If this battle is not for ideological reasons then what is it for? The answer, however cynical, is simple. Resources. Mali is rich in resources, from uranium to gold. It is an African kingdom that has historically been known for its mass of gold reserves and more recently the possibility of further oil and uranium exploration. Had the rebels expressed their love of the West and outlined their intentions to open up Mali's market to foreign companies (allowing the leaching of resources), we would not have heard a word of objection from France, the United Kingdom or any other power. Instead, we are greeted with the scramble to take a big slice out of this African cake. Everyone is rushing to fight 'terrorists' in Mali. France is ensuring energy security. There should be no disruption in the flow of uranium through France's nuclear reactors. The so-called rebels are bad for business.
"I don't care if he's a diplomat or not," the man's widow Marina told Bild newspaper. "He should get his just punishment," she said. "Micha was always worried about this road. He said there would be an accident," she added.The German authorities can only formally expel the 50-year-old diplomat or request that the Saudi government waive his immunity so that he can be prosecuted.
The "proposed cuts would result in a dangerous reduction of civil rights enforcement across the country, leaving communities of color, LGBT people, older people, people with disabilities, and other marginalized groups exposed to greater risk of discrimination," the statement read. The commission will "examine the degree to which current budgets and staffing levels allow civil rights offices to perform their statutory and regulatory functions."The group's statement highlights a number of concerning proposed staff and budget cuts across a number of government agencies. It describes the Justice Department's decision to place US Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in courthouses as "a dangerous impediment to access to justice for all Americans." It also points to the proposed 121 positions being cut in the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division.
Protesters chanted slogans including "No human being is illegal" and "Where are the human rights?" while walking by Gran Via street in central Madrid. Among the signs and banners were those reading "Asylum is a right, not a plea,""Open the borders," and "No wars, no walls."
Comment: Further reading: