News re-Blog

Happy New Year & Good Bye!

2005-12-30T23:37:00.000+03:00

We've had so much of fun with this blog that at times reblogging news briefs took over our lives. This blog started way back in July 2005 and when fellow bloggers and others came to know about it, they loved the idea of selected news articles -- some of which were not covered by the newspapers in Bahrain on time or just not covered at all. News Blog re-Blog started out as a hobby, something we did during boring classes in college and amazingly enough we grew hooked on to locating news stories about Bahrain and the Middle East that we found interesting.

It was just 3 of us in the beginning, then we grew to 5, including a cool professor that spoke with a funny French accent, but anyways time soon caught up with all of us, that cool prof left Bahrain, as his sabatical had just got over, one of our friends went to graduate school to study law and another got transferred to a college in Austria. There were just 2 of us remaining. We almost lagged somewhere in September but energetic Mahmood got us going again and we plodded onwards (with a smile of course!). Last week, we both graduated from college, and we're out of here! We will be back in Bahrain soon, for our convocation, but until then we kinda' got busy with 'working' in the real world, have other blogs and don't have time for reblogging news briefs nowadays -- plus! all the other bloggers in Bahrain have some awesome blog postings every day to keep you on the go via BahrainBlogs.org does

We never looked at this blog with seriousness, to us it was just something we did to amuse ourselves with the lack of news coverage on touchy/itchy headlines concerning Bahrain and the Middle East. In one way, reblogging taught us a lot about how to approach news topics and content that is deemed newsworthy. Unfortunately, we had to turn down some fabulous job offers that resulted from some of blog postings because we are or rather we were college students -- something that our audience did not realize at first while some journalists thought we were actually former reporters or something of the like.

When we began to reblog, we could have counted the number of blogs in Bahrain, but today, that is proving to be somewhat difficult with as many as 3-5 blogs a say sprouting up, for example the young bloggers we know from various universities in Bahrain and overseas and now people around Bahrain, from all walks of life are starting to get the hang of blogging. There is, however, a long way to go for blogs, bloggers and blogging in Bahrain and you can think of this as just the beginning of an end! If someone needs to get on top of what's happening in Bahrain, all they do is point their browsers to BahrainBlogs.org and voila! On a positive note with respect to Main Stream Media here, we have journalists blogging along with TV news readers -- that is very encouraging.

Some of the news briefs we blogged here showed us Bahrain from different perspectives, some negative and some enlightening. Thanks to all you bloggers based here in Bahrain and beyond who supported us along the way - we appreciate it!

Happy new year everyone and here's to a prosperous 2006 :-)

Asalah Nasri becomes a Bahraini citizen

2005-12-29T14:54:00.000+03:00

Prominent Syrian singer Asalah Nasri has taken Bahraini citizenship, granted to her by Bahraini King Hamad Bin Issa Al Khalifa. The singer was granted citizenship a few days after she gave a spectacular performance in the operetta “Love and Loyalty” in celebration of Bahrain’s Independence Day. According to the London based Elaph, Bahrain’s King attended Asalah’s concert and was intrigued by the singer, and personally thanked her for being part of his country’s celebration.

On a different note, Nasri, who separated from her husband Ayman Al Thahbi, has announced that the two are getting back together. She and Ayman were able to overcome their differences, and are now celebrating their reunion, the singer explained.

Source: AlBawaba.com

MJ 'lied' to get his kids tickets to ride

2005-12-29T14:46:00.000+03:00

Michael Jackson is reportedly being investigated after allegedly lying to get passports for two of his children. The eccentric star is accused of telling officials he had sole custody of eight-year-old Prince Michael and Paris, seven, to get the travel documents. The children's original passports were with a court at the time because their mother Debbie Rowe was suing Jackson for custody. The children are currently living with the star in Bahrain - where he has spent most of his time since being acquitted of child molestation charges earlier this year.

Website TMZ.com has reported Jackson could face charges of child abduction unless he returns the children to the US, after Rowe allegedly moved to get a court order to bring them home.

A Justice Department source is quoted in Britain's The Sun newspaper as saying: "We can't comment on investigations. But there are specific laws about taking kids out of the country."

Meanwhile the pop legend has reportedly agreed to take part in a reality TV show. According to a report in Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper, Jackson will appear in the pilot and will make guest appearances in the show, which will follow his brother Tito's three sons as they try to make it in the music industry.

Source: (South Africa) TONIGHT

Helo Squadron Delivers Holiday Cheer to Ships in the Persian Gulf

2005-12-29T14:43:00.001+03:00

Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM) 15, forward deployed to Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain, has delivered more than 88,000 pounds of mail to ships operating in the 5th Fleet area of operations since the holiday season began Nov. 22.

Senior Chief Aviation Ordinanceman Tony Pineda, leading chief petty officer of HM-15’s Bahrain detachment, said since just before Thanksgiving, deliveries of care packages, greeting cards and Christmas presents have made up more than half of the Sea Dragon’s cargo.

Pineda, from Corpus Christi, Texas, said the squadron’s primary mission while assigned to Bahrain is minesweeping operations in support of maritime security operations (MSO). However, due to the cargo and vertical onboard delivery capacities of the MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopters, they also take freight and mail to several U.S. and coalition ships conducting MSO in and around the Persian Gulf region. Read More....

Source: Navy News Stand

RB2 Ready for Bahrain

2005-12-29T14:43:00.000+03:00

The Red Bull RB2 - that was shaken-down earlier in December at Silverstone by David Coulthard, is very close to the definitive version of the car that will race in the 2006 F1 season opener in Bahrain. "Autosprint" has quoted Red Bull Technical Director, Mark Smith, as saying ''The aerodynamics, especially on the sides of the car, are definitive.'' This puts Red Bull ahead of its competition in terms of getting their 2006 car out on track. Although Toyota officially unveiled their car first, they have said that the aero package bears little resemblance to what will be on the car in March.

Ex-Renault man, Mark Smith's comments indicate that whilst the main body is largely complete, we may well still see some new ideas on the front & rear wings, which currently look largely unchanged from the endd of 2005. He also praised the relationship and work that Ferrari have put into the engine supply, revealing that Ferrari have agreed a few minor alterations to the specification of the Red Bull units, rather than only supplying exactly the same unit as the works Ferrari team will use. Elsewhere it has been rumoured that Puma is about to sign a sponsorship deal with Red Bull, although it is not yet clear whether this is a Red Bull Racing or Scuderia Toro Rosso deal.

Source: SportNetwork

RB2 Ready for Bahrain

2005-12-29T14:41:00.000+03:00

Bin Laden's Niece Bares Body And Soul For GQ

2005-12-24T10:12:00.000+03:00

She's not the model niece Osama bin Laden's looking for - but she is modelling. This is how Wafah Dufour, the al Qaeda leader's niece, will appear in the January 2006 issue of GQ magazine. Dufour, who took her mother's maiden name after the terrorist attacks in the US on September 11, 2001, is an aspiring musician struggling to make a name for herself. She says she has never met Osama bin Laden.

(Wafah Dufour ... as she appears in GQ)

"Everyone relates me to that man, and I have nothing to do with him," she said in the article.

"There are 400 other people related to him, but they are all in Saudi Arabia, so nobody's going to get tarred with it. I'm the only one here."

Source: Reuters via The Sydney Morning Herald

New Islamic TV Channel Launch in Bahrain

2005-12-24T09:58:00.000+03:00

Bahrain is to launch an Islamic television channel aimed at meeting the needs of young people who want more information about Islam, the Dubai-based newspaper Gulf News reports. "The station will be a moderating voice and will help reorient the Muslim mind and behaviour in accordance with the teachings of Islam. It will be open to all sects in Bahrain," said the Islamic Affairs Undersecretary Fareed Yacoob al-Meftah. Targeting young men and women in the kingdom, the channel will keep up with the latest events in Bahraini society, covering contemporary and relevant issues, and aims to offer something new, al-Meftah said.

"It will be vastly different from the current stations and will not follow the traditional style of presenting Islamic and cultural programmes. It will be both outstandingly creative and highly informative," he said at a ceremony to honour graduates in Islamic studies.

The Bahrain Radio and Television Corporation will help set up the channel, which will partly be financed by the private sector. Bahrain currently has an Islamic radio station which broadcasts verses from the Koran 24 hours a day. All television channels in the kingdom are owned and run by the government, but the first privately-owned radio station, Sawt al-Ghad, went on air in September, broadcasting entertainment programmes, and its owner, Khalid al-Shimmari told Gulf News he plans to launch a TV channel next year. A business TV channel is also expected to start broadcasting from the Bahrain Financial Harbour.

Source: Gulf News via AKI

Bahrain Sailors Among '05 Copernicus Award Recipients

2005-12-24T09:54:00.000+03:00

Two sailors from Bahrain were recently recognized for their planning and deployment of a maritime command and control network with their selection as two of the 2005 Copernicus Award recipients. The award recognized 29 Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard military and civilian personnel who significantly contributed to naval warfare in the areas of command, control, communications, computers and intelligence; information systems; or information warfare. It is co-sponsored by the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association and U.S. Naval Institute.

Lt. Cmdr. James Darenkamp, a coalition communications officer with the Combined Forces Maritime Component Commander in Bahrain, and Navy reservist Petty Officer 3rd Class Paul Berkley, who served as network administrator for CFMCC until his death recently, were recognized for, among other things, their planning and deployment of the Coalition Enterprise Network Information Exchange System to various countries, including Kuwait, Pakistan, Oman and Egypt. CENTRIXS, according to their award nominations, had a “dramatic and positive effect” in increasing command and control between the 16 navies supporting various operations in the global war on terrorism. Berkley was killed in North Carolina on Dec. 18; the Navy message announcing the winners was released three days earlier.

Source: Stars & Stripes

'STR' March Launch in Bahrain

2005-12-23T16:49:00.000+03:00

The team formerly owned by Paul Stoddart and called Minardi - 'Scuderia Toro Rosso' - will launch a new F1 car for 2006 in Bahrain. Taken over by energy drink Red Bull in November, the Faenza based squad will join its sister team in unveiling a racer just ahead of the season opener, to be held in March. The car is to be called 'STR1' and is seemingly an unique development based on Red Bull's '05 car.

Team boss Franz Tost admitted earlier this week that Toro Rosso is 'pushing very hard' to get the car ready for the first race next year. Milton Keynes-based Red Bull Racing held a staff Christmas party in nearby Bedford (UK) last Saturday, with David Coulthard, Christian Klien, Robert Doornbos and Christian Horner all in attendance. Also there, was the Ferrari powered 2006 'RB2'.

Source: HomeOfSport.com

Bahrain and the Iranian challenge

2005-12-23T16:45:00.000+03:00

When Acting Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England stepped up to the podium to speak on the Bahraini National Day, I saw him as the face of the president's willingness to correct the mistakes of his first term. Mr. England -- who has spent his government career both as the secretary of the Navy and deputy secretary in the Department of Homeland Security and not as a neocon in a suit -- is known to believe that strong state relations start first by building strong personal relations. He spoke on a day in which many factors involved in bringing change to the Middle East intersected. "Tonight we celebrate the independence and freedom of Bahrain," he said. "Earlier today, the people of Iraq voted for their new government. I'm confident that in the coming years they too will find the peace, stability and success which the people of Bahrain enjoy."

It was also the day after Bahrain became the third Arab country, after Jordan and Morocco, to sign a free-trade agreement with the United States. Although the war in Iraq is a military solution, the Bush administration is trying to bolster it with economic and social elements. These free-trade agreements bring not only the military engagement, but also the U.S. civilian business engagement, to the Gulf region -- and have multiplied U.S. interests there. Regardless of the size of these economies, they stand for an important policy decision. Naturally, it raises the question of why Mr. England, Secretary of Navy, would speak on the Bahraini National Day when a free trade agreement is signed. U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman could have taken the podium. But Bahrain is a small island not far from Iran, and the majority of its almost 700,000 people are Shi'ite. Bahrain could be the next stop for an Iran looking to extend its influence. But America's increasing presence in the region is proof that the United States is determined to fight the Iranian regime -- not only to prevent its extension, but also to change it. That will happen through a combination of military and economic efforts, via these free-trade agreements. Read More....

Source: The Washington Times

Girls in Qatari Prince Case Receive Suspended Sentences

2005-12-22T18:11:00.000+03:00

The Prague City Court definitively confirmed two-year suspended prison sentences for two girls who supplied Qatari Prince Hamid bin Abdal Sani with underage girls for sex, thus upholding a similar verdict given by the Prague 2 District Court. Dagmar Kazdova and Lucie Vanickova will have to undergo social and psychological correctional programmes. Zaneta Telioridisova, the third girl, who was given a similar sentence, had not appealed to the City Court.

The three accused girls contacted schoolgirls on the street offering them the opportunity to earn 2,000 crowns for sex and then took him to Sani. At first, they themselves were Sani's victims. Sani was sentenced to two years in prison in the Czech Republic, but his sentence has not taken effect. In the meantime, the Supreme Court endorsed Justice Minister Pavel Nemec's decision to extradite Sani to Qatar, after which Sani was released from prison and left for Qatar.

Qatari authorities have allegedly charged him, but are waiting for the Czech Republic to send his file before starting further investigation into his case. According to the charges, Sani, a member of the Qatari royal family, had sex with 16 underage and juvenile girls in the Czech Republic. He spent almost one year in Czech prison before leaving for Qatar where is is being investigated without being taken into custody.

Source: Czech Happenings

Daring novel on Saudi womehttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.align.full.gifn sparks debate

2005-12-22T17:55:00.000+03:00

It's hardly Sex And The City, but by Saudi standards, Banat Al-Riyadh (The Girls of Riyadh) is a bombshell of a novel. The fictional tale of the loves, dreams and disappointments of four young women in the Saudi capital sizzles with anecdotes about homosexuality, drinking champagne, dressing in men's clothes and going out on dates. Published in September, it sold out within a month and is now in its third printing. Not surprisingly, this daring novel by first-time author Rajaa al-Sanie has sparked intense debate in the Arab world.

( Author Rajaa al-Sanie's book tackles the hush-hush issue of Saudi women's love lives. --AP)

The book, which isn't available in English, is told in the form of weekly e-mails from a female narrator to Internet subscribers in Saudi Arabia. It portrays four women whose stories are based on true-life ones that dentist intern al-Sanie says she has heard. Some critics have condemned the book for giving Saudi women a bad reputation. On www.daralnadwa.com, a popular Arabic forum that has generally supported al-Sanie, one chatline participant took the opposite view and said the book should be named Infidel Girls. But surprisingly, the book has also attracted a groundswell of support for the 24-year-old author. Glowing praise comes from Mr Ghazi al-Qusaibi, a renowned Saudi author who is also the kingdom's labour minister. He calls it 'a work that deserves to be read. I expect a lot from this author'. Educator Hussah al-Ghanem agrees.

And while some criticise Ms al-Sanie for not writing in proper Arabic prose in her book, others said she has started a new genre in her use of easy-to-read Arabic language and intertwining the cyber world and chatroom style with Arabic literature. Ms al-Sanie says she wrote the book to highlight issues that society denies. Writing the book came at some cost. Some friends have cut ties with her because 'they don't want to hurt their marriage prospects by associating with a bold friend', she said. Fortunately, her family has rallied around her. Feedback from readers, like a man who got the book from his divorced daughter, also keeps her going. Read More....

Source: The Electric Newspaper (Singapore)

Bahrain at Dubai Junior Regatta 2006

2005-12-22T17:40:00.000+03:00

India and Bahrain have joined the line-up of countries that will contest the exciting new match racing event being launched as part of next month’s Dubai Junior Regatta. The Dubai Match Race is adding an extra dimension to the junior sailing event, which is sponsored by Emirates Airline and takes place from January 22-29 2006. It will be the first of many match racing events staged by Dubai International Marine Club as part of its ongoing drive to boost the popularity of sailing and ultimately lead to local representation in the Americas Cup.

India and Bahrain have joined New Zealand, Germany, Holland, Italy, Kuwait and Qatar in confirming that they will be sending match racing teams to Dubai. They will be challenging some of the best sailing talent from the host country, including two UAE national teams currently preparing for next year’s Asian Games in Doha, and others representing Dubai Offshore Sailing Club and Jebel Ali Sailing Club.

An open international match racing series for challengers of all ages will also be taking place, the Dubai Match Race will be contested by 12 to 16 teams sailing the newly-designed V1/Lutra-30 Sport Boat. This high performance racing boat has been built in Dubai especially for the event and for next April’s ISAF Nations Cup qualifier in the emirate. More than 130 competitors from 18 nations will contest the Optimist and Laser 4.7 events at the Dubai Junior Regatta and the Dubai Match Race will boost the overall regatta line-up to well over 200 participants.

Source: International Sailing Federation

Research Director Comments On FDI in Bahrain

2005-12-22T17:37:00.000+03:00

During a presentation on FDI policies in Syria, Farhat Hourshani, financial expert, said that "FDI flows, which reach $181.6 million on average annually since 1999, are relatively weak in Syria and focused on excavation and oil production." Hourshani added that reform policies needed to attract FDI, and should focus on governance, corporate steering and enhancing economic freedom.

Meanwhile, commenting on FDI in Bahrain, Imad Shehab, director of Research at the Arab Banks Union, said that "although Bahrain had a low FDI performance, it had a high unexploited potential." FDI reached $845 million in 2004 (in 2003 it was $517 million, 138 percent over 2002), according to the UNCTDA 2004 World Investment Report. Based on an official survey conducted lately over 233 companies falling into the FDI category, 80 percent of the FDI was linked to financial services, Hourshani said.

He added that there was clear evidence from the studies he carried that FDI had a positive impact on economic growth in Bahrain. Hourshani said Bahrain will soon issue a clear and transparent investment law to improve FDI. Hourshani blamed the weak flow of investments among Arab countries to the weak rate of trade among these countries. Calling for serious administrative reforms, he added that corruption is also "a major reason for crowding out investments from the region.

Source: The Daily Star

Bahrain's Ministry of Electricity & Water Adopts GIS Software

2005-12-22T17:31:00.000+03:00

MWH Soft, a leading global provider of environmental and water resources applications software, yesterday announced that the Ministry of Electricity and Water in the Kingdom of Bahrain (MEW) has elected to deploy multiple licenses of InfoWater Suite, the industry's premier ArcGIS-centric (ESRI, Redlands, California) infrastructure modeling, management and optimization software. The selection is the latest example of the global move toward MWH Soft's advanced geospatial infrastructure modeling and management solutions.

MEW plans to harness the power of InfoWater Suite to support the establishment of a more advanced, complete information system designed to facilitate daily operations in the ministry. InfoWater's deployment is a key part of a two-year enterprise Geographic Information Systems project awarded to Khatib & Alami (K&A), MWH Soft's certified representative in the Middle East and a leading utility solutions provider. K&A will deploy ESRI and MWH Soft's advanced geospatial technologies to deliver a single geodatabase that will embed all MEW's water and power network assets information. This will enable timely and accurate capture, documentation, and sharing of information for better decision making, improved operations and enhanced customer service. Read More....

Source: Directions Magazine

Nahed Taher: First Saudi Woman to Become Bank's CEO

2005-12-21T18:46:00.000+03:00

Dr. Nahed Taher has been appointed CEO for the Gulf One Investment Bank, making her the first Saudi woman to head a bank in the Gulf region. Gulf One, headquartered in Bahrain with $100 million in capital, will become operational in the second quarter of 2006. Gulf One’s financial products and services will focus on mega-energy and infrastructure investments worth $1 trillion over the next 15 years. In addition, it will provide services in restructuring and mergers and acquisitions, a presently non-existent but potentially lucrative segment in regional corporate finance in light of Saudi Arabia’s accession to the World Trade Organization. The bank is being initiated and promoted by Nahed, a leading Saudi banker and economist, and Ziyad Omar, a Saudi banking and finance executive.

Regional investors have come on board to back the initiative. A final list will be announced before the bank begins operation. The Bahrain Monetary Authority (BMA) approved the bank’s license on Dec. 6. Nahed was a senior economist at the National Commercial Bank, the first woman to hold such a position in a bank in Saudi Arabia. Gulf One is focused on building a world-class operation that will inject fresh thinking and utilize innovative solutions to address structural financial and economic needs of the region. The aim is to capitalize on high standards of know-how with the best international financial practice and products. Gulf One will be guided by Islamic principles while focusing on wealth creation with added value aiming at achieving economic and social prosperity. Read More....

Source: Arab News

Michael Jackson's Ex-Wife Wants Her Kids

2005-12-21T18:39:00.000+03:00

Michael Jackson's ex-wife wants a judge to make him return their kids from the Middle East, while the pop idol's advisers continue "desperate" negotiations to save him from financial ruin, sources said yesterday. Debbie Rowe filed legal papers accusing the embattled entertainer of "abducting" Prince Michael I, 8, and Paris, 7, a source close to Rowe confirmed. Rowe, 46, and Jackson, 47, were divorced in 1999. Rowe gave up her parental rights in 2001, but changed her mind after Jackson was charged with child molestation in 2003. He was acquitted of all charges last June and has full custody of Prince, Paris and Prince Michael II, 4, who is not Rowe's child.

Rowe's motion asks retired Judge Stephen Lachs, who oversees the former couple's custody and visitation matters, to order Jackson to bring the kids back and surrender their passports to the court. But it is unclear what authority Lachs can exert as long as Jackson remains in the Middle East, where he has been splitting his time between Bahrain and Dubai. Rowe's lawyer, Iris Finsilver, declined comment yesterday. Jackson's custody lawyer, Michael Abrams, could not be reached. A brief from the TOI states that according to contactmusic.com, Rowe also expressed concern for the safety of the kids while they live with their father. Read More....

Source: New York Daily News

Bahrain's PM on an Unofficial Visit to Thailand

2005-12-19T21:43:00.000+03:00

Foreign Affairs Minister Kantathee Suphamongkhol (กันตธีร์ ศุภมงคล) has met with the prime minister of Bahrain, who is on a personal visit to Thailand. His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Ai Khalifa, the prime minister of Bahrain and the uncle of the current king of Bahrain, is currently visiting Thailand for personal reasons.

Mr. Kantathee said after his meeting with the Bahrain prime minister that the relations between the two countries were good. Mr. Kantathee noted that Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has close relations with the prime minister of Bahrain, and that he was glad to welcome the prime minister of Bahrain to Thailand once more.

Source: ThaiNews.com

Pak, Bahrain ink civil aviation MoU

2005-12-19T21:42:00.000+03:00

Pakistan and Bahrain signed here a memorandum of understanding for extension in bilateral air services framework, after a two-day meeting of officials of the two countries in Islamabad.

Bahrain’s under secretary civil aviation Captain Abdul Rahman Muhammad led his country’s delegation, while additional secretary defence Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Mohammed Ashraf Chaudhry led Pakistan team in talks in which bilateral civil aviation issues were discussed.

Source: GEO TV

Check Up for Bahraini VIP 747-400

2005-12-19T21:39:00.000+03:00

A Bahrain Amiri Flight Boeing 747-400 made its first check-out flight on 2 December after eighteen months of cabin completion work at Lufthansa Technik in Hamburg, Germany.

Source: Flight International

Rogers says Bahrain Trade Bill bad

2005-12-19T21:37:00.000+03:00

Congressman Mike Rogers voted against the Bahrain Free Trade Agreement today, saying the agreement could unnecessarily harm the Third District’s textile sector, and put good paying Alabama jobs at risk by giving countries like China another unfair advantage for increasing exports duty-free to the U.S.

Rogers said H.R. 4340, the United States-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement, would remove most tariffs for goods traded between the United States and Bahrain, as well as increase the total amount of goods Bahrain can export to the U.S. However, Rogers says the agreement contains Trade Preference Levels (TPLs) that do not limit the source of the yarn for these exports, a loophole he says countries like China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Vietnam could exploit. Read More....

Source: Cleburne News

Troops in Bahrain Receive 1,000 Christmas Trees

2005-12-15T03:52:00.000+03:00

One thousand Christmas trees arrived in Bahrain Dec. 12 to be delivered to forward-deployed service members in the Middle East. This is the second year in a row that New York businesses and veterans have coordinated with DHL, a worldwide shipping service, to fly Christmas trees to military members in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait and Bahrain. Bill Ashton, DHL assistant local affairs director for the Middle East, said DHL planes routinely fly to Bahrain, Iraq and Afghanistan delivering letters and gifts to troops in the area. When DHL was approached in 2004 by New York businessman Jim Adelis with the idea that would later be coined “DHL Christmas Trees for Troops,”

Ashton said it was only logical that the company use their established service to deliver a greater level of happiness to military members. Ashton said 500 Christmas trees were flown to bases in Iraq, 300 trees were delivered to Afghanistan and 150 trees went to Kuwait. The rest were distributed to commands at Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain, including Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and tenant commands at the Aviation Unit. The shipment also included 4,000 boxes of lights and ornaments, and thousands of Christmas cards and letters. Storekeeper 2nd Class Karina Rodriguez from Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 15, a helicopter squadron on a scheduled deployment from Ingleside, Texas, said she was happy to get a tree to brighten her command. Read More....

Source: Navy News Stand

Michaud Opposes Bahrain Free Trade Agreement

2005-12-13T11:44:00.000+03:00

Almost a week ago, the House of Representatives passed H.R 4340, the United States - Bahrain Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Implementation Act. Congressman Michaud voted against the Bahrain Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act due to his belief that it is a bad policy and also sets a dangerous precedent for future negotiations of such agreements.

"As a mill worker at the Great Northern Paper Company for 30 years, I have seen first-hand the devastation of previous so-called free trade agreements on the US economy. I know what they really mean for working people. The list of jobs lost and companies relocated is almost too long to recite," Michaud said. "While this agreement is slightly better in terms of environmental and labor standards for workers than previous agreements, it still falls far short of reaching our goal for truly fair trade."

The Bahrain FTA is based on the same model as other recent trade agreements that fails to enforce new labor standards, and that does not contribute to the creation of jobs and wages in the U.S. In addition, workers and unions in Bahrain have not been adequately consulted by their government on the provisions contained in the agreement.

"An Arabic translation did not even exist at the time that the Bahrain FTA was considered and approved by the Bahrain Parliament," Michaud said. "That is simply outrageous. We are confronting a record-shattering trade deficit of $617 billion from last year; we have lost more than three million manufacturing jobs since 1998, over 24,000 of those jobs right here in Maine," Michaud said. "The lack of real worker standards in the Bahrain FTA continues the pattern of other recent trade agreements that puts our workers on an uneven playing field. This not only puts jobs at risk, it creates a race to the bottom. It is time to make sure that our trade is not just free, but also fair."

The Senate is expected to consider the Bahrain FTA in the near future.

Source: Magic City Morning Star

Bahrain's Contexture Associate Gets a New Chief Operating Officer!

2005-12-13T11:35:00.000+03:00

[Here's a Scoop for you GDN! So shall we be seeing it in tomorrow's issue?]

After 20 years in the business, Indranil Gupta looks as excited about advertising as do most of the starry eyed students of the discipline. Surely it is this fascination with his art that has goaded the executive director of R K Swamy/BBDO to chuck up his plum job in India to take on a new assignment with a Middle East communications consultancy company called Contexture Associate. Forty three year old Gupta is slated to join the Bahrain-based design shop on April 16 as chief operating officer. "This job will give me the global perspective that I was looking for," declares Gupta with evident joy.

"I am all set to move on. But my decision has nothing to do with the Indian advertising scenario in general or with anything happening at RK Swamy in particular. No such juice!" he chuckles. And adds that the founder of Contexture Associate is an Iranian-born Houstonian Vahid Mehrinfar, whom he describes as "one of the most gifted visualizers in the world". Mehrinfar has a background in industrial design with specialisation in automobile design, and happens to be a painter of magical realism. And six-year old Contexture Associate has positioned itself as a 'strategic consultant' which specializes in corporate branding. "The agency is mainly focused on positioning, signage design, corporate literature and industrial product design. These functions are becoming increasingly important with growing foreign investment in Bahrain," he says.

The agency - which has clients like Toyota, Isuzu, Volvo on the roster - has just been invested into by Saudi Arabia's 9th largest business group which operates in the fields of IT, travel and communications. "My brief is to augment the professional capacity of the operations and open up satellite offices in various parts of the Middle East. The idea is to provide a wider array of integrated brand communications services - beyond design - and simultaneously equip ourselves to serve businesses out of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iran, Lebanon etc. Soon we hope to look at South East Asia and India as well," he promises.

Source: AgencyFAQs!

German Jailed for Smuggling Dope in Underwear from Bahrain

2005-12-13T11:17:00.000+03:00

A German man found with cannabis hidden in his underwear after a flight from Bahrain was sentenced to six months in a Singapore jail, news reports said on Saturday. Ray Sebastian Nantwi Lutzenkirchen, 19, was on a Gulf Air plane when a flight stewardess smelled cigarette smoke as he came out of a toilet on December 2, according to The Straits Times.

When the plane landed in Singapore, Lutzenkirchen was arrested and taken to the Bedok police division headquarters. He was searched and a package containing a greenish vegetable substance was found in his undergarment, containing 1.53 grams of cannabis or marijuana, the report said.

Lutzenkirchen pleaded guilty on Friday to having the controlled drug after the charge was read to him by a German interpreter. In mitigation, the man with long, braided hair said he was sorry and would not do it again. Lutzenkirchen said he was ill, suffering from depression, and would like to go to Germany for treatment. The judge said he could do so after serving his sentence.

Source: Expatica.com

Bahraini Blog Contributes to Google Services' Guides

2005-11-24T13:20:00.000+03:00

The almighty G has released a number of products and services in its seven-plus years of existence; a couple of sites have made an effort to list the services in one place. The publishers of the lists on TipMonkies and Stravinsky's Sizzlin' Shack need to get together on their Google services lists.

TipMonkies organized theirs alphabetically, but Stravinsky's has more services listed. Both do a good job of describing the services available. It's an impressive collection of nifty things Google has made available over the years.

Stravinsky's would benefit from alphabetizing its list. People tend to follow that type of organization more naturally. The only service Google seems to lack right now is some type of online productivity suite and a place to store documents created online.

Source: WebProNews

Michael Jackson to build a mosque in Bahrain

2005-11-24T13:13:00.000+03:00

World's top pop singer Michael Jackson, who recently settled down in Manama has donated a huge amount of money, the figure was not disclosed, for building a state-of-the-art mosque near his luxury palace in the Bahraini capital, according to his spokesman. The proposed mosque would be designated for learning the principles and teachings of Islam, as well as teaching of English language, for which high-standard teachers would be brought from United States under his personal supervision, the spokesman said.

Jackson did so as a token of appreciation to the Bahraini people, who welcomed him and treated him as if he was one of the citizens of their country. It is noteworthy that Germain Jackson, the brother of Michael had embraced Islam at the beginning of 1990s, and he was one of former Jackson Five band and the solo singer. Jermain had felt his brother Michael has great interest and study of Islamic books, the tolerance of Islam and his dealing with Arab and Muslim personalities since long years. The most prominent among those figures is Prince Al Waleed bin Talal and the Bahraini royal family.

Source: Khaleej Times Online

Ferrari Ends Bahrain Test

2005-11-23T09:54:00.000+03:00

Ferrari ended their four day testing program in Bahrain today. Both Marc Gene and Luca Badoer were in action for the Scuderia, again working on engine and tyre development carried over from the previous days. Ferrari's two test drivers took to the circuit in an F2005 with a V10 configured to the new engine regulations as well as a modified F2004 with Ferrari's new V8 engine onboard.
Badoer completed a total of 56 laps of tyre testing, in a fastest time of 1'34.588. Gene ran 66 laps, setting a best time of 1'34.455 while working on V8 development.

Source: SportNetwork

Bush Talked of Bombing Al-Jazeera in Qatar

2005-11-22T19:29:00.000+03:00

A civil servant has been charged under Britain's Official Secrets Act for allegedly leaking a government memo that a newspaper said Tuesday suggested that Prime Minister Tony Blair persuaded President Bush not to bomb the Arab satellite station Al-Jazeera. The Daily Mirror reported that Bush spoke of targeting Al-Jazeera's headquarters in Doha, Qatar, when he met Blair at the White House on April 16, 2004. The Bush administration has regularly accused Al-Jazeera of being nothing more than a mouthpiece for anti-American sentiments.

The Daily Mirror attributed its information to unidentified sources. One source, said to be in the government, was quoted as saying that the alleged threat was "humorous, not serious," but the newspaper quoted another source as saying that "Bush was deadly serious, as was Blair." Blair's office declined to comment on the report, stressing it never discusses leaked documents. In Qatar, Al-Jazeera said it was aware of the report, but did not wish to comment. The U.S. Embassy in London said it was making no comment. The document was described as a transcript of a conversation between the two leaders. Read More...

Source: TimesDaily & The Daily Mirror

Kingdom of Bahrain Invites Comments on Spectrum Policy

2005-11-22T19:16:00.000+03:00

The Ministry of Transportation (MoT) and the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) of Bahrain through a joint consultation document have today invited comments on their proposals concerning the future spectrum policy of the Kingdom. The consultation takes into account the developments in wireless technologies and their needs in terms of spectrum, and seeks views so as to chart a long-term policy for Bahrain in this area.

It invites comments on the overall principles of spectrum management policy, issues of spectrum pricing such as auctions and "beauty contests", trials, and spectrum requirements for services such as WiMax, Fixed Wireless Access, and public and private mobile communications. The deadline for comments is 21 December 2005, and the full contents of the consultation can be viewed on the TRA's website. Aided by feedback, the final spectrum policy plan will be published along with a report on comments received, say officials.

Source: WirelessIQ

Gulf Air Engineers Head 'Down Under' for Training

2005-11-22T19:11:00.000+03:00

Eighteen of Gulf Air's brightest trainee engineers, 11 Bahrainis and seven Omanis, have headed to Australia to complete their training. The group part of the Gulf Air Gulf nationals training programme, will spend 18 months with Brisbane-headquartered Australia Aviation, one of the world's foremost aircraft engineering training establishments.

The Gulf nationals engineering programme provides young school leavers and university graduates with access to a respected and established career as a licensed aircraft engineer. The programme totals a five year investment including 36 months training, classroom and on the job training and relevant work experience to meet the assessment requirements for a JAR accreditation. These young Gulf nationals complete the programme with a globally recognised accreditation.

Aviation Australia is an E.A.S.A (European Aviation Safety Agency) Regulation Part 147 approved training facility, established by the Queensland Government to support the development and growth of the aviation and aerospace industries in the Asia Pacific region. It has, in recent years, increasingly extended into the Middle East.

Gulf Air Technical Training and Development Manager Tim De Alwis, says following recent changes to European Regulations, the trainees would have had to undergo an additional five year, practical, hands-on training programme, in-house, in order to meet the new requirements. While De Alwis leads a team to obtain the necessary new certification standards, the trainee engineers are ready for their Australian 'adventure.'

Source: Strategiy

Microsoft will set up base in Qatar

2005-11-22T10:36:00.000+03:00

Optimistic on the booming economy and appreciative of efforts of the leadership to keep the momentum, the global software major Microsoft will set up a base in the fast coming up Science and Technology Centre in Qatar, and hinted at introducing new products and concepts.

“We are going to move into Science and Technology Centre once it is ready and we have made a commitment,” Microsoft vice-president for Europe, Middle East and Africa Ali Faramawi, who was in Doha in connection with inauguration of its new office, told Gulf Times in an interview.

Asked about the size of the Middle East and its significance to Microsoft, he said three-four years back we were not even 1% of the total revenue and “now we are much more than that” but declined to divulge the figures. On the government programmes, he said Microsoft has signed an agreement with Qatar for co-operating in deployment of technology within government, showcasing specific E-governance projects, education and building local software economy.

Source: Gulf Times

DJ Aqeel Spins in Kuwait

2005-11-22T10:09:00.000+03:00

World renowned DJ Aqeel Ali’s performance at Safar Palace drew a sizzling crowd of over a thousand who danced the night away to the foot stomping trance at the DJ Aqeel Nite organized by the Hot Stepper on 4th November 2005. The event proved to be a grand success with a huge fan following from GenNow and GenNext alike. DJ Tony and DJ Aryan kept the hall smoking till the Man of the Nite hit the stage and spinned one track after another.

His personal life at a glimpse…Aqeel is married to Jewellery designer, Farah Khan Ali ( Sister of Susan Khan , wife of Hritik Roshan ). Farah is on a professional high working with Ishu and Sunil Datwani , selling signature designs of mostly bridal jewellery. Their young son, Azaan completes the trio.

This bizarre facet in the realm of music claims that it all started about eight years ago when he went to Hongkong for a holiday and met up with a few Djs. He was in complete awe of how people danced to their tunes and the way they reached to them. His unvarying desirer to become absorbed in music professionally and the opportunities knocking at his door clicked the big picture for Aqeel Ali and he decided to come to the Indian music terrain Mumbai and try it out here.

Source: Bellvision

Aseambankers mandated by Bahrain's - The Housing Bank

2005-11-22T09:50:00.000+03:00

Aseambankers Malaysia Bhd has been mandated to structure the issuance of mortgage-backed securities for The Housing Bank of Bahrain. In a statement on Nov 22, Aseambankers said its appointment was based on its extensive experience in developing Sukuk and conventional bonds. Aseambankers has devised and structured a large number of Sukuk and bond issues, including the structuring and issuance of mortgage-backed securities for Cagamas in October 2004 to the value of US$388 million (RM1.46 billion).

It said it had signed the Investment Consultancy Agreement with The Housing Bank in Bahrain recently for the structuring and issuance of mortgage-backed securities of the company. Aseambankers said The Housing Bank planned to invest the proceeds in expanding its real estate and investment operations that will result in the diversification of its income sources.

The Housing Bank was formed under the Government Act in 1979 to provide loans facilities to the private and corporate sectors in Bahrain. Murad said the bonds proceeds would be used in different investment and real estate projects the Housing Bank planned to initiate.

Source: The Edge Daily

Signing FTA with US has no relation with Israel - Bahrain

2005-11-21T22:49:00.000+03:00

Bahrain's foreign minister, Sheikh Khaled bin Ahmad Al-Khalifa underscored Monday that Israel has no relation with his country's signing of the free trade agreement (FTA) with the US.

Speaking to newsmen before flying back home he said all GCC member states are after signing an FTA with the US noting that "Israel has no relation with that ... lifting the boycott is a global principle and has nothing to do with normalization of ties with Israel."

To a question on whether his country would open door for trading with Israel he said "this is in the hand of the Bahraini businessman, he has to decide ...". Read More....

Source: KUNA

Case against Saudi princess could be resolved before trial

2005-11-21T22:12:00.000+03:00

The case against a Saudi princess charged with forcing two Indonesian women to be her domestic servants may settle out of court. Hana Al Jader's lawyers are planning talks with federal prosecutors to try and resolve the case before trial. Jader's lawyer made the remarks during a hearing in federal court in Boston this afternoon.

Jader is married to Prince Mohamed Bin Turki Alsaud. She's accused of confiscating the passports of two Indonesian women who worked as domestic servants at the family's homes in Arlington and Winchester. An indictment says the princess told the women they would suffer "serious harm" if they didn't perform the work. She's charged with forced labor, visa fraud and other crimes.

Source: WRGB-TV6

Al-Jazeera in legal dispute over Web site name

2005-11-21T21:53:00.000+03:00

Al Jazeera, which is relentless in reporting U.S. involvement in Iraq and other major stories, has so far been less forthcoming about a legal dispute involving its own Web site. An Al-Jazeera executive told United Press International Saturday the case is ongoing, but confirmed the story so far leaves two news Web sites with the same domain name -- and only one belongs to the Arab language satellite television news channel.

Aljazeera.net is the official site of the Qatar-based television company: But there is also aljazeera.com, operated by the AJ Publishing of Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, and London. In March, the Qatar channel filed a complaint at the World Intellectual Property Arbitration and Mediation Center in Geneva requesting that the Dubai/London-based site stop using the same domain name, and charging the other company with breach of copyright and "bad faith."

Satnam Matharu, Al Jazeera's chief communications executive, confirmed in Doha that the network had lost the case, and was now considering its next step, probably an appeal. He said the four-man arbitration panel in Geneva had ruled in favor of the Dubai company. News sources in Doha said Al Jazeera is challenging the rival Web site now because it plans to launch its own exclusively English-language news and commentary channel, Al-Jazeera International, next year and would like to have a clear field for its new news venture. Read More....

Source: World Peace Herald

Oman's largest firm takes on ex-Tory MP

2005-11-21T21:16:00.000+03:00

A former UK Shadow Solicitor-General is joining Oman's biggest law firm as it looks to swell its ranks. Former Conservative MP Nick Hawkins is joining Al Alawi Mansoor Jamal & Co (AMJ) as a senior associate specialising in banking law and business development. It is understood that the firm has recruited two other lawyers, who will be joining the firm in the near future.

Hawkins spent the past eight years as an MP representing Surrey Heath and was appointed Shadow Solicitor-General in 2003. Hawkins said he always planned to move back into private practice and after two terms in opposition did not feel up to a third. Before becoming an MP, Hawkins was group legal adviser at Lloyds Asset Life and practised at the bar for seven years from chambers in Birmingham and North-ampton. Al Alawi Mansoor is one of the biggest law firms in Oman with 24 lawyers. The firm's practice areas include capital markets, corporate, project finance and litigation and arbitration.

Source: The Lawyer

Protesting the Personal

2005-11-21T20:05:00.000+03:00

With the end of the holy month of Ramadan, it is protest season in Bahrain again. Thousands have taken to the streets of Manama over the past two weeks in a series of marches against a proposed new family law. The protests culminated in a march that saw around 14,000 protesters according to the Interior Ministry, and may have been much larger. The protests were called by opposition Islamic parties, lead by the al-Wefaq society, which is calling on parliament to reject the new family law on the grounds that it is un-Islamic. Religious leaders fear that the proposed law will remove sharia, or Islamic law, principles from the civil courts.

The law, however, is strongly supported by women's rights groups in Bahrain, in particular the Supreme Council for Women (SCW), which is chaired by the wife of Bahrain's King, Sheikh Sabika bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa. Women's groups say the proposed law, called the Personal Status Law, has been based on sharia principles, but will bring greater clarity to the settlement of domestic disputes, such as divorce, child custody and inheritance, and therefore greater equality and fair treatment for women. At present, the ill-defined sharia system allows too much discretion to judges, who tend to be biased towards men, say the law's supporters. Read More....

Source: Oxford Business Group

WSIS Tunisia: Guess Who's Coming For Dinner?

2005-11-21T18:54:00.000+03:00

Israeli foreign minister Silvan Shalom, just back from a groundbreaking visit to Tunisia, said Sunday that dialogue with Israel is the key for Arab states wanting to help the Palestinians.

Shalom said that the fact he was able to land in Tunis on an Israeli aircraft at the head of an official Israeli delegation and sit down to dinner with the heads of state of Tunisia, Lebanon, Algeria and Sudan and the prime ministers of Bahrein and Qatar was itself a sign that Israel's pariah status in the Arab and Muslim world is waning.

"You ask yourself, 'Is this really happening?"' Shalom said, adding that in the past a high-level Israeli presence at an international gathering would have prompted a walkout by Arab leaders. "For them to sit with me and eat dinner; I think we've made tremendous progress."

Shalom, who was born in Tunisia but moved with his family to Israel as a child, led the Israeli delegation to the U.N.'s World Summit on the Information Society in the Tunisian capital.

"I told them one thing, 'If you want to help the Palestinians, there's only one way. Not by declarations, not by statements, only if you have good relations with Israel,"' Shalom said Sunday.

Source: Israel Insider

Shepparton sisters home after Damascus ordeal

2005-11-21T18:11:00.000+03:00

This just in from The Age (Images Courtesy of ABC News):

Two Shepparton sisters caught in a security scare in Syria arrived home last night, relieved to be back in Australia. The pair, Hawra al-Moussawi, 16, and her 12-year-old sister, Zainab, were returning with relatives from Iraq when the group of seven were detained amid fears of a hijacking plot. Their father, Sadiq al-Moussawi, who did not travel overseas, said the suggestion they were planning to hijack the plane was "unbelievable".

(Some of the women held by Syrian authorities over hijacking fears are greeted at Sydney airport after the group's return to Australia)

Mr Moussawi said his three-year-old nephew had picked up an empty gun cartridge while visiting relatives in the southern Iraqi city of Najaf and it then became entangled with one of the boy's toys. The group included Mr Moussawi's mother, sister-in-law, nephew and two daughters, who are all Australian citizens, and two Iraqi women on spouse visas who married into his family. They were detained at Damascus airport on Tuesday. They had been planning to board a flight to Australia, via Bahrain. Mr Moussawi said it was ridiculous to suggest his 65-year-old mother, who had a bad heart, poor eyesight and a fear of flying, might have been involved in something like that.

The group flew in to Sydney on Sunday night, where most of the family live. Mr Moussawi drove his daughters home to Shepparton yesterday. The family are Shiite Muslims who fled Saddam Hussein's regime in 1991. Mr Moussawi runs Ammar Autos in Shepparton and is a well-known local businessman. Shepparton's Iraqi Association president, Adnan al-Ghazal, said the family had been the victims of manipulative Syrian authorities. The Syrian embassy could not be contacted late yesterday afternoon. A Gulf Air spokesman, who last week was reported as saying ammunition had been discovered in one of the women's bags, yesterday said he was misquoted.

----------------------Some points to ponder upon------------------------------

1) Gulf Air's spokesperson states he's been misquoted by the media (the GDN report indicates that last Friday 'he confirmed a dismantled gun had been found'). Furthermore, IC Wales yesterday carried a report stating: 'A spokesman for Gulf Air in Australia, David Baker, said the pieces of the gun were in the cabin luggage and there were bullets in luggage that got into the aircraft's hold'. So who's beating around the bush? MSM (Main Stream Media) or Gulf Air?

2) A war souvenir has been phrased as a dangerous weapon by airport and airline officials.

3) Earlier on, MSM and Gulf Air were quick to arrive at a ready conclusion of the possibility of plane hijacking and ammunition. Where's the reliability of reporting by MSM? Will anyone want to fly Gulf Air after this whole episode - was it their mishandling that led to the confusion or how exactly could Gulf Air have tackled this whole situation?

4) Will the GDN (Gulf Daily News), Bahrain Tribune and MSM get some honest reporting going on regarding the facts of this story? Well that remains to be seen....

An Update on the Herman Group's Investments in Bahrain

2005-11-21T17:26:00.000+03:00

Last Friday, we re-blogged a press release issued at Zawya by Teddie Garrigan who's the Executive Vice President of the Herman Group of Companies. The press release issued on behalf of Herman stated that the firm may be forced to abandon three master planned real estate projects in Bahrain (valued at more than $7billion) due to recent developments that have forced them (Herman) to question the wisdom of any foreign investment in Bahrain and to seek remedies that are available to them (Herman) as the original developer of these projects.

The following day, after reading about the whole Herman reaction regarding their investments having gone bad in Bahrain, a commenter at Mahmood's De n emailed the Executive Vice President of Herman (the person who had issued the press release) to find out more and revealed the following:

I sadly announce that this is true, those projects are dead. I cannot tell you how angry I am at what is happening and the reality that is Bahrain. We are really screwed, serious and let us forget about somethin called investment. Spare us the bs we hear about how great things are, honestly, just spare us.

Mahmood Al Yousif over at Mahmood's Den has shed more light on the entire Herman fiasco through a comment he posted earlier today:

There is more than meets the eye in this one. Through my cursory investigation I've found that the Herman Group are actually playing sour losers more than anything else. They've based their business plan on corruption rather than straight-forward business processes and forecasts. If they have been taken for a ride, then it's only them that are to blame as well as their naivete rather than the government of Bahrain which had nothing to do with this it seems.

1Bln USD Deal for Saudi-Bahrain Power Link Won by Nexans & Prysmian

2005-11-21T12:05:00.000+03:00

French cable maker Nexans, in partnership with Prysmian, has signed a 1 bln usd contract to supply the underwater cables for an electricity interconnection network between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, Les Echos newspaper reported, without naming its source.

The order is from the Gulf Corporation Council Interconnexion Authority, the organisation steering the project, the business daily said. Prysmian was formely known as Pirelli Cables, which was bought by Goldman Sachs from Pirelli earlier this year.

Source: Forbes

Kuwait to provide loan for Bahrain's power network expansion

2005-11-21T08:20:00.000+03:00

The Kuwait Fund for Arab and Economic Development (KFAED) will provide a 12-million-Kuwaiti dinar (about 40.8 million US dollars) loan to Bahrain to help expand its existing electric power network, the Kuwait News Agency reported on Sunday. A KFAED statement was quoted as saying that an accord will be signed to "help the Bahraini power network cope with the rising demand for electric power in areas with popular, commercial and industrial activity in Bahrain."

The project will "add more power to the network and expand it," the statement said.

It added that the project calls for launching 15 new transformers and adding power to 11 existing transformers to enable them to stand up to electrical and mechanical requirements.
The project also includes engineering services associated with the installations' small details, it said. This loan is the 15th provided by Kuwait to finance various development projects in Bahrain, with a total value of 450.5 million dollars.

Source: Xinhua via People's Daily Online

Ex-Im Bank Supports Gulfstream Aerospace Sale of Executive Jets to Saudi Arabia

2005-11-21T00:13:00.000+03:00

An Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) long-term loan guarantee will support the export by Gulfstream Aerospace Corp., Savannah, Ga., of three G350 business jet aircraft to National Air Services (NAS), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Ex-Im Bank announced its approval of the financing in conjunction with the Dubai Air Show being held in Dubai November 20-24, 2005.

Gulfstream has more than 7,200 employees at seven major locations in the United States. The G350 aircraft will be manufactured in Savannah. The planes include components produced by numerous U.S. sub-suppliers including Aerostructures Corp., Nashville, Tenn.; Goodrich Avionics Systems Inc., Grand Rapids, Mich.; Honeywell International Inc., Phoenix, Ariz.; and Parker Hannifin Corp., Ogden, Utah.

Gulfstream announced last May that it had signed a letter of intent with NAS for the purchase of the G350 aircraft. The approval of the Ex-Im Bank financing for NAS has resulted in NAS and Gulfstream finalizing this purchase. The Ex-Im Bank transaction is structured as an asset-backed financing, with the aircraft serving as collateral. Arab Banking Corp., New York, N.Y., the branch office of Arab Banking Corp., Bahrain, is the guaranteed lender on the transaction. Gulfstream designs, manufactures and markets a complete line of technologically advanced business jet aircraft.

Source: Export-Import Bank of the United States via Yahoo Finance

Direct Costs of Child Abuse Revealed in Study by Bahrain Society

2005-11-21T00:00:00.000+03:00

Child abuse costs the world $94 billion a year, according to a recent study. The study was conducted by Be-Free, an anti-child abuse and neglect program run by the Bahrain Women Society. The study examined the direct costs that arise from child abuse, such as the cost of hospitalization in the cases of physical abuse as well as the indirect costs associated from child abuse, for example high rates of adult criminality and the resulting loss of productivity to society.

"Children don't learn by hearing but by watching," Soroor Qarooni, founder of Be-Free and a panelist at a symposium on protecting children from abuse, exploitation and violence held Friday at the World Association of NGOs' (WANGO) annual conference in Santo Domingo.

Qarooni said that children who witness acts of domestic violence are more likely to be in an abusive relationship later in life and are more likely to commit acts of abuse themselves. The importance of strong family values was cited as the most important preventative of child abuse by Qarooni and her fellow panelist, J'Lein Liese, founder of Foundation for Global Leadership, which provides training and technical assistance to governments and non-governmental organizations in the areas of post-conflict reconstruction. Read More....

Source: Dominican Today

Our Daily Interesting Finds Related to Bahrain

2005-11-20T19:45:00.000+03:00

The BahrainGP website is built on top of Wordpress. For those who don't know what Wordpress is, (from the wordpress.org site) it is a state-of-the-art semantic personal publishing platform with a focus on aesthetics, web standards, and usability - WordPress is both free and priceless at the same time. Apparently, the BahrainGP website has been designed and developed by FlipCorp - a Middle Eastern Interactive agency located at the Dubai Media City and the same firm that recently revamped Air Arabia's website (which is also built upon WP).

While skimming the source code for the bahraingp site we found out that interestingly enough WP themes were being called from bahraingp.flipcorp.com while images and textual content came off the bahraingp.com url - not a big deal, just that one would usually believe in storing both content and design webparts on the same server (that's not a suggestion - just an opinion, you're free to take it as a suggestion though). ...And the BahrainGP rss feed can be accessed from here.

It was also encouraging to see that FlipCorp had launched their blog (FlipBlogSpot) earlier this month (again WP) and now we hope to see some 'real' competition on the UAE/Dubai Corporate Blogging Scene - between FlipCorp's blog and the one over at AmeInfo. It would be a WP versus Blogger scene. Obviously, each to his/her own when it comes to blogging, but both blogs have more or less categorized themselves as corporate blogs - and though AmeInfo had an early start, their blog content is not at all appealing (mostly press releases) compared to FlipCorp's blog postings on the net's ongoings.

2 new blogs from Bahrain popped up on our radar: The Flooze and Living in the Gulf. Both blogs give Bahrain a new face from the culture shock point of view and it's all power to the ladies behind these blogs plus a big welcome to them on behalf of Bahrain's Blogosphere.

Things that have to be cleared up about Bahrain

2005-11-20T19:04:00.000+03:00

From Ali.I.Karimi at the Int'l Football Forum on the IranKicks Football Talk website:

(Ok, im tired of fighting some of this stuff in every thread, so I'm hoping I can end it here.)

1. Bahrain spends millions on football.
Wrong. Bahrain is not the richest country in the gulf , its probably not even fourth richest. We get money from other Gulf Countries as well , so don't accuse us of bribing anyone.

2. We buy players.
Wrong. We are also the smallest gulf country (size) and second smallest in population, and the fact that every player is Bahraini is something we are proud of. Unlike Qatar, they spend alot and they buy players, all our players are Bahraini. The is one exception only , and he never plays.

3. We raised flags when Saudi won , we are Saudi's pets.
WRONG WRONG WRONG. We raised flags, but its because we were happy for Saudi. In the Bahrain Trinidad match, people from Qatar came with Bahraini flags and Qatari flags and waved both during the match. You could also see some saudi flags and some saudi players came for support as well. If you watch any arab channels you would have heard prior to the match at least one person wishing Bahrain good luck. I was watching the Qatari league when the announcer said it while talking about the quality of the league.

4. We bribed the FA to get a replay against Uzbekistan.
WRONG. They ASKED for a replay, they wanted 3-0 but the AFC wouldn't give them that. So they accepted a replay and tied. It has nothing to do with Bahrain ! 3-0 is ludicrous anyway so don't say we bribed the AFC.

5. Bahrain is oil rich , Sheik filled, desert loving, camel people land.
-Ok, Bahrain doesn't have too much oil , it has some natural gas but less than Qatar.
-We have Sheiks but a large part of our population is Shi'ite , and a good portion of Irani decent.
-Desert loving. Bahrain was a tropical island until about 50 years ago, there were palm trees and sweet water. Then the goverment digged up the sea , salt water got it and the plants died.
-Camel people. There are camels but not too many, hardly any. No one uses them to get from place to place anyway.

Australians set free in Syria after gun investigation

2005-11-20T19:01:00.000+03:00

Four Australian women and a young boy have been released by officials in Syria after being accused of trying to take a dismantled gun aboard a plane. The women and the boy were detained along with two Iraqi women at Damascus airport last Tuesday while attempting to board a Gulf Air flight bound for Australia, via Bahrain. A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) spokesman said the four Australian women, who were born in Iraq, and boy had been released by Syrian officials.

The DFAT spokesman was unable to say when the group had left Syria or whether they would be interviewed if they returned to Australia. Two of the women are from Victoria and two from NSW. One was accompanied by her son. A Gulf Air spokesman last Friday confirmed a dismantled gun was found inside their hand luggage. However he would not comment on media reports that Syrian officials believed they may have thwarted a hijacking.

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald

Dubai buys Grand Buildings on Trafalgar Square

2005-11-20T07:20:00.000+03:00

The Dubai authorities have snapped up a corner of Trafalgar Square in a deal believed to be worth around £155m. One Trafalgar Square, known as Grand Buildings, has been bought by Istithmar, an investment company indirectly controlled by the Dubai government. The site was sold by Noriba Bank, a Bahrain-based subsidiary of Swiss banking giant UBS, which acquired it from listed property group Land Securities for £140m two years ago. The 198,000sq ft site in the south east corner of the London square dates back to the 1870s and includes retail outlets and offices.

Sultan Ahmad Bin Sulayem, the chairman of Istithmar, was recently reported as saying that London was important as "it has a strong real estate market." The purchase of Grand Buildings is the latest in a string of deals by the Dubai authorities. The wealthy sheikhdom, part of the United Arab Emirates, has positioned itself as a tourist destination in recent years as well as setting itself up as an international finance centre and transport hub.

Source: The Independent

Jamie Morrow: Thunder Arabia Championship, Bahrain - Rounds 5 and 6 Report

2005-11-20T07:04:00.000+03:00

UK Formula Renault racer Jamie Morrow qualified on pole for rounds 5 and 6 of the inaugural Thunder Arabia championship, held at the Bahrain GP circuit on Friday, 18th November. Due to his 'guest driver' status, Morrow started at the back of the 16 car field. However, undaunted, in race 5 he sliced through the field, setting the fastest lap in the process, to take the lead on the last lap to record a well deserved win.

In race 6, qualifying on pole, but once again starting at the back of the field, his UK ZIP race winning experience counted, as he went through the field with ease and took the lead 4 laps out from the finish, crossing the finish line with a 4 second margin, and another fastest lap under his belt. Morrow will race in rounds 7 and 8 on the 24th and 25th November, before crossing to the US in the New Year to test with championship winning team, Sam Schmidt Motorsport, in anticipation of mounting a challenge for the 2006 Infiniti Pro title.

Source: Jamie Morrow's website via Formula3.cc

Bahrainis intend to sue Washington for being tortured at Guantanamo

2005-11-20T06:57:00.000+03:00

Three of the released Bahraini citizens who were detained in US Guantanamo detention center talked about torture they were exposed to together with other prisoners during their detention which lasted for 4 years. In a press conference in the Bahraini capital Manama, one detainee talked about the cases of defiling the Quran book saying that "the Quran copy which I had kept was stamped by the shoes of the American soldier."

Another former detainee, Adel Kalem, said he was exposed to physical and psychological torture in Qandahar and Guantanamo, noting that physical torture in Guantanamo was in different forms of beating and exposed to chilly cold and electricity current. The released men: Sheikh Salman Bin Ibrahim al-Khaleifa, Abdullah al-Nueimi and Adel Kamel expressed their determination to sue the American administration over the psychological and physical damages inflected on them.

Source: ArabicNews.com

Syria four wait for official help

2005-11-19T20:34:00.000+03:00

Five days after the arrest of four Australian women in relation to an alleged attempt to smuggle a firearm onto a flight from Damascus, the Syrian Government is maintaining silence on the case. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said that an official from Cairo - Australia's accredited embassy for Syria - was due to arrive in Damascus yesterday in a bid to offer consular aid to the detained women, all understood to be of Iraqi origin.

Their Gulf Air flight to Bahrain was to connect to a flight to Australia. Some sources said the weapon was found in a child's toy belonging to the son of one of the women. Meanwhile the Syrian Government has begun carrying out checks on internal bus and train services in a search for at least one man who is believed to have accompanied the women to the airport.

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald

Ferrari testing in Bahrain

2005-11-19T16:23:00.000+03:00

Bahrain kicks off the 2006 season and this week Ferrari has been putting in the miles in what is a four-day test at the Sakhir circuit. Traditionally, Silverstone, Monza and Barcelona are the only Grand Prix circuits in which teams can test at, but there seems to be a deal in place which does allow teams to test in Bahrain over the winter should they chose to do so.

Ferrari has not yet revealed details of the test, but we believe the team are running the V8 engine again in the modified F2004 chassis with both Luca Badoer and Marc Gene on hand. The Bahrain Marathon relay (2005) used part of the circuit of Thursday and photographers were encouraged not to get too close to the Ferrari pits. The Italian squad is the only team to test following the season finale in China with the other nine teams expected to hit the testing trail at the end of the month.

Source: F1-Live.com

Saudi royal gets year in Vineyard jail

2005-11-19T09:30:00.000+03:00

In a plea deal that infuriated the victim's family, a Suffolk Superior Court judge sentenced a distant member of the Saudi royal family to one year in a prison on Martha's Vineyard yesterday after he admitted driving drunk when he struck and killed Orlando Ramos on a downtown Boston street. Prince Bader al-Saud pleaded guilty to motor vehicle homicide while drunk, a misdemeanor, before Judge Christine McEvoy. The 23-year-old admitted he was driving a BMW sport utility vehicle on Oct 29, 2002, that slammed into Ramos, 37, as he was crossing Charles Street around 2:40 a.m. near the intersection with Boylston Street.

While Saud's defense lawyers and Suffolk prosecutors said the plea deal was just, relatives of Ramos, led by his sister Reyita Ramos, harshly criticized the sentence and the decision to send Saud out of Suffolk County to serve his sentence at the Dukes County House of Correction. Ordinarily, Saud would likely have served his sentence at the Suffolk County House of Correction in Roxbury, where more than a thousand prisoners are housed. In court, Ramos called the sentence a ''slap in the face" and pointed out that Saud had earned a master's degree from Boston University while free on bail.

''You have received in this process so many privileges because of who you are," she said. ''You received your degree from a great university, while we as a family received a death certificate."

Saud registered .12 on a breath alcohol test, above the legal limit of .08, according to court records. In court papers, Saud's defense lawyers said Ramos's blood alcohol level was .176 and that he had traces of cocaine in his system. They also presented psychiatric records they said showed Ramos had a history of suicidal behavior and had stepped in front of a car one month before he was killed. In court, McEvoy said Saud's position as a prince in his native Saudi Arabia did not influence her. She praised Saud for accepting responsibility and pointed out that he has no prior criminal history since moving to Massachusetts in 1999.

''This is a welcome admission by someone to accept personal responsibility for the crime that he has committed," McEvoy said in court. Saud's royal blood ''means nothing to this court because in this system of justice, every individual is treated the same, no matter what their social status is," she said.

In court papers, Conley's office said there was a possibility that Saud would not be convicted of any crime if the case went to trial, in part because defense lawyers uncovered Ramos's psychiatric history of depression. They also said the one-year sentence matched what other defendants have been given in Suffolk County. In a telephone interview, the Dukes County sheriff, Michael A. McCormack, said he agreed to house Saud in the Edgartown prison because the prince is a slightly built man and could be targeted by gangs in larger prisons because he is from the Middle East.

Source: The Boston Globe

Bahrainis say JFF fee for camp, match too high

2005-11-19T09:07:00.000+03:00

President of the Bahraini Football Federation (BFF), Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa, said the proposed training camp and friendly international between his country and the Reggae Boyz did not happen because the fee requested by the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) was "unreasonable".

"It was an unreasonable sum, it was too much and that would be more than US$50,000 a day. That's ridiculous," Al-Khalifa said.

The JFF had requested US$350,000 from the Bahrainis to host them in a one-week training camp and to play a friendly international against a home-based Boyz team, ahead of the Arabian Gulf State's two-way home-and-away World Cup qualifying tie against Trinidad & Tobago. After receiving details and fee request from the JFF, with regards to the planned camp and game, Al-Khalifa said his vice-president called their counterparts in Jamaica expressing that the sum being asked for was way "too much". Yesterday, the JFF reiterated that the proposal was to host a Bahrain delegation of 49 persons, and that the Bahraini authorities had requested a composite figure which would have included private security, hotel accommodation at a five-star hotel, venue for training, gym facilities, luxury ground transportation, as well as a practice game.

According to Al-Khalifa, a relative of the ruling royal family here, when they refused the JFF's request the Jamaicans in a few short minutes, dropped the figure of the original request by about half. Meanwhile, Al-Khalifa said that he was not satisfied with the whole handling of the situation and decided to call the whole thing off. He said with the Jamaica plan down the drain, he looked for alternatives, but no progress was made, as precious time had passed. Some of the teams considered for hosting Bahrain were Venezuela, Colombia and Honduras.

Al-Khalifa claims that the failed negotiations with Jamaica did not impact on his nation's preparation for Trinidad. "It certainly did not impact us in any way," he noted. The idea of the planned visit to Jamaica, he said, came from an English sports management executive. That man is Tony Simpson, chief executive officer of Wilton International Management Group. Simpson, whose mother lives in Manchester, Jamaica, was in Bahrain on a golf tournament project, and he agreed with Al-Khalifa that the deal with Jamaica fell through because of the exorbitant request plus the unavailability of top pros playing in neighbouring Qatar.

Al-Khalifa also denied media reports that each player was promised US$1 million, had the team qualified. "That's not true, we have not promised the players anything. The greatest incentives for these players is to go down in history," he said. Read More....

Source: Jamaica Observer

Bahrain Ambassador Applauds Congressional Action

2005-11-19T00:08:00.000+03:00

The Bahrain Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency, Dr. Naser Al Belooshi, applauded the leadership of the Senate Finance and House Ways & Means Committees today following their unanimous support for the U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement ("FTA").

"The Kingdom of Bahrain is most grateful to the leadership of the Senate Finance and the House Ways & Means Committees," said Ambassador Belooshi. "Today's action demonstrates this mutually beneficial economic relationship can complement our well-established social, military and political relationships. "We look forward to this FTA receiving full consideration," Belooshi concluded.

Congress is expected to consider this Agreement following the Thanksgiving recess.

Source: The Embassy of Bahrain via PRNewswire

Embarked Security Teams Set Standard for Maritime Security in Gulf

2005-11-18T23:54:00.000+03:00

Embarked Security Teams (EST) based at Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain continue to make up one of the most critical elements of maritime security in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operation. Created in June 2004 under the umbrella of Operation Vigilant Mariner (OVM), the 11 12-man teams provide protection for Military Sealift Command (MSC) ships and their civilian crews as they ferry food, equipment and other supplies to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

A typical EST escort consists of meeting an MSC ship in the Mediterranean Sea, embarking for the remainder of the ship's transit, and disembarking in the Persian Gulf or remaining with the ship as it returns to the Mediterranean Sea. Lt. Edward Young, force protection operations officer for Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT), and OVM program manager, said ESTs provide protection not only to MSC ships, but also to maritime prepositioning ships, fast combat support ships and bulk fuel carriers.

Young credited the EST staff with the success of the fledgling program. The predominantly junior enlisted staff members had been executing tasks usually performed by higher-ranking military personnel. He said a new command was being introduced to NSA Bahrain, Mobile Security Squadron 3 Det. Bahrain, and that its projected staff included “twice the number of bodies, and much higher ranks” than those currently running EST. He said the current teams’ performance, despite having fewer members, was a reflection of the quality and magnitude of their efforts.

Source: Navy NewsStand

Multi-Billion Dollar Real Estate Development Projects To Exit Bahrain

2005-11-18T23:39:00.000+03:00

The Herman Group of Companies announced today that it may be forced to abandon three master planned real estate projects in Bahrain valued at more than $7billion after a series of announcements by officials in that country that call into question the transparency and reliability of doing business there. The Herman Group, a Texas-based real estate development firm, has been working with officials of Bahrain over the past year to launch and build Desert Kingdom, Coral Island and Race World, the themed commercial and residential development projects previously scheduled for groundbreaking in 2005.

Solicited personally by high ranking Bahraini government officials promoting the pending Bahrain-US Free Trade Agreement, including newly appointed Bahrain Ambassador Naser Belooshi, the projects were to be the first truly independent developments in Bahrain. Official of Bahrain also announced last January the launch of Desert Kingdom Bahrain by The Herman Group. Negotiations with Under Secretary for Financial Affairs, Abdulla Romaihi; Former Minister of Finance, Abdulla Saif; and Salah Asheer, General Manager, Premier Group SPC, were cut off abruptly after the release of proprietary information by The Herman Group of confidential financial and design documents demanded by the representatives for His Majesty the King, Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. Recently, two of the projects were announced under ownership of Bahraini government officials and Middle East investment groups.

Prior to elevating the projects to the Royal Court of Bahrain, the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB), the official agency, entered into a Memorandum Of Understanding with The Herman Group and granted exclusivity of development encompassing certain components of the projects including major theme and water parks, spa resorts, golf courses and marinas.

"We are deeply disturbed," said Sherri Herman, CEO of The Herman Group. "Our company committed millions of dollars toward our work in Bahrain in anticipation of breaking ground in 2005 as requested of us by Bahraini officials. But recent developments have forced us to question the wisdom of any foreign investment in Bahrain and to seek remedies that are available to us as the original developer of these projects."

Recent announcements by Bahraini officials of development plans and investor base for the THGC projects essentially take Desert Kingdom, Coral Island and Race World from the Texas based company which is proving to be a possibly insurmountable obstacle.

"Desert Kingdom, Coral Island and Race World could and should have been the success stories that put Bahrain on the international investment map," Ms. Herman said. "Transparency issues, respect for signed contracts and the rule of law are not merely options for businesses and governments, they are absolute must-haves, and we have found that this is not the case in Bahrain."

Source: Press Release by Teddie Garrigan (Executive Vice President of Herman) at Zawya

Bahrain Ranked 15 on Index of Politcal Freedom in the Middle East

2005-11-18T23:14:00.000+03:00

There is a wide range of democratisation across the Middle East, a survey by a leading research and advisory firm has found. The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) ranked 20 countries on 15 indicators of political and civil liberty. The international weekly news and business magazine's Index of Political Freedom, EIU, ranked 20 countries on 15 indicators of political and civil liberties for its annual preview of the year ahead and scored each country on a 10-point scale, awarding one point for the least political freedom and 10 for the most. The analysts found little evidence of democratisation in some countries.

The Index of Political Freedom lists Israel, Lebanon, Morocco, Iraq and the Palestinian Territories as the most democratic parts of the region.

"And the Americans will promote a trio of more or less benevolent monarchies -- Morocco, Jordan and Bahrain -- as exemplars of their democracy campaign."

Bahrain & Iran both scored 3.85 out of 10 and were ranked at #15 on the index. Libya received the lowest rating, below Syria and Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia held its first ever exercise in democracy in February 2005 when it held municipal elections, but remains an absolute monarchy that has resisted pressure for reform.

Source: BBC News, Mail & Guardian Online via From Beirut to the Beltway

Bahrain to replace oil ministry with energy commission

2005-11-18T22:55:00.000+03:00

A new foreign minister and abolishment of the Ministry of Oil will be the feature of a minor cabinet reshuffle, expected to take place in Bahrain in a few days, sources said yesterday. Bahrain's ambassador to Britain, Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmad Al Khalifa, is likely to be appointed as the foreign affairs minister, sources told Gulf News. The incumbent, Shaikh Mohammad Bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, will retain his position as deputy prime minister.

The sources said the Ministry of Oil will be replaced with an energy commission to be headed by the current State Minister for Cabinet Affairs, Dr Abdul Hussain Mirza, who has 40 years of experience at Bahrain Petroleum Company. The president of the Central Informatics Organisation, Shaikh Ahmad Bin Atiyatallah Al Khalifa, will replace Mirza. If confirmed, the appointment of Shaikh Khalid as foreign minister will mark his cabinet debut.

The other ministries will not be affected by the revamp which is expected this week, the sources said. "It will be limited one and will be followed by a major reshuffle early next year," the sources added. Talks about scrapping the Ministry of Labour and the merging of Ministry of Islamic Affairs and the Ministry of Justice into a larger ministry were dismissed as "speculations".

Source: Gulf News

OWWA acts on Negrenses in Bahrain

2005-11-18T22:38:00.000+03:00

The call for help of a domestic helper from Bacolod who maltreated by her employer in Bahrain, was answered by Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio Arroyo who had urged the overseas Workers Welfare Administration to look into her complaints. Lilibeth Harding Velez, through her father, sought the help of Arroyo and Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella, to facilitate her return to Bacolod as soon as possible.

Velez and several other domestic helpers who have similar complaints of maltreatment from their employers, are now staying at the Philippine Embassy in Bahrain. OWWA officer Edmund Toquero said they are attending to the complaints of domestic helpers, who want to go home. He, however, denied that domestic helpers are being barred from calling their relatives at the Embassy in Bahrain, and that its staff are indifferent to their plight. Toquero said there are rules to follow within the Philippine Embassy in Bahrain, such as prohibition against going outside the embassy premises. If they go out from the embassy, their respective employers have the power to get them back, he added.

Aside from maltreatment, Velez told her father that she had been eating food like hog-feed. As to the payment of 90,000 Bahrain currency they claim is being demanded from Velez and other domestic helpers, Toquero said that their employers probably sued them for failure to finish their contracts, and want reimbursement of their transportation and other expenses.

Source: Visayan Daily Star

Jordanian Exhibition to be Opened in Bahrain

2005-11-18T21:24:00.000+03:00

Activities of the Jordanian Exhibition will start in Bahrain on Sunday (20th Novmeber) with the participation of representatives from public and private sectors. Executive Manager of the Exhibition Fadi Majali said that the event is deemed an opportunity to promote several Jordanian economic sectors in Gulf markets.

'' The Exhibition will be held under the patronage of trade ministers of both countries,'' Majali added, pointing that this event proves that Jordan can confront terrorism through further efforts to attract investments and increase Jordan's participation in international activities.

The first Jordanian- Gulf Economic Conference will be held on the sidelines of the Exhibition with a view to promote economic ties.

Source: Petra

US House, Senate panels approve Bahrain trade deal

2005-11-18T21:21:00.000+03:00

Key committees in the Senate and the House of Representatives approved a U.S. free trade agreement with Bahrain on Friday, clearing the way for final congressional approval by the end of the year. The pact strengthens U.S. trade and investment ties with a moderate Arab state that is a tiny island neighbor of Saudi Arabia and home to the U.S. Fifth Fleet.

Bahrain also has promised separately to completely end its participation in the Arab League boycott of Israel and -- under pressure from congressional Democrats -- take further action to strengthen its labor laws. Republicans and Democrats on the House Ways and Means Committee approved the pact on a voice vote in contrast to their bitter debate earlier this year over a free trade agreement with Cental America. The Senate Finance Committee passed the agreement by a vote of 20-0.

"I think this committee is breaking new ground today on how we handle trade agreements." said Rep. Charles Rangel of New York, the top Democrat on the Ways and Means panel.

"Democrats believe we need some language included in (trade pact legislation) so that we can walk away satisfied that some countries, particularly developing nations, will not be driven to the bottom in terms of worker rights," Rangel said.

The full House and Senate are expected to approve the agreement in December. A U.S. trade official predicted it would be approved by a larger vote than any other recent trade deal. Although Bahrain is a small trading partner, the agreement brings Washington one step closer to its goal of crafting a regional free trade zone in the Middle East by 2013.

Source: Reuters

WSIS: Bahrain Being Watched as a Potential Internet Enemy

2005-11-18T20:35:00.000+03:00

Fifteen countries have won the infamy as 'Black Holes on the Web', thanks to Reporters Without Borders (RSF) - Bahrain is not one of them ... but we are being closely watched! The RSF attended the alternative summit to WSIS in Tunisia - a symbolic "citizens summit" by a group of some 20 non-governmental organisations at the headquarters of the Tunisian Human Rights League (LTDH) - and unveiled a list of 15 Internet enemies.

The top 5 Internet enemies, noted for their online censorship, are China, Cuba, Iran, Belarus and Tunisia.

"These are the world's most repressive governments as regards the free flow of information online," the RSF said. "Independent websites are censored, while bloggers and cyber-dissidents who criticise the government are harassed and sometimes imprisoned."

"We also point the finger at ten other countries that need to monitored. The situation there requires our attention as there have been worrying measures that affect the Internet," added Reporters Without Borders.

The ten countries are, by alphabetical order, Burma, Libya, The Maldives, Nepal, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. Ten economies are being watched as potential Internet enemies. They include Bahrain, Egypt, the European Union, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, the United States and Zimbabwe.

As part of its response to the WSIS currently under way in Tunis, Reporters Without Borders also launched a campaign about Internet "black holes". November 17, the organisation's activists stuck a giant poster representing the "black holes in the web" inside the convention centre hosting the WSIS.

It's a 2x3-metre poster, stuck on the floor of the exhibition pavilion among stands set up by the participating countries, that illustrates the 15 'enemies of the Internet' - the countries that trample on free expression on the Net.

In these "black holes on the web", sites are censored, draconian filtering systems set up and cyberdissidents and Internet-users harassed and imprisoned. Why did the RSF choose to attend the "alternative summit"? The RSF said: "As the authorities prevented as from holding a proper alternative summit, we have no choice but to improvise a meeting at the LTDH's headquarters. Nonetheless, it enabled us to condemn the curbs repeatedly place on free expression in Tunisia and to tackle the issue of online censorship around the world."

Source: Jeffooi @ Screenshots & RSF

DJ colette in bahrain

2005-11-17T23:02:00.000+03:00

Dj Colette came out last week to play at our night over at Club L here in Bahrain. It was a good night with her singing over her dj set throughout the night. People here were pretty impressed by this, since this is something they do not see to often on this side of the world. Some people commented on how she was the best dj we brought out so far for Club L.

The night started out a lil slow, but eventually it picked up later on into the night, as the club filled with alot of crazy people. Colette delivered a nice set of jackin House rhythms, kin to her Chicago background. Sad to say by 2am when he had to close, no one wanted to leave, so we had an entourage of people just hanging after that talking, and perplexed where to go next. So this week we got Richard Parker from Amsterdam coming out to rock the decks, looking forward to that!

Source: Rock Steady 909

(Here's a heads up to everyone in Bahrain's Blogosphere on the discovery of a new blog from Bahrain - Rock Steady 909)

Giff-Blog: I'm Glad Bahrain Didn't Qualify

2005-11-17T22:27:00.000+03:00

Wednesday produced lots of drama and controversy, as well as a complete 32-team field for the World Cup. And I'm glad Bahrain is not among them. I’m not anti-Bahraini, but I’m glad Bahrain didn’t qualify for the World Cup yesterday. In my opinion, they didn't deserve to qualify based on their play yesterday. They had a horrible game plan: play for the draw. And that's being generous. They didn't seem to have any type of game plan at all to be honest. They didn’t go for the jugular, unless you count Kelvin Jack misjudging that ball in the first half. Even T&T went for the jugular, even hitting the crossbar once.

Bahrain couldn’t string three passes together. They didn’t even try to string three passes together from what I could gather. They seemed to have no concept of clock management. A little possession goes a long way. Look at how the Trini’s were killing the clock at the end. If the Soca Warriors weren’t dinking passes back and forth they were taking the ball to a corner flag and blocking the ball and draining the clock. Is it pretty? No. Hell no. But it’s smart. It’s disciplined. It’s the type of stuff you need to do when you’re simply trying to survive at the end of a match.

The reason I’m glad Bahrain didn’t qualify has nothing to do with their protestations and shoving matches and general poor sportsmanship at the end of the match.First, the Soca Warriors played a better game. They were better. They are better. I certainly had my doubts after seeing the first leg. The Trini’s looked bad. Awful. I’d seen them lose before by comfortable margins to the likes of the United States, but in those matches they had played so much better but just simply got beaten by a superior team. Yet Bahrain still couldn’t beat them in that first leg, or in the second leg. In my opinion the better team won over two legs. The better team actually won a match! This ties directly into the other reason I’m glad Bahrain didn’t qualify for the World Cup.

Source: Goal.com

Bahrain coach blames referee for defeat

2005-11-17T22:20:00.000+03:00

Reuters Report that Bahrain appeal to FIFA to have World Cup result annulled

Bahrain coach Luka Peruzovic bemoaned their bad fortune and the decisions of Colombian referee Oscar Julian Rujiz Acosta. Croatian Peruzovic was dejected in defeat, believing his team missed out on qualifying by the narrowest of margins.

'They pushed us but this is not the reason we lost or we are out,'' said the naturalised Belgian, who took over as Bahrain coach in August. 'We knew before the match it would be tough and only one detail can make a difference. But I knew it and I said before that in this kind of match little things make a difference.''

In particular, Peruzovic was aggrieved at a goal disallowed in added time when Bahrain striker Hussain Ali Ahmed flicked the ball away from goalkeeper Kelvin Jack as he threw it up to kick clear. The effort was disallowed, after Ahmed had stroked the ball into the net, for ungentlemanly conduct.

'I cannot remember ever seeing a goal like that being allowed in all my years in football,'' said the Trinidad keeper.

But Bahrain's coach added: ''If he didn't touch the goalkeeper - and I need to check on this when I see it again on television - I think I will ask my federation to protest to Fifa.''

Peruzovic also complained that the referee gave too many free kicks against his team during a rugged, tight and dramatic encounter.

'I am not a bad loser, but there were a lot of fouls against us,'' said the pony-tailed coach.

However, he also paid tribute to Trinidad.

'They were too strong for us and we just could not play against them tonight,'' he said.

Source: Electric New Paper

Bush sends Congress US-Bahrain free trade pact legislation

2005-11-17T22:17:00.000+03:00

TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES:

I am pleased to transmit legislation and supporting documents to implement the United States Bahrain Free Trade Agreement (the "Agreement"). This Agreement enhances our bilateral relationship with a strategic friend and ally in the Middle East region and will promote economic growth and prosperity in both nations.

In negotiating this Agreement, my Administration was guided by the objectives set out in the Trade Act of 2002. The Agreement reflects my Administration's commitment to opening markets and expanding opportunities for American workers, farmers, ranchers, and businesses. The Agreement will open Bahrain's market for U.S. manufactured goods, agricultural products, and services. As soon as it enters into force, the Agreement will eliminate tariffs on all manufactured goods that the United States sells to Bahrain and immediately remove Bahrain's import duties on over 80 percent of U.S. agricultural products. The Agreement is also one of the most comprehensive ever negotiated to reduce barriers to trade in services and will create new opportunities for U.S. services firms.

The Agreement contains procedures that will facilitate cooperation between the United States and Bahrain on environmental and labor matters. The labor chapter of the Agreement reinforces Bahrain's recent legislative actions to expand democracy and improve the protection of worker rights, including trade union rights. Provisions in the Agreement requiring effective enforce ment of environmental laws will contribute to high levels of environmental protection.

The approval of this Agreement will be another significant step towards creating a Middle East Free Trade Area by 2013. This Agreement offers the United States yet another opportunity to encourage economic reform in a moderate Muslim nation as we have done through our free trade agreements with Jordan and Morocco. Leaders in Bahrain are supporting the pursuit of social and economic reforms in the region, encouraging foreign investment connected to broad-based development, and providing better protection for women and workers. It is strongly in our national interest to embrace and encourage these reforms, and passing this legislation is a crucial step toward that end.

GEORGE W. BUSH
THE WHITE HOUSE,
November 17, 2005.

Source: The White House

Gulf Air Cargo Discusses New Business Strategies

2005-11-17T13:23:00.000+03:00

In a two-day meeting of Gulf Air regional cargo teams from the Far East, India and Australia held at Bahrain, representatives from Gulf Air’s on and offline markets in the Asia Pacific region discussed new business strategies to be adopted for next year while reviewing 2005 business performances in these regions.

They also presented ongoing business performance trends with respect to their markets and action plans to further optimise cargo services between destinations.

Source: Gulf Air

MJ eyes tourism in Oman

2005-11-17T13:16:00.000+03:00

Pop icon Michael Jackson has arrived in Oman, amid reports the superstar intends to invest in a large tourism project in the Gulf Arab state, newspapers reported on Wednesday. Jackson was seen on Tuesday at the VIP lounge at Muscat airport where "many passengers were surprised at being able to see Michael Jackson from such a close distance," said Al-Shabiba daily. The paper said Jackson was on a private visit to Oman where unconfirmed reports said the star was planning to invest in a large tourism project.

Source: BackPage/News24

Domina Hotel Group to open new Hotel in Bahrain

2005-11-17T13:10:00.000+03:00

Domina Hotel Group and Al Hamad Construction & Development Co. have signed an agreement to build the Domina Bahrain Hotel & Towers. Scheduled to open in March 2007, and managed by Domina Hotel Group, the hotel marks the entry of the brand into Bahrain and its continued expansion in the Middle East.

Domina Bahrain Hotel & Towers will feature 340 spacious rooms including two presidential suites and villas, 3 restaurants, 2 bars, cigar lounge bar, fitness area, Spa, outside swimming pool, tennis court and leisure avenues and 20,000 square feet of banqueting and conference facilities. Located strategically nearby the capital city Manama, the hotel will provide travellers easy access to key convention, commercial offices, aqua and game park and Formula 1 track.

“Bahrain is known as the Pearl of the Arabian [Persian] Gulf, one of the most attractive destinations in the Middle East” said Francesco Borrello, Chief Executive Officer of Domina Hotel Group. “To open a Domina Hotel property in such a beautiful destination certainly enhances the brand and we are particularly proud to add this new hotel to our group portfolio.”

Domina Hotels & Resorts brand is part of the Domina Hotel Group. The brand has a total of 4,496 rooms with 24 hotels in 10 countries worldwide, and a Nile cruise.

Source: AsiaTravelTips.com

Bahrain reveals business park

2005-11-17T13:07:00.000+03:00

The Bahrain International Circuit has until recently been a rather lonely and desolate place but on December 2 work will begin on the construction of Sakhir City, a business park next to the circuit. This is expected to include at least two hotels. Bahrain is busy marketing itself as a conference venue to build on the investment made with the racing circuit and as part of that programme the organisers say that they are going to push down the price of hotels at the Grand Prix. For the last couple of years hotel rooms in Bahrain have been the most expensive of all the races. That dubious honour now goes to Canada although Monte Carlo remains a strong contender.

Source: GrandPrix.com

MF1 Racing - new team at Bahrain GP 2006

2005-11-16T21:53:00.000+03:00

A team called 'MF1 Racing' with a white, silver-grey and red livery, will leap off the Bahrain grid on March 12 2006. Owned by Alex Shnaider's Midland company, and formerly known as Jordan, it announced on Tuesday that it had officially entered the team for 2006 as 'MF1 Racing', and unveiled a proposed colour scheme and new logo to the press.

A statement said the new livery, as opposed to Eddie Jordan's traditional bright yellow, would 'create a unique identity' for the team. Midland explained that the new car, which has been designed and built at Silverstone, will be called 'M16'.

''As a new team, the challenge was to find the best way to graphically define our identity in the public's perception,'' principal Colin Kolles said of the livery.

The layout of the Midland fax paper, on which the statement was printed, is also significant. Gone are Narain Karthikeyan's main sponsors (Tata, Speed), but still displayed are Galp and the 'Portugal' logo, indicating that Tiago Monteiro has indeed signed to drive alongside Christijan Albers.

Source: UpdateSport.com

Bahrain 0-1 Trinidad & Tobago

2005-11-16T21:45:00.000+03:00

Trinidad and Tobago reached the World Cup finals for the first time in their history after beating Bahrain. Bahrain had secured a 1-1 draw in the Caribbean on Saturday, but were outplayed in the play-off's second leg. Wrexham's giant defender Dennis Lawrence scored the goal, outjumping the Bahrain defence to powerfully head in a Dwight Yorke corner on 49 minutes. In the closing stages Russell Latapy rattled the bar for Trinidad, while Hussain Ali Baba was red-carded.

In a scrappy first-half Bahrain keeper Ali Hassan made a brave save, throwing himself at Stern John's feet, after the on-loan Derby striker broke clear. Bahrain struggled throughout against a physically stronger Trinidad team, with the home side's best chance stemming from Kelvin Jack's misjudgment in coming for a high ball five minutes before the interval. The Trinidad keeper was rescued by Rangers defender Marvin Andrews who cleared the danger.

After Lawrence's goal Ahmed Hassan's low curling free-kick hit the side-netting, though Jack had the shot covered. In chaotic scenes at the end Ali Baba was dismissed after referee Oscar Ruiz was man-handled. Moments after the sending off Jack made up for his earlier eccentric keeping when he spectacualrly tipped over the bar Talal Yusuf's shot. With a population of just a one million Trinidad will be the least populated country taking part in the 2006 finals in Germany. Bahrain had also been trying to reach their first-ever World Cup after having come through two Asian qualifying rounds and surviving a close and controversial playoff against Uzbekistan to reach the Asian/CONCACAF play-off.

Source: BBC Sport

Gamco looks ahead, despite Gulf Air's troubles

2005-11-16T16:57:00.000+03:00

The decision of the Abu Dhabi government to pull out of Gulf Air – leaving just Bahrain and Oman as shareholders – leaves a question mark hanging over the future of Gulf Aircraft Maintenance (Gamco), the region's only big third-party maintenance, overhaul and repair (MRO) player, which was set up as a joint venture between the airline and the Abu Dhabi government in the late 1980s.

Gulf Air owns 40% of the company and provides about half of its revenues. Yet the majority shareholder, the Abu Dhabi emirate, is now backing its own horse – Etihad. This airline's headquarters sit next door to Gamco's 55-hectare facility at Abu Dhabi airport and its rapidly expanding new fleet is beginning to pass through Gamco's hangars and workshops. The carrier shares a chairman with Gamco and its support is likely to prove crucial.

Gulf Air – as well as Etihad – is treated as a third-party customer and is free to take its business elsewhere as long as it pays compensation for contracts signed, insists general manager Saif Al Mugharir, who has steered a financial turnaround at Gamco since he and chairman Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saif took charge in early 2001. He says the business can ride out whatever Gulf Air decides to do.

Source: Flight International

Probable Hijack Of Bahraini Plane Thwarted

2005-11-16T16:43:00.000+03:00

Seven Iraqi female passengers were caught on Tuesday on board a Bahraini airplane with concealed weapons, as it was about to leave Damascus International Airport, reported the Kuwaiti news agency - KUNA. Initial investigations conducted by the Syrian security authorities revealed that an eighth person did not enter the airport, and is still free.

The seven Iraqi women were carrying Australian passports. They were caught just before the aircraft took off, and were removed from the plane for investigation.Their weapons were concealed in one of the women's bags, and inside a doll which was put in the hands of a baby carried by another woman. Iraqi opposition movements, spearheaded by Al-Qa'ida, attack not only the coalition forces in Iraq, but also each country – including from the Muslim world – which cooperates with the U.S. and other Western countries.

Source: KUNA via Media Line

Saudi refuses to raise Haj quota for Bahrain

2005-11-16T16:37:00.000+03:00

There will be no increase in the number of Bahrainis visiting Saudi Arabia this year to perform Haj, as the concerned Saudi authorities have decided to maintain the same quota at 12,000 of the previous year. The Saudi Ministry of Haj has notified its decision to Bahrain's Supreme Haj Council (SHJ) that its request to increase Bahrain's annual quota to 16,000 to enable more number of people to perform Haj rituals. As the quota remains the same, the Council may not issue new licences to those contractors who are on the waiting list, and would continue to deal with the 52 certified agents or contractors.

Source: Khaleej Times Online

Red Bull to launch RB2 in Bahrain

2005-11-16T16:36:00.000+03:00

Red Bull Racing have confirmed that they will launch their 2006 challenger in Bahrain, prior to the Bahrain Grand Prix, the opening event in next year's FIA Formula One World Championship.A spokesperson for the Milton Keynes based squad told Reuters that the official unveiling would probably take place on Thursday. The new Ferrari powered RB2 meanwhile looks set to make its track debut at the end of December - and early indications are positive. Who will partner David Coulthard in the lead Red Bull team, however is still unknown.

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Source: Crash.net

Pearl Development & Real Estate Company commences construction of Abraj AL Lulu

2005-11-15T20:37:00.000+03:00

Bahrain-based Pearl Development & Real Estate Company, which is co-owned by a group of Bahraini, Saudi and UAE investors, today announced that construction on the Bahrain's largest private sector residential project, the BD 95 million Abraj Al Lulu, has commenced with piling work progressing at a rapid pace.

The official contractors for the project, Al Hamad Contracting, are confident of finishing the construction, as per the original schedule, in 32 months. The first residential project of its kind in the kingdom Bahrain, Abraj Al Lulu aims at enhancing the skyline of Bahrain's capital.

Strategically located in Manama across the highway from the Bahrain Financial Harbour and close to the Al Futtaim City Centre, Abraj Al Lulu is a 20-minute drive from the Saudi causeway and less than 10 minutes away from the Bahrain International Airport. The project covers an area of 200,000 square feet and will comprise of three multi-storey residential towers offering superior amenities fit for a luxurious life. With two 50-storey towers and one 40-storey tower the development will house over 860 one, two, three and four-bedroom state-of-the-art apartments and 12 Sky Villas.

Source: AMEInfo

Eitan Receives Bahraini Counterpart

2005-11-15T20:34:00.000+03:00

Director of Bahraini Public Security Department Major General Abdul Latif Al Zayani on Tuesday praised the security procedures of the Jordanian security apparatuses that showed a high efficiency in dealing with the terrorist action. During a visit to the Public Security Department, PSD, in Amman and meeting its Director Gen.

Muhammad Majed Eitan, Al Zayani said the Jordanian security procedures enhanced the Arab citizen's confidence in security services and in its capability of controlling the crises. He expressed his admiration over the distinguished level of organizing the Arab Chiefs of Police Conference in Amman and the hospitality of receiving the delegations of the conference. For his part, Eitan affirmed the necessity of cooperation among all

Arab security apparatuses to encounter crimes, especially the terrorism which became a danger that threatens the whole world.

Source: PETRA

Iran president's message delivered to Bahraini crown prince

2005-11-15T20:33:00.000+03:00

Iranian Ambassador to Manama Mohammad Farazmand on Tuesday handed over a message from President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Bahraini Crown Prince and commander-in-chief of Armed Forces Sheikh Salman bin Hamd al-Khalifa. At the meeting the two sides also studied grounds for bilateral cooperation.

In his message, President Ahmadinejad referred to his meeting with Bahraini crown prince on the sidelines of the World Summit in New York last September and called for growing relations between Tehran and Manama. President Ahmadinejad said that Iran is willing to develop political, economic and cultural cooperation with Bahrain.

Source: IRNA

Abul-Gheit: Egypt not responsible for failure to issue Bahrain declaration

2005-11-15T20:28:00.000+03:00

Egypt's Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul- Gheit said Egypt's reservations, during a meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Bahrain's forum for the future, was not behind the forum's failure to release a final communique. Egypt's State Information Agency reported that "He said that Egypt has approved Bahrain's document which was prepared in advance, despite reservations" by other Arab states. The report said: Abul- Gheit said the future foundation is a voluntary effort that aims at lending support to non-governmental organizations.

He estimated the number of non-governmental organizations operating in Egypt at 18,000. He said Egypt insisted that support should be extendedonlyto legally registered organizations because experience over the recent years has proved that some organizations were not serving the interests of their target communities.

Abul -Gheit said Egypt informed the American side of its viewpoint but the American response was not favorable. Egypt was thus forced to make reservations on the paragraph. He denied reports that he refused to take partin the press conference in Bahrain, pointing out that the conference was confined to Bahrain and Britain and the so-called forum presidency partners. He said he did not suddenly leave Bahrain pointing out that his departure was set in advance as he was set to meet European Union and Security Chief Javier Solana in Cairo.

Source: ArabicNews.com

Cleric warns against family law

2005-11-15T20:23:00.000+03:00

"If this law passes, it will not be possible to revoke it without blood... And blood may be of no use, as the Iraq example shows," Sheikh Issa Kassem told worshippers in the village of Daraz, west of Manama. "We do not want the country to shed one drop of blood, especially among its own people," said Kassem, whose community forms a majority in Bahrain.

The sheikh said a proposed law that would regulate family and other personal status matters in Bahrain should be drafted by clergymen and "approved by the marjaiya [Shiite religious authorities] in [the Iraqi holy city of] Najaf." Kassem, who heads the Shiite Muslim Council of Ulema, charged that the proposed family law was meant to "please the United States." He pointed to remarks by US Deputy Assistant Secretary for Near East Affairs Scott Carpenter published in the local press in which he said that Washington supports giving women a bigger role and that Bahrain would host a conference on family laws in the Middle East and North Africa early next year.

A source close to the Higher Women's Council, which is chaired by King Hamad's wife, said a draft family law had been prepared by Sunnite and Shiite religious leaders and it would be submitted to the government for approval before it is put to Parliament. The source did not give details about the proposed legislation, or say if it provides for family and other personal status matters to be settled by Islamic or civil courts. Sunni and Shiite courts currently rule on family and other personal status cases. Bahraini women activists have long been demanding that a law regulating personal status issues be enacted and that related disputes be referred to civil courts. King Hamad was pictured in local dailies receiving prominent women who came to greet him on the occasion of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr -- a departure from previous practice when only photographs of men greeting the monarch were published. (King) Hamad, whose country is a close US ally and hosts the US Navy's Fifth Fleet, has introduced a series of political reforms since coming to office in 1999, including the revival in 2002 of an elected Parliament which had been scrapped in 1975.

Source: Lebanon Monday Morning

Michael Jackson surfaces in Dubai

2005-11-15T20:20:00.000+03:00

"King of Pop" Michael Jackson turned up here to present awards for the Dubai Desert Rally racing tournament Monday night, a local newspaper reported Tuesday. No one noticed him at first as he sat at the Le Meridien Mina Seyahi hotel, tucking into his buffet with close friend and renowned United Arab Emirates (UAE) rally driver Mohammad Ben Sulayem and Saeed Hareb, managing director of the Dubai International Marine Club.

Sporting a black suit, white shirt and black tie, Jackson took to the stage and handed out awards to Stephen Peterhansel - who won the cars category of the rally, and Cyril Despries, who won the bike section of the race. UAE newspapers quoted shop-keepers as saying they had seen Jackson in the Ibn Battuta Mall. Jackson entered a ladies toilet (by mistake as he couldn't read Arabic) in the mall and when he was discovered there he went to a bookshop. Police arrived on the scene in large numbers, said Gulf News.

Ten weeks ago the pop star visited this city for a short visit, during which he toured various sites and enjoyed a bite at the Hard Rock Cafe and the Burj Al Arab. Jackson, who is living in Bahrain, was accompanied by a son of the Bahraini King Hamad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa and Ben Sulayem.

Source: NewKerala.com

Michael Jackson's new mansion on his own private island

2005-11-15T20:17:00.000+03:00

Michael Jackson has splashed out $1.5million on a new mansion on his own private island. The eccentric singer has paid the massive sum for a quarter-acre site on the Amwaj Islands , located off the coast of Bahrain where Jackson has been living since being cleared of child sex abuse. The island, which is part of three man-made islands built in the last five years, boasts lavish facilities including its own international airport, several top restaurants, a private hospital, golf courses, canals and an equestrian centre.

There is also a private school, the International School of Choueifat, where it is believed Jackson will send his three children Prince Michael, Paris and Prince Michael II. Jackson will reportedly move into the property in January and the island's other residents are excited about their new famous neighbour - despite his recent troubles.

One local said: 'It's still the music people know, that's how people here know Michael Jackson. It's really exciting.'

Last week, the 'Billie Jean' singer's father insisted his son would never live in America again after receiving a series of threats. Joseph revealed Michael only intended to return to the US for work and visits after the way he was treated during his child abuse trial. He revealed: 'He'll come back to America to visit, but not to stay, not to live.

'They didn't treat him right here. I know if I was him, I wouldn't come back.'

It is not yet known if Jackson now plans to sell his world famous Neverland ranch in America.

Source: Monster and Critics

Cerebral Waste - The Blogger, Coming to Bahrain

2005-11-12T22:30:00.000+03:00

Yep. It is "D" day. "D" as in DEPARTUE. This may or may not be the last post for a few days or weeks. Time for me to board a series of flights and planes that will eventually land me in Bahrain. Via Boston, Houston and Amsterdam. Yeah I know a little off the normal flight path from Boston to get to Bahrain but when your desperate for a visit to Manama a guy will do what a guy has to do. It is 26 degrees here now. COLD. That is enough of a reason to want to leave!

