Tuesday 14 March 2017

Employers allowed to ban the hijab: EU court

Employers allowed to ban the hijab: EU court

Hijab targeted as court rules workplace bans on political and religious symbols are not discriminatory.



Sunday 12 March 2017

Twin bombings kill dozens in Damascus' Old City

Twin bombings kill dozens in Damascus' Old City

More than 100 people also wounded after two blasts hit near Shia Muslim sites of worship in the Bab Musalla area.


Geneva 4 and the shifting shape of Syria diplomacy

Geneva 4 and the shifting shape of Syria diplomacy

With a parallel track of talks and an amended agenda, the diplomatic process to end Syria's war is transforming.


The fourth round of UN-led Syria talks, dubbed Geneva 4, wrapped up last week with a tentative agreement between warring sides on an agenda for future negotiations - but a problematic work plan coupled with shifting international priorities could draw out the already lengthy diplomatic process.
For nine days, United Nations special envoy Staffan de Mistura met separately with delegations from the Syrian government and three different opposition groups in an effort to end six years of bloody war.
But the negotiations, the first in 10 months, turned out be little more than closed-door consultations - evidence of a diplomatic process kept on life-support by the international community for lack of any other option.
Any real movement on the key opposition demand for a political transition remained stalled amid disagreements over the make-up of the opposition delegation and the government's demand to add "counterterrorism" as a core subject of negotiation.

Friday 10 March 2017

The fall of President Park Geun-hye: A day-by-day look

The fall of President Park Geun-hye: A day-by-day look

Key developments in a tumultuous stretch in South Korean politics that led to the stunning downfall of President Park.




Ancient pharaoh statues uncovered in Cairo mud pit

Ancient pharaoh statues uncovered in Cairo mud pit

The relics, found by a team of Egyptian and German archaeologists, date back more than 3,000 years.




Thursday 9 March 2017

US deploys heavily armed Marines to Syria

US deploys heavily armed Marines to Syria

Several hundred Marines sent to prepare for battle to push ISIL out of its de facto capital, Raqqa, in country's north.



Girls killed in fire at San Jose Pinula child centre



Girls killed in fire at San Jose Pinula child centre

At least 21 girls found dead after fire apparently started in protest against alleged abuse at care home in Guatemala.