Ngonge you should know that history proves nothing Just like Milans record of never being beaten by a English team was shattered. Every player (apart from Eboue and Diaby) played fantastic last night. and the two mentioned players will be replaced by Rosidsky and RVP when they come back. lads Liverpool is going to get knocked out and finnish 5th in the premiership. enjoy Eufa cup next season I hear Bayern Munich are having a field day there.

We had warriors on the pitch last night. This will reignite our season and to put the cherry on the cake my Favourite player RVP is back. Arsenal for the double that’s my prediction.

Mishary Al Afasy (Kuwait Best recitor in the world) dua http://youtube.com/watch?v=S7EqyTS0s24&feature=related Tawfiq As-Sayegh (of Eritrea) http://youtube.com/watch?v=dMHLy9by_Wc&feature=related http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZKmS3ZKxNy4&feature=related Surat Rahman

Cash-Rich, Publicity-Shy, Abu Dhabi Fund Draws Scrutiny By LANDON THOMAS Jr. Abu Dhabi has about 9 percent of the world’s oil and 0.02 percent of its population. The result is a surfeit of petrodollars, much of which is funneled into a secretive, government-controlled investment fund that is helping to shift the balance of power in the financial world. After decades in the shadows, the fund, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, is turning heads on Wall Street and in Washington by making high-profile investments in the United States and elsewhere. Known as ADIA (pronounced ah-DEE-ah), the fund recently formed a small team that is now buying big stakes in Western companies. This unit masterminded ADIA’s $7.5 billion investment in Citigroup, the nation’s largest bank, in November. It has also taken a large position in Toll Brothers, one of the country’s biggest home builders. “There is an idea that Abu Dhabi should not be the underdog of the map,” said Frauke Heard-Bey, a historian who has written a book about the political emergence of the United Arab Emirates. “They have the money to buy companies that are ailing, and why should they not? Why not make a mark?” ADIA is the largest of the world’s sovereign wealth funds, giant pools of money controlled by cash-rich governments, particularly in Asia and Middle East. But Abu Dhabi, the wealthiest of the seven Arab emirates, says little about its fund. Few outsiders know for sure where ADIA invests — or even how much money it controls. And secrecy breeds hyperbole; some estimates of the fund’s size surpass $1 trillion. Before long, ADIA will certainly reach that mark. But for now bankers, former employees and analysts familiar with the fund peg it at $650 billion to $700 billion — an amount that is still over 15 times the size of the Fidelity Magellan Fund. In all, sovereign wealth funds in countries like the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Singapore, China and Russia control more than $2 trillion, a figure that could approach $12 trillion by 2015, analysts say. Such riches, coupled with the more aggressive stance being taken by ADIA and other sovereign funds, has raised concern that these investors will wield their wealth for political as well as financial reasons. ADIA’s secrecy is also drawing scrutiny. The fund has no internal communications department, although it says it is in the process of setting one up. When sovereign fund leaders from around the world descended on Davos, Switzerland, last month for the World Economic Forum, no one from ADIA saw fit to show up. Executives at ADIA declined to comment for this article. Last week Senator Evan Bayh, Democrat of Indiana, the chairman of the Senate subcommittee on security and international trade and finance, who has raised concerns about sovereign fund transparency, traveled to Abu Dhabi to meet with senior ADIA executives. Also last week, a delegation led by Clay Lowery, a top Treasury official, met with ADIA executives as part of a move to formalize investment guidelines for sovereign funds. In many ways the tension between ADIA’s elephantine size — the fund is twice as big as Norway’s, the second-largest sovereign fund — and its demure aspect is underscored by its investment in Citigroup. Since ADIA’s genesis in 1976, the fund has followed a conservative investment approach. It has farmed out its assets to foreign money managers and taken stakes in companies based upon their weighting in benchmark stock indexes like the Standard & Poor’s 500. ADIA is also one of the largest institutional investors in hedge funds and private equity funds. This approach has served ADIA well and reflects the strongly felt notion that the fund’s ultimate purpose is to serve as a financial reserve for Abu Dhabi in times when oil revenues are less robust. Nevertheless, guided by the advice of a stream of foreign bankers who worked at ADIA in the 1970s and 1980s, the fund has allocated a large portion of its assets to equities. It now has about 65 percent of assets, or about $450 billion, invested in stocks, according to bankers. Currently, the fund averages a yearly return of 10 to 20 percent, say