This is a story I turned from an Press Release, and tried to practise a bit of picking up quotes, important informations from a PR-oriented article.
The propane industry announced today a nationwide effort for tackling environmental issues.
It says the project can help cut greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, lower energy costs, and reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil.
The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) led the goal to inform the country of how expanding the use of propane could begin cutting emission of greenhouse gases immediately.
"Significant and swift progress toward environmental goals is within reach," said Roy Willis, president and CEO of PERC. "The key is to more fully embrace the clean alternative energies, like wind, solar, natural gas, ethanol, and propane, that are already used across the country."
Recently, T. Boone Pickens highlighted propane as an important part of the Pickens Plan, citing propane's environment-friendly profile and ample production in the United States.
"America has the opportunity today to reduce its dependence on foreign oil while protecting the environment by making the most of domestic energy sources," said Pickens. "Propane is clean, it's American-made, and it can be put to work right now."
Friday, 25 September 2009
US Energy Department funding boosts employment and national economy (second copy)
Second copy for NewNet
11th September 2009
US Energy Department has confirmed to provide millions of loans guarantees for Solyndra, Inc., which will help create new jobs and boost national economy.
The Recovery Act – a $535 million loan guarantee finalised by the Department will assist create 3,000 construction jobs initially, and lead to 1,000 jobs once the facility opens.
The founding will manufacture innovative cylindrical solar photovoltaic panels that provide clean, renewable energy, and finance construction of the first phase of the company's new manufacturing facility.
Annual production of solar panels from the first phase is expected to provide energy which can power 24,000 homes a year or in another word, over the project's lifetime, the first phase facility could manufacture up to 7 gigawatts of solar panels, which can generate electricity equivalent to 3 or 4 coal fired power plants.
The Vice President Biden said, 'the announcement today is part of the unprecedented investment this Administration is making in renewable energy and exactly what the Recovery Act is all about. By investing in the infrastructure and technology of the future, we are not only creating jobs today, but laying the foundation for long-term growth.'
'It is time to rev up the American innovation machine and reclaim our lead on clean energy,' said US
Secretary of Energy Steven Chu. 'This investment is part of a broad, aggressive effort to spark new industrial revolution that will put Americans to work, end our dependence on foreign oil and cut carbon pollution.'
11th September 2009
US Energy Department has confirmed to provide millions of loans guarantees for Solyndra, Inc., which will help create new jobs and boost national economy.
The Recovery Act – a $535 million loan guarantee finalised by the Department will assist create 3,000 construction jobs initially, and lead to 1,000 jobs once the facility opens.
The founding will manufacture innovative cylindrical solar photovoltaic panels that provide clean, renewable energy, and finance construction of the first phase of the company's new manufacturing facility.
Annual production of solar panels from the first phase is expected to provide energy which can power 24,000 homes a year or in another word, over the project's lifetime, the first phase facility could manufacture up to 7 gigawatts of solar panels, which can generate electricity equivalent to 3 or 4 coal fired power plants.
The Vice President Biden said, 'the announcement today is part of the unprecedented investment this Administration is making in renewable energy and exactly what the Recovery Act is all about. By investing in the infrastructure and technology of the future, we are not only creating jobs today, but laying the foundation for long-term growth.'
'It is time to rev up the American innovation machine and reclaim our lead on clean energy,' said US
Secretary of Energy Steven Chu. 'This investment is part of a broad, aggressive effort to spark new industrial revolution that will put Americans to work, end our dependence on foreign oil and cut carbon pollution.'
US Energy Department finalised $535 million loan guarantee for Solyndra
A story I wrote couple of days ago for NewNet online publication
11th September 2009
US Department of Energy has finalised a $535 million loan guarantee for Solyndra, Inc. on 4 September 2009, which manufactures innovative cylindrical solar photovoltaic panels that provide clean, renewable energy, according to the department's announcement.
The funding will finance construction of the first phase of the company's new manufacturing facility. Annual production of solar panels from the first phase is expected to provide energy which can power 24,000 homes a year or in another word, over the project's lifetime, the first phase facility could manufacture up to 7 gigawatts of solar panels, which can generate electricity equivalent to 3 or 4 coal fired power plants.
Vice President Biden said, 'the announcement today is part of the unprecedented investment this Administration is making in renewable energy and exactly what the Recovery Act is all about. By investing in the infrastructure and technology of the future, we are not only creating jobs today, but laying the foundation for long-term growth in the 21st century economy.'
Solyndra estimates the new plant will create 3,000 construction jobs initially, and lead to as many as 1,000 jobs once the facility opens. The Recovery Act is changing America's economy by making significant investments, creating sustainable jobs and transforming how America produces and uses energy.
'It is time to rev up the American innovation machine and reclaim our lead on clean energy,' said US
Secretary of Energy Steven Chu. 'This investment is part of a broad, aggressive effort to spark new industrial revolution that will put Americans to work, end our dependence on foreign oil and cut carbon pollution.'
Solyndra is the first recipient of a loan guarantee under the Recover Act and Title XVII of the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
11th September 2009
US Department of Energy has finalised a $535 million loan guarantee for Solyndra, Inc. on 4 September 2009, which manufactures innovative cylindrical solar photovoltaic panels that provide clean, renewable energy, according to the department's announcement.
The funding will finance construction of the first phase of the company's new manufacturing facility. Annual production of solar panels from the first phase is expected to provide energy which can power 24,000 homes a year or in another word, over the project's lifetime, the first phase facility could manufacture up to 7 gigawatts of solar panels, which can generate electricity equivalent to 3 or 4 coal fired power plants.
Vice President Biden said, 'the announcement today is part of the unprecedented investment this Administration is making in renewable energy and exactly what the Recovery Act is all about. By investing in the infrastructure and technology of the future, we are not only creating jobs today, but laying the foundation for long-term growth in the 21st century economy.'
Solyndra estimates the new plant will create 3,000 construction jobs initially, and lead to as many as 1,000 jobs once the facility opens. The Recovery Act is changing America's economy by making significant investments, creating sustainable jobs and transforming how America produces and uses energy.
'It is time to rev up the American innovation machine and reclaim our lead on clean energy,' said US
Secretary of Energy Steven Chu. 'This investment is part of a broad, aggressive effort to spark new industrial revolution that will put Americans to work, end our dependence on foreign oil and cut carbon pollution.'
Solyndra is the first recipient of a loan guarantee under the Recover Act and Title XVII of the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
Thursday, 20 August 2009
It is down to you to throw yourself into your (journalism) studies
An e-mail, carrying enough reasons to cheer me up, is writtern to me by Richard Parsons, a veteran journalist/editor and one of the most respectable newspaper journalists I have ever met in the UK.
Yixiang,
Great news – I’m so pleased for you. It’s a result of hard work and sheer determination on your part.
I know Mr Ward is taking a chance, bearing in mind your acknowledged developing language skills, and now it is down to you to throw yourself into your studies.
I’ve copied this to Andy and Angela, who will be interested to know how you are getting on.
I hope you will stay in touch.
Best wishes
Richard
Yixiang,
Great news – I’m so pleased for you. It’s a result of hard work and sheer determination on your part.
I know Mr Ward is taking a chance, bearing in mind your acknowledged developing language skills, and now it is down to you to throw yourself into your studies.
I’ve copied this to Andy and Angela, who will be interested to know how you are getting on.
I hope you will stay in touch.
Best wishes
Richard
David Cameron “Tories Are the Party of the NHS”
The Conservative are the “party of the NHS”, Tory leader David Cameron says, while Labour is “out-of-touch and bureaucratic”, BBC News Online reports.
The Tory leader has pledged to increase spending on health during a speech in Bolton, Greater Manchester.
Cameron said this is in a bid to recover from the fallout of Tory MEP Daniel Hannan’s appearance on US TV, where he claimed the NHS had been a “60-year mistake”.
Cameron said only the Tories are offering the NHS a funding guarantee.
“Spending on the NHS cannot stand still, because standing still would be taking a step backwards,” He said during his NHS hospital visit in north-west of England. “That is why we have pledged real-terms increases in NHS spending,” as reported by the Guardian.
On the other hand, “Labour”, said Mr. Cameron “could not be trusted to keep their promises” on the health service.
During the speech Mr. Cameron made in Manchester, he said Labour is mistakenly praising “political point-scoring” instead of addressing the serious issues. He further said its health service reforms had “come to the end of the line”.
He said he is concerned that spending can not stand still in the face of an ageing population and medical advances, according to the BBC News Online.
“The debt crisis means we need a new approach to public spending, to make sure we get more for less. But in the NHS, even that won’t do,” said Mr. Cameron.
Cameron has pledged that spending will, at the very least, rise in line with inflation from 2011- 14 if the Tories win the next election.
He also argued that spending alone cannot protect the NHS. It will need an intensification of reforms to cope with an ageing population.
“Our health service is crying out for the next stage of change. I believe we have shown that we are the ones to bring about that change, and that we have earned the right to call ourselves the party of the NHS today. We believe in the NHS. We understand the pressures it faces.”
He then continued to say that Tory reforms would be focusing on making the supply of healthcare more efficient and reducing demand for the NHS through more preventive care.
“The power of competition – an opening up of the NHS to news providers – will bring innovation and investment. And the power of choice – the ability for people to control what service they get – will lead to better quality care.”
These reforms will create a more user-friendly and efficient NHS that both meets patient expectations and restores professional responsibility, says the Guardian.
20/08/09
The Tory leader has pledged to increase spending on health during a speech in Bolton, Greater Manchester.
Cameron said this is in a bid to recover from the fallout of Tory MEP Daniel Hannan’s appearance on US TV, where he claimed the NHS had been a “60-year mistake”.
Cameron said only the Tories are offering the NHS a funding guarantee.
“Spending on the NHS cannot stand still, because standing still would be taking a step backwards,” He said during his NHS hospital visit in north-west of England. “That is why we have pledged real-terms increases in NHS spending,” as reported by the Guardian.
On the other hand, “Labour”, said Mr. Cameron “could not be trusted to keep their promises” on the health service.
During the speech Mr. Cameron made in Manchester, he said Labour is mistakenly praising “political point-scoring” instead of addressing the serious issues. He further said its health service reforms had “come to the end of the line”.
He said he is concerned that spending can not stand still in the face of an ageing population and medical advances, according to the BBC News Online.
“The debt crisis means we need a new approach to public spending, to make sure we get more for less. But in the NHS, even that won’t do,” said Mr. Cameron.
Cameron has pledged that spending will, at the very least, rise in line with inflation from 2011- 14 if the Tories win the next election.
He also argued that spending alone cannot protect the NHS. It will need an intensification of reforms to cope with an ageing population.
“Our health service is crying out for the next stage of change. I believe we have shown that we are the ones to bring about that change, and that we have earned the right to call ourselves the party of the NHS today. We believe in the NHS. We understand the pressures it faces.”
He then continued to say that Tory reforms would be focusing on making the supply of healthcare more efficient and reducing demand for the NHS through more preventive care.
“The power of competition – an opening up of the NHS to news providers – will bring innovation and investment. And the power of choice – the ability for people to control what service they get – will lead to better quality care.”
These reforms will create a more user-friendly and efficient NHS that both meets patient expectations and restores professional responsibility, says the Guardian.
20/08/09
Tuesday, 18 August 2009
Muslims urged not to miss medical appointments during Ramadan
Barts and The London NHS Trust is encouraging Muslims to look after their health and attend scheduled medical appointments during the month of Ramadan, says Medical News Today, UK.
Ramadan is the name of the ninth lunar month on the Islamic Calendar. It is about worship and the ritual of fasting, and practised by people who are Muslims, according to TimeOut.
Nuala Close, Lead Cancer Nurse has expressed concern that some Muslim patients may inadvertently miss their cancer screening or other urgent medical appointment during their Ramadan period.
The Trust’s Muslim chaplain Jusna Begum said: “Islamic law exempts the elderly, the ill, young children, pregnant women and nursing mothers from Ramadan’s requirements.
“Patients undergoing treatment for many different diseases maybe required to eat or drink prior to talking their medication or undergo investigations.
It is essential that our Muslim patients follow the strict medication guidance in the knowledge that they are not breaking their religious beliefs.
I ask all Muslims to make their health a priority and attend any scheduled appointments,” The Medical News Today, UK reports.
According to Nuala Close, she said they noticed a spike in missed appointments during Ramadan over the past couple of years.
They would like to address to ensure their patients are seen urgently when they are being referred by their GP’s.
Though she admits that this is an issue not unique to their Trust but to other areas in the UK with a high Muslim population.
She said: “Some of our Muslim patients may not realise the importance of attending their appointment, particularly those who have been referred to us from their GP with a suspected cancer diagnosis. It is important that these patients are seen within two weeks of their referral to the Trust.
“Patients need to understand they are taking an unnecessary risk with their health if they miss they appointment, as to wait the end of Ramadan could have serious consequences on their health.
“Screening tests help save lives by detecting cancers early when treatment can be more effective. Putting off clinic appointment for several weeks can really make the difference to the outcome for patients who are subsequently diagnosed with cancer.”
A representative from The Muslim Council of Britain said: “We urge all fellow Muslim brothers and sisters not to make their own decisions to alter doses or timings of medications without the guidance from their doctors or pharmacists through out the holy month of Ramadan and beyond,
“We also urge local health practitioners to liaise with mosques and Islamic centres to educate the public on this important information during Ramadan fasting.”
Ramadan is the name of the ninth lunar month on the Islamic Calendar. It is about worship and the ritual of fasting, and practised by people who are Muslims, according to TimeOut.
Nuala Close, Lead Cancer Nurse has expressed concern that some Muslim patients may inadvertently miss their cancer screening or other urgent medical appointment during their Ramadan period.
The Trust’s Muslim chaplain Jusna Begum said: “Islamic law exempts the elderly, the ill, young children, pregnant women and nursing mothers from Ramadan’s requirements.
“Patients undergoing treatment for many different diseases maybe required to eat or drink prior to talking their medication or undergo investigations.
It is essential that our Muslim patients follow the strict medication guidance in the knowledge that they are not breaking their religious beliefs.
I ask all Muslims to make their health a priority and attend any scheduled appointments,” The Medical News Today, UK reports.
According to Nuala Close, she said they noticed a spike in missed appointments during Ramadan over the past couple of years.
They would like to address to ensure their patients are seen urgently when they are being referred by their GP’s.
Though she admits that this is an issue not unique to their Trust but to other areas in the UK with a high Muslim population.
She said: “Some of our Muslim patients may not realise the importance of attending their appointment, particularly those who have been referred to us from their GP with a suspected cancer diagnosis. It is important that these patients are seen within two weeks of their referral to the Trust.
“Patients need to understand they are taking an unnecessary risk with their health if they miss they appointment, as to wait the end of Ramadan could have serious consequences on their health.
“Screening tests help save lives by detecting cancers early when treatment can be more effective. Putting off clinic appointment for several weeks can really make the difference to the outcome for patients who are subsequently diagnosed with cancer.”
A representative from The Muslim Council of Britain said: “We urge all fellow Muslim brothers and sisters not to make their own decisions to alter doses or timings of medications without the guidance from their doctors or pharmacists through out the holy month of Ramadan and beyond,
“We also urge local health practitioners to liaise with mosques and Islamic centres to educate the public on this important information during Ramadan fasting.”
Police learn about Ramadan report says
The meaning of Ramadan and how Muslims celebrate the holy month of fasting was explained to Salford police and community officers, according to Asian News.
Shaikh Esam, who sits on the Shari’a advisory board of a number of banks and financial institutions in Bahrain, explained what Ramadan means for Muslims, according to TimesOut.
Ramadan is the name of the ninth lunar month on the Islamic Calendar. It is about worship and the ritual of fasting. And to understand fasting, Shaikh Esam suggests first of all, people should understand what Islam means, Islam is an Arabic word that means to submit willingly to the commandments of God.
Islam is based on five important pillars of which the fourth pillar is about fasting. Muslims surrender to God by surrendering to his laws and people measure the acceptance or rejection of this submission with these five pillars.
These five pillars are: Shahadah, Salah, Zakah, Sawm, Hajj.
Asian News continues by saying that Eccles and Salford Islamic Society hosted the awareness day at Eccles Mosque on Liverpool Road for officers from the Saford South Neighbourhood Policing Team.
The event welcomes members from all communities and it gave them the opportunity to meet a member of the mosque, and their local policing officers, and informally discuss Ramadan, the meaning for Muslims living in this country, in Salford, and how the period will policed.
Back to TimeOut, the first pillar “Shahadah” means to declare with conviction and acceptance that there is no one worthy of worship other than Alla. The second part of this pillar is to declare that Mohammed is his messenger.
The second pillar “Salah” establishes the five daily prayers in their set forms and their special times which correlate to the position of the sun – sunrise, sunset. Muslims pray five times a day.
Zakah means anyone who owns a minimum threshold amounts and retains this minimum threshold for one lunar year is obliged to pay out 2.5 per cent (the rule thumb) of this threshold, for charitable purposes.
