Middle East back issues from December 2007:
COMMENT
Dec 01, 2007; ... I don't claim to have the ear of presidents or prime ministers, but I don't need them to know there is trouble brewing with Iran. I remain pretty confident that, even if George Bush is right about President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's aspirations to build a nuclear bomb - which I doubt at this ...
Turning the tables
Dec 01, 2007; ... The United States has recruited 50,000 Iraqi Sunnis who quit the insurgency to fight Al Qaeda, but the strategy could backfire. BY ED BLANCHE AN AL QAEDA suicide bomber blew himself up in a mosque in Baiji, an oil refinery town in Iraq's Salahuddin province, north of Baghdad, on 8 ...
The long road to nowhere
Dec 01, 2007; ... MEL FRYKBERG reports from the Occupied Territories The yawning chasm between the Israeli and Palestinian negotiating teams during discussions held last month in Jerusalem, as a prelude to this month's Middle East peace conference to be held in Annapolis in the US, was clearly evident ....
Democracy at our own pace
Dec 01, 2007; ... OMAN ELECTIONS Oman's Majlis A'Shura elections returned some surprising results when possibly the most female friendly state in the Gulf returned no women candidates to the consultative council. PAT LANCASTER reports from the Sultanate. DISAPPOINTING BUT DEMOCRATIC, was a popular ...
Civilians in the line of fire
Dec 01, 2007; ... After several months of relative quiet in the Gaza Strip, following serious infighting between Fatah and Hamas gunmen in June, clashes again broke out in October, leaving seven Palestinians dead and dozens wounded. The unprecedented attack on Palestinian civilians in June by Palestinian ...
Light at the end of the tunnel
Dec 01, 2007; ... After the sound of fury of Turkey's European Union woes last year, the partial suspension of the country's membership talks has in fact caused little upset to its financial markets and economic performance, as JON GORVETT reports from Istanbul. THIS SMOOTH RUNNING shows some underlying ...
What Tony did next
Dec 01, 2007; ... WHEN TONY BLAIR formally announced he would be stepping down as prime minister of the United Kingdom, speculation as to what his new career would be began. Mortgage debt running into the millions of pounds led most to assume he would join the lucrative United States lecturing circuit ...
Putin visit exposes deep divisions in Tehran
Dec 01, 2007; ... A VISIT TO TEHRAN by President Vladimir Putin of Russia threw the political elite of Iran into turmoil, when Putin used the occasion to go over the head of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad - his host at a regional conference - by tabling a crucial proposal on Iran's controversial pursuit of ...
Dollar slide: Is the Gulf ready to cut loose?
Dec 01, 2007; ... No doubt about it, the dollar is in trouble and things look set to get worse before they get better. With oil prices standing at $90+ a barrel, the coffers of oil-producing states are bulging, but in real terms the scenario is giving rise to serious and widespread concern. BY PAMELA ANN ...
Once more a nation
Dec 01, 2007; ... The newly independent nation of Montenegro, where Muslims constitute more than 4% of the population, will be looking towards the Middle East and its Arab investors to propel it into a new era of prosperity. ADEL DARWISH reports from Podgorica On 22 October, Skupstina Republike Crne Gore ...
Taking the LNG road
Dec 01, 2007; ... The efforts of Gulf governments to diversify their economies are almost as well documented as their oil wealth. Yet while attempts to promote the growth of new sectors have not recorded unparalleled success, the drive towards liquefied natural gas (LNG) development has proved more fruitful, ...
A financial wind of change
Dec 01, 2007; ... The 20 september offer by Börse Dubai to acquire a 19.9% stake in Nasdaq has raised questions about American interests in the age of global terrorism, much like the 2006 ill-fated Dubai Ports Authority's failed takeover of six US ports. "It's different when a foreign government takes ...
Third generation drama
Dec 01, 2007; ... TURKEY'S LEADING MOBILE operator received something of a blow earlier this year, following the cancellation in September of its successful bid for an A-type third generation (3G) mobile phone licence - the greatest bandwidth from a total of four. Though offering 321m euros (excluding ...
Closing the gap in the Middle East
Dec 01, 2007; ... THE TOP 100 COMPANIES IT IS OFTEN argued that statistics can be used to prove anything and this year's survey of the Top 100 Companies in the Middle East is a case in point. The combined market capitalisation of the top three companies in this year's table is massively down on last ...
Foreign Direct Investment into ME & MENA regions soar by over 50%
Dec 01, 2007; ... The Arab world stretching from Morocco to Oman is becoming more integrated into the global economy and is competing for a larger share of foreign investment by multinational corporations. This trend will have a favourable impact on economic growth and job creation, especially in countries ...
The Oman experience
Dec 01, 2007; ... In the West, during the cold winter months, those seeking sunnier climes are drawn towards travel books and brochures to plan where to head for some restorative sunshine. Traditionally, the 'biggest' holidays were taken in the summer months when children were on a break from education ...
Football for peace
Dec 01, 2007; ... AT A TIME of little optimism over any sort of PalestinianIsraeli peace deal any time soon, there is a faint twinkling of hope on the horizon in the shape of a scheme that began back in 2001. The aim of the scheme was to see if a sport-based coexistence project could bring the children of ...
Caramel
Dec 01, 2007; ... Caramel CARAMEL IS THE first feature film from Lebanese actress/ director Nadine Labaki. As its title suggests, the film is a sweet-hearted confection, a kaleidoscopic look at the lives and loves of five women working in a Beirut beauty salon. Leaving Lebanon's recent political troubles ...
Our daily bread
Dec 01, 2007; ... IT IS SAID that some people 'live to eat', while others 'eat to live'. Average Egyptians, accustomed to parsimony in everything, belong to the latter category. Each city block in Cairo hosts several grocery stores, but their shelves are stocked with identical staples: sugar, rice, tomato paste, ...
THE RED SEA TERROR TRIANGLE
Dec 01, 2007; ... THE RED SEA TERROR TRIANGLE SUDAN, SOMALIA, YEMEN, AND ISLAMIC TERROR by Shaul Shay published by Transaction Publishers ISBN O 7658 0247 3 price $29.95 hardback In the aftermath of the terror campaign launched on 11 September, 2001, the United States declared war against global terror ....
THE TRUTH ABOUT SYRIA
Dec 01, 2007; ... THE TRUTH ABOUT SYRIA By Barry Rubin published by Palgrave Macmillan ISBN 978 14039 8273 5 price £14.99 hardback Syria has long presented a problem for the Middle East region and US policy, a volatile and secretive country, which has a diverse ethnic population, serious levels of ...
CAN FAITHS MAKE PEACE?
Dec 01, 2007; ... CAN FAITHS MAKE PEACE? HOLY WARS AND THE RESOLUTION OF RELIGIOUS CONFLICTS Edited by Philip Broadhead & Damien Keown published by IB Tau ris ISBN 1 84511 276 9 price £47.50 hardback It is often alleged that religion is a major cause of war and dissent. History is littered with the ...
PALESTINIAN EMBROIDERY MOTIFS
Dec 01, 2007; ... PALESTINIAN EMBROIDERY MOTIFS A TREASURY OF STITCHES 1850-1950 By Margarita Skinner in association with Widad Kawar Published by Melisende and Rimal ISBN 9781901764 47 5 price £14.95 paperback Embroidery is one of the oldest crafts in the Arab world, and the heritage of embroidery is one ...
RELIGION, CULTURE AND POLITICS IN IRAN
Dec 01, 2007; ... RELIGION, CULTURE AND POLITICS IN IRAN FROM THE QAJARS TO KHOMEINI By Joanna De Groot published by IB TAURIS ISBN 978 186064 571 6 price £39.50 hard back Iranians have always had an ambivalent attitude to religion. Throughout its history over the last 13 hundred years, the avowedly ...
THE NEW CENTRAL ASIA
Dec 01, 2007; ... THE NEW CENTRAL ASIA GEOPOLITICS AND THE BIRTH OF NATIONS By Olivier Roy published by IB TAURIS ISBN 978 184511 552 4 price £16.99 paperback In The New Central Asia Olivier Roy examines the political development of Central Asia, from the Russian conquests to the 'War on Terror' and ...
THE LAST WORD
Dec 01, 2007; ... IN NOVEMBER, ON THE very spot where Howard Carter and Lord Caernarvon stood 85 years earlier to announce their stunning discovery of the intact tomb of Tutankhamun, Egyptologist Zahi Hawass, head of Egypt's Supreme Board of Antiquities and in charge of the largest, richest and most diverse ...
Outsourced Facilities Management sector in GCC to cross AED 36.7 billion by 2012.
