Sunday 02 Jun 2019 | | AW

Top Stories

Visit of Sudan’s military ruler to Egypt opens new chapter in relations

Possible mediators for crisis between Iran and US line up, but prospects in doubt

US peace plan comes unglued over Israel’s election rerun

Tunisia’s fractured secularists scramble to consolidate ranks

Eid al-Fitr spirit unbeatable despite economic strains in the region

Interview

Egyptian businessman and politician Naguib Sawiris. (Twitter)

Naguib Sawiris talks about revolution, democracy and Islamism

Economy

Tough times. An Iranian worker walks on pipelines at an oil facility in Kharg Island. (AFP)

Iran’s economy crumbling as oil buyers jump ship

Few options. A drilling vessel sails in the Bosporus in Istanbul.(Reuters)

Turkey complies with US sanctions to avert risks

Unstable market. A customer exchanges US dollars for Egyptian pounds in a foreign exchange office in central Cairo. (Reuters)

Suspicious rise of Egyptian pound undermines position of investors

Critical juncture. A view of Algerian state energy firm Sonatrach’s solar plant in Bir Rebaa oil field in southern Algeria.(Reuters)

Algeria’s economy deteriorates amid political impasse

Culture

A living heritage. Nouba Al Andaloussia orchestra performs on stage during the Andalusian International Music Festival in Casablanca. (Saad Guerraoui)

Andalusian music brings Maghrebis together

Extraordinary talent. Omani author Jokha al-Harthi poses after winning the Man Booker International Prize in London, May 21.(AFP)

Oman’s story shows Arab writers are finding their voice

Rashmee Roshan Lall

Travel

Moussa Castle under a blanket of snow. (Ziad Maamari)

Moussa Castle: A life dream built stone by stone

Society

Palestinian children attend an event organised ahead of Eid al-Fitr holiday in Rafah. (AFP)

Eid al-Fitr spirit unbeatable despite economic strains in the region

Limited options. Products on display at a shop in al-Ashar market in central Basra, May 9. (Maher al-Hashimi)

Iraqis complain Basra market filled with Iranian produce

Azhar Al-Rubaie

Reviving tradition. Traditional storyteller Abdel Wahed Ismail (2nd L) entertains an audience in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, May 17. (AFP)

Determination to overcome ISIS legacy marks Ramadan in Mosul, scars remain

News & Analysis

Israel heads to unprecedented snap election in blow to Netanyahu

Manuel Langendorf

Lebanon agrees on draft budget but challenges remain

Simon Speakman Cordall

Anera includes Jordan in its MENA area of operations

Jordan seeks support for UNRWA in face of US pressure

Mamoon Alabbasi

Divisions grip Morocco’s leading opposition party

As new Istanbul election approaches, Kurdish voters emerge as kingmakers

Thoughts

Six reasons why Iran won’t change

Khamenei’s 30 years of revolution: What legacy?

Congressional report on US Syria policy yields more of the same

Syrian regime still has no qualms about attacking journalists