Palestinian Tycoons with Libya Links Behind Tory Donations
THE TELEGRAPH: The Conservative Party has received a six-figure donation from a company owned by Palestinian millionaires who were developing Libya’s vast offshore oilfields, The Daily Telegraph can disclose.

Palestinian billionaires Said Khoury (left) and Hasib Sabbagh. Photograph: The Telegraph
The business figures, who were well-known in the Middle East, built the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq and reportedly had close links with the Palestine Liberation Organisation. They previously hired senior Labour figures as “consultants” but began donating money to the Conservatives shortly before the election.

The money was donated by a small British firm owned by one of their Middle Eastern holding companies.

During his first official visit to America this week, David Cameron was under intense pressure over BP’s oil contracts in Libya and the possible link to the release of the Lockerbie bomber. The Prime Minister has refused to criticise the oil giant – or call for a suspension of its drilling in Libya – to the irritation of some senior American politicians.

Next week, the US Senate will hold a hearing on whether the British Government and BP were involved in a decision to release Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi eight years into a life sentence. Jack Straw, the former justice secretary, has been asked to travel to Washington to give evidence.

The disclosure that the Conservatives received more than £100,000 from CC Property Company is likely to lead to further criticism of Mr Cameron and government links to Libya. >>> Holly Watt | Saturday, July 24, 2010

So Cameron’s government is beginning to stink too, is it? Everywhere you look, Middle Eastern money is steering the ship. Little wonder that Islam is becoming such a strong force in British politics, little wonder Cameron is unwilling to criticise BP, little wonder that he has no appetite for calling for a suspension in drilling in LIbya, and little wonder that the Conservative administration wants nothing to do with a ban on the Islamic veil. It would upset their paymasters, I suppose. Oh boy! It’s politics as usual in Westminster. Nothing much has changed. – © Mark

Catholic Priests 'Filmed at Gay Clubs and Having Casual Sex'
THE TELEGRAPH: The Catholic Church in Italy was embroiled in a fresh scandal on Friday when photographs apparently showing homosexual priests attending gay nightclubs and engaging in casual sex were published in a magazine.

Panorama magazine published photographs apparently showing homosexual priests attending gay nightclubs and engaging in casual sex. Photo: The Telegraph
A journalist from Panorama, a conservative weekly news magazine owned by Silvio Berlusconi, the Italian prime minister, used a hidden camera to film interviews with three gay priests, who introduced the journalist to the gay clubs they apparently frequent, and allowed the journalist to film their sexual encounters with strangers, including one in a church building.

One of the priests, a Frenchman identified only as Paul, celebrated Mass in the morning before driving the two escorts he had hired to attend a party the night before to the airport, Panorama said.

The Catholic Church in Italy, still reeling from the paedophile priest scandal, responded on Friday by ordering homosexual priests who are leading a double life to come out of the closet and leave the priesthood. >>> Nick Pisa in Rome | Friday, July 23, 2010

PANORAMA.it: Le notti brave dei preti gay: una grande inchiesta in edicola con Panorama >>> Redazione | Giovedì 22 Luglio 2010

NZZ am SONNTAG: Schwule Priester feiern in Rom erotische Feste >>> Patricia Arnold, Mailand | Sonntag, 25. Juli 2010

Pat Condell: No Mosque at Ground Zero

Pat Condell: The Enemy Within

Spanish Mayor Closes 'Too Popular' Mosque
THE TELEGRAPH: A Spanish mayor has told Muslim worshippers to "pray at home" and closed the town's mosque because it was too popular.

Photo: The Telegraph
Angel Ros, the socialist mayor of Lleida, in the northeastern region of Catalonia, complained that the mosque was too full and closed it on Wednesday until further notice.

The building, a former garage used to service trucks, was often filled with crowds exceeding a thousand people, the council said, when the authorised limit for the venue is 240.

A new mosque is under construction on the outskirts of the town but work had been stalled because of a lack of financing during the economic crisis. >>> Fiona Govan in Madrid | Friday, July 23, 2010

Boney M Asked Not to Sing Rivers of Babylon at West Bank Concert
THE TELEGRAPH: The lead singer of the 1970s disco group Boney M was asked not to sing Rivers of Babylon at a concert in the West Bank because of its reference to Israel. >>> | Thursday, July 22, 2010

Three Things About Islam

Nordkorea droht USA mit Konsequenzen: Physische Antwort auf geplantes Militärmanöver mit Südkorea angedroht
NZZ ONLINE: Ein nordkoreanischer Regierungsvertreter hat mit physischen Konsequenzen auf das geplante Militärmanöver der USA und Südkorea gedroht. US-Aussenministerin Clinton wirft Pjöngjang Provokation vor und erhöhte durch Androhung von Sanktionen den Druck auf Nordkorea.

«Es wird eine physische Antwort auf die von den amerikanischen Streitkräften eingesetzte Drohung geben», sagte ein nordkoreanischer Regierungsvertreter auf einer Sicherheitskonferenz in Vietnam. Die amerikanische Aussenministerin Hillary Clinton warf Nordkorea erneut vor, Ende März ein südkoreanisches Kriegsschiff versenkt zu haben. Pjöngjang müsse sein «provokatives, gefährliches Verhalten» ändern. Erst dann könne es eine friedliche Lösung geben, so Clinton. Weiter lesen und einen Kommentar schreiben >>> ddp | Freitag, 23. Juli 2010

Künstler, Lebemann und Frauenliebling: Wer ist François-Marie Banier?
NZZ ONLINE: In der sogenannten Affäre Bettencourt taucht ein Name immer wieder auf: François-Marie Banier. Er soll von der L’Oréal-Erbin Liliane Bettencourt im Laufe der Jahre Geschenke und Geld im Wert von rund einer Milliarde Euro erhalten haben. Wer ist dieser Mann?

Ein vom Leben gezeichnetes Gesicht, schütteres Haar und ein intensiver Blick: So sieht heute der Mann aus, der indirekt die Affäre Bettencourt ausgelöst hat. François-Marie Banier hat sich in Frankreich einen Namen als Photograph und Schriftsteller, aber auch als Lebemann und Profiteur gemacht. Seine Fotobücher werden auch in Deutschland und den USA verlegt.

Auf seiner Website führt er auf, was er in seinem Leben geschaffen hat. Die Liste ist beeindruckend. Er sei, so schreiben mehrere Zeitgenossen über ihn, ein Besessener, ein Arbeitstier sowie ein Meister der Selbstinszenierung. In vierzig Jahren hat er offenbar ein beachtliches Vermögen angehäuft, welches ihm etwa erlaubt, Kunstwerke und seltene Fotografien an Auktionen zu erstehen. Er lebt wie ein Grand-Seigneur in einem Stadtpalais mit mehreren Angestellten. Doch angefangen hat er mit nichts. Weiter lesen und einen Kommentar schreiben >>> Isabelle Imhof | Freitag, 23. Juli 2010

Verbunden >>>

Muslim Women 'Refused Bus Ride' Over Veil
YNET NEWS: Two students claim London bus driver told them, ''I am not going to take you on the bus because you two are a threat'

London bus company Metroline said on Friday it was investigating claims by two Muslim women that they were not allowed to get on a bus in the capital because one of them was wearing a face veil.

