Dubai law firm offers job to Obama so he can learn more about tolerance of Islam.

Dubai law firm offers job to Obama so he can learn more about tolerance of Islam. (Gulfnews).

An Emirati lawyer has offered the US President Barack Obama a job in his law firm in Dubai in an attempt to familiarise him with the tolerance of Islam.

"To get closely acquainted with the meaning of tolerance of Islam," tweeted Emirati lawyer Eisa Bin Haidar on Sunday as he offered to hire Obama in his firm and to live in Dubai once his presidential tenure expires soon.

📍
President Obama

I offer you a job in my office
Salary housing tickets and travel to Arab countries

— المحامي عيسى بن حيدر (@advocateisa) May 15, 2016

As of Monday, Obama has 248 days left in office — a newly-elected US president starts official duties on January 20, 2017.

In another tweet addressing Obama, advocate Haidar tweeted "President Obama, I offer you a job in my office, salary, housing, tickets and travel to Arab countries".

When asked by Gulf News about his tweets, Bin Haidar said: “A faction of the American and western media has constantly profiled Islam as a religion of terror and categorized Muslims as terrorists. Well that is absolutely not true. Islam is a religion of tolerance, understanding, forgiveness and acceptance … it is not a religion of terror and Muslims are not terrorists.

"The only way for westerners to accept and understand Islam and Muslims is to come and live with us and amongst us. Once he [Obama] leaves his office at the White House, I offer President Obama to work in my law firm and then he would come and live amongst Arabs and Muslims and learn the exact meaning of tolerance.”

The best way for others to understand the true meaning of tolerance in Islam is for them to mingle with and socialise more with Muslims in this region, said Bin Haidar.

In the same context, he also tweeted in Arabic "I know my offer is a little bit weird, but you [Obama] have to live with Muslims to know them closely and away from political theatrics which are being spearheaded by the US".

Emirates Airline Creates Culture of Fear, 'Golden cage' for Crew.

Emirates Airline Creates Culture of Fear, 'Golden cage' for Crew. (RT).

Alwaght- Emirates Airline creates “a culture of fear,” where workers feel unprotected, targeted and trapped, the administrator of a dedicated whistleblower site told RT.

Employees of the company refer to it as a “golden cage,” which allegedly exhausts crews beyond their limits and employs punishments when complaints are filed, he added.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the administrator of donotflyemirates.wordpress.com, which collects the accounts of Emirates Airline pilots and publishes their stories online, stressed that the site administrator noted that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) does not allow unions, which leaves staff even more vulnerable to abuse.

 "If you make a mistake – or even if you don’t make a mistake, if someone blames you for something – you don’t get the chance to defend yourself. You just get the warning, they just fire you."

 "After some time spent in Dubai you feel like everything you have, your whole life is in danger. Because if you get fired, you’re going to lose your house, you’re going to lose your whole life. This is why they are referring to it as a ‘golden cage".

The whistleblower site is already banned in the UAE, but the airline wanted to silence it further, as Emirates Airline lawyers reached out to Wordpress and urged the blogging platform to take down the whistleblower site, which it refused to do.

 "I received a notification from Wordpress platform, they notified me that Emirates lawyers tried to take down some content from my blog, and Wordpress refused them".

The administrator, who is a former employee of Emirates Airline, told RT that all the pilots’ stories are received via email. They are all verified before they are published.

Earlier, RT spoke to current as well as former Emirates pilots, who confirmed that the company forces them to take heavy workloads and implements “bullying” techniques.

An ex-Emirates employee described the company’s rosters as “brutal,” as the pilots are “expected to switch from day to night… duties without enough rest in between,” adding that he “loses several nights of sleep every month,” is “constantly tired,” and has “no energy to do anything.”

Making matters worse is the fact that the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), charged with regulating aviation safety, has failed to act. Some Emirates pilots believe that the Dubai-based aviation watchdog is not independent from the state, and thus cannot adequately fulfill its duties.

The problem is further exacerbated as the GCAA is controlled by the same people in charge of the airline. The GCAA is chaired by the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group – Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum.

The Emirates pilots argue that even though the airline has a Pilot Fatigue Risk Management system, it rarely does anything to address the problem. Instead, it pursues tactics of pilot intimidation to discourage further complaints. Hmmm.........Endangering Passengers lives? 

Video - "Emirati" woman confronting Egyptian actress for not abiding by mall imposed dress code.

