The measure, which would allow the president to take action against foreign companies that sell gasoline to Iran, aims to increase pressure on Tehran to abandon its nuclear program. for more click here
With police presence in the Swat Valley still spotty, tribesmen band together to keep trouble from returning. for more click here
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration on Monday came out strongly against efforts by Islamic nations to bar the defamation of religions, saying the moves would restrict free speech.
“Some claim that the best way to protect the freedom of religion is to implement so-called anti-defamation policies that would restrict freedom of expression and the freedom of religion,” Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton told reporters. “I strongly disagree.” for more click here
High Street banks should be stopped from paying cash bonuses of more than £2,000, shadow chancellor George Osborne is expected to say. for more click here
If all goes as planned, the 27 member states of the European Union will soon have a common hate crime legislation, which will turn disapproval for Islamic practices or homosexual lifestyles into crimes. Europe’s Christian churches are trying to stop the plan of the European political establishment, but it is unclear whether they will be successful. The media are silent on the topic. for more click here
Although the Bary case was decided narrowly, as a strictly jurisdictional decision, the local Florida media downplayed the danger that former Muslims face when they leave Islam–and the specific danger that young immigrant, often Muslim daughters face when they refuse to obey cultural and religious expectations. Hopefully, the Ohio judge will keep all this in mind. for more click here
Whenever life has looked bleak lately – and what with recession, bankers’ bonuses, Afghanistan and Question Time, this has scarcely been a golden autumn – there has been a notable consolation.
We are no longer obliged to turn on breakfast TV to be greeted by the vacuous grin of Tony Blair as prime minister. for more click here
Labour censored a hugely controversial report on immigration to remove details of its possible links to organised crime, street fights and begging, it emerged last night.
The revelation prompted claims by Opposition MPs that the Government’s handling of the Cabinet Office study was ‘fast turning into the most scandalous political cover up in recent time’. for more click here
Abstract: Data on major Islamist terrorist plots in Britain reveal a physical and ideological terrorism pipeline between Britain and Pakistan. At least 27 of 87 convicted individuals were trained or sought training in Pakistan or Afghanistan. Homegrown Islamism is also a major threat: 18 individuals received terrorist training in Britain. Britain and the U.S. need to fight and win both the counterterrorism war and the broader war of ideas. This will require fighting Islamism both in Afghanistan and at home, continuing and expanding cooperation in intelligence and homeland security, and opposing the Lisbon Treaty and other European Union initiatives that would undermine Britain’s ability to control its own borders. for more click here
Mark Lazarowicz MP
Working hard for Edinburgh North and Leith
Constituency office: 0131 557 0577
Westminster office: 0207 219 8222
Mark Lazarowicz MP backs tough action to force credit card companies to clean up their act
Mark Lazarowicz, MP for Edinburgh North and Leith, has given strong support for tough action by the Government to end unfair lending terms by credit card firms. The Government is proposing to:
* Ban the practice of increasing credit limits without prior consent
* Ban unasked for credit card cheques
* Place restrictions on increasing the interest rate on existing debt
* Change the rules so that the most expensive debt on your credit card is paid off first. (Currently most credit card companies make you pay off the cheapest debt first.)
Supporting the move, Mark called on credit and store card companies to give people a fairer deal.
Mark said:
“The ruthless way that some credit card companies operate means that people can find their debts spiralling out of control.
“Many of the people facing mounting debts are just trying to meet basic bills rather than cope with the consequences of binge buying.
“These proposals are an important step forward. We need to do all we can to help people repay their debts – which is in the best interests of everybody – rather than push them even further into trouble.”
Mark chairs an All-Party Group on Debt and Personal Finance at Westminster and earlier in the year he worked closely with Citizens Advice Scotland to table a Motion in Parliament calling for advice services such as Citizens Advice Scotland to be properly resourced and new measures to help people struggling to repay their debts.
The Government has already significantly increased the financial support to advice agencies. The new proposals are further evidence of its determination to support people in managing their debts and ensure the credit sector is properly regulated.
ENDS
Notes for editors:
1. For more information please contact the office of Mark Lazarowicz MP on 0207 219 8222.
2. For the Government’s proposals see
http://nds.coi.gov.uk/clientmicrosite/Content/Detail.aspx?ClientId=431&NewsAreaId=2&ReleaseID=407923&SubjectId=36
3. To see the Early Day Motion 1616 tabled by Mark on debt and low income households in Scotland see
http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=38799&SESSION=899