Tag Archives: UAE

February 20, 2026 · 10:56

The way of the dodo

Yes, that is a path that I am walking at present. You see, I am (originally) a Catholic. As such I tend to miss the Islamic markers around me. And this year I was aware of Ramadan, even though I do not practice it. So the news given by Morocco World News (at https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2026/02/279298/impossible-moon-saudi-arabia-faces-scrutiny-after-declaring-wednesday-as-1st-day-of-ramadan/) caught me unaware for two reasons. The first setting is that the accusation that Saudi Arabia made an Islamic booboo (as expressions go) is out of the realm of my conception of Islam. In this I am biased. I see Shia Islam (Iran) as evil and Sunni Islam (Saudi Arabia) as good. As such I see Islam of the UAE on the same footing as Saudi Arabia. If people want to convict me of these thoughts, that’s fair (as long as they are Muslim)

So the news given to me was ‘Impossible Moon: Saudi Arabia Faces Scrutiny After Declaring Wednesday as 1st Day of Ramadan’, I was own a different footing. I got that it was Ramadan as Google informed me it was, nothing complex about this. But then I tend to rely on Google on many matters, like the Horoscope, Chinese days and a few more like this and Ramadan fits in that setting for me. So a the News from Rabat is given to me In the form of “Another year, another controversy as experts and observers across the world are surprised and nearly shocked over Saudi Arabia’s decision to declare Wednesday as the first day of Ramadan 2026.

The Gulf country aligns with other nations in the region and beyond, who are facing scrutiny over their decision, with experts and astronomy centers stressing that the crescent moon, called the “hilal”, was impossible to sight last night.” This kinda caught me unaware. I am not a Muslim and as such I am in the dark of these matters. I for one (with my scientific mind) was thinking that as the world is almost a sphere that some will not see what some do see. So, what is visible from Mecca (or Riyadh) might be out of view for Rabat , Casablanca and a few more places. But that is thrown upside down as we are given “Critics say the declaration is against all available data contradicting declarations from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and beyond, which started fasting for Ramadan today. Astronomers had warned prior that highly unfavorable celestial conditions would make it impossible to sight the moon yesterday, February 17. Astronomy calculations suggest the moon sat before or simultaneously with the sun in most Islamic countries. This would serve as an obstacle to leave an observable crescent above the horizon, with both the moon’s age and angular separation from the sun also far below globally accepted visibility thresholds.” I am merely posting what Morocco World News is giving me, because in the first I am not Muslim, I am also neither a astronomer and I wouldn’t be able to do these calculations without an additional 4 years of University level of mathematics and calculus. So I lose out three times. And when we get to the setting of “According to Evrim Agaci, a Turkish science and education organization, the moon was supposed to disappear a mere 42 seconds ahead of the sun’s descent last night” it seems a matter of less than a minute and that is the slimmest of all astronomical settings as I personally see it. And my lack of knowledge and insight into science (as given above) I heralded with “The same source detailed how the moon will set before the sun in many cities, including in Abu Dhabi, where the moon sets one minute before sunset. “In Riyadh, it will set 37 seconds earlier,” Gulf News reported. Several other countries like Jordan, Oman, and Egypt announced Thursday as the first day of Ramadan, acknowledging the impossibility of sighting the moon. Saudi Arabia’s controversy is not limited to this single incident, especially as the Gulf country has long been treated as a reference point by many Muslim countries that model their own calendar decisions on Saudi announcements.” And my comical setting of a town proclamatory walking through Yas Mall (in Abu Dhabi), ringing a bell proclaiming ‘Ramadan has started’ brings a small grin to my mind knowing that the sin goes down a mine later and everyone can enjoy their foods until sunrise. But that is me, always trying to see the bright spot on the moon (its right between Ptolemaeus and Mare Nectaris) And yet, this article gives us another setting, one that I had no knowledge of and no expectation of. It is seen in “Observational data consistently show Morocco is among the most accurate in determining the start of lunar months, as they base their Islamic calendar on actually sighting the crescent moon with the naked eye. This approach relies on different methods, including engaging clerics, astronomers, and armed forces units in a coordinated effort.” I did not expect that to be a strength of Morocco. As such we might say ‘Calculate it again, Sam’ with a small wink at Casablanca. So even as I go the way of the Dodo, I do see that we are all fallible and we all come to conclusions. I am not judging Saudi Arabia, the UAE or even Morocco. But a setting of this magnitude happens. We might think bad, good or anywhere between there and uncaring. But the fact that this happens brings a smile to my face. Because we are all fallible and someone wanting to enter Ramadan a day early should be heralded into doing the best for his or her faith. It is seemingly that simple, at least that Is what I think.

You all have a lovely day and abstain from offering any Elderly Muslim water between dawn (Suhoor) to sunset (Iftar), I would want to do this for humanitarian reasons, but apparently it is not an option to Muslims, knowing this makes my heart hurt a little more than I am comfortable with.