Video - "Emirati" woman confronting Egyptian celebrity/tourists for not abiding by mall imposed dress code. (E24/7).

Major-General Khalil Ibrahim Al-Mansouri, Assistant Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police for Criminal Investigation, has reiterated that all visitors, tourists and residents of Dubai are respected and well treated, reported ‘Al Bayan’.

Maj-Gen Al Mansouri was reacting to a video circulating on social media wherein a woman is seen talking rudely to Egyptian actresses Abeer Sabry and Tunisian actress Faryal Yousef. The video shows the woman in a mall criticizing the two actresses for their dress, saying they shouldn’t be wearing such indecent clothes here.

Maj-Gen Al Mansouri did not confirm the identity of the woman, but said she was infringing on the privacy of the actresses and her behaviour is not in accordance with the culture of the UAE. He said the UAE respects all nationalities and people and offers them a pleasant stay in the country.

He pointed out that legal action will be taken against this woman who gave a bad and incorrect impression about UAE society.

Maj-Gen Al Mansouri said action will be taken against the woman though the police has not yet received any formal complaints from artists. He added that Dubai Police will review cameras in the mall after contacting the actresses.

Maj-Gen Al Mansouri said UAE laws prevent filming, taking pictures of anyone without their permission and publishing videos. The woman’s behaviour is improper and can be tried for libel.

He confirmed that the video is an individual’s act and does not in any way reflect on the UAE laws or culture. The UAE allows everyone to move freely and endeavours to make peoples stay happily in the country.

Maj-Gen Al Mansouri added the two artists in the video were wearing casual clothes, which are normal and decent.

The Egyptian actress Abeer Sabry told ‘Al Bayan’ that she likes to visit UAE and she is fond of Dubai. She said, “What happened in the mall was really very weird where the woman criticized me in a very harsh manner, when I was dressed in normal clothes.”

Sabry said, “It’s not the first time that I am visiting the UAE and Dubai in particular. This is a beautiful city and very upscale and I have not encountered any obstacles before. Two days ago, I was with a girl friend at a boutique in at shopping mall in Dubai, when I was surprised as this woman approached me and began talking inappropriately. There were about six of them with her. One of them claimed I am wearing indecent clothes and I should respect the UAE.”

Sabry said, “She continued to scream forcing me to react inappropriately. But, I kept my head on my nerves and made payments for the stuff I purchased and left the place quickly, while she continued threatening me.”

Sabry is in Dubai to film for a television programme for Ramadan.

She confirmed that she will complain against the woman to Dubai Police, especially after the video has begun circulating on social media.

Video - Arrest of burqa-wearing woman in AbuDhabi who stabbed American mom, Ibolya Ryan 37 to death

Dubai to EU: How to get Schengen residency? Simply start a small business in Belgium, say consultants.

Dubai to EU: How to get Schengen residency? Simply start a small business in Belgium, say consultants.HT: E24/7.By Majorie van Leijen

Start a business in Belgium, and you will gain a residency permit that is applicable for all Schengen countries.

This is the advice of Dubai Europe, a consultancy office located in Dubai.

Thousands of people around the world are eager to obtain the Schengen residency, because it means access and right to settle down in most European countries.

However, for non-EU citizens the residency permit is not easily acquired, as most countries in European have narrow immigration policies in place.

Belgium is the most flexible option, argues Elena Yusupova, Director at Dubai Europe.

For entrepreneurs, self-employed individuals and investors Belgium offers a relatively easy path to resident status.After three years, this status can be transferred to citizenship status.
There a few requirements other than the potential of a successful business in the country.

Dubai Europe focuses on small business potential. “People who would like to set up a small business such as a coffeeshop, a restaurant, a dry cleaning service or a taxi service are among the people we would like to support increase their chances of gaining residency.”

Small business entrepreneurs like these would enter Belgium on the basis of an entrepreneur or self-employed individual programme. Either as an employee, owner or stakeholder of a company the person would become eligible for this visa programme.

However, larger companies are prioritised, explains Elena. Furthermore, the application process may take years.
“We are here to help small business people submit the most appealing business plan. We have the support of the Belgian authorities and a certain number of applications we may submit.”

“Once you have the residency you have certain rights. When your business does not succeed, you will receive support from the Belgium government. We do not want people to come to Belgium with the fixed plan to benefit from these services.”

However, requirements for the successful applicant are few. There are no language requirements, no tests scores and no presence in the country needed. At most, the resident must enter the country every six months.

