Curveball: How US Was Duped by Iraqi Fantasist Looking to Topple Saddam
THE GUARDIAN: Rafid Ahmed Alwan al-Janabi let imagination run wild and became main source for Colin Powell's case for war in 2003

In a small flat in the German town of Erlangen in February 2003, an out-of-work Iraqi sat down with his wife to watch one of the world's most powerful men deliver the speech of his career on live TV.

As US secretary of state, Colin Powell gathered his notes in front of the United Nations security council, the man watching — Rafid Ahmed Alwan al-Janabi, known to the west's intelligence services as "Curveball" — had more than an inkling of what was to come. He was, after all, Powell's main source, a man his German handlers had feted as a new "Deep throat" — an agent so pivotal that he could bring down a government.

As Curveball watched Powell make the US case to invade Iraq, he was hiding an admission that he has not made until now: that nearly every word he had told his interrogators from Germany's secret service, the BND, was a lie.

Everything he had said about the inner workings of Saddam Hussein's biological weapons programme was a flight of fantasy - one that, he now claims was aimed at ousting the Iraqi dictator. Janabi, a chemical engineering graduate who had worked in the Iraqi industry, says he looked on in shock as Powell's presentation revealed that the Bush administration's hawkish decisionmakers had swallowed the lot. Something else left him even more amazed; until that point he had not met a US official, let alone been interviewed by one.

"I had the chance to fabricate something to topple the regime," he told the Guardian in a series of interviews carried out in his native Arabic and German. "I and my sons are proud of that, and we are proud that we were the reason to give Iraq the margin of democracy." >>> Martin Chulov and Helen Pidd in Karlsruhe | Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Watch Guardian video here

Russian Foreign Minister Criticises the West for Supporting Arab Protests
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Russia and Britain engaged in a war of words over the people power protests across the Middle East as Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov blasted Western support for demonstrations as counterproductive.

Differences between Mr Lavrov and Foreign Secretary William Hague surfaced during a meeting in London designed to display a rapprochement between Whitehall and the Kremlin after years of tension.

Moscow has called for restraint in the face of demonstrations that have shaken long established regimes. Britain and America have, by contrast, demanded that governments bow to the demands of frustrated protesters.

Tunisia and Egypt have seen the departure of their leaders since the demonstrations began and other regimes have been forced into reforms.

With its own record of corruption and authoritarian leaderships, Russia fears the tide of protest will spread to its own backyard.

"I think that we need to encourage all parties to agree between each other," said Mr Lavrov. "I think that it is counterproductive to impose democracy of a specific pattern."

"We have had one revolution in Russia and we don't believe that we need to call for others." >>> Damien McElroy, Foreign Affairs Correspondent | Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Michelle Obama Launches Breastfeeding Campaign
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Michelle Obama is to extend her campaign against childhood obesity by urging women to breastfeed and calling for the removal of barriers to nursing at work.

The Obama administration wants to introduce more flexible work rules and tax breaks on nursing equipment in order to encourage American women to breastfeed.

A recent study published in the journal Pediatrics found that babies who were breastfed for the first four to six months were less likely to be overweight or obese than children who were fed using formula and began eating solid foods before their fourth month.

The move risks fresh controversy for Mrs Obama after she was accused by Sarah Palin, the former Alaska governor, and others of trying to use government power to dictate private behaviour like eating habits.

Giselle Bundchen *, a famous model, created a furore last year when she declared: "There should be a worldwide law, in my opinion, that mothers should breastfeed their babies for six months." >>> Toby Harnden, and Liza Meckler in Washington | Tuesday, February 15, 2011

* Giselle Bundchen must be pretty stupid if she thinks that ALL mothers can successfully breastfeed!

Arianna Huffington: 'I Believe in Little Legions'

THE GUARDIAN: The $315m sale of the Huffington Post to AOL is a great deal for its founder – but what about the unpaid bloggers who made it a success?

Although Arianna Huffington has achieved worldwide fame as an internet pioneer, her comfort with self-publicity turning her into the face of what may be the future of news websites, she also nurses a lifelong love for therapies that she calls "natural" and others call something else. Fire walking, homeopathy, infrared saunas – Huffington has tried them all over the years, never struggling to balance what some might see as two contrary schools of thought in her head: the hard cutting edge of new media and the fluffy airy-fairiness of New Age.

In her private office – which is almost as glossy as she is, filled with plush armchairs and an intricately carved desk – books by Andrew Weil (an advocate for vitamin supplements who has written numerous books on self healing through breathing, "energy food" and "vibrational sound") sit happily alongside David Remnick's tub thumper tome, The Bridge: The Life and Rise of Barack Obama. On her desk, bottles of tinctures are placed in front of a photo of her with Queen Rania of Jordan and a handwritten note inviting her to brunch, signed Russell Simmons (whose book Super Rich: A Guide to Having it All is also on Huffington's bookcase, as though she needs any advice on that score.) Even though Christmas was two months ago, particular holiday cards linger on her window sill, including one from Joe Biden and another from a couple whose photo on the front is jarringly familiar: "Seasons greetings," it reads inside. "Tony, Cherie and family."

In short, it is all a testament to how much Huffington's eponymous website – on which features espousing holistic therapies run alongside political pieces about, say, John McCain or Egypt and columns by her celebrity friends, such as Nora Ephron – reflects the personality of its founder. But it's a personality that has puzzled some by its fluidity, "a mind as flexible as her body is unwieldy", as a 2008 profile of Huffington in the New Yorker magazine put it. Huffington has been, at various times, a self-help writer, a political pundit, an antagonist of feminists, a champion of women's causes, a follower of the Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness, the champion of new media, a supporter of Newt Gingrich, a fan of President Obama, a Republican and a Democrat. >>> Hadley Freeman | Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Prostitution Probe Could Sink Berlusconi
Italy leader accused of paying for sex

'Iran is in Play'
Change coming to Iran?

Dominoes Falling in the Mideast
Wave of political unrest across region

Gutfeld: Bloomberg's War on Smoking
Mayor misunderstands human nature

Reflections From Egypt
Ashley Webster shares his experience

Mervyn King Warns of Inflation for Next Three Years
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Mervyn King, the Governor of the Bank of England, has warned that inflation could remain high for the next two to three years, leading to a substantial fall in many people's real incomes.

With the average worker's salary forecast to tick up by little more than 2 per cent a year, unable to match the escalating the cost of living, millions of families will feel significantly worse off, experts warned.

Mr King's warning came as official data revealed that inflation, as measured by the Consumer Prices Index, climbed from 3.7 per cent in December last year to 4 per cent in January, the highest level for over two years.

