Turkey and Russia have separately accused the US of backing what they call "terrorist groups" in Syria, on the same day they agreed to push for talks in Kazakhstan next month over the conflict. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday that he had evidence that US-led coalition forces give support to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) and Kurdish groups, namely […]
The legal committee of Israel’s ministerial council approved on Monday an “anti-incitement” bill which paves the way for censoring internet content, including Facebook and Twitter posts, Quds Press has reported. The bill is now ready to be proposed to the Knesset for its first reading. If it becomes law, the bill will allow Israeli courts to ask operators of internet networks, including news websites, blogs and social media, to delete […]
The fall of Aleppo to Iran-backed pro-government forces has brought a bubbling conflict between Iran and Hamas to the boil, with the former making thinly-veiled threats to cut off the Palestinian group. The threats came from Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh, a member of the Iranian Foreign Affairs and National Security Committee, in the wake of increasing solidarity from Hamas to Aleppo. In an interview last week with the reformist Qanun newspaper, Falahatpisheh […]
Serial rapist and murderer Ananias Mathe died in the King Edward VIII Hospital in Durban on Tuesday afternoon. The exact cause of death is unknown. TMG Digital reports that the notorious criminal and serial escapee died late on Tuesday afternoon after for suffering complications from an apparent “digestive issue” over the past three months. Mathe -- a serial rapist, murderer, hijacker and robber from Mozambique -- was known for his […]
Two suspects have led police to the body of one of their own policemen who was reported missing on Christmas Eve on Tuesday morning in Atlantis. Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk said the two suspects were found in possession of the policemen’s vehicle, a white BMW. "After they were questioned, they led police to a location in Atlantis where the body was discovered," Van Wyk said in a statement. […]
President Jacob Zuma has sought to clarify his controversial comments about religious leaders and politics. Zuma denies telling religious leaders to be apolitical, saying he instead calls for them to rise above political mudslinging. Anglican Archbishop Thabo Makgoba used his Christmas sermon to tell the president that the church would not stay out of politics. Makgoba said Zuma's statement reminded him of those made by apartheid-era leaders. But Zuma said […]
At least 14 civilians have been killed and several others wounded in a series of barrel-bomb attacks on rebel-held areas near Damascus, Al Jazeera has learnt. Syrian government air strikes targeted the town of Wadi Barada, northwest of the capital, on Monday, injuring dozens of people, including several children, activists told Al Jazeera. According to videos posted on social media by opposition groups, the Syrian government intensified its assault on […]
An Indonesian court will proceed with a controversial blasphemy case against Jakarta's Christian governor, who is accused of insulting the Quran, a judge said. A panel of judges on Tuesday rejected a call by lawyers defending Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama to strike down the case because it had violated the ethnic Chinese politician's human rights and breached procedures. "The exception by the defendant will be considered and decided by the […]
More than 2,000 Saudis are fighting for militant organisations abroad, the Saudi ministry of interior said on Monday. In an interview with pan-Arab newspaper Al-Hayat, interior ministry spokesman General Mansour al-Turki said 2,093 Saudi militants are fighting with “terrorist organisations” in different conflict zones. Syria is the top destination for Saudi militants, according to al-Turki, with 1,540 Saudis fighting there. Other militants have joined groups in Yemen, Pakistan, Afghanistan and […]
VOC became the first Muslim radio station in South Africa when a special events license was granted to the station in Ramadan/January 1995. Subsequent temporary broadcast licenses were granted, permitting the station to broadcast for 24 hours.
