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Saudi Religious Police Probed for Alleged Fatal Beating [May 26]
"Police in the Saudi capital Riyadh are probing the alleged beating to death of a man by religious police, who are in charge of enforcing a strict Islamic moral code, a newspaper reported Saturday. An investigation is under way into the circumstances of the death of Salman Al Huraisi, 28, in one of the offices of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, Riyadh police spokesman Major Sami Al Shuwairekh told Al Watan.. ..The deputy director of the religious police's branch in Riyadh, Sheikh Othman Al Othman, told Al Watan: "A death has occurred and an inquiry is under way to determine the circumstances" of the incident.." [more]

Saudi Arabia: Symposium Focuses on Maritime Counter-Terrorism [May 26]
"Security experts have stressed the importance of protecting seas against terrorism during the second symposium on maritime disasters that began earlier this week in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.. ..Prince Mohammed Bin Naif stated that the current situation regarding terrorism requires mobilizing efforts on local and international levels. 'You are all aware that all means of transportation are exposed to danger at sea where many lives are lost. We must do what it takes to acquire knowledge to face such disasters'.. ..He added that despite that the sea is a difficult place to execute terrorist plans, vigilance is required. 'All existing national and international companies take their own precautionary measures to control terrorist activity,' he said. Anqawi further highlighted the importance of combating terrorism in fear of the damage it could cause to economic interests of the oil industry and air transportation.." [more]

Saudi Islamic Bank Eyes $10bn Poverty Fund [May 26]
"The Saudi Arabia-based Islamic Development Bank, or IDB, will next week launch a $1.4bn Poverty Reduction Fund targeting 20 Muslim nations, according to the bank’s president. Ahmad Mohamed Ali told Zawya Dow Jones that the IDB’s board of governors will gather in Senegal’s capital Dakar on Tuesday to review the fund’s policy, before announcing its official establishment.. ..According to Mohamed Ali, the fund has attracted participation from over 20 states including $1bn from Saudi Arabia, $300mn from Kuwait and $100mn from Iran, with further donations to be announced in Dakar.The fund is targeting donations totalling $10bn.." [more]

Gulf States Urged to Mount Campaigns Against Media Piracy [May 26]
"Gulf governments have been urged to step up efforts to fight pirated media and stolen pay-TV channels in the region. “We have problems in the Gulf, even in Saudi Arabia, with compounds having cable systems that do not pay us for our content,” said Greg Sweeting, Showtime’s vice president for legal and business affairs. Sweeting urged the authorities to work aggressively to safeguard intellectual property rights and combat piracy.. ..Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have been placed by the US government on low level of monitoring lists, indicating the concerns about copyright violations, according to a report published in USA Today.." [more]

More Gains From Lower Profits [May 26]
"Saudi banks' profit growth is expected to be moderate in 2007, but more importantly be at sustainable levels, with lower stock market-related earnings and a slowdown in consumer loans. Overall, the outlook for the Saudi banking sector remains stable, with banks continuing to benefit from the positive impact of high oil prices on the economy. Soaring oil revenues have boosted the economy, leading to increased demand for loans and other banking services.. ..As a result, the Saudi banks were yet again some of the best performers in the GCC in terms of return on assets and return on equity.." [more]

US Steps Up Crude Oil Sourcing Drive [May 25]
"When President Bush repeated the mantra in his State of the Union address in January, for the second year running, that the US needs to lessen its reliance on the Middle Eastern oil, not everyone took him seriously then. Many argued it may not be practically possible. But the Bush Administration appears serious in some ways at least.. ..There seems a strategic direction in the thinking process in Washington on the issue. Obsessed with the idea of diversifying its crude supply base, as much as practically possible in the given circumstances, the US administration is definitely making headway. According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), Nigeria overtook Saudi Arabia in March 2006, as far as crude exports to US were concerned.." [more]

