LIVE: Putin at Valdai - World between War and Peace

The 12th annual Valdai Discussion Club meeting in Russia's Sochi has focused on international armed conflicts. Russian President Vladimir Putin is taking part in its final plenary session devoted to the crisis in the Middle East

The Wonderful Wit of Churchill

Netanyahu Denounced for Saying Palestinian Inspired Holocaust

Hitler speaking with Haj Amin al-Husseini, the grand mufti
of Jerusalem and a virulent opponent of Zionism, in 1941.

THE NEW YORK TIMES: JERUSALEM — Israeli historians and opposition politicians on Wednesday joined Palestinians in denouncing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel for saying it was a Palestinian, the grand mufti of Jerusalem, who gave Hitler the idea of annihilating European Jews during World War II. » | Jodi Rudoren | Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel sparked a backlash for suggesting that a World War II-era Palestinian religious leader convinced the Nazis to enact the Holocaust.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel explained his widely criticized comment about a Palestinian leader being behind Hitler’s inspiration for the Holocaust.
Related here and here.

Germany Refuses to Accept Netanyahu’s Claim Palestinian Inspired Holocaust

THE GUARDIAN: Germany says it has no reason to change its view of history after Israel’s prime minister blames mufti of Jerusalem for inciting Holocaust

Germany has said it has no reason to change its view of history after Israel’s prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, said Adolf Hitler had been persuaded to carry out the Holocaust by a Palestinian leader.

Before a trip to Berlin, Netanyahu provoked incredulity and anger among many when he claimed in a speech that Hitler had only wanted to expel Europe’s Jews and that the idea to exterminate them had come from the then mufti of Jerusalem, Haj Amin al-Husseini.

But at a joint press conference with Netanyahu on Wednesday, the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, made it clear she saw no need for a shift in interpreting history, saying: “We abide by our responsibility for the Shoah.” » | Kate Connolly in Berlin | Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Krauthammer: President's Statement on Israel Is Shameful

Oct. 16, 2015 - 8:58 - On 'The Kelly File,' Fox News contributor says Obama drew an unjust equivalency between Israeli and Palestinian actions

The Situation Grows Worse Overseas

Oct. 15, 2015 - 2:48 - 'The O'Reilly Factor': Bill O'Reilly's Talking Points 10/15

Interview mit Michael Stürzenberger über das ZIE-M (Zentrum für Islam in Europa in München) und die Islamisierung

Interview am 12. November 2011 in München über das geplante Zentrum für Islam in Europa in München (ZIE-M), das Bürgerbegehren der FREIHEIT gegen das ZIE-M, über die Auswirkungen der Islamisierung Europas mit Gegengesellschaften, Ehrenmorden, Zwangsverheiratungen, Gewalt, Unterdrückung der Frau und die schleichende Einführung der Scharia. Stürzenberger erläutert auch sein Thesenpapier gegen die Islamisierung, das in Teilbereichen einige Missverständnisse ausgelöst hat.

ZDF Heute: Drei maßgebliche Männer hinter PEGIDA [2015]

Nicht jeder, der mit Pegida "spazieren geht", ist gleich ein Neo-Nazi oder Rassist. Andere aber sehr wohl. Mannheimer, Stürzenberger, Nobile - Diese Männer geben bei Pegida Ton und Richtung an.

Geert Wilders Calls Anti-Islamic ALA 'Australia's First Freedom Party'

The far-right Dutch MP launches the Australian Liberty Alliance modelled on his own outfit, the Party for Freedom. Wilders was granted an Australian visa to attend the event but he has been banned from entering other countries because of his anti-Islamic stance. The launch’s location in Perth, Western Australia, was kept secret to avoid protests by anti-racism groups

Netanyahu Under Fire for Palestinian Grand Mufti Hitler Claim

THE GUARDIAN: Israeli PM accused of trivialising the Holocaust for saying grand mufti of Jerusalem gave Hitler idea of exterminating Europe’s Jews

The Israeli prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, has attracted a storm of criticism for an incendiary speech in which he accused the second world war Palestinian grand mufti of Jerusalem of “inspiring the Holocaust”.

The comments in a speech to the World Zionist Congress in Jerusalem, in the context of the current violence between Israelis and Palestinians, were condemned as incorrect by historians and the Israeli opposition leader Isaac Herzog for trivialising the Holocaust.

On the Palestinian side, senior official Saeb Erekat described the remarks as absolving Adolf Hitler.

In his speech, Netanyahu purported to describe a meeting between Haj Amin al-Husseini and Hitler in November 1941. “Hitler didn’t want to exterminate the Jews at the time, he wanted to expel the Jews. And Haj Amin al-Husseini went to Hitler and said: ‘If you expel them, they’ll all come here [to Palestine].’” According to Netanyahu, Hitler then asked: “What should I do with them?” and the mufti replied: “Burn them.” » | Peter Beaumont in Jerusalem | Wednesday, October 21, 2015

'Our Maggie'

Germany: EDL Founder Robinson Addresses Thousands at PEGIDA Rally in Dresden

PEGIDA leader Lutz Bachmann spoke to a 20,000-strong crowd of supporters alongside former English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson at a rally in Dresden's Theaterplaz on Monday evening.

Tatjana Festerling »

Islamist Terror Cell Liquidated in Moscow, around Hundred Apprehended

Terror cell was eliminated in Russian capital. Around hundred people were apprehended and 20 arrested, Russian Interior Ministry announced.

‪‘Golden Era of Relations Starts’: UK Rolls Out Lavish Welcome for Chinese Leader‬

Chinese President Xi Jinping was met with pomp and pageantry as he kicked off his four-day tour of the UK, the first visit by a Chinese leader to the country in a decade and one which is expected to lead to billions of pounds in trade and investment deals.

Arab Nations Ask UN to Designate Western Wall as Muslim Territory

FOX NEWS: False rumors about Israel's designs on a site held sacred by both Jews and Muslims helped trigger the bloody wave of attacks plaguing Jerusalem, but a tangible plan by six Arab nations to purge the Jewish State's claim to its holiest location will be voted on Wednesday by the United Nations' cultural arm.

A UN draft decision circulated by Algeria, Egypt, Kuwait, Morocco, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates reviewed by FoxNews.com “affirms that the Buraq Plaza is an integral part of the Al-Aqsa Mosque” – a statement that would specifically fold the Jewish Western Wall into Islamic domain on the Temple Mount.

“This is a clear endeavor to distort history, in order to erase the connection between the Jewish People and its holiest site, and to create a false reality,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a Monday statement. » | Cody Derespina | Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Europas Rechte sieht die "Zivilisation in Gefahr"

KRONEN ZEITUNG: Europas Rechtspolitiker hatten jetzt dank des "Wall Street Journal" internationales Publikum: Heinz-Christian Strache, Frankreichs Marine Le Pen und Geert Wilders (Niederlande) sowie Matteo Salvini (Italien) warnen in einem gemeinsam verfassten Artikel scharf vor dem aktuellen Flüchtlingsstrom, sehen gar die "Zivilisation in Gefahr". Die Flüchtlingslage in Europa sei "vollkommen außer Kontrolle geraten", weshalb es nötig sei, die Kontrolle über die Grenzen wieder zu übernehmen.

