Google's Ramadan companion

Google’s Ramadan companion offers fasting times, food and apps

Google gets into Ramadan spirit, launches My Ramadan Companion Tech companies are utilizing Ramadan as a platform to connect with users and show that they care for them during the holy month... Read more »
St Petersburg

Ramadan in St Petersburg – the city where the sun doesn’t set

Muslim authorities in northern Russia say wait of up to 22 hours to break fast is simply an extra challenge to faith By Alec Luhn  When Ramadan starts on Thursday, the faithful in... Read more »
Parramasala Sydney 2012

Parramasala Festival 2015 to coincide with Indian Tourism Week

Parramasala Festival 2015 to be held from 16 October to 18 October in Parramatta NSW Premier Mike Baird and Minister for Multiculturalism John Ajaka have announced details of the much-anticipated 2015 Parramasala Festival. Mr... Read more »

10-year multiple-entry visas for Chinese travellers to boost Australian tourism

The federal government has extended multiple entry visas to Chinese nationals from three to 10 years to better compete with the US, which is also clamouring for more Asian tourists. Trade and... Read more »
More than 207,900 migrants settled permanently in Australia in 2013–14: Report

More than 207,900 migrants settled permanently in Australia in 2013–14: Report

Over 200,000 people moved to Australia, in order to live permanently in 2013 to 2014 financial year, there has been a big increase in the number of international students. Official figures from... Read more »
Australia's Northern Territory

Northern Australia vision to make region an ‘economic powerhouse’

The government has released a $1.2bn plan to make northern Australia an “economic powerhouse”, which includes greater temporary migration and expediting native title claims. The white paper on developing northern Australia also... Read more »
A girl arranges plates before iftar – the breaking-fast meal– during Ramadan at the Grand Mosque in Delhi, India. Photograph: Ahmad Masood/Reuters

Muslims observe first day of Ramadan

The Islamic holy fasting month of Ramadan has begun on Thursday for Muslims around the world. Because Muslims follow a lunar calendar, different moon-sighting methodology can lead to different countries declaring the... Read more »
A delegation of MQM called on President Asif Ali Zardari at President House.

Pakistan should proclaim Governor Rule in Sindh Province

By Saeed Qureshi It appears that now the big fish both erstwhile and in power have started feeling the pinch of the anti-corruption drive pedaled by the Rangers in Karachi. It is... Read more »
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Chinese Trade Minister Gao Hucheng attended the signing ceremony Wednesday in Canberra.

Australia, China sign landmark free trade agreement

Trade deal termed milestone in Australia and China bilateral relations Australia and China have signed a landmark free trade agreement after more than a decade of negotiations, providing a boon for jobs and... Read more »
Muslims worldwide mark beginning of holy month of Ramadan

Muslims worldwide mark beginning of holy month of Ramadan

Millions of Muslims all around the world mark the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan. Religious authorities in Iran, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and most other countries declared Thursday as the first... Read more »
Sydney Metro project

Sydney Metro industry briefing draws hundreds of international experts

More than 460 industry representatives from Australian and international firms attended Sudney Metro project industry briefing, which detailed plans for Sydney Metro and the process for industry to contribute to the project... Read more »
Qatar Airways has been named the Best Airline in the World for 2015 by leading aviation consumer website Skytrax.

Qatar Airways voted as world’s best airline of 2015

Qatar Airways has been named the Best Airline in the World for 2015 by leading aviation consumer website Skytrax. The Gulf-based carrier was presented with the honor at Tuesday’s award ceremony at... Read more »

Digital platform on family farming launched by FAO

New initiative aims to inform policy makers, continue global conversation on food security Recognizing the contributions of family farmers to food security and poverty eradication worldwide, FAO has launched a new digital... 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’s JF-17 wins first export order at Paris Air Show

PARIS (France) –  After high expectations for a deal to pull through, Pakistan was successful in securing its first ever export order for its JF-17 Thunder fighter on Monday at the first... Read more »

NSW Budget sets $20 million for Before and After School Care places

The 2015-16 NSW Budget includes a $20 million Before and After School Care Fund, which will ensure more Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) places are available from the beginning of 2016.... Read more »
Rohingya migrants stand and sit on a boat drifting in Thai waters off the southern island of Koh Lipe in the Andaman sea on May 14, 2015. The boat crammed with scores of Rohingya migrants -- including many young children -- was found drifting in Thai waters on May 14, according to an AFP reporter at the scene, with passengers saying several people had died over the last few days. AFP PHOTO / Christophe ARCHAMBAULTCHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT/AFP/Getty Images

A Slap on the Face of Humanity

By Saeed Qureshi The international apathy and silence on the persecution of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar (Burma) and Bangladesh is like a slap on the face of humanity. Can there be a... Read more »
No Way Australia campaign

Labor will bring back the Boats

People smugglers will be back in business under a future Labor Government – the flow of boats, packed with tens of thousands of illegal maritime arrivals will start again. Labor’s Deputy Leader... Read more »
NSW Opposition Leader Luke Foley pays tribute to Gandhi on his first stop of his tour of India

Foley pays tribute to Gandhi on his first overseas trip as Labor Leader

NSW Opposition Leader Luke Foley has paid tribute to Gandhi on his first stop of his tour of India, laying a wreath at the Raj Ghat memorial in Delhi today. Mr Foley... Read more »
Cameron Crowley (left) and Parkes MP Mark Coulton (sixth from left) take part in a strategic planning workshop following the receipt of a dollar-for-dollar grant of almost $1 million by Maverick Biomaterials Pty Ltd. Photo: Contributed

Government grant facilitates innovative Australian businesses

An entrepreneurial business in Dubbo has received encouragement and funding from the federal government in the form of a dollar-for-dollar grant of almost $1 million. Maverick Biomaterials Pty Ltd is one of... Read more »
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Australian Minister Ajaka calls for an end to elder abuse

Minister for Ageing John Ajaka has used World Elder Abuse Awareness Day to call for a stop to the abuse of older people and encourage the wider community to treat older Australians... Read more »

Ordinary Pakistanis seem to love Indians. Do we love them back?

A visit to Islamabad reveals one unfortunate difference between the two South Asian countries By Aarefa Johari “Aap India se hai? You are Indian? That makes you our guest. We can’t take... Read more »
Trees

Benefits of Trees – Closer you live to trees, the better off you are

By James Hamblin John “Johnny Appleseed” Chapman stomped through the Midwestern winter snow with bare feet. His cloak was a lightly modified coffee sack with holes for his head and arms that—all... Read more »

Where do Ram and Allah Live?

By Ram Puniyani Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made it a point to keep visiting temples when visiting other countries. His visit to Dhakeshwari Mandir and Ramkrishna Math in Bangla Desh were... Read more »
Barclay Primary School. Photo: School website

UK schools forbid students from fasting during Ramadan because of health concerns

UK schools claim the school policy had the same purpose as Islamic Law – “to safeguard the health and education of the child” Several primary schools in London say they are forbidding students... Read more »