Copyright Piracy & Kuwait

• Kuwait on US Copyright Piracy Priority Watch List
• Kuwait, along with a few other countries, has been placed on the US copyright piracy priority watch list. In its report, the Office of the US Trade Representative stated the following about Kuwait:
• "Kuwait is being maintained on the Priority Watch List this year due to its high rates of copyright piracy and its lack of progress in amending its copyright law to meet international obligations."
• "Furthermore, Kuwait has not yet fully implemented the 2002 work plan that outlined the steps it would take to increase IPR enforcement. In 2004, IPR enforcement efforts remained insufficient and penalties for infringement remained inadequate to deter potential offenders. Kuwait proposed a draft copyright law in 2004, which has not yet been passed by Kuwait’s legislature."
• "The U.S. copyright industry reports that Kuwait continues to have high levels of retail optical disc piracy, as well as problems with corporate end-user software piracy, cable piracy, and Internet piracy."
• "We urge Kuwait to improve the situation by making public declarations at the highest level that piracy in Kuwait will not be tolerated, increasing the frequency of raids on suspected infringers, prosecuting offenders, imposing deterrent sentences, publishing the outcomes of inspection raids in order to deter others, and amending its copyright law in the near future to correct its deficiencies."
  
• "Kuwait has made some progress, such as Kuwait Customs’ creation of a special IPR unit in April 2004 that began taking some enforcement actions. The Ministry of Commerce also stepped up enforcement efforts in late 2004."
  
• "Although these are positive steps, we hope that key ministries with IPR enforcement responsibilities, including the Ministry of Information, will take further measures to combat IPR infringement over the long term. We will continue to address these issues under the U.S.-Kuwait Trade and Investment Framework Agreement signed in February 2004."
• For the full report click here
  

Stat-Attack

Following are some statistics related to Kuwait compiled from various sources including the United Nations, the World Health Organization, CIA Factbook, and other media outlets.

• Kuwait ranks first world-wide in percent of breeding birds under threat. As of 2000, 35 % of breeding birds in Kuwait are threatened. This is followed by the Phillipines (34.18%) and New Zealand (32.67%).
• As of 2003, Kuwait is second world-wide in total population sex ratio, meaning there are 1.52 males for each female. Qatar leads the list with 1.9 males for each female. You have been warned.
  
• In Tsunami aid, Kuwait is first world-wide in terms of funds pledged per capita at $45.80 per person. This is followed by Australia ($41.55 per person) and Norway ($38.56 per person).
• In crude oil refining capacity, Kuwait is first world-wide with a capactiy of 407.29 barrels per day per 1000 people, followed by Bahrain (373.03 barrels) and Singapore (282.08 barrels).
  
• Kuwait also leads in a number of health-related cateogries including migranes, congenital malformations, scarlet fever, bone disorders, anaemia, and endocrine disorders. 1990 anyone?
  

GCC Democracy

• Democratization in Gulf Monarchies: A New Challenge to the GCC
• This is a well-written article about the future of democracy in the GCC. The author, Joseph Kechichian, evaluates the development of democracy in the GCC countries, and the obstacles faced. Issues raised about Kuwait included women's rights, bidun, Islamic extremism. and discrimination against minorities. Kechichian provides a systematic review that is worth a read. Middle East Policy Council
  
• Coming Soon: Kuwait and a New Concept of International Politics
• This is a pitch for the yet-to-be-released book "Kuwait and a New Concept of International Politics" by Mamoun Fandy. It should be released on the 30th of April. Amazon
  
  

Headlines From The Past

• Why Was Flight BA 149 Allowed to Land in Kuwait on the Day of the Invasion? A Special Investigation
• Although this piece is from 2003, it is worth another look. Stephen Davis launched his own investigation to find out how BA 149 was allowed to land in Kuwait, when the Iraqi invasion was already underway. 385 passengers and crew were on board the BA 149 flight, and were later taken captive by Iraq. Davis talked to several sources and stated that the flight was allowed to land because there were 10-12 special agents on board. These agents boarded the plane late in Heathrow, and were never seen once the plane landed in Kuwait. Davis stated that the agents' mission was to set-up an intelligence network as the invasion was occuring. This claim is supported by sources in the Kuwaiti resistance who said that western commandos had arrived on the first day of the invasion. Further, Davis points to the possibility of British military personnel being present at the control tower at Kuwait airport, and insisting that the flight be allowed to land. The flight was more than an hour away from landing in Kuwait when the invasion started, which raises many questions about why it was allowed to land, and not diverted. A very interesting piece of work. New Statesman
  
