Saturday, March 01, 2014
Putin "No One Should Have Any Illusions Of Gaining Military Superiority Over Russia" (December 2013)
Is a Modern Day Cold War upon Us?
The Obama Effect: America at a Tipping Point
Christians Line Up to Break US Box Office for Jesus
Related »
Ukraine: Russia Launches ‘Arned Invasion’; Obama Delivers Blunt Warning to Russia; Warns of Consequences
Friday, February 28, 2014
Keep Your Gays and Keep Your Aid, Uganda Tells the West
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| Supporters celebrate after Uganda's President Museveni signed a law imposing harsh penalties for homosexuality in Kampala |
Uganda is willing to give up all international aid to keep its new anti-homosexuality law and “save gays from damnation”, its ethics minister said as the World Bank followed other donors and froze a £60 million new loan to the country.
“We will not shy away from this, we want to rid this country of homosexuality and if that means these people - Obama, Hague, you name them - want to stop their aid then let them,” Simon Lokodo told The Telegraph.
“We don’t need it, we won’t die poor, and we will at least be able to save these gays from damnation.
“Homosexuality cannot be accommodated in our culture. We have taken that position as a government because this is a democracy and it is what the people want.”
Yoweri Museveni, Uganda’s president of 28 years, signed the new Anti-Homosexuality Act into law on Monday, immediately prompting outrage from Western nations. » | Mike Pflanz, Kampala | Friday, February 28, 2014
Inside Story: Uganda Punished Over Anti-gay Law
Brunei Sultan Hits Back at Rare Criticism over Sharia
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| Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah |
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah -- one of the world's wealthiest men -- announced last October that Brunei would phase in sharia law punishments such as flogging, severing limbs and death by stoning beginning April 1.
The move has sparked a growing outcry on social media, the only outlet for public criticism of authorities in the Muslim country where questioning the 67-year-old sultan is taboo.
In a weekend speech, the sultan issued a clear threat to the critics.
"They cannot be allowed to continue committing these insults, but if there are elements which allow them to be brought to court, then the first phase of implementing the Syariah Penal Code Order in April will be very relevant to them," he said, according to a copy of his speech published by state media. » | AFP | Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Muslim Boys’ School Bans Women from Applying for Job as Science Teacher
A Muslim boys’ school is facing claims of segregation after advertising for a temporary science teacher but making clear that women need not apply.
The advert published by the outsourcing company Capita requested a “Male Science Teacher” to cover lessons, including some mathematics classes, until the end of the current academic year on a short term contract for up to £150 a day.
Secular campaigners said the advertisement was just the latest in a series of demands for religious customs and practices to be “accommodated” in the education system as a result of giving faith groups the power to run schools.
It follows a storm over allegations that non-Muslim female staff at the Al-Madinah free school in Derby had been forced to wear headscarves in line with strict Islamic practices.
There have also been concerns that girls at other Islamic schools are being required to wear full veils as well as questions over segregation in classes.
Capita argued that the exclusion of women could be legally justified but the advert was later withdrawn after a warning from the Department for Education over the need to comply with equality law.
The National Secular Society said it had been alerted to the advertisement by a female science teacher who had been looking for work in the Leicester area. » | John Bingham, Religious Affairs Editor | Thursday, February 27, 2014
Alice: The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life
"The Lady in Number 6" is one of the most inspirational, uplifting stories of the year. 109 year old, Alice Herz Sommer, the world's oldest pianist and oldest holocaust survivor in the world shares her views on how to live a long and happy life. She discusses the importance of music, laughter and having an optimistic outlook on life.
Watching this film will literally show you how to live longer and happier! Guaranteed Nick Reed Producer
WIKI: Theresienstadt »
Related »
«La criminalisation de l'homosexualité gagne du terrain en Afrique»
Après la promulgation la veille d'une loi durcissant la répression de l'homosexualité dans le pays, un journal ougandais a publié mardi une liste de 200 personnes qu'il dit être homosexuelles. Une chasse aux sorcières qui atterre les défenseurs des droits LGBT, mais qui n'est pas une exception. Le mois dernier déjà, le Nigeria avait promulgué une loi prévoyant 10 ans d'emprisonnement contre les personnes de même sexe affichant publiquement leur relation. Selon un rapport d'Amnesty International publié en juin 2013, l'homosexualité reste passible des tribunaux dans près de trois quarts des 54 pays africains. Une criminalisation qui a des conséquences graves sur la santé publique, explique Dorothée Delaunay, responsable de la commission Orientation sexuelle et identité de genre pour l'ONG Amnesty International France. » | mercredi 26 février 2014
Merkel für Verbleib Großbritanniens in der EU
Die Briten haben den roten Teppich ausgerollt und die Bundeskanzlerin am Donnerstag (27.02.2014) mit einer Charme-Offensive begrüßt. Angela Merkel hatte die Ehre, vor beiden Parlamentshäuser in Westminster zu reden, bevor sie am Nachmittag eine Verabredung zum Tee mit Königin Elisabeth hatte. Das alles machte ihren Status als Europas mächtigste Politikerin deutlich. Dennoch dämpfte sie vor ihrer 30-minütigen Rede in der Royal Gallery in London die Erwartungen: "Ich möchte lediglich meine Gedanken über Europa mit Ihnen teilen", sagte sie, wechselte in ihrer Rede immer wieder zwischen Deutsch und Englisch und machte mit Nachdruck deutlich, dass sie Großbritannien unbedingt weiterhin in der EU sehen will.
