• West Asia

    Egyptian journalist and activist Hossam Bahgat arrested

    Egyptian investigative journalist and rights activist Hossam Bahgat has been arrested, according to Mada Masr. Bahgat was summoned by military intelligence to appear for questioning this morning, apparently in connection with articles that he wrote about the Egyptian army, which the military has deemed to be a threat to its security.…

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  • West Asia

    Documenting Egyptian surrealists evolution and global perspective

    In collaboration with the Institute for Comparative Modernities at Cornell University and the Visual Cultures Program at the American University in Cairo (AUC), Sharjah Art Foundation(SAF) will be organizing an international conference entitled “The Egyptian Surrealists in Global Perspective”, from November 26 – 28, 2015, with the sessions taking place in…

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  • West Asia

    Syrian regime profits from enforced disappearances

    According to Amnesty International report published Thursday, the Syrian state is profiting from enforced disappearances via a black market of bribes paid in exchange for information on missing people. In a report titled, “Between Prison and the Grave: Enforced Disappearances in Syria”, the London-based rights group accuses Syrian officials and prison staff…

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  • West Asia

    Motoring Nostalgia at Dubai International Motor Show

    For the first time, a host of motoring icons will join the leading lights of the Dubai International Motor Show (DIMS) as part of the Motoring Nostalgia Museum for classic and historically significant cars. Some of the world’s most desirable and collectible cars from the 1950s to the 1980s will…

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  • West Asia

    Saudi Arabia’s financial situation sparks attention

    When Saudi Yasser Khalifa came up on “Non-Summit”, Korean entertainment program, to discuss the welfare of Saudi society, it instantly became a hot topic in South Korea. Khalifa talked of the economical situation of Saudi citizens, explaining that there more rich people than poor ones in Saudi Arabia. He explained…

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  • West Asia

    Abu Dhabi’s Festival of Lights approaches

    With only a few days to go, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is getting ready to light up its iconic red roof for its popular “Festival of Lights”. A colorful line-up of Bollywood-inspired dance acts, Dhol drummers and family friendly activities that include henna and Rangoli art work is awaiting guests.…

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  • West Asia

    Protests ahead of Sisi’s visit to the UK

    As Egypt’s president Abdel Fatah al-Sisi arrives in London for planned discussions with Prime minister David Cameron on 4th November, a broad coalition of Egyptian and British groups calls for demonstrations against him on Wednesday night and Thursday morning. Hundreds of people are expected to join protests outside Downing Street against the visit…

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  • West Asia

    Russian plane crash in Sinai kills 224 passengers

    Russian and Egyptian investigators are investigating the crash of a Russian airliner in Sinai that killed all 224 people on board. The plane crashed 23 minutes into its flight from Sharm el-Sheikh to St Petersburg on Saturday 31st of October. The Kogalymavia Airbus A321 came down early on Saturday, shortly after leaving…

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  • South Asia

    Saudi Raif Badawi wins EU Sakharov rights prize

    Saudi blogger Raif Badawi, who was sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in prison for insulting Islam, was awarded the European Parliament’s prestigious Sakharov human rights prize on Thursday 29th October. The 31-year-old blogger, who was arrested in 2012, is an advocate of free speech whose public flogging in…

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  • West Asia

    Right activists dismiss Qatar labor reforms

    Rights groups on Wednesday criticized reforms of Qatar’s “kafala” labor system for foreign workers, which critics have likened to modern-day slavery, as an AFP report shows. Qatar’s prince, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, approved on Tuesday a new law overseeing the sponsorship “kafala” system – which currently only allows workers to…

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