Israeli Rabbis Clamp Down On Burka
THE TELEGRAPH: Israeli rabbis are to clamp down on the growing number of devout Jewish women wearing the burka by declaring the garment an item of sexual deviancy.

The move was prompted by the husbands of some burka-wearing women. Photo: The Telegraph
At the insistence of the husbands of some burka-wearing women, a leading rabbinical authority is to issue an edict declaring burka wearing a sexual fetish that is as promiscuous as wearing too little.

A small group of ultra-orthodox Jews in the town of Beit Shemesh chose to don the burka, usually associated with women in repressive Islamist regimes, three years ago in a bid to protect their modesty.

Since then, the habit has spread to five other Israeli towns causing alarm among ultra-orthodox religious leaders who once saw it as a relatively harmless eccentricity – even though the number of Jewish burka wearers is not thought to be more than a few hundred.

“There is a real danger that by exaggerating, you are doing the opposite of what is intended [resulting in] severe transgressions in sexual matters,” Shlomo Pappenheim, a member of the rabbinical authority preparing to make the edict, was quoted as saying. >>> Adrian Blomfield in Jerusalem | Friday, July 30, 2010

Islamische Gerichte sind in England legal
SCHWEIZER FERNSEHEN: Wer an Scharia hört, denkt an die Steinigung von Ehebrecherinnen. Tatsächlich steht die Scharia in manchen Teilen im Widerspruch zu den Menschenrechten. Trotzdem gibt es in Grossbritannien seit Jahrzehnten legale Schariah-Gerichte. Doch auch Muslime kritisieren diese religiöse Sondergerichte.

British Muslims Demand Sharia Law

British Muslims Want to Take Over the UK


TELEGRAPH – BLOG – ANDREW GILLIGAN: Fundamentalists one step closer to power: Lutfur Rahman, the politician who was three times barred by the Labour Party from its shortlist for the powerful elected mayoralty of Tower Hamlets, is today back on the list after a legal challenge. >>> Andrew Gilligan | Friday, July 30, 2010

Editorial: Breaking a Promise on Surveillance
THE NEW YORK TIMES: It is just a technical matter, the Obama administration says: We just need to make a slight change in a law to make clear that we have the right to see the names of anyone’s e-mail correspondents and their Web browsing history without the messy complication of asking a judge for permission.

It is far more than a technical change. The administration’s request, reported Thursday in The Washington Post, is an unnecessary and disappointing step backward toward more intrusive surveillance from a president who promised something very different during the 2008 campaign. …



… President Obama campaigned for office on an explicit promise to rein in these abuses. “There is no reason we cannot fight terrorism while maintaining our civil liberties,” his campaign wrote in a 2008 position paper. “As president, Barack Obama would revisit the Patriot Act to ensure that there is real and robust oversight of tools like National Security Letters, sneak-and-peek searches, and the use of the material witness provision.”

Where is the “robust oversight” that voters were promised? Earlier this year, the administration successfully pushed for crucial provisions of the Patriot Act to be renewed for another year without changing a word. Voters had every right to expect the president would roll back authority that had been clearly abused, like national security letters. But instead of implementing reasonable civil liberties protections, like taking requests for e-mail surveillance before a judge, the administration is proposing changes to the law that would allow huge numbers of new electronic communications to be examined with no judicial oversight.

Democrats in Congress can remind Mr. Obama of his campaign promises by refusing this request. Read it all here >>> | Thursday, July 29, 2010

Michael Bublé: Cry Me A River (Official Video)

Argentine Couples Wed Under New Gay Marriage Law
ASSOCIATED PRESS: BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — An architect and a retired office worker are the first couple to wed under Argentina's historic law legalizing same-sex marriage.

Jose Luis Navarro and Miguel Angel Calefato said "I do" Friday morning in the city of Frias, Santiago del Estero Province, shortly after the law took effect.

They have been partners for 27 years. >>> AP | Friday, July 30, 2010

ADVOCATE.COM: Gay Couples Wed in Argentina: The first couples have tied the knot under Argentina’s historic law legalizing same-sex marriage. >>> Advocate.com Editors | Friday, July 30, 2010

Nicolas Sarkozy Threatens to Strip Citizenship from Immigrants Who Target Police *
THE TELEGRAPH: President Nicolas Sarkozy has given warning that France will strip French nationality from any immigrant who uses violence against police or public officials.

French president Nicolas Sarkozy. Photo: The Telegraph
"French nationality should be stripped from anybody who has threatened the life of a police officer or anybody involved in public policing," Mr Sarkozy said.

Speaking in the eastern city of Grenoble, scene in recent weeks of clashes between police and armed rioters, Mr Sarkozy said that foreign minors who commit crimes would henceforth find it harder to get citizenship on coming of age.

And he promised to review the welfare payments made to non-documented immigrants living in France, in a speech made amid renewed accusations that he had swerved to the right to distract from his political woes. >>> | Friday, July 30, 2010

* Is Nicolas Sarkozy the only politician with balls in the West? – © Mark

TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: Sarkozy: «La nationalité française se mérite» : IMMIGRÉS NATURALISÉS | Le président français veut pouvoir déchoir de leur nationalité les Français d’origine étrangère en cas d’atteinte à la vie d’un policier. >>> AP | Vendredi 30 Juillet 2010

Shock TIME Cover Illustrates the Plight of Women Under the Taliban
GUARDIAN – BLOG – GREENSLADE: Time magazine's latest issue carries this disturbing cover image. It's a portrait of Aisha, a shy 18-year-old Afghan woman who was sentenced by a Taliban commander to have her nose and ears cut off for fleeing her abusive in-laws.

Aisha posed for the picture because she wants the world to see the effect a Taliban resurgence would have on the women of Afghanistan.

Her picture is accompanied by a powerful story on how Afghan women have embraced the freedoms that have come from the defeat of the Taliban — and how they fear a Taliban revival.

Richard Stengel, Time's managing editor, writes: "I thought long and hard about whether to put this image on the cover... First, I wanted to make sure of Aisha's safety and that she understood what it would mean to be on the cover. Continue reading and comment >>> Roy Greenslade | Friday, July 30, 2010

TIME: The Plight of Afghan Women: A Disturbing Picture >>> Richard Stengel, Managing Editor | Thursday, July 29, 2010

TIME: Women of Afghanistan: Living Under the Taliban Threat – Photographer Jodi Bieber meets the extraordinary women of a war-torn nation >>>

Photographing Aisha for the Cover of TIME

Imran Khan Says David Cameron Is Making Pakistan a Scapegoat for Afghanistan Failures
THE TELEGRAPH: David Cameron is trying to make Pakistan a scapegoat for the failure of the war in Afghanistan, former cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan has said.



During a trip to India, the Prime Minister accused the country of promoting the "export of terror" in Afghanistan and around the world.

Mr Khan compared the treatment of Pakistan with that of Cambodia during the Vietnam war.

"There is obviously a lot of anger in Pakistan at David Cameron's statement because here people feel this country is the biggest sufferer of terrorism," he told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme.

"We are being blamed for the complete failure of the Afghanistan campaign, this doomed campaign. Pakistan has become the scapegoat. Pakistan has become what Cambodia was in the Vietnam War.

"The failure in Vietnam was blamed on Cambodia and Cambodia was destroyed by the bombing. Today Pakistan is being bombed by its ally, the US... killing mostly innocent people." >>> Rosa Prince, Political Correspondent, in Bangalore and Rob Crilly in Islamabad | Friday, July 30, 2010

Liban : Le président syrien et le roi saoudien à Beyrouth pour apaiser les tensions
LE TEMPS: Le président syrien Bachar al-Assad, qui effectue sa première visite au Liban depuis l’assassinat de l’ex-premier ministre Rafic Hariri, est arrivé vendredi à Beyrouth. Il était accompagné du roi saoudien Abdallah pour une mission conjointe destinée à apaiser les tensions.

Les deux dirigeants sont arrivés en début d’après-midi à l’aéroport international de Beyrouth à bord du même avion, celui du roi saoudien, en provenance de Damas, où ils s’étaient entretenus la veille.

Ils ont été accueillis par le président libanais Michel Sleimane, le premier ministre Saad Hariri, un proche de Ryad, le président du Parlement Nabih Berri, plusieurs ministres, dont un représentant le Hezbollah, et d’autres officiels. >>> ATS | Vendredi 30 Juillet 2010

Die meisten Pakistaner sehen in den USA einen Feind: Laut Umfrage einhellige Ablehnung von Drohnenangriffen auf mutmassliche Extremisten
NZZ ONLINE: Trotz massiver Unterstützung sehen einer Umfrage zufolge die meisten Pakistaner in den USA einen Feind. Fast sechs von zehn in einer Umfrage des US-Meinungsforschungsinstituts Pew befragten Personen äusserten diese Einschätzung, nur einer von zehn sah in den USA einen Partner.

Das geht aus einer Umfrage hervor, die Pew im April bei 2000 Pakistanern in Regionen des asiatischen Landes durchführte, die 84 Prozent der Bevölkerung repräsentieren. In den Stammesgebieten zur afghanischen Grenze fanden keine der persönlichen Befragungen statt, teilte Pew bei Vorstellung des Ergebnisses am Donnerstag in Washington mit.

