Tag Archives: education
El Baradei sworn in as Egypt Vice-President
El Baradei sworn in as Egypt Vice-President (AFP) / 14 July 2013 Prominent liberal Egyptian leader Mohamed El Baradei was sworn in on Sunday as Egypt’s interim vice-president for foreign relations, the presidency said in a statement. The appointment of El Baradei, a former head of the UN nuclear watchdog and a Nobel peace laureate, follows the military overthrow of Islamist president Mohammed Mursi on July 3. He was initially tipped to lead the cabinet, but his nomination was rejected by the ultra-conservative Salafist party Al Nur. El Baradei was late last year named head of the National Salvation Front, a coalition of leftist and liberal groups, formed in the wake of a power grab by Mursi in November. Continue reading
Feeling of generosity, devotion prevails
Feeling of generosity, devotion prevails KT photos by Juidin Bernarrd. / 14 July 2013 Ramadan is a month of fasting, compassion, forgiveness and repentance. The devout move closer to the Almighty Allah, seeking His forgiveness and mercy by offering salah and fasting. One of the significant features of the holy month is that it encourages charity by creating empathy towards the have-nots. But Ramadan is not just about fasting and prayers. The city comes alive with family and friends getting together to break the fast (Iftar). A feeling of togetherness pervades during the month, says KT senior photographer Juidin Bernarrd. – juidin@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
First Pakistani women paratroopers make history
First Pakistani women paratroopers make history (AFP) / 14 July 2013 First group of female paratroopers completed their training on Sunday, the military announced, hailing it as a “landmark achievement” for Pakistan. Courtesy: Pakistan defence website Captain Kiran Ashraf was declared the best paratrooper of the batch of 24, the military said in a statement, while Captain Sadia, referred to by one name, became the first woman officer to jump from a MI-17 helicopter. Women have limited opportunities in Pakistan’s highly traditional, patriarchal society. The United Nations says only 40 per cent of adult women are literate, and they are frequently the victims of violence and abuse. But in 2006 seven women broke into one of Pakistan’s most exclusive male clubs to graduate as fighter pilots — perhaps the most prestigious job in the powerful military and for six decades closed to the fairer sex. After three weeks’ basic airborne training, which included exit, flight and landing techniques, the new paratroopers completed their first jump on Sunday and were given their “wings” by the commander of Special Services Group, Major-General Abid Rafique, the military said. Continue reading
