In Morocco, a Crackdown on Christian Aid Workers
TIME: March 8 is not a day that Chris Broadbent will soon forget. The preceding weekend, gendarmes entered the Village of Hope, a Christian-run orphanage in Morocco's Atlas Mountains where Broadbent, a New Zealand native, worked as a human resources manager, and began questioning children and staff. At first, he and the other foreign workers were assured that the interrogation was routine. But as it dragged on, the questions turned to subjects like 'How do you pray?' and the police began searching homes on the compound for children's Bibles. On Monday morning, after being held in a separate room from the orphanage's 33 children, Broadbent and his 15 colleagues were summarily deported from Morocco, accused of illegally proselytizing for their faith.

"Most of the couples were there as foster parents and had raised these children since infancy," Broadbent says. "When they were told that their parents had to leave, it was chaos — the kids were running after any adult they could find, and just holding on. It was the most devastating thing I've ever seen."

The Village of Hope deportations are part of what appears to be a widespread crackdown on Christian aid workers in Morocco. An estimated 40 foreigners — including Dutch, British, American and Korean citizens — have been deported this month, including Broadbent and his colleagues. Among them were an Egyptian Catholic priest in the northern city of Larache and a Korean-born Protestant pastor in Marrakesh who was arrested as he led services in his church. And this past week, authorities searched an orphanage founded by American missionaries in the town of Azrou called The Children's Haven. Salim Sefiane, a Moroccan who was raised at the orphanage and is still in touch with workers there, said the officials interrogated the orphanage staff and asked children as young as 8 years old to demonstrate how they pray. No action has been taken yet against the orphanage's workers, Sefiane said.

The large-scale deportations came as a surprise in a nation that is among the most liberal of Muslim countries. Although trying to convert Muslims to other faiths is illegal, Morocco tolerates the presence of other religions and is home to a number of churches and synagogues. "There are several things about this that are really striking," says Spanish journalist Ignacio Cembrero, who has written several books about the country. "There have been occasional deportations of people accused of proselytizing before, but never so many at once, and they've never expelled a Catholic before. And for the police to enter a church on Sunday, during services, to arrest people? Absolutely unprecedented." >>> Lisa Abend | Sunday, March 21, 2010

Barack Obama and Nicolas Sarkozy to Bury the Hatchet
THE TELEGRAPH: He was the only Western leader who refused to join the scramble to ingratiate himself with Barack Obama.

Irritated by hysteria surrounding the newcomer, Nicolas Sarkozy spent the year after his election issuing veiled insults and patronising digs.

Elysée officials briefed behind the scenes that the US president was a "cold fish", telling Le Figaro that "relations were easier with Bush".

He went on to deride Mr Obama's calls for a nuclear weapons-free world as "naive" and bragged that while he had enacted a cascade of reforms, his US counterpart had placed "all his bets on one" by concentrating on health care. As he rode high in the polls, the French president even crowed that Mr Obama had "lost three elections" since taking office.

The insults were so regular that Mr Obama responded by turning down an invitation to the Elysée after the commemoration of the Normandy landings last June.

But after suffering wipeout in local elections this month and facing speculation that his marriage is on the rocks, Mr Sarkozy has suddenly found the tables have turned. >>> Henry Samuel in Paris | Monday, March 29, 2010

THE TELEGRAPH: Nicolas Sarkozy's approval ratings sink to lowest ever: French President Nicolas Sarkozy's approval ratings have sunk to their lowest level since his election in May 2007, a poll has shown. >>> | Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Ricky Martin Admits He Is Gay
THE TELEGRAPH: Ricky Martin, the Latin pop star, has announced that he is gay.



"I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man," Martin wrote in a blog posting at www.rickymartinmusic.com [Correction: Ricky Martin Music]

"This is just what I need especially now that I am the father of two beautiful boys that are so full of light and who with their outlook teach me new things every day. To keep living as I did up until today would be to indirectly diminish the glow that my kids were born with," Martin wrote.

