KM Discussion forum. Dear brothers, In Samavayam and all other nonsense discussions, we are not discussing about the issue of the Arab and even Indian managements in the Gulf confiscating and keeping our Indian passports. I have been working for a firm in the Gulf, where there are Indians and westerners. The Company does not keep the passports of Westerners while they keep Indians' passports with them. According to Indian passport act only the owner should keep the passport. Is there no will power among us to stop this nonsense??? Are we Third rated persons? What are the Indian embassies doing about this? Or are they hippocrates? Unite Indians, unite Discuss the Issue in KM Discussion Forum Sign KM Guest Book Just Slipped into this site by Mistake, but i loved it !! Keep it up guyz, I Used to work in the gulf myself, and think that this is a fantastic Way of keeping us expats Posted about the Happenings over there. However i seriously think that you should'nt alow sick Phirangs to comment on your page, These low life Scums should not be Allowed online, they are a serious disgrace to humanity ...... and i think that they should be Seriously thought a thing or two by us Indians, who are anyday More INTELLIGENT & EDUCATED than them. Thank You & Cheers !! From Saudi Arabia with love... Very good site especially for the kerala NRIs.. Please try to reveal more true stories related to the NRIs.., there problems and needs.. It was interesting in a wierd sort of way ..from CNN I just came across this website, I have to say that I only have to laugh, because I was quite confused exploring the site. the information seems to be scattered in many places. also some of the links do not work. You have 1 link to "talents" and another to "dances". they bought have almost identical things. another thing is that the pictures that you have loaded up are of inferior quality. I know you can do a much better job than that, only if you research a little more. Apart from that , you have a km mate section ??. what the hell is that?.. I was shocked to see some dude kissing down a girls neck and ther other "covered" porn pic that you have in your news column about the internet fraud. those pictures are quite dimeaning and should be taken off this instant..More Positive and Negative Opinions about KM KM Mate ..Click Worries Raised on Handling of Funds in Iraq A hearing details the transfer of $2.4 billion in $100 bills to Baghdad in 2004 and the billions more sent before. U.S. oversight is questioned. Deepika.com Favourite News Source..Click ..Gulf Madhyamam Click Pleae of An American Mother of Slained Marine Osama heading for Iraq: Report Smart City Approved..Now Technocity Strong Move to Democratise Indian Media Forum -Watch out IRAQ: ‘Expired food causing health problems’ BAGHDAD, A serious rise in food poisoning cases caused by expired and contaminated food in Iraq has been reported by the Ministry of Health.“Government hospital directors have alerted our ministry that there is an increase in cases on a daily basis, especially in children, caused by poor food quality in the markets,” to Mustafa al-Aani, a senior official at the ministry said. Full Report New NGO law spells end of autonomy, say Nepalese activists KATHMANDU, - Some national and international NGOs in Nepal say they are seriously concerned over the introduction of the Social Welfare (First Amendment) Ordinance 2005. The new government ruling was promulgated during the last week of July and gives new powers to the state to enable it to control and regulate programmes run by NGOs and their activities. . More Eelection campaigning Intensifies in Egypt CAIRO, 18 August (IRIN) - Egypt's presidential campaign kicked off on Wednesday with dramatic speeches by the two main candidates outlining not dissimilar programmes to reform the country.The country's first ever multi-candidate presidential campaign will run for three weeks until election day on 7 September and features the president as well as nine other candidates from opposition parties.Apart from President Hosni Mubarak, only Ayman Nour of the Ghad Party and Nomaan Gomaa of the Wafd Party, are expected to garner substantial amounts of votes. Full Report   Colonialism Back in Iraq as American Corporations Reap the Benefits "Paul Bremner former US governor of Iraq had promulgated some 100 orders that began what he named the economic reconstruction (in reality neo-construction) of Iraq. He gave primacy to the privatisation by handing over 200 state-owned companies, that is to say almost the entire Iraqi economy, into 100% ownership of US corporations. The freeing of trade, the removal of the banking system from state control and abrogation of labour regulations have all the same aim of breaking up native structures in an unequal competition. Capital can move freely and labour can be exploited unfettered," says a detailed rpeort from Iran Bulletin. " They have also made every effort to ensure that the process is irreversible. By ensuring a 40-year credit for the contracts and other arrangements Bremner has closed all legal loopholes for a revision or halting this project . Even the “transfer of power”, whether by appointment or elections, is a means of putting a stamp of approval in the name of the people of Iraq to the contracts that the US ambassador had out into effect, and to speed up and secure the economic occupation of Iraq.," it added. More Gulf Air -Saudi Airlines Enhance Code Sharing Arrangements Manama, Bahrain: Gulf Air and Saudi Arabian Airlines have signed an agreement to strengthen and extend their current code share operational services. The new agreement will include all flights operated by the two carriers between Bahrain, Abu Dhabi and Muscat International Airports, as well as the two terminals of King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah, the southern terminal used by Saudi Arabian Airlines and the northern terminal used by Gulf Air, with effect from August 1, 2005. Indian and Pakistani Traders Abscond Leaving Suppliers in the Dark Many traders have been duped by an export import company run by four expatriates including a Malayali. Many traders frequent the closed down office of the company on Saeed Tower I, Sheikh Zayed Road. Traders who supplied goods to Arabian Ocean General Trading LLC, a trading company which used to operate from the Saed Tower 1 said their office remains closed for the last couple of days and a number of traders frequent the building to know whether the four partners, Deshai, Aziz, Mahmood and Anwar - partners have returned. These four expatriates –Indians and Pakistanis - have been buying materials like pipes, drums, medicines, equipments, plasma TV sets, water coolers, food items and even condum, which the company has reportedly been exporting to Iraq. The company's Al Qesis Warehouse also remains closed and the exposure of Dubai traders to the Indian Pakistan joint operation team will run into Dhs.25 million, said a source. The company sponsor, a senior official of Customs and Port Authority of Dubai is in real dilemma too.."They bought these goods on 90 days credit and promised to give cheque to many parties on Saturday. When many of the victims came to their office on Saturday, the partners had already left on Thursday night. About 40 creditors visited their closed office on Saturday and they keep on visiting the building inquiring about the whereabouts of four expatriates and the fate of their pending payment. "This has been an old company which has been operating since 1984. However, this is the first time that I have supplied plastic drum to them. I have visited their office and found it was closed," says one trader Salim S, who is due to get about Dhs.100,000. Sultan is exploring various possibilities including police complaint to retrieve the pending money. This reporter could see some traders visiting the building to inquire about the missing partners and overdue payment. "I used to deal with Mr.Desai, Anwar and Aziz who have apparently disappeared. I am not sure whether they have left the UAE," added a trader. It is learned that the company used to buy goods from dealers and resell in the local and international market, mainly Iraq. They used to export goods to Iraq. Even though this reporter reached their office, it remained closed. CyberGuard to announce technology and new partnerships Alukkaas Out of Jeevan TV -Rings Stolen from the New Alukkas Jewellery showroom in City Centre - Kiliroor Sex Scandal has Gulf Links Indian School Kuwait Culprits involved in Resort Project too.... KM Special Keralites Recruited to South Africa Say Agents Took them for a Ride.. PRITORIA - A number of Keralites are being recruited by dubious agents by taking Rs.2 lakhs and more offering lucrative jobs in South Africa, an African country, through which they are diverted to other labour markets, including Iraq. A number of Hydrabased agents are recruiting semi skilled and skilled Keralites from Thiruvananathapuram, Thirussur and Kannur to work in South Africa and the agents promise equivalent of Rs.5,0000 and more. However, many Keralites who have been in the trap say they dont get even half that salary and the agents are using a number of methods including arm twisting to extract more money from the victims.. "I can see a number of Keralites being recruited to South Africa. They charge Rs.2 lakhs and more from each candidate and dump them in South Africa. "While recruiting, they promise that from South Africa people can go directly to Canada and England without any hassles, but the victims of the recruitment racket feel that it is not