Saturday, November 27, 2010
NZZ ONLINE: Nach dem Artillerieangriff auf die südkoreanische Insel Yonpyong hat Südkorea mit «tausendfacher Vergeltung» für deren Tod gedroht.Auf der koreanischen Halbinsel haben am Samstag beide Seiten ihre Kriegsrhetorik verschärft. Der Kommandeur der südkoreanischen Marineinfanterie kündigte bei der Beisetzung von zwei getöteten Soldaten tausendfache Vergeltung für deren Tod an. Nordkorea dagegen nannte eine geplante südkoreanisch-amerikanische Militärübung eine «unverzeihliche Provokation». Das Regime in Pjöngjang warf dem Süden ausserdem vor, Zivilisten als menschliche Schutzschilde missbraucht zu haben. Weiter lesen und einen Beitrag abgeben >>> ddp | Samstag, 27. November 2010
BBC: Former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, has taken on the author and renowned atheist Christopher Hitchens in a debate on the value of religion.
Mr Blair, a convert to Catholicism, was arguing in favour of the motion "Religion is a force for good in the world" in the Munk Debate in Toronto.
Mr Hitchens, who is undergoing treatment for cancer, proposed that religion is the world's "main source of hatred". Watch BBC video >>> | Saturday, November 27, 2010
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Tony Blair defends religious faith: Tony Blair has defended religious faith as a force for good in the world during a televised debate with atheist and columnist Christopher Hitchens. >>> | Saturday, November 27, 2010
THE GLOBE AND MAIL: Transcripts and audio: Christopher Hitchens on not believing >>> Transcribed by Aleysha Haniff | Friday, November 26, 2010
Munk Debates >>>
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: A Somali teenager has been arrested on suspicion of trying to set off a carbomb in the United States, police said on Saturday.Mohamed Osman Mohamud, 19, was held after he attempted to detonate what he believed was an explosives-laden van at an annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Portland, Oregon. However, undercover FBI agents had been monitoring his plans and had ensured that the "bomb" was in fact incapable of exploding.
Mohamud, a naturalised US citizen of Somali descent, was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Portland police around 5:40 pm Friday (0040 GMT Saturday).
"The threat was very real. Our investigation shows that Mohamud was absolutely committed to carrying out an attack on a very grand scale," said Arthur Balizan, a special agent in charge of the FBI in Oregon. "At the same time, I want to reassure the people of this community that, at every turn, we denied him the ability to actually carry out the attack."
Court documents showed that since the summer of 2009, Mohamud had been in email contact with a suspected terrorist in Pakistan's lawless northwest frontier province, currently a haven for al Qaeda cells. After discussing the possibility of Mohamud traveling to Pakistan to engage in jihad, or holy war, the accomplice allegedly gave Mohamud contact details of a terrorist cell overseas with whom the plot would be hatched. >>> Colin Freeman | Saturday, November 27, 2010
SKY NEWS: UK Snow Alert: More Severe Weather On Way – Severe weather warnings are in place for almost all of the UK, with heavy snow and bitter temperatures forecast that could last for up to two weeks. >>> Jo Couzens, Sky News Online | Saturday, November 27, 2010
MAIL ONLINE: Tory MPs were furious yesterday after a film depicting Baroness Thatcher as a has-been with dementia was given a £1million taxpayer-funded grant.
The Film Council handed out the cash in what some see as a final insult to the Government days before ministers reveal how the quango will be wound down. Conservative MPs hit out at the use of taxpayers’ funds for what appears to be a political hatchet job.
The former Tory Prime Minister, now 85, is portrayed as stricken with dementia and full of regret over what many believe were courageous political decisions. She is also shown speaking to her husband Denis, not realising he has died. Read on and comment >>> Gerri Peev | Saturday, November 27, 2010
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Singapore's men's water polo team is in hot water over the design of their custom-made swimming trunks that have been deemed "inappropriate" by the city-state's government.
The red and white trunks feature elements of Singapore's national flag, five stars and a crescent moon jutting up from the groin, leaving a somewhat unfortunate impression. >>> Ian MacKinnon in Hua Hin, Thailand | Friday, November 26, 2010
SCHWEIZER FERNSEHEN: Nun brennt sie wieder, die Weihnachtsbeleuchtung an der Bahnhofstrasse. Dieses Jahr gibt es wieder ein neues Modell namens „Lucy“.
NZZ ONLINE: «Lucy» funkelt über der Bahnhofstrasse: Neue Weihnachtsbeleuchtung in Zürich >>> sda | Donnerstag, 25. November 2010
Friday, November 26, 2010
WELT ONLINE: Sollen kriminelle Ausländer abgeschoben werden? Darüber entscheidet die Schweiz am Sonntag. Dem voraus geht eine aggressive Plakatkampagne.
