Inside Story: UK Bill: Passport to Statelessness?

Proposed law would give government more power to strip terror suspects of citizenship.

Barack Obama Aide Condemned Norway for 'Fawning' over President by Awarding Him Nobel Prize

The decision to give Obama the Nobel prize was met with
considerable derision and criticism

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Rahm Emanuel launched verbal assault on Norway's then ambassador after President was awarded peace prize early in his first term

A senior Norwegian diplomat says his country's former ambassador to the United States was given a verbal lashing by Barack Obama's chief of staff when the president was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009.

Morten Wetland said Thursday the ambassador, Wegger Stroemmen, was approached by Rahm Emanuel, now Chicago's mayor, who accused Norway of "fawning" to the newly elected U.S. leader.

Wetland, the Norwegian ambassador to the United Nations at the time, told The Associated Press he did not witness the dressing down but said there was an air of embarrassment in Washington that Obama had been given the award so early in his presidency. » | AP | Thursday, May 15, 2014

Pregnant Woman Faces Death in Sudan for Apostasy

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Christian woman sentenced to death for refusing to convert to Islam after being raised as a Christian

A Christian doctor has been sentenced to hang for apostasy, or the abandonment of religion, by a court in Khartoum, the Sudanese capital.

Meriam Yehya Ibrahim, 27, who was born to a Muslim father but brought up a Christian by her mother, was convicted on Sunday and given three days to recant her faith or face a possible death sentence.

“We gave you three days to recant but you insist on not returning to Islam. I sentence you to be hanged,” Judge Abbas Mohammed Al-Khalifa told Mrs Ibrahim, addressing her by her father’s name, Adraf Al-Hadi Mohammed Abdullah. » | Lucy Kinder | Thursday, May 15, 2014

Ukip Candidate Lambasts Islam as 'Totalitarian Ideology'

THE GUARDIAN: Email emerges in which Brent Ukip candidate Heino Vockrodt says Islam is against everything modern Britain stands for

The UK Independence party has become embroiled in a fresh race row after it emerged that one of its local election candidates has described Islam as a "totalitarian ideology" that is "against everything modern Britain stands for".

Labour said the "deeply offensive" views – aired in an email apparently sent last year by Heino Vockrodt to the London council on which he wishes to sit – undermined Nigel Farage's insistence that he did not lead a racist party.

In a diatribe complaining about an alleged planning breach by the Afghan community in Brent, north London, Vockrodt said parts of the borough resembled Afghanistan's Helmand province.

"Being Muslims, they ignored both refusals and did it anyway," he wrote of what he said were unlawful changes to a cultural centre.

Political correctness was preventing the council taking action, he alleged, "for fear of being called racists, when, just like in all the other cases where Muslims are grooming children to be sex slaves under the eyes of the authorities, the council does nothing".

He claimed the neighbourhood was "already exploding under the weight of segregation" and shopkeepers had been "squeezed out by Muslims".

"The entire parade – once lovely owner/occupier shops – resembles Helmand province now. Time to call in MI5 and MI6 for sure," he wrote.

"Islam is a mono-cultural, totalitarian ideology," he added. "It is NOT a religion. It is against multi-culturalism and only promotes its own culture. It is against everything modern Britain stands for." » | Press Association | Thursday, May 15, 2014

Turkey Mine Explosion: PM's Aide Pictured Kicking Protester in Mining Town

A protester is kicked by Yusuf Yerkel, advisor to Tayyip Erdogan,
as Special Forces officers hold him down

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Recep Tayyip Erdogan is embroiled in row after an aide was seen kicking a grieving relative during scuffles while visiting the Soma mine disaster

Fury has erupted in Turkey after a close aide to the Recep Tayyip Erdogan brutally assaulted a man thought to be grieving for relatives in the mining town where almost 300 people lost their lives underground.

Mr Erdogan, who has led Turkey for 11 years, was visibly shocked by the hostile reaction in Soma during a visit on Wednesday when he was forced to take refuge at a supermarket.

Video published in Turkey showed scuffles around the prime minister and one of his staff, Yusuf Yerkel, kicking a man being held down by paramilitary police. Mr Yerkel, who was a PhD candidate at Soas in 2010, told BBC Turkish that he would be making a statement about the image on Thursday.

The angry crowds in Soma called Mr Erdogan a murderer and thief and booed strongly. » | Damien McElroy | Thursday, May 15, 2014

EU Elections 2014: 'I Can Hear the Boots of the 1930s Marching through Europe'

Christer Havung in his bakery in Malmö

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Far-Right parties are poised to make unprecedented gains at the European elections. Jake Wallis Simons explores how fear and loathing is winning votes

Christer Havung is not happy.

“The situation in Sweden is very worrying,” says the 51-year-old as he arranges croissants on the counter at the Bread and Friendship café in Malmö. “You can almost hear the boots from the Thirties marching in the streets.”

