From COMPANIES 11:33pm

Kaupthing settles claims against skeikh

Winding-up board of Icelandic bank in confidential settlement

Analysis

HSBC Bank Chief Executive Officer Simon Cooper speaks during the Reuters Middle East Investment Summit in Dubai October 26, 2009. ©Reuters
HSBC Mideast chief sees exponentially growing connections
– Simeon Kerr
View from the US from MARKETS 7:08pm

Egyptian spring could be European storm

Desperate people can behave badly, warns John Dizard

Egypt Protester ©Getty Feb 8, 2013

Tahrir sexual assault victims speak out

Controversial salafi preacher accuses women of ‘having no shame’

Tunisian Funeral ©AFP MIDDLE EASTERN POLITICS & SOCIETY Feb 8, 2013

Belaid funeral stokes Tunisian tension

General strike grips nation as murdered leader is buried

Tunisian protesters hold a banner during a demonstration against the assassination of vocal government critic Chokri Belaid (featured on the banner) on February 7, 2013 in Siliana northwest of Tunis. Protesters torched and ransacked an office of the ruling Islamist Ennahda party in Siliana while spontaneous protests erupted in a dozen towns and cities in Tunisia despite the premier's attempts to defuse the crisis by pledging to form a new government. ©AFP MIDDLE EASTERN POLITICS & SOCIETY Feb 8, 2013

Tunisian union calls for general strike

Tension rises ahead of murdered opposition leader’s funeral

From MARKETS Feb 7, 2013

Investors start a new scramble for Africa

Frontier markets outperform mainstream counterparts this year

Ingram Pinn illustration ©Ingram Pinn Philip Stephens from COMMENT Feb 7, 2013

Intervention: the US won’t, Europe can’t

Europeans have caught the bug just as the US has shaken it off – but they lack the means

Just Falafel, Monmouth St, Covent Garden. ©Rosie Hallam MIDDLE EASTERN POLITICS & SOCIETY Feb 7, 2013

Just Falafel’s taste for fast expansion

Fast-food outlet uses franchise partners for global chain

Feb 7, 2013

Khamenei rejects direct talks with US

Iran’s supreme leader hits back as nuclear dispute intensifies

Feb 6, 2013

Tunisian leader dissolves government

Move follows assassination of leading opposition figure

Feb 6, 2013

Rebels intensify attack on Damascus

Reports of concerted push from suburbs into city

From US & CANADA Feb 6, 2013

Israel and Palestinians top Kerry’s agenda

Secretary of state made weekend calls to both leaders

MIDDLE EASTERN FINANCE Feb 6, 2013

Egypt’s foreign currency reserves shrivel

Reserves fall below three-month import cover threshold

Feb 6, 2013

Beirut set to move on gas contracts

Questions raised over Lebanon’s readiness for process

MIDDLE EASTERN FINANCE Feb 6, 2013

Kuwait considers bailout for consumer debt

Central bank and ministers oppose proposed $6bn write-off

Feb 6, 2013

Report cites military corruption in MENA

Countries leave door open to waste, impunity and security threats

From AFRICA Feb 6, 2013

France sets March date to leave Mali

French and Chadian forces secure city of Kidal

MIDDLE EASTERN POLITICS & SOCIETY Feb 6, 2013

Tunisian opposition leader assassinated

Killing of Chokri Belaid marks new level of political disorder

IRAN Feb 6, 2013

Iranian president’s ally freed from prison

No reason given for Saeed Mortazavi’s release or detention

From US & CANADA Feb 5, 2013

Obama planning first visit to Israel

Trip may signal intention to restart peace process

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