Twitter accounts, including that of Amnesty International, have been hacked by a group claiming to support the Turkish government.
The tweets, which began with a swastika, linked to a YouTube video entitled: "Nazi Germany, Nazi Holland, see you April 16" (the date of a constitutional referendum in Turkey).
Other accounts hacked included ones belonging to Unicef USA, the Atlanta Police Department, French politician Alain Juppe, the UK's Department of Health, Die Welt, Forbes and Central Bedfordshire Council.
The European Parliament was also affected, tweeting: "Good morning. We briefly lost control of this account earlier, but everything is now back to normal."
A Twitter spokesperson said they had "quickly located the source which was limited to third party app. We removed its permissions immediately. No additional accounts are impacted."
It comes as people in the Netherlands vote in a parliamentary election.
The final days of campaigning were overshadowed by a diplomatic crisis between the Dutch and Turkish governments.
Over the weekend, police used water cannon, horses and dogs to break up the pro-Turkey demonstration attended by hundreds as some activists threw bottles and stones.
The protest came after two Turkish ministers were stopped from campaigning in the Netherlands in favour of giving Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan more powers in the forthcoming referendum.
In response, Mr Erdogan has suspended diplomatic talks with the Netherlands and described the country's citizens as "Nazi remnants".
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
Saudi Arabia: Trump meeting 'historical turning point'
Saudi Arabia has hailed a "historical turning point" in relations with the United States after a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House.
The meeting on Tuesday was the first since Trump's January 20 inauguration with a prince who is leading the kingdom's efforts to revive state finances and is also its defence minister.
"The meeting today restored issues to their right path and form a big change in relations between both countries in political, military, security and economic issues," a senior adviser to Prince Mohammed said in a statement.
The talks appeared to signal a marked difference from Riyadh's often fraught relationship with the previous administration of Barack Obama, especially in the wake of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.
The deputy crown prince viewed the nuclear deal as "very dangerous", the senior adviser said, adding that both leaders had identical views on "the danger of Iran's regional expansionist activities".
The Trump White House has said the deal was not in the best interests of the US.
OPINION: What will Trump do with the Iran nuclear deal?
Referring to a US travel ban on six Muslim-majority countries, the adviser said Prince Mohammed did not regard it as aimed at "Muslim countries or Islam".
Earlier this month Trump signed a revised executive order banning citizens from Yemen, Iran, Somalia, Syria, Sudan, and Libya from travelling to the US but removed Iraq from the list, after a first attempt was blocked in the courts.
The senior adviser said Prince Mohammed "expressed his satisfaction after the meeting on the positive position and clarifications he heard from President Trump on his views on Islam."
The two leaders also discussed opportunities for US companies to invest in Saudi Arabia.
OPINION: How Muslim Ban incites vigilante Islamophobic violence
Obama late last year suspended the sale of US-made precision-guidance munitions to the Saudis, a reaction to thousands of civilian casualties from Saudi-led air raids in Yemen.
US officials said Trump was considering ending that ban and approving the sale of guidance systems made by Raytheon Co.
The US State Department has approved the move, which awaits a final White House decision, the officials said.
The meeting on Tuesday was the first since Trump's January 20 inauguration with a prince who is leading the kingdom's efforts to revive state finances and is also its defence minister.
"The meeting today restored issues to their right path and form a big change in relations between both countries in political, military, security and economic issues," a senior adviser to Prince Mohammed said in a statement.
The talks appeared to signal a marked difference from Riyadh's often fraught relationship with the previous administration of Barack Obama, especially in the wake of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.
The deputy crown prince viewed the nuclear deal as "very dangerous", the senior adviser said, adding that both leaders had identical views on "the danger of Iran's regional expansionist activities".
The Trump White House has said the deal was not in the best interests of the US.
OPINION: What will Trump do with the Iran nuclear deal?
Referring to a US travel ban on six Muslim-majority countries, the adviser said Prince Mohammed did not regard it as aimed at "Muslim countries or Islam".
