Author: Mohammed Abbasi
Experts grade Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, YouTube on readiness to handle midterm election misinformation
Dam Hee Kim, University of Arizona; Anjana Susarla, Michigan State University, and Scott Shackelford, Indiana University The 2016 U.S. election was a wake-up call about the dangers of political misinformation on social media. With two more election cycles rife with misinformation under their belts, social media companies have experience identifying and countering misinformation. However, the nature of the threat misinformation poses to society continues to shift in form and targets. The big lie about the 2020 presidential election has become a major theme, and immigrant communities are increasingly in the crosshairs of disinformation campaigns – deliberate efforts to spread misinformation. … Continue reading Experts grade Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, YouTube on readiness to handle midterm election misinformation
Alien megastructures? Cosmic thumbprint? What’s behind a James Webb telescope photo that had even astronomers stumped
Peter Tuthill, University of Sydney In July, a puzzling new image of a distant extreme star system surrounded by surreal concentric geometric rungs had even astronomers scratching their heads. The picture, which looks like a kind of “cosmic thumbprint”, came from the James Webb Space Telescope, NASA’s newest flagship observatory. The internet immediately lit up with theories and speculation. Some on the wild fringe even claimed it as evidence for “alien megastructures” of unknown origin. Luckily, our team at the University of Sydney had already been studying this very star, known as WR140, for more than 20 years – so … Continue reading Alien megastructures? Cosmic thumbprint? What’s behind a James Webb telescope photo that had even astronomers stumped
Liz Truss is now a case study in poor leadership
Stefan Stern, City, University of London Leaders are watched. They are scrutinised. If you don’t like the idea of being held accountable and having to answer for your actions then a leadership role is probably not for you. I don’t know if such thoughts have ever occurred to Liz Truss, who is still, at the time of writing, Britain’s prime minister. But perhaps the truth is beginning to dawn on her. She has picked the wrong time and place to discover that leadership may not be quite her thing. As you rise up an organisation there will be greater rewards … Continue reading Liz Truss is now a case study in poor leadership
Stoicism
Definition The Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, the playwright and political advisor Seneca, and the slave turned prominent teacher Epictetus-these are the three Stoics you need to get to know first. Who Is Marcus Aurelius? Who Is Seneca? Who Is Epictetus? Virtues of Stoicism Courage Temperance Justice Wisdom Some Books On Stoicism Dichotomy Of Control Journal Practice Misfortune Train Perceptions Remember It’s All Ephemeral Take The View From Above Memento Mori: Meditate On Your Mortality Premeditatio Malorum Amor Fati Some Stoic Quotes Physical Stoic Reminders Mohammed Abbasi Continue reading Stoicism
Iran: the hijab protests are now massive, but a revolution will need the military to change sides
Arshin Adib-Moghaddam, SOAS, University of London More than three weeks after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Ahmini for disobeying Iran’s strict laws, which make it compulsory for women to wear the hijab – or Islamic headscarf – protests continue to rage on the streets of all major cities. On Saturday, protesters even managed to hack into Iran’s biggest news channel to broadcast their message to the whole country. A broadcast featuring supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, in a meeting with state officials, was replaced by images of protesters who have died in the violent crackdown on dissent in Iran. The popular … Continue reading Iran: the hijab protests are now massive, but a revolution will need the military to change sides
FATWA FROM THE GRAND MUFTI OF EGYPT: PERMISSIBILITY OF SINGING #GODSAVETHEKING
ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF FATWA ON PERMISSIBILITY OF SINGING GOD SAVE THE QUEEN IN MASJIDS WITHIN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND COMMONWEALTH NATIONS WHERE HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN IS HEAD OF STATE. (Fatwa issued before the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Fatwa from His Eminence Dr Shawki Allam is valid under KING CHARLES III who is the new head of state and includes the national anthem of GOD SAVE THE KING) Shaykh Dr Shawki Allam The Grand Mufti Dar al-Iftaa in Egypt {If you realise this not, then ask of those who possess the message˺.} [An-Nahl: 43] (Praise be to … Continue reading FATWA FROM THE GRAND MUFTI OF EGYPT: PERMISSIBILITY OF SINGING #GODSAVETHEKING
What’s the dispute between Imran Khan and the Pakistan government about?
Samina Yasmeen, The University of Western Australia Tensions between former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan and the current coalition government are coming to a head. Khan made a speech in the northern city of Rawalpindi near Islamabad on Sunday, August … Continue reading What’s the dispute between Imran Khan and the Pakistan government about?
The history of secret education for girls in Afghanistan – and its use as a political symbol
Elaine Unterhalter, UCL In August 2021 the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan, and since then secondary education for girls in the country has been banned. However, there have been reports of clandestine girls’ schools operating despite the ban. Teenage girls … Continue reading The history of secret education for girls in Afghanistan – and its use as a political symbol
Five myths about the partition of British India – and what really happened
Navtej K Purewal, SOAS, University of London and Eleanor Newbigin, SOAS, University of London This August marks 75 years since the partition of the Indian subcontinent. British withdrawal from the region prompted the creation of two new states, India and Pakistan. The process of transferring power grossly simplified diverse societies to make it seem like dividing social groups and drawing new borders was logical and even possible. This decision unleashed one of the biggest human migrations of the 20th century when more than ten million people fled across borders seeking safe refuge. Anniversaries can be a critical moment to pause … Continue reading Five myths about the partition of British India – and what really happened
Mohammed Abbasi 