Friday, May 02, 2014
Germany's Interest in Adolf Hitler at Record Levels
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| Some 2,000 books on Hitler were published in Germany last year |
Germans are more interested in Adolf Hitler that at any time since the end of the Second World War, a new study has concluded.
The German Media Control research group, which monitors broadcasting, found that documentaries about Hitler are aired twice a day on German television channels and that books and films about the Nazi leader are being produced in record numbers.
It established that 242 programmes dealing specifically with Hitler had been shown on television during the first four months of 2013, while 500 other films and documentaries that had dealt with the Nazi era in general had also been aired.
Some 2,000 books on Hitler were published in Germany last year. » | Tony Paterson in Berlin | Friday, April 02, 2014
Head Teachers Raise 'Serious Concerns' Over Islamic School Take-over
Head teachers today raised "serious concerns" for the first time over an alleged plot to spread Islamic principles in the state education system as it emerged that an official investigation has spread to more schools.
The National Association of Head Teachers said it had found "concerted efforts" to infiltrate a series of its members' schools in Birmingham.
In a statement, the union said attempts had been made to "alter their character in line with the Islamic faith", including sidelining parts of the curriculum and attempting to influence the appointment of Muslim staff.
Russell Hobby, the general secretary, also warned that the action was unlikely to be "limited to Birmingham" and may have spread to other areas, adding: "I think it is connected into the large cities around the country."
The disclosure was made as Ofsted confirmed that its own investigation into the plot - dubbed Trojan Horse - had spread from 18 to 21 schools in Birmingham. The three additional schools are primaries. » | Graeme Paton, Education Editor | Friday, May 02, 2014
Thursday, May 01, 2014
Jeremy Clarkson 'Begs Forgiveness' Over N-word Footage
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| Jeremy Clarkson came under fire after apparently using the N-word in unbroadcast footage from the BBC's Top Gear |
Jeremy Clarkson has begged viewers' forgiveness after he appeared to use the N-word during filming of his BBC programme Top Gear.
In a video statement posted online on Thursday, he said that he had tried to obscure the word when reciting the "eeny, meeny, miny, moe" nursery rhyme to chose between two cars, but that his efforts to do so "weren't quite good enough".
Clarkson had previously issued a robust denial of the allegation, telling his 3.2 million Twitter followers: "I did not use the N-word. Never use it. The Mirror has gone way too far this time."
But footage of the incident was later posted on The Daily Mirror website. In it Clarkson recites the beginning of the children's nursery rhyme "eeny, meeny, miny, moe" before apparently mumbling: "Catch a nigger by his toe."
His apology came after a day of growing calls for the BBC to sack him. The corporation issued a strongly worded statement saying: "Jeremy Clarkson has set out the background to this regrettable episode. We have made it absolutely clear to him, the standards the BBC expects on air and off. We have left him in no doubt about how seriously we view this." » | Josh Halliday, Nicholas Watt and Kevin Rawlinson | Thursday, May 01, 2014
English Jargon Invading the French Workplace
English words are invading the French workplace at an ever-faster pace, including office jargon such as “workshop”, “ASAP” and “brainstorming”, a new dictionary suggests.
While the “immortals” from the Académie Française – official custodians of the French language who come up with French alternatives to Anglicisms – have managed to keep English terms at bay in the public sector, their linguistic sway over the French office has proved to be far less effective.
Already the bane of native-speaking English employees, Anglo office jargon is now taking French companies by storm with a tide of terms like “benchmarking”, “bullet points”, and “burnout”, and an even greater number of “franglais” words, like “overlooker”.
That is according to the “Dictionnaire du Nouveau Français” – Dictionary of New French – published last week. The work by Alexandre des Isnards lists 400 neologisms that have entered the French language but have not yet been picked up by official dictionaries, and around half of them come from English.
