Jean-Marie Le Pen: Ebola Epidemic Would Solve Immigration Problems

Founder and honorary president of the French far-right Front National,
Jean-Marie Le Pen, speaks at a campaign meeting in Marseille

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Front National founder shocks France by saying a deadly Ebola epidemic would solve the country's problems with immigration and world's population 'explosion'

The deadly Ebola virus could solve France's immigration problems "in three months", Jean-Marie Le Pen, founder and honorary president of France's far-Right Front National, has said in remarks which have shocked the country's political establishment.

Speaking on Tuesday night in Marseille shortly before a joint rally with Marine Le Pen, his daughter and current party leader, Mr Le Pen, 85, said: "There is a demographic explosion in the world and a risk of submersion. A replacement of (the national population) is under way."

However, he added: "Monsieur Ebola can solve the problem in three months." » | Henry Samuel | Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Ebola : la solution finale, selon Jean-Marie Le Pen »

Young Iranians Arrested for 'Vulgar' Pharrell Williams' Happy Dance

Six Iranians, some of whom were filmed without veils, forced to apologise to state for 'vulgar clip which hurt public chastity'

Read the Telegraph article here | Josie Ensor and Ahmad Vahdat | Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Nazi Salute 'Not Always Punishable' as Racial Discrimination, Swiss Court Rules

An anti-racism law in 1995 forbids the public display and
dissemination of racist symbol, but only in cases when they are
used to promoted racist ideologies

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Nazi salute not illegal racial discrimination if done as personal statement, court in Switzerland rules

A Nazi salute is not illegal racial discrimination provided it is intended as a personal statement, Switzerland's top court ruled on Wednesday.

The Federal Tribunal's ruling, entitled "Hitler salute in public not always punishable," said the gesture is a crime only if someone is using it to try to spread racist ideology to others, not simply declaring one's own conviction.

The ruling by the Lausanne-based court overturned a lower court's conviction last year of a man who was charged with racial discrimination after he took part in an August 2010 demonstration with 150 participants.

The demonstration was held a week after the Swiss National Day on the famous Ruetli Meadow above Lake Lucerne where, according to legend, the modern Swiss Confederation was born in 1291. » | AP | Wednesday, May 21, 2014

A Terrorist Storm Is Heading for the West, and the Brutal ISIS Is Behind It

Read and comment on the Telegraph blog here | Tom Rogan | Wednesday, May 21, 2014
My comment:

Isn't this multiculturalist thingy such a boon to UK society? Hasn't it enriched our society so much? Oh the joys of diversity! What the hell have idiotic Western politicians inflicted upon the poor, innocent British population? This is an intractable problem for us to deal with, and it will take decades to solve – if indeed it ever will be solved. – © Mark

This comment appears here too.

Belfast Pastor James McConnell Denounces Islam as the Devil's Doctrine at Whitewell Metropolitan Tabernacle Church Sermon

BELFAST TELEGRAPH: Controversial clergyman tells audience "people say there are good Muslims in Britain — that may be so — but I don’t trust them"

An outspoken evangelical pastor has defended describing the Islamic faith as "satanic" and a "doctrine spawned in hell".

Senior Pastor James McConnell made the remarks as he addressed his congregation at the Whitewell Tabernacle Metropolitan Church on Sunday evening.

They were described as "very offensive", "hurtful" and "irresponsible" by a representative from the Belfast Islamic Centre.

There has also been an outcry on social media, with some calling for a police investigation into his comments.

One posted: "If this was a Muslim Imam speaking about Christianity, he would be arrested for inciting hatred."

During his sermon, the clergyman said: "Islam is heathen, Islam is satanic, Islam is a doctrine spawned in hell." (+ video) » | Claire Williamson | Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Austrian Town Produces Guide for Arab Tourists: 'Don't Haggle, and Don't Eat on the Floor'

The Austrian ski resort of Zell am See

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Austrian holiday town has produced a special guide for Middle Eastern visitors including advice to avoid haggling and not eat on the floor in hotel rooms

Austria's alpine towns of Zell am See and Kaprun have been criticised for producing an eight-page guide for Middle Eastern tourists, featuring "cultural advice" on how to behave.

The booklet, in English and Arabic, features tips such as the idea that Austrian shopkeepers do not expect haggling over prices, and that eating on the floor in hotel rooms is a "no-no". Drivers are informed that wearing seatbelts is compulsory, and they will be given guidance on understanding road signs, to reduce their risks while driving.

Visitors are also advised not to wear burkas, and to "adopt the Austrian mentality".

The guide states: "Austrian women are free to choose their own dress style, and this is visible in their choice of modern, colourful clothes. Here the colour black symbolises mourning, and is rarely worn in daily life.

"In our culture, we are accustomed to look into the smiling face of the person opposite us in order to gain a first impression and establish mutual trust. It would be a great pleasure for us if you could join us in celebrating the uniquely joyful Austrian mentality and show us your colourful scarves and dresses and, in this way, show us your smile." » | Harriet Alexander | Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Salzburg under fire for leaflet to Arab visitors telling them to stop haggling over prices, eating on hotel floors and wearing burkas »

Apostasy Case: Former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey Calls on British Muslim Leaders to Back the Right to Convert from Islam

Lord Carey said some ex-Muslims in the UK were forced
to 'almost go underground'

THE INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY: Lord Carey, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, has called on leading British Muslims to support the right to convert from Islam to another religion after a court in Sudan sentenced a woman to death for apostasy.

