To Progress and Back: The Rise and Fall of Erdogan's Turkey

SPIEGEL ONLINE INTERNATIONAL: No other state has catapulted itself into the future quite as rapidly, nor relapsed back into its dark past as suddenly, as Turkey. First there was modernization, and now the beginnings of a civil war. The country is divided by mistrust and hate.

…

Recep Tayyip Erdogan -- a devout Muslim, gifted populist, modernizer and father of the country's economic miracle -- is in danger of becoming an autocrat, one who is dragging his own nation into civil war and stoking external conflicts. First, he wanted to overthrow the Syrian dictator Bashar Assad, then he ignored the Islamic State (IS) for far too long. And now he's fighting the Kurds, the West's only partner in its battle against the Islamic extremists. Erdogan is reinstating old battle fronts and stirring mistrust and nationalism. He is imprisoning journalists and his critics. And his soldiers are cordoning off and firing on entire Kurdish cities.

Erdogan used to have ambitious goals. He wanted to solve the Kurdish conflict and boost the economy. He wanted to modernize his country and align it more toward Europe. And he wasn't entirely unsuccessful.

Until very recently, Turkey, a NATO member, was regarded as democracy's only hope in the Islamic world. The country served as a mediator between East and West, and was on track to become a candidate for EU accession. But today's Turkey is quite the opposite: It is a country at risk of falling into a collective insanity, driven there by fanaticism, excessive nationalism and bizarre conspiracy theories.

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Read the whole article » | Hasnain Kazim, Maximilian Popp and Samiha Shafy | Translated from the German by Chris Cottrell | Thursday, September 24, 2015

Flüchtlingskrise: Seehofer fordert von Merkel Signal zur Begrenzung der Zuwanderung

Ministerpräsident Seehofer: "Aus den Fugen geraten"

SPIEGEL ONLINE: CSU-Chef Seehofer verschärft den Ton gegenüber Kanzlerin Merkel. Der bayerische Ministerpräsident drängt die Bundesregierung, darauf hinzuweisen, dass die Aufnahmemöglichkeiten für Flüchtlinge begrenzt seien.

In der Flüchtlingskrise wächst der Druck aus den eigenen Reihen auf Angela Merkel (CDU). Bayerns Ministerpräsident Horst Seehofer hatte die Kanzlerin bereits für ihre Entscheidung kritisiert, in Ungarn festsitzende Flüchtlinge vorübergehend ohne Kontrollen nach Deutschland einreisen zu lassen. Jetzt verschärft der CSU-Chef erneut den Ton: "Es ist die drängende Pflicht eines Politikers, auf die begrenzten Aufnahmemöglichkeiten hinzuweisen", sagte Seehofer in München. "Bei aller Hilfspolitik sind wir Politiker nicht befreit von der Frage, auch über die Folgen unseres Tuns nachzudenken."

Seehofer dankte Bundespräsident Joachim Gauck, der bereits die beschränkten Aufnahmekapazitäten angesprochen habe. Ein "vergleichbares Signal" wünsche er sich von der Bundesregierung, sagte der CSU-Politiker. Seit Monatsbeginn seien knapp 170.000 Flüchtlinge in Bayern angekommen, so Seehofer - ein Beleg dafür, "dass die Angelegenheit vollständig aus den Fugen geraten ist". » | kev/dpa/Reuters | Dienstag, 29. September 2015

Cost of Migration Crisis Means Nothing to Us, Says Top EU Official

EU Commissioner for Migration and Home Affairs Dimitris
Avramopoulos during a joint news conference on the current
migration and refugee[s] crisis in Europe, in Brussels

THE TELEGRAPH: Dimitris Avramopoulos, EU official in charge of migration, says political backlash over migration 'means nothing' as he is not elected

The EU’s leaders “do not care about the political cost" of their handling of the migration crisis because they do not have to face election, one of its top officials has admitted.

Dimitris Avramopoulos, the commissioner for migration whose controversial plan to relocate 120,000 refugees badly split the EU last week, said national leaders should “stop thinking about” the backlash they face over migration.

The relocation policy is deeply unpopular in eastern Europe, but without the threat of re-election this “means nothing”, Mr Avramopoulos said. The remarks were met with anger by British eurosceptics. » | Matthew Holehouse, Brussels | Monday, September 28, 2015

Tunisie: lueur d'espoir après la condamnation d'un homosexuel à de la prison

Un homosexuel vient d'être condamné à de la prison pour sodomie.

L’EXPRESS: Un Tunisien de 22 a été condamné à un an de prison pour homosexualité après avoir subi un test anal. Le ministre de la Justice a admis lundi que la loi devait évoluer.

Un an de prison pour avoir eu une relation homosexuelle. La peine prononcée à l'encontre d'un Tunisien de 22 ans, a suscité l'indignation la semaine dernière. Son examen anal pour prouver la sodomie - une pratique légale - avait notamment indigné. "Cruel", "inhumain" et "dégradant", a jugé l'ONG Human Rights Watch. » | Maryline Dumas | mardi 29 septembre 2015

Flüchtlingskrise in Österreich: Jetzt droht Gewalteinsatz an der Süd- Ost- Grenze

Innenministerin Johanna Miki-Leitner warnt vor
"mazedonischen Zuständen".

KRONEN ZEITUNG: Nächste Eskalationsstufe in der Flüchtlingskrise: Weil Unklarheit herrscht, wie es mit dem Weitertransport der Flüchtlinge von Österreich nach Deutschland - Stichwort Sonderzüge - weitergeht, hat Innenministerin Johanna Mikl-Leitner jetzt im Falle eines Rückstaus auch einen "Gewalteinsatz" in den Raum gestellt. Wenn es zu einem Rückstau an der Grenze komme, dann habe man nur eine Chance, nämlich die Grenzen ganz dichtzumachen, sagte die Ministerin am Dienstag. Bundeskanzler Werner Faymann sagte, er glaube nicht, dass Deutschland die Flüchtlings-Sonderzüge ganz einstellen könnte.

In Deutschland mehrten sich zu Wochenbeginn warnende Stimmen, wonach die Kapazitäten zur Aufnahme von Flüchtlingen erschöpft seien. Pro Tag kämen im Durchschnitt etwa 10.000 Flüchtlinge an, berichtete die "Bild"- Zeitung am Dienstag unter Berufung auf Sicherheitskreise. Demnach sind in der Zeit vom 5. bis 27. September rund 230.000 Asylsuchende nach Deutschland gekommen. Zwei Drittel von ihnen, rund 150.000, seien nach den eingeführten Grenzkontrollen im "Zielland" Deutschland gelandet, viele davon über das "Transitland" Österreich. » | AG/red | Dienstag, 29. September 2015

Honor Killing in Germany After Police Slip-Up

Lareeb Khan

THE CLARION PROJECT: German police informed the family that Lareeb, 19, had been caught stealing condoms. This confirmed she was sexually active, leading to the murder.

A 19-year old girl was strangled to death by her father in an honor killing in Germany after police informed him by letter she had been caught shoplifting condoms.

