Middle East back issues from June 2007:
EDITORIAL COMMENT
Jun 01, 2007; ... A great burden is being placed upon the shoulders of the Middle East region's youth, if the Petra III Nobel Laureates meeting held in Jordan in mid-May is anything to go by. It is a well recognised fact that more than 50% of the region's population is under the age of 18 and that issues ...
Olmert & after
Jun 01, 2007; ... Since becoming Israel's prime minister in April 2006, Ehud Olmert seems to have spent much of his time fighting for political survival. What many political observers saw as the last straw, were the findings of the Winograd report, published in May, which set out to examine the Israeli ...
MAYHEM IN THE MAGHREB
Jun 01, 2007; ... WHILE THE COUNTER-TERRORISM strategy or the western powers and their allies has been focused on Iraq and Afghanistan, jihadists, inspired, and in all probability organised, by Al Qaeda, have been establishing a new front in their "holy war" against the "crusaders": North ...
What cost defence of the Gulf?
Jun 01, 2007; ... Governmental expenditure on defence among the countries of the Gulf and its neighbours is on the rise as EAMONN GEARON reports. ACCORDING TO THE Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), global military expenditure has never been higher, with 2006 spending figures certain ...
The Six Day War: 40 years on
Jun 01, 2007; ... As June marks the 40th anniversary of the Six Day War, BILL PARRY talked to people from both Israel and Palestine about their memories of the conflict and their reflections on its intractable legacy. MARIE, A 10 year old girl, skips home from school down the narrow streets of Nazareth ....
Heroin trading reaches new highs
Jun 01, 2007; ... ANTONIO MARIA COSTA, director of the Vienna-based United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, has written to the health ministers of 90 countries in the Middle East, Central Asia and Europe advising them to prepare for soaring drug-overdose deaths due to the huge increase in the Afghan produced ...
Splintering Iraq's insurgency
Jun 01, 2007; ... ON 27 MARCH, Harith Dhahir Al Dari, a top leader of the 1920 Revolutionary Brigades, one of the largest Sunni insurgent groups, was assassinated in an Al Qaeda bombing west of Baghdad. He was killed because he sought to align the group with the Al Anbar Salvation Council, a coalition of Sunni ...
Travellers in Arabia
Jun 01, 2007; ... In the 21st century a "special relationship" is said to exist between Saudi Arabia and the UK. Many would claim oil is the common denominator in this affiliation but bilateral ties go back further than that. THE DESERT EXPANSES of Arabia - lands unchartered and inaccessible to outsiders ...
In our own time, at our own pace, if at all
Jun 01, 2007; ... The seventh forum on democracy, development and free trade was held in Doha at the end of April, when ADEL DARWISH and PAT LANCASTER joined around 500 other participants in the Qatari capital to debate the progress, or otherwise, of reforms in the region. THERE was something unique and ...
At last-an Iraqi success story
Jun 01, 2007; ... JON GORVETT reports on the economic success being achieved in the Kurdish region of Iraq. AROUND THE CITY, building goes on at a furious pace. In hotel lobbies, the talk is of new airports, oil agreements and shopping malls. Over glasses of tea, plans for tourism developments are ...
THE SAVAGE BORDER
Jun 01, 2007; ... THE SAVAGE BORDER THE STORY OF THE NORTHWEST FRONTIER By Jules Stewart published by Sutton Publishing ISBN O 7509 4452 6 price £19.99 hardback For centuries, Pakistan's North-West Frontier has been seen as a lawless wilderness, which more recently has given sanctuary to Osama Bin Laden ...
Forging stronger ties across the Med
Jun 01, 2007; ... Plans to construct a multibillion dollar tunnel beneath the Straits of Gibraltar that will link Morocco and Spain are moving forward, writes NEIL FORD JUST FIVE YEARS ago, relations between Morocco and Spain were dangerously precarious. The long-running dispute over the fate of the ...
RUMI
Jun 01, 2007; ... RUMI WORDSOFPARADISE Selected and translated by Raficq Abdulla Published by Frances Lincoln ISBN O 7112 26512 price £9.99 paperback Jalaluddin Rumi, the great Sufi mystic born in 1204, wrote poetry to express and teach divine illumination. He is considered to be an example ofensaneh ...
A HISTORY OF WOMEN'S SECLUSION IN THE MIDDLE EAST
Jun 01, 2007; ... A HISTORY OF WOMEN'S SECLUSION IN THE MIDDLE EAST THE VEIL IN THE LOOKING GLASS By Ann Chamberlin published by The Haworth Press ISBN 978 O 7890 2983 6 price $24.95 paperback This book is a critical interdisciplinary examination of the practice of seclusion of women throughout the Middle ...
WHERE NOW FOR PALESTINE?
Jun 01, 2007; ... WHERE NOW FOR PALESTINE? THEDEMISEOFTHE TWO-STATESOLUTION Edited by Jamil HiIaI published by Zed books ISBN 978 1 84277 8401 price £17.99 paperback Where Now for Palestine? marks a turning point for the Middle East. Since 2000, the attacks of 9/11, the death of Yasser Arafat and the ...
GHOST PLANE
Jun 01, 2007; ... GHOST PLANE THE INSIDE STORY OF THE CIA'S SECRET RENDITION PROGRAMME By Stephen Grey published by Hurst & Co ISBN 1 85065 850 1 price £16.95 hardback In December 2005, Condoleezza Rice, the US secretary of State, assured the world that the flights of CIA private jets that have ...
GOVERNING PROPERTY, MAKING THE MODERN STATE
Jun 01, 2007; ... GOVERNING PROPERTY, MAKING THE MODERN STATE LAW, ADMINISTRATION AND PRODUCTION IN OTTOMAN SYRIA By Martha Mundy and Richard Saumarez Smith Published by IB TAURIS ISBN 978 184511 291 2 price £49.50 hardback Was 'modernity' in the Middle East merely imported piecemeal from the West? Did ...
Essentially Egyptian
Jun 01, 2007; ... Raqs sharqi has experienced its fair share of controversy over the generations but despite adversity the power of Middle Eastern dance remains strong and is currently attracting growing global attention. MARIA GOLIA reports from Cairo. NOT FAR FROM the pyramids at one of Cairo's 5star ...
THE LAST WORD
Jun 01, 2007; ... After his farewell speech on 10 May, British Prime Minister Tony Blair beamed with the relief of a man finally shedding a heavy burden. And well he might, for despite the 'good guy' image he has tried to project while in office, the reality is that Blair will probably go down in history as a ...
Honouring the vision
Jun 01, 2007; ... PAT MCDONNELL TWAIR talked to the son of legendary Syrian filmmaker Moustapha Akkad, Malek Akkad, who has become a force to be reckoned with in Hollywood in his own right. SHOCK REVERBERATED THROUGHOUT the Arab and Muslim worlds when news broke of the 11 November 2005 death of legendary ...
THE SUCCESS STORY SURGES ONWARDS AND UPWARDS
Jun 01, 2007; ... SPECIAL REPORT Researched and written by economic analyst MOIN SIDDIQI THE UAE, A confederation of seven autonomous emirates, remains one of the most prosperous economies in the emerging-market regions. Abu Dhabi, an oi! powerhouse, and Dubai, the regional hub for trade, commerce and ...
Dubai-Korea non-oil trade reaches AED 6.8 billion in 2006.(Statistical data)
Jun 02, 2007 ... Non-oil trade between Dubai and South Korea registered a healthy 8.75 percent expansion during 2006 compared to the year before, testifying to the long and distinguished economic relations between the two sides. According to data compiled by the Statistics Department of Dubai ...
