US missions in Dubai and Abu Dhabi to remain closed
Source: The National (Read full story)
The US State Department extended the closure period due to a continuing threat from terrorism in the Middle East. Numerous American embassies across the region were closed on Sunday due to an unusual step by authorities – issuing a worldwide travel alert for US citizens that arose due to an unspecified terrorist threat, possibly from Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. The embassies affected continue to provide emergency services for American citizen services. In a security message to US citizens overseas, the department said: “As previously noted, the department has been apprised of information that, out of an abundance of caution and care for our employees and others who may be visiting our installations, indicates we should institute these precautionary steps.
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Embassies Closed In Yemen, Security Tightened After Militant Warning
Source: Huffington Post (Read full story)
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In Sanaa’s eastern districts, Yemeni soldiers closed roads around the U.S. and British embassies, witnesses said, only allowing residents through only after rigorous checks, while troops with automatic rifles stood outside the French embassy. “There is a high level of coordination with the American side, and these measures have been taken due to fears of attacks by al Qaeda,” a Yemeni security official told Reuters. The French embassy was closed on Sunday, following the lead of Britain and Germany, which shut their missions after the United States said it was closing more than a dozen missions in the Middle East and Africa. Security was also bolstered around the Presidential Palace in Sanaa, as well as near the Saudi embassy in the centre of the Yemeni capital, causing big traffic jams.
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UAE supports will of Egyptians: Abdullah
Source: Khaleej Times (Read full story)
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Shaikh Abdullah re-affirmed the strong commitment of the UAE’s leadership to fraternal relations between the two sisterly countries. The Egyptian president thanked the UAE’s leadership and people for supporting Egypt and hailed the country’s efforts to support the legitimacy of the demands of the Egyptian people in addition to providing help in all fields. The meeting was attended by UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmi, Presidential Adviser for Strategic Affairs Dr Mustafa Al Hijazi and UAE Ambassador to Egypt Mohammed bin Nakhaira Al Dhahiri. In the meeting with Mohammed El Baradei, Shaikh Abdullah was briefed on the latest developments in Egypt and on the policies and the steps taken by the interim government.
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Cabinet sworn in with 7 ruling family members
Source: Kuwait Times (Read full story)
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The new Cabinet has six members from the ruling Al-Sabah family in addition to the prime minister. Ruling family members continue to monopolize key posts in the so-called “sovereign ministries” of defense, interior and foreign affairs. They also occupy the ministries of finance, health and information. Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah retained his post as foreign minister while the defense and interior ministers were replaced. Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled Al-Sabah, interior minister until 2003, was appointed as interior minister. Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah, the army chief of staff, was appointed defense minister, replacing Sheikh Ahmad Al-Khaled Al-Sabah.
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The GCC’s innovators: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait lead the Middle East’s innovation index
Source: Al Bawaba (Read full story)
The United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait lead the Middle East in overall innovation performance according to the Global Innovation Index 2013 (GII), published by Cornell University, INSEAD, the leading international business school, and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a specialized agency of the United Nations. This year’s study benefits from the experience of its Knowledge Partners: Booz & Company, the Confederation of Indian Industry, du and Huawei, as well as an advisory board of 14 international experts. Despite the economic crisis, innovation is alive and well. Research and development spending levels are surpassing 2008 levels in most countries and successful local hubs are thriving.
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Fuel subsidy revamp likely
Source: Times of Oman (Read full story)
The Oman government is looking at revamping its fuel subsidy, which may result in changes in the retail prices of petrol and diesel in the near future. However, no decision has been taken so far. According to news reports reaching here, the Minister Responsible for Financial Affairs, Darwish bin Ismail Al Balushi, yesterday said that the government is looking at reconsidering local fuel sale, in view of the fact that government support has reached OMR1 billion in the 2012 annual budget. The minister was quoted as saying that current prices have been determined since the 1980s, when global oil prices did not cross $25 per barrel. He also indicated that since then no changes have been made on local fuel prices, except for prices of diesel in 2006. Since the 1980s, global oil prices have jumped at least four-times.
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