Olivia Cuthbert
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Articles by Olivia Cuthbert
Search Underway For American Journalist Kidnapped in Iraq
All individuals involved in the kidnapping of American journalist Shelly Kittleson have been identified, and a search is now underway, a senior Iraqi Interior Ministry official said, noting that the perpetrators belong to Kata’ib Hezbollah, including some who work for the group’s affiliated Al-Etejah media outlets. Kittleson, a freelance journalist based in Rome who reports on Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan, was kidnapped outside a hotel in central Baghdad’s Saadoun Street on Tuesday evening.
What It’s Like To Be a Conservationist In Lebanon
“What It’s Like To Be” takes readers inside the lives of people working in remarkable and often demanding professions across the Middle East. Each installment offers an intimate look at the realities shaping their daily world. Look for WILTB in your inbox every Sunday morning. For most of the year, Rabbit Island in northern Lebanon is peaceful, its pale beaches and azure waters providing a sanctuary for rare plants and birdlife.
Twenty-Five Years After Resolution 1325
Twenty-five years after a landmark United Nations resolution set out to give women a seat at the table, the backwards slide in women’s rights is accelerating. Goals that were once difficult now seem impossible as campaigners confront renewed barriers to equality in many parts of the world. In the Middle East, a question mark hangs over the future of women and girls as military spending increases and support networks vanish.
Kurdish Artists Revive a Culture Under Threat
There was never any doubt that Naska Rifaat would become an artist. As a child, she turned her clothes into a canvas, daubing shoes, rucksacks, and jackets with vivid designs. When her attention turned to jewelry, she channeled this artistic flair into striking collections, building a brand inspired by the color and creativity of Kurdish culture. “In the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, people wear a lot of jewelry, but I don’t see any color. It’s all gold,” said Rifaat.
Local Baby Food Brands Are Disrupting Lebanon’s Market
Mom of two Jennifer Mansour hates cooking, so she never expected to build a baby food brand. Nor did she expect it to grow into a flourishing business that is revolutionizing the way Lebanese parents feed their children. “One person referred another, then another, and things started growing. Sure enough, I was cooking on a daily basis and delivering food to different homes,” the 31-year-old told Middle East Uncovered.
Afghanistan’s Fight for Safe Screen Time
Middle East Uncovered uses pseudonyms and has altered identifying details in this story to protect our sources in Afghanistan. When Ebrahim scrolls through social media, there’s little content from home. This is deliberate—he changed the settings to bypass Afghanistan’s servers. But it’s not gloomy news stories or regime propaganda he’s avoiding in his feed. It’s the frivolous footage posted by peers that has him worried.
The World Moved On. She Stayed to Defend Yazidi Women.
Taban Shoresh never spoke about surviving genocide in Iraq. Growing up in the UK as a refugee, she tried to be “as British as possible” and avoid her painful past. It wasn’t until the Kurdistan Regional Government asked her to speak in the House of Lords for Genocide Remembrance Day in 2014 that something clicked. “I realized that I needed to be doing something more connected to my past,” Shoresh, a 41-year-old British Kurd, said.
In Iraq, Mosul’s Women Find Freedom in Female-Only Transport — More to Her Story
Initially, it was the promise of female drivers that made women like Fawzi feel safe. During that time, Lygo expanded from two to 42 female drivers in the space of a year, thanks to a flexible working environment and higher wages for female drivers. Since then, Hesham has begun to hire male drivers, too, to meet mounting demand.
A Home for Art in Erbil
The vibe at Kewnara Gallery changes throughout the day. In the mornings, it’s quiet, as students sip coffee and tap away on laptops. Kafia Ridha usually gets in around 10am, greets regular guests, and makes introductions if she sees new faces. She wants the space to feel inclusive so that people from all backgrounds feel comfortable here.
"They Messed with the Wrong Student"
Mohammed Awchi has always been outspoken. At university, he often expressed views on social media, but he was careful not to mention names, focusing on broader issues within Iraq’s medical sector and the academic system. It didn’t come as a surprise when his university in the Iraqi city of Kirkuk called him in to discuss a post on Facebook. But he was shocked when they refused to release his exam results a few weeks later. “It’s awful how they deal with freedom of speech in our universities.