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February 18, 2026 · 23:31

The idea that was 

There is a setting that we at times tend to forget. Disney paved the way and some will like that path and some will not. But it isn’t up to Disney and others can follow that path. Particularly a path that was set out by Don Bluth and Gary Goldman. The name of that movie was Titan AE. The setting was one that I see as a movie that was released in a bad time setting. 2000-2001 was not a great time setting for a lot of people and it was competing with MI2, Gladiator, The Perfect Storm and X-men. A non-Disney animation doesn’t really hold up a candle to that. But in this age of special effects and graphic Machine learning design (calling it AI sounds like a mass) this setting could well work in the age of Netflix/Paramount/Disney plus all competing for a larger slice of the pie. I reckon that Don Bluth has a lot more materials and that setting might help him. So what happens when this 95 minute setting becomes a mini series of 4 episodes each an hour long? I reckon that there are reasons why some of the cast members would love to get involved and when you see the average scripts that these studios accept, the complete rewrite of a decent script might hold water with these streamers. A setting where we get the good, the bad and the energetic and it all comes to blow starting in episode 3 with episode 4 as the finale. You see, some are thinking the other way round, but I reckon that Titan AE has what it takes to get into a real action movie. The stage was properly presented by Don Bluth and Gary Goldman. As such whilst some go for the ‘the movie was a failure’ some could see the open sided win that is right there for the taking and it might make for a decent mini series. As I see it, the streamers see the benefit of that equation. That being said, there is no reason why the original designers couldn’t offer this to the SBA or a player like Dubai One. The options is not seeing it, but seeing where it could hold water too and the second option might require more rewrite (making it more Arabic set) but the story doesn’t change and the makers had a decent setting to begin with. So whilst everyone is redoing the same thing (example: Harry Potter and Percy Jackson) others might seek a wider spread of a setting that was in the past a little too constricting. As such is there a setting where the new could be derived from the old, whilst not relying on a remaster?  I don’t think from animation to real life action is a remaster, but that is merely me. And when the stage is placed on the new borders, some might create an entirely new frontier. That is something worth considering (at least that is what I think).

And when you have considered that as a solution, what will some do about those not ‘in league’ with Zeus, but what happens when a simple girl enters The Eleusis Ploutonion? Did anyone consider being original and brave? The setting that someone is pushing the boundaries of the past into the future by using the known parts and throw them upside down. Because the facts that were were often whispered by the victor. So what happens when someone found tablets that were set in hidden scriptures. Hidden because the victors would never allow them to be released or to survive. But what happens when someone with the powers of a god could foresee that happening and they would have had ways to plant the fruits of their achievements in other ways?

It is just a thought, but we are always ‘pushed’ to accept the writings of the old, but what happens when there are older writings still? Where could they be hidden and how could they be ‘resurrected’? It just a thought to have, because the bulk of movies and series never go into that equation. Just like seemingly no one considered that Titan AE might become an excellent movie.

Just food for thought. Have a great day.

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February 17, 2026 · 19:32

Choices of an inspiring nation

We might not always agree with the choices ones nation makes, but there is no denying that the Olympics are the proper breeding grounds for Nationalism. At present the rankings are held by Norway – Italy and the United Stated, but this is a tally that could change at least twice a day and the Netherlands is racing the United States as both have 6 golden medals. And there is more, but this is not about the medals. Fayik ABDI (KSA) did not get any, but the setting that someone from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is participating is blowing my mind. There is an absolute absence of snow in the 2,149,690 square kilometers it inhabits. As such to see someone in that tally getting so kind of placed in the 95th position is quite remarkable. Yes, there are all kind of people making some yabayaba statement, but I was born in the Netherlands, they have snow there. I have also lived in Sweden. Another nation with plenty of snow and I never made that list (as did millions of Dutch and Swedes), so come to think to it a remarkable setting. The same goes for Alex Astridge, a 19 year old Emirati who is set to become the first male Alpine skier from the desert nation to compete at the Olympic Winter Games. I did not see the results, but there is an expected setting that he is not making that list. No worries, he is at least an Olympic competitor, something billions of people will never be able to do. 

And whilst some might belittle that setting, keep in mind that they never made it anywhere there. I almost got there in my younger days (in fencing), but I never had the required points to qualify and I saw one of my opponents get there (and I was happy for him) He was Oscar Kardolus and today I learned he is no longer among us. He was a great fencer. For comparison he got the Dutch title 18 times. I was not good enough to get it even once (to make sure you won’t think that I am on his level). As such we are all a little more nationalistic during the Olympics. Even those who are by large not interested in sports. 

So whilst we are watching how our nations are doing during these days and we are keeping our forgers crossed for others. Like most of the Commonwealth is keeping its fingers crossed for Canada (women’s hockey) to slap USA silly (if at all possible) and whilst almost whole of Canada is holding its breath for the semi-finals on February 21st and the finals on February 22nd, most of the Commonwealth will hold its breath too, especially as they are likely to face off against USA as well. And to some it might not make sense, but then I was never one to watch submarine racing either (that’s a spectator sport) and the funnies keep on coming. So whilst you might avoid sport events, almost 95% of any nation is watching with baited breath on how its nation is doing, even if they realise that their contender might never make the podium. Sport achievements are respected almost everywhere and that is something, because its roots were seen in Ancient Olympics 776 BC, something that was brought back to life in the 1896 Summer Olympics. A sporting event that brings people together for 2800 years now (minus the interruption) I personally see this setting as a great way to bring some ‘parties’ together in an informal way to get a dialogue started. Sometimes a non-formal setting might be the way to get a discussion going. That being said I am massively against politic entering the Olympic field, but on the audience stand, people start talking (as people do) and when they are on their nationalistic foot, optional open, especially when their team is winning. 

