Sunday, March 30, 2014
Discrimination Fear: Sharia Law Guidelines Introduced to UK Muslim Wills
Concern as Brunei Brings In System of Islamic Law with Punishments That Include the Dismemberment of Limbs and Stoning to Death
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| The Sultan of Brunei says he wants to set up a 'firewall' against globalisation |
The Sultan of Brunei, one of the world’s wealthiest rulers and a close ally of Britain, will this week oversee his country’s transition to a system of Islamic law with punishments that include flogging, the dismemberment of limbs and stoning to death.
The 67-year-old absolute monarch declared last year that he wanted to introduce a full sharia system in his oil-rich nation and warned critics who took to social media sites to complain that they could be prosecuted using the new laws.
The decision to introduce sharia and reintroduce the death penalty has been condemned by NGOs and legal rights campaigners, who say the new rules will breach international laws. It has also triggered alarm among some of Brunei’s non-Muslim communities, who will also be subject to some of the rulings. » | Andrew Buncombe | Saturday, March 29, 2014
Vladimir Putin ‘Wants to Regain Finland’ for Russia, Adviser Says
After annexing Crimea and with troops massed on the border of Ukraine, Vladimir Putin will not stop trying to expand Russia until he has “conquered” Belarus, the Baltic states and Finland, one of his closest former advisers has said.
According to Andrej Illarionov, the President’s chief economic adviser from 2000 to 2005, Mr Putin seeks to create “historical justice” with a return to the days of the last Tsar, Nicholas II, and the Soviet Union under Stalin.
Speaking to the Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet, Mr Illarionov warned that Russia will argue that the granting of independence to Finland in 1917 was an act of “treason against national interests”.
“Putin’s view is that he protects what belongs to him and his predecessors,” Mr Illarionov said.
“Parts of Georgia, Ukraine, Belarus, the Baltic States and Finland are states where Putin claims to have ownership. He added: “The West’s leaders seem, from what they say, entirely to have forgotten that there are some leaders in the world who want to conquer other countries.” » Adam Withnall | Sunday, March 30, 2014
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Listening Post: Turkey vs Twitter
Chefredakteurin in Saudi-Arabien: "Frauen müssen immer um Erlaubnis fragen"
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| "Saudi Gazette"-Chefredakteurin Somayya Jabarti: "Erlebe alles als Zumutung" |
Die Journalistin Somayya Jabarti, 44, leitet seit Februar als Chefredakteurin die englischsprachige saudi-arabische Zeitung "Saudi Gazette". Ihre Ernennung ist etwas Besonderes für Saudi-Arabien, denn Frauen haben in dem Land nicht annähernd die gleichen Rechte wie Männer.
Mit SPIEGEL ONLINE sprach Jabarti über die Situation der Frauen in dem Golfstaat. Nach Deutschland kam sie auf Einladung von Novatec Consulting, einer deutschen Firma, die derzeit den Verlag der "Saudi Gazette" berät. » | Ein Interview von Raniah Salloum | Samstag, 28. März 2014
Head to Head: Should the West End Its Wars?
All Roads Lead...Out of Rome? Sardinia Plans Secession Referendum
Earthquake Strikes Near Los Angeles
A magnitude-5.1 earthquake shook the Los Angeles area and surrounding counties on Friday evening, authorities said.
The US Geological Survey said the quake struck at about 9:09 p.m. and was centred near Brea in Orange County about 20 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles.
It was felt as far south as San Diego and as far north as Ventura County, according to citizen responses collected online by the USGS.
"Tonight's earthquake is the second in two weeks, and reminds us to be prepared," Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said in a written statement released about an hour after the shaking stopped. » | Associated Press | Saturday, March 29, 2014
Gay Marriage: The Changing Face of Britain
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Brian Sewell: 'Why I’m no convert to gay marriage’: As the first same-sex weddings take place, a leading art critic argues that campaigners for equality have picked the wrong battle » | Brian Sewell | Friday, March 28, 2014
Gasoline Ally: Saudi Oil Keeps US Loyal
Violation Kingdom: US, Saudi Ties Tighten Amidst Human Rights Outcry
David Cameron Welcomes First Gay Marriages
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| Cameron: gay marriage will make society stronger |
Gay marriage will make British society stronger, David Cameron has insisted as an historic change to the meaning of matrimony comes into effect.
Mr Cameron said the introduction of same-sex marriage in England and Wales - after a debate which bitterly divided his own party and pitted church against state - was a tribute to “the sort of country we are”.
Writing in PinkNews, the gay and lesbian website, he said the redefinition of marriage was in keeping with Britain’s “proud traditions of respect, tolerance and equal worth”.
But opponents of the change said it had “ripped up” the centuries-old understanding of marriage and divided the country.
New polling seen by The Telegraph also shows that the issue could cost the Conservatives significant votes in the local and European elections in May. » | John Bingham, Social Affairs Editor | Friday, March 28, 2014
PINK NEWS: Nick Clegg congratulates same-sex couples marrying this weekend »
Friday, March 28, 2014
'We Are Cut Off, Isolated and Alone': Imprisoned Saudi Princesses Blame Their Father King Abdullah As Their Mother Calls On Obama To Help Free Them
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| Speaking out: Sahar is the eldest daughter and has somehow remained able to convey to the world the depraved state of human rights, especially against women, in Saudi Arabia |
Two Saudi Princesses who claim to have been imprisoned by their father for 13 years have told how they are 'cut off, isolated and alone' after their mother called on President Obama to help set them free.
Princesses Sahar, 42, and Jawaher, 38, whose mother is divorced from King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, say they are effectively being held under house arrest in the royal compound in Jeddah.
They claim they are not allowed to travel or even leave their home and that the internet is their only window onto the world.
In an exclusive interview with Channel 4 News, the princesses told how security has been tightened since they went public with their story two weeks ago and they are no longer even allowed to make trips with armed guards for food, as they had been previously.
Speaking to Channel 4 via Skype, they blamed the King for their situation and even claimed to be running out of food.
Princess Sahar says: 'This is a risk we're taking, we're happy to do it, we understand full well the repercussions, but we don't know what's going to happen.'
The Princesses say their sisters Maha and Hala are also being held in the Royal compound in separate villas. » | Joshua Gardner and Daniel Miller | Friday, March 28, 2014
CHANNEL 4 NEWS: Exclusive: 'locked-up' Saudi princesses' message for Obama: "He should be ashamed to meet a leader that has four grown women locked up" - the message from two Saudi princesses to President Obama as he meets with their father, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. » | Fatima Manji, Reporter | Friday, March 28, 2014
CHANNEL 4 NEWS: 'They are hanging to life' - Saudi king's ex-wife speaks out » | Fatima Manji, Reporter | Monday, March 10, 2014
CHANNEL 4 NEWS: New footage emerges of 'trapped' Saudi princesses » | Fatima Manji, Reporter | Monday, March 24, 2014
Ukraine Crisis: Russian President Vladimir Putin Phones US President Barack Obama to Discuss 'a Diplomatic Path'
The United States is expressing fresh alarm about a build-up of Russian troops along the border with eastern Ukraine amid uncertainty as to the actual numbers involved and their purpose.
While Moscow has said the soldiers are merely involved in military manoeuvres, fears are growing in Washington that preparations may be under way for fresh incursions into parts of eastern Ukraine in the wake of the annexation earlier this month of Crimea. US officials believe that the positions of the troops are being deliberately concealed and that supply lines for a possible invasion have already been established.
The concern comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin called US President Barack Obama on Friday to discuss a US diplomatic proposal for Ukraine, to which Mr OBama [sic] suggested that Russia put a "concrete response in writing," a White House spokesperson said in a statement. » | David Usborne | US Editor | Friday, March 28, 2014
Same-sex Couples Can Legally Marry from Midnight
Politicians from the main parties have hailed the change in the law.
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg, said "Britain will be a different place", but some religious groups say some remain "deeply uncomfortable" about it.
Scotland passed a similar law allowing gay marriage in February. Northern Ireland has no plans to allow same-sex marriage.
Mr Clegg congratulated his party for being part of the reform, saying: "If our change to the law means a single young man or young woman who wants to come out, but who is scared of what the world will say, now feels safer, stronger, taller - well, for me, getting into coalition government will have been worth it just for that."
Labour leader Ed Miliband congratulated gay couples planning to tie the knot.
"This is an incredibly happy time for so many gay couples and lesbian couples who will be getting married, but it's an incredibly proud time for our country as well, recognising equal marriage in law," he said. (BBC video and BBC audio) » | Friday, March 28, 2014
Is America's Relationship with Saudi Arabia Broken beyond Repair?
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| Barack Obama in Rome before flying to Riyadh: US relations with Saudi Arabia soured when revolution broke out in Syria. |
Barack Obama arrives in Riyadh seeking rapprochement with an aggrieved Arab ally whose interests are increasingly at odds with its key western backer.
The president's flying visit – no more than an evening in the Saudi king's palace – is his first since the ousting of Hosni Mubarak, which drove an initial wedge between both capitals.
Ever since, relations have tangibly soured, with US outreach to Iran and ambivalence on Syria particularly irking Saudi leaders, who believe their arch-foe, Tehran, has been empowered at their expense.
So bothered has Riyadh become by what it sees as naive appeasement of Iran that it now seems ready to project itself regionally without US cover.
"The US has underwritten the regional security order for the past 70 years and it sees now as a good time to disengage," one senior figure told the Guardian recently. "We will have to do it all ourselves." » | Martin Chulov | Friday, March 28, 2014
Gay Marriage: Bishop of Salisbury Gives Backing to Same-sex Weddings
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| Bishop of Salisbury, Nick Holtam, issued a statement supporting gay marriage. |
The Church of England's divisions over gay marriage have been reopened by the Bishop of Salisbury, who has issued a statement praising the couples who will get married and assuring them of his prayers and good wishes.
Nick Holtam's supportive remarks on the eve of the legalisation of gay marriage expresses the views of a significant body of dissent within the Church of England, unhappy with the formal position that prevents Anglican clergy from marrying partners of the same sex.
Gay marriage, the bishop said, "embodies a commitment to be faithful, loving, and lifelong. These are virtues which the Church of England wants to see maximised in society." » | Andrew Brown | Friday, March 28, 2014
Christian Sentenced to Death for Blasphemy in Pakistan
A Christian man has been sentenced to death for blasphemy in Pakistan, according to his lawyer, following an incident last year that prompted a Muslim mob to torch hundreds of homes.
It is the latest in a string of convictions prompting calls from religious minorities for the law to be reformed.
Naeem Shakir said his client, Sawan Masih, was convicted during a hearing held in jail for fear of violent protests.
Masih, a cleaner, was accused of insulting the Prophet Mohammed during a conversation with a Muslim friend in the eastern city of Lahore. Within hours, about 3000 protesters had set light to Christian homes and churches in an area known as Joseph Colony.
His supporters have always claimed the incident was fabricated as part of a plot to seize land. » | Rob Crilly, Pakistan correspondent | Friday, March 28, 2014
Inside Story: Is Religion a Source of Unity or Division?
Worlds Apart: 'Turkey Losing Its Democracy, Turning Authoritarian': Zaman Editor
WIKI: Gülen movement »
Who Is the Real Nigel Farage? Documentary Spends Six Months with the Ukip Leader
Nigel Farage's detractors have also tried to portray him as a clown, who is in charge of a party full of "fruitcakes, loonies and closet racists".
One thing is for sure, love or loathe his ideology, the Ukip leader is not to be confused with the countless bland politicians who wander the corridors of Westminster.
Remarkably, in an age dominated by political correctness his maverick approach is paying dividends.
This week he was widely considered to have got the better of Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg in a live TV and radio debate on Europe.
With Ukip also expected to do well in forthcoming euro elections and party membership growing fast, a new TV documentary examines the remarkable rise of Farage on the eve of his 50th birthday.
Programme maker Martin Durkin spent six months shadowing the Ukip leader, following him to Strasbourg, where his speeches are winning a cult following, and exploring his middle-class roots in Kent. » | Adrian Lee | Friday, March 28, 2014
Nigel Farage: Who Are You? Monday, Channel 4, 7.30pm.
'Noah' Faces Storm of Criticism over Religious Merits
Finanzielle Abhängigkeit vom Westen: Teurer Krim-Coup - Mit der Annexion hat sich Putin selbst geschadet
Arabie : le roi désigne son demi-frère Moqren prochain prince héritier
Le roi Abdallah d'Arabie saoudite a désigné jeudi son demi-frère, Moqren Ben Abdel Aziz, prochain prince héritier, lui ouvrant la voie à l'accession au trône à la tête du royaume. Selon un décret du cabinet royal, diffusé en soirée par la télévision d'État El-Ikhbariya, le prince Moqren, actuel 2e vice-président du conseil des ministres, est nommé le prochain héritier du trône. Il sera proclamé souverain "en cas de vacance simultanée aux postes de prince héritier et de roi", selon la décision prise par le Conseil d'allégeance "à plus des trois quarts" de ses 34 membres, des princes de la famille royale. Cette décision est irrévocable, souligne le décret royal. (+ vidéo) » | Source AFP | jeudi 27 mars 2014
Russische Wirtschaft: Auch ohne Krim schon in der Krise
mmerhin, für Siemens scheint die russische Welt noch in Ordnung zu sein. Konzern-Chef Joe Kaeser ist nach Moskau gereist, er hat Wladimir Putin getroffen. Der Präsident empfing ihn in Nowo-Ogarjowo, seiner Residenz vor den Toren von Moskau. Kaeser sprach von der "169-jährigen Tradition", die das Unternehmen mit Russland verbinde.
