Breaking Tweets » Mideast

Abu Dhabi bails out Dubai with $10 billion

Fahad Zuberi — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:46:41 +0000

Oil rich Abu Dhabi decided to help out their Emirates neighbor Dubai on Monday with a 10 billion dollar bailout.

Times of India reports, The move was the least expected of all options Dubai had on the table after requesting a standstill on $26 billion in Dubai World debt on Nov. 25, alarming markets and shaking the image of the emirate as a regional business hub.

Twitter users are worried for the future of Dubai, but are happy to know that Abu Dhabi has decided to help.

msliedrecht (Dubai, UAE) Whoo Dubai gets AED36 billion bail out from Abu Dhabi. 14 Dec 2009 from TwitterBerry

Koolpep (Dubai, UAE) @tomsp Dubai would bail out their companies if they could, my friend. They simply can’t. The other side of todays news, I guess. 14 Dec 2009 from TweetDeck in reply to tomsp

miamigemini (Miami, Florida) Abu Dhabi had to bail out Dubai today for $10B+. It really is bye bye, Dubai… http://bit.ly/MKHNJ 14 Dec 2009 from TweetDeck

HannahHaniya (Casablanca) Wasn’t it kind of obvious that #Abu Dhabi would bail out Dubai? Wondering what took so long. 14 Dec 2009 from Echofon

siyabulelas (Johannesburg, South Africa) In debt? Dont feel isolated, even Dubai needs a bail out of mammoth proportions. Geez! 14 Dec 2009 from mobile web

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Four on Hajj killed by swine flu

Fahad Zuberi — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:06:15 +0000

The Saudi Health Ministry has announced the first four deaths from swine flu at this year’s annual pilgrimage to Mecca.

BBC reports, The Saudi government has said all pilgrims need a certificate of vaccination before they can apply for a visa. In September, the Egyptian authorities barred hundreds of Muslim pilgrims in Cairo from travelling to Mecca because of fears about the virus.

Twitter users are worried that the virus could spread and kill many more during Hajj.

mj_santos (location undisclosed) That is horrible! @AJEnglish Saudi health ministry has confirmed to Al Jazeera that four #Hajj pilgrims have died from H1N1 flu (via @omarc) 21 Nov 2009 from web

omarc (Doha, Qatar) Corrections on #Hajj #H1N1 deaths – Was a Sudanese man who died, not Algerian. He was hospitalised four days after arriving in Saudi 21 Nov 2009 from TweetDeck

live_h1n1 (location undisclosed) Pilgrims Ready for Hajj, Unfazed By #SwineFlu – Islam Online : http://bit.ly/89ZYPH 21 Nov 2009 from API

MoodyMohd (Saudi Arabia) Thinking about all the people going 2 hajj mashallah 21 Nov 2009 from Echofon

somemuslim (location undisclosed) Swine Flu kills for at Hajj. Hope this isn’t part of a bigger epidemic, and that my friends and all others return safely. http://is.gd/50ur3 21 Nov 2009 from web

DavidWaldock (United Kingdom) RT @krishgm: 4 pilgrims dead from H1N1 virus in Saudi Arabia and the Hajj hasn’t even started… 21 Nov 2009 from Echofon

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Etihad voted world’s best airline

Fahad Zuberi — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:21:45 +0000

Abu Dhabi based Etihad Airways has been named the best airline in the world at this year’s World Travel Awards.

Gulf News reports, Etihad was voted the world’s leading airline by more than 180,000 travel industry professionals from over 175 countries. In addition to being named world’s leading airline, Etihad also picked up the award for leading First Class for the second year in a row.

