Two Italian boys in Naples, one of which lost his leg during the fighting, July 1944/Wayne F. Miller
Sailors riding the subway from Coney Island. New York, 1957.
By Harold Feinstein
(Source: everyday-i-show.livejournal.com)
98 year old dobri dobrev, a man who lost his hearing in the second world war, walks 10 kilometers from his village in his homemade clothes and leather shoes to the city of sofia, where he spends the day begging for money.
though a well known fixture around several of the city’s churches, known for his prostrations of thanks to all donors, it was only recently discovered that he has donated every penny he has collected — over 40,000 euros — towards the restoration of decaying bulgarian monasteries and churches and the utility bills of orphanages, living instead off his monthly state pension of 80 euros.
This guy is so… awesome. Amazing. Inspiring.
Erwin Johannes Eugen Rommel Wüstenfuchs
World War I
- First Battle of the Argonne (1915)
- Masivul Lesului and Oituz Campaigns (1916-1917)
- Battle of Caporetto (1917)
World War II
- Invasion of Poland
- Fall of France
- Battle of Arras (1940)
- North African Campaign
- Siege of Tobruk (1941)
- Operation Crusader (1941)
- Battle of Gazala (1942)
- Battle of Bir Hakeim (1942)
- First Battle of El Alamein (1942)
- Battle of Alam Halfa (1942)
- Second Battle of El Alamein (1942)
- Battle of the Kasserine Pass (1943)
- Battle of Medenine (1943)
- Battle of Normandy (1944)
BBC, 15 May 2013
The head of Saudi Arabia’s religious police has warned citizens against using Twitter, which is rising in popularity among Saudis.
Sheikh Abdul Latif Abdul Aziz al-Sheikh said anyone using social media sites—and especially Twitter—“has lost this world and his afterlife”.
…
By Kevin Sullivan, Washington Post, May 15, 2013
YAYLADAGI, Turkey—Facing one of the world’s largest refugee crises in decades, Turkish officials are urgently appealing for international financial assistance and calling on wealthy nations, particularly the United States and the countries of…
By Mark Landler, NY Times, May 15, 2013
WASHINGTON—In a clear warning to Syria to stop the transfer of advanced weapons to Islamic militants in the region, a senior Israeli official signaled on Wednesday that Israel was considering additional military strikes to prevent that from happening and…
Syria ex-minister leads rebuilding plan
BEIRUT (AP)—A six-member U.N. team led by a former Syrian planning minister is drawing up a comprehensive postwar reconstruction plan even as the country’s civil war rages on with no apparent end in sight.Coptic cleric says he will sue Israeli police
JERUSALEM (AP)—An Egyptian Coptic cleric who was mistreated during Orthodox Easter services is threatening to sue. Video supplied to The Associated Press shows Israeli police shoving Arsanious el-Orshalimi and putting him in a headlock.
Dear Colleagues,
It is with regret that I will be departing from the IRS as my acting assignment ends in early June. This has been an incredibly difficult time for the IRS given the events of the past few days, and there is a strong and immediate need to restore public trust in the nation’s tax agency. I believe the Service will benefit from having a new Acting Commissioner in place during this challenging period. As I wrap up my time at the IRS, I will be focused on an orderly transition.
While I recognize that much work needs to be done to restore faith in the IRS, I don’t want anyone to lose sight of the fact that the IRS is comprised of incredibly dedicated and hard-working public servants.
During my 25-year IRS career, I am profoundly proud to have worked alongside you and to be part of an institution that has worked hard to support the nation. I have strong confidence in the IRS leadership team to continue the important work of our agency.
I want to thank everyone for all of their support and friendship during my career in government service. And I especially want to thank each and every one of you for your continued commitment to the nation’s taxpayers.
Miller was forced to resign as a result of the past week’s IRS scandal.
Open Government Appreciations
This week the American Society of Access Professionals (ASAP) honored the National Archives with its two highest awards. The President’s Award for Distinguished Public Service was awarded to Miriam Nisbet, Director of our Office of Government Information Services (OGIS). And the Director’s Award for Superior Public Service was awarded to the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB). PIDB is an advisory board created by Congress to promote access to national security decisions and activities. Our Information Security Oversight Office (ISOO) Director serves as the PIDB Executive Secretary and ISOO staff support the work of the board.
Thanks to Miriam, PIDB, and the staffs of OGIS and ISOO for your excellence.
Read the full post on the AOTUS blog.
![fotojournalismus:
A Palestinian demonstrator returns a tear gas canister towards Israeli security forces during clashes to mark Nakba Day near the West Bank city of Ramallah on May 15, 2013.
[Credit : Mohamad Torokman/Reuters]](http://25.media.tumblr.com/faf5181eb2f9dcb6dc00ea4d27945b18/tumblr_mmwbpnnS1g1r44q44o1_500.jpg)
A Palestinian demonstrator returns a tear gas canister towards Israeli security forces during clashes to mark Nakba Day near the West Bank city of Ramallah on May 15, 2013.
[Credit : Mohamad Torokman/Reuters]
Preparing for a growing crisis | Today’s Zaman
By Sabine Freizer
The massive dual bombings in the Reyhanlı district of Turkey’s Hatay province on the Syrian border on Saturday should not bring into question Ankara’s remarkable generosity in receiving at least 300,000 Syrian refugees but should instead refocus minds on the need for a long-term approach to the humanitarian crisis, including the demonstration of greater solidarity by external partners.
Hatay’s population and geography make it a microcosm of Syria and increase the risk of the inter-communal tensions that are tearing Syria apart jumping the border. Until Saturday, the Turkish government had successfully kept down tensions in Hatay between Syrian refugees and local citizens, groups that are made up of Sunni Muslims, Arab Alevis and Kurds. Syrian fighters were encouraged to stay off the streets and to leave their weapons and battle gear out of sight and in Syria. Some refugees were asked to move away from the border area. Local community leaders worked together to maintain calm. In the aftermath of the weekend tragedy, these efforts should continue to be pursued and reinforced.
However, even before the bombings, misperceptions and fears — including seemingly exaggerated reports that rival communities were arming themselves against each other — were growing. To avoid any attacks of revenge or the organization of militant neighborhood groups, local officials and informal leaders now need to demonstrate even greater openness, transparency and engagement. Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoǧlu applied the right approach in the hours after the bombings when he said, “Those who attempt to blame refugees are committing a crime against humanity.” Media here can play an important and responsible role and should not be banned from reporting on the incident, as is the current case.
Laying blame on any one group — the Syrian refugees, the Syrian government, al-Nusra, former Marxists, Syrian intelligence, groups out to sabotage the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) withdrawal or any other — is extremely dangerous. The bombings should not be used for political point-scoring. Instead, law enforcement needs to quickly conduct the painstaking work of building a case against the individuals involved, get the information to trial and devise better preventative measures to help ensure that the chances of such bombings being repeated are reduced.
Photo: Flickr/IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation
