'(Hamas) has emphatically limited reporters' access to aspects of Hamas operations that would reflect to its detriment. One example of this relates to Gaza's Shifa hospital, the official added. "We know that downstairs there is a Hamas command and control center and that Hamas leaders are hiding there. No reporter is allowed to go anywhere downstairs. They're only allowed to work upstairs to take pictures of casualties, the pictures that Hamas wants them to take."Shifa has indeed "become a de facto headquarters for Hamas leaders, who can be seen in the hallways and offices," the Washington Post reported on July 15. The Wall Street Journal's Middle East correspondent, Nick Casey, wrote on Twitter that Hamas uses Shifa "as a safe place to see media," but removed the post afterwards.Last week, a correspondent for the local Ouest France daily newspaper told Libération, another French daily, about how he was interrogated and intimidated by Hamas officials in what appeared to be their office in Shifa."A few meters from the emergency room, where the injured from the bombings kept on coming in, in the outpatient ward, [the reporter] was received in 'a small section of the hospital used as an office' by a group of young combatants,'" the article read. "Surprisingly, they were all well-dressed, 'in civilian clothing, with a gun under the shirt, and some had walkie-talkies.'" He was ordered to empty his pockets, to remove his shoes and belt, then was taken to a hospital room that appeared to serve the men as their command office, the reporter recalled'
'Awkward Local election stats: WHaigue 38% before 2001 election defeat: Michael Howard 38% before 2005 defeat: Labour 2012 38% and Milliband?'As tweeted by Channel 4's Jon Snow last night, and as the BBC will not report.
'Turkish troops in pursuit of Kurdish rebels have crossed into northern Iraq and killed four militants, Turkish officials say.That's it, a small report not headline news. If an Israeli soldier so much as farts in the direction of Gaza its headline news but as Israel is not involved here it is a minor story. 40,000 deaths and how much coverage has this 'conflict' had over the years? 4 deaths this time and not a peep from James Naughtie, Jeremy Paxman or Jon Snow. Will they be interviewing a spokesman for the Turkish government and accusing them of using disproportionate force? If not, why not?
The military said air strikes were also launched against rebel positions deeper inside Iraqi territory.
The offensive took place after rebels made an unsuccessful attack on border guards, Turkish officials said.
Turkey has been fighting insurgents of the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK) for more than a quarter of a century.
Military officials said three commando companies and one special forces battalion penetrated 3km (two miles) into Iraq in pursuit of the rebels.
The PKK is fighting for autonomy in Turkey's largely Kurdish south-east.
The group is considered a terrorist group, not just by Turkey but by the US and the EU.
More than 40,000 people are believed to have died in the conflict, on both sides. '
"We corner Mandelson…
04 Mar, 2010
Speaking of asking Labour some difficult questions, we just put Lord Mandelson on the spot. Here’s the transcript:
TB; ‘You talk about transparency, well we have been asking the Labour Party for some days whether your donors, like Ronnie Cohen, are non-doms or not. We haven’t got an answer, so perhaps you’d like to give us one sitting here.’
Lord M; ‘The Labour Party should give the information about its donors in the way that–’
TB; ‘It hasn’t.’
Lord M; ‘In the way that it is required to do and in response to legitimate questions.’
TB; ‘Let me ask you; is that a legitimate question? Be fair. Is it legitimate for us, given all this, to ask whether your donors are paying full tax on their worldwide income?’
Lord M; ‘I think it is perfectly legitimate.’
TB; ‘What’s the answer?’
Lord M; ‘How do I know what the answer is?’
And later:
TB; ‘Are you saying that all labour party donors should be full tax payers; ie, paying tax on their worldwide income in this country? And if they aren’t, should the Labour Party pay the money back?’
Lord M; ‘What I’m saying is that Labour Party donors should be clear and upfront about what they are donating, what their domicile or tax status is, or whatever, just as donors who give money to the Conservative Party should be.’
We have since asked the Labour Party to confirm which of their donors are non-doms and have, once again, received no answer"
