Ahmadinejad Drives UN Delegates Out of Assembly

RUSSIA TODAY: Delegations from the US, UK, France and other nations walked out of the UN General Assembly during a fierce speech by Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, in which he accused certain countries of attempting to dominate the world.

While delivering his speech, President Ahmadinejad again questioned the 9/11 tragedy, which ten years ago claimed almost 3,000 lives in the US. Dubbing the terror attacks on the Twin Towers and Pentagon “mysterious,” Ahmadinejad reminded delegates that his calls for a proper investigation into the tragedy resulted in his country being threatened with sanctions.

Ahmadinejad also wondered why the main suspected perpetrator, Osama Bin Laden, was never delivered to the US to give evidence.

“Instead of assigning a fact-finding team they killed Osama Bin Laden and threw his body into the sea. Would not it have been more reasonable to bring him to justice?” the Iranian leader told the gathering.

Ahmadinejad attacked the US for causing two world wars and imposing totalitarian regimes on Asian, African and Latin American nations. » | Thursday, September 22, 2011

US Gets Ahmadinejitters Again

Palestinians Condemn Obama Hypocrisy

US Extreme Capitalism a Problem for the World - Ahmadinejad

Defiant Mahmoud Abbas Ignores Barack Obama's Plea

THE AUSTRALIAN: PALESTINIAN Authority President Mahmoud Abbas will defy international pressure and push for UN membership tonight despite a warning from Barack Obama that "there are no short cuts" to peace.

Top Palestinian officials conceded after Mr Abbas met the US President yesterday that the membership bid was likely to be delayed for months but they brushed off Mr Obama's claim that "one-sided declarations in the UN" would not achieve statehood.

Mr Obama and Mr Abbas discussed the issue for more than 45 minutes.

The US President had a similar meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hours earlier.

The White House refused to confirm whether Mr Obama directly asked the Palestinian leader to abandon his plans to pursue full UN membership, saying only that he reiterated his opposition to the statehood bid and the US intention to issue a veto. » | The Australian | Additional reporting: AP, AFP | Friday, September 23, 2011

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Christian GP 'Suggested Suicidal Patient Embrace Jesus'

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: A GP told a troubled patient that he could beneft [sic] more from Christianity than his own faith, a hearing was told.

Dr Richard Scott spoke about the matter of religion to the 24-year-old, who has been described as "suicidal" and "vulnerable", at the end of a consultation at his surgery, the General Medical Council (GMC) heard.

After allegedly being told ''Go for it'' by the patient, the GP is said to have told him faith in Christianity may help him overcome personal problems.

But the 51-year-old doctor ''crossed the line'' in discussing his own personal religious beliefs with a vulnerable patient and even went on to suggest he might benefit from a Christian faith - above his own religion. » | Thursday, September 22, 2011

Labour Apologises After Peer Insults 'Bloody Denmark'

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Labour was forced to apologise after its former security minister Lord West branded Denmark and Belgium second-rate countries.

Lord West, formerly First Sea Lord, said the UK was still a first-rate military power, "not like bloody Denmark or Belgium".

His comments came as Labour delivered the findings of a 10-month review into defence procurement, aimed at getting better value for money from buying equipment for the UK's armed forces.

Speaking in a question and answer session with 100 journalists and guests from the defence industry at Labour headquarters in central London, Lord West said: "This business of a second-tier power - we are probably, depending on what figures you use, the fifth or sixth wealthiest nation in the world.

"We have the largest percentage of our GDP on exports, apart from the tiny countries around the world, we run world shipping from the UK, we are the largest European investor in south Asia, south east Asia (and) the Pacific Rim, so our money and our wealth depends on this global scene.

"We are a permanent member of the (United Nations) Security Council and I think that gives us certain clout and certain ability.

"These mean we are not a second-tier power. We are not bloody Denmark or Belgium, and if we try to become that, I think we would be worse-off as a result. » | Thursday, September 22, 2011

Carla Bruni: accouchement prévu la 3 Octobre

PARIS MATCH: A quelques semaines de l’accouchement de la Première dame, c’est le père de Nicolas Sarkozy, Pal, qui a une nouvelle fois joué les indiscrets et révélé la date supposée de la naissance du bébé, le 3 octobre prochain.

Un heureux événement qui fait parler. Pal Sarkozy, le père du président de la République, a confié au journal allemand «Bild» la date prévue pour la naissance du «Premier bébé», comme le surnomme le quotidien: il s’agirait du 3 octobre. Une affirmation à la journaliste Dora Varro qui confirme les confessions que Carla Bruni-Sarkozy a faites à des lycéens la semaine dernière. D’après des informations du «Parisien», elle aurait déclaré: «A partir du 1er octobre, cela peut intervenir n’importe quand. D’ailleurs, mon premier enfant, Aurélien, est arrivé avant terme.» Même si la Première dame trouve le temps «long», elle a expliqué aux élèves: «J’en avais tellement envie».

Cette seconde grossesse, à 43 ans, est considérée comme une grossesse à risque, demandant le plus de repos possible. Une proche de la chanteuse explique qu’elle «continue de jouer de la musique, de composer. Elle lit, regarde des films, téléphone longuement à ses amis.» La vie de l’ex-mannequin a donc dû subir quelques ajustements pour éviter tout problème: limiter les déplacements –elle n’accompagne pas Nicolas Sarkozy actuellement en visite officielle à New York- mais elle a également arrêté de fumer. «Cela lui manque», a d’ailleurs expliqué Pal Sarkozy à «Bild». La quadragénaire a tout de même fait une apparition dans les jardins de l’Elysée à l’occasion des journées du patrimoine, le week-end dernier. Continuez à lire et laisser un commentaire » | Kahina Sekkai | Parismatch.com | Jeudi 22 Septembre 2011

Papst spricht Politikern ins Gewissen

TAGES ANZEIGER: In seiner mit Spannung erwarteten Rede rief Papst Benedikt XVI. zum Einsatz für Gerechtigkeit und Frieden auf. Zudem sprach der Papst ein überraschendes Lob aus.

