MENASource

Top News: Tunisian Writer Deported at Cairo Airport, Labeled ‘National Security’ Threat

By EgyptSource

Tunisian writer Amel Grami was deported from Cairo International Airport on Sunday and denied entry into Egypt, despite being invited to participate in a conference by the Bibliotheca Alexandrina.

Top News: Syrian rebel group backs cutting ties with Iran; EU warns of risks to peace

By MENASource

Syrian insurgent group Jaysh al-Islam on Monday welcomed Saudi Arabia’s rupture of ties with Iran, saying Tehran’s backing of Shia militias was destabilizing the Middle East and stoking sectarian tensions in Syria.

EconSource: Turkey Misses Inflation Target for Fifth Consecutive Year

By EconSource

Turkey’s annual inflation overshot its 5 percent target for a fifth year running in 2015, data showed on Monday, as the annual inflation rate rose to 8.81 percent in December.

Top News: Egypt Names UK-based Control Risks Group to Review Airport Security

By EgyptSource

Egypt has hired British consultancy Control Risks to help boost airport security, almost two months after a Russian airliner crashed in the Sinai Peninsula, killing 224 people. CEO Andreas Carleton-Smith says Tuesday that the company’s objective is to make sure Egyptian airports comply with international aviation standards.

Top News: Military Court Sentences Brotherhood Chief to Ten Years

By EgyptSource

A military court sentenced Muslim Brotherhood Supreme Guide Mohamed Badie and other leading Brotherhood figures including Mohamed al-Beltagy and Safwat Hegazy to ten years over deadly clashes following the 2013 ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, judicial officials said.

EconSource: Saudi Government to Focus on Raising Efficiency of Public Spending

By EconSource

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman said on Wednesday that the government’s economic vision would focus on increasing the efficiency of government spending and raising returns on investments.

Student Elections in Egypt: A Potential Step Forward

By Mohamed Abdel Salam

In December 2015, the Student Union of Egypt held annual elections for the first time in over two years. The Supreme Council of Universities suspended elections in March 2013, and continued to postpone them until now. University students blamed the government for the decision, accusing it of attempting to control a volatile, anti-government student movement.

Top News: Iraqi Troops Storm ISIS-held Ramadi

Iraqi security forces advanced Tuesday into the center of Ramadi for a final push aimed at retaking the city they lost to the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) in May.

EconSource: Qatar National Bank to Buy Turkey’s Finansbank for $2.95 Billion

By EconSource

The Gulf Arab region’s largest bank Qatar National Bank (QNB) has agreed to buy Turkey’s Finansbank from National Bank of Greece (NBG) for 2.7 billion euros ($2.95 billion).

The Five Key Challenges to a Sustainable Peace in Libya

By Mohamed Eljarh

Libya’s political factions met in Skhirat, Morocco on December 17 to sign the UN-facilitated political agreement after more than 15 months of dialogue. This agreement represents the best hope for Libya’s reconstruction after a long political and armed struggle over power and resources.