Looming Deadline for Indonesians Illegally in Saudi Arabia [May 25]
"Authorities in Saudi Arabia say they will jail and deport thousands of illegal Indonesians migrants, if they fail to leave the country by the end of the month. More than a million Indonesians live in Saudi Arabia, mostly as domestic workers. A grace period, granting illegal Indonesian migrants the chance to leave Saudi Arabia voluntarily, will expire on May 31. Our reporter in Jakarta, Katie Hamann, says, after that, as many as 40,000 Indonesian citizens face a six month jail term and deportation.." [more]

Italian Scholarships for Saudis [May 25]
"The Italian Government has decided to grant 10 2-month scholarships to young Saudi students who want to learn Italian by attending a course in Italy. The scholarship must be used for attending an Italian course in the period October 2007-September 2008, according to Nicola Orlando, from the Embassy of Italy in Riyadh. For Saudi tourists and businessmen, Italy is one of the most appreciated destinations. Last year more than 22,000 Schengen entry visas were issued by the Italian consular offices in Riyadh and Jeddah, making Italy the most important entry visa issuer in the Kingdom among the member countries to the Schengen agreement.." [more]

Citizens Want Recommendations of Rights Body Carried Out [May 25]
"Many Saudis, including human rights activists and lawyers, welcomed the report that was recently released by the National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) detailing human rights violations in the Kingdom.. ..The NSHR report tackled human rights issues in the Kingdom, which included violations of the rights of women, prisoners and workers as well as injustices in law courts, discrimination against non-Saudis and forced confessions from those detained by the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice. The report further noted that domestic violence had reached an alarming level and called for an end to the requirement of male guardians for women and the need for male approval in all matters involving women.." [more]

At $71 a Barrel, Oil May Touch $80 This Summer [May 25]
"Global oil prices could easily rally to record levels above $80 a barrel this summer, analysts have forecast, due to Middle East tensions, red hot Chinese growth and a reluctant Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec). But record high prices will not have the same impact on oil demand as in the past few years since consumers have grown accustomed to it.. ..Analysts said little has changed since last summer when oil prices surged to a record $78.65 for Brent and $78.40 for US crude. Worries over Iran’s nuclear program, militant attacks in Nigeria and China’s breathtaking economic growth remain key drivers for the market. One significant change since last summer has been Opec’s decision to curb supplies by 1.7 million barrels per day.." [more]

Terrorists Go On Air in Saudi Arabia [May 24]
"Seven terrorists have admitted to being involved in planning terrorist attacks in the Kingdom. The seven, four Saudis, an Egyptian and two from Chad said that they have been also planning to storm a central prison in Jeddah to free terrorists. The Saudi official state television broadcasted their confessions on Tuesday evening.. ..They described how the leader of the so-called "the legal cell" had convinced them to declare that the Saudi government is a 'non-believer.' They also spoke about their plans to storm Al Ruwais central jail in Jeddah.." [more]

Oil Climbs to 9-Month High Above $71 [May 24]
"Oil climbed above $71 to a nine-month high on Thursday after a report by the United Nations' nuclear agency opened the way to tougher sanctions against the world's fourth biggest crude exporter.. ..Prices steamed higher after US warships put on a show of force off Iran's coast on Wednesday, coinciding with a report by UN monitors that Tehran had expanded its nuclear programme. 'Iran has come back to the forefront and it's definitely having an impact,' said an oil broker in Tokyo.." [more]

Saudi Telecom Considers International Expansion [May 24]
"The Chief Executive Officer at Saudi Telecom Co. (STC), the largest Arab telecom firm by market value, said that the company plans to boost its revenues from overseas operations to 10 percent of the company's total revenues, Arab News reported. According to familiar sources, the company aims to secure loans worth between $10 billion and $15 billion to finance proposed acquisitions internationally. STC is one of the few remaining Gulf companies that have not yet involved in any mergers or acquisitions, even after it lost it monopoly in the Saudi market to Etihad Etisalat (Mobily) in 2005.." [more]