Through the window of his café, the slogans “fight for Malmö” and “fight for Showan” can be seen scrawled on walls and lampposts. In April, Showan Shattak, a 25-year-old man of Iranian origin, was stabbed by four neo-Nazis two miles away. This sparked the biggest anti-fascist demonstrations the city has ever seen, with more than 10,000 people taking to the streets. The city is a tinderbox; and today the far-Right is coming to town.

Traditionally, Sweden is one of the most tolerant countries in Europe, with a long-standing open door policy towards refugees. But tensions have been building. Racist violence is becoming more frequent; concerns are growing over the non-integration and segregation of immigrants; and a far-Right party, Sweden Democrats, has become the third largest in the country, gaining 20 parliamentary seats.

As the European election approaches, a similar story is playing out in much of the northern and eastern parts of the continent. According to the latest polls, radical Right parties from 12 out of the 28 European Union countries are expected to win representation. This will amount to up to 44 far-Right MEPs – an increase of almost 20 per cent since the last elections in 2009. » | Jake Wallis Simons, Malmö | Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Italian Girls Fined $3,500 Each for Wearing Swimsuits Near Muslims on Italian Beach

THE DAILY DOSE: The encroachment of Sharia Law continues virtually unchecked or, as in this case, aided by a complicit Italian court. It appears that when one goes to the beach in Italy, it is wise to pack a complete wardrobe containing other country beach attire and then conduct a survey of those on the beach to determine the lowest common denominator of flesh to be exposed in order to avoid offending foreigners; Especially rich ones who consider themselves superior to women and the local population in general.

A justice of the peace in Messina, Italy has fined three girls an amount of approximately $3,500 each for wearing what is considered common beach wear in Italy, based upon the supposed offense to the sensitivities it created for some Saudi Arabian tourists who were also at the private resort of Taormina.

It has become common place for Muslims to make demands upon others to adhere to their standards, so it should not come as too great of a surprise that they filed their complaint. What is surprising is that the Italian court concurred and fined their citizens for engaging in normal behaviour.

Until the judges come to their senses, the ladies of Italy should make certain they pack a sheet and a hajib with their towels and sunscreen. It’s a lot less than $3,500. » | Rick Wells | Posted on May 12, 2014

Jobs for the Boys: Biden's Son Signs for Ukraine Gas Giant

A son of the US Vice-President has joined the board of directors of Ukraine's largest private gas producer. Hunter Biden now leads the company's legal unit - getting the position a few weeks after his father's trip to Kiev. And, as Marina Portnaya explains, this could be more than just a coincidence.

Islamist Leader of Mega Mosque Bid and Ally of George Galloway Picked as Tory Candidate!

Vetted? London Tories concerned at how George Galloway's ally
Mufti Shah Sadruddin picked by party.

DAILY EXPRESS: AN ISLAMIST leader of the campaign to build a “mega mosque” near Britain’s Olympic Stadium is standing as a Tory in this month’s council elections, raising concerns about the party’s vetting procedures.

Mufti Shah Sadruddin, who believes in the notion of Islamic states, has no known previous links to the Tories, and has been an enthusiastic supporter of Respect MP George Galloway.

The Conservative party in the east London borough has also selected two other candidates who have previously stood for socialist Respect.

London Mayor Boris Johnson has been briefed on the situation and is understood to be concerned the party is being exploited as a vehicle of convenience.

Mr Sadruddin has been using his Facebook page to urge all Muslims to vote for any party that stands the best chance of ousting the borough’s incumbent directly elected mayor, Labour’s Sir Robin Wales.

Anonymous leafelts have been circulating in the borough listing the Muslim candidates people should vote for, regardless of party.

A central theme of Mr Sadruddin’s campaign is his desire to punish Sir Robin for his opposition to the Mega Mosque project, which is also known as the London Markaz.

Sir Robin was opposed to the construction of the Markaz, believing it to be too large. Read on and comment » | Ted Jeory | Wednesday, May 14, 2014

One in Four People Worldwide Holds Antisemitic Views, Study Finds

Nazis arresting Jews in the Warsaw Ghetto.

THE GUARDIAN: A survey of people from over 100 countries by the Anti-Defamation league also found that 46% of those taking part did not know about the Holocaust

An estimated 1.09bn adults have antisemitic views, new research has suggested.

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a Jewish nongovernmental organisation, surveyed over 50,000 adults from 102 countries and territories to produce the ADL Global 100 report.

They judged that 26% of those surveyed had antisemitic attitudes, which the group estimates represents 1.09bn people worldwide. » | George Arnett | Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Margaret Thatcher Addresses Canadian Parliament (1988)

A Conversation with Margaret Thatcher

In 1991, KERA's Lee Cullum talked with Margaret Thatcher as part of the station's "Conversations" series. At the time of the interview, Thatcher had recently resigned as the 49th prime minister of Great Britain. The former leader recounts her years at the pinnacle of her career and reveals unexpected facets of her personality, her love of poetry and her devotion to her father.

Margaret Thatcher – BBC Good Morning Summer 1995 Interview

Interesting and entertaining interview with former British prime minister Baroness Margaret Thatcher on BBC´s show "Good Morning Summer" 1995

North Korea Threatens to 'Wipe Out' South Korea's Government

THE INDEPENDENT: Reclusive state hits out at neighbour's 'intolerable' provocation

North Korea threatened on Tuesday to “wipe out” South Korea's government in a furious response a day after a Seoul official said the North “must disappear soon,” in an escalation of rhetoric between the rivals.

The North's powerful National Defence Commission called the South Korean comments an “intolerable” provocation that showed the South wants to take over the North.

It said in a statement carried by state media that North Korea will launch “all-out ... merciless” strikes to “wipe out every last person” in South Korean President Park Geun-hye's government. (+ video) » | Hyung-Jim Kim | Seoul | AP | Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Vollverschleierung: Studentin darf mit Niqab nicht zur Uni

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Ohne Schleier an die Uni: Eine Studentin muss in Gießen für Seminare und Vorlesungen ihre Niqab ablegen. Ein angemessener wissenschaftlicher und akademischer Diskurs sei vollverschleiert nicht möglich, entschied die Hochschule.

Eine Studentin der Universität Gießen darf nicht mit einem Ganzkörperschleier an Hochschulveranstaltungen teilnehmen. Ein angemessener wissenschaftlicher und akademischer Diskurs sei durch ihre Verschleierung nicht möglich, "weil Mimik und Gestik als wichtige Aspekte der Kommunikation nicht zur Verfügung stehen", teilte eine Uni-Sprecherin mit. Das habe man der Studentin in einem persönlichen Gespräch erläutert. » | fln/dpa | Dienstag, 13. Mai 2014

Does the Muslim World Need to Be More Accountable?

May. 12, 2014 - 6:08 - Juan Williams and Mary Katharine Ham on the schoolgirls kidnapped in Nigeria

Obama Presidency Too PC on Islam Even for Liberals?

May. 12, 2014 - 5:12 - Bill Maher raises eyebrows by taking on Boko Haram and blasting liberals for not outright condemning brutal Islamic laws that go against equality and freedom and brutalize women

Iranian Women Post Pictures of Themselves without Hijabs on Facebook

THE GUARDIAN: Campaign set up by London-based Iranian journalist Masih Alinejad attracts more than 130,000 likes on social media site

Thousands of Iranian women are taking off their veils and publishing pictures of themselves online, igniting a debate about the freedom to wear or not wear the hijab.

A Facebook page set up by London-based Iranian journalist Masih Alinejad 10 days ago has attracted more than 130,000 likes, with women across Iran sending unveiled pictures taken in parks, at the seaside and in the streets.

"My stealthy freedom while driving in the streets of Tehran," wrote Maryam alongside an image showing her behind the wheel. "I like to feel the wind blowing on my face." » | Saeed Kamali Dehghan | Monday, Monday 12, 2014

Inequality for All

Bill Moyers talks with Economic analyst Robert Reich about the new film Inequality for All. Opening in theaters across the country next week, the film aims to be a game-changer in our national discussion of income inequality.

Syria Crisis: Iran and Assad Have Won, Say Top Tehran Foreign Policy Figures

THE GUARDIAN: Insiders say western strategy in Syria encouraged radicals and backfired, leading to threat to European security from returning jihadis

Iran and its close ally President Bashar al-Assad have won the war in Syria, and the US-orchestrated campaign in support of the opposition's attempt to topple the Syrian regime has failed, senior Iranian officials have told the Guardian.

In a series of interviews in Tehran, top figures who shape Iranian foreign policy said the west's strategy in Syria had merely encouraged radicals, caused chaos and ultimately backfired, with government forces now on the front foot.

"We have won in Syria," said Alaeddin Borujerdi, chairman of the Iranian parliament's national security and foreign policy committee and an influential government insider. "The regime will stay. The Americans have lost it."

Terrorism perpetrated by al-Qaida-linked jihadist groups and individuals armed and funded by Sunni Muslim Arab countries was now the main threat facing the Syrian people, Borujerdi said. Many foreign fighters who had travelled to Syria from Britain and other European countries could soon return. "We are worried about the future security of Europe," he said. » | Simon Tisdall in Tehran | Sunday, May 11, 2014

Suffering & Sorrow: Torture, Abuse Against Afghan Women On Rise

Millions of Afghan women turned out to vote last month in the country's presidential election. But despite signs of social progress, the oppression of women is again on the rise. And as RT's Lucy Kafanov reports, brutal physical and sexual abuse is still rampant.

Saudi Arabia Issues Deadly Mers Warning and Tells All People Handling Camels to Wear Face Masks and Gloves

THE INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY: First such warning as cases of virus reach 500 and amid fears it could spread further afield

Saudi Arabia has issued a rare public health warning to anyone handling camels as the country struggles to contain cases of a potentially deadly respiratory virus.

