Friday, March 07, 2014
Diplomacy Falters as Putin Rebuffs Obama on Ukraine
Nick Clegg: 'Nigel Farage Wants to Turn the Clock Back'
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| Nick Clegg wants to be seen as the Stop Farage candidate in the European elections. |
In perhaps the most cited speech of any Liberal leader, Jo Grimond closed the Liberal assembly in 1963, ahead of the 1964 election, with the promise: "I intend to march my troops to the sound of gunfire."
Nick Clegg, as he faces the European elections in May, has set his party on the same course. Faced with ever growing hostility to the EU, and to immigration, Clegg has decided to present the Liberal Democrats unambiguously as the party of "in" and of openness. He wants to be seen in these elections as the Stop Farage candidate and to make the debate about the very character of Britain. The planned TV debate with the Ukip leader will give him a chance not just to stand up to Farage, but to stand up for a Britain that does not want to hide.
There is an element of calculation in this. In a crowded field the Liberal Democrats risk being ignored and dumped into fourth place with Ukip replacing the Lib Dems as the amorphous party of protest. The Lib Dems may well be the party of in, but also come polling day the party of out, with all 12 of its MEPs expelled from the European parliament. It's not an outcome that Clegg discounts, saying simply if he is to lose any of his MEPs the thing he would hate most is losing them without a fight. » | Patrick Wintour, political editor | Friday, March 07, 2014
Merkel Backs Call for EU School Lessons to Counter 'Growing Euro-scepticism'
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| German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny |
School students should be given a "European Union education" in the classroom to tackle "ignorance" and growing public Euro-scepticism, according to an election manifesto signed by Angela Merkel and eight other of Europe's leaders.
The European People’s Party (EPP), the EU’s biggest political grouping, is convinced such a programme would improve the public image of Brussels, which has never been lower.
Its manifesto for May’s European elections calls for the introduction of “EU education in schools across Europe in order to prepare the next generation for future challenges and to nurture a European approach”.
“Europe has been in crisis for more than five years. Many people, especially the young, do not foresee a positive future. Euroscepticism is growing,” the manifesto said.
“United, we can make sure that young people look at the future with optimism, hope and confidence.” » | Bruno Waterfield, Brussels | Friday, March 07, 2014
Putin Mocks the West and Threatens to Turn Off Gas Supplies
Vladimir Putin has mocked diplomatic efforts to end the Ukraine crisis as Russia threatened to disrupt European gas supplies by cutting off sales to Kiev over its unpaid debts.
The Russian president said through his official spokesman that, despite deep disagreements with the West, he did not want a confrontation over Ukraine to spiral into a “new cold war”.
Nevertheless Dmitry Peskov ridiculed Western demands for direct talks between the Kremlin and the new Kiev government, claiming that the loss of credibility involved “puts a smile on our face”.
The remarks were broadcast during the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi, where the Ukrainian athlete carrying her national flag was given a loud cheer.
Earlier, Gazprom, Russia’s state-owned energy giant, said it would start to reduce deliveries to Kiev, a move that would disrupt supplies to Europe. Gazprom said Ukraine had failed to make payments on its £1.2 billion debts. » | Damien McElroy, Donetsk | Friday, March 07, 2014
Muslim Brotherhood Is a Terrorist Group, Says Saudi Arabia
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| Pro-Morsi protestor flashes the four-finger sign for the Muslim Brotherhood TV channel, Rabaa, during a rally in Istanbul. |
Saudi Arabia has formally designated the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist group in an official report on Saudi television.
Citing a statement by the interior ministry, the report added that the Nusra Front and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isis) – whose fighters are battling the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad – were also classed as terror organisations.
The move on Friday appeared to enforce last month's royal decree in which Riyadh said it would jail any citizen guilty of fighting in conflicts overseas for up to 20 years. The authorities want to deter Saudis from joining rebels in Syria, fearing they could pose a security risk when they return. » | Reuters in Riyadh | Friday, March 07, 2014
Afghanistan Still One of the Worst Places to Be a Woman, Says EU Ambassador
President Hamid Karzai's government has let down Afghan women, according to the new EU ambassador to Kabul, who singled out the failure to end prosecution of rape victims and other abused women for "moral crimes" as a particular "disgrace".
Franz-Michael Mellbin said that despite huge practical improvements in areas from maternal mortality to the number of girls in schools, Afghanistan was still one of the worst places to be a woman and a frontline in the global battle for women's rights.