Mit der Asylpolitik der EU- Länder sei "die Zivilisation in Gefahr", betonen die Autoren im angesehenen "Wall Street Journal" . Und die Rechtspolitiker erhielten viel Platz, um dramatisch vor den Flüchtlingswellen zu warnen: So wird Ungarns Außenminister zitiert, der eine Zuwanderung von "35 Millionen Flüchtlingen nach Europa" erwartet. Strache und Kollegen schreiben unter anderem über "Glücksritter und zu viele Analphabeten unter den Asylwerbern", über den hohen Zugewinn der FPÖ bei der Wien- Wahl und auch darüber, dass die nationalen Parlamente in Europa "nur noch Schein- Parlamente" seien. » | red | Dienstag, 20. Oktober 2015

Warnings over Resurgence of German Far-Right Movement Pegida Sparked by Refugee Crisis

THE TELEGRAPH: The anti-immigration movement held its biggest rally in months in Dresden with up to 20,000 people attending


Fears are growing in Germany of a far-Right resurgence stoked by the refugee crisis, after nearly 20,000 took to the streets of Dresden in the biggest rally by the Pegida anti-immigrant movement for months.

Martin Schulz, the German president of the European parliament, warned of the potential for “far-Right violence and brutality” while Sigmar Gabriel, the German vice-Chancellor, accused Pegida’s leaders of using the “battle rhetoric” of the early Nazi party.

The charge came as one of the speakers at a massive Pegida rally in Dresden spoke of regret that “the concentration camps are out of action”.

Between 15,000 and 20,000 people took part in a demonstration to mark the first anniversary of Pegida’s founding on Monday, according to police. » | Justin Huggler, Berlin | Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Hamed Abdel-Samad: Der Islam ist gefährlich

WIKIPEDIA: Hamed Abdel-Samad »

Swastikas Scrawled on Jewish Graves in Austria

ARUTZ SHEVA: Nazi symbols deface Jewish cemetery weeks after vandals paint swastikas on Jewish quarter and Jewish museum.

A Jewish and a Muslim cemetery were defiled with Nazi symbols and anti-migrant slogans in western Austria, police said Monday, just weeks after similar attacks on a refugee hostel and Jewish museum.

Unknown perpetrators desecrated graves and buildings with a red pen in the Jewish cemetery of the town of Hohenems, close to the Swiss border, some time between Saturday night and Sunday morning, a police spokeswoman told the APA news agency.

The offenders also drew swastikas and wrote racist slogans at a Muslim burial ground in the nearby municipality of Altach. » | Arutz Sheva Staff | Monday, October 19, 2015

"Prières de rue" - Marine Le Pen : "Je n'ai commis aucune infraction"

LE POINT: La présidente du Front national est jugée en correctionnelle pour avoir comparé en 2010 les prières de rue des musulmans à l'Occupation.

Malgré son entreprise de dédiabolisation du Front national, Marine Le Pen s'était laissée aller à comparer les prières de rue à l'Occupation : elle est jugée mardi en correctionnelle à Lyon pour ces propos tenus il y a cinq ans. La présidente du FN est arrivée vers 13 h 30 au tribunal. "Je n'ai commis aucune infraction", a-t-elle lancé, tout sourire, à la foule de journalistes qui l'attendaient devant le bâtiment. » | Source AFP | mardi 20 octobre 2015

«Europa steht am Beginn einer neuen Terrorismuswelle»

TAGES ANZEIGER: Sicherheitsexperte Peter Neumann über die Flüchtlingswelle, den IS und neue Jihadisten, die Gefahren für Europa und bessere Ansätze der Terrorprävention.

Die Flüchtlingswelle aus dem Nahen Osten hat in Europa viele Ängste ausgelöst. Es gibt etwa die Sorge, dass sich IS-Jihadisten unter die Flüchtlinge mischen, um später in Europa Anschläge auszuführen. Ist diese Sorge berechtigt?
Dass der IS aktiv und systematisch Leute nach Europa einschleust, trifft nicht zu. Es gibt bisher einen einzigen dokumentierten Fall aus Deutschland. Der mutmassliche Jihadist wurde von den Flüchtlingen der Polizei gemeldet. Die Flüchtlinge selbst haben kein Interesse, dass Jihadisten den Weg nach Europa finden. Die Hysterie, die teilweise von Politikern geschürt wird, ist nicht gerechtfertigt. Dagegen ist es ein echtes Problem, dass hochradikalisierte Muslime und potenzielle Terroristen längst unter uns leben. Die Anschläge in Paris und Kopenhagen Anfang dieses Jahres waren keine Einzelfälle. Sie sind vielmehr erste Hinweise darauf, was in den nächsten Jahren und Jahrzehnten passieren wird. Europa steht am Beginn einer neuen Terrorismuswelle, die uns noch eine Generation lang beschäftigen wird. Und das ist nicht alles. » | Vincenzo Capodici, Redaktor International | Montag, 19. Oktober 2015

WIKIPEDIA: Peter R. Neumann »

What It's Like to Live under ISIS? Syrian Truck Drivers Reveal to RT

Truck drivers travel all around Syria to bring fresh produce to markets in Damascus. RT’s Lizzie Phealn has more.

Italy: Violent Clashes Break Out as Police Evict Families from Bologna Squat

Police and protesters clashed in Bologna, Tuesday, as authorities attempted to evict around 80 families from a disused Telecoms headquarters.

Germany: Four killed, Four Injured in Suspected Arson Attack on Refugee Shelter

Four people were killed and four injured in a suspected arson attack on a refugee shelter in Pforzheim, north of Stuttgart, in the early hours of Tuesday.

Germany: Tensions Soar before Ruptly Cameraman Is Attacked Filming PEGIDA Rally

Ruptly cameraman Jose Sequeira was attacked by PEGIDA supporters as he filmed a rally organised by the anti-migrant group in Dresden, Monday.

Golden Throne: Germany Looks toward Turkey for Help on Growing Refugee Crisis

Merkel is promising to speed up Turkey's application for EU membership - if Ankara stems the refugee flow across its borders. The German Chancellor traveled to Istanbul to discuss the refugee crisis... she also offered to lift EU visa restrictions for Turks.

Thousands Gather in Dresden for Anniversary of Pegida Movement

People gather for an anti-immigration demonstration
organised by Pegida in Dresden.

THE GUARDIAN: One person injured after being set upon by rival protesters as anti-migration group draws thousands to east German city – and similar numbers of counter-protesters

At least one person has been seriously hurt after thousands of people massed in the eastern German city of Dresden to mark the first anniversary of the anti-migrant movement Pegida. Thousands more came out in counter-protest.

Dresden police said in a tweet that a Pegida supporter had been attacked by unidentified assailants, leaving him seriously injured.

Carrying placards bearing images of burqa-clad women crossed out, or slogans referring to the German chancellor such as: “Go [Angela] Merkel: you give the Judas kiss”, Pegida supporters gathered in downtown Dresden on Monday, the birthplace of the movement. One of them, Hannelore, told AFP: “We are here for our children and grandchildren. We are proud to be here and that many people are here. We are glad that people have the courage to speak out.”

“Pegida is not a brown-shirt movement. Never,” said the protester in her 60s, referring to the Nazis, adding: “Frau Merkel is driving our country against the wall.” » | Agence France-Presse in Dresden | Monday, October 19, 2015

Marine Le Pen Goes On Trial Charged with Anti-Muslim Hate Speech

Marine Le Pen compared Muslims praying in the streets
to the Nazi occupation of France.

THE GUARDIAN: French Front National party leader made comments at a rally in 2010, prompting anti-racism and human rights groups to bring case against her

Marine Le Pen, the leader of France’s far-right Front National, is to appear in court in Lyon on hate speech charges after she compared Muslims praying in the streets to the Nazi occupation.

