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Winners of the 2014 Zayed Future Energy Prize announced
Winners of the 2014 Zayed Future Energy Prize announced (Wam) / 20 January 2014 The Zayed Future Energy Prize honoured 9 winners for their achievements and excellence in advancing renewable energy and sustainability worldwide. General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, reaffirmed on Monday that under the leadership of the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, sustainable development has been placed at the core of the national strategy. In the spirit of safeguarding the nation and its people, the government’s international collaborations are aimed at securing peace and prosperity for all humankind. His remarks were made at the 2014 Zayed Future Energy Prize awards ceremony, held at the Emirates Palace on Monday. Marking the sixth year, the Zayed Future Energy Prize honoured nine winners for their outstanding achievements and excellence in advancing renewable energy and sustainability worldwide. The winners, across five categories, are ABB, Abellon CleanEnergy, Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems, battery pioneer Wang Chuanfu and five high schools from around the world. General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan emphasised that the Zayed Future Energy Prize underscores the UAE’s commitment to address the global energy and climate challenges; adding “through the Prize, we are not only recognising tremendous achievement in renewable energy and sustainability, but also funding the organisations, schools and individuals committed to sustainable development among communities around the world.” He added: “This is exactly what the Zayed Future Energy Prize set out to do through honouring the legacy that the late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, God rest his soul, instilled in us.” The annual US$4 million prize, established by the UAE government, recognises companies, organisations, schools and individuals across the world that have made significant contributions to the future of renewable energy and sustainability. The prize is awarded in five distinct categories: Large Corporation, Lifetime Achievement, Small and Medium Enterprise (SME), Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) and the Global High Schools Prize. In his opening remarks, Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Director-General of the Zayed Future Energy Prize, welcomed General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan; thanking him for his direction and support which have been “instrumental and the leading force behind its success.” “More than ever, the world needs innovators, technologies and initiatives that can address our pressing energy challenges,” said Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber. “Our wise leadership established this Prize in honour of our late founding father, Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God rest his soul. Now in its sixth year, the Prize has created a strong group of alumni who continue to champion breakthrough ideas, technologies and programs,” added Dr Al Jaber. “The collective efforts of our winners and finalists are positively impacting communities around the world. Today, alumni of the Prize are delivering access to energy and water to millions, championing the deployment of renewable energy and are creating job and education opportunities.” The Global High Schools Prize category – in its second year – was launched to recognise and encourage young people to incorporate renewable energy and sustainability into their schools. Five schools from five regions were each awarded US$100,000 for their proposed sustainability projects. The five winners are New York-based Bronx Design & Construction Academy from the Americas region; Gheorghe Rosca Codreanu National College in Romania representing Europe; Nkhata Bay School Authority in Malawi for Africa; Kalkeri Sangeet Vidyalaya in India for the Asia region; and Tonga High School representing Oceania. “This year, we saw a record number of Global High School submissions. It is inspiring to see the youth of today participate in such large numbers. It is a strong indication of their demand for a more sustainable future,” continued Dr Al Jaber. An annual award, the prize is managed by Masdar, on behalf of the Abu Dhabi government and seeks to award achievements and innovation in the fields of renewable energy and sustainability, as well as to educate and inspire future generations. For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
Gold importers come under tax scanner in India
Gold importers come under tax scanner in India Issac John / 20 January 2014 Analysts said the latest move, which comes in the wake of a rise in the import tariff value of gold to $407 per 10 grams last week by India, is expected to incentivise the illegal transportation of gold into India. Financial details of Indians bringing in gold from abroad after duty payment will henceforth be shared by customs authorities with Income Tax department. The dramatic joint move by customs and tax authorities is aimed at curbing suspicious ferrying of gold into India by carriers — mostly low income expatriate workers in the Gulf — deployed by organised gang of ‘indirect’ importers. Analysts said the latest move, which comes in the wake of a rise in the import tariff value of gold to $407 per 10 grams last week by India, is expected to incentivise the illegal transportation of gold into India, the largest yellow metal consumer in the world with imports surging to 830 tonnes in 2012-13. Under the current rule, an Indian who has been living abroad for over six months can legally bring in a kilo of gold after payment of duty. The duty, which is charged at the rate of 10 per cent of the value, is payable in currency of the nation where the gold was bought. Besides, a man can also bring in gold jewellery worth Rs50,000 and women Rs100,000, without payment of any duty, provided they live abroad for more than a year. Indirect gold importers in India have been paying Rs50,000 to Rs75,000 and free air tickets to each carrier for importing one kilo of gold. A smuggler is able to make a profit of Rs75,000 on every kilo of gold even after paying the duty and the commission to the carriers. The smuggled gold is being sold to jewellery makers in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. According to reports, gold that was brought in after paying the required duty totalled 80kg in a week last month at Kerala’s Calicut airport alone. However, the new move to put the person bringing the gold under the income tax net may deter many from acting as carriers. Officials in the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) said at least 3,000kg of gold has been legally brought into the country after payment of customs duty during 2013-14. “There is a possibility of an organised gang of hawala operatives who could be exploiting these people after paying money. The PAN card details of these flyers are being shared with Income Tax department to ascertain source of their income and avoid possibility of any wrongdoing,” a senior DRI official said. Informed source say that the carriers may have to pay wealth tax if they declare that the gold brought by them is for themselves. If they say the gold is sold they will be forced to pay the sales tax. In that case, they will also have to produce the documents for the sale. issacjohn@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
Iran has stopped high-end uranium enrichment: UN
Iran has stopped high-end uranium enrichment: UN (AP) / 20 January 2014 That level of enrichment is only steps away from bomb-making capability. An Iranian technician walks through the Uranium Conversion Facility just outside the city of Isfahan, Tehran. AP The UN nuclear agency is confirming that Iran has halted its most sensitive uranium enrichment work as part of a landmark deal struck with world powers. A report by the International Atomic Energy Agency says Iran stopped 20 per cent uranium enrichment by cutting the link feeding cascades enriching uranium at Nantaz and Fordo. That level of enrichment is only steps away from bomb-making capability. The IAEA also says Iran gave assurances it will not enrich uranium at other locations during a six-month period in which Tehran and major powers will negotiate a final deal on its nuclear program. For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
