Displaying 2,011 To 2,040 Of 18,974 Comments Thank you, Nirek, you say things that touch my core and I am very grateful to you for that. Don’t worry about me, I’m surprisingly tough, or so I’m told. Must be the German/Taurus in me. 🙂 Enjoy the rest of your Saturday, and hope to see you again soon. Peace to you and yours. » Posted By Kalima On June 14, 2014 @ 4:52 pm Hello monicaangela. Quite honestly when I read that article, I had to laugh out loud. Both of them have earned so much money just from speeches alone. Think that Hillary is living in the past and her memory lingers on the debt they had when they left the WH. Troubling really if she runs in 2016, and if she is that money orientated, and they are. You are correct about the rich feeling they never have enough. Just how much is enough anyway? My experience with rich friends has been disappointing. A prime example was being invited out for dinner, then walking away to the bar to let my husband pay the bill. After a few times of that, I put my foot down and told them no when they called to invite us again. Finally after more calls, I told them why, and they acted surprised. The point is that they could have offered to at least chip in, and didn’t. So reading the lament that she is broke, felt like an insult to all who are suffering and barely hanging on by their teeth. If this was some sort of campaign ploy, then it was in very bad taste. Glad you found it, feel as I do, which was the main reason I linked to it. It was also reported on the BBC. Take care and thanks for dropping by. See you soon. » Posted By Kalima On June 14, 2014 @ 4:44 pm Hello Fergie. To answer your first question, my RA, we talked about it briefly after you first came here, and by fighting, I mean the challenge to remain mobile. This year has been the biggest challenge since it started, but I’m not hanging up my dancing shoes yet so please don’t worry too much about me. Instead, why don’t you get a second opinion for your problem, and who knows, you might be racing around that golf course earlier than you think. Thank you for your kind concern and get well soon. Well, it’s been a long day and I tire easily these days. Take care and goodnight from Tokyo. 🙂 » Posted By Kalima On June 14, 2014 @ 4:55 am Hello Fergie, I’m so glad that I could offer you something that you hadn’t read. Made my day, and thanks for the info about the author. Hope that the protests against this “useless article” (Abbott) will lead to a vote of no confidence and send him packing. Oh good Lord, they still haven’t repaired your femur, that’s quite unbelievable, and the pain must be getting you down. I know how you feel about hospitals, have been there almost every two weeks for over 28 years, but how can we feel better if we don’t want to go? On my frequent visits, we have a joke here before I leave. I say that “I see sick people”, and when I arrive there it’s all I see and hear. People conversing with other who are waiting, talking about their aches and pains. If you are not that sick when you arrive, you will be by the time you leave. 😯 A friend of mine broke her leg near to her hip a few months ago. She was operated on almost immediately, spent 10 days in the hospital, and is home now and walking with a stick. She is 77. So fingers crossed they can do something soon, or I’ll have to haul you over here to Tokyo to get some service. Me? Thanks for asking, but not having such a great year so far. The fight isn’t over yet though. 🙂 Yes, kes is my rock here and I don’t know what I would do without her. Take care and hope to see you again soon. » Posted By Kalima On June 13, 2014 @ 11:51 pm Hello Fergie, great to see you here on my little patio. Sorry about all the rain, our Rainy Season started this week. Don’t blame you for your feelings about Abbott, he sounds like a real Tory creep. I found this story that you must have already read, but just in case you hadn’t, it explains him quite well. How funny you dropped by today, as I included it for you or ppo to find. 🙂 Hope there has been some progress with your leg by now. Anyway I have to cook dinner and look forward to seeing you again soon. Take care and be well. —- Tony abbott’s name is Mud http://m.smh.com.au/comment/tony-abbotts-name-is-mud-20140515-zrd9w.html » Posted By Kalima On June 13, 2014 @ 3:22 am Hello kes, great to have you back and I hope that time spent with your son was everything you wished for it to be Yes it’s up to the public to investigate if slave labour was used in making a product that sells in your supermarket. Note, not the people who supply you and stock their shelves with it, how would they know where it’s coming from, right ? 😯 I agree that the doctor in France should not be punished, and yes, most people don’t know how physically painful an end of life experience can be, so they shouldn’t be even putting this man on trial. Russia is a mess, and Tsar Putin is the main cause. Why do these TP types seem so obsessed with Sharia Law? Do you think that it’s because they would use it themselves if they could? Hmm….. Eric Prince like all cowards let’s others take the wrap. Rumsfeld exposed as a fake was indeed heartwarming. In every news conference, as soldiers and innocent Iraqi civilians were dying, he seemed so detached, as if he was playing a war video game. Congrats on visiting those three mysterious places. Looks like something I would love to have done if the body had been willing. Ding Dong on the trivia answer kes. An ingot is as you say, rectangular. Well done and hope to see you again soon. Have a peaceful Friday and take care. » Posted By Kalima On June 12, 2014 @ 11:07 pm Well, at least it’s a warning to the rest of the useless politicians that their cushy jobs are not safe. » Posted By Kalima On June 12, 2014 @ 1:53 pm Hello Nirek, I’ve been saying that something has to be done for 7 years now. There have to be extensive background checks for anyone buying or owning a gun, and the age limit for purchasing a gun and ammunition should be raised, with stiff penalties for those caught buying guns or enabling easy access to guns to minors. I’m glad I’ve lived in three countries where owning a gun was illegal. » Posted By Kalima On June 12, 2014 @ 1:50 pm Good Morning Everyone! Emerging out of my cocoon of dark, rainy, itchy and humid Rainy Season days just long enough to post some updates. Have a good day wherever you may be. Take care, be safe, stay warm and comfy or cool and dry. Sayonara from my late afternoon corner of Tokyo. Mata ne. A few stories and opinions from around the globe. No kidding. Anti-nuclear applicants not welcome or kicked off the panel. Abe picks for NRA ‘undermine’ nuclear watchdog’s independence —- Highly skilled foreigners to be allowed to stay permanently in Japan —- Chinese fighter jets fly close to Japanese planes again, officials say —- 7 unbelievable jobs that actually exist in Japan http://www.japantoday.com/category/lifestyle/view/7-unbelievable-jobs-that-actually-exist-in-japan —- PICTURE OF THE DAY Temple trio http://www.japantoday.com/category/picture-of-the-day/view/temple-trio INTERNATIONAL NEWS Poorest families will miss out on tax cuts promised by all three main parties —- About time. Labour call to stop UK supermarkets stocking food produced by slaves It is up to consumers whether they eat prawns processed in Thailand using slave labour, says Cameron’s spokesman —- Phone hacking trial: Jury sent out after eight months of evidence —- Hero or villain? ‘Poison doctor’ trial reopens French debate on euthanasia —- Angry cab drivers gridlock Europe in protest at ‘unregulated’ taxi app Uber claims disruption boosted users by 850% as continent-wide demonstration causes traffic chaos from London to Madrid —- Be careful what you wish for. Young Russians yearn for the glory days of the Soviet Union – despite not having experienced it —- Ukraine crisis: Death toll in east ‘at least 270’ http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27804611 —- How Ukraine’s tax cheats stole billions from the country’s coffers Ukraine’s deputy tax minister says fraud scams diverted $11bn from the country’s budget over just three years http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/11/ukraine-tax-scam —- Obama: ‘We’re The Only Developed Country On Earth’ Where School Shootings Are Routine http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2014/06/11/3447179/shootings-by-the-numbers/ —- US defence chief Chuck Hagel defends Bowe Bergdahl swap http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-27800092 —- An earthquake for US politics: Tea Party topples top Republican in Virginia primary —- TEA PARTY CANNIBALIZES CANTOR http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/06/11/eric-cantor-s-epic-fail.html —- The Real Reason Eric Cantor Lost http://thinkprogress.org/immigration/2014/06/10/3447419/eric-cantor-david-brat-immigration/ —- The Cantor Omen We already have a deadlocked system in Washington. Stacking the deck against politicians who deign to compromise doesn’t bode well for us as a nation. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/12/opinion/charles-m-blow-the-cantor-omen.html —- Nutjob Alert!!! David Brat: Embrace Christian Capitalism, Or Hitler Will Come Back —- How Eric Cantor’s Defeat Could Hurt Republican Fund-Raising He has been a prolific fund-raiser who has relationships with some donors other Republicans do not. —- Hillary Clinton’s impoverished claims http://m.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/wp/2014/06/10/hillary-clintons-impoverished-claims/ —- Another nut job! Oklahoma Candidate Says Gays Should Be Stoned http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2014/06/11/3447597/oklahoma-candidate-says-gays-should-be-stoned/ —- New Jersey’s soaring subsidy program doing little to boost struggling economy Study says New Jersey badly trailing other states’ economic recovery despite corporate credits rising sevenfold under Christie http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/11/new-jersey-subsidy-program-struggling-economy-christie —- Blackwater on trial over killing of 14 Iraqi civilians in 2007 Prosecutors plan to call dozens of Iraqis to testify over bloodshed in Baghdad that inflamed anti-US sentiment around the world http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/11/blackwater-trial-iraq-civilians-2007 —- A Thirty Years War In Iraq and Syria? • Mosul attacks reveal growing strength of al-Qaeda militancy —- Egyptian activist Alaa Abd El Fattah jailed for organising protest Prominent campaigner, who was a key figure in Egypt’s 2011 uprising, has been jailed or investigated under each of the country’s five heads of state since Hosni Mubarak http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/11/egyptian-activist-alaa-abd-el-fattah-jailed —- Uganda’s Sam Kutesa elected as UN General Assembly president http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-27789108 —- Heavy fighting resumes on Rwanda-DRC border Countries blame each other of crossing border and killing soldiers as Western officials seek to play down rhetoric. —- Iraq crisis: insurgents take major cities – live coverage Half a million people are believed to be fleeing to the far north of Iraq as insurgent forces take Tikrit, a day after 35,000 Iraq soldiers reportedly fled an Isis force of 800 in Mosul http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/12/crisis-in-iraq-insurgents-take-major-cities-live-blog —- Iraq at risk of civil war as al-Qaeda-led uprising pushes to within striking distance of Baghdad Fears of collapse of Iraqi state reignites debate over sacrifices made by Britain to topple Saddam Hussein —- Iraq crisis: Islamist militants attack Tikrit and near Baghdad after 500,000 are forced to flee Mosul —- It just keeps on getting worse. As I said before, the police are very corrupt. Indian police ‘gang-rape woman after she fails to pay bribe’ Woman says she was raped when she went to police station to seek husband’s release in Uttar Pradesh http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/12/indian-police-gang-rape-uttar-pradesh —- Another Indian woman found hanging from tree in Uttar Pradesh http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-27807539 —- Suspected US drone strike kills 10 militants in north-west Pakistan Officials say missiles fell in North Waziristan, hours after earlier strike marked end of six-month pause in drone programme http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/12/us-drone-strike-militants-pakistan-north-waziristan —- Economist may lead Afghanistan after forming alliance with warlord in presidential elections Ashraf Ghani, a former World Bank economist, takes surprise poll lead against Abdullah Abdullah in Afghanistan’s presidential elections —- It’s shameful that these people are not being respectfully taken care of after putting their lives in danger. Afghan interpreters to challenge UK over benefits and resettlement terms High court to rule on whether MoD discrimminated between Afghan and Iraqi interpreters used by UK troops abroad http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/11/afghan-interpreters-challenge-uk-benefits-mod-iraqi —- It’s a bit rich for Tony Abbott to lecture the US on fair taxation When it comes to the ethics of taxation, Abbott is a world leader with a domestic example that lends him zero credibility —- Hong Kong must accept Beijing’s control, China’s Communist Party warns Nearly a week after more than 100,000 protesters gathered in Hong Kong to remember the Tiananmen crackdown and call for universal suffrage, Beijing issues controversial white paper reminding the former colony it does not enjoy “full autonomy” —- South Korea ferry disaster: Police raid church compound in hunt for alleged owner http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/south-korea-ferry-disaster-police-raid-church-compound-in-hunt-for-alleged-owner-9530359.html TRIVIA QUIZ Today’s question. What shape, typically, is an ingot? —- Sexual violence in war: Rape survivor speaks at summit http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27800059 —- Viewpoint: India must stop denying caste and gender violence http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-27774908 —- In Pictures: Brazil poverty vs super stadia Some 4,800 homeless people set up a protest camp near a $350-million stadium in Sao Paulo to demand housing. —- Bergdahl’s writings reveal a fragile young man —- A History of the First World War in 100 Moments: ‘Mad Jack’ takes on the War Office —- Recession ‘led to 10,000 suicides’ http://www.bbc.com/news/health-27796628 —- Hong Kong’s gay marriage objection http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-china-blog-27790389 —- The Unknown Known, Sky Atlantic, review: ‘Donald Rumsfeld exposed as a failure’ Christopher Howse reviews The Unknown Known (Sky Atlantic), Errol Morris’s portrait of the former US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld —- In pictures: Sunderbans, the land of man-eating tigers http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-26064591 —- Five hidden US travel destinations http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-27626505 —- Pictures of the day: 11 June 2014 —- Day in pictures: 11 June 2014 http://www.bbc.com/news/in-pictures-27793682 —- Photo highlights of the day The Guardian’s picture editors bring you a selection of the best photographs from around the world http://www.theguardian.com/news/gallery/2014/jun/11/photo-highlights-of-the-day » Posted By Kalima On June 12, 2014 @ 2:23 am TY Nirek. You’ve made my miserable, rainy Wednesday morning suddenly very sunny. 