Garland of Arabia: The Forgotten Story of TE Lawrence's Brother-in-Arms
THE TELEGRAPH: He was a mentor to Lawrence of Arabia, a maverick explosives expert who played a pivotal role in the Arab insurgency against the Ottoman Empire.

But the part that Major Herbert Garland, a British scientist turned soldier, played in the First World War has largely been ignored, airbrushed from history in the wake of his more famous brother-in-arms.

Now the Royal Society of Chemistry is to finally commemorate the army officer who wrecked his health leading the Arab rebellion before dying forgotten and almost penniless in Gravesend aged just 38.

Dr Richard Pike, chief executive of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), said he was a very rare and "courageous soldier" who was admired by TE Lawrence for his daring and cleverness.

“I am pleased that we are remembering him now, even if it is nine decades after his rather lonely death, far from the desert where his reputation should have been made, as it was with Lawrence, who had learned so much from him,” he said. >>> Richard Alleyne, Science Correspondent | Friday, July 30, 2010

Photo of a historic protest in New York. Photograph: Google Images
Debate Heating Up on Plans for Mosque Near Ground Zero
THE NEW YORK TIMES: An influential Jewish organization on Friday announced its opposition to a proposed Islamic center and mosque two blocks north of ground zero in Lower Manhattan, intensifying a fierce national debate about the limits of religious freedom and the meaning of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The decision by the group, the Anti-Defamation League, touched off angry reactions from a range of religious groups, which argued that the country would show its tolerance and values by welcoming the center near the site where radical Muslims killed about 2,750 people.

But the unexpected move by the ADL, a mainstream group that has denounced what it saw as bigoted attacks on plans for the Muslim center, could well be a turning point in the battle over the project.

In New York, where ground zero has slowly blended back into the fabric of the city, government officials appear poised to approve plans for the sprawling complex, which would have as many as 15 stories and would house a prayer space, a performing arts center, a pool and a restaurant.

But around the country opposition is mounting, fueled in part by Republican leaders and conservative pundits. Sarah Palin, the 2008 Republican vice-presidential nominee, has urged “peace-seeking Muslims” to reject the center, branding it an “unnecessary provocation.” A Republican political action committee has produced a television commercial assailing the proposal. And former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has decried it in speeches.

The complex’s rapid evolution from a local zoning dispute into a national referendum highlights the intense and unsettled emotions that still surround the World Trade Center site nine years after the attacks.

To many New Yorkers, especially in Manhattan, it is a construction zone, passed during the daily commute or glimpsed through office windows. To some outside of the city, though, it stands as a hallowed battlefield that must be shielded and memorialized.

Those who are fighting the project argue that building a house of Muslim worship so close to ground zero is at best an affront to the families of those who died there and at worst an act of aggression that would, they say, mark the place where radical Islam achieved a blow against the United States. >>> Michael Barbaro | Friday, July 30, 2010

Episcopal Committee Is Working on Gay Rite
THE NEW YORK TIMES: Armed with a new $400,000 grant and the support of the Episcopal Church, a Berkeley seminary is convening priests from across the country to craft the liturgical rite for same-sex couples to receive religious blessings.

The new rite, which will take years to complete, will most likely consist of a series of original prayers, Bible readings and two essays: one on the theological meaning of same-sex blessings, and one advising priests who administer the new rite. If approved, the new blessing would be just the third addition to Episcopal liturgy since 1979.

“This is very significant,” said the Rev. Ruth Meyers, chairwoman of the church’s Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, who is heading the effort. “It does acknowledge a fuller participation of gays and lesbians in the life of the church.” >>> Richard Parks | Thursday, July 29, 2010

As Some Young Muslims Turn to Radicalism, Concern Grows
THE NEW YORK TIMES: FRANKFURT — Before Abi left her parents’ house in northern Germany last year, she asked her father, “Daddy, what can I bring you from my journey?” He looked up from his book and answered, “Some perfumed oil.” “Will do,” she said, hugging him goodbye.

He is still waiting, more than a year later, for her to return.

Abi, now 23, and her husband never made the trip they said they had planned to Saudi Arabia to visit Mecca and Medina. Instead they became part of a growing number of young Muslims from Germany and other European countries who travel to the Pakistan-Afghanistan border region, eventually ending up in the camps of groups affiliated with Al Qaeda or the Taliban.

One German man, Eric Breininger, was later reported killed in a battle with Pakistani troops.

A Turkish-language Web site announced that in recent days nine foreign fighters were killed as they traveled to carry out operations with the Taliban. Two of them were identified as Germans, from Bonn and Berlin.

Others have been arrested on a variety of charges. In one case, several people were convicted of planning attacks against American military facilities in Germany.

Intelligence officials are concerned that the young people, most in their 20s, will be used by the militants for propaganda purposes or trained to take up arms. They also worry that some will slip back into Germany to recruit others or to join sleeper cells and ultimately commit acts of terrorism.

“This is a very dangerous situation and German security services are very nervous about it,” said Guido Steinberg, terrorism expert of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs in Berlin. “Al Qaeda and other organizations have put Germany on their target priority list as one of the top places.” >>> Souad Mekhennet | Friday, July 30, 2010

Berlusconi schmeisst Erzrivalen Fini aus Partei
SCHWEIZER FERNSEHEN: Italiens Ministerpräsident Silvio Berlusconi wirft Gianfranco Fini aus der Partei. Damit läutet dieser einen möglichen Regierungszusammenbruch ein. Einschätzungen von Gianluca Galgani, SF-Korrespondent, in Rom

Griechenland ohne Benzin
SCHWEIZER FERNSEHEN: Wegen des seit Tagen andauernden Streik griechischer Tanklastwagenfahrer bleiben die Tankstellen trocken.

In Russland wütet das ewige Feuer
SCHWEIZER FERNSEHEN: Wegen der langen Hitzeperiode sind in Russland mehrere Waldbrände ausgebrochen. Mehr als 20 Menschen wurden dabei schon getötet. Einschätzungen von Christof Franzen, SF-Korrespondent, in Moskau


Verbunden / Related >>>

Chelsea Clinton: Teure Hochzeit steht bevor
SCHWEIZER FERNSEHEN: Am Samstag heiratet die frühere Präsidententochter Chelsea Clinton den Investmentbanker Marc Mezvinsky. Es wird die wohl spektakulärste US-Hochzeit des Jahres.

Chelsea Clinton mit Marc Mezvinsky: Allein der Blumenschmuck ihrer Hochzeit soll von 300'000 Franken kosten. Foto: Schweizer Fernsehen
Wahnsinnig romantisch und ganz sicher wahnsinnig teuer: Chelsea Clintons Hochzeit schlägt alle Rekorde. Während eine Hochzeit in den Vereinigten Staaten üblicherweise um die 24'000 Dollar (knapp 25'000 Franken) kostet, beläuft sich der Aufwand bei Chelsea nach Schätzungen von Hochzeitsexperten auf mehrere Millionen Dollar. Allein die Torte könnte demnach 20'800 Franken kosten.

Designerkleid für Chelsea Clinton soll über 20'000 Franken kosten

Sally Kilbridge, stellvertretende Chefredakteurin der Zeitschrift «Brides», rechnet damit, dass Chelsea Clinton ein Kleid der bekannten US-Designerin Vera Wang tragen wird. Schliesslich sei sie dabei fotografiert worden, wie sie in eine New Yorker Boutique der Designerin ging. Ein massgeschneidertes Kleid von Wang kostet um die 20'800 Franken, wie Kilbridge erklärt. Auch beim Blumenschmuck werde sich Chelsea nicht zurückhalten, glaubt Kilbridge, er falle sicher sehr glamourös aus. Kosten in Höhe von 300'000 Franken hält die Redakteurin für denkbar. Dies sei gar nicht mal so viel Geld, wenn man bedenke, dass US-Unternehmer Donald Trump sich die Blumen bei seiner Hochzeit über eine halbe Million Franken habe kosten lassen. Weiter lesen und einen Kommentar schreiben >>> | Freitag, 30. Juli 2010

Clintons Prepare for Chelsea's Wedding
THE TELEGRAPH: Bill and Hillary Clinton sent the town of Rhinebeck into a frenzy as they gathered with friends and family ahead of daughter Chelsea's wedding.

