Is Anti-semitism Rising in Germany?

BBC: Monday is International Holocaust Remembrance Day and ceremonies will be held to remember the victims of the Nazi holocaust during World War II.

Six million Jews, two million Roma and thousands of other people were killed in Nazi death camps.

Now there are fears that anti-semitism is on the rise - a recent survey of 6,000 Jewish people found that a third have faced physical or verbal abuse.

Stephen Evans reports from Berlin. (+ BBC video) » | Monday, January 27, 2014

Forgive or Forget: Survivors of Genocide in the Holocaust, Rwanda and Cambodia Describe Their Experiences

Watch the harrowing testimonies of Freddie Knoller, Sophie Masereka and Sokphal Din, who lived through mass killings during the second world war, the Rwandan genocide and the Cambodian Killing Fields. The three work closely with the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust charity to raise awareness of genocide in the hope that others will be spared similar horrors

Holocaust Survivor Miriam Reitzenstein’s Testimony

This testimony from Jewish Survivor Miriam Reitzenstein is from the archive of the USC Shoah Foundation Institute. She is a member of The "1939" Club.

Holocaust Survivor And Her Amazing Story

Etta Katz is my step-grandma. She is a holocaust survivor. She persevered from two notorious concentration camps: Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen. This feature covers her life pre, during and post-war. There's an entire generation of survivors that will be extinct in the next decade or so. Before we know it, video interviews will be the only medium to watch, listen, learn and share this tragic, but inspiring story.

Please Meet is a short video documentary series. The concept of this series is to interview unique individuals that inspire thought, creativity, action, etc. The influencers who are interviewed range from celebrities to a guy selling Streetwise in the freezing cold in Chicago. Everyone has a story, a dream and I want to share their stories with you through my lens.

Remembering the Six Million: Jews around World Mark International Holocaust Memorial Day

Jews around the world are marking International Holocaust Remembrance Day. It was on 27 January 1945 that the Soviet Union's Red Army liberated the Auschwitz death camp in Poland, where over a million Jews and other minorities perished in World War Two.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day: Holocaust Survivor Recalls Horrors of Nazi Camp Ordeal

As the world marks International Holocaust Remembrance Day, one survivor has been speaking about her ordeal of living in a Nazi concentration camp. Rina Quint, born in central Poland, was just four years old when World War Two broke out in 1939. She recalls the moment she entered the Bergen-Belsen camp in north-western Germany.

Himmler Letters: 'I Am Travelling to Auschwitz. Kisses. Your Heini'

Himmler with his daughter, Gudrun

THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Newly discovered collection of letters, notes and photographs from Heinrich Himmler shed light on private life of man who organised the Holocaust

A collection of letters, notes and photographs from Heinrich Himmler are to be published in full on Sunday, shedding light on the private life of the man who orchestrated the Holocaust.

Spanning from Himmler’s courtship of his future wife in 1927 to just a few weeks before he committed suicide in 1945, the archive published by Die Welt promises to be an unprecedented insight to the domestic relationship of the Nazi high command.

Personal archives relating to Adolf Hitler, Hermann Goerring and Joseph Goebbels have all been destroyed either by close aides or in the final onslaught on Berlin.

In excerpts released by the German newspaper on Saturday night, some exchanges between Himmler and his wife Marga contain a chilling informality.

In a July 1942 note to his wife, he wrote: “I am travelling to Auschwitz. Kisses. Your Heini.” » | Damien McElroy and Inna Lazareva | Sunday, January 26, 2014

DIE WELT: Kapitel 1: Himmler: Die Handschrift des Massenmörders » | Sonntag, 26. Januar 2014

YNET NEWS: Himmler's letters revealed: 'I'm going to Auschwitz. Kisses': Private correspondence of architect of Final Solution shows how top Nazi was willing to shoot his own mother if Hitler asked, but despite mass murder surrounding him family life was indispensable‬‬ » | Yehuda Shohat and Elad Zeret | Sunday, January 26, 2014

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Religious Difference, Not Ideology, Will Fuel This Century's Epic Battles

THE OBSERVER: We must encourage education and tolerance if we are to bring about peace in the Middle East and the rest of the world

The last weeks have seen a ghastly roll call of terror attacks in the obvious places: Syria, Libya, Iraq and Lebanon, as well as Egypt, Yemen, Tunisia and Pakistan. Also suffering are places where we have only in recent years seen such violence: Nigeria, and in many parts of central Africa, in Russia and across central Asia, and in Burma, Thailand and the Philippines. We can either see all of these acts of killing as separate – produced by various political contexts – or we can start to see the clear common theme and start to produce a genuine global strategy to deal with it.

