seems you can ban the burqa in some places Mosul Burqa Ban Unveils Militants in Hiding June 10, 2017 3:40 PM Heather Murdock please log in to view this image Dhoa, seen here with her baby, is torn on the issue, saying she wants both the choice to wear or not to wear a veil and the safety that comes with the military's ability to identify IS militants hiding among them in Mosul, Iraq, June 8, 2017. (H. Murdock/VOA) See comments MOSUL, IRAQ — “At first, I didn’t want to take off the veil at the checkpoint,” said Dhoa, 32, cuddling her infant daughter to her chest. “But then after soldiers told me to remove it a few times, I thought: Why bother wearing it at all?” Since Iraqi forces recaptured this part of Mosul in November, the military has encouraged women not to wear veils that cover their faces because Islamic State militants are hiding among them dressed as women. Less than two weeks ago, the ban became official, and soldiers spread the word on the streets that burqas are no longer allowed. please log in to view this image Women still wear burqas in Mosul, but soldiers say those who keep them on now only rarely complain if asked to remove them. Mosul, Iraq, June 8, 2017. (H. Murdock/VOA) IS militants in women’s veils, wearing suicide vests and moving among refugees fleeing the city, have been caught approaching Iraqi forces.The Iraqi forces also are searching for militants who have stopped fighting and are lying in wait as “sleeper cells.” “They wear women’s clothes outside and when people figure out they are men in hiding, they move to a different neighborhood,” said Hassan Bashar Abbass, a fighter in the Iraqi forces’ SWAT unit. “Just a few weeks ago we arrested two militants in veils over there,” he added, pointing across the street. Cautious support Many locals support the ban, saying it is a welcome safety precaution as suicide bombers continue to target eastern Mosul and IS militants flee Iraqi forces in western Mosul. When asked about the measure by VOA, most respond, “It’s better.” please log in to view this image Safana demonstrates how they had to wear veils under IS, with their eyes, feet and hands covered. "We would trip on rocks," she said, laughing. Mosul, Iraq. June 8, 2017. (H. Murdock/VOA) But some, like Dhoa, are more cautious, saying they abandoned their veils in support of Iraqi forces, which currently have strong positive relations with the Mosul population. If things go back to the way they were before IS, though, when the military and the population lived in deep distrust, some say dress codes dictating how they honor their faith will be as unwelcome as IS draconian rules. “It’s a personal private freedom to wear or to not wear a veil,” said Dhoa. “This interferes with that choice a little bit. But we also want to be safe. So it’s good and bad.” Rebellion One of Dhoa’s sisters-in-law, Farah, 26, cast off her burqa before the ban became formal, having worn it only to avoid punishment from IS. Like many Mosul residents, she now dislikes face veils because the militants liked them. “When we were liberated, the Iraqi army told us to take off the burqas. At first it was strange and some husbands didn’t approve,” she said. “But women encouraged each other in the first two months,” added her sister, Zainab, 40. “We would say, ‘Why are you still wearing this?’ ” The women say that as IS militants retreated, they scrawled on city walls “We will be back” in Arabic. But their ongoing long and slow defeat in Mosul has boosted the confidence of residents, and habits banned by IS are more popular than ever before. A few women are wearing jeans and T-shirts in public, as an act of rebellion against extremist ideology, Zainab said. Young people are more likely to take up smoking, and almost all beards have been shaven. “Now we love everything they hated,” she said. please log in to view this image Safana, 29, still wears a veil despite the ban, removing it only at military checkpoints, in Mosul, Iraq, June 8, 2017. (H. Murdock/VOA) But a third sister, Safana, 29, still veils her face when she goes out, despite the ban, removing it only at checkpoints. Technically, this is not allowed under the ban, but no one has complained. "Lots of women removed their burqas," she said. "But some are still wearing full veils with gloves and socks, like we did under IS." Military community relations In June 2014, IS took over Mosul with very little resistance or even objections from the people. In fact, some people called the early days of IS "paradise" as checkpoints came down and the military — then viewed as heavy-handed and often disrespectful — left the city. “When they first came, it was like they were wearing masks,” said Zainab. “They said they were saviors, and most people thought they were good.” In the months that followed, however, strict rules were enforced by harsh punishments, and IS ordered Christians and Shi’ite Muslims to abandon their homes and all of their valuables. Mobile phones and satellites were banned, the city was cut off from Baghdad, and the local economy crashed. Dhoa offered a reporter a seat in the room’s single orange plastic chair, saying apologetically, “When IS was here, my husband sold all the furniture for food.” It is true that hatred for IS has fueled affection for Iraqi forces, added Dhya Habib, a father of three who was a water engineer before IS closed his office two years ago. But military forces in Mosul also operate differently these days, despite similar levels of danger in the city long besieged by extremists, he said. There are fewer checkpoints then before IS, and soldiers on the streets are generally polite or even generous, sometimes sharing their food with the hungry. “We feel safe as long as the people and the army get along,” he said at a small grocery store not far from the women’s home. “Right now the army loves us and soldiers are not allowed to harass people. If they do, we can now complain and they will be punished.” please log in to view this image Authorities say banning full-face veils is necessary to root out IS militants hiding among the local people or refugees fleeing Mosul for camps in the surrounding desert, near Hammam Alil, Iraq, June 9, 2017. (H. Murdock/VOA) The burqa ban, said Abbass of the SWAT unit, is partially intended to maintain the military’s current reputation by removing faith from community relations. Soldiers on the streets now carry out already-in-place security measures without delving into the world of respecting — or disrespecting — anyone’s religion. “Sometimes people would be angry when we told women to remove their burqas,” he said. “But now it’s an order and the people know the soldiers have no choice.”
They look very realistic for sure but currently the new default if anything goes wrong we can blame the Russians I believe that they rigged the Brexit vote as it was very clear that it was 65/35 in favour of remain ... we can of course pick and choose The worlds best intelligence service must be the Russians look what they can do ? Influence votes and elections all over the world ... yet the Russian agents shown on TV look a bit Terry ****witt Also while these Red thugs wander around where exactly is our MI5 ? Anyone who swallows this lot needs to study it all carefully imo it’s not right
I didn't.....although not sure I'd vote the same way a second time with the way that Scotland is being run at the moment. Scotland has far bigger issues to look at, with education and public services needing major investment. The SNP claim to speak for the whole of Scotland, but they lost a third of their seats at the last election and only have a majority in the Scottish Parliament due to a pact with that weirdo Patrick Harvie and his Green Party. Latest polls indicate over 65% up here wish to remain in the EU, or at least have strong ties with the bloc. Sturgeon wants a Norway style deal, which isn't going to happen, so is trying to flex her political muscles and using the discord for her own parties agenda. Personally, I don't want another Independance referendum for a long while as I wouldn't trust the SNP to run the country on their own, and although I voted against leaving the EU I am resigned to it happening, but want the best deal possible - the Tory in-fighting is doing it's best to prevent that from happening, which is fueling the rise in nationalism up here.
The Conservative & Unionist Party seem bent on ensuring the break-up of the Union. Not that that would bother me too much. The Scots should be allowed to stay in the EU by means of separation, and there should be a united Ireland. The Little Englanders shouldn't be allowed to take them down with we poor saps.
Police FURY as Diane Abbott launches RACE-BASED twitter ATTACK! Unity News Network FacebookTwitter MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington Diane Abbott has seen a fierce backlash from police after she accused them of using “disproportionate force” during the arrest of a black man with the video appearing on the liberal Guardian newspaper. Footage that emerged last Thursday has circulated online which shows a man being taken to the ground by police officers. He can be hear shouting “I can’t breathe” in the clip and tells officers to “calm down” during his arrest.Scotland Yard has confirmed an investigation will take place into the situation and it has been referred to its internal Directorate of Professional Standards.They said body cameras were used throughout the arrest. Abbott tweeted out after watching the video online: “Too often a disproportionate level of force is used by police against young black men. It has to stop. Evidence based stop & search is important in fighting crime, but all that we see here is the type of video that poisons police-community relations.” This comment, made on Saturday, was quickly seized upon by current and former police force members, who took issue with its content. John Apter, chief of the Police Federation, responded by saying: As Shadow Home Secretary these comments are inflammatory and cause tensions within communities. Such sweeping anti-police statements without knowing the facts are incredibly damaging. It is comments like these which poison police-community relations.” It really is so disappointing that you continue to make such ill informed comments. No mention of the personal responsibility to cooperate. You carry no credibility to be Home Secretary.” One other former Met Office also roasted Abbott saying: “I’ve just seen this from the shadow Home Secretary. What a disgraceful comment to make. ALL police officers know exactly what the individual in the video was trying to do. Resist arrest and intimidate the officers. I and others have seen this 1000s of times. She’s NOT helping.” please log in to view this image A 23 year old man has been charged with possession of cannabis, obstructing a drugs search and two counts of assault on police and is due to appear at court on November 2.
Top post We keep the Scottish afloat and without us they would sink quicker than a whisky on Burns night. (joking) The SNP think they will just walk into the EU if they got independence but in reality, the EU wouldn't want another sponger like Greece to keep afloat. That won't happen. We have the best ties/history with Scotland and they should remain a part of our union. Can you imagine a border? You are also spot on with the SNP (who really are a dreadful lot). I don't trust Sturgeon and she has one goal and doesn't care about anything else. It really is political games the SNP are playing and whatever deal May gets they will reject it. AS for the 'little England' comments I keep seeing elsewhere (not you Steelmonkey)... People need to remember what our economy is for 'little England' and what we are for our size. We can't be that bad as Unilever decided against the 'Massive EU' and decided to stay in "Little England". What muppets we have in our country.
And in today's Brexit news: BREXIT BOOST: Japan praises UK's ‘GLOBAL STRENGTH’ and extends invite to MAJOR trade pact 'They are DESPERATE to save EU' Brexit has terrified 'Brussels bubble' - German expert. Interesting comments from Tanit Koch, who previously worked as editor of German magazine Bild.
On a serious note, Italy are going to hit the self-destruct button on the 14th Oct. They are having massive rows with the EU on immigration and their new budget plan. If it all goes wrong we won't need to have a debate on Brexit because it will be the end of the Euro and the EU. I said a while back that this was happening (and was told by a couple on here that I was talking rubbish). I wonder what our EU loving experts have to say about these headlines. These are just 3 of about 30. EU in CRISIS: Salvini issues ultimatum to Brussels - 'We'll FIRE you in six months! Italy Threatens to Shut Airports Over Migrant 'Charter Flights' Nervous Brussels WOBBLES over Italy budget row
Absolutely spot on ELLERS,the EU are backtracking rapidly on their threats towards us, they have finally woken to the fact that many of the remaining 26 countries are waiting to see the outcome of Brexit before deciding wether to implement referendum’s in their countries, and if Italy does press the self destruct button the EU as an entity will cease to exist inside 18 months. The corrupt EU can only survive on the “donations” the members make and if these payments stop, the “fourth Reich” will go bankrupt overnight.
These are interesting times indeed Turkish. If (when) Italy fails they will take France down with them who by the way are living on borrowed time with their own finances. I said a while back that many EU countries are unhappy. I agree with you that they will be watching what happens with us. The EU is terrified of losing us. They are using puppets like SNP/Blair and co and of course all the threats to undermine the process. It hasn't worked and they have realised they better get a deal or it will ruin them. Notice the language of the EU after the Tory conference when the word 'No deal' got mentioned all the time? Junker started being positive and today they are saying 90% success rate on a deal. Apparently, according to a few reporters, Germany stepped in and said 'sort it out'. That would make sense as only last week many top businesses in Germany met and were worried of a 'No deal' outcome. What the EU negotiators misread about the UK is that we would survive without them whereas many other EU countries would not. That is why many of the 27 want to keep the thing together, especially the Eastern European countries who are terrified of Russia. The losers in all this will be the SNP who are trying their best to derail the process and get an independence referendum. They have also misread the EU because they will not want them in their group as they won't contribute like us. It will be another burden on them...It won't happen. Don't get me wrong May/government has messed about with Brexit but I think luckily their gamble has paid off. I see us getting a good free trade deal which will include the Irish border being sorted. I also believe that people living and working in the EU will be fine and things won't change that much. The Eu started off as a good trade organisation between countries but now it's turned into a Frankenstein and once we leave people won't miss it.
France are in no trouble what so ever Where exactly are these being taken down to ? Nothing will happen on the scale you are predicting imo life will continue And after all of this I suspect the Brexiteers will be shouting off that the U.K. has done it again... they have saved Europe from the evil EU ... that coming from a country where personal debt is the highest Load of tosh Ellers you have become obsessed you need help mate
