Protesters in Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s second-largest city, demonstrated in front of a mosque, attacking it with stones, torches, bottle rockets, and other missiles. The crowd was angry because control of the mosque had been returned to Muslims, more than a hundred years after it was taken over by the state following Bulgarian independence. One policeman was injured and 120 people were detained.
In other news, the Norwegian mass murderer Anders Behring Breivik is threatening to go on a hunger strike if he is not allowed to have a more recent version of Playstation.
To see the headlines and the articles, click “Continue reading” below.
Thanks to C. Cantoni, Caroline Glick, Fjordman, Insubria, JD, JP, Kitman, LH, Mark H., Nick, Vlad Tepes, and all the other tipsters who sent these in.
Notice to tipsters: Please don’t submit extensive excerpts from articles that have been posted behind a subscription firewall, or are otherwise under copyright protection.
Caveat: Articles in the news feed are posted “as is”. Gates of Vienna cannot vouch for the authenticity or accuracy of the contents of any individual item posted here. We check each entry to make sure it is relatively interesting, not patently offensive, and at least superficially plausible. The link to the original is included with each item’s title. Further research and verification are left to the reader.
A Rash of Deaths and a Missing Reporter — With Ties to Wall Street Investigations
In a span of four days last week, two current executives and one recently retired top ranking executive of major financial firms were found dead. Both media and police have been quick to label the deaths as likely suicides. Missing from the reports is the salient fact that all three of the financial firms the executives worked for are under investigation for potentially serious financial fraud.
[Comment: Read it all. Highly suspicious string of “suicides”.]
| — Hat tip: JD | [Return to headlines] |
Government Lays Groundwork to Confiscate Your 401k and IRA: “This is Happening”
This morning Reuters obtained a leaked proposal disclosing that European Union officials are looking for new and innovative ways to fund their immense debt levels.
As noted by Zero Hedge, they’re no longer turning exclusively to central bankers to simply print more money as needed. Because last year’s bank bail-in forcing the confiscation of funds from average depositors in Cyprus worked so well, EU regulators and bankers have determined that they’ll use a similar method to fund their future endeavors.
In a nutshell, and in Reuters’ own words, “the savings of the European Union’s 500 million citizens could be used to fund long-term investments to boost the economy and help plug the gap left by banks since the financial crisis, an EU document says.”
The solution? “The Commission will ask the bloc’s insurance watchdog in the second half of this year for advice on a possible draft law “to mobilize more personal pension savings for long-term financing”, the document said.”
Mobilize, once again, is a more palatable word than, say, confiscate.
| — Hat tip: JD | [Return to headlines] |
Matt Drudge, owner and publisher of the “Drudge Report,” recently tweeted a cryptic warning to his readers, “Have an exit plan.” Here is how Susan Duclos reported the story in BeforeItsNews.com:…
First of all, most of America’s pastors and churches are doing nothing to help their people make commonsense preparations for any number of looming disasters. In fact, they are fueling the passiveness and indifference most people are drowning in. In the second place, the establishment media is deliberately hiding and obfuscating the truth. In the third place, too many politicians are so consumed with their own lust for wealth and power, that they would do anything to keep the American people in the dark. And, yes, some of them are actually ignorant themselves and are immersed in their own darkness. And, beyond that, the American people continue to turn their backs on honest political candidates — who know what’s going on and would truly make a gallant effort to turn the ship of state around — and elect the same kinds of establishment elitists (regardless of party) who only want to maintain the status quo.
Ladies and gentlemen, this party is almost over. The charade is about to be exposed. Whether it be by divine judgment or the natural result of all of this corruption and graft (probably both), America is going to be forced to pay the bills. And it’s not going to be pretty.
Government agencies are not buying up millions of rounds of hollow-point ammunition for target practice. First it was the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), then it was the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), then the Social Security Administration (SSA), then the Department of Education (DE), then the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and now it’s the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). That’s right. The Post Office is making mega-purchases of ammunition.
| — Hat tip: JD | [Return to headlines] |
If America Continues to Go Down the Same Path as Europe, This is What Life Will be Like
Becoming more like Europe is not a good thing. But that is the path that we are currently on. For the most part, Europeans live in a socialist “Big Brother” system in which the government completely dominates your life from the cradle to the grave. Of course there are differences from country to country, but generally speaking the lives of most Europeans are very tightly regulated. You see, the truth is that high levels of individual liberty and freedom are considered to be “dangerous” by the European elite.
They believe that if we are all allowed to just do whatever we want that it would result in utter chaos. They are convinced that life is better when those that are smarter (them) control the lives of everyone else. In essence, Europe is like a giant religious cult in many ways (minus the religion). With each passing year, the number of rules and regulations governing the daily lives of Europeans steadily grows, as does the level of control. If you try to live outside of that control, you could very well find yourself in a direct confrontation with the authorities very rapidly.
Just consider what is happening in Germany. Authorities there have stated repeatedly that they do not believe in having any “parallel societies”, and therefore everyone must participate in the system that the government has established.
That includes all children. In Germany today, almost all forms of homeschooling are illegal. In fact, one judge shockingly ruled that one set of parents could not have custody of their children because they might move them to another country and homeschool them there…
[…]
In Europe, government is god, and everyone and everything belongs to the government.
Apparently, that even includes the life savings of their own citizens. The following is from a Reuters article that was just posted this week…
The savings of the European Union’s 500 million citizens could be used to fund long-term investments to boost theeconomy and help plug the gap left by banks since the financial crisis, an EU document says.
Did you catch that? The EU apparently believes that they could use the private savings of their own citizens “to fund long-term investments” any time that they want.
But what if you don’t want your life savings to be invested in that way?
Too bad for you.
| — Hat tip: JD | [Return to headlines] |
Italians Drop Holiday Plans as Crisis Bites
The number of trips taken by Italians since the economic crisis began in 2008 has plummeted by 48.6 percent, new statistics show.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
The global warming hysteria is disastrous enough in its intended goal, which is to ban the use of our cheapest and most abundant fuels and force us to limp along on “alternative energy” sources that are insufficient to support an industrial civilization. But along the way, the global warming campaign is already wrecking our science and politics by seeking to establish a dogma that cannot legally be questioned.
The critical point in this campaign is a defamation lawsuit by global warming promoter Michael Mann against Mark Steyn, National Review, and the Competitive Enterprise Institute.
When the “Climategate” e-mails were leaked five years ago, a lot of us speculated that it could all end up in the courts, given the evidence that climate scientists were pocketing large sums of government money on the basis of a scientific consensus they were manipulating behind the scenes. But it’s typical of our upside-down political and cultural environment that when this issue does reach the courts, it will be in the form of a lawsuit against the climate skeptics.
[…]
Mann has made a lot of noise about setting himself as some kind of modern Galileo, a persecuted scientist. This analogy was all wrong from the beginning. Galileo was not the enforcer of the prevailing scientific “consensus” but its caustic critic. And now it is Mann who is trying to dictate what others can and cannot say about scientific facts and reasoning. So no, he’s not a modern Galileo. He’s a modern Cardinal Bellarmine.
Or perhaps there is a better historical analogy. Mann is attempting to install himself as a kind of American Lysenko. Trofim Lysenko was the Soviet scientist who ingratiated himself to Joseph Stalin and got his crackpot theories on genetics installed as official dogma, effectively killing the study of biology in the Soviet Union…[…]
Mann has recently declared himself to be both a scientist and a political activist. But in attempting to intimidate his critics and suppress free debate on global warming, he is violating the fundamental rules of both science and politics. If it is a sin to doubt, then there is no science. If it is a crime to dissent, then there is no politics.
Mann vs. Steyn may be the trial of the century. It may determine, not merely whether the environmentalists can shut down industrial civilization, but whether they can shut down the independent thinking of skeptical dissidents.
| [Return to headlines] |
Calif. Governor Will Withhold Water From Local Farms This Spring Due to Severe Drought
(NaturalNews) As an unprecedented drought in California worsens, Gov. Jerry Brown’s administration has decided to take a radical measure by withholding water from many of the state’s farmers come spring planting season.
As reported by The New York Times, the decision is impactful and will affect millions:
Responding to one of the worst droughts in California’s history, state officials announced on Friday that they would cut off the water to local agencies serving 25 million residents and about 750,000 acres of farmland.
With no end in sight for the dry spell and reservoirs at historic lows, Mark Cowin, director of the California Department of Water Resources, said his agency needed to preserve what little water remained so it could be used “as wisely as possible.”
Worst drought in at least 100 years
Reports said it will be the first time in the 54-year history of the State Water Project that allocations of water to all of the public agencies it serves are being cut to zero. And the decision is expected to force 20 local water agencies to look elsewhere for water. Many reportedly have other sources on which they can draw, like local reservoirs and groundwater.
| — Hat tip: JD | [Return to headlines] |
Constitutional Sheriffs Are Liberty’s Brightest Light
Rather than defend our God-given rights, our government has become the abuser of those rights.
Rather than upholding law, government uses the “color of law” to break the law.
And our state and local governments, which are duty bound to interpose on our behalf and protect us from this lawbreaking, far too often assume the role of the tyrant’s local commissar. They inflict further evil upon us by trading our liberties and our property for grants and perks that are funded by our tax monies in the first place. In this way the people are double victims.
But there is some good news and I would like to share it with you.
I recently attended a meeting of the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association. These sheriffs and peace officers might just be the brightest light that shines today for the cause of liberty and justice.
| — Hat tip: JD | [Return to headlines] |
Cop Found ‘Not Guilty’ After Beating Man in Wheelchair (Video)
[WARNING: Disturbing Content.]
DULUTH — Officer Jouppi has been found “not guilty” of all charges in connection to a video showing him attack a citizen in a wheelchair.
| — Hat tip: JD | [Return to headlines] |
Drugged Driving: Study Finds That Fatal Car Crashes Involving Marijuana Use Have Tripled
There are consequences of the increased prevalence of marijuana use in society — one of which is undoubtedly drugged driving. According to a new study from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, fatal car accidents that involved marijuana have tripled in the last decade, which suggests that the issue will likely become worse as more states push for the legalization of marijuana.
“Currently, one of nine drivers involved in fatal crashes would test positive for marijuana,” co-author Dr. Guohua Li, director of the Center for Injury Epidemiology and Prevention at Columbia, told HealthDay News. “If this trend continues, in five or six years non-alcohol drugs will overtake alcohol to become the most common substance involved in deaths related to impaired driving.”
| — Hat tip: JD | [Return to headlines] |
Federal Judge to Submit Obama Birth Certificate Forgery Evidence to Grand Jury
(Feb. 4, 2014) — In my last post I related that 175 federal judges had received copies of Doug Vogt’s affidavit which forensically established probable cause to believe that Barack Hussein Obama’s certificates of live birth are forgeries. The cover letter accompanying the affidavit asked each Judge to refer the evidence contained in Doug’s 95 page public affidavit — and 75 page sealed affidavit — to a Grand Jury to investigate.
One of my faithful — though anonymous — followers recently added a note to my last post stating: “So it has been almost a month now and not a single update. I think I can guess what the responses have all been. “snicker — snicker.”
