^They have apparently taken a dive and some banks are no longer lending. The speed at which things have taken a turn for the worse is what has suprised everyone. Two weeks ago everything was normal and everyone thought UAE would not be affected at all.

Dubai: Crisis, What Crisis? The businessman tasked with sorting out Dubai's financial problems insists his country is not in crisis. Mohammad Al Abbar told Sky News that rumours circulating the Middle East that Abu Dhabi is bailing out its neighbour were false. He insisted that the intervention from the UAE Central Bank was beginning to restore confidence in the country's economy. "There's a lot of talk, but it doesn't exist. No money has been asked for, there has been no discussion, it's not happening," he said of the Abu Dhabi link. His comments came as investment bankers from London flew into Dubai to discuss the country's banking bailout. Members of the Goldman Sachs, UBS and Morgan Stanley are speaking to the government about restructuring the state's financial sector. It was forced to merge four banks into one at the weekend. But Mr Abbar, chairman of Dubai's Economic Crisis Council, accepted that some building projects may have to be put on hold as the global financial crisis bites. Dubai has recently seen several lavish building projects, including the opening last week of the world's most expensive hotel - the £1bn Atlantis. "One has to be realistic and look at what's going on on the world," he said. "If a project or two has to be put back by six months or one year - lets do that. "We have to look at what's going on in the world." But Mr Abbar insisted that the world's largest theme park would go ahead - if not necessarily on time. "Dubailand will definitely go ahead," he said. "They have signed agreements, but even concerning Dubailand, if there is a need to move things around, adjust, because of the global situation, let's do that". Mr Abbar also denied reports in Dubai that Abu Dhabi's airline Etihad is about to snap up part of the country's flagship carrier Emirates.

He insulted Gabre and got a slap for his troubles

Its been a very interesting week! Mega projects shelved, some postponed and many losing their jobs. Dubai in debt to a tune of $80 billion because of the aggresive construction. No one thought the ME would be affected. Watch the reports

^LooL. Leave LOZ alone man. I'll welcome him to DXB.

Originally posted by NGONGE: When I go alone I really don't care for the place I stay. Are you going alone, LOZ? You know their bus stops have air conditioning and hardly anyone goes in them. Halka eska dag. I thought you would have advised him to be wary of the low level street signs in case he walks into one and bangs his head

LOZ Depends on which part of Dubai you want to see. Old Dubai or new? You must be aware of TRAFFIC because in some part you will have no access to taxis or be stuck in a jam for 2 hrs +. Do you want to be woken by a soothing athaan in the morning followed by a delicious recitation of the Quran 20 minutes later? For that alone it would be worth staying at: Jumeirah Hotel Apartments (Al Qusais next to Al Ansari Mosque). On the Dubai/sharjah border. Ramee Hotel Apartments In Bur Dubai (risk of traffic and no taxis at rush hour) will get back later IA home time,,,

I detest slang even though I spoke it alot in my younger years it was never written. get me?

Just managed to get my head up from excel sheets and the telephone. Bal warama,,,,,,

Afternoon,,,,, Going out in the desert,,,,,,,

Just saw. Well done to the brother. Arrived in the US with $46 and is today a top executive :cool: LooL@the failure of the interviewee's chair. He handled it well though

