Sudan calls off launch of $1 billion sugar plant
By Ulf Laessing / Reuters KHARTOUM: Sudan has shelved the launch of a $1 billion sugar plant, state media said on Tuesday, delaying a strategic industrial project that was meant to…
Picture an Arab man
By Nada Akl BEIRUT: Picture an Arab man. Better yet . . . run a quick search on Google Images in English. You’ll find the fighter, the flag-waving protester and the…
Huge mandate for planned new Islamic bank
By Bernardo Vizcaino / Reuters DUBAI: Gulf institutions plan to spur development of the Islamic finance industry by setting up a bank that would boost liquidity in Sharia-compliant markets. But the…
Parliament, gov’t reach settlement over IMF loan, says report
By Reem Abdellatif CAIRO: After much debate over the $3.2 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan and a year-long stalemate, Egypt’s finance minister finally convinced parliament to accept the loan, official…
Tanker with Syrian oil passes through Suez Canal
By Reuters CAIRO: The M.T. Tour, a tanker identified by the United States as owned by a sanctions-evading company set up by Iran, passed through Egypt's Suez Canal on Tuesday.…
Red Cross chief asks for access to Syria prisons
By AFP DAMASCUS: International Committee of the Red Cross chief Jakob Kellenberger on Tuesday requested access to Syria's prisons, in a meeting with Interior Minister Mohammed Al-Shaar, official media reported.…
HRW concerned by UAE closure of NGO offices
By AFP DUBAI: Human Right Watch voiced concern on Wednesday over the decision of authorities in the United Arab Emirates to close the offices of two democracy advocacy groups. UAE…
Fuel arrives in Gaza under new deal
By AFP GAZA CITY: Fuel began arriving in Gaza on Wednesday as per a new deal between the territory's Hamas government and the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, an…
Israel official ‘concerned’ over future ties with Egypt
By Dan Williams / Reuters JERUSALEM: A senior Israeli official said on Tuesday he was concerned about the commitment of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood, which dominates parliament and now seeks the presidency,…
Abol Fotoh outlines election program, celebrates candidacy approval
By Amir Makar CAIRO: Thousands gathered on Monday night to celebrate the acceptance of presidential candidate Abdel-Moneim Abol Fotoh’s application by the Presidential Election Committee. “We can realize our dreams with…