Allein 2,5 Milliarden Euro lässt sich der russische Staat 700 Siemens-Lokomotiven kosten, Siemens-Schnellzüge verkehren zwischen Moskau und Sankt Petersburg, Siemens-Regionalbahnen in der Olympiastadt Sotschi am Schwarzen Meer. » | Von Benjamin Bidder, Moskau | Freitag, 28. März 2014
Hillary Clinton vs. Jeb Bush in 2016 Bad for America?
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Landesverteidigung Deutschlands: Brauchen wir doch die Wehrpflicht?
Deutschland lebt, von Freunden umzingelt, friedlich in der Mitte Europas.
Die Bundeswehr wird nicht mehr für die klassische Landesverteidigung gebraucht, sondern dafür, Konflikte außerhalb des Nato-Gebiets zu befrieden.
Und: Der Wandel von einer verteidigungsstarken Abschreckungs- zur global agierenden Einsatzarmee erzwingt das Ende der Wehrpflicht.
Auf diesen drei Glaubenssätzen (und der Tatsache, dass der frühere Minister zu Guttenberg einen Sparbeitrag zum Haushalt bringen musste) basiert der aktuelle Großumbau der deutschen Streitkräfte. Das Problem ist nur: Diese drei Grundsätze erweisen sich möglicherweise gerade als falsch.
Russland hat sich die Krim einverleibt, die Ukraine sucht Zuflucht in der EU. Grenzen werden verschoben, Einflusszonen neu abgesteckt. 25 Jahre nach dem Fall der Mauer geht ein Riss durch Europa, einer, der als überwunden galt, doch jetzt erneut die Weltpolitik bestimmt: hier die Russen, da der Westen. Die einen schwächer geworden und unberechenbarer, der andere größer und selbstgefälliger. Und der bisher mächtigste Teil, die USA, proben gerade den Absprung in den pazifischen Raum. Weiter lesen und einen Beitrag abgeben » | Von Peter Dausend | Donnerstag, 27. März 2014
Yulia Tymoshenko to Run for President – and Take On 'Enemy Number One ' Vladimir Putin
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| Yulia Tymoshenko |
Former Ukrainian prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko is set to run for president in the upcoming May elections.
Speaking at a press conference, Ms Tymoshenko said she would run as a "candidate for Ukrainian unity" and fight against corruption.
Ditching her princess hairstyle, she claimed none of the other candidates understand "the depth of the lawlessness gripping Ukraine" and insisted Russian president Vladimir Putin remains the "number one enemy".
Often regarded as a divisive figure, she promised to find a "common language" between her pro-European supporters and Russian-speakers, many of whom continue to back former President Viktor Yanukovich, who was ousted by the Ukrainian parliament after more than three months of protests in February. » | Maria Tadeo | Thursday, March 27, 2014
Europe's Economic Crisis Is Getting Worse Not Better, Says Caritas Report
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| The Caritas report says that as a result of economic measures[,] Greece's political scene has become increasingly toxic. |
Far from being over Europe's economic crisis is getting worse with disturbing levels of poverty and deprivation being noted among children and youth, says a report compiled by the Catholic charity Caritas.
The survey, conducted over the course of the past year, not only challenges the official discourse – that Europe is on the mend – but documents a dramatic poor in the seven EU countries worst hit by the policies of austerity.
"We in Brussels keep hearing that the economic crisis is over," Thorfinnur Omarsson, a spokesman for Caritas Europa said in Athens where the network of Catholic relief organisations released the report. "These findings not only doubt that the crisis is over but show it is the poor who are paying for a crisis they did not cause." » | Helena Smith in Athens | Thursday, March 27, 2014
Turkey Moves to Block YouTube Access after 'Audio Leak'
The telecoms authority (TIB) said it had taken an "administrative measure" against the site but another report suggests that talks are under way.
Some users found access blocked while others could still use the site.
Earlier, what appeared to be a leaked audio recording of Turkish officials discussing Syria appeared on YouTube.
