Middle East back issues from July 2006:
Arabs wage war on MONEY LAUNDERING
Jul 01, 2006; ... Arab governments are adopting strict new standards to prevent the misuse of banks in the Middle East by terror organisations and financial manipulators. These efforts could enhance efforts to develop new global financial centres in the Levant. Josh Martin reports IN VIRTUALLY ALL large ...
Kuwait making history
Jul 01, 2006; ... Kuwaitis were preparing to cast their votes in parliamentary elections as The Middle East went to press. Jon Gorvett reports from Kuwait City on the run up to this historic poll. KUWAITIS WERE HEADING for the polls at the end of June in a landmark election; for the first time ever in a ...
After Zarqawi
Jul 01, 2006; ... On 7 June, American top guns deploying F16s killed Abu Musab Al Zarqawi, the self-styled boss of Al Qaeda in Mespotomia, by dropping two 500lb bombs on his hideout near Baquba in central Iraq. Adel Darwish reports ONLY THREE YEARS ago, hardly anyone outside the circles of Middle East ...
EDITORIAL COMMENT
Jul 01, 2006; ... The Likud mayor of Sderot, Eli Moyal, has called for the resignation of the Israeli government over what he describes as its "miserable failure" to deal with Qassam rocket attacks launched from the Palestinian territories. The town, less than three miles from the border with Gaza, has borne the ...
The Libyan connection
Jul 01, 2006; ... The United State's restoration of relations with the regime of Colonel Muammar Gadaffi was a coup for the CIA. By Ed Blanche THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION'S restoration of diplomatic relations with Libya after more than a quarter of a century of often violent confrontation is largely the ...
Man on a mission
Jul 01, 2006; ... Ever since his November 2005 appointment as the Palestinian Liberation Organisation's Ambassador to the US, Afif Safieh has been making waves in Washington DC. Here, he talks to Pat McDonnell Twair for TME DURING RECENT MONTHS 54-year-old Safieh has been meeting nonstop with US ...
$100 a barrel? Myth vs. Reality
Jul 01, 2006; ... OIL Suddenly everyone was saying it: the price of oil would reach $100 a barrel or more for the next few years. What was once the prediction of a few hearty forecasters (or crackpots, depending on your point of view) suddenly seemed a realistic prospect according to the media. Pamela Ann ...
Divided loyalties
Jul 01, 2006; ... The prospects of significant US troop withdrawals from Iraq dim as thousands of Iraqi soldiers desert or join militias. By Ed Blanche US HOPES OF establishing a new and effective Iraqi Army capable of taking overall charge of national security, allowing the administration of President ...
Red Star in the Morning, Business Warming
Jul 01, 2006; ... A recent visit by the Chinese president to the Middle East shows the growing importance of the Arab world for China's burgeoning economy. Eamonn Gearon examines the different aspects of this cooperation and wonders if America should be worried. THIS APRIL, CHINESE President Hu Jintao ...
BRIEF
Jul 01, 2006; ... Bird flu fears hit UAE farms The UAE's poultry sector has lost $5.5m (AED20m) because of a 45%-50% cut in consumption due to bird flu fears. Many small farms have been forced to close and production has been cut by 30%, with surplus meat being frozen and sold off cheaply. The consumption ...
Arab Petrodollars: WHAT GOES AROUND, COMES AROUND
Jul 01, 2006; ... THE SIX-FOLD INCREASE in world oil prices since 1999 has made the group of oil-exporting Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) countries a significant player on the international investment scene. The tide of petrodollar surpluses in recent years, averaging $300bn annually, are having a ...
Decision time beckons
Jul 01, 2006; ... Plans for the long-mooted Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline could be finalised this month when ministers from the three countries meet in Tehran. Stephen Williams reports SHOULD AGREEMENT BE reached in Tehran this month, one of the most geo-politically sensitive developments in the Middle ...
