FIC launches Fox Sereis in the Middle East

By KK Moidu

Fox International Channels (FIC) announced in Dubai on Saturday the launch of its flagship channel Fox Series in the Middle East. The new channel is brought to the region through the strategic partnership between the media group, Rotana Media Services (RMS), which is owned by the media doyen Prince Al Waleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, (chairman of Kingdom Holding Company and Rotana Holding) and the Fox International Channels (FIC).

Speaking at the press conference held at Emirates Golf Club (Dubai), Ward Platt, president, FIC, Asia and Middle East, said, "Today's launch is yet another milestone for us in the Middle East. After the successful launch of FOX Movies earlier this year, today we find ourselves at the threshold of another success story with Fox Series, which is the region's first dedicated free-to-air series channel. We are confident that the channel through its vibrant, innovative and strong programming content will attract its own patron following that demands and believes in quality home entertainment." Ward told The Gulf Today that FIC will add more channels in the future but have no plans to make it a pay channel in the near future.

Nezar H Nagro, president of Rotana Media Services said, "Today's launch of Fox Series clearly reaffirms and demonstrates our commitment in providing the region's viewers the quality and the television watching experience that is unmatched anywhere in the Middle East. Fox Series adds one more important channel genre to our bouquet and enables RMS to provide an even more comprehensive solution to advertisers."

He assured that all the series airing on the channel would be edited keeping in view the family values. Fox Series will be telecast from Dec. 1. It will be the region's first free-to-air television series channel in the Middle East and North Africa offering viewers a line-up of award-winning television series, from the blockbuster series that have wowed audiences the world over like Desperate Housewives , Kyle XY , and CSI: Miami , to productions, which are never seen before in the region like Brothers and Sisters , Nip/Tuck , Crusoe and The Listener , and long-running popular smash-hits like The Simpsons and Stargate SG1.

The new channel is aimed at providing the region's demanding young audience a compelling entertainment experience that is engaging, charismatic and exciting.

Mumbai attacks worry expats

by KK Moidu

Expatriates living in the UAE with close relatives or friends in Mumbai expressed worry about the situation in that city. Several residents said they could not reach their close ones as the telephone lines were jammed. Outbound flights from Mumbai's Chattrapati Shivaji Airport reportedly saw a flood of tourists trying to fly back home. Akbar Ahmed, who works as an engineer in Sharjah, said that Wednesday's attack in different parts of Mumbai city was the worst in its history. "But the people of Mumbai are quite brave and they know well to overcome such situations." He felt that the attack in Mumbai would badly affect the country's financial sector. "The central and state governments should take firm action to curb terrorism in the world's largest democracy." Hardev Bhatt, an accountant working in a private firm in Dubai, condemned the attack saying: "My pregnant wife is in Mumbai and I had planned to fly on Sunday. I am really worried about the situation and hope the city will return to normalcy soon." Robert D'Souza, who is working as a sales manager in a private firm in Dubai, said: "The attack is a cowardly act by a few individuals who are against peace not only in India but also the entire world. But the people of the country will stand united to fight against these kinds of actions." Some residents said they managed to reach their relatives on telephone and were relieved to hear that they were safe. A Sharjah resident, Rahul Anand, said: "After hearing about the incident, I called my sister in Mumbai and came to know that her family was safe. I felt relieved, but am sad about the loss of human life in Mumbai and worried about the hostages."

Switzerland to issue Schengen visas from UAE

by KK Moidu

Switzerland, a member of Schengen Space, will start issuing Schengen visas from the UAE from Dec.12, Swiss Counsel General Gerhard Bruegger announced on Sunday at a press conference held at Sheraton Creek Hotel, Dubai.
Swiss Consul Urs. Lustenberger, Joerg P Krebs, Director of Market of  Gulf Countries and Tawfik Melli, Market Manger GCC were also present at the press conference.
Bruegger said, "Swiss representation to issue Schengen visas in the UAE will be confirmed after a meeting of EU Minister Consuls on Nov.28. In case of any delay, it will begin on the first or second quarter of next year. Then also, the visitors will not miss the best tourist season which begins in June and remains till September."
Dubai will be the main centre for issuing visas in the UAE. Biometric visas will be issued in future after the EU decision, said Bruegger.


The main advantage of the Schengen Visa is that the traveller will have free movement in  the entire Schengen area. Territorial responsibility for visa procedures are main destination, purpose of journey, period of stay and first state of entry. The visa categories are: A, airport transit visa, B, transit visa, C, short term stay visa, D, national visa and D+C combines both.
The diversity of the landlocked mountains is the essence of Switzerland and it gives the country its unique identity. The country is best known for its financial institutions, watch making industry, its scenery and excellent network of public transportation, Swisspass, which enables the traveler to tour the whole country with a  single ticket. 

Tawfilk Melli said: "During the last nine months, more than 15 per cent of increase in tourists visiting Switzerland from the  Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE etc."
In order to attract more tourists from the Gulf countries, a workshop will be conducted in Saudi Arabia in February and Kuwait in May and at the ATM Dubai.

Gulf Mappilappattu Awards

By KK Moidu
Winners of the prestigious Gulf Mappilappattu Awards 2008 (GMA) were announced at a press conference held at Sagar Hotel, Bur Dubai. The winners are selected by the jury committee headed by Khaleelulla Chemnad on the basis of thousands of SMS votes from the UAE audience. The cash awards and memento will be presented to the winners on Oct. 31, at Dubai Al Nasr Leisure Land, said one of the organiser Jamsheer C of Time Pass Entertainment. Other organisers and sponsors of GMA, Shamsudheen, managing director, Nellara Food Products, Razak Kochanoor, Dubai Gate managing director and chairman and Nasar Mannur were also attended at the press conference. The lifetime achievement award for senior male singers category will be given to two Mappilappattu veterans, Moosa Eranjoli and Peer Muhammad. Yesteryears leading female singer’s Ramla Beegam and Vilayil Faseela were chosen for the lifetime achievement award for the senior female singer’s category. Best lyricist and best music director awards went to Bappu Vellipparambu and Kozhikkode Abubaker respectively. Mappilappattu lovers have selected Kannur Sharif as the best male and Rahana as the best female singer. Nenjinullil Neeyanu is the most popular song and Snehamaanu Sundari is the popular audio album. The best newcomer male singer award was won by youngster’s favourite Shafi Kollam. The winners were selected through SMS votes from the UAE audiences for the first time in the history of Mappilappattu, said Khaleelullah Chemnad, chairman of the award committee. He also said “Mappilappattu is just five years older than the Malayalam literature itself but it has been neglected over the years and it couldn't achieve the expected progress. The GMA 2008 is playing an historic role by remembering the artistes and their favourite songs. These artistes played an important role in the high popularity of natural Mappilappattu.” Their valuable contributions will never be forgotten and GMA will honour the talents who sacrificed for finding the roots of Mappilappattu and its rich culture. GMA 2008 is directed by Basheer Changaramkulam. Dr BR Shetty and actor-director Cochin Haneefa will be the chief guests of the programme. The organisers guarantees the ishal night will be a different treat for the audience by the performance of prize winning artistes, violin maestro Bala Bhasker and a variety of entertainment programmes like Oppana, Kolkkali, Duffmuttu etc. GMA 2008 is only a beginning and the awards will be distributed in the coming years said the organisers.

European films to hit UAE screen

By KK Moidu

THE European Movies Eighth Season (2008/2009) offered by nine European embassies in the UAE will screen quality films from Europe at Grand Cinemas in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Al Ain. Andreas Maager, deputy head of Mission, Embassy of Switzerland, Abu Dhabi announced on Monday at a press conference held at the residence of Consul General of Switzerland in Al Barsha, Dubai. The last seven seasons were great success and the eighth season will have another feast of quality European films, the organisers say. The films also provide the audience with an opportunity to explore different areas of European cinema production and history. Under the patronage of Sheikh Suroor Bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, the embassies of nine countries (Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Spain and Switzerland), the organisers of the European Movies Eighth Season, are offering something more which would not be normally available in the region. Cine-goers will get an opportunity to watch 14 films of renowned directors from the past and the most recent releases produced in the nine European countries. The 14 films to be screened in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Al Ain are, Pas de Panique directed by Denis Rabaglia and Nordwand directed by Philipp Stolzl (Switzerland), the recently released Absurdistan, Die Fetten Jahre sind vorbei directed by Hans Wiengartner, Auf der anderen Seite directed by Faith Akin (Germany), superhit Le Petit Lieutenant and Mademoiselle directed by Philippe Lioret (France), Los Otros directed by Alejandro Amenabar and Lo que se de Lola directed by Javier Rebollo (Spain), Geboren in Absurdistan directed by Houchang Allahyari (Austria), Zelary directed by Ondrej Trojan (Czech Republic), Katyn directed by Andrzej Wajda (Poland), Simon directed Eddy Terstall (Netherlands), Mediterraneo directed by Gabriele Salvatores (Italy). The films will be screened in original languages with English subtitles and the screening schedules of Abu Dhabi Grand Cinemas, Abu Dhabi Mall every Sunday at 8pm, Dubai Grand Cinemas Mercato Mall, every other Tuesday at 8pm and Al Ain Grand Cinemas, Rotana, Oasis City, every other Saturday at 5pm and 8pm. Season tickets for 14 movies will cost Dhs 200 and can be purchased at the Grand Cinemas in Abu Dhabi (Abu Dhabi Mall), Dubai (Mercato) and Al Ain (Rotana). Tickets are also available at the Embassy of Switzerland in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of Switzerland in Dubai.

