Four Bombs Strike Central Cairo

Nine people are killed as a car bomb on Friday hits the police headquarters before two smaller blasts are detonated, a day ahead of the third anniversary of the revolt against Hosni Mubarak

Read the Telegraph article here | Louisa Loveluck, and Magdy Samaan in Cairo | Friday, January 24, 2014

Hand Guns Should Be Legalised and Licensed, Nigel Farage Has Said

Nigel Farage, UKIP leader

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The Ukip leader says the ban on the guns, which were made illegal in the wake of the Dunblane shooting, was a "kneejerk" reaction and should be lifted

The Ukip leader has said it is party policy for hand guns to be legalised and licensed in the UK despite being banned in the UK for the last 18 years.

Mr Farage said the current ban on the guns, which were made illegal following the school shooting at Dunblane in 1996, was “ludicrous.”

Speaking on LBC Radio Mr Farage said that it was Ukip policy to create a “proper licensing policy” and that people who kept hand guns responsibility locked up and had were willing to get an official license should “absolutely” be allowed them.

Experts have said his comments were “stupid” and encourage an American-style idea that you and your home are only safe if you are armed.

Peter Squires, professor of criminology at Brighton University and a member of Association of Police Officer’s advisory group on the criminal use of fire arms said that Mr Farage’s comments were "irresponsible". » | Georgia Graham, Political Correspondent | Friday, January 24, 2014

John Boehner: Wine and Cigarettes More Important Than Running in 2016

THE GUARDIAN: Republican House speaker says he wouldn't make sacrifices for White House - including cutting the grass

US House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner says he has no interest in running for the White House because he doesn't want to give up smoking, drinking – and cutting his lawn.

Boehner, who has fought a bitter battle with President Barack Obama over health reforms and spending, said on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno that he was not about to give up red wine and cigarettes to be president.

Asked by Leno whether he ever thought of running for president, Boehner replied, "No.

"I like to play golf. I like to cut my own grass," said Boehner, the top Republican in Congress.

"I do drink red wine. I smoke cigarettes. And I'm not giving that up to be president of the United States." Read on and comment » | Friday, January 24, 2014

Pope Francis Tells François Hollande: 'We Share a Patron Saint'

With his complicated love life attracting global headlines, François Hollande holds an awkward first audience with Pope Francis

Read the Telegraph article here | Nick Squires, the Vatican | Friday, January 24, 2014

Ukraine Government Ready to Resign, Protests Spread across Country

Rioting has spread to the west of the country - with protesters sieging and breaking into administration buildings. Meanwhile in Kiev, the opposition and the government are now expected to announce the results of their talks. Let's get the latest from RT's Peter Oliver, who is there in the capital.

British Man Sentenced to Death for Blasphemy in Pakistan

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: A Pakistani court has passed the death sentence on a British national with mental health problems

A court in Pakistan has sentenced a British man to death for blasphemy for claiming to be a prophet of Islam, a prosecutor and police said Friday.

Mohammad Asghar, a British national of Pakistani origin, was arrested in 2010 in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, near Islamabad, for writing letters claiming to be a prophet, police said.

The special court inside Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail, where Asghar is being held, rejected defence claims that the 65-year-old has mental health problems.

"Asghar claimed to be a prophet even inside the court. He confessed it in front of the judge," Javed Gul, a government prosecutor, told AFP.

"Asghar used to write it even on his visiting card." » | AFP | Friday, January 24, 2014

Mark Carney: No Need for an Immediate Rate Rise

Mark Carney, Canadian Governor of the Bank of England

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Bank of England governor seeks to reassure markets that interest rate rise is not imminent, saying he doesn't want to focus on one indicator

Bank of England Governor Mark Carney has pledged there will be no “immediate” increase in interest rates as unemployment nudges closer to the 7pc threshold in an apparent softening of his forward guidance policy.

He said Bank of England policymakers look at “overall conditions in the whole labour market”, rather than just one indicator, and that any change, when it comes, would be “very gradual”.

The governor, who said that the UK economy was "in a different place" to when he introduced the guidance, added: “We don’t see an immediate need to change monetary policy."

Asked if he would consider lowering the 7pc threshold, Mr Carney added: “There are a broad range of things we could do, I wouldn’t jump to that conclusion … we’re trying to get across is that it’s all about overall conditions in the labour market.