Telecoms wars
Jul 01, 2006; ... Over the next few months the Middle East's rapidly growing and increasingly ambitious telcos will go head-to-head for some of the region's last remaining cellular licences. Rhys Jones reports THE LIKES OF Kuwait's MTC and Watanyia, Egypt's Orascom Telecom and the UAE's Etisalat, all of ...
Waiting for Project Kuwait
Jul 01, 2006; ... Jon Gorvett reports from Kuwait where to increase oil output foreign help may be needed. Not everyone is keen on reopening national interests to outsiders WITH A QUARTER of the world's known oil reserves and a string of colossal budget surpluses in recent years, Kuwait is fast regaining ...
Jordan's juggling act
Jul 01, 2006; ... Although not the most wealthy or influential state in the region, the Hashemite kingdom of Jordan has built a sound reputation among Arab states and in the wider world. But with a burgeoning population and no petro-dollar back up, Jordanians must stay focused on future development, as Neil Ford ...
Fears ignite over Iraq's oil recovery
Jul 01, 2006; ... The one thing that could pull Iraq from the brink of disaster, its oil industry, is being hit by attacks on infrastructure, as well as corruption, smuggling and bad weather. Neil Ford assess the propects for the future A RECENT REPORT BY the Iraqi Oil Ministry has revealed that attacks ...
ROAD TO DAMASK
Jul 01, 2006; ... A grand old man of Iranian enterprise talks to Michael Griffin about his life and his latest venture - organic rose essence for the high-end cosmetics market. "EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS in your life is by accident," declares Homayoun Sanati in his temporary apartment in London's Chelsea ....
The Muslims of Saratov
Jul 01, 2006; ... UNLIKE THE YOUNG Russian women who stroll on Kirova Prospekt, Saratov's trendy pedestrian avenue, Elfia, a 25-year-old Muslim, dresses very strictly: no tight-fitting jeans or miniskirt, no short blouse uncovering the navel, no long hair cascading down the shoulders. On the contrary, she wraps ...
AL QAIDA'S JIHAD IN EUROPE THE AFGHAN-BOSNIAN NETWORK
Jul 01, 2006; ... AL QAIDA'S JIHAD IN EUROPE THE AFGHAN-BOSNIAN NETWORK By Evan F. Kohlmann published by Berg ISBN 1 85973807 9 price £12.99 Why did so many of the 11 September hijackers spend time in Germany? How did terrorist sleeper cells plant themselves in cities such as London, Paris, Rome, and ...
ISRAEL AND SETTLER SOCIETY
Jul 01, 2006; ... ISRAEL AND SETTLER SOCIETY By Lorenzo Veracini published by Pluto Press. ISBN 0745325009 price £15.99 paperback The struggle between Israel and the Palestinians is not unique - whatever the news media may suggest. Lorenzo Veracini argues that the conflict is best understood in terms of ...
AFTER THE NEOCONS AMERICA AT THE CROSSROADS
Jul 01, 2006; ... AFTER THE NEOCONS AMERICA AT THE CROSSROADS By Francis Fukuyama published by Profile Books ISBN 1 86197 922 3 price £12.99 hardback A critique and reformulation of US foreign policy from one of the world's leading thinkers - who formerly regarded himself as a "neocon". Attacking ...
THE ALHAMBRA
Jul 01, 2006; ... THE ALHAMBRA By Robert Irwin published by Profile Books ISBN 1 86197 487 6 price £8.99 paperback On a hill overlooking Granada stands the only medieval Islamic palace to survive, the Alhambra - the tradition among Islamic rulers was to abandon the palace of the old ruler in favour of ...
FROM EMPIRE TO ORIENT: TRAVELLERS TO THE MIDDLE EAST 1830-1926
Jul 01, 2006; ... FROM EMPIRE TO ORIENT: TRAVELLERS TO THE MIDDLE EAST 1830-1926 By Geoffrey Nash published by IB TAURIS ISBN 1 85043 767 x price £24.50 hardback From Empire to Orient offers an alternative perspective on Britain's late imperial period by looking at the lives and the writings of the men ...
