Barack Obama: Amerikaner wollen keine Revolution
ZEIT ONLINE: Ein Ruck ging durchs Land als Barack Obama vor einem Jahr gewählt wurde. Nun zeigt sich, dass die USA nicht so progressiv sind, wie es sein Sieg erscheinen ließ.

Die Zustimmungswerte von US-Präsident Barack Obama sind gefallen. Bild: Zeit Online
Dieser Tage wird Barack Obama ein weiterer Zacken aus der Krone fallen. Vor einem Jahr haben ihn die Amerikaner mit großer Mehrheit zum Präsidenten gewählt. Doch nun wird seine Partei, wenn nicht ein Wunder geschieht, bei mehreren Regional- und Kommunalwahlen verlieren. Die oppositionellen Republikaner finden Resonanz mit ihrer Behauptung, ihre Erfolge seien ein Beleg für die schwindende Popularität des Präsidenten.

Wahr ist auch: Vor einem Jahr hätte Obamas Auftreten genügt, um Demokraten in tendenziell konservativen Wahlkreisen siegen zu lassen. Das ist vorbei. Die breite Koalition, die ihm 2008 zum Triumph verholfen hatte, löst sich in Fraktionen auf, die seine Bilanz unterschiedlich beurteilen. Da sind die überzeugten Anhänger, die die Wahlversprechen für bare Münze nahmen und glaubten, mit dem "Yes, we can"-Schwung lasse sich Amerika revolutionieren: Krankenversicherung für alle, Rettung des Klimas durch verpflichtende Emissionsobergrenzen, Irak-Abzug, Schließung Guantanámos und vieles mehr. Nichts davon hat Obama bisher erreicht. Amerikas Linke ist enttäuscht. >>> Christoph von Marschall | Dienstag, 03. November 2009

Turkey Flirts with Tehran
THE LOS ANGELES TIMES– Editorial: NATO's only Muslim member is undermining Western efforts to keep nuclear weapons from Iran by expanding its trade ties.

Even as Congress pushes legislation aimed at punishing foreign companies that sell petroleum to Iran, and the United Nations prepares to consider sanctions against that country if an ongoing round of nuclear talks fails, Iranian leaders this week were elated over plans to treble trade ties with a key Middle Eastern power.

So which rogue nation is undermining Western efforts to prevent Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons? Syria, perhaps, or the unpredictable Saudis? Actually, it's Turkey, a member of NATO, prospective member of the European Union and the United States' most strategically important Muslim ally.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced plans Wednesday in Tehran to increase trade between the two countries from its current level of about $7 billion to $20 billion by 2011. Turkey and Iran have reportedly reached agreements on power plants, banks and natural gas development that would help make up for any economic pain the United Nations could inflict via tougher sanctions. The deals are fueling worries that Turkey, a model democratic Muslim state and a vital bridge between Europe and the Arab world, is turning its back on the West to embrace Islamist regimes to the east. >>> | Saturday, October 31, 2009

Spanish Bishops
Watch Journeyman Pictures video here | Thursday, May 29, 2009

Pakistan: Between Two Rocks
Watch Journeyman Pictures video here | Monday, November 02, 2009

Just Wait for the PC BS about Prophet Muhammad in the Upcoming Epic Film!
Sheikh al-Qaradawi was refused entry to Britain last year. Photo: Times Online
TIMES ONLINE: In Hollywood terms, it was the greatest story almost never told - until now.

With Middle Eastern money becoming an increasingly powerful cog in the global entertainment industry, it was perhaps inevitable that, sooner or later, someone would embark on a mega-budget epic about the life of the Prophet Mohammed.

That moment has arrived thanks to a wealthy Qatari media company which has put together a team featuring a crack Hollywood producer and a Muslim cleric who is banned from visiting Britain to bring the project to life.