Four anti-racism and human rights groups have brought a case against her on charges of “incitement to discrimination, violence or hatred towards a group of people on the basis of their religion”.

The trial begins on Tuesday and it is the first time Le Pen has faced charges for hate speech, although her father and party founder, Jean-Marie Le Pen, has several convictions under the charge, including one for contesting crimes against humanity after saying the Nazi occupation of France was not “particularly inhumane”. » | Angelique Chrisafis in Paris | Tuesday, October 20, 2015

'The People Are Never Wrong': Highlights from Stephen Harper's Concession Speech

Stephen Harper's Conservative Party of Canada lost to the Liberal Party of Canada on Election Night.

Trudeau Rides National Desire for Change to Majority Government

THE GLOBE AND MAIL: In a stunning political comeback propelled by a national desire for change, Justin Trudeau and the Liberals won a decisive majority Monday night, bringing an end to the Stephen Harper era and a decade of Conservative rule.

Long derided by opponents as shallow and inexperienced, the Liberal Leader will now be the second Trudeau to take up residence as Prime Minister at 24 Sussex Dr. after leading the Liberals from the political wilderness back into government.

The result signals a vast reversal of fortunes for a party that was all but written off after winning just 34 seats in the past election. Their seat haul on Monday – with huge gains across the country – amounts to the largest increase in seats for a party between elections in Canadian history. The party was elected in 175 ridings and leading in a handful of others late Monday night.

The vote put an end to a long, acrimonious campaign that saw charges of Conservative Islamophobia and a bitter fight between the Liberals and NDP for the “change vote,” a battle the Liberals won. » | Eric Andrew-Gee, Steven Chase, Daniel Leblanc, and Les Perreaux | The Globe and Mail | Monday, October 19, 2015; Updated: Tuesday, October 20, 2015

THE GLOBE AND MAIL – EDITORIAL: Voters wanted change. They got it »

Contre le niqab, des électeurs votent masqués

TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: Des citoyens québécois ont ainsi protesté contre l'autorisation du niqab lors des cérémonies à la citoyenneté canadienne.

A Saint-Hubert, en banlieue sud de Montréal, Catherine Leclerc est arrivée, la tête et le haut du corps enveloppé dans un voile intégral (niqab) noir afin d'accomplir son devoir civique à son bureau de vote.

«Ce symbole du niqab, ce n'est pas un symbole religieux, c'est un symbole politique, un symbole d'oppression de la femme que l'on ne devrait pas tolérer dans une société égalitaire», a-t-elle déclaré à sa sortie.

Comme cette jeune femme, de nombreux Québécois ont voté aux législatives canadiennes avec soit un sac de pommes de terre sur la tête, soit un masque de soudeur ou d'autres accoutrements cachant leur visage. » | afp/nxp | lundi 19 octobre 2015

‘No Political Party in Germany Addresses Loss of Culture Worries’ – Pegida Leader

While Merkel looks to Turkey for help, many Germans feel the country cannot cope with the record influx of foreigners. Recent surveys suggest support for her back at home is dropping. Meanwhile, tensions are rising - with a wave of anti-migrant protests across Europe in recent days, as well as a number of arson attacks on refugee centers. For more RT is joined by Tatjana Festerling, one of the leaders of Pegida.

Huge Anniversary PEGIDA March Tonight, as Government Propaganda Attempts to Link Group to Violence

BREITBART.COM: Tens of thousands of supporters are expected to gather in Dresden, Germany this evening to mark the first anniversary of anti-Islamisation movement Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamisation of the West (PEGIDA). The German government once again denounced the “hate” movement and attempted to put blame on the peaceful group for arson attacks on asylum centres.

Marine Le Pen MEP, leader of France’s Front National party, was invited as the star speaker at the anniversary PEGIDA event, but is rumoured to have dropped out at the last minute. Dutch conservative MP Geert Wilders of the Party for Freedom is still expected to address the crowd, tonight or later in week, as celebrations continue for a few days.

Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, reiterated her call on citizens not to attend, and on Monday her spokesman said those who went along “had hate in their hearts,” DPA reports.

In reference to the recent rise in arson attacks on asylum centres across Germany, a spokesman for Minister Thomas de Maizière of Mrs. Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party, claimed that such crimes clustered around locations where PEGIDA rallies took place, implying they are related, Euractiv reports.

Heiko Maas, Minister for Justice and Consumer Protection, of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), said in an official government statement today: “Our rule of law will not shrink from threats and incitement to hatred,” in reference to PEGIDA. » | Liam Deacon | Monday, October 19, 2015

Merkel's Approach to Erdogan on Refugees Stirs German Doubts

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, meets Turkey's President
Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Yildiz Palace state apartments
during her visit in Istanbul, Turkey on October 18, 2015.

BLOOMBERG BUSINESS: Chancellor Angela Merkel’s mission to reach out to Turkey prompted skepticism in Germany, where questions were raised about her offer to strengthen Turkish ties with the European Union in return for stemming the continent’s refugee crisis.

Merkel’s trip to Istanbul Sunday underscored the pivotal role of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan two weeks before Turkish elections and also showed how the crisis is forcing European leaders to engage with a country they’ve kept at arm’s length for a decade. Erdogan is seeking to restore the parliamentary majority the Justice and Development Party, or AKP, lost in June 7 elections.

“Whom does the chancellor’s trip to Turkey benefit more: Merkel or Erdogan?” asked Germany’s best-selling Bild newspaper Monday. The chancellor has “seldom been in such a weak position” as she was in Istanbul, said Handelsblatt, while Die Welt cited senior officials from Merkel’s Bavarian sister party as ruling out Turkish membership of the EU. » | Patrick Donahue Isobel Finkel | Sunday, October 18, 2015 | Updated: Monday, October 19, 2015

Maldives Woman Sentenced to Death by Stoning Wins Reprieve

The Supreme Court in the Maldives, where the case was
annulled on Sunday night

THE TELEGRAPH: Unusually harsh sentence for mother of five convicted by local judge on remote island of Gemanafushi in the Maldives overturned by country's top court

The Maldives' highest court has overturned an unprecedented sentence of death by stoning for a woman convicted of adultery, a crime in the Muslim island nation, media reports said on Monday.

The woman, identified by local media as a mother of five, was convicted by a local judge on a remote island in the Maldives, a popular tourist destination that has seen a rise in Islamic extremism.

The Haveeru news site said the woman had confessed to the crime after giving birth on the remote equatorial islet of Gemanafushi, about 250 miles south of the capital Male.

The Supreme Court annulled the case on Sunday night, ruling that the judge had failed to consider the legal as well as Islamic procedures of the nation of 340,000 Sunni Muslims, the Maldives Independent website said.

The Maldives, a popular Indian Ocean honeymoon destination, observes elements of Islamic Sharia law as well as English common law.

Sex outside marriage is against the law in the Maldives, although the ban does not apply to tourists visiting the upmarket holiday destination. » | AFP | Monday, October 19, 2015

LIVE: PEGIDA 1st Anniversary March to Meet Massive Counter-demo in Dresden

Anti-fascist protesters are due to rally in Dresden on Monday, October 19, as they threaten to disrupt a march of far-right movement Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamisation of the West (PEGIDA), on the occasion of the first anniversary of the movement.

Australia's Anti-Islam Movement Seeks Geert Wilders Touch

BBC: No press, and it's invitation-only to an event at an undisclosed location in Western Australia, attended by one of the democratic world's most divisive politicians.

On Tuesday, Geert Wilders, controversial leader of the right-wing Netherlands' Party for Freedom, will be the keynote speaker at the launch of the Australian Liberty Alliance (ALA).

Its manifesto states that "Islam is not merely a religion, it is a totalitarian ideology with global aspirations".

Australia's newest political party wants to curb Muslim immigration. » | Phil Mercer, BBC News, Sydney | Sunday, October 18, 2015

Ausländische Presse schreibt von Angstreflex

Deutsche Zeitungen widmen sich in ihren Kommentaren der
Wahl des ehemaligen "Welt"-Chefredaktors Roger Köppel 

NEUE LUZERNER ZEITUNG: PRESSESCHAU - AUSLAND ⋅ Die ausländische Presse hat den Wahlerfolg der Rechtsparteien in der Schweiz zur Kenntnis genommen. Die Kommentatoren werten das Ergebnis als Angstreflex. Die deutschen Zeitungen widmen sich zudem der Wahl von Roger Köppel.

"Schweizer entscheiden sich aus Angst für Abschottung", titelt etwa die Zeitung "Die Welt". Der Erfolg der SVP sei zwar vorhergesagt worden, "in seinem Ausmass ist er aber doch überraschend". Das Ergebnis dürfte die Beziehung zwischen der Schweiz und der EU weiter belasten.

"Die Schweizer haben die rechtsbürgerlichen Kräfte in ihrem Land gestärkt", stellt die "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung" fest. Während die SVP von der Flüchtlingskrise in Europa profitiert habe, spielte "der Wirtschaftsabschwung infolge der Stärke des Franken" der FDP in die Karten. Doch solange sich die Wahlgewinner in der Europa-Frage nicht einig seien, "kann von einem bürgerlichen Schulterschluss nicht die Rede sein".

Die "Süddeutsche Zeitung" sieht durch die Stärkung des rechten Lagers "das politische Erfolgsmodell des Landes" in Gefahr. "Die Schweiz, das war das Land, in dem alle zusammen regieren." In der Praxis sei die Eidgenossenschaft längst zum Vorbild der europäischen Rechtspopulisten geworden. "Von gemeinsamer Entscheidungsfindung ist dabei keine Rede." » | sda | Montag, 19. Oktober 2015


FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG: Für ihn kann die Welt nicht Schweiz genug sein: Roger Köppel ist Chefredakteur der „Weltwoche“. Jetzt zieht er für die SVP mit einem Bombenergebnis ins Parlament ein. Er sieht sich als Verteidiger der Werte. Nur welcher? » | Jürg Altweg, Genf | Montag, 19. Oktober 2015

Roger Köppel ist Chefredakteur der „Weltwoche“ »

Related »

Dresden wappnet sich für Pegida-Demo

NEUE LUZERNER ZEITUNG: DEUTSCHLAND ⋅ Die Dresdener Polizei hat angesichts mehrerer Gegendemonstrationen gegen die islamfeindliche Pegida-Jubiläumskundgebung Verstärkung aus anderen deutschen Bundesländern angefordert. Es werde insgesamt mit über 10'000 Demonstranten gerechnet.

Auch Beamte der deutschen Bundespolizei seien am Abend im Einsatz, sagte eine Sprecherin der Dresdener Polizei am Montag. Die Zahl der eingesetzten Polizisten werde nicht bekanntgegeben. Nach Angaben der Dresdner Stadtverwaltung waren bis zum Freitag acht Demonstrationen neben der Pegida-Kundgebung angekündigt worden. » | sda/reu/dpa | Montag, 19. Oktober 2015

Ein Jahr Pegida: Der Ton verschärft sich

Zehntausend Demonstranten werden zum Jubiläum erwartet - mehr denn je. Ein Jahr Pegida - ein Rückblick:

Politically Correct HOSTILE Journalist, Stephen Sackur, Gets SHAMED by PVV Geert Wilders MP

Geert Wilders, Controversial Dutch Politician, Launches Anti-Islam Party in Perth Daily Telegraph

DUTCH politician Geert Wilders will launch a new anti-Islamic political party in Perth, just months after being targeted by ­terrorists during a Mohammed cartoon drawing contest in the US.

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH (AU): Geert Wilders: Controversial Dutch politician launches anti-Islam party in Perth » | Miles Godfrey | Monday,October 19, 2015

Counter-extremism: May Targets 'All Those Who Spread Hate'

BBC: The home secretary has vowed to "systematically confront and challenge extremist ideology" as she detailed new curbs on those who "spread hate".

Radical preachers will be banned from posting material online and anyone with convictions for extremist activity will be barred from working with children.

Deradicalisation classes will be made mandatory for others deemed a threat.

But Muslim leaders warned the strategy "continues down a flawed path" and risks "alienating" Muslims in the UK. (+ video) » | Monday, October 19, 2015

HM GOVERNMENT: Counter-Extremism Strategy »

THE MUSLIM COUNCIL OF BRITAIN (MCB): ‘One Nation Counter-Extremism Strategy’ Risks Further Undermining Fight Against Terrorism »

Es bleibt ein Rätsel, wieso Slowenien nur noch einen Teil der ankommenden Flüchtlinge einreisen lässt

SCHWEIZER RADIO UND FERNSEHEN: Sloweniens Polizei geht gewaltsam gegen Flüchtlinge vor: Die slowenische Polizei hat rund 2000 Migranten gewaltsam gestoppt, die von Kroatien einreisen wollten. Sloweniens Aufnahmekapazitäten seien erschöpft, rechtfertigen sich die Behörden und kritisieren ihre kroatischen Nachbarn harsch. » | agenturen/morr; gyge | Montag, 19. Oktober 2015

"Daech a des agents dormants en Europe, qui attendent le moment propice pour frapper"

L’EXPRESS: Comment fonctionne le groupe Etat islamique? Que pèsent les combattants étrangers en son sein? Comment le combattre? Rencontre avec Michael Weiss, co-auteur de État Islamique. Au coeur de l'armée de la terreur.

Un peu plus d'un an après la formation d'une coalition militaire occidentale pour lutter contre lui, le groupe Etat islamique (EI) poursuit son avancée, en Syrie notamment. L'Express a interrogé Michael Weiss, co-auteur, avec le Syrien Hassan Hassan, d'un ouvrage sur la genèse et la métamorphose du groupe djihadiste, État Islamique - Au coeur de l'armée de la terreur, paru le 1er octobre aux éditions Hugo & Cie. » | Propos recueillis par Catherine Gouëset | jeudi 15 octobre 2015

Israel PM Netanyahu to BBC: Get with the Programme - BBC News

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has urged Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas to hold talks to calm the recent surge of violence. Asked by the BBC's Lyse Doucet whether he was prepared to return to the negotiating table, he angrily questioned whether she was "living on the same planet".

"I've been calling day in, day out, in every forum... I've called on President Abbas to resume unconditional negotiations immediately," he said.


HT: Robert Spencer @ Jihad Watch »

Germany Ready to Support Turkey's EU Accession Process, Says Merkel

DEUTSCHE WELLE: During a visit aimed at securing Ankara's help in stemming a migrant influx to Europe, Chancellor Merkel has said Germany will support Turkey's EU membership bid. Turkish PM Davutoglu hailed Europe's "better approach."

