Odd One in the Pack: London, a New Hub for Islamic Finance?

New year 2014 will likely be very significant at least from the viewpoint of the London Stock Exchange, which stakes to become the world centre for Islamic finance. Earlier last year, Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron announced the plan to issue sukuk – Islamic financial certificates often compared to Western bonds. The first sukuk certificate […]

Qatar rejects Haftar’s proclaiming himself Libya’s ruler as a coup on legitimacy

Qatar said it rejects the announcement made last Monday by the commander of the self-proclaimed Libyan National Army, Khalifa Haftar, claiming he had been mandated by the people to rule the country, as a coup on legitimacy. “Haftar’s announcement is a new confirmation that he seeks a coup against the international legitimacy and the Libyan […]

Mineral alliances: why Africa could be key to securing America’s critical supply chains

With the United States facing growing vulnerabilities in its critical minerals supply chain, a new Brookings Institution study urges Washington to forge stronger partnerships with Africa — home to an estimated 30% of the world’s proven reserves. Critical minerals, essential for sectors from defense to clean energy, are heavily concentrated in a few global regions. […]