Mellbin, who previously served in Afghanistan as the Danish envoy, declined to criticise Karzai directly but said the government overall had failed in its responsibilities to be a voice for women's rights, as conservatives opposed to women having any role outside the home gathered strength. » | Emma Graham-Harrison in Kabul | Friday, March 07, 2014
Hannity: Why I Said I'm Humiliated for My Country
Worlds Apart: 'US Economic Leverage Against Russia Limited': Dr Angela Stent
Wie Hitler Österreich "eroberte" !
Das deutsche Wien – Der Anschluß – März 1938
Doku: Hitlers Österreich: Der Anscluß
Durch das am 13. März 1938 von der österreichischen Bundesregierung -- ohne Parlament -- verabschiedete Gesetz über die Wiedervereinigung Österreichs mit dem Deutschen Reich wurde die Diktatur des Ständestaates bzw. des Austrofaschismus (seit 1934) vom nationalsozialistischen Regime unter Adolf Hitler abgelöst.
Mit diesem Tag endete die staatliche Existenz Österreichs. Die Zeit der NS-Herrschaft in Österreich sollte fast bis zum Ende des Zweiten Weltkrieges im Mai 1945 dauern.
Hillary Clinton Compares Putin to Hitler
Krim will zu Russland: Russland wird die Krim willkommen heissen
Das Zögern in «Londongrad»
In ihrer Wortwahl sind die Briten nicht sehr weit entfernt von Washington. «Völlig unakzeptabel» nennt Premierminister David Cameron die russische Übernahme der Krim. «Erhebliche Konsequenzen» hat Londons Regierungschef dem russischen Präsidenten Wladimir Putin verheissen. Eine starke gemeinsame Front gegen Moskau sei vonnöten, befindet Cameron. Sanktionsmässig dürfe «nichts ausgeschlossen» werden in der EU.
Zugleich zögert man in London aber entschieden, solche Worte in Taten umzusetzen. Das hat nicht zuletzt finanzielle Gründe. Die Briten fürchten, dass etwa Visa-Restriktionen für russische Geschäftsleute oder das Einfrieren russischen Kapitals in Grossbritannien nachteilige Folgen fürs Vereinigte Königreich haben könnten. Immerhin fliessen im Jahr über elf Milliarden Dollar an russischem Investment auf die Britischen Inseln. » | Tagesanzeiger.ch/Newsnet | Freitag, 07. März 2014
Moscou respectera le "choix historique" de la Crimée au référendum
Le Parlement russe respectera le "choix historique" de la Crimée au référendum qui proposera aux électeurs un rattachement de la péninsule ukrainienne à la Russie, a déclaré vendredi le président de la Douma (chambre basse). "Nous respecterons le choix historique de la population de Crimée", a déclaré Sergueï Narychkine, cité par les agences russes, laissant entendre que les parlementaires russes voteraient en faveur du rattachement de la Crimée à la Russie. "Nous soutiendrons le choix libre et démocratique de la population de Crimée", a-t-il ajouté. Il s'exprimait lors d'une rencontre à Moscou avec une délégation du Parlement local de Crimée.
Dominé par des pro-russes, le Parlement local de Crimée a demandé jeudi à Vladimir Poutine le rattachement de la péninsule ukrainienne à la Russie et a annoncé l'organisation d'un référendum le 16 mars pour le valider. Les électeurs auront le choix entre un rattachement à la Russie ou une autonomie nettement renforcée. » | Le Point.fr | vendredi 07 mars 2014
US and EU Impose Sanctions and Warn Russia to Relent in Ukraine Standoff
Barack Obama and his EU allies unveiled a co-ordinated set of sanctions on Thursday to punish Russia for occupying the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea, imposing visa restrictions on individuals and sharpening rhetoric in what has rapidly degenerated into the worst east-west crisis since the end of the cold war.
President Obama spoke for an hour on Thursday afternoon with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. According the White House, the US president told Putin that newly-announced sanctions, introduced in co-ordination with the UK, were a response to Russia’s “violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”.
“President Obama indicated that there is a way to resolve the situation diplomatically, which addresses the interests of Russia, the people of Ukraine, and the international community.” the White House said in a statement to reporters. » | Dan Roberts in Washington and Ian Traynor in Brussels | Thursday, March 06, 2014
Ukraine Crisis: Crimean MPs' Vote to Join Russian Federation Sparks Outrage
Authorities in Crimea voted on Thursday to accelerate secession from Ukraine, unanimously backing a law that declared the territory to be part of the Russian Federation.
In a move that drew howls of outrage from the new leadership in Kiev, MPs voted by 78 votes to nil for the territory to leave Ukraine, further escalating what has become the most serious crisis in Russian relations with the west since the cold war.
At the same time, a referendum on more autonomy for the region due on 30 March was brought forward to 16 March, and the question was changed to give residents the option to unify the Black Sea peninsula with Russia.
Crimea's deputy prime minister, Rustam Temirgaliev, said the referendum was now only to "confirm" parliament's decision, and he considered Crimea to be part of Russia already. He said that all Ukrainian troops on the territory should either leave or be treated as occupiers. Crimea is planning to introduce the rouble and readopt Russian state symbols. » | Shaun Walker in Simferopol | Thursday, March 06, 2014
New Dark Age Alert! Sultan of Brunei Hits Back at Foreign Criticism of Looming Implementation of Sharia Law That Will Introduce Amputations and Stonings as Punishments
The sultan of Brunei has rejected foreign criticism of the countries impending introduction of a form of strict Islamic Sharia law, saying it is not a backwards step.
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah said all races should unite under Sharia law and that the new penal code was a 'great achievement' for the small Southeast Asian nation.
Starting in April, Brunei will begin implementing a version of Sharia that allows for penalties such as amputation for theft and stoning for adultery.
Under limited circumstances, punishments can be applied to non-Muslim residents of the oil-rich country, according to those who have seen the law.
Public criticism of the government is extremely rare in the country, but some citizens have turned to the Internet to express alarm at the law.
Around one-third of Brunei's 440,000 people are non-Muslims, mostly Christian or Buddhist Chinese.
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah told legislators Thursday that all races should unite and support the laws, which he said were a 'great achievement for the country, and not a backward or old-fashioned step.' » | Daily Mail Reporter | Wednesday, March 06, 2014
Thursday, March 06, 2014
Geert Wilders Backs New Anti-Islam Party, the Australian Liberty Alliance
Far-right Dutch politician Geert Wilders will welcome a new anti-Islam political party, the Australian Liberty Alliance, in a pre-recorded message to a conference on “Islam and liberty” starting in Melbourne on Friday.
The conference, organised by the “Islam-critical” Q Society, will start on Friday morning at a secret location, and will feature two speakers who were last year barred entry into Britain.
“It’s a bringing together of many people who are concerned about the march of Islam into many western democracies, and how it changes the laws and values of western democracies,” Q Society’s spokesman, Andrew Horwood, said.
“You get segregation when you get Muslims coming in, because their core belief is that Muslims are better people than non-Muslims,” he said. “We’re keen to have integrated societies, but we think it’s important to have integration, not segregation.”
The Q Society sparked protests last year when it sponsored a speaking tour by Wilders. The firebrand MP warned audiences that Islam was “a force of darkness” that had made European cities such as Rotterdam and Paris look like “suburbs of Cairo”. The tour was hampered by 30 venue cancellations and a refusal by some banks to provide financial services. Horwood said this year’s event has not seen any cancellations or boycotts so far. » | Michael Safi | Thursday, March 06, 2014
PERTH NOW: ‘No place’ for Dutch extremist Geert Wilders in Australian politics : THERE’S one thing Warren Truss and Bill Shorten agree on: There is no place in Australian politics for extremism. » | AAP | Wednesday, March 05, 2014
THE AUSTRALIAN: Anti-Islam party to contest next election: AN anti-Islam party based on the hardline views of Dutch politician Geert Wilders plans to field candidates at the next federal election, raising fears among moderate Muslims of a rise in extremism. » | Chip Le Grand | Wednesday, March 05, 2014
Russia Hits Back at US ‘Barefaced Cynicism and Double Standards’ over Ukraine
“The State Department is trying to play on a shamelessly one-sided interpretation of the events,” ministry spokesperson Aleksandr Lukashevich said on Thursday. “Surely, Washington cannot admit that they were nurturing Maidan [protests], encouraging the violent overthrow of the legitimate government, and thus clearing the way for those who are now pretending to be a legitimate power in Kiev.”
On Wednesday, one day after the Russian president's media conference on the events in Ukraine, the US State Department accused him of lying and published a “fact sheet” of Putin's 10 “false claims” surrounding the crisis.
Moscow said that it will not respond to such “low-level propaganda.”
“We will only say, yet again, that we are dealing with unacceptable arrogance and a pretense of having a monopoly on the truth,” Lukashevich said in a statement posted on the Foreign Ministry’s website.
The United States has “no moral right” to lecture about observing international laws and respecting the sovereignty of other states, the diplomat added.
