Vatican Buries the Hatchet with Charles Darwin
TIMES ONLINE: The Vatican has admitted that Charles Darwin was on the right track when he claimed that Man descended from apes.

A leading official declared yesterday that Darwin’s theory of evolution was compatible with Christian faith, and could even be traced to St Augustine and St Thomas Aquinas. “In fact, what we mean by evolution is the world as created by God,” said Archbishop Gianfranco Ravasi, head of the Pontifical Council for Culture. The Vatican also dealt the final blow to speculation that Pope Benedict XVI might be prepared to endorse the theory of Intelligent Design, whose advocates credit a “higher power” for the complexities of life.

Organisers of a papal-backed conference next month marking the 150th anniversary of Darwin’s On the Origin of Species said that at first it had even been proposed to ban Intelligent Design from the event, as “poor theology and poor science”.

Intelligent Design would be discussed at the fringes of the conference at the Pontifical Gregorian University, but merely as a “cultural phenomenon”, rather than a scientific or theological issue, organisers said.

The conference is seen as a landmark in relations between faith and science. Three years ago advocates of Intelligent Design seized on the Pope’s reference to an “intelligent project” as proof that he favoured their views. >>> Richard Owen in Rome | Wednesday, February 11, 2009

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«La tactique du régime iranien est de gagner du temps»
LE FIGARO: VIDEO - Pour Reza Pahlavi, le fils du Shah d'Iran, l'attitude de l'administration Obama envers l'Iran ne doit pas se limiter à l'ouverture d'un dialogue, au risque de faire le jeu du régime actuel.


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Spending Money Like There’s No Tomorrow! Obama, the Two Trillion Dollar Man!
US Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner has admitted America’s original bank bail-out was “inadequate”, as he set out a revamped plan to provide more than $2 trillion to stabilise ailing financial institutions and revive lending.

Mr Geithner, who as the former president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York was instrumental in devising the previous $700bn bail-out, admitted that the “force of government support” in the Autumn failed to prevent the “deepening pressure brought on by the financial crisis.”

Admitting public distrust in the first bail-out, led by his predecessor as Treasury Secretary, Hank Paulson, Mr Geithner admitted that today's “comprehensive strategy will cost money, involve risk, and take time.”

Today's plan comes a day after President Barack Obama used his first White House press conference to tell Americans that passing his massive economic stimulus bill would mean the difference between "catastrophe" and saving or creating "up to four million jobs."

US stock markets markets responded badly to the plan, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average extending losses to more than 3pc in early trading.

In place of October's plan, which simply injected capital into major US banks and hoped for the best, Mr Geithner unveiled a three-prong programme which he hopes will “use taxpayers’ money in ways that will benefit them.”

The programme will be known as the “Financial Stability Plan” – ditching the TARP (Troubled Assets Relief Programme) moniker – and Mr Geithner said that it would be monitored closely and reviewed regularly to ensure it is working. Tim Geithner Unveils New Plan to Rescue US Banking System >>> By James Quinn, Wall Street Correspondent | Tuesday, February 10, 2009

TIMES ONLINE: Let’s Not Penny-pinch, for God’s Sake. What’s a Trillion between Friends?

The Obama Administration laid out plans yesterday to marshal an extraordinary $3 trillion to stabilise America's stricken banking sector and revive its collapsing economy. US shares dropped sharply despite an unprecedented few hours of emergency government action.

First, President Obama's Treasury Secretary unveiled a sweeping new rescue plan for the US banking system that could amount to at least $2 trillion. It involves a combination of taxpayers' and private money to help to free up the country's frozen credit markets and to save the financial sector from collapse.

Timothy Geithner's appearance unsettled Wall Street mainly because business leaders were concerned about the lack of detail in his plan. Two hours later an entirely separate plan - Mr Obama's $838 billion economic stimulus package aimed at creating jobs and reviving the economy - was narrowly passed by the US Senate, but in the face of almost unanimous Republican opposition. Needing 60 votes to avoid blocking tactics, the Bill attracted 61, with only three moderate Republicans backing it.

When Mr Obama was told of the Bill's passage during a rally in Fort Myers, Florida, he said: “That's good news. It's a good start.” Yet Mr Obama set himself tough benchmarks - as he did at a prime-time news conference on Monday night, part of a campaign to sell the stimulus package to the US public - in essence conceding that his presidency would succeed or fail on his ability to turn the economy around. He pledged that his stimulus plan would create or save three to four million jobs within two years. “If people don't think I've led the country in the right direction, you'll have a new president.” Barack Obama Team Rolls Out $3 trillion Plan to Save Economy >>> Tim Reid in Washington | Wednesday, February 11, 2009

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Is the Church of England Really Worth Listening to Anymore? Isn't It Just a Church Made Up of Leftist Loons?
PRESS ASSOCIATION: The Church of England has voted in favour of banning clergy and some lay staff from joining the far-right British National Party.

Members of the General Synod voted to back a motion brought by Metropolitan Police civilian worker Vasantha Gnanadoss calling on bishops to formulate a comparable policy to the Association of Chief Police Officers' ban on police membership of the BNP.

Miss Gnanadoss, who received support at the General Synod from former Met Police commissioner Sir Ian Blair, said passing the motion would make it "much more difficult" for the BNP or other similar organisations to exploit the claim that they had support within the Church of England.

She said: "If supporting organisations like the BNP is inconsistent with Christian discipleship, it seems obvious that clergy and others who speak for the Church should not be members."

Acpo policy states that that no member of the police service may be a member of an organisation whose constitution, aims, objectives or pronouncements contradict the "general duty" to promote race equality.

This specifically includes the BNP, the policy states.

The motion backed by the General Synod called for the Church of England bishops to draw up a similar policy to apply to all clergy, ordinands and employed lay persons who speak on behalf of the Church of England. Church of England Votes for BNP Clergy Ban >>> | Tuesday, February 10, 2009

THE TELEGRAH: Church of England Votes to Ban Clergy from Joining BNP

Clergy will be banned from joining the British National Party after the Archbishop of Canterbury called on the Church of England to "name names" in the fight against racism.

The governing body of the Church of England, the General Synod, voted overwhelmingly to follow the lead of the police and bar ordained priests, trainees and lay staff from becoming members of racist political parties, specifically including the BNP.

It will require discplinary rules for vicars to be rewritten, and some critics claimed the move could still breach human rights and trigger employment tribunal cases because the BNP is a legal organisation.

Others warned that far-right parties could get around the rules by changing their names, or by claiming their members are merely supporters rather than official members.

However the vote was carried by 322 votes to 13, with 20 abstentions, amid claims that the BNP is trying to promote itself as a Christian group, and fears that there are "racist undertones" in the Church that leave ethnic minorities "scandalously under-represented" among clergy.

In 2004, the Synod affirmed that voting for a racist party is "incompatible with Christian discipleship" while since 2006 candidates for positions in the priesthood have been screened for racist attitudes. >>> By Martin Beckford, Religious Affairs Correspondent | Tuesday, February 10, 2009

THE TELEGRAPH: No More Mosques, Says Senior Synod Member

A senior lay member of the Church of England's "Parliament" has called for a ban on the building of more mosques in Britain.

Alison Ruoff, a long-standing member of the General Synod, said that new mosques should not be built in this country while Islamic states continued to persecute Christians.

The former magistrate, who was one of the strongest critics of the Archbishop of Canterbury's speech on Islamic law earlier this year, added that sharia would be introduced into Britain "if we don't watch out".

Apart from being a Synod member, Mrs Ruoff, a conservative evangelical, also sits on the Bishop's Council, which advises the Bishop of London, the Rt Rev Richard Chartres.

Although her views are representative of a small minority on the Synod, and Church spokesmen moved quickly to isolate her yesterday, they may exacerbate tensions over the place of Muslims in society.

A spokesman for the Diocese of London said: "Mrs Ruoff's comments are her own and do not reflect the views of the Diocese of London, which enjoys excellent inter-faith relations across the capital."

A Church of England spokesman added: "These are her personal comments, speaking as an individual." But senior Muslims had already reacted angrily to her comments, saying they were more typical of a member of the British National Party than the Anglican Church. >>> By Jonathan Petre, Religion Correspondent | April 3, 2008

BNP: As Churches Are Turned into Mosques, the Church of England Worries about the BNP

“It is ridiculous that the Church of England is concerned with persecuting Christian BNP members while church buildings are being turned into mosques as Britain is colonised by Islam,” said BNP leader Nick Griffin in his reaction to the CoE decision to bar clergy from joining the party.

“Up and down the country, CoE churches are being turned into mosques,” he said. “Instead of concerning themselves with their empty pews, the leftist clergymen worry about a party which is dedicated to preventing the displacement of Christianity by Islam in this country.

“These political priests need to be reminded that the church and state were separated at the time of the Reformation. It is best for them to keep their noses out of politics, and rather concentrate on trying to explain why their churches are so empty.”

Mr Griffin said the church leaders - being led by the nose by clerical Marxists and Ugandan or Pakistan-born bishops - should not bother trying to interfere with the democratic rights of British people.

“If they think that an Islamic-dominated Britain will look kindly upon Christianity, they are seriously deluded and should consider the experience of Christianity in other Islamic countries before being so foolish as to rant against anti-immigration parties, as their motion does,” he said.

Mr Griffin confirmed that the BNP has been flooded with messages of support from angry CoE members following the decision today. “The church leaders are clearly out of touch with the rank and file of their flock. It is no coincidence that the BNP is this country’s fastest growing political party at the same time that the CoE’s pews are emptying.” [Source: BNP] Tuesday, February 10, 2009

TELEGRAPH BLOG: Church's BNP Ban Is Silly and Pointless

A silly and embarrassing little vote at the General Synod yesterday, banning clergy from joining the British National Party because it's a racist organisation.

Silly because the BNP is a legitimate political party and the Church of England could be challenged in law for being discriminatory itself - a rich irony. Silly because it specifically names the BNP, so a new motion will presumably have to be passed if a fresh brand of racism emerges, such as Combat 18 or a new National Front.

Silly because it suggests that clergy need to be told not to support racism. Silly because it hands the BNP the propaganda coup of looking significant and victimised. >>> George Pitcher | Wednesday, February 11, 2009

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God Is Not Enough!

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Breaking News! Dutch MP Wilders Refused Entry to UK: 'A Threat to Public Order'
Photo of Geert Wilders courtesy of Radio Netherlands Worldwide
RADIO NETHERLANDS WORLDWIDE: Dutch Right-wing politician and controversial anti-Islam campaigner Geert Wilders has been refused entry to the United Kingdom despite being invited to visit by a member of the House of Lords, the British parliament's upper chamber.

Mr Wilders (pictured), who was due to go to London this Thursday, received a letter today, 10 February, from the British ambassador to the Netherlands telling him that he was not welcome, reportedly because his visit would constitute a threat to public order.

Handcuffs


Mr Wilders responded to the decision in fighting mood, telling Dutch media that he still intended to travel to London:

"I'll see what happens at the border. Let them put me in handcuffs."

Dutch Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen's response was also firm. He contacted his UK counterpart, David Miliband, by telephone and voiced his dissatisfaction that a member of the Dutch parliament - Geert Wilders is in fact also the leader of a political grouping, the Freedom Party - has been prohibited from entering a fellow European Union member state. >>> By RNW Internet, (Sources: ANP/Elsevier) | Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Send your PROTESTS to the Foreign Secretary:

private.office@fco.gov.uk OR milibandd@parliament.uk

TELEGRAPH BLOGS: Geert Wilders, Anti-Islamic Politician, Banned from Britain

Can this really be true? An elected representative, the leader of a legitimate political party, banned from entering the United Kingdom? On what possible grounds?

It's true that Geert Wilders is a controversialist, who takes pleasure in causing offence. He needs 24-hour protection, so serious are the death-threats he has attracted from jihadis. He revels in offending liberals as well as Muslims: his call for the Koran to be banned struck me as rather inconsistent with his stated commitment to civic freedoms. I wouldn't vote for him if I were Dutch.

But what I think of him is neither here nor there. Freedom means the freedom to express any opinion, however eccentric, however offensive. The Dutch foreign minister, a political opponent of Mr Wilders, has complained to David Miliband. Good for him. Whether our government is actuated by cowardice or authoritarianism, it's equally ugly. We are a meaner country than we were this morning. Comment here >>> Daniel Hannan | Tuesday, February 10, 2009


Hat tip: Dale Hurd >>>

LIVE LEAK: Anti-Islamic Film, Fitna


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New Dark Age Alert! Head 'Forced Out' Over Ban on Muslim Assemblies
TIMES ONLINE: A head teacher who was accused of racism after she tried to scrap separate assemblies for Muslim children at her school has resigned.

Julia Robinson's departure follows an 18-month dispute over her attempt to hold a single weekly assembly for all pupils at Meersbrook Bank primary school, in Sheffield, regardless of their faith. Although the plan was backed by staff and many parents, some Muslim parents objected and accused Mrs Robinson of being racist.

Sheffield council refused to discuss why Mrs Robinson had resigned but a teacher at the school said that she had been under a lot of pressure, while a parent claimed that she had her hands tied and was forced out. The school's chairman of governors has also quit.

More than 20 per cent of the school's 240 pupils are Muslims. Parents from the local mosque said that the Islamic services started ten years ago after they withdraw their children from the daily service. One said that the split came after a teacher tried to force a Muslim pupil to sing a Christian hymn. >>> Andrew Norfolk, Alexandra Frean | Tuesday, February 10, 2009

TELEGRAPH BLOGS: Another Muslim Ghetto Takes Shape as Head Teacher Is 'Forced Out' for Opposing Islamic Assemblies

The resignation of a Sheffield head teacher after she tried to scrap all-Muslim assemblies is a sign of things to come. I find it far, far more worrying than the "secularism" that Christians are always complaining about.

Julia Robinson, head teacher of Meersbrook Primary School, wanted to end the divisive Islamic assembles for Muslim pupils, who make up about a quarter of her 240 pupils. Staff and many parents backed her; Muslim parents accused her of being - you've guessed it - "racist".

Those Christians who think that it's better to have separate Christian and Muslim assemblies rather than the "inclusive" services Mrs Robinson planned are missing the point. They think "faith" is good, irrespective of what faith it is. Myopic idiots.

Admittedly, I wouldn't be surprised if the "inclusive" services were annoyingly PC, like 99 per cent of all school assemblies in Britain. And I don't know what went on in the weekly Islamic assemblies led by a [sic] parents at Meersbrook School. But I do know this: Muslim ghettos are being constructed across the North of England, and among their building blocks are school-sanctioned meetings for children from ethnic minorities designed to turn them into strictly observant Muslims – whether they like it or not.

The Muslim indoctrination of primary school children is designed to produce young adults who reject and despise the tolerant, liberal society in which they live. No wonder staff and most parents backed Julia Robinson; we should, too. Comment here >>> Damian Thompson, Holy Smoke | Tuesday, February 10, 2009

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”Sweden Safe Haven for War Criminals”
STOCKHOLM NEWS: Amnesty International criticises Sweden for a wide range of obstacles to prosecutions and extraditions of such crimes as genocide, crime against humanity, war crime and torture.

In a report with special focus on Sweden Amnesty finds a number of gaps in the national legal framework. Several international crimes are not defined as crimes under Swedish law; principles of criminal responsibility are not defined in accordance with the strictest requirements of international law and criminals who have committed these serious crime [sic] are covered by statutes of limitation.

Around 1500 war criminals is [sic] believed to live in Sweden. If the laws are not changed, they could go free from any persecution, Amnesty writes. 



Sweden consistently takes a strong stance against impunity for the most serious crimes in international fora. But the same commitment is not shown at home. >>> David Jonasson | Tuesday, February 3, 2009

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Western Companies Seen Eyeing Islamic Bonds

REUTERS: LONDON/MANAMA - Cash-strapped Western companies are considering issuing Islamic bonds to tap Middle Eastern investors but face a challenge in choosing the right instrument, bankers and asset managers said.

Companies, especially in the UK and France, are looking to Islamic compliant investors as alternative sources of finance as the global crisis restricts their usual funding routes.

"There is a lot of interest from corporates to issue sukuk. My feeling is that as liquidity in the West gets scarce, they will look into the Middle East," said London-based Adnan Aziz, head of sharia advisory and structuring at asset manager BMB Group.

British retailer Tesco (TSCO.L) issued its first sukuk -- or Islamic-compliant debt --in 2007 for its Malaysian unit as well as raising conventional debt.

Islamic bonds do not pay interest, which is banned under Islamic law or Sharia, and are structured as profit-sharing or rental agreements, underpinned by physical assets such as real estate or commodities.

"We have discussions with clients, conventional issuers in Europe and we pitch both solutions, (bonds and sukuk) that is going to be a trend going forward," said Vikrant Bhansalim, who works for French bank Societe Generale (SOGN.PA) in London.

"In today's world the corporate sector is interested in the right price, the format is not as important," he said. >>> Reuters | Tuesday, February 10, 2009

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REUTERS:
Indonesia Reports Strong Demand for First Retail Sukuk >>> Reuters | Tuesday, February 10, 2009

SMART BRIEF: Report Details Growth of U.K.'s Islamic Finance Sector

A report by International Financial Services London found that the Islamic finance sector in Britain, with $18 billion in assets, is much larger than that of Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt and Bangladesh, countries where Islam is the primary religion. The report also states that the U.K. leads Western countries in the number of financial institutions focused on Muslims and sharia-compliant products. >>> The Telegraph | Tuesday, February 10, 2009

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Ed Balls: Minister Fears Rise of Fascism Amid Economic Gloom
Photo courtesy of The Telegraph
The economic crisis could spark a resurgence in the Far Right, a close ally of Gordon Brown has suggested.

