Live Below the Line BzzCampaign

The Live Below the Line BzzCampaign is a charity campaign and will not have a kit; it’s all about YOU spreading the word and participating if you can. Read the recipes to see if you’re up for the challenge — with the right menu, you shouldn’t have to go hungry! If you decide the challenge isn’t for you, that’s ok — you can still participate in the activities below to spread the word and help make a difference.

 

What is Live Below the Line ?

 From 7th – 11th May, join us living on £1 a day for 5 days to change the way people in the UK think about extreme poverty – and make a huge difference. 

 

• How to Participate
• Suggested Foods and Recipes
• Jono is Living Below the Line

What is Live Below the Line ?

Live Below the Line is an campaign that challenges individuals and communities to eat and drink on £1 per day for 5 days. By exposing participants to a glimpse of some the daily difficulties experienced by the 1.4 billion people living in extreme poverty every day, for everything, the campaign provides a unique window into understanding the realities of life for so many.

Through the insights gained over the 5 days, Live Below the Line is assembling a movement of people passionate about making a difference in the lives of those who desperately need it. Through partnerships with various charities, the campaign raises both awareness and fundraising.

If you don’t think you can live off £1 a day yourself, pass on the information and the Live Below the Line website to friends and family who you think will be up for it.

How to Participate

Ready to Take the Challenge?

Are you ready to take the plunge and live off of £1per day? First, eat a giant cheeseburger. All finished? OK, now follow these steps:

1. Visit the Live Below the Line partner pageand choose one of the 22 partner charities to support, including -Enter your profile details, making sure to add BzzAgent as your network so you can compare yourself to other participating BzzAgents, including Jono.Here are some choices:
   • Christian Aid
   • Malaria No More UK
   • Restless Development
   • RESULTS UK
   • The Salvation Army – International Development UK
   • UNICEF
   • Or donate to a charity of your own choice
   • Let your Facebook friends, Twitter followers, friends and family know you’re going to be Living Below the Line May 7th-11th to spread awareness and convince them to join and support you.

 Here are some things you can do to prepare:

• Like Live Below the Line on Facebook to connect with others participating in this year’s challenge
• Follow Live Below the Line on Twitter to get some moral support from the team plus other participants. (You’ll thank us later for the reinforcement)
• Check out the Live Below the Line YouTube page to see videos from previous years. Great for some preparation ideas and what to expect.

 

 

Carpenter builds incredible egg-shaped tree house hidden from view on Crown land just yards from multi-million homes

 

‘Squatter’ secretly builds incredible (but thoroughly illegal)  tree house hidden in Canada’s Whistler forest just yards from multi-million homes

By Leon Watson

It took months to find the right tree to build on, and when he did the spot was on public land looking down on a row of multi-million dollar homes.

But that didn’t stop Joel Allen – he just built this incredible egg-shaped tree house in Canada anyway, without telling anyone.

The computer technician-turned-carpenter started off by creating a scale model of his design to test its strength and durability, before beginning the months-long quest to find the perfect tree.

Joel Allen stepping into the amazing treehouse he built on public land in Canada at night

Joel Allen has built this incredible treehouse in Hemlocks, Whistler, western Canada

Joel took years to construct the tree house. At this point he was working on the base

Without the money to buy property, he decided to do it on Crown land in the forests of Whistler.

‘Finding that perfect spot on Crown land wasn’t so easy,’ he said. ‘I had an informal checklist of requirements, the most important ones being that it within a reasonable distance to a road, yet out of sight and out of earshot of human traffic.

‘The other requirement was hard to qualify, but was of prime importance: the shape of the egg would need to suit the environment and be proportionate to the tree. I couldn’t explain exactly what that was but I figured I would know it when I saw it.’

Mr Allen found it in a patch of old growth near a development of multi-million dollar homes, then began secretly constructing it. The process took years, thousands of dollars, and many free items found on Craigslist.

Finally, he created the HemLoft.

Without the money to buy property, Joel decided to do it on Crown land in the forests of Whistler

Mr Allen found the perfect spot in a patch of old growth near a development of multi-million dollar home

Hidden: The treehouse in Hemlocks was built in a forest away from view of nearby homes

Admiring the view: Joel Allen in the treehouse he built using items from Craigslist

Asked by a friend why he did it, Mr Allen said: ‘I found myself grasping for some sort of rationalisation that would make me seem less crazy.