“What about the bombing of former Yugoslavia or the invasion of Iraq over a fabricated cause?” Lukashevich pointed out. » | Thursday, March 06, 2014
The Queen's 'Hidden-away' Cousin Katharine Bowes-Lyon Dies at 87
Katharine Bowes-Lyon, the niece of the late Queen Mother, died on February 23 but her death was only announced by her family yesterday. She was laid to rest at a private family funeral.
She and her late elder sister Nerissa, who also had learning disablities, were two of the four daughters of the Queen Mother's elder brother John Bowes-Lyon.
In an era when families treated the disabled with shame and even young unmarried women who got pregnant were locked in asylums or hospitals, the sisters were hidden away from polite society for much of their lives, even while the Queen Mother was patron of Mencap, the charity for what used to be known as the mentally handicapped, people with learning disabilities. » | Richard Palmer | Thursday, March 06, 2014
Rumsfeld on Ukraine, Obama-Putin, and America
Russia Today TV Presenter Liz Wahl Quits On Air
On Tuesday, Abby Martin signed off her programme with an ad-libbed attack on the Kremlin. Now her colleague Liz Wahl has added her voice to the disquiet among the channel's on air staff by announcing her resignation on air.
Katy Watson reports. (+ BBC video) » | Thursday, March 06, 2014
Crimea Will Be Part of Russia 'In a Few Days' - Deputy PM
Speaking to the BBC's World Affairs editor John Simpson, he said that he was confident that up to 75% of Crimean citizens would support such a move.
MPs in Crimea have asked Moscow to allow the southern Ukrainian region to become part of the Russian Federation. There will be a referendum to ratify the parliament decision on 16 March. (+ BBC video) » | Thursday, March 06, 2014
The Irresponsible Bank of England Keeps Interest Rate Down At Record Low
BBC: UK interest rates kept at record low: UK interest rates have been held at 0.5% for another month, the Bank of England has said. » | Thursday, March 06, 2014
Crimea Parliament Backs Joining Russia, Sets Referendum for March 16th
Peter Hitchens on Ukraine: Don't Lump Those Who Want Change in with Neo-nazis
Obama Warns Israel Time Is Running Out On Palestinian Peace
Obama's Foreign Policy Based on 'Fantasy'?
Ron Paul: We Have 'No Business' Being Involved in Ukraine
Ed Miliband: 'I'm a Zionist and Oppose Boycotts of Israel'
Speaking at a Board of Deputies event the Labour leader said he was opposed to boycotts of Israel and warned of the need to be “ever-vigilant”against antisemitism.
Asked whether he would work to ensure religious slaughter and circumcision practices could continue in Britain, Mr Miliband said: “Yes, these are important traditions. The kosher issue has recently been brought to my attention. Ways of life must be preserved.”
He added: “I take antisemitism very seriously. Any kind of delegitimisation of Israel is something we should call out for what it is and not tolerate it.
“I think the boycotts of Israel are totally wrong. We should have no tolerance for boycotts. I would say that to any trade union leaders.” » | Marcus Dysch | Thursday, March 07, 2013
HT: crosscop »
Krim-Krise: Parlament der Krim stimmt für Anschluss an Russland
Das Parlament der ukrainischen Halbinsel Krim hat nach russischen Angaben für einen Anschluss an Russland gestimmt. 78 der 81 Abgeordneten der Autonomen Republik unterstützten in Simferopol eine entsprechende Beschlussvorlage, meldete Itar-Tass unter Berufung auf den Vizepremier der Krim, Rostam Temirgaljew.
Das Parlament hat 100 Sitze. Russlandtreue Kräfte hatten das Gebäude vor wenigen Tagen gestürmt. Inwieweit dies die Zusammensetzung des Parlaments veränderte, ist unklar. » | ZEIT ONLINE, dpa, AFP, Reuters, tst | Donnerstag, 06. März 2014
Krim-Krise: Obama verhängt Strafmaßnahmen gegen Russland
Washington - Die US-Regierung hat mehrfach betont, dass sie das Vorgehen Russlands auf der ukrainischen Krim missbilligt. Jetzt hat US-Präsident Barack Obama erste Sanktionen gegen jene verhängt, die er für Verantwortliche der Krise hält.
Washington belegt eine Gruppe von Russen und Ukrainern mit Einreiseverboten in die USA. Die Visabeschränkungen sollen sich gegen eine "Reihe von Regierungsbeamten und Personen" richten. Außerdem soll das US-Vermögen von "Einzelpersonen und Institutionen" eingefroren werden. Namen wurden nicht genannt.
