Missing Link Between Man and Apes Found
THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: A "missing link" between humans and their apelike ancestors has been discovered.

Homo habilis lived 2.0-1.6 million years ago and had a wide distribution in Africa. Image: The Telegraph
The new species of hominid, the evolutionary branch of primates that includes humans, is to be revealed when the two-million-year-old skeleton of a child is unveiled this week.

Scientists believe the almost-complete fossilised skeleton belonged to a previously-unknown type of early human ancestor that may have been a intermediate stage as ape-men evolved into the first species of advanced humans, Homo habilis.

Experts who have seen the skeleton say it shares characteristics with Homo habilis, whose emergence 2.5 million years ago is seen as a key stage in the evolution of our species.

The new discovery could help to rewrite the history of human evolution by filling in crucial gaps in the scientific knowledge. >>> Richard Gray, Science Correspondent | Saturday, April 03, 2010

L'homophobie dénoncée par quatre hommes de religion
SAPHIR NEWS: L’homosexualité et la transsexualité dans les religions sont bel et bien des questions sensibles et font l’objet de beaucoup de controverses. Pour celles et ceux qui sont gays et lesbiennes, c’est un vrai parcours du combattant que de s’intégrer pleinement dans la société ou encore dans la communauté religieuse de leur choix. La recrudescence des violences homophobes en est le résultat. Loin d'approuver les pratiques homosexuels, plusieurs hommes de religion, dont Tareq Oubrou, imam de Bordeaux, ont tout de même signé le 17 mars, un appel contre l’homophobie et la transphobie au nom des règles universelles des droits de l’homme.

Tareq Oubrou (1), Rivon Krygier (2), Jean-Claude Guillebaud (3) et Olivier Abel (4)... qu'ils soient musulman, juif, catholique ou protestant, ils disent non à l'homophobie. Photos : Saphir News
Être juif, chrétien ou musulman et homosexuel, est – pour le moins que l’on puisse dire – difficile. Les trois religions monothéistes proscrivent formellement l’homosexualité aussi bien que la transsexualité. L’immense majorité des religieux, y compris bouddhistes et hindouistes, condamnent sans appel ces pratiques.

Ce n’est pas la création de l’association Homosexuels musulmans de France (HM2F), créée voilà deux mois, qui changera les dogmes et les principes religieux. Celle-ci, qui réunit près de 40 membres à ce jour, veut permettre aux gays et aux lesbiennes de confession musulmane de concilier leur homosexualité et leur foi, à l’image de David & Jonathan, un mouvement homosexuel chrétien crée en 1972, et Beit Haverim, groupe juif des homosexuels de France fondé en 1977.

« On ne choisit pas d'être homo, en revanche on choisit d'avoir des croyances religieuses. On n'en est pas moins des êtres humains », a déclaré à ce titre Ludovic Zahed, le fondateur de HM2F au magazine spécialisé des gays et lesbiennes Têtu.

Il ne revient qu’à Dieu de juger. Cet adage si cher aux musulmans est bien connu. Cependant, ne pas accepter l’homosexualité ne signifie nullement nier son existence et surtout approuver, voire autoriser l’homophobie religieuse. Le respect de la dignité de l’Homme, quels que soient sa religion, ses origines, son sexe et son orientation sexuelle, est commun à toutes les religions, y compris l’islam. Un appel des religieux contre l’homophobie >>> Hanan Ben Rhouma | Vendredi 26 Mars 2010

Leben am Persischen Golf: So luxuriös wohnt Familie Federer in Dubai
Roger und Mirka Federer mit den Zwillingen Myla und Charlene. Foto: Sonntag Online
SONNTAG ONLINE: Der beste Tennisspieler aller Zeiten ist ein Schweizer – doch leben will Roger Federer mit seiner Familie vor allem nur in Dubai: Der «Sonntag» zeigt exklusiv wie und wo.

Der Tennis-Superstar und das Emirat am Persischen Golf – zwei Giganten. Roger Federer (29) lebt mit seiner Frau Mirka (31) und den beiden süssen Zwillingen Myla Rose und Charlene Riva mehrere Monate im Jahr in der «City der Rekorde». Seit mehr als vier Jahren besitzt das Traumpaar in der steuerfreien Wüstenstadt eine Wohnung der Superlative – an bester Lage in Dubai Marina. 



