Zawaya, August 4 – Last-minute buying in a few key stocks helped the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) close higher, but still below the psychological 400point mark yesterday. In Abu Dhabi, selling pressure in shares of building materials company Bildco amid uncertainty about the firm’s buyback plans pushed the market below breakeven.
Iran leader calls on Muslims for Holy war against Israel, US
Stop Fundamentalism, August 4 – Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei blasted United States policy in the Middle East and warned of an impending Muslim “jihadâ€, or holy war, against the West.
“With its support of the Zionists crimes and criminals and its blatant aggression against the rights of Muslim nations, the U.S. regime must be prepared for a hard slap and a destructive punch by Muslimsâ€, Khamenei said.
Oil prices settle below $75 a barrel
NEW YORK (AFX), August 4 – Oil prices slipped below $75 a barrel Friday as supply concerns eased, after a storm in the Caribbean weakened and appeared to no longer threaten Gulf coast oil facilities.
Dollar dips vs major currencies
NEW YORK (AFX), August 4 – The dollar fell against most major currencies Friday after disappointing jobs data deepened doubts over prospects of further interest rate rises.
Bank to set up in Jordan for Iraq aid
The Japan Times Online, August 4 – The Japan Bank for International Cooperation is planning to set up a representative office in the Jordanian capital of Amman by the end of the year as part of preparations for offering aid to Iraq.
IMF OKs Iraq Econnomic reform Program
Easy Bourse, August 4 – The International Monetary Fund said Thursday it approved two reviews of Iraq’s economic reform program, keeping open a precautionary credit line to the government.
Congress called to expand oversight of Iraq rebuilding
The Providence Journal, August 4 – A federal auditor says that the case of Rhode Island-based Custer-Battles illustrates some of the pitfalls of insufficient planning for postwar reconstruction.
U.S. Interests on Line in Iraq
ROBERT H. REID, AP, August 4 – BAGHDAD, Iraq — American generals have laid bare the facts: Baghdad is on the brink of chaos, and the specter of all-out civil war looms.
Instead of standing down, as had been hoped this year, the U.S. military is preparing for a major operation to try to take back Baghdad’s streets from Shiite and Sunni extremists. The goal is to stem sectarian violence that Iraqi security forces could not control.
US donates USD 2.7 million to Pakistan for troops” deployment at Afghan
KUNA, August 3 – The United States Thursday donated USD 2.7 million in aid to its war ally, Pakistan, for deployment of 50 additional Frontier Constabulary (FC) troops at the porous Pak-Afghan border to curb drug smuggling and terrorism.
Hezbollah kills eight Israelis in southern Lebanon, northern Israel
RAMALLAH, Aug 3 (KUNA) – Two Israeli soldiers were killed in fighting with Hezbollah in southern lebanon, while six others were killed in Hezbollah rocket attacks against northern Israel, accroding to the Israeli army and medical sources Thursday.
