Iraq request of lifting travel ban from Philippines

 

 

AP

-MANILA - Iraq's ambassador has called on the Philippines to lift its travel ban to Iraq, saying Filipino workers can gain by taking part in his country's reconstruction.

Ambassador Wadee Al-Batti is reacting to a Philippine government reiteration of a travel ban to high-risk countries like Iraq, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Lebanon, Jordan and Somalia.

He says peace and order have greatly improved in Iraq since the Philippines first imposed the ban in 2004, but that no country can guarantee against terrorist attacks.

Al-Batti says Iraq needs 3 million houses, thousands of schools and more than 100 hospitals.

The Philippines banned its citizens from working in Iraq in July 2004 but some 4,000 Filipinos were allowed to remain there to finish their contracts.

source: yahoonews

DSF 2011 Opening Ceremony at Creek Park

 
Dubai is getting ready to celebrate 32 days of shopping, entertainment and winning with a spectacular opening ceremony for visitors and residents at Dubai Creek Park.

Visitors can look forward to an entertaining evening with games, sports and water activities, and various shows presented by bands and dance troupes on several stages that will be specially built across the park. A carnival display featuring clowns and musicians will also start from Gate 1 at 7pm.

The fireworks display will begin at 8:30pm. The displays will take place simultaneously from several areas across the city including the Dubai Creek Park, the area opposite the Heritage Village in Shandagha, Global Village, and the Dubai Outlet Mall.  

Tips on how to take a fireworks click here

DSF Full Schedule Click Here

Earthquake in Pakistan magnitude 7.4 felt in UAE

Dubai - January 19 2011, at around 00:23 midnight a quake was felt in Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, Dubai, and in some part of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.of UAE.

The epicenter of the earthquake has been reported in southern Pakistan and it was of magnitude of 7.4 on the Richter scale.

Lufthansa wants to deny Emirates slots in Berlin airport

By Reuters

DUBAI - German airline Lufthansa wants Emirates airline to be denied landing slots at Berlin's new airport, saying the Dubai-based carrier had an unfair advantage, according to a UAE newspaper on Monday.

The spat between the two airlines is the latest bid by an international carrier to limit fast-growing Emirates' access to their home markets.

The National newspaper quoted a Lufthansa spokesman as saying Emirates' access to German airports had led to "unequal" air traffic between the two countries.

"We think there is a big imbalance in the allocation of slots," Lufthansa spokesman Wolfgang Weber told the newspaper.

He said Emirates already flies to four airports in Germany while Lufthansa only flies to one destination in Dubai.

"They have between five and six times more business on that route as a result."

"There is no bilateral air traffic relationship with any other country that is as unequal as between Germany and Dubai," he was quoted as saying.

Emirates airline told Reuters on Monday that it would continue to seek access to Berlin and Stuttgart as additional points of call in Germany.

source: yahoonews

Dubai Marathon 2011

Dubai (UAE): With just few days to go until the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon will kick off, runners from around the world are making tracks for the Middle East’s biggest mass participation running event with more than 100 nationalities set to hit the start line on Friday (Jan 21, 2011).

More than 11,000 runners representing 121 nationalities took part the three races – the marathon during the last year (2010) Marathon, the 10km and the 3km Fun Run. And with some 14,000 expected competitors in 2011, record numbers are expected when the marathon gets underway outside the American University at 7am.

Start & Finish (source: dubaimarathon.org) Due to the road works on Al Sufouh Road, the Start of the Marathon and 10km Road Race will be changed from the 2010 start location and will be moved to a location in front of the American University Dubai and adjacent to the entrance of the New Nakheel Metro Station. The finish for all races will be the same as the 2010 Event, in front of the Dubai Media City Amphitheatre. Marathon - 7:00 am 10km Road Race - 7:15 am 3 km Fun Run - 11:00 am T/Shirts, Medals and Certificates Marathon - T/Shirt, Medal and Certificate 10km - T/Shirt, Medal and Certificate 3km - T/Shirt and Medal Entertainment Live bands and DJs will be present at the Start/Finish area throughout the day to entertain the participants and spectators. Race Day Temperature The temperature will be approximately 10-15 degrees Celcius at the start. Parking Extensive parking facilities are available at Dubai Media City, Dubai Internet City and the Knowledge Village area. Please come early to avoid any rush or delays. Race Timing The race will be timed using the 'Championchip' electronic timing system. Chips will be provided in the race package.

Honda Civic Future Model

When the new Civic Si Concept coupe and Civic Concept sedan were unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the world got their first glimpse into the styling direction of the all-new, ninth-generation Civic. Though specific details have yet to be released, the new Civic model range will have the widest array of engine options in its class, including conventional sedan and coupe models, sporty "Si" performance versions, as well as hybrid and natural-gas variants. For more information please visit the Future Models and Concepts

 

Dubai voted as the world's best shopping destination

UAE- Dubai, with its glittering array giant malls packed full of luxury brands, is seen as the world’s best city for shopping among people in the Arab world, according to a new survey.

Results of the survey ranked in order of most popular:

Dubai (United Arab Emirates) - 32%
Paris (France) - 13%
Beijing (China) - 5%
Istanbul (Turkey) - 5%
London (United Kingdom) - 5%
New York (United States) - 4%
Other - 3%
Beirut (Lebanon) - 3%
Hong Kong (China) - 3%
Bangkok (Thailand) - 2%
Tokyo (Japan)    - 2%
Milan (Italy) - 2%
Barcelona (Spain) - 2%
Marrakech (Morocco) - 2%
Amsterdam (Netherlands) - 1%
Madrid (Spain) - 1%
Singapore (Singapore) - 1%
Munich (Germany) - 1%
Sydney (Australia) - 1%

As the date is set for the 2011 Dubai Shopping Festival this gives more advantage to ranked Dubai as the number one shopping destination, beating out more established global cities such as London, Paris and New York.

Black Nazarene - Quiapo Manila

MANILA – Nearly 2 million barefoot devotees, mostly in maroon shirts, thronged the streets of Manila on Sunday as a centuries old black statue of Jesus Christ, believed to have healing powers, was paraded through the old city.T

The annual parade of the Black Nazarene atop a gilded carriage around Manila's downtown Quiapo district is one of the largely Catholic country's most spectacular and extreme shows of faith, and attracts people from all walks of life.

The carriage was pulled along in a sea of devotees, with thousands scrambling to get near the statue or touch the ropes as the image slowly made its way through busy roads.

source: Yahoonews

Dubai - New Year 2011 Fireworks - Burj Khalifa