Italian oil major, Eni, announced this week that it has made three new oil and gas discoveries in the Meleiha region of western Egypt. The new discovery further adds to Egypt’s recent announcement that it expects to become self-sufficient in …
Read More »As Taboos on IMF Aid Crumble, Algeria Remains an African Holdout
With countries across Africa shedding long-held taboos to seek International Monetary Fund help, Algeria is a rare holdout. It may need a quick recovery in oil prices or Chinese backing to stay that way. On a continent where a checkered …
Read More »Tunisia’s first female PM: Mere symbolism or credible change?
Najla Bouden Romdhane is a 63-year-old geologist with little experience in politics. Critics fear she may not be able to stand up to President Kais Saied. Others celebrate the first female Arab prime minister. After Wednesday’s appointment of geology …
Read More »Does a secret desert mine hold the key to Morocco
Going green has advantages for the North African nation as it looks to tie its established mining and automobile sectors to battery production Morocco is hoping to move beyond its established mining sector and develop its electric vehicle industry, as …
Read More »Somalia points the way to first cashless society
The launch of a national payments system has allowed Somalia to centralise its digital payments. The country is on the cusp of a digital revolution, with opportunity ripe for the picking. Mogadishu famously only installed its first ATM in …
Read More »Semitic superpower in ancient northern Europe
Shillings, gods and runes: clues in language suggest a Semitic superpower in ancient northern Europe Remember when Australians paid in shillings and pence? New research suggests the words for these coins and other culturally important items and concepts are the …
Read More »Young Arabs look to emigrate as pandemic wrecks economies
Two in five young Arabs have considered emigrating because of poor economic prospects, a survey shows, as regional economies tank in the wake of coronavirus. This year’s Arab Youth Survey found that 15 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds were …
Read More »Middle East recovery fragile amid inflation risks – IMF
DUBAI, Oct 19, 2021 – Countries in the Middle East and Central Asia have emerged from the COVID-19 shock but the path to full recovery remains uneven and fragile, the International Monetary Fund said on Tuesday, pointing to rising inflation …
Read More »Economic crisis threatens Oman’s neutrality
Coronavirus and plunging oil prices may force new leader to turn to Gulf neighbours for help Sandwiched between Saudi Arabia and Iran, Oman has long prized its neutrality, garnering a reputation as the Middle East’s Switzerland. But the Gulf …
Read More »Saudi Arabia seeks to become a cultural hub
While conflicts and crises have battered Arab cultural capitals, Saudi Arabia is hosting film festivals and bankrolling new movies. JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — A pregnant Saudi woman, far from home, finds herself stalked by inner and outer demons. A wannabe …
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