The real issue is not the size of the Cabinet 

but its performance 

Wednesday, 16 September 2015

There seems to be much dissatisfaction about the size and the composition of the present Cabinet, but, it is time to accept the state of affairs and turn the spotlight on the performance of the Cabinet Ministers.

The Real Issue is Not the Size of the Cabinet but Its Performance by Thavam Ratna

CID probe Karuna Amman for the murder of MP Joseph Pararajasingham

- Sep 15, 2015

The Criminal Investigation Department has started an extensive inquiry against the former MP Vinayagamoorthi Muralidaran alias Karuna Amman for the murder of the former TNA MP Joseph Pararajasingham who was killed.

A special police team attached to the CID has started the investigation of this murder.

‘Politinkering’ with the Constitution

‘Politinkering’ with the Constitution

Fragments.-by Uditha Devapriya-September 12 2015

Ideological orientation can divide those who preach the same thing. It is hence astounding how those who favour end bicker over process. It is also unbelievable that those who privilege certain (political) outcomes can debate with (and against) both colleague and foe. Federalists, hence, have a gripe with nationalists, but this does not preclude them from arguing with other federalists.

Jayampathy Wickramaratne authored the much praised and little understood 19th Amendment, along with two other experts. He claimed, rightly, that it would dilute the Executive Presidency, but not absolutely. So he offered a solution: “Revamp the 1978 Constitution!” Puzzling, because if “revamp” was what the doctor prescribed, then why on earth did he offer a “painkiller” for the “malady” through an amendment?

Among those who noted this was Dayan Jayatilleka. In a context where the likes of Wimal Weerawansa and Vasudeva Nanayakkara are together, never mind how strange that combination sounds, it is not surprising to see that both he and Wickramaratne are against one other here. Both are for the 13th Amendment. Both are for devolution. Logically therefore, that the one’s take on the 19th Amendment differs from the other must be owing more to disagreement over process than to differences over ideological bent.

Seven months before the Sirisena defection, Jayatilleka had this to say about Wickramaratne’s abolitionist-stance on the Executive Presidency:

“Contrary to Dr Jayampathy Wickramaratne’s prognostication, President Rajapaksa will not abolish the Presidency in order to take the wind out of the sails of either a single issue common candidate or a rebellion in the UPFA ranks which has as its rallying cry the abolition of the Presidency. All he needs to do is to call a referendum on the issue, pitch it as a danger to the Sinhalese in the face of external and irredentist pressures, and he will win a crushing victory over the dissidents. He can then go into the presidential and parliamentary elections with an even stronger hand than he otherwise would.”

For Jayatilleka, the viability of a common candidate could be judged on whether or not that candidate pledged to do away with the Executive Presidency, a pledge Jayatilleka no doubt likened to political hara-kiri when he observed that no rational voter would support a candidate who promised to undo himself by un-strapping the presidency.

That was then though. Times have changed. The 19th Amendment was passed and it deliberately skewed clarity (as has been noted by political commentators), particularly to market appeal for a National Government (a perusal of Article 46, for instance, will leave one wondering why it limited a Cabinet to 30 or 40 when a coalition could double or triple that amount as per the parliament’s prerogative). It didn’t do away with the Executive Presidency, true. But that’s just one step away.

Wickramaratne is an ideologue. So is Jayatilleka. What differentiates the one from the other, when it comes to the Constitution that is, is the way each accounts for exogenous variables without which neither federalists nor nationalists can sustain ideology for long. That is why the latter, for the most, has been (more) able to critique not just federal-speak but also attempts to dilute the Executive Presidency, even when that critique is at odds with his larger political stances, which are largely supportive of the 13th Amendment.

Nationalism. That’s another thing. Jayatilleka has shown again and again that, for all Wickramaratne’s political idealism, a get-your-pants-off approach to the J. R. Jayawardene Constitution cannot and will not work as long as it legitimises fears of the majority (social and ethnic), that is a stripping down of the security apparatus to a point where nationalist fears of outside intervention are realised.

The point is that without taking note of outside fears and addressing grievances, tinkering with the Constitution can yield fruit only at the cost of what Mahinda Rajapaksa implicitly instructed Maithripala Sirisena to improve on: a country rid of terrorism but not of the terrorist menace, one that is being manipulated by civil society in the name of plurality to affirm minoritarianism (which in no way justifies the Rajapaksa regime’s perceived majoritarianism, by the way).