The surging price of oil, petrol and the increase in the rate of VAT, which pushed up the price of alcohol and restaurant meals, were the main reasons for the jump.

The Retail Prices Index, a measure of inflation that many believe more accurately reflects the true cost of living because it contains housing costs, increased from 4.8 per cent to 5.1 per cent.

This is now the 13th consecutive month that the CPI figure has been above the Treasury target of 2 per cent, prompting Mr King to write a letter of explanation to George Osborne, the Chancellor. >>> Harry Wallop, Consumer Affairs Editor | Tuesday, February 15, 2011

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The Bank of England has been utterly and consistently wrong on inflation: stupidity or dishonesty? >>> Daniel Hannan | Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Bahrain: Demonstrators Killed in Clashes with Police
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Two Shiite demonstrators were killed in clashes with Bahraini police, sparking calls to step up anti-government protests on Tuesday [sic?] and a walkout from parliament of the main Shiite opposition bloc.


The Islamic National Accord Association which has 18 seats in the 40-member house has "suspended its membership in the Bahraini parliament" according to MP Khalil al-Marzooq.

The decision was taken because of "the deterioration in security and the negative and brutal way in which (the authorities) dealt with the protesters, killing two of them," he said.

Fadel Salman Matrouk was shot dead in front of a hospital on Tuesday where mourners gathered for the funeral of Msheymah Ali who died of his wounds after police dispersed a protest in a village east of Manama on Monday, he said.

The Bahrain interior ministry said that "some of the people participating in the funeral on Tuesday clashed with forces from a security patrol," leading to Matrouk's death.

"An investigation is under way to determine the circumstances surrounding the case," it said. >>> | Tuesday, February 15, 2011

FOX NEWS: Thousands of Protesters Take Control of Bahrain's Main Square: DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Thousands of protesters poured into a main square in Bahrain's capital of Manama Tuesday in an Egypt-style rebellion that sharply escalated pressure on authorities as the Arab push for change gripped the Gulf for the first time. >>> Associated Press | Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Clashes in Bahrain

LETZTE HOFFNUNG EUROPA: Auf diesen Routen kommen die Flüchtlinge zu uns
Massive Flüchtlingsströme erreichen die europäischen Mittelmeerküsten. Die Menschen nutzen das Chaos an den Grenzen und begeben sich auf die gefährliche Fahrt über das Mittelmeer

Islamismus, nein danke!
FOCUS ONLINE: Mubarak ist fort, ob aber aus Ägypten wirklich eine Demokratie wird, bleibt ungewiss. Ganz Arabien wankt auf einem schmalen Grat – fort von den alten Despoten, hin zu neuer Freiheit. Und an den Abgründen dieses zugigen Pfades lauert der islamische Fundamentalismus. Aus den warmen Stuben des Westens geizen unsere Politiker nicht mit guten Ratschlägen. Dabei sehen wir im Widerstand gegen den Islamismus selber eher feige aus.

Nach den Fällen Salman Rushdies und Theo van Goghs wagt kaum noch ein Schriftsteller Kritik am Islam. Auch die Karikaturisten und Kabarettisten haben damit aufgehört, seit dänische Zeichnungen einen Sturm islamistischer Gewalt ausgelöst haben. Inzwischen berichten sogar Lehrer und Universitätsdozenten von systematischen Einschüchterungen durch islamische Vereine, wenn in irgendeiner Disziplin vermeintliche Glaubensfragen tangiert werden. In Großstadtschulen toben muslimische Eltern, falls Mädchen mit Jungen im Sportunterricht turnen, Sexualkunde auf dem Plan steht oder über Israel diskutiert wird.

Im großen Kulturkampf üben wir kleines Zurückweichen. Kruzifixe werden in öffentlichen Gebäuden abgehängt. Nikolaus-, Weihnachts- und Osterfeiern verbannt man bereits aus deutschen Kindergärten. Selbst die Banken beginnen damit, die Sparschweine abzuschaffen, weil sie religiöse Gefühle von Muslimen verletzen könnten. Wir gewöhnen uns an einen asymmetrischen „Dialog der Kulturen“, der darin besteht, dass wir zusehends schweigen, zurück- und hinnehmen, wo die anderen fordern und austeilen. Dabei warnte uns schon Nietzsche: „Übertriebene Toleranz ist ein Beweis des Misstrauens gegen das eigene Ideal.“ Weiter lesen und einen Kommentar schreiben >>> von FOCUS-Chefredakteur Wolfram Weimer | Montag, 14. Februar 2011

Ein historischer Tag für die Börsenwelt
TAGES ANZEIGER: Die Deutsche Börse und die NYSE Euronext haben sich auf eine Fusion zur weltgrössten Börse geeinigt. Die Verwaltungsräte beider Unternehmen hätten den Plänen zugestimmt, teilten die Börsenbetreiber heute mit.

Die Verwaltungsräte beider Unternehmen hätten den Plänen zugestimmt, teilten die Börsenbetreiber in Frankfurt und New York am Dienstag mit. Durch den Zusammenschluss entsteht der weltweit grösste Handelsplatz für Aktien und Derivate. Die Aktionäre und die Aufsichtsgremien müssen dem Zusammenschluss noch zustimmen. >>> pbe/sda, dapd, AFP | Dienstag, 15. Februar 2011

La grande peur des sunnites : être lâchés par les Etats-Unis
LE MONDE: C'est le cauchemar que redoutent, depuis 1979, la plupart des alliés arabes des Etats-Unis : un lâchage américain. Qu'il s'agisse du royaume saoudien, des principautés du Golfe, ou de la monarchie hachémite en Jordanie, tous ont gardé en mémoire le sort du chah d'Iran. Pièce maîtresse de l'endiguement soviétique et d'un "grand jeu" pétrolier mis en place par Washington, après le renversement du premier ministre, Mohammad Mossadegh, en 1953, cet autocrate fut abandonné en rase campagne, une génération plus tard, par une administration américaine qui le jugeait désormais indéfendable.

Silencieux pendant la révolution tunisienne, inquiets par la tournure prise par les événements en Egypte, les monarchies autoritaires de la région ne peuvent qu'être déstabilisées par la succession de déclarations américaines incitant le président Hosni Moubarak à répondre au plus vite à la pression de sa rue.

L'Arabie saoudite est sortie de sa réserve traditionnelle en tonnant, jeudi 10 février, contre "l'ingérence de certains pays étrangers". Pour la dynastie saoudienne, les Etats-Unis alimentent la contestation par ces prises de position pressantes. Qu'un pays affaiblisse ainsi son allié leur paraît inconcevable et incompréhensible, surtout dans un contexte régional où tout ce qui pénalise l'axe des pays arabes présentés comme "modérés" (c'est-à-dire proches des Occidentaux) renforce le voisin iranien déjà débarrassé de l'endiguement assuré par l'Irak à la suite de l'invasion américaine de 2003.

Avec une Egypte paralysée pour longtemps par ses tumultes intérieurs, cet axe perd l'un de ses deux principaux moteurs. Même diminuée par le vieillissement du régime et la réduction de son influence régionale aux affaires palestiniennes, l'Egypte conservait jusqu'à présent des atouts : un appareil et un savoir-faire diplomatiques sans équivalent dans la région et une puissance économique émergente.

Le second moteur arabe, le saoudien, n'est pas sans défaillances, alors que la Jordanie connaît également quelques troubles. La convalescence du roi saoudien Abdallah au Maroc, après des opérations du dos subies aux Etats-Unis, en décembre 2010, a mis en évidence la fragilité d'une dynastie confrontée à la perspective de successions répétées compte tenu de l'âge avancé du roi (86 ans), de celui du prince héritier, Sultan (83 ans), et du suivant dans l'ordre de succession, le prince Nayef (77 ans). >>> LeMonde | Friday, 12 Février 2011

Bedouin Tribes Accuse Jordan's Queen Rania of Corruption
THE GUARDIAN: Criticism comes at a difficult time for the monarchy, whose authority has been sapped by growing political unrest

In an unprecedented move the leaders of Jordan's main Bedouin tribes have published an open letter addressed to King Abdullah II accusing his wife, Queen Rania, of corruption. The text, released on 5 February, is signed by 36 representatives of the main Bedouin tribes. It comes at a particularly difficult time for the king, whose authority has been sapped by the growing discontent voiced by demonstrators.

On 9 February the recently appointed prime minister, Marouf Bakhit, announced a new cabinet including several leftwing figures and an Islamist. But this timid opening seems unlikely to end the unrest.

Until now the monarchy had managed to play on the opposition's instinctive loyalty. "It is not the king who is to blame," Hamza Mansour, the secretary-general of the Islamic Action Front (the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood), recently told Le Monde, "but the clique surrounding him." The outlook seems even more uncertain now that the tribes have added their voice to the tide of criticism. >>> Laurent Zecchini | Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Related >>>

Clinton Says It's Time For Iran To 'Open Up'

RADIO FREE EUROPE / RADIO LIBERTY: In an interview with U.S.-funded television network Alhurra, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the changes in Egypt are in the best interests of the region and urged demonstrators in other Arab countries to remain peaceful in their own drives for reform.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has hailed the "courage" and "aspirations" of antigovernment protesters in Iran, after thousands of them took to the streets of several Iranian cities.

In Tehran, opposition supporters rallying in solidarity with uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia clashed with security forces. One death was reported and dozens of people detained.

Speaking to reporters during a visit to Congress, Clinton wished the opposition and "the brave people in the streets across cities in Iran the same opportunity that they saw their Egyptian counterparts seize in the last week."

She also pressed Tehran to follow Egypt's example and "open up" its political system.

"We support the universal human rights of the Iranian people," she said. "They deserve to have the same rights that they saw being played out in Egypt and that are part of their own birthright."

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Ramin Mehmanparast, rejected the remarks on February 15.

"We think that the shared desire of all the nations in the region is for the oppressive countries not to meddle -- especially in the face of the violations and encroachment of the Zionist regime -- and to cut off dependence from the U.S. and the Zionist regimes and their supporters," Mehmanparast said.

Shots In The Air, Tear Gas

Eyewitnesses told RFE/RL that thousands of protesters on February 14 answered calls from the opposition to turn out for a banned rally in Tehran in support of the recent uprisings that ousted long-serving rulers in Tunisia and Egypt.

Protests were also reported in several other cities, including Shiraz and Isfahan.

Tehran demonstrators chanting slogans against Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei were met with opposition by security forces, who fired into the air and used tear gas to disperse the crowd in the streets leading to Azadi Square -- the announced site of the main rally.

Opposition websites reported "dozens" of arrests at the rally -- the most significant since the December 2009 street protests that shook the Islamic republic and in which eight people were reported killed. >>> Antoine Blua, with contributions from Alhurra and agency reports | RFE/RL | Tuesday, February 15, 2011

RADIO FREE EUROPE / RADIO LIBERTY: White House Says Iranian Government 'Scared' By Egypt Upheaval: The White House says Iran's censoring of foreign news reports on the unrest in Egypt shows how the authorities in Tehran fear their own people.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said the Iranian government was "scared of the will of its people." >>> Compiled from agency reports | Saturday, February 12, 2011

RADIO FREE EUROPE / RADIO LIBERTY: Website: Police Block Access To Iranian Opposition Leader's House: The website of Iranian opposition leader Mir Hossein Musavi said police today blocked access to his house and cut his telephone lines to prevent him from attending a rally later today. The report could not be independently confirmed. >>> Compiled from agency reports | February 14, 2011

Hillary Clinton: Tehran Violence 'An Indictment of Iranian Regime's Hypocrisy'
The US secretary of state gives her support to the Iranian protesters

Verbunden >>>

Unruhen in Teheran: Clinton wirft Iran Scheinheiligkeit vor
Hillary Rodham Clinto. Bild: Sueddeutsche
SUEDDEUTSCHE: Jagdszenen in Teheran: Mit aller Härte geht das Mullah-Regime gegen Demonstranten vor. Abgeordnete fordern den Tod für die Oppositionsführer. US-Außenministerin Clinton spricht den Demonstranten Mut zu - und attackiert die iranische Führung.

Die Nachwehen der Revolutionen in Ägypten und Tunesien greifen auf Iran über - und das Regime reagiert mit Härte. Zehntausende waren am Montag in Teheran auf die Straße gegangen. Bei Zusammenstößen mit Sicherheitskräften wurde ein Passant getötet, mehrere Demonstranten seien mit Schussverletzungen ins Krankenhaus gebracht worden, berichteten Augenzeugen. In der Nacht auf Dienstag patrouillierten Sicherheitskräfte durch die Straßen von Teheran, um die Proteste zu unterdrücken.

Am Montag sei die Menschenmenge zunächst schweigend entlang der Straße der Revolution in Richtung Azadi-Platz marschiert, berichtete der Nachrichtensender CNN. Immer wieder hätten Sicherheitskräfte versucht, die Demonstranten auseinanderzutreiben. Amateurvideos auf Youtube dokumentieren regelrechte Jagdszenen in Teherans Innenstadt. Polizisten gingen mit Knüppeln gegen die Menge vor. Die Sicherheitskräfte setzten Augenzeugen zufolge Tränengas ein, um die Demonstranten vom Azadi-Platz fernzuhalten. >>> | Dienstag, 15. Februar 2011

SUEDDEUTSCHE: "Militärische Diktatur mit theokratischem Überbau": Harsche Worte der Kritik kommen nun aus Washington: US-Außenministerin Hillary Clinton warf der iranischen Regierung Scheinheiligkeit vor. Das Regime habe die Proteste von Regierungsgegnern in Ägypten begrüßt, versuche aber die Opposition im eigenen Land zu unterdrücken, erklärte sie. "Iran ist das Musterbeispiel einer unterdrückten Revolution", sagte Clinton dem Online-Portal politico.com zufolge. >>> sueddeutsche.de/dapd/hai/mati | Dienstag, 15. Februar 2011

Ägypten: EU soll offenbar Mubaraks Konten einfrieren
FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG: Ägypten hat die EU offenbar gebeten, die europäischen Konten Husni Mubaraks einzufrieren. Diplomaten sollten am Dienstag darüber beraten, hieß es. Ägyptische Zeitungen meldeten, Mubarak sei schwer erkrankt. Unterdessen fordert die Militärregierung ein Ende der Demonstrationen.

Ägypten bittet offenbar um eine Sperrung der europäischen Konten von Husni Mubarak. Wie die Nachrichtenagentur dpa am Montagabend aus EU-Kreisen erfuhr, sollen Brüsseler Diplomaten am Dienstag über das Thema beraten. Das EU-Mitglied Großbritannien prüft bereits, ob die Konten hochrangiger Vertreter des Mubarak-Regimes eingefroren werden können. Die Regierung in London habe am Montag eine förmliche Anfrage aus Ägypten erhalten und werde weitere Schritte einleiten, sagte Außenminister William Hague im Parlament, erwähnte den ehemaligen Präsidenten allerdings nicht explizit.

Die Schweiz hat Mubaraks Konten schon gesperrt. Diplomaten in Brüssel berichteten, es habe mehrere Anfragen an EU-Länder gegeben. Namen von Staaten wurden nicht genannt. Ob die EU als Gemeinschaft darüber entscheiden wird, sei noch offen. Die Anfragen kämen von der Justiz in Ägypten mit Hinweis auf eine Konvention der UN gegen Korruption. Sie beinhalteten auch ein Vorgehen gegen frühere Würdenträger des Mubarak-Regimes, hieß es. Details dazu wurden nicht bekannt. Eine offizielle Bestätigung aus Kairo war zunächst nicht zu erhalten. >>> her./FAZ.NET | Dienstag, 15. Februar 2011

Marokko - Krasse Kluft zwischen Arm und Reich
SPIEGEL ONLINE: In Marokko liegt das mythische Casablanca, das Land im Westen Nordafrikas gilt als beliebtes Urlaubsziel. Doch hinter schönen Fassaden eröffnet sich ein Land von herben Gegensätzen: Die Kluft zwischen Arm und Reich ist nirgends im Maghreb so groß wie hier. Die Analphabetenrate ist außerhalb der Städte sehr hoch, 50 Prozent der Frauen können weder lesen noch schreiben.

König Mohammed VI. bestimmt im Wesentlichen die Geschicke des Landes. Der 47 Jahre alte Monarch hat sich einen Ruf als Reformer erworben. In seiner ersten Thronrede 1999 kündigte er eine "aktive Sozialpolitik" an. Tatsächlich hat er Frauenrechte gestärkt und ließ das autoritäre Regime seines Vaters aufarbeiten. Doch das Versprechen, sich für mehr Arbeitsplätze, gegen Armut und Korruption einzusetzen, hat er nicht gehalten. >>> [Quelle: Spiegel Online] | Dienstag, 08. Februar 2011

Bahrains Polizei schießt auf Trauerprozession
SPIEGEL ONLINE: Die Sicherheitskräfte feuerten Tränengas und scharfe Munition: Bei einem Trauermarsch für einen Oppositionellen in Bahrain hat es ein neues Todesopfer gegeben, auch in Iran starb ein Demonstrant bei Zusammenstößen. Als Vorbild dient den Oppositionellen der Umsturz in Ägypten.

Dubai/Teheran - Es sollte ein Trauerzug für den erst am Vortag bei Protesten getöteten 21-Jährigen werden. Doch dann kam es am Dienstag im Golfstaat Bahrain zu Zusammenstößen zwischen Sicherheitskräften und Demonstranten. Und wieder gab es ein Todesopfer.

Sicherheitskräfte gingen laut Agenturberichten mit Tränengas und scharfer Munition gegen die Prozession vor. Nach Angaben des Krankenhauses, vor dem sich am Dienstag Tausende Menschen versammelt hatten, starb ein 31-Jähriger an Verletzungen durch Schrotschüsse bei Tumulten auf einem Parkplatz des Hauses.

Im Anschluss an den Zwischenfall zogen sich die Sondereinsatzkräfte zunächst zurück und ließen zu, dass sich der Trauerzug weiter durch die Hauptstadt Manama in Bewegung setzte. >>> sef/dapd/Reuters/AFP/dpa | Dienstag, 15. Februar 2011

Berlusconi muss wegen Sexaffäre vor Gericht
Silvio Berlusconi: Klage in Mailand zugelassen. Foto: Spiegel Online
SPIEGEL ONLINE: Hiobsbotschaft für Silvio Berlusconi: Der italienische Regierungschef muss sich wegen der Sexaffäre um eine junge Marokkanerin in einem Schnellverfahren vor Gericht verantworten. Im Falle einer Verurteilung drohen ihm bis zu 15 Jahre Haft.

Rom - Jetzt wird es ernst für Silvio Berlusconi. Italiens Ministerpräsident muss vor Gericht. Der Vorwurf der Staatsanwälte: Er soll eine 17-Jährige für Sex bezahlt haben. Eine Richterin in Mailand ließ am Dienstag die entsprechende Anklage zu. >>> sef/AP/Reuters/dpa | Dienstag, 15. Februar 2011

Gaddafi Tells Palestinians: Revolt Against Israel
REUTERS AFRICA: * Libyan leader says refugees should mass on Israel's shores * 'This is a time of popular revolutions': Gaddafi * Accuses Western powers of being enemies of Islam

TRIPOLI, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Palestinian refugees should capitalise on the wave of popular revolts in the Middle East by massing peacefully on the borders of Israel until it gives in to their demands, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi said on Sunday.

Gaddafi is respected in many parts of the Arab world for his uncompromising criticism of Israel and Arab leaders who have dealings with the Jewish state, though some people in the region dismiss his initiatives as unrealistic.

He was giving his first major speech since a popular uprising in neighbouring Egypt forced President Hosni Mubarak to resign, an event which electrified the Arab world and prompted speculation that other Arab governments could also be toppled.

"Fleets of boats should take Palestinians ... and wait by the Palestinian shores until the problem is resolved," Gaddafi was shown saying on state television. "This is a time of popular revolutions."

"We need to create a problem for the world. This is not a declaration of war. This is a call for peace," he said in a speech given to mark the birthday of the Prophet Mohamed, a holy day in the Islamic calendar.

He also said: "All Arab states which have relations with Israel are cowardly regimes." >>> Ali Shuaib and Salah Sarrar. Additional reporting by Souhail Karam in Rabat; Writing by Christian Lowe; Editing by Jon Boyle | Sunday, February 13, 2011

À vendre : l'Airbus A340 de Ben Ali
LE POINT: Les bénéfices de revente de l'appareil, actuellement en chantier à Bordeaux-Mérignac, devraient revenir à la Tunisie.

La Tunisie met en vente le luxueux Airbus A340-500 que Ben Ali se réservait comme avion présidentiel, selon le magazine économique tunisien Investir. Ce très long courrier, actuellement en cours d'aménagement à Bordeaux, est estimé à 200 millions de dollars, auquel il faut ajouter une cinquantaine de millions pour les travaux de transformation en version VIP. Le produit de la vente reviendra au trésor public du pays du jasmin. >>> Par THIERRY VIGOUREUX | Lundi 14 Février 2011

Yémen: manifestation d'étudiants en direction du palais présidentiel
LE POINT: Des centaines d'étudiants yéménites se dirigeaient mardi vers le palais présidentiel à Sanaa, en scandant des slogans réclamant la chute du régime, selon un correspondant de l'AFP sur place. >>> AFP | Mardi 15 Février 2011

L'UE appelle l'Iran à respecter le droit de manifestation
LE POINT: Catherine Ashton rappelle que les citoyens ont "le droit de se rassembler pacifiquement".

La chef de la diplomatie européenne Catherine Ashton a appelé mardi l'Iran à respecter le droit de manifester pacifiquement et a critiqué les restrictions imposées à certains membres de l'opposition réformatrice. Catherine Ashton suit de près les événements en Iran, "en particulier les restrictions apparentes à la liberté de mouvement de certains membres de l'opposition et les manifestations qui ont lieu dans les rues", souligne un communiqué de sa porte-parole. "Elle appelle les autorités iraniennes à respecter pleinement et à protéger les droits de leurs citoyens, y compris la liberté d'expression et le droit de se rassembler pacifiquement." >>> Source AFP | Mardi 15 Février 2011

Les autorités iraniennes demandent la mort des chefs de l'opposition, l'Europe réagit
TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: MANIFESTATION | L'Union européenne fait pression sur l'Iran pour respecter le droit à manifester du peuple. Les autorités iranienne ont violemment réagit, parlant de complot américano-sioniste et appelant à la mort des chefs de l'opposition.

L’Union européenne a accru la pression mardi sur les autorités iraniennes pour qu’elles respectent le droit de manifester et lèvent les restrictions à l’opposition. Cette première manifestation antigouvernementale en Iran organisée depuis un an par l’opposition réformatrice montre que la population a la même soif de démocratie qu’en Egypte et en Tunisie, a estimé mardi le président du Parlement européen.

"La population iranienne veut la même liberté que celle pour laquelle les citoyens tunisiens et égyptiens ont lutté", a déclaré le Polonais Jerzy Buzek dans un communiqué. >>> AFP | Mardi 15 Février 2011

Le Parlement iranien s'en prend aux manifestants et aux leaders de l'opposition
LE MONDE: Le président du Parlement iranien, Ali Larijani, et les députés de la majorité conservatrice ont lancé, mardi 15 février, de violentes attaques contre les chefs de l'opposition au lendemain de manifestations qui ont fait, selon la police, un mort et neuf blessés. Les députés ont crié "mort à l'Amérique !", "mort à Israël !", mais aussi "mort à Moussavi, Karoubi et Khatami !" (l'ancien président réformateur) lors de la session parlementaire.

Des milliers de personnes ont tenté de manifester, lundi après-midi, dans le centre de Téhéran à l'appel des chefs de l'opposition, l'ancien premier ministre Mir Hossein Moussavi et l'ancien président du Parlement Mehdi Karoubi. "Moussavi et Karoubi doivent être pendus !", ont crié les députés lors de la session. >>> LEMONDE.FR avec AFP | Mardi 15 Février 2011

L'Egypte demande le gel d'avoirs d'anciens responsables du régime Moubarak
LE MONDE: Le gouvernement égyptien a demandé aux Etats-Unis de geler les avoirs d'anciens responsables égyptiens ayant travaillé pour l'ex-président Hosni Moubarak, a indiqué lundi un responsable du département d'Etat américain. Selon ce responsable, qui a requis l'anonymat, la demande ne concerne pas M. Moubarak lui-même. "Nous avons reçu des demandes concernant d'autres responsables", a-t-il précisé. Les autorités égyptiennes ont également demandé à plusieurs pays européens, notamment l'Allemagne, le Royaume-Uni et la France, de geler les avoirs d'ex-hauts responsables du régime de Moubarak, mais pas du président déchu lui-même. >>> LEMONDE.FR avec AFP | Mardi 15 Février 2011

Iran Uses Force Against Protests As Region Erupts
THE NEW YORK TIMES: Hundreds of riot police officers in Iran beat protesters and fired tear gas Monday to contain the most significant street protests since the end of the 2009 uprising there, as security forces around the region moved — sometimes brutally — to prevent new unrest in sympathy with the opposition victory in Egypt.

On Tuesday, thousands of mourners in Bahrain braved tear gas to take part in a funeral procession for a man killed in protests on Monday when the police fired rubber bullets and tear gas into crowds of peaceful protesters from the Shiite majority population. So much tear gas was fired that the officers themselves vomited.

Riot police initially sought to block the funeral but then permitted it to proceed. In the clashes, however, a second protester died. The crowd learned of the death from text messages on their phones from witnesses.

Yemen, too, witnesses a fourth straight day of protests on Monday when hundreds of student protesters clashed with pro-government forces.

In Tehran, a spokesman for Mir Hussein Moussavi, a leading opponent of the government, said Monday’s protests had shown that the so-called Green Movement, formed to challenge the disputed election in 2009, had scored a “great victory” and was “alive and well” despite a huge government crackdown when the government quashed dissent through the shooting of demonstrators, mass trials, torture, lengthy jail sentences and even executions of some of those taking part.