REVOLT ON THE TIGRIS: THE AL SADR UPRISING AND THE GOVERNING OF IRAQ
Jul 01, 2006; ... REVOLT ON THE TIGRIS: THE AL SADR UPRISING AND THE GOVERNING OF IRAQ By Mark Etherington published by C. Hurst & Co ISBN 1 85065 773 4 price £15.00 hardback A former paratrooper with extensive experience of conflict and post-conflict management in the countries of former Yugoslavia, ...
THE LAST WORD
Jul 01, 2006; ... BRITISH PRIME MINISTER Tony Blair last month took yet another gamble with United Kingdom policy in the Middle East, when he risked angering Britain's traditional Arab allies by his surprise support for Israel's new prime minister Ehud Olmert's plan to move forward on the next stage of his ...
Trident appoints Asteco as facility managers for first residential project - 'The Waterfront'.(Trident International Holdings)
Jul 02, 2006 ... Leading Real Estate Development Company, Trident International Holdings (TIH) today announced the appointment of Asteco, UAE's largest property services company as facility managers for The Waterfront, Trident's first freehold super luxury residential project at Dubai Marina. The property ...
Dubai Financial Acquires 40% Stake in Malaysia's Oldest Shar'iah Compliant Bank.
Jul 02, 2006 ... Dubai Financial (DF), a subsidiary of the Dubai Investment Group (DIG) - the global financial investor of Dubai Holding - has taken a 40 per cent stake in Malaysia's oldest Shar'iah compliant bank. The transaction is subject to approval of Bank Negara for the shares to be issued free from ...
Nakheel's Jumeirah Lake Towers to be chilled this summer.
Jul 02, 2006 ... Stellar Group LLC, the regional headquarters of Stellar Group USA is installing the district cooling system at Nakheel's Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT) development and has announced that the first phase of the project - said to house the world's largest chiller modules - is on schedule for ...
ASTECO JOINS FORCES WITH ZABEEL INVESTMENTS.
Jul 02, 2006 ... Zabeel Investments, the UAE-based multi-diversified investment company, has entered into an equity partnership with property services leader Asteco. The partnership will invigorate Asteco's regional growth and further boost business leads and revenue for the company. The collaboration will ...
XPress Launches its first "Press and Win" Competition in Cooperation with the Sawt Al Ghad Radio Station.(XPress Telecom)
Jul 02, 2006 ... XPress Telecom, Jordan's exclusive iDEN provider in wireless and mobile technology, celebrates its two year anniversary by announcing the launch of its first "Press and Win" Competition in cooperation with the Sawt Al Ghad radio station, an event that came with many opportunities for ...
Sybase launches latest versions of PowerBuilder and PowerDesigner in the Middle East.(Sybase Inc.)
Jul 02, 2006 ... PowerBuilder 10.5 delivers enhancements that enable developers to build better applications, faster; PowerDesigner 12.0 enables enterprises to easily visualize, analyze and manipulate data, process and application metadataDubai, United Arab Emirates, July 1, 2006: Sybase Products Middle ...
STS launches Jordanian Housing Bank Portal.(The Jordanian Housing Bank for Trade and Finance)(Specialized Technical Services )
Jul 02, 2006 ... Specialized Technical Services (STS), a leading regional IT and Payment solutions provider and integrator, hjas recently completed and launched an integrated web portal for The Jordanian Housing Bank for Trade and Finance. The move came as The Housing Bank sought STS expertise to provide ...
Microsoft gives Gulf users a preview of new Office.(Microsoft Gulf )
Jul 02, 2006 ... Microsoft Gulf has announced the immediate availability of the beta 2 release of the 2007 Microsoft Office system. The new test version, which is available for download now, will give customers the chance to evaluate and experience the new features of the 2007 Microsoft Office system and ...
etisalat's Network Transformation Begins With Telcordia[R] Network Engineer.(Emirates Telecommunications Corporation)
Jul 02, 2006 ... Telcordia (www.telcordia.com) today announced that the UAE's Emirates Telecommunications Corporation- etisalat- is the first to deploy the latest release of Telcordia[R] Network Engineer to drive operational efficiencies and lower total cost of ownership, supporting its goal of ...
Cinnabon Launches its Scratch & Win Summer Campaign.(Cinnabon Jordan)(Brief article)
Jul 02, 2006 ... Cinnabon Jordan, part of Jana Restaurant Management (a member of Tantash Group), announced this week the launching of its 2006 Scratch & Win summer campaign across the Kingdom.In addition to granting Cinnabon lovers the opportunity to taste its world famous cinnamon rolls, and its ...
A real success in the organization and the audience to the Red bull head to head event.
Jul 02, 2006 ... As Germany was facing an eager moment with the football game, the Camille Chamoun Stadium in Beirllut, precisely in the parking, was experiencing an exciting event SS show: the Red Bull Head 2 Head challenge, held for the first time in the Middle East. It's the first special parade phase ...
The new Porsche 911 Turbo arrives in Jordan.
Jul 02, 2006 ... Porsche Middle East & Africa is proud to announce the introduction of the all new Porsche 911 Turbo all-wheel-drive coupe in Jordan through its importer Nuqul Automotive, Porsche Centre Jordan. This automotive icon represents a further addition to the 911 model range, and perpetuates a ...
Dubai: Weekly land deals report.(Brief article)
Jul 02, 2006 ... The total value of land transactions in Dubai last week peaked at Dhs456.40 millions of which sales exceeded Dhs313 million. The total value of mortgages during the period was Dhs143.48 million, according to the Land Department. A total of 45 sale transactions were registered ...
ENTERPRISE IG'S BRANDING EXPERTISE IS CALLED IN BY CALLEM, THE TRENDIEST TELECOMS STORE IN SAUDI ARABIA.(Enterprise IG Group)
Jul 02, 2006 ... Enterprise IG 'The Global Branding Agency', has once again proved their unique ability to create intelligent language for some of the world's leading brands. Today they announced the latest project completed for Callem, the trendiest mobile phone outlet to hit the Middle East. Callem ...
E-TICKETING GOES GLOBAL WITH GULF AIR.(Gulf Air Company GSC)
Jul 02, 2006 ... In its dynamic stride to implement electronic ticketing, Gulf Air has further extended the facility across the globe covering destinations in Australia, Cyprus, Egypt, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Ireland, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, the Gulf and the UK. ...
Al-Zarqawi Death: Myth vs. Reality.(Abu Musab al-Zarqawi )
Jul 02, 2006; ... By Ramzy Baroud* The convenient emergence and sudden disappearance of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi signals an end of an era. Though Washington and London insist on telling us that the 'good news' don't necessary mean an end to Iraq's bloodshed, the giddiness in British Prime Minister ...
Injazat Capital signs agreement with Islamic International Rating Agency (IIRA).
Jul 02, 2006 ... Injazat Capital, the pioneering Shari'a compliant investment bank in the Middle East and North Africa region has recently entered into an agreement with the Islamic International Rating Agency (IIRA), based in Bahrain, to carry out Shari'a Quality Rating on Injazat Technology Fund. ...
Asteco joins forces with Zabeel Investments.
Jul 02, 2006 ... Zabeel Investments, the UAE-based multi-diversified investment company, has entered into an equity partnership with property services leader Asteco. The partnership will invigorate Asteco's regional growth and further boost business leads and revenue for the company. The collaboration will ...
Dubai's World Accounting Summit should be held twice a year.
Jul 02, 2006 ... Who thought accounting could be so interesting? The overwhelming response to the World Accounting Summit in Dubai in May has prompted the organisers to explore expanding the event - and holding it twice a year! A comprehensive report on the objectives achieved by the 2006 summit ...
Focused on the future: Dubai World is launched as one of the world's largest holding companies.(Brief article)
Jul 02, 2006 ... Under the decree ratified 2 March 2006 by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, Dubai World has officially been sanctioned. Today, it is launched as one of the world's leading holding companies, with over 45,000 employees in over 75 ...
High credibility investors from GCC countries to share equity in Emirates Float Glass.(Emirates Float Glass (EFG) LLC)(Gulf Co-operation Council)
Jul 02, 2006 ... Emirates Float Glass (EFG) LLC, founded by Dubai Investments PJSC has announced that a host of highly credible investors drawn from different countries of the GCC region will participate in the total equity of EFG, with overall sharing ratio of 30 percent by GCC investors and 70 percent by ...
ISO/GSO Workshop amalgamates the public and private sector.(International Standard ISO 22000 series - Food Safety management Systems)
Jul 02, 2006 ... Master Foods Middle East sponsored and took part in a workshop on the International Standard ISO 22000 series - Food Safety management Systems, which was organized by the GCC Standardization Organization for (GSO). This took place in Dubai on 18th and 19th June, tackling several important ...
Bank of India launches Speed Remittance by using Bahwan Cybertek's remittance platform - Cuecent CashSwitch.
Jul 02, 2006 ... Bank of India is in the forefront in adopting innovative technologies for improving its customer service. The Speed Remittance now introduced by the Bank uses Bahwan Cybertek's - Cuecent CashSwitch - a centralized platform for remittances. The Speed Remittance enables various Exchange ...
DIFX becomes affiliate member of IOSCO, strengthening international links.(Dubai International Financial Exchange)
Jul 02, 2006 ... The Dubai International Financial Exchange (DIFX) has been admitted as an affiliate member of the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), a body that promotes high standards amongst regulators and leading stock exchanges around the world. Nasser Alshaali, ...
Dubai's World Accounting Summit should be held twice a year.
Jul 02, 2006 ... Who thought accounting could be so interesting? The overwhelming response to the World Accounting Summit in Dubai in May has prompted the organisers to explore expanding the event - and holding it twice a year! A comprehensive report on the objectives achieved by the 2006 summit ...
Iran: Talks to be resumed with EU.(Brief article)
Jul 02, 2006 ... Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi on Sunday expressed hope talks with Europe would not be diverted from its natural course and that they would bear fruits. No deadline has been set for Iran to give its response to a package of incentives offered by the six world ...
Nicole Saba defies Razan Moughrabi.(dispute settlement)(Brief article)
Jul 03, 2006 ... After an endless battle between Lebanese singer Nicole Saba and television announcer Razan Moughrabi, Nicole to decided to settle the matter by changing the title of her upcoming album to "Nar Al Hawa" (The Fire of Passion). Heated disputes had erupted between the two over the ...
Asteco joins forces with Zabeel Investments.
Jul 03, 2006 ... Zabeel Investments, the UAE-based multi-diversified investment company, has entered into an equity partnership with property services leader Asteco. The partnership will invigorate Asteco's regional growth and further boost business leads and revenue for the company. The collaboration will ...
Region's Golfers Have Scores To Settle At Soma Bay.(Brief article)
Jul 03, 2006 ... The Red Sea Pan Arab Golf Open Amateur Championship swings into action at the Sheraton Soma Bay between 4-9 July. The popular tournament, which will be held at the Cascades Golf Course, is open to Men, Women and Seniors who can enter under Gold, Silver and Bronze Categories, ...
AIRBUS PRESIDENT AND CEO GUSTAV HUMBERT RESIGNS.(chief executive officer )
Jul 03, 2006 ... Gustav Humbert, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Airbus SAS, has tendered his resignation from his position with immediate effect. He has also resigned from the EADS Executive Committee. Mr Humbert has been President and CEO since June 2005 and on the Executive ...
