A Map without Israel: Germany's Left Party Faces Charges of Anti-Semitism

SPIEGEL ONLINE INTERNATIONAL: Swatiskas intertwined in the Star of David, a map of the Middle East with Israel missing, boycotts of Israeli products: Germany's far-left Left Party, many feel, has a growing anti-Semitism problem. The issue threatens to divide the party.

Germany's far-left Left Party has been struggling for months to have its voice heard on the national political stage. Falling membership numbers, shrinking support and a very public leadership battle this spring have all left the party struggling to find relevance.

Now, though, the party is facing yet another challenge. For years, the Left Party -- a partial outgrowth of the East German communists -- has been criticized for harboring anti-Semitism and being overtly critical of Israel. Just recently, Left Party floor leader Gregor Gysi pushed a resolution through the party's parliamentary faction stating: "In the future, the representatives of the Left Party faction will take action against any form of anti-Semitism in society."

The party, the resolution read, will no longer participate in boycotts of Israeli products, will refrain from demanding a single-state solution to the Middle East conflict and will not take part in this year's Gaza flotilla.

That resolution, however, did not sit well with the party's left wing. The group protested against being "muzzled," complaining that Gysi's declaration was "undemocratic" and "dangerous," as Left Party parliamentarian Annette Groth complained. And Gysi, formerly head of the party, gave in. This week, he plans to compose a further resolution on anti-Semitism.

He provided a hint at what it might contain in a recent interview with the leftist paper Neues Deutschland. "I don't see a problem with anti-Semitism in the Left Party," he said. "I am not a fan of the inflationary use of the term 'anti-Semitism.'" Gysi himself is from a family that has Jewish roots, several members of which were murdered by the Nazis in the Holocaust. » | cgh -- with reporting by Markus Deggerich | Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Broadcasting to Libya in Berber
The uprising in Libya has shaken Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's hold on the country.

One community that up until now had been too afraid to showcase its cultural heritage is benefiting from greater cultural freedoms in rebel-held areas.

Al Jazeera's James Bays has been spending time with the ancient Berber people and filed this report.


WIKI: Berber languages »

Grim Cigarette Labels Aim to Curb Smoking

This law professor doesn’t know what the hell he’s talking about! Distorting the price of cigarettes is about the worst thing a society can do. By increasing and increasing the price of cigarettes, the authorities are making them too expensive for young people to buy. That sounds good, but it isn’t. By doing this, all you are doing is encouraging young people to try far worse, far more addictive alternatives.

A mother told me recently she had a problem with her young son taking drugs. She said that young people today buy rolling tobacco (which is much cheaper) and lace the ‘cigarettes’ with cannabis, etc., thus turning them into joints. I said it would be better for them to smoke a normal cigarette than that, as was usual when I was young. She told me that young people can no longer afford ‘normal’ cigarettes.

So how much good are we really doing by pricing cigarettes so high that young people take to far worse alternatives? This law professor is talking through his hat. And I write as a non-smoker. Give me a son who smokes cigarettes over a son who takes drugs any day. These do-gooders ain’t doin’ any good! – © Mark

FOX NEWS: FDA Pushes Graphic Images on Cigarette Packs »

Azhar Urges Modern, Civilian Egypt State

ON ISLAM: CAIRO – Framing a document with Egypt’s intellectuals on the country’s future, Cairo’s Al-Azhar, the highest seat of learning in the Sunni Muslim world, called for a modern, democratic state in Egypt with principals of Islamic shari`ah as the essential source of legislation.

The document aims to define “the relationship between Islam and the state in this difficult phase,” the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmed El-Tayyeb, declared in a news conference broadcast live, Agence France Presse (AFP) reported on Monday, June 20.

The document supports “the establishment of a modern, democratic, constitutional state” based upon the separation of powers and guaranteeing equal rights to all citizens, he said. » | OnIslam & News Agencies | Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Bangladesh Retains Islam as State Religion
AFP: DHAKA — Bangladesh's government will retain Islam as the country's official state religion despite pledges by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to restore the state's secular character, a minister said Tuesday.

Bangladesh, a Muslim-majority nation of 150 million, was declared a secular republic in 1972 but a series of constitutional amendments by two military dictators abandoned the principle and made Islam the state religion in 1988.

Since coming to power two years ago, Hasina has taken steps to restore secularism, but a package of constitutional amendments approved by her cabinet Monday stopped short of full reform.

"Islam will remain the state religion," Law Minister Shafiq Ahmed told AFP, adding that Bangladeshi Hindus, Buddhists and Christians would be allowed to practice their religions freely. » | AFP | Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Dutch Anti-Islam Lawmaker Wilders Faces Judgement
TIMES OF OMAN: Dutch: Dutch far-right lawmaker Geert Wilders faces judgement Thursday in an Amsterdam court for his statements attacking Islam, which he claimed were made to "defend freedom in the Netherlands."

