Category Archives: Politics

Where are the 12,000 US Soldiers on Malta?

A few days ago, on 13 January 2012, Cynthia McKinney, a former six-term member of US Congress, wrote on her blog: It is with great disappointment that I receive the news from foreign media publications and Libyan sources that our … Continue reading

Posted in Libya, Malta, Military, Politics, USA | Tagged , | 72 Comments

A Tale of Two Ships: How Europe welcomes Refugees

“Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” Emma Lazarus: The New Colossus … Continue reading

Posted in Europe, Human Rights, Immigration Law, Italy, Politics, Travel | Tagged , | 39 Comments

Why North Korea is Mourning

The world wondered why North Koreans were weeping, crying, sobbing and mourning the late dictator Kim Jong Il‘s death on 17 December 2011. After all, he had oppressed and starved them for 17 years. See for yourself how North Koreans … Continue reading

Posted in North Korea, Politics | Tagged , , , | 18 Comments

The Afghan Economy in Numbers

Time since the West has been present and active in Afghanistan: 10 years And what have we achieved? GDP per capita (2010): 900 $ Unemployment: 35 % Average hourly wage for graduates (2010): 0.56 $ proportion of the economy that … Continue reading

Posted in Afghanistan, Economics, Politics | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

“Be nice to people on your way up, because you might meet them on your way down.”

If you always thought that “Be nice to people on your way up, because you might meet them on your way down” is a silly saying, you might want to consider the following case in point, brought to us by Muammar … Continue reading

Posted in Libya, Politics | Tagged | 3 Comments

Progress in the United Kingdom

After a mere 300 years, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has found the time to modernise the laws on royal succession: Girls born into the royal family will no longer need to cede the throne to … Continue reading

Posted in Law, Politics, UK | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

Fortschritt in Großbritannien

Nach schlappen 300 Jahren macht man sich hier in Großbritannien – bzw. wie der offizielle Titel des Landes lautet: im Vereinigten Königreich von Großbritannien und Nordirland – mal wieder daran, die Regeln über die Thronfolge zu modernisieren: In Zukunft soll das erstgeborene … Continue reading

Posted in Politics, UK | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Death to the dictator, and one more wife for me please!

I am happy for Libyans that they have toppled, with just a bit of help from NATO, the dictatorship of Muammar Gaddafi. Many Libyans have shown great courage and resilience which may serve as an example to other oppressed peoples in … Continue reading

Posted in Family Law, Human Rights, Islam, Law, Libya, Politics | Tagged , , , , | 11 Comments

A Match made in Italy

Sometimes you know of two people and you want to bring them together because you just know that they will hit it off: I know of this old guy in Italy. He just turned 75 last week, but he is … Continue reading

Posted in Italy, Love, Politics | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Women, you are allowed to vote. – For me. If at all.

Last weekend, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia has announced that women might in future be allowed to stand as candidates in municipal elections and “will even have a right to vote”. Among women’s rights activists, excitement and optimism have been … Continue reading

Posted in Human Rights, Law, Politics, Saudi Arabia | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments