Clipmarks | Deepti's 'middle east' clips

Black Death did not kill indiscriminately

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 12:14:22 GMT

clipped by: Deepti

The Black Death that decimated populations in Europe and elsewhere during the middle of the 14th century may not have been a blindly indiscriminate killer, as some experts have believed

While many perfectly healthy people certainly were cut down, those already in poor health prior to the arrival of the plague were more likely to have perished, they found

DeWitte analyzed skeletons unearthed from the East Smithfield cemetery in London, dug especially for plague victims and excavated in the 1980s, for bone and teeth abnormalities that would show that people had health problems before they died of plague

She found such abnormalities in many skeletons, suggesting these people had experienced malnutrition, iron deficiencies and infections well before succumbing to the Black Death

proportion of people with such signs of frailty in the cemetery, compared to those who appeared to have been of robust health before the epidemic, indicated that the infection was somewhat selective in who it killed

Tags: disease, black death, study, research

Two slightly related news reports

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 04:12:10 GMT

clipped by: Deepti
clipper's remarks: Girl Power!

The amendment to the judiciary law will make the UAE the second Gulf Arab country to allow women to become judges, ending a male domination of the vocation, according to the Middle East Times

Clip Source: www.feminist.org

United Arab Emirate Women to Gain Place in Courtroom

The United Arab Emirates is amending a law which will allow women to become federal prosecutors and judges. Women are in the process of being trained across the UAE. Two women in the capital Abu Dhabi have already been selected as prosecutors, reports Reuters.

Clip Source: www.feminist.org

Norwegian Women Break into the Boardroom

Norwegian law now requires publicly listed corporations to have at least 40 percent women on their boards of directors. The legislation was actually introduced in 2003, but gave companies five years to bring more women onto their boards with a January 1, 2008 deadline, according to the BBC.

Norway was the second country in the world where political parties passed positive quotas to increase the number of women serving in the Parliament. As a result, Norway today ranks 6th among the world’s Parliaments with 37.9% women members

Norway now ranks the highest for women on corporate boards

Tags: uae, norway, women, judiciary, boardroom, corporate, legislation

Prostitution ordeal of Iraqi girls

Sun, 09 Dec 2007 07:56:23 GMT

clipped by: Deepti

Clip Source: news.bbc.co.uk

With their bright neon signs and glitzy decor, dozens of nightclubs line the streets of the Maraba district in the Syrian capital Damascus

It's here that men come from far and wide - car number plates are not just from Syria but Iraq and Saudi Arabia - to watch young women dancing

Most of the dancers are teenagers and many of them are Iraqi refugees

They dance for the cash which gets tossed onto the stage

The dancers are surrounded by bodyguards, to stop them being touched by the men. But the guards also arrange for their charges to be paid for sex with members of the audience

Hundreds of thousands of Iraqi refugees have moved to Syria and Jordan during the past four years, escaping the violence and instability that followed the US-led toppling of Saddam Hussein

The government says police have arrested Iraqi girls as young as 12 working as prostitutes in the nightclubs

Women picked up by the police are sent to protection centres, which they frequently escape from, or are sent to prison

Tags: iraq, syria, middle east, prostitution, money, women, girls, arab

Arab world fails to achieve poverty alleviation targets

Wed, 20 Jun 2007 06:25:59 GMT

clipped by: Deepti

Clip Source: www.gulfnews.com

Tarik Al Alami, officer in charge at the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, said the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger, the achievement of universal primary education and the promotion of gender equality and women empowerment represent still major challenges in some of the region's least developed countries.

by April 2007 women held on average only 8.7 per cent of the region's parliamentary seats, a figure among the lowest in the world

In addition he said gains in education attained since 1990 have not translated into higher female participation in non agricultural labour market

Environment sustainability and sanitation conditions are areas of key concern for the Arab region,

Total carbon dioxide emissions in the region soared

In the least developed Arab countries only around one quarter of the rural population has access to improved sanitation facilities