Many Twitter users feel other airlines deserved the award.

kishorcariappa (Bangalore, India) News: Etihad voted the world’s best airline (Whatever happened to Emirates?) 09 Nov 2009 from web

mikezelin (Phooenix, Arizona) Not jazzed about seat pitch RT @Plane_Talking: Etihad voted the World’s Best Airline http://bit.ly/2QMGET 09 Nov 2009 from Tweetie

S3eeD (undisclosed location) RT @UAENews: Awards recognise Etihad as worlds best airline60: Etihad Airways was named the Worlds Leading Airline 09 Nov 2009 from UberTwitter

Etihad__Airways (undisclosed location) Etihad Airways has taken the top award at this year’s World Travel Awards, being voted World’s Leading Airline!!!! CONGRATULATIONS EY! 09 Nov 2009 from web

tn_comment (Abu Dhabi, UAE) Sky high: In the six short years since its launch, Etihad has not just shaped up it has flexed its muscles an.. http://bit.ly/1qqGtB 09 Nov 2009 from twitterfeed

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DC Comics to launch first Islamic superheroes comic book

Fahad Zuberi — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:35:13 +0000

DC Comics will be launching a new comic book series called The 99, the Islamic superheroes created by a Kuwaiti psychologist.

Gulf News reports, the creation of the Islamic superheroes is mainly intended to curb stereotypes associated with people of the Islamic faith. The characters fight evil and personify the 99 attributes of Allah.

Twitter users are fascinated by the first Islamic superheroes, but some feel it’s not a good idea.

leilangod (Toronto, Canada) loves that “DC Comics will launch a new comic book series depicting Islamic superheroes” http://bit.ly/hHziO. My favourite? Noora the Light 25 Oct 2009 from web

MXML (Lebanon) @bintbattuta Naif Al-Mutawa at Pop!Tech http://is.gd/4B6vJ Creator of the99, “the 1st group of superheroes born of an Islamic archetype” 25 Oct 2009 from web

rokapark (Tokyo, Japan)Does anybody see this? Seems interesting: superheroes in Islamic culture & society. http://www.the99.org/ 26 Oct 2009 from Echofon

rhaque (Boston) I’m sure someone will get into trouble for this – The 99: Superheroes inspired by the qualities of Allah http://bit.ly/2BM9Gi 31 Oct 2009 from TweetDeck

zahidi1 (location undisclosed) Muslim superheroes maybe it will help give muslims a better image
http://tinyurl.com/ygr2kbn 03 Nov 2009 from web

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Israel claims to have stopped Iranian arms ship

David Adams — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:51:29 +0000

Per BBC, the Israeli Navy has seized a ship reportedly headed by Iran carrying weapons disguised as civilian cargo, yet Iran has denied the allegations.

The Israeli Navy has reported that the arms ship was on its way to Hezbollah, where fights between Israeli and Iranian forces has been active.

Several hundred tonnes of weapons were seized making it the largest involving Iran since 2002 when the Israeli military found 100 tonnes of arms.

People in the Middle East reacted to the news through Twitter.

petitedov Smthg nice to wake up to: Israel seizes Iranian ship bound for Hezbollah loaded with rockets, anti-tank rockets, and light arms – IDF 04 Nov 2009 from web

DannyAyalon The recently discovered arms ship is just the tip of the iceberg as far as Iranian efforts to destabilize the region 04 Nov 2009 from web

asfand http://bit.ly/3lGSF7 Israel captures Iranian arms ship. FIGHT! FIGHT FIGHT! 04 Nov 2009 from web

moweezle Our Israeli Navy is working overboard! We just intercepted a shipload full of terrorist weapons: http://is.gd/4N827 04 Nov 2009 from PeopleBrowsr

foxbutters RT @keewatinrose Sea of Green is peaceful. Those urging U to pick up arms, B violent R not your friend #iranelection #iran #gr88 04 Nov 2009 from web

ASoldiersMother @sarinaot UN can’t do anything about 500 TONS of weapons seized by Israeli Navy today; too busy talking of Goldstone failed report 04 Nov 2009 from Seesmic in reply to sarinaot

LeilaSaleh @AliDahmash it doesn’t ultimately mean the the ship was carrying arms for Hezbollah. Iran is much more intelligent to give weapons to them 04 Nov 2009 from web in reply to AliDahmash

