In Friday's Middle East papers

03 July 2009 05:00  [Source: ICIS news]

OMAN TRIBUNE

Front page

N Korea fires four short-range missiles
North Korea on Thursday test-fired four short-range missiles, South Korean military officials said, further fuelling tension sparked by its nuclear standoff with the international community.

Doomed Air France plane hit sea intact
The Air France plane that crashed into the Atlantic last month hit the water intact and at high speed but was missing for six hours before an emergency was declared, French investigators said on Thursday.

Business

Iraq mulls over second round for oilfields bidding
Iraq plans to bring forward a second bidding round for major energy contracts and may give foreign firms another run at oilfields that were left over after this week’s sale, which clinched only one deal.

US auto sales stabilise, Ford running on top gear
Automakers welcomed a 28% drop in US auto sales in June as a sign that the badly hit industry was stabilising and expressed hope on Wednesday that a government-funded "cash for clunkers" programme would drive vehicle sales in July.

KHALEEJ TIMES

Front page

US Marines launch key operation in south Afghanistan
Thousands of US Marines stormed deep into Taliban territory in an Afghan valley on Thursday, marking the start of a major new effort by the Obama administration to regain the initiative in the war.

US Vice President Biden visits Baghdad
Vice President Joe Biden, on a previously unannounced visit to Baghdad on Thursday to meet Iraqi leaders, US military commanders and troops, said he was optimistic about Iraq’s future but much work remained.

Business

UAE Banks in talks with Saudi debtors
UAE banks that are owed money by two cash-strapped Saudi business groups have begun debt-restructuring talks with the borrowers and were awaiting advice from the UAE Central Bank about how much money to provide against potential losses, bankers said on Thursday.

China talks tough over trade protectionism
Many Western politicians have accused China of trade protectionism in recent months, sometimes with reason and sometimes apparently seeking a convenient economic scapegoat.

ARAB TIMES

Front page

Malaysia opposition split in pig abattoir dispute
Malaysia's opposition alliance struggled to settle an ethnic dispute on Thursday after Muslim officials decided to demolish a pig slaughterhouse, angering their ethnic Chinese allies.

Somalia, Iraq most dangerous places for minorities: NGO
Somalia remains the world's most dangerous country for minority groups, followed by Iraq, Sudan, Afghanistan and Myanmar, a leading human rights group said on Thursday.

Business

No new updates

ARAB NEWS

Front page

Kingdom, Sweden team up to promote green diplomacy
Saudi Arabia will be a partner of a major European initiative called Green Public Diplomacy, which calls for intensified efforts to create green environment, control pollution on a global level, adopt environmental-friendly technology and encourage journalists to write more on environmental issues, according to Swedish Ambassador Jan Thesleff.

US troops strike at Taleban heartland
Thousands of US Marines poured into Afghanistan’s Taleban heartland yesterday, quickly capturing a district in the first major assault of President Barack Obama’s new war plan.

Business

Hike in fuel prices mars Indian budget session
The Indian government’s month long budget session began on a stormy note yesterday with legislators belonging to opposition parties shouting slogans against the hike in petrol and diesel prices that came into effect at 12 am.

OPEC and IEA agree not to disagree - a good omen for the industry
The IEA and OPEC are different organisations. Their briefs are different. They represent two worlds, two distinct interest groups and two schools of thought.

TEHRAN TIMES

No new updates

ALJAZEERA

Front page

Honduras wavers on Zelaya vote
The Honduran military-backed interim government has sent mixed messages about using the ballot box to resolve the crisis sparked by a coup against the country’s elected president.

US forces target Taliban stronghold
US forces have launched a major military operation in southern Afghanistan in the first big push to drive the Taliban out of a stronghold since Barack Obama became US president.

Business

Eurozone jobless hits ten-year high
Unemployment in the 16-nation euro zone has climbed to 9.5%, its highest rate in a decade, EU data shows.

US data shows unemployment on rise
About 467,000 people in the US lost their jobs in June, raising the national unemployment rate to a 26-year-high of 9.5%, data from the US labour department has shown.

THE DAILY STAR

Front page

Hariri wants to include ‘broadest assortment’ of parties in cabinet
Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri is determined to shape a national-unity cabinet that includes "the broadest assortment of political parties," sources close to the March 14 Forces told The Daily Star on Thursday.

Lebanon again plagued by power rationing amid tourist influx
Lebanon is once again experiencing severe electricity rationing this summer as thousands of Lebanese and Arab visitors flock to the country, increasing strain on power stations that meet less than 60% of the country’s electricity needs.

Business

Fitch affirms Bank Audi at ‘B-’ outlook stable
Fitch Ratings has affirmed Lebanon-based Bank Audi SAL’s (Bank Audi) ratings at Long-term Issuer Default (IDR) ‘B-’ with Stable Outlook, Short-term IDR ‘B,’ Individual ‘D’ and Support ‘5,’ The Support Rating Floor is affirmed at ‘CCC.’

Capital intelligence raises Lebanon's rating to stable
Capital Intelligence, the international credit rating agency, on Thursday announced that it has raised Lebanon's long-term foreign and local currency ratings to ‘B’ from ‘B-’ (B minus).

GULF DAILY NEWS

Front page

German heiress wins divorce case in UK
Britain’s Court of Appeal has ruled that a pre-nuptial agreement made overseas is still valid in Britain, a decision that could have far-reaching implications for those going through divorce.

Passengers rap ‘flying coffins’
Furious passengers disembarking from Yemenia’s first flight to the Comoros since its Flight 626 crashed off the archipelago on Tuesday, described the company's planes as "flying coffins".

Business

GFH denies merger talks
Bahrain-based Islamic investment bank Gulf Finance House (GFH) yesterday denied it is was in talks to merge with Kuwait's First Investment Bank or any other bank, dismissing a media report.

BSB takeover offer extended
Bahrain's Al Salam Bank has extended its takeover offer for Bahraini Saudi Bank (BSB) to July 12 after buying 80.2% of the bank in an offer that expired June 28, Al Salam said yesterday.

By: Staff Reporter
+44 20 8652 3214

< previous article(VIDEO - ICIS news Europe Lunchtime Bulletin 27 October 2009)

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