people who have been briefed on the fund’s investment strategy. With oil about $100 a barrel, bankers and analysts estimate Abu Dhabi produces a surplus of at least $50 billion a year. Given the emirate’s small population, 80 percent of which is foreign born, even the most expansive investment and welfare policies make it hard to put a dent in such a sum. The United States is not a big buyer of Abu Dhabi’s oil, most of which goes to Asia, but the surplus is a vivid reminder of the American economy’s own fiscal imbalance, to say nothing of its diminishing global stature, a theme that underpins much of the political worry surrounding sovereign fund investments. “In the short run, that they are investing here is good,” Senator Bayh said. “But in the long run it is unsustainable. Our power and authority is eroding because of the amounts we are sending abroad for energy and consumer goods.” In the past, much of Abu Dhabi’s cash surplus has gone to ADIA, although the formation two years ago of a smaller sister fund, the Abu Dhabi Investment Council, has resulted in a lesser amount flowing to ADIA, analysts say. But ADIA’s new strategic investment group represents the clearest sign that the fund is taking steps to leverage its size and influence. The division was set up in the summer of 2006 and is overseen by Saeed Mubarek Rashid al-Hajiri, a young Western-educated portfolio manager who also heads the fund’s considerable investments in emerging market economies. In addition to Citigroup and Toll Brothers, in which ADIA took a 4.5 percent position last summer, other companies in the group’s portfolio include EFG Hermes, one of the leading investment banks in the Arab world, and Banque de Tunisie et des Emirats, a Tunisian bank. Instead of passively tracking indexes, this unit actively picks investments in hopes of generating market-beating returns. It is a method of stock picking practiced by most hedge funds and asset management companies, and the Citigroup investment, with its size and attendant risk, is a good example of this approach. Compared with the overall fund, the assets within this group are small at about $30 billion, according to people who have been briefed on ADIA’s strategy. As with all its investments, ADIA adopts a long-term, passive approach and does not seek board seats. These people say that outsiders still manage 80 percent of ADIA’s assets, proof that the fund’s commitment to making direct investments is only in its early stages. This hesitation partly reflects the lack of a strong individual within the organization who has the combination of investment experience, trust of the royal family and a bit of international swagger to assume a larger public presence. The fund’s chairman is Sheik Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan, the president of the United Arab Emirates and the ruler of Abu Dhabi. He has a cautious and reserved disposition and does not take an active role in ADIA. When Citigroup’s chairman, Robert E. Rubin, traveled to Abu Dhabi last November, his courtesy call was made to Sheik Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi and the point person for the United States-Abu Dhabi relationship. The fund’s managing director is Sheik Ahmed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, a half-brother of Sheik Khalifa who maintains a full-floor office in ADIA’s sleek 40-story headquarters. People familiar with ADIA management, however, say the sheik, who has worked at ADIA for 10 years, delegates significant authority to Jean-Paul Villain, a publicity-shy French money manager who directs investment strategy and asset allocation. Mr. Villain, the most senior foreign-born executive at the fund, joined ADIA in the early 1980s from the French bank Paribas. While other expatriates have come and gone, Mr. Villain has stayed, except for a brief period in the mid-1980s. More so than the other foreigners, Mr. Villain, whose wife is Syrian-born, has gained the royal family’s trust. One view is that ADIA’s penchant for secrecy stems from its experience during the scandal at the Bank of Credit and Commerce International in the early 1990s, during which ADIA is said to have lost hundreds of millions of dollars. The al-Nahyan family became embroiled in regulatory investigations, although no charges were ever brought against them. But people who worked at ADIA from its earliest days in the late 1970s and 1980s say that the fund’s reticence dates to its formation. Some see this as a reflection of Abu Dhabi’s small size, insular culture and geographical vulnerability, a sense that the less that is known about the specifics of ADIA’s hoard, the better. “ADIA does not answer to a wide public at home,” said David L. Mack, a former United States ambassador to the United Arab Emirates. “They are a small country in an area with some nasty countries like Iran that can make trouble for them. They don’t like to advertise.” http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/28/business/worldbusiness/28fund.html?ei=5065&en=85a2e799388837d1&ex= 1204866000&partner=MYWAY&pagewanted=print

