Matt Frei's Diary: Dangerous Minds
BBC: The Virginia Five, currently imprisoned in Pakistan, the Nigerian "underpants bomber" whose name everyone - including President Obama - is stumbling over; the Jordanian doctor who turned out to be a double agent with a suicide vest in a CIA compound in Afghanistan; what do they all have in common apart from a profound hatred of America and its allies?

They are all the products of relative prosperity and higher education. After all, Osama Bin Laden and his deputy also came from a privileged background.

None of the recent suspects are high school drop-outs or desperate refugees who have nurtured hatred of the West in the frayed lining of an empty stomach.

None have had to watch relatives die in stray American bomb attacks. They have all had a lot to lose and yet they were prepared to lose their own lives for a cause.

So, what makes the 23-year-old son of a prominent Nigerian banker pack his underpants with explosives in pursuit of martyrdom? >>> Matt Frei, BBC News, Washington | Thursday, January 07, 2010

'Decision to Blog Is Risky But Neccessary'
BBC: Wael Abbas is an Egyptian Journalist and a highly influential political blogger. His blog, Misr Digital (Egyptian Awareness), regularly covers political protests, corruption, and police brutality - subjects generally avoided by the mainstream media.

Egypt has the most developed political blogosphere in the Arab world but just how much truth is there in a blog?

Wael Abbas tells Zeinab Badawi that bloggers in Egypt are a vital, independent voice, constantly pushing the limits of freedom of speech. Watch BBC video >>> | Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Turkey Demands Apology from Israel Over Envoy 'Slight'
BBC: Turkey has demanded that Israel apologise over what it called the "discourteous" way its ambassador was treated during a diplomatic meeting.

Israel summoned Turkey's ambassador to rebuke him over a TV series but ensured he was photographed on a lower chair.

Jonathan Head reports. Watch BBC video >>> | Wednesday, January 13, 2010

BBC: Turkey threatens diplomatic action over Israel 'snub': Turkey has said it will recall its ambassador unless a row over his treatment by Israel's deputy foreign minister is rapidly resolved. >>> | Wednesday, January 13, 2010

WELT ONLINE: Diplomatische Verstimmung – Türkischer Präsident stellt Israel ein Ultimatum: Die Spannungen zwischen Israel und der Türkei drohen zu eskalieren. Nachdem Vize-Außenminister Ajalon den türkischen Botschafter öffentlich gedemütigt hat, fordert Präsident Abdullah Gül eine Entschuldigung. Sonst will er die diplomatischen Beziehungen abbrechen. Ajalons bisherige Stellungsnahme sei unzureichend. >>> AFP/ks | Mittwoch, 13. Januar 2010

WELT ONLINE: Botschafter einbestellt – Israel rächt sich für hetzerische TV-Serie: Seit einiger Zeit versuchen Israels Handels- und Verteidigungsminister, die angeschlagenen Beziehungen zur Türkei wieder zu verbessern. Eine andere Straegie verfolgt Außenminister Avigdor Lieberman. Er bestellte den türkischen Botschafter ein – und ließ diesen nach Strich und Faden demütigen. >>> Von Michael Borgstede | Dienstag, 12. Januar 2010

TIMES ONLINE: Israel forced to apologise to Turkey over humiliation of its envoy >>> James Hider in Jerusalem | Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Uganda President Museveni Wary of Anti-gay Bill
BBC: Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has distanced himself from a bill proposing execution for some gay people.

He stressed that the MP who proposed the bill, who is a member of the ruling party, did so as an individual and was not following government policy.

Mr Museveni, who admitted coming under international pressure, said the bill was now a "foreign policy issue" and would be discussed by the cabinet.

The proposals have caused a storm of criticism across the world.

Sweden has threatened to cut aid and other countries have contacted Mr Museveni directly to put their objections. >>> | Wednesday, January 13, 2010

BBC: Uganda fear over gay death-penalty plans >>> | Tuesday, December 22, 2010

Thousands Feared Dead as Huge Earthquake Devastates Haiti
TIMES ONLINE: Thousands of people were feared dead after a powerful earthquake measuring 7.0 rocked the impoverished Caribbean nation of Haiti last night, toppling buildings and causing widespread damage and panic.

The United Nations headquarters was one of scores of buildings that were toppled, including the presidential palace, the World Bank, government buildings and a cathedral. Roads and bridges also lay in ruins after the largest earthquake in 200 years struck just 10 miles (16 km) from the capital, Port-au-Prince.

Communications were widely disrupted, making it impossible to get a clear picture of the damage as violent aftershocks shook the country, where many buildings are flimsy. Electricity was lost in some places.

A thick pall of dust lay over the city as panic stricken residents poured into the streets screaming, with buildings crumbling around them. As night fell, thousands squatted in sports grounds and on the streets, too terrified of aftershocks to return to their homes. >>> | Wednesday. January 13, 2010

US Cult of Greed Is Now a Global Environmental Threat
THE GUARDIAN: The average American consumes more than his or her weight in products each day, fuelling a global culture of excess that is emerging as the biggest threat to the planet, according to a report published today. In its annual report, Worldwatch Institute says the cult of consumption and greed could wipe out any gains from government action on climate change or a shift to a clean energy economy. >>> Suzanne Goldenberg US environment correspondent | Wednesday, January 13, 2009

A Relationship with God, My Foot!
THE INDEPENDENT: To some it is a symbol of female subjugation. But these women believe that their Islamic headwear is a versatile, liberating way of expressing their identities.

Jilbab. Niqab. Al Amira. Dupatta. Burqa. Chador. Even the language used to describe the various kinds of clothing worn by Muslim women can seem as complicated and muddied as the issue itself. Rarely has an item of cloth caused so much consternation, controversy and misunderstanding as with the Islamic headscarf or veil.

For those Muslims who literally wear their religion on their sleeves, hijab (from the Arabic for curtain or screen) can be many things. For some it is a cultural practice handed down through the generations, an unquestioned given that is simply adopted. For others the need to dress and behave modestly can define a person’s relationship with God, their religious devotion or even their politics. For others still hijab is a complicated journey, one with twists and turns where veils are briefly discarded on the ground or taken up with willing fervour.

“Muslim women wear hijab for many reasons including piety, identity and even as political statements,” says Tahmina Saleem, the co-founder of Inspire, a consultancy which helps Muslim women become vocal members of their communities. “Most do so willingly, some unwillingly”. The many faces behind the veil >>> Arifa Akbar and Jerome Taylor | Wednesday, January 13, 2010

24-hour Guard on Hate Cleric Anjem Choudary: Police 'Fury' Over Security Patrols
MAIL ONLINE: Hate preacher Anjem Choudary is being given round-the-clock police protection following his controversial threat to march through Wootton Basset, the Daily Mail can reveal.

Even though the extremist cleric has now called off plans to stage the protest, carrying empty coffins through the town where Britain honours its war dead, he still receives hourly security checks at his East London home.

Metropolitan police officers have been told to give his protection priority above other local policing jobs such as muggings, theft and foot patrols.

The protection was revealed after Home Secretary Alan Johnson yesterday banned Choudary's Islam4UK group, making it a criminal offence to be a member.

As Choudary held a press conference to react to the ban, patrol cars and unmarked vehicles were still instructed to drive past his empty £320,000 rented home - which is funded by council benefits.

Officers tasked with carrying out these patrols have privately expressed their fury at being diverted away from what they regard as 'proper policing'.

But the Metropolitan Police's counter-terrorism unit fears a far-Right group may be plotting an attack on the fanatic.

Their concerns intensified after a Facebook campaign against the march attracted the support of more than 250,000 Britons and led to threats against Choudary's life. >>> Emily Andrews, Rebecca Camber and Claire Ellicott | Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Vatican Accuses Italians of Racism After Southern Riots
THE TELEGRAPH: The Vatican's newspaper on Tuesday accused Italians of being racist in the wake of riots sparked by tensions between locals and African immigrants in southern Italy.

In an unusually forthright attack, the Holy See's official mouthpiece, L'Osservatore Romano, said the violence of local residents towards the migrant farm labourers had revealed a "mute and savage hatred towards another skin colour that we thought we had overcome".

More than 1,000 Africans had to be evacuated to safety from the town of Rosarno in the southern Calabria region at the weekend after they clashed with local residents.

The violence was sparked by a group of Italians shooting at some of the Africans with air rifles and pellet guns on Thursday. There was another, similar attack on Saturday.

Angry immigrants burned cars and shop windows. Locals retaliated by beating them with bars, trying to run them over and setting up barricades.

In an editorial entitled "Italians and Racism", L'Osservatore Romano said: "For once, the press is not exaggerating... We have never excelled in our sense of openness, we Italians, from the north to the south.