Im direkt am Meer gelegenen Stadtteil wurden in den letzten sechs Jahren rund 200 Wolkenkratzer und Hochhäuser gebaut. Dubai Marina gilt mit seinem eigenen Stadthafen und den unzähligen Luxusgeschäften und Hotels als einer der modernsten und sichersten Stadtteile der Welt. 



Der «Sonntag» weiss: King Roger, der schon 16 Grand-Slam-Turniere im Einzel gewann und Multimillionär ist, kaufte sich und seiner Mirka 2006 im luxuriösen Hochhaus «Le Rêve» ein so genanntes «Presidential Apartment». Eine 5-Zimmer-Traumwohnung mit mehr als 200 Quadratmeter Wohnfläche. Eigenes Fitnesscenter, Tennisplatz und 24-Stunden-Concierge-Service inklusive. 



Gemäss der exklusiven Verkaufsbroschüre gibts im exquisiten 50-stöckigen Turm keine Wohnung unter umgerechnet zwei Millionen Schweizer Franken zu kaufen – auch jetzt während der Immobilienkrise nicht. «Es geht nicht um Geld oder Luxus, hier sind die Trainingsbedingungen optimal und wir fühlen uns sehr wohl», sagte Federer einst in einem Interview mit der «Schweizer Illustrierten». Wo er genau wohnt, verriet er bisher nie. «Ich gehe aber auch ganz gern in Dubai mit Mirka shoppen.» >>> Von Sacha Ercolani | Samstag, 03. April 2010

”Tribal Capitalism”
THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: The death of Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Ahmed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, controller of the world's largest sovereign wealth fund, has thrown the spotlight on one of the world's most powerful families.

Mourners at the funeral of Sheikh Ahmed bin Zayed al-Nahyan. The two in the centre of the pic are Crown Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince (L) and Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, Ruler of Abu Dhabi, President of the UAE. On the far right is Sheikh Mansur, deputy prime minister and owner of Manchester City. Photograph: The Sunday Telegraph
He was a multi-billionaire, and scion of one of the world's most powerful families. But until his microlight aircraft crashed into a Moroccan lake last weekend few outside the narrow confines of the Gulf, and the even narrower confines of sovereign wealth finance, would have heard of Sheikh Ahmed bin Zayed al-Nahyan.

To some extent, that is understandable. In the world of Gulf princes, he was one among a secretive cast of thousands. As managing director of the world's biggest sovereign wealth fund, discretion was his watchword.

He himself was one of 19 brothers, led by the eldest, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, Ruler of Abu Dhabi and President of the United Arab Emirates. With his close-trimmed beard and standard-issue white robes and kaffiyeh, he could pass for any one of the powerful royals who run the emirates and neighbours such as Saudi Arabia.

Even so it was odd that his death at the age of 41 attracted only a few passing newspaper paragraphs in the West. The Nahyan family, Abu Dhabi's hereditary emirs, are significant players on the world stage, and their ability to avoid the limelight is itself beginning to attract attention.

"They are not interested, they don't want it," says one Abu Dhabi insider. "They don't give interviews, they just get on with it."

But in terms of publicity, Sheikh's Ahmed's death is likely to be just the start of it. What they are "getting on with" nowadays is running boardrooms, influencing geopolitics and - above all - growing the richest family business in the world. Slowly, they are becoming aware that as the spotlight turns on them, they will become fodder for front-page headlines and, no doubt, gossip columns too.

Sheikh Ahmed, 41, died after apparently fouling up a landing in a microlight he was learning to pilot. He had been holidaying at a Nahyan family palace by a lake in the Moroccan hills. His instructor survived and got ashore; Sheikh Ahmed's body was eventually found on Tuesday.

Immediately, the whispers started. No-one in authority suspects anything other than an accident, but his half-brother, Sheikh Nasser bin Zayed, also died in a crash when the helicopter he was piloting plunged into the Gulf two years ago.

It was an unfortunate coincidence: could the Nahyans be suffering the "curse of the Khaleej Kennedys", asked one gossip - Khaleej being the Arabic for Gulf.

Comparison with the Kennedys would cause the conservative Nahyans to shudder with horror. But if the United Arab Emirates is not yet the United States, the Nahyans are just as handsome as the Kennedys and much, much richer. Inside the world of the 'Kennedys of the Gulf' >>> Richard Spencer in Abu Dhabi | Easter Sunday, April 04, 2010

SWALK
THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: A Dubai appeals court has upheld a one-month prison sentence for a British couple convicted of kissing in a restaurant.

British pair caught kissing in public in Dubai, Charlotte Adams and Ayman Najafi. Photos: The Sunday Telegraph
Ayman Najafi and Charlotte Adams – both in their 20s – were arrested after an Emirati woman claimed they exchanged a passionate kiss in a restaurant where she and her daughter were having dinner.

The pair landed in court after she complained about the public kiss, which the couple insisted was just a peck on the cheek. They were arrested in November and convicted of inappropriate behaviour and illegal drinking.

Cosmopolitan Dubai has the most relaxed social codes in the conservative Gulf, but authorities enforce strict decency laws and regularly crack down on people accused of pushing the limits, which can include everything from wearing a mini skirt to losing one's temper in traffic.

Najafi and Adams attended Sunday's hearing, but did not speak. Their lawyer, Khalaf al-Hosany, told the court in a previous hearing that they kissed on the cheek as a greeting and "never intended to break the law."

Appeals court judge Iysar Fouad upheld the conviction, the jail time and a fine of 1,000 dirhams – about £180 – each. They will be deported after serving their sentences. Dubai court upholds one-month jail sentence for kissing couple >>> | Easter Sunday, April 04, 2010

Dubaï : Un mois de prison pour une bise
20MINUTES.ch: Une cour d'appel a confirmé dimanche à Dubaï la peine d'un mois de prison prononcée contre un couple britannique accusé de s'être embrassé en public.

Ayman Najafi et Charlotte Adams, qui ont tous deux entre 20 et 30 ans, ont été arrêtés en novembre dernier lorsqu'une femme des Emirats les a accusés d'avoir échangé un baiser passionné dans un restaurant où elle dînait avec sa fille.

Ils ont été inculpés de comportement inapproprié et de consommation illégale d'alcool.

Ayman Najafi et Charlotte Adams ont simplement échangé une bise sur la joue pour se saluer et «n'ont jamais eu l'intention de violer la loi», avait déclaré leur avocat Khalas al-Hosany lors d'une audience précédente. >>> ap | Dimanche 04 Avril 2010

Papst predigt in der Osternacht Erneuerung: Forderung nach Liebe, Frieden und Selbstbeherrschung
NZZ ONLINE: Papst Benedikt hat Samstagnacht das Osterlicht in den nur mit Kerzen erleuchteten Petersdom getragen. In seiner Predigt forderte Benedikt dazu auf, die vom Apostel Paulus aufgezählten «alten Gewänder» wie Unzucht, und Unsittlichkeit abzulegen.

Im stimmungsvoll erleuchteten Petersdom hat Papst Benedikt XVI. am Samstag vor Tausenden von Gläubigen die Osterwache geleitet. Bei der feierlichen Zeremonie wird in der Vorhalle das Osterlicht angezündet und in den Petersdom gebracht.

Die Kerze, die die bis dahin im Halbdunkel liegende Basilika erhellte, symbolisiert die Auferstehung Jesu von den Toten. Während der Osterwache taufte der Papst, einer Tradition folgend, fünf Erwachsene und ein Kind aus [aus] fünf Ländern, darunter vier Frauen.

Die Osterfeiern werden vom Missbrauchsskandal in der katholischen Kirche überschattet. In seiner Predigt forderte Benedikt dazu auf, die vom Apostel Paulus aufgezählten «alten Gewänder» wie Unzucht, Unsittlichkeit, Götzendienst, Eigennutz und Missgunst abzulegen. >>> sda/dpa | Sonntag, 04. April 2010

Es wäre Zeit für ein «Mea culpa» des Vatikans
NZZ ONLINE: Die Enthüllungen über sexuellen Missbrauch durch Kirchenleute reissen nicht ab. Doch die Kirche setzt den Anschein ihrer Makellosigkeit über alles , schreibt Klara Obermüller

Das Fünf-Jahr-Jubiläum seines Pontifikats hatte Benedikt XVI. sich zweifellos anders vorgestellt. Statt mit Genugtuung Rückschau halten zu können, muss er zusehen, wie seine Kirche und auch er selbst immer tiefer in den Strudel des Missbrauchsskandals geraten.

