UN warns Lebanon could face same ‘spiral of doom’ as Gaza

Airport workers transport humanitarian aid, provided by Egypt, at Lebanon’s Beirut international airport on Oct. 5, 2024. (AFP)
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Updated 09 October 2024
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UN warns Lebanon could face same ‘spiral of doom’ as Gaza

  • “We need to do everything we can to stop that from happening,” said Matthew Hollingworth, Lebanon country director for WFP
  • “It is in my mind from the time I wake until the time I sleep, that we could go into the same sort of spiral of doom,”

GENEVA: UN humanitarian officials called Tuesday for urgent action to stop the escalating conflict in Lebanon from spiralling into a similar scene of devastation as seen in Gaza.
“We need to do everything we can to stop that from happening,” said Matthew Hollingworth, Lebanon country director for the United Nations’ World Food Programme.
Speaking from Beirut, he told a press briefing in Geneva that he spent the first half of the year coordinating WFP’s operations in Gaza before taking the helm of its Lebanon office, and was deeply concerned by the similarities.
“It is in my mind from the time I wake until the time I sleep, that we could go into the same sort of spiral of doom... We shouldn’t allow that to happen,” he said.
Israel’s war in Gaza, launched after Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack inside Israel, has killed more than 41,900 people, mostly civilians, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory. The UN has said the figures are reliable.
The October 7 attack left 1,206 dead, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures, which includes hostages killed in captivity.
The resulting conflict has spilled into Lebanon, with intensifying airstrikes and Israeli troops battling Hezbollah militants on the ground.
Israel’s bombardment of Lebanon has killed more than 1,100 people and displaced upwards of a million in less than two weeks.
Hollingworth said many people were fleeing because they “have watched over the last year as the war in Gaza has continued and neighborhoods have been decimated and pounded, and that is deep in their gut, in their hearts, in their minds.”
James Elder, spokesman for the UN children’s agency UNICEF, warned that “the commonalities are unfortunately absolutely there to be seen, whether it is displacement on the ground, impact upon children or language being used ... (to) soften the realities on the ground.”
“We are seeing the same patterns that we saw in Gaza,” added Jeremy Laurence of the UN rights office.
“The devastation is beyond belief for all people in Lebanon as it is in Gaza. We can’t let this happen again.”
Humanitarians are working to address the soaring needs, but Hollingworth insisted that what was needed was to “de-escalate.”
While WFP is currently able to reach around 150,000 people a day, they “need to be reaching, at this point, almost a million people per day,” he said.
At the same time, he highlighted that 1,900 hectares of agricultural land had been burned in southern Lebanon over the past year, mainly in the past couple of weeks, while 12,000 hectares of productive farmland had been abandoned.
“We have very significant needs moving forward,” Hollingworth said, lamenting that the WFP was facing a $115 million funding gap to cover the towering needs over the next three months.
The World Health Organization meanwhile said it had registered 16 attacks on health care in Lebanon since mid-September, leaving 65 health care workers dead and 40 injured.
At the same time five of the country’s hospitals were now non-functional and four were only partially functional, Ian Clarke, WHO’s deputy incident manager in the country, told reporters, speaking via video link from Beirut.
Nearly 100 primary health care facilities had also been forced to close, he said, warning that with limited access to care, “we are facing a situation where there is a much higher risk of disease outbreaks.”


Sudan extends opening of Adre crossing for aid delivery

Updated 50 sec ago
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Sudan extends opening of Adre crossing for aid delivery