Plans for the $150million English-language biopic were announced at the close of the Doha Tribeca Film Festival in Qatar on Sunday. The narrative will run from the years before the Prophet’s birth through to his death but there will be one conspicuous break from conventional biopic methods: in accordance with Islamic tradition the film will not represent the Prophet himself or direct members of his family.

A source close to the project said that Mel Gibson’s hugely successful (and gruesome) crucifiction [sic] film The Passion of the Christ had proved that there was a demand for religious-themed entertainment.

Barrie Osborne, a producer on the Lord of the Rings films and The Matrix optimistically envisages the film as a device that can help “bridging cultures”. Banned Muslim cleric hired to help make film about Prophet Muhammad >>> Ben Hoyle, Arts Correspondent | Monday, November 02, 2009

Is Gay Bashing on the Rise?
BBC: Just as gay and lesbian people are starting to enjoy equal rights, the number of attacks against them seems to be rising. Why?

Ten years ago, a nail-bomb exploded in a gay bar in the heart of London, claiming three lives and maiming dozens more, the final act in a series of attacks on the capital's minority groups.

The intervening decade has seen significant steps in changing attitudes and legislation that give gay people - and their civil partners - equality enshrined in law.

But now another shadow has been cast over the UK's gay community. A series of homophobic attacks, at a time when crime figures suggest such incidents are on the rise, has mobilised people to voice their anger.

Over the weekend, candlelit vigils were held in London and Liverpool, at the scenes of two of the most recent acts of violence to make headlines, and also in Brighton and Norwich, while gay venues across the country held a two-minute silence on Friday evening in an act of solidarity.

Of the thousands who gathered in London's Trafalgar Square - at the spot where Ian Baynham was attacked in September, later dying from his injuries - some headed afterwards to the Admiral Duncan pub in Soho, the scene of the nail bombing 10 years ago.

Although it looked like business as usual, some punters were in reflective mood. Jeff, 32, said he sensed "more tension" in the last 12 to 18 months and some people had stopped coming into central London as a consequence. He said he had always been wary about showing public affection to his civil partner, for fear of inviting abuse, but even more so recently.

"I'm nervous when we're out and about in case we draw attention to ourselves and get a bad reaction from someone."

One 28-year-old, who asked not to be named, said he and his boyfriend had recently been threatened with a weapon and foul language.

The pair had been getting off a bus when a man with a knife began spouting insults, calling them "queers".

Such incidents have always happened, but are they happening with more regularity now?

There are no national figures for homophobic crime, but individual police forces have reported an annual rise in their latest figures - 40% in Merseyside, which covers Liverpool, and 34% in Strathclyde, which includes Glasgow. >>> Tom Geoghegan, BBC News Magazine | Monday, November 02, 2009

Boris Johnson Meets with Police Chief to Discuss the Rise in Homophobic Crime
PINK NEWS: London Mayor Boris Johnson has sought assurances from the Metropolitan Police Commissioner that everything is being done to tackle the problem of homophobic attacks in the capital.

The Mayor raised the matter with the Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson at yesterday's meeting of the Metropolitan Police Authority.

The Commissioner assured the Mayor that the Met is taking the issue of homophobic crime seriously and he outlined measures that include third party reporting and increased sanctioned detection rates, as well as raising staff and community awareness and efforts to encourage the community to report attacks.

The number of homophobic hate crimes in London has risen by 18 per cent since last year, Scotland Yard figures show. >>> Adam Lake | Friday, October 30, 2009

Vingt ans après la chute du Mur de Berlin : Est-Ouest : les différences persistent
Crédits photo : Le Point
LE POINT: Vingt ans après la chute du Mur de Berlin, les différences demeurent entre Allemands de l'Est et de l'Ouest, mais elles sont plus culturelles et sociales que politiques. Et "l'Ostalgie", ou nostalgie pour l'ancienne Allemagne de l'Est, souvent décriée à l'Ouest, tient plus de la volonté de renouer les liens communautaires et de retrouver les "petits plaisirs" d'antan que du souhait d'un retour au système communiste, selon l'étude parue dans le magazine culte de l'Est Superillu . >>> Le Point avec AFP | Lundi 02 Novembre 2009

Documentary – Sexual Attraction: Homosexuality

Proche-Orient : La gifle américaine aux Palestiniens
LE TEMPS: Le premier ministre israélien Benyamin Netanyahou a obtenu le soutien de la secrétaire d’Etat Hillary Clinton pour une reprise des négociations de paix sans gel préalable de la colonisation, comme l’exige l’Autorité palestinienne

«Nous sommes déçus et inquiets pour l’avenir.» Porte-parole du président de l’Autorité palestinienne (AP) Mahmoud Abbas, Nabil Abou Rodeineh n’a pas caché sa mauvaise humeur après la volte-face de la secrétaire d’Etat américaine Hillary Clinton selon laquelle le gel des constructions dans les colonies de Cisjordanie «n’est pas une condition préalable» à la reprise des pourparlers de paix entre Israéliens et Palestiniens.

Pendant près de dix mois, l’administration américaine avait en effet exercé des pressions sur l’Etat hébreu afin qu’il interrompe les projets immobiliers en cours dans les implantations. Washington présentait d’ailleurs ce gel comme «un pas essentiel pour la reprise du processus de paix». Mais l’entourage de Barack Obama a subitement changé de ligne. Pour quelle raison? Mystère. En tout cas, au lendemain de sa rencontre avec Mahmoud Abbas, vendredi à Abu Dhabi, la secrétaire d’Etat Hillary Clinton, qui faisait étape à Jérusalem pour une série d’entretiens avec les principaux dirigeants israéliens, a infligé un camouflet au président palestinien. Cela alors que celui-ci venait de lui confirmer qu’il «ne négociera pas avec Israël tant que le développement des colonies n’aura pas été interrompu». >>> Serge Dumont | Lundi 02 Novembre 2009

Clinton für Nahost-Gespräche ohne Bedingungen: Amerikanische Aussenministerin fordert Wiederaufnahme der Verhandlungen
Bild: Neue Zürcher Zeitung
NZZ ONLINE: Die amerikanische Aussenministerin Hillary Clinton hat sich für eine möglichst schnelle Wiederaufnahme der Friedensverhandlungen im Nahen Osten ausgesprochen.

Forderungen der Palästinenser nach einem vollständigen Stop des israelischen Siedlungsbaus wies Clinton zurück.

«Ich will beide Seiten möglichst bald bei der Wiederaufnahme ihrer Verhandlungen sehen», sagte Clinton am Samstag in Jerusalem bei einer gemeinsamen Pressekonferenz mit Israels Ministerpräsidenten Benjamin Netanjahu. Von den Palästinensern forderte sie, ohne Vorbedingungen in die Friedensgespräche zu gehen.

Netanjahu versprach, keine neuen Siedlungen im Westjordanland bauen zu wollen. «Ich habe gesagt, dass wir keine neuen Ansiedlungen bauen werden und dass wir kein Land für bestehende oder weitere Siedlungen enteignen werden», sagte Netanjahu. Die israelische Siedlungspolitik werde den Bewohnern der Siedlungen aber ein «normales Leben» ermöglichen. >>> sda/afp | Sonntag, 01. November 2009

Tehran Set to Lose Status as Iran Capital
THE GUARDIAN: Expediency council approves plan for new capital – which could be a new or existing city – amid earthquake fears over Tehran

It has witnessed some of Iran's most tumultuous events: the fall of the shah, the return of Ayatollah Khomeini and the transformation from pro-western monarchy to revolutionary Islamic republic.

Now Tehran's days as the Iranian capital appear numbered after a powerful state body approved a plan for a new principal city. The idea was proposed by the country's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and rubber-stamped by the expediency council.

Seismologists have warned that Tehran is liable to be struck by a catastrophic earthquake in the foreseeable future. It is not clear whether a new capital will be built from scratch or sited in an existing city.

