Referendum: Kroaten stimmen für EU-Beitritt

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Es ist ein historischer Tag für Kroatien: Ersten Ergebnissen zufolge haben 67 Prozent der Wähler für eine EU-Mitgliedschaft ihres Landes gestimmt. Am 1. Juli 2013 soll es soweit sein. Nur die bisherigen EU-Staaten müssen dem Termin noch zustimmen.

Zagreb - Die Europäische Union vergrößert sich: Bei einem Referendum am Sonntag stimmten 67 Prozent der kroatischen Wähler für eine EU-Mitgliedschaft ihres Landes, 32 Prozent votierten dagegen, wie die Wahlkommission unter Berufung auf erste Teilergebnisse bekanntgab. Demnach wurden bisher 25 Prozent der abgegebenen Stimmzettel ausgezählt. Von den 4,5 Millionen Stimmberechtigten nahmen allerdings weniger als 50 Prozent an der Abstimmung teil.

Damit kann Kroatien am 1. Juli 2013 das 28. Mitglied der Europäischen Union werden. Die bis dahin notwendige Ratifizierung des Beitrittsvertrages durch alle bisherigen EU-Staaten gilt als Formsache. "Die EU ist eine Chance für den Fortschritt und die Entwicklung aller kroatischen Talente", sagte Regierungschef Zoran Milanovic. Und Staatspräsident Ivo Josipovic verkündete: "Es freut mich, dass Europa mein Zuhause wird." » | aar/AFP/dpa | Sonntag 22. Januar 2012

Golshifteh Farahani : le sein de la discorde

FIGARO BLOGS – DELPHINE MINOUI: Faut-il s'enthousiasmer ou s'offusquer ? Voilà quelques jours que la Toile frémit de commentaires, à la fois élogieux et incendiaires sur une vidéo où Golshifteh Farahani dévoile sa poitrine... A l'origine de cette effervescence : un clip de présentation des nominés aux Césars 2012, en compétition pour le prix du Meilleur Espoir, et parmi lesquels figure l'actrice iranienne de 29 ans, installée en France depuis presque trois ans. Intitulé « Corps et âmes », et destiné à rendre hommage à la liberté des artistes, le mini-film en noir et blanc d'une minute 30 fait défiler les images (également postées sur le site du Figaro Madame) de plusieurs acteurs se déshabillant légèrement devant la caméra. De tous, Golfshifteh s'avère la plus audacieuse en y révélant un sein, tout en murmurant : « De vos rêves, je serai la chair »... » | Delphine Minoui | samedi 21 janvier 2012


WELT ONLINE: Iranische Schauspielerin lässt sich nackt ablichten: Golshifteh Farahani hat sich in Paris für ein französisches Magazin ausgezogen. Die iranische Führung ist verärgert – und hat die Film-Schönheit ins Exil verbannt. » | Autor: Sonja Gillert | Donnerstag 19. Januar 2012

Toby Harnden: Newt Gingrich's Big, Slobbering Mutual Love Affair with the Elite Media

MAIL ON SUNDAY: Newt Gingrich hates the media, right? He unloaded on John King at the Charleston debate for raising this issue of his ex-wife's allegations, blasting the 'destructive, vicious, negative nature of much of the news media'. In Myrtle Beach, he slapped Juan Williams down for asking a race-based question.

And the media despises Newt, right? He's so sarcastic and condescending towards us, brands us as elite liberals and uses us to whip up the Republican base.

Actually, wrong and wrong.

Gingrich loves the press. In some respects we are, as John McCain famously noted, his 'base'. He craves the media.

I've never seen a man so happy as Gingrich was when he ambled into the spin room in Myrtle Beach last Monday night and about 200 of us swarmed around him hanging on his every word.

Romney would have rather been anywhere else in the world than that in the middle of that heaving, sweaty scrum. But Newt was in pure heaven. He loves the game.

And it's mutual. The press laps up all things Newt. Like him, we thrive on chaos. He's a walking quote machine. You never know what he'll say next and he can't resist answering a question or engaging with a reporter. Read on and comment » | Toby Harnden | Sunday, January 22, 2012

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords Steps Down from Congress
U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords announced her plans to step down from Congress Jan. 22, 2011.

Transcript of video:

"Arizona is my home, always will be. A lot has happened over the past year. We cannot change that. But I know on the issues we fought for we can change things for the better. Jobs, border security, veterans. We can do so much more by working together. I don't remember much from that horrible day, but I will never forget the trust you placed in me to be your voice. Thank you for your prayers and for giving me time to recover. I have more work to do on my recovery so to do what is best for Arizona I will step down this week. I'm getting better. Every day, my spirit is high. I will return and we will work together for Arizona and this great country. Thank you very much."

Is Ann Coulter Sticking with Romney?
Conservative columnist responds

Against Religious Rights?
Critics complain about Obama administration's policies

Florida Primary
Rep. Allen West on GOP race in the Sunshine State

South Carolina Primary: Mitt Romney to Release Tax Returns on Tuesday
THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney said on Sunday he will release tax returns for the last two years this week and admitted the flap over his returns hurt him in South Carolina, where he lost a primary to Newt Gingrich.

"I will release my tax returns for 2010, which is the last returns which were completed, on Tuesday of this week," Romney said on Fox News Sunday. "And I will also release at the same time an estimate for 2011 tax returns."

"We made a mistake holding off as long as we did and it just was a distraction," the former Massachusetts governor added.

Gingrich won 40 per cent of the vote in the South Carolina primary on Saturday, while Romney came in a distant second with 28 per cent.

Romney, one of the wealthiest US presidential candidates in history, emphasised he was releasing two years of returns after Gingrich posted his returns for only 2010 on Thursday. » | Sunday, January 22, 2012

US Marine to Be Executed in Iran
The clock is ticking for the former US Marine facing the death penalty in Iran over charges of espionage. Amir Hekmati was sentenced to death on Monday, and given 20 days to appeal. Al Jazeera's John Hendren reports from Hekmati's home town of Flint, Michigan, where fears for the soldier's life are running high.

Moroccans Burn Themselves in Unemployment Protest
Five Moroccan protesters set themselves on fire on Wednesday in Rabat during a protest over the country's high unemployment rate, which has hit young people and college graduates particularly hard. Three of the protesters had to be hospitalised, two with serious burns. They had been occupying a government building. Al Jazeera's Azhar Sukri reports.

Newt Gingrich: The ‘Establishment Should Be Scared’
BBC: Republican candidate Newt Gingrich has appeared on a talk show in the US after his win in the South Carolina primary.

He told NBC's Meet The Press that the establishment should be worried about a Gingrich nomination. Watch BBC video » | Sunday, January 22, 2012

Newt Gingrich on NBC's "Meet The Press" hosted by David Gregory (May 15, 2011)

Newt Gingrich's South Carolina Primary Victory Speech

Rick Santorum's South Carolina Concession Speech

Ron Paul South Carolina Primary Night Speech

US Election 2012: Mitt Romney Vows Resilience Following South Carolina Defeat
THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Mitt Romney vowed resilience in the wake of a heavy loss in South Carolina, telling supporters that he would campaign as an unabashed champion of free enterprise and accusing Newt Gingrich of adopting "the weapons of the Left".

Speaking at the end of a week which saw a 10-point lead give way to a 12-point loss, the former Massachusetts governor showed a new level of aggression towards Mr Gingrich, who[m] he compared repeatedly to President Barack Obama.

Without uttering his rival's name, Mr Romney said: "President Obama has no experience running a business and no experience running a state. Our party can’t be led to victory by somebody who also has never run a business and never run a state."

He said that the Obama administration had attacked America's capitalist system but accused of Mr Gingrich of having "joined in that very assault on free enterprise".

"Those who pick up the weapons of the Left today will find them turned against us tomorrow," he warned.

“Let me be clear: If Republican leaders want to join this president in demonizing success and disparaging conservative values then they’re not going to be fit to be our nominee.” » | Raf Sanchez, Washington | Sunday, January 22, 2012

Blue: Best in Me – Official Video

Scores Dead in Northern Nigeria as Islamist Militants Terrorise the Country
THE GUARDIAN: Group bidding to impose sharia law claims responsibility for wave of attacks in city of Kano

More than 140 people have died in the northern Nigerian city of Kano after a series of attacks by the militant Islamist group Boko Haram. In a series of attacks on Friday, as residents were leaving mosques, five police buildings, two immigration offices and the local headquarters of the national intelligence services were targeted.

"We are still collecting the bodies so we cannot confirm the total death toll. We have nine so far. We will know the final number once we have finished collecting," a spokesperson for the National Emergency Management Agency told the Observer
.
Witnesses reported seeing at least 100 bodies sprawled around the regional police base alone. Officials in the main hospital said the wounded and dead were still being ferried in on Saturday, some after being trapped by overnight gunfights.

Authorities largely refused to offer casualty statistics as mourners began claiming the bodies of their loved ones to bury before sundown, following Islamic tradition. However, a hospital official told the Associated Press at least 143 people were killed. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to release the death toll to journalists. The figure could rise further, since other bodies could be held at other clinics and hospitals. » | Monica Mark in Lagos | Saturday, January 21, 2012

Gingrich Wins South Carolina Primary, Fox News Projects

FOX NEWS: Newt Gingrich has won the South Carolina Republican primary, Fox News projects, further scrambling an already volatile presidential race which has produced three different winners in three states.

Fox News projects that Mitt Romney will place second in the Palmetto State, where he was leading in the polls just one week ago. Rick Santorum and Ron Paul are battling for third place, and that contest remains too close to call, though Fox News exit polls show Santorum with a slight lead over the Texas congressman.

Gingrich's victory marks a remarkable comeback for the former House speaker, propelled by his strong performance in two debates in South Carolina this week.

Romney's aides had been downplaying expectations by late Saturday, acknowledging the momentum that had been going Gingrich's way in recent days. » | FoxNews.com | Saturday, January 21, 2012

Golshifteh Farahani Nude Photo Shoot Inspires Facebook Firestorm
CELEBS: Iranian actress Golshifteh Farahani posed nude in a french magazine called Madame Le Figaro, and this has sparked a firestorm of controversy on a Facebook page in support of her decision. The French Film Academy also included the actress in a video (warning brief nudity) along with several other celebrities stripping off their clothing.

In the nude photos, Golshifteh Farahani actually cupped her hands over her breasts to preserve her modesty. Even this, though, was too much for the Government of Iran. They told her not to bother ever coming back.

It seems that many Iranians have opinions about the actress's bold move. Some believe that she betrayed Islam and her country by baring her breasts for cameras. However, others applaud her boldness.

A comment on the Facebook page in support of her that is representative of those who support the actress said, "Good for you Golshifteh dear! For once an Iranian with guts has come out to show we are just like anyone else in this world. You can model and do whatever you like, just like every woman from Los Angeles to Tokyo." Join the conversation » | Kate James | Saturday, January 21, 2012

2012 South Carolina Primary
FOX NEWS: Track the race in real time. »

"Die Religiösen führen ein bigottes Doppelleben"

DIE PRESSE: Frauenrechte sind in Saudiarabien noch am absoluten Nullpunkt. Seit dem Ausbruch der Arabellion vor einem Jahr versuchen allerdings auch die Frauen, sich in mikroskopischen Schritten mehr Freiheiten zu erkämpfen.

