“I think it was a way to save face.”
Oil prices shot to new highs again Friday as traders, unimpressed by U.S. and Saudi efforts to boost supply, kept buying on the belief that prices had more room to rise. via Boston Globe
“The international community has failed to protect our people, and now we are in a position to do it”
COMMENT By Stephanie McCrummen Washington Post Foreign Service Saturday, May 10, 2008; 3:38 PM NAIROBI, Kenya, May 10 — Darfur rebels launched an unprecedented attack on the outskirts of the Sudanese capital … via The Washington Post
“Is there hope for a permanent solution (to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict)? What about rising food and oil prices? Nothing is going to be resolved (at the WEF) but you will get a feeling of what the directions are.”
US President George W. Bush flies on Saturday to Egypt where he will meet Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas after celebrating Israel’s 60th anniversary and address the World Economic Forum on the Middle East. via Raw Story
“Dollar denominated oil revenues will also suffer a similar setback”
The U.S. dollar’s decline against foreign currencies is causing some Arab countries to consider switching to another currency exchange peg, economists said. via Daily India
“These documents provide further evidence that the torture of prisoners in U.S. custody abroad was not aberrational, but was widespread and systemic”
The American Civil Liberties Union has obtained previously withheld documents from the Defense Department, including internal investigations into the abuse of detainees in U.S. custody overseas. via Dialogic
“We were trying to make a feeling of youth — but still be true to their culture”
Richmond, Va. — The assignment for Virginia Commonwealth University fashion students: design an abaya, an enveloping cloak worn by Muslim women, that is stylish yet acceptable in Arab countries. via Springfield News Leader
“The atmosphere is excellent and we will put our efforts into reaching a solution which is in the interest of all Lebanese”
By Tom Perry
BEIRUT (Reuters) - Rival Lebanese leaders head for Qatar on Friday aiming to end a protracted political conflict that pushed the country to the brink of a new civil war.
Leaders of the U.S.-backed ruling coalition and the Hezbollah-led opposition will try to forge a deal to end the standoff which has paralyzed government for 18 months and left Lebanon without a president since November.
An Arab League mediation mission sealed an agreement on Thursday which ended fighting between ruling coalition supporters and Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran and Syria. Read more
“Taameer’s projects are very competitive as they combine highest standards with reasonable prices.”
Al Qabas for Real-Estate Development, one of Taameer Jordan Holdings’ real estate development subsidiaries, recently signed an agreement with Ehtiraf - Jordan Professional Enterprise, entitling Ehtiraf’s sales … via AME Info
COMMODITIES Saudi Arabia looking to invest in rice PHUSADEE ARUNMAS Investors in Saudi Arabia, one of the world’s top rice buyers, are looking for joint ventures with Thai partners to invest in rice farming in … via Bangkok Post
“Franchising brings in the issue of product control, possibly across national boundaries”
NEW YORK : Silverjet PLC is in talks to replicate its premium-class model through franchise deals around the world even as it treads cautiously in expanding its core business, the high-end airline’s CEO said … via International Herald Tribune