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TwitPics: 13 Aban, November 4 Iran protests

Tony Valdivieso — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:19:10 +0000

Supporters of the Iranian government and the opposition have both taken to the streets in Tehran today. Supporters are rallying to commemorate 13 Aban, which corresponds to November 4, the 30th anniversary of the U.S. embassy takeover by Iranian students. The opposition, on the other hand, is protesting the politics of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

According to Global Post, opposition leaders in Tehran, including Mir Hossein Mousavi himself, have called for peaceful protests on 13 Aban . “The 13th of Aban is a… rendezvous,” Mousavi told the Khaleej Times, “so we would remember anew that among us it is the people who are the leaders.”

“By targeting dates of historic significance to the regime, opposition supporters aim to ’subvert’ ideological symbols touted for 30 years by the Islamic Republic,” writes Tara Mahtafar of PBS, “…thereby re-brand[ing] that date as an ideology-free ‘green’ day, the trademark color of the country’s burgeoning pro-democracy movement.”

@Madyar

@dadashiii

@madyar

@GreenQuran

@madyar

@GreenQuran

@madyar

@GreenQuran

@madyar

@GreenQuran

@madyar

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Karzai declared president of Afghanistan

Kari O'Rourke — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:56:55 +0000

President Hamid Karzai has been declared president of Afghanistan after election runoff was cancelled by officials, according to the BBC.

Karzai’s only opponent, former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah, dropped out of the race on Sunday out of concerns that the votes would not be fair or free.

The United States and its allies congratulated President Hamid Karzai on winning a second term Monday, Fox News reports.

Many Twitter users were not as quick to dole out their congrats:

chadlavi (Brooklyn, N.Y.) Karzai didn’t win so much as his only opponent dropped out of the race. I could win a presidential election if no one ran against me, too. 02 Nov 2009 from web

MWM4444 (Fla.) Congratulating Karzai on his “win” is like congratulating The Godfather on his humanitarian selflessness. 02 Nov 2009 from web

Annapakshi (London) US says Karzai is a legitimate leader – on what grounds i wonder? except there is little choice! 02 Nov 2009 from web

MEVCo_USA (Jacksonville, Fla.) #Obama’s phone call to Karzai… Hey homey aren’t ya glad I sent you my play book from my 2008 election now… keep the faith my man! 02 Nov 2009 from TweetDeck

LisaMKoolFm (Barrie, Ontario, Canada) Almost a million fraudulant votes for him and Karzai still gets to be president with no new election. Hmmm. 02 Nov 2009 from txt

blkbird77 (Undisclosed) more like drop out of the race or else,Karzai poses a def prob,corrupt Pres= corrupt military,how can we work with this guy 02 Nov 2009 from web

Kahoneez (Undisclosed) Sounds like Same ole U.S. foreign policy OBAMA , Collaborating & paying Drug Lords & propping up puppet Karzai who rigged election . 02 Nov 2009 from web

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Death toll high after multiple blasts in Baghdad

Bryan Simpson — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 22:59:01 +0000

At least 132 people have been killed and 520 injured after two car bombs went off in Iraq’s capital Baghdad on Sunday, reports BBC News and CNN. BBC News reports that it is the worst attack in Iraq since 2007.

CNN adds that the bombs detonated in quick succession near government buildings at 10:30 am.

BBC News reports that Iraqi authorities said the attackers were suicide bombers. After visiting the site of the bombings, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki blamed al-Qaeda and supporters of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

Many Twitterers from around the world expressed their sadness, some calling for peace:

fahademad (Doha, Qatar) Another blast in Baghdad killing no less than 74!! will this act of terrorism stop in Iraq?? God help the people of Iraq 25 Oct 2009 from web

NarahariNayak (Bangalore, India) Saw a snap of the Baghdad suicide bomb. Horrid……its like a mini mushroom cloud……how can you think of bombing innocent people??? 25 Oct 2009 from web