More than a quarter of those diagnosed with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (Mers) have died, and as well as around 500 cases in the kingdom it has also spread to Europe and the US – where the first case was confirmed last month.

Health experts have warned that camels are the most likely animal source for the infection, which currently only rarely transfers from person to person.

The kingdom’s agriculture ministry issued a statement via the official Saudi Press Agency today which advised people to “exercise caution and follow preventive measures” when dealing with the animals, the first time it has done so in the time since Mers was first reported two years ago.

The country has a special association with camels based on its historically nomadic culture, and has reportedly largely avoided the issue of a link between Mers and the animals despite extensive research overseas. » | Adam Withnall | Sunday, May 11, 2014

We Should Hail the Celebrity Boycott of the Dorchester over the Sultan and Sharia Law

THE OBSERVER: It may be a 'fashion thing' but the stance taken against the sharia-loving sultan reflects a new pro-activism

In his almost 50 years as a successful absolute ruler, the Sultan of Brunei has naturally encountered little opposition. It will have helped that criticism of the Brunei royal family, an outfit close to the heart of Prince Charles, is prohibited. Public gatherings of 10 or more people require a government permit. As for elections, there have not been any since 1962, when the British helped crush a popular uprising.

Accordingly, when the sultan announced the imposition of full sharia law, including stoning to death for adultery and homosexuality, and amputation for thieves, there was every reason to suppose this innovation, described by Amnesty as a return to the dark ages, would go swimmingly within the dictatorship and cause little trouble abroad.

His career in oppression has never, after all, impaired the Sultan's warm relations with the UK, which for some reason rents him a battalion of Gurkhas, or his business as a hotelier, proprietor of the Dorchester Collection. Unlike the Obamas, for instance, the Sultan was an honoured guest at the wedding of William and Kate; just last month Baroness Warsi, Britain's "human rights minister", allowed herself to be entertained by this supporter of laws which value her testimony at one half of a man's.

On the other hand, the Sultan has not previously annoyed Ellen DeGeneres, Stephen Fry, Richard Branson, much of the fashion industry and another force he is unlikely to encounter in his kingdom, the unionised LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender) activists, whose efforts brought his planned barbarism to celebrity attention. Now, days after the first phase of sharia law came into effect, the Sultan is, in fashion terminology, a thing. Boycotts are having a moment.

The Sultan's name is rubbished on Twitter, petitions are circulating, disrespectful placards and demonstrations assault his hotels in cities far beyond the reach of Brunei's sedition laws. In Beverly Hills, the council demands that the sultan sell up the Beverly Hills hotel or denounce his own legislation. Fry, who cancelled his own stay at the hotel group's Coworth Park, Ascot's "exclusive pampering destination", tweets followers to: "Take action against the Sultan of Brunei and his new anti-gay law by putting sanctions in place," while Yves St Laurent is one of several big names pitting fashion against sharia, with a pledge that, until the law is repealed in Brunei, none of its employees will stay in a Dorchester Collection property. Read on and comment » | Catherine Bennett | Saturday, May 10, 2014

Related »

Hollywood Turns on Sultan of Brunei

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Stars boycott Polo Lounge in protest at Sultan of Brunei's plans to introduce Sharia law at home - but waiters say it's only them who will suffer

Amid the opulent surroundings of the Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel, for decades the scene of Hollywood power lunches and celebrity tete-a-tetes [sic], a pall has descended.

Secluded booths once occupied by A-listers who stepped in from Sunset Boulevard lie empty as waiters stand idly by under the green-striped ceiling, listening to a pianist play Coldplay's Viva La Vida.

The lounge, once frequented by stars from Elizabeth Taylor and Marlene Dietrich to Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Cruise, has become an unfortunate casualty of a movie industry boycott aimed at the Sultan of Brunei, the hotel's ultimate owner.

Last week Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah confirmed he was pushing ahead with a plan to introduce Sharia law for the 70 per cent of his 400,000 subjects who are Muslims, and the first phase came into effect on Thursday.

Unsurprisingly, the prospect of punishments such as death by stoning for adultery and same-sex relationships, amputations by sword for theft, and 40 lashes from a rattan cane for drunkenness, has not gone down well in Hollywood and the Sultan has been unofficially declared persona non grata. Read on and comment » | Nick Allen, Los Angeles | Saturday, May 10, 2014

My comment:

I wonder what Prince Charles has to say about the introduction of full sharia'h law in the Sultanate of Brunei? After all, the Sultan is one of Prince Charles' big chums. – © Mark

This comment appears here too.

Related »

Prince Andrew Praises Bahrain, Island of Torture

THE INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY: World View: Kingdom that represses its Shia majority is to receive seal of approval from the Duke of York

The Duke of York will be the keynote speaker at a conference in London this Friday celebrating Bahrain as a place of religious freedom and tolerance of divergent opinions. Speaking during a visit to Bahrain last month, he said: "I believe that what's happening in Bahrain is a source of hope for many people in the world and a source of pride for Bahrainis."