Ein weißes Schaf versetzt einem schwarzen schwungvoll einen Tritt ins Hinterteil: Runter von der Schweizer Flagge, raus aus dem Land. Diese Plakate der rechtskonservativen Schweizer Volkspartei (SVP) stießen vor drei Jahren noch auf Proteste in breiten Teilen der Bevölkerung. Vor einer Volksabstimmung am Sonntag regt sich keiner mehr darüber auf, dass sie wieder auf Bahnhöfen und Plätzen im ganzen Land hängen – im Gegenteil: Inzwischen spricht sich die Mehrheit der Bevölkerung dafür aus, straffällig gewordene Ausländer bei schweren Delikten automatisch auszuweisen. >>> dapd/pku | Freitag, 26. November 2010
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: US President Barack Obama received 12 stitches in his lip on Friday after being hit in the face with an elbow during a basketball game, the White House said, stating that the injury was an accident."After being inadvertently hit with an opposing player's elbow in the lip while playing basketball with friends and family, the president received 12 stitches today administered by the White House Medical Unit," said spokesman Robert Gibbs in a statement.
The injury was caused by Rey Decerega, director of programmes for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, the White House said. >>> Barney Henderson | Friday, November 26, 2010
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: America is bringing the Korean peninsula "to the brink of war" North Korea warned on Friday as tension continues to build ahead of a four-day US-South Korean joint war game that starts this weekend.
The latest broadside from the regime of Kim Jong-il was issued as a US carrier battle group led by the nuclear-powered USS George Washington steamed towards the Yellow Sea in a show of deterrent force to Pyongyang.
"The situation on the Korean peninsula is inching closer to the brink of war," warned a dispatch from the Korean Central News Agency said. "Gone are the days when verbal warnings are served only." All morning North Korean state television and radio blared out martial music interspersed with official statements about the shelling of South Korean's Yeonpyeong Island on Tuesday which left four people dead and destroyed houses and parts of a military base.
In a further show of US solidarity with Seoul, Gen. Walter Sharp, the US military commander in South Korea, visited the shelled island, touring burned buildings and stating again that the attack was a violation of the ceasefire that ended the 1950-53 Korean War. >>> Peter Foster, Beijing | Friday, November 26, 2010
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The coalition between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats should continue after the next election and could lead to a permanent merger, according to Sir John Major.
The former Conservative prime minister said the Coalition could represent a “realignment” of politics and the two parties should “prolong” their co-operation beyond this parliament.
Sir John’s intervention will ignite a political debate about the future of Britain’s current party system. David Cameron has insisted that his deal with Nick Clegg’s party is a one-off arrangement and he will seek to form an all-Tory government after the next election, due in 2015.
But Sir John raised the prospect of the Coalition being maintained in the next parliament as the best way to implement long-term reforms. John Major: let's keep the Coalition after the next election >>> James Kirkup, Political Correspondent | Friday, November 26, 2010
TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: SENTENCE EXÉCUTÉE | Un Saoudien, reconnu coupable du meurtre de sa fille de 5 ans, a été décapité au sabre vendredi à Ryad, a annoncé le ministère saoudien de l’Intérieur.
"Mosleh bin Salim bin Eid al-Atawi a tué sa fille Bayan, âgée de 5 ans, en la frappant violemment avec un fil électrique, en la rouant de coups de pieds et en la giflant", a précisé le ministère dans un communiqué, cité par l’agence officielle Spa.
L’homme, toxicomane, a été décapité dans la ville de Tabouk (nord-ouest) en raison du "crime odieux" qu’il a commis, a-t-il ajouté. >>> AFP | Vendredi 26 Novembre 2010
MAIL ONLINE: A Muslim woman was banned from entering a roller-skating rink because her headscarf breached the ‘no hoods’ rule.Marisol Rodriguez-Colon, 40, was ‘mortified’ when she turned up to the Ron-A-Roll rink in Vernon, Connecticut only to be refused entry.
When she asked why, security staff referred her to the venue’s rules which were posted at the entrance and read: ‘No Hats. No Headwear. No Exceptions.’
Mrs Colon and her female friend, who also wore a headscarf, were told they could either taken off the hijab - or wear a helmet over the top of it.
The pair refused and left in disgust, missing the birthday party for Mrs Colon’s niece which was taking place inside.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations has now filed a complaint with Connecticut's Human Rights Commission against the rink, which is standing by its decision. Read on and comment >>> Daniel Bates | Friday, November 26, 2010
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The escalating debt crisis on the eurozone periphery is starting to contaminate the creditworthiness of Germany and the core states of monetary union.Credit default swaps (CDS) measuring risk on German, French and Dutch bonds have surged over recent days, rising significantly above the levels of non-EMU states in Scandinavia.
"Germany cannot keep paying for bail-outs without going bankrupt itself," said Professor Wilhelm Hankel, of Frankfurt University. "This is frightening people. You cannot find a bank safe deposit box in Germany because every single one has already been taken and stuffed with gold and silver. It is like an underground Switzerland within our borders. People have terrible memories of 1948 and 1923 when they lost their savings."
The refrain was picked up this week by German finance minister Wolfgang Schäuble. "We're not swimming in money, we're drowning in debts," he told the Bundestag.
While Germany's public and private debt is not extreme, it is very high for a country on the cusp of an acute ageing crisis. Adjusted for demographics, Germany is already one of the most indebted nations in the world. Read on and comment >>> Ambrose Evans-Pritchard | Friday, November 26, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
WELT ONLINE: In einer Videobotschaft rufen Extremisten zum Aufbruch ins Terrorlager auf und drohen dem Zeichner Vilks mit "Schlachtung".