Looking forward to seeing Mahmood aka The MahaMahmoodski aka THE BLOGFATHER at www.Mahmood.tv. Chan'ad at http://chanad.weblogs.us/ BahrainniRants at http://www.bahrainirants.blogspot.com/ THE JOKER at http://yalajaji.blogspot.com/ Ali from http://quixotiq-writings.blogspot.com/ and all my friends at AMH and other friends and family from around the GCC and the world who live in and around Bahrain.

Sadly I will miss Amira from http://sillybahrainigirl.blogspot.com/ due to her recent move to the Great White North and despite my best efforts I couldn't get DIB from http://desertislandboy.blogs.com/ to come with me. He needs a trip back home. Denial isn't just a river in Egypt John! Opps and how could I forget the Island's most famous cat. The one and only SHOUFY from http://shoufythecat.blogspot.com/ who for some reason isn't posting much as of late.... Hmmmm Have to see what I can do about that. I understand Shoufy has been busy working on another book... hmmmmmm

Source: Cerebral Waste

Blunder in Bahrain Calls Turkey 'Target Country'

2005-11-12T22:09:00.000+03:00

Broader Middle East and North Africa Project meeting in Bahrain has started with a historical error Friday. Turkey is given the role to make contributions to the project countries as a "democratic partner"; however, to the foreign ministers meeting in Bahrain, Turkey was invited as a "regional-target country". Germany and Canada were invited as developed countries, Greece as a "democratic partner," but Turkey mistakenly as a "target country" for the 4th panel at the meeting.

US State Department Undersecretary for the Project Broader Middle East J. Scott Carpenter said this is a mistake and the US clearly pointed at Turkey as a "democratic partner" in the last meeting. The preparation committee must have overseen this definition, he added. “The connection of the region with Europe is achieved through Turkey,” the American diplomat reminded, “and the US gives a great deal of importance to Turkey in this process.”

At the end of tremendous efforts, the mistake was corrected in the handbooks prepared and the name of the country was appended in the list of "democratic partners". The second meeting of the project began in capital Manama of Bahrain to overview the activities. Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul is participating in the meetings and TESEV, an education foundation, is representing non-governmental organizations. On the first day of the meeting, the topic of the agenda was "Inner and Outer Dynamics of Reform Process," "International Affairs and Aids," "Political Development and Political Dialogue," and "Human Rights."

The second meeting was met with great enthusiasm to the contrary of the first. Sudan attended the summit for the first time as Iran did not participate. The developed eight countries, target countries and "democratic partner" countries attended the meeting. Turkey is co-partnering "Democracy Assistance Dialogue" along with Italy and Yemen.

Source: Zaman Daily Newspaper

Unpaid: Bahrain protest kicks off

2005-11-12T17:55:00.000+03:00

More than 70 workers in Manama, Bahrain have gone on strike after not being paid for up to eleven months. The workers, who are mainly from India, are employed by Al Khayam Construction Company. Construction Week spoke to the company foreman, Sasidharan Pillai, who said that all the workers were on strike and would not go back to work until they were paid.

“It’s very sad how we are taken for granted. Some of us have been working with the company for about 20 years,” he said. “The workers have not been paid for seven months and four of us supervisors have not been paid for 11 months.”

He said that the men have been surviving on borrowed money from friends.

“The company even refused to give us money for food”, he said. “We were told that the reason the company couldn’t pay us was because the clients for their projects hadn’t paid them and that we would get paid as soon as possible. We continued working without fail with the hope that we would get our wages either today or tomorrow. It’s been eleven months now. Finally, we decided to stop working and we approached the Labour Ministry for help. We have been summoned along with the owner to report to the labour court this week.”

Pillai said that the workers have decided that they will not go back to work unless they are paid for at least five months after being told that getting paid in full was out of the question.

“We are ready to go back to work. We don’t want to cause problems and we are not happy going on strike. But this step has proved necessary,” he said. “Each worker gets only US $132 (BHD50) per month so asking for at least five months wages which works out to $795 (BHD300) per month is not unreasonable. We are the ones who have built up this company and then this is how they repay us.”

Al Khayam Construction was unavailable for comment on the workers’ strike action.

Source: Construction Week - ITP

Rice uses Bahrain Future Forum to attack Syria

2005-11-12T17:54:00.000+03:00

During the Forum for the Future, being hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Saturday criticized political repression in Syria and call for the release of political prisoners there.

"We continue to support the Syrian people's aspirations for liberty, democracy, and justice under the rule of law," Rice said, according to the AP. "We would like to see an end to the arbitrary detentions of democratic and human rights activists," Rice stated. She mentioned that democracy activist Kamal Labwani was arrested at the Damascus airport Tuesday night, after returning from the United States and a meeting at the White House with President Bush's deputy national security adviser.

Rice noted that with withdrawal of Syrian forces from Lebanon last spring, "one million citizens in Lebanon have demanded and won their independence from Syrian domination."

"It reminds us that we sit here to talk about a future of reform, a future of hope, a future in which economic prosperity and political participation can be imagined for the people from this region, and there are those who have quite another vision of what the region should look like," Rice said.

Source: AlBawaba | Images Courtesy: New York Times

GCC States to observe International Day for combating Diabetes

2005-11-12T17:41:00.000+03:00

The six member states of the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council, will observe along with other world countries, the international day for combating diabetes, which falls on Monday, November 14. The day will be observed under the title of 'Diabetes and Kidney Diseases', Kazinform cites Saudi Press Agency.

In a statement to The Saudi Press Agency, Dr Tawfiq Khoja, the Director General of the Executive Bureau for the Council of the GCC Health Ministers, said that the World Health Organization (WHO) expects that the number of diabetics will be doubled by 2025 to reach about 300 million in the world. He noted that the rate of diabetics in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Bahrain has surpassed 10 percent of the total population. The GCC is made up of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman.

Source: Kazinform

A Thunderous Success Story in Bahrain

2005-11-12T16:01:00.000+03:00

20,000 people flocked in droves to the Bahrain International Circuit on Thursday and Friday nights, including leading members of the Royal Family, International media and visitors from as far as New Zealand and Argentina, to witness the first ever FIA European Drag Exhibition in the Middle East. The skies of Bahrain were lit up from burning methanol, dazzling firework displays and continuous cheering from the adoring hoards of passionate motorsport fans as spectators over the two days were treated to intrepid displays of mind boggling brilliance on the ¼ mile strip.

Drivers from all over the world created clouds of smoke large enough to envelop the colossal beauty that is the Sakhir Tower, bangs and blasts deafening enough to be heard in the countries capital, Manama, 15 miles away and wafts of burning fuels and tyres saturated the packed grandstands. The main attraction however, on both nights, was without doubt the debut, in the Middle East, of the Top Fuel Dragsters and Funny Cars. Two of the best Top Fuel Dragsters from Europe were on display, which are able to reach speeds of 500kph and cover the ¼ mile strip in less than six seconds. The most successful Funny Car from Europe was also pushed to its limits in front of the cheering crowd.

The Top Fuel Dragsters were the last two cars on track giving the crowd a small taste of what can be expected in April when the opening round of the FIA European Championship is to be hosted in Bahrain. The night was rounded off by a fantastic firework display as Ali Aryan celebrated victory in his Pro-Street Camaro by winning the first Pro-National Championship. An empty seat couldn’t be found in either grandstand until the show had come to a definite end, and even then it looked as though some wanted to keep their seats until the next event at the BIC, the Final Round of the FIA GT on 24th and 25th November.

Source: Paddock Talk | Images Courtesy of the Crew @ EuroDragster

Fans urged to come early

2005-11-12T10:29:00.000+03:00

The message from the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation and the Local Organising Committee to fans attending today's 2006 World Cup play-off match against Bahrain is to come early and enjoy an evening of good football and entertainment. Fans are being advised that no parking will be available in and around the Hasely Crawford Stadium, including the second field which will be the evacuation point of the venue.

The game has attracted worldwide attention and fans from parts of Asia, some in support of T&T, as well as the United Kingdom and the United States will be here for the match. A little more than a dozen Bahraini supporters and 30 Bahraini students from the United States were scheduled to fly in yesterday on a private jet which will take the team back to Bahrain after the match. The T&T team will be taking the pitch in their new Adidas strip, while Bahrain will be in white and black Puma uniforms.

Source: Trinidad & Tobago Express

Pakistan national soccer team to tour Bahrain

2005-11-12T10:23:00.000+03:00

Pakistan’s national football team will proceed to a 12-day tour of Bahrain on the 18th of this month to play some matches there, stated Pakistan Football Federation president Faisal Saleh Hayat while talking to media at the People’s Football Stadium here on Friday.

Faisal visited the People’s Stadium to review the renovation work for the SAFF Football Championship to be held next month. He expressed his satisfaction over the renovation work done under the supervision of Sindh Government and City District Government Karachi.

The PFF president said Karachi was a big center of sports particularly football and the organisation of SAFF Championship would help in building the image of Karachi at the international level. He said the PFF would urge the FIFA and the AFC to allot some more international events to Karachi in future. To a question, he said all expenses of Pakistan’s team to Bahrain would be born by the Bahrain government.

Source: Daily Times

Arabs blast U.S. 'Big Brother' approach to Bilateral Free Trade Agreements

2005-11-11T03:01:00.000+03:00

Arabs attending a conference Thursday in Bahrain blasted Washington's "Big Brother" attitude in bilateral Free Trade Agreements, saying they are political tools to serve U.S. interests rather than enhance economic prosperity in the region. "FTAs are not the ultimate solution for this region. ... I see FTAs as a catalyst for change and reform rather than promoting trade," said Rashid Rashid, Egypt's minister of foreign trade and industry.

"FTAs are creating a negative environment. It is a waste of time to think that we (Arabs) will achieve economic integration through the U.S.," Rashid told a panel during the Arab Business Council (ABC) annual meeting.

"The United States will not be the gateway for regional economic integration," he said.

Rashid's comments came in response to Robert Lawrence, professor of trade and investment at Harvard University, who had earlier told the panel that FTAs between Washington and Arabs will help integrate Arab economies.

"If Arab countries can integrate with the United States (through FTAs), it will be easy for them to integrate with each other," Lawrence said.

Although he acknowledged that the "U.S. motives of these agreements are fundamentally political," Lawrence said "but they have to deliver economically in order to be effective." Arabs can reap the fruits of FTAs if they use them "to open up their economies and accelerate domestic reforms," Lawrence said.

Washington has already signed FTAs with Jordan, Morocco and Bahrain and is negotiating similar accords with Oman and the United Arab Emirates.

Source: The Daily Star

Bahraini Researcher: Women Should be Rulers in the Arab & Muslim World

2005-11-11T02:57:00.000+03:00

This clip is of excerpts from an interview with the Bahraini researcher
Dhiyaa Mussawi, which was broadcast by Al-Arabiya TV on September 21, 2005.

*Clip # 900 - Bahraini Researcher Dhiaa Mussawi: Women Should be Rulers in
the Arab and Muslim World. I Call for Understanding the West, Not Dissolving
in It

Dhiyaa Mussawi: First of all, of course I don't think that Islam is against
women. Second, I think part of the crisis in the Arab world is that no Arab
country is ruled by a woman. I believe women can even be rulers, not only
judges. This is my ideological belief, which I can support with
jurisprudence. Some scholars, like Sheikh Shams Al-Din and Fadhlallah called
for that. We believe that women...

The interviewer: You mean women should be rulers?

Dhiyaa Mussawi: Yes. The problem is that we still live in a male-dominated
society. [...]
The Western world thinks about reaching Mars in 2015, while we are still
debating the question of women driving, like some of our brothers in Saudi
Arabia are doing. [...]

The interviewer: You are not trying to make points with the West?

Dhiyaa Mussawi: Absolutely not. I wish for a future and for coexistence
between people. I believe in the verse "Call [people] to the way of the Lord
with wisdom and goodly exhortation," and not in calling [people] to the way
of the Lord with goodly explosives belts, or bombing them in the most
gracious way.? [...] We must strengthen the common ground in the mentality
of the believing youth, instead of allowing Muslims to develop an outlook
based on explosive historical stories, so they will explode in New York,
London, or any other place.

To view this clip: http://www.memritv.org/search.asp?ACT=S9&P1=900

Source: Memri TV

MTC and Vodafone sign on for two more years

2005-11-11T02:22:00.000+03:00

(we've all heard about the ongoing fracas regarding the alledged split between MTC and Vodafone...)

Kuwaiti telecoms group MTC has renewed its partnership agreement with UK-based Vodafone for another two years. The original deal saw the Gulf operator adopting the MTC-Vodafone brand in Kuwait during 2002. The agreement was extended when MTC secured the rights to launch a new mobile network in Bahrain in 2003, MTC-Vodafone Bahrain. Under the terms of the deal MTC has access to Vodafone’s international roaming services and shared marketing initiatives.

Source: Telegeography

5th Grand Wine Festival supported by Gulf Air

2005-11-11T02:15:00.000+03:00

Gulf Air, one of the finest and modern airlines in the world, has supported the 5th Grand Wine Festival to be held on November 18 at the New World Renaissance Hotel, Makati City which would start at 6 p.m.

Billed as the Asia’s great wine tasting as it is participated in by more than 100 companies in 15 countries to date and will showcase over 400 varieties and superior wines in the world, the event expects to draw government dignitaries, diplomats, hotelier, restaurateurs, elite society people, topnotch businessmen, wine connoisseurs, and wine lovers.

Event organizer, Ralph Joseph, president of Ralph Wines and Spirits and Philippine Wine Merchants, said the occasion could be festive as 750 people from the top are expected to come with much anticipation that for the first time they can taste the best wines of the world.

Participating countries and embassies supporting of this event are France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Bulgaria, Austria, Australia, Argentina, Chile, New Zealand, South Africa, the United States, Romania and Japan. Other countries invited include Hungary, Israel, Greece, Canada, Lebanon, China and Thailand.

Source: Manila Bulletin Online

Bahrain's ABG eyes Manama, Dubai, Malaysia listings

2005-11-11T01:10:00.000+03:00

Bahrain-based Albaraka Banking Group (ABG) is looking at listing in Dubai and Malaysia as well as Manama, the company's CEO said on Nov 9.

Adnan Yousif said in an interview that the company hoped to raise up to US$800 million (RM3.02 billion) in 2006 by selling shares and issuing an Islamic bond.

He said the company would be looking at listing in Manama as well in Dubai and Kuala Lumpur.

"The money will be used for expansion into new markets. It will also be used to strengthen the capital base for existing subsidiaries for future investments," Yousif told Reuters on the sidelines of an Islamic banking conference in Luxembourg.

Source: Reuters via The Edge Daily