During 2008, we’ve watched the global credit crisis impact, America elect its first black president and a virtual internet blackout in Qatar.The launch of Nakheel’s bid to build the world’s tallest building and the Abu Dhabi takeover of Man City, were just two of Arabian Business’ most popular stories this year.
As 2009 begins, we reveal the 10 most popular stories on Arabian Business.com during 2008.
1. Qatar, UAE internet services seriously disruptedFeb 3, 2008
Internet services in Qatar were seriously disrupted following damage to a fourth undersea telecoms cable linking the Gulf state to the UAE. Initially two undersea cables were cut near Alexandria, on Egypt’s north coast, plunging parts of the Gulf Arab region into virtual internet blackout. The situation was made worse when Flag, part of India’s Reliance Communications, revealed a third cable, Falcon had also been damaged. 2. Eid Al-Fitr to begin Oct 1, astronomers confirmSept 15, 2008
State news agency, WAM announced that Eid Al-Fitr, that the four day holiday which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, would start on the Oct. 1. Astronomical studies by the Emirates Astronomical Society (EAS) and the Islamic Crescent Observation Project (ICOP) revealed that the last day of Ramadan would fall on Sept. 30 and Eid would begin the following day. 3. Death and injury toll after UAE’s worst traffic accidentMarch 11, 2008
Abu Dhabi Police confirmed that at least three people had died and 347 people were injured following a traffic accident involving over 60 cars on the Abu Dhabi highway. Police said that 12 buses carrying some 300 workers were involved in the crash while 92 cars were set alight. According to government statistics, one person is injured on the UAE roads every two hours, with one fatality every fifteen hours. 4. UAE president’s brother killed in helicopter crashJune 3, 2008
The UAE president’s brother was killed in a helicopter over the Arabian Gulf. Sheikh Nasser bin Zayed Al Nahyan and an unspecified number of colleagues were killed when the helicopter carrying them crashed into the sea.
5. High-rises on Sheikh Zayed Road evacuated, tremors measure 4.8Sept 10, 2008
Thousands of people were evacuated from high-rise towers across Dubai after an earthquake tremor hit the UAE. The quake’s epicentre, measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale, was in southern Iran about 316km from Abu Dhabi, but strong tremors were felt in the UAE. The tremors were felt most strongly in the Northern Emirates with the aftershock measuring 4.8 on the Richter scale. 6. Design revealed for Nakheel’s world’s tallest towerOctober 5, 2008
Dubai-based Nakheel defied the global downturn and unveiled plans to trump rival Emaar Properties in the contest to build the world’s tallest building in October. Once complete, the Nakheel Harbour & Tower will dwarf the Burj Dubai at more than one kilometre high said executives. Hollywood power couple Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones attended the official launch of the building, which is part of a $38 billion project which will take more than ten years to compete.
7. Abu Dhabi seals deal to buy Manchester CitySept 1, 2008
Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment’s (ABUG) takeover of Premier football club Manchester City was one of the biggest sports stories of the year when Arabian Business revealed it in September. Struck late one Sunday night at Emirates Palace the deal put the capital on the world map. “Our goal is very simple – to make Manchester City the biggest club in the Premier League, and to begin with, to finish in the top four this season,” said the new board of Manchester City and Hydra Properties CEO Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim.
8. Tiger sharks turn nasty in Dubai Mall aquariumSept 18, 2008
Even before the most anticipated mall opening in the Middle East it was revealed that sand tiger sharks at the mall’s aquarium had killed at least 40 smaller reef sharks and been aggressive towards divers.
9. World’s 50 richest Arabs lose $25 billionDec 12, 2008
In December the Arabian Business 2008 Rich List revealed that the world’s 50 richest Arabs had lost a staggering $25 billion between them in the last year, as the global financial crisis sweeps through the region. The list showed that the average fortune of the top 50 has slipped to $3.99 billion. In total, the top 50 now hold between them $199.48 billion – a fall of 12 percent on last year.
10. A380 grounded in Dubai, weeks after launchSept 4, 2008
Just weeks after its delivery and two years after it was first scheduled for flight, Arabian Business revealed that Emirates Airline’s first A380 had been grounded due to a delay in scheduled engineering forcing the Dubai-based airline to replace the super jumbo with a Boeing 777.
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