Religion

Hamas is simply a movement resisting occupation and besiegement. The cause of our conflict with the Israelis is their desire to make of us a servile minority or an emigrant memory and they have done nothing that would grant us the dignity of self-determination. Even now, it is the Israelis who issue a Palestinian his or her identity card under the terms of Oslo. Hamas draws inspiration from faith; yet religion has little to do with our struggle. Our faith determines our values, not our platform. What every Palestinian – Muslim or Christian and of every political hue – struggles for is dignity and freedom, for the right to be recognised in our own land, a struggle for our political and economic rights, a struggle for sovereignty and the right to govern ourselves. … [Read more...] about Judge Hamas on the measures it takes for its people

Unsurprising, then, that people have a hard time categorising Wainwright. He has been hailed as a balladeer, a troubadour, a torch song singer and even as “the king of baroque pop”. But for him the point is that he does not produce commercially safe work. The trouble with the music industry, he argues, is that the value of the song lyric has been undermined. And it is a trend he regrets all the more since the death of Leonard Cohen in 2016. The fellow Canadian was grandfather to Viva, the daughter that Wainwright shares and raises with his old friend, Lorca Cohen. “Lyrics are the wood the ship is made from, as opposed to the sail, the music. Writing them is an art form in itself and having known Leonard very well, I know losing him was a great passing of that concept.” … [Read more...] about ‘Opera leaves me transfigured’: Rufus Wainwright on his change of direction

Museum, church or mosque? The Hagia Sophia in Istanbul The Orthodox Christians' perspective Bartholomew I, the Patriarch of Constantinople, and honorary head of all Orthodox Christians, has also laid claim to the Hagia Sophia. He is opposed to converting the building into a mosque. Since 1934 the Hagia Sophia has had the status of a museum, it should serve as a "place and symbol of meeting, dialogue and peaceful coexistence of peoples and cultures." … [Read more...] about Haghia Sophia mosque plan draws Turkish-German criticism

Interior Minister Horst Seehofer has been criticized for picking only men to lead the ministry, with many questioning how he plans to promote social cohesion — one of his stated priorities — without any women among his top team. … [Read more...] about German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer draws flak for all-male leadership team

Virgin killer's parents read his hate-filled manifesto then called the police and rushed to stop him when they heard of murder spree on their car radioElliot Rodger had emailed the 140-page document to a couple of dozen people including his parentsMother received it hours before he went on his shooting rampage Friday She then went on to her son's YouTube page where she found the newly uploaded video titled 'Retribution' Earlier, killer's father spoke of the family's 'inconceivable pain'Peter Rodger, who helped direct Hunger Games, offers victims sympathySays family called police weeks ago after Elliot put sinister videos onlineBut officers sent to check on his mental health hadn't seen the videosRevealed Elliot was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, a form of autismElliot lived in luxury California home with family and drove black BMWGrandmother said he was 'very disturbed' and had mental health issues By Daily Mail Reporters … [Read more...] about Virgin killer’s parents read his hate-filled manifesto then called the police and rushed to stop him when they heard of murder spree on their car radio