Fast im Tagestakt lösen Anschuldigungen und Stellungnahmen sich ab, und der Vatikan, ohnehin langsam in seinen Reaktionen, kommt nicht nach mit Ausreden und Beschwichtigungen. Schon im Falle Irlands hatte der Papst Jahre gebraucht, bis er sich zu einem Hirtenbrief und einer halbherzigen Entschuldigung durchrang. Von den sexuellen Übergriffen im Bistum Milwaukee und anderswo auf der Welt will man entweder nichts gewusst haben oder aber an deren Vertuschung nicht beteiligt gewesen sein. Dabei ist bekannt, dass es vatikanische Dokumente gibt, die für sexuelle Vergehen zwar eine Meldepflicht an die Glaubenskongregation vorsehen, diese gleichzeitig aber der päpstlichen Geheimhaltung unterstellen und so verhindern, dass es zu einer Anzeige kommt. Chef der Glaubenskongregation war von 1981 bis 2005 Joseph Ratzinger, der heutige Papst Benedikt XVI. >>> Klara Obermüller | Sonntag, 04. April 2010

Tourmente pascale au Vatican
leJDD.fr: Alors que deux milliards de catholiques fêtent Pâques, le Saint-Siège est la cible d’une nouvelle controverse.

A l'heure de prononcer sa bénédiction à la ville et au monde, Benoît XVI est confronté à de nombreuses polémiques. Photo : leJDD.fr
On est loin de "la joie triomphante et la résurrection" en ce dimanche pascal. Après les scandales de pédophilie, l’Eglise catholique se retrouve au coeur d’une nouvelle polémique: le prédicateur du Vatican a risqué un parallèle douteux entre les critiques à l’encontre du pape et les persécutions dont le peuple juif a été victime, vendredi soir, en présence de Benoît XVI, suscitant un véritable tollé.

Marvin Hier, rabbin et fondateur du Centre Simon Wiesenthal a exigé les "excuses" du pape pour ces "remarques blessantes", "honteuses, hors de propos" et cette "déformation totale de l’Histoire", s’indignant de la comparaison entre des siècles d’antisémitisme qui ont mené à "la mort des dizaines de millions de personnes innocentes avec des criminels qui renient leur foi et leur vocation en agressant sexuellement des enfants". "Cela fait mal au coeur de voir un responsable de haut rang du Vatican faire des remarques aussi dures, qui sont une insulte aussi bien pour les victimes d’agressions sexuelles que pour les juifs", a renchéri David Clohessy, qui dirige SNAP, groupe de défense des victimes de prêtres pédophiles.

Vendredi soir, pendant la liturgie de la passion du Christ, le père Raniero Cantalamessa, prédicateur de la maison pontificale, a lu une lettre de "solidarité" que lui aurait adressée un "ami juif": "Je suis avec dégoût l’attaque violente et concentrique contre l’Eglise et le pape. L’utilisation du stéréotype, le passage de la responsabilité et de la faute personnelle à la faute collective me rappellent les aspects les plus honteux de l’antisémitisme." Pour le rabbin Gary Greenebaum, chargé des relations interreligieuses au sein de l’American Jewish Comittee, s’il est "compréhensible que l’Eglise se sente sous pression", les responsables catholiques "doivent veiller à ne pas pratiquer l’hyperbole". La présidente du Conseil central des juifs d’Allemagne, Charlotte Knobloch, s’était déjà insurgée contre un sermon de l’évêque de Ratisbonne, Gerhard Ludwig Müller, qui avait comparé les critiques de la presse à des méthodes nazies. Le rabbin de Rome: "Un propos complètement déplacé" >>> Christel de Taddeo - Le Journal du Dimanche | Dimanche 04 Avril 2010

Happy Easter! Joyeuses Pâques! Frohe Ostern! Buona Pasqua! ¡Felices Pascuas!
Photograph: Times Online
I should like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very BLESSED and HAPPY EASTER.
THE TELEGRAPH PICTURE GALLERY: Easter celebrations around the world >>>

Joyous Pesach! Happy Passover! פסח שמח
Photo: Google Images
To all our Jewish visitors, I wish you a very BLESSED and JOYOUS PASSOVER. Pesach Sameach. פסח שמח

Islamists Order Mogadishu Radios to Stop Playing Music
AFP: MOGADISHU — A hardline Somali Islamist group issued a 10-day ultimatum Saturday to Mogadishu-based radio stations to stop playing all kinds of music or face unspecified penalties, an Islamist leader said.

The Hezb al-Islam group, which controls patches of the war-riven Somali capital, said playing music on radio stations was evil.

"We call on the local radio stations to stop broadcasting the songs and all music as well. We give them a 10-day deadline and any radio station found not complying with the orders... will face sharia action," said Moalim Hashi Mohamed Farah, a senior Hezb al-Islam official, referring to Islamic law.

"We also issue orders banning the local media from using the word 'foreigners' to refer to our Muslim brothers coming from outside the country to help us fight against the enemy of Allah," he told reporters. >>> | Saturday, April 03, 2010

John Paul ‘Ignored Abuse of 2,000 Boys’
Cardinal Hans Hermann Groer abused an estimated 2,000 boys for decades without sanction. Photo: The Sunday Times
THE SUNDAY TIMES: When John Paul II died five years ago the crowd that packed St Peter’s Square for his funeral clamoured “Santo subito (Saint now)!” in a spontaneous tribute to the charisma of the Polish pontiff.

As the faithful marked the anniversary of John Paul’s death on Good Friday, however, he was being drawn into the scandal over child abuse in the Catholic church that has confronted his successor, Benedict XVI, with the worst crisis of his reign.

Allegations that the late pontiff blocked an inquiry into a paedophile cardinal, promoted senior church figures despite accusations that they had molested boys and covered up innumerable cases of abuse during his 26-year papacy have cast a cloud over his path to sainthood.

The most serious claims related to Cardinal Hans Hermann Groer, an Austrian friend of John Paul’s who abused an estimated 2,000 boys over decades but never faced any sanction from Rome.

Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, Groer’s successor, criticised the handling of that scandal and other abuse cases last week after holding a special service in St Stephen’s cathedral, Vienna, entitled “Admitting our guilt”.

Schönborn condemned the “sinful structures” within the church and the patterns of “silencing” victims and “looking away”.

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger — who became Pope Benedict — had tried to investigate the abuses as head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, according to Schönborn. But his efforts had been blocked by “the Vatican”, an apparent reference to John Paul. >>> Bojan Pancevski in Vienna and John Follain in Rome | Easter Sunday, April 04, 2010

Christians Launch Pre-election 'Declaration of Conscience' on Values
THE TELEGRAPH: A bid to place Christian values at the heart of the general election campaign has been launched with a 'declaration of conscience' endorsed by senior figures from the Church of England, the Catholic Church and other denominations.

Signatories include Lord Carey, the former Archbishop of Canterbury (pictured), Cardinal Keith O'Brien, leader of the Catholic Church in Scotland, and the Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali, the former Bishop of Rochester. Photograph: The Sunday Telegraph
Thirty-five prominent individuals have signed a statement of values calling on politicians to "protect the right of Christians" to hold their beliefs and "act according to Christian conscience", The Sunday Telegraph can reveal.

Signatories include Lord Carey, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Cardinal Keith O'Brien, leader of the Catholic Church in Scotland, and the Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali, the former Bishop of Rochester.

It comes after six prominent bishops wrote to this newspaper to complain that Christians in Britain are victims of discrimination and are "treated with disrespect". >>> Alastair Jamieson | Easter Sunday, April 04, 2010

Chris Grayling: Christian B&Bs Should Be Able to Turn Away Gay Couples
THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Bed and breakfasts run by Christians should be allowed to turn away gay couples because of their sexuality, a leading Conservative has said.

Shadow home secretary Chris Grayling said Christian B&Bs should be able to turn away gay couples. Photograph: The Sunday Telegraph
Chris Grayling, the shadow home secretary, said hotels should not be allowed to discriminate against homosexuals, but also suggested individuals should have the right to decide who stays in their home.

The comments to a meeting of the Centre for Policy Studies thinktank sparked anger among gay rights activists and may prove embarrassing to Conservative leader David Cameron, who has made great play of his party's increased openness to homosexuals.

After a recording of his comments was published in The Observer Mr Grayling said he was not opposed to gay rights and would not be pressing for a change in the law, but felt it was important to respect the sensitivities of faith groups.

The row comes shortly after a B&B owner in Cookham, Berkshire, was reported to the police for refusing to take in a gay couple as guests on the grounds it was against her Christian principles.

The recording of the meeting on Wednesday shows Mr Grayling said: "I think we need to allow people to have their own consciences. >>> | Easter Sunday, April 04, 2010

Secret Tape Reveals Tory Backing for Ban on Gays
THE GUARDIAN: B&Bs 'should have right to bar gays' / Exclusion would violate law – Labour

The Tories were embroiled in a furious row over lesbian and gay rightson Saturday after the shadow home secretary, Chris Grayling, was secretly taped suggesting that people who ran bed and breakfasts in their homes should "have the right" to turn away homosexual couples.