DUBAI: Sudan’s sovereign council said on Wednesday it would extend the use of the Adre border crossing with Chad, seen as essential by aid agencies for the delivery of food and other supplies to areas at risk of famine in the Darfur and Kordofan regions.
Experts determined earlier this year that while more than 25 million people across the country face acute hunger, several parts of the country are at increased risk of famine, and that one camp in the Darfur region was already in its throes, the consequence of war between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
Adre, which was closed by an order from the army-controlled government in February, was re-opened for
three months
in August until November 15, and it had not been clear whether that period would be extended.
Members of the government have protested against the opening, saying it allows for the RSF to deliver weapons.
However, the Sudanese army is not in physical control of the border crossing which lies within territory seized last year by the RSF, which controls most of Darfur.
Aid agencies decided against ignoring directives from the internationally recognized government, and had been bracing themselves for closure of the corridor, seen as a more efficient route than cross-line deliveries from army-controlled Port Sudan or the more remote Al-Tina border crossing.
The re-opening of Adre in August coincided with the rainy season and the destruction of several roads and bridges, meaning that
aid trickled in
at the start.
More than 300 aid trucks with supplies for more than 1.3 million people have since crossed into Sudan through Adre, according to UN humanitarian coordination official Ramesh Rajasingham in a briefing to the Security Council on Tuesday.
The World Food Programme on Saturday moved a convoy of 15 trucks across Adre with food and nutrition for 12,500 people in famine-stricken Zamzam camp, said spokeswoman Leni Kinzli to reporters on Tuesday.

Pakistan’s northwestern province approaches center again to acquire national airline PIA

Updated 15 min 33 sec ago
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Pakistan’s northwestern province approaches center again to acquire national airline PIA

  • Khyber Pakhtunkhwa this month formally expressed intent to buy PIA to keep it under government control 
  • Pakistan last month kickstarted flag carrier’s privatization process, attracting a sole bid of Rs10 billion [$36 million]

PESHAWAR: The northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has recently sought an update from the federal government over its earlier intent to acquire the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), reiterating its resolve to “revitalize” the national airline as Islamabad looks to privatize the state-owned asset. 

KP’s Board of Investment and Trade (KP-BOIT) wrote a letter to federal officials on Nov. 1, expressing its intent to top the sole bid of Rs10 billion ($36 million) it received last month to acquire the PIA. The provincial government said it wanted the national flag carrier to remain under government control to preserve its status as an asset that symbolizes Pakistan’s pride. 

Cash-strapped Pakistan is looking to offload a 51-100 percent stake in debt-ridden PIA to raise funds and reform state-owned enterprises as envisaged under a $7 billion International Monetary Fund program. The process, however, hit a snag last month when the final bidding round attracted just one bid of Rs10 billion ($36 million) for a 60 percent stake in the national flag carrier.

In a letter dated Nov. 11, the KP-BOIT demanded an update on its Nov. 1 expression of interest in acquiring the airline. 

“Given the strategic importance of this process and the strong support for this initiative from the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Board of Investment & Trade, we kindly seek an update on the status of KP-BOIT’s proposal,” the letter said. 

“KP-BOIT is fully committed to preserving and revitalizing PIA, ensuring its legacy as the National Flag Carrier.”

The board said that the KP chief minister and its team were fully committed to ensuring the national airline “return to prominence” and secure its future under the KP-BOIT, supported by its investors. 

“The leadership of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is prepared to offer substantial backing and resources to accomplish these objectives,” the letter added. “KP-BOIT would appreciate any indication of when KP-BOIT might expect to discuss this matter further.”

KP-BOIT said its team is ready to share its strategic vision and present a “competitive and compelling bid” for the national airline. 

Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, chief of the ruling party in Pakistan’s Punjab, said this month that the province was also considering acquiring the national flag carrier. A business group in Canada led by a Pakistani expat also threw its hat in the ring to acquire the airline this month, offering the Pakistan government around Rs100 billion ($358 million) to acquire the debt-ridden national carrier. 

The disposal of PIA is a step former governments have steered away from, as it has been highly unpopular given the number of layoffs that would likely result from it.

Other concerns raised by potential bidders for the PIA stake included inconsistent government communication, unattractive terms and taxes on the sector, and the flag carrier’s legacy issues and reputation.
 


Camel committee formed in Kingdom to boost heritage and economic value

Updated 47 min 33 sec ago
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Camel committee formed in Kingdom to boost heritage and economic value

RIYADH: In the "Year of the Camel," the Federation of Saudi Chambers announced the formation of a national committee for camels, the first of its kind, appointing Saad Al-Jalban as president and Abdullah Al-Subaie as vice president.

The move is part of the federation’s efforts to increase the economic value of camels and support relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Culture, in promoting the camel as a cultural symbol and an integral part of Saudi heritage.

The committee will work to significantly increase the market and investment value of camels, estimated to number about two million in the Kingdom and owned by more than 100,000 individuals.

Sales of camels at specific festivals have reached an impressive SR350 million, highlighting their popularity and economic significance.

The committee will serve as a central resource for investors, providing assistance with investment opportunities, health and medical services, pasture management and fodder supply through collaboration with relevant public and private entities.

The Saudi Ministry of Culture designated 2024 as the “Year of the Camel” to highlight and reinforce the status of the animal as a national symbol and cornerstone of Arabian cultural identity.

Camels are regularly celebrated across the country through dedicated festivals, race events, clubs and research centers.

Recently, the Saudi pavilion at UNESCO’s Arab Week event in Paris featured a showcase of the Kingdom’s deep-rooted connection to camel culture.

It also explored the role of the animals as a vital part of the nation’s heritage, identity and civilization, offering a glimpse into their enduring place in society.

The exhibits showed how the role of the camel has evolved from an essential means of transport and provider of resources to a cultural icon that embodies the Kingdom’s values, and how camels are embedded in Saudi customs, traditions and literature, including poetry and proverbs.


Blinken: Israel has met its goals in Gaza, time to end the war

Updated 54 min 36 sec ago
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Blinken: Israel has met its goals in Gaza, time to end the war

  • He called for “real and extended pauses” in fighting to allow essential humanitarian aid to reach those affected by the hostilities

DUBAI: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday that Israel has achieved its objectives in Gaza and that it is now time to pursue an end to the ongoing war.

Blinken said that ending the conflict would be the most effective means of addressing the urgent needs of Gaza’s civilian population.

He called for “real and extended pauses” in fighting to allow essential humanitarian aid to reach those affected by the hostilities and said that Israel holds an ongoing responsibility to facilitate this assistance, urging sustained efforts to address Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.

Blinken also called for increased international pressure on Hamas, seeking “genuine, sustained, and effective pressure” to cease hostilities. He said that achieving peace requires cooperation from all parties involved, with humanitarian access as a central priority.


Global energy sector employment increased by 3.8% in 2023: IEA

Updated 13 November 2024
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Global energy sector employment increased by 3.8% in 2023: IEA

  • IEA said the sector added 2.5 million jobs worldwide in 2023
  • It released its study at a time when international leaders have rallied in Baku, Azerbaijan, for COP29

RIYADH: The number of jobs in the global energy sector reached 68 million in 2023, representing a 3.8 percent rise compared to the previous year, according to an analysis. 

In its latest report, the International Energy Agency said that the sector added 2.5 million jobs worldwide in 2023, driven by a wave of investment in manufacturing eco-conscious technologies. 

The IEA released its study at a time when international leaders have rallied in Baku, Azerbaijan, for COP29, where discussions are going on to elevate renewable energy growth globally to tackle climate challenges. 

During the opening ceremony of COP29 on Nov. 11, Simon Stiell, executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, affirmed the growth of the renewable sector and said that clean energy infrastructure investments are expected to reach $2 trillion in 2024, nearly double that of fossil fuels.

“The global energy sector has been a powerful engine of job growth around the world in recent years, and as the energy system continues to transform and grow, rising demand for skilled energy workers is a given,” said the IEA’s Director of Sustainability, Technology and Outlooks, Laura Cozzi. 

Clean energy sector leading growth

According to the IEA, employment in the clean energy sector increased by 1.5 million last year and contributed as much as 10 percent of economy-wide job growth in the leading markets for clean technologies. 

The report said that the solar PV industry added over half a million new jobs, spurred by record new installations, while employment in electric vehicle manufacturing and batteries grew by 410,000 as sales reached nearly 20 percent of the global car market. 

Even though several wind manufacturers implemented layoffs as rising costs contributed to a slower-than-anticipated offshore project pipeline, total employment in the sector still climbed as a record number of new projects entered construction. 

The IEA said that jobs in the oil and gas supply sector increased by around 3 percent, or 600,000, in 2023 after a period of cautious post-pandemic rehiring, while global coal employment fell for the third year in a row, declining by around 1 percent year on year. 

“Global coal employment fell in both supply and power, largely due to continued mining productivity gains and a slowdown in the pipeline of new coal-fired power plants compared with the highs of the last decade,” said the report. 

Employment in manufacturing vehicles with internal combustion engines rose by 440,000 positions, just outstripping job additions in EVs. 

In China, clean energy made up over 90 percent of energy job growth, while fossil fuels accounted for 80 percent of the gains in the Middle East.

The analysis also said that the growth in energy jobs was led by manufacturing — diverging from previous years when it was generally led by construction and installation. 

“This largely reflects the 70 percent rise in clean energy manufacturing investment in 2023 to $200 billion as firms responded to increasing demand for clean energy technologies and new policies,” added IEA. 

Skill shortage continues in energy sector 

According to the report, shortages of skilled workers remain a major concern for employers looking to hire in the global energy industry.

The IEA said that the lack of skilled workers in many parts of the industry — particularly those requiring high degrees of specialization, such as grids and nuclear power — remains a substantial bottleneck for the sector. 

A survey conducted by the agency found that over 190 energy employers across 27 countries reported plans to hire but had difficulties finding qualified applicants for nearly all occupation categories. 

“Governments, the private sector, and educational and training institutions must work together to improve the hiring pipeline, which will play an important role in shaping our energy future,” said Cozzi. 

The report added that intense competition for talent in clean energy sectors is prompting firms to hire aggressively in anticipation of future growth — a tactic that could prove effective but may also leave some companies exposed to uncertainties related to project flows and changing policies. 

The analysis said many firms facing shortages of qualified applicants are also increasing on-the-job training to deliver these skills. 

According to the IEA, countries transitioning to clean energy are experiencing substantial employment growth in the sector. In 2023, job creation in clean energy accounted for over 10 percent of overall job growth in China and 4 to 6 percent in economies such as the US, EU, and Japan.

The analysis added that clean energy’s share of new jobs is below 2 percent in many emerging and developing economies. 

In September, another report released by the US Department of Energy revealed that the clean energy sector in the country added 142,000 jobs in 2023, representing a rise of 4.2 percent compared to the previous year. 

In October, the Indian government said that the total number of jobs in the country’s renewable energy sector reached over 1 million by the end of 2023, led by hydropower which provides 453,000 employment opportunities in the Asian nation. 

The IEA added that wages in the energy sector are rising, reflecting increasing competition for skilled workers. 

“After real wages fell in many regions in 2022, growth resumed in much of the world in 2023, though absolute wages generally remain below pre-pandemic levels. Wages for energy-specific roles have broadly fared better than those for more generic occupations relevant to the energy sector, notably for technicians,” said the report. 

The analysis revealed that the rising wages in the energy sector are partially a response to skills gaps, as firms aim to attract new workers from within and outside the industry. 

The IEA added that clean energy wage increases were, on average, greater than those in fossil fuels, even in major oil, gas, and coal-producing countries. 

Future outlook

According to the IEA, employment in the energy sector is set to grow by 3 percent in 2024, a slowdown compared with last year due to the impacts of tight labor markets, elevated interest rates, and changes in the expected pipeline of new energy projects.

“While clean energy firms seem set to take more bullish positions on hiring in anticipation of growth, less diversified fossil fuel firms have been remaining cautious for now. As a result, fossil fuel job growth is expected to stall in 2024,” said the agency.