Breaking an official silence on the demonstrations, the Fars news agency, a semiofficial service linked to the powerful Revolutionary Guard Corps, said the demonstrations had been conducted by “hypocrites, monarchists, hooligans and seditionists” whose leaders were puppets of Britain and the United States. It ridiculed them for not chanting slogans about Egypt, the nominal reason for the protests, and said an unspecified number of people had been arrested. >>> NEIL MacFARQUHAR and ALAN COWELL | Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Is an Iran Uprising Next?
Iranians reportedly protesting in Tehran

Jordan's Foreign Minister on Upheaval in Middle East
Watch Bret Baier's entire interview

Unrest Spreading Across Middle East
Israel says Egypt started 'earthquake'

Uncut: Egyptian Ambassador to U.S.
Sameh Shoukry on what's next for Egypt

Who Will Lead Egypt Next?
Who will take over in Egypt?

Iranian Police Fire Tear Gas into Protesters as Unrest Spreads Across Middle East
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Thousands of people marching illegally through Iran were targeted by police firing tear gas on Monday as the wave of Middle East revolution continued to spread beyond Egypt and Tunisia.


Eye witnesses spoke of shots being fired and scores of arrests as demonstrators in Tehran shouting "Death to the Dictator" approached Imam Hossein Square. One protester was shot dead and several were wounded by gunshots, the semi-official Fars news agency reported.

Across the region, opposition groups seized on the success of 18 days of protest in the Egyptian capital Cairo and across the country to make demands for more political rights.

In Sana'a, Yemen, several thousand people calling for President Ali Abdullah Saleh to step down before the end of his current term in 2013 hurled stones at police who were attacking them with batons. Bahrain police fired buckshot at demonstrators, and there were also protests in Iraq.

In Egypt, military police moved in to clear the last remaining protesters in Tahrir Square, who had pledged to remain to ensure the army kept its promise to hand over power to a democratic civilian regime. Those who resisted were carried away by force to waiting unmarked trucks.

But in place of pro-democracy protests, many government buildings were surrounded by striking workers demanding higher wages and the sacking of bosses perceived as corrupt or as cronies of the collapsed regime of Hosni Mubarak. Read on and comment >>> Richard Spencer, Middle East Correspondent | Monday, February 14, 2011

Muslim Brotherhood to Form Political Party in Egypt
AL-MASRY AL-YOUM: Egypt’s largest opposition group, the Muslim Brotherhood, said on Monday it would establish itself as a political party once the Constitution has been amended to allow it to do so.

In a statement, the group asserted its confidence that Egypt’s Supreme Council of the Armed Forces would honor all its promises pledged in its fifth statement to the nation on Sunday. >>> Mounir Adib Hany ElWaziry | Monday, February 14, 2011

Sources: Mubarak Falls into Coma in Sharm al-Sheikh


AL-MASRY AL-YOUM: Ousted President Hosni Mubarak went into a coma on Saturday at his residence in Sharm al-Sheikh, according to well-informed sources. >>> | Sunday, February 13, 2011

Vladimir Putin 'Has £600 Million Italianate Palace'
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Vladimir Putin has had a lavish £600 million Italianate palace built for himself near a Black Sea resort with the proceeds of "corruption, bribery and theft", a Russian businessman has alleged.

The claim, made in a letter to Dmitry Medvedev, Russia's president, was boosted on Monday after the Novaya Gazeta newspaper obtained what it said was an authenticated copy of the original contract for the palace signed in 2005 by Vladimir Kozhin, the Russian presidential property manager. Mr Putin, now prime minister, was president at the time.

Set in 74 hectares of prime land near the Black Sea coast with its own vineyard, the palace is reported to be almost eight million square feet and has its own helipad. Other features include an indoor cinema, a summer amphitheatre, a casino, swimming pools, a gym and a clock tower. Sergei Kolesnikov, the businessman who claims the palace is Mr Putin's, has likened the structure to a palace built for Russia's Tsars outside St Petersburg. He said that the Russian prime minister had personally approved the design and materials. >>> Andrew Osborn, Moscow | Monday, February 14, 2011

740 Square Metre Palace
How a Kremlin butler forgot he and Mr. Putin’s buddies were building a huge palace for the Prime Minister
NOVAYA GAZETA: St. Petersburg businessman Sergei Kolesnikov, who wrote to President Medvedev on New Year’s Eve that a sumptuous palace was being built on the Black Sea coast for Prime Minister Putin’s “personal use”, did not choose a very auspicious time for publishing this sensation. Although Mr Kolesnikov, having worked for years in the pool of businessmen close to the Prime Minister, was unquestionably well informed, his letter did not produce the desired effect because of the preparations for the New Year celebrations.

After the New Year, Kolesnikov gave a long interview to Novaya Gazeta, and then ruleaks.net, a Russian analogue to WikiLeaks, carried photographs of the palace. That broke the silence and prompted some officials to react. The first was the Chief of the President’s Administrative Affairs Directorate, Vladimir Kozhin, for which we must be very grateful to him: following his public remarks, we have full grounds for not believing another word he says. >>> Roman Anin | Monday, February 14, 2011

The Russians got rid of the real Czar and Czarina last century only to replace them with a pretender to the throne this century: Czar Vlad! – Mark

Dispatches: Lessons in Hate and Violence





MAIL ONLINE: 'Muslim Eton' at centre of Channel 4 hate-preaching allegations is forced to shut over far-Right safety fears >>> Daily Mail Reporter | Monday, February 14, 2011

Jihad Exposed: Anjem Choudary - Walid Shoebat - Bakri - Saleem

Egypt Domino Effect: Hosni Mubarak's Red Sea Bolt-hole
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: It costs $160 per night to live next door to defeated Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. In the Red Sea resort of Sharm el Sheikh, the beautiful Maritim Jolie Ville Golf and Resort comes with sniffer dogs, and dozens of armed security officers.

Near the hotel entrance, along the trimmed driveway framed by gently swaying palm trees, a road is barricaded, guarded by five uniformed police officers, and six burly plain clothes security.

Why so much security? I ask a passing staff member. "Mubarak," he replies nodding towards the blocked road, and moving away quickly before I can ask questions.

From the hotel beachfront more of Mubarak's security detail can be seen guarding his Villa, which lies ensconced behind the cliff. Fully uniformed men with guns in their hilts, pace, incongruous in the serene resort setting of blue waters and sunshine. >>> Ruth Sherlock | Monday, February 14, 2011

Judges Rule Case Against Dutch Anti-Islam MP To Continue
VOICE OF AMERICA: A court in Amsterdam on Monday has ruled that the hate speech trial of Dutch anti-Islam MP Geert Wilders will go on, with new judges listening to the defense’s preliminary objections to the case. Those objections were already heard by a different panel of judges last year, but a retrial was ordered because of possible judicial bias against Wilders. The populist politician is charged with inciting hatred and discrimination against Muslims and other non-Western groups.