Germany is ready to accelerate Turkey's EU accession process, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Sunday at a joint press conference with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

Merkel spoke of organizing the accession process "more dynamically."

"Germany is ready this year to open Chapter 17, and make preparations for (Chapters) 23 and 24. We can talk about the details," she said.

Merkel's statement came as she visited Turkish leaders on Sunday in a bid to secure Ankara's support in stemming the current migrant influx into the EU. » | ls/tj (Reuters, AFP, dpa) | Sunday, October 18, 2015

German Interior Minister de Maizière Condemns PEGIDA after 'Horrifying' Attacks

DEUTSCHE WELLE: In an interview with the German public broadcaster ARD, de Maiziere claimed that the organizers of the PEGIDA group were 'hard right-wing extremists.' The group is preparing to hold another rally in Dresden.

"They make blanket references to asylum seekers as criminals, and all politicians as being guilty of high treason," de Maiziere told the ARD television channel, alluding in part to the knife attack on Cologne mayoral candidate Henriette Reker, which was apparently in protest of the city's policies on the intake of refugees. Workers who help migrants in the city were also wounded in the attack on Saturday.

The minister referred to a tripling of attacks against asylum seekers since last year as "horrifying," and urged people - even those who did have concerns about the migrant influx - not to follow PEGIDA. "Hate prepares the ground for such acts," he said.

"Stay away from those who are injecting this hatred, this poison, into our country," he said in the interview on Sunday night. "Anyone who goes that way should know that they are following rabble rousers." » | rc/jm (dpa, Reuters) | Monday, October 19, 2015

Everyone Wrote Off the Syrian Army. Take Another Look Now

THE INDEPENDENT: All this is only the beginning of Mr Putin’s adventure in the Middle East

While the world still rages on at Russia’s presumption in the Middle East – to intervene in Syria instead of letting the Americans decide which dictators should survive or die – we’ve all been forgetting the one institution in that Arab land which continues to function and protect the state which Moscow has decided to preserve: the Syrian army. While Russia has been propagandising its missiles, the Syrian military, undermanned and undergunned a few months ago, has suddenly moved on to the offensive. Earlier this year, we may remember, this same army was being written off, the Bashar al-Assad government said to be reaching its final days.

We employed our own army of clichés to make the case for regime change. The Syrian army was losing ground – at Jisr al-Shugour and at Palmyra – and so we predicted that the whole Assad state had reached a “tipping point”.

Then along came Vladimir Putin with his air and missile fleets and suddenly the whole place is transformed. While we huffed and puffed that the Russians were bombing the “moderate” rebels – moderates who had earlier ceased to exist according to America’s top generals – we’ve been paying no attention to the military offensive which the Syrians themselves are now staging against the Nusra Front fighters around Aleppo and in the valley of the Orontes. » | Robert Fisk | Monday, October 19, 2015

Putin Has Achieved More against ISIS in a Fortnight Than US Did in a Whole YEAR, Syrian MP

EXPRESS: RUSSIA'S bombing campaign against Islamic State (ISIS) has achieved more in a fortnight than the West managed in a whole YEAR, Syria's top politician claimed today.

The country's most senior MP praised Vladimir Putin's "principled" aerial pounding of the jihadis and denounced Barack Obama as "treacherous and deceptive" during a tubthumping speech to Russian delegates.

In a scathing assessment of Western foreign policy, parliamentary speaker Mohammad Jihad al-Laham said Russia's intervention in the region was having a positive difference whereas America and Britain had created instability and war.

He also provided more evidence of Putin's growing grip on power in the war-torn country, saying that Syria was ready to forge even closer ties with Russia. » | Nick Gutteridge | Monday, October 19, 2015

Anti-immigration Party Wins Swiss Election in 'Slide to the Right'

Swiss People's Party SVP President Toni Brunner laughs
after a debate at the house of Parliament in Bern

THE TELEGRAPH: Anti-immigration Swiss People's Party (SVP) wins biggest share of vote in parliamentary election on Sunday, prompting talk of a "Rechtsrutsch" - a "slide to the Right"

The anti-immigration Swiss People's Party (SVP) won the biggest share of the vote in Sunday's national parliamentary election, keeping pressure on Bern to introduce quotas on people moving from the European Union.

Success for the SVP, coupled with gains made by the pro-business Liberal Party (FDP), led political commentators to talk of a "Rechtsrutsch" - a "slide to the right" - in Swiss politics.

Immigration was the central topic for voters amid a rush of asylum seekers from the Middle East and North Africa to Europe.

"The vote was clear," SVP leader Toni Brunner told Swiss television. "The people are worried about mass migration to Europe."

Sunday's result cemented the SVP's position as the dominant force in Swiss politics. » | Reuters | Monday, October 19, 2015

Russian PM Brands US 'Short-sighted and Weak' over Failure to Hold Talk[s] on ISIS Airstrikes

EXPRESS: THE PRIME Minister of Russia has branded the US "short-sighted and weak" in a scathing attack over failure to hold talks on coordinating airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIS) in Syria.

Russia is currently in the midst of a bombing campaign against the twisted terror group after Moscow approved airstrikes in the war-torn country last month.

Washington officials have so far refused to meet with a representative from Russia to discuss coordinating attacks against the evil organisation, claiming that they will only talk when Moscow stops assisting Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.

The US has accused Russia of only looking to prop up Assad's regime by bombing Syria - rather than tackling ISIS.

But President Vladimir Putin has since rubbished their claims and blasted their "unconstructive" stance last week at a meeting with the president of Kazakhstan.

And now the Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has also waded into the dispute as he spoke of his bafflement over what he described as the "silly behaviour" of America. » | Levi Winchester | Monday, October 19, 2015

"Merkel, die Schlepperkönigin Europas"

Nach dem miserablen Standing Merkels infolge ihrer Austeritätspolitik in der Griechenlandfrage nutzte sie die Chance in der Flüchtlingsfrage, um dieses wieder aufzumöbeln, ohne aber vorherzusehen, welchen Korken sie da aus der Flasche gezogen hatte.

Professor's Message to Merkel and Hollande: The EU Is 28 Countries, Not Two

Polish university professor Ryszard Legutko, the vice-president of the European Conservatives and Reformists group and an MEP for the Polish Law and Justice party, makes some good points to Merkel and Hollande.

Former Qatari PM Tries to Use UK Diplomatic Immunity to Halt Torture Court Case

THE GUARDIAN: Qatari agents acting on behalf of Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber al-Thani alleged to have falsely imprisoned British national Fawaz al-Attiya in Doha

A former prime minister of Qatar is attempting to use his UK diplomatic immunity to halt a court case in London where he is accused of being responsible for the alleged torture of a British citizen.

Fawaz al-Attiya, a UK national born in London, claims that Qatari agents acting on behalf of Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber al-Thani falsely imprisoned him in Doha for 15 months and subjected him to conditions amounting to torture. Attiya claims he was kept in solitary confinement, deprived of sleep and only let out in handcuffs to be interrogated.

Hamad bin Jassim, sometimes known as “HBJ”, denies the allegations and court documents state that he plans to use diplomatic immunity to challenge the London high court’s jurisdiction at a hearing due to be held later this week. » | Randeep Ramesh and Rori Donaghy | Sunday, October 18, 2015

Sweden: Third Refugee Centre Hit by Suspected Arson Attack within a Week

An old school building set to house refugees was left in ruins, Sunday, after it burned down in the Swedish municipality of Onsala, 30km (19m) from near Gothenburg. It is the third prospective refugee centre in Sweden to be set alight within one week, as suspected arson attacks against migrants spike in the Scandinavian country.