😳 » Posted By Kalima On June 10, 2014 @ 5:51 pm Hello Nirek. That was the first thing that popped into my head too. Give it back so it can be passed on to those who really need it. Thank you, I will always try my best to shine for you. Peace. » Posted By Kalima On June 10, 2014 @ 5:00 pm Hello monicaangela. If taking things that don’t belong to you by force which often leads to murder, then we could say that stealing in general is a mental illness, and I don’t think it is. Some people are either born that way or turn bad through circumstances or the influence of other bad people in their lives because they are easily led. I don’t know how much this new government in India hopes to achieve, but do hope they manage to cut the corruption that is so rampant in politics, their easily bribed law enforcement body, and their weak justice system. We will be reading about many more similar crimes before anything positive changes. The most encouraging thing is the protests, and the number of men taking part in them. As I said before, I won’t be holding my breath but hope that decency and a social conscience will prevail. Nice to see you here again. Take care. » Posted By Kalima On June 10, 2014 @ 4:55 pm Hello Nirek. Yes almost every other group touting this intimidating nonsense has been shamed into admitting that they were wrong. Then we have Texas……. Thought you might find this interesting. —- I’m an Army veteran, and my benefits are too generous Thanks for stopping by. Peace to you and yours. » Posted By Kalima On June 8, 2014 @ 6:15 pm Hello monicaangela. Although I already know why the Indian parents value sons over daughters, it seems to me to be a social misconception. In Asia this is also very prevalent, but it is the son’s wife who ends up doing the care taking of his elderly parents, and it is the same with a daughter who leaves and marries, she will end up caring for her husband’s parents. That society and attitudes have to change is exactly what I said in my first reply to Nirek, but to help this along, there have to be stricter laws passed with stricter punishment for offenders. The threat of life imprisonment for rape might just be enough for some to think twice before throwing their lives away, and for those who don’t, they deserve the maximum sentence. A country can’t exist without laws. The presence of a corrupt police force, politicians and justice system has to be addressed and reformed. Rape is never right, it is always wrong, never mind the culture or what country it’s committed in. Yes there might be the few odd “rape” incidents in the animal world as you so kindly pointed out, but I was addressing the human responsibility in a country when I left the first story as I have linked to many stories of gang rape in India over the past few years. Hope you are having a pleasant Sunday, and look forward to seeing you here again. Take care. » Posted By Kalima On June 8, 2014 @ 4:09 pm Good Afternoon/Evening Everyone, Sorry about the delay but got up early as promised last night, and here is a selection of world news. Hope you will find something of interest. Take care and see you soon. Sunday’s Bits & Bobs Bribery! Tepco gifted ¥120 million to university course run by NRA nominee —- Japan failed to report 640 kg of nuclear fuel to IAEA —- ‘Bad inflation’ shadows Japan http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/06/07/business/economy-business/bad-inflation-shadows-japan/ —- Japan presents list of possible abductees to N. Korea http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20140608p2g00m0fp006000c.html —- PICTURE OF THE DAY Considering the dire water shortage where the poor are having their water supplies cut for hours more than twice a day, this is sickening. Welcome to Brazil http://www.japantoday.com/category/picture-of-the-day/view/welcome-to-brazil Minimum wage underpayers ‘named and shamed’ – but exposed businesses account for less than 1 per cent of the problem —- I’m speechless. ‘Anti-homeless spikes’ outside London flats spark outrage on Twitter —- The ‘anti-homeless spikes’ are just one part of a bleak tale for rough sleepers Homelessness is on the rise – and behind the numbers are real people who deserve to be treated with respect —- France, beware!! The sins of the father: Jean-Marie Le Pen embarrasses daughter Marine with anti-semitic jibe on FN website —- SS songs and antisemitism: the week Golden Dawn turned openly Nazi Supporters of the far-right party gave Hitler salutes and sang the Horst Wessel song outside parliament last week. Helena Smithreports from Athens on how Golden Dawn has taken on a sinister new tone http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/07/greece-golden-dawn-fascism-threat-to-democracy —- Kosovo PM claims election victory amid low turnout http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27751807 —- Bulgaria halts work on gas pipeline after US talks http://www.bbc.com/news/business-27755032 —- Fighting rages in Ukraine’s Slovyansk Shells continue to rain on Ukraine’s eastern city, a day after the country swears in new president. —- Obama to bypass Congress with executive order on student loans Despite Republican opposition, president will extend students’ ability to cap payments, allowing more control over finances http://www.theguardian.com/money/2014/jun/08/obama-executive-order-student-loans-bypass-congress —- One dead in Las Vegas shooting http://www.bbc.com/news/27757928 —- Feds Rush To Provide Basic Supplies For Surge Of Migrant Kids Held In Makeshift ‘Warehouses’ http://thinkprogress.org/immigration/2014/06/08/3446282/migrant-children-surge/ —- Sick bastards! Bowe Bergdahl: Soldier’s father receives death threats as Republican criticism of release grows —- Talk about downright stupidity. Texas Republicans back gay conversion therapy in new vote —- Oil Companies Are Still Using The Faulty Equipment That Caused The BP Oil Spill http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/06/06/3445971/bp-blowout-preventers/ —- Charming, but they were quick enough to remove the poor from their houses. Olympic Games 2016: Sailing venue with floating corpses, dead dogs and toxic waste ‘won’t be cleaned in time’, warn Rio bosses —- Colombia to set up truth commission Colombia’s government and Farc rebels agree to set up a truth commission to investigate thousands of deaths in five decades of conflict. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-27751198 —- Syria is a Somalia-style failed state that has blown up in the West’s face – former UN envoy Western policymakers misread the Arab Spring and their failure to change policy is damning Syria to a decades-long ordeal as a failed state —- The life-and-death struggle to help Syria’s sick Medical staff are tortured, raped and even murdered as they battle to smuggle supplies to cities under siege http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jun/07/life-and-death-struggle-to-help-syrian-sick —- As you were in Egypt http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/telegraph-view/10885490/As-you-were-in-Egypt.html —- Beware the return of ‘strongmen’ world leaders In Syria, Egypt, Iraq, Libya and elsewhere, political strength increasingly means tyranny, and western weakness is allowing it to happen http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jun/08/strongmen-leaders-syria-egypt-iraq-libya —- Pope Francis calls for Israelis and Palestinians to ‘break spiral of violence’ Pope Francis calls for ‘new journey towards peace’ in unprecedented prayer meeting at the Vatican between Israeli and Palestinian presidents, Shimon Peres and Mahmoud Abbas —- Fifa sponsor demands ‘investigation’ One of Fifa’s main sponsors, Sony, calls for an investigation into the decision to award the 2022 World Cup to Qatar. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27751265 —- US and Iran to hold direct talks in Geneva over nuclear programme US will send two top negotiators to meet with Iranian officials Monday, ahead of July deadline for comprehensive nuclear deal http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/07/us-iran-direct-nuclear-talks-geneva —- He should resign. Indian state minister Ramsevak Paikra says rapes happen ‘accidentally’ —- It was their fault that they were raped. Such ignorance. Girls found hanged after gang-rape ‘may have been victims of honour killings’ Images of two young cousins found hanging from a tree after they had been raped caused outrage throughout India but police have now cast suspicion on their families —- Karachi airport attack: Five killed as gunmen attack terminal, officials say —- Afghanistan flash flood kills dozens in Baghlan province http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27745771 —- MH370 search: Families of missing passengers launch $5m reward to tempt whistleblower to expose ‘cover-up’ http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/mh370-search-families-launch-5m-reward-fund-to-tempt-whistleblower-to-come-forward-and-expose-missing-jet-coverup-9507830.html Rwanda 20 years on: the tragic testimony of the children of rape Two decades after the 1994 genocide, a television journalist returns to hear the extraordinary testimony of women who were raped during the violence – and of the children born as a result http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/08/rwanda-20-years-genocide-rape-children —- Stories from an occupation: the Israelis who broke silence A group called Breaking the Silence has spent 10 years collecting accounts from Israeli soldiers who served in the Palestinian territories. To mark the milestone, 10 hours’ worth of testimony was read to an audience in Tel Aviv. Here we print some extracts —- Children of the occupation: growing up in Palestine Nawal Jabarin wants to be a doctor when she grows up. For now, she lives in a cave with 14 siblings, in constant fear of military raids. We meet the Palestinian children living under Israeli occupation http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/08/children-of-occupation-growing-up-in-palestine —- US author Maya Angelou remembered The family, friends and famous admirers of US author Maya Angelou hold a private memorial service in her honour in North Carolina. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-27749391 —- #BBCtrending: Facebook and the cash from pro-Assad ads http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-27694901 —- The German soldier ‘liberated’ by D-Day http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-27730193 —- D-Day: In the words of the BBC journalists http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-27701206 —- In pictures: D-Day 70th anniversary http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/world-war-two/10872819/In-pictures-D-Day-70th-anniversary.html —- Animal photos of the week: 6 June 2014 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/earth/10881610/Animal-photos-of-the-week.html —- The week in pictures: 6 June 2014 —- Week in pictures: 31 May – 6 June 2014 http://www.bbc.com/news/in-pictures-27712129 —- The weekend in pictures This weekend’s selection of images from around the world http://www.theguardian.com/news/gallery/2014/jun/08/the-weekend-in-pictures —- The 20 photographs of the week The D-day anniversary, the continuing unrest in the Central African Republic, the French Open, a bear in a hammock – the best photography in news, culture and sport from around the world this week http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2014/jun/07/photography-rihanna-maria-sharapova » Posted By Kalima On June 8, 2014 @ 3:52 pm Good Morning Everyone. So sorry but my Sunday morning news updates will have to be delayed because I’m having trouble typing this afternoon. I hope to post them in my morning, your afternoon, and thank you for your understanding. Have a good Sunday wherever you may be. Take care, be safe, stay warm and comfy or cool and dry. Sayonara from my dull corner of Tokyo, where our Rainy Season has now officially begun. 🙁 Mata ne. See you very soon. » Posted By Kalima On June 8, 2014 @ 1:53 am I have to respectfully disagree, men are not all animals, they have the ability to reason, to know right from wrong, and the majority can easily control their urges. Even in the animal kingdom there are many species that breed for life and behaviour like rape is uncommon. I live in Asia so have seen how mothers want sons more than daughters and it is a cultural issue, the same as the problem in India now. Generations of men have been told by society and their mothers that they are privileged and special, so it’s no wonder that some then behave the way they do if they think of women as being second class humans. There are more and more outraged protests there now, and one day the laws have to change to protect the women and girls if India ever hopes to become an economical and international success. I won’t hold my breath but small victories are happening there. » Posted By Kalima On June 7, 2014 @ 7:40 pm The laws must change and society must change before the stigma of being a woman can be eliminated. In a country where some still murder female newborns, something major needs to be reformed. Pampering male children leads to disrespect for women. Last year in the U.K. there was a major scandal about selective abortions. Women of Indian and Asian roots, were asking clinics to abort their female foetus, a thing that made my hair stand on end. If the culture dictates that men are better than women, and the punishment for rape has to be publicly demanded by protests in the streets, then this dispicable crime wave of gang rape of women and children as young as five, and murder will continue. Shame on the politicians and the weak justice system. The bottom line is that there are far too many men in positions of power who make bad laws. » Posted By Kalima On June 7, 2014 @ 5:53 pm No wonder India is having a problem with rape crimes when idiots like this make such obscene comments and the justice system can’t change to protect women. Remember the politician a few months back who said women should just lay back and enjoy it? Nothing will change until people learn to respect women and their rights. Such a beautiful country too. —- India state minister on rape: ‘Sometimes it’s right, sometimes it’s wrong’ Home minister in BJP-run Madhya Pradesh state describes rape as a ‘social crime’ in comments playing down rapes http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/05/india-state-minister-rape-crimes-comment » Posted By Kalima On June 6, 2014 @ 1:35 am Hello monicaangela, and thanks for all of the info on Capone. I knew he had been born in America, but the rest of his story was quite fascinating. I agree that there are many crooks in fancy suits still walking free who steal from a country and its people with unfettered impunity. In a fair world most of them would be sitting in a jail cell. It bewilders me that they are not. Thank you for taking the time to stop here, and hope to see you again soon. » Posted By Kalima On June 6, 2014 @ 12:39 am Hello Nirek. Faux is like a magnet for the crackpots, they gather there like flies on dog shit. Dinesh D’Souza, Donald Trump, you name them and you have seen them ranting there. There should be a warning sigh on the screen before each airing. “WARNING!! Watching this program could permanently damage your mental health”. Thank you for stopping by. Peace. » Posted By Kalima On June 6, 2014 @ 12:28 am Good Morning Everyone! If any of our new members have stumbled on to my patio, welcome to my small corner of the world. Coffee and tea to your left by the bonsai pine tree. Have a good day wherever you may be. take care, be safe, stay warm and comfy or cool and dry. Sayonara from my rainy, early evening corner of Tokyo. Mata ne. A few stories and opinions from around the globe. The NRA doesn’t need a ‘yes man’ http://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2014/06/04/editorials/nra-doesnt-need-yes-man/ —- Record-low births saw Japan’s population plummet at record pace in 2013 —- No. of households on welfare in Japan hits record 1.6 mil. http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20140604p2g00m0dm067000c.html —- N. Korea stated during Stockholm talks it will ‘never’ abandon nuclear weapons http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20140604p2a00m0na007000c.html —- Should you put your child on a leash? Japanese mothers weigh in —- PICTURE OF THE DAY Summitry http://www.japantoday.com/category/picture-of-the-day/view/summitry-3 INTERNATIONAL NEWS Oh Ukip, what’s it going to take to destroy you with the voter next year? Ukip MEP Nathan Gill employed ‘dozens’ of immigrants and ‘kept them in bunkhouses’ —- Such a disgrace to his position apart from being totally useless. Michael Gove accused of using ‘Trojan Horse’ row to push anti-Islam agenda —- Assisted dying plan like telling disabled ‘it’s not worth being alive’ – Tanni Grey-Thompson Paralympian Tanni Grey-Thompson and disability campaigners voice alarm as Assisted Dying Bill begins parliamentary process —- Seriously ill patients could receive untested treatments under new bill Medical innovation bill would allow doctors to use experimental therapies for patients for whom all other treatments have failed —- Hackers who threaten national security face life in prison Queen’s Speech: Hackers who risk lives by attacking food, energy and police computer networks face life in prison —- G7 summit: Barack Obama accuses Vladimir Putin of a return to ‘dark tactics’ over Ukraine —- G7 leaders warn Russia of fresh sanctions over Ukraine http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27707518 —- Jewish Museum murders: Nemmouche refuses extradition http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27699216 —- Huh? The party is an abomination. Golden Dawn leader hits out at Greek parliament’s ‘plot’ to prosecute him Nikos Michaloliakos condemns ‘pseudo-democrats’ in hostile speech after being stripped of political immunity —- How free is Poland? The 25th anniversary of Polish democracy is bittersweet. http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jun/04/how-free-poland-25-anniversary-democracy —- Ukraine’s forces will be driven from Donetsk vows new ‘prime minister’ Alexander Borodai, the new leader of ‘Donetsk People’s Republic’, tells The Telegraph how he is preparing to defend the city against ‘extreme’ danger of a Ukrainian attack —- Gun control campaign piles pressure on Target and other companies With support of $50m from Michael Bloomberg, grassroots group gains momentum as NRA appears to shift on some measures http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/04/gun-control-campaign-bloomberg-companies-open-carry —- N.R.A. Backs Away From Article Criticizing Advocates of Carrying Guns in Public The group sought to distance itself from an article on its website that called brandishing weapons in public in support of open-carry laws “scary” and “weird.” http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/05/us/nra-backs-away-from-criticism-of-open-carry-advocates.html —- Meanwhile in the real world. The Gun Report: June 4, 2014 A day in the life of armed America. http://nocera.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/06/04/the-gun-report-june-4-2014/ —- Ohio May Take Away Low-Income Women’s Access To The Most Effective Form Of Birth Control http://thinkprogress.org/health/2014/06/04/3444814/ohio-lawmakers-insurance-iuds/ —- Former Navy Seal Commander Says Keystone XL Would Be Extremely Vulnerable To Terrorist Attack http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/06/04/3444711/keystone-security-vulnerabilities/ —- Democrats See a Break in a Gain for the Tea Party in Mississippi The strong showing of the sometimes-unpredictable Tea Party favorite, Chris McDaniel, in the Republican primary offered Democrats the opportunity to highlight his controversial views. —- Why EPA’s Carbon Regulations Won’t Ruin The Economy, In Three Simple Steps http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/06/03/3444064/epa-explainer-economy/ —- Very hard to watch, but that’s why you should. ‘Racism is alive and well’: Video of woman’s appalling N-word rant in car park surfaces —- Seriously? Some of these Faux people need to be locked in padded cells before their heads explode. Fox News Has Proof That Obama ‘Wants Out Of America’ —- Canadian gunman kills three mounties Canadian police hunt 24-year-old man responsible for killing three mounties and wounding two others —- This is obscene. A mockery of those who were murdered by him. Bashar al-Assad wins re-election in Syria as uprising against him rages on Assad captures another seven-year term after winning almost 90% of the vote, with polling only held in government-held areas http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/04/bashar-al-assad-winds-reelection-in-landslide-victory —- Syria and Egypt’s tale of two polls could end in the same old story A pair of presidential coronations have underlined the truth that it takes more than an election to make a democracy http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/05/syria-egypt-two-polls-same-old-story —- Syria conflict: The silence in Homs emphasises the city’s fate. There’s barely a breath of wind —- Inside Aleppo: the people refusing to leave Syria’s shattered city Middle East correspondent Richard Spencer reports from inside Syria’s largest city on the devastation that has ripped apart homes and lives —- G4S must end its complicity in Israel’s abuse of child prisoners http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/04/g4s-complicity-israel-abuse-child-prisoners —- Settlements? Why not call it by it’s proper name of “Illegal Land Grabs”. Israel announces new settlement expansion Minister says 1,500 new homes in West Bank and East Jerusalem are “Zionist response” to Palestinian unity government. —- Qataris defend country’s right to host World Cup amid anger and denial Organising staff continue work on stadium designs amid wave of home-grown conspiracy theories and international scandal http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/03/qatar-host-world-cup-2022-organisers-allegations —- Boko Haram attack church dressed as Nigeria soldiers as dozens are killed in fresh raids Militants allied to al-Qaeda continue strikes as Nigeria’s military denies reports 15 senior officers court martialled for helping Islamist army —- Mother of kidnapped schoolgirl: I just feel like killing myself Distressed mother of Nigerian schoolgirl abducted by Boko Haram expresses her anguish and calls on the government to do more —- Ebola virus claims lives of more than 200 people in Guinea WHO registers 328 reported cases of disease in Guinea as Sierra Leone and Liberia also see more outbreaks http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/04/ebola-virus-200-guinea-who-sierra-leone-liberia —- Handshakes and dust: Taliban release video of US PoW Bowe Bergdahl’s first taste of freedom —- Missing N American couple in ‘Taliban’ video http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-27707483 —- China’s Tiananmen Square locked down by security forces on 25th anniversary Exactly 25 years after China’s fledgling pro-democracy movement was brutally suppressed by the country’s military, security forces close down Tiananmen Square —- Thousands gather in Hong Kong to remember Tiananmen killings Crowds pack Hong Kong’s Victoria Park to demand the truth about the Tiananmen crackdown 25 years ago and to call for an end to an assault on Communist Party critics that many view as the worst since 1989 —- Missing Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370: Now Australia outsources the daunting search for missing aircraft —- Thailand’s coup: brokered by the army and PDRC While the tourists continue to flock to Thailand’s beaches, things can very quickly get ugly http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/thailands-coup-brokered-by-the-army-and-pdrc-9480806.html TRIVIA QUIZ Today’s question. Which US mobster is quoted as saying ‘Capitalism is the legitimate racket of the ruling class’? —- Very close to my heart because my father landed on Gold Beach on D-Day. D-Day 70th anniversary: Ministry of Defence releases rare aerial photographs showing planning – and chaos – of ‘largest single military operation in the history of warfare’ —- D-Day in numbers http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/world-war-two/10843940/D-Day-in-numbers.html —- The man who prepared France for D-Day http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-27682001 —- The life and awful death of a Tamil asylum seeker in Australia Special report: Leo Seemanpillai was a hardworking 29-year-old plagued by the uncertainty of life in visa limbo, say friends —- Bowe Bergdahl: hero or traitor? War doesn’t allow an easy answer How can we be clear about what is heroic and what is traitorous when the mission is on ever-shifting sands? Bergdahl may have been delusional, but the whole game of war is delusional http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jun/04/bowe-bergdahl-returning-hero-or-traitor —- I Confronted Donald Trump in Dubai http://m.vice.com/read/i-confronted-donald-trump-in-dubai —- ‘Vanishing Island’ This short documentary profiles residents of the Isle de Jean Charles in Louisiana, as they confront a future threatened by sinking shorelines and rising seas. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/03/opinion/vanishing-island.html —- I mentioned this a few months ago but was poo pooed. Cannabis doubles younger men’s risk of infertility, study finds —- In pictures: Google Street View funnies —- Pictures of the day: 4 June 2014 —- Day in pictures: 4 June 2014 http://www.bbc.com/news/in-pictures-27695437 —- Photo highlights of the day – Wednesday The Guardian’s picture editors bring you a selection of the best photographs from around the world http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2014/jun/04/photo-highlights-wednesday » Posted By Kalima On June 5, 2014 @ 1:55 am Hello Aquarius. It’s the morning of the 2 nd here now, and even hotter today. Thursday the temps go down a bit, but not for long. In a month’s time our rainy season begins, and the heat and humidity becomes fierce. Our heat continues until about the end of September. Coming from a fairly cold European country, 25C is about my limit. Tokyo’s summers are a yearly battle of survival for me as it makes a long chronic illness that much worse. On with the fight!! 🙂 Yes, it’s not just the U.S. with your RW nutters trying to destroy the country, it’s in the U.K. too where since 2010, the Tories (conservatives) have once again managed to decimate, the poor, the sick and elderly, and what was left of the Middle Class. England was my second home, and I look forward to voting next year in the GE. Hope the rest of the Brits wake up in time too. Bringing international news here never gets boring. Instead it makes me realise over and over again how many people are suffering much more than we ever will, and how incredibly lucky we are even with all the bumps and warts. With still 768 million people without safe drinking water around the world, I feel blessed each time I turn on the tap. The Kochs are like the plague and need to be wiped out. Glad you enjoyed the pictures, they give us a chance to travel without ever leaving our computers. Hope to see you again soon. Enjoy what is left of your Sunday. » Posted By Kalima On June 1, 2014 @ 5:56 pm Hello Nirek. Five years is a long time to be held in captivity, and a long time to be away from home. I wish him all the best after his terrible ordeal and hope he gets the care and love that he needs. Peace to you and yours. » Posted By Kalima On June 1, 2014 @ 5:12 pm Good Morning Everyone! Welcome to the first day in June. Tokyo is unusually hot due to warm air shifting from China. Won’t cool down until next week Friday, and today I had to give in to the A/C. Have a good Sunday wherever you may be. Take care, be safe, stay warm and comfy or cool and dry. Sayonara from my still hot corner of Tokyo. Mata ne. Sunday’s Bits & Bobs SDF may get green light to rescue U.N. peacekeepers under attack —- Two die of heatstroke, over 200 hospitalized on scorching final day of May —- Japan, Australia consider submarine deal that could rattle China —- Tourists rate Tokyo top city http://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2014/05/31/editorials/tourists-rate-tokyo-top-city/ —- PICTURE OF THE DAY Getting a tan http://www.japantoday.com/category/picture-of-the-day/view/getting-a-tan 1,500,000 public sector workers prepare to strike —- Children suffer as cuts to legal aid penalise parents in court —- Friends: The One With Miriam’s Plot Nick’s wife is the power behind his increasingly rickety throne —- Chilcot inquiry reaches agreement on disclosure of Bush-Blair Iraq documents – live coverage —- Northern Ireland’s first minister called on to apologise publicly to Muslims Thousands attend rally in Belfast after Peter Robinson made comments backing a preacher denouncing Islam as evil —- Forget Ukip – euroscepticism in France would give Farage a run for his money The UK may see itself as the traditional voice of scepticism in Europe, but with the rise of Marine Le Pen’s Front National France’s view of the union is far from favourable —- Man ‘held over Brussels killings’ http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27654505 —- Poland’s medical tourism clinics offer half-price treatment to the world The Polish government is promoting the nation as a world-class centre for medicine: certainly the prices seem hard to argue with http://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/jun/01/poland-medical-tourism-half-price —- Ukraine’s first victory over eastern rebels leads Russia to show its hand In the last seven days, Ukraine’s bid to retake the east has gained ground – but Russia’s part in the turmoil has become increasingly obvious —- Guns and fighters seep through Ukraine’s porous Russian border Combatants engaged in last week’s fighting say walked into the country ‘to visit relatives’ at poorly policed checkpoints http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/31/ukraine-russia-porous-border-guns-fighters —- Ukraine crisis: Dark new narratives in Odessa http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27602941 —- Hope fades for climbers missing on US Mount Rainier http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-27654030 —- What Veterans Tell Us About Their Care The New York Times asked veterans around the country to share their experiences at V.A. hospitals and clinics. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/01/us/what-veterans-say-about-their-health-care.html —- That Old-Time Inequality Denial by Paul Krugman Now in new venues. http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/05/31/that-old-time-inequality-denial/ —- 7 Groups Attacking The President’s Plan To Cut Carbon Pollution, Even Though It Hasn’t Been Released Yet http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/05/30/3442251/carbon-pollution-rule-attacks/ —- U.S. Residential Solar Just Beat Commercial Installations For The First Time http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/05/31/3443520/us-residential-solar-beat-commercial/ —- Ah but he has an opinion about everything else else he knows little about. Boehner Says He’s ‘Not Qualified’ To Talk About Climate Science. Here’s How Scientists Responded. http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/05/29/3442887/scientists-rip-boehner-climate-comments/ —- Venezuela is world’s ‘most miserable country’ According to new research published by the Cato Institute, Venezuela is the most miserable country in the world. —- ‘Almost 2,000’ killed by Syria barrel bombs in 2014 http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-27633656 —- Tear gas used to disperse protesters marking one-year anniversary of Turkey protests Eighty arrested and 13 injured in night of violence on streets of Istambul —- How Sisi plotted to become Egypt’s president – even while Hosni Mubarak was in power Abdulfattah el-Sisi plotted a military takeover even while Hosni Mubarak was still in power and sees himself as Egypt’s saviour, writes Richard Spencer —- Mohamed bin Hammam accused of payments to help Qatar World Cup bid Former Fifa executive committee member allegedly paid millions into accounts of African football associations’ presidents —- Sudanese woman sentenced to hang will be freed ‘in a few days’ —- UN backlash as Uganda’s ‘anti-gay’ minister heads for human rights top job Questions are being asked about the suitability of appointing Sam Kutesa to lead ‘world parliament’ after his attack on homosexuality in his home country http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/01/uganda-anti-gay-minister-human-rights-kutesa —- Paranoid much? British woman ‘sentenced to 20 years in Iran for Facebook posts’ Iranian court sentences British woman and seven others to up to 20 years in jail for ‘anti-regime propaganda’ posted on Facebook —- Fifth arrest over gang-rape and murder of two cousins in India Two girls aged 14 and 15, were raped, killed and hanged from a mango tree in a small village in the state of Uttar Pradesh http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/31/fifth-arrest-gang-rape-murder-two-cousins-india —- India gang-rape: The relentless anguish of a village bereft after attack and murder of two teenage girls —- Pakistani strike ‘kills 16 militants’ near Afghan border http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27649716 —- US soldier held by Taliban in Afghanistan freed after five years —- Australia resettles 500 Afghan helpers The helpers, mostly interpreters and their families, get refugee visas as fulfillment of country’s ‘moral obligation’. —- China accuses US defence chief Chuck Hagel and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of ‘provocative’ speeches Delegates clash at meeting of Asia security forum in Singapore —- Thai military floods Bangkok with troops to shut down potential protests More than 5,000 police and soldiers ensure demonstrations against last month’s coup cannot take place http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/01/thai-military-floods-bangkok-troops-shut-down-protest D-Day, 70 years on: ‘We watched an American destroyer slowly demolished by shore batteries’ Seventy years ago, the Observer vividly covered the Normandy landings. Here Richard Strout gives an eyewitness account, while below we reproduce extracts from news and analysis http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/01/d-day-70-years-on-observer-normany-landings —- Maya Angelou was able to rise, but as for most African Americans, race equality is still only a dream Out of America: Reparations, according to an article by Ta-Nehisi Coates, are less a matter of dollars than of accepting ‘our collective biography and its consequences’ —- How China’s young idealists are turning to the soil http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-27641632 —- Heroin Users in U.S. 90% White, Live Outside Urban Areas http://bloomberg.com/news/2014-05-28/heroin-users-are-90-percent-white-living-outside-urban-a.html —- Brazil’s sex trade: How the country’s one million prostitutes are preparing for the World Cup —- I’m happy to drift along with Google at the wheel. Ukip’s another matter Driverless cars make my indolence and nervousness about learning to drive look like sound intuition —- Animal photos of the week: 30 May 2014 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/earth/10865087/Animal-photos-of-the-week.html —- In pictures: African Fire- Paul Goldstein’s Masai Mara sunsets —- The week in pictures: 30 May 2014 —- Week in pictures: 24-30 May 2014 http://www.bbc.com/news/in-pictures-27633657 —- The 20 photographs of the week The continuing crisis in Ukraine, Gareth Bale and the Champions League final, Pope Francis in Jerusalem – the best photography in news, culture and sport from around the world this week http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2014/may/31/photography-ukraine » Posted By Kalima On June 1, 2014 @ 1:26 am Hello Nirek, always a real pleasure to find you here. The door is always open so you can come back as many times as you want to. Happy that you enjoy the pictures from around the world, I think that they are rather special too. Take care. Please excuse the delay in replying, and hope to see you again soon. Peace to you and yours. » Posted By Kalima On May 31, 2014 @ 6:51 pm Hello Aquarius and so sorry about the delay in answering, it’s been a busy week with one of my cousins from Germany here. I felt so sorry to hear of your daughter’s misfortune with breaking here leg. How awful for her. Glad to hear that she got good care and that people were kind to her though. Although not a pleasant circumstance, your husband was able to come to Japan to be with her. I’ve been in hospital three times here, so I can relate to the fish for breakfast ordeal. I was lucky because either my husband or my mother-in-law came by every morning to bring me food and then scoffed down my hospital breakfast. 🙂 For my first year here my husband and his friends translated for me. Then they got a bit tired so I bought a dictionary and ventured out by myself. It was fun and sometimes hilarious as I made many mistakes, but eventually it clicked and suddenly I could understand the tv. Not long after, the magic of forming actual sentences began. Life here became that much easier. 😀 Well done to your daughter for completing her studies. “Go Women in Science”, indeed! Look forward to seeing you here again soon. Take care. » Posted By Kalima On May 31, 2014 @ 6:38 pm Hello kes, the door to MB is always open, I never lock it. In Asia mental illness is thought of as a shameful thing. Until a decade ago I saw few wheelchairs in the street as the disabled were kept out of sight in their homes. A lot has changed while a lot still stays the same, and even now the mental illness of a family member is not discussed in public. It’s part of the Asian culture and happens in many countries. Yes I’m sure that the hospital staff rolled their eyes in private at the “constipated” guy, I know that I did. 🙄 There are hundreds of effective treatments available over the counter at any chemist shop. Ukip just can’t help themselves from showing their racism and homophobia. There are stories again today so Nasty Little Nigel should stop saying that they are not a racist party because they absolutely are. Nigel who? 😆 As for the conservative Canadian government, seems that they are now harassing the weather guys and girls. Love the old black and white and sepia pictures. Very pleased that they were preserved for us to see whether brutal or thought provoking. It was a war that claimed the most lives, and we can’t turn our backs on history. Well your trivia answer was correct. How’s about that then? Have a peaceful day and see you again soon. Take care. » Posted By Kalima On May 29, 2014 @ 3:01 am Good Morning Everyone! Well, German cousin left for Hawaii yesterday and will be there for the next three weeks. Tokyo is humid and dull today, with temps reaching 28C. My least favourite time of itching and scratching begins. Have a good day wherever you may be. Take care, be safe, stay warm and comfy or cool and dry. Sayonara from my early evening corner of Tokyo. Mata ne. A few stories and opinions from around the globe. NRA gives go-ahead to No. 1 ice wall —- Tritium levels at Fukushima No. 1 top Pacific Ocean dumping limit, Tepco admits —- Typical!!! Gov’t to replace anti-nuclear members on industry regulator —- Tanker hit by explosion in Seto Inland Sea, 1 missing http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20140529p2g00m0dm033000c.html —- North Korea talks fall flat on abduction issue —- The CEO got a huge raise. You didn’t. Here’s why. http://www.japantoday.com/category/opinions/view/the-ceo-got-a-huge-raise-you-didnt-heres-why —- PICTURE OF THE DAY Wedding memory http://www.japantoday.com/category/picture-of-the-day/view/wedding-memory INTERNATIONAL NEWS Good Lord, and these people are winning in the polls? They say something that’s racists almost every week. Ukip branch chairman: ‘London is being ethnically cleansed of white people’ —- Ukip sacks newly elected councillor over ‘racist and homophobic remarks’ Dave Small sacked by Ukip just six days after he was elected to Redditch Borough Council —- Middle classes will disappear in next 30 years warns Government adviser Property price rises will cause the middle classes to disappear within 30 years leaving only a “wealthy elite and sprawling proletariat”, government adviser says —- 😯 House of Commons spent more than £1m on alcohol New figures reveal the House of Commons spent more than £1m buying thousands of bottles of wine and champagne —- Twelve ways to fix British politics Our politicians have lost all credibility. If they want us to engage with them, they had better mend their ways http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/may/28/twelve-ways-to-fix-politics-suzanne-moore —- Presidents of Russia and France to discuss Ukraine crisis in Paris Talks will be Vladimir Putin’s first meeting with the head of state of a major western power since Russia’s annexation of Crimea —- Europe: Weaning itself off Russian energy Russia’s invasion of Crimea has accelerated European efforts to cultivate new sources of energy. —- A picture of the worst of RW and Far Right Europe. Their collective smiles are both eerie and sickening. They are all flaming racists. Buoyant Le Pen seeks more allies for Eurosceptic group in Brussels Front National leader partners with Italian, Dutch, Austrian and Belgian parties and says she is confident of adding others http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/28/marine-le-pen-eurosceptic-bloc-brussels —- The Front National’s victory reflects a failure of France’s elite This political earthquake comes at a time of huge national doubt about France’s future and its mainstream parties, both right and left http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/may/28/front-national-victory-failure-of-frances-elite —- Mafia informant says Italian politicians helped build criminal empire Mafia boss-turned-informant says Italian politicians are all as corrupt as each other, regardless of which party they come from —- 400 migrants break through border fence in Spain’s African enclave Melilla Autonomous Spanish city, a piece of European territory in north Africa, is becoming popular target for asylum seekers http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/28/melilla-spain-morocco-400-migrants-break-fence —- Ukraine crisis: Hit Russia harder with sanctions and give us military aid, says leader —- Ukraine’s voters have no one to turn to Those who weren’t scared away from the ballot box faced a truly uninspiring choice —- Obama: US must show restraint abroad President Barack Obama promises a US foreign policy based on “collective action” with allies abroad and funds to train allies to fight terrorism. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-27606536 —- President Said to Be Planning to Use Executive Authority on Carbon Rule President Obama’s proposed regulation to cut pollution from coal-fired power plants by up to 20 percent would be the strongest action taken by an American president to tackle climate change. —- Angelou ‘brightest light’ says Obama US President Barack Obama leads tributes to Maya Angelou, describing the poet, author and activist as “one of the brightest lights of our time”. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-27606776 —- US veterans waited 115 days for care http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-27613999 —- How Big a V.A. Scandal? Autopsy reports, death certificates and other documents are still being obtained and analyzed. —- Chamber Of Commerce Blasts EPA Rule That Doesn’t Exist http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/05/28/3442314/chamber-of-commerce-epa-carbon-study/ —- Cheap Climate Protection by Paul Krugman Unintended support from the US Chamber of Commerce. http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/05/28/cheap-climate-protection/ —- Right!!! Next thing we will hear is that he lives in the North Pole and his real name is Santa. 🙄 Snowden Says He Was a Spy, Not Just an N.S.A. Analyst In an interview with NBC News, Edward J. Snowden said American officials were trying to play down the importance of his intelligence jobs. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/29/us/politics/snowden-says-he-was-a-spy-not-just-an-analyst.html —- Leaving Homeless Person On The Streets: $31,065. Giving Them Housing: $10,051. http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2014/05/27/3441772/florida-homeless-financial-study/ —- All without a single fact or logical explanation of course. Pathetic. Rush Limbaugh pins blame on Hunger Games for Elliot Rodger killings The rightwing commentator suggested the violence in The Hunger Games, which Rodger’s father worked on, could have inspired the killing spree http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/may/29/rush-limbaugh-blame-hunger-games-elliot-rodger —- The Gun Report: May 28, 2014 A day in the life of armed America. http://nocera.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/05/28/the-gun-report-may-28-2014/ —- The Canadian Government Doesn’t Let Its Meteorologists Talk About Climate Change http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/05/28/3442208/meteorologists-climate-change/ —- An election in Syria? it’s the Twilight Zone. Expat Syrians join the crush to support Assad in ‘parody election’ Lebanese troops using batons and sticks to beat them back as voting abroad started ahead of June’s national election —- US ‘to increase support to Syrian opposition’ Barack Obama reportedly ready to sign off on training programmes for moderate rebels to counter rise of Al Qaeda-linked extremists —- UN chemical weapons observers ‘attacked’ in Syria Investigators for OPCW watchdog reportedly come under fire as they try to visit town where chlorine gas attacks were reported —- Egypt: An extra polling day but still hardly anyone wants to vote —- See what can happen if you don’t vote. *sigh* Egypt’s Sisi heads for victory after voting extended Egyptian authorities scramble to rescue the country’s presidential election from the embarrassment of low voter turnout —- Hamas prepares for unity government with last cabinet meeting in Gaza City Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas to announce make-up of Hamas-Fatah unity government after seven-year feud http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/28/hamas-unity-government-last-cabinet-meeting-gaza-city —- Rogue Libya general’s forces bomb Islamist camp http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-27610768 —- US tells its citizens to leave Libya amid unrest http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-27599301 —- One killed in South Africa airport shooting Man believed to have shot his girlfriend dead and injured three others before turning gun on himself at Cape Town airport —- Four more girls than previously thought escape from Boko Haram kidnappers Despite announcement by Nigerian education official, 219 of those abducted last month from Chibok are still missing http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/28/four-girls-escape-boko-haram —- Two India girls ‘gang-raped’ and hanged in Uttar Pradesh http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-27615590 —- Pakistan stoning victim’s husband condemns police http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27614760 —- China sentences 55 people in Xinjiang stadium http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-27600397 —- Six elderly people in China kill themselves ‘before burial ban’ Suicides in Anqing reported to be a reaction to new regulations ordering that those who die after 1 June should be cremated —- Thai army tightens grip on media Military has reportedly blocked about 200 websites and several TV channels in the wake of last week’s coup. —- Missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370: Stricken jet’s final resting place is not in Indian Ocean search zone, admit officials http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/australasia/missing-malaysian-airlines-flight-mh370-stricken-jets-final-resting-place-is-not-in-indian-ocean-search-zone-admit-officials-9450209.html TRIVIA QUIZ The answer to Sunday’s question was Chicago, and we have a winner. Well done kes!! 🙂 Today’s question. What president so feared the number 13 that he would summon his secretary to White House dinners when a 14th person was needed at the table? —- Maya Angelou – obituary Maya Angelou was a black American author whose chronicle of her dirt-poor upbringing became a literary sensation http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/10860545/Maya-Angelou-obituary.html —- Maya Angelou’s Poem “On the Pulse of Morning” https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=59xGmHzxtZ4 —- A History of the First World War in 100 Moments: Gotcha! Over a Hertfordshire field, a ‘kill’ that made history as a German airship is shot down —- Growing up in the shadow of the mafia http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-27588572 —- Cynics three times more likely to suffer from dementia People who see the world around them in a negative light appear to be at increased risk of cognitive decline in later life —- Huh? 😯 Don’t hide dead bodies in the toilet, British Airways cabin crew warned in BBC documentary —- Striking skylines from Paris to Hong Kong: Christopher Hauser displays photographs at London Festival of Architecture —- Pictures of the day: 28 May 2014 —- Day in pictures: 28 May 2014 http://www.bbc.com/news/in-pictures-27601242 —- Photo highlights of the day The Guardian’s picture editors bring you a selection of the best photographs from around the world http://www.theguardian.com/news/gallery/2014/may/28/photo-highlights-of-the-day » Posted By Kalima On May 29, 2014 @ 2:07 am Hello Aquarius, and welcome to MB. Yes the two stories you mentioned are jaw dropping. The serial rapist who re offended once, should be released in that judge’s community, see how their neighbourhood would react. Well in reality, they shouldn’t be released at all of course. The latest senseless killing spree by a 22 year old with grudges like a teenager, absolutely should be blamed on all those against new gun control laws, especially the NRA and the slimy politicians who vote against saving innocent lives. It is enablement of these tragic events, and no amount of spin will change that. They are responsible. Yes, everyone who can vote, must vote out these people who care nothing about the lives of Americans. How interesting that your daughter studied here. I’m sure that if she returned now she would find many changes. Tokyo is now the most populated capital city in the world with 34,000,000 in Tokyo and its suburbs. I used to bring the international news every day, but since the spread of paywalls on the Internet and my sources, it’s down to twice a week now unfortunately. Still, I try to bring stories that are of interest to everyone, and I’m glad that you found your way here. Hope you will stop by again, and that you are having a peaceful Memorial Day. Take care. » Posted By Kalima On May 26, 2014 @ 4:15 pmComments Posted By Kalima
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• No effective military force to counter it
• A UN summit could help
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The surveillance state lives on in a different guise
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Top civil servant agrees principles of handing over informatio
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