He left us hot blood from the Cold War era

And poems the dictator used to comb with minesweepers…

Abdul Karim Al-Ahmad

Abdul Karim Al-Ahmad is a poet and author from Syria, a war-torn country located on the east coast of the Mediterranean Sea. He currently resides in Germany, Abdul Karim Al-Ahmad writes poetry, stories and novels. He has published some of his works in Arab and international literary magazines and websites. He also has a manuscript ready for publication.

Biography

He was a poet and resembled Rome

When embers were dropping from the trees in its first great fire

He was a poet and before he was a poet

He waged war on nature

He wiped out a flock of fragile birds

He loved the chaos that destroyed the lives of others

Just as he loved the hell that was always near them

He was a very dangerous poet

He wanted to imitate Jesus and Gandhi and Shakespeare

He wanted to slit open the veins of frozen waves with knives

He was a poet and a historian

He left us hot blood from the Cold War era

And poems the dictator used to comb with minesweepers

And other things including a woman

Rocking the sun on her knees.  

……….

The Ninth Bomb

Just like that with no prior warning

The ninth bomb will explode

In this unassuming street

It will explode from extreme depression

As a possible cause or the only cause

And the clouds close to the incident

Will be transformed

Into cold body parts

And the dreams that wake up at four in the morning will die

And the strings of the violin played by the wind will be severed

Passersby will piss in their pants

And the demand for blood for rare groups in particular will rise

Quadratic equations will change

When the speed of flight from death

Is measured in hertz

Trees will lie flat on the ground

And never rise again

The Security Council will hold

A session of denunciation and condemnation or perhaps not

As some god will declare a period of mourning

For three days

That CO2-breathing bomb will explode

As best it can

In a moment of madness hitting the detonator linked to the TNT charge

Concussion is something like that

It will explode with its four major arteries

With its vocal chords

Explode in a manner displaying much art and much death

Like destiny

Destroying itself in its final sunset.

(Translated from Arabic into English by: Catherine Cobham)

……..

伝記　Biography

彼は　ローマのような　詩人だった

最初の大火の　木々から降りそそぐ　燃えさしに　つつまれて

詩人である前に　彼は　すでに詩人だった

自然に戦いを挑んでいて

小鳥の群れを　綺麗に消し去って

人々の生活を破壊する混沌を　愛した

彼らのすぐそばに広がる地獄　をも愛した

このとても危険な詩人は

イエスやガンディやシェイクスピアになりたかった

凍てついた　波の脈を　ナイフで切り裂きたかった

彼は詩を詠い　同時に　歴史を語った

彼がもたらしたものは　冷戦の　熱い血

独裁者が　地雷を梳(くしけず)らせた　詩篇

など　あらゆるもの

そして　その中には　膝の上で太陽を揺らす女性　もいた

…….

9番目の爆弾　（The Ninth Bomb）

突然に、何の前触れもなく

9番目の爆弾が炸裂する

何の変哲もない通りで

極度の鬱屈からかもしれないし

それ以外の理由はなかったとしても　炸裂する

現場付近の雲が

変貌を　遂げる

冷たくなった体のパーツに　

午前4時の夢は　現れるなり死に絶える

風が奏でたかったヴァイオリンの弦は　ひきちぎられる

通りすがりの人々は失禁しズボンを濡らす

限られた人たちの輸血需要が高まって

死から逃れようとする速度を

ヘルツメーターで読み取ろうとすると

二次方程式の形が変わってしまったことに気がつくだろう

木々は地面にひれ伏して

決して立ち上がることはない

安全保障理事会は　

糾弾し　非難を投げかける　かもしれないが

神が宣託する喪に服す

三日間にわたって

二酸化炭素を吸い尽くす爆弾が炸裂する

力の限りを尽くして

TNT火薬の　起爆装置を　狂気が叩く　その瞬間が

衝撃波だ

4本の主動脈と

声帯を巻き添えにし

大量の芸術と大量の死を　映し出しながら　炸裂する

宿命のごとく

自らを　最後の夕陽の中で　破壊する

(Translated from English into Japanese by: Miho Kinnas)

______________      

Read: The Passenger

The post Biography – Poetry from Syria first appeared on Sindh Courier.

The sea is wondrous, ancient, eternal, wise…

The sea is the tears of brides,

The sea is the avengers, the terrible guardian.

