Sarkozy: Un discours polémique
leJDD.fr: Nicolas Sarkozy l'a évoqué vendredi dans un discours prononcé à Grenoble. Mais l'annonce d'une possible déchéance de la nationalité française des délinquants d'origine étrangère ne passe pas. Opposition et associations dénoncent une menace contraire au principe d'égalité, qui s'aligne sur les thèses du Front national.

Au lendemain du discours de Nicolas Sarkozy à Grenoble, les propos du chef de l'Etat font polémique. S'ils s'insurgent du retour du thème de l'insécurité sur le devant de la scène politique à moins de deux ans de la présidentielle, opposition et associations dénoncent également l'une des principales annonces du président de la République. Vendredi, Nicolas Sarkozy a menacé de déchoir de la nationalité française toute personne d'origine étrangère qui porterait atteinte à la vie d'un policier, d'un gendarme ou d'un représentant de l'autorité publique. >>> Anne-Charlotte Dusseaulx (avec Reuters) - leJDD.fr | Samedi 31 Juillet 2010

Julia Gillard 'Heading for Defeat' in Australian Election
THE TELEGRAPH: Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard is heading for a shock defeat at elections on August 21 according to a new opinion poll.

Miss Gillard, who became prime minister five weeks ago, has had her election campaign hampered by government in-fighting and damaging cabinet leaks.

Defeat for Miss Gillard, though still considered unlikely by most other opinion polls and political experts, would sink her plans to place a 30 per cent tax on iron ore and coal mines, to introduce carbon-trading and to build a $33 billion broadband network.

Miss Gillard took the leadership of Australia from unpopular premier Kevin Rudd, who was dumped by his own Labor MPs.

But their gamble on the country's first woman prime minister leading them back to government is looking riskier by the day. >>> | Saturday, July 31, 2010

Helmut Schmidt außer Dienst
Teil 1:



Teil 2:



Teil 3:



Teil 4:



Es wird fortgesetzt.

Al Gore Will Not Be Prosecuted Over Masseuse Allegations
THE TELEGRAPH: Al Gore, the former Vice President, will not be prosecuted over allegations by a masseuse that he groped and assaulted her in his Oregon hotel room in 2006, the county prosecutor has confirmed.

District Attorney Michael Schrunk said the case has numerous problems and is not appropriate for a criminal prosecution.

Mr Gore, who served as US Vice President under Bill Clinton, denied the charges, including under questioning July 22 by local detectives. His aides welcomed the news.

"Mr Gore unequivocally and emphatically denied this accusation when he first learned of its existence three years ago," spokesman Kalee Kreider said in a statement. "He respects and appreciates the thorough and professional work of the Portland authorities and is pleased that this matter has now been resolved." >>> | Saturday, July 31, 2010

David Cameron Effigy Burned In Terror Row
YAHOO! NEWS: A group of demonstrators in Pakistan have burned an effigy of David Cameron in protest at the recent comments made by the Prime Minister.

The British politician provoked an angry response this week when he told an audience in India that elements in Pakistan were promoting the export of terror.

About a dozen activists with the group Shabab-e-Milli, an affiliate of the radical Jamate Islami, chanted anti-PM slogans outside the Karachi Press Club.

The protesters shouted "Down with Cameron," and held up a banner reading "David Camroon - The loos mouth".

Rally organiser Mohammad Yousuf Munir called on his country to cut diplomatic ties with the UK.

He added: "There should be a protest on an international level as Pakistan is working in coordination with the international community in its war against terror. It's a sheer injustice."

Pakistan's information minister, Qamar Zaman Kaira, said there was "resentment" in his country over Mr Cameron's comments. >>> Sky News | Saturday, July 31, 2010

Son Excellence Nicolas Sarkozy, plus royal que jamais
GALA.fr: Depuis le XVIe siècle, le chef d'Etat français partage avec l'évêque espagnol d'Urgell le titre de coprince d'Andorre, petit territoire montagneux de 468 km2 et 84 000 habitants, enclavé dans les Pyrénées. 


Pour tourner la page d'une période orageuse qu'il avait ouverte en menaçant d’abdiquer si la principauté ne sortait pas de la liste des paradis fiscaux, Son Altesse Sarko a décidé d’honorer ses sujets, au cœur de l'été. >>> | Vendredi 30 Juillet 2010

Bed Bugs vs. NYC: The Battle Is On
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: The city that never sleeps? Tell that to New York's bedbugs. The tiny blood suckers specialize in feeding off sleeping bodies and this summer in the Big Apple they're enjoying the pickings of their lives, specialists say.



Related articles here and here

Fox and Friends: Pamella Geller on SIOA Honor Killing Awareness Campaign and The Post-American Presidency


HT: Jihad Watch >>>

Church Plans Quran-burning Event


CNN: Church plans Quran-burning event: In protest of what it calls a religion "of the devil," a nondenominational church in Gainesville, Florida, plans to host an "International Burn a Quran Day" on the ninth anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks. >>> Lauren Russell, CNN | Saturday, July 31, 2010

Rick Sanchez seems to be totally oblivious of the fact that Muslims trash Bibles all the time. Go, Sir, to Saudi Arabia for a trip, and take a Bible with you. Then see what happens to your Bible! – © Mark

Related >>>

Der Super-Imam und die Islamisierung Malaysias
WELT ONLINE: Der Erfolg einer religiösen Talentshow ist symptomatisch dafür, wie die einstige Liberalität Malaysias langsam schwindet.

Der Sieger: Muhammad Asyraf Mohd Ridzuan gewann die Talentshow. Bild: Welt Online
Asyraf hat das verzückte Gesicht zum Himmel erhoben. Der 26-Jährige steht allein im grellen Licht der Scheinwerfer und reckt beschwörend die Hände in die Höhe, als er seine Stimme dramatisch anschwellen lässt. Vor seinem Kinn ist ein modernes Kopfmikrophon befestigt – die einzige Parallele zu westlichen Talentshows, die diesem TV-Programm aus Malaysia als Vorbild dienten. Asyraf schmettert keinen schwülstigen Popsong, er predigt. Die Predigt ist die letzte große Herausforderung der malaysischen Castingshow „Imam Muda“, junger Imam. Zwei der ursprünglich zehn Kandidaten sind noch übrig: Muhammad Asyraf Bin Mohd Ridzuan und der 27-jährige Hizbur Rahman Bin Omar Zuhdi. Noch einmal müssen sie beim großen Finale der Talentshow zeigen, was sie können. Noch einmal darin wetteifern, wer der beste Nachwuchsimam des Landes ist.

Schließlich kommt die Stunde der Entscheidung – und das ganze Land hält den Atem an. In langen schwarzen Mänteln mit goldenen Borten stehen die beiden Finalisten da, stocksteif, die Hände vor dem Bauch verschränkt. Bewegt wird sich grundsätzlich nicht viel bei „Imam Muda“. Endlich bricht der gestrenge Ustaz Hasan Mahmud al-Hafiz, der „Dieter Bohlen“ der Show und früherer Chef-Imam der Nationalmoschee, die Spannung. Mit schnarrender Stimme verkündet er den Sieger: Asyraf, der 26-jährige Religionsstudent aus dem Bundesstaat Penang, ist der „Imam Muda“, Malaysias Religionsführer der Zukunft.

Die Castingshow hat in dem südostasiatischen Staat sämtliche Rekorde gebrochen. Islamisches Reality-Fernsehen: In der Erfolgssendung des Kabelsenders Astro Oasis traten zehn Wochen lang junge Männer zwischen 18 und 27 Jahren gegeneinander an. Sie maßen sich in Religionswissen und Riten, in Theorie und Praxis. Sie mussten Leichen waschen, Schafe schlachten und jungen Mädchen vorehelichen Sex ausreden – und das alles vor den strengen Augen der Religions-Juroren. Kein Fernsehen, keine Handys, kein Internet >>> Von Sophie Mühlmann | Samstag, 31. Juli 2010

Jörg Haider. Bild: Google Images
Das dreckige Dutzend
PROFIL ONLINE: Haiders zwölf Briefkästen: Der verstorbene Kärntner Landeshauptmann soll 45 Millionen Euro aus dunklen Kanälen nach Liechtenstein geschleust haben. Bei Kontoöffnungen stießen die Behörden auf ein dichtes Netz an Treuhandkonstruktionen.

Die Geschichte war bisher nicht viel mehr als eine Zote. Aber sie ist so unterhaltsam, dass sie in politischen Zirkeln seit geraumer Zeit als Bonmot kursiert – und das weit über die Kärntner Landesgrenzen hinaus. 



Sie geht so: Kurz nach dem Unfalltod von Jörg Haider im Oktober 2008 werden bei dessen Witwe Claudia zwei Herren vorstellig. Die Brüder Kurt und Uwe Scheuch. Der eine ist Klubobmann des BZÖ im Kärntner Landtag, der andere Landesrat. Die langjährigen Weggefährten des Landeshauptmanns plagt eine Frage, die sie der Hinterbliebenen ohne Umschweife stellen: „Claudia, wo ist das Geld?“



Frau Haiders Antwort wird in der Anekdote nicht überliefert. Heute, zwei Jahre später, verdichten sich die Hinweise, dass dahinter sehr viel mehr stecken dürfte. 



Jörg Haider hat nach profil-Recherchen im Laufe seiner politischen Karriere ein weit verzweigtes Netzwerk von Treuhandkonten in Liechtenstein aufgezogen, über das er Millionen Euro verschieben ließ. Geld, von dessen Existenz nur ein handverlesener Kreis von Personen wusste. Jetzt beschäftigt es die Staatsanwaltschaften dreier Länder. Exklusiv: Haider soll 45 Millionen Euro nach Liechtenstein geschleust haben >>> Von Michael Nikbakhsh und Ulla Schmid | Samstag, 31. Juli 2010

THE TELEGRAPH: Far-right Austrian leader Joerg Haider secretly had £40 million in Liechtenstein: More than 45 million euros in undeclared cash belonging to Austria’s late far-right leader Joerg Haider has been found in the secretive European principality of Liechtenstein, according to reports. >>> | Sunday, August 01, 2010

Gay Love: Two Military

Israel Retaliates with Air Strikes in Gaza
THE TELEGRAPH: Israel has carried out air strikes on targets in Gaza after militants in the territory fired a rocket into the Jewish city of Ashkelon, the first such attack in more than a year.



Late on Friday, aircraft shot at least four missiles at buildings used by Hamas security forces in Gaza City, wounding eight, medics said.

Warplanes also hit smuggling tunnels on the border with Egypt, without causing casualties, witnesses said.

Palestinians reported several explosions in Gaza City and Israeli aircraft could be heard flying over the territory.

There were no immediate reports of injuries.

The earlier rocket attack, seen by some observers as an attempt to undermine the possible resumption of direct peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, marked a significant escalation in the attritional campaign Islamist groups based in Gaza have waged on Israeli civilians living nearby.

It came a day after Arab foreign ministers meeting in Cairo told Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian leader, that they would not stand in his way if he decided to talk to Israel face-to-face. >>> Adrian Blomfield in Jerusalem | Friday, July 30, 2010

Garland of Arabia: The Forgotten Story of TE Lawrence's Brother-in-Arms
THE TELEGRAPH: He was a mentor to Lawrence of Arabia, a maverick explosives expert who played a pivotal role in the Arab insurgency against the Ottoman Empire.

But the part that Major Herbert Garland, a British scientist turned soldier, played in the First World War has largely been ignored, airbrushed from history in the wake of his more famous brother-in-arms.

Now the Royal Society of Chemistry is to finally commemorate the army officer who wrecked his health leading the Arab rebellion before dying forgotten and almost penniless in Gravesend aged just 38.

Dr Richard Pike, chief executive of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), said he was a very rare and "courageous soldier" who was admired by TE Lawrence for his daring and cleverness.

“I am pleased that we are remembering him now, even if it is nine decades after his rather lonely death, far from the desert where his reputation should have been made, as it was with Lawrence, who had learned so much from him,” he said. >>> Richard Alleyne, Science Correspondent | Friday, July 30, 2010

Photo of a historic protest in New York. Photograph: Google Images
Debate Heating Up on Plans for Mosque Near Ground Zero
THE NEW YORK TIMES: An influential Jewish organization on Friday announced its opposition to a proposed Islamic center and mosque two blocks north of ground zero in Lower Manhattan, intensifying a fierce national debate about the limits of religious freedom and the meaning of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The decision by the group, the Anti-Defamation League, touched off angry reactions from a range of religious groups, which argued that the country would show its tolerance and values by welcoming the center near the site where radical Muslims killed about 2,750 people.

But the unexpected move by the ADL, a mainstream group that has denounced what it saw as bigoted attacks on plans for the Muslim center, could well be a turning point in the battle over the project.

In New York, where ground zero has slowly blended back into the fabric of the city, government officials appear poised to approve plans for the sprawling complex, which would have as many as 15 stories and would house a prayer space, a performing arts center, a pool and a restaurant.

But around the country opposition is mounting, fueled in part by Republican leaders and conservative pundits. Sarah Palin, the 2008 Republican vice-presidential nominee, has urged “peace-seeking Muslims” to reject the center, branding it an “unnecessary provocation.” A Republican political action committee has produced a television commercial assailing the proposal. And former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has decried it in speeches.

