Podcasts about west asian

As the final rounds of the AFC Champions League Elite prepare to be hosted in Jeddah, we discuss with the centralised format is the best model for Asian football. We also discuss this week's draw for the Quarter-Finals and which teams stand the best chance of going all the way? Are we set for a West Asian whitewash? Be sure to follow The Asian Game on all our social media channels: X: https://twitter.com/TheAsianGame IG: https://instagram.com/theasiangame Facebook: https://facebook.com/TheAsianGamePodcast 

In this episode of Select, we have the Dutch-Kurdish DJ/producer duo CHAMOS, who have built a cult following across Europe with their club edits, fusing traditional West Asian sounds with bass and house music. For our Select 316, CHAMOS is bringing a mix dedicated to their latest EP ‘From Erbil to Amsterdam', a project that turns traditional Kurdish instrumentals into hard-hitting club anthems. The mix features their own edits of SWANA classics along with tunes by famous producers who inspired them and have been played in their club sets.

This week, on the Global Research News Hour we take a special look at post-Assad Syria and its fate with two experts who bring us enlightened and seldom talked about perspectives on who's in charge of the oldest current capital city in the world and the stakes for the country and the region. In our first half hour, Drago Bosnic, the commentator from last week joins us to talk to us about the role of the US and other foreign powers directing affairs in the West Asian country behind the scenes and why they are doing it. Then in our second half hour we are joined by Middle East analyst and commentator Laith Marouf about who the new regime is, what the people crossing the border into Lebanon experienced recently, and how the Middle East stands to be affected by the fall of the once strong supporters of Lebanon against Israel.

India's trade with Tehran has cratered since 2018 after US sanctions were reimposed on the West Asian country, and China has stepped into the resulting vacuum.----more----https://theprint.in/diplomacy/iran-seeks-to-resume-oil-trade-explore-new-avenues-of-economic-engagement-with-india/2428146/

Quantum Nurse https://graceasagra.com/  presents  Freedom International Livestream On Thursday, Dec 26 2024 @ 12:00 PM EST in Rumble Featured Guest:  Dr. Reza John Vedadi Topic: Syria in Crisis: The Coup and the Regional Power Struggle Bio: Dr Reza John Vedadi has spent the past 12 years directing, producing, and filming over 50 documentaries on West Asian and Muslim identity and culture. He began his academic journey with a degree in Media Studies from London Guildhall University, followed by master's degrees in Film Production at London Metropolitan University and Islamic Studies at Middlesex University. In 2023, he earned a PhD from Loughborough University London, specialising in communication, politics, and culture. Dr Vedadi's research explores the intersection of socio-political dynamics and the representation of West Asian and Muslim identity in Hollywood, as well as US culture and foreign policy. Alongside his filmmaking career, he is an active academic, presenting papers at various international conferences. He also researches and writes about the complex relationship between the film industry, international relations, and the decolonial framework, demonstrating his commitment to enriching understanding in these areas. Special Guest Host: Drago Bosnic BRICS portal (infobrics.org) https://t.me/CerFunhouse Creator Host: Grace Asagra, RN MA  Podcast:  Quantum Nurse: Out of the Rabbit Hole from Stress to Bliss  http://graceasagra.bio.link/ TIP/DONATE LINK for Grace Asagra @ Quantum Nurse Podcast https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=FHUXTQVAVJDPU Venmo - @Grace-Asagra 609-203-5854  https://patron.podbean.com/QuantumNurse TELEGRAM:  https://t.me/QuantumNurseGraceAsagra WELLNESS RESOURCES 1. Optimal Health and Wellness with Grace Virtual Dispensary Link (Designs for Health)    2https://www.designsforhealth.com/u/optimalhealthwellness 2. Quantum Nurse Eternal Health (Face Skin Care, Protein Powder and Elderberry) https://www.quantumnurseeternalhealth.com/ Co-host: Hartmut Schumacher Podcast: GO YOUR OWN PATH https://anchor.fm/hartmut-schumacher-path

fWotD Episode 2789: Bonn–Oberkassel dog Welcome to Featured Wiki of the Day, your daily dose of knowledge from Wikipedia’s finest articles.The featured article for Monday, 23 December 2024 is Bonn–Oberkassel dog.The Bonn–Oberkassel dog (German: Hund von Bonn–Oberkassel) was a Late Paleolithic (c. 14,000 years BP / c. 12,000 BCE) dog whose skeletal remains were found buried alongside two humans. Discovered in early 1914 by quarry workers in Oberkassel, Bonn, Germany, the double burial site was analyzed by a team of archaeologists from the University of Bonn. It was around 7.5 months old at death, 40–50 cm (16–20 in) tall at the shoulder, and weighed 13–18 kg (29–40 lb), suggesting a slender build similar to West Asian wolves (such as the Indian wolf) or some modern sighthounds.The dog's lower jaw was first thought to be from a wolf and placed into museum storage with the human remains, while the dog's other bones were put into the university's geological collections. The bones of the Bonn–Oberkassel dog were reunited in the late 1970s and reidentified as a domestic dog attributed to the Magdalenian culture, dating to the beginning of the Late Glacial Interstadial, c. 14,000 BP. A total of 32 identifiable bone fragments have been attributed to the dog. These have been used to estimate a number of the animal's characteristics.Osteoarthritis, alongside signs of enamel defects, missing teeth, and gum disease, indicate that the Bonn–Oberkassel dog survived a canine distemper infection as a puppy. Due to the high likelihood of death without assistance, the puppy's survival was probably due to human care. Such care would have involved providing food and water, as well as frequent cleaning. Extensive human care suggests significant compassion towards the dog, possibly indicating that the dog was seen as a pet. It is unknown how the dog died; it may have been due to the effects of its illness or other natural causes. An alternate possibility is that it was killed or sacrificed to be buried alongside the humans, an archaeologically attested practice linked to spiritual and religious motives. A molar belonging to a second, older dog was found at the site, likely used as a grave good.This recording reflects the Wikipedia text as of 00:57 UTC on Monday, 23 December 2024.For the full current version of the article, see Bonn–Oberkassel dog on Wikipedia.This podcast uses content from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.Visit our archives at wikioftheday.com and subscribe to stay updated on new episodes.Follow us on Mastodon at @wikioftheday@masto.ai.Also check out Curmudgeon's Corner, a current events podcast.Until next time, I'm standard Geraint.

Listen to the Sat. Nov. 9, 2024 edition of the Pan-African Journal: Worldwide Radio Broadcast hosted by Abayomi Azikiwe, editor of the Pan-African News Wire. The episode features our regular PANW report with dispatches on the United States and British bombing of Sanaa, the capital of Yemen; a summit of African and Russian ministers is taking place this weekend; there has been a rash of racist text messages sent to African Americans after Trump was declared winner of the presidential elections; and Germany is hosting an exibition of African art. In the second hour we look in detail at the situation in Lebanon and other West Asian states. Finally, we review a briefing from the African National Congress of South Africa.

Freedom International Livestream On Thursday, Oct 24, 2024 @ 12:00 PM EST Featured Guest: Dr. Reza John Vedadi Topic: Beyond the Screen: West Asian Identity, U.S and Collective West Culture. Guest Bio/Info: Dr Reza John Vedadi has spent the past 12 years directing, producing, and filming over 50 documentaries on West Asian and Muslim identity and culture. He began his academic journey with a degree in Media Studies from London Guildhall University, followed by master's degrees in Film Production at London Metropolitan University and Islamic Studies at Middlesex University. In 2023, he earned a PhD from Loughborough University London, specialising in communication, politics, and culture.Dr Vedadi's research explores the intersection of socio-political dynamics and the representation of West Asian and Muslim identity in Hollywood, as well as US culture and foreign policy. Alongside his filmmaking career, he is an active academic, presenting papers at various international conferences. He also researches and writes about the complex relationship between the film industry, international relations, and the decolonial framework, demonstrating his commitment to enriching understanding in these areas. What we Discussed: - Who is Dr. Reza John Vedadi ( 1 min) - Defining the West Asian Identity (3:30 mins) - Colonization has not ended ( 8 mins) - Was Iran really like Europe in the 1970's (12:30 mins) - There was no freedom in Iran (17:50 mins) - People voted for an Islamic republic (21 mins) - Nelson Mandela appreciated Iran (26 mins) - Thoughts on Benjamin Netanyahu Prime Minister of Israel getting a standing ovation in congress (29:30 mins) - The corruption of Media (40 mins) - Saudi Arabia & Iran (45 mins) - Why has Saudi Arabia influence on other countries (57 mins) - Why are Banks stopping payments to Iran (1 hr 3 mins) - How BRICS will benefit Iran (1 hr 4 mins) - Every Country in BRICS has 1 vote (1 hr 11:30 mins) - An alternative to SWIFT Banking is needed ( 1hr :13 mins) - There must be an alternative that will benefit the World ( 1hr 17 mins) How to Connect with Dr. Reza https://www.linkedin.com/in/rezajohnvedadi/ Hosts: Grace Asagra, RN MAPodcast: Quantum Nurse: http://graceasagra.bio.link/ Roy CoughlanPodcast: AWAKENINGhttps://www.awakeningpodcast.org/ --- Help Support the show through my Business Partners :   Upgrade Your Brain    Unleash & Use Your Uniqueness   https://braingym.fitness/⁠    -------------------------- Awakening Podcast Social Media / Coaching My Other Podcasts    ⁠⁠⁠https://roycoughlan.com/⁠⁠   Health & Wellness Products   https://partnerco.world/   My Website https://partner.co/?custid=N6543249    Find a Virtual Assistant at va.world ------------------

Quantum Nurse https://graceasagra.com/  presents Freedom International Livestream On Thursday, Oct 24, 2024 @ 12:00 PM EST Featured Guest:  Dr. Reza John Vedadi Topic: Beyond the Screen:  West Asian Identity, U.S and Collective West Culture.   Guest Bio/Info: Dr Reza John Vedadi has spent the past 12 years directing, producing, and filming over 50 documentaries on West Asian and Muslim identity and culture. He began his academic journey with a degree in Media Studies from London Guildhall University, followed by master's degrees in Film Production at London Metropolitan University and Islamic Studies at Middlesex University. In 2023, he earned a PhD from Loughborough University London, specialising in communication, politics, and culture. Dr Vedadi's research explores the intersection of socio-political dynamics and the representation of West Asian and Muslim identity in Hollywood, as well as US culture and foreign policy. Alongside his filmmaking career, he is an active academic, presenting papers at various international conferences. He also researches and writes about the complex relationship between the film industry, international relations, and the decolonial framework, demonstrating his commitment to enriching understanding in these areas.   Follow:  Instagram, LinkedIn   Creator Host:   Grace Asagra, RN MA Podcast:  Quantum Nurse: Out of the Rabbit Hole from Stress to Bliss http://graceasagra.bio.link/   TIP/DONATE LINK for Grace Asagra @ Quantum Nurse Podcast https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=FHUXTQVAVJDPU Venmo - @Grace-Asagra 609-203-5854 https://patron.podbean.com/QuantumNurse     WELLNESS RESOURCES Optimal Health and Wellness with Grace Virtual Dispensary Link (Designs for Health)               2https://www.designsforhealth.com/u/optimalhealthwellness Quantum Nurse Eternal Health (Face Skin Care, Protein Powder and Elderberry) https://www.quantumnurseeternalhealth.com/     Roy Coughlan Podcast: AWAKENING https://www.awakeningpodcast.org/

