Enquiring minds

At last: a Dubai newspaper that actually covers relevant, important stories and issues of concern to sandlanders. The Dubai Enquirer is currently only available as an e-newspaper, but a seven-figure daily print run is surely not far off. A small sample of its first-rate features:

1. The ambitious "Bum City" tramp freezone
"We want to bring Dubai in line with western nations in terms of homelessness, alcoholism and vagrancy. We invite losers from around the world to move here and enjoy Bum City's first-class down-and-out facilities."

2. Dubai cabbies strike in support of empoverished stockbrokers
"They are living in horrific conditions... they are forced to share swimming pools and patios with other families."

3. Wafi statues revealed as authentic
"Deemed by many as simply remarkably accurate recreations of the ancient monuments in Egypt, the giant stone carvings were were actually created over 3300 years ago."

A special mention must go to the high profile spokespeople and analysts regularly interviewed by Dubai Enquirer. Most notably Penny Francis of the Dubai Women's Circle, who offers a brilliant solution to Dubai's traffic woes - organise lanes in accordance with salary:

"My husband works in finance. If he gets held up in a traffic jam the lost earnings can be astronomical, whereas a labourer or shop keeper doesn't lose anywhere near as much."