Syria has shipped out less than 5 percent of chemical weapons

Source: Reuters (Read full story)

Syria has given up less than 5 percent of its chemical weapons arsenal and will miss next week’s deadline to send all toxic agents abroad for destruction, sources familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.

The deliveries, in two shipments this month to the northern Syrian port of Latakia, totaled 4.1 percent of the roughly 1,300 tonnes of toxic agents reported by Damascus to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), said the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

“It’s not enough and there is no sign of more,” one source briefed on the situation said.

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Bahrain shuts opposition office

Source: Arab News (Read full story)

A Bahraini court shuttered on Wednesday an opposition clerics’ council, after authorities accused it of illegal operations.

The court ordered the closure of the Olamaa Islamic Council and the liquidation of its assets following a lawsuit by the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowment, a judicial source said.

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North Yemen clashes kill 13

Source: Arab News (Read full story)

Renewed clashes between Shiite Huthi rebels and armed tribesmen have killed 13 people in northern Yemen, tribal sources said Tuesday.

Heavy fighting erupted on Monday and continued Tuesday in Wadi Khaywan and Danan, in Amran province, between the rebels and Hashid tribesmen, sources said.

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Dubai airport sets record with 60 million annual passengers

Source: Khaleej Times (Read full story)

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“Despite regional difficulties, Dubai Airport is still pulling in business faster than any other airport in the world. This stunning growth led by stalwart Emirates and the worlds fastest growing low fares airline flydubai have been instrumental in capturing that growth,” Saj Ahmad, chief analyst at London-based StrategicAero Research, told Khaleej Times.

Passenger numbers in December reached six million, an increase of 13.6 per cent compared to 5.32 million recorded during the same month in 2012.

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Foreign investment sought in education

Source: Arab News (Read full story)

The Shoura Council has urged the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) to seek foreign investment in the health, education and retail sectors to improve services and help boost the economy.

Fahaad Al-Hamad, the body’s assistant president, said the council made the proposal during discussions on SAGIA’s annual report. “SAGIA must try to bring in multinationals to improve services in the education, health and retail sectors,” Al-Hamad said, quoting from the proposal.

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