Martin, 38, became a father to twin sons via a surrogate in 2008 and at the time no details were given about the birth or the mother.

The Puerto Rican singer of hits such as "Livin' la Vida Loca," has long been the subject of speculation about his sexuality. In 2000, TV journalist Barbara Walters grilled him about whether he was gay, but he refused to disclose it.

In his posting on Monday, Martin said a few months ago he had decided to write a memoir and doing so brought him closer to what he called "an amazing turning point in my life". >>> | Tuesday, March 30, 2010

TIMES ONLINE: Ricky Martin announces he is gay >>> Sophie Tedmanson | Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Ricky Martin Homosexuality Questions 'Inappropriate', Barbara Walters Admits
THE TELEGRAPH: Barbara Walters, the American television presenter, has expressed her regret over a controversial interview with Ricky Martin where she aggressively questioned him about his homosexuality.

Ricky Martin being interviewed by Barbara Walters during the controversial interview in 2000. Photograph: The Telegraph
Speaking just before the Latino Pop star confirmed he was homosexual, the 80 year-old broadcasting veteran admitted she had pursued “inappropriate” questions during their interview in 2000.

Walters, who has interviewed some of the world’s biggest names over an illustrious 29-year career, asked him whether he was a homosexual, which he refused to disclose.

She then asks Martin what Gloria Estefan meant when she once told him "enjoy your sexuality" as the star becomes more awkward.

Walters, who is known for getting stars to open up on camera, continues her questioning by asking him how exactly he is "enjoying it."

Martin’s only reply is: “I live la vida loca!”

“In 2000, I pushed Ricky Martin very hard to admit if he was gay or not, and the way he refused to do it made everyone decide that he was,” she told the Toronto Star earlier this month.

“A lot of people say that destroyed his career, and when I think back on it now I feel it was an inappropriate question.”

That interview, broadcast on the American ABC Network, is seen by many to have ruined the 38 year-old’s career.

After the interview his career in America fell flat although he is still considered a superstar in Latin America. >>> | Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Coming Out Is Likely to Boost Ricky Martin's Career
THE TELEGRAPH: Ricky Martin's revelations about his sexuality are getting him tonnes of press and are likely to expand his already considerable gay fanbase.


RICKY MARTIN on MUZU
>>> Helen Brown | Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Moscow Attacks Death Toll Rises as Russia Mourns
TIMES ONLINE: Moscow began an official day of mourning this morning as another victim of yesterday's Metro bombings died from her wounds, taking the death toll to 39.

Flags few at half mast on government buildings and at the Kremlin, while the main television channels dropped entertainment programmes and advertising from their schedules.

Five people remain in critical condition in hospital after two suspected women suicide bombers detonated bombs packed with bolts and pieces of metal on two subway stations during the peak rush hour yesterday morning.

Commuters left flowers and lit candles in memory of the victims of the attacks at Lubyanka Metro station, where at least 23 people died, and the Park Kultury station, where a second explosion left at least 12 people dead.

The explosions have been blamed on suspected Islamic militants from the Northern Caucasus region, where several prominent separatist leaders have been killed recently by Russian security forces. The bombers may have been so-called Black Widows, Chechen women who have lost family members in the civil war. >>> Times Online | Tuesday, March 30, 2010

LE FIGARO: Moscou sous le choc après les deux explosions : EN IMAGES -Mardi a été décrété journée de deuil national en Russie, après le double attentat-suicide dans le métro de Moscou lundi, qui a fait au moins 39 morts. Les officiels ont promis de réagir de la manière la plus ferme. >>> | Mardi 30 Mars 2010

Michigan: FBI Raids Homes for Suspected 'Militia Associated' Behavior

Related:

THE TELEGRAPH: Christian Militia Group Members Arrested by FBI >>> | Monday, March 29, 2010

FBI Make Christian Militia Arrests
THE TELEGRAPH: The FBI has carried out a series of raids on Christian militia across America after they feared the groups were about to launch a bombing campaign in anticipation of Armageddon.

