The Interrogation of Saddam Hussein in a new book

‘You are going to find it is not so easy to govern Iraq” According to daily Mail , the ex-CIA analyst John Nixon, the first US interrogator to get his hands on Saddam Hussein, told the story of Hussein’s first moments in capture in the book ‘Debriefing the President: The Interrogation of Saddam Hussein,’ slated for release on December 27. Fresh off his capture, Hussein remained arrogant, perhaps not yet realizing he was done, said Nixon. He stared me down with ‘such murderous’ loathing, it was ‘frightening even though he…

Christians in U.S. Are Less Educated Than Religious Minorities, Report Says

Religious minorities in the United States are far more likely to have attended college or a vocational school than members of the Christian majority, according to a review of census and survey data from 151 countries released on Tuesday that found wide gaps in education among followers of the world’s major religions. The review was based on data from 2010 and was conducted by the Pew Research Center, which also found an education gap between men and women within religious groups. The researchers said the educational differences among the faiths…

Record Number of Journalists Jailed in 2016, Press Advocacy Group Says

At least 81 journalists are imprisoned in Turkey, all of them facing anti-state charges, in the wake of an unprecedented crackdown that has included the shuttering of more than 100 news outlets. The 259 journalists in jail worldwide is the highest number recorded since 1990. More journalists are jailed around the world than at any time since the Committee to Protect Journalists began keeping detailed records in 1990, with Turkey accounting for nearly a third of the global total, CPJ found in its annual census of journalists imprisoned worldwide. Amid…

Opposing Populism From the Left

The resounding no vote in Italy’s December 4 referendum on constitutional reforms may open the door to an early parliamentary election that could bring the anti-EU Five Star Movement to power. In France, a victory by National Front Leader Marine Le Pen in the presidential election scheduled for May 2017 is possible as François Fillon, the conservative and neoliberal right-wing candidate, alienates left-wing voters. Populism, fueled by the inequities of globalization and enhanced by Britain’s vote to leave the EU as well as Donald Trump’s election as U.S. president, is…

“Economic Value of Peace 2016” Report

The report of “Economic Value of Peace 2016” published by the Institute for Economics and Peace shows that the total impact of violence on the world economy was $ 13.6 Trillion in 2015. The report revealed that the economic impact of violence in the MENA region increased by 21 % between 2009 and 2015. As regards Tunisia, it ranks 90 (the Economic Impact of Violence and Conflict Rank by % of GDP), among the 163 countries covered in the report, by spending 8.181 % economic impact of violence conflict (Million…

What Makes Extra Virgin Olive Oil So Healthy?

With headlines like “fat is back” appearing so regularly in the news, it is perhaps wise to remember that healthy fats, such as the monounsaturated fats in extra virgin olive oil have never really “been away.” Olive oil has been at the heart of the traditional Mediterranean diet for thousands of years and evidence is revealing even more fascinating ways in which it may contribute, as a central part of a healthy lifestyle, to preventing chronic diseases including heart disease, some cancers, and even dementia. Verywell’s Senior Medical Advisor, David…

Russia in Libya, A Driver for Escalation?

Russia’s support for Khalifa Haftar in the name of countering terrorism could instead escalate Libya’s conflict and undermine the UN-sponsored political process. Since summer 2016 Russia has stealthily joined the fray in Libya, having disengaged in 2011 when its hopes at protecting up to $10 billion in contracts with the Qaddafi regime were frustrated. In early November, a small number of Russian military technicians appeared on the ground in Cyrenaica, reportedly to help re-fit General Khalifa Haftar’s forces, renew weapons systems, and upgrade naval and air defenses. Several sources mention…

Benefits of Physical Activity

Sports and exercise can help to relieve the mind of stress. It is not clear whether particular forms of exercise are more suitable than others. However, sports that force you to get out of your comfort zone may have amazing benefits not only on your physical health but also on your mind. So if you are someone who’s lacking self confidence or you are maybe someone who lacks the discipline to reach a specefic goal in their life , then this is for you Because if you cannot take control…

The $34 billion that could keep Tunisia on the path of democracy

Tunisia is the only Arab Spring country still committed to democratising, but it needs help. Will the pledges made at Tunisia 2020 do the trick? Thirty-four billion dollars – that was the grand total of financial support pledged to Tunisia by more than 70 participating countries and financial institutions at the Tunisia 2020 summit last week. The conference, attended by 4,500 guests and 1,500 economic partners, aimed to generate aid and investment for more than 140 large-scale projects to help strengthen Tunisia’s ailing economy, generate 400,000 new jobs and support…

Jobs and skills to cement democracy in post-Arab Spring Tunisia

Opportunity is the bedrock of a stable democracy. EU support for innovation and education in Tunisia will benefit the whole of North Africa, as well as the EU itself, write Imed Hammami and Pier Antonio Panzeri. Imed Hammami is the Tunisian minister of employment and vocational training. Pier Antonio Panzeri is an Italian Democratic Party MEP (S&D) and chair of the European Parliament’s delegation for relations with the Maghreb Countries and the Arab Maghreb Union. A driving factor for many during the Jasmine Revolution in Tunisia that toppled the Ben…