• Did the US OK the Iraqi Invasion? A Transcript of US Ambassador's Meeting with Saddam
• Many people around the world speculated about the role of the United States in the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait of 1990. The focus was manily on a meeting between US Ambassador to Iraq April Glaspie and Saddam held on the 25th of July, 1990. The New York Times obtained a transcript of the meeting from Iraqi sources, which the US State Department have constantly declined to comment on its accuracy. The transcript shows that the US clearly understood that Iraq was about to launch a military attack on Kuwait, yet there is speculation about the magnitude of that attack. Following are some quotes from the transcript (New York Times International):
  
• The Ambasssador told Saddam that "we(US) have no opinion on the Arab-Arab conflicts, like your border disagreement with Kuwait. I was in the American Embassy in Kuwait during the late 60's. The instruction we had during this period was that we should express no opinion on this issue and that the issue is not associated with America." (Saddam smiles)
  
• Saddam said, "assure the Kuwaitis and give them our word that we are not going to do anything until we meet with them. When we meet and when we see that there is hope, then nothing will happen. But if we are unable to find a solution, then it will be natural that Iraq will not accept death" signalling clearly that a military action was in the works.

The Genographic Project

• Who Was Your First Ancestor? The Genographic Project Could Have the Answer
• Have you ever wondered who your first ancestor was? If yes, then this project aims to shed light on possible answers in a 5-year effort "to understand the human journey—where we came from and how we got to where we live today." You can participate for $126.50 (international) and $107.50 (US & Canada). This fee will be used to support the study, and process your DNA. You will be sent a welcome kit that includes a swab kit for you to submit DNA samples from your saliva. Further, all information is anonymous, and results are promised in 4-6 weeks. The study will not provide results saying that your first ancestor is John Doe, but provide a map showing how your ancestors got from the origin of man to where you are today. Sounds interesting people! National Geographic
  

Headlines

• Kuwaiti Business Charged with Defrauding US Government of $3.5 million
• Despite being somewhat old news, it is worth mentioning that Ali Hijazi, managing partner of Kuwaiti business LaNouvelle General Trading and Contracting Company, and Jeff Mazon, a former employee of Kellogg, Brown & Root (KBR) and Halliburton have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Illinois of attempting to defraud the US government of more than $3.5 million in militray contracts. Advice to future defrauders: Do it in the Middle East you are commended, do it elswhere you get prison. US Department of Justice
  
• Optimism and Self-Esteem Related to Academic Achievement
• In a study that looked at the relationship between academic achievement and optimism, self-esteem, anxiety, and pessimism, Freih El-Anzi, from the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET) in Kuwait, found the existence of positive and negative relationships. After sampling 400 students, both male and female, El-Anzi found a positive correlation between academic achievement and self-esteem and optimism. Further, he found a negative correlation between academic achievement and anxiety and pessimism. Social Behavior & Personality: An International Journal
  
• American Scholar Examines Ayyub Al-Ayyub, Kuwaiti Heritage
  
• In this article, William Kopycki discusses the Kuwaiti heritage in the paintings of Ayyub Husayn Al-Ayyub. "Recognition of Al-Ayyub as a highly accomplished Kuwaiti artist whose work strives to re-capture visions of an earlier and simpler era of Kuwait’s history and time; Citation of Ayyub’s authorship of several published monographs devoted to recording Kuwaiti folklore and traditions in print, from children’s games, memoirs of Kuwait’s local history and linguistic studies of Kuwaiti Arabic; Approaches used in still life, scenic paintings and the human figure; Offer of explanatory notes in all paintings to shed light about the traditional practices and way of life enjoyed by Kuwaitis." Digest of Middle East Studies (DOMES)
  

