Europe's Economic Crisis Is Getting Worse Not Better, Says Caritas Report

The Caritas report says that as a result of economic measures[,]
Greece's political scene has become increasingly toxic.

THE GUARDIAN: Survey shows increase in the number of new poor in seven countries and challenges the official European Union discourse

Far from being over Europe's economic crisis is getting worse with disturbing levels of poverty and deprivation being noted among children and youth, says a report compiled by the Catholic charity Caritas.

The survey, conducted over the course of the past year, not only challenges the official discourse – that Europe is on the mend – but documents a dramatic poor in the seven EU countries worst hit by the policies of austerity.

"We in Brussels keep hearing that the economic crisis is over," Thorfinnur Omarsson, a spokesman for Caritas Europa said in Athens where the network of Catholic relief organisations released the report. "These findings not only doubt that the crisis is over but show it is the poor who are paying for a crisis they did not cause." » | Helena Smith in Athens | Thursday, March 27, 2014

Turkey Moves to Block YouTube Access after 'Audio Leak'

BBC: Turkey has moved to block access to YouTube, a day after a court ordered the suspension of a ban on Twitter, which PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan backed.

The telecoms authority (TIB) said it had taken an "administrative measure" against the site but another report suggests that talks are under way.

Some users found access blocked while others could still use the site.

Earlier, what appeared to be a leaked audio recording of Turkish officials discussing Syria appeared on YouTube.

It relates to a discussion of possible military operations in Syria, which was apparently attended by Turkey's intelligence chief, its foreign minister and the deputy head of the armed forces. » | Thursday, March 27, 2014

Ukraine: UN Condemns Crimea Vote as IMF and US Back Loans

Russian forces seized Crimea's remaining military bases after
Ukrainian servicemen withdrew this week

BBC: The UN General Assembly has approved a resolution describing the Moscow-backed referendum that led to Russia's annexation of Crimea as illegal.

It comes after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreed to a loan deal with Ukraine worth $14-18bn.

The US Congress also passed legislation on Thursday backing a $1bn loan guarantee for Ukraine.

Tensions are high between Russia and the West after pro-Russian troops annexed Ukraine's southern peninsula.

The West has widely condemned the move, with US President Barack Obama warning on Wednesday of "deeper" EU and US sanctions against Russia if it carried out further incursions in Ukraine. » | Thursday, March 27, 2014

Is 'Empire' Vladimir Putin's Endgame?

Mar. 27, 2014 - 4:58 - Signs Russia preparing to further invade Ukraine

Krim-Krise: Alarm bei westlichen Militärs

DIE PRESSE: Nach dem Fall des Eisernen Vorhangs haben die meisten Nato-Staaten ihre Militärbudgets immer weiter gekürzt. Die Krim-Krise ist für viele ein Beweis, dass die Abrüstungspolitik ein Fehler war, besagt eine Analyse.

Das russische Vorgehen in der Ukraine sei ein Weckruf für viele europäische Staaten, berichtete der deutsche Nachrichtensender N24 jüngst in einer brillanten Analyse, die die "Presse" im folgenden großteils darstellt. » | DiePresse.com | Donnerstag, 27. März 2014

Des avocats britanniques enjoints de respecter la charia

LE FIGARO: Une note de la Law Society sur le respect des règles musulmanes sur l'héritage par la justice britannique fait polémique. Le modèle de société multiculturelle est critiqué.

Émoi chez les robes noires. Les règles de la charia font pour la première fois leur apparition dans le droit britannique. La Law Society, l'équivalent du barreau, a créé une vive controverse en envoyant, mi-mars, aux avocats des recommandations afin de rédiger des testaments «charia compatibles». » | Par Florentin Collomp | jeudi 27 mars 2014

Related »

Julie Gayet gagne son procès contre Closer

LE FIGARO: Le magazine people qui avait publié en janvier une série de photos révélant sa liaison avec François Hollande, propulsant l'actrice à la une de la presse mondiale, est condamné à payer 15.000 euros de dommages et intérêts.

Le tribunal de grande instance de Nanterre a condamné aujourd'hui le magazine hebdomadaire Closer à payer 15.000 euros de dommages et intérêts à l'actrice Julie Gayet. Elle réclamait 50.000 euros de dommages et intérêts et 4000 euros pour les faits de procédure. Le journal devra en outre publier sa condamnation en couverture. » | Par JulieVoisin | jeudi 27 mars 2014

Sanktionsstreit mit Visa und Co.: Russland plant die Putin-Card

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Visa und Mastercard beteiligen sich an Sanktionen gegen Russland - das könnte Folgen haben. Präsident Putin droht den Konzernen und kündigt ein eigenes Bezahlsystem an.

Moskau - Als Reaktion auf westliche Sanktionen will der russische Präsident Wladimir Putin den Kreditkartenfirmen Visa und Mastercard mit einem eigenen Bezahlsystem Konkurrenz machen. Bei einem Fernsehauftritt berief sich Putin auf ähnliche Systeme in Japan und China. Diese Systeme funktionierten, "und sie funktionieren sehr gut". Daher werde auch Russland ein solches Zahlungssystem nun einführen. Zugleich warnte er die Kreditkartenfirmen indirekt vor der Beteiligung an Sanktionen gegen sein Land. » | dab/Reuters/AP/AFP | Donnerstag, 27. März 2014

Ukraine: Putin schickt 30.000 Soldaten an die Grenze

DIE WELT: Russland treibt den Truppenaufbau an der Grenze zur Ukraine voran. Wegen der Krim-Krise wollen die USA jetzt die Nato-Präsenz in Osteuropa stärken. Obama forderte die Europäer auf, mehr zu tun.

Die USA wollen vor dem Hintergrund der Krim-Krise die Nato-Präsenz in Osteuropa stärken. Dies solle durch intensivere Rotation von Militäreinheiten erreicht werden, sagte der stellvertretende US-Sicherheitsberater Ben Rhodes. » | dpa/Reuters/jm | Donnerstag, 27. März 2014

Prince of Wales Jokes about His German Roots as He Is Given a Pretzel

The Prince of Wales was given a family-sized pretzel by
baker Petra Braun

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Prince Charles also spoke about "unsustainable" rise in house prices on visit to east London

The Prince of Wales joked about his German roots today when he was given a giant pretzel by a member of the public yesterday.

Petra Braun, a baker from Stuttgart, handed him the family-sized bread snack, telling him: “Since you’re almost German, you might like this.”

The Prince, whose great great great grandfather Prince Albert was from Coburg in Germany, laughed and said: “That was a very long time ago.”

Mrs Braun, 47, who opened the Hansel and Pretzel bakery in Ham, west London, 10 years ago, said: “I didn’t know he was going to be in the area until my customers told me about 10 minutes before he arrived. I went out to see him and thought I’d better take him a gift. As Germans we are aware that we have a connection to the Royal family.” » | Gordon Rayner, Chief Reporter | Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Listening Post: The Cold War Narrative

As Russia redraws the map in Ukraine, the media narrative is once again split between the powers of the East and West.

Brussels Blows €10 Million on Obama Day-trip despite EU Austerity Anger

Barack Obama has arrived in Brussels...and for a hefty price tag. EU taxpayers are spending 10 million euros on security alone; money, that as RT's Egor Piskunov reports, many member states can't afford.

Russian View: Say What? Obama Claims 'Iraq Invasion Not as Bad as Crimea'

Barack Obama has declared the Kiev uprising a moral victory, Crimea's vote a sham and Russia a brute aggressor, that must be confronted. To prove his points the President used examples... including US achievements in Iraq. RT's Gayane Chichakyan takes a look at the narrative being put forward by the White House.

Greta: My Tip for Obama on Saudi Trip: Don't Bow

Mar. 26, 2014 - 1:08 - 'Off the Record', 3/26/14: President should be proud of American customs. No double-kissing on the cheek, either. (That's French.)

Is Obama Tough Enough on Russia?

Mar. 26, 2014 - 6:33 - George Will discusses the president's stance on Putin

Ukraine: Barack Obama Says Europe Must Defend Its Hard-won Freedoms Again

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: This is no time for "casual indifference" to the annexation of Crimea, US president tells European leaders

President Barack Obama has called on European countries to meet a "moment of testing" by stepping up their commitment to Nato against the threat to democracy and international law posed by Russia's aggression in Ukraine.

In a passionate speech delivered in Brussels, the American president warned that indifference to Vladimir Putin's attempt to redraw Ukraine's borders by force risked undermining the sacrifices of those who had died in two world wars.

"Russia's leadership is challenging truths that only a few weeks ago seemed self-evident: that in the 21st century the borders of Europe cannot be redrawn with force, that international law matters, that people and nations can make their own decisions about their future," he warned. » | Bruno Waterfield, Brussels and Peter Foster in Washington | Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Drunk in Tehran: The Islamic State’s Secret Party Scene

THE INDEPENDENT: Alcohol is banned in Iran, but that doesn’t stop the wealthy partaking

“Have a shot of tequila first, cheer up!” Shahriyar tells guests gathered at his luxury apartment in Tehran.

His girlfriend, Shima, said they party every weekend. “Shahriyar has one rule: bring your booze! We drink until morning,” she said on a FaceTime call, as lights flashed to rap music in the background.

Despite the ban on alcohol and frequent police raids, drinking in Iran is widespread, especially among the wealthy. Because the Shia-dominated Muslim state has no nightclubs, it all takes place at home, behind closed doors.

Some of the alcohol is smuggled in, but many resourceful Iranians make their own. » | Parisa Hafezi | Reuters | Wednesday, March 26, 2014

If the West Wants to Hurt Putin, Could Saudi Arabia Do Its Dirty Work?

THE GUARDIAN – ECONOMICS BLOG: Europe depends on Russian oil and gas exports, so an embargo may not be practical. But there is another way to apply pressure

Russia is vulnerable to sanctions. Economic weakness caused the collapse of the Soviet Union a quarter of a century ago and – the self-enrichment of the oligarchs apart – not much has changed since. Energy exports to the rest of the world pay for imports of machines and consumer goods. The population is ageing and there has been little industrial diversification. » | Posted by Larry Elliott | Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Nick Clegg and Nigel Farage Set for EU Debate

Nick Clegg and Nigel Farage

BBC: Nick Clegg and Nigel Farage are set to debate the UK's place in the European Union live on radio.

The deputy prime minister challenged the UKIP leader to a debate in the run-up to May's European elections.

Mr Clegg, who says his Liberal Democrats are the "party of in", argues that even threatening to leave the EU risks millions of British jobs.

Mr Farage says leaving the EU will give the UK control of its borders, but it will continue to trade with Europe.

Following negotiations between the two party leaders and broadcasters, two one-hour debates have been arranged. The first is being hosted by the LBC radio station from 19:00 GMT. On 2 April, round two will be televised live at the same time on BBC Two. » | Wednesday, March 26, 2014

North Korea: Men Required to Get Kim Jong-un Haircuts

BBC: Men in North Korea are now required to get the same haircut as their leader Kim Jong-un, it is reported.

The state-sanctioned guidelines were introduced in the capital Pyongyang about two weeks ago, media reports say. They are now being rolled out across the country - although some people have reservations about getting the look.

"Our leader's haircut is very particular, if you will," one source tells Radio Free Asia. "It doesn't always go with everyone since everyone has different face and head shapes." Meanwhile, a North Korean now living in China says the look is actually unpopular at home because people think it resembles Chinese smugglers. "Until the mid-2000s, we called it the 'Chinese smuggler haircut'," the Korea Times reports. » | By News from Elsewhere | Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Russian Standoff in 'Eleventh Hour'

Putin's Comparison to Kosovo 'Bizarre'

Helmut Schmidt hat Verständnis für Putins Krim-Politik

DIE ZEIT: Der frühere Bundeskanzler Helmut Schmidt kann verstehen, warum Russland die Krim annektiert hat. Kritik äußert Schmidt am Westen, aber Lob für Kanzlerin Merkel.

