Monday, March 14, 2011

US Muslim 'radicalisation' hearings spark unease

A series of controversial hearings into the "radicalisation of the American Muslim community" is starting in the US. The Republican congressman holding the hearings says some Muslim leaders are not co-operating enough with the police and FBI. But many US Muslims say they are being unfairly singled out, and some fearthe hearings will only increase Islamophobia in the US.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Keith Ellison Tears Up At Hearing On Muslim-American 'Radicalization' (VIDEO)

Keith Ellison Tears Up At Hearing On Muslim-American 'Radicalization' (VIDEO): "WASHINGTON -- Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), the first Muslim-American elected to Congress, broke into tears Thursday during a hearing investigating possible radicalization of Muslim-Americans, telling the House Homeland Security Committee the inquiry was “the very heart of scapegoating.”

“We’ve seen the consequences of anti-Muslim hate,” Ellison testified. “The best defense against extreme ideologies is social inclusion and civic engagement. … I fear these hearings may undermine our efforts in this direction.”"

Wisconsin Republicans cut collective bargaining | World news | guardian.co.uk

Wisconsin Republicans cut collective bargaining | World news | guardian.co.uk: "Under the state senate's rules, any bill that was budgetary in nature has to have a quorum of at least 20 senators. That meant the 19 Republican senators needed at least one Democrat present to move to a vote.

But in a shock move, the Republicans unhooked the overtly financial clauses from the bill, and pushed the rest through in record time, arguing that because it was no longer related to the budget it required no quorum."

BBC News - Libya: Gaddafi forces detain and beat BBC team

BBC News - Libya: Gaddafi forces detain and beat BBC team: "Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi's security forces detained and beat up a BBC news team who were trying to reach the strife-torn western city of Zawiya.

The three were beaten with fists, knees and rifles, hooded and subjected to mock executions by members of Libya's army and secret police.

The men were detained on Monday and held for 21 hours, but have now flown out of Libya."

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

How Iran keeps revolution from flowering on streets of Tehran - Middle East, World - The Independent

How Iran keeps revolution from flowering on streets of Tehran - Middle East, World - The Independent: "Iranian protesters will try to take to the streets of Tehran this morning in an effort to revive opposition to the government, but those demonstrators who do appear are likely to be chased, beaten or arrested by thousands of riot police and baton-wielding militiamen.

The attempt by the Green movement, as anti-government activists are known, to emulate the protests across the Arab world is failing to shake the Iranian authorities, still less overthrow them. Over the past week the centre of Tehran has been calm with protesters making a negligible impact."

Monday, March 7, 2011

America's secret plan to arm Libya's rebels - Middle East, World - The Independent

America's secret plan to arm Libya's rebels - Middle East, World - The Independent: "Desperate to avoid US military involvement in Libya in the event of a prolonged struggle between the Gaddafi regime and its opponents, the Americans have asked Saudi Arabia if it can supply weapons to the rebels in Benghazi. The Saudi Kingdom, already facing a 'day of rage' from its 10 per cent Shia Muslim community on Friday, with a ban on all demonstrations, has so far failed to respond to Washington's highly classified request, although King Abdullah personally loathes the Libyan leader, who tried to assassinate him just over a year ago"

Thursday, March 3, 2011

BBC News - Bangladesh: Muhammad Yunus challenges his sacking

BBC News - Bangladesh: Muhammad Yunus challenges his sacking: "Bangladeshi Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has launched a legal battle against his sacking as managing director of the Grameen microfinance bank he founded."

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

BBC News - Pakistan minorities minister shot dead in Islamabad

BBC News - Pakistan minorities minister shot dead in Islamabad: "Mr Bhatti, the cabinet's only Christian minister, had received death threats for urging reform to blasphemy laws.

In January, Punjab Governor Salman Taseer, who had also opposed the law, was shot dead by one of his bodyguards."

BBC News - Iran: Security forces break up Tehran protests

BBC News - Iran: Security forces break up Tehran protests: "Iranian police have fired tear gas to disperse opposition supporters mounting protests in the capital Tehran.

A BBC correspondent in Tehran said large numbers of riot police and militia on motorcycles in the city centre broke up any crowds that formed.

The unrest comes a day after websites close to opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi said they had been jailed."
 
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