Im Bundestag hat Papst Benedikt XVI. die Politik zum Einsatz für Gerechtigkeit und Frieden aufgerufen. Letzter Massstab eines Politikers für seine Arbeit dürfe «nicht der Erfolg und schon gar nicht materieller Gewinn sein», mahnte Benedikt XVI. heute in seiner philosophisch angelegten Ansprache über die Grundlagen des freiheitlichen Rechtsstaats. «Der Erfolg ist dem Massstab der Gerechtigkeit, dem Willen zum Recht und dem Verstehen für das Recht untergeordnet.»

Erfolg könne auch Verführung sein und «so den Weg auftun für die Verfälschung des Rechts, für die Zerstörung der Gerechtigkeit», warnte Benedikt XVI. Er erinnerte an die Zeit des Nationalsozialismus, der den Staat zum Instrument der Rechtszerstörung gemacht habe. Grundlegend Aufgabe des Politikers bleibe, dem Recht zu dienen und «der Herrschaft des Unrechts zu wehren». In Grundfragen des Rechts, in denen es um die Würde des Menschen gehe, reiche das Mehrheitsprinzip nicht aus. Jeder Verantwortliche müsse sich Kriterien seiner Orientierung suchen. » | dapd/pje/fgr / (mrs/dapd) | Donnerstag 22. September 2011

Putin Ally Becomes Most Powerful Russian Woman Since Catherine the Great
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Vladimir Putin ally Valentina Matviyenko has become the first woman speaker of Russia's upper house of parliament, making her the most powerful woman in the country.

Valentina Matviyenko, the governor of St. Petersburg from 2003 until earlier this year, got the job after 140 Russian senators in the 166-member Federation Council gave her their vote on Wednesday.

One senator abstained and nobody voted against her nomination.

The job is nominally the third most powerful in the Russian political system after that of president and prime minister. In reality, it has been more of a symbolic post in the past.

The 62-year old ally of Mr Putin, the prime minister, is known for her no-nonsense management style, her power dressing, and her loyalty to the Kremlin.

Though the married mother of one said she wanted to reform the upper house of parliament to rid it of its image as "a (legislative) rubber stamp", she made it clear she would not be rocking the boat. Continue reading and comment » | Andrew Osborn, Moscow | Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Schwuler US-Soldat outet sich per Youtube

Boy, 14, Found Dead Over Gay Bullying
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: A 14-year-old boy from New York, who warned in internet postings that he felt suicidal because of homophobic bullying, has been found dead outside his home.


Jamey Rodemeyer became the latest in a string of suicides by young Americans who had been abused or ridiculed because of their sexuality, in several cases over the internet.

Jamey, from Williamsville, complained that he was being viciously abused after talking online about his confusion over whether he was gay.

In May, he recorded a video message for the "It Gets Better" campaign, through which young gay people, along with celebrities and national figures such as Barack Obama, try to encourage each other to remain hopeful through difficult experiences.

"People would just keep sending me hate, telling me that gay people go to hell," he said in the recording, which was posted to YouTube.

Jamey, who had just began high school, received support from his parents, Tracy and Tim Rodemeyer, and went through counselling. Recently "he was saying how great school was going, how happy he was, his grades were great," his father told local television reporters.

But in retrospect, Mr Rodemeyer said, "he fooled everybody. He put on a brave face and I wish he wouldn't have." » | Jon Swaine, New York | Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Record Numbers of Students Awarded First-class Degrees
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The number of students awarded first-class degrees has soared by more than a third in just five years, figures show, prompting claims that the traditional university grading system is becoming “meaningless”.

A record 47,000 students – one in seven – graduated from university with a top degree last year compared with less than 35,000 in 2006, it was revealed.

At the same time, students were less likely to finish courses with a third-class or unclassified degree.

The disclosure – in data published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency – will add to growing concerns over “grade inflation” and fuel demands for a major overhaul of the system. » | Graeme Paton, Education Editor | Thursday, September 22, 2011

The businessmen who hire others complain that school-leavers can do nothing, know nothing. But their grades in ‘O’ levels, ‘A’ levels, and now degrees keep getting better and better. Go figure!

This is the result of introducing competition between schools, colleges, and universities. League tables were a stupid idea. Trying to introduce the market place into the classroom/lecture theatre was a very dumb idea indeed. Making everyone into a first-class student is also dumb. Very dumb! We all know that most of these graduates are not deserving of these highly-inflated degrees.

If everyone gets a first, then what does a first-class degree tell us? That they’re worthless, of course. Worthless and meaningless! If everyone could afford to drive around in a Bentley, driving one would mean nothing too.

This country can’t manage its economy; it has long been unable to manage its school education; now it can’t manage its university education either. What’s next? – © Mark

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Wulff begrüßt Papst Benedikt XVI.

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Burka Ban: French Women Fined for Wearing Full-face Veil
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Two French women who continue to wear the full-face veil in defiance of a new law banning it in France this morning became the first to receive fines since its enactment.

Hind Ahmas and Najate Nait Ali were caught wearing the niqab in public outside Meaux town hall, eastern Paris, in May.

The women immediately vowed to appeal their case all the way to the European Court of Human Rights if the fines are confirmed by a higher court.

Miss Ahmas, 32, was ordered to pay a 120-euro (£104) fine, while Miss Nait Ali, 36, was fined 80 euros (£70). The court chose not to order them to take a citizenship course, as had been requested by the prosecutor.

The two women arrived too late to attend the ruling. One had been refused entry into court in May because she would not take off her niqab to show her face.

"This law forbids women in niqab from leaving their homes and going out in public. It's a kind of life-sentence to prison," he said Yann Gre from the Don't Touch My Constitution association defending the two women.

