In Monday's Middle East papers

21 January 2008 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 Monday. 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

Iran gets 4th batch of nuclear fuel from Russia
Iran received a fourth delivery of nuclear fuel from Russia on Sunday to power Tehran's first atomic power plant and it expects four more before the consignment is complete.

Malaysia to cut foreign worker numbers
Malaysia wants to cut its army of foreign workers, sending home at least 200,000 by 2009, as it tries to reduce dependence on overseas labour and free up jobs for locals, a local newspaper said on Sunday.

Business

Air China parent to confirm China Eastern bid
Shares in Air China will be suspended in Shanghai and Hong Kong from Monday, as its parent company gets ready to bid for a stake in rival China Eastern.

Despite ECB threats, a new interest rate hike is unlikely: Analysts
The European Central bank threatens to raise interest rates to parry inflation risks but its next move will probably be a cut owing to a global economic slowdown, analysts say.

OMAN TRIBUNE

Front Page

Gaza plunges into darkness
Large parts of Gaza plunged into darkness on Sunday when its main power plant shut down after Israel closed the borders of the Hamas-controlled territory and blocked fuel supplies.

Brown seeks help in fight against terror
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown hailed India-UK ties as ‘partnership among equals’ on Sunday and pitched for intensified bilateral cooperation in fight against terrorism with particular focus on closer security coordination at airports and seaports.

Business

Global slowdown likely to force ECB to cut rates
The European Central Bank (ECB) threatens to raise interest rates to parry inflation risks but its next move will probably be a cut owing to a global economic slowdown, analysts say.

Indian IT firms set for tricky period
India's major software firms say a US economic slowdown may bring more customers seeking cost savings, but analysts warn that the once red-hot sector faces tough times in 2008.

KHALEEJ TIMES

Front Page

Power outages as Gaza reels from Israeli lockdown
Gaza reeled from power outages on Sunday as Israel kept up a blockade of the Hamas-run territory in retaliation for rocket fire, despite warnings that the closure could spark a humanitarian crisis.

Russia delivers more than half nuke fuel to Iran
Russia has delivered more than half the fuel for Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant, after a fourth consignment arrived on Sunday, the official IRNA news agency reported.

Business

GCC set to sign FTA with India, China and EU
The GCC will conclude Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with China, India and European Union this year which would boost industrial cooperation, trade and business, said Dr Mohammed Khalfan bin Kharbash, UAE's State Minister for Financial and Industrial Affairs.

Dubai, Abu Dhabi bourses fall 3% each
Shares in Dubai and Abu Dhabi fell heavily yesterday at over three per cent each to close at 5,868.35 and 4,691.76 respectively, as stocks also dropped in other Gulf markets due to speculation of overpricing. Abu Dhabi's main index had trimmed its gain to 13% since the beginning of last month.

ARAB TIMES

Front Page

Chavez threatens to seize Venezuelan banks that don't finance agriculture
President Hugo Chavez threatened on Saturday to take control of banks that fail to meet state-imposed lending requirements designed to benefit Venezuela's farmers.

Iran gets 4th batch of nuclear fuel from Russia
Iran received a fourth delivery of nuclear fuel from Russia on Sunday to power Tehran's first atomic power plant and it expects four more before the consignment is complete, an official Iranian news agency said.

Business

The real saviors stand up
The oil producing countries, which have been accumulating mountains of cash in the last few years, are the real heroes and saviors of big financial houses.

NBK Capital plans expansion in Egypt, say MEED
National Bank of Kuwait’s (NBK) investment banking arm plans to expand in Egypt this year after NBK took over a lender in the North African state, Middle East Economic Digest (MEED) reported.

ARAB NEWS

Front Page

No stopping reforms: King
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah said yesterday that Saudi Arabia would continue proceeding with economic reforms, adding that they would have a positive impact on the economy and the well-being of Saudis.

Gaza reels from Israeli lockdown
Gaza reeled from power shortages yesterday as Israel tightened a blockade around the impoverished Palestinian territory, despite warnings that the closure could spark a humanitarian crisis.

Business

Waleed, Cisco discuss future collaboration
Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, chairman of Rotana Audiovisual, held a high level meeting with John Chambers, chairman and CEO of Cisco in Riyadh yesterday to discuss future collaboration and the adoption of innovative technologies across Rotana’s entertainment division.

ANB unveils major strategies
Arab National Bank (anb) unveiled yesterday four major strategic initiatives to take advantage of the economic boom in the Kingdom and Dubai, spin off a new subsidiary for asset and wealth management, provide homes to low- and middle-income group, and go into joint venture in the insurance sector.

TEHRAN TIMES

Front Page

Iran calls for emergency OIC meeting
Iranian Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki has called on the Jeddah-based Organization of the Islamic Conference to hold an emergency meeting at the foreign ministers level to discuss the Zionist regime’s recent crimes in Gaza.

Behmanesh’s maiden film nominated for Asian award
The Iranian cinematographer of the film "Those Three", Hooman Behmanesh has been nominated for Best Cinematographer award at the second Asian Film Awards 2008, Hong Kong.

Business

The economy: five signposts to recovery
Things are gloomy--and getting gloomier. How will investors know when it's safe to come out again? Here's what to watch for

ECB must act quickly against inflation
European Central Bank council member Mario Draghi said it is the responsibility of the central bank to fight inflation even as Europe's economy slows.

ICIS Copyright © Reed Business Information 2009

Author: Staff Reporter
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