Iran has had numerous capitals during its history, including Isfahan, Qazvin, Shiraz, Mashhad and Hamedan. Since the Qajar king Agha Mohammad Khan declared it capital in 1795, Tehran has become the country's political, social, economic and cultural centre.

Its infrastructure has been left creaking by rapid population growth that has seen it become home to 12 million people, up from 250,000 at the start of the 20th century.

A mass influx from the countryside under the last shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, fed the social discontent unleashed by the 1979 Islamic revolution. The population has continued to spiral since then, with unregulated development creating a traffic-clogged and polluted urban sprawl. >>> Robert Tait and Noushin Hoseiny | Sunday, November 01, 2009

’Every Little Helps’
MAIL ON SUNDAY: Tony Blair has been in talks with Tesco about helping them open supermarkets in the Middle East - allegedly in return for up to £1million.

It is believed the discussions between the former Prime Minister, now a peace envoy to the region, and the supermarket chain, whose slogan is 'Every little helps', ended after the two sides failed to agree terms.

The disclosure could further damage Mr Blair's hopes of becoming the first President of Europe, as critics will seize on it as evidence that he is as interested in making money as he is in reviving his career as a statesman.

According to one source, Mr Blair's proposed role for Tesco would simply have been to act as a figurehead for their drive to break into the Middle East market.

The company, who have exported their hugely successful formula around the world, wanted Mr Blair to use his international political and diplomatic clout to 'open doors' for them. The Mail on Sunday understands Tesco were 'deeply disappointed' when they were unable to reach agreement with Mr Blair. Tony Blair in talks with Tesco over £1m deal as supermarket eyes Middle East >>> Simon Walters, Nathan Kay and Christopher Leake | Sunday, November 01, 2009

Tony Blair Inc: A Nice Little Earner
THE SUNDAY TIMES: TONY BLAIR is cashing in on his experience as Britain’s longest-serving Labour prime minister by setting up a “commercial partnership” that offers clients political and economic advice.

The business venture, Tony Blair Associates, has been disclosed by the official watchdog that scrutinises paid employment undertaken by former ministers.

The advisory committee on business appointments said in a statement on its website this weekend: “Tony Blair has established Tony Blair Associates which will allow him to provide, in partnership with others, strategic advice on a commercial and pro-bono [free] basis, on political and economic trends and governmental reform.”

The committee said it saw “no reason why he should not set up the firm forthwith”, and disclosed that this had been done this month. It is believed to be the first time a former prime minister has set up a commercial venture with the apparent intention of cashing in on time spent in office. >>> David Leppard and Solomon Hughes | Sunday, February 22, 2009

Enya: Marble Halls

Hallowe’en Is the Devil’s Work, Catholic Church Warns Parents
Photo: Times Online
TIMES ONLINE: When Victoria Romero, 6, dressed up as a witch for a Hallowe’en party this week she could hardly have imagined that she was provoking the wrath of God by attending a celebration akin to a Black Mass — at least in the eyes of the Vatican and the Roman Catholic Church in Spain.

Wearing skeleton suits, dressing up as vampires, witches or goblins or slapping on fake blood is not far removed from communing with the Devil, according to the country’s bishops.

However, the bishops, with Vatican backing, have reserved their venom for the millions of parents who allowed their children to celebrate this “pagan” festival.

Father Joan María Canals, the director of the Spanish Bishops Conference Committee on Liturgy, condemned parents for permitting their children to go to “un-Christian” parties when they should be focusing on All Saints Day today and All Souls Day on Monday.

His views were endorsed yesterday by L’Osservatore Romano, the Vatican newspaper, which reported his views under the headline “Hallowe’en’s dangerous messages”.

It quoted him as saying: “Hallowe’en has an undercurrent of occultism and is absolutely anti-Christian.” Parents should “be aware of this and try to direct the meaning of the feast towards wholesomeness and beauty rather than terror, fear and death”, he said.

