Stay true to the dreams of thy youth

• Saudi Begins to Push Transparency in Government | mideastposts.com

  Saudi Arabia is beginning to take steps toward government transparency, Arab News reports. The National Anti-Corruption Authority has developed procedures – undefined here – through which government officials with decision-making authority will be required to disclose their financial status. The article suggests, though does not clearly state, that the disclosures will be made to the Authority, not to the general public.

• Pharmaceutical code drawn up - Arab News

  A code of ethics for those involved in manufacturing and marketing pharmaceutical products will be launched in the Kingdom on Sunday, a senior official from the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) announced in Riyadh Monday.

• Falling solar prices good for climate, bad for firms - Arab News

  BERLIN: There is a bright side to the plunge in solar panel prices that has brought down some US and German manufacturers which relied too heavily on subsidies for green energy - solar power costs have fallen faster than anyone thought possible.

• Solar energy research centre planned for Oman | Energy, Oil and Gas | AMEinfo.com

  Oman's Research Council (TRC) plans to establish the Oman National Solar Energy Centre (ONSEC) to conduct research in solar energy and ensure proper and efficient technology transfer by global firms, Muscat Daily has reported

• Qatar's QFIB goes nuts for Al Rifai stake - Retail - ArabianBusiness.com

  Qatar First Investment Bank (QFIB) said on Monday it has acquired a 15 percent stake in snacks manufacturer Al Rifai International Holding. The deal is QFIB's first investment in the food and beverage manufacturing industry, the company said in a statement, without giving the value of the deal.

• Carlyle to focus on Turkey and Saudi Arabia - FT.com

  Carlyle Group has installed a leadership pairing at its Middle East and north African arm as the private equity group reframes its investment strategy, focusing on the region’s main growth markets in Turkey and the Gulf. Carlyle has promoted Can Deldag and Firas Nasir to co-heads of its regional franchise, in a move that is set to be unveiled on Monday, said people close to the US buy-out house.

• Egypt to prosecute 43 NGO workers, 19 Americans, inlcuding Ray LaHood's son, Sam LaHood

  Egyptian prosecutors will put 43 NGO workers, including 19 Americans, on trial, escalating a wide-ranging investigation into pro-democracy and human rights groups, reports the Associated Press. Washington has warned Egypt that its continued crackdown on groups promoting democracy would jeopardize the $1.5 billion in aid it is set to receive this year. Egyptian officials have insisted they can’t interfere with the judiciary.

• Saudi developer plans Ski Dubai style project - Retail - ArabianBusiness.com

  An agreement has been signed to create the first indoor snow village in Saudi Arabia, similar to the Ski Dubai attraction in the UAE.

• BBC says Iran targeting journalists' families - Media - ArabianBusiness.com

  Iranian authorities are increasingly arresting and threatening the families of British Broadcasting Corporation journalists to force them to quit its Persian news service, the BBC's head said on Sunday.

• After U.N. veto, U.S. floats coalition on Syria – USATODAY.com

  The United States proposed an international coalition to support Syria's opposition Sunday after Russia and China blocked a U.N. attempt to end nearly 11 months of bloodshed, raising fears that violence will escalate. Rebel soldiers said force was now the only way to oust President Bashar Assad, while the regime vowed to press its military crackdown.

• BBC News - New Virgin Atlantic recruits paying for own criminal checks

  Virgin Atlantic is forcing hundreds of new staff each year to pay for their own criminal record checks after referring them to an employment screening firm. New staff at the airline's call centre in Swansea have been asked to pay £25 for the background check.

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