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Macron’s leadership: A tale of arrogance and chaos
Facing graft allegations, divisive remarks on NATO and Islam, and widespread protests, his presidency underscores challenges of governing in today's complex geopolitical landscape.
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Pakistan unveils $47bn budget, 40% of it to service debt
Pakistan's new government, grappling with soaring inflation and political unrest, unveiled a 9.5 trillion rupee ($47 billion) budget Friday, earmarking more than 40 percent to service the country's massive foreign and domestic debt. -
Brothers held in UAE on graft charges face extradition to S.Africa
Two Indian-born brothers who allegedly wove a web of corruption across South Africa have been arrested in Dubai and face extradition, in a landmark step in Pretoria's anti-graft fight. By one estimate, several billion dollars were lost to the South African economy as a result of their activities. -
Brothers held in UAE on graft charges face extradition to S.Africa
Two Indian-born brothers who allegedly wove a web of corruption across South Africa have been arrested in Dubai and face extradition, in a landmark step in Pretoria's anti-graft fight. By one estimate, several billion dollars were lost to the South African economy as a result of their activities. -
Tunisia President sacks 57 judges, tightening grip on judiciary
Tunisian President Kais Saied on Thursday sacked 57 judges accused of corruption and other crimes, after passing a new law strengthening his grip on the judiciary. Saied had at an earlier cabinet meeting accused unnamed judges of corruption, stalling "terrorism" cases, sexual harassment, collusion with political parties and obstruction of... -
Are casinos a haven for money laundering?
Casinos often prefer to close their eyes to how clients finance their bets, allowing their tables to become conduits for illegal activity, according to Maira Martini of anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International. -
France sees no EU entry for Ukraine before ’15 or 20 years’
A bid by Ukraine to join the European Union would not be finalized for "15 or 20 years," France's Europe minister said Sunday, pouring cold water on Kyiv's hopes for quick entry in the wake of Russia's invasion. "We have to be honest. If you say Ukraine is going to... -
Lebanese activists launch ‘lollar’ currency
Lebanese activists Friday rolled out mock banknotes featuring paintings of a gutted central bank or the Beirut port explosion to denounce high-level corruption that has helped to wreck the country. -
Sweden opens criminal probe into Ericsson Iraq graft
Senior Public Prosecutor Leif Gorts confirmed that the investigation had been launched following reports of potential corruption between 2011 and 2019. -
Lebanon central bank not bankrupt, says governor
Lebanon’s Deputy Prime Minister Saadeh al-Shami claimed on Monday that the country and its central bank had gone bankrupt. The claims seemed to be in line with exclusive reporting from TRENDS in December that said around $7 billion was missing from BDL’s books. -
Ericsson board censured for graft
Shareholders sanctioned it for alleged payments to terror groups. -
Microsoft addresses graft charges
An ex-employee said it paid bribes in the Middle East and Africa. -
US finds Ericsson disclosures on Iraq graft ‘insufficient’
Sweden's Ericsson said Wednesday that US authorities have found its disclosures about an internal inquiry into its conduct in Iraq, including suspected bribes to the Islamic State group, "insufficient". -
Financial corruption hinders Gulf economic model
Beside Covid-19 pandemic, many countries in the region face war and conflicts. A robust economic system necessitates an effective strategy to combat corruption. If GCC countries wishes to be prosperous, there must be systems in place to fight corruption and ensure that the integrity of the state is maintained. -
Tunisia president dissolves top judicial watchdog
Kais Saied has concentrated all executive power since July 25, when he dismissed his Prime Minister and suspended parliament. -
IMF will only support a ‘comprehensive program’ for Lebanon
Lebanese officials began talks with the IMF last month to pull the country out of the worst economic crisis in its history. Despite the economic collapse, Lebanon’s ruling class has blocked reforms that foreign donors say must happen before aid is dispensed. -
Israel Cabinet to probe submarine procurement corruption
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who ousted Benjamin Netanyahu in June, abstained from the vote to set up the inquiry, citing concerns that would interfere with military procurement. -
Extradition of row-hit mom, son puts Cyprus in politically-charged battle
The mother, 61, and her son, 39, were arrested on December 8 under a warrant issued by the Chinese authorities for alleged investment fraud in China between March 1, 2013 and March 31, 2014. The pair are due in court in the resort town of Paphos for the resumption of... -
Lebanon prosecutor hits central bank chief with travel ban
Riad Salameh is among the top Lebanese officials blamed for a financial crisis that the World Bank says is of a scale usually associated with wars. -
Iraq highlights prominent investment opportunities
Iraqi's granting facilities to investors including regulations in completing transactions and eliminating corruption and providing safe environment renewed many hope for the growth of investment sectors in the country. -
Libya orders arrest of second minister for financial irregularities
Prosecutors had already questioned Culture Minister Mabrouka Touki before the order was issued to detain her on charges of ‘falsifying official documents in order to complicate the processes of review and oversight of public spending.’ Her detention comes after Education Minister Moussa al-Megarief was arrested in an inquiry into a... -
Tunisia protests on revolution anniversary as economy spirals
Many Tunisians are tired of a system that is seen as graft-ridden and ineffective, and have welcomed the protests. -
Saudi Arabia stresses need for international cooperation to fight corruption
Combating corruption requires cooperation from every person in all societies at all levels in all its forms and manifestations, said Mazen bin Ibrahim Al-Kahmous, President of Saudi Arabia's Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority. Al-Kahmous was speaking at the ninth session of the Conference of States Parties to the United Nations Convention... -
Saudi Arabia, Egypt sign MoU to enhance anti-corruption cooperation
Saudi Arabia’s Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority and Egypt’s Administrative Control Authority have joined hands for international cooperation. -
Iraq bombing targeted officer who was probing activists’ deaths
At least four civilians were killed and four others wounded in Tuesday's motorcycle bombing near a hospital in central Basra. The office, who was amongst the deceased, worked for the intelligence, and was investigating targeted killings of activists. -
Three Lebanese judges resign over ‘political meddling’
A probe into the Beirut port explosion has exposed the extent of such interference, with top officials mounting court challenges to obstruct the work of lead investigator Tarek Bitar. -
Lebanon elite united against probe seen as survival threat
Lebanon's political parties seem united in rejecting an investigation into Beirut's massive port explosion that they fear could threaten their survival. Politicians have repeatedly obstructed the work of judge Tarek Bitar by refusing to show up for questioning, filing legal complaints against him, or calling for his dismissal. -
Have Pandora papers jeopardized Lebanon aid?
The country is already reeling under the impact of its worst-ever economic crisis, shutting down of power stations due to fuel shortages, Covid-19 pandemic and the explosion last year at Beirut's port. The Pandora papers further highlight the state of corruption among the political class. -
Iraq’s election: how it works, factions that are likely to dominate
A total of 329 seats are up for grabs in the election, which was moved forward from 2022 as a concession to youth-led pro-democracy protests that erupted in late 2019. But many voters are expected to stay away amid widespread anger over corruption and ineffectual governance. More than 25 million... -
Money laundering rose during Covid-19 pandemic, says UAE Central Bank
The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates has disclosed that there has been an increase in the laundering of money through unlicensed money service providers during the Covid pandemic. -
UAE forms new law to punish erring ministers and officials
Any minister or senior official found guilty of corruption could be relieved of their job. -
Kuwait loses $4b per year to corruption: Expert
According to Transparency International, Kuwait in 2020 ranked 78 out of 180 countries in the Corruption Perception Index. -
Only serious reforms will get Lebanon foreign aid: Saudi Arabia
The Saudi Cabinet, however, reiterated its solidarity with the country whose people are looking at a deepening economic crisis. -
EU adopts framework for sanctions on Lebanon to aid govt formation
The move comes after weeks of uncertainty at the upper echelons of the Lebanese government, even as the country sinks deeper into an economic crisis. -
Lebanon discuss next PM choice after a week
Lebanon will begin parliamentary consultations to designate a new prime minister and Cabinet from July 26 -
Lebanon currency drops to new low as financial meltdown deepens
The Lebanese pound has lost around 90% of what it was worth in late 2019 Matters made worse by the August 4 Beirut Port explosion last year Lebanon’s currency reached new lows on Sunday, June 12, trading at around 15,150 to the dollar, said local reports. With this, the Lebanese... -
UAE submits draft of political declaration on corruption to UN
Law enforcement, criminalization, international cooperation, assets recovery focus of draft -
UAE supports international efforts to combat corruption
The UAE in 2020 ranked 21 out of 180 countries across the world in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, which is the highest rank for a GCC country on that list -
Will Kingdom Holding’s shares look up this week?
Saudi Arabia’s billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, who was freed from nearly three-month detention on Saturday in Riyadh, is expected to return to his normal life at the earliest. Chairman of Riyadh-based Kingdom Holding Co. Alwaleed, who also owns stakes in Citigroup Inc., Twitter and the ride-hailing service Careem, will stay...