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Balsam Mustafa

PhD Candidate in Modern Languages & Politics, University of Birmingham

I started my PhD at Birmingham university in 2013. My focus is on translation, media, and politics, particularly with regards to Islamic State in Iraq. I completed my BA and MA in translation and interpreting studies in Al-Mustansirriya university, Baghdad, Iraq.

I also worked as a lecturer in the Translation department , Faculty of Arts, Al-Mustansirriya University, from 2006 to 2013 when I was awarded a scholarship to pursue my PhD study at Birmingham University.

video I lived through Saddam Hussein's fall – and the horror that came next

Apr 09, 2018 14:47 pm UTC| Insights & Views Life

I was a senior university student in Baghdad, Iraq. It was March 2003, and over the past few months, my classmates had whispered to each other about the possibility of a US-led invasion and the likelihood that 35 years of...

After years of destruction, Iraqis are rescuing their cultural identity

Jun 23, 2017 17:42 pm UTC| Insights & Views

Just after Iraqi forces declared they were closing in on the old city of Mosul, they announced that the so-called Islamic State (IS) had destroyed the 12th-century al-Nuri Mosque and its famed leaning minaret, known as...

Ordinary Iraqis defy sectarianism after Islamic State's attacks on Baghdad

Jul 04, 2016 19:44 pm UTC| Insights & Views Politics

Im happy that I graduated. Im so grateful to my parents and I dedicate my success to both of them. These were the final words written by Adnan, a victim of a deadly attack on Sundays early hours in the crowded, buzzing...

Economy

ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain

The European Central Bank (ECB) does not currently see evidence that the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran is triggering broader inflationary pressures across the euro area, although policymakers remain alert to potential...

Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions

Asian stock markets traded mostly higher on Wednesday after weaker-than-expected U.S. inflation data eased expectations of a near-term Federal Reserve interest rate hike, although escalating tensions in the Middle East...

Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment

Most Asian currencies traded in narrow ranges on Wednesday as investors remained cautious over escalating tensions in the Middle East and weaker-than-expected Chinese economic growth, despite a softer U.S. dollar following...

China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline

Chinas new home prices continued to decline in June, highlighting the ongoing challenges facing the countrys property market despite signs that the pace of deterioration is easing. Official data released by the National...

US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions

U.S. consumer inflation likely eased in June, but economists say the slowdown may provide little relief for households or significantly reduce the likelihood of another Federal Reserve interest rate hike later this year,...

Politics

Trump Administration Launches AI Cybersecurity Partnership to Protect Critical Infrastructure

The Trump administration is launching a new initiative to strengthen U.S. cybersecurity by bringing together leading artificial intelligence developers and operators of critical infrastructure to identify and address...

Trump Administration Bars U.S. Travelers From Congo Flights Amid Ebola Outbreak

The Trump administration has imposed new travel restrictions on American citizens who have recently been in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), preventing them from boarding commercial flights to the United States as...

Trump to Deliver National Address on 2020 Election Intelligence, Voting Machine Security

President Donald Trump is set to deliver a national address on Thursday night, outlining newly declassified intelligence related to the 2020 U.S. presidential election and discussing what the White House describes as...

Trump Says U.S. Strikes on Iran Will Continue Until Nuclear Deal Is Reached

U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the United States remains in direct contact with Iranian officials but warned that military operations against Iran will continue until Tehran agrees to a new deal, signaling...

Trump Administration Bars U.S. Travelers From Congo Flights Amid Ebola Outbreak

The Trump administration has imposed new travel restrictions on American citizens in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as the country faces a worsening Ebola outbreak, according to a White House official. Under the...

Science

Blue Origin New Glenn Explosion Could Delay Launch Operations Until 2028

Blue Origin is facing a significant setback after a dramatic explosion involving its New Glenn rocket severely damaged a launch pad at Cape Canaveral, Florida. According to NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, repairs to the...

Blue Origin New Glenn Rocket Explodes During Launch Pad Test, Delaying Space Ambitions

Blue Origin suffered a major setback after its uncrewed New Glenn rocket exploded during a launch pad test in Florida on Thursday, raising new challenges for Jeff Bezos space company as it competes with Elon Musks SpaceX...

SpaceX Delays Starship V3 Launch Ahead of Potential Record IPO

SpaceX on Thursday postponed the highly anticipated launch of its 12th Starship rocket test from Texas after technical issues interrupted the final countdown. The company now plans to attempt the Starship V3 launch again...

Trump Administration Releases New UFO Files and Apollo Mission Records

The U.S. Defense Department has released dozens of previously classified UFO-related files following an order from President Donald Trump, sparking renewed debate over unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) and government...

China vs. NASA: The New Moon Race and What's at Stake by 2030

The space race is back and this time, its a direct competition between the United States and China for dominance on the lunar surface. NASAs Artemis II mission recently made history when four astronauts flew farther into...

Technology

ASML Raises 2026 Outlook as AI Chip Demand Lifts Q2 Earnings

ASML Holding (AS: ASML) reported stronger-than-expected second-quarter 2026 earnings on Wednesday, fueled by robust demand for artificial intelligence (AI) chip manufacturing equipment and higher sales from its installed...

Arm Stock Falls After HSBC Downgrade, Citing Limited Near-Term AI Upside

Arm Holdings shares came under pressure after HSBC downgraded the semiconductor designer to hold from buy,arguing that the companys recent rally has already priced in much of its long-term artificial intelligence (AI)...

SK Hynix Stock Soars as AI Memory Demand Outlook Fuels Chip Rally

SK Hynix shares surged nearly 13% in Seoul on Wednesday, leading a broad rally in South Korean semiconductor stocks as easing U.S. inflation and renewed optimism over artificial intelligence (AI) memory demand boosted...

Yaskawa Electric Shares Slide as Weak Profit Overshadows Strong AI Demand

Yaskawa Electric Corp. (TYO:6506) shares extended losses for a second consecutive session on Tuesday after the Japanese robotics and factory automation company reported weaker-than-expected quarterly earnings, with...

Australia Flags Child Safety Gaps at Apple, Meta, Google Over Online Sexual Extortion

Australias online safety regulator has warned that major technology companies, including Apple, Meta, Google, Microsoft and Snap, still have significant shortcomings in tackling child sexual abuse and the rising threat of...