Dubai Metro Opens Today

The Dubai Metro will be all set for public use starting today. Its launching ceremony already took place yesterday, with members of the ruling family, dignitaries, and other VIPs in attendance.
Employees of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai are already familiar with the Metro and the stations that are on the route currently being opened. RTA employees have been using the Metro and all the facilities at its stations as part of the test-run before its official opening to the public.
The Metro is the world’s largest automated driverless transport system and has 87 trains to carry passengers. The trains will run on two main routes, the Red Line, and the Green Line.
The Red Line has a total of 29 stations, and will be open to the public starting today. The Green Line has 18 stations, and isn’t ready just yet.
It is estimated that all routes and stations of the Metro will be fully functional by 2012.
The Dubai Metro has park and ride facilities that can accommodate thousands of cars, the largest of which has parking for up to 6000 cars.
Passengers have the option of travelling Silver (economy class), Women and Children, and Golden (first class).
The Metro is designed so that people from all walks of life can use it easily, including the elderly and the disabled. All stations and trains are equipped with the tools necessary to facilitate the journey for anyone who wishes to travel by the Metro.
The Metro promises to be a safe, comfortable, and stress-free commute. It also promises to revolutionise the way people travel and think about transport in Dubai, as well as help ease traffic on the roads.

Here’s hoping the Metro succeeds in doing what it aims to!

Sources: gulfnews.com

For more details: http://archive.gulfnews.com/indepth/dubaimetro/puffs/mid_left/10112170.html

For pictures: http://www.gulfnews.com/gngalleries/galleries/10348282.html

What some commuters had to say: http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Traffic_and_Transport/10347963.html

For reviews and blogs: http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Traffic_and_Transport/10347206.html

Logitech MX

The world’s leading computer mouse manufacturer, Logitech International, recently announced two new products – the Anywhere Mouse MX, and its larger version, the Performance Mouse MX.The Anywhere Mouse MX promises to eliminate the age old problem notebook users face when using their mouse on different surfaces. Most users know what happens when they try to use their mouse on glass or other glossy surfaces – the mouse simply doesn’t work.

For the complete article go to http://www.desivibe.ca/the-tech-tree/291-logitech-mx

Sources: Gulf News, ZDNet.com, Logitech.com

Megan Fox's Crazy Quote

In Wonderland magazine’s newest issue, Transformers star, Megan Fox, is quoted as saying, “I basically read every book ever written about Marilyn Monroe. I could end up like that because I constantly struggle with the idea that I think I’m a borderline personality—or that I have bouts of mild schizophrenia. I definitely have some kind of mental problem and I haven’t pinpointed what it is.”
Err, Megan, just because you’re beautiful doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to expose your mentally unstable side.
And isn’t assessing mental issues something professionals like psychologists and psychiatrists are supposed to do?
Looks like it really is time you went in to see a good one. Maybe he/she will have better luck at “pinpointing” your exact problem.

Source: perezhilton.com

How Not to be Mistaken for Chris Brown

How NOT to be mistaken for Chris Brown (and get chased down the street by the paparazzi, Rihanna fans, or human rights activists).

Do NOT beat up your girlfriend.
Do NOT say that you forgot that you beat up your girlfriend.
Do NOT claim that you still love your now ex beaten up girlfriend.

Alright, so Brown later admitted he “misspoke” about forgetting that he bashed up Rihanna. Still, how can you misspeak about someone who you most definitely beat the daylights out of?
To top that off, Brown is said to be upset with Larry King for asking him questions which lead to him giving that statement. Looks like Brown really does need to grow up, because if he really wants to be upset at someone, it should be himself.
And just when you think he couldn’t have made matters any worse for himself, he goes ahead and says he still loves Rihanna.
Nice way of showing your love, Chris. Let’s hope you don’t go around showing any more of it in the future. And as a side note, you may want to keep that silly mouth of yours shut, before you make an even bigger train wreck of yourself than you already have.