In many cases, this simply means stealing the English term, such as drawing up a “to-do-list” rather than a “liste de choses à faire”, or meeting a “deadline” rather than respecting a “délai” – the French term. » | Henry Samuel, Paris | Thursday, May 01, 2014
Bundesregierung verteidigt Gauck gegen Erdogan
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| Partnerin Schadt, Gauck, Imam: "Stolz auf unseren Bundespräsidenten" |
Berlin - Im Streit zwischen dem türkischen Ministerpräsidenten Tayyip Erdogan und Bundespräsident Joachim Gauck bezieht nun auch die Koalition Stellung. Die von Gauck bei seinem Türkei-Besuch benannten Punkte böten auch der Bundesregierung Anlass zur Besorgnis, sagte Merkels Sprecher Steffen Seibert. "Da gibt es keinen Unterschied zwischen der Einschätzung des Bundespräsidenten und der Bundesregierung." » | vks/dpa/Reuters/AFP | Mittwoch, 30. April 2014
Ukraine Reinstates Conscription as Crisis Deepens
The move, announced in a decree, came as pro-Russia militants seized the regional prosecutor's office in the eastern city of Donetsk.
Ukraine blames Russia for organising the seizures of a number of offices in the east, a claim Moscow denies.
Some 40,000 Russian troops are stationed near the Ukrainian border.
Mr Turchynov admitted on Wednesday that his forces were "helpless" to quell the unrest in some parts of the east, saying the goal was now to prevent it from spreading.
He also said Ukraine was on "full combat alert", amid fears that Russian troops could invade.
On Thursday, his office said in a statement that conscription was being introduced "given the deteriorating situation in the east and the south... the rising force of armed pro-Russian units and the taking of public administration buildings... which threaten territorial integrity". » | Thursday, May 01, 2014
German Student Diren Dede Killed in 'Castle Doctrine' Case
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| Diren Dede's football team-mates and friends gather to remember him in Hamburg on Wednesday |
Markus Kaarma has been charged with deliberate murder in the Sunday killing of Diren Dede, 17, of Hamburg.
But he says Montana's self-defence law allowed him to shoot the boy.
Celal Dede said he would not have allowed his son to study in the US had he been aware of the lenient gun laws.
"I didn't think for one night that everyone here can kill somebody just because that person entered his back yard," Mr Dede told the German news agency dpa. » | Thursday, May 01, 2014
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
New Dark Age Alert! Brunei Introduces Tough Islamic Penal Code
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| Brunei ruler Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah announced the implementation of Sharia punishments on Wednesday |
Sharia punishments that will include the severing of limbs for theft and death by stoning for adulterers will be brought in over three years.
In April, the UN voiced "deep concern" about the planned change.
Brunei already adheres to a stronger form of Islamic law than neighbouring Malaysia and Indonesia, banning the sale and consumption of alcohol.
The tiny state, on the island of Borneo, is ruled by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and has grown rich on oil and gas exports.
Almost three-quarters of those who live there are Malay Muslims, but there are sizeable Buddhist and Christian communities.
'Degrading treatment'
The move - delayed from last week - came from the Sultan.
"Today... I place my faith in and am grateful to Allah the almighty to announce that tomorrow, Thursday 1 May 2014, will see the enforcement of Sharia law phase one, to be followed by the other phases," AFP news agency quoted him as saying.
The penal code will be introduced over three years, with offences in the first phase covered by fines and prison sentences, the Brunei Times reported.
Amputations come under the second phase, and stoning, for crimes including adultery and homosexual acts, under the third phase. » | Wednesday, April 30, 2014
A new era for Brunei »
Brunei: Steinigung und Amputation werden Teil des Strafrechts »
Dolce et Gabbana condamnés en appel à 18 mois de prison
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| Les stylistes Stefano Gabbana (à gauche) et Domenico Dolce. |
Les stylistes italiens Domenico Dolce et Stefano Gabbana, poursuivis pour fraude fiscale estimée à quelque 200 millions d'euros, ont été condamnés mercredi par la cour d'appel de Milan (nord) à 18 mois de prison, ont annoncé les médias italiens.
Les deux créateurs Domenico Dolce, 55 ans, et Stefano Gabbana, 51 ans, ont été reconnus coupables d'escroquerie aux dépens de l'Etat italien et pour des inexactitudes dans leurs déclarations de revenus. En première instance, en juin 2013, les deux créateurs de la marque de vêtements et d'accessoires de luxe Dolce & Gabbana, d'origine sicilienne, avaient été condamnés à un an et huit mois de prison pour une fraude fiscale estimée à près d'un milliard d'euros. » | afp/Newsnet | mercredi 30 avril 2014
Brunei: Steinigung und Amputation werden Teil des Strafrechts
Im südostasiatischen Sultanat Brunei wird von Donnerstag an das strenge Strafrecht der islamischen Scharia eingeführt. Die neuen Rechts-vorschriften würden schrittweise eingeführt, erklärte Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah am Mittwoch. Eigentlich sollte das Scharia-Strafrecht in dem mehrheitlich muslimischen Königreich bereits vor einer Woche starten.
