South Korea’s impeached President Yoon to be released from jail, after court cancels arrest warrant

South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol. File. | Photo Credit: AP A South Korean court has ordered impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol to be relased from jail, according to news reports on Friday (March 7, 2025). The Yonhap News Agency reported that the Seoul Central District Court made the ruling Friday. Other South Korean … Read more

Under pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, Columbia University investigates students critical of Israel

Columbia University senior Maryam Alwan was visiting family in Jordan over winter break when she received an email from the school accusing her of harassment. Her supposed top offence: writing an op-ed in the student newspaper calling for divestment from Israel. The university has launched a flurry of investigations, led by a new disciplinary committee … Read more

Begena: An ancient Ethiopian instrument that is healing souls, reviving traditions

Timeless tunes: A student practises during a class session at Eman Begena School in Addis Ababa. | Photo Credit: AFP Biruktawit Tasew’s fingers glide over the strings of the begena, producing a deep, hypnotic sound. Along with six fellow musicians, she breaks into a solemn religious melody, holding their audience spellbound. One of Ethiopia’s oldest instruments, … Read more

Tajikistan women speak up against government’s push for ‘national clothing’

Authorities are counting on fashion designers to promote the traditional garb.  | Photo Credit: AFP Women in Tajikistan are being advised by the government to dress more “Tajik-style” and not wear either revealing western clothes or Islamic head coverings — supposedly to reinforce national identity. Some in the secular Muslim country are speaking out against … Read more

Tahawwur Rana submits renewed application seeking stay of extradition to India after U.S. Supreme Court rejects his emergency bid

Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Rana has submitted a renewed application to Chief Justice John Roberts seeking a stay of his extradition to India after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected his emergency bid. Rana, 64, a Canadian national of Pakistani origin, is currently lodged in the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles. He had submitted an “Emergency … Read more