Burkas Cast a Veil over Us All – So Ban Them

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Cultural values that oppress and diminish women have no place in our society

Am I a racist? That’s what I was called on Twitter this week. It happens every time I express my loathing for the burka and the niqab, both hideous shrouds that hide a woman’s face from the world and prevent her – and, therefore, her children – from playing a full part in society.

My accuser on Twitter, one Imran Bhaloo, said it was offensive and racist of me to call a burka a shroud. “You have no right to evaluate culture,” he said. “A burka is not better or worse than a short dress, especially when you’re wearing it to impress someone. At that point, it ceases to be a choice. So how free are you?”

Actually, Mr Bhaloo, I do have a right to “evaluate culture”, as you call it. Mercifully, this is a country in which critical thinking is permitted: if we believe a practice stinks, then we say so. For example, if the Daughter comes downstairs wearing a skirt shorter than a text message, I culturally evaluate it and tell her to get changed pronto.

You ask me how free am I? Well, I’m a lot freer than those poor girls, as young as 11, who attend the Madani Girls’ School in east London. The school, it was revealed yesterday, requires all pupils to wear a burka, or a full-face veil and a long black coat, outside the premises. According to the school’s website, the uniform rule “conforms to the Islamic Code of dressing and must be adhered to at all times”.

How free is an 11-year-old who only sees her city through a letterbox slit, and who is obliged to dress in a way that intimidates people, prevents any connection being made, and ends up stoking even more racist feeling? How free are the children at the Ayesha Siddiqa Girls’ School in west London, which, like other private Islamic schools, requires pupils to wear a burka or jilbab (headscarf)? The Ayesha Siddiqa school had an emergency Ofsted inspection earlier this year that raised concerns about the 120 girls’ “welfare, health and safety”. » | Allison Pearson | Wednesday, September 18, 2013

My comment:

Finally, Brits are coming to the conclusion that the Islamic veil / burqah / niqab / hijab should be banned. It's taken a long time. Many of us have been saying this for years; but we were shouted down by the thought police (and the MSM) for being too intolerant and un-pc. Interestingly, Brits had a go at the French too, for being intolerant of diversity when they banned the burqah. But now, it seems, they have been proved right. They were, of course, right all along.

The burqah has no place in a progressive society. Ban it! – © Mark

This comment appears here too.

Greece Moves to Ban Far-right Golden Dawn Party

THE GUARDIAN: Government to table emergency legislation after murder of anti-fascist rapper Pavlos Fyssas at ultra-nationalist rally

The Greek government has hinted that it will seek to ban Golden Dawn after the far-right party was linked to the murder of a leading leftwing musician in Athens.

As violence erupted on the streets and demonstrators protested after the fatal stabbing of Pavlos Fyssas, a prominent anti-fascist, the public order minister, Nikos Dendias, cancelled a trip abroad saying the government would table emergency legislation that would seek to outlaw the group.

Amid renewed political tensions between the extreme left and right, the new law would re-evaluate what constituted a criminal gang, he said.

"Neither the state will tolerate, nor society accept, acts and practices that undermine the legal system," the minister told reporters, adding that the attack showed "in the clearest way the [party's] intentions".

Earlier in the day, police raided Golden Dawn offices across the country, with media reporting running street battles outside branches in Crete, Thessaloniki and Patras.

Voted into the Greek parliament for the first time last June, the neo-fascist Golden Dawn has been widely accused of employing violence to further its ratings in the polls. » | Helena Smith in Athens | Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Liberal Democrats an 'Anchor' Holding Back Tories and Labour, Says Nick Clegg

The Liberal Democrats have thwarted many of the Conservatives’ greatest ambitions, saying “No” to a string of cherished Tory policies, Nick Clegg has claimed.

Read the Telegraph article here | James Kirkup | Wednesday, September 18, 2013
THE GUARDIAN: Nick Clegg: Lib Dems are out to end two-party politics » | Nicholas Watt, chief political correspondent | Wednesday, September 18, 2013

One Woman to Rule Them All

THE ECONOMIST: German voters should re-elect Angela Merkel as their chancellor—and Europe’s leader

EVER since the euro crisis broke in late 2009 this newspaper has criticised the world’s most powerful woman. We disagreed with Angela Merkel’s needlessly austere medicine: the continent’s recession has been unnecessarily long and brutal as a result. We wanted the chancellor to shrug off her cautious incrementalism and the mantle of her country’s history—and to lead Europe more forcefully. She is largely to blame for the failure to create a full banking union for the euro zone, the first of many institutional changes it still needs. She has refused to lead public opinion, never spelling out to her voters how much Germany is to blame for the euro mess (nor how much its banks have been rescued by its bail-outs). We also worry that she has not done enough at home: in recent years no country in the European Union has made fewer structural reforms, and her energy policies have landed Germany with high subsidies for renewables and high electricity prices.

