Capitalism Is Doomed If Ethics Vanish, Says Bank of England Governor

'We simply cannot take the capitalist system for granted,' says Carney.

THE GUARDIAN: Mark Carney issues strong critique of City behaviour and warns of growing sense that basic social contract is breaking down

Capitalism is at risk of destroying itself unless bankers realise they have an obligation to create a fairer society, the Bank of England governor has warned.

Mark Carney said bankers had operated a "heads-I-win-tails-you-lose" system. He questioned whether traders met ethical standards and said that those who failed to meet high professional standards should face ostracism.

Speaking at a City conference, the Bank's governor warned that there was a growing sense that the basic social contract at the heart of capitalism was breaking down amid rising inequality. "We simply cannot take the capitalist system, which produces such plenty and so many solutions, for granted. Prosperity requires not just investment in economic capital, but investment in social capital."

In a strongly worded critique of City behaviour in the run-up to the financial crisis, Carney said market radicalism and light-touch regulation had eroded fair capitalism, while scandals such as the rigging of Libor markets had undermined trust in the financial system.

"Just as any revolution eats its children, unchecked market fundamentalism can devour the social capital essential for the long-term dynamism of capitalism itself. To counteract this tendency, individuals and their firms must have a sense of their responsibilities for the broader system."

Carney told delegates at a conference on inclusive capitalism in London – which was attended by the former US president Bill Clinton – that big banks had operated in a "heads-I-win-tails-you-lose bubble", with personal gain hotly pursued by bankers. » | Angela Monaghan | Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Le leader de l'Ukip lance la bataille pour sortir de l'UE

Le chef de l'Ukip Nigel Farage, généralissime d'un parti
considéré hier encore comme marginal.

TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: Le chef de l'Ukip Nigel Farage, féru d'histoire militaire, a la métaphore guerrière pour célébrer son assaut victorieux aux Européennes et son projet de conquête du parlement de Westminster.

«Vous n'en avez pas fini avec nous», a lancé, triomphant au cœur de la nuit de dimanche à lundi, le chef de l'Ukip Nigel Farage, généralissime d'un parti considéré hier encore comme marginal, avec ses 36'000 adhérents. Les médias britanniques généralement hostiles évoquent des troupes «aux tempes grises», constituées majoritairement de quinquagénaires.

Mais le but de guerre ultime de l'«armée populaire» constituée par Nigel Farage est de sortir le Royaume-Uni de l'Union européenne. » | mardi 27 mai 2014

Pakistan : une jeune femme lapidée pour avoir fait un mariage d'amour

LE POINT: Opposée à ces noces, les membres de la famille ont porté plainte pour "kidnapping". Mais, à l'arrivée au tribunal, ils ont ouvert le feu.

Farzana Iqbal, une Pakistanaise âgée de 25 ans, s'était mariée récemment par amour et avait ainsi défié sa famille dans un pays où les mariages forcés demeurent la norme. Enceinte de trois mois, elle a été lapidée à mort mardi, dans le centre d'une grande ville du pays, par des membres de sa propre famille opposés à son mariage. Furieuse, la famille avait porté plainte pour "kidnapping" contre le Roméo de cette Juliette pakistanaise qui s'est présentée mardi à la cour de Lahore (est) où elle devait "dire au juge qu'elle s'était mariée par choix", selon son avocat, Rao Mohammad Kharal. » | Source AFP | mardi 27 mai 2014

Frankreichs Wahlsieger: Schäuble nennt Front National "faschistisch"

Bundesfinanzminister Schäuble: "Wir alle müssen uns fragen, was wir besser machen können"

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Das wird vielen in Frankreich nicht passen: Nach dem Erfolg des Front National hat der deutsche Finanzminister Schäuble die Partei als "faschistisch" bezeichnet.

Berlin/Paris - In Frankreich sitzt der Schock tief - und auch im benachbarten Ausland wurde der Erfolg des rechtsextremen Front National (FN) bei der Wahl zum Europaparlament mit Schrecken registriert. Der deutsche Bundesfinanzminister Wolfgang Schäuble sagte am Dienstag auf einer Konferenz in Berlin, ein Viertel der Franzosen habe "für eine faschistische, extremistische Partei gestimmt".

Die von Marine Le Pen geführte fremdenfeindliche Partei strebt den Austritt des Landes aus EU und Euro-Zone an. Das Ergebnis der Europa-Wahl gilt als schwere Schlappe für Staatschef François Hollande, dessen Sozialisten abgeschlagen hinter dem FN (rund 25 Prozent der Stimmen) und den Konservativen auf dem dritten Platz landeten. » | jok/dpa/AFP | Dienstag, 27. Mai 2014

Archbishop of Canterbury Arrives in Pakistan to Support Embattled Christians

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Religious minority has suffered blasphemy accusations, terrorists attacks and forced conversions as persecution increases

The Archbishop of Canterbury has arrived in Pakistan to show his backing for the country’s persecuted Christian minority and to ask Muslim leaders for help in building better relations.

The Most Rev Justin Welby is due to meet politicians as well as bishops from the Church of Pakistan before travelling to Bangladesh and India.

