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GCC Population

July 15 , 2007: The biggest problem facing GCC countries are unemployment. GCC governments do not have any plan to solve this problem which is increasing rapidly each year. This problem will have in the near future a drastic economical and political impact on these countries , that it could cause change of governments. Another problem is the scarcity of water and the dependent on burning oil to fuel Power plant. So when the oil is over , there will be simply no water and no electricity, in another world will be no life. So there will be mass immigration to other countries. that situation will have a drastic effect on the citizens of the GCC.

July 15, 2007: Iran has threaten it will claim and demand that Bahrain to be part of Iran and  also claim some other GCC countries to be part of Iran , if the GCC still raise the issue of the 3 islands that were taken by Iran from UAE , some years ago. This is a clear escalation of the threats Iran is posing to the GCC Arab countries are they want to make an Empire in the area. Iran want to scare the GCC Arab countries and is planning to Annex such countries and take their richness and Petrol.

July 13, 2007: Iran is claiming that the people of Bahrain demand the union of their country to Iran and that Bahrain was part of Iran. Such a statement by a top Iranian official and the spokesperson and advisor for  Ayital Ali Khomeini ( the top spiritual leader of Iran ) , indicate clearly the intention of Iranian government of its domination and control of all the Arab Gulf Countries. Accordingly the Iranian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Manouchehr Mottaki, is going to Bahrain to strengthen ties with the kingdom and highlight that the remarks of the Adviser of the Iranian Supreme Leader on Bahrain being part of Iran, is a personal opinion and doesn't reflect the official view. Who will believe him?!! Iran further refused to make an apology to Bahraini government for such a statement. It is evident to all the GCC citizens that the existing Iranian government want is to dominate and claim all Arabic GCC countries to be part of Iran and accordingly threaten these countries of Military and even Nuclear attacks. Accordingly the Western Power will be taking action to destroy this regime and its military threat. It seems the Mullah in Iran , who are controlling the country , did not learn their lesson from Saddam Husain.  This is the dilemma of the Middle East , Corrupt governments and Wars....!!!!

 Huge demonstration by Bahraini citizens in front of the Iranian Embassy was staged.

 

  • Nov.9, 2006: The GCC countries had dropped the idea of building an oil pipe line from Kuwait through all the other countries to Oman in order to bypass the Hormuz straight , in case Iran threaten the oil shipment or a war with Iran and the West erupt.

     

  • Feb.7, 2006: Camels with robot riders take part in the sixth regional competitive camel race held in Kuwait. Kuwait and other Arab Gulf countries started using robots as jockeys after children were banned from the sport in response to criticism by human rights groups.

     

  • Dec.17, 2005: GCC countries are so afraid of Iran , which have made repeated threatening statements. With it effort in developing Nuclear Energy ( we opens) , the GCC countries feel a real & credible threat by the Mullahs of Iran , who will not hesitate to export their domination to other nations. Even the Gulf , which for thousands of years have been an Arabic speaking region , has been called now the Persian Gulf, although most of the people living around in both side are Arabic in origin and speak Arabic too.

     

  • Nov.11, 2005: Two cases of bird flu have been detected in Kuwait’s birds, this raises the alarm in the Middle East countries, who have no plan or capabilities to fight the epidemic. "The Middle East is at high risk … a flu pandemic could be devastating and most countries would be affected," said Dr Mohammad Al Tawil, Assistant Director of Medical Education at Qatar's Hamad Medical Corporation. "The pandemic can neither be avoided nor stopped."

     

  • May 23, 2005: Citizen from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries will be treated on a par with the UAE nationals and exempted from paying medical services fees of the Department of Health and Medical Services (Dohms) subject to conditions, according to an administrative decree issued by Qadi Saeed Al Murshid, Director General of Dohms, on April 26. What about Utilities charges ( electricity & water) and other government fees. Should not all GCC citizens be treated equally on all GCC countries, specially in Dubai.

     
  • May 21, 2005:  The GCC banking conference concluded here yesterday with a call for monetary union by 2010 and opening of more branches of GCC banks in the Gulf States on the way to greater integration of the capital market. However, it left open the option of GCC banks’ merger to the individual states as any regimented pace of change could be counterproductive.

 

  • June , 5, 2004: Most men in the GCC countries tend to divorce their wives around 3pm, according to an Islamic scholar, Dr Jasim Al Mutawa. Dr Al Mutawa said he came to this conclusion after long years of service with Sharia court in Kuwait where he was a judge. He said: "Most testimonies given by couples involved in divorce cases showed that 3pm is the time when the majority of husbands divorced their wives." He said the main cause for linking most cases of divorce to this hour can be traced to the husband's general temperament at that time of the day. "This is the time of the day when the husband comes home after hard work and he is hungry and exhausted. His patience is tested by heavy traffic and by host of other problems," he said.
  • May 20, 2004: The Saudi Binladin Group has been short-listed to build the world’s tallest building. It is the only Arab company on the short-list for the construction of the 705-meter Burj Dubai in the emirate, scheduled for completion in 2008.  The skyscraper will outstrip by more than 250 meters the current contender, Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur , and will house a hotel wing, apartments, offices, entertainment centres and restaurants. A spokesman for UAE developer Emaar Properties earlier told the Gulf News daily the projects also included one of the world’s largest malls — the Dubai Mall with over two million square feet of retail space — and a mock “old town”, making it “a city within a city.” Record-obsessed Dubai is already home to the world’s largest man-made island, the Palm Jumeirah, and the world’s first seven-star hotel, the Burj Al-Arab.  Fittingly, the Binladin group is Saudi Arabia ’s biggest construction company and has carried out projects including the expansion of the two holy mosques in Makkah and Madinah. Construction of the Burj Dubai project has already started, with excavation of the site completed recently. Sales of residential units in the tower will start soon, said an official with Emaar Properties. This follows the bullish response to the apartment sales on the six high-rises branded “The Residences”, and part of the wider Burj Dubai project.
  • April 18, 2004: A Kuwaiti man tried to divert a Qatar Airways flight to Geneva on Saturday, but the pilot made an unscheduled stop in Cairo where he was arrested and taken into custody, an airline official said. At Cairo airport, police took away both Fahd and a companion named only as Abdul Aziz.
  • Feb.2, 2004: Qatar ’s Al Jazeera satellite news channel said that the Saudi Arabia authorities, with whom the station has had strained relations, prohibited it from covering the annual Haj pilgrimage, which climaxed Saturday.
    "The Saudi authorities have forbidden Al Jazeera from covering the pilgrimage, for the second consecutive year," said the channel, which on Friday and Saturday broadcast footage of the Haj shot by other television stations.     The Saudi and Qatari governments have been at odds since the presentation by Al Jazeera in June 2002 of a debate during which participants denounced a Middle East peace plan put forward by Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdulaziz. Some participants also criticized Saudi Arabia 's royal family and accused Riyadh of having betrayed the Palestinian cause. In another blow for the maverick channel, Iraq 's United States-installed interim Governing Council prohibited Al Jazeera Saturday from covering its activities for one month, over remarks made during a phone-in show broadcast last week which were deemed insulting.
  • Jan21, 2004: Qatar and UAE has agreed to drop most of the debts given to Iraq as loan during Saddam regime, as requested by the US James Baker , the special envoy to handle Iraqi debts. Kuwait and Saudia are expected to follow and do the same. The question is why these countries have to pay for the faults of Iraqi people and their government? GCC countries need the money to help in creating jobs for their high un-employment rates. Will the new Iraq help these nations when they are in need?
  • Dec.14, 2003: Kuwaitis and other GCC citizens, jubilant at the capture of arch-foe Saddam Hussein, were frantically sending each other mobile text messages of mock denials from former Iraqi information minister Mohammad Said as-Sahhaf. "Sahhaf has denied the capture of Saddam Hussein, saying the man who was arrested is the leader of the (Afghan) Taleban," read one message. "Urgent ... Saddam announces the arrest of members of the (Iraqi) Governing Council and the coalition troops: Sahhaf," said another.
  • Dec.12, 2003: Saudi Arabia's decision to let only half the number of resident non-Kuwaiti Hajj pilgrims into Saudi Arabia as members of the Kuwaiti Hajj Campaign has been received with shock and dismay amongst the expatriate Muslim population here. Security concerns, logistical and other problems that Saudi Arabia has to face every Hajj season has prompted Saudi authorities to insist on pilgrims applying for entry from their countries of origin instead of their countries of residence. About 15,000 non-Kuwaiti pilgrims join the Kuwaiti Hajj Campaign every year and the new rules pose major problems for those who would like to go on pilgrimage at least once in a lifetime.