Nine members of a Christian militia group in the American Midwest were charged on Monday with plotting to kill a police officer and then blow up mourners at his funeral.

Members of the Hutaree, self-proclaimed "Christian warriors" who conduct paramilitary training in readiness for the arrival of the anti-Christ, were seized after a series of FBI raids in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana.

The nine – including a couple and their two sons – face charges that include attempted use of weapons of mass destruction, seditious conspiracy and teaching the use of explosives.

Prosecutors said the FBI moved in after learning that the group planned a violent reconnaissance mission some time in April.

Monitoring groups say that right-wing militia groups have enjoyed a dramatic resurgence amid growing anger at what they see as an oppressive federal government and fears of gun control.

The Michigan-based Hutaree view law enforcement agencies, including local police, as a "brotherhood" and an enemy, said prosecutors. >>> Tom Leonard in New York | Monday, March 29, 2010

Merkels Besuch bei Erdogan: Lächeln ohne Lust
Erdogan, Merkel: Zu echten Konzessionen war keiner bereit. Bild: Spiegel Online
SPIEGEL ONLINE: Harmonie sieht anders aus. Kanzlerin Merkel hat den türkischen Premier Erdogan in Ankara getroffen - und am Ende galt es schon als Erfolg, dass die beiden ihren offenen Streit nicht eskalieren ließen. Vor den Kameras versuchten sie, die immensen Probleme wegzulächeln. Vergeblich.

Reisen bildet. Selbst die weltgewandte Kanzlerin hat das mal wieder erfahren.

"Ich habe jetzt verstanden, dass die 'privilegierte Partnerschaft' in der Türkei keine gute Konnotation hat", sagt Angela Merkel. Diese Alternative zur Vollmitgliedschaft in der Europäische Union wird zwar von CDU und CSU gemocht - aber nicht in dem Land, für das sie gedacht ist.

An der Seite des türkischen Premiers Recep Tayyip Erdogan bekräftigt Merkel daher am Montagnachmittag, die Bundesregierung stehe weiter zum "ergebnisoffenen Prozess" der Beitrittsverhandlungen. Sie lächelt freundlich, während sie das sagt. Es könnte eine Konzession an die türkischen Gastgeber sein. Doch die weiteren Aussagen der Kanzlerin sind weniger entgegenkommend.

Damit die Verhandlungen weiterlaufen könnten, müsse die Türkei erst mal verabredungsgemäß ihre Häfen für das verfeindete EU-Mitglied Zypern öffnen, fordert sie. Die weiteren Hürden, die die EU auf Betreiben der Beitrittsgegner aufbaut, benennt Merkel erst gar nicht. Denn bis auf weiteres verweigert die Union den Türken komplett die Verhandlungen über 7 der 35 Beitrittskapitel - egal wie regelkonform sie sich gegenüber den Zyprer zeigen.

Ein Lächeln hier, eine Freundlichkeit da, aber in der Sache gibt es derzeit zwischen Merkel und Erdogan wenig Übereinstimmung. Beiden Spitzenpolitikern war zwar anzumerken, dass sie nach dem Kampf der Worte der vergangenen Tage ein bisschen abrüsten wollten. Zu echten Zugeständnissen war aber keiner bereit.

Merkel ging darauf ein, dass sie sich gegenüber Erdogans Forderung nach mehr türkischen Gymnasien in Deutschland skeptisch gezeigt hatte. Sie sagte, es gehe ihr keineswegs um eine "Assimilation" der türkischen Minderheit in Deutschland - fügte aber gleich spitz hinzu, das dürfe "keine Ausrede für Türken sein, Deutsch zu lernen". Als ob ausgerechnet potentielle türkische Gymnasiasten zur Gruppe der Sprachverweigerer zählen würden.