Here’s why.

No rational political democrat, unless s/he was Cartesian in outlook, would prefer democracy to security (or vice-versa, for that matter). This is where people like Wickramaratne have got it wrong. It must be said that even the likes of Jayatilleka and other likeminded liberals and moderates entertained this illusion. But that was long ago. They have since learnt their lesson and for this reason they have embraced pragmatism.

The likes of Wickramaratne hence, especially when tinkering with the Constitution, must note one point. Dayan Jayatilleka summed this up best: “I stand for a nationalism that is compatible with internationalism. This is smart patriotism. Smart patriotism is perfectly compatible with cultural cosmopolitanism, though the latter is not a condition of the former.” What he meant by cultural cosmopolitanism is for another article.

For now, here’s what counts. Reform, particularly with a National Government which robs legitimate opposition (barring the Tamil National Alliance) for the sake of consensual politicking, cannot privilege itself at the expense of weakening the centre and frilling the periphery.

This is not only because of nationalist concerns. This is also because, if intellectuals like Jayampathy Wickramaratne are to get it right in one go, they MUST be aware of larger realities (geopolitical and otherwise) which determine the constitutional framework they are setting for this country. Otherwise, to be quite frank, they’ll be building castles in the air. Not a very good start for a reformist era, you must admit.

SLMC Amphibians Inside UNP’s Elephant Kraal

By Ameer Ali –September 15, 2015

Dr. Ameer Ali

Amphibians are at home in two or more places but are native to none of them. This has been the unfortunate saga of the SLMC since its emergence as an independent political party in the 1990s. When it originated the party leaders proclaimed that they would be the sole representatives of the Muslim community in Sri Lanka and that they would live and die for that community. But the reality was totally different. In trying win parliamentary seats, ministerial positions and wealth seeking opportunities the SLMC stalwarts were willing to sacrifice the interests of the community for personal gain. Even when they bargained for a coalition partnership the chips they bargained with were not benefits to the community but the number of ministries that the leaders would get and the power of such ministries. This was so blatantly demonstrated at the last general elections.

Which political party in the world, can someone point out to me, did sacrifice its own identity, merge completely with another, won parliamentary seats and ministerial positions, and then did go on to claim that the original party was still a force to reckon with and a fortress for its native vote bank? This is exactly what the SLMC and its parvenus are claiming in the Eastern Province. This braggadocio is risible at best and mendacious at worst.

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Frightened guilt ridden Rathupaswala murderer, brigadier Deshapriya flees through Katunayake airport rear door

(Lanka-e-News -15.dep.2015, 7.00PM) Rathupaswala mass murderer Brigadier Deshapriya Gunawardena has been called back by the government of good governance while he was working as SL’s ambassador in Turkey. Guilt ridden Desha apriya was so frightened that he vanished through the back door of the Katunayake airport after his arrival in fear of the residents of Rathupaswala who were staging a protest outside the airport.

After Lanka e news reported yesterday night that this brutal murderer of innocent civilians was arriving in the country , the prelate of Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Vihara ,Rathupaswala ,Ven. Theripehe Siridhamma Thera , Sangha members and the joint Siyane organization for  protection  of  environment , along with the people of Rathupaswala staged a demonstration at the Katunayake Bandaranayake airport , while the monks commenced  a fast in front of  the Buddha statue.

Deputy minister Ranjan Ramanayake and local body politicos were also  present at the venue .The guilt ridden Brigadier who could not face the people and protestors had done the vanishing trick through the rear side of the airport with the assistance of an ASP friend of his.

A high rung officer of the airport answering our queries revealed , no politician informed or exerted pressures on the airport officials to help the brutal  brigadier to escape through the back door or save him.

A high ranking police officer told Lanka e news that the killer brigadier was in fact recalled in order to investigate the charges against him in the Rathupaswala tragedy 

Even in the Human rights commission report which was partial to the murderer  , it was not revealed who gave the brigadier orders to go to Rathupaswala with the army. When there exists no emergency regulations , the forces can only intervene to control a civilian unrest if a request is made by an ASP or a hgher ranking police officer . Only those police officers are empowered to make such a request.

Under the circumstances , the killer brigadier is duty bound to reveal on  whose  order he went to Rathupaswala to  commit those ruthless wanton murders .Not only the one who gave the order , but even brigadier Gunawardena Suriayarachige Don Anura Deshapriya are liable to be sentenced to the gallows in these gory murders of civilians 

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by     (2015-09-15 13:31:49)

Rathupaswela mass murderer Brigadier Deshapriya called back : arrives on 15 th morning –time for people to rise against

(Lanka-e-News -15.Sep.2015, 10.30AM) Ruthless mass murderer Brigadier Deshapriya Gunawardena who on direct orders of ex defense secretary Gotabaya Rajapakse shot down  innocent unarmed civilians indiscriminately at Rathupaswala some time ago ,which ruthless shooting claimed the lives of two innocent youths , is arriving in Sri Lanka today (15). 

Desha apriya was sent as SL ambassador to Turkey by the last regime which action was considered by many as a reward for the killings done by him at the behest of the regime  has been  recalled by the government of good governance .

Accordingly he is expected to arrive in Sri Lanka (SL) this morning at 8.00, but arrival time delayed.

It is noteworthy , when there is a civilian unrest , and if controlling is difficult , the forces can be summoned under the law , only by a high rung police officer .At Rathupaswela , where the ruthless killings of unarmed civilians took place , no police officer had summoned the forces , and even in the report prepared by the Rajapkses at that time this was  clearly confirmed.

In that event , on whose orders did Deshapriya arrive at Rathupaswela with his two legged hunting dogs to murder umarmed civilians ? It was  proved beyond doubt , he came on the orders of blood thirsty notorious murderer Gotabaya Rajapakse and none else, and Deshapriya had the audacity to  kill innocents like mice because of the backing and irrevocable instructions of brutal Gotabaya. 

No matter what  ,no officer  of the forces  is bound to abide by illegal orders under the military laws.In other words Desha apriya could have desisted from carrying out Gota’s orders if he wished.

On the contrary , Desha apriya went on firing into the crowd of unarmed civilians in full glee resulting in the death of two youths -a school going child and an employed youth , while hundreds were also injured. At that time it was rumored that the bodies of unidentified victims  were destroyed subsequently . Journalists too were attacked brutally . Among them were journalists of the fair sex.

The despotic barbaric Rajapakses sent this brigadier to Turkey as ambassador to enable this heartless ‘mercenary’ of theirs to  enjoy forever a luxurious life assuming  that the Rajapakses too would be in power forever.

Unfortunately for these despots and mercenaries , and fortunately for the people , the Rajapakses and their regime  were thrown out lock ,stock and barrel subseqently .

Now , that the people have proved their mettle and power by defeating these culprits, murderers, mecenaries and the corrupt lawfully and democratically , it is the responsibility of those in power to duly punish these murderers and mercenaries  before the people who were subjected to the worst cruelties , sufferings and torture take the laws into their hands.

The  opportunity has now knocked at the door of the law abiding people to take prompt action against this mass murderer who is arriving in SL tomorrow at 8.00. a.m. They can see to it that he is arrested , and compel him to make a confession as to who gave him the order to become a bestial and brutal  killer . Thereafter , having taped his statements hand him over to the law and order peace officer close by. Indeed the public have that legal power to take such action . People have the right to rise against their murderers . They need not  wait until someone else appears on their behalf to take action against the murderers.

(A recent photograph of Deshapriya Gunwardena is published herein to enable the people to easily identify the murderer  when he arrives at Katunayake )

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by     (2015-09-15 13:28:45)

Deputy Minister of Justice surrenders to Court

TUESDAY, 15 SEPTEMBER 2015

The Deputy Minister of Justice and Buddha Sasana Sarathi Dushmantha will surrender to Kegalle Courts today (15th) say reports.

Sarathi Dushmantha, who was elected to parliament from Kegalle, acted in an outrageous manner preventing police and STF officers from carrying out their duties opposite Kegalle Secretariat on the 18th.

The case regarding the incident is to be heard today and the Deputy Minister of Justice is preparing to surrender to Court.

He is a son of the former Minister during Mahinda Rajapaksa regime  H.R. Mithrapala.

Military Police barge in to “SENEHASA” to inquire about sexual abuse

- Sep 15, 2015

Military Police has gone for an inspection visit today 14th for a child care center which was meant to take care of mentally retarded and children affected with psychiatric disorders of the families of the security forces.

The military police made this sudden inspection visit based on an allegation of sexual abuse and irregularities.

The “Sathhanda” Newspaper yesterday exposed that there are children’s getting sexually abused in the “Senehasa” child care centre.

By now it is reported that the military police is questioning the officials of the “Senehasa”. These questionings are conducted by the orders of the army commander Major General Krishantha De Silva.
Following is the “Sathhanda” News

Army’s sexual abuse 
“Sathhanda” reports that children’s living in the “Senehasa” child care institution, an organization attached to the Sri Lanka Ranaviru Athority situated at Matha Road Narahenpita are getting regularly abused by the members of the armed forces.

It is being learnt that Children’s who are currently living in “Senehasa” are insecure and has been continuously molested for many years. Higher authorities of the institution are preventing the news exposed.

Senehasa Education Resource Research and Information Center was established during the war time to protect the retarded children’s of the families of the security forces. The mission of this institution is to provide education and discipline for the children’s who cannot be kept at home. Thirty children’s are forwarded by parents to get this service.

The institution was initially established by Anoma Fonseka the wife of the former army commander Sarath Fonseka who was the chairman of the institution. Following the removal of Sarath Fonseka as the army commander, all the institutions which was under the Ranaviru Seva, functioned without adequate supervision. A worker said “Senehasa” too was functioned without proper guidelines.

Children’s, who were five or six years during that time, has now become ten or twelve years and those children are believed to have been molested in the recent years. Now this institution has been opened for children’s who are not in the security forces. Teachers in this institution has complained to Anoma Fonseka about the members of security force who work in the institution molest and sexually abuse the children’s after getting drunkard. However, so far no credible steps have been taken to restrain the situation.

Children’s are not safe here – Anoma Fonseka 
When we inquired about the problem caused to the “Senehasa” institute from its former chairmen Anoma Fonseka, she said the situation of the place is not a suitable environment for children’s. She said she has not got any complains about sexual abuses but since the institution is managed by the army it is not conducive for the psyche of the children’s. Further stressing the situation she said.

“When I went there I thought it is not proper for the children are to be in a military environment. The place is not expected as we thought. I informed that to the current army commander as well”

Israel’s latest Provocation in Masjid Al Aqsa

Part of the campaign to destroy the masjid

By Latheef Farook

Once again on Sunday 13 September 2015  lawless Zionist Jewish thugs in military and police uniform, accompanied by Israel’s minister of agriculture Uri Ariel, a member of a right-wing political party, stormed Al Aqsa Masjid  in Jerusalem , Islam’s third most holiest place, as part of their  conspiracy to destroy the masjid and build in its place the Solomon’s Temple.

 They used tear gas and stun grenades to attack peaceful worshippers. As usual Israeli security forces closed the mosque's compound to worshippers following the clashes that come just hours before the start of the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah.

 Israel seized East Jerusalem, where Al-Aqsa is located, in the 1967 Six Day War of aggression and later annexed it in a move not recognized by the international community. The toothless and worthless Arab League on Sunday warned against the "Judaization of the Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israel" and called for action against the Jewish state.

  Calling others to act was the only thing that the Arab dictators and their worthless and toothless  Arab League did ever since 1967.Whenever Israel precipitate a crisis  the Arab dictators meet in their glittering conference halls only to pass  resolutions calling for action.

Israelis were very well aware that these rotten dictators will never take any action because they are not interested.      They have abandoned the Palestinians and Jerusalem as well. 

Even in the case of last Sunday’s attack there was no word from the so called guardian of the two holy mosques in Riyadh. They are not bothered. They are busy killing Yemenis.

 Many leading Palestinians pointed out that "The Zionist goal is to destroy the Al-Aqsa Mosque using rabbis and   extremist Jews to build the alleged Solomon’s Temple in its place.

Thus the provocations have been an ongoing affair for Zionist.

For example Israel’s war monger Ariel Sharon visited Al Aqsa complex in September 2000 and triggered intifada which killed an estimated 3,000 Palestinians and 1,000 Israelis, as well as 64 foreigners.

These provocations are bound to continue with the destruction of many Arab countries .Thus the unrest too is expected to continue as the   Palestinians would continue their brave fight to preserve Al Aqsa Masjid, 

Jerusalem, their dignity and their birth rights. Ends

Zionist Jewish settler thugs’ provocations at Masjid Al Aqsa

This Satellite Image Leaves No Doubt That Russia Is Throwing Troops and Aircraft Into Syria

It also shows just how screwed America’s Syria policy is.

BY JEFFREY LEWIS-SEPTEMBER 14, 2015
Over the past year, evidence has steadily emerged of a growing Russian military presence in Syria. As Bashar al-Assad’s armies have failed him in the field, he has increasingly relied on outside help. Initially, that help came from Hezbollah and Iran, but now it appears to be Moscow’s turn. And Washington may finally be waking up to what looks like a substantial Russian intervention in Syria.

This Satellite Image Leaves No Doubt That Russia is Throwing Troops and Aircraft Into Syria by Thavam Ratna

North Korea says main nuclear complex operational; warns U.S

Soldiers stand in front of the podium with portraits of North Korea founder Kim Il-sung (L) and the late leader Kim Jong-il after a military parade to celebrate the centenary of the birth of Kim Il-sung in Pyongyang April 15, 2012.

BY JACK KIM AND JU-MIN PARK-WED SEP 16, 2015 
North Korea said on Tuesday its main nuclear complex was operating and it was working to improve the "quality and quantity" of weapons which it could use against the United States at "any time."

The comments on North Korea's official news agency came after its space agency said late Monday it was readying a new satellite for launch, indicating it may fire an upgraded long-range ballistic missile timed around the 70th anniversary of its ruling party on Oct. 10.

Any such launch would violate international sanctions although the North insists it would be part of a space program for peaceful purposes.

The United States, which has 28,000 military personnel in South Korea, called on North Korea to "refrain from irresponsible provocations that aggravate regional tensions."

"It should focus instead on fulfilling its international obligations and commitments," White House spokesman Josh Earnest told a regular news briefing, referring to past North Korean pledges to denuclearize.

Asked if another launch could trigger more sanctions, the top U.S. diplomat for East Asia, Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Russel, told reporters "it would be a mistake for North Korea to...embark on the kind of threatening behaviour and provocation that led to international sanctions in the first place."

Russel said North Korea should "unclench its fist" and the only path open to it was through international negotiations to ensure denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.

North Korea vowed in 2013 to restart all nuclear facilities, including the main nuclear reactor in Yongbyon that had been shuttered.

Tuesday's announcement marked its first acknowledgement since then that the plant, which has been the source of fissile material used in the country's atomic weapons program, is operational.

"All the nuclear facilities in Yongbyon including the uranium enrichment plant and 5 MW graphite-moderated reactor were rearranged, changed or readjusted and they started normal operation," the North's state-run KCNA news agency said, citing the director of its atomic agency.

NORTH KOREAN WARNING

"If the U.S. and other hostile forces persistently seek their reckless hostile policy towards the DPRK and behave mischievously, the DPRK is fully ready to cope with them with nuclear weapons any time," the director was quoted as saying.

DPRK is an acronym for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The country often makes threats against the United States and South Korea.

Innovations have been made to improve nuclear weapons "in quality and quantity as required by the prevailing situation," the director was quoted as saying.

The nuclear program of isolated and impoverished North Korea is a key source of international leverage and a means of protecting the third-generation dictatorship of the Kim family.

The country is believed to be working towards developing an intercontinental ballistic missile mounted with an atomic warhead that could hit targets in the mainland United States.

North Korea is believed by experts to have enough fissile material to build 12 or more nuclear weapons, and is believed by U.S. and South Korean officials to be working to miniaturise a nuclear warhead to mount on a delivery vehicle.

China, the North's main ally, said on Tuesday it opposed nuclear weapons development on the Korean peninsula.

"We hope the relevant parties, under the current circumstances, can do more that is beneficial to safeguarding the peace and stability of the region and the peninsula," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said in Beijing.

North Korea conducted three nuclear tests between 2006 and 2013, drawing international condemnation. China joined the U.N. Security Council in a sanctions resolution after the 2013 test.

Recent satellite imagery of the Yongbyon complex indicated new activity there, according to a report last week by 38 North, a website run by the U.S.-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University in Washington.

The activities could be part of work to produce new nuclear material that would be a step toward adding to the country's nuclear stockpile, 38 North said.

"It has been nearly three years since their last nuclear test and now may be the time for them to test their evolved technology," said Park Jiyoung, an analyst at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Seoul.

(Additional reporting by Michael Martina in BEIJING and David Brunnstrom in Washington; Editing by Tony Munroe, Simon Cameron-Moore and Bernadette Baum)

Mexican firm distorts law to justify plunder of Palestinian resources

Adri Nieuwhof- 14 September 2015
All of Israel’s settlements in the occupied West Bank violate international law. 

 Nedal EshtayahAPA images

A Mexican firm has tried to justify supplying building materials to Jewish-only settlements in the occupied West Bank by pointing to how those colonies have been authorized by Israel.

While all Israeli settlements in the West Bank violate international law, the corporation Cemex has argued that many of them are legal.

In a letter sent recently to the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre, the Mexican firm admits that its subsidiary Cemex Israel operates concrete production plants in the West Bank.

According to the firm, these plants “are located in legal settlements that have been approved by the Israeli government” and “validated” by Israel’s high court.

Cemex claims that it does not deal with “illegal settlements” — which it defines as “settlements not approved by the Israeli government.”

The arguments used by the firm mirror those employed by the Israeli authorities in their attempts to explain the theft of Palestinian land. They overlook how all of Israel’s settlements breach international law.

“Gross misrepresentation”

I contacted the Palestinian human rights group Al-Haq, asking it for a response to Cemex’s claims.

In an email message, the group accused Cemex of “a gross misrepresentation of the law on settlements.”

Israel’s settlements in the West Bank amount to war crimes. Under the Fourth Geneva Convention, Israel is forbidden from transferring its own civilian population into land it has occupied since 1967.

The illegality of Israel’s settlements has been confirmed by a 1979 resolution by the United Nations Security Council and a 2004 ruling by the International Court of Justice.

Referring to Israeli political decisions offers a flimsy pretext for Cemex’s activities. The 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties forbids states from invoking domestic laws to excuse a refusal to honor their international obligations.

In June, the major Norwegian pension fund KLP announced it would exclude both Cemex and Germany’sHeidelbergCement from its investment portfolio because of those firms’ activities in the West Bank.

HeidelbergCement has confirmed that its subsidiary Hanson Israel runs a quarry known as Nahal Raba in the West Bank.

Writing to the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre, HeidelbergCement argued that the quarry is on public land.

The firm contended that a thorough check was undertaken before the Australian company Pioneer began to exploit the quarry in 1986. “No private ownership could be determined,” according to HeidelbergCement.

Pillage

Al-Haq insisted, however, that Palestinians have “permanent sovereignty over their natural resources, including quarries.”

The 1907 Hague Regulations prohibit the exploitation of natural resources on occupied land for the sole benefit of an occupying power.

Such exploitation is known as pillage — a crime that may be prosecuted in the International Criminal Court.

Echoing other profiteers of Israel’s occupation — notably the fizzy drinks maker SodaStream — HeidelbergCement contends that its quarrying “produces substantial advantages for the local Palestinian population.”

The company boasts that it has provided “attractive jobs in a region that is otherwise characterized by high unemployment and long-term economic stagnation.”

The most intriguing aspect of the firm’s comments is that implicitly admits to parroting Israel’s propaganda.

At HeidelbergCement, Palestinian and Israeli employees work together in “intercultural teams” which open up channels for “cultural exchange that foster mutual understanding,” the letter states.

“Contact between the different ethnic groups has become very limited, if not non-existent, throughout the last decade with increasing anti-normalization campaigns worsening the situation,” the letter adds.

The choice of words here is instructive.

“Anti-normalization” campaigns oppose initiatives which foster cooperation between Palestinians and Israeli Jews, while ignoring that Israel is an apartheid state.

HeidelbergCement is among many international companies that are helping to normalize injustice. Even worse, it appears proud of that fact.

Tensions at boiling point on Hungary-Serbia border
Migrants and refugees walk near razor-wire along a 3-meter-high fence at the border crossing between Serbia and Hungary (AFP) 

Refugees, including many children, walk near the Greece Macedonia border (MEE / Ilir Tsouko) 

Francesca Mannocchi-Tuesday 15 September 2015

ROSZKE, Hungary - The mood on the Hungary – Serbia border has grown increasingly tense in the last 24 hours after new entry rules came into force.

Tensions at Boiling Point on Hungary-Serbia Border by Thavam Ratna

The plight of academic freedom in Malaysia

A recent notice sent to Malaysian students to not attend last month’s anti-government Bersih rally.

By Murray Hunter Sep 15, 2015

Malaysia’s overall rankings have been slipping over the last decade, while many other universities within the region have been rising dramatically.

This comes despite the Malaysian government’s efforts to develop the country into an education hub, while most universities seek awards of excellence and to get their institutions into the rankings.

The Plight of Academic Freedom in Malaysia by Thavam Ratna