Food chain sues Gulf expat blogger over bad review

Food chain sues Gulf expat blogger over bad review

Asked to pay KD5001 as compensation for review that went: "Would I go back to Benihana? No"

In what may very well be a first case of its kind in the Middle East to involve a corporate chain, a blogger by the name of Mark is being sued for posting a review of a restaurant on a blog he runs with his wife Nat.

Mark and Nat are expats based  in Kuwait and vented their disappointment on their blog after a meal at the newly-launched  Benihana outlet at the Avenues.Mark then wrote on the blog under ‘My Benihana Experience’:

"The service wasn’t too bad for a restaurant that’s just been open for a few days and the staff were really friendly...The problem with my experience last night though was with the food, it was disappointing to say the least."

Mark then explained in rich details the experience, ranging from the "good" negimaki to the "ordinary" Orange Blossom to the "bad" Hibachi chicken.

Mark reported that he shot two videos of the chef preparing the meal, saying that Benihana are known for the live shows they perform when preparing dishes.

He then concluded: "Would I go back to Benihana? No I wouldn’t. Their sashimi and makis are pretty cheap (KD1.5 for 5 pieces of Salmon sashimi for example) but there are two other Japanese restaurants at the Avenues, Wasabi and Maki, and I would prefer either one of those to Benihana."

Yesterday Mark got served with a court order informing him that Benihana is suing him because of his post.

Tweeters and bloggers from the UAE have come out in string support of Mark and Nat, with Mark’s blog receiving over 50 pages of responses.

Many are concerned that should the bloggers lose the court case it will set a precedent to hamper future blogging in the Middle East.

Mark says he is currently getting legal advice from a lawyer Khaled Al Shamali who is actually a fan of my blog (that’s important) and he will be fighting this case in court.

He says on the blog, “Originally my lawyer told me not to discuss this case with anyone but I feel it is important to share this with everyone since it doesn’t just affect me but the whole blogging community be it in Kuwait, UAE or anywhere else in the region. So after talking to my lawyer again, he’s now given me the green light to be transparent and open with everyone regarding this case.”

He adds, “I’ve personally been threatened with lawsuits a number of times before, I know another popular blog recently got threatened with a lawsuit from a restaurant as well and I am sure there must be other bloggers who at one point in time have also been threatened. If blogs were recognised like newspapers or magazines we would all be protected from lawsuits like this but at the moment we aren’t. I find this unfair and if I end up losing this case what will it mean to all the other bloggers? Should bloggers be afraid to say anything negative about a company? Should all our posts just be happy happy joy?”

He also requests people on his blog not to hassle Benihana staff or outlets.

An extract from the court order served on Marck, also posted on the site, reads, “The person is [sic] question has publicly insulted a restaurant through a website that is read by tens of thousands of people. The person hasn’t stopped at reviewing or giving his personal point of view, specially that the facts mentioned in his article are faulty and far from true, since if they were, the restaurant would have been inspected, closed and fined.

And so, we order the payment of KD5001 as a compensation for the damages caused to the restaurant management and for encouraging large number of customers not to try the restaurant by insulting, doubting the quality and food served by Benihana and using expressions that disgust people from trying the food.

 

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World's first $1 billion yacht in the making

World's first $1 billion yacht in the making

Streets of Moncao, which features replicas of famous Monaco landmarks, needs to be commissioned

Streets of Monaco is more like a mini-cruise liner than a super-yacht with its multiple swimming pools and tennis courts (PIX COURTESY: OVERSEAS PROPERTY MALL)

The world's first $1billion-yacht is in the making. A UK yacht design company has designed a yacht which adorns a scale model of the streets of Monaco on its upper deck.

The yacht, named the Streets of Monaco, features replicas of famous Monaco landmarks such as the Monte Carlo Casino, Hotel de Paris, Cafe de Paris, La Rascasse and Loews Hotel, as well as a fully functional go-kart circuit based on the Monaco Grand Prix Circuit, reports 'Overseas Property Mall'.

In some ways it is more like a mini-cruise liner than a super-yacht with its multiple swimming pools and tennis courts. However, it would need a commission in order to finalise design requirements of the client and to commence construction.
 
Scott Poxon, director of Derby-based ship designers Yacht Island Design said that while many newspapers have estimated the cost of the yacht to be $700 million, this may not be anywhere near accurate. “We have not ever quoted any price as this would be agreed between the client and the selected ship yard and would vary significantly depending on specifications,” he said.

