Growing local, international trust in UAE promises greater progress in the domestic economy, says DIEDC Chairman

The growing local and international trust in Dubai, and the wider UAE, promises greater progress in the domestic economy, especially in the Islamic economy domain, Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre ,DIEDC, at the DIEDC's meeting.

UAE pledges US$100 million to Global Partnership for Education

The United Arab Emirates has pledged AED 367 million (US $ 100 million) to the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) for the next three years to improve education and learning outcomes of 870 million children and young people in 89 developing countries during the Global Partnership for Education Replenishment Conference held between 1-2 February in Dakar, the capital of Senegal, in presence of the presidents of France and Senegal.

Bodies Wash Ashore following Boat Capsize off Libyan Coast

An estimated 90-100 migrants are reported to have been on board a boat, when it capsized off the coast of Libya on Thursday evening (01/02). According to IOM Libya’s Olivia Headon, 10 bodies are reported to have washed up on Libyan shores – one Libyan woman and reportedly some Pakistani nationals. Two survivors are reported to have swam to shore, while another was rescued by a fishing boat, Headon said. IOM is working to get more details of the tragedy and to see how best to assist survivors, she continued.

Look to India

It’s really time the Philippines pays serious attention to how India solves Third World problems in a practical and inexpensive but ingenious Third World way. And follow suit.

On the Streets

An estimated 44 tonnes of processed heroin is consumed in Pakistan annually, generating some $2 billion in illegal trade, according to a report in the Telegraph in 2014. The figure, it is feared, has gone up since then. According to the Anti-Narcotics Force, close to 8.9 million people in Pakistan are drug dependent and local media sources suggest drug-related complications claim 700 lives daily in the country — much higher than terrorism. This figure is all the more alarming as the average age for drug use has fallen below 24, signalling a worrisome nature of the problem amongst the youth.

Girls Taking up the Gauntlet

The commendable initiative of a group of girls combating early marriage in Trishal, as reported by The Daily Star on Thursday, shows how social problems like child marriage are best handled: through greater community involvement. The girls are working to raise awareness of the consequences of early marriage among local people and girls/women themselves so that they can resist any such attempts on their own, without recourse to administrative measures and other such interventions. In the last two months alone, encouraged by the local UNO and community leaders, they prevented 10 early marriages.

Italy and GGGI sign contribution agreement for cooperation to support Rwanda’s NDC Implementation

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and the Italian Ministry for the Environment, Land and Sea (IMELS) signed a cooperation agreement on January 15 to support the Government of Rwanda to implement its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the Paris Agreement. Under the agreement, IMELS contributed EUR 100 thousand to GGGI to provide technical assistance to increase resilience and adaptation to climate change.

UAE Foreign Minister and EU’s Federica Mogherini discuss cooperation, sign agreement

H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, recently met at the EU headquarters in Brussels to discuss bilateral relations between the UAE and the EU and means of enhancing them in all fields.

Mr. Shantanu Gotmare to lead GGGI’s India Programs as Country Representative for India

Mr. Shantanu Gotmare, who is an IAS officer of 2004 batch, will lead and manage GGGI’s India programs as the new Country Representative for India.

UAE National Media Council to host ‘The Future of Media’ Retreat

The National Media Council, NMC, will host the country’s top media leaders to tackle 'The Future of Media', a brainstorming retreat that will define concrete initiatives to support the development of a modern media sector in the UAE.

IOM Appeals for USD 103.7 Million to Provide Lifesaving and Recovery Assistance in South Sudan

After more than four years of armed conflict – and despite efforts to revive the peace process – humanitarian needs in South Sudan remain immense, as conditions continue to deteriorate.

Rohingya Refugee Crisis Creates New Generation of Bangladeshi Aid Workers: IOM

From new job seekers to experienced professionals, Bangladeshis are rallying to apply for new jobs and learn new skills as part of vital humanitarian efforts to help Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar.

Global Green Growth Institute appoints Ambassador Hyo-eun (Jenny) Kim as Deputy Director-General for the Green Growth Planning & Implementation Division

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) has announced the appointment of Ambassador Hyo-eun (Jenny) Kim as Deputy Director-General for the Green Growth Planning & Implementation (GGP&I) Division. As Deputy Director-General for the GGP&I Division, Ambassador Kim’s primary responsibilities will be to manage in-country relationships and overall delivery results. Ambassador Kim will be based in the organization’s Seoul headquarters and formally assume her duties on May 4, 2018.

UNRWA launches $800 million emergency appeal

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has launched an appeal for its emergency programmes of over US$ 800 million; approximately US$ 400 million each for Syria and the occupied Palestinian territory, which consists of Gaza and the West Bank. The appeal also covers some 50,000 Palestine refugees from Syria who have fled to Lebanon and Jordan.

Press Crucial to Nation-building and Must Be Protected Vs Foreign Meddling

What I found very sad in the controversy over the website Rappler is that there really has been little outrage over its vile deed, which is indisputably as follows: Its profit-hungry owners, influence-seeking foreigners, and its fame-lusting editor-in-chief were so willing to violate the Constitution’s provision that is intended to shield media from foreigners and ensure its freedom to help develop our people’s consciousness as a nation.