Netanjahu lehnt Siedlungsstopp als «unsinnig» ab
Netanjahu: «Wir werden das Leben in Judäa und Samaria (Westjordanland) nicht einfrieren». Bild: Berliner Zeitung
BERLINER ZEITUNG: Jerusalem/Gaza - Israels rechtsorientierter Ministerpräsident Benjamin Netanjahu geht auf klaren Konfrontationskurs zum Hauptverbündeten USA. Die Forderung Obamas und seiner Regierung nach einem vollständigen Siedlungsstopp Israels im palästinensischen Westjordanland sei «unsinnig».

Das sagte Netanjahu am Montag vor einem parlamentarischen Ausschuss in Jerusalem. «Wir werden das Leben in Judäa und Samaria (Westjordanland) nicht einfrieren.» Bei einem heftigen Feuergefecht zwischen Palästinenserpolizisten und Kämpfern der militanten Hamas- Organisation in Kalkilia im Westjordanland wurden unterdessen sechs Menschen getötet. Ein Expertenteam der Vereinten Nationen nahm am Montag in Gazastreifen Untersuchungen zu möglichen Kriegsverbrechen während Israels Offensive zur Jahreswende auf.

Netanjahu sagte vor dem Knesset-Ausschuss für Außen- und Sicherheitspolitik, Israel werde keine neuen Siedlungen bauen und Außenposten räumen, die ohne Genehmigung der israelischen Regierung errichtet wurden. Das Schicksal der bestehenden Siedlungen müsse in künftigen Verhandlungen über eine Friedensregelung in Nahost entschieden werden. US-Präsident Barack Obama hatte am Donnerstag nach einem Treffen mit dem Palästinenserpräsidenten Mahmud Abbas in Washington einen Stopp aller israelischen Siedlungsaktivitäten in den besetzten Gebieten gefordert. Netanjahu will aber ein «natürliches Wachstum» in den mehr als 120 bestehenden Siedlungen und damit einen Siedlungsausbau erlauben. Oppositionsführerin Zipi Livni warnte vor einem «Zusammenbruch» der Beziehungen zwischen Israel und den USA. >>> © dpa | Montag, 01. Juni 2009

Das kuwaitische Parlament mit einem Eklat eröffnet: Protest gegen unverschleierte Frauen
NZZ Online: In Kuwait hat am Pfingstsonntag der Emir, Scheich Sabah al-Ahmed, das neugewählte Parlament mit einem Aufruf zu speditiver Arbeit eröffnet. Aber mehrere Abgeordnete marschierten aus Protest gegen die Präsenz zweier unverschleierter Parlamentarierinnen aus dem Saal.

vk. Limassol, 1. Juni

Der Emir von Kuwait, Scheich Sabah al-Ahmed, hat am Sonntag das neugewählte Parlament eröffnet. Er wählte nach dem relativen Wahlerfolg im vergangenen Monat einen forschen Kurs und konfrontierte die Volksvertreter mit einer weitgehend unveränderten Regierung. Ende letzter Woche hatte er ein neues Kabinett, wieder unter seinem Neffen Scheich Nasser Mohammed, eingesetzt, in dem die wesentlichen Posten unverändert blieben. Er hatte sogar den skandalumwitterten Scheich Ahmed as-Sabah, welcher vor zwei Jahren wegen Korruptionsvorwürfen der Parlamentarier als Energieminister hatte abtreten müssen, wieder einbezogen und zum Vizeregierungschef für Wirtschaftsfragen ernannt. >>> | Dienstag, 02. Juni 2009

What Recession? Saudi Royals Defy Credit Crunch to Plan £50m 'Super-home' with 50 Rooms in London
Roomy: Three houses will be knocked together to build a 50 room 'super-home'. Plan courtesy of MailOnline
MAIL Online: Saudi royals are planning to knock three houses together to build a 'super home' worth up to £50million in London.

The hi-tech mansion to end all mansions will have 20 bedrooms and 50 rooms in total and the street is a ten minute walk from the Saudi embassy in Mayfair.

Contractors will dig down to create two storeys underground that will house a luxury indoor pool, communications room, servants' bedrooms, dumb waiter and garages big enough to fit limousines in.

At 12,000 square feet it will be the biggest home of its kind in central London and will also feature a security station, gym and large strong-room for valuables.

The house was formerly occupied by Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Britain and the grandson of the Kingdom's founder, Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, 56, his wife, Princess Fadwa bint Khaled bin Abdallah Al-Saud, and their children.

According to the London Evening Standard, the new owner is believed to be another high-ranking Saudi prince.