In this world we need to have these moments in time, especially when the media and some other players can no longer be trusted. The neutral places where a dialogue can be called for might be the best setting to have.

Have a great day.

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February 13, 2026 · 14:59

As the world grows smaller

That is at times the setting, not because we are shrinking, but people leap with larger bounds, seek more distant settings and as distant settings become more and more reachable we seem to be shrinking. For the world this also means that other means become available. And here The United Arab Emirates take a leap, more specifically the ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company) seeks to deliver LNG, more even better stated more LNG to the world as we are handed that “Abu Dhabi National Oil Co.’s shipping arm is evaluating the purchase of liquefied natural gas tankers as the state producer accelerates its push into global gas trading. Adnoc Logistics & Services may order four to six vessels to support the group’s expanding international business, Chief Executive Officer Abdulkareem Al Masabi said in an interview Wednesday. The order would come in addition to 14 LNG carriers already contracted to serve export projects in the United Arab Emirates.” this comes with the added setting of “Some of the new tankers could be ordered this year if a decision is taken to buy them, Al Masabi said without disclosing the potential cost. The company said Thursday that it continues to monitor developments in the global LNG market, but no orders for additional LNG vessels have been decided. Expanding the fleet would give Adnoc greater flexibility to market cargoes internationally rather than relying solely on long-term contracts.” Come to think of it, I wrote ‘Sinking a dilemma’ on February 1st 2026 (at https://lawlordtobe.com/2026/02/01/sinking-a-dilemma/) seems like a nice coincidence, because that tunnel might avoid several pressures. And as we are given “Al Masabi also said tensions in the Red Sea have “calmed down,” though the route remains sensitive after months of attacks by Iranian-linked Houthi forces prompted many shipping companies to avoid the area. Some operators have recently resumed or increased voyages through the corridor.” This doesn’t cover the pressures there were, but it is related. If there are more options, more and more countries will hammer the Houthi forces with drones (and optionally actual aircrafts) to keep the Houthi population down (preferable close to zero). But these forces rely on Iranian support and at present Iran is walking a fine line. I personally am still open to the destruction of their oil reserves as an empty coffer wouldn’t allow them to buy any DLE-170 170CC Twin Two-stroke part, as such the problem also goes away. Yes, I know it is a figment of my imagination, but the idea that the Iranian Credit Card is no longer allowed to be used to buy any weapons is a nice dream to have. And as we are also given “Adnoc L&S is adding vessels to handle rising domestic export capacity. The company will take delivery of two LNG carriers this year — adding to four already received — to transport gas from Abu Dhabi’s existing export terminal at Das Island. A further eight ships will serve the Ruwais LNG terminal under construction on the Gulf coast, which is scheduled for completion in 2028.” As such (as I see it) Emirati export is going nicely in an upward setting. 

But personally (which might rely on flawed logic) there is every chance that people working in the oil and gas industry might also find employment there. It comes with all kinds of settings (not all seen as positive) as you might find yourself doing a tour on Das Island which is around 173.4 KM away from the party centres of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, but I reckon that its airport makes that trip in under an hour (call for specifics +97126063622). And that is the symbiosis you would want, work hard all day and twice a week (or a weekend) splash it around in either two places. But I might be oversimplifying the problem. 

What does matter that ADNOC has a growing availability of something almost the entire world needs and that makes it a sellers market. So get your orders of LNG in quick, once the contracts are signed the abundance goes away for you.

Have a great day, time for me to seek out the coolness of ice coffee and take a small walk.

