Social media made the Arab Spring, but couldn’t save it

The Arab Spring carried the promise that social media and the Internet were going to unleash a new wave of positive social change. But the past five years have shown that liberty isn’t the... Read more »
Jin Liqun, president of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), speaks at a press conference in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 17, 2016. (Xinhua/Li Xin)

Newly-opened Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank to revamp Asian economies

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank is designed to revamp aging infrastructure in emerging Asian economies. The Chinese-led bank starts with 57 member states and a capital stock of $100 billion. BEIJING (China)... Read more »
Australian couple Ken Elliot, a surgeon, and his wife Jocelyn, have run the Friends of Burkina Faso medical clinic in Djibo in the north of Burkina Faso since 1972. The pair were kidnapped by Islamist extremists four days ago. Photo: Rebekah Ziesmer Strand/Facebook

Citizens campaign for release of Australians kidnapped in Burkina Faso

The family of two Australians kidnapped by extremists in Burkina Faso have pleaded for their release as they express gratitude for messages of support from Australia and internationally. CANBERRA, (Australia) — The... Read more »
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has praised the international efforts by Australia Defence Force personnel during his visit to the Middle East, including talks with troops in Camp Bird in Iraq. (Reuters: Alex Ellinghausen)

PM Turnbull visits Australian troops in Iraq, Afghanistan ahead of Obama meeting

MALCOLM Turnbull visited troops in Afghanistan and Iraq ahead of his first White House meeting SYDNEY – Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced on Monday a small increase in the Australian troop commitment... Read more »

The Revenant tops Oscar 2016 nominations

“The Revenant” topped all films with 12 nominations LOS ANGELES — Oscar voters showered “The Revenant” and “Mad Max: Fury Road” with honors on Thursday, including best picture nominations. “The Revenant” topped... Read more »

Explosion in central Istanbul kills at least 10, injures 15

Explosion leaves ten dead and 15 injured at the major tourist attraction of Sultanahmet square in Istanbul An explosion in the heart of Istanbul’s historic Sultanahmet tourist district killed at least 10 people... Read more »
Striking doctors outside Sandwell General in West Bromwich, where bosses attempted to get staff to work by declaring an emergency hours before the industrial action was due to start

Junior Doctors in UK go on strike for first time in 40 years

4,000 operations have been cancelled and patients warned to stay away as thousands of junior doctors around the UK have begun a 24-hour strike Thousands of Junior Doctors across Britain are striking... Read more »
Firefighters battle bushfire in Australia

Firefighters contain deadly Australian bushfire that killed 2, burnt 1,75,000 acres

Firefighters have contained an out-of-control bushfire in WA’s South West as police work to identify human remains which were found inside homes at fire-ravaged Yarloop. An emergency warning remains in place in... Read more »
David Bowie on stage in 1996. Photograph: Leonhard Foeger/Reuters

David Bowie, the legendary musical superstar, dies at 69

Rock chameleon and one of the most influential recording artists of all time, David Bowie,  passed away on January 10, 2016, after a battle with throat cancer. The 69-year-old released his 25th... Read more »
The Revenant was named best drama picture and DiCaprio and Inarritu walked to the stage to collect it together

DiCaprio and ‘The Revenant’ movie win big at 2016 Golden Globes

Leonardo DiCaprio took home the Golden Globe award Sunday for Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama, for his turn in The Revenant, while Brie Larson won the Golden Globe award for best... Read more »
The execution of Nimr al-Nimr has brought the Middle East to a boiling point.

