Telegram: the instant messaging app freeing up Iranians’ conversations
Source: The Guardian As Iran gears up for parliamentary elections at the end of the month, an instant messaging app believed to be used by one in four Iranians is […]
Georgia proposes ‘blasphemy bill’ to outlaw religious insults
Source: The Guardian Georgia is planning a “blasphemy bill” that will make religious irreverence punishable by law, prompting concerns about freedom of expression in the devoutly Orthodox Christian society. Critics […]
What’s holding back the world economy?
Source: The Guardian Seven years after the global financial crisis erupted in 2008, the world economy continued to stumble in 2015. According to the United Nations’ report World Economic Situation […]
Turkey and Germany agree on plan to ease refugee crisis
Source: Aljazeera Turkey and Germany have agreed on a set of measures to deal with the Syrian refugee crisis, including a joint diplomatic initiative aiming to halt attacks against Aleppo, […]
State Lawmakers Look To Increase Safety For Amish Drivers
Source: Wisconsin Public Radio Wisconsin lawmakers are looking for ways to reduce the number of crashes between motorized vehicles and Amish buggies and wagons. Two recent fatal crashes have brought the […]
Pope to OK use of indigenous languages for Mass in Mexico
Source: Associated Press VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis will issue a decree authorizing the use of indigenous languages in Mass celebrations when he travels to Mexico next week, one […]
President Obama: Religious freedom keeps us strong (RNS EXCLUSIVE – COMMENTARY)
Source: RNS (RNS) This past week, I had the privilege of visiting the Islamic Society of Baltimore, a mosque that serves thousands of Muslim American families, as well as neighbors […]
Marco Rubio downplays Muslim discrimination. So do many Republicans.
Source: Washington Post Following President Obama’s visit to a Baltimore mosque this week, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) criticized the move. “Look at today — he gave a speech at a mosque,” […]
Indonesia: It’s Chinese New Year for all in Semarang
Suherdjoko, thejakartapost.com, Semarang | Archipelago | Mon, February 08 2016, People celebrate Chinese New Year at Sam Poo Kong Temple in Semarang, Central Java, on Monday. Children waited excitedly to […]
Another Dynasty Shaken as Oil Crash Tests Azeri Leader’s Rule
BalazsPenz February 8, 2016 Slumping crude prices drain reserves, prompt devaluations President Aliyev faces worst unrest in a decade as prices jump For Azerbaijan, plunging foreign reserves and two currency devaluations last year provided a stern test for the energy-reliant nation. For its long-time leader, the economic and political challenges […]
Obama to request $1.8bn to fight Zika
Source: BBC The Obama administration has said it will ask the US Congress for $1.8bn (£1.25bn) in emergency funding to combat the Zika virus. The virus, which is transmitted primarily […]
Migrant crisis: ’24 dead’ off Turkey as boat sinks
Source: BBC At least 24 migrants have died off the Turkish coast trying to reach the Greek island of Lesbos, Turkish media say. The victims, including children, drowned when their […]
Ten-Year Conversion by Malaysian Bank Shows Islamic Hub Hurdles
BY Elffie Chew January 27, 2016 It took a Malaysian lender more than 10 years to complete its conversion to a fully-fledged Islamic bank, highlighting the challenge for countries such as Indonesia in their bid to become Shariah funding hubs. Agrobank, a state-owned lender set up in 1969 to provide […]
What US candidates mean for the Middle East
Image Credit: The next president will face complex, dangerous risks in Syria, Iran and other parts of the region By Kerry Boyd Anderson, Special to Gulf News Published: 16:51 February 8, 2016 The United States presidential elections have entered a new phase, as Republicans and Democrats begin choosing who […]
Iraq deploying thousands of troops to retake Mosul
There are three brigades located in that base now and their number will eventually reach 4,500 soldiers Published: 19:11 February 8, 2016 AFP Kirkuk: The Iraqi army is deploying thousands of soldiers to a northern base in preparation for operations to retake Daesh’s hub of Mosul, officials said on Monday. […]
New Israeli rules have Palestinians looking for brides
30,000 more Palestinian workers will be allowed to work legally in Israel Image Credit: Supplied Around 462 Palestinian couples were married in a ceremony organised by the Palestinian Presidency. Published: 16:28 February 8, 2016 Nasouh Nazzal, Correspondent Ramallah: Thousands of young and single jobseekers in the West Bank are rushing […]
Dubai is set to become a city of future, says astrophysicist
Two-thirds of all stars were named by Arabic astronomers: Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, American astrophysicist Published: 13:19 February 8, 2016 By Derek Baldwin, Chief Reporter Dubai: Dubai is positioning itself to become a city of the future thanks to substantial investment in science and technology, said American astrophysicist Dr. Neil […]
Strange monsters that prowled Australia
Source: BBC If you think modern Australian animals are scary, spare a thought for the country’s earliest human inhabitants. They had to contend with huge kangaroos and 5-metre carnivorous lizards […]
Turkey will open border to Syrian refugees ‘if necessary’: Erdogan
Hindustan Times Turkey is ready “if necessary” to let in tens of thousands of Syrian refugees trapped on its border after fleeing a brutal civil war, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday. Thousands of Syrians, mostly women and children, have fled toward the Turkish border since Friday from […]
Hans Blix blames George Bush’s invasion of Iraq for ISIL
Source: Tehran Times Climate change is a bigger threat than nuclear war or international terrorism, Blix says In an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera English’s flagship current affairs show, UpFront, […]