The company confirmed an incident involving two 22-year-old students from Slough, Berkshire took place on a No. 7 bus at Russell Square on Tuesday.

The firm said the women had made a complaint to Transport for London (TfL) and that Metroline was following it up, but stressed it was still merely an allegation at this stage.

Interviewed by the BBC, Yasmin, who was wearing a hijab, which leaves the face and hands uncovered, and Atoofa, dressed in a niqab which covers the face but leaves the area around the eyes open, said they were stopped from boarding because of their appearance.

"He (the bus driver) said, 'I am not going to take you on the bus because you two are a threat,'" Yasmin said. >>> Reuters | Friday, July 23, 2010

YNET NEWS: Poll: Most Brits back face veil ban – Two-thirds of British public say they want to follow in France, Belgium's footsteps, outlaw burqas‬ >>> Ynet | Friday, July 16, 2010

Facebook Forced to Apologise to Sarah Palin [After] It Deletes Note She Posted Slamming Plans for Ground Zero Mosque
MAIL ONLINE: Social networking site Facebook has apologised after a post by U.S. Republican politician Sarah Palin was deleted.

Facebook admitted that the 'note' by Palin - voicing her opposition to the building of a mosque near the World Trade Center site in New York - had been deleted by an automated system.

Facebook spokesman Andrew Noyes said in the statement: 'The note in question did not violate our content standards but was removed by an automated system. We're always working to improve our processes and we apologise for any inconvenience this caused.'

After the original post was deleted, Mrs Palin re-posted the note Thursday morning.
The 46-year-old former Alaskan governor's stance against the mosque became an international farce last week when she used a made-up word 'refudiate' to voice her opposition.

The media picked up on her apparent ignorance of the English language, likening her to gaffe-prone former president and fellow Republican George Bush.

But it was the sentiments of her message that has now drawn the greatest criticism.

Mrs Palin wrote on Twitter: 'Ground Zero Mosque supporters: doesn't it stab you in the heart, as it does ours throughout the heartland? Peaceful Muslims, pls refudiate.'

Her comments were attacked by Republican-turned-independent New York mayor Michael Bloomberg, who has called efforts to derail the mosque un-American.

He said: 'Sarah Palin has a right to her opinions, but I could not disagree more. Everything the United States stands for, New York stands for, is tolerance and openness.'

Mrs Palin hit back - this time from her Facebook page - saying her opposition to the mosque had nothing to do with tolerance, adding: 'It's just common decency.' Continue reading and comment >>> Mail Foreign Service | Friday, July 23, 2010

Bloomberg thinks that America stands for “tolerance and openness”; but tolerance and openness to people who want to destroy you? Please! That’s taking tolerance and openness to ridiculous limits. In my opinion, Bloomberg can be described in one way only: As a traiterous fool! – © Mark

Carl Paladino: I'd Use Eminent Domain To Block Ground Zero Mosque
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS: If elected governor, WNY's Carl Paladino vows in a new radio ad that he'd use the eminent domain laws to stop the construction of a controversial Islamic center/mosque near Ground Zero.

(I'm not sure he could actually do that, by the way, but I'm looking into it.)

Paladino says sure he can, and instead of a mosque, the site should be a war memorial.

"I've been driving land-use issues for 40 years, and I understand the full powers of the governor. If the ACLU or anyone else wants to challenge me in court, I'm ready for the fight," he said in a campaign statement.

"Andrew Cuomo supports the mosque. He says it is about religious freedom and he says the mosque construction should proceed. I say it is disrespectful to the thousands who died on 9-11 and their families, insulting to the thousands of troops who've been killed or injured in the ensuing wars and an affront to American people. And it must be stopped."

>>> Celeste Katz | Thursday, July 22, 2010

"South Park" Critic in Va. Court on Terror Charge
SALON: Arrested man, linked to al-Qaida, threatened show's creators for mocking the Prophet Muhammed

A Virginia man known for a threatening the creators of "South Park" is due in federal court on charges of offering himself as a fighter to a Somali terror group linked to al-Qaida.

Twenty-year-old Zachary Chesser of Oakton, Va., was scheduled to make an initial appearance Thursday in U.S. District Court in Alexandria. (+ audio) >>> Associated Press | Thursday, July 22, 2010

Anger Over Scottish Justice Minister's Lockerbie Inquiry Snub
THE GUARDIAN: Kenny MacAskill, who released Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, will not fly to US for Senate foreign relations committee

Scotland's justice secretary Kenny MacAskill. Photograph: The Guardian
The Scottish justice minister has been accused of "running a mile" from a US inquiry into the release of the Libyan jailed for the Lockerbie bombing.

Labour and Tory leaders said Kenny MacAskill, of the Scottish National Party, had no justification for refusing a "perfectly legitimate" request to give evidence before a powerful US Senate committee on Abdelbaset al-Megrahi's release next week.

The Senate foreign relations committee is to hold hearings next Thursday into allegations, ignited by the Gulf oil spill controversy, that the British oil giant BP influenced a UK government prisoner transfer treaty with Libya to win lucrative contracts there.

The hearing has reignited the controversy over al-Megrahi's compassionate release from Greenock prison last August, partway through his life sentence for planting the bomb which killed 270 mainly American passengers and crew on a Pan Am flight to New York over the Scottish town of Lockerbie.

Al-Megrahi, who still insists he is innocent, had been fighting an appeal against his conviction but dropped it two weeks before his release because he was terminally ill with inoperable prostate cancer and wanted to return home to die.

Richard Baker, Labour justice spokesman at the Scottish parliament, said: "There is a legitimacy for the US senators, they represent so many of the families who lost loved ones on that flight, I think it's a perfectly legitimate request."

Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland, Baker added: "I think it speaks volumes about the lack of confidence [MacAskill] has now in his own decision that he is running a mile from any scrutiny of it." >>> Severin Carrell, Scotland correspondent | Friday, July 23, 2010

Put Away the Croquet Mallets, Diplomats Told, and Start Selling UK Plc
THE GUARDIAN: Cameron's drive for ambassadors in foreign outposts to focus on trade – and arms sales – gets a mixed reception

It's not exactly farewell to Ferrero Rocher, glittering receptions and the flashier parts of diplomatic life. But Britain's men and women in far-flung outposts are being ordered to work harder to promote trade, business and investment. Ethics may not be abandoned, but exports and contracts are now in, big time.