Two mews houses will be demolished and linked via underground rooms to a freshly renovated Grade-II listed five-storey Regency house in the terrace behind. It will become a 'single family dwelling'. >>> | Monday, June 01, 2009

Obama’s Visit Is Dividing Egyptians
THE NATIONAL (UAE): CAIRO – Since the May 8 announcement that the US president, Barack Obama, would deliver his long-awaited speech to the Islamic world in Egypt, the country has been gripped by “Obamamania”.



“‘Obama Flu’ is a new epidemic that hasn’t appeared except in Egypt,” wrote Ammar Ali Hassan, a political analyst, in the independent daily newspaper Al Masry Al-Youm last month. “This plague carries definite indicators that it’s more lethal than bird and swine flu, because its doesn’t attack the respiratory system, but the mind, heart and nerves.” 



Mr Obama is scheduled to give his speech on Thursday in Cairo. The visit has been hailed by the state media as a victory for the Egyptian regime against those who criticise its human rights and democracy records and a boost to Egypt’s role in the region.



On the other hand, many human rights activists, bloggers and critics of the regime were upset by the choice of Cairo, as they saw it as a US retreat on its push for democracy in the region and unnecessary boost for the government of Hosni Mubarak, the president, at their expense.



“We can’t deny our shock from Obama’s planned visit to Egypt,” said Abdel Halim Qandil, the spokesman for Kefaya, an opposition group. “When he comes to Cairo, he will be Mubarak’s, not the Egyptian people’s, guest. This visit will have a negative impact on Obama’s image, who is popular in Egypt.”



“Obama’s choice for Egypt wasn’t surprising, shocking or contrary to expectations,” said Ayman Nour, a leading figure in the opposition. “Egypt, with its size, people, location and history, is bigger than its regime and what it stands for.”



“The speech targets the Muslim people, not their governments, and addressing them with a new language by a president who has Islamic family roots,” Manar el Shorbagi, an assistant professor of political science at the American University in Cairo, said.



“In other words, the pragmatic Obama wants to close the ideological page of his predecessor and start a new page based on interests. To do so he has to address Muslims’ minds to reach their feelings and Cairo is the best place to do so, as Egypt is not only country of Al-Azhar and Islamic moderation, it’s also where political Islam, both intellectually and militancy, originated,” she said. 



The US Embassy in Cairo confirmed on its website yesterday that Mr Obama will deliver his speech at Cairo University. >>> Nadia abou el-Magd, Foreign Correspondent | Monday, June 01, 2009

THE TELEGRAPH: Barack Obama Will Pledge to Heal Rift with Islam

Obama fawning over the Saudi king in a disgusting act of extreme dhimmitude. From now on, it would be more appropriate to call the president Barack Hussein Abdulmalik (Abdulmalik means 'slave of the king'). Are we going to witness a repeat nauseating performance like this when Barack Hussein Obama visits the Saudi king in Saudi Arabia, I wonder? Photo: Google Images
President Barack Obama will offer a "personal commitment" to bridge differences between the United States and Muslims in a eagerly anticipated speech in Egypt this week.

The address at the University of Cairo on Thursday is the centrepiece of Mr Obama's second overseas tour as president. The trip begins in Saudi Arabia and includes stops at a former concentration camp in Germany and ceremonies in Normandy to mark the D-Day anniversary.

Robert Gibbs, the White House spokesman, said the president would "review particular issues of concern, such as violent extremism and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict" and "discuss new areas for partnership".

"The speech will outline his personal commitment to engagement, based upon mutual interests and mutual respect," he said.

It is intended to be the president's most striking attempt – delivered in the heart of an Arab capital – to reassure Muslims of American goodwill and to repair the damage done to his country's reputation by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the controversial tactics of George W Bush's "war on terror".

The effort started at Mr Obama's inauguration and continued in Istanbul, when he said Islam had nothing to fear from the West.

The president, whose middle name is Hussein, is likely to play up his Muslim associations, having downplayed them for domestic consumption.

Denis McDonough, the deputy national security adviser, said that Mr Obama had "experienced Islam on three continents before he has been able to visit the heart of the Islamic world".

He cited the president's "upbringing" in Indonesia, where he spent four years as a child, and how Muslim Americans were "a key part of Illinois and Chicago", Mr Obama's base. >>> By Alex Spillius in Washington | Sunday, May 31, 2009

YOUTUBE: A Tale of Two Bows, Starring Barack Obama

Sarkozy Cancels a Visit to Sweden
STOCKHOLM NEWS: The French president Nicolas Sarkozy cancels a planed [sic] visit in [sic] Sweden. Officially the reason is that he has a tight schedule[,] but according to the newspaper Le Monde the real reason is that the Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs[,] Carl Bildt[,] talked about the importance of a Turkish EU-membership in an interview in the newspaper Le Figaro. Sarkozy is opposing a [sic] Turkish membership. (Metro) [Source: Stockholm News] Saturday, May 30, 2009

Island macht ersten Schritt Richtung EU-Mitgliedschaft
DIE PRESSE: Islands Außenminister Ossur Skarphedinsson bringt im Parlament einen Gesetzesentwurf ein, in dem die Abgeordneten aufgefordert werden, über die Aufnahme von EU-Beitrittsgesprächen abzustimmen.

