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Fatah, Hamas rule increasingly authoritarian

published by You on 28 July, 2009 - 23:32

RAMALLAH, occupied West Bank (IPS) - What remains of Palestinian civil rights is rapidly being eroded by the dictatorial Palestinian governments that respectively control the divided Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Palestinian civilians are paying the price as the Islamic resistance movement Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, and the Fatah-affiliated and western-backed Palestinian Authority (PA), which rules the West Bank, continue to target their political opponents as part of their bitter power struggle.

"We don't have a police state here in Palestine. We have two police states. One in Gaza and one in the West Bank," says Rabie Latifah from the Palestinian human rights organization Al Haq.

Rifts emerge over tackling the Taliban

published by You on 28 July, 2009 - 22:52

There are serious differences emerging between the US and the various power centres in Pakistan which could adversely affect the entire region.

At stake are the upcoming Afghan elections, the US offensive in Helmand province in Afghanistan, curbing the Taliban in Pakistan and a potential worsening in Islamabad's relations with both Kabul and Delhi.

The differences emerge as the US, Britain, France and Nato stake an enormous amount of political prestige on rapidly improving the security situation in Afghanistan and receiving more co-operation from Pakistan on combating the Taliban in both countries.

Palestinian arrested after testifying in Geneva

published by You on 28 July, 2009 - 16:14

Naalin resident detained by IDF after speaking before UN committee in charge of Gaza war probe

Palestinian sources reported Wednesday that a resident of the West Bank village of Naalin was arrested upon returning from Geneva, where he testified before a UN committee charged with investigating the IDF offensive in Gaza earlier this year.

Mohammad Srur, who was injured during a protest in Naalin in which two other Palestinian residents of the village were killed, testified before the Goldstone committee along with Jonathan Pollack of the Activists Against the Wall organization.

Muslim names...

published by You on 28 July, 2009 - 04:06

Why do many consider that they have to be arabic?

I thought the only requirement was that they not be blasphemous?

As an example, why is it acceptable to name someone Isa and not acceptable to name that same person Jesus?

Islamic school ban sparks protest

published by You on 28 July, 2009 - 03:33

Hundreds of people have protested against a government's decision to scrap plans to build an Islamic school in Australia's biggest city, Sydney.

Parents and prospective students have said the decision was unfair and racist.

Islamic groups have insisted that the Muslim community in Australia, which is comparatively young and fast-growing, needs more tailor-made education.

Construction of the school had been due to start this week.

Plans to build an Islamic school for 1,200 students in the Sydney suburb of Bass Hill survived objections from residents, the local council and legal challenges only to be scrapped at the last minute by the New South Wales government.

Nigerian 'Taliban' offensive leaves 150 dead

published by You on 27 July, 2009 - 15:48

Islamic group opposed to western education, Boko Haram, launches attacks across four northern provinces


[size=9]Dead Nigerians are brought to a police station in the northeastern city of Bauchi after a gun battle in the early morning. Photograph: Ardo Hazzad/Reuters[/size]

A self-styled "Taliban" intent on imposing sharia law on all Nigerians widened its offensive yesterday in violence that has left 150 people dead.

Boko Haram, an Islamic group opposed to western education, has launched attacks across four northern provinces over the last two days and declared its intention to fight to the death.

Outcry over disowned US rape girl

published by You on 25 July, 2009 - 23:33

Offers for help are pouring in for an eight-year-old Liberian girl disowned by her own family in Phoenix, Arizona, after being raped by four boys.

The girl is under the care of the Arizona Child Protective Service (CPS) because her parents said she had shamed them, and they did not want her back.

Phoenix police said calls had come in from all over the US offering money, or even to adopt the young girl.

The boys, Liberian immigrants aged nine to 14, have been charged with rape.

The case has sparked outrage across the US and even drawn condemnation from Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, an outspoken anti-rape campaigner.

"I think that family is wrong. They should help that child who has been traumatised," Mrs Johnson-Sirleaf told CNN.

Mid Year Resolutions

published by You on 25 July, 2009 - 23:11

Well, since I am going along swimmingly on my New years resolutions, I thought it may be a good idea to have something more manageable for the short term. (yes, you can call this cheating - I am not abandoning them, but adding to them).

Ok, the new stuff:

1. Lose my recent habit of slandering large swaths of the Muslim community.
2. Learn once again how to work hard.
3. Learn some manners in real life too.

Orthodox Jews take to streets in Jerusalem to save their simple life

published by You on 25 July, 2009 - 05:36

The Haredi population believe in big families and reject TVs, computers, and Zionism

The headlines declared it a holy war, an almighty stand-off between the city's religious and secular residents. For weeks West Jerusalem has been rocked by fierce street battles as ultra-religious Jewish protesters have clashed with police, resulting in countless injuries, dozens of arrests and thousands of pounds damage.

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