In einem islamistischen Propagandavideo aus Somalia droht ein vermummter Dschihadist dem schwedischen Mohammed-Karikaturisten Lars Vilks. Das Ungewöhnliche daran – der Dschihadist selbst ist offenbar Schwede.
Das dschihadistische Video, das "Welt Online" vorliegt, zeigt neben Terrorausbildunglagern und Gefechtsszenen aus Somalia in erster Linie ausländische Kämpfer in den Reihen der somalischen al-Shabaab-Organisation. Zu sehen sind Dschihadisten aus Großbritannien, Pakistan, Sudan, Kenia und Tansania, die vor der Kamera ihre Landsleute aufrufen, sich dem Dschihad in Somalia anzuschließen.
Ein maskierter Islamist namens "Abu Zaid" spricht auf Schwedisch und ruft schwedische Muslime auf, nach Somalia zu reisen und sich Al-Shabaab anzuschließen. "Ich rufe euch auf, die Auswanderung in dieses Land zu machen", so der Extremist. Anschließend droht er dem Karikaturisten Lars Vilks mit dem Tod. >>> Autor: Florian Flade | Mittwoch, 24. November 2010
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The partnership between Britain and the UAE has progressed enormously since the Queen's last visit there in 1979, writes Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Today, in the presence of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the British Foreign Secretary William Hague and I will sign the 2010 Abu Dhabi Declaration, reaffirming the 1971 Treaty of Friendship between the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.
This is much more than ceremonial. It is representative of a vibrant strategic partnership that has the potential not only to deliver real benefits to our two countries but to strengthen our ability to provide joint leadership on matters of global significance.
The strength and vitality of our relationship with the UK has been an important driver in the UAE’s development ever since Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan, the founder and former President of the UAE, signed the original Treaty of Friendship in December 1971.
Today, there are more than 100,000 Britons living and working in the UAE. In four short decades our country has been transformed and the British have played an important role, helping to build our society and economy and in many cases making the UAE their long-term home.
At the same time, the UAE has been making an increasing contribution to life in Britain: tens of thousands of Emiratis visit the UK each year; we have collaborations with leading British institutions in education, health and culture, among many other areas; and we have diverse investments in the UK. >>> Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Foreign Minister | Thursday, November 25, 2010
THEDAILY TELEGRAPH: Barack Obama's Kenyan grandmother has said she prayed for the US president to convert to Islam, according to reports.
Sarah Omar, 88, who was on hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, told the Al-Qatan Saudi daily: "I prayed for my grandson Barack to convert to Islam".
The paper said that Ms Omar was in Saudi Arabia on pilgrimage along with her son, Mr Obama's uncle Saeed Hussein Obama, and four of her grandchildren.
Ms Omar told the newspaper that she could only discuss hajj matters and would not comment on Mr Obama's politics. >>> | Thursday, November 25, 2010
I don't think you'll have to pray very hard, Grandma. If you dig enough, I think you'll find that your little darling already is a Muslim! – © Mark
THE DAILY EXPRESS: THE Daily Express today becomes the first national newspaper to call for Britain to leave the European Union.From this day forth our energies will be directed to furthering the cause of those who believe Britain is Better Off Out.
The famous and symbolic Crusader who adorns our masthead will become the figurehead of the struggle to repatriate British sovereignty from a political project that has comprehensively failed.
After far too many years as the victims of Brussels larceny, bullying, over-regulation and all-round interference, the time has come for the British people to win back their country and restore legitimacy and accountability to their political process.
Following the debacle of the Lisbon Treaty – disgracefully imposed upon the public without the referendum they were promised by the three main political parties – many had expected matters European to take a lower profile in British politics.
But the opposite has been true as those on board the European gravy train have mounted one power grab after another.
At a time of austerity throughout Europe they have expanded their bloated budgets, pushing Britain’s disproportionate contributions even higher.
And despite not being part of the failing eurozone, British taxpayers have learned that under Brussels rules agreed to by Labour after it had lost the election they are liable to help bail out economies wrecked by the single currency.
A payment of up to £10billion for Ireland is apparently just the start, with speculators now starting to target the embattled economy of Portugal.
Despite unemployment across Europe averaging more than 10 per cent, Brussels continues to propose new job-destroying regulations and conspire to turn the whole EU into a zone of high taxation.
It is also seeking to take an ever more dominant role in border control issues, leaving its member states powerless to control migrant flows not only from other EU countries but from Asia and Africa too.
The European Court of Human Rights has continued to trample on British justice, preventing the deportation of terror suspects and demanding that convicted prisoners are given the vote.
Withdrawal from the EU should be accompanied by a withdrawal from the jurisdiction of this alien, pan-European tribunal so that matters of British justice are decided once again in British courts. Get Britain Out Of Europe >>> The Daily Express | Thursday, November 25, 2010
This is a sad article indeed. Winnie must be turning in his grave! Of course, there is a lot of truth written here; but so much has been left out.This comment was also posted here.
You have forgotten to write about the positive things Europe has done for Britain, preferring to concentrate on all that is negative.
The idea of a single currency is a wonderful one. Unfortunately, in their haste to get things done, the powers that be in Europe went the wrong way about it. They should have been a little more patient and let it grow country by country, bit by bit. They should have also realised that it is difficult to have a common currency where there is no common governance.
But the EU has enabled many people to move home to sunnier climes, And British travellers are entitled to free medical treatment in European countries. The EU has indeed at times been meddlesome; but it must also be said that it has ensured human rights for many, too. And think of the great variety of European goods in the shops, especially foodstuffs we had hitherto not been able to buy. I am old enough to remember having to go to a specialist delicatessen in a large town or city to get continental foods, whereas now it is possible to obtain them in any old supermarket in any old town or village.
We must be careful not to throw the baby out with the bathwater. We must be careful not to turn inward and think that everything British is good and everything European is bad. And do we want to return to the bad old days when international strife was the norm in Europe? Don't forget that this was one of the main catalysts for its inception. Think of Churchill's Zürich Speech delivered in 1946.
This article, whilst in many ways rather convincing, has one serious omission, namely that we will not be a sovereign nation even if we come out. Only today was it reported that this craven government is allowing outside forces, namely the Gulf (for Gulf read the Islamic world) dictate our foreign policy. Islam is winning the day.
All right, I understand that many resent policy being dictated to by the EU. In many ways I do myself. But I resent even more my country’s policies to be dictated by an alien culture; and all in the name of appeasing our oil suppliers and grovelling for arms contracts.
In such a case, give me the EU every time. At least we share similar cultures. At least the EU is still predominantly Judeo-Christian. At least all Europeans are free. – © Mark
THE JERUSALEM POST: Statement drafted by Sheikh Fawzi al-Zifzaf, chairman of permanent committee for dialogue, read during gathering of senior faith and political leaders at Parliament in London, 'Post' learns.
Scholars at the oldest Islamic university in the world issued a proclamation on Tuesday that lifted an ancient ban on dialogue with Jews, The Jerusalem Post has learned.
The statement drafted by Sheikh Fawzi al-Zifzaf, chairman of the permanent committee for dialogue at Al- Azhar University in Cairo, was read during a gathering of senior faith and political leaders at Parliament in London.
“And the point of origin of this invitation is Islam itself [calling for] brotherhood and mutual understanding and the strengthening of bonds between Muslims and followers of the other religions, and the establishment of bridges of dialogue with scholarly institutions in Europe and America,” Zifzaf wrote. Read on and comment >>> Gil Shefler | Thursday, November 25, 2010
SKY NEWS: More Violence Erupts At Student Protests: Students have smashed up a police van and there have been sporadic skirmishes during a series of major demonstrations against tuition fees. >>> Andy Winter and Rob Cole, Sky News Online | Thursday, November 25, 2010
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: British foreign policy will change to reflect Arab concerns over the Middle East peace process as part of the Coalition's efforts to seal a strategic agreement with the Gulf during the Queen's visit to the region.
Whitehall officials said Foreign Secretary William Hague's decision to reach out to Gulf states in an effort to secure better diplomatic and trade ties meant Britain had to "take on board" Arab foreign policy goals.
Requesting better ties would be a two-way street, not just plea for more defence contracts and exports, they said.
"It will be a six lane highway with movement in both directions," said one diplomat. "We have to respond to what Gulf States want. If we want a long-term partnership on foreign policy, then changes in our stance have to be part of it."
The Queen arrived in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, at the start of a five-day visit that will also take in Oman.
Both countries are long-standing allies, where the royal family also has strong personal ties with local leaders. The United Arab Emirates end of the visit was rearranged after a planned tour last year was cancelled at the last minute.
The visit to Oman is to join the celebrations for the 40th anniversary of Sultan Qaboos's ascension to the throne.
But the visit has taken on a more significant, and unusually political context both with the change of government in Britain and increasing tensions with Iran a short distance away on the other side of the Gulf.
Mr Hague set improving relations with the Gulf and India as his first policy goals, and both David Cameron, the prime minister, and Liam Fox, the defence secretary, visited Abu Dhabi within a month of taking office. >>> Richard Spencer in Abu Dhabi and Damien McElroy | Wednesday, November 24, 2010
This sends out one BIG message: ISLAMIC TERRORISM PAYS! This is disgraceful! To turn our backs on Israel in its hour of need, when the Muslim world is out to destroy it is a craven act indeed. Shame on David Cameron! Shame on Nick Clegg! Shame on the British government! Shame on Whitehall! – © Mark
© Cassandra1963's comment on this development is really worth reading:
So this is the new coalition government in action is it?
Our relations with the Gulf states has always been close and friendly HOWEVER it seems that the UK must now cringe and crawl and change our foreign policies and strategic partnerships to suit islam? What price does the UK have to pay for this new arrangement?
Are we really that desperate for Arab cash that they can now summon our Queen to go barefoot and covered into their mosque and make our fake foreign secretary crawl and creep to beg for money?
