In Thursday's Middle East papers

22 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 Thursday. 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

Mideast peace meet from 27 November
US President George W Bush will host a key conference on 27 November aiming to revive the Middle East peace process and pave the way towards a separate Palestinian state.

US, Iran to meet on Iraq despite tensions
Tough talk on Iran's nuclear program has raised the specter of a possible US attack, but tensions between the two diplomatic foes nevertheless appear to have eased on the issue of securing Iraq.

Business

NBO officials attend MSM meet
For the third time, National Bank of Oman (NBO) officials attended a gathering organised by the Muscat Securities Market (MSM).

Carrefour to enter India's retail sector
France's Carrefour SA, the world's second largest retailer, plans to enter India's fast-growing retail market by 2009, reports said Wednesday.

Oman Tribune
Front Page

Kakodkar meets ElBaradei on N-safeguards
The country’s nuclear energy chief met the International Atomic Ener-gy Agency (IAEA) director on Wednesday in a step expected to lead to talks to put Indian reactors under IAEA safeguards after domestic opposition to the deal eased.

Army called out after riots
The army was out in Kolkata on Wednesday as the city turned into a combat zone after protests over atrocities in Nandigram and Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen's stay in the country made for a volatile mix, snowballing into arson and violence.

Business

Maqbool seeks Japanese investments
Japanese industry should take advantage of Oman’s strategic location and make investments here, said Minister of Commerce and Industry HE Maqbool Bin Ali Bin Sultan while addressing a Japanese trade delegation.

Credit fears, oil batter markets
World equities were hammered on Wednesday by soaring oil prices and fears over the global economy, with steep falls in Asia and Europe after volatile trade overnight on Wall Street, analysts said.

Khaleej Times
Front Page

Bush to host key Mideast peace meet on 27 November
US President George W Bush will host a key conference on 27 November aiming to revive the Middle East peace process and pave the way towards a separate Palestinian state, US officials said on Tuesday.

Rice tells Syria to stop meddling in Lebanon
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told Syria on Wednesday to stop interfering in Lebanon’s stalled election process and allow its neighbor to chose a new president without intimidation.

Business

DP World prices IPO at top range
Dubai World yesterday said it has priced shares in the initial public offering (IPO) of its global marine terminal operator DP World at $1.30 per share.

Call for dirham revaluation, depegging
Speakers and participants at a seminar on "dirham's depreciation and the dollar-peg" on Tuesday were divided on the question of continuing the link with the greenback and the possibility of an imminent revaluation of the UAE currency.

Arab Times
Front Page

Kuwaiti operator takes delivery of mega oil tanker
State-owned Kuwait Oil Tanker (KOTC) took delivery Wednesday of a new giant oil tanker as part of a $600m nine-vessel deal, its chairman said.

Journalists honored for reporting in danger
A leading press freedom body honored four journalists Tuesday for their work in countries it said were highly dangerous for reporters, including a former member of AFP caught up in Pakistan's political turmoil.

Business

EQUATE Petrochemicals wins Amir’s prize--Best distinguished plant in Kuwait
Kuwait EQUATE Petrochemicals has been awarded with worthiness the prize of His Highness, the Amir of Kuwait as the best distinguished plant in the State for the year 2007 during a contest organized by the Public Authority for Industry (PAI) in a ceremony held on last Sunday 18/11/2007 in Hilton Hotel--Kuwait.

Markaz reports 17% return on its top Real Estate Fund
Kuwait Financial Centre "Markaz", one of the Middle East’s leading investment banking and asset management companies, announced that Markaz Real Estate Fund, an income generating and Shari’ah Compliant Fund which invests in real estate properties within the state of Kuwait, has outperformed comparable funds.

Arab News
Front Page

King, Blair view peace conference
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah held talks with Middle East peace envoy Tony Blair with the talks centering on the Middle East peace conference to be held in Annapolis, Maryland on 27 November. Both hoped the conference would lead to a just and comprehensive peace in the region.

Russia can play vital ME role: Sultan
Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, arrived here yesterday at the start of a landmark visit and stated that Russia can play a vital role in bringing about a just and comprehensive Middle East peace settlement.

Business

Oil prices soar above $99 on tight supplies
The price of crude oil surged to a record peak above $99/bbl in New York yesterday on the back of the falling US dollar and tight global crude supplies, traders said.

Kuwait Dinar and UAE Dirham jump
Kuwait let the dinar make its second-biggest daily gain yesterday since the oil exporter dropped its dollar peg in May, as the US currency’s global slide raised pressure on Gulf neighbors to follow its lead.

Tehran Times
Front Page

Jalili and Solana to meet on 30 November in London
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Saeed Jalili and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana will meet on 30 November in London, SNSC Undersecretary Javad Vaeedi said here on Wednesday.

Fifth Tehran Contemporary Sculpture Biennial kicks off
The fifth Tehran Contemporary Sculpture Biennial opened on November 21 at the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art.

Business

Iran allocates large fund for economic ties with Africa
Iran’s Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Mines (ICCIM) head said here on Wednesday that the government has earmarked a remarkable budget for boosting economic ties with African countries.

Japan's surplus up as China, EU fuel record exports
Japan's trade surplus in October rose by two-thirds as exports hit a record on strong shipments to Europe and China despite slack US demand, official figures showed Wednesday.

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Author: Staff Reporter
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