The comments, made by Grayling last week to a leading centre-right thinktank, drew an angry response from gay groups and other parties, which said they were evidence that senior figures in David Cameron's party still tolerate prejudice.

In a recording of the meeting of the Centre for Policy Studies, obtained by the Observer, Grayling makes clear he has always believed that those who run B&Bs should be free to turn away guests.

"I think we need to allow people to have their own consciences," he said. "I personally always took the view that, if you look at the case of should a Christian hotel owner have the right to exclude a gay couple from a hotel, I took the view that if it's a question of somebody who's doing a B&B in their own home, that individual should have the right to decide who does and who doesn't come into their own home."

He draws a distinction, however, with hotels, which he says should admit gay couples. "If they are running a hotel on the high street, I really don't think that it is right in this day and age that a gay couple should walk into a hotel and be turned away because they are a gay couple, and I think that is where the dividing line comes."

Ben Summerskill, chief executive of the gay rights group Stonewall, said the comments would be "very alarming to a lot of gay people who may have been thinking of voting Conservative". >>> Toby Helm, political editor | Saturday, April 03, 2010

Iraqi Christians Under Fire
What bloody fools George W Bush and Tony Blair were to create this sad situation; and what even bigger fools we were to listen to them! Tony Blair might well have his riches; but does he have his integrity? – © Mark
THE TELEGRAPH: Half the refugees fleeing Iraq are Christian, dramatically reducing a presence that pre-dates Islam. Edward Stourton reports.

A guard outside the cathedral in Kirkuk. Photograph: The Telegraph
Fr Rayan Paulos Atto showed me an elaborately decorated bronze and glass case mounted on the wall near the altar of his airy modern church in Erbil. It was a reliquary, a showcase for displaying a relic of a saint or martyr – the sort of thing you might find gathering dust in the sacristy of some venerable Italian basilica.

Fr Rayan's reliquary contains a miniature icon of the Virgin which is spattered with tiny droplets of blood – the blood of his closest friend, a priest gunned down on the steps of his church in the name of Islam. For Christians in Iraq today the possibility of martyrdom is an ever present reality, not a historical curiosity.

The campaign of violence against Christians is one of the most under-reported stories of Iraq since the invasion of 2003. And it could change the country's character in a fundamental way; by the time the dust finally settles on the chaotic current chapter of Iraq's history, the Christian community may have disappeared altogether – after 2,000 years as a significant presence. About 200,000 Iraqi Christians have already fled the country; they once made up three per cent of its population, and they now account for half of its refugees.

Erbil, in northern Iraq, has become a magnet for Christian refugees who are too poor to leave Iraq or do not want to abandon their country. It is the seat of the Kurdish Regional Government, which treats the Christians well; it is safe; and there is an established Christian community to welcome them. Many of them gravitate towards the traditionally Christian suburb of Ainkawa.

Ainkawa is a 15-minute drive from the centre of Erbil, and on the way there, with Fr Rayan at the wheel, we passed the motorway exit to Mosul. Mosul – the biblical city of Nineveh – is only 50 miles from Erbil, but it remains a fearsomely violent place and it was there that Fr Rayan's friend lost his life. >>> Edward Stourton | Saturday, April 03, 2010

Russia and Venezuela Announce Nuclear Union
THE TELEGRAPH: Russia has agreed to help Venezuela draw up plans for a nuclear power plant and space programme, President Hugo Chavez announced.

Putin and Chavez shake hands after signing commercial agreements at Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas. Photograph: The Telegraph
Atomic energy was one of many areas of co-operation discussed as Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin made his first visit to the South American country.

"We're ready to start drawing up the first plan of a nuclear power plant, obviously with peaceful aims," Mr Chavez said.

Mr Chavez had announced plans to turn to Russia for nuclear help in the past.

He did not give details on how much Venezuela is prepared to invest, or how long it might take.

Russia and Venezuela also launched a joint business to tap vast oil deposits in eastern Venezuela and Mr Chavez said Moscow has offered to help Venezuela set up its own space industry including a satellite launch site.

Mr Putin also pledged to keep selling arms to Venezuela. Mr Chavez's government has already bought more than $4 billion (£2.6bn) in Russian weapons since 2005, including helicopters, fighter jets and 100,000 Kalashnikov rifles.