For this episode, we welcome one of KEXP's newest DJs, Gabriel Lopez. Gabriel is the co-host of the weekly show Vinelands, which launched in August as part of KEXP's new Bay Area broadcast (92.7 FM), and spotlights music from the surrounding scenes. He talks about what's been exciting him about music from the Bay Area, then shares a dreamy and joyful ambient track from Oakland in the 90s that was recently rediscovered. He also recommends a track that bring West Asian folk into the club, talks about what makes the "Oakland techno" sound, and shares some enveloping shoegaze from an emerging group. Then, Music Director Chris Sanley brings us a song about seeking home to ease us into fall. Songs featured: Peter Barclay - “Love It In The Sun" Lara Sarkissian - “Ages Pass, No Tidings Come”  Darlynn - “Like A Summer" figure eight - “altar” Merce Lemon - "Crow”  Listen to the full songs on KEXP's "In Our Headphones 2024" playlist on Spotify or the “What's In Our Headphones” playlist on YouTube. Listen to Gabriel Lopez on Vinelands every other Saturday from 6-9pm PT on 92.7 in the Bay Area, or check out the Vinelands show archive at kexp.org/shows/vinelands/  Hosted and produced by: Janice Headley and Isabel KhaliliMixed by: Emily FoxMastered by: William MyersEditorial director: Larry Mizell Jr. Our theme music is “好吗 (Hao Ma)” by Chinese American Bear Support the podcast during KEXP's Fall Drive and get some new merch: kexp.org/headphonesContact us at headphones@kexp.org.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Xi Jinping and visiting South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the elevation of bilateral ties to an all-around strategic cooperative partnership for the new era on Monday, charting new directions for bolstering diplomatic relations and pragmatic cooperation.9月2日，国家主席习近平在北京人民大会堂同来华出席中非合作论坛北京峰会并进行国事访问的南非总统拉马福萨举行会谈。两国元首宣布，将中南关系提升为新时代全方位战略合作伙伴关系。Xi hosted Ramaphosa at the Great Hall of the People in a welcoming ceremony marked by red-carpet treatment and a guard of honor, underscoring Beijing's unwavering commitment to deepening ties with Africa's most industrialized nation.The two leaders jointly witnessed the signing of bilateral agreements on the application of the Beidou Navigation Satellite System, two-way trade, market access for agricultural products and cultural heritage, further cementing the partnership.会谈后，两国元首共同见证签署北斗卫星导航系统应用、人居建设、双边贸易、农产品市场准入、文化遗产等多个双边合作文件。A joint statement issued after the talks reaffirmed the commitment of both nations to collaborate on global issues and support each other's development goals."Despite the ever-changing international landscape, the missions of both our countries to pursue modernization and promote China-Africa cooperation remain unchanged," Xi told the South African president, emphasizing the historic and global significance of stronger China-South Africa ties.习近平强调，当前，世界百年变局加速演进，人类社会面临前所未有的挑战。国际形势越是复杂，全球南方国家越要坚持独立自主、团结协作，共同维护国际公平正义。Ramaphosa is also among African leaders visiting China for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, scheduled from Wednesday to Friday.拉马福萨是出席2024年中非合作论坛峰会的非洲领导人之一，峰会定于9月4-6日举行。"In the new era and on the new journey, strengthening unity and cooperation between China and South Africa aligns with the shared expectations of the peoples of both countries, resonates with the historical process of the Global South's growth and expansion, and holds significant contemporary relevance and global impact," Xi said.双方高度评价建交26年来两国关系实现跨越式发展，赞赏2023年8月习近平主席第四次对南非国事访问引领两国关系进入“黄金时代”，各领域合作取得长足发展。新形势下，两国关系的全球意义和战略影响持续增强，成为发展中大国和“全球南方”国家团结合作、携手发展的典范。The meeting came one year after Xi's state visit to Pretoria, and South Africa is the country in Africa most visited by the Chinese president.此次会晤是在习近平对比勒陀利亚进行国事访问一年后举行的，南非是我国国家主席访问最多的非洲国家。Xi outlined three key directions for the newly elevated partnership: pursuing mutual progress to advance political trust, deepening win-win economic cooperation, and fostering people-to-people exchanges.习近平强调，着眼中南关系新定位，双方要把握好“三个方向”：共同进步的政治方向，互利共赢的合作方向，世代友好的民意方向。He advocated enhanced cooperation in emerging fields such as the digital economy, artificial intelligence and new energy. Xi also pledged increased opportunities for South African youth, through scholarships and vocational training, to ensure that the benefits of the partnership extend to future generations.双方将完善两国合作顶层设计，高质量共建“一带一路”，推动数字经济、人工智能、新能源等领域合作。The Chinese president explained that FOCAC is a model of South-South cooperation and leads international cooperation with Africa.新形势下，两国关系的全球意义和战略影响持续增强，成为发展中大国和“全球南方”国家团结合作、携手发展的典范。The nation's doors to African countries will open wider and wider, and China is willing to work with South Africa and other African countries to continuously create new momentum for cooperation, promote high-quality development in China-Africa cooperation, and ensure that the "express train" of China-Africa cooperation runs faster and better, he said.中国对非洲国家开放的大门将越开越大。中方愿同南非等非洲国家不断打造合作新动能，促进中非合作高质量发展，中非合作的快车必将越跑越快、越跑越好。Ramaphosa told Xi that the elevation of bilateral ties will strengthen mutually beneficial political and economic ties for the benefit of both countries and their people.拉马福萨表示，双边关系的提升将加强互利的政治和经济关系，互利两国人民。According to a statement from the South African presidency, Ramaphosa reaffirmed that "political rapport is the foundation of an unwavering and valuable friendship".根据南非总统府的一份声明，拉马福萨重申：“政治互信是两国坚定不移的宝贵友谊的基础。”"Our two countries share many common objectives. Building on the firm foundation of solidarity, we continue to provide support in promoting our interests and those of the African continent and the Global South," he said.南中两国拥有高度政治互信和深厚传统友谊，在很多问题上立场相似、目标一致。经贸合作基于平等尊重、互利共赢，联系日趋紧密。South Africa is willing to continue being a trustworthy and reliable friend of China, he said, adding that his country aims to enhance people-to-people exchanges and cooperation in education and culture.南非愿继续成为中国可信任和可靠的朋友，密切人文交往和教育文化合作。Premier Li Qiang also met with Ramaphosa in Beijing on Monday. Li said China would like to work with South Africa to implement the important consensus reached between the two heads of state and jointly promote the steady development of bilateral ties and cooperation.9月2日，国务院总理李强也在北京会见了拉马福萨。李强表示，中方愿同南非一道努力，落实两国元首重要共识，推动中南关系与合作稳健发展。China is South Africa's largest trading partner, and South Africa is China's largest trading partner in Africa. In 2023, bilateral trade reached $55.62 billion. Over 200 Chinese companies have invested in South Africa, creating more than 400,000 local jobs, according to the Chinese embassy in South Africa.中国是南非最大的贸易伙伴，南非也是中国在非洲最大的贸易伙伴。截止2023年，双边贸易额达556.2亿美元。据中国驻南非大使馆统计，已有200多家中国公司在南非投资，为当地创造了40多万个就业岗位。Zhou Yuyuan, a senior research fellow and deputy director at the Center for West Asian and African Studies at the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, said the fact that Xi and Ramaphosa have made mutual visits over the past year serves as another testament to the "golden era" of China-South Africa relations.上海国际问题研究院西亚非洲研究中心副主任、研究员周玉渊表示，习近平主席和拉马福萨过去一年的互访是中南关系“黄金时代 ”的又一见证。"It signifies that China and South Africa see each other as a priority partner and strategic partner in their foreign relations," Zhou said, adding that bilateral cooperation in strategic and emerging sectors will spur the African country's development and provide valuable experience for China-Africa cooperation.“这标志着中国和南非将对方视为对外关系中的优先伙伴和战略伙伴，”周玉渊说，“双边在战略性新兴领域的合作将推动非洲国家的发展，并为中非合作提供宝贵经验。”The elevation of ties will pave the way for taking China-South Africa cooperation to higher levels and broader scopes, he added.他补充说，两国关系的提升将为中南合作迈向更高水平和更广范围铺平道路。

✅  Subscribe Like And Leave A Comment ✅  Episodes Drops Weekly And Available On All Platforms Rema's unexpected second album, *HEIS*, expands on the innovative "Afrorave" genre he pioneered with his debut album *Rave & Roses* from 2022, showcasing a bold musical evolution. The album emerges as a poignant declaration, especially in light of Rema's experiences with misinterpretations of his stage aesthetics—such as Gothic visuals at a London concert—which some mistakenly viewed as dark or sinister. He clarified that these elements actually celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Benin City, his hometown in Nigeria, emphasizing a long-standing personal connection to these symbols.*HEIS* was a surprise release but displays meticulous craftsmanship, starting with the edgy electronic sounds and dynamic beats of "March Am." Rema's vocal style continues to captivate, blending smoothness with intensity across songs that weave together multiple languages including Pidgin, Bini, Yoruba, and English. This album also integrates a diverse mix of musical influences, incorporating genres like trap, house, and pop, alongside West African roots music, melodies reminiscent of West Asian tunes, and cinematic scores. This eclectic fusion underscores Rema's role in illustrating the vast scope of Afrobeat music and the ongoing expansion of Western audiences' appreciation for pan-African talent.

This was the fifth and final session in a series of Public Conversations that Just World Ed presented in May 2024, on the theme of "Understanding Hamas and Why That Matters." The series as a whole was presented by JWE President Helena Cobban and board member Rami G. Khouri. Our  guest in this episode was Dr. Azzam Tamimi,  who's the editor-in-chief of the London-based Al Hiwar ("Dialogue") TV channel. He's a specialist on issues related to Islamic political thought, Islamic movements, and Middle Eastern (or West Asian) politics; and a distinguished author of several well-received books on these topics. The book on Hamas that Dr. Azzam published in 2007 came out in the USA with the intriguing title of Hamas: a History from Within.In this session in our series, Helena and Rami were joined on the "interviewing panel" by three other JWE board members: Zoharah Simmons, Nora Barrows-Friedman, and Zoharah Simmons.You can learn much more about this project and access the multimedia records of this session and all the others, at this Online Learning Hub on our website.Support the Show.

Amanda and Amy dive into the complex relationship between land ownership and belonging in the US, drawing on biblical interpretations. Amanda emphasized the significance of land in shaping political and religious beliefs, while Amy offered nuanced interpretations of the Hebrew Bible, revealing how it has been used to justify land ownership and extraction. In this conversation, Amy and Amanda discuss the Bible's views on land and its interpretation. They explore the contradictory perspectives on land ownership and the connection between land and identity. They also examine the impact of assumptions about land in the United States and the disconnect between urban elites and the land. Amy shares her personal journey of developing a deeper connection with the land through activities like hunting and fly fishing. The conversation highlights the healing power of the land and the importance of understanding our relationship with it. Chapters  00:00 Introduction and Background 03:13 The Bible's Contradictory Views on Land 08:29 Genesis 1 and the Interpretation of Land 12:22 John Locke and the Interpretation of Land Ownership 14:20 The Connection Between Land and Identity 20:23 The Impact of Assumptions about Land in the United States 23:10 The Disconnect between Urban Elites and the Land 26:08 The Impact of Land Use on Communities 28:30 Personal Connection to the Land 30:26 The Healing Power of the Land 33:18 The Bible's View on Our Relationship with the Land Guest:  Amy Erickson is Professor of Hebrew Bible at the Iliff School of Theology. Erickson teaches a range of courses in biblical interpretation, including The Body and Sexuality in the Hebrew Bible, The Hebrew Bible and Ecology, and Jonah and Its Afterlives. Her research interests include Hebrew poetry, poetic and mythological texts in ancient West Asian literature, and the Hebrew Bible's history of interpretation. She has recently completed a commentary on the book of Jonah and its history of interpretation entitled Jonah: Introduction and Commentary (Illuminations; Eerdmans, 2021), and has written articles on Job, Jonah, the Psalms, Zechariah, and Amos for academic journals and edited volumes. Erickson is also a regular contributor to workingpreacher.org, the Huffington Post ON Scripture, The Christian Century, and The Encyclopedia of the Bible and Its Reception (de Gruyter). She is currently working on a book on the Hebrew Bible and ecology. An Interview with Eerdmans Publishing Co. about Erickson's book on Jonah. Commentary on Psalm 146 Commentary on Psalm 121 Psalm 1: Putting Evil in Its Place For more episodes and info visit Complexified at RNS

Listen to the Sun. April 14, 2024 special edition of the Pan-African Journal: Worldwide Radio Broadcast hosted by Abayomi Azikiwe, editor of the Pan-African News Wire. This episode features our regular PANW report with dispatches on the impact of the Iranian missile and drone attacks on the State of Israel; thousands of people have rallied against United States imperialism in the West African state of Niger; experts are identifying risks for infectious diseases in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC); and the Togolese campaigns for upcoming national elections began yesterday. In the second and third hours we look in detail at the Iranian attacks on Israel and other events in neighboring West Asian states.

 Welcome back to another episode of REAL TALK! In today's episode:   President snow day!tiktok president candidateSeahawks head coach?PalworldTaylor Swift Superbowl.Nickleback and Daughtery23 and meReal Talk is a production of ZTS Collective.Listen to us on all of your favorite podcasting apps!Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realtalkzts/

①Palace Museum exhibitions showcase Chinese, West Asian civilizations ②Chinese provinces innovate following Harbin to boost tourism ③China's oldest subway line to expand into Beijing suburbs ④China imports dairy sheep breed from New Zealand ⑤Yangtze River cruise tourist numbers hit 20-year high in 2023 ⑥China steps up support for home services industry ⑦New-generation large language model released in Shanghai ⑧First women's rugby Lions tour to take place in New Zealand in 2027

Earlier this month, a Qatar court issued the death sentence to eight former Indian Navy personnel. The former officers were arrested in August of 2022, allegedly for espionage. It's a case that has brought the issue of Indian's arrested abroad, back into the forefront. According to the latest data, taken from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha answers, there are about 9,500 Indians in prisons across 89 countries. Most of these Indian prisoners are in West Asian jails, over 2,000 are in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. In this episode, The Hindu speaks to Prabhash Ranjan, who teaches at the Faculty of Legal Studies at South Asian University, about what to do, if an Indian national is arrested in another country. Guests: Prabhash Ranjan, Faculty of Legal Studies, South Asian University 

Continuing a longstanding tradition, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Africa for his first overseas trip in 2024. So what key areas of priority for China-Africa relations were discussed during the tour, and how will Wang Yi's visit to Africa shape future relations with China? Professor Zhang Yongpeng, Senior Research Fellow with the Institute of West-Asian and African Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and Dr. Karim Ben Kahla, Professor of Governance at Tunis High School of Commerce, join Host Bridget Mutambirwa to share more insights.

When most people think of Asia, the countries that come to mind aren't likely to be those we're about to discuss today. Located in Western Asia, on the border of Eastern Europe, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan are countries most westerners are largely unfamiliar with at all. That's all the more reason to learn a bit about them, as each has unique cultures, history, and tourist attractions that make them fascinating destinations. Today, show co-host Scott Coates will share his experience traveling through these interesting West Asian nations.

Join Nour Hage as she weaves a story of textiles in West Asia, from bridal practices, to talismanic symbols, to Nour's own work as an artist. Listen as she discusses her work on Leighton House's recent Kheit exhibition, as part of our Hands On Islamic Art project which works to engage the UK public with Islamic art.

https://www.patreon.com/GnosticInformant Please Consider joining my Patreon to help finding scholars to bring on. Any amount helps me. Thank you existing Patrons. 2nd Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@LateNiteGnosis Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NealSendlak1 Discord: https://discord.com/invite/uWBZkxd4UX Most historians have suggested that Sumer was first permanently settled between c. 5500 – c. 3300 BC by a West Asian people who spoke the Sumerian language (pointing to the names of cities, rivers, basic occupations, etc., as evidence), a non-Semitic and non-Indo-European agglutinative language isolate. The Blau Monuments combine proto-cuneiform characters and illustrations of early Sumerians, Jemdet Nasr period, 3100–2700 BC. British Museum. Others have suggested that the Sumerians were a North African people who migrated from the Green Sahara into the Middle East and were responsible for the spread of farming in the Middle East. However, with evidence strongly suggesting the first farmers originated from the Fertile Crescent, this suggestion is often discarded. Although not specifically discussing Sumerians, Lazaridis et al. 2016 have suggested a partial North African origin for some pre-Semitic cultures of the Middle East, particularly Natufians, after testing the genomes of Natufian and Pre-Pottery Neolithic culture-bearers. Alternatively, a recent (2013) genetic analysis of four ancient Mesopotamian skeletal DNA samples suggests an association of the Sumerians with Indus Valley Civilisation, possibly as a result of ancient Indus–Mesopotamia relations. According to some data, the Sumerians are associated with the Hurrians and Urartians, and the Caucasus is considered their homeland. A prehistoric people who lived in the region before the Sumerians have been termed the "Proto-Euphrateans" or "Ubaidians", and are theorized to have evolved from the Samarra culture of northern Mesopotamia. The Ubaidians, though never mentioned by the Sumerians themselves, are assumed by modern-day scholars to have been the first civilizing force in Sumer. They drained the marshes for agriculture, developed trade, and established industries, including weaving, leatherwork, metalwork, masonry, and pottery. Enthroned Sumerian king of Ur, possibly Ur-Pabilsag, with attendants. Standard of Ur, c. 2600 BC. Some scholars contest the idea of a Proto-Euphratean language or one substrate language; they think the Sumerian language may originally have been that of the hunting and fishing peoples who lived in the marshland and the Eastern Arabia littoral region and were part of the Arabian bifacial culture. Reliable historical records begin much later; there are none in Sumer of any kind that have been dated before Enmebaragesi (Early Dynastic I). Juris Zarins believes the Sumerians lived along the coast of Eastern Arabia, today's Persian Gulf region, before it was flooded at the end of the Ice Age. Sumerian civilization took form in the Uruk period (4th millennium BC), continuing into the Jemdet Nasr and Early Dynastic periods. The Sumerians progressively lost control to Semitic states from the northwest. Sumer was conquered by the Semitic-speaking kings of the Akkadian Empire around 2270 BC (short chronology), but Sumerian continued as a sacred language. Native Sumerian rule re-emerged for about a century in the Third Dynasty of Ur at approximately 2100–2000 BC, but the Akkadian language also remained in use for some time. The Sumerian city of Eridu, on the coast of the Persian Gulf, is considered to have been one of the oldest cities, where three separate cultures may have fused: that of peasant Ubaidian farmers, living in mud-brick huts and practicing irrigation; that of mobile nomadic Semitic pastoralists living in black tents and following herds of sheep and goats; and that of fisher folk, living in reed huts in the marshlands, who may have been the ancestors of the Sumerians. #gnosticinformant #bible #documentary --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gnosticinformant/message