 

Nov.13, 2003: There is a sharp increase in traffic accidents all over GCC just before Eftar, mostly people are driving fast to get to their homes to eat. Most of the drivers do not even stop at the traffic light. Worse yet in Kuwait and just before Eftar in 40 mint. drivers do not follow at all any traffic rule and no one stop at traffic light. Many tragedies happened in this holey month of Ramadan.

  • Oct.1,2003: DUBAI - The 50,000 Australian sheep on board ‘MV Cormo Express,' still waiting to find an alternative destination after being rejected by Saudi Arabia, UAE and Pakistan, will not be off-loaded in Iraq, said a spokesperson of Live Corp Australia. Saudi authorities refused to unload the livestock claiming the animals were suffering from scabby mouth disease.  The official denied reports published in an international daily yesterday that the stranded sheep in the Arabian Gulf may be given to Iraq.  The newspaper also reported that the British troops may be ordered to unload the sheep consignment at the port of Umm Qasar in Iraq, hoping to end the outcry over the plight of the animals, which have been on a cargo ship for seven weeks. There are some reports that Kuwait has given fuel , water and supplies to this ship.

  • August 22, 2003: A document signed by Minister of Information granting Al Jazirah News Channel of Qatar 50,000 euro / month. This document proved that Saddam Husain regime was partly financing and supporting AL Jazirah TV, which was supporting the regime. Other reports also indicated that many News and program anchors are getting paid directly from The Ex-Iraqi government. Al Jazeera TV was pro Saddam and was making verbal attacks against other countries in the region. The TV station was supporting the regime and defending Saddam even after his fall. AL Jazirah top manager was sacked and replaced by another manager, however the program anchors are still there. This TV station was characterized of spreading propaganda and faulty news.
  • August 1, 2003: Some Kuwaiti families were quoted  as saying GCC people residing  in London always fear of being robbed by burglars. Recently an unidentified burglar stole a bag containing money and a mobile phone. In another incident, a Kuwaiti youth was physically assaulted by unidentified persons inside a cafe who escaped with his mobile phone.
    A source told the daily most Kuwaitis and Gulf citizens, who go to London for medical treatment, now prefer to stay indoors for fear of being robbed.
  • July 21, 2003: GCC Medical emergency units , in Kuwait , Saudia Arabia , Qatar , U.A.E., are on alert to deal with heat stroke victims who are flooding in as the population feels the full force of the scorching sun.
    The bulk of the victims are construction workers who continue to work outdoors throughout the sizzling daytime hours and expose themselves to the burning sun and unbearable humidity. The problem comes despite extensive warnings from medical experts who have asked employers and workers to take sensible precautions.     However what precautions can be taken against such a heat wave which is also hitting Europe and other countries worldwide. This could be the hottest summer in History
  • July 19, 2003: GCC navies are gradually switching to larger warships to extend control over their Gulf waters to ensure better protection and secure their offshore oilfields and vital international oil export routes, according to a specialized study.
  • July 18, 2003: Kuwait transport company has decided to stop using its trucks to ferry goods to Iraq after it was discovered armed Iraqi men seize Kuwaiti and Saudi trucks carrying wheat flour to Iraq.
    A Kuwaiti owner of a contracting company told the daily News the robbers often sell the stolen trucks for prices ranging between $3,000 and $5,000 although the original price is $100,000. He added the coalition forces in Iraq do nothing to protect these trucks on grounds they have no orders. Many of the truck drivers are shot dead.     It is believed that Armed Iraqi loyal to Saddam regime are carrying the attacks in order top stop food from reaching to the population.
  • July 11, 2003 : The new Arabic service from business network CNBC will be launched next week, it was recently announced . Officials at Arabic CNBC said that the channel would provide 24-hour coverage of regional and international events.

