Nakheel chair sees lender deal by next week – paper

DUBAI, July 6 (Reuters) – Nakheel, the property arm of troubled state conglomerate Dubai World, may reach a deal with lenders by next week, the company’s chairman said in a newspaper report on Tuesday.

Nakheel [NAKHD.UL] plans to meet with bank lenders on July 14, its chairman Ali Rashid Lootah told the Gulf-based English daily Khaleej Times.

“We are meeting with bankers on July 14 and hopefully they will sign the contract,” he said.

Under a restructuring proposal issued by its parent Dubai World [DBWLD.UL] in March, Nakheel creditors would receive repayment through a mix of 40 percent cash and 60 percent tradeable security, in the form of an Islamic bond.

The company said it began cash payments to trade creditors in a statement issued on June 30. The 40 percent is equivalent to 4 billion dirhams ($1.09 billion), a company spokesman told Reuters.

The rest of the payments, in the form of a bond, would be made in coming months, the company said in June. [ID:nLDE65T0FS]

The developer secured in principal 75 percent agreement from trade creditors for the 40 percent cash payment and expected to reach the remainder in a few weeks, a company spokesman told Reuters on June 30.

(Reporting by Shaheen Pasha; Editing by Thomas Atkins)

Bahrain’s Mumtalakat FY loss rises on Gulf Air, Alba-document

MANAMA, June 20 (Reuters) – Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat Holding’s full-year net loss in 2009 more than doubled due to higher losses at its portfolio companies Gulf Air [GULF.UL] and Aluminium Bahrain [ALNUB.UL], a document showed.

Mumtalakat, which bundles Bahrain’s non-oil state-owned companies, said in an investor presentation reviewed by Reuters that its 2009 net loss was $487.2 million, compared with a loss of $184.3 million in 2008.

It said Gulf Air’s full-year loss rose 21 percent to $502.9 million last year, while Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), in which it owns a 77 percent stake, swung to a full-year net loss of $220.7 million, compared with a profit of $781.9 million in 2008.

Mumtalakat said in February it would transfer ownership of the loss-making carrier to the Bahraini government as it was not attractive enough as an investment, but in the presentation it said it owned 100 percent of the airline. [ID:nLDE6132TC]

The fund also said derivative losses of $170.6 million contributed to the rise in net losses.

Mumtalakat is currently on a fixed-income road-show. It said in the presentation it would use the proceeds to pay down some of its debt and for general corporate purposes.[ID:nLDE65F17C]

Emerging bond markets are improving and Gulf Arab issuers are eagerly waiting for global markets to be more favorable towards the region as the impact of debt restructuring in Dubai becomes more visible.

The emirate of Dubai has also held investor meetings this month and may launch an Islamic bond in the third quarter, bankers have said. [ID:nLDE65D0OG]

Mumtalakat’s road-show will end on Tuesday with investor meetings in Germany and Switzerland. Markets expect it to issue a benchmark-sized bond, according to IFR, a Thomson Reuters publication. Ratings agencies Fitch and Standard & Poor’s have assigned ‘A’ ratings to the expected issue. (Reporting by Frederik Richter; Editing by Dinesh Nair and Jon Loades-Carter)

Eight charred to death

Faizabad, June 6 (PTI) Eight people, including four women and a two-year-old child, were charred to death as the Bolero in which they were travelling caught fire after being hit by a speeding truck coming from the opposite direction on FaizabadLucknow national highway, a senior police official said here today. Seven of the jeep”s occupants, all of whom were killed on the spot, belonged to the same family while the other person who died in the mishap was its driver, Faizabad SP RKS Rathore said.

The accident occurred on the intervening night of Saturday/Sunday when Azizullah, a trader belong to Basti district, was going to Amausi airport in Lucknow to receive his son coming from Dubai after four years, Rathore said. The flight timing was early morning so the family was rushing for the airport.

Immediately after it was hit by the truck, there was a short circuit in the Bolero jeep and it burst into flamwes. Within no time the fire engulfed the whole jeep, killing all its occupants, the police official said.