Wilders, 47, will be in the dock as Judge Marcel van Oosten starts his verdict at 9:00 am (0700 GMT) in a trial watched closely by both Wilders' supporters and his detractors and broadcast live.

Wilders faces five counts of hate speech and discrimination for his anti-Islamic remarks on websites, Internet forums and in Dutch newspapers between October 2006 and March 2008, and in his controversial 17-minute movie "Fitna" ("Discord" in Arabic).

In the past he has likened the Koran to Hitler's "Mein Kampf" and "Fitna" shows shocking images of 9/11 and other terror attacks on western targets interspersed with verses from the Koran.

The 2008 movie caused widespread outrage in Muslim countries and opposition from the Dutch government, who feared it might spark a militant response similar to that which followed the publication in Denmark of cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed.

But Wilders -- one of Europe's most heavily-guarded politicians -- has demanded his acquittal before the court, saying he was "obliged to speak, because the Netherlands is "under threat" from Islam. » | AFP | Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Inside Story: Al-Assad Running Out of Options?
Inside Story discusses with Anas al-Abdah, chairman of the Movement for Justice and Development party; James Denselow, Syria analyst at King's College; and Ahmad Moussalli, professor of political science

Ben Ali Sentenced to Prison Term
A Tunisian court has sentenced former president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali and his wife to 35 years in prison.

They have been found guilty of theft and unlawful possession of cash and jewelry.

Al Jazeera's Mariana Sanchez reports.


Related »

Net Migration Target to Be Missed, Warn Academics
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: David Cameron is to fall well short of his pledge to cut immigration to less than 100,000 by 2015, Oxford University academics have warned.

A study by the Migration Observatory today predicts the Government will only get half way towards its target despite major reform of immigration visas.

The body, made up of experts from the leading university, said net migration - the difference between those arriving and those leaving the UK - could still be running as high as 167,000 in four years time.

Figures last month showed net migration is currently running at 242,000 – a six year high – after rising for the fifth quarter in a row.

The Coalition has already been accused of watering down its pledge after Nick Clegg, the Deputy Prime Minister, described it only as an "aspiration".

And the Migration Observatory now estimates Government reform will only reduce the numbers by 75,000 leaving ministers well short of the target. » | Tom Whitehead, Home Affairs Editor | Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Tunisia's Former President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali and His Wife Sentenced to 35 Years in Prison

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: A Tunisian court on Monday sentenced ousted president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali and his wife, in absentia, to 35 years in jail each after finding them guilty of theft and unlawful possession of cash and jewellery.

Reading out the verdict and sentence in the courtroom after just one day of deliberation, the judge also ruled Ben Ali and his wife would have to pay fines totalling 91 million Tunisian dinars (£40.6 million).

The judge said the verdict on other charges, relating to illegal possession of drugs and weapons, would be pronounced on June 30.

Ben Ali, who is in exile in Saudi Arabia, is being tried in absentia at the Tunis criminal court.

The court is hearing two embezzlement, money laundering and drug trafficking cases against the 74-year-old. It follows the discovery of around $27 million in jewels and cash plus drugs and weapons at two palaces outside Tunis after he flew to Saudi Arabia on Jan 14.

Saudi Arabia did not respond to an extradition request, and some Tunisians expressed frustration that he would not be present for his judgment.

Ben Ali vigorously denied the charges in a statement through his French lawyer, calling the proceedings a "shameful masquerade of the justice of the victorious." » | Monday, June 20, 2011

Mubarak Suffering from Cancer, Defence Lawyer Confirms

THE GUARDIAN: New medical report cited before August trial shows ex-Egyptian president has tumours in the gall bladder and pancreas

Egypt's former president Hosni Mubarak has cancer, his defence lawyer has said , citing a medical report to assess whether the former leader is fit to face trial. "Mubarak has cancer and this was included in the last medical report," said lawyer Farid el-Deeb. Mubarak, 83, was forced from office in February during Egypt's uprising.

He is due to stand trial on 3 August over the killing of protesters and abuse of power, charges he denies. He has been detained in hospital in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh since mid-April after officials claimed he had heart problems during initial questioning. » | Reuters | Monday, June 20, 2011

Iranian Protestors Plan to Turn Tehran into Ghost Town

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Anti-government activists in Iran are planning to turn Tehran into a “ghost town” as part of a nationwide silent protest to mark the anniversary of a young woman shot dead by security forces

Neda Agha-Soltan became the international face of Iran’s Green Movement after the 26-year-old was gunned down in Tehran during protests over claims that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s supporters had rigged the result in his favour.

Following the success of last weekend’s silent protest, when thousands of protesters took to the streets to make the second anniversary of the disputed election, organisers have called for Green Movement activists to turn Tehran and other cities into a “ghost town” on Wednesday by staying at home and leaving the city streets deserted. The organisers say many shops and cafes in Tehran will be either closed or unoccupied, while streets that are normally filled with cars will be mainly free from traffic, apart from a few empty buses.

The protest is scheduled to last for four hours on Wednesday afternoon, and organisers hope to turn the Iranian capital into “lifeless Tehran”. » | Con Coughlin | Monday, June 20, 2011

Fancy That! Eight Million Gallons of Water Drained from Reservoir after Man Urinates in It

THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Eight million gallons of water had to be drained from a reservoir in Oregon after a man urinated in it.

The operation is costing the state's taxpayers $36,000 (£22,000) and was ordered after Joshua Seater, 21, was caught on a security camera relieving himself in the pristine lake.

Health experts said the incident would not have caused any harm to people in the city of Portland, who are supplied with drinking water from the reservoir.

They said the average human bladder holds only six to eight ounces, and the urine would have been vastly diluted.

But David Shaff, an administrator at the Portland Water Bureau, defended the decision to empty the lake.

"There are people who will say it's an over reaction. I don't think so. I think what you have to deal with here is the 'yuck' factor," he said.

"I can imagine how many people would be saying 'I made orange juice with that water this morning.' "Do you want to drink pee? Most people are going to be pretty damn squeamish about that." » | Nick Allen, Los Angeles | Sunday, June 19, 2011

Illegal Immigrant Slashes Throat On Board Plane as He Is Deported

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: An illegal immigrant slashed his throat on a plane today as he was being deported to Jamaica.

The man is receiving treatment in hospital after the Virgin Atlantic flight from London Gatwick to Kingston, Jamaica, was postponed.

A UK Border Agency spokesman said an investigation was being launched into how the man was able to inflict the ''superficial injuries'' on himself.

Passengers, who watched in in horror as the incident took place, have been offered counselling by the airline.

Emergency services prevented more serious injury by "gluing" his throat together, a source said. » | Monday, June 20, 2011

Syria: Protesters Hit the Streets after President Assad Claims He Is More Loved Than Ever
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Demonstrators hit the streets of Damascus following Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's speech in which he insisted his people loved him more than ever.


President Assad blamed the unrest gripping his country on foreign conspirators and Islamic extremists.

But Opposition figure Walid al-Bunni said: "The regime has no realisation that this is a mass street movement demanding freedom and dignity.

"Assad has not said anything to satisfy the families of the 1,400 martyrs or the national aspiration of the Syrian people for the country to become a democracy."

Activists and residents returned to the streets in the suburbs of Damascus as well as in the coastal city of Latakia shortly after Mr Assad's speech.

Addressing Syrians for the first time in more than two months, Mr Assad mixed defiance with the language of conciliation, but the concessions he laid out looked unlikely to end the uprising against him. » | Adrian Blomfield, Middle East Correspondent | Monday, June 20, 2011

Tunisia Begins Trial of Ousted President Ben Ali

REUTERS: Tunisia began the trial on Monday of former president Zine al-Abdine Ben Ali, whose ouster by protesters angry over corruption and police repression inspired the "Arab Spring" that has swept the region.

Ben Ali fled to Saudi Arabia on January 14, after mass protests against 23 years of rule in which he, his wife and their family built stakes in the country's biggest businesses and accumulated vast fortunes at what Tunisians say was their expense.

Tunisia's revolt electrified millions across the Arab world, who suffer similarly from high unemployment, rising prices and repressive rule. Ben Ali's trial will be watched closely in Egypt, where former president Hosni Mubarak is due to stand trial over the killing of protesters.

Judge Touhami Hafian, sitting in the Palace of Justice in the Tunisian capital, said the court would begin by hearing charges that Ben Ali was in unlawful possession of foreign currency, jewelry, archeological artefacts, drugs and weapons. » | Tarek Amara | TUNIS | Monday, June 20, 2011

Athens Protests: Syntagma Square on Frontline of European Austerity Protests

THE GUARDIAN: The area in the centre of the Greek capital is playing host to thousands of angry demonstrators

Athenians used to stop off at Syntagma Square for the shopping, the shiny rows of upmarket boutiques. Now they arrive in their tens of thousands to protest. Swarming out of the metro station, they emerge into a village of tents, pamphleteers and a booming public address system.

