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Blind Chinese dissident arrives in the United States
Blind Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng has arrived in the United States after his daring escape from house arrest in China .
His escape was an embarrassment to the Chinese authorities, and his refuge in the US embassy in Beijing created an uncomfortable backdrop to a recent visit by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton .
After arriving in New Jersey , Chen thanked the US for its support.
Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng :
"The American embassy in China provided a safe haven and the American government has provided great assistance and given me partial citizenship rights here ."
Chen is one of China's most prominent dissidents who has campaigned for disabled rights and fought against forced abortions in his community. He used the occasion to call for greater justice, equality and respect in Сhina. He also reached out to the Chinese people.
Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng :
"I want to tell everyone that no matter what environment you are in, no matter how difficult it is, we can accomplish anything we really want to achieve. Nothing is impossible if you persist. As we say in Chinese, there is nothing really difficult in this world, as long as you put your heart into it."
In 2006 Chen was jailed by the Chinese authorities for a little more than four years on what he and his supporters say were trumped-up charges designed to silence his advocacy work. After his sentence expired he remained under house arrest until his escape.
While in the US Chen will study law at New York University, where he has been given a fellowship.
20 may 2012
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Gulf states seek to shore up Sanaa at meeting
Yemen is in trouble, according to the country’s leaders, who say at least USD 10 billion is needed prop up the national economy .
A Friends of Yemen conference in Saudi Arabia 's capital Riyadh next week aims to raise at least part of the money.
Friends of Yemen is a Gulf Cooperation Council Initiative, consisting of a group of donor countries, which aim to assist the country deal with its economic and security problems, which are considerable. The group includes the five permanent members of the UN Security Council .
Yemen Foreign Minister Abu Bakr al-Kurbi:
"Increased poverty and unemployment characterize the current situation. The Friends of Yemen meeting is extremely urgent right now.”
Ansar al-Sharia, a group linked to the al-Qaeda terrorist organization, seized a significant chunk of territory in southern Yemen during turmoil last year amid calls for the removal of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh , who was in power in the southern Arabian country for over 30 years.
Allies Saudi Arabia and the United States are hoping that the new Yemeni government under Abd Rabbuh Mansur al-Hadi can prevent al-Qaeda getting a foothold near key oil shipping routes in the Red Sea.
In addition to humanitarian aid, Yemen needs military support. Fresh clashes with al-Qaeda fighters in the south have left at least 34 people dead. Government officials say that further fighting between Yemeni troops and al-Qaida fighters have broke out late Friday and continued over the weekend.
20 may 2012
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Russian artists stage ‘Night of Museums’ in Moscow
Russian artists took to the streets of central Moscow over the weekend, staging a walk around the boulevards with their works, as part of the city's annual "Night of the Museums" where cultural institutions are open all night long.
Yuri Samodurov, the organiser of the event , said he had planned the action for months.
Russian artist Yuri Samodurov:
"When in the beginning of March I wrote a letter and sent it to many people, some people replied straight away, the next day, but still less than I wanted. But then, gradually, people woke up and responded."
The works of art on display varied from "Security", which depicts a Russian policemen in a wheelchair, to "Chair of Fairness", a guillotine-like chair sculpture , to a travelling piano player, moving on a platform during the procession.
Artist Artem K's recreation of a popular photograph of Russian President Vladimir Putin elicited comments from fellow artists. His painting featured a crouching Putin with gold rings wearing a pink tank top.
Artist Artem K:
"If I put tattoos on it, it could bring tragic results. But here, everything is very nice and it's unclear whether it's for or against Putin."
The artists' walk is the latest of a series of walking protest to take place in the capital.
An opposition protest organised by famous Russian authors saw thousands walk through the city centre, protesting the return of the newly re-elected Putin, who will make his first foreign trip of his third presidential term to Belarus on May 31.
20 may 2012
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Italians mourn 16-year old victim of 19 May blast
Flags flew at half-mast across Italy on Sunday as mourners sought to understand the motive behind an unprecedented school bomb attack a day earlier.