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February 12, 2026 · 16:10

Bank on this

Early this morning the Khaleej Times alerted me to a story (any https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/finance/united-arab-bank-posts-45-surge-in-2025-profit-as-assets-and-income-climb). Now we all assume that banks make all the money, but that is not the whole story. You see under Sharia law banks have ‘limitations’. Or perhaps better stated “Islamic banking operates under Shariah law, primarily prohibiting interest (aka: riba), excessive uncertainty (aka: gharar), and gambling (aka: maisir). Key rules include mandatory asset-backing for transactions, sharing risks and profits between bank and customer, and investing only in ethical, halal businesses. Common structures include Murabaha (cost-plus financing), Ijarah (leasing), and Musharaka (joint venture).” Are settings that an islamic banks need to adhere to. So when you see these ‘limitations’ and then the Khaleej Times gives us ‘United Arab Bank posts 45% surge in 2025 profit as assets and income climb’ we might see another side, mainly the side of how well the UAE is doing at present. The subtext “A key highlight of the year was the Sharjah-based lender’s successful Dh1.03 billion rights issue, which increased the bank’s paid-up capital by around 50%” with the added “The bank recorded a net profit of Dh438 million for the year ended 31 December 2025, up from Dh301 million in 2024. Total income climbed 31 per cent to Dh797 million, fueled by what the bank described as “strong momentum” across its core businesses. Non-interest income surged by 56 per cent, while net interest income rose 24 per cent.” this is what I call a massive boost to the UAE economy, so whilst you are getting fed up (tired too) on how bad the United States is doing, you see here an example on how it could be done and people better consider the fallout, because at present any dollar (Euro’s and Pounds too) that aren’t currently being invested in Europe, America, Commonwealth, Europe and a few other places are likely being invested in the UAE. I don’t know how well Saudi Arabia is doing, but it is doing a lot better than Europe. So when we get to “Chairman Sheikh Mohammed bin Faisal bin Sultan Al Qassimi said 2025 marked a pivotal year for the bank as it celebrated its golden jubilee and unveiled a refreshed brand identity. “It proved to be a transformative period for UAB, reinforced by decisive strategic initiatives and robust financial performance,” he said. “Operationally, the Bank delivered solid profitability, supported by disciplined execution, prudent risk management, and enhanced operating leverage.”” You know that they are doing it right and a strong willed and able minded board of directors was at the head of that setting. I reckon that the western world will eagerly look at the reports of SAMA (Saudi Central Bank) and the CBUAE (Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates). Because as I see it, the 2025 results are merely the beginning and if my predictions hold firm, the Western world (and its banks) will come under the spell of ‘Dry Well psychoses’ soon enough and when the opportunities of Wall Street dry up because of the economy in the United States, these two countries will get a lot of opportunities ‘handed’ to them and whilst we might worry about the Influence they will gain, these ‘new’ banks will have to adhere to Sharia law and the laws of the land, which prohibits them from making certain steps. So while we might stop at “UAB also reported healthy asset quality, with a net reversal of impairment charges amounting to Dh51 million, translating to a cost of risk of –41 basis points. The bank attributed this to strong recoveries and its “robust risk framework.” Its cost-to-income ratio improved to 46 per cent, down from 52 per cent the previous year, while return on shareholders’ equity stood at 16 per cent.” Banks on a global setting haven’t seen this since the post-WWII Golden Age, which went from 1950–1973, as such the last really successful ‘boom’ period was 53 years ago, so you better bet on the non-Islamic banks taking notice at present. Whilst President Trump will be wondering where the money is going to and he might wonder why no one is betting on his ‘beautiful’ bills, I get the notion that banks might want to vacate towards the settings of SAMA and the CBUAE at their earliest convenience, especially as this comes with an almost certain guarantee for return on their investors. As such I noticed the settings we are given and I wonder how well ADNOC is doing in all this, because their profits go somewhere, don’t they and as I see it, the CBUAE is a safe bet to consider. 

Have a great day today, Perhaps tomorrow I get to write on some gaming IP. 

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February 5, 2026 · 17:40

Cut through the presentations

Yup, I have had enough of the presented media on how Canadians are not that much of a bother to America’s tourism setting. And for this I put attention on Now Toronto as we take a look at their side (at https://nowtoronto.com/news/are-toronto-residents-skipping-u-s-travel-heres-what-theyre-saying/) where we see ‘Are Toronto residents skipping U.S. travel? Here’s what they’re saying’ we are being told the first direct bullet points (a nice way of summary to the setting).

  • A new Abacus Data poll found nearly one in four Canadians have opted out of traveling to the U.S. due to feelings about the Trump administration, a trend reflected in Statistics Canada data showing sharp drops in both vehicle and air return trips from the U.S. in late 2025.
  • StatCan reported Canadian resident return trips by vehicle from the U.S. fell 28 per cent year-over-year in November 2025, while air travel dropped 12.1 per cent, even as overseas travel by Canadians increased 14 per cent during the same period.
  • Some Toronto residents told Now Toronto they are intentionally avoiding travel to the U.S. for political, ethical, and economic reasons, choosing alternative destinations instead, with younger Canadians more likely to scrutinize peers who continue to vacation there.

Three points that make sense and that accounts for a lot more damage than anyone would have guessed at any point in time. I particularly like the ‘peer pressure’ point. It’s like a parent gets to hear ‘Really? There?’ by their 5 year old. A nice figment of my imaginary pressure seen on the inside of my eyelids. 
And with the setting given at “Some Torontonians have told Now Toronto they’ve been boycotting travel to the U.S. in the time being. “I just feel like my dollar can be spent better elsewhere,” Olivia, a resident, said. “With all of the situation going on down there, I don’t feel like going.” Olivia said the decision to avoid the U.S. solidified in early 2025 as government policies and climate shifted. Instead, Olivia said she’s opting to travel to other regions.”

And it is this side that amounts to the bulk of other Commonwealthian’s who seem to decide on Abu Dhabi in the UAE over anywhere in the US where the vacation seems genuine and is also one of the safest places on the planet and whilst those are mere cost dressings, the food prices in America are getting out of hand and they are really fitting the budget aware traveller in Abu Dhabi, that is beside the other entertainment they have on one island and some hotels add entrance to one of these places every day for those staying in their hotels, as such we see benefit on benefit. So whilst the pressure seems to be adding to European places (like Euro Disney, Efteling and other locations) It seems that the pristine settings for Abu Dhabi is getting an amazing appeal and that is merely the first glance for a tourist. There is so much more to see and do in the UAE and now that Abu Dhabi is a mere 95 minutes from Dubai by train, that is a vacation that starlet tourist will wow for.