Taking its cue from David Cameron's wish to "refashion" Britain's external relations, the Foreign Office today confirmed the appointment of Simon Fraser, a top trade expert, as its permanent under-secretary – its senior civil servant. Colleagues described Fraser, 52, as a "platinum-level" technocrat whose experience in Paris, Brussels and in senior Whitehall jobs will help him galvanise his department into putting UK plc first.

It still seems unlikely, however, that any more than a handful of business people will be appointed as full-time ambassadors in the way that is common practice in the US.

William Hague, the foreign secretary, set out his stall in a speech in Tokyo last week, promising to "inject a new commercialism into the work of our foreign office and into the definition of … international objectives, ensuring that we develop the strong political relationships which will help British business to thrive overseas".

Hague followed this up with a speech to ambassadors at their annual conference and then with a message to every Foreign Office employee. These have clearly been noted. "Every submission and every brief for a visit now has to include the commercial interests," one senior official told the Guardian today. "The emphasis is new and genuine. It's being put into the bloodstream." >>> Ian Black and Richard Norton-Taylor | Thursday, July 22, 2010

Burkini in Wiener Bädern eine Rarität
WIENER ZEITUNG: Der Ganzkörperbadeanzug ist in Wien seit 2009 erlaubt.

Wien. Seit 2009 ist er in Wiens Bädern offiziell erlaubt, benützt wird er aber kaum: der Burkini, ein eigens für religiöse Musliminnen angefertigter Badeanzug, der den ganzen Körper mit Ausnahme von Händen, Füßen und Gesicht bedeckt. Die Bezeichnung ist eine Wortschöpfung, bestehend aus Burka und Bikini. Erfunden wurde er 2006 von der in Australien lebenden libanesischen Designerin Aheda Zanetti.

In Ägypten und der Türkei hatte der Burkini schnell Erfolg. Doch in Wien trifft man ihn auch jetzt, da viele angesichts der sommerlichen Hitze ins Feuchte springen, kaum. "In Freibädern sieht man ihn gar nicht, in Hallenbädern vereinzelt", berichtet Martin Kotinsky, Sprecher der MA44 (Bäder). Ein Grund könnte sein, dass der Burkini schwer erhältlich ist. In Wien ist er nur über Internet zu kaufen und kostet mehr als 100 Euro. >>> | Mittwoch, 21. Juli 2010

En Indonésie, l'islam a sa police et ses bourreaux
Les « offenseurs de l'islam », comme cette femme accusée d'être restée seule avec son petit ami dans une maison de Bandah Aceh, en 2006, reçoivent leur châtiment en public. Photo : Le Figaro
LE FIGARO: Dans la région d'Aceh, islamisée depuis le XIIIe siècle, le châtiment de flagellation est appliqué en cas d'atteinte supposée aux règles du Coran.

Drapée de noir, coiffée d'une cagoule frangée d'orange, un loup blanc sur les yeux, une forme à peine humaine se hisse sur l'estrade avec une infinie lenteur. La foule frissonne. Dans la province indonésienne d'Aceh où l'imaginaire vagabonde, les bourreaux de la charia à l'étrange accoutrement ont rejoint le panthéon des croquemitaines, aux côtés de Geunteut et Burong Tujoh, deux génies malfaisants.

Le ciel est bas sur Jantoh. Des nuages lourds et épais écrasent les dômes de la mosquée. Par-delà les montagnes, tout au nord de l'île de Sumatra, ce bourg perdu dans les forêts d'acacias est en effervescence. C'est jour de flagellation publique. Après la grande prière, dans un grésillement épouvantable, un haut-parleur énonce l'identité des trois «offenseurs de l'islam», des joueurs de jundibuntut, une loterie locale où l'on mise moins de 5000 roupies (40 centimes d'euros) sur trois chiffres. Avec une violence et une précision inouïes, le bourreau cingle de sa canne de rotin le dos de ses victimes. À chacun des coups portés, les coupables vêtus de blanc grimacent sous la douleur.

Aceh, quatre millions d'habitants, dont 98% de musulmans, bénéficie depuis 2001 d'une autonomie spéciale et depuis 2003 de tribunaux chariatiques où 408 condamnations ont été prononcées. À la tête de cette administration judiciaire, Armia Ibrahim vante les mérites de la flagellation qui «n'est faite que pour humilier et non pour faire souffrir». Il ne comprend pas les réserves des organisations des droits de l'homme. «En dix minutes, l'affaire est réglée. Vous n'êtes pas privé de votre liberté. C'est une justice humaniste», explique-t-il.

Première région islamisée d'Indonésie au XIIIe siècle et peut-être même de toute l'Asie du Sud-Est, Aceh a toujours revendiqué un particularisme religieux. Mais depuis que certains préceptes du Coran font loi, un millier de «policiers de la charia» traquent la consommation d'alcool, les baisers volés, les jeux d'argent et les tenues occidentales. >>> Par Florence Compain | Jeudi 22 Juillet 2010

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Anti-Dhimmitude! Two Muslim Women Thrown Out of Pool for Wearing 'Burkinis'
THE TELEGRAPH: Two Muslim women were ordered to leave a swimming pool in a French holiday village on the southwest coast for wearing body-covering "burkinis".

Burkini: It has been less than two weeks after French MPs voted to ban body and face-covering garments in public places. Photo: The Telegraph
The women had plunged into the pool at le Port Leucate wearing full body swimsuits, including a head-covering hijab veil, but were immediately told to get out of the water.

The incident occurred less than two weeks after French MPs voted to ban body and face-covering garments, including the full Islamic veil, from public places including the street.

Under the new law, due to come into force early next year, women face a fine or community service for hiding their faces in public and those forcing women to wear the full veil risk prison.

President Nicolas Sarkozy has described the garment as "not welcome"* in the staunchly secular French republic.

In this case, the women at the Rives des Corbieres holiday camp were told to leave as they had breached the camp's rules allowing only conventional bikinis or one-piece swimsuits "for hygiene reasons". >>> Henry Samuel in Paris | Thursday, July 22, 2010

*It should be declared “not welcome” here, too. But would a British politician have the gonads to make such a declaration? – © Mark

Michael Bublé: Everything


Michael Bublé: Haven’t Met You Yet


Michael Bublé Official Site

Michael Bublé: Georgia On My Mind


Michael Bublé: All Of Me

Nick Griffin Denied Entry to Buckingham Palace Garden Party
THE TELEGRAPH: Nick Griffin, the leader of the British National Party, has been denied entry to a Buckingham Palace garden party after officials said he was using his invitation for party political purposes.

BNP leader Nick Griffin denied entry to Buckingham Palace garden party. Photo: The Telegraph
The far right leader, who is a Member of the European Parliament, had been invited along with 8,000 other guests to the event which is being hosted by the Queen and attended by the Duke of Edinburgh.