Arm in arm, Mr and Mrs Clinton descended from their blacked-out car and quickly went into the hotel. Photo: The Telegraph
The Clintons arrived at the Beekman Arms Hotel, where many of their guests are thought to be staying, shortly before 11pm.

Arm in arm, Mr and Mrs Clinton descended from their blacked-out car – the former First Lady, wearing a long green dress, waved to the cheering crowd waiting behind metal barricades – and quickly went into the hotel. The couple left about a half-hour later.

Earlier in the day, the former president of the USA made an appearance around lunchtime, popping out of a car and walking to a restaurant, greeting people on his way.

"We love it here," he said to well-wishers who called out to him.

"Chelsea loves the area as well."

Asked what he thinks of his daughter's fiancé, Marc Mezvinsky, Mr Clinton replied: "I like him very much, I really do. I admire him. Hillary feels the same way."

The sight of an ex-president captivated many in the crowd. >>> | Saturday, July 31, 2010

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: Is Chelsea Clinton Setting a Bad Example? >>> Brett Arends | Friday, July 30, 2010

Helen Thomas Statue Campaign Stirs Controversy
DETROIT FREE PRESS: The Arab American National Museum in Dearborn has launched a fund-raising drive to pay for a statue of legendary journalist Helen Thomas that concerns some in the Jewish community.

Thomas, a former White House correspondent and native Detroiter born to Lebanese immigrants, was forced to quit her job at Hearst Newspapers last month after saying Israelis should "get the hell out of Palestine." She apologized.

On Tuesday, the museum started a 45-day campaign to raise the remaining $10,000 for the roughly $30,000 statue. Some in the Jewish community are wary of honoring Thomas.

"I just hope that the support for this memorial is there despite her anti-Israel and anti-Semitic views and not because of them," said Richard Nodel, president of the Jewish Community Relations Council.

Anan Ameri, director of the museum, said she disagrees with her comments, but Thomas "spent her life ... doing a lot of good things." >>> Niraj Warikoo, Free Press Staff Writer | Thursday, July 29, 2010

HT: Weasel Zippers >>>

Cameron Backs Turkey EU Membership *
SKY NEWS: On his first official visit to Turkey David Cameron has pledged to support the country's bid for EU membership.



* Yes, Mr Cameron, and it makes us angry that we are being led by weak and ill-informed politicians like you who are not prepared to safeguard our Judeo-Christian civilization from the onslaught of Islam! And believe me, it will be one huge onslaught if Turkey is allowed into the EU. It’s bad enough as things stand. You people do nothing to stop the destruction of Western values. That makes us angry!

It is to be hoped that Germany and France will continue to thwart the efforts of the arrogant British establishment who are working assiduously to bring Turkey into the EU against the wishes of the majority of the British people. The Foreign Office and politicians like you, Mr Cameron, should be working FOR the people, not AGAINST them, since after all is said and done, it’s the taxpayer that keeps you people in employment.

So a little less arrogance and a little more listening to the wishes of the electorate would go a hell of a long way. – © Mark

Immigration Law Divides The US
SKY NEWS: Barack Obama has won the first round in his fight against a controversial new immigration law in Arizona. Opponents claim parts of the law requiring police to find out the immigration status of all they arrest is 'racial profiling'. Greg Milam reports.

Cameron Defends Pakistan 'Terror' Comments
SKY NEWS: In an interview with Sky News' political editor Adam Boulton, David Cameron has defended his Pakistan 'terror' comments.

Women 'View Modesty as Sign of Weakness'
THE TELEGRAPH: Women are attracted to macho men and see modesty as a sign of evolutionary weakness, a study has shown.