What was it like curating the biggest exhibition of Arab art happening right now? Why is “Kawkaba: Highlights from the Barjeel Art Foundation” such a landmark exhibition? We sat down with the exhibition's curator and deputy chair of Christie's MENA, Dr Ridha Moumni, and the founder of the Barjeel Art Foundation to go behind the scenes of the curation process. They share the logistical challenges of putting this exhibition together and share some of their favorite pieces on display including work by: Shakir Hassan Al Said, Ibrahim El Salahi, Mahmoud Sabri, Safia Farhat, Mohammed Ghani Hikmat, Mohammed Melehi, Nadia Saikali, Samia Halaby, Saloua Raouda Choucair, Fahrelniss Zeid, Huguette Caland, Samia Osseiran Jumblatt, Simone Fattal, Kadhim Hayder, Abdel Hadi El Gazzar, Marwan and Hassan Sharif. “Kawkaba: Highlights from the Barjeel Art Foundation” at Christie's London is an “immersive journey through the transformative epochs and powerful voices that shaped the modern Arab art landscape.” Drawing from the Barjeel Art Foundation's rich collection, this gender-balanced exhibition showcases the region's artistic heritage through the work of both well-known and emerging artists. The exhibition runs until 23rd August 2023. Kawkaba is a gender-balanced exhibition that presents masterpieces of leading figures of the field, such as Huguette Caland, Ibrahim El-Salahi, Etel Adnan, Marwan, Safia Farhat, Jewad Selim, Inji Efflatoun, and Mohamed Melehi. It concurrently sheds light on underrepresented artists - based in the region, from the diaspora, or exiled -, who have highly contributed to modern Arab Art. Kawkaba is a window into the soul of the Arab world, an exploration of its complexities, and a tribute to its resilience and creativity. Through this exhibition, visitors are invited to traverse the artistic spirit of the Arab world and partake in its unrivalled transformative journey.Sultan Sooud Al-Qassemi is an Emirati columnist, researcher, scholar and founder of the Barjeel Art Foundation. He established the Barjeel Art Foundation in 2010 as a Sharjah-based organization dedicated to promoting North African and West Asian art. Dr Ridha Moumni is an Art and Archaeology historian with a specialist focus on Antiquity and the early and modern art of Tunisia. He is the current Deputy Chair of Middle East and North Africa at Christie's. Prior to taking up his position at Christie's, Moumni was an Aga Khan Fellow at Harvard University's Department of Art History. ****** ABOUT THE SERIES ****** afikra Conversations is our flagship program featuring long-form interviews with experts from academia, art, ‎and media who are helping document and/or shape the histories and cultures of the Arab world through their ‎work. Our hope is that by having the guest share their expertise and story, the community still walks away with new ‎found curiosity - and maybe some good recommendations about new nerdy rabbit holes to dive into head first. ‎Following the interview there is a moderated town-hall style Q&A with questions coming from the live virtual audience ‎on Zoom.‎ Join the live audience: https://www.afikra.com/rsvp Watch all afikra Conversations: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list... ****** ABOUT AFIKRA ******‎ afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region- past, present, and future - through conversations driven by curiosity. 

What does it mean to work across textile and digital mediums? Nour Hage, award-winning British-Lebanese designer and artist, delves into her practice, exploring themes of West-Asian Identities, NFTs and Web3. We discuss traversing the physical and digital realms and why she chooses digital art for her personal exploration. We also explore the meaning of the evil eye and misunderstanding/seeking to understand our grandparents as people. Nour Hage is an award winning British-Lebanese designer and artist, based between London and Dubai. She works across textile and digital and her practice is centred on the exploration of West Asian identities, culture, history and storytelling, with a particular focus on women, the supernatural and mental wellbeing. She was the inaugural Jameel Fellow at the V&A Museum in 2021 - 2022. Her solo exhibition Kheit at Leighton House is open until 16th July.Created & hosted by Mikey Muhanna, afikra Edited by: Ramzi RammanTheme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/About Outline:Outline is a process-focused conversation that looks at guests' individual projects rather than their full bodies of work. The conversation sketches the journey of the project; the spark of curiosity that led to the project, the process of implementing the idea, the struggles that emerged throughout the implementation, and the aftermath of the project that includes new questions and new ideas. The name “Outline” stems from the idea of creating a retroactive project outline which is part of a broader emphasis on the process of curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking from a nuts and bolts perspective. Outline is not discipline-specific; the series will be held with artists, academics, writers, filmmakers, among others. Join the live audience: https://www.afikra.com/rsvp   FollowYoutube - Instagram (@afikra_) - Facebook - Twitter Support www.afikra.com/supportAbout afikra:‎afikra is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region- past, present, and future - through conversations driven by curiosity. Read more about us on  afikra.com 

In this episode, Helena Cobban presents a voiced version of the essay she published today on the Globalities website, which is titled, "Untangling Syria's devastating civil war." In the essay, Ms. Cobban, a long-time analyst of Syria's affairs, expresses her cautiously optimistic assessment of the possibility that recent shifts in West Asian politics and diplomacy may now, finally, allow for a winding down of the conflict inside Syria.If you're interested in what you hear here, head to the essay in the text version, where you will also find all the hyperlinks Ms. Cobban put in there, as well as a map and some other informative graphics.Support the show

In a rare moment for Chinese diplomacy, Beijing used its good offices to broker an agreement between Iran and Saudi Arabia that should see the two warring West Asian nations re-establishing diplomatic relations and re-opening their embassies within two months. China's top diplomat, Wang Yi, who is a signatory to the “joint trilateral statement”, said the agreement showed that Beijing was a “reliable mediator”. The joint trilateral statement itself said the accord was the consequence of a “noble initiative” by Chinese President Xi Jinping. The announcement, which came on March 10 after four days of talks between Chinese, Iranian and Saudi Arabian officials in Beijing, coincided with a session of China's National People's Congress that saw Xi being elected as President for an unprecedented third term. So, what does this agreement signal for Chinese diplomacy? A new confidence? The ability to play a game long dominated by the West? A showpiece that suggests China was now willing to play broker in other parts of the world? 

 Birgül explains about her work using microscopic plant remains to understand life in ancient western Asia. What are phytoliths and how do we find them? How can such microscopic evidence tell us about building use, for example? And where do they sit in the archaeological toolkit? 3:12 what are phytoliths?5:14 sampling method8:02 dung11:43 limitations of phytoliths14:07 from the micro-scale to the big picture 16:59 combination with other methods20:59 training26:27 Birgül's projectsBirgül's Academia pageIf you would like to donate in support of the earthquake victims, Birgül suggests the following organisations: Ahbap: https://ahbap.org/Akut: https://www.akut.org.tr/en Music by Ruba HillawiWebsite: http://wedgepod.orgYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgwEmail: wedgepod@gmail.comTwitter: @wedge_podPatreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. **Tai-Ex opening ** The Tai-Ex opened down 16-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 15,376 on turnover of 2.3-billion N-T. The Tai-Ex followed most other regional markets and lost ground on Monday, as investors were concerned that strong U-S jobs data could result in more interest rate hikes by America's central bank to cool inflation. **MAC Warning on China Visits ** The Mainland Affairs Council says any politicians choosing to visit China must reflect the will of Taiwan to maintain democracy and peace. The statement comes after the K-M-T announced that Vice Chairman Andrew Hsia will be traveling to China from February 8 through 17. According to the council, it has received notice of the trip from the K-M-T - but is stressing that any cross-strait exchange must be based on the principles of reciprocity (互惠) and dignity. The council says visiting politicians must also promote mutual understanding and cannot unilaterally agree to any political prerequisites or desired outcomes, while also voicing their opposition to the use of force to resolve cross-strait issues. **Government Donates US$200,000 to Turkey Following Earthquake ** And, The government has pledged to donate 200,000 U-S dollars to Turkey after the country was struck by a magnitude 7.8 earthquake. According to the foreign ministry's Department of West Asian and African Affairs, Foreign Minister Joseph Wu has conveyed his condolences (哀悼) to Turkey's representative in Taiwan on behalf of of the government Department head Anthony Ho says the 200,000 U-S dollars in funds will be used for disaster relief. **Syria Calls on UN to Help with Earthquake Rescue ** War-ravaged Syria is calling on the United Nations and all member states to help with rescue efforts, health services, shelter and food aid. That's following a massive earthquake that killed thousands in Syria and Turkey. The quake-damaged area in Syria is divided between government-held territory and the country's last rebel-held enclave (飛地，被包圍在另外一個國家境內). Syria's U.N. ambassador was asked by reporters whether Syria would allow the U.N. to deliver aid through other crossing points from Turkey. He didn't respond directly, but said the government is ready to help and coordinate aid deliveries “to all Syrians in all territory of Syria. **US Ohio Toxic Leak Containment Continues ** Workers are dealing with an Ohio train derailment (出軌) involving toxic chemicals. APcorrespondent Norman Hall reports. **Spain PM Urges EU to Reindustrialize ** Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is urging the European Union to “reindustrialize” to end its dependence on energy, microchips and food from outside the bloc. On Monday, he called on the 27 EU nations to learn the lessons of shortages provoked (刺激、引起) by the COVID-19 pandemic and war in Ukraine. Sanchez announced that a joint research project with 25 EU countries would analyze reliance on other nations for energy, food, health and technology. The speech was given to outline Spain's policy priorities before assuming the rotating presidency of the EU council during the second half of 2023. That was the I.C.R.T. news, Check in again tomorrow for our simplified version of the news, uploaded every day in the afternoon. Enjoy the rest of your day, I'm _____.

"This Is Not Me" Trans Iranian Film -- Christina Wells, Houstonian in Chicago touring productionFirst, we speak with the director ofThis Is Not Me, a documentary about the lives of Shervin and Saman, two transgender youth coming of age in Iran. Iran is the only country in that West Asian region to recognize trans people — any other LGBQ+ identity is banned. Yet Shervin and Saman still face severe social constraints and — despite having loving and supportive parents — are forced to live covert lives, shy away from their neighbors, and even consider emigration in order to live openly as they truly are. As they pursue gender realignment options available in Iran, This Is Not Me offers a detailed depiction of the legal and social labyrinth that promises a slim aperture for freedom.Guest: Michael Buening, Director of Performing Arts and Culture, Asia Societyhttps://asiasociety.org/texas/events/30th-festival-films-iran-screening-not-meThen, we speak with Houstonian Christina Wells, currently starring in the national tour of the musical Chicago as Matron Mamma Morton.  After 25 years, Chicago is still the one musical with everything that makes Broadway shimmy-shake: a universal tale of fame, fortune, and all that jazz, with one show stopping song after another and the most astonishing dancing you've ever seen. No wonder Chicago has been honored with 6 Tony Awards®, 2 Olivier Awards, a Grammy®, and thousands of standing ovations. As we celebrate our 25th anniversary — you've got to come see why the name on everyone's lips is still…Chicago. Chicago is playing Jan 31st - Feb. 12th at the Hobby Center.Guest: Christina Wellshttps://christinawells.com

A National Geographic magazine staff writer for three decades, Ann is now a freelance writer and editor specializing in archaeology and cultural heritage preservation. She has a B.A. in Classical and Near Eastern archaeology from Bryn Mawr College, and an M.A. in West Asian archaeology with a minor in Egyptology from the University of Toronto. WebsiteAmerican Research Center in EgyptBooksTreasures of Egypt: A Legacy in Photographs From the Pyramids to Cleopatra Lost Cities, Ancient Tombs: 100 Discoveries That Changed the World

Before she would become an online content creator, influencer, business owner, and actress, Kazumi was born on February 14th, 1997 in the West Asian country of Kuwait. Over the past couple of years, Kazumi's online fanbase became the first to recognize that there's a lot more going on with this talented woman than meets the eye -- and while her TikTok clips, Instagram pics, and Twitter content are certainly appealing in and of themselves, it's the depths of her ideology that's taking the internet by storm. But before we get into all of that, let's start at the beginning. Now, unfortunately, I can't tell you Kazumi's birth name. Believe me -- we asked -- but because she keeps her career a secret from her parents, she hasn't revealed her given name to the wider world at large just yet. What we do know is that after being born in Kuwait, it wasn't long before Kazumi's parents moved their family of Filipino heritage to California where she would spend her childhood growing up in Northeast Los Angeles. In fact, Kazumi would stick around this part of the country for the next two decades and over those years she's come to consider herself a true LA native.