Hailing from Crimea, Russia and based in Germany, Natalie Bisso is a poet, novelist, essayist, and songwriter

Hailing from Crimea, Russia and based in Germany, Natalie Bisso is a renowned poet, novelist, essayist, and songwriter. She is author of 13 collections, and co-author in more than 180 international Anthologies. Her poems have been translated into 40 languages and published in international anthologies. She is Honorary Figure of World Literature and Arts with the award of a silver badge. She takes part in the literary life of different countries. She is also the founder and President of the International Literary Association “Creative Tribune“(ILACT). Natalie Bisso is Academician of the International Academy for the Development of Literature and Art; Academician of the International Academy of Russian Literature (MARS); corresponding member of the International Academy of Sciences and Arts (MANI); honorary Member of the WRITERS UNION OF NORTH AMERICA, Head of the German Branch of the SPSA, member of the International Union of Authors and Performers (ICAI); Member of the Cámara Internacional de Escritores & Artistas and the CIESART World Council (Spain); Member of the International Union of Writers (ISP), member of the Regional Public Foundation for the Promotion of Contemporary Poetry “SVETOCH”, member of the International Guild of Writers (Germany), Member of the International Association of Writers and Publicists, Member of the Eurasian Creative Guild (London).

Natalie is Advisor to the International publication of Chinese Literature (Hubei Federation of Literary and Artistic Circles), member of the Jury of international competitions, Ambassador of the International Forum of Creativity and Humanity (IFCH) (Morokko), Member of the European Council and the Intercontinental Advisory Committee RINASCIMENTO-RENAISSANCE Millennium III (Egypt); Honorary President of “Thousand Minds for Mexico” and the international jury in Germany (Mexico), Honorary Member of the Union of Spanish-language Writers (UXE); International Peace Ambassador, Dhaka, Bangladesh. She is Multiple Grand Prize-winner and Laureate of international literary and music competitions; winner of several special international prizes – received more than 400 laureate diplomas; multiple Recipient of international medals and orders, including under the auspices of UNESCO; the title of “Golden Pen of Russia“; the title of MAESTRO; the title of “Golden Pen of Kyrgyzstan”, the title of MASTER of POETRY; the title AN OUTSTANDING SCIENTIST FROM THE CONSORTIUM OF THE International Academy of Ethics in India. It is included in the Platinum Book of the Writers’ Union of North America for active creative advances and great successes in creativity and in connection with the 20th anniversary of the Union -FOREVER. Songs are performed on radio “Radar”, “Recital”, “Phoenix”, “WE ARE TOGETHER”, AUTORADIO, Radio OK, Radio NG, Talent Park, Ocean+, video project “Intrigue show”. Participant of TV programs on the channel “Artist TV”. Contact: natalirubisso@mail.ru

Sea

The holy dawn was rising over the sea.

The sea is wondrous, ancient, eternal, wise…

The sea is the tears of brides,

The sea is the avengers, the terrible guardian.

The sea knows the answers, the sea hearts the questions,

In the sea the tears are salty, in the sea the legs are bare.

You listen to the sea:

That wave is an amber placer,

And advice!

He has all the wisdom of the ages and the heavens.

Like a sigh, his splash.

The whole sky is drowning in the sea, the height of the clouds,

It is the cradle of all the Gods in the world,

It is a secret cemetery of eternal sin.

The sea is a mystery!

Advice!

The sea – wisdom shine!

So listen to all the advice of overseas winds,

Oceans, seas!

Listen to the mysteries of splash!

***

RECONSIDER THE MORE

I am a woman, a mother and a sister,

Like many other women in the world,

Questions are brought by the winds,

Which sounds louder on the air.

Listen up, People, listen up,

Why do you live in the world?

Why are you flitting your souls,

Why do you need grandchildren and children?

Why these wars, People?

Why kill and rob?

And what will happen to us tomorrow?

And how to live sick and weak?

Why do you need drugs, guns?

Why the suitcases of money?

The flatterers’ choir is great, friendly,

Why is your evil genius in life?

Why so anger, discord,

Why oppress wrongly?

Looking into the hearts,

Reconsider the mores!

_________________

Read: WORD – A Bouquet of Poems by Renowned Poet Natalie Bisso

The post Sea – Poetry from Germany first appeared on Sindh Courier.

She will love you with words that burn,

With verses rising from the depths of her heart,

Turned into arrows aimed at your soul.

