Art centre draws smile on faces of Gaza children through music, painting on August 2, 2016GAZA: In the war-torn Palestinian Gaza Strip, a private cultural centre helps children alleviate stress and trauma to restart life through art. At the Atelier Centre in Gaza City, dozens of children gather in rooms and a small garden to learn painting or playing musical instrument. Established in 2012, the centre has since moved to […]
Nepali president calls for formation of new govt via majority vote on August 2, 2016 KATHMANDU: Nepalese President Bidhya Devi Bhandari on Monday called on all political parties in the Parliament to make efforts to form a majority government. President Bhandari sent a letter to the Parliament Monday, urging it to begin the process of electing a new prime minister on majority basis, the National News Agency reported. The […]
Teens who smoke daily found to have more health complaints on July 30, 2016A new study by researchers in the United States and Norway indicates that teenagers who do smoke daily are reporting more health complaints than in years past. Marc Braverman, lead author and a professor in the College of Public Health and Human Sciences at Oregon State University (OSU), said while smoking is on the decline […]
Edinburgh festivals make huge contribution to city life on July 28, 2016Edinburgh’s festivals attracted combined audiences of more than 4.5 million in 2015 with increased revenues for Scotland, official figures showed on Tuesday. The suite of festivals held in the capital of Scotland generated £280 million for Edinburgh and 313 million pounds for Scotland, representing an increase of 19 percent and 24 percent respectively on the […]
UN urges Somalia to protect children affected by armed conflict on July 23, 2016MOGADISHU: The United Nations has called on Somali government to protect children deprived of liberty in situations of armed conflict in the Horn of Africa nation. The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) for Children and Armed Conflict Leila Zerrougui, who has wrapped her six-day visit to Somalia, however lauded Mogadishu and Puntland authorities […]
Egypt launches first Afro-Chinese Arts Festival to promote tourism on July 22, 2016Egypt launched on Thursday its first Afro-Chinese Arts & Folklore Festival in a bid to draw tourists back to the North-African country. Some 18 African countries participated in the festival, organised by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism. During the opening ceremony held in Cairo’s Muhammad Ali Palace, a number of bands from several African countries […]
French lawmakers vote to extend state of emergency on July 21, 2016PARIS: French lawmakers voted massively Wednesday to extend a state of emergency as President Francois Hollande said that a call to boost reserve forces had paved the way towards a “National Guard.” The government is scrambling to find new ways to assure a jittery population after its third major attack in 18 months saw a […]
US, Cuba taking baby steps towards better relations on July 21, 2016MEXICO CITY: For Cuba and the United States, two Cold War foes for over half a century, a belated rapprochement presents exciting possibilities. Cuba is hot now, with tourism, culture and small businesses starting to blossom. But the thaw in US-Cuba relations could be like watching ice slowly melt. Yes, there was the initial fanfare […]
Egypt pains at alarming size of drug addicts in slums on July 20, 2016CAIRO: “It makes me avoid thinking about things that make me sad, which are many things,” Abouda, a 32-year-old rickshaw driver, said in Boulak el-Dakrour neighbourhood in Giza, referring to his habit of taking hashish. “I drive rickshaws since they were introduced in Egypt, for about 15 years now, only to be able to afford […]
Philippines to send former president to China for talks on South China Sea on July 14, 2016MANILA: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Thursday said he was asking former President Fidel Ramos to help start talks with China over disputes in the South China Sea. The president, during a testimonial dinner hosted by the San Beda College, reiterated that war was not an option and he wanted to pursue peaceful solutions […]