Somalia: "The Reconciliation Impediment is the President" MP Said Yusuf Mire Serar one of the TFG's parliament members has accused Somali president Abdullahi Yusuf of hindering the reconciliation attempts of the new PM Nor Hassan Husein. Speaking to Shabelle Radio Mr. Serar has made declaration about his words that the president wants to resolve the whole issues with a political based on power as he put it. He another side accused the government troops entered in Bakara market a vast robbery following the troop made weapon search operations in the Bazaar in the last week. " The troops touched down in the Bazaar were privately owned forces in particular the presidential house's guards and Mohamed Dhere " Serar said in the interview. He also stated that the TFG troops have made massive robbery in the market during their search operations. The MP's remark comes after Bakara Market's traders have accused the government forces that they have robbed additional property from the market. Thousands of Somalis have been killed in fighting between Islamic insurgents and Ethiopian troops supporting Somalia's shaky government over the past 12 months. The Islamists vowed to fight an insurgency after the Ethiopians dislodged them from power in December 2006. They had taken control of the capital and much of southern Somalia for six months before they were pushed into the bush http://allafrica.com/stories/200802270428.html

I thought a burglar was under my bed trying to shake it. Bur for some odd reason I enjoyed the vibration reminded me of a chair I used to have

dp

Its Texas She knows a image like that wont go down well, but then again their are images out there of here wearing the Hijab http://www.drudgereport.com/flashoa.htm

Ps I cant put the pic up

CLINTON STAFFERS CIRCULATE 'DRESSED' OBAMA Mon Feb 25 2008 06:51:00 ET With a week to go until the Texas and Ohio primaries, stressed Clinton staffers circulated a photo over the weekend of a "dressed" Barack Obama. The photo, taken in 2006, shows the Democrat frontrunner fitted as a Somali Elder , during his visit to Wajir, a rural area in northeastern Kenya. The senator was on a five-country tour of Africa. "Wouldn't we be seeing this on the cover of every magazine if it were HRC?" questioned one campaign staffer, in an email obtained by the DRUDGE REPORT. In December, the campaign asked one of its volunteer county coordinators in Iowa to step down after the person forwarded an e-mail falsely stating that Barack Obama is a Muslim. Obama campaign manager David Plouffe quickly accused the Clinton campaign Monday of 'shameful offensive fear-mongering' for circulating the snap. Clinton campaign manager Maggie Williams responds: "If Barack Obama's campaign wants to suggest that a photo of him wearing traditional Somali clothing is divisive, they should be ashamed." Developing... EDITOR'S NOTE: Other leaders have worn local costumes: http://www.drudgereport.com/flashoa.htm

Saxiib a pity the old man he has chosen the wrong path. But if this incident is true it’s another dark day in the Somali chapter that the so called leader gets slapped.

Nations have gone to war because of such incidents Inshallah the Tigray mafia will pay for such actions. The fact that Gabre has overruled him on many occasions is a disgrace in itself. I might dislike the man but if this incident is true it makes me very angry.

If true who else should we blame but him. The man humiliated himself and the country when he asked for Ethiopian mercenaries to tame his own people. He chose violence over negotiations and like all puppets their service to their master is only for a short time. I was watching Chingis khan documentary last year where some men of his enemy brought their leader to him so that he would spare them. First thing he did was boil the men that brought their leader for lack of loyalty. Abdullahi Yusuf has been disloyal to his nation you think Ethiopia are going to trust him. The man is in very harsh position bad deeds, rubbish advisors and faulty strategies have caught up with him. The time when he should be respected as a Somali elder we vilify him not because of hatred towards his being but the actions he has chosen to live his life by

Ngonge that I commend very much they are buying into the whole financial markets and there is no better time to do it than when the US have waived their patriotic flags and will let anyone buy to save their economy. However I say some focus should be given to the media, instead of acquiring 20 Merrill Lynches and Citi Groups buy NBC. I understand that everything is small step I commend their current acquisitions. MEMRI serves its purpose well its reaching out to Arabs with its propaganda. Maybe Muslims should think of doing the same thing

See Ibti listen to Ngonge wisdom there are very few countries in the world that might have detained the general Venezuela might be one of them but soon enough they would release him. Ibti in an Ideal world yes we vote on policies and those politicians that meet our beliefs should get our votes. The reality on the ground is that Britain is dominated by two parties and you should support the lesser of the two evils (labour). Come General election you have three options: Vote labour Vote Conservatives Vote a minority party (Lib Dem, UKIP, Respect, BNP etc) Jac in my view Israeli domination, Free Mason rule or even 2 Pac and Biggie living in El Paso Mexico can be put into the big conspiracy box. Israel has very strong lobby group such as AIPAC but this is something that is an achievable by any group if they become organised. Just this week an Arab bought a license plate for $14 million, imagine if he used that money to set up an office in the US or UK which monitors the Media view of Arabs or Muslims.

Lool Ibti I heard about this case a couple of weeks ago and I have always disagreed with labour policies towards the Arab Israeli agenda. But if the honest truth is told the only real option that Muslims and migrants have in this country is the Labour party. If that was the conservatives they would have told the General to sit for tea and biscuits. My point is you can either sit on the side lines or become angry till you become red or you can join the party and try to gradually change policies such as the Arab-Israeli one. I have meet many young Muslims in the Labour youth wing conferences who feel exactly same way I feel and in fact the chairman of young labour is Muslim. Next step is to form pressure group within the party such as “Labours friends of Israel” So Ibti next general elections I hope you don’t waste your vote on the Lib Dems

Most Weekends I campaign for the labour party and my main man MP Frank Dobson (We have had our differences put to rest now) in the borough of Holborn.

