Economy and trade

Istanbul election rerun brings Turkey fresh economic turmoil

The cancellation of the opposition victory in the mayoral race in Istanbul has raised the specter of more trouble for the Turkish economy, which is already grappling with recession and currency-related tumult.

Turkey

Egypt’s private sector to revamp 150 historic buildings in Cairo

The Egyptian government is drawing up a plan to turn over historic buildings to the public sector to help refurbish them and rent them out

Egypt

Will Gaza contractors be able to resolve their crisis?

The losses incurred in the construction sector in the Gaza Strip since 2007 have prompted the Palestinian Contractors Union to plan a September exhibition with the goal of promoting this sector; success in this endeavor, however, may hinge on the Palestinian Authority.

Palestine

Boys' rescue from forest provides bright spot for Turks

The rescue of two boys, ages 4 and 5, from a forest brought a modicum of hope the day after May Day to Turkish union members and others who have seen their buying power dwindle and are still seeing the nation's governing party trying to reverse the results of the March 31 Istanbul mayor election.

Turkey

Intel: How Russia and Turkey are growing closer at US expense

The April 30 phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan covered a broad range of topics, from trade to military cooperation to Syria, as the two countries continue to grow closer amid US-Turkey tensions.

Syria

Russia consolidating its position in Iraq amid anti-Iran sanctions

Russian and Iraqi officials convened in Baghdad for another bilateral commission session to discuss energy and security cooperation amid US anti-Iran sanctions.

Iraq

Gaza’s Justice Ministry has a new delivery service

For the first time, judicial notification and papers in Gaza will be delivered by a private company.

Palestine

High cost of death haunts Egyptians

The high cost of living in Egypt has extended to dying, and burial has gotten too expensive for the poor.

Egypt

Iranian hard-liners leverage IRGC terrorist designation to kill FATF bills

The US designation of the IRGC as a foreign terrorist organization has empowered Iranian hard-liners seeking to halt the passage of bills that would have Iran meet international standards for combating money laundering and terrorism financing.

United States

Shtayyeh government to focus on economy of resistance

New Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh is trying to connect with the Palestinian people to prepare them for austerity measures to withstand the economic pressure being exerted by Israel and the United States.

Palestine

What does timing of Lavrov’s visit to Cairo mean?

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and other officials during his visit to Cairo, focusing on political, economic and security ties between the two countries.

Egypt

Is Egypt’s strategic financial plan overly ambitious?

The Egyptian Ministry of Finance has an ambitious strategy for the next three years and the International Monetary Fund says Egypt is capable of achieving greater strategic objectives, but some economists on the ground have their worries.

Egypt