Opinion: Why the World must follow Britain's example and not continue to fund ISIS' War against Innocent Civilians

OPINION By Anonymous.

Do you know Britain’s policy on hostages? It’s to refuse to pay. Do you agree with that? I certainly do. The horrific ISIS beheadings on Western Hostages has shocked us all to the core, and of course if I was a relative of one of those being held by ISIS, or any organisation for that matter, I would do anything or pay anything to secure their release. And that is exactly what nations around the World are doing – paying ISIS to release their foreign nationals. And whilst, in the short term at least, this seems like the only option when it comes to securing the safety of our innocent civilians, the truth is that paying for the release of hostages is causing enormous damage. Not only is the money being used by groups like ISIS to continue their barbaric attacks and violence against innocent civilians around the World (spending the money on weapons, fighters and on taking more hostages) but it also ENCOURAGES the terrorists to take even more hostages...because they know they can get more money.

          It’s like a shopping item – if Tesco see they are making lots of money from it, they will buy in more to sell. The more countries who pay for their nationals to be released (and dozens are doing so), the more hostages ISIS will take. If we refused (everyone) point blank to pay their ransom demands, they wouldn’t have any reason to take hostages in the first place – and no money for fund their violent war against innocent children, women and men.

          Of course, it goes without saying that you cannot put a price on human life, and if a loved one of mine was being held I would do anything to see them safe and well...but this cannot continue. We cannot let this barbaric practice continue, and that money being raised through hostage taking cannot continue to pay for ISIS weapons and fighters.           The World – that includes you France, and other nations handing over piles of cash to this group – must say NO to ISIS, and stop funding the murders of thousands...and fuelling the kidnapping of more and more people.

IT’S TIME TO SAY NO. HOWEVER HARD IT IS IN THE SHORT TERM.

What do you think?

G7 group of nations announces "additional sanctions" against Russia are to be put in place

The G7 group of nations has announced it is to impose "additional sanctions" on Russia amid an ongoing crisis in Ukraine. 

In a statement released via the White House, the leaders of the U.S, UK, France, Canada, Germany Italy and Japan expressed "deep concern at the continued efforts by separatists backed by Russia to destabilize eastern Ukraine".

The World leaders also welcomed the "positive steps taken by Ukraine to meets its commitments under the Geneva accord of April 17...these actions include working towards constitutional reform and decentralization". The statement continued: "In contrast, Russia has taken no concrete actions in support of the Geneva accord" adding: "We reiterate our strong condemnation of Russia's illegal attempt to annex Crimea and Sevastopol, which we do not recongise".

The leaders concluded in their statement that they have agreed they have "agreed that we will move swiftly to impose additional sanctions on Russia. Given the urgency of securing the opportunity for a successful and peaceful democratic vote next month in Ukraine's presidential elections, we have committed to acting urgently to intensify targeted sanctions and measures to increase the costs of Russia's actions".

International New York Times Front Page: "What Pakistan Knew About Bin Laden"

Image via @suttonnick 

Ukraine: Russia issues ultimatum for Ukraine to surrender warships in Crimea

Russians have issued an ultimatum for the surrender of two Ukrainian warships in Crimea, the AP news agency reports.

The ultimatum comes amid ongoing tensions in the region.

Ukraine: Russian foreign minister says Ukranian opposition being led by "armed extremists" as Yanukovych refuses to resign sparking outrage in Independence Square

Viktor Yanukovych's TV appearance in which he has refused to resign as Ukranian President has been met with anger in Kiev's Independence Square.

The BBC's Tim Wilcox, who is in a position overlooking the square where thousands of protesters are gathered, tweeted: "Crowds in Independence Square, Kiev, react with anger to Yanukovych TV statement not to resign. He should be impeached or jailed they say".

The Russian foreign minister has described Ukranian opposition leaders as "armed extremists".

Sergei Lavrov's comments follow reports from Reuters news agency that Ukranian President Viktor Yanukovych had described the opposition to him as "gangsters", and he said all decisions made by parliament today are "illegitimate".

Mr Yanukovych, who has fled the Ukranian capital Kiev but is said to remain in the country, has accused opposition leaders of attempting a coup, and has refused to resign - despite reports earlier today that he would do so.

One analyst  in Ukraine told BW Latrest: "It's clear that Yanukovych has lost all credibility now, and is showing the protesters what they have long believed - he is a dictator. Telling people that decisions made by the parliament are illegitimate is not going to go down well, or help him. His time as President is over - he is only the role in name".

Ukraine: Yanukovych's People take a trip to his Palace & Private Zoo

By Ben Wardle 
@benwardle26

The crowds form a queue to tour Yanukovych's house.
Picture courtesy of Matt Frei, Channel 4 news.

After President Viktor Yanukovych fled the Ukrainian Capital Kiev and protesters took over control of his abandoned offices and house, the local people decided they would go for a little visit to where their leader spends (or should I say spent) his free time...and Channel 4 News senior correspondent Matt Frei decided to go along too.  See his pictures...scroll down. 

There was certainly plenty for the crowds to see...from a giant greenhouse Matt Frei said was for "flowers and banana trees", to a private zoo with antelopes and peacocks.

Matt Frei toured Yanukovych's Private Zoo...a picture
opportunity with the presidential peacocks. 

It will most definitely be a day trip the people of Ukraine will not forget in a hurry; seeing just what a lavish lifestyle they were funding through there taxes! Now we see why Mr Yanukovych wasn't so keen on giving up power...the peacocks, sheep, antelopes, pigs, and of course banana trees won't look after themselves....

The people of Ukraine check out Yanukovych's garden. Picture
courtesy of , Federico Escher (C4 News producer) 

All photographs courtesy of Channel 4 News Senior correspondent / presenter Matt Frei. Channel 4 News airs in the UK at 6.45pm this evening.  Scroll down for more pictures...

The house to which people queued to visit, along with @mattfrei 

The President's livestock were not to familiar with the amount of people who
came to see them...including Matt Frei of C4 News. 

Those who went into Mr Yanukovych's private zoo weren't quite to sure
what to make of it all. 

"This was the house the President never wanted his people to see" says Matt Frei