If judges accept Mr. Wilders’ objections to the proceedings to be argued at a later date, then his case will be dismissed. If not, the trial will continue with Geert Wilders being allowed to question only some of the witnesses he wanted to call in his defense.



He told judges last week that he wanted to question radical Islamists, what this court referred to as Islamic experts by experience, including convicted murderer Mohammed Bouyeri, who killed filmmaker Theo van Gogh seven years ago. Wilders argues that Bouyeri is living proof that Islam leads to violence. >>> | Monday, February 14, 2011

HT: Robert Spencer of Jihad Watch >>>

Iran: Burning the Ayatollahs!

'Enormous Damage': Weber's Exit Highlights Merkel's Euro Problem
Photograph: Spiegel Online International
SPIEGEL ONLINE INTERNATIONAL: Bundesbank head Axel Weber's resignation has made one thing clear: The debate about the future of the euro has become intense -- and bitter. Indeed, Chancellor Angela Merkel's efforts at mandating strict monetary discipline for the euro zone may ultimately fail. And German euro skeptics may be gaining ground.

The breakfast for conservative ministers prior to Chancellor Angela Merkel's weekly cabinet meeting is considered the most secretive and concentrated gathering in the day-to-day business of political Berlin. There are no leaks, no mobile phones ringing and no one leaves the room.

Last Wednesday, however, the morning discussion was abruptly interrupted. The ministers belonging to Merkel's center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), were just perusing the first items on the agenda when a Chancellery employee told Merkel that she had an urgent call. Jens Weidmann, Merkel's economic advisor, was on the line to tell her that Axel Weber, president of the German Central Bank, the Bundesbank, intended to announce his resignation that day.

When Merkel returned, the cabinet members could tell by the expression on her face that something very unpleasant had happened -- so unpleasant, in fact, that close associates would later call it a "catastrophe." Merkel conferred briefly with Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble before calling Weber. It quickly became clear that there was nothing that could be done.

He had given careful thought to his decision, the banker told Merkel. He said that he felt isolated as a result of his strict, anti-inflation policies, and that he was practically alone in his views within the European Central Bank (ECB). Under these circumstances, Weber explained, he could not continue in office, and certainly could not become ECB president. >>> Christian Reiermann and Michael Sauga | Moonday, February 14, 2011

Women Rise Up Against Berlusconi: 'Italy Is Not a Brothel'
Photograph: Spiegel Online International
SPIEGEL ONLINE INTERNATIONAL: Women, once the most loyal fans of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, are rising up against him. Tens of thousands demonstrated over the weekend against his sex scandals. But their anger won't be enough to bring down the controversial leader.

Some 220 years ago, Johann Wolfgang Goethe was having the time of his life. He traveled to Rome incognito and savored earth's delights to the full, literary historians say, enjoying wine, women and lively discourse. It may be that he had sex for the first time in the eternal city.

If he had been on Piazza del Popolo square, less than a hundred meters from his house in the Via del Corso 18, on Sunday afternoon, he wouldn't have believed his eyes. Once again, the Italians were debating the grand issues of sex, the might of men and morals, but this time they were speechless.

Tens of thousands of women stood in the early spring sunshine and observed a minute's silence for the dignity of their sex. Then someone shouted from a stage: "Se non ora, quando?" If not now, when? It was the motto of the afternoon. The demonstrators punched the air and shouted "Now! Down with Berlusconi, it's enough." Then they played Patti Smith's song "Power to the People," waved their banners and danced.

At least 30,000 people gathered on the Piazza del Popolo. It was one of the biggest women's demonstrations in years. Similar protests took place at the same time in 230 Italian cities, in front of Milan's Duomo cathedral, in Venice, Florence, on village squares in the south. The organizers said more than 1 million Italians took to the streets. There were even demonstrations abroad, in Tokyo, Brussels, London and Paris. The pent-up anger is palpable. Women -- once the most loyal supporters of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi -- are screaming "Ora basta!" They've had enough. >>> Fiona Ehlers in Rome | Monday, February 14, 2011

Iran Tells Arab Nations to Unite Against West

The Other Side of Iran

February 14, 2011 – Iran Green Revolution – Anger Day

Clashes Reported in Iran Protests
AL JAZEERA ENGLISH: Anti-government marches under way in Tehran despite a heavy security presence and police crackdown.

There are reports in social media sites and non-state Iranian news sites of clashes between protesters and security forces in Tehran, the Iranian capital.

Thousands of demonstrators were marching on Monday on Enghelab and Azadi streets [which connect and create a straight path through the city centre], with a heavy presence in Enghelab Square and Vali-Asr Street, according to these reports.

Several clashes have been reported on Twitter, the micro-blogging site, with claims of some demonstrators being teargassed and others beaten and arrested.

Al Jazeera's Dorsa Jabbari, in Tehran, confirmed reports that security forces used tear gas, pepper spray and batons against the protesters.

She said up to 10,000 security forces had been deployed to prevent protesters from gathering at Azadi Square, where the marches, originating from various points in Tehran, were expected to converge.

The AFP news agency reported that police fired paintball bullets on protesters. One video, posted on Youtube (claiming to be from Monday's protests) shows people chanting, "political prisoners must be freed" when a woman cries that tear gas has been deployed, dispersing the crowd. >>> Al Jazeera and Agenices | Monday, February 14, 2011

Iran 25 Bahman / 14 Feb 2011 / Tehran, Near Enghelab Sq. / Free Political Prisoner

Iran Protests: Police Fire Tear Gas and Paintballs at Anti-government Protesters
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Riot police on Monday fired tear gas and shot paintballs at thousands of protesters who turned what they said was a Tehran rally in support of Arab uprisings into an anti-government demonstration.

The clashes broke out at Tehran's prominent Azadi (Freedom) Square when crowds of opposition supporters began chanting "Death to Dictator!" – a slogan used by protesters against President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad after the disputed 2009 presidential election.

Witnesses said police fired tear gas and also shot paintballs at protesters who had gathered despite a ban by authorities.

Websites and witnesses said thousands of opposition supporters had taken to the streets of the capital in support of Arab revolts despite a heavy police deployment.

Iranian authorities had earlier surrounded the house of opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi to prevent him from attending the rally which regime-backers said was a ploy to stage anti-government protests similar to those which shook the foundations of the Islamic republic in 2009.

While Iran has backed the Arab uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, the interior ministry in Tehran banned the Monday rally which Mr Mousavi and fellow opposition leader Mehdi Karroubi had sought to hold.