A search has been launched to nab the truck driver who is absconding, he said.

Somali pirates hijack Panama-flagged cargo ship

June 2 (Reuters) – Somali pirates hijacked a Panama-flagged cargo ship and its 24-strong crew in the Gulf of Aden on Wednesday, the European’s anti-piracy taskforce said.

EU NAVFOR said an American warship had seen at least one person with a rocket-propelled grenade launcher on board the MV QSM Dubai.

It said the crew were from Egypt, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Ghana. (Reporting by Richard Lough; Editing by Helen Nyambura-Mwaura)

Dubai deal shows commitment to state-linked firms – official

Dubai’s restructuring proposal for Dubai World’s debt signals the emirate’s commitment to state-linked firms, the chairman of Dubai’s Supreme Fiscal Committee said on Sunday.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al-Maktoum also said that the fiscal committee would set up a programme to address vulnerabilities in Dubai’s financial system and that the government of the United Arab Emirates would issue a federal debt management law later this year, according to a speech prepared for delivery.

(Writing by Cynthia Johnston)

Somdev crashes out of French Open in first round

Paris, May 23 (IANS) A fighting Somdev Devvarman crashed out of the French Open 3-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 3-6 in a marathon first round match against Switzerland’s 65th-ranked Marco Chiudinelli here Sunday.

The 109th-ranked Indian and Chiudinelli were locked in a three-hour long battle before the Swiss evened his head-to-head meetings with Somdev. The Indian had beaten Chiudinelli in their only previous meeting in Dubai earlier this year.

Somdev Friday had become the first Indian in 13 years to qualify for the main draw at Roland Garros. Leander Paes was the last Indian to play in the men’s singles here in 1997 and he lost in the second round to Magnus Norman.

Somdev’s only previous Grand Slam entry was in the US Open last year where he lost to Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber.

Pilot failed to signal SOS, being blamed for Mangalore air crash

Mangalore, May 22 (ANI): The pilot of the Air India Express flight from Dubai to Mangalore failed to signal or announce an emergency landing, and this is being cited as a factor leading to Saturday”s crash near Mangalore Airport.

At least 169 people are feared dead after an Air India Express aircraft from Dubai to Mangalore overshot the runway while landing at the Mangalore airport on Saturday morning.

A total of 173 people including the crew members were on board the flight that crashed around 6: 30 a.m.

At least 20 fire tenders have been rushed to the site as the plane is on fire and smoke was seen coming out of the airport.

The rescue operation is still on with the help of around 150 Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel.

It has been reported that there are six survivors, who have been rushed to the hospital.

Karnataka Home Minister Dr V S Acharya said incident happened near a valley 10 kilometers from the airport.

Meanwhile, the Mangalore airport has been shut for the time being.

There are reports that Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel has rushed to Mangalore to monitor the situation. (ANI)

Over 169 dead in Mangalore air crash

Mangalore, May 22 (ANI): At least 169 people are feared dead after an Air India Express aircraft from Dubai to Mangalore overshot the runway while landing at the Mangalore airport on Saturday morning.

A total of 173 people, including the crew members were on board the flight that crashed around 6: 30 a.m.

At least 20 fire tenders have been rushed to the site as the plane is on fire and smoke was seen coming out of the airport.

The rescue operation is still on with the help of around 150 Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel.

It has been reported that there are six survivors, who have been rushed to the hospital.

Karnataka Home Minister Dr V S Acharya said incident happened near a valley 10 kilometers from the airport.

Meanwhile, the Mangalore airport has been shut for the time being.

There are reports that Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel has rushed to Mangalore to monitor the situation. (ANI)

Sarah Jessica Parker’s joy at SATC sequel’s Morocco stint

London, May 20 (ANI): Actress Sarah Jessica Parker says she’s glad that the shooting of ‘Sex And The City’ sequel tool place in Morocco – as none of the locals recognized the cast.

