Islamic banking superior to Western kind: Mahathir
SINGAPORE: Malaysia's outspoken ex-prime minister Mahathir Mohamad on Tuesday blamed Western lending practices for the world's financial problems and hailed Islamic banking as a "superior" model. Mahathir told a conference…
Israel upset at Argentina recognition of Palestine
JERUSALEM: Israeli Foreign Ministry officials say they are disappointed by Argentina's recognition of a Palestinian state in territories Israel occupied in 1967. Spokesman Yigal Palmor said the recognition…
CIFF recommended movies for Wednesday
The Flowers of Rowan Directed by: Alyona•Semenova/Alexander•Smirnov. Starring: Konstantin Milovanov, Elizaveta Arzamasova and Denis Sukhomlinov. Synopsis: The flowers of rowan are delicate and fragile and bloom for less than 10…
Bringing rock ‘n’ roll to underprivileged kids
Young musicians from the prestigious Berklee College of Music in the United States gave three concerts in Cairo over the weekend. The concert series, which consisted of two public performances…
Iraqi maqam emerges as casualty of modernity and war
By Jacques Clement / AFP BAGHDAD: Performing before a half-empty room at Baghdad's Alwiyah Club, Taha Gharib is conscious that the music he has passionately played for decades — traditional Iraqi…
‘Who am I?’ and ‘The Unfinished Letter’ at CIFF
In his second feature film, “Who am I?”, American-educated Russian director Klim Shipenko delivers an ideal cinematic experience: gripping, twisted plot line; sincere, powerful performances; aesthetically appealing cinematography; and a…
Iran eyes New Year family visit for detained Germans
TEHRAN: Iran is considering a request for two detained German journalists to meet with their families over the New Year, the foreign ministry spokesman said on Tuesday. "There has been…
WikiLeaks: US suspected Saudi envoy of terror link
MANILA: The United States suspected a Saudi Arabian ambassador to the Philippines of potential involvement in funding terrorists, according to US diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks this week. A security…
Burnt Israel forest faces long recovery: experts
HAIFA: Scorched and blackened areas of Israel's Mount Carmel forest, razed by the flames of the country's worst-ever fire, will take decades to return to their once-lush glory, experts say.…
US commander praises Algeria for progress in Qaeda fight
ALGIERS: The head of US land forces in Africa praised Algeria Monday for leading the fight against Islamic militants in the Sahel region and said progress was being made. "This…