News Headlines

• Lebanon's Safety From a Kuwaiti Perspective

• In this editorial, the authors examine the safety of Lebanon from a Kuwaiti perspective. Despite being a "suck-up" editorial, the author, Melhim Karam Melhim, examined the development of reforms in Kuwait, and tied that to Lebanon's issues. Basically, the author wanted to talk about his recent visit to Kuwait and meeting the prime minister. It is not one of the better pieces out there, yet it is worth pointing to. You can find an Arabic copy in the latest issue of Al-Hawadeth magazine. Monday Morning
  
  
• Did Boutros Ghali Benefit from Saddam Hussein's Regime? Maybe!
  
• As the United Nation's oil-for-food scandal evolves, more and more accusations and fingers are being pointed. The latest being the invisible finger pointed at former UN Secretary Boutros Boutros-Ghali after revelations that Ghali was a good friend of South Korean businessman Tongsun Park. The problem is that Park accepted millions of dollars from Saddam Hussein's regime under the oil-for-food program, making his friendship with Ghali somewhat suspicious. Thank God Mr. Ghali took over the UN in January 1992! Oh, and Mr. Ghali can sue me if he does not like what is written here. He does have enough money now to do that! AP through New York Times
  
  
• Future Security Challenges Facing the GCC
• This is a well-written article about the future of the GCC from a security perspective. Michael Knights states that the "balance of power in the Persian Gulf is undergoing a radical reordering." If you are interested in security of the GCC, this is a must read. However, only an abstract is available. Jane's Intelligence Review
  
  
  

More Headlines

Following are some headlines about, or related to, Kuwait:

• Halliburton Seeking Kuwaiti Graduates
• Halliburton, one of the world's largest oil and gas services provider, is seeking to recruit Kuwaiti individuals with American college degrees. They are mainly interested in engineering and management information systems majors. Applications will be accepted throughout the summer. Kuwait Cultural Office-USA
  
• Kuwaities in US Requested to Participate in 2005 National Census
• All Kuwaiti citizens currently in the US are requested to particpate in the 2005 National Census being conducted in Kuwait. The Kuwaiti embassy in Washington, D.C., will mail you the required documents, which you can fill-in and send back before May 1st. Kuwait Cultural Office-USA
  
• EDUKEX Back in Kuwait- UK Best on Display
• The UK educational exhibition is coming to Kuwait. It will be held at the Sheraton hotel on the 23rd (opening ceremony at 5.30pm) and the 24th of April, 2005. Admission is free. Participants have not been revealed yet, but if the same exhibition at Qatar is an indicator, expect to see more than 25 institutions including Cardiff University, Kingston College, University of Leeds, University of Manchester, University of Liverpool, and Aston University. British Council- Kuwait
  

Monday News Headlines

Following are some news headlines related to Kuwait:

• Washington Post Examines Reform and Ideology in Kuwait, Morroco
• Craig Whitlock and Steve Coll, both writers for Washington Post Foreign Service, examine reform steps and the battle of ideology raging in Kuwait and Morocco. "Morocco and Kuwait, monarchies at opposite ends of the Arab world that have moved faster than many of their neighbors to adopt political reforms, offer case studies of how the simultaneous pursuit of democratic change and repression of terrorism has created new sources of tension and uncertainty."
  
• The writers evaluate the ideological battle in Kuwait by pointing to the "recent and unprecedented violence, a long-simmering contest between Islamic groups and urban liberals over Kuwait's political and cultural identity has intensified, just as the wider Arab world debates the risks and benefits of rapid political liberalization."
• They also include some riveting quotes from Dr. Shamlan Al-Essa and Dr. Ahmad Al-Baghdadi. "The government is not strong enough to face all these problems between liberals and Islamists," Baghdadi said. "This is the easiest solution: Everybody shut up," he added. Ex Al-Watan newspaper editor-in-chief Mohammed Al-Jassem accused the government of intimidating "editors and sought broad powers to close newspapers in the name of national security." He added that "the government will use the security issues to implement their dreams of political control."
  