Bild dank der Presse
Die neue isländische Regierung hat einen ersten Schritt hin zu einer EU-Mitgliedschaft unternommen. Außenminister Ossur Skarphedinsson brachte am Donnerstag einen Gesetzesentwurf im Parlament ein, in dem die Abgeordneten aufgefordert werden, über die Aufnahme von EU-Beitrittsgesprächen abzustimmen. Wenn die Gespräche mit Brüssel erfolgreich verlaufen würden, sollen die Bürger in einem Referendum über eine EU-Mitgliedschaft entscheiden. >>> Ag. | Donnerstag, 28. Mai 2009

Smoking Ban Threatens Hookahs
Painting by Jean Léon Gerôme* (1824 – 1904), entitled 'The Teaser of the Narghile' ('The Pipelighter') c.1898. Collection Ghassan Shaker Gallery Keops, Geneve, Switzerland. Courtesy of Google Images.
THE NEWS & OBSERVER: Hookah bar owners anxious about their survival hope for an exemption such as that for cigar bars

CHAPEL HILL -- A mellow vibe permeates Hookah Bliss these days as college students and other trend-seeking young people socialize over water pipes and burning lumps of pungent, fruit-flavored tobacco in the small lounge on the town's main drag.

That could dissipate, though, when indoor smoking in restaurants and bars is snuffed out across the state at the start of the year.

Hookah bars, which surged in popularity in America's college towns and big cities when tobacco use was in general decline, find themselves battling the smoking bans that are sweeping the country.

In North Carolina, hookah bar owners are joining forces to save their businesses. In the coming weeks, they hope to persuade state lawmakers to make legislative exemptions for them similar to those granted cigar bars and country clubs that will allow smoking after the indoor ban takes effect Jan. 1.

They know of the health risks of secondhand smoke but counter that their patrons choose to come despite the hazards.

The disparity between cigar and hookah bars "just boggles the mind," said Hookah Bliss owner Adam Bliss -- yes, that's his real name.

"Look at who goes to those places -- generally older, affluent white males," he said. "Besides the fact that this law is creating an elitist association between who can smoke and who can't, they're allowing government to put me out of business, and this is supposed to be a free market economy here."

Unlike bars and restaurants, which still attract customers for drinks and food despite the disappearance of ashtrays, the hookah bars could lose the reason for their existence.

The hookah is a centuries-old device of Middle Eastern and African origin through which flavored tobacco is smoked. Tobacco infused with honey, molasses and other flavors is placed in a bowl at the top of the pipe and heated with charcoal. As smokers inhale through a long, flexible stem, the smoke is pulled through gurgling, cooling water. >>> By Anne Blythe, Staff Writer | Monday, June 01, 2009

*Jean-Léon Gerôme was the son of a goldsmith who discouraged him to join the painting studio of a Parisian artist. He worked in France for a while, selling religious cards before moving to Italy. Gerôme was given a commission by the French government in the late 1840’s to paint a mural titled Age of Augustus. In order to acquire source material for this project, he traveled across Europe and Asia Minor and then spent two years working on the detailed painting. Upon its completion, Gerôme spent several months sketching in Egypt. Later in his career, he abandoned the mythological and history paintings for which he was known and began sculpting. He was appointed professor at the École des Beaux-Arts. [Source: World Wide Art Resources]

European Parliament Elections: The Possible Fallout
HOPE NOT HATE: UK prime minister Gordon Brown with the Hope Not Hate bus, part of a campaign to reject the British National Party when the UK votes in European Parliament elections on June 4. Photo courtesy of The Sofia Echo
THE SOFIA ECHO: The Telegraph is no friend of Gordon Brown’s Labour government, but its report that Labour’s looming humiliation in the European Parliament elections has profound domestic political ramifications is likely to resonate across the country.

"One thing is clear: most people want an election either now or, preferably, in the autumn once parties have cleared out candidates they do not want to stand in their colours," the Telegraph said on June 1 2009.

"Only one third want Mr Brown to go the full term which would take him to next summer. If Labour does come fourth on Thursday, the option may no longer be in his hands," the newspaper said.

The Telegraph, which has led the way in coverage of the expenses scandal, also gave prominent coverage to the controversy around Tory leader David Cameron’s mortgage payments. Most observers believe that both mainstream parties in the UK will be punished because of the expenses scandal.