It relates to a discussion of possible military operations in Syria, which was apparently attended by Turkey's intelligence chief, its foreign minister and the deputy head of the armed forces. » | Thursday, March 27, 2014
Ukraine: UN Condemns Crimea Vote as IMF and US Back Loans
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| Russian forces seized Crimea's remaining military bases after Ukrainian servicemen withdrew this week |
It comes after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreed to a loan deal with Ukraine worth $14-18bn.
The US Congress also passed legislation on Thursday backing a $1bn loan guarantee for Ukraine.
Tensions are high between Russia and the West after pro-Russian troops annexed Ukraine's southern peninsula.
The West has widely condemned the move, with US President Barack Obama warning on Wednesday of "deeper" EU and US sanctions against Russia if it carried out further incursions in Ukraine. » | Thursday, March 27, 2014
Is 'Empire' Vladimir Putin's Endgame?
Krim-Krise: Alarm bei westlichen Militärs
Das russische Vorgehen in der Ukraine sei ein Weckruf für viele europäische Staaten, berichtete der deutsche Nachrichtensender N24 jüngst in einer brillanten Analyse, die die "Presse" im folgenden großteils darstellt. » | DiePresse.com | Donnerstag, 27. März 2014
Des avocats britanniques enjoints de respecter la charia
Émoi chez les robes noires. Les règles de la charia font pour la première fois leur apparition dans le droit britannique. La Law Society, l'équivalent du barreau, a créé une vive controverse en envoyant, mi-mars, aux avocats des recommandations afin de rédiger des testaments «charia compatibles». » | Par Florentin Collomp | jeudi 27 mars 2014
Related »
Julie Gayet gagne son procès contre Closer
Le tribunal de grande instance de Nanterre a condamné aujourd'hui le magazine hebdomadaire Closer à payer 15.000 euros de dommages et intérêts à l'actrice Julie Gayet. Elle réclamait 50.000 euros de dommages et intérêts et 4000 euros pour les faits de procédure. Le journal devra en outre publier sa condamnation en couverture. » | Par JulieVoisin | jeudi 27 mars 2014
Sanktionsstreit mit Visa und Co.: Russland plant die Putin-Card
Moskau - Als Reaktion auf westliche Sanktionen will der russische Präsident Wladimir Putin den Kreditkartenfirmen Visa und Mastercard mit einem eigenen Bezahlsystem Konkurrenz machen. Bei einem Fernsehauftritt berief sich Putin auf ähnliche Systeme in Japan und China. Diese Systeme funktionierten, "und sie funktionieren sehr gut". Daher werde auch Russland ein solches Zahlungssystem nun einführen. Zugleich warnte er die Kreditkartenfirmen indirekt vor der Beteiligung an Sanktionen gegen sein Land. » | dab/Reuters/AP/AFP | Donnerstag, 27. März 2014
Ukraine: Putin schickt 30.000 Soldaten an die Grenze
Die USA wollen vor dem Hintergrund der Krim-Krise die Nato-Präsenz in Osteuropa stärken. Dies solle durch intensivere Rotation von Militäreinheiten erreicht werden, sagte der stellvertretende US-Sicherheitsberater Ben Rhodes. » | dpa/Reuters/jm | Donnerstag, 27. März 2014
Prince of Wales Jokes about His German Roots as He Is Given a Pretzel
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| The Prince of Wales was given a family-sized pretzel by baker Petra Braun |
The Prince of Wales joked about his German roots today when he was given a giant pretzel by a member of the public yesterday.
Petra Braun, a baker from Stuttgart, handed him the family-sized bread snack, telling him: “Since you’re almost German, you might like this.”
The Prince, whose great great great grandfather Prince Albert was from Coburg in Germany, laughed and said: “That was a very long time ago.”
Mrs Braun, 47, who opened the Hansel and Pretzel bakery in Ham, west London, 10 years ago, said: “I didn’t know he was going to be in the area until my customers told me about 10 minutes before he arrived. I went out to see him and thought I’d better take him a gift. As Germans we are aware that we have a connection to the Royal family.” » | Gordon Rayner, Chief Reporter | Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Listening Post: The Cold War Narrative
Brussels Blows €10 Million on Obama Day-trip despite EU Austerity Anger
Russian View: Say What? Obama Claims 'Iraq Invasion Not as Bad as Crimea'
Greta: My Tip for Obama on Saudi Trip: Don't Bow
Is Obama Tough Enough on Russia?
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