(By Juan Cole) The dramatic events in the Central African Republic no doubt seem distant and complex for a North American audience. CAR is geographically as large as France, but with a population of only 4.5 million (similar to Lebanon or Costa Rica). It consists roughly of 25% Muslim, 25% Protestant Christian, 25% Catholic Christian, […]
Archives for December 2013
Gaza: 5000 Palestinians evacuated from Flooded Homes, Israeli Blockade Hampers Rescue
(By Juan Cole) Several days of unseasonably cold weather and torrential rains have increased the misery in the already miserable Gaza Strip, where 1.7 million Palestinians are besieged and blockaded by the Israeli Occupation authorities. The government estimates that 7,000 families have been harmed (likely meaning 35,000 persons, most of them children). Because of flooding, […]
“Hallelujah” cover by Tunisian Folk Singer Emel Mathlouthi
Emel Mathlouthi covers Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” Mathlouthi has been an important voice of the ongoing Tunisian political upheavals provoked by leftist youth activism.
Is the Drought in the US Southwest becoming Permanent?
(By Bobby Magill) Is the West’s Dry Spell Really a Megadrought? (via Climate Central) By Bobby Magill Follow @bobbymagill SAN FRANCISCO — The drought that has been afflicting most of the Western states for the past 13 years may be a “megadrought,” and the likelihood is high that this century could see a multi-decade dry spell…
Indian Gays Shocked by Supreme Court Ruling upholding Colonial Sodomy Laws
(By Boris Dittrich) The day after International Human Rights Day, India’s Supreme Court published its ruling on whether the country’s sodomy law, which had been overturned by the Delhi High Court and then appealed, was unconstitutional. I’ve been a lawyer, a judge and a member of parliament in the Netherlands and each of those roles […]
Syrian Refugees’ Misery deepened by Snow Storm as Europe Shuts Doors
World Bulletin writes: “… the worst of winter is yet to come for 2.2 million refugees living outside Syria and millions more displaced inside the country. A storm named Alexa is sweeping across Syria and Lebanon, bringing with it high winds and freezing temperatures – and marking the beginning of the third winter since the […]
The Enigma of Israel and Solar Energy
(By Juan Cole) Israel ought to be a pioneer in solar energy. It is mostly sunny and the amount of energy it could realize from solar panels is enormous. It has a robust scientific and engineering establishment. Israel doesn’t have that much in the way of hydrocarbons. It has little oil, and its richest natural […]
End of the road for Hrithik-Sussanne marriage
Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan and his wife of 13 years, Sussanne Roshan, are ending their marriage, the Hindustan Times reported on Friday. In a statement requesting the media to respect his privacy, the actor, who has two sons with Sussanne – Hrehaan, 7 and Hridhaan, 5, said: “Sussanne has decided to separate from me and […]
US Drones Kill 15 in Yemen Wedding Convoy, mistaking them for al-Qaeda
CIA operators of US drones in Yemen mistook a wedding convoy for al-Qaeda on Friday, killing 15 persons and wounding many others. Some 10 were killed immediately and 5 more died from their wounds. Al-Quds al-`Arabi, a London-based daily, talked to a member of the wedding party, who said that it is impossible that the […]
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