In Monday's Middle East papers

19 May 2008 04:30  [Source: ICIS news]

Front Page

Lebanon talks in Doha make progress
Lebanese government and opposition leaders made progress towards ending their political crisis on Sunday but disagreements over Hezbollah’s weapons remained a problem to a Qatari-mediated deal.

12 killed in Johannesburg clashes
South African police said on Sunday that at least 12 people had been killed in Johannesburg since Friday in a wave of violence directed at immigrants

Business

New industrial estate to be set up in Al Mabaila
The Sultanate’s government,  in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing, is planning to establish a new industrial estate in Al Mabaila Region. 

Bahrain to host business forum
The Federation of GCC Chamber of Commerce will organise the Business and Money Forum in Bahrain on June 3 and 4.

KHALEEJ TIMES

Front Page

Bin Laden calls on Muslims to end Gaza blockade
Osama bin Laden has called on Muslims to help lift the Israeli blockade on the Hamas-run Gaza Strip, in an audio message purportedly recorded by the Al-Qaeda chief and posted on the Internet Sunday.

Bush lectures on politics, women's rights
President George Bush lectured the Arab world on Sunday about everything from political repression to the denial of women's rights but ran into Palestinian complaints he is favoring Israel in stalled Mideast peace talks.

Business

New $1bn regional energy fund launched
A new regional energy fund was launched at the World Economic Forum once again highlighting the power of regional funds in the energy sector.

Tecom plans three acquisitions as it expands overseas
Tecom Investments plans to buy as many as three companies in 2008 as it uses earnings from Gulf real estate to expand overseas.

ARAB TIMES

Front Page

US soldier riddles Koran with bullets in Iraq
An American soldier has been disciplined and ordered from Iraq, the US military said on Sunday, for using a copy of the Koran for target practice at a shooting range near Baghdad.

Kuwaitis vote for Islamists, tribesmen; not women
No women made it to Kuwait's legislature as voters in the Gulf Arab state ushered back in many Islamist and tribal politicians from the previous house, which could mean further stagnation in economic reform.

Business

Bush says oil boost a start, but doesn’t solve US woes
US President George Bush said Saturday that the Saudis’ modest increase in oil production is “something but it doesn’t solve our problem” of soaring gas prices.

Kuwait’s Agility posts 10% fall in Q1 net profit
Kuwait’s Agility, the Gulf’s biggest logistics provider by market value, posted a 10% fall in first-quarter profit, a company official said on Saturday

ARAB NEWS

Front Page

Prince Khaled impressed by SJAHI’s achievements
Hundreds of Saudis have graduated from the Saudi Japanese Automobile High Institute (SJAHI) over the years and the local agents and distributors of Japanese vehicles have employed them.

Doha talks make progress but hurdles remain
Lebanese leaders made progress toward ending their political crisis yesterday but talks foundered on the second day of the Qatar-hosted meetings as Hezbollah stuck to its refusal to discuss any possibility it would give up its weapons.

Business

US-Led capitalist system headed for collapse?
Oil prices continue to rise and rise, with no end in sight. Virtually all other commodities seem to be following to be the same suit. Some now say a new economic system is emerging from the ashes of the old and now crumbling financial structure.

Experts focus on Islamic finance amid US skepticism
Against a backdrop of an increasingly uncertain global financial environment underlined by a credit crunch due to investments in dodgy subprime US mortgages.

TEHRAN TIMES

Front Page

“Horton” hears a rhythmic who
Veteran actor and dubber Morteza Ahmadi was hired by the Young Voice Actors Forum (YVAF) to give a rhythmic voiceover narration to “Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who”, a 2008 production of 20th Century Fox.

Iran’s futsal team crowned Asian champions
Iran’s futsal team clinched ninth championship title by thrashing Thailand 3-0 in the 10th AFC Futsal Championship 2008 on Sunday in Bangkok, Thailand.

ALJAZEERA

Front Page

China declares mourning period
China has declared three days of national mourning exactly one week after a devastating earthquake struck in the southwest province of Sichuan.

Myanmar general visits survivors
Myanmar's military leader has finally visited cyclone survivors on the outskirts of Yangon, more than two weeks after Nargis struck.

Business

Oil price scales new high          
US oil prices have shot up to a record high, about $128/bbl, despite an announcement of increased supply from Saudi Arabia.

Airbus confirms further A380 delay
Airbus, the European aviation giant, has said that it will fall short of planned deliveries until 2010 of its A380 superjumbo in a new setback for the world's biggest passenger jet.

THE DAILY STAR

Front Page

Qatari emir steps up as talks make halting progress
Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani weighed in on the third day of talks his country his hosting among opposition and  pro-government leaders from Lebanon.

MEA boss shrugs off losses inflicted by recent closure
Middle East Airlines (MEA)  is still determined to expand its fleet despite losses the company incurred during the week-long closure of Rafik Hariri International Airport, the company's chairman, Mohammad Hout, said on Friday.

Business

Resumption of dialogue breathes life back into BSE
The resumption of dialogue between Lebanon's rival factions in Doha gave a boost to Beirut Stock Exchange on Friday with Solidere shares climbing to more than $28. BLOM Stock Index.

Forex? What is it, anyway?
The currency trading (FOREX) market is the biggest and the fastest growing market on earth.

GULF DAILY NEWS

No update

By: Staff Reporter
+44 20 8652 3214

For the latest chemical news, data and analysis that directly impacts your business sign up for a free trial to ICIS news - the breaking online news service for the global chemical industry.

Get the facts and analysis behind the headlines from our market leading weekly magazine: sign up to a free trial to ICIS Chemical Business.

Printer Friendly