Libya's supreme court has overturned a law that criminalised the glorification of former leader Muammar Gaddafi, his regime, his ideas or his sons.
The court ruled that the law, known as Law 37, was unconstitutional.
Law 37 was originally passed in May by the National Transitional Council's Legal Committee.
Libya's Human Rights Council and civil society groups appealed against the law, which was also condemned by international human rights watchdogs.
Under the original law praising or glorifying Muammar Gaddafi was punishable with a prison sentence.
New judiciaryThere were also articles in the law criminalising any attack on the 17 February revolution that toppled the former regime, as well as insulting Islam or offending the state and its institutions.
Although the prison terms were unspecified they could range from three to 15 years under Libya's penal code, according to AFP news agency.
The head of Libya's Human Rights Council told the BBC the ruling would instil more trust in the local judiciary.
The BBC's Rana Jawad, in Tripoli, says that the latest ruling is seen by some as a rare example of what they hope will be Libya's new independent judiciary.
Not long ago, our correspondent says, the former regime and the country's judiciary were seen by Libyans as one and the same.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Libya court scraps law banning glorifying Gaddafi - Reuters UK
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Source: uk.reuters.com
The calm before the 'once in 50 years' storm: Forecasters predict major flooding as huge low sweeps in from the Atlantic - Daily Mail
- Emergency services issue a 'major flood' alert in the South-West and Wales as Atlantic front sweeps in
- After a dry spell yesterday and today, downpours and gusts are set to return with a vengeance tonight
- Environment Agency issues two warnings where flooding was expected and 12 where possible today
- Temperatures up to 10C below normal and sunshine down 60 per cent in worst June since records began
By Daily Mail Reporter and Paul Sims
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Batten down the hatches. Another storm threatens to wreak havoc across the country.
Nearly two inches of rain – more than half the average for the entire month – is expected to fall today and tomorrow.
The latest deluge could lead to further flooding across large parts of the country after recent heavy downpours, forecasters warn. And that’s not all. Strong winds of up to 60mph are also expected to cause chaos.
Flying high... while they can: Paragliders take advantage of break in the miserable weather over Beachy Head and Eastbourne in East Sussex yesterday
Making the most of it: The paragliders may have to back up they chutes soon, though, as more downpours are sweeping their way across the UK
It's coming: NASA's Terra satellite took this stunning image of the 70mph Atlantic storm at 12.45pm yesterday as it span towards the South-West
The Environment Agency has issued flood warnings – the second-highest level of alert – for the South East and East Anglia and announced a further 12 flood alerts in other areas.
It said its specialist teams would closely monitor river levels and use pumping equipment in the worst-affected areas. The warnings cover 32,500 properties.
This latest storm comes just days after more than three inches, or 80mm, fell in just 24 hours and left homes and roads flooded.
A spokesman for the Environment Agency said: ‘The heavy rainfall is expected to spread into central and north eastern England on Friday, with heavy showers to follow throughout the day and into Saturday.
'The public should remain vigilant and stay away from swollen rivers and not drive through floodwater.’
The strong winds and heavy rain form part of a bout of low pressure building up over the Atlantic which is set to hit the South West first before spreading across the country.
Met Office forecaster Dan Williams said: ‘Over the next 48-hour period we could see up to 40mm (1.5in) of rain in those areas. Across high ground, particularly Snowdonia, we could possibly see 80mm (3in).
‘There’s been a lot of rain over southern England and Wales over the past week or so and the ground is pretty saturated, so that’s obviously going to be a factor when we get further rain. It could cause quite a few problems.’
He added: ‘This area of low pressure is moving in from the South West, bringing with it heavy and persistent rain and strong winds. We could get gusts of up to 60mph.’