The four leading ladies shot for the film in the deserts of the African country – which doubled as Abu Dhabi in the movie – after producers failed to get filming permission from Dubai officials.

But Parker insists that they were lucky they came to Africa for their movie instead to the Middle East – because the production was completely undisturbed in Africa.

“We were in a country that had no interest in us. It was our job to stay out of their way and be respectful of their turf,” the Daily Star quoted Parker as telling the Sun.

“They were in the middle of their lives, jobs and work, so when we were in the market standing in front of their stalls it was our responsibility to integrate into their lives.

“They had little or no interest in us and it was a virtue because it allowed us to tell our story in an open environment and capture everything we wanted on screen,” she added. (ANI)

Fraud Asian couple jailed for conning friends off 464,000 pounds in UK

London, May 20(ANI): An Asian couple has been jailed in Cheshire, England, for conning a string of friends out of 464,000 pounds.

According to reports, Abdul Mohammed and his wife, Shahista, promised their victims that they would earn them up to 50 percent profit in just three months by investing in oil businesses in the Middle East.

The Chester Crown Court heard that the couple stole 464,000 pounds between May 2005 and March 2007 from five people.

The court jailed Abdul for four years after after he admitted five counts of theft, while Shahista was given an 18-month sentence after admitting one count of theft.

“They claimed to be millionaires, but were unemployed layabouts. This scam was all fur coat and no knickers,” The Sun quoted a friend of one victim, as saying.

The victims claimed that the couple kept the cash and used it to fund a lavish lifestyle.

They lived in a plush mansion in Cheshire, with three cars and enjoyed luxury holidays to Dubai and America.

They also sent their three kids to private school. (ANI)

Dubai – where public kissing is a taboo, but prostitution flourishes

London, May 16 (ANI): Dubai”s Islamic austerity is nothing but a sham. Couples who publicly kiss are jailed, however the state turns a blind eye to 30,000 imported prostitutes.

According to The Times, a Brit who visited the state claimed that the second floor of a glitzy five-star hotel was filled with prostitutes. And the men were all potential punters.

While the man talked to Jenny, from Minsk in Belarus, she offered him “everything, what you like, all night” for the equivalent of about 500 pounds. The man, however, turned down the offer.

This was in the city centre of Dubai, the Gulf emirate where western women got a month in prison for a peck on the cheek. (ANI)

NY bomb trail leads to 3 more Pak men

New York, May 14 — Three more men, reportedly all of Pakistani origin, were arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation on Thursday in connection with the failed bomb attack at Times Square on May 1. All three are allegedly believed to have provided part of the funding for the bomb planted by Faisal Shahzad, the Pakistani-American already in custody.

Two of the men, who have not been identified, were held in the suburbs of Boston: a taxi driver and a petrol pump attendant. The third was detained in Maine.

Federal investigators also believe that the money could have been sourced through hawala networks that are often used for transfer of money by South Asians in the US. Shahzad paid in cash for the Nissan Pathfinder vehicle he left parked at Times Square with the bomb in it. He paid in cash for the air ticket to Dubai as well which he had boarded when he was arrested.

West Indies fined for slow over-rate in Barbados

Dubai, May 11 (ANI): The West Indies team has been fined for maintaining a slow over-rate during its 14-run victory over India in its Super Eight stage match in the ICC World Twenty20 at Kensington Oval, Barbados.

Match referee Jeff Crowe imposed the fines after Chris Gayle’s side was ruled to be two overs short of its target at the end of the match when time allowances were taken into consideration.

In accordance with the ICC Code of Conduct regulations governing minor over-rate offences, players are fined 10 per cent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time, with the captain fined double that amount.

As such, Gayle was fined 40 per cent of his match fee while his players received 20-per-cent fines. If Gayle, as captain, is guilty of two further similar over-rate offences in T20Is over the next 12 months, he will receive a one-match suspension as per the provisions of the code.