Bestraft werden sollen jene, die die "Souveränität und territoriale Integrität der Ukraine bedrohen" und "die demokratischen Prozesse und Institutionen des Landes" untergraben, heißt es in einer Erklärung des Weißen Hauses. Die USA behielten sich weitere Schritte vor, abhängig von der Lage auf der Krim. » | kgp/Reuters/AP | Donnerstag, 06. März 2014
End Religious Slaughter of Animals without Stunning First, Urges Top Vet
Religious slaughter of animals to produce halal and kosher meat should be banned if more humane methods are not adopted, the leader of Britain’s vets has said.
John Blackwell, who took over as president elect of the British Veterinary Association (BVA) last year, claimed killing animals by letting them bleed to death after slitting their throats causes unnecessary suffering.
He called on Muslims and Jews to allow the livestock to be stunned unconscious before they are killed.
The farm vet said the ritual slaughter of poultry, sheep and cattle which are still conscious should be outlawed, as it is in Denmark[.]
“As veterinary surgeons, it is one of the most important issues on our radar. This is something that can be changed in an instant.,” he told The Times [£]. » | Miranda Prynne, News Reporter | Thursday, March 06, 2014
Wednesday, March 05, 2014
Hillary Clinton Veering from White House Response to Russia?
Right-Wing Extremism: Germany's New Islamophobia Boom
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Stachus is one of Munich's nicest squares. It is rich in tradition and filled with pedestrians -- and perfect for Michael Stürzenberger's purposes. Hand balled into a fist, he paces back and forth and screams, "The Koran is the most dangerous book in the world." Because a couple dozen people have come to demonstrate against Stürzenberger, police officers in bullet-proof vests are watching over the area.
A decade ago, Stürzenberger, 49, was the spokesperson for the Munich office of the Christian Social Union (CSU), the Bavarian sister party of Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democratic Union. But since 2012 he has been active in a splinter party called Die Freiheit ("The Freedom"), of which he was elected federal chairman three months ago. He preaches hate against Islam and compares the Koran to Hitler's "Mein Kampf." For two years now, he's been collecting signatures opposing the planned construction of an Islamic center in Munich. He has already held over one hundred anti-Islam rallies.
The Freiheit leader isn't alone. Several supporters, have joined him on Stachus, some carrying signs such as "No mosque on Stachus," or "Stop the enemies of democracy." Stürzenberger screams that Sharia instructs men to hit women. His voice cracks. "We don't want that in Bavaria!" A retiree asks where he can sign "against Islam."
For most Munich residents, Stürzenberger's verbal assaults are an embarrassment. CSU city councilwoman Marian Hoffman compares his incitements to the "droning speeches of the Nazis." The city government of Mayor Christian Ude, a member of the center-left Social Democrats, is worried about possible conflict during the upcoming local elections. Munich, he says, has become the focus of "experimentation" by radical anti-Islamists with the right-wing populists from Die Freiheit testing whether or not their attacks on the Muslim minority have majority appeal. If Stürzenberger gathers enough signatures for a citizens' initiative against the mosque, it would send a signal across Bavaria and beyond that Muslims are not welcome. » | SPIEGEL Staff | Wednesday, March 05, 2014
Putin Speaks Ukraine, Yanukovich, Maidan, Crimea (Full Video)
Hillary Clinton Compares Vladimir Putin’s Actions in Ukraine to Adolf Hitler’s in Nazi Germany
Putin’s desire to protect minority Russians in Ukraine is reminiscent of Hitler’s actions to protect ethnic Germans outside Germany, she said.
Putin has been on a campaign to give Russian passports to anyone who has Russian connections, Clinton said.
The Russian leader has recently done so in the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea, which, Clinton said, is similar to what happened in Nazi Germany in the late 1930s. Hitler resettled tens of thousands of ethnic Germans who were living in parts of Europe to Nazi Germany. » | Karen Robes Meeks, Long Beach Press Telegram | Tuesday, March 04, 2014
George P Bush Looks to Continue Family's Political Legacy
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| Land Commissioner candidate George P. Bush speaks during a visitation even while on the campaign trail Wednesday, Feb. 19. 2014 |
George P Bush, the grandson of George HW Bush, has won his first election in Texas as he looks to continue the political dynasty.
The 37-year-old lawyer is the nephew of George W Bush, who was governor of Texas before becoming president, and the son of Jeb Bush, the former Florida governor considered a potential 2016 Republican presidential candidate.
The younger Mr Bush is widely hailed as a future star of the party. His mother is Mexican and he speaks Spanish, offering an inroad to Latino voters who vote overwhelmingly for the Democrats. » | Raf Sanchez, Washington | Wednesday, March 05, 2014
Exclusive Interview with Barbara Bush
Who Is the Real Vladimir Putin?
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