Enjoying the final few glimmers of sun: With yet more rain and stormy weather forecast, Freya Kirkpatrick , 4, takes a last chance to play in the sunshine with her dog, Monty, in a giant field of ox eye daisies on the edge of Blithfield Reservoir near Rugeley, Staffordshire
Weather Channel forecaster Leon Brown said: 'There’s a 50 per cent possibility of extreme downpours seeing over 80mm of rain in 12 hours in south and east Wales, which is a once-in-50 years event.
'The greatest intensity of rain will be early Thursday night and again on Friday daytime. Overall, up to 110mm is expected in Wales in just over 48 hours to midnight Saturday.
'This rainfall will be widespread across river catchment areas and could completely overwhelm rivers downstream. There is a high risk of flooding, with situation made even worse by ground being saturated from previous rain this week.'
MeteoGroup forecaster Julian Mayes said: 'We cannot find a period of June weather worse than this month since records began. For a 12-day period, it’s as bad as it can be.
'There’s no parallel with this month’s combination of very high rainfall, very low sunshine and very low daytime temperatures.
'The outlook is unsettled and although we don’t yet know for sure if it will be the wettest June, it’s well on the way.'
Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service said its 650 firefighters and 100 support staff were ready to take flood action.
A spokesman said: 'Ourselves, the police and county council are monitoring the weather forecast and will take appropriate action when needed. We have vast experience dealing with flooding, in particular floods which devastated Cornwall in November 2010.'
Calm before the storm: The sky above the Queens tennis club on day three of the AEGON Championships in London hint at what is to come
Enjoy it while it lasts: For much of yesterday, however, the sun was trying to come out, but the reprieve will only be temporary, forecasters warn
When 80mm of rain fell in 24 hours in west Wales last Friday, 150 people were rescued and 850 relocated as 5ft floods swept through caravan parks and villages.
Government forecasters predicted 15-20mm of rain today, plus 70-100mm over higher ground in 48 hours from midnight, with 30-50mm on lower ground.
The Weather Channel forecast more than 100mm on higher ground and warned of a 'major flooding event.' Rivers running off higher ground will fill rapidly.
The Met Office forecast wind gusts to hit a gale-force of 55mph-60mph on coasts in the South-West tomorrow.
Other parts of the UK will escape the worst of the conditions, with up to an inch of rain across tomorrow and Saturday, with 35-40mph gusts, the Met Office said.
The storm will peter out by tomorrow night, to be followed by sunshine and showers on Sunday.
Who says the weather's bad? Two girls from Oregon in the U.S. enjoy ice creams on one of the bridges that straddle the village of Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire
Sunshine after the rain: A young lady takes advantage of the weather in a deckchair in St James's Park, London, yesterday before the downpours sweep in
Gusts on the horizon: The flags in Parliament Square, London, were blowing more vigorously yesterday, indicating that the expected high winds of up to 60mph could soon be upon us
The Met Office said it was too early to say whether this month was on course to be the wettest June on record, beating the 2007 figure of 136.2mm. The average June rainfall is 72.6mm.
Despite the torrential conditions, the Met Office said the UK was still below its average rainfall for the year. Between January and May, 392.5mm of rain fell across the country, compared with an average of 439mm.
Nevertheless, temperatures have been miserable for many. Forest Row, East Sussex, only reached 10.7C on Tuesday, almost 10C below normal for June.
Sunshine is down 60 per cent so far this month, with England and Wales averaging just 30 hours’ sunshine. June normally sees 178 hours’ sunshine.
Although there have been heavy showers in parts of the South West, Wales and the North West, parts of the country which were on flood alert after days of heavy rain were given breathing space this week with clear skies in the South East and London.
The break in the weather came as three of the UK’s biggest water companies announced they would lift hosepipe bans, imposed to deal with drought, following weeks of heavy rain.
Thames Water, Anglian Water and Southern Water were to remove the restrictions in place since early April from yesterday.
Seven water companies across southern and eastern England brought in hosepipe bans after two unusually dry winters left some groundwater supplies and rivers as low as in the drought year of 1976.