Der frühere Bundeskanzler Helmut Schmidt kann das Vorgehen des russischen Präsidenten Wladimir Putin auf der Krim gut nachvollziehen. Es sei "durchaus verständlich", sagte Schmidt der Wochenzeitung DIE ZEIT, deren Herausgeber er ist. Dagegen kritisierte er das Verhalten des Westens im Krim-Konflikt mit scharfen Worten. Die von der Europäischen Union und den USA beschlossenen Sanktionen gegen Russland seien "dummes Zeug". Weiter gehende wirtschaftliche Sanktionen würden ihr Ziel verfehlen. Auch sie hätten vor allem symbolische Bedeutung, "aber sie treffen den Westen genauso wie die Russen", sagte Schmidt. » | Quelle: Zeit Online, kp | Mittwoch, 26. März 2014

Mitt Romney: Russia 'Playing Politically' against America

Mar. 25, 2014 - 10:39 - Former presidential candidate on how Obama is containing the crisis

Putin Wins

Mar. 25, 2014 - 8:33 - Talking Points 3/25

Rove: 'Chickens Coming Home to Roost' on Obama

Mar. 25, 2014 - 10:36 - Former Bush senior advisor: President and US world stature paying for his 'hands off' foreign policy, US giving up Internet control seen as weak, Putin 'played Obama for a sucker'

How Is Obama Handling Foreign Policy Challenges with Russia?

Mar. 24, 2014 - 2:25 - Brit Hume has analysis

Obama: 'Russia Is a Regional Power'

Mar. 25, 2014 - 1:27 - President rejects idea that Putin's Russia is a top geopolitical enemy

Barack Obama's First Visit to Brussels to Cost Belgium More Than €10m

Belgium mobilising 350 police and military motorbikes to
secure the president's routes to EU and Nato summits.

THE GUARDIAN: Obama will arrive with 900-strong entourage, including 45 vehicles and three planes, and attend EU and Nato summits

As Belgium's capital and host to the EU and Nato, Brussels is used to deploying heavy security when big names pop by. But US President Barack Obama's visit on Tuesday will strain the city like never before with €10m ($10.4m, £8.4m) of Belgian money being spent to cover his 24 hours in the country.

The president will arrive on Tuesday night with a 900-strong entourage, including 45 vehicles and three cargo planes. Advance security teams orchestrating every last detail have combed Brussels already, checking the sewers and the major hospitals, while American military helicopters were last week given the green light for overflights. The city hosts at least four EU summits a year, with each of these gatherings costing €500,000 in extra police, military and transport expenses. "But this time round, you can multiply that figure by 20," said Brussels mayor, Yvan Mayeur. » | Leo Cendrowicz in Brussels | Monday, March 24, 2014

Barack Obama: Russia Is a Regional Power Showing Weakness over Ukraine

The US president, Barack Obama, in The Hague at the nuclear summit.

THE GUARDIAN: President rejects claims Russia is a principal foe, saying actions in Ukraine an expression of vulnerability rather than strength

President Barack Obama has described Russia as no more than a "regional power" whose actions in Ukraine are an expression of weakness rather than strength, as he restated the threat from the G7 western allies and Japan that they would inflict much broader sanctions if Vladimir Putin went beyond annexation of Crimea and moved troops into eastern Ukraine.

Speaking at the end of a summit on nuclear security in The Hague, Obama rejected the suggestion made by Mitt Romney – his Republican challenger in the last president election – that Russia was the United States' principal geopolitical foe. The president said he was considerably more concerned about the threat of a terrorist nuclear bomb attack on New York.

He said that the US was committed to the defence of its Nato allies but that for non-member states along Russia's borders, Washington and the rest of the international community would use non-military pressure to counter Russian encroachment. Read on and comment » | Julian Borger in The Hague | Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Mitt Romney Calls Barack Obama “Naïve” on Russia »

Obama warns Putin that the US is the most powerful nation in the world. Russia is a regional power and would struggle to compete with the US’s global influence. Other countries look to America for a lead in global crises »

Climate Change Will Make UK Weather Too Wet and Too Dry, Says Met Office

THE GUARDIAN: UK will see wetter, milder winters and hotter, drier summers due to global warming, scientists predict

The UK's weather will become both too wet and too dry – and also too cold and too hot – as climate change increases the frequency of extreme events, the Met Office has warned in a new report.

Its scientists concluded that on average the UK will see wetter, milder winters and hotter, drier summers in the long term due to global warming. But the natural year-to-year variability of weather will also mean occasional very cold winters, like that of 2010-11, and very wet summers, like that of 2012. » | Damian Carrington | Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Douglas Murray – Asserting the Superiority of Western Values

Douglas Murray arguing in 2007 that 'We should not be reluctant to assert the superiority of Western values'.

Time to Grab Guns and Kill Damn Russians: Tymoshenko Tape Leak

Russia Sidelined from G8: Does It Matter?

Mar. 25, 2014 - 4:33 - Moscow shrugs off summit snub after Crimea takeover

'Post-Cold War West Poked Russian Bear with Stick until It Finally Swiped Back'

Crimea's secession has steered up a storm in the West, with flaming speeches being heard from politicians. However, there's little real action being taken - Why? What frightens the power players? We ask these questions to David Speedie from the Carnegie Council for Ethics and International Affairs.

Head to Head: Has Political Islam Failed?

Islamic intellectual Tariq Ramadan discusses Islamism and the rise and fall of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Putin führt Wehrertüchtigung in Russland wieder ein

DIE WELT: Jahrzehntelang machten Dutzende Millionen beim Programm "Bereit zu Arbeit und Verteidigung" mit. Das war noch zu Zeiten der Sowjetunion. Russlands Präsident Putin will diesen Geist wiederbeleben.

Kreml-Chef Wladimir Putin hat die aus Sowjetzeiten stammende Wehrertüchtigung wieder eingeführt. Zur freiwilligen Teilnahme aufgerufen sind alle Einwohner ab sechs Jahren. Dank des Systems seien Generationen gesunder Menschen herangewachsen, sagte Putin. Als "Tribut an die Traditionen unserer nationalen Geschichte" werde auch wieder der alte Name "Gotow k trudu i oboronje" (GTO, Bereit zu Arbeit und Verteidigung) genutzt.