Auch in Sachen Iran blieb Distanz zwischen den Gesprächspartnern. Merkel warb für Sanktionen: "Ich würde mich freuen, wenn Amerikaner und Europäer eines Tages über Sanktionen im Uno-Sicherheitsrat abstimmen könnten", sagte sie. Erdogan, dessen Land im Gegensatz zu Deutschland derzeit in dem Gremium sitzt, hielt dagegen: "Sanktionen sind keine richtige Lösung."

Erfolgreich war der gemeinsame Auftritt vor allem in einer Hinsicht - es gab keine weitere Eskalation der öffentlichen Attacken aus den vergangenen Tagen. Unverständnis für die "privilegierte Partnerschaft" >>> Von Ralf Beste und Daniel Steinvorth, Ankara | Montag, 29. März 2010

Turkey Knocks: Will EU Let It In?
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: Turkey's desire to join the European Union has the virtue of being consistent. It was in 1987 that the country first applied to accede to the EU, and it has been knocking on the door ever since.

The fault lines that have become apparent, both within the euro zone and the broader EU grouping, have done nothing to quell Turkey's enthusiasm for joining the club. The chance to export some more of its jobless may be one of the attractions: Last year, the country's unemployment rate rose to 14%, up three percentage points on the previous year, against an EU average of 9.5%. Yet it isn't clear that the work would be there for Turks keen to take advantage of the freedom of movement that EU membership confers.

And there is a price to EU membership. Today the U.K.-based lobby group Open Europe releases figures showing that EU legislation puts a heavy burden on member states. It calculates that, since 1998, EU regulations have cost the U.K. £124 billion ($185 billion). The truth is probably not quite so stark. Many of the regulations would have been implemented by national governments whether or not the EU had imposed them. Compliance, however, is costly. Nevertheless, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is taking the opportunity of Angela Merkel's visit to his country to try once more to push Turkey's case for full membership.

He is wasting his time. The German chancellor, having stood her ground so staunchly over bailing out Greece, isn't about to do a U-turn on this matter. She knows that, if her countryfolk were livid at the prospect of their cash being used to bail out profligate Greece, they would be positively incandescent were she to soften her stance on Turkey. President Nicolas Sarkozy of France would face a similar uprising of anger.

The reason isn't Turkey's long-running squabble over Cyprus, although its refusal to open its ports and airspace to EU member Cyprus provides useful tactical cover for those opposed to full EU membership for Turkey. Neither is it the need for Turkey to speed up its political reforms. It is Turkey's overwhelming embrace of Islam which is the real, but unspoken, issue. With a population of 72.5 million, Turkey would be second only to Germany in scale if it were to join the EU. Although the government of the country is secular, estimates put the proportion of the population which is Muslim at around 99%. Although religion is not the driving force it once was in large parts of Europe, there is a widespread belief that including an overwhelmingly Muslim country in the club would drastically change its character. >>> Patience Wheatcroft | Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Author Sarah Malini Perera Held ‘For Offending Buddhists’ In Sri Lanka
THE TELEGRAPH: An expatriate Sri Lankan woman who wrote two books about her conversion from Buddhism to Islam has been arrested while on holiday in Sri Lanka, apparently for causing offence to Buddhists.

Sarah Malini Perera, who was born in Sri Lanka but has lived in Bahrain since 1985 and converted to Islam in 1999, was arrested last week under the country’s strict emergency laws, according to the police.

They declined to give precise details of the 38-year-old writer’s offence, but suggested that her books were deemed to have caused offence to ethnic Sinhalese Buddhists, who account for about 70 per cent of Sri Lanka’s 20 million people.

News of her arrest came just a few days after protests by Buddhist nationalists prompted the Sri Lankan Government to refuse a visa to Akon, the Senegalese-American singer who had been due to perform in Colombo next month.

Buddhist activists stormed the concert’s media partner last Monday to protest over the video for Akon’s song Sexy Bitch, which showed bikini-clad women dancing by a pool in Ibiza with a Buddha statue in the background.