2:38 - Richard's one big thing is Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Commerce has announced ten initiatives to develop the e-commerce retail industry, and the initiatives are based on the results of a survey “Consumer's Voice”, conducted by the Ministry of Commerce to gauge the level of consumer satisfaction with the performance of online stores. 14:39 - Lucien's one big thing is actually two big things. First, Lucien comments on a changing Riyadh having just returned from the Saudi capital, and why much is different and yet some things will stay the same. Then he provides an update on the latest with LIV golf's quest to get its players crucial world ranking points so that they can compete in major events in the sport. 34:06 - The 966 welcomes Dr. Abdulaziz Alanazi, assistant professor at King Saud University in Riyadh, who discusses his work that recently won a very prestigious international water award. Dr. Abdulaziz, along with his colleagues at the University of Cincinnati, won a very prestigious international award for their work studying ways to address water pollution. The Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water was awarded to Dr. Abdulaziz and his colleagues for their work developing advanced oxidation technologies and nanotechnologies to monitor and treat emerging toxins and other contaminants of emerging concern in water. 1:14:00 - Yallah! 6 top storylines to get you up to date headed into the weekend. •Mohammed bin Salman named prime ministerSaudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been appointed prime minister - a post that is traditionally held by the king. A royal decree announcing his promotion from deputy PM and defence minister cited an exception to the Basic Law. An official told Reuters news agency the move was in line with the king's previous delegation of duties to him. "The crown prince... already supervises the main executive bodies of the state on a daily basis, and his new role as prime minister is within that context," the official said. The 37-year-old son of King Salman bin Abdulaziz, 86, is already seen as the de facto head of government for Saudi Arabia. The decree named another of his sons, Prince Khalid bin Salman, as the new defence minister. A third, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, remains in the key role of energy minister.  •Saudi Arabia forecasts lower growth, revenue for 2023 amid uncertain global economic outlookSaudi Arabia, which is forecasting a decade-high economic growth of 8% for 2022, is projecting its GDP will slow to 3.1% growth in 2023, the ministry of finance said in a preliminary 2023 budget report released on Sept. 30. Saudi Arabia is also forecasting its total revenue, including oil income, will drop in 2023 in a conservative baseline scenario. The ministry's preliminary estimates are projecting an 8.1% decline in fiscal revenue to $299 billion in 2023 from a year earlier. "This is due to the direction that the government is adopting in basing the estimates of oil and non-oil revenues in the budget on conservative standards in anticipation of any developments that may occur in the domestic and global economy," the ministry said.•Saudi to host Asian Winter Games in NEOM megacitySaudi Arabia was chosen on Tuesday to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games at NEOM which planners say will feature a year-round winter sports complex. The Saudi bid was "unanimously approved", the statement said, noting that NEOM will be the first West Asian city to host the event.  The Asian Winter Games are slated to take place in Trojena, an area of NEOM "where winter temperatures drop below zero celsius and year-round temperatures are generally 10 degrees cooler than the rest of the region", according to the project's website. Set to be completed in 2026, Trojena will include year-round skiing, a manmade freshwater lake, chalets, mansions and ultra-luxury hotels according to the website. The Asian Winter Games include competitions for skiing, snowboarding, ice hockey and figure skating -- 47 events in all, 28 on snow and 10 on ice. •Saudi Arabia's Savvy Games Group launches $38bn investment strategy Saudi Arabia's Savvy Games Group, owned by the country's sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund, has unveiled its new investment strategy, as the kingdom seeks to become one of the world's major gaming hubs. The group plans to invest $38bn across four programmes, each with specific objectives, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The programmes include the acquisition and development of a leading game publisher to become a strategic development partner and making a series of minority stake investments in key companies that support Savvy's game development agenda. They also include diversified investments in industry disrupters to grow early-stage games and esports companies as well as investing in mature industry partners who add value and expertise to Savvy's portfolio. •The Saudi Downtown Company (SDC), a company created under the aegis of the royalty and therefore the Public Investment Fund (PIF), will promote the launch of projects in various regions of the country, creating new jobs, with a view to improving the infrastructure of many cities and building strategic alliances with the private sector. The projects to be developed will be in twelve cities including Al-Khobar, Al-Ahsa, Buraidah, Najra, Jizan and Arar. •Saudi Telecom Co., the Middle East's most profitable mobile operator, plans to spend about $1 billion to transform the kingdom into a regional data hub, and may sell a stake in its Center3 business to finance the plans. The investment over the next five years by Center3, as the data unit is known, would help Saudi Arabia host more media, gaming and corporate data, according to Mohammed Alabbadi, STC's chief carrier and wholesale officer and chairman of Center3. It would also follow an initial investment of $1 billion on building data centers and submarine data cables

It takes a rare individual who becomes deeply and personally familiar with something that is wrong, and then dedicates her life to righting that wrong. That person is our special guest today. Catherine Perez-Shakdam is a French journalist, political analyst and commentator. She specializes in West Asian and Islamic affairs. Catherine is a former consultant for UNSC on Yemen, and she is an expert on Islamic Terrorism, Radicalization, and Antisemitism from personal and professional perspectives that she shared with our audience.   Catherine discussed what it would be for Iran's next constitution to enshrine the rejection of antisemitism to become the first country to make such a stance, and why it is not possible. In addition, what she has learned about the way Iran wants to portray themselves to the world in her interviews with their political figures. Catherine spoke in detail about being born to Jewish parents, and being a grandchild of a Holocaust survivor, and also a fighter of Nazis, then married a Muslim and converted to Islam, and also published books and many articles about Shia Islam. Later, she came to detest Islam. Catherine explained about being accused of spying for Israel against Iran, and their claims that she infiltrated Iran. She talked about Yemen, and why is there such a humanitarian crisis there. The biggest issue and fear that we have, according to Catherine, is that there is a tremendous rise in radicalism in the Middle East, and how it is affecting the entire world. It must be resisted!

It takes a rare individual who becomes deeply and personally familiar with something that is wrong, and then dedicates her life to righting that wrong. That person is our special guest today. Catherine Perez-Shakdam is a French journalist, political analyst and commentator. She specializes in West Asian and Islamic affairs. Catherine is a former consultant for UNSC on Yemen, and she is an expert on Islamic Terrorism, Radicalization, and Antisemitism from personal and professional perspectives that she shared with our audience.   Catherine discussed what it would be for Iran's next constitution to enshrine the rejection of antisemitism to become the first country to make such a stance, and why it is not possible. In addition, what she has learned about the way Iran wants to portray themselves to the world in her interviews with their political figures. Catherine spoke in detail about being born to Jewish parents, and being a grandchild of a Holocaust survivor, and also a fighter of Nazis, then married a Muslim and converted to Islam, and also published books and many articles about Shia Islam. Later, she came to detest Islam. Catherine explained about being accused of spying for Israel against Iran, and their claims that she infiltrated Iran. She talked about Yemen, and why is there such a humanitarian crisis there. The biggest issue and fear that we have, according to Catherine, is that there is a tremendous rise in radicalism in the Middle East, and how it is affecting the entire world. It must be resisted!

A version of this essay was published by firstpost.com at Nupur Sharma, neo-feudalism and the geopolitical squeeze on IndiaThe commentariat has rightly focused on the specifics of the Nupur Sharma incident, such as the alleged blasphemy, the apparent provocation, the possibly pro-forma outrage and the street-veto (cheered on by certain politicians who spoke ominously about tinder and spark). I couldn’t possibly improve on their perspectives. For instance Utpal Kumar wrote an excellent piece excoriating the cringe-inducing and thunderous ‘liberal’ response https://www.firstpost.com/opinion/nupur-sharma-has-erred-no-doubt-but-why-are-liberals-mutedly-supporting-islamist-challenge-to-her-right-to-life-10767521.html; and I would add that ‘feminists’ were also notable by their absence. The blood-curdling death threats being hurled at Nupur, the fact that she has been hanged in effigy, and the related riots that appear to be astroturfed, are all deplorable.  I would like to look at the whole thing from the point of view of geopolitics. India is in the process of being squeezed badly.Thanks for reading Shadow Warrior! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.Soft StateThere are a couple of perspectives of interest. One is a throwback to the dark days of 1989-90, when the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban induced the most recent genocide of Kashmiri Hindus, because the terrorists Pakistan had assigned to their Afghan battle were (as they are now) available; and this time, thanks to Biden’s largesse, they have billions worth of weapons. A related historical incident is the hijack of Indian Airlines 814 in 1999, and what, in hindsight, was a strategic blunder committed by India, with Jaswant Singh personally escorting the freed terrorists to Kandahar, who then proceeded to wreak general havoc.  In both cases, the Pakistani takeaways were predicated on triumphalism. They could see the dictum in their Brigadier General SK Malik’s The Qoranic Concept of War being put in place. “Terror struck into the hearts of the enemies is not only a means, it is the end itself.” They could with good reason argue that they were on a trajectory towards a final victory, and urge a final thrust that would bring the house of cards down.The result was the Parliament attack, 2001. Operation Parakram. Godhra, 2002. And eventually 26/11 Mumbai in 2008.Pakistan and its friends in India have been nothing if not lucid: they openly declare their intent to wreak havoc on India, balkanize it, massacre people, do gazwa-e-hind. There is every reason to believe that they mean what they say. To pretend otherwise is to repeat the US folly vis-a-vis China: China kept saying what they intended to do, and the US kept pretending not to hear; and we know where that got Obama and Biden. The point is that every capitulation, every demand conceded, is viewed as a sign of weakness, and invites the next, ever more outrageous demand. India today may be going down this slippery slope, again. As it did repeatedly in the 20th century. The deep freeze on CAA was a capitulation. The withdrawal of the Farm Bills was a capitulation. And now the silencing of Nupur Sharma is a capitulation. If the State blinks on Agnipeeth, that would be another capitulation. There may well be good reasons for all of them, but the fact is that they perpetuate the notion that India is a Soft State.Thank you for reading Shadow Warrior. This post is public so feel free to share it.Neo-Feudalism and the Serf StateThe second perspective of interest is global. Sociologist and demographer Joel Kotkin writes in his latest book The Coming of Neo-Feudalism that we are slipping into a period where there is a stark contrast between the ruling elites, in particular the tech billionaires, and the ruled proletariat. In other words, a return to the European era of feudalism, where a ruling class lorded it over the serfs, who basically had no rights. On Singularity Radio, leftist and former finance minister of Greece, Yanis Varoufakis, echoes the same sentiment and argues it is ‘techno-feudalism’. He goes one step further to state that Capitalism is dead, whereas Kotkin only goes so far as to argue that a zaibatsu-ization of the US economy is happening, and the economic systems of the US and China are converging.In a Hoover Institution podcast based on his Foreign Affairs article, geo-strategist John Mearsheimer suggests a convergence from a political angle too. He argues that the difference between a democracy and an autocracy are limited so far as great-power rivalries go, and that the US made an extraordinarily foolish move to enable China to rise. Says he: Engagement may have been the worst strategic blunder any country has made in recent history: there is no comparable example of a great power actively fostering the rise of a peer competitor. And it is now too late to do much about it.Put these two arguments together, and you get an interesting picture. On the one hand, feudalism requires an upper class and a lower class. It could be argued that feudalism never in fact went away in Europe, or even the supposedly class-less US. Social mobility there is far less than one has been led to believe, according to research by Raj Chetty, then at Stanford. There indeed are traditional elites in the US: the East-Coast Wall Street types, for instance. Their kids all go to prep school like Philipps Andover or Exeter, then on to Ivy League colleges, and then on to Goldman Sachs or Morgan Stanley, and eventually maybe to government. This is, for all intents and purposes, an upper caste, which is also largely endogamous. Just try breaking into it: it is well-nigh impossible. Then there are the lower-caste serfs, the plebeian yahoos who are subjected to ‘manufacturing consent’ on a daily basis. They were earlier manipulated via the big newspapers, but now the tech platforms do an even better job. If you don’t believe me, see how the Overton window has shifted sharply in favor of woke tropes over the last few years. Or, for a more tactical shift, note how the topic of heated discussion has gone from Roe v Wade to school shootings to Jan 6 within days. I am reminded of a line from Pink Floyd, Welcome to the Machine: “What did you dream? It’s alright, we told you what to dream”.In contrast to Kotkin, I would argue that there is no neo-Feudalism, it is the same lovely practice that never went away. Kotkin also said, in passing, “Silicon valley is full of indentured servants from Asia”. He meant India. He is right, and that is the role of India in the game: producing raw materials, including serfs, for the consumption of the upper caste feudal lords.Feudalism applies also to nations. Whites have for a few centuries been the feudal lords, and their colonies, especially India, have been the untermenschen serfs. That is their pre-ordained role. As Mearsheimer candidly admits, the US blundered in allowing China to escape from serfdom. And it is too late. But of course it is not too late to contain India! They have no intention of blundering again, or allowing India to rise to be a great power as well. China has become an honorary upper caste country by bulking up its economy and especially its military. But applications are now firmly closed for membership in this club. Even rich Japan has only a tenuous membership. It is in the interests of the feudal lord countries to keep the serf countries as they are.In this, the US and China are as one: there is no way India can be allowed to gain power. This may explain the fury with which US and European commentators (eg Bruno Macaes) greeted India’s stance in the Ukraine war, of keeping aloof from it. That’s not how a serf state is supposed to act: it should do the Gunga Din tango.This mindset is why the US has continually armed and financed Pakistan, propping up a failed state that should have been dismantled long ago: it is meant to contain India. This is also why you have the likes of Thenmozhi Soundararajan running rampant in the US shouting about caste. This is why a propagandist like Audrey Truschke is not ejected from polite company. This is why USCIRF, an evangelist propaganda body, gets free rein to pontificate about India. This is why India is marginalized in the Quad, and the upper caste countries (Anglosphere is by definition upper caste) close ranks to form AUKUS. India must be put in its place, and that’s why a million mutinies are funded by the Ford Foundation and George Soros, and Xinhua and other CCP arms. There are plenty of sleeper cells armed and ready to riot on command. Add to this mix the oil states of West Asia. Qatar has its giant natural gas reserves, and India is increasingly addicted to LNG including for its newly-minted rural women consumers of cooking gas. Furthermore, Biden is genuflecting at the feet of Saudi Arabia, as Glenn Greenwald writes in a stinging comment on substack. Having successfully prevented India from buying cheap Iranian oil, and pushing hard to prevent it from buying cheap Russian oil, the Americans are forcing India to be ever-more dependent on West Asian states. Never mind that India has buyer power: of course the sellers have to sell the stuff to somebody to keep their economies ticking over.Also never mind the fallacy of the argument that India must kowtow to these Gulf states, in case they send back the Indians working there. Well, that is not charity, either. If the Indians were ejected (let us recall what happened to Uganda in Idi Amin’s time), the serfs running everything would be gone, and the feudal lords would actually have to get their hands dirty doing something other than being rich and idle. The fact that India has not asserted itself forcefully means that the pressure tactics are working: the malign forces have drawn first blood. Chances are that worse is yet to come. 1600 words, Jun 15, 2022 updated Jun 19, 2022 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rajeevsrinivasan.substack.com

As the United States reduces its footprint in the Middle East, China is stepping up its diplomatic and economic engagement in the region. Beijing has already struck notable deals with longstanding U.S. partners such as Saudi Arabia while maintaining strong ties to Iran. How will regional countries navigate intensifying U.S.-China competition? What role will China play on economic, diplomatic, and security issues in the Middle East? And how might the United States respond to Beijing's growing influence in the region?During a live recording of the China in the World podcast, Paul Haenle spoke with Amr Hamzawy, director of the Carnegie Middle East Program, He Wenping, professor at the Institute of West-Asian and African Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and Bilahari Kausikan, chairman of the Middle East Institute at the National University of Singapore. This panel is the fifth of the Carnegie Global Dialogue Series 2021-2022 and is available to be viewed on the Carnegie Endowment's website. https://carnegieendowment.org/2022/05/11/china-s-growing-role-in-middle-east-event-7874

On this week's show we're joined by the doyen of West Asian football, Wael Jabir, as we review all the action from a thrilling AFC Champions League group stage in both the East and West zones. Plus we hear from the Qatar Stars League's Director of Competitions & Football Development, Ahmed Abbassi, on the future direction of the QSL after a raft of significant changes were announced to boost the league.

Toot Ard performed three musical pieces: Moonlight, Trouble Watan & Wanderlust.TootArd, Arabic for "Strawberry", was formed in 2010 by brothers Hasan and Rami Nakhleh. All band members grew up in Majdal Shams. The band started by performing in the Golan Heights, later travelling to Jerusalem, Palestine and Europe. The band's style is mixed. Their first album, Nuri Andaburi, is heavily inspired by reggae music. Their second album, Laissez Passer, combines Tuareg style with psychedelic rock. In general, the band refers to their style as "mountain rock reggae", in reference to their limestone mountainside hometown. Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna, afikra Edited by: Ramzi RammanTheme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/About Quartertones:QuarterTones is a music show. It is an opportunity to listen to music, across genres, from musicians of and from the Arab world. This series is similar to NPR's All Songs Considered that is focused on the Arab world. afikra will be inviting musicians of all genres, as well as music historians, to help better understand the music that they perform or study. In this series, the guests will be invited to talk about their work and play their music, whether live or recorded, in three segments. The series will host current musicians who play contemporary and modern, including alternative scene or hip-hop, electronic, classical music, among other genres. The musicians will also be from different geographies.Join the live audience: https://www.afikra.com/rsvp   FollowYoutube - Instagram (@afikra_) - Facebook - Twitter Support www.afikra.com/supportAbout afikra:‎afikra is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region- past, present, and future - through conversations driven by curiosity. Read more about us on  afikra.com

Historically, India has depended on West Asian countries for energy dependency. Moreover, due to budding business in the region, especially in UAE, around 7 million Indians live here. This has also been a point of discussion in bilateral talks and agreements in the past. Since the election of the Modi government, India's discourse with the Middle East and the rest of West Asia has revolved around topics such as counterterrorism, security, defense cooperation and non-oil trade. Dr. Ningthoujam is a strategic researcher, focusing on India-Middle East relations, Israeli foreign policy, Israel's ties with the Southeast/East Asian countries, its military exports, geopolitics of Middle East, International Terrorism, and Middle East-China relations. He also holds a Ph. D., from the Centre for West Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi for my doctoral thesis on Israel's Arms Exports. In this deep dive on Indo-West Asia relationships, Dr. Alvite speaks about topics such as the similarities and differences between various West Asian countries, the various developmental projects undertaken by India in the region, and the change towards West Asian relationships with the election of PM Modi.

Historically, India has depended on West Asian countries for energy dependency. Moreover, due to budding business in the region, especially in UAE, around 7 million Indians live here. This has also been a point of discussion in bilateral talks and agreements in the past. Since the election of the Modi government, India's discourse with the Middle East and the rest of West Asia has revolved around topics such as counterterrorism, security, defense cooperation and non-oil trade. Dr. Ningthoujam is a strategic researcher, focusing on India-Middle East relations, Israeli foreign policy, Israel's ties with the Southeast/East Asian countries, its military exports, geopolitics of Middle East, International Terrorism, and Middle East-China relations. He also holds a Ph. D., from the Centre for West Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi for my doctoral thesis on Israel's Arms Exports. In this deep dive on Indo-West Asia relationships, Dr. Alvite speaks about topics such as the similarities and differences between various West Asian countries, the various developmental projects undertaken by India in the region, and the change towards West Asian relationships with the election of PM Modi.

I have written a few articles on Shiva Linga in Mecca OM is 786, Muslims Worship Shiv Lingam At Mecca Masjid Al Haraam Says Islamic Site, Prophets Uncle wrote Siva Sthuthi, A Prayer On Lord Shiva, Sapthapathi of the Marriage ceremony of the Hindus and Navagrahas are found in Arabia, Aravasthan is Arabia. The Prophet, after signing a treaty with tribes the Medina Treaty, stormed Mecca and destroyed 360 Idols housed there. There is Kaaba Stone which is believed to have been of Abrahamic times. People are not permitted to take videos or photographs of the inside of the room. The room seems to contain an Idol, the worship of which is prohibited in Islam. Now let us see what a a surreptitiously taken video and an article in a web site run by Pakistani Defense Think Tank say. Video is below. One can see an Idol resembling Shiv Linga there. And watch the Video, and look at the clock for the time of opening the Room. 5.20 to 5.45! Shivas Pradosha Time! Details at www.ramanidblog.in. titled Shiva Linga In Kaaba Opens At Pradosha Video Pakistani Web Site. The article from Pakistan Defense Thin Tank Site. ‘Arabia is an abbreviation. The original word even today is Arbasthan. It originates in Arvasthan. As observed earlier Sanskrit “V” changes into “B”. Arva in Sanskrit means a horse. Arvasthan signifies a land of horses, and as we all know Arabia is famous for its horses.In the 6th and 7th centuries A.D. a wave of effecting a complete break with the past spread over West Asia. All links with the past were broken, images smashed, scriptures des- troyed, education discontinued and the entire West Asian region took a plunge in abyssmal ignorance which lasted for centuries thereafter and perhaps persists to a certain extent even today because if in the whole world modern scientific and educational developments find stubborn and entrenched resis- tance anywhere it is in the West Asian countries. It is said that the late Saudi Arabia ruler could not permit a radio broadcasting station opened in his own capital because of oposition from his Maulavis. He then resorted to a stratagem. Once while he had his council of Maulavis in attendance he had a radio set switched on to a program of Koranic recitation broadcast from a small transmitting station set up earlier without much ado. The Maulavis were delighted, so goes the report, to hear the word of Allah coming to them as if from nowhere. The king told them that what objections could they have to a mechanism which broadcast the word of Allah. The Maulavis agreed and the small radio broadcasting project was at last ratified.According to Encyclopaedia Britannica and Encyclø- paedia Islamia the Arabs are ignorant of their own history of the pre-Muslim era. By a strange euphemism they call it a period of ignorance and darkness. Probably no other country in the world has deliberately written off a 2,500 year period of their own history by systematically stamping out and snapping all links with the past. They have wiped the memories of pre- Muslim era off their minds. So while they chose to remain ignorant of their past ironically enough it is they who dub the pre-Muslim era as a period of ignorance.Fortunately we can still trace the history of that pre- Islamic Arabia. It is a well known adage that there is no such thing as foolproof destruction of all evidence. The pre-Islamic history of Arabia is the story of Indian Kshatriyas over that land, with the people following the Vedic way of life.In our attempt to reconstruct the story of pre-Islamic Arabia we begin with the name of the country itself. As explained earlier the name is fully Sanskrit. Its central pilgrim centre, Mecca is also a Sanskrit name. Makha in Sanskrit signifies a sacrificial fire. Since Vedic fire worship was prevalent all over West Asia in pre-Islamic days Makha signifies the place which had an important shrine of fire worship.Coinciding with the annual pilgrimage of huge bazaar used to spring up in Makha . --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ramanispodcast/message

Probably no other country in the world has deliberately written off a 2,500 year period of their own history by systematically stamping out and snapping all links with the past. They have wiped the memories of pre-Muslim era off their minds. So while they chose to remain ignorant of their past ironically enough it is they who dub the pre-Muslim era as a period of ignorance.   King Vikramadithya's Empire included what is now called Saudi Arabia. Please read my Post Vikramadhiya's Empire. Mecca houses Shiva Linga  and 786 is Om Flipped ,read my post on this. In Istanbul in Turkey, there is a famous library called Makteb-e-Sultania which is reputed to have the largest collection of ancient West Asian literature. In the Arabic Section of that library is an anthology of ancient Arabicpoetry. That anthology was compiled from an earlier work in A.D. 1742 under the orders of the Turkish ruler Sultan Salim. The anthology is known as SAYAR-UL-OKUL. It is divided into three parts, the first part contains biographic details and the poetic compositions of pre-Islamic Arabian poets. The second part embodies accounts and verses of poets of the period beginning just after Prophet Mohammad up to the end of Banee- Ummayya dynasty. The third part deals with later poets up to the end of Khalifa Harun-al-Rashid's times. Incidentally “Banee” means “Vanee” and Ummayya as in Krishnayya are Sanskrit names. Abu Amir Abdul Asamai, a distinguished Arabian bard who was the Poet Laureate of Harun-al-Rashid's court has compiled and edited the anthology. The first modern edition of Sayar-ul-Okul anthology was printed and published in Berlin in A.D. 1864. A subsequent edition was published in Beirut in A.D. 1932. This work is regarded as the most important and authoritative anthology of ancient Arabic poetry. It throws considerable light on the social life, customs, manners and entertainment forms in ancient Arabia. The book also contains an elaborate description of the ancient Mecca shrine, the town and the annual fair known as OKAJ which used to be held there every year. This should convince readers that the annual Haj of the Muslims to the Kaaba is only a continuation of the old fair and not a new practice. But the OKAJ fair was far from a carnival. It provided a forum for the elite and learned to discussthe social,religious,political, literary and other aspects of the Vedic culture then pervading Arabia. Sayar-ul-Okul asserts that the conclusions reached at those discussions were widely respected throughout Arabia. Mecca, therefore, followed the Varanasi tradition of providing a seat for important discussions among the learned while the masses congregated there for spiritual bliss. The principal shrines at both Varanasi in India and at Mecca in Arvasthan were Shiva temples. Even to this day the central object of veneration at both Mecca and Varanasi continues to be the ancient Mahadeva emblems. It is the Shankara stone which Muslim pilgrims reverently touch and kiss in the Kaaba. As the pilgrim proceeds towards Mecca he is asked to shave his head and beard and to don a special sacred attire. This consists of two seamless sheets of white cloth. One is to be worn round the waist and the other over the shoulders. Both these rites are remnants of the old Vedic practice of entering Hindu shrines, clean-shaven and with holy seamless spotless white sheets. The main shrine in Mecca which houses the Shiva emblem is known as the Kaaba. It is clothed in a black shroud. This custom could also originate from the days when it was thought necessary to discourage its recapture. According to encyclopaedias Britannica and Islamia the Kaaba had 360 images. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Kaaba-shrine-Mecca-Saudi-Arabia. www.ramanisblog.in --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ramanispodcast/message

It is almost the end of 2021, and the Thumbprint Team decided to have a roundtable reflection on the past year: what we loved, what we missed, and what we're looking forward to! This week, April and Jaina sat down with Victoria Melkonyan (Director of Outreach and Education), Emery Lade (Administrative and Education Programming Mentee), Sephra Kolker (Social Media Mentee), and Lauren Heyboer (ProductionAssistant Mentee). Join our conversation and hear about all the behind-the-scenes shenanigans of the past year, and what we're excited for in the new one! Victoria Melkonyan is a West Asian artist based in California. Through the lens of actor, director, and writer, Victoria actively pursues, uplifts, and creates stories for and by People of the Global Majority. They are an alumnus of California State University, Long Beach with a BA in Theatre Performance and have studied with the SITI Company. Through both their art and activism, they hope to increase visibility for SWANA (MENA) and all who are absent from the mainstream in various performance/storytelling mediums. From the very beginning of their artistic career and education, Victoria has made it a point to face systemic issues head on and embraced the art of calling in and calling to action in everything that they do. They are very excited by the awakenings happening currently between the masses and hope to aid in bringing a sense of revolution and radicalization to the spaces they occupy. Emery Lade (they/them) is a theatre artist and writer based in the midwest. They've done everything from acting to lighting design to producing, and they are a proud multi-hyphenate creator. Their most recent play, Henry and Mae Kill a Cat, was produced in April by their alma mater, Western Illinois University. You can also read their poetry in Touchstone Literary Magazine. Sephra Kolker (she/her/hers) Currently located in the Southern Plains, Sephra is a multi-hyphenate human being, whose most recent credit includes the role of Laura in Amelia, Once More. Her theatrical interests lie in exploring South-Asian American theatre. Outside of theatre, she enjoys cooking, watching classic television shows, writing in her planner, and podcasting. She recently graduated from the University of Oklahoma with degrees in Public/Nonprofit Administration and Environmental Design. Sephra is excited to be working with Thumbprint Studios, and is eager to learn more about digital content creation, while utilizing her skills to create content that is meaningful and impactful. Lauren Heyboer is a theatre maker currently based in Michigan. With degrees in theatre, English literature, and writing, she has worked at several theatres in her area as an actor, dramaturg, and ASM. Passionate about vitality and theatre for social change, she is currently working on The Water Project, an original collaborative piece about local water crises and community engagement. Lauren works as a proofreader of scripts and audiobooks and plans to pursue a graduate degree in dramaturgy. This episode was produced on the unceded ancestral territory of the Kiikaapoi, Peoria, Bodéwadmiakiwen, and Miami. This episode was edited by Emery Ann, with original intro and outro music by Marc Young. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/prints-unedited/support

In this afikra FWD, Naif Al Bidh talked about the history of South Yemen as the only Arab communist state and how the essence of a collective South West Asian culture was lost.Note: Naif is not an expert on this subject but is sharing information in the hopes of spurring interest in the subject.Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna, afikra Edited by: Ramzi RammanTheme music by The Brooklyn Nomads https://www.instagram.com/thebrooklynnomads/About the afikra Community Presentations:A community member delivers an in-depth presentation on a ‎topic related to the Arab world's history and culture during a one-hour online event. The presentation is the ‎culmination of a month-long afikra coaching process to help identify a topic, find research, and develop the ‎presentation. The goal is to showcase the presenter's curiosity, research, and share some knowledge. Each ‎presentation is followed by a moderated Q&A with questions coming from the live virtual audience on Zoom.  ‎Join the live audience: https://www.afikra.com/rsvp Follow Youtube - Instagram (@afikra_) - Facebook - Twitter Supportwww.afikra.com/supportAbout afikra:‎afikra is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region- past, present, and future - through conversations driven by curiosity.Read more about us on afikra.com

We're joined by renowned West Asian football expert Wael Jabir to dissect all six teams - Iran, Korea Republic, UAE, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon - from Group A of the final round of Asian Qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Plus we also get expert insight on Iran from Masoud Hossein (Tehran Times), Korea Republic from Steve Han (GOAL Korea), Iraq from Hassanin Mubarak (Author, The Lions of Mesopotamia) and Lebanon from Charbel Al-Bayssari (Al Joumhouria).