Sawm is the fourth pillar of the whole process, it is to fast for the complete days of Ramadan, to abstain absolutely from any intake of food and drink between the break of dawn and sunset.
Fasting has two dimensions, the abstinence from natural acts and the uplifting, cleansing and purifying spiritually.
Last pillar “Hajj” to perform the pilgrimage to Mecca during the season of the pilgrimage, once in someone’s lifetime, if the person is physically and financially able.
The Asian News concludes that the officers were also on hand to talk to residents about the issues that affect them on a daily basis and discuss ways that can help improve their quality of life.
“It was a fantastic opportunity to learn about anther culture as well as meeting a member of the Salford South Neighbourhood Policing Team,” said a member of the public.
Shaikh Esam, who sits on the Shari’a advisory board of a number of banks and financial institutions in Bahrain, explained what Ramadan means for Muslims, according to TimesOut.
Ramadan is the name of the ninth lunar month on the Islamic Calendar. It is about worship and the ritual of fasting. And to understand fasting, Shaikh Esam suggests first of all, people should understand what Islam means, Islam is an Arabic word that means to submit willingly to the commandments of God.
Islam is based on five important pillars of which the fourth pillar is about fasting. Muslims surrender to God by surrendering to his laws and people measure the acceptance or rejection of this submission with these five pillars.
These five pillars are: Shahadah, Salah, Zakah, Sawm, Hajj.
Asian News continues by saying that Eccles and Salford Islamic Society hosted the awareness day at Eccles Mosque on Liverpool Road for officers from the Saford South Neighbourhood Policing Team.
The event welcomes members from all communities and it gave them the opportunity to meet a member of the mosque, and their local policing officers, and informally discuss Ramadan, the meaning for Muslims living in this country, in Salford, and how the period will policed.
Back to TimeOut, the first pillar “Shahadah” means to declare with conviction and acceptance that there is no one worthy of worship other than Alla. The second part of this pillar is to declare that Mohammed is his messenger.
The second pillar “Salah” establishes the five daily prayers in their set forms and their special times which correlate to the position of the sun – sunrise, sunset. Muslims pray five times a day.
Zakah means anyone who owns a minimum threshold amounts and retains this minimum threshold for one lunar year is obliged to pay out 2.5 per cent (the rule thumb) of this threshold, for charitable purposes.
Sawm is the fourth pillar of the whole process, it is to fast for the complete days of Ramadan, to abstain absolutely from any intake of food and drink between the break of dawn and sunset.
Fasting has two dimensions, the abstinence from natural acts and the uplifting, cleansing and purifying spiritually.
Last pillar “Hajj” to perform the pilgrimage to Mecca during the season of the pilgrimage, once in someone’s lifetime, if the person is physically and financially able.
The Asian News concludes that the officers were also on hand to talk to residents about the issues that affect them on a daily basis and discuss ways that can help improve their quality of life.
“It was a fantastic opportunity to learn about anther culture as well as meeting a member of the Salford South Neighbourhood Policing Team,” said a member of the public.
Michael Jackson burial held on his 51th birthday
Michael Jackson’s body will be buried in Los Angeles on 29 August, the day the King of Pop would have turned 51, his father said, The Daily Telegraph reports.
Joe Jackson, 80, told AFP that the birthday burial at Forest Lawn Cemetery would be a private event, and it is two months after his 25 June death from his heart failure.
The reasons behind the cardiac arrest which killed the singer remain a mystery, according to ITN news, and authorities are continuing the investigation whether prescription drugs played a role in Jackson’s death, and have focused on the role played by his personal physician Conrad Murray in the wake of the singer’s death, says The Daily Telegraph.
Dr Murray was present at the time Jackson died, and reportedly has admitted prescribing powerful anaesthetics to the singer.
In LA, a judge has postponed a decision on whether or not to approve a traveling exhibition dedicated to Michael Jackson.
The singer’s mother Katherine is said to be concerned the planned show might not bring enough money to his estate.
However, ITN news reports that a deal for the sale of Michael Jackson memorabilia has been approved and it is believed the king of Pop could earn more posthumously than his former father-in-law Elvis Presley.
The event – Las Vegas celebrates the music of Michael Jackson – will showcase Las Vegas Strip entertainers singing the star’s greatest hits, says The Daily Telegraph.
Joe Jackson, the singer’s father said he plans to return to Las Vegas immediately after the burial service to attend a charity fundraiser at the Palms Casino Resort.
According to Joe, later that day, the Jackson family patriarch is to receive a celebrity star in his late son’s honour from Brenden Theatres, a cinema at the Palms frequented by Jackson and his three children, Prince Michael, 12, Paris, 11, and Prince Michael II, 7.
The theater has also planned a charity screening of the 1988 film “Moonwalker”, a feature film of Jackson concert footage and music video clips, with proceeds going to public school music education programs in Las Vegas.
Joe Jackson, 80, told AFP that the birthday burial at Forest Lawn Cemetery would be a private event, and it is two months after his 25 June death from his heart failure.
The reasons behind the cardiac arrest which killed the singer remain a mystery, according to ITN news, and authorities are continuing the investigation whether prescription drugs played a role in Jackson’s death, and have focused on the role played by his personal physician Conrad Murray in the wake of the singer’s death, says The Daily Telegraph.
Dr Murray was present at the time Jackson died, and reportedly has admitted prescribing powerful anaesthetics to the singer.
In LA, a judge has postponed a decision on whether or not to approve a traveling exhibition dedicated to Michael Jackson.
The singer’s mother Katherine is said to be concerned the planned show might not bring enough money to his estate.
However, ITN news reports that a deal for the sale of Michael Jackson memorabilia has been approved and it is believed the king of Pop could earn more posthumously than his former father-in-law Elvis Presley.
The event – Las Vegas celebrates the music of Michael Jackson – will showcase Las Vegas Strip entertainers singing the star’s greatest hits, says The Daily Telegraph.
Joe Jackson, the singer’s father said he plans to return to Las Vegas immediately after the burial service to attend a charity fundraiser at the Palms Casino Resort.
According to Joe, later that day, the Jackson family patriarch is to receive a celebrity star in his late son’s honour from Brenden Theatres, a cinema at the Palms frequented by Jackson and his three children, Prince Michael, 12, Paris, 11, and Prince Michael II, 7.
The theater has also planned a charity screening of the 1988 film “Moonwalker”, a feature film of Jackson concert footage and music video clips, with proceeds going to public school music education programs in Las Vegas.
Monday, 17 August 2009
Demonstrators arrested at BNP annual gathering
19 people have been arrested after around more than 1,000 anti-fascist demonstrators joined a protest march near the site of a BNP festival, The Daily Telegraph reports.
Vast of the protesters involved in the march near the village of Codnor had been peaceful and co-operative.
However, police did come under brief attack from a small number of protesters, who threw plastic bottles and bags of flour, The Daily Telegraph reports.
Police says at least four men led away in handcuffs in Codnor Denby Lane after the scuffles, which lasted for around five minutes.
A police spokesman said: “Unfortunately, some people have ignored police advice and failed to abide by the agreements reached during the planning of the protest.
Despite what police describes the demonstration was peaceful, local residents behaved differently towards these protestors, The Guardian reports.
At one end of the Codnor Denby Lane the church of St James held hourly prayers for “peace and tolerance” and allowed the protestors to use their toilets, while other residents brought cups of tea to police and reporters.
However, shopkeepers were furious at the invasion, not for the BNP but of the protesters – a mix of anti-racist groups, union and Socialist Worker party members, or the “Trots, anarchists and troublemakers”, as one woman put it.
Eric Madeley closed his watch and clock repairers, though it was supposed to be his busiest day.
He said in a selfish way the BNP are not bothering me but these protesters are. They are just so intimidating, especially those with scarves round their faces. It’s very worrying.
According to The Daily Telegraph, the main body of demonstrators, monitored by a camera mounted on a drone, gathered in Codnor’s Market Place, chanting “Nazi scum, off our streets” and waving placards from campaign group United Against Fascism and various trade union groups.
Local Labour MP Judy Mallaber said a polical gathering should not be held in the village.
She told The Guardian: “For three years, we have argued this site is completely unsuitable and it causes extreme stress for the people who live the farm right next to it and it means people who wish to exercise their right to protest have to do so in narrow streets, which causes more upset to residents and shopkeepers. The BNP are seeking support, but they just show their contempt by going ahead without consideration for the effect on our community.”
Simon Darby, the deputy leader of the BNP, estimated that about 100 of those visiting the festival had been delayed by the protest march, The Daily Telegraph says.
He said: “We are just ordinary people having a bit of a laugh in the sun.”
The festival organised a political marquee to hear speeches, also invited journalists, and a Ford Ka was up o grabs in a raffle alongside stalls selling badges and pork scratchings.
Vast of the protesters involved in the march near the village of Codnor had been peaceful and co-operative.
However, police did come under brief attack from a small number of protesters, who threw plastic bottles and bags of flour, The Daily Telegraph reports.
Police says at least four men led away in handcuffs in Codnor Denby Lane after the scuffles, which lasted for around five minutes.
A police spokesman said: “Unfortunately, some people have ignored police advice and failed to abide by the agreements reached during the planning of the protest.
Despite what police describes the demonstration was peaceful, local residents behaved differently towards these protestors, The Guardian reports.
At one end of the Codnor Denby Lane the church of St James held hourly prayers for “peace and tolerance” and allowed the protestors to use their toilets, while other residents brought cups of tea to police and reporters.
However, shopkeepers were furious at the invasion, not for the BNP but of the protesters – a mix of anti-racist groups, union and Socialist Worker party members, or the “Trots, anarchists and troublemakers”, as one woman put it.
Eric Madeley closed his watch and clock repairers, though it was supposed to be his busiest day.
He said in a selfish way the BNP are not bothering me but these protesters are. They are just so intimidating, especially those with scarves round their faces. It’s very worrying.
According to The Daily Telegraph, the main body of demonstrators, monitored by a camera mounted on a drone, gathered in Codnor’s Market Place, chanting “Nazi scum, off our streets” and waving placards from campaign group United Against Fascism and various trade union groups.
Local Labour MP Judy Mallaber said a polical gathering should not be held in the village.
She told The Guardian: “For three years, we have argued this site is completely unsuitable and it causes extreme stress for the people who live the farm right next to it and it means people who wish to exercise their right to protest have to do so in narrow streets, which causes more upset to residents and shopkeepers. The BNP are seeking support, but they just show their contempt by going ahead without consideration for the effect on our community.”
Simon Darby, the deputy leader of the BNP, estimated that about 100 of those visiting the festival had been delayed by the protest march, The Daily Telegraph says.
He said: “We are just ordinary people having a bit of a laugh in the sun.”
The festival organised a political marquee to hear speeches, also invited journalists, and a Ford Ka was up o grabs in a raffle alongside stalls selling badges and pork scratchings.
Councils not prepared for next wave of recession The Guardian says
Councils are not prepared enough for the fallout from the recession and face a surge in social problems, such as addiction, alcoholism and domestic violence, the leading public sector watchdog says, according to The Guardian.
The Audit Commission said that local authorities in England were now facing the “second wave” of the downturn, as the effects of rising business failures, bankruptcies and unemployment bite.
The Audit Commission said in an interview with The Guardian: “Many councils should be doing more to prepare for the expected social, financial and economic development challenges ahead, this includes councils that have escaped the worst effects to date, some of which are complacent.”
According to another report which coincided with the Audit Commission’s view, found out that despite the recession would lead to an exodus of non-UK national, one in 12 employers in the UK plan to recruit migrant workers in the next few months.
Another study, by the Chartered Institute of Personal and Development and the consultants KPMG, found that the number of migrant workers rose between the first quarters of 2008 and 2009 while employment of UK national fell.
Gerwyn Davies, public policy adviser at the CIPD, told The Guardian that many employers found it hard to fill vacancies with UK workers.
He said: “Most of the migrants are recruited and retained by employers because they provide skills or attitudes to work in short supply amongst the home-grown workforce.”
Official figures due to be published this morning will be closely scrutinized for evidence that the economy is bottoming out.
The broad measure of joblessness has been rising at a record rate, and the measurement covers those looking for work rather than simply those eligible for state benefit.
A third report found low earners are being disproportionately hit by the recession. Amid growing political concern about the alienation of UK-born workers, the Resolution Foundation, a charity, told The Guardian people with household incomes of between £11,600 and £27,150 were facing severe financial pain, were being overlooked by the government, and missed out on help from employers.
Sue Regan, the chief executive of the Resolution Foundation, said despite of economic recovery it was likely that job losses among low earners would continue to rise.
She said: “If you look at the sectors where they are likely to work, they are areas which are likely to have been depressed for a long time.”
A charity estimates 400,000 low earners were receiving jobseeker’s allowance in April 2008 and more 180,000 have joined them since the recession began.
It says the government tends to focus on people with no skills, but the charity would like to see the skills strategy extended specifically to help low earners.
The Audit Commission said that local authorities in England were now facing the “second wave” of the downturn, as the effects of rising business failures, bankruptcies and unemployment bite.
The Audit Commission said in an interview with The Guardian: “Many councils should be doing more to prepare for the expected social, financial and economic development challenges ahead, this includes councils that have escaped the worst effects to date, some of which are complacent.”
According to another report which coincided with the Audit Commission’s view, found out that despite the recession would lead to an exodus of non-UK national, one in 12 employers in the UK plan to recruit migrant workers in the next few months.
Another study, by the Chartered Institute of Personal and Development and the consultants KPMG, found that the number of migrant workers rose between the first quarters of 2008 and 2009 while employment of UK national fell.
Gerwyn Davies, public policy adviser at the CIPD, told The Guardian that many employers found it hard to fill vacancies with UK workers.
He said: “Most of the migrants are recruited and retained by employers because they provide skills or attitudes to work in short supply amongst the home-grown workforce.”
Official figures due to be published this morning will be closely scrutinized for evidence that the economy is bottoming out.
The broad measure of joblessness has been rising at a record rate, and the measurement covers those looking for work rather than simply those eligible for state benefit.
A third report found low earners are being disproportionately hit by the recession. Amid growing political concern about the alienation of UK-born workers, the Resolution Foundation, a charity, told The Guardian people with household incomes of between £11,600 and £27,150 were facing severe financial pain, were being overlooked by the government, and missed out on help from employers.
Sue Regan, the chief executive of the Resolution Foundation, said despite of economic recovery it was likely that job losses among low earners would continue to rise.
She said: “If you look at the sectors where they are likely to work, they are areas which are likely to have been depressed for a long time.”
A charity estimates 400,000 low earners were receiving jobseeker’s allowance in April 2008 and more 180,000 have joined them since the recession began.
It says the government tends to focus on people with no skills, but the charity would like to see the skills strategy extended specifically to help low earners.
Friday, 14 August 2009
Language, culture, and being British
An article entitled “Who’s blame for the rise of the BNP?” suggests the government need to require all the immigrants to learn the language and culture of this country if they wish to stay in the UK, Rod Bulcock wrote in The Guardian.
Here are some of the quotes from the article, “People need to learn the language and culture of whatever country they choose to live in…”, and then more quotes to come “government needs to act now to restore some prosperity to these areas. The problems will only grow if they don’t engage with them.”
Rod Bulcock then continued to comment “If the presence of the BNP gets that conversation under way, they will have done us all a service.
Rod Bulcock thinks that BNP’s anti-immigrants perspective formed from those immigrants’ lack of English language skills and understanding of British culture.
Rukiya Dadhiwala, of Batley, from West Yorkshire, writes a comment on The Guardian, 11 June responding how their opinion regarding “being a British” issue.
Rukiya says to an extent she agrees that of course, it is essential that the language of the country is leant in order to be part of the society, but people must be kidding themselves if them believe the majority of the immigrants do not speak the English language or have no interest in getting to know the British culture whatsoever.
She then tells a story about herself. She is from Batley, just a stone’s throw from Bingley and lives in a majority Indian community, and 99% of their residents speak English – though not all have the confidence to speak in a professional manner.
She says she spoke English with her gran at home, but she her gran still prefers Rukiya to be her spokesperson at the hospital.
As for the culture, she then continues that there are four generations of her family in the UK, and across the four generations they have qualified teachers, accountants, lawyers, doctors, lab technicians, architects, statisticians and herself work in medical research area.
She stressed that her family case is not rare across the whole area where she lives, she admits her and her family like any other UK groups and share probably similar problems. But they are all proud of being British, and in the meantime, her and her families are also proud of their south Asian heritage and their culture in the UK reflects both of these two heritages.
She concludes her article by saying, and finally questioning: “We work in the UK, we socialise in the UK, we marry in the UK, we have our families in the UK, we pay our taxes in the UK, we use the education and healthcare systems in the UK, and national problems affect us too – so are we not part of the culture? What more do we need to be doing?
Here are some of the quotes from the article, “People need to learn the language and culture of whatever country they choose to live in…”, and then more quotes to come “government needs to act now to restore some prosperity to these areas. The problems will only grow if they don’t engage with them.”
Rod Bulcock then continued to comment “If the presence of the BNP gets that conversation under way, they will have done us all a service.
Rod Bulcock thinks that BNP’s anti-immigrants perspective formed from those immigrants’ lack of English language skills and understanding of British culture.
Rukiya Dadhiwala, of Batley, from West Yorkshire, writes a comment on The Guardian, 11 June responding how their opinion regarding “being a British” issue.
Rukiya says to an extent she agrees that of course, it is essential that the language of the country is leant in order to be part of the society, but people must be kidding themselves if them believe the majority of the immigrants do not speak the English language or have no interest in getting to know the British culture whatsoever.
She then tells a story about herself. She is from Batley, just a stone’s throw from Bingley and lives in a majority Indian community, and 99% of their residents speak English – though not all have the confidence to speak in a professional manner.
She says she spoke English with her gran at home, but she her gran still prefers Rukiya to be her spokesperson at the hospital.
As for the culture, she then continues that there are four generations of her family in the UK, and across the four generations they have qualified teachers, accountants, lawyers, doctors, lab technicians, architects, statisticians and herself work in medical research area.
She stressed that her family case is not rare across the whole area where she lives, she admits her and her family like any other UK groups and share probably similar problems. But they are all proud of being British, and in the meantime, her and her families are also proud of their south Asian heritage and their culture in the UK reflects both of these two heritages.
She concludes her article by saying, and finally questioning: “We work in the UK, we socialise in the UK, we marry in the UK, we have our families in the UK, we pay our taxes in the UK, we use the education and healthcare systems in the UK, and national problems affect us too – so are we not part of the culture? What more do we need to be doing?
When sensationalism utilised by extremists
Brawls at recent protests shows how all of people in Britain, and especially the media, have a responsibility to fight extremism, Sunny Hundal writes on The Guardian.
The riot on Saturday 8 August in Birmingham city centre involved more than 100 people and pitched battles in the high street.
On one side, a loose alliance of two groups – the English Defence League and Casual United had organised an anti-Islamic fundamentalism demonstration, on the other, a counter demonstration organised by United Against Fascism.
According to Sunny Hundal, the background to the Saturday riot in Birmingham was the protest against British soldiers by some Muslim extremists on 10 March, and it was used by various far-right groups to be against the majority of Muslims in this country.
Prior to the Birmingham riot, the National Front turned out a big demonstration in Luton on 13 April, which needed police reinforcements from London to control, and some time later, the Luton mosque was fire-bombed, Sunny Hundal writes.
On 24 May an even bigger protest was organised by the English and Welsh Defence League, went to destroy property in Muslim-heavy areas of Luton.
Sunny says that evidence show the English Defence League was in particular infiltrated by neo-Nazis and BNP supporters. Stormfront, a popular website for fascists, urged members to join the demonstration on Saturday.
He agrees the need for minorities to defend themselves in the streets or fight against fascists if necessary, especially if the police do not do their job properly that people have to step in to protect themselves.
He also so says extremist Muslims should not be let off the hook. In 2004 the extremist group al-Muhajiroun had planned a rally in London where Hindus and Sikhs would be openly converted to Islam. They nearly caused a mini-riot then because Sikh gangs and BNP members had also planned to show up.
Anjem Choudhary carried out a similar stunt recently by apparently converting an 11-year-old to Islam. Al-Muhajiroun has always been a small but highly vocal group, which seeks publicity for its stunts to polarise people, it is shunned by mosques across the country, but its stunts nevertheless inflame Hindu, Sikh and white groups thanks to incessant media coverage.
Sunny then summarises that several choices offered here: the group could be banned for activities on a par with the National Front. The Police could also become more proactive against extremist groups, and stop local councils giving them any space.
Lastly, he says Muslim groups themselves need to step up campaigning against these extremists or these extremists will continue making life more difficult for them.
Then Sunny writes Britons also need to get re-acquainted with British tradition of free speech and express, even if it involves people of different skin colour and religion saying outrageous things.
The police and intelligence services also need to start taking far-right extremism in UK more seriously.
At the end of his article, entitled “Sensationalism is a gift to extremists”, the author writes the real people to blame for these riots are the journalists willing to run inflammatory headlines, playing straight into the hands of extremists on both sides.
The riot on Saturday 8 August in Birmingham city centre involved more than 100 people and pitched battles in the high street.
On one side, a loose alliance of two groups – the English Defence League and Casual United had organised an anti-Islamic fundamentalism demonstration, on the other, a counter demonstration organised by United Against Fascism.
According to Sunny Hundal, the background to the Saturday riot in Birmingham was the protest against British soldiers by some Muslim extremists on 10 March, and it was used by various far-right groups to be against the majority of Muslims in this country.
Prior to the Birmingham riot, the National Front turned out a big demonstration in Luton on 13 April, which needed police reinforcements from London to control, and some time later, the Luton mosque was fire-bombed, Sunny Hundal writes.
On 24 May an even bigger protest was organised by the English and Welsh Defence League, went to destroy property in Muslim-heavy areas of Luton.
Sunny says that evidence show the English Defence League was in particular infiltrated by neo-Nazis and BNP supporters. Stormfront, a popular website for fascists, urged members to join the demonstration on Saturday.
He agrees the need for minorities to defend themselves in the streets or fight against fascists if necessary, especially if the police do not do their job properly that people have to step in to protect themselves.
He also so says extremist Muslims should not be let off the hook. In 2004 the extremist group al-Muhajiroun had planned a rally in London where Hindus and Sikhs would be openly converted to Islam. They nearly caused a mini-riot then because Sikh gangs and BNP members had also planned to show up.
Anjem Choudhary carried out a similar stunt recently by apparently converting an 11-year-old to Islam. Al-Muhajiroun has always been a small but highly vocal group, which seeks publicity for its stunts to polarise people, it is shunned by mosques across the country, but its stunts nevertheless inflame Hindu, Sikh and white groups thanks to incessant media coverage.
Sunny then summarises that several choices offered here: the group could be banned for activities on a par with the National Front. The Police could also become more proactive against extremist groups, and stop local councils giving them any space.
Lastly, he says Muslim groups themselves need to step up campaigning against these extremists or these extremists will continue making life more difficult for them.
Then Sunny writes Britons also need to get re-acquainted with British tradition of free speech and express, even if it involves people of different skin colour and religion saying outrageous things.
The police and intelligence services also need to start taking far-right extremism in UK more seriously.
At the end of his article, entitled “Sensationalism is a gift to extremists”, the author writes the real people to blame for these riots are the journalists willing to run inflammatory headlines, playing straight into the hands of extremists on both sides.
Daily Mirror anti-racism campaign kicked off
The Daily Mirror kicked off its annual nationwide anti-racism campaign - Hope not Hate from middle of May in the run-up to June’s local council and European elections, The Guardian reports.
The campaign was launched in conjunction with anti-fascist group Searchlight, aiming to push a message of tolerance and diversity to counteract campaigning by groups such as the BNP.
Richard Wallace, the editor of Daily Mirror told The Guardian: “It is vital that this country remains a place where hope and harmony triumph over hate and division. Britain’s fair, equal, multicultural society is one of our greatest assets and must be celebrated and protected.”
Following the BNP candidates elected over the Euro election in early June, thousands of people in Britain signed anti-BNP petition to express their outrage over the result.
The new Hope Not Hate petition had gathered 87, 000 signatures and almost 7, 000 photographs of British voters holding up signs with the message Not In My Name.
The Daily Mirror had travelled with Hope Not Hate activists to Strasbourg on 14 July, as it is an official date for these two BNP elected candidates, Griffin, in the North West region and Andrew Brons, in Yorkshire and Humber to take up their seats.
In Strasbourg, the Mirror and Hope Not Hate activists had presented the petition to the European Parliament. Its message that BNP dose not speak for the British people had been sent across, according to Daily Mirror.
Nick Lowles, Hope Not Hate organiser told the Daily Mirror: “We intend to show that most British people are against everything the racist BNP stand for, how can they possibly represent Britain when a whole generation risked and gave their lives to fight fascism?”
He then added the collapse of trust in the major political parties with the recent expenses scandal helped the BNP increase its share of the vote.
The nationwide anti-racism campaign had backed by celebrities including Sir Alan Sugar, John Terry, Amir Khan, Jamie Oliver, Frank Lampard, Mel B, and the cast of Coronation Street, Hollyoaks and Emmerdale, The Guardian reports.
Amir Khan said in an exclusive with Daily Mirror he is proud to be British and to be a Muslim.
The 22-year-old was one of British boxing’s brightest young hopes, he had fought at the 2004 Olympics and carried a nation’s hopes with him.
He is a fighter, as well a hero, said to be very proud of his heritage.
He told Daily Mirror he felt good to be a positive role model and the respects showed from his fans means a lot to him, that he is doing something good and people are just want to be like him.
The Hope not Hate campaign, toured from London, Leicester, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle would be last until early June, 2009.
The campaign was launched in conjunction with anti-fascist group Searchlight, aiming to push a message of tolerance and diversity to counteract campaigning by groups such as the BNP.
Richard Wallace, the editor of Daily Mirror told The Guardian: “It is vital that this country remains a place where hope and harmony triumph over hate and division. Britain’s fair, equal, multicultural society is one of our greatest assets and must be celebrated and protected.”
Following the BNP candidates elected over the Euro election in early June, thousands of people in Britain signed anti-BNP petition to express their outrage over the result.
The new Hope Not Hate petition had gathered 87, 000 signatures and almost 7, 000 photographs of British voters holding up signs with the message Not In My Name.
The Daily Mirror had travelled with Hope Not Hate activists to Strasbourg on 14 July, as it is an official date for these two BNP elected candidates, Griffin, in the North West region and Andrew Brons, in Yorkshire and Humber to take up their seats.
In Strasbourg, the Mirror and Hope Not Hate activists had presented the petition to the European Parliament. Its message that BNP dose not speak for the British people had been sent across, according to Daily Mirror.
Nick Lowles, Hope Not Hate organiser told the Daily Mirror: “We intend to show that most British people are against everything the racist BNP stand for, how can they possibly represent Britain when a whole generation risked and gave their lives to fight fascism?”
He then added the collapse of trust in the major political parties with the recent expenses scandal helped the BNP increase its share of the vote.
The nationwide anti-racism campaign had backed by celebrities including Sir Alan Sugar, John Terry, Amir Khan, Jamie Oliver, Frank Lampard, Mel B, and the cast of Coronation Street, Hollyoaks and Emmerdale, The Guardian reports.
Amir Khan said in an exclusive with Daily Mirror he is proud to be British and to be a Muslim.
The 22-year-old was one of British boxing’s brightest young hopes, he had fought at the 2004 Olympics and carried a nation’s hopes with him.
He is a fighter, as well a hero, said to be very proud of his heritage.
He told Daily Mirror he felt good to be a positive role model and the respects showed from his fans means a lot to him, that he is doing something good and people are just want to be like him.
The Hope not Hate campaign, toured from London, Leicester, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle would be last until early June, 2009.
Thursday, 13 August 2009
French woman claims “burkini” ban a political matter
A French woman has been banned from wearing a “burkini” in a swimming pool outside Paris, the Daily Telegraph says.
The 35-year-old, who can only be identified as Carole, was ordered to leave by the chief lifeguard in the town pool at Emerainville, on the eastern outskirts of Paris.
She was refused entrance to the pool on the basis that she was breaking hygiene rules, which apply to all French public pools, according to the Times Online.
The rules indicate that women must wear swimsuits and men must wear trunks rather than shorts, as they are said to harbour more bacteria.
However, Carole went straight to the police and media after the incident had happened. She accused the pool officials of illegal discrimination, saying: “Quite simply, this is segregation, and I will fight to try to change things.”
The police refused her complaint on the grounds that the lifeguard was simply enforcing a rule that applies to all French public pools.
Carole, a traditional French woman, converted to Islam at the age of 17. She said she bought her “burkini” in Dubai during her holiday. The “burkini” is derived from the words of bikini and burka, according to the Daily Telegraph.
Despite the allusion to the Afghan burka, the swimsuit leaves the face uncovered. The body is clad in a track-suit-like tunic and coat and the head and neck are covered with a cross between a hijab and diver’s balaclava helmet.
The Lebanese-Australian designer’s product has quickly become a hit in the Gulf and has caused trouble in public pools in Europe and North America.
Carole’s ejection was regarded as contributing to the explicit battle between fundamentalist Muslim and a state that has banned head-cover from schools and may curb face-covering in public.
Carole said: “I thought that it could enable me to enjoy the pleasure of bathing without uncovering myself, as Islam recommends,” she told Le Parisien newspaper.
“I understand that it might shock people, but I am annoyed because I have been told that it is a political matter. I didn’t set out to cause a stir. My only aim was to be able to go swimming with my children.”
The local authorities insisted that no politics were involved. “The lady was almost fully dressed,” Daniel Guillanume, the head of sports facilities for the Seine-et-Marne department, said.
He added: “The personnel simply applied the rules that are in effect in all pools in France.”
According to Daniel Guillanume, the view is not shared by politicians who want tougher measures to oppose a rise in body-covering by strict Muslim women, and Muslims demanding segregated sessions for men and women at pools and other sports facilities.
However, André Gerin, a Communist MP from the Rhône area said: “Maybe you can see the woman’s face in this ridiculous swimsuit, but it is obviously a provocation by a militant. Going straight to the police station is proof that there is a political project behind this outfit. No doubt this is the start of a new problem.”
Mr Gerin heads a 32-member parliamentary inquiry that opened in June to review the possibility of a law to bar Muslim women from wearing the face-covering niqab in public.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy stirred fundamentalist anger last month when he sided with the review, saying that such a dress was not a symbol of faith, but a sign of women’s subservience and that it had “no place in France”, Time Online reports.
The 35-year-old, who can only be identified as Carole, was ordered to leave by the chief lifeguard in the town pool at Emerainville, on the eastern outskirts of Paris.
She was refused entrance to the pool on the basis that she was breaking hygiene rules, which apply to all French public pools, according to the Times Online.
The rules indicate that women must wear swimsuits and men must wear trunks rather than shorts, as they are said to harbour more bacteria.
However, Carole went straight to the police and media after the incident had happened. She accused the pool officials of illegal discrimination, saying: “Quite simply, this is segregation, and I will fight to try to change things.”
The police refused her complaint on the grounds that the lifeguard was simply enforcing a rule that applies to all French public pools.
Carole, a traditional French woman, converted to Islam at the age of 17. She said she bought her “burkini” in Dubai during her holiday. The “burkini” is derived from the words of bikini and burka, according to the Daily Telegraph.
Despite the allusion to the Afghan burka, the swimsuit leaves the face uncovered. The body is clad in a track-suit-like tunic and coat and the head and neck are covered with a cross between a hijab and diver’s balaclava helmet.
The Lebanese-Australian designer’s product has quickly become a hit in the Gulf and has caused trouble in public pools in Europe and North America.
Carole’s ejection was regarded as contributing to the explicit battle between fundamentalist Muslim and a state that has banned head-cover from schools and may curb face-covering in public.
Carole said: “I thought that it could enable me to enjoy the pleasure of bathing without uncovering myself, as Islam recommends,” she told Le Parisien newspaper.
“I understand that it might shock people, but I am annoyed because I have been told that it is a political matter. I didn’t set out to cause a stir. My only aim was to be able to go swimming with my children.”
The local authorities insisted that no politics were involved. “The lady was almost fully dressed,” Daniel Guillanume, the head of sports facilities for the Seine-et-Marne department, said.
He added: “The personnel simply applied the rules that are in effect in all pools in France.”
According to Daniel Guillanume, the view is not shared by politicians who want tougher measures to oppose a rise in body-covering by strict Muslim women, and Muslims demanding segregated sessions for men and women at pools and other sports facilities.
However, André Gerin, a Communist MP from the Rhône area said: “Maybe you can see the woman’s face in this ridiculous swimsuit, but it is obviously a provocation by a militant. Going straight to the police station is proof that there is a political project behind this outfit. No doubt this is the start of a new problem.”
Mr Gerin heads a 32-member parliamentary inquiry that opened in June to review the possibility of a law to bar Muslim women from wearing the face-covering niqab in public.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy stirred fundamentalist anger last month when he sided with the review, saying that such a dress was not a symbol of faith, but a sign of women’s subservience and that it had “no place in France”, Time Online reports.
Alan Duncan’s “sense of humor” puts his future in doubt
Alan Duncan, the Conservative frontbencher, has been accused of hypocrisy after he was secretly filmed complaining about MPs’ reduced standard of living, following the expenses scandal, the Daily Telegraph reports.
Tory leader David Cameron is said to have taken “dim view” of Mr. Duncan’s protest that MPs were being forced to live on “rations” and had been treated like “s---”.
Mr. Duncan’s future as shadow leader of the House of Commons is now in the balance, after some senior Tories privately expressed the hope that he would be sacked.
They said that David Cameron’s firm stance on the expenses scandal risks being undermined after Mr. Duncan’s outburst, the Times Online reports.
Many conservative colleagues spitted blood over Mr. Duncan’s thoughtless indiscretions. One said Mr. Duncan was “skating on thin ice”. Others have said his long-term prospects are now under scrutiny, because of Mr. Cameron’s hard-line attitude towards colleagues stepping out of line.
Mr. Cameron and William Hague, Shadow foreign secretary, in charge of the leader’s absence, were reported to be angry and embarrassed by the affair.
Philip Webster, the Times Online political editor, writes that the remarks were recorded by Heydon Prowse, a video journalist and magazine editor. He used a button-hole camera during a visit to the House of Commons.
On the video, Mr. Duncan said: “No one who has done anything in the outside world, or is capable of doing such a thing, will ever come into this place (the House of Commons) ever again, the way we are going. Basically, it’s being nationalised. You have to live on rations and are treated like s---.
“I spend my money on my garden and claim a tiny fraction on what is proper. And I could claim the whole ------- lot, but I don’t,” according to the Daily Telegraph.
Interestingly, Mr. Duncan defended his remarks by suggesting that he had been joking. “The last thing people want to hear is an MP whinging about his pay and conditions,” he said. “It is a huge honour to be an MP and my remarks, although meant in jest, were completely uncalled for. I apologise for them unreservedly.”
Mr. Prowse said in the Metro: “What we captured was the general prevailing attitude that he didn’t take the whole expenses scandal particularly seriously. It was all a bit of a joke.”
Lord Mandelson, the Business Secretary, said: “Alan Duncan is very fond of speaking a good game publicly, but in private talking and acting differently. So I’m not surprised he has been found out.”
When Mr. Duncan was recorded he was not in the vision, but his voice can be clearly heard, and the film was posted on the Don’t Panic website at the end of the last month.
Tory leader David Cameron is said to have taken “dim view” of Mr. Duncan’s protest that MPs were being forced to live on “rations” and had been treated like “s---”.
Mr. Duncan’s future as shadow leader of the House of Commons is now in the balance, after some senior Tories privately expressed the hope that he would be sacked.
They said that David Cameron’s firm stance on the expenses scandal risks being undermined after Mr. Duncan’s outburst, the Times Online reports.
Many conservative colleagues spitted blood over Mr. Duncan’s thoughtless indiscretions. One said Mr. Duncan was “skating on thin ice”. Others have said his long-term prospects are now under scrutiny, because of Mr. Cameron’s hard-line attitude towards colleagues stepping out of line.
Mr. Cameron and William Hague, Shadow foreign secretary, in charge of the leader’s absence, were reported to be angry and embarrassed by the affair.
Philip Webster, the Times Online political editor, writes that the remarks were recorded by Heydon Prowse, a video journalist and magazine editor. He used a button-hole camera during a visit to the House of Commons.
On the video, Mr. Duncan said: “No one who has done anything in the outside world, or is capable of doing such a thing, will ever come into this place (the House of Commons) ever again, the way we are going. Basically, it’s being nationalised. You have to live on rations and are treated like s---.
“I spend my money on my garden and claim a tiny fraction on what is proper. And I could claim the whole ------- lot, but I don’t,” according to the Daily Telegraph.
Interestingly, Mr. Duncan defended his remarks by suggesting that he had been joking. “The last thing people want to hear is an MP whinging about his pay and conditions,” he said. “It is a huge honour to be an MP and my remarks, although meant in jest, were completely uncalled for. I apologise for them unreservedly.”
Mr. Prowse said in the Metro: “What we captured was the general prevailing attitude that he didn’t take the whole expenses scandal particularly seriously. It was all a bit of a joke.”
Lord Mandelson, the Business Secretary, said: “Alan Duncan is very fond of speaking a good game publicly, but in private talking and acting differently. So I’m not surprised he has been found out.”
When Mr. Duncan was recorded he was not in the vision, but his voice can be clearly heard, and the film was posted on the Don’t Panic website at the end of the last month.
Birmingham riot indicates lack of social cohesion II
A expanded piece based on yesterday:
Police have arrested 33 people during a demonstration against Islamic fundamentalism and counter-protest by anti-fascists in Birmingham, BBC News Online reports.
The demonstration was made up of football fans who called themselves the English and Welsh Defence League and Casuals United.
The counter-protest was organised by campaign group United Against Fascism, West Midlands Police told the BBC.
The riot came after the Defence League and Casuals United clashed with Asian men backed by United Against Fascism activists. The conflict took place in front of shocked shoppers at the Bull Ring shopping centre, Robert Booth and Alan Travis wrote on the Guardian.
The English Defence League, described itself as “a mixed race group of English people, from business men and women, to football hooligans”. They gathered outside Waterstone’s bookshop in a planned demonstration against militant Islam.
On the other side, United Against Fascism mounted a counter demonstration, telling its supporters that “everyone in the area should come along and show these thugs that their brand of vicious racism is not wanted in Birmingham or the West Midlands”.
According to the BBC, three people were injured in the disturbance in the city centre, and West Midlands Police said a “post operation investigation” was under way.
The police also said it expected the number of arrests to increase as photographs and video images are studied.
A police spokesman told the BBC that anyone found to be taken part in acts of criminality during the protests will be prosecuted.
There was one report of criminal damage to a vehicle, but more reports expect to emerge soon.
Resident, Gary Nichols, witnessed the disturbances on Saturday evening from his city centre flat and told the BBC he was unable to go outside for about two and a half hours.
“It was very disheartening,” he said, “I’ve never experienced anything like it before in the three years I’ve lived here.”
“It started off with a group of white guys who were chanting ‘England, England’. I thought they were just football fans, but then a large group of black and Asian people turned up and it all kicked off.”
He the added: “You have people burning the Union Flag, people were being kicked – some of them weren’t anything to do with the protests”.
Superintendent Matt Ward, from the West Midlands Police, said on the police website there had been similar protests against Islamic fundamentalism in July, involving 70 to 90 people.
He said July’s protest had been “vocal” but peaceful.
However, interestingly, the riot in Birmingham’s city centre was rarely covered by other UK publications apart from the BBC and the Guardian. Even in the BBC report, it did not clarify the injured ones’ race, and most probably the “lack of media coverage” aims to protect and promote “social cohesion”.
Some bloggers have subsequently made comments online saying this type of incident indicates that multiculturalism in this country does not work well. Different races in Birmingham appear to not particularly get on with one another.
Police have arrested 33 people during a demonstration against Islamic fundamentalism and counter-protest by anti-fascists in Birmingham, BBC News Online reports.
The demonstration was made up of football fans who called themselves the English and Welsh Defence League and Casuals United.
The counter-protest was organised by campaign group United Against Fascism, West Midlands Police told the BBC.
The riot came after the Defence League and Casuals United clashed with Asian men backed by United Against Fascism activists. The conflict took place in front of shocked shoppers at the Bull Ring shopping centre, Robert Booth and Alan Travis wrote on the Guardian.
The English Defence League, described itself as “a mixed race group of English people, from business men and women, to football hooligans”. They gathered outside Waterstone’s bookshop in a planned demonstration against militant Islam.
On the other side, United Against Fascism mounted a counter demonstration, telling its supporters that “everyone in the area should come along and show these thugs that their brand of vicious racism is not wanted in Birmingham or the West Midlands”.
According to the BBC, three people were injured in the disturbance in the city centre, and West Midlands Police said a “post operation investigation” was under way.
The police also said it expected the number of arrests to increase as photographs and video images are studied.
A police spokesman told the BBC that anyone found to be taken part in acts of criminality during the protests will be prosecuted.
There was one report of criminal damage to a vehicle, but more reports expect to emerge soon.
Resident, Gary Nichols, witnessed the disturbances on Saturday evening from his city centre flat and told the BBC he was unable to go outside for about two and a half hours.
“It was very disheartening,” he said, “I’ve never experienced anything like it before in the three years I’ve lived here.”
“It started off with a group of white guys who were chanting ‘England, England’. I thought they were just football fans, but then a large group of black and Asian people turned up and it all kicked off.”
He the added: “You have people burning the Union Flag, people were being kicked – some of them weren’t anything to do with the protests”.
Superintendent Matt Ward, from the West Midlands Police, said on the police website there had been similar protests against Islamic fundamentalism in July, involving 70 to 90 people.
He said July’s protest had been “vocal” but peaceful.
However, interestingly, the riot in Birmingham’s city centre was rarely covered by other UK publications apart from the BBC and the Guardian. Even in the BBC report, it did not clarify the injured ones’ race, and most probably the “lack of media coverage” aims to protect and promote “social cohesion”.
Some bloggers have subsequently made comments online saying this type of incident indicates that multiculturalism in this country does not work well. Different races in Birmingham appear to not particularly get on with one another.
Wednesday, 12 August 2009
Pakistan's nuclear bases targeted by al-Qaeda Report Says
Pakistan’s nuclear weapon bases have been attacked by al-Qaeda and the Taliban at least three times in the last two years, The Daily Telegraph has learnt.
The allegations, by a leading British expert on Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal, increased fears that terrorists could acquire a nuclear device or could trigger a nuclear disaster by bombing an atomic facility.
Dean Nelson wrote in a paper for the respected anti-terrorism journal of America’s West Point Military Academy, Professor Gregory, director of the Pakistan Security Research Unit at Bradford University, detailed three attacks since November 2007 and raised spectre of more incidents could be happened in the future.
He said in The Daily Telegraph that militants had struck a nuclear storage facility at Sarghoda on 1 Nov 2007; launched a suicide bomb assault on a nuclear air base at Kamra on 10 December 2007; and set off explosions at entrance points to Wah containment, one of Pakistan’s main nuclear assembly plants in August 2008.
However, Dr Anupam Srivastava, director of the centre for international Trade and Security at Georgia University, who has advised the US government on nuclear security issues, told The Daily Telegraph he believed there had been more than three attacks on Pakistan’s nuclear facilities and the al-Qaeda militants would intensify its assaults.
The attack on Wah, Dean Nelson wrote that was at the time as the deadliest terrorist strike against Pakistan’s armed forces, with 63 people killed in two suicide bombing.
The target was referred to as major conventional weapons and ammunition on manufacturing factory, but Prof Gregory and other analysts do not agree and said it is in fact an assembly plant for nuclear warheads.
“These sites are all identified by various authorities as nuclear weapons or related sites,” Prof Gregory said in an interview with The Daily Telegraph.
Pakistan’s nuclear weapons establishments are protected with heavily armed soldiers who patrol a wide security cordon, while inside state-of-the-art sensors intruders.
Other security facilities including employees are screened by vetting staff from its Strategic Plans Division and officials from its ISI intelligence service.
Warheads, detonators and launch vehicles are stored separately to prevent them being seized together.
However despite this “robust” security system, Prof Gregory said the facilities remain vulnerable because they re located in areas where “Taliban and Qaeda are more than capable of launching terrorist attack”, The Daily Telegraph reports.
The allegations, by a leading British expert on Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal, increased fears that terrorists could acquire a nuclear device or could trigger a nuclear disaster by bombing an atomic facility.
Dean Nelson wrote in a paper for the respected anti-terrorism journal of America’s West Point Military Academy, Professor Gregory, director of the Pakistan Security Research Unit at Bradford University, detailed three attacks since November 2007 and raised spectre of more incidents could be happened in the future.
He said in The Daily Telegraph that militants had struck a nuclear storage facility at Sarghoda on 1 Nov 2007; launched a suicide bomb assault on a nuclear air base at Kamra on 10 December 2007; and set off explosions at entrance points to Wah containment, one of Pakistan’s main nuclear assembly plants in August 2008.
However, Dr Anupam Srivastava, director of the centre for international Trade and Security at Georgia University, who has advised the US government on nuclear security issues, told The Daily Telegraph he believed there had been more than three attacks on Pakistan’s nuclear facilities and the al-Qaeda militants would intensify its assaults.
The attack on Wah, Dean Nelson wrote that was at the time as the deadliest terrorist strike against Pakistan’s armed forces, with 63 people killed in two suicide bombing.
The target was referred to as major conventional weapons and ammunition on manufacturing factory, but Prof Gregory and other analysts do not agree and said it is in fact an assembly plant for nuclear warheads.
“These sites are all identified by various authorities as nuclear weapons or related sites,” Prof Gregory said in an interview with The Daily Telegraph.
Pakistan’s nuclear weapons establishments are protected with heavily armed soldiers who patrol a wide security cordon, while inside state-of-the-art sensors intruders.
Other security facilities including employees are screened by vetting staff from its Strategic Plans Division and officials from its ISI intelligence service.
Warheads, detonators and launch vehicles are stored separately to prevent them being seized together.
However despite this “robust” security system, Prof Gregory said the facilities remain vulnerable because they re located in areas where “Taliban and Qaeda are more than capable of launching terrorist attack”, The Daily Telegraph reports.
Barack Obama health care reform row
US President Barack Obama has accused the Republicans of trying to “scare the heck” out of people in terms of his health care reform proposals, BBC News Online reports.
Anti-reform campaigners had created “bogeymen out there that just aren’t real”, he said at a town-hall style meeting in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. “Let’s disagree over things that are real, not these wild representations that bear no resemblance to anything that has actually been proposed,” says The Daily Telegraph.
Passing a healthcare reform bill is Mr Obama’s top domestic priority for 2009, the President had already called on the Senate and the House to agree their own versions of a bill before the August, but unfortunately lawmakers missed the deadline.
Republicans have portrayed Mr Obama’s health care plans as amounting to a government takeover of the private American healthcare system, leading to a British-or Canadian-style approach.
Mr Obama tried to turn the focus onto insurance companies, arguing that Americans were often “held hostage” because they were denied coverage or charged fees they could not afford, Toby Harnden writes on The Daily Telegraph.
He said: “I believe it is wrong, it is bankrupting families and businesses and that is why we’re going to pass health insurance reform in 2009.”
He insisted: “You will not be waiting in any lines. This is not about putting the government in charge of your health insurance. I don’t believe anyone should be in charge of your health insurance decisions but you and your doctor.
“I don’t think government bureaucrats should be meddling, but I also don’t think insurance company bureaucrats should be meddling. That’s the health care I believe in.”
Apart from these accusations made by his Republican opponent, Sarah Palin, the former Republican vice-presidential candidate said last week the president wanted to set up “death panels” of government officials with the power to determine whether disabled or elderly Americans are “worthy of healthcare”, the BBC reports.
However in fact, under proposals drawn up by the US House of Representatives, the government would pay for elderly American to receive voluntary consultations with doctors to discuss their end-of-life care.
“The rumour that’s been circulating a lot lately is this idea that somehow the House of Representatives voted for death panels that will basically pull the plug on Grandma because we’ve decided that its too expensive to let her live anymore,” said Mr Obama.
“It turns out that I guess this arose out of a provision in one of the House bills that allowed Medicare to reimburse people for consultations about end-of-life-care, setting up living wills, the availability of hospice, etcetera.
“So the intention of the members of Congress was to give people more information so that they could handle issues of end-of-life care when they’re ready, on their own terms. It wasn’t forcing anybody to do anything,” The Daily Telegraph reports.
Anti-reform campaigners had created “bogeymen out there that just aren’t real”, he said at a town-hall style meeting in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. “Let’s disagree over things that are real, not these wild representations that bear no resemblance to anything that has actually been proposed,” says The Daily Telegraph.
Passing a healthcare reform bill is Mr Obama’s top domestic priority for 2009, the President had already called on the Senate and the House to agree their own versions of a bill before the August, but unfortunately lawmakers missed the deadline.
Republicans have portrayed Mr Obama’s health care plans as amounting to a government takeover of the private American healthcare system, leading to a British-or Canadian-style approach.
Mr Obama tried to turn the focus onto insurance companies, arguing that Americans were often “held hostage” because they were denied coverage or charged fees they could not afford, Toby Harnden writes on The Daily Telegraph.
He said: “I believe it is wrong, it is bankrupting families and businesses and that is why we’re going to pass health insurance reform in 2009.”
He insisted: “You will not be waiting in any lines. This is not about putting the government in charge of your health insurance. I don’t believe anyone should be in charge of your health insurance decisions but you and your doctor.
“I don’t think government bureaucrats should be meddling, but I also don’t think insurance company bureaucrats should be meddling. That’s the health care I believe in.”
Apart from these accusations made by his Republican opponent, Sarah Palin, the former Republican vice-presidential candidate said last week the president wanted to set up “death panels” of government officials with the power to determine whether disabled or elderly Americans are “worthy of healthcare”, the BBC reports.
However in fact, under proposals drawn up by the US House of Representatives, the government would pay for elderly American to receive voluntary consultations with doctors to discuss their end-of-life care.
“The rumour that’s been circulating a lot lately is this idea that somehow the House of Representatives voted for death panels that will basically pull the plug on Grandma because we’ve decided that its too expensive to let her live anymore,” said Mr Obama.
“It turns out that I guess this arose out of a provision in one of the House bills that allowed Medicare to reimburse people for consultations about end-of-life-care, setting up living wills, the availability of hospice, etcetera.
“So the intention of the members of Congress was to give people more information so that they could handle issues of end-of-life care when they’re ready, on their own terms. It wasn’t forcing anybody to do anything,” The Daily Telegraph reports.
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