• Other individuals quoted in this article include members of Parliament Naser Al-Sane and Hassan Johar, and director general of the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ahmad Al-Haroun. A very interesting article that sheds light on an an important issue in Kuwait, and the Middle East in general. Washington Post
  
• Dr. Ahmad Al-Baghdadi Changes Course and Decides to Keep Writing
• Being in the middle of the ideological debate in Kuwait, Dr. Ahmad Al-Baghdadi decided to come out of retirement and keep writing his column in the daily Arabic-language newspaper Al-Seyassah. AP through Washington Post
  
• Bodies of 41 Kuwaiti POWs Found in Amarah Mass Grave
• An excavation of a mass grave in the Southern Iraqi town of Amarah uncovered the bodies of 41 Kuwaiti citizens thought to be kidnapped, tortured, and killed during the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990. 605 Kuwaiti citizens have been missing since that bloody invasion, and to this date, only 231 bodies have been recovered. While mass graves are excavated in Iraq, Saddam sits comfortably in his jail cell, enjoying three meals a day and other amenities provided to him by his masters, the US military. AP through Washington Post
  

More Exclusive Images

Here are some more exclusive images of the mysterious blood that appeared in a house in Kuwait. Feel free to comment.

Kuwait. News. First. Exclusive!

This is a real story that happened in Kuwait a couple of days ago. You will only find it here.
The story happened in Kuwait on Friday around noon. The maid had just finished cleaning the house, and was about to switch on the lights of one of the bathrooms. Suddenly, a loud booming noise is heard, thunder-like images are seen, and a short-circuit occurs. This happened over a matter of a few seconds. Apparently short-circuits do create these situations. However, the twist is the blood that appeared out of nowhere. Immediately after the BOOM, blood stains appeared on the floor. They started from the bathroom where the short-circuit occured, and led to another bathroom. According to the people there, there were 9-10 stains of blood. Each stain had a big stain and a smaller one. The blood was fresh and did not belong to anyone in the house mentioned. Further, the maid was positive that she cleaned the area involved a couple of hours before the incident. You are welcome to submit an explanation while DNA testing is conducted to analyze the blood. Results will be shared here once available. Keep in mind that the blood was fresh, did not belong to anyone in the house since everybody was fine, and did not look like human blood. These are some pictures of the blood stains. This is not a hoax.

Classic Advertisements

Thanks for q8nn and Kuwaitism for these valuable classic ads. No comment is required, as that would be adding insult to injury.

Friday News Headlines

Following are some news headlines related to Kuwait:

• Kuwait Investment Authority, Shareholders Resist Dismantling Daimler-Chrysler
• Financial sources said that Daimler-Chrysler shareholders are resisting calls to dismantle Daimler-Chrysler. This includes Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA), which owns a 7.2 percent share of the company. According to the sources, KIA rejected offers because they were too low. Reuters
• For The Fashion Lovers: Kuwaiti Companies Acquire New Franchising Deals
• MOTEXHA, a fashion trade show that was held in Dubai recently announced that the show was a big success, with franchising deals and inquiries from all over the Middle East. Soon, fashion lovers in Kuwait can expect to see brands such as Frou Frou maternity and children's wear, Calonge leather prodcuts, Art & Gems bags, K&S Antonoiu leather products, Schutz and Democrata shoes, International FZE orthopedic shoes, and everybody's favourite, JBS swimwear! MOTEXHA
  
• Source: Indian Workers Placed in Dangerous Minefileds on the Kuwait-Iraq Border
• A source told an Indian newspaper that hundreds of Indian workers have been "dumped" in dangerous minefields along the Kuwait-Iraq border for fencing work. The newspaper claims that the workers were promised jobs in the infrastructure sector in Kuwait, only to find themselves stuck in the middle of minefields. The newspaper also claims that these workers are suffering in silence, as they have huge financial commitments back home. NEWINDPRESS
• Fiji Firm Opens First Gulf-Region Office in Kuwait
• Meridian Services Agency, a company from Fiji, announced the opening of its Kuwait offices. It is the first registered company from Fiji in the Gulf region. The company claims its Kuwait office is important for speeding up the processing of job applications. However, there is no mention of the types of jobs sougth. Fiji Times Online

