Screen grabs of the Huroof app released by ISIL which teaches children Arabic letters but is full of extremist language in the nasheed (Islamic songs) and includes inappropriate words such as gun, sword, bullet and tank.
Screen grabs of the Huroof app released by ISIL which teaches children Arabic letters but is full of extremist language in the nasheed (Islamic songs) and includes inappropriate words such as gun, swoShow more

ISIL lures children with alphabet apps



SINGAPORE // At first, the brightly coloured pictures and letters on the electronic flashcards look like nothing more than an educational app for teaching children the Arabic alphabet.
Upon closer inspection, however, it becomes clear that some of the words being taught on the app Huroof are rather sinister, such as "tank", "sword", "bullet", "gun" and "ammunition".
Huroof, which means letters in Arabic, is ISIL's first mobile app directed specifically at children and was released by the extremist group via its encrypted Telegram channel.
According to the Long War Journal, which first reported on it in May, the Android app includes games and nasheed - Islamic spiritual songs - to supposedly help children memorise the Arabic alphabet.
"The lyrics in the nasheed are littered with jihadist terminology, while other games within the app also include militaristic vocabulary with more common, basic words," said the journal.
Less than six months after releasing Huroof, ISIL released another app for children called Mu'alim Al Huroof (Alphabet Teacher) on October 4, according to Remy Mahzam, associate research fellow at the Singapore-based S Rajaratnam School of International Studies.
Such apps are "just accelerants and supportive technologies in facilitating the indoctrination process", said Mr Mahzam.
"The real deal is in the schools and education system that are central to shaping the hearts and minds of these children; the syllabus taught in military training camps which looks at the spiritual upbringing as well as equipping [them with] military combat skills."
From using mentally challenged children as suicide bombers to mass abductions and forced conscription, the atrocities committed by ISIL against children are countless.
According to the United Nations, ISIL abducted more than 1,000 Iraqi children from Mosul district last year, placing those below the age of 10 in "religious education camps" and forcing those between 10 and 15 into military training. Iraq's ministry of human rights has said children who refused to obey ISIL orders were flogged, tortured or raped.
The world might not be ready to deal with the psychological and emotional damage inflicted on these children by ISIL, warned Anne Speckhard, a psychologist and adjunct associate professor of psychiatry at the School of Medicine at Georgetown University.
"It will be very hard to deal with," said Ms Speckhard, who is also the director of the International Centre for the Study of Violent Extremism.
If the issue is not addressed, "there will be long-term repercussions for these families and the societies where these kids will grow up as they may grow up to be brutal and sick if not returned to safety" and treated for their post-traumatic stress disorder, she said.
jtan@thenational.ae

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Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector: Sustainability
Total funding: Self funded
Number of employees: 4
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  • 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
  • 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250 

Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

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Four reasons global stock markets are falling right now

There are many factors worrying investors right now and triggering a rush out of stock markets. Here are four of the biggest:

1. Rising US interest rates

The US Federal Reserve has increased interest rates three times this year in a bid to prevent its buoyant economy from overheating. They now stand at between 2 and 2.25 per cent and markets are pencilling in three more rises next year.

Kim Catechis, manager of the Legg Mason Martin Currie Global Emerging Markets Fund, says US inflation is rising and the Fed will continue to raise rates in 2019. “With inflationary pressures growing, an increasing number of corporates are guiding profitability expectations downwards for 2018 and 2019, citing the negative impact of rising costs.”

At the same time as rates are rising, central bankers in the US and Europe have been ending quantitative easing, bringing the era of cheap money to an end.

2. Stronger dollar

High US rates have driven up the value of the dollar and bond yields, and this is putting pressure on emerging market countries that took advantage of low interest rates to run up trillions in dollar-denominated debt. They have also suffered capital outflows as international investors have switched to the US, driving markets lower. Omar Negyal, portfolio manager of the JP Morgan Global Emerging Markets Income Trust, says this looks like a buying opportunity. “Despite short-term volatility we remain positive about long-term prospects and profitability for emerging markets.” 

3. Global trade war

Ritu Vohora, investment director at fund manager M&G, says markets fear that US President Donald Trump’s spat with China will escalate into a full-blown global trade war, with both sides suffering. “The US economy is robust enough to absorb higher input costs now, but this may not be the case as tariffs escalate. However, with a host of factors hitting investor sentiment, this is becoming a stock picker’s market.”

4. Eurozone uncertainty

Europe faces two challenges right now in the shape of Brexit and the new populist government in eurozone member Italy.

Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at IG, which has offices in Dubai, says the stand-off between between Rome and Brussels threatens to become much more serious. "As with Brexit, neither side appears willing to step back from the edge, threatening more trouble down the line.”

The European economy may also be slowing, Mr Beauchamp warns. “A four-year low in eurozone manufacturing confidence highlights the fact that producers see a bumpy road ahead, with US-EU trade talks remaining a major question-mark for exporters.”

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What is dialysis?

Dialysis is a way of cleaning your blood when your kidneys fail and can no longer do the job.

It gets rid of your body's wastes, extra salt and water, and helps to control your blood pressure. The main cause of kidney failure is diabetes and hypertension.

There are two kinds of dialysis — haemodialysis and peritoneal.

In haemodialysis, blood is pumped out of your body to an artificial kidney machine that filter your blood and returns it to your body by tubes.

In peritoneal dialysis, the inside lining of your own belly acts as a natural filter. Wastes are taken out by means of a cleansing fluid which is washed in and out of your belly in cycles.

It isn’t an option for everyone but if eligible, can be done at home by the patient or caregiver. This, as opposed to home haemodialysis, is covered by insurance in the UAE.

If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.

When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.

How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.