‘I Am Gay, Not a Pervert’: Furor Erupts in China as Sina Weibo Bans Gay Content

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‘I Am Gay, Not a Pervert’: Furor Erupts in China as Sina Weibo Bans Gay Content BEIJING — With hashtags like #Iamgaynotapervert and images of hearts and rainbows, tens of thousands of Chinese residents took to social media over the weekend to protest efforts to censor gay-themed images, videos and cartoons.
The uproar was in response to a vow on Friday by Sina Weibo, one of China’s most popular social media sites, to delete posts relating to gay culture, part of a three-month “cleanup” effort.
Sina Weibo, a Twitterlike site, said in its announcement that it was trying to limit the spread of sexually suggestive and violent content and that it would target cartoons, pictures, texts, short videos and romantic fiction. The site said its aim was to promote a “clear and harmonious” environment and to comply with stricter cybersecurity laws put in place by President Xi Jinping.
But many users were incensed, saying the campaign was another sign of discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual ..

News Analysis: Hamas Sees Gaza Protests as Peaceful — and as a ‘Deadly Weapon’

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Hamas Sees Gaza Protests as Peaceful — and as a ‘Deadly Weapon’ Photo The political leader of Hamas, Ismail Haniya, likened Palestinians’ struggle to those for India’s independence, against racial segregation in the United States and against apartheid in South Africa. Credit Mahmud Hams/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images GAZA CITY — It was a striking tableau: Ismail Haniya, the political leader of Hamas, the Islamic militant group that has tried suicide bombs, rockets and attack tunnels in its long struggle with Israel, standing before portraits of the giants of nonviolent resistance — Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela.
Urging on Palestinians who have staged a new campaign of protests along the fence separating Gaza from Israel, Mr. Haniya likened their struggle to those for India’s independence, against racial segregation and discrimination in the United States, and against apartheid in South Africa.
“This blessed protest is national, peaceful, popular and civ..

Rather than revelling in Sir Martin Sorrell's demise, the business world should recognise the truth – that it needs more bosses like him

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The WPP boss has always been willing to stick his head above the parapet
There will be plenty of people taking great delight in the resignation of Sir Martin Sorrell from WPP.
The 73-year-old built WPP into the world’s largest advertising and marketing group. Now, after allegations of financial impropriety, which he denies, and pressure in the boardroom, he is quitting.
We love nothing more in the UK than cutting folk down to size, particularly someone who is paid so much and is so high-profile. It’s almost like a national sport, of everyone piling in to give them a good kicking.
No matter that they built up a hugely successful enterprise employing thousands, and when they spoke or wrote or posed for a picture they were also promoting their corporate brand. Somehow, the collective view prevails: they got above themselves and therefore deserve bringing down.
Read more Sir Martin Sorrell quits as WPP boss after misconduct allegations WPP boss Sir Martin Sorrell is under investigati..

In Moscow, a Sense of Relief After a Limited Syria Attack

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In Moscow, a Sense of Relief After a Limited Syria Attack Photo President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia meeting with the mayor of Moscow, Sergei Sobyanin, on Saturday. Mr. Putin issued an unusually rapid condemnation of the airstrikes against Syria. Credit Michael Klimentyev/Sputnik, via Reuters MOSCOW — Moscow met the limited American-led airstrikes against Syria before dawn on Saturday with plenty of bluster and heated rhetoric, starting with an uncharacteristically quick response from President Vladimir V. Putin condemning the attack and accusing the United States of aggravating the humanitarian situation.
But there was also a palpable sense of relief.
The sun was barely up before the Defense Ministry, not famous for speedy reactions, pumped out a statement underscoring that none of the thousands of Russian troops garrisoned in Syria had been threatened by the American, British and French attack and that none of its air defense systems had been mobilized.
“It looks like both sides wer..

UK companies need more executives like Martin Sorrell to give business a voice

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The WPP boss has always been willing to stick his head above the parapet
There will be plenty of people taking great delight in the travails of Sir Martin Sorrell.
We love nothing more in the UK than cutting folk down to size, particularly someone who is paid so much and is so high profile. It’s almost like a national sport, of everyone piling in to give them a good kicking.
No matter that they built up a hugely successful enterprise employing thousands, and when they spoke or wrote or posed for a picture they were also promoting their corporate brand. Somehow, the collective view prevails: they got above themselves and therefore deserve bringing down.
Read more WPP boss Sir Martin Sorrell is under investigation They themselves discover a hard truth, that on the way to the top they collected enemies and “friends”, who, when the boots thud in, turn out to be anything but, preferring to desert them rather than stand beside them.
So it is with Sorrell, 73. The advertising boss pre..

Sir Martin Sorrell quits as WPP boss after investigation launched into personal misconduct allegations

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'I believe it is in the best interests of the business if I step down now'
Sir Martin Sorrell, has quit as chief executive of the world's largest advertising agency WPP, less than a fortnight after it was confirmed the company was investigating an allegation of personal misconduct against him.
The 73-year-old said he was obviously “sad” to be leaving the firm he founded 33-years ago.
“It has been a passion, focus and source of energy for so long,” he said in a statement. “However, I believe it is in the best interests of the business if I step down now.”
Read more WPP boss Sir Martin Sorrell is under investigation The company stunned the industry last week when it said it had appointed lawyers to investigate alleged misconduct by Sir Martin, who turned a two-man outfit into the world's biggest advertising group with 200,000 employees.
He denied any misconduct “unreservedly”.
But in a letter to WPP staff published late he said the “current disruption” was ..