And whilst we still see “Olivia said she’s also more conscious of her spending choices, focusing on buying Canadian products to ensure she isn’t supporting the U.S. economy. Joel, a dual-citizen of both the U.S. and Canada says traveling there can be morally complicated. “Any political differences we have is outweighed by the fact that I have family there,” he said. “I have kids who want to see their aunts and uncles and cousins. Joel has noticed quite a difference in airport traffic in the last year or so when it comes to traveling south. “It’s faster at the border,” he said. “Because there’s no line-ups, there’s not a lot of people going.”” And as I see it, we are off to the races and as the UAE (Abu Dhabi) is erecting a massive Harry Potter addition to their Warner Brothers park, we see that also Disney is being added to Yas Island. As it is supposed to open in 2028, so there is time and there is already a lot to do, but these two players will undoubtedly become the death of American theme parks for many Canadians and now that they have an alternative, I reckon American tourism will get rightfully ignored by its northern neighbors and whilst the Winter-geese might be forced to keep their places for now. It seems that Florida will have a cruel awakening in the period 2025-2029. As as another source gave us a few hours ago that ‘Florida wants to win back its Canadian tourists’ and as we are given (at https://www.orlandoweekly.com/news/florida-wants-to-win-back-its-canadian-tourists/) “Tourism leaders in Florida are reaching out to their Canadian counterparts as the U.S. has seen a travel backlash over the words and actions of President Donald Trump. As Visit Florida compiles 2025 tourism figures, the agency’s President and CEO Bryan Griffin and Carol Dover, the president and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, are setting up a meeting with Canadian officials.” I’m certain that us useless as the settings of hardship were pushed through by Washington DC. So we might consider whatever we want but a vagrant in Orlando called Bumble Dora (I swear that was his name) waved a twig and whispered ‘Canadia Phohibitus’ as such Florida might wish for whatever they want, but foreign policy was dictated to all by Washington and everyone decided they have hd enough of America in that setting and when you consider what the UAE offers and what America doesn’t (or no longer) offers that reality is setting in for global tourism. So when we get the ‘presented’ “In December, Visit Florida estimated 34.339 million people traveled into the state between the start of July and end of September, up from 34.239 million during the same third quarter period in 2024. The numbers showed slight year-to-year growth in overseas visitors and domestic travelers.” You know that you are being presented a gamble with loaded dice and I reckon that not merely the Canadians have had enough of that. Consider the video that we are given (at https://youtu.be/hkr0WfTufJo?si=4gSmVZ9riFvUobmz) and the empty corridors and plane. As such a mere 100,000 less tourist is a BS setting that we are given, all whilst several sources are giving the world that the United States is getting hit by $12.5 Billion lower revenue. I think that they are off by well over $30 billion more than that (for settings that suddenly no longer matter), all whilst they were used to pump up their views when it dod matter. So whilst we understand that Florida is trying to save what it can, but to give it that swing whilst we see videos all over YouTube and TikTok appear of an empty Orlando International Airport (MCO) is not the way to go about it, but that might merely be my dubious view on the matter.

But now we get to the data that I didn’t know about. We are given “Abacus Data also reported that 33 per cent of Canadians would think less of peers who continued to travel to the U.S.

The data suggested the likelihood of those polled who would scrutinize anyone traveling increased the younger the person was. “Nearly half of those aged 18 to 29 say they would think less of someone close to them for vacationing in the United States,” Abacus Data stated. “That drops among those aged 30 to 44, falls further among those 45 to 59, and remains lower among those 60 and over.”” So consider this setting with University students, as I see it, that will stop people from traveling towards the United States in plenty of ways and whilst Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton and Montreal all have their own Universities, I reckon that they will stop a lot more than currently seen. Consider that any shop would have to admit that they went to the United States for a vacation. They would lose so many customers in the blink of an eye. I reckon the hardship of Florida is merely just beginning. And with every event where President Trump opens his mouth, that hardship merely increases. Don’t take my word for it, but it seems that someone named Elisabeth Booth will do something about that really soon. No idea what she is inferring but I reckon she knows best (or at least I hope so).

And this setting is not merely apt for Canadians. I have heard similar settings in Sydney, we tend to support our Canadian brothers (sisters too). So we are also looking at places like Abu Dhabi and Europe. And whilst we are given “Australians can travel for short trips, without a visa, to the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period” and as I see it, I don’t know any vacation that ever goes beyond 30 days and set against that “U.S. nonimmigrant visa fees for 2026 generally cost US$185–$315 for tourist/student visas and A new $250 “Visa Integrity Fee” is expected for many nonimmigrant visas in 2026”, so free or a VISA well over $565 dollars? Yes, I’ll take the non-US option too. For the record a tourist visa for the UAE costs $150, a simple setting where the USA priced themselves out of a market who needs to stop costs in this hard driven economy. A setting that is now hurting the settings of the United States to well over 2029 air present. I reckon that vacation in the United States are done for until long after 2029, because when the first stories come into the many destination on how their vacation to Abu Dhabi was ‘magical’ the hesitaters will come running and that will bring serious money from every other place towards the UAE and not towards the United States. Seems simple, doesn’t it?

