The United Nations Security Council failed once again to issue a statement calling for the end of the Israeli imposed siege on the Gaza Strip. The statement was called for by the Arab States that have representatives in the UN demanding that Israel immediately halt its siege and attacks on Gaza. The US objected to the statement, saying it was not fair. In the past three days of talks at the UN Security Council, the United States of America foiled the releasing of the statement that criticis...

Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the far-right Nationalist Action Party (MHP) have thrashed out a deal on a compromise on head-cover to be allowed on college and university campuses after decades of an all-out ban. This would need a change in constitution that requires a two-thirds majority in the 550-seat assembly. The AKP and MHP have more than enough legislators to change the constitution and the Higher Education Law which ban hijab on campus. Under ...

Deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan are not only damaging the morale but also sparking an exodus of experienced officers from the British Army and Royal Air Force (RAF), according to a parliamentary report. The army, the navy, the RAF are not able to do what they need to be able to do because people are leaving and that is, of itself, a strong indication of a falling morale. Ministry of Defence figures show that last year 4.3 per cent of officers and 5.8 per cent of other ranks in the Army ...

In recognising the top 50 scientific breakthroughs of 2007, Scientific American cites advancements in alternative fuels, treatment of Parkinson’s disease and technology that would make consumer electronics easier to use. Among those honoured are researchers in Japan, Italy and the Netherlands, a country with a population of just 16-million. Yet the list does not include a single noteworthy breakthrough in any of the world’s 56 Muslim nations, encompassing more than 1-bi...

Over 3,000 students from Jeddah, who are going abroad as part of the King Abdullah Scholarship Programme, which is in its third year, attended a four-day orientation course offering educational tips and how to behave in their host countries. The course, which took place at the Jeddah Hilton Hotel, was attended by 3,240 young men and women. Countries where the students will be going include: Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, the US, the UK, France, Hungary and Holland. Students at...

The Iranian pavilion at the international handicraft market has been attracting a large number of visitors. Iran is participating first time in the Muscat Festival. The artistes including enamel painters, carpet weavers, engravers, sculptors, potters and painters. Many artistes, deeply involved in their work, man the various stalls lining the pavilion. Iranian articrafts hold a strong appeal for their elegant simplicity and their rich variety in form and colour. The items on display include...

Ghazi Al-Gosaibi, minister of Labour in Saudi Arabia, said recently that there had been a 34 per cent increase in the number of visas given by the Ministry of Labour. However, he emphasised at the same time that this increase did not mean there would be a change in plans regarding Saudisation. The minister drew people’s attention to the fact that in 1428 Hijra, the ministry approved more than 2.7 million visas in comparison to 1.26 million visas in 1427. The increase was due to the bo...

Even 40 years after the occupation, Israel has failed to extend basic services to Arabs of East Jerusalem. A study recently published found that Arabs residing in the area receive lower quality of medical care compared to Jews.

The study conducted by Israeli scientists in four local hospitals found that Arabs who were recently diagnosed for diabetes received lower quality of care compared to Jewish patients. This difference was more contrasting among Arab women.

A g...