INTERNATIONAL
AUSTRALIA
“Calls for tough rules to close ‘residency’ colleges.” By Dan Harrison. Sydney Morning Herald. March 10, 2010. The man charged with reviewing Australia’s international education industry estimates one in five vocational colleges are ”permanent residency factories” and has conceded some of them may be forced out of business as the $17 billion sector is cleaned up. A report for the Australian ministry of education report suggests changes to weed out shonky operators and provide greater protection and support for students. Colleges would face tougher registration standards, including a focus on their financial resources and business models. Those considered to be high risk – for example because they draw heavily from a single source country – would be monitored more closely by regulators and bear a greater portion of the cost of industry assurance schemes. Colleges would be required to provide more information to students and regulators, including details of their student population, facilities and support services and the commissions they pay to agents – information that could in the future form the basis of another My School-style comparison website.
“Panda poo for sale.” No by-line. Sydney Morning Herald. March 10, 2010. Adelaide’s giant pandas do giant poos. But surely it’s a stretch to describe the dung as “famous for its fragrant aroma”. But stretch it marketers have, in announcing the panda poo is for sale – as a premium compost. The poo of Adelaide Zoo’s pandas, Wang Wang and Funi, is being combined with dung from other zoo animals and being packaged for sale. Zoos SA chief executive officer Chris West said sale proceeds would go towards funding conservation efforts, supporting international giant panda breeding programs and growing special bamboo varieties to feed Wang Wang and Funi – the only giant pandas in the southern hemisphere and the first to live permanently in Australia.
CHINA
“NGOs in China say threatened by new donor rules.” By Cara Anna. San Jose Mercury-News/Associated Press. March 12, 2010. China has surprised thousands of aid groups by stepping in to regulate overseas donations for the first time, complicating efforts to get money from supporters in the United States and elsewhere. Some groups warned that losing the support could force many to shut down. China’s leaders have only recently realized that outside help is needed on deep social welfare problems, but they worry the work of independent activist groups could turn political. Groups must find a government partner to register as a nonprofit. Many that want to stay independent have set up as a tax-paying business instead. As of this month, China-based aid groups—but not those connected with the government—must show proof that overseas nonprofit donor groups are registered in their home countries. The groups, also known as nongovernmental organizations or NGOs, must strictly follow detailed agreements with foreign donors and not use the money in other ways. Religious groups also need approval from the State Religious Affairs Bureau for any donation that exceeds 1 million yuan ($146,000).
GERMANY
“German diocese to examine choir abuse; Prestigious boys singing group was once led by Pope Benedict’s brother.” MSNBC/Associated Press. March. 10, 2010. A Catholic diocese in Germany will hold an investigation into allegations of physical and sexual abuse that have swirled around a famed choir once led by Pope Benedict XVI’s brother. A spokesman for the Regensburg diocese, Jacob Schoetz, told The Associated Press that the probe will be led by an independent lawyer who will be named later Wednesday. He said the claims that have engulfed the prestigious Domspatzen boys choir that was led by the Rev. Georg Ratzinger from 1964 until 1994 would be investigated thoroughly. The decision comes after the German Bishop’s Conference said it would look into all abuse allegations across the country.
Related Story:
“German Catholics open abuse investigation.” Boston Globe/Associated Press. March 11, 2010
“German schools angry over church abuse scandal.” USA Today. March 11, 2010.
“Sex Scandal Finds Pope’s Diocese; Amid German Priests’ Abuse Cases, Pontiff’s Munich Home Base Describes His Role in Decisions on an Offender in 1980.” Wall Street Journal. March 12, 2010.
“Pope under fire for priest transfer, letter on sex abuse; Pope Benedict XVI’s brother, also a priest, admits to slapping students as punishment and ignoring reports of physical abuse in the 1960s.” USA Today. March 12, 2010.
“Church Abuse Scandal in Germany Edges Closer to Pope.” New York Times. March 12, 2010
“Pope knew priest was paedophile but allowed him to continue with ministry.” Times of London. March 13, 2010.
“Sex Scandal Finds Pope’s Diocese; Amid German Priests’ Abuse Cases, Pontiff’s Munich Home Base Describes His Role in Decisions on an Offender in 1980.” Wall Street Journal. March 13, 2010.
“Catholic Church Child Abuse Claims Sweep Across Europe.” Huffington Post. March 14, 2010.
“Scientologists Try To Block Highly Critical Film.” No by-line. Huffington Post. March 14, 2010. Germany’s state broadcaster, ARD, is planning to broadcast the film, titled Bis Nichts Mehr Bleibt, which translates as Until Nothing Remains. The 90-minute drama tells the story of Heiner von Ronns, a German man who leaves the organization after donating a large amount of money, and ends up losing contact with his daughter and wife, who remain members. The film is based on a true story. Reports indicate the film is notable for being extremely critical of the organization, portraying it is totalitarian and dangerous. Scientology leaders called the drama a piece of propaganda and have sought to censor the film before its broadcast, criticizing the state station for not supporting religious tolerance.
HAITI RELIEF
“Churches’ Haiti fund eclipses $200,000.” No by-line. Indianapolis Star. March 8, 2010. A group of Central Indiana churches has raised more than $200,000 to be donated to a charity assisting victims of the earthquake in Haiti. The donation total increased through the day Sunday, rising at a church service after those in attendance were shown a video recorded by two local ministers who just returned from Haiti. The money was collected over the past eight weeks, after the Jan. 12 earthquake that left an estimated 230,000 dead. The group, calling itself Indiana Churches for Haiti, received contributions from 30 church groups and three businesses, with five churches donating more than $25,000 each.
“U.S. missionary freed in Haiti; leader remains jailed.” No by-line. USA Today. March 8, 2010. A judge in Haiti has freed one of two remaining U.S. Baptist missionaries but the group’s leader is still in custody. Charisa Coulter and nine other Americans were arrested Jan. 29 while trying to transport 33 Haitian children to the Dominican Republic, where they said they planned to open an orphanage after the devastating earthquake. Eight others were released two weeks ago.
“Lives of Haiti orphans, Tennessee churchgoers collide.” By Adam Geller. USA Today/Associated Press. March 10, 2010. White Stone Church, an overwhelmingly white congregation of salesmen, small business owners and teachers, had adopted the girls orphange of Coq Chante long before the disasterous earthquake. After the quake, parishioners traveled to Haiti to help out.
IRELAND
“Irish cardinal refuses to quit amid court case over paedophilia ‘cover-up’; Victim sues Irish Catholic church leader Sean Brady over role in Brendan Smyth secret tribunal.” By Henry McDonald. Guardian (UK). March 14, 2010.
ITALY
“Vatican on Defense as Sex Scandals Build.” By Rachel Donadio and Nicholas Kulish. New York Times. March 9, 2010. Defending itself against a growing child sexual abuse scandal in Europe, one that has even come close to the brother of Pope Benedict XVI, the Vatican said Tuesday that local European churches had addressed the issue with “timely and decisive action.” In a note read on Vatican Radio, the Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, cautioned against limiting the concerns over child sexual abuse to Roman Catholic institutions, noting that the problem also affected the broader society. A wave of church sexual abuse scandals has emerged in recent weeks in Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands, adding to the fallout from a broad abuse investigation in Ireland.
Related Stories:
“Vatican officials defend pope on abuse.” Huffington Post. March 13, 2010.
“Catholic Church Child Abuse Claims Sweep Across Europe.” Huffington Post. March 14, 2010
MEXICO
“Carlos Slim ‘World’s Richest’ Person: Forbes Says Mexican Billionaire Is Richer Than Bill Gates.” By Mark Stevenson. Huffington Post. March 11, 2010. Mexican telecom tycoon Carlos Slim is the world’s richest person, jumping past Americans Bill Gates and Warren Buffett to become the first person from a developing nation to top the list, according to Forbes magazine. The rise of Slim, the son of an immigrant shopkeeper who amassed a $53.5 billion fortune and bought a major stake in the New York Times, is part of an increased presence on the list of billionaires from emerging countries, said Forbes’ reporter Keren Blankfeld. Gates’ and Buffett’s donations also played a role in their decline to the number 2 and 3 spots. “A big reason for that is they are both very philanthropic,” said Blankfeld. “They’ve given away so many billions of dollars.” Slim has donated to several causes, but not on nearly the same level. In January, he announced a $65 million donation for genetic research on cancer, type 2 diabetes and kidney disease in Mexican and Latin American populations.