Have a great day today.

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February 4, 2026 · 00:05

The Grass on the grave

It comes with a setting. The first is the grass is always greener on the other fellows grave. The other setting is that we are on the setting that we are given that one good turn deserves another.

Do I sound a little weird? Yes, that is the case, but it comes with the numbers that we are being smacked with and as we are considering what a brain drain will do to the United States. This setting is one that might need work.

To set the first stage we are given: 

Amazon 15,000
UPS 30,000
Oracle 20,000
Microsoft 20,000
IBM 3,000

It concerns over 88,000 people who are getting made redundant in these 5 companies alone, I reckon the whole set will be a lot worse soon enough and when you think that they are with their backs against the wall, consider the following.

That is just Saudi Arabia who is in need for thousands of position, as such the Muslims in America might have a decent solution coming their way and the UAE is in a similar state, both nations needing IT staff, which puts the people at Amazon, Microsoft, IBM and Oracle in a decent state. Both places are in a good setting for job placements and those who cannot live in a more strict muslim way might consider the UAE, but that is not me side setting the job offerings in the mix, but most of these forms are doing it to deal with the cost of data centres and that is not a good enough reason for me. The brain drain that it leads to might be more disastrous than anything else the United States could be headed to.

Now both Saudi Arabia and the UAE could post advertisements in the metro sections of the news papers in the places where these job losses occur with an optional website where these people could apply and upload their resume. At that point it becomes the setting for these two nations to see who they could use and who not. At the setting we see with Aramco (Saudi Arabia) and ADNOC (UAE) and that is before they are looking at people for their data centres. I reckon that the braindyain will be very real for the United States. I reckon that the advertisement we see in the Arab News might soon have a much smaller number. 

So that is the small setting that we are facing now and the job cuts that American companies are putting themselves on, might be the solution that Saudi Arabia, the UAE and even other nations might need. So if you are on that redundancy train, here is a little reminder that “Your next big opportunity may be where you are right now” and lets see that solution work for you, because when you are one of 88,000 the setting does not work in your favor, as such I thought of giving some who might need your expertise to set the stage for you and not against you. 

So you all have a great day and I will find a way for others to know what some of you might be going through at the start of 2026.

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February 2, 2026 · 11:46

And we’re off

That sounds like the starting noise of a race and you might not be wrong. You see, Abu Dhabi News gives us ‘Non-oil trade reaches 38.8 billion dirhams in nine months’ that boils down to C$15 billion in Canadian terms (A$ 15.2 billion in Australian settings). That is massive and this is excluding their largest stage, oil. As such it reflects on Real estate, groceries, Apple products and entry tickets to the attractions on Yas Island. This is big! 

We are given “The UAE and Kuwait continue to strengthen their economic and commercial relations through sustained bilateral trade growth, with non-oil trade reaching 50 billion dirhams in 2024, reflecting a 9% increase compared to 45.7 billion dirhams in 2023. This UAE-Kuwait economic partnership demonstrates the strategic depth of cooperation between the two Gulf nations, according to official data from the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism.” The idea that they surpassed their 2024 numbers by well over 9% is reason to give it more attention. It implies that the UAE is surpassing their non-oil stage by approximately 9% year on year. I personally think that their windfall is coming from tourism (with people being fed up with the United States) might speculative, but when you look at the presented windfall that Yas Island is giving Abu Dhabi that  speculation is not that much of a stretch. 

And the settings for a pairing of Kuwait and UAE stage seems a stretch, but as we are given “Kuwait ranks as the 14th largest global trading partner for the UAE in 2024 and fourth among Arab nations. Meanwhile, the UAE serves as Kuwait’s second-largest trading partner worldwide and first among Arab and Gulf states. The Emirates captures approximately 20% of Kuwait’s non-oil exports, according to official statistics.