The offence is contrary to Article 2.5.1 of the code which relates to minor over-rate offences. The penalty was accepted by the West Indies without contest so there was no need for a hearing. (ANI)

PLO President gets go ahead for indirect peace talks with Israel

Dubai, May 8 (ANI): Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) President Mahmud Abbas was on Saturday given the go ahead for holding indirect peace talks with Israel.

Reports from Ramallah quoted Fatah Deputy Secretary General, Jibril Rajub, as saying: “The Palestinian leadership has approved the proximity talks.”

He was speaking after a meeting of the PLO Executive Committee.

According to reports, the talks will be brokered by the United States.

The Palestinians will hand over a letter of acceptance in this regard to US President Barack Obama”s special Middle East envoy George Mitchell later today. (ANI)

No evidence to prove Younis Khan’s Oz ‘misconduct’ charges: Counsel

Dubai, May 5 (ANI): Former Pakistan cricket captain Younis Khan’s lawyer has said there was no evidence against his client which could prove that his behaviour was not upto the mark during the Australian tour following which he was banned for an indefinite period by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Mohammed Ahmed Qayyum said he has gone through the PCB’s inquiry committee’s report, which had recommended a ban on both Khan and Mohammed Yousuf, and could find nothing against his client.

“I have seen the documents personally at the PCB headquarters and I found no evidence at all against my client,” Qayyum said.

“Younis Khan was not a part of the team on the New Zealand tour and was only a member of the one-day side on the Australia tour,” he added.

Qayyum said he would urge the PCB for an open enquiry in Khan’s case, and let the people of the country to see the truth.

“Yes, we shall certainly press for the open hearings and let the world know about his innocence,” The Nation quoted Qayyum, as saying.

The second round of hearing, which is being presided over by a former high court judge, Irfan Qadir, is scheduled to take place on Saturday (May 8). (ANI)

Times Square bomb plotter a “disturbed individual”: Pak Embassy

Washington, May 5 (ANI): The Pakistani Embassy in Washington has described Faisal Shahzad, an American civilian of Pakistani origin who was accused of plotting the failed Times Square bombing, as a “disturbed individual.”

Assuring the US of all help in investigations, the Pakistan Embassy’s spokesperson, Nadeem Haider Kiani, said initial reports suggested that Shahzad is a “ disturbed individual.”

“It”s too soon to tell exactly what motivated the bomber,” Kiani said.

Kiani also parried questions about reports regarding some men being arrested in Pakistan in connection with the terror plot, saying he was ‘unaware’ about any such development.

Earlier, Pakistan’s Ambasssador to the US, Hussain Haqqani said Islamabad is ready to lend all support to Washington in the probe, and hinted at Shahzad being a “misguided individual.”

“An overwhelming majority of Pakistani Americans share the aspirations of civilized people everywhere for a terror-free world and should be seen as allies against the misguided individuals who undertake or plan acts of terror,” The News quoted Haqqani, as saying.

Shahzad, 30, was arrested on Tuesday while trying to board a plane to Dubai. Soon after his arrest, media reports said eight to ten people had also been arrested in Pakistan in connection with the failed bombing plot.

US officials said Shahzad has admitted to his role in the bombing plot, and added that he had received bomb-making training in Pakistan’s restive tribal region along the country’s border with Afghanistan. (ANI)

Kerala kite festival lures international kite-flyers

Kozhikode (Kerala), May 3 (ANI): Kerala first ever kite festival is luring international kite-flyers to Kozhikode.

The three-day event was organised by the District Tourism Promotion Council of Kozhikode and the Kappad Destination Management Council.

It started from Saturday and will continue till today.

“We have got Indonesians, UK, South Korea, Malaysia, Kuwait, Thailand, Dubai, Saudi Arabia kite-flyers …these are the people who are around,” said Shaukat Ali, the Overseas Coordinator of the India International Kite Festival.

Along with participants from outside India, the festival has attracted many locals as well, he added.

A participant from UK, Dary Koon said the festival has provided a break for everyone from their busy lives.

