How to Get a Good Night's Sleep | DW Documentary

Sleep disorders are one of the most common reasons for visiting a doctor in Europe. Instead of sleeping pills, alternative methods are increasingly gaining attention. This sleep documentary looks at new therapeutic approaches such as sophrology and light therapy.

We spend around a third of our lives asleep. But more and more people suffer from exhaustion, insomnia, sleep apnea or even narcolepsy. The result is millions of sick days, and economic losses in the billions. In extreme cases, sleep problems can affect the metabolism, leading to obesity, diabetes or Alzheimer's disease.

Sleep is absolutely essential - yet the average sleep per night is barely seven hours. That figure is lower than ever before. The topic has been the subject of intensive research for several years, with studies showing that humans have an internal clock based on what are known as circadian rhythms. This discovery was considered so important in preserving sleep that it was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2017.

Numerous new studies are exploring alternatives to sleeping pills, which can often lead to serious side effects. Such drugs make sleep more like narcosis, without providing us true rest. Thanks to advances in medicine, we now know the decisive role sleep plays: During this time, the brain clears itself, making room for new thoughts.

Researchers have also been able to confirm that there are alternatives when it comes to getting a good night’s sleep. Among those considered effective are polyphasic sleep (consisting of short naps), light therapy (using blue daylight to synchronize the body’s internal clock) and lightly electrified helmets that stimulate the brain's hormonal activity. These inexpensive techniques, which are free of side effects, are becoming increasingly popular worldwide. Large companies like Google, Facebook and other firms with a modern outlook are experimenting with light and using innovative office designs, including nap pods or bunks, which allow employees to take short daytime naps. These are just some of the approaches covered in this look at the "gentle sleep revolution."

Should the World Embrace Cryptocurrencies? | Inside Story

For the first time ever, America's oldest bank, BNY Mellon says it's planning to offer some cryptocurrency services.

That's good news for digital currencies like Bitocoin - which has been soaring to all time-highs.

While investing in it can be a rollercoaster ride that comes with many risks, that hasn't stopped the Chief Executive of Tesla, Elon Musk, from purchasing a $1.5 billion stake in it. Tesla is also now expected to accept the virtual money as a form of payment.

That and BNY Mellon's decision to allow cryptocurrencies in its services, has seen a boost for digital assets.

Professor Salim Al-Hassani: 1001 Inventions: Uncover 1000 Years of Science and Technology (2010)

Dr. Murad Wilfried Hofmann: Islam — A Rational Faith

Charles Le Gai Eaton: Life and Works (2010)

Lina al-Hathloul: 'Most Saudis Know MbS Not a Reformer'

Lina al-Hathloul, sister of Saudi women's rights activist, Loujain al-Hathloul, talks to Christiane Amanpour about her sister's release from prison and says in Saudi Arabia, "activism is considered terrorism"

Welt Hintergrund: Es wird kälter - Warum die Erwärmung der Arktis bei uns einen Kälteschock auslöst

In den USA zieht die Kälte bis nach Texas stürzt den Bundesstaat ins Chaos. In Deutschland haben wir gerade die knallharte Frostperiode überstanden, da kündigt sich schon die nächste, wenn auch nicht ganz so dramatische Kälte welle an. Alexander Hildebrand erklärt uns warum diese Wetterlagen im direkten Zusammenhang mit der Erwärmung der Arktis liegen.

Moment of Truth for Trans-Atlantic Relations? | DW News

The leaders of Germany and France will discuss the future of transatlantic relations with US President Joe Biden during a virtual mini-edition of the Munich Security Conference. DW's Richard Walker gives his take on some potentially thorny issues.

Indonesia: Diversity under Threat | DW Documentary

Indonesia is considered a model state for diversity and tolerance, but there are increasing indications that Islamists are gaining more influence in the most populous Muslim country in the world.

Far more Muslims live in Indonesia than in the Middle East. The archipelago is made up of more than 17,000 islands and home to 270 million people.

Following the end of the brutal Suharto dictatorship in 1998, Indonesia became a model for a democratic Muslim majority state. But in recent years, Islamist groups have gained influence.

The report begins in Aceh. It is only here, in the northernmost province of the island of Sumatra, that a rigid interpretation of Islamic Sharia law applies - including public floggings. The reasons for the humiliating punishments are manifold: sex before or outside marriage, alcohol consumption or homosexuality.

A growing tendency towards a more conservative interpretation of Islam is also noticeable in other parts of secular Indonesia. More women are wearing headscarves in public places. The niqab, the face veil, is becoming increasingly popular. Members of minority groups feel marginalized.

