Turkey's EU Membership Bid Falters as Diplomatic Row with Germany Deepens

THE GUARDIAN: Efforts to resume negotiations and break three-year stalemate dashed in wake of Ankara's ruthless response to street protests

Turkey's chances of a breaking a three-year stalemate and relaunching its bid to join the European Union look like being dashed because of the government's ruthless response to three weeks of street protests amid worsening friction between Ankara and Berlin.

The foreign ministry in Berlin summoned the Turkish ambassador to Germany on Friday to explain the harsh language directed at the chancellor, Angela Merkel, by Egemen Bağis, the Turkish official in charge of negotiations with the EU.

Merkel had said earlier this week that she was "appalled at the very tough" response by the prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in ordering riot police to clear central Istanbul of thousands of protesters last weekend.

Bağis accused the chancellor of playing domestic politics, said that anyone using Turkey for political purposes would suffer "an inauspicious end" and warned of severe retaliation if the negotiations were called off.

Turkey opened negotiations to join the EU eight years ago, at the same time as Croatia. While Croatia joins next week as the 28th member, Turkey's bid has been frozen for three years and it has closed just one of the 35 chapters of EU law required to complete the accession. Another 12 chapters have been opened.

Merkel and the German centre-right remain firmly opposed to Turkey joining. Her Christian Democrats' draft manifesto for the general elections in September states: "We reject full membership for Turkey because it does not meet the conditions for EU entry. Additionally, the EU would be overstretched because of [Turkey's] size and because of its economic structures."

Exasperated by the slow progress, Ankara has taken to warning that the EU needs Turkey more than it needs Europe. The Germans, French and Dutch take a different view. » | Ian Traynor in Istanbul | Friday, June 21, 2013

Church of England Creating 'Pagan Church' to Recruit Members
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The Church of England is trying to recruit pagans and spiritual believers as part of a drive to retain congregation numbers.

The church [sic] is training ministers to create “a pagan church where Christianity [is] very much in the centre” to attract spiritual believers.

Ministers are being trained to create new forms of Anglicanism suitable for people of alternative beliefs as part of a Church of England drive to retain congregation numbers.

Reverend Steve Hollinghurst, a researcher and adviser in new religious movements told the BBC: “I would be looking to formulate an exploration of the Christian faith that would be at home in their culture.”

He said it would be “almost to create a pagan church where Christianity was very much in the centre.” » | Radhika Sanghani | Friday, June 21, 2013

How Tunisia is Turning Into a Salafist Battleground
THE ATLANTIC: An interview with a professor who was attacked for standing up for secularism.

After a trial lasting more than a year, on May 2 Habib Kazdaghli, dean of the faculty of letters, arts, and humanities at the University of Manouba, outside Tunis, was acquitted of charges that he slapped a veiled female student. He had faced a five-year jail term. Instead, the court found guilty the two women who had invaded Kazdaghli's office and thrown his books and papers on the floor. The women claimed to be protesting their suspension from the university for refusing to remove their full-face coverings, known as niqabs, during class lectures and exams.

The court sentenced the women to suspended four-month and two-month jail sentences for damaging property and interfering with a public servant carrying out his duties. Their lawyer said the women would appeal, and Tunisia's minister of higher education -- overruling Kazdaghli and setting him up for another round of conflict -- announced that veiled students would be allowed to take their final exams.

The Kazdaghli affair, a cause célèbre with more than 230,000 Google results, is part of a larger struggle for power in post-revolutionary Tunisia. After the uprising that toppled dictator Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali in January 2011 -- sparking the onset of the Arab Spring -- the University of Manouba became a battleground between fundamentalist Muslims intent on turning Tunisia into an Islamic state and secular forces trying to maintain the country's existing constitutional rights and legal system.

Closed for almost two months in the spring of 2012, the University was rocked by strikes and pitched battles between progressive students and the ultra-conservative Sunni Muslims known as salafists. The lobby in Kazdaghli's building was turned into a prayer room. Protesters camped in front of his door for a month. "This was meant to intimidate me, but also to catch me in a kind of trap," says Kazdaghli. "You are not supposed to walk through a room where someone is praying." So every time he entered or left his office, Kazdaghli was demonstrating his lack of faith. » | Thomas A. Bass | Thursday, June 20, 2013

Spain: "Soon the Muslims Will Be the Kings of the World"
GATESTONE INSTITUTE: While Spanish Muslims are busy trying to Islamize Spain, Spanish politicians are busy removing all references to Christianity from public discourse…The requirement which will be enshrined in Spain's legal code law, represents an unprecedented encroachment of Islamic Sharia law within Spanish jurisprudence.

Spanish police have arrested a Muslim immigrant in Mallorca after he claimed to have been sent by Allah to "kill all the Spanish."

The arrest follows a series of other Islam-related incidents in recent weeks and months which reflect the mounting challenge that radical Islam is posing to Spain.

In the latest incident, police on the Mediterranean island of Mallorca arrested a German national of Tunisian descent on June 13 after he repeatedly threatened to carry out terror attacks in the name of Allah.

According to Spanish authorities, the man made "constant threats of death and references to being a Muslim" and warned, "I do not mind dying; if I have to die, I will die, but I will take plenty of others with me." The man threatened to blow up a hairdressing academy in the Mallorcan capital of Palma and "kill everyone."

The man said he had "terrorist friends who could plant bombs" and warned that "soon the Muslims will be kings of the world."

Spanish police said the man -- who had previously been arrested on February 15 for threatening to kill a local policeman -- became radicalized after visiting Tunisia in 2012. » | Soeren Kern | Friday, July 21, 2013

Why Charles Moore Is Wrong About British Muslims
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: British Muslims were outraged by the Woolwich attack – but it is being used to slur our entire community, writes Sadiq Khan.

Much has been written in the past month in the aftermath of the brutal murder of Drummer Lee Rigby. One unifying message has been the importance of communities standing together, in the face of the threats posed by those claiming to follow a particularly violent political version of Islam, and from far-right groups such as the EDL and BNP. One recent contribution to the debate came from the esteemed journalist Charles Moore, whose recent biography of Margaret Thatcher is a mighty tome of diligence and detail. In contrast, his words in last Saturday’s Telegraph were a clumsy foray into a territory about which he appears to know very little.

Some of his claims in his piece are so wide of the mark they warrant specific rebuttal. Take his claim that “the only serious violence was against a British soldier” – try telling that to those from across the community in Muswell Hill on finding that the Al-Rahma Islamic Centre had been burnt to the ground, or to the 182 staff and pupils evacuated from the Darul Uloom School in Chiselhurst, traumatised by an arson attack in the middle of the night.

In his piece, Moore states that “the EDL is merely reactive” as if that’s OK. It’s far from OK. Many of the darkest chapters in recent human history have sprung from reactionary movements gaining a foothold in society. But to go on and equate the EDL with groups like Tell Mama, the charity that records incidents against the Muslim community as well as providing advice and support on how to deal with Islamophobia, as Charles Moore's piece does, is ridiculous. I don’t recall seeing those running Tell Mama flicking fascist salutes while standing next to memorials for the war dead.

Charles Moore fears that those criticising Islamist organisations for being pro-violence will be rounded on. On the contrary, not only is there no place in British society for such extremist positions, but there is no place in my religion, the religion that I share with 2.7 million others across the UK. It is incumbent on us all to root out the bad apples, and not shy away from tackling head on the very small numbers who preach hatred and violence. » | Sadiq Khan, MP | Thursday, June 20, 2013

My comment:

This article is a whitewash of Islam. For starters, were the Muslim community to have been truly outraged by the beheading of Lee Rigby, they'd have come out into the streets showing us their rage. After all, they're pretty good at showing rage when they want to do so, witness the rage that ensued upon the publication of the cartoons of the prophet Muhammad.

Further, you say that Islam is not incompatible with "Britishness." I beg to differ. It is hardly British to keep one's women in purdah; nor is it British for women to be covered from head-to-toe. To be British is to respect democracy and freedom. Islam fails on both counts: it respects neither democracy nor freedom. And as a British politician and Muslim, you should be very aware of where the problems lie. For democracy to flourish, there has to be a strict separation of Church and state. In the case of Islam, that would have to be mosque and state. But Islam respects no such separation. Indeed, Islam boasts that the political and the spiritual in Islam are one indivisible, coherent whole. I think you should read my essay on the subject here.

Where there is no separation of the religious and the political, there is no true democracy. I really would have thought you'd have understood that, being a British politician as you are.

You also say that Islam is "British" because it is about respect, tolerance, and understanding. You know that Islam is neither respectful nor tolerant nor understanding. How much respect do Muslims show for homosexuals, for example? Or people of other faiths?

I'm sorry to say, Mr. Khan, but your article is full of flaws. It is neither true nor believable. – © Mark

This comment should be available to read here also; but the moderators have taken it down. It appears that The Daily Telegraph is no longer the newspaper which stands up for the truth, or for the indigenous population of the United Kingdom. They prefer to silence us, and give Muslims a voice instead. I find this policy to be reprehensible, especially because it makes newspapers like the Telegraph enablers.

U.S. Men Build X-ray Gun to Harm Israel Opponents, ‘Specifically Muslims’
AL ARABIYA: The FBI has charged two men in Albany, New York with making an X-ray weapon that they intended to use to sicken opponents of Israel, “specifically Muslims,” reported The Guardian on Thursday.

An indictment charges Glendon Scott Crawford, 49, and Eric J. Feight, 54, with conspiracy to provide support to “terrorists” with the weapon.

The men appeared in federal court separately on Wednesday and were ordered detained until hearings on Thursday. They could face up to 15 years jail time.

Investigators have revealed that Crawford approached Jewish organizations in 2012, looking for funding and technical guidance to build a weapon that could secretly deliver damaging doses of radiation against those considered to be enemies of Israel.

“Crawford has specifically identified Muslims and several other individuals/groups as targets,” investigator Geoffrey Kent stated in a court affidavit. » | Al Arabiya | Thursday, June 20, 2013

'Yes We Scan': Anti-wiretap Activists Protest as Obama Visits Germany
President Obama's reception in the German capital, where he is on a whirlwind visit, could have been warmer. Demonstrators in Berlin showed what they felt about the revelations of Washington's widespread surveillance program - of which Germany was among the top targets. RT's Peter Oliver went to take a look.

French Extreme-right Leader Marine Le Pen Faces Prosecution for Comparing Muslims to Nazis

EXPRESS: FRENCH extreme right-wing leader Marine Le Pen faces potential prosecution for comparing Muslim immigration in France as "like a Nazi occupation."

The European Parliament's legal committee recommended that the National Front leader have her protection from prosecution as an MEP revoked, which could result in her being put on trial.

The full parliament is expected to formally lift her legal immunity after a vote on the recommendation on July 3.

Le Pen sparked outrage after she slammed Muslims praying in the street in areas where there are no mosques in a speech to National Front supporters in December 2010.

"For those who like to talk about World War II, to talk about occupation, we could talk about, for once, the occupation of our territory," Le Pen told the rally.

"There are no armoured vehicles, no soldiers, but it is an occupation all the same and it weighs on people." » | Charlotte Meredith | Thursday, June 20, 2013

My comment:

Why should Marine Le Pen face prosecution for stating the obvious? It is indeed as though France had been occupied by a foreign power. During WWII it was the fascists; now it is by the Islamo-fascists. What's the difference? They are both anti-democratic, totalitarian ideologies. In my opinion, it is an outrage that Marine Le Pen cannot state what is on her mind without being liable to prosecution. Aren't people to be allowed independent thought from now on? Has political correctness taken such a hold on the weak-minded politicians in the West that stating anything other than pc platitudes is 'strengstens verboten'? – © Mark

This comment also appears here

'Grown Men Look Like They Want to Hit Me': Tony Blair's Muslim Convert Sister-in-law Lauren Booth Speaks of Her Fear in Wake of Lee Rigby Killing

MAIL ONLINE: Lauren Booth said she has felt 'scared' in public after the Lee Rigby killing / She said she wasn't treated differently when she first went out in traditional Islamic dress - but it has changed in the wake of the Woolwich killing / Half-sister of Cherie Blair converted to Islam two years ago / Miss Booth attacks Tony Blair for saying there is a 'problem within Islam'

Tony Blair's Muslim convert sister-in-law Lauren Booth said today she is scared of being attacked by men on public transport following the murder of Drummer Lee Rigby.

Miss Booth said that after the soldier was brutally hacked to death in Woolwich she has seen 'grown men looking like they want to hit Muslim women' when she is travelling in London.

The 45-year-old half-sister of Cherie Blair ventures out in traditional Islamic dress and wears a hijab head-covering.

She converted to Islam two years ago and married Sohale Ahmed, 49, in a Muslim ceremony earlier this year.

Miss Booth, wearing a patterned hijab, said on ITV's Daybreak this morning that when she converted two years ago she was not treated any differently.

But in the aftermath of the murder of Lee Rigby close to Woolwich Barracks in south-east London last month she said that has changed.

'When I came to Islam two years ago and I first put on the scarf I was nervous about going on the Underground, I thought everyone is going to see me differently, and everyone was beautiful towards me,' she said.

'I was invisible for a few weeks and then I noticed that British people were smiling, same as we always do, we're really good at that, we're really good at absorbing and accepting people.

'But honestly, in the last two weeks I've been getting public transport and there are grown men looking like they want to hit Muslim women, and I'm a tall, white woman, I'm not easily threatened, but I have felt scared at times, so there is a change unfortunately.' » | Rob Cooper | Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Turkey: Islamic Party Takes Control
July 1996 - A historic report filmed when Refah, the Islamic party in Turkey, formed a new government following the collapse of the secular government.

By reforming a once derelict part of Istanbul, Mayor Nusret Bayraktar has shown a new face to Turkish Islam. In the conservative villages of its traditional heartland, women remain secondary citizens. A 17 year old bride submits to an arranged marriage and waits nervously as her menfolk revel with blonde dancers imported from the city. As young villagers migrate to the towns, Refah is developing its urban power base. In his artist's garret, Bedri Baykarn, arch Islamic opponent, advocates military intervention if Refah jeopardises Turkish democracy. In defending the constitution, Security forces often resort to torture and political murder. At a peaceful demonstration, police beat the protesters with battens, chasing them until they fall to the ground in panic. Only a village picnic shows how Turks, Islamic or secular, unite to celebrate a history of both modern and traditional values. As families sing and dance under the trees, Refah's success depends upon maintaining this delicate social balance. Interview with deputy Rafah leader, Abdullah Gul.

Christian Retreat – Turkey (2010)
Diba is a Christian who left Turkey 23 years ago after Muslims killed her brother. Today she returns , hoping she can live there in peace. What she finds is a smaller Christian community still living with fear and uncertainty?

"It was much better here before. We were with thousands. All churches were full. But now our people are gone", says Diba as she pores over her photos of a now disappearing culture. Her face expresses the immeasurable sadness of a vanishing people. Despite her return the future looks bleak for the remaining Assyrian Christians in Turkey. While Turkey claims to be a secular country intolerance still abounds. "What the issue is here, is that there is no real mentality of freedom of religion. There is just one religion here, Islam". says Ria Oomen-Ruijten, a representative of the European Union in Turkey, as she explains the frequent attacks on Christians in Turkey; one man was attacked by a fundamentalist with a knife in broad daylight on a street in Istanbul. It is this culture of intolerance that is driving the remaining Monks from Dor Gabriel, one of the oldest sanctuaries of the Turkish Christian community. Yet Diba is not about to give up. She sees a different future for Christians in Turkey and is willing to fight for it. "Our dream? We will fight for our land. We will stay on our land. That is what we will try".

Dolce and Gabbana Sentenced to Jail for Tax Evasion
BBC: Italian fashion designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana have been sentenced to jail in Italy for one year and eight months for tax evasion.

The pair were not at the trial and deny the charges.

They are accused of hiding millions of euros from Italian tax authorities.

Dolce and Gabbana have not yet given a public comment on the sentence and are likely to appeal the verdict. They are said to be unlikely to go to jail any time soon.

Their customers have included Madonna, Kylie Minogue, Kate Moss and Bryan Ferry. » | Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Besuch in Deutschland: Die wichtigsten Momente von Obamas Rede
Es war der Höhepunkt des Obama-Besuchs: Vor dem Brandenburger Tor sprach der US-Präsident vor Tausenden Gästen. Sehen Sie Ausschnitte aus der mit Spannung erwarteten Rede.

Obama in Berlin
Zum ersten Mal seit seinem Amtsantritt besucht US-Präsident Barack Obama Deutschland. Gestern landete er in Begleitung seiner Familie in Berlin-Tegel. Heute steht eine Rede am Brandenburger Tor auf dem Programm, welche von den Deutschen mit Spannung erwartet wird.

Terror in Somalia: Islamisten greifen Vereinte Nationen an
SPIEGEL ONLINE: Kämpfer der radikalen Shabab-Miliz haben das Gebäude der Vereinten Nationen in der somalischen Hauptstadt Mogadischu gestürmt und 15 Menschen getötet. Truppen der Afrikanischen Union schlugen die Islamisten zurück.

Mogadischu - In der somalischen Hauptstadt Mogadischu haben Islamisten das Gebäude der Vereinten Nationen angegriffen. Die Polizei berichtete, ein Attentäter habe sich am Eingang zum Uno-Entwicklungsprogramm (UNDP) in die Luft gesprengt. Anschließend hätten mehrere Männer in Militäruniformen das Gebäude gestürmt und um sich geschossen. Bei dem Angriff seien 15 Menschen getötet worden, darunter vier ausländische Mitarbeiter des UNDP und vier somalische Sicherheitskräfte, sagte Innenminister Abdikarim Husien Gulled. » | tob/dpa/Reuters/AP/AFP | Mittwoch, 19. Juni 2013

Tony Blair Demands Western Intervention to Overthrow Assad
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Tony Blair has warned of "catastrophic consequences" if the West fails to arm Syrian rebels to defeat the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.

The consequences of refusing to intervene are likely to be more costly for the West than participating in the drive to oust the regime.

Speaking in Israel, the former prime minister acknowledged the "predominant emotion" in the West was to stay out of Syria, where rebels are battling to oust Bashar Assad and his regime, and avoid becoming embroiled in the politics of the region. "Undoubtedly the predominant emotion in the West today is to stay out of Syria; indeed to stay out of the region's politics," he said. "But as every day that passes shows, the cost of staying out may be paid in a higher price later."

The comments came a day after G8 leaders papered over differences between the West and Russia to agree that a political solution to the conflict must be an international priority. » | Damien McElroy and agencies | Wednesday, June 19, 2013

EXPRESS: Has he learnt nothing? Tony Blair argues Britain MUST intervene over Syrian crisis: TONY BLAIR has called for Britain to intervene over the growing Syrian crisis. » | Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Assange's Year On Ice: 'Every Day We Live Our Principles, We Truly Live'
WikiLeaks editor Julian Assange says he'll remain in the Ecuadorian embassy in London - even if the sex crime allegations against him are dropped. He fears being snatched and extradited to the United States - especially since Washington renewed its assault on whistleblowers wherever they are. Sara Firth reports on Assange's struggle and his now year-long confinement.

