Jordan
Jordan, Iraq, Egypt central banks announce joint initiative for retirees' pension payment | Jordan Times
AMMAN — The central banks of Jordan, Iraq and Egypt, and the "Buna" platform on Thursday announced a joint initiative launching a service that allows the retirees living in Arab countries to receive their pension payments via the platform.Buna is a cross-border and multi-currency payment system founded by the Arab Monetary Fund (AMF) in 2018.
The Muslim World
2 killed in protest over Iraqi activist's prison sentence | AP News
BAGHDAD (AP) — At least two protesters were killed Wednesday in southern Iraq after security forces opened fire on a crowd demonstrating against a harsh prison sentence handed down against a young Iraqi activist over a Twitter post, local officials said.
Iran holds first execution over anti-government protests | Reuters
Iran hanged a man convicted of injuring a security guard with a knife and blocking a street in Tehran, the first such execution over recent anti-government unrest.
Lebanese banks battered by meltdown struggle to survive | AP News
BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s once burgeoning banking sector has been hard hit by the country’s historic economic meltdown. It has suffered staggering losses worth tens of billions of dollars and many of the small nation’s lenders now face possible closures or mergers.
Protests in Sudan demand army leave power, reject deal | AP News
KHARTOUM, Sudan (AP) — Hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Sudan's capital Thursday, demanding the ouster of its military rulers and rejecting a deal for the gradual transfer of power to civilian leaders.
China’s Xi Jinping Deepens Saudi Ties in Pivotal Trip - WSJ
The two countries signed dozens of commercial agreements and Beijing elevated the bilateral relationship to the highest level in its network of foreign relations.
High Oil Prices Lift Saudi Arabia, Bolster Prince’s Economic Plans - WSJ
A bonanza of extra revenue shows how elevated oil prices are benefiting the Persian Gulf’s resource-rich economies.
Secular Winter
Israel's next finance minister brings religion to the front of economic strategy | Reuters
Israel's incoming finance minister has said his economic strategy will be infused with religious beliefs laid out in the Torah, predicting that this would help the country prosper.
Jewish Americans confront antisemitism with resolve, worry | AP News
NEW YORK (AP) — Jewish Americans are closely following the recent upsurge in antisemitic rhetoric and actions with a mix of anxiety and resolve — along with a yearning that a broader swath of Americans, including leaders across the political spectrum, speak out against anti-Jewish hatred.
Finance and Economy
How the Global Economy Is Shaping Up for 2023, According to an IMF Official - WSJ
The U.S. may find it difficult to avoid a recession, Gita Gopinath says
China's Xi calls for oil trade in yuan at Gulf summit in Riyadh | Reuters
President Xi Jinping told Gulf Arab leaders on Friday that China would work to buy oil and gas in yuan, a move that would support Beijing's goal to establish its currency internationally and weaken the U.S. dollar's grip on world trade.