Research suggested that females have found the rise of the 'more feminine man', or 'metrosexual', a big turn-off. Photo: The Telegraph
Research suggested that females have found the rise of the “more feminine man”, or “metrosexual”, a big turn-off.

Women see modesty amonsgt men as a poor character trait that could adversely affect their employability or earnings potential.

The study of 132 female and 100 male student volunteers found, however, that men did not view female modesty negatively. >>> Peter Hutchison | Friday, July 30, 2010

Chavez affirme avoir déployé des troupes militaires à la frontière avec la Colombie
Hugo Chavez a également annoncé la création d'une nouvelle "région militaire" à la frontière avec la Colombie. Photo : Le Monde
LE MONDE: Après avoir rompu les relations diplomatiques avec son voisin colombien la semaine dernière, le président vénézuélien Hugo Chavez a affirmé, vendredi 30 juillet, que son pays avait déployé des unités d'infanterie et de l'armée de l'air à la frontière avec la Colombie, en prévision d'une éventuelle attaque de cette dernière.

"Nous avons déployé des troupes, de l'armée de l'air (...) de l'infanterie, mais en silence parce que nous ne voulons déranger personne dans la population", a-t-il déclaré par téléphone à la télévision d'Etat VTV, sans donner de détails sur les troupes déployées. "Uribe [président sortant de Colombie] est capable de n'importe quoi dans les jours qui lui restent [au pouvoir] (...) Cela est devenu une menace de guerre et nous ne voulons pas la guerre", a poursuivi M. Chavez. Arrivé au terme de son dernier mandat, Alvaro Uribe transmettra ses pouvoirs le 7 août à son successeur élu Juan Manuel Santos. >>> LEMONDE.FR avec AFP et Reuters | Samedi 31 Juillet 2010

Gaza-Streifen: Hamas verbannt Damenunterwäsche aus Schaufenstern
ZEIT ONLINE: Die islamistische Hamas hat ein neues Verbot verhängt, um die öffentliche Moral wieder herzustellen: Damenunterwäsche darf nicht mehr in Schaufenstern ausgestellt werden.

Eine muslimische Frau steht vor einem Schaufenster, in dem Unterwäsche ausgestellt wird. Bild: Zeit Online
Die im Gaza-Streifen herrschende Hamas-Organisation hat Damenunterwäsche in Schaufenstern verboten. Damit solle die öffentliche Moral in der palästinensischen Gesellschaft wieder hergestellt werden, sagte Polizeisprecher Aiman Batnidschi in Gaza.

Unter das Verbot fallen auch Schaufensterpuppen. Darüber hinaus müssen Ladenbesitzer künftig Sicherheitskameras abschalten und die Türen zu ihren Geschäften offen halten. Polizisten würden Ausschau halten, ob es zwischen Verkäufern und Kundinnen zu einem "verdächtigen Verhalten" komme, sagte der Sprecher. Er wies zugleich Vorwürfe zurück, die Hamas wolle die Gesellschaft weiter islamisieren. Weiter lesen und einen Kommentar schreiben >>> Zeit Online, dpa | Donnerstag, 29. Juli 2010

Iran Stoning Sentence Woman Asks to Be Reunited with Her Children
THE GUARDIAN: Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani's supporters call for support to free her from prison, after sentence was changed to hanging

The Iranian woman whose sentence of death by stoning was commuted to hanging after an international campaign, today sent a message from inside Tabriz prison calling for further support so that she might be reunited with her children.

Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, a 43-year-old mother of two, said she thinks of nothing other than hugging her children and that she was mentally broken when authorities flogged her 99 times in front of her then 17-year-old son, Sajad.

She thanked the world for launching the campaign for her release but said part of her "heart is frozen". "Every night before I go to sleep, I think who would throw stones at me?", she said.

The message was read by Mina Ahadi, of the Iran Committee against Stoning (ICAS), at a press conference in Conway Hall, in London, this morning.

