Nick Clegg Warned Deal with Tories Could Lead to Revolt
THE TELEGRAPH: Nick Clegg has been warned he could face a backlash from his party if he strikes a deal with the Conservatives.

Senior Liberal Democrats said that many grassroots party members lean to the Left and are hostile to the Tories.

Some MPs suggested that only a categorical assurance that the next general election is fought under new electoral rules would be enough to win support for a deal.

Under party rules, Mr Clegg is obliged to get the approval of his MPs and senior party activists before striking any deal. The Lib Dems are pressing for movement towards ending the first-past-the-post electoral system, a demand that many Tories reject. >>> James Kirkup, Political Correspondent | Monday, May 10, 2010

Breaking News! Gordon Brown Says He Will Resign As Leader
SKY NEWS: Gordon Brown has said he will step down as leader as Nick Clegg asks for talks between Labour and the Liberal Democrats.

In a statement outside Downing Street, Mr Brown said he had "no desire to stay in my position longer than needed" and would leave by the party conference in September.

He said he will ask the Labour Party to begin the process for a leadership election but that he will not stand or intervene. >>> Ruth Barnettt, Sky News Online | Monday, May 10, 2010

Europa zahlt teuer für Illusionen und Versäumnisse: Kommentar zur versuchten Rettung der Währungsunion
Bild: NZZ Online
NZZ ONLINE: Um eine Währungsunion zu bewahren, die wohl kaum zu retten ist, greifen Europas Politiker tief in die Tasche und beugen sämtliche Regeln. Ob die Übung gelingen wird, darauf mag man hoffen, man darf aber auch daran zweifeln.

Man wähnt sich an den Höhepunkt der Finanz- und Wirtschaftskrise erinnert, als in den USA und im Rahmen der G-20 die Summen von Massnahmenpaketen nicht hoch genug ausfallen konnten, um die Märkte von der Entschlossenheit der Politiker zur Krisenbewältigung zu überzeugen.

Das in der Nacht zum Montag von den EU-Finanzministern verabschiedete Massnahmenpaket zur Stabilisierung der Finanzmärkte soll mit dem Preisschild von insgesamt 750 Milliarden Euro wohl genau diese Botschaft aussenden, auch wenn dies eine Höchstgrenze darstellt und die Hoffnung besteht, nie auch nur annähernd so viel wirklich einsetzen zu müssen. Der grösste Teil Last tragen dabei die 16 in der Euro-Währungsunion zusammengefassten Länder. >>> Von Walter Meier | Montag, 10. Mai 2010

NZZ Video anschauen: «Die Bazooka wurde herausgeholt» >>>
NZZ ONLINE: Gigantisches Bollwerk zum Schutz des Euro: EU und IMF beschliessen Rettungspaket von 750 Milliarden >>> tsf. | Montag, 10. Mai 2010

FINANCIAL TIMES: EU buys itself time: In the end, there was no choice. Faced with an existential threat, the European Union has demonstrated that it can act fast if necessary. European leaders deserve respect for finally getting ahead of the situation. >>> Wolfgang Münchau | Monday, May 10, 2010

NZZ ONLINE: Die Börsenparty ist schon vorbei: Ernüchterung nach der Euphorie – Das Nothilfepaket für den Euro-Raum hat am Montag für Jubelstimmung an den Börsen gesorgt. Nach nur einem Tag legt sich die Euphorie bereits wieder. In Tokyo drehten die Kurse nach einem guten Start ins Minus. Auch in Europa ist das Feuerwerk vorüber. >>> tsf. | Dienstag, 11. Mai 2010

Afghanistan’s Last Jew


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THE LOS ANGELES TIMES: Afghan Jew a One-man Upholder of Tradition >>> Mark Magnier, Sunday, September 20, 2009

Union Européenne : Le plan de stabilisation ouvre de nouvelles perspectives
LE TEMPS: Rassurées par la décision des ministres des finances de l’Union européenne de mettre dans la nuit sur le tapis près de 750 milliards d’euros de prêts et garanties aux Etats en difficulté, les bourses mondiales sont reparties ce lundi à la hausse

«Nous allons maintenant accélérer notre travail en vue d’une gouvernance économique plus forte». Invité ce matin à Bruxelles à ouvrir l’édition «Europe» du Forum économique mondial (WEF), le président du Conseil européen Herman Van Rompuy a promis que l’UE tirera profit de son plan massif de stabilisation financière annoncé dans la nuit de dimanche à lundi, après plus de dix heures de négociation.

Responsable d’une «task force» chargée d’accoucher des propositions pour une nouvelle gouvernance économique, l’ancien premier ministre belge a expliqué au WEF qu’il dévoilera différentes pistes de travail sur le renforcement des règles de surveillance des marchés dès le 21 mai, en vue de soumettre en octobre un menu complet de mesures aux chefs d’Etat et de gouvernement de l’UE. Le président de la Commission européenne, José-Manuel Barroso, invité lui aussi au sommet bruxellois, a estimé de son coté indispensable pour l’Union de retrouver «un leadership». La Commission doit annoncer mercredi des propositions sur la réglementation financière et l’encadrement des agences de notation. Les ministres des finances européens se retrouvent, eux, à nouveau les 17 et 18 mai à Bruxelles. >>> Richard Werly | Lundi 10 Mai 2010

Hung Parliament: Nick Clegg Promises Decision 'As Soon As Possible'
THE TELEGRAPH: Nick Clegg, the Liberal Democrat leader, has promised to reach a decision on power-sharing negotiations as quickly as possible - but warned that any agreement would need to ''stand the test of time''.



The Liberal Democrat leader said his team was working ''flat out around the clock'' trying to secure a breakthrough in the hung parliament talks.

William Hague also said he was ''optimistic'' as Lib Dem and Tory negotiators gathered at the Cabinet Office in Whitehall for further discussions this morning.

Speaking outside his London home, Mr Clegg said: ''I don't think a prolonged period of uncertainty is a good thing. That's why we want to arrive at a decision as soon as possible.

''But I hope people equally understand that it would be better to get the decision right rather than rushing into something which won't stand the test of time.'' >>> | Monday, May 10, 2010

Pope's Visit to Portgual May Shed Light on Third Secret of Fatima
THE TELEGRAPH: The Pope will travel to Portugal this week amid hopes that he might shed light on one of the Catholic Church's most intriguing mysteries – the so-called Third Secret of Fatima

During his four day visit, Benedict XVI will pray at the shrine of Fatima, one of the best known centres of Catholic pilgrimage in the world and the focus of endless conspiracy theories and Doomsday predictions.

Its cult is founded on the belief that three shepherd children witnessed a series of apparitions and prophecies of the Virgin Mary in 1917.

Three secrets were supposedly disclosed to them, with the first and second relating to a vision of Hell and predicting the end of World War I, the outbreak of World War II, the collapse of the Soviet Union and Russia's return to Christianity.

The third secret was only disclosed by the Vatican in 2000 and was said to have foretold the assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II by a Turkish gunman in 1981. >>> Nick Squires in Rome | Sunday, May 09, 2010

EU Bailout: Quantity Has A Quality All Its Own


THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: World Races to Avert Crisis in Europe: BRUSSELS—The European Union agreed on an audacious €750 billion ($955 billion) bailout plan in an effort to stanch a burgeoning sovereign debt crisis that began in Greece but now threatens the stability of financial markets world-wide. >>> Stephen Fidler and Charles Forelle | Monday, May 10, 2010

White House: Pakistan Taliban Behind Bomb Attempt

Euro Jumps as Markets Welcome €750bn Rescue
THE TELEGRAPH: The euro soared on Monday morning as investors reacted with initial relief at the €750bn plan to defend the single currency and European Monetary Union from potential collapse.

After a frantic weekend of negotiations in Brussels, the Eurozone's 16 finance ministers released a package that pledges: €440bn in loans or guarantees from Eurozone countries, €60bn from the European Union's Budget and up to €250bn from the International Monetary Fund.

The EU's monetary affairs commissioner, Olli Rehn, said the agreement "proves that we shall defend the euro whatever it takes."

In a statement, the Finance Ministers said: "We are facing such exceptional circumstances today and the mechanism and the mechanism will stay in place as long as needed to safeguard financial stability," the ministers said in a statement.

The radical action, which will see the European Central Bank buy the debt of the most troubled countries, likely to include Portugal, Greece and Spain, comes as European Monetary Union faces the gravest threat in its short history. Fears that the debt crisis that has engulfed Greece would spread throughout southern Europe reached a crescendo last week. Investors welcomed the package. >>> | Monday, May 10, 2010

LE FIGARO: Euphorie sur les Bourses européennes : Le plan d'aide à la zone euro rassure les marchés. A Paris, le CAC 40 s'envole de près de 7%. Les bancaires grimpent sur des progressions à deux chiffres. >>> Par Marine Rabreau | Lundi 10 Mai 2010

THE TELEGRAPH: FTSE 100 soars as €750bn rescue package for Europe sparks global rally: The FTSE 100 joined in a stock market rally across Europe on Monday, as investors reacted with initial relief at the €750bn (£655bn) plan to defend the single currency from potential collapse. >>> | Monday, May 10, 2010

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: European Markets Surge: European stocks and the euro surged Monday, as investors took heart from a €750 billion ($954.83 billion) rescue package intended to stabilize the single currency and prevent the Greek debt crisis from spreading to other member countries. >>> Michele Maatouk and Ishaq Siddiqi | Monday, May 10, 2010

Hung Parliament: Clegg and Cameron 'Close to Agreeing Economic Deal'
THE TELEGRAPH: The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats last night sought to reassure financial markets that they are close to agreeing an economic deal that would allow David Cameron to take power.