Margarita Llapushi Zeneli, an Albanian poetess, based in German, shares her poetry

Margarita Llapushi Zeneli was born on June 14, 1976, in Holtas, Gramsh, Albania into a modest yet deeply humanistic and spiritual family. Starting at a young age, she stood out for her exceptional talent in art, excelling in recitation, creativity, and design. Her passion for literature and the arts became evident in primary school, where she actively participated in every artistic event. Margarita completed her elementary education with excellent results. However, due to family circumstances, she was unable to receive a scholarship and later could not finish high school. Margarita married in 1996 and moved to Tirana two years later, where she focused entirely on her family, committing herself wholeheartedly to raising her son and her daughter. For over a decade, she worked in the clothing and footwear industry to support her family, yet her passion for creativity endured. In 2015, she immigrated to Germany with her family, where she began rediscovering her passion for poetry amidst the challenges of adapting to a new life. Margarita’s first poetry collection, “The Voice of the Soul”, was published in 2021 and warmly received by readers and critics. In 2022, she brought out two more publication: the poetry collection “Come into My Dream” and her debut novel “The Triumph of Love,” exploring the resilience of the human spirit. In 2023, inspired by her deep connection to her birthplace, she published “Holtasi – My Homeland, Our Homeland,” a tribute to the village that shaped her identity. During the same year, she suffered the significant loss of her father in October, a man she considered her idol and inspiration. In 2024, together with her brother Ajet Haxhiu, she honored his memory by publishing “Beyond the Name,” a touching collection of treasured memories. Currently, Margarita is preparing to release another poetry collection and is nearing the end of a children’s book featuring poems and fables.

DON ’T FALL IN LOVE WITH A POET WOMAN

Don’t fall in love with a poet woman,

She will love you with words that burn,

With verses rising from the depths of her heart,

Turned into arrows aimed at your soul.

She will see you as no one else does,

Not just a man, but a secret universe.

She will read between the lines of your existence,

Unearth you like a forbidden page

From an ancient, forbidden book.

Don’t believe her when she says “I love you.”

Her love is no quiet sea,

It’s a fierce storm on lonely nights,

A story that never stops being written.

Don’t fall in love with a poet woman,

She will make you feel immortal,

Yet at the same time, she will steal you away with her immortality.

She will make you her muse,

Her unwritten poem,

A haunting refrain she can never escape.

She is art, but also pain.

She is light, but also shadow.

Don’t fall in love with a poet woman,

If you’re not ready to become a verse

She will never finish.

***

I REMEMBER YOU

I remember you every moment,

Like the last sound of a word

Still lingering on my lips.

You are the gentle breeze that touches my face,

As I walk the streets

Where your footsteps no longer fall.

Your shadow follows me,

Haunting every place where you are not,

In the silence of a dinner,

In the fragile clink of a glass.

I remember you every moment,

Not as a fleeting dream,

But as something you once were,

Now made heavier by your absence.

***

DON’T ASK ME

Don’t ask me why I love her,

Why my heart trembles when she appears,

Why I lose my steps

As I run toward her,

And why the world fades in her shadow.

Don’t ask me why her voice,

Like the waves of the sea, fills my soul,

Like a melody that is never forgotten,

Turning my days into life and

My nights into dreams.

Don’t ask me why the scent of her hair

Is like spring fragrance in my winter,

Like a breath that never stops,

Like a rainbow that lingers in the rain.

Don’t ask me why I love her.

Because love has no why.

It simply is.

Like light.

__________________ 

Read: Characteristics of the novel “Imprisoned Soul” by Angela Kosta

The post Poetry: Don’t fall in love with a poet woman first appeared on Sindh Courier.

The second English edition of the novel ‘Shamaous’ by the Egyptian novelist Ashraf Aboul-Yazid was published in Dusseldorf, Germany. The African branch of the UN SDG Book Club chose this novel among the books that Canon printed during the DRUPA 2024 Integrated Printing Exhibition.

The organizers of this African literary initiative are the African Publishers Network (APNET), Border Literature for All Nations, Pan African Writers Association (PAWA), the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA), the African Library and Information Associations and Institutions (AfLIA), the African Booksellers Association (PABA) and the United Nations Information Centre, Namibia.

Mr. Olatun Gabi Williams, founder of Border Literature for All Nations and Publicity Officer of the United Nations Book Club, sent a letter of appreciation to authors and publishers Ashraf Abu El-Yazid, Carrie Ware, Thabiso Mahlabi, Agatha Akonnor Mills, Chigozie, Anole Mbaduga, Elvis Clay and Professor Ijara Kabaji on providing these books for publication under the initiative.

The Egyptian writer’s novel, The Road to Shamawes, which was first published in Arabic (2007) by Dar Al-Ain in Cairo, was translated into Korean and published in Seoul (2008), and was one of the reasons for its author’s nomination to win the prestigious Korean Manhae Grand Prize for Literature (2014). Its first edition in English was published by Dar Al-Nasher in Cairo this year (2024).

The new English edition of the novel was published at DRUPA, Europe’s leading event for professional printing technologies, DRUPA 2024 (Düsseldorf, Germany, 28 May – 7 June 2024), under the theme “Mobility”, during which Canon highlighted key partnerships and initiatives to drive positive change and create experiences that enrich lives and businesses. In line with its philosophy of living and working together for the common good, Canon is partnering with a number of companies and charities and has donated 20,000 copies, 1,500 copies per book, to be printed at the exhibition. “Images, literature and music all enrich lives, and we believe these creative experiences should be accessible to everyone,” says Jennifer Koloczyk, Senior Director, Marketing & Innovation, Canon EMEA. “Our company has a range of initiatives that aim to achieve this ambition, and we were proud to showcase and raise awareness of them at our stand as examples of our company philosophy of living and working together for the common good. Through a range of partnerships, we are working to inspire positive change for the wider print industry and beyond.”

Read: “A Street in Cairo” by Ashraf Aboul-Yazid published in the Azerbaijani Language

_____________

The post ‘The Road to Shamawes’ – A novel by Egyptian writer published in Germany first appeared on Sindh Courier.

I speak of my heart and soul;

Of darkness in its endlessness.

Jerry Langdon, renowned poet and artist, based in Germany, shares his poetry 

From South-Western, Michigan, Jerry Langdon lives in Germany since the early 90’s. He is an Artist and Poet. His works bathe in a darker side of emotion and fantasy. He has released five books of Poetry titled “Temperate Darkness and “Behind the Twilight Veil”, “Death and other cold things” “Rollercoaster Heart” and “Frosted Dreams”. Jerry is also the editor and publisher of the literary magazine Raven Cage Zine poetry and prose. His poetic inspirations are derived from poets such as Edgar Allen Poe, Robert Frost and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. As well as from various Rock Bands. His apparently twisted mind, twists and intertwines fantasy with reality.

ABYSS

When I speak of the abyss

I speak of my heart and soul;

Of darkness in its endlessness;

Of my own personal hell

Where I dare not dwell.

A place full of sorrow and pain

That dwells within heart and soul,

That poisons my already fragile brain,

Tainting me with madness

Taunting me with sadness.

When I speak of the abyss

I speak of my heart and soul;

Of emotions filled with darkness

Of the misery deep inside

Where my demons reside.

Emotional demons I call shades,

For they shadow my heart and soul;

Surrounding me with dark barricades.

Hugging me with sadness,

Kissing me with madness.

When I speak of the abyss

I speak of a waging war

Against my impending darkness,

Against my heart and soul;

Where madness takes its toll.

The battle fields are bloody,

Shattered monoliths of endless war

Which forever haunt over me.

Taunting my heart and soul

As the abyss takes its toll.

When I speak of the abyss

I speak of depression,

Of hate, of avarice,

Of doubt, of rage,

Of what brings wastage.

***

BLOOD RED NIGHTINGALE

A song like I have never heard

My heart understood every word

Though not one was ever spoken.

A silent barrier was broken.

Behind that magically musical veil

I spotted a blood red nightingale.

Singing to my bewildered heart

Which was willingly falling apart.

She sang a dark crimson melody

Eerie as it was it touched me.

It spoke my soul’s unsung pain.

That sprung from heart and vein.

***

SHEATHED QUILL

His blade dormant in its scabbard.

Its battle songs unheard.

Quiescent tales of faded crimson.

Deeds he wished to shun.

A cavalcade a bard doth script.

Truths one must encrypt.

A feathers feud.

In battle ensued.

Write age old Hell away.

Yesterday sheathed, there to stay.

Far from his tortured soul.

Nightmares taken their toll.

Sleep ever restless.

Memories so relentless.

Chained and buried deep.

Still, in mind they creep.

Repent flows as tears.

The sorrow of many years.

Dragons to be slain.

Atrocities of pain.

The muted songs of the bard.

Rusting away in their scabbard.

______________________

Received from Angela Kosta Executive Director of MIRIADE Magazine, Academic, journalist, writer, poet, essayist, literary critic, editor, translator, promoter

The post Abyss – Poetry from Germany first appeared on Sindh Courier.

Hailing from Crimea, Russia and based in Germany, Natalie Bisso is a poet, novelist, essayist, and songwriter

Hailing from Crimea, Russia and based in Germany, Natalie Bisso is a renowned poet, novelist, essayist, and songwriter. She is author of 13 collections, and co-author in more than 180 international Anthologies. The poems have been translated into 40 languages and published in international anthologies. She is Honorary Figure of World Literature and Arts with the award of a silver badge. She takes part in the literary life of different countries. She is also the founder and President of the International Literary Association “Creative Tribune“(ILACT).

