Stories about Breaking News from January, 2015
Kurds of Kobane Declare Victory Over ISIS
After 133 days of bloody war against ISIS, the Revolutionary Kurds of Kobane have finally declared victory.
Yemen, a Country Without a President and Government
Yemen, often described as a “failed state”, has become a country without a president and a government. Even Yemenis living inside the country are perplexed by the latest dramatic developments.
36 Killed, Internet Shut Down Briefly in DR Congo as Protests Flare Against President Kabila
Violent clashes between police and protesters against Kabila's electoral reform have resulted in 36 deaths in DR Congo over the past few days.
Thailand's Military-Appointed Legislature Impeaches Ousted Prime Minister
Former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was impeached for implementing a rice pledging program which critics decried as anomalous and disastrous.
Japanese PM's ‘Triple Disaster’ Response to ISIS Ransom Demands
The prime minister dispatched a notably pro-Israel Japanese lawmaker to Jordan to deal with the crisis and delivered his response to ISIS's demands standing in front of an Israeli flag.
Israel's Arab Sector on Strike Over Alleged Police Brutality
The "unintentional" deaths of two men from the Bedouin city of Rahat has brought to the fore tensions over "the conduct of the police in confronting Arab citizens."
Saudi King Abdulla Dies at the Age of 90; Succeeded by Salman, 79
After weeks of speculation, Saudi Arabia today [January 23, 2015] announced the death of King Abdulla bin Abdulaziz, 90. He is now succeeded by his other brother Salman, 79.
Saudi Arabia to Erect a 600 Mile “Great Wall” to Fend off ISIS
Last week, two Saudi guards and a general were killed when ISIS suicide bombers attacked the Suweif border post, 80km from Al Nukhayb, Iraq.
Kremlin-Owned Internet Search Engine Filters Out ‘Charlie Hebdo’ Results
Earlier today, Russian Internet users discovered that Sputnik.ru returns almost no image-search results for “Charlie Hebdo” (in Latin script or Cyrillic), whatever one’s “moderation” settings.
Pro-Russian Forces in Eastern Ukraine Apparently Fire on Another Civilian Vessel by Accident
This is not the first time separatists have boasted of an attack online, quickly followed by an assertion that the attack was actually carried out by the Ukrainians.
This Is No Joke: New Fatwa Prohibits Building Snowmen in Saudi Arabia
Back in 2008, clergyman Mohammed Minijed called for killing all rodents, including Mickey Mouse, during a television interview. Today, he strikes again with a fatwa prohibiting snowmen.
They Are Not Charlie: They Torture, Jail and Kill Journalists in Their Own Countries
The presence of world leaders at the forefront of the Paris rally drew much criticism online, especially since some of those leaders were among the world's worst free speech offenders.
Charlie Is Ahmed. And Ahmed Is Charlie: Hashtags Emerging From the Tragedy in France
While we consume news from France, commenting on freedom of satirical expression, Islam and France as a society, the concept of French universalism and republicanism is left in the shadows.
Saudi Blogger Raif Badawi Flogged for His Liberal Ideas
Saudi liberal blogger Raif Badawi was publicly flogged today in Saudi Arabia after being convicted of founding an online forum for public debate and for "insulting Islam."
Asian Cup 2015 Opener: Australia 4, Kuwait 1 After Poor Start by Hosts
Australia has won the opening game of the Asian Cup 2015 at Melbourne's rectangular stadium 4-1 against Kuwait.
AIDS Activist Freed After Kidnapping in Honduras
Keren Dunaway, una joven activista de pacientes de VIH/Sida, fue liberada horas después de haber sido secuestrada en la ciudad hondureña de San Pedro Sula.
A New Era Begins for Sri Lanka After President Mahinda Rajapaksa Concedes Defeat
The two-time president lost to former Health Minister Mithripala Sirisena, the candidate for the main opposition United National Party, who earned 51.28 percent of the votes.
Your Guide to Sri Lanka's 2015 Presidential Election
Incumbent Mahinda Rajapaksa faces off against his former health minister, Maithripala Sirisena, in a presidential contest rife with electoral violations, social media manipulation, and constitutional stakes for Sri Lanka.
Protests Against Peru's Labour Law Multiply, But Government Holds Firm
Some 20,000 young people took to the streets of Lima on December 22 to oppose controversial labour legislation proposed by the Peruvian government.
This Snowboarder Was Lost for 2 Nights in the Snow, But It's His Hair People Can't Stop Talking About
Three Japanese snowboarders were rescued from a snowy mountain. One member of the group not only had to apologize for getting lost, but also endured speculation about his hair.