Three days after the result of the general election, the two parties have yet to strike an agreement that will remove Gordon Brown from Downing Street.

With the nation experiencing its first hung parliament for 36 years, there are fears that the power vacuum at the heart of government could scare investors, already nervous after the crisis in Greece.

These concerns have been exacerbated by the failure of the parties to come to a formal power sharing arrangement 72 hours after the negotiations began.

And their nerves will be heightened further after Mr Brown launched a last ditch attempt to persuade Nick Clegg to enter into a coalition with Labour.

In an intriguing development, the Prime Minister and the Liberal Democrat leader held private talks yesterday afternoon, while the Tory and Lib Dem negotiations were taking place in a neighbouring building.

Senior Labour figures were even said to be contemplating offering a deal to Mr Clegg that would see Mr Brown step down in return for a power-sharing deal between the two parties. >>> Andrew Porter, Robert Winnett and James Kirkup | Sunday, May 09, 2010

Barack Obama Criticises iPod and Xbox Era
THE TELEGRAPH: Barack Obama has bemoaned the impact of technology such as the iPod and the Xbox, claiming information is now a diversion imposing new strains on democracy.

Mr Obama, who often chides journalists and cable news outlets for obsessing on superficial coverage rather than serious issues, told a class of graduating university students that education was the key to progress.

"You're coming of age in a 24/7 media environment that bombards us with all kinds of content and exposes us to all kinds of arguments, some of which don't always rank all that high on the truth meter," Mr Obama said at Hampton University, Virginia.

"With iPods and iPads and Xboxes and PlayStations, - none of which I know how to work - information becomes a distraction, a diversion, a form of entertainment, rather than a tool of empowerment, rather than the means of emancipation," Obama said.

He bemoaned the fact that "some of the craziest claims can quickly claim traction," in the clamour of certain blogs and talk radio outlets.

"All of this is not only putting new pressures on you, it is putting new pressures on our country and on our democracy." >>> | Monday, May 10, 2010

US Cannot Afford Another Afghanistan or Iraq, Warns Defence Secretary
THE TELEGRAPH: Robert Gates, the US Defence Secretary, has said military spending must be cut by up to $15 billion a year and that the US cannot afford to enter into another Afghanistan or Iraq.

Mr Gates said that America would be forced to take tight budgets into consideration before launching any military action against Iran.

His plans would see cuts in spending on its bureaucracy and on equipment designed for a repeat of the Second World War rather than the smaller wars of the 21st century.

However, he said he would protect the military's ability to fight the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

He said that defence spending had doubled since the September 11, 2001 attacks, and that the severe recession guaranteed that "the gusher has been turned off and will stay off for a good period of time". >>> Alex Spillius in Washington | Sunday, May 09, 2010

Melanie Phillips: “Cameron Must Have the Guts to Go It Alone”
MAIL ONLINE: One of the strongest advantages of the British electoral system has always been that it gives voters the opportunity for a clear choice.

'First past the post' means the chance to throw the governing party out on its ear. It is a brutally clean break and totally transparent.

By contrast, coalitions mean backstairs deals which are not transparent at all. They mean weak governments held to ransom by tiny political parties. And they mean voters can never make that clean break.

Which is why the manoeuvres to form a coalition between the Tories and the Lib Dems are so dismaying - particularly since the Lib Dems' non-negotiable condition is to demand proportional representation, thereby cementing coalition government for ever. >>> Melanie Phillips | Monday, May 10, 2010

Merkel will das Geld der Deutschen schützen
WELT ONLINE: Beispielloser Kraftakt: Die EU-Finanzminister haben ein Rettungspaket von 750 Milliarden Euro geschnürt, um klamme Mitgliedstaaten vor dem Bankrott zu bewahren. Das soll das Vertrauen in den Euro wieder herstellen. Deutschland beteiligt sich an der Aktion mit neuen Milliarden. Die Kanzlerin erklärte am Morgen, warum.

Sie verhandelten mehr als zwölf Stunden, bis zur Erschöpfung. Am Montagmorgen gegen 3.00 Uhr einigte sich die Europäische Union auf das größte Rettungspaket in ihrer Geschichte: Im Kampf gegen Spekulanten hat sie ein Rettungspaket von insgesamt 750 Milliarden Euro zur Stabilisierung des Euro geschnürt. Damit sollen im Notfall kriselnde Euro-Länder vor dem Staatsbankrott gerettet werden und ein Überschwappen der Griechenland-Krise auf andere Mitgliedsländer der Währungszone verhindert werden. Der deutsche Steuerzahler muss mit 123 Milliarden Euro für klamme Euro-Länder bürgen. >>> Von Christoph Schiltz | Montag, 10. Mai 2010

Sinkende Geburtenrate: Erdogan ruft in der Türkei die Babyprämie aus
WELT ONLINE: Hehre Ziele: Jedes Ehepaar soll nach dem Willen des türkischen Ministerpräsidenten drei Kinder bekommen. Sonst werde es dem Land in 30 Jahren sehr schlecht gehen, sagte Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Gegen die sinkende Geburtenrate will der Regierungschef jetzt eine Babyprämie einführen.

Der türkische Ministerpräsident Recep Tayyip Erdogan will die sinkende Geburtenrate in der Türkei mit einer Babyprämie ankurbeln.

Jedes Ehepaar solle mindestens drei Kinder bekommen, sonst werde es dem Land bis zum Jahr 2038 wegen Überalterung schlecht ergehen, zitierte die türkischen Tageszeitung „Radikal“ den islamisch-konservativen Regierungschef am Montag. In der Türkei ist das Bevölkerungswachstum aktuell auf etwa 1,5 Prozent gesunken, wie in anderen Ländern Folge des steigenden Wohlstandes. >>> dpa/fas | Montag, 10. Mai 2010

Angela Merkel's Coalition Loses Majority in Upper House, Exit Polls Indicate
THE TELEGRAPH: German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s centre-right coalition has suffered defeat in a state election costing it its majority in the upper house, according to exit polls.

If confirmed, voters in the western region of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) handed Mrs Merkel’s coalition defeat, only days after parliament approved the collosal loan package for Greece.

Mrs Merkel’s Christian Democrats won around 34 percent with coalition allies the Free Democrats (FDP) polling 6.5 percent, leaving them well short of a majority in the state legislature.

Meanwhile, the opposition centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) also polled around 34 percent, the Greens 12.5 percent and the relatively new political outfit, the far-left Linke party, scored six percent.

The centre-right’s loss means the coalition will be deprived of its majority in the Bundesrat upper house, hobbling Mrs Merkel’s ability to push through key reforms in Europe’s top economy.

“I can only warn the CDU against trying to put a positive spin on this result. It is a huge disappointment,” said Wolfgang Bosbach, a leading member of her party.

“We have clearly fallen short of our goal of maintaining our coalition in NRW.” >>> Telegraph Foreign Staff | Sunday, May 09, 2010

LE FIGARO: Angela Merkel perd sa majorité à la chambre haute : La défaite de son parti en Rhénanie-du-Nord-Westphalie pourrait à terme entraîner des élections anticipées. >>> Par Patrick Saint-Paul | Dimanche 09 Mai 2010

WELT ONLINE: Kommentar – Wahl-Desaster ist ein schwerer Dämpfer für Merkel: Die Niederlage von Ministerpräsident Jürgen Rüttgers in Nordrhein-Westfalen ist auch eine Niederlage für die Bundeskanzlerin. Die CDU wollte nach allen Seiten koalitionsfähig sein, ohne sich dazu zu bekennen. Angela Merkels Versuch, eine austarierte Volkspartei nach links zu zwingen, hat sich für die Union nicht ausgezahlt. >>> Von Torsten Krauel | Sonntag, 09. Mai 2010

TIMES ONLINE: German voters deliver poll blow to Merkel amid discontent over aid to Greece: Angela Merkel appeared to have suffered a blow last night when her Christian Democratic Party recorded its worst result in crucial regional elections. >>> Roger Boyes | Monday, May 10, 2010

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: German Election Delivers Setback to Merkel Party: BERLIN—Chancellor Angela Merkel's center-right alliance suffered a stinging defeat in a crucial regional election Sunday amid a voter backlash against German financial aid for Greece, adding to Ms. Merkel's woes as her government grapples with the mounting debt crisis in the euro zone. >>> Marcus Walker | Monday, May 10, 2010

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