Youth literacy

increased

but 7.5 million children remain still out of school

Tags: arabs, middle east, poverty, targets, un, culture, religion

Kuwaiti Women Barred from Working at Night

Mon, 18 Jun 2007 05:54:12 GMT

clipped by: Deepti

Clip Source: www.feminist.org

The Kuwaiti Parliament unanimously passed a law earlier this week to restrict women's rights by restricting the hours that women are allowed to work. Women will be banned from working between 8:00 pm and 7:00 am with an exception only for women working in the medical profession. Women will also be prohibited from jobs that "contravene with public morals" and that require women to be in otherwise all-male environments. According to AFP, conservative and Islamist ministers, who comprise the majority of the Kuwaiti Parliament, the new law protects women from "being exploited in immoral activities."

For over 40 years, Kuwaiti women have been fighting for full rights in the conservative Muslim country. In 2005, women in Kuwait won a limited right to vote and run for office. One year later, women were able to vote for the first time. Earlier this year, a parliamentary panel considered expanding Kuwaiti women's rights.

Tags: kuwait, middle east, arab, muslim, islam, women, work, night

Tyson dances to Bollywood music in Las Vegas

Tue, 29 May 2007 07:14:02 GMT

clipped by: Deepti
clipper's remarks: "He was courteous and friendly on the sets and spoke to everyone from the assistants to the production guys with ease." The music video was shot over a two-day period with nearly 100 American performers

Clip Source: www.gulfnews.com

Mike Tyson danced to Bollywood music for a promotional video for a new Indian movie about a diamond heist, but he performed in Las Vegas, not India, a newspaper reported yesterday.

The former boxing champion had been expected to travel to India to film a dance sequence for the movie Fool n Final, but the scene was instead shot in Las Vegas because of a lack of a proper venue in India, director Ahmad Khan said

Khan and the producers said it was a better location and tighter security in Las Vegas that made the filmmakers opt to shoot the sequence there.

In the slapstick film, two diamond-thirsty gangs clash over the loot while it is being shipped from the Middle East to India

The comedy, set for a June release, features well-known Indian actors Sunny Deol, Shahid Kapur, Vivek Oberoi, Paresh Rawal, Johnny Lever, Ayesha Takia and Sameera Reddy

Tags: tyson, mike, boxer, bollywood, video, music, las vegas, movie

Two species of corals discovered in Oman

Tue, 01 May 2007 07:42:39 GMT

clipped by: Deepti

Clip Source: www.gulfnews.com

The blue coral discovered has small colonies 5-6 cm across and has been found in numerous sites across Oman. The researchers hope to find at least 20 more species.

Coral reefs form a natural barrier and a self-sustaining marine life system thrive among these natural wonder.

Two Oman-based researchers have discovered two new species of corals off the Omani coast

The duo also struck upon a rare and unusual coral colony that lives only in Omani waters

The Belgian scientist believes that there were probably at least 20 more species yet to be discovered, possibly including five more new to science

Growing colonies

From 0.9 hectares in 1986, the coral colonies at Daymaniyat Islands have grown to 7.5 hectares in 2003.

In Oman, coral colonies are found mainly at Musandam, Muscat, Sur, Masirah and Dhofar areas.

In late 90s only around 70 species of corals were known to have lived in Omani waters but now the number has gone to over 130

Tags: oman, middle east, coral, new, discovery, arab, marine, sea

Abu Dhabi unveils big eco-tourism project

Mon, 30 Apr 2007 06:09:45 GMT

clipped by: Deepti

Clip Source: www.gulfnews.com

Abu Dhabi yesterday launched a Dh11.5 billion eco-tourism project - Desert Islands - combining six nature reserves spread across eight islands, including Sir Bani Yas, Dalma and Discovery, an e-mailed statement said

Desert Islands will attract around 250,000 visitors when the first phase is completed in 2010, rising to over a million a year by 2017.

All these islands will be linked by a ferry and hydrofoil service, water taxis, private resort boat service and regional and sea planes

The strategy will be holistic and cover power, water, infrastructure, waste management and recycling to energy building standards, and tourism-related elements. It will utilise solar and wind solutions throughout.

Designed as a sanctuary of nature and authenticity unique within the Arabian Gulf, the Desert Islands will significantly raise Abu Dhabi's international tourism standing creating a singular destination with experiences rivalling those of the Caribbean and the Maldives

Tags: abu dhabi, uae, middle east, arab, eco, tourism, ecology, islands

Saudi Arabia slashes poverty in record time

Thu, 26 Apr 2007 06:30:07 GMT

clipped by: Deepti
clipper's remarks: pretty impressive...

Clip Source: www.gulfnews.com

Saudi Arabia has succeeded in slashing poverty rates to half

The kingdom has pledged to eradicate poverty by 2015

the targets include eradication of poverty, education, enhancing gender equality, reduction of immortality rate, improving the health situation of mothers, combating Aids, malaria and other diseases.

the Kingdom has succeeded in meeting 9 out of the 11 general objectives.

mortality rate among children younger than 5 was reduced from 44 per 1,000 in 1990 to 20.3 in 2005

The mortality rate among mothers while giving birth has been reduced from 48 per 100,000 in 1990 to 12 in 2005

In 2004, around 33.2 per cent of females were admitted to universities compared to 18.1 per cent for males

Tags: saudi arabia, poverty, reduce, plan, arabs, middle east

Saudis waking up

Sun, 22 Apr 2007 08:28:17 GMT

clipped by: Deepti
clipper's remarks: I don't in any way support violence, but I'm glad to see that young Saudis are waking up. I think the time has come for a major rebellion of sorts so that the Saudis can join the modern world. I was very happy to read about the number of women increasing in their workforce

Clip Source: www.gulfnews.com

Saudi Arabia has seen an increase in attacks by members of the public against its religious police, a newspaper reported yesterday.

Al Watan daily recorded 21 violent incidents during 2006 where Saudis had physically attacked some of the 5,000 members of the police officially known as the Organisation for the Promotion of Morals and Prevention of Vice (Muttawa)

The attacks included shootings and stabbings, added the paper, known for its editorial opposition to the body charged with upholding a tight code of public morality.

The newspaper suggested the attacks reflected general disaffection with the special police force, whose members have wide powers to patrol the streets and shopping malls and question individuals. They drive around in distinctive black sports utility vehicles.

The Interior Ministry has rejected calls to disband the group, which has been subject to increased public criticism in recent years for over-zealous efforts to enforce these rules.

Tags: saudi arabia, arab, middle east, muslim, police, religion, culture, attack

Things beginning to look up for Saudi women

Tue, 17 Apr 2007 07:17:17 GMT

clipped by: Deepti
clipper's remarks: Observers believe that the Saudi society's view to type of works undertaken by women began to change as a number of women have been seen working as security guards in some companies and government departments

Clip Source: www.gulfnews.com

Despite the recent moves adopted by the Saudi government to provide job opportunities for the increasing number of educated females, a Saudi woman is barred by society perceptions from entering into many jobs.

A recent study, excerpts of which were published by Gulf News earlier this week, noted that the number of unemployed females is 176,113 or 36 per cent of the total female labour force.

The Saudi minister of planning and economy, in remarks published recently noted that the eighth five-year development plan (2005-9) aims to improve the situation of Saudi women by providing them with more job opportunities.

He expects the percentage of women in the Saudi work force to increase from a mere 5.4 per cent to 14.2 per cent by the end of the plan's period.

He pointed out that the number of working women in the Kingdom is very small compared to other countries. Eighty per cent of Saudi working women are in the education sector, others are in the heath and social sectors.

Tags: saudi arabia, women, work, work force, middle east, arab, muslims

Take four wives, urges Bahrain MP

Thu, 05 Apr 2007 06:58:29 GMT

clipped by: Deepti
clipper's remarks: what a nice suggestion.....*barf*

Clip Source: www.gulfnews.com

An Islamist lawmaker has urged his male peers to take four wives, three Bahraini women and one foreigner, in order to help address the issue of the high number of spinsters in the country.