This is very strange, as the island kingdom of Bahrain has a proven record of jailing and torturing protesters demanding democratic rights for the Shia majority, an estimated 60 per cent of Bahraini citizens, from the Sunni al-Khalifa monarchy. In its annual report on human rights, the US State Department identifies many abuses, the most serious of which include "citizens' inability to change their government peacefully; arrest and detention of protesters on vague charges, in some cases leading to their torture in detention". It draws attention to the fact that "discrimination [has] continued against the Shia population".

None of this should be too surprising. In March 2011, the government in Bahrain crushed the Bahraini version of the Arab Spring, treating protesters and anybody associated with them, such as doctors who treated injured demonstrators, with extreme brutality. The Bahrain independent commission of inquiry, set up by the Bahraini government itself, described at least 18 different techniques used to mistreat or torture detainees including electric shocks, beating on the soles of the feet with rubber hoses, sleep deprivation and threats of rape. More than 30 Shia mosques, religious meeting places and holy sites were bulldozed on the pretext that they had no planning permission.

Prince Andrew has long and controversial experience of Bahrain which he used to visit frequently as special representative for trade and investment. In 2010, an excoriating account of Prince Andrew's behaviour was published in the Daily Mail by Simon Wilson, British embassy deputy chief of mission in Bahrain from 2001 to 2005, who wrote that the prince was known to the British diplomatic community as HBH: His Buffoon Highness. Read on and comment » | Patrick Cockburn | Sunday, May 11, 2014

Margaret Thatcher – Capitalism and a Free Society

Margaret Thatcher and William F Buckley Jr. touch on a variety of subjects including economic incentives, minimum wage and redistribution of wealth.

Margaret Thatcher about the Weakness of European Countries

Council Expecting 'Firestorm' Over Islamist Schools 'Plot'

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Teachers and governors in Birmingham have been told to expect a "firestorm" when Ofsted, the schools inspectorate, publishes the findings of its investigations into the alleged "Trojan Horse" plot

Schools in Birmingham at the centre of an alleged Islamist plot have been told to expect a “firestorm” when the results of a series of official inspections are published next month.

BBC Radio 4's Today programme reported that senior officials at Birmingham City Council suggested a report by Ofsted, the schools inspectorate, will focus on claims about the governance and leadership at the schools.

However teachers and governors are said to have been told at a meeting this week that the officials had seen no evidence of the alleged “Trojan Horse” plot.

The disclosure comes after the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) said it had found “concerted efforts” to infiltrate at least six schools in Birmingham. Head teachers also warned that schools across Britain are likely to have been targeted.

The acknowledgement from the professional body followed a series of exposés by The Telegraph which disclosed how alleged plot had put schools under pressure illegally to segregate classrooms and change teaching to reflect radical Islamic beliefs. » | Edward Malnick | Saturday, May 10, 2014

Germany Alarmed Over Violent Neo-Nazi Groups

Worldwide Outcry: Online Activist Latest Victim Of Saudi Régime

A decade behind bars, a thousand lashes and a hefty fine. That's the fate of a Saudi online activist - the latest victim of Riyadh's prosecution machine. Raif Badawi was charged with cybercrime and insulting Islam after creating an online platform for public debate.

Overdose: The Next Financial Crisis

Question Time: Thursday, May 8, 2014

David Dimbleby presents from Southampton. Taking questions from the audience are Grant Shapps MP, Chuka Umunna MP, Shirley Williams, Nigel Farage MEP and Caroline Lucas MP.
Watch the programme here

Our Bank Accounts Are Not Safe

US Condemns North Korea's Obama 'Monkey' Jibes

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Pyongyang's description of US leader as 'crossbreed' and 'wicked black monkey' dismissed as 'ugly and disrespectful' by White House

The United States has condemned descriptions in North Korean state media of President Barack Obama as a "crossbreed" and a "wicked black monkey".

A spokeswoman in Washington DC said the comments were "ugly and disrespectful".

The Korea Central News Agency had released stories that graphically described the US leader as a "monkey" in comments by North Koreans in the days after he paid a state visit to South Korea.

"How Obama looks makes me disgusted," said Kang Hyuk, a worker at the Chollima Ironworks Factory, in a translation by the NK News website.

"As I watch him more closely, I realise that he looks like an African native monkey with a black face, gaunt grey eyes, cavate [sic] nostrils, plump mouth and hairy, rough ears.

"He acts like a monkey with a red bum, irrationally eating everything," Mr Kang added. "Africa's national zoo will be the perfect place for Obama to live, licking breadcrumbs thrown by visitors." » | Julian Ryall in Tokyo | Friday, May 09, 2014

José Manuel Barroso: UK Will Not Stop EU from Building Much Closer Union

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: EU's "closer union" will continue despite opposition from Britain, says president of the European Commission

The EU will remain committed to "closer union" and Britain's "special case" will not lead to treaty change in the near future, Jose Manuel Barroso has warned the Prime Minister.

