Middle East back issues from May 2006:
Despite criticism Nadia Al Jundi carries on.(Brief article)
May 01, 2006 ... Egyptian actress Nadia has found a new television drama that intrigues her, titled "Man Atlaq Al Rassas" (Who Shot the Gun) and written by Yusri Al Jundi. Despite harsh criticism Nadia Al Jundi received for her Ramadan television drama series "Mishwar Imra'a" (A Woman's ...
Ahlam refuses to reconcile with Asalah.(Brief article)
May 01, 2006 ... UAE singer Ahlam has publicly announced that she strongly refuses any attempts to make up with Syrian singer Asalah and stated that on several occasions Asalah had proven her ill intentions. The reason behind the conflict between the two singers is that Ahlam had ignored all ...
Hannan Turk in 'Real Dreams'.(Brief article)
May 01, 2006 ... The cast of the new film "Ahlam Hakikieh" (Real Dreams) held a celebration after shooting of the first scenes of the film at 'Al Nahas' studios. The movie stars young Egyptian actors Hannan Turk, Khaled Saleh, Dalia Al Buhairi and Fathi Abdul Wahab. The film follows the life a ...
Adel Imam a social worker.
May 01, 2006 ... Prominent Egyptian comedian actor Adel Imam is preparing for a new television drama to be aired during the holy month of Ramadan. The drama is written by Yousif Ma'ati and will be directed by Mohammad Fadel. The plot revolves around social issues and problems faced in ...
Fifi Abdo at the farmers market.(Brief article)
May 01, 2006 ... The Kuwaiti satellite television channel Al Rai has organized a press conference in honor of Egyptian belly-dancer/actor Fifi Abdo for her upcoming television drama "Souq Al Khudar" (The Vegetable Market), to be exclusively aired on Al Rai during the holy month of Ramadan. The ...
Hussein Fahmi faces six months in jail.(Brief article)
May 01, 2006 ... An Egyptian court has sentenced actor Hussein Fahmi to six months in prison, and a fine of 500 Egyptian pounds for swearing at two police officers. The two officers stopped Hussein's vehicle on a Cairo street. When the officers tried to question Hussein, he began swearing at ...
The real reason Shireen Wajdi's album was postponed.(Brief article)
May 01, 2006 ... Egyptian singer Shireen Wajdi revealed that the recent legal crisis she and her husband, Egyptian businessman Ehab Tal'at, are experiencing is the reason her upcoming album was postponed. Shireen has already recorded six of the songs for the album, which she hopes to release at ...
Region's first 30% rental guarantee scheme offered by Tiara Residence.
May 01, 2006 ... Zabeel Investments, the developer of AED 2.1 billion Tiara Residence project, is offering a 30 per cent rental return guarantee scheme over a period of three years for customers. Tiara Residence is a luxurious private gated community located off the main trunk of the Palm ...
Nakheel announces completion of infrastructure work at International City.
May 01, 2006 ... Nakheel's International City project, located in the Al Warsan area of Dubai, is progressing on schedule, with 100 per cent of infrastructure work now complete. The property developer also confirmed that over 75 per cent of buildings at the development will be delivered to customers by ...
Istithmar and Europe's easyHotel.com to open chain of budget hotels across MENA and the Subcontinent.
May 01, 2006 ... Istithmar Hotels, a subsidiary of Istithmar PJSC - an international investment house based in the United Arab Emirates, has signed a Master Franchise Agreement with easyHotel Limited to open a chain of budget hotels across Middle East, North Africa, India and Pakistan. It recently ...
Ruby in love.(Brief article)
May 01, 2006 ... Controversial Egyptian singer Ruby has revealed that she is having a love affair, but refused to reveal her new lover's identity. Ruby said she is head over heals for him, and does not know where the relationship will lead her. Although, she does not know if she is ready for ...
New international exhibition centre launched in Abu Dhabi.
May 01, 2006 ... ADNEC, the new Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company, announced Sunday that it had already begun construction of a world-class exhibition complex in Abu Dhabi to benefit the UAE and Middle East markets. The decision to build a new exhibition centre for the UAE was driven by an ...
Emaar breaks ground on US$3.4 billion waterfront community in Morocco.
May 01, 2006 ... Emaar Properties broke ground at the Rabat waterfront, the site of its fourth luxury planned community in Morocco. Situated on the Moroccan capital's western side, the 11 km long, 330-hectare AED 12.5 billion (US$3.4 billion) Saphira development will have high quality ...
Haifa Wahbi, fed up with Morocco.(Brief article)
May 01, 2006 ... Lebanese singer Haifa Wahbi has requested that her business manager cancel all trips to Morocco and to refuse all requests to hold concerts or interviews with the Moroccan press. According to Al Massa daily, Haifa's decision is due to the mistreatment she faced during her recent ...
Wyeth Holds Conference to Discuss Nutrition & Early Infant Development.
May 01, 2006 ... Wyeth Nutrition today conducted a conference focused on "Nutrition and Early Infant Development", as part of its efforts to promote infant and child health in the region. Some of the most eminent industry professionals, medical experts and scientists contributed their views on specific ...
Emirates Bank Offers Its Customers The Chance To Triple Their Salary This Summer.
May 01, 2006 ... Emirates Bank continues to offer its customers a variety of exciting promotions. "Transfer Your Salary and Win Twice Your Salary Back" is a promotion being run from May 1st to June 30th, 2006 after proving very successful and popular with a number of very happy meSELECT GOLD/ SILVER ...
Guidance Financial Group Launches Fund Targeting 500 Million USD in Hotel Development.
May 01, 2006 ... Guidance Financial Group is launching an innovative fund that will introduce a new hotel brand in the Middle East and North Africa. The new brand, Shaza Hotels, was established in a joint venture with world-renowned operator Kempinski Hotels and aims to develop 20 hotel ...
Al-Nouri: Global Records 34 Fils EPS for the 1st. Quarter 2006,.(Global Investment House)(Anwar Abdulla Al-Nouri)
May 01, 2006 ... Global Investment House "Global" announced a net profit of around KD20 million (USD68 million) for the 1st Quarter of 2006, which translates into an EPS of 34 fils compared to 20 fils recorded in 1st Quarter 2005. The quarter's total revenues are about KD 26 million with an ...
Intel Developer Forum Returns to Cairo.
May 01, 2006 ... Targeted at developers, ISVs, educational institutes, IT vendors and corporate customers from across the Middle East, Turkey and Africa region, Intel Corporation brings its showcase Intel Developer Forum to Cairo on May 24.The forum showcase will include focus areas catered to Digital ...
Lufthansa extends paperless travel to Abu Dhabi.
May 01, 2006 ... Etix, the electronic ticket less travel with Lufthansa is now also made available to its Abu Dhabi customers in the U.A.E. Passengers with a Lufthansa Miles & More or a credit card can fly with the airline without a paper ticket within Germany as well as to a number of international ...
Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum attends the Award's Evening for the Big Breakfast campaign.
May 01, 2006 ... His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum - Chairman of Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone Authority attended the Big Breakfast closing event last night accompanied by heads of government departments. The Big Breakfast campaign came to an official close last night at ...
"Mina Al Arab" transforms Ras Al Khaimah into a world class tourist destination.(Ras Al Khaimah)
May 01, 2006 ... Following its motto "Living Closer to Nature", RAK Properties (PJSC), the premier real estate development company of Ras Al Khaimah, has unveiled its second major development project in RAK "Mina Al Arab" at an estimated cost of AED 10 billion, that will occupy a total area of 30 million ...
Trident steps up global marketing efforts; identifies Ireland as key market for Dubai property.(Trident International Holdings)
May 01, 2006 ... Recognizing the investing potential and interest in Dubai property from Ireland, Leading Real Estate Development Company, Trident International Holdings (TIH) said that the company has stepped up marketing efforts in Ireland after receiving overwhelming response from investors there. ...
Tommy Hilfiger Corporation to launch its first flagship store in the Middle East.(Brief article)
May 01, 2006 ... Tommy Hilfiger, American fashion icon and top designer of one of the industry's leading brand names, will launch his first flagship store in the region on Tuesday May 9th at Mall of the Emirates. A public fashion show of Hilfiger's exciting Spring/Summer 2006 collection will be held at ...
H.H. Sheikh Mohammad appreciates Tanmia's Emiratisation efforts during his visit to Tanmia stand at Careers UAE.
May 01, 2006 ... H.H. Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, accompanied by a high-profile entourage compromising of business leaders, VIPs and other dignitaries, appreciated the Emiratisation efforts undertaken by the National Human ...
SABA Real Estate launches SABA facilities management.
May 01, 2006 ... SABA Real Estate, the Dubai-headquartered real estate major, has announced the launch of SABA Facilities Management to cater to the facilities management requirements of SABA Tower 1, 2 and 3, in addition to other projects within the Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT) project. The move ...