But officials withdrew the invitation after warning his attendance could increase the security threat and cause discomfort for others attending.

A Palace spokesman said: “Nick Griffin MEP will be denied entry to today's Garden Party at Buckingham Palace due to the fact he has overtly used his personal invitation for Party political purposes through the media[.]

“This in turn has increased the security threat and the potential discomfort to the many other guests also attending. >>> Martin Evans | Thursday, July 22, 2010

THE INDEPENDENT: Nick Griffin's furious as palace invite is withdrawn: BNP leader Nick Griffin was barred from a Buckingham Palace garden party hours before today's event - after he was accused of using the invitation for political ends. >>> Tony Jones, Press Association | Thursday, July 22, 2010

THE TELEGRAPH: The establishment turns on Nick Griffin. Persona non grata in Buck House >>>

Iran Stoning Case Woman Ordered to Name Campaigners
THE GUARDIAN: Mother interrogated in prison over photograph and children advised to stay silent or face arrest

Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani. Photograph: The Guardian
Iran has put fresh pressure on the woman it last month sentenced to death by stoning, demanding the names of those involved in the campaign for her release.

The case of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani has drawn international attention after her children launched a campaign for her release. After a global outcry last month, Iran's judiciary said Sakineh would not be put to death by stoning, but still faced execution by hanging.

The 43-year-old mother of two has been interrogated inside Tabriz prison over the names of the people who have been in touch with her family and the way her photo has been distributed among the media, the Guardian has learned.

Sakineh's photo, which has been distributed all over the world, has become a defining image for human rights activists campaigning against stoning in Iran.

"Sakineh has been under big pressure since the world has paid attention to her case", a source close to her family told the Guardian. "Recently she was questioned and asked to advise her children to remain silent, otherwise they will be arrested too. International attention is the only hope for Sakineh's release", the source added.

Sakineh's lawyer, Mohammad Mostafaei, has received a letter from the Iranian intelligence service summoning him to a meeting in Evin prison in the next three days to "clarify certain issues".

Mostafaei is an acclaimed lawyer who volunteered to represent Sakineh when he heard her story.

Sakineh received 99 lashes, but was subsequently accused of adultery during the trial of a man accused of murdering her husband. Iran's judiciary has said Sakineh faces execution by hanging "because she is convicted of murder". >>> Saeed Kamali Dehghan | Thursday, July 22, 2010

Sign the petition to free Sakineh here

Un cimetière juif profané en Alsace
LE FIGARO: Vingt-sept tombes ont été profanées au cimetière juif de Wolfisheim près de Strasbourg, la seconde profanation de tombes israélites dans le Bas-Rhin depuis le début de l'année.


Pierre Lévy, le délégué régional du CRIF qui s'est rendu sur place a évoqué "un spectacle à la fois impressionnant et triste". "C'est un choc pour la communauté juive mais aussi pour tous", a-t-il déclaré au micro de Radio Bleu Alsace.


"Il n'y a aucune inscription, aucune revendication, des stèles ont été renversées et certaines se sont brisées dans leur chute, c'est un travail de saccage méthodique sur toute une zone du cimetière", a-t-il ajouté.


Dans un communiqué, le Consistoire juif a immédiatement condamné la profanation.


"Les auteurs de ces actes criminels s'en prennent à ce qu'il y a de plus sacré pour la conscience humaine. On peut s'interroger sur le message que d'aucun veulent faire passer par ces profanations à répétition". 27 tombes israélites profanées en Alsace >>> AFP | Mercredi 21 Juillet 2010

Salmond Defends Lockerbie Release
YAHOO! NEWS: Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond has defended his government's decision to release the Lockerbie bomber.

Mr Salmond believes the Scottish government made the right choice to free Abdelbaset al-Megrahi on compassionate grounds last August.

"You can only take a decision based on information at the time", he said.

Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill also stands by the move.

He said: "Al Megrahi is terminally ill. I stand by my decision. I dealt with it following the rules. It's easy to criticise from the sidelines." >>> | Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Nick Clegg's 'Illegal' Iraq War Gaffe Prompts Legal Warning
THE GUARDIAN: Coalition in confusion as deputy prime minister pronounces invasion 'illegal' at dispatch box

Nick Clegg was tonight forced to clarify his position on the Iraq war after he stood up at the dispatch box of the House of Commons and pronounced the invasion illegal.

The deputy prime minister insisted he was speaking in a personal capacity, as a leading international lawyer warned that the statement by a government minister in such a formal setting could increase the chances of charges against Britain in international courts.

Philippe Sands, professor of law at University College London, said: "A public statement by a government minister in parliament as to the legal situation would be a statement that an international court would be interested in, in forming a view as to whether or not the war was lawful."

The warning came after a faltering performance by Clegg in the Commons when he stood in for David Cameron at prime minister's questions. The deputy prime minister made an initial mistake when he announced that the government would close the Yarl's Wood centre as it ends the detention of children awaiting deportation. The Home Office was forced to issue a statement saying that the family unit at Yarl's Wood would close but that the rest of the centre would remain open.

Shortly before that slip-up, Clegg threw the government's position concerning the legality of the Iraq war into confusion when, at the end of heated exchanges with Jack Straw, foreign secretary at the time of the war, Clegg said: "We may have to wait for his memoirs, but perhaps one day he will account for his role in the most disastrous decision of all: the illegal invasion of Iraq."

Clegg's remarks could be legally significant because he was standing at the government dispatch box in the Commons. (+ plus video) >>> Nicholas Watt, chief political correspondent | Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Here a Mosque, There a Mosque...
LIVING LAKE COUNTRY: "Islam isn't in America to be equal to any other faith, but to become dominant. The Qur'an should be the highest authority in America, and Islam the only accepted religion on earth." - Omar Ahmed, Chairman of the Board of CAIR (Council on America-Islamic Relations)

In a 2008, a survey was begun by the Washington-based Center for Security Policy. Named the "Mapping Sharia in America Project," the investigation was designed to infiltrate mosques and Islamic Centers throughout the United States in an effort to bring to attention those that posed a threat to the national security of the country. Agents- consisting of former FBI, CIA, and U.S. military counterintelligence and counterterrorism personnel - discovered that out of the initial 100 (mosques and Islamic centers) mapped, 75 were preaching sermons calling for insurrection and jihad. Such places also had Saudi-trained Imams. In addition, anti-Western literature, videos and textbooks were available for purchase. This study was not sponsored by the United States government. Instead, it was a major undertaking by a group of concerned former law enforcement types wishing to bring to our attention what they felt is a major threat.