Brown has insisted that he will stay on even if Labour is routed at the European Parliament polls, telling the BBC Radio 4's Today he was not "arrogant" or "unwilling to listen" but would "stay on to do the job" before calling a general election.

"I'm the best person to clean up the political system," Brown said. "I think the cleaning up of the political system is best done by someone who has got a clear idea of what needs to be done - and I have." >>> By Clive Leviev-Sawyer | Monday, June 01, 2009

Hawaii's Islam Day Resolution Stirs Passions Here, on Mainland
HONOLULU ADVERTISER: Debate over a legislative resolution designating Sept. 24, 2009, as Islam Day is testing Hawai'i's reputation as a cultural melting pot.

House Concurrent Resolution 100, establishing a single day this year to acknowledge "the rich religious, scientific, cultural, and artistic contributions" of the Islamic world, ignited the passions of those concerned about the connection between the Islam religion and Muslim extremists responsible for the 9/11 attacks and other terrorist acts around the world.

Gov. Linda Lingle's office reported receiving 315 e-mails and 40 calls objecting to Islam Day. About a third were from Mainlanders stirred up by accounts of the resolution on Fox News, CNN and other outlets.

In her May 11 appearance on "The Mike Buck Radio Show" on KHVH, Lingle called the resolution "just unnecessary" and said it was attracting the wrong kind of attention for Hawai'i.

"It just received ridicule all across the country. Everybody knows that the country and all 50 states are facing these historically difficult economic times. I think it's just an expression of them being out of touch," she said.

The Hawai'i Tourism Authority received a single phone call and 18 e-mails from Mainlanders who said they would not visit the state because of the Islam Day resolution.

HTA president and chief executive officer Mike McCartney noted the state has a long list of days celebrating various cultures and religions.

"Hawai'i has long tradition of being a place where people are welcomed, where everyone in the world can visit. It's a place that has tolerance and respect for many cultures and points of view," McCartney said.

In addition to the Christianity-based state holidays of Christmas and Good Friday, state law designates March 21 as Baha'i New Year's Day, April 8 as Buddha Day, and Dec. 8 as Bodhi Day, in honor of Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism.

Sept. 24 was chosen as Islam Day because it marks the day, according to the Gregorian calendar, the Prophet Muhammad left Mecca for Medina and is considered the birthdate of Islam.

The Islam Day action, passed by the Senate on a 22-3 vote on May 6 after approval by the House, is only a resolution and will not become part of state law. The resolution also does not call for any public spending or official ceremony to mark the observance.

GLOBAL CITIZENS

Rep. Lyla Berg, D-8th (Kuli'ou'ou, Niu Valley, 'Aina Haina, Kahala), said she decided to sponsor the resolution following a conversation with constituent Hakim Ouansafi about a move by schools in her district to participate in the International Baccalaureate program, which aims to mold students into global citizens.

Ouansafi is president and chairman of the Muslim Association of Hawai'i and heads a hotel and resort development firm.
"In talking with Hakim, he suggested Islam Day as an opportunity for the community to learn about Islam and promote awareness," she said. "It didn't seem unusual because we have so many days."

Ouansafi estimates there are more than 4,000 Muslims in the state. He said Islam Day will allow his religion to join the list of other faiths that have already been recognized in Hawai'i and will help "bridge the gap of understanding" between Muslims and non-Muslims.

He said the Muslim Association of Hawai'i is planning events in connection with Islam Day aimed at putting misunderstandings aside so "we can all come together and talk about it."

Despite the initial backlash against Islam Day, Ouansafi said the controversy "has actually been wonderful. We had a tremendous amount of calls and e-mails of support once people understood lawmakers weren't declaring a state holiday for Muslims."

NEGATIVE REACTION

Berg said people who learned of the resolution through Fox News and similar sources "construed the recognition day as meaning we are sympathetic with terrorists. At the very onset, most of the negative e-mails and phone calls were mostly from people from the Mainland. We're not as threatened by differences here," she said.

In her May 11 radio appearance, Lingle criticized Berg for telling a critic of Islam Day not to come to Hawai'i.

"We were getting a lot of angry calls from the Mainland saying, 'We're not coming to a place that's having an Islam Day,' for whatever their reasons were," Lingle said. "So, we referred them all to Lyla Berg. We got a copy of an e-mail that was sent to her, and her response back was basically, 'Maybe it would be just as well if you don't come here.'

"Berg said her reply to the e-mails "was meant with aloha."

"I really felt that if people are so critical of Hawai'i without being here and they are so afraid of Muslims and believe we are terrorist sympathizers, and they are not familiar with Hawai'i's multiracial and multiethnic people, my response was if they are not comfortable in a multicultural environment it may be more comfortable for them to stay home," she said.