The Environment Agency had urged people in Devon, Cornwall, west Somerset, North Wales and parts of the Midlands to remain prepared for the possibility of floods as the Met Office issued a weather warning for heavy rain.
Underwater: The ford near Charvil, Berkshire, which flooded to a depth of 6ft after heavy rain hit parts of the UK. Temperatures are up to 10C below normal and sunshine is down 60 per cent
At one point yesterday the agency had five flood warnings in place for rivers where flooding was expected, and 21 less serious flood alerts.
There were also 17 flood alerts, mainly in East Anglia and the South East.
Today, that had been downgraded to two warnings where flooding was expected and 12 where it was possible over the next 12 hours.
Sussex Police, West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service and council officers said they evacuated people from flooded homes in the village of Elmer, near Bognor Regis, after reports of flooding of up to 6ft in some homes.
Inflatable boats were used to reach 250 vulnerable homes, knocking on doors and searching properties to make sure people were safe and received the help they needed, a Sussex Police spokesman said.
MeteoGroup said that the highest rainfall had been at Culdrose in Cornwall, where 16mm fell, with 13mm in Nantwich, Cheshire.
Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
Immigration Law Slows A Family's March Forward - NPR News
U.S.-born Angel Luis Cruz, the son of Dominican immigrants, owns an insurance company in South Carolina. He says anti-illegal immigration laws have hurt his business.
U.S.-born Angel Luis Cruz, the son of Dominican immigrants, owns an insurance company in South Carolina. He says anti-illegal immigration laws have hurt his business.
Immigrant success stories are closely woven into the concept of the American dream. In South Carolina, two generations of an immigrant family have worked hard to live out their dreams, but anti-illegal immigration laws have put even legal immigrants like them on edge.
Working Upon Arrival
Angel Cruz became a field worker in the Dominican Republic when he was just 8 years old. He came to New York in 1964 when he was 25 and went on to do a variety of jobs — from making coat hangers to sanding cabinets in a factory. He worked in landscaping and as a carpenter. It was hard, he says.
His wife, Eva, came a bit later, leaving their three children behind until the couple could make enough money to bring them to the U.S. Eva Cruz sewed dresses for dolls and cleaned hotel rooms. Ten months later, she brought her three children. She hadn't stopped working.
"I [worked] all the time," she says. "I [worked] in night and day."
Eva Cruz is proud her family never received any government help, like food stamps. They saw the American dream as a chance for a better life for them and the possibility of a good education for their children. The Cruzes never made it out of elementary school in the Dominican Republic.
Just three years ago, they bought a three-bedroom ranch house in the Charleston suburbs with the cash they saved all these years.
Angel, now 73, raises chickens in his backyard. There's a rooster and a dozen baby chicks scurrying around. On a scorching spring day, Angel's youngest grandson, Christopher, plays in a blue kiddy pool.
In the 40 years since they became citizens, this couple built their dream.
Hurt By The Law
Their fourth child, Angel Luis Cruz, was the only one born in the U.S. After high school, he built a small insurance company in North Charleston that serves Hispanic and non-Hispanic customers.
Angel Cruz with grandson Christopher. Cruz came to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic in 1964.
Angel Cruz with grandson Christopher. Cruz came to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic in 1964.
Just a few blocks from where his parents live, he's up early making breakfast for his three children.
Angel Luis Cruz, who turns 40 next week, says his business was doing fine until South Carolina passed legislation to get rid of illegal immigrants.
"I don't understand what the state is doing," he says. "Instead of embracing people, they're rejecting them."
The law allows police to stop suspected illegal immigrants and ask for proof of citizenship. The can be deported if they don't have papers and are in the country illegally.
Angel Luis Cruz says he's lost more than half his business since the law passed. Although the law hasn't gone into effect yet because of legal challenges, he says it's had a big impact: Many in the Latino community have left the area.
"This immigration law is hurting us — and not just us here — across the whole country," he says. "They're not thinking about Angel Insurance Agency. They're not thinking about such-and-such other business."
To make up for his losses, Angel Luis Cruz just opened a second office, two hours away in Hilton Head.
He hits the road six days a week now, while his wife staffs the Charleston office.
'I'm American'
Angel Luis Cruz is a devoted American. He loves this country. He joined the Army and served in the Gulf War. But he's tired and confused about being treated like he's not a citizen.
"I don't really ... rate myself as ... Hispanic like that because ... I grew up in this country. ... I' m American, you know? ... I don't see myself like that," he says.
He's only had a couple of customers since this office opened a few weeks ago, but he's optimistic. Angel Luis Cruz believes his American dream is still attainable, though it may take longer than he originally imagined.
"I want to laugh, and I want to enjoy life, and I want to make a difference in this world," he says.
Back at home, after 9:30 in the evening, Angel Luis Cruz is clearly worn out. His family, including 3-year-old Hailey, 7-year-old Angel Alexander and his wife, Prissy, are all up waiting for him.
"Like I tell my son all the time, 'Angel, we do what have to do now so tomorrow we can do what we [want to do].' So you have to make sacrifices in life," he says. "And then, sooner later it's going to pay off, and if we don't ever get to see it, it's all right because we're going to instill this in our children that you work hard and you move forward."
Angel Luis Cruz still worries about the immigration law. He says he doesn't want his kids to face the same intolerance that he has experienced. He says he has faith that America is still the best place for families to create their own dreams.
Source: www.npr.org
Suspected child sex offenders arrested by Kent Police - Kent News
police
Dean Kilpatrick, Reporter
Thursday, June 14, 2012
2:31 PM
Four men have been arrested as part of a nationwide campaign
Four men have been arrested by Kent Police as part of a nationwide campaign to target known and suspected child sex offenders.
The arrests were made on June 12 and June 13 after 4 search warrants were issued as part of the operation co-ordinated by Child Exploitation and Online Protection.
Those arrested were a 43-year-old man from Maidstone, a 25-year-old man from Gillingham, a 49-year-old man from Herne Bay and a 50-year old man from Rochester.
Detective Sergeant David Shipley, who oversaw the Kent offensive, said: “Over the past two days, Kent Police have executed 4 warrants at home in Kent, all of which resulted in the arrest of adult makes who are believed to be actively engaged in downloading indecent images.
“We remain dedicated to targeting those individuals who possess indecent images of children and we are keen to support this national operation organised by CEOP who provide a valuable contribution to the fight against child abuse.”
Deputy Chief Executive of CEOP Andy Baker added: “Behind every case of possession of indecent images lies the potential that contact sexual offences are taking place.
“No stone should be left unturned in order to identify and protect those children and CEOP will continue to work to support police and child protection organisations to do just that.”
Source: www.kentnews.co.uk
Kent urges all councils to place looked-after children closer to home - Children & Young People Now
Kent County Council has made a plea to all local authorities to place children in care closer to home, after revealing that 1,267 children are placed in Kent from other parts of the country.
Kent has 1,267 placed in the county from other parts of England. Image Kent County Council
Leader of the council Paul Carter has written to London mayor Boris Johnson calling for a summit of London councils to discuss how they can better work together to find foster carers and residential children’s home placements in the capital.
There are currently 1,267 looked-after children placed with independent fostering agencies and privately registered children's homes in Kent by other local authorities.
Carter has also written to children's commissioner for England Maggie Atkinson to highlight the issue.
“Being taken into care is probably the most traumatic thing that can happen to a child,” Carter said.
“Children in care deserve a better deal and all councils must work much harder to provide placements that enable them to remain in their schools and with their friends, unless there is a threat to their safety.
“This will minimise disruption in their lives and protect the wellbeing of some of our most vulnerable children."
The council has said that supporting its 1,790 looked-after children, including 181 unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, as well as the 1,267 looked-after children placed by other local authorities, is placing massive pressures on children's social services, schools, police and health services.
There are 63 privately registered children's homes and 32 independent fostering providers in Kent, catering for 803 children placed by London councils and other authorities including Manchester.
Carter and Jenny Whittle, Kent’s cabinet member for specialist children’s services, met with children's minister Tim Loughton to call for legislation that would place a statutory obligation for local authorities to place children no more than 15 miles away from their home or school, unless in exceptional circumstances.
The legislation proposed by Kent would also require all councils to provide an annual statement to their local safeguarding children board detailing how many children are placed outside their local authority boundary and what safeguards have been put in place to protect these children from harm.
It would also require all 32 London councils to jointly commission fostering placements and residential children home placements in London.
Carter added: "Following the recent conviction of nine members of a sex-grooming network in Rochdale, all councils must make sure they can properly safeguard teenagers placed in residential children’s homes, particularly those placed many miles from home, which increases their sense of vulnerability.”
Source: www.cypnow.co.uk
Margate's £100,000 boost 'not tied' to Mary Portas show - BBC News
A high street rejuvenation project will go ahead in Margate whether or not traders take part in a Mary Portas reality TV show, an MP has promised.
The Kent resort is among 12 towns chosen by Ms Portas to share £1.2m of government cash and her expertise.
However, she told hundreds at a meeting on Tuesday: "You either let the cameras in with me or I go back on the train and some other town gets it."
Thanet MP Sir Roger Gale said there was no question of money being withdrawn.
"It is entirely up to individual companies and tradespeople in the town whether or not they take part in the programme," the Conservative MP said.
"The Margate Town Team Regeneration Project, backed with £100,000 of government money, will go ahead whatever."
'Warts and all'Margate is the first of three towns to be chosen by TV production company Optomen Television to feature in a Channel 4 programme, Mary Queen of the High Street, about the regeneration process.
“Start Quote
End Quote Sir Roger GaleI wouldn't have issued a contract like that”
Ms Portas received applause as she addressed the meeting, but acknowledged some people saw the documentary as a "downside".
"If we put this on prime TV people will come," she said. "That is a decision you have got to make.
"It's going to be warts and all but at the end, from my heart, I want this to be wonderful and I want Margate to be wonderful."
Robin Vaughn-Lyons, leader of the regeneration bid, said he was unaware anything had been done "to offend Mary".
"It wasn't until after the event that someone pointed it out to me what she said," he said.
"It was bit of a shock of course but we have got an awful lot to do and we are just getting on with it."
Contract 'redrawn'Sir Roger, a former TV producer, said contracts local people had been asked to sign with the production company were "restrictive".
"I wouldn't have issued a contract like that and I understand Mary Portas herself has insisted that what she describes as the restrictive parts of the contract will be redrawn.
"I want to see the project succeed and if there is a documentary that shows how and why it has been approached and succeeded that would be very good news for the town."
Ms Portas tweeted that her remarks were "heat of moment stuff with camera stuck in face".
Channel 4 said in a statement: "Optomen is in early talks with a number of local shopkeepers and town representatives.
"Some businesses have been given standard TV agreements. As usual, these agreements will evolve once we have received everyone's initial feedback.
"Mary is passionate about her work to help reinvigorate the high street and the programme will be made in that spirit, so we're keen to work closely with everyone involved."
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
I honestly do not understand why people who live elsewhere come on these sites to crow about how great it is where they live. If it was that great why are they reading this?????? Also those who don't like it here are quite free to go and live elsewhere, or am I missing something? Our Weather is the most interesting in the World, it's rare to have more than two weeks of the same type of Weather, plus the position we are in makes it very hard to forecast any Weather at all. My Son lives in Spain but is coming home soon. He hates working when most of the year it's around 38c. As he says "It's great for a Holiday, but try working in it for 2yrs". Yes, I am Sun starved like the rest of us but this is why it is a "Green and Pleasant Land".
- Sparks, london, 15/6/2012 02:31
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