Iraqi PM says rivals can't form government
BAGHDAD: Iraq's prime minister said Thursday his Sunni-backed rivals, who narrowly won the March election, were wasting their time trying to form a new government, in a remark sure to…
Teaching religion in schools: A curriculum of controversy
CAIRO: The press conference held by the newly appointed minister of education, Ahmed Zaki Badr, and the Grand Mufti Ali Gomaa last month to announce changes to the religious curricula…
Rights activists say judge's case against them 'fabricated'
CAIRO: Human rights activists who are facing criminal charges brought by a judge have condemned the “fabricated” case against them. Ahmed Seif El-Islam Hamad and Gamal Eid, directors of the…
Ship industry, unions urge end to Somali piracy
LONDON: Shipping associations, marine insurers and unions joined forces on Wednesday to demand "concrete action" from governments to end Somali piracy. Somali pirates have stepped up their attacks in recent…
Foreign aid should be conditional, says NGO
CAIRO: Foreign donors must make aid to Egypt conditional on the government making human rights and democratic change concessions, an Egyptian NGO said Wednesday. “Financial assistance will be meaningless if…
Libya to float shares in chemical plant
TRIPOLI: Libya will list the state-owned Abu-Kammash petrochemical complex on the stock market, an official said, the latest step to open up an economy that is attracting growing interest from…
Saudi eyes big jump in renewable output by 2020
MANAMA: Top oil exporter Saudi Arabia believes renewable sources could account for up to 10 percent of its power output by 2020 with prices coming down and a regulatory framework…
Lebanese economy strong, inflation stable, says cenbank
BEIRUT: Lebanon's economy is expected to grow by 7-8 percent this year while inflation remains stable as capital keeps pouring into the Arab country, central bank governor Riad Salameh said…
UAE markets give weary welcome to Dubai deal
DUBAI: Markets in the United Arab Emirates gave a weary welcome to a long-awaited debt deal with Dubai World, with investors worried about a sluggish economic recovery and the fallout…
Clashes leave 17 dead in Pakistan
KARACHI: At least 17 people including two children have been killed in political clashes in Pakistan's financial capital Karachi in the past two days, a government official and police said…