Additionally, trade between the two countries represented nearly two-thirds of Kuwait’s total trade with GCC countries during 2024. The UAE holds the top position globally in receiving Kuwait’s non-oil exports, accounting for more than 15.7% of Kuwait’s total non-oil export volume. In imports, the Emirates ranked second globally for Kuwait in 2023.” It might not seems that much of a reach. I personally felt that over 5 years ago, the stabilizing factor that Saudi Arabia and the UAE might become to the Arabian table of economic placement was overreach (stated by some) but this news is sounding that I was right all along. As the western press seems to relish breaking up this winning team, there is a setting that we are not looking at. Even if there was some discord between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, the need that this is properly looked at requires us all to consider Al Arabiya and the Khaleej Times to be a much better source of information than most of the Western media a they are in league with whatever influencers are baiting their digital dollars and the flames that these players like to present. In addition to the previous quote, it seems relevant to include “The UAE hosts more than 1,700 Kuwaiti trademarks, 13 registered commercial agencies, and 15 Kuwaiti companies, according to Ministry of Economy and Tourism data. Key Kuwaiti investment sectors in the Emirates include financial services and insurance, manufacturing, real estate, information and communications, wholesale and retail trade, mining, construction, hospitality, transportation, and professional services.” It implies that the stabilizing influence of the UAE is growing. Should Bahrain, Oman and Egypt find the solution on this stabilizing dinner table then there is no reason to see the Arab world anything else than part of a new world order where Islam could find its solace that they are well represented. If Saudi Arabia gets Turkey, Libya and Morocco onboard then we get a new setting, not merely an Arab world stage, but an expanding Arab world (something that makes both the United States and Israel frightening) but the reality is that the United States are pretty much done for and they always ‘screamed’ the phrase “Money Talks and bullshit walks”, now that they are held to the same premise might not seem nice but it is the reality they created and now that the $38 trillion of debt is biting them hard as the interest of over a trillion dollars is due every year is downing whatever they have left and as Canada is a commonwealth nation that is liking their optional EU setting and their optional new trading connections to China is setting themselves up for a larger slice of the economic pie, whilst the pie of the United States is getting smaller by the quarter. In that setting The Arab World is the new larger stage player that is seen in a positive light by both China and the EU and those Islamophobic influencer stories will be actively banned from the media (about a decade to late) and as such the stabilizing effect that I foresaw about a decade ago is coming to pass into reality. As such the story given to us by Sami Mohamed is not merely reporting it is prophecy coming to pass, but I must admit that it was seemingly my prophecy alone and I am kinda happy that this is happening. It means that I saw the stages over the last decade correctly and whatever ‘pseudo’ economists and journalists who were stating that the US economy is doing great are now in a ratchet state of denial and hiding behind excuses like ‘it was a complex situation’ my response? I saw it as a non-economist, you should have been on board from the get go. And I might do this later as I put it in my blog and recall their responses holding my non-economic degrees against their so called decades of expertise and time is my ally here. As the reports are set to Internet and their publications, I merely need to keep record and that might be frightening to them, but it is what it is and the settings by others are proving me right.

Within half a century the Arab world went from ‘appeasing nation’ into the invited head setting of any table and they waited long enough. Now those who called them ally (at a cost) are pulled into the limelight and held in front of a mirror. As such the Abu Dhabi News gave me more than one reason to celebrate and I reckon there is more to come, we only concluded one month in 2026, I reckon that by month 8 a lot more clarity is seen in several connections. 

So you all have a great day, I am feeling fine at present.

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February 1, 2026 · 14:14

Sinking a dilemma

It was what I was thinking not just this morning, but in the past as well You see, people are so ‘upset’ about the danger towards the setting of Iran, that they seemingly are overlooking the obvious. The Strait of Hormuz is seemingly the blockade that Iran would like to ‘enforce’ if at all possible, but when you consider that the solution to this might be a lot less when you consider that a canal could be dug, starting north of Sharjah, going south south east towards Adhen and after that east towards Sharm and then out and straight into the Gulf of Oman. I reckon that this will also give the UAE several financial options. 

First there is the toll that ships have to pay to avoid any complications with Iran, then there are options for crew and vessels to optionally restock and refresh what they have in either Umm Al Quwain, Adhen or Sharm. This setting might bring several opportunities and there is the national pride of a canal though the UAE which might be an eye-catcher to all those yachts getting to Dubai. And there are risks but some can be levied beforehand and I reckon there might be plenty of oil companies happy to avoid the Strait of Hormuz, especially if there are any complications with the American clambake in Iran (they are trying to have one, but getting anything reliable form the White House is dodgy at best. And as a non-geologist, I have no idea what these hills (optional mountain ranges east of Adhen) will bring. But the professionals in this business will be able to ascertain what are dangers and what are mere complications that can be ‘negated’ and the Salmon canal I drew is a bit arbitrary (read: random) perhaps a canal more south towards Sharjah would be preferred. There are plenty of other thoughts, but I looked at the problem and I thought “What if we just avoid the Straight of Hormuz?” A simple thought and drawing a line is also simple, but I reckon that is when the professionals come into play and they have their own settings. Another benefit is that the Al Bidya Mosque is likely to get hundreds more visitors and there are multiple other opportunities, but also I think risk, because when tourists suddenly swarm a area, other not so nice settings come out the woodwork. But those are thoughts for another day. I am merely happy that I had another idea in a non-related area of expertise. For me it means that my brain is working creatively and optionally correctly. 

There is merely the setting that could open the eyes of others and considering what could be gained, I reckon it is something from the UAE who needs to do this. Another setting is that with the Straight of Hormuz out of the way, plenty of other yachters might consider setting their eyesight on Dubai. And optionally through the Suez Canal, but that might be overthinking it. It is merely the other side of opportunity that is at times the drag we all have. 

Have a great day and enjoy your coffee today (I am resorting to ice coffee as it is 30 degrees in my room now).

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January 31, 2026 · 17:14

What is true?