"Unfortunately, Indonesia is not immune to the worldwide increase in intolerance”, says politician Yenny Wahid.

The daughter of the first elected president after the Suharto dictatorship stands for cosmopolitanism and represents a liberal view of Islam. She, too, has observed a slow Islamization of her homeland and the tendency of politicians to make concessions to radical and populist groups.

Student activists blame the corruption of the ruling class for growing radicalism and undermining diversity.

The documentary "Indonesia - Diversity Under Threat" asks whether the country can preserve its religious tolerance.

Biden Seeks to Sideline Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

THE GUARDIAN: The new US administration has signalled it expects the desert kingdom to ‘change its approach’ in a break with Trump policy

The Biden administration has said it expects Saudi Arabia to “change its approach” to the US and signalled that it wants to minimise any direct contact between the president and the country’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The stance marks an abrupt change compared with the Trump administration, which showered the young heir with attention and praise. It comes as intelligence officials are preparing to release – possibly as early as next week – a declassified report to Congress that will describe its assessment of the crown prince’s alleged culpability in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, the US-based Washington Post journalist who was killed by Saudi officials in 2018.

The White House press secretary, Jen Psaki, this week said Joe Biden intended to “recalibrate” the US relationship with Saudi Arabia, and considered King Salman – not Prince Mohammed – to be his counterpart. While the designation might technically be true, the 35-year-old prince is widely seen as running Saudi Arabia and has direct relations with other foreign leaders. » | Stephanie Kirchgaessner in Washington | Wednesday, February 17, 2021

Islamic 12th-Century Bathhouse Uncovered in Seville Tapas Bar

THE GUARDIAN: Dazzling geometric motifs dating from Almohad caliphate discovered during renovation of city’s bar

A magnificently decorated 12th-century Islamic bathhouse, replete with dazzling geometric motifs and skylights in the form of eight-pointed stars, has emerged, a little improbably, from the walls and vaulted ceilings of a popular tapas bar in the heart of the southern Spanish city of Seville.

Last summer, the owners of the Cervercería Giralda – which has been pouring cañas and copas near Seville’s cathedral since 1923 – decided to take advantage of local roadworks and the coronavirus pandemic to set about a long-delayed renovation.

Although local legend and the odd historical document had suggested the site may once have been an ancient hammam, most people had assumed the Giralda’s retro look was down to the neomudéjar, or Islamic revival style, in which the architect Vicente Traver built the bar and hotel above it in the early 1920s. » | Sam Jones in Madrid | Thursday, February 18, 2021

Biden's America against Xi's China: Struggle for Supremacy? | To the Point

Who can stop China's surge to global dominance? It's one huge question, and one huge challenge, that the new US president, Joe Biden, is already facing. Biden has inherited a divided and doubt-ridden America from his predecessor Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Xi Jinping 's China is both expansive and authoritarian. It's two rival systems apparently on collision course. So, on "To the Point" we ask: Biden's America against Xi's China: Struggle for supremacy?

Al-Andalus sous la domination des musulmans espagnols (711 – 1492)

ANDALOUSIE: La conquête d’ Al-Andalus par les musulmans, puisque c’est ainsi qu’il nommèrent l’Espagne, se caractérisa par sa rapidité et sa facilité. Au début du 8ème siècle, le royaume wisigoth qui dominait l’Espagne était très affaibli par la corruption et la lutte de ses gouvernants, ce qui supposa que l’occupation des territoires par les musulmansayant traversé le détroit, fut très rapide.

Les communautés chrétiennes et juives furent tolérées en échange de tributs, raison pour laquelle la population d’Al-Andalus fut un tel mélange de races et de croyances.

A priori, il semble difficile de comprendre comment les peuples musulmans, qui tiennent la « guerre sainte » comme un de leurs percepts fondamentaux, permirent à d’autres religions de coexister dans les terres qu’ils occupaient. L’explication en est que les religions juives et chrétiennes sont toutes deux monothéistes, apparentées à l’Islam par le biais d’Abraham (père des trois religions). De plus, pour les musulmans, juifs et chrétiens étaient des « frères » qui se trompaient simplement et qui ne voulaient pas accepter le message d’Allah. Les musulmans appelaient les chrétiens et les juifs Ahl-al-kitab, les « gents du livre » (la Bible), duquel ils assumaient même une partie des traditions et des révélations antérieures. Pour ces raisons, ils leur octroyèrent un statut spécial.