Thursday News Headlines

Following are some news headlines related to Kuwait in different international media outlets:

• Qatar Airways Holidays Opens Office in Kuwait
• This means more destination and offers for tourism hungry Kuwaities. Destinations include China, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Maldives, Morroco, South Africa, Italy Spain and Turkey. For reservations in Kuwait call 242-3888. Qatar Airways
  
• Kuwait Guantanamo Prisoner Did Not Know About 911
• Nasser Al-Mutairi, recently released from prison in Guantanamo Bay, said he did not know of the September 11 attacks until late in 2001. He said that there were no radios or television sets which made it difficult to know what was happening in the world. AP through Washington Post

Wednesday News Headlines

Following are some news headlines related to Kuwait in different international media outlets:

• Shipyard Skills Come In Handy In Kuwait
• Army that describes how US troops in Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, are enhancing the armor on their vehicles. Stars and Stripes
• Kuwait interested in Boeing 787 Dreamliner
• This latest family of aircrafts from Boeing will be able to transport from 223 to 296 passengers, and can fly for up to 15,400 km (nearly 16 hours non-stop). Some airlines that have already placed orders for the Boeing 787 include Air Nippon, Air New Zealand, Continental Airlines, and Air China. Production will begin next year, with first flight scheduled for 2007. Reuters
• America's Nuclear Secrets: Commentary by Colin Megill
• An interesting quote in this commentary stated "And Gulf War Sickness doesn't even stop with our troops. Strange illnesses from cancer to birth defects have been affecting the citizens of Kuwait and Iraq." However, although the author describes problems in Afghanistan and Iraq, there is no elaboration about Kuwait. The Daily Campus
• Former US Ambassador to Kuwait frontrunner to become next ambassador to Israel
• Former US Ambassador to Kuwait Richard Jones is regarded as the strongest candidate to become the next US Ambassador to Israel. World Peace Herald
• US-based Transoceanic Shipping Co. merges with Public Warehouse Company (PWC) Logistics
• According to PWC's press release, this deal "forms one of the world's largest specialized logistics management providers," with offices in 28 countries. PWC's market capitalization is valued at $8.2 billion. PWC Logistics

ARAB HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2004

This long awaited report has finally been released to the public. It is produced under the auspices of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). The latest report is titled Arab Human Development Report 2004: Towards Freedom in the Arab World. You can obtain a digital copy for $10 from the Gulf Research Center in either Arabic or English.

Here is a preview from the UNDP site:(No pun intended)

• Political parties are permitted in 14 Arab countries. Libya and the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman) prohibit the formation of political parties.

• Journalists’ right to obtain information and news is legally assured in only five Arab states: Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Sudan and Yemen.

• In only three Arab countries (Algeria, Sudan and Yemen), and in a fourth under occupation (Palestine), are presidents elected through direct elections with more than one candidate and with presidential term limits.

Assorted News

Latest news of interest about Kuwait is listed below. The links will open in a new page.

• Investment Dar and EFAD buy into THE WORLD project in Dubai
• They bought Oceania and predict a value of $ 3.5 billion when it is built and ready. AME Info
  
• Hardee's restaurant is offering free cheesburgers in Kuwait
• The catch? It is exclusive for US troops in Kuwait. St. Louis Business Journal
  
• Witnesses describe grenade attack in Kuwait
  
• This refers to the attack during March 2003 by an American soldier. The attack left two soldiers dead, and 14 injured. AP through Washington Post
• Halliburton accuses Kuwaiti government
• On the background of the Pentagon's investigation of Halliburton. The company defended its handling of the subcontract under investigation, saying the Kuwaiti government would not allow it to negotiate for better prices or choose another supplier. The audit revealed that Halliburton overcharged the Pentagon with millions of dollars. Current Amercan vice-president Dick Cheney headed Halliburton from 1995 to 2000.AP through Washington Post

Welcome

Welcome to the latest news blog. This blog will be dedicated to news about Kuwait in international media outlets. The catch is that you will hear it here first guranteed. News will not be focused primarily on politics, and will include all items of interest. Further, local media coverage will not be included, unless the topic is of great interest. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.