Facebook is opening an office in Dubai next week, just days after launching one of the biggest and most turbulent share listings in Wall Street history. The social networking giant will be opening an office in Dubai Internet City, with a focus on winning advertising revenue from the region, sources said. Facebook is the most popular social-networking site in the UAE, with 54 per cent of the population using the site, according to the Arab Media Outlook and Arab Advisors Group. The company listed on Friday on the Nasdaq in New York, raising US$16 billion (Dh58.77bn). The flotation valued the company at $104bn. But the shares have experienced a turbulent ride since the offering, falling yesterday for a third day in a row yesterday. In ... Continue reading →

Abu Dhabi buys controlling stake in Coronation Street US TV star Jon Hamm poses for cameras after joining Coronation Street for a rumoured $35 million. He is expected to debut in this weekend's episode. ABU DHABI: Following the sensational victory of Manchester City in the English Premier League, Abu Dhabi yesterday reaffirmed its commitment to Manchester by buying a controlling stake in the city’s long-standing TV soap opera, Coronation Street. While the financial aspects of the deal were not disclosed, representatives from Abu Dhabi unveiled a five-year strategy of investment and expected growth for the TV series, including new characters and developments across the whole of Weatherfield. Many experts are now suggesting Coronation Street could be poised to snatch the coveted Best British Soap award ... Continue reading →

UAE- Human rights defender Ahmed Al-Tabour Al-Nuaimi arrested and held in an unknown location 2012-05-20 Beirut, 20 May, 2012 -- On 17 May 2012, human right defender, Ahmed Al -Tabour Al-Nuaimi was arrested in the Emirate of Ras Al-Khaimah and his current whereabouts remain unknown. Ahmed Al-Tabour Al-Nuaimi is a member and former director of the Society of Reform and Social Guidance (Islah Association), which advocates for reform and whose board of directors was dissolved by the authorities. He was one of a group of human rights activists who had signed a reform petition, directed at the UAE Head of State on 13 March 2011, which called for reforms in the legislature that include a proper election of the National Council and by allowing it ... Continue reading →

18 May 2012 Last updated at 12:54 ET Thousands of Shia Muslims protest over Gulf union plans There were protests against the plan in Tehran, Dubai and Manama Thousands of mainly Shia Bahrainis have protested outside the capital against a plan to create a union of Gulf Arab countries. In Manama, the demonstration stretched for some three miles (5km), blocking a motorway. The Saudi king's proposal to unite the six members of the Gulf Co-Operation Council was discussed this week. The six members are Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates. There were also protests against the move in Dubai and Iran, where Bahrain's ambassador was rebuked. The planned union between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia - the first part of a broader ... Continue reading →

In this issue Translating a new empowerment into long-term social, political and economic gains will be difficult Continue reading →