Natalie Bisso is Academician of the International Academy for the Development of Literature and Art; Academician of the International Academy of Russian Literature (MARS); corresponding member of the International Academy of Sciences and Arts (MANI); honorary Member of the WRITERS UNION OF NORTH AMERICA, Head of the German Branch of the SPSA, member of the International Union of Authors and Performers (ICAI); Member of the Cámara Internacional de Escritores & Artistas and the CIESART World Council (Spain); Member of the International Union of Writers (ISP), member of the Regional Public Foundation for the Promotion of Contemporary Poetry “SVETOCH”, member of the International Guild of Writers (Germany), Member of the International Association of Writers and Publicists, Member of the Eurasian Creative Guild (London).

Natalie is Advisor to the International publication of Chinese Literature (Hubei Federation of Literary and Artistic Circles), member of the Jury of international competitions, Ambassador of the International Forum of Creativity and Humanity (IFCH) (Morokko), Member of the European Council and the Intercontinental Advisory Committee RINASCIMENTO-RENAISSANCE Millennium III (Egypt); Honorary President of “Thousand Minds for Mexico” and the international jury in Germany (Mexico), Honorary Member of the Union of Spanish-language Writers (UXE); International Peace Ambassador, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Natalie is Multiple Grand Prize-winner and Laureate of international literary and music competitions; winner of several special international prizes – received more than 400 laureate diplomas; multiple Recipient of international medals and orders, including under the auspices of UNESCO; the title of “Golden Pen of Russia“; the title of MAESTRO; the title of “Golden Pen of Kyrgyzstan”, the title of MASTER of POETRY; the title AN OUTSTANDING SCIENTIST FROM THE CONSORTIUM OF THE International Academy of Ethics in India. It is included in the Platinum Book of the Writers’ Union of North America for active creative advances and great successes in creativity and in connection with the 20th anniversary of the Union -FOREVER. Songs are performed on radio “Radar”, “Recital”, “Phoenix”, “WE ARE TOGETHER”, AUTORADIO, Radio OK, Radio NG, Talent Park, Ocean+, video project “Intrigue show”. Participant of TV programs on the channel “Artist TV”. Contact: natalirubisso@mail.ru

WORD

WORD is like power, like hope!

In a word, you can offend, help, teach!

In a word, an ignoramus shoots a bullet into space,

In a word, he tries to convict the world with pain.

Word is like living water, miraculous!

Can resurrect the dropping flesh to life,

But, a bad word can drown a person, if the world is fake!

Ah, what power the Lord has given us in the word!

The word trembled with fear in the veins of the innocent,

A word-stamp will make people tremble,

In a word, they denigrate the simple and naive with lies,

Making their souls suffer in vain.

The verdict of repeatedly tattered gossip,

They are ready to sound so pompous in the crowd,

He will destroy the noble world, smear those who are honest,

And even silence the holy truth.

And having said that, you understand the meaning and yourself too late,

You regret: “My head is stupid!”

The word is not a sparrow, it will fly away – you will not catch it!

CHECK YOUR WORDS EVERY MOMENT!

***

WHITE ROAD

I go outside – white road

It curls like a white ribbon from my doorstep,

Curls from birth to the last trizna,

And in the chest there is concern for the fate of the Motherland.

Whole nations live their lives,

And they fight forever for their freedom,

The one who dreams of living in Paradise kills the truth,

And others sell themselves for a reward

Someone, betraying, crossed out of life,

Homeland, loved ones, all friends and neighbors,

But other people have come in handy where they were born,

Lived a simple life, lived, were not ashamed.

I see a lot of destinies, similar and dissimilar,

Not every century can live its own,

In peace and harmony. Anxiety burns in my chest.

I will pray to God for the people, for the Earth.

A white ribbon winds a white road,

Only there is no dialogue with God.

Everyone is given a choice, happiness and freedom,

The doors of the blue vault are open to everyone.

You won’t take gold and stones with you,

Let it sound all over the world my another opinion,

If good deeds are visible on this white road,

You will return to your home, Homeland and God.

***

LIKE NO ONE EVER

Let the stars fall in a circle instead of leaving the universe,

Let the lavender heat instantly descend on the planet and fill it!

My “I”, forever captivated by will and sweet lust,

Just dreaming here: “Someday I’ll be with you!”

There is no more pleasant feeling! Calm my rebellious soul!

If it’s a sin to love like that, then I’ve been sick and sinned by this sin for a long time!

I just hope for your attention and your snow-white smile,

I licked my wounds with sinful wine.

With all my pure soul, I love you for being a kind soul!

Oh, why did God reward me with such a sinful fall?

Give me your flawless image, playful eyes.

I love you as no one has ever loved anyone and no one!

I will atone for all my sins, I have sinned a lot here!

The sources will rotate in a circle… I lived with a secret hope…

In amazement I will tell the stars about the new plot,

That I love you as much as no one has ever loved you!

 Chorus:

I worship you with the purity of my sinful soul!

Your voice, your laughter are second to none,

I have long since reached the highest bliss, akin to.

You are my light! You are my God! My life, my refuge and my sin!

___________________   

Also read: Russian translation of Egyptian Poetry book ‘A Street in Cairo’ being launched on Sep.17

The post WORD – A Bouquet of Poems by Renowned Poet Natalie Bisso first appeared on Sindh Courier.

By Tom Arms

Towards the end of last year a group of far-right German political leaders gathered in a country hotel on the outskirts of Potsdam.

They included key members of Germany’s Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD) party including the personal aide to the party leader Alice Weidel.

The AfD is currently riding high in German opinion polls. It is number one in Germany’s five eastern Lander (states) and placing second or third in several Lander in the Western half.

The meeting was organized to hear a proposal from Austrian Martin Sellner, former leader of the Identitarian Movement. Sellner has been banned from Britain and the US. His Identitarian Movement is a proscribed organization in Germany.

But the AfD politicians still wanted to hear his ideas, especially Sellner’s proposed “remigration” program. The plan was simple: Should the AfD come to power it would forcibly deport to an unnamed North African country millions of “non-assimilated peoples” and asylum seekers, even if they had German citizenship or permanent residence visas. Sellner also suggested that people who campaigned against the measure could also be deported.

The plan was simple: Should the AfD come to power it would forcibly deport to an unnamed North African country millions of “non-assimilated peoples” and asylum seekers

This is not the first time in German history that such a measure has been proposed. In June 1940 Adolf Eichmann persuaded Hitler that the SS should take over the French colony of Madagascar, turn into an SS-run police state, and deport Europe’s Jews to the island. The plan failed because of the wartime British naval blockade.

When details of the Potsdam meeting were published in the investigative journal Correctiv anti-AfD demonstrations broke out in Hamburg, Cologne, Berlin and Dusseldorf. The demonstrators demanded that the AfD be banned.

This is legally quite possible. The German constitution says that political parties “that seek to undermine or abolish the free democratic order should be deemed unconstitutional.” Advocating the forcible deportation of German citizens could be construed as undermining the democratic order.

And there is precedent for German courts banning parties. Just this week they banned the neo-Nazi party Die Heimat (The Homeland). The Identitarian Movement is also banned. It asserts the superior rights of European ethnic groups and White people in general in the territories claimed exclusively by them.

The Identiarian Movement, with which Martin Sellner is connected, also pushes the “Great Replacement” conspiracy theory. This argues that liberal elites are working towards replacing White Europeans and European culture with non-Europeans.

Another organization that has been linked with the AfD is PEGIDA (Pan Europeans against the Islamisation of the West). This organization is supported by White supremacists in America and Europe.

The AfD, Identitarian Movement and PEGIDA are all carefully monitored by Germany’s Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution. But the AfD’s popularity, especially in the eastern half of the country makes it almost impossible to ban the party no matter how outrageous its pronouncements and policies become.

Another organization is PEGIDA (Pan Europeans against the Islamisation of the West). This organization is supported by White supremacists in America and Europe

The party was founded in 2013 and in its first federal elections failed to reach the five percent threshold required for Bundestag representation. But they quickly improved. After the 2017 elections they held 93 seats in the Bundestag and had secured representation in 14 out of the 16 Lander.

The AfD is particularly strong in East Germany. They have formed the governments in Saxony and Thuringia. Their strong showing in the territories of the former German Democratic Republic has been attributed to East Germany’s history of autocratic politics and the fact that the region continues to lag behind the rest of the country in economic terms.

The party dropped into fifth place nationally after the latest federal elections. But since then Germany has suffered a series of economic setbacks, the repercussions of the Ukraine War and a rather lack-luster Chancellor in the form of Olof Scholz. The result is that the party is now in second place in the opinion polls, ahead of the SPD and just behind the CDU-CSU.

The respected German Institute for Human Rights said the AfD was implementing “racist and right-wing extremist goals” and “shifting the limits of what can be said so that people can get used to their ethno-nationalist positions.” The Institute concluded that the AfD had reached a “degree of dangerousness” that it should be banned.

Not surprisingly, the leadership of the SPD agrees. The CDU/CSU is more circumspect. Banning established parties, they argue, is difficult. The voting public is split. 47 percent of Germans say ban them and 47 percent say don’t.