     

  • July 1, 2003: It was recently reported that  ATMs in the GCC are:
    Saudi Arabia: 2,500 

    U.A.E: 985 

    Oman: 337 

    Kuwait: 300 

    Qatar: 240 

    Bahrain: 159

     

  • June 1, 2003:Four persons were injured, including a Russian woman and a child, at the gate of the Yemeni Parliament yesterday when a raging bull stormed the building.
    The agitated bull jumped from a vehicle and ran towards the Parliament gate, the animal attacked the Parliament guards and rushed into the yard. It attacked a soldier and a member of  Parliament staff, spreading panic among MPs    .

    May 31, 2003:Women in GCC countries are among the biggest consumers of beauty products, spending more than US$ 1.7 billion on cosmetics each year and attracting the attention of the world’s leading players in the beauty business. The ever-increasing demand for beauty products will be reflected in the region’s biggest industry event, Gulf Beauty 2003, which will be held at the Dubai World Trade Center from June 2 to 4, 2003, featuring 350 exhibitors from 30 countries.

     

  • May20, 2003: Prince Sultan Ibn Salman, secretary-general of the Supreme Commission for Tourism, said here yesterday the Gulf states were preparing a proposal to issue unified tourist visas for foreign tourists. The unified visa — on the model of the Schengen visa for European countries — could boost tourism revenue for the Gulf countries at a time when the worldwide tourism industry is suffering under threats of terrorism and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.

    May 9,2003: In recent GCC study, families spend 40% of their income in fast food. This could be true, if you see how many kids are eating in fast food restaurants.

  • May 5, 2003:Gulf Arab health officials proposed on Sunday that their six countries impose a blanket ban on people coming from states hit hardest by the deadly SARS virus. AbdulLatif al-Khal, head of the infectious diseases department at Qatar's Public Health Ministry, said the ban would apply to China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore.
  • May 5, 2003:Hot weather, like in Kuwait’s summers, influences the behavior of people and that is why Kuwaitis get nervous quickly and lose their tempers easily, says a Kuwaiti psychiatrist. Dr Marwan Al-Motawa also said inhabitants of hot regions are more often emotional and sometimes extreme in expressing their emotions and reactions. This condition exist in other GCC countries , specially in Saudia Arabia, Qatar. the people in U.A.E& Oman seem to be more relaxed.
  • April, 30, 2003:An Arab television network ,Al Arabiya satellite ,said yesterday it wants to give a job to former Iraqi information minister Mohammed Saeed Al Sahaf, whose colourful daily briefings during the U.S.-led invasion won him a cult following.
  • April, 21, 2003: Arab television channels showed documents yesterday that hinted Saddam Hussein could still be alive — but like previous clues on the fate of Iraq’s deposed leader, the footage raised more questions than it answered.
  • April 14,2003:Visa expenditure by Saudi cardholders is the highest in the Middle East with total expenditure crossing $19 billion during 2002, an increase of 30 per cent.
    Total Visa card numbers in the Middle East currently stand at 6.9 million, a growth of 16 per cent.
    Across other Middle East markets, Kuwait cardholder expenditure ranked second highest with $8 billion, a growth of 23 per cent over 2001.
    Oman and Jordan both recorded a total expenditure volume of over $1 billion, followed by Lebanon and Qatar, while Bahrain exceeded $500 million.
  • April 10,2003: Arab satellite stations, many of which have been firmly behind Saddam Hussein and the Baath regime, came to a standstill when it was clear the US military was in Baghdad and the statue of Saddam Hussein in the heart of the city came toppling down and the scenes of Iraqi jubilation and joy, expressed without hesitation for the first time in year
  • March 29, 2003: Premiums for maritime war insurance have increased by more than 300 percent to some ports in the Gulf, mainly Kuwait, due to the war in Iraq. This will mean that all prices even for consumable good , food etc. will increase by 300%...Isn't that a heavy price to pay because of a tyrant such as Saddam Husain? Will Kuwait and other GCC countries claim from Iraq for such increase of prices because of Iraq Policies? Of course not GCC countries are so much afraid of Saddam or any other regime that will come afterward.
  • March 28,2003: Members of Iraqi "sleeper cells" have been arrested in two countries, one of which is in a GCC country.  The sources said that those cells were planning to use non-biological and non-chemical weapons in their attacks. 
    They said that the U.S. authorities expect elements sympathizing with the Iraqi regime to commit acts of terror against the United States and GCC countries. 
  • March 24, 2003: The most amazing thing is that no Arab country has condemned Saddam Husain for firing missile against civilians in Kuwait, this clearly demonstrate the some Arabs have no ethics.. Financial Aids, which is given, to such countries from Kuwait and other GCC countries should stop , especially to countries like Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Sudan& Yemen.
  • March10,2003:With possible war with Iraq looming, the State Department authorized the voluntary departure Monday of nonessential U.S. government employees and families of U.S. personnel at embassies and consulates in Oman and the United Arab Emirates.
  • March 4,2003: The six-member Gulf Cooperation Council yesterday backed a U.A.E proposal for Iraqi President Saddam Hussein’s exile to save his people from the horrors of war, but said that the idea should be discussed at the Arab level.
  • Feb.23,2003: Air India have made a plan to evacuate about 3 million Indians working on the Gulf , if the war with Iraq started.
  • Feb.17,2003: With war looming in Iraq, a new television channel named Al-Arabia enters the battle for Arab opinion on  boasting of a “balanced alternative” to Al-Jazeera which has offended some Middle East regimes. Al-Jazeera’s willingness to allow anyone to express themselves on air, however controversially, has been at the core of most of the troubles the Qatar-based station faces.