The UK is being islamised at an alarming pace now and the coalition are at the centre of it, not for them the dignity and pride of HM governments of old, these Quislings just have to abase themselves and us.
Isnt it funny how WE have to note and address THEIR concerns and adapt OUR policies and alliances and interests to suit THEIRS? Look on this visit with shame and humiliation as our government crawls and creeps and cringes and gives in to demand after demand. The truth is that these states need us more than we need them, they need our support in the face of their own regional threats and we do not need to creep and crawl to them at all.
A friendship that requires one side to change its other alliances or friendships or strategic goals is no friendship at all, a friend that bullies and threatens and demands obedience from the other is not a friend at all. We are either an equal partner where we stand up for our own interests or we are a stooge lackey lickspittle unfit to have a seat at the UN top table. Trade? They either wish to trade with us or they do not, they have NO right to dictate to us about our foreign policies and alliances and how we must change to suit their prejudices and hatreds. If that is the price of a trade deal then they should really go buy their stuff from North Korea or Russia. What would they say to us if we demanded that they change their policies and goals to suit us? Yeah! they would rightly tell us to piss right off and no mistake!
What next? What other national humiliations are going to be heaped upon the the UK by this gang of Quislings? I just cannot bear the shame of what this gang of Quislings are doing to our once great nation. We look on the actions of this coalition and it is looking like the worst government we have ever had, these Quislings are in the pocket of the unelected shadow government, bought and paid for yesmen who have no honour and no shame and no morals and no patriotism in their souls. – [Source: © Cassandra1963, commenting on The Daily Telegraph]
MAIL ONLINE: Shoeless and wearing a beekeeper-style shawl and hat, the Queen walked across the world’s largest carpet last night as she met Islamic students in Abu Dhabi at the start of her five-day state visit to the Gulf.
No sooner had the Queen and Prince Philip stepped off their chartered British Airways flight from London than they were taken straight to the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, the country’s largest.
The floor of its main prayer hall is covered in a 35-ton carpet which took 1,200 Iranian women two years to stitch by hand.
In keeping with tradition, the Queen removed her shoes before entering and padded in in stockinged feet.
While other female members of the party wore a traditional 'abaya' or full-length cloak over their clothes and a 'sheela' or scarf, the Queen wore a gold brocade coat embroidered with Swarovski crystals over her matching dress, both designed by her dresser, Angela Kelly.
She tied a gold lame shawl over her pill box hat to cover her hair. Shoeless Queen dons 'beekeeper' hat as she visits Abu Dhabi mosque >>> Robert Hardman | Thursday, November 25, 2010
*Liberated women everywhere will be proud of you, Ffion, I feel sure!
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Queen's Gulf visit: What the Gulf means to the UK today – The visit has taken on an unusually political flavour both with the change of government in Britain and increasing tensions with Iran a short distance away on the other side of the Gulf. >>> Richard Spencer in Abu Dhabi | Thursday, November 25, 2010
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Queen's Gulf visit: Britain and business in the United Arab Emirates – For most Britons today, thoughts of the United Arab Emirates conjure up images of gaudy hotels and beaches favoured by the new rich. >>> Richard Spencer | Thursday, November 25, 2010
SKY NEWS: Queen Visits Mosque On First Day Of UAE Trip >>> Angela Barnes, Sky News Online | Thursday, November 25, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
NZZ ONLINE: Der irische Ministerpräsident Brian Cowen hat die Höhe des internationalen Rettungspakets für sein Land auf voraussichtlich etwa 85 Milliarden Euro beziffert.
Über diese Summe werde verhandelt, die Zustimmung von Europäischer Union und Internationalem Währungsfonds (IWF) stehe aber noch aus, sagte Cowen am Mittwoch vor Abgeordneten in Dublin. Er bezog sich damit auf irische Medienberichte, in denen von diesem Umfang des Rettungsschirms die Rede war.
Europäischer Rekord
Wenige Stunden nach Cowens Äusserung stellte die irische Regierung ein Sparpaket mit einem Gesamtumfang von 15 Milliarden Euro vor, das Voraussetzung ist für die Hilfen von EU und IWF. Es ist die drastischste Haushaltskürzung in der Geschichte des Landes. Die Regierung will damit das Staatsdefizit bis 2014 auf die in der Eurozone geforderten drei Prozent des Bruttoinlandsprodukts senken. Die diesjährige Verschuldung Irlands beläuft sich auf einen europäischen Rekord von 32 Prozent. (+ Videos) >>> ddp | Mittwoch, 24. November 2010
THE GUARDIAN: Turkish writers expressed outrage at Nobel laureate's invitation to European Writers' Parliament, after comments he made about Islam in 2001The Nobel laureate VS Naipaul has pulled out of a literary event opening in Istanbul tomorrow, after Turkish writers threatened a boycott because of deeply critical comments he has made on Islam.
The row erupted after Naipaul was invited to give the opening speech at the European Writers' Parliament (EWP), the brainchild of novelists Orhan Pamuk and José Saramago, which aims to bring together authors from across Europe to debate key issues of the contemporary literary scene and opens today. But several Turkish writers expressed outrage at the invitation, citing hostile comments Naipaul made about Islam nearly a decade ago.