Since 25 May, when demonstrators first converged here, this has become an open-air concert – only one where bands have been supplanted by speakers and music swapped for an angry politics. On this square just below the Greek parliament and ringed by flashy hotels, thousands sit through speech after speech. Old-time socialists, American economists just passing through, members of the crowd: they each get three minutes with the mic, and most of them use the time alternatively to slag off the politicians and to egg on their fellow protesters.

"Being here makes me feel 18 again," begins one man, his polo shirt stretched tight over his paunch, before talking about his worries about his pension.

The closer you get to the Vouli, the parliament, the more raucous it becomes. Jammed up against the railings, a crowd is clapping and chanting: "Thieves! Thieves!"

There is another mic here, and it's grabbed by a man wearing a mask of deputy prime minister Theodoros Pangalos: "My friends, we all ate together." He is quoting the socialist politician, who claimed on TV last year that everyone bore the responsibility for the squandering of public money. Pangalos may have intended his remark as the Greek equivalent of George Osborne's remark that "We're all in it together", but here they're not having it."You lying bastard!" They roar back. "You're so fat you ate the entire supermarket."

This is an odd alloy of earnestness and pantomime, to be sure, but it's something else too: Syntagma Square has become the new frontline of the battle against European austerity. And as prime minister George Papandreou battles first to keep his own job, and then to win MPs' support for the most extreme package of spending cuts, tax rises and privatisations ever faced by any developed country, what happens between this square and the parliament matters for the rest of the eurozone. » | Aditya Chakrabortty | Sunday, June 19, 2011

Syria: Bashar al-Assad Must Stop the Bloodshed or Step Down, William Hague Says

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: William Hague has called on Bashar al-Assad to step aside if he cannot deliver reforms as the Syrian leader told his country that it had reached a turning point after two months of nationwide protests.

Syria's embattled president said "saboteurs" were trying to exploit legitimate demands for reform in the country.

He said Syria was at a "turning point" after "difficult days," and promised it would emerge stronger in the face of the "plotting" against it.

He added that "a small faction" was causing a lot of damage after infiltrating peaceful protests.

The opposition estimates more than 1,400 Syrians have been killed and 10,000 detained as Assad's forces try to crush the protest movement that began in mid-March, inspired by the revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt.

Protesters insist they will accept nothing less than the downfall of a regime that has held power for more than 40 years[.]

The Foreign Secretary has gone beyond calls on President Assad to show restraint to raise the question of his regime's future after a government clamp down on pro-democracy protests has left 1,400 dead and 10,000 people imprisoned. » | Bruno Waterfield, Luxembourg | Monday, June 20, 2011

The Arab Awakening - Death of Fear
Rageh Omaar examines how the death of a penniless fruit seller in Tunisia first ignited mass revolt in the country, led to the overthrow of its president and effects far beyond its borders

Greek Debt Crisis: Eurozone Ministers Meet Amid Deepening Gloom

THE GUARDIAN: Finance ministers to throw Greece a €12bn lifeline but meeting marked by pessimism over fate of euro

Europe's single currency governments are expected to throw Greece a summer lifeline, agreeing to disburse €12bn by next month to keep the debt-stricken country from going broke and triggering an international crisis.

But the meeting in Luxembourg of finance ministers from the 17 eurozone countries also faced the much bigger challenge of trying to structure a new three-year bailout for Greece in a way that would persuade European banks, pension funds and other private creditors to roll over the country's ballooning debt.

The Eurogroup meeting took place amid a mood of growing futility over Greece and pessimism over the fate of the euro.

"We wouldn't be able to control an insolvency," warned the German chancellor, Angela Merkel. "We all lived through Lehman Brothers. I don't want another such threat to emanate from Europe." » | Ian Traynor in Brussels | Sunday, June 19, 2011

Laut Islamwissenschaftler Reinhard Schulze ist Marokkos Verfassungreform ein Schritt in Richtung Demokratie
Marokkos König Mohammed VI. gibt etwas Macht ab. Am Freitagabend präsentierte er eine Verfassungsreform, wonach Regierungschef und Parlament mehr Kompetenzen erhalten. Die Mitglieder der Jugendbewegung sind überzeugt, dass dies nur ein kosmetischer Akt ist. Islamwissenschaftler Reinhard Schulze sieht es optimistischer. Die Reform sei der Weg in Richtung Demokratie, sagte er in der «Tagesschau»

The West at Its Worst, at Its Most Common!
Amy Whitehouse Drunk On Stage in Belgrade »

The Progressive West v. the Backward Middle East
Today, it has been confirmed that Liechtenstein has said yes to gay marriage. This week, in Saudi Arabia women protested in order to be allowed to drive cars!