The trip, conducted amid tight security, is part of a promise to meet leaders of the Anglican community as early as possible after taking up office and comes as Christians in some parts of the developing world suffer attacks at the hands of Islamist groups.

Xavier William, of Life for All Ministries who is due to meet the archbishop on Wednesday, said the visit was a source of comfort at a time when Pakistan’s Christian community - and other religious minorities – faced unprecedented pressure.

“We are seeing that persecution of Christians has got worse here in recent years,” he said. » | Rob Crilly, Islamabad | Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Sudanese Woman Sentenced to Death for Apostasy Gives Birth

Meriam Ibrahim and husband Daniel Wani

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Meriam Ibrahim, the Sudanese woman awaiting the death penalty for refusing to convert to Islam, has given birth to a baby girl

The Sudanese woman who has been sentenced to hang for refusing to renounce Christianity has given birth to a baby girl named Maya, her lawyers told The Telegraph.

Meriam Ibrahim, 27, gave birth to the girl – her second child – in the early hours of Tuesday morning, in the hospital wing of the prison.

"They didn't even take Meriam to a hospital - she just delivered inside a prison clinic," As Elshareef Ali Elshareef Mohammed, her lawyer, told The Telegraph.

"But neither her husband nor I have been allowed to see them yet."

Mr Elshareef said he and Daniel Wani, Ms Ibrahim's husband, were still waiting outside the prison at 2pm in Khartoum (12.00 in the UK). » | Harriet Alexander | Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Who, What, Why: What Language Would Jesus Have Spoken?

BBC: Israel's prime minister has verbally sparred with the Pope over which language Christ might have spoken. Several languages were used in the places where Jesus lived - so which would he have known, asks Tom de Castella.

Benjamin Netanyahu and Pope Francis appeared to have a momentary disagreement. "Jesus was here, in this land. He spoke Hebrew," Netanyahu told the Pope at a public meeting in Jerusalem. "Aramaic," interjected the Pope. "He spoke Aramaic, but he knew Hebrew," Netanyahu shot back.

It's broadly accepted that Jesus existed, although the historicity of the events of his life is still hotly debated. But language historians can shed light on what language a carpenter's son from Galilee who became a spiritual leader would have spoken. » | Who, What, Why, BBC News Magazine | Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Scotland 'Becoming More Ethnically Diverse'

BBC: Scotland is becoming more ethnically diverse, according to a new study.

Researchers at the Centre on the Dynamics of Ethnicity, co-hosted by the universities of Glasgow and Manchester, analysed recent censuses in Scotland.

They found that one in six Scottish households, which contain two or more people, is now multi-ethnic.

The 2011 census contained 850,000 people who were not identified as being "white Scottish", however, almost half of these were "white: other British".

This category of ethnicity numbered 417,000, up 10% in the decade to 2011, with about three-quarters of these being born in England.

Other minority groups have seen "considerable increases" in size, according to researchers, including the African, Chinese, Pakistani and Indian populations. » | Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Vince Cable Accused of Plot to Oust Nick Clegg

Lib Dems say Nick Clegg is 'toxic' on the doorstep due to
decisions on policies such as tuition fees

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Supporters of the Deputy Prime Minister claim the Business Secretary's team commissioned polls designed to encourage Lib Dems to ditch Nick Clegg as leader

Nick Clegg’s allies have accused supporters of Vince Cable of plotting to undermine the Deputy Prime Minister’s position as Liberal Democrat leader.

Supporters of Mr Clegg have said that the Business Secretary’s team is responsible for commissioning opinion polls that suggest the Lib Dems will do better at the general election if they get rid of Mr Clegg.

Senior ministers close to Mr Clegg are also demanding that ICM Research, the polling firm that conducted the surveys, reveals who paid for the work.

The Lib Dem row over the polling comes as Mr Clegg faces calls for his resignation over the party’s dismal performance in the European elections, where the Lib Dems were beaten by the Greens and lost all but one of their MEPs.

Some Lib Dem MPs and candidates believe the party needs to remove Mr Clegg to improve its chances in next year’s general election. » James Kirkup, Political Editor | Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Tony Blair Urges Labour to Take On Ukip over Immigration and EU

Tony Blair says an anti-immigration platform would confuse
Labour supporters.

THE GUARDIAN: Former leader says Ed Miliband will not gain anything if he tries to follow 'nasty and unpleasant' party led by Nigel Farage

Tony Blair has urged the Labour leader, Ed Miliband, and the rest of the mainstream political class to take on and confront Ukip, saying it would only confuse Labour's own supporters if it now ran on an anti-immigration platform.

He also urged Miliband to stay put on the issue of an in/out EU referendum, saying that yielding to the pressure of Ukip had not done the Conservative party any good to date.

Behind the Ukip facade was something pretty nasty and unpleasant, Blair told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

The former Labour leader said: "For the Labour party, if it tries to follow Ukip either on its anti-European platform or, even worse frankly, on its anti-immigrant platform, all that will happen is that it will confuse its own supporters and will not draw any greater support."

Miliband has repeatedly apologised for Labour's lenient approach to immigration in the past, saying it had not understood enough about the downsides of globalisation for working-class communities. Read on and comment » | Patrick Wintour, political editor | Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Malaysian Muslim Groups Call for Jihad on Cadbury after Pork Traces Found in Chocolate

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Islamic groups angry at Cadbury Malaysia after two batches found to contain pork DNA

Muslim groups are calling for a boycott of Cadbury after two of its products sold in predominately Islamic Malaysia were found to contain traces of pork.

The discovery was made during a periodic check for non-halal ingredients in food products by the country's Ministry of Health, which confirmed porcine DNA traces in bars of Cadbury Dairy Milk Hazelnut and Cadbury Dairy Milk Roast Almond.

Cadbury Malaysia, like most food makers in the country where Muslims make up more than 60 per cent of the population, has all of its products certified halal to conform with Islam's dietary restrictions, one of which is a prohibition on pork. » | Josie Ensor | Tuesday, May 27, 2014

European Elections 2014: Nick Clegg Faces Fight for Survival after Lib Dems' Euro Disaster

THE INDEPENDENT: Local Liberal Democrat party activists begin calling emergency meetings to force leadership contest as triumphant Nigel Farage predicts Ukip will hold balance of power at next year’s general election

Nick Clegg failed to quell a grassroots revolt by Liberal Democrat activists on Monday night as they stepped up an attempt to oust him following the party’s disastrous performance in the European elections.

After the Deputy Prime Minister refused to fall on his sword, The Independent learnt that activists had begun to call emergency meetings of local parties across the country in order to force a leadership election. They require the backing of 75 parties to trigger a contest.

The other way to open a battle over who should head the party is for a majority of the Lib Dems’ 56 MPs to support such a move. For now, most MPs are remaining publicly loyal to Mr Clegg or keeping their heads down, but some may call on him to quit in the next few days. » | Andrew Grace, Nigel Morris | Monday, May 26, 2014

Hollande : « L'avenir de la France, il est en Europe »

Lire l’article ici

French Political Class In Turmoil After Front National's European 'Earthquake' Victory

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The far-Right party has taken a quarter of the popular vote, beating both president Hollande's Socialists and the centre-Right UMP

France’s political establishment was in total disarray on Monday as its main parties reeled from the “earthquake” of seeing the far-Right Front National (FN) come first in European elections.

François Hollande, the deeply unpopular president, staged a crisis cabinet meeting to find ways to parry what is the French Socialist Party’s worst score since European elections were first held in 1979.

Sunday’s election saw the FN clinch almost 25 per cent of the vote, quadrupling its 2009 score in what its leader Marine Le Pen said translated a “massive rejection of the European Union”.

“We are witnessing the total rejection of the system,” she told Le Monde on Monday. “This is a kind of patriotic revolution” pitting the FN against the two main political parties, the Socialists and the opposition centre-Right UMP.

“The split is now between ‘nationals and globalists’,” she claimed. » | Henry Samuel, Paris | Monday, May 26, 2014

Nick Clegg: Election Losses Are 'Gutting and Heartbreaking'

In an emotional interview in which he appeared tired and red-eyed, deputy prime minister says he will not resign despite elections drubbing

Read and comment on the Telegraph article here | Georgia Graham | Monday, May 26, 2014

Worlds Apart: Martial Democracy? Radical Islam Has No Future in Egypt – Former General El-Yazal

Egypt has been embroiled in turmoil amid the Arab Spring revolution and the coup that toppled its first democratically-elected president last year. And as the nation gears up for new elections in the shadow of a shattered economy, will it receive the same old result? Can Egypt establish a democracy or will it slide back into chaos? Oksana is joined by the Chairman of the Algomhoria Center for Political and Security Studies, Sameh Seif El-Yazal, to discuss these issues.

Harte Zeiten für Christen in Nigeria

Die Stadt Jos liegt im Herzen Nigerias. Im Norden der 900'000-Einwohner-Stadt ist die islamistische Bewegung Boko Haram aktiv. Die Stadt selber und der Süden galten bis vor kurzem als sicher. Inzwischen hat sich das geändert. Der 46-jährige Markus Gamache arbeitet in Jos für eine Partnerkirche der Basler «Mission 21». Wie gefährlich ist das Leben in Jos für Christen?

Europas Populisten im Aufwind

Bei der Wahl zum Europaparlament sind die Konservativen stärkste Fraktion geworden, knapp vor den Sozialdemokraten. Die eigentlichen Gewinner aber sind die Rechtspopulisten. Viele von ihnen schafften den Sprung nach Brüssel aus dem Stand. Das Rennen um den Chefposten in der Kommission bleibt offen.

Den SRF Artikel hier lesen | Montag, 26. Mai 2014

Far-right Parties Sweep into Power across Europe

DAILY EXPRESS: The far Right made sweeping gains across Europe last night as swathes of voters rejected ruling Left-wing parties.

France’s National Front became the country’s biggest party for the first time with more than 25 per cent of the vote, trouncing President Hollande’s Socialists.

Leader Marine Le Pen told a crowd of cheering supporters: “Tonight is a massive rejection of the European Union. What is happening in France signals what will happen in all European countries – the return of the nation.” » | Monday, May 26, 2014

France: Front National Sweeps to Victory

French politics in turmoil following the shock

Read the Daily Mail article here

Front National Wins European Parliament Elections in France

THE GUARDIAN: Elections return record number of MEPs opposed to EU project, with far right winning in France, Denmark and Austria

European politics were jolted as seldom before on Sunday when France's extreme nationalists triumphed in the European parliament elections, which across the continent returned an unprecedented number of MEPs hostile or sceptical about the European Union in a huge vote of no confidence in Europe's political elite.

France's Front National won the election there with a projected 25% of the vote, while the governing socialists of President François Hollande collapsed to 14%, according to exit polls.

In Britain the Nigel Farage-led insurrection against Westminster was also expected by all three main parties to deliver a victory for Ukip in the election, albeit with a lower lead than some opinion polls had been predicting in recent weeks. Turnout in Britain was 36%, higher than at the last European elections in 2009. » | Ian Traynor in Brussels | Sunday, May 25, 2014

Nick Clegg's Supporters Round on Activists Calling for Him to Quit

Nick Clegg's supporters are criticising a push to oust the
Liberal Democrat leader from office in the wake of
disastrous local and European election results.

THE GUARDIAN: Lib Dem activists had claimed the deputy prime minister has no strategy to prevent electoral oblivion in 2015

Supporters of Nick Clegg have derided a push to oust the Liberal Democrat leader from office in the wake of disastrous local and European election results, claiming there were only minimal signs of a revolt inside the parliamentary party.

But Clegg's critics, comprising more than 200 party activists who backed the call for a change at the top, say the deputy prime minister is offering no strategy to prevent electoral oblivion in 2015 other than the hope that the current message will be better received in a year's time.

They claim there will be further momentum when the party sees the scale of the setbacks in the European elections. Some of those calling for a change in leader would prefer Vince Cable, the business secretary, to take the helm without a contest, but it is unlikely that the Treasury chief secretary, Danny Alexander, or other key figures at the top of the party would permit such a coronation. » | Patrick Wintour, Nicholas Watt and Rowena Mason | Sunday, May 25, 2014

Ukip Storms European Elections

Nigel Farage: My party's victory will 'terrify' the
political establishment

THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Nigel Farage says Ukip's success in the European elections will 'terrify' political establishment and prove 'disastrous' for Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg

The UK Independence Party has won a national election for the first time, taking the most votes and seats in the European Parliament elections according to sources in all of Britain's main political parties.

The Ukip victory, which came as anti-establishment parties advanced across the European Union, represents the biggest shock to the British political system in a generation.

Even before the final results were announced, sources in Ukip and the three older political parties were all predicting a historic victory for Nigel Farage’s party, which was founded in 1993 and does not have a single MP or council leader.

Labour was on course to come second, the first time the main Opposition party has failed to win a European election since 1984 and a serious setback to Ed Miliband.

The Conservatives said they would come third, a result that will add to the questions about David Cameron’s ability to win a majority at the general election next year. » | James Kirkup and Steven Swinford | Sunday, May 25, 2014

Far-right National Front Triumph in France as Voters across Europe Turn to Extremists and Anti-EU Parties

Jubilant: French National Front leader Marine Le Pen reacts
to exit polls revealing her party won the election

THE MAIL ON SUNDAY: Exit polls have placed the hardline party as the country's most popular / The ruling socialists appeared to trail well behind with just 14 per cent / FN leader Marine Le Pen heralded victory for 'sovereign people of France' / Prime Minister Manuel Valls described result as 'a shock, an earthquake' / Le Pen called for French parliament to be dissolved to 'control borders'

The far-right National Front has topped polls in France as countries across Europe turned to extremist and anti-EU parties.

Exit polls suggested the anti-immigrant party led by Marine Le Pen had taken more than a quarter of votes, pushing President Hollande’s Socialist Party into third place with just 13 per cent.

It is the first time that the party – which wants to drastically cut immigration and reduce the influence of Islam – has come first in a nationwide French election in its 40-year history. Projections suggest it could take 25 Euro seats out of 74.

French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said the National Front victory was ‘a political earthquake in France’, while ecology minister Segolene [sic] Royale said: ‘It’s a shock on a global scale.’

The result was the most striking of a number of successes for far right and anti-EU parties across Europe.

Chillingly, there were indications that a neo-Nazi candidate for the NPD party could be elected in Germany - giving the far-right a foothold for the first time in decades. » | Daniel Martin, Whitehall Correspondent | Sunday, May 25, 2014

Marine Le Pen Wins Record Victory for Front National in French Elections

French far-right leader of the National Front Party, Marine Le Pen

THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Marine Le Pen's far-Right Front National party has scored its highest ever percentage of the vote, exit polls in France show

France’s far-Right Front National was on course for an historic victory in European elections on Sunday night, coming top in a national election for the first time in its 42-year history in a score it said represented a “massive rejection” of the EU.

Early exit polls placed the anti-European, anti-immigrant party first with 25 per cent of the vote – a result that was even better than expected.

The result put the FN well ahead of the opposition centre-Right UMP party, on 20.6 per cent, which lost nine percentage points compared to 2009.

The ruling Socialists clinched a paltry 14.1 per cent, the second drubbing they have received in nationwide elections in two months after suffering heavy losses in municipal elections in March.