“We wouldn’t want to detract from that focus by unnecessarily focusing on one indicator.” » | Denise Roland | Thursday, January 23, 2014

My comment:

"No need for an immediate rise [in interest rates]" – Mark Carney

No, there is no need for him. He's sitting pretty with his huge salary and exorbitant expenses. The rest of us have to make ends meet from our savings. What a thoughtless, unreasonable man Carney is!

Never in my lifetime can I remember not being able to get interest on my capital that at least equates to the rate of inflation, and then some. Does this man have no sense of true capitalism? Does this man have no sense of economic history?

What an utter disappointment this Governor is! – © Mark

This comment appears here too.

French Holiday Home Alert after Burglaries Rocket by 18 Per Cent

The village of Castelnau in Dordogne, France

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: French police launch 'Operation Holiday Tranquility' to crack down on thefts from second homes

Burglaries in rural holiday homes in France, where tens of thousands of Britons own properties, rocketed by almost 18 per cent in a year, according to new figures released yesterday, with the government blaming the sharp rise on an influx of Eastern European criminals.

Figures by The French National Supervisory Body on Crime and Punishment , ONDRP, showed burglary and theft were up in 2013 across France but that second homes — both foreign and French-owned - were by far the hardest hit, despite increasing efforts by police and the gendarmerie to step up protection.

Approximately 200,000 Britons own second homes in areas such as the Dordogne and other parts of France, particularly those serviced by budget airlines. » | Henry Samuel, Paris | Thursday, January 23, 2014

Ukraine Protests Spread beyond Kiev amid Crisis Talks

BBC: Violent protests in Ukraine have spread beyond the capital, Kiev, ahead of a crisis meeting between President Viktor Yanukovych and three key opposition leaders.

The governor of Lviv, in the west, was forced to sign his resignation as protesters stormed his offices.

Other reports spoke of protests in at least five more western cities.

Two people died in clashes in Kiev on Wednesday, the first deaths in two months of protests over EU links.

The anti-government protests flared in late November over Mr Yanukovych's decision to pull out of a landmark treaty with the European Union.

A fragile truce is currently being observed in Kiev.

However, an opposition ultimatum is set to expire after the talks with Mr Yanukovych, which have now begun and are set to go into the evening.

Ahead of the talks, Mr Yanukovych asked the speaker of parliament to hold an emergency session next week to discuss the crisis.

But he told the head of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, that he would not introduce a state of emergency.

Prime Minister Mykola Azarov, who is in Davos in Switzerland, echoed this, but added: "People should not think that the government lacks available resources to put an end to this. It is our constitutional right and obligation to restore order in the country." (+ BBC videos) » | Thursday, January 23, 2014

Protest greift auf weitere ukrainische Städte über

TAGES ANZEIGER: Ukrainische Medien vermelden, dass in mehreren Städten Verwaltungsgebäude gestürmt worden sind. Präsident Janukowitsch versucht mit einem politischen Manöver Zeit zu gewinnen.

Wie die «Kyivpost» schreibt, haben heute in den Städten Lemberg und Riwne im Westen der Ukraine Demonstranten das Gebäude der regionalen Verwaltung gestürmt. In Lemberg zwangen sie den von Präsident Viktor Janukowitsch eingesetzten Gouverneur Oleg Salo, ein Rücktrittsgesuch zu unterzeichnen. Salo widerrief die Unterschrift später. Am Abend wurden dann auch Proteste aus der Stadt Tscherkassy südlich von Kiew gemeldet. Tausende Menschen hätten das Gebäude der Provinzverwaltung gestürmt. » | ldc/mw/sda | Donnerstag, 23. Januar 2014

So viele Gotteskrieger stellt die Schweiz

TAGES ANZEIGER: Schon länger werden Schweizer Jihadisten in den Reihen der syrischen Widerstandkämpfer vermutet. Der Bund bestätigt dies erstmals und nennt eine Zahl.

Der Nachrichtendienst des Bundes geht davon aus, dass rund zehn Schweizer Kämpfer in Syrien sind oder dorthin aufgebrochen sind. Das bestätigte Sprecher Felix Endrich heute in der Sendung «Echo der Zeit» von Schweizer Radio SRF.

