War against elite universities: Trump ramps up conflict against defiant Harvard
Cambridge, United States - President Donald Trump escalated his war against elite US universities Tuesday with a threat to strip...
Science
Film stars blast Academy for ‘failing to defend’ Palestinian filmmaker
Los Angeles, United States - Movie stars including Joaquin Phoenix, Penelope Cruz and Richard Gere have blasted the Academy of...
Arts & Culture
UNFPA and corporate partners drive reproductive justice in workplaces
World Economic Forum
‘Beautiful thing’: hijab-wearing singer looks to inspire
Arts & Culture
Arts & Culture
The unexplained: Giant Swedish archive logs paranormal phenomena
The Archives for the Unexplained (AFU) claims to be the world's biggest library of paranormal phenomena, with 4.2 kilometers of...
- The archives are in the process of being digitalized and many of the documents can already by consulted on a server.
- The study of UFOs has long been stigmatized, but is becoming a more accepted field of scientific research.
Al-Azhar Ash-Sharif celebrates 1084th anniversary
Cairo, Egypt - Historic al-Azhar Mosque marked its 1084th anniversary of its founding on March 17, celebrated by al-Azhar ash-Sharif...
- The event, held annually on the seventh day of Ramadan, features various activities highlighting the mosque's rich history
- The history of the establishment of the Al-Azhar Mosque dates back to the year 970 by the Fatimid Caliph Al-Muizz Li-Din Allah
Arts & Culture
Europe’s largest art fair reports ‘record’ prices for Van Gogh, Picasso
THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS – Europe's largest art fair closed its doors on Friday with organizers saying that sales, including a rare...
- Top ticket items for sale this year included a rare early Van Gogh, painted when the artist was living in southern Netherlands around 1884.
- The US-based gallery selling the Van Gogh, titled "Tete de paysanne a la coiffe blanche" confirmed a buyer, with Dutch media.
Geostrategy
US House of Representatives overwhelmingly passes TikTok ban bill
The measure requires TikTok's parent company ByteDance to sell the app within 180 days or see it barred from the...
- The fate of the bill is uncertain in the Senate, where some key figures are apprehensive of making such a drastic move against an app that has 170 million US users.
- China warned that the move will "inevitably come back to bite the United States." TikTok staunchly denies any ties to the Chinese government.
Geostrategy
High inflation leaves Nigeria struggling ahead of Ramadan
Lagos, Nigeria - The holy fasting month of Ramadan begins early next week in Nigeria, with the worst economic crisis in...
- With food inflation at around 35 percent, worshipers taking part in Friday prayers at the central mosque in Lagos said they were barely able to provide for their families
- The government brought in reforms last year that have had a devastating effect on citizens of Africa's biggest economy, where around half the population is Muslim
Arts & Culture
UAE elected Vice Chair of UNESCO’s committee for promotion of cultural diversity
Abu Dhabi, UAE - The UAE has been elected the Vice Chair of the UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee (IGC) for the...
- The appointment was made during the 17th meeting of the committee, which was recently held at UNESCO’s HQ in Paris, France
- It acknowledges the UAE’s contributions to cultural diversity and its role in fostering a multicultural society both regionally and globally
Reincarnation and realpolitik: Dalai Lama’s succession dilemma
Tibetan activists are keenly aware that his death will mark a major setback in his push for more autonomy for...
- The 88-year-old spiritual leader, Tenzin Gyatso, has shown no indication of serious health issues, and has said that his dreams suggest he could live until he is 113
- But as Tibetans mark on Sunday the 65th anniversary of the failed uprising against China, the question of who will succeed their ageing leader is in sharp focus
Business
Iraq economy likely to grow this year, says IMF
BAGHDAD, IRAQ – Economic growth of the country is projected to continue amid fiscal expansion, an International Monetary Fund (IMF)...
- Medium-term vulnerabilities to oil price volatility have increased significantly, the IMF said.
- Growth in the non-oil sector has rebounded strongly in 2023 while inflation has receded.
Arts & Culture
Young Iraqis seek desert retreats for a change from the hustle of big cities
SAMAWAH, IRAQ – Far from the hustle and bustle of major cities, young Iraqis are increasingly taking advantage of a renewed...
- For years, only the most intrepid of hikers and campers would brave the trips into Iraq's desert.
- With the rise of social media and a period of relative stability, it has become a popular destination.
US designer, ‘geriatric starlet’ Iris Apfel dies age 102
New York, United States - Iris Apfel, centenarian style icon from the New York borough of Queens immediately recognizable by her...
- A flamboyant interior designer, she was a fixture on front rows of Paris fashion shows for more than half a century
- Her cropped white hair, massive glasses, bright lipstick, large-bead necklaces and bangles earned her kooky distinction among New York's glitterati
War against elite universities: Trump ramps up conflict against defiant Harvard
Cambridge, United States - President Donald Trump escalated his war against elite US universities Tuesday with a threat to strip...
Science
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Art and culture retain power to humanize the Intelligent Age, says WEF’s Fowler
World Economic Forum
UNFPA and corporate partners drive reproductive justice in workplaces
World Economic Forum
UNFPA and corporate partners drive reproductive justice in workplaces
Mariarosa Cutillo, UNFPA Chief of the Private Sector and Civil Society Branch, says businesses need to provide adequate maternal health...
World Economic Forum
Two falcons sell for $81,300 at Saudi Falcons Club Auction
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Two falcons were sold for a combined total of $81,300 (SAR305,000 ) on the tenth night...
Arts & Culture
Media: Two major American liberal newspapers refuse to endorse Kamala Harris
With few days remaining to vote in the US election, two major liberal American newspapers have decided not to endorse...
Geostrategy
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Iraqi date farmers fight drought to protect national treasure
Janājah, Iraq - Bare feet pressed against the rough trunk of a palm tree, his back supported by a metal and...
- Once known as the country of "30 million palm trees", Iraq's ancient date-growing culture had already suffered from upheaval
- Authorities and religious institutions have launched programmes and mega-projects to encourage tree planting and growth
Arts & Culture
In the heart of Beirut, one family upholds a unique dessert tradition
Beirut, Lebanon - At a shop nestled in a busy, crowded Beirut district, Hasan El-Makary is weighing out containers of warm,...
- Makary, 73, said he used to sell other sweets but as demand grew for mufataka, he abandoned the rest and now just makes the yellow pudding
- The rice must be soaked overnight, and Makary said he comes to the shop at 5:00 am to make the dish, which takes around four hours
Don’t give smartphones to kids under 11, UK mobile phone firm says
London, United Kingdom - One of Britain's biggest mobile network operators said on Sunday it will warn parents they should not...
- The new guidance comes after growing concern from parents about the potential pitfalls of smartphone access for young people
- A recent study by the UK communications regulator found around a quarter of British children aged between five and seven-years-old now had a smartphone