Mrs Thatcher: The Bruges Speech

Margaret Thatcher's historic speech, spawning The Bruges Group, delivered at Bruges in September 1988. Famously rejecting the centralised, unaccountable, federal Europe of Delors, Margaret Thatcher proposed instead a wider, decentralised, outward-looking democratic Europe of independent, freely- trading and cooperating nation states

Margaret Thatcher's Bruges Speech »

Pro und Contra: Von Floridsdorf in den Dschihad: Warum radikalisieren sich junge Österreicher?

In der Sendung Pro und Contra des österreichischen Puls4 diskutierte IZRS-Präsident Nicolas Blancho über die Frage, warum sich vor allem Jugendliche von der Botschaft des "Islamischen Staates (IS)" angezogen fühlen und einige von ihnen auch die Koffer packen und sich dem Kampf in Syrien oder im Irak anschliessen.

Für Blancho ist klar, dass die Debatte zu undifferenziert geführt wird. Die Moderatorin Corinna Milborn machte dies auch gleich zu Beginn der Sendung klar, als sie den IZRS-Präsidenten fragte, warum er ihr die Hand nicht gegeben habe. Jener entgegnete, dass er aus Respekt vor der fremden Frau seine Hand auf die Brust gelegt habe, anstatt sie anzufassen.

Es seien gerade diese normativen Stellvertreterkriege (Handgeben, Kopftuch, Geschlechterrollen), die in der Gesellschaft dem Phänomen der Islamophobie Vorschub leisten würden und die nötige Trennschärfe zwischen tatsächlich radikalen, d.h. ideologisch-gewaltbereiten Ansichten und religiös-konservativer Glaubenspraxis nicht leisteten.

Blancho betonte zudem auch, dass die islamische Bewegung nicht mit dem IS gleichgesetzt werden darf. Es gebe ein berechtigtes und gewichtiges Anliegen unter Muslimen im Mittleren Osten, die postkoloniale Herrschaftsordnungen in Frage zu stellen und selbstbestimmtere Gegenentwürfe hervorzubringen. Dass sich der Westen dabei auf Seiten der postkolonialen Tyrannen immer wieder einmische, sende ganz falsche Signale aus und verkompliziere letztlich auch das soziale Miteinander zwischen Muslimen und Nicht-Muslimen im Westen. .

Gäste am Podium:

Necla Kelek, Autorin und Islamkritikerin; Nicolas Blancho, Islamist, Präsident "Islamischer Zentralrat Schweiz"; Moussa Al-Hassan Diaw, Extremismus-Experte, Obmann der Deradikalisierungsplattform "Netzwerk sozialer Zusammenhalt"; Peter Gridling, Direktor des Bundesamtes für Verfassungsschutz und Terrorismusbekämpfung

Fremdenfeindlichkeit im Netz: EU soll Hasskommentare löschen lassen

FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE: Die europäischen Justizminister wollen die Europäische Union zu einem Vorgehen gegen Hasskommentare im Internet bewegen. Sie sollen nicht nur gelöscht, sondern die Verfasser auch strafrechtlich verfolgt werden.

Die EU will entschlossen gegen Hassbotschaften in sozialen Netzwerken vorgehen. Europas Justizminister forderten am Freitag die EU-Kommission auf, Gespräche mit Internet-Anbietern über ein abgestimmtes Vorgehen zu führen, um die Botschaften schnell zu löschen. Die luxemburgische EU-Ratspräsidentschaft forderte die Mitgliedstaaten zudem auf, strafrechtlich entschlossener gegen Verfasser vorzugehen.

Fremdenfeindliche Hassbotschaften seien „nicht hinnehmbar“, sagte Luxemburgs Justizminister Félix Braz, dessen Land derzeit den EU-Vorsitz hat. Die Justizminister nähmen die Hassbotschaften „sehr ernst“ und würden sich abermals im Dezember mit dem Thema befassen. » | Quelle: AFP | Samstag, 10. Oktober 2015

The Impact of Mass Muslim Immigration in Europe Will Be Felt in Australia

THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD: The arrival of about a million Muslim men in Europe during 2014 and 2015, most of them unaccompanied, most not refugees from Syria, and most of whom would have been classified as illegal immigrants until European border control was plunged into turmoil earlier this year, has set in train a political shock wave. Some tremors will even be felt in Australia.

Already, hundreds of news reports about crime involving newly-arrived Muslim immigrants, and young women being warned by European authorities to wear modest clothing, have changed the public discourse.

Conservative parties are rapidly gaining ground. One of the European politicians harvesting increased support, Geert Wilders, is scheduled to arrive in Australia today.

The main political parties and mainstream media in Europe, having both tried to put a lid on stories which reflect poorly on new arrivals, have lost control of the debate. It has shifted, en masse, to social media.

The European Union itself, having been exposed as hostile to national sovereignty during the Greek financial crisis, is now perceived to have failed to protect European sovereignty at its most basic form – protection from invasion. » | Paul Sheehan | Sydney Morning Herald columnist | Sunday, October 18, 2015

‘Britain to Blame for Israeli-Palestinian Conflict’ – George Galloway

Pro-Palestinian activists held banners and denounced Israeli aggression, following violent clashes and attacks by Israel Defense Forces on Palestinian civilians. According to former MP and current Respect Party leader George Galloway, "Britain is the cause of all this disaster"

Germany: Huge Protest as Berliners Fume against Turkish Government over Ankara Bombing

Hundreds marched in Berlin in commemoration with those that died in the duel-bomb attack at a peace rally in Ankara on Saturday, October 10.

At least 99 people were killed and more than 400 injured in the attacks, according the the prime minister's office. However, the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) have said that 128 died i

Salam Alaykum Österreich! Pro-Contra - Islam in Österreich

Rund 500.000 Menschen mit muslimischen Glauben leben in Österreich. Egal ob im täglichen Zusammenleben oder im politischen Diskurs: Um den Islam in Österreich gibt es oftmals Aufregung. Wir wollen nachfragen: Warum haben manche oftmals Probleme mit dem Islam? Und wie leben Muslime in Österreich?

Gäste am Podium u.a.: Seyran Ateş, Autorin und Islamkritikerin Ednan Aslan, Islam-"Theologe", Universität Wien Gernot Blümel, Generalsekretär, ÖVP Amani Abuzahra, Mitglied des Obersten Rates der Islamischen Glaubensgemeinschaft (IGGiÖ) Farid Hafez, Politikwissenschafter, Universität Salzburg. Moderation: Corinna Milborn

Ist Frau Merkel verrückt?

Mit der Beschleunigung der Islamisierung Deutschlands und Europas, muß man sich eine einfache Frage stellen: Ist Frau Merkel eigentlich ganz beineinder? Ist sie wohl verrückt? Ist sie von allen guten Geistern verlassen? Warum sonst würde sie eine Invasion von Muslimen nicht nur erlauben, sondern auch ermutigen? – © Mark

Mass Immigration Will Destroy the European Union, Argues LEO MCKINSTRY

EXPRESS: Europe is in its death throes, broken by the destructive arrogance, spectacular irresponsibility and neurotic dogma of its own leaders.

The immigration crisis engulfing the EU is the inevitable consequence of the federalists’ insistence on mass freedom of movement and open borders. These steps have been part of a plan to sweep away national democracies, replacing them with a multicultural superstate governed by an unelected elite in Brussels.