DFC strengthens ties with Jordanian flower exporters.(Dubai Flower Centre)
Jun 03, 2007 ... The Dubai Flower Centre (DFC) strengthened its ties the Jordan Exporters and Producers Association for Fruit and Vegetables and Cut Flowers as part of its drive to attract more regional tenants to use the facility. "Jordan is a major regional producer and exporter of fresh ...
Fujitsu Siemens Computers LIFEBOOK is designed for speed.
Jun 03, 2007 ... Does your current notebook leave you craving for speed? Fujitsu Siemens Computers new LIFEBOOK S6410 provides mach 3 performance while delivering even more reliability, connectivity and independence to mobile users. Enhancing the already high standards of the company's ...
sulayem earns royal praise for helping Jordan win place in world rally championship.(Mohammed Ben Sulayem)
Jun 03, 2007 ... Mohammed Ben Sulayem has received a big tribute from Prince Feisal Al Hussein, Chairman of Jordan Motorsport, for the supporting role he played in helping the Jordan Rally win a place in the FIA World Rally Championship from next year. "Mohammed is an iconic figure for Middle ...
WD Appoints Didier Trassaert Senior Director EMEA Branded Products.(Western Digital Corp.)(Brief article)
Jun 03, 2007 ... WD recently announced that Didier Trassaert has joined the company as senior director EMEA of its Branded Products business unit. Reporting to Tony Tate, senior director of worldwide sales for branded products, Mr. Trassaert will be responsible for overseeing overall business strategies ...
ford recognises best service technicians in the middle east.(automotive technicians compeitions and achievements of automotive technicians)
Jun 03, 2007 ... Ford Middle East concluded the regional leg of the 2007 Global Service Advisor and Technician Skills Service Excellence World Cup with representatives from Al Tayer Motors (UAE), Arabian Car Marketing (Oman) and Al Jazirah Vehicles Agencies (KSA) qualifying to join the final competition in ...
Air Arabia wins Airbus Operational Excellence Award.(Airbus S.A.S.)
Jun 03, 2007 ... Air Arabia, the first low-cost carrier (LCC) in the Middle East and North Africa, has been named winner of the award for Operational Excellence 2005-2007 by Airbus, one of the world's leading aircraft manufacturers. Air Arabia was selected for this prestigious honour from among all global ...
Saraya Aqaba; Platinum Sponsor of Retail City 2007.
Jun 03, 2007 ... Saraya Aqaba Real Estate Development PSC. will sponsor and participate at Retail City, the renowned International Retail Real Estate networking Exhibition and Conference, which will be held from 3rd - 5th of June, 2007 at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre in United Arab Emirates ....
TAQA to Acquire Northrock Resources Ltd.(Abu Dhabi National Energy Company)
Jun 03, 2007 ... The Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (ADSM: TAQA) announced today the purchase of Northrock Resources Ltd, a subsidiary of the US firm Pogo Producing Company (NYSE: PPP) for US$2 billion. When finalized, the deal will provide TAQA with an additional 142 million barrels of ...
Acer Makes New Strides in the Lebanese Banking Sector.(Acer Computer Middle East Ltd.)
Jun 03, 2007 ... Acer Computer, the Middle East's leading supplier of notebook and desktops computers in the corporate and financial sector, has announced the completion of a deal to supply Credit Libanais Bank in Lebanon with commercial grade Acer Altos G540 servers. The deal involving the ...
Abdulla Abu Qura - 2007 Sprite MVP.
Jun 03, 2007 ... For the fourth consecutive year in the history of Sprite MVP, a Jordanian basketball star won the 'Sprite MVP 2007' contest. In addition to the respectable title Abdulla Abu Qura was awarded a USD$15.000 grand prize which was handed the by General Manager of Coca-Cola Bottling Company of ...