‘She said "no, why did you really build it?" For the first time in my life, I was forced to face the truth about it. I said "I guess… I just wanted to build something cool".’

‘Since the treehouse was built on crown land, I don’t technically own it, and so its fate is uncertain.

Joel said: ‘The shape of the egg would need to suit the environment and be proportionate to the tree. I couldn’t explain exactly what that was but I figured I would know it when I saw it.’

The computer technician-turned-carpenter started off by creating a scale model of his design

It took Joel months to find the right tree to build on before he settled on the spot

The perfect egg-shaped treehouse was built on a tree over a slope on the mountain

For three years I kept the HemLoft secret, but now that I’m finished, I’ve found myself wanting to share it…Coming out of the bush about the HemLoft is fun, however it poses a few problems; if people know about it, they might try to find it. And if the wrong people find it, they may make me take it down.

‘It took a lot of work to build it, and I’d rather not take it down, just yet. So I’ve been thinking of ways to expose the HemLoft, while somehow making it legal.

‘To the best of my knowledge, Squatting on Whistler Mountain, beneath some of Western Canada’s most luxurious mega-homes would not be looked favourably upon.’

Joel Allen said: ‘It took a lot of work to build it, and I’d rather not take it down, just yet.’

Joel Allen’s construction was conducted in secret until he finally went public.

Carpenter builds incredible egg-shaped tree house hidden from view on Crown land just yards from multi-million homes | Mail Online

Baldness cure secret revealed by mice – Yahoo! Lifestyle UK

 

Baldness cure secret revealed by mice

By Kim Hookem-Smith

A tuft of hair grown on the back of a bald lab mouse may hold the key to curing baldness in humans.

A research team in Japan used stem cell cultivation to create hair follicles from scratch. These follicles were then implanted into the hairless mice where they grew hairs.

The stem cells were taken from a balding man and the next step is to implant the created follicles into a human head in order to win the battle against balding, experienced by more than seven million men in the UK.
The technique may also allow men to re-grow hair in their original colour, even if they’ve already started to go grey.
The researchers from Tokyo University believe a cure for baldness could be engineered within three years. It will be an expensive treatment, however, and they believe it could be more useful in reconstructive situations where traditional hair transplant operations aren’t possible.
And there’s more research to be done, as the team do not yet know if it would be possible to recreate an entire head of hair. In this study, the hairs had to be implanted one at a time, which is fine on a mouse but a rather different proposition on an entire bald head!

Baldness cure secret revealed by mice – Yahoo! Lifestyle UK

What is Live Below the Line ? from a Bzz Agent.

What is Live Below the Line ? What Have I Gotten Myself Into? Live Below the Line is an campaign that challenges individuals and communities to eat and drink on £1 per day for 5 days. By exposing participants to a glimpse of some the daily difficulties experienced by the 1.4 billion people living in extreme poverty every day, for everything, the campaign provides a unique window into understanding the realities of life for so many. Through the insights gained over the 5 days, Live Below the Line is assembling a movement of people passionate about making a difference in the lives of those who desperately need it. Through partnerships with various charities, the campaign raises both awareness and fundraising. If you don’t think you can live off £1 a day yourself, pass on the information and the Live Below the Line website to friends and family who you think will be up for it.

I am a  BzzAgent and they are promoting this event…there are no catches every thing is above board so be sure to choose the BzzAgent network from the drop down menu on the Live Below the Line sign-up page  https://www.livebelowtheline.com/uk

Why I’m taking the challenge

 

I’m supporting MRDF

They exist to bring about significant and long-term change in some of the world’s most marginalised communities, and to empower people to change structures that are oppressive and unjust. To achieve this we work in partnership to support long-term development projects, provide humanitarian aid in disaster situations and campaign against the causes of poverty. We work on the basis of greatest need regardless of religion or race.

In today’s world, extreme poverty and inequality are unjustifiable and unfair. Live Below the Line demonstrates the problem in a concrete way, while raising money to address the problem. Support me as I live below the line by donating now – your generous support will go towards fighting extreme poverty.