Bei den Kämpfern könne es sich um Dschihadisten oder um Abenteurer handeln, sagte Endrich. Der Nachrichtendienst beobachte die Jihad-Reisenden aufmerksam. Sie könnten im Ausland in einem Lager ausgebildet und radikalisiert werden. «Sehr gefährlich sind die Rückkehrer und jene, die in der Schweiz rekrutieren. Und diese Szene überwachen wir», erklärte Endrich. » | mrs/sda | Donnerstag, 23. Januar 2014

West's 30-year Vendetta with Iran Is Finally Buried in Davos

Hassan Rouhani

TELEGRAPH BLOGS – AMBROSE EVANS-PRITCHARD: The Iranian nuclear deal is on. Hassan Rouhani's charm offensive in Davos has been a tour de force, the moment of rehabilitation for the Islamic Republic. His words were emollient.

"The world hasn't seen a speech like that from an Iranian leader since the Revolution," tweeted Ian Bremmer from the Eurasia Group.

Anybody betting on oil futures in the belief that Iran's nuclear deal with great powers is a negotiating ploy – to gain time – should be careful. There is a very high likelihood that the sanctions against Iran will be lifted in stages, leading to an extra 1.2 barrels a day on the global market just as Libya, Iraq, and the US all crank up output.

“One of the theoretical and practical pillars of my government is constructive engagement with the world. Without international engagement, objectives such as growth, creativity and quality are unattainable," said Rouhani.

"I strongly and clearly state that nuclear weapons have no place in our security strategy,” he said. Read on and comment » | Ambrose Evans-Pritchard | Thursday, January 23, 2014

Ein deutscher Muslim spricht über sein Leben als Konvertit

New Converts to Islam

Almost Two Sydney Women a Week Are Converting to Islam

THE TELEGRAPH (AUSTRALIA): MORE THAN 100 people - most of them women - are converting to Islam in Sydney each year, and ­experts warn some new converts are more likely to adopt extremist elements of the religion.

Such radicalism was highlighted by the death last week in Syria of former Queensland Anglican schoolgirl turned Muslim jihadist Amira Karroum, 22, who is believed to have been killed by rebel fighters in Aleppo alongside her US-born husband Yusuf Ali.

Ms Karroum had adopted an extremist form of the faith, praising terrorist Osama bin Laden and supporting the ­violent Muslim riots in Sydney in 2012.

The pair were based in Granville before travelling to Syria to fight in December.

Another Granville man, Caner Temel, 22, has been named as the latest Australian victim of the civil war in Syria.

The Australian New Muslim Association estimates two-thirds of the converts they see each year are female, with more than 60 per cent converting because of their husbands or partners.

Julia Moukhallalati was just 18 when she swapped her Orthodox Christian upbringing for the mosques of western Sydney. » | Ben McClellan | Saturday, January 18, 2014

Yard's Plea to Muslims: Help Stop Children Turning to Terror

Commander Richard Walton

LONDON EVENING STANDARD: Scotland Yard’s counter-terrorism chief today appealed to Muslims across the country to help stem the flow of young Britons heading for the fighting in Syria.

Commander Richard Walton warned that a “shocking” number of children are being lured into terrorism.

He said officers were already receiving increasing support from Islamic organisations and families in their struggle to combat radicalisation. But police were “desperate” to obtain further help to prevent vulnerable teenagers and other young Britons becoming involved in the Syrian war.

It was “almost inevitable” that some Britons fighting in Syria would seek to carry out attacks here on their return, he added, and the conflict had “all the ingredients for making terrorists”. » | Martin Bentham | Thursday, January 23, 2014

Anjem Choudary: Transform Buckingham Palace into a Mosque

Pat Condell: A Knighthood for Andy Choudary

Islamic Economics - The Solution for World Crisis

Father of Islamic Banking, Dr. Hussain Hamed Hassan at Dubai International Peace Convention 2010.

Erdogan will totale Kontrolle über das Internet

DIE WELT: Zeitungen werden in der Türkei schon lange zensiert. Mit einer Änderung im Internet-Gesetz will Erdogan nun auch Online-Inhalte beeinflussen und so das Verhalten seiner Bürger im Netz kontrollieren.

Erst Gewalt gegen die Gezi-Park-Proteste, dann die Korruptionsskandale der türkischen Regierung und schwerwiegende Eingriffe in die Justiz – jetzt erhitzt die Regierung des türkischen Premiers Recep Tayyip Erdogan mit einem neuen Aufreger die Gemüter.

Er möchte per Gesetz Internetseiten sperren, Inhalte im Netz kontrollieren, das Internetverhalten der Bürger beobachten und Daten für zwei Jahre speichern. Kritiker fürchten staatliche Internetzensur, der türkische Unternehmerverband bewertet das Vorhaben als "besorgniserregend".

Die türkische Regierung möchte mit den neuen gesetzlichen Eingriffen erreichen, dass der Staat ohne jeglichen Gerichtsbeschluss die freie Nutzung des Internets kontrollieren und steuern kann. So soll er Zugriff auf Daten haben, die zeigen, welche Seiten besucht worden sind, welche Begriffe die Bürger in Suchmaschinen eingegeben haben und welche sozialen Medien sie nutzen. » | Von Cigdem Toprak, Istanbul | Donnerstag, 23. Januar 2014

Snowden Requests Extra Security After Receiving Death Threats

Whistleblower Edward Snowden is reportedly set to request additional protection from Russian authorities after receiving a growing number of death threats. The former NSA contractor has been living at an undisclosed location in Russia since August when he received asylum from Washington's prosecution. RT's Marina Portnaya reports.

Malaysia King Says ‘Allah’ Is Only for Muslims

The 14th king of Malaysia, Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah

RUSSIA TODAY: Only Muslims can use the word Allah to refer to God, the Malaysian King has declared adding fuel to the long-running dispute and raising questions over rights of religious minorities in the country where Islam is followed by about 60 % of the population.

Intervening in the dispute for the first time, Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah urged Sunday representatives of all other communities to respect Muslims’ exclusive right in order to maintain stability and harmony in Malaysia.

“In the context of a pluralistic society, religious sensitivities especially related to Islam as the religion of the federation should be respected,” the King said in a speech, cited by Malaysian state news agency Bernama.

“Confusion and controversy can be averted if there is adherence to the provisions of the law and judicial decisions,” he added.

The term ‘Allah’ came to the language used by the nation’s dominant Malay ethnic group from Arabic and is used to describe ‘God’ by people of all faiths.

Sultan Abdul Halim, 86, is one of the nine sultans who take turns every five years to serve as head of state.

The king’s role in Malaysia is largely ceremonial and his powers are limited. However, he is considered a defender of Islam and enjoys the respect of the Muslim population. » | Published: Sunday, January 19, 2014 | Edited: Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Iran's President Announces New Policy of 'Constructive Engagement' with Outside World

Iran's president seeks to mend relations with the outside world - but speech sparks angry reaction from Israel for what it 'misses out'

Read the Telegraph article here | Szu Ping Chan in Davos and Colin Freeman | Thursday, January 23, 2014

Jeremy Browne: Ban Muslim Women from Wearing Veils in Schools and Public Places

Jeremy Browne

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Britain should consider banning Muslim girls and young women from wearing veils in schools and public places, a Home Office minister has said.

Jeremy Browne, a Liberal Democrat, said there needs to be a national debate about whether the state should step in to protect young women from having the veil “imposed” on them.

Mr Browne said he is “instinctively uneasy” about banning behaviour, but suggested the measure may still be necessary to ensure freedom of choice for girls in Muslim communities.

The Home Office minister is the first senior Liberal Democrat to raise such deep concerns about Islamic dress in public places. A growing number of Conservative MPs also want the Government to consider a ban.

Nick Clegg, the Deputy Prime Minister, has suggested he may support banning the veil in classrooms, but downplayed the chances of wider restrictions.

He said: “My own view, I don’t think we should end up like different countries where we tell people how they go about their business. I do think there is an issue with teachers in the classroom…that might be an area where a full veil might be inappropriate.” » | Steven Swinford and Christopher Hope | Wednesday, September 15, 2013

German Army Rules on Beards and Tattoos

BBC: The German defence ministry has issued new rules on how soldiers should look. "Pornographic" tattoos, ostentatious piercings and bushy beards have all been outlawed, it seems.

"Ordinance A.26301.1l, on the Appearance of Federal Troops" caught the eye of military blogger Thomas Wiegold - "something of a weathervane of army opinion" according to Der Spiegel magazine. The 200-plus comments from soldiers on his blog post outnumber those on more serious issues.