Conflict and instability in the Middle East show no signs of abating. Recent jousting between Israeli and Palestinian forces, the ongoing war in Yemen, and continued Saudi Arabia-Iran friction threaten to further destabilize the region. Though President Biden is attempting to restore coherence in the U.S. approach to the Middle East, his administration remains focused on responding to the pandemic domestically and on countering China in the international arena. Beijing, for its part, appears intent on playing a larger role in Middle Eastern affairs. It continues to foster stronger ties with regional countries through its Belt and Road Initiative and bilateral cooperation agreements, such as the twenty-five-year investment deal with Iran. How will China’s growing influence in the region affect the interests of the United States and other actors? During a live recording of the China in the World podcast, Paul Haenle spoke with Karim Sadjadpour, a senior fellow in the Carnegie Endowment’s Middle East Program, and He Wenping, a professor at the Institute of West Asian and African Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. This panel is the fourth of the Carnegie Global Dialogue Series 2020-2021 and is also available to be watched online.

India seems to be reducing its oil imports from Saudi Arabia due to its high prices. In February, imports from the West Asian kingdom have decreased by 42 per cent from January. Saudi Arabia has consistently been one of India's top two suppliers, but now the nation has slipped to the fourth position for the first time since at least January 2006. The United States overtook Saudi Arabia as India's second-biggest oil supplier after Iraq in February. India is also reducing oil imports from other West Asian nations as well. However, India did buy more oil from Nigeria, which is now the third on the list. India purchased 472,300 bpd from the African nation, the most since October 2019. Why is this happening? Here's all you need to know. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/business-line/message

Armenia is one of the 6 ancient surviving countries in the world. First ever church was built here. Apricots are called Armenian Apple. Listen in to know more interesting things about this West Asian country. www.chimesradio.com   http://onelink.to/8uzr4g   https://www.facebook.com/chimesradio/   https://www.instagram.com/vrchimesradio/   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Quizmasters Lee and Marc meet to ask, suss and answer a general knowledge quiz with topics including The Bible, Academy Awards, U.S. Colleges, Sports Origins, Jazz Music, Avant-garde Music, American Desserts, Punk Music, Award-winning Cartoons, Fruit Slang, College Football, Ancient Games, Famous Couples, German Language, Grammy Awards and more! All of Marc’s questions for this quiz are inspired by Steely Dan songs or albums. Round One THE BIBLE - The Steely Dan song "Do It Again" references the "land of milk and honey" is a phrase used in what book of The Bible, usually attributed to Moses? ACADEMY AWARDS - What 1994 best picture winner featured the big-screen debut of actor Haley Joel Osment and was released in 1995 with no chapter selection as director Rober Zmeckis wanted viewers to enjoy the film in its entirety? U.S. COLLEGES - "I remember the thirty five sweet goodbyes when you put me on the Wolverine up to Annandale", the beginning lyrics to the Steely Dan song "My Old School", is a reference to heading back to which private liberal arts college? SPORTS ORIGINS - Played with a leather ball filled with feathers and hair, in what country was the sport of soccer invented? JAZZ MUSIC - The instrumental Steely Dan song "East St. Louis Toodle-oo", is a cover of a song originally written by which jazz pianist and composer who was born in 1899? AVANT-GARDE MUSIC - What band that formed in 2011 funded an admission-free tour by releasing a silent album on Spotify in 2014 called Sleepify, highlighting how easy it was to game to the streaming services royalty system? Missed Corrections The Terminator came out in 1984, not 1982. - Quizmaster Lee “I Value Xylophones Like Cows Dig Milk. Reverse Medical Xavier.” - Team Captain Aaron “In regards to the Louis question, although it is correct that Louis the 16th was married to Marie Antoinette, it was Louis the 14th who was nicknamed Louis the Great as well as the Sun King.” - Proverbial Lightkeeper Matt Round Two AMERICAN DESSERTS - What popular dessert is American in origin but features a Teutonic name and involves layers of chocolate cake topped with pecans and coconut mixed into a custard frosting? PUNK MUSIC - The lyric "Katie lied," from Dr. Wu was covered by what early punk band headed by singer and guitarist D. Boon? AWARD-WINNING CARTOONS - What Emmy-award winning cartoon stars Jeremy Shada and John DiMaggio and is set in The Land of Ooo, 1,000 years after the Great Mushroom War? LANDMARKS - The Steely Dan album Caves of Altamira is named after a cave complex located in which European country that is renowned for prehistoric parietal cave art featuring charcoal drawings and polychrome paintings of contemporary local fauna and human hands? FRUIT SLANG - Known for its Eureka, Meyer and Bearss varieties, what citrus fruit’s name indicates a quantity of 1 million rubles in Russian Slang? COLLEGE FOOTBALL - Every year, the Alabama Crimson Tide plays in the Iron Bowl, played against what other college team? RATE MY QUESTION GAMES - Believed to be a part of a backgammon type of game called Senet, the oldest dice ever found dated around 2800-2500 BC was located in what West Asian country? FAMOUS COUPLES - What couple was married on October 20, 1968, with the wedding taking place on the groom’s private island of Skorpios, located in the Ionian Sea? Final Questions GERMAN LANGUAGE - In the song "Babylon Sisters," Steely Dan songwriter Donald Fagan mentions drinking "kirschwasser" from the shell, which is a type of brandy which translates to mean water of what fruit? GRAMMY AWARD RECORDS - Lauryn Hill, Alicia Keys, Norah Jones, Beyonce, Amy Winehouse, Alison Krauss and Adele had shared the record for Most Grammys Won In A Single Year by a Female Artist until 2010, when which performer won seven Grammy’s in a single night? Upcoming LIVE Know Nonsense Trivia Challenges November 7th, 2020 - Know Nonsense Trivia Challenge - Palace Pub & Wine Bar - 7:30 pm EDT December 9th, 2020 - Know Nonsense Trivia Challenge - Point Ybel Brewing Co. - 7:30 pm EDT December 10th, 2020 - Know Nonsense Trivia Challenge - Twitch - 8:00 pm EDT You can find out more information about that and all of our live events online at KnowNonsenseTrivia.com All of the Know Nonsense events are free to play and you can win prizes after every round. Thank you Thanks to our supporters on Patreon. Thank you, Quizdaddies – Dylan, Tommy (The Electric Mud) and Tim (Pat's Garden Service) Thank you, Team Captains – Shaun, Lydia, Gil, David, Rachael, Aaron, Kristen & Fletcher Thank you, Proverbial Lightkeepers – Ryan, Mollie, Lisa, Alex, Jenny, Spencer, Kaitlynn, Manu, Mo, Matthew, Luc, Hank, Justin, Cooper, Elyse, Sarah, Karly, Kristopher, Josh, Lucas and Max Thank you, Rumplesnailtskins – Doug, Kevin and Sara, Tiffany, Allison, Paige, We Do Stuff, Mike S. ,Kenya, Jeff, Eric, Steven, Efren, Mike J., Mike C. If you'd like to support the podcast and gain access to bonus content, please visit http://theknowno.com and click "Support."

賓狗的更多英文學習資源：
https://www.zeczec.com/projects/bingobilingual 
 · 全英文 podcast · 視訊家教 · 不定時線上課程
 預習：spike, exit, boycott, draft, firefighter calendar 1 【spike 高峰】— 名詞 Spain has a night-time curfew to help control a new spike in COVID-19 infections. 2 【exit 離開；走出】— 動詞 Melbourne will exit lockdown after recording no new COVID-19 cases. 3 【boycott 抵制】— 名詞
France has urged West Asian countries to end calls for a boycott. 4【draft 擬定初稿；起草】— 動詞 Nearly 80 percent of voters opted for a new constitution drafted by citizens. 5 【firefighter calendar 消防員年曆】— 名詞 Australian Firefighters Calendar may be the world's most popular calendar. 
簡單複習： 
1）spike 高峰 2）exit 離開；走出 3）boycott 抵制 4）draft 擬定初稿；起草 5）firefighter calendar 消防員年曆 Powered by Firstory Hosting

What is the story of your name? In this poem, the poet calls on place, ancestors, and history to bear witness to the dignity of their name. They recall how their ancestors “acknowledged my roots grew in two / places” and how their name “is the definition of resilience.” With Black/Indigenous, Pasifika, and West Asian heritage, the poet speaks to those who mispronounce their name: “Say it right or don’t say it at all / for I am Meleika.”Meleika Gesa-Fatafehi is a Black/Indigenous, Pasifika, and West Asian writer. Her work has been published internationally, including in Radio NZ, Nerdy PoC, Djed Press, The Big Issue, Overland literary journal and Endless Yarning. Meleika is a 2019 Next Chapter recipient from the Wheeler Centre.Find the transcript for this show at onbeing.org.

Today on The Leaders' Brief - European privacy campaign group, NOYB, files complaints against 101 websites with regional operators for sending data to the US via Google Analytics or Facebook Connect integrations. The inclination of West Asian countries towards space exploration has created room for Asian giants such as India and China to develop partnerships in new areas. While China is reportedly trying to secure a uranium extraction deal with Saudi Arabia, India leads the space-technology front. Scotland edges closer to launching satellites from the UK's first spaceport as the Highland Council North Planning Applications Committee gives final approval for the construction of a “Space Hub” in Sutherland. About egomonk: Website | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedInegomonk is a global intelligence platform delivering asymmetric outcomes by bringing organizations closer to the communities they want to serve and the leaders they wish to influence. If you wish to collaborate with us then email us at contact@egomonk.com.

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Spoken Punjabi: In this episode, we discuss repairing and maintaining relationships with your family, understanding bereavement and offering condolences when losing loved ones, expressing emotions, reconnecting with your roots and keeping family ties. Plus, we touch on the balance between protectiveness and control - inviting a further and deeper discussion on the topic.

In this episode, Michelle Deng and Wen Chan continue their exploration of the representation of Asian women in media. For this episode, they are joined by Carol Jacob to talk about the differences between East Asian and West Asian representation, and how this impacts their lives.

Scott and Paul are joined by the oracle of West Asian football, Wael Jabir, and veteran Asian football journalist, Michael Church, who has been to 16 previous AFC Champions League finals, to look ahead to this year's final between Al Hilal and Urawa Reds.

See how to Convert YouTubers Into Loyal Spotify Followers In 10 Minutes and watch Stephen Allen Music's Do or Die Music Video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pjxSAkCvXA&list=PLXGQGz8XhpvinyBFSLwnDrge65dUHFOuc Using these strategies and seeing you the YouTubers react may help you get on Spotify playlists, promote your Apple Music, and much more for your music business! #Sponsored by Stephen Allen Music https://www.youtube.com/user/stephenallenmusic?sub_confirmation=1 Stephen Allen Music - Do or Die ( Official Music Video ) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pjxSAkCvXA&list=PLXGQGz8XhpvinyBFSLwnDrge65dUHFOuc American songwriter Stephen Allen Music born Stephen Mackey is the son of James Sr. and Serena born in Bedford Stuyvesant Brooklyn, New York March 30th, 1989. Middle child of two biological brothers his ethnic background is 84 percent West African 12 percent European 2 percent Native American and 2 percent West Asian. He briefly went to Atlanta Institute of Music in 2012 majoring in Audio Engineering but never graduated due to financial hardship. ----- Website ---- http://iamstephenallen.com/ -----Spotify----- https://open.spotify.com/artist/2dLKkyJWRjsNafzYEj6l9E?si=ODXHe3LfQbGusAHGBGITDA ---- Social Media ----- https://www.facebook.com/iiamstephenallen https://www.facebook.com/stephenallenmusic/?eid=ARDyVhZnLwsYqrXTP8WyNx0YRThR24PjCHNhlE8Zb5gqfNaaroNpnifzafsaRrowHbpSP9ER_HLMaY1T https://twitter.com/iamstephenallen https://www.instagram.com/iiamstephenallen https://soundcloud.com/iamstephenallen RESOURCES & LINKS FOR THIS VIDEO: SPONSOR? Let's make a video together where I will apply my digital marketing and online advertising skills to promoting you and your business, podcast, channel, brand, company, book, course, or hosting at https://jerry.tips/sponsored Sign up for your free live training here! https://jerrybanfield.com/webinars/ __ SUBSCRIBE? https://www.youtube.com/JerryBanfield?sub_confirmation=1. Say Hi on Social Media! https://www.tiktok.com/@jerrybanfield/ https://www.facebook.com/jbanfield https://www.youtube.com/jerrybanfield https://twitter.com/JerryBanfield https://www.twitch.tv/jerrybanfield/ https://www.instagram.com/jerrybanfield/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerrybanfield/ https://medium.com/@jerrybanfield https://mixer.com/jerrybanfield https://dlive.tv/jerrybanfield https://www.pinterest.com/jerrybanfield/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/6JSSA7iFpLxZPdsJfp27UU https://soundcloud.com/jbanfield __ Read Videos as Blog Posts! https://jerrybanfield.com/blog/ Listen to The Jerry Banfield Show Podcast! https://jerrybanfield.com/podcast/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jerrybanfield/support