The women were arrested when they brought a birthday cake for mayor and MP Jean-Francois Copé, who pushed Europe's first anti-burqa law through parliament. Mr Copé is head of President Nicolas Sarkozy's right-wing UMP party. » | Henry Samuel, Paris | Thursday, September 22, 2011

Pope Admits Church Contains 'Bad Fish' on Germany Visit
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Pope Benedict XVI appealed to believers not to leave the Catholic Church as he arrived for a four-day visit to his native Germany.

The Pope said on the flight from Rome that he understood why some people – especially sex abuse victims and their loved ones – might say "this is no longer my Church".

But he urged Catholics to see the Church was made of both good and bad, and was struggling to right the wrongs committed in its ranks.

Germany has been rocked by the clerical sex scandals that have swept across Europe in the past two years.

"The Church is a net of the Lord that pulls in good fish and bad fish," he said. "We have to learn to live with the scandals and work against the scandals from inside the great net of the Church."

A record 181,000 German Catholics officially quit the Church last year.

The Church in Germany has received almost 600 requests for compensation for victims of sexual and physical abuse, while a victims' association estimates that more than 2,000 people were mistreated by Catholic priests in recent decades.

The Pope was met at the airport by Christian Wulff, the German president – a Catholic who has divorced and remarried in defiance of Church rules – and Chancellor Angela Merkel.

In an interview published on Thursday, Mr Wulff said he hoped Benedict would loosen some of those rules. » | Thursday, September 22, 2011

Related links here, here, here, here, and here

Papst Benedikt XVI. Rede vor dem Schloß Bellevue [E] (22. September 2011)

Le pape au Bundestag et la « laïcité » à l’allemande

LE MONDE – BLOGS: Avant lui, seul Jean Paul II l’avait fait. A deux reprises, à Rome et à Varsovie, lieux hautement symboliques pour le pape polonais. En prenant la parole devant le Bundestag, le parlement allemand, jeudi 22 septembre, Benoît XVI, natif de Bavière, pose donc un acte rare dans la pratique vaticane et les relations entre pouvoir spirituel et pouvoir temporel.

Le Vatican a tenu à préciser que le pape, qui est à la fois chef d’Etat et chef religieux, répondait à l’invitation du président du Bundestag, dans le cadre d'un voyage qui le mènera aussi à Erfurt et Fribourg, jusqu'au 25 septembre. Généralement, lors de ses voyages officiels à l’étranger, le pape rencontre les responsables politiques et leur délivre un discours plus ou moins significatif sur la situation des croyants, de l’Eglise catholique ou de la justice sociale dans le pays.

Ce qui en France pourrait être considéré comme une entorse au principe de laïcité a suscité en Allemagne la réprobation des seuls partis les plus à gauche de l’échiquier politique. Une centaine de députés ont annoncé qu’ils boycotteraient le discours papal et se joindraient aux manifestants opposés à la venue du pape. Continuez à lire et laisser un commentaire » | Mercredi 21 Septembre 2011

Liens en relation avec ce blog ice, ici et ici

THE TIMES: Pope ‘understands why Catholics are leaving Church’ » | David Charter, Berlin | Thursday, September 22, 2011 [£]

Keine Annäherung: Treffen von Obama mit Abbas gescheitert

DIE PRESSE: Keine Annäherung: Der US-Präsident bekräftigte, dass er den Antrag der Palästinenser auf Vollmitgliedschaft bei der UNO ablehnt. Die USA werden deshalb ihr Veto einlegen.

Ein Treffen zwischen US-Präsident Barack Obama und dem palästinensischen Präsidenten Mahmoud Abbas hat keine Annäherung gebracht. Obama teilte Abbas mit, dass er das palästinensische Vorhaben eines Antrags auf UN-Vollmitgliedschaft im UN-Sicherheitsrat weiter ablehnt. Die USA wollen weiter das palästinensische Anliegen mit ihrem Veto-Recht blockieren. Das teilte Abbas' Sprecher Nabil Abu Rudeina mit.

Das mehr als einstündige Treffen fand am Rande der UN-Vollversammlung in New York statt. Am Vormittag hatte Obama den israelischen Ministerpräsidenten Benjamin Netanjahu getroffen. Auch US-Außenministerin Hillary Clinton will Abbas und Netanjahu treffen. » | APA | Donnerstag 22. September 2011

David Cameron: World Should Be Quicker to Take Military Action to Stop Slaughter
David Cameron will today urge the world to be quicker to take military action to stop states from slaughtering their own people.

Read article here

Tony Blair’s Sister [-in-law] Converts to Islam, Calls for the Destruction of Israel
BELIEFNET NEWS: Laura Booth, sister-in-law of former British prime minister Tony Blair, has called on Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt to invade Israel.

No stranger to Middle Eastern politics, she sailed to Gaza in the flotilla protest.

At a rally in London Trafalgar’s Square, she proclaimed “We say here today to you, Israel, we see your crimes and we loathe your crimes. And to us your nation does not exist, because it is a criminal injustice against humanity. We want to see Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt go to the borders and stop this now.”

She recently has converted to Islam. She now covers her head with a hijab or scarf when she leaves home, has given up alcohol and visits a mosque when she can.

The 43-year-old mother of two says she had a religious awakening during a visit to a shrine in the Iranian holy city of Qom. » | Rob Kerby, Senior Editor | Friday, September 2, 2011

Georgia Puts Convict to Death Despite Protest
LOS ANGELES TIMES: Supporters of Troy Davis maintain his innocence in off-duty officer's '89 killing.

Reporting from Jackson, Ga.— Despite his claims of innocence and a roster of high-powered supporters, Troy Davis was executed late Wednesday night for the 1989 murder of an off-duty Savannah, Ga., police officer.

Strapped to a gurney in the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison about four hours after his scheduled 7 p.m. execution, Davis, 42, lifted his head and used some of his last words to deny his guilt to the family of the victim, Mark MacPhail.

The incident that night 22 years ago was not his fault, he said, according to media witnesses. He said he did not even have a gun.

"I personally did not kill your son, father and brother," he said. "I am innocent."