One of the agents had this to say regarding the project: "The first thing I learned was that the political ideology of winning over the West and the world for an Islamic Caliphate is NOT specific to some extremist group of Muslims. This is mainstream Islam and Shari’a. Historical, traditional and authoritative Islamic law mandates every Muslim to work to that end through personal development (or internalized Jihad), and outreach (or dawa), and external Jihad or war. It is certainly true that not all Muslims are faithful to their full calling, but any Shari’a faithful Muslim, meaning any Muslim who accepts Islamic law as authoritative (even if he himself does not live up to its standards) strives for or at least dreams of the day when his country and the world will live under the mandates of Islamic law.

Given the almost universal respect Muslims give to Shari’a (even if they fail to live up to its standards), it should be apparent we have a real problem in this country. What makes matters worse, is that one of the most radical and virulently violent sects of Islam, the Salafists or more derogatorily referred to as Wahhabi’ists (named after the sect’s founder as if to suggest his approach was an innovation and that he was not appropriately submissive to Allah, Mohammed and the traditions which developed subsequently), principally situated in Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf States, are financing and providing the leadership for the vast majority of the mosques and Islamic day schools in the US." >>> Amy L. Geiger-Hemmer | Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Call for 80 Per Cent of Men in Africa to Be Circumcised to Prevent Spread of Aids
THE TELEGRAPH: More than 4 million new HIV infections could be prevented in eastern and southern Africa by 2025 if male circumcision rates were increased to 80 per cent, researchers have claimed.

Sub-Saharan Africa carries the greatest burden of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that causes AIDS, accounting for 67 per cent of the 33.4 million people living with the virus worldwide. Photo: The Telegraph
Expanding circumcision services to 80 per cent of adult and newborn males in the region would also save $20.2 billion in HIV-related health costs between 2009 and 2025, they said.

"With global resources spread thin, we must focus on expanding proven and cost-effective methods like male circumcision to prevent HIV transmission," Krishna Jafa, an HIV expert at health aid group Population Services International (PSI), said at an AIDS conference in Vienna.

Mr Jafa's comments echoed former US President Bill Clinton and philanthropist Bill Gates, who both used speeches to the conference to call for rapid scale-up of male circumcision as a cost-effective way to prevent the spread of HIV.

Sub-Saharan Africa carries the greatest burden of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that causes AIDS, accounting for 67 per cent of the 33.4 million people living with the virus worldwide. An estimated 1.9 million people were newly infected with HIV in the region in 2008.

Research cited by the World Health Organisation has shown that male circumcision can reduce a man's risk of getting HIV by up to 60 per cent. >>> | Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Iran's Khamenei Calls on Muslims to Fight 'Terrorism' Fuelled by US and UK
THE TELEGRAPH: Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has called on Muslims to fight the "blind and savage terrorism" fuelled by the United States and Britain, whom he blamed for deadly bombings of an Iranian mosque.

Photograph: The Telegraph
"In our region ... the blind and savage terrorism is born out of the evil policies of the United States, Britain and their state and non-state mercenaries," Khamenei said in a statement marking the seventh day of mourning for victims of the bombings of a Shiite mosque in southeastern Iran.

"All Muslims are required to combat and confront this evil and sinister offspring which is the epitome of corruption on earth and of waging war against God," he said in the statement read out on state television.

On Thursday, two suicide bombers blew themselves up at a Shiite mosque in Zahedan, the capital of Sistan-Baluchestan province of Iran which borders Afghanistan and Pakistan, killing 28 people and wounding hundreds.

Sunni rebel group Jundallah (Soldiers of God) said it carried out the attacks to avenge the execution of its militant leader Abdolmalek Rigi in Tehran's Evin prison on June 20.

Jundallah says it is fighting for the rights of the Sunni Baluchis who make up a significant population in Sistan-Baluchestan. Tehran has blamed the group for several such deadly attacks over the past few years.

Iranian officials say that Jundallah, and particularly its executed leader Rigi, received support from US, British, Israeli and Pakistani intelligence services for launching cross-border attacks inside Iran.

Khamenei repeated the accusation, blaming US, Britain and Israeli spy agencies for the latest bombings in Zahedan despite Washington and the European Union leading a chorus of condemnation of the attacks. >>> | Wednesday, July 21, 2010

West Believes Mubarak Dying
YNET NEWS: Washington Post reports US, European sources closely following Egyptian president's health, believe he has terminal cancer, with 12 – 18 months to live

Cairo's attempts to hide President Hosni Mubarak's deteriorating medical condition are not fooling the world. The United States and Western intelligence agencies believe Egypt's 82-year-old president is dying of terminal cancer, and that he doesn't have long to live.

The Washington Post reported on Monday that the administration of US President Barack Obama fears the day after Mubarak's' death, and is closely following the situation in Egypt. American sources said the US Central Command and National Intelligence Council are already drawing up possible scenarios that could become a reality after his passing.

A central European intelligence officer told the paper that his agency believes Mubarak will be dead within a year, before Egypt's presidential elections scheduled for September 2011. >>> Ynet | Monday, July 19, 2010

Egypt: Mubarak in Good Health
YNET NEWS: Information minister denies reports president is suffering from terminal cancer, calls them rumors

Reports about a deterioration in Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's health are categorically false, his information minister said on Tuesday, two days after a US newspaper said Mubarak was dying of cancer.

"The president is in good health and has been given a clean bill of health by his doctors, following his recent gallbladder surgery in Germany," Information Minister Anas El Fekky said in a statement to Reuters.

"We obviously understand the interest in this issue given Egypt's geopolitical weight, and the president's role as a force for stability in the Middle East. However, the media reports published on the president's health are based on nothing more than rumor and speculation without any factual basis whatsoever, including a recent report citing anonymous intelligence sources."

An article in The Washington Times on Sunday said Mubarak was thought by most Western intelligence agencies to be suffering from terminal cancer affecting his stomach and pancreas. >>> Reuters | Tuesday, July 20, 2010

U.S. Senator Scott Brown (R-Mass.) walks towards the Senate Chamber in Washington. Photograph: The Globe and Mail
Naked Ambition: Ex-Cosmopolitan Centrefold Is Now a Congressional Powerhouse
THE GLOBE AND MAIL: Republican Scott Brown’s legislative vote is a key to deal makers on both sides of the aisle

As captain of his Senate office softball team, Scott Brown wears the number “41” on his uniform. But the figure applies only episodically to the Massachusetts Republican’s batting record in Congress.

Instead of hewing faithfully to the Tea Party forces that fuelled his January election as the 41st GOP senator needed to block Barack Obama’s ambitious legislative program, Mr. Brown can regularly be found lining up with Democrats – or at least talking to them – to become the critical 60th Senate “yea” in favour of the President’s agenda.

In today’s Washington, where rabid partisanship rules, that makes him highly unorthodox. It also makes him indispensable to deal makers on both sides of the congressional aisle, not to mention the head honcho in the White House.

“He is definitely one of the most powerful people in government right now,” Gabriel Lenz, a political science professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said in interview. “If you put senators on a spectrum from the most liberal to the most conservative, the 60th most liberal member just has so much power. And he’s that person.” >>> Konrad Yakabuski | Tuesday, July 2010

Related articles and video here, here, here, here, here, and here

Belgian Queen Receives Wave of Death Threats
THE TELEGRAPH: Belgian police stepped up protection for Queen Fabiola on the eve of Belgium's national holiday after she received a new wave of death threats.

Queen Fabiola has received a wave of death threats. Photo: The Telegraph
Prosecutors are investigating two new threats against the 82-year-old widow of king Baudouin.

A postcard was sent in early July which told the queen she only had 21 days left to live. >>> | Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Times Loses Almost 90% of Online Readership
THE GUARDIAN: Less than three weeks after the Times paywall went up, data shows a massive decline in web traffic

The Times has lost almost 90% of its online readership compared to February since making registration mandatory in June, calculations by the Guardian show. >>> Josh Halliday | Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Faut-il interdire les terrasses aux fumeurs ?
RTL: Deux ans et demi après l'instauration de l'interdiction de fumer dans les lieux publics, plusieurs restaurateurs parisiens ont décidé de franchir un nouveau cap, en interdisant la cigarette en terrasse. Cet endroit où s'abritaient les fumeurs en hiver leur sera désormais inaccessible. Aucune loi ne prévoit une généralisation de ce phénomène, mais ces restaurateurs sont d'ores et déjà soutenu par l'association Droit des non-fumeurs, qui compte recenser dès la rentrée sur son site Internet la liste des terrasses sans cigarette. [Source: RTL] | Mardi 20 Juillet 2010

Iran will Raucher aus Regierungsämtern fernhalten
SUEDDEUTSCHE: Berlin - Der Iran will künftig keine Raucher mehr für Ämter etwa in Ministerien zulassen. Bewerber für solche höheren Regierungsämter sollten künftig weder rauchen noch Alkohol trinken oder andere Drogen konsumieren, berichtet die Nachrichtenagentur ILNA. Die neue Verordnung sei vom Kabinett abgesegnet worden. Ziel sei es, die mentale und physische Gesundheit der Mitglieder des Regierungsapparates zu gewährleisten. Präsident Mahmud Ahmadinedschad muss die Verordnung noch unterschreiben. [Quelle: Sueddeutsche] dpa | Montag, 19. Juli 2010

Schweiz: EU-Beitritt hat beim Volk weiterhin keine Chance
SCHWEIZER FERNSEHEN – TAGESSCHAU: Ein Beitritt der Schweiz zur EU hat nach wie vor einen schweren Stand bei den Schweizer Stimmberechtigten. Fast zwei Drittel der Befragten gaben in einer Isopublic-Umfrage an, sie würden einen EU-Beitritt ablehnen. Für einen Beitritt sprachen sich 25 Prozent aus.

Auf die Frage, ob man im Falle einer Abstimmung am nächsten Wochenende einem EU-Beitritt zustimmen oder ihn ablehnen würde, votierten 63 Prozent für eine Ablehnung, wie Isopublic am Dienstag mitteilte. 25 Prozent gaben an, sie würden Ja stimmen. 12 Prozent 
waren unentschieden. Kaum Unterschiede bei Altersgruppen >>> sda/frua | Dienstag, 20. Juli 2010

Interview Amiri im iranischen TV (Farsi, engl. Untertitel)
SCHWEIZER FERNSEHEN: Der iranische Physiker Shahram Amiri, behauptet, dass die USA wollten, dass er aussagt ein iranischer Spion zu sein. So sollte Amiri Teil eines Austauschs von Spionen mit Teheran werden. Amiri bekräftigte in einem Interview zudem seine Aussagen, dass er im Juni 2009 in Saudi-Arabien von US-Geheimdienstmitarbeitern entführt wurde.



Schahram Amiri schildert die Entführung
SCHWEIZER FERNSEHEN: Der iranische Atomforscher Schahram Amiri ist auf dem Weg nach Hause in den Iran, wohl via ein Drittland. Der Forscher war vor einem Jahr verschwunden und am Dienstag überraschend in der pakistanischen Botschaft in Washington wieder aufgetaucht. Nun will Amiri im iranischen Fernsehen bekannt geben, wie es zu seiner Befreiung kam. Teheran wirft den USA die Entführung des Atomphysikers vor.



Verbunden >>>

Spanish Lawmakers Reject Plan for Burqa Ban Study
REUTERS: MADRID - A proposal for a study of a ban on full-length Islamic veils in public places was thrown out by the Spanish parliament on Tuesday, weeks after France and Belgium outlawed the wearing of the garments.

The conservative opposition Popular Party had submitted a resolution asking the Socialist government to study prohibiting the veils, known as burqas or niqabs, which cover the face and body and are worn by some Muslim women.

It was rejected by a margin of 21 votes in the 350-seat lower house. Even if it had been approved it would not have been binding on the Socialist government.

Opponents of a ban say it will harm democracy and violate religious rights while supporters say it is a matter of national security and of adaptation to local customs.

PP legislator Soraya Saenz de Santamaria said banning the veil would restore dignity and identity to women.

"How can our soldiers be fighting in Afghanistan for the liberty of these women while the government has no courage to defend them here?" she said.

Women's and Muslim groups say only a handful of women in Spain wear the niqab, which reveals only the eyes, and perhaps none use the burqa, which has a screen over the eyes. >>> Alice Tozer | Tuesday, July 20, 2010

NZZ ONLINE: Spanisches Parlament will kein Burka-Verbot: Regierende Sozialisten lehnen Initiative der Opposition ab >>> | Dienstag, 20. Juli 2010

Related article here

Spain Considers Burqa Ban
THE TELEGRAPH: Spain could become the third European country to ban the burqa in public places on the grounds that it oppresses women.

Spain is considering a ban on the burqa in public places. Photograph: The Telegraph
The proposal follows approval of such a prohibition in both France and Belgium earlier this month.

The growing anti-burqa sentiment spreading across Europe has already led to a ban against the veil being worn in some parts of Catalonia and Andalusia both areas where Spain's Muslim immigrant population is concentrated.

However, not all headcovering veils would be included in a ban because they form part of traditional Spanish dress, with women often covering their heads with a "mantilla" during religious festivals.

Several local councils, including that of Spain's second largest city Barcelona, passed such legislation in recent months but their powers were limited to banning the veil only in municipal buildings and not in the street or public places.

Spanish lawmakers will now consider passing a nationwide ban with a debate scheduled to start on Tuesday in Spain's Congress.

A vote by Spain's lower house is planned following the debate but may be delayed until after the month-long summer recess, which begins next week.

