans to accomplish certain things, but if you don’t have the financial resources to accomplish that, it may not happen,” the president said in an interview at his villa. “Sometimes people ask why the government doesn’t do a list of things. But they don’t ask themselves what are the challenges they face, what resources they have to work with and how much that can stretch.” In a serious blow to the already weak government, a suicide bomber dressed as a woman last week blew himself up at a university graduation, killing four government ministers and 19 others. Islamis tmilitant groups that control most of the country denied responsibility for the bombing, but government officials blamed al Shabab, an insurgent group with ties to al Qa’eda. “We condemn that evil act perpetrated by people working on foreign ideas,” Sheikh Sharif said of the bombing. “This is not Somali work. It is a newly imported idea to destroy Somalia and prevent its people from having stability, peace and their own government. We are committed to making the dreams of our people a reality, and such terrorist acts will never deter us.” Sheikh Sharif, 43, came to power in January amid high hopes that he could negotiate with the Islamist rebels and bring them into the government. A teacher and Islamic scholar, he led the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) when it briefly controlled Somalia in 2006. After the ICU was overthrown by Ethiopian troops backed by the United States, Sheikh Sharif went into exile in Yemen. The US government, which supported his enemies in 2006, is now one of his strongest backers as he leads the transitional federal government. Sheikh Sharif has one of the hardest jobs in the world. His country has been at war for 19 years. Clan-based warlords destroyed most of Somalia as they fought for power. In the past three years, however, the war has turned religious. Al Shabab and other Islamist factions that were once allied with the president have tried to overthrow the government. “The people who are fighting us are skilled professionals who are creating havoc in different parts of the world,” the president said. “This is not a problem that was faced by previous governments.” One of the first things Sheikh Sharif did was establish Islamic law in Somalia, a move meant to appease the Islamists. But his version of Islam is too moderate for the radicals, and they disapprove of his ties to the United States. In August, Sheikh Sharif met Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, in Nairobi. Mrs Clinton pledged money and weapons to Sheikh Sharif’s beleaguered government. “We believe that [sheikh Sharif’s] government is the best hope we’ve had in quite some time for a return to stability and the possibility of progress in Somalia,” she told reporters. “No one knows better than the president the challenges facing Somalia and his people.” The international community pledged $200 million (Dh734m) to the Somali government at a donor conference in April, although most of that has not materialised. “The resources needed to build the security forces, to rebuild infrastructure, the services to the people, the humanitarian services – all that requires financial resources and the international community could help,” Sheikh Sharif said. “Unfortunately, we’re still at the stage of receiving promises and not at the delivery of needed resources.” Experts say Sheikh Sharif has not done enough to win the hearts and minds of the people. “There was a lot of hope and optimism when this president was elected,” said Rashid Abdi, a Somalia analyst with International Crisis Group, a think tank in Brussels. “Almost a year down the road, he’s not anywhere near consolidating power in Mogadishu or in the rest of the country.” To accomplish this, analysts say, he needs to leave his compound more and interact with the population, as dangerous as this may be. “This battle can be won in the mosque,” Mr Abdi said. “It’s an ideological battle. He should go out and use his great oratory power and his intellect to undermine the support that the hardliners have. The president must be seen out in public, talking to his people, giving broadcasts. A president needs to be seen and heard.” Sheikh Sharif understands this and has begun to make himself more visible. On a recent Friday, he ventured out to a mosque to give a sermon. “We have brought elements of the people opposing us into the government, but there are some remaining who are still fighting and we are working on them,” he said. “But since we have tried and they are not moving forward, many people are convinced it’s important to focus on governing and taking care of the people. Especially those who have been misled, who have been brainwashed; we’re hopeful they will come to their senses.” http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091210/FOREIGN/712099908

Where has the decade gone? It was 1999 and all that Y2K stuff only yesterday! LoL@Indo Blue. Major changes ey? Many more decades of health, progress and prosperity for the SOL gang. ps, I only just got used to writing 2009.

LoL@A&T It's something I said a few months ago. They all appeared from nowhere (Cowke, ThankfulP et al) all at the same time. On the Somaligalbeed side, what we have seen is an increase in representation from 3 to 5 in 2009. Is that too much, or is it we have passed the allocations for the Tolka in some hidden 4.5 Sol rule? However, on the Puntland side, we were receiving one new member almost every day we hear a ship was taken hostage on the seas in 2009. ps watch out, now you will become the subject of PL's SOL brigade's latest unity rally to be held in a PM zone soon pps, agreed on the irrelevant threads but should be extended to all parties/regions.

Originally posted by Khayr: quote:Originally posted by Norfsky: I have been from Eritrea for the past year or so. and how has that been working out for you saxib. More pay? More Adoration? Have you been signing more? So far so good. Only when people ask and want me to be more specific than 'East Africa' do I blurt out Eritrea.

Aar ninkii AA wuu is dhacay maanta

What happened to the business section? http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8407274.stm

Originally posted by NGONGE: Norf, wasn't 'suuraaf' something that is usually said to women warya? Not that I'm aware of. Suuraaf = out all hours and upto no good (teenage years).

^suuraaf fooqal suuraaf

^lol The man is lucky. 16 months is nothing. He was tested by the all mighty and should see it as such.

Allah yarxamhu to your abtiyo Juxa Beautiful day (grey and rainy). Enjoyed a game of footy in the rain. Why does everyone in the UK have the flu?? Evening all.

It might well be a special day but for entirely different reasons. Thursday 17th might be the start of the Islamic month of Muxaram (start of new Islamic year). If not on Thursday it will fall on Friday IA.

Add: "I'm a vegetarian"

Add: "My middle name is Tarzan"

Add: "I used to be an Ape you know"

I have been from Eritrea for the past year or so.

^ Add: "Papa Bear is my hero"

^waar how is his footy team? Spot any Zizzou in him yet?

Originally posted by Johnny B: 1. "The Clash of Civilizations" 2. "Secular" 3. "Assimilation" 4. "Reformation" 5. "Jihadi" 6. "Moderate" 7. "Interfaith" 8. "Freedom" 9. "Religious Freedom" 10. "Tolerance" Phrases you'd remove or Add? Add "Hi, I'm an apostate" "I love the French" "Do you watch Fox News?"

Originally posted by NGONGE: Has any of you ever taken part in a Nativity Play in your school days? I can't say I have. Arab schools only do 'the lifes and times of Abu Lahab'. Stayed out of it. All I remember are the 3 wise men who brought presents :confused: They are putting up a 'community tree' in the school next week. People are supposed to help decorate it and leave shoe boxes filled with presents for labourers (basic cosmetics etc). Juxa, within Middle East (from Dubai). Not sure about how long but should be enough for a short break. Buy for your family members here

Liverpool vs Arsenal Anfield Sunday 4pm GMT ps Liverpool is in the north west of England. Arsenal don't like it up norf (Man Utd, Man City, Sunderland). Expect the atmosphere to be hot!!!

I have free return flights within middle east (from Dubai) but I'm willing to sell. Any bidders?

Is Mr Somalia talking to me? :confused: