Jordan
Livestock prices possibly affected by Sudan conflict ahead of Eid Al Adha | Jordan Times
AMMAN — Livestock owners and breeders are growing concerned over potential ramifications that the ongoing conflict in Sudan may have on the prices of sacrificial animals in Jordan as Eid Al Adha approaches, said Za’al Kawaleet, president of Livestock Owners and Breeders Association Eid Al Adha means the “feast of sacrifice”, and during the holiday, Muslims slaughter livestock, cattle or camels and distribute the meat to families in need. Prices of livestock have increased “slightly” due to the suspension of imports from Sudan, Kawaleet told The Jordan Times.
The Muslim World
Sudan Power Battle Reignites Violence in Restive Darfur - WSJ
The battle for power between Sudan’s top two generals has reignited intercommunal violence in the country’s Darfur region.
Tunisia investigates guardsman's motive for killing 5 outside historic synagogue | AP News
Tunisian authorities opened an investigation Wednesday into a shooting attack at a synagogue that killed two Jewish pilgrims and three members of the country’s security forces. The motive of the gunman, whom guards killed before he could enter the building on the island of Djerba, remained unclear.
Ukraine pushes to extend wartime grain deal at talks with Russia, Turkey and U.N. | AP News
The Ukrainian government is seeking to extend a wartime deal that allowed the country’s grain to get to nations in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. That's according to a top Ukrainian official after the latest talks on prolonging the agreement. The talks in Istanbul on Thursday involved Turkish, Russian, Ukrainian and United Nations officials but yielded no decisions for an extension. The deal is due to expire next Wednesday. Ukraine's deputy prime minister says additional discussions are expected in an online format, A Russian diplomat says Moscow is considering proposals made by U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and contacts continue but if there is no consensus by May 18, the deal “will cease to exist.”
Investors buckle up for pivotal Turkey elections | Reuters
Wild currency moves? Bazooka rate hikes? The many unknowns around Turkey's pivotal elections on Sunday are leaving even the most experienced investors hedging their bets on how markets will react.
Reluctant critic China urges Afghan changes on women's roles | AP News
BEIJING (AP) — China on Wednesday called on Afghanistan to reform its radical policies excluding women from education and public life and “adopt a more resolute attitude in combating terrorism.”
Pakistan’s Economy Is Reeling From Political Turmoil That Shows No Sign of Abating With Imran Khan’s Arrest - WSJ
The instability that led to the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan has plunged millions into poverty and left the country at the edge of default.
Secular Winter
As more women forgo the hijab, Iran's government pushes back | AP News
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Billboards across Iran's capital proclaim that women should wear their mandatory headscarves to honor their mothers. But perhaps for the first time since the chaotic days following Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution, more women — both young and old — choose not to do so.
Finance and Economy
Vast China-Russia resources trade shifts to yuan from dollars in Ukraine fallout | Reuters
China has dramatically increased use of the yuan to buy Russian commodities over the past year, with nearly all of its purchases of oil, coal and some metals from its neighbour now settled in the Chinese currency instead of dollars, multiple trading executives with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters.
We May Be Getting Used to High Inflation, and That’s Bad News - WSJ
The more people behave as if high inflation is here to stay, the likelier it is to stay. That would force the Federal Reserve to choose between inducing a potentially deep recession to force inflation lower, or giving up on its 2% inflation target.
Quds Matters
Palestinian militants fire more rockets, as Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza despite cease-fire efforts | AP News
Israeli airstrikes have killed a senior militant commander in the Gaza Strip amid the worst bout of fighting in months. Palestinian militants continued to fire rockets toward Jerusalem on Friday, despite efforts to broker a cease-fire led by regional powers. The past few days of fighting have killed 33 Palestinians in Gaza and an elderly woman in central Israel. The Israeli military said its warplanes struck Islamic Jihad rocket launchers, while bursts of rocket fire from the Gaza Strip sent air raid sirens wailing around Israel and in Jerusalem. The cross-border exchanges have pitted Israel against Islamic Jihad, the second-largest militant group in Gaza after Hamas.