    The new channel will exercise “the freedom to inform.” “There are no longer any restrictions on this freedom, provided it is a responsible freedom and debate is rational” .

Gulf Arab countries have refused to accredit Al-Jazeera journalists, blocked advertising and recalled ambassadors in long-running diplomatic tiffs.

Israel, Iran and US stations, including the Washington-backed Arabic radio SAWA, are all planning to launch television broadcasts to the Arab world.

MEN, set up at the start of the year with initial capital of $500 million, also owns the Arab satellite station Middle East Broadcasting Center (MBC) and MBC-2, an English-language light entertainment channel transmitting from Bahrain.

The company has 32 news bureaus across the world, including in Iraq, Israel, the Palestinian territories and the United States. Al-Arabiya will operate 12 hours a day before going 24-hour on March 3 with a mix of news bulletins and debates.

 

  • Feb.14, 2003: Internet use, together with demand for personal computers, has grown dramatically in the Gulf region, according to a study conducted by a research group. The study shows that the number of Internet users and the demand for personal computers grew tenfold in the past four years. According to statistics released by the researchers, there are 121 Internet users for every 100 computers in the Gulf countries. This percentage is expected to rise with improving computer skills among the population. Users in the Gulf countries constitute 40 percent of all Internet users in the Arab world, despite forming only 11 percent of its population. The number of Internet users in Gulf countries in 1998 reached 330,000 and the number of personal computers 1.2 million, or one user for every 3.6 computers. The number of Internet users reached three million and the number of computers connected to the Internet 2.5 million.

  • Feb.13,2003: Unofficial reports indicate that many GCC Nationals are infected with HIV virus , however governments and Health officials are trying to hide the statistics which is really alarming and can cause panic among the people. The disease is almost an epidemic, due to the fact many young people travel and have un safe sex.

  • Feb.12,2003: About 113,000 U.S. troops are now in the Gulf, and that number is expected to climb to 150,000 by Feb. 15 — enough to launch at least the first stage of an invasion. Britain is sending 35,000 troops — including a quarter of its army and its biggest naval task force in two decades.

  • Feb,12,2003: The United Arab Emirates said it will send tanks, attack helicopters, warships and about 4,000 troops to Kuwait to help defend that country from an Iraqi attack if the United States goes to war against Saddam Hussein.

  • Jan.10 2003: Following the refusal of a number of top Saudi singers to participate in this year’s Doha Musical Festival as a result of continuing political tension between Saudi Arabia and Qatar, Kuwait’s famous singer Nabil Shuail has announced that he too is withdrawing from the annual concert.