Au contraire, mon ami. In fact three (3) federal judges have acknowledged receipt of Doug’s Affidavit. Two of them have forwarded the affidavit to their respective United States Attorneys. The third wrote back stating: “I was very impressed by the letter and attachments you sent to me. I do not dismiss the allegations you make as untrue.” The letter continued with the commitment to submit Doug’s affidavit to the Grand Jury for their consideration. So like a modern-day Diogenes, perhaps we have found one honest federal district court judge.
Let me posit what will happen next. Doug and I — a former criminal prosecutor with extensive experience presenting evidence to a grand jury and securing indictments — will be invited to appear before the Grand Jury. Doug to detail the forensic evidence contained in his affidavit; Me to explain the legal options available to the Grand Jury to follow up on the evidence that Doug presents them. Operating outside the control of the United States Attorney’s office and with the support of the federal judge and the United States Marshal’s Service, a dozen federal Grand Jury subpoenas will be issued and served by the Marshal’s Service nationwide. The originals of Obama’s birth records from Hawaii, college transcripts from the three colleges he attended, along with his Social Security and Selective Service records would all be compelled to be produced to this Eric Holder-free Grand Jury. Additionally, the players in the Obama Birth Certificate pageant would all be called to testify as to their roles: Remember, there is no Fifth Amendment privilege to refuse to answer a question put to a witness by a Grand Jury.
Which is why I say, Mr. Obama, the People have some questions for you.
| — Hat tip: JD | [Return to headlines] |
George Soros Wants Judge to Keep Secrets Revealed by Ex Secret
George Soros wants the dirty details revealed about him during his legal battle with his half-century younger ex-girlfriend Adriana Ferreyr kept from the public.
Attorneys for Soros, who was reportedly struck in the head by Ferreyr during a Tuesday deposition, are asking a judge to prevent public access to certain details to shield Soros from “annoyance” and “embarrassment,” according to the New York Post.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
If Your Car Shows Up on “Hot Target” List, Will Your Life be in Danger?
We’ve seen many innocent people put on a No-Fly list. We’ve seen innocent adults and children killed by drone assassination based on meta-data. Now a new system of red flags is about to be activated by Homeland Security — the “National License Plate Recognition Database’. Will your life be in danger from trigger-happy cops afraid for their life because they see you’re on a “hot list of target vehicles”?
| — Hat tip: JD | [Return to headlines] |
Libs Attack Justice Clarence Thomas for Slamming Obsession With Race
Race baiters unhappy about being called out.
Following U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’ assertion that the nation is far too obsessed with racial differences, liberals pounced on Thomas’ remarks by hurling racist slurs while others implied that the black judge was himself being racist.
| — Hat tip: JD | [Return to headlines] |
Mosque Proposal Traffic Seen as a Safety Threat in Bernards Township
But traffic concerns of fire officials deemed legally irrelevant
BERNARDS TWP. — Traffic issues resurfaced at the latest hearing on a proposal for a mosque in Liberty Corner, as letters from two township fire officials warned that further congestion on Church Street could delay emergency response times from the Liberty Corner Firehouse.
But the Planning Board, in reviewing the letters at the hearing on Tuesday, Feb. 4, was advised by its attorney that it could not legally consider the warnings when it decides to approve or reject the controversial project, which is being sought by the Islamic Society of Basking Ridge (ISBR)…
| — Hat tip: JP | [Return to headlines] |
(NaturalNews) The Republican-controlled Congress, with full support from the Democrat-led administration, has passed a monstrosity of a farm bill that allocates hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars to fund food stamps and other government welfare programs. It also mandates that $200 million be set aside every year to help promote factory food products grown by the likes of Monsanto.
CBS Evening News recently ran a short segment on the legislation, which one government watchdog correspondent recently referred to as “the ultimate in pork-barrel politics,” highlighting how its nearly $1 trillion in funding will be allocated. Most of it will go toward the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), more commonly known as food stamps, while the rest will cover expensive and unjustly distributed subsidies for cash crops and crop insurance.
“The farm bill is a disaster for taxpayers,” stated Tom Schatz from Citizens Against Government Waste, a non-profit organization that keeps an eye on illegitimate government spending, to CBS News. “It’s a boon for the special interests.”
| — Hat tip: JD | [Return to headlines] |
Obama and Schumer Co-Conspirators in Muzzling Freedom in America
I would think that just about every last one of the real United States citizens would consider an outright violation of the Constitution by ANY elected federal official would be considered an impeachable offense or at the very least, a high crime. To violate any American citizen’s rights as written in our Constitution should be grounds for impeachment, punishable by lengthy prison terms.
But, as I understand it from an article in Human Events online on Feb. 13, 2014, authored by Betsy McCaughey titled “An End to Fair Elections”, our very un-illustrious usurper president, Barack Hussein Obama, is not only unfettered by the possible negatives from directly violating provisions of our stalwart Constitution, but he openly ignores any possible potential charges of wrongdoing and the potential of serious punishment for said law breaking.
Obama, as stated above, is not only not wary of any real or imagined punishments for completely bypassing and making moot our highest source of law and order along with breaking his solemn oath to defend and protect such laws, he is outwardly conspiring with another lawbreaker of impunity, Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-NY.
McCaughey states in her article mentioned above, “The Obama administration and New York’s senior senator, Democrat Chuck Schumer, are conspiring to muzzle their political opponents before fall’s midterm elections, and to literally outlaw free speech.” Now if that statement doesn’t show intent to make criminals of themselves, then I’m not sure what does.
The object of becoming lawbreakers is to “prevent tea party organizations and other not-for-profits, called 501(c)(4)s, from engaging in customary pre-election activities, such as get-out-the-vote drives, debates and forums, and distributing brochures that rate candidates. The regulation would even prohibit these groups from criticizing incumbent officeholders within 60 days of a general election.”…
McCaughey states, “This regulation would destroy fair elections. It would silence 501(c)(4)s, many of which support Republican causes, while imposing no restraints on labor unions, the shadow army of the Democratic Party, which are exempt. They will be free to use phone banking, door-to-door canvassing, and advertising for their candidates, while tea party groups will be gagged.”
| — Hat tip: JD | [Return to headlines] |
Obama Offers UN Climate Agreement That Doesn’t Need Congressional Approval
The Obama administration is quietly forging ahead with plans to offer up an international commitment to reduce carbon dioxide emissions to fight global warming — without congressional approval.
Reuters reports that the U.S. submitted its vision for a new international global warming agreement to the United Nations on Wednesday, suggesting a “bifurcated approach” of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol — placing different emissions targets for rich and poor countries.
“So this is just the latest example of President Obama’s contempt for obeying the Constitution and our laws,” Myron Ebell, director of the Center of Energy and Environment at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, told The Daily Caller News Foundation. “In the past, rulers who act as if the law does not apply to them were called tyrants.”
| — Hat tip: JD | [Return to headlines] |
The meaning of words, and history itself, are malleable when it comes to our president and his record.
Only in Orwell’s world of doublespeak could raising taxes, while the costs of millions of health plans soars, be called “affordable.” Is losing your existing plan and doctor a way of retaining them?
The Congressional Budget Office recently warned that Obamacare would “keep hours worked and potential output during the next 10 years lower than they would be otherwise.” That nonpartisan verdict should be bad news for workers.
Not in our brave new world. The Obama administration says it is pleased that workers will now be freed from “job lock.” What is job lock — a made-up Newspeak word right out of 1984? Work fewer hours, make less money, and create fewer outputs — and be happy.
| — Hat tip: JD | [Return to headlines] |
Police Using Data Concerning Lawful Gun Ownership to Ratchet Up Scrutiny, Escalate Tactics
In recent years much progress has been made in protecting the privacy of gun owners by restricting access to gun licensing and right-to-carry permit data, with a majority of states now limiting the availability of this information to law enforcement officers for official use. Unfortunately, two recent incidents have highlighted how government data indicating firearm ownership can be used by law enforcement officials as justification to escalate encounters with gun owners.
| — Hat tip: JD | [Return to headlines] |
Religious Discussion Dominates Pocatello Zoning Hearing on Mosque
POCATELLO — A variance request hearing that was supposed to be focused on parking and public safety concerns surrounding the placement of an Islamic Center at 1513 S. Fifth Avenue turned into testimony about religious tolerance and fear of Islam Thursday night.
Originally scheduled for the small Paradise meeting room in Pocatello City Hall, the hearing was moved to the City Council Chamber to accommodate more than 100 people — most of them Muslims…
| — Hat tip: JP | [Return to headlines] |
Suit: Cops Choke and Tase Unresponsive Deaf Man, “Intentionally Burning His Flesh”
Four police officers in Hawthorne, California beat and tased an innocent deaf man when he failed to respond to their demands during a routine call out. The cops then charged the man with assault, according to details released as part of a lawsuit on behalf of the man.
| — Hat tip: JD | [Return to headlines] |
Thousands of Connecticut Gun Owners ‘Flout’ New Registration Law
The December 31 deadline for complying with Connecticut’s new “assault weapons” registration requirement is long past, but estimates show “as little as 15 percent of the rifles classified as assault weapons owned by Connecticut residents were registered.”
The Courant reports that this means thousands of Connecticut gun owners were committing Class D felonies on January 1. Estimates for the number of owners of “assault weapons” in this position range between 20,000 and 100,000.
State Senator Tony Guglielmo (R-Stafford) responded to the dearth of registrations: “I honestly thought from my own standpoint that the vast majority would register.” He then added, “If you pass laws that people have no respect for and they don’t follow them, then you have a real problem.”
| — Hat tip: JD | [Return to headlines] |
U.S. Army Builds ‘Fake City’ In Virginia to Practice Military Occupation
Martial law training? 300 acre town includes sports stadium, school, underground subway
The U.S. Army has built a 300 acre ‘fake city’ complete with a sports stadium, bank, school, and an underground subway in order to train for unspecified future combat scenarios.
The recently opened site is located in Virginia and was built at a cost of $96 million dollars, taking just two years to complete.
While the city was ostensibly built to prepare U.S. troops for the occupation of cities abroad, some will undoubtedly fear that the real intention could be closer to home. Although the site includes a mosque, the town looks American in every other way, with signs in English.
| — Hat tip: JD | [Return to headlines] |
US Must Remember Its Values and Stand Up for Religious Freedom
by Dr. Patrick Sookhdeo
The United States has a noble history of upholding and defending civil liberties, religious freedom in particular. It has put these values at the heart of its relations with other countries, challenging those who do not share them.
Presidents Roosevelt and Ford typified this in their dealings with the USSR during World War Two and the Cold War, putting religious liberty firmly on the table. In 1941, President Roosevelt met with the Soviet Deputy Commissar for Foreign Affairs Maxim Litvinov and other key figures over the wording of a proposed Joint Declaration by the Allies. The document was a pledge by the Allied nations to work together, employing their full resources in the fight against Hitler. It outlined what they were fighting for:
“Being convinced that complete victory over their enemies is essential to defend life, liberty, independence and religious freedom, and to preserve human rights and justice in their own lands as well as in other lands, and that they are now engaged in a common struggle against savage and brutal forces seeking to subjugate the world.”
Roosevelt insisted that the reference to “religious freedom” be added to the document, despite initial Soviet objections…
| [Return to headlines] |
Why Should the House Impeach President Obama?
Article 2, Section 1 of the Constitution requires that before presidents can assume their duties they must take the oath of office. Every president from George Washington to Barak Obama has placed their hand on a Bible and sworn,” I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
In America today, just like in Lake Woebegone, every child is above average and every child gets a trophy. We may score low in international grade comparisons but we rank number one in self-esteem. In other words, American students may not be doing well but they think they are. Those of us old enough to remember how Dad could control the situation with a look, and when you got in trouble in school your parents didn’t sue or contact the School Board; you got in trouble at home, too, are also old enough to remember Watergate.
This scandal that the general public still does not understand brought down a president and led to the Watergate Congress which threw away the victory in Vietnam and solidified the Progressive control of Congress until 1994. Today we are confronted with contempt for the Constitution and the rule of law that makes the Watergate Scandal look like the tempest in a teapot that it actually was. How many people died as a result of the Watergate Scandal = 0. How many have died as a result of the Fast and Furious debacle = at least 200 and still counting, including an American law enforcement officer. How did Richard Nixon disrespect, disregard or violate the Constitution in the Watergate Scandal = 0 (although his use of Executive privilege did spark a constitutional crisis). How many times has Barack Obama disrespected, disregarded or violated the Constitution during his time in office = at least three times as documented below by making recess appointments while Congress was still in session, by changing laws through executive orders without recourse to Congress and by refusing to enforce laws.
| — Hat tip: JD | [Return to headlines] |
by David Solway
Mosques are OK—on other people’s streets.
On February 15, 2013, I posted an article at Front Page Magazine titled “Saving the Neighborhood” that dealt with an invitation the democratic advocacy organization Act! for Canada had extended to British lawyer Gavin Boby, a specialist in town planning law and director of the Law and Freedom Foundation. I referred in that article to Boby’s lecture at the Ottawa Public Library on the consequences of allowing mosques to be built in municipal neighborhoods without adequate public consultation and supervision, an event whose reverberations have not yet died away and are unlikely to do so in the foreseeable future as mosque construction continues unabated…
| — Hat tip: JP | [Return to headlines] |
Anders Breivik Threatens Hunger Strike for Playstation 3 and Adult Games
Anders Behring Breivik has vowed to go on hunger strike if he is not provided with up-to-date video games to better his stay at the Norwegian prison where he is jailed for killing 77 people.
| — Hat tip: JD | [Return to headlines] |
Bulgaria: Protesters in Plovdiv Break Windows of Dzhumaya Mosque
Plovdiv. Protesters in the second biggest city in Bulgaria — Plovdiv broke the windows of Dzhumaya Mosque in the city, a reporter of Radio FOCUS — Plovdiv announced. Demonstrators thrown stones, paving-blocks and fireworks at the building breaking all windows. Police cordons didn’t manage to prevent protesters from breaking the public order. The group of demonstrators arrived at the building of the Turkish Embassy where they will continue the protesting action. Police in the area is stepped-up.
| — Hat tip: JP | [Return to headlines] |
Bulgarian Police Detain 120 After Mosque Attack
SOFIA (Reuters) — Bulgarian police detained more than 120 people on Friday after hundreds of nationalists and soccer fans attacked a mosque in the country’s second city Plovdiv, smashing its windows with stones.
Over 2,000 people had gathered outside a Plovdiv court as it heard an appeal case dealing with the return of an ancient mosque in the central city of Karlovo, taken over by the state more than 100 years ago, to Bulgaria’s Chief Mufti, the Muslim religious authority.
The rally then marched through the city and some protesters, chanting racist slogans, approached a Plovdiv mosque cordoned off by police, police said in a statement.
“Firecrackers, torches and stones were thrown at the mosque. One policeman was injured. Some 120 people were detained,” it said.
Sofia prosecutors said they had charged eight people with hooliganism, crimes against religion and xenophobia.
TV footage of national BNT television showed several protesters who appeared to have suffered head injuries in clashes with police.
The Chief Mufti condemned the attack on the mosque and said the attempt to pressure the court put democracy at risk in the European Union country.
Muslims make up about 13 percent of Bulgaria’s 7.3 million people.
The Chief Mufti has launched some 26 court cases to try to restore Muslim ownership of 29 mosques and other property across the Balkan state, prompting some public opposition in the predominantly Orthodox Christian population.
| — Hat tip: Vlad Tepes | [Return to headlines] |
French Teen ‘Put Lives in Danger’ With Drone Flight
A French teenager was flying high after an aerial video he shot of his hometown using a small drone went wild on social media. But he’s since been brought back down to earth. In a landmark case prosecutors charged him with “endangering people’s lives.”
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Italian Company Discovers Drug to Fight Chemo Side Effects
New Menarini Group drug helps blood cancer patients
(ANSA) — Florence, February 11 — An Italian pharmaceutical company said Tuesday it has manufactured a cheap, effective drug that drastically reduces sometimes fatal chemotherapy side effects in blood-cancer patients.
Florence-based Menarini Group, which is about to register the drug in the European Union, said preliminary data after a two-year, 50-million-euro study of 350 adult patients in 79 hospitals in 12 countries showed the drug is effective in fighting tumor lysis syndrome (TLS), or blood poisoning, and acute renal failure triggered by chemotherapy in leukemia and lymphoma sufferers.
This is good news for the 25,000 Italians who develop leukemia or lymphoma, which are two kinds of blood cancer, every year.
While leukemia and lymphoma patients now have a 70% survival rate thanks to chemotherapy, the therapy itself triggers TLS in between 3% and 20% of them. Patients under 18 tend to develop TLS at a much higher rate, as much as 30%. It is fatal in 5% of cases.
Menarini’s drug is 30% more effective in fighting TLS than the standard therapy, which is now 30 years old. Its relatively low price tag makes it a viable drug for the national health service, Menarini President Lucia Aleotti told reporters.
The next research step is to find out whether the new drug is safe and effective for children as well as adults, and whether it can be used to help people with other kinds of cancer, Aleotti said.
| — Hat tip: Insubria | [Return to headlines] |
Italy: ILVA Owner Emilio Riva Indicted for Tax Fraud
Riva Group founder accused of falsifying 2007 tax return
(ANSA) — Milan, February 13 — A preliminary hearings judge in Milan on Thursday indicted the owner of the troubled ILVA steelworks in Taranto for an alleged massive tax fraud.
Emilio Riva was indicted together with two former company managers and a former Deutche Bank manager for tax evasion to the tune of 52 million euros. The four are accused of declaring false losses in 2007 in order to pay less tax in Italy.
Finance police say that year’s profits were transferred abroad to countries with more favourable tax regimes. Italy’s inland revenue agency subsequently disputed the return and Ilva has since paid out around 65 million euros.
| — Hat tip: Insubria | [Return to headlines] |
Italy: Briatore Indicted for Dodging Duties on Yacht Fuel
Ex-F1 boss’s 20-mn-euro vessel seized off Genoa in 2010
(ANSA) — Genoa, February 13 — Former Formula One motor racing boss Flavio Briatore was indicted Thursday for allegedly dodging millions of euros in European Union duty on fuel for a luxury yacht.
Prosecutors claim Briatore, one of Italy’s best-known and successful businessmen, evaded VAT and other levies to the tune of five million euros. The billionaire ex-playboy, a close friend of ex-premier Silvio Berlusconi, the owner of a string of VIP nightclubs as well as former co-owner of the Queens Park Rangers soccer club, and the host of the Italian version of the hit show The Apprentice, denies the charges.
The 62-metre Cayman Islands-flagged yacht, Force Blue, was seized by Italian tax police on the Italian Riviera near Genoa in May 2010.
Briatore, then 61, was not on the 20-million-euro vessel when they boarded but his wife, Elisabetta Gregoraci, then 28, and then two-month-old son Falcon Nathan were.
The flamboyant tycoon criticised police for exposing his wife and child to “an unnecessary and attention-grabbing police operation”. Briatore, former boss of F1 team Renault, is alleged to have been the main user of the yacht in EU waters, although he claimed he mainly rented it out to others.
The three successive heads of the British Virgin Islands company that owns the yacht, Autumn Sailing Limited, were also indicted along with the boat’s captain.
According to police who monitored the yacht’s movements for over a year, Briatore and the company, may be liable for more than half a million euros in unpaid fuel duties.
According to EU regulations, police said, yachts registered outside the EU may only avoid paying duty if they leave EU waters within eight hours of refuelling.
Briatore and the yacht’s owners are also liable for about four million euros in unpaid VAT on the yacht’s value, police said.
The ex-Renault boss, who was banned from Formula One in 2009 for ordering a driver to crash in 2008, claims the yacht, which has a crew of 17 and sleeps 12, can be hired for 300,000 euros a week and is legitimately registered in the Cayman Islands tax reasons.
But prosecutors say it is not chartered and that the family spend much of the year on board. The yacht, bought in 2002, was seized because of “fears further crimes might be committed”, according to papers served by customs and excise. Briatore, who bought the Force Blue in 2002, has been in the gossip mags for years because of a string of supermodel girlfriends and a glamorous lifestyle centred on his feted Sardinian nightclub The Billionaire.
When his life ban from F1 was cut to a shorter one that expired last year, he said he was not interested in returning to motor racing, saying he wanted to focus on building up his chain of resorts and luxury night spots in Italy and Africa.
Long-time bachelor Briatore, now 64, wed Gregoraci, now 31, in a 12th-century basilica in Rome in June 2008 after a two-year courtship.
Their son Nathan is three now.
He already had a daughter, Leni, now seven, by supermodel Heidi Klum, although he is not believed to play an active part in her life.
| — Hat tip: Insubria | [Return to headlines] |
Italy: Modena Couple Named ‘Righteous Among Nations’
Holocaust heroics saved Jewish family in WWII
(ANSA) — Modena, February 13 — A couple from northern Italy have been named two of Israel’s “Righteous Among The Nations” for risking their lives during World War II to hide a Jewish family. Maria Pini and Luigi Succi, from the town of Verica di Pavullo near Modena, harbored the family from Bologna for nearly two years between 1943 and 1945. “We’re very grateful. This honors us as representatives from the community of Modena,” said Provincial Governor Emilio Sabattini. In addition to joining the ranks of Oskar Schindler at Jerusalem’s Holocaust museum and memorial Yad Vashem, Pini and Succi will be added to a plaque honoring Jew rescuers in Modena, bringing the tally to 10 names.
| — Hat tip: Insubria | [Return to headlines] |
Italy Reduces Carbon Dioxide Emissions by 6% in 2013 vs 2012
Nation draws closer to 2020 EU sustainable energy objectives
(ANSA) — Rome, February 13 — Italy, the eurozone’s third-largest economy, managed to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions emissions by 6% in 2013 compared to the earlier year, reaching closer towards the 2020 sustainable energy objectives set by the European Union for its member states, according to a new reported released on Thursday by the “Fondazione per lo Sviluppo Sostenibile” (Foundation for Sustainable Development).
The improvements in the environmental outlook for Italy will likely spur the nation to request the 20103 targets for the nation to be hiked, the ‘Dossier clima 2014’ report said. The report was issued ahead of the upcoming celebration of the Kyoto Protocol on February 16.
The improvements in carbon dioxide emissions are tied on the one hand to the economic crisis which is curbing consumption and on the other hand to the reduction in the use of fossil fuels as energy sources.
| — Hat tip: Insubria | [Return to headlines] |
Italy: Grillo Likens Renzi to Al Capone at Valentine’s Day Massacre
M5S leader also blasts Napolitano, calling him ‘a monarch’
(ANSA) — Rome, February 14 — The leader of Italy’s anti-establishment 5-Star Movement (M5S) blasted Democratic Party (PD) chief Matteo Renzi on Friday, likening him to Al Capone and comparing his move to scupper the Italian executive to the Valentine’s Day Massacre.
The foul-mouthed comedian-cum-politician Beppe Grillo claimed Renzi was a “good friend” of centre-right Forza Italia (FI) leader Silvio Berlusconi and expressed outrage at his call for a new government Thursday — a move that PD lawmakers backed, prompting the party’s Premier Enrico Letta to resign on Friday. Italian President Giorgio Napolitano is expected to hand a mandate to form a government to Renzi, who is also the dynamic mayor of Florence and at 39 could become Italy’s youngest premier.
In a post entitled “On Valentine’s Day”, Grillo wrote on his popular blog, “The new boss is not Al Capone, but an unscrupulous careerist — a good friend of Berlusconi, (FI heavyweight fixer Denis) Verdini and people who would frighten Prohibition gangsters”.
Grillo went on to compare Renzi’s no-confidence move to the Valentine’s Day massacre of 1929 in Chicago, when seven Irish mobsters were lined up against a wall and executed by gangsters led by Al Capone.
Grillo said Letta and his loyalists — “at least those few who haven’t converted to the new master by selling even their asses” — were the victims.
“If Al Capone gained control of the market for spirits, Renzi will get to the appointments for state owned enterprises, such as ENI, Enel, Finmeccanica and Terna, which expire in two months. Of the places were the royal power lies,” wrote Grillo, who then describes the Italy as a monarchy ruled by President Giorgio Napolitano.
“Letta and Renzi are (themselves) nominees, useful to those who supported them and supports them. Puppets. The parliament and the government itself are an optical illusion and the Quirinale (presidential palace) a monarchy,” Grillo continued.
“(Renzi’s) qualifications (for premier) are excellent. In addition to being an inveterate liar, banks want him, as do the Confindustria, De Benedetti, Scaroni and the finance sector. A perfect man of the left”, the ex-comedian ironized, making reference to a powerful industrialist group, a major publisher, the head of Italian oil and gas multinational ENI, and financial markets.
“Now Napolitano will conduct the rite of consultation (with the parties) that he should, for decency, spare us,” calling the move by an obscenity that in Italian means taking people for a ride.
Grillo wrote that now Napolitano will choose Renzi to form a government “as he did for Monti and Letta, ignoring the parliament, the constitution and the will of the Italians for the third time”.
Napolitano appointed Letta to cobble together a right-left coalition to overcome nearly two months of political gridlock caused by inconclusive general elections in February 2013.
Mario Monti is an economist chosen by Napolitano in November 2011 to form a technocratic government to avoid a Greece-like financial meltdown as a debt crisis drew heat under ex-premier Silvio Berlusconi’s tenure.
A parliamentary committee on Tuesday rejected an M5S petition for Napolitano to be impeached.
The M5S accused the 88-year-old president, who was re-elected for an unprecedented second term as head of State last year, of not being a fair arbiter of Italian politics and favouring the established parties.
The lawmakers of the M5S won about a quarter of the vote at last year’s general election.
| — Hat tip: Insubria | [Return to headlines] |
Merging Christianity With Islam
Rarely do people these days speak spiritual or political truth, especially if they perceive they might be rejected, attacked or lose power…
This week I was thrilled to hear from one of my regular guests and friend, Iraqi and former Islamic I.Q. Al Rassooli about a brave German woman who stood up for Christ. She was concerned about an ‘interfaith event’ designed to bring Christianity and Islam together. This was scheduled on Nov 10, 2013 at the Memorial Church of the Reformation in Speyer, built to honor Martin Luther, a historical and bold light for Christianity.
The German lady, Heidi Mund decided to drive the 11/2 hours to the event to see what it was about. She says she took her German flag with ‘Jesus Christ is Lord’ written on it. CBN.com reports:
“Until the imam started with his shouting, I did not really know what to do. I was just prepared for what God wants me to do,” she told CBN News. Then the Muslim call to prayer began, and Heidi said she felt something rising up inside her.
“I would call it a holy anger,” she recounted. “And then I rose with my flag and I was calling and proclaiming that Jesus Christ is Lord over Germany.” She also says that she repeated the word of Martin Luther in 1521 after he refused to recant his faith in scripture alone: “Here I stand. I can do no other” and “Save the church of Martin Luther!”
As you can imagine, others at the event tried to quite her down and shut her up. “This is a concert for peace.” She was rebuked then thrown out of the church.
| — Hat tip: JD | [Return to headlines] |
Norway: Breivik Sends Letter to AFP Wire Agency
Norwegian mass murderer Anders Behring Breivik has sent a hand-addressed letter to the offices of Agence France Presse (AFP) in Oslo, in one of his first attempts to make direct contact with the international media.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Norway: Anders Breivik is Threatening to Go on a Hunger Strike Until He Gets a Newer Playstation
Details of Breivik’s current conditions are a bit unclear, although Norwegian news reports from the time of his sentencing suggested that he was going to be kept in a three-room cell complete with an exercise area and a television.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Norwegian Syria Fighter Seized on Terror Charge
A 22-year-old Norwegian man who was wounded fighting in the civil war in Syria has been charged with terror offences on his return to Norway.
The man, who is of Pakistani origin, was arrested by officers from the Norwegian Police Security Service (PST) when he returned to Oslo on Friday night and is now being treated in an Oslo hospital for wounds sustained in the fighting in Syria.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Right-Wing Freedom Party is Netherland’s Largest Political Force, Says Poll
Geert Wilder’s party would now be in strong position to form government
Just over three months from the European elections, a major new poll in the Netherlands shows that Geert Wilders’ right-wing Freedom Party is now the country’s largest political party — and would be in a strong position to form a government if an election were held tomorrow.
Individual polls in recent months have shown the Freedom Party eclipsing prime minister Mark Rutte’s Liberals. Yesterday’s “poll of polls” — a weighted average of the country’s four main political polls — confirms Mr Wilders’ dominance as the Liberal-Labour coalition languishes in the mid-term doldrums.
There are local elections in the Netherlands next month, but Mr Wilders has taken a strategic decision to run candidates in just two strong locations — The Hague, the seat of political power, and the country’s “youngest” city of Almere, 25km east of Amsterdam.
This means the first significant test of his new standing will be when he pushes his anti-EU message in the run-up to the European Parliament elections towards the end of May, as part of a pan-European alliance with Marine Le Pen’s National Front in France.
Up from 2012
The poll shows the Freedom Party would take between 25 and 29 seats in the 150-seat parliament, up from 15 in 2012, if an election were held tomorrow. This would put its share of the vote at between 16.6 per cent and 19.3 per cent, up from 10.1 per cent two years ago.
By contrast, Mr Rutte and the Liberals would take just 20 to 24 seats, a sharp drop from 41 in 2012, giving them between 13 and 16 per cent of the vote compared to 27 per cent in 2012.
However analysts suggested last night that their support has “stabilised” at a mid-term low.
The worst news is reserved for the junior coalition partners, Labour, who have borne the brunt of electoral dissatisfaction for their perceived failure to soften the impact of austerity budget cuts since joining the Liberals in power.
The poll suggests Labour would take between 14 and 18 seats or 9 to 12 per cent of the poll, compared with a high of 38 seats and 24.8 per cent of the poll in 2012 — essentially halving their presence in parliament and placing a question mark over leader Diederik Samsom. Interestingly, the poll shows the middle ground of Dutch politics now inhabited by the Socialists, with between 20 and 24 seats, and centre-left D66 with a solid 20 or 21.
| [Return to headlines] |
Tony Blair’s ‘Solution’ To Religious Conflict Will Simply Make Things Worse
In reaction to Tony Blair’s recent reflections on religious conflict, Terry Sanderson reflects upon the dangers of Blair’s promotion of the “us” and “them” mentality.
Writing in last Sunday’s Observer, Tony Blair repeated his mantra that the 21st century’s wars will be fired not by “ideology” but by religious extremism.
It’s not a new prediction, he’s made it often before. And most of us would agree it is highly likely to come true. In fact, it is already true for large parts of the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
But Mr Blair’s proposed solution is completely wrong.
It is the opposite of what needs to be done.
Not only is it not the solution, but it is likely to make the situation a thousand times worse.
So what does Mr Blair recommend as the way to stop the world being consumed by religious fanaticism and violence? Why, more religion of course.
He thinks that people can be educated to understand each other.
[…]
Yet let us look at the place where religion holds least sway — in Europe. Over the past few decades, since the defeat of Nazism, Europe has made a real effort to avoid warfare between its nations. It has created the European Union and an economic pact that has unified states for mutual (most of the time, anyway) benefit.
It is far from perfect, but since its inception, the prospect of war between those European nations that are part of it has never in history seemed more unlikely.
And what other factor may be involved in this extended period of European peace?
Well, the fact that religion has lost its grip on the European mind. We have become more democratic, free of dictatorships and secularised. The Vatican — proponent of so many wars in Europe — is a shadow of its historical self.
A religious war between EU nations? Unthinkable. Even the troubles of Northern Ireland have, in the main, been tempered. It is only a small faction of fanatics (who, incidentally, take their religion very seriously) who feel the “problems” have not been resolved and would like to resume the bombings and assassinations.
Mr Blair, of course, thinks religion should become important again in Europe. He thinks we should all be forcibly educated about “our” religion as well as about “their” religion. This should preferably be done in “single-faith” schools, the present proliferation of which in this country is of his making…
| — Hat tip: Mark H. | [Return to headlines] |
UK: As Hate Crimes Rise, British Muslims Say They’re Becoming More Insular
by Steven Erlanger
BIRMINGHAM, England — Alum Rock, a neighborhood of Birmingham, looks the way Pakistan might, if Pakistan were under gray northern skies and British rule.
The streets are lively but orderly, with shops that provide the largely South Asian population with most of its needs. The huge Pak Supermarket, with its 10-kilogram bags of spices and rices, is matched by the nearby Pak Pharmacy. Nearly every face is South Asian, and people wear a vibrant mixture of clothing, from Western styles to head scarves, knitted caps and full-face veils, or niqabs…
| — Hat tip: JP | [Return to headlines] |
UK: Anti-EU Party Beats PM’s Party Into Third Place in Vote
(Reuters) — British Prime Minister David Cameron’s Conservative party was pushed into third place behind the anti-European Union UK Independence Party (UKIP) in a single parliamentary seat vote won by the opposition Labour party…
| — Hat tip: JP | [Return to headlines] |
Three religious vigilantes who terrorised innocent members of the public as the self-styled ‘Muslim Patrol’ have been banned from promoting Sharia Law in Britain.
Jordan Horner, 20, Royal Barnes, 23, and Ricardo MacFarlane, 26, were jailed for a total of two years and ten months for touring East London harassing people they deemed to be ‘non-believers’.
The three men were today also slapped with a five-year Asbo banning them from distributing material about Sharia Law to the public, or even meeting each other. The trio are also banned from associating with controversial preacher Anjem Choudary.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
With a disabled daughter and three flights of stairs to her front door, Clare Lally was desperate for easier access to her home.
But she could hardly have bargained for the bizarre solution local housing officials dreamed up.
Rather than a simple ramp, her two-year campaign has resulted in the creation of this metal monstrosity — a ten-level zigzag steel slope that covers her once spacious garden and has cost the council £40,000.
It means that Miss Lally, 33, and seven-year-old Katie, who is confined to a wheelchair, must travel 60m up the winding path to their home, a process that can take several minutes.
| — Hat tip: JD | [Return to headlines] |
UK: Detectives Investigating 50 ‘Very Serious’ Child Grooming Sex Cases in London
Detectives in London are investigating allegations of up to 50 “very serious” child grooming sex cases, shock new figures reveal today. A specialist unit set up to investigate allegations of grooming and child abuse has received a total of 500 allegations within the last six months. These included around 40 to 50 cases of a “very serious nature,” a senior Scotland Yard detective said.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
UK: Drunk Who Smashed a Syringe Into Man’s Face in Row Over Shisha Pipe is Convicted
A “violent hypocrite” who smashed a syringe into the face of a coffee shop worker after a row over whether a shisha pipe was ‘Haraam’ has been convicted.
Ali Osman Mussa, 43, left his victim fearing he could contract “any manner of infections” after the attack in Bloomsbury last April. Mussa started a row with a customer who was smoking a shisha pipe outside the coffee shop, repeatedly shouting ‘Haraam’, meaning forbidden. When the staff member, a Muslim himself, pointed out to Mussa that the beer he was drinking was also Haraam, the attacker became aggressive and started hurling abuse at him…
| — Hat tip: JP | [Return to headlines] |
UK: How the Media Has it Both Ways Over the ‘Jesus and Mo’ Cartoons
By Charles Moore
A reader sends me a card for sale in Scribblers in the King’s Road, Chelsea. It depicts two slices of cheese standing vertically on their thinner ends. On both, black beards and eyes are crudely superimposed, and above them two gold rings form haloes. The caption says ‘Cheeses of Nazareth’…
| — Hat tip: JP | [Return to headlines] |
UK: Now Brussels Forces 60mph Speed Limit on M3 Drivers
Three-mile sector will be monitored by stealthier speed cameras in bid to meet emissions targets
The Highways Agency announced plans for the lower limit to meet European Union rules on pollution. The change will stretch from Lightwater, Surrey to Farnborough, Hampshire.
Another of Britain’s busiest motorways is to have its speed limit cut to 60mph to meet European Union rules on pollution.
The ‘green’ limit, applying to a three-mile section of the M3, will be enforced by new, stealthier speed cameras.
Last month the Highways Agency announced a 60mph limit for a 32-mile stretch of the M1 in order to meet minimum air quality levels imposed by Brussels.
| — Hat tip: JD | [Return to headlines] |
Tensions “are high” among the Muslim community in Crawley following reports up to five properties are being searched in relation to the suspected Crawley suicide bomber. Police and South East Counter Terrorism officers have been at a second property in Langley Green this morning (Thursday) in what is believed to be part of the inquiry…
Arif Syed, chairman of Crawley Mosque and a spokesman for the town’s Muslim community, said: “As I understand there is one property being searched in Langley Drive, one in St Joans Close, but I’m also being told that there will be further searches carried out. These people are being kicked out of their homes and the police have the audacity to ask us to house them at the mosque while they carry out their searches. It’s a witchhunt. The public are going ballistic. The Muslim community are absolutely outraged by this — tensions are very high. They are all friends of Mr Majeed, I’m a friend of Mr Majeed, this is such a tight-knit community here. We are all set to meet tomorrow at the mosque and I already know that the temperature will be high.”
| — Hat tip: JP | [Return to headlines] |
UK: Why Are Old People Dying Before Their Time — And the Muslim Drain on Resources
The article, from The New Statesman, is about the rise in deaths among the elderly in Great Britain. It does not mention, it is not about, possible reasons for this. But I’ll give one: the diversion of resources, made necessary by the fantastic cost, to the National Health, to the Ministry of Education, to the police departments and the court system and the prison system, to the security services at every level, that can be ascribed to the large-scale presence of Muslims in Great Britain.
And it’s the same huge expense for almost every country in Europe.
| — Hat tip: JP | [Return to headlines] |
Algeria Leads Effort Against Terror Financing
Algeria’s initiative to criminalise ransom payments to terrorists is winning international and regional support.
Meeting in Algiers on February 4th, African and foreign officials agreed to implement the “Algiers Memorandum on Good Practices on Preventing and Denying the Benefits of Kidnapping for Ransom (KFR) by Terrorists”…
| — Hat tip: JP | [Return to headlines] |
Egypt Nearing $3bn Arms Deal With Old Supplier Russia
Washington scolds Russian President for endorsing Egyptian military chief in key US ally’s presidential polls.
MOSCOW — Russia and Egypt are nearing a $3-billion arms purchase agreement that will be financed by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, a Moscow newspaper reported on Friday…
| — Hat tip: JP | [Return to headlines] |
Egypt: Three Takfiris Killed, Six Arrested During Security Campaign in N. Sinai
Military Spokesman Colonel Ahmed Mohamed Ali said three Takfiris, affiliated to the terrorist Muslim Brotherhood (MB) group, were killed on Tuesday 11/2/2014 during a security campaign in North Sinai. Six terrorists were arrested during the campaign in el-Arish, Sheikh Zuwaid and Rafah, Ali said in a statement. Also, 15 huts belonging to Takfiri elements and terrorists were destroyed during the raid, he added…
| — Hat tip: JP | [Return to headlines] |
Putin Backs Sisi to be President of Egypt
Russian leader says army chief, who has not officially declared candidacy, has made decision to run for top job
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he would support a presidential bid from Egyptian army chief Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, wishing him luck after holding talks in Moscow. “I know that you, Mr defence minister, have decided to run for president of Egypt,” Putin said, according to Russian news reports. “It’s a very responsible decision… I wish you luck both from myself personally and from the Russian people.”…
| — Hat tip: JP | [Return to headlines] |
EU to Use Economy to Press Israel for Talks With Palestinians
JERUSALEM, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) — European Parliament President Martin Schulz’s visit to Israel was largely a relief for the country since he promised that the European Union (EU) would not boycott the Jewish state. However, analysts said Thursday that the EU would continue to use economy as a tool to promote a two-state solution to the prolonged Palestinian-Israeli conflicts.…
| — Hat tip: JP | [Return to headlines] |
Facebook Page Implores Rolling Stones to Boycott Israel
JERUSALEM (JTA) — A new Facebook page called on the Rolling Stones to boycott Israel. The “Rolling Stones: Boycott Israel” page established Wednesday had 144 likes by Thursday morning. Earlier this week, reports in the Israeli media said the Rolling Stones were near a deal to play in Israel for the first time, on June 10 at the Ramat Gan Stadium near Tel Aviv…
| — Hat tip: JP | [Return to headlines] |
March Backing Settlement Housing Draws Thousands
JERUSALEM (JTA) — Several government ministers were among thousands who marched in support of settlement building in a corridor connecting eastern Jerusalem and the West Bank.
The demonstrators, who marched to the controversial E1 corridor from the West Bank settlement of Maale Adumim, were protesting the current U.S.-brokered Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations. They included Housing and Construction Minister Uri Ariel, who asserted that plans for E1 construction would continue, despite the peace process…
| — Hat tip: JP | [Return to headlines] |
Are Syria Charities a Front for Jihadists?
Fears convoys in the country are being used to help militants after thousands in cash is seized
Charity aid convoys are at the centre of a counter terrorism investigation over fears they are supporting Al-Qaeda militants in Syria.
| — Hat tip: JD | [Return to headlines] |
Attack on Prison in Yemeni Capital Kills 11
SANAA (Reuters) — Eleven people were killed when attackers mounted a bomb, grenade and gun assault on the main prison in Yemen’s capital on Thursday to free inmates, security sources and witnesses said. Explosions and gunfire could be heard several kilometres away from the prison in northern Sanaa, which has al Qaeda members among its inmates. The biggest explosion rattled windows in the area…
| — Hat tip: JP | [Return to headlines] |
Bahrain’s PR Sheen Can’t Hide Abuse Allegations
As Bahrainis mark the third anniversary of the 2011 uprising that was crushed by government and Gulf troops, a new law says anyone who publicly insults the king will be sentenced up to seven years in prison.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
British Police Probe New Briton Death in Syria
Counter-terror police are carrying out search of Raoufi’s house in Manchester following his death in Syria.
LONDON — Counter-terror police searched a house in northwest England Thursday after the reported death of a Briton in Syria, a day after raiding a home linked to an alleged suicide bomber. The BBC named the dead man as Anil Khalil Raoufi, known as Abu Layth, from the Didsbury district of Manchester…
| — Hat tip: JP | [Return to headlines] |
Caroline Glick: Why Turkey is Gone for Good
Last Thursday, two Turkish businessmen stopped for lunch in a fish restaurant during a business trip to Edirne in the Babaeski region.
At some point during their meal, the restaurant owner figured out that they were Jews.
Rather than show them the hospitality Turkey is renowned for, he said he won’t serve Jews, and began cursing them and the Torah. He then took a long knife off the counter and threatened to kill them.
The men ran for their lives.
Anti-Semitic attacks have become regular events in Turkey. In December, after leaving an anti-corruption rally in Istanbul, a young woman was attacked by 10 to 15 supporters of Prime Minister Recip Tayyip Erdogan who had just left a support rally for the premier.
They accused her of being a Jew, as they beat her up.
In an interview with The Times of Israel, Turkish opposition MP Ayken Kerdemir said that Erdogan has cultivated Turkish anti-Semitism. “He is not only capitalizing on the existing sentiments, Kerdemir explained. Erdogan is “fueling some of that anti-Israel and anti-Semitic feeling… with his rhetoric, conspiracy theories, campaign slogans and actions.”…
| — Hat tip: Caroline Glick | [Return to headlines] |
Dutch Soldier Trains Jihadists in Syria
Rare interview on Dutch TV shows former Dutch soldier who left to take part in Syria’s jihad for ‘noble causes.’
A rare interview exposes the motives behind a professional Royal Netherlands Army soldier’s decision to leave Holland to train jihadists fighting President Bashar Assad’s regime in Syria. The man, named Yilmaz, is reportedly the first Dutch jihadist to be interviewed. There are an estimated 120 Dutch jihadists thought to be in Syria currently…
| — Hat tip: JP | [Return to headlines] |
Greece Offers Saudis 5-Year Residency for Investments
Provided they are over 250,000 euros
(ANSAmed) — JEDDAH, FEBRUARY 14 — Greece has issued a new law that allows investors from non-EU countries to obtain resident permits for five years, provided the investment is at least 250,000 euros, GTP website reports quoting Greek Consul General in Jeddah Chronis Polychroniou as announcing. According to Arab News, the consul called on the Saudi business community to take advantage of the great opportunities available to them in Greece in several areas including energy, real estate, industry and tourism.
Polychroniou’s announcement came on the sidelines of a visit by Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni to Saudi Arabia with the aim of promoting of Greek tourism and opening up new markets. “You can get the Schengen visa for five years for you and your family, and if you do not sell this property, you can renew it for another five years,” the consul said.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Gunmen Seize Sunni Town in Iraq, 4 Killed in Violence
BAGHDAD, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) — Gunmen seized a Sunni town in Iraq ‘s Salahudin province after clashes with security forces on Thursday, while bomb attacks in Baghdad and eastern Iraq killed four people and wounded 21 others.
In the early hours of the day, militant groups took control of the town of Sulaiman Beg, some 90 km east of Salahudin’s provincial capital city of Tikrit, Talib Hameed Mustafa, mayor of the town, told Xinhua by phone…
| — Hat tip: JP | [Return to headlines] |
Jewish Refugees From Arab Lands: Don’t Forget What We Lost, Too
Compensation for Jews pushed out of Arab lands may become yet another issue
MUCH as Palestinian refugees and their offspring remember the orange groves and cinemas they lost in Jaffa when Israel was born in 1948, Jews who once lived in Iraq recite the qasidas—lyrical Arabic poetry—and recall the time when most of Iraq’s banks and transport companies were run by Jews…
| — Hat tip: JP | [Return to headlines] |
Jordan: From Behind Bars, Abu Qatada Supports Qaeda Bombings in Lebanon
Jordanian Islamist cleric says he supports string of Qaeda-linked bombings against Hezbollah because it backs Syrian government.
AMMAN — Jordanian Islamist cleric Abu Qatada, on trial for terrorism, said Thursday he supports a string of Al-Qaeda-linked bombings against the powerful Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah because it backs the Syrian government…
| — Hat tip: JP | [Return to headlines] |
Syria: Terrorist Group Releases British ‘Suicide Bomber’ Martyrdom Video
Abdul Waheed Majeed smiles and poses for the camera with fellow fighters minutes before he carries out what is believed to be the first suicide attack by a Briton in Syria
Looking calm and relaxed, it is hard to believe these are the last moments of Abdul Waheed Majeed’s life. The jihadist, thought to be the first British citizen to carry out a suicide attack in Syira, poses for the camera with his hands in his pockets, dressed in a white Muslim gown and black scarf on his head bearing the name of an extremist Islamist group. Minutes later he would drive a truck ladden with explosives into the gates of a prison, killing himself and scores others…
| — Hat tip: JP | [Return to headlines] |
The New Jihadists Make Al-Qaeda Look Like Tired Old Has-Beens
The creation of a de facto Islamic state in Syria could act as a springboard for a takeover of the Arab world
There is something rather laughable about the fugitive leader of al-Qaeda railing — as he has been recently — against the violent tactics employed by a new generation of Islamist militants.
This, after all, is an organisation that is no stranger to committing wanton acts of unprovoked violence, such as last year’s assault on Nairobi’s Westgate shopping mall. Judging from reports this week, it may also have radicalised the first British man to carry out a suicide bombing in the Syrian civil war.
But what really seems to be bugging Ayman al-Zawahiri, al-Qaeda’s ideological linchpin, is not so much the violent methods being employed by militants fighting in Syria and Iraq, but the fact that they are no longer prepared to take orders from him. He is the godfather of Islamist terrorism — but an increasingly isolated one.
This is certainly the view of American intelligence officials, who closely monitor every aspect of Islamist activity around the world.
“What we are looking at is the replacement of al-Qaeda by a new generation of Islamist militants who have a far more radical and focused agenda,” a senior US counter-terrorism official told me in an interview in Washington. “The new generation of these terrorists are far more ambitious. They are not just content with plotting terror attacks against the West: they are determined to create their own Islamist state.”
This would certainly explain the deepening rift between traditional al-Qaeda-affiliated groups such as the Nusra Front, which have waged a sustained campaign of terror against the Assad regime in Syria, and their even more aggressive rivals such as the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS).
Speaking from his hideout in Pakistan’s tribal areas last week, Zawahiri was reduced to issuing a pathetic statement complaining that the new generation of Islamist terrorists were pursuing their own agenda.
“We weren’t informed about its creation, nor counselled,” Zawahiri said of ISIS. “Nor are we satisfied with it: rather we ordered it to stop… Nor is al-Qaeda responsible for its actions and behaviour.”
In many respects, Zawahiri and the remnants of the original al-Qaeda leadership seem to be vainly shouting in the wilderness…
| — Hat tip: Nick | [Return to headlines] |
The Rushdie Fatwa 25 Years Later by Daniel Pipes
Twenty-five years ago today, Ayatollah Khomeini brought his edict down on Salman Rushdie. Iran’s revolutionary leader objected to the author’s magical-realist novel The Satanic Verses because of its insults to the Muslim prophet Muhammad and responded by calling for the execution of Rushdie and “all those involved in the publication who were aware of its contents.”
That Rushdie was born in India, lived in Britain, and had no significant connections to Iran made this an unprecedented act of aggression, one that resounded widely at the time and has subsequently had an enduring impact. Indeed, one could argue that the era of “creeping Shari’a” or “stealth jihad” or “lawful Islamism” began on February 14, 1989, with the issuance of that short edict.
| — Hat tip: JD | [Return to headlines] |
Turkish Activists Brace for Internet Censorship
In Turkey, a new Internet censorship law is taking aim at digital dissent. The law has been met with fierce criticism. It could mean the end for one group of online activists that report on opposition protests.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Ban Ki-Moon ‘Worried’ About Piracy Precedent in Marines Case
Italians face terrorism charges in India for alleged murder
(see related) (ANSA) — New York, February 13 — United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is “worried” about the case of two Italian anti-piracy marines facing murder charges in India, and “fears it could have some repercussions on anti-piracy security operations and the rule of law,” spokesman Martin Nesirky said when asked by ANSA on Thursday.
| — Hat tip: Insubria | [Return to headlines] |
India Risks Global Anti-Piracy Efforts — Italian Task Force
New Delhi worsening relations with treatment of marines
(see previous) (ANSA) — Rome, February 14 — The Indian government, in pressing its case against Italian marines accused of killing two men while on an anti-piracy mission, risks damaging global efforts to fight piracy, an Italian task force on the marines said Friday. It is also worsening relations between Italy and India, warned the Inter-Ministerial Task Force on the marines in a note to cabinet.
India is said to be re-assessing terrorism charges against the marines, with the government reportedly asking its justice ministry to weigh charging Massimilano Latorre and Salvatore Girone under the country’s penal code rather than the draconian SUA law, India’s tough interpretation of an international treaty against terrorism and piracy framed after the 1985 Achille Lauro hijacking, The Indian Express said Friday.
New Delhi, which has already taken the SUA-mandated death penalty off the table, appears to be gradually ceding to pressure not just from Rome but from the European Union and the United Nations.
Indian must tread carefully, the Italian task force warned.
“The eventual action by the Indian the law on maritime security (would risk) impairing the dignity of Italy and the marines, and would have negative consequences in relations with India and in the global fight against piracy,” said the task force.
The two Italian marines have been awaiting charges for the alleged murder of Valentine (aka Gelastine) and Ajesh Binki after the marines reportedly opened fire on their fishing trawler while guarding the privately owned Italian-flagged oil-tanker MT Enrica Lexie off the coast of Kerala in February 2012.
| — Hat tip: Insubria | [Return to headlines] |
Indonesia Volcano Eruption Prompts Mass Evacuation
Ash cloud from Java island’s Mount Kelud forces 100,000 people to flee their homes and international airports to close
A major volcanic eruption in Indonesia has shrouded a large swath of the most heavily populated island in ash, triggering the evacuation of more than 100,000 people and the closure of three international airports.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Malaysia: Valentine’s Day ‘A Threat to Muslim Values’
Muslim watchdog in Malaysia slams festivities as 130 couples get married in a mass wedding.
Malaysian authorities have said Valentine’s Day is a threat to Muslim values in their annual swipe at the February 14 occasion, which was marked with a mass wedding involving 138 couples. In its official Friday sermon text distributed to mosques in the Muslim-majority country, the Malaysian Islamic Development Department blamed Valentine’s Day for everything from alcoholism to abortion…
| — Hat tip: JP | [Return to headlines] |
Mass Exodus as Volcano Erupts in Indonesia
Booms from Java’s Mount Kelud heard 130km away, while about 200,000 people flee as ash, sand and rocks rain down.
A major volcanic eruption in Indonesia has shrouded a large swathe of the country’s most heavily populated island in ash, triggering the evacuation of about 200,000 people and closing three international airports.
Indonesia’s disaster agency said two people died on Friday in the overnight eruption of Java’s Mount Kelud, considered one of the most dangerous volcanoes on the island…
| — Hat tip: JP | [Return to headlines] |
Pakistani Taliban Claim 500 Women Suicide Bombers Ready to Kill to Impose Sharia on the Country
As a second round of talks between the TTP and the government gets underway today, the country continues to suffer from attacks and violence. Extremists are pushing for a progressively more “Islamised” state. Exasperated, more and more ordinary Pakistanis are favourable to a military operation.
Islamabad (AsiaNews) — The Pakistani Taliban can count on more than 500 women suicide bombers, and more than 1,300 young students from Qur’anic schools, who are ready to blow themselves up in order to achieve the fundamentalists’ goal, namely the introduction of Sharia, or Islamic law, in the country.
In recent weeks, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has carried out a series of suicide attacks against sensitive targets, including members of the police and security forces, to avenge the death of comrades and people associated with the extremist movement. According to its latest statements, the violence will continue until their demands “are met”.
The government appears inclined to accommodate them. So far, it has shown that it still wants to continue talks to achieve a ceasefire, despite the growing desperation of a large part of the population and civil society, exasperated by the violence and opposed to the gradual “Islamisation” of the state.
The Taliban said that they would agree to a ceasefire if a certain number of non-negotiable preconditions were met, namely the introduction of Sharia law in the country; an Islamic educational system; the release of all terrorists and fighters, including the killers of Salman Taseer and Shahbaz Bhatti; the handover of all the tribal areas and the withdrawal of the army, the end of the interest-based banking system, the end to support for the US war on terror; and the replacement of the democratic model with an Islamic regime.
As part of peace talks that got under way earlier this month, government officials and Taliban representatives held a second meeting today. However, the talks have already raised serious concerns and generate a fierce controversy in the country.
Many Pakistanis are in favour of the talks, and want to see a deal that would end the fighting, targeted attacks and bloody bombings. Many others however are pushing for a military operation, blaming the court system for its inability to prosecute felons.
Despite the military’s decision to halt drone operations and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s determination to pursue the path of dialogue, the TTP continues to launch bloody attacks across the country. Just in the last little while, fundamentalist fighters have claimed responsibility for at least seven attacks, including the explosion of a police bus in Karachi that killed 12 officers.
Extremists have also targeted a tribal community of a few thousand people living in the Kalash Valley. For centuries, its members have lived in this remote area of €‹€‹northwest Pakistan, on the border with Afghanistan. Of a peaceful nature, they are polytheist. And their leader strongly supports education in the region, peaceful coexistence and dialogue among residents. Yet, the Taliban warned them to “convert to Islam or be beheaded.”
For the current Taliban leadership, today’s Pakistan — which is based on a model and on ideals embodied by the historic speech the country’s founder Ali Jinnah made to parliament in 1947 (one based on pluralism, religious freedom, a secular state, equal rights for Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Hindus, etc.) — is unpalatable.
Their first goal is precisely a radical change to the country’s constitution and legal system, which they believe should be based on Sharia.
For many analysts and liberal-minded Pakistanis, such a vision will end up “having a psychologically devastating impact on Pakistan.”
With their constant attacks, many against police and government facilities, TTP leaders have created the impression that they are more powerful than the state, and that they can strike anyone. And this is feeding a sense of insecurity and fuelling tensions, a situation that tends to have a crushing effect on innocent victims first.
| — Hat tip: C. Cantoni | [Return to headlines] |
US Christian Missionary Arrested in India
Rev David Grant, a pastor with the Evangelical Assemblies of God World Missions, is accused of breaking visa rules. For the president of the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC), his arrest underscores the unequal treatment reserved for Christian clergymen, who are often subjected to “threats, abuse and arrests.”
Mumbai (AsiaNews) — An American Christian missionary, David Grant, was arrested in India on alleged visa “violations”.
“This underscores the different treatment reserved to Christian missionaries in our country,” Sajan George, President of the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) told AsiaNews.
Police detained the religious leader and his wife Beth on their arrival at the airport in New Delhi, on Monday. This afternoon, he is set to appear before a court in Kozhikode (Kerala) to face the charges levelled against him.
Rev David Grant, a pastor with the Evangelical Assemblies of God World Missions, has been in India for 35 years. The complaint against him dates back to September 2013 after a visit he made in Kerala.
“In the West, it is common to see Hindu sadhus (holy men) freely proselytising,” said Sajan George told AsiaNews.
“Moreover,” he noted, “hundreds of foreign tourists visit our country and take part in religious services or hear public speeches by Hindu clerics without problems.”
“Unfortunately, when Christian missionaries come to India, they are not accorded the same reciprocity and often end up facing threats, abuse and arrests.”
| — Hat tip: C. Cantoni | [Return to headlines] |
USAID Cancels Contract for Good News From Afghanistan
WASHINGTON — The federal agency charged with spending more than $1 billion in aid projects for Afghanistan abruptly canceled a contract proposal Thursday that would have paid photographers for “positive images” of its work there to counteract what it terms negative coverage by news organizations…
| — Hat tip: JP | [Return to headlines] |
China Gets Its First American-Style Chinese Restaurant
Located in Shanghai, the American-style Chinese restaurant Fortune Cookie was founded by two Cornell graduates, Fung Lam and David Rossi.
American Chinese food differs dramatically from Chinese cuisine traditionally served in China, and with good reason. Chinese food has been in American since the mid-1800s, when restaurants opened catering to Chinese laborers. Those early restauranteurs didn’t have access to the same ingredients that they had in their homeland, so they improvised. Even in today’s global economy, many of the ingredients used in American-Chinese food are still different from the ingredients used in China.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
North Korea Does the Sochi Olympics — Without Athletes
by Claudia Rosett
Not a single North Korean athlete qualified for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. That was no obstacle, however, to North Korea’s titular head of state and president of its “parliament,” Kim Yong Nam, leading a delegation of North Korean officials to the Olympics. According to North Korea’s state mouthpiece, the Korean Central News Agency, they were seen off at the Pyongyang airport on Feb. 5 by “a suite” of fellow North Korean officials, as well as the Russian ambassador to North Korea…
| — Hat tip: JP | [Return to headlines] |
Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan Wins Men’s Figure Skating Gold
When Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan crashed to the ice on a quadruple jump, it seemed that the gold medal had slipped from his grasp. He fell again on another jump, and his hopes dimmed further.
But Hanyu fought back to finish his program strong, a wise move because Patrick Chan of Canada had an even worse long program, stumbling on several jumps and shedding technical points all over the ice. So Hanyu, falls and all, ended up on top. The 19-year-old from Japan won the first men’s singles skating gold in his country’s history.
| [Return to headlines] |
Gang Rape in Sydney Inflames “Racial” Tensions
[…]
“I have spoken with many community members in recent days,” Superintendent Gary Merryweather, from Blacktown police, said. “They are calm and very committed to ensuring that their good work is not blemished by speculation that doesn’t reflect the reality within and between their communities.
“Blacktown is home to many communities and their collective commitment to a harmonious relationship is very real and very powerful.
“These communities have worked incredibly hard to achieve this outcome, and along with police they have ensured community harmony has become a reality.”
[Aye, we can see that, eh!!!]
| — Hat tip: Nick | [Return to headlines] |
Mosque Harsh on Marriage Penalties
THE leader of the Islamic Centre of Newcastle, where the cleric who allegedly presided over marriage of a 12-year-old girl worked, has called for increased penalties for anyone involved in under-age unions.
The centre president, Yunus Kara, said his congregation was never made aware of the union between the Hunter girl and the University of Newcastle student from Lebanon until approached by police…
| — Hat tip: JP | [Return to headlines] |
America is Destabilising Kenya, Says Kimemia
KENYA’s top security organ yesterday launched a scathing attack on American funding for civil society. A meeting of the National Security Advisory Committee on Wednesday chaired by Cabinet Secretary Francis Kimemia said United States Agency for International Development wanted to topple the government of President Uhuru Kenyatta using activists…
| — Hat tip: JP | [Return to headlines] |
Mali Arrests Ex-Defense Chief Over Paratrooper Killings
Authorities in Mali have arrested the country’s former defense minister, General Yamoussa Camara, in connection with the killings of 21 paratroopers loyal to ousted president Amadou Toumani Toure.
Details of the charges were not immediately clear Thursday. But Reuters news agency quotes a senior military official alleging that Camara tried to cover up the April 2012 killings…
| — Hat tip: JP | [Return to headlines] |
Nigeria: Cannibal Restaurant With Roasted Human Heads on the Menu Shut Down by Police
Police arrested 11 people and closed a restaurant after two human heads wrapped in cellophane were discovered at a hotel restaurant that had been serving human flesh.A tip-off led police to the macabre discovery in Anambra, Nigeria, with 11 people being arrested and AK-47 guns and other weapons being seized.
Human flesh was apparently being sold as an expensive treat at the restaurant, with authorities saying that roasted human head was even on the menu.
| — Hat tip: Kitman | [Return to headlines] |
Scores of Men and Women Executed in DR Congo
More than 70 civilians were killed by armed groups bent on spreading terror, says UN mission.
More than 70 men and women have been executed in the restive eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the UN mission in the country (MONUSCO) has said.
“The reports received by MONUSCO suggest that the summary executions were allegedly committed mainly by armed groups to spread terror among the population. The majority of the victims were killed with machete,” MONUSCO said in a statement on Thursday…
| — Hat tip: JP | [Return to headlines] |
Somalia: Six Killed in Mogadishu Airport Attack
Airport houses base of AMISOM as well as foreign diplomatic missions, UN offices.
MOGADISHU — At least six people were killed and many more wounded Thursday in a car bomb attack close to the entrance of Mogadishu’s heavily-fortified international airport, police and witnesses said…
| — Hat tip: JP | [Return to headlines] |
South Africa: Pupils Support Girl After School Headscarf Row
A row has broken out at a city school over a pupil’s right to wear a traditional Islamic headscarf, prompting pupils there to don headscarves during a civvies day in support of the Grade 8 pupil on Thursday.
The dress code of the German International School Cape Town implicitly stated that “no headwear (was) to be worn in class”. The school, private and bilingual, is in Tamboerskloof and enrols pupils from Grade 1 to Grade 12.
Deputy principal Christoph Abt said the pupil’s father had decided he could not ask his daughter to not wear her scarf. He had decided to not enrol his daughter at the school.
There was a discussion at the school regarding a potential change to the dress code, but the school’s board would have to agree to make the change.
Abt said there was an annual general meeting where all members of the board would meet in May when this would be discussed. “We are more than willing to then accept the members’ decision and change our policy.”
He said pupils had decided to wear headscarves to school on Thursday as part of a civvies day in order to experience what it was like.
Abt described this as a “healthy exercise”.
Chairman of the board Wido Schnabel could not be reached for comment on Thursday.
The Cape Times was also unable to contact members of the student representative council.
According to the Department of Basic Education’s national guidelines on school uniforms, a school’s dress code should take religious and cultural diversity into account.
Lebogang Montjane, executive director of the Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa, said it advised members that there needed to be a sound educational reason for any restriction like this and at the same time an effort needs to be made to accommodate to the extent possible religious and cultural differences.
| — Hat tip: LH | [Return to headlines] |
Argentina Struggling — Again — With Inflation
Recently, in Buenos Aires, there was no ketchup to be had for days anywhere in the Argentine capital. Rigid foreign exchange controls not only made US dollars scarce, but also import items like tomato sauce.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
GOP Incumbents Will Betray America End of Year
Lawrence Sellin, Ph.D. a retired colonel with 29 years of service in the US Army Reserve and a veteran of Afghanistan and Iraq said it quite well in a recent piece: Amnesty: Politicians Put Their Mouth Where Their Money Is
“For the most part, the US government is a racket, a service that is fraudulently offered to solve a problem that may not exist, would not be affected if it did exist, or only exists due to the actions of government itself. American politicians exploit the racket to run a swindle, taking money or property from someone by using lies or tricks.
“One could successfully argue that many of those operating within our present political environment are in violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act (18 U.S.C. §§ 1961-1968) enacted into law on October 15, 1970. In general, Republicans and Democrats con voters into giving them the power to use the voters’ own money (taxes) for the purpose of rewarding themselves and the wealthy donors, who fund their political campaigns and provide them with post-government employment…
“Contrary to the conventional wisdom on the political right, Barack Obama was not the inventor of wealth redistribution. National elections are not about representative government or officials responding to the will of the American people. They are about the allocation of power between the two political establishments. The politicians then parlay that power into influence and affluence by redistributing the wealth generated by ordinary hard-working Americans to their political supporters.
“The objective of both the Republican and Democratic establishments is the same; to preserve the political status quo, racketeering masquerading as government. Their business models depend on exclusivity to power, spawned by money, sustained by political expediency and crony capitalism and maintained by crushing any spontaneous outbreaks of democracy among U.S. citizens.
| — Hat tip: JD | [Return to headlines] |
“Genderfluid”: Libs Celebrate as Facebook Creates 50+ New Gender Categories
Facebook has bowed to pressure from LGBT activists by creating over 50 new custom gender options, meaning users can identify as things like “gender fluid,” “transmasculine” or “two spirit”.
| — Hat tip: JD | [Return to headlines] |
Federal Court Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage in the Commonwealth
“As far as this Court is concerned, no one should be fooled; it is just a matter of listening and waiting for the other shoe.” Those are the words of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, drawn from his dissent in the case United States v. Windsor, handed down last year. In that case, the Supreme Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act, ruling that the United States government could not refuse to recognize same-sex marriages. The Court struck down a law passed by massive majorities in both houses of Congress and signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1996. While the Court did not rule that all fifty states must immediately legalize same-sex marriage, it set the stage for this eventual result. Justice Scalia made that point clear in his dissent.
Now, Justice Scalia’s prophecy has come to pass in Kentucky. Today, U. S. District Judge John G. Heyburn declared that Kentucky’s ban on recognizing same-sex marriages performed in other states violates the equal protection clause of the U. S. Constitution. Judge Heyburn did not rule that Kentucky must now marry same-sex couples, but that the state must grant full recognition to same-sex marriages legally performed in other states. Nevertheless, Judge Heyburn recognized that his decision points to that eventual result, stating that “there is no doubt that Windsor and this Court’s analysis suggest a possible result to that question.” If anything, that is an understatement. As with Justice Kennedy in his majority opinion in Windsor, Judge Heyburn now clearly points to the striking down of any state’s prohibition on same-sex marriage. As Justice Scalia predicted, we did not have to wait long for the other shoe.
| — Hat tip: JD | [Return to headlines] |
Have Sweden’s Permissive Parents Given Birth to a Generation of Monsters?
As the children spared the rod come of age, doubts about the practice are growing, Judith Woods finds
My five-year-old is extravagantly furious at being thwarted. I have infringed her human rights by mildly suggesting that she turn off the television and put some clothes on. I can see the dark storm clouds gathering on her thunderous brow, her eyes narrowing, mouth pursed in Shakespearean displeasure as she reaches for the most hurtful, serpent’s tooth ingratitude she can think of. “You’re Not My Friend Any More!” To which I reply, swift as Lady Macbeth’s dagger, “I never was your friend in the first place, darling.”…
| — Hat tip: JP | [Return to headlines] |
Homosexual Lobby Bullies Ohio School Board Into Not Hiring Christian Coach
HEBRON, Ohio, Feb. 13, 2014 /Christian Newswire/ — Last night Lakewood Ohio Local School Board rejected the recommendation of the Lakewood High School administration and selection committee to hire outspoken Christian Coach Dave Daubenmire. Outside organizations such as Change.org and Equality Ohio used lies, intimidation and threats to bully the school board into rejecting the administration’s recommendations.
Daubenmire, 61, an alumnus of Lakewood High and a highly successful veteran coach was rejected by a vote of 3-2 because his outspoken views regarding homosexuality were not acceptable to intolerant homosexual activists who demand strict adherence to their political agenda.
After four interviews and recommendations of Daubenmire by two committees, the board rejected Daubenmire because he was a “poor role model” for young people because of his vocal opposition to homosexual marriage.
| — Hat tip: JD | [Return to headlines] |
Maine Supreme Court Rules School Discriminated Against Boy in Denying Use of Girls’ Restroom
AUGUSTA, Maine — The Supreme Court of Maine has ruled that a local school district discriminated against a male student that identifies as a female when it denied him from using the girls’ restroom.
The court ruled 5-1 on Thursday that the Orono School District violated the Maine Human Rights Act when it offered then-5th grader Wyatt Maines the use of the staff bathroom, but barred him from using the restroom for female students.
As previously reported, Maines is an identical twin who, according to his parents, has exhibited feminine behavior since he was a preschooler. By the time he reached fifth grade, Wyatt legally changed his name to “Nicole,” let his hair grow long, and began regularly wearing feminine clothing.
During that same time period, Wyatt also started using the girls’ restrooms at Asa Adams Elementary School, which disturbed some of the other students.
| — Hat tip: JD | [Return to headlines] |
Not Sure if You’re Male or Female? Facebook Wants to Help
With a click of a cursor, Jay Brown in Cheverly, Md., went from Male to Trans Male. A few states away, Debon Garrigues of Asheville, N.C., switched from Male to Neutral. In San Francisco, Marilyn Roxie, formerly Female, chose three: Androgynous, Transgender and Genderqueer.
| — Hat tip: JD | [Return to headlines] |
Photo: Common Core Inflicts Anguish on 7-Year-Old Girl
A disheartening photo depicting a frustrated young girl struggling to solve a math problem is upsetting parents and stirring outrage towards the Common Core public school curriculum.
The photo shows a frustrated 7-year-old girl in tears and anguish after she is unable to solve a math equation using the suggested problem-solving method…
“After checking her work, I had found 2 math problems were incorrect. I tried to help her understand where she went wrong through her process but I don’t understand it myself and was not much help,” Poynter says in a post that appeared at eagnews.org, a Common Core watchdog site…
Numerous photos taken by parents demonstrate the utter asininity of the Common Core math curriculum. Here are just a few examples that might incentivize parents to consider pulling their children out of the federalized, behavior-modifying socialist indoctrination camps known as public schools.…
Below is a shock video of an Illinois Curriculum Director giving a teacher conference on Common Core math. She explains children can say that “3 x 4 = 11 — so long as they can explain how they came to that conclusion.
[Comment: Commie core is designed to create dumb serfs.]
| — Hat tip: JD | [Return to headlines] |
I note that the BBC is still falsly reporting events in the Central African Republic. They are showing footage of Christian Militias and accusing them of retaliatory actions without reporting on the atrocities committed by muslims. This one-sided reporting portrays muslims as victims. Whose agenda is this then?
Yes! Damn right,
Good on to all bulgarians, [intemperate recommendations redacted].
Support ataka!!!! Siderov has got it right!!
Bulgaria has already learned its lesson with islam, dont let history repeat!!!
Bulgaria has long history with these islamic nazis, under ottoman rule, until the russians liberated them at battle of kaliakra, and others.
The biggest dhimmis in eastern europe are romanians, they seem oblivious to
All the mosque building and muslim activity going on in romania right now!
The average romanian seems to think that islam is harmless peacefull ideology! Dont laugh!
Romanians need to wake up, “emile cioran” is probaly turning in his grave right now!
Romanians need to be doing what the bulgarians are doing, and that is protecting there peopleand nation from the islam new nazis!!!
Sobieski
Sobieski:
Just so you know.
This morning, as usually happens, I wasn’t feeling well. Despite that I let in the comments since I knew readers were waiting and that it would be a while before the Baron could do so. He told me later that I had approved a comment by you – this one- which had content that clearly violated our standards re courtesy and moderate language.
You do this frequently. Ugly words strewn about in clear disregard for our wishes and/or reputation. You are using our website as your personal litter box.
No more. If I see you name, I will delete your comment. Period.
You have worked hard to prove yourself to be an untrustworthy commenter. In my attempt to save the Baron some eyesight strain, I unknowingly allowed you to betray his work.
You are done here.
Interesting,
[Editing & responses by the Baron. Unpleasant, insulting paragraph removed here.]
Are you another branch of the thought police?
I lived in bulgaria for 6 years, and lived in romania for 2, so i know what im talking about.
I happen also to be born in woolwich sth london for what its worth.
Sure ban me from your website,
It will be your loss.
i thought this was counter jihad site, didnt know that people have to pass an audition to be able to air their own thoughts, and vent their own frustrations.
[When editing out your intemperate recommendations and uncivil wording becomes too much work, then we delete the comment. Dymphna felt that she had reached that point.]
By banning me, you are banning the very people you need who are not pc, and not afraid to speak up and against the death cult islam.
[The paragraph I removed here would be an appropriate example of why it is not a matter of the content of what you say, but the way in which you say it. However, we also have to remove what might be considered incitement to violence by those looking for a reason to destroy this website. Those get edited out, too.]
Apart from slamming islam, ive never abused anyone or anything on your site.
Dos svadanya
Are Syria Charities a Front for Jihadists?
“Security services fear the huge relief effort is being hijacked by radical Islamists determined to support networks of violent jihadists.”
Are the UK security services taking the p***?
“He joined an aid convoy after his Crawley mosque raised more than £140,000 to help refugees in just a few months.”
“Volunteers travelled the 2,000 mile journey in a fleet of old ambulances loaded with supplies, including food, bedding and medical equipment.”
The aid convoys are hardly inconspicuous stuffed with requisitioned NHS medicines and sleight of hand material aid championed by Cameron and Hague.
I heard a BBC Radio 4 documentary a few months ago, where the crew accompanied a “relief” convoy from the UK to Syria. Some of the personnel were turned back at border crossings, notably in Turkey, because the authorities were not satisfied with their credentials, and the reporter failed to pursue this. Nevertheless, I’d like to ask Jolin Rouge to substantiate his/her allegations about “requisitioned NHS medicines”, etc.
@Mark H,
NHS – Syria-appeal-behind-the-scenes
“I was amazed at the amount of things the staff were able to send, everything from blood transfusion kits, needles, BP monitors and dressings.”
On what authority are staff procuring and donating NHS equipment and medicines, is this syphoning off of NHS resources audited by Government. What are the consequence for NHS patients and the cost to the British taxpayer regarding the dubious requisitioning NHS stores.
That’s how bureaucracies work. They don’t need no stinkin’ permission from the British taxpayer. They can refuse to treat their own citizens and still do charitable work in Syria…they are their own “authority”.
“After several weeks of publicising the appeal, we went over to the distribution centre where all the donations from staff were waiting for us. I was amazed at the amount of things the staff were able to send, everything from blood transfusion kits, needles, BP monitors and dressings. The list was endless, but all of the supplies were essential and will make a huge difference.” – NHS article
Wow, the staff was so generous sending an endless list of ‘donations’ to Syria….
I suppose that the staff saved up their pennies from their personal salaries for so long to be able to afford to donate an endless supply of medical supplies to Syria….
“The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people’s money.” – Margaret Thatcher
The problem with socialism is that socialists believe and act as if and use violence to coerce you that your money (work) is their money (work) and that your money (work) is and will be endless. – Egghead
“There are a lot of wealthy, successful Americans who agree with me — because they want to give something back. They know they didn’t — look, if you’ve been successful, you didn’t get there on your own. You didn’t get there on your own. I’m always struck by people who think, well, it must be because I was just so smart. There are a lot of smart people out there. It must be because I worked harder than everybody else. Let me tell you something — there are a whole bunch of hardworking people out there.” – Obama
“‘As has been well documented, I smoked pot as a kid, and I view it as a bad habit and a vice, not very different from the cigarettes that I smoked as a young person up through a big chunk of my adult life. I don’t think it is more dangerous than alcohol.'” – Obama
Is it NHS. don’t think so, as it would come from a private company, who supply the NHS. If it out of date I.e bandages, then it is withdrawn. Bp monitors can be easily purchased.
The issue here is if any of it actually gets to the people, civilians.
I have read somewhere that the medical stuff is removed and replaced with military kit once inside Syria . That would not a new ruse, it was done in Sarajevo, Palestinians and I believe in Lebanon too.
Are you saying this is British security and intelligence services front to arm the jihadists in Syria?
From the NHS website linked to above: “I am sure everyone is aware of what is currently happening in Syria, and for this reason the charity sent out an appeal to staff across the Trust, to send medical supplies that were no longer in use or were due to go out of date to North Tyneside General Hospital’s distribution centre. This was so they could be sent across to Syria, which would be a huge benefit to doctors over there, allowing them to provide better medical attention to those in need.”
The biggest fraud to ever be put over the American people that is Obama, to be given to a Grand Jury? I certainly hope so!