Foster Wheeler in Saudi-Total Deal [May 24]
"Foster Wheeler Ltd., an engineering and construction services company, said Thursday it won a contract from Saudi Arabia's state-owned oil company Aramco Services Co. and French oil company Total SA. Financial terms were not disclosed.Bermuda-based Foster Wheeler will provide a process design package for a new delayed coker to process heavier crude oil into transport fuels. The technology _ which will be developed in Houston _ will be used at the Jubail Export Refinery, a full-conversion refinery, to process Arabian heavy crude.." [more]

Employment Key to Mitigating Crime [May 24]
" Deputy Labor Minister for Planning and Development Abdul Wahid Al-Humaid emphasized the need for finding jobs for the more than 500,000 unemployed Saudis in order to reduce crime. 'The crime rate among the unemployed has increased by 320 percent from 1990 to 1996 ... If the private and public sectors do not take quick steps to tackle the unemployment problem the society will be in danger,' he said. Al-Humaid made this comment while addressing a preparatory meeting of the 7th National Dialogue in Dhahran.." [more]

Arab States to Face Acute Water Shortage [May 24]
"Arab states would face a water deficit of 100 to 133 billion cubic meters per year by 2030 and it is going to be the biggest economic, social and environmental challenge facing the Arab nations, warned Dr. Saeed Al-Kindi, UAE minister of environment and water, while addressing the opening session of a workshop titled “Integrated Water Resources Management”.. ..The workshop, which was organized by Environment Center for Arab Towns (ECAT), Dubai Municipality and the United Nations Environment Program-Regional Office for West Asia (UNEP-ROWA).." [more]

Oman Abandons Gulf’s Single Currency Plan [May 24]
"Oman’s central bank Gov. Homud Al-Zidjali said yestersday that the sultanate had decided not to take part in a planned single currency for Arab states in the Gulf.. ..Saudi Arabia said yesterday that time was running out for the planned launch of a single Gulf currency in 2010, after Oman said it would not join and Kuwait de-pegged its currency from the dollar. “It is true that the time now is short and we need exceptional efforts to achieve” monetary union and single currency by 2010, the head of the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency, Hamad Al-Sayari, told a banking conference in Kuwait. Leaders of the GCC states decided at a summit in 2001 to launch a monetary union and single currency by 2010.." [more]

Saudi Television Airs Confessions of al Khalidiyah Terror Cell [May 23]
"New information has emerged regarding the terrorist plot to storm Ruwais Prison in Jeddah, western Saudi Arabia, through the confessions of members of the al Khalidiyah cell. On December 7, 2006, a number of armed men attempted to break in to the prison; however, prison guards were able to crush the operation. On Tuesday, Saudi television aired the confessions of the men who took part in the operation to enter Ruwais Prison. The individuals confirmed that the operation was one of the goals of the al Khalidiyah cell. Members of the cell had been arrested 15 June, 2003.." [more]

Qataris Refuse to Release Saudi Fishing Boats [May 23]
"Qatari authorities have refused to release the Saudi fishing vessels detained more than 50 days ago without giving any explanation for the renewed refusal. 'The criminal court, which looked into the case, refused to release the vessels without specifying the reason or the relevant legal point on the basis of which the ships were kept in custody,' an informed source told Arab News yesterday. It was reported earlier that the Qatari Coast Guard seized seven Saudi fishing vessels on charges of trespassing into that country's waters. The source said there is no legal basis for the Qatari authorities' detention of the ships even after the willingness of the sailors to pay the fine.." [more]

Call to Abolish Saudi Sponsorship System [May 23]
" Saudi human rights organisation has called for the abolition of the sponsorship system applied for expatriate workers. The National Human Rights Association (NHRA), a non-governmental organisation, said in its first report since its establishment in March 2004 that the sponsorship system was the cause of many human rights violations of foreign workers in Saudi Arabia.. ..The association noted that it has monitored a number of women's rights violations such as forcing a woman to bring a legal guardian for performing many of her activities. The NHRA added that it was a flagrant violation of a woman's rights not to allow them to do any kind of business unless through a legal guardian.." [more]

Kingdom, Egypt Suspend Red Sea Ferry Services [May 23]
"As part of an official clampdown on vessels that fail to comply with international safety standards, marine transportation authorities in Egypt and Saudi Arabia have stopped a number of ferries from carrying passengers between the two countries across the Red Sea. Reliable sources from the Saudi Seaports Authority said currently five ferries are operating between the two countries. 'A lack of adherence to safety regulations was the main reason behind ferry disasters such as the sinking of Al-Salaam Boccaccio 98 last year,' said the source.. ..Ferries will continue to be stopped from operating over the next few months, which coincide with the peak Umrah season due to summer vacations in both countries.." [more]

Saudi Banks to Adopt Basel II in January 2008 [May 23]
"Saudi Arabia will adopt the Basel II risk-based capital framework at the start of next year to strengthen the country’s financial system, the central bank governor said yesterday. The Basel II accord, adopted by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, aims to align global bank capital standards and introduces new formulae to more closely tie capital requirements to asset risk, replacing a less differentiated standard in force since 1988.." [more]

U.S. Lawmakers Take a Jab at OPEC [May 23]
"The House took aim at the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries on Tuesday, voting overwhelmingly to brand the cartel's efforts to control world oil prices illegal. And with support of the legislation strong in the Senate as well, President Bush soon could be thrust into the unenviable position of siding with OPEC producers at a time of painfully high gasoline prices. As American motorists forked over a record average $3.21 a gallon — according to the most recent AAA survey — the House voted 345-72 Tuesday to approve a bill that would authorize the attorney general to sue the OPEC countries in U.S. courts.." [more]

Saudi Arabia's National Air Services Places $650 Million Orders for Gulfstream G450 Business Jets [May 22]
"National Air Services (NAS), the largest and fastest-growing independent provider of private aviation and fractional share services in the Middle East, today announced it has signed a multi-aircraft contract with Gulfstream Aerospace. The multi million dollar contract calls for firm orders on three large-cabin, long-range Gulfstream G450 business-jet aircraft, with options for 17 more G450s, which if exercised will bring the contract?s value to potentially in excess of US$700 million.. ..The Gulfstream deal is crucial for NAS future fleet plans and a landmark for our company. We serve an increasingly growing market and this deal is a demonstration of our commitment towards our customers?, noted Taher Agueel, CEO, NAS. ?A jet class of its own, the G450, is destined to appeal to the passionate corporate and private aviation traveler across the Middle East.." [more]

Saudi Announces Refinery Build Shortlist [May 22]
"The Saudi oil ministry has shortlisted eight local firms to build and operate an oil refinery in Jizan in partnership with international companies that will be invited to make bids, newspapers said on Tuesday. The refinery is to be part of an "economic city" in the impoverished region of Jizan in the far south of Saudi Arabia on the Red Sea coast near Yemen. The plant will have capacity to process between 250,000 and 400,000 barrels per day. Top oil exporter Saudi Arbia aims to boost refining capacity at home to 3.4 million bpd in 2012 from 2.1 million bpd last year.." [more]

Saudi Business Delegation Set to Explore Opportunities in Canada [May 22]
"The executive arm of the Saudi-Canadian Business Council on Sunday discussed the final arrangements for the upcoming Saudi businessmen's visit to Canada organized by the council, according to Ali Al-Yami, vice chairman of the council and the head of its media committee. The delegation comprising 40 businessmen representing various commercial and industrial sectors, government agencies and public undertakings aims at exploring and expanding the areas of mutual trade and investment by Canadian and Saudi businessmen. The start of the visit is on June 10.." [more]

GCC Interior Ministers Agree to Increase Security Coordination [May 22]
"The interior ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have emphasised that security cooperation and coordination between the six countries was the key to insulating them from any security threats in the region. The meeting said this cooperation along with the efficiency of the security forces is enough to protect the GCC states. Surprisingly the final communiqué of the 8th consultative meeting of the interior ministers here did not contain any reference to Iran's nuclear programme.. ..The GCC interior ministers highlighted the efforts exerted by the Saudi security forces in foiling terrorist plans to attack vital installations in the Kingdom. The ministers renewed their support to the measures adopted by the Kingdom.." [more]