I totally agree since I believe every one wants to be an entrepreneur some how it’s a good idea we share information on taxes, business ideas globally and the direction of the marks etc. I will start what is your take on Islamic finance and is someone involved this field or thinking of setting up some form of Islamic Equity firm. Since the US mortgage crises I have been reading reports that many banks are turning their eyes to Islamic finance as they were unaffected.

Give Juje a break at least he has found someone now; I was getting sick and tired of his constant pessimism. But some of the gents have put an important question out there Juju how can you want Ethiopia out yet at the same time reject the only real force (ICU, Shabaab, and Alliance) that can eject them. Or do you believe that Nur Cadde is seriously going to create an opposition wing in Yeys Government. We should support Nur Cadde as much as we can but don’t hold you breathe expecting him to bring about a lot of changes.

This is a wicked movie I enjoyed it big time Anton Chigurh is the man scariest movie bad guy I have seen in years, the man has a bright future in Hollywood. My favourite seen is the coin toss in the store

I believe it’s a sacrifice worth taking all great men sacrificed a lot when carrying out acts of courage and some lost their lives. Of course I feel for Nur Cadde family. Nephthys if he gets assassinated by trying to bring Somalia back on its feet his deeds will be rewarded. Not to mention joining the list of great Somali patriots who have perished.

All this progress in the short period Yey was in hospital, Nur Cadde is a man on a mission. Somalia needs healer’s men that will unite the warring factions, men like Sheikh Sharif and Nur Cadde that will bring solutions through peaceful means. This is turning point for Somalia do the masses want this type of men that we deserve or should warlords (Yey, M Dheere, Barre Hiralle, Morgan) who do not see beyond their feet control the nation. A famous Greek Philosopher once said “A nation prospers when old men plant the seeds of trees never expecting to sit under the shade” Now that we have one good man in this retched TFG we should enforce and support him as much as we can.

Fellow nomads of N America have you guys heard of the young Somali Brother Mohamed Diini. Here he is talking about the important issue of extremism in both ends. This is a complimentary advice from Ibn Al-Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah The Deception of Satan in Causing People to Fall So from his (i.e. Satan’s) strange plot/stratagem is: that he will test the Nafs (soul) in order to see what it has with it. This he does to determine which of the two resolutions is a mainstay over it: • The resolution of fearlessness and bravery; or: • The resolution of turning away and abstention and contempt. For if he sees that its mainstay upon the soul is: contempt and abstention, he then begins to hinder him and weaken his endeavour as well as his intent from that which he was commanded with. Thus he makes it burdensome for him, and so he demeans it upon him in order that he should abandon it – such that stage by stage he abandons it; or falls short in it; and so neglects it. However if he sees that its mainstay over it is: the strength of fearlessness and being strong-hearted; he then seeks to cause his underestimation of that which he was commanded with. Thus he causes him to fall into the illusion that he has not sufficed in it; therefore needing exertion with that along with that which is additional. So he causes the first type to fall short whilst the second he causes to go to extremes. It is just as some of the Salaf said: ‘Allaah The One free of all imperfections never commanded with a command – except that Satan had in it two incitements: either towards negligence and shortcoming; or towards transgressing the bounds and extremism – and he (Satan) does not care to which of them his achievement lies.’ Indeed most of the people have diverged to these two wadi’s (valleys) – with the exception of lesser than a few. That being the wadi of falling short and the wadi of transgressing the bounds and transcending. Yet a very small number of them are firm upon the path which the Messenger of Allaah (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) and his companions were upon. For there are a people who he caused to fall short in performing the obligatory acts of purification. Yet there are a people whom he caused to go to extremes such that they exceed suchbounds through whisperings. 1 Taken from: Ighaathatul lahfaan fee massa’id ash-shaitaan (Daar Ibn Al-Jawzee) 1/222-226. you can get the rest of the article from the link below http://www.salafipublications.com/sps/v

Brothers the Shabaab cannot rule Somalia we have to be smart about this the likes Sheikh Shariif and Ibrahim Cadow yes but not Turki, Ceyro, or Abu Mansur. Somalia is in no position to be in another war with the world super power. We need to be tactical like AP said those men need to be incorporated into the military, but in terms of leadership the moderates and intellectuals should be left at it. Somalia needs several decades of peace and stability to heal militarily, socially and economically. So in that time we should avoid provoking enemies as much as possible. In my opinion Yey is finished after his term he will leave office, in the mean time the Alliance should get in agreement with the Prime minister and get into a serious position where they will take a large chunk of the future transitional government.

I believe as much support as possible should be given Nur Cadde in order to encourage him and minimise the influence of Yey and all pro Ethiopia mafia within the TFG. I have said it many times it is actions that should be judged and Nur Cadde is taking the right actions and he should be assisted and commended. The Alliance should have talks with him to see what can be viably done to get the Ethiopians out of Somalia and how they can be incorporated back into the scene.