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Masked gunmen in Saudi Arabia killed five Shi’ite worshippers during a major religious commemoration, Saudi police said on Tuesday, in an unparalleled attack highlighting sectarian tension in the largely Sunni kingdom. According to the police, six people were detained in Eastern Province of the shooting, which happened late on Monday night as Shi’ites were preparing for their Ashura, one of …

Mario Bahjat Shaabo, who was born in a Syrian prison 26 years ago to anti-regime activist parents, was arrested on Tuesday after a trip abroad, the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights said on Tuesday. “Maria Bahjat Shaabo was born in jail in 1988, while her mother was serving a four-year sentence for her political activism. On Sunday, Maria was arrested”, …

Advocacy group Human Rights Watch on Tuesday said that Islamic State (IS) extremists had tortured teenagers from Syrian town of Kobane for six months in captivity. According to the rights group, 153 school-going children were kidnapped by the IS in May while they were returning to Kobane after sitting for exams in Aleppo; it released 25 of the hostages late …

Israel on Monday approved plans for around 500 settler homes in the occupied Palestinian territory of East Jerusalem, only a week after the Israeli government pledged to build the settlements. The Israeli Interior Ministry gave the green flag for the new units, to be built near the already existing Ramat Shlomo settlement in east Jerusalem, the NGO Peace Now said. …

The Canada Palestine Association will host social justice activist Brian Avery, and Craig Corrie and Cindy Corrie, parents of fallen activist Rachel Corrie, to mark the International Day (Year) of Solidarity with the Palestinian people on December 2nd. The event will “commemorate Palestinian steadfastness”, with speeches from US activist Brian Avery and Craig and Cindy Corrie, parents of the late …

International human rights group Amnesty International on Thursday said that rebel and pro-government militias battling in Libya are committing war crimes, including attacking civilians and torturing detainees. According to the rights group, militias fighting in the western part of the country showed “an utter disregard” for civilians and accused them of aimlessly firing artillery into crowded neighborhoods, damaging hospitals and …

A couple in Rockford, Michigan, who had catapulted to fame when they had their 12th boy, announced that now expecting their 13th child. Jay and Kateri Schwandt had caused a stir when they welcomed their 12th son, Tucker, on August 4th, 2013 at Mercy Health Saint Mary’s Hospital. They are expecting their 13th child on May 9th, 2015. All of …

A Shiite rebel leader on Friday warned Yemeni President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi to form a new government in ten days or a “national salvation council” will take its place. Ansarullah rebels, also known as Huthis, have taken advantage of a lack of stability since Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s overthrow in 2011 to capture capital city Sana’a on September 21st. …

On Thursday, Sweden became the first major European nation to officially recognize the state of Palestine, as Palestinians were quick to hail the “historic” move while the Israelis denounced the announcement. “Today the government takes the decision to recognize the state of Palestine. It is an important step that confirms the Palestinians’ right to self-determination. We hope that this will …

The Free Syrian Army (FSA) has sent several hundreds of fighter to Kobane, in addition to the 400 fighters already in the town, a commander of a unit said on Thursday. FSA fighters, who oppose the Syrian regime, have joined the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) to defend Kurdish Syrian border town Kobane, and will shortly be joined by the …