Ronaldinho Named a Lenovo Worldwide Brand Ambassador.
May 01, 2006 ... Lenovo Group Limited today announced a cooperation with FC Barcelona, and its super star Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, otherwise known as Ronaldinho Gaúcho. Ronaldinho will be a Lenovo Worldwide Brand Ambassador. Ronaldinho, the FIFA World Player of the Year for two years running, ...
Private sector opportunities the focus in Kuwait.
May 01, 2006 ... Private sector opportunities in Kuwait will boom as a second year of record oil prices triggers government infrastructure spending, according to speakers at MEED's upcoming Major Project Opportunities in Kuwait conference. The event, which will be held in Kuwait on May 15 - 16, ...
DUBAI WORLD TRADE CENTRE AND TANMIA SIGN MOU TO SUPPORT EMIRATIZATION.
May 01, 2006 ... Dubai World Trade Centre and The National Human Resources Development and Employment Authority (Tanmia) have formally signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a range of activities that will support the recruitment and development of UAE nationals in the real estate, hospitality, ...
PCFC statistics indicate 815 per cent growth in milk and dairy product trade between 2000 and 2005.(Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corp.)
May 01, 2006 ... The UAE dairy sector has continued its strong growth, with total trade through Dubai registering an impressive 33 per cent growth in 2005 over the previous year, according to trade traffic statistics compiled by the Statistics Department of Dubai Ports, Customs and Free Zone (PCFC). More ...
Al Shanfari Group of Companies successfully implemented ORION to Help Meet Business Demands.(3i Infotech Limited)(Al Shanfari Group of Companies)
May 01, 2006 ... 3i Infotech Limited, a global provider of IT solutions and services announced today that Al Shanfari Group of Companies has successfully implemented ORION to maximize the efficiency of their business processes. ORION enabled Al Shanfari Group of Companies to better manage the demands of ...
NBK to open first branch in Jeddah.(Brief article)
May 01, 2006 ... National Bank of Kuwait (NBK), the largest financial institution in Kuwait and the highest-rated bank in the Middle East will be inaugurating its first branch in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia-Jeddah on Saturday May 6. Highlighting the significance of the branch in Jeddah, NBK Deputy ...
Cisco Systems launches office in Jordan and speaks to decision makers at 'Cisco Expo 2006'.
May 01, 2006 ... Cisco Systems will provide organizations in Jordan a look at the future of integrated intelligent networking solutions, at this year's Cisco Expo 2006. The show will be held in the country on 3rd May. Cisco Expo is an annual forum where Cisco Systems and its partners share their vision, ...
BBC Arabic inspired to focus on youth issues.(BBC Arabic)
May 01, 2006 ... BBC Arabic has been inspired by the success of its Your future ... who decides it? events in Egypt, Jordan, Sudan, West Bank and Syria which encouraged debate around a range of national and social issues relevant in the lives of young people.Head of BBC Arabic, Hosam Sokkari said the ...
Empost embarks on a strategic expansion into 50 European countries.
May 01, 2006 ... Empost, UAE's national courier company, continues to expand its international operations into new markets with its recent entry into Europe, by positioning itself as a quality provider of customised courier services. The move comes in line with Empost's strategy to make the most of its ...
e-TQM College signs MoU with Dubai Autism Center to emphasise the importance of quality.(TQM College)
May 01, 2006 ... In a bid to further its corporate social responsibility efforts, e-TQM College, the pioneering e-learning institution specialized in offering Total Quality Management education, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dubai Autism Center (DAC), whereby the college will provide ...
Competition heats up in MBC3's Reality TV programme Eish Safari.
May 01, 2006 ... The contestants on MBC3's Eish Safari, the region's first reality TV program for kids, are gearing up for the show's final outcome. Competition is rising between the two teams, Edube and Emkumbe. Throughout the episodes, assigned tasks varied for the two teams and they worked ...
KOM Signs up New Tenants.(Knowledge Oasis Muscat)
May 01, 2006 ... Muscat - According to Mohammed Al Maskari, Acting Director General, Knowledge Oasis Muscat (KOM), COMEX 2006 was a great success for the Rusayl-based Tech Park. "This was the third time we've exhibited at COMEX and the show provided us with real insight into the IT market for the next 12 ...
Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company Signs US$ 1.2 billion Deal with.
May 01, 2006 ... Abu Dhabi Investment House to Finance Lusail Entertainment District The Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company and Abu Dhabi Investment House P.J.S.C. (ADIH) has signed a US$1.2 billion Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to raise financing for the upcoming Lusail ...