The Execution of Sheikh Nimr and Sunni-Shia Feud

The unity of Muslims as one nation would remain a myth and unattainable goal unless the Muslim clergies of both the sects reconcile on living in harmony despite their mutual differences of... Read more »
The Ehang 184, created by Guangzhou-based company Ehang, essentially looks like a larger version of a quadcopter drone

China’s Ehang unveils autonomous flying vehicle for people

Chinese drone maker Ehang Inc. unveiled what it calls the world’s first drone capable of carrying a human passenger. A Chinese company has unveiled the world’s first commercially available passenger drone at... Read more »
This handout photo from firefighters shows the Waroona fire burning near Yarloop

Raging bushfires destroy entire Australian town, threaten others

A bushfire emergency warning issued for the southern Perth suburb of Forrestdale in the City of Armadale has been downgraded, with one property believed damaged in the blaze. About 95 houses in... Read more »

Oil dives below $33 – the lowest in 11 years

Oil prices hit their lowest in over 11 years on Wednesday, as the row between Saudi Arabia and Iran was seen making any cooperation between major exporters to cut output even more... Read more »

UN to hold emergency talks after North Korea’s hydrogen bomb test

he United Nations Security Council will hold an emergency meeting today in New York after North Korea claimed it had carried out a “successful” hydrogen bomb test, diplomats said.The closed-door morning talks... Read more »
Turkish coast guards and medical team examine the dead migrants. (AA Photo)

Humanity washed ashore: Turkey finds bodies of 36 drowned migrants

Bodies of 36 migrants found on Turkish coast, at least 12 rescued Turkey  on Tuesday found the bodies of at least 36 migrants, including several children, washed up on beaches and floating... Read more »
North Korea announced on Wednesday that it has tested a nuclear device, after reports of a non-natural earthquake near a previously-used test site.

North Korea confirms hydrogen bomb test after earthquake report

North Korea today revealed it had detonated a hydrogen bomb, triggering a 5.1-magnitude earthquake and propelling the dictatorship on a new collision course with world powers. The thermonuclear weapon is believed to... Read more »

Hoverboard fire burned down Melbourne house

A family has had a lucky escape after a hoverboard caught fire and nearly burnt their home in Melbourne’s north-west to the ground. A hoverboard bought as a Christmas present has spelled... Read more »
Ammon Bundy, one of the sons of Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy, speaks during an interview at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2016, near Burns, Ore. Beth Nakamura/The Oregonian

What if the Oregon Protesters were Black or Muslim?

Oregon incident has quickly led to questions about a double standard, particularly from liberals and the left, who asked: What if the armed men were Muslim or black? By Katie Rogers (NYT) The... Read more »
A woman uses a mobile phone to take a picture at the China Ice and Snow World on the eve of the opening ceremony of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang province on January 4, 2016. Over one million visitors are expected to attend the spectacular Harbin Ice Festival, where buildings of ice are bathed in ethereal lights and international ice sculptors compete for honours. AFP PHOTO / WANG ZHAOWANG ZHAO/AFP/Getty Images ORG XMIT:

Harbin Ice Festival in China: World’s most stunning winter festival

More than one million visitors are expected to attend the spectacular Harbin Ice Festival, where buildings of ice are bathed in ethereal lights and international ice sculptors compete for honors. The legendary... Read more »
Pakistan was successful in securing its first ever export order for its JF-17 Thunder fighter at the first day of the International Paris Air Show

Pakistan, Sri Lanka finalise JF-17 Thunder jets deal

COLOMBO (Sri Lanka) – Pakistan and Sri Lanka have signed an agreement under which the former would sale eight JF-17 Thunder aircraft to the latter in the initial stage despite Indian pressure.... Read more »
Faraday Future unveils the 'Tesla killer': Mysterious Chinese-backed firm reveals its bizarre 1,000-horsepower electric car

Faraday challenges Tesla with this super-powered Electric Car concept

Faraday Future will Challenge Tesla with this Electric Batmobile Concept Faraday Future—a secretive, California-based selectric-vehicle startup that’s been teasing a big reveal for weeks—finally pulled the sheet off its debut concept in... Read more »

Periodic Table just got Four new Elements

Four new elements have been added to the periodic table, finally filling out its seventh row Four new elements — with atomic numbers of 113, 115, 117, and 118 — will be... Read more »

Bahrain, Sudan sever ties with Iran, UAE reduces number of diplomats

Bahrain, Sudan sever ties with Iran following Saudi Arabia while UAE reduces number of diplomats, widening Middle East conflict Bahrain and Sudan, both close allies of Saudi Arabia, have joined the kingdom and cut... Read more »