As well as the ban on mohawks and bushy beards, new rules on tattoos proved particularly controversial. They are permitted, but "discriminatory, pornographic and unconstitutional" images must always be covered up when soldiers are in uniform. The rule applies even if they appear on the hands, neck or face - which, as the comments note, could prove difficult. » | Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Jihadists Construct the Atomium Bomb: YouTube Video Threat to Belgian Tourist Attraction

THE INDEPENDENT: A plot to attack the Belgian capital stokes fears Europe will targeted by radicalised fighters returning from Syria. Charlotte McDonald-Gibson reports from Brussels

The video clip posted on the YouTube account of Belgian teenager Brian De Mulder was brief, but the threat to one of Belgium’s biggest tourist attractions was chilling and clear.

Over the black-and-white flag of one of Syria’s Islamist rebel groups, a voice chants: “Bombs are falling.Atomium, I hear a bang. Body parts are everywhere.”

Mr De Mulder, 19, is one of hundreds of Europeans currently in Syria and believed to be fighting alongside the rebel groups trying to topple President Bashar al-Assad.

While it is not clear if he himself posted the threat against the Atomium, a huge monument of stainless steel spheres built for the 1958 World Fair, the video reflects the worst fears of law-enforcement agencies and governments across Europe.

Since Syria splintered into civil war in 2011, European Muslims – including up to 300 Britons – with motives ranging from idealism to more radical ideologies have been travelling there in increasing numbers. Now, dozens are returning home, and the fear is that they are no longer impressionable youngsters, but battle-hardened extremists.

“By the time they have returned,” says Rob Wainwright, director of the EU-wide policing body Europol, “their extremist views might have been more entrenched and there is clearly a potential danger to society in terms of how they might manifest their views in direct action.” » | Charlotte McDonald-Gibson | Brussels | Sunday, January 19, 2014

A Living History Lesson: Holocaust Survivor Eve Kugler Talks to Pupils around the Country Prior to Holocaust Memorial Day

Eve Kugler

THE INDEPENDENT: She tells Richard Garner about the importance of remembering

"My experience during the Holocaust wasn't as horrendous as what you have seen," says 83-year-old Eve Kugler as she begins to speak.

She is at a cinema in Clapham, south-west London, to talk to secondary-school pupils who have assembled to hear first-hand accounts of the persecution of the Jews under Hitler. The pupils had just watched Hide and Seek, a 50-minute film about Jews' experiences during the Holocaust and how they had been forced to go into hiding to escape being sent to the death camps. They had heard the tale of one mother who had been given an ultimatum to kill her baby or leave the hideout for fear that the Nazis would hear the infant's crying and wreak even more terror on the people assembled there. She chose to smother her baby. Then there were the children who grew up in the sewers with rats as daily companions as they hid away.

Kugler herself is a Holocaust survivor. After speaking for nearly 50 minutes, she is asked by one pupil how many family members she had lost during Hitler's time in power. "Both my grandfathers, two uncles, five aunts and I don't know how many cousins," she replies.

Maybe it is not as horrendous as some of the stories in the documentary but it is pretty harrowing nevertheless, as the reaction of the pupils who have listened to her indicates. Kugler is one of the Holocaust survivors still going into schools to relate what happened to them. She has been doing it "for eight or nine years" now and does two or three visits in the run-up to Holocaust Memorial Day – which takes place next Tuesday. » | Richard Garner | Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Nicolas Sarkozy Plans 2017 Comeback

THE GUARDIAN: Bernadette Chirac says former French president will run against man who ousted him, François Hollande, at next election

That Nicolas Sarkozy is contemplating his comeback is hardly a secret in France.

Now one of the former president's most high-profile supporters and confidantes, the former first lady Bernadette Chirac, has confirmed Sarkozy is planning a return to the political fray.

Asked by Europe 1 radio on Wednesday whether she thought he would stand against the Socialist president François Hollande in three years, Chirac, replied: "I hope so!"

Pressed as to whether she had inside information, she said: "Ah, but I'm not allowed to say it," before finally admitting that Sarkozy had spoken to her and was indeed planning to stand in 2017.

"Well obviously," she told the radio station, adding: "But, he's going to tell me off for this."