Seit den Anschlägen vom 11. September 2001 sind viele Milliarden Dollar US-Finanzhilfe zur Antiterror-Bekämpfung nach Pakistan geflossen, allein in diesem Jahr wurden 7,5 Milliarden Dollar für die nächsten fünf Jahre freigegeben. Dennoch bezweifelten in der Pew-Umfrage ein Viertel der Befragten, dass die USA wesentliche Unterstützung gäben. Ein Viertel sagte, die USA gäben wenig, zehn Prozent erklärten, Washington gebe kaum etwas. Weiter lesen und einen Kommentar schreiben >>> ddp | Donnerstag, 29. Juli 2010

Egg-throwing Extremist Who Shouted 'Cameron's Bitch' at Muslim Tory Minister Is Jailed
MAIL ONLINE: A Muslim convert who pelted a Tory peer with eggs was jailed for six weeks yesterday.

Gavin Reid, 23, targeted Baroness Warsi as Islamic extremists shouted abuse at her, including 'Cameron's bitch', in a 'planned and deliberate' confrontation.

At least three eggs were hurled at the high-profile champion of Muslim women's rights, one of which broke on her face, soiling her hair and jacket.

At the time of the attack last November, Baroness Warsi - now chairman of the Conservative Party and one of David Cameron's rising stars - was on a visit to Luton with a Tory election candidate.

The group of ten protesters shouted abuse in English and Urdu at the Dewsbury-born former solicitor, accusing her of not being a proper Muslim and supporting the deaths of civilians in Afghanistan. They also demanded the introduction of Sharia law, the Islamic code of conduct, in Britain.

Former removals man Reid, of Luton, was found guilty of an offence under the Public Order Act yesterday at City of Westminster Magistrates Court in London.

Sentencing, District Judge Elizabeth-Roscoe said: 'Throwing eggs goes beyond legitimate political protest and is quite clearly disorderly behaviour, and it is also threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour.' >>> David Wilkes | Thursday, July 29, 2010

Muslim Brides Becoming Virgins Again with Hymen Replacement Operations on the NHS
MAIL ONLINE: Increasing numbers of Muslim brides are having taxpayer-funded ‘virginity repair’ operations before marriage.

There were 116 hymen replacement operations carried out on the NHS between 2005 and 2009. The total for 2009 was 30, up 25 per cent from 24 in 2005.

The health service figures echo a trend reported by private clinics, which are seeing a huge surge in demand for the procedure from Muslim women paying up to £4,000.

One Harley Street clinic said that demand for its half-hour procedure had tripled in recent months.

Doctors say patients are under pressure from future husbands or relatives who insist that they should be virgins on their wedding night.

Critics, including moderate Muslim groups, have condemned the trend as a sign of the spread of Islamic fundamentalism in the West.

During the hymenoplasty procedure – viewed by some as invasive and degrading – the hymen is stitched or reconstructed so that it will tear again and bleed on the woman’s wedding night.

In some cases, the vaginal lining can be used to create a false hymen. A blood capsule can then be inserted into the lining to ensure realistic blood flow when the membrane is broken. >>> Claire Ellicott | Thursday, July 29, 2010

Smoking Ban Extension That Would Outlaw Lighting Up Outside Pubs Is Axed
MAIL ONLINE: Smokers will continue lighting up outside pubs and offices after ministers yesterday scrapped plans to extend the ban.

The last government had proposed enlarging ‘smoke-free’ zones to include the areas around building entrances, but this has been shelved.

Anne Milton, public health minister, said: ‘We have studied the smokefree legislation and decided not to proceed with the planned review.’ >>> Sophie Borland | Thursday, July 29, 2010

Indian Lecturer Barred from Teaching by Students for Refusing Burka
THE TELEGRAPH: A female lecturer has been prevented from teaching at a Muslim university in eastern India by students demanding that she wear a burka, according to a report.

Aliah University in Calcutta is the first Muslim university in India's West Bengal state and has no formal dress code, but its student union has demanded that female teachers cover themselves with a Muslim veil in class.

Sirin Middya told the Indian Express she had refused to comply and had been prevented from teaching for three months.

"Most of the teachers do not like the diktat of the students to wear the burka, but they have no option but to accept it," she told the newspaper. "This is the Talibanisation of educational premises and there is no one to come to our rescue." >>> | Thursday, July 29, 2010

Barack Obama Criticised Over Daytime TV Appearance
THE TELEGRAPH: Barack Obama became the first sitting US President to appear on a daytime chat show as he attempted to reach out to ordinary Americans following a slump in his opinion poll ratings.