BrownUndrground (Madison, Wisconsin) Oh no. Bomb blast in Baghdad kills over 100. =( Saying a prayer and thankful I live the blessed life I do. 25 Oct 2009 from web

nitinair (Undisclosed) sad..iraq under attack again….ovr 132 killed in 2 bomb blast……. 25 Oct 2009 from web

disenchantedsl (Huddersfield, U.K.) sad that the car bomb in baghdad has killed over 100 people. i really really wish theyd stop with the car and suicide bombs 25 Oct 2009 from TweetDeck

One Twitterer shared this observation:

giris (Ghaziabad, India) I rarely hear of Bomb blasts in Iraq these days.. Should I say Thanks #Obama coz.. during Bush.. blast used to be quite common 25 Oct 2009 from mobile web

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Saudi female journalist sentenced to beating

Fahad Zuberi — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 22:32:08 +0000

Rozanna Al Yami, a Saudi female journalist has been sentenced to 60 lashes by a Saudi court for her involvement in a TV show, in which a Saudi man openly talked about sex.

Gulf News reports, Al Yami is believed to be the first Saudi journalist to be given such a punishment. The charges against her included involvement in the preparation of the program and advertising the segment on the internet.

Twitter users are in shock after hearing this news, some are even talking about human rights in Saudi Arabia.

wanttobeawriter (location undisclosed) is shocked to hear that a Saudi Journalist is getting 60 lashes. 24 Oct 2009 from web

instockmarkets (India) RT @Ade1965 Saudi female TV journalist gets 60 lashes http://bit.ly/3ZwRnK ; I must say we still live in a medival world with modern gadgets 24 Oct 2009 from web

rfarahmand (London, England) Female Saudi journalist sentenced to 60 lashes for TV show on Saudi taboos, including extramarital sex 24 Oct 2009 from web

RobBreakenridge (Canada) RT @TarekFatah wonders if Canadian feminists will speak out for the female Saudi journalist sentenced to 60 lashes. http://bit.ly/1K4s4 24 Oct 2009 from web

flavius52 (location undisclosed) “Saudi female journalist lashes for show” When will we stop buying oil from these scumbags? 24 Oct 2009 from BigTweet

rodneystack (location undisclosed) Saudi female TV journalist gets 60 lashes(where is the respect for human rights. What a people. http://bit.ly/2pjykZ 24 Oct 2009 from Snaptu

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Newsweek reporter freed from Iran prison

Fahad Zuberi — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 02:27:14 +0000

Maziar Bahari, Newsweek’s Tehran corresponent, was released on $300,000 bail after spending four months in prison, the magazine announced Tuesday.

Khaleej Times reports, scores of journalists and reformist politicians were arrested following President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s disputed re-election, which triggered mass protests in Iran and charges of voter fraud.

Twitter users are delighted to hear that Maziar Bahari has been freed.

margaretgee (Sydney, Australia) Fantastic news – journalist Maziar Bahari freed from Iran and reunited with his wife in London. 20 Oct 2009 from web

JeanieFinlay (location undisclosed) http://bit.ly/1OrMJD Maziar Bahari is Free! 20 Oct 2009 from TweetDeck

foxbutters (Tehran, Iran) Some good news: Newsweek reporter Maziar Bahari has arrived in London after months in prison in #iran, freed on bail. #iranelection 20 Oct 2009 from web

maleria_withav (Boston) GREAT MOMENT 4 #JOURNOS! Newsweek reporter Maziar Bahari Released in Time to Witness Birth of his 1st Child! http://bit.ly/12Z1uV 20 Oct 2009 from TweetDeck

supposedly_fun (Ottawa, Canada) ( RT @PaulDewar: Glad to hear that Canadian journalist Maziar Bahari has arrived in London after over four months in Iranian prison. 20 Oct 2009 from web

thesixthwoman (location undisclosed) OH, thank god! Maziar Bahari released! (Iranian/American Reporter was detained in Iran since elections in June) http://bit.ly/12Z1uV 20 Oct 2009 from TweetDeck

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