The peer said it was “accepted doctrine” that Muslim converts should face the death penalty. He also said there were examples of ex-Muslims in Britain who had been forced to “almost go underground”.

“Isn’t there something fundamentally wrong with Islam at its core that it cannot allow people to change their religion?” he told The Sunday Times.

“It is accepted doctrine in Islam [that] you don’t convert and if you do the penalty may be death.” He added: “I want to hear Muslim leaders say ‘we allow Muslims to become Christians if they wish to’.” » | Ian Johnston | Sunday, May 18, 2014

Apostasy: What you need to know »

Global outcry as Sudanese woman sentenced to death for renouncing Islam »

Abu Hamza Trial: London Cleric Found Guilty on Terror Charges by US Jury

Muslim cleric, Abu Hamza al-Masri, was on trial in New York
on terror charges

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Jury takes less than two days to find radical preacher guilty on terror and kidnapping charges

Abu Hamza, the radical hook-handed cleric, has been found guilty on terrorism charges by a New York court.Br />
A jury delivered their verdicts in 11 criminal counts, including assisting Yemeni militants who took a group of Western tourists hostage in 1998.

The jury also returned a guilty verdict on charges of sending followers to Oregon to establish a training camp and to Afghanistan to assist al-Qaeda and the Taliban.

He now faces a possible life sentence in the federal “supermax” high-security prison in Colorado that already houses several other convicted terrorists. A judge will sentence him at a later date.

The jury of eight women and four men delivered their verdicts on the second day of deliberation after a five-week trial in a federal courtroom just a few blocks from the scene of the World Trade Centre attacks on Sept 11, 2001. » | Philip Sherwell, New York | Monday, May 19, 2014

New York relève à 21 ans l'âge pour acheter des cigarettes

LA PRESSE: «Vous avez une pièce d'identité?»: le buraliste scanne la carte de sa jeune cliente et vérifie son âge avant de lui tendre un paquet de cigarettes. Depuis dimanche à New York, il faut avoir 21 ans pour acheter du tabac.

«En dessous de 21 ans, pas de tabac», prévient un petit panneau à l'entrée du magasin Bouverie Iconic Magazine, qui vend tabac, journaux, bonbons, café et pâtisseries, dans le quartier de Nolita. Et pas question de tricher. La carte d'identité est passée au scanneur, et sans pièce d'identité, pas de cigarettes.

La mesure est sans précédent dans une grande ville américaine. Elle relève l'âge légal de 18 à 21 ans pour acheter cigarettes, tabac ou cigarettes électroniques. Signée le 19 novembre par l'ancien maire Michael Bloomberg, elle a pris effet six mois plus tard. » | Brigitte Dusseau | Agence France-Presse | New York | dimanche 18 mai 2014

Africa Leaders Declare 'War' on Nigeria Boko Haram

BBC: African leaders meeting in Paris have agreed to wage "war" on Nigeria's Boko Haram Islamic militants.

President Hollande of France, who hosted the summit, said regional powers had pledged to share intelligence and co-ordinate action against the group.

Last month it abducted 223 schoolgirls in north-eastern Nigeria, where it is based. Fresh attacks were reported in Nigeria and Cameroon overnight.

Thousands of people have been killed by Boko Haram in recent years.

The Paris summit brought together President Francois Hollande, Nigeria's Goodluck Jonathan, and their counterparts from Benin, Cameroon, Niger and Chad.

Afterwards, Mr Hollande said participants had agreed on a "global and regional action plan". (+ video) » | Saturday, May 17, 2014

Ads Linking Hitler to Islam to Run on DC-area Buses

Pamela Geller: 'My intent is to leapfrog over a media that is not even-handed'
WND: An organization run by an anti-Mulsim blogger has purchased billboards on the sides of twenty Washington DC Metro buses featuring Adolph [sic] Hitler and calling for an end to ‘all aid to Islamic countries.’

The ads are paid for by American Freedom Defense Initiative, an organization devoted to fighting “global jihad and Islamic supremacism,’ and headed by Long Island-based Atlas Shrugs blogger Pamela Geller, according to WJLA. » | Agence France-Presse | Sunday, May 18, 2014

Netherlands: Saudi Arabia May Curb Trade Ties Over Wilders' Anti-Islam Slogans

Freedom Party (PVV) leader Geert Wilders speaks during an
interview with Reuters in The Hague April 17, 2014

REUTERS.COM: Saudi Arabia is considering trade sanctions against the Netherlands because of stickers printed by far-right politician Geert Wilders which display anti-Islam slogans in the colors of the Saudi flag, a Dutch foreign ministry spokesman said.

Wilders, leader of the anti-immigration Dutch Freedom Party, is tied in first place with the Democrats in national opinion polls before European Parliament elections that will be held in the Netherlands on Thursday.

