FNC rejects full foreign ownership of companies

Abu Dhabi: Overwhelming opposition by the Federal National Council to full foreign ownership of companies yielded an immediate response with the Government scrapping the proposal.

Members of the House unanimously rejected a clause in the draft companies law which would have allowed foreigners to fully own certain companies after a decision of the Cabinet.

They said the move would endanger the UAE’s national security, citing the country’s population’s structure in which “Emiratis account for less than 10 per cent”.

“If the move had been passed citizens would have left nothing to own and our parliament with its weak powers would not be able to change such a law,’ said Dr Abdul Rahim Al Shaheen, a representative from Ras Al Khaimah.

Source GulfNews.com

UAE vs Uzbekistan Football team - UAE wins

UAE's football team made their dreams and history of UAE Football when they scored  3-2 victory against Uzbekistan in Tashkent to be in the London Olympics 2012.

(GettyImage)

YAS MARINA CIRCUIT UNVEILS TIMINGS FOR F1 ACTIVITIES

Abu Dhabi, 09 November 2010 – Today Yas Marina Circuit announced the schedule for the upcoming Formula 1TM Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, including an array of activities and entertainment for all the family.

Spectators will not only enjoy the thrill of seeing the F1 World Champion being crowned in Abu Dhabi, but will also have the opportunity to see very close racing in the supporting GP2 and Porsche events and sample a wide range of off-track activities from breakdancing and skateboarding workshops to bungee trampolines.

Other family activities at the circuit will include karting for those aged 18 and under, the F1 Village, BMX bikers, food and beverage stands, an autograph zone, live music, a climbing wall, an arcade gaming zone, nail art stations, kids zone and entertainment from the Swat Crew, Killa Kela and Acrodunk basketball players.

Ticket-holders will have the opportunity to attend the live concerts by Kanye West on Friday the 12th, Linkin Park on Saturday the 13th and Prince on Sunday 14th of November. Concert access will open every evening at 18.30 until midnight.

“There is a huge variety of activities and entertainment available this year to suit all age groups and interests, in addition to one of the most compelling races of 2010,” said Richard Cregan, Chief Executive Officer of Yas Marina Circuit. “It is a great honour for Abu Dhabi to be the deciding race of the most exciting F1 season in recent years, and the excitement and anticipation is mounting. Combined with all the additional off-track entertainment, I believe race-goers can look forward to an amazing weekend."

Families and racing fans will also be able to experience the highly anticipated, multi-dimensional and newly opened Ferrari theme park, situated right next door to the circuit. Away from the track and in the heart of Abu Dhabi is the F1 Fan Zone on the Corniche which will provide everyone, whether they have a ticket for the race or not, with the opportunity to experience the F1 buzz and excitement, buy racing experiences, and enter Yas Marina Circuit prize draws. 

Schedule of the 2010 Formula 1TM Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Thursday 11th November
12:00 ENTERTAINMENT GATES OPEN TO TICKET HOLDERS
12:00 ENTERTAINMENT F1 VILLAGE OPEN
14:00 - 16:00 YAS MARINA CIRCUIT PUBLIC PIT LANE WALK
18:00 ENTERTAINMENT F1 VILLAGE CLOSES
01:00 YAS MARINA CIRCUIT VENUE CLOSES
Friday 12th November
10:00 ENTERTAINMENT GATES OPEN
10:00 YAS MARINA CIRCUIT OASIS VILLAGES OPEN
10:30 - 11:00 GP2 PRACTICE SESSION
11:30 - 12:10 PORSCHE GT3 CUP CHALLENGE ME PRACTICE SESSION
13:00 - 14:30 FORMULA ONE FIRST PRACTICE SESSION
14:55 - 15:25 GP2 QUALIFYING SESSION
17:00 - 18:30 FORMULA ONE SECOND PRACTICE SESSION
18:30 ENTERTAINMENT CONCERT DOORS OPEN
20:00 ENTERTAINMENT SOUTH & WEST OASIS CLOSED
20:30 ENTERTAINMENT F1 VILLAGE AND NORTH OASIS CLOSE
21:00 ENTERTAINMENT CONCERT STARTS - KANYE WEST
01:00 YAS MARINA CIRCUIT VENUE CLOSES
Saturday 13th November
10:00 ENTERTAINMENT GATES OPEN
10:00 ENTERTAINMENT OASIS VILLAGES OPEN
11:00 - 12:20 GP2 FIRST RACE (33 LAPS OR 75 MINS)
12:45 - 13:15 PORSCHE GT3 CUP CHALLENGE ME QUALIFYING SESSION
14:00 - 15:00 FORMULA ONE THIRD PRACTICE SESSION
17:00 - 18:00 FORMULA ONE QUALIFYING SESSION
18:00 ENTERTAINMENT CONCERT DOORS OPEN
20:00 ENTERTAINMENT SOUTH & WEST OASIS CLOSE
20:30 ENTERTAINMENT F1 VILLAGE AND NORTH OASIS CLOSE
21:00 ENTERTAINMENT CONCERT STARTS - LINKIN PARK
01:00 YAS MARINA CIRCUIT VENUE CLOSES
Sunday 14th November
10:00 GATES OPEN
10:00 ENTERTAINMENT OASIS VILLAGES OPEN
13:30 - 14:20 GP2 SECOND RACE (22 LAPS OR 45 MINS)
14:45 - 15:20 PORSCHE GT3 CUP CHALLENGE ME SECOND RACE (14 LAPS OR 30 MINS)
15:30 FORMULA ONE DRIVERS TRACK PARADE
17:00 FORMULA ONE GRAND PRIX (55 LAPS OR 120 MINS)
19:00 ENTERTAINMENT CONCERT DOORS OPEN
20:00 ENTERTAINMENT SOUTH & WEST OASIS CLOSE
20:30 ENTERTAINMENT F1 VILLAGE AND NORTH OASIS CLOSE
21:00 ENTERTAINMENT CONCERT STARTS - PRINCE
01:00 YAS MARINA CIRCUIT VENUE CLOSES