Flamenco wird von Männern und Frauen getanzt, Frauen jedoch tanzen ihn häufiger“, tönt aus dem Dunkeln tapfer eine Lautsprecherstimme auf Arabisch und Englisch. Das Auditorium tuschelt leise und erwartungsfroh. Immerhin, das puritanisch-wahhabitische Königreich Saudiarabien gönnt sich an diesem Abend eine ganz besondere Premiere: die erste Flamencovorstellung seit Menschengedenken in der Heimat des Propheten.

Mit dem weltberühmten andalusischen Körperzauber allerdings hat das, was dann im König-Fahd-Kulturzentrum in Riad auf die Bühne kommt, nur sehr entfernt zu tun. Die staatlichen Moralzensoren haben ganze Arbeit geleistet – anderthalb Stunden ohne Paartanz, keine einzige Frau auf der Bühne, nach einem Dutzend einsamer Männersoli fällt der Vorhang. Die Flamencoband spielt die ganze Zeit hinter einem zusätzlichen grauen Sichtschutz – denn zum Ensemble gehört auch eine Frau, die nach saudisch-islamischer Sitte dort nichts zu suchen hat. Selbst beim Schlussapplaus bleibt die Künstlerin den Blicken entzogen, nur einer der Musiker deutet unbeholfen hinter sich in das Bühnendunkel, wo sich seine Kollegin vermutlich irgendwo verborgen hält. „Das haben wir bei unserem letzten Spanien-Urlaub aber viel besser gesehen“, schimpfen zwei Damen in fein bestickten Abayas und streben zu ihren Luxuslimousinen, die samt Fahrer draußen auf dem riesigen Parkplatz warten. » | Von Martin Gehlen | Samstag 21. Januar 2012

Le siège du gouvernement libyen saccagé
TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: Des manifestants ont jeté samedi plusieurs grenades artisanales sur le siège du Conseil national de transition à Benghazi.

Le siège du Conseil national de transition (CNT) à Benghazi, dans l’est de la Libye, a été saccagé par des manifestants en colère qui assiégeaient le bâtiment depuis plusieurs heures, a indiqué à l’AFP un membre du CNT.

«Les manifestants ont pris d’assaut le siège et ont saccagé ses bureaux», a déclaré ce responsable sous couvert de l’anonymat.

Selon des témoins, une brigade d’ex-rebelles a sécurisé un passage pour permettre au président du CNT Moustapha Abdeljalil et à d’autres membres du Conseil de quitter le bâtiment.

Les protestataires, armés de pierres et de barres de fer, ont investi les lieux et ils ont par la suite saccagé les locaux, selon la même source.

Auparavant, des manifestants avaient jeté plusieurs grenades artisanales sur le siège du CNT sans faire de victimes, ont indiqué des témoins. » | ats/Newsnet | samedi 21 janvier 2012

Was die Kanzlerin wirklich über Westerwelle denkt

Iran's Press TV Loses UK Licence
THE GUARDIAN: Ofcom revokes English-language channel's licence for breaching the Communications Act

Press TV, the Iranian state broadcaster's English-language outlet, has been forced off the air in the UK after Ofcom revoked its licence for breaching the Communications Act.

Ofcom found that Press TV's practice of running its editorial oversight from Tehran, Iran's capital, is in breach of broadcasting licence rules in the UK.

"Ofcom has decided to revoke the licence held by Press TV Limited with immediate effect," the media regulator said in a statement.

Ofcom wrote a letter to Press TV in November highlighting the issue and offered a choice of two remedies.

The first was to switch editorial control for Press TV's programming to the UK, the second to transfer the broadcasting licence to Iran.

"Broadcasting rules require that a licence is held by the person who is in general control of the TV service: that is, the person that chooses the programmes to be shown in the service and organises the programme schedule," Ofcom said.

"Ofcom gave Press TV the opportunity to apply to have its operations in Tehran correctly licensed by Ofcom and Ofcom offered to assist it to do so," said the regulator.

Ofcom said Press TV failed to respond to or implement either of these two options.

"Press TV was given the opportunity to make representations on Ofcom's 'minded to revoke' letter," the regulator said. "Press TV has failed to make the necessary application and Ofcom has therefore revoked Press TV's licence to broadcast in the UK." » | Mark Sweney | Friday, January 20, 2012

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Britain bans Iran's Press TV from airwaves: Britain took a key communications arm of the Iranian state off the airwaves on Friday when Press TV, a satellite news channel, lost its broadcasting licence. » | David Blair | Friday, January 20, 2012

For the Muslim World, It's Not a Safe and Easy Path to Modernity
THE GLOBE AND MAIL: A year ago, as he watched the great uprisings in Tunis and Cairo, French scholar Olivier Roy declared that they marked the end of Islamist politics. “If you look at the people who launched these revolts,” he wrote, “it is clear that they represent a post-Islamist generation. … The new revolutionaries are perhaps practising or even devout Muslims, but they separate their religious faith from their political agenda. In that sense, it is a ‘secular’ movement that separates religion from politics.”

Well, you might say, how awkward. Those January protesters may have been secular and liberal, but, when I visited Tahrir Square six months later, Islamists commanded the stage. We’ve recently watched Egypt’s first somewhat free elections give 48 per cent of the vote to a party controlled by the Muslim Brotherhood, plus 20 per cent to 28 per cent to Salafists, who aren’t just Islamist but want an actual theocracy. Secular liberals were left with a rump of 15 per cent to 20 per cent. If this is “post-Islamist,” it sure has a lot of crescents and guys with beards. » | Doug Saunders | Saturday, January 21, 2012

Vorwahlen in South Carolina: Paradies der schmutzigen Tricks

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Bei keiner Vorwahl bekämpfen sich die republikanischen Kandidaten so erbittert wie in South Carolina. Mit Halbwahrheiten, Übertreibungen und vermeintlichen Skandalen beschmutzen sie das Ansehen ihrer Konkurrenten - und schrecken auch vor rassistischen Parolen nicht zurück.