How Walaa Fayez Brought Books to Rural Iraq
Growing up in rural Iraq, books were a lifeline for Walaa Fayez—a way to discover the world from his small village near Al Diwaniyah. In school he was bullied, targeted by other children because he had a disability. “Sometimes even the adults joined in, but I overcame these difficulties by reading and creating a world of my own,” he says. As a teenager, he read Jean Paul-Satre and other works of philosophy, finding the answers to his existential questions about life.
IBB Bulletin: Founder Accepts Prestigious Beacon Award
Greetings, benevolent warriors against the forces of extremism and aficionados of foiling bad guys' censorious plans! While the Middle East is busy having its "" moment since '73, the team at IBB is relentlessly stubborn in our pursuit of progress. If you've ever wondered how a bunch of well-intentioned folks like us (from NYC to London to Erbil) can tackle the world of counter-extremism with a splash of levity, then hold onto your de-radicalization hats, because you're about to find out.
The Role of AI and Natural Language Processing in Voice Commerce
In today's fast-paced digital world, the fusion of artificial intelligence (AI) and natural language processing (NLP) redefines how we interact with technology. One of the most remarkable outcomes of this amalgamation is the rise of voice commerce, where AI and NLP play a pivotal role in reshaping the landscape of shopping and transactions. This article will delve into the multifaceted world of voice commerce and explore how AI and NLP drive its evolution.
Slipping Past Taliban Censors
Sana* used to love traveling for work in Afghanistan. As a journalist, she was always meeting sources in other provinces and covering events on the ground. When a new story came up, she would book a flight, throw her things in a bag and head to the airport. “We would just send a last-minute message to our families to let them know where we were going. That’s how safe and relaxed it was,” she says.
Startups get fired up in Jordan's rapidly changing environment
Jordan one of Middle East’s fastest-growing startup environments Funding for startups grew almost 500% between 2020 and 2021 Fintech investment central to country’s economic growth A decade ago, Jordanian startups were the purview of risk-takers and dreamers. Sensible graduates with a head for business sought positions at banks and corporations, with a steady income and job security.
Top 10 Mena agtechs shaping the market
Using big data and AI to control pests and monitor supply chains Supporting smallholders with finance app and growing solutions Growing greens with hydroponics and saltwater Lush plains criss-crossed by fresh water lakes and grasslands where hippos and elephants roamed. This was the Arabian peninsula in prehistoric times, according to archaeologists who have uncovered traces of fertile landscapes beneath the desert sands.
Crowded Classrooms and Teacher Shortages: Finding a Solution in Sinjar
The best part of Hawas Samir Hasso’s day is sitting down with his students for their conversation and dialogue classes. “It allows me to relive my own childhood through the questions they ask and their unique perspective on life,” he says. Many of the eight- to-12 year-olds he teaches arrive at the Kani Center for Development and Education in Sinjar unable to read and write, their education interrupted by years of conflict and displacement. Learning facilities in this region of Iraq are scant.
Studying to Escape: English Lessons in Afghanistan
Dread hangs over households in Afghanistan, where women live in fear of the next Taliban edict. Hope dwindles with each new announcement as female freedoms are torn away, and fresh restrictions force them further from public life. But even as the doors slam shut, there are glimmers of opportunity and people willing to risk all for the prospect of a better life. For most, this means finding a way to escape Afghanistan and the tightening grip of Taliban rule.
The Women Studying Openly Under The Taliban
There are days when the future feels pointless for women and girls at Book and Pen Education Centre in Afghanistan. In the space of a year, the world has shrunk, their prospects snatched away under the Taliban’s restrictive rule. But even as their situation worsens, a spirit of camaraderie prevails at the two all-female education centers, where older women who lived through the previous Taliban regime reassure younger peers that better times will come.
