Saudi king prepares to name new crown prince
DUBAI: Saudi Arabia winds up a mourning period for Crown Prince Sultan on Thursday, opening the way for King Abdullah to appoint his new heir, widely expected to be the…
Syrians stage another pro-regime rally
BEIRUT: Tens of thousands of Syrians held a massive rally Thursday in support of embattled President Bashar Assad, but the regime's crackdown on dissent continued in opposition areas as security…
Snowfall in quake-hit Turkey as toll passes 500
ERCIS: Snow blanketed eastern Turkey Thursday, complicating rescue efforts and bringing more misery for the thousands left homeless by a devastating earthquake as the death toll surged past 500. Ninety-one…
The Arab Spring and Europe’s chance
By Massimo D’Alema ROME: The term “spring” may suggest a gentle awakening, but what is happening in North Africa and the Middle East is a true revolution, fomented by a…
Reform without regime change in Morocco?
By Moha Ennaji FEZ, Morocco: Influenced by the events in Egypt and Tunisia, Moroccans have been demanding political and constitutional rights that would give citizens greater influence in government affairs. But…
A French election American-style
By Raphaël Hadas-Lebel PARIS: Primary elections in France? The idea that a large number of voters should designate the presidential candidates of the major political parties was born in the…
Strengthening the stabilizers
By Olin Wethington PARIS: The G-20 summit in Cannes in early November is a major opportunity to address the mandate, governance, and institutional capacity of the Financial Stability Board, the international…
Egyptian Resorts plans Sawari launch in Q2 2012
CAIRO: Developer Egyptian Resorts (ERC) plans to launch its delayed Sawari project in the second quarter of 2012, the firm's chief executive officer said on Wednesday. ERC, taking a hit…
Credit Agricole may issue Islamic bond
DUBAI: French lender Credit Agricole is considering either issuing an Islamic bond or creating a wider sukuk program that could lead to several issues, as European banks seek to diversify…
Egypt index ends higher, real estate gains
CAIRO: Egypt's index ended slightly higher, buoyed by a quieter political environment and news of an agreement to boost Europe's bailout fund to €1 trillion ($1.38 trillion). The benchmark index…