Naipaul, who was awarded the Nobel prize for literature in 2001, caused controversy that same year by his remarks about Islam at a London reading from his book, Half a Life. The writer compared the religion to colonialism, saying Islam "has had a calamitous effect on converted peoples. To be converted you have to destroy your past, destroy your history. You have to stamp on it, you have to say 'my ancestral culture does not exist, it doesn't matter'." >>> Benedicte Page | Wednesday, November 24, 2010
SKY NEWS: Students have smashed up a police van in London and there have been sporadic skirmishes during another violent demonstration against student fees.
Police moved to contain the demo by using the controversial "kettling" tactic - meaning large numbers of people could be held in one place for several hours.
But the Metropolitan Police has now said the policy has shifted to one of "controlled dispersal". >>> Rob Cole and Andy Winter, Sky News Online | Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Islamic schools should be banned. They inculcate a sense of superiority, encourage their pupils to hate, teach that the West must be conquered, that the West is in a state of Jahilliyyah, or pre-Islamic chaos. To them, the world is split into two: the House of Islam (Dar ul Islam) and the House of War (Dar ul Harb). Jihad will be waged until the latter is turned into the former. Is this what we want British children to believe, regardless of their ethnic background?
Islam is anathema to Western-style liberal democracy. Indeed it is its enemy. – © Mark
This comment also appeared here.
TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: PUBLICITÉ | L'acteur américain Bruce Willis est depuis mercredi le visage de la campagne publicitaire de la banque russe Trust, a annoncé la compagnie dans un communiqué.Dans cette publicité pour l'instant limitée à l'internet, le visage de l'acteur spécialiste des films d'action est accompagné d'une phrase: "Trust est comme moi, sauf que c'est une banque".
"L'image de Bruce Willis est celle d'un homme respectable, sur lequel on peut compter", relève la banque dans un communiqué, précisant s'être payé les services de l'acteur pour un an. >>> AFP | Mercredi 24 Novembre 2010
WELT ONLINE: Bei der EU liegen offenbar die Nerven blank. Nun beschimpfte der britische Euroskeptiker Godfrey Bloom den Sozialdemokraten Schulz als "Faschisten".
„Ein Volk, ein Reich, ein Führer“ – wegen dieses Nazi-Spruches ist der britische Euroskeptiker Godfrey Bloom aus dem Straßburger Plenarsaal geworfen worden. Bloom war bei einer Debatte über die Zukunft Europas am Mittwoch dem Sozialdemokraten Martin Schulz ins Wort gefallen.
Im Saal gab es sofort empörte Reaktionen und Rufe „Raus! Raus!“. „Das geht zu weit“, sagte der französische Christdemokrat Joseph Daul. Eine förmliche Entschuldigung lehnte Bloom ab und setzte stattdessen noch eins drauf. Schulz sei ein „undemokratischer Faschist“. Weiter lesen und einen Beitrag abgeben >>> dpa/pku | Mittwoch, 24. November 2010
THE GUARDIAN: Rowan Williams tells warring factions to pull together for crucial General Synod vote on church's future
Dr Rowan Williams, the archbishop of Canterbury, warned of the risk of "piece-by-piece dissolution" of worldwide Anglicanism in a heartfelt personal plea today to warring factions in the Church of England.
At the opening of the church's general synod in London, he called for all parties to put aside their disputes and agree on a fresh framework for settling differences across the 70 million-strong international communion.
The synod votes tomorrow on the Anglican covenant, which has been seven years in the making, and sets the Church of England at a crucial crossroads. The church is already facing probable defections to Roman Catholicism by some priests opposed to the ordination of women bishops.
The covenant was devised in response to divisions caused by the US Episcopal Church's decision to endorse the election of the openly-gay bishop of New Hampshire, Gene Robinson, and it has to be endorsed by all 38 previously autonomous provinces of the communion across the world. The vote will be crucial as not only is the Church of England the mother church of the communion, but Williams is its spiritual head. A senior church official told the Guardian: "There is no Plan B. If this falls, the communion is in ruins."
In advance of the vote – which is technically to refer the covenant to dioceses for consultation – supporters and opponents have indulged in heated rhetoric; liberal Anglicans claimed it would spell the end of individual churches' autonomy and subject decisions of the Church of England to the prior approval of reactionary churches such as the homophobic conservatives of equatorial Africa. Gregory Cameron, the Bishop of St Asaph in Wales, the canon lawyer mainly responsible for drawing up the covenant, likened opponents to the BNP. Read on and comment >>> Stephen Bates and Riazat Butt | Tuesday, November 23, 2010
THE TIMES OF INDIA: MUZAFFAR-NAGAR/NEW DELHI – In a potentially controversial decree, Islamic seminary Darul Uloom Deoband has said that donation of blood and body parts was against the tenets of Islam, but observed that giving blood to save the life of a near and dear one was acceptable.
However, the opinion of the prominent Islamic seminary has not gone down well with several Muslim intellectuals who have asserted that religious bodies have already stated that there was no (no) problem with blood donation.
In a 'fatwa' issued in response to a question, the seminary said donating blood or body parts was not permitted in Islam as human beings are not the "owners" of their bodies.
The decree is posted on the website of Darul Uloom's fatwa section dealing with 'haram and halal' issues, where a questioner asked the seminary its opinion on whether taking part in blood donation camps is right or wrong. Terming the fatwa as 'incorrect,' noted scholar Maulana Wahiduddin Khan said it should not deter the Muslim community from donating blood. >>> TNN | Wednesday, November 24, 2010
DIGITAL JOURNAL: Opinion: The brilliantly honest Pat Condell about 'Free Speech' in Europe >>> R C Camphausen | Thursday, November 11, 2010
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Nick Clegg, the Deputy Prime Minister, has been advised to stop cycling to Downing Street because of a threat from students angry at his broken tuition fees pledge.
The security warning came ahead of a planned mass protest today which is expected to see thousands of young people around the country targeting Liberal Democrat MPs, including Mr Clegg.
Lib Dems have become the focus of student anger because in the run up to the general election they promised to scrap tuition fees altogether, only to support a substantial increase in rates after entering into a Coalition Government with the Conservatives.
Mr Clegg’s security personnel are understood to have told him that it was no longer safe for him to bicycle from his home in Putney, south west London, to his office in the Cabinet Office, beside 10 Downing Street.
There were fears that the Deputy Prime Minister could be knocked from his bicycle or pelted with objects. >>> Rosa Prince, Political Correspondent | Wednesday, November 24, 2010
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Tuition fee protest: why students are turning fire on Liberal Democrats: Thousands of students are preparing to turn their anger on the Liberal Democrats in a demonstration over broken promises on tuition fees. >>> Nick Collins | Wednesday, November 24, 2010
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Tuition fee protest: where demonstrations will take place: The Liberal Democrat headquarters will be targeted by thousands of students in a second wave of demonstrations against tuition fee hikes on Wednesday. >>> Nick Collins | Wednesday, November 24, 2010
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Foreign languages will be made virtually compulsory up to the age of 16 under an overhaul of the education system being announced today.
A shake-up of league tables used to rate schools will force growing numbers of teenagers to take GCSEs in subjects such as French, German and Spanish.
The Coalition said the move would counter the "catastrophic decline" of languages witnessed under Labour following the decision to make them optional at 14.
Ministers say the reforms will also promote the study of other traditional subjects such as history, geography and science, which have fallen in popularity over the past 13 years. >>> Andrew Porter, Robert Winnett and Graeme Paton | Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
POLITICALLY INCORRECT: Somehow, the Taliban don’t seem to like the Dutch government under the tolerance of Geert Wilders’ PVV. Their speaker for Afghanistan, Zabiullah Mujahid, let it be known that a “Jihadist group” from the little country will be administered, if the anti-Islam policies are forced. >>> | Sunday, November 21, 2010
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL – LETTERS: Regarding the Nov. 10 news article "EU gauges member readiness," it is regrettable that the current Turkish government refuses to recognize its continued shortcomings in the areas of freedom of speech and freedom of religion.
Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu appeared quick to respond in terms of Turkey's patience and how long it might last, but he seems oblivious to the suffering of millions in a country where there is virtually no freedom of speech unless one supports the ruling AKP party's ultimate aim: an all-out Islamic state.
Would Mr. Davutoglu be so quick to respond to questions on whether there are any independent media at all in Turkey capable of reporting freely and without recrimination? Let us not forget that, during the recent debates about changes to Turkey's constitution, the opposition were denied equal and unbiased media access.
I sincerely hope the EU delegation has taken note of this, as well as of the restrictive religious practices currently imposed on Turkey's non-Muslim population. >>> Tayfun Balkan | Wednesday, November 24, 2010
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: President Hugo Chavez, of Venezuela, has banned the use of his image in propaganda unless he has explicitly granted permission in advance.
A decree issued by his Government outlaws the unauthorised use of his "name, image or figure" on "infrastructure projects, constructions, educational establishments or public buildings of any kind."
Murals, graffiti and posters featuring images of President Chavez by amateur artists wanting to show their support have become a common sight in the capital city, Caracas, and many other parts of Venezuela.