Dec 01, 2007 ... The multitudes of modern skyscrapers, manmade islands and megaprojects that dominate the GCC skyline have resulted in an unprecedented growth in the region's construction sector. This flurry of construction activities in turn has spawned the need for top-end benchmarks to ensure the ...
preston bailey, the world's pre-eminent event designer, arrives in bahrain to direct the launch event for durrat al bahrain's new brand.
Dec 02, 2007 ... Preston Bailey, the world's pre-eminent event designer, arrived in Bahrain today to direct tomorrow night's evening VIP event to launch Durrat Al Bahrain's new brand. Preston and his team of event designers have flown in from New York to transform the Banyan Tree Hotel and ...
safety fears deny team abu dhabi opportunity to clinch merc title - final 3 stages of dubai international rally cancelled on safety grounds.(Middle East Rally Championship )
Dec 02, 2007 ... Team Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi was disappointed to concede the Middle East Rally Championship (MERC) after his challenge was halted by the cancellation of the Dubai International Rally - which was stopped on 'grounds of safety' after 11 stages. Two points clear heading into the ...
hilton hotels entices saudi market.
Dec 02, 2007 ... Hilton Hotels from the Middle East and Europe gather at the Jeddah Hilton next week (December 2-4) to promote their properties to the Saudi travel trade market. The Hilton Roadshow kicks off in Jeddah and will move onto Riyadh and Al Khobar, showcasing a myriad of offers for ...
NCB Capital launches world's first Shariah compliant "al Ahli global real estate fund".
Dec 02, 2007 ... NCB Capital, the investment and asset management arm of the National Commercial Bank, has introduced the world's first Shariah compliant "AlAhli Global Real Estate Fund" (GREF), a fund that invests in companies whose activities are in real estate development across the world. ...
IWC to open new boutique in Abu Dhabi - Swiss watch exports to UAE cross AED 131 million.
Dec 02, 2007 ... Swiss watch exports to the UAE crossed AED 131 million by September 2007 up by 61% over the same period last year as leading luxury Swiss watch manufacturer IWC announced regional market expansion plans with the opening of a new boutique in Abu Dhabi. The new showroom will ...
"Outsourced Facilities Management to cross AED 36.7 billion by 2012" - Fountain.
Dec 02, 2007 ... The multitudes of modern skyscrapers, manmade islands and megaprojects that dominate the GCC skyline have resulted in an unprecedented growth in the region's construction sector. This flurry of construction activities in turn has spawned the need for top-end benchmarks to ensure the ...
montblanc displays unique pen with uae flag to mark 36th national day.(Brief article)
Dec 02, 2007 ... Luxury goods manufacturer Montblanc, globally recognized for its classic timepieces, jewelry, leather goods and writing instruments has put on display a unique pen embellished with diamonds representing the colors of the UAE flag. "As the country celebrates the 36th anniversary ...
saudi, oman enthusiasts swell motor parade to mark uae's 36th anniversary.
Dec 02, 2007 ... Motor enthusiasts from Saudi Arabia and Oman will join contemporaries from across the UAE for a parade through Dubai tomorrow (Saturday) as part of a special event being staged to mark the 36th Anniversary of the formation of the UAE. Well over 200 custom cars, trucks, SUVs, sports cars, ...
Bahrain Bay attracts $125 million investment from major Kuwaiti developer.(Company overview)
Dec 02, 2007 ... Bahrain Bay Development B.S.C.(c) announced today that it has signed a land purchase agreement with Salhia Real Estate Company (SREC), the Kuwaiti property developer to acquire land and develop a prestige commercial and retail tower with an expected value in excess of $125 million. ...
ACI Real Estate officially launches the Niki Lauda Twin Towers in Dubai.
Dec 02, 2007 ... ACI Real Estate yesterday officially launched the Niki Lauda Twin Towers in Dubai. The launch came along side the 36th anniversary celebrations of UAE's formation, with ACI participating in the National Day celebrations at Live Dubai as Platinum sponsor. Niki Lauda, the legendary Formula 1 ...
Bahrain: Investcorp announces registration of Gulf Opportunity Fund.(Gulf Opportunity Fund I)(Central Bank of Bahrain)
Dec 02, 2007 ... Investcorp has announced today the completion of the registration of its Gulf Opportunity Fund I with the Central Bank of Bahrain. Gulf Opportunity Fund I is the private equity fund of Investcorp's Gulf Growth Capital line of business. Gulf Growth Capital co-head, Christophe de ...
Spokesman: Iran not afraid of new sanctions.(Brief article)
Dec 02, 2007 ... Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini on Sunday stressed that imposing new sanctions will have no effect on Iran. Talking to reporters, he said, "If the Group 5+1 member states are interested in transparent-seeking attitudes, the process followed up by the Islamic ...
