TOKYO — Japan marked the 66th anniversary of its surrender in World War II on Monday with somber remembrances across the country and a memorial in Tokyo led by the emperor. The ceremonies come as the country struggles to recover from this year’s devastating earthquake and tsunami. Emperor Akihito, whose father […]
Source: Swissinfo Justice Minister Simonetta Sommaruga said on Friday she is optimistic about finding additional temporary accommodation for asylum seekers. “There is agreement and goodwill both from the federal authorities and the cantons to achieve solutions. But we need time,” she told journalists. She added that it is not always […]
By RIMA AL-MUKHTAR, RIMA.ALMUKHTAR@ARABNEWS.COM Published: Aug 10, 2011 21:30 Updated: Aug 10, 2011 21:39 Umrah in Ramadan is equivalent to Haj with me,” said Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). As a result, Muslims from all over the world wish to perform Umrah especially during Ramadan. Makkah receives visitors and […]
By ARAB NEWS RIYADH: Riyadh Gov. Prince Salman has instructed that a charitable society named after him be formed to serve the capital city and its people as well as charitable organizations and activities in the province. Riyadh Mayor Abdul AzizAl-Muqrin said businessmen and philanthropists in the Riyadh province would […]
Following is the official translation of His Majesty King Abdullah’s remarks on the occasion of presenting the suggested constitutional amendments by the Royal Committee on Constitutional Review: Members of the Royal Committee on Constitutional Review, Ladies and gentlemen, Peace, God’s mercy and blessings be upon you, Blessed be the souls […]
AMMAN (JT) – The Royal Committee on Constitutional Review on Sunday presented the outcome of its three-month work to His Majesty King Abdullah, who said that, with this achievement, planned political reforms are expected to be in place before the end of the year. The amendments were presented during a […]
British Prime Minister David Cameron thinks he’s found some culprits to blame in the recent riots that have rocked London and other cities — Facebook and Twitter. Saying the “free flow of information” can sometimes be a problem, Cameron’s government has summoned those two social-networking sites, as well as Research […]
Source: CNN Author: Fareed Zakaria What struck me this past week was China’s reaction to our credit downgrade. Its state-run media thundered that America needed to “cure its addiction” to debt. A Hong Kong newspaper widely read on the mainland ran a front page with a banner saying “The American […]
Source: Montreal Gazette Religious tolerance is in retreat in the world, where one-third of people face increasing harassment when seeking to practise their faith, a new study reveals. Only for one per cent of the world’s population was there an increase in religious freedom as measured by declines in government restrictions […]
Iranian goods comprising 40 tons of pharmaceuticals and medical equipment were dispatched for the Libyan civilians on a plane from Karaj Payam Airport on Monday motning. The official recalled that Iran had previously sent twice its aid cargoes of foodstuff for Libyan people via Tunisia. Read more
Source: The New York Times Wearing a bulletproof vest and a leash held by a police guard, Anders Behring Breivikreturned this weekend to the pristine Norwegian island where, he has admitted, he slaughtered 69 people last month, leading the police through a simulation of his actions, Oslo police officials said […]
Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi has called on his followers to prepare for the “battle to liberate” rebel-held towns in an audio message on Libyan television. In what Libyan state television said was a live speech, Gaddafi urged the Libyan people to arm themselves to liberate the country from “traitors […]
Are the windows to the soul the fearfully and wonderfully made creation of a sentient deity? Depends on whom you ask. AVALANCHE-JOURNAL Consider the human eye. That ocular globe contains a complex array of nerves, cells, muscles and tissues, allowing humans to see in varied lighting, discern depth, perceive distance […]
The following is the statement of apology Mel Gibson issued for his anti-semite slurs when he was being arrested for DUI. It can serve as a good template for not only every anti-semite but also every Islamophobe who stereotypes and labels all or most Muslims with a broad brush: “There is no excuse, nor should […]
Source: http://www.infoworld.com Trend 8: Another family tree Virtual humans, both physical (robots) and online avatars will be added to the workforce. “Already, animated characters can recognize speech, convert text to speech, and have knowledge of previous encounters,” says Evans. By 2020, robots will be physically superior to humans. IBM’s Blue […]
BBC: The Rev Klaas Hendrikse can offer his congregation little hope of life after death, and he’s not the sort of man to sugar the pill. Animposing figure in black robes and white clerical collar, Mr Hendrikse presides over the Sunday service at the Exodus Church in Gorinchem, central Holland. It is […]
Source: Chicago Tribune Parents learn to control temper while fasting A frazzled, home-schooling mother of three, Olivia Kompier has been known to lose her temper when she’s well-nourished, but even more so when she’s dehydrated or hungry. That’s why the prospect of giving up routine meals during the daylight hours […]
Source: Qantara If it wants to be authentic and relevant to practice, religious education along denominational lines should not become an instrument of integration and should take the expectations of Muslims seriously. Nimet Seker takes a stand. The introduction of Islamic education is already a done deal in North […]
Source/Credit: NPR In the 1890s, Russian Jews fleeing anti-Semitic violence and discrimination arrived by the thousands to a remote corner of the Argentine Pampas. They founded hamlets similar to the shtetls they left behind. They spoke Yiddish, built synagogues and traditional Jewish schools — and became farmers and gauchos, the […]