The fact is that, though of course there are individual grievances or reasons for the violence in each country, there is one thing self-evidently in common: the acts of terrorism are perpetrated by people motivated by an abuse of religion. It is a perversion of faith. But there is no doubt that those who commit the violence often do so by reference to their faith and the sectarian nature of the conflict is a sectarianism based on religion. There is no doubt either that this phenomenon is growing, not abating.

We have to be prepared to take the security measures necessary for our immediate protection. Since 9/11, the cost of those measures, and their burden, has been huge. However, security action alone, even military action, will not deal with the root cause. This extremism comes from a source. It is not innate. It is taught. It is taught sometimes in the formal education system; sometimes in the informal religious schools; sometimes in places of worship and it is promoted by a vast network of internet communications.

Technology, so much the harbinger of opportunity, can also be used by those who want to disseminate lessons of hate and division. Today's world is connected as never before. This has seen enormous advances. It means there is a kind of global conversation being conducted. This is exciting and often liberating. But it comes with the inevitable ability for those who want to get across a message that is extreme to do so. This has to be countered. » | Tony Blair | Saturday, January 25, 2014

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Extremist Religion Is at Root of 21st-century Wars, Says Tony Blair

THE OBSERVER: Former prime minister will reignite debate on Iraq as he calls on governments to switch tactics

Tony Blair has reignited debate about the west's response to terrorism with a call on governments to recognise that religious extremism has become the biggest source of conflict around the world.

Referring to wars and violent confrontations from Syria to Nigeria and the Philippines, Blair, writing in the Observer, argues that "there is one thing self-evidently in common: the acts of terrorism are perpetrated by people motivated by an abuse of religion. It is a perversion of faith."

Identifying religious extremism as an ever more dangerous phenomenon, the spread of which is easier in an online age, he says: "The battles of this century are less likely to be the product of extreme political ideology, like those of the 20th century – but they could easily be fought around the questions of cultural or religious difference."

The former prime minister, who led the country into the Iraq conflict in 2003, appears to acknowledge that previous aspirations to export liberal democracy focused too much on political objectives.

But sources close to Blair insist that he is not in any way indulging in a mea culpa over past interventions by the west, including in Iraq. In the future, he writes, "the purpose should be to change the policy of governments; to start to treat this issue of religious extremism as an issue that is about religion as well as politics, to go to the roots of where a false view of religion is being promulgated and to make it a major item on the agenda of world leaders to combine effectively to combat it. This is a struggle that is only just beginning." » | Toby Helm, political editor | Saturday, January 25, 2014

François Hollande officialise sa rupture avec Valérie Trierweiler

LE PARISIEN: Voilà, c'est fini. François Hollande et Valérie Trierweiler ont acté leur séparation. Le chef de l'Etat a annoncé ce samedi soir «la fin de sa vie commune» avec sa compagne, dans une déclaration à l'AFP. Précisant qu'il s'exprimait à titre personnel et non en tant que président, car il s'agit de «(sa) vie privée», il a déclaré : «Je fais savoir que j'ai mis fin à la vie commune que je partageais avec Valérie Trierweiler.»

Selon nos informations, la première dame ne voulait pas signer de communiqué commun. «Il l'a consultée et mise au courant, elle accepte la situation de fait, mais elle lui laisse l'inititative de son acte», explique son entourage au «Parisien».

Valérie Trierweiler a quitté la Lanterne, la résidence de Versailles où elle se reposait depuis une semaine après son hospitalisation, pour réintégrer l'appartement du couple, rue Cauchy dans le XVe arrondissement de Paris. La journaliste s'y est rendu ce samedi après-midi, selon nos informations. C'est donc en simple citoyenne qu'elle va effectuer son voyage à Bombay (Inde) où elle s'envolera dimanche, en faveur de l'association Action contre la faim (ACF). » | Par Frédéric Gerschel | samedi 25 janvier 2014

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: It’s official: François Hollande and Valérie Trierweiler announce separation: President François Hollande tells French news agency he has separated from Valérie Trierweiler on eve of her planned charity trip to India » | David Cjazan, Paris | Saturday, January 25, 2014

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Hollande-Liebesaffäre: Au revoir, mon amour: Frankreichs Staatschef François Hollande und seine Lebensgefährtin trennen sich. Mit der offiziellen Ankündigung geht die mediale Telenovela um die mutmaßliche Präsidentenaffäre zu Ende. Zumindest vorläufig. » | Von Stefan Simons, Paris | Samstag, 25. Januar 2014

Who Is the Real Barack Obama?

This is an extraordinary fact based expose of the fairy tale story "sold" to the American public about Barack Obama and those who have surrounded and influenced him since childhood. Do you know ANYONE who believes the things Obama believes or would do the things Obama has done? What is most disturbing is the extent to which the mainstream media has been complicit in keeping these facts from the American public.

UAE President Stable after Stroke

THE HINDU: The President of the United Arab Emirates suffered a stroke, but is now in a stable condition, the official news agency WAM reported on Saturday.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al—Nahyan “suffered a stroke on Friday morning. He immediately underwent a surgical operation. » | DPA | Saturday, January 25, 2014

State of the Union: Barack Obama Will Have Little Concrete to Offer Disillusioned Middle Classes

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: As public disaffection with politics deepens after another corruption scandal and Mr Obama's own star-power wanes, this year's State of the Union promises to be a down-beat affair

For all the numbers that will be bandied around by Barack Obama during his annual State of the Union address on Tuesday, one of the most revealing – the television ratings - will be published the morning after the event.

Mr Obama's fifth State of the Union will focus on inequality and the cost of living crisis that is uppermost in the minds of millions of those ordinary Americans, but if the trend of recent years continues, fewer of them than ever will bother to tune in to listen.

The increasingly flaccid viewing figures – from a high of 52.3 million in 2009 down to 33.3 million last year – reflect the ebbing of Mr Obama's personal star power and the reality of his political impotence since losing control of Congress in 2010.

With presidential prospects for 2016 already exerting magnetic pull over the political conversation and Congress fixated on the upcoming mid-term elections, this year's speech will be much more a wish-list than a "to-do" list.

Mr Obama will expound on America's great predicament: over the last 20 years the cost of maintaining the four pillars of a middle class life – housing, education, healthcare and retirement – have increased far more sharply than wages, and it will be a long haul back. » | Peter Foster | Saturday, January 25, 2014

François Hollande 'To Announce Separation from Valérie Trierweiler'

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: French president expected to make statement revealing the end of their relationship ahead of a charity trip to India by Trierweiler

French President François Hollande is expected to announce his separation from partner Valerie Trierweiler on Saturday following a media storm over allegations he is having an affair with an actress, according to the Journal du Dimanche.

Trierweiler, 48, the first lady and Mr Hollande's partner since 2006, plans to travel to India on Sunday for a charity trip and the president wants to settle the issue of their future before her departure, the newspaper said.

"The press release from the Elysee Palace should be released sometime today," the respected national weekly said on its website, without citing its sources.

A spokesman for the president declined to comment on the report, and Trierweiler's spokesman did not immediately return a request for comment. » | Reuters | Saturday, January 25, 2014

Salafist ruft Muslime in Deutschland zum Jihad auf

Dennis Rodman 'Investigated for Violating Sanctions' against North Korea

Dennis Rodman

THE INDEPENDENT: Former NBA star's lavish birthday gifts for 'friend for life' Kim Jong-un may have violated international sanctions imposed on North Korea

Dennis Rodman is reportedly being investigated by the US Treasury on suspicions that he violated sanctions against North Korea by splashing thousands of dollars in luxury gifts for Kim Jong-un.

On his fourth trip to Pyongyang, the former NBA player allegedly showered "friend for life" Kim with expensive gifts to celebrate his 31st birthday; these reportedly included Irish Jameson whiskey, a fur coat, an Italian suit, several bottles of his "Bad Ass Premium Vodka" brand and a Mulberry handbag for his wife, Ri Sol-ju.

A US official told the Daily Beast the Treasury Department is investigating whether Rodman violated US sanctions under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act signed by President Barack Obama in 2010, which makes it illegal for US citizens to "import, export, or reexport" luxury goods to or into North Korea.