The two incidents have raised concerns about the growing influence of hardline Buddhist nationalists on Sri Lanka’s ruling coalition, which is widely expected to win parliamentary elections on April 8.

Sri Lanka’s constitution guarantees freedom of religion, but also says that the state “shall give Buddhism the foremost place and accordingly it shall be the duty of the state to protect and foster” the religion. >>> Jeremy Page, South Asia Correspondent | Monday, March 29, 2010

Dubai Briton Faces Jail Over 'Middle Finger Salute'
THE TELEGRAPH: A British expatriate in Dubai is facing jail and deportation after being accused of making a single-finger gesture in an argument.

Simon Andrews, 56, has had his passport confiscated for almost eight months while waiting for his case to be heard.

He told Dubai Court of Misdemeanours he denies "flipping the finger" at Mahmoud Rasheed, an Iraqi aviation student, during an argument.

He will appear in court on Sunday for a full hearing of the case.

It is the latest in a string of prosecutions of expatriates and visitors in Dubai for breaching the emirate's public decency laws.

Making insulting gestures is regarded as unacceptable, and carries with it the possibility of a jail sentence of up to six months and deportation.

An Australian nurse working in a hospital in Dubai was last year jailed for a month and deported after serving 24 days after admitting raising his middle finger to a driver who he said was driving erratically while talking on his mobile phone.

The driver turned out to be an off-duty army officer who followed him home and reported him to police. >>> Richard Spencer in Dubai | Monday, March 29, 2010

Streuth, Sheila!
THE TELEGRAPH: The US government has voiced concerned over Australia's controversial plan to implement a countrywide internet filter.

Washington is worried about the impact of proposal, which would force internet service providers to block offensive material, including child pornography, bestiality and details on how to carry out criminal activity.

Opponents of the plan claim the scope of the material that could be filtered out is too wide and that the restrictions could be applied to media organisations reporting details of criminal activity.

As part of its assault on internet censorship by governments around the world, the US government has weighed in on the debate.

"Our main message of course is that we remain committed to advancing the free flow of information which we view as vital to economic prosperity and preserving open societies globally," Michael Tran, a US State Department spokesman, said.

"We don't discuss the details of specific diplomatic exchanges, but I can say that in the context of that ongoing relationship, we have raised our concerns on this matter with Australian officials," he said.

The Australian government has refused to comment on the matter. US voices 'concerns' over Australia's internet filter >>> Bonnie Malkin in Sydney | Monday, March 29, 2010

Agca appelle Benoît XVI à démissionner
TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: PÉDOPHILIE | Le turc qui avait fait 30 ans de prison pour avoir tenté de tuer jean-Paul II a réclamé la démission du pape lors d'une conférence de presse.

Mehmet Ali Agca. Photo : Tribune de Genève
Mehmet Ali Agca, le Turc qui avait tenté de tuer Jean Paul II, a appelé lundi à Istanbul le pape Benoît XVI à démissionner en raison des scandales de pédophilie qui éclaboussent l’Eglise catholique, lors de sa première conférence de presse depuis sa sortie de prison.

Brandissant un article de la presse turque relatant des appels dans le monde chrétien à des poursuites judiciaires contre le pontife, Agca s’est exclamé: "Je ne veux pas qu’il soit arrêté, je veux qu’il démissionne. Qu’à sa place, un cardinal italien ou sud-américain soit choisi." >>> AFP | Lundi 29 Mars 2010

Hindous et musulmans s'affrontent en Inde
TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: BLE | Ces violentes émeutes ont fait plus de 75 blessés.

Ces affrontements entre communautés religieuses ont éclaté samedi à Hyderabad, capitale de l’Andhra Pradesh (sud de l’Inde), où environ 1.600 gendarmes et policiers ont été déployés, a précisé le commissaire de police de la ville, A.K. Khan.

Hyderabad, capitale indienne des technologies de l’information, où sont basées Google, Microsoft, IBM et d’innombrables centrales d’appel, compte huit millions d’habitants, dont près de 40% de musulmans. Les derniers affrontements de grande ampleur entre communautés religieuses dans la ville remontent à 1990, et avaient à l’époque fait 200 morts. La ville a été plutôt calme depuis.

