Merkel calls Obama over suspicion U.S. monitored her phone
October 23, 2013 – 20:00 BERLIN (Reuters) – The German government has obtained information that the United States may have monitored the mobile phone of Chancellor Angela Merkel and she […]
When justice is an accomplice to murder
October 23, 2013 12:17 AM By Rami G. Khouri The Daily Star STORY SUMMARY In a fascinating juxtaposition, two news stories this week affirmed all that is right and wrong in the system of American justice as it pertains to the killing of civilians around the world. One story reported […]
Oarfish mystery: Earthquake rumours over beached giant snake-like fish in California
Japanese legend has linked oarfish sightings to earthquakes STEVE CONNOR THE INDEPENDENT SCIENCE EDITOR TUESDAY 22 OCTOBER 2013 Giant snake-like fish washed up onto Californian beaches in recent days may […]
How the Sunni-Shia schism is dividing the world
The unprecedented Saudi refusal to take up its Security Council seat is not just about Syria but a response to the Iranian threat by ROBERT FISK THE INDEPENDENT WEDNESDAY 23 OCTOBER 2013 The Muslim world’s historic – and deeply tragic – chasm between Sunni and Shia Islam is having worldwide […]
Exclusive: JPMorgan settlement could cost bank closer to $9 billion
(Reuters) – JPMorgan Chase & Co’s preliminary $13 billion mortgage settlement with the U.S. government could end up costing the bank closer to $9 billion after taxes, because the majority of the deal is expected to be tax deductible, two sources familiar with the matter said. The deduction also means […]
UnMosqued: Why Are Young Muslims Leaving American Mosques?
Huff Post: It was a typical Saturday afternoon and I had decided to take my three-year-old daughter with me to the mosque to pray dhuhr (the afternoon prayer). While we were there, my head in prostration, my daughter running around in the vast open space, I began to wonder what […]
UN has a problem
Source: Arab News: Saudi Arabia was one of the founding members of the United Nations in 1945. Since its establishment, Saudi Arabia has been one of the most active members and the one that paid its dues to the world body on time. I got my college degree from a […]
Deep Fried and Good for You
The NewYork Times: by Mark Bittman – Fried food is probably not on anyone’s lists of healthy eats, but you have to start with this: Fat is good for you. The long-lived people of Crete might not drink a glass of olive oil a day, but they consume three times […]
Security Check Now Starts Long Before You Fly
The NewYork Times: by Susan Stellin – The Transportation Security Administration is expanding its screening of passengers before they arrive at the airport by searching a wide array of government and private databases that can include records like car registrations and employment information. While the agency says that the goal […]
Rihanna asked to leave mosque in Abu Dhabi
Popstar Rihanna was asked to leave an Abu Dhabi mosque because she did not have permission for a photoshoot, it emerged today. Staff at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque say they asked the singer to leave the compound after her actions were considered to be at odds with the ‘sanctity’ of […]
10 Facts About The Transforming Global Religious Landscape
Source: The Huffington Post By Yasmine Hafiz Posted: 10/22/2013 8:08 am EDT | Updated: 10/22/2013 9:42 am EDT The Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life conducted a comprehensive demographic study of over 230 countries and territories in 2012, and some of their results might surprise you. Here are ten […]
The muzzling of Canadian Scientists
Canadian government scientists can’t speak freely because of meddling: Survey An Environics survey suggests 86 per cent of scientists feel they could not speak out against dangerous departmental decisions without retaliation. Bruce Campion-Smith / Toronto Star Oct. 22, 2013 OTTAWA—Political meddling is compromising the federal government’s ability to craft fact-based […]
Delayed Jobs Report Finds U.S. Adding Only 148,000 Jobs
American employers added 148,000 jobs in September, according to a delayed report released Tuesday by the Labor Department. The pace of growth was somewhat slower than what economists had been expecting. The unemployment rate ticked down to 7.2 percent from 7.3 percent the previous month. Federal Reserve officials and economists […]
What the Bible Says About Money (Shocking)
Source: Money News: Most people know Sean Hyman from his regular appearances on Fox Business, CNBC, and Bloomberg Television, but what they don’t know is that Sean is a former pastor, and that his secret to investing is woven within the Bible. Perhaps that can explain why, despite his uncanny […]
Obama catches fainting pregnant woman during speech
Source: Morocco World News: During his speech on healthcare reform on Monday, U.S. President Barack Obama caught a pregnant lady beginning to faint behind him, and then joked: “That’s what happens when I talk too long.” More:
Rights groups: Some U.S. drone strikes in Pakistan, Yemen may be war crimes
By Jethro Mullen, CNN updated 6:35 AM EDT, Tue October 22, 2013 (CNN) — The villagers had congregated at the tent, as they often did at the end of the workday, to […]
Amnesty International says US could be guilty of war crimes over use of drones
Telegraph: Human rights campaigners will today demand that American officials be held responsible for illegal killings carried out by drones and call for greater transparency over its secret programme. A new report by Amnesty International details how civilians have been killed in Pakistan – including a 68-year-old grandmother who died […]
Some U.S. drone strikes in Pakistan, Yemen may be war crimes
Source: CNN: Based on extensive field research, the reports both underlined the difficulties of gathering information on attacks in dangerous areas of Pakistan and Yemen. And they both noted the U.S. government’s unwillingness to talk about the cases. The lack of information from U.S. authorities, Amnesty said, makes it impossible […]
“Strong evidence” Pakistan military approved US drone strikes: UN report
Source: Dawn.Com A recently released UN report suggests there is “strong evidence” that top Pakistani military and intelligence officials approved US drone strikes on Pakistani soil during 2004 and 2008. The study says in some cases, even “senior government figures” gave their approval to the strikes in the country’s militancy-hit […]
A Worldwide Fight Against Street Harassment
The NewYork Times: by Joe Sharkey – Female friends and I began having conversations with male friends who were shocked to hear our stories. One guy looked at me and said, ‘You live in a different New York City than I do.’ And I was like, ‘What’s up with that? […]