It already is over here in Saudi......

http://www.nationofchange.org/blogs/...day-1361984090

KHDA have made schools draft letters in preparation of some news apparently.

I'm fairly sure it's the epxat Chinese whispers in full effect.

Me too. But apparently there's a religious day on 20th and apparently that's when etc apparently. Apparently.

You'd be a bit nervous if you are running Jazz Fest (last night on 20th) or The Rolling Stones on the 21st...

I wonder if insurance covers cancellation due to something like national mourning period...?

Anyway - I have no knowledge whether true or not - but have to think it's all rumour...

yeh they like to announce these sorts of things at ramadan or friday or religious hols etc.

Meet the Crown prince today...

http://www.thenational.ae/uae/govern...s-crown-prince

You might think he was being tee'd up...

nah

Sort of what I assumed too.

It's always struck me here that they'll tell you what they want to tell you, when they want to tell you it...which does work both ways. The thing with this is I'd have expected some sort of news to say he's much better and doing well.

But then again, that might just be cripplingly naive of me.

Either way, hope he's alright.

He was lead contender when Zayed died and it was a surprise to most that he didn't get the job then. To be fair he is pretty bloody well qualified and experienced not to mention his international connections are about as good as it gets. Heir apparent doesn't come close to it.

And even more coverage over the past few days. Just a matter of time until he takes over. I hear largely positive things about him so that bodes well.

Of the contenders, yes he's by far and a way the best candidate.

For any other remarks I shall take Francis urquharts line and simply say "I couldn't possibly comment"

The word I heard at the weekend was the it’s going to be Ramadan before there will be any change. They’re going to keep Sheikh Khalifa on ice until then and engineer things around a specific, and significant date.

Well it has been done before.