Asadullah Khan, 51, strangled his daughter Lareeb while she slept in the family home. He and his wife, Shazia Khan, then dressed Lareeb in her work clothes as a dental assistant and put her body in their car and discarded it in a nearby forest.

The pair is being charged with murder.

Asadullah Khan admitted the killing and told the court that his daughter had brought dishonor on the family by forming a relationship with a boyfriend he did not approve of. He wanted her to have an arranged marriage with someone from Pakistan. » | Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Saudi Royal Calls for Regime Change in Riyadh

Saudi Arabia's King Salman. One Saudi royal claims that the
king's son, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, 'is ruling the country'.

THE GUARDIAN: Plea by grandson of state’s founder comes as falling oil prices, war in Yemen and loss of faith in authority buffet leadership of King Salman

A senior Saudi prince has launched an unprecedented call for change in the country’s leadership, as it faces its biggest challenge in years in the form of war, plummeting oil prices and criticism of its management of Mecca, scene of last week’s hajj tragedy.

The prince, one of the grandsons of the state’s founder, Abdulaziz Ibn Saud, has told the Guardian that there is disquiet among the royal family – and among the wider public – at the leadership of King Salman, who acceded the throne in January.

The prince, who is not named for security reasons, wrote two letters earlier this month calling for the king to be removed.

“The king is not in a stable condition and in reality the son of the king [Mohammed bin Salman] is ruling the kingdom,” the prince said. “So four or possibly five of my uncles will meet soon to discuss the letters. They are making a plan with a lot of nephews and that will open the door. A lot of the second generation is very anxious.”

“The public are also pushing this very hard, all kinds of people, tribal leaders,” the prince added. “They say you have to do this or the country will go to disaster.” » | Hugh Miles in Cairo | Monday, September 28, 2015

Christian and Muslim Refugees Should Be Housed Separately, Says German Police Chief

THE TELEGRAPH: As attacks on Christians in asylum seeker centres increase and religious groups clash, Jörg Radek says refugees should be separately accommodated based on their faith

Christian and Muslim refugees should be housed separately in Germany to minimise tensions following growing levels of violence at asylum seeker shelters, a police chief has urged.

Jörg Radek, deputy head of Germany’s police union, said migrants should be divided, following increasing numbers of attacks on Christians in refugee centres.

“I think housing separated according to religion makes perfect sense,” Jörg Radek, deputy head of Germany’s police union, told German newspaper Die Welt, particularly for Muslims and Christians.

Two separate clashes erupted between refugees on Sunday at a temporary migrant shelter in Kassel-Calden in northern Germany left 14 people injured, police said. » | Melanie Hall, Berlin | Monday, September 28, 2015

Austria's Right-wing Populist Party Makes Huge Gains Fuelled by Migrant Crisis Fears

Head of Austrian Freedom Party (FPOe) Heinz-Christian Strache
presents an election campaign poster in Vienna

THE TELEGRAPH: Austrian Freedom Party doubles its share of the vote in state of Upper Austria as Vienna expects nearly three times the number of asylum applications received last year

A Right-wing populist party in Austria has made huge gains in regional elections over growing concerns about Europe's migrant crisis.

The Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ) won 30.4 per cent of the vote in the state of Upper Austria, the country's industrial heartland, a striking improvement on its performance in the state’s last election in 2009 when it took half as many votes with 15.3 per cent.

The party is closing in on the more centrist conservative Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP), which lost 10.4 per cent of its vote from the last election but managed to retain its lead to win 36.4 per cent.

Despite the welcome many refugees and migrants received from Vienna initially, fears over the influx in Austria appear to have played a significant role in the election. The country in recent months has become a major transit country for tens of thousands of migrants entering from Hungary en route to Germany in the past few months[.] » | Melanie Hall, Berlin | Monday, September 28, 2015

Migrant Crisis Signals Next World War

While the Obama administration promises "Peace in the Middle East" with the Iran nuclear deal, they are also bolstering the region with weapons. The reality is, the migrant crisis is the canary in the coal mine and the globalists are preparing for war.

German Government Evict Poor Germans from Their Homes for Illegals

This is truly stunning. The most blatant example of population replacement yet seen. unreal. If this does not incite a revolution then we are not people we are sheep at best.

This report was done by a left leaning TV station in Germany and even they have to struggle to justify this atrocity and warn against anyone actually blaming the Muslims or the government for what is 100% their fault and 100% not the fault of the working poor in Germany.

Putin Criticizes West for Arming 'Moderate' Syrian Rebels

Sep. 28, 2015 - 6:14 - Reaction from Fox News military analyst Gen. Jack Keane

'Do You Realise What You've Done?' Putin Addresses United Nations General Assembly 2015 (Full Speech)

Russian President Vladimir Putin is due to address the 70th UN General Assembly session in New York City on Monday, September 28.

During the highly-anticipated appearance, which will be the president‘s first since 2005, Putin is expected to comment on the most pressing international issues including the Syrian and Ukrainian crises, sanctions and the fragmentation of the global economy.

Syria Conflict: UN Assembly Highlights Divisions

BBC: Divisions among world leaders on resolving the war in Syria have been laid bare in speeches at the UN General Assembly (UNGA).

The US and France insisted Syria's President Bashar al-Assad must go, but Russia said it would be an "enormous mistake" not to work with him to tackle Islamic State (IS) militants.

The US and Russia hinted at compromise.

Barack Obama said he would work with any nation, and Vladimir Putin called for a "broad coalition".

The pair will meet in New York later.

In his speech, Mr Obama said compromise among powers would be essential to ending the Syrian conflict, which has claimed more than 200,000 lives and forced four million to flee abroad.

"Lasting stability can only take hold when the people of Syria forge an agreement to live together peacefully," he said.

"The US is prepared to work with any nation, including Russia and Iran, to resolve the conflict. But we must recognise that there cannot be, after so much bloodshed, so much carnage, a return to the pre-war status quo."

Speaking soon after, Mr Putin said it was an "enormous mistake to refuse to cooperate with the Syrian government and its armed forces who are valiantly fighting terrorism face-to-face".

He also called for the creation of a "broad anti-terror coalition" to fight IS, comparing it to the international forces that fought against Nazi Germany in World War Two. (+ videos) » | Monday, September 28, 2015

Austria: Police Enforce Price Controls on Taxis after Scores of Refugees Scammed

Police officers began enforcing price controls on taxis at the Austrian border town of Nickelsdorf, Sunday, after scores of refugees were scammed by taxi drivers who charged excessive prices to reach Vienna and other Austrian cities. Drivers were reportedly charging refugees up to €1,000 ($1,120) to reach Vienna.

Spain: "Spaniards Yes, Refugees No" - Hundreds of Far-right Protesters Hit Madrid

Around 600 far-right protesters marched through Madrid on Saturday, demanding "social aid" for Spaniards and holding banners and placards reading "Spaniards Welcome," a play on the "Refugees Welcome" movement currently organising across Europe.

Poutine demande une «large coalition» anti-djihadistes

Le président russe Vladimir Poutine à la tribune des
Nations Unies, à New York.