Very little more needs to be said about the state of development of the Muslim world and the Western world. In Liechtenstein, among many other countries, homosexuals are gaining rights to form lasting unions, with full rights before the law, whilst in a Muslim country such as Saudi Arabia women are still struggling for the right to drive a vehicle! If anything contrasts better the backwardness of the Middle East with the progressiveness of the West, I’d like to hear about it.

© Mark Alexander

All Rights Reserved

Liechtenstein sagt Ja zu «Homo-Ehen»

SCHWEIZER FERNSEHEN: Im Fürstentum Liechtenstein können sich gleichgeschlechtliche Paare künftig registrieren lassen. Das liechtensteinische Stimmvolk hat sich mit einem deutlichen Ja-Stimmenanteil von 68,8 Prozent für das Partnerschaftsgesetz ausgesprochen.

Bei einer Stimmbeteiligung von 74,2 Prozent setzten 9239 Stimmberechtigte mit ihrem Ja ein klares Signal für eine offene und liberale Gesellschaft. 4199 Stimmberechtigte oder 31,2 Prozent folgten den Argumenten der Gegner, die darin eine Schwächung der Familie sehen.

Die Regierung und das Parlament, der Landtag, standen geschlossen hinter dem neuen Partnerschaftsgesetz. Es sieht vor, dass homosexuelle Partnerschaften auf dem Zivilstandsamt beurkundet werden. Nicht zulässig sind die Adoption von Kindern und die Anwendung von fortpflanzungsmedizinischen Verfahren wie Samenspende oder Leihmutterschaft. Tolerantes Liechtenstein » | sda/blur | Sonntag 19. Juni 2011

Inside Story - The King and the Constitution
Morocco's King Mohammed VI promises changes as part of a "historic transition" into democracy but are people buying it?

Exklusive Bilder aus Nordkorea
Was sich in Nordkorea abspielt, wissen nur wenige. Denn das stalinistische Regime untersagt es normalerweise westlichen Journalisten, mit nordkoreanischen Menschen zu reden. «10vor10» ist es nach langwierigen Verhandlungen gelungen, eine Drehgenehmigung zu erhalten. Nächste Woche startet eine Serie

Church of England to Approve First Openly Gay Bishop
THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: The Church of England is to give the go-ahead for the appointment of openly homosexual bishops.

The Church will publish legal advice on Monday that says that homosexual clergy in civil partnerships can become bishops - as long as they remain celibate.

The legal guidance makes clear that it would be wrong for a cleric's sexual orientation to be taken into account when considering their suitability as a bishop.

However, the guidance will say that homosexual clergy should be made to clarify that they are not in an active sexual relationship - effectively make a promise that they are and will remain celibate.

It would also mean candidates for a bishopric being questioned over their previous sex life and asked whether they repent having gay sex.

The advice is likely to trigger a new row over the role of homosexual priests in the Church. Conservatives and liberals are bitterly divided over the issue. » | Jonathan Wynne-Jones, Religious Affairs Correspondent | Sunday, June 19, 2011

My comment on this appears here. It is not a stand-alone comment. It is a response to someone else's.

Repression in Syrien: „Sogar die Katzen haben Angst“
FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE: Im F.A.S.-Interview spricht eine syrische Ärztin über ihren Einsatz im seit Wochen von der Armee belagerten Homs, die Rolle der Frauen bei den Protesten und die wachsenden Spannungen zwischen den Konfessionen: „Der Geruch von Bürgerkrieg liegt in der Luft.“ Mit Joud sprach Gabriela M. Keller.

Patienten kann Joud nur noch im Untergrund behandeln. Die Sicherheitskräfte haben ihr verboten, verwundete Demonstranten zu versorgen. Joud, eine angesehene Ärztin und Aktivistin, lebt in der syrischen Industriestadt Homs. Die Millionenmetropole nahe der Grenze zum Libanon ist eine Hochburg des Widerstands gegen Präsident Assad. Am 9. Mai rückten Soldaten mit Panzern und Sturmgewehren in die Stadt ein, sie schossen auf Zivilisten und Wohnhäuser, Dutzende Menschen wurden getötet. Seitdem leben die Bewohner im Zielkreuz von Scharfschützen. Am Freitag töteten die Sicherheitskräfte abermals neun Menschen, die gegen Assad protestierten. In einem Telefonat per Internet beschreibt Joud, wie sie Verwundeten hilft, warum sie ihr Leben aufs Spiel setzt und wie das Regime versucht, die Bevölkerung zu spalten. Ihren wahren Namen müssen wir verschweigen, um sie zu schützen. » | Von Gabriela M. Keller | Sonntag 19. Juni 2011

Christians Are More Militant Than Muslims, Says Government's Equalities Boss

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Muslims are integrating into British society better than many Christians, according to the head of the Government's equality watchdog.

