In Wednesday's Middle East papers

21 November 2007 04:30  [Source: ICIS news]

MUMBAI (ICIS news)--These were the top stories at 4:30 GMT in the following Middle-East newspapers’ online versions on Wednesday. ICIS has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. To go to the individual websites, click the links below:

The Times of Oman
Front Page

Olmert holds talks in Egypt on peace conference
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, seeking wide Arab participation in next week's peace conference in the US, held talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

43 detained after Baghdad shooting: US military
Iraqi troops detained 43 people, among them Sri Lankans, Nepalese and Iraqis, after a shooting incident involving the convoy of a private security company in Baghdad, the US military said Tuesday.

Business

NBO bags ‘Best Corporate Social Responsibility’ Award
National Bank of Oman (NBO) has won the "Best Corporate Social Responsibility" Award 2007, given by World Finance magazine, UK, a press release said.

OPEC summit ends in division over weak dollar
An OPEC summit ended on Sunday in sharp political division over whether to take action over the weak dollar.

Oman Tribune
Front Page

West Bengal to appeal against CBI probe order
The West Bengal government is getting ready to approach the Supreme Court against the Calcutta High Court order to continue the CBI probe into the March 14 police firing in Nandigram and pay compensation to the victims.

Ansals convicted in cinema hall fire case
A city court on Tuesday convicted real estate tycoons Sushil and Gopal Ansal along with 10 others in the Uphaar cinema fire tragedy in which 59 people were asphyxiated to death over 10 years ago.

Business

Euro hits $1.48 for first time
The dollar plunged to another historic low point against the euro on Tuesday, as the greenback was plagued by concerns over the US economy amid a global credit squeeze.

Al Madina A’Zarqa sales to start soon
Al Sawadi Investment and Tourism (Asit) is set to announce its first sales for Al Madina A’Zarqa, the most significant metropolitan development in Oman.

Khaleej Times
Front Page

UAE cabinet approves 70% salary hike for govt. employees
The UAE Cabinet approved on Tuesday a 70% hike in the salaries of all federal government employees from January 2008. Both civilian and the security personnel of the Interior Ministry would also benefit.

US issues formal invitation to Annapolis meeting
The US issued formal invitations on Tuesday to a Middle East peace conference next week in Annapolis, Maryland, an aide to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said.

Business

Dubai Chamber unveils new identity
The latest logo of Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry forms part of its new identity which will afford it to face future challenges, a company statement yesterday said.

ADMA-OPCO awards $370m EPC contract to NPCC
Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company, (ADMA-OPCO) has awarded a $370m Engineering, Procurement and Construction contract to National Petroleum Construction Company (NPCC) and Technip jointly to expand gas processing facilities at Lower and Upper Zakum Fields .

Arab Times
Front Page

Saudi punishment of rape victim 'reprehensible': US official
The top White House anti-terror official called Tuesday the sentencing of a Saudi victim of rape to 200 lashes and six months in jail 'absolutely reprehensible.'

Divorce in Egypt every six minutes
A couple files for divorce every six minutes in Egypt, with a third of marriages breaking up in the first year, the press reported on Tuesday quoting the state-run statistics bureau.

Business

9 new bids for Kuwait 3rd telco
The Establishing Committee for the 3rd Mobile Tele-communications Company in Kuwait received on Sunday nine new bids for the Public Auction of selling 26% of the company shares, the Committee said on Monday.

Kuwait’s market undergoing period of correction: expert
Shortage in liquidity is the latest difficulty facing traders at Kuwait Stock Exchange, figures from corporate bodies said on Monday.

Arab News
Front Page

Qatif case verdicts get ministry’s backing
The Ministry of Justice made its first public statement regarding the second verdict in the so-called "Qatif Girl" rape trial, justifying the decision to punish the victims with lashes and jail time on the basis of "some proved charges."

Abdullah, Musharraf discuss key issues
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah held talks with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf at Al-Yamamah Palace here yesterday. Musharraf arrived in Riyadh earlier in the day on his first official trip abroad since declaring a state of emergency on 3 November.

Business

New ad trends challenging
True, the Internet is considered the most measurable and accountable advertising medium ever created. Today, online takes 10% of all advertising, which can increase to 25% in the next five years. But that does not mean that the other modes of advertising are heading toward a dead end.

Jeddah motor show set
The Saudi International Motor Show (SIMS), Saudi Arabia’s 29th international event for motor vehicles, motorcycles, auto parts, accessories and garage equipment, is set at the Jeddah International Exhibition & Convention Center from 25November-30November.

Tehran Times
Front Page

Crisis in Lebanon should be resolved through ‘Lebanese solution’: Iran
Iran and Syria have always insisted on the necessity of finding a "Lebanese solution" for breaking the current deadlock gripping the country, Iranian Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki told reporters at a news conference with his Syrian counterpart Walid Moallem here on Tuesday.

Khark stone inscription may add five new words to ancient Persian
It is possible that five words have been added to our knowledge of the ancient Persian language by the recent discovery of a stone inscription on Khark Island in the Persian Gulf, the Persian service of CHN reported on Tuesday.

Business

Sri Lanka keeps key rate at highest level in Asia
Sri Lanka's central bank kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at the highest level in Asia after inflation accelerated to a nine-month high.

Laptop sales boost Hewlett profit
Hewlett Packard is the largest PC firm in the world Hewlett Packard (HP) saw its quarterly profits rise on strong demand for laptops for the fiscal fourth quarter.

ICIS Copyright © Reed Business Information 2009

Author: Staff Reporter
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