LE MATIN: NATIONS UNIES — Le président russe a également argumenté lundi à la tribune de l'Assemblée générale de l'ONU que refuser de coopérer avec l'actuel gouvernement syrien serait une «énorme erreur».

Le président russe Vladimir Poutine a demandé lundi devant l'ONU la création d'une «large coalition anti-terroriste» pour lutter contre les djihadistes en Syrie et en Irak.

Cette coalition serait «semblable à celle contre Hitler» au cours de la 2e Guerre mondiale et les pays arabes «y joueraient un rôle-clé», a ajouté Vladimir Poutine à la tribune de l'Assemblée générale de l'ONU. » | ats/nxp | lundi 28 septembre 2015

Nasa Mars Announcement: Water flowing on Red Planet - Live

Scientists have found evidence of briny water flowing on Mars during summertime on the Red Planet

Live link »

Sweden is Headed Toward "a Cliff”...

...thanks to a crazy, unsustainable immigration policy. These are Interview excerpts with Swedish economic researcher Tino Sanandaji. Sanandaji has a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago and is a contributor to National Review. He is a research fellow at the Research Institute of Industrial Economics in Stockholm. His family is Kurdish and came to Sweden from Iran. This interview was conducted in November, 2014.

HT: WetThrust »

English-speaking Female Jihadis in Libya Issue Islamic State Call to Arms

An image supplied by Islamist media outlet Welayat Tarablos
allegedly shows Isis members parading the street in Libya's
coastal city of Sirte.

THE GUARDIAN: Three women, believed to be British, are using social media to reach out to western Muslims to open up new front in north Africa

English-speaking female jihadis have been using social media to try to lure western Muslims to join them with Islamic State in Libya, a new front in the war on terror just 400 miles from Europe’s shores.

Three native English-speaking women have been monitored for months by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, a UK-based thinktank, and are believed to be British. They say they have been living in the war[-]torn north African country since at least the start of the summer.

Using a variety of social media platforms, including Twitter and encrypted messaging apps such as Surespot and Telegram, the three have reached out to their hundreds of followers, and as routes into Syria via its 500-mile border with Turkey have become further restricted they have advertised the journey to Libya as the easiest way of joining Isis’s so-called caliphate.

Isis has been in Libya for just over a year and the country is home to its largest forces outside of the Middle East. The group has its headquarters in the northern coastal town of Sirte, birthplace of Libya’s late dictator Muammar Gaddafi, but also has a training base to the west of the capital, Tripoli.

Melanie Smith, ISD researcher and an expert in western female jihadis, said evidence of women travelling to Libya to start a new life under Isis represented a dangerous tipping point. » | Shiv Malik, and Chris Stephen in Tunis | Sunday, September 27, 2015

David Cameron Publicly Denies Lord Ashcroft Allegation for First Time

David Cameron: 'Everyone can see why the book was written
and everyone can see straight through it.'

THE GUARDIAN: Prime minister confirms he is disputing specific claim in Call Me Dave book that he put private part of his anatomy in dead pig’s mouth

David Cameron has for the first time publicly denied allegations made in a biography written by the former Tory donor Lord Ashcroft that he was involved in a bizarre university club ritual with a dead pig’s head.

The prime minister said everybody could see straight through the book published by Ashcroft, and confirmed he was disputing the specific allegation that he put a private part of his anatomy in a dead pig’s mouth at an event of the Piers Gaveston Society when he was a student.

The book, co-written with the journalist Isabel Oakeshott and serialised in the Daily Mail, has made international headlines with its allegations about Cameron’s lifestyle, including stories about him smoking cannabis with friends at Oxford University and cocaine allegedly being in circulation at a party hosted by the Camerons. » | Rowena Mason Political correspondent | Sunday, September 27, 2015

My comment:

Is this what they taught you at Eton and Brasenose College, Oxford, Mr. Cameron? – © Mark

Catalonia Pro-independence Parties Set to Win Majority - Exit Polls

Exit polls in regional elections in Catalonia indicate that pro-independence parties are likely to have won majority in the local parliament

Umstrittener Gast : Viktor Orbán bei der CSU Klausurtagung

Der Kurs in der Flüchtlings- und Asylpolitik ist Thema bei der Herbstklausur der bayrischen CSU. Dazu ist im Kloster Banz der wegen seiner Flüchtlingspolitik umstrittene ungarische Premier Viktor Orbán eingeladen.

Muslim-Christian Clashes in Central African Republic Leave 21 Dead

THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Another 100 people thought to have been injured and thousands displaced in capital Bangui in worst violence this year after Muslim motorcycle taxi driver found murdered

At least 21 people have died and more than 100 have been injured in clashes in the Central African Republic after a Muslim motorcycle taxi driver was murdered and his body dumped near the airport of the capital.

The death, whose motive was unknown, prompted Muslims to march from their quarter in the 3rd district of the city to the largely Christian 5th district armed with automatic weapons, machetes and grenades.

Thousands of people fled to other areas of the city and displacement camps as houses and cars as well as a church and a Muslim community radio station were torched by the raiders. » | Aislinn Laing, Johannesburg | Sunday, September 27, 2015

La polémique enfle entre Ryad et Téhéran sur le drame de La Mecque

Des hommes manifestent à Téhéran contre l'Arabie Saoudite
après la mort de 150 Iraniens à la Mecque, le 25 septembre 2015

L’EXPRESS: Quatre jours après la bousculade meurtrière au hajj, le ton monte entre l'Iran chiite et l'Arabie saoudite sunnite. Cette dernière accuse Téhéran de chercher à "politiser" le pèlerinage musulman de La Mecque.

Voilà qui ne va pas arranger les relations entre Ryad et Téhéran, qui se sont encore dégradées ces dernières années avec la crise syrienne, la guerre au Yémen, et plus récemment avec l'accord sur le nucléaire conclu entre l'Iran et les grandes puissances.

La République islamique d'Iran a exigé ce dimanche "des excuses" du royaume saoudien, après avoir demandé en vain d'être associée à l'enquête sur la tragique bousculade qui a coûté la vie à 769 pèlerins, dont au moins 155 Iraniens, jeudi près de La Mecque. » | Par LEXPRESS.fr avec AFP | dimanche 27 septembre 2015

Merkel verliert an Zustimmung

Flüchtlinge aus dem Irak und Syrien fotografieren sich
gemeinsam mit Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel.

ZEIT ONLINE: Die Haltung der Kanzlerin in der Flüchtlingskrise lässt offenbar ihre Beliebtheit in der Bevölkerung sinken. Auch aus ihrer Partei bekommt Angela Merkel viel Kritik.

Die Beliebtheit von Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel (CDU) hat deutlich gelitten. In einer Umfrage des Nachrichtenmagazins Der Spiegel musste die Kanzlerin erstmals in dieser Legislaturperiode den Spitzenplatz als beliebteste Politikerin abgeben. Auch im jüngsten ZDF-Politbarometer rutschte Merkel bei der Frage nach den wichtigsten Politikern auf Platz vier ab. » | Quelle: ZEIT ONLINE, dpa, cz | Sonntag, 27. September 2015

Nigel Farage Why Are Rich Arab States Not Taking Immigrants?

Nigel Farage 2015: Shocking, Unseen Footage of Muslim Refugees Attacking Everywhere in Europe!

Unverhofft kommt oft- Flüchtlingsstrom als Destabilisierungsmechanismus

Christoph Hörstel, freier Journalist und Regierungsberater, zum Thema: "Ist der Flüchtlingsansturm plötzlicher Zufall oder doch gezieltes Instrument zur Destabilisierung der Bundesregierung?"

Game of Thrones à la Golf: Saudische Clan-Mitglieder fordern Sturz von König Salman

Seit kurzem kursiert Berichten zufolge ein Schreiben im saudischen Königshaus, der zum Sturz des herrschenden Königs Salman ibn Abd al-Aziz aufrufe. Das Schreiben enthält eine Vielzahl an politische Anschuldigungen, einschließlich Kritik am Feldzug in Jemen. Angeblich wurde das Schreiben von einem Mitglied der al-Saud-Familie selbst verfasst. Der Nahost-Experte Colin S. Cavell glaubt, dass das Überleben des Königs größtenteils vom Gutwillen der USA abhänge.

Related »

Deutschland: Zwangsvermietung leerstehender Immobilien

Verwandt »

US-trained Syria Rebels Gave Weapons to Al-Nusra Islamists, Pentagon Confirms

The U.S. military has revealed that American -trained Syrian rebels surrendered equipment to an Al Qaeda-linked terrorist group in exchange for safe passage. They handed over pick-up trucks and ammunition. A spokesman for the military described the move as "very concerning".

Rising Smoke: Blaze Rages at Baitul Futuh Mosque in London

The Baitul Futuh Mosque in London has caught fire. Half of its ground floor and first floor are in flames. Seventy firefighters and 10 fire engines are reported to be tackling the blaze.

Hungary to EU: Migrant Quotas Will Repeat Western Europe's 'Failed' Attempts at Multiculturalism

THE TELEGRAPH: Budapest tells EU officials to stop "lectures" over question of taking in Syrian refugees

Hungary has defended its opposition to Brussels' plans for compulsory migrant quotas, saying it did not wish to repeat the West's "failed experiments" in multiculturalism.

In a defiant rejection of diktats from Europe's high command, the country's right-wing government said it was not interested in "lectures" from the European Union about taking in Middle Eastern refugees.

The comments were a direct challenge to remarks last week by one of the EU's most senior figures, who criticised Hungary's prime minister, Viktor Orban, for opposing the quotas plan and for fencing off its borders to migrants trying to reach Europe.

Frans Timmermans, the Dutch vice-president of the European Commission, said that "diversity was the future of the world," and that Eastern European nations would just have to "get used to that."

In an interview with The Sunday Telegraph, Mr Orban's spokesman, Zoltán Kovács, responded by saying that integration in much of Western Europe had been at best a limited success. Hungary, he said, felt neither the wish nor the obligation to follow suit.

"Contrary to Mr Timmerman's vision, we can't see into the future," Mr Kovács said. "But we are aware of the past, and multi-culturalism in Western Europe has not been a success in our view. We want to avoid making the same mistakes ourselves." » | Colin Freeman, Chief foreign correspondent | Saturday, September 26, 2015

My comment:

Viktor Orbán is now the true leader of Western Europe, not Mutti Merkel. As Mr. Orbán rightly states, Europe is founded on Judaeo-Christian, not Islamic, principles. More power to Viktor Orbán. If he came here, I'd vote for him in a heartbeat. I'm sure many others would too. – © Mark

This comment appears here too.

Österreichs Rechtspopulisten im Aufwind

TAGES ANZEIGER: Bei regionalen Wahlen erwartet die FPÖ hohe Stimmengewinne – sie dürfte von der Flüchtlingskrise profitieren. Im Internet lassen ihre Anhänger Mordfantasien freien Lauf.

Wenn Andreas Rabl über seine Heimatgemeinde spricht, könnte man meinen, er beschreibt einen südamerikanischen Slum: hohe Arbeitslosigkeit, Drogen überall, Ausländer und nun auch noch Asylbewerber. Die Stadt sei «abge­sandelt», was so viel heisst wie: völlig verkommen. Rabl lebt allerdings nicht in Rio oder Bogotá, sondern in Wels, der zweitgrössten Gemeinde Oberösterreichs. In diesem zutiefst konservativen Bundesland war Wels immer eine rote Hochburg. 60 Jahre lang wählten Arbeiter, Angestellte und die vielen Bähnler die SPÖ. Vor fünf Jahren kam der erste Schock: Die absolute Mehrheit war dahin, die rechtspopulistische FPÖ verdreifachte ihre Stimmen, überholte die bürgerliche ÖVP und rückte gefährlich nahe an die SPÖ heran. » | Von Bernhard Odehnal, Korrespondent | Freitag, 25. September 2015

La Catalogne vote sur son indépendance

leJDD: Dimanche, les électeurs de Catalogne sont appelés aux urnes à l'occasion d'élections régionales présentées sur place comme un plébiscite pour l'indépendance.

Les électeurs de Catalogne vont se prononcer dimanche pour la première fois sur l'indépendance de leur région, malgré l'opposition de Madrid, après l'une des campagnes électorales les plus intenses qu'ait connues l'Espagne post-franquiste. Dans la forme, ce ne sont que des élections régionales destinées à renouveler le parlement de cette région industrieuse de 7,5 millions d'habitants située dans le nord-est, entre Pyrénées et Méditerranée. Mais les indépendantistes les présentent comme un plébiscite sur l'indépendance et, reconnaissant que l'enjeu est "historique", ce sont les leaders nationaux qui ont mené la campagne en Catalogne, à commencer par le chef du gouvernement conservateur, Mariano Rajoy. » | Thomas Liabot (avec AFP) - leJDD.fr | Thomas Liabot (avec AFP) | samedi 26 septembre 2015

Statins: Heart Disease Drug Speeds Up Ageing Process, Warns New Research

SUNDAY EXPRESS: STATINS make regular users become older faster, leaving them open to long-term mental and physical decline, according to disturbing new research.

Scientists have found the heart disease drug badly affects our stem cells, the internal medical system which repairs damage to our bodies and protects us from muscle and joint pain as well as memory loss.

Last night experts warned patients to “think very carefully” before taking statins as a preventative medicine.

A GP expert in the field said: “They just make many patients feel years older. Side effects mimic the ageing process.”

The new research by scientists at Tulane University in New Orleans has reignited the debate about statin side effects which many doctors say have been played down.

They include memory loss, muscle pain, diabetes, cataracts, liver dysfunction, [diabetes], fatigue and memory loss. » | Lucy Johnston | Sunday, September 27, 2015

French School Makes Muslims and Jews Wear Red Discs

THE TELEGRAPH: Primary school outrages parents by making non-pork eaters wear red discs around their necks in canteen

A school in central France has provoked outrage for making Muslim and Jewish pupils wear a red disc around their necks at lunchtime so canteen staff would not serve them pork.

The Piedalloues primary school in Auxerre, in Burgundy, gave red discs to non-pork eating pupils and yellow discs to those who do not eat meat.

Eighteen of the school’s 1,500 pupils were made to wear the discs. They were withdrawn after protests by angry parents and community leaders, who said they were reminiscent of the yellow stars Jews were forced to wear under the Nazi occupation.

“It’s revolting. It reminds you of the darkest times,” said a local councillor, Malika Ounès. “Practices like this are not acceptable. No one has the right to impose this on children.”

Christian Sautier, director of communications in the mayor’s office, said it was “an isolated, clumsy and unfortunate initiative” that lasted only one day. He said it had been put into effect by canteen staff without informing local authorities, who ended it immediately.

“When we learned about it, we fell out of our chairs,” Mr Sautier said, adding that the mayor had ordered an investigation. » | David Chazan, Paris | Saturday, Septemebr 26, 2015

L'Eglise orthodoxe bulgare veut refouler les musulmans

TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: L'Église chrétienne orthodoxe bulgare, à laquelle appartient plus de 80% de la population, a appelé le gouvernement à ne plus laisser entrer de migrants musulmans.

La Bulgarie est un des pays de transit pour des milliers de personnes cherchant à se rendre de Turquie en Europe de l'Ouest. L'Eglise chrétienne orthodoxe de ce pays s'oppose à l'entrée de migrants musulmans.

«Nous aidons les réfugiés déjà arrivés dans notre patrie, mais le gouvernement ne doit en aucun cas laisser entrer plus de réfugiés», souligne le Saint Synode, corps dirigeant de l'Église, dans une déclaration sur son site internet. «Il s'agit d'une vague qui adopte tous les traits de l'invasion», estime-t-il. » | ats/nxp | samedi 26 septembre 2015

Viktor Orbán Press Conference "We Feel That Hungary Was Let Down" (September 2015)

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban holds press conference in Austria stating there are two reasons he asked Austrian Chancellor, Werner Faymann, to meet him: Relations between Austria and Hungary and the refugee situation affecting both countries.

German Woman Threatened with Eviction to Make Way for Refugees

THE TELEGRAPH: A 51-year-old German woman is being evicted from her home of 16 years to make way for refugees, with shelters already full across the country

A woman in Germany is being evicted from her home of 16 years to make way for asylum-seekers, amid growing concerns over how Germany will find accommodation for the hundreds of thousands of refugees flooding into the country.

Bettina Halbey, a 51-year-old nurse, has lived alone in her flat in the small western German town of Nieheim since her children grew up.

On September 1, she received a letter from her landlord, the local municipality, telling her the building was being turned into a refugee shelter and she had until next May to leave.

“I was completely taken aback,” Ms Halbey told Welt newspaper. “I find it impossible to describe how the city has treated me.”

When Ms Halbey vented her frustration on Facebook, asking why she was being evicted when properties were standing empty in the town, her comment was shared 200,000 times. » | Justin Huggler in Berlin | Friday, September 25, 2015

Satire: HEIL MERKEL! Die beliebteste Kanzlerin Europas!

Halle/Saale grüßt die beliebteste Kanzlerin Europas, Angela Merkel von der CDU, am 18. September 2015 vor der hallensischen Leopoldina! Im Anschluss darauf gibt es ein Interview mit dem Unternehmer und Investor Frank Strotzenhoevel, der von der Politik Angela Merkels profitiert. Danach marschiert das Begrüßungskomitee zum Gefallen unserer geliebten Kanzlerin durch Altstadt von Halle an der Saale.

Anticipating Islam’s Conquest of Europe and America at Al-Aqsa

THE JERUSALEM POST: Any European who would oppose Muslim immigration by arguing that the current waves of desperate people hoping to find safety and prosperity north of the Alps will pave the way for a hostile attempt to conquer Europe for Islam would certainly be denounced as an “Islamophobe.” But what do you call it when a preacher at the Al-Aqsa mosque – which is usually described as Islam’s “third-holiest” place – passionately announces that “soon, we will trample them [Europe’s Christians and Jews] underfoot, Allah willing”? » | Petra Marquardt-Bigman | Friday, September 25, 2015

ISIS Attacks Yemen Mosque During Holiday Prayers

In Yemen - tragedy struck during the Eid celebrations. Two suicide blasts at a mosque in the capital Sanaa have killed at least 29 people. Islamic State say they carried out the attack. Local journalist Muhammad Al-Attab reports.

RAW: Protesters Attack Refugee Bus with Stones, Fireworks in Finland

Protesters threw fireworks, stones and beer bottles at a bus bringing asylum-seekers to a refugee centre in Finland. The bus with the new arrivals was escorted by police as it approached the refugee centre north of Helsinki overnight Thursday into Friday. State broadcaster YLE said the roughly 40 asylum-seekers were met by up to 40 protesters. It was unclear if any arrests were made.

Germany in a State of SIEGE: Merkel Was Cheered When She Opened the Floodgates to Migrants. Now, with Gangs of Men Roaming the Streets and Young German Women Being Told to Cover Up, the Mood's Changing

DAILY MAIL: Thousands of economic migrants are posing as refugees to reach Europe / David Cameron said this week that Europe must said failed asylum claimants back to their countries / Demands for Germany's 'open doors and windows' policy to be scrapped / Women said rape and child abuse were rife in Giessen's refugee camp

On the busy shopping street in Giessen, a German university town twinned with Winchester, migrant Atif Zahoor tucks into a chicken dish with his brother and cousin at the curry restaurant Chillie To Go.

They have left good jobs back in Karachi, Pakistan, and now want to be Europeans.

In late July the three slipped into Germany with their wives and children, using illegal documents. They live together in a five-bedroom house, rented for them by Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government, a 40-minute drive away from Giessen, which is home to the biggest migrants’ camp in the country.

‘We paid a trafficking agent for false visas to fly here to Germany,’ says 34-year-old Atif. ‘We claimed asylum and came to Giessen camp with other migrants. Three weeks ago, because we had families, they gave us a proper home.’

Atif is well-dressed and speaks perfect English. He used to be a transport manager at Karachi airport and is from a well-to-do family. Between mouthfuls of curry, he adds: ‘But there is violence between political gangs in Karachi. Lots of people are leaving for Europe. The trafficker decided that Germany was the place for us because it is welcoming refugees.’

Yet the raw truth is that Atif is not fleeing war or persecution. He is one of thousands of economic migrants getting into Germany as the EU’s immigration crisis grows bigger each day.

This week, David Cameron said Europe must send failed asylum claimants back to their own countries, while European Council president Donald Tusk has warned that millions more migrants are on their way and ‘the policy of open doors and windows’ must be scrapped.

They are tough words, but it’s action that is needed. As Jens Spahn, a deputy finance minister in Chancellor Merkel’s government, said this week: ‘Not everyone can stay in Germany, or in Europe. If people are coming for poverty reasons... we have to send them back.’

Mrs Merkel’s offer last month to accept all refugees from war-ravaged Syria opened the floodgates. More than a million migrants are expected this year alone, the bulk of them far from genuine asylum seekers. There is now deepening disquiet in this Christian country, dotted with churches, that it is being overwhelmed by people of a different religion and culture. Read on and comment » | Sue Reid in Giessen, Germany | Saturday, September 26, 2015

Splitting Spain? Catalans Rally ahead of Sunday Regional Elections

The streets of Barcelona, right now, are filled with thousands who've gathered to again call for their region's independence from Madrid's control. It's the last day of campaigning ahead of Sunday's vote which could, in the long run, change the map of Spain. RT's Anastasia Churkina is at the rally.

60 Minutes: Putin Voices Support for Assad

Russian President Vladimir Putin says that to avoid another Libya, Syrian President Assad must stay in power. Charlie Rose interviews the Russian leader on the 48th season premiere of 60 Minutes, Sunday, September 27 at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT.

Pope Francis Visits the United Nations | The New York Times

Pope Francis addresses the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, ahead of the official opening of its 70th session.

Der hässliche Protest gegen Flüchtlinge in Finnland

Proteste in Finnland gegen Flüchtlinge: Man
mit Ku-Klux-Klan-Mütze.

TAGES ANZEIGER: Ein Finne macht auf Ku Klux Klan. Bei Protesten gegen Flüchtlinge trat ein Mann mit weissem Spitzhut auf. Die Regierung verurteilt die Demonstration.

Die finnische Regierung hat sich entschieden von fremdenfeindlichen Protesten gegen Flüchtlinge distanziert. Sie verurteile «rassistische Proteste gegen Asylsuchende», teilte die Drei-Parteien-Koalition in einer gemeinsamen Erklärung mit. Finnland sei ein «offenes und tolerantes Land» in dem die Bevölkerung eine positive Einstellung zu Einwanderern habe. » | ofi/sda | Freitag, 25. September 2015

Zwangsvermietung von Leerstand: Berlin beschlagnahmt Luxusimmobilien für Flüchtlinge

In der historischen Wohnanlage "Riehmers Hofgarten" in
Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg will die Berliner Bezirksregierung
leerstehende Luxuswohnungen zur Unterbringung von
Flüchtlingen beschlagnahmen.

FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE: Angesichts des rasant gestiegenen Zuzugs an Flüchtlingen greifen Kommunen zu drastischen Maßnahmen. In Berlin beschlagnahmt der Senat Immobilien und zahlt dafür eine hohe Entschädigung. Auch Hamburg plant Zwangsvermietungen.

In Berlin hat der Senat bereits mehrere größere Immobilien von privaten Eigentümern beschlagnahmt, um sie als Erstaufnahmeeinrichtungen oder für die Unterbringung von Asylbewerbern zu nutzen. Am Mittwoch wollte das Bezirksparlament von Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg auf Antrag der regierenden Grünen und mit den Stimmen von Grün-Rot-Rot den nächsten Schritt beschließen: Leerstehende Wohnungen in der noblen Anlage „Riehmers Hofgarten“ sollen von den Behörden belegt werden können. Das ist deutschlandweit eine Premiere. Am späten Abend wurde die Entscheidung auf Antrag der CDU wegen der bereits fortgeschrittenen Uhrzeit aber auf die nächste Sitzung vertagt.

Dabei handelt es sich um eine denkmalgeschützte Wohnanlage aus der Gründerzeit. Etwa ein Drittel der Luxuswohnungen soll derzeit leer stehen oder als Ferienquartier genutzt werden – was die Eigentümerfirma aber bestreitet. Nach ihren Angaben ist der Leerstand in der Yorckstraße baulich bedingt, da unter anderem das Dach ausgebaut und Wohnungen saniert werden sollten. Die Grünen begründeten den hoheitlichen Zugriff mit einer drohenden Notsituation durch massenhafte Obdachlosigkeit angesichts des nahenden Winters. Es dürfe „keine Tabus“ mehr bei der Unterbringung von Asylbewerbern geben. Die Eigentümer der beschlagnahmten Wohnungen sollen als Entschädigung eine ortsübliche Miete erhalten. Laut Berliner Mieterverein stehen in der Hauptstadt „aus spekulativen Gründen“ bis zu 5000 Wohnungen leer. » | Von Joachim Jahn, Philip Plickert, Christian M¨ssgens und Jan Hauser | Freitag, September 25, 2015

Saudi Prince Arrested Over Alleged Sexual Assault In Los Angeles

THE TELEGRAPH: Majed Abdulaziz Al-Saud was arrested on charges of trying to force a Beverly Hills estate worker to perform oral sex

A Saudi prince has been arrested on charges of trying to force a worker at a Beverly Hills estate to perform oral sex, Los Angeles police said on Thursday.

Majed Abdulaziz Al-Saud, 28, was arrested on Wednesday and was released on £198,000 bond the next day, according to police and online jail records.

The Los Angeles police department's special consul division said the prince does not have diplomatic immunity, according to the Los Angeles Times and KCBS-TV. » | Reuters | Friday, September 25, 2015

Regierungserklärung der Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel

Noch nie seien seit dem Zweiten Weltkrieg so viele Menschen auf der Flucht wie gegenwärtig, sagte die CDU-Vorsitzende und Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel am Donnerstag im Bundestag. 60 Millionen Menschen weltweit fliehen nach Angaben der Vereinten Nationen vor Krieg, Verfolgung, Hunger und Naturkatastrophen. „Ich möchte, dass Europa diese gesellschaftliche, ökonomische, kulturelle und moralische Bewährungsprobe besteht“, sagte Merkel zuversichtlich.

France Signals EU Treaty Change to Avert Brexit, Warns on Euro Survival

French economy minister, Emmanuel Macron

THE TELEGRAPH: 'We mustn’t close the door to the British if what they are demanding from other member states is acceptable,' said French economic tsar Emmanuel Macron

France has opened the door to full-blown treaty changes in a bid to keep Britain in the EU, warning that it would be grave mistake to disregard the legitimate demands of London.

Emmanuel Macron, the French economy minister, said creative ways can be found to amend the EU treaties and stop a European "Brexit" crisis from spinning out of control.

“We shouldn’t turn a treaty change into something traumatic or taboo,” he said, speaking in London on a visit to promote France’s "industrial renaissance".

“We mustn’t close the door to the British if what they are demanding from other member states is acceptable,” he said.

Mr Macron said it is not beyond the wit of man to craft a “win-win deal” that addresses Britain’s worries about the status of the non-euro members, increasingly untenable as the core countries press ahead with ever closer integration. » | Ambrose Evans-Pritchard | Thursday, September 24,

Do Muslims in the U.S. Believe Sharia Law Supersedes the Constitution?

HT: Jihad Watch »

Supermoon Lunar Eclipse, September 2015: When and Where to See the 'Blood Moon'

Read the Mass Live article here | Joe Deburro | Thursday, September 24, 2015

Hollande demande à l'Arabie Saoudite de "renoncer à l'exécution" d'Ali al-Nimr

En marge du sommet extraordinaire sur les migrants qui a lieu à Bruxelles, le chef d'Etat français a demandé au royaume saoudien «de renoncer à l'exécution» du jeune chiite Ali al-Nimr. Ce dernier avait été arrêté à 17 ans en février 2012 pour avoir manifesté contre les autorités.

«Pour nous, tout doit être fait pour faire cesser ces exécutions partout, et notamment en Arabie saoudite. Et c'est pourquoi je demande à l'Arabie saoudite de renoncer à l'exécution du jeune Ali Mohammed Al-Nimr, au nom de ce principe essentiel qui est que la peine de mort doit être abolie et que les e

Pope Francis Speaks Before Congress | The New York Times

We're Doomed: EU Chief Fears Union Will COLLAPSE Over Migrant Crisis

EXPRESS: THE European Union has lost control of its borders and risks total collapse if they are not sealed, a senior Brussels diplomat has warned.

Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, warned the EU was now facing a "critical point" and that the migrant crisis hadn't even reached its peak.

As he chaired an emergency meeting of EU leaders in Brussels last night Mr Tusk painted a bleak picture of the EU's future, saying the 28-member bloc was on the verge of breakdown with "recriminations and misunderstanding" pitting nations against one another.

The future of free movement was at stake, he said, as the continent had lost control of its borders as well as a "sense of order".

He added: "The most urgent question we should ask ourselves...is how to regain control of our external borders.

"Otherwise, it doesn't make sense to even speak about common migration policy."

He appeared to lay much of the blame with Germany, accusing Chancellor Angela Merkel of exacerbating the problem by sending the signal to desperate Syrians fleeing their war-torn homeland that Germany had no limit on the number of migrants it would accept. » | Tom Batchelor | Thursday, September 24, 2015

Refugee Family Demands to Be Settled in Germany – Or They'll Go Back to Syria

EXPRESS: A FAMILY of migrants have demanded that they are settled in Germany and have refused to seek asylum in any other European country.

Housam Kbieh - who travelled to Europe with his wife and two sons - has threatened to go back to Syria if his family are not relocated to the EU's most powerful member state, which offers a generous benefit system and open-door policy.

Kbieh and his family are staying at an old military camp in the north of Munich, which has been transformed into a migrant centre.

The refugee said they were forced to flee Damascus, but outright refused to be settled anywhere else in the EU.

He said: "I go back to my country, it's Germany or nothing." » | Jake Burman | Thursday, September 24, 2015

Margaret Thatcher

Pope Francis Addresses Joint Meeting of Congress

Poutine se prépare à des frappes en Syrie

Le président russe est prêt à agir seul en Syrie, si nécessaire.

LE MATIN: ETAT ISLAMIQUE — En cas de rejet par les Etats-Unis de sa proposition d'allier leurs forces, le président russe est prêt à bombarder les djihadistes.

La Russie a renforcé sa présence militaire dans le pays et se prépare à des frappes unilatérales contre l'Etat islamique (EI) . Elle a également accru ses livraisons d'armes à l'armée syrienne dans le cadre du renforcement de son soutien au président syrien Bachar el-Assad.

Selon Bloomberg, qui cite des personnes proches du dossier, Vladimir Poutine préférerait que le gouvernement américain et ses alliés acceptent de coordonner leur campagne de bombardements contre l'EI avec la Russie, l'Iran et l'armée syrienne. » | ats/nxp| jeudi 24 septembre 2015

Bürgerkrieg in Syrien: Merkel will Gespräche mit Diktator Assad

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Es wäre eine Kehrtwende in der Syrien-Politik des Westens: Kanzlerin Merkel bringt erstmals direkte Gespräche mit Diktator Assad ins Spiel. Genau das fordert auch Russland - und droht mit Luftschlägen.

Für eine Lösung des Syrien-Konflikts hält Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel (CDU) nun doch auch Gespräche mit Syriens Staatschef Baschar al-Assad für nötig. "Es muss mit vielen Akteuren gesprochen werden, dazu gehört auch Assad", sagte Merkel beim EU-Sondergipfel zur Flüchtlingskrise in Brüssel. Es müssten aber auch andere Akteure in der Region einbezogen werden wie Iran oder Saudi-Arabien.

Ein Zugehen auf Assad wäre eine Kehrtwende in der Syrien-Politik des Westens. Bisher lehnen insbesondere die USA eine Zusammenarbeit mit dem Diktator ab, Washington fordert seinen Sturz. Russland hingegen unterstützt Assad. » | kev/AFP/dpa/Reuters | Donnerstag, 24. September 2015

German Anger at Migrant Numbers - BBC News (September 22, 2015)

A growing number of Germans are expressing their opposition to the record number of asylum seekers being accepted by Germany. Around 5,000 people joined a demonstration on Monday organised by Pegida, which is opposed to what it calls the "Islamisation of Europe". Some senior politicians are also calling for a cap on the numbers. Jenny Hill reports from Dresden.

Stampede Near Mecca During Hajj Leaves at Least 453 Dead

THE NEW YORK TIMES: BEIRUT, Lebanon — At least 453 people were killed, and 719 were injured, in a stampede near Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday morning.

The deaths occurred around 9 a.m. on the first day of Eid al-Adha, one of the holiest holidays in the Muslim calendar, and as millions of Muslims were making their pilgrimage, or hajj, to Mecca. The accident took place at the intersection of two roads in Mina, causing many to fall and others to panic, according to Saudi Arabia’s civil defense directorate.

Saudi authorities reported the deaths on Twitter and said that two medical centers had been opened in Mina to treat the injured. More than 4,000 emergency workers were sent to the scene, and hundreds of people were taken to four hospitals. » | Ben Hubbard and Mona Boshnaq | Thursday, September 24, 2015

Reagan Warned Us About Obama

How Reagan summed up Obama in the first 5 minutes of a speech over 40 years ago.

Jon Voight Tells the Truth about Obama. Wake Up America!

Relocation Agreement: EU Votes for Refugee, Migrant Quota Plan

The distribution of 120 thousand refugees is a modest step in tackling the migrant and refugee crisis - with 6 thousand reaching European shores every day, according to the UN. For more insight RT is joined by Franco Frattini, a former Italian Foreign Minister.

Pegida Canada: First North American Rally, Toronto September l9, 20l5

Pegida Canada: lst North American rally against the Islamification of Canada.

Réfugiés : la Hongrie rejette "l'impérialisme moral" de Merkel

LE POINT: "Quelle que soit la décision que prendra l'Allemagne, cela ne vaut que pour elle", a déclaré le Premier ministre hongrois Viktor Orban.

Le Premier ministre hongrois Viktor Orban a rejeté mercredi "l'impérialisme moral" que tente selon lui d'imposer la chancelière allemande Angela Merkel au reste de l'Europe concernant l'accueil des réfugiés, et proposé un plan en six points pour régler la crise. "Le plus important est qu'il n'y ait pas d'impérialisme moral" sur la question de l'afflux des migrants, a-t-il déclaré à la presse à Bad Staffelstein (Sud), en réponse à une question sur ce qu'il attendait aujourd'hui d'Angela Merkel. Il a demandé le droit pour son pays d'agir différemment de l'Allemagne. » | Le Point.fr | mercredi 23 septembre 2015

Water Cannons v. Molotovs: Protesters Clash with Police in Turkey

Turkish police fired water cannon and tear-gas at pro-Kurdish protesters who lit fire-works and Molotov cocktails to throw at authorities. The clashes broke out during a protest against recent attacks on Kurdish communities by nationalists and the perceived persecution by Turkish authorities.

Putin, Abbas, Erdogan Attend Moscow Grand Mosque Opening Ceremony

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chairman of the Council of Muftis of Russia Ravil Gainutdin attended a ceremony to open the Moscow Grand Mosque. The new mosque, which was erected on the site of the city's original mosque built in 1904 and which has been under reconstruction since 2005, will be able to accommodate up to 10,000 people simultaneously.

Related »

One of Europe's Largest Mosques Opens in Moscow

The long awaited opening of the Moscow Cathedral Mosque, the largest in Europe took place in the Russian capital. It has capacity for around 10,000 worships to pray on six floors. The opening ceremony was be attended by the leaders of Russia, Turkey, Palestine and Kazakhstan.

Lien en relation avec cette vidéo »

House of Saud: Letter Calls for Saudi King to Be Replaced

The backstairs intrigue within the House of Saud has seen a letter circulating among members of the royal family. It calls for the Saudi king and deputy crown prince to be replaced.

Profiting Politicians? German Journalist Claims Huge Industry behind EU Refugee Crisis

Germany is often the preferred destination of refugees seeking to settle in Europe. Renowned German journalist Udo Ulfkotte claims politicians are actually profitting from the ever-growing wave of asylum seekers. Ulfkotte is hiding his location - after allegedly receiving death threats. RT's Peter Oliver has more.

Refugee Crisis: EU Divided as Hungary Attacks Migrant Quota as 'Unrealisable and Nonsense'

THE TELEGRAPH: Hungarian foreign minister attacks the EU refugee quota forced through as a waste of time after interior ministers forced a plan to relocate 120,000 on the continent

The EU migrant quota plan to relocate thousands of migrants across the continent is “unfeasible, unrealisable and nonsense”, Hungary's foreign minister said, as Europe's east-west division was laid bare on Wednesday.

As EU leaders meet in Brussels on Wednesday to approve a plan to relocate 120,000 attacked by eastern European countries, Péter Szijjártó called the quota scheme a waste of time.

Romania, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary voted against the plan to take in refugees and migrants from Italy and Greece but it was forced through on Tuesday.

Under the European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker's plan, Hungary would receive 1,294 of the 120,000 to be shared by the EU countries. But instead, the Hungarian government supports a pan-EU Greek border protection initiative which would deploy helicopters and infrared cameras to catch migrants, with Frontex and Greece setting numbers on troops and border guards.

Budapest suggested that the EU should then fund refugee camps for Syrians and finance new camps if required.

Mr Szijjártó described the plan as a waste of time and said: "The plan is unfeasible, unrealisable and nonsense."

He added: “This is the beginning of a new world order; we are not talking about a refugee crisis, but about a wave of mass migration."

…

The Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban accused German chancellor Angela Merkel of "moral imperialism" and of trying to impose her vision of an open EU on the rest of the bloc. (+ video) » | Dan Nolan at the Hungarian-Croatian border | Wednesday, September 23, 2015

A horvát és a szlovén határszakasz védelméhez kell a honvédség is (Viktor Orbán speaking in the Hungarian Parliament on the migrant crisis, with English sub-titles)

Vladimir Poutine inaugure la Grande Mosquée de Moscou

Devant la Grande mosquée, un écran géant retransmet
le discours de Vladimir Poutine.

LE MATIN: RUSSIE — Le président russe a vanté un islam «humaniste». Cette nouvelle mosquée située près du centre de la capitale peut accueillir 10.000 personnes.

Vladimir Poutine a vanté mercredi les vertus «humanistes» de l'islam lors de l'inauguration, en présence de son homologue palestinien Mahmoud Abbas et du président turc Recep Tayyip Erdogan, de la Grande Mosquée de Moscou, l'une des plus grandes d'Europe.

«C'est un grand événement pour les musulmans de Russie. L'une des plus anciennes mosquées de Moscou a été reconstruite à son emplacement historique», a déclaré le président russe lors de son discours inaugural.

«La Russie est un pays multiconfessionnel dans lequel, et je tiens à le souligner, l'islam est une des religions traditionnelles», a poursuivi le président russe.

«Cette mosquée sera une source pour propager les idées humanistes et les vraies valeurs de l'islam», a-t-il ajouté, dénonçant l'organisation Etat islamique (EI) qui selon lui «dénature l'islam». » | afp/nxp | mercredi 23 septembre 2015

Iran Holds Military Parade as 'Biggest Regional Power' Fighting Terrorism

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that his country's military is the "biggest regional power against terrorism". His comments came during a speech at an annual military parade in Tehran, which was broadcast live on state TV. Rouhani also said Iranian troops were willing to help both Iraq and Syria in the struggle against Islamic State group militants, adding that Mideast nations should not put too much faith in "Western powers as their defenders".

American Muslims Fear a New Wave of Islamophobia

REUTERS.COM: Muslim Americans responded with a mix of frustration, exasperation and anger to what many see as a growing wave of Islamophobia fueled by two of the Republican Party’s most popular presidential candidates, Donald Trump and Ben Carson.

At the Islamic Institute of Orange County, which houses a mosque and a school in Anaheim, in southern California, tensions were already mounting since a group of white men screamed at mothers and children arriving at the center on this year’s anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, calling them cowards who did not belong in America.

Many of the country’s 2.8 million Muslims say such tensions could become uglier during a presidential race that they fear is already tapping a vein of anger and bigotry.

“It’s pretty troubling that someone running for president would make those claims,” Zuhair Shaath, Palestinian-American, said of Carson, a retired neurosurgeon who on Sunday said Muslims were unfit for the presidency of the United States.

Carson's campaign defended his comments on Monday, saying he was not suggesting a Muslim should be barred from running for president. But his campaign said he would not advocate for that person becoming a leader and would not support it.

Later on Monday, Carson said he "absolutely" stood by his comments but would be open to a moderate Muslim candidate who denounced radical Islamists.

The remarks by Carson, who is near the top of opinion polls for the crowded field of Republican candidates for the 2016 election, followed billionaire Trump’s failure to challenge comments made on Friday by a supporter who labeled U.S. President Barack Obama a Muslim. » | Tim Reid | Anaheim, Calif. | Monday, September 21, 2015

BS! ‘EU Measures Fail to Provide Long-term Solution to Refugee Crisis’

The EU has approved a scheme to relocate 12, 000 refugees across the continent, triggering outrage from central European nations. Under European law, three of the countries that voted against the proposal — the Czech Republic, Romania and Slovakia — would be required to accept migrants against their will. RT talks to former deputy speaker of the Belgian Parliament Lode Vanoost.