Canadian PM Says, if Reelected, Will Take in 10,000 Syrian Refugees
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced this week that the country can take at least 10,000 Syrian refugees if his Conservative government is reelected in October.
Mary Chastain
Latest News
Syria’s Assad Releases Human Rights Activist in ‘Rare Goodwill Gesture’
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has released human rights activist Mazen Darwish “in a rare goodwill gesture” after holding him for three years. A verdict for his case should be released later this month.
Russia Blasts UN Plan to Investigate Bashar Al-Assad for Chemical Weapons
The United Nations security council unanimously voted to adopt a resolution to investigate if Syrian President Bashar al-Assad used chemical weapons against innocent civilians. However, the honeymoon did not last long when Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov blasted these claims.
U.S. Grants $500K to Baltic States to Fight Russian Propaganda
The U.S. pledged $500,000 to the Baltics in order to combat Russian propaganda. The 12-month project will help train beginning and established Russian-language journalists.
Uganda Court Bans ‘Bride Price’ Refunds in Divorce Cases
Uganda’s Supreme Court decreed this week that a husband is not allowed to demand a “bride price” refund after a divorce since the practice is unconstitutional.
Al-Qaeda Claims Responsibility for Secular Blogger Hacked to Death
SITE Intelligence Group reported that the Ansar al-Islam, the Bangladesh branch of the al-Qaeda in Indian Sub-Continent (AQIS), claimed responsibility for the death of secular blogger Niloy Chakrabartu, who used the pen name Niloy Neel.
Turkey Hesitant on Involving Russia in ISIS Fight, Hopes Putin Drops Assad
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov recently met to discuss ways to fight against the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL). Turkey already joined a U.S.-led coalition after an ISIS attack, but Russia stated no desire to join the fight.
Islamists Storm Mali Hotel, 12 Dead
Officials in Mali ended a 24-hour hostage situation at the Byblos Hotel in Sevare, which left 12 people dead over the weekend. Suspected radical Islamists attacked the hotel on Friday.
Turkish Kurd MPs Visit Victims of Turkish Airstrikes in Iraq
Members of the Kurdish People’s Democratic Party (HDP) in Turkey recently traveled to Iraqi Kurdistan to inspect Turkey’s airstrike against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). At the same time, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev expressed doubt Turkey has attacked the PKK camps.
Germany Sees Decline in Citizens Joining ISIS in Syria, Iraq
Hans-Georg Maassen, the head of Germany’s Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, told Reuters the country has documented fewer Germans leaving to join the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL) in the past few months.
Fourth Secular Blogger Hacked to Death in Bangladesh
A mob hacked to death secular blogger Niloy Chakrabartu, who used the pen name Niloy Neel, on Friday in Bangladesh. Chakrabartu is the fourth blogger murdered by alleged radical Islamists in the republic this year.
Report: ISIS Executes 19 Women for Refusing Sex with Terrorists
The Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL) executed at least 19 women who refused to have sex with terrorists belonging to the group, multiple reports assert.
Doctors Without Borders Fears Over 200 Dead in Latest Migrant Rescue
Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders/MSF) received a stress call about a wooden boat in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. The boat filled with 700 people capsized before a rescue boat could arrive.
Report: Russian Hack on Pentagon the ‘Most Sophisticated’ in Military History
The Pentagon took down the Joint Staff unclassified email system after Russian hackers attacked the emails of 4,000 military and civilian personnel. The email has been offline for the past 11 days.
Report: Patrick Kane Subject of Rape Investigation, No Charges Filed Yet
The Buffalo News reports that Hamburg, New York, investigate Chicago Blackhawks player Patrick Kane for rape.
Book: Christian Persecution in the Middle East Goes Far Beyond ISIS
In his latest book, Christian Persecution in the Middle East: A 21st Century Tragedy, author George J. Marlin explores the fall of Christianity in its birthplace, documenting the suffering of those people who face death simply for being a Christian.
ISIS Threat Forces Baghdad Library to Digitalize Library
The Baghdad National Library is working hard to digitalize their priceless papers and manuscripts before militant groups like the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL) move in.
ISIS Video Shows Child Executing Man Accused of Spying
A new ISIS video shows a young child executing a man whom ISIS accused of spying.
Russian Foreign Minister Invites Hamas Leader to Moscow After Qatar Meeting
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and exiled Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal met in Doha, Qatar, this week to discuss ways to implement a Palestinian state.
Yazidis Demand UN Action Against ISIS One Year After Sinjar Massacre
Over 50 Yazidis attended a demonstration outside of the United Nations building in Erbil, Iraq, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, one year after the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL) slaughtered thousands of Yazidis in Sinjar. Protesters demanded action against ISIS to help free the numerous females still held by the terrorist group.
German Ex-ISIS Fighter: I Prefer Jail in Germany to ‘Freedom’ in Syria
A man named Ebrahim B., a German Tunisian, released details about life with the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL) after abandoning his duties as a jihadi for the group. He hopes his journey will change minds of young people who still want to join ISIS.
Australia Will Continue Investigation into MH17 Crash
The Australian government vowed to continue a push to prosecute whoever shot down Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine.
ISIS Releases Two of Four Indian Hostages in Libya
The Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL) released two Indian teachers out of the four they abducted last Wednesday in Libya. Indian Foreign Minister Sushama Swaraj tweeted about the release.
Chechen Women Con ISIS for Vacation Money
Chechen women conned the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL/IS) out of almost $3,300 after they pretended to be prospective brides for terrorists. Instead, the three women wanted to use the money for a vacation.
UN: Women Tortured, Mutilated, Murdered for Witchcraft Accusations
The United Nations Human Rights panel revealed in a report published this week that many women around the world still face witchcraft accusations. They are then subjected to execution, torture, and mutilation.