“This programme is designed for entrepreneurs, who may not want to live in the country as they have businesses elsewhere.

“Our focus is primarily on business people who already have something established, but would like to add a branch in Belgium.“Three years after the residency is obtained, the person may apply for permanent citizenship.

“It is here where the success of a business becomes important. If the authorities see that little effort was done and the person depended mainly on government support, such application is likely to be rejected, in addition to a ban to re-application,” explains Elena.

Apart from the entrepreneurs route Belgium also offers investors the possibility to gain a residency. Investment in a Belgian company or Belgian holding makes a person eligible for this residency.Read the full story here.

Video - Dubai sets 2014 world fireworks record.

Dubai attempts to stun world with 400,000 NYE fireworks across 100km of shoreline.

Dubai attempts to stun world with 400,000 NYE fireworks across 100km of shoreline.(E24/7).

An extraordinary extravaganza lies in wait for residents who will witness the live spectacle as Dubai puts forth its ambitious plan to break the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest firework display.

As part of Dubai’s commitment to excellence, the city is coming together to set a phenomenal pyrotechnic record on December 31 that aims to light up the city in an extraordinary show that will showcase a six-minute display choreographed across the whole of The Palm Jumeirah and The World Islands.

Over 200 expert pyro technicians, 400 firing locations and 100 computers networked to control the show down to the millisecond will be in position.The world record-breaking attempt will cover a distance of approximately 100km of seafront and feature over 400,000 fireworks in a series of dramatic imagery designed exclusively for the event and set to a specially choreographed musical soundtrack.

The breath taking display, which includes a ‘Flying Falcon’, ‘UAE Flag’ and a ‘Sunrise’ scene, will begin shortly before midnight and showcase the city as one of the world’s premier locations for the global community to visit.
Visible from numerous vantage points across Dubai, all hotels on The Palm Jumeirah will be hosting events to celebrate their involvement in the Dubai World Record 2014 attempt.

Programme for the night.

Over 400,000 fireworks will be placed along 100kms of seafront to achieve this world record.
Aside from The Palm Jumeirah, fireworks will also be set off from the seven continents on The World Islands in celebration of and an invitation to the global community to come to Dubai during the journey to World Expo 2020.
A Flying Falcon will open the programme, leading the countdown in English and Arabic digits – using the exclusive GrucciSkyEtching technology.
The display features seven 24-inch shells that will rise 600m above the seven World Island Continents, each spreading a canopy over 700m wide.  

A UAE flag will be presented at 225m wide x 130m high – using a patented PixelBurst technology that uses embedded computer chips for precision firing.  At 29,250 square meters, it will be the largest pyrotechnic flag ever presented.

Grucci has designed a ‘Sunrise’ scene that will awaken the World across nearly 10kms wide.               
The fireworks performance will be choreographed to music composed specifically for this event, but inspired by a local song
The performance, which has taken over 5,000 plus man-days to complete the attempt, will last six minutes in total, with over 400 firing locations.
The fireworks are specially handcrafted for the programme in the USA, China and Spain.

Dubai prosecution offices sealed off after woman threatens to detonate explosives belt.

Dubai prosecution offices sealed off after woman threatens to detonate explosives belt.(TheNational).

Police have sealed off the Dubai Prosecution Building after a woman visitor threatened to detonate an explosives belt. 

This picture was taken by a prosecution worker shortly after the building was evacuated.Prosecution sources said that the woman - thought to be a Syrian in her late 30s - entered the building shortly after 1pm accompanied by a child, thought to be aged 6, and stood next to the reception desk.
Sources said the woman was known to prosecutors and had previously visited the building on numerous occasions. Her husband is thought to be in custody. It is believed that the woman is demanding to talk to a high ranking official. Police, Civil Defence, ambulance, and rescue personnel have cordoned off the area around the building in Bur Dubai close to the floating bridge and bystanders are being moved away. A police officer at the scene said the deputy chief of Dubai Police, Major General Khamis Al Mazeina, has taken charge of operations.

Sony says Dubai dealers sold Iran $12.8 million in equipment.

Sony says Dubai dealers sold Iran $12.8 million in equipment.(TI).

Sony Corp said some dealers in Dubai resold about $12.8 million worth of its video equipment and medical instruments to Iranian ministries, in a move that could possibly attract U.S. penalties, Reuters reported.

The dealers resold some equipment to Iran's broadcasting unit and health ministry, and some also planned to sell equipment to the information technology department of the country's police, the firm said in a filing with the U.S. regulator.

"If the relevant authorities were to impose penalties or sanctions against Sony, the impact of such sanctions could be material," the company said in Thursday's filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Sony said it followed policies and procedures designed to keep transactions with Iran in line with applicable economic sanctions laws, but there could be no assurance such measures would be effective.

It listed four Iran-related transactions, in three of which it made net profit of less than $500,000, while taking a loss in the fourth, but did not say how much.

Washington has been cracking down on companies accused of evading Iran sanctions.

The United States and Europe have imposed sanctions against specific Iranian individuals, state institutions or companies in so far unavailing efforts to persuade Tehran to rein in enrichment of uranium and open up to U.N. inspectors in exchange for phased relief from tightening financial isolation.

Western nations believe the Islamic Republic is attempting to develop the means to build atomic bombs. Iran says the nuclear programme is solely for electricity generation and medical uses.

Sony said it may conduct additional future sales in Iran through third-party owned dealers or distributors, which may require disclosure under U.S. laws."Sony intends to conduct any such sales in accordance with applicable law," it added.

The Fast and the Luxurious: Dubai police gets Mercs and Bentleys.

The Fast and the Luxurious: Dubai police gets Mercs and Bentleys.(AA).After generating headlines for their Ferraris and Lamborghinis, it seems Dubai police have a much bigger need for speed.

Adding luxury to crime fighting, the force has included Mercedes and Bentley cars to their fleet this week.

Photos of a Bentley and Mercedes SLS, painted in the colors of the force, were taken while they were parked in a Dubai Police garage.

The images were circulating on social media on Saturday, with the new cars having number plates 4 and 5.

Last month, with the introduction of Ferraris to the force, Dubai police head Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan explained why the force needed the luxury cars.

“Dubai is a unique city and everything in it should reflect its uniqueness and for that reason police will add a Ferrari sports car to its patrol fleet,” Khalfan said, according to local UAE news reports.

The $545,000 sports car will be used to keep order on the streets in high-end locations such as the area surrounding Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest skyscraper.

Other sports cars in the Dubai Police patrol fleet include $550,000 Lamborghinis and Chevy Camaro sports cars, which can often be seen on busy highways.Hmmmm.......Time to meet the Dark side of the Dubai dream.Read the full story here.

Dubai police chief: "Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood linked to an alleged plot to topple the UAE government."

Dubai police chief: "Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood linked to an alleged plot to topple the UAE government."(JPost).DUBAI - Sunni Muslim-ruled Gulf Arab states are often wary of subversion from their powerful Shi'ite neighbor Iran, but Dubai's veteran police chief reserves most of his wrath for the "dictators" of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Dhahi Khalfan's suspicions focus mostly on the Egyptian branch of the Sunni Islamist organization, propelled to power in the most populous Arab country in elections since the overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak in a popular uprising in 2011.

"The Brotherhood as a ruling party in Egypt has no right to interfere with other countries. They are no longer a political party and should respect the independence of other countries," Khalfan told Reuters in an interview this week.

He reiterated charges that Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood was linked to an alleged plot to topple the UAE government, saying the group's ultimate goal was Islamist rule in all Gulf states.

His stance testifies to new tensions in the Arab world arising from two years of popular ferment that has unseated autocrats in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen, although it has so far spared US-allied dynasties in the Gulf and elsewhere.

Khalfan, one of the Gulf's longest serving security officials, defended a trial of the 94 alleged Emirati plotters that human rights groups have criticized as unfair.

"These are dictators," he said of the Brotherhood, which is banned in the UAE, a wealthy, politically stable federation of seven emirates including free-wheeling global trade hub Dubai.

"They want to change regimes that have been ruling for a long time, but they also want to rule forever...We have evidence this group was planning to overthrow rulers in the Gulf region."

He said the defendants, who include lawyers, teachers, judges and a member of the ruling family of one of the emirates, had reached an advanced stage in their alleged conspiracy.

"The UAE...acted at the right time to stop the Muslim Brotherhood plan that is being directed by the Murshid," Khalfan said, referring to Egypt's Brotherhood leader Mohamed Badie.

The Brotherhood in Egypt, one of whose members, Mohamed Morsi, was elected head of state in June, rejected Khalfan's accusations that the group was involved in subversion abroad.

"We do not act outside the law in any country. We guard the preservation of the law," Brotherhood spokesman Ahmed Aref said. "He (Khalfan) has no evidence of this, of any conspiracy."

Asked about neighboring Qatar's close ties to the Brotherhood, Khalfan said the UAE respected the Qatari leadership, even if the two countries had differing views.Read the full story here.

Syrian Pres Assad's mother in Dubai.

Syrian Pres Assad's mother in Dubai.(HD).Anisa Makhluf, the mother of President Bashar al-Assad, has left the war-torn country and joined her daughter in Dubai, Syrian expatriates in the United Arab Emirates and an activist said on Sunday.
Makhluf has been living next to her daughter, Bushra, the only sister of Assad, in Dubai since around 10 days, Syrian expatriates told AFP.
Bushra's husband General Assef Shawkat, an army deputy chief of staff, was killed along with three other high-ranking Syrian officials in a July 18 bombing at the National Security headquarters in Damascus.
In September, Syrian residents in the Gulf emirate said that Bushra had enrolled her five children at a private school in Dubai where she had moved.
Makhluf's "departure from Syria is another indication of Assad losing support even from within his family," said Ayman Abdel Nour, head of the newly-formed group Syrian Christians for Democracy and editor-in-chief of opposition news website all4syria.com.
Analysts say that Assad is increasingly relying on the tightly-knit circle surrounding him, which includes Maher, his only brother still alive and who commands the army's notorious Fourth Brigade.Read the full story here.

Dubai Police Chief Continues Verbal Assault On Muslim Brotherhood.

Dubai Police Chief Continues Verbal Assault On Muslim Brotherhood.(TGMR).Kuwaiti media is reporting on further comments by the Dubai police chief accusing the Muslim Brotherhood of creating unrest in the UAE. According to the report:
KUWAIT: Dubai police chief Lt Gen Dhahi Khalfan yesterday said that a Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated group that was arrested in the UAE had was creating turmoil through social media and that they had been in contact with foreign bodies. ‘They have committed state security crimes and that’s why the public prosecutors ordered arresting them,’ he said, adding that all the arrested suspects had contacts with Brotherhood members in Kuwait and that some Kuwaiti MPs had condemned their arrest. Khalfan said that some Kuwaiti MPs – whom he did not identify – were not welcome in the UAE. ‘They know this very well and if you wish to know who they are, I suggest that they visit the UAE and they’ll be exposed,’ he said. Khalfan also stressed that investigations revealed that the suspects arrested in UAE had met with Kuwaiti Brotherhood members who are the ‘mentors of other groups’. ‘They hold courses and teach members how to act and resist, such as Tareq Al-Suwaidan. His anti-regime attitude is very clear,’ he said. Khalfan highly praised the recent measures Kuwait took in confronting the ‘illegal’ protests organized by some activists. ‘I personally believe what the government did was one hundred percent right,’ he said, noting that the one-vote electoral system was the best. Khalfan also expressed pleasure over the unprecedented number of candidates running for the forthcoming elections despite opposition calls to boycott it, saying this proves the Brotherhood opposition’s failure in convincing highly educated youth to boycott the elections. ‘How can an MP remain in office all life long?’, he also asked, suggesting limiting MPs’ membership to two or three terms. ‘Some MPs have been in office since I was a child and I’m 60 now,’ he said.
Read the rest here.
A post from October reported on comments by the United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister in which he said that Gulf Arab countries should work together to stop the Muslim Brotherhood from undermining governments in the area.

Report: Britain Considering Sending Warplanes to Persian Gulf.

Report: Britain Considering Sending Warplanes to Persian Gulf.(INN).Britain is considering stationing warplanes in the Persian Gulf as the confrontation with Iran over its nuclear program continues, The Independent reported on Thursday. The possible deployment of the Eurofighter Typhoons follows talks with the United Arab Emirates to bolster the UK’s presence in the region, said the newspaper. The decision on whether to send the planes at such a volatile time will be made by British Prime Minister David Cameron, after further talks with the rulers of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. An announcement is expected to be made in the near future, the report said.
The arrival of British aircraft is bound to fuel the Iranian sense of insecurity even if there are assurances that the move is not aimed at them, said The Independent. Defense Secretary Philip Hammond said on Wednesday that European nations must be prepared to “take a bigger role in relation to North Africa and the Middle East.”
According to The Independent, Israel, whose Defense Minister Ehud Barak is in London at the moment with the Iran crisis the main topic of discussion, is said to be “fully aware” and supportive of the discussions over the warplanes. UK military commanders are looking at the possibility of sending British jets to a base in Abu Dhabi, which is currently being used by American and French forces, as a confidence building measure but also, crucially, in case there are attempts by the Iranians to block the Strait of Hormuz.
The statement added. “These deployments are not due to our concerns over Iran’s nuclear program. As we continue to make clear, the Government does not believe military action against Iran is the right course of action at this time, although no option is off the table.”
However, The Independent has learned from highly senior military and diplomatic sources that the Al Dhafra airbase, 20 miles south of Abu Dhabi, is being looked at as a possible station for the Typhoons. The base is in use by French Mirage fighter-bombers as well as the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing of the US Air Force with jets and Patriot missile batteries and well located for operations in the Gulf. The report comes a week after the British government reiterated that it does not believe military action against Iran would be appropriate at the moment. The statement was made following the disclosure by The Guardian that Britain has rebuffed U.S. requests to use UK military bases to support the buildup of forces in the Gulf.Read the full story here.

Related? Hmmm.......Turkey to request Patriot deployment from NATO.

Dubai - 16 years for woman who beat her Indonesian maid to death with a frying pan.

Dubai - 16 years for woman who beat her Indonesian maid to death with a frying pan.(TN).By Haneen Dajani and Ola Salem.Abu Dhabi - A woman who beat her maid to death was yesterday sentenced to 16 years in jail by the Criminal Court.The court also sentenced her male neighbour E H to a 13-year term, and ordered each of them to pay Dh200,000 in blood money to the maid’s relatives.
N S and E H, both Emiratis, undressed the maid, from Indonesia, before beating her to death with a frying pan. They were sentenced to 10 years each for causing her death, plus three years each for hiding evidence and misleading authorities. They had claimed the injuries were caused when she slipped on the kitchen floor and hit her head. N S was sentenced to an additional three years for sexual assault. The court heard previously that N S would regularly undress the maid to humiliate her and torture her by forcing her to eat spicy food. Both N S and E H blamed each other. N S claimed that E H killed the maid because she threatened to report his homosexual activities to the police. E H claimed that he only watched as N S beat the maid.read the full story here.

Emirati artist captures President Barack Hussein Obama in traditional Arab attire.

Emirati artist captures President Barack Hussein Obama in traditional Arab attire.(24/7).By Mohamad Al Sidafy.Kanoo’s portraits of historical figures with Arab headwear aimed at sparking dialogue on tolerance.Ever seen US President Barak Obama in traditional Arabic attire? Well, head to Gallery Meem in Dubai for a display of portraits that captures not only President Obama, but various other world-famous celebrities wearing the traditional attire.Read and see the full story here.

"Someone must have a bad headache" 91 Million Tramadol tablets worth Dh1 billion seized by Dubai Customs

"Someone must have a bad headache" 91 Million Tramadol tablets worth Dh1 billion seized by Dubai Customs.(E24/7).Dubai Customs has foiled an attempt to smuggle 91 million Tramadol tablets worth Dh1 billion into the UAE. The huge quantity of the drug was found in Jebel Ali Port and Jebel Ali Free Zone hidden in 1,695 cartons inside six containers, four 40-square-foot containers and two 20-square-foot containers coming from an Asian country. Saeed Ahmed Al Tayer, Senior Director of Jebel Ali Cargo Operations Department, said a company operating at Jebel Ali Free Zone had been under watch. The company had declared the imported goods as cosmetics and medical instruments to the Customs Department. A sample of the seized drug was sent to the Ministry of Health which confirmed it as Tramadol, an opiate not permitted to be used without medical prescription. The trading company was not licensed to import pharmaceuticals. Also, it had not obtained a permit to import the drug and did not have a licence to set up a medical warehouse. Tramadol can generate effects similar to those of cocaine and leads to addiction which forces the addict to increase the dosage to get the desired effect. This, in turn, can lead to heart attacks and death. Overdosing can also cause breathing difficulties, drowsiness, dizziness, skin rash, tingling, sleep, coma, uncontrollable shaking of part of body, nausea, hallucinations, heart attack and death. Other symptoms of overdose also include decreased size of the eye pupil, vomiting and chills.Read the full story here.

Dubai lifeguards save tourists from 'drowning' in a kiss.