"The American example has been futile: Obama-mania has taken hold from politics to art, from style to language, but has not breached the gap in showing the value of bringing different races together," the paper said. >>> Nick Squires in Rome | Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Google Will Quit China Unless Web Censorship Ends
THE TELEGRAPH: Google, the internet search engine, has set itself at odds with the authorities in China by declaring that it will stop censoring search results on its Chinese website.

In a surprise announcement, the group issued a veiled attack at Chinese censors and said it was prepared to shut down its operations there entirely if the authorities do not allow it to create an unfiltered search engine.

The company courted controversy in 2006 when it launched in China but, as a concession to the Communist government, agreed to filter the results available on its website for "inappropriate" content. It does not operate such filters in other major countries. >>> Edmund Conway | Tuesday, January 12, 2010

New Dark Age Alert! Studie: Mehr als 2,3 Milliarden Menschen sind nicht frei
WELT ONLINE: Mehr als die Hälfte der Weltbevölkerung muss auf freie Lebensbedingungen verzichten. Die Organisation Freedom House zählt weltweit nur 89 Staaten, in denen die Menschen frei sind – Tendenz sinkend. Selbst in Europa rügt die "Weltpolizei" mit Hauptsitz in Washington mehrere Länder.

Weltkarte: Welt Online
Freedom House, die namhafte Forschungseinrichtung mit Hauptsitz in Washington D.C., beklagt eine „weltweite Erosion der Freiheit“. Weniger als die Hälfte der Weltbevölkerung lebt unter Bedingungen, die man als „frei“ bezeichnen kann, heißt es im Jahresbericht 2010 der Organisation. Im vierten Jahr in Folge überwiege der Rückgang bürgerlicher Freiheiten den Fortschritt demokratischer Grundrechte – die längste Periode kontinuierlicher Freiheitseinbußen in der fast 40 Jahre langen Geschichte der Bestandsaufnahme.

In 40 Staaten registrierte Freedom House eine Verschlechterung der Lage, vor allem in Afrika, Lateinamerika, im Nahen- und Mittleren Osten sowie in den Staaten der ehemaligen Sowjetunion. Der Iran, Russland, Venezuela und Vietnam – ohnehin schon in der untersten Kategorie geführt – hätten ihre Repressionen noch einmal angezogen. Bahrain, Jordanien, Marokko, Kenia und Kirgistan haben ihre zuletzt positiven Tendenzen nicht mehr halten können und wurden gegenüber dem Report von 2009 heruntergestuft. >>> Von Dietrich Alexander | Dienstag, 12. Januar 2010

Freedom in the World 2010 Survey Release
FREEDOM HOUSE: On January 12, Freedom House released its findings from the latest edition of Freedom in the World, the annual survey of global political rights and civil liberties. According to the survey’s findings, 2009 marked the fourth consecutive year in which global freedom suffered a decline—the longest consecutive period of setbacks for freedom in the nearly 40-year history of the report. >>> Release of Findings, Tuesday, January 12, 2010

In einem fremden Kleid
Eine afghanische Burka. Bild: NZZ Online
NZZ am SONNTAG: Der Schleier ist im Westen Symbol von Fundamentalismus und Unterdrückung der Frau. Die Debatte über ein Verbot ist im Gang. Wie ist es in der Schweiz, eine Burka zu tragen? Ein Tag undercover.

Das Tram ist voll. Sie sitzt am Fenster. Draussen flirren Häuserfassaden vorbei. Der nächste Halt. Leute steigen ein. Einer, Typ Sportlehrer mit Rucksack, steuert den Sitz neben ihr an. Bis er sie sieht. Dann steuert er doch lieber daran vorbei. Ebenso eine feste Dame, die sich mit einem Gehstock durch den Gang schiebt. Obwohl das Tram schon wieder fährt. Sechs Stationen, der Platz neben ihr bleibt frei.

Umsteigen. Sie geht wie eine Greisin, um ihr Ziel sicher zu erreichen: die Tür. Unten auf dem Trottoir herrscht ein geschäftiges Durcheinander von Moonboots, Stiefeln, Lederschuhen. Es ist ziemlich kalt an diesem Morgen. Einen Fuss auf die erste Stufe, den anderen auf die zweite. So weit, so gut. Keine dreissig Sekunden vergehen, dann schreit eine sehr kleine Frau mit einer sehr grossen Sonnenbrille in ihr Gesicht: «Gopfertami!» Was ist passiert? Sie sind zusammengeprallt. Versehentlich.

