Gulf states focus on green energy
Source: Al-Monitor (Read full story)
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) announced that the success of the Gulf countries in achieving their current renewable energy goals could lead to creating 116,000 jobs yearly in the Middle East in this sector until 2030. IRENA pointed out that the Gulf countries have started executing renewable energy projects and setting long-term goals to encourage the spread and adoption of these projects. They have also taken tangible steps to diversify energy sources for economic and environmental reasons. IRENA issued a report titled “Renewable Energy and Jobs” … [that] points out, “Renewable energy currently provides jobs for around 6 million people worldwide. It is also expected that doubling the share of renewable energy among the global energy sources could contribute to increasing this figure to more than 16 million in the next two decades.”
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Japanese PM arrives in Oman tomorrow
Source: Times of Oman (Read full story)
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will be in Oman tomorrow on an official visit, the first prime ministerial visit to Oman in 24 years. Abe will meet with His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said to discuss a number of bilateral and international issues that are of interest to both the countries, George Hisaeda, the ambassador of Japan to Oman, told the Times of Oman. … Abe’s visit reflects the long-standing relationship between Oman and Japan which includes a trusted trade partnership and cultural exchanges. Oman’s exports to Japan in 2012 totalled $5.6 billion, mainly in oil and gas, while the Sultanate imported goods from Japan worth $2.9 billion, over 90 per cent of which were vehicles and auto parts.
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Help Syrians as winter conditions turn ‘catastrophic’, urges UAE’s Sheikha Jawaher
Source: The National (Read full story)
As little as Dh40 will provide a blanket for a refugee from Syria’s civil war – and generous residents who have already donated millions are again being asked to open their hearts to help. After the success last year of her Big Heart Campaign, Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi, wife of the Ruler of Sharjah and an Eminent Advocate of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, has launched a new Warm Hearts initiative. “We are extremely grateful to all those who have donated warm clothing,” Sheikha Jawaher said, “but the tragic reality is that the situation has now gone from critical to catastrophic. Temperatures have plummeted to -9°C in parts of Iraq and remain below freezing in Lebanon, Jordan and Syria, raising fears of hypothermia, hunger and widespread medical problems.
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Kuwait’s non-oil GDP poised to grow 4.5% in 2014-15
Source: Times of Oman (Read full story)
Kuwait’s non-oil gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to grow at 4.5 per cent in 2014 and 2015 compared to last year’s 4 per cent mainly on the back of high oil prices, large fiscal and trade surpluses. However, overall GDP will decrease by 0.6 per cent in 2014 due to a projected fall in oil production, before rising by 3.1 per cent in 2015, according to National Bank of Kuwait (NBK). According to a report released by the bank, the soaring oil prices, large fiscal and trade surpluses, and the government’s vast financial reserves continue to provide a positive near-term backdrop for the economy.
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Yemen-Saudi love story highlights political tensions
Source: Al-Monitor (Read full story)
Huda al-Niran and Arafat Tahar, a Saudi woman and a young Yemeni man, fell head-over-heels in love in a country where romance is a crime and severely punished. … The couple’s deep feelings led them to flee Saudi Arabia for Yemen … Niran, knowing the Yemenis’ weak spot, sent a short message through media outlets, which were closely following the story, stating, “People of Yemen, I am under your protection.” Her proclamation hit a nerve among Yemenis, who have a tribal legacy that necessitates protecting anyone who utters such words. In addition, Yemenis would tend to lend an ear to such a call due to the political battles waged against the neighboring Saudis. Yemenis do not view the kingdom favorably or approve of its official and religious policy toward their country.
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Focus on media’s role in human trafficking – Govt shelter to house 700 runaway maids, trafficked victims
Source: Kuwait Times (Read full story)
A government shelter for runaway maids and victims of human trafficking with the capacity to accommodate 700 women will soon open its doors. The facility located in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh currently shelters some 250 people, said Col Iskander Al-Kandari, Director of the Department at the [Kuwaiti] Ministry of Interior at a workshop on ‘The Role of Media in Combating Human Trafficking’ held at the United Nations House in Mishref yesterday.
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