Der Termin wurde jedoch zunächst auf unbestimmte Zeit verschoben. Bolkiah, dessen Familie das rund 400.000 Einwohner zählende Königreich seit sechs Jahrhunderten streng autoritär führt, hatte die Einführung der Scharia im Oktober angekündigt. » | APA/AFP | Mittwoch, 30. April 2014
Julie Gayet: pourquoi elle a quitté le président
GALA.fr: Une fois le secret levé, leur amour n’y a pas résisté. Pour vivre heureuse, l’actrice aura préféré vivre cachée. Une décision réfléchie.
Julie Gayet respire mieux. Les caméras l’ont lâchée. Dans son loft du onzième arrondissement décrit par ses amis comme « la maison du bonheur », elle a repris une routine rassurante au côté de ses deux fils. Tadéo, 15 ans et Ezéchiel, 13 ans. L’actrice l’a décidé, ils n’auront pas à subir la pression médiatique. Dans son téléphone, la voix de François Hollande ne résonne plus. Elle a brisé le lien.
En femme indépendante, Julie a choisi un trajet qui ne lui est imposé ni par la raison d’Etat, ni par l’opinion. Quitte à rayer de la carte deux ans d’amour, de cache-cache et surtout d’admiration pour un homme dont l’intellect l’avait touchée au plus profond. » | mardi 29 avril 2014
Julie Gayet 'ends relationship with François Hollande' »
Carla Bruni-Sarkozy Approves Nicolas Sarkozy's 2017 Presidential Bid
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| Carla Bruni-Sarkozy has thrown her support behind her husband Nicolas Sarkozy's comeback plan |
Carla Bruni-Sarkozy has thrown her support behind her husband Nicolas Sarkozy's comeback plan, saying it would be good for France if he ran for the presidency in 2017.
The 46-year old supermodel-turned-singer who married Mr Sarkozy in 2008 told a US chat show host that while she was not personally keen on him returning to frontline politics, she would support him if that was his wish.
"I want him to be happy and I care about my country," she told Ellen DeGeneres, the talk-show host.
Looking slightly embarrassed, as Mr Sarkozy was in the audience, she added: "As a woman I wish he wasn't going back. But as a French citizen, yes. He never stops me doing anything I like. He just encourages me. So I don't see myself saying 'don't do it'." Mrs Bruni-Sarkozy was in New York to promote her fourth album, Little French Songs. » | Henry Samuel, Paris | Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Ukraine On 'Full Combat Alert' as President Warns Threat of Russia Starting a War 'Is Real'
Ukraine is on “full combat alert” over a possible invasion by Russian troops gathered at the border as the interim president warned that “the threat of Russia starting a war against mainland Ukraine is real."
Oleksandr Turchynov made the remarks during a ministerial meeting, where he also told regional governors Ukraine’s police and security forces are "helpless" to quell unrest in two eastern regions bordering Russia. » | Heather Saul | Wednesday, August 30, 2014
Pictured: Child with Black ‘Jihadi’ Flag at Rally by Anjem Choudary Supporters in London
The girl, apparently no older than 12, was seen holding the flag during a rally by supporters of the extremist preacher Anjem Choudary outside the Saudi Arabian embassy in Charles Street on Friday.
Several other children, some looking no older than five or six, also joined adult protesters to decry the “crimes” of Saudi Arabia.
The flag, featuring the “shahadah” — a declaration of the belief of the oneness of Allah — has become identified with Islamist and terrorist groups, including al Qaeda and its affiliates in countries including Syria and Somalia.
The images come only weeks after London Mayor Boris Johnson called for children subject to radicalisation to be taken into care and prompted new demands for action to protect the young from extremist parents. » | David Churchill and Martin Bentham | Monday, April 28, 2014
Dutch Right-Winger Geert Wilders Loses Backing of Jews
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| Geert Wilders |
THE JEWISH DAILY FORWARD: THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS — (JTA) — Standing in front of a giant flag, a tall blond politician asks his excited followers whether their country should have greater or fewer Moroccans.