In a major speech the president of the European Commission acknowledged Britain's longstanding hostility to the EU but rejected David Cameron's demand for a treaty renegotiation to give the UK a special status over the next year.

"I do acknowledge that for historical, geopolitical and economic reasons the case of the UK may be seen as a special one. Precisely because of this, it would be a mistake to transform an exception for the UK into a rule for everybody else," he said.

"We can, and should, find ways to cater to the UK's specificity, in as much as this does not threaten the Union's overall coherence. But we should not confound this specificity - even if it is shared at some moments by several governments - with an overall situation of the Union."

Mr Barroso's comments, similar to those made by the German Chancellor and French President, are a setback for Mr Cameron who has asked for the EU treaty's commitment to "ever closer union" to be scrapped or amended so it does not include Britain. » | Bruno Waterfield, Brussels | Thursday, May 08, 2014

It's Up To Retailers Whether They Clearly Label Halal Products, No 10 Says

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Downing Street says that David Cameron does not support compulsory labelling of halal products and that he has no concerns about the meat he buys or eats in restaurants

David Cameron has refused to call for clearer labelling of halal products in supermarkets and restaurants.

Downing Street has said that the Prime Minister has “no concerns” about the meat that he buys and said it is for retailers and restaurants to decide whether to provide more information about halal products.

It came just hours after Nick Clegg, the Deputy Prime Minister, called for clearer labelling of all halal meat products.

Mr Clegg said that while he had “no problem” eating a pizza with halal meat, it would be “relatively straightforward” for businesses to tell people how the meat they were eating “arrived on their plates”.

His comments echoed those made by religious leaders, who have said that shoppers must be told exactly how animals have been killed through clear labelling on food packaging.

In a letter to the Telegraph, the faith leaders suggested that all menus and packets should specify how animals have been slaughtered regardless of whether they are kosher or halal.

Their intervention follows disclosures that diners have been unknowingly served halal chicken in Pizza Express and other restaurant chains.

More than 70 per cent of all New Zealand lamb in supermarkets is from halal abattoirs – a fact not stated on labelling. » | Peter Dominiczak, Assistant Political Editor | Thursday, May 08, 2014

Christians 'Crucified Again' for Refusing Islam

Raymond Ibrahim is author of
'Crucified Again: Exposing Islam's
New War on Christians'

THE CHRISTIAN POST: To the awe of its readership, a recent Daily Mail article reports that the "jihadist Islamic State of Iraq and Levant [ISIL]," which is currently entrenched in Raqqa, Syria, "publicly crucified two Syrian rebels in northeastern Syria in revenge for a grenade attack on members of their group."

While the Daily Mail is to be commended for exposing these barbaric acts-along with posting photos of the crucified-it nonetheless minimized their significance, in two important ways: 1) by repeatedly saying things like "even al-Qaeda is distancing itself from ISIL," and so implying that the act of crucifixion is some wild aberration that even the poster-child of jihadi terror, al-Qaeda, wants nothing to do with it; and 2) ignoring the much "sexier" story that Christians in Syria are also being crucified simply for refusing to embrace Islam (as opposed to the rather mundane but politically more correct story of Islamic jihadis crucifying each other in the context of vendetta killings).

Consider the atrocities earlier committed in Ma'loula, Syria, an ancient Christian village where the inhabitants still spoke Aramaic, the language of Christ.

According to recent Arabic news media, "a Syrian nun testified to the Vatican news agency that some Christians in Ma'loula were crucified for refusing to convert to Islam or pay jizya" (tribute subjugated Christians are required to pay to their Islamic conquerors in order to exist as Christians, per Koran 9:29).

Incidentally, they were crucified by the al-Qaeda linked Nasra Front (so much for Daily Mail's portrayal of al-Qaeda "distancing" itself from the apparently "extra-extremist" ISIL for crucifying its victims).

Sister Raghad, the former head of the Patriarchate School in Damascus who currently resides in France, told Vatican Radio how she personally witnessed jihadi rebels terrorize Ma'loula, including by pressuring Christians to proclaim the shehada-Islam's credo that there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger-which, when uttered before Muslim witnesses transforms the speaker into a Muslim, with the death penalty for apostasy should the convert later "renege" by returning to Christianity. » | Raymond Ibrahim, CP Op-Ed Contributor | Tuesday, May 06, 2014

Iran Bans WhatsApp After Facebook Purchase because Zuckerberg "Is an American Zionist"

THE INDEPENDENT: Iranian censors have reportedly banned popular messaging app WhatsApp because Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, whose company recent bought the app, is an “American Zionist”.

The Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that the ban has triggered “an open dispute” within the Iranian government, especially in the light of President Hassan Rouhani’s recent shift towards more moderate policies for the Islamic Republic.

The ban was announced by the secretary of the Committee for Determining Criminal Web Content Abdolsamad Khorramabadi who has been quoted as saying that "the reason for this is the adoption of WhatsApp by the Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, who is an American Zionist." » | James Vincent | Wednesday, May 07, 2014

HAARETZ: Rohani rejects Iranian WhatsApp ban: Iranian president orders a stop to the proposed ban by the Iranian censorship committee. » | JTA | Wednesday, May 07, 2014

World's First Trillionaire Is Alive Today

THE INDEPENDENT: It’s pretty tough to understand exactly how ludicrously large a figure one trillion dollars is. ‘One with twelve zeroes’ doesn’t do it justice, but instead imagine this: even if you were profligate enough to spend a million dollars a day it would still take you 2,739 years to burn through a trillion dollars. It's that much money.

The owner of such a sum would be wealth enough to give out $140 to everyone on the planet, or – if the whim took them - buy the entirety of central London at today’s real estate prices, as The Times [£] has recently reported. » | James Vincent | Tuesday, May 06, 2014

François Hollande versus the French People: President Flops in TV Questioning

THE INDEPENDENT: François Hollande, the most unpopular French president in living memory, demonstrated the perils of wanting to be known as the “normal” leader by subjecting himself to a surreal hour-long television and radio grilling to mark the second anniversary of his election.

He took questions from listeners, including a 61-year- old woman who asked him whether he could live on her €662 (£550) monthly pension. “No,” he replied.

Earlier, the BFM TV interviewer Jean-Jacques Bourdin took a leaf out of Jeremy Paxman’s book to accuse the President of “amateurism” and of conducting a “reckless” private life which had cheapened the presidency. “You talk about [economic] recovery,” said Bourdin, “where is it?”

The Socialist President, who admitted to “regrets”, batted away the criticism and vowed to speed up economic reforms. He said that he should be judged on results “at the end of my mandate” in 2017. » | Anne Penketh | Paris | Tuesday, May 06, 2014

Vladimir Putin Signs Ban on 'Foul language' in Films, Books and Performances

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Russian president signs Soviet-era style legislation which will impose fines for swearing and requires books containing banned terms to carry cover warnings

Vladimir Putin, Russia's president, has signed a Soviet-style law banning swearing in films, television broadcasts, books and public performances.

In a move harking back to the cultural conservatism of Russia's Communist years, books containing "foul language" will have to carry a special warning, and offenders may be subject to fines of up to £830.

The text of the new law “bans the use of obscene language while ensuring the rights of Russian citizens to the use of the state language, and protecting and developing language culture,” the Kremlin said in a statement.

Films containing banned words may be refused distribution, while actors using prohibited language face performance bans of up to three months, according to CNN.

The law follows a similar measure passed in April 2013 which banned swearing in the media. » | Andrew Marszal | Tuesday, May 06, 2014

Hollywood-Protest gegen Scharia in Brunei: "In welchem Jahr leben wir?"

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Brunei hat das Scharia-Strafrecht eingeführt, in Hollywood formiert sich der Protest. Dem Sultanat gehört auch das glamouröse Beverly Hills Hotel, wo die Stars der Szene am Pool entspannen. Jetzt wird zum Boykott aufgerufen.

Los Angeles – Das Beverly Hills Hotel ist vor allem für seine glamourösen Geschichten bekannt, es gehört mit den Legenden seiner mehr als hundertjährigen Historie zum Inventar Hollywoods. Hier stiegen Elizabeth Taylor und Richard Burton ab; hier ignorierte Marlene Dietrich die Vorschrift, dass Frauen im Restaurant keine Hosen tragen dürfen; hier betrachtete Faye Dunaway nach der Oscar-Nacht ihre Goldstatue im Bademantel am Swimmingpool.

Nun müssen die Hotel-Manager jedoch mit einer äußerst unangenehmen Geschichte umgehen. Am Montag versammelten sich Dutzende Demonstranten, um gegen den Besitzer des Hotels und dessen Politik zu protestieren.

Seit Jahren gehört das Beverly Hills Hotel einer staatlichen Investmentgesellschaft aus Brunei. In dem Sultanat auf der Insel Borneo wurde in der vergangenen Woche das Scharia-Strafrecht eingeführt, was Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah als "großartigen Fortschritt" pries. Auf Ehebruch und homosexuelle Handlungen können demnach in Brunei künftig der Tod durch Steinigung stehen.