As for the Streets of Monaco’s chances of sailing the seven seas Andrew Johansson of SuperyachtDesign magazine said: “We do see a lot of concepts for super-yachts being floated, but not all of them get built. This borders on the extreme, although we did see a design for a flying super-yacht last year, which surely will never get built. Streets of Monaco is a cool idea, though. The designers have done their homework.”

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Did a meteor crash near Festival City last night?

Did a meteor crash near Festival City last night?

Huge craters in road from Al Badia to DFC stun motorists

Published Thursday, January 20, 2011

Dubai Festival City (Joseph George)

Motorists on Al Badia Road were this morning shocked to see a metre-long crater, right in the centre of the fast lane leading to Dubai Festival City.

Just a metre away from the first crater and on the second fast lane was an evident mark to indicate the formation of another similar crater.

According to Dubai Festival City officials, who were present on the site, the incident might have occurred last night. “We are glad that there have not been any accidents so far. The moment we got to know about the incident we barricaded the road. All precautions were taken to ensure vehicles do not drive into the crater,” the official said.

The crater, measuring about more than a metre deep and a with a similar width has now been barricaded and vehicles diverted to other lanes.

According to him, the incident could be the result of “sediments.” A clear square patch can be seen on the road indicating possible repair work on the road.

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And the world's highest restaurant ready to serve

...And the world’s highest restaurant ready to serve

At.mosphere is situated on the 122nd floor of Burj Khalifa at a height of just over 442 metres

Published Thursday, January 20, 2011

Burj Khalifa opens world’s highest restaurant (Chandra Balan)

That the high life is lived in Dubai is now a literal truth.

Residents of and visitors to Dubai will have another reason to visit the world’s tallest building as of this week, when the world’s highest restaurant in a manmade development opens at the Burj Khalifa.

Called At.mosphere, it is situated on the 122nd floor of the already iconic tower. At a height of just over 442 metres, it is situated two floors below At The Top, the building’s observation deck.

Previously, the world’s highest restaurant was 360, at a height of 350 metres in Toronto’s CN Tower.

Marc Dardenne of Emaar Hospitality, told Emirates247.com via email that the new restaurant, which he described as a grill and lounge concept, would open its doors before the end of January. However, sources have since revealed it will be unveiled on January 23.

No poor jokes about getting high, please! 

more pictures @ http://www.squidoo.com/now-eat-at-the-top-of-the-world-in-dubai

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Daily fireworks, street performances at DSF

Daily fireworks, street performances at DSF

19 January 2011

Street performances, night souqs and daily fireworks for 15 minutes at Bur Dubai Corniche and the Creek will mark the 16th edition of the 32-day Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF).

Al Riqqa Road, Al Seef Street, Al Diyafah Street and The Walk at Jumeirah Beach Residence areas have been decorated with road illuminations. Daily activities will also be seen in these areas.

Naser Hakim, PR and Communications head of Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment (DEPE), organisers of DSF, said: “Preparations in this city of lights are under way in full swing to prepare shopaholics and revellers for 32 days of unforgettable fun.”

Retailers and malls across Dubai are pulling out all stops in a bid to attract shoppers by the way of offering heavy discounts and bargains on a wide range of products across categories.

The major events taking places are:

Al Diyafah St-1: Al Diyafa Street is to come alive with street performances and parades. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of food options on this street’s many restaurants

Al Diyafah St-2: Lexus Mega Raffle at kiosks for a Lexus LX570 and raffle draws for Dh100,000 in cash every day for 32 days of DSF

Al Riqqa St-1: Entertainment zone for children Al Riqqa St-2: Night Souq from 6pm until 3am, starting from January 20 up to February 20

Al Seef St: Entertainment events throughout DSF 2011

JBR-Walk-1 & 2: Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival is the main outdoor event from January 20-28, besides street paintings, art displays, street shows, photography displays, and kiosks selling fashion accessories and handicraft.

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Fog disrupts flights at Abu Dhabi airport; Three die in accidents ; 18-car pile-up involved in one incident

Rain, clouds, fog forecast: get ready for low-visibility morning drives

Fog disrupts flights at Abu Dhabi airport; Three die in accidents ; 18-car pile-up involved in one incident

Published Monday, January 10, 2011

Visibility was reduced to a few metres in some areas (FILE)

Temperatures across the UAE are expected to drop further during the next 48 hours although it would be less foggy on Tuesday morning.