When they are done chanting “fewer,” the speaker, Geert Wilders of the far-right Dutch Party for Freedom, promises his listeners that he will “take care of it.”
Wilders was speaking at an event here to celebrate his party’s strong showing in March 19 local elections, and he chuckled as supporters cheered his pledge.
A fierce critic of Islam who has compared the Koran to “Mein Kampf” and called the Prophet Muhammad the devil, Wilders had steered clear of slurring specific Muslim communities, instead peddling a unique brand of populist conservatism that eschewed the kind of Nazi-inflected, anti-Jewish rhetoric popular among far-right groups elsewhere in Europe.
But his “fewer Moroccans” comment has generated a furious backlash because it was seen as the first time he had engaged in open racism that targeted an entire group as undesirable by definition. The statement has cost him much of the sympathy he enjoyed in some quarters of the Dutch Jewish community and blurred the lines that had separated him from other European far-right leaders.
“This is different from his past statements,” the pro-Israel journalist Ratna Pele wrote on the website RepubliekAllochtonie.nl. “Before it was about Islam or Moroccan criminals, now it’s about the entire group that he says is unacceptable and needs to get out of the country.” » | Cnaan Lipshiz | Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Dutch Leader Geert Wilders Slammed as New 'Hitler' for 'Fewer Moroccans' Remark »
Antibiotics Are Losing Effectiveness in Every Country, Says WHO
Antibiotics are losing their power to fight infections in every country in the world, according to new data from the World Health Organisation – a situation that could have "devastating" consequences for public health. It raises the possibility that once-beaten diseases will re-emerge as global killers.
Antibiotic resistance is a major threat to public health, says the WHO. It is no longer something to worry about in the future, but is happening now and could affect anybody, anywhere, of whatever age.
"Without urgent, co-ordinated action by many stakeholders, the world is headed for a post-antibiotic era, in which common infections and minor injuries which have been treatable for decades can once again kill," said Dr Keiji Fukuda, the WHO's assistant director general for health security.
"Effective antibiotics have been one of the pillars allowing us to live longer, live healthier, and benefit from modern medicine. Unless we take significant actions to improve efforts to prevent infections and also change how we produce, prescribe and use antibiotics, the world will lose more and more of these global public-health goods and the implications will be devastating." Read on and comment » | Sarah Boseley, health editor | Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Severe Weather Threatens Eastern US States
Government forecasters have warned of severe thunderstorms from the Gulf of Mexico up to the Great Lakes.
On Sunday and Monday, tornadoes cut a broad track of death and destruction through the southern US states.
The storms flattened buildings, overturned cars, and left thousands of residents without power.
"Widespread thunderstorms are forecast across the central Gulf Coast region, with several severe [or] supercell storms possible," the National Weather Service wrote in a morning forecast.
More than two million people are said to be at risk of tornadoes and high winds in parts of Alabama and Mississippi on Tuesday.
As the storm moves further east, parts of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina are expected to be under threat of severe weather, forecasters say. (+ BBC videos) » | Tuesday, April 29, 2014
'UK Should Get Out of the EU,' Says Former French PM
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| Michel Rocard, a grandee of the French Socialist Party, has identified Britain as the source of all the EU's problems |
Britain should leave Europe because it is killing the European Union dream, a former French Prime Minister has said.
In a blistering attack, Michel Rocard, a grandee of the French Socialist Party who served as premier under Francois Mitterrand, identified Britain as the source of all the EU's problems.
"Britain is a great country that has always refused that to allow Europe to interfere in its affairs. It has blocked any further integration," he told Trombinoscope, a French parliamentary magazine.
"If they go, it becomes possible to respond to the needs of governing in Europe. Even Germany realises this and demands it. I hope for it a lot because they have prevented it from developing, they killed it."
Mr Rocard, 83, said that it was clear that the "British people want to end with Europe" and are only prevented from leaving the EU by Britain's political and financial classes. » | Bruno Waterfield, Brussels | Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Jacques Delors: Britain could leave the European Union »
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