A 16-year-old girl was killed in the Adriatic port city of Brindisi by a bomb t hat exploded in front of her school before classes on Saturday. Ten others were wounded by the blast , one seriously.
Officials initially suggested a local mafia group was behind the attack, but investigators later said the rudimentary nature of the bomb and the targeting of an all-girls secondary school did not point toward organised crime .
20 may 2012
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Newly elected EJP holds first General Assembly in Brussels
The European Jewish Parliament held its first General Assembly this week in Brussels . The capital of the European Union welcomed delegates and MEJPs from across Europe as they gathered for the first working session of this new pan-European body, which is designed to give a democratic voice to Jewish communities throughout the continent.
Member of the European Parliament for Bulgaria Antonyia Parvanova chaired the EJP General Assembly , which focused on agenda-setting for the year ahead. MEJPs highlighted the need to address a rising tide of political extremism within Europe, pointing to marked increases in anti-Semitic attitudes across the continent.
MEJP from Bulgaria Antoniya Parvanova:
"The most alarming for me is the recent developments of elections for example in France when we have more strong support for nationalists or even in Gree ce where we have neo-Nazis in parliament. So these are the warning messages and we have probably missed all the warning messages of Jewish—but not only Jewish organizations—for the last couple of years. And I’m very glad that the European Jewish Parliament is coming here to discuss and propose ideas of what we should do in a positive and sustainable way to develop tolerance but also to cope with intolerance."
The European Jewish Parliament – which is backed by Ukrainian Tycoon Ihor Kolomoiskiy ’s European Jewish Union – was established last year to provide a democratic platform for the continent’s diverse Jewish communities. The inaugural session of the parliament featured 120 MEJPs representing over 40 European nations. They were elected following an online ballot in late 2011 which attracted much media attention and saw the participation of over 400,000 voters.
The result is a diverse and democratic body featuring a cross-section of contemporary European Jewish society . Together they are charged with representing the interests of everyone from the half-million strong French Jewish contingent to the relatively tiny Jewish communities of the Balkans and the Baltic . While some existing Jewish community organisations have attacked the European Jewish Parliament initiative for presuming to speak for Europe’s Jews, MEJPs themselves appeared energized by the scale of the challenge ahead.
MEJP from the UK Gordon Hausmann:
"The European Jewish Parliament is a new attempt—a new direction, and to my mind it’s totally original. That’s why I like it. It’s something that turns out to have been needed, but it needed somebody to define that it was absent and that it was needed."
MEJP from the Netherlands Rachel Levy:
"I think that it’s important for the Jewish people to have a very good representative body. As the European Union is forming itself and getting its own representatives more and more and more and more politics are being decided on a European level, it’s also important for the Jews to be organized on a European level in a professional and efficient way. And that’s what the Jewish parliament is for. And to be able to be part of the first Jewish parliament is both a challenge and an honour."
MEJP from Turkey Cefi Jozef Kamhi:
"I believe we should look at it as a wide platform for sharing information and using that information efficiently in this fast-moving world, especially in Europe when there’s a Nazi movement , where there’s a nationalist movement, where there’s anti-Semitism."
The European Jewish Parliament’s first General Assembly attracted considerable interest among the diplomatic and political communities, with attendees including Minister President of Flanders Kris Peeters and – all the way from Israel - Knesset coalition chairman Ze’ev Elkin.
Meanwhile, one of the most sought-after attendees was Bahraini Ambassador to the United States Hoodah Nunu - one of the few Jewish women in diplomatic history to have risen to the rank of ambassador in a Muslim majority nation.
The continued support of Europe ’s political and diplomatic communities will likely prove crucial as the European Jewish Parliament seeks to define a role for itself in the continental debate . For the time being, the current crop of MEJPs is faced with the challenge of living up to their billing as the elected representatives of Europe’s diverse Jewish communities.
20 may 2012
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Chelsea defeats Bayern Munich to win cup
Hotel celebration follows dramatic overtime win. 41-year old interim manager credited with success.
20 may 2012
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Chinese couples tie the knot in a public aquarium
Couple gives their vows while surrounded by “guests”. China ’s Shandong Province home to “wet weddings ”.
20 may 2012
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Hundreds of protesters roam downtown Chicago
Demonstrators march for hours in circles around city. More protests likely before summit ends on 21 May. Many groups not granted permits to demonstrate.
20 may 2012
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Guatemala’s majestic Fuego volcano erupts again
Various local authorities are monitoring increase in activity. Emergency commission issues advisory warning. Guatemala currently has 4 active volcanoes.
20 may 2012
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East Timor marks its 10th Independence Day on 20 May
East Timor became fully independent in 2002. Decades of conflict with Indonesia ravaged country. Portugal started Timor as a colony in 16th century.
20 may 2012
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Islamic police in Kano arrange wedding ceremony
The Islamic police in Nigeria 's Northern city of Kano have held a mass wedding for 100 widows and divorcees.
The couples were selected by number from a list of over 1,800 applicants and the brides sat in white, waiting while the authorities bussed in the bridegrooms.
Arranged marriages are common in northern parts of Nigeria, but the region also has a high divorce rate.
Abbu Ufi, head of Kano’s Islamic Police said the first mass wedding was a trial and would be monitored closely.
Head of Kano’s Islamic Police Abbu Ufi :
"…we gave out over 1800 forms for prospective husbands and wives, so we selected them, we screened them, they came for screening, we gave them HIV tests, we took the first 100 which we are going to study."
Others have raised questions about the safety of the procedure.
Women's rights activist Iheoma Obibi :
"... have they thought about what wife number they are going to become, there is no point a woman leaving a dangerous situation and becomes a divorcee and then she marries again and enters a more dangerous and precarious situation."
Obibi also suggested that, even if the women didn't want to get married, they may feel obliged to.
This woman had no such complaints, saying it was God’s wish for her to marry and that she was happy.
20 may 2012
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Sean Penn continues earthquake philanthropy
The world’s top movie stars are out in force for the Cannes film festival . Amid all the hype and glamour American actor Sean Penn has been raising funds for Haiti where a 2010 earthquake killed over 300,000 people and survivors are still struggling to rebuild their lives. The Hollywood star says that his involvement with the country is the most fulfilling work imaginable.
American actor Sean Penn :
"Waking up and still thinking it's going to work and looking back and understanding why and recognizing who the people are, the Haitians , that are really going to turn their country around. And once identified it's very easy to recognize your own obligation to partner with them."
Star of “Meet the Parents” and “There’s Something About Mary” Ben Stiller lent his support to the Haitian cause. He says that his visit to the country was a shocking experience.
American actor Ben Stiller:
"Having gone before the earthquake I was sort of shocked at the poverty level there, having gone to Africa before going to Haiti. To actually be in a country that was in our hemisphere, a couple of miles from the United States to see that level of poverty was shocking to me. And after the earthquake was even more devastating. It was really jarring to experience that. To realize that these people are living in an alternate reality from ours and to see that going on while we lived out lives. To me that's the hardest thing to reconcile."
Although fundraising was confidential it is understood that VIP tickets to a U2 concert and an autographed guitar sold for EUR 200,000.
20 may 2012
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Commission invites foreign bodies to observe
With voting in Egypt’s presidential election set to begin on Wednesday, the country’s electoral commission has invited the African Union, the Arab League and the European Commission to send monitors, saying that the country has nothing to hide and offering assurances that everything will be done openly and fairly.
Suggestions that the country’s ruling military council will choose a candidate and try to influence or falsify the vote, or renege or its promise to hand over power to a civilian government, have been rubbished by officials. But some NGO ’s have warned that foreign observers will be unable to effectively monitor the process because their movements will be restricted by election authorities.
In the race for Egypt’s top office, two hopefuls have emerged to lead the pack. One is Amr Moussa , a former Arab League Secretary-General and widely considered one of the more liberal candidates. He is up against Islamist Abdel Moneim Abol Fotouh , who has been using the slogan ‘strong Egypt’ throughout his campaign.
Faced with a choice for the first time, many in the electorate reportedly remain unsure of how they will vote.
Bassera Centre for Public Research Director Maged Ossman:
"Undecided votes will play a very important role in the race. This means that if, for example, 25 percent of those undecided votes go to one candidate , then probably he will be the first one."
Polls will open on May 23 rd and the result is expected to be announced on June 21 st after a run-off vote between the top two first-round winners.
20 may 2012
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German upscale label stages catwalk show in Beijing
Models unveil label’s Autumn and Winter collection. Brand is now expanding into untapped Asian market. Actor Chow Yun-fat becomes brand’s Asian face.
20 may 2012
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Denmark reportedly considering trade rebuke
After a number of grassroots movements to boycott Israeli products , it seems that politicians may be taking notice.
Denmark is reportedly planning to follow in the footsteps of South Africa by bringing in a ban on the use of the label “Made in Israel” on products which come from Israeli West Bank settlements .
In South Africa, products such as cosmetics from company Ahava are no longer allowed to be labelled “made in Israel”. Ahava has its main manufacturing plant in the West Bank settlement of Mitzpe Shalem. South Africa ’s ambassador to Israel has been summoned to a meeting at the foreign ministry, as Israel begins to try to combat the planned measures.
The Jewish state ’s foreign ministry has branded South Africa’s decision as “essentially a racist move” whilst Likud Knesset Member Danny Danon has said that the West Bank is an “inseparable part of the land of Israel.”
20 may 2012
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Opposition leader promises non-cooperation
Syrian opposition leader Burhan Ghalioun has labelled Israel "the main enemy of the Syrian revolution ."
In an interview with a Saudi Arabian newspaper, Ghalioun said Syria’s opposition parties would not promote positive relations with Israel, were President Bashar Assad 's regime to fall.
Ghalioun said he was convinced that the Assad regime's strongest ally is Israel and attributed the international community's lack of action on Syria as stemming from concerns for the Jewish state 's security.
Ghalioun also said that through supporting the Assad regime , Iran is guilty of “fighting a real war against the Syrian people”.
20 may 2012
Danger to the state: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says illegal African immigrants threaten identity of Jewish state during weekly cabinet meeting
Spy birds: the American Atlantic Magazine reports that Israel is training European Bee Eaters to keep tabs on Turkish Farmers
Unbearable: in the Sunday edition of Austrian newspaper Die Press, Austria’s defense minister calls Israel’s Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman ‘unbearable; because of his insistence on hawkish policies regarding the Mideast peace process and Iran
Hitting the road: dozens of electric cars hit the road in Israel as entrepreneur Shai Agassi rolls out the world's first nationwide electric car network Buying time: Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman warns US officials in Jerusalem that Iran is trying to deceive the West and has agreed to nuclear negotiations only to 'buy more time' Selling short: Israeli stocks traded in the US slide almost 10 percent for the first time in two month on concern Europe’s debt crisis will crimp demand for exports Enemy of revolution: Leader of the Syrian opposition bloc Burhan Ghalioun says that the Syrian regime signed an agreement with Israel which he called 'the main enemy of the Syrian revolution' Boycott condemnation: Israeli officials criticise an unprecedented South African proposal to label goods produced in Jewish settlements Jerusalem Day: Israel is celebrating Jerusalem Day - a holiday marking the reunification of Jerusalem during 1967 6-Day War after 19 years of the city being divided between Israel and Jordan Protesting the internet: ultra-Orthodox Jews are scheduled to hold a mass demonstration event on internet risks on Sunday with tens of thousands of haredim expected to pack New York Mets'stadium
Spy birds: the American Atlantic Magazine reports that Israel is training European Bee Eaters to keep tabs on Turkish Farmers
Unbearable: in the Sunday edition of Austrian newspaper Die Press, Austria’s defense minister calls Israel’s Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman ‘unbearable; because of his insistence on hawkish policies regarding the Mideast peace process and Iran
Hitting the road: dozens of electric cars hit the road in Israel as entrepreneur Shai Agassi rolls out the world's first nationwide electric car network Buying time: Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman warns US officials in Jerusalem that Iran is trying to deceive the West and has agreed to nuclear negotiations only to 'buy more time' Selling short: Israeli stocks traded in the US slide almost 10 percent for the first time in two month on concern Europe’s debt crisis will crimp demand for exports Enemy of revolution: Leader of the Syrian opposition bloc Burhan Ghalioun says that the Syrian regime signed an agreement with Israel which he called 'the main enemy of the Syrian revolution' Boycott condemnation: Israeli officials criticise an unprecedented South African proposal to label goods produced in Jewish settlements Jerusalem Day: Israel is celebrating Jerusalem Day - a holiday marking the reunification of Jerusalem during 1967 6-Day War after 19 years of the city being divided between Israel and Jordan Protesting the internet: ultra-Orthodox Jews are scheduled to hold a mass demonstration event on internet risks on Sunday with tens of thousands of haredim expected to pack New York Mets'stadium
Breaking news
- Denmark reportedly considering trade rebuke
- 20,000 people rally against “untamed capitalism”
- Obama opens G8 summit with a focus on Iran
- Jews used as scapegoats for on-going economic woes
- Over 100 international acts gather in capital Rabat
- Ultra-nationalist party parades through Athens
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Israel Curious About New Pirate Party in Germany
Today is turning out to be a surprising day for Jewish News One in Frankfurt. First thing this morning we received a call from city hall inviting us to a press conference with the Israeli Ambassador in Germany who today is visiting Frankfurt . When we arrive at the square, outside city hall, we see the Israeli flag flying from one of its balconies. Once inside, we are told the press conference has been cancelled on advice of the Israeli security. The journalists covering the event insist on meeting with the Ambassador… and we wait.
Finally we are invited to a photo session with Ambassador Yakov Hadas-Handelsman and Petra Roth, former mayor of Frankfurt . Very quickly the journalists turn the photo session into a press conference. In Germany the young generation seems to be looking for new ways to participate in the political system, and with 25 per cent of its voters under 30 a new party calling itself the Pirate Party has already secured seats in four state legislatures. The growing success of the Pirate Party has prompted Israel’s Embassy in Berlin to meet with Pirate leaders. Israeli diplomats wanted to know the Pirates’ position on the Holocaust and denial of the murder of six million Jews.
Wilson Ruiz, JN1 , Germany
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New York activists push to ban Chinese delicacy
A traditional delicacy or animal cruelty? Legislators in New York are making a push to ban the sale of shark fins, the main ingredient in Chinese shark fin soup.
Animal rights activists say that shark finning is a cruel practice because collectors often slice fins off living sharks and then dump the animals back into the water where they drown.
In a store in New York’s Chinatown , jars of dried shark fins sit on shelves with prices from USD 30 to USD 300, but they may be among the last if the city council bans their sale.
New York City Council Member Margaret S. Chin:
"Shark fin soup may be a time honoured tradition for a small group of people. But it has no place in today's society. I stand here today to say that I will not support the shark fin industry that thrives off cruelty and I call on the Asian American community in New York to stand with me."
New York is the largest market for shark fins on the East Coast , and activists pushing the ban hope that getting them off the city’s shelves could set an example for other markets.
Marine scientist Amanda Keledjian:
“There’s tons of restaurants and people that love to eat out in this city, so I think taking a stand in New York is really important for diminishing overall demand.”
According to the Humane Society of the United States , shark populations are in decline due to enormous demand for shark fins. If the ban is passed, businesses will have one year to phase out their sale.