HAD YOU approached Gerald Lawless, when he was a teenager in Galway, and said the word ‘Dubai’ he probably would have thought you were enquiring about some sort of purchase he had made.

OF ALL the investments made in the name of the state during the boom, the 2002 purchase of a controlling stake in a five-year-old stallion, Invincible Spirit, was perhaps the most spectacular.

THREE senior figures in the Irish National Stud received €2.9 million for their share-holding in a prized stallion in which the Government-owned company was the biggest shareholder.

London: Nick Anstee, the lord mayor of the City of London, plans to ask Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, to help British banks owed money in the second-largest sheikhdom in the United Arab Emirates.

Dubai today opened the world’s tallest skyscraper, hoping to shift international attention away from its deep financial crisis and rekindle the optimism that once fuelled its turbocharged growth.

A Saudi prince wants to buy half of debt-saddled Liverpool, in a deal worth up to £350m (€382m)that would mark the latest buy-in by Gulf investors in an English team, according to reports.

PRESIDENT Mary McAleese has suggested that creative minds idled during the Celtic boom times and people will have to harvest their potential once again to get past the recession.

President Mary McAleese leaves Dublin today for a five-day official visit to the Gulf region.

President Mary McAleese leaves Dublin tomorrow for a five-day official visit to the Gulf region.

DUBAI interests may again emerge as the main player in the battle to buy Liverpool.

Dubai interests may again emerge as the main player in the battle to buy Liverpool.

Mike Ashley will today continue his quest to find a buyer for Newcastle, after proving unsuccessful with his initial efforts to secure a sale.

The Middle East investment arm of the Dubai government, DIC, have moved today to disassociate themselves from suggestions that they are still trying to buy Liverpool, or have moved on to Newcastle.

LIVERPOOL fans’ groups have launched a savage attack on the club’s American owners after yet another delay to the building of their new stadium in Stanley Park.

Liverpool fans’ groups have launched a savage attack on the club’s American owners after yet another delay to the building of their new stadium in Stanley Park.

Rafael Benitez has urged Liverpool’s warring factions to “work together” for the benefit of the club.

Dubai’s ruling family have not given up hope of buying a stake in Liverpool despite the club’s co-owner Tom Hicks breaking off negotiations.

Liverpool’s co-owner Tom Hicks on Monday night threw the future of the club back into turmoil by terminating discussions with the Dubai royal family.

Tom Hicks is expected in London early next week to discuss the future of Liverpool with Dubai International Capital.

Liverpool co-owner George Gillett is still considering an offer from Dubai International Capital to buy his 50% stake in the club.

America’s Universal Studios will develop a £1.1bn (€1.6bn) theme park – modelled after those in Florida, California and Japan – in Dubai, a government firm has announced.

GOD made the world in six days and on the seventh he rested. Big mistake.

FOLLOWING Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum direct instruction that his family’s investment company pull out of their proposed deal to buy Liverpool this week, Reds’ supporters may wistfully wonder what might have been, should the club’s shave with new suitor George Gillett turn sour.

THE takeover of Liverpool remains on course but is not expected to be completed until the end of the month or even early February.

The takeover of Liverpool remains on course but is not expected to be completed until the end of the month or even early February.

A REPORT published yesterday on the International Sport Horse Show (ISHS) at Punchestown for the years 2002-2004 gives a rare insight into the running of a major equestrian event.

Former Liverpool winger John Barnes believes Anfield officials will make the right decision for the fans when considering a takeover bid for the club.

The hugely-wealthy Dubai firm behind a £450m (€667.6m) takeover bid for Liverpool have been hailed as “ideal partners” by club chief executive Rick Parry.

Just hours after a criminal court sentenced Grammy-winning producer Dallas Austin to four years in prison today, Dubai’s ruler issued a pardon that was to set him free.

The new prime minister of the United Arab Emirates reshaped his Cabinet today, bringing a second woman into the government, creating a new ministry of environment and eliminating the Information Ministry.

John Tynan