Welcome to yet another exciting edition of the Friday Night Report.The UAE women's basketball team dethroned Kuwait to become champions of the 8th GCC ladies championship in Sharjah.Ladies and gentlemen, we have lost yet another sports title. However, isn't it worth knowing that Kuwait, and the GCC, hold a ladies championship? And for the 8th time!
In a deal that could be worth up to $3.5 billion, Kuwait Airways "may" order between 30 and 34 new passenger aircrafts from Boeing and Airbus to replace its ageing fleet that consists of 17 aircrafts. Kuwait Airways is interested in Boieng's 777 and 767, and Airbus's A350 and A340 aircrafts. The current fleet, in operation since 1992, will be sold once new aircrafts are purchased.Oasis frequent fliers rejoice! Finally, Kuwait Airways "may", I repeat "may", update its ageing fleet! Although American Airlines owns nearly 700 aircrafts, it is a step in the right direction. Expect many more destinations in the near future, if a deal goes through. Emirates boasts a fleet of at least 100 aircrafts, EgyptAir has 44, Qatar Airways has 56, and Saudi Arabian Airlines has 131 aircrafts.
Finally, a shout out to our boy and three-time GCC champion Moh'd Al-Ghareeb who is hoping to get a wildcard invitation to this year's Dubai Tennis Championships. Last time around, Al-Ghareeb met the world's #1 Roger "the invincible" Federer in the round of 16 and lost honorably 7-6 and 6-4.Until next time, have a safe week!
Major news, or not, that made it into the FNR includes Queen Rania, Kuwaiti-Iraqi border, car number plates, and other interesting stuff!In an interview with Al-Rai newspaper, Queen Rania of Jordan tells us that Kuwait has a special place in her heart, as it is the place where she was raised as a child and formed many of her friendships and fond memories.Ladies and gentlemen, and why do we care you say? Why is Jordanian politics, driven by her majesty and others, taking a more central position on the Kuwaiti scene? Well, in addition to Kuwaiti aspirations to invest more than $6 billion in Jordan as mentioned last week, the real answer can be found North of Kuwait. What was that again?!
Last week's news stated that the biggest border crossing in the world was opened between Kuwait and Iraq. It took three years to build with a cost of around $20 million. It is to be used solely for the American troops (news in Al-Qabas). Further, Aspen Road is being constructed to link Southern Iraq with Kuwait, and should be completed by next month. The estimated cost of the 180 km road is $30.4 million, and the goal is to make the transportation of goods from Kuwait City to MSR Tampa more efficient. Ladies and gentlemen, does spending more than $50 million on infrastructure constitute a temporary position, where things are expected to settle down and get better soon? Will troops be heading home within a year? It sure doesn't look like it, unless home is called Kuwait. If I spend $50 million for roads and buildings, I am planning for a long-term engagement that could be hidden from the eyes of the public at the moment. Something is fishy and it looks like we, as Middle Easterners, are heading for more bloodshed and violence.
His Highness the Amir of Kuwait calmed fears about religious tensions and discrimination in Kuwait indicating that the country does not face such a problem, and that the Shia in the Persian Gulf countries are mostly Arabs who do not pledge allegiance to Iran. Also, His Highness assured the public that a military confrontation with Iran will not happen, warning at the same time that anything could happen!
Ladies and gentlemen, Kuwait does not have religious tensions or discrimination, yet the speech discriminates between Arab Shia and Persian Shia, both being a part of the population in all the Persian Gulf countries. The way it is, the implication is that Arab Shia in the GCC countries are good Shia, while Persian Shia are the ones to watch. Yet, Kuwait does not suffer from any religious tensions or discrimination! The speechwirter should revisit the speech, and make sure any negative implications are avoided, especially with the Liberation of Kuwait celebrations approaching us later this month. So will there be a war or won't there be one?
On a lighter note, Al-Qabas newspaper stated that the first of the new number plates was issued to an important government official in Kuwait by "complete coincidence."
Ladies and gentlemen, this is what the media thinks about the Kuwaiti reader. They can say this and actually get away with it. Until next time, take care and stay safe...
The Friday Night Report is pleased to present "IMPORTANT" Kuwaiti headlines.
First of all, did you know that Liberia is pursuing a friendly football match against Kuwait in order to prepare for its clash with Cameroon in March? Further, Kubba Fashions, based in Singapore, is arranging the encounter, scheduled for the 7th of Feb.Ladies and gentlemen, Liberia (ranked 112) wants to play a friendly against Kuwait (ranked 76) "in Kuwait" in order to prepare for Cameroon (ranked 11). What about Kubba Fashions you say? That is another matter to be solved by the Kuwaiti FA ;-)
Second of all, Kuwait's minister of industry and trade "underlined Kuwait's aspirations to increase investments in Jordan" that amounted to nearly $6 billion last year. This comes after the Jordanian parliament officially mourned the death of Iraq's deposed dictator Saddam Hussein.Ladies and gentlemen, the country is "aspiring" to spend more than $6 billion in a country that has constantly shown negativity and hatred towards anything related to Kuwait, including a number of students that fall victims to hate-crimes on a regular basis. On the other hand, Kuwait's government refuses to discuss the outstanding Iraqi loans, the consumer loans in Kuwait, or even allow the $300 monthly allowance for students to pass. So, who you gonna call? Ghostbusters ;-)
Finally, too much bad football (aka Kuwait in the Gulf Cup), heavy loans, high prices, and global warming can have a very negative effect!See you next Friday...Peace
The International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) hosts world-wide football statistics including top goalscorers, club world rankings, top honors, best referees, etc. They are backed by FIFA.
Taking a look at Kuwait, it was surprising that there was a decent presence in the statistics. Following is a summary:
- As of July 2006, Kuwait's local football league is ranked 26 in terms of strength! Kuwait's league is 3rd from the Arabs after the Egyptian league, ranked 20, and the Algerian league, ranked 23.
- In 2002, Saad Kameel was ranked the 9th best referee in the world. Collina was first.
- In 1998, THE Jasem Al-Howaidi, of course, was the world's top-scorer in International games and continental championships with 20 goals, followed by Batistuta with 14 goals.
- In 2000, Bashar Abdullah was 5th in the world's top scorer list with 17 goals. Rivaldo was first with 21 goals.
- Faisal Al-Dakheel ranked #14 on Asia's player of the century list. Bum-Kun Cha of Korea was first. As for Asia's goalkeeper of the century list, Khaled Al-Fadhli ranked #8. Moh'd Al-Deyae of Saudi was first.
- In the current club world rankings, covering the period 1st of November, 2005 to 30th October, 2006, Al-Qadsiya was ranked #173 while Al-Arabi ranked #323. Total number of teams included exceeded 350 teams from around the world. Sevilla is currently the top team, followed by Barcelona and Liverpool.
- In 2006's world top goalscorer (current), Bader Al-Mutawa of Alqadsiya is ranked #38 with 7 goals. Crouch is top with 15 goals. These are only goals scored in full "A" Internationals and continental championships, like the Asian Cup etc.
The latest Human Development Report was launched by the UNDP in Cape Town, South Africa today. The report, based on 2004 statistics, is an important one tracking issues for all countries that provide relevant statistics. It has been issued annually since 1990. So what happened to the Human Development Index (HDI) for Kuwait? We will review all important information in the report that is relevant to Kuwait.
- The report shows that Kuwait's HDI is 0.871, putting it in the high human development category. The HDI rank of Kuwait is 33 out of 177, and the first in terms of Arab countries.
- The new HDI for Kuwait is an improvement from last year's report, when the HDI for Kuwait was 0.844, ranking it 44th.
- The Gender Development Index (GDI) is 0.864 for Kuwait, ranking it 31 out of 177.
- HDI trend for Kuwait
- 1975= 0.763
- 1980= 0.777
- 1985= 0.780
- 1990= N/A
- 1995= 0.813
- 2000= 0.837
- 2003= 0.844
- 2004=0.871
- Kuwait is one of three Arab countries that receive more than 75 percent of its water from external sources. The other two are Bahrain and Egypt.
- Further, Kuwait ranks first in terms of withdrawing water faster than it is replenished.