Behind all the manipulative propaganda about the plight of the refugees the reality is that the open-door approach amounts to a form of suicide for Europe. The fabric of our civilisation is being transformed through a social revolution for which no European citizen has ever voted.

It is estimated that more than 480,000 migrants have crossed to Europe by sea this year, with the rate of arrivals now reaching 6,000 a day, most of them Muslims from Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

This change will not only impose a colossal strain on the civic infrastructure and social cohesion of the member states but it is bound to accelerate the process of Islamification. One study has shown that in 2010 there were at least 44 million Muslims in Europe, a total that, even before the present crisis, was expected to double by 2050. » | Leo McKinstry | Thursday, September 24, 2015

Britons SHOULD Feel Nervous about Women Wearing Burkas, Says Tory MP

EXPRESS: BRITISH people should feel nervous when they no longer hear English spoken in their communities and women are wearing burkas, a Tory MP has said.

David Davies told the Commons today people in big cities also become nervous when seeing women wearing burkas or "trailing six-feet behind" their husbands.

The Monmouth MP said it is also reasonable for people in some parts of north Wales to feel the same when they fail to hear Welsh on a day-to-day basis.

He insisted these concerns should not be dismissed as racist and said migrants should learn the language of the country where they live while also fitting in with its culture and values. » | Alix Culbertson | Saturday, October 17, 2015

Vladimir Putin Warns Thousands of Russian JIHADIS Now Fighting FOR Islamic State in Syria

EXPRESS: SEVEN thousand jihadi fighters from Russia and the former Soviet east are fighting for Islamic State (ISIS) in Syria, President Vladimir Putin has revealed, as Moscow continues its bombing campaign on the twisted terror group.

The ex-KGB strongman also warned Central Asian countries that they were at an increased risk of attack from extremist militants flooding in from Afghanistan.

Chief among the nations threatened by an ISIS incursion is Tajikistan, which has the longest border with lawless Afghanistan, but Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are also in the firing line.

Speaking at a regional summit in Kazakhstan, Mr Putin urged the leaders of those countries to work together to propel any invasion.

The proposal could include setting up a Nato-style military alliance of ex-Soviet states amid fears of Taliban "spillover" from Afghanistan.

The Russian leader described the situation in Afghanistan as "close to critical", 24 hours after Barack Obama announced almost 10,000 US troops would remain stationed in the war-torn country. » | Tom Batchelor | Saturday, October 17, 2015

Asylwahnsinn auch in Holland: Geert Wilders berichtet

'Multiculturalism Utterly Failed in Germany' - Merkel (2010)

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said that attempts at creating a multi-cultural society in Germany have "utterly failed." Merkel was addressing a national meeting of the youth wing of her Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party.
Because multiculturalism has failed, she has decided to bring in people from other cutlures by the drove to see how that works out. How crazy is that? Does she think that multiculturalism is more likely to work with millions more? Her logic is unbelievably difficult to follow. But we must remember that Merkel is a scientist by training. Scientists love experiments. – © Mark

The Children Brainwashed To Become Jihadis

Children Of The Caliphate: A look at the horrific cruelty of Islamic State as they recruit a new generation of Jihadis.

Related video »

Fox News Analyst Arrested for 'Lying about CIA Past'

A frequent Fox News guest cited as a terrorism expert due to an extensive career with the CIA has been arrested and charged with fraud relating to that very career. He is accused of lying on official government documents.

Merkel's Dilemma as Germany Frets over Refugees

THE TELEGRAPH: Even those who supported Angela Merkel's decision to welcome hundreds of thousands of refugees last month are starting to worry that Germany cannot cope

Hundreds of people are huddled outside Berlin’s main government office for asylum-seekers in the pouring rain. Some have soaking sleeping bags wrapped around them against the cold, others stand shivering in thin plastic ponchos; they are all waiting to be registered as refugees.

They come every day to wait. Some arrive as early as 4am and stay until after dark, only to leave empty-handed. There are Syrians, Afghans, Iraqis. Until they are registered, they are homeless in the heart of Europe’s richest country. Many have been waiting for weeks.

The German authorities are overwhelmed, and simply cannot keep up with the thousands arriving every day.

...

In Germany, her personal approval ratings have fallen to their lowest level since 2011, and her Christian Democrat party is sinking fast in the polls.

At a meeting with her own party activists in Germany last week, Mrs Merkel was told bluntly she “should be ashamed” and was a “failure as a government leader”. One activist turned up with a banner that read “Dethrone Merkel”.

…
Read the whole article » | Justin Huggler in Berlin and Peter Foster, Europe Editor | Saturday, October 17, 2015

Revealed: How UK Targets Saudis for Top Contracts

Prince Khalid bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz welcomes David Cameron
as he arrives in Jeddah in 2012 to push for more arms sales.

THE GUARDIAN: Documents show that the controversial kingdom is seen as a ‘priority market’ for British companies

Government departments are intensifying efforts to win lucrative public contracts in Saudi Arabia, despite a growing human rights row that led the ministry of justice to pull out of a £6m prison contract in the kingdom last week.

Documents seen by the Observer show the government identifying Saudi Arabia as a “priority market” and encouraging UK businesses to bid for contracts in health, security, defence and justice.

“It’s becoming increasingly clear that ministers are bent on ever-closer ties with the world’s most notorious human rights abusers,” said Maya Foa, director of Reprieve’s death penalty team. “Ministers must urgently come clean about the true extent of our agreements with Saudi Arabia and other repressive regimes.”

The UK’s increasingly close relationship with Saudi Arabia – which observes sharia law, under which capital and corporal punishment are common – is under scrutiny because of the imminent beheading of two young Saudis. Ali al-Nimr and Dawoud al-Marhoon were both 17 when they were arrested at protests in 2012 and tortured into confessions, their lawyers say. France, Germany, the US and the UK have raised concerns about the sentences but this has not stopped Whitehall officials from quietly promoting UK interests in the kingdom – while refusing to make public the human rights concerns they have to consider before approving more controversial business deals there. Several of the most important Saudi contracts were concluded under the obscurely named Overseas Security and Justice Assistance (OSJA) policy, which is meant to ensure that the UK’s security and justice activities are “consistent with a foreign policy based on British values, including human rights”. Foreign Office lawyers have gone to court to prevent the policy being made public. Read on and comment » | Jamie Doward | Saturday, October 17, 2015

Deutschland: Maas: Pegida mitschuldig an Anschlägen

RP ONLINE (RHEINISCHE POST): Berlin. Der Bundesjustizminister übt scharfe Kritik an den Rechtspopulisten.

Nach den jüngsten Vorfällen bei einer Demonstration der sogenannten Pegida-Bewegung ("Patriotische Europäer gegen die Islamisierung des Abendlandes") in Dresden hat Bundesjustizminister Heiko Maas (SPD) schwere Vorwürfe gegen rechtspopulistische Hetzer erhoben. Die Anhänger der Gruppe sieht Maas als mitverantwortlich für Brandanschläge auf geplante Flüchtlingsheime. "Niemand, der da mitläuft, kann sich von der Verantwortung freimachen für die Taten, die diese Hetze inspiriert", sagte Maas unserer Redaktion. Als Beispiele nannte er brennende Heime oder verletzte Flüchtlingshelfer. Wer Galgen baue und Menschen daran baumeln sehen wolle, setze Hemmschwellen herab. Es gebe keine Ausreden mehr, so der Minister. » | Von Michael Bröcker und Jan Drebes | Quelle: RP | Samstag, 17. Oktober 2015

DIE PRESSE: Deutscher Justizminister warnt vor Pegida-Marsch-Teilnahme » | APA/dpa | Samstag, 17. Oktober 2015

Köln: Stadt unter Schock

SUEDDEUTSCHE ZEITUNG: Ein paar Minuten dauert es, bis Helfer der niedergestochenen OB-Kandidatin Henriette Reker den Angreifer zu Boden gerungen haben. Danach ist alles anders in Köln.