Rodman's gifts also appear to violate UN sanctions imposed on North Korea prohibiting "the provision of luxury goods" adopted in 2007. These were reinforced last year after the country conducted its third nuclear test in February 2013. » | Maria Tadeo | Friday, January 24, 2014

North Korea Proposes Family Reunions with South

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Kim Jong-un's regime sends surprise letter to South Korea calling for reconciliation

North Korea has made a sudden proposal for the resumption of reunions for families separated since the Korean War, saying the programme could help improve cross-border ties.

South Korea immediately welcomed the offer, which followed a recent series of trust-building gestures from the nuclear-armed communist country.

The North's Red Cross faxed a message to its South Korean counterpart, calling for a family reunion event after the Lunar New Year on January 31, according to its official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

The North suggested that the South could choose a date for the event "at its convenience" after the Lunar New Year when the weather thaws. » | AFP | Friday, January 24, 2014

Heinrich Himmler's Letters to Be Published

Heinrich Himmler, Reichsführer of the Schutzstaffel

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Nazi SS leader Heinrich Himmler's letters are to be published by Germany's Die Welt

Heinrich Himmler’s love letters to his wife that also document the rise and fall of the Nazi regime are to be made public for the first time, it has been claimed.

Hundreds of the SS commander’s private letters, notes and photographs from 1927 to five weeks before his suicide in 1945 will be published by Die Welt newspaper on Sunday.

The architect of the Holocaust, which claimed the lives of six million Jews, met his future wife Marga, who ran a nursing home in Berlin, in 1927. The letters apparently detail the early months of their relationship, with Himmler signing them “Dein Heini” (“Your Heini”).

But the correspondence between the couple apparently confirms the “not-so-glamorous private life of the Himmler family”.

The relationship started to break down from 1938 onwards, as Himmler had an affair with his private secretary, but contrary to biographers of the Reichsführer SS, he remained in touch with his wife and also wrote several times to his daughter, signing them off with “Euer Pappi” (“Your Daddy”). » | Barney Henderson | Friday, January 24, 2014


DIE WELT: Verschollene Briefe Heinrich Himmlers aufgetaucht: "Welt" exklusiv: 69 Jahre nach dem Suizid Heinrich Himmlers sind in Israel Briefe und Fotos aus seinem Privatbesitz aufgetaucht. Sie geben Einblick in das Leben eines der schlimmsten Nazi-Verbrecher. » | sfk/J.S./sim | Freitag, 24. Januar 2014

DIE WELT: Heinrich Himmler's missing letters surface: "Die Welt" exclusive: 69 years after Heinrich Himmler's suicide his private letters and photographs have surfaced in Israel. They provide insight into the life of one of the main orchestrators of the Holocaust. » | sfk/J.S./sim | Translated by Thilo Maluch | Friday, January 24, 2014

Four Bombs Strike Central Cairo

Nine people are killed as a car bomb on Friday hits the police headquarters before two smaller blasts are detonated, a day ahead of the third anniversary of the revolt against Hosni Mubarak

Read the Telegraph article here | Louisa Loveluck, and Magdy Samaan in Cairo | Friday, January 24, 2014

Hand Guns Should Be Legalised and Licensed, Nigel Farage Has Said

Nigel Farage, UKIP leader

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The Ukip leader says the ban on the guns, which were made illegal in the wake of the Dunblane shooting, was a "kneejerk" reaction and should be lifted

The Ukip leader has said it is party policy for hand guns to be legalised and licensed in the UK despite being banned in the UK for the last 18 years.

Mr Farage said the current ban on the guns, which were made illegal following the school shooting at Dunblane in 1996, was “ludicrous.”

Speaking on LBC Radio Mr Farage said that it was Ukip policy to create a “proper licensing policy” and that people who kept hand guns responsibility locked up and had were willing to get an official license should “absolutely” be allowed them.

Experts have said his comments were “stupid” and encourage an American-style idea that you and your home are only safe if you are armed.

Peter Squires, professor of criminology at Brighton University and a member of Association of Police Officer’s advisory group on the criminal use of fire arms said that Mr Farage’s comments were "irresponsible". » | Georgia Graham, Political Correspondent | Friday, January 24, 2014