Dubai lifeguards save tourists from 'drowning' in a kiss.(BM).Dubai’s lifeguards do more than watch for drowning swimmers.They also watch for overly-affectionate beach combers.Dubai’s beach guards say part of their job has now become to issue daily warnings to tourists and visitors on the beach who get intimate in public.The beach-goers may not drown in a passionate kiss, but they do face a possible arrest.“Many tourists unaware of local laws engage in some serious huddling and kissing on the beach and we have been on constant lookout, and of course warning them,” said one lifeguard at the Open Beach in Dubai.According to another lifeguard, tourists getting too hot-and-bothered on the beach are issued verbal warnings.“Only if they ignore the warnings and continue to hug and kiss do we report them to police.Very rarely have we gone down that path because most tourists listen to us when we tell them of the consequences. They are here on a holiday all they want is to enjoy their stay and return,” said the guard.One tourist, who was at the beach, said he witnessed lifeguards warning some tourists multiple times.“There was this couple who were kissing and trying to make out. At first the guards politely told them to stop. But they continued and were warned again.
But the third time they were taken aside and once again strictly warned. That is when they sort of became normal,” he said.According to him fully clothed men were also not being allowed entry into the beach.“There were many men, fully clothed, and trying to enter the beach. They were all turned away,” he added.According to lifeguards, signboards on the beach clearly warn tourists against engaging in inappropriate behavior and security staff say they have been doubling up to ensure tourists do not get into trouble with local police.“Many tourists are aware of the local rules. However, there are many who are not,” he said.Conservative beliefs in the Arab world are not always understood by foreign tourists.According to the lifeguards, beaches and other areas are constantly monitored by plain-clothed policemen.In 2008 a British man and a woman were arrested after they were caught having sex on the beach.Hmmmm......The virgin beach...pure immaculate sand.Read the full story here.

Dubai Police Chief Dahi Khalfan Tamim: US Policy Is the Number One Threat to the Gulf States; 'Is Now Embracing' the Muslim Brotherhood, and 'Is No Longer An Ally'.

Dubai Police Chief Dahi Khalfan Tamim: 'U.S.Policy Is the No. 1 Security Threat' to the Gulf States; America Has 'Realized the Dreams Of Iran' in Iraq, 'Is Now Embracing' the Muslim Brotherhood, and 'Is No Longer An Ally'.





In a January 19, 2012 address at the GCC national and regional security conference in Bahrain, Dubai's longtime chief of police Dahi Khalfan Tamim gave an assessment of security threats to the Gulf states. He said that the U.S. was the main security threat, had realized Iran's dreams in Iraq, was "embracing" the Muslim Brotherhood, and was no longer an ally. His remarks prompted U.S. Ambassador to Bahrain Thomas Krajeski, who was attending the conference, to walk out.

The day following the address, he defended his statements, saying, "The U.S. has granted Iran many of its dreams in the region, including the toppling of Saddam [Hussein], active presence of Iran in Iraq and the exporting of the revolution into the Arab world." He added, "I was not solely targeting the U.S. policies but was giving my reading to the security threats to the Gulf, and they included several factors. I talked about corruption and abuse of power, especially in law enforcement apparatus, on Iran and the Muslim Brotherhood as well."

Tamim, who has been in his post since 1980, is credited with keeping Dubai one of the safest cities in the world, complete with extensive video surveillance. Dubai police officers have received training from the FBI and other leading agencies.
Dahi Khalfan Tamim: "Allow me to avoid diplomatic language. I am not a diplomat. I am a security official, and I will talk about the domestic and foreign security threats. My words might be embarrassing to people home and abroad, but I have come to this conference in order to say what I feel as a security official. With no further ado, I will try to present to you 38 different threats to the security of the Gulf.
"Let me begin with threat number one. In my opinion, U.S. policy in the region is the number one security threat. Our American friends might not like this, but experience has taught us that the Americans do not have friends. On the contrary, they are quick to wash their hands of their friends.

