Hard Turkey
By Shlomo Avineri JERUSALEM: The recent surge in Turkey’s military actions against the Kurds in northern Iraq is an indication that, somewhat surprisingly — but not entirely unpredictably — Turkish foreign…
Unable to monitor directly, international groups support elections by other means
CAIRO: Although it is too late for full international observation of the upcoming parliamentary elections, some international organizations are preparing to support the country’s first elections since the ousting of…
China’s crippled financial sector
By Yao Yang BEIJING: Even in the best of times, it is difficult for China’s small and medium-size enterprises to get bank loans. But with the current regimen of credit austerity,…
Women in Saudi Arabia’s Shura Council, what next?
By Samar Fatany JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia: The recent decision by Saudi King Abdullah to allow women to run and vote in municipal elections and become members of the Shura Council, a…
GASC says will include Ukraine wheat in tenders
CAIRO: Egypt's main state wheat buyer, the General Authority for Supply Commodities (GASC), said it will include wheat of Ukrainian origin in its next wheat tender. Nomani Nomani, the firm's…
Arab world needs jobs, better governance, investment: WEF
DEAD SEA: The popular uprisings that have swept the Arab world this year have slowed economies across the region, and jobs, better governance and investment are needed, speakers at the…
Egypt slides to 110 in ease of doing business ranking
CAIRO: Egypt fell two places in the ease of doing business ranking, sliding to 110th place from 108 in 2011. Entitled "Doing Business 2012: Doing business in a more transparent…
UAE says discussing mechanism for $3 billion Egypt aid
ABU DHABI: The United Arab Emirates plans to provide $3 billion in financial aid to Egypt but is still discussing the mechanism to deliver it, a senior UAE official said…
Egypt, Israel add ‘final touches’ to prisoner swap
CAIRO: Egypt and Israel are adding the "final touches" to a deal to swap an Israel-American detained in Cairo for a group of Egyptian prisoners and children, the official MENA…
Egypt judges strike over bullying by lawyers
CAIRO: Egypt's judicial union on Saturday called on judges to refrain from showing up to court until they receive protection from authorities after what they say are assaults by lawyers.…