La situation a dégénéré en deux temps, les musulmans n’ayant jamais retiré les drapeaux verts couleur de l’islam avec lesquels ils avaient pavoisé il y a un mois, à l’occasion de l’anniversaire de la naissance du prophète Mahomet. Des affrontements ont débuté samedi lorsque des hindous ont essayé de remplacer les drapeaux verts par des bannières safran, à l’occasion d’une fête de leur propre religion.

Depuis samedi, les violences continuent, des dizaines de véhicules ont été incendiés, une demi-douzaines de mosquées et temples endommagés, et plus de 75 personnes blessées, a précisé A.K. Khan. >>> AFP | Lundi 29 Mars 2010

Life or Death: Will Russia Resume Death Penalty?
RUSSIA TODAY: Russia’s moratorium on the death penalty expires early next year. While some want capital punishment outlawed completely, many still believe there are criminals who deserve it.

The arguments for and against the death penalty are well established. Most legal and criminal analysts insist capital punishment does little towards the problem of crime – what matters is the unavoidability of it.

Even though public support for the death penalty has fallen in Russia in recent years, several violent incidents in the past ten years keeps the issue very much in the limelight, making implementing a total ban a highly contentious issue. >>> | Published: Monday, October 05, 2009; Edited: Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Religious Slaughter: Halal, Kosher

Halal Industrial Park Proposed for South Wales
BBC: An industrial park for Islamic goods and produce, which could mean about 3,000 jobs, might open in south Wales.

News of the proposed £150m Super Halal Industrial Park (SHIP) was revealed at an Islamic finance summit in London.

Mahesh Jayanarayan, chairman of Halal Industries, said Wales was chosen as the project's site for its meat industries and affordable land prices.

The assembly government said they were "tenative proposals" and and it would work closely with the firm.

The firm, a private equity company, said it was raising funds for the venture, which could launch in three to five years.

Mr Jayanarayan told the Reuters Islamic Banking and Finance Summit that Europe has no Halal industrial parks, despite being home to millions of Muslims.

Halal is an Arabic term meaning "permissible" and while it is often associated with meat, it refers to anything that is permissible in the Islamic faith.

The industrial park could create up to 3,000 jobs and would make the UK a landmark Halal centre for the region, Mr Jayanarayan told the finance summit.

It would provide services like storage freezers, a product packing centre, and raw material storage for manufacturers for food production. Meat selection and processing as well as research and development would also be offered.

Mr Jayanarayan said: "If you look at some figures, the halal sector in the UK is worth between £2bn to £4bn, the majority of that is imported.

"You have 2.5 billion people on the planet eating halal food, directly or indirectly," he told the summit.

"This halal market is not going away, it is not some fad. >>> | Tuesday, February 16, 2010

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST: Industrial park plan puts jobs boost on cards: AN industrial park that could create 1,500 jobs is on the cards for a site in Carmarthenshire or Neath. >>> | Tuesday, March 23, 2010

BNP Criticised for Prejudice Over Halal Jobs
SOUTH WALES EVENING POST: THE British National Party has been accused of putting their "narrow prejudice before the chance of good jobs" after vowing to oppose a major development earmarked for the region.

Carmarthenshire and Neath have been named as the preferred home for a proposed £150 million Super Halal Industrial Park, said to promise around 1,500 jobs.

But the BNP say they will fight the plans because the jobs would be given to Muslims.

Writing on our website, Kevin Edwards, BNP Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Aberavon, said: "If the people of Wales think this will provide employment for them then they must think again. If this is given the go ahead the vast majority of jobs created will have to be allocated to Muslims."

Mr Edwards, a Penygroes community councillor, added: "The Welsh Assembly has a shameful record of handing out grants to companies that have fled as soon as the money has gone.