Go on here are some

Suggested Foods and Recipes

Plenty of Options

Sure, you’re not going to be eating steak tartare or exquisite veggie pizzas this week, but with a little creativity you can whip up some tasty meals. Now, you probably won’t be seeing these in Gordon Ramsay‘s next cookbook, but they’ll get you through the week.

Pasta with Shredded Onions, Carrots and Garlic:
1 package of bow-tie pasta
1 teaspoon salt
3 carrots
1 teaspoon pepper
1 onion
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 cup canola oil

Peel the onion and finely chop. Peel the carrots and chop into half-inch long sections. Separate half a cup of canola oil and heat over high flame. Put onions into the oiled pan. After a minute, add chopped carrots. Let cook in covered pan until carrots are soft. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Cook pasta until al dente. Once pasta is cooked, add the other half cup of canola oil until pasta is coated. Add carrot and onion mix. Add garlic powder to taste.

Go on challenge yourself go to https://www.livebelowtheline.com/uk

jBOY2244

 

David Cameron fundraising scandal: Guest list of Tory donors who had dinner at Downing Street | Mail Online

 

Cam dine with me: The guest list of Tory donors who had dinner with Dave and Sam at No. 10 and Chequers

By Jason Groves and Emily Allen

The guest list of Conservative Party donors wined and dined by David Cameron and his wife Samantha at Downing Street and Chequers has been revealed today.

Lord John and Lady Sainsbury, secretive tycoon David Rowland – once branded a ‘shady financier’ – and billionaire City businessman Michael Spencer, are among the 26 people who have been invited for supper with the Prime Minister either at Number 10 or his country residence Chequers.

Mr Cameron – who sometimes cooks – confirmed he had dinner with ‘significant’ Conservative Party donors at his flat on three occasions since becoming Prime Minister, as well as at a post-election dinner in No 10 in 2010.

Scroll down to hear David Cameron’s reaction

Close relationship: Tory treasurer Peter Cruddas, left, boasted that he could give donors private access to David Cameron, right

Today he pledged to publish a quarterly register of any future meals at official residences with people who have given more than £50,000 to the Tories.

The announcement came as Mr Cameron was put under huge pressure over claims by former Tory co-treasurer Peter Cruddas that individuals could secure meetings with ministers and influence policy formation in return for a ‘premier league’ donation.

Mr Cruddas quit on Saturday after the Sunday Times published secret recordings in which he urged undercover reporters to give more than £250,000 in return for direct face time with senior ministers.

Invited: David Rowland in an early picture and right, Telegraph Media Group chief executive Murdoch MacLennan, who is not listed by the Electoral Commission as a donor to the Tories

Mr Cameron yesterday denounced his comments as ‘completely unacceptable’ and announced an internal party inquiry to ensure there would be no repeat.

And senior Tory Francis Maude this morning appeared to hope that this had drawn a line under the affair, telling BBC Radio 4′s Today programme it was ‘a bit of a nonsense’.

Billionaire city boss Michael Spencer went for dinner at Number 10 in February

But it was later announced that Mr Maude would give an oral statement to the House of Commons this afternoon to update MPs on reform of political party funding.

And Mr Cameron broke into a scheduled speech on dementia care in London to address the Cruddas affair head-on.

He confirmed that he had held a post-election ‘thankyou’ dinner for supporters, including some major donors, in 10 Downing Street in July 2010, followed by three private dinners in the flat above Number 11 where he lives with wife Samantha.

He denied that any of those invited had been recommended by Mr Cruddas, describing most of them as people he had known for many years. Neither had Mr Cruddas – himself a big donor to the Tories – ever attended a Downing Street dinner.

‘In the two years I have been Prime Minister, there have been three occasions on which significant donors have come to a dinner in my flat. In addition, there was a further post-election dinner which included donors in Downing Street itself shortly after the general election,’ said Mr Cameron.

‘None of these dinners were fundraising dinners and none of these dinners were paid for by the taxpayer. I have known most of those attending for many years.’

Dinner date: Sir Anthony Bamford of JCB and right, Lord Sainsbury who attended dinner on July 14 2010

It was publicly known that the Conservatives held regular dinners with the PM and other ministers for the ‘Leader’s Group’ of donors who give more than £50,000, said Mr Cameron. From now on, the party will publish a register of attendees at these events.

Mr Cameron dismissed Mr Cruddas’s promise that major donors’ concerns would be fed into a Downing Street ‘policy committee’.