Barack Obama to Invoke Call of History in Berlin Speech
President Barack Obama is expected to propose deep cuts in America’s nuclear weapons arsenal as well as a reduction in the number of tactical nuclear weapons stationed in Europe, in a major speech in Berlin.

Read the Telegraph article here | Jeevam Vasagar, Berlin | Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Barbra Streisand Receives an Honorary PhD
BBC: Barbra Streisand received an honorary doctorate of philosophy degree from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem on Monday.

The performer was presented the award in recognition for her human rights work and dedication to Israel and the Jewish people.

She already holds an Honorary Doctorate in Arts and Humanities from Brandeis University in Massachusetts, and has also received many awards during her career.

Streisand is one of just a few stars to have won all four major US awards - an Oscar, Emmy, Grammy and an honorary Tony. (+ video) » | Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Related »

Obama: NSA Spying Programs Are Transparent
Ed Henry reports from Washington, D.C.

Stakelbeck On Terror: Islamization In America
CBN News Terrorism Analyst Erick Stakelbeck sits down with Robert Spencer and Pamela Geller, two leading voices in the fight against Islamization of the West.

Stakelbeck on Terror Blog »

L'islam en France : quel avenir ? REPORTAGE
A l'occasion de la sortie du livre Le devenir de l'islam en France, Zaman France s'est penché sur la question. En partant d'un constat simple sur la vision qu'ont les français à l'égard des musulmans, nous sommes partis à la rencontre des uns et des autres pour tenter de dresser un avenir à l'islam en France. Stopper les amalgames, vivre ensemble et partager, devenir acteur et non plus victime, tels sont les propos que chacun de nos interlocuteurs rappellent lorsqu'on évoque l'avenir de l'islam en France.

ZAMAN FRANCE: Vous pouvez lire l’article ici

'Muslims in Germany Have Rights and Obligations'
DEUTSCHE WELLE: For the first time in Germany, a Muslim community has been granted 'corporation under public law' status. Abdullah Uwe Wagishauser, its chairman, tells DW that this includes rights as well as responsibilities.

The Culture Ministry in the state of Hesse has granted Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat (AMJ) in Frankfurt, a Muslim religious community, the status of 'corporation under public law' - a first in Germany.

Legally, the new status puts it on par with the major Christian churches and the Jewish community in Germany. Public corporation status gives the communities certain rights, including the right to pass laws for their organization and raise taxes from members.

Abdullah Uwe Wagishauser has served as AMJ chairman since 1984. Active in Germany since the 1950s, the AMJ, with its 39 mosques and more than 35,000 members in about 225 communities, is regarded as a moderate Muslim reformist movement. » | DW.DE | Interview: Klaus Krämer / db | Editor: Michael Lawton | Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Obama and Putin: The Best of Friends

Source: The Daily Telegraph »

Stalingrad: WWII Documentary
The Battle of Stalingrad, which cost the lives of at least a million German soldiers, Red Army troops and Soviet civilians, was the bloodiest of the decisive battles in the "war of extermination" which Hitler had unleashed. The annihilation of the German Sixth Army brought home to many Germans with a terrible shock the fact that, despite the propaganda which filled their ears, the war would inevitably be lost in the end. For both Germany and Russia, Stalingrad signified the psychological turning point in World War II. This three-part documentary, employing previously unreleased film footage and brutally frank statements from survivors on both sides, explains exactly how the catastrophe came about and describes the gruesome consequences of the battle for the soldiers and the inhabitants of the city.

Listening Post: Bradley Manning: Truth On Trial?
We examine the implications of Manning's trial and speak exclusively to Wikileaks founder Julian Assange.

Inside Story Americas: Arming Syria's Opposition
What are the issues behind the US decision to provide 'direct military aid' to the Syrian opposition now?

Brazil Protests: Violence Erupts During Nationwide Marches
There were mass protests in Brazil on Monday night as up to 200,000 people angry with high costs and poor public services took to the streets. Protesters in Rio de Janeiro burned cars and looted buildings as police attempted to disperse them with teargas and rubber bullets. Aerial images showed thousands of people attempting to storm the congress building in Brasilia. The rallies, which come during the Confederations Cup football tournament, are some of the biggest ever seen in the country

Read the Guardian article here | Jonathan Watts in Rio de Janeiro | Tuesday, June 18, 2013

'Intervention Will Make Syria 10 Times Worse Than Extremist-ravaged Libya'
Assad troops have made a strong push in recent weeks, and rebel leaders say they are in dire need of support. They've already got al-Qaeda-linked militants and foreign mercenaries fighting on their side, and are now set to start getting weapons from the West. Meanwhile, government forces have the backing of Lebanon's Hezbollah, and may soon get a four-thousand-strong troop reinforcement from Iran. The British National Party's Nick Griffin was part of a European fact-finding delegation that's just returned from Damascus. He told RT that any third-party involvement only aggravates the conflict.

My comment:

I smell the scent of Saudi behind this ludicrous decision to arm the rebels. The Saudis are pulling the strings here, if I am not greatly mistaken. In a few words, Cameron is the Saudi stooge, as is Obama. Remember that obsequious bow he made to the Saudi king? – © Mark

This comment is also to be found here

Obama's Soft Totalitarianism: Europe Must Protect Itself from America

SPIEGEL ONLINE INTERNATIONAL: Is Barack Obama a friend? Revelations about his government's vast spying program call that assumption into doubt. The European Union must protect the Continent from America's reach for omnipotence.

On Tuesday, Barack Obama is coming to Germany. But who, really, will be visiting? He is the 44th president of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. He is an intelligent lawyer. And he is a Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

But is he a friend? The revelations brought to us by IT expert Edward Snowden have made certain what paranoid computer geeks and left-wing conspiracy theorists have long claimed: that we are being watched. All the time and everywhere. And it is the Americans who are doing the watching.

On Tuesday, the head of the largest and most all-encompassing surveillance system ever invented is coming for a visit. If Barack Obama is our friend, then we really don't need to be terribly worried about our enemies. » | A Commentary by Jakob Augstein | Monday, June 17, 2013

Barbra Streisand Criticises Treatment of Women by Orthodox Jews

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Barbra Streisand waded into one of Israel's touchiest issues on the first major stop of her tour of the country – Jewish religious practices that separate men and women.

Speaking at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem on Monday, the 71-year-old took aim at cases of ultra-Orthodox Jews targeting women.

"It's distressing to read about women in Israel being forced to sit in the back of the bus," she said, "or when we hear about 'Women of the Wall' having metal chairs thrown at them when they attempt to peacefully and legally pray."

She was referring to isolated incidents in which ultra-Orthodox men tried to force women to sit separately at the rear of buses that go through their neighbourhoods, as well as more serious clashes in which ultra-Orthodox Jews tried to prevent women donning prayer shawls and carrying Torah scrolls from praying at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, the holiest site where Jews can worship. » | Associated Press | Edited by Chris Irvine | Monday, June 17, 2013

Golan Frights: Israelis Shiver as Iran Plans to Deploy Troops to Syria
Iran is reportedly gearing up to send thousands of troops to Syria to beef up government forces against the rebels. It also went as far as proposing a new military frontier in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. And, coupled with American intentions to arm the Syrian opposition, Israelis living in the area fear they're in for some big trouble, as Paula Slier reports.

Big Phish: Snowden's Leaks Could Be Just Tip Of Iceberg
The revelations of the G20 spying come as the scandal caused by Snowden's earlier disclosures - on the extent of US surveillance after its own and foreign citizens - is gaining momentum. Dozens of lawsuits are being filed against the government's practices - while many lawmakers continue to defend the operation. It has also emerged that the scope of the surveillance - and the help it received from corporations - may have been underestimated.

NSA Leaks: US Spied On Former President Medvedev at 2009 G20 Summit
As Britain readies to host the G8 summit, the documents uncovered by NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden have revealed that back in 2009 US spies intercepted top-secret communications of then Russian president, Dmitry Medvedev, during his visit to London.

Syriens Machthaber Assad im F.A.Z.-Gespräch: „Europa wird den Preis für Waffenlieferungen zahlen“
FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINER ZEITUNG: In einem exklusiven Interview mit der F.A.Z. warnt Syriens Präsident Assad vor einem Export des Terrorismus nach Europa. Assad spricht über Waffen für die Rebellen, den Einsatz von Giftgas, die Rolle ausländischer Mächte und die Genfer Konferenz.

Baschar al-Assad im Gespräch mit Rainer Hermann » | Quelle: F.A.Z. | Montag, 17. Juni 2013

US Options for Arming, Training Syrian Rebels
Insight from Fox News military analyst Maj. Gen. Bob Scales

Obama Idolatry Falling Apart
Tim Graham and Erik Erickson on the drastic decline of liberalism

Moderate Muslims Struggle to Make Their Voices Heard
What is the true face of Islam?

Turquie : le gouvernement menace de recourir à l'armée
LE POINT: Le régime d'Ankara entend empêcher l'organisation d'éventuelles nouvelles manifestations à Istanbul ainsi que dans tout le reste de la Turquie.

Le gouvernement turc a menacé vendredi de faire intervenir l'armée pour empêcher les éventuelles manifestations à Istanbul et dans toute la Turquie, a indiqué lundi le vice-Premier ministre Bulent Arinç. "Tout d'abord, un policier n'est pas un vendeur de rues, mais un membre des forces de l'ordre. Les policiers useront de tous les moyens qui leur sont conférés par la loi", a déclaré Bulent Arinç dans un entretien accordé à la télévision A Haber, ajoutant que "personne ne peut se plaindre de la police". "Si cela ne suffit pas, même les forces armées turques peuvent être utilisées dans les villes sous l'autorité des gouverneurs" de régions, a-t-il ajouté. » | Source AFP | lundi 17 juin 2013

LE POINT: Presque la moitié des Turcs jugent leur gouvernement plus autoritaire : Selon un sondage, une majorité de la population turque estime également que l'exécutif intervient de plus en plus dans son mode de vie. » | Source AFP | lundi 17 juin 2013

Kemalismus: Atatürk – Erdogans großes Vor- und Feindbild

DIE WELT: Nie hat ein Politiker mit solcher Radikalität eine Gesellschaft verändert wie Kemal Atatürk, der Gründer der Türkei. Sein westlicher, säkularer Wertekanon ist heute durch Erdogan in Gefahr. Von Dietrich Alexander

Zu den Pflichtveranstaltungen hoher Staatsgäste in der Türkei gehört es, das Mausoleum des Republikgründers zu besuchen: Mustafa Kemal Pascha, genannt Atatürk. Beeindruckend ist Anıtkabir, das Denkmal, rund um die Uhr von Soldaten bewacht. Wachwechsel im Stechschritt, ein Statement in Stein, ewige Ruhe im 42 Tonnen schweren Sarkophag.

"Vater der Türken" heißt Atatürk übersetzt. Als solcher begreift sich der Soldat, Revolutionär, Visionär und Politiker wohl, als er sein Land aus den Trümmern des Osmanischen Reiches erhebt und ihm ab der Proklamation der Republik am 29. Oktober 1923 einen neuen, seinen Stempel aufdrückt. Der Weg des Mustafa Kemal Pascha zu Atatürk aber ist heftig, kontrovers und dauert bis zum Jahr 1934. Erst in dem Jahr verleiht ihm die Große Nationalversammlung den Ehrentitel, den niemand sonst je tragen darf und wird.

Um zu begreifen, welchen elementaren kulturpolitischen Wandel Kemal Mustafa Pascha seinem Land verordnet, muss man die Figur des Mannes studieren, der am 19. Mai 1881 unter dem Namen Mustafa in Saloniki (heute: Thessaloniki, Griechenland) als Sohn des Holzhändlers und ehemaligen Zoll-Leutnants Ali Riza sowie dessen Frau Zübeyde Hanim in einfachen Verhältnissen geboren wird. Kemal heißt auf Arabisch Vollendung » | Von Dietrich Alexander | Montag, 17. Juni 2013

Turkey Unrest: Unions Call Strike Over Crackdown

BBC: Turkish unions have called a strike to protest against the police crackdown on demonstrators.

Turkey's Prime Minister has angrily defended the eviction of protesters from Gezi Park on Saturday night.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan told hundreds of thousands of supporters at a rally in Istanbul on Sunday that the protesters were manipulated by "terrorists".