"We will continue supporting and developing Venezuela's defence capabilities," said Mr Putin, who headed back to Moscow after the one-day visit. >>> | Saturday, April 03, 2010

Somebody, Somewhere, Help This Poor Man! Lebanese TV Psychic Could Be Beheaded for Witchcraft
THE TELEGRAPH: The lawyer of a Lebanese TV psychic who was convicted in Saudi Arabia for witchcraft said her client could be beheaded this week and urged Lebanese and Saudi leaders to help spare his life.

Ali Sibat made predictions on an Arab satellite TV channel from his home in Beirut.

He was arrested by the Saudi religious police during his pilgrimage to the holy city of Medina in May 2008 and sentenced to death last November.

Lawyer May al-Khansa said she learned from an unofficial source that Mr Sibat, 49, is to be beheaded on Friday.

She added that she does not have any official confirmation of this.
"Ali is not a criminal. He did not commit a crime or do anything disgraceful," Mrs al-Khansa said.

"The world should help in rescuing a man who has five children, a wife and a seriously ill mother."

She added that Sibat's mother's health has been deteriorating since her son was sentenced to death.

The Saudi justice system, which is based on Islamic law, does not clearly define the charge of witchcraft.

Sibat is one of scores of people reported arrested every year in the kingdom for practicing sorcery, witchcraft, black magic and fortunetelling. >>> | Thursday, April 01, 2010

THE TELEGRAPH: 'Lebanese Derren Brown' Wins Reprieve from Beheading >>> Friday, April 02, 2010

CNN: Videos >>> | Friday, April 02, 2010

Violent Clashes At Mosque Protest
THE TELEGRAPH: Violent clashes have broken out between riot police and members of the English Defence League protesting against a planned mosque in Dudley, West Midlands.

Police officers control protestors of the English Defence League (EDL) on their demonstration through the streets of Dudley, protesting against plans to build a new mosque in the town. Photograph: The Telegraph
About 2,000 members of the EDL descended on Dudley town centre on Saturday afternoon.

Some of the protesters broke out of a pen in a car park, breaking down metal fences and throwing the metal brackets at officers, who were armed with riot shields and batons.

Members of the demonstration started fighting their own stewards who were trying to calm them down as they attacked the fences penning them in.

The EDL had put signs up which read ''Labour forcing mosques on Britain'' and ''No one wants this mosque''.

Some demonstrators held placards reading ''Muslim bombers off our streets'' and ''Say no to the mosque''.

The national anthem was played on a speaker system while demonstrators waved the flag of St George. >>> Alastair Jamieson | Saturday, April 03, 2010

Muslim Aid Charity Under Investigation
THE TELEGRAPH: A charity praised by Gordon Brown and the Prince of Wales has been placed under investigation by the Charity Commission following claims it had channelled hundreds of thousands of pounds to groups linked to a banned terrorist organisation.

Sir Iqbal Sacranie, Chairman of Muslim Aid pictured addressing guests.At a celebratory dinner at the Natural History Museum. Photograph: The Telegraph
According to its own accounts, Muslim Aid paid £325,000 to the Islamic University of Gaza, where leading Hamas figures teach, and £13,998 to the al-Ihsan Charitable Society, designated by the US government as a "sponsor of terrorism" and a front for the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist group.

Security sources also claim that Muslim Aid has helped channel a further £210,600 to six other organisations in the Gaza Strip since July 2009, all of which they say are also linked to Hamas.

Despite repeated approaches for comment over more than a week, Muslim Aid has refused to deny these claims.

In a statement, the Charity Commission said: "We take very seriously allegations of links between charities and terrorist activity, and consider funding of terrorist organisations to be a 'zero tolerance' issue.

The Commission has opened an investigation into Muslim Aid in light of these allegations and is working with the charity to address the issues raised." >>> Andrew Gilligan | Saturday, April 03, 2010

Rowan Williams Apologises for Claiming Catholic Church Has Lost 'All Credibility'
THE TELEGRAPH: The Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams has been forced into a humiliating apology after claiming the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland had lost all credibility over the child abuse scandal.

Following a torrent of criticism, Dr Williams admitted his "deep sorrow and regret" over his earlier comments in a telephone conversation with the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin.

A statement issued last night by the Dublin Archdioces said: "The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, this afternoon telephoned Archbishop Diarmuid Martin to express his deep sorrow and regret for difficulties which may have been created by remarks in a BBC interview concerning the credibility of the Catholic Church in Ireland.