Premier schon im Wahlkampfmodus
Premierminister David Cameron dürfte eher unzufrieden mit der Rede gewesen sein. Er will Merkel auf seiner Seite haben, wenn die beiden Regierungschefs über europäische Politik diskutieren. Cameron steht unter Druck: Er muss das Versprechen an die britischen Wähler einhalten, EU-Reformen voranzutreiben. Zudem sagte er erneut, er wolle den Briten die Möglichkeit geben, 2017 über die EU-Mitgliedschaft abzustimmen.
Das öffentliche Misstrauen gegenüber der EU im Vereinigten Königreich ist groß und 2015 stehen Wahlen an. Cameron sieht sich den steigenden Umfragewerten der Anti-EU-Partei UKIP gegenüber. Eine Änderung in der EU-Politik, für die sich Cameron stark macht: Die Einschränkung der Rechte von Migranten ärmerer Mitgliederstaaten, die in wohlhabende Länder wie Großbritannien ziehen, um von deren Sozialsystemen zu profitieren. » | Von Kitty Logan | Donnerstag, 27. Februar 2014
Polish MEP Arrested for Shouting 'Heil Hitler' at Airport
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| Jacek Protasiewicz was detained and handcuffed by police at Frankfurt airport |
A “drunk” Polish MEP was detained and handcuffed by police at Frankfurt airport after allegedly shouting “Heil Hitler” at a customs officer and telling him he "should go to Auschwitz”.
The incident occurred as Jacek Protasiewicz, a politician from Poland’s Civic Platform party, passed through customs control at Germany’s biggest airports, and was reported by the German newspaper Bild as a “Nazi Scandal”.
Eye-witnesses quoted in paper said he appeared “very drunk” and had also snatched a luggage trolley from a fellow passenger before getting into the altercation with customs staff. The MEP, allegedly, called an officer “Hitler” and a “Nazi”, after being stopped in the green customs channel. Police then arrived and the politician was handcuffed and led away. » | Matthew Day, Warsaw | Thursday, February 27, 2014
Syria Crisis: ISIS Imposes Rules on Christians in Raqqa
The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) said it would give Christian residents "protection" if they agreed to the list of conditions.
The announcement came in a statement posted online.
Correspondents say ISIS is trying to implement an extreme interpretation of Islamic law in areas it controls.
Raqqa, seized by ISIS last year, was the first provincial capital to be completely in the hands of rebels.
'Risking the sword'
The directive from ISIS, citing the Islamic concept of "dhimma", requires Christians in the city to pay tax of around half an ounce (14g) of pure gold in exchange for their safety.
It says Christians must not make renovations to churches, display crosses or other religious symbols outside churches, ring church bells or pray in public.
Christians must not carry arms, and must follow other rules imposed by ISIS (also known as ISIL) on their daily lives.
The statement said the group had met Christian representatives and offered them three choices - they could convert to Islam, accept ISIS' conditions, or reject their control and risk being killed. » | Thursday, February 27, 2014
Germany's Angela Merkel Urges 'Strong' UK in EU
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| The German Chancellor told political and business leaders there were "very special expectations of my speech here today" |
In an historic address to both Houses of Parliament, she said Britain and Germany shared the goal of a "strong and competitive" European Union.
"United and determined", they could act as a beacon to the rest of the world.
But she stopped short of committing to specific reforms saying it had to be a "step-by-step" process.
David Cameron is pulling out all the stops during Mrs Merkel's one-day visit because he sees the German leader as crucial to his aims in Europe.
Beginning her address in English, before delivering the main part of her speech in German, she said: "Some expect my speech to pave the way for a fundamental reform of the European architecture which will satisfy all kinds of alleged or actual British wishes. I am afraid they are in for a disappointment.