Ed Balls, the Children's and Schools Secretary, said the downturn was likely to be the most serious for 100 years, and his comments appeared to raise the prospect of a return to the Far Right politics of the 1930s and the rise of Facism.

His warning, in a speech to activists at the weekend, came after a trade union baron warned that far right parties were trying to hijack the campaign for "British jobs for British workers".

The row over foreign workers has gathered momentum in recent weeks and Mr Balls seemed to suggest the recession could trigger a return to the Far Right politics that prospered in the Great Depression of the 1930s.

He told Labour's Yorkshire conference: "The economy is going to define our politics in this region and in Britain in the next year, the next five years, the next 10 and even the next 15 years.

"I think that this is a financial crisis more extreme and more serious than that of the 1930s and we all remember how the politics of that era were shaped by the economy."

The remarks are significant because Mr Balls was a key adviser to Mr Brown during his decade at the Treasury as Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Mr Balls said that he believed this to be "the most serious global recession for over 100 years".

He said: "We now are seeing the realities of globalisation, though at a speed, pace and ferocity which none of us have seen before. The reality is that this is becoming the most serious global recession for, I'm sure, over 100 years as it will turn out."

Last week Derek Simpson, the general secretary of Unite, gave warning that far right elements were hijacking a campaign against foreign firms bringing in non-British workers.

He said: "We are deeply concerned that other organisations like the BNP are latching onto the movement for their own racist agenda." >>> By Christopher Hope, Whitehall Editor | Tuesday, February 10, 2009

THE INDEPENDENT: 'This Is the Worst Recession for Over 100 Years'

Ed Balls, the PM's closest ally, warns that downturn is ferocious and says impact will last 15 years

Britain is facing its worst financial crisis for more than a century, surpassing even the Great Depression of the 1930s, one of Gordon Brown's most senior ministers and confidants has admitted.

In an extraordinary admission about the severity of the economic downturn, Ed Balls even predicted that its effects would still be felt 15 years from now. The Schools Secretary's comments carry added weight because he is a former chief economic adviser to the Treasury and regarded as one of the Prime Ministers's closest allies.

Mr Balls said yesterday: "The reality is that this is becoming the most serious global recession for, I'm sure, over 100 years, as it will turn out."

He warned that events worldwide were moving at a "speed, pace and ferocity which none of us have seen before" and banks were losing cash on a "scale that nobody believed possible".

The minister stunned his audience at a Labour conference in Yorkshire by forecasting that times could be tougher than in the depression of the 1930s, when male unemployment in some cities reached 70 per cent. He also appeared to hint that the recession could play into the hands of the far right. >>> By Nigel Morris, Deputy Political Editor, and Sean O'Grady, Economics Editor | Tuesday, February 10, 2009

BNP: And What Does the ‘Far-right’ Have to Say about the Financial Crisis?


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L'Iran se dit prêt au dialogue
 avec Washington
Le président iranien Mahmoud Ahmadinejad a affirmé que l'Iran est prêt au dialogue avec les Etats-Unis mais dans «l'égalité» et «le respect mutuel».

«Le peuple iranien est prêt au dialogue mais dans un climat d'égalité et de respect mutuel.» Après la Russie ce week-end, c'est au tour de l'Iran de faire un geste d'apaisement dans les relations diplomatiques avec les Etats-Unis. Devant des dizaines de milliers de personnes rassemblées mardi pour le 30e anniversaire de la révolution islamique, le président iranien Mahmoud Ahmadinejad s'est dit favorable à une détente diplomatique entre les deux pays.

«Le nouveau gouvernement américain a déclaré qu'il voulait le changement et entamer le chemin du dialogue mais le changement réel doit être fondamental et non tactique», a-t-il prévenu. Le monde ne désire pas la répétition de la période noire de Bush (...) Si certains cherchent à répéter son expérience même avec des méthodes nouvelles, ils doivent savoir que leur destin sera encore pire que celui de Bush.»