"When this happens, as it inevitably will, 'the industrial estate' will wind up and there will be 5,000 more Muslims in the UK claiming benefits and living on our doorsteps.

"Only the British National Party will oppose this development."

Criticism of how halal meat is produced has also sparked debate.

Traditionally, halal meat is killed by hand without stunning the animal first, and then blessed by the person doing the job, although some Muslims say a mechanised form is also now acceptable.

Julie Richards, from Pontarddulais, said: "It is absolutely barbaric. Lambs are going to be strung up and bled to death. It is not humane." >>> | Monday, March 29, 2010

Voters’ Anger Over Immigration
THE SUN: A SHOCK new survey for The Sun has revealed how Britons feel badly let down by Labour's shambolic handling of immigration. More than two-thirds of the 1,500 adults quizzed by YouGov feel the surge in immigrants - 163,000 in 2008 alone - has had a negative impact on the UK. >>> Anila Baig | Monday, March 29, 2010

Medvedev Vows to Battle Terrorists ‘Without Compromise’
Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev speaks during an emergency meeting in Moscow on Monday. Photograph: The Wall Street Journal
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: Russia will continue to battle terrorists “without compromise,” President Dmitry Medvedev said Monday, hours after a pair of suicide attacks ripped through Moscow’s metro, killing at least 37 people.

“We will continue operations against terrorists, without compromise and to the end,” Mr. Medvedev said at an emergency government meeting.

Russia’s security services must not allow the suicide bombings that ripped through Moscow’s metro to “destabilize” the country and stoking ethnic hatred within society, Mr. Medvedev said. >>> Ira Iosebashvili | Monday, March 29, 2010

Several related articles in English, French, and German >>> | Monday, March 29, 2010

Russlands Führung erklärt den Tätern den Krieg: Putin kündigt «Gnadenlose Jagd» auf Hintermänner der Anschläge an
NZZ ONLINE: Nach den beiden Selbstmordanschlägen in Moskau hat der russische Präsident Medwedew einen unerbittlichen Kampf gegen Extremisten angekündigt. Ministerpräsident Putin sprach von einer gnadenlosen Jagd auf die Hintermänner der Tat.

Russland werde ohne zu Zögern den «Krieg gegen Terror» fortsetzen, erklärte der russische Präsident Medwedew am Montag nach den beiden schweren Anschlägen in der Moskauer U-Bahn. Die Sicherheitskräfte würden kompromisslos gegen Terroristen vorgehen. Die Menschenrechte müssten aber bei Polizeieinsätzen gewahrt bleiben, sagte der russische Präsident.

«Terroristen zerstören»

«Ein Verbrechen ist begangen worden, das schrecklich ist in seinen Konsequenzen und abscheulich in seiner Art», sagte Ministerpräsident Putin zu Beginn einer Videokonferenz mit ranghohen Vertretern der Sicherheitsbehörden. «Ich bin zuversichtlich, dass die Polizei- und Justizbehörden keine Anstrengung unterlassen werden, die Kriminellen zu finden und zu bestrafen. Die Terroristen werden zerstört werden.» >>> sda/Reuters/ddp | Montag, 29. März 2010

Putin Condemns Metro Attacks, Urgently Flies to Moscow

RUSSIA TODAY: Putin condemns Metro attacks, urgently flies to Moscow: Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, currently on a working trip in Siberia, said he was urgently returning to Moscow after terrorists exploded two bombs in the Metro, killing dozens. >>> | Monday, March 29, 2010

Editorial (June 2009): The Ban on Gays in the Military
THE NEW YORK TIMES: The Supreme Court’s refusal this week to hear a challenge to the ban on homosexuals serving openly in the military is not much of a legal setback. The court did not address the merits of the case, and another lawsuit still moving through the courts may be a better vehicle for challenging the benighted policy.

Even so, relying on a conservative court to make things right would be a gamble. Unfortunately, neither President Obama nor Congress shows much appetite for moving to end a ban that is not only unfair to gay men and lesbians but damaging to the military as well.

The “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy was hatched in 1993 as a compromise after President Bill Clinton failed in an attempt to overturn an existing ban on gay service members. The awkward compromise limited the military’s ability to ask service members about their sexual orientation (don’t ask) and allowed homosexuals to serve provided they kept quiet about their sexual orientation (don’t tell) and refrained from homosexual acts.

The ostensible rationale was that the known presence of gay men and lesbians would undermine morale and unit cohesion, but as it turned out, the policy caused its own kind of damage to military readiness. Thousands of service members have been discharged from duty at a time when the military is stretched by wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The loss of highly skilled interpreters and intelligence analysts has been especially damaging. >>> | Tuesday, June 09, 2009

In the Barracks, Out of the Closet
Photograph: The New York Times
THE NEW YORK TIMES: President Obama has said he will abolish the 16-year-old “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, which allows gays and lesbians to serve in the military only if they do not disclose their sexual orientation. Nationwide, polls show that a majority of Americans support lifting the ban on openly gay members of the military. But support in the military’s ranks and among retired officers is mixed. While several prominent retired generals and admirals have urged a repeal, others have said that allowing openly gay people to join the service would hurt recruiting and retention.

How would lifting the ban affect the military ranks? And, as the first step, if the president acts to change the policy, should it be by executive order or should it be by act of Congress? >>> The Editors | Sunday, May 03, 2010

Watch New York Times video: A Gay Soldier's Husband: A gay man talks about "don't ask, don't tell" and the difficulties he faces having a partner on active duty in Iraq. >>>

Christian Militia Group Members Arrested by FBI
THE TELEGRAPH: FBI agents have arrested seven people in a series of raids targeting a Christian militia group.

The raids took place in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio over the weekend and were reportedly carried out by the FBI-led Joint Terrorism Task Force.

The suspects are expected to make an initial appearance in US District Court in Detroit later today.

A source close to the investigation in Washington, D.C. told the Detroit News that FBI agents were conducting activities in connection to Hutaree, a Christian militia group whose members describe themselves as Christian soldiers preparing for the arrival and battle with the anti-Christ. >>> | Monday, March 29, 2010

Animal Rights Campaigners Push for Ban on Wearing Fur in Israel
Orthodox Jews at a wedding. Photograph: Times Online
TIMES ONLINE: Israel could become the first country to ban the wearing of animal fur; a move campaigners hope will encourage other countries to follow suit.

However, ultra-Orthodox MPs are blocking the final steps in the process because many of their constituents traditionally wear sable hats known as shtreimels, which they argue are part of their cultural identity.

The international anti-fur campaign, backed by animal rights activists such as Brigitte Bardot and Sir Paul McCartney, has picked Israel as the perfect starting point because the fur trade is tiny — worth about $1 million a year — and because, under Jewish tradition, the undue suffering of animals is forbidden.

“The market here is not that big,” said Josh Rotbart, a legal representative for the Israeli organisation Let The Animals Live, which also runs an animal rescue centre in Lod, near Tel Aviv. “We are not talking about Canada or the US or China. It’s a small industry and it’s pretty easy to ban a small industry. It’s hot here. You don’t really need to wear fur.” >>> James Hider, Lod | Monday, March 29, 2010

Bliar’s Back!
MAIL ONLINE: Tony Blair will make a dramatic return to the centre stage of British politics to boost Labour's election hopes.

The former Prime Minister is due to give a speech tomorrow attacking Tory policies and highlighting New Labour's achievements.

It will be the first time Mr Blair has stepped out of the political shadows since standing down from No.10.

The speech, in his former constituency of Sedgefield, County Durham, is expected to dismiss claims that David Cameron is his natural successor and has modernised the Tories.

The carefully-planned attack will also attempt to portray the Tories as a far-Right party with extremist policies. He's back! Tony Blair set to step out of political shadows with speech attacking Cameron >>> Ryan Kisiel | Monday, March 29, 2010