Tag Archives: dubai
Anticipation builds ahead of Happy Mondays gig
One of the most highly anticipated gigs of the year will take place at the Dubai Tennis Stadium tomorrow night (April 26th), as the original line-up of Manchester indie band the Happy Mondays finally get back together.The group epitomised the “Madchester” era of the late 1980s and early 1990s with their alternative rock/dance vibe and now they are set to bring their unique sound to the Middle East.There have been various versions of the Happy Mondays since they split up in 1993, but frontman Shaun Ryder has now convinced his brother Paul, Mark Day, Paul Davis, Gary Whelan, Mark 'Bez' Berry and Rowetta Satchell to join forces once again.In an interview with tabloid!, Ryder – who has appeared on numerous TV shows such as I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! – said the group are still sounding very good 20 years on, which bodes well for the band's Gulf-based fans.The band were famous for their controversial ways, but Ryder insists they have calmed down and this has made touring far less stressful.”To be really honest with you, it's a lot easier now than it was the first time round,” he was quoted as saying.”We are not young lads with drama. It's just a lot more enjoyable. Now we're all 50-year-old blokes – it's only Bez who's still 21 years old in his head.”This will be the Happy Mondays' sole appearance in the Middle East and the show is likely to be a very memorable one.Ryder admitted that the group came under increasing pressure to reunite after the Stone Roses reformed towards the end of 2011.Like the Mondays, the Stone Roses were keen to entertain their fans in Dubai and they put on a scintillating performance in the city in February.This all goes to show that the emirate is capable of attracting the very biggest and best names in the music industry. Continue reading
Standard Chartered predicts strong Dubai growth
Leading economists at a prominent international bank are confident that Dubai will record strong economic growth in 2013.Senior figures at Standard Chartered predict the city's gross domestic product (GDP) will expand by 3.5 per cent by the end of the year and think the UAE's economy will increase by the same amount.Like many other parts of the world, the UAE suffered badly when the global economy came crashing down in 2008/09, but it certainly seems to have recovered far more strongly than most countries.Although the well documented problems in the eurozone are having an impact on trade around the world, Marios Maratheftis – global head of macroeconomic research at Standard Chartered Bank – believes the UAE has not been too adversely affected by this, as it does most of its business with Asia.”We expect positive, solid growth in Dubai and the UAE. We are seeing growth is picking up and … being driven by fundamental drivers,” he was quoted as saying by the Khaleej Times.Mr Maratheftis suggested that the hospitality sector – which is getting back to pre-financial crisis levels – is performing well and retailers have also had a very good year.Importantly, the property market has bounced back and investors have been snapping up new assets in more exclusive parts of Dubai.Mr Maratheftis added that there has been a shift in purchasing habits since the global economic downturn, as people are now predominantly buying completed buildings, rather than investing in off-plan properties, which was common practice a few years ago.Recent studies have shown that investors are far more optimistic about the direction of the emirate's economy than they have been in previous years.Indeed, the latest Consumer Confidence Survey by the Dubai Department of Economic Development indicated that 95 per cent of people living in the city think the emirate's GDP will rise by the end of 2013.By contrast, in the fourth quarter of 2012, only 74 per cent of residents believed the economy was in good shape.The First Group can help you find properties for sale in Dubai Continue reading
Godolphin to lock down its Moulton Paddocks stables
Godolphin to lock down its Moulton Paddocks stables (Wam) / 25 April 2013 His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, issued the following statement on Godolphin’s stables in Newmarket: “I was appalled and angered to learn that one of our stables in Newmarket has violated Godolphin’s ethical standards and the rules of British racing. I have been involved in British horse racing for 30 years and have deep respect for its traditions and rules. I built my country based on the same solid principles. There can be no excuse for any deliberate violation. Godolphin is fully cooperating with the British Horseracing Authority to get to the bottom of this matter and take any appropriate disciplinary action. I have ordered the Godolphin management to undertake an immediate review of our internal procedures and controls to ensure to prevent any reoccurrence of this type of activity in any stables of mine. “We will be locking down the Moulton Paddocks stables with immediate effect, and I have instructed that I want a full round of blood samples, and dope testing done on every single horse on that premises. I can assure the racing public that no horse will run from that yard this season until I have been absolutely assured by my team that the entire yard is completely clean. I have worked hard to ensure that Godolphin deserves its reputation for integrity and sportsmanship, and I have reiterated to all Godolphin employees that I will not tolerate this type of behaviour.” Continue reading