He was pronounced dead at 11:08 p.m., and a coroner's van hauled away his body. » | Richard Fausset, Los Angeles Times | Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Typhoon Roke Further Ravages Japan, Still Reeling from Tsunami

THE GLOBE AND MAIL: Six months after a deadly earthquake and tsunami, Japan has weathered yet another natural disaster in the form of Typhoon Roke, which pummelled the country with heavy rains and driving winds.

When the worst of it was over, the country seemed to utter a collective sigh of relief, a curious reaction given the typhoon’s devastating toll: Evacuation advisories were sent to more than a million people on the main island of Honshu; 200,000 households were without electricity in central Japan; at least 13 people were missing or dead.

After a ruthless year that has shaken Japan to its core, its people seemed intent on counting small blessings. The only damage wrought to the battered Fukushima Daichi nuclear plant, for instance, was a broken security camera.

Still, the stoic dignity and resilience of Japanese society that has won admiration from around the world is being tested once again by the latest typhoon, the second to strike Japan in the past month. » | Sonia Verma | Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Koweït: des milliers de manifestants demandent le départ du Premier ministre
TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: Plus de 5000 Koweïtiens ont manifesté hier en criant «Va-t’en» à leur Premier ministre, Nasser Mohammad al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, un neveu de l’émir. Il serait impliqué dans une affaire de corruption.

Plus de 5000 Koweïtiens ont manifesté mercredi dans leur capitale, à l’appel de l’opposition. Les protestataires ont exigé la démission du premier ministre après une affaire de corruption impliquant de nombreux parlementaires.

En présence de centaines de policiers et de membres des forces spéciales, les manifestants ont défilé dans l’une des plus fortes mobilisations depuis des années pour crier à nouveau «Va-t’en» au premier ministre Nasser Mohammad al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, un neveu de l’émir. » | AFP | Jeudi 22 Septembre 2011

Pope to Receive Hostile Welcome on Return Home to Germany
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The Pope will receive a hostile reception from politicians, paedophile sex victims and gay groups when he arrives in Germany today on his first state visit to his homeland.

The pontiff left Rome on Thursday for the state visit. Even ordinary Catholics are expected to give him at best a lukewarm welcome when he lands in Berlin at the start of the four-day trip.

The shadow of Nazism will hang over an address that Benedict XVI, a former member of the Hitler Youth, will give in Berlin's Olympic stadium, where Adolf Hitler presided over the 1936 Games.

Germans were filled with pride in 2005 when the then Josef Ratzinger was elected the first German pope in nearly 1,000 years, but that enthusiasm has long since faded for many.

He was strongly condemned in 2009 for lifting the excommunication of Richard Williamson, a maverick British bishop who questioned the Holocaust, as well as his perceived inaction over priests who sexually abuse children.

The Bavarian-born pontiff's visit is likely to be marred by protests over his conservative doctrinal views on celibacy for priests and his opposition to admitting women to the Church.

Many Catholics in Germany, as well as in Austria and the German-speaking parts of Switzerland, are frustrated with the Vatican's resistance to moving with the times on such issues. » | Nick Squires, Rome | Thursday, September 22, 2011

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THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Pope's visit to Germany is potential minefield: He may be heading home, but the Pope's visit to Germany is a potential minefield. » | Nick Squires, Rome | Thursday, September 22, 2011

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Pope visit: German-speaking Catholics want reform from Rome: Pope Benedict XVI faces a clamour for change as he heads to Germany for his first state visit, with calls for reform on many fronts – from recognising gays to ordaining women to the priesthood. » | Thursday, September 22, 2011

Protest gegen den Papst: Ein leichtes Ziel für Unzufriedene

FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE: Gleich wo die Päpste in der jüngeren Vergangenheit zu Gast waren - fast immer gehörte der Protest gegen ihr Kirchenbild und ihre Sexualmoral mit dazu. In Berlin waren die Gegner schon immer besonders dreist - etwa beim Besuch von Papst Johannes Paul II. im Jahr 1996.

Während der mehr als hundert Auslandsreisen von Papst Johannes Paul II. ging es auf Kuba am ruhigsten zu. Im Januar 1998 gab Fidel Castro persönlich für den Gottesdienst mit dem Oberhaupt der römisch-katholischen Kirche die Parole aus: „Macht keine Zwischenrufe, pfeift nicht, zeigt keine Spruchbänder.“

Der Wunsch ihres größten Führers, der von Meinungs- und Gewissensfreiheit ebenso wenig etwas wissen wollte wie zuvor seine langjährigen Mentoren in Moskau, war den Kubanern Befehl. Andernfalls hätte sich Papst Johannes Paul II. auf Kuba wohl ein ähnliches Schauspiel geboten, wie es sich seit den frühen achtziger Jahren regelmäßig abspielte: Kaum eine Reise wurde nicht von Protesten begleitet.

Johannes Paul II. reagierte nicht

Zu Beginn seines Pontifikats im Herbst 1978 war dem ersten nichtitalienischen Papst seit der Renaissance noch viel Sympathie entgegengebracht worden, vor allem in Polen, wo Karol Wojtyla sofort zu einer Ikone des Widerstands gegen das kommunistische Regime wurde. Doch auch im notorisch skeptischen Westen flogen dem bis dahin weitgehend unbekannten Kirchenoberhaupt zunächst die Herzen zu. „Habt keine Angst“ hatte der neue Papst der Welt vom Petersplatz aus zugerufen. Als er sich aufmachte, um seine Botschaft persönlich Land für Land vorzubringen, kannten Neugier und Begeisterung in den meisten Ländern keine Grenzen. » | Von Daniel Deckers | Donnerstag 22. September 2011

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WELT ONLINE: Wulff bittet um Verständnis für Wiederverheiratete: Bundespräsident Christian Wulff wünscht sich mehr Verständnis vom Papst – besonders für wiederverheiratete Katholiken. Er selbst ist betroffen. » | WON | Mittwoch 21. September 2011

Le vague à l'âme des catholiques allemands
LE FIGARO: En Allemagne, Benoit XVI est aujourd'hui perçu comme un conservateur dogmatique, auquel il est reproché de brider la modernisation de l'Église.