World Review

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has kicked off his election campaign with a prayer. And it was a prayer in the most controversial ethno-religious setting that he could find, thus further strengthening his ethno-religious claim to be the standard bearer of Hindu Nationalism.

The setting was the consecration of a partially-constructed Hindu temple in the town of Ayodha. It was controversial because the temple is being built on the site of a 16th century Muslim mosque which was torn down by Hindu nationalist rioters in 1992.

Related news: Ayodhya Ram Mandir: India PM Modi inaugurates Hindu temple on razed Babri mosque site

The destruction of the mosque led to nationwide religious riots which left 2,000 dead, most of them Muslims.

The Hindus tore down the mosque because they believed that it was built on the birthplace of Lord Ram, the chief deity in the Hindu pantheon of gods.

Modi made it one of his key election pledges that a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Ram would be built on the site of the former mosque.

And to insure the maximum political return, Modi pulled out all the stops for the consecration of the temple and placed himself at center stage. For a start, the Indian Prime Minister dressed in the saffron robes of a Hindu monk and publicly fasted for five days before the consecration.

Then he invited every possible Bollywood star, businessman and politician–except Muslims and the opposition Congress I Party—to the consecration.

A military helicopter was ordered to fly overheard during the consecration ceremony showering flower petals on the crowd. Modi, of course, led the prayers.

Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first prime minister, was immensely proud of the fact that the Indian constitution declared India a secular nation. Modi is doing his best to reverse that.

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NATO this week launched its biggest European military manoeuvres since the end of the Cold War.

Codenamed Exercise Steadfast Defender it involves 91,000 service personnel from 31 NATO countries and Sweden. It is the first time Finland will be participating as a full member of the Alliance.

Sweden’s NATO membership was finally approved by Turkey this week and is expected to get the final nod from the Hungarian parliament next month.

Steadfast Defender is meant to demonstrate NATO—and especially American—commitment to the defense of Europe. It involves all three branches of the military—army, navy and air force—and will focus on moving troops as fast as possible into the new frontline states of Finland, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Bulgaria, Greece, Poland and Slovakia.

The Russians have lodged the usual protests, but more importantly they have used their bases in Kaliningrad to jam military GPS devices in the Baltic Region.

***

Trump has won in New Hampshire. He was won in Iowa. He is expected to win in Nikki Haley’s home state of South Carolina.

The agenda for the Republican primaries is looking more and more like a rolling Trump coronation. But the pundits may be looking at the wrong agenda. They might need to spend more time examining the court calendars.

One of the several polls that was conducted during the Iowa caucus was whether the voter would vote for Donald Trump if he was convicted of a serious felony. A third of Iowans who caucused for Trump said a Trump conviction would make him unfit to be president.

If this figure were to be extrapolated nationwide then Trump would fail dismally.

There are four big cases which could result in a major felony conviction. But the odds are that for various reasons, three of them are unlikely to be heard before November. But the fourth case is the biggest and most damaging—the case brought by the Department of Justice and Special Prosecutor Jack Smith for attempted subversion of the 2020 presidential elections.

Trump’s lawyers are employing every legal trick in and out of the books to delay, delay, delay until after November when—if Trump wins—he can pardon himself.

The legal team is currently concentrating on arguing that the former president has absolute immunity for anything involving his election lie and the January 6 riots. The argument will almost certainly go all the way to the US Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court Justices could hear arguments next, month or March, unless the conservative Trump-appointed Justices seek to delay. This is unlikely given the precarious reputation of the court at the moment.

If Trump’s immunity claims are heard by March then the Supreme Court should issue its ruling by late June or early July. This gives the DC court and Judge Tanya Chutkan four months in which to schedule a trial date. Jack Smith reckons that the trial will last four to six weeks. It would be tight.  Trump’s lawyers will continue to delay, delay, delay. But Donald Trump could be found guilty (or not guilty) before the Americans troop to the polls in November.

Read previous blog: Observations of an Expat: Famine

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Tom Arms is foreign editor of Liberal Democrat Voice. His book “America Made in Britain” is out in paperback next month and his podcast TransAtlantic Riff may be heard by clicking here:  https://open.spotify.com/show/3ntjretAKNLZNFpA5ZEGDG

The post Observations of an Expat: In a Potsdam Hotel first appeared on Sindh Courier.

Dushanbe

Trade and economic cooperation between Tajikistan and Germany has been developing year by year, and in 2023, the mutual trade turnover between the countries increased by 60%, reaching $183 million, Avesta reports.

This was announced during the negotiations between Tajikistan’s Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Zavkizoda Zavki Amin, and the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Federal Republic to Tajikistan of Germany, York Shugraf.

The sides discussed priority areas of bilateral trade and economic cooperation, according to the press service of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of Tajikistan. It was noted that the Tajikistan government attaches great importance to the development of trade and economic cooperation with Germany.

Also read: Tajikistan and Iran sign agreements for cooperation in industrial sector

During the meeting, the parties also discussed priority directions of bilateral trade and economic cooperation, including attracting grant financing for the implementation of the “green” economic development strategy in Tajikistan for 2023-2037 and projects in the field of digital economy. They also talked about establishing new production capacities for electronic equipment in Tajikistan and implementing projects to prevent the negative consequences of natural disasters.

Moreover, the sides discussed issues related to increasing exports from Tajikistan, education, healthcare, tourism, and expressed readiness for further expansion of mutually beneficial cooperation.

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Courtesy: Central Asian Light (Posted on January 12, 2024)

The post Tajikistan increases trade turnover with Germany by 60% first appeared on Sindh Courier.

Berlin

On Monday, German farmers kick off a week of mobilizations that includes highway blockades to protest against the subsidy cuts by the coalition government.

“Things cannot go on like this,” said a retiree, emphasizing that “the people” should not tolerate unprepared individuals making harmful decisions for agriculture and destroying the country.

Columns of tractors and trucks converged in the centers of cities such as Berlin, Cologne, or Hamburg, while roadblocks and slow-moving vehicle convoys disrupted traffic in various parts of the country.

In Emden, tractors paralyzed a Volkswagen factory, while in Thülsfelde, a protester was seriously injured by a car that hit him while trying to bypass a picket.

WATCH: Farmers with their tractors hold nationwide protest in Germany pic.twitter.com/RA1rFbIQaU

— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) January 8, 2024

“They are going to take away the future capacity of agriculture,” the German Farmers’ Association (DBV) President Joachim Rukwied said, urging the government to “return to reason” and revoke the “disproportionate burden” imposed on farmers.

Despite concessions from the administration of Chancellor Olaf Scholz, such as maintaining the subsidy for agricultural vehicle circulation tax and only gradually phasing out the agricultural diesel subsidy, farmers argue that it is not enough.

Farmers maintain that in the current situation of falling agricultural product prices, removing the subsidy of 21.48 cents per liter of diesel will result in a one-third reduction in their income.

However, the government aims to save €920 million with this step, as part of a package of cuts negotiated after a Constitutional Court ruling at the end of last year required a review of a significant portion of the 2024 budget.

BREAKING REPORT: Truckers join MASSIVE farmer protest in Germany..

Downtown Berlin has already been effectively shut down by thousands of farmers in what many are the calling the LARGEST PROTEST in modern history..

CORPORATE MEDIA SILENT..pic.twitter.com/j1G1zOtSO8

— Chuck Callesto (@ChuckCallesto) January 8, 2024

The farmers’ protests are channeling the dissatisfaction of the population with the coalition government, popularly known as “the traffic light” due to the colors of social democrats, greens, and liberals.

According to a public television survey released last Sunday, 82 percent of citizens are little or not at all satisfied with the government’s performance, marking the worst rating for a German government in 13 years.

The popularity of the social democrat Chancellor Scholz has also declined over the past year and a half. Currently, only 20 percent approve of his policies.

On the contrary, if elections were held now, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) would have become the second-largest political force with 21 percent of the votes, behind only the Christian Democrats, leading with 32 percent.

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Courtesy: TeleSur, Venezuela (Posted on Jan 8, 2024)

The post German Farmers Begin Weeklong Protests first appeared on Sindh Courier.

Bishkek

Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Akylbek Zhaparov announced the readiness of Kyrgyzstan to develop bilateral cooperation with Germany in the field of agriculture, energy and renewable energy sources, information technology, innovation, mining, and education.

He stated this at a meeting with a German delegation headed by State Secretary of the State Ministry of Economy, Regional Development and Energy of Bavaria Roland Weigert.

Zhaparov emphasized the interaction of the two states in the field of business and entrepreneurship, noting examples of the successful functioning of German business in Kyrgyzstan. “We intend to continue to support German business in Kyrgyzstan in every possible way and are ready to create all conditions for all foreign investors,” Zhaparov said.

Along with investment opportunities, Kyrgyzstan has a high potential in the field of renewable energy, Japarov said, and called on German companies to actively participate in the development of the hydropower potential of Kyrgyzstan.

The head of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan emphasized that the republic has set a course for the development of the production of environmentally friendly agricultural products. “We have the opportunity to meet certain needs of the German market with environmentally friendly agricultural products and food products,” Zhaparov said.

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Courtesy: Central Asian Light (Posted on July 17, 2023)

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