Bello Lawal Danbatta named new IFSB head
Dr Bello Lawal Danbatta is the new secretary-general of Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB), a regulatory and supervisory global body for this growing sector of alternative finance in Europe and elsewhere. The appointment of Dr Danbatta was approved by the IFSB council at its 31st meeting on 11 December 2017 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and was announced on 26 January 2018. He assumed his office on 29 January. Malaysia is a major...
All isn’t over: Berlin urges Syria talks around ‘one table’ in Geneva
German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel has warned all is not over yet in Syria despite various declarations of victory and peace and called for immediate UN-sponsored talks involving various players “around one table in Geneva.” “No matter how much we wish there were peace after the long years of violence and conflict, the Syria crisis is not yet over. The ongoing fighting continues to affect many people with unrelenting...
Syria ceasefire hinges on genuine dialogue: Steinmeier
The future of the ceasefire in Syria hinges on a genuine dialogue advancing the political process in the war-ravaged country, German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier warned [27 February 2016]. Speaking to Welt on Sonntag newspaper on 27 February, Steinmeier said, “Thousands of Syrians were still sceptical when they emerged from the protection of the bunkers and ruins last night. For the first time in many years, they...
Baghdad market attack condemned by Germany
Germany’s Federal Foreign Office in Berlin condemned the terrorist attack in Baghdad 13 August 2015 which so far [14 August 2015] has claimed more than 60 lives. A Federal Foreign Office spokesperson, who wasn’t named, in a statement said: “I condemn this cowardly act of terrorism in the strongest possible terms. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims and the many innocent people who were injured....
Saudi Arabia borrows more as fiscal, security problems multiply
Saudi Arabia is borrowing more from international markets to meet fiscal shortfalls caused by the halving of the crude oil price, additional unbudgeted expenses prosecuting the war on Yemen and enhanced security needs. In July the kingdom issued its first sovereign bonds since 2007 to raise about $4 billion from local banks. It’s also been dipping into sovereign fund reserves and now plans to raise another $27 billion, a figure...