Zum Protest vor dem Hotel hatten unter anderem Feministinnen und Homosexuellenverbände aufgerufen. Unter den Teilnehmern war auch der berühmte Moderator Jay Leno. "In welchem Jahr leben wir? 1814? Kommt schon, Leute. Es ist 2014", sagte Leno laut "Variety.com". "Das Böse blüht, wenn gute Leute nichts tun." » | hut/AP/dpa | Dienstag, 06. Mai 2014


VARIETY: Jay Leno Among Sultan of Brunei Protesters at Beverly Hills Hotel: As it is embattled with a growing list of prominent organizations dropping out of events, the Beverly Hills Hotel on Monday faced the public spectacle of a protest across the street as entertainment figures and political leaders rallied against a harsh Islamic code imposed by the sultan of Brunei, who owns the fabled venue as well as other prominent tony hotels. » | Ted Johnson | Senior Editor | Monday, May 05, 2014

LOS ANGELES TIMES: Brunei law on gays, women sparks Beverly Hills Hotel boycott: The tiny, oil-rich country of Brunei has been a quiet steward of the Beverly Hills Hotel and Hotel Bel-Air, undertaking multimillion-dollar renovations of the landmarks. ¶ But in recent days both hotels have come under siege from Hollywood feminists and gay rights advocates because of new laws in the Southeast Asian sultanate. ¶ Brunei last week imposed new criminal codes, based on Islamic law, with harsh penalties for homosexuality and adultery, including death by stoning. » | Martha Groves, Nabih Bulos, Matt Stevens | Monday, May 05, 2014

Ukraine Close to War, Says Germany

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Germany has formally advised its citizens to leave east and south Ukraine because it is just a "few steps" away from war

Ukraine is only a "few steps" away from "military confrontation", the German foreign minister warned on Tuesday, as his country formally advised its citizens to leave the eastern regions.

This deeply pessimistic assessment from Frank-Walter Steinmeier came as the airport serving Donetsk region – the most populous area of Ukraine – cancelled all international flights until further notice.

The information board in the departures hall of Sergei Prokofiev Airport showed a string of cancelled flights to destinations including Moscow, Munich and Istanbul. Read on and comment » | David Blair, Donetsk | Tuesday, May 06, 2014

Oliver Stone Tears Apart Obama's Empire

Abby Martin sits down with Academy Award Winning Director, Oliver Stone, and Historian Peter Kuznick, to talk about US foreign policy and the Obama administration's disregard for the rule of law.

Geert Wilders: Ukip Will Join Our Far-Right Bloc in the EU

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Ukip is expected to overcome its distaste for Marine Le Pen and will work with a new far-Right Eurosceptic alliance after EU elections, Geert Wilders tells the Telegraph


Europe’s leading far-Right leader has predicted Ukip will end up in an alliance for Marine Le Pen and other Eurosceptic forces in the new European parliament following this month’s elections.

Geert Wilders told the Telegraph that he expects Nigel Farage to ditch a promise never to work with the French National Front after Ukip’s expected successes in European elections later this month.

Mr Wilders and Miss Le Pen have joined forces to create a “European Freedom Alliance” and both are leading the opinion polls for Europe-wide elections in their respective countries, the Netherlands and France.

Mr Farage, who has not ruled out working with Mr Wilders despite the Dutch politican’s controversial views on Islamic and immigrants, has stayed out of the alliance.

He refused because the National Front has “anti-Semitism and general prejudice in its DNA”.

However, the Dutch Freedom Party leader is convinced that he can persuade Mr Farage to overcome his distaste for with Miss Le Pen’s “Front National” after the voting finishes in elections on 25 May. » | Bruno Waterfield, The Hague | Monday, May 05, 2014

First Openly Gay Anglican Bishop Gene Robinson Announces Divorce

Mark Andrew, left, and Bishop Robinson during their civil union
ceremony in 2008, two years before they officially married

THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Bishop Robinson, who became a symbol for gay rights far beyond the church while deeply dividing the world's Anglicans, plans to divorce his husband

Gene Robinson, the first openly gay bishop in the Anglican church, whose ordination split the church in the United States, is to divorce his husband after four years of marriage.

The 66-year-old retired bishop married in 2010 when the state of New Hampshire legalised gay marriage, but had been in a relationship with his partner, Mark Andrew, for more than 25 years before announcing the split in an email to the diocese of New Hampshire last weekend.

In an article explaining the divorce, Bishop Robinson said that specific reasons would be remain private, but said responsibility fell “on the shoulders of both parties” while paying tribute to Mr Andrew as one of the “kindest, most generous and loyal human beings on earth”.

“It is at least a small comfort to me, as a gay rights and marriage equality advocate, to know that like any marriage, gay and lesbian couples are subject to the same complications and hardships that afflict marriages between heterosexual couples,” he wrote on The Daily Beast website.

“All of us sincerely intend, when we take our wedding vows, to live up to the ideal of ’til death do us part. But not all of us are able to see this through until death indeed parts us.” » | Sunday, May 04, 2014

THE DAILY BEAST: A Bishop’s Decision to Divorce » | Gene Robinson | Sunday, May 04, 2014

KT McFarland: Benghazi Is 'about Abuse of Power'

May. 01, 2014 - 7:32 - Fox News national security analyst sounds off