Gulf Mappilappatu Awards to be distributed on Oct. 31

KK Moidu
The best talents in Mappilappattu (Muslim songs) will be honoured at a stage show "Gulf Mappilappattu Awards 2008", which will be held at Al Nasr Leisure Land Ice Rink, Dubai, on Oct. 31. The winners will be selected through SMS votes by the UAE audiences for the first time in the history of Mappilappattu. The fans of Muslim songs are getting an opportunity to select their favourite artistes, said Basheer Changaramkulam, Jamsheer and Nasser of Time Pass Entertainment, which is one of the organisers of the event. The awards will be given in different categories. The awards will be given to senior male and female singers for their valuable contribution to Mappilappattu. The other categories of the awards include the best lyricist, the best music director, the best male singer, the best female singer, the best male newcomer singer, the best popular song, the best audio album and the best song, said PT Saleem, managing director, Green Advertising and Shamsudheen Nellara, managing director, Nellara Food Products, which are the other organisers. Mappilappattu lovers can select the best senior male and female singers for their total contribution from the top ranking four singers. The male singers are Peer Muhammad, VM Kutty, Moosa Eranjoli and KG Sathar. The leading female singers are Kannoor Zeenath, Vilayil Faseela, Ramla Beegum and Sibila Sadanandhan. The best Mappilappattu lyricists will be selected from OM Karuvarakundu, Bappu Vellipparambu, Kanesh Poonoor and Baker Panoor. The top runners for the music director category are KV Abootty, M Kunhi Moosa, Kozhikode Abu Baker and Joy Vincent. The audience will have a tough time selecting the best male singer from Kannoor Sharif, MA Gafoor, Marcos and Ashraf Payyannoor, and the best female singer from Sindhu Prem Kumar, Rahana and Nazeem, said the organisers. The best newcomer male singer will be selected from four youngsters Afsal, Tajudheen Vadakara, Kollam Shafi and Salim Kodathur. The last date for SMS voting is Oct. 25 and the number is 7782 GM[space]. Businessman BR Shetty and actor-director Cochin Haneefa will grace the occasion as chief guests of the programme. The show will start at 7pm. Tickets are available at selected outlets in the UAE.

Dumping cleanliness instead of garbage

By KK Moidu

Residential areas in Sharjah have garbage bins placed at right locations and the municipality has put a system in place to clear them promptly. Surprisingly, carelessness on the part of some residents is leaving waste to be deposited around the garbage boxes, instead of inside them.

"A few people carelessly throw waste bags outside the garbage bins and their irresponsible act not only increases the workload of the cleaning workers who  empty the garbage boxes daily but also causes environment and health problems to the public," complained a resident at Al Wahda Street. 

A resident, living with his family at the ground floor of a building in the Yarmouk area in Sharjah said: "The garbage box is very near to my flat and I am watching everyday that several people are depositing the waste from their houses carelessly outside the box. Some families have left the task of throwing the garbage with their children. These children cannot put the garbage in the boxes and instead just leave the bags outside and disappear."

A cleaning worker from the municipality said: "Most of the people are dropping the waste bags in the boxes, but a few irresponsible people do not even close their waste bags properly and throw them strewing all wastes outside the boxes."

Though the municipality workers clean the area, it's of no use as the stinking waste dumped around the box makes the place greasy and difficult to walk.

The garbage boxes are seen overflowing with wastes on public holidays and weekends as some residents leave their old furniture and other unusable household goods outside the boxes.

Although the workers of municipality start their work early morning next day, more garbage after weekends and holidays increase their workload.

"It's time the residents understood their own responsibility and keep the area clean and green," said a longtime resident of Yarmouk area.