Europe Must Increase Defence Spending In Face Of Russian Aggression, Warns Chuck Hagel

US Defence Secretary warns aggression in Ukraine should shatter myth that risk of conflict has reduced since Cold War as British Secretary of Defence warns Vladimir Putin not to breach "red line" around Nato nations

Read the Telegraph article here | Ben Farmer, video by Heathcliff O'Malley | Friday, May 02, 2014

Inside Story: Uncomfortable Truths: How Free Is the Press?

Global watchdog says world press freedom has hit its lowest level in a decade.

Wilders' Viewpoint: EU Will Burst At Seams After European Parliament Elections - Geert Wilders

The Ukrainian crisis comes as nations within the European Union prepare to cast their votes in the May European Parliament elections. Eurosceptic parties are raising their voices, and their popularity is rapidly growing, as citizens continue to grow tired of austerity and bureaucracy ruling Europe. Will the May elections change the stakes? To find this out, Sophie talks to Dutch politician and leader of the Eurosceptic Party for Freedom, Geert Wilders.

Islam Creates Monsters Says Psychologist

LIBERTY VOICE: Danish psychologist Nicolai Sennels, an expert in working with Muslim youth criminal offenders, has written a new book entitled Among Criminal Muslims. A Psychologist’s Experience from the Copenhagen Municipality, and in an essay supporting the book, he claims that “Islam creates monsters.” A recent study out of Germany supports Sennels’ statement. It found that devout Muslims were more prone to violence than the non-Muslim participants in the study.

Sennels says Islam is different from other religions because the way it is taught brainwashes its youth with violent messages. Parents inflict violence on their children repeatedly, Sennels claims, and at the same time, deliver religious ideology. He says this behavior makes Muslim extremists far more violent than extremists of other religious faiths.

The brainwashing, as Sennels terms it, begins very early on in a child’s life, and religious messages are repeated vigorously along with a heavy dose of physical discipline. It is this combination of pain and reinforcement, Sennels claims, that creates Islamic “monsters” who then feel justified in torturing and killing innocent people.

Sennels points out that parents want to indoctrinate their children into the religion as early as possible so that the kids will remain Muslim instead of looking to another faith—under Sharia law, turning against Islam is a crime punishable by death. » | Added by Rebecca Sevastio | Friday, May 02, 2014

MERS Virus Arrives in U.S. from Middle East

CHICAGO TRIBUNE: Two years after it first cropped up in the Middle East, a potentially fatal respiratory illness arrived in the United States aboard a jetliner that landed at O'Hare International Airport 10 days ago.

The news that Middle East respiratory syndrome, or MERS — a virus that by one estimate has killed roughly a quarter of the relatively small number of patients confirmed to be infected by it — is on U.S. soil quickly triggered investigations by federal and state health authorities. (+ video) » | Juan Perez Jr., Tribune reporter | Saturday, May 03, 2014

MERS virus spreads to US via Britain »

Intimate Portrait – Grace Kelly (Princess Grace)

Grace Kelly reigned as one of Hollywood's brightest stars before she took on her role as the wife of Prince Rainer of Monaco. This is a rare Intimate Portrait about the fascinating life of Princess Grace of Monaco.

Related »

Festival de Cannes: Le film «Grace de Monaco» boycotté par les enfants de la princesse

Un portrait de Grace Kelly décédée dans un tragique accident en 1982

TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: Leurs parents se sont rencontrés grâce au festival, mais les enfants de Grace Kelly n'iront pas à Cannes cette année, ulcérés par le film consacré à leur mère, un «détournement» de l'histoire familiale.

Albert II, Caroline et Stéphanie n'en démordent pas: le film d'Olivier Dahan «Grace de Monaco», qui sera projeté à l'ouverture du 67e Festival de Cannes en avant-première mondiale (mais hors compétition),«ne peut en aucun cas être qualifié de biopic».

Tous trois fustigent par voie de communiqué une «bande-annonce fantaisiste» qui «renforce la conviction laissée lors de la lecture du scénario qu'il s'agit d'une production, d'une page de l'histoire de la Principauté, basée sur des références historiques erronées et littéraires douteuses».

Les enfants de la princesse, décédée le 14 septembre 1982 dans un accident de voiture au-dessus de Monaco, assurent que «le réalisateur et les producteurs (ont) refusé de prendre en considération les très nombreuses observations formulées par le Palais, qui auraient eu pour conséquence une remise en question globale du scénario et des personnages». » | afp/Newsnet | vendredi 02 mai 2014




Related: The Last Interview with Grace Kelly »

Psychogramm eines Diktators In Hitlers Gedankenwelten | HD Doku

Germany's Interest in Adolf Hitler at Record Levels

Some 2,000 books on Hitler were published in Germany last year

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Germans more interested in Adolf Hitler than at any time since the Allied defeat of his Third Reich at the end of the Second World War, study finds

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

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Head teachers' leaders voice concerns for the first time over an alleged Islamic plot to infiltrate schools in Birmingham as Ofsted confirm that its own investigation has spread to three more state primaries

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

Jeremy Clarkson 'Begs Forgiveness' Over N-word Footage

Jeremy Clarkson came under fire after apparently using the
N-word in unbroadcast footage from the BBC's Top Gear

THE GUARDIAN: Top Gear presenter says his efforts to obscure word while reciting eeny meeny miny moe 'weren't quite good enough'

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

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: France's language police powerless to stem a flood of English and franglais from invading the office with jargon such as 'brainstorming'

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

1er mai : Marine Le Pen déclare la guerre à «cette Europe»

Lire l’article du Figaro ici | Par Emmanuel Galiero | jeudi 01 mai 2014

Bundesregierung verteidigt Gauck gegen Erdogan

Partnerin Schadt, Gauck, Imam: "Stolz auf unseren Bundespräsidenten"

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Die Bundesregierung teilt Joachim Gaucks Kritik an der Türkei. Innenminister de Maizière sagt sogar: "Ich bin 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

BBC: Ukraine's acting President Olexander Turchynov has reinstated military conscription to deal with deteriorating security in the east of the country.

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

Diren Dede's football team-mates and friends gather to remember
him in Hamburg on Wednesday

BBC: The father of a German exchange student shot dead in Montana after he trespassed in a man's garage has said the US cannot continue to "play cowboy" with firearms.

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

New Dark Age Alert! Brunei Introduces Tough Islamic Penal Code

Brunei ruler Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah announced the
implementation of Sharia punishments on Wednesday

BBC: Brunei will introduce a tough Islamic penal code from Thursday, its leader has announced.

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

Les stylistes Stefano Gabbana (à gauche) et Domenico Dolce.

TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: La cour d'appel de Milan a confirmé la peine de 18 mois de prison prononcée à l'encontre des deux célèbres stylistes italiens Domenico Dolce et Stefano Gabbana, poursuivis pour fraude fiscale estimée à quelque 200 millions d'euros.

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

DIE PRESSE: Das südostasiatische Sultanat führt das strenge Strafrecht der islamischen Scharia ein. Der OHCHR äußert scharfe Kritik.

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

La comédienne n'a pas souhaité jouer les remplaçantes de Valérie Trierweiler
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' »