No such committee exists, and members of the Number 10 Policy Unit had never met anyone as a result of a request from the former co-treasurer, he said.

Mr Cameron added: ‘To avoid any perception of undue influence, from now on we will put in place new procedures in which if any ministerial contact with a party donor prompts a request for policy advice, the minister will refer this to his or her private office, who can seek guidance from the permanent secretary.’

Secretive tycoon David Rowland and billionaire City businessman Michael Spencer, are among the people who have been invited to either Number 10 or his country residence Chequers (pictured)

The internal Conservative inquiry into the Cruddas affair will be led by Tory peer and prominent lawyer Lord Gold, said the Prime Minister. It had earlier been reported that Tory co-chairman Lord Feldman would lead the probe.

Labour former Cabinet minister Jack Straw said that today’s announcement was ‘symptomatic of the pandemonium that has broken out in the Conservative Party and in the higher reaches of the Government.’ He told BBC Radio 4′s World at One: ‘I think that we will still need an independent inquiry.’

WHO HAD A DINNER INVITE TO DAVE AND SAM’S?

May 31, 2010 – Chequers – lunch

– Michael Spencer and his partner

June 6, 2010 – Chequers – lunch

– Lord Ashcroft and his wife

July 14, 2010 – 10 Downing Street. Described as a ‘thank-you dinner’ inside Number 10 itself, while flat was being refurbished

– Anthony and Carole Bamford

– Michael and Dorothy Hintze

– Murdoch and Elsa MacLennan

– Lord John and Lady Sainsbury

– Andrew Feldman

– Jill and Paul Ruddock

– Mike and Jenny Farmer

– Michael and Clara Freeman

August 8, 2010 – Chequers – lunch

– David Rowland and his wife

November 7, 2010 – Chequers – lunch

– Fares Fares and his wife

February 6, 2011 – Chequers – lunch

– Howard Leigh and his wife

February 28, 2011 – Downing Street flat.

– David Rowland and his wife

– Andrew Feldman also attended

October 15, 2011 – Chequers – A charity fundraiser in aid of Mencap and three smaller charities in aid of disabled children, attended by a large number of people, including donors to both the Labour Party and the Conservative Party.

November 2, 2011 – Downing Street flat. Described as a ‘social dinner for strong and long term supporters of the party, with whom the PM has a strong relationship’.

– Henry and Dorothy Angest

– Michael Farmer and wife

– Ian Taylor and wife

February 27, 2012 – Downing Street flat. Said to have been a ‘social dinner’

– Michael Spencer and partner

Lord Feldman is said to have visited Chequers on ‘several occasions’ as Conservative Party co-chairman.

The Prime Minister renewed calls for Labour to agree on a cap of £50,000 on donations to parties, but insisted that this limit must apply not only to individuals and companies but also to unions – something Labour has always resisted.

Labour leader Ed Miliband will respond to Mr Maude’s statement in the Commons this afternoon, and said he had contacted Downing Street to say that it was Mr Cameron – and not his Cabinet Office minister – who should address MPs.

The Conservative Party said that a post-election ‘thank-you dinner’ was held at 10 Downing Street on July 14 2010, attended by Anthony Bamford of JCB, hedge fund tycoon Michael Hintze, Tory peer Lord Sainsbury of Preston Candover, Lansdowne Partners chief executive Sir Paul Ruddock, City financier Mike Farmer and Michael Freeman, as well as their spouses.

Telegraph Media Group chief executive Murdoch MacLennan, who is not listed by the Electoral Commission as a donor to the Tories, also attended.

On February 28 last year, property tycoon and major donor David Rowland, who had previously been appointed party treasurer but quit before taking up the post, attended a dinner in the flat, along with party co-chairman Lord Feldman.

Mr Rowland spent some 40 years as a tax exile and on his return to Britain, began giving generously to the Tory Party, eventually donating over £4million.

He has had an extremely controversial business career, being once described as ‘shady’.

He attracted unproven accusations of misallocating millions of dollars in New Zealand, and also of asset-stripping.

On November 2 last year, Mr Cameron held a ‘social dinner for strong and long-term supporters of the party, with whom the PM has a strong relationship’, including banker and Tory donor Henry Angest, Mr Farmer and oil company boss Ian Taylor.

And on February 27 this year, he held a social dinner with former treasurer and major donor Michael Spencer and his partner.

An aide to the Prime Minister said he would not be releasing retrospective records of party dinners at Chequers as it would be difficult to provide an accurate record, but added that there had been no ‘donor only’ meals at the grace and favour estate.

News Corporation chairman Rupert Murdoch, whose own meetings with politicians have come under intense scrutiny as a result of the News of the World hacking scandal, called for an independent inquiry into the ‘cash for access’ affair.

Appalled: Sir Christopher Kelly, Chair of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, said the revelations were ‘not an isolated incident’ while Labour leader Ed Miliband called the news ‘disturbing’

Writing on Twitter today, Mr Murdoch said: ‘Of course there must be a full independent inquiry on both sides. In great detail, and with consequences. Trust must be established. Without trust, democracy, and order will go.’

‘Business deals’: Mr Cruddas was secretly filmed telling undercover reporters he could arrange private meetings with senior Conservatives

Sir Christopher Kelly, chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, last night warned that the revelations were ‘not an isolated incident’.

He added: ‘As long as we have a system in which the main political parties are reliant on very large donations from very rich individuals – or organisations, in the case of the Labour Party – then events of this kind are almost bound to happen.

‘It is a cancer which needs to be addressed.’

The revelations are deeply embarrassing for Mr Cameron, who pledged two years ago to crack down on the shadowy world of lobbying.

The existence of secret dinners with donors also undermines the Coalition’s much-vaunted transparency drive, which allows the public to see who ministers have met in their official capacity.

Downing Street insisted that the Government had been ‘more transparent’ than any previous administration.

Asked about the actions of Mr Cruddas, the spokeswoman said: ‘We are just as flabbergasted as you guys.’

David Cameron fundraising scandal: Guest list of Tory donors who had dinner at Downing Street | Mail Online

Viewers ‘spot newsreader sleeping’ on BBC Breakfast – Yahoo! TV UK

 

Viewers ‘spot newsreader sleeping’ on BBC Breakfast

By Ben Skipper

 

For years presenters of early morning TV shows have talked about their early starts and yet they never show signs of tiredness… until now anyway.
At around 8:30am on Friday morning ‘BBC Breakfast’ cut to their BBC News Channel counterparts only to see newsreader Simon McCoy seemingly sleeping at his desk.
Viewers spotted him with his head resting on his arms, with many taking to Twitter afterwards to point out the gaffe.
One tweeter called Neil Tam-I’m, said: "LOL at Simon McCoy being caught napping during a live bulletin!”
Sleeping newsreader McCoy took to Twitter himself to laugh off the incident. He joked to one user: “I was not asleep! Had just been told The Queen wanted me to cover her NEXT visit…”
He later said it was “a long desk head-banging that wasn’t meant to be picked up in the BBC1 opt!!”
It’s not the first time Simon McCoy has made the headlines with his strange antics. In 2009 he was caught doing push-ups at his desk and a year later the BBC had to apologise after a weatherman was caught on camera making a rude gesture at McCoy.

Viewers ‘spot newsreader sleeping’ on BBC Breakfast – Yahoo! TV UK

BBC News – Belfast’s book of condolence for Frank Carson

Through all our troubles in Northern Ireland he made us laugh both at ourselves and the World…he will be missed by a lot of people…….jboy2244

Belfast’s book of condolence for Frank Carson

The Belfast-born comic rose to fame in the 1960s after winning talent show Opportunity Knocks three times

Belfast City Council has opened a book of condolence in memory of Frank Carson.

The Belfast-born comic died on Wednesday after battling poor health for some time. He was 85.

Friends, family and the world of show business have been paying tribute to him.

Famous for his sayings "it’s a cracker" and "it’s the way I tell ‘em", Carson came to prominence in the 1960s after winning Opportunity Knocks.

He leaves a wife, Ruth, daughter Majella and sons Tony and Aidan, as well as 10 grandchildren.

Tony told BBC Radio Ulster that he was a father first and a celebrity second.

"He was a pain in the butt, in the nicest way," he said.

"He was non-stop."

"Dad was kind and generous, he had great affection for us all, especially his grandchildren as he got older and had more time on his hands.

"He had such a positive outlook on life, on everything. There was definitely a child within that wanted to have fun and give fun.

"Laughter is the best exercise for the heart and he got plenty of exercise for his."

The Carson family plan to bring Frank back to Belfast for burial on Saturday 3 March.

The first and deputy first ministers, Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness said the comedian would be remembered with "special fondness".

"A bit of colour has dropped out of everyone’s life following the death of Frank Carson, but his laughter will echo around his native Belfast, and farther afield, for years to come," they said.

"He was a warm, funny and generous-hearted man who dispensed sunshine to everyone he met and was a great ambassador for his homeland."

The former bishop of Londonderry, Edward Daly, booked the comedian to perform to sell out crowds at St Columb’s Hall in the city nearly a 100 times in the 1960s.

He said he spoke to him by telephone last Sunday.

"Frank was a good man – he certainly made my life a whole lot more enjoyable," he said.

"He helped me and I think I helped him too."

Tributes

As the news of his death broke on Wednesday night many stars took to the social networking site Twitter to share their memories.

BBC News – Belfast’s book of condolence for Frank Carson

Iran: Nadarkhani execution fears

Iran: Nadarkhani execution fears and long-awaited trial for church leader  21/02/2012

 

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has been informed that Pastor Nadarkhani’s lawyer is trying to confirm reports that the Iranian authorities have decided to execute the pastor. There are grave concerns that the death sentence could be carried out at any time without prior notification and that the authorities will merely announce it later, a practice that is not uncommon in Iran.

Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani is facing a death sentence for apostasy, and has been awaiting a final decision on the verdict for several months. On at least four occasions he has been offered freedom in exchange for renouncing his faith, but has consistently refused to do so.

CSW has also received reports that the long-awaited trial of Farshid Fathi Malayeri, an evangelical church leader who has been held in prison since December 2010, took place on 5 February in a Revolutionary Court based in Evin Prison. The court is expected to deliver its verdict in three months time. Mohabat News reports that the trial had been postponed several times. 

The father-of-two was arrested by the authorities on 26 December 2010 during raids which targeted a large number of Christian citizens and house church members, many of whom were later released after exorbitant bail payments. 

Farshid Fathi Malayeri was kept in solitary confinement for a large part of his incarceration, and interrogated by agents working for the Ministry of Intelligence about his church activities and contacts abroad. The equivalent of £120,000 was demanded as bail for his release, but when his family eventually managed to raise the money, the authorities refused to release him.

Fathi is now reportedly being held in the general ward of the prison. He is believed to be in good health and his family has been allowed to visit him.

CSW’s Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas said, “CSW is deeply concerned at the very real possibility that Pastor Nadarkhani’s death sentence could be carried out at any time, despite the fact that there is no legal basis for this sentence. We urge the international community to press the Iranian government to release Pastor Nadarkhani, Farshid Fathi Malayeri and others who are unjustly imprisoned or facing execution following flawed judicial processes. It is unacceptable that Farshid Fathi Malayeri had to endure over a year of incarceration while awaiting his trial date, including a lengthy time in solitary confinement. CSW also remains deeply concerned at the ongoing harassment and imprisonment of Christians, Baha’is and other minorities, actions which contravene international covenants to which Iran is signatory, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which guarantees freedom of religion. We urge the Iranian authorities to follow due process, and ensure respect for the right to freedom of religion.”

For further information or to arrange interviews please contact Kiri Kankhwende, Press Officer at Christian Solidarity Worldwide on +44 (0)20 8329 0045 / +44 (0) 78 2332 9663, email kiri@csw.org.uk or visitwww.csw.org.uk.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) is a Christian organisation working for religious freedom through advocacy and human rights, in the pursuit of justice.

Christian Solidarity Pastor Nadarkhani’s lawyer is trying to confirm reports

 

Take action – Christian Solidarity Worldwide

Please share on your Blog/Wall/Tweet and let your friends know – take action now! This is wrong and I hope we will not sit back and allow this to happen….Please use your voice and please use it now.

Pastor Nadarkhani’s lawyer is trying to confirm reports that the Iranian authorities have decided to execute the pastor. There are grave concerns that the death sentence could be carried out at any time without prior notification and that the authorities will merely announce it later, a practice that is not uncommon in Iran.

Take action – Christian Solidarity Worldwide
Your voice could help to save Pastor Nadarkhani’s life:
Email Mr Sadegh Larijani today!

Mr Sadegh Larijani, is the Chief Justice of Iran.

Use this link now….Please

http://e-activist.com/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=88&ea.campaign.id=13092

Syria news: Britain and US demand further action at UN as Homs is bombarded for 11th day | Mail Online

 

Britain and U.S. join forces to demand further action at the UN as Syria continues bombardment of Homs for ELEVENTH day

By Daily Mail Reporter

Britain and the U.S. have joined forces to demand the United Nations take further action in Syria, as President Bashar Assad’s brutal military crackdown shows no sign of stopping.

Prime Minister David Cameron and U.S. President Barack Obama agreed in a telephone call last night on the ‘need for international unity’ – as the city of Homs was bombarded by rockets and mortars for a eleventh consecutive day.

Today’s attacks saw Assad’s troops attacking rebels and homes on several fronts, with Homs succumbing to severe food and fuel shortages as residents remain trapped inside their homes.

The need, Cameron’s spokesman said, included: ‘Further action at the UN and a broad and strong coalition in the new Friends of Syria group.’

 

Warzone: Syrian army tanks are now a regular sight on the streets of Homs, as Assad continues to fight the 11-month uprising

Joining forces: British PM David Cameron (left) and U.S. President Barack Obama (right) want the UN to take further action in Syria

The two leaders, who are reluctant to get dragged in militarily, also ‘discussed the possibility of increasing the pressure on the Assad regime through additional sanctions’.

The conversation came after the Arab League floated ideas to send in a joint U.N.-Arab peacekeeping force.

That plan has been backed in part by the Obama administration, which feared it would be difficult to gain authorisation by the UN Security Council.

Chief among the hurdles is opposition by Russia and China, which vetoed a far less ambitious Security Council action already this month.

Russia has said peacekeepers could not be sent without Syrian government approval, and  officials in Damascus have already rejected the proposal, calling it unjustified interference in internal affairs.

‘We support the Arab League’s decisions … to try to end the violence and move toward a transition,’ Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said.

Destruction: A house in Homs has been left as rubble after being shelled by Syrian forces

Raining down: Bombs continue to fall on the city of Homs as the crackdown continues into a second week

‘There are a lot of challenges to be discussed as to how to put into effect all of their recommendations. And certainly, the peacekeeping request is one that will take agreement and consensus.

‘So, we don’t know that it is going to be possible to persuade Syria. They have already as of today rejected that, but I think this is what we are trying to explore,’ she told reporters after meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu at the State Department.

At the White House, press secretary Jay Carney said the administration has begun discussions with the UN, the Arab League and allies about how an eventual peacekeeping force could work.

He said nothing about any U.S. participation, but it would be unlikely in the near term.

Wounded: A young girl, injured in shelling earlier this month, sits in her Homs home as the brutal crackdown on opposition against Assad continues

Destruction: Homs, which is the centre of the uprising against Assad, is still being bombarded by rockets and mortars

For now, talk of a peacekeeping force is preliminary, and largely theoretical. Carney said the discussion is about how peacekeepers ‘could help to maintain peace in Syria, starting with there being a peace to keep’.

A February 24 meeting is scheduled in Tunisia of the Friends of Syria group that will plot efforts to compel Syrian President Bashar Assad’s regime to end its brutal crackdown on opponents.

Training: Syrian rebels rehearse their moves which they continue to use against Assad’s forces

Making a noise: Despite unleashing thousands of mortars and rockets onto Homs, Assad has still not put down the rebel uprising against his rule

Ahead of that meeting, Clinton said the U.S., Turkey and other supporters of the Arab League plan would be discussing ways to support the opposition and expand the delivery of humanitarian supplies to those in need.

Among the topics of discussion will be intensifying sanctions and diplomatic pressure on Assad and his inner circle, greater outreach to regime opponents in and outside of the country and boosting financial contributions to organizations like the International Committee for the Red Cross and Red Crescent that are working in Syria.

Scars: Doctors said they are treating dozens of young Syrians injured during the violence at a hospital run by Paris-based Medecins Sans Frontieres in Amman

Maimed: All five men have undergone reconstructive surgeries at Red Crescent Hospital in Amman

Syria news: Britain and US demand further action at UN as Homs is bombarded for 11th day | Mail Online