Le Pape Benoît XVI n'est plus prophète en son pays. Dès son arrivée à Berlin, ce jeudi matin, le Souverain Pontife sera accueilli par des responsables politiques illustrant l'éloignement croissant des Allemands vis-à-vis de l'Église catholique. Le président de la République fédérale, Christian Wulff, est un catholique divorcé et remarié, contraint à l'interdiction de communier, tout comme de nombreux ténors de l'Union chrétienne au pouvoir. Le maire de Berlin, Klaus Wowereit, catholique et homosexuel déclaré, soutient ouvertement les représentants de la communauté gay qui organisent des défilés de protestation contre la venue de Benoît XVI dans la capitale… Légère consolation pour le Pape, relèvent les médias outre-Rhin : la chancelière, remariée, et le ministre des Affaires étrangères, homosexuel, sont tous deux protestants.

En panne d'euphorie, l'Allemagne ne se reconnaît plus en son pape. En avril 2005, l'élection à la tête du Saint-Siège du bavarois Joseph Ratzinger, vécue comme un triomphe national, avait fait la fierté de tous les Allemands. Dans une «une» restée célèbre, le quotidien populaire Bild, le plus lu du pays, s'était enthousiasmé en titrant : «Nous sommes pape !» Cette semaine l'hebdomadaire, Der Spiegel, titre «Der Fremde», l'étranger, se faisant l'écho de la désillusion. Les Allemands s'étaient rêvés un pape à l'image de la nouvelle Allemagne : assumant le passé, sans le renier, ouvert et libéral. Benoit XVI y est aujourd'hui perçu comme un conservateur dogmatique, auquel il est reproché de brider la modernisation de l'Église. » | Par Patrick Saint-Paul | Mercredi 21 Septembre 2011

Chinese Primary Schools Sponsored by Tobacco Firms

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: More than 100 primary schools in China are now sponsored by tobacco companies on the hunt for the next generation of smokers, according to antismoking campaigners.

The schools often bear the names of Chinese cigarette brands, such as Zhongnanhai or Liqun, over their gates and in some cases have slogans in the playground.

"Talent comes from hard work – Tobacco helps you become talented," says one slogan, in foot-high gilt letters, on the front of the Sichuan Tobacco Hope Primary School.

The school, which was built by the local tobacco company after a deadly earthquake in 2008, also bears the green leaf logo of China Tobacco, the country's all-powerful state-controlled monopoly, on its parapet.

China Tobacco is the world's largest manufacturer of tobacco products, with over 900 brands, and is owned by the Chinese government. China is the world's largest tobacco market and as many as 60 per cent of its men smoke.

Regulations to prevent smoking in public places, including schools, have been widely ignored and the World Health Organisation estimates that two million Chinese will die each year of smoking-related diseases by the end of the decade – accelerating the need to find more young smokers. » | Malcolm Moore, Shanghai and Stephen Adams | Wednesday, September 21, 2011

«Berlusconi muss gehen»
Italiens bürgerliche Presse fordert den Rücktritt

NZZ ONLINE: Ministerpräsident Berlusconi ist am Mittwoch vom «Corriere della Sera» wie auch von «Il Sole 24 Ore», den zwei führenden bürgerlichen Blättern Italiens, zum Rücktritt aufgefordert worden.

Am Mittwoch haben sich auch die zwei führenden bürgerlichen Zeitungen Italiens dezidiert gegen Ministerpräsident Berlusconi gewandt und ihn aufgefordert, zum Wohl des Landes zurückzutreten. Sowohl der angesehene Mailänder «Corriere della Sera» wie auch die führende Wirtschaftszeitung «Il Sole 24 Ore» verlangten den Schritt in unverblümt formulierten Kommentaren auf der Titelseite. » | Nikos Tzermias, Rom | Mittwoch 21. September 2011

Pour Obama, la paix ne sera pas accélérée par une reconnaissance de l'Etat Palestine à l'ONU

TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: Les Etats-Unis, proches alliés d’Israël, ont déjà annoncé qu’ils opposeraient leur veto au Conseil de sécurité à toute demande d’admission à l’ONU d’un Etat de Palestine. Barack Obamal a affirmé mercredi qu’il n’existait pas de "raccourci" onusien.

Le président des Etats-Unis Barack Obama a affirmé mercredi qu’il n’existait pas de "raccourci" pour parvenir à la paix au Proche-Orient, rejetant à la tribune de l’ONU la démarche des Palestiniens pour y obtenir la reconnaissance de leur Etat.

"Je suis convaincu qu’il n’existe pas de raccourci à la fin d’un conflit qui persiste depuis des décennies. La paix ne viendra pas de déclarations et de résolutions à l’ONU. Si c’était aussi facile, cela aurait déjà eu lieu à l’heure actuelle", a déclaré M. Obama devant l’Assemblée générale de l’organisation internationale à New York.

"Il y a un an, j’ai souhaité une Palestine indépendante à cette tribune", a reconnu M. Obama. "Je croyais, et je crois toujours, que les Palestiniens méritent leur propre Etat. Mais j’ai aussi dit qu’une paix véritable ne peut être obtenue qu’entre les Israéliens et les Palestiniens eux-mêmes", a-t-il affirmé. » | AFP | Mercredi 21 Septembre 2011

Corée du Nord: les soldats volent les civils pour pouvoir manger
TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: Au nord-est de la Corée du Nord, les soldats meurent de faim et son forcés de voler les civils, encore plus rationnés qu'eux, pour pouvoir manger. La presse sud-coréenne dénonce une situation alimentaire alarmante.

Des soldats dans le nord-est de la Corée du Nord volent les civils pour pouvoir manger à leur faim, malgré les avantages dont ils bénéficient, signe supplémentaire de la dégradation de la situation alimentaire dans ce pays, rapporte mercredi une publication de Corée du Sud.

La police militaire s’est déployées dans les rues de la ville de Hyesan (nord-est) pour contrôler l’identité des soldats, indique Daily NK, un journal sur internet publié par des transfuges en Corée du Sud, qui s’appuie sur les témoignages nord-coréens. » | AFP | Mercredi 21 Septembre 2011

Italian Police Beat Migrants in Lampedusa Clashes
Trouble continues at the overcrowded Lampedusa camp as Italian riot police charge migrants[,] a day after asylum seekers started fires in protest against forced repatriations.

Related »

Dramatic Increase in the Number of Women Reverting to Islam in California
ALLVOICES: What is there about the religion of Islam that draws so many Sacramento and other California women to join the faith? What invites the women to follow the customs, rules, and laws and go through an official conversion? It's not always marrying into a Muslim family. Many single women are joining the Islamic faith, including many older women as well as younger students. Is it about community support and making new friends? New ideas to learn? What do women seek when they join the Islamic faith coming from Western European, Native American, Hispanic, African-American, or other ethnic groups--it it the basic teachings of Islam they read about in books, the closeness of the family life, the food, or the social life?

What is there about the faith and customs that appeals to so many women in California and in other areas such as Northern Europe or Latin America? What religion do you join if you're half Middle Eastern and half European and your family practices several different faiths?

How often does Sacramento celebrate diversity? Once a year is Celebrate Diversity Month, but besides that special day, celebrating diversity is a daily event. Anthropologists may be interested in asking what motivates an increasing number of Sacramento women of nearly all ethnic backgrounds to convert to Islam? There's even a local website for those looking for Muslim wives and/or husbands to start a family at Salaam Love. Is Islam the fastest growing religion in Sacramento? » | AnneHart | Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Settlers for Peace – Israel
Watch Journeyman Pictures video here

The Chancellor and the Dominatrix – UK
Watch Journeyman Pictures video here

Ugly Female Candidates 'Repel Voters', Says Former Polish Prime Minister

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: A former Polish prime minister has angered feminists by saying unattractive women candidates "repel voters", just weeks before the country's general election.

During a television interview Leszek Miller, once leader of the left-wing and officially pro-women Democratic Left Alliance, said parties should avoid fielding less-than-beautiful candidates.

"If the parties revolve around unattractive women, then this is something anachronistic and will repel voters," he said as Poles prepare to vote on the October 9 election.

The comment riled women, who have often complained that conservative and old-fashioned attitudes in Polish public life hold women back. » | Matthew Day, Warsaw | Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Europe Bans 'Despotic' Soviet Hammer-and-sickle from Commerical Use

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: A top European court banned the Soviet Union's famous hammer and sickle from being used as a commercial trademark as it is "a symbol of despotism" in some EU countries.

The European Court of Justice said it was forced to refuse the request on the grounds of public morality, ending a five-year battle by a Russian designer to register the iconic coat of arms as a trademark across the 27-nation European Union.

It stated:"The symbols in question would be seen as contrary to public policy and to accepted principles of morality by a substantial section of the relevant public living in the part of the European Union which has been subject to the Soviet regime."

The court singled out EU member states such as Latvia and the Czech Republic which were either part of the Soviet Union or Soviet satellite states.

It also noted that in Hungary such Soviet-era symbols "are considered to be 'symbols of despotism' and their use is contrary to public policy." » | Andrew Osborn, Moscow | Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Swedish Cartoonist Target of Foiled Attack

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: A Swedish cartoonist who has received death threats for depicting the Prophet Mohammed as a dog was the target of a planned attack in Gothenburg earlier this month, according to reports.

The daily Metro said it had obtained classified documents that showed the prosecutor believes three men arrested on September 10 had planned to kill cartoonist Lars Vilks.

The Swedish prosecutor's office refused to comment on the report.

An elite counter-terrorism unit arrested four people in Gothenburg and shortly afterward evacuated hundreds of people from a building hosting an art fair "after concluding that there was a threat that could endanger lives or health or cause serious damage."

Vilks had initially said on his blog that he would attend the art fair though he did not in the end.

One of the suspects had bought a pocketknife to be used in the attack, and one of the men had asked for Vilks at the art fair, according to Metro. » | Wednesday, September 21, 2011

US Hikers 'Released by Iran'

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Two American hikers arrested in Iran two years ago were released and handed over to the Swiss embassy on Wednesday, state media claimed.

Earlier the hikers' lawyer Masoud Shafii said a $1 million bail-for-freedom deal has been approved by the courts, clearing the way for the release of Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal after more than two years in custody.

"Inshallah (God willing) it is over.... the judge has signed the order," he said.
Iran's judiciary has confirmed the release, according to new reports.

The Swiss embassy looks out for American interests in the Islamic Republic. "As a rule, the only people they have here are from the US interest office in the Swiss embassy... they are going to be present at the prison too," Mr Shafii said.

He said he is to go to Tehran's Evin prison later on Wednesday to begin the procedures for the release. » | Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Lampedusa Burned Down by Tunisian Refugees
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Hundreds of Tunisians protested against their imminent repatriation by setting fire to the reception centre they were being held in on the remote Italian island of Lampedusa.

The devastating fire, which started when the migrants allegedly set fire to their bed mattresses, reduced much of the controversial centre to a smoking ruin.

It dealt a heavy blow to Italy's ability to deal with a continuing flood of refugees from North Africa in the wake of the popular revolts in Tunisia and Egypt and the civil war in Libya.

More than 48,000 have reached the shores of southern Italy since the start of the year.
Many of the 1,200 migrants held in the centre fled when three fires broke out late on Tuesday.

As police stationed on the island rounded them up, the fires blazed out of control and destroyed three buildings in the complex. » | Nick Squires, Rome | Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Tony Bennett in Bizarre Rant as He Claims 'America Caused 9/11' and 'George Bush Told Me He Regretted the War in Iraq'

MAIL ONLINE: Legendary singer Tony Bennett said in an interview with Howard Stern on Monday night that 'we caused' the 9/11 attacks.

He also went on to say that President George W. Bush confided in him that the war in Iraq was a mistake.