Estimations suggest that the FN was on course for clinching 24 seats in the European Parliament – a major jump from the three it won in 2009 – with the UMP taking 19, the Socialists 13 and the Greens six. » | Henry Samuel, Nanterre | Sunday, May 25, 2014

I Renounced Islam, So My family Think I Should Die

Amal Farah, above, said the case of Meriam Ibrahim
prompted her to speak out

THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Apostasy is not just something that scandalises people in far off lands. Harriet Alexander hears the story of a British woman whose life was turned upside down when she left Islam - echoing the plight of Meriam Ibrahim, who awaits a death sentence in Sudan for the same "crime"

If Amal Farah were not living in Britain, she believes she might well be dead.

For the 33-year-old financial manager had carried out an act so heinous, her family felt she deserved to die.

Her crime? She had renounced her Islamic faith – “and within my community, that’s a capital offence,” she said. “They believe you deserve to die.”

Mrs Farah, who was born in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, but now lives in Britain, has never told her story before.

She was too afraid; told that, even in the UK, it was safer for her to keep a low profile.

But when earlier this month the case of Meriam Ibrahim came to light – an eight-month pregnant Sudanese woman, sentenced to death for refusing to renounce her Christian faith – Mrs Farah felt she had to speak out.

“I had to do something,” she said. “I am so fortunate to be here, and I am in a position to be able to shout and scream and say this is wrong.” » | Harriet Alexander | Sunday, May 25, 2014

Vladimir Putin Hits Back at Prince Charles

Vladimir Putin, right, accused the Prince of Wales of 'unroyal behaviour'
for comparing him to Adolf Hitler

THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: The Russian president accuses the Prince of Wales of 'unacceptable' and 'unroyal behaviour'

Vladimir Putin has launched a withering attack on the Prince of Wales, accusing the heir to the throne of “unacceptable” and “unroyal behaviour” for comparing him to Adolf Hitler.

In an escalation of hostilities between the Kremlin and Clarence House, the Russian president made his first personal intervention in the row five days after the Prince was said to have likened him to the German Nazi leader.

Mr Putin accused the Prince of being “wrong” over the comments, which he was said to have made on Monday on a Royal tour of Canada. He also said that the Prince was speaking out of turn and his behaviour was not befitting of “what monarchs do”.

The Prince was alleged to have compared Mr Putin to Hitler over his annexation of the Crimea in an aside made to a 78-year-old Jewish woman who had fled to Canada to escape the Nazis. He told Marienne Ferguson words to the effect of: “And now Mr Putin is doing just about the same as Hitler.” The remarks have increased diplomatic tensions between the UK and Russia, already heightened over the seizure of the Crimea from Ukraine and manoeuvres to destabilise the east of the country.

Yesterday, Mr Putin told press agencies gathered at the Konstantinovsky Palace in St Petersburg: “Give my words to Prince Charles. He has been to our country more than once, if he made such a comparison, it is unacceptable and I am sure he understands that as a man of manners.

“I think he [Prince Charles] himself understands that. He is an educated man. He is a well-brought-up person.

“This is unroyal behaviour. This is not what monarchs do. But over the past few years we have seen so much, nothing surprises me any longer.” Mr Putin quoted a Russian proverb, suggesting that the Prince’s anger was a demonstration that he had actually made a false comparison. Mr Putin said: “It reminds me of a good proverb: 'You are angry. That means you are wrong’.” » | Robert Mendick, Chief Reporter | Sunday, May 24, 2014

Ukip Councillor Under Investigation Over Racist And Homophobic Comments

THE GUARDIAN: Newly elected Redditch councillor Dave Small referred to gay people as perverts and African immigrants as scroungers

Nigel Farage is dealing with fresh allegations of racism and homophobia in his party only days after the local and European elections as Ukip was forced to launch an investigation into comments made by one of its newly elected councillors.

Dave Small, who was elected to Redditch borough council on Friday, faces being kicked out of the party for referring to gay people as "perverts" and African immigrants as "scroungers".

In comments posted on Facebook, he also attacked BBC broadcaster Clare Balding and singer Elton John over their sexuality and referred to "our sworn enemies in the Muslim world". » | Kevin Rawlinson | Saturday, May 24, 2014

Related »

Iranian Actress Leila Hatami Apologises for Kissing Cannes President on the Cheek

Ms Hatami underlined her respect for Islamic rules of behaviour
in public, but festival president Gilles Jacob, 83, "had forgotten the
aforementioned rules, which comes with old age"

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: An Iranian actress who kissed the 83-year-old president of the Cannes film festival on the cheek has apologised to her country, after a photo of the red carpet incident caused outrage

Leila Hatami, the Iranian actress who angered authorities in Iran by kissing the Cannes film festival's president on the cheek, has apologised to her country.

"I am so sorry for hurting the feelings of some people," she wrote in a letter to Iran's cinema organisation, and reported by the state media agency.

Ms Hatami underlined her respect for Islamic rules of behaviour in public, but festival president Gilles Jacob, 83, "had forgotten the aforementioned rules, which comes with old age".

"My pre-emptive action of hand shaking was fruitless," she wrote, explaining the kiss.