Hmmm If you want to learn Arabic, just tune in and hum along Maryam Ismael Last Updated: November 22. 2008 7:18PM UAE / November 22. 2008 3:18PM GMT Quran al Karim, Abu Dhabi’s local radio station is a national treasure, especially for me as a struggling Arabic learner. When people find out that I am a native English speaker they often ask me: “How can I learn English?” I say, listen to the radio. For the student of Arabic, I say exactly the same: listen to Arabic radio. And for those living in the UAE, my advice is to tune into Quran al Karim. While the debate rages here about learning Arabic – about the standards of teaching the subject in schools, and whether migrant workers should be expected to speak the language – Quran al Karim provides an eloquent argument for the benefits of not just being able to talk in Arabic, but being able to listen and understand. If anyone has any doubts about the virtues of radio as a teacher, they should take the time in the morning to listen to Sabah al Nour, the station’s breakfast show. It begins at 6am and gets the day off to a perfect start with a soothing voice, advice from the community, and helpful reminders of exactly why we are here on this earth. When I first came to the UAE from Turkey, I had to make the mental switch from Turkish to Arabic, and while the two languages share many words, they are still very different. It was through Quran al Karim that I found a friendly voice and discovered the beauty of Arabic and the Quran. Even though, at the time, my understanding of Arabic was only minimal, the station made me feel that the meanings of the words were somewhere in my heart. Amazingly, sometimes I found myself understanding some of the conversations on the talk shows and comprehending some of the ayats, verses of the Quran, completely. For the first time I was discovering the real truth of words that I had heard over and over but hadn’t previously understood. Slowly the words began to link together into a chain connecting me to the world outside. What makes listening to Quran al Karim particularly enjoyable – and rewarding – is that unlike some radio stations, the presenters speak in a clear, slow manner, and more importantly, they speak in Fusha, classical Arabic. But the listener also gets to hear a range of accents and dialects thanks to the callers who phone in. Those telephone voices provide a panorama of our corner of the Arab world – and just in case you didn’t quite make out what the caller was saying, the presenter gives you a summary. Invaluable for any student of Arabic. And I was reassured recently that I was not the only non-Arab listener who had discovered the merits of Quran al Karim when a German man sent an SMS text message to say that he was not Muslim but he had learnt so much about Islam through the station. For non-listeners who might now be thinking that it all sounds a little dull and worthy, I can assure them that it isn’t. If you haven’t heard the wonderful nasheeds, you are truly missing something: the harmonising of the voices of the munsheds, the singers. Their deep tones and soft melodies transport the listener into the heart of Arabic and the sweetness of Islam. Arabic and Islam are naturally entwined, but the religious connotations of the language shouldn’t scare people away, thinking that they will have a sudden conversion if they learn the language. It is certainly true that many phrases invoke Allah – for instance, Allah ‘atik al Affiyah (Allah give you success); Allah Khalik (Allah keep you) – but they typify the key characteristic of Arabic: its essential courtesy and caring for the well-being of others. (And please, Arabic speakers, forgive my translations. I know there will be some who will say “that is not what those phrases mean”. But that is what they mean for me. I am willing to learn if anyone is willing to teach me.) Learning something new can only make your life in the Emirates easier. I think that this is the message that should be sent out to those who are thinking, why should I learn Arabic at all? Because really, you are only living on the fringes of this nation if you don’t understand and speak the language. Listening to the radio, I can hear the voices of my neighbours, friends, and caring strangers, who offer advice on everything from how to run your life to how to get a good night’s sleep. All of this they find in the ultimate resource, the Quran and the hadiths of the Prophet Mohammed. It makes me feel that I am a part of society and in the know, and it gives me a new outlook on how to start my day. Besides, I always need a nasheed to hum along to in the morning. Maryam Ismail is a sociologist who divides her time between the UAE and America http://thenational.ae/article/20081123/OPINION/621 709240/1080

^Ya?

Marna waxa laga hadlaya Jinn marna Mowt. Walee waa yaab! JB, Allah dawil cumrak akhi.

I miss snow

Originally posted by J.a.c.a.y.l.b.a.r.o: don't ask that question ,,, qaar badan baa odhan doona adeerkay ama aabahay buu ahaa I think it was my uncle

Well done to them. Who was th first Somali Harvard grad?

I wouldn't be surprised if nomads recommend Yeey for the Nobel Peace Prize maalin dhow

Originally posted by me: Norf the article only shows how out of touch you are. The casiir got to you. You don't show any sympathy for the Somali people affected by the illegal actions of foreign nations stealing fish from Somali waters and repaying us and future genarations of Somalis with toxic waste that will cause damage to health and environment. And you are still here defending the unlawfull attacking of a Somali ship by the Indian navy, which possibly cost the lives of the crew members. Sxb just because the media says so it doesn't mean it is right. Wake up and smell the coffee, otherwise the next time you want to take a swim on a beach in Somalia you might come out of the water without skin ( carab baad u eekaan.....could this be meesha aad u socotid? ). I know perfectly well ( the media told me ) that some of the hijackings of ships was in international waters and it was illegal too. But if this means that these attacks will focus attention on Somalia and the enviromental problems caused then it is well worth it. Why am I not surprised you've chosen to repeat yourself rather than address my points? Looks like I have to clarify things for you as usual. 1. The article deals with something we have already discussed. You are yet to tell us why you think it is OK to hijack ships and request for a ransom considering these ships are a) hijacked in international waters and b) are cargo ships. Please have a go at this and stop repeating this now tired line of 'we are the victims'. 2. I have no sympathy for those effected by illigal dumping in Somali waters? How have you come to that? Because I refuse to support and cheer for criminal gangs let loose on the high seas? Again, you're refusing to address my previous points by trying to derail the discussion. Focus and stand your ground or concede saxib. 3. What was unlawfull about the Indian navy's attack? Because it was against Somalis (pirates)on speedboats armed with weapons near the Yemeni coast? What legal framework are ou refering to anyway? 4. Your last point only confirms what is wrong with your line of thought. You think two wrongs make a right! All this talk about these pirates focusing the world's attention on Somalia is of course correct but it (world's attention) won't last for long. No one cares enough about Somalia and the quicker we Somalis realise that the better. Things will go back to normal next week just like after the Ukaranian ship was hijacked. ps being out of touch is thinking these pirates are doing good for Somalis

Interesting,,,,,,,,

^Hear hear Mr Me, how does that article change my opinion that these men are pirates and not fishermen? You're sounding like a broken record. Hayat, I have no idea how you view this situation. Do tell.

Sheh is not very good at get togethers is she?