IDB delegates briefed on Knowledge Economic City at Al Madinah.(Islamic Development Bank)
Jun 03, 2007 ... Delegates to the 32nd Annual General Meeting of Governors of the Islamic Development Bank in Dakar, Senegal, this week were well briefed on Knowledge Economic City Al Madinah.As well as an-in depth article on Knowledge Economic City in the official meeting publication, all delegates ...
airport show spotlights massive regional development and major issues for operators.(airports redevelopment and renovations)(Event overview)
Jun 03, 2007 ... Massive airport development and expansion across the Middle East, Africa and Indian Subcontinent and the major issues affecting operators, local authorities, airlines and passengers, came under the spotlight today when the industry's regional showcase event opened in Dubai. ...
Ethiopian flower exports growing at an exponential 200% per annum.
Jun 03, 2007 ... A number of Kenyan and Ethiopian horticulture producers and exporters expressed a strong interest in utilising Dubai Flower Centre's (DFC) most advanced cool chain and one of the world's fastest growing transit hubs. Speaking to reporters following a series of marketing visits, ...
saleh boosts middle east challenge.(Michel Saleh to take part in FIA Middle East Rally Championship (Automobile race))
Jun 03, 2007 ... Michel Saleh, whose latest rally outing was halted by Lebanon's internal fighting, has quickly switched his attention to Syria as he chases his best finish for 14 years in the FIA Middle East Rally Championship. Saleh is eager to build on his hard-earned third position in the ...
mishandled baggage could cost air transport industry us$ 5 billion by 2008, technology expert warns dubai conference.
Jun 03, 2007 ... Mishandled baggage costs the global air transport industry around US$ 2.5 billion annually, and that figure could double by next year, one of America's leading technology experts and inventors warned at a conference in Dubai today. Dr Morton Greene, president of US technology ...
Booz Allen Hamilton Says Arab World Insurance Sector Poised for Growth.
Jun 03, 2007 ... The insurance market in the Middle East and North Africa has the potential for significant growth, but only under the right conditions cultivated by regional policymakers and regulators, according to a new study conducted by Booz Allen Hamilton in conjunction with the World Economic Forum ....
Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation to use Dubai eGovernment's AskDubai Call Centre service.
Jun 03, 2007 ... Dubai eGovernment has announced that the Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation (AMAF) has joined the AskDubai program, an initiative that facilitates interaction between the government and its public in one point of contact. Through the AskDubai call centre, the public can enquire about ...
ALDAR to participate at Retail City 2007.
Jun 03, 2007 ... Abu Dhabi's leading and fully integrated developer, ALDAR Properties PJSC, has announced that it will be exhibiting at the forthcoming Retail City 2007 event at Dubai International Exhibition Centre. The three day event, which runs from June 3rd - 5th, constitutes ALDAR's second appearance ...
Zad's Catering Division signs exclusive agreement with International Tobacco and Cigarettes Company (ITC).(Zad Industries and Services contracts)
Jun 03, 2007 ... Zad's Catering Division, part of Zad Industries and Services, and Jordan's largest industrial food caterer, has announced the signing of an agreement with International Tobacco and Cigarettes Company (ITC), and the commencement of services outlined in the agreement. Upon this ...
Samsung launches Saudi website.(www.samsung.com.sa)(Samsung Electronics Company Ltd.)
Jun 03, 2007 ... Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd announced today the launch of a new website dedicated to the Saudi market. The Arabic site, developed on asp technology, is another step that demonstrates Samsung's ongoing dedication and commitment to providing innovative, cutting-edge technology and services ...
Freecom records US$ 200 million in global revenues for 2006.(financial news)(Financial report)
Jun 03, 2007 ... Freecom, the leading European IT manufacturer in the field of storage solutions, has announced its foray into the Middle East and North African market. Freecom, which had recorded US$ 200 million in global revenues in 2006, has appointed PRO TECHnology, the leading integrator of storage ...
GE Energy expands power project capabilities in Middle East.
Jun 03, 2007 ... Further expanding its local capabilities in the region's robust power generation industry, GE Energy is establishing new power generation projects offices in the Middle East to coordinate project management activities for the region, where the company has project commitments of more than ...
BenQ Unveils High-end Projectors with Hollywood Quality Video Processor in Mid East.
Jun 03, 2007 ... BenQ, the global leader in networked lifestyle solutions and the third largest regional digital projector vendor, has expanded its Middle East projector range with the launch of its SP830 and SP831 WXGA models with digital light processing technology. Ideal for use in large ...
Green Packet Networks appoints high-profile Chairman.(appointment of Ali Al Mashat)
Jun 03, 2007 ... Green Packet Networks (GPN), a leading broadband wireless technology provider and Next Generation mobile solutions developer, has recently announced the appointment of Dr. Ali Al Mashat, former founding CEO of the Arab Satellite Communications Organisation (ARABSAT), as the Chairman of ...
Regional Media and Telecoms Convergence Conference reaches full capacity.
Jun 03, 2007 ... The Fourth Annual Media and Telecommunications Convergence Conference, set to take place in Amman on the 4th and 5th June, has been booked to capacity and organisers Arab Advisors Group a member of the Arab Jordan Investment Bank Group have announced they can take no further bookings. The ...
seven companies appointed to manage the 21st century taxi network in abu dhabi.
Jun 03, 2007 ... Abu Dhabi's Taxi and Hire Car Regulation Centre today announced that seven UAE-based companies have been awarded the franchise for operating and managing the new taxi network in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. In line with Law No. 19 of the year 2006, H.E. Abdulla Rashid Al Otaiba, Chairman of ...
Nokia Siemens Networks ready to provide industry leading product portfolio to MTC.
Jun 03, 2007 ... In light of its new operations in the region, Nokia Siemens Networks tied up with MTC, the leading mobile telecommunications provider in the Middle East and Africa region, to showcase its latest product portfolio in Amman, Jordan last month. Under the theme "Let's build a passionate ...
iwc launch new big ingenieur watch with 7 day reserve.
Jun 03, 2007 ... IWC Schaffhausen, the luxury Swiss watch manufacturer, has launched a new version of its famous line of Ingenieur watches. The new Big Ingenieur has a large 45.5 mm case that houses the company's unique 51112 calibre movement and patented Pellaton automatic winding system. The movement ...
bnp paribas to regroup its expertise in asset management under the brand name bnp paribas investment partners.
Jun 03, 2007 ... In just a few years, BNP Paribas' Asset Management has achieved widely recognised expertise across a range of innovative products and new markets. These specialised capabilities have now been brought together under the brand name of BNP Paribas Investment Partners, to offer investors easy ...
rosewood hotels & resorts gives summer opening TO STUNNING NEW JEDDAH PROPERTY.
Jun 03, 2007 ... Jeddah's ultra luxury five-star hotel, Rosewood Corniche, a Rosewood Hotel & Resort, will open this summer offering elegance, luxury and unparalleled personal service for business and leisure travellers in Saudi Arabia. Rosewood Corniche, the latest in the Rosewood collection, ...
Gala Dinner Marks Amlak Finance Commitment to Egypt.
Jun 03, 2007 ... Nasser al Shaikh, Chairman, Amlak Finance, the pioneer in home finance in the UAE, hosted a reception yesterday attended by His Excellency Ibrahim Hafez, the General Council to the Egyptian Ambassador, and Engr. Hisham AbdulGhani, Chairman of the Egyptian Business Council in the UAE. ...
APP Holds "One-Stop Paper Solution Road-Show" In Cairo.(APP Jordan introducing new products in the road show)
Jun 03, 2007 ... APP Jordan, the official representative of Asia Pulp and Paper Co, held a "One-Stop Paper Solution" roadshow in the Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza in Egypt, on 23 May. The roadshow, which was organized and attended by high-profile APP officials, comes as part of company efforts to ...
Abraaj Capital closes largest private equity transaction in history of Middle East and North Africa.
Jun 03, 2007 ... Abraaj Capital, the premier investment firm specialising in private equity investment in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MENASA) region, announced today the closing of the largest private equity acquisition in the history of the Middle East and North Africa. Abraaj ...
tabreed inks two major deals with aldar to provide cooling worth 1 million tons of refrigeration.(ALDAR Properties contracts)
Jun 03, 2007 ... Tabreed, the Middle East's award-winning district cooling pioneer has signed two major deals with ALDAR Properties, Abu Dhabi's leading real estate developer, to provide cooling services worth 1 Million Tons of Refrigeration (TR) to two of its prestigious projects. The ...
Emirates Computers Wins Cisco 'Best Enterprise Partner' Award.(awards)
Jun 03, 2007 ... Emirates Computers announced that it has won the Cisco 'Best Enterprise Partner' award at the recently held Cisco Partnership Summit, gaining recognition for exceptional performance and strong technical expertise in the implementation and support of Cisco solutions for enterprise ...
Refill Through Batelco Electronic Channels and Receive Extra Credit.(Bahrain Telecommunications Company B.S.C.)
Jun 03, 2007 ... Batelco, Bahrain's leading mobile operator is offering customers extra credit when they refill their SimSim account through Batelco's electronic channels. Batelco's e-refill channels are IVR (interactive voice response) by calling 196, Quick Serve Machines, Batelco website ...
National Bank of Dubai opens branch in Dubai Festival City.
Jun 03, 2007 ... National Bank of Dubai (NBD) has opened its 41st branch in Dubai Festival City in line with its strategy to expand in strategic locations close to growing customer base. The new branch was inaugurated by R. Douglas Dowie, Group Chief Executive of National Bank of Dubai along ...
CitySpace gears up for 'Workplace Freedom' seminars.
Jun 03, 2007 ... As Dubai firmly establishes its place on the global map of innovative design, multinational corporations are busier than ever setting up their offices in the growing business zones. A key challenge for facilities managers and designers alike is how to strike the right balance between ...
Canon Middle East set for the Next Stage of Innovation and Growth.(Canon Middle East FZ-LLC)
Jun 03, 2007 ... Canon Middle East set for the Next Stage of Innovation and GrowthCanon Middle East, a world leader in imaging and information technology solutions for individuals and businesses, today announced the appointment of Bertil Widmark as Managing Director, effective June 1st, 2007.Widmark, ...
Hollywood actress Penelope Cruz joins MasterCard Priceless Moments eBay charity auction.
Jun 03, 2007 ... Oscar-nominated Hollywood actress, Penelope Cruz is the latest high-profile movie star to pledge her support to the MasterCard Priceless Moments eBay charity auction. One lucky bidder will have the opportunity to accompany the breathtakingly beautiful star actress to the opening of her ...
Canon Middle East set for the Next Stage of Innovation and Growth.
Jun 03, 2007 ... Canon Middle East, a world leader in imaging and information technology solutions for individuals and businesses, today announced the appointment of Bertil Widmark as Managing Director, effective immediately.Widmark, previously the Marketing Director of Canon Svenska, has served the ...
New Drug in the Treatment of Abdominal Obesity with Associated Risk Factors.
Jun 03, 2007 ... Sanofi-Aventis today announced the launch of Acomplia (rimonabant), their new scientific drug for the treatment of abdominally obese patients with cardio metabolic risk cluster. The drug has received approval from the European Medicines Evaluation Agency (EMEA) to be used in combination ...
Hill International accredited for ISO 9001.(International Organization for Standardization)(Brief article)
Jun 03, 2007 ... Hill International has recently achieved ISO 9001 accreditation by developing a Quality Management System underlining the efficiency of all business operations carried out by Hill. "The ISO certification is a testimony to Hill's commitment to operating under global international ...