And yet we believe Mrs Merkel is the right person to lead her country and thus Europe. That is partly because of what she is: the world’s most politically gifted democrat and a far safer bet than her leftist opponents. It is also partly because of what we believe she could still become—the great leader Germany and Europe so desperately needs.

Stick with Mutti

Politically, few can match Mrs Merkel. As other leaders have soared and dipped (Barack Obama and David Cameron spring to mind) or not taken off at all (poor François Hollande), she has remained both popular and trusted. And do not underestimate her achievement in holding Europe together. Greece has not fallen out of the euro; northern Europeans have paid for bail-outs; Spain and others have made reforms few thought possible; she helped get rid of clowns like Italy’s Silvio Berlusconi. The euro’s survival so far was not inevitable. » | From the print edition | Saturday, September 14, 2013

Hat Mutti doch recht? »

Les Muslimah, «la réponse de l'islam à Miss Monde»

LA PRESSE: Récitation du Coran, défilé en voile islamique, séances de prières : les «Miss Musulmanes», décernées pour la première fois mercredi en Indonésie, sont la réplique de l'islam aux Miss Monde, dont la tenue dans le même pays suscite l'ire des radicaux.

«Ce que je recherche, c'est une personnalité forte, quelqu'un qui aide sa communauté et prouve que la beauté n'est pas que corporelle» : la juge malaisienne Jameyah Sheriff, experte en pédagogie, s'apprêtait mercredi à Jakarta à désigner la première tenante du titre «Muslimah World», ou «Musulmanes du Monde» parmi vingt femmes d'Iran, de Malaisie, du Brunei, du Nigeria, du Bangladesh et d'Indonésie.

Pour cette première édition, après un concours similaire en 2011, mais réservé aux Indonésiennes seulement, plus de 500 femmes ont été passées au crible de la piété islamique, devant notamment raconter ce qui les a poussées à porter le hijab (voile islamique), une condition sine qua non de leur participation.

Vingt d'entre elles ont été choisies pour la finale en Indonésie, où elles ont effectué trois jours de stage spirituel, se levant à 3 h 30 pour la prière du matin puis les récitations du coran. » | Angela Dewan | Agence France-Presse | Jakarta | mercredi 18 septembre 2013

Salman Rushdie: «Religion soll sich aus der Politik raushalten»

Der indisch-britische Schriftsteller Salman Rushdie lebte jahrelang im Untergrund, nachdem Ayatollah Khomeini 1989 gegen ihn eine Fatwa ausgesprochen hatte. Im «Echo der Zeit» spricht er über sein Werk, die Lage in Ägypten und das Verhältnis von Politik und Religion.

«Der Iran geht auf Distanz zu Assad»

SCHWEIZER RADIO UND FERNSEHEN: Syriens Diktator Assad kann nicht mehr auf die volle Unterstützung des Iran zählen. «In Teheran weiss man, dass Assad langfristig nicht haltbar ist», sagt Nahost-Kenner Ulrich Tilgner. Verantwortlich für die neue Linie ist Irans Präsident Rohani.

Das sind neue Töne aus dem Iran: Bei einem Treffen mit Kommandanten der Revolutionsgarden sagte Präsident Hassan Rohani, man könne sich auch einen anderen syrischen Führer vorstellen als Baschar al-Assad. Syrien müsse in erster Linie stabilisiert werden, führte Rohani aus. Danach werde man jeden Präsidenten akzeptieren, der in einem demokratischen Prozess die Mehrheit der Stimmen aus dem Volk erhalte. (+ Audio) » | Ulrich Tilgner | SRF/snep | Mittwoch, 18. September 2013

König Willem-Alexander zieht in Thronrede Sparschraube an – zum Unmut der Bürger

Russia Says UN Chemical Attack Report Biased

Findings called "one-sided" by minister who says Syria has provided new proof implicating rebels in August 21 attack.

Germany's Free Democrats Face Grim Future

In Germany's upcoming election, it is one of the smallest parties that may play the biggest role.If the polls are to be believed, the Free Democrats could be completely eliminated from the country's parliament.And that could force Chancellor Angela Merkel to form a coalition with the opposition.Al Jazeera's Nick Spicer reports from Berlin.