Trevor Phillips warned that "an old time religion incompatible with modern society" is driving the revival in the Anglican and Catholic Churches and clashing with mainstream views, especially on homosexuality.

He accused Christians, particularly evangelicals, of being more militant than Muslims in complaining about discrimination, arguing that many of the claims are motivated by a desire for greater political influence.

However the chairman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission expressed concern that people of faith are "under siege" from atheists whom he accused of attempting to "drive religion underground".

In an interview with the Sunday Telegraph ahead of a landmark report on religious discrimination in Britain, he said the Commission wants to protect Christians and Muslims from discrimination, admitting his body had not been seen to stand up for the people discriminated against because of their faith in the past. » | Jonathan Wynne-Jones, Religious Affairs Correspondent | Saturday, June 18, 2011

This man is a joke! What on earth has he been smoking? Christians are more militant than Muslims? I don't think so! Muslims are integrating into British society better than Christians? I certainly don't think so! To start with, Christians don't have to integrate into British society. This is a Christian country, Trevor. Don't forget that! You people talk nonsense. You talk drivel! – © Mark

THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Trevor Phillips wades into debate on religion in modern society: Trevor Phillips, chairman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, has made a wide-ranging intervention into the growing debate on the place of religion in modern society. » | Jonathan Wynne-Jones, Religious Affairs Correspondent | Sunday, June 19, 2011

Second comment:

What the hell has Phillips bin smokin'? The man is talking through his hat. This man is dangerous, and shouldn't hold the position he does.

To say that Christians are more militant than Muslims is absurd. To say that Muslims are integrating better into British society than Christians is also totally absurd. To start with, Christians don't have to integrate into British society. They are a part of it. This is a Christian country; so Christians are the indigenous population. Since when does the indigenous population of a country have to integrate? It's part of the mainstream by definition. The man is talking twaddle! To talk about the integration of Christians into British society is to reduce them to foreigners in their own land.

This multicultural experiment has gone too far. We need to halt it. It will lead to bloodshed on the streets of our country.

The man is a dangerous fool; and he should be sacked. – © Mark

This comment also appears here

Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali's Family Tree – Interactive

THE GUARDIAN: Tunisia's former leader Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali was the first despot to be toppled by the Arab uprisings. Find out what has happened to the family that ran the country until Arab protesters claimed their first victory

Click here to find out more.

What’s Going On in Greece Now Is War – Journalist

EU Losing Its Appeal to Turkey

Aufstand in Syrien: Der Konflikt greift auf den Libanon über
FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE: Bei Kämpfen zwischen Gegnern und Anhängern des syrischen Präsidenten Baschar al Assad sind im Libanon sechs Menschen getötet worden. Auch in Syrien rüstet die Opposition zunehmend auf. Derweil prüft Washington, ob gegen Assad Anklage wegen Kriegsverbrechen erhoben werden kann.

Drei Monate nach Beginn des Aufstands in Syrien hat der Konflikt den Libanon erreicht. Am Freitag kamen bei Kämpfen in der Hafenstadt Tripoli sechs Menschen ums Leben, ein weiterer Mann erlag am Samstag seinen Verletzungen. In der nur zwanzig Kilometer von der syrischen Grenze gelegenen Gemeinde hatten zunächst sunnitische Anhänger des früheren Ministerpräsidenten Saad Hariri gegen Syriens Präsidenten Baschar al Assad demonstriert, in einem anderen Viertel alawitische Gefolgsleute Assads dem Herrscher des Nachbarlandes ihre Unterstützung ausgedrückt. Daraus entspann sich ein Feuergefecht mit Waffen und Panzerfäusten. Sniper beschossen Passanten, Bewohner flohen aus der Stadt.

In Tripoli ist es in der Vergangenheit immer wieder zu Gefechten zwischen sunnitischen und alawitischen Kämpfern gekommen. In der sunnitischen Hochburg spiegelt sich der Konflikt im Kleinen, der ganz Syrien entlang konfessioneller Linien zu spalten droht: Während das Regime von der alawitischen Herschaftclique um Assad, seinem Bruder Maher und dessen Cousin Rami Makhlouf beherrscht wird, ist eine große Mehrheit der Bevölkerung sunnitisch. Auch der Großteil der von Menschenrechtsgruppen auf inzwischen 1300 geschätzten Opfer des syrischen Aufstands sind Sunniten. Die Zahl der in den Libanon geflohenen Syrer beläuft sich inzwischen auf fast 10.000. » | Von Markus Bickel | Samstag 18. Juni 2011

Historique! L’ONU s'attaque aux discriminations contre les homosexuels
TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: La Haut Commissaire de l’ONU aux droits de l’homme devra ordonner une étude pour documenter les discriminations basées sur l’orientation sexuelle dans toutes les régions du monde. Le groupe africain a fait pencher la balance pour le texte.