The complex’s rapid evolution from a local zoning dispute into a national referendum highlights the intense and unsettled emotions that still surround the World Trade Center site nine years after the attacks.

To many New Yorkers, especially in Manhattan, it is a construction zone, passed during the daily commute or glimpsed through office windows. To some outside of the city, though, it stands as a hallowed battlefield that must be shielded and memorialized.

Those who are fighting the project argue that building a house of Muslim worship so close to ground zero is at best an affront to the families of those who died there and at worst an act of aggression that would, they say, mark the place where radical Islam achieved a blow against the United States. >>> Michael Barbaro | Friday, July 30, 2010

Episcopal Committee Is Working on Gay Rite
THE NEW YORK TIMES: Armed with a new $400,000 grant and the support of the Episcopal Church, a Berkeley seminary is convening priests from across the country to craft the liturgical rite for same-sex couples to receive religious blessings.

The new rite, which will take years to complete, will most likely consist of a series of original prayers, Bible readings and two essays: one on the theological meaning of same-sex blessings, and one advising priests who administer the new rite. If approved, the new blessing would be just the third addition to Episcopal liturgy since 1979.

“This is very significant,” said the Rev. Ruth Meyers, chairwoman of the church’s Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, who is heading the effort. “It does acknowledge a fuller participation of gays and lesbians in the life of the church.” >>> Richard Parks | Thursday, July 29, 2010

As Some Young Muslims Turn to Radicalism, Concern Grows
THE NEW YORK TIMES: FRANKFURT — Before Abi left her parents’ house in northern Germany last year, she asked her father, “Daddy, what can I bring you from my journey?” He looked up from his book and answered, “Some perfumed oil.” “Will do,” she said, hugging him goodbye.

He is still waiting, more than a year later, for her to return.

Abi, now 23, and her husband never made the trip they said they had planned to Saudi Arabia to visit Mecca and Medina. Instead they became part of a growing number of young Muslims from Germany and other European countries who travel to the Pakistan-Afghanistan border region, eventually ending up in the camps of groups affiliated with Al Qaeda or the Taliban.

One German man, Eric Breininger, was later reported killed in a battle with Pakistani troops.

A Turkish-language Web site announced that in recent days nine foreign fighters were killed as they traveled to carry out operations with the Taliban. Two of them were identified as Germans, from Bonn and Berlin.

Others have been arrested on a variety of charges. In one case, several people were convicted of planning attacks against American military facilities in Germany.

Intelligence officials are concerned that the young people, most in their 20s, will be used by the militants for propaganda purposes or trained to take up arms. They also worry that some will slip back into Germany to recruit others or to join sleeper cells and ultimately commit acts of terrorism.

“This is a very dangerous situation and German security services are very nervous about it,” said Guido Steinberg, terrorism expert of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs in Berlin. “Al Qaeda and other organizations have put Germany on their target priority list as one of the top places.” >>> Souad Mekhennet | Friday, July 30, 2010

Berlusconi schmeisst Erzrivalen Fini aus Partei
SCHWEIZER FERNSEHEN: Italiens Ministerpräsident Silvio Berlusconi wirft Gianfranco Fini aus der Partei. Damit läutet dieser einen möglichen Regierungszusammenbruch ein. Einschätzungen von Gianluca Galgani, SF-Korrespondent, in Rom

Griechenland ohne Benzin
SCHWEIZER FERNSEHEN: Wegen des seit Tagen andauernden Streik griechischer Tanklastwagenfahrer bleiben die Tankstellen trocken.

In Russland wütet das ewige Feuer
SCHWEIZER FERNSEHEN: Wegen der langen Hitzeperiode sind in Russland mehrere Waldbrände ausgebrochen. Mehr als 20 Menschen wurden dabei schon getötet. Einschätzungen von Christof Franzen, SF-Korrespondent, in Moskau


Verbunden / Related >>>

Chelsea Clinton: Teure Hochzeit steht bevor
SCHWEIZER FERNSEHEN: Am Samstag heiratet die frühere Präsidententochter Chelsea Clinton den Investmentbanker Marc Mezvinsky. Es wird die wohl spektakulärste US-Hochzeit des Jahres.

Chelsea Clinton mit Marc Mezvinsky: Allein der Blumenschmuck ihrer Hochzeit soll von 300'000 Franken kosten. Foto: Schweizer Fernsehen
Wahnsinnig romantisch und ganz sicher wahnsinnig teuer: Chelsea Clintons Hochzeit schlägt alle Rekorde. Während eine Hochzeit in den Vereinigten Staaten üblicherweise um die 24'000 Dollar (knapp 25'000 Franken) kostet, beläuft sich der Aufwand bei Chelsea nach Schätzungen von Hochzeitsexperten auf mehrere Millionen Dollar. Allein die Torte könnte demnach 20'800 Franken kosten.

Designerkleid für Chelsea Clinton soll über 20'000 Franken kosten

Sally Kilbridge, stellvertretende Chefredakteurin der Zeitschrift «Brides», rechnet damit, dass Chelsea Clinton ein Kleid der bekannten US-Designerin Vera Wang tragen wird. Schliesslich sei sie dabei fotografiert worden, wie sie in eine New Yorker Boutique der Designerin ging. Ein massgeschneidertes Kleid von Wang kostet um die 20'800 Franken, wie Kilbridge erklärt. Auch beim Blumenschmuck werde sich Chelsea nicht zurückhalten, glaubt Kilbridge, er falle sicher sehr glamourös aus. Kosten in Höhe von 300'000 Franken hält die Redakteurin für denkbar. Dies sei gar nicht mal so viel Geld, wenn man bedenke, dass US-Unternehmer Donald Trump sich die Blumen bei seiner Hochzeit über eine halbe Million Franken habe kosten lassen. Weiter lesen und einen Kommentar schreiben >>> | Freitag, 30. Juli 2010

Clintons Prepare for Chelsea's Wedding
THE TELEGRAPH: Bill and Hillary Clinton sent the town of Rhinebeck into a frenzy as they gathered with friends and family ahead of daughter Chelsea's wedding.

Arm in arm, Mr and Mrs Clinton descended from their blacked-out car and quickly went into the hotel. Photo: The Telegraph
The Clintons arrived at the Beekman Arms Hotel, where many of their guests are thought to be staying, shortly before 11pm.

Arm in arm, Mr and Mrs Clinton descended from their blacked-out car – the former First Lady, wearing a long green dress, waved to the cheering crowd waiting behind metal barricades – and quickly went into the hotel. The couple left about a half-hour later.