DAMAC Starts Enabling Woks for Business Projects in Jordan.
Dec 02, 2007 ... After completing the preliminary work for its residential sites in Amman, DAMAC Properties, the largest private sector master developer and luxury lifestyle provider has announced the appointment of M/s. Issa Haddadin & Partners Construction Co. as the enabling works contractor for its ...
durrat al bahrain launches new brand.
Dec 02, 2007 ... Durrat Al Bahrain, the Kingdom's largest planned luxury residential, commercial and tourist resort development, last night launched its new brand.Created around the central brand idea of "urban living, island style", the new brand will act as a focus and inspiration for everything that ...
gcc fm sector is worth aed 17.72 billion & growing @ a cagr of 15.3%.
Dec 02, 2007 ... The multitudes of modern skyscrapers, manmade islands and megaprojects that dominate the GCC skyline have resulted in an unprecedented growth in the region's construction sector. This flurry of construction activities in turn has spawned the need for top-end benchmarks to ensure the ...
The Red Sea Institute of Cinematic Arts Now Accepting Applications to its MFA Program in Cinematic Arts.
Dec 02, 2007 ... The Red Sea Institute of Cinematic Arts (RSICA) is now open for admissions as of November 1st 2007. Opening its doors in September 2008, RSICA is set to be a unique graduate school offering a Masters of Fine Arts Degree in Cinematic Arts to a small group of exceptionally ...
The 14th Annual World Islamic Banking Conference to set new records as the.(World Islamic Banking Conference)(Conference news)
Dec 02, 2007 ... A new attendance record is set to be achieved as 1,000 delegates representing the decision-makers of the world's leading Islamic financial institution will gather at the 14th annual World Islamic Banking Conference (WIBC) at the Gulf International Convention Centre in Bahrain. Speaking ...
global homeland security spending expected to triple to aed 653 billion by 2015.
Dec 02, 2007 ... The global homeland security business is flourishing and governments and businesses worldwide are expected this year to spend over AED 216 billion ($59 billion) to thwart terrorists and secure their home countries, denoting a six-fold increase from 2000 figures, according to industry ...
special hilton and visa offer launches for residents in egypt.
Dec 02, 2007 ... Local and expatriate residents of Egypt can now enjoy a special discount when staying at Hilton properties in Egypt when paying with their VISA cards.VISA cardholders staying at all Hilton Hotels will receive a 10 per cent discount off the local package rate when paying with their VISA ...
Abu Dhabi sets new world record on UAE National Day.
Dec 02, 2007 ... Falcon Aviation Services LLC (FAS), a wholly owned company of HH Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nayhan, Member of the Executive Council, took to the skies over Abu Dhabi on UAE National Day to set a new world record for the largest aerial banner ever flown. Measuring in excess ...
ADC signs deal with AERO Wings for Industry to set up assembly plant for light aircraft and engines at KHIA.
Dec 02, 2007 ... Under the Patronage of Eng. Nader Al Dahabi, ASEZA Chief Commissioner, the Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC) signed an agreement with AERO Wings for Industry, which is a subsidiary of AlDhaher Group, to establish an assembly plant for light planes and engines at Aqaba's King Hussein ...
SABIC affiliate IBN RUSHD increases capital to SR8.51 billion - GIF enters as a partner.
Dec 02, 2007 ... At an extraordinary general meeting held yesterday (December 1, 2007), at IBN RUSHD headquarters in Yanbu industrial city, the SABIC affiliate, the Arabian Industrial Fibers Company (IBN RUSH) approved the General Investments Fund (GIF) as a partner in IBN RUSHD. It also approved: ...
Jordan Telecom Group reduces IP connectivity prices by 25%.
Dec 02, 2007 ... Jordan Telecom Group (JTG), the leading integrated telecommunications provider in the Kingdom, announced during a press conference held yesterday the reduction of the internet protocol (IP) connectivity costs by 25%. The press conference, which was held at the InterContinental ...
GCC hotel development hits US$ 18 billion.
Dec 03, 2007 ... Demand for exhibition space at The Hotel Show is being driven by developers who have committed around $18 billion to new hotel developments across the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries. Current hotel projects in firm planning or construction phases show the United Arab ...
The Investment Dar to market US$300 million syndicated Murabaha facility in Asia.
