Russia and West on Collision Course over Ukraine as Talks Fail in London

The Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, and the US
secretary of state, John Kerry, in London.

THE GUARDIAN: John Kerry and Sergei Lavrov fail to reach agreement as Crimea prepares for referendum on joining Russia

The Ukraine crisis has entered a new and more dangerous phase after 11th-hour talks in London between the US secretary of state, John Kerry, and his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, broke up without resolution.

The diplomatic failure sets Russia on a collision course with the west, with Moscow ordering further military deployments on Friday and a contentious referendum in Russian-dominated Crimea set to go ahead as planned on Sunday.

The referendum, which will almost certainly result in a vote in favour of breaking away from Ukraine and union with Russia, will trigger the imposition of sanctions by the west on Monday.

During five hours of talks, Kerry pushed Lavrov to postpone the referendum. He challenged him over sudden Russian troop movements along the Ukrainian border over the last few days. But Lavrov offered nothing in the way of a concession that would have helped reduce tensions.

At a press conference afterwards, the Russian foreign minister described the talks as productive, in that both sides were able to set out their positions, but the two sides did not share "a common vision". Looking for a way to emphasise his point, Lavrov sought an international parallel: Crimea meant more to Russia than the Falklands did to Britain. » | Ewen MacAskill and Alec Luhn in Moscow | Friday, March 14, 2014

Abdurraheem Green – Stoning, Homosexuality and Democracy

Is Islam a Threat to the West? By Abdur Raheem Green

Abdur Raheem Green (UK), well known for his efforts at the renowned Speaker's Corner in London's Hyde Park and Lecturer of Peace TV.

Inside Story: Pope Francis: Reform or Modernisation?

A report card on the first non-European Pontiff, as he marks his first year in office.

Kerry and Lavrov in Last-ditch Ukraine Talks

US Secretary of State John Kerry has been meeting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in London. It is their last opportunity to talk, before a referendum is held in Ukraine's Crimea region - on whether it should become part of Russia. The US wants assurances that Russia would not annex Crimea. But Russia said it has the right to protect its compatriots in the whole of Ukraine.

Malaysia Airlines the Greatest Aviation Mystery in History?

Mar. 13, 2014 - 5:21 - Report: Unclear if investigators have evidence this is terror-related

Russia Announces Start of Military Exercises Near Ukrainian Border

Move comes as Ukraine backs creation of new force to keep Russian troops from advancing beyond Crimea

Read the Guardian article here | Thursday, March 13, 2014

Marin Le Pen: Schritt für Schritt an die Macht

FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG: Die Front-National-Chefin Marine Le Pen arbeitet systematisch am Aufstieg. Die rechtsextreme Partei könnte bei den Europawahlen stärkste Kraft in Frankreich werden.

Jean-Marie Le Pen blickte ziemlich verdutzt in die Kameras, als er sich 2002 überraschend für die Stichwahl der Präsidentenwahl qualifizierte. Marine Le Pen aber hofft nicht auf Überraschungen. Die 45 Jahre alte Front-National-Chefin arbeitet systematisch an ihrem Aufstieg, der sie ins höchste Staatsamt bringen soll. In ihrem Stufenplan an die Macht stellen die Kommunalwahlen in drei Wochen eine wichtige Etappe dar. „Das Ziel ist klar: Wir wollen unsere lokale Verankerung stärken“, sagt die Parteivorsitzende im Gespräch in Paris. » | Von Michaela Wiegel, Paris | Samstag, 08. März 2014

La Russie bloque plusieurs sites qui critiquaient le gouvernement

LA PRESSE: La Russie a bloqué jeudi plusieurs sites internet connus pour leurs critiques du gouvernement et un blogue tenu par l'un des leaders de l'opposition, Alexeï Navalny, alors que le Kremlin intensifie sa répression contre les médias indépendants en pleine crise avec l'Ukraine. » | Associated Press | Moscou | jeudi 13 mars 2014

Ukraine Crisis Growing

Mar. 13, 2014 - 2:38 - Eric Shawn reports on prime minister's UN Security Council visit

People Cannot Debate Traditional Issues because of Liberal 'Censoriousness', Says Lord Neuberger

Lord Neuberger

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Traditional attitudes to issues such as sexuality are being shut out of debate, Britain’s most senior judge warns

Traditional attitudes to issues such as sexuality are being shut out of debate by a new form of liberal “censoriousness” which only allows “inoffensive” opinions to be heard in public, Britain’s most senior judge has warned.

Lord Neuberger, President of the Supreme Court, said that Britain could be becoming less diverse rather than more because once common opinions are now deemed “unacceptable”.

He likened the new form of “moral reaction” to the opposite but equally restrictive attitudes of previous generations.

The judge also warned that the children of Britain's elite will have to settle for worse jobs than their parents in coming years. » | John Bingham, and Christopher Hope | Thursday, March 13, 2014

Islam Explained by a Non-Muslim

Britain’s 'Finest WWII General' Accused of Child Sex Abuse in Australia

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Viscount Slim has been accused of molesting multiple children at Fairbridge Farm School in rural New South Wales while representing the Queen in Australia

One of Britain’s greatest military commanders, Viscount Slim, has been accused of molesting children at a school for underprivileged youths while serving as the Queen’s representative in Australia.

Bob Stevens, a claimant in a lawsuit against Fairbridge Farm, a school in Australia for mostly British child migrants, said Viscount Slim would arrive in his Rolls Royce and the “next minute we were sitting on his knee and he's got his hands up our trousers”. » | Jonathan Pearlman, Sydney | Thursday, March 13, 2014

Le Canada perturbé par une tempête de neige

La tempête sévit également à Montréal

TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: Une forte tempête de neige paralysait jeudi les transports sur tout l'est du Canada, avec d'importants retards ou des annulations de vols aux aéroports, des écoles fermées et des routes impraticables.

L'hiver est loin d'être terminé au Canada. Une tempête perturbe tout l'est du pays.

La neige s'est abattue pendant plus de 24 heures sur les provinces entre l'Ontario et la côte Atlantique, laissant jusqu'à 40 centimètres sur certaines régions comme par exemple dans le Nouveau Brunswick.

Le service météorologique Environnement Canada a émis des bulletins d'alerte pour «des vents forts», avec des pointes à 70 km/h, qui en raison «des températures froides produisent du blizzard». Ces conditions favorisent des accumulations de neige et des congères sur les routes. » | afp/Newsnet | jeudi 13 mars 2014

Crimée : Les États-Unis envisagent des mesures "très sérieuses" contre Moscou

LE POINT: Le secrétaire d'État américain John Kerry a annoncé que son pays, appuyé par l'Union européenne, apporterait "une réponse au référendum".

Les États-Unis et l'Union européenne sont prêts à prendre lundi des "mesures très sérieuses" visant Moscou pour répliquer au référendum de dimanche en Crimée qui doit entériner un rattachement à la Russie, a prévenu jeudi le secrétaire d'État John Kerry. "Il y aura une réponse au référendum et de surcroît s'il n'y a aucun signe d'avancées pour régler ce dossier, il y aura de très sérieuses mesures lundi en Europe et ici", a déclaré M. Kerry devant une commission du Sénat américain, à la veille d'une nouvelle rencontre vendredi à Londres avec son homologue russe Sergueï Lavrov. » | Source AFP | jeudi 13 mars 2014

Public Has a Right to See Prince Charles’ Letters, Says Guardian Editor Alan Rusbridger

Alan Rusbridger, the editor-in-chief of the Guardian, discusses the government's attempts to block publication of letters the Prince of Wales wrote to ministers. Rusbridger says the public has a right to know what was in the letters, as it appears Charles attempted to influence policy. Three senior judges ruled that Dominic Grieve, the attorney general, acted unlawfully when he blocked the publication of the letters

John McCain Urges Congressional Action to Punish Russia

Mar. 13, 2014 - 6:48 - Key Republican senator sounds off on crisis in Ukraine

Obama Threatens to Veto Bill Requiring He Follow Law

Mar. 13, 2014 - 4:46 - Debate over separation of powers

BBC Panorama – Muslim First, British Second (June 2013)

Exclusive: BBC ‘Free Speech’ Show Censors Gay Muslim After ‘Conerns’ from Mosque

BREITBART LONDON: BBC Three's Free Speech programme was broadcast from Birmingham Central Mosque last night, and one of the topics set to be debated was homosexuality and Islam.

But after the "BBC snake ate its own tail" (host Rick Edwards words, not mine) by discussing the necessity of BBC Three for 20 minutes, we were treated to an excellent example of how and why the BBC fails to do its job properly. Sort of like the snake eating its own tail, vomiting it back up, then eating it again.

A short clip was broadcast, featuring Asifa Lahore, Britain's "first and only" gay Muslim drag queen. The topic had "the most comments on the audience questions page", but this was still not enough for the BBC 'Free Speech' programme to force the issue with its venue hosts, the Birmingham Central Mosque.

As the clip ended, host Rick Edwards announced, "We were going to debate that question but today after speaking to the mosque they have expressed deep concerns with having this discussion here... so we'll move on to our next question". Read on and comment » | Raheem Kassam | Thursday, March 13, 2014

Book Unveils Shocking Details about Clinton's Benghazi Role

Mar. 12, 2014 - 4:11 - Author of 'The Benghazi Report' explains

Consequences of Marijuana Legalization

Mar. 12, 2014 - 4:45 - Patrick Kennedy and Christopher Kennedy Lawford on the dangers of marijuana legalization

I Back Kosher Animal Killing, Says David Cameron: PM Says He Will Defend Religious Slaughter of Animals in Britain During His Trip to Israel

MAIL ONLINE: Prime Minister told Israeli Knesset on his 'watch' there will be no ban on the production of kosher meat / He said his message is clear, Britain 'opposes boycotts of Israel' / His pro-Jewish speech came as leading British vet called for a ban on traditional kosher and halal meat, calling for more humane methods

David Cameron yesterday vowed to defend the religious slaughter of animals in Britain.

In a strongly pro-Jewish speech to the Israeli Knesset, Mr Cameron said he would never allow a ban on the production of kosher meat, despite a call from Britain’s leading vet for it to be replaced by more humane methods.

Earlier this month, John Blackwell, president-elect of the British Veterinary Association, called for a ban on the traditional production of both kosher and halal meat.

He said the practice of slitting animals’ throats and allowing them to bleed to death caused unnecessary suffering - and suggested animals should be stunned first.

Several Tory MPs have also called for a ban on a method of slaughter used to kill an estimated 600,000 animals a week in British abattoirs.

But, to applause from Israeli MPs yesterday, Mr Cameron, who attempted to speak Hebrew, praised the Jewish community’s integration into British society, and said he would never allow a ban on religious slaughter, known as Schechita.

He said: ‘The Jewish community has been an absolute exemplar in integrating into British life in every way but integration doesn’t mean that you have to give up things that you hold very dear in your religion.

'When people challenged kosher Shechita. I have defended it. » | Jason Groves | Thursday, March 13, 2014

Kingdom That's Closed to Women: The Saudi Arabian Princesses Tethered by the Patriarchy

Saudi's strict modesty laws even apply to women shoppers

DAILY EXPRESS: ONCE upon a time there were four beautiful princesses called Sahar, Jawaher, Maha and Hala.

They lived in a fabulous palace and every year would go on two long holidays with their friends.

In winter they would ski at an exclusive resort in the French Alps. In summer they went to parties in Italy and Greece. Then, abruptly, the fairytale ended.

For the four sisters were part of the Saudi Arabian royal family and they had made the mistake of crossing the patriarchy that rules one of the most oppressive states in the world.

Now, instead of the carefree existence they once enjoyed as children of King Abdullah, they are trapped in a gilded cage.

The heavy metal gate that serves as the main entrance to the beachfront villa they occupy in the grounds of the royal palace in the Saudi capital Riyadh is padlocked at all times.

Guards in a watchtower keep them under observation 24 hours a day helped by the glare of spotlights after dark. And escape by sea is made impossible by underwater nets and concrete obstacles.

When the women do leave the compound to shop for food it is only with the permission of a half-brother who ensures their every move is monitored by a squad of plain-clothes security men.

There appears to be no respite from this house arrest as their London- based mother Alanoud Alfayez, distrustful of promises to grant her daughters’ freedom in exchange for her return, refuses to submit to the clutches of her ex-husband.

The plight of the Riyadh Four has come to light after a decade following publication of a plaintive email from two of the victims, Sahar, 42 and Jawaher, 38, and a plea by their mother to a UN agency, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. » | Dominic Midgley | Monday, March 10, 2014

Saudi Arabia Closes Local Al Jazeera Office over Qatar’s Backing for the Muslim Brotherhood

Qatar's ruler, Sheikh Tamim al-Thani

THE INDEPENDENT: The Saudis, UAE and Bahrain are in confrontation with Qatar over it's support for jihadi rebels in Syria and its satellite television station’s willingness to provide a platform for critics of the Gulf monarchs and their allies

Saudi Arabia intends to close the local office of the Qatari-owned al Jazeera satellite television station in the latest episode in the escalating conflict in which the Saudis, United Arab Emirates and Bahrain are in confrontation with Qatar, say local media.

At the heart of the dispute is Qatar’s backing for the Muslim Brotherhood, which Saudi Arabia banned last Friday, and Qatari opposition to the regime of Field Marshall Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Egypt that came to power in a coup last summer.

Riyadh and Doha now differ on almost every aspect of foreign policy, notably Qatar’s support for jihadi rebels in Syria and al Jazeera’s willingness to provide a television platform for critics of the Gulf monarchs and their allies. » | Patrick Cockburn | Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Snowden's First Live: 'Constitution Being Violated on Massive Scale' (Full Video)

Courtesy: The Texas Tribune. ¶ Speaking remotely from Russia on Monday, former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden told attendees at the SXSW Interactive conference in Austin, Texas that encryption is still a powerful deterrent against government surveillance.

Immigrants Cost Britain £3,000 A Day Each, Says Report

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Study by MigrationWatch UK challenges findings of earlier academic report which said immigration made positive contribution to public coffers

Immigrants have cost the taxpayer more than £22 million a day since the mid-1990s, totting up a bill of more than £140 billion, according to a new report.

MigrationWatch UK, which campaigns against mass immigration, added that in 2011 the costs were equivalent to £3,000 a day for each of the eight million foreign-born people living in Britain.

It compiled the figures in response to a study published by University College London (UCL) last year which claimed immigrants made a “substantial” contribution to public finances.

The pressure group’s new report said UCL’s conclusions - which were given prominent coverage by the BBC - were “simply wrong”.

In fact, immigration between 1995 and 2011 cost the taxpayer more than £140 billion, or £22 million a day, after balancing what immigrants pay in tax with what they take out of Britain’s coffers by claiming benefits and tax credits, it said. » | David Barrett, Home Affairs Correspondent | Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Angela Merkel: Russia 'Will Not Get Away' with Annexation of Crimea

Mrs. Merkel told MPs from the Christian Democratic Union:
"What has happened in Crimea is an annexation which Russia
must not be allowed to get away with."

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The German Chancellor's tough message underlines how America and the EU have agreed a joint response to Ukraine crisis

Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, has promised that Russia will not “get away” with “annexing” Crimea as world powers agreed to impose targeted sanctions on senior figures close to the Kremlin.

Mrs Merkel told a meeting of her parliamentary party that Russia’s intervention in Ukraine violated the principles of post-war order in Europe.

Her stark message came as America and the European Union agreed a joint response to Russia’s de facto seizure of Crimea, backed by other countries including Canada and Japan.

Mrs Merkel told MPs from the Christian Democratic Union: “What has happened in Crimea is an annexation which Russia must not be allowed to get away with.”

She warned that sanctions on Russia were justified even if they damaged the German economy, according to Der Spiegel. The two countries have close economic ties, with bilateral trade exceeding £63 billion last year. Germany now ranks as Russia’s third-biggest trading partner.

But Mrs Merkel said that a “certain amount of toughness” was required and “all European Union countries from Lisbon to Riga” should “stick together” to defend “European values”. She added, however, that “threads of communication” with the Kremlin should still be preserved. » | Tony Paterson, in Berlin, Peter Foster in Washington and Bruno Waterfield in Brussels | Wednesday, March 12, 2014

David Cameron Condemns 'Barbaric' Missile Attack on Israel

David Cameron addresses Israeli lawmakers in the Knesset

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Prime Minister David Cameron condemns "indiscriminate" attack as 50 missiles from Gaza Strip fired into southern Israel during official visit

David Cameron tonight condemned a "barbaric" missile attack on Israel that struck on the first day of his visit to the country.

Militants fired as many as 50 missiles from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel, in the biggest single attack in two years. Israeli tanks responded by firing shells at a suspected launch site within Palestinian territory.

The attack came on the day Mr Cameron told the Israeli Parliament he would offer "rock solid" support to Israel in defending itself and condemned "despicable" efforts by Iran to ship missiles to terrorist groups.

The Islamic Jihad group claimed responsibility for the attack. Three of the missiles were shot down by Israeli Iron Dome system, while others fell near a petrol station, a library and on open countryside, local reports said.

Mr Cameron said: “These attacks are completely indiscriminate, aimed at civilian populations and people indiscriminately, and that is a demonstration of how barbaric they are. » | Matthew Holehouse | Wednesday, March 12, 2014

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: David Cameron pledges 'unbreakable' support for Israel: In his first visit to Israel as PM, David Cameron condemns Iran for "despicable" terrorist ties and reveals Jewish ancestry » | Matthew Holehouse, Political Correspondent, Jerusalem | Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Why Britons Turn To Islam

According to government data, UK Muslims made out about
2.7% of the population in 2011.

ON ISLAM: LONDON – While Christianity remains an integral part of Britain’s religious history, Islam has become a strong contender over the past decade, with reversions registering in their thousands year after another.

“At a time when personal freedom, over-sexualisation and moral liberalism have taken over and broken down Britain’s moral compass, more people find solace in Islam’s compassionate but yet clear guidelines,” Annie Simpson, who holds a Phd in comparative religious studies and philosophy, told OnIslam.net.

“As society becomes more permissive and on many levels more morally pervert, individuals yearn to re-centre their lives around God.

“Islam offers people much more than just a belief in God, for many it becomes the matrix upon which, and around which, they can exist and make sense of the world … From chaos to order,” she added. » | Catherine Shakdam | OnIslam Correspondent | Wednesday, February 26, 2014

EU Moves towards Travel Bans, Asset Freezes for Russians

REUTERS.COM: (Reuters) - The EU agreed a framework on Thursday for its first sanctions on Russia since the Cold War, a stronger response to the Ukraine crisis than many had expected and a mark of solidarity with Washington in the effort to make Moscow pay for seizing Crimea.


The EU sanctions, outlined in a document seen by Reuters, would slap travel bans and asset freezes on an as-yet-undecided list of people and firms accused by Brussels of violating the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the measures would be imposed on Monday unless diplomatic progress was made.

Shares in Moscow dropped 2.6 percent and the central bank was forced to spend $1.5 billion to prop up the ruble as investors confronted the prospect that Russia could face unexpectedly serious consequences for its plans to annex Crimea. » | Martin Santa and Aleksandar Vasovic | Brussels/Simferopol, Ukraine | Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Editor of Independent Russian News Site Replaced with Pro-Kremlin Figure

THE GUARDIAN: Ousting of Galina Timchenko at Lenta.ru is latest move in what critics fear is a crackdown on left-of-centre media outlets

In what appears to be part of a growing state crackdown on liberal media, the editor of a major independent Russian news website has been replaced by a Kremlin-friendly editor after running an interview with a controversial Ukrainian nationalist.

Lenta.ru announced on its site on Wednesday that Galina Timchenko, who had worked there since its founding in 1999, would immediately be replaced by Alexei Goreslavsky, the former editor of the pro-Kremlin internet publication Vzglyad. Goreslavsky is currently deputy general director for external communications at the Afisha-Rambler-SUP media holding that owns Lenta.ru. » | Alec Luhn in Moscow | Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Enemies of West Will Exploit Reluctance to Engage in Conflict, Head of Army Warns

General Sir Peter Wall said a decade of "politically awkward
campaigning" over Iraq and Afghanistan has led to "defend
on the goal line"

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: General Sir Peter Wall warns a "moral disarmament" in a war weary West sends a message to future adversaries

A “moral disarmament” in the West that has resulted in a reluctance to engage in conflicts will be exploited by Britain’s enemies, the head of the army has warned.

General Sir Peter Wall said a decade of “politically awkward campaigning” over Iraq and Afghanistan has led to an appetite to “defend on the goal line”.

But adversaries will take advantage of such “reticence” and may have already changed their expectation on how the UK will react to provocation, he warned.

Although he did not name Russia, the comments come at a time when President Vladimir Putin is testing the West’s mettle in a tense stand-off over Ukraine.

Sir Peter, the Chief of the General Staff, also issued a thinly veiled warning against further cuts to the armed forces insisting the potential for “force on force” engagements is not a “thing of the past” as some believe.

The ability to manoeuvre all three forces together also takes a “generation” to create and could be needed “sooner than we think”, he said. » | Tom Whitehead, Security Editor | Wednesday, March 12, 2014

New York Building Collapse: Large Explosion at Block in Harlem

Explosion reported in the Harlem district of Manhattan, New York, as part of a block collapses

Read the Telegraph article here | Wednesday, March 12, 2014

David Cameron Tells Israelis About His Jewish Ancestors

In a speech to the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament, the Prime Minister says his great-great-grandfather was a Jewish man from Germany

Read the Telegraph article here | Matthew Holehouse, Political Correspondent, Jerusalem | Wednesday, March 10, 2014

Historischer Entscheid in Israel: Wehrpflicht für orthodoxe Juden

Einer der grossen Konflikte innerhalb der israelischen Gesellschaft ist gelöst: In Zukunft müssen auch ultra-orthodoxe Juden Militärdienst leisten. Verweigerern drohen dann drastische Strafen.

Der SRF Artikel hier lesen.

G7 Warns Russia on 'Annexing' Crimea

BBC: Leaders of the G7 group of nations have called on Russia to stop all efforts to "annex" Ukraine's Crimea region.

They said if Russia took such a step they would "take further action, individually and collectively".

The G7 leaders also said they would not recognise the results of a referendum in Crimea this weekend on whether to split from Ukraine and join Russia.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's national security chief has warned of a major Russian military build-up on Ukraine's borders.

Andriy Parubiy said Moscow had not withdrawn its troops after carrying out military exercises near Ukraine's eastern and southern frontiers.

"The Russian army is only two to three hours' march from Kiev," he said, adding that Ukraine's "units are positioned to repel attack from any direction." (+ BBC video) » | Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Proposed Military Cuts Could Be Rude Awakening for Veterans

Mar. 07, 2014 - 3:52 - Pentagon proposal may put vets on street

How to Handle Putin's Invasion of Ukraine

Mar. 11, 2014 - 6:29 - Charles Krauthammer reacts to a new poll on the crisis in Ukraine

Using Comedy to Promote ObamaCare

Mar. 11, 2014 - 2:47 - Talking Points 3/11

Ukraine Crisis: Angela Merkel Accuses Putin of 'Stealing' Crimea

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The German Chancellor launches emotional attack on Russia and says its actions in Crimea are against 'European values'

German Chancellor Angela Merkel accused Russia of “annexing” Crimea and warned that the Kremlin must not be allowed to “get away with it” during an unusually emotional address to Germany’s ruling conservative Christian Democratic Party MPs late on Tuesday.

Der Spiegel magazine said that in a speech to members of her parliamentary party Mrs Merkel had been very critical of Russia and described Moscow’s actions in Ukraine as a breach of the principles of the post-war order in Europe.

“What has happened in Crimea is an annexation which Russia must not be allowed to get away with,” Mrs Merkel said. Other unconfirmed reports said the German Chancellor had accused Russia of “ stealing” Crimea.

Mrs Merkel told MPs to be prepared for the negative consequences of possible sanctions against Russia but insisted that it was essential not to break off the “threads of communication” with the Kremlin. “It is important that all European Union countries from Lisbon to Riga stick together,” she said.

The Chancellor said that a "certain amount of toughness” was needed in Europe’s dealings with Russia in order to defend what she described as “ European values”. » | Tony Paterson, Berlin | Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Verwandt »

Chris Wallace Discusses Phone Call Between Obama, Putin

Mar. 07, 2014 - 4:31 - Ukraine on the verge of a 'historic change'

Mark Carney and His Stupid ‘Forward Guidance’

Ukraine-Krise: Merkel wirft Russland "Annexion" der Krim vor

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Angela Merkel hat deutliche Worte zur Ukraine-Krise gefunden. Vor der Unionsfraktion warf die Kanzlerin dem Kreml eine "Annexion" der Krim vor, die man Russland "nicht durchgehen lassen dürfe". Teilnehmer beschrieben ihren Auftritt als emotional.

Berlin - Angela Merkel hat sich am Dienstag in der Fraktionssitzung der Union sehr kritisch über das Vorgehen Russlands in der Ukraine geäußert. Nach Angaben von Teilnehmern sagte die CDU-Vorsitzende, Moskaus Kurs verstoße gegen die Prinzipien der Nachkriegsordnung. "Das Vorgehen auf der Krim ist eine Annexion, die man Russland nicht durchgehen lassen kann", sagte Merkel demnach. Ihr Auftritt wurde von Teilnehmern als emotional beschrieben.

Die Nachrichtenagentur AFP berichtet unter Berufung auf Teilnehmer sogar, Merkel habe Russland vorgeworfen, die Krim "geraubt" zu haben. Für diese Aussage gibt es bislang allerdings keine Bestätigung.

Die Kanzlerin machte deutlich, man sei bereit, auch negative Folgen möglicher Sanktionen gegen Russland hinzunehmen. Wenn es Sanktionen gebe, müsse man sich auch auf Nachteile einrichten. Gleichzeitig dürfe man die Gesprächsfäden mit Russland nicht abreißen lassen. Wichtig sei, dass die EU-Staaten von "Lissabon bis Riga" zusammenblieben. » | fab/AFP/dpa/Reuters | Dienstag, 11. März 2014

Syria Bomber Hailed as 'Hero' by Family

Abdul Waheed Majeed moments before his attack in February

BBC: The brother of a British man who blew himself up in Syria has told Newsnight he should be regarded as a hero.

Abdul Waheed Majeed, of Crawley, died last month when he drove a truck bomb at the gates of Aleppo Prison.

His brother Hafeez said that his family wanted to challenge the idea that the attack represented a terrorist threat to the UK. More than 30 people have been arrested this year as police step up operations to stop people fighting in Syria.

The government fears that some people going to fight in Syria against President Bashar al-Assad's regime will become radicalised and battle-hardened by joining al-Qaeda linked groups.

Security chiefs believe that hundreds of people have gone to fight in Syria and their return poses the greatest national security challenge since to the UK since 9/11.

Speaking exclusively to Newsnight, Hafeez Majeed said he believed his 41-year-old brother had died trying to save Syrian people who were being tortured in the regime's prisons.

"If my brother had been a British soldier and there were British people in that prison and the act of heroism or bravery that he did, I know he would have been awarded the posthumous Victoria Cross," said Mr Majeed. » | Dominic Casciani, Home affairs correspondent, BBC News | Tuesday, March 11, 2014

The full story of Abdul Waheed Majeed's life and death is on Newsnight, BBC Two at 2230 GMT.

Tschechen zeigen Putin mit Hitlerbart

Putin-Plakat mit Hitlerbart, Hakenkreuz und napoleonischer Hand
zwischen zwei Knöpfen

DIE WELT: Aus Protest gegen die russische Militärintervention auf der Krim haben tschechische Aktivisten ein riesiges Putin-Banner aufgehängt. Pikantes Detail: Russlands Präsident trägt darauf einen Hitlerbart.

In Tschechien haben Kritiker der Militärintervention auf der Krim den russischen Präsidenten Wladimir Putin als Hitler dargestellt. Aktivisten enthüllten am Dienstag ein riesiges Banner am Rathaus in Liberec (Reichenberg). Die Fotomontage zeigt den Kremlchef mit Hitlerbart und Hakenkreuzsymbol, wie er eine Hand wie Napoleon auf Brusthöhe hält.

Die Bürgermeisterin der Stadt unterstützte die Aktion der antikommunistischen Bürgervereinigung Dekomunikace. "Wir drücken damit dem ukrainischen Volk unsere Unterstützung aus, das schwere Tage durchlebt", sagte die Sozialdemokratin Martina Rosenbergova. Das Plakat hängt unmittelbar über einem Mahnmal für neun während des Sowjet-Einmarschs von 1968 ums Leben gekommene Einwohner der nordböhmischen Stadt. » | dpa/AFP/smü | Dienstag, 11. März 2014

‪The Eagles‪ - Lyin Eyes (Remastered)‬

Mark Carney: Independent Scotland Must Sign Up for the Euro to Join the EU

Mark Carney has warned an independent Scotland would have
to sign up for the euro to join the EU

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The Bank of England Governor tells MSPs Scotland would have to join the euro in the "fullness of time".

The Bank of England’s Governor has warned an independent Scotland would be forced to promise to replace the pound with the euro if it wanted European Union membership.

In a major blow to Alex Salmond’s economic case for separation, Mark Carney told a Westminster inquiry that all new applicants to the EU have to join the single currency in the “fullness of time”.

He also told MPs it is a “distinct possibility” the Royal Bank of Scotland would have to move its headquarters south of the Border if there is a ‘yes’ vote in September’s independence referendum.

In triple blow to Alex Salmond’s economic case for independence, the Governor said a separate Scotland’s taxpayers would have to guarantee billions of pounds of deposits held by Scottish banks in England. » | Simon Johnson, Scottish Political Editor | Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Tempête à la CIA, accusée d'avoir espionné le Congrès américain

Le directeur de la CIA, John Brennan, a dit que «la CIA n'espionnait
pas, d'aucune façon, la commission du Renseignement».

LA PRESSE: La CIA s'est retrouvée mardi au centre d'un scandale politique aux États-Unis, accusée d'avoir violé la Constitution en fouillant des ordinateurs utilisés par des enquêteurs parlementaires, dans une affaire relative aux anciennes techniques d'interrogatoire de l'agence d'espionnage.

Les accusations ont déclenché une bagarre publique rare entre la CIA et le Congrès, le directeur de l'agence d'espionnage John Brennan niant avoir cherché à faire obstacle à l'enquête du Sénat, sans toutefois commenter les faits en détail.

«Nous n'essayions pas de bloquer quoi que ce soit», a déclaré John Brennan lors d'un événement organisé par le Council on Foreign Relations. «La CIA n'espionnait pas, d'aucune façon, la commission du Renseignement».

Les rumeurs de presse s'amplifiaient depuis plusieurs jours sur la surveillance supposée par l'agence de renseignement d'ordinateurs utilisés par des enquêteurs de cette commission. » | Ivan Couronne, Agence France-Presse | Washington | mardi 11 mars 2014

Related »

Senate Intelligence Head Says CIA 'Searched Computers'

BBC: The head of the US Senate intelligence committee has publicly accused the CIA of improperly accessing computers used by congressional staff.

Senator Dianne Feinstein said on the Senate floor that such activities "may have undermined the constitutional framework" of government oversight.

The Senate panel was investigating allegations of abuse during a CIA detention and interrogation programme.

A CIA internal watchdog has been tasked with looking into the alleged hacking.

"I am not taking it lightly," Ms Feinstein said of the matter on Tuesday, adding that the CIA may have violated federal laws in its alleged conduct. » | Tuesday, March 11, 2014

R.I.P. : Swedish-British Journalist Gunned Down in Kabul

Nils Horner had been working for Swedish Radio

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Nils Horner shot dead in smart neighbourhood, close to where militants killed 21 people at a restaurant in January

A foreign journalist with dual British and Swedish nationality was shot dead in the Afghan capital Kabul on Tuesday.

Nils Horner, who worked for Swedish Radio, was declared dead on arrival at the city’s emergency hospital.

Witnesses said two attackers fled the scene.

“I heard a single gunshot and saw the man fall down,” a passer-by told the AFP news agency.

The killing is a reminder of the dangers in Afghanistan as the country prepares for an election next month and for the withdrawal of Nato-led combat forces this year. » | Zubair Babakarkhail, Kabul and Rob Crilly | Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Inside Story: World Wide Web: Global Force for Good?

We celebrate and analyse the 25th anniversary of Tim Berners-Lee's landmark invention.

President Obama at a Crossroads

Mar. 10, 2014 - 2:28 - Talking Points 3/10

Exclusive: Dick Cheney on How Obama Is Handling Ukraine

Mar. 10, 2014 - 8:41 - Former Vice President says not to underestimate the significance of the crisis

L'argent russe de « Londongrad » influence le pouvoir britannique

LE MONDE: Ce sont les appartements les plus chers et les plus luxueux de Londres. Leurs baies vitrées ultramodernes offrent une vue imprenable sur Hyde Park. Un couloir souterrain les relie au Mandarin Oriental, le palace où officie le chef étoilé Heston Blumenthal. Au total, les 76 logements de One Hyde Park, un bâtiment conçu par le célèbre architecte Richard Rogers, se sont vendus pour 1,7 milliard d'euros, soit 22 millions chacun en moyenne, selon une enquête de Nicholas Shaxson, auteur d'un livre sur les paradis fiscaux. » | Par Eric Albert (Londres, correspondance) | lundi 10 mars 2014

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Tells West: 'Drop Your Illusions About Iran'

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's Prime Minister

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Benjamin Netanyahu criticises the international community for failing to condemn a deadly weapons shipment he says was organised by Iran and bound for Palestinian militants

Benjamin Netanyahu accused the West of failing to condemn Iran's involvement in an intercepted weapons shipment on Monday because it wanted to delude itself that the country's leaders had changed course.

Standing beside an array of rockets, mortars and bullets seized from a ship that sailed from Iran, the Israeli prime minister said the international community was guilty of "hypocrisy" for failing to speak out while loudly denouncing Israel for continued settlement building.

"At most I heard a few faint condemnations of Iran from the international community," he said[.]

"In contrast if we build a balcony in Jerusalem we hear harsh condemnation from the international community."

Mr Netanyahu was speaking at a naval base in the southern Israeli port of Eilat, where the arms haul was ceremoniously showcased in an event intended to draw the maximum propaganda value from the seizure of a merchant vessel on March 5 that Israel says was carrying supplies destined for Palestinians militants in Gaza. » | Robert Tait, Eilat | Monday, March 10, 2014

Hoping to Isolate Russia, US Woos China on Ukraine

Read the Washington Post article here | Associate Press | Monday, March 10, 2014

Pope Says Catholic Church Should Not Dismiss Gay Marriage

Pope Francis

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The Catholic Church should not dismiss out of hand civil unions, but should study them, says Pope Francis, in latest softening of stance on thorny social issues

Pope Francis says the issue of gay marriage should be studied and not dismissed out-of-hand, a senior Roman Catholic cardinal has revealed.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the outspoken archbishop of New York, said Pope Francis had told him: “Rather than quickly condemn them, let's just ask the questions as to why that has appealed to certain people."

Archbishop Dolan stressed that the Pope had not shifted the Catholic Church’s position on same-sex unions.

"It wasn't as if he came out and approved them,” he told the NBC television network in the US.

But the Pope wanted senior Church leaders to “look into” the issue and to scrutinise the reasons why many countries have legalised same-sex marriages. » | Nick Squires, Rome | Monday, March 10, 2014

Clash of Russia & NATO Interests? Khrushchev's Great-granddaughter Talks Crimea

Russia has been at the centre of heavy criticism for its policies on Crimea. And while the region moves toward self-determination, the West calls for punishment and declares the will of its people illegitimate. Does Russia have the right to protect legitimate interests on its doorstep, or is the protection of interests a privilege reserved solely for Western powers with traditionally global aspirations? Oksana is joined by Dr Nina Khrushcheva, a [Senior] Fellow of the World Policy Institute, to discuss these issues.

WORLD POLICY INSTITUTE: Nina Krushcheva »

Ukraine Crisis: Russia Warns US against 'Hasty' Sanctions

BBC: Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has warned the US not to take "hasty and reckless steps" in response to the crisis in Ukraine's Crimea region.

In a phone call with his US counterpart John Kerry, Mr Lavrov said imposing sanctions on Moscow would harm the US.

Pro-Russian troops have been in control of Crimea for the last week.

Earlier, a stand-off involving pro-Russian soldiers at a Ukrainian military base outside Sevastopol reportedly ended without incident.

Crimea's parliament announced on Thursday it would hold a referendum on 16 March on whether to join Russia or remain part of Ukraine.

Russia's parliament has promised to support Crimea if it chooses to become part of Russia.

The vote has been denounced as "illegitimate" by the interim government in Kiev, which took power after President Viktor Yanukovych fled to Russia last month in the wake of mass protests against his government and deadly clashes with security forces.

In their telephone conversation on Friday, Mr Lavrov warned Mr Kerry against taking "hasty and unthought-through steps capable of causing harm to Russian-US relations", Russia's foreign ministry reports. (+ BBC video) » | Saturday, March 08, 2014

Ukraine Crisis: I'm Prepared to Hit City to Punish Putin, Says David Cameron

David Cameron and Angela Merkel meet ahead of a European
leaders emergency summit on Ukraine

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Russians could be hit with asset freezes and travel bans "within days", Prime Minister says, even if it harms the City and British industries

Sanctions will be imposed on Russia within days unless it loosens its grip on the Ukrainian territory of Crimea, David Cameron announced today.

The City of London and the defence industry could suffer as a result Britain has learnt from history that it must “stand up to aggression” and cannot stand by “when nations are trampled over”, the Prime Minister said.

Britain, the EU and the US are drawing up a list of Russian officials who will see their off-shore bank accounts frozen and banned from travelling to the West unless it steps back from annexing the Crimean peninsula. Defence co-operation is also under review, with a presumption that arms contracts will be scrapped.

Mr Cameron, speaking after talks in Hanover with German President Angela Merkel, said he would “ratchet up the pressure” on Vladimir Putin if he attempts to “legitimise” a Russian-backed referendum on Crimea leaving Ukraine on Sunday.

Downing Street said that any sanctions would be aimed at individuals but sources said that this would be unlikely to mean President Putin could be targeted. » | Matthew Holehouse, Political Correspondent | Monday, March 10, 2014

McCain Blasts Obama’s 'Total Misreading' of Putin

Mar. 10, 2014 - 7:50 - GOP senator targets president's 'failure' to understand Russian leader

Comprendre les frontières de l'Ukraine en 2 minutes

Les frontières de l'Ukraine moderne ont en grande partie été dessinées par son imposant voisin: la Russie.

Source: Le Figaro | Par Julien Licourt, Laure Kermanach | dimanche 09 mars 2014

Massendemonstrationen in der Ukraine

Al-Qaeda Unveils New Magazine Aimed at Western Jihadis

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Advert for 'Resurgence' magazine uses words of Malcolm X in appeal to disaffected Muslims in US and Europe, as it turns focus away from Middle East

Al-Qaeda is starting an English language magazine as part of a fresh effort to recruit and inspire Western jihadis to launch attacks in their own countries, according to security analysts.

A video posted on YouTube uses the words of Malcolm X to justify violent struggle, before announcing the name of the magazine, Resurgence.

It appears to be modelled on Inspire, an online publication produced by al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), which has carried messages from Osama bin Laden, bomb making directions and tactics for launching “lone wolf” attacks.

However, the new magazine appears to be the first English language magazine from the group’s core leadership and is advertised with a slick video from as-Sahab, its media production house. Analysts believe it marks a shift from al-Qaeda's recent focus on Syria. » | Rob Crilly, Islamabad | Monday, March 10, 2014

Inside Story: North Korea Poll: Politics or Propaganda?

Voters are obliged to tick "Yes" for the sole candidate on their ballot paper.

No Saudi Gays Allowed? 'US Violates Its Own Principles to Please Monarchy'

He could be executed at home, has already received death threats, and is pinning his hopes on the US giving him shelter. But an openly gay Saudi diplomat who is seeking asylum has been left in legal limbo - and some believe for political reasons.

Growing Russian Nationalism Has Some Wary

Russian, Ukrainian Troops Dig In

Breaking Up with Vladimir Putin

'We Cannot Let Putin Get Away with This,' Says Polish Minister

Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Russia must not be allowed to redraw the map of Europe, Radek Sikorski, Poland's Foreign Minister, tells the Telegraph ahead of a meeting with William Hague on Monday

“We cannot let Putin get away with this,” says Radek Sikorski, Poland’s Foreign Minister. His Oxford English is perfect, his tone decisive. “By annexing Crimea, Russia is forcing a major change of boundaries on Europe. It means the breaking of the post-Cold War consensus. That is verboten.”

Vladimir Putin, lacking Mr Sikorski’s linguistic skills, does not understand “verboten”. He has been taunting the west for days now, placing troops on Ukrainian soil to defend -- as he puts it -- ethnic Russians there from the “nationalist mob” who overthrew President Viktor Yanukovych. The annexation of Crimea, the southernmost region in Ukraine, looks inevitable to Sikorski: “The timetable for the Kremlin’s annexation of the region is accelerating daily.” Putin knows America and the EU are in thrall to Russia’s money, oil and gas. He reckons that with huge economic interests at stake, no one will fight for Ukraine’s sovereignity.

But Putin has underestimated EU unity, says Sikorski. “I’m seeing William Hague on Monday. We are as one on Ukraine. We cannot allow Putin to redraw the map of Europe along ethnic lines. Europe is based on the principle of overcoming borders rather than redrawing them. No one has the unilateral right to move borders in response to presumed ethnic grievances. We’ve seen what happened when a European leader tried to do that before: the peoples of the Soviet Union paid one of the biggest prices for this.” » | Cristina Odone | Monday, March 10, 2014

Chodorkowski stellt Gesuch an Schweizer Behörden

TAGES ANZEIGER: Michail Chodorkowski reist zurzeit viel in der Welt herum. Nun hat er entschieden, in welchem Land er seinen Hauptwohnsitz plant.

Der russische Kreml-Kritiker und ehemalige Ölunternehmer Michail Chodorkowski will sich in der Schweiz niederlassen. Chodorkowski hat ein entsprechendes Gesuch eingereicht, wie seine in Zug ansässige Kommunikationsagentur gegenüber der Nachrichtenagentur sda sagte.

Wo er das Gesuch gestellt hat, wollte die Agentur nicht sagen. Das Verfahren sei im Gang. Man werde zu gegebener Zeit informieren, hiess es weiter. Zurzeit hält sich Chodorkowski in Kiew auf. Am Sonntag rief er Russen und Ukrainer zum Einlenken im Krim-Konflikt auf. » | bru/sda/AP | Montag, 10. März 2014

Robert Gates on Ukraine Crisis, 'Reset' with Russia

Mar. 09, 2014 - 11:58 - Former defense secretary on 'Fox News Sunday'

North Koreans 'Vote' in Elections - Singing, Dancing and Reciting Poetry

North Korea's cowed people were marched to the polls on Sunday for a pre-decided "election" to parliament - with only one candidate for each seat

Read and comment on Telegraph article here | Harriet Alexander | Sunday, March 09, 2014

Sen. Mike Lee on Reigning in Obama's Expanding Power

Mar. 09, 2014 - 4:36 - Lawmaker discusses the president's executive overreach

Huckabee: We've Become the Shakiest Gun in the West

Mar. 09, 2014 - 3:27 - Reaction to handling of Russia, Ukraine

America – From Freedom To Fascism (2011)

Is there a law which requires you to pay the Federal Income Tax? Is the Federal Reserve a part of the United States Government, or is it a private bank owned and operated by multinational corporate interests? Do they have our nation's best interests at heart? Unless something changes, what does the future of the United States look like?

Gambia President Rejects English Language

President Yahya Jammeh has given Gambian public sector
workers a weekly extra day off

THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: President's decision to shift official language from English to local language comes months after its decision to withdraw from the Commonwealth

Gambia's president said that he wants to implement a policy change that would shift the country's language from English to a local language.

"We no longer subscribe to the belief that for you to be a government you should speak English language. We should speak our language," President Yahya Jammeh said during the swearing-in ceremony of Gambia's new Chief Justice that aired on state-run Gambia Television Services on Friday.

The announcement comes months after the West African country announced it is withdrawing from the Commonwealth, a collection of 54 nations made up largely of former British colonies, saying it would "never be a member of any neo-colonial institution."

The United Kingdom recently warned its citizens of rising anti-British rhetoric from the president, who last year accused the former colonial power and the United States of organizing coup attempts in the West African nation. The allegations were denied. » | AP | Sunday, March 09, 2014

Why Does Islam Get Special Treatment in Australia? - "A Cruel Culture"

Cory Bernardi defends Australian values from what he sees as a creeping Islamification, aided and enabled by some Australian politicians.

Putin More of a 'Leader' Than Obama?

Mar. 04, 2014 - 3:47 - Defying 'weak, indecisive' Obama's warnings, is Russian president more 'respected' and feared on the world stage?

Is Obama's 'Weakness' to Blame for Russia's Aggression?

Mar. 03, 2014 - 6:20 - Sen. Lindsey Graham explains why he blames President Obama for Russia's aggression in the escalating tension in the Ukraine