"Others are expecting the exact opposite and they are hoping that I will deliver the clear and simple message here in London that the rest of Europe is not prepared to pay almost any price to keep Britain in the European Union. I am afraid these hopes will be dashed."
Mrs Merkel hailed the peace and stability she said the European Union had brought, saying war between EU member states was now "inconceivable".
But she stressed that the EU's mission of maintaining peace in Europe was not over as some thought, telling the audience of Britain's political leaders: "We need to stand up resolutely against extremists and the inhumane." (+ BBC video) » | Thursday, February 27, 2014
SPIEGEL ONLINE: Merkels Europa-Rede in London: "Ich fürchte, ich muss Sie enttäuschen" : Wohin steuert die EU? Angela Merkel hat vor beiden Kammern des britischen Parlaments eine Grundsatzrede zur Zukunft Europas gehalten. Die Erwartungen im Vereinigten Königreich waren hoch - vielleicht zu hoch, wie Merkel gleich zu Beginn betonte. » | phw/dpa/Reuters/AFP | Donnerstag, 27. Februar 2014
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
European Union Approves Tough Rules on Electronic Cigarettes
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| The European Parliament adopted rules requiring electronic cigarettes to carry health warnings and be childproof. |
Beginning in mid-2016, advertising for e-cigarettes is to be banned in the 28 nations of the European Union, as it already is for ordinary tobacco products. E-cigarettes will be required to carry health warnings, and must be childproof. The amount of nicotine will be limited to 20 milligrams per milliliter, similar to ordinary cigarettes. » | David Jolly | Wednesday, February 26, 2014
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Packets of ten cigarettes and menthol flavours banned under new EU rules: EU ministers have voted for a raft of tough new rules on tobacco sales in an effort to reduce the number of smokers by 2.4 million. » | Keith Perry | Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Holocaust Survivor Describes the Music of Terezín Concentration Camp
Related »
Qatar's Foreign Domestic Workers Subjected to Slave-like Conditions
Foreign maids, cleaners and other domestic workers are being subjected to slave-like labour conditions in Qatar, with many complaining they have been deprived of passports, wages, days off, holidays and freedom to move jobs, a Guardian investigation can reveal.
Hundreds of Filipino maids have fled to their embassy in recent months because conditions are so harsh. Many complain of physical and sexual abuse, harassment, long periods without pay and the confiscation of mobile phones.
The exploitation raises further concerns about labour practices in Qatar in advance of the World Cup, after Guardian reports about the treatment of construction workers. The maids are not directly connected to Qatar's preparations for the football tournament, but domestic workers will play a big role in staffing the hotels, stadiums and other infrastructure that will underpin the 2022 tournament. » | Rebecca Falconer in Doha | Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Lee Rigby Murderers Sentenced to Life in Prison
The Islamist killers of Drummer Lee Rigby erupted into violence in an Old Bailey courtroom as they were sentenced for murder.
Michael Adebolajo, 29, and Michael Adebowale, 22, had to be manhandled out of court by security guards after being told by Mr Justice Sweeney that their crime was a "betrayal of Islam".
Michael Adebowale stood up and shouted: "I swear by Allah that America and Britain will never have any safety. Allah Akbar."
His co-defendant, Michael Adebolajo, also stood up and began shouting before eight dock officers grabbed both killers and wrestled them to the floor.
Relatives of Drummer Rigby, sitting just feet away, stood up and cowered away from the violence.
Adebolajo was manhandled down the stairs in the historic Court No 2 but, in scenes lasting several minutes, his co-defendant was held to the floor and cuffed before being carried downstairs head first.
Drummer Rigby's widow Rebecca was left sobbing uncontrollably at the scenes.
Mr Justice Sweeney resumed his sentencing to give Adebolajo a whole life tariff, meaning he will die in jail.
Adebowale was given life with a minimum term of 45 years. The pair had reacted to the judge's comments that after they became extremists they began "espousing a cause and views which ... are a betrayal of Islam".
Adebowale called out "That's a lie" and "It's not a betrayal of Islam, you don't know what Islam is" as the struggle erupted in the dock. » | David Barrett and Claire Carter | Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Nigeria: Dozens of Students Shot and Burned Alive in Islamist Attack on School
Islamic militants have set fire to a locked dormitory at a school in northern Nigeria, then shot and slit the throats of students who tried to escape through windows during a pre-dawn attack Tuesday. At least 58 students were killed, including many who were burned alive.
They "slaughtered them like sheep" with machetes, and gunned down those who ran away, said one teacher, Adamu Garba. » | Wednesday, February 25, 2014
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