Today in signs you do not expect to see in an Islamic country

From a hotel pub in Deira. Photo Essam al Ghalib

Bahrain is in a state of "national safety" not emergency, according to government

Well, that's one way of looking at it. When Bahrain declared a state of emergency yesterday due to an uprising that troops from Saudi Arabia and UAE have been sent in to help quell as part of the GCC's Peninsula Shield Force, this is the Ministry of Information press release that was sent out to provide the (fantastical) explanation:


BAHRAIN ANNOUNCES STATE OF NATIONAL SAFETY


As a result of current circumstances facing the Kingdom of Bahrain which has seen increased lawlessness jeopardising the lives of citizens and resulting in the violation of private property, disruption of livelihoods and extending to the damage of state institutions including places of worship, schools and education institutions, as well as the change of medical institutions including hospitals to places of fear and terror and escalating damage to Bahrain's economy, Bahrain's Supreme Commander in Chief His Majesty King Hamad today issued Royal Decree Number18 for the year 2011 announcing a State of National Safety in accordance with Article 36/b of Bahrain's Constitution of 2002, which will cover all areas of Bahrain as of Tuesday March 15th 2011 for a period of three months.


The Commander in Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force has been mandated to take the measures and procedures necessary to preserve the safety of the nation and its people; these measures will be implemented by the Bahrain Defence Force, public security forces, National Guard and any other forces if necessary.

Rice Crispy treats, delicious in North America, take on a new meaning in the UAE

I've never even seen a box of Rice Crispies in the UAE, which may explain my delight the other day when my colleague busted out this most delicious of treats. I enjoyed that first bite, and each one after. It's hard to describe how happy this little square made me.

Overheard in the newsroom: Super special Thursday edition

"It was hot yesterday. It's hot today. It will be hot tomorrow."
-jaded British editor

"There's a night elf. There's a blood elf. Those are the only two elves in the game."
-self-professed gaming nerd, slightly irked at the emphasis on elves

"How am I going to marry you with your fake principles and messed-up identity?"
-"office wife" to her "office husband"

Oh dear: Brit Martin Hayle drowns in Dubai, there with another woman, family thinks he is in US

This is heartbreaking, and not just because three people drowned in Dubai while swimming last weekend. One of them was a Brit named Martin Hayle, who told his family he was going on a business trip in the US but then headed in another direction, with another woman. As only the Sun can:

A source told The Sun last night: "Heather genuinely believed that Martin was working in the States.
"It was an appalling double blow. Firstly she was told he was dead - and secondly that he had been in Dubai with another woman." 

Al Ain Paradise: the park that provides a special "container" for loitering

Overheard in the newsroom: Super special Thursday edition

"Oh that's right, I have to pay my tea boy who won't bring me anything."

"The Government now has even more of my fingerprints." (re: Emirates ID card)

"So you're not apologising for not giving my mother back her jeans?" (man to man)

"Marshmellows don't move through the system all that well."

"I said 'bless you' because you sneezed and you said 'f--- you!'"