GCC inflation to stabilize to 3% in near term: Study

Source: Saudi Gazette (Read full story)

GCC inflation is forecast to stabilize at a moderate level around the three percent mark in the near term as higher increases in housing costs are offset by lower food price rises, QNB Group report said. “Overall, inflation in the GCC is likely to stabilize at around three percent,” QNB Group said. Strengthening non-oil growth and expanding populations will give prices, particularly rents, some upward impetus. “However, this is likely to be counterbalanced by falling global food prices, which will make food imports cheaper and hold back inflation. Additionally, oil prices are expected to be slightly lower in 2014, which tends to ease inflationary pressures in the GCC as it results in less oil revenue flowing into the economy, weakening demand.”

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Rising demand for renewable energy in Mena

Source: The Peninsula (Read full story)

Steady economic and population growth,associated with rapid urbanisation, has led to an increase in energy demand to meet rising electricity and desalinated water needs in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region. The Mena Renewables Report published recently by the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) and Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21), estimates that investments worth $145.7bn will be needed for power generation from 2013 to 2017 in the Mena region. Of which, investments worth $63.1bn will be in the GCC, $21.4bn in Iran and approximately $53bn in the combined other countries of the region.

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KSA arrests 2 suspects plotting terror attacks

Source: The Saudi Gazette (Read full story)

Saudi Arabian security authorities have arrested two suspects planning suicide attacks in the Kingdom.They were arrested for exchanging information about imminent suicide attacks in the region. The two, one from Chad and the other a Yemeni, are being interrogated after their arrest in relation to conversations they had on social media forums with militants abroad, a Security Spokesperson of the Ministry of Interior said Thursday. One of the suspects, the Chadian national, was deported from the country but had returned to Saudi Arabia with a passport from another country. He along with the Yemeni national were serving deviant thought.

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Ramadan Diary: As Fasting Ends, the Lessons of Ramadan Linger – Ambah

Source: SUSRIS (Read full story)

Before we began our three-day Eid al-Fitr holiday, marking the end of Ramadan, I came across an article in a Saudi newspaper with a checklist of what makes a successful Ramadan. First on the list: Recognizing that one can change for the better and acquiring patience and strong will. This month my deficiencies have shone as if spotlights were directed at them. The article continues: Successful fasting means not only abstaining from food, drink, and lust from dawn to dusk, but also being honest, patient, and forgiving. I lose my temper with my children and argue with my sisters regularly. But, because I’m fasting and conscious of Ramadan’s requirements, I have become aware of that single moment, as quick as a finger-snap, when a person gives themselves the green light to lose their temper.

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Yemen foils Al Qaeda plot to seize cities

Source: Khaleej Times (Read full story)

Yemeni authorities have foiled an Al Qaeda plot to seize control of two cities and an oil export terminal and to kidnap foreigners, a government spokesman said on Wednesday.  “The main aim of the plot was to seize control of two cities, Al Mukalla and Ghayl Bawazeer” in the southeast, Rajeh Badi told AFP, adding that oil export facilities near Mukalla were also to be targeted. Foreigners working at the terminal were to be kidnapped as well, he said. He said that the Mina Al Dhaba oil terminal west of Mukalla, and a nearby export facility for oil derivatives, were to be targeted by militants disguised in army uniforms.

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 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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Qatar Amir in Saudi for first foreign trip

Source: Khaleej Times (Read full story)

Qatar Amir His Highness Shaikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani landed in Saudi Arabia on Friday on his first foreign foray since acceding to the throne in June, state news agency SPA said. Shaikh Tamim flew in to the port city of Jeddah and will meet the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, and perform the Umrah pilgrimage to nearby Makkah, Islam’s holiest site, the agency said. The Saudi monarch is also currently in Mecca where he will celebrate the Eid, SPA said. The 33-year-old Shaikh Tamim came to power on June 25 following the abdication of his father, Shaikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, an unprecedented event in the Arab world.

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Two petitions filed against poll results

Source: Kuwait Times (Read full story)

Petitions against the results of parliamentary election began rolling yesterday with two candidates challenging the results as head of the judicial committee that supervised the polls insisted the election process was seamless. Candidates from the Fifth Constituency former MP Abdullah Mahdi Al-Ajmi challenged the results in his constituency on the grounds that his name was not printed on the list of candidates in the districts and that judges supervising the process had to write his name on the list. Newcomer Saud Al-Subaie also challenged the outcome on the basis of allegations that there were irregularities in counting the votes that allotted some of his votes to other candidates.

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