Im Confederate Museum von Charleston ist die Zeit stehengeblieben. Bewacht von einer Kanone und zwei freundlichen Ladys sind hier die Reliquien eines Nationaltraumas aufbewahrt: blutige Uniformen, Stiefel, Säbel, Feldbibeln, eine Locke von General Robert E. Lee und natürlich zahllose Südstaatenflaggen - zerschossen, zerfleddert, geflickt.

In South Carolina, könnte man meinen, wird der amerikanische Bürgerkrieg weitergefochten. Briefe in den Vitrinen preisen den "Stolz des Südens", die "Rebellion", "unseren fragilen Sieg" gegen "die Aggression des Nordens". Kaum ein Wort von Sklaverei oder davon, dass der blutige Konflikt mit rund 650.000 Gefallenen bis heute der verlustreichste Krieg in der US-Geschichte ist.

Sorgfältig pflegt der Südstaat sein Image vom ewigen Schlachtfeld. Und so wundert es nicht, dass die Medien, wenn sie alle vier Jahre zur Vorwahl für die Präsidentschaftskandidatur in South Carolina, einfallen, gerne in die martialische Rhetorik einfallen: "Bürgerkrieg der Republikaner", betitelte ABC-Korrespondent Michael Falcone seinen Wahlkampfbericht am Freitag. » | Aus Charleston, South Carolina, berichtet Marc Pitzke | Samstag 21. Januar 2012

Gingrich, Romney ’Neck and Neck’ in South Carolina
BLOOMBERG: Striving to regain ground in the final hours before the South Carolina primary, Mitt Romney offered a dim assessment of his chances in the race as he sparred with a surging Newt Gingrich.

Traveling the state in the final full day of campaigning before today’s voting, the former Massachusetts governor sought to downplay expectations, describing the race as a “neck-and- neck” competition.

“I said from the very beginning South Carolina is an uphill battle for a guy from Massachusetts,” he told reporters yesterday in Gilbert, South Carolina. “We’re battling hard.”

Gingrich, seeking to ride what polls show is a late wave of support, planned a full day of campaign stops in a bid to top Romney.

“The only effective conservative vote to stop a Massachusetts moderate is to vote for me,” Gingrich told an overflow crowd of more than 500 voters yesterday at The Cinema Room in Orangeburg. “If I win tomorrow, I will go on to become the nominee.” » | Lisa Lerer and Julie Hirschfeld Davis | Saturday, January 21, 2012

Ex-wife Fails to Ambush Gingrich’s Challenge
THE TIMES: In his 35-year political career, Newt Gingrich has compared himself to Abraham Lincoln, William Wallace, Pericles, Charles de Gaulle, the Duke of Wellington, a Viking and Moses. Now, with the… » | Alexandra Frean, Charleston | Saturday, January 21, 2012 [£]

Related »

A Sobering Thought for the Day! Reasons to Be Cheerful in 2012: Obama Will Win
THE GUARDIAN: The US president may not be smelling of quite so many roses these days, but the Republican opposition is so flawed and divided, he's odds-on to get a second term

This will be a year of elections, with presidential ballots in Russia, France and the US, along with an imminent change at the top in China. While a coronation for Vladimir Putin and the possibility of a run-off betweenNicolas Sarkozy and Marine Le Pen is hardly a prospect to savour, the US contest could be a rare source of political good cheer in 2012.

On paper it should be anything but. Barack Obama has disappointed those who had such high hopes back in 2008. The US economy has limped under him and he has proved a more hesitant figure than he promised. By rights, he should be vulnerable in November.

And yet few would bet against him winning a second term – becoming, incredibly, only the eighth Democrat in US history to achieve such a feat. … » | Jonathan Freedland | Friday, January 21, 2012

Suspect Arrested Over Islamist Threat Video
THE LOCAL – NORWAY: A 21-year-old man will face a remand hearing on Friday following his arrest on suspicion of having posted a hateful video to the internet calling on Allah to destroy members of the Norwegian government and royal family.

The suspect will appear in front of Skien district court in south-eastern Norway at 1pm on Friday.

The man, a Norwegian citizen with a Central American family background, was arrested at his home in the town at 11pm on Wednesday by officers from the Telemark police service and the domestic police intelligence agency, PTS.

He faces preliminary charges of threatening state officials and incitement to terrorism. » | NTB/TheLocal | Friday, January 20, 2012

HT: Marisol @ Jihad Watch »

Iran’s “Nude Revolutionary” Farahani Says Image Is Symbolic
BIKYA MASR: CAIRO: Iranian actress Golshifteh Farahani has left much of the Islamic world in an uproar over her nude image in a French magazine, which she then posted on Facebook. The actress has spoken out, saying she wanted to make a symbolic gesture about nudity and sex.

“This video clip is a symbolic gesture to remove the common taboos that exist in various societies and does not aim to promote nudity or sex,” a Facebook statement from her said. “By taking part in these photo shoots the people taking part wish to demonstrate their redeem[p]tion from these taboos by the way they act and talk.

“The objective is to liberate their soul and bodies at the same time. As long as an individual has no power iver [sic] her or his body and their soul does not have the command of the way they wish to think, then they do not have a true freedom.

“Although I do not think looking at the nude photo of another human may have an attraction, but it is certainly far more enjoyable than looking at the fully covered and burqa and hejab wearing body of a woman who has been wrapped and imprisoned by her man. So much for not looking at women as sex symbols as the fundamentalists want us to believe!” she added. » | Joseph Mayton | Friday, January 20, 2012

Nude Photo of Iranian Actress Golshifteh Farahani Roils Iran
IRANIAN.COM: The publication of a nude picture of a popular Iranian actress currently in exile in Paris has sparked enormous Internet buzz, and polarized many Iranians conflicted about nudity—at a time that Iran’s independent movie community is under severe repression by authorities. Is it a courageous act of challenging Islamic and cultural taboos, or an insensitive and selfish move that might give Tehran hardliners an excuse in to put more pressure on Iran’s independent film community. » | Omid Memarian | The Daily Beast | Friday, January 20, 2012

Iran Cracks Down on Barbie
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Iranian police have targetted dozens of shops selling Barbie dolls in the latest campaign against the spread of Western decadence in the Islamic republic.

The embattled Iranian regime wages an unceasing war against the encroachments of Western influence. Islamic laws require women to protect their modesty will all enveloping clothing.

However Iranian girls, like their counterparts in the West, have grown up on dressing Barbie dolls in tight fitting clothing and hair styling. » | Damien McElroy | Friday, January 20, 2012

When the Holocaust Was Planned: Germany Marks Anniversary of Wannsee Conference
SPIEGEL ONLINE INTERNATIONAL: Friday was the 70th anniversary of the Wannsee Conference, when senior Nazis coordinated plans for the Holocaust. Germany marked the somber occasion with a ceremony at the villa where the meeting took place.

Germany somberly marked the 70th anniversary of the infamous Wannsee Conference on Friday, with the country's president saying the meeting that laid out plans for the Holocaust still caused "anger and shame."

At the same villa on the shore of Berlin's Wannsee lake where the original meeting took place, now a museum, President Christian Wulff told an audience that even though many years have passed, Germany should never be allowed to forget its responsibility for the genocide of some 6 million European Jews. "Therefore it is important and a national task to keep the memory alive," he said. » | kla, with wire reports | Friday, January 20, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY: Bureaucrats of Genocide »

Explosion des crimes sexuels dans l'armée américaine
LE FIGARO: Depuis 2005, le nombre de viols commis par des soldats américains a presque doublé. Selon un rapport de l'armée, c'est l'une des conséquences des traumatismes subis après dix ans de guerre en Afghanistan et en Irak.

Toutes les trois heures, un crime violent est commis par un militaire américain. C'est le chiffre donné par un rapport publié jeudi par l'armée américaine sur la santé et la discipline au sein de ses troupes. Le document révèle que 2811 crimes violents ont été commis en 2011, sur une base à l'étranger ou sur le sol américain, dont presque la moitié de nature sexuelle. Depuis 2005, ces derniers ont connu une augmentation foudroyante, de 90%, largement au-dessus des statistiques nationales. Et l'état-major s'attend à ce que cet écart augmente encore dans les prochaines années. » | Par Thomas Vampouille | vendredi 20 janvier 2012

Atheist Indonesian in Protective Custody After Being Beaten by Mob
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: An Indonesian civil servant who posted a Facebook message asserting that God did not exist was taken into protective custody after being badly beaten by a mob, some of them his colleagues.

The atheist identified as Alexander, who goes by just one name, now faces five years imprisonment for blasphemy after police officially arrested and charged him on Friday.

The Indonesian Council of Ulema, the Islamic religious authority, reported him over his remarks on a Facebook page he moderated which said: "God does not exist" Mr Alexander, 31, turned up at his government planning offices in Dharmasraya, western Sumatra, on Wednesday to be confronted by a group of men who beat him and then took him to the police. » | Ian MacKinnon in Bangkok | Friday, January 20, 2012

Razzia bei Wulffs Ex-Sprecher Glaeseker

Salman Rushdie in Mumbai Underworld Assassination Threat
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Sir Salman Rushdie has announced his withdrawal from a leading Indian literature festival after officials warned professional assassins were on their way to kill him.

He had been due to appear at the Jaipur Literature Festival in Rajasthan, Western India, along with leading authors and playwrights Tom Stoppard, Sir David Hare, Annie Proulx and Michael Ondaatje, despite threats of protests from Islamic fundamentalists.

Leaders of the Darul Uloom Deoband seminary, one of the most influential in the world, had earlier called for Sir Salman to be barred from India to stop him in appearing at the festival in protest over his controversial novel The Satanic Verses.

They said the author could never be forgiven for his narrator's claim blasphemous [sic] that disputed verses on the Koran were disclosed by the Archangel Gabriel.

The novel provoked anger throughout the Muslim world when it was published in 1988 and was also banned in India where the secular government feared it would cause communal tensions. Iran's then spiritual leader Ayatollah Khomeini issued a fatwa calling for him to be killed.

The threat was later lifted and the author eventually emerged from hiding and heavy security to return to normality, but according to Indian officials the controversy over his visit has brought a new threat to his life. » | Dean Nelson, Jaipur | Friday, January 20, 2012

THE GUARDIAN: Salman Rushdie pulls out of Jaipur literary festival over assassination fears: Salman Rushdie says intelligence sources warned him that 'paid assassins from the Mumbai underworld' might try to kill him » | Jason Burke in Jaipur | Friday, January 20, 2012

MAIL ONLINE: Salman Rushdie Cancels Indian Literary Festival Appearance over Death Threats from Muslim Extremists: Salman Rushdie cancelled plans to appear at an Indian literature festival today after warnings he could be targeted for assassination by Islamic extremists. » | Damien Gayle | Friday, January 20, 2012

US Election 2012: Newt Gingrich Hits Back at 'Open Marriage' Allegations
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Newt Gingrich hit back at allegations of impropriety with a robust debate performance that, judging by a standing ovation it received a South Carolina audience, instantly improved his chances of winning the state’s primary on Saturday.

The former Speaker’s second wife Marianne had made headlines earlier with an ABC television interview accusing him of asking for an open marriage as he admitted a six-year affair with the congressional aide Callista, who soon became his third wife.

CNN’s moderator John King opened the 17th debate of the primary season with a direct invitation to Mr Gingrich respond to the allegation.

“I am appalled you would begin a presidential debate on a topic like that,” he responded.

“Every person in here knows personal pain. Every person in here has had someone close to them go through painful things. To take an ex-wife and make it two days before the primary a significant question for a presidential campaign is as close to despicable as anything I can imagine.” » | Alex Spillius, Charleston | Friday, January 20, 2012

My comment:

Newt Gingrich has proven himself to be the bully of right-wing American politics. He has also proven himself to be without any moral or ethical anchors. Yet he has the audacity to lecture others on such matters.

What manner of man would leave his wife after being diagnosed with cancer? What manner of man would then proceed to leave his second wife after being diagnosed with MS? Then, to cap it all, he is the master of extra-marital affairs as well.

The crass way he attacked John King last evening 'for having the temerity' to ask him such a "despicable" question about his infidelities shows nothing but a man in desperation. He is desperate to get to the White House, as he obviously has been all of his adult life. He dumped on his first wife because she would clearly have been unable to accompany him on his journey there; he dumped on his second wife for a similar reason. This shows he had no real love of either. Once it became clear to him that they were not First Lady material, he was off.

Is this the kind of man the Americans need to lead them through the morass they now find themselves in?

After 9/11, I dare say that Newt Gingrich would have been a good choice for president. More than ten years on, I doubt that. I fear that if Gingrich is selected to represent the Republicans in the race to the White House, the Americans – and all of us, actually – will be in for a very rough ride. This candidate is gung-ho. He will lead America to more wars that it can ill afford. – © Mark

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US Election 2012: Mitt Romney Booed over Tax Returns during Republican Debate
Asked directly about how many years of tax returns he plans to make public, the Republican frontrunner is heckled and jeered by the crowd at a debate in South Carolina

Read the short article here | Friday, January 20, 2012

Cringe-making! US Election 2012: Barack Obama Serenades Supporters at New York Fundraiser
President Barack Obama burst into song to woo supporters at a fundraising event in New York before calling on them to boost his re-election bid.

Read short article here, and comment | Friday, January 20, 2012

Gingrich Ex: Newt Wanted 'Open Marriage'
Marianne Gingrich unloads but also defends Newt on ethics questions in Congress.

Fireworks at CNN Debate Over Gingrich 'Open Marriage' Charge
abc NEWS: Newt Gingrich earned a standing ovation from a South Carolina crowd Thursday night when he angrily rebuked moderator John King for opening CNN's Southern Republican Debate with a question about claims he'd asked his second wife for an "open marriage."


"Would you like to take some time to respond to that?" asked King.

"No, but I will," said a visibly angered Gingrich, earning sustained applause.

"The destructive, vicious, negative nature of much of the news media makes it harder to govern this country, harder to attract decent people to run for public office, and I am appalled that you would begin a presidential debate on a topic like that," he said.

The crowd in Charleston, S.C., leapt to its feet and cheered. » | Mark Schone | Thursday, January 19, 2012

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Gingrich Shoots the Messenger » | Jon Swaine, Charleston | Friday, January 20, 2012

China Begins to Turn Against Iran
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Iran slipped further into global isolation on Thursday as China, its traditional ally, warned Tehran against its pursuit of nuclear weapons.

After a visit to the Gulf in which he met the leaders of the states most threatened by Iran's aggressive foreign policy, Wen Jiabao, the Chinese premier, issued Beijing's clearest condemnation yet.

"China adamantly opposes Iran developing and possessing nuclear weapons," he said.

China appears to have sent a message to Iran that it could not rely on Beijing's unstinting support by reducing its imports of oil at a time when the US and Europe are promoting an embargo on the country.

The Washington Post reported that China trimmed its oil imports from Iran in January from a daily average of around 550,000 barrels to 285,000 barrels a day.

Chinese foreign policy experts said the statement demonstrated that Beijing would not allow its international position to end up beholden to Iran.

Mr Wen's trip to three of the world's biggest oil-and-gas producers was de[s]cribed by some commentators as an attempt to seek alternative energy sources, although he politely denied this was the case: "Some people said my visit was to secure oil, which is narrow-minded. I came here for friendship."

"Iran would not have wanted China to make this statement, but Iran must understand that if it comes down to a choice China will not alienate itself from the rest of the world for the sake of single country," said Yu Guoqing, a researcher on the Middle East at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. » | Malcolm Moore, Henry Samuel and Damien McElroy | Thursday, January 19, 2012

Gingrich Blasts 'Destructive' News Media as He Denies Asking Ex-Wife for an 'Open Marriage' at Start of Fiery GOP Debate

MAIL ONLINE: • Gingrich bracing for ex-wife's tell-all interview to air following debate • Marianne Gingrich claims former Speaker wanted an open marriage with her while he was having an affair with his current wife, Callista. • Opened debate saying he was 'appalled' moderator John King would bring up the topic • Romney defends his work at Bain Capital saying his firm's investments created thousands of jobs

Newt Gingrich is denying that he ever asked his ex-wife for an open marriage and is angrily denouncing the moderator of tonight's Republican debate for raising the issue.

Gingrich blasted what he called the 'destructive, vicious, negative nature of much of the news media.'

The former House speaker slammed CNN moderator John King during the debate, saying that he was 'appalled' that King would begin a presidential debate on such a topic.

Gingrich called the question about his ex-wife's allegations, in his words, 'as close to despicable as anything as I can imagine.'

The former speaker's second wife, Marianne Gingrich, says in an interview with ABC News that when she discovered Gingrich was having an affair he asked her for an open marriage.

'I am tired of the media protecting Barack Obama by attacking republicans,' he said.

