News writing





News stories written by Alex Rolandi appearing in The National, an english language newspaper based in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Into to the wild: Life on the land can be enjoyed by guests ready to roll up thier sleeves at the EcoVillage. (freelance TRAVEL.)
08/22/09 U.S. DATING

Graduates get a helping hand
Universities and government agencies offer advice on personal presentation and a chance to meet potential employers through job fairs.
05/30/09

Barcelona’s victory in the Champions League final secures their place in the Fifa Club World Cup here in the capital.
05/29/09

An Englishman finds that he needs to reconsider his tried-and-true deoderant in the suffocating heat of Abu Dhabi. (COMMENT.)
05/28/09

Flashing green signals confusing motorists
Flashing green lights intended to warn drivers that the signal is about to change could be confusing many motorists, a road safety expert warned yesterday.
05/26/09

Burger with fries, hold the adverts
As residents struggle with diabetes and obesity, dieticians say fast food restaurants should be more socially responsible.
05/14/09

Residents welcome bid to curb street fights
Residents welcome a recent call by the Abu Dhabi Judicial Council for greater enforcement of penal laws relating to youths and crime.
05/13/09

Obama still on honeymoon in UAE
A six-nation poll shows that Barack Obama may have more fans in the UAE than in most other Arab countries.
05/11/09

Support F1 race, Emiratis urged
It is not just a job – national pride is at stake, the UAE’s most successful racing driver, Mohammed ben Sulayem, tells students.
05/08/09

Salam Street roadworks on schedule, say managers
Work is going on round the clock, seven days a week, to ensure that construction is finished on time.
05/07/09

So, could you pass the Emirates patriotic test?
The National put the public to the test this week to find out just how many expatriates of various nationalities knew of the Emirates.
05/02/09

UAE has sufficient supply of flu drug
As swine flu spreads worldwide, UAE health authorities say they have adequate stocks of antivirals, and emergency plans in place.
04/28/09

British still drawn by Abu Dhabi attractions
The biggest growth appears to be among business travellers, who constitute 80 per cent of hotel guests in the capital.
04/22/09

Youth keenness spurs heritage centre plan
Spurred by student interest, the United Arab Emirates University plans to set up a centre to promote Emirati culture and traditions.
04/22/09

Doctors sound alarm
Serious facial injuries are all too common in the emirate because of the high number of road accidents, visitors of symposium were told.
04/19/09

South African expats troop to polling booths
South African expatriates' first chance to vote since 1994 ends in frustration and confusion for some at the polling station.
04/16/09

Blue skies return after UAE is battered by storms and wind
The worst of the gales and storms that have battered the country in recent days have now passed, forecasters said yesterday.
04/14/09

Missed deadline wrecks showjumper’s chances
Ahmed al Junaibi ruled out of World Cup by US visa delays
04/13/09

Dicing with death on city roads
There is rarely a break in the traffic on Airport Road. Much like the rest of Abu Dhabi, it flows thick and fast. Putting their lives at risk, pedestrians dash across the highway.
04/11/09

Free check-ups
Diabetes, obesity and hypertension among diseases on rise in UAE and free check-ups are part of a week-long health initiative in capital.
04/10/09

After the cars come the boots
It will be the capital’s biggest test yet as thousands of football fans pour in for the Club World Cup in December, requiring beds, meals and transport. Already, hotels and other agencies are working out how to meet the challenge.
04/09/09

One ticket every five minutes
Police in the capital have been issuing parking tickets at the rate of one every five minutes this year.
04/07/09

New buses ready to hit the road
Department of Transport signs agreement with UAE Red Crescent to make Ojra passes more easily available to commuters.
04/06/09

Child road casualties in capital top 3,000
Accidents involving school buses identified as a major cause for concern, along with speeding in areas where children play.

04/05/09

MORE NEWS BELOW

Most these stories were researched and pitched by reporter Alex Rolandi, save the collaborative articles. The national desk editors received a complaint from international security firm G4S regarding Mr Rolandi. A spokesperson for G4S cited that Mr Rolandi had used disrespectful and offensive language toward the CEO of G4S Middle East and North African operations. This allegation is not true. Mr Rolandi was merely inquiring into the system in place for recruiting an overseas workforce from countries such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India. Never did he lose his cool, nor did his mouth spout offensive words.

Some of the G4S employees Mr Rolandi met had been working in Abu Dhabi for over two years in shared accomodation and still had not paid back their debt to various recruitment agencies that facillitated their labour emigration. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Recruitment agencies refused to comment, but Mr Rolandi was invited to the office of the CEO for a frank discussion.

Broke as he was, Mr Rolandi walked through the sweltering desert heat to make his appointment in time, soaked in sweat. It was almost as if he gave a shit about what he was covering.

Over coffee and cigarettes, the CEO claimed he did not know these practices were in place, that his employees hardly retained a penny they earned likening them to a 21st century example of an economic slave. He said an investigation would take place, but Mr Rolandi left the UAE shortly after and was unable to follow-up this story.

The National editors advised Mr Rolandi to discontinue research for this particular story, encouraging him to focus on smaller fish for the time being. In other words, there was no way little old Rolandi could hold to account a mighty corporation... Besides, for the truth of this story to come to light the reporter would have to head to the source with guide and translator, and some sort of knowledge of local laws...
Rubble out.

MORE NEWS BELOW

appearing in The Ecologist April 2009:
"discusses a program in Great Britain under its Biodiversity Action Plan to substantially increase the number of ponds and restore vital habitat to numerous species including reptiles like newts, vegetation, tadpole shrimps, toads, beetles, birds, and grass snakes. It describes criteria for establishing new ponds and the expectation that they could have beneficial effects in mere weeks." (Encyclopedia Britannica.)

Includes interviews with scientists including a member of the Ministry of Defence.
Appearing in the April 2009 edition of The Ecologist and the Encyclopedia Britannica, where an excerpt of the article can be read online for free.
01/04/09 UK DATING.


'Twas a time when local 'papers were entering the beginning of an epic economic struggle...



Stroke for stroke across Indian Ocean - Bexhill Observer - Bexhill ... By Alex Rolandi. FOUR local lads need to raise £60000 to take part in a gruelling 3500 mile rowing race for charity. They will be crossing the Indian Ocean, ... 

Halloween warnings from Sussex Police - Bexhill Observer - Bexhill ... 29 Oct 2008 ... By Alex Rolandi. SUSSEX police are taking extra care to ensure this year's Halloween passes without too much mischief. ...

Future for phone kiosks - Bexhill Observer - Bexhill News 29 Oct 2008 ... By Alex Rolandi. Saturday is the deadline for councils to decide whether they want to preserve a little piece of British heritage by saving ...

Mr Rolandi reported on a number of other local news stories for the Bexhill Observer, but these can no longer be found online. (They included coverage on a gala night at Ninfield, a football fundraiser, a music and arts festival, among others.) At least he held onto the clippings, he informs me.

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