About Yas Marina Circuit:

Yas Marina Circuit is one of the most technologically advanced motor racing facilities ever developed. Located on Yas Island, the circuit debuted on October 30, 2009 with the final race of the FIA Formula One World Championship - the inaugural Formula 1™ Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to a capacity crowd of around 50,000. Year round, Yas Marina Circuit hosts an extensive programme of leading international and national motorsport racing series as well as major entertainment events and corporate activities. Supplementary facilities include the Yas Drag Racing Centre, the Yas Racing School and the Yas Kartzone.

Media Contacts:

Kawthar Bin Sulayem

Regional Media Manager, Yas Marina Circuit

Mobile: +971 (0) 50 358 8220

Email: kawthar.binsulayem@ymc.ae

Source: Yas Marina Circuit.Com

Petrol Price to rise-up again in UAE for the third times in 2010

Abu Dhabi: Petrol prices in the UAE are set to rise a third time this year. Sources from oil company Adnoc told  that the fuel distribution companies are about to increase price on fuel.

The source added that in private meetings of the boards of directors of the fuel suppliers it turned out that they fear to report significant losses if the prices remain at the current levels. The increase will be 20 fils per liter. This means that the cost of Special fuel will increase from Dh1.72 to Dh1.92 per liter.
The source, added that the increase will become effective "a few weeks after Eid holiday." The previous increase happened just last Thursday 15th of July 2010.

The price of E-plus will increase from Dh1.61 to Dh1.81. Diesel will increase from Dh2,35 to Dh2,55 per liter.

Source: Gulfnews

Petrol price increase by 20 fils

UAE: The UAE's oil marketing companies have decided to raise petrol prices by Dh0.20 a litre effective Thursday,(Gulfnews)

Petrol prices currently range from Dh1.41 to Dh1.63 per litre. (AED. 3.68 = $ 1.00)

"With effect from 12 midnight [on] Thursday 15th of July, the retail pump price of Mogas will be increased by Dh0.20 per litre. The price change must be done at 11:50pm on 14th of July," Emirates National Oil Company (Enoc] said in a note circulated across its network of fuel outlets and pumps of Emirates Petroleum Products Company (Eppco).

ALLEGED RAPE OF TWO FILIPINAS IN ABU DHABI UAE

ALLEGED RAPE OF TWO FILIPINAS IN ABU DHABI

AND VIDEO OF WOMAN WITH SEVERE SLASH WOUNDS



The Embassy of the Philippines in Abu Dhabi is in receipt of numerous inquiries regarding the alleged rape of two Filipinas behind Marina Mall sometime in mid February 2010 and the video of a woman, with severe cuts all over her body, being treated in an undisclosed medical facility which has been widely circulated over the internet.

The Embassy would like to inform the public that, after an exhaustive investigation, there is no conclusive evidence of any rape that occurred behind Marina Mall, that there was no rape victim allegedly treated at the Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC) and that there was no reported case of any rape victim who died as a result of the alleged incident.