During the unprecedented appearance he was hoping to appeal to so-called "soccer moms" who are being heavily courted by the Republican and answered questions on family life and even the misfortunes of the actress Lindsay Lohan.

Critics have accused Mr Obama of demeaning the office of President by appearing on the sofa of ABC's "The View" alongside the veteran interviewer, Barbara Walters, and Whoopi Goldberg[.] >>> Robert Winnett, Washington | Thursday, July 29, 2010

Is This Man the President of the USA, Or Is He a Media Star?

Britain to Be Biggest Country in Europe by 2050
THE TELEGRAPH: Britain will be the biggest country in Europe by 2050, overtaking both France and Germany, according to official projections.

Britain will see its population swell from today's 62.2 million to 77 million, an increase of 24 per cent.

This will make it bigger than France, projected to be 70 million and Germany, which is predicted to have 71.5 million citizens.

The forecasts come form the Population Reference Bureau, a US body which supplies data to governments and institutions around the world.

The predictions suggest that Britain will see its population increase over the next 40 years at a far faster rate than nearly every other European country. The extra 15 million equates to the combined populations of Glasgow, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool being added to the total national population over the next two generations.

Britain's population has started to climb sharply in recent years. Last year the Office for National Statistics indicated that mothers had more children than at any time since 1973.

Immigrant mothers accounted for more than half of the increase in births, but the fertility rate among British-born women also rose sharply. >>> Harry Wallop, Consumer Affairs Editor | Thursday, July 29, 2010

David Miliband Calls the Prime Minister a 'Loudmouth'
THE TELEGRAPH: David Miliband has criticised Prime Minister David Cameron, accusing him of being a ''loudmouth'' over his remarks about Pakistan's record on terrorism.

The former Foreign Secretary was speaking as the row continued over comments Mr Cameron made during his trip to India.

Mr Miliband said there was a ''big difference between straight talking and being a loudmouth'' as he claimed Mr Cameron had been ''going off script'' in recent public statements.

The Labour leadership contender said everyone had ''two ears and one mouth'' and it was important to use them ''in that proportion'' when it came to foreign policy.

Mr Cameron caused anger in Islamabad when he warned that Pakistan should not be allowed ''to promote the export of terror'' in the world.

But the Prime Minister denied his comments had overshadowed his trip and maintained that he had good relations with Pakistan, whose president will be visiting him at his country retreat, Chequers, next week.

''I don't think it's overshadowed anything,'' he said. ''I think it's important to speak frankly and clearly about these issues. I have always done that in the past and will do so in the future.'' >>> | Thursday, July 29, 2010

THE TELEGRAPH: David Cameron and Manmohan Singh call on Pakistan to tackle terrorism: Manmohan Singh, the Indian prime minister, and David Cameron have called on Pakistan to tackle terrorist groups operating from its territory. >>> | Thursday, July 29, 2010

Oxford University Lecturer 'Discriminated Against' After Converting to Christianity
THE TELEGRAPH: A lecturer at Oxford University’s centre for Jewish studies claims colleagues discriminated against her after she converted to Christianity.

Dr Tali Argov says she was overlooked for promotion, stripped of her privileges and cold-shouldered at social gatherings.

She says staff wanted to vet her lectures to make sure that, as a Christian, she would not criticise Israel.

Eventually she claims she was made redundant from her post at the prestigious Oxford Centre for Hebrew & Jewish Studies, despite offering to take on new roles.

“It is my belief that, following firstly the conversion of my husband and then the conversion of myself, the treatment which I received as an employee of the Respondents was very different and a number of incidents occurred which led me to believe that I was being discriminated against,” Dr Argov told Reading Employment Tribunal hearing this week.

Dr Argov told the hearing, where she is claiming unfair dismissal and discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief, that she and her husband, Eran, were raised in the Jewish faith and lived in Israel until he was offered a place at Brasenose College, Oxford, to write a doctoral thesis.

They moved to England in 1996 and in 2000 Dr Argov, then studying for a PhD at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, was offered the full-time post of Lector of Modern Hebrew at the Oxford Centre for Hebrew & Jewish Studies. The centre is independent but its students are part of the traditional Oxford college system.

Dr Argov said she was welcomed and appreciated but the “honeymoon” ended after her husband was baptised into the Church of England in 2005, after which time “all those kind, heart-warming gestures disappeared overnight” and she was “considered guilty by association”.

Dr Argov also converted from Judaism to Anglicanism in January 2008, having become “actively engaged” with St Mary Magdalene church in the centre of Oxford, but did not dare tell her parents until after the event. >>> Martin Beckford, Religious Affairs Correspondent | Thursday, July 29, 2010