That is at time the question. You see there are settings where we see accusations and at times I wonder what is true. The setting given to us is given by Memri (at https://www.memri.org/reports/saudi-arabia-draws-closer-pro-muslim-brotherhood-axis-terror-–-and-wages-intensive-media) and we see:

Now, I have questions, because as much as I understand the given settings from Saudi Arabia and the Muslim Brotherhood. And some sources give me “As of 2015, it is considered a terrorist organization by the governments of Bahrain, Egypt, Russia, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.” As such I have doubt that this is the settings that Saudi Arabia is embracing. It makes much more sense (in light of what we see here) that the quote “Saudi Arabia has recently made a sharp turn in policy. While drawing closer to Qatar and Turkey – the patrons of the Muslim Brotherhood, an organization some of whose branches are designated as terrorist in the U.S. –  it is simultaneously waging an unprecedented media campaign against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which is leading a determined global campaign against the Muslim Brotherhood axis of terrorism.” Is a misleading one. There is the definite chance that it is the intention of 

Saudi Arabia for guide Qatar and Turkey away from the Muslim brotherhood as there is much to be gained for all three to see the Muslim brotherhood lose sources of their enablement. Now, I am not Muslim and I don’t see any merit in questioning these settings, but when I look at the critics on Memri, I am given “Critics argue that MEMRI often provides selective, out-of-context translations to portray the Arab and Muslim world negatively, functioning as a pro-Israel propaganda machine.” And as such we would never see any pro-israeli source misrepresent Saudi needs would it? (In case you missed this, the previous part was sarcasm) there are a few settings that don’t ring true (or non-authentic). You see, this was about the Muslim brotherhood as such why do we get “Al-Tuwaijri accused Abu Dhabi of assisting Israel in its war against Hamas in Gaza by spying against this organization, providing the location of its rocket launchers, and supplying equipment and ammunition to Israel via bases in Yemen, Eritrea, and Somalia. Finally, he claimed that Abu Dhabi is involved in combating the Muslims and Islamic organizations in the West, which apparently refers to the UAE’s campaign against the Muslim Brotherhood and similar extremist Islamic groups.” It is out of context and to that setting I say ‘Where is the evidence that this is happening?’ I for one do not believe this because the oldest ‘premise’ is that Israel only trusts what Israel can find themselves and they would never ‘rely’ in Arabic intelligence and even if that was the case, no journalist or think tank would ever have that kind of intelligence and from that setting the article sounds another degree of untrue. And whilst some might ‘trust’ the Muslim Brotherhood. To me it comes at a price no one would ever want to pay, not Saudi Arabia and not the UAE. This sounds like an Iranian ploy to drive people asunder and not in a nice way. And at present Iran cannot do anything because the Americans are breathing down there necks and with Hamas out of commission the dubious honor is given to the Muslim Brotherhood. As such there is optional debate on a lot of things, not in the least regarding Y. Yehoshua who in 2026 is said to be working on “As of January 2026, he has been reporting on the aftermath of the October 7, 2023, attacks, including investigations into failures, leadership changes within the IDF, and operations against Hamas leaders.” As I personally see it Hamas and the MB are as much a threat to Saudi Arabia as any enemy they currently have and as such things ring untrue. So when we look at H. Varulkar I get more questions than answers, mainly because I am not Muslim and I do not look at Muslim issues, as such there is a lot I do not know, but the news here does not sound correct. As I see it, at present the ‘job’ of Memri seems to be to create a larger rift between Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Is this true? What is true? I believe it to be the essential repair of the rift between Saudi Arabia and the UAE. And the time is essential for those who want to create a rift between Saudi Arabia and the UAE need to strike now, because as I see it Iran cannot make any moves in the near future and as such they got an Israeli journalist to do their dirty work (it is seemingly the case, whether this is correct is beyond me), but the entire setting comes across as untrue and hollow. And me for one wonders about the article, there is a certain lack off evidence. We merely get the alleged ‘stopgap’ “Bin Bakhit cited the Quranic verse which states that “Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but rather a Muslim monotheist” (Quran 3:67), and emphasized that these two narratives cannot be reconciled.” Perhaps this is an explanation, but if it was, it would be a lot more ‘fattened’ with reason as to why it was an explanation. But here my non-Muslim side comes rearing its head as the meaning by me is diminished to some extent. And for these ‘journalists’ to merely ‘assume’ that one direction is in play is another failing of the article. The fact that the interests of Saudi Arabia was to diminish the hold the Muslim Brotherhood has on Qatar and Turkey is not even contemplated in the article (perhaps it wasn’t needed) and then there is the third setting, Egypt has 120 million people and they regard the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organisation and recently we were given “In January 2026, the U.S. and Egypt recognized the group as a threat due to its alleged continued involvement in extremist ideologies, terror, and links to organizations like Hamas.” As such I see more reasons why there is a debatable setting to this article and it pushes Saudi Arabia in a setting of distrust by too many ‘allies’ Saudi Arabia has. As such the article comes across as untrue, but then I have been wrong before and I am not Muslim, as such I might not see the elements that matter, but that is my view and as the Western media is currently not to be trusted there are a few settings that allow certain people and organisations to play the cards they have to seed mistrust in too many eyes. 

So am I right? Am I wrong? I reckon it is anyones guess. Have a great day today.

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