that easy as presented by the agents. Watch this space. New virus worms its way into Windows - How to Remove the Virus Security Watch: New Worm Hits Windows Hole in Record Time -US Troops Hold Children Hostages in Northern Iraq: Police -Iran: Western hysteria U.K-Jordan: Torture Risk Makes Deportations Illegal (London, August 16, 2005) – The United Kingdom cannot deport security suspects to Jordan without violating the international prohibition against sending persons to countries where they face a serious risk of torture, Human Rights Watch said today. Human Rights Watch said that the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by Jordan and the U.K. on August 10 promising that transferred persons will not be mistreated does nothing to reduce that risk or to change the obligation not to expose people to torture. "There is still torture in Jordan, especially with regard to security suspects," said Joe Stork, deputy director of Human Rights Watch's Middle East division. "All the good reasons that prevented the U.K. from deporting people to Jordan before August 10 remain unchanged by this agreement." Full Report and More News Interview with outspoken Syrian writer, Maha Hassan Who Wants More Freedom to Write About Sex... A: Of course, because sex is still one of the most sensitive topics in the east. When I published, in Lebanon, a story called 'The bride's fingers', dealing literarily with women's masturbation, I faced criticism even from women. The ideas brought up by the women's revolution in France in the 60s are still in Syria, and in the East in general, forbidden. The reasons I was banned from publishing in Syria were, as stated by the Human Rights Watch, because the authorities consider my writing too liberal, too feminist, and ‘morally condemnable’. I was writing on the three taboos – politics, sex and religion. If I do not write on these topics, what's left to write about?Full Report   Recent News Updates and Special Stories 2005 June 2005 Photographs and Links from Recent Months Middle East News Papers Main Archives Link More News and Pictures -KM News- More News Recent News and Pictures Guest book Enter Here     Columnists Youth     Love Sex KM News Kovalam     Discuss Special Story Investigative Report     Gulf News Crime College     School Kerala         Special Events EventGulf     Middle East Woman Human Rights and Labour New Courtesy Emirates Evening Post. Script Writer Fights against Hollywood Giants for Alleged Intellectual Property Rights Infringement By V.M.Sathish DUBAI – Meet Wajith Ali. Khan, who is planning to file a case against a leading Hollywood Production House against for what he claims is a major infringement of his intellectual property rights. Already Mr.Khan, a salesman in Al Nahar Electronics Trading Company, Diera has approached the US Department of Justice, the Motion Picture Association of America, the Chief Justice of Dubai Court and the Universal Studio Chairman with his claim. Now Khan says he is legally proceeding against M/S Universal Pictures of Hollywood and other produces of a film Hulk. His dream to become a celebrity writer in Bollywood or Hollywood has never materialized. Mother's protest gains momentum Hundreds show up at Bush's ranch to support mom who lost son in Iraq -Middle East Quartet meeting to take place in New York in September- Protesters pelt UK embassy in Iran with stones- FBI warns of attacks around September - No Qaeda mastermind in UK blasts’ Official Statements Look Like Reading from a Film Script Lebanon : Growing concern over diamond imports Lebanon is importing rough diamonds, raising serious concern that the proceeds could be used to fund African conflicts, according to international investigative NGO, Global Witness. Lebanese customs data published online showed that industrial rough diamonds worth US $156 million were imported during the year. "These significant imports of diamonds into Lebanon, are of great concern to Global Witness, as they counter the efforts of the international community to stop the trade in conflict diamonds," said Corinna Gilfillan, lead campaigner at the US branch of the organisation. Full Report Venezuela Tax Agency Closes Shell Office-Germany rejects Iran military option -Bush raises option of using force against Iran My country is in the grip of a president surrounded by thugs in suits, killing Innocent Civilians..Writes Howard Zinn "We know that fighting during the US offensive in November 2004 destroyed three-quarters of the town of Falluja (population 360,000), killing hundreds of its inhabitants," writes Howard Zinn in the Guardian. : "In dozens of interviews during the past five days, most residents across the area said there was no Ba'athist or Sunni conspiracy against US soldiers, there were only people ready to fight because their relatives had been hurt or killed, or they themselves had been humiliated by home searches and road stops ... One woman said, after her husband was taken from their home because of empty wooden crates which they had bought for firewood, that the US is guilty of terrorismm"he says in an exclusive report about US terrorism against Iraqi people in the name of fighting international terrorism using misinformation and lies... Read the Full Story Iraqi boys trapped in commercial sex trade Teenage boys have become targets for prostitution gangs in Iraq BAGHDAD, 8 August (IRIN) - Hassan Feiraz, a 16-year-old boy, has started a desperate new life since being forced into the sex trade in Baghdad, joining a growing number of adolescents soliciting in Iraq under the threat of street gangs or the force of poverty. "Every day I cry at night," Feiraz said. "I'm a homosexual and was forced to work as a prostitute because one of the people I had sex with took pictures of me in bed and said that, if I didn't work for him, he was going to send the pictures to my family." "My life is a disaster today. I could be killed by my family to restore their honour," he said, explaining that homosexuality was totally unacceptable in Iraq due to religious beliefs.Following the conflict in 2003, there has been an increase in the number of commercial sex workers (CSWs) in the country, especially among teenagers, according to local officials. This increase is attributed to economic pressure faced by families countrywide and the presence of new prostitution rings that have sprung up since the invasion. Full Story and More News US has no right to deny visa to Ahmadinejad, says Tehran UK Says Saudi Attacks Imminent..Another Ploy to Intervene? Saudi says no information of "imminent" threat-- US Embassy in Saudi Arabia Closed -Saudis to Retrieve $360 billion from Abroad..USA..Al Qaeda in Saudi Arabia linked to London hits Surviving Chicago's sex slave trade 14,500-17,500 people are trafficked into the United States each year. RS. 2290.17 Lakhs For Kerala Scholarship Programme Rs. 2290.17 lakh were released to Government of Kerala towards Post-Matric Scholarships for Scheduled Castes from 2001-02 to 2003-04. Out of this, Rs. 938.16 lakh were released in 2001-02, Rs. 674.44 lakh in 2002-03 and Rs. 677.57 during 2003-04. Rs. 92 lakh were released for Post-Matric Scholarship for STs during 2001-02 In case of Scheduled Castes students there is no demand pending for the year 2001-02. State Government demanded central assistance of Rs. 1500.00 lakhs and Rs. 2321.00 lakhs during 2002-03 and 2003-04 respectively which was restricted to the releases mentioned above. In case of Scheduled Tribes, the State Government has an unspent balance of Rs. 72.89 lakhs and Rs. 38.74 lakhs in 2001-02 and 2002-03 respectively. During 2003-04, an amount of Rs. 25.19 lakh was outstanding which was released during 2004-05, as part of Rs. 146.14 lakhs released to the State during the year, said the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Smt. Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

Samavayam and Samanwayam.. Special Guests from Ashramam and Travel Institute..filled the Vacuum On the inaugural day of Samavayam, there were only 64 Non Resident Keralites from different parts of the world who came for Samavayam. M.M.Hassan the ROOTS-NORKA Chairman, who has been a good organiser of rallies and dharnas dialled a few numbers and arranged 100 "delegates" from the Travellers Institute and 250 "delegates" from the Shanthigiri Ashramam. When Chief Minister Oommen Chandy came for the inaugural function, he was happy to see the hall full of "NRK delegates." Swami Karunakaran was kind enough to allott two buses full of "delegates' and the only remuneration for the special Samavayam invitees was the free food and some of the Swamijis did not mind the beef and chicken served to the NRK delegates! For the Samyamanam, organised for Keralites from other cities like Mumbai, Delhi etc, only 13 people came!!!Due to heavvy rain that lashed Gujarath and Mahrashtra many potential delegates could not reach the Ashwathy Gardens and wanted NORKA to postpone the event. However, Hassan was stubborn to conduct the event at the same time and venue..and made a few more phone calls. Swamiji helped and 250 ladies from the Ashramam came and filled the vacuum... They came from Pathancode and not from Mumbai or Ahmedbad... Kerala News Click Here Halliburton Sold Iranian Oil Company Key Nuclear Reactor Components. Worker Stabs Colleague in Sonapur Camp for Mobile Phone!!! By V.M.Sathish DUBAI – An expatriate worker has been stabbed to death by one of his fellow workers on Wednesday morning and the culprit has been arrested by Dubai Police. Hanumantha Rao (47), a helper from in Andhra Pradesh, was sleeping in his labour