Chirac, whose husband Jacques was president between 1995 and 2007 when he was succeeded by Sarkozy, has made little secret of her hopes of seeing the centre-right candidate make a comeback. While Sarkozy has refused to comment, he has indicated to friends that he is inclined to stand for a second term in office in 2017. » | Kim Willsher in Paris | Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Multicultural Britain Rejecting Foreign Conflict, MoD Admits

THE GUARDIAN: Exclusive: Repeat of Afghanistan-or-Iraq-style invasion ruled out for war-weary UK, according to senior officials

A growing reluctance in an increasingly multicultural Britain to see UK troops deployed on the ground in future operations abroad is influencing the next two strategic defence reviews, according to senior figures at the Ministry of Defence.

As well as a general war weariness, sources say they have sensed a resistance in an increasingly diverse nation to see British troops deployed in countries from which UK citizens, or their families, once came.

There is also concern that British troops have been seen taking action mainly in Muslim societies. » | Patrick Wintour | Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Turkey Continues with Huge Purge of Judges and Police

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Turkish prime minister refuses to backdown from controversial moves against judiciary and security services

Turkey launched the biggest purge of the judiciary in the country's history on Wednesday, firing and reassigning senior judges and prosecutors, despite warnings that the actions are damaging the country's accession to the European Union.

The move came as Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was in Brussels promoting Turkey's EU membership bid to, increasingly sceptical, officials who see the sackings, and a new, controversial bill that would give the executive authority over the judiciary, as eroding the country's rule of law, a key criteria for admission.

European Council President Herman Van Rompuy said he had urged Mr Erdogan "not to backtrack on achievements and to assure that the judiciary is able to function without discrimination or preference, in a transparent and impartial manner". » | Ruth Sherlock | Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Water Cannon Set to Be Deployed across Britain amid Fears of More Riots

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Senior officers say likelihood of future protests against the Government mean they could need permission to deploy water cannon in mainland Britain for the first time

Concerns about future violent protests over the Government’s austerity measures have prompted chief constables to ask Theresa May, the Home Secretary, for authorisation to deploy water cannon in mainland Britain for the first time.

Chief constables have concluded the machines would be a valuable addition to their armoury after carrying out detailed research, including a scientific analysis of injuries that members of the public can suffer when hit by the powerful water jets.

Documents disclosed by the Association of Chief Police Officers show plans have been drawn up for the cannon to be used against protesters and rioters in the future.

Police warn they expect water cannon will be required because “the ongoing and potential future austerity measures are likely to lead to continued protest”.

They claimed the machines would have given them an “operational advantage” in the 2011 riots. Read on and comment » | David Barrett, Home Affairs Correspondent | Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Muslim Defendant Must Remove Veil to Give Evidence, Jury Hears

Rebekah Dawson

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Rebekah Dawson appears in court for her trial on witness intimidation charges wearing a full-face veil, but will have to take if off before entering the witness box, court is told

A Muslim woman accused of witness intimidation has been ordered by a judge to remove her veil if she chooses to give evidence.

Rebekah Dawson, 22, attended the start of her trial at Blackfriars Crown Court in London on Wednesday wearing a full-face veil.

Judge Peter Murphy warned the jury hearing the case that it was “quite wrong” to be prejudiced against anybody because of their expression of religious faith.

He said Ms Dawson was “fully entitled” to dress as she chose and warned them to put aside any personal feelings they had about her attire.

However, he told jurors that he had ruled that she must remove her veil if she chooses to give evidence. » | Sam Marsden, and agencies | Wednesday, January 22, 2014

How to Save Western Civilization by Geert Wilders - "Start to Take Pride"

Geert Wilders: Deporting Millions of Muslims May Become Necessary

Geert Wilders: Europe's Most Dangerous Man?

Arnoud Van Doorn - The Former Islamophobe Who Accepted Islam

Woolwich: War without Borders?

In an interview with Al Jazeera Investigatiive Unit, the brother of Michael Adebolajo, speaks about the motivation, ideology and politics behind the fatal attack on British soldier Lee Rigby in Woolwich, London earlier this year.

Inside Story: US Marijuana: Pot Luck or Politics?

As Barack Obama says the drug is no more dangerous than alcohol, we ask if American society is ready for legalisation.

Going Underground: GCHQ Knows Your Online Porn Habits!