Sources: peacefmonline.com, perezhilton.com
For details of what Brown said and for a picture of the ex-couple go to: http://showbiz.peacefmonline.com/news/200909/25740.php

Chris Brown's Punishment

Chris Brown recently got his due in an LA courtroom.
The 20 year old R&B singer was sentenced to five years of probation and 180 days of labour service by Judge Patricia Schnegg.
Yes, you got that right, labour service, not community service. That means Rihanna-bashing Brown is going to be doing things that involve actual physical labour like picking up other people’s garbage, washing cars, and keeping certain public areas clean.
He’s also going to have to sit through counselling sessions at a Catholic charity, as well as completing a year long domestic violence course.
Although Brown will be allowed to complete his sentence in his own state of Virginia, he still has to report back in person to the Judge every three months.
That’s probably so he doesn’t "forget" all the things he has to do, just like he "forgot" beating up Rihanna. Or maybe it’s to make sure he doesn’t "forget" and "misunderstand" his sentence, just like he says he "misspoke" about forgetting that he beat Rihanna.
In either case, it’s pretty smart of the Judge to be following up on Brown. Looks like Brown is all set for the next year or so. He'll have plenty of time to think about what he did while he washes cars and picks up trash.
Here’s hoping Brown's sentence gives Rihanna some peace, because reports have it, she’s been feeling really down lately. Her friends say she’s just not the same anymore, and they hardly ever see her smile.
Cheer up, Riri! Maybe you can throw some extra garbage in the areas Brown is responsible for, or send a really dirty car over for him to wash. Anything to make you feel better really!

Sources: gulfnews.com, perezhilton.com

Bird Story

A man in Dubai has confessed to stealing a hundred frozen chickens. The 28 year old chef stole the frozen birdies from the place where he worked.
He sold the stolen birds to a salesman, who claims he didn’t know the illegal nature of their transaction.
The duo was ratted out by one of their night-shift supervisors, who claims the salesman was in the know and was helping the chef in his birdly affairs. They are both being charged, and the trial is currently underway.
Too bad they couldn’t “fly” under the radar on this one.

Sources: Radio 101.6, gulfnews.com

Bye Bye Doggy

The world’s oldest pooch died on Friday, at her owners’ Long Island home in New York. Chanel was 21 years old, the equivalent of 147 in doggy years.
She made her way into the Guinness Book of World Records, and had a birthday bash thrown in her honour by a Manhattan based pet food company. The pooch party was held in May in true doggy style luxury at a dog hotel and spa facility.
Her owners, Denise and Carl Shaughnessy, said she was lively and delightful even in her later years, despite having to wear tinted goggles for her cataracts, and sweaters because of her sensitivity to the cold.
Her owners are sure to miss her, since they had her ever since she was just a six week old dachshund pup.
Perhaps they can take comfort in the fact that at least their pet had a long and healthy life, and went well after her time was due. Her memories will be sure to make them smile every time they think of her though.

Source: gulfnews.com

Welcome to the UAE, Irena

The UAE recently won the rights to host the headquarters of Irena – the International Renewable Energy Agency.

Major competitors like Germany and Austria bowed out after it became obvious the majority of Irena’s 129 member states showed overwhelming support for the UAE.

Winning the bid to host the headquarters of Irena is a huge accomplishment for the UAE because its decision to compete was viewed with scepticism and surprise by most in the beginning, and chances of a win seemed slim, if not impossible.

The UAE has reason to be proud of its victory, because it is the first and only country in the developing world to host a major international organisation like the newly formed Irena. Till date, no developing country can make such a claim.

Irena’s headquarters are going to be in Masdar City, in the UAE’s capital, Abu-Dhabi.

Masdar City is touted to be the globe’s first carbon-neutral, zero-waste city, and is currently under construction. Its date of completion is set to be sometime in October 2011, and the city is going to have all its energy needs provided for by renewable energy sources, like solar energy, for example.

Irena’s director general, Helene Pelosse, says the UAE and the rest of the Gulf region is ideal for such projects because of the weather conditions and all the area available for construction and development. She called Abu-Dhabi the “renewable energy city of the future”, and said that, “the sun is tomorrow’s oil”.

Pelosse also added that the UAE would begin to export renewable energy well before its oil supplies run out, and the technologies needed to do this are in place.

The Gulf region is unique in that it’s blessed with warm and sunny weather almost all through the year, and that’s good news when it comes to projects like this.

At the moment, the UAE uses fossil fuels, like oil, to fulfil its energy requirements. Needless to say, this doesn’t help the environment, and nor is it a permanent solution because such resources will eventually run out.

The UAE makes a lot of revenue by exporting oil, but once all the oil is gone, it needs something to replace it for continued income from the trade.

Irena is good for the country not only because it puts it on the international map, but also because it is going to ensure the UAE has enough energy for export once its non-renewable resources run out.Irena will allow the UAE to become one of the main exporters of renewable energy to national as well as international markets, and may even trump the US and Europe’s energy supplies by 2020.

Irena currently has a 136 state member panel, with more states expected to join. Once its membership increases, it aims to become a UN agency.

Irena isn’t just a matter of prestige and increased trade for the UAE, but also promises to bring more employment and research opportunities into the country. New jobs and opportunities for studies in the field will draw experts and students alike to the UAE.

As Irena promises to be the start of something great, the UAE seems all set to be the leader in developing new technologies and making a carbon-free imprint of its own.

Sources: Gulf News

To view an illustration of Irena: http://archive.gulfnews.com/nation/Environment/10328839.html

For more info about Masdar City: http://archive.gulfnews.com/indepth/irena/more_stories/10327093.html

For what some residents think about Irena: http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/09/07/01/10327572.html

Tick, Tock, Bong!

The world’s most famous clock tower, Big Ben, will celebrate its 150th anniversary today.
Big Ben’s “bongs” have been sounding since 1859, and the clock is one of London’s most famous monuments.
Standing at about 320 feet, the tower is a delight to behold. It looks especially beautiful after dark, lit up and magnificent.
Big Ben is situated on Bridge Street in London, UK, so if you happen to be there, remember to check out all the festivities the city has arranged to celebrate its favourite clock’s anniversary.

Picture courtesy of FreeFoto: http://www.freefoto.com/index.jsp

For more info: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jZeC9CXJJVJdnVPtkuQrsaupCVqQD99C8TAO0

To listen to Big Ben’s chimes, and see more pictures: http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/in_pictures/viewsoflondon/big_ben/
For Big Ben facts and trivia: http://www.bigben.parliament.uk/

Ugly Doggy

Almost every pet owner thinks their precious critter is the most beautiful thing in the world, even if the critter in question resembles an alien-like life form.
We all get attached to our pets, and their appearance quickly takes a back seat once they’re in our home.
Cute and cuddly, furry and fat, scruffy and scrawny, it hardly matters once you fall in love with the unique animal you’re going to share your living space with.
Pabst’s owner, Miles Egstad, is no different.
Egstad says, “I don’t think he’s that ugly!” of his four year old boxer-mix dog, Pabst.
The difference is Pabst is the winner of this year’s “World’s Ugliest Dog Contest”, which took place on June 26th in California.
Pabst’s surprise victory came after he beat Rascal, a pure bred Chinese Crested, who is also a former champion.
The Chinese Crested breed has been beating all competition for the last seven years, but this year proved to be different, and it lost out to a “mutt”.
Pabst is a rescued shelter dog, who was adopted by Egstad in 2006. He was a favourite among the audience at the contest because of his pleasant and sweet demeanour.
Along with the title of the “World’s Ugliest Dog”, Pabst won his owner $1,600, and himself, lots of pet supplies, a professional photo shoot, and a one year modelling contract.
The contest aims to find dogs that are “naturally ugly”, and the judges said Pabst was a perfect contender.
To Egstad though, his pet is just a normal-looking dog, because he’s still surprised that Pabst actually won, and only entered him because his friends kept encouraging him to.To everyone else, Pabst may be the “Ugliest Dog in the World”, but to his owner, he’s the face that’s sure to light up his day, all the days of the year.

Official Website: http://www.sonoma-marinfair.org/uglydogcontest.shtml

For more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31588232/

http://www.seattlepi.com/national/1110ap_us_odd_worlds_ugliest_dog.html