A copy of the video entitled “Gadis Malang” was forwarded to the Embassy by a concerned kababayan on 01 April 2010. She alleged that the woman in the video was the Marina Mall rape victim who was treated at SKMC. This allegation was proven false after the Embassy received a letter from SKMC officials denying that such incident took place in their facility. The Embassy also interviewed numerous hospital personnel who disproved the allegation. The alleged rape incident and the video of the unidentified slashing victim are two separate and unrelated issues that were confused as being one and the same case.

Though the content of the video itself is not in question, it would be extremely difficult to determine the victim’s identity, nationality and date/place of the incident based on the video alone. The Embassy condemns the inhuman and brutal act and joins the public in appealing for justice for the victim and imposition of appropriate penalties for the perpetrator/s. A copy has been forwarded to appropriate UAE authorities for a more thorough investigation. The source of the video is also being verified. Further announcements shall be made public as soon as these details are confirmed.

The Embassy commends the Filipino community for its Bayanihan spirit and genuine concern to protect the safety and well being of our fellow nationals. However, it would also like to remind those concerned to practice due diligence prior to spreading news that have not been verified nor validated by either the source of the information, the Embassy, or by concerned UAE authorities. Such action will only result to unnecessary fear, confusion and misinformation.

Rest assured of the Embassy’s sincere and continued commitment in protecting and promoting the welfare and interests of all Filipinos in the United Arab Emirates.

UFC 112 INVINCIBLE in Abu Dhabi UAE

Two titles. One night. The Ultimate Fighting Championship® travels to Abu Dhabi for the first time and fans there will witness one of the organization’s greatest events ever, as middleweight titleholder Anderson "The Spider" Silva faces the extraordinary BJJ of Demian Maia. Lightweight champion BJ Penn looks to continue his dominant reign when he takes on Frankie Edgar in the double main event of UFC® 112.

Also, two legends meet for the first time when future UFC® Hall of Famer™ Matt Hughes battles ground fighting master Renzo Gracie. UFC® 112 INVINCIBLE – Saturday, April 10, live on Pay-Per-View from Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.

Ticket prices

Upper Grandstand: Dh395
Middle Grandstand: Dh795
Lower Grandstand: Dh1,595
Diamond Grandstand: Dh2,795
Platinum Grandstand: Dh3,695
Platinum Floor: Dh3,695

Confirmed fights

Anderson Silva vs. Demian Maia – middleweight title fight
BJ Penn vs. Frankie Edgar – lightweight title fight
Matt Hughes vs. Renzo Gracie
Nick Osipczak vs. Rick Story
Kendall Grove vs. Mark Munoz
John Gunderson vs. Paul Taylor

Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Winner in Yas Marina Circuit

November 1, 2009 Abu Dhabi UAE, German Sebastian Vettel etched his name as knight of the night at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Hamilton retired in the 20th lap of the 55-lap race in one of the most spectacular racing venues in the world due to a brake problem.



Image courtesy of digitalproductionme.com


Race result after 55 laps:

1 S.Vettel Red Bull 1:34:03.414
2 M.Webber Red Bull +17.857
3 J.Button Brawn GP +18.467
4 R.Barrichello Brawn GP +22.735
5 N.Heidfeld BMW Sauber +26.253
6 K. Kobayashi Toyota +28.343
7 J.Trulli Toyota +34.366
8 S.Buemi Toro Rosso +41.294
9 N.Rosberg Williams +45.941
10 R.Kubica BMW Sauber +48.180
11 H.Kovalainen McLaren +52.798
12 K.Raikkonen Ferrari +54.317
13 K.Nakajima Williams +59.839
14 F.Alonso Renault +69.687
15 V.Liuzzi Force India +94.450
16 G.Fisichella Ferrari +1 LAP
17 A.Sutil Force India +1 LAP
18 R. Grosjean Renault +1 LAP
J.Alguersuari Toro Rosso Retired
L.Hamilton McLaren Retired

F1 Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi Yas Marina

Today November 1, 2009 is the final race for the first Abu Dhabi Yas Marina F1 Grand Prix circuit. To find who is the faster driver in Formula one and to set the first fastest lap record in the new build F1 circuit.

List of the current Top Five :

No Driver Name Team Name Points

1 Jenson Button (GBR) Brawn GP 89

2 Sebastian Vettel (GER) Red Bull 74

3 Rubens Barrichello (BRA) Brawn GP 72

4 Mark Webber (AUS) Red Bull 61.5

5 Lewis Hamilton (GBR) McLaren 49

Note: Standing courtesy of


The Yas Marina Circuit: