As Europe Plots Closer Ties, Britain Mulls Split

"German Chancellor Angela Merkel called last week for turning the European Commission, which currently drafts legislation and regulates competition, into 'something like a European government.' The phrase alone rattles the teeth of many British politicians, who have warned for decades of the specter of a European superstate. Last month, Cameron faced a huge rebellion within his own party as 81 of the 303 Conservative lawmakers defied his orders and voted to hold an urgent referendum on EU membership in 2015." Continue reading

Continue ReadingAs Europe Plots Closer Ties, Britain Mulls Split

Foster children taken away from UK couple for political party membership

"The couple from Yorkshire said they had been fostering children for seven years but have been told by social workers that they were not suitable because of UKIP’s calls for curbs on immigration to Britain. UKIP leader Nigel Farage, a member of the European Parliament, said the situation was 'appalling' and 'disgraceful'. He accused the council of bigotry, insisting that decisions on foster care should be 'colour-blind'. The decision came after two officials visited to question them about their membership of UKIP, Britain’s fourth-biggest party which campaigns for an end to Britain’s membership of the European Union." Continue reading

Continue ReadingFoster children taken away from UK couple for political party membership

Google takes action to support open Internet

"The conference, organized by the UN’s International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) has reignited a fierce debate over who should control the Web. Google has remained unequivocal in its stance that the closed-door meeting a power grab aimed at ending public control of the Internet and strangling free speech. Google, which has consistently taken a self-regulatory approach to the Internet, called the Dubai conference the'wrong place' to make decisions on the future of the Internet." Continue reading

Continue ReadingGoogle takes action to support open Internet

What’s cooking in WHO powwow?

"A monumental session during the World Health Organization’s (WHO) convention on tobacco control turned into an alarming attack on transparency, accountability and press freedom. The decision to meet behind closed doors occurred when a discussion began about efforts to decrease tobacco use by increasing the price of tobacco products. Specifically, the convention attendees were discussing the framework for an international tobacco tax. This stance raises some serious questions about an organization that for years has operated largely behind the scenes and without the benefit of much public scrutiny." Continue reading

Continue ReadingWhat’s cooking in WHO powwow?

Greeks commemorate 1970s student uprising crushed by US-backed military junta

"Thousands of Greeks marched behind a blood-stained national flag on Saturday to commemorate the violent suppression of a 1973 student uprising against a US-backed military junta. The bloodied flag that flew over the Athens Polytechnic on the night of November 17, 1973 — seen as a key moment in the restoration of democracy to Greece — was carried as usual at the head of the annual demonstration in memory of those who died. Police said about 20,000 people marched in total in the capital. Outside the U.S. embassy, some of the protesters set fire to an American flag." Continue reading

Continue ReadingGreeks commemorate 1970s student uprising crushed by US-backed military junta

Sanctions: More Deadly Than The Atomic Bomb?

"Comparing the effects of sanctions vs nuclear bombs. Contrasting the fatalities of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima to those of the sanctions imposed on Iraq in the 1990s. 'Genocide masquerading as policy' as one congressman put it. Should the US do the same to Iran? Are sanctions a legitimate 'diplomatic tool' to avert war?" Continue reading

Continue ReadingSanctions: More Deadly Than The Atomic Bomb?

U.S. gives ‘full backing’ to Israel while urging de-escalation of Gaza violence

"The Israeli ambassador to Washington, Michael Oren, says the US has given his government a free hand in its assault on Gaza as the Israeli cabinet ordered a large call up of military reserves, prompting fears of a ground invasion. The Palestinian delegation to Washington condemned the US response to the crisis as 'biased and weak', and called on the White House to stop Israel using American-made weapons against civilians. It also described as 'shameful' what it called the justification of the murder of Palestinians by countries supporting Israeli actions, including Britain." Continue reading

Continue ReadingU.S. gives ‘full backing’ to Israel while urging de-escalation of Gaza violence

Global terrorist organizations begin to respond to last week’s marijuana votes

"The President of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), Raymond Yans, has voiced grave concern about the outcome of recent referenda in the United States of America that would allow the non-medical use of cannabis by adults in the states of Colorado and Washington, and in some cities in the states of Michigan and Vermont. Mr. Yans stated that 'these developments are in violation of the international drug control treaties, and pose a great threat to public health and the well-being of society far beyond those states'." Continue reading

Continue ReadingGlobal terrorist organizations begin to respond to last week’s marijuana votes

Merkel booed as she praises austerity cuts in bailed-out Portugal

"Police deployed in large numbers in Lisbon, blocking off some streets and keeping at bay demonstrators who booed Merkel as she arrived at the presidential headquarters. Activists brandished banners reading: 'She wants to kill the Portuguese, she wants supremacy in Europe!'; 'Portugal is not Merkel's country'; 'Angela Merkel assassin'; and 'A European Germany yes, a German Europe no'. Demonstrators released black balloons in a sign of 'mourning' and covered several Lisbon monuments in black sheets to show their discontent." Continue reading

Continue ReadingMerkel booed as she praises austerity cuts in bailed-out Portugal

Latin American leaders urge review of U.S. pro-marijuana referenda

"The leaders of Mexico and three Central American nations called Monday for a review of anti-drug policies after two US states voted to legalize marijuana. The presidents of Mexico, Honduras, Costa Rica and Belize called on the United Nations to hold a special session by 2015 to examine the 'successes and limits' of current strategies against drug trafficking. In a joint declaration read by Mexican President Felipe Calderon, the leaders asked the Organization of American States (OAS) to draft a report on the impact of last week’s referenda in the US states of Colorado and Washington." Continue reading

Continue ReadingLatin American leaders urge review of U.S. pro-marijuana referenda