Dec 03, 2007 ... The Investment Dar, the Kuwait-based Islamic investment company, is targeting investment opportunities in Asia, with the launch of a proposed US$300 million syndicated murabaha facility. In a press statement made after an Asian marketing tour in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur by ...
Gulf Metal Craft (GMC) expands product range.(Gulf Metal Craft LLC)
Dec 03, 2007 ... Gulf Metal Craft (GMC) LLC, a subsidiary of M'sharie, the private equity arm of Dubai Investments PJSC, has announced that it has recently commenced production of cable management systems, in line with its strategy to expand its product portfolio. Nedhal Al Thani, General ...
Dubai set to emerge as one of world's most competitive maritime clusters.
Dec 03, 2007 ... DNV Maritime Solutions, the maritime consulting arm of the Det Norske Veritas (DNV), has announced that it has completed a comprehensive study on global maritime clusters, which reveals that Dubai is set to emerge as one of the world's most competitive maritime clusters in the near future ....
xerox cascades color throughout the office.
Dec 03, 2007 ... xerox cascades color throughout the office More Xerox technology offers more choices, more color Xerox MEA is creating a wave of color for the office with new multifunction products. Building on the industry's broadest product portfolio that offers customers wide choices for ...
wfp urges more support for vulnerable iraqis in syria.
Dec 03, 2007 ... wfp urges more support for vulnerable iraqis in syria The United Nations World Food Programme today announced that it will scale up efforts to provide basic food assistance to the most vulnerable Iraqi refugees in Syria and called on the international community to support its growing ...
tippingpoint to sponsor 2007 annual global banktech expansion executive congress.
Dec 03, 2007 ... tippingpoint to sponsor 2007 annual global banktech expansion executive congress TippingPoint to address network security and compliance requirements for major banks and financial institutions TippingPoint, a leader in intrusion prevention, today announced their ...
iwc to open new boutique in abu dhabi.
Dec 03, 2007 ... iwc to open new boutique in abu dhabi Swiss watch exports to UAE cross AED 131 million as luxury brand announces expansion Swiss watch exports to the UAE crossed AED 131 million by September 2007 up by 61% over the same period last year as leading luxury Swiss watch ...
public invited to view murano sand-sculpture.
Dec 03, 2007 ... public invited to view murano sand-sculpture The artistic design and styling that characterises the Nissan Murano SUV has been celebrated with a unique work of art now on display at Arabian Automobiles Company's showrooms in Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai. Australian ...
Saraya announces its new headquarters in Amman.(Brief article)
Dec 03, 2007 ... Saraya, a real estate development and asset management company that invests in the travel and tourism in the world, announced today the development of its Headquarters in the Abdali New downtown in Amman-Jordan. Saraya has acquired a 3,592 m2 land parcel in Abdali, where it will build its ...
pro technology launches the world's first 2.5" hard disk with 300 gb storage.
Dec 03, 2007 ... pro technology launches the world's first 2.5" hard disk with 300 gb storage Freecom's 175-gram slim hard drive expected to generate high sales in the Middle East region PRO TECHnology, a leading provider of communication, security and storage solutions, has ...
islamic art on display at art and antiques dubai, the region's leading art and antiques fair.
Dec 03, 2007 ... islamic art on display at art and antiques dubai, the region's leading art and antiques fair 'Outstanding quality and rarity are essential for buyers,' Says London-based dealer "Art and Antiques Dubai, the region's leading art and antiques fair, will showcase a ...
international petroleum technology conference begins tomorrow in dubai.(Conference news)
Dec 03, 2007 ... international petroleum technology conference begins tomorrow in dubai Over 3,000 Technical Experts and Executives from World's Largest Oil and Gas Companies Discuss Key Challenges and Opportunities The International Petroleum Technology Conference (IPTC) - one of ...
benq rewards 10 channel partners with switzerland trip.(Company overview)
Dec 03, 2007 ... benq rewards 10 channel partners with switzerland trip Leading digital lifestyle brand devises "The BenQ Ten" channel incentive scheme Global leader in networked lifestyle solutions, BenQ, has recently honoured ten of its best performing channel partners in the Middle ...
air miles helps 'all as one' children's charity reach for the sky.
Dec 03, 2007 ... air miles helps 'all as one' children's charity reach for the skyEvent secures the purchase of six acres of land for Sierra Leone orphanage The recent exclusive 'An Evening for Africa with Sir Bob Geldof' event sponsored by Air Miles, the Middle East's leading multi-participant ...