Earlier in the day, the former president of the USA made an appearance around lunchtime, popping out of a car and walking to a restaurant, greeting people on his way.

"We love it here," he said to well-wishers who called out to him.

"Chelsea loves the area as well."

Asked what he thinks of his daughter's fiancé, Marc Mezvinsky, Mr Clinton replied: "I like him very much, I really do. I admire him. Hillary feels the same way."

The sight of an ex-president captivated many in the crowd. >>> | Saturday, July 31, 2010

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: Is Chelsea Clinton Setting a Bad Example? >>> Brett Arends | Friday, July 30, 2010

Helen Thomas Statue Campaign Stirs Controversy
DETROIT FREE PRESS: The Arab American National Museum in Dearborn has launched a fund-raising drive to pay for a statue of legendary journalist Helen Thomas that concerns some in the Jewish community.

Thomas, a former White House correspondent and native Detroiter born to Lebanese immigrants, was forced to quit her job at Hearst Newspapers last month after saying Israelis should "get the hell out of Palestine." She apologized.

On Tuesday, the museum started a 45-day campaign to raise the remaining $10,000 for the roughly $30,000 statue. Some in the Jewish community are wary of honoring Thomas.

"I just hope that the support for this memorial is there despite her anti-Israel and anti-Semitic views and not because of them," said Richard Nodel, president of the Jewish Community Relations Council.

Anan Ameri, director of the museum, said she disagrees with her comments, but Thomas "spent her life ... doing a lot of good things." >>> Niraj Warikoo, Free Press Staff Writer | Thursday, July 29, 2010

HT: Weasel Zippers >>>

Cameron Backs Turkey EU Membership *
SKY NEWS: On his first official visit to Turkey David Cameron has pledged to support the country's bid for EU membership.



* Yes, Mr Cameron, and it makes us angry that we are being led by weak and ill-informed politicians like you who are not prepared to safeguard our Judeo-Christian civilization from the onslaught of Islam! And believe me, it will be one huge onslaught if Turkey is allowed into the EU. It’s bad enough as things stand. You people do nothing to stop the destruction of Western values. That makes us angry!

It is to be hoped that Germany and France will continue to thwart the efforts of the arrogant British establishment who are working assiduously to bring Turkey into the EU against the wishes of the majority of the British people. The Foreign Office and politicians like you, Mr Cameron, should be working FOR the people, not AGAINST them, since after all is said and done, it’s the taxpayer that keeps you people in employment.

So a little less arrogance and a little more listening to the wishes of the electorate would go a hell of a long way. – © Mark

Immigration Law Divides The US
SKY NEWS: Barack Obama has won the first round in his fight against a controversial new immigration law in Arizona. Opponents claim parts of the law requiring police to find out the immigration status of all they arrest is 'racial profiling'. Greg Milam reports.

Cameron Defends Pakistan 'Terror' Comments
SKY NEWS: In an interview with Sky News' political editor Adam Boulton, David Cameron has defended his Pakistan 'terror' comments.

Women 'View Modesty as Sign of Weakness'
THE TELEGRAPH: Women are attracted to macho men and see modesty as a sign of evolutionary weakness, a study has shown.

Research suggested that females have found the rise of the 'more feminine man', or 'metrosexual', a big turn-off. Photo: The Telegraph
Research suggested that females have found the rise of the “more feminine man”, or “metrosexual”, a big turn-off.

Women see modesty amonsgt men as a poor character trait that could adversely affect their employability or earnings potential.

The study of 132 female and 100 male student volunteers found, however, that men did not view female modesty negatively. >>> Peter Hutchison | Friday, July 30, 2010

Chavez affirme avoir déployé des troupes militaires à la frontière avec la Colombie
Hugo Chavez a également annoncé la création d'une nouvelle "région militaire" à la frontière avec la Colombie. Photo : Le Monde
LE MONDE: Après avoir rompu les relations diplomatiques avec son voisin colombien la semaine dernière, le président vénézuélien Hugo Chavez a affirmé, vendredi 30 juillet, que son pays avait déployé des unités d'infanterie et de l'armée de l'air à la frontière avec la Colombie, en prévision d'une éventuelle attaque de cette dernière.

"Nous avons déployé des troupes, de l'armée de l'air (...) de l'infanterie, mais en silence parce que nous ne voulons déranger personne dans la population", a-t-il déclaré par téléphone à la télévision d'Etat VTV, sans donner de détails sur les troupes déployées. "Uribe [président sortant de Colombie] est capable de n'importe quoi dans les jours qui lui restent [au pouvoir] (...) Cela est devenu une menace de guerre et nous ne voulons pas la guerre", a poursuivi M. Chavez. Arrivé au terme de son dernier mandat, Alvaro Uribe transmettra ses pouvoirs le 7 août à son successeur élu Juan Manuel Santos. >>> LEMONDE.FR avec AFP et Reuters | Samedi 31 Juillet 2010

Gaza-Streifen: Hamas verbannt Damenunterwäsche aus Schaufenstern
ZEIT ONLINE: Die islamistische Hamas hat ein neues Verbot verhängt, um die öffentliche Moral wieder herzustellen: Damenunterwäsche darf nicht mehr in Schaufenstern ausgestellt werden.

Eine muslimische Frau steht vor einem Schaufenster, in dem Unterwäsche ausgestellt wird. Bild: Zeit Online
Die im Gaza-Streifen herrschende Hamas-Organisation hat Damenunterwäsche in Schaufenstern verboten. Damit solle die öffentliche Moral in der palästinensischen Gesellschaft wieder hergestellt werden, sagte Polizeisprecher Aiman Batnidschi in Gaza.

Unter das Verbot fallen auch Schaufensterpuppen. Darüber hinaus müssen Ladenbesitzer künftig Sicherheitskameras abschalten und die Türen zu ihren Geschäften offen halten. Polizisten würden Ausschau halten, ob es zwischen Verkäufern und Kundinnen zu einem "verdächtigen Verhalten" komme, sagte der Sprecher. Er wies zugleich Vorwürfe zurück, die Hamas wolle die Gesellschaft weiter islamisieren. Weiter lesen und einen Kommentar schreiben >>> Zeit Online, dpa | Donnerstag, 29. Juli 2010

Iran Stoning Sentence Woman Asks to Be Reunited with Her Children
THE GUARDIAN: Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani's supporters call for support to free her from prison, after sentence was changed to hanging

The Iranian woman whose sentence of death by stoning was commuted to hanging after an international campaign, today sent a message from inside Tabriz prison calling for further support so that she might be reunited with her children.

Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, a 43-year-old mother of two, said she thinks of nothing other than hugging her children and that she was mentally broken when authorities flogged her 99 times in front of her then 17-year-old son, Sajad.

She thanked the world for launching the campaign for her release but said part of her "heart is frozen". "Every night before I go to sleep, I think who would throw stones at me?", she said.

The message was read by Mina Ahadi, of the Iran Committee against Stoning (ICAS), at a press conference in Conway Hall, in London, this morning.

"Put Sakineh's picture beside Neda Agha-Soltan's and don't let Iran repeat what it did with Neda again with Sakineh," said Ahadi, an Iranian human rights activist. Agha-Soltan was shot to death in the aftermath of Iran's disputed election in June 2009 and became a symbol of Iran's post-election rebellion. >>> Saeed Kamali Dehghan | Friday, July 30, 2010

Der Rabbi, der Israel abschaffen will
ZEIT ONLINE: Neturei Karta ist eine Gruppe ultraorthodoxer Juden, die gegen den Staat Israel kämpft. Ihr Leiter will Berater der palästinensischen Regierung werden.

Rabbi Meir Hirsh sitzt in seiner Wohnung in Me’a Sche’arim und wartet. Es ist das Viertel der ultraorthodoxen Juden in Jerusalem. Weiße Häuser, Balkone aus geschwungenen Eisenstangen, alles ein wenig schmuddelig. Putz bröckelt, auf manchen Hausmauern sind Graffiti zu sehen: eine palästinensische Flagge, ein Hakenkreuz. Ultraorthodoxe Juden eilen schnellen Schrittes durch die engen Gassen. Eine Treppe aus weißem Stein führt zur Wohnung von Rabbi Meir Hirsh. Er möchte Berater der palästinensischen Regierung werden.

"Ein Jude ist kein Zionist" steht auf seinem Klingelschild. Meir Hirsh trägt einen schwarzen Mantel, einen luftigen, langen weißroten Bart, die Judenlocken locken sich nicht. Auf dem Kopf sitzt ein Hut, auf der Nase eine dicke Hornbrille. Der Rabbi wartet auf einen Anruf, eine E-Mail, auf einen Brief von Palästinenserpräsident Mahmud Abbas. Mit ihm ist er in regem Kontakt, er will Berater der palästinensischen Regierung werden.

Seit drei Monaten leitet Rabbi Meir Hirsh die Organisation Neturei Karta, eine Gruppierung von ultraorthodoxen Juden, die gegen Israel kämpft. Die Errichtung des Staates Israels von Menschenhand spreche gegen die Thora. Hier steht geschrieben, dass erst nach Ankunft des Messias ein jüdischer Staat entsteht, durch göttliche Fügung. Bis dahin sei es Juden erlaubt hier zu leben, aber nur unter der Führung eines anderen Volkes. >>> Von Viktoria Kleber | Freitag, 30. Juli 2010

Fires Kill Dozens in Russia Heatwave
ABC News: Forest fires sweeping across eastern Russia have killed at least 25 people and the forced the evacuation of thousands in the hottest weather since records began 130 years ago.

Fanned by strong winds, fires ripped through woods and fields that have been scorched for weeks by a heatwave, incinerating hundreds of wooden houses.

"We don't know where to go," said Galina Shibanova, 52, standing outside her burning home in the town of Maslovka in the Voronezh region, about 500 kilometres south of Moscow.

"We called the emergency services, and not one person answered the phone," said Ms Shibanova.

Igor Vlasnev, head of the Voronezh region fire services, said the situation was expected to worsen on Saturday because of rising temperatures.

"Everyone is waiting, and wishing, for rain," he said.

"The forecast for tomorrow is that the situation will worsen both in terms of temperature and wind conditions, which are expected to change (on Saturday night)."

Russia has been sweltering since June in a heatwave that has destroyed crops and pushed thousands of farmers to the verge of bankruptcy. >>> Reuters | Saturday, July 31, 2010

Russia Mobilizes Army to Fight Deadly Fires

Pakistan Cancels Visit to Britain Over Cameron Terror Comments
THE TELEGRAPH: Pakistan's intelligence agency has cancelled planned talks with security experts in Britain following David Cameron's claim that elements within the country are promoting the export of terror, it is reported.

Mr Cameron's comments sparked outrage in Islamabad during this week's trip to India.

The decision precedes a three-day visit to the UK by Asif Ali Zardari, the Pakistani President, during which he is expected to stay with the Prime Minister at his country home, Chequers.

The Times reported that senior officers from Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) had been due to come to London for talks on counter-terrorism co-operation with British security services.

An ISI spokesman sadi: ''The visit has been cancelled in reaction to the comments made by the British Prime Minister against Pakistan.'' >>> | Saturday, July 31, 2010

David Cameron Should Speak Frankly About Britain's Own Terrorists
THE TELEGRAPH: David Cameron's outspoken comments about Pakistan smack of hypocrisy and grandstanding, says Charles Moore.

Since David Cameron is setting a fashion for being blunt, let's join in. He got his tour this week to Turkey and India wrong.

In advance, everyone was promised that British foreign policy would now be politically and financially realistic. It would eschew Blairite ambitions to put the world to rights. It would strengthen bilateral relations and boost trade. Diplomats would no longer be valued for their thoughtful telegrams about the situation in Ruritania, but by their ability to get out and sell British goods and services. We must cut our coat according to our cloth, was the message – and then flog the coat abroad.

And so it was that a huge party of ministers and businessmen accompanied the Prime Minister to the sub-continent, talking about contracts, green initiatives and universities.

But, by Wednesday, things were not going quite right. I was struck by a juxtaposition of stories in this newspaper. One carried the headline: "Gaza is like a prison camp, says PM." Next door, was a report in which Mr Cameron proclaimed that he was approaching India with "humility". Although the Gaza remarks were made in Turkey, not India, the stories did not sit happily together. Was Mr Cameron being blunt or humble? It's hard to be both at once.

When he actually reached India, he did not lower the temperature. Speaking in Bangalore, he said that "we cannot tolerate the idea that this country [Pakistan] is allowed to look both ways and is able… to promote the export of terror". The new Foreign Secretary, William Hague, tactfully explained that the Prime Minister "wasn't accusing anyone of double-dealing". But anyone not trained as a politician or diplomat could see that he was.

Faced with protests, Mr Cameron decided to defend himself. He was simply an honest man abroad, was the line. The British people, he said, did not expect him "to go around the world telling people what they wanted to hear".

Yet the fault in his "gaffes" had something to do with the fact that he was telling his immediate audience what it wanted to hear. In saying that Gaza was a "prison camp", without even mentioning Hamas, he was repeating the line of his host, the Turkish prime minister, Recep Erdogan. Mr Erdogan recently said: "I do not accept Hamas as a terrorist organisation", and one Hamas leader declared: "Mr Erdogan has become our voice." Everything, for Mr Erdogan and for Hamas, is the fault of Israel. Mr Cameron seemed to endorse this. Continue reading and comment >>> Charles Moore | Saturday, July 31, 2010

Nicolas Sarkozy Orders Air Sarko One Plane
THE TELEGRAPH: Nicolas Sarkozy's dream of having his own presidential jet to rival America's Air Force One are about to come true with "Air Sarko One", a £150 million aircraft complete with bedroom, air filter system so he can smoke cigars, and a shower.

Mr Sarkozy's 176 million euro (£147 million) purchase and refit of the jet from tourist airline Air Caraïbes has raised eyebrows. Photo: The Telegraph
The specially upholstered Airbus A330-200, has just been taken on its first test flight in Bordeaux, southwestern France, with all internal fittings due for completion by October.

The plane will also include a 12-man meeting room, 60 business class seats, top-grade encrypted communications systems, a reinforced fuselage and missile decoy system.

A fleet of smaller jets is also to replace the current Falcon 50 and 900 models at ministers' disposal. This includes two Falcon 7Xs, models often favoured by the world's jet set.

Presidential air force officials have dubbed it "Air Carla One" after his ex-supermodel wife.

The French leader is understood to have long envied the luxurious conditions in which Barack Obama, the US President flies across the world in his Boeing 747-200B, and has complained that his two smaller Airbus A319s lacked the necessary presidential stature. >>> Henry Samuel in Paris | Friday, July 30, 2010

Israeli Rabbis Clamp Down On Burka
THE TELEGRAPH: Israeli rabbis are to clamp down on the growing number of devout Jewish women wearing the burka by declaring the garment an item of sexual deviancy.

The move was prompted by the husbands of some burka-wearing women. Photo: The Telegraph
At the insistence of the husbands of some burka-wearing women, a leading rabbinical authority is to issue an edict declaring burka wearing a sexual fetish that is as promiscuous as wearing too little.

A small group of ultra-orthodox Jews in the town of Beit Shemesh chose to don the burka, usually associated with women in repressive Islamist regimes, three years ago in a bid to protect their modesty.

Since then, the habit has spread to five other Israeli towns causing alarm among ultra-orthodox religious leaders who once saw it as a relatively harmless eccentricity – even though the number of Jewish burka wearers is not thought to be more than a few hundred.

“There is a real danger that by exaggerating, you are doing the opposite of what is intended [resulting in] severe transgressions in sexual matters,” Shlomo Pappenheim, a member of the rabbinical authority preparing to make the edict, was quoted as saying. >>> Adrian Blomfield in Jerusalem | Friday, July 30, 2010

Islamische Gerichte sind in England legal
SCHWEIZER FERNSEHEN: Wer an Scharia hört, denkt an die Steinigung von Ehebrecherinnen. Tatsächlich steht die Scharia in manchen Teilen im Widerspruch zu den Menschenrechten. Trotzdem gibt es in Grossbritannien seit Jahrzehnten legale Schariah-Gerichte. Doch auch Muslime kritisieren diese religiöse Sondergerichte.

British Muslims Demand Sharia Law

British Muslims Want to Take Over the UK


TELEGRAPH – BLOG – ANDREW GILLIGAN: Fundamentalists one step closer to power: Lutfur Rahman, the politician who was three times barred by the Labour Party from its shortlist for the powerful elected mayoralty of Tower Hamlets, is today back on the list after a legal challenge. >>> Andrew Gilligan | Friday, July 30, 2010

Editorial: Breaking a Promise on Surveillance
THE NEW YORK TIMES: It is just a technical matter, the Obama administration says: We just need to make a slight change in a law to make clear that we have the right to see the names of anyone’s e-mail correspondents and their Web browsing history without the messy complication of asking a judge for permission.

It is far more than a technical change. The administration’s request, reported Thursday in The Washington Post, is an unnecessary and disappointing step backward toward more intrusive surveillance from a president who promised something very different during the 2008 campaign. …



… President Obama campaigned for office on an explicit promise to rein in these abuses. “There is no reason we cannot fight terrorism while maintaining our civil liberties,” his campaign wrote in a 2008 position paper. “As president, Barack Obama would revisit the Patriot Act to ensure that there is real and robust oversight of tools like National Security Letters, sneak-and-peek searches, and the use of the material witness provision.”

Where is the “robust oversight” that voters were promised? Earlier this year, the administration successfully pushed for crucial provisions of the Patriot Act to be renewed for another year without changing a word. Voters had every right to expect the president would roll back authority that had been clearly abused, like national security letters. But instead of implementing reasonable civil liberties protections, like taking requests for e-mail surveillance before a judge, the administration is proposing changes to the law that would allow huge numbers of new electronic communications to be examined with no judicial oversight.

Democrats in Congress can remind Mr. Obama of his campaign promises by refusing this request. Read it all here >>> | Thursday, July 29, 2010

Michael Bublé: Cry Me A River (Official Video)

Argentine Couples Wed Under New Gay Marriage Law
ASSOCIATED PRESS: BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — An architect and a retired office worker are the first couple to wed under Argentina's historic law legalizing same-sex marriage.

Jose Luis Navarro and Miguel Angel Calefato said "I do" Friday morning in the city of Frias, Santiago del Estero Province, shortly after the law took effect.

They have been partners for 27 years. >>> AP | Friday, July 30, 2010

ADVOCATE.COM: Gay Couples Wed in Argentina: The first couples have tied the knot under Argentina’s historic law legalizing same-sex marriage. >>> Advocate.com Editors | Friday, July 30, 2010

Nicolas Sarkozy Threatens to Strip Citizenship from Immigrants Who Target Police *
THE TELEGRAPH: President Nicolas Sarkozy has given warning that France will strip French nationality from any immigrant who uses violence against police or public officials.

French president Nicolas Sarkozy. Photo: The Telegraph
"French nationality should be stripped from anybody who has threatened the life of a police officer or anybody involved in public policing," Mr Sarkozy said.

Speaking in the eastern city of Grenoble, scene in recent weeks of clashes between police and armed rioters, Mr Sarkozy said that foreign minors who commit crimes would henceforth find it harder to get citizenship on coming of age.