The debate follows a motion introduced by Spain's conservative opposition Popular Party, but it has won cross-party support and is widely predicted to be passed into law, unless the country's highest court rules it unconstitutional. >>> Fiona Govan in Madrid | Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Gemeinsam gegen Israels Gazablockade: Der türkische Aussenminister Ahmet Davutoglu sowie Syriens Präsident Bashar Assad und Libanons Ministerpräsident Saad Hariri. Bild: NZZ Online
Neue Front gegen Israel: Syrien und die Türkei wollen Ende der Gaza-Abschottung erzwingen
NZZ ONLINE: Die Türkei und Syrien bauen eine neue Front gegen Israel auf, dessen Ziel es ist, die Abschottung des Gazastreifens zu erzwingen. Ferner sollen die verfeindeten palästinensischen Bewegungen Fatah und Hamas wieder an den Verhandlungstisch geführt werden.

Die Blockade des Gazastreifens wird für Israel immer mehr zur Belastungsprobe; der Druck auf die Regierung wächst von Tag zu Tag. Netanyahus Kabinett hat unlängst Besserung in Aussicht gestellt. Doch die Lockerung der Blockade, die bloss tröpfchenweise Linderung bring, sorgt nicht für eine nachhaltige Verbesserung der prekären Lebenssituation im Küstenstreifen. Weiter lesen und einen Kommentar schreiben >>> hoh. | Dienstag, 20. Juli 2010

Goldman Denies Links with Global Food Crises
THE TELEGRAPH: Goldman Sachs has angrily defended itself against a public campaign that claims the bank is exacerbating global food crises through its commodity trading operations.

An advert from the World Development Movement's online campaign which claims banks are earning huge profits from betting on food prices in unregulated financial markets. Image: The Telegraph
The Wall Street bank has dismissed as "disingenuous and downright misleading" the conclusions by the World Development Movement that its activities have led to increased food prices, food riots, and poverty around the world.

The WDM, a London-based non-governmental organisation, on Monday started an on-line campaign to persuade the public to report Goldman to the Financial Services Authority (FSA) as the biggest bank allegedly distorting commodities markets.

The organisers said they want to put pressure on authorities to limit the ability of banks and hedge funds to trade in commodity futures.

The move came as Armajaro, a hedge fund run by Anthony Ward, was accused of cornering the cocoa market and pushing up prices after buying £650m, or 240,000 tonnes, of cocoa beans.

The campaign follows the publication of a report by the WDM called The Great Hunger Lottery: how banking speculation causes food crises, in which the lobby group accuses banks and hedge funds of "gambling on hunger." The report concludes that commodity trading is "dangerous, immoral and indefensible." >>> Louise Armitstead | Tuesday, July 20, 2010

La Syrie interdit le niqab à l'université
Deux Syriennes portant le niqab font leurs courses lundi à Damas. Photo : Le Figaro
LE FIGARO: Damas, qui veut protéger son «identité laïque», n'autorise plus depuis dimanche les étudiantes à porter le voile intégral. Déjà, en juin, 1200 enseignantes du primaire, qui l'arboraient, avaient été mutées dans des services administratifs.

Le débat sur le voile intégral n'agite pas uniquement les pays européens. Il s'est aussi emparé du Proche-Orient. La Syrie interdit depuis dimanche aux étudiantes des universités de porter la burqa ou le niqab. Dorénavant, les étudiantes arborant le voile intégral ne pourront plus s'inscrire dans les établissements privés et publics du secondaire. En revanche le foulard reste toujours autorisé. Du coté des autorités syriennes, on explique avoir voulu protéger «l'identique laïque» du pays.

Le ministre de l'Education supérieure, qui a publié le décret, affirme avoir reçu de nombreuses plaintes de parents demandant «à ce que leurs filles soient éduquées dans des lieux dépourvu de tout extrémisme». «Nous ne laisserons pas nos filles être la proie de telles idées», a promis le ministre à ses collaborateurs. Pour Ghiath Barakat, «le voile intégral va à l'encontre des principes académiques et des règles des campus», rapporte la chaîne Al-Arabiya. >>> Par lefigaro.fr | Mardi 20 Juillet 2010

Syria Bans Niqab from Universities
THE GUARDIAN: Regime fears face-covering Islamic veil poses threat to country's secular identity

Niqabs such as this will not be seen in any Syrian university once the country's new measures come into force. Photograph: The Guardian
Syria has banned the face-covering Islamic veil from the country's universities to prevent what it sees as a threat to its secular identity, as similar moves in Europe spark cries of discrimination against Muslims.

The education ministry issued the ban on Sunday, according to a government official. The ban, which affects public and private universities, is only against the niqab – a full Islamic veil that reveals just a woman's eyes – not headscarves, which are far more commonly worn by Syrian women.

The billowing black robe known as a niqab is not widespread in Syria, although it has become more common recently – a move that has not gone unnoticed in a country governed by a secular, authoritarian regime.

"We have given directives to all universities to ban niqab-wearing women from registering," the government official said today.
The niqab "contradicts university ethics," he added, saying the government was seeking to protect its secular identity. >>> Associated Press in Damascus | Tuesday, July 20, 2010

June 26: President Obama and British Prime Minister Cameron talk at the conclusion of the G20 conference in Ontario, Canada. Photograph: Fox News
Cameron's First U.S. Visit Overshadowed by Lockerbie Bomber Outrage
FOX NEWS: In an effort to defuse what will likely be the biggest point of contention in their Tuesday White House meeting, British Prime Minister David Cameron is expected to tell President Obama that the release of convicted Pan Am Flight 103 bomber Abdel Baset al-Megrahi was "wrong."

In their first White House meeting, the two leaders are also expected to discuss Afghanistan, BP's handling of the oil spill in the Gulf and its alleged role in the release of al-Megrahi.

In an interview with BBC news, Cameron, who was elected prime minister in May, said he "deeply regrets" the pain the decision caused but asserted that the release of al-Megrahi in August of last year was the decision of the Scottish government alone.

"All I know is, as leader of the opposition, I could not have been more clear that I thought the decision to release al-Megrahi was completely and utterly wrong," be told the BBC.

Al-Megrahi was convicted in 2001 and sentenced to life in prison for his role in the December 1988 bombing which killed 259 people on board and 11 people on the ground in Lockerbie, Scotland. >>> Anne McGinn | Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Key Issues for Australian Voters

Audio Purportedly from Al Qaeda No. 2 Says Victory Coming
CNN: A man identified as Ayman al-Zawahiri, al Qaeda's No. 2 man, promises his followers victory in Afghanistan and Iraq, vowing that these wars will eventually lead to a battle to liberate Jerusalem, in an audio message posted Monday on jihadist websites.

The audio was released by As-Sahab Media, al Qaeda's production company. CNN could not verify the authenticity of the message.

Radical Islamists often use the Arab-Israeli struggle as a propaganda tool to recruit militants because they believe that Israel has no right to exist on what they consider to be Muslim and Arab land.

In the message, the speaker also says mujahedeens -- Islamic militants backed by the Taliban and al Qaeda -- are moving from one victory to another in Afghanistan against U.S.-led forces.

The offensive in Afghanistan's Marjah district, known as Operation Moshtarak, was launched in February by an international coalition of 15,000 troops including Afghans, Americans, Britons, Canadians, Danes and Estonians.

The Taliban had set up a shadow government in Helmand province's Marjah region, long a bastion of pro-Taliban sentiment. It is a key area in Afghanistan's heroin trade, producing much of the opium used to fund the insurgency.

Less than three weeks ago, Gen. David Petraeus -- the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan -- said Operation Moshtarak is not going as well "as the most optimistic (initial) predictions." While progress is being made, it has been harder and slower than anticipated, Petraeus told the Senate Armed Services Committee during his confirmation hearing.

The audio message criticizes media coverage of the operation in Marjah, saying, "They made a big deal when they covered the Marjah battle ... but later on, they didn't want to report what was really happening on the ground, that the Mujahedeens were winning."

The speaker says the relationship between al Qaeda and the Taliban is stronger than ever -- an apparent reaction to reports that suggested the United States might be willing to deal with the Taliban if it distanced itself from al Qaeda. The message pledges al Qaeda's allegiance to Taliban leader Mullah Omar, calling him "the commander of the faithful." >>> CNN Wire Staff | Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Greek Journalist Shot: An investigative journalist has been killed by gunmen on the doorstep of his home in Athens, the first killing of a journalist in Greece in more than 20 years


THE INDEPENDENT: Greek journalist investigating corruption shot dead at his home >>> Menelaos Tzafalias in Athens and Archie Bland | Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Iraq Inquiry: Saddam Posed Very Limited Threat to UK, Ex-MI5 Chief Says
THE GUARDIAN: Eliza Manningham-Buller tells Chilcot inquiry that Iraq invasion radicalised part of a generation of Muslims

Eliza Manningham-Buller. Photo: The Guardian
The former MI5 director general Eliza Manningham-Buller today delivered a withering assessment of the case for war against Iraq.

Manningham-Buller said the threat posed by Saddam Hussein was low and that the US-led invasion in 2003 had done more harm than good.

Giving evidence to the Chilcot inquiry, she said Saddam's threat to the UK was "very limited and containable".

In evidence that undermined the case for war presented by the former prime minister Tony Blair, she was asked whether it was feared Saddam could have linked terrorists to weapons of mass destruction, facilitating their use against the west.

"It certainly wasn't of concern in either the short term or the medium term to me or my colleagues," she replied.

Manningham-Buller said the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan had radicalised parts of a generation of Muslims who saw the military actions as an "attack on Islam". >>> Haroon Siddique | Tuesday, July 20, 2010

We Will Allow Gay Couples to Get Married, Says Top Lib Dem
MAIL ONLINE: Gay couples will be granted the right to marry, Lib Dem deputy leader Simon Hughes has suggested.

Mr Hughes predicted the change would be in place in time for the next General Election.

He said that a consultation will take place on taking civil partnerships to the 'next level'.

The reforms would see same-sex civil partnerships given the same legal and social standing as those between a man and a woman.

However, they would not apply to ceremonies in church - only those in a register office or other licensed venue.

Mr Hughes made the remarks in an interview with Yoosk, a website on which users can question important figures.

He said: 'It would be appropriate in Britain in 2010, 2011, for there to be the ability for civil marriage for straight people and gay people equally.

'That's different of course from faith ceremonies which are matters for the faith communities... they have to decide what recognition to give. >>> Gerri Peev | Tuesday, July 20, 2010

'Decriminalise Personal Drug Use', Suggests Chairman of the Bar Council
THE TELEGRAPH: Personal drug use should be legalised, the leader of the country’s barristers has suggested.

Nicholas Green QC, the chairman of the Bar Council for England and Wales, said it was "rational" to consider "decriminalising personal drug use". Photo: The Telegraph
Nicholas Green QC, the chairman of the Bar Council for England and Wales, said it was “rational” to consider “decriminalising personal drug use”.

Taking such a step would save the economy billions of pounds – drug-related crime costs the economy £13billion a year - free up police time, cut crime and improve public health.

However campaigners and MPs rounded on the remarks, made in a newsletter to barristers, saying it sent out the wrong message on drug use.

Mr Green, who runs body which the 4,500 criminal and defence barristers, said: “A growing body of comparative evidence suggests that decriminalising personal use can have positive consequences.

“It can free up huge amounts of police resources, reduce crime and recidivism and improve public health. All this can be achieved without any overall increase in drug usage. If this is so, then it would be rational to follow suit.”

Mr Green, who has made his name primarily as an expert in competition law and arbitration issues, said the Council was apolitical and could speak out in favour policies “which work and not those which simply play to the gallery.

"And this will save money and mean that there is less pressure on the justice system.” >>> Christopher Hope, Whitehall Editor | Tuesday, July 20, 2010

What a ridiculous suggestion! What do we want? The streets full of stoned people? How sensible a suggestion can this be at the very time that smokers of tobacco have been all but criminalized? Are we to eliminate one bad habit and replace it with another one which is far, far worse?

I would be the last person to sing the praises of smoking cigarettes, smoking is an unhealthy habit, but it’s a damn site better than taking drugs. Common sense, it seems, has been thrown out of the window. – © Mark

'Yemen Will Be Obama's Afghanistan' Warns Al Qaeda Cleric
THE TELEGRAPH: An American-born cleric with links to al-Qaeda has warned the American people that President Barack Obama will mire US forces in Yemen just as in Afghanistan, in a message appearing on militant websites.

The 13-minute audio message, in English, comes days after the US Treasury department put Anwar al-Awlaki on its list of Specially Designated Global Terrorists.

"If George W. Bush is remembered as being the president who got America stuck in Afghanistan and Iraq, it's looking like Obama wants to be remembered as the president who got America stuck in Yemen," he said.

Born in New Mexico, al-Awlaki, 39, is not perceived by American officials as a major tactical terror leader on par with al-Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden.

But his role as an inspirational exhorter for al-Qaeda's cause and his growing involvement in plots aimed at the US has made him a prime target in the effort to counter the militant movement.

Six months ago the US government put al-Awlaki on a secret list of targets to be captured or killed, according to US officials.

In another message released separately, al-Qaeda's deputy leader Ayman al-Zawahri vowed that the American troops would leave both Afghanistan and Iraq in "defeat." >>> | Tuesday, July 20, 2010