Einen Tag lang bin ich in Zürich unterwegs, fahre Tram, gehe in den Strassen, kaufe ein, in der Apotheke, der Migros. Nichts Besonderes. Besonders aber ist meine Erscheinung: total verhüllt. Über Thermohosen trage ich einen Rock und über dem Rock eine Burka. Eine afghanische, um genau zu sein: blau, hinten boden-, vorne hüftlang, aus einem synthetischen, bestickten Stoff. Mein Gesicht ist bedeckt. Sogar die Augenpartie, wo sich ein Fliegengitter-artiges Fenster befindet. Ein Kollege hat sie an Kabuls «Chicken Street» gekauft, einem Hippieparadies, vor der Herrschaft der Taliban.

«Salam alaikum»

Eigentlich hätte ich sie daheim ein bisschen tragen wollen. Zur Vorbereitung. Habe ich dann doch immer irgendwie aufgeschoben. Wahrscheinlich weil dieser Fetzen Stoff alles ist, was mir, meiner Kultur, meinem Geschlecht, meiner Generation fremd ist. Freiheit? Gleichberechtigung? Selbstverständlich. Wie das Studieren an der Uni oder das Ausüben eines Berufs, den wir uns aussuchen. Niemand sonst. Schon gar nicht ein Mann. Selbstverwirklichung ist unsere Religion. Vielleicht auch Liebe. Trotzdem oder gerade deshalb will ich wissen: Wie ist es, eine Burka zu tragen? In einer Zeit, in der man sich wieder besonders ängstigt vor islamischem Fundamentalismus. In einem Land, dessen Mehrheit schon allein gegen den Bau von Minaretten stimmt. Das nun darüber debattiert, auch dieses Gewand nicht mehr zu tolerieren. >>> Von Carole Koch | Sonntag, 10. Januar 2010

François Fillon se prononce pour une loi sur la burqa
François Fillon a fait un pas vers Jean-François Copé pour tenter de mettre fin à la cacophonie sur le dossier de la burqa. Crédits photo : Le Figaro
LE FIGARO: Le premier ministre s'est prononcé mardi pour une «résolution ferme» assortie de «textes législatifs et de décisions réglementaires». Il prend à contre pied les cadres de l'UMP qui jugeaient la proposition de loi de Jean-François Copé prématurée.

L'interdiction de la burqa n'en finit plus de faire parler d'elle. Fin décembre, Jean-François Copé avait surpris les députés, notamment dans les rangs de l'UMP, en annonçant le dépôt en janvier d'une proposition de loi interdisant le port du voile dans l'espace public sans attendre les conclusions de la mission parlementaire, prévues pour fin janvier. Mardi, alors que les parlementaires faisaient leur rentrée, le sujet était encore sur toutes les lèvres.

Mardi matin, la majorité des cadres de l'UMP ont d'abord reproché à Jean-François Copé d'avoir agi trop vite. Le secrétaire d'Etat à l'Emploi Laurent Wauquiez a ainsi accusé le député-maire de Meaux de vouloir utiliser le débat pour une «opération d'autopromotion». Le président de l'Assemblée nationale lui-même est intervenu mardi : Bernard Accoyer assure qu'il «serait prématuré de déposer une proposition de loi par un seul groupe politique ou par quelques députés alors qu'il y a possibilité de trouver une solution partagée».

D'autres émettaient des doutes sur la légitimité d'une loi. A l'image de Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet qui a estimé qu'une loi précipitée risque de tomber sous le coup d'une annulation du Conseil constitutionnel». La secrétaire d'Etat a plaidé pour «une résolution adoptée à l'unanimité» contre le port du voile intégral. La résolution parlementaire permet aux députés de s'exprimer solennellement sur une question de leur choix. Mais reste non-contraignante.

Une disposition pas assez contraignante pour François Fillon, qui est venu recadrer la majorité. S'exprimant mardi à huis clos lors de la réunion hebdomadaire des députés UMP, le premier ministre a déclaré que l'interdiction du port du voile intégral devait «passer par une résolution suffisamment ferme pour fixer les principes, ainsi que des textes législatifs et des décisions réglementaires pour appliquer ces principes». «L'objectif, c'est de faire en sorte que la burqa n'ait pas sa place en France», a assuré François Fillon. «Il faut que la mission parlementaire aille à son terme au plus vite, ça n'empêche pas les uns et les autres d'exprimer les positions», a ajouté le premier ministre. L'UMP peine à trouver une unité >>> Jim Jarrassé (lefigaro.fr) | Mardi 12 Janvier 2010

Even My Parents Think I'm Overpaid, Admits RBS Chief Executive
THE GUARDIAN: But Stephen Hester tells MPs that although his bonus package could be worth up to £10m, it is currently worthless as shares in the state-controlled bank have failed to rise

Stephen Hester giving evidence to the Treasury select committee today. Photo: The Guardian
Stephen Hester, chief executive of Royal Bank of Scotland, admitted today that his parents believe he is paid too much as he stressed that his bonus package was currently worthless because the bank's shares had failed to rise.

Asked by the Treasury select committee of MPs whether he understood why the government wants to restrict bonuses at the state-controlled bank, Hester replied: "Yes".

He insisted that the bank did not yet know the size of the bonus pot that would be split between its 22,000 investment bankers. Hester also revealed that a "handful" of highly paid bankers would avoid the restriction placed on the bank not to pay cash bonuses to anyone earning more than £39,000 because of legal commitments made to them.

He told the MPs, who are also taking evidence from his counterparts at Lloyds Banking Group and Northern Rock, that his "biggest single business problem" was recruiting people who were concerned about the criticism they might encounter if they work for RBS.

Institutional investors had "raised concerns about our ability to keep and motivate good people".

The bank would not tell staff whether they will get a bonus and how large it would be until the end of February, he said.

The Treasury has a power to veto bonuses at the bank under the terms of insuring £282bn of troubled loans through the asset protection scheme (APS). Hester insisted no board directors have threatened to resign as a result of this restriction and insisted he wanted to pay "the minimum possible while keeping staff engaged".

Of his own pay deal, which is linked to the RBS share price but could be worth almost £10m over three years, Hester said: "If you ask my mother and father about my pay they'd say it was too high as well, so some people close to me have that view of bankers." >>> Jill Treanor | Tuesday, January 12, 2010

THE GUARDIAN – BUSINESS BLOG: Bank pay row reaches a crescendo: Banks are preparing to snub the politicians and begin a bumper bonus round later this week. First they have to brave a few final assaults: Obama's threatened tax in America and the House of Commons Treasury committee >>> Dan Roberts | Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Wootton Bassett Protest Group Islam4UK to Be Banned
THE TELEGRAPH: Islam4UK, the Islamist group which provoked outrage with its plan to march through Wootton Bassett will be banned under counter-terrorism laws, Home Secretary Alan Johnson has announced.

The groups leader Shajjadar Choudhury (2nd from left) arriving at Luton Magistrates Court. Photo: The Telegraph
The order will come into effect on Thursday and make it a criminal offence to be a member, punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Mr Johnson said the group had tried to escape proscription simply by changing its name.

He said the order would apply to the group's other names, including Al Muhajiroun.

"I have today laid an order which will proscribe Al Muhajiroun, Islam4UK, and a number of the other names the organisation goes by," he said.

"It is already proscribed under two other names - Al Ghurabaa and The Saved Sect. >>> | Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Islam4UK Loses the 'Freedom' It Claimed to Despise
THE TELEGRAPH – BLOGS: Islam4UK has been banned. It is now an illegal organisation membership of which is prohibited under anti-terrorisim law. Its spokesman, Anjem Choudary was quick to issue a statement denouncing this move by the Home Secretary as an outrage against democratic freedom – presumably this is the same democratic freedom which his organisation openly professes to loathe. Read further & comment >>> Janet Daley | Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Anjem Choudary Discusses the Islamic March That Would Have Taken Place


THE TELEGRAPH: To what extent does Anjem Choudary represent the Muslim population? : Who represents whom within Muslim communities, indeed any community, is contested ground, writes Jamie Bartlett. >>> Jamie Bartlett | Thursday, January 07, 2010

Yemeni Officials Admit They Are Losing the Battle Against al-Qaeda
THE TELEGRAPH: Yemeni officials have admitted they are losing the battle against al-Qaeda and the terror group is extending its reach into remote regions where state control has all but disappeared.

Men claiming to be Al-Qaeda members address a crowd in Yemen's southern province of Abyan. Photo: The Telegraph
Regional politicians have presented a much bleaker prognosis than the authorities in the capital Sana'a, who have repeatedly sought to play down the threat posed by extremists in the wake of the Detroit terror attack.