  • Dec.29,2002: A regime change in Saudi Arabia is the ultimate goal of Islamic terror groups like al-Qaida. Al qaeda aim , was to underscore the Saudi government and put pressure and blame on them , as many of the Sept.11 Attackers were Saudi Nationals. "They are clearly not intending to conquer the United States of America, but they all have in mind overthrowing the regime in Saudi Arabia," Lieberman, D-Conn.,Lieberman, an Orthodox Jew, he is a candidate for the Democratic nomination for president in the 2004 election.

  • Oct.16,2002:Yemen and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will sign here today the protocol defining the relations between the two sides.Yemen's joining the GCC will be a good leap and will increase the strategic importance of the region. Yemen will benefit most of this agreement. The GCC summit held in Oman late last December agreed Yemen joining four GCC institutions: the Arab Education Bureau, Health Ministers' Council, Labor and Social Affairs Ministers' Council, and the Gulf Cup tournament.

  • Oct.11,2002: More than 25,000 U.S. military personnel are stationed in the Persian Gulf, with about 10,000 in Kuwait, 4,200 in Bahrain, 3,300 in Qatar, 6,000 in Saudi Arabia, 2,400 in Oman and around 500 in the United Arab Emirates. Thousands more have arrived in recent months for exercises and are expected to stay if the United States should attack Iraq.

  • Sept.19,2002: This is how a girls college look like in Kuwait and other GCC countries..Total darkness of dress and mind..!!??A moderate change is required to properly educate these young girls and free them from the ill's of the new and confused Society.. A society who do not understand change and the new era of civilization..

  • Sept.17,2002: GCC, trying to keep pace with the global IT revolution, are planning to join the EU in adopting the 'International Computer Driving License' terminology and making it an essential part of computer training programmes in the region. The certificate aims to unify the standards of computer usage worldwide and ensure its holders have high qualifications and performance levels.

  • Sept.16,2002: GCC citizens spend over $80 million/ year in purchasing cigarettes.

  • Sept.11, 2002: Kuwait Consulate in Dubai caught in fire and it took one and half an hour to put it off. the building is the oldest in modern Dubai , as it is the first consulate to open in Dubai. The building is over 30 years old. A new building is already constructed and the consulate were planning to move next week.

  • August 23, 2002: GCC countries , especially Kuwait did not take any action plan to protect its citizen from a chemical or biological attack that could be un leashed by Saddam Husain by a desperate attempt to destroy neighboring countries, in case he is attacked by US. Also there could be an influx of Iraqi refugee coming to Kuwait and Saudia Arabia. Turkey in the other hand has prepared Refugee camps since 3 months ago that can take over 10,000 families.

  • August 22,2002: An Iranian soft drinks firm is cashing in on a popular boycott of American products in Saudi Arabia by offering an "Islamic alternative" to U.S. brands such as Coca-Cola and Pepsi-Cola.

  • August 22, 2002: A collective GCC decision will be taken for measures against a Gulf brand of frozen chicken products if they are found contaminated.

  • August 15,2002: Computers and data in Banks and Financial institution in GCC and other Arab countries are spied upon by spy software. The software secretly impeded in the bank operating and security software transfer banks information to Mossad ( Israeli secret service). Some US companies selling security software in GCC & Arab countries are actually working for the Mossad. The Mossad use these information for controlling the money and influence of the Arabs around the world .

  •  July 14, 2002: Qatar and Saudia Arabia are in conflict , as there are no coordination made by Qatar in the GCC level. Qatar seems to ignore Saudi role in GCC politics and in the peace process with Israel. The conflict could result in pulling Ambassadors from both countries.

  • June 20,2002: A car bomb explosion killed a British banker in Riyadh 
    The  victim of the explosion was Simon John Veness, who worked at Al Bank Al Saudi Al Fransi. Neighbours said he had a South African wife and a son living in Saudi Arabia    .

  • AL JAZIRA INTER-GULF DARTS TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP  

    The Al Jazira Inter Gulf Darts Team Championship sponsored by Al Jazira Hotel & Resort and MMI - Heineken is scheduled to be held on 4 and 5 July 2002 at the Al Jazira Hotel & Resort in Abu Dhabi.

    Darts in U.A.E has a large following with over 300 players playing in various leagues in the Emirates. Teams from Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and U.A.E are expected to compete for honors in this prestigious darts event.