Related Story:
“World’s Rich List Reflects Shifting Global Wealth.” All Things Considered. National Public Radio. March 11, 2010.
NETHERLANDS
“Dutch bishops launch child abuse investigation.” No by-line. CNN.com. March 10, 2010. Catholic bishops in the Netherlands have announced an independent investigation into allegations of child abuse by clergy, widening a scandal that touches countries including the United States, Ireland, Germany and Austria. Dutch church leaders “are deeply moved by the gripping accounts of sexual abuse that have come to light in recent days. Any form of sexual abuse deserves to be heavily condemned,” the bishops said in a statement Tuesday. The bishops turned to a Protestant politician to lead the inquiry: former education minister Wim Deetman, who is also a former mayor of The Hague, Radio Netherlands Worldwide reported Tuesday. The station broke the story of the alleged abuse of boys by Catholic priests at a boarding school in the Netherlands in the 1960s and 1970s. Hundreds of other reports of abuse flowed in after the story appeared on radio and in the NRC Handelsblad newspaper, Radio Netherlands said.
UK
“Spyclists: how Hitler Youth’s cycling tours caused panic in prewar Britain; Nazis’ bid to forge ties with Lord Baden-Powell and boy scouts rang government alarm bells.” By Owen Bowcott. Guardian (UK). March 8, 2010. Cycling tours by Hitler Youth groups and Nazi attempts to establish close links with the Boy Scout movement caused a security panic in prewar Britain, according to MI5 files released today. Police officers were alerted to monitor German students on bicycle holidays in the late 1930s as they stopped at schools, Rotary clubs, factories and church services. An effusively amicable meeting between Lord Baden-Powell, head of the Scout movement, and Joachim von Ribbentrop, the German ambassador, rang even louder alarm bells in Whitehall.
Related Story
“The mystery of Hitler’s ’spyclists’.” Today Programme. BBC.com. March 8, 2010.
“Nicholas Newlife Bets On Sports, Leaves Money To Oxfam In Will.” No by-line. Huffington Post. March 9, 2010. A few years back, Nicholas Newlife of Kidlington (near Oxford) placed a bet of €275 (that’s Euros) — he wagered that tennis superstar Roger Federer would win 14 Grand Slam titles before 2020. The odds against were 66 to 1. Well, it happened, and Newlife won €18,500 (equal to roughly $25,000). Federer won his 14th grand slam on June 7, 2009. Unfortunately, Newlife has recently died and was unable to collect his winnings. But, then something unexpected happened. Newlife stipulated in his will that all subsequent gambling winnings were to go to Oxfam International, a prominent organization that seeks to end poverty and injustice. Oxfam could stand to win a great deal more money, should one of Newlife’s final bets come through. He wagered well before his death that Federer would win the Wimbledon tournament seven times before 2020. He’s already won six times — taking the tournament each year since 2003, except for 2008, when he lost to Spaniard Rafael Nadal. If Federer wins Wimbledon this July (or any other time in the next 10 years), Oxfam will win €112,580 (about $153,000 at current exchange rates).
“Bob Geldof anger at BBC over Band Aid allegations; Documentary on rebels siphoning cash sparks fury, with legal action threatened and sackings demanded.” By Sam Jones and James Robinson. Guardian (UK). March 9, 2010.
Bob Geldof has launched a furious attack on the BBC World Service over its claim that 95% of the $100m aid raised to fight famine in northern Ethiopia was diverted by rebels and spent on weapons. Writing in today’s Guardian, the musician and mastermind of the 1985 Live Aid concerts accuses the World Service of a “total collapse of standards and systems”, threatens it with legal action and calls for the sacking of the reporter behind the story, his editor and the head of the World Service, Peter Horrocks. The row began last week when the World Service broadcast an Assignment programme in which a former Ethiopian rebel commander claimed that in 1985, only 5% of the $100m destined for famine relief in the northern province of Tigray reached the hungry. The report, by the World Service’s Africa editor, Martin Plaut, also carried an allegation from another former rebel that the Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front had tricked aid workers into giving them money meant to buy food for the starving. Geldof and the Band Aid Trust are talking to some of the world’s biggest charities – including Oxfam, Unicef, the Red Cross, Christian Aid and Save the Children – about reporting the BBC to the broadcasting watchdog Ofcom and the corporation’s governing body, the BBC Trust.
Related Story:
“Bob Geldof: My rage at this World Service calumny; Rageh Omaar’s defence of the discredited BBC report on Band Aid beggars belief. He ignores the total collapse of standards at the World Service.” Guardian (UK). March 9, 2010.
“Lumley named in row over Gurkha charity; Minister attacks campaigner’s ’silence’ as inquiry is launched into donations solicited in Nepal.” By Kim Sengupta. Independent (UK). March 10, 2010. A legal firm that had campaigned alongside the actress Joanna Lumley has been dragged into an investigation into charges levied on Gurkha veterans seeking to settle in Britain. The Defence minister Kevan Jones ordered the inquiry after it emerged that former soldiers had paid thousands of pounds to a welfare charity which referred their cases to immigration lawyers in this country.
“Blair courts controversial US pastor Rick Warren in bid to unite faiths; Former prime minister builds network of Christian allies as he prepares to launch a religious ‘offensive’ in North America.” No by-line. Guardian (UK). March 14, 2010. Tony Blair is preparing to launch a “faith offensive” across the United States over the next year, after building up relationships with a network of influential religious leaders and faith organisations. With Afghanistan and Iraq casting a shadow over his popularity at home in Britain, Blair’s focus has increasingly shifted across the Atlantic, to where the nexus of faith and power is immutable and he is feted like a rock star. According to the annual accounts of the Tony Blair Faith Foundation, a UK-based charity that promotes cohesion between the major faiths, the foundation is to develop a US arm that will pursue a host of faith-based projects. The accounts show that his foundation has an impressive – and, in at least one case, controversial – set of faith contacts. Sitting on some £4.5m in funds as of April last year, mostly gathered through donations, it is now well placed to make its voice heard.
“Embracing the religious marketplace; Faith leaders are naive to think that religion is marginalised. It benefits from a previously unimaginable freedom.” By Antony Lerman. Opinion. Guardian (UK). March 14, 2010. Lord Carey’s whingeing about the “bullying” and “marginalisation” of Christians in British society makes church leaders look rather pathetic. The former Archbishop of Canterbury also said: “What is happening in western Europe is not persecution but a marginalising of faith which seeks to portray it as a matter of personal conscience only.” Last month it was the archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, who complained that Christianity is being wiped out from public life in the name of equality and tolerance. What explains this tendency for the church to paint itself as a victim, especially since, as Riazat Butt accurately surmised: “the government is giving more concessions to religious organisations and these groups are becoming more adept at campaigning for their demands to be met”? The fact is that the church’s sense of entitlement has been undermined because it no longer holds a monopolistic position in the religious marketplace and is no longer automatically treated with deference. While the church could have done nothing to prevent this, it’s wide of the mark in where it lays blame.
“Salaries soar for heads of British universities; More than 80 university heads, generally known as vice-chancellors, now earn more than the prime minister.” By David Leigh and Rob Evans. Guardian (UK). March 13, 2010.
“Eton and the masses; The chasm between David Cameron’s background and that of most other people makes his claims of empathy grate.” By Alex Derber. Joe Public Blog. Guardian (UK). March 14, 2010.