Speaking on Stern's Sirius Radio show, Mr Bennett, who describes himself as a pacifist, said: 'They flew the plane in, but we caused it.

'Because we were bombing them and they told us to stop.'

Stern had asked the singer, a World War II vet, how the U.S. should deal with the terrorists responsible for the World Trade Centre attacks.

'But who are the terrorists?' Mr Bennett said, according to ABC News.

'Are we the terrorists or are they the terrorists? Two wrongs don't make a right.'

The 85-year-old spoke of the night in 2005 when then-President Bush made that astonishing statement.

Mr Bennett said: 'He told me personally that night that, he said, 'I think I made a mistake".'

The event was in honour of Mr Bennett and he said he believed Mr Bush made the admission because he liked the singer.

Mr Bennett said that his experiences as a teenager in combat in the Second World War forever changed his position on war.

'I’m anti-war,' he said. 'It’s the lowest form of human behaviour.' Read on and comment » | Daily Mail Reporter | Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Al-Jazeera Chief's Surprise Resignation Raises Fears for Channel's Independence

THE GUARDIAN: Wadah Khanfar stood down after eight years that consolidated the satellite network's reputation and his own position

Seated behind a vast desk, surrounded by TV screens, deep leather sofas and a wall of global media awards, Wadah Khanfar always cut an impressive figure in his director-general's office at al-Jazeeraheadquarters in the Qatari capital, Doha.

But his career at the top of the most important news organisation in the Arab world ended on Tuesday when he was replaced by a member of the Qatari royal family. It was an abrupt and dramatic move at a critical time in the Middle East.

Khanfar, credited with revolutionising the Arab media landscape, said he was resigning after eight years that consolidated the satellite network's reputation and his own highly influential position.

The new boss is Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani, a little-known executive at Qatargas and a member of the fabulously wealthy Gulf country's ruling dynasty – pointing to a clear attempt to exercise greater control.

It is thought that Khanfar had become too independent a figure for the Qataris, and that he had come under pressure from them. Recently al-Jazeera has been accused of pulling its punches over the uprising in Bahrain, where Saudi Arabia dominates regional policy. Al-Jazeera's Lebanon chief, Ghassan Bin Jiddo, resigned in April, apparently in disagreement over coverage of some of the revolts.

But on Tuesday night Khanfar denied speculation that his departure was linked to outside pressure. He told the Guardian: "I have spent eight years with the network. We have been talking in this part of the world about change, about presidents who stay for decades in their posts. I thought maybe it is good to give an example as well, while the network is at the peak of its performance. It's the right moment." » | Ian Black, Middle East editor, and Luke Harding | Tuesday, September 20, 2011

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Chris Huhne Attacks Tory Hard Right
THE INDEPENDENT: Chris Huhne has launched a scathing attack on the Tory hard right, bracketing them with the "madcap" American Tea Party movement and warning they will "wreck the nation's economy".

The Energy Secretary used his speech to round on Conservatives who "slaver over tax cuts for the rich" and claimed if they failed to compromise Britain's economic recovery would be "put in peril".

Mr Huhne's criticism is the most explicit verbal assault made from the conference platform by a senior Liberal Democrat on their coalition partners this week.

He said: "This coalition government saved Britain's credit standing by compromise.

"The danger if you don't compromise is now clear from America.

"There the markets looked over the brink when the mad-cap Republican right in Congress would not compromise with the President.

"Let that be a warning to the Conservative right here - we need no Tea Party Tendency in Britain. » | Sam Lister | Tuesday, September 20, 2011

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Baroness Williams of Crosby warns Chris Huhne to stop bashing the Tories: Chris Huhne, the Liberal Democrat Energy Secretary, has been chastised by one of his party’s senior figures for his “unhelpful” attacks on the Conservatives. » | James Kirkup, Political Correspondent | Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Hillary Clinton's Former Top Aide Latest Democrat to Criticise Barack Obama

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: A former top strategist to Hillary Clinton has added his voice to a growing chorus of Democratic criticism of President Barack Obama, arguing that he is moving too far to the Left when he "should be claiming the vital centre, not abandoning it".

Mark Penn, who was Mrs Clinton's chief strategist for most of her presidential campaign after previously being a senior aide to her husband President Bill Clinton, accused Mr Obama of having "wandered into the thicket of class warfare".

His intervention came after a speech on Monday in which Mr Obama advocated raising $1.5 trillion in taxes, mainly on high earners, over the next decade. This was widely interpreted as a repositioning to the Left and was broadly welcomed by liberal activists and groups.

In an article for the Huffington Post website, Mr Penn wrote: "Barack Obama is careering down the wrong path towards re-election. He should be working as a president, not a candidate. He should be claiming the vital centre, not abandoning it.

"He should be holding down taxes rather than raising them. He should be mastering the global economy, not running away from it. And most of all, he should be bringing the country together rather than dividing it through class warfare." Read on and comment » | Toby Harnden, Washington | Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Mystère autour de l'identité du «jeune homme des bois»
LE FIGARO: Les recherches d'Interpol n'ont pas donné d'indices sur l'origine de Ray, 17 ans. La police pourrait faire appel au public pour aider cet adolescent qui a vécu cinq ans dans la forêt.

De nouveaux éléments sont apparus sur «l'ado des bois» arrivé à Berlin début septembre. La femme policier qui a la première parlé au jeune homme s'est confiée au quotidien britannique Daily Telegraph . Ray «avait l'air d'un adolescent parfaitement normal» quand il est arrivé: «Il ne ressemblait pas du tout à un vagabond, il était propre, il ne sentait pas, il ne savait simplement pas du tout qui il était». » | Par Caroline Bruneau | Mardi 20 Septembre 2011

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Berlin forest boy adapts quickly to city life: The English-speaking teenager who walked out of a German forest claiming to know little more than his first name has quickly adjusted to conventional city life, his carers said. » | Fiona Govan, Berlin | Tuesday, September 20, 2011

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: German forest boy is telling the truth, say police: The story of an English–speaking boy who emerged after five years living in a German forest is "credible" and his accent may prove the key to establishing his true identity, German police said. » | Fiona Govan, Berlin | Sunday, September 18, 2011

Related »

Al-Jazeera Boss Wadah Khanfar Steps Down to Be Replaced by Qatari Royal

THE GUARDIAN: TV channel head quits after revolutionising Middle East broadcasting for past eight years, especially during Arab Spring

Qatar's government has replaced Wadah Khanfar, the director-general of the al-Jazeera satellite TV network, with a member of its own royal family – a sudden and dramatic move at a time of unprecedented turmoil across the Middle East.