They say al-Qaeda has forged its strongest relationship with local tribes in the sparsely populated mountains and desert of the south, where long simmering resentment of the government has given way to near-rebellion.

On the outskirts of Zinjibar, the ramshackle principal town of Abyan province, the gates of an ageing villa set deep in a banana plantation are guarded by more than a dozen Yemeni soldiers and policemen.

Sitting inside his heavily protected official residence, Ahmed al-Misri, Abyan's governor, is a gloomy man who frankly admits he regrets ever having taken up the job.

As well he might, Yemen observers say. Along with the provinces of Shabwa and Marib, Mr Misri's fiefdom forms an ungovernable crescent east of Sana'a and Aden, Yemen's main cities, which many commentators have described as "the new Waziristan". >>> Adrian Blomfield in Zinjibar | Monday, January 11, 2010

Wiki: Zinjibar >>>

US Gay Marriage Ban Challenged in Federal Court
Two gay couples are testifying at the trial. Photograph: BBC
BBC: The first US federal court case to determine whether states are allowed to ban same-sex marriages has opened in San Francisco, California.

Any ruling reached is expected to be challenged, possibly taking the case all the way to the US Supreme Court.

A Supreme Court ruling would determine the fate of gay marriages nationwide, without the possibility of appeal.

The suit, filed by two gay couples, challenges Proposition 8 - a ban on gay marriage in the state of California.

The law amended California's constitution to restrict marriage to a union between a man and a woman.

Supporters of the challenge are comparing it to landmark cases which ended segregation in US schools and overturned a ban on interracial marriage, the BBC's Rajesh Mirchandani reports.

They say the Constitution enshrines the right to marry but, by limiting it to heterosexual couples, it discriminates against gay people. >>> | Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Anne Frank Protector Miep Gies Dies Aged 100
THE TELEGRAPH: Miep Gies, the last surviving member of the group who helped Anne Frank and her family hide from the Nazis, has died in the Netherlands. She was 100.

Miep Gies died in a nursing home after suffering a fall before Christmas. Photograph: The Telegraph
Gies and other employees of Anne's father, Otto, smuggled food and books to the Franks as they hid with the van Daan family for two years, from 1942 to 1944, in a secret annex above Frank's business premises in Amsterdam.

Anne's diary, a log of life in hiding, which ended in betrayal, is one of the most enduring records of the Holocaust. Anne was sent to the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, where she died of typhus.

Mrs Gies found Anne's diary after the family was deported and locked the papers away, handing them over to Otto Frank, the family's sole survivor, after the war. >>> | Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Sarah Palin Signs On as Fox News Commentator
THE TELEGRAPH: Sarah Palin has signed on as a commentator with Fox News, fulfilling predictions that she would pursue a career in television after stepping down as governor of Alaska.

The conservative star will not have her own show, but will contribute to various news programmes and present an occasional series involving ordinary American heroes.

She will therefore have time for other pursuits that will keep her name alive as a potential presidential candidate in 2012, but the move will increase speculation that her future lies outside of electoral politics.

"I am thrilled to be joining the great talent and management team at Fox News," Mrs Palin said in a statement posted on the network's website. "It's wonderful to be part of a place that so values fair and balanced news." >>> Alex Spillius in Washington | Monday, January 11, 2010

LE MONDE: Sarah Palin, nouvelle commentatrice de la chaîne Fox News >>> LEMONDE.FR avec AFP | Lundi 11 Janvier 2010

'Islam Is' Not Being Censored by Google
THE TELEGRAPH – BLOGS: It doesn’t take much to get a conspiracy theorist going. Once they’ve found one conspiracy, they start seeing them everywhere. Pretty soon, the tinfoil hat never comes off.

Conspiracy theories about Google are particularly tiresome because they so often come from people who don’t understand how the search engine works. Wondering why your story is no longer in Google News? Perhaps it got too long to be listed – that can happen. There’s usually a sensible explanation but sensible explanations just further infuriate conspiracy nuts. “This cannot be accidental,” they bluster.

Anyway, the latest Google conspiracy posits that the search giant is censoring offensive descriptions of Islam.

It works like this: if you go to the Google homepage and type the words “Christianity is” then Google will suggest possible endings for your query. When I tried it I got “Christianity is ——–”, “Christianity is not a religion” and “Christianity is a lie”, among other things.

The same applies to the other major religions. Except Islam. Type “Islam is” into Google and the great oracle is silent. >>> Shane Richmond | Monday, January 11, 2010