Saudi King Abdullah passes away
Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah, the powerful U.S. ally who joined Washington’s fight against al-Qaeda and sought to modernise the ultraconservative Muslim kingdom with incremental but significant reforms, including nudging open greater opportunities for women, has died, according to Saudi state... read more »
Who is Saudi’s new king?
The new king of Saudi Arabia, Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud, served as the Governor of capital Riyadh for nearly 50 years. He is known to be a mediator of disputes within the sprawling royal family. Salman, 79, had increasingly taken on the duties of the king over the past year as his ailing... read more »
Kerry facing summons on lawsuit for designating RSS
A U.S. court has issued a summons to Secretary of State John Kerry calling for his response within 60 days to a lawsuit demanding that Indian party Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) be designated a “foreign terrorist organisation.” Judge Laura Swain of the District Court of the Southern... read more »
S. Africa: record number of rhinos killed in 2014
The number of rhinos killed in South Africa last year jumped by nearly a fifth, marking a new record for poaching, driven by Asian demand for rhino horn which is more valuable by weight than gold. A total of 1,215 rhinos were killed in 2014, statistics published by the Environment Ministry on... read more »
Four to be charged for Paris terror attacks
French anti-terror prosecutors sought on Tuesday to charge four men in connection with the attacks in Paris that left 20 people dead, which would be the first suspects charged in the... read more »
Obama bats for the middle class
“Middle class economics works,” said U.S. President Barack Obama to thunderous applause on Capitol hill during his annual State of the Union (SOTU) address, as he sought to turn the... read more »
Pakistan troops fire at three border posts
Pakistan Rangers resorted to unprovoked firing on the international border here Wednesday. “Pakistan Rangers started firing at three BSF outposts in Arnia area today morning,” a senior... read more »
Shanghai New Year stampede: four officials sacked
Four top district officials have been sacked for insufficient preparation and response in the New Year’s Eve stampede that killed 36 people in Shanghai. Investigation results released by... read more »
A look at Japan and two being held by Islamic State
Two Japanese men have been threatened with death by the Islamic State (IS) if their government doesn’t pay a huge ransom. A look at hostages and Japan, and its interests in the Middle East. Who... read more »
