By Golnaz Esfandiari | (RFE/RL) – “What should I wear, now that we will be hanging out with the Americans?” It’s a joke that was making the rounds among Iranians after a framework nuclear deal with world powers was hammered out after lengthy negotiations in Switzerland. And it reflects the wish of many Iranians for […]
Yemen War threatens Humanitarian Catastrophe
By Sophia Dingli | (The Conversation) – Yemen’s humanitarian crisis is by all accounts getting worse by the day, and the city of Aden has become a major flashpoint. Aden is caught in a stand-off between Houthi rebels and forces loyal to the government they are trying to overthrow. On April 5, the Houthis claimed […]
Aasif Mandvi Wants You To Laugh At Islamophobia
AJ+ | – “The Daily Show’s Aasif Mandvi is tackling American Muslim stereotypes with his greatest weapon: comedy. On April 9, the comedian debuted his four-episode web sitcom Halal in the Family on humor website Funny or Die.” AJ+: “Aasif Mandvi Wants You To Laugh At Islamophobia”
ISIL Momentum In Iraq Has ‘Halted’: VP Joe Biden
By RFE/RL | – U.S. Vice President Joe Biden has said the momentum of Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq has stalled. “ISIL’s [IS] momentum in Iraq has halted, and in many places has been flat-out reversed,” he said in Washington on April 9. He cautioned, “There’s still a long fight ahead — I don’t […]
Has the World’s Rush to Recognize Palestine come too Late?
By Joseph Chamie UNITED NATIONS (IPS) – The large majority of countries, and most of the people in the world, already recognise Palestine as an independent state. Among the member states of the United Nations, for example, 135 countries – representing about 82 percent of world population – officially recognise Palestine as an independent state […]
After Israel elected 78 MPs opposed to 2 States, what can Palestinians Do?
By Alaa Tartir | (Ma’an News Agency) – With Benjamin Netanyahu’s victory, the Israeli electorate made it very clear that they don’t seek a just peace or equality. They voted in 78 Knesset members opposed to the two-state solution, a clear majority, endorsing further colonial expansion in the occupied Palestinian territories and a culture of […]
Yemeni Refugees flee to Saudi Arabia as Aden is invaded & Sanaa bombarded
Reuters | – “Houthi forces fought battles street by street with local militia in Aden as aid workers say the city faces a humanitarian catastrophe. Mana Rabiee reports.” Reuters: “Yemen’s Houthis battle over central Aden, first medical aid arrives”
Lausanne: Is there really much Disagreement between US, Iran on those Talking Points?
By Golnaz Esfandiari | (RFE/RL) – There are two sides to every story. When it comes to the framework nuclear deal reached this month between world powers and Iran, there is the account provided by the United States, and there is the Iranian account. Sanctions Relief They differ slightly, including on the timing of the […]
Can Police Who Kill be held Accountable?
By Alba Morales | ( Human Rights Watch) The murder charge against Michael Slager, the South Carolina police officer who fatally shot 50-year-old Walter Scott in the back on April 4, is unusual. Between 2005 and 2011 murder or manslaughter charges were brought against just 41 officers in the United States. FBI figures, which notoriously […]