"(The resolution) was passed in the spirit of aloha and peace. Here in Hawai'i, that's how we live. Even if we have issues here in Hawai'i, we work them out. I was surprised and disappointed with the governor that she didn't capitalize on the diversity in the community, but she didn't grow up here."

Since the initial negative reaction, Berg said her office has received e-mails from around the world praising Hawai'i's open-mindedness and tolerance. POOR JUDGMENT CITED >>> By Christie Wilson, Advertiser Staff Writer | Monday, June 01, 2009

Reach Christie Wilson at cwilson@honoluluadvertiser.com

Human Rights Briefing: President Obama in Saudi Arabia and Egypt
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL (UK): Amnesty International UK Director Kate Allen said:

'As well as delivering his speech to the Muslim world and trying to kick-start the stalled Middle East peace process, President Obama should use this trip to deliver a few home truths to his hosts in Saudi Arabia and Egypt. His message should be unambiguous: both Saudi Arabia and Egypt's human rights records are atrocious and urgent reforms are long overdue.'

SAUDI ARABIA
Unfair trials and detention
Thousands of people are detained without trial as terrorism suspects, and human rights activists and peaceful critics of the government are frequently detained and imprisoned. When trials occur in Saudi Arabia they are shrouded in secrecy and are generally poor in quality and unfair. Even in capital trials, defendants are rarely allowed legal assistance and can be convicted solely on the basis of confessions obtained under torture or by deception.

Death penalty
In 2008 at least 102 people (39 of them foreign nationals, typically poor migrant workers) were executed, many for non-violent crimes - including drug offences, 'sodomy', blasphemy and apostasy. Those sentenced to death are often not informed of the progress of the case against them or the date of execution until the morning when they are taken out and beheaded. Most capital trials are unfair and held behind closed doors, while executions are carried out in public. Last week (29 May) a man was publicly beheaded and then crucified (his body displayed in a cruciform position) after being convicted for murder and other crimes, including the 'offence' of Luwat (homosexual intercourse). Another man recently had his 10-year prison sentence for drug smuggling increased to death. At least 38 people are known to have been executed in the Kingdom so far this year.

Torture and cruel punishments
Torture and other ill-treatment are widespread and committed with impunity by police and other officials in Saudi Arabia. Common methods are severe beatings with sticks, electric shocks, suspension from ceilings, sleep deprivation and insults. Flogging is often imposed as an additional punishment to imprisonment, with the number of lashes sometimes running into the 1000s.

Women's rights
Women in Saudi Arabia face severe discrimination in law and practice and are inadequately protected against domestic violence. Women are subordinate to men under family law, are denied equal employment opportunities with men, are banned from driving vehicles or travelling alone, and Saudi women married to non-Saudis are unable to pass on their nationality to their children. Many migrant domestic workers, mostly women, are kept in highly abusive conditions, being made to work up to 18 hours every day, in some cases for little or no pay. Domestic workers have no protection under Saudi labour law.

EGYPT
Unfair trials and detention
Egypt's justice system is riddled with unfairness. The country holds thousands of political prisoners in administrative detention under emergency legislation, many of them for more than a decade. Last year Egypt's Interior Ministry acknowledged that some 1,500 detainees were held administratively, though unofficial sources have put the figure at nearer 10,000. Grossly unfair trials are conducted before military and special courts, and civilians are frequently tried before military courts in breach of international fair trial standards.

Torture
Torture and other ill-treatment are systematic in police stations, prisons and State Security Investigation (SSI) detention centres. Most perpetrators enjoy complete impunity, while police often threaten victims with re-arrest or the arrest of relatives if they lodge complaints.

Clampdown on free expression
Egypt uses repressive laws to clamp down on criticism and dissent. Journalists are frequently prosecuted for defamation and other offences, and books and foreign newspapers are censored. Some internet websites are blocked and recently bloggers critical of the government have been arrested. Last year the director of the Cairo News company was fined approximately £17,000 for broadcasting footage of protesters destroying a poster of President Mubarak during a demonstration in April. In March last year Ibrahim Eissa, the editor of Al-Dustour newspaper, was sentenced to six months in prison (reduced to two months on appeal) for writing an article that questioned the president's health. He was charged under the Penal Code for publishing information considered damaging to the public interest and national stability.

Death penalty
Two people were executed in 2008 and another 87 were sentenced to death.

Slums and poverty
According to official estimates, up to 11 million people in Egypt (about 15% of the population) live in as many as 1,000 slums (ashwaiyyat) that lack adequate basic services.

ENDS

Amnesty International UK media information: 
Neil Durkin: 020 7033 1547, neil.durkin@amnesty.org.uk
Out of hours: 07721 398984, www.amnesty.org.uk
Read the daily media blog: Press release me, let me go
Follow us on Twitter: @NewsFromAmnesty

[Source: Amnesty International (UK)]

Irans Präsidentschaftskandidat will Frauenrechte stärken
TAGES ANZEIGER: Mir Hossein Mussawi will iranischer Präsident werden. Und hat Chancen es zu schaffen. Nun hat er sich für eine Stärkung der Rechte von Frauen ausgesprochen.

Bild: Google Images
Sollte er die Wahl am 12. Juni gewinnen, werde er das Parlament veranlassen, alle diskriminierenden Gesetze zu korrigieren. Dies sagte Mir Hossein Mussawi am Samstag bei einem Wahlkampfauftritt vor etwa 1500 Frauen in einem Sportstadion in der Hauptstadt Teheran. Unter anderem stellte er eine Abschaffung der Sittenpolizei in Aussicht, die über die Einhaltung von Kleidervorschriften wacht.

Iranische Frauen dürften ohne Zustimmung ihres Ehemanns weder arbeiten noch einen Pass beantragen. Auch das Erbschafts-, Scheidungs- oder Sorgerecht benachteiligt sie. >>> Montag, 01. Juni 2009

Papst lädt Obama zu erstem Besuch
TAGES ANZEIGER: Benedikt XVI. will US-Präsident Barack Obama im Juli kurz vor oder nach dem G8-Gipfel von L'Aquila zu einer Audienz empfangen.

Diplomatische Kreise des Vatikans und der USA bestätigten Vorbereitungen zur ersten Begegnung Benedikts mit Obama, wie italienische Medien am Sonntag berichteten.

Am wahrscheinlichsten sei nach dem gegenwärtigem Stand eine Audienz am 10. Juli, gleich nach dem dreitägigen Gipfel der führenden Industriestaaten und Russlands. Offiziell bestätigt ist ein Treffen des Papstes mit Obama noch nicht. >>> cpm/sda | Montag, 01. Juni 2009

Israël accuse Obama de penchants propalestiniens
Une colonie israélienne à Havat Gilad, à l'ouest de la ville de Naplouse. «Le gouvernement actuel n'acceptera en aucune façon que la colonisation légale soit gelée en Judée-Samarie (Cisjordanie)», a proclamé dimanche le ministre des Transports israélien, Israël Katz. Photo grâce au Figaro
LE FIGARO: Le gouvernement de Nétanyahou a répondu par un «non» ferme aux pressions américaines en faveur d'un gel total des colonisation. Pour la première fois depuis des années, des ministres israéliens critiquent ouvertement le grand allié américain.

Les relations entre Benyamin Nétanyahou et Barack Obama virent à l'aigre. Le premier ministre, qui a présenté son gouvernement il y a deux mois à peine, est désormais engagé dans une épreuve de force avec Washington. Pour la première fois depuis de nombreuses années, des ministres israéliens osent critiquer ouvertement le grand allié américain. En privé, des proches du chef du gouvernement, cités par les médias, vont même jusqu'à soupçonner désormais le président américain d'avoir des penchants «propalestiniens » ou de vouloir provoquer la chute du gouvernement de droite de Benyamin Nétanyahou.

Le conflit sur les colonies israéliennes de Cisjordanie ne cesse de s'envenimer. «Il faut qu'il soit clair que le gouvernement actuel n'acceptera en aucune façon que la colonisation légale soit gelée en Judée-Samarie (Cisjordanie)», a proclamé dimanche le ministre des Transports, Israël Katz, qui joue le rôle de porte-parole de Nétanyahou. Israël a ainsi répondu par un non catégorique aux pressions exercées par les Américains en faveur d'un arrêt total de la colonisation. Dans un premier temps, Benyamin Nétanyahou a tenté de manœuvrer comme si George Bush était encore au pouvoir en proposant de démanteler une vingtaine de colonies sauvages établies par des extrémistes de droite. >>> Marc Henry, à Jérusalem | Lundi 01 Juin 2009

Berlusconi Can't Rein In the Foreign Press
THE INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY: It's the Silvio and Noemi show – who's interested in Fiat now?

Silvio Berlusconi with his wife Veronica Lario, who has filed for divorce. Photo courtesy of The Independent
To say that Italy's Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, would like to control the Italian media, and to a large extent actually does, is hardly news. But last week saw him trying to rein in the foreign press too, and finding it rather more difficult.

The offending story is his relationship with an aspiring model from the Neapolitan hinterland, Noemi Letizia, and his mental health. A month ago, Berlusconi's wife, Veronica Lario, dropped a bombshell when she attacked her husband for making pretty showgirls into candidates for the European elections next week; she followed up a day later by saying that he also "consorted with underage girls" and "is not well". She said that he had gone to an 18-year-old's birthday party (Letizia's) when he hadn't even shown up for his children's 18th birthdays.