While at the Berlin Art Fair, Alia Fattouh and I had a chance to talk about: The importance of art fairs in introducing artists to curators, museums and patrons, Saudi Arabian art, Pre-october 2018 Saudi art market, Saudi art council, YSA - Young Saudi artists, How galleries choose artists, Artist introducing other artists to galleries, Do not email or drop off portfolios with galleries, it does not work, References will get you represented, Artist selling work through social media rather than a gallery, Galleries build careers for artists, Instagram as a way to be discovered, Social media as a resource for artist sand galleries, Artist selling out of their studios, A strong interest of Saudi Artists in new medias, traditional techniques are less common, Social engagement through art, Addressing issues in a mature way, Highlighting without criticising, Language barrier, Vision 2030, Artist residencies, Partnership with Pace Gallery, 2139 exhibition, the importance of having management and business skills, Do not follow trends, have your own vision, Building the career of an artist is a long term endeavour, Galleries should learn to grow with their artists, Artist poaching among galleries, Long term planning, Artists and galleries setting yearly goals and strategies, Know your market, and the need to do research, look at what else is being exhibited and collected in a market https://www.athrart.com   About Director of Athr Gallery, Jeddah, where she recently moved after residing in New York for eight years. Founded by Hamza Serafi and Mohammed Hafiz, Athr is one of the driving forces behind the Contemporary art scene in Saudi Arabia. She co-founded TandemWorks with curator and sister Mayssa Fattouh in Beirut in 2015, an award-winning non-profit arts initiative that encourages change on social, cultural and environmental issues with interventions in the public realm. She previously served as Director at Lombard Freid Gallery in New York. During her tenure there, she worked closely with international artists, introduced a number of artists such as Huguette Caland and Kemang Wa Lehulere, and spearheaded initiatives with the West Asian market. Before moving to New York in 2011, Fattouh was Education Manager at Canvas, Dubai, a publication dedicated to art and culture from West Asia, where she developed art classes for collectors across the Gulf, the first initiative of its kind in the region. Fattouh received her BA from the American University in Beirut in Political Studies and holds a Masters degree from Institut d'Etudes Politiques, Science Po Paris in Conflict Resolution and Development. Please be sure to visit our Patreon page and help support the podcast by being part of the conversation. The more money raised, the larger the global reach we can offer you: https://www.patreon.com/thewisefool For more information about the host, Matthew Dols http://www.matthewdols.com   Transcript available: https://wisefoolpod.com/transcript-for-episode-023-gallery-director-alia-fattouh-athr-gallery-jeddah-saudi-arabia/

While at the Berlin Art Fair, Alia Fattouh and I had a chance to talk about: The importance of art fairs in introducing artists to curators, museums and patrons, Saudi Arabian art, Pre-october 2018 Saudi art market, Saudi art council, YSA - Young Saudi artists, How galleries choose artists, Artist introducing other artists to galleries, Do not email or drop off portfolios with galleries, it does not work, References will get you represented, Artist selling work through social media rather than a gallery, Galleries build careers for artists, Instagram as a way to be discovered, Social media as a resource for artist sand galleries, Artist selling out of their studios, A strong interest of Saudi Artists in new medias, traditional techniques are less common, Social engagement through art, Addressing issues in a mature way, Highlighting without criticising, Language barrier, Vision 2030, Artist residencies, Partnership with Pace Gallery, 2139 exhibition, the importance of having management and business skills, Do not follow trends, have your own vision, Building the career of an artist is a long term endeavour, Galleries should learn to grow with their artists, Artist poaching among galleries, Long term planning, Artists and galleries setting yearly goals and strategies, Know your market, and the need to do research, look at what else is being exhibited and collected in a market https://www.athrart.com   About Director of Athr Gallery, Jeddah, where she recently moved after residing in New York for eight years. Founded by Hamza Serafi and Mohammed Hafiz, Athr is one of the driving forces behind the Contemporary art scene in Saudi Arabia. She co-founded TandemWorks with curator and sister Mayssa Fattouh in Beirut in 2015, an award-winning non-profit arts initiative that encourages change on social, cultural and environmental issues with interventions in the public realm. She previously served as Director at Lombard Freid Gallery in New York. During her tenure there, she worked closely with international artists, introduced a number of artists such as Huguette Caland and Kemang Wa Lehulere, and spearheaded initiatives with the West Asian market. Before moving to New York in 2011, Fattouh was Education Manager at Canvas, Dubai, a publication dedicated to art and culture from West Asia, where she developed art classes for collectors across the Gulf, the first initiative of its kind in the region. Fattouh received her BA from the American University in Beirut in Political Studies and holds a Masters degree from Institut d'Etudes Politiques, Science Po Paris in Conflict Resolution and Development. Please be sure to visit our Patreon page and help support the podcast by being part of the conversation. The more money raised, the larger the global reach we can offer you: https://www.patreon.com/thewisefool For more information about the host, Matthew Dols http://www.matthewdols.com   Transcript available: http://wisefoolpod.com/transcript-for-episode-023-gallery-director-alia-fattouh-athr-gallery-jeddah-saudi-arabia/

Meia and Chris join Breht to discuss Assyrian history, West Asian politics, Indigenous struggles, colonialism and the Western Gaze, Kurdish nationalism, Christianity and Islam, Rojava and Syria, Anti-Imperialism, and much more! Find Chris on Twitter @assyrianSR Find and Support Meia and her work here: https://www.patreon.com/ninwa Here is The Magnificast episode:   https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-magnificast/e/59130359  Here are the Season of the Bitch episodes:   Part 1: https://soundcloud.com/seasonofthebitch/episode-43-foreign-policy-and-the-left   Part 2:  https://soundcloud.com/seasonofthebitch/episode-44-foreign-policy-and-the-left-part-two  The Bad Mouse Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afuFaLoAhGs Assyrians and Yezidis talking about the Peshmerga withdrawal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVqcmgAtjp8&t=78s Articles/Resources: https://www.forbes.com/sites/ewelinaochab/2017/07/31/can-the-peshmerga-fighters-be-held-liable-for-abandoning-the-yazidis-in-sinjar/#777019c378b1 https://www.thedailybeast.com/how-the-us-favored-kurds-abandoned-the-yazidis-when-isis-attacked -------- LEARN MORE ABOUT REV LEFT RADIO: https://www.revolutionaryleftradio.com/ SUPPORT REV LEFT RADIO: www.patreon.com/revleftradio Our logo was made by BARB, a communist graphic design collective! You can find them on twitter or insta @Barbaradical Intro music by Captain Planet. Find and support his music here:  https://djcaptainplanet.bandcamp.com --------------- This podcast is affiliated with: The Nebraska Left Coalition, Omaha Tenants United, Socialist Rifle Association (SRA), Feed The People - Omaha, and the Marxist Center.

Fading hopes of a government stimulus, rupee movement against the US dollar, and global cues are likely to dominate investor sentiment today. Most investors were expecting the government to increase spending to shore up economic growth, however, comments by some government officials have dashed hopes of a big-bang stimulus. Yesterday, Chief Economic Advisor Krishnamurthy Subramanian said one could not expect the government to use taxpayers’ money to intervene every time some sectors go through “sunsets”. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said while fiscal stimulus was a good idea, the government would be criticised for leaving fiscal prudence.  NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Rajiv Kumar has described the current stress in the financial sector as “unprecedented”, saying that it made a case for "extraordinary steps" to deal with the crisis. That apart, market participants will also track oil price movement, foreign fund flow, and stock-specific action for market direction. Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised doubts about India's tax revenue estimates and GDP growth target and has asked India to explain how it is confident of meeting its revenue estimates for the year, given the current state of economic growth and historical buoyancy. In the currency market, the rupee on Thursday plunged to its lowest level in 2019, closing at 71.81 against the dollar, 26 paise below its previous close. The benchmark S&P BSE Sensex dropped nearly 600 points to end at 36,473, while the Nifty ended at 10,741, down 177 points. And, now let's take a look at stocks that are likely to trade actively in today's session.  Shares of Future Group companies may hog the limelight today after the company said American e-commerce giant Amazon.com is acquiring a 49 per cent stake in a group entity — Future Coupons Ltd. That apart, YES Bank may also be in focus today as news reports suggest it is looking for $1.9 bn of equity infusion.  And, now let's take a look at the global markets.  US equities ended little changed on Thursday. The Dow Jones rose 0.19 per cent, the S&P 500 0.05 per cent, and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.36 per cent. Stocks in Asia opened mixed on Friday. Shares in Japan and Australia were flat, while equities in South Korea dipped. At 07:52 am, Nifty futures on the Singapore Exchange (SGX) were trading 6 points or 0.06 per cent lower at 10,713, indicating a flat start for the Indian market today.  And, before we wrap up, here's a quick look at the top headlines for the day -  >> CBI court sends P Chidambaram to custody till August 26 in INX media case >> Sebi's move to ease norms for FPIs likely to attract West Asian banks;  >> Falling share prices may hit govt's PSU divestment plan; and >> HSBC lays off 150 employees from India back offices for 'realignment'.

Dr. Bijan Khajehpour is the managing partner of Eurasian Nexus Partners (Eunepa) – a Vienna-based strategy consulting firm.  He has advised international companies on West Asian markets for more than two decades. He has also been involved in mediation and negotiations of international business and investment partnerships. In this Democracy That Delivers podcast, along with Babak Yektafar,  CIPE Senior Program Officer for MENA, he discusses the issue of corrupt networks in Iran, and how that affects the country’s population and harm the private sector. “In the name of sanctions, all types of corrupt businesses are happening. It’s undermining the Iranian economy, it’s undermining the private sector, and it’s consolidating forces that are not constructive for Iran or for the region. It creates channels of goods and money that are hurting the regional economy.”

On April 1st, Rumi Forum organized a book event for Anwar Alam's new book titled For the Sake of Allah at Ezher Mosque. Speaker/Author: Anwar Alam, PhD, is Senior Fellow with Policy Perspectives Foundation, New Delhi. Earlier he served as Professor of International Relations at Zirve University, Gaziantep, Turkey, and Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi; Director of Centre for West Asian Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, and Associate Professor at School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He is a recipient of the prestigious Alexander von Humboldt Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship, Germany, and specializes in West Asian and South Asian Studies.

Cooper's choice tonight on the MHOD as review the latest from Orphaned Land - Unsung Prophets & Dead Messiahs! Orphaned Land is an Israeli heavy metal band, formed in 1991 under the name Resurrection (changing their name in 1992 to the current name), that combines Jewish, Arabic, and other West Asian influences. They are considered 'The pioneers of Oriental Metal'[by whom?]. The band has gone through several lineup changes over the years, but has retained two of the founding members, Kobi Farhi (vocals) and Uri Zelcha (bass). They are joined by Matan Shmuely (drums), Chen Balbus (guitar/keyboard) who replaced co-founding member Matti Svatizky in 2012, and Idan Amsalem (guitars/bouzouki) who replaced co-founding member Yossi Sassi in early 2014. Their lyrics promote a message of peace and unity, particularly between the three main Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Islam, and Christianity).

In these following two episodes former Indian Ambassador to the Gulf, Talmiz Ahmad, provides a riveting tour-de-force on issues of concern in the region. This first episode engages with topics such as the roots of various forms of Political Islam and the background to ongoing turbulence in the region. Talmiz Ahmad joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1974. Early in his career, he was posted in a number of West Asian countries such as Kuwait, Iraq and Yemen and later, between 1987-90, he was Consul General in Jeddah. He also held positions in the Indian missions in New York, London and Pretoria. He was Joint Secretary for Gulf and Hajj in 1998-2000. He served as Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia twice (2000-03; 2010-11); Oman (2003-04), and the UAE (2007-10). He was also Additional Secretary for International Cooperation in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas in 2004-06, and Director General of the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA), New Delhi, in 2006-07. In July 2011, the Saudi Government conferred on him the King Abdul Aziz Medal First Class for his contribution to the promotion of Indo – Saudi relations. After retirement from foreign service in 2011, he worked in the corporate sector in Dubai for four years. He is now a full-time academic and holds the Ram Sathe Chair in International Studies, Symbiosis International University, Pune. He has published three books: Reform in the Arab World: External Influences and Regional Debates (2005), Children of Abraham at War: The Clash of Messianic Militarisms (2010) and The Islamist Challenge in West Asia: Doctrinal and Political Competitions after the Arab Spring (2013). He writes regularly in the Indian and West Asian media and lectures on political Islam, the politics of West Asia and the Indian Ocean, and energy security issues.

This month all of us here at Genealogy Gems are celebrating reaching a milestone 1000 blog posts on our website. But we're not just celebrating our own genealogy writing. We're celebrating YOURS! Today I have a special segment that celebrates what YOU have shared with us about your adventures in family history blogging. I also have a short, fun family history writing challenge to share with everyone, not just those who blog. I'll introduce that challenge with a surprise guest—the poet laureate of Kentucky. Genealogy Gems App Users: Check out the Bonus Content video NEWS: More U.S. Marriage Records OnlineHave you noticed on our blog that every Friday we report new genealogy records online? Well, last week was a doozy in terms of U.S. marriage records. We had heard through the grapevine that FamilySearch had set itself to the task of tracking down every possible marriage record for the U.S. and it looks like they're having some success! At FamilySearch alone last week, they published or updated indexed  marriage records in , , , , , , , , , and . Louisiana's collection alone contains over a million entries, and Pennsylvania's dates to the 1600s! But FamilySearch isn't alone in the marriage record publishing frenzy. We noticed that Ancestry has just added  new marriage indexes for ,  and . Of course, not every ancestor who married stayed that way: Ancestry has also updated its  collection and added a new collection of  records. A lot of these are older but you'll be surprised at how far into the 20th century some of these new marriage record collections are. Use these to recharge your research if you've stalled somewhere on your U.S. family tree! NEWS: National Archives (U.S.) Doing More DigitizingThe U.S. National Archives has signed contracts to digitize more of its historical records. The  are with FamilySearch and , and the records in question will include various items with births, marriages, deaths, immigration and military service information. So the National Archives has partnered with these organizations in the past, but this time around, the contract allows them to get records online faster by uploading digitized and partially-digitized collections before they're even indexed, like FamilySearch already does. There are new provisions to protect personally identifying information, and will have a shorter window of exclusivity with their content. They invest in record digitization and indexing so they will have exclusive access to the images and indexes for a period of time, after which the National Archives can put the material on its site and share it with other partners. It's a win-win even for those who don't subscribe to Ancestry: you'll just have to wait longer to win! And FYI, in case you wonder why FamilySearch and Ancestry seem so favored, the U.S. National Archives does sign content partnerships with other companies. Findmypast has a contract pending, and there's already a contract with military records site Fold3. NEWS: for Mac and More I recently heard two really great pieces of news about genealogy software--for Mac users! First, is now available for FREE!  This is the get-started version of RootsMagic which introduces you to this excellent family history software. If you're still exploring which family history software is best for you, give it a try! If you decide to upgrade to the full, paid version of the software, the transition is seamless and easy. Speaking of a full Mac version of RootsMagic, you may recall that last year they launched MacBridge for RootsMagic. This was really a great step forward, but there was an additional fee and it required extra steps to download and use. But now when you buy RootsMagic 7, you can install it on both Windows and Mac computers in your household....So your single purchase includes licenses for both. Great, right?! So if you already own RootsMagic 7 for Windows, you can head back to their website, and download RootsMagic 7 for Mac any time and use the same registration key that you got with your original purchase. And something I really love about Rootstmagic is the free and easy to access support they provide their users. There's nothing worse than struggling to use your genealogy software when you're hot on the trail of ancestors. Well they have just published two new free PDF RootsMagic user guides – one that's all about installing RootsMagic for Mac, and another guide on how to create a Shareable CD. So now you have lots of new things to do when it comes to Rootsmagic.   MAILBOX  This month we are celebrating 1000 blog posts on the . It's hard to believe we're up to 1000 different posts on family history news, tips, stories and more! Who knew there was so much to say? But our blog is only a drop in the genealogy-blogging bucket! I keep hearing from so many of you about your blogging successes. So here's a taste of what I'm hearing: “I absolutely love blogging about my family,” commented Diane on the . “Once I got serious, 2 years ago, I have really enjoyed it. I've connected with cousins and made many new friends. I write tips to help other researchers and that's also been very rewarding. It's a regular part of my life now. I would really miss it if I couldn't write.” Here's another one. Debra wrote in to say, “I have been reading about blogging for genealogy on your website and finally decided to bite the bullet and start one. Now I am trying to figure out how to get it noticed and remembered that you asked us to send you the link if we started one, so here is the information.” Her blog: , at . I took a quick peek at it. It's still a young blog, but I have to say that Debra is going about this the right way. Her blog posts are packed with family names and locations that can help other relatives find her, if they're searching for those same names and locations online. She's also got great stories and memories in her posts, which she's added documents and photos to. That content will keep interested relatives reading, once they've discovered her, which may take some time—but it's worth it! A new podcast listener and blogger wrote to me recently. Jolanta is a Polish immigrant to Northern Ireland and a professional translator. She says, “I only just discovered podcast as a medium and your podcast in particular. I am loving it! Love the book club, the tips and really everything about it! I drive a lot and it is recorded loud enough to comfortably listen in a car (unlike some other podcasts) and I still have quite a lot of shows to go so I will be occupied for a while!” She goes on to say, “Motivated by your show, I decided to take a plunge and start my own blog…I am not a native English speaker, but this is a way to challenge myself. I only have one post up so far and the next one nearly ready, but the more I listen to your podcasts the more ideas I have.” Since she wrote us, she's added more to her blog at . I'm so pleased that the show is inspiring Jolanta, because she's inspiring me! What a feat, to blog in your second language! She says that as an immigrant, she feels doing her genealogy is even more important, because since she left 11 years ago, her daughter has been born. Jolanta says, “She needs to know where her roots are!” and I couldn't agree more. Good for her! Another Debra wrote in recently with this comment: “I am fairly new to your podcast series; I enjoy listening while I work on my quilting projects. You have inspired me to start a family history blog as a starting base for writing my family history. Last week, I listened to one of your early podcasts on the subject of cold-calling. I was amazed to hear how difficult it is for many people to reach out to others for help with their research into their own family history. I took that topic and wrote a blog entry about the first cold-call that I remember. It has inspired me to write about more cold-calls in the near future. I would like to invite you to read that entry on my site, . Thank you for your excitement and your inspirations.”  Well, you're welcome, Debra, and thank you for sharing your blog post with your experience cold-contacting a distant relative: an experience that actually led to meeting that relative, who introduced her to another relative who lived in the old family home, which had a family burial plot in her back garden! What a great contact and friendship she describes! Mike from Sydney, Australia wrote to say, “Congratulations on a great podcast from Down Under. I listen to every episode during my travels to and from work. I recently watched your 'how to blog your family history' series on YouTube and became motivated to finally 'get on my butt' and do something. Your recent episode 184 with Judy's blogging experience was the clincher. I have now proudly given birth to my first blog at And it wasn't painful. It has only taken about 20 years since blogging has been around! Thank you for inspiring me and all your other listeners.” It feels so good to hear that so many people are getting into the spirit of blogging their family history! It's never too late to start! I'll share one last letter from Chris, who wrote in after we announced the new Chris says, “Since you turned everyone on to this latest resource I thought I'd share the results.” She sent me a link to her about using these, where she reports: “I was very lucky. I knew enough information to make a smart guess at exactly where to look and within half an hour I had baptismal records for three people in my dad's family.” In fact, these relatives she talks about have the surname Cooke, just like my married name. Do you still need more motivation to get blogging? I came across a marketing blog post on the power of blogging for businesses. Well, we as family historians are in the business of sharing our family history stories. So I think about things from that point of view when I hear the following, taken from a post on . First, businesses that blog attract two-thirds more potential customers than those who don't. Likewise, family historians who share their family history online can attract interest from lots of relatives, including those they've never met and those they never knew were interested in family history! Second, blog posts can pull in new customers for businesses whether you wrote them yesterday or years ago. It's worth updating older blog posts with more current information and keeping your current contact information on your blog, even if you're not actively adding to it right now. Third, marketing experts say that by 2020, customers are expected to manage about 85% of business without even talking to a human. Wow! I think we'll see some trending that direction in family history research, too. Increasingly, our relatives are likely looking for their family history online first—not as much by reaching out to distant relatives and relatives-of-relatives by mail or phone, though I still encourage that cold-calling approach that worked so well for Debra. Fourth, the only thing blogging costs is TIME! This speaks for itself. No expensive mailings or printing copies of books and photos, hoping your relatives will pay you back. Fifth, and finally, blogs are considered a highly trusted source for accurate online information. The personal touch of a blog, together with your responsible research and the sources you cite, can help your relatives trust what you're telling them.   GENEALOGY GEMS FOR SOCIETIES A few months ago I heard from Richard. “I have been asked by my local genealogical Society to conduct and present at the meeting in August. My thought for the class was Internet Genealogy and providing a comprehensive overview on how members and non-members can increase their sources and find ‘hidden' records on line. Can I include images of your website and small clips of some of your online free videos as part of the presentation? I would of course include the source information and provide credit for you. I am also planning to hype up your podcast as well since it has given me a number of new outlooks on the best hobby in the world. Thank you again for your continued information and assistance in every media format known.” Thank you, Richard! I'm so glad he wants to share Genealogy Gems with his local society. I've actually heard that from so many of you that I've created a new program to meet this need. Genealogy Gems for Societies is a premium subscription service just for genealogical societies and groups, such as libraries. This is a cost-effective way for groups to enjoy my high-quality family history video presentations their regular meetings. It includes: A year-long license to show video recordings of my most popular classes as group presentations Permission to republish articles and blog posts from our enormous online archive—remember? we're up to 1000 blog posts now!—in your society newsletter. (Your newsletter editor will LOVE this feature!), and Discounts for your society and its members on Genealogy Gems live seminars and purchases from our online store.   INTERVIEW: Where I'm From with George Ella Lyon Today I arranged for a special segment that Contributing Editor Sunny Morton recorded with George Ella Lyon, the poet laureate of Kentucky, George Ella Lyon, whose own poem on family identity has inspired hundreds of people to write their own and has even become an official statewide initiative in Kentucky! One of those who wrote their own version of the poem was Sunny's own 11-year old son Alex. Enjoy the conversation—and listen for that writing invitation I told you was coming! George Ella Lyon is the Poet Laureate for the state of Kentucky and the author of a very popular family history writing exercise based on her poem, “Where I'm From.” She uses her poem to encourage others to make lists about where they're from, and shape them into their own poems. As she says on her , “the poem as a writing prompt has traveled in amazing ways. People have used it at their family reunions, teachers have used it with kids all over the United States, in Ecuador and China; they have taken it to girls in juvenile detention, to men in prison for life, and to refugees in a camp in the Sudan.” The “Where I'm From” poem has inspired a current initiative by the to encourage people to reflect on and document their own heritage. Of course, we hope this conversation will inspire YOU to write about where you're from, too! Here are some of George Ella Lyon's tips on writing your own version of “Where I'm From:” Just list whatever comes to mind to start: food, music, landscapes, people. Be open to whatever you think of. This is a process. It may take several days to craft your list.  Later, as you organize what you write into its final shape, go back and see which lines have the most energy. Read it out loud. What order feels right? The last part of my poem is a reflection, but yours doesn't have to be. Have fun! Don't criticize yourself. You can do this many times over the course of time. I have! You can write “Where I'm From” from your current point of view or looking back. Tell us where you are from!We would love to have you share your version of George Ella Lyon's poem with Genealogy Gems! l invite you to call in and read your version of the poem on my voicemail: (925) 272-4021. Be sure to leave your name, phone number, and email address (phone and email will be kept private and NOT played on the show) so that you can be entered to win 1 year of Genealogy Gems Premium Membership (new or renewal). One lucky winner will be randomly selected on 12/31/15.    DNA GEM: Ethnicity Results: Exciting or Exasperating?Diahan Southard, Your DNA Guide at Genealogy Gems Facebook follower Kate Vaughan recently wrote in expressing her frustration with her ethnicity results provided by . She gets right to the point when she writes, “the way they refer to the results is confusing.” Kate, you are not alone. Many genealogists have been lured into taking the autosomal DNA test at one of the three major DNA testing companies just to get this glimpse into their past. Remember that the autosomal DNA test can reveal information about both your mother's side and your father's side of your family tree. Many take the test hoping for confirmation of a particular ancestral heritage, others are just curious to see what the results will show. Though their purposes in initiating the testing may vary, the feeling of bewilderment and befuddlement upon receiving the results is fairly universal. Kate has some specific questions about her results that I think most will share. Let's take a look at a couple of them. First up, Kate wants to know if our family tree data in any way influences the ethnicity results provided. The answer is an unequivocal “no.” None of the testing companies look at your family tree in any way when determining your ethnicity results. However, the results are dependent on the family trees of the reference population. The reference populations are large numbers of people whose DNA has been tested and THEIR family history has been documented for many generations in that region. The testing companies compare your DNA to theirs and that's how they assign you to an ethnicity (and place of ancestral origin?).  Next Kate asks, “Do they mean England when they report Great Britain?” Or to put it more broadly, how do these testing companies decide to divide up the world? All of the companies handle this a little bit differently. Let's look at Ancestry as an example. When you login to view your ethnicity results, you can click on the “show all regions” box below your results to get a list of all of the possible categories that your DNA could be placed in. These 26 categories include nine African regions, Native American, three Asian regions, eight European regions, two Pacific Island regions, two West Asian regions, and then Jewish, which is not a region, per se, but a genetically distinct group. Clicking on each individual location in the left sidebar will bring up more information on the right about that region. For example, clicking on Great Britain tells us that DNA associated with this region is primarily found in England, Scotland, and Wales, but is also found in Ireland, France, Germany, Denmark, Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, and Italy. Basically, this is telling us that people with generations of ancestry in Great Britain are quite a genetic mix from many areas. The first chart here shows that if we are to test the DNA of 100 natives of one of these primary regions (England, Scotland or Wales) then 50 of them will have the great Britain “pattern” of DNA covering 60% or more of their entire genome, and 50 of them will have that pattern in less than 60% of their DNA. The fact that this half-way number is so low, only 60%, tells us that there is a lot of uncertainty in this ethnicity estimate because there is so much mixture in this region. Kate, for you that means that when you see Great Britain in your ethnicity estimate, it could mean England, or maybe it means Italy- Ancestry can't be certain. But that uncertainty isn't the same for every region. Pictured here is also the ethnicity chart for Ireland. You can see that half the people who are native to Ireland will have 95% or more Irish DNA.  Kate, for us this means that if you have Irish DNA in your results, you can be pretty certain it came from Ireland. From these tables you can see your membership in some regions is more robust than others, and Ancestry is using these tables to try to help us tell the difference. In the end, the ethnicity results reported by each DNA testing company are highly dependent on two factors: the reference populations they use to compare your DNA against, and the statistical algorithms they use to compute your similarities to these populations. Every company is doing both of these things just a little bit differently. Kate, if you want to get another take on your ethnicity results, you can take your data over to Family Tree DNA, or you can be tested at 23andMe. A free option is to head over to Gedmatch and try out their various ethnicity tools. If you need help downloading and transferring, you can head over to my website: .  Most people have found after searching in multiple places that their “true” results are probably somewhere in the middle. While these ethnicity results can be interesting and useful, for most they will just be a novelty; something interesting and exciting. I have found that their most useful application is acting like a fly on a fishing line. They attract our family members into DNA testing where we can then set the hook on the real goal: family history.    PROFILE AMERICA: The Statue of Liberty had a birthday just recently! On October 28, 1886, the now-famous Statue of Liberty was dedicated in New York Harbor in New York City. Every school child in the U.S. knows this was a gift from France. According to Profile America, “the statue was the first glimpse of America for more than 20 million immigrants who came through nearby Ellis Island, chiefly from Ireland, Germany, Italy, and Poland. In 1910, the year of the greatest influx, some 15 percent of the U.S. population was foreign-born.” Each of those 20 million immigrants to the U.S.—and each of our other ancestors from all over the world—has a unique story. Of migration or change, loss and love, being favored by fate--or not-so-favored. All the stories I find—and all the stories I hear and read from YOU—tell me that we have so much to learn from our ancestors' lives, so much to be inspired by. Their stories shape us and, in so doing, become part of OUR stories. That gives us double the stories to tell! I invite you to get sharing those stories, if you aren't already. Blog if that works for you, because the world is your audience. Or write something else and share it in another way. Put together a short biography of a fascinating ancestor. Transcribe an old diary or interview. Write about your research journey and how your findings inspired you. However you most want to share it: just DO it! Your own legacy will love on. The legacies of those who love from the past will live on. And legacies of those yet to come will benefit from that which you've left for them.

In collaboration with British Archaeological Jobs Resource Contents: Human ancestors at West Asian site deemed two species Cup marked stone discovered in Wales Iron Age Scandinavian settlement uncovered Firefighter's persistence leads to Palaeolithic find Neolithic bones discovered in Irish cave Ancient stone decorated on two sides found in Scotland Development danger to Iron Age hillfort Speaker: David Connolly (BAJR) Audio file mastering: Dave Horrocks (Infinite Wave)  Listen to the weekly Archaeo News [Total time 16:45]

Show comes out with support of such labels as: Cosmicleaf Records, Incepto Smooth, Mistiquemusic, Plexusmusic & RUNE CHILL recordings!!!Thanks for it to their owners and manager/artists!!!___________________________________________________About release:The special release of our resident, made only of East Asian compositions (in a basis with the Chinese and Japanese national motives!) and devoted to the Japanese myth "Maiden of the Moon"!Here is local (Russian language) version:And the ORIGINAL (compiler's) mix (without jingles & voice of presenter of the show):Wish U nice trip on your Way to Eden!   

Qamar Adamjee, Asian Art Museum