Le Conseil des droits de l’homme a adopté pour la première fois une résolution visant à lutter contre les discriminations sexuelles lors d’un vote serré, en dépit de l’opposition de l’Organisation de la conférence islamique (OCI). Le groupe africain a fait pencher la balance. » | ATS | Vendredi 17 Juin 2011

Naked Nazis: Book Reveals Extent of Third Reich Body Worship

SPIEGEL ONLINE INTERNATIONAL: Science fiction, jokes and forbidden love: The book market in Nazi Germany was surprisingly varied. But perhaps the most bizarre bestseller to make it past the censors was an unabashed collection of nudist photography. It was a celebration of the Aryan body.

What did Germans read during the Nazi era? In search of the answer, author Christian Adam surveyed a total of 350 bestsellers from the 12 years of the Third Reich's existence -- making striking discoveries in the process. In addition to well-known propaganda books like Adolf Hitler's "Mein Kampf" and Alfred Rosenberg's "The Myth of the Twentieth Century," there were schmaltzy regional novels, science fiction, mysteries, love stories, joke books and cross-media marketed accompaniments to radio programs and films.

The rich variety of reading material likely arose because different censorship offices competed to have the last word on what books publishers could print, Christian says. The paradoxical effect is that some of the books printed seem surprising today. Perhaps the oddest of them all was Hans Surén's "Mensch und Sonne," or "Humans and Sun," a collection of nude photographs that includes lyrical praise of the male member, instructions for yoga-like exercises and even naked skiing.

It could be seen as a precursor to the sexual revolution and "Freikörperkultur (FKK)," or "free body culture" of the late 1960s, if it weren't so blatantly racist, researcher Adam told SPEIGEL ONLINE in an interview. » | Interview conducted by Hilmar Schmundt | Thursday, June 16, 2011

Photo Gallery: Naked Nazis and a Surprise Bestseller »

This article originally appeared in German on einestages.de, SPIEGEL ONLINE’s history portal.

EINESTAGES.de: FKK im “Dritten Reich”: Körperschau mit Nacktmodellen »

Syria: Angelina Jolie Speaks Out on Turkey Refugee Visit
In her role as UN Goodwill Ambassador actress Angelina Jolie admits to being "impressed and disturbed" as she visits refugees forced to flee into Turkey by the escalating unrest in Syria

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Moroccan King Announces Constitutional Reform

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Morocco's King has unveiled sweeping constitutional reforms that reduce his powers in a bid to calm protests and avoid popular uprising inspired by events in Tunisia and Egypt.

King Mohammed VI announced draft reforms that will curb his political power and lead to greater democracy with the future head of government chosen by the people.

The new constitution, which will be put to the nation in a referendum on July 1, will serve as "a new contract between the monarchy and the people", the monarch said in a televised address Friday evening.

The 47-year old monarch pledged an independent judiciary and said the government will take over executive powers although the King will retain exclusive control over military and religious fields. » | Fiona Govan | Saturday, June 18, 2011

Women Driven to Confusion in Saudi Arabia

THE GUARDIAN: The current situation of gender discrimination against who can and cannot drive is unsustainable

On 11 March, when Saudi protesters' "day of rage" did not materialise, Fouad al-Farhan, a human rights activist, tweeted:

"My fear is that the ceiling of our reformist demands will be lowered to women driving for some and combating westernisation for others."

Two months later, his fears became a reality. A campaign to allow women to drive in Saudi Arabia was started on Facebook. Currently this issue has overtaken all others online, in the press and on the ground.

The movement particularly caught fire when a face for it emerged. A Saudi woman, Manal al-Sharif, came forward and posted a Youtube video advising how to go about the campaign. The plan was that starting from 17 June, Saudi women with international driving licences would begin driving their own cars rather than letting a male driver do it for them.

So far approximately 45 women have driven cars all across the kingdom in connection with the campaign and many of them have posted videos of their excursions online.