camp on Wednay morning when another worker from the same company stabbed him to death, after other workers left the room for work. According to sources in Sonapur both the workers lived in adjacent rooms in Sonapur labour camp near the bus depot and the culprit stabbed Hanumantha Rao to death and kept the knife used for the killing in his room. Full Report and More News Aboobakers Story of the Prisoner Aboobaker.N.M. Dubai Journalist has got a pat in the back from NORKA Journalism award jury for his story about Paul George from Tamil Nadu who has been awaiting death sentance in Jumeirah prison. Read the full Report by the Malayalam News scribe..Full Story Crime Reports on TV The Government has set up an Inter-ministerial Committee to look into the violations of the Programme Code and Advertising Code. This Committee, on receipt of complaints or suo-moto takes action against the TV channels which are violating the said Codes. No analysis has been made by the Government about the impact on society of ‘Crime Reports’ telecast by several major TV channels. However, all programmes and advertisements of all TV channels transmitted/ retransmitted through the cable network are required to strictly adhere to the Programme Code and Advertising Code prescribed under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and rules framed thereunder. Any violation of these Codes attracts action against them under the Cable Act. ETA STAR opens “Golden Enclave Ascon” in Sri Lanka Western Digital announces fourth quarter revenue of US $940 million Deficient Brreastfeeding raises malnutrition concerns U.S. deployed 2000 troops to oil rich Mauritania in June Following the recent slaying of 17 government soldiers in a terrorist attack on a military base in northern Mauritania, the United States has sent a contingent of 2,000 soldiers, as well as helicopters, to the area, the United Arab Emirates daily 'Al-Kalheej' reported on Friday. The US troops will use military bases set up in the desert in Mauritania and Mali three years ago as part of the war on terror. More Bin Laden's No 2 'captured in Iran' US Journalist Shot Dead in Basra..For Writing What? US Colonisation Continues: Iraq..Mauritiana,..Sudan..who is next? Use Nuclear bombs to Disarm Iran The Pentagon, acting under instructions from Vice President Dick Cheney's office, has tasked the United States Strategic Command (STRATCOM) with drawing up a contingency plan to be employed in response to another 9/11-type terrorist attack on the United States. The plan includes a large-scale air assault on Iran employing both conventional and tactical nuclear weapons. Within Iran there are more than 450 major strategic targets, including numerous suspected nuclear-weapons-program development sites. Many of the targets are hardened or are deep underground and could not be taken out by conventional weapons, hence the nuclear option. Full Report Dawood Daughter Photos Could be Inaccurate Editors Note: Please be note that the authenticity of the photos published here as the marriage photos of Dawood Ibrahim's daughter could not be verified. Hence KM viewers are informed that we regret the publication of the photo which occured due a judgement error Ushering in Radio Revolution in India Through FM Stations New Pakistan radio series on 'honour' killings ISLAMABAD, 4 Aug 2005 (IRIN) - The Pakistan chapter of the UK-based international NGO, Oxfam, has recently begun broadcasting a radio series aimed at raising public awareness of honour killings. In general, women fall victim to a variety of assorted crimes carried out under the common name of 'honour' across the country, argue rights activists. Full Report and More News Thiruvananthapuram Getting Ready for Samavayam The capital city is getting ready for Samavayam to discuss various issues of Non-Resident Keralites, including voting rights and employment security. Coming at a time when the state government is deeply involved in varius scandals including the misuse of tsunami fund raised to help the victims of natural calamities. According to Jiji Thomson, Principal Secretary, Non- Resident Keralites' Affairs Department all arrangements for the event have been finished. Full Report and More News M.N.Aboobaker Malayalam News too Receives Jury's Comments.. The tragic story of Paul George, an Indian accused of multiple murders living in Jumeirah prison for twenty years, that appeared on the front page of Saudi based Malayalam News attracted positive comments from the NORKA Media award jury. M.N.Aboobaker, who has been working as areporter with the Dubai Bureau of Malayalam News has been among the neglected Gulf based Malayali journalists...More More News Click here Neglected Story Tellers Bag NORKA award..Smart City Supporters dominate winners list..... Both Sharly