L’Osservatore Romano praised a church at Alcalá de Henares, east of Madrid, that has decided to hold a prayer vigil tonight and the Paris archdiocese’s idea of having children play a lucky dip dubbed “Holywins” instead.

“Children dress as witches, vampires, ghosts, masks, corpses, skeletons, and parents favour this type of festivity which plays with elements of death,” Father Canals said. “But when a relative dies they prevent them from seeing the dead relative.” >>> Graham Keeley in Madrid and Richard Owen in Rome | Saturday, October 31, 2009

Islamische Konferenz bietet ihre Dienste an: OIC könnte in der Libyen-Affäre vermitteln
NZZ ONLINE: Die Schweiz ist in der Auseinandersetzung mit Libyen offenbar doch nicht ganz auf sich alleine gestellt. Die Organisation der Islamischen Konferenz (OIC) hat ihre Dienste angeboten.

Die Organisation der Islamischen Konferenz (OIC) ist bereit, im Konflikt zwischen der Schweiz und Libyen zu vermitteln. Das sagte der OIC-Botschafter Babacar Ba gegenüber dem Schweizer Radio DRS.

Über die Affäre im Bild

Die OIC sei über die Krise zwischen Libyen und der Schweiz im Bild und hoffe auf eine baldige bilaterale Lösung, sagte der OIC-Botschafter bei der Uno in Genf weiter. >>> sda | Dienstag, 27. Oktober 2009

L'hypertension, première cause de mortalité
TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: RAPPORT DE L'OMS | L'hypertension est la première cause de mortalité dans le monde, devant le tabagisme, l'hyperglycémie, l'inactivité physique et l'obésité.

Ces cinq facteurs de risque sont à l'origine de 40% des 60 millions de décès recensés chaque année, selon l'OMS.

Dans un rapport sur les facteurs de risques pour la santé dans le monde, publié mardi, l'Organisation mondiale de la santé (OMS) montre que la situation globale évolue. Le vieillissement de la population est la conséquence de progrès contre les maladies infectieuses, mais en même temps il augmente la charge des maladies chroniques dans la mortalité et la morbidité mondiale.

Les pays à bas et moyen revenu sont confrontés à un double fardeau, celui des maladies chroniques liées aux nouveaux modes de vie, comme le diabète, le cancer, les affections cardiovasculaires, en même temps qu'aux maladies transmissibles qui affectent traditionnellement les plus pauvres, affirme l'agence de l'ONU.

Baisse de sept ans de l'espérance de vie

Les dix facteurs de risque principaux provoquent une baisse de sept ans de l'espérance de vie moyenne dans le monde, de dix ans pour l'Afrique. L'hypertension artérielle est à l'origine de 7,5 millions de décès chaque année dans le monde, soit 12,8% du total, devant le tabagisme (5,1 millions de décès, 8,7% du total).

L'excès de sucre dans le sang (hyperglycémie) est la troisième cause de mortalité, à l'origine de 3,4 millions de décès (5,8%) du total, devant l'inactivité physique (3,2 millions de morts, 5,5%), le surpoids et l'obésité (2,8 millions de décès, 4,8%).

Comme sixième cause mondiale de mortalité, le rapport indique l'excès de cholestérol (2,6 millions de décès, 4,5% du total), devant les rapports sexuels à risque (2,4 millions, 4%), l'alcoolisme (2,3 millions, 3,8%), et la malnutrition enfantine (2,2 millions, 3,8%). Dans les pays riches >>> ATS | Mardi 27 Octobre 2009

Portrait : La métamorphose de Guido Westerwelle
LE TEMPS: Le nouveau vice-chancelier allemand a mis longtemps à être pris au sérieux. Portrait d’un libéral sans idéologie

Habituellement, lorsqu’il se présente devant les caméras, Guido Westerwelle, patron des libéraux allemands, a toujours une grimace un peu comique qui trahit son embarras et un peu de manque de confiance en lui. Mais au soir du 27 septembre, alors que son parti, le FDP, atteint le plus haut score de toute son histoire – 14,6% – le visage de Guido Westerwelle, bien que souriant, reflète la maîtrise de soi. Sa gestuelle est déjà celle d’un homme d’Etat.

Plutôt que de laisser éclater sa joie, il tient à contrôler son image: «Nous n’allons jamais lâcher prise», promet-il à ses fans. Cette fois, pourtant, ça y est, la troisième tentative aura été la bonne, les libéraux sortent de onze ans d’opposition.

Et lui, Guido Westerwelle, 48 ans en décembre, l’ancien mauvais élève de la Realschule, le «clown politique» raillé par les médias, le «petit matelot» snobé par les caciques conservateurs a pris sa revanche: demain il marchera sur les traces de l’illustre Hans-Dietrich Genscher, son prédécesseur libéral qui dirigea la diplomatie allemande durant dix-huit ans.

Quelle revanche pour ce Rhénan, né près de Bonn de parents juristes qui divorceront très vite. Elevé par son père, resté seul, avec un frère et deux demi-frères dans une maison chaotique qu’il appellera «la villa bariolée», il en viendra à détester l’esprit du temps, cette période soixante-huitarde libertaire et désécurisante. Une partie de son agressivité contre la gauche et les écologistes vient de cette frustration d’adolescent snobé par les fils de bourgeois de la gauche intellectuelle. C’est d’ailleurs l’ex-soixante-huitard Joschka Fischer, auquel il succédera à la tête de la diplomatie, qui aura été sa bête noire durant toute sa carrière politique.

Lui, l’homme à la cravate si ajustée qu’il semble né avec, aura toujours eu en horreur la mode déguenillée de sa génération et le «no future» de son entourage d’ado. Peu intéressé par la matière scolaire, relégué en Realschule sans grandes perspectives, il a trouvé sa voie comme rédacteur d’un journal d’élèves, Ventil. >>> Yves Petignat | Mardi 27 Octobre 2009

Le site de Guido Westerwelle >>>

US Religious Freedom Report Hits Speech Curbs
VOICE OF AMERICA: The U.S. State Department's annual report on world-wide religious freedom, released Monday, was critical of what it says are international efforts to limit free speech in the name of combating defamation of religion. The Organization of the Islamic Conference, or OIC, has been pushing such anti-defamation measures in U.N. bodies. 



The State Department report says the United States deplores actions that show disrespect for religious traditions, including Islam.



But it says the broad anti-defamation measures being sought by the Islamic Conference would have the effect of curbing debate about religious issues and should be discarded in favor of outreach and government defense of religious freedom and free speech.



The comments were the most prominent to date by the United States on efforts led by the OIC to get anti-defamation resolutions approved in the U.N. General Assembly and the U.N. Human Rights Commission.



In comments introducing the annual report, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the United States will always stand against religious-based discrimination and persecution, but that it strongly disagrees with those who would combat such problems by curbing free speech.



"The best antidote to intolerance is not the 'Defamation of Religions' approach of banning and punishing offensive speech, but rather a combination of robust legal protections against discrimination and hate crimes, proactive government outreach to minority religious groups, and a vigorous defense of both freedom of religion and expression," said Secretary Clinton. >>> David Gollust, State Department | Monday, October 26, 2009

Polanski : la victime demande l'abandon des poursuites
Samantha Geimer, lors de la projection du documentaire sur l'affaire Polanski, en juin 2008. Crédits photo : Le Figaro
LE FIGARO: Des documents judiciaires révélés lundi indiquent que Samantha Geimer, harcelée par les médias et victime de problèmes de santé, réclame officiellement l'abandon des poursuites devant la justice californienne.

Samantha Geimer veut en finir avec l'affaire Polanski. Harcelée par les journalistes depuis l'arrestation de Roman Polanski en Suisse, la jeune fille violée à 13 ans par le cinéaste souhaite que la justice californienne abandonne les charges contre lui. C'est ce que révèlent des documents judiciaires lundi.