Asked whether Gingrich's past infidelity is relevant to the campaign, Republican rivals Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum and Ron Paul were not eager to criticise him on his marital woes. » | Daily Mail Reporter | Friday, January 20, 2012

Iran Warns Neighbours Not to Join Isolation Attempts
THE GUARDIAN: Iranian foreign minister says Gulf states co-operating with western efforts to isolate Tehran would be in 'dangerous position'


Tehran has warned its Gulf neighbours that it would be "dangerous" for them to join a western-led effort to isolate Iran, with the warning coming as a meeting of European ambassadors in Brussels failed to agree on the details of an EU oil embargo.

The EU permanent representatives council had been due to agree a far-reaching sanctions package including a phased embargo on oil imports from Iran and a freezing of the assets of the country's central bank.

But Greece refused to agree to a Danish proposal to begin the oil embargo on 1 July, calling for more time to enable it to complete existing contracts with Iranian suppliers and find new ones.

The ambassadors will work through the weekend in an effort to complete a deal before foreign ministers meet on Monday.

The sanctions package includes a freeze on European assets belonging to the Central Bank of Iran, with loopholes to allow non-oil trade to continue. Britain is also pushing for a partial asset freeze on an Iranian private bank.

Iran – which already faces US sanctions on the global financing on its oil trade, effective in June – focused its attentions yesterday on trying to persuade Gulf Arab states not to co-operate with the western isolation campaign. » | Julian Borger, diplomatic editor | Thursday, January 19, 2012

Dominique Strauss-Kahn's Wife Anne Sinclair: 'Leave Your Husband If You Want, That's Your Problem'
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Anne Sinclair, the wife of fallen International Monetary Fund chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn has blasted feminists who criticised her for standing by her philandering spouse, saying: "Leave your husband if you want, that's your problem."

A poll published in September published by Elle magazine found that 54 per cent of women approved Miss Sinclair's decision to stand by Mr Strauss-Kahn during allegations of rape and despite revelations of his serial use of prostitutes.

But the same poll found that 74 per cent would have left him, if faced with the same situation.
"Well then, leave your husband if you want to want to leave him. That's your problem," she said in a long interview in Elle.

Once tipped to become the next French president, Mr Strauss-Kahn's career has been in tatters since his arrest last May over the alleged rape of a New York hotel maid. Criminal charges were dropped but a civil case is pending.

Mr Strauss-Kahn's name has also been linked to a prostitution ring operating out of a luxury hotel in Lille. He is expected to be questioned over the so-called "Hotel Carlton affair" in the coming weeks.

But his wife, a one-time star political TV journalist and millionaire heiress to an art fortune, dismissed as "unacceptable" claims that she was condoning violence towards women by offering her husband staunch moral and financial support.

"It's unacceptable because there was no violence. If there had been, the prosecutors would have pressed charges. They didn't. Violence horrifies me – verbal violence too To be a feminist is to fight that, not to meddle in the private life of other women to decide in their place what seems moral or not." "I am neither a saint, nor a victim," she added. "I am a free woman." » | Henry Samuel, Paris | Thursday, January 19, 2012

Australia on Verge of Historic Decision to Recognise Aborigines as First People of Continent
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Australia is poised to make historic changes to its constitution recognising Aborigines as the first people of the continent and removing the last clauses permitting racial discrimination by the state.

Proposals presented on Thursday would ask Australians to approve a clause recognising that Aborigine and Pacific islanders were the first occupants of the land mass. A second clause prohibiting racial discrimination would override measures that allow the authorities to intervene on the grounds of races.

Only eight of 44 referendums have been approved in the 111 year history of the Australian Commonwealth. The last successful nationwide vote was held in 1967.

A report unanimously adopted by a panel of 19 experts was endorsed by Julia Gillard, the prime minister, who pledged to put the amendments to a vote before the next general election expected in 2013.

The prospects for change were bolstered by support from Tony Abbott, the Opposition leader, who said he would support any measure that did not amount to a Bill of Rights.
Ms Gillard said Australia was "big enough" to back changes.


"It is the right time to say yes to an understanding of our past, to say yes to constitutional change, and to say yes to a future more united and more reconciled than we have ever been before," she said. "It is going to require each and every one of us involved in politics to find it in ourselves to be our best selves, to advocate this case for change with the maximum degree of unity." » | Jonathan Pearlman, Perth and Damien McElroy | Thursday, January 19, 2012

Ungarn will Streit über EU-Recht beilegen

370,000 Migrants On the Dole
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: More than 370,000 migrants who were admitted to Britain to work, study or go on holiday are now claiming out-of-work benefits, according to official figures compiled for the first time.

The migrants, who can claim unemployment, housing and incapacity benefit, are costing taxpayers billions of pounds a year.

In other countries, many would have had to return home after their visas expired or their employment ended.

The figures are likely to reopen the debate over the generosity of the welfare system amid growing concerns that the country has become a destination for “benefit tourists”.

In an article for today’s Daily Telegraph, Chris Grayling, the employment minister, and Damian Green, the immigration minister, say that the large number of migrants now claiming benefits has been increased by the “organisational chaos” of Britain’s immigration system.

“It should never have been allowed to happen and Labour should be embarrassed by what it left behind,” they add. Read on and comment » | Robert Winnett, Political Editor | Thursday, January 19, 2012

WEF: Mit den Mächtigen im Schnee - 40 Jahre Weltgeschichte *
Ein Schweizer Bergort schreibt seit 40 Jahren Weltgeschichte: Davos und sein World Economic Forum (WEF). Hier in Davos hat der damalige deutsche Aussenminister Hans-Dietrich Genscher das Ende des kalten Krieges verkündet, die Premier-Minister Griechenlands und der Türkei verhinderten per Handschlag einen Krieg und es gibt kaum einen Staatschef oder Wirtschaftskapitän, der nicht ein paar Tage im Schnee von Davos verbracht hat.
Das Video hier abspielen | Mittwoch 27. Januar 2010
* Zum Teil in Schweizerdeutsch (Schyzertüütsch) übertragen worden

Turkish PM Reiterates Ankara's Support for Iran's Peaceful N. Program

FARS NEWS AGENCY: TEHRAN - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi renewed his country's support for Tehran's peaceful nuclear program.

