\Muslimchronicle

World powers step up pressure on Syria, Russia

Paris - Muslimchronicle

Two dozen countries agreed Tuesday to push for sanctions against perpetrators of chemical attacks in Syria, with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson saying Russia "ultimately bears responsibility" for such strikes. Twenty-four nations approved a new "partnership against impunity" for the use of chemical weapons, just a day after reports they were used in an attack that sickened 21 people in rebel-held Eastern Ghouta,Read more

Greenland, Faroe Islands tricky models

Copenhagen - Muslimchronicle

Sacked Catalan president Carles Puigdemont, in Copenhagen to muster international support for an independent Catalonia, has cited Denmark's autonomous territories Greenland and the Faroe Islands as models for a peaceful bid for independence. But the model may be difficult to export, experts say. "It's not easy I know but you're proof that it's possible," Puigdemont said Monday during a seminar onRead more

Another Sisi rival at risk of exiting Egypt election race

Cairo - Muslimchronicle

Another potential challenger to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi appeared in danger Tuesday of dropping out of the election race after he was accused of breaking the law with his candidacy announcement. The allegations against General Sami Anan, a former armed forces chief of staff, mean that Sisi seems to be heading towards the March polls with most of his possible rivals alreadyRead more

Myanmar blames Bangladesh for delayed Rohingya return

Yangon - Muslimchronicle

Myanmar blamed Bangladesh on Tuesday for delays to the start of a huge repatriation programme for Rohingya refugees, as the UN warned of the dangers of rushing their return to strife-torn Rakhine state. Nearly 690,000 Rohingya escaped to Bangladesh after a brutal Myanmar army crackdown began in the state last August, while around 100,000 fled an earlier bout of violence inRead more

World powers meet to pressure Syria on chemical attacks

Paris - Muslimchronicle

Diplomats from 29 countries including US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson meet in Paris on Tuesday pushing for sanctions and criminal charges against the perpetrators of chemical attacks in Syria. Tillerson and his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian will also co-host a meeting of ministers ahead of a new round of peace talks in Vienna later this week and again in SochiRead more

Pence to visit Western Wall after pro-Israel speech

Jerusalem - Muslimchronicle

US Vice President Mike Pence visited Jerusalem's Western Wall on Tuesday while Palestinians held a general strike after denouncing his fervently pro-Israel speech the previous day as "messianic". The devout Christian's speech to the Israeli parliament on Monday laden with biblical references was praised by Israelis as perhaps the best they could ever hope for from a US administration, but Palestinians sawRead more

Turkey clashes with Kurdish militia as US sounds alarm

Hassa - Muslimchronicle

The Turkish army on Tuesday clashed with Kurdish militia in Syria in an operation that has already left three of its soldiers dead, as the United States voiced alarm that the offensive could endanger attempts to end the Syrian civil war. Amid growing international concern over the four-day-old cross-border campaign into Turkey's neighbour, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed that Ankara would emergeRead more

Iranian woman skydiver looks

Tehran - Muslimchronicle

For Iranian parachuting enthusiast Bahareh Sassani, skydiving is "a way to prove that women are just as capable as men" -- a small step from a big height for women's equality in her country. The 35-year-old accountant has been skydiving less than two years but already has more than 220 jumps under her belt. "I encourage all women to try this experience. ItRead more

Trump to meet May, Netanyahu, Kagame in Davos: White House

Washington - Muslimchronicle

US President Donald Trump is set to meet with the British and Israeli prime ministers, Theresa May and Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Davos later this week, the White House said Tuesday. Trump will meet May Thursday to address the Syria conflict, Iran's "destabilizing" behavior, and the North Korean nuclear threat, National Security Advisor H.R.Read more

S&P 500, Nasdaq end at records as technology shares gain

New York - Muslimchronicle

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq added to records Tuesday, with technology shares leading the way following strong earnings from Netflix. The tech-rich Nasdaq ended at a record for the third straight session, gaining 0.7 percent to reach 7,460.29 at the closing bell. The broad-based S&P 500 also finished at a the third straight all-time high, gaining 0.2 percent to 2,839.28. ButRead more