That there are women in Saudi who are distressed at the ban on their driving is well known. On the other hand the religious establishment has also been staunch in its demand to maintain the ban. Some of them have even gone so far as to call the campaign western-backed "female terrorism" and "soft terrorism". Others claimed that the campaign to allow women to drive is an Iranian/Shia conspiracy to destabilise the country. » | Eman Al Nafjan | Saturday, June 18, 2011

Freedom of Expression Explodes in Libya
There has been an explosion of freedom of expression in the Libyan city of Benghazi. Dissent was banned, until rebels assumed control. As Sue Turton reports, today it looks like the writing could be on the wall for Muammar Gaddafi.

N Koreans Risk Lives for Freedom
Thousands of North Korean refugees, desperate to find new lives, undertake arduous journey by foot to find shelter in South Korea.

But many of them are intercepted in Thailand.

While South Korea has offered to pay to take care of the migrants, Thailand fears this will encourage more North Koreans to leave.

Al Jazeera's Aela Callan reports from Chaing Saen in northern Thailand

Cannabis dépénalisé : Fillon dit trop fois non

FRANCE SOIR: François Fillon s'est dit fermement opposé à la dépénalisation du cannabis vendredi. Une option qu'il ne peut « envisager une seconde », a insisté le chef du gouvernement.

« Ni sur le plan sanitaire, ni sur le plan politique, ni sur le plan moral, je ne puis envisager une seconde de voir l'Etat annoncer officiellement à sa jeunesse que le cannabis est désormais en vente libre ». François Fillon est venu grossir les rangs des anti-cannabis déclarés vendredi, deux jours après le plaidoyer du député socialiste Daniel Vaillant en faveur d'une « légalisation contrôlée » de cette drogue. « J'ai pris connaissance avec peine des débats ambigus qui agitent le Parti socialiste sur la dépénalisation du cannabis », a commenté le Premier ministre lors d'un meeting devant des militants UMP à Nice. » | Par Actu France Soir | Vendredi 17 Juin 2011

Dhimmitude and Appeasement in extremis: Traitorous Simon Hughes Gives Nauseating Speech, Calls for Muslim Cabinet Members and PM

HT: Michael Arch

Col Muammar Gaddafi: Libya Will Defeat Nato
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Muammar Gaddafi, the Libyan leader, taunted Nato, predicting a military victory against the alliance even if it used nuclear bombs to oust him.

In an speech broadcast in audio by state television, Libya's Brother Leader delivered a trademark tirade that heaped scorn on the increasingly protracted campaign to bolster the rebellion against his 42-year rule.

"This is the first time they are facing an armed nation of millions," Col Gaddafi said. "They will be defeated. The alliance will be defeated.

"We are in our country and we insist on staying until death. We are staying, we are staying. Let them even use nuclear bombs."

The Libyan leader appeared to revel in the growing disquiet over the Nato campaign, which has now lasted longer than the 1999 air offensive that ousted the Serbs from Kosovo, mocking western leaders for their reluctance to deploy troops on the ground.

"If they come to the ground, we will wait for them, but they are cowards, they will not dare," he said. » | Adrian Blomfield, Middle East Correspondent | Friday, June 17, 2011

Empire: The New Ottomans?
Following another resounding electoral victory, Prime Minister Erdogan's 'Justice and Development Party' has been emboldened to further increase Turkey's role on the world stage. Ankara has rediscovered its global ambitions.

Thousands of Syrians Demand Assad Resign
Thousands took to the streets in Syria, calling for the removal of President Bashar al-Assad.

Protests were reported in Homs, Deraa and Hama, despite security forces' lethal gun fire.

Videos shot and uploaded onto the internet by activists show that the more the government cracks down, the bolder the call for freedom becomes.

Al Jazeera's Jamal Elshayel reports.

French Women Become First to Stand Trial for Wearing Niqabs
THE GUARDIAN: State prosecutor requests €150 fines for pair charged with defying ban while protesting on streets of Meaux, near Paris

A court this week heard the first case against women for wearing the niqab – or Islamic face veil – since a ban came into force in April. One of the defendants was banned from entering the courthouse because she was still wearing the niqab.

The two women on trial were stopped in the street on 5 May near the town hall of Meaux, east of Paris. The mayor, Jean-François Copé, is an architect of the ban and head of Nicolas Sarkozy's ruling rightwing UMP party.

The women were wearing their niqabs during a demonstration against the law. They were supported by the Don't Touch My Constitution group, which has led protests against the ban. » | Angelique Chrisafis | Friday, June 17, 2011

Saudiarabische Frauen setzen sich ans Steuer und twittern
Frauen in Saudi-Arabien dürfen nicht Auto fahren. Mehrere Aktivistinnen haben sich deshalb heute hinter das Steuer gesetzt und protestieren gegen das Verbot. Auf sozialen Netzwerken wie «Twitter» berichten sie von ihren Ausfahrten.

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