According to the National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS), it may rain in some parts of the UAE this afternoon. The forecast said, Emirates will remain partly cloudy with rain and thunder in some areas coupled with a gradual fall of temperature, especially in the western region.

“Moderate to fresh winds, causing blowing dust and sand over openlads, may reduce horizontal visibility at times. The winds are expected to be strong over the sea," the forecast added.

Though fog will ease a bit, the  visibility will continue to be poor. "There will be moderate to fresh winds in general. The sea will be rough to very rough," NCMS spokesman said.

Flights affected

Meanwhile, heavy fog disrupted Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi International Airport on Sunday. The airlines delayed 48 scheduled trips and diverted two to Al Ain airport, the semi official daily 'Al ittihad' reported on Monday.

It quoted airport sources as saying 42 outbound flights were delayed for at least one hour, while six incoming flights arrived behind schedule.

“The company’s flight schedule was largely affected by fog, which reduced visibility to less than 100 metres in the early hours of  Monday morning,” a source told 'Emirates 24|7'.

Residents in Dubai also woke up to a foggy morning on Monday. A thick layer of fog blanketed the emirate,  reducing visibility significantly.

Motorists said visibility was reduced to less than 50 metres in some areas. Traffic Police urged people to drive slow. Poor visibility coupled with reckless driving have already led to several accidents in the past couple of days across the UAE.

Accidents

Two people lost their lives and 15 were hurt in six separate incidents in Abu Dhabi due to bad weather conditions, reported 'Gulf Today'. A major collision involving 18 vehicles on Tariff-Abu Dhabi Road in the area after Hamim Bridge towards Abu Dhabi claimed two lives.

In Dubai one person was killed and three injured in a traffic accident on Dubai Bypass Road behind Global Village area on Saturday, reported 'Gulf News'. 

Abu Dhabi Traffic Police have stopped passage of heavy vehicles on the internal and external roads in the emirate as long as foggy conditions prevail. The move aims to avoid major accidents.

Motorists are also warned not to use hazard lights while driving on highways. This could mislead drivers and cause accidents. Police patrols and ambulances are ready to handle any untoward incidents.

Meanwhile, residents in Dubai Marina witnessed fog rolling over on Sunday afternoon.

Fog occurs because the warm, moist winds from the Gulf come inland and remain there because there is no dry breeze from the mountains to push it back out to sea. The moisture sits there in the atmosphere and is turned to fog.

 

 

 

Rat grounds Delhi-bound Air India flight in Dubai

Rat grounds Delhi-bound Air India flight in Dubai

Published Monday, January 10, 2011

An Air India flight, schedule to take-off from Dubai International Airport at 16.55 hours on Friday, was cancelled because a rat was spotted on board. 

All 120 passengers were offloaded and the aircraft fumigated before the flight left for Delhi the next day, reported 'Mid Day'.

In a routine check-up prior to departure, the ground staff spotted a scurrying rat aboard AI 746 and the technicians were informed. They inturn examined if there were any damage to the wiring and insulation within the aircraft.

An Air India spokesperson confirmed the flight was delayed after "the ground staff identified the movement of a rat inside the aircraft and fumigation required time. Passengers were informed...and the same flight operated on Saturday".

Chief Justice Ahmad Saif warned that individuals found in possession of alcohol without a license risked a punishment

Chief Justice Ahmad Saif warned that individuals found in possession of alcohol without a license risked a punishment

of up to five years in jail.

 

Those ringing in 2011 with a glass of champagne and no alcohol license will be breaking the law - even tourists.

And so are those throwing a party and sharing their alcohol and those drinking in an emirate for which their license is

not valid.

Federal law makes it illegal to consume alcohol in the UAE without a license - whether at home or in a hotel, and this

applies to both residents and tourists, according to the Abu Dhabi-based lawyer Khalid Mustafa.

So while hotel establishments may rarely ask customers to produce their license, drinking alcohol without a license at

such a venue could still lead to time in jail.

Mr Mustafa gave the example of a person riding in a taxi that was then involved in an accident.

"The police would take them to the police station and test them," he said. "If they are shown to have drunk alcohol,

they would be held on suspicion of drinking alcohol."

Anyone who is consuming, transporting, possessing or selling alcohol needs a license, regardless of whether they are a

resident, he said.

The penalty for not having one could be as much as five years in jail and a Dh5,000 fine.