His virulent anti-Islam statements have angered many and Wilders has lived under round-the-clock armed guard since he received death threats in 2004.

"We have indications that Saudi Arabia is considering measures because of the insults to its flag and religion by Geert Wilders," Foreign Ministry spokesman Friso Wijnen said. » | Reuters | Amsterdam | Saturday, May 17, 2014

Saudis drohen Den Haag mit Sanktionen wegen Islamkritik »

Dick and Lynne Cheney Talk Ukraine, Benghazi and Hillary

May. 18, 2014 - 11:53 - First joint interview since leaving the White House

'Hump Day' Under Fire from PC Police

May. 18, 2014 - 3:39 - Has political correctness gone overboard?

Saudis drohen Den Haag mit Sanktionen wegen Islamkritik

DIE PRESSE: Der niederländische Rechtspopulist Geert Wilders verbreitet Aufkleber gegen den Islam. Riad stellt wirtschaftliche Strafen in den Raum.

Den Haag/Riad. Die diplomatischen Spannungen zwischen den Königreichen der Niederlande und Saudiarabien verschärfen sich: Nachdem der niederländische Populist und Islamkritiker Geert Wilders mit einer neuen Anti-Islam-Aktion Aufsehen erregt hat, will Saudiarabien Wirtschaftssanktionen gegen Den Haag. „Wir nehmen diese Drohungen aus Riad sehr ernst und beraten uns über eine Antwort“, sagte der niederländische Ministerpräsident Mark Rutte am Wochenende.

Sein Stellvertreter, der Sozialdemokrat Lodewijk Asscher, war weniger diplomatisch: Er verteidigte den Rechtspopulisten Wilders und sagte: „In den Niederlanden besteht Meinungsfreiheit. Es ist glasklar, dass Herr Wilders nicht den Standpunkt der Regierung vertritt. Die Drohungen aus Saudiarabien nenne ich daher schwachsinnig.“ » | Die Presse | Sonntag, 18. Mai 2014

Isa Haider Alaali Case: Bahraini Teen Fears Torture After Losing Asylum Claim

THE INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY: A Bahraini teenager fears he will be tortured when he is deported to the repressive Gulf state this week after his asylum application was rejected by the British Government.

Isa Haider Alaali’s deportation comes as the Royal Family have been playing host at the Royal Windsor Horse Show to the King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and his son Prince Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who faces a High Court judicial review over whether he has immunity from prosecution for alleged torture.

Activists staged protests over the weekend at an equestrian event as Prince Andrew – long criticised for his cozy relationship with the Gulf state – entertained Bahraini royals at Windsor on Friday.

Home Office documents obtained by The Independent show the 19-year-old is due to be flown back to Bahrain on Thursday morning. Mr Alaali, who was sentenced to five years in prison in absentia by a Bahraini court in March on charges of illegal gathering and rioting, is unable to appeal the decision. » | Alex Delmar-Morgan | Sunday, May 18, 2014

Sunday Times Rich List: Wealthiest Britons Own a Third of the Nation’s Wealth

THE INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY: The richest people in Britain are better off than ever before with the top 1,000 individuals owning a third of the nation’s wealth.

The 1,000 wealthiest Britons now own £518.975 billion - the equivalent of a third of Britain’s gross domestic product (GDP) - with their combined worth rising 15.4 per cent on last year's total of £449.654 billion, according to the Sunday Times Rich List.

The top 64 names have a combined fortune of £255 billion, which is equivalent to the combined wealth of the poorest 30 per cent.

Chris Leslie, Labour's Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, said: “No wonder the super-rich have got much richer over the last year when David Cameron has given millionaires a huge tax cut.

“Yet at the same time working people have continued to face a cost-of-living crisis and are £1,600 a year worse off since 2010.” A minimum of £85 million is needed to even be considered for the list this year - compared to £80 million in 2008 at the height of the pre-crash boom and £75 million last year. » | William McClennan | Sunday, May 18, 2014

'Trojan Horse' Teacher Breaks into Girl's Phone

THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Parent complains to police over school's action to uncover 'forbidden' relationship with a fellow 16-year-old pupil

A teacher at one of the Birmingham state schools allegedly taken over by Muslim radicals in the so-called “Trojan Horse” plot has been reported to police after he broke into a female pupil’s mobile telephone to prove she was having a “forbidden” relationship with a boy.

The girl, who at 16 is over the age of consent, had her telephone confiscated by the teacher during a Sunday event at Park View School last month. Two members of staff told The Telegraph the device was then taken, without her permission, to a shop for its passcode to be broken, and its contents unlocked and examined by the school.

Images of the girl with the boy, a fellow Year 11 pupil at Park View, and text messages between them, obtained from the phone, were used by the school as evidence to suspend her, weeks before her GCSE exams. The boy was also suspended, but more briefly. » | Andrew Gilligan | Sunday, May 18, 2014

Panorama: From Jail to Jihad

The current affairs programme investigates the radicalisation of some Muslims within the prison system, as Raphael Rowe interviews extremists about their experiences inside.
Watch the programme here | Monday, May 12, 2014

ABBA: Super Trouper