Saudis Fret After Kuwait Alters Peg [May 22]
"A number of Saudi financial experts said Kuwait's decision to peg its currency to a basket of currencies instead of the dollar has frustrated the Gulf Cooperation Council's (GCC) plan to achieve monetary union by 2010. In statements to Gulf News, they expressed surprise at Kuwait's step, which they said was done without coordination with the other member states since pegging the Gulf currencies to the dollar was made under a GCC agreement. Dr. Saeed Al Shaikh, senior economist at Arab National Bank, said the decision by Kuwait creates the impression that there are doubts that a unified GCC currency can be achieved by 2010. He added that though some other GCC states said they would not follow Kuwait's example, they may change their policies due to high inflation in these countries.." [more]

Feasibility Studies Begin on N-energy Program [May 22]
"Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states began working on feasibility studies for a joint nuclear program on Monday. 'The promising future of nuclear energy in electricity generation and desalination can make it a source for meeting increasing needs,' GCC secretary general Abdul-Rahman Al-Attiya told the first meeting of Gulf nuclear experts. The GCC, a major energy producing group that includes Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, agreed with the UN atomic watchdog in February to cooperate in early preparations for atomic energy. Reiterating GCC claims in December that their program would be peaceful and transparent, Attiya said it aimed to cut carbon dioxide emissions in the Gulf region. 'A large part of Gulf Cooperation Council oil and gas products can be used for export in light of expected high prices and demand,' Attiya said.." [more]

Egypt Favors Saudi Causeway in Another Spot [May 22]
"Egyptian Tourism Minister Muhamed Zoheir Garana said in comments published yesterday that his country was not against building the Saudi-Egyptian causeway over the Red Sea. “We have not rejected the projected totally,” he said. However, the minister pointed out that the $3 billion project that would link the Asian and African continents required detailed studies. Garana also said that the causeway would have positive results in many areas. The minister, nevertheless, objected to building the causeway near the tourist resort of Sharm El-Sheikh, which attracts a large number of foreign tourists every year.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Frees Detained Kuwaitis [May 21]
"Saudi authorities released five Kuwaiti nationals 10 days after detaining them in the holy city of Madinah for distributing audiotapes yesterday. Security sources said that after arriving in Kuwait on Saturday night, the five underwent further security investigation until noon yesterday, adding they could be summoned at any time for further questioning. However, the sources underlined that the five returnees did not belong to any terrorist group or organization. They said that the tapes the pilgrims were distributing did not include terror ideologies or concepts, but dealt with the propagation of Islam, discipline and etiquette. Kuwaiti security authorities were also awaiting the results of the investigations conducted by Saudi authorities.." [more]

Businessmen Voice Concerns Ahead of GCC Common Market [May 21]
"Businessmen and women yesterday expressed their doubts and apprehensions about the proposed Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) common market, which is expected to become a reality before the end of the year. Members of the committee formed by the Consulting Commission for the Higher Council of the GCC Arab Countries met with businessmen at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) to hear their views about preparations and requirements for establishing a proper work and investment environment. Some of the main issues had to do with laws and regulations, transparency and accountability.." [more]

Saudi Gains Approval for Lyondell Buy [May 21]
"Saudi Arabia's National Industrialisation Co. said on Sunday a subsidiary had won approval for the purchase of U.S. company Lyondell Chemical Co.'s titanium dioxide pigment business. Lyondell said in February it would sell the unit for about $1.2 billion to the National Titanium Dioxide Co. (Cristal), in which NIC holds a 66-% stake.. ..The operations being sold include eight plants in Europe, Australia and the Americas. The deal includes a cash payment of $1.05 billion and the U.S. firm said it would use after-tax proceeds of $975 million to accelerate its debt reduction.." [more]