Shaikh Jasem Al Saidi, an independent with strong ties to the Salafis in the lower house, said that Bahraini men should not hesitate to wed more than one wife for the sake of the nation.

But his remarks, uttered in a light tone, drew compassionate opposition from the other 38 men who sit in the 40-member council.

Al Saidi's suggestion came after the council could not agree on the merits of extending health privileges to foreign women married to Bahrainis.

Tags: bahrain, arab, muslim, middle east, women, marriage

Guatemala City Sinkhole Location on Google Earth

Mon, 26 Feb 2007 05:24:05 GMT

clipped by: Deepti

Clip Source: www.gearthblog.com

A giant sinkhole (over 300 feet deep) swallowed homes and killed at least two teenagers early Friday. The disaster has been reported in the news (see MSNBC story) and apparently was caused by a clogged sewer main. There were recently rains in the area, and residents in the area had been feeling tremors for weeks. The city had even planned investigations, but it was too late.

There were no details on the location in the news reports so far, but I noticed some aerial photos of the area. I went to see if I could find the location in Google Earth's satellite photos. I was surprised, after only a few minutes of searching, to happen upon the actual location ! Fortunately, the street configuration is pretty unique which helped me in the search. If you look at the terrain by tilting your view (use the middle mouse button or shift-down-arrow) you can see the location is at least 200 feet above a creek/river area running north-south just to the east.

Tags: sinkhole, guatemala, google earth, location

Key Islamic states to meet today

Sun, 25 Feb 2007 07:24:58 GMT

clipped by: Deepti
clipper's remarks: Foreign ministers of seven leading Muslim countries are meeting in Islamabad today for talks on the evolving Middle Eastern scenario.

Clip Source: www.gulfnews.com

On the agenda are the Palestine-Israel conflict, the strife in Iraq and the danger of a US attack on Iran. It will prepare the countries for the forthcoming summit of like-minded Islamic states on the Middle East crisis to be hosted by King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia.

The Organisation of the Islamic Conference secretary general will join the ministers from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Indonesia and Malaysia at the meeting.

Musharraf had toured the countries participating in the Islamabad meeting as well as the United Arab Emirates, Syria and Iran.

As for non-participation of Iran, the sources pointed out that Tehran has its own specific position on the issue.

Musharraf talked to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for 25 minutes by phone

Syria and Palestine were not attending the conference because they were the parties directly involved in the conflict with Israel

Tags: pakistan, middle east, meeting, muslim, nations

'Honour' killing of teen spurs outcry in Syria

Mon, 19 Feb 2007 05:10:01 GMT

clipped by: Deepti
clipper's remarks: The family then asked one of Zahra's cousins to marry her, which according to tradition would restore honour to the family.
Her family and the family of her soon-to-be-husband all came to the shelter to formalise her marriage, and her father signed a sworn statement guaranteeing that neither he nor anyone in the family would harm Zahra.
Zahra moved into her new husband's home in Damascus. But one month later, her brother came to visit. On the morning of his third day with them, when Zahra's husband went to work and Zahra slept in, Fayez stabbed his sister to death.

Clip Source: www.gulfnews.com

Sixteen-year-old Zahra Ezzo died at the hospital last month after a brutal attack. But it was her brother who confessed to killing her

According to Zahra before her death, say sources who spoke to her before she died, her father was having an extramarital affair. If the clan had discovered this, Zahra's father and his mistress might have both been killed. A friend of Zahra's father, a young man who took a liking to the then-15-year-old, threatened to tell all unless Zahra ran away with him.

She agreed. But when the clan discovered that Zahra had left, they decided to pursue both and kill them. But the police found them first. They put the man in jail, where he stands to serve a 15-year prison sentence for the kidnap and rape of a minor. They put Zahra in the shelter.

But only for nine months. During that time, Zahra's family tried three times to regain custody of her, but the association refused, saying the family could not guarantee Zahra's safety

Tags: syria, islam, honour, honor, killing, cruel, women, muslim, middle east, inequality