"Although I am embarrassed to give these explanations, I had no choice but to go into details for those who could not understand the inevitable situation that I was stuck in," she said. » | AFP | Saturday, May 24, 2014

What Can You Be Flogged For In Iran? »

EU Elections 2014: 'Toxic' Marine Le Pen Blamed for Geert Wilders Defeat

Geert Wilders (right) with Marine Le Pen last year

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: EU election defeat for Geert Wilders blamed on his decision to link with French Front National rather than Nigel Farage

A disastrous European Union election vote for the Dutch far-Right has been blamed on a "toxic" Marine Le Pen and is seen as vindication of Nigel Farage's refusal to work with the French Front National.

The result is a blow to Miss Le Pen and will be widely seen as the consequence of her failure to break from the Front National's extremist past, a legacy embodied by her father Jean-Marie who remains an MEP and honorary president of the party.

His close alliance with Miss Le Pen is seen as the key factor in the unexpected defeat of Geert Wilders and his Freedom Party (PVV) on Thursday night after Dutch exit polls put him in fourth place behind all the pro-EU Dutch political parties. » | Bruno Waterfield in Scheveningen and Henry Samuel in Paris | Friday, May 23, 2014

Who, What, Why: What Can You Be Flogged For In Iran?

Leila Hatami

BBC: A campaign has begun in Iran to get an actress flogged after she was seen being kissed at the Cannes Festival. Flogging is common in Iran - but what offences in Iranian law are punished with the lash, asks Tom de Castella.

It was a normal French greeting. The actress Leila Hatami - best known for starring in the Oscar-winning film, A Separation - received a kiss on the cheek from festival president Gilles Jacob. But she has come under attack from religious hardliners for accepting the greeting rather than ducking away.

Radical students have condemned her "sinful act of kissing a strange man in public" and demanded she be flogged under article 638 of the criminal code, which deals with public morality.

Adultery, kissing in public, theft, homosexual acts, drinking or selling alcohol, and blasphemy are all grounds for flogging in Iran. Offenders are usually sentenced to between 10 and 100 lashes across the back, carried out with a one-metre (three-foot) whip. The pain is so severe that they often faint after seven or eight strokes, says Anicee Van Engeland, a specialist in Iranian law at London University's School of Oriental and African Studies. » | Who, What, Why | BBC News | Friday, May 23, 2014

Farage: Cameron Needs to Go for Tories to Win the Next Election

Lawmakers Press Obama Team on Asylum for Sudanese Mom Sentenced to Death

Read the FoxNews article here | Lisa Daftari | FoxNews | Friday, May 23, 2014

Crown Prince of Thailand Takes Refuge in Five-star Hampshire Hotel

Thailand's Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn and his entourage take over a wing of grade-II listed Tylney Hall in the village of Rotherwick as martial law is declared in Thailand

The Crown Prince of Thailand has escaped the political turmoil in his own country and is staying in a five-star hotel in the Hampshire countryside.

Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn and his 30-strong royal entourage have taken over a wing of grade-II listed Tylney Hall in the village of Rotherwick, the Evening Standard reported.

Prince Vajiralongkorn, the heir apparent and only son of King Bhumibol Adulyade.

Tylney Hall, where room start at £250 a night, rising to £530 for the Duke and Duchess Suites with four-poster beds and whirlpool baths, declined to comment on their royal guest.

“We never discuss our guests and will not be making any comment about this,” said a spokesman. » | Keith Perry | Friday, May 23, 2014

Iranian Women Who Posted Photos Without Hijabs Face Conservative Backlash

Picture of women posing without their hijabs posted on the Facebook page 

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Women who posted pictures of themselves without their hijabs on in the strict Islamic Republic are facing a growing online backlash

Iranian women who posted pictures online of themselves with their hair uncovered are facing a growing backlash from conservative sections of the Islamic Republic.

Dozens of women posted photos of themselves on a Facebook page flouting the Islamic dress code in parks, at the seaside and in the streets.

The My Stealthy Freedom group was set up by London-based Iranian journalist Masih Alinejad with the aim of sparking debate on whether women should have the right to choose what to wear.

Within the first two days of its creation, 30,000 women posted photos of themselves.

“This is Iran… The feeling of the wind blowing through every strand of hair, is a girl’s biggest dream,” the caption on the page read.

Ms Alinejad was inundated with international messages of support, but the reaction at home has been less positive. » | Josie Ensor | Friday, May 23, 2014

UKIP Candidate: Gays Will Stop Marrying Because They Are ‘Promiscuous Prisoners’

Kohn Kearney: 'Marriage for gays will gradually
fall in numbers'

PINK NEWS: A UKIP candidate who believes gay people are “promiscuous” and resemble “prisoners who need freedom” will not face disciplinary action.

John Kearney is standing for Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council in the ward of Winklebury.

The Basingstoke Gazette reports on 29 March, the same day in which same-sex couples could begin marrying in England and Wales, he wrote on his blog: “Marriage for gays will gradually fall in numbers since it is against the promiscuous nature of that community.

“The Church of England will fall very soon and be conducting gay weddings and we will have the neo-Catholics in our church ‘giving us their compassionate views’, but the Church will stay strong despite their onslaught.