Der Mann kam und sagte, er sei hier, um den Messias zu retten und die Bürger der Stadt Köln vor dunklen Mächten. "Ich befreie euch vor solchen Leuten." Dann sticht er zu, mit einem etwa 20 Zentimeter langen Säbel. Er trifft Henriette Reker am Hals, sie sackt zusammen. Ihre Helfer stürzen sich auf den Angreifer, der weiter um sich sticht. Ein paar Minuten dauert dieser Kampf und danach ist alles anders in Köln, die Stadt nicht mehr dieselbe. » | Von Bernd Dörries, Köln | Samstag, 17. Oktober 2015

Messerattacke auf Politikerin in Köln »

Messerattacke auf Politikerin in Köln

SCHWEIZER RADIO UND FERNSEHEN: Vor der morgigen Oberbürgermeisterwahl ist die Mitfavoritin Henriette Reker niedergestochen worden. Der Täter befindet sich in Polizeigewahrsam. Laut Medienberichten hat er als Motiv die Flüchtlingspolitik genannt. Die Politikerin befindet sich laut Wahlkampfteam ausser Lebensgefahr.

Einen Tag vor der Kölner Wahl ist die Oberbürgermeisterkandidatin Henriette Reker bei einer Messerattacke auf einem Wochenmarkt schwer verletzt worden. Ein mit einem Messer bewaffneter Mann habe die parteilose Reker am Morgen um kurz nach neun Uhr an einem Wahlkampfstand der CDU angegriffen, teilte die Stadt Köln mit. Reker sei durch einen Stich in den Hals verletzt worden. Der etwa 30- bis 40-jährige Angreifer wurde festgenommen. » | SRF 4 News, 11:00 Uhr; agenturen/roso; stric | Samstag, 17. Oktober 2015

Pascal Weber: «Der Konflikt wird internationaler»

Les premiers cars de migrants arrivent en Slovénie

LE MATIN: CRISE MIGRATOIRE — Ce pays est la nouvelle destination des candidats à l'asile dans l'Union européenne.

Six premiers autocars transportant des migrants sont arrivés samedi matin à la frontière de la Slovénie. Ce pays est la nouvelle destination des candidats à l'asile dans l'Union européenne après la fermeture par la Hongrie de sa frontière avec la Croatie.

Trois autocars ont poursuivi leur route jusqu'à un centre d'accueil, selon la police. Les passagers des trois autres étaient directement enregistrés à la frontière, a constaté un journaliste. » | afp/nxp | samedi 17 octobre 2015

Allemagne : "Nous avons froid", le cri d'alarme des réfugiés

LE POINT: Alors que les températures dégringolent outre-Rhin, des migrants logés, faute de mieux, sous des tentes non chauffées, interpellent les autorités.

"Nous avons froid !" : des réfugiés, logés faute de mieux sous des tentes en Allemagne, poussent un cri d'alarme alors que les températures dégringolent et obligent des autorités surmenées à chercher des solutions pour des dizaines de milliers de migrants. "Ils disent qu'ils vont faire quelque chose mais ils ne nous disent pas quand. Peut-être quand tout le monde se sera transformé en glaçon !" : Hussein, un jeune Afghan de 25 ans refusant de dévoiler sa véritable identité, dort depuis un mois sous l'une des tentes non chauffées montées en urgence par la ville de Hambourg (Nord).

"La nuit, on ne peut pas rester plus d'une heure sous la tente", poursuit-il. Dans ce grand port du Nord comme dans le reste du pays, le thermomètre a vertigineusement chuté, transformant les nuits sans chauffage en cauchemar. Et l'hiver allemand, réputé pour sa rigueur, n'a pas encore démarré. » | Source AFP | samedi 17 octobre 2015

Germany: Refugee Train Re-routed due to Far-right Rally at Berlin Airport

Around 20 far-right protesters gathered outside Berlin Schoenefeld Airport where a train with at least 550 asylum seekers was due to arrive on Saturday morning. The demonstration was organised by the German far-right National Democratic Party (NPD). The protesters held banners reading "Asylum deception makes us poor!" and "No to sheltering refugees! We are against!"

Germany: Merkel Talks Refugee Crisis as She Addresses CDU/CSU Youth

Israeli Forces Lockdown the Al-Aqsa Mosque

Israeli security forces imposed age restrictions at the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem, allowing only Palestinian men over 40 to attend Friday night prayers.

Hungary Plunges Europe into Further Chaos with SECOND Border Closure with Croatia

EXPRESS: HUNGARY will tonight permanently close its border with Croatia, plunging Europe into further turmoil.

A four-metre high razor-wire fence has been erected along Hungary's southern border with Croatia over recent weeks as the country continues its crackdown on the migrants entering en route to Germany and northern Europe.

Officials had said the frontier would remain open if European Union (EU) leaders could agree on a scheme to send security forces to Greece to stem the flow of migrants and refugees.

But the Hungarian foreign minister announced today that the fence would close at midnight local time (10pm BST). » | Tom Batchelor and Agnes Kegl | Friday, October 16, 2015

Une fusillade fait 5 morts en Arabie saoudite

TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: Une attaque dans une mosquée chiite revendiquée par le groupe EI a fait 5 mort en Arabie Saoudite.

Un homme armé a abattu vendredi cinq personnes, dont une femme, lors d'une fusillade dans une salle commune de la ville de Saihat, dans l'est de l'Arabie saoudite, rapporte le ministère de l'Intérieur. L'attaque visait une réunion de membres de la communauté chiite.

L'attentat a également fait neuf blessés, précise le ministère dans un communiqué. L'agresseur a été abattu par la police saoudienne.

Le document précise que l'attaque a eu lieu vendredi vers 19h00 (18h00 en Suisse), lorsqu'un homme portant une arme automatique «a commencé à tirer au hasard» dans la husseiniya (une salle utilisée pour des commémorations chiites) d'Al-Haidaria, dans le quartier de Saihat de la ville de Qatif. » | samedi 17 octobre 2015

Germany Ready to Give Greece Financial Aid to Tackle Refugee Crisis

THE GUARDIAN: Berlin acknowledges Greek economy too weak to cope with influx and is willing to give support in return for more robust border controls

Germany is willing to give Greece financial backing to deal with the unprecedented refugee crisis on its own soil instead of exporting it north towards central Europe.

With thousands of refugees pouring into Greece every day and the economy still sputtering, officials in Berlin indicated that Germany would come up with support for Athens in return for a more robust effort to control its borders in the Aegean Sea.

Stressing that there was no connection between any support linked to refugees and the bailout deal agreed this year, as had been suggested in German media, the government admitted Greece’s economy was too delicate for it to be able to deal with the crisis on its own.

“We want to support Greece in this, so that it is able to meet its duties as a member of the EU to protect its borders in the most effective way,” the government spokesman Steffen Seibert told journalists in Berlin. » | Kate Connolly in Berlin and Helena Smith in Athens | Friday, October 16, 2015