"Put Sakineh's picture beside Neda Agha-Soltan's and don't let Iran repeat what it did with Neda again with Sakineh," said Ahadi, an Iranian human rights activist. Agha-Soltan was shot to death in the aftermath of Iran's disputed election in June 2009 and became a symbol of Iran's post-election rebellion. >>> Saeed Kamali Dehghan | Friday, July 30, 2010

Der Rabbi, der Israel abschaffen will
ZEIT ONLINE: Neturei Karta ist eine Gruppe ultraorthodoxer Juden, die gegen den Staat Israel kämpft. Ihr Leiter will Berater der palästinensischen Regierung werden.

Rabbi Meir Hirsh sitzt in seiner Wohnung in Me’a Sche’arim und wartet. Es ist das Viertel der ultraorthodoxen Juden in Jerusalem. Weiße Häuser, Balkone aus geschwungenen Eisenstangen, alles ein wenig schmuddelig. Putz bröckelt, auf manchen Hausmauern sind Graffiti zu sehen: eine palästinensische Flagge, ein Hakenkreuz. Ultraorthodoxe Juden eilen schnellen Schrittes durch die engen Gassen. Eine Treppe aus weißem Stein führt zur Wohnung von Rabbi Meir Hirsh. Er möchte Berater der palästinensischen Regierung werden.

"Ein Jude ist kein Zionist" steht auf seinem Klingelschild. Meir Hirsh trägt einen schwarzen Mantel, einen luftigen, langen weißroten Bart, die Judenlocken locken sich nicht. Auf dem Kopf sitzt ein Hut, auf der Nase eine dicke Hornbrille. Der Rabbi wartet auf einen Anruf, eine E-Mail, auf einen Brief von Palästinenserpräsident Mahmud Abbas. Mit ihm ist er in regem Kontakt, er will Berater der palästinensischen Regierung werden.

Seit drei Monaten leitet Rabbi Meir Hirsh die Organisation Neturei Karta, eine Gruppierung von ultraorthodoxen Juden, die gegen Israel kämpft. Die Errichtung des Staates Israels von Menschenhand spreche gegen die Thora. Hier steht geschrieben, dass erst nach Ankunft des Messias ein jüdischer Staat entsteht, durch göttliche Fügung. Bis dahin sei es Juden erlaubt hier zu leben, aber nur unter der Führung eines anderen Volkes. >>> Von Viktoria Kleber | Freitag, 30. Juli 2010

Fires Kill Dozens in Russia Heatwave
ABC News: Forest fires sweeping across eastern Russia have killed at least 25 people and the forced the evacuation of thousands in the hottest weather since records began 130 years ago.

Fanned by strong winds, fires ripped through woods and fields that have been scorched for weeks by a heatwave, incinerating hundreds of wooden houses.

"We don't know where to go," said Galina Shibanova, 52, standing outside her burning home in the town of Maslovka in the Voronezh region, about 500 kilometres south of Moscow.

"We called the emergency services, and not one person answered the phone," said Ms Shibanova.

Igor Vlasnev, head of the Voronezh region fire services, said the situation was expected to worsen on Saturday because of rising temperatures.

"Everyone is waiting, and wishing, for rain," he said.

"The forecast for tomorrow is that the situation will worsen both in terms of temperature and wind conditions, which are expected to change (on Saturday night)."

Russia has been sweltering since June in a heatwave that has destroyed crops and pushed thousands of farmers to the verge of bankruptcy. >>> Reuters | Saturday, July 31, 2010

Russia Mobilizes Army to Fight Deadly Fires

Pakistan Cancels Visit to Britain Over Cameron Terror Comments
THE TELEGRAPH: Pakistan's intelligence agency has cancelled planned talks with security experts in Britain following David Cameron's claim that elements within the country are promoting the export of terror, it is reported.

Mr Cameron's comments sparked outrage in Islamabad during this week's trip to India.

The decision precedes a three-day visit to the UK by Asif Ali Zardari, the Pakistani President, during which he is expected to stay with the Prime Minister at his country home, Chequers.

