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UN watchdog slams Israel abuses, demands Gaza war probe

A UN human rights watchdog on Thursday urged Israel to respect the rights of Palestinians, and demanded the country probe violations committed during repeated assaults on Gaza.

With tensions soaring in East Jerusalem, and months of almost daily clashes, the UN Human Rights Committee published conclusions Thursday from its review earlier this month of Israel’s human rights record.

Art pick of the week: Steve Spazuk’s flame painting technique

A video profile of Steve Spazuk’s atypical art technique shows how trails of soot can replace traditional oil or water paints throughout a series of black and white images, as art blogs enthuse about the approach and its portrayal.

Tracing dark image outlines upon white backgrounds with the aid of a handheld candle or torch, Canadian artist Spazuk then applies a selection of brushes, feathers or pointed tools to remove layers of the flame’s residue in service of a greater image.

For more verses to reflect on, check out our Qur'anic wisdom series here >> http://www.aquila-style.com/photo-gallery/pearls-quranic-wisdom

Peter’s picks: video game scenes transformed into stunning wall art

Immerse yourself in the art of the game with Peter Gould, who examines the emergence of an exciting new genre of contemporary art.

Sweden officially recognises Palestinian state

Sweden on Thursday officially recognised the state of Palestine, becoming the first major European country to do so, in a move hailed as “historic” by Palestinians but denounced by Israel.

“Today the government takes the decision to recognise the state of Palestine,” Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstroem wrote in the mass-circulation Dagens Nyheter daily, less than a month after the country’s new prime minister announced the government’s plans to make the controversial move.

Why pent-up anger, not arguing, is the real threat to relationships

Just as we put effort into keeping our bodies and minds healthy, we should do the same for our relationships, writes Fatimah Jackson-Best.

To reap the cognitive benefits of exercise, just do it

Different exercise programs may be appropriate for different goals, but for those who work out with the goal of increasing mental alertness, getting moving is all that matters, according to a new study from the University of Montreal.

The research team targeted executive functions, which allow us to adapt to a constantly changing environment and are used in planning, organizing, strategizing, observing details and retaining information.

Music spotlight: Phil Monsour

Phil Monsour is a huge advocate of Palestinian rights and having formed the Phil Monsour Band in 2008, he will be performing in Paris on November 1 for a Free Palestine concert.

Based in Brisbane, Australia, Monsour is according to Limelight Magazine, an “Australian troubadour who sings songs of hope, humanity, invasion and occupations”. With a strong acoustic flavoured persona, Monsour had in 2010, travelled to Lebanon and visited the Burj el Barajneh refugee camp. 20 percent of all proceeds from his album sales are donated to the Australian Council of Trade Unions overseas development agency for projects in the Middle East.

Pictures: Malala Yousafzai at 2014 World’s Children Prize Ceremony

The 17-year-old Pakistani children’s rights activist won the World Children’s Prize in Stockholm on Tuesday, and said she would donate all of that prize money to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA said in a statement.

Hello Kitty meets Beats by Dre

Hello Kitty has teamed up with Beats by Dre to celebrate her 40th birthday with a special edition collection of custom headphones and earphones.

Palestinians urge UN to demand Israel end settlements

The Palestinians urged the UN Security Council on Wednesday to demand that Israel immediately reverse plans to build more Jewish settlements, at an emergency meeting called to address tensions in east Jerusalem.

The 15-nation council met for urgent talks at Jordan’s request after Israel announced plans on Monday to build 1,000 new settler homes in east Jerusalem, which the Palestinians consider the capital of a future state.

Palestinians claim fraud in settler buy of Jerusalem landmarks

A Palestinian family has gone to court claiming fraud over the partial purchase of two landmark east Jerusalem properties, including the home of the Palestinian national theatre, by Jewish settlers.

The move is part of a growing battle over property in occupied east Jerusalem, where hardline Jewish settlers are seeking to expand their presence in the face of vehement opposition from the Palestinians, who want the city’s eastern sector as capital of their future state.

Nobel laureate Malala to donate $50,000 to Gaza

Malala Yousafzai, the youngest ever Nobel Peace Prize laureate, is to donate $50,000 (39,000 euros) to help rebuild United Nations schools in Gaza, the UN’s Palestinian refugee agency said Wednesday.

The 17-year-old Pakistani children’s rights activist won the World Children’s Prize in Stockholm on Tuesday, and said she would donate all of that prize money to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA said in a statement.

“Innocent Palestinian children have suffered terribly and for too long,” UNRWA quoted Malala as saying.

Artist eL Seed creates calligraffiti, turning drab walls to fab

Throughout history, artists have often served as a barometer of society. Sheena Baharudin talks to street artist eL Seed to find out more about the essence of his creations and how the art of today reflects the world we live in.

Movie Trailer: Iranian vampire tale ‘A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night’

Sheila Vand of “Argo” stars as the nameless lead of “A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night,” set for a November 21 release.

Blending conventions from classic horror, spaghetti western and romantic drama, the trailer for “A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night” shows one reason why an Iranian town might be losing its luster — a vampire haunts its unsuspecting streets.

The 99-minute black and white feature already won the Revelations Prize at this year’s Deauville American Film Festival (previous awards went to the directors of “Fruitvale Station” and “Holy Rollers”), having enjoyed a good critical reception at Sundance in January.

Set in Iran but shot on location in California, Ana Lily Amirpour’s film is being promoted by US specialist distributor Kino Lorber and Vice Magazine’s film arm; in an August interview, co-founder Richard Lorber told Variety that he saw Amirpour as being comparable to David Lynch and Jim Jarmusch.

Two premiere screenings have been arranged for November 21, one in Los Angeles and the other in New York, while Amirpour has produced a six-issue comic book series in collaboration with graphist Michael DeWeese (“Art of War”) for distribution through the Comixology platform.

Cruising the contrasts of China, from the ancient to the advanced

Come along with Asmaa Shariff on a jaunt around the Middle Kingdom to visit the old and new.

20 portraits of luxury: excessive or exquisite?

Subtle or showy, reserved or flashy, extravagance is always about a high price tag.

Schools in China’s Xinjiang to discourage religion at home

Schools in China’s mainly Muslim Xinjiang region, where a series of attacks has left hundreds dead in recent months, said they would actively discourage religious practice at home, state-run media reported Wednesday.

Principals at more than 2,000 kindergartens, primary schools and secondary schools in Kashgar, near China’s border with Pakistan, signed a pledge to “defend schools against the infiltration of religion”, according to a report by the Global Times, which is close to the Communist Party.

British Muslims to don poppy hijabs for Remembrance Sunday

Tomorrow in Britain, Muslims will be encouraged to don the poppy hijabs to mark the 100th year since the first Muslim soldier was awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery in World War One.

Backed by numerous Muslim groups in the United Kingdom, notably the Islamic Society of Britain, the £22 headscarf is a signature move to repel extremist groups who have in recent years, ‘spout hatred about the Armed Forces’, according to a report on Daily Mail.

Literacy cornerstone of progress: Malaysia PM Najib

Malaysia Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is adamant that progress can only be achieved when Muslim nations focus on increasing the literacy rates in their respective countries.

Speaking at the 10th World Islamic Economic Forum in Dubai, Najib raised his worries that too few Muslims are literate, citing the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation research for his analysis. According to the findings, illiteracy rates in certain Muslim nations are only 40 percent for males and 65 percent for females.