In den 30er-Jahren stand in der Sowjetunion patriotische Erziehung von jungen Proletariern auf dem Programm. Sie mussten stark sein und ihr sozialistisches Vaterland verteidigen können. An den Olympischen Spielen nahm die Sowjetunion damals nicht teil, Sport galt als Zeitvertreib für Kapitalisten. Eine eigene Sportbewegung musste her, ohne das westliche Wort "Sport" zu benutzen. Stattdessen war die Rede von der "physischen Kultur". "Physische Kultur im Sommer muss den Arbeitermassen neue Kräfte gebe, neue Energie in die ermüdeten Muskeln gießen, Fertigkeiten geben, die ein Arbeiter und ein Soldat braucht", schrieb die sowjetische Zeitung "Komsomolskaja Prawda" 1930. » | Von Julia Smimova | Dienstag, 25. März 2014

Un islamiste suisse tue trois personnes en Turquie

TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: Un Suisse originaire du Kosovo a abattu trois personnes, dont un gendarme à un barrage, avant d'être capturé par les forces de l'ordre turques.

Un citoyen suisse originaire du Kosovo a été arrêté en Turquie après le meurtre de trois personnes, dont un gendarme, dans la province anatolienne de Niğde la semaine passée, a annoncé la police . » | Par Pascal Schmuck, Zurich | mardi 25 mars 2014

Rumsfeld's Take: Karzai Snubs West, Backs Putin's Power Grab

Mar. 24, 2014 - 4:22 - Former defense secretary on Afghan President Karzai, joining Syria and Venezuela in backing Russia's annexation of Crimea

War Threats Escalating in Ukraine?

Mar. 24, 2014 - 2:24 - Ukraine officials fear Russia could soon launch a new attack

Unbranded Cigarettes Could Mean People Smoke More, Experts Warn

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Unbranded cigarette packs could mean people smoke more, experts warn

Putting cigarettes in plain packs could lead to a rise in sales, experts have said, as smokers will no longer care about buying expensive brands.

The warning came as industry data from Australia - the only country to introduce plain packaging - suggests that the amount of tobacco delivered to retailers has risen in the year since changes were made. » | Laura Donnelly, Health Editor | Monday, March 24, 2014

Inside Story: Turkey Turns Off Twitter

Is the move by Turkey's regulator to block the social media site an isolated move or the start of greater restrictions?

Far-Right Makes Electoral Come-back across France

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Marine Le Pen's Front National is now the third major force in French politics after large gains in the first round of municipal elections

France on Sunday woke up to a “new political age” that appears to have sounded the death knell of two-party politics in the country when the far-Right party Front National (FN) made surprising gains in municipal elections.

Surpassing even the most upbeat forecasts by Marine Le Pen, the FN leader, the anti-EU and anti-immigration party gained at least 10 per cent of the vote in 229 towns across France, qualifying them to run in the second round of elections on March 30. » | Henry Samuel, Paris | Monday, March 24, 2014

Mitt Romney Calls Barack Obama 'Naive' on Russia and Vladimir Putin

THE GUARDIAN: • Losing 2012 candidate slams president for 'faulty judgment'
• Senator Durbin accuses Republican of 'political amnesia'

Mitt Romney said on Sunday that President Barack Obama is naive when it comes to Russia, has shown "faulty judgment" about Moscow's intentions and could have done more to try to deter its annexation of Crimea.

The 2012 Republican presidential nominee said Obama had not had the foresight to anticipate Russia's moves and should have been working earlier with allies to make clear the penalties that Russia would face if it moved into Ukraine. Romney did acknowledge that such steps might not have been enough though to hold back Russia's President Vladimir Putin.

"Had we communicated those things, there's always the potential that we could have kept them from invading a country and annexing it into their own," Romney said in an appearance on Face the Nation, on CBS. » | Associated Press in Washington | Sunday, March 23, 2014


Putin urged to make Transdniestria his next conquest »

Russia Ready to Annex Moldova Region, Nato Commander Claims

THE GUARDIAN: Philip Breedlove says large force on eastern border of Ukraine could easily move into Trans-Dniester if the decision was made

Nato's most senior military commander said on Sunday that Russia had amassed a large military force on Ukraine's eastern border, and warned that Moldova's separatist Trans-Dniester region could be the Kremlin's next target.

General Philip Breedlove, Nato's supreme allied commander, described the Russian force that began exercises 10 days ago as very, very sizeable and very, very ready.

"There is absolutely sufficient force postured on the eastern border of Ukraine to run to Trans-Dniester if the decision was made to do that. That is very worrisome," Breedlove said. » | Luke Harding in Donetsk | Sunday, March 23, 2014

Sharia Law in UK: Calls for Parliamentary Inquiry

THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Calls for an inquiry into scale of Sharia law in the UK as Law Society insists it was responding to demand with its guidance

Calls for a Parliamentary inquiry into the scale of Islamic law in the UK are mounting after the body representing solicitors in England Wales issued formal guidance on making “Sharia compliant” wills.

The Law Society was accused of giving its stamp of approval to discriminatory practices after it published advice on writing wills which deny women an equal share and exclude “illegitimate” children or unbelievers.

The society denied promoting Sharia and insisted that it was simply responding to demand.

But MPs said the publication would be a “wake-up call” for those who support women’s equality. » | John Bingham, Religious Affaira Editor | Sunday, March 23, 2014

The Price of Failed American Leadership?

Mar. 22, 2014 - 6:38 - Russian President Vladimir Putin shows no signs of backing down from his Ukraine land grab

Sharia law Is Well and Truly Operating in the UK – Thanks to the Law Society

NATIONAL SECULAR SOCIETY: Sadikur Rahman, of the Lawyers Secular Society, fears a practice note issued by the Law Society could compromise the Code of Conduct for solicitors and increase the application of Sharia law in the UK.

It was with incredulity that I saw this practice note issued by the Law Society last week.

Lawyers will know that practice notes issued by the Law Society are guidance on best practice for specific topics or areas of law.

This practice note provides guidance to lawyers specialising in areas such as wills, succession and inheritance, and in particular how to accommodate the wishes of clients who want to ensure their assets are distributed according to 'sharia law principles' on their death.

I'm not a wills lawyer, but according to memory in the UK unless you draw up a will, on death your estate will be distributed according to the rules of intestacy. I'm sure most lawyers will also say that clients can do whatever they want with their assets, and it has always been the case that a lawyer must follow the client's instructions on such issues.

But what this guidance does is legitimise discrimination towards women and "illegitimate children" – if that term still has any meaning in English law. In an astonishing few paragraphs the guidance states (at Section 3.6):

"The male heirs in most cases receive double the amount inherited by a female heir of the same class. Non-Muslims may not inherit at all, and only Muslim marriages are recognised. Similarly, a divorced spouse is no longer a Sharia heir, as the entitlement depends on a valid Muslim marriage existing at the date of death.

"This means you should amend or delete some standard will clauses. For example, you should consider excluding the provisions of s33 of the Wills Act 1837 because these operate to pass a gift to the children of a deceased 'descendent'. Under Sharia rules, the children of a deceased heir have no entitlement, although they can benefit from the freely disposable third.

"Similarly, you should amend clauses which define the term 'children' or 'issue' to exclude those who are illegitimate or adopted."

Now, of course a person has always been able to distribute their assets in any way they wish and a Muslim may completely legally have distributed their assets according to sharia principles, without letting the lawyer know the basis of the instructions. The difference now is that a solicitor could offer this service to a Muslim client and the Muslim client can say they want to distribute their assets in a certain way because of their religious requirement. » | Sadikur Rahman | Friday, March 21, 2014

Islamic Law Is Adopted by British Legal Chiefs

Under ground-breaking guidance, produced by The Law Society,
High Street solicitors will be able to write Islamic wills

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Solicitors told how to draw up Sharia-style wills penalising widows and non-believers

Islamic law is to be effectively enshrined in the British legal system for the first time under guidelines for solicitors on drawing up “Sharia[-]compliant” wills.

Under ground-breaking guidance, produced by The Law Society, High Street solicitors will be able to write Islamic wills that deny women an equal share of inheritances and exclude unbelievers altogether.

The documents, which would be recognised by Britain’s courts, will also prevent children born out of wedlock – and even those who have been adopted – from being counted as legitimate heirs.

Anyone married in a church, or in a civil ceremony, could be excluded from succession under Sharia principles, which recognise only Muslim weddings for inheritance purposes.

Nicholas Fluck, president of The Law Society, said the guidance would promote “good practice” in applying Islamic principles in the British legal system.

Some lawyers, however, described the guidance as “astonishing”, while campaigners warned it represented a major step on the road to a “parallel legal system” for Britain’s Muslim communities.

Baroness Cox, a cross-bench peer leading a Parliamentary campaign to protect women from religiously sanctioned discrimination, including from unofficial Sharia courts in Britain, said it was a “deeply disturbing” development and pledged to raise it with ministers.

“This violates everything that we stand for,” she said. “It would make the Suffragettes turn in their graves.” » | John Bingham, Religious Affairs Editor | Saturday, March 22, 2014

The Wolf Hunt Returns to France as Species Makes a European Comeback

Conservation groups furious as government allows limited hunting of protected grey wolf amid rise in attacks on farm animals

Read the Telegraph here | Henry Samuel, Caussols | Saturday, March 22, 2014

Freedom of Speech Is 'Universal' Right, Michelle Obama Tells China

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Amid a growing crackdown on Chinese dissidents, the US First Lady tells an audience in Beijing that the "questioning and criticism" of political leaders is crucial

Freedom of information, expression and belief should be considered "universal rights", Michelle Obama, the US first lady, told students in China on Saturday.

Speaking at Peking University on the second full day of a weeklong, bridge-building family tour of the country, Mrs Obama said: "It is so important for information and ideas to flow freely over the internet and through the media."

"When it comes to expressing yourself freely, and worshipping as you choose, and having open access to information - we believe those are universal rights that are the birthright of every person on this planet," Mrs Obama told an audience of around 200 students.

"My husband and I are on the receiving end of plenty of questioning and criticism from our media and our fellow citizens, and it's not always easy.

"But I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world." » | Tom Phillips, Shanghai | Saturday, March 22, 2014

Newsnight Economics Editor Duncan Weldon's 'Embarrassing' Fascist Past

Duncan Weldon is the TUC's chief economist but once
dabbled in far-Right politics

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Duncan Weldon admits to youthful 'flirtation' with fascism and once wrote about attending BNP demos

When a TUC official was hired by Newsnight as its new economics correspondent, the BBC faced familiar accusations of Left-wing bias.

But Duncan Weldon has admitted that he once had a brief, “witless” dalliance with fascism, having been an admirer of Oswald Mosley when he was a boy.

As a 19-year-old student, he wrote an article for his university newspaper headlined “I was a fascist”, in which he described attending British National Party meetings and taking part in a “violent” demonstration against asylum seekers.

Writing under the pseudonym Sam Healey in the Oxford University student newspaper Cherwell in 2002, he wrote that after attending several BNP meetings: “I was starting to consider myself a Fascist – a patriot – one of the few who understood that in order to regain what we once had, we may have to take distasteful methods.”

The hiring of Mr Weldon by the Newsnight editor Ian Katz, a former deputy editor of The Guardian, had already raised eyebrows because Mr Weldon has virtually no professional journalistic experience. » | Gordon Raynor, Chief Reporter | Friday, March 21, 2014

The Hand that Rocks the Cradle Cannot Rock the Boardroom

Allison Pearson took on a gathering of ferociously ambitious Chinese businesswomen to argue that you can't excel in the boardroom and be the perfect mother at home

Read and comment on the Telegraph article here | Friday, March 21, 2014
My comment:

I must confess that I find it hard to understand women’s obsession with having it all: a career, motherhood, and wifehood. It seems to me that they end up like the proverbial dog chasing its tail – always attempting to catch it, but never quite doing so.

Whatever happened to the concept of mothers putting baby first? Whatever happened to mothers tending to baby’s needs, first and foremost?

This obsession women have of being successful in their careers has led to an awful lot of trouble in society. To start with, the divorce rate has shot through the roof. Further, the house is often no longer the home. It was always said that the mother was the heart of the home; but with mothers being absent from the home for much of the day, they can no longer fulfil this rôle properly.

Then we come to the fact that all these working mothers have driven up the price of houses. So much so that it is now virtually impossible for many married couples even to entertain the idea that the wife might be better off staying home, rather than going out to the workplace.

But what have we gained in all this? Are people really so much better off? And what about the health of the mother? Are they really doing their long-term health any good by pushing themselves so much? And this, of course, ignores the long-term damage done to so many children, many of whom simply go off the rails.

I’d be interested to know if any others feel as I do. Am I really such a lone voice? – © Mark

This comment appears here too.

Ukraine : "Nous sommes au bord de la Troisième Guerre mondiale"

LE POINT: L'ancien colonel du KGB et ancien patron des services secrets ukrainiens, Igor Smeshko, estime que l'Ukraine doit répondre militairement à l'agression russe.

Ancien patron du SBU, les services secrets ukrainiens, et ancien colonel du KGB lorsque l'Ukraine appartenait encore à l'Union soviétique, Igor Smeshko connaît tous les secrets militaires des deux pays. Et c'est un homme en colère. Contre Poutine bien sûr. "Il fait prendre à l'Europe le risque de la Troisième Guerre mondiale", dit-il. Mais aussi contre l'actuel gouvernement ukrainien au pouvoir depuis la chute de Victor Ianoukovitch qui, selon lui, n'a rien fait pour éviter l'annexion de la Crimée par la Russie et pour montrer à Poutine que l'Ukraine était en mesure de se défendre. Un étonnant coup de colère dans un pays où le gouvernement de coalition tente justement de montrer que le pays est soudé. » | D’envoyé special du Point à Kiev, Romain Gubert | samedi 22 mars 2014

Putin Mocks US Sanctions, Vows Not to Strike Back

Vladimir Putin has mocked US sanctions imposed on Russia, saying he will open an account at US-sanctioned Rossiya Bank. During a meeting with the country's senior security officials he added that he won't introduce a visa regime with Ukraine

Moscow and Crimea Light Up Skies with Fireworks to Celebrate Reunion

Moscow and Crimea are celebrating their reunion, after the republic officially became part of Russia. The majority of Crimeans voted to leave Ukraine and join the Russian Federation last Sunday, and less than a week later, after all the legal procedures were wrapped up, Russia officially accepted the peninsula into its territoty. Crowds have gathered in the centre of Simferopol, Sevastopol and Moscow to join in the festivities.

Putin Orders Fireworks over Moscow as He Laughs Off US Sanctions

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Russian president painted events in victorious colours, ordering fireworks in Moscow and Crimea to celebrate the official annexation of the peninsula

Fireworks have been let off over Moscow on President Vladimir Putin’s orders as Russia celebrated the formal annexation of Crimea, in a front to the West.

Mr Putin laughed off the US sanctions that targeted his inner circle, promising the Russian government would “have the back” of those on the list, and even opening a personal account at a sanctioned bank as an act of solidarity.

“Far as I’m aware, it’s an average bank,” Mr Putin said on Friday of Bank Rossiya, the only institution on the list of sanctions targets released by the US Treasury Department on Thursday. “I don’t have a personal account there, but I’ll open on on Monday.”

And in what appeared to be a move to de-escalate tensions, he even said he had no intention of imposing answering reactions. “We should refrain from retaliatory steps,” he said. » | Roland Oliphant in Simferopol and Yekaterina Kravtsova in Moscow | Friday, March 21, 2014

Pope Francis: 'Hell Awaits' Mobsters Unless They Change Their Ways

Pope Francis delivers his speech during a meeting with relatives
of innocent mafia victims, in Rome's St. Gregorio VII church,
just outside the Vatican.

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: In a trenchant speech, the Pope railed against the mafia and donned a ceremonial garment once worn by an Italian priest killed by the mob

Pope Francis has warned Italy’s mafia they will go to hell unless they repent and reminded them they cannot take their “blood stained money and blood stained power to the next life.”

Speaking at an emotional vigil in Rome on Friday attended by around 900 relatives of people murdered by Italy’s mafia clans, Francis told mobsters to “please change your life”, adding: “We pray for you, I am asking you on my knees to convert, it is for your own good.”

Francis delivered his somber, strongly worded attack after the names of all 842 innocent people killed in Italy by the mafia since 1893 were read out at the Church of San Gregorio VII, close to the Vatican.

“This life that you live will not give you joy or happiness,” he said. “Convert, there is time before you finish up in hell, which is what awaits unless you change path,” he said. “You have a father and a mother – think of them and convert.” » | Tom Kington, Rome | Friday, March 21, 2014

Le pape aux mafieux: «changez de vie» »

Russland druckt neue Landkarte

TAGES ANZEIGER: In der Regel dauert in Russland die Produktion einer neuen Landkarte bis zu drei Jahre. Nun soll die Krim aber innert Monaten darauf Platz finden. Für viele Bewohner ist die Lage klar – sie besorgen sich russische Pässe.

Schon in wenigen Wochen sollen die neuen russischen Landkarten fertig sein – mit der Erweiterung um die Krim. «Wir brauchen keine besonderen Messungen. Das ganze wird höchstens ein bis zwei Monate dauern», sagte der Präsident der Staatlichen Universität für Geodäsie und Kartographie, Viktor Sawinych. » | mw/sda | Freitag, 21. März 2014

Le pape aux mafieux: «changez de vie»

24 HEURES: Le pape François a lancé un appel aux «hommes et aux femmes de la mafia» à «changer de vie, à arrêter de faire le mal, à se convertir».

Le pape François a lancé vendredi un appel aux «hommes et aux femmes de la mafia» à «changer de vie, à arrêter de faire le mal, à se convertir», lors d'une cérémonie en mémoire des victimes de la criminalité organisée à Rome. » | afp/Newsnet | vendredi 21 mars 2014

Türkischer Premier Erdogan: Der Staat bin ich

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Die Vorwürfe gegen den Premier der Türkei wiegen schwer: Bestechlichkeit, Einschüchterung, Größenwahn. Trotzdem gilt seine AK-Partei als Favorit bei den Kommunalwahlen Ende März. Was macht Erdogan so unverwundbar?

Istanbul/Rize - Alles muss spektakulär sein, wenn Recep Tayyip Erdogan erscheint, natürlich auch am Sonntag, wenn er in Istanbul buchstäblich Neuland betritt: Eine viele tausend Quadratmeter große Halbinsel wurde im Marmara-Meer geschaffen, mit Grünflächen und Parkplätzen für 2000 Autos und 1000 Busse. Erdogan will sie eröffnen, er will vor 1,5 Millionen Fans Wahlkampf machen. Kleiner geht es nicht.