Khanfar, credited with revolutionising the Arab media landscape, announced that he was resigning after eight years that consolidated both the channel's reputation and his position as one of the most powerful figures in the region.

The new director-general is said to be Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani, an executive at Qatargas and a member of the country's ruling dynasty.

The Palestinian-born journalist said in a resignation letter posted – characteristically – on Twitter that his goal at the outset was "to establish al-Jazeera as a global media leader" and that "this target has been met".

Al-Jazeera, based in the Qatari capital Doha and owned by the state's emir, broke the mould of Arabic media organisations that were bankrolled by and subservient to governments or cowed by censors when it was set up in 1996.

Often technically brilliant and highly partisan, it has outperformed itself in this year of the Arab uprisings with the slogan – cleverly echoing the battle cry of revolutionary struggles – that "the coverage continues". » | Ian Black, Middle East Editor | Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Britain Gives £355M to Educate Girls in Asia and Africa
DAILY EXPRESS: NICK Clegg triggered fresh outrage at Britain’s spiralling overseas aid budget by pledging £355million of taxpayers’ cash to educate girls in poor countries.

He announced the huge handout at theLib Dem conference yesterday amid warnings of swingeing austerity for ¬families at home.

The Deputy Prime Minister’s promise of cash for countries including South Sudan, Nigeria and Bangladesh also came as it emerged that a literacy drive in British schools is to be axed. » | Macer Hall | Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Grèce: référendum sur l'euro?
LE FIGARO: Le gouvernement grec envisagerait la tenue d'un référendum sur le maintien de la Grèce dans la zone euro pour raffermir sa légitimité dans sa gestion de la crise de la dette, rapporte mardi le quotidien grec Kathimerini sur son site internet. » | Lefigaro.fr | Mardi 20 Septembre 2011

Un Autrichien cache sa tante décédée dans un congélateur pour percevoir sa retraite
TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: La police autrichienne a découvert le corps d’une femme de 88 ans dans le congélateur appartenant à son neveu, qui touchait à sa place sa retraite et son allocation dépendance.

Le corps d’une femme de 88 ans a été découvert lundi dans le congélateur de son neveu, qui aurait caché son décès afin de continuer à toucher sa retraite et son allocation dépendance, a annoncé la police de la province de Basse-Autriche (nord) mardi. » | AFP | Mardi 20 Septembre 2011

The Rise and Rise of Mandarin – But How Many Will End Up Speaking It?
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: China's growing importance in the world has convinced millions to start learning Mandarin, but how many will end up able to speak one of the world's most difficult languages?

Earlier this year, my Chinese teacher in Shanghai told me he was leaving China.

For the next two years, he plans to live with his wife, who is also a teacher, in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan. They will live and work at the local Confucius Institute and help spread Mandarin into central Asia.

It may seem an odd choice to swap the bright lights of China's most advanced city for an unstable and relatively poor former Soviet state, but the Confucius Institutes are a key part of Chinese government policy, and the Chinese government evidently made it worth their while to go.

Since 2005, China has rolled out more than 300 Confucius Institutes in 94 countries in order to help the rest of the world learn a language that is increasingly important but devilishly challenging.

The Chinese government claims that 230,000 people have enrolled so far and they cannot meet the demand. China is sending 5,000 teachers abroad each year and now wants 1,000 institutes to be open by the end of the decade. » | Malcolm Moore, Shanghai | Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Gül in Deutschland: „Eine außerordentliche Beziehung“

FAZ: Am zweiten Tag seines Staatsbesuches hat der türkische Präsident Gül Bundeskanzlerin Merkel getroffen. Bundespräsident Wulff bedauerte die Unannehmlichkeiten, die Gül infolge einer Bombendrohung in der Berliner Humboldt-Universität hinnehmen musste.

Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel (CDU) hat bei einem Gespräch mit dem türkischen Präsidenten Abdullah Gül ihre Sorge über die jüngsten Spannungen zwischen Israel und der Türkei zum Ausdruck gebracht. Aus deutschen Regierungskreisen hieß es, die beiden Politiker hätten am Dienstag die ganze Bandbreite der deutsch-türkischen Beziehungen erörtert. Sie hätten auch über die jüngsten Entwicklungen in Nordafrika und der arabischen Welt gesprochen.

Beim umstrittenen Thema des türkischen EU-Beitritts hätten beide Seiten bei dem Treffen im Kanzleramt ihren Standpunkt dargelegt. Gül hatte am Montag bereits zum Auftakt seines Staatsbesuchs den Wunsch seines Landes nach einer Vollmitgliedschaft in der EU bekräftigt. Merkel hat der Türkei hingegen nur eine „strategische Partnerschaft“ angeboten. Das lehnt die Türkei ab. Nach dem Gespräch im Kanzleramt [reist Gül] am zweiten Tag seines Staatsbesuches reist Gül mit Bundespräsident Christian Wulff weiter in dessen Heimatstadt Osnabrück. Damit revanchiert sich Wulff für eine Einladung des türkischen Staatspräsidenten im vergangenen Jahr in dessen zentralanatolischen Geburtsort Kayseri. In Osnabrück besuchen die beiden Staatsoberhäupter unter anderem die Universität, die seit einem Jahr den bundesweit ersten Weiterbildungsstudiengang für Imame anbietet. » | FAZ.NET mit dpa | Dienstag 20. September 2011