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad répond ainsi au président américain Barack Obama, lequel avait émis l'espoir lundi de créer «dans les prochains mois» des «ouvertures» entre les Etats-Unis et l'Iran qui permettront «de s'asseoir à une table, face à face». «Je pense qu'il y a la possibilité, au moins, d'une relation de respect mutuel», avait-il estimé, même si «cela ne va pas se faire du jour au lendemain». « L'Iran est devenu une grande puissance», clame Ahmadinejad >>> | Mardi 10 Février 2009

WELT ONLINE:
Ahmadinedschad ist bereit für Dialog mit den USA: Irans Präsident Mahmud Ahmadinedschad hat sich zu Gesprächen mit der neuen US-Regierung bereit erklärt. Dafür müsse es allerdings grundsätzliche Veränderungen geben, sagte der Präsident bei den Feiern zum 30-jährigen Bestehen der Islamischen Republik. Bush gehöre vor Gericht gestellt. >>>

TIMES ONLINE: Bullying Era of George W. Bush Is Over, Let the Age of Dialogue Begin, Says Iran

Thirty years after the Islamic Revolution that brought an end to its cosy relationship with the West and began an era of ideological confrontation, Iran's hardline President unclenched his nation's fist yesterday and opened the door for dialogue.

Speaking in front of crowds baying “Death to America” and banners denouncing “The Great Satan”, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told America that Iran was “ready for a dialogue in a climate of equality and mutual respect”.

“The Iranian nation will welcome true changes,” he told crowds of more than a million at Azadi Square in Tehran. “It is clear that the change must be fundamental and not tactical. The era of bullying is over and the era of dialogue has started.”

The remarks were the most positive yet from the Iranian President since Barack Obama stated after his inauguration that “if countries like Iran are willing to unclench their fist, they will find an extended hand from us”. >>> Catherine Philp, Diplomatic Correspondent | Wednesday, February 11, 2009

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Irak: Visite surprise de Sarkozy
Attendu dans le Golfe, Nicolas Sarkozy a fait un détour surprise par Bagdad mardi. Le chef de l'Etat a été accueilli par son homologue irakien, Jalal Talabani. Il a rappelé que la France était aux côtés de l'Irak et salué les efforts de démocratisation, après les élections provinciales du 31 janvier. Il s'agit de la première visite d'un président français depuis la chute du régime de Saddam Hussein, en 2003.

En Jordanie pour une visite dans la région qui devait également le mener à Oman, Barheïn et Koweit, Nicolas Sarkozy a fait un détour surprise par Bagdad. Le chef de l'Etat français, accompagné de Bernard Kouchner, Hervé Morin et Anne-Marie Idrac, secrétaire d'Etat chargé du commerce extérieur, est arrivé à bord d'un Hercules C-130 sécurisé des services français. Pour d'évidentes raisons de sécurité, sa venue n'a pas été annoncée. A son arrivée, il a été accueilli par son homologue irakien Djalal Talabani, avec qui il s'est entretenu. Un peu plus tard, il doit rencontrer le Premier ministre, Nouri al Maliki, le grand gagnant des dernières élections locales. >>> Par la redaction, leJDD.fr | Mardi 10 Février 2009

WELT ONLINE:
Irak-Besuch: Sarkozy verspricht Bagdad Waffenlieferungen >>> AP/dpa/fsl | Dienstag, 10. Februar 2009

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Iran: Verlorene Kinder der Revolution
Drei in Österreich lebende Exil-Iraner erinnern sich an den Umsturz in ihrer Heimat vor 30 Jahren und erzählen, wie dieses Ereignis ihr Leben einschneidend veränderte.

Langsam rasselt der Panzer die Damavand-Avenue in Teheran hinunter. Hussam Taheri steht an einer Barrikade aus Eisenstangen, Holz – was eben zu finden war. Jemand hat die Idee, die Eisenteile unter Strom zu setzen. Es klappt. Der Panzer bleibt liegen. Hussam Taheri ist damals 18 und mitten drin in der Islamischen Revolution im Iran. Noch heute erinnert er sich genau daran, wie am 11. Februar 1979 um 14.00 Uhr die Radionachricht über den Äther kommt: „Der oberste Armeerat hat in der gegenwärtigen politischen Krise neutral zu bleiben.“ Damit hatte die Revolution gesiegt.

Wir treffen Taheri, einen der früheren Revolutionäre, spätabends im Café Eiles in Wien-Josefstadt. Er sitzt an einem der hinteren Tische, will sein Foto nicht in der „Presse“ sehen und heißt in Wirklichkeit auch nicht Taheri. Er beginnt zu erzählen, wie er Revolutionär wurde: Alles hat ganz harmlos mit einem Mensa-Streik an der Uni begonnen, doch er wurde mit 150 weiteren Aktivisten von der Hochschule verwiesen. Ab diesem Zeitpunkt gab es kaum mehr eine Demonstration, an der er nicht teilnahm. Die anschwellenden Proteste erzeugten bald eine Stimmung des Aufruhrs. >>> Thomas Seifert und Jasamin Baghi, Die Presse | Montag, 9. Februar 2009

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Barack Obama Is a Novice - and It Shows
President Barack Hussein “I Won” Obama. Photo courtesy of The Telegraph
After a rocky start, the new President knows he has to seize back the political agenda, says Toby Harnden.

During last year's epic election campaign, Hillary Clinton said that in the White House "there is no time for on-the-job training". Joe Biden, too, remarked that the presidency was "not something that lends itself to on-the-job training". Both were aiming barbs at their then primary opponent. Mrs Clinton has since brought what she would refer to as her "lifetime of experience" to the role of Secretary of State, while Mr Biden has traded 36 years in the Senate for the vice-presidency. And the rookie they derided is President.

Now, the words of his former rivals are returning to haunt President Obama. After a distinctly rocky start to his presidency, he has admitted he "screwed up" and is returning to one thing in his political career that he has perfected – campaigning. In Elkhart, Indiana, today and Fort Myers, Florida, tomorrow, Mr Obama will try to seize back control of the political agenda with question-and-answer sessions with voters in two of the swing states that gave him victory.

Already, however, he is struggling, and the product he is now selling is not himself but a near-trillion-dollar economic "stimulus" package loaded with pet Democratic spending projects that has awakened slumbering Republicans in Congress and is now supported by barely a third of Americans. In between the Indiana and Florida stops, he will return to the White House for a prime-time press conference in which he will appeal directly to citizens and seek to rekindle the magic of his campaign. >>> By Toby Harnden | Sunday, February 8, 2009

CANADA FREE PRESS: Obama’s State of the Union: He Won, America Lost!

Would someone please explain to President Obama that being president and commander-in-chief of the greatest nation on earth is NOT quite the same as midnight basketball or a game of HORSE?

In basketball, one can push, shove and elbow the opposition out of the way in order to achieve one’s objective. A dominant center needs to get along with just four teammates, but has no need to compromise or work with opponents.

By way of contrast, running the United States of America involves shared responsibility and authority with two co-equal branches of government. At stake are the lives and well being of 300 million Americans and billions of non-Americans all across the globe.

President Obama has put in nearly three weeks of harrowing incompetence, aggravated by insufferable arrogance. On at least two occasions, the novice president has reminded those who do not agree with him that “I won.” >>> By John Lillpop | Monday, February 9, 2009

Watch BBC video: Barack Obama: 'The situation we face could not be more serious' >>>
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TV Report On ZDF: Successful German Lawyer Embraced Islam / Erfolgreicher Rechtsanwalt in Deutschland bekehrte sich zum Islam

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Iran, 30 Years On: Was It Worth It?
Photo of the Ayatollah Khomeini courtesy of The Telegraph
Three decades after Iran's Islamic Revolution, activists who took part in the events that saw the Shah toppled – and which ushered in an era of unrelenting hostility to the West – despair at how their dreams have been so little realised

When Ayatollah Khomeini returned to Tehran, Hamid Reza Jalaiepour knew exactly what to do. A student activist, he had spent spells in the Shah's prisons for handing out revolutionary pamphlets and organising his classmates to protest against the authorities. Alongside 1,500 comrades, he now headed to the airport determined to join a guard of honour to protect the returning cleric from counter-revolutionaries.

"It was so exciting," he remembers. "So many people came to the airport that we lost each other in the crowd. It was like a sea of people, and I was only able to glimpse the Imam through a car window."

Close to three million people were believed to have thronged the streets on that winter day, bringing to an end the rule of Mohammed Reza Shah, who had ignominiously fled a fortnight earlier.

Now, as Iran prepares to celebrate the 30th anniversary of its revolution on Tuesday [already celebrated], many of those who ran through the streets of Tehran in 1979 are disappointed with the results.

As students, their behaviour shook the world, bringing down the American president, Jimmy Carter, and unleashing a wave of revolutionary fervour that utterly changed the Middle East – inspiring militants in Lebanon, the Occupied Territories and Iraq.

Almost overnight, the West's most steadfast ally in the Muslim world had become a violent and volatile enemy, where mass crowds raised their fists to chant "death to America". The students, mullahs and intellectuals who packed the streets were convinced that they had struck a blow for freedom against the imperialist might of the world's strongest powers.

"The revolution was very genuine and popular," believes Ebrahim Yazdi, who served the revolutionary state as foreign minister and deputy prime minister before falling out of favour. "It was unavoidable because of the policies of the Shah and the foreign countries who supported him."

Yet the Islamic Republic created by Mr Yazdi and his comrades failed to live up to the dreams of a Muslim democracy, in which sagacious ayatollahs would stand as guardians of the democratic wishes of the people.

"What is happening now is a disaster," says Mahmood Delkhasteh, one of the first young soldiers to heed Khomeini's call to desert the Shah's army and join the revolution. "Many people regret participating."

Within months of the revolution, the euphoria had evaporated as the rival factions began a brutal battle for control of the country, which ended with a repressive state that imprisoned and executed thousands of political prisoners – including many of the revolutionaries themselves. >>> By Angus McDowall, former Tehran correspondent | Saturday, February 7, 2009

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Christian Foster Mother Struck Off After Muslim Girl Converts
A foster mother with 10 years' experience was struck off after a Muslim girl in her care converted to Christianity, it has emerged.

The woman has been banned by her local council for failing to prevent the teenager from getting baptised, even though the girl was 16 and made up her own mind to change religion.

The carer, a churchgoer in her 50s who has fostered more than 80 children, has now been forced to move out of her home.

She has lost the farmhouse she rented to look after vulnerable teenagers, due to the loss of income.

Another girl she was looking after has been taken back into care.

The woman, who has launched a legal challenge to the council's challenge, told the Daily Telegraph: "I just want to get my life back.

"I still hope to resolve this so that I can possibly foster again in the future as I simply enjoy helping young people."

Religious groups and fostering charities condemned the council's decision, which comes amid a nationwide shortage of foster parents.
Last year the Fostering Network launched an urgent appeal for more than 5,000 families to come forward.

The ruling has increased concerns that Christians are becoming victims of discrimination in Britain, following the case of Caroline Pstrie, the nurse suspended for offering to pray for a patient.

She was subsequently reinstated. >>> By Matthew Moore | Sunday, February 8, 2009

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Rachida Dati’s Unusual Paternity Suspect
The vivacious and glamorous Rachida Dati. Speculation of the paternity of her child, Zohra, continues. The latest suspect is the attorney-general of Qatar, Ali bin Fetais al-Marri. Photo of Rachida Dati courtesy of The Sunday Times
THE SUNDAY TIMES: A Gulf dignitary is the latest to be named as the possible father of the French minister's child

THE guessing game over the paternity of the baby girl that Rachida Dati, the French justice minister, gave birth to last month has taken an unlikely twist with a book’s claim that the father is the attorney-general of Qatar.

Ali Bin Fetais al-Marri, one of the most senior dignitaries in the Gulf state, has made no comment but joins a distinguished list of suspects. Among those who have denied being the father are Jose Maria Aznar, the conservative former prime minister of Spain, and François Sarkozy, brother of the French president.

In their book, the journalists Michaël Darmon and Yves Derai reveal that Dati, 43, the first Arab to have occupied such a senior ministerial post in France, has regularly visited Qatar – sometimes as much as three times a month – and that Marri, 44, often spends weekends in Paris.

He studied at the Sorbonne and, according to his curriculum vitae, has received the Légion d’honneur, France’s highest civilian honour, and is married. He and Dati have been seen dining together in Paris.

“He is a great Francophile who does not hesitate to use his charms to achieve his goals,” a French diplomat is quoted as saying in the book.

At a conference in Doha in April last year, Dati lavishly praised Marri, referring to “our frequent exchanges” which had helped to fight scourges such as terrorism and organised crime.

The unmarried Dati was reported to have said that “the daddy travels quite a lot” and that Zohra, born on January 2 in Paris, has his eyes.

Even so, the identity has been as closely guarded a secret as the French nuclear codes. >>> Matthew Campbell in Paris | Sunday, February 8, 2009

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Saudi Sheikh: Women Must Submit to Husband's Sexual Desires

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Rush Limbaugh on Hannity: Does Rush Want Obama to Succeed?
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