Now's not the time to come vacation in the UAE

Why?

Sheikh Rashid bin Ahmed dies

Things in the UAE will be closed for 7 days of mourning.

Perez on George in AD

A photo and a "brief" comment about George Michael and his appearance here in Abu Dhabi.
Click here to see it and also read the idiot comments about AD. It still amazes me how people think the UAE is equal to the wild west.

The big 3-7!

Today the UAE celebrates it's National Day — 37 years of being a nation.


While most people will celebrate it like Wes by not working, heading to the beach to smoke shisha, drinking and watch the fireworks... I will work. Very late. Unfortunately the paper considers a country's anniversary and the world's largest fireworks display "news." That's a crazy thought!

Sex on the beach couple free to.. be deported.

The famous couple who were caught having sex on a Dubai beach while intoxicated (and who also assaulted a police officer) are free from their jail sentence and the UAE. Click HERE to read all about it.

And we're still lacking quality music

Concert season is upon us. With cool weather comes outdoor venues opening their doors. And yes, here come the announcements. So far we've had: Christina Aguilera, Fergie, George Michael w/Alicia Keys, Kylie Minogue and now...



Shoot me now.

I am still holding out for hope that this year's Desert Rock Festival will be decent.

First there was Elton John...

... now George Michael comes out of retirement to play Abu Dhabi!?!

Oh, it's so true.
Perez broke the news HERE.

I'm a bit surprsied they will let him into the country since he JUST got arrested for drugs. But Scott Weiland came and played... so really, musicians must not count re: drug laws here.

Reason 5,792 why Abu Dhabi is Vegas-like

The glowing neon guitar strikes again!

Hard Rock Hotels has planned to launch its second hotel in the UAE, Hard Rock Hotel Abu Dhabi. Click HERE to read all about it.

I say, "Hooray for another place to drink at!"

Has-been to perform in Abu Dhabi

Blah.


In the style of Perez

Another pop "star" comes to town. Seriously, can't Abu Dhabi dirhams buy someone better? Plus I thought she was busy with some kid or something.

Dubai and religion

A good series from the NYT about Dubai, culture and religion titled "Young and Arab in Land of Mosques and Bars". Read it HERE.

An equally interesting slide show to match. Click HERE for the photos.

Officially very tall

There's been some debate around the world as to who has the "world's tallest building" and Dubai's project has been a bit mysterious since they wouldn't announce the final amount of stories/floors/etc.

But, THIS just in from YahooNews.

Looks like Dubai will be taking the record for tallest building as it's reached a height of 688 metres or 2,257 feet and is still growing developers announced Tuesday.

How does she keep getting into this blog?

I guess any semi-famous American celebrity has an equal shot at doing so if they are dating a member of the Abu Dhabi royal family!
WOWIE!

Celb insider Perez Hilton is reporting that Pamela Anderson is doing just that. Pam's pictures graced the pages of many magazines here in June when she came for a charity event. After that even more news surfaced when she announced her plans for building an eco-friendly hotel in the capital.

I bet they are "dating" so the royal family can guarantee she follows through with building the hotel. AND THAT'S how business gets done!

Another overseas purchase

This time it ISN'T American!
Dubai has just purchased 20% of Cirque du Solei from it's Quebec founders.
To read about the deal, CLICK HERE.

Seriously, this place is totally Vegas.

Pam Anderson loves Abu Dhabi soooo much...

...that she's decided to build a hotel in it!

No joke. Perez even has the story HERE.

Not only will it feature her name and design but will be a green-friendly venture. I bet Dubai is Über jealous!

Buying up American like it's our job

Perhaps you've heard about it... maybe you haven't..

But Abu Dhabi is taking a big interest in American right now since, well, the economy ain't so great there.

Latest purchase? Oh, a 75% stake in the Chrysler building in N.Y.
Truth is, Abu Dhabi probably bought it because they had a small obsession with the latest Spider-Man. If they can't have Spider-Man, they'll take the building featured in it.

Oh yea, Abu Dhabi is also one of the largest shareholders in GE too. Spend, spend, spend...


Wes says:
Since not everyone can come work in Abu Dhabi like we have, it looks like you can work for Abu Dhabi when comes there!

"No sex please, you're British"

With a headline like that, you can't but help read this crazy Dubai-related story.
Click HERE to read about the girl who got arrested Friday.

More press on us and the UAE

It looks like while I was in the U.S. two interesting news articles came out. One on the progress of The National and the other on traveling to the UAE.
Click HERE to read an article about The National written by The Guardian titled 'Making waves in the desert'. And click HERE to read about the perceived terrorism threat Brittan warns it's nationals against regarding visiting the UAE.

Commence the national day(s) of mourning

Sheikh Nasser bin Zayed dies
Read about it here.

How many of you would come visit if this happens?

The UAE is putting a bid in today to host the World Cup. Read about it HERE.

Next up on the Vegas concert train...

OH, did I say Vegas? Should have said Dubai. Basically the same thing.

Click here to read about the next TWO divas hitting the U.A.E. this month. Oh yea, Preze Hilton reports.

In the Gray Lady

An article about our paper in the New York Times.
Read it HERE.