Scientists, secular Muslims and critics of Islam feel denounced – in an “Islamophobia Report” sponsored by the European Union. In an open letter they addressed the EU Commission – and are waiting for an answer.
21. January 2020
Category: Politics
Victor Fischer ©Robert Kaufman
About one in five Alaskans is indigenous. But only one indigenous person was in the Constitutional Convention that prepared Alaska’s incorporation into the USA in the mid-1950s. A German-born man was also there: Victor Fischer, who is 95 years old today.
8. November 2019
The Wild Fire that burnt down Paradise
On November 8, 2018, a wildfire almost completely destroyed the town of Paradise in California. 86 people lost their lives
Olav Bryant Smith in front of the ruins of his house ©Rebecca Hillauer
An outdated power line is said to have been left unrepaired – and a spark eventually triggered the disaster, fanned by extraordinary wind. With Paradise, a refuge from the overpriced property market in the rest of California burnt to the ground.
21. October 2019
Rivers in the Balkans threatened
Vjosa River in Albania© Gabriel Singer
Around 2,700 large and small dams are planned or already under construction in the Balkans to promote hydropower generation. According to many conservationists and scientists, this is not always out of ecological necessity.
Northern Ireland is in the spotlight because of the upcoming Brexit, and not only because of that: it is the 50th anniversary of the start of the Northern Ireland conflict. What does Brexit do to the fragile peace between the northern part of Ireland, which is part of Great Britain, and the Republic of Ireland in the south? How people in Northern Ireland see their future: a situation report,
16. November 2018
Arab clan crime in Germany
Lebanese born Ralph Ghadban and his new book “Arab Clans. The Underestimated Danger”
In Berlin, Arab clans dominate entire streets and practice vigilante justice. And in Frankfurt, Bremen and Essen, Lebanese-Kurdish extended families also dominate the business of robbery, drug trafficking, protection rackets, prostitution and money laundering. According to migration researcher Ralph Ghadban, the criminal clans are now so strong that they are about to attack the state. But he also warns against politics that still refuses to acknowledge this danger to society.
Women contributed to shape the ’68 revolt and initiated major social upheavals and changes. The initial spark was a famous “tomato throw” on September 13, 1968.
Women and peace activist Eva Quistorp 1968 ©Elfriede Quistorp 
In the German Democratic Republic, GDR, equal rights were given constitutional status in 1949. There, the ideal was the working woman. However, men rose to the top positions – and in most families the traditional division of roles remained.
20. March 2018
Flood: Looking for possible causes
How floods make citizens and local authorities think differently
More and more often, floods occur away from designated floodplains. In the Harz Mountains in Germany, a citizens’ initiative wants to fight not only the floods but also their causes.
3. June 2017
Secular and ex-Muslims in Germany
They are attacked, physically assaulted and often even threatened with death by devout Muslims: seculars and atheists among Muslims and people of Muslim origin in Germany. Many are committed to a self-confident critique of Islam – which they believe is still lacking in politics.
Mina Ahadi, Central Council of Ex-Muslims Germany ©private