“We must pray for the gay community that they will see that they are indeed prisoners who need freedom.”

Mr Kearney, a Catholic, has also made outspoken remarks about Islam.

In August last year he wrote: “Today we have the rise of Islam and a contempt for human life among a large number of people of that faith. They seek world domination and are more evangelical in their cause than Christians have been in the past 40 years. » | Scott Roberts | Thursday, May 22, 2014

Tennessee To Use Electric Chair When Lethal Drugs Unavailable

Read the CNN article here | Ed Payne, CNN | Friday, May 23, 2014

Nigel Farage: 'The Ukip Fox Is in the Westminster Hen-house'

Nigel Farage

THE INDEPENDENT: Farage believes his party will win double the number of seats predicted in the local elections as his opponents fear the birth of 'four-party politics'

A jubilant Nigel Farage has declared “the Ukip fox is in the Westminster hen-house”, after two of the largest parties in Westminster began losing control of councils as a result of gains for the Ukip leader’s “people's army”.

The surge in support for Ukip led Shadow Foreign Secretary Douglas Alexander to comment the country appeared to have entered a period of "four-party politics" as Farage’s party shrugged off a campaign blighted by controversies to win seats in Conservative and Labour strongholds.

In a sign the party could do well in elections to the European Parliament too, Ukip won more new seats than any other party in local elections in England, according to partial results from around a quarter of councils.

Reacting to the first confirmed results, a "very pleased" Farage insisted Ukip are set to be "serious players" at the general election. » | Heather Saul | Friday, May 23, 2014

Prince Charles Attacked by Russian-funded TV Channel over Putin Remarks

Prince Charles has been criticised by Russian-backed TV station
for comparing Vladimir Putin to Adolf Hitler

THE GUARDIAN: 'If anyone knows real Nazis, it's the British royal family,' says Russia Today, before introducing explanatory video

A Kremlin-funded news channel has hit back at Prince Charles likening Vladimir Putin to Adolf Hitler by highlighting the royal family's historical links to the Nazis.

The unashamedly pro-Russian broadcaster Russia Today said Charles should look to his own family history before criticising Putin over Russia's actions in Ukraine.

"If anyone knows real Nazis it's the royal family," said RT senior political correspondent Anissa Naouai on its In the Now programme. She then introduced a slick video graphic of a mocked-up photo album providing a pictorial guide to the House of Windsor's Nazi links. Read on and comment » | Matthew Weaver | Friday, May 23, 2014

European Election Upset for Geert Wilders as Dutch Turn Cold on Anti-EU Party

Dutch right-wing 'Partij voor de Vrijheid' (PVV) leader Geert Wilders
poses for the media after voting for the European Parliament

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Dutch exit polls confound predictions to leave far-Right and anti-Islam leader with 12.2 per cent of vote, behind all pro-EU mainstream political parties

Geert Wilders came fourth in European elections in the Netherlands on Thursday night, confounding predictions that he would lead a populist and far-Right backlash against the European Union across the continent.

Dutch exit polls put the far-Right and anti-Islam leader on 12.2 per cent of the vote, putting him behind all the pro-EU mainstream political parties.

'Definitive' exit polls put him behind the ruling centrist VVD on 12.3 per cent and almost three per cent behind the pro-EU D66 liberals and Christian Democrats, each on over 15 per cent.

Previous opinion polls had put Mr Wilders in the lead but there was widespread controversy over his alliance with the France’s Front National and the exit polls suggested that his share of the vote fell, compared with 2009, by 4.8 percentage points.

The result is a major blow to Mr Wilders who will lose a seat in the European Parliament with his MEPs now reduced to three out a total of 26 Dutch representatives. » | Bruno Waterfield, Scheveningen | Thursday, May 22, 2014

Thailand Coup: Tourists Confined to Hotels and City Streets Deserted after Curfew Announced

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: TV and radio stations forced off the air and military patrols enforce night-time curfew across the nation

A nationwide curfew was imposed across Thailand on Thursday emptying city streets of their population, closing down bars, businesses and restaurants and forcing tens of thousands at tourist resorts across the country to remain in their hotels.

The dramatic move followed the Thai military's declaration of martial law, defying international pressure by taking over a civilian government which was entrenched in political deadlock.

The head of the military, General Prayuth Chan-ocha, appeared on television, flanked by other armed services chiefs and proclaimed the army would act to resolve those political divisions that have paralysed the state for almost a decade.

Within hours of his appearance TV and radio stations were blocked with the reported threat of an internet and social media blackout to come.

Tourists arriving in the country from Britain and elsewhere were greeted by fleets of vehicles commandeered to ferry visitors after the 10pm start of the curfew between airports and hotels. Read on and comment » | Damien McElroy, Foreign Affairs Correspondent | Thursday, May 22, 2014

Mandelson Tells Putin's Cronies: Russia Will Suffer for Crimean Invasion

Lord Mandelson has said that the invasion of Crimea was an illegal
annexation that will be cutting the country off from foreign investment

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Lord Mandelson warns Kremlin loyalists the invasion of Crimea will become a 'self-inflicted economic wound' for Russia

Lord Mandelson has told members of President Vladimir Putin’s inner circle that the invasion of Crimea was an illegal annexation that would become a “self-inflicted economic wound” for Russia by cutting the country off from foreign investment.

The former Labour business secretary was speaking at the St Petersburg Economic Forum, a gathering designed to mirror the Davos convention and dubbed a “vanity summit” for Putin as he attempts to mask Russia economic malaise.

He was appearing alongside Kremlin loyalists including Sergei Glazyev, Putin’s chief adviser on Ukraine and Vladimir Yakunin, the president of Russian Railways and a potential successor to his friend, the president . Both men are subject to Western travel bans and asset freezes.

Alexei Uljukaev, the economic development minister, Anton Siluanov, the finance minister, and Anatoly Chubais, the architect of the mass privatisations in the 1990s that created Russia’s oligarch class were also on the panel.

The invasion will become a “Pyrrhic victory” for Moscow and the country cannot turn its back on markets and finance from the rest of the world, Lord Mandelson said. » | Matthew Holehouse, Political Correspondent | Thursday, May 22, 2014

'Islamic Jew-hatred' Ads with Hitler & Palestinian Leader Adorn DC Buses

Bus ads linking "Islamic Jew-hatred" with Adolf Hitler are rolling through the streets of Washington, DC, with First Amendment protections guaranteeing they will remain a regular sight on the beltway for some time to come.

Prince Charles's Putin-Hitler Comparison Is Outrageous, Says Russia

Prince Charles and Camilla in Winnipeg on their official visit to Canada.

THE GUARDIAN: Foreign ministry says future monarch's use of media to spread propaganda against Russia is unacceptable and low

Russia has accused Prince Charles of making outrageous and low remarks in comparing Vladimir Putin with Adolf Hitler, as the fallout from the comments threatens to descend into a diplomatic row.

The delayed but furious response to the prince's comments came before a meeting with the Foreign Office which was demanded by the Russian embassy in London.

In a statement on Thursday, the embassy said: "The outrageous remarks made by Prince Charles in Canada will be among the questions raised. The embassy asked the FCO for official clarifications on that yesterday."

Russia's foreign ministry spokesman, Alexander Lukashevich, underlined the Kremlin's anger.

"If these words were truly spoken, then without doubt, they do not reflect well on the future British monarch," he told a news conference.

"We view the use of the western press by members of the British royal family to spread the propaganda campaign against Russia on a pressing issue – that is, the situation in Ukraine – as unacceptable, outrageous and low," he said. » | Matthew Weaver | Thursday, May 22, 2014

Preacher Who Said ‘Islam Is Satanic’ Is Facing Police Probe Over ‘Hate Mongering’

Pastor James McDonnell of Whitewell Metropolitan Tabernacle in Belfast

MIRROR: Fundamentalist pastor James McConnell said he doesn't trust Muslims at church attended by Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson

A fundamentalist preacher who said “Islam is a doctrine spawned in hell” has been accused of “hate mongering” as the police confirmed they are investigating a possible hate crime.

The PSNI launched an investigation after Pastor James McConnell branded Islam “satanic” at the Whitewell Metropolitan Tabernacle Church in North Belfast.

The church, which is attended by First Minister Peter Robinson, heard McConnell say he doesn’t trust Muslims.

Asked about the incident, a PSNI spokesman said: “Police are aware of an incident at premises at the Shore Road on Sunday, May 18. Enquiries are continuing and at this stage, police are investigating a hate crime motive.”

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said “this type of hate mongering must be condemned in the strongest possible terms”.

He added: “Coming in the wake of recent spate of disgraceful racist attacks against families in parts of Belfast and elsewhere, such inflammatory comments only serve to fuel hatred.” » | By Mirror.co.uk | Thursday, May 21, 2014



Belfast Pastor Denounces Islam as the Devil’s Doctrine »

Pakistan's Geo News Becomes Latest Target in Blasphemy Accusation Trend

THE GUARDIAN: Widespread calls for popular TV channel to be shut down after using Sufi song on broadcast of mock celebrity wedding

Young children, religious minorities and people with mental health problems have all been accused of the crime of blasphemy in Pakistan.

Now the country's most popular television station has shown that even one of Pakistan's most powerful institutions is not immune from a growing trend.

Ever since Geo News was accused of airing blasphemous material on one of its morning shows last week the channel has taken extraordinary security precautions, including removing its corporate branding from the side of its broadcast trucks.

"It's a very dangerous situation because it puts all our staff at risk," said Imran Aslam, president of the channel. "This is not just about the destruction of property or the shutting down of the channel, but lives." » | Jon Boone in Lahore | Thursday, May 22, 2014

Nicolas Sarkozy Calls for End of Europe's Visa-free Schengen Area

Nicolas Sarkozy

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Former French president calls for more exclusive "Schengen II" and the return of powers to national governments from Brussels

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy has called for the end of Europe's visa-free Schengen area in order to protect the country's ailing social system.

Writing in an opinion piece in Le Point magazine on Thursday, Mr Sarkozy also called for powers to be handed back to national governments from Brussels. » | Andrew Marszal, and AFP | Thursday, May 22, 2014

EXCLUSIF. Sarkozy au "Point" : "Nous devons être européens et français" »