Witnesses and websites said the opposition supporters had walked in scattered crowds silently to Azadi Square from several parts of the capital as policemen kept a sharp watch and tried dispersing them.

Riot police on motorbikes armed with shotguns, tear gas, batons, paintball guns and fire extinguishers were deployed in key squares in the capital to prevent the gatherings.

One witness said some demonstrators were chanting "Allahu akbar!" (God is great) as they gathered around alleys near Azadi Square. >>> | Monday, February 14, 2011

Post Mortem: Death Investigation in America

"From Jesus to Christ: The First Christians"
PBS: "From Jesus to Christ: The First Christians" tells the epic story of the rise of Christianity. The four hours explore the life and death of Jesus, and the men and women whose belief, conviction, and martyrdom created the religion we now know as Christianity.

Public Beating for Selling or Buying Roses on Valentine[’]s Day
THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE: JHAWARIAN – An informal survey by media reporters and the district administration revealed that a vast majority of residents condemned Valentines Day [sic] celebrations in the area. Several administrators and clerics have threatened public floggings for anyone seen selling or purchasing a red rose on February 14.

“Islam condemns Valentine’s Day and boys presenting flowers to young girls is vulgar and goes against the norms of Islam,” said Maulvi Ibrahim, adding that clerics in the district had made announcements stating that anyone seen purchasing or selling red roses should be punished in public.

“There is no reason for such holidays to be celebrated in Pakistan as they go against our culture and cause ‘moral corruption,” he said. A conference was called by clerics to discuss the ‘problems’ associated with celebrating Valentines [sic] Day in Pakistan. “We should put a ban on selling anything red (roses, chocolates, heart shaped balloons) on February 14th,” said Mufti Nadeem Tabish.

A dispute reportedly broke out between the clerics regarding the origins of Valentines [sic] Day. Several clerics maintained that Valentines Day was a Jewish holiday and others stated that the custom of handing out roses had been derived from Hindu culture. “I see no harm in celebrating Valentines [sic]. Everyone here has been debating where the day comes from even though it is named after a Christian saint. The clerics are trying to paint Valentines Day [sic] as an Israeli conspiracy,” said a high school student Karim.

“Young boys and girls do not interact let alone hand each other presents in our culture and Valentine’s Day has become an excuse for such reprehensible behaviour,” said a district officer Mumtaz Haroon. >>> | Monday, February 14, 2011

INQUIRER GLOBAL NATION: OFWs warned against celebrating Valentine’s Day in Saudi Arabia: MANILA, Philippines—"Don’t wear anything red or be seen in public carrying red roses or heart-shaped balloons and other items symbolizing Valentine's Day." >>> Jerry E. Esplanada | Moonday, February 14, 2011

OFW = Overseas Filipino Workers >>>

VOICE OF AMERICA: Valentine's Day Not Loved in Many Areas of the World: Monday marks the celebration of Valentine’s Day by much of the world. But it is a celebration that is drawing protests in some areas. >>> | Sunday, February 13, 2011

LA TIMES – BLOGS – BABYLON & BEYOND: SAUDI ARABIA: Black market for red roses surges with Valentine's Day crackdown – It isn't often that cynical singles and religious police find themselves on the same side, but this Sunday they will stand united against a common threat: Valentine's Day and its ubiquitous trappings.

Saudi Arabia's religious enforcers, backed by the Commission for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, have started their annual purge of anything Valentine-related, including flowers, gifts, candy and the color red. >>> Meris Lutz in Beirut | Saturday, February 12, 2011

THE WASHINGTON POST: Indonesian Muslims warned against Valentine's Day: JAKARTA, Indonesia -- An Indonesian Muslic cleric has warned his young followers against celebrating Valentine's Day, saying it is the same as promoting faiths other than Islam and could lead to forbidden sex. >>> nk-kjj, The Associated Press | Monday, February 14, 2011

Wishing all my visitors a very HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY. That goes for all my Muslim visitors too! Celebrate love! There's more than enough hatred in the world! – Mark

Sons of Egypt's Mubarak Nearly Came to Blows: Paper
REUTERS AFRICA: CAIRO - The two sons of Hosni Mubarak almost came to blows last Thursday when the former Egyptian president gave his final speech in an effort to stay in power, a state-owned newspaper said on Sunday.

Al-Akhbar said Alaa Mubarak accused his younger brother Gamal, who had held a senior position in the ruling party, of having ruined the 82-year-old leader's final days in office through promoting his business friends in political life.

Alaa reportedly said this had turned Egyptians against their father, who had been in power since 1981.

"You ruined the country when you opened the way to your friends and this is the result. Instead of your father being honoured at the end of his life you helped to spoil his image in this manner," the daily quoted him as saying. >>> | Monday, February 14, 2011

'Mubarak Began Moving Assets to Gulf States Weeks Ago'
THE JERUSALEM POST: Senior Western intel official to 'The Telegraph': "If he had real money in Zurich, it may be gone by now"; Gamal Mubarak center of family's wealth.

A senior Western intelligence official alleged that deposed Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak began moving his family's assets from European banks to Persian Gulf countries several weeks ago, The Telegraph reported Sunday.

"We're aware of some urgent conversations within the Mubarak family about how to save these assets," the official told The Telegraph. "We think their financial advisers have moved some of the money around," he added, "If he had real money in Zurich, it may be gone by now." >>> JPost.com staff | Sunday, February 13, 2011

Hospitals Shift Smoking Bans to Smoker Ban
THE NEW YORK TIMES: Smokers now face another risk from their habit: it could cost them a shot at a job.

More hospitals and medical businesses in many states are adopting strict policies that make smoking a reason to turn away job applicants, saying they want to increase worker productivity, reduce health care costs and encourage healthier living.

The policies reflect a frustration that softer efforts — like banning smoking on company grounds, offering cessation programs and increasing health care premiums for smokers — have not been powerful-enough incentives to quit.

The new rules essentially treat cigarettes like an illegal narcotic. Applications now explicitly warn of “tobacco-free hiring,” job seekers must submit to urine tests for nicotine and new employees caught smoking face termination.

This shift — from smoke-free to smoker-free workplaces — has prompted sharp debate, even among anti-tobacco groups, over whether the policies establish a troubling precedent of employers intruding into private lives to ban a habit that is legal.

“If enough of these companies adopt theses [sic] policies and it really becomes difficult for smokers to find jobs, there are going to be consequences,” said Dr. Michael Siegel, a professor at the Boston University School of Public Health, who has written about the trend. “Unemployment is also bad for health.” >>> A. G. Sulzberger | Thursday, February 10, 2011