Erdogan hat den Spruch "Versprich einem Türken eine Autobahn, eine Shoppingmall, einen Flughafen, und er wählt dich" verinnerlicht wie kein anderer türkischer Politiker. Bei vielen Wählern kommt der Größenwahn gut an. » | Von Hasnain Kazim | Freitag, 21. März 2014

Listening Post: Erdoğan: Control, Conflict, Conglomerates

In a special edition, we unpack the Turkish prime minister's relationship with the media landscape in which he operates.

US Government Giving Up Control of Internet

Mar. 17, 2014 - 3:12 - James Rosen reports from Washington, D.C.

The Foxhole: How Is US Diplomacy Viewed in the World Today?

Mar. 18, 2014 - 26:04 - American Enterprise Institute's Michael Rubin on how the US strategy of establishing a dialogue might not be our best course of action

Tit for Tat: Mocking Sanctions

Mar. 20, 2014 - 3:13 - Sanctions in Russia-US tension over Crimea mean nothing as both sides laugh off measures

Singing Nun Stuns Judges on Italy's The Voice

Sister Cristina Scuccia performs a version of Alicia Keys' song No One on Italy's The Voice. The nun, from Sicily, impresses the judges who unanimously opt to keep her in the TV talent competition. She has been quoted as saying she hopes to gain renown in her country which may lead to her meeting the Pope

Crimea, Sevastopol Officially Join Russia as Putin Signs Final Decree

Russia has finalized the legal process of taking Crimea under its sovereignty, as President Putin signed a law amending the Russian constitution to reflect the transition

THE GUARDIAN: Putin laughs off sanctions as he signs bills to transfer Crimea to Russia: President promises to open account at blacklisted bank as west signals intent to maintain pressure over Ukraine crisis » | Alex Luhn in Moscow | Friday, March 21, 2014

Inside Story: Oil and Gas: At What Price?

Regional power shifts and how they affect the supplies of gas and oil central to 21st Century life.

France Says Britain Must Extend Sanctions to Russian Oligarchs in London

Laurent Fabius, Foreign Minister of France

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: France's foreign minister Laurent Fabius tells William Hague oligarchs should suffer

Britain should target the assets of Russian oligarchs in London if more sanctions are adopted against Moscow over Ukraine, France’s foreign minister has said.

Laurent Fabius made the remarks as he said France might envisage suspending a €1.2billion (£1billion) contract to supply two warships to Russia.

The decision not to deliver two Mistral-class helicopter carriers, he said, could be part of a potential “third level” of sanctions if Russia did not respond to those imposed by the European Union and the US on Monday on a number of top Russian and Ukrainian figures.

But he insisted this could only take place “in the framework of general sanctions imposed by all countries”.

Mr Fabius went on to single out Britain, saying it must do “the equivalent with the assets of Russian oligarchs in London. Sanctions have to touch everyone”. » | Henry Samuel, in Paris and Bruno Waterfield in Brussels | Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Krim-Krise: Schulz warnt vor Krieg in Europa

EU-Parlamentspräsident Schulz bei der Ankunft in Brüssel:
"Wir reden vom Risiko eines bewaffneten Konflikts."

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Auf dem Gipfel in Brüssel suchen Staats- und Regierungschefs eine gemeinsame Haltung in einer der schlimmsten Krisen seit langem, dem Konflikt zwischen Russland und der Ukraine. EU-Parlamentspräsident Schulz warnt vor Krieg - und fordert drastische Sanktionen.

Washington - Der reguläre Gipfel der Staats- und Regierungschefs der EU an diesem Donnerstag und Freitag wandelte sich zum Krisengipfel. Schon wieder. Der zweite Krisengipfel in diesem Monat. In Brüssel sucht man nach einer gemeinsamen Haltung in der Krim-Krise. Wie scharf sollen weitere Sanktionen gegen Russland ausfallen?

Vor Beginn der eigentlichen Gespräche berieten sich die Gipfelteilnehmer mit EU-Parlamentspräsident Martin Schulz - und der konfrontierte sie mit drastischen Befürchtungen: "All diejenigen, die geglaubt haben, Krieg oder Kriegsgefahr wären kein Thema mehr, sehen sich eines Besseren belehrt", sagte der Sozialdemokrat. "Wir reden vom Risiko eines bewaffneten Konflikts." Das "sehr brutale Vorgehen" Russlands zur Annexion der ukrainischen Halbinsel Krim bedeute eine "neue Dimension".

Schulz äußerte nach einem Treffen mit den EU-Staats- und Regierungschefs Sorge, dass sich Russlands "Begehrlichkeiten" nicht auf die Krim beschränkten. "Und deswegen ist jeder weitere Schritt der russischen Regierung zu beantworten mit verschärften Sanktionen" bis hin zu einer "dramatischen wirtschaftlichen Konfrontation". Die EU müsse Moskau deutlich machen, dass sie ein Überschreiten der von Russland erreichten Grenze nicht akzeptiere, fügte Schulz hinzu. » | ler/dpa/AFP | Donnerstag, 20. März 2014

Répression: Le premier ministre turc veut «supprimer» Twitter

Après Facebook et YouTube, le premier ministre turc Erdogan
veut désormais supprimer Twitter.

TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: Recep Tayyip Erdogan a menacé d'interdire Twitter après la publication sur les réseaux sociaux d'enregistrements d'écoutes téléphoniques qui le mettent directement en cause dans un scandale de corruption.

«Nous allons supprimer Twitter. Je me moque de ce que pourra dire la communauté internationale», a lancé Recep Tayyip Erdogan devant des milliers de partisans lors d'un rassemblement électoral à huit jours du scrutin municipal du 30 mars. «Ils verront alors la force de la Turquie», a-t-il ajouté.

