Cost of ‘Arab Spring’ more than $55 billion: report
LONDON: The uprisings that swept the Middle East this year have cost the most affected countries more than $55 billion, a new report says, but the resulting high oil prices…
Egypt military takes over inquiry of Coptic unrest
CAIRO: Egypt's military prosecutor said Thursday his office will take over the investigation into deadly clashes between the army and Coptic Christian protesters, as the military rulers seek to fend…
Islamic bankers to meet with slowdown, new markets in view
KUALA LUMPUR: Islamic finance officials will gather in Kuala Lumpur next week to debate the industry's future path and craft crisis measures, as banks' limited capital base and liquidity management…
Hedge Fund ISAM targets Middle East for growth
ABU DHABI: ISAM, the hedge fund founded by former Man Group chief executive Stanley Fink, is targeting cash-rich sovereign wealth funds and institutional investors in the Middle East to grow…
Saudi stocks likely to ride out Iran tensions; Egypt vulnerable
DUBAI/CAIRO: Saudi Arabia's stock market is likely to be largely unaffected by geopolitical tensions with Iran next week and to focus instead on petrochemical companies which are due to announce…
Egypt central bank keeps rates on hold as inflation eases
CAIRO: Egypt's central bank said it kept its benchmark interest rates on hold after a monetary policy meeting on Thursday, as headline inflation eases and political uncertainty delays an economic…
The death penalty – again
By Peter Singer PRINCETON: Three significant events relating to the death penalty occurred in the United States during September. The one that gained the most publicity was the execution in Georgia…
A farewell to nuclear arms
By Mikhail Gorbachev MOSCOW: Twenty-five years ago this month, I sat across from Ronald Reagan in Reykjavik, Iceland to negotiate a deal that would have reduced, and could have ultimately eliminated…
Engagement between women key to rights’ campaigns
By Paola Salwan Daher BEIRUT: I have always thought that engaging with other women is one of the most beautiful and exciting parts of being a women's rights activist. My last…
In Egypt, it’s time for revolution
By Rania Al Malky CAIRO: When we say history repeats itself, we never mean recent history, never as recent as 10 months ago. But the Sunday massacre in Maspero has shattered…