Political opponents have expressed concern about the widespread use of his image in public areas. >>> Robin Yapp in Sao Paulo | Tuesday, November 23, 2010
LE POINT: L'homosexualité est injuste, s'oppose à la volonté de Dieu et est inconciliable avec la vocation de prêtre, estime le pape Benoît XVI dans son livre-entretien présenté mardi à la presse, La lumière du monde, une position qui a suscité l'indignation des gays italiens. "En tant qu'êtres humains, (les homosexuels) méritent le respect (...) ; ils ne doivent pas être rejetés à cause de cela. Le respect de l'être humain est tout à fait fondamental et décisif", affirme-t-il. "Mais cela ne signifie pas que l'homosexualité soit juste pour autant. Elle reste quelque chose qui s'oppose à l'essence même de ce que Dieu a voulu à l'origine", s'empresse-t-il de préciser. >>> Source AFP | Mardi 23 Novembre 2010
LE POINT: C'est le vote le plus important de l'année. Toute l'Amérique - ou presque - est suspendue aux résultats du scrutin de mardi soir qui doit couronner ou non la célèbre Palin. Non ! pas Sarah, mais Bristol, sa fille ! Rappelez-vous, c'est celle qui a avoué, en 2008 pendant la campagne présidentielle, qu'elle était enceinte, à 18 ans, et dont le petit copain l'a lâchement abandonnée, se répandant dans tous les médias en disant pis que pendre des Palin, avant d'annoncer dans un tabloïd leur mariage, puis de prendre à nouveau la poudre d'escampette... Entre-temps, Bristol a été recrutée comme ambassadrice pour une association qui prône l'abstinence avant le mariage. Mais elle est surtout devenue cette saison l'une des concurrentes de Dancing with the stars, un show très populaire dans lequel danseurs professionnels et célébrités souvent has been dansent le tango ou le cha-cha-cha. Le plus doué gagne. Du moins en théorie. Cette saison, même si Bristol Palin se meut avec la grâce d'un crapaud arthritique, elle est la star de l'émission. Toutes les semaines, cette fille un peu ronde écope des plus mauvais scores décernés par les juges et, toutes les semaines, elle est immanquablement sauvée de l'élimination par le vote du public. À tel point qu'elle a réussi à atteindre la finale. >>> De correspondante du Point à Washington, Hélène Vissière | Lundi 22 Novembre 2010
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Bristol Palin receives death threats ahead of Dancing With The Stars results: Bristol Palin received death threats ahead of the final results show for Dancing With The Stars in the US on Tuesday. >>> Nick Allen in Los Angeles | Tuesday, November 23, 2010
The Palin Pantomine goes on! – Mark
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Ten alleged Islamists have been detained in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany suspected of plotting an attack in Belgium, according to the prosecutor's office.
The arrests were part of "an inquiry into international jihadist terror," a spokesman for the federal prosecutor's office said.
"In total 10 people suspected of preparing an attack in Belgium were arrested in Belgium, Holland and Germany," he said.
The suspects are from Belgium, the Netherlands, Morocco and Chechnya, the prosecutor's office said in a statement. The group used the extremist website Ansar Al Mujahideen.
The target of the plot was unknown. >>> | Tuesday, November 23, 2010
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma's pro-democracy leader, has been reunited with her son who[m] she last saw a decade ago.
In an emotional moment at the Yangon airport, 10 days after her release from detention, Ms Suu Kyi met Kim Aris, 33, who was finally granted a visa by the military regime after waiting for several weeks in neighbouring Thailand.
Just before walking into the airport terminal, the 65-year old Ms Suu Kyi, who was released earlier this month after more than seven years under house arrest, said: "I am very happy."
A smiling Ms Suu Kyi slipped her arm around her son's waist as the two posed briefly for photographers.
Through her lawyer Nyan Win, Ms Suu Kyi thanked the Burmese authorities for issuing the visa to her son, who resides in Britain and last saw his mother in December 2000. He has repeatedly been denied visas ever since by the ruling junta. >>> | Tuesday, November 23, 210
GATES OF VIENNA: The Trial of Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff, Day 1 >>> Baron Bodissey | Tuesday, November 23, 2010
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The developers of an Islamic community centre and mosque near Ground Zero in New York have applied for millions of dollars in public money from a post-September 11 reconstruction fund.
The Park 51 group has risked reigniting a debate over its project by requesting the grant, which is reported to total $5 million (£3.1 million), from the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation.
Its plan to build a base for local Muslims two blocks away from the World Trade Centre site is opposed by a majority of Americans, polls suggest, and has been criticised by high-profile Republican politicians.
President Barack Obama was also criticised after endorsing the project before backtracking and saying he had only meant that it was legally entitled to go ahead.
Sharif El-Gamal, the 15-storey project's lead developer, is now seeking public money through the Corporation's $17 million "community and cultural enhancement" programme. >>> Jon Swaine in New York | Tuesday, November 23, 2010
FOX NEWS – LIVESHOTS: He wants your money. The developer of the so called "Ground Zero Mosque" is applying for federal taxpayer money to help him build the controversial and contentious project. The funds are designated to help lower Manhattan recover from the 9-11 terrorist attacks, which took place just around the corner from the proposed mosque and cultural center location.
Sharif El-Gamal, the head of SOHO Properties, says the money will be used for a variety of services for Park51, as the project is called.
In a statement, El-Gamal said he is, "…committed to exploring all sources of revenue and funding to build the community center," noting that the request for a reported $5 million would help provide "social service programs....such as domestic violence prevention, Arabic and other foreign language classes, programs and services for homeless veterans, two multi-cultural arts exhibits and immigration services."
El-Gamal did not specify exactly how much of the taxpayers' funds would be allocated to "build the community center."
"It's absolutely disgraceful," said an angry Congressman Peter King (R-NY) who is likely to be the new chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee. Read on and comment >>> Eric Shawn | Tuesday, November 23, 2010
No Mosque At Ground Zero >>>
JIHAD WATCH: NBC names Ground Zero Mosque developer Sharif El-Gamal "Person of the Year" >>> Robert Spencer | Tuesday, November 23, 2010
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