Mobile Libraries Bring Books and Hope to Afghan Children
Growing up in Afghanistan, Freshta Karim never had access to libraries. “I was probably 16 or 17 when I read a novel for the first time,” the Oxford graduate says. After securing scholarships to study at prestigious institutions abroad, she was struck by the contrast with life for her peers back in Afghanistan, where books remained out of reach for many young people. “War has robbed us of many little pleasures of childhood, including having access to libraries,” she says.
Humans of Afghanistan: Celebrating Afghan Diversity
The journalist who sobbed as he left Afghanistan for the last time, the martial arts champion who climbed the country’s highest peak, the trumpeter writing music in defiance of Taliban decrees.
VPNs bypass the internet blackout in Iran
When the internet went dark in Iran, Sepi Beigi started to panic. The last time Iranian authorities imposed sweeping internet cuts was in 2019, when an estimated 1500 people were killed as Iranian authorities shot protesters at close range in what became known as bloody November. Unable to communicate with friends and family inside Iran Beigi, who lives in London, is latched to her phone, desperate for updates but terrified of the news this might bring.
Afghan Astronomers' Freedom In Trouble
The Afghanistan Astronomy Association is championing free thought as the Taliban clamps down on astronomers, scientific inquiry, and open debate Soon after leaving Afghanistan, Mansoor Ramizy contacted relatives in Kabul with urgent instructions. The Taliban were going door-to-door hunting out military gear and tactical equipment to suppress the resistance.
Tackling taboos in the streets of Jordan
A new program from the team behind online show Schizophrenia confronts Jordan’s least talked-about subjects There have been moments when challenging the Jordanian public to confront taboos seemed like a bad idea, bordering on dangerous, but Osama Issa and Moath Abu Lail refused to be intimidated by aggressive behavior in the street and threats on social media.
DevOps Trends 2021: DevOps Enters a New Decade with the Hottest Trends
Have you heard IDC's latest predictions on DevOps? According to this study, the DevOps market expects to grow from $2.9 billion to $8 billion by 2022. According to the experts, it is set to dominate the new decade by offering more excellent benefits to developers and users. Organizations are more likely to adopt DevOps at all levels now, as it is efficient and quick to implement. It is already starting to reshape the software world and 2021 will undoubtedly be bigger and better than previous years.
10 Reasons to Choose Custom Software Development
Nowadays, we are all surrounded by software. In 2008, the number of people using Computers worldwide exceeded 1 billion. In 2019, there will be 5.11 billion mobile device users worldwide. We know that all of these devices run on an operating system, which is software with many built-in features. So it is a software function. However, individuals and businesses worldwide use software for many reasons and benefit from it in many ways.
Web Development Trends For 2021 and Beyond
The figures speak for themselves: there are currently more than 1.5 billion websites on the Internet. According to internetlivestats.com, with new websites created every second. However, there are only about 200 million active websites. These digital benchmarks continue to change, as do trends in web development and technology.
What Software Outsourcing Trends Can we Foresee in 2021?
Software outsourcing is the solution to the difficulties of a modern and evolving technological world. To keep up with the competition and gain a competitive advantage while optimizing costs, more and more companies opt for what has recently become a popular solution: building and managing infrastructure and software outside their structure.
Web development trends for 2021 and the latest web technology stack
Standards in web development can change faster than they can implement. To stay one step ahead, it is essential to keep an eye on the prevailing trends, techniques, and approaches. We've analyzed trends across the industry and put together a definitive list of web development trends for 2021. As a bonus, you'll also read about the best web development stacks to watch out for next year.
Bringing Books Back to Mosul University Library
Arts & Culture, Democracy, Literature & Translation, Publishing, Students, Terrorism Olivia Cuthbert / 30 Apr 2021 30 Apr 2021 Bringing Books Back to Mosul University Library The University of Mosul Library is being rebuilt after burning and destruction suffered under ISIS and in the battle to liberate the city (Photos courtesy of Ideas Beyond Borders). In his student days, Ameen Al Jaleeli spent many happy afternoons at the University of Mosul’s Library.
12 The Latest Software Development Tools And Techniques
If you are interested in becoming a programmer or web developer, you need to understand that you will rarely work alone. Even if you make a career as a freelance programmer, you will most likely need to collaborate with others to meet your clients' needs. Understanding the functionality of the code you address and how it connects to existing code is an integral part of software development.
Why Choose Full-Stack Development for Modern Businesses?
The technical landscape requires globalization and unification which puts the technopreneurs in dilemma while choosing the right development approach for software development. Businesses and enterprises usually prefer cost-effective things and can meet the rising bar of standards and skills. The full-stack development approach is a wise choice for the modern web and mobile app development market.
How to Choose The Best Web Development Company Like A Pro?
The first impression is the best impression- It is through your website, customers usually learn more about your product. A well-developed website with a catchy user interface that provides an excellent user experience attracts most potential customers to your business. Your business website, in most cases, is the first mode of connection you make with customers regarding the introduction of your product or service.
How Are Progressive Web Apps Empowering SMEs?
Twitter, tinder, Forbes, Pinterest, etc., are some of the world’s top leading enterprises, ruling the digital world via progressive web apps. Although coined in 2015 by Google, the PWAs has become a preferred choice for diverse business enterprises in less than a decade.
Five software development trends for 2021: the need for developers
Well, developers, 2021 is your year. Companies in almost every industry are scrambling to expand their IT operations and automate as much as possible. We know, we know. The demand for developers is nothing new. But 2021 is different: 2021 is the year that will put some of the most exciting technologies of the decade into practice, and others will go mainstream. New trends such as edge computing, machine learning, and artificial intelligence will become more mainstream and widely adopted.
Syrian Students Find Hope Amid New Challenges in Portugal
Refugees, Scholarships, Students, Study Abroad, Teaching Olivia Cuthbert / 30 Mar 2021 30 Mar 2021 Syrian Students Find Hope Amid New Challenges in Portugal Since 2014, more than 100 Syrian students have completed bachelor’s, master’s or Ph.D. degrees in Portugal with support from the Global Platform for Syrian Students (Photo: Global Platform for Syrian Students). Genwa was 17 when she arrived in Lisbon from Syria, but she soon got used to people saying how young she was to have left home.
The Top 6 Mobile App Development Trends That Will Dominate in 2021
In recent years, mobile apps have changed the way we live. Their enormous benefits and popularity make them an excellent opportunity for businesses. According to Statista, mobile apps expect to generate about $189 billion in revenue next year. 1) AR/VR AR and VR are both excellent! There's no doubt about that. But by 2021, they won't be limit their use to gaming apps. Tech giants are already developing a host of new applications for both.
Songs of Syria: The Syria Music Map Reconnects Millions Displaced by War
Arabic, Arts & Culture, Liberal Arts, Refugees, Teaching Olivia Cuthbert / 26 Mar 2021 26 Mar 2021 Songs of Syria: The Syria Music Map Reconnects Millions Displaced by War The Syria Music Map aims to preserve the country’s rich musical heritage for current and future generations of Syrians. Many of the songs in its archive are performed by young musicians trained in traditional styles (Photo: Action for Hope).
Scholars Fleeing War-Torn Middle East Find Safety in U.K. Universities
Conflict, Coronavirus, Refugees, Scholarships, Students, Study Abroad, Terrorism Olivia Cuthbert / 17 Mar 2021 17 Mar 2021 Scholars Fleeing War-Torn Middle East Find Safety in U.K. Universities Syrian soldiers walk past shell-damaged buildings in Damascus in 2018. The U.K.-based Council for At-Risk Academics (Cara) helps scholars flee such combat zones (Photo: Omar Sanadiki/Reuters). On campus at the University of Liverpool, Ataa Alsalloum feels happy and safe.
12 Mobile App Development Trends of 2021
The mobile app development industry is continuously growing. Technological advances, consumer preferences, and various other factors have a direct impact on mobile app trends. Keeping your finger on the pulse is arguably the most critical factor for success in this field. As a Forbes Technology Council member, I continually study patterns and exchange ideas with other technology leaders to gain an advantage. Mobile app resellers want to follow up with new trends to serve their customers better.