    Handsome trophies and cash prizes are up for grabs according to the organizers Gulf International Promotions of Dubai. The winners will be awarded Dhs 5000 cash, the second placed team will receive Dhs.3000 cash and the third placed team will receive Dhs. 2000 cash. Plate winners and runners up will also receive handsome prizes.

    Teams wishing to enter and those that require further information may contact Gulf International Promotions on Tel: 00971 4 3355330 or Fax: 00971 4 3377899 or Email: gipsport@emirates.net.ae

     

  • April 7,2002: In the recent meeting of Arab Foreign Ministers , Egypt , Jordan and Mauritania refused to cut ties with Israel in protest of their latest Military atrocities against Palestinians. This meeting clearly illustrated how divided the Arab countries are..
  • March 31,2002: Many demonstration are held in Kuwait , Qatar , U.A.E and other GCC countries and Arab countries( Egypt , Syria, Lebanon) in support of Palestinian people and the peace plan offered by Arab leader in the recent Arab summit. In the meantime Israel is refusing peace and pushing its military power into occupied land and destroying many houses and killing many civilians.
  • March 24,2002: It was learned that GCC desalination plants will raise their drinking water output to 8,800 million gallons daily over the next two decades, from 2,860 million gallons at present, in the process investing up to Dh36.7 billion ($10 billion).

It is reported that 20% of the desalinated water in GCC is wasted in leaks and not used.
Desalination plants turn sea water into drinking water and depend on burning Oil as fuel  , so what will happen if the oil is over in GCC , then people will have no drinking water....

  • March 18,2002: Unemployment rate is reaching over 15% in Saudia Arabia and 13% in Bahrain....Kuwait is also facing a high unemployment rate..UAE is having an increasing unemployment rate...What will be the solution?
  • Feb.22,2002: A number of Bahrainis of the same family and four Kuwaitis were killed in a head-on collision with a speeding vehicle driven by a Kuwaiti youth on the Saudi-Kuwaiti border on Wednesday night. The number of accidents in Saudi roads are alarming..many people are dying daily , without any serious measures taken by the authorities. The ignorance on traffic laws and lack of safe driving skills in top of bad roads cause most of the accidents.
  • Feb.18,2002: An estimated $1 trillion plus is expected to change hands in the Gulf by way of inheritance or related terms over the next few years
  • Feb.17,2002: Kuwaiti pilgrimage to Mecca are facing difficulty with the banning of Kuwaiti cars to transport Kuwaiti pilgrimage to Mecca...many cars has been confiscated and people are stranded in the airport for over 10 hours. the new rule of Saudia Arabia against Kuwaiti Pilgrimage is causing huge losses to the Pilgrimage organizers and many discontent from Kuwaitis. It is reported that Saudia Arabia authority do that in purpose in order to reduce the number of people coming from Kuwait to do there pilgrimage.
  • Jan5,2002: GCC countries are the highest countries in consumption of cigarette. Latest studies indicate that in 1998 more than 65 trillion cigarette were consumed at a cost of $ 1.3 trillion.

    In average each GCC citizen consume over 2200 a year.

    Kuwait has the highest rate of cigarette consumption and is considered #19 worldwide.

    Poland was rated # 1 in cigarette consumption.

    In GCC countries over 45 die each day because of cigarette related illness.

    Cigarette Illness use up to 15% of total Healthcare budget in GCC countries..

    It is estimated that over 40 % of men smoke and over 10% of women smoke in GCC.

    The agony is that the percentage of health care workers ( doctors & Nurses) who smoke are 50% .

    Students in GCC countries at the age of 14 to 18 have a high 50% rate , which means that half of the young population smoke...This is really alarming. 

     

    Jan.3,2001: Iraq has indicated that it will have a direct talk with Kuwait & Saudia Arabia , since the later is willing to do so.

  • ]anuary1,2002: The 22nd GCC Head of state meeting in Muscat ( Oman), has concluded , with the following agreements:

1-Yemen can join GCC non political committees..

2-Uniform Import tariff of 5%..and no tax between GCC countries.

3-Agreed to put Plans for fighting terrorist.

4-Plan against money laundering

Also the in the GCC meeting , there was critical remarks about "AL Jazirah"  satellite TV channel , which is broadcasting from Qatar and supported by Qatari government. 

  • Nov 28, 2001: The GCC countries has agreed in principle to unify its currencies by the year 2010.
  • Nov15,2001: King Fahad of Saudia Arabia has given orders to all colleges and Universities to ease the acceptance of returning Saudi students , coming from US , so they are given a chance to continue their education in the Kingdom.
  • Nov.14,2001: Local colleges and Universities in GCC are facing a large number of GCC students coming back from US . to continue their education as they can not continue their education in USA , as they feel unsafe in USA.
  • Oct.20,2001: Many GCC students studding in USA colleges and Universities has decided to get back , as they felt they are un safe in the hostile US , as many violent acts are committed against them , only because they are an Arab. 
  • Sept.13,2001: Opec will take appropriate measures not only to stabilize oil prices but ensure that there will be adequate supply of crude oil in the light of the terror attacks in the U.S.
  • Sept.13,2001: The United States sealed off its military bases in the Gulf area yesterday and security steps for U.S. civilians were swiftly introduced after massive attacks.
  • Sept.12, 2001:All the GCC countries ( Saudia Arabia , Bahrain , Kuwait , U.A.E., Qatar and Oman) all condemn this act of terror. GCC citizen express support to the American people.
  • Aug.9, 2001: Tesco brand peanut butter has been found containing traces of elements that can cause cancer. The results from UK labs, forced the company to bull its product from UK market…. what about the million on the shelves in GCC countries…
  • July 29,2001: Recent reports indicate that over 200,000 Arabs carry HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. The figure represents a sum total of numbers supplied by Arab countries to the World Health Organization (WHO) estimating the number of HIV cases in individual countries.  
  • June 20, 2001 : Financial consultant are emphasizing that the GCC countries should follow Europe policy in regard to informing the currency. So will the GCC have one currency…soon…We hope.

  • June 12, 2001 : Microsoft is planning to open MSN Arabia .The new portal will operate in Sept 2001. The regional operation of MSN will be in Cairo . And the Dubai Internet City . There are 1.8 million hotmail subscribers for MSN in the Arab world..

  • July 10,2001: GCC countries have approved the first phase of a feasibility study to link the GCC countries with a gas grid. The cost of the project will cost over $1 billion. The aim is to transport Qatari Gas to Kuwait & Saudia Arabia in first phase then other GCC countries will be linked to the Network.

  • May 16, 2001: There will be a price cut on long distance calls between GCC countries.

  • April29,2001: The serious threat posed to society by road accidents in the GCC countries was highlighted yesterday when a UK-based expert pointed out that the road deaths cost the Gulf countries $7.5 billion or 1.5 per cent of their gross national product every year. Road accidents in GCC countries is about 6 per cent of the one million people killed every year in the road accidents worldwide. This is a huge number considering that GCC countries only have 2% of the cars in the world.
  • April 17, 2001: Pokemon includes card trading, which Islamic mufti denounces as gambling. Worse still, Pokemon’s constantly morphing creatures evoke Darwin’s theory of evolution. According to many mufti, that’s Islamically unacceptable. And—surprise, surprise—Pikachu and his Pokey pals are clearly Zionist agents. That six-pointed Star of David is a sly symbol for their “powers. In Jordan rumor has it that “Pokemon,” which is short for “pocket monsters,’‘ means “Jewish’‘ in Japanese or, more arcanely, “I am a Jew” in Syriac, a Middle Eastern language related to ancient Aramaic.

AIDS is spreading fast in many Arab countries and over 100,000 are believed to contacted the AID virus. The WHO ( The world Health Organization) said while the figures are not worrying - 12 cases per 10 thousand people - the percentage remains higher than Eastern Europe and certain parts of Asia. The WHO called on Arab governments and non-governmental organizations to step up the fight against AIDS by educating the public about the disease and breaking the barrier of silence enshrouding its transmission.

The WHO tried  to convene Arab specialists to help in the fight against AIDS. However, disagreements between specialists prevented them from reaching a consensus as to how to prevent the spread of AIDS. This situation prevails in the absence of educational campaigns in Arab countries about AIDS