"Archbishop Williams affirmed that nothing could have been farther from his intention than to offend or criticise the Irish Church." >>> Robert Mendick | Saturday, April 03, 2010

Rise of Hungary's Far-Right Jobbik Party Stirs Disturbing Echoes of the 1940s
THE TELEGRAPH: As Hungary prepares to vote in a crucial election, the far-Right Jobbik party expects great success - to the consternation of democrats and those old enough to remember the fascist past.

Jobbik Rally Dunakeszi Hungary. Vona Gabor addresses suporters. Photograph: The Telegraph
As the youthful leader of Hungary's far-right Jobbik party arrived for an election rally, his followers gave him a welcome that had disturbing echoes of Europe in the 1940s.

Two ranks of Hungarian Guards, in paramilitary-style uniforms, snapped to attention as Gabor Vona marched past them. Party leaders saluted, and a red and white banner was raised - one that looked suspiciously similar to Hungary's old fascist emblem.

The rally in a school hall in the normally sleepy town of Dunakeszi was packed with hundreds of supporters. They cheered as Mr Vona promised to rid Hungary of corruption and crack down on foreign interests.

He spoke about stopping Roma, the country's biggest ethnic minority, from sponging off the state - forcing anyone claiming benefits to perform public service in return. He promised to "give back Hungary's national pride and identity".

The enthusiasm showed that Mr Vona has come a long way since Jobbik launched seven years ago. Its fierce nationalistic agenda and far-right rhetoric were soundly rejected by the electorate then. In national elections in 2006 it polled a miserable 2.2 per cent, failing to get a single member of parliament elected.

But now as Hungary prepares for crucial new elections the tide has turned, and it is flowing strongly Jobbik's way. To the horror of democrats who thought Hungary had shaken itself free of political extremism in 1989 with the fall of communism, Jobbik is on course to become the second biggest party in parliament. >>> Matthew Day in Budapest | Saturday, April 03, 2010

The World Of Tony Blair Inc
Now where do you suppose all this money has come from? And what do you suppose he has had to do to get it? – © Mark
THE TELEGRAPH: A staff of 130, turnover in the tens of millions: Tony Blair has created enormous wealth, but nobody knows quite how.

'His lifestyle involves moving between five-star hotels and mansions'. Photograph: The Telegraph
Tony Blair was merely a prime minister when he made his last major speech at the Trimdon Labour Club in 2007. After being burdened with the inconvenience of running the country for 10 years, he could not stop grinning as he announced that he was quitting not only Downing Street, but Parliament itself, freeing him from the constraints of public service.

On Tuesday, as Mr Blair returned to Trimdon to endorse Gordon Brown, his former constituents got their first close-up view of just how much better life had become for “our Tony” since he began his “journey” (as he would say) into the private sector.

With skin burnished to a dark ochre by unbroken exposure to the world’s sunniest climes and worry lines long faded away, Mr Blair made those around him look anaemic. Gone were the “blokeish” glottal stops in his speech that used to remind us that he was a “pretty straight sort of guy”, replaced by a mid-Atlantic twang that was far more user-friendly to his fee-paying audiences around the world.

But it was not Mr Blair’s physical appearance, nor even his glowing tribute to his sometime friend Mr Brown, that provided the greatest surprise of his visit to Sedgefield. It was the discovery that Mr Blair now employed 130 people in his ever-expanding business and charity empire, with the wage bill for “Blair Incorporated” thought to be £10 million to £20 million.

Incredible as it may seem, it means that all previous estimates of Mr Blair’s personal wealth — usually put at £20 million since he left office — appear to have been more than a little on the conservative side.

Sources close to Mr Blair say his earnings are “several multiples” of the figures that have been quoted in the past, suggesting that £50 million or even £60 million would be closer to the mark, although his spokesman described such a suggestion as “simply ludicrous”.

We will never know the truth, of course, because Mr Blair has set up a mind-boggling web of companies through which he can channel his earnings without having to declare publicly all of his income. The only two Blair companies that filed accounts had a combined income of £11.7 million in 2008-09.

However, a conversation Mr Blair had this week with his former agent, John Burton, provided a telling glimpse of what lay behind his veil of secrecy. >>> Gordon Rayner | Saturday, April 03, 2010

THE TELEGRAPH: Tony Blair ‘has blighted Buckinghamshire village’ >>> Jon Swaine | Saturday, April 03, 2010