Fire engulfs Dubai's luxury Hotel

Fire engulfs Dubai’s luxury Hotel, forcing New Year’s crowd to evacuate

A fire broke out Thursday night at the high-end Address hotel in downtown Dubai, the government of the United Arab Emirates’ most populous city said. DUBAI, (United Arab Emirates) — A 63-story... Read more »
Fireworks lit up the sky in Sydney

New Year 2016: Australia and New Zealand lit up with stunning fireworks

Australians have ushered in the new year, with hundreds of thousands of people gathering for fireworks displays around the country. Australia and New Zealand were one of the first countries to welcome... Read more »

Australia and New Zealand dollar forecasts for 2016

Risks include the weather, the global scene, low export prices and deteriorating structural metrics, but there are reasons for cautious optimism too By Precious Silva (IBTimes) Analysts remain mixed on how the... Read more »

Iranian Revolutionary Guards fired rockets near U.S. warships in Gulf

Iranian Revolutionary Guards launched rockets near the U.S. aircraft-carrier Harry S. Truman and other warships as they were entering the Gulf on Saturday, giving only brief notice in a “highly provocative” act,... Read more »

Tens of Thousands Flee over Worst Floods in Paraguay

With further rain looming, more families abandoned their homes in Paraguay, the country hardest hit by the worst flooding in decades in the area bordering Uruguay and Argentina, which has already forced... Read more »

Thai Govt targets Thailand’s Halal business and trade up to ASEAN top five in 2019

Bangkok, Dec 29,2015; Considered, not only Thailand’s, but ASEAN’s largest Halal exposition, ‘Thailand Halal Assembly 2015’ was held with an aim to reflect the idea of ‘Halal Culture & Innovations for Halal Economy... Read more »
Saudi civil defence agency workers at the hospital after the fire. Photograph: Reuters

At least 25 dead in fire at Saudi Arabia’s Hospital

At least 25 killed and 100 people injured after blaze breaks out at Jazan hospital in Saudi Arabia JAZAN (Saudi Arabia) – A fire at a hospital in Saudi Arabia has killed at... Read more »

Brazil declares emergency after 2,400 babies born with brain damage

More than 2,400 suspected cases of microcephaly have been reported this year in 20 Brazilian states, compared with 147 cases last year. Doctors are investigating 29 related infant deaths. Microcephaly results in... Read more »

Thailand Halal Assembly 2015 opens with great interest of participants

Bangkok, Thailand: Thousands of people are expected to attend the 2nd Thailand Halal Assembly 2015 being held during 25 – 27 December at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center. This will be... Read more »
Dozens of people are missing after a landslide engulfed 22 buildings in Chinese city of Shenzhen.

China landslide leaves at least 85 missing after buildings collapse in Shenzhen

Dozens of people are missing after a landslide engulfed 22 buildings at an industrial park in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen. HONG KONG — As rescuers searched Monday for survivors of... Read more »
In the neighbourhood: Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull joins the meeting of defence and foreign ministers from Australia and Indonesia. Photo: Ben Rushton

Australia, Indonesia boost anti-terror cooperation

Australia and Indonesia have agreed to boost intelligence-sharing in the fight against terrorism, days after police arrested several men allegedly linked to a planned suicide bombing in Jakarta. SYDNEY – Australia and... Read more »

Indonesia ferry sinks: 80 missing, 3 dead, dozens rescued

Rescuers pulled out 39 survivors from a passenger boat that sank in the nation’s central region. The boat was carrying 110 passengers and 12 crew members, including 14 children MAKASSAR, Indonesia — A... Read more »
A refugee couple with their babies after safely reaching Greece

Every two seconds, a baby is born in a conflict zone: UNICEF

More than 16 million babies born into conflict in 2015: UNICEF ISLAMABAD – Millions of babies around the world are born into life-threatening situations every year. UNICEF executive director Anthony Lake said too... Read more »

India is building a top-secret Nuclear City to produce thermonuclear weapons

By Adiran Levy: CHALLAKERE, India — When labourers began excavating pastureland in India’s southern Karnataka state early in 2012, members of the nomadic Lambani tribe were startled. For centuries, the scarlet-robed herbalists... Read more »
South China Sea

Australia sent surveillance plane over South China Sea

A radio recording of a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) surveillance plane conducting a freedom-of-navigation flight over the South China Sea has emerged for the first time. The audio has been published... Read more »
Saudi Deputy Crown Prince and Defense Minister Mohammed bin Salman announced a new Islamic coalition to combat terrorism.

Saudi Arabia forms 34-state Islamic coalition to fight Terrorism

List of coalition countries include Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, Malaysia, and Pakistan, among others; Iran absent from alliance RIYADH (Saudi Arabia) – Saudi Arabia on Tuesday formed a 34-state military coalition to combat terrorism,... Read more »
A Swedish report on global arms sales ranks defense firms from the United States and Western Europe as dominating the industry.

US and Europe dominate global arms sales: SIPRI Report

A Swedish report on global arms sales ranks defence firms from the United States and Western Europe as dominating the industry. STOCKHOLM (Sweden) – Arms manufacturers in North America and Western Europe increased... Read more »
Women line up to vote at a girls high school in North Jeddah. Photo: WALL STREET JOURNAL

Saudi women voted for first time and won 17 seats in historic election

In first poll in which women can vote and be candidates, female winners are declared across the conservative kingdom RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — At least 17 Saudi women have won seats on local... Read more »
A woman sells farm products in Ruma, Bangladesh

Promoting High-value mountain products for sustainable livelihoods

Strengthening linkages between value chain actors, service providers and enablers is important in achieving sustainable growth in Hindu Kush Himalayan region By Dr Surendra Raj Joshi The bountiful mountain areas of the... Read more »
Justin Trudeau greets a family of refugees from Syria as they arrive at Pearson International airport, in Toronto, on Friday, Dec. 11, 2015. (Nathan Denette/CP)

Syrian refugees greeted by PM as they arrive in Canada

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau Premier Kathleen Wynne, Toronto Mayor John Tory and other dignitaries welcome first government plane of Syrian refugees. TORONTO (Canada) — The first large group of Syrian refugees coming... Read more »
Silver fern tops New Zealand flag referendum

Silver fern tops New Zealand flag referendum

New Zealand flag referendum: blue and black silver fern design wins Silver Fern (black, white and blue) beat four other shortlisted designs to go up against the current version — which features... Read more »
American Muslim raise over $100,000 for California shooting victims

American Muslim raise over $100,000 for California shooting victims

American Muslims groups nationwide have joined forces to raise funds for the families of the victims in the San Bernardino attack. Their efforts have raised $100,000 as of Tuesday. The project, “Muslims... Read more »
Malaysia welcomes first group of Syrian refugees

Malaysia welcomes first group of Syrian refugees

Malaysia has received the first batch of Syrian migrants out of a total of 3,000 it plans to allow into the country. Malaysia will open its doors to 3,000 Syrian migrants over... Read more »

The Intractable Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Finds a Practical Approach Towards Resolution

Palestine – President Mahmoud Abbas of Palestine met with Mr. Man Hee Lee, Chairman of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) on 4 December to discuss Chairman Lee’s proposal on... Read more »