Earlier this month Trump signed a revised executive order banning citizens from Yemen, Iran, Somalia, Syria, Sudan, and Libya from travelling to the US but removed Iraq from the list, after a first attempt was blocked in the courts.
The senior adviser said Prince Mohammed "expressed his satisfaction after the meeting on the positive position and clarifications he heard from President Trump on his views on Islam."
The two leaders also discussed opportunities for US companies to invest in Saudi Arabia.
OPINION: How Muslim Ban incites vigilante Islamophobic violence
Obama late last year suspended the sale of US-made precision-guidance munitions to the Saudis, a reaction to thousands of civilian casualties from Saudi-led air raids in Yemen.
US officials said Trump was considering ending that ban and approving the sale of guidance systems made by Raytheon Co.
The US State Department has approved the move, which awaits a final White House decision, the officials said.
Sir Mo Farah fronts appeal for millions facing starvation in East Africa
Sir Mo Farah has thrown his support behind a charity appeal to help the millions of people who face starvation in East Africa.
The four-time Olympic champion has been named ambassador for Save the Children, one of 13 UK aid agencies under the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC).
The committee's new East Africa Food Crisis Appeal is hoping to bring aid to more than 16 million people in the region "on the brink of starvation and in urgent need of flood, water and medical treatment".
Video appeals for donations to help those affected in the crisis - caused by droughts and conflict - will air on Sky, the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5.
Sir Mo, who spent his early childhood in Somalia, said he was "completely devastated" by the crisis.
He said: "As a father-of-four, it hurts to see children without food and water, but this is a reality being faced by parents in East Africa right now.
"The drought is really bad and there are millions of children at risk of starvation.
"I was born in Somalia and it breaks my heart to hear stories of how families are suffering."
Money raised by the DEC appeal will go to those affected in Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia and South Sudan, with the Government pledging to match public donations up to £5m.
Around 800,000 children aged up to five need treatment for severe acute malnutrition in the four countries, according to the committee.
In February, the UN formally declared a famine in parts of South Sudan - the first time in six years such an announcement has been made.
Priti Patel, International Development Secretary, said: "Britain has acted without hesitation - UK aid-funded food, water and emergency healthcare is being delivered across East Africa right now, but more support is urgently needed to prevent a catastrophe.
"The international community must now follow Global Britain's lead to save lives and stop the famine before it becomes a stain on our collective conscience.
"The world cannot afford to wait."
DEC chief executive Saleh Saeed said: "We are hearing that families are so desperate for food that they are resorting to eating leaves to survive.
"This is something no family should have to endure. Unless we act now the number of deaths will drastically increase."
:: To donate to the DEC East Africa Crisis Appeal, visit www.dec.org.uk or call 0370 60 60 610.
The four-time Olympic champion has been named ambassador for Save the Children, one of 13 UK aid agencies under the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC).
The committee's new East Africa Food Crisis Appeal is hoping to bring aid to more than 16 million people in the region "on the brink of starvation and in urgent need of flood, water and medical treatment".
Video appeals for donations to help those affected in the crisis - caused by droughts and conflict - will air on Sky, the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5.
Sir Mo, who spent his early childhood in Somalia, said he was "completely devastated" by the crisis.
He said: "As a father-of-four, it hurts to see children without food and water, but this is a reality being faced by parents in East Africa right now.
"The drought is really bad and there are millions of children at risk of starvation.
"I was born in Somalia and it breaks my heart to hear stories of how families are suffering."
Money raised by the DEC appeal will go to those affected in Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia and South Sudan, with the Government pledging to match public donations up to £5m.
Around 800,000 children aged up to five need treatment for severe acute malnutrition in the four countries, according to the committee.
In February, the UN formally declared a famine in parts of South Sudan - the first time in six years such an announcement has been made.
Priti Patel, International Development Secretary, said: "Britain has acted without hesitation - UK aid-funded food, water and emergency healthcare is being delivered across East Africa right now, but more support is urgently needed to prevent a catastrophe.
"The international community must now follow Global Britain's lead to save lives and stop the famine before it becomes a stain on our collective conscience.
"The world cannot afford to wait."
