-
-
Malaysian leader quits to avoid humiliation.
Prime minister Abdullah Badawi he will hand post to deputy Najib Razak. Najib has been caught up in a torrid sex and murder scandal and two of his bodyguards are currently standing trial for the murder of the mistress of one of Najib's senior policy advisers. Prime minister Abdullah Badawi he will hand post to deputy Najib Razak. Najib has been caught up in a torrid sex and murder scandal ... more
-
Riot police battle thousands of anti-government demonstrators in Bangkok.
Thailand's five-month political stand-off boiled over today as police
battled thousands of anti-government protesters who attempted to storm the
parliament buildings in Bangkok. Thailand's five-month political stand-off boiled over today as police ... more -
This is the song I will blast when Obama wins the election
What will you play?
-
Canadian guilty in plot to behead prime minister
BRAMPTON, Ontario - A Canadian man accused of participating in military exercises and firearms training as part of a group authorities say plotted to storm Parliament and behead the prime minister was found guilty Thursday.
The man's attorney says the plot was a "jihadi fantasy" and that his client knew nothing about it.
A judge ruled Thursday that evidence of a terrorist group was "overwhelming." The man is the first person to be found guilty of a terrorist offense in Canada since the country enacted anti-terrorism laws in 2001.
The arrests of the 18 group members, known as the "Toronto 18," made headlines around the world and heightened fears in Canada, where people believe they are relatively immune from terrorist strikes.
Prosecutors said there were plans to truck-bomb nuclear power plants and a building housing Canada's spy service.
Seven of those arrested have since had their charges either withdrawn, or stayed. The trials of 10 adults, including the alleged ringleaders, have yet to begin.
Superior Court Justice John Sproat found the man guilty of knowingly participating in a terrorist group. As the 94-page judgment was handed down, the defendant's mother wept quietly in the back of the court.
The man has not been identified because he was 17, a legal minor, when he was arrested in 2006. He is now 20.
Prosecutors argued he attended a training camp where he participated in military exercises and firearms training and that he knowingly participated in a potentially deadly conspiracy. He had pleaded not guilty to terrorism-related charges.
Sproat rejected the defense argument that the plot was a "jihadi fantasy" that the defendant knew nothing about.
"He clearly understood the camp was for terrorist purposes," he said.
The defense, with the help of the prosecution's star witness, had cast the plot as "musings and fantasies" with no possibility of being carried out.
Sproat however said few would have believed the Sept. 11 attacks in the U.S. were a possibility before they happened.
"I'm satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that a terrorist group existed," Sproat said.
Sproat rejected defense arguments that two camps organized by the alleged ringleaders were simply a religious retreat or recreational in nature. "Apparently benign activities may be used to identify and indoctrinate recruits," he said.
Sproat noted that participants marched, played paintball games, shot a handgun and heard lectures on waging war against the West. He also called the young man an "acolyte" of the "charismatic" ringleader.
Evidence was clear the youth listened carefully to his mentor, the plot's ringleader, and wanted to please him, and therefore understood what the camps were about, the judge said.
"He had a full appreciation of the nature of the terrorist group," Sproat said.
The prosecution's star witness, Mubin Shaikh, infiltrated and spied on the alleged terror cell members before their arrests. Shaikh is a former Canadian army cadet and Islamic activist.
Defense lawyer Mitchell Chernovsky had noted that even Shaikh testified that his client was unaware of a plot. Shaikh said outside court that the youth should not have been found guilty. BRAMPTON, Ontario - A Canadian man accused of participating in military exercises and firearms training as part of a group authorities... more -
'Rainbow Room': New Zealand's dedicates room in Parliament to LGBT ...
A committee room in New Zealand's Parliament has been dedicated to the country's LGBT history.
Select committee room 11 - now dubbed 'the Rainbow room', will stand as a testament to the struggles queer people have faced in New Zealand, and the struggles they continue to face today. It joins already existent Pacific, Maori, Asian, and suffrage rooms.
Speaker of the House Margaret Wilson, who officiated the launch, described the dedication as an important new date in the chronology of queer history in New Zealand. "It is a milestone in a long journey to full citizenship for gay, lesbian, and transgender New Zealanders," Wilson said. "Our parliament is a house of representatives, and it gives me great pleasure to know that in 2008 it is increasingly reflective of our diverse population." A committee room in New Zealand's Parliament has been dedicated to the country's LGBT history. ... more -
South African President resigns after coup.
Thabo Mbeki, South Africas president has been forced to resign just as his term is nearly finished. This leaves an interim position to fill for what is seemingly Jacob Zuma's job once elections are held. Thabo Mbeki, South Africas president has been forced to resign just as his term is nearly finished. This leaves an interim position t... more
-
Third Session of the Scottish Parliament (2007) Part 1 of 2
In June 2007, the Scottish Parliament began it's third session and to celebrate the Queen, Parliament and People of Scotland with a day long event beginning with the old Scots tradition of the Riding which in 2007 started at the top of the Royal Mile and continued down the Mile to Holyrood Park, outside the Parliament. The Queen gave an address to members of Parliament which was then followed by a outdoor music concert called 'Picnic in the Parliament' which was a free event attracting many people from Scotland. The day felt very Scottish and I felt proud to be there. I noticed however that the turn out could have been better but most people don't have so much connection with the Queen. I went along to film the event and to celebrate my country of Scotland. This film took a week to edit so I hope you like it as I put quite a bit more effort into this one. In June 2007, the Scottish Parliament began it's third session and to celebrate the Queen, Parliament and People of Scotland with... more
-
Zambia acting president refuses bill
A bill proposing the pay rise for cabinet ministers has been refused by Zambia's acting president, Rupiah Banda. He refused to sign the bill into law and has promised to take the bill back to Parliament for reconsideration. He said he will not assent the bill into law and pave way for the increments.
Banda told his supporters ahead of the October’s presidential election that although the country has scored positive economic gains in the last seven years, many Zambians are still wallowing in poverty, hence the need to reconsider certain proposals.
He said the cost of food stuffs in the country had risen in the recent past and therefore, it was only fair to reconsider issues concerning salary increments for certain officer holders.
“I have listened to the concerns of the Zambian people regarding salaries.
I have not yet signed legislation concerning salary pay rises for constitutional office holders and I ask my colleagues to look at it again,” he said.
Mr. Banda added that, “I will be sending it back to Parliament”. A few weeks ago, Members of Parliament debated a bill and approved it proposing that there be a 15 per cent pay rise on salaries and other allowances of constitution office holders.
source:
Sanday Chongo Kabange,
AfricaNews
Lusaka, Zambia A bill proposing the pay rise for cabinet ministers has been refused by Zambia's acting president, Rupiah Banda. He refused to si... more -
Hemp Activist Rick Simpson to run as Independent in Federal Election
I am offering the Canadian public a cure for cancer and many other diseases.
Over the last three years I have made hemp oil available to hundreds of people with a variety of diseases and conditions. The results have been astounding.
Hemp, also called cannabis or marijuana has been known throughout history to be the most medicinal plant in the world. Why has this plant been so restricted for medicinal use in Canada? When oils are made from hemp containing a high percentage of THC the resulting oils have amazing healing powers.
This drug is literally a cure-all that can be easily produced on a large scale at a very reasonable cost. When you work with this drug, miracles become everyday events.
Big money and corruption have seen to it that hemp has been restricted to the public. Governments pass laws and produce propaganda to brainwash the public into believing that hemp is harmful. I'm here to tell you that it is not. I have sworn affidavits from dozens of folks who had serious medical conditions and hemp oil worked wonders for them.
The pharmaceutical industry sold hemp-based medicine for decades, they know all about hemp's healing power. These companies sold the public what I would consider a watered down version of hemp medicine, mostly in tinctures and hash resin pain pills. I can't find any evidence that these companies ever sold the public real high-grade hemp oil or resins. It seems they kept the real medicine from the public using the same reasoning as today; you can't sell the people medicine if you heal them, so the public never gets the good stuff.
In February of 2003 I cured my own cancer. I then began a campaign to prove what this oil could do. I started contacting every politician and organization I could think of.
This is a list of who was contacted about hemp curing cancer in 2003, 2004 and 2005.
Sep 13, 2003 - RCMP raid. I told them that hemp oil cures cancer.
Oct 10, 2003 - Letter to Dr. David Suzuki, second letter November 2003.
Nov 05, 2003 - Hon. Anne McLellan, MP, Minster of Health, Ottawa, ON.
Nov 05, 2003 - Hon. Murray Scott, MLA Nova Scotia.
Nov 12, 2003 - Hon. Darrell Dexter, MLA Nova Scotia.
Nov 12, 2003 - Hon. Jack Layton, MP, Leader, NDP, Ottawa, ON.
Nov 12, 2003 - Marc Emery, Cannabis Culture Magazine.
Jan., 2004 - Meeting with Hon. Wm. (Bill) Casey MP, Nova Scotia.
Jan 22, 2004 - Canadian Cancer Society, National Office, Toronto, ON.
Jan 22, 2004 - Canadian Cancer Society, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Sep 08, 2004 - Hon. Ujjal Dosanjh, MP, Minister of Health, Ottawa, ON.
Nov 29, 2004 - Const. Simon Roy, RCMP Drug Squad, Truro, Nova Scotia.
Offered to show him evidence, but he wouldn't come.
Apr 25, 2005 - CTV Public Affairs programme W Five, no response
Apr 25, 2005 - CBC Public Affairs programme Fifth Estate, no response
May 06, 2005 - RCMP Amherst Detachment, Amherst, Nova Scotia.
Letter and Videotape - No response.
Apr 16, 2005 - Meeting at Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 134, Maccan, NS.
Aug 27, 2005 - Meeting at Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 134, Maccan, NS.
No one I have contacted about this situation has lifted a finger, they won't even come and look at the evidence. Now I want to know why these parties refused to act when I contacted them. Two years have passed and because of their inaction people are still suffering and dying needlessly. I place the full blame for hemp's restrictions in medicine right at the door of the party system. The parties put the laws in place in 1923 and they continue with these restrictive laws to the present day. No one has the right to tell you that you can't use the most medicinal plant in the world to heal yourself. Anyone with a lick of common sense would know that. I am offering the Canadian public a cure for cancer and many other diseases. ... more -
Rwanda first country to elect female majority
FROM gaining the right to vote to holding office, women have achieved much in the battle for equal political rights. But on many counts, progress has been slow. In the 100 years since women were first elected to a national parliament, only 18.4% of seats worldwide are currently held by women. To address this, some 110 countries have introduced rules to help women get elected. Rwanda's has been the most successful—this week, thanks to a 30% seat guarantee, it became the first country in the world to elect a majority of women to parliament. Opponents of quotas say that women such as Tzipi Livni, the new leader of Israel's ruling party, do pretty well without them. FROM gaining the right to vote to holding office, women have achieved much in the battle for equal political rights. But on many count... more
-
Negative ads an integral part of election
University of Toronto political scientist Nelson Wiseman expressed surprise that Conservatives are going so negative so early in the campaign given that they're ahead in polls. Usually, negative ads are deployed later in a campaign by the losing camp. University of Toronto political scientist Nelson Wiseman expressed surprise that Conservatives are going so negative so early in the c... more
-
Canada's Parliament is Dissolved
(TORONTO) — Canada's prime minister dissolved Parliament on Sunday and called an early election next month in hopes of strengthening his Conservative minority government's hold on power. (TORONTO) — Canada's prime minister dissolved Parliament on Sunday and called an early election next month in hopes of strengthen... more
-
Canadian PM to call snap election
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper's office has confirmed he will call an early general election.
Dimitri Soudas, a spokesman for the prime minister, said voting would be held on 14 October.
Mr Harper had hinted in recent weeks that elections were inevitable to break a deadlock with opposition parties on several key issues.
His Conservative Party was elected in 2006, but does not have an overall majority in parliament.
The prime minister will meet with Governor-General Michaelle Jean on Sunday morning to ask for parliament's dissolution - which would lead to the third national election in just over three years.
The Governor-General represents Canada's head of state, Queen Elizabeth II, whose formal approval is needed to dissolve parliament.
The call for elections comes days after a poll which showed the Conservative government to be leading in the polls after a surge in popularity.
They need to win an additional 28 seats to have a majority in parliament, and analysts say they have a better chance of doing so now rather than waiting until the opposition decides to call a vote.
Mr Harper's Conservatives ended 12 years of Liberal government after elections in 2006.
His party claimed 36% of the popular vote by promising to cut taxes, fight crime, boost military spending and to repair relations with the US.
He went on to form a minority administration, but has been dogged by clashes with opposition parties, whose agreement he needed to pass legislation. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper's office has confirmed he will call an early general election. ... more -
Fire breaks out at Egypt's Parliament
A fire has broken out in Egypt's upper house of parliament in the capital city of Cairo, a security official says.
"Five emergency service staff were taken to a nearby hospital after suffering smoke-related injuries," the official told AFP on Tuesday.
"The fire is currently limited to the Shura Council's second floor. We are still trying to determine the exact cause of the fire," the official added.
The official said the fire "could have been caused by an electrical short-circuit" in the Building, Egypt's state-run Channel One reported.
All roads in the area have been closed off, allowing access only to emergency services and authorities. A fire has broken out in Egypt's upper house of parliament in the capital city of Cairo, a security official says. ... more -
Sam Sparro Backstage
On this Daily Fix Backstage we head into the studio with Australian born singer, songwriter, and producer, Sam Sparro, to get his fantasy festival line-up and find out where he gets his musical traits. On this Daily Fix Backstage we head into the studio with Australian born singer, songwriter, and producer, Sam Sparro, to get his fant... more
-
Eco-town protesters march on Parliament
Hundreds of environmental campaigners from the 15 sites earmarked for England's 'eco-towns' held a demonstration at Parliament to protest the plans. The Campaign to Protect Rural England say building new towns is the least sustainable way of developing houses and list the following concerns about the proposed eco-towns:
-The schemes risk being car-dependent housing estates
-Most are predominantly in greenfield sites, and two are in the Green Belt
-Most go against local plans agreed with communities
-The sites have been chosen by developers, rather than fitting in with planning in the wider public interest
-Lack of evidence to suggest schemes will offer truly sustainable models of living and working
-Three bids are in the east of England where, according to CPRE, water supply and sewerage have already reached maximum capacity Hundreds of environmental campaigners from the 15 sites earmarked for England's 'eco-towns' held a demonstration at Par... more -
Brown wins terrorism 42-day detention plan
The controversial plans to allow terrorism suspects to be held for 42 days instead of 28 days were narrowly approved yesterday evening.
The government won by nine votes, with 315 MPs backing its position and 306 MPs voting against it.
Much has been said about the controversial plans, with human rights claiming it is unreasonable and some MPs claiming it's necessary.
Sky News sums up why Gordon is so keen to rock the vote:
"Although Mr Brown has insisted the clash with rebels is not a vote of confidence in his leadership, defeat on 42 days would be a devastating blow to his authority."
http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,91211-1318664,00... The controversial plans to allow terrorism suspects to be held for 42 days instead of 28 days were narrowly approved yesterday evening... more -
Is personal carbon trading the way to slow down climate change?
Personal carbon trading would provide a set "carbon emissions allowance" to each citizen and establish a national carbon budget. Individuals would then be able to trade their carbon credits with one another on a designated carbon market if they chose to purchase additional energy or to partake in activities that would exceed the allowed emissions limit, such as riding a plane. Personal carbon trading would provide a set "carbon emissions allowance" to each citizen and establish a national carbon bud... more
-
Tories sweep Crewe and Nantwich by-election
The Conservative Party achieved their first by-election gain in 26 years early this morning as Edward Timpson comfortably took the Parliamentary seat from Labour, winning 7,860 more votes than his rival. The contest followed the death of Labour MP Gwyneth Dunwoody. Many believed the seat was safe for Labour, and apparently they called the contest early in hopes of stopping the Conservative momentum, but to no avail. It's been reported that this is one more in a series of major blows for Gordon Brown.
Image: Leon Neal/Getty Images The Conservative Party achieved their first by-election gain in 26 years early this morning as Edward Timpson comfortably took the Par... more -
Pakistan's Parliament has more women (as a %) than the UK & US Parliament...
Often Muslim countries are seen in the West as having negative attitudes towards women and women being oppressed yet the Islamic Republic of Pakistan has more women in its parliament than the US and UK parliaments.
Pakistan has 22% women in its parliament compared to only 16.8% in the US and 19.5% in the UK parliament!
Even in Kyrgyzstan a mainly Muslim nation (with 75% being Muslim) have more women in parliament (25%) beating Pakistan, US, and the UK!
Women in Islam have simular rights to men even though unfortunatly not all people act on Islamic teachings. Often Muslim countries are seen in the West as having negative attitudes towards women and women being oppressed yet the Islamic Repub... more
-
related topics
Parliament
Contributors (76)
Parliament