And he promised to review the welfare payments made to non-documented immigrants living in France, in a speech made amid renewed accusations that he had swerved to the right to distract from his political woes. >>> | Friday, July 30, 2010

* Is Nicolas Sarkozy the only politician with balls in the West? – © Mark

TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: Sarkozy: «La nationalité française se mérite» : IMMIGRÉS NATURALISÉS | Le président français veut pouvoir déchoir de leur nationalité les Français d’origine étrangère en cas d’atteinte à la vie d’un policier. >>> AP | Vendredi 30 Juillet 2010

Shock TIME Cover Illustrates the Plight of Women Under the Taliban
GUARDIAN – BLOG – GREENSLADE: Time magazine's latest issue carries this disturbing cover image. It's a portrait of Aisha, a shy 18-year-old Afghan woman who was sentenced by a Taliban commander to have her nose and ears cut off for fleeing her abusive in-laws.

Aisha posed for the picture because she wants the world to see the effect a Taliban resurgence would have on the women of Afghanistan.

Her picture is accompanied by a powerful story on how Afghan women have embraced the freedoms that have come from the defeat of the Taliban — and how they fear a Taliban revival.

Richard Stengel, Time's managing editor, writes: "I thought long and hard about whether to put this image on the cover... First, I wanted to make sure of Aisha's safety and that she understood what it would mean to be on the cover. Continue reading and comment >>> Roy Greenslade | Friday, July 30, 2010

TIME: The Plight of Afghan Women: A Disturbing Picture >>> Richard Stengel, Managing Editor | Thursday, July 29, 2010

TIME: Women of Afghanistan: Living Under the Taliban Threat – Photographer Jodi Bieber meets the extraordinary women of a war-torn nation >>>

Photographing Aisha for the Cover of TIME

Imran Khan Says David Cameron Is Making Pakistan a Scapegoat for Afghanistan Failures
THE TELEGRAPH: David Cameron is trying to make Pakistan a scapegoat for the failure of the war in Afghanistan, former cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan has said.



During a trip to India, the Prime Minister accused the country of promoting the "export of terror" in Afghanistan and around the world.

Mr Khan compared the treatment of Pakistan with that of Cambodia during the Vietnam war.

"There is obviously a lot of anger in Pakistan at David Cameron's statement because here people feel this country is the biggest sufferer of terrorism," he told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme.

"We are being blamed for the complete failure of the Afghanistan campaign, this doomed campaign. Pakistan has become the scapegoat. Pakistan has become what Cambodia was in the Vietnam War.

"The failure in Vietnam was blamed on Cambodia and Cambodia was destroyed by the bombing. Today Pakistan is being bombed by its ally, the US... killing mostly innocent people." >>> Rosa Prince, Political Correspondent, in Bangalore and Rob Crilly in Islamabad | Friday, July 30, 2010

Liban : Le président syrien et le roi saoudien à Beyrouth pour apaiser les tensions
LE TEMPS: Le président syrien Bachar al-Assad, qui effectue sa première visite au Liban depuis l’assassinat de l’ex-premier ministre Rafic Hariri, est arrivé vendredi à Beyrouth. Il était accompagné du roi saoudien Abdallah pour une mission conjointe destinée à apaiser les tensions.

Les deux dirigeants sont arrivés en début d’après-midi à l’aéroport international de Beyrouth à bord du même avion, celui du roi saoudien, en provenance de Damas, où ils s’étaient entretenus la veille.

Ils ont été accueillis par le président libanais Michel Sleimane, le premier ministre Saad Hariri, un proche de Ryad, le président du Parlement Nabih Berri, plusieurs ministres, dont un représentant le Hezbollah, et d’autres officiels. >>> ATS | Vendredi 30 Juillet 2010

Die meisten Pakistaner sehen in den USA einen Feind: Laut Umfrage einhellige Ablehnung von Drohnenangriffen auf mutmassliche Extremisten
NZZ ONLINE: Trotz massiver Unterstützung sehen einer Umfrage zufolge die meisten Pakistaner in den USA einen Feind. Fast sechs von zehn in einer Umfrage des US-Meinungsforschungsinstituts Pew befragten Personen äusserten diese Einschätzung, nur einer von zehn sah in den USA einen Partner.

Das geht aus einer Umfrage hervor, die Pew im April bei 2000 Pakistanern in Regionen des asiatischen Landes durchführte, die 84 Prozent der Bevölkerung repräsentieren. In den Stammesgebieten zur afghanischen Grenze fanden keine der persönlichen Befragungen statt, teilte Pew bei Vorstellung des Ergebnisses am Donnerstag in Washington mit.

Seit den Anschlägen vom 11. September 2001 sind viele Milliarden Dollar US-Finanzhilfe zur Antiterror-Bekämpfung nach Pakistan geflossen, allein in diesem Jahr wurden 7,5 Milliarden Dollar für die nächsten fünf Jahre freigegeben. Dennoch bezweifelten in der Pew-Umfrage ein Viertel der Befragten, dass die USA wesentliche Unterstützung gäben. Ein Viertel sagte, die USA gäben wenig, zehn Prozent erklärten, Washington gebe kaum etwas. Weiter lesen und einen Kommentar schreiben >>> ddp | Donnerstag, 29. Juli 2010

Egg-throwing Extremist Who Shouted 'Cameron's Bitch' at Muslim Tory Minister Is Jailed
MAIL ONLINE: A Muslim convert who pelted a Tory peer with eggs was jailed for six weeks yesterday.

Gavin Reid, 23, targeted Baroness Warsi as Islamic extremists shouted abuse at her, including 'Cameron's bitch', in a 'planned and deliberate' confrontation.

At least three eggs were hurled at the high-profile champion of Muslim women's rights, one of which broke on her face, soiling her hair and jacket.

At the time of the attack last November, Baroness Warsi - now chairman of the Conservative Party and one of David Cameron's rising stars - was on a visit to Luton with a Tory election candidate.

The group of ten protesters shouted abuse in English and Urdu at the Dewsbury-born former solicitor, accusing her of not being a proper Muslim and supporting the deaths of civilians in Afghanistan. They also demanded the introduction of Sharia law, the Islamic code of conduct, in Britain.

Former removals man Reid, of Luton, was found guilty of an offence under the Public Order Act yesterday at City of Westminster Magistrates Court in London.

Sentencing, District Judge Elizabeth-Roscoe said: 'Throwing eggs goes beyond legitimate political protest and is quite clearly disorderly behaviour, and it is also threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour.' >>> David Wilkes | Thursday, July 29, 2010

Muslim Brides Becoming Virgins Again with Hymen Replacement Operations on the NHS
MAIL ONLINE: Increasing numbers of Muslim brides are having taxpayer-funded ‘virginity repair’ operations before marriage.

There were 116 hymen replacement operations carried out on the NHS between 2005 and 2009. The total for 2009 was 30, up 25 per cent from 24 in 2005.

The health service figures echo a trend reported by private clinics, which are seeing a huge surge in demand for the procedure from Muslim women paying up to £4,000.

One Harley Street clinic said that demand for its half-hour procedure had tripled in recent months.

Doctors say patients are under pressure from future husbands or relatives who insist that they should be virgins on their wedding night.

Critics, including moderate Muslim groups, have condemned the trend as a sign of the spread of Islamic fundamentalism in the West.

During the hymenoplasty procedure – viewed by some as invasive and degrading – the hymen is stitched or reconstructed so that it will tear again and bleed on the woman’s wedding night.

In some cases, the vaginal lining can be used to create a false hymen. A blood capsule can then be inserted into the lining to ensure realistic blood flow when the membrane is broken. >>> Claire Ellicott | Thursday, July 29, 2010

Smoking Ban Extension That Would Outlaw Lighting Up Outside Pubs Is Axed
MAIL ONLINE: Smokers will continue lighting up outside pubs and offices after ministers yesterday scrapped plans to extend the ban.

The last government had proposed enlarging ‘smoke-free’ zones to include the areas around building entrances, but this has been shelved.

Anne Milton, public health minister, said: ‘We have studied the smokefree legislation and decided not to proceed with the planned review.’ >>> Sophie Borland | Thursday, July 29, 2010

Indian Lecturer Barred from Teaching by Students for Refusing Burka
THE TELEGRAPH: A female lecturer has been prevented from teaching at a Muslim university in eastern India by students demanding that she wear a burka, according to a report.

Aliah University in Calcutta is the first Muslim university in India's West Bengal state and has no formal dress code, but its student union has demanded that female teachers cover themselves with a Muslim veil in class.

Sirin Middya told the Indian Express she had refused to comply and had been prevented from teaching for three months.

"Most of the teachers do not like the diktat of the students to wear the burka, but they have no option but to accept it," she told the newspaper. "This is the Talibanisation of educational premises and there is no one to come to our rescue." >>> | Thursday, July 29, 2010

Barack Obama Criticised Over Daytime TV Appearance
THE TELEGRAPH: Barack Obama became the first sitting US President to appear on a daytime chat show as he attempted to reach out to ordinary Americans following a slump in his opinion poll ratings.

During the unprecedented appearance he was hoping to appeal to so-called "soccer moms" who are being heavily courted by the Republican and answered questions on family life and even the misfortunes of the actress Lindsay Lohan.

Critics have accused Mr Obama of demeaning the office of President by appearing on the sofa of ABC's "The View" alongside the veteran interviewer, Barbara Walters, and Whoopi Goldberg[.] >>> Robert Winnett, Washington | Thursday, July 29, 2010

Is This Man the President of the USA, Or Is He a Media Star?

Britain to Be Biggest Country in Europe by 2050
THE TELEGRAPH: Britain will be the biggest country in Europe by 2050, overtaking both France and Germany, according to official projections.

Britain will see its population swell from today's 62.2 million to 77 million, an increase of 24 per cent.

This will make it bigger than France, projected to be 70 million and Germany, which is predicted to have 71.5 million citizens.

The forecasts come form the Population Reference Bureau, a US body which supplies data to governments and institutions around the world.

The predictions suggest that Britain will see its population increase over the next 40 years at a far faster rate than nearly every other European country. The extra 15 million equates to the combined populations of Glasgow, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool being added to the total national population over the next two generations.

Britain's population has started to climb sharply in recent years. Last year the Office for National Statistics indicated that mothers had more children than at any time since 1973.

Immigrant mothers accounted for more than half of the increase in births, but the fertility rate among British-born women also rose sharply. >>> Harry Wallop, Consumer Affairs Editor | Thursday, July 29, 2010

David Miliband Calls the Prime Minister a 'Loudmouth'
THE TELEGRAPH: David Miliband has criticised Prime Minister David Cameron, accusing him of being a ''loudmouth'' over his remarks about Pakistan's record on terrorism.

The former Foreign Secretary was speaking as the row continued over comments Mr Cameron made during his trip to India.

Mr Miliband said there was a ''big difference between straight talking and being a loudmouth'' as he claimed Mr Cameron had been ''going off script'' in recent public statements.

The Labour leadership contender said everyone had ''two ears and one mouth'' and it was important to use them ''in that proportion'' when it came to foreign policy.

Mr Cameron caused anger in Islamabad when he warned that Pakistan should not be allowed ''to promote the export of terror'' in the world.

But the Prime Minister denied his comments had overshadowed his trip and maintained that he had good relations with Pakistan, whose president will be visiting him at his country retreat, Chequers, next week.

''I don't think it's overshadowed anything,'' he said. ''I think it's important to speak frankly and clearly about these issues. I have always done that in the past and will do so in the future.'' >>> | Thursday, July 29, 2010

THE TELEGRAPH: David Cameron and Manmohan Singh call on Pakistan to tackle terrorism: Manmohan Singh, the Indian prime minister, and David Cameron have called on Pakistan to tackle terrorist groups operating from its territory. >>> | Thursday, July 29, 2010

Oxford University Lecturer 'Discriminated Against' After Converting to Christianity
THE TELEGRAPH: A lecturer at Oxford University’s centre for Jewish studies claims colleagues discriminated against her after she converted to Christianity.

Dr Tali Argov says she was overlooked for promotion, stripped of her privileges and cold-shouldered at social gatherings.

She says staff wanted to vet her lectures to make sure that, as a Christian, she would not criticise Israel.

Eventually she claims she was made redundant from her post at the prestigious Oxford Centre for Hebrew & Jewish Studies, despite offering to take on new roles.

“It is my belief that, following firstly the conversion of my husband and then the conversion of myself, the treatment which I received as an employee of the Respondents was very different and a number of incidents occurred which led me to believe that I was being discriminated against,” Dr Argov told Reading Employment Tribunal hearing this week.

Dr Argov told the hearing, where she is claiming unfair dismissal and discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief, that she and her husband, Eran, were raised in the Jewish faith and lived in Israel until he was offered a place at Brasenose College, Oxford, to write a doctoral thesis.

They moved to England in 1996 and in 2000 Dr Argov, then studying for a PhD at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, was offered the full-time post of Lector of Modern Hebrew at the Oxford Centre for Hebrew & Jewish Studies. The centre is independent but its students are part of the traditional Oxford college system.

Dr Argov said she was welcomed and appreciated but the “honeymoon” ended after her husband was baptised into the Church of England in 2005, after which time “all those kind, heart-warming gestures disappeared overnight” and she was “considered guilty by association”.

Dr Argov also converted from Judaism to Anglicanism in January 2008, having become “actively engaged” with St Mary Magdalene church in the centre of Oxford, but did not dare tell her parents until after the event. >>> Martin Beckford, Religious Affairs Correspondent | Thursday, July 29, 2010