Benjamin, editor, Arabia and Biju Abel Jacob, Asianet Gulf Round Up have bagged the NORKA media awards for stories, which were neglected by the other mainstream media. While Biju Abel's Story about a man who was lying in coma for a long period was not found suitable for the Kairali TV, Sharly Benjamin's Gulf Charitable Trust Fraud story was neglected by many including Asianet for unknown reasons. Even though many factors including intense lobbying and recommendations by big business tycoons determine the final award winners, the two journalists have been selected for stories which were neglected by other mainstream media. One major factor selecting the awards is definitely the unconditional support extended by journalists to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and his team headed by Jiji Thomson during his recent Gulf visit. Many senior journalists including the prominent ones from Bahrain, Kuwait and others were campaigning vigorously to get the award.. The winning journalists have been mouth pieces of Oommen Chandy's Smart City moves...and both the winners were careful to avoid any criticism of these projects... Blessings of big business tycoons from Dubai is yet another criteria used for the journalism awards.. Asianet Gulf Round Bags NORKA Media Award for Muscat Humanitarian Story DUBAI - Biju Abel Jacob, the star TV journalist of Dubai who anchors the Gulf Round Up programme has bagged the first NORKA Award for TV journalism, which was officially announced today. Biju has won the coveted award for a human interest story about a Malayali on coma who was abandoned by the mainstream media in Muscat. A dedicated and hardworking journalist who has been singlehandely responsible for making Gulf Round Up a popular Current Affairs Programme, the journalist has shown the real face of Gulf Keralites life. The NORKA award is the latest feather in his cap and KM wishes him all success in his endeavours. The story from Muscat was not published even by Kairali TVwhich was first approached by the man's friends and well wishers..... More Sharly Benjamin bags NORKA Award for Gulf Charitable Trust Story Sharly Benjamin, Editor Arabia has been selected for the NORKA award for print media for his recent story about the Gulf Employees Charitable Trust Story, which has been neglected by the mainstream media in Dubai. The story culminated in the arrest of fake NRK pension scheme fraudsters who had the blessings of big wigs in the media and politics. Sharly Benjamin was almost isolated by the mainstream media and the award indicates that KM stand about the story was correct. Dubai Journalists Isolate Arabia Editor for boldly reporting Trust Fraud? KM Exclusive.....Earlier report... Gulf Employees Trust President Says P.C.Alexander, Ramesh Chennithala, M M Hassan and Sathish Nampoothirippadu as ....More from KM Five from Gulf Employees Charitable Trust Detained in UAE Five people including a lawyer who was flown in to convince investors and intimidate dissidents of the Gulf Employees Charitable Trust, originally planned by some leading Congress politicians from Kerala, have beend etained in the UAE for questioning. As part of a detailed inquiry into the alleged financial fraud in which many ordinary NRKs are believed to be trapped, the Trustees were showing a brave face and planned a major marketing campaign to regain the lost confidence. It is learned that the concerned investigation is on and complaints are sought from various affected parties, who are asked to complaint to the respective Police Stations in the UAE. As reported earlier, the big shots who are the real behind the scam are left free and only Rajendra Prasad, Poovamma and others are in the net....More Click Here for the Latest News Updates Special Stories Dual Citizenship to Overseas Indians Full Report Nakheel appoints GM Pentagon Blocks Abu Ghraib Images: Here's Why Iraqi women forced to expose their breasts, and naked prisoners forced to have sex with each other. Groups of men were forced to masturbate while being photographed and videotaped. There is also evidence of a ‘male MP guard having sex with a female detainee, reports Greg Mitchell More British gov't protests at Iran claims over London bombings: Cleric says British Government Must Have Masterminded the Blast - US-backed groups organize regime change in Iran -London Bombers Have Ties to United States - London police avoid term 'suicide bombing' - Aspartame In Pepsi Killing the Unborn..Raining Tumours.. List of U.S. foreign interventions since 1945 - HP Expected to Announce Massive Layoffs -Was it a Suicide Bombing? Read the Mirror Report Dead Man Trapped in the Kitchen Ventilator of Sharjah Studio Flat? More Pinarayi Vijayan and Kodiyeri Balakrishnan Accused in Multicrore Scam Mathew of Tehelka threatened by Sikh Military barons with Sikh PM Support. More   Mathew of Tehelka threatened by Sikh Military barons with Sikh PM Support. More   Saudi King is Officially Dead Now.. Crown Prince Abdullah is New Custodian of Holy Mosques Confirming earlier reports, as indicated by KM, Saudi King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz died Monday in a Riyadh hospital after a long illness. Even though earlier reports suggested that the King was clinically dead almost two months back, the official media have declared the King dead on August 2, 2005. This report by an international agency said that the King was clinically dead and an official announcement was expected at any time. "The 83-year-old head of Saudi Arabia, King Fahd, has died in hospital. King Fahd's half-brother Crown Prince Abdullah has been confirmed as his successor. Prince Abdullah has been running day-to-day affairs in the oil-rich state for the last decade. This King who has headed a regime controlling the world's biggest producer of oil, has been familiar to many people for symbols of incredible wealth, a lavish lifestyle, and a very important man in the Muslim world . Fahd's death was announced on official Saudi television early Monday. The funeral will take place Tuesday. Fahd bin Abdul Aziz ruled the oil-rich kingdom since 1982, succeeding his late brother, King Khalid. The new king, Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, appointed Defense Minister Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz as his crown prince, Information Minister Ayad Madani said. Abdullah has been Saudi Arabia's de-facto ruler since Fahd suffered a severe stroke in 1995 that left him weakened, both physically and mentally. Fahd entered hospital last May 27 after suffering severe pneumonia. The new king is viewed as a charismatic leader. Upon the death of Fahd, he inherits not only one of the richest countries in the world with the planet's largest oil supplies, but also severe internal problems not least of which is home-grown Islamist terrorism Earlier KM Report (29 April 2005) Saudi King is Clinically Dead? Report About Saudi Succession Story Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Abdullah's visit to the United States to discuss oil matters with President George W. Bush, took place amid growing speculation back home that the bed-ridden King Fahd's condition has worsened with the monarch slipping out of conciousness, says reports quoting undisclosed sources from Saudi Arabia..The report says speculation has been rife among Riyadh's ruling elite of Fahd's clinical death but in the absence of any official announcement, such news will not have credence in the region..Sucession is a serious issue and the report by Adnkronos International goes on to speculate about the suspicious" disappearance of King Fahd from public scene Read the Full Speculative Report Pinarayi's Humiliation of Journalist.. Indian Media Formm remains Mum Scribe Describes Labour Pain working in torching heat for hours... DUBAI is a city of sky scrappers and multi billion business. The role of expatriate workers in building up the beautiful buildings, roads, bridges, flyovers, shipyards, airports and roundabouts is part of history. They build castles on the barren desert lands, but they are sometimes equated with animals, read manpower. Starting from the travel agents who make millions in the recruitment process to the manpower supplier companies that squeeze out their blood and the layer of middleman who pocket part of their savings, they are always in a long chain of exploitation. Irrespective of their nationality or ethnicity, they are human beings who work 10 to 12 hours a day just for Dhs.450 to 700, that too not paid regularly. More News Malayali Girl Allegedly Gang Raped by Desert Tour Operator DUBAI – It is alleged that a young girl has been gang raped by nine expatriate men in a distant desert as her mother looked helpless. The men working with a tour operating company have allegedly lured a woman and her young daughter from Dubai to attend desert camp in Murmum located on the Dubai-Al Ain route and trapped the girl. What appears to be a racket luring families with young girls to participate in weekend picnics and desert camps the young girl who accompanied her mother to a party in the desert was allegedly gang raped by these men. Full Report Special News Updates c42 New SEZS Approved includes Kochi, Kalamasseri and Thiruvananthapuram Pinaray News - KM Mates Blow More Recent News Links -Main Archives Link More News and Pictures More News and Reports -Archives March 2004 KM Special Reports   Biju Abel Jacob, Asianet Gulf Round Up Sharly Benjamin, Editor Arabia Receive the first Media Awards from Chief Minister Click image for detailed view Read the Report authored by the American Journalist Murdered in Iraq