Recommended reads
Business focus
Saudis well placed after tough year
- Analysts say the kingdom’s lenders will emerge strongly from the credit crisis, but there is work yet to be done, particularly in developing its debt markets.
Oasis
Sign language
- Weird shop names, odd road signs: we've seen a few but none as good as those collected by The Signposting Project from Lonely Planet. They will be exhibited at Dubai Fringe Festival, Festival City, on January 28.
Haiti struggles to dispose of dead
Like much of the relief efforts slowly beginning to affect the devastated city, body disposal is a haphazard exercise that lacks co-ordination.
‘VIP investor’ sues Damac
A German investor is suing Damac Properties for alleged breach of contract in what could be the largest lawsuit taken by an individual against a Dubai developer.
Abu Dhabi salt plains could help fuel planes
Details of potential role of the humble pickleweed in battle against climate change emerge on eve of capital’s energy summit.
Developers plan to keep the sea at bay
Climate change could mean a 1.9-metre surge by 2100: but sea walls and barriers should prevent low-lying landmarks from being swamped.
Vuitton flag sails into Dubai
The 14-day regatta of the Louis Vuitton Trophy will take place at the Dubai International Marine Club in November.
Jets defence dams Rivers to overcome Chargers
New York upset the San Diego Chargers to reach the AFC Championship game.
UAE
Food safety inspections steam ahead
Restaurants, groceries and other food sellers will face many more inspections in 2010, food safety officials pledge.
Seven plead not guilty in Dh38bn scheme
Seven men have been accused of trying to pull off the country’s “largest monetary scheme” by attempting to withdraw 7.2 billion euros (Dh38bn) from a Central Bank account.
Etihad flyer said he had bomb: officials
A 66-year old Frenchman arrested on board an Etihad Airways flight last week clearly declared he had a bomb in his possession, civil aviation officials said.
World
Pope gunman released from prison
The Turkish man who shot Pope John Paul II in 1981 was released from prison today after more than 29 years behind bars.
Muslim Brotherhood has new leader
Mohammed Badie faces struggle to unite Egypt’s largest opposition organisation, while advocating ‘gradual reform of country’.
Iran threatened by female activists
Authorities in Tehran are in a quandary over how to negate the growing force of women protesters.
Business
Banks’ role in $10bn funds made clear
Officials say that $5bn of the financial assistance to Dubai announced last month was already committed by two Abu Dhabi-controlled banks.
DM Group aims to triple reach
The UAE healthcare firm plans to spend Dh1.3 billion in the next five years to expand its operations threefold in the GCC and India.
Jebel Ali Hotels to manage 10-villa resort in Seychelles
Round Island Resort will be firm’s first foray into an overseas market and is expected to open in the third quarter of this year.
Opinion
The Middle East needs vision to look beyond the oil age
Emile Hokayem, Political Editor: The global energy landscape has rarely been as chaotic as in recent years. As the World Future Energy Summit opens today in Abu Dhabi, it is in the context of a rapidly changing world.
A global registry for climate commitments
Richard Stewart, Benedict Kingsbury and Bryce Rudyk: Both public and private investment flows from developed countries will be critical to the development and deployment of renewable energy, carbon capture and storage, and other green technologies in fast-growing, developing countries.
France and the UAE: leading by example and unity of effort
Jean-Louis Borloo: France, one of the very few countries in the world that has kept its commitments under the Kyoto Protocol, has chosen to be forward-looking and show by example, setting a goal for cutting its CO2 emissions by four times by 2050.
Sport
Lions find their roar in nick of time
Substitute Mohamadou Idrissou heads in a late winner after Cameroon trailed for most part of the game but struck twice in five minutes against a valiant Zambia.
Magical Favre throws Vikings past Cowboys
The forty-year-old quarterback throws four touchdown passes, while counterpart Tony Romo is sacked six times in Minneapolis.
Classy Fabregas runs the show
Back after a hamstring injury, Fabregas opened the scoring in the 28th minute and played a part in the second for compatriot Fran Merida 12 minutes from time.
Arts
Novels of life and death
The novelist Shannon Burke tells how his years as a Harlem paramedic have informed his work.
What about Bob Seger?
The rocker has the best-selling catalogue album of the past decade, but is little known outside the American Midwest.
Fans may forever be Lost for answers
If even Barack Obama promises not to preempt the premiere episode of Lost's final season with his State of the Nation address, just what might be in store for fans?
Life
Still better than the cure
Debate may rage on, but the fact remains that preventive medicine has a vital role to play in health care.
The age of steam
Western notions of the ‘authentic’ Turkish bathhouse experience are filtering into mainstream Istanbul society.
Calcium-rich foods help you keep the weight off
Week three of our new year, new you diet plan focusses on foods that are high in calcium.
Video
Review
House of the dead
Cover story What makes a man take credit for a crime he didn’t commit? Peter Savodnik on the curious case of an American soldier who sent himself to a Russian prison
Plan for all seasons
The big idea Issandr El Amrani calls for an end to all the calls for a ‘new Marshall Plan’
Travels in America
Books Colm Tóibín’s latest novel follows a young woman from rural Ireland to bustling New York City. Ben East talks to the author about leaving home, spending time in America and hating baseball.
Magazine
Young and the restless
Magazine cover In a rare interview ahead of his special recognition at the Grammys this month, M talks to the music legend Neil Young. But which incarnation of the veteran performer will he be?
For king and country
Feature Thirty-eight years ago, Randa Habib landed an interview with King Hussein of Jordan, a meeting that would change the course of her life. The veteran AFP news bureau chief talks about her life and her book on Jordan’s royal family.
Barney and friends
Feature It took 12 years to make the film version of the final book of Canadian novelist Mordecai Richler. M visits the set of Barney’s Version, an international co-production starring Paul Giamatti.
Weekender
Life after catastrophe
The world is responding to the horror of Haiti’s earthquake, but rebuilding a country and the lives of its people is a formidable task that can take decades.
Simon Cowell: The man we love to hate
Everyone’s favourite talent-show villain is leaving American Idol, but that does not mean we have seen the last of the media mogul.
Why we don’t need to put words into teenagers’ mouths
Are the teenagers of today really a bunch of moronic, monosyllabic idlers whose inarticulacy renders them unemployable?
Most popular stories
- ‘VIP investor’ sues Damac
- Banks’ role in $10bn funds made clear
- Abu Dhabi 2100: under water?
- Abu Dhabi salt plains could help fuel planes
- Developers plan to keep the sea at bay
- GCC train could hit 350kph
- Etihad flyer said he had bomb: officials
- Beyond boundaries
- Haiti struggles to dispose of dead
- Seven plead not guilty in Dh38bn scheme
Business blogs
Beep Beep:
Twittery PR Clueyness Emerging in Dubai
Crane Country:
First looks at Masdar City
In The Black:
Resources ride again
Mixed Media:
Viacom now running MTV Arabia and Nickelodeon Arabia
The Current Account:
Presto! Making $5bn 'go away'
The Grid:
Antarctic wind farm to test limits of renewable energy technology
Global briefing
US faces criticism over coordination of Haitian relief effort
- While the United States has taken the lead in a massive relief operation, its focus on its own citizens and troops has drawn criticism from international agencies and representatives of other governments.
You make the news
Send us your stories and pictures
