24 h. ago Spanish town ordered to scrap religious festivals ban mainly impacting Muslims

Jumilla’s ban on gatherings in public sports centres breaches right to religious freedom, says MadridSpain’s central government has ordered officials in a Spanish town to scrap a ban on religious gatherings in public sports centres, describing it as a “discriminatory” measure that breaches the right to religious freedom as it will mainly impact Muslims.“There can be no half-measures when it comes to intolerance,” Ángel Víctor Torres, the minister for territorial policy, wrote on social media on Monday. Rightwing opposition parties, he added, “cannot decide who has freedom of worship and who does not”. Continue reading...

Politics

38 h. ago Spain's leftist government orders town to scrap its plan to ban Islamic festivals, declaring it 'racist'

The ban was supported by Spain's conservative People's Party (PP), who said it sought to 'promote and preserve the traditional value' of the area.

Politics

43 h. ago The Spanish town that 'banned' Islamic festivals: Inside the historic city where officials say they're 'defending local traditions' but Muslims say it is 'racist'

The historic town of Jumilla (pictured) was on the frontline of conflict between Muslims and Christians when the Moors were kicked out of southern Spain in the 13th century.

Politics

2 d. ago 'I visited the Spanish town that considered banning tourists

The charming white-washed village sees an estimated 800,000 visitors a year - and residents have previously complained about the antisocial behaviour of visitors

Events

4 d. ago Madrid cultural diversity festival ban is ideological, its organisers claim

Kúpula se Mueve, which celebrates African and Latin culture, has been held without problems since 2013Madrid city council has banned a festival celebrating cultural diversity, claiming that it may lead to public disorder and complaints about noise from residents.The Kúpula se Mueve (Kúpula Moves) festival has been held without incident since 2013. Josias Ndanga, president of the association, insists the claims are an excuse, saying: “We’re convinced we’re being discriminated against on ideological grounds.” Continue reading...

Culture

5 d. ago Spanish town bans Muslim religious festivals provoking a furious outcry as migrant tensions threaten to boil over after nearby town was rocked by riots

The controversial ban was passed in Jumilla, a town in the Murcia region with a population of around 27,000 - roughly 7.5 per cent of whom come from mostly Muslim countries.

Events

5 d. ago Outrage as town in Spain bans Muslim celebrations in public spaces

Muslim groups and opposition leaders have condemned the decision, branding it Islamophobic

Politics

5 d. ago Spanish town bans Muslim religious festivals deemed 'alien to our identity'

The controversial ban was passed in Jumilla, a town in the Murcia region with a population of around 27,000 - roughly 7.5 per cent of whom come from mostly Muslim countries.

Politics

5 d. ago Where tourists seldom tread, part 18: three seaside towns that defy the tides of fashion

Ayr, Bangor and Millom routinely bring up the rear in coastal town polls, but they offer a calmer alternative to the brash traditional seaside resorts• Where tourists seldom tread, parts 1-17Tis the season to be beside the seaside – and to hype and critique coastal towns in surveys and rankings. I suppose lists of this year’s “in” and “out” resorts help tourists decide where to go; no point going to Skegness for Michelin-starred food, or to Salcombe for a laugh and cheap beer. Less obvious coastal towns provide more nuanced fare. Perhaps the most alluring spots are those where we don’t forget the sea. These three towns are routinely ranked last resorts or else ignored altogether, but they offer more than stuff to eat, drink, buy and post on socials – and are close to swimmable beaches. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago Outrage as Spanish town bans Muslim religious festivals from public spaces

Conservative People’s party in Jumilla votes to stop civic centres and gyms being used for activities ‘alien to our identity’ A local authority in south-east Spain has banned Muslims from using public facilities such as civic centres and gyms to celebrate the religious festivals Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha.The ban in Jumilla, in Murcia, is a first in Spain. It was introduced by the conservative People’s party (PP) and passed with the abstention of the far-right Vox party and the opposition of local leftwing parties. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago At least 11 children fall ill after members of Hindu group poison school’s water, police say

Authorities in Karnataka state say poisoning part of plot by Sriram Sene members to orchestrate Muslim headmaster’s removal and stir religious strife

Events

3 w. ago North Korea holds sick 'sweet meat' dog festival as top chefs descend on Pyongyang

Hundreds of chefs took part in the grim festival at Food Festival House on Ryomyong Stree, Pyongyang, despite the public's lack of interest in the eating of dog meat

Politics

3 w. ago Town's final two banks are gone, and this might be what's coming next

Calls have been made to create a 'banking hub' in Farnworth

Politics

4 w. ago Tasha Ghouri goes public with YouTuber boyfriend after fallout with ex Andrew Le Page

Former Love Island and Strictly Come Dancing star Tasha Ghouri has clearly moved on from Andrew Le Page as she goes public with her new man at Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place festival

Politics