Iran ex-president urges freedom for political prisoners
He was referring to Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi, reformists held incommunicado since February 2011
Obama seeks to soothe China while boosting ties with Philippines
He directly addressed leaders in Beijing, telling them that maritime territorial disputes needed to be addressed peacefully, not with “intimidation or coercion”
Syria bars refugees who fled via unofficial posts from voting
“Syrians who left Syria illegally do not have the right to vote in host countries,” Hisham Shaar was quoted as saying by pro-regime newspaper Al-Watan on Monday.
Egypt sees deficit at 14-14.5% of GDP next fiscal year if no reforms implemented
Reuters - The Egyptian government sees its budget deficit, if it does not implement reforms, running at 14-14.5% of gross domestic product in the fiscal year starting on July 1,…
Egypt’s Al Nouran sugar project secures Islamic financing
Reuters - Egypt’s Al Nouran sugar production facility, an EGP 2.5bn ($357m) project, could begin operations in 2016 after securing a Sharia-compliant financing package, the project sponsors said on Monday.…
UK’s BG Group’s CEO quits, firm warns on production
Reuters - BG Group’s chief executive resigned on Monday as the British oil and gas major said production would be at the lower end of its target range this year…
Banglalink digital issues $300m bond
Reuters - Egypt’s Global Telecom Holding said on Monday its Bangladeshi subsidiary Banglalink Digital Communications Limited issued Bangladesh’s first international bond. Banglalink, wholly owned by Global Telecom, has priced a…
Lebanon’s Audi says Q1 net profit $85.8m
Reuters - Lebanon’s Bank Audi reported first-quarter net profit of $85.8m on Sunday, the same level as in the same period a year before. The bank said in a statement…
Foreign ministry backtracks, says Egyptian national in Libya not kidnapped
Ministry stresses need for accurate, “cautious” reporting
Philips illuminates founder of Heliopolis’ mansion
Philips donated a new lighting scheme for the mansion but the site still needs a lot work before it can be considered a touristic or cultural heritage site