Ce qui caractéristique le séjour des musulmans en Al-Andalus fut la fragmentation et la fragilité de ses territoires, qui firent qu’ Al-Andalus ne connut jamais de domination pacifique. Ce furent des temps de guerres continuelles, tantôt avec les chrétiens, qui petit à petit formaient un siège par le nord ; tantôt avec les musulmans eux-mêmes ; ou encore avec des tribus du nord de l’Afrique, qui tentaient également sans cesse des invasions par le sud. En conséquence, pour pouvoir maintenir la paix sur les territoires, les dominateurs devaient maintenir la paix en ayant recours à des politiques de pactes et d’alliances. Ainsi la domination musulmane en Al-Andalus et Grenade passa par diverses périodes bien distinctes. » | Pas d'attribution d'écriture | Sans date

Leaving the Ultra-Orthodox — Jews Seeking a New Life in Germany | DW Documentary

Increasing numbers of Jews have been leaving ultra-orthodox communities in recent years. Surprisingly, Germany has become a popular refuge for them. Rabbi Akiva Weingarten has been helping them.

More than 1.3 million Jews live in ultra-orthodox communities worldwide. It’s a kind of parallel universe — in which only God’s laws count. Every aspect of everyday life is clearly regulated: The women are responsible for the home and for looking after the children while the men devote their lives to religious study. But some ten percent of ultra-orthodox Jews in Israel go on to quit their communities - and that figure is growing. The majority are young adults and, surprisingly, many come to Germany. Akiva Weingarten was one of them. He grew up in an ultra-orthodox Satmar community in New York State but made a radical break in 2014. He left his wife and children and started a new life in Berlin - without a credit card, a bank account or a job, or any relatives to fall back on. He is now surrounded by a free community of former ultra-orthodox Jews - who turn to the rabbi for practical and religious advice. Moshe Barnett and David Lamberger have only been flat mates in Dresden for a few months now. They are not just seeking a new life, but a new relationship with God.

Princess Latifa: Daughter of Ruler of Dubai Says She Is a Hostage in Secret Message

The daughter of the ruler of Dubai, who tried to flee the emirate in 2018 but was forcibly returned, has used a smuggled phone to send a series of secret video messages taken over the past two years claiming she was being held hostage in a locked villa surrounded by police. The new videos were obtained by BBC Panorama and will be aired in more detail on Tuesday evening in the UK

Harry and Meghan Aim to Avoid Embarrassing Queen in Oprah Interview

THE GUARDIAN: ‘Tell-all’ interview announcement has prompted reports it will lead to couple being stripped of patronages

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will not wish to embarrass the Queen despite frenzied speculation over their planned “wide-ranging” interview with Oprah Winfrey, it is understood.

The announcement by CBS of a “tell-all” intimate account by Harry and Meghan of their “Megxit” departure from the UK has led to reports it is the final straw for an exasperated Buckingham Palace who will strip the couple of their royal patronages.

The couple are said to have the greatest respect and love for the Queen and will not say anything to undermine that, according to a source. They are determined to fight to retain their patronages.

Reports that the interview will directly result in Harry being stripped of his honorary military titles, and of Meghan losing her patronage of the National Theatre, personally bestowed by the Queen, are understood to have conflated two issues. Rather, practical considerations, such as the couple living thousands of miles away, are likely to see them being forced to relinquish them under palace pressure. » | Caroline Davies | Tuesday, 16, 2021

Adultery, accusations and walkouts: when royals do TV interviews »

As Fox News Struggles at Home, Murdoch Brings Its Playbook to the U.K.

THE NEW YORK TIMES: His venture and another upstart by a rival group of investors will challenge the BBC and Britain’s efforts to guard against political bias in television news.

LONDON — Beset by declining ratings, upheaval in its on-air ranks and a multibillion-dollar defamation suit related to its election coverage, Fox News is staggering out of the Trump era — blamed by many for seeding the poisonous political culture that brought a violent mob into the halls of the United States Capitol.

Yet in Britain, where television news is regulated to avoid political bias, Rupert Murdoch and a competing group of investors are seizing this moment to create two upstart news services that will challenge the BBC and other broadcasters by borrowing heavily from Mr. Murdoch’s Fox playbook. » | Mark Landler | Tuesday, February 16, 2021

Conservative Lawyer Bruce Fein: Trump’s Acquittal Gives Future Presidents License to Break the Law

The Rise and Fall of Islamic Spain | A PBS Documentary

A Short History of the Moors