Middle East back issues from August 2006:
Flashpoint Lebanon
Aug 01, 2006; ... After turning their back on 15 years of civil war and many sacrifices, the Lebanese finally saw the departure of Israeli forces in 2000, followed five years later by the withdrawal of Syrian troops. Just as Beirut was reviving its old Mediterranean spirit and character, the spectres of ...
EDITORIAL COMMENT
Aug 01, 2006; ... Despite the fact that most international officials meeting in Rome under the auspices of the UN in late July, were keen that an immediate ceasefire be implemented in Lebanon, the US, in the form of US secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, refused, insisting any ceasefire must be ...
Paving the way to parity
Aug 01, 2006; ... Just over a year after winning the right to vote and run in elections, Kuwaiti women were frustrated at the ballot box as a string of female candidates lost out to male rivals. Yet the elections have undoubtedly opened the door to change, as Jon Gorvett reports from Kuwait city. DESPITE ...
Middle East military spending soars
Aug 01, 2006; ... According to a recent report, global military spending in 2005 reached $1.12 trillion , a new record. At the same time, a decreasing number of countries are now responsible for an increased proportion of this spending with the Middle East being among those regions responsible for significant ...
The last frontier
Aug 01, 2006; ... In 2004, Egypt had a mere 40 registered blogs. Today, that number has risen to well over 1,000, creating a new medium for the diffusion of ideas. This situation has worked in favour of the growing opposition in the country, allowing activists to communicate their message of dissent. Joseph ...
Not just an oil economy
Aug 01, 2006; ... Sultan Bin Nasser Al Suwaidi has been the governor of the Central Bank of the UAE since 1991. Prior to that appointment, he was managing director and chief executive officer of Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank. He has represented the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority on the executive boards of several ...
Oil producers spend windfall wisely
Aug 01, 2006; ... There has long been global fascination with how and where the Arab oil producing nations spend their cash. Neil Ford reports that the trends of 2006 are very different to those of 30 years ago. ECONOMIC STRATEGY AMONG the oil producing nations of the Middle East and North Africa has ...
LA 8: The final battle?
Aug 01, 2006; ... The long-running case of the US government versus the LA 8, appears to have been settled - or almost. Pat McDonnell Twair reports from California on the latest developments. A REAL-LIFE ENACTMENT OF 3 plot similar to that of Victor Hugo's Les Miserables, in which Inspector Javert chased ...
From Russia 'with love'
Aug 01, 2006; ... Russia's President Putin declares war on jihadists after Moscow's diplomats are kidnapped and killed in Iraq. By Ed Blanche ON 28 JUNE, the Kremlin announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin had ordered his intelligence services to hunt down and kill the Iraqi jihadists who ...
Stoking the Competition
Aug 01, 2006; ... There has been no shortage of excitement of late for telecom and IT buffs in Egypt. Nine consortia waited with bated breath for the results of an auction awarding Egypt's third mobile licence in early July. It was not so much the result that surprised market analysts, but rather the winning ...
RAFIQ HARIRI AND THE FATE OF LEBANON
Aug 01, 2006; ... RAFIQ HARIRI AND THE FATE OF LEBANON By Marwan lskandar published by Saqi Books ISBN 0 86356 3708 price £16.99 hardback On Valentine's Day 2005 self-made billionaire Rafiq Hariri, Lebanon's former prime minister, was assassinated in Beirut by a massive bomb that destroyed his motorcade ....
Taliban and Al Qaeda re-emerge in Afghanistan
Aug 01, 2006; ... AFTER WEEKS OF DOWNING STREET dismissing the need to deploy more troops to help the over-stretched British army in southern Afghanistan, Tony Blair's government made a 180-degree turn when Defence secretary Des Brown announced in July that an extra 900 troops and equipment will be sent to the ...
NATURAL REMEDIES OF ARABIA
Aug 01, 2006; ... NATURAL REMEDIES OF ARABIA By Robert Leblingand Donna Pepperdine published by Stacey International ISBN 1 905299 02 8 price £27.50 hardback This timely volume comes just as the age-old regional knowledge of remedies naturally available - encapsulated in an oral tradition that carries ...
Islamic Art & Architecture
Aug 01, 2006; ... THE HISTORY OF ISLAM stretches from the 7th century to the present day and encompasses an area from Spain to Indonesia, North Africa to China. Of the 193 recognised countries of the modern world, more than 50 are of the Muslim faith, with a total population of 1.3bn. This equates to almost 19% ...
BRIEF
Aug 01, 2006; ... Nokia wins Saudi network contract Finnish telecoms company Nokia has won a contract to supply managed network services in Saudi Arabia to cellphone company Mobily. The deal will enable Mobily to meet the growing demand for access to information, services and entertainment more easily and ...
More hope than glory
Aug 01, 2006; ... Although US President George Bush is displaying no sign of alarm at the spiralling levels of violence and mayhem across the Middle East, American citizens are not so sanguine, as Pat McDonnell Twair reports from the United States. ON us MEMORIAL day, when Americans traditionally honour ...
SETTING THE DESERT ON FIRE: THE ARAB REVOLT OF 1916
Aug 01, 2006; ... SETTING THE DESERT ON FIRE THE ARAB REVOLT OF 1916 By James Barr published by Bloomsbury ISBN 0 7475 7986 5 price £20.00 hardback The myth of T.E. Lawrence - made famous in the book Seven Pillars of Wisdom and the film Lawrence of Arabia - single-handedly leading his loyal band of ...
THE CAT IN ANCIENT EGYPT
Aug 01, 2006; ... THE CAT IN ANCIENT EGYPT By Jaromir Malek published by The British Museum Press ISBN 0 71411970 9 price £9.99 paperback Many modern cats are descendants of the cats of ancient Egypt. These beautiful creatures thus represent a living link between the modern world and the ancient Egyptian ...
Qatar poised for take-off
Aug 01, 2006; ... In a few years, a crowd of skyscrapers has joined the occasional solitary tower that, with the signature pyramid of the Sheraton Hotel, formed the Doha skyline. These concrete and glass edifices to prosperity now compete for height and breadth amongst malls and motorways - and the city's ...
After the pilgrimage
Aug 01, 2006; ... Every year approximately two million people enter the kingdom of Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj or Umrah pilgrimage. Many thousands of these people fail to return home, creating an immigration problem unique to Saudi Arabia and an economic issue that the Saudi government wants resolved. Eamonn ...
INSIDE THE GENDER JIHAD: WOMEN'S REFORM IN ISLAM
Aug 01, 2006; ... INSIDE THE GENDER JIHAD: WOMEN'S REFORM IN ISLAM By Amina Wadud published by Oneworld ISBN 1 85168 463 8 price £14.99 paperback In this insightful study, Amina Wadud, an African-American Muslim herself, introduces the feminist movement in Islam and delves into its challenges, its textual ...
Bedouins of the Holy Land
Aug 01, 2006; ... "We are friends of the land; we work it and make it flourish. For generations we have grown off this land and depended on it for our sustenance," says Abu AIi, a Bedouin farmer who lives with his second wife and one of his 11 children in a small cluster of houses and shacks known as Sarrarhat in ...
THE WEST BANK WALL: UNMAKING PALESTINE
Aug 01, 2006; ... THE WEST BANK WALL UNMAKING PALESTINE By Ray Dolphin published by Pluto Press ISBN 0745324339 price £14 99 paperback What is the purpose of the West Bank Wall? What are the real intentions behind the Israeli security argument? Is it a means of securing territory permanently through an ...
THE LAST WORD
Aug 01, 2006; ... GHOSTS OF SUEZ HOVER ABOVE DOWNING STREET. Prime Minister Tony Blair's handling of the Middle East crisis alarmed British elder diplomats as they sensed the ghosts of Suez hovering above Downing Street. Fifty years ago (26 July 1956) Anthony Eden's dinner party for young King Faisal II ...
Fourth building at the Knowledge Oasis Muscat.(Oman's Public Establishment for Industrial Estates signs deal with M.C.A international company)(Brief article)
Aug 01, 2006 ... Oman's Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (PEIE) has signed an agreement with M.C.A international company to construct the fourth building at the (KOM). According to ONA, the deal was signed by Sultan bin Salim al-Habsi, PEIE CEO and Hassan ...
The menace of copycat products.
Aug 01, 2006 ... The concept of counterfeits is now a well accepted one in the UAE and in most countries in the region and there are many examples of administrative and judicial enforcements. However, the menace of look alike products seems to be the damaging order of the day and, although prevalent in the ...
Land deals in Dubai during last week.(land transactions in Dubai peaked last week)(Brief article)
Aug 01, 2006 ... The total value of land transactions in Dubai last week peaked at Dhs757.94 millions of which sales exceeded Dhs186 million. The total value of mortgages during the period was Dhs572.27 million, according to the Land Department. A total of 36 sale transactions were registered ...
Booz Allen Hamilton: Mobile telephony expected to take flight in near future.
Aug 01, 2006 ... Passengers onboard commercial airlines will soon be able to use their own mobile phones while in flight in the near future, according to Booz Allen Hamilton. Onboard base stations hold substantial revenue potential for mobile network providers and airlines. "We expect the total volume of ...
EMIRATES HONOURED FOR GLOBAL MARKETING.(Emirates Airline has been awarded the prestigious fifth Airline Strategy Marketing Award)
Aug 01, 2006 ... Emirates Airline, one of the world's fastest growing airlines and developing global brands, has been awarded the prestigious fifth Airline Strategy Marketing Award, organised by Airline Business magazine, during a ceremony which took place in the imposing surrounds of Lincoln's Inn, ...
Geely Scooters drive their way to Al Khayyat Showroom.(Al Khayyat Motors announced new arrival )
Aug 01, 2006 ... Al Khayyat Motors, the sole dealer for Peugeot, Mazda, Geely and Iran khodro cars in the Kingdom, has announced the arrival of Geely Scooters to their showroom on Martyr's Memorial Street in Tabarbour. Geely scooters are available in five stroke engine models. The most popular ...
DUBAI COOPERATIVE SOCIETY REPORTS JUMP IN SALES.(Al Islami)
Aug 01, 2006 ... Al Islami, the leading provider of Halal foods in the Middle East region, reported its gross sales grew to AED 151mn for 2005. Other items on the agenda at the company's recently concluded General Assembly included product improvements, health issues and production efficiency. ...
Jazeera Airways broadens relationship with Lufthansa Technik.(Lufthansa Technik AG)
Aug 01, 2006 ... Jazeera Airways, Kuwait's new national airline and the first private airline in the Middle East, has selected Lufthansa Technik AG, the leading maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of airplanes, components and engines, to provide Total Engine Maintenance Support TES for its growing fleet ...
FileNet to highlight business process management technologies during web seminars.(FileNet Corporation web seminars)
Aug 01, 2006 ... FileNet Corporation (Nasdaq: FILE), the leading provider of Enterprise Content and Business Process Management solutions, will be organising a series of webinars (web-based seminars) on business process management and on how new technologies such as FileNet Business Activity Monitor (BAM) ...
Dubai eGovernment launches online donation campaign to help war victims in Lebanon.
Aug 01, 2006 ... In a bid to accelerate relief efforts for victims of the prolonged war in Lebanon, Dubai eGovernment has announced the launch of an online donation campaign through its web portal www.dubai.ae/4Lebanon. The UAE has been extending its full support to Lebanon to provide relief to ...
MTC Kuwait to reduce network operating costs through Motorola Managed Optimization Services contract.(Motorola, Inc. signs service agreement with Mobile Telecommunications Company)
Aug 01, 2006 ... Motorola, Inc. Tuesday announced a three-year managed optimization services agreement with MTC (Mobile Telecommunications Company) Kuwait, an MTC Group Operation, to improve the performance of operator's network across its serving area. The multi-million dollar contract, which ...
Executives Advised to 'Leave Security Worries Behind This Summer'.(Pointsec Mobile Technologies Inc.)
Aug 01, 2006 ... As more and more professionals head off on their summer holidays, taking their laptops, PDAs, smartphones or MP3 players, how many actually consider the value of the data they store on these devices, and the impact if they were lost or stolen during relaxing vacation days? Data ...
Sony's BRAVIA 46-inch S-series LCD TV Makes Middle East Debut.
Aug 01, 2006 ... With High Definition taking the lead in today's televisions, Sony Gulf has announced the latest addition to its BRAVIA LCD television range, the 46-inch S-series, the KLV-46S200A. The 46-inch BRAVIA is priced at AED 13,999 and is available at all Jumbo Electronics outlets across the ...
Strong investor response for Gulf Navigation Holding IPO Open until August 7.(initial public offerings)(Brief article)
Aug 01, 2006 ... Strong investor response for Gulf Navigation Holding IPO Open until August 7The receiving banks and financial institutions for the Gulf Navigation Holding IPO have seen strong response from investors across the GCC. Gulf Navigation Holding aims to list on the Dubai Financial ...
DFSA Auditor Rules out for consultation.(Dubai Financial Services Authority )
Aug 01, 2006 ... Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) auditors will soon be subject to greater scrutiny by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). The DFSA has issued, for public consultation, rules designed to enhance the quality of audit services in the DIFC. The rules apply to ...
LR3 from Land Rover Adds another Award to its Trophy Cabinet.
Aug 01, 2006 ... The LR3, Land Rover's premium family SUV, has scooped the Auto Express New Car Honour award - in the 4x4 Off-Roader category - for the second year running, defeating stiff competition like the Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90. The LR3 is an agile and practical offering on-road whilst ...
Emaar Properties acquires UK realtor Hamptons International for AED 563 million.
Aug 02, 2006 ... Global real estate major, Emaar Properties ("Emaar") has signed a Share Purchase Agreement with Singapore mainboard-listed Wheelock Properties (Singapore) Ltd ("Wheelock Properties"), a property investor and developer with a focus on luxury residences, to acquire its UK-based subsidiary, ...
Land deals in Dubai reported.(Brief article)(Statistical data)
Aug 02, 2006 ... The total value of land transactions in Dubai last 2 days peaked at Dhs189.25 millions , of which sales exceeded Dhs67 million. The total value of mortgages during the period was Dhs122.64 million, according to the Land Department. A total of 9 sale transactions were registered ...
Dh4b Oil & Gas City to be established in ICAD.(Brief article)
Aug 02, 2006 ... ZonesCorp, Abu Dhabi's Higher Corporation for Specialized Economic Zones, will reportedly launch a specialized Oil & Gas City economic cluster in the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD) at some point in the near future. The new city will offer privileges to foreign companies to ...
Seven firms shorlisted for 'Golf Gardens' earthworks package.(Sorouh Real Estate)(National Projects and Construction)(Abu Dhabi Maintenance and Contracting)(Al Husam)(Hilal Bilbadi & Partners)(COPRI Construction Enterprises Establishment)(Brief article)
Aug 02, 2006 ... Seven companies have been short listed by Sorouh Real Estate to bid for the earthworks package of the Golf Gardens project in Abu Dhabi, which will be the emirate's first golf course residential development. "The earthworks and excavation is the first major construction phase ...
Two ICAD labor residential complex contracts signed.(Brief article)
Aug 02, 2006 ... Two contracts were recently signed by the Higher Corporation for specialized Economic Zones (ZonesCorp) for the construction of two new residential complexes at the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi in the Musaffah area. The contracts were signed by Chairman of Bin Omeir Holding ...
Dubai property owners forefeit residential investments.(Brief article)
Aug 02, 2006 ... Industry data reveals that as a result of lack of capital and widespread project delays, the market has witnessed a rise in distress sales of residential property in Dubai amidst a skyrocketing real estate market. "Not only has the volume [of distress sales] been increasing but ...
'The World' direct sales to include exclusive tours by potential investors.(Brief article)
Aug 02, 2006 ... The names of 50 potential investors have reportedly been chosen by the UAE's premier property developer, Nakheel, to view portions of 'The World,' a group of 303 man-made islands off the coast of Dubai. Part of the formal direct sale process, this is the first time Nakheel is ...
Fourty-two towers at Jumeriah Beach Residence to connect to Empower plant.(Brief article)
Aug 02, 2006 ... Dubai's Al Fattan Tower recently became the first building in the Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) to be connected to a permanent district cooling plant of Empower, the Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation. A total of 42 towers at JBR are set to be linked to the cooling ...
DP World considers ports in Central, South America.(Dubai Ports World)(Brief article)
Aug 02, 2006 ... DP World, the world's third largest port operator, is currently holding talks to purchase and develop ports in several countries in Central and South America despite setbacks it had faced over P&O's assets in the United States. The company expects to sign two agreements by the ...
Diana Haddad sings for Lebanese.
Aug 03, 2006 ... Lebanese singer Diana Haddad has filmed a music video for the song "Ana El Insan" (I am Human) from a previous album, in support of Lebanon during the ongoing Israeli attacks. Nahla Al Fahed from the UAE directed the clip that was filmed in two locations. A group of children ...
Shabaan Abdul Rahim condemns Israeli bombarding of Lebanon.
Aug 03, 2006 ... It has become customary for Egyptian folk-singer Shabaan Abdul Rahim to release a song during times of crisis in the region, and he has created a new song expressing his outrage over the ongoing Israeli attacks that are destroying Lebanon. The singer completed recording the song ...
Two ICAD labor residential complex contracts signed.(Brief article)
Aug 03, 2006 ... Two contracts were recently signed by the Higher Corporation for specialized Economic Zones (ZonesCorp) for the construction of two new residential complexes at the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi in the Musaffah area. The contracts were signed by Chairman of Bin Omeir Holding ...
Dubai property owners forefeit residential investments.
Aug 03, 2006 ... Industry data reveals that as a result of lack of capital and widespread project delays, the market has witnessed a rise in distress sales of residential property in Dubai amidst a skyrocketing real estate market. "Not only has the volume [of distress sales] been increasing but ...
'The World' direct sales to include exclusive tours by potential investors.(Brief article)
Aug 03, 2006 ... The names of 50 potential investors have reportedly been chosen by the UAE's premier property developer, Nakheel, to view portions of 'The World,' a group of 303 man-made islands off the coast of Dubai. Part of the formal direct sale process, this is the first time Nakheel is ...
Fourty-two towers at Jumeriah Beach Residence to connect to Empower plant.
Aug 03, 2006 ... Dubai's Al Fattan Tower recently became the first building in the Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) to be connected to a permanent district cooling plant of Empower, the Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation. A total of 42 towers at JBR are set to be linked to the cooling ...
DP World considers ports in Central, South America.(Dubai Ports World)(Brief article)
Aug 03, 2006 ... DP World, the world's third largest port operator, is currently holding talks to purchase and develop ports in several countries in Central and South America despite setbacks it had faced over P&O's assets in the United States. The company expects to sign two agreements by the ...
Hussein Fahmi resigns as UN Goodwill Ambassador.(United Nations)(Brief article)
Aug 03, 2006 ... Prominent Egyptian actor Hussein Fahmi has submitted his resignation as United Nations Goodwill Ambassador in protest of the UN's inaction to halt the Israeli aggression against innocent civilians in Lebanon, especially the most recent heart wrenching Qana bombings that kill over 60 ...
Latifa calls on Arab artists to show solidarity with Lebanon.
Aug 03, 2006 ... Tunisian singer Latifa has called on all Arab artists to join hands and show solidarity with the Lebanese people under Israeli attack. "All Arab artists must work together and collect donations, whether it be food, money or clothing, for the Lebanese people that can be delivered ...
BMA authorizes Islamic fund managed by Global Investment House.(Bahrain Monetary Agency )(Brief article)
Aug 03, 2006 ... The Bahrain Monetary Agency (BMA) has authorized an Islamic equity fund, sponsored by leading Kuwait-based asset management firm, Global Investment House. The Global GCC Islamic Fund aims to raise US$300 million for investment in a portfolio of Shari'a-compliant companies in the ...
Premier Hotel to be part of Marina 101 concept tower; Sheffield to invest additional AED 200 million.(Sheffield Real Estate)
Aug 03, 2006 ... Enhancing the unique proposition being offered to its investors, leading Dubai based property developer, Sheffield Real Estate today said that they have got clearances from the Government of Dubai, Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing to operate a full fledged hotel at Marina 101 - ...
Ten-day Emaar the Economic City IPO attracts record number of subscribers.(initial public offerings)
Aug 03, 2006 ... The 10-day IPO of Emaar the Economic City (EEC), which was over-subscribed since the third day of subscription, closed Wednesday with record number of subscribers applying for shares. As at the end of the ninth day of subscription, over 2.5 million applications were received ...
DP World to face stiff competition for operation of Gwadar Port.(Dubai Ports World)(Hutchison Port Holdings Ltd.)
Aug 03, 2006 ... The UAE's DP World (DPW), which is currently vying for rights to operate the recently established Gwadar Deep Sea Port in Pakistan, will apparently face stiff competition from Hong Kong-based Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH), which already operates the two-berth Karachi international ...
Contract awarded for second phase of Ras Al Khaima Port.(Brief article)
Aug 03, 2006 ... A major infrastructure upgrade to Ras Al Khaima Port is on track with the recent awarding of the second phase contract for developing the port as a world class facility to the Anthena Company. Gibb Ltd Abu Dhabi serves as the official consultant of the over Dh100 million program. The Dh28 ...
Dubai Rapid Link wins Dh4.08 billion phase 2 metro contract from RTA.(Roads and Transport Authority )(Brief article)
Aug 03, 2006 ... The Dh4.08 billion contract for the phase 2-Green Line of the Dubai Metro project was recently awarded to the Mitsubishi-led Dubai Rapid Link (DURL) consortium by Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The project involves construction of a 20 kilometers loop that will ...
'Al Khaleel' equestrian center to be established in Dubailand.(Brief article)
Aug 03, 2006 ... A decision was recently reached by Dubailand to establish a Dh1.6 billion equestrian park in Dubailand's Eco Zone area in the coming years. The proposed 'Al Kaheel Park' will be a mixed-use development and have both real estate and commercial components. Al Kaheel will be an ...