Gulf Co-operation Council Secretary General Nayef Al Hajraf praised Saudi Arabia’s announcement of a $600 million assistance programme for Yemen.
The aid, comprising $400m for development projects and $200m to improve electricity supply, was announced during talks in Riyadh on Thursday between Saudi Deputy Defence Minister Prince Khaled bin Salman and the head of Yemen's Presidential Council, Rashad Al Alimi.
In a message reported by the state Saudi Press Agency, Mr Al Hajraf said the GCC supported Saudi Arabia's efforts to assist the Yemeni people, who had endured more than seven years of civil war after Houthi rebels seized the capital, Sanaa, and forced the government to flee.
The Saudi Development and Reconstruction Programme for Yemen would implement 17 projects in six sectors, including energy, transport, education, water, health, and building state institutions, with a total value of $400m, SPA reported.
Another $200m will go towards providing fuel for power plants.
The war in Yemen has claimed more than a quarter of a million lives, displaced millions and left two-thirds of the country's population dependent on international aid to survive, according to the UN.
Control is divided between the Iran-backed rebels in the north and the government in the south.
Both sides agreed to a UN-brokered truce that went into effect in early April and has since been extended for another two months.
Despite reported violations by the rebels, the ceasefire has opened a window for a political solution to the conflict, the GCC ambassador to Yemen, Sarhan Al Minaikher, told The National last month.
“The GCC views the truce as an opportunity to bring peace and dialogue — not to buy Houthis more time. Violations committed by the Houthis in Marib are being recorded by a special team under the legitimate government — and presenting these findings to the UN,” Mr Al Minaikher said.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
BEACH SOCCER WORLD CUP
Group A
Paraguay
Japan
Switzerland
USA
Group B
Uruguay
Mexico
Italy
Tahiti
Group C
Belarus
UAE
Senegal
Russia
Group D
Brazil
Oman
Portugal
Nigeria
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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The biog
Name: James Mullan
Nationality: Irish
Family: Wife, Pom; and daughters Kate, 18, and Ciara, 13, who attend Jumeirah English Speaking School (JESS)
Favourite book or author: “That’s a really difficult question. I’m a big fan of Donna Tartt, The Secret History. I’d recommend that, go and have a read of that.”
Dream: “It would be to continue to have fun and to work with really interesting people, which I have been very fortunate to do for a lot of my life. I just enjoy working with very smart, fun people.”
The Lowdown
Us
Director: Jordan Peele
Starring: Lupita Nyong'o, Winston Duke, Shahadi Wright Joseqph, Evan Alex and Elisabeth Moss
Rating: 4/5
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UAE's role in anti-extremism recognised
General John Allen, President of the Brookings Institution research group, commended the role the UAE has played in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.
He told a Globsec debate of the UAE’s "hugely outsized" role in the fight against Isis.
"It’s trite these days to say that any country punches above its weight, but in every possible way the Emirates did, both militarily, and very importantly, the UAE was extraordinarily helpful on getting to the issue of violent extremism," he said.
He also noted the impact that Hedayah, among others in the UAE, has played in addressing violent extremism.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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More from Neighbourhood Watch:
MATCH INFO
What: 2006 World Cup quarter-final
When: July 1
Where: Gelsenkirchen Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Result:
England 0 Portugal 0
(Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)
Test series fixtures
(All matches start at 2pm UAE)
1st Test Lord's, London from Thursday to Monday
2nd Test Nottingham from July 14-18
3rd Test The Oval, London from July 27-31
4th Test Manchester from August 4-8
Hydrogen: Market potential
Hydrogen has an estimated $11 trillion market potential, according to Bank of America Securities and is expected to generate $2.5tn in direct revenues and $11tn of indirect infrastructure by 2050 as its production increases six-fold.
"We believe we are reaching the point of harnessing the element that comprises 90 per cent of the universe, effectively and economically,” the bank said in a recent report.
Falling costs of renewable energy and electrolysers used in green hydrogen production is one of the main catalysts for the increasingly bullish sentiment over the element.
The cost of electrolysers used in green hydrogen production has halved over the last five years and will fall to 60 to 90 per cent by the end of the decade, acceding to Haim Israel, equity strategist at Merrill Lynch. A global focus on decarbonisation and sustainability is also a big driver in its development.