"Therefore, U.S. policy in the Gulf constitutes a threat, because they have ulterior motives: to overthrow the regimes. In the past, they used to talk about imposing democracy, but when they failed in their efforts to impose it on Iraq and Afghanistan, they took a new tack – to export the revolution. They adopted the path and ideology of Khomeini. They embraced the same idea, and began to export the revolution.
"It is not me who says this, but American writers and thinkers say so themselves. They say: We are exporting the revolution to the Arab world. If their aim is indeed to export the revolution, they subscribe to the same mentality as Khomeini."
"Bringing new regimes to power is in keeping with the American doctrine regarding the transition of power. It began in Tunisia, was exported to Egypt, and from there to Libya, to Yemen, and now to Syria – and who will be next? That is the reality of things."
"Wherever the Muslim Brotherhood are to be found in the Gulf states, they will grow stronger and will become... They are already talking about this, and therefore, they are of concern to us. America is now embracing them.
Foreign interference into Gulf affairs [poses another threat]. When the Iranian public took to the streets, the people were trodden on, crushed, beaten, and thrown into prison, but when the public in the Gulf took action, [the Iranians said]: 'No, that's a good thing. We welcome this.' Look at this paradox, at this difference in mentality. You think it is ok for my public to revolt against me, but you do not accept it when your public revolts against you. That's peculiar.
So Iran interferes [in our affairs] – and not just from today. I am an officer who has been in security for 42 years. Iran interferes not only in the affairs of Bahrain, but in the affairs of all Gulf states. We must be realistic, people.
The 11th threat is that some Gulf regimes support and embrace extremist Islamic movements. That's right. Some Gulf states support extremists. "Every Gulf state that embraces Salafis, Shiites, Muslim Brotherhood members, or members of any other Islamist organization – these organizations will turn against them and bite off the hand that fed them. Efforts have been made with these organizations in the past, and the Gulf states have given them everything they needed, but ultimately, they turned against whoever cooperated with them. I ask all the Gulf states not to accept Islamist organizations as governments. [...]
"America is no longer an ally. On the contrary, it has become an intimidating party. Get that into your heads, weigh it, and you will see. Russia has become a capitalist country, so why can't it become a new ally? The Americans used to scare us by saying that the Russians are Communists, but now Communism is gone. But now they have become more capitalist than the capitalists.
"We must reach an agreement with the Russians, and form ties with them. Think about it, and you will see."China is a friend from whom we have only seen good things throughout history, so why shouldn't we strengthen our ties with it?"Source : Memri.

Iran "Go With The Flow?" The world will not let Iran block Hormuz, but Tehran can narrow the strait to the maximum.

Iran "Go With The Flow?" The world will not let Iran block Hormuz but Tehran can narrow the strait to the maximum.(Debka).Military tensions in the Persian Gulf shot up again Thursday, Jan. 26, after Dubai police commander Gen. Dhahi Khalfan said on Al Arabiya television that an imminent Gulf war cannot be ruled out and first signs are already apparent. "The world will not let Iran block Hormuz but Tehran can narrow the strait to the maximum," he said.He echoed debkafile's predictions that Iran will not shut down the Strait of Hormuz completely, but gradually cut down tanker traffic which carries 17 million barrels, or one-fifth of the world's daily consumption, through the waterway. Our Iranian sources report that the rule of thumb Tehran has devised for confront sanctions is to respond to the tightening of an oil embargo by having the Revolutionary Guards gradually narrow the tankers' shipping lanes through the strategic strait. This will progressively cut down the amount of oil reaching the markets.Tehran will not go all the way and shut the channel down completely for fear of provoking a military showdown with the United States. But each time Washington manages to stop Iran supplying a given country, the IRGC will shut down another section of the strait.(Detailed map of the strait here).
General Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff admitted on Jan. 8 that Iran has the capacity to block the Strait of Hormuz temporarily but the US would get it reopened within a short time.Saudi Arabia and Dubai are skeptical about the ability of the American navy and Gulf forces to keep the Strait of Hormuz open at all times in the face of continuous Iranian attacks.
The prevailing view in Gulf capitals is that for the six months from February through July 1, when the European embargo on Iranian oil and the Iranian national bank freeze kick in, a war of attrition will unfold as Iran carries out sporadic strait closures, either by mining the waterway or firing missiles at tankers from unmarked speedboats.These operations will push up the price of oil and so drum home to oil-dependent Asian and European governments the high cost to them of the alternate opening and closing of the Strait of Hormuz.A Saudi official said Wednesday, Jan. 1, that Tehran's threats to punish Riyadh for offering to make up the shortfall incurred from the oil embargo against Iran "could be seen by Saudi Arabia as an act of war."The Dubai general's remarks Thursday about an imminent conflict referred not only to the flow of American reinforcements to the Gulf region but also to the new deployments of the armies of Gulf Cooperation Council states. They are moving into position in expectation of a military confrontation with Iran.Read the full story here.