Son avocat Lawrence Silver confie avoir reçu près de 500 appels téléphoniques pour obtenir une réaction à l'arrestation du cinéaste. Une surmédiatisation qui a entraîné des problèmes de santé chez Samantha Geimer, ainsi que des soucis dans son travail. «La procédure a entraîné (...) l'ennui compréhensible de son employeur, et rend véritablement possible que Samantha perde son emploi» écrit son avocat. >>> L.D. (lefigaro.fr) avec AFP | Lundi 26 Octobre 2009

Saudi-Arabien: König erlässt Journalistin 60 Peitschenhiebe
WELT ONLINE: Eine Sendung im saudi-arabischen Fernsehen über das sittenwidrige Thema Sex zieht nun drakonische Maßnahmen nach sich. Die Männer, die über ihre Bett-Abenteuer sprachen, werden mit bis zu 1000 Peitschenhieben bestraft. Lediglich die verantwortliche Journalistin bleibt durch den königlichen Gnadenakt verschont.

Die Journalistin Rosanna Al-Jami ist zu 60 Peitschenhieben verurteilt worden, bleibt durch den königlichen Gnadenakt allerdings verschont. Bild: Welt Online
Der saudi-arabische König Abdullah hat einer Journalistin 60 Peitschenhiebe erlassen, zu denen sie am Wochenende wegen einer Fernsehsendung über Sex verurteilt worden war.

Das Informationsministerium teilte mit, die drakonische Maßnahme gegen die 22-jährige Rosanna al-Jami werde aufgrund des königlichen Gnadenakts nicht ausgeführt. Auch der Fall einer Kollegin, der schwangeren Iman Radschab, werde von einem Komitee des Informationsministeriums überprüft. >>> dpa/jm | Montag, 26. Oktober 2009

Saudi Sex TV Producer Spared Lash
BBC: The Saudi king has waived a sentence of flogging on a female journalist working for a TV channel which aired graphic accounts of sex in the kingdom.

King Abdullah cancelled the sentence of 60 lashes against Rozanna al-Yami, after being briefed on the case.

The programme broadcast by Saudi-owned Lebanese channel LBC caused a huge scandal in the conservative kingdom.

Three men who bragged about their sexual adventures in the show, as well as the cameraman, have been jailed.

No reason has been given for the king's decision. It is the second time he has intervened in a high-profile flogging sentence in two years.

The original programme was part of a series called Red Lines, examining taboos in the Arab world, including extra-marital sex in Saudi Arabia. >>> | Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Spunky French Show Spineless British the Way Forward
MAIL ONLINE: France is to launch a hard-hitting campaign aimed at 'reaffirming pride' in the country and combating Islamic fundamentalism.

As well as providing civic lessons for adults - including classes about the country's Christian history and liberal political institutions - the government will encourage school children to sing the national anthem at least once a year.

In words which are certain to infuriate ethnic minority groups, Immigration Minister Eric Besson even suggested that 'foreigners' should learn to speak better French.

His proposed measures contrast sharply with the situation in Britain where 'citizenship education' centres on multicultural diversity and the European Union, while 'God Save The Queen' is not even taught in schools.

In an interview broadcast on national TV, Mr Besson said : 'It's necessary to reaffirm the values of national identity and the pride of being French.

'I think, for example, that it would be good for all young French people to have the chance to sing The Marseillaise at least once a year.'

Mr Besson, who was himself born in the former French protectorate of Morocco, also suggested an immediate two-month long 'great debate on national identity' entitled 'What does it mean to be French?'

Making clear that radical Islam was a threat, Mr Besson said: 'In France, the nation and the republic remain the strongest ramparts against ... fundamentalist tendencies. France is diversity, and France is unity.' France to Launch National Pride Campaign in Battle Against Islamic Fundamentalism >>> Peter Allen | Monday, October 26, 2009