Economic growth reflected in strong passenger and freight demand.(Statistical data)
Jul 03, 2006 ... The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released international traffic data for May 2006 showing 7% growth in passenger demand and 5.1% growth for freight over the same period in 2005. Load factor for May achieved an average of 73.6%. "Strong economies are supporting ...
THG celebrates unprecedented Cannes wins with plans to reach AED 1.4 billion in billings for fiscal 2006.(The Holding Group expects increased sales)
Jul 03, 2006 ... Fresh from three unprecedented wins at the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival in France two weeks ago, the region's leading diversified communications conglomerate The Holding Group (THG) today announced it expects regional billings to cross AED 1.4 billion. THG - ...
Dubai: Land deals on Saturday.(real estate transaction, mortgages)(Brief article)
Jul 03, 2006 ... The total value of land transactions in Dubai on Saturday peaked at Dhs66.64 millions of which sales exceeded Dhs48 million. The total value of mortgages during the period was Dhs18.92 million, according to the Land Department. A total of 6 sale transactions were registered with ...
Oman: Sohar residential and commercial projects declared.(Majan Gulf Properties partners with International Gulf Development and Contracting Company )
Jul 03, 2006 ... Majan Gulf Properties (MGP), an Omani real estate company, tied up with International Gulf Development and Contracting Company (IGDC) to establish "Sohar residential and commercial projects" valued RO66 million in the wilayat of Sohar. According to ONA, the signing ceremony was ...
EGYPT JOINS INTERNATIONAL EFFORT TO ASSIST THE IMPOVERISHED PEOPLE OF NIGER.(World Food Programme)
Jul 03, 2006 ... The United Nations World Food Programme today thanked Egypt for contributing to ensure the most impoverished people of Niger do not go hungry this year. "We are grateful to the government and people of Egypt for their timely donation to our work in Niger," said WFP Niger Country ...
Oasis International Leasing Appointment - SPREADING THE WORD ON THE LEASING BUSINESS.(Oasis International Leasing Company PSJC appoints Jassem Al-Shikar)
Jul 03, 2006 ... UAE national Jassem Al-Shikar has recently been appointed Business Development Manager at Oasis International Leasing, PJSC. A former business development officer with HSBC Abu Dhabi, Al-Shikar will be out actively talking to companies about leasing as a financial tool and ...
EMC leads Content Management Software sector, records highest in revenue growth.
Jul 03, 2006 ... EMC Corporation, the world leader in information management and storage, has moved to number one position with its content management software, according to the latest new report by Gartner. EMC beat nine large content management software providers in the revenue growth sector in 2005, to ...
Aujan Puts Fizz Back into PR Campaign.(Aujan Industries contracts public relations consultancy Asda'a )
Jul 03, 2006 ... Award-winning public relations consultancy Asda'a has fought off stiff competition from nine other agencies in the region to clinch the highly sought-after contract with successful regional FMCG company Aujan Industries. Driving the business for increasingly prolific brands such ...
Nokia wins Managed Services and 3G/HSPA contract with Saudi Arabia's 'mobily'.(third generation wireless technology, high speed packet access )
Jul 03, 2006 ... Nokia has won a managed services and 3G/HSPA network deal with mobily, a brand of Etihad Etisalat Company (EEC), in Saudi Arabia. The contract marks a new customer for Nokia in an important growth market, and highlights Nokia's leadership in supplying and managing superior networks ...
New Programme will Train New Technology Managers to Support Gulf's Mega Projects.(British University in Dubai launches new Masters Degree in IT Management)
Jul 03, 2006 ... The next generation of major projects in the region will need the support of IT professionals with a strong mix of technical know-how and management skills, if they are to reap the full benefits, according to experts gathered in Dubai today. Given the complexity of the ...