Since then, Italy and much of the rest of the world have been trying to work out what exactly was going on between Berlusconi and Letizia. Berlusconi is a media magnate who owns three of Italy's national TV channels and, as prime minister, has a dominant influence over the public broadcaster, RAI. He and his family own a couple of daily papers, one of the two main news weeklies and the country's biggest book publisher, Mondadori. He has been an active politician since 1994 and on the fringes since the 1960s. Despite this experience, his media management over the past month has been comically amateur. >>> By James Walston | Sunday, May 31, 2009

TIMES ONLINE: Silvio Berlusconi Blocks Publication of Bikini-girls Photographs

Silvio Berlusconi has blocked the publication of potentially embarrassing photographs said to include images of young bikini-clad and topless girls at his villa in Sardinia.

Police seized hundreds of photographs, which are believed to feature Mirek Topolánek, the former Czech Prime Minister, in the nude, after the media tycoon claimed that they constituted an invasion of privacy.

Some of the pictures were taken on New Year’s Eve, when Noemi Letizia, 18, was among the guests. Veronica Lario, Mr Berlusconi’s wife, announced more than a month ago that she will be divorcing him, partly because she could not “stay with a man who consorts with minors”. >>> Lucy Bannerman and Richard Owen | Monday, June 01, 2009

Gordon Brown to Be Grilled over D-Day Fiasco
Photo courtesy of Sunday Express
SUNDAY EXPRESS: GORDON BROWN is set to be hauled before Parliament tomorrow to explain his actions over the D-Day 65th-anniversary fiasco.

Veterans gathered in Northern France next weekend will have to make do with saluting an MoD lackey at a memorial parade because the Queen, head of Britain’s armed forces, has not been invited.

Andrew Rosindell MP will ask to be allowed to pose an Urgent Question, demanding to know why the Prime Minister failed to follow protocol.

If Speaker Michael Martin agrees to the move, which is expected to have the backing of the majority of MPs, Mr Brown will be forced to attend the Commons and explain his actions.

“It is shocking and disgraceful that the Queen, who is not only head of state but also head of the British Army, has not been invited to France for such an important event,” said the Tory MP for Romford last night. >>> By Marco Giannangeli and David Paul | Sunday, May 31, 2009

Church Demand on Our Voting Choice Is Arrogant
'RATHER SILLY': Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams. Photo courtesy of the Daily Express
SUNDAY EXPRESS: Five days from now we shall have voted, or more likely according to the opinion polls not have voted, in the European elections and the ecclesiastical establishment is getting its gaiters in a twist over its fear that we shall do something stupid.

The well-intentioned although from time to time rather silly Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams has been joined by the usually sensible Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu in issuing a rare joint statement.

Recognising the anger that exposure of the House of Commons expenses scandal has caused they urge that at a time of turbulence and disgust with the main political parties voters must avoid voting for the British National Party.

Their unprecedented intervention may have been prompted by an opinion poll that found that more than 25 per cent of the electorate is planning to reject the Westminster Establishment in the June 4 elections.

Yet the Church may have already undermined its authority to lecture the country about its behaviour. For one thing it supports multiculturalism and open-door immigration, outraging the vast majority of the population who were never asked if that was what they wanted, and the Archbishops have given the oxygen of publicity to a political party which is only a marginal force.

They may also have compounded their mistakes by assuming that we will put up with being told how we must, or must not, vote. The Archbishops’ intervention has been arrogant, patronising and unnecessary. >>> Jimmy Young | Sunday, May 31, 2009

Jacqui Smith to Fight US Shock Jock Michael Savage's Libel Claim after He Is Put on 'Least-wanted List'
Jacqui Smith put Mr Savage on a 'least-wanted list'. Photo courtesy of MailOnline
MAIL Online: Home Secretary Jacqui Smith will fight defamation proceedings launched against her by a US 'shock jock' barred from entering the UK, the Home Office said today.

Broadcaster Michael Savage has employed top UK law firm Olswang to sue Ms Smith for libel after she put him on the Home Office’s 16 ‘least wanted’ list.

Mr Savage said he was ‘outraged’ the Government had put him in the same category as Islamic hate preachers and terrorists.

The letter from Olswang, due to land on Ms Smith’s desk tomorrow, accuses her of making ‘serious and damaging defamatory allegations’ against him.

It says Mr Savage, whose show The Savage Nation has eight million listeners in America, has asked for ‘substantial damages’.
The Mail on Sunday has been told he is demanding £100,000.

But the Home Office vowed to fight the demands, insisting the decision to ban Mr Savage was the right one.

A spokesman said: 'As the Home Secretary has already said, he was excluded for engaging in unacceptable behaviour by making comments that might provoke others to serious criminal acts and foster hatred that might lead to inter-community violence.

'Any legal proceedings would be robustly defended; we stand by our decision to exclude this individual.

'Coming to the UK is a privilege that we refuse to extend to those who abuse our standards and values to undermine our way of life.'

Mr Savage says ‘lunatic’ Ms Smith had no right to put him on the same list as a former Ku Klux Klan grand wizard, a skinhead gang leader and a Hezbollah militant who served 30 years in prison.

The lawyers’ letter states: ‘Our client requires the payment of a substantial sum in damages to be agreed and retraction of the allegations.

He also requires a personal apology from you and an acknowledgement that the Home Office has agreed to pay a substantial sum in libel damages.’ >>> Simon Walters | Sunday, May 31, 2009

Britons Are Just a Bunch of Barbarians!
'Barbarians': Jeremy Paxman speaking at the Hay on Wye Festival. Photo courtesy of MailOnline
MAIL Online: TV presenter Jeremy Paxman says Britons are a 'bunch of barbarians' - for watching so much television.

The Newsnight and University Challenge star made the astonishing attack last night on the very people whose viewing habits provide him with his living.

Appearing at the Hay on Wye Festival, Paxman could not hide his contempt for the British love of TV viewing.

He was at the festival to speak about his passion for Victorian art and it was the final question he received from the audience that sparked off his vitriolic rant.

A woman questioned him about why so few people visit art galleries in Britain these days and asked if he thought fuller explanations of paintings on the walls alongside them would bring in more visitors.

Paxman, who had been telling the audience how hugely popular paintings and art galleries were in Victorian times, replied: 'I think the basic problem is that we are a bunch of Barbarians, really.

'It is immensely depressing. Watching TV is the most popular leisure activity in this country now. I find this very depressing. Very depressing indeed. TV Presenter Jeremy Paxman Brands Britons 'Barbarians' for Watching Too Much Television>>> | Sunday, Mail 31, 2009

Young Clergy Face Life on the Dole after Church of England Loses £1.3billion
No jobs: The Church is turning away graduates of theological colleges. Photo courtesy of MailOnline
MAIL Online: The Church of England is turning away trainee clergy for the first time in history after £1.3billion of its investments were wiped out in the financial crisis.

Up to a dozen graduates of theological colleges will miss out on their ordination next month and may end up on the dole as there are no parish jobs for them.

The Church has previously given all graduates placements in parishes as curates, which they need before they can become ordained as priests.

But now, to the anger of senior clerics, a spending squeeze means the number of junior clergy posts has been reduced and some trainees may quit the Church.

The unprecedented situation comes after the Church Commissioners, who manage the Church’s £5.7billion assets, announced it lost £1.3billion last year as share and property holdings plunged. >>> | Sunday, May 31, 2009

Getting to Know Obama
NEWSWEEK: The sides we're just starting to see

Barack Obama began his presidency with an unusual attribute, namely that the country already thought it understood him. The story he told in his two books was about a man of multiple worlds who comes to terms with his father's abandonment and a confounding racial identity. Obama resolves his anger by committing himself socially, religiously and eventually politically. He depicts his mature self as unusually able to see other points of view and bridge chasms.

The protagonist of these books is a persuasive and appealing character—so much so that he left little demand for alternative explanations. As time goes by, though, Obama's Obama feels less satisfying. It's not that the author's projection of himself is distorted in any obvious way, but that it leaves too much unexplained—his ambition, his aloofness, his fundamental beliefs. It's too soon to offer an interpretation of our president. But after four months in office, here are some emerging themes.

He sees the middle ground as high ground.

Candidates who talk about bringing people together or changing the tone in Washington are usually blowing happy smoke. But Obama's focus on reconciliation is clearly more than shtik. We saw this impulse at work when he made preemptive concessions on his stimulus package in an effort to win Republican support. We saw it when, at the G20 summit, he personally brokered a compromise between the French and Chinese presidents over international tax havens. Every few days, Obama tries for a "new beginning"—with Iran, Cuba, the Muslim world, Paul Krugman. Engaging with opponents animates him more than hanging with friends.

This is a wonderful instinct that is bettering America's image and making domestic politics more civil. But listening, and seeking compromise, is not a moral stance. Elevating it to one merely highlights the question of what Obama really stands for.

The consensus-seeker repudiates torture but doesn't want to investigate it; he endorses gay equality but not in marriage or the military; he thinks government's role is to do whatever works. I continue to suspect him of harboring deeper convictions. He's the decider. Really. >>> Jacob Weisberg | Saturday, May 16, 2009

Hat tip: Always On Watch >>>