George Galloway: US in Bed with al-Qaeda & Christian Leaders Overseeing Destruction of Christian Sites

Abby Martin speaks with UK Parliament Member, George Galloway, about Syria war propaganda and his upcoming film 'The Killing of Tony Blair'.

The Winners and Losers in the Syrian Controversy

Talking Points 9/17

Digitally Offended: Brazil President Cancels US Visit Over NSA Scandal

Brazil's president has called off her visit to the United States in response to Washington's refusal to take action against the NSA's surveillance practices. This comes after whistleblower Edward Snowden revealed that the Latin American nation is being spied on by American operatives with personal communications from ordinary citizens, and even President Dilma Rousseff herself, being intercepted. RT's Marina Portnaya has the story.

Related »

Faith Change: Islam Rapidly Grows as Christianity Declines in UK

Christianity's central place in British culture could be increasingly under threat, with church attendance numbers in severe decline. Meanwhile, the nation's second largest religion, Islam, is growing faster than ever; with some studies suggesting it could eventually become the dominant faith. RT's Polly Boiko has the story.

Islamic Schools Making Girls Wear Veils and Burkas

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Young girls are being forced to wear burkas or full-face veils by Islamic schools in Britain.

A number of the religious schools enforce uniform policies where such clothing is mandatory, even for girls as young as 11.

Under the dress code stipulated by the Madani Girls’ School in Tower Hamlets, East London, all pupils must wear a black burka and long black coat when outside.

The girls must also wear headscarves in the classroom and the school says on its website that its uniform rule "conforms to the Islamic Code of dressing and must be adhered to at all times".

The Ayesha Siddiqa Girls School, in Southall, West London, insists its pupils wear a navy blue burka or Jilbab, a long, loose-fitting garment that does not cover the face, when walking between lessons, The Times reported.

According to the school’s website, it is "not willing to compromise on any issues regarding uniform". » | Rosa Silverman | Wednesday, September 2013

My comment:

There was a time in which I was truly proud to be British. Those days are long gone. How can I be proud of being British anymore when the establishment is too weak to stand up for the British way of life, too weak to stand up for what we believe in?

Do the politicians and so-called leaders not realise that to force girls as young as eleven to cover themselves up in this way is a form of child abuse? These children are being deprived of normal contact with other children, they are being deprived of their childhood, and they are being deprived of sunlight, which could lead to rickets. It will certainly not be good for their young skin; it will make many of those young girls spotty.

This practice should be stopped forthwith. The wearing of full veil coverings is not a requirement of Islam anyway. Islam demands of its female adherents modesty, not the full covering of all body parts. The wearing of the burqah and other complete coverings stems from Middle Eastern culture; it has little or nothing to do with Islam. (Not that I am making excuses for that backward religion.)

It is interesting to note that pre-pubescent girls are not forced to cover up even in Saudi Arabia. Even in Saudi Arabia, little girls are allowed to be little girls, and they can play with their contemporaries freely. So if little girls are allowed not to cover themselves before puberty in Saudi Arabia, why should we allow them to be covered up in these ridiculous garments here in the United Kingdom? These garments are unhealthy in more ways than one. They should be banned forthwith. – © Mark

This comment appears here too.

Legal Limbo: Lawyers Seek Clarity on Headscarves in Court

SPIEGEL ONLINE: The German court system has a patchwork of rules and regulations about whether female lawyers should be permitted to wear the hijab, or Muslim headscarf, in court. Experts say the lack of legal clarity is unsustainable, and that a big debate is brewing.

Three times judges have taken issue with the headscarf worn by one female lawyer in Berlin. They declared that by wearing it, the lawyer, as an "officer of the court," was in violation of the ideological and religious neutrality of the justice system. All three times the Muslim lawyer, who has requested to remain anonymous, agreed to compromise.

For two of the trials in question, the lawyer removed her headscarf, under which she wore, in the words of Berlin court spokesman Ulrich Wimmer "a type of cap." In the third case, Wimmer says, the lawyer "wore her headscarf differently, fastening it the back so that it looked more like a peasant's headscarf." The judges were satisfied, finding that with these changes the lawyer's head covering "no longer had a religious appearance."

All three trials in question -- concerning a rear-end collision; a car that collided with a taxi while pulling out of a parking spot; and a crash in an intersection -- were thus able to proceed. In the future, however, the lawyer says she is no longer willing to make such "demeaning compromises." If a judge again takes issue with her headscarf, she plans to file a complaint with Berlin's constitutional court. The bar association has promised her both financial and personnel support. » | Joachim Wagner | Translated from the German by Ella Ornstein | Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Asking Women to Remove Veil Is Not Racist, Says Former Extremist

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Asking Muslim women to remove their veils is not racist or Islamaphobic, a former extremist who is now a Parliamentary candidate has said.

