Who wholly expect Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, the Muslim Brotherhood’s religious authority and political orator, to vent his anger regarding what is taking place in Egypt these days. The octogenarian cleric is angry and frustrated. He must have thought, leaning on his walking stick in Tahrir Square on
Soma, Turkey, AP—Anger and grief boiled over into a violent protest Wednesday in the western Turkish town of Soma, where officials said at least 245 miners died in a coal mine explosion and fire. Nearly 450 other miners were rescued, the mining company said, but the fate of an unknown number of othe
Vienna, Reuters—Six world powers and Iran launched a decisive phase of diplomacy on Wednesday to draft a lasting accord that would curb Tehran’s contested nuclear activity in exchange for a phased end to sanctions that have hobbled the Iranian economy. After three months of discussing expectat
Amman, Asharq Al-Awsat—During the recent visit by Christine Lagarde to Amman, the IMF’s managing director said there were signs the economies of countries in the region currently transitioning to democracy, such as Egypt, Libya, Jordan and Tunisia, were beginning to stabilize after a period of turbu
Beirut, Asharq Al-Awsat—A Syrian opposition leader in the eastern province of Deir Ezzor called for support for rebels battling militants from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) on Tuesday. Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, the head of the Deir Ezzor Military Council Lt. Col. Muhannad Al-Tallaa,
London and Manama, Asharq Al-Awsat—US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said that US commitments to its Gulf allies would not be affected by an Iranian nuclear deal during a visit to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. Hagel took part in a meeting of defense ministers from Gulf Cooperation Council member-states
Dammam, Asharq Al-Awsat—The renovation and development of Dammam’s traditional women’s souq (market) will be completed in September, according to an official from the Eastern Province Municipality. Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Mohamed Al-Sufyan, a spokesperson for the Eastern Province Municipality,
Kiev, AP—The Ukrainian government reluctantly agreed to launch talks on decentralizing power on Wednesday as part of a European-backed peace plan, but with no invitation for the pro-Russian insurgents who have declared independence in two eastern regions it was unclear what the negotiations might ho
Dubai, Reuters—Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian said on Wednesday that Tehran had not received a written invitation for its foreign minister to visit Saudi Arabia, but it was on Iran’s agenda, state news agency IRNA reported. On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Min
Soma, Reuters—Rescuers pulled more dead and injured from a coal mine in western Turkey on Wednesday more than 19 hours after an explosion, bringing the death toll to 205 in what could become the nation’s worst ever mining disaster. Hundreds more were still believed to be trapped in the mine in
London, Asharq Al-Awsat—The history of journalism in Iran is a story of more than 150 years of struggle between journalists and those in power. Depending on the political circumstances of the day, this struggle has sometimes put journalists on top, sometimes sent them to their deaths on charges of t
I recently had a chat with an Arab political economy expert about the challenges facing many Arab societies where uprisings and revolutions have changed political regimes. The sweeping changes have increased the public’s expectations in these countries—but they have yet to give people mu
Tunis, Asharq Al-Awsat—In an interview that made waves in the Tunisian press, the country’s former prime minister, Hamed Karoui, said that he is willing to work with any party save the popular Leftist movement Nidaa Tounes as he re-enters the political scene in force ahead of presidential and parlia
Ramallah, Asharq Al-Awsat—A meeting between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and US Secretary of State John Kerry planned for Thursday in London “does not mean” US-led peace talks between Israel and Palestine will resume, a member of the Palestine Liberation Organization’s Executive Committee tol
Tunis, Asharq Al-Awsat—Tunisia launched its third bond on Monday, aiming to raise some 500 million Tunisian dinars (312 million US dollars) to cover government expenditure allocated for the 2014 state budget. Tunisian Finance Minister Hakim Ben Hamouda called on Tunisians to subscribe to the new bon
Kiev, AP—Germany’s foreign minister tried to broker a quick launch of talks between Ukraine’s central government in Kiev and the pro-Russia separatists on Tuesday, a day after the separatists declared independence in two eastern regions. Speaking at Kiev’s main airport, envoy Frank
Tel Aviv, Reuters—Israel’s ex-prime minister Ehud Olmert was sentenced to six years in jail on Tuesday for taking bribes in a real estate deal, a crime the judge said was akin to treason. The first criminal conviction of a former Israeli head of government all but ended speculation that Olmert
Amman, Asharq Al-Awsat—Arab countries currently transitioning to democracy need to adopt long-term economic policies if they are to bypass this transitional stage, IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde said on Monday. Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat on the sidelines of an IMF-sponsored conference in A
Beirut, Asharq Al-Awsat—The Syrian opposition is to set up a body to coordinate action against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in the eastern province of Deir Ezzor, currently the scene of fierce fighting between rebel groups. Kanaan Mohamed, a spokesman for the interim defense ministry o
Vienna, Reuters—Signs that a UN watchdog investigation into suspected atomic bomb research by Iran is making little progress could further complicate broader diplomacy on ending the decade-old nuclear dispute that resumes in Vienna on Tuesday. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) indicated