Erdogan said Turkey always supported Iran's peaceful nuclear activities and thought cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency will help settle the issue.

During the meeting Wednesday night, the two officials also reviewed bilateral ties and explored ways of promoting Tehran-Ankara relations.

The Turkish prime minister voiced Turkey's readiness to expand cooperation with Iran in all possible areas.

He also expressed the interest of his country in exchanging views with Iran on regional issues with an aim of consolidating security, peace and stability in the region. » | FNA | Thursday, January 19, 2012

Iran Blames 'Western' Influences Over Nude Actress Controversy
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: An Iranian state news agency has attacked Golshifteh Farahani, the actress who posed nude in a French magazine, for slipping from the modest respectability of Iranian cinema to the vulgarity of Western culture.

Fars News Agency said that result of her decision to seek fame outside Iran was that she fell into the corruption and decadence associated with the Hollywood film industry.

"The actress who once played the role of caring and decent mothers of Iran has now auctioned her modesty and honour in front of the Western cameras," it said.

A photograph of Miss Farahani standing naked in a studio was published in the latest edition of Madame Le Figaro magazine. The publication has attracted a wave of visitors to her Facebook page from Iran and the Middle East.

The Paris-based actress left Iran last year in protest against restrictive Islamic codes that the Iranian cinema industry has to follow under Ahmadinejad's conservative cultural policies.

The agency revealed Iranian officials had been shocked by her decision. » | Damien McElroy, and Ahmad Vahdat | Thursday, January 19, 2012

Mode aus Berlin

Russian Says Western Support for Arab Revolts Could Cause a ‘Big War’
THE NEW YORK TIMES: MOSCOW — Russia’s foreign minister, Sergey V. Lavrov, warned Wednesday that outside encouragement of antigovernment uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa could lead to “a very big war that will cause suffering not only to countries in the region, but also to states far beyond its boundaries.”

Mr. Lavrov’s annual news conference was largely devoted to a critique of Western policies in Iran and Syria, which he said could lead to a spiral of violence.

His remarks came on the heels of a report on state-controlled television that accused the American ambassador to Russia, Michael McFaul, who has been in Moscow for less than a week, of working to provoke a revolution here. Prime Minister Vladimir V. Putin, at an impromptu meeting with prominent editors, also unleashed an attack on the liberal radio station Ekho Moskvy, which he said was serving American interests.

Mr. Lavrov said Russia would use its position on the United Nations Security Council to veto any United Nations authorization of military strikes against the government of President Bashar al-Assad of Syria. The United Nations has repeatedly called for Syria end a crackdown on opposition demonstrators, which Arab League monitors say resulted in hundreds of deaths over the past month.

“If someone conceives the idea of using force at any cost — and I’ve already heard calls for sending some Arab troops to Syria — we are unlikely to be able to prevent this,” Mr. Lavrov said. “But this should be done on their own initiative and should remain on their conscience. They won’t get any authorization from the Security Council.”

Mr. Lavrov said foreign governments were arming “militants and extremists” in Syria, and he gave a bristling response to Susan E. Rice, the American ambassador to the United Nations, who on Tuesday expressed concern about possible Russian arms shipments to Syria.

“We don’t find it necessary to explain or justify anything,” Mr. Lavrov said. “We are only trading goods with Syria that are not prohibited by international law.” » | Ellen Barry and Michael Schwirtz | Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Is Obama's Re-election Campaign to Dye for? Greying President Sports Remarkable Head of Brown Hair in New Ad Spot
MAIL ONLINE: Commercial appears to have reversed ageing process for Barack Obama

Barack Obama's hair is turning grey so rapidly that even the First Lady made a joke about it on his 50th birthday last year.

But that hasn't stopped the TV advertisement of the first Obama / Biden re-election campaign from featuring a remarkably youthful-looking president with luxuriant brown hair.

Like many world leaders, Mr Obama has aged during the three years he has been in office, a process that in his case has been most visible through his greying hair. » | Graham Smith | Thursday, January 19, 2012

Exclusive: Gingrich Lacks Moral Character to Be President, Ex-Wife Says
abc NEWS: Newt Gingrich lacks the moral character to serve as President, his second ex-wife Marianne told ABC News, saying his campaign positions on the sanctity of marriage and the importance of family values do not square with what she saw during their 18 years of marriage.

In her first television interview since the 1999 divorce, to be broadcast tonight on Nightline, Marianne Gingrich, a self-described conservative Republican, said she is coming forward now so voters can know what she knows about Gingrich. » | Brian Ross and Rhonda Schwartz | Thursday, January 19, 2012

Golshifteh Farahani in Paris

Golshifteh Farahani

Golshifteh Farahani Naked

MAIL ONLINE: Iranian Actress Banned from Returning to Her Home Country after Posing Nude in French Magazine: An actress who has starred with Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe has been banished from her home country of Iran - because she posed nude in a French news magazine. ¶ Golshifteh Farahani says she has been contacted by the Iranian government, telling her that she is no longer welcome in the country and advising her not to return home. ¶ The offending photo - a black-and-white 'art shot' featuring the 28-year-old Farahani posing against a black backdrop with her hands strategically placed over her breasts - was first published in Madame Le Figaro. » | Daily Mail Reporter | Thursday, January 19, 2012

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