Maajid Nawaz, a British-born Muslim who has since renounced his views and is standing as a Liberal Democrat, said girls and women should remove their veils in classrooms, courts, and banks. His intervention came amid a growing political row over the issue.

Theresa May, the Conservative Home Secretary, said “women should be free to decide” for themselves whether to wear a veil. She said it was not for the state to “tell people what they should be wearing”, but added that at schools and courts removing veils may be a “practical necessity”.

Earlier this week, Jeremy Browne, the Lib Dem Home Office minister, told The Telegraph that there should be a “national debate” about whether veils should be banned in public.

MPs and senior judges subsequently called for national guidance to clarify the issue. Mrs May told Sky News that she did “not think the Government should tell women what they should be wearing”. » | Steven Swinford, Senior Political Correspondent | Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Syrians Make Their Own Gas Masks

Sept. 17 - Fearful of another chemical attack, Syrians living in a Damascus suburb have started constructing their own gas masks. Deborah Gembara reports.

Is War Biggest Crime Committed in Syria against Syrians?

As the UN Independent Commission on Syria releases yet another report, one thing is painfully clear: both sides have committed countless war crimes and atrocities, with no end in sight to the hostilities. How independent and impartial can the Commission be, with so much at stake? Vitit Muntarbhorn, one of the authors of the report, joins Oksana in this special edition of Worlds Apart.

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff Calls Off US Trip

BBC: Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has called off a state visit to Washington next month in a row over allegations of US espionage.

The US National Security Agency (NSA) has been accused of intercepting emails and messages from Ms Rousseff, her aides and state oil company, Petrobras.

The allegations were based on documents leaked by fugitive former intelligence contractor Edward Snowden.

President Barack Obama had promised to investigate the incident.

The White House said he had telephoned Ms Rousseff on Monday to discuss the matter.

The allegations of widespread espionage against Brazilian citizens were first published in July by Rio de Janeiro-based journalist Glenn Greenwald, a reporter for the British Guardian newspaper.

Mr Greenwald alleged that the NSA accessed all internet content that Ms Rousseff had visited online. » | Tuesday, September 17, 2013

EXCLUSIF. Carla Del Ponte : "La moitié des combattants contre Assad sont des djihadistes"

LE POINT: L'ex-procureur du TPI pour l'ex-Yougoslavie est membre de la commission d'enquête de l'ONU auteur d'un rapport sur les exactions en Syrie. Interview.

La Commission d'enquête de l'ONU sur les violations des droits de l'homme en Syrie a rendu en début de semaine un rapport qui décrit la grande violence sur le terrain en Syrie et tout un éventail de crimes de droit humanitaire. L'un de ses membres, Carla Del Ponte, ex-procureur du Tribunal pénal international pour l'ex-Yougoslavie, répond en exclusivité aux questions du Point.fr » | Recueillis par le correspondant du Point à Bruxelles, Alain Franco | mardi 17 septembre 2013

Frankreich: Wie ein Konservativer sein Image radikalisiert

DIE WELT: Der frühere Premier François Fillon verwirrt die eigene Partei: Er würde bei Gelegenheit mit Frankreichs rechtextremer Front National paktieren. Ein Tabubuch für seine konservative UMP.

Bis zum vergangenen Wochenende galt der ehemalige französische Premierminister François Fillon, 59, als gemäßigter, um nicht zu sagen leicht langweiliger, konservativer Politiker. Da seine Aussichten, als solcher 2017 französischer Präsident zu werden, aber eher gering sind, entschied er sich für eine überraschende Image- und Kurskorrektur.

Die alte Abgrenzungsfaustregel, nach der Politiker der Union für eine Volksbewegung (UMP) auf kommunaler Ebene bei Stichwahlen zwischen Sozialisten und Kandidaten der rechtsextremen Front National (FN) eine Weder-noch-Strategie befolgen – das heißt keine Wahlempfehlungen geben –, sollte nicht mehr zwingend gelten, sagte Fillon in Interviews.

