Archives for December, 2017

A damaged building is seen following an earthquake in Sarpol-e Zahab county in Kermanshah, Iran November 13, 2017. REUTERS/Tasnim News Agency ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. - RC1DA9F5AB00

Will Tehran be able to withstand 'long overdue' quake?

The recent earthquake in western Iran renews talk of how prepared Tehran is for a big quake, which experts say is long overdue.

Iranian members of parliament attend a parliamentary session in Tehran on June 23, 2015. Iranian lawmakers passed a bill obliging the government to safeguard the country's "nuclear rights and achievements," despite talks with global powers on curbing the Islamic republic's disputed atomic programme. AFP PHOTO / BEHROUZ MEHRI (Photo credit should read BEHROUZ MEHRI/AFP/Getty Images)

Iranians furious over rumors of 70% increase in MP salaries

Rumors of an impending 70% increase in Iranian parliament members' salaries have angered the public and media.

Pro-Erdogan media targets Saudis after Trump's Jerusalem decision

Let's hope Turkey can afford its alienation of Saudi Arabia and Saudi allies for the cause of Jerusalem.

Turkey closes door to bitcoin

Against the backdrop of a global bitcoin frenzy, the Turkish government has taken a stance against cryptocurrencies.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the inauguration ceremony of a police station in the Arab-Israeli town of Jisr ez-Zarqa November 21, 2017. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun - RC1BFB9D0670

Netanyahu works to pre-empt potential indictment

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu already started explaining why he has no intention of quitting if police recommend his indictment.

Kurdistan quickly descending into chaos

For a third day, thousands of angry protesters turned out in Sulaimaniyah in Iraqi Kurdistan and clashed with security forces as the KRG faces a governing crisis.

Abbas' diplomatic offensive

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has announced that he will apply for Palestine to join 22 international agencies and organizations to which Palestinians have a right to full membership.

Abbas trapped by Trump following Jerusalem proclamation

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is trapped by a US administration that does not understand the regional damage caused by the Jerusalem proclamation.

Saudi-Egyptian broadcast deal raises issue of censorship

In line with the reform campaign launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi TV has signed a contract to broadcast two Egyptian-produced series.

A picture taken on November 25, 2017, shows the Rawda mosque, roughly 40 kilometres west of the North Sinai capital of El-Arish, after a gun and bombing attack.
Armed attackers killed at least 235 worshippers in a bomb and gun assault on the packed mosque in Egypt's restive North Sinai province, in the country's deadliest attack in recent memory. / AFP PHOTO / STR (Photo credit should read STR/AFP/Getty Images)

Children's program fights extremism in Sinai

A group of activists are running an educational center in North Sinai to prepare children to face extremist ideology.

Istanbul summit exposes divisions within Arab world

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation summit exposed Arab differences and Arab-Islamic tensions, and the reactions to both the OIC summit and the Arab League meetings were similarly pessimistic.

People inspect the damage done to a Sufi shrine, the tomb of Sidi Mohamed Landoulsi, after an explosion in the Tajoura neighbourhood on the outskirts of Tripoli, March 28, 2013. An explosion damaged the shrine early in the morning on Thursday, according to a witness. REUTERS/Stringer (LIBYA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST RELIGION) - GM1E93S1S7K01

Sufi sites in Libya under attack

Sufis and other religious minorities in Libya are under constant threat of attack by extremist Salafists.

Iranian Revolutionary Guard Commander Qassem Soleimani (L) stands at the frontline during offensive operations against Islamic State militants in the town of Tal Ksaiba in Salahuddin province March 8, 2015. Picture taken March 8, 2015. REUTERS/Stringer (IRAQ - Tags: CIVIL UNREST CONFLICT POLITICS) - GM1EB3I1GDS01

Iran's Soleimani sends message of defiance in calls to Hamas

In the aftermath of the US president's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the head of the Quds Force called the leaders of Hamas and Islamic Jihad to affirm Iran's ongoing political and military support.

General view of Uranium Conversion Facility (UCF) in Isfahan, about 420 km (261 miles) south of Tehran, August 8, 2005. Iran resumed uranium conversion on Monday at its facility near Isfahan, a move [EU officials have warned will probably see its nuclear case sent to the U.N. Security Council for possible sanctions].
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Republican dig at Iran deal jeopardizes effort to keep government open

Congressional efforts to ban future purchases of heavy water from Iran could complicate efforts to avoid a government shutdown.

Palestinian mom counters child-rearing myths with modern app

When Nour al-Khodari found herself with a baby and no family members to help, she panicked; then she realized it was a blessing and a business opportunity.

Turkish commander accuses US of sabotage

Distrust between the United States and Turkey is at a new low as an anonymous Turkish commander claims that US-manufactured and supplied bombs dropped on Kurdish separatist targets were duds.