ASPIRE 'Talent Centres' Draw Strong Response in Qatar.
May 01, 2006 ... ASPIRE's pioneering talent centre project, which aims to discover untapped ability and encourage greater involvement in sport across Qatar, has proved a major success in its first stages, with extra classes being added to accommodate high levels of demand. The Talent Centre ...
Dubai Investments reports a net profit of AED 253 million for first quarter 2006, a growth of 360% over the net profit for the same quarter last year.(Brief article)
May 01, 2006 ... Dubai Investments PJSC ("DI") reported exceptional results for the quarter ended 31 March 2006 ('the Period"), with consolidated total income of AED 460 million, which is 103% more than the total income of AED 227 million for the quarter ended 31 March 2005 ("same period last year"). The ...
Global Research upgrades Bank Muscat stock to Buy with a target of RO1.02.
May 01, 2006 ... Global Investment House - Bank Muscat - Results Update Report - Bank Muscat performed in-line with our projections made earlier in the investment update in May 2005. The variation in net profit was at 3.8% and the variation in total assets was at 0.5%. Primarily owing to higher recoveries ...
Hannan Turk's problems.(Brief article)
May 01, 2006 ... An official source at the Paltros Production company has denied circulating rumors that the screening of the new television drama "Awlad Shawarie" (Street Boys), starring Egyptian actress Hannan Turk, has been postponed. According to the London based Elaph, the source added that ...
Part of a global pattern?
May 01, 2006; ... The debate that currently rages as to whether or not Iraq has descended into civil war is, of course, purely academic to the ordinary Iraqis who find themselves suffering under the weight of the conflict, whatever name the politicians choose to give it. But in the world of international ...
Better the devil you know?
May 01, 2006; ... WITH THE ISRAELI ELECTION over, the new untested Hamas 'government' in Palestine has caused the region's leaders and diplomats to scratch their heads guessing how to deal with armed mullahs-come-politicians, writes Adel Darwish. Contrary to the widely held view that Israel aims to ...
EDITORIAL COMMENT
May 01, 2006; ... The decision to withdraw funding from the democratically elected, Hamasled Palestinian Authority, is not one I would like to have on my conscience. But I can, as they say, see where the US and EU are coming from. Back in January, President George W. Bush ruled out giving aid to a Hamas ...
Doha hosts 6th Forum
May 01, 2006; ... IT WAS ENDLESSLY INFORMATIVE, AT times fiercely controversial and frequently volatile and loud - in essence just as a forum discussing the contentious issues of democracy, development and free trade might be expected to be. And, as a result, some refreshingly useful conclusions were reached at ...
Algeria: The battle within
May 01, 2006; ... President Bouteflika clips the wings of Algeria's long-powerful military. By Ed Blanche ALGERIA'S PRESIDENT, ABDELAZIZ Bouteflika, has emerged as the victor in a long battle with the military for control of the North African country after a calamitous civil war with Islamist insurgents ....
Emaar takes on the global challenge
May 01, 2006; ... Award-winning Dubai estate agent Emaar Properties has set its sights on new markets locally and in neighbouring North African and Asia. But it won't stop there, writes Alexandra Dubsky in Dubai. DUBAI, THE CITY OF SUPERLATIVES, has clearly found its archetypal commercial organisation in ...
Iraq: Ready to play its hidden hand?
May 01, 2006; ... Western governments fear Tehran will unleash a wave of terror if its nuclear facilities are attacked. By Ed Blanche THE VOW MADE BY ONE OF IRAN'S TOP nuclear negotiators, Javad Vaeedi, in Vienna in March to inflict "harm and pain" on the United States for hauling the Islamic Republic ...
Saudi builds aluminium plant
May 01, 2006; ... BRIEF Saudi Arabian mining company Ma'aden is to build a multibillion dollar aluminium processing plant, based at Ras Al Zour on the south-east coast. The plant, which will begin exporting around 2008, will consist of a smelter producing 623,000t of aluminium annually and a refinery with ...
The myths and hype of hydrogen
May 01, 2006; ... PRESIDENT BUSH HAS PROPOSED a federally-funded, five-year, $1.7bn plan to develop hydrogenpowered fuel cells, a hydrogen infrastructure and advanced automotive technologies. The European Commission (EC) has also said it plans to spend close to $2.3bn on hydrogen-related research over the next ...
Riyadh looks to Asian trade
May 01, 2006; ... A series of multibillion dollar agreements between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, China and India, have given new impetus to the kingdom's economic strategy and helped it avoid opening up its economy to western domination, writes Neil Ford. THE RATE OF MULTIBILLION dollar investment by ...
Qatar's ORYX GTL comes on stream
May 01, 2006; ... Qatar has pioneered gas-to-liquid hydrocarbon exploitation in the Middle East region, and the first stage of its ORYX plant at Ras Laffan will shortly become operational. Stephen Williams reports WITH THE IMMINENT START of gas-to-liquid (GTL) operations at Qatar's ORYX plant at Ras ...
ARAB JOURNALISM COMES OF AGE
May 01, 2006; ... Despite often crude censorship and frequent financial limitations, the Arab media has grown in size and sophistication. But relationships between publishers, reporters, governments and advertisers often remain ill-defined. Josh Martin reports WHEN FOREIGN CONSUMER GOODS COMPANIES GO TO ...
A question of sport?
May 01, 2006; ... It is a well known fact that when a nation's soccer team goes on a winning run in a major tournament, crime figures fall and productivity in industry goes up. There is not a politician in the world who would not want to bottle such a thing if it were possible. By Richard Seymour DURING ...
Visit Palestine
May 01, 2006; ... Visit Palestine THE IMAGE OF A LONE MAN standing in front of a tank in Tiananmen Square was one of the defining images of the last century. For many it represented one man's stand against tyranny and yet the same image, transported to the Occupied Territories has become in some people's ...
SAUDI ARABIA: POWER, LEGITIMACY AND SURVIVAL
May 01, 2006; ... SAUDI ARABIA POWER, LEGITIMACY AND SURVIVAL By Tim Niblock published by Routledge ISBN 0 415 30310 9 price £17.99 paperback Saudi Arabia provides a clear, concise yet analytical account of the development of the Saudi state. It details the country's historical and religious background, ...
WILFRED THESIGER: THE LIFE OF THE GREAT EXPLORER
May 01, 2006; ... WILFRED THESIGER THE LIFE OF THE GREAT EXPLORER By Alexander Maitland published by HarperCollins ISBN 0 00 255608 1 price £25.00 hardback While Wilfred Thesiger's own classic writings cover his journeys (including The Marsh Arabs, Arabian Sands, Desert, Marsh and Mountain, The Life of My ...
HEART OF BEIRUT: RECLAIMING THE BOURJ
May 01, 2006; ... HEART OF BEIRUT RECLAIMING THE BOURJ Samir Khalaf published by Saqi Books ISBN 0 8635 6542 5 price £12.99 paperback At the centre of Beirut lies the Bourj, one of the world's oldest, most vibrant and durable great public squares. The square is an open museum, resonating with ...
OSAMA: THE MAKING OF A TERRORIST
May 01, 2006; ... OSAMA THE MAKING OF A TERRORIST By John Randal published by IB TAURIS ISBN 1 84511117 6 price £9.99 paperback How is it possible for one middle-aged Saudi millionaire to threaten the world's only superpower? This is the question at the centre of this account of Osama bin Laden's role in ...
Death of a giant
May 01, 2006; ... I THOUGHT OF HIS ONE-LINER: "THE ONLY WAY TO stay free in the Arab world is to remain silent", when I heard of Mohamed Al Maghout's death of a stroke on 3 April. The 73-year-old Syrian poet and playwright, with his flat cap and a cigarette dangling from the corner of his mouth, was famous for ...
Winners and losers
May 01, 2006; ... Lawrence Joffé looks at the results of the Israeli elections and what they might mean for the Palestinians of the Occupied Territories. A YEAR AGO, ARIEL SHARON WAS ISRAELS PRIME MINISTER, SAFELY ensconced having overwhelmingly won general elections in 2003 at the head of Likud. Shimon ...
The empire digs in
May 01, 2006; ... Amid all the talk of withdrawing troops from Iraq, Bush requests funds to build a network of super-bases across the country, pointing to a long-term deployment to last far beyond the insurgency. By Ed Blanche AMID GROWING PRESSURE IN THE United States to pull troops out of Iraq, ...
A long time in politics...
May 01, 2006; ... Joseph Mayton reports from Cairo A YEAR HAS PASSED SINCE President Hosni Mubarak announced there would be multi-candidate presidential elections. May marks the one-year anniversary of the referendum to put in place that promise, but Egypt has seen a surge in activism. Emergency laws put ...