Man solle sich im Zweifel für den "am wenigsten spaltenden" Kandidaten entscheiden. Damit sorgte er für medialen Aufruhr und strategische Verwirrung in den eigenen Reihen. Denn bislang war es stets Fillon gewesen, der hatte erkennen lassen, dass er Nicolas Sarkozys Strategie, mit deftiger Rhetorik Stimmen potenzieller FN-Wähler zu erhaschen, unappetitlich fand. » | Von Sascha Lehnartz, Paris | Montag, 17. September 2013

Österreich: Sondereinsatzkommando will Bauernhof stürmen

DIE WELT: Tödliches Drama in Niederösterreich: Ein mutmaßlicher Wilderer hat auf der Flucht drei Polizisten und einen Sanitäter erschossen. Ein Spezialeinsatz-kommando will nun das Haus des Mannes stürmen.

Ein Mann hat in Österreich vier Menschen erschossen: Drei Polizisten und den Fahrer eines Rettungswagens. Einer der toten Polizisten war zuvor als Geisel in der Gewalt des Täters.

Bei dem vermeintlichen Täter handelt es sich um einen 55 Jahre alten Wilderer, Alois H., wie verschiedene Medien berichten. Er hat sich nach der Bluttat in der Nacht zu Dienstag auf einem Bauernhof im niederösterreichischen Bezirk Melk verschanzt. Ein Spezialeinsatzkommando ist vor Ort. Die Einheiten des Bundesheeres und der "Cobra" haben sich laut oe24.at zum Angriff entschieden.

Nach Berichten österreichischer Medien gilt der Täter als Waffennarr, der auch Handgranaten besitzen soll. Da der Mann eine Langfeuerwaffe besitze, sowie vermutlich Nachtsichtgeräte, habe man das Gebiet um das Haus weiträumig absperren müssen, sagte Polizeisprecher Johann Baumschlager. Der Täter soll nach Berichten auch aus dem Haus heraus immer wieder geschossen haben. » | dpa/kami/ehd/JS/ds | Dienstag, 17. September 2013

Verwandt »

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Outsider Upset: Eurosceptic Party Set to Make Waves in German Elections

Germany will be electing a new parliament this weekend, and it's promising to be a close race. With no party heading for an outright majority, coalition talks are likely, with outsider factions possibly having a decisive influence on what the Bundestag looks like, come next week. RT's Peter Oliver attended a rally of one of the parties that is now, unexpectedly, set to make a crucial difference.

Ayatollah Khamenei Hints Iran May Be Ready to Come In from the Cold

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Iran has delivered the strongest indication yet it is prepared to make concessions on nuclear issues to end international isolation and sanctions, with the Supreme Leader announcing he was "not against" a diplomatic outreach to the West.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared that a new policy of openness proposed by Hassan Rouhani, the new reformist president, could bring positive benefits for Iran.

He said he believed in "heroic flexibility" as he endorsed "rational foreign policy".

Mr Rouhani has approved talks between Mohamad Zarif, the US-educated foreign minister, and William Hague, his British counterpart, in New York. There is also growing speculation that a ground-breaking encounter with US diplomats is on the cards.

A raft of positive statements from Iran about opening up to the West in recent days however prompted a warning from Israel that any new talks should stick to the principle that Iran should give up its attempts to enrich uranium and close suspect facilities.

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, said he would meet President Barack Obama at the same New York meeting at the end of the month and demand the US not take the threat of military intervention off the table in return for talks. He said the West must stick to the basic demands that Iran stop all uranium enrichment, export all enriched uranium from the country, close its underground nuclear facility in Qom and halt construction of a plutonium reactor. » | Damien McElroy, Foreign Affairs Correspondent | Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Österreich: Vier Menschen getötet: Wilderer verschanzt sich weiter

DIE PRESSE: In Niederösterreich tötete ein mutmaßlicher Wilderer zwei Polizeibeamte und einen Sanitäter. Einen weiteren Polizisten nahm er als Geisel, er wurde später tot gefunden. Der Täter verschanzt sich nun in seinem Hof. Die Polizei bereitet sich auf eine Stürmung vor.

Ein mutmaßlicher Wilderer hat in Annaberg in Niederösterreich in der Nacht auf heute, Dienstag, zwei Polizisten und einen Sanitäter getötet. Ein weiterer Polizist, den er daraufhin als Geisel genommen hatte, wurde mittlerweile tot gefunden. Er lag in einem Streifenwagen der Polizei, mit dem der 55 Jahre alte Täter Alois H. von Annaberg zu seinem Bauernhof bei der Ortschaft Großpriel bei Melk geflüchtet war. Großpriel liegt über 60 Kilometer von Annaberg entfernt.

Die Angaben zu den Todesopfern machte die Polizei am Nachmittag offiziell, zuvor hatte es stundenlang eine Informationssperre gegeben, um die Geisel nicht zu gefährden. » | APA/awe/gr | Dienstag, 17. September 2013

AUSTRIAN TIMES: Man shoots three policemen and paramedic dead » | Tuesday, September 17, 2013

DEUTSCHE WELLE: Multiple fatalities as Austrian police seek to detain poacher: A shoot-out between police and an alleged poacher in Austria has claimed at least three victims. Police have surrounded a farmhouse where the man is reportedly barricaded with a large amount of powerful weaponry. » | rc/dr (AFP, dpa) | Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Merkel Allies Win Key German State Election

Chancellor gets big boost just a week before general elections as conservative CSU wins absolute majority in Bavaria.

Wildcards of Germany's General Election

Post-Communist Left party, and the far-right National Democratic Party face a serious challenge in ever coming to power.

France and Russia Differ on Syria Gas Attack

France says Assad forces were behind last month's attack that killed hundreds, a claim disputed by Russia.

Bangladesh Islamist Leader Sentenced to Death

AL JAZEERA ENGLISH: Jamaat-e-Islami's Assistant Secretary-General ordered to be hanged after prosecution challenged his life sentence.

Bangladesh's top court has sentenced a senior Islamist opposition leader to death for mass murder during the country's 1971 liberation war against Pakistan.

Abdul Quader Molla, 65, the fourth-highest-ranked leader of the Jamaat-e-Islami party, is the first politician to be found guilty by the country's Supreme Court after it overturned an appeal to acquit him of all charges.

"The court enhanced his life sentence to the death penalty," prosecutor Mohammad Ali said on Tuesday. » | Source: Al Jazeera and agencies | Tuesday, September 17, 2013

‘Brain-eating’ Amoeba Found in US Drinking Water Supply for First Time

THE INDEPENDENT: Deadly parasite that led to death of four-year-old came from mains tap in residential area of St Bernard Parish, Louisiana

A parasite which causes a deadly “brain-eating” infection has been found in Louisiana’s mains water supply after the death of a four-year-old boy in his own back garden.

Residents in the parish of St Bernard, near New Orleans, have been issued with a warning along with a list of precautions that must be taken before they can drink water from the tap.

The southern state’s Department for Health and Hospitals issued a statement confirming that “the encephalitis death of a child that had visited St. Bernard Parish was connected to the rare amoeba, which testing confirmed was present at the home”.

The amoeba – Naegleria fowleri – enters the brain via contaminated water which is inhaled through the nose, leading to an infection which destroys brain tissue.

The US’s centre for disease control said the initial symptoms include headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, and stiff neck. Later symptoms include confusion, lack of attention to people and surroundings, loss of balance, seizures, and hallucinations. After the start of symptoms, the disease progresses rapidly and usually causes death in “one to 12 days”. » | Adam Withnall | Monday, September 16, 2013

Hitler’s Rise: The Colour Films

Hitler's Rise: The Colour Films follow the Führer's rise to power, which was as unforeseeable as it was catastrophic.
Watch the documentary here

Barack Obama verurteilt Anschlag als "feigen Akt"

DIE WELT: Bei einer Schießerei auf einem US-Marinestützpunkt sind mehrere Menschen getötet und verletzt worden. Die Polizei fahndet nach zwei möglichen Schützen. US-Präsident Obama verurteilt den Anschlag.

Auf dem Gelände eines Navy-Stützpunktes in Washington ist bei einem Amoklauf ein Blutbad angerichtet worden. Nach ersten Berichten soll es mindestens zwölf Tote gegeben haben, wie CNN meldet. Es ist die höchste Zahl von Toten in der US-Hauptstadt seit einem Flugzeugabsturz 1982 mit 78 Toten.

Mindestens zwölf Menschen wurden verletzt, darunter auch Polizisten. Sie wurden in umliegende Krankenhäuser gebracht.

Drei Schussverletzte werden im Washington Hospital Center behandelt, ein Polizeioffizier ist im Operationssaal. Alle drei sind in "kritischem Zustand", haben aber gute Aussichten, so eine Kliniksprecherin, ihre Verletzungen zu überleben. Zwei der Schussverletzten sind Frauen, vermutlich Zivilangestellte der US-Marine. » | Von Michael Remke und Uwe Schmitt | Montag, 16. September 2013

Fusillade à Washington: un tireur tué, «deux autres» recherchés

LA PRESSE: «Au moins 12» personnes ont été tuées dans la fusillade qui s'est produite lundi matin dans un immeuble de la Marine américaine à Washington, a annoncé le maire de la ville Vincent Gray lors d'une conférence de presse.

«Quelques» personnes ont par ailleurs été blessées, dont un policier, a de son côté déclaré la chef de la police de la ville, Cathy Lanier, sans préciser leur nombre exact ni les motivations du ou des tireurs.

L'auteur présumé de la fusillade, abattu par les policiers, figure au nombre des 12 morts. «Deux autres tireurs», qui pourraient être impliqués dans le drame, sont toujours recherchés par les autorités.

Cette fusillade en plein coeur de la capitale fédérale est la plus importante s'étant déroulée sur une implantation militaire depuis l'assassinat de 13 militaires sur la base de Fort Hood, au Texas, en 2009.

L'identité et les motivations du ou des tireurs étaient inconnues dans l'immédiat. » | Raphaëlle Picard | Agence France-Presse | Washington | lundi 16 septembre 2013

American President Barack Obama Accused of Syria Sell-out

DAILY EXPRESS: PRESIDENT Obama was yesterday accused of “giving way” over Syria just 24 hours after a US-Russia deal to strip the Arab state of its chemical weapons.

Syria must give full details of its chemical stockpile within a week and allow it to be destroyed by the middle of next year.

Senior Syrian minister, Ali Haidar, hailed the deal as a “victory”. He said it “averted a war against Syria by removing the pretext for those who wanted to unleash one”.

And in Washington Mr Obama’s critics claimed he had lowered his guard, with Republican chairman of the House of Representatives’ Intelligence Committee, Mike Rogers, leading the charge. » | John Ingham | Monday, September 16, 2013

DC Navy Yard Shooting 'May Be Related to US Foreign Policy'

Four people have been confirmed dead and eight injured, after a shooting at a Navy Yard in Washington DC. Witnesses say a gunman was shooting from the 4th floor at people in a cafeteria. Reports claim two or three gunmen may have been involved in the attack - though that's unconfirmed. Several civilians and police officers are among the victims. Approximately three thousand people work at the building, where the largest of the Navy's command systems is situated. For more , RT talks to political commentator John Wight.

People & Power: Hungary: Towards the Abyss

Investigating why critics of Hungary's authoritarian government believe it is leading the country towards fascism.

Syrians No Longer Trust Neighbours As 'Religious Mosaic' Breaks Up

BBC: Syria's government troops are stepping up their offensive against rebel forces in Damascus, according to the BBC's Middle East editor, Jeremy Bowen.

It comes as a Syrian minister hails a US-Russia deal on Syria's chemical weapons as a "victory" that averts war.

The agreement states Syria must provide full details of its stockpile within a week - with the chemical arsenal eliminated by mid-2014.

Jeremy Bowen has been to meet Christians who fled their homes in Maaloula, some of whom say they were attacked by rebels "with local accents".

He says many Syrians no longer trust their old neighbours and that "the religious mosaic of different sects is breaking up". Watch BBC video » | Sunday, September 15, 2013

Vince Cable Attacks 'Ugly' Conservative Politics

BBC: Lib Dem Vince Cable has launched a scathing attack on his Conservative coalition partners, accusing them of "ugly" and "blinkered" politics.

The business secretary told activists the Tories had "reverted to type as the nasty party" and called their election adviser Lynton Crosby a "rottweiler".

It was necessary to work with Tories in the national interest, but the Lib Dems must not be "dragged down", he said.

Earlier, the Lib Dem conference backed the coalition's economic policy.

In a round of early media interviews, Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg had been forced to deny a rift with Mr Cable over economic policy as he urged party members to stick with the two coalition parties' agreed strategy to cut the deficit through spending cuts and tax rises.

And a few hours later, in his keynote speech to the annual conference in Glasgow, Mr Cable began by making clear he supported his party's decision in 2010 to enter coalition with the Tories and to work "constructively and pragmatically" with them. (+ video) » | Monday, September 16, 2013

Syria Crisis: UN to Confirm Sarin Gas Used in Damascus

BBC: There is "convincing evidence" that sarin gas was used in a rocket attack in the Syrian capital, Damascus, last month, a UN report is to confirm.

Text seen in a photograph of the front page of the report - to be released later - does not apportion blame.

US allegations that the government was responsible led to threats of military action and then a US-Russia deal for Syria to make safe its chemical arms.

World powers will now try to hammer out a UN Security Council resolution. » | Monday, September 16, 2013

Syria: West Vows to Increase Backing for Rebels

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Britain, France and the United States agreed to strengthen the Syrian opposition and increase pressure on President Bashar al-Assad to respect a deal to give up his chemical weapons arsenal to avoid military action.

But Russia warned that talks between the three powers in Paris on a “strong” United Nations resolution on Syria could wreck peace efforts.

Britain, France and the US agreed that Assad would face “serious consequences” if he fails to comply with a UN resolution setting out a timetable for the handover of Syria’s chemical weapons to international control, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said at a joint press conference.

John Kerry, the US secretary of state, said the allies were committed to keeping up the pressure on Assad following a deal between the US and Russia on the handover of Syrian chemical weapons reached in Geneva on Saturday.

"If the Assad regime believes that this is not enforceable and we are not serious, they will play games...The military option is still on the table,” he said. » | Henry Samuel, Paris | Monday, September 16, 2013

Syrie : Paris menace Damas »

Barack Obama Rejects Accusations of American Weakness over Syria

THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Barack Obama has defended himself against charges of weakness after agreeing a chemical weapons with Russia that appears to allow President Bashar al-Assad to stay in power for at least another year.

The US president was accused of being "indecisive" and allowing himself to be outmanoeuvred by Russia and Iran, Mr Assad's strongest international backers, over the deal. It gives Mr Assad until the middle of next year to hand over his chemical weapons stocks for destruction.

The Assad regime was quick to claim the agreement as a "victory", but Mr Obama said the threat of military action was still on the table.

He said the US was no longer in a "Cold War" with Russia and that he welcomed President Vladimir Putin's "involvement" in Syria. "I welcome him saying, 'I will take responsibility for pushing my client, the Assad regime, to deal with these chemical weapons'," he said.

Until now, administration officials have presented Russian involvement in a wholly negative light, highlighting Moscow's repeated use of the veto to prevent anti-Assad resolutions passing the UN security council.

Under the deal announced on Saturday, Mr Assad has a week to provide a list of all his chemical weapons, delivery systems and storage facilities, and until November to allow full UN inspection. The first date in particular is much quicker than the 30 days expected. » | Richard Spencer, Middle East Correspondent, Damien McElroy and Nick Allen | Sunday, September 16, 2013

Muslim Woman Rebekah Dawson Must Remove Niqab While Giving Evidence, Judge Rules

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: A Muslim woman has been given permission to wear a niqab during a criminal trial but must remove it while giving evidence, a judge has ruled.

Judge Peter Murphy made the ruling in the case of Muslim convert Rebekah Dawson, who is facing trial for allegedly intimidating a witness.

The 22-year-old had claimed her religious beliefs dictated that no male other than her husband could see her face.

Lawyers for the defendant had argued that forcing the 22-year-old convert to remove her niqab in court would be a breach of her rights under Article 9 of the European Convention of Human Rights.

But in a lengthy ruling, Judge Murphy said it was of "cardinal importance" to the adversarial system that a jury could see a defendant's face while giving evidence.

The issue first arose when Mrs Dawson refused to lift her veil in order to identify herself at a plea and case management hearing at Blackfriars Crown Court. » | Martin Evans, Crime Correspondent | Monday, September 16, 2013

Related »

Chemiewaffenabkommen mit Assad: Iran spottet über US-Niederlage in Syrien

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Das Regime in Teheran brüstet sich nach der abgesagten US-Intervention in Syrien mit einem Sieg über den Westen. Den Kompromiss zur Chemiewaffenkontrolle wertet der Kommandeur der Revolutionswächter als Einknicken gegenüber Assad. Nach dieser Lesart hat auch Iran nichts mehr zu befürchten.

Teheran - Irans Regime sieht sich durch den Kompromiss über die Chemiewaffenkontrolle in Syrien gestärkt. Die vorerst abgewendete US-Militärintervention gegen das Assad-Regime zeige die Schwäche des Westens, sagte Mohammad Ali Dschafari, Kommandeur der iranischen Revolutionswächter, am Montag in Teheran.

"Die Feinde, die keine Macht haben, die Widerstandsfront in Syrien anzugreifen, werden auch nicht die Macht haben, irgendetwas gegen Iran zu unternehmen", sagte Dschafari. Die "Verschwörung der arroganten Mächte" gegen Damaskus und Teheran sei gescheitert, die USA hätten "eine Niederlage und ein Scheitern" in Syrien erlebt. Der Kommandeur räumte ein, dass Kämpfer seiner paramilitärischen Kuds-Brigaden in Syrien und dem Libanon aktiv seien - jedoch nur als Berater. » | syd/AFP/Reuters | Montag, 16. September 2013

Not Anymore: A Story of Revolution - Syria

This powerful and tragic film gets startlingly close to the struggle of ordinary Syrian people against Assad brutality.