World nation

Britain’s most senior Muslim clerics are to set up their first national council to issue progressive religious rulings that “embed Islam in a 21st-century British context”. Qari Asim, one of Britain’s most prominent imams, said the central religious authority would promote an interpretation of Islam that was in line with British values. Asim, the chief imam of Makkah mosque in Leeds, said the British Muslim community was crying out for an authoritative and credible voice that could speak out on issues as diverse as terrorism, obesity, organ donation and Islamophobia. “People are proud and confident of their religious identity as well as their national identity, but at times they’re not getting enough theological or doctrinal guidance on some of their daily issues,” he said. The national body, to consist of senior imams who will consult experts on issues, would be the first central religious authority for British Muslims. It would deliver … [Read more...] about New national council to issue progressive rulings for Britain’s Muslims

Here are the stories you shouldn’t miss today:TOP STORIES‘No Choice but to Act’Speaker Nancy Pelosi has announced that she is asking House committees to move to impeach President Trump, taking a major step toward making him just the third president in American history to face that sanction. Advertisement “His wrongdoing strikes at the very heart of our Constitution,” Pelosi said of Trump. “Our democracy is what is at stake. The president leaves us no choice but to act.”In a news conference, Pelosi would not discuss the potential contents of the articles of impeachment, saying that was a decision left to the chairmen of the relevant committees. But her statement has set off a whirlwind of activity that is expected to culminate in a full House vote on impeaching the president shortly before Christmas.Meanwhile, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy repeated his party’s charge that Democrats had entered the impeachment process with their … [Read more...] about Newsletter: ‘No choice but to act’

The United Nations said Friday that at least 7,000 people have "reportedly" been arrested in Iran since mass demonstrations erupted last month, and called for the immediate release of those arbitrarily detained.In a statement, the UN human rights office also said it had obtained "verified video footage" showing security forces firing on protesters, apparently with intent to kill.The rights office added that it had "information suggesting that at least 208 people were killed" during the unrest, supporting a toll previously given by Amnesty International."There are also reports, which the UN Human Rights Office has so far been unable to verify, suggesting more than twice that number killed," the statement added.The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, said video obtained by her office shows "severe violence was used against protesters.""We have also received footage which appears to show security forces shooting unarmed demonstrators from behind while they were … [Read more...] about The United Nations claim at least 7000 people arrested in Iran protests

We are gallerists, artists, writers, editors, curators, directors, arts administrators, assistants, and interns – workers of the art world – and we have been groped, undermined, harassed, infantilised, scorned, threatened, and intimidated by those in positions of power who control access to resources and opportunities. We have held our tongues, threatened by power wielded over us and promises of institutional access and career advancement. We are not surprised when curators offer exhibitions or support in exchange for sexual favours. We are not surprised when gallerists romanticise, minimise, and hide sexually abusive behaviour by artists they represent. We are not surprised when a meeting with a collector or a potential patron becomes a sexual proposition. We are not surprised when we are retaliated against for not complying. Abuse of power comes as no surprise. This letter stems from a group discussion about sexual harassment within our field, following the recent … [Read more...] about We’ll stay silent no more over sexual harassment in the art world

The United Nations has been forced to postpone a carefully planned and potentially watershed national conference on Libya’s political future after the assault on Tripoli by forces under the command of the eastern warlord Khalifa Haftar. The two-day conference in the town of Ghadames was due to be attended by 120 delegates on 14-15 April. The decision to shelve the summit is a blow to Libya’s democratic forces, who had hoped it might open a path to presidential and parliamentary elections by the end of this year. Ghassan Salamé, the UN special envoy for Libya, said the UN intended to convene the conference as soon as conditions permitted, but it would be impossible to hold the talks “to the backdrop of artillery shelling and air raids”. He said: “The renewed violence undermined the minimum confidence to launch any fruitful dialogue.” The announcement came as Libyan health officials said the death toll in Tripoli had reached 49 since the battle … [Read more...] about UN postpones Libya national conference amid fighting in Tripoli

Clips of Faf de Klerk cavorting about the South Africa dressing room in his patriotic ‘budgie smugglers’ and Frans Steyn encouraging Prince Harry to chug bottles of beer had hardly had time to circulate on social media before attention turned to the future. The Springboks’ historic victory over England in Saturday’s World Cup final in Yokohama was a wonderful, historic moment for rugby. And for South Africa as a nation. The sight of Siya Kolisi, the Springboks’ first black captain, leading his multi-racial team in the post-match celebrations was an image to compare with Nelson Mandela congratulating Francois Pienaar all those years ago.  Indeed, speaking at the world rugby awards, Pienaar described... … [Read more...] about ‘Planning for the Lions begins now’: South Africa are already shaping next phase to build on World Cup glory