The availability of alcohol to unlicensed customers in many drinking establishments has led some to say regulations are

inconsistent and do not serve the public interest.

"If a man steps out of a bar he would be arrested for illegal consumption of alcohol, but why isn't the bar shut down?"

asked one Dubai judge, who wished not to be named.

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The Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing in Dubai, which handles bar and club licensing, has strict

guidelines regarding age restrictions, activities, entertainment and cleanliness, but has no rules on selling to those

without a license.

A Dubai court judge who handles alcohol licensing cases said regulations were inconsistent. "The license and the law

are confusing," he said.

The number of alcohol-related crimes in Dubai has dropped significantly according to statistics revealed by Chief

Justice Ahmad Saif of the Dubai Criminal Courts of First Instance.

There were 2,216 cases in Dubai from January 1, 2010 until last Sunday, compared with 3,292 for the whole of 2009.

Few of them involved license issues, and most of the transgressions were punished with fines.

"The majority of cases that come before us are not involving unlicensed expatriates but Muslim drinkers," a senior

prosecution official said.

Traffic deaths in Dubai related to drink driving were at their peak in 2006 with more than 70 people killed in alcohol related

accidents. In the first ten months of 2010 this number dropped to three, according to the Dubai Police annual

traffic report.

Because the local police authorities handle the licensing for import and supply of alcohol, they can use their discretion

with the individual such as the amount he or she is allowed to purchase per month, where the person can consume it

and if he or she can transport it, said Chief Justice Saif.

In Abu Dhabi, the minimum monthly income to acquire an alcohol license is Dh2,500. Each license allows its holder to

spend up to 20 per cent of their salary on alcohol. The licenses expire after one year, and spouses can be added to the

license of their partner.

The minimum income for a license in Dubai is Dh2,000. Spending is limited to Dh500, Dh750, Dh1,000 or Dh1,500.

Licenses are fitted with smart chips to monitor purchases and stop the card if criminal charges are filed against the

holder. The license is not available to Muslims.

 

Application forms are available at alcohol vendors.

 

 

New Residence Visa Rule - FAQs

New Residence Visa Rule – FAQs

- I already have a three-year residency visa stamped on my passport. Will I need to change that?

-- Will the visa cost be reduced accordingly, or will it cost the same?

- I have sponsored my family, including my wife and kids, for a three-year period. Will that change?

- Does the new rule mean I can change employment after the two-year period without a ban?

-- My company used to take care of the visa and labour card formalities. Will that change now?

Read Full FAQ and Answers

Dubai solar eclipse: visual delight on Jan 4

Dubai solar eclipse: visual delight on Jan 4

Residents can witness the eclipse around 13.30 local time

People in Dubai and across the emirates will be able to enjoy the first solar eclipse of the year on January 4, 2011, according to the Dubai Astronomy Group (DAG).

Dubai will witness the eclipse around 9.30 Universal Time (UT), or 13.30 local time, and the DAG will organise a free event in Dubai on the day for those interested in viewing the partial eclipse. More.....

World's highest NYE fireworks show in Dubai

 World's highest NYE fireworks show in Dubai

Fireworks lighten up the Burj Khalifa to celebrate the coming New Year

 Thousands of residents gathered in Downtown Burj Khalifa to watch the spectacular show. Mark that down as another record for Dubai.

The shiny emirate will host the world’s highest fireworks display this New Year’s Eve when the Burj Khalifa is lit up at a gala event to ring in 2011.

A huge crowd turned up to watch the New Year fireworks
 display at the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

Developers Emaar Properties promise to provide visitors with an unprecedented spectacle aimed at elevating the city to the league of the world’s most sought-after destinations for New Year’s Eve.



The tower already holds the record for the world's highest fireworks display - registered when it was officially inagurated on January 4, 2010. The emirate also recorded the world's biggest fireworks display in November 2008, when real estate developer Nakheel threw a lavish party to mark the opening of its Atlantis Hotel on The Palm Jumeirah. 

The party to bid goodbye to 2010 begins with large television panels around the tower beaming in New Year’s Eve celebrations from around the world, followed by a sound and light show set to world music at the Dubai Fountain, the world’s tallest performing fountain.
A countdown will then be displayed on large television panels before a show of lasers, fireworks and lights illuminates the tower.

Celebrations are set to continue well into the early hours of the morning, with The Dubai Fountain performing continuously to a range of music. And party lovers can then head to At The Top, the world’s highest outdoor observation deck.