On Sunday there were continued sporadic clashes between protesters and police in Istanbul and the capital Ankara.

The Confederation of Public Workers' Unions (KESK) and Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions (DISK), along with three professional organisations, have announced what they call a one-day work stoppage to demand an end to "police violence".

The unions have called for a march and a rally in Istanbul on Monday afternoon.

Lawyers from the Turkish bar association say that close to 500 people have been detained as part of the police operation against the demonstrators. (+ videos) » | Monday, June 17, 2013

Proteste: Merkel erschrocken über türkische Polizeigewalt

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Mit deutlichen Worten hat Kanzlerin Merkel den harten Kurs der türkischen Sicherheitskräfte kritisiert. Die Gewalt gegen Demonstranten nannte sie "erschreckend", den Kurs der Regierung "viel zu hart". Das Auswärtige Amt ruft Türkei-Reisende zu besonderer Vorsicht auf.

Istanbul - Seit Wochen gibt es in der Türkei wütende Proteste gegenRecep Tayyip Erdogan - doch der Ministerpräsident bleibt bei seiner harten Linie gegen die Regierungsgegner. Auch auf höchster politischer Ebene wächst die Kritik am Kurs der Regierung. Nun hat Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel (CDU) das gewaltsame Vorgehen der türkischen Polizei in Istanbul verurteilt.

Aus ihrer Sicht seien die Sicherheitskräfte dort "viel zu hart vorgegangen", sagte Merkel vor ihrer Abreise zum G-8-Gipfel am Montag im Fernsehsender RTL. "Das, was im Augenblick in der Türkei passiert, entspricht nicht unseren Vorstellungen von Freiheit der Demonstration, der Meinungsäußerung." Zu den Fernsehbildern von der Räumung des Gezi-Parks in Istanbul sagte sie: "Ich bin erschrocken, wie viele andere Menschen auch." » | jok/fab/dpa/Reuters | Montag, 17. Juni 2013

Sarah Palin: 'Let Allah Sort It Out'

Abu Islam and Son Imprisoned for Insulting Christianity
EGYPT INDEPENDENT: Nasr City Misdemeanour Court has sentenced Abu Islam, the controversial Salafi preacher, to 11 years in prison for insulting Christianity and threatening public security.

The court sentenced Abu Islam, otherwise known as Ahmed Mohamed Mahmoud Abdallah, for disparaging Egypt's minority faith, vandalising a Bible and disturbing public security, setting a bail of LE3,000 to potentially suspend the punishment.

The court also sentenced Abu Islam's son to 8 years in prison for complicity with his father. » | Al-Masry Al-Youm | Sunday, June 16, 2013

Australian Muslim Reaction to Woolwich Murder and Anjem Choudary
Anjem Choudary shows no compassion for the murdered soldier or his family

Rede in Istanbul: Erdogan, der Hassprediger

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Er lässt mit brutaler Gewalt den Gezi-Park räumen, beschimpft die Demonstranten als Terroristen und hetzt gegen ausländische Medien: Premier Erdogan heizt den Konflikt in der Türkei erneut an. Ein Ende des Protests gegen ihn ist nicht in Sicht.

Für kurze Zeit sah es so aus, als würde der Premier einlenken, als hätte Recep Tayyip Erdogan aus der Revolte gegen seine Regierung in den vergangenen Wochen gelernt.

Mitte der Woche traf er sich mit Demonstranten, die sich für den Erhalt des Gezi-Parks in Istanbul einsetzen. Er sagte, die Richter würden über die Zukunft des umstrittenen Parks beraten und stellte ein Referendum in Aussicht. Erdogan, der Despot, als Schlichter? Spätestens seit Sonntag Abend steht fest, dass daraus nichts werden wird.

Bereits am Samstag bekräftigte Erdogan auf einer Kundgebung in Ankara das Ende seiner Geduld. In der Nacht setzten seine Sicherheitskräfte diese Ankündigung um: Sie ließen den Gezi-Park, der in den vergangenen Wochen zum Symbol des Widerstands wurde, von Bulldozern räumen. Sie verfolgten Demonstranten und knüppelten sie nieder; sie schossen Tränengas in Cafés, und Hotels, wohin die Menschen flohen. Ärzte, die Verwundete behandelten, wurden verhaftet.

Am Sonntag gingen die Menschen in der Türkei trotzdem wieder gegen die Regierung auf die Straße. Zur gleichen Zeit hält Erdogan in Istanbul eine denkwürdige Rede. Liberale Kommentatoren werden sie später als "beängstigend" und "hasserfüllt" beschreiben. » | Aus Istanbul berichten Maximilian Popp und Mirjam Schmitt | Sonntag, 16. Juni 2013

'I Am Not a Nazi', Says EDL Leader Tommy Robinson
THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: The head of the English Defence League has insisted that he is not a Nazi and that his movement is backed by serving British soldiers.

Tommy Robinson, who is the organisation’s co-founder, was grilled about the EDL in a highly charged interview on the BBC’s Sunday Politics.

Confronted by images of EDL supporters giving what appeared to be Nazi salutes, Mr Robinson said it was a “manipulated photo”.

Asked by presenter Andrew Neil if it was a “fascist Nazi salute by any definition” he said: “I am not a Nazi, I hate Nazis, I hate fascism.”

Mr Robinson said that the EDL had now advised that “whenever people hold their hands up like that we have told them to give the V” to avoid any misunderstanding.

He said: “Nazism and Islamism are on the opposite sides of the same coin – we oppose both. Nazism has been defeated and Islamism is spreading across the country.”

Mr Robinson said it was “political correctness gone mad” that the Help the Heroes charity had turned down a donation from the EDL in the wake of the murder of Drummer Lee Rigby in Woolwich.

He added that the EDL had support among serving British soldiers: “Ordinary British squaddies support us – I know they do.”

The comments will worry the Ministry of Defence. Last week serving soldiers were warned that taking part in any EDL activities could result in their dismissal. Read on and comment » | Christopher Hope, Senior Political Correspondent | Sunday, June 16, 2013

I am no follower of the English Defence League. In fact, I am not even English. But I must say that I have great respect for Tommy Robinson. Why? Because he tells it like it is. He is courageous. He is articulate. He truly understands what we British people are up against: he understands Islam; he understands the issues; he understands what our future will be like if nothing is done to stop this insanity.

Unfortunately, the English establishment, being what it is, hold it against Tommy Robinson because he is a working class rather than an upper class hero. Working class he may be, but he speaks for the many in this country. That is more than can be said for the wimps that lead us. That goes for the politicians of all main parties. They are all wimps to a man.

It is the duty of government to keep the people of the United Kingdom safe. It is also the duty of government to ensure that our way of life lives on. THIS IS NOT BEING DONE. With each and every passing day, our streets are becoming less safe for innocent British people to walk in. Our country is being Islamised by stealth.

Regardless of what the powers-that-be think, we cannot win this cultural war by ignoring the problems and hoping they will go away; rather, the problems need to be confronted head-on. THIS IS NOT BEING DONE. On the contrary, our politicians, from the prime minister down, are all IN DENIAL of the problems facing us.

These times are resembling more and more the 30s. Then, the Nazis were being appeased; now, the Islamo-fascists are being appeased. History should inform us of where appeasement leads. These are truly troubling times for any thinking person.

We need a leader with a backbone. We need a leader with a backbone desperately. Things cannot go on like this, for if they do, we can be sure of one thing: the loss of our cultural heritage. – © Mark

This comment also appears here

Shariamerica: Islam, Obama, and the Establishment Clause
The U.S. government condemns burning the Qur'an. Yet the U.S. government burns Bibles. This is a clear violation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Police Officer Stabbed In Mosque Attack
YAHOO! NEWS: Four men including a police officer have been taken to hospital after being stabbed in a mosque in Birmingham.

The police constable was responding to reports that three men had been stabbed inside the Washwood Heath Muslim Centre in the Ward End area of the city when he was attacked.

Reports suggest an argument may have broken out between members inside the building prior to the attack.

The four victims are being treated in hospital for their injuries. They are all said to be "stable".

A 32-year-old man, believed to be of Somali origin, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and is currently in custody. (+ video) » | Sky News | Sunday, June 16, 2013

Shocking ! - Islam's Vision for America - America as an Islamic State with Sharia Law (Full)

WIKI: Zuhdi Jasser »

Moderate Cleric Hassan Rohani Wins Iran Presidential Election in 1st Round
Moderate cleric Hassan Rohani has won Iran's presidential election with just over 50 percent of votes, state TV reported. 72 percent of the 50 million Iranians turned out to vote, said Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar

Moscow Slams US Claims of Assad Chemical Weapon Use
The Syrian government has vehemently denied US claims its army has resorted to chemical weapons, describing American accusations as a 'caravan of lies'. While the US and its allies claim they have chemical clues against President Assad, news and reports on the ground suggest quite the opposite. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also stated that he felt there would be no point whatsoever for the Syrian army to resort to such tactics.

Pakistan Internet Users Top Google Searches for Gay Sex Despite Being One of the World's Most Homophobic Countries
MAIL ONLINE: Survey shows only 2 per cent think society should accept homosexuality / Google gives Pakistan a 100 rating in trends analysis of internet searches

Pakistan has the highest volume of internet searches for gay pornography despite being one of the least tolerant countries when it comes to homosexuality.

The most searches for terms related to same-sex acts came from a conservative stronghold, the city of Peshawar, rather than major cosmopolitan cities such as Lahore and Karachi, according to analysis of Google trends by Mother Jones.

Pakistan was given a rating of 100 by the search engine for having the highest search traffic for the pornography terms.

Gay sex is illegal in the Islamic country and carries a sentence of two to ten years in prison if caught.

This week, the Pew Research Center revealed figures for the places that are most intolerant of homosexuality from a survey of 39 countries.

Only two per cent of Pakistanis surveyed said 'yes' to the question: 'Should society accept homosexuality?' » | Daily Mail Reporter | Saturday, June 15, 2013

Wie der Islam die Renaissance schuf
Die Ursprünge der lateineuropaischen Renaissance sind: 1. Die Kreuzzüge: Es ist kein Zufall, daß die Renaissance zuerst in Norditalien angefangen hat und es mit der Renaissance weiterging in Frankreich, Deutschland und England, denn diese vier Länder haben an den Kreuzzügen teilgenommen. 2. Das muslimische Spanien. Ohne Islam keine Renaissance, sondern Mittelalter.

Hong Kong Rally Backs Snowden, Denounces Allegations of U.S. Spying
REUTERS.COM: A few hundred rights advocates and political activists marched through Hong Kong on Saturday to demand protection for Edward Snowden, who leaked revelations of U.S. electronic surveillance and is now believed to be holed up in the former British colony.

Marchers gathered outside the U.S. consulate shouting slogans denouncing alleged spying operations aimed at China and Hong Kong, but the numbers were modest compared to rallies over other rights and political issues.

"Arrest Obama, free Snowden," protesters shouted outside the slate grey building as police looked on. Many waved banners that said: "Betray Snowden, betray freedom", "Big brother is watching you" and "Obama is checking your email". » | Grace Li and Venus Wu | Reuters | Hong Kong | Saturday, June 15, 2013

Radikalislamismus: Die große Ohnmacht gegenüber den Salafisten

DIE WELT: Die Zahl der Salafisten hat sich in NRW seit 2011 verdreifacht. Die Landesregierung setzt nun auf ein Aussteigerprogramm. Hilfe soll von Verbänden kommen, die vom Verfassungsschutz beobachtet werden.

Es musste eine optische Täuschung sein. Konnte die Salafistenzahl wirklich so hochgeschnellt sein? Verfassungsschutzleiter Burkhard Freier überprüfte die Zahlen noch einmal – und kam zum gleichen Ergebnis: 2011 zählte seine Behörde 500 radikalislamistische Salafisten in NRW. 2012 waren es 1000. Und 2013 dürften es 1500 werden. Demnach hätte sich die Szene binnen drei Jahren verdreifacht. Einen derart steilen Anstieg hat es im extremistischen Milieu selten gegeben.

Und der lässt sich auch nicht wegerklären; etwa mit dem Argument, inzwischen werde genauer beobachtet und weniger übersehen als früher. Nein, eine derartige optische Täuschung schloss Freier diese Woche aus. So bleibt der Befund, dass in NRW, ob im Revier oder im Rheinland, immer neue Zentren dieser radikalen Islamisten entstehen.

Deren Gefährlichkeit steht laut Innenministerium außer Frage. Zwar sei nur jeder Zehnte von ihnen ein Djihadist, der für den Kampf gegen Ungläubige werbe oder seinen eigenen Einsatz vorbereite. Aber auch die anderen 90 Prozent lehrten laut Verfassungsschutz eine Ideologie, die "letztendlich Gewalt gegen alle Ungläubigen" und gegen nichtsalafistische Muslime rechtfertige. » | Von Till-R. Stoldt | Freitag, 14. Juni 2013

Blair's Dirty Money: As His Tentacles Reach Mongolia, How the Ex-PM Is Making Millions from Some of the World's Most Evil Regimes

MAIL ONLINE: Tony Blair is to advise Mongolian leaders on 'good governance' / The former Prime Minister won't say how much he is earning from the deal / Mr Blair is said to be worth between £60million and £80million

With every passing month, Tony Blair looks more and more like a deposed emperor who has systematically set up his own government in exile.

How else should we view the inexorable rise of his shadowy and quasi-political network of businesses, whose tentacles stretch from his smart offices next to the American Embassy in London into every corner of the globe?

This week, it was revealed the former Prime Minister has added a new country, Mongolia, to his burgeoning portfolio of business interests.

He has signed a contract to advise the Central Asian country’s leaders on ‘good governance’ through his money-making Government Advisory Practice.

And what does Mongolia have in common with most of the places Mr Blair does his business deals?

The answer is: pots of money. The once dirt-poor nation is about to strike it rich, thanks to vast copper and gold mines in the Gobi desert.

Blair won’t say how much he is earning from the tie-up — and his large team of spin doctors routinely deny almost any figures relating to his myriad international deals — but we can be sure it’ll run into millions.

How else could he bankroll 200 employees — a figure he’s set his sights on growing to 500 over the coming years — in his expanding network of offices around the world?

At the centre of this nexus of money and power is 60-year-old Blair himself, who is guaranteed a warm welcome — befitting an international statesman of the highest rank — when he is feted by some of the world’s most dirty and corrupt tin-pot leaders. » | Paul Scott | Saturday, June 15, 2013

Democracy or Theocracy? Robert Spencer vs. Anjem Choudary & Abu Izzadeen

Escobar: Obama Starts Syria War to Deviate from Snowden Scandal
CIA whistle blower Edward Snowden has reportedly been stopped from flying to the UK. The man who lifted the lid on America's secret surveillance activities is being pursued by Washington. For his latest revelation, he told a Hong Kong newspaper that the U.S. repeatedly hacks into Chinese computer networks. For more about the leaks and Snowden's future we're now joined live by Pepe Escobar, a roving correspondent for the Asia Times.

Is Islam a Threat to the West? (2006)

Woolwich Outrage: We Are Too Weak to Face Up to the Extremism in Our Midst
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Despite the murder of Drummer Lee Rigby, David Cameron has failed to act against Islamist terrorism

It is less than a month since Drummer Lee Rigby was murdered in Woolwich, yet already the incident feels half-forgotten. In terms of the legal process, all is well. Two men have been charged. There will be a trial. No doubt justice will be done. But I have a sense that the horror felt at the crime is slipping away.

The media, notably the BBC, quickly changed the subject. After a day or two focusing on the crime itself, the reports switched to anxiety about the “Islamophobic backlash”. According to Tell Mamma, an organisation paid large sums by the Government to monitor anti-Muslim acts, “the horrendous events in Woolwich brought it [Islamophobia] to the fore”. Tell Mamma spoke of a “cycle of violence” against Muslims.

Yet the only serious violence was against a British soldier, who was dead. In The Sunday Telegraph, Andrew Gilligan brilliantly exposed the Tell Mamma statistics – most of them referred merely to nasty remarks on the web rather than actual attacks, many were not verified, no reported attack had required medical attention, and so on. Yet the “backlash” argument has sailed on, with people shaking their heads gravely about the need to “reassure” Muslims. Tell Mamma equates “hate inspired by al-Qaeda” with the “thuggery and hate of the EDL [the English Defence League]”. » | Charles Moore | Friday, June 14, 2013

«Zu brillant»: China feiert Snowden
TAGES ANZEIGER: Im Fall Snowden wartet die Welt auf den Auslieferungsentscheid von China. Glaubt man den Staatsmedien, so darf sich der amerikanische Whistleblower sicher fühlen.

Chinas staatliche Nachrichtenagentur Xinhua hat den NSA-Geheimdienst-Enthüller Edward Snowden in China willkommen geheissen. «Diese Leute sind zu brillant, um eingesperrt zu werden», hiess es in einem heutigem Kommentar der Agentur. Chinesische Spitzenpolitiker äussern sich selten direkt zu aktuellen politischen Ereignissen. Daher werten Beobachter die Veröffentlichungen von Staatsmedien als indirektes Sprachrohr der Pekinger Regierungsspitze.

Darin wurde Snowden in eine Reihe mit dem Wikileaks-Informanten Bradley Manning und Wikileaks-Gründer Julian Assange gebracht. «Sie stehen alle für den tapferen Kampf gegen das System», hiess es. » | mrs/sda | Freitag, 14. Juni 2013

Julia Gillard Scandal :The 'Gender Wars' Down Under

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: It has not been a good week for the reputation of the Australian male.

First, there was the depressing revelation that a menu, printed for an opposition party fundraising dinner, described a dish of quail named after the country's first female prime minister Julia Gillard - a redhead - thus: "small breasts, huge thighs and a big red box".

Political reporters, who have seen some highly grubby antics in their time, declared it one of the lowest moments in the history of Australian politics.

Then came the news that more than 100 members of the Australian defence force had been caught circulating "demeaning, explicit and profane" emails targeting female members of the forces.

It echoed the scandal from 2011 when one cadet filmed himself having sex with a female colleague - without her knowledge - and streamed it live on Skype.

Finally, there was the sleazy questioning of the Prime Minister by a Perth talkback radio host over the sexuality of her boyfriend. Why? Because Tim Matheison - a divorcee with three adult children - is a hairdresser. Would he have asked an unmarried male prime minister if his girlfriend was a lesbian? It seems unlikely that he would have dared. » | Bonnie Malkin in Sydney | Friday, June 14, 2013

Massive Syrian Refugee Wave Brings Terror Threat to German Doorstep
While the US is still to decide just how far it might go with Syria, its EU allies are preparing themselves for a possible flood of refugees from the war-torn state. Germany could bear the brunt, giving shelter to some 10000 who've fled Syria. That's as Germany already fears the radical threat potentially posed by the return of hundreds of Europeans, who've gone to fight Assad.

Zuerst! »