Au début du mois, le chef du gouvernement islamo-conservateur avait déjà menacé d'interdire YouTube et Facebook. «Nous sommes résolus à ne pas laisser le peuple turc être esclave de YouTube et Facebook», avait-il déclaré lors d'un entretien télévisé, «nous prendrons les mesures nécessaires, quelles qu'elles soient, y compris la fermeture». » | afp/Newsnet | jeudi 20 mars 2014

Dutch Politician Wilders Accused of Discrimination

Geert Wilders said he had been "only referring to Moroccan
criminals" at the rally

BBC: A group representing Moroccans living in the Netherlands says it will file a complaint of discrimination against the populist politician, Geert Wilders.

At a local election rally in The Hague on Wednesday night, Mr Wilders asked supporters of his Freedom Party if they wanted more or fewer Moroccans there.

When they chanted "fewer" in response, Mr Wilders said: "We'll organise that."

The Dutch Moroccan Alliance (SMN) said he had crossed a legal boundary by targeting a specific group of people.

Video footage of the rally is being circulated on social media with some critics drawing comparisons between Mr Wilders and Adolf Hitler's call for the "irrevocable removal" of Jews from German life.

They accuse the outspoken politician of alluding to a promise of action that, taken to its literal conclusion, could resemble ethnic cleansing. » | Anna Holligan | BBC News | The Hague | Thursday, March 20, 2014

Crimea Will Return to Ukrainian Jurisdiction, Says Minister

BBC: Ukraine's Deputy Defence Minister Leonid Polyakov has said that Crimea has not been lost to Russia, and insisted it was just a matter of time before it came back under Ukrainian jurisdiction.

He also told the BBC's Chris Morris that they are still deciding whether to withdraw Ukrainian troops and their families from Crimea. (+ BBC video) » | Thursday, March 20, 2014

Anti-gay Westboro Baptist Church Leader Fred Phelps Dies

Phelps was an ordained Baptist minister, although his church
was not affiliated with any mainstream denomination

BBC: The former leader of a US church that was widely known for its inflammatory anti-gay protests has died, his family has said.

The Reverend Fred Phelps Sr, founder of the Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas, died on Wednesday evening at 84.

The church, made up mostly of his family, rose to international notoriety with its practice of picketing funerals of fallen US troops.

It claimed their deaths were punishment for America's tolerance of gays.

'Diabolical'

Their signs read "Thank God for dead soldiers" and "Thank God for 9/11" and the like, and bore messages offensive to gay and lesbian people. » | Thursday, March 20, 2014

West Creating 'Permissive Environment' for Vladimir Putin?

Mar. 20, 2014 - 6:22 - Reaction from Andrew Kuchins, director of the Russia and Eurasia program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies

Obama: US to Impose Additional Costs on Russia

Mar. 20, 2014 - 4:58 - President makes statement on Ukraine crisis

Tit for Tat: Russia Hits US Officials with Sanctions, as Obama Expands Penalties

FOX NEWS: The Russian government slapped sanctions on top U.S. officials on Thursday, moments after President Obama imposed penalties on 20 Russians inside and outside the government -- as diplomatic efforts over Ukraine unraveled into a long-distance tit for tat.

The newest sanctions would bar nine American officials from entering Russia. The list includes House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio; Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.; and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

Just as Vladimir Putin's government shrugged off U.S. sanctions earlier in the week, so did the Americans targeted by Moscow.

"The Speaker is proud to be included on a list of those willing to stand against Putin's aggression," Boehner spokesman Michael Steel said in a statement.

McCain tweeted that he's "proud to be sanctioned by Putin."

As each side imposes sanctions, left unclear is whether any of them will have an effect on the standoff over Russia's widely challenged annexation of Crimea. (+ FoxNews video) » | FoxNews with The Associated Press | Thursday, March 20, 2014

Gay Atheist Goes to Town on Islam "How Are You Going to Put a PR Spin on That!"

Pat Condell: A Society of Cowards

We're getting what we deserve.

Worlds Apart: 'US Thinks Rules Are for Inferior Nations, It's In Their DNA' – Ex-Australian PM

Kosovo's secession demonstrated that international law is only as applicable as the force used to back it. But with Crimea now free on the wings of that precedent, the West cries foul. Why does the Western world fail to recognize parallels between Kosovo and Crimea? Is it a case of double standards or the result of decades of adversarial EU and NATO policies towards Russia? Oksana is joined by former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser to canvass these issues.

THE GUARDIAN: Ukraine: there's no way out unless the west understands its past mistakes: Western leaders mostly paint the whole dispute as totally one-sided: it is all Russia’s fault. But the Crimea crisis is directly related to the misguided steps taken after the Soviet Union’s fall » | Malcolm Fraser | Monday, March 03, 2014

THE WASHINGTON POST: How the Ukraine crisis ends » | Henry A. Kissinger | Wednesday, March 05, 2014

Obama Imposes New Sanctions, Warns Russia Against Further Escalation

LOS ANGELES TIMES: WASHINGTON — President Obama on Thursday announced new economic sanctions against Russian government officials, influential individuals and a Russian bank, threatening to come back with tougher penalties if Moscow does not deescalate the crisis in Ukraine.

“Further escalation will only isolate it further from the international community,” Obama said in remarks on the South Lawn of the White House. The U.S. is concerned that "Russia has positioned its military" in a threatening way, he added.

The president said the new sanctions would target additional senior Russian government officials, other individuals with "substantial resources and influence," and a bank. He also signed an executive order that would allow him to slap broader sanctions on sectors of the Russian economy, a move that “is not our preferred outcome,” Obama said, acknowledging that such sanctions could be “disruptive” to the global economy. » | Kathleen Hennessey and Christi Parsons | Thursday, March 20, 2014

You'll Never Guess Who Loves Putin

Vladimir Putin is getting all sorts of love from America. Republican hawks have been impressed with the Russian autocrat's machismo, while social conservatives can't help but tip their hat to his anti-gay policies. The latter category welcomed the evangelist Franklin Graham to its ranks this month. Graham, the son of Rev. Billy Graham, praised Putin...* What do other right wingers including Pat Buchanan have to say about this (versus what they have to say about President Obama)? The Young Turks host Cenk Uygur breaks it down.

'Abby Can Criticise But Cenk Uygur Lost His Job': Martin & A Young Turk

Host and founder of the Young Turks, Cenk Uygur, discussing why he left his job at MSNBC, the corporate media's superficial coverage of news events and the recipe for success in alternative media.

The Young Turks »