Official Fined in Case of Harassment [May 21]
"The Court of Grievances has found a government official guilty of mistreating a Saudi family and fined him SR2,000, the Saudi Press Agency said quoting a statement from the Riyadh governorate. At the same time, the court acquitted another accused official, saying there was not enough evidence against him. A criminal court had previously found him guilty of mistreatment and fined him SR1,000, the statement said. The Court of Grievances in Riyadh gave its verdict in a case filed by a mother and daughter who were stopped by officials of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in 2004 in front of Star City Amusement Park in Riyadh. The officials accused the women, who were in a car with their driver, of not conforming to customs of decency.." [more]

OPEC Must Add More Oil to the Market to Avoid Record Prices [May 21]
"OPEC must add more oil to the market to avoid a price spike which would match last year's record of nearly 80 usd, said the Centre for Global Energy Studies (CGES). In its latest monthly market report the research house also said there is an insufficient level refinery cracking capacity to convert crude into gasoline and meet this summer's peak demand driving season in the US. 'The world needs more oil than OPEC seems willing to supply, making it difficult to avoid another surge in oil prices over the coming summer,'.." [more]

Expedite Elimination of Banned Weapons: Kingdom [May 20]
"Saudi Arabia has called on countries that possess chemical weapons to respect their commitments to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CMC) and expedite their efforts to eradicate their stockpiles. 'At a time when we have shown our respect to our commitment to the CWC, we expect all member countries to follow suit,' said Prince Turki ibn Muhammad, deputy minister of foreign affairs and head of the National Commission for Chemical Weapons Convention (NACWC).. ..The official mentioned that since the US became a signatory, it had managed to destroy only 41 percent of its total chemical weapons. Countries of the former USSR have also extended their deadline to 2012. They have only destroyed 20 percent of their stockpile. The official, however, said the Kingdom had come a long way in implementing its CMC’s obligations.." [more]

GCC Interior Ministers Meet Today to Discuss Security Cooperation [May 20]
"Interior ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states are to discuss, during their 8th consultative meeting in Riyadh today, ways of enhancing security coordination for fighting terrorism and the repercussions of the situation in Iraq on the security of the six states.. ..'The meeting will discuss different aspects of enhancing security cooperation and exchange of information'. 'The interior ministers will also discuss intensifying coordination and cooperation between the concerned security bodies to protect the societies in the GCC states from all alien phenomenon like terrorism and others,'.." [more]

Saudi Arabia to Seek $2.7b Compensations From Tobacco Firms [May 20]
"Officials at Saudi Arabia's Health Ministry said that the Kingdom will request over $2.7 billion in damages from international tobacco companies in a lawsuit due to go on trial this September in Riyadh, Khaleej Times reported. According to Saudi officials, the suit will require companies to pay $2.7 billion as well as $133.3 million per year in compensation for the costs of treating Saudi national who suffer smoking-related diseases. The ministry did not specify the companies it will sue.." [more]

Saudi Investors are Favouring Dubai [Mau 20]
"Dubai is increasingly becoming a safe haven for investors from Saudi Arabia. These investors are putting funds in property, the stock market and businesses at large. According to the May issue of the Arabic version of Forbes magazine, some 30,000 Saudi nationals invested a hefty $15 billion in the Dubai stock market in 2006. Saudis are second only to UAE nationals among investors in the bourse.. ..valid reasons explain why Saudis choose Dubai. These include absence of ownership restrictions on GCC nationals and availability of liquidity among investors interested in trading in property.." [more]

Saudi Teen Joins Elite Group [May 20]
"To the cheers of thousands of scientists, educators and students from 51 nations, Saudi student Ahmed Khalid Al-Nuaimi received a scholarship for his work in behavioral and social sciences Friday at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) at the New Mexico Expo in Albuquerque. Earlier, Al-Nuaimi received a special award for best use of the scientific method in a project display and was given membership in the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence. Judges were impressed with the project of the 16-year-old student from Dammam’s Al-Ansar School titled “A Smart Shoe for Blind People,” in which he detailed shoes with electronic sensors and audible alarms that can guide the blind or visually impaired.." [more]

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