Lockdown violence threatens lasting damage for women in the Middle East
Activists highlight the dramatic increase in gender-based violence International Women’s Day, due to the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown measures A Lebanese woman displays a protective mask hiding a hot number distributed by the NGO ABAAD in Beirut on December 8, 2020. Photo by Patrick Baz/ ABAAD. A picture taken on January 27, 2018, shows figures representing women, killed by male relatives in Lebanon, including eight killed in the past 60 days, during a rally organised by activists from KAFA.
10 Trends Software Development Outsourcing in 2021
As software development outsourcing has become the new standard for all industries, we all want to know the trends in software development outsourcing and what we can expect shortly. As we enter the third quarter of 2020, CMC Global believes this is the perfect time to forecast IT outsourcing trends quickly. If you are any business leader or an outsourcing decision-maker, CMC Global's overview of outsourcing trends in software development will help you understand the most important ones.
10 Website Development And Design - What You Need to Know
By Olivia Cuthbert on February 22, 2021 0 Rate this Article Add Comment Contact Author Comments (0) Report Article Olivia Cuthbert has published 3 post. Article submitted on February 22, 2021. Word count: 811 Development Webdevelopment Webdesign Bitcoin - What You Need to Know Bitcoin is one of the hot topics of our time - in the last months of 2017 the value was going through the roof.
Trends in Outsourcing A Look Back at The Last Decade
Over the past decade, companies have become increasingly aware of the value that technology can bring to their processes. The demand for outsourced software development partners to help them achieve their business goals has grown. Today's software development ecosystem includes a growing number of established vendors continually innovating and startups that release new third-party software development products as new technologies emerge.
Pope Francis adds Iraq to list of Middle East visits
The Pope's first visit to Iraq follows trips to the UAE, Morocco, Jordan, Israel and the West Bank Pope Francis embraces new cardinal Louis Raphael I Sako of Iraq during a consistory ceremony to install 14 new cardinals in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican in 2018. Reuters On Friday, Pope Francis arrives in Bagdad, fulfilling the 84-year-old’s long-held desire to visit the country that’s home to many Eastern Rite churches, Catholic and Orthodox.
Software Developer Trends For 2021 And Beyond
A new decade is overtaking, and with it, a frenzy of enthusiasm for the changes and trends we will see in technology. Software development has become more integral in almost every sector of the world, so products and changes in software development significantly impact our lives. While we can't always predict exactly what lies ahead, some trends are expected to continue into the new decade. Let's look at the eight trends in software development that we expected in 2021 and beyond. 1.
Lessons in Covid lockdown: Resilience, routines and self-recognition
Special report: 'The National' spoke to people living through lockdowns across the world to hear how they stave off boredom, keep connected and adapt their lives Shorthand teaser. Getty Images Published: February 25, 2021 07:00 AM SHARE
Biden launches presidency with executive orders reversing Trump 'damages'
His first White House business initiates new action on environmental issues, equality and the pandemic while undoing some of the Trump administration's signature policies President-elect Joe Biden is greeted by former President Barack Obama as he arrives for the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the US Capitol in Washington on January 20, 2021.
Cluster of cases in port city ends China's Covid-free run
The entire population of more than nine million people in the eastern port city of Qingdao will be tested in the next five days, authorities said Medical workers in protective suits collect swabs for nucleic acid tests during a city-wide testing following new coronavirus disease cases in Qingdao, Shandong province, China. Reuters All nine million people in a major Chinese port city will be tested for Covid-19 after authorities reported a tiny cluster of coronavirus infections in Qingdao.
Mental Health Archives - Al-Fanar Media
Al-Fanar Media provides balanced, accurate and independent coverage of all aspects of academic life in the Arab world The publication, bilingual in English and Arabic, serves readers who work in Arab higher education and those who have a stake in it, as well as creating a platform for dialogue for those within and without the Arab region.
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