The Times reported that senior officers from Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) had been due to come to London for talks on counter-terrorism co-operation with British security services.

An ISI spokesman sadi: ''The visit has been cancelled in reaction to the comments made by the British Prime Minister against Pakistan.'' >>> | Saturday, July 31, 2010

David Cameron Should Speak Frankly About Britain's Own Terrorists
THE TELEGRAPH: David Cameron's outspoken comments about Pakistan smack of hypocrisy and grandstanding, says Charles Moore.

Since David Cameron is setting a fashion for being blunt, let's join in. He got his tour this week to Turkey and India wrong.

In advance, everyone was promised that British foreign policy would now be politically and financially realistic. It would eschew Blairite ambitions to put the world to rights. It would strengthen bilateral relations and boost trade. Diplomats would no longer be valued for their thoughtful telegrams about the situation in Ruritania, but by their ability to get out and sell British goods and services. We must cut our coat according to our cloth, was the message – and then flog the coat abroad.

And so it was that a huge party of ministers and businessmen accompanied the Prime Minister to the sub-continent, talking about contracts, green initiatives and universities.

But, by Wednesday, things were not going quite right. I was struck by a juxtaposition of stories in this newspaper. One carried the headline: "Gaza is like a prison camp, says PM." Next door, was a report in which Mr Cameron proclaimed that he was approaching India with "humility". Although the Gaza remarks were made in Turkey, not India, the stories did not sit happily together. Was Mr Cameron being blunt or humble? It's hard to be both at once.

When he actually reached India, he did not lower the temperature. Speaking in Bangalore, he said that "we cannot tolerate the idea that this country [Pakistan] is allowed to look both ways and is able… to promote the export of terror". The new Foreign Secretary, William Hague, tactfully explained that the Prime Minister "wasn't accusing anyone of double-dealing". But anyone not trained as a politician or diplomat could see that he was.

Faced with protests, Mr Cameron decided to defend himself. He was simply an honest man abroad, was the line. The British people, he said, did not expect him "to go around the world telling people what they wanted to hear".

Yet the fault in his "gaffes" had something to do with the fact that he was telling his immediate audience what it wanted to hear. In saying that Gaza was a "prison camp", without even mentioning Hamas, he was repeating the line of his host, the Turkish prime minister, Recep Erdogan. Mr Erdogan recently said: "I do not accept Hamas as a terrorist organisation", and one Hamas leader declared: "Mr Erdogan has become our voice." Everything, for Mr Erdogan and for Hamas, is the fault of Israel. Mr Cameron seemed to endorse this. Continue reading and comment >>> Charles Moore | Saturday, July 31, 2010

Nicolas Sarkozy Orders Air Sarko One Plane
THE TELEGRAPH: Nicolas Sarkozy's dream of having his own presidential jet to rival America's Air Force One are about to come true with "Air Sarko One", a £150 million aircraft complete with bedroom, air filter system so he can smoke cigars, and a shower.

Mr Sarkozy's 176 million euro (£147 million) purchase and refit of the jet from tourist airline Air Caraïbes has raised eyebrows. Photo: The Telegraph
The specially upholstered Airbus A330-200, has just been taken on its first test flight in Bordeaux, southwestern France, with all internal fittings due for completion by October.

The plane will also include a 12-man meeting room, 60 business class seats, top-grade encrypted communications systems, a reinforced fuselage and missile decoy system.

A fleet of smaller jets is also to replace the current Falcon 50 and 900 models at ministers' disposal. This includes two Falcon 7Xs, models often favoured by the world's jet set.

Presidential air force officials have dubbed it "Air Carla One" after his ex-supermodel wife.

The French leader is understood to have long envied the luxurious conditions in which Barack Obama, the US President flies across the world in his Boeing 747-200B, and has complained that his two smaller Airbus A319s lacked the necessary presidential stature. >>> Henry Samuel in Paris | Friday, July 30, 2010