MOGADISHU: Somalia’s parliament has unanimously approved proposals to overhaul the country’s electoral system to reintroduce universal suffrage, a plan that has been criticized by some leading politicians. Last March, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud pledged to end the complex clan-based indirect voting system in place for more than half a century in the troubled Horn of Africa … Read more
JAKARTA: Bima Abdul Sholeh, 32, sat calmly as a doctor armed with a laser pointer zapped tattoos from his face at an event in Jakarta being held by a charity organization during the holy month of Ramadan to give practicing Muslims an opportunity to “repent.” Like him, more than a hundred Indonesians have signed up … Read more
JEDDAH: Many hotels and restaurants in Jeddah are placing a strong emphasis on sustainability practices to make Ramadan more eco-friendly. The outlets are actively working toward reducing food waste and promoting environmental consciousness throughout the month. At The Ritz-Carlton, the theme for Ramadan at The Palace is “Bab Al-Bahr,” meaning “Gate to the Sea,” drawing … Read more
Manila: Protesters rallied against American presence in the Philippines on Tuesday as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Manila to reinforce support against Chinese influence in the region. The Philippines is Washington’s key security partner in Asia under a decades-long alliance, which allows the US to rotate troops into the Philippines for extended stays … Read more
WASHINGTON: Joe Biden won the endorsement of America’s biggest car workers union Wednesday, as the race for the White House dramatically revved up following Donald Trump’s victory in the New Hampshire primary. The Democratic president and his Republican predecessor both sought to portray a rematch in November’s election as inevitable, even if polls show a … Read more
NEW DELHI: At a bright workshop in New Delhi, a group of female artisans surrounded by pieces of colorful fabric, stitch dolls and accessories to earn a livelihood from recycled fashion waste. A large map of Afghanistan on the wall behind them acts as a reminder of the homeland they fled and do not know … Read more