DEC chief executive Saleh Saeed said: "We are hearing that families are so desperate for food that they are resorting to eating leaves to survive.
"This is something no family should have to endure. Unless we act now the number of deaths will drastically increase."
:: To donate to the DEC East Africa Crisis Appeal, visit www.dec.org.uk or call 0370 60 60 610.
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
Headscarves can be banned at work, European court rules
Employers will be able to ban Muslim staff from wearing headscarves at work, the European Court of Justice has ruled.
The court said that companies were able to ban "the visible wearing of any political, philosophical or religious sign".
The ruling made clear that if the ban was only applied to Muslim members of staff it could still constitute discrimination.
Companies would need to already have a policy in place prohibiting the wearing of religious symbols and would not be able to ban staff from wearing headscarves on the "wishes of a customer".
The judgment was sparked by the cases of two women - one living in France and one in Belgium - who were dismissed from work after refusing to remove their headscarves.
Samira Achbita, a receptionist for security company G4S, was dismissed after insisting on wearing her Islamic headscarf to work.
The company told her there was an unwritten rule prohibiting employees from wearing visible signs of religion in the workplace.
Ms Achbita challenged the decision in the Belgian courts, claiming she was being discriminated against on grounds of her religion.
In the second case, design engineer Asma Bougnaoui was fired from consultancy company Micropole, after a customer complained about her wearing of the Islamic headscarf.
Ms Bougnaoui - who had refused to stop wearing her veil - had taken her case to the Court of Cassation in France.
The Open Society Justice Initiative, a group which had supported the women, said it was disappointed by the ruling which it said "weakens the guarantee of equality that is at the heart of the EU's anti-discrimination directive."
Nick Elwell-Sutton, employment partner at law firm Clyde & Co, said: "The judgment demonstrates to employers how critical it is for a businesses to have a well-documented policy and to apply it consistently across the workforce."
In 2013, British Airways employee won a landmark legal battle over her right to wear a cross at work.
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled that Nadia Eweida, a Coptic Christian, had been discriminated against under freedom of religion laws.
Three other Christian claimants, who launched similar action, lost their cases.
In France - a secular country that insists on the separation of church and state - school staff and those delivering a public service are banned from wearing clothes or emblems displaying a "religious allegiance".
But last year, France's highest administrative court overturned a controversial burkini ban, forbidding Muslim women from wearing full-body swimsuits on beaches.
France is currently preparing to vote for its next president, with far-right candidate Marine Le Pen, leader of anti-immigrant party Front National, riding high in opinion polls.
The court said that companies were able to ban "the visible wearing of any political, philosophical or religious sign".
The ruling made clear that if the ban was only applied to Muslim members of staff it could still constitute discrimination.
Companies would need to already have a policy in place prohibiting the wearing of religious symbols and would not be able to ban staff from wearing headscarves on the "wishes of a customer".
The judgment was sparked by the cases of two women - one living in France and one in Belgium - who were dismissed from work after refusing to remove their headscarves.
Samira Achbita, a receptionist for security company G4S, was dismissed after insisting on wearing her Islamic headscarf to work.
The company told her there was an unwritten rule prohibiting employees from wearing visible signs of religion in the workplace.
Ms Achbita challenged the decision in the Belgian courts, claiming she was being discriminated against on grounds of her religion.
In the second case, design engineer Asma Bougnaoui was fired from consultancy company Micropole, after a customer complained about her wearing of the Islamic headscarf.
Ms Bougnaoui - who had refused to stop wearing her veil - had taken her case to the Court of Cassation in France.
The Open Society Justice Initiative, a group which had supported the women, said it was disappointed by the ruling which it said "weakens the guarantee of equality that is at the heart of the EU's anti-discrimination directive."
Nick Elwell-Sutton, employment partner at law firm Clyde & Co, said: "The judgment demonstrates to employers how critical it is for a businesses to have a well-documented policy and to apply it consistently across the workforce."
In 2013, British Airways employee won a landmark legal battle over her right to wear a cross at work.
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled that Nadia Eweida, a Coptic Christian, had been discriminated against under freedom of religion laws.
Three other Christian claimants, who launched similar action, lost their cases.
In France - a secular country that insists on the separation of church and state - school staff and those delivering a public service are banned from wearing clothes or emblems displaying a "religious allegiance".
But last year, France's highest administrative court overturned a controversial burkini ban, forbidding Muslim women from wearing full-body swimsuits on beaches.
France is currently preparing to vote for its next president, with far-right candidate Marine Le Pen, leader of anti-immigrant party Front National, riding high in opinion polls.
Leaked Donald Trump tax return reveals his earnings in 2005
The controversy over Donald Trump's tax affairs has been thrust back into the US political spotlight after details from his 2005 return were leaked to an investigative journalist.
The White House responded angrily to the leak of the President's 12-year-old federal tax return but also confirmed the details contained in its two pages.
Mr Trump has consistently refused to release his tax returns, a break with presidential tradition.
It has led to accusations that the billionaire tycoon has something to hide in his finances.
The 2005 return revealed that Mr Trump paid federal taxes of $38m (£31m) on his income of $150m (£123m).
He also wrote off $100m (£82m) in business losses.
Additional pages containing more detailed information on bank accounts, loans and investments were not included in the leak.
Journalist David Cay Johnston told MSNBC he had received the tax return anonymously through the post.
It was revealed on the primetime Rachel Maddow Show.
Shortly before the broadcast, a White House official said: "You know you are desperate for ratings when you are willing to violate the law to push a story about two pages of tax returns from over a decade ago."
It added that Mr Trump had paid "no more tax than legally required".
Mr Trump has always said he cannot release his tax returns because of an on-going audit, something tax experts have questioned.
His advisers have consistently said that only the media, and not the American people, care about the issue.
But this leak has led to speculation over who may have been responsible and whether further tax returns might be forthcoming.
Johnston, who has written a book on Mr Trump, hinted that he would not be surprised if the President himself was behind the leak.
Trump's administration continues to face questions over alleged collusion with Russia during last year's election.
The President is also fighting high-profile battles over immigration and healthcare.
The White House remains locked in combat with the media.
"It is totally illegal to steal and publish tax returns. The dishonest media can continue to make this part of their agenda, while the president will focus on his, which includes tax reform that will benefit all Americans," said the White House official.
MSNBC said it believed it had acted in accordance with the law in reporting the leaked tax return.
Just before November's election, the New York Times revealed a partial tax return for Trump from 1995 which showed a $916m (£753m) tax deduction.
It would have allowed Mr Trump to avoid federal income tax for up to 18 years.
The White House responded angrily to the leak of the President's 12-year-old federal tax return but also confirmed the details contained in its two pages.
Mr Trump has consistently refused to release his tax returns, a break with presidential tradition.
It has led to accusations that the billionaire tycoon has something to hide in his finances.
The 2005 return revealed that Mr Trump paid federal taxes of $38m (£31m) on his income of $150m (£123m).
He also wrote off $100m (£82m) in business losses.
Additional pages containing more detailed information on bank accounts, loans and investments were not included in the leak.
Journalist David Cay Johnston told MSNBC he had received the tax return anonymously through the post.
It was revealed on the primetime Rachel Maddow Show.
Shortly before the broadcast, a White House official said: "You know you are desperate for ratings when you are willing to violate the law to push a story about two pages of tax returns from over a decade ago."
It added that Mr Trump had paid "no more tax than legally required".
Mr Trump has always said he cannot release his tax returns because of an on-going audit, something tax experts have questioned.
His advisers have consistently said that only the media, and not the American people, care about the issue.
But this leak has led to speculation over who may have been responsible and whether further tax returns might be forthcoming.
Johnston, who has written a book on Mr Trump, hinted that he would not be surprised if the President himself was behind the leak.
Trump's administration continues to face questions over alleged collusion with Russia during last year's election.
The President is also fighting high-profile battles over immigration and healthcare.
The White House remains locked in combat with the media.
"It is totally illegal to steal and publish tax returns. The dishonest media can continue to make this part of their agenda, while the president will focus on his, which includes tax reform that will benefit all Americans," said the White House official.
MSNBC said it believed it had acted in accordance with the law in reporting the leaked tax return.
Just before November's election, the New York Times revealed a partial tax return for Trump from 1995 which showed a $916m (£753m) tax deduction.
It would have allowed Mr Trump to avoid federal income tax for up to 18 years.
Perfume giant Coty planning to axe 400 UK jobs in plant closure
Cosmetics and perfume giant Coty has announced plans to close a UK factory affecting 400 jobs, months after it took over the plant from former owner Procter & Gamble.
The site at Seaton Delaval in Northumberland is expected to shut by the end of next year.
It makes fragrances under the Boss, Lacoste, Gucci, Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen and Escada brands.
The decision follows Coty's $12.5bn (£10.3bn) takeover of P&G's perfume, hair and make-up business which completed in October.
That deal united the US maker of Calvin Klein and Chloe perfume with P&G's Wella and Clairol hair brands.
Coty said the closure plans came after a "detailed study of our expanded global manufacturing capacities and capabilities… following the merger with P&G specialty beauty brands".
It said that as a result of the study it was proposing "to consolidate our fragrance operations into fewer core centres which will result in the proposed closure of the Seaton plant".
A spokesman said the decision did not have anything to do with Brexit.
Coty, whose brands include Max Factor and Rimmel cosmetics, enjoys revenues of around $9bn (£7.4bn).
It employs more than 20,000 people worldwide including 2,000 in Britain.
Coty followed its P&G merger with the £420m takeover of British hair products maker GHD.
The site at Seaton Delaval in Northumberland is expected to shut by the end of next year.
It makes fragrances under the Boss, Lacoste, Gucci, Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen and Escada brands.
The decision follows Coty's $12.5bn (£10.3bn) takeover of P&G's perfume, hair and make-up business which completed in October.
That deal united the US maker of Calvin Klein and Chloe perfume with P&G's Wella and Clairol hair brands.
Coty said the closure plans came after a "detailed study of our expanded global manufacturing capacities and capabilities… following the merger with P&G specialty beauty brands".
It said that as a result of the study it was proposing "to consolidate our fragrance operations into fewer core centres which will result in the proposed closure of the Seaton plant".
A spokesman said the decision did not have anything to do with Brexit.
Coty, whose brands include Max Factor and Rimmel cosmetics, enjoys revenues of around $9bn (£7.4bn).
It employs more than 20,000 people worldwide including 2,000 in Britain.
Coty followed its P&G merger with the £420m takeover of British hair products maker GHD.
Kickboxer Scott Marsden, 14, dies after title fight in Leeds
A 14-year-old kickboxer who collapsed during an English title fight in Leeds has died.
Scott Marsden needed urgent medical attention during the competition on Saturday and was taken to hospital where his condition was described as critical.
Leeds Martial Arts College paid tribute to the "true champion".
"Our deepest condolences & sympathy go to our friends the Marsdens at this terrible time," it said in a statement.
"Scotty will always be in our hearts & our thoughts & we miss you dearly.
"A true champion in every way who's energy & positivity affected everyone he met.
"Rest now Scotty lad."
The teenager had been kickboxing since the age of four and was a pupil at Forge Valley secondary school in Sheffield.
He was a member of Marsden's All Styles Kickboxing, which has set up a JustGiving page to raise money for the youngster's family.
Scott Marsden needed urgent medical attention during the competition on Saturday and was taken to hospital where his condition was described as critical.
Leeds Martial Arts College paid tribute to the "true champion".
"Our deepest condolences & sympathy go to our friends the Marsdens at this terrible time," it said in a statement.
"Scotty will always be in our hearts & our thoughts & we miss you dearly.
"A true champion in every way who's energy & positivity affected everyone he met.
"Rest now Scotty lad."
The teenager had been kickboxing since the age of four and was a pupil at Forge Valley secondary school in Sheffield.
He was a member of Marsden's All Styles Kickboxing, which has set up a JustGiving page to raise money for the youngster's family.
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