Afshin Rattansi goes underground on the government's million-pound relationship with Bahrain, as even royalty head over to show support for its ruling elite. The Campaign Against Arms Trade says our politicians are turning a blind eye to the atrocities in the country to profit from arms deals. Journalist Cory Doctorow says it's time we wake up to the actions of GCHQ - as it's revealed they even spy on your porn and gaming habits. Plus, this week's strangest headlines and how to know you're in a happy place - via Instagram.

'Warzone': Open Street Battles in Kiev as Rioters, Police Face-off

Several people have died as anti-government protests in the Ukrainian capital go in to a fourth consecutive day, with a whole new level of violence. Police have torn down barricades blocking central Kiev and chased down rioters.

German Region of Saarland Moves towards Bilingualism

BBC: Germany's western Saarland region says it wants its next generation to be bilingual in German and French.

It is part of a strategy to deepen economic ties with France, which borders the region.

Proposals by the regional government include bilingual teaching from pre-school age and requiring new state employees to be able to work in French.

Government jobs would be open to French citizens too under the proposals which are being put out to consultation. » | Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Tucker Carlson Confronts Islamic Preacher Who Wants to Implement "Sharia Law"

Tucker Carlson filled in for Sean Hannity on his show Friday night, and he brought on Anjem Choudary, a Muslim preacher responsible for an effort to threaten Muslim-owned business to stop selling alcohol lest they receive 40 lashes. Carlson confronted Choudary about this stunt and his desire to implement Sharia law in England.

Choudary pushed back against Western "propaganda," saying he is simply trying to encourage the following of Islamic law in a "den of iniquity." Carlson shot back, "This isn't Pakistan, this is Great Britain!"

He continued on to say that "troublemakers like you are thrown in prison in Pakistan," and called him out for being a beneficiary of social services in the country he's condemning as decadent. Choudary said the legal notice is actually "intended to provoke discussion" and warn of ultimate punishment in the afterlife.

Carlson concluded by asking, "Will you concede that your unwillingness to denounce violence makes your program repulsive to people in the West and decent people everywhere?" Choudary insisted that "we're not threatening anyone with violence."

Allah vs Atheism: ‘Leaving Islam Was the Hardest Thing I’ve Done’

Amal Farah, banking executive

THE INDEPENDENT: A growing number of Muslims are speaking out about losing their faith, but it can mean being shunned by their families, or even threatened with death. Sarah Morrison meets the atheists

Amal Farah, a 32-year-old banking executive, is laughing about a contestant singing off-key in the last series of The X Factor. For a woman who was not allowed to listen to music when she was growing up, this is a delight. After years of turmoil, she is in control of her own life.

On the face of it, she is a product of modern Britain. Born in Somalia to Muslim parents, she grew up in Yemen and came to the UK in her late teens. After questioning her faith, she became an atheist and married a Jewish lawyer. But this has come at a cost. When she turned her back on her religion, she was disowned by her family and received death threats. She has not seen her mother or her siblings for eight years. None of them have met her husband or daughter.

“It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done – telling my observant family that I was having doubts. My mum was shocked; she began to cry. It was very painful for her. When she realised I actually meant it, she cut communication with me,” said Ms Farah. “She was suspicious of me being in contact with my brothers and sisters. She didn’t want me to poison their heads in any way. I felt like a leper and I lived in fear. As long as they knew where I was, I wasn’t safe.”

This is the first time Ms Farah has spoken publicly about her experience of leaving her faith, after realising that she did not want to keep a low profile for ever. She is an extreme case – her mother, now back in Somalia, has become increasingly radical in her religious views. But Ms Farah is not alone in wanting to speak out. » | Sarah Morrison | Sunday, January 19, 2014

Winter Storm to Hit North East US Today

Read the Boston Herald article here | Tuesday, January 21, 2014

New Great Depression 2014. Prepare for an Economic Collapse

UK Courts Islamic Cash with Sharia-compliant Bonds

Britain is to become the first Western country to issue Islamic bonds.

Euro-Jihad? Radicalised EU Citizens Raise Terror Spectre on Home Front

There are real fears that terrorists cutting their teeth in Syria could spread across the EU. Europeans make up a big chunk of the 17 thousand foreign jihadists thought to be in the war-torn country. The biggest European contributor is France. As many as 700 of its nationals could be in Syria right now. Belgium and the UK are also in the top three. The worry is what happens when they return home. RT's Sara Firth caught up with one British citizen, who lost his brother to a war thousands of miles from home.