“I think it is very important…it”s not always obvious, but kite-flying is something you do outside of your working life. This is the extra that you work on for. So, you concentrate on the week, or maybe the weekend for work, and earn the money to live but then at the weekend you can indulge in your hobby. With me, it is actually a passion and not a hobby,” said Koon.

The event also included kite-making workshops, a food festival, and cultural events on all the three days.

Seeing the enormous response, the organisers and the tourism department have decided to make the event an annual event in Kerala. (ANI)

China stripped of Sydney gymnastics bronze

Dubai, Apr.29 (ANI): China has been stripped of their women”s gymnastics team bronze medal from the Sydney 2000 Olympics after one of the athletes falsified her age, the International Olympic Committee said on Wednesday.

According to a China Daily report, an International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) probe had found in February that Dong Fangxiao was younger than the minimum age requirement of 16 after registering different ages at Sydney and the Beijing Games eight years later.

“The medal and diplomas of Dong Fangxiao are withdrawn and reallocated accordingly,” IOC spokesman Mark Adams told reporters after an IOC Executive Board meeting.

The United States, fourth-place finishers in Sydney, are now upgraded to third place and will be awarded the bronze medal.

The IOC ordered the Chinese Olympic Committee to return the medal and her diplomas so they can be re-awarded and told the committee it must ensure rules regarding age-limits are strictly kept. (ANI)

Waqar vows to bring back trademark 90’s agression to win T20 WC

Lahore, Apr 26(ANI): Pakistan coach Waqar Younis insists that the national team needs aggression and firepower to win the forthcoming Twenty20 World Cup in the West Indies.

“I will try to induct the same kind of aggression and fire in the team, which was Pakistan’s trademark in 1990s as it is necessary for us to win and retain the title,” The Dawn quoted Waqar, as saying.

“The boys have put in plenty of hard work during training camp. They look very much in form and rhythm to deliver and defend the title,” he added.

When asked who will be the favourites for the tournament, the 38-year-old said that it would be very difficult to predict a winner.

“Twenty20 is a different type of cricket where no one can predict anything, but it is important to perform to your potential…you have to bowl, bat and field well on the given day in order to win the match,” he added.

The entire squad, except for fast bowlers Mohammad Sami and Mohammad Asif, and eight officials left from Lahore for the West Indies via Dubai and London.

Sami left for the West Indies from Karachi via New York, while Asif boarded a direct flight from Lahore to London, as he is banned from travelling to Dubai. (ANI)

Pak team can retain T20 title with fans’, media’s support: Afridi

Karachi, Apr.24 (ANI): Pakistan T20 captain Shahid Afridi has said that his squad is all geared up for defending the World T20 Championship in the West Indies, adding that it needed support of both people of the country and the media.

Afridi said his boys are well prepared to tackle world’s best teams during the coveted tournament but they needed fans support to transform their talent and will into performance on the field.

“My team and I are geared up to, tactically and technically, live up to the expectations of the nation for accomplishing the task of winning in the West Indies,” Afridi said in an interview prior to departure to Caribbean.

The 15-member Pakistan contingent would leave on Saturday (today) and reach St. Lucia via Dubai and London.

“Without the prayers of the nation and supporters across the world, the Pakistan cricket team cannot achieve anything. Besides playing patriotically for Pakistan we need support of countrymen and the media. My appeal to the national media is to go for healthy criticism while keeping Pakistan’s interest above everything,” The Dawn quoted Afridi, as saying.

Afridi denied being under any pressure to perform, and stressed that players would have to lift their fielding standards if they have to repeat last year’s success.

“Fielding is crucial area in this fastest version of the game, and a lot of hard work was done to raise the standard. We are ready give our best and rest with Allah,” he said.

Afridi said his team has good mix of youth and experience that can create trouble for even the world’s best teams.

“T20 cricket is altogether different. We got a lot of firepower in our batting.
We have experienced Misbah-ul-Haq, Abdul Razzaq, young Umar Akmal, Khalid Latif and Salman Butt,” he said. (ANI)