The Stunning Decline of Barack Obama: 10 Key Reasons Why the Obama Presidency Is In Meltdown
THE TELEGRAPH – BLOGS – NILE GARDINER – An Extract: Growing disillusionment with the Obama administration’s handling of the economy as well as health care and immigration has gone hand in hand with mounting unhappiness with the President’s aloof and imperial style of leadership, and a growing perception that he is out of touch with ordinary Americans, especially at a time of significant economic pain. Barack Obama’s striking absence of natural leadership ability (and blatant lack of experience) has played a big part in undermining his credibility with the US public, with his lacklustre handling of the Gulf oil spill coming under particularly intense fire.

On the national security and foreign policy front, President Obama has not fared any better. His leadership on the war in Afghanistan has been confused and at times lacking in conviction, and seemingly dictated by domestic political priorities rather than military and strategic goals. His overall foreign policy has been an appalling mess, with his flawed strategy of engagement of hostile regimes spectacularly backfiring. And as for the War on Terror, his administration has not even acknowledged it is fighting one. Read it all and comment >>>

Condamnée à mort par lapidation, elle avoue tout à la télévision
TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: IRAN | Une Iranienne, dont la condamnation à mort par lapidation pour adultère a suscité l'indignation mondiale, a reconnu avoir été complice de l'assassinat de son mari.

Elle a admis avoir commis un adultère.

Dans une interview diffusée mercredi soir lors d'une émission politique dénonçant la "propagande des médias occidentaux", une femme présentée comme Sakineh Mohammadi-Ashtiani reconnaît qu'un homme avec lequel elle était en relation lui avait proposé de tuer son mari, et qu'elle a laissé cet homme commettre le meurtre lors duquel elle était présente.

Cette femme, qui parle en azéri (turc) et dont les propos sont traduits en persan, est enveloppée d'un tchador noir qui ne laisse apparaître que son nez et un oeil. Le responsable de la justice de la province d'Azerbaidjan oriental où l'affaire s'est déroulée en 2006, affirme lors de l'émission que Mme Mohammadi-Ashtiani a également endormi son mari en lui faisant une piqûre avant que le meurtrier ne l'électrocute. >>> ATS | Jeudi 12 Août 2010

Liens en relation avec l’article >>>

THE GUARDIAN: Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani 'confesses' to murder on Iran state TV: Lawyer says Ashtiani was tortured before interview recorded in Tabiz prison, and fears execution imminent >>> Saeed Kamali Dehghan | Thursday, August 12, 2010

Iranian Woman Sentenced to Be Stoned: Actress Shohreh Aghdashloo speaks out against the court-ordered stoning of a woman in Iran.


Condemned Iranian Woman Denounces Lawyer


Protesters Rally for Iranian Women

Jörg Haiders Wüstenspuren: Die Ära Schüssel in neuem Licht?
NZZ ONLINE: Die undurchsichtige Affäre um Jörg Haiders schwarze Konten in Liechtenstein ist um eine Facette reicher. In einem irakischen Dokument ist die Rede von Zahlungen des Diktators Saddam Hussein an Haider und einen Parteigenossen in Millionenhöhe.

Unbeirrt von den Dementis der Staatsanwaltschaft Vaduz und des deutschen Bundeskriminalamts zu den angeblichen schwarzen Konten des früheren Kärntner Landeshauptmanns Jörg Haider in Liechtenstein, setzt das österreichische Nachrichtenmagazin «Profil» seine seine Recherchen fort. Kleine Zuwendungen >>> Charles E. Ritterband, Wien | Mittwoch, 11. August 2010

Islamisten nutzen Notlage durch die Flut aus: Die Taliban in Pakistan wollen durch Hilfen für die Bevölkerung an Einfluss gewinnen
NZZ ONLINE: Die Islamisten in Pakistan versuchen, das Leid der Bevölkerung im Hochwassergebiet für ihre Zwecke zu nutzen. Als schnelle Helfer haben sie bereits Sympatien gewonnen. Die USA verstärken unterdessen ihren Einsatz.

Die USA erhöhen ihre Anstrengungen für die Flutopfer in Pakistan. Das Trägerschiff USS Peleliu mit etwa 19 Helikoptern an Bord ging bereits in den Gewässern vor der grössten pakistanischen Stadt Karachi vor Anker. Bisher stellten die USA sechs Helikopter bereit, um die Hilfseinsätze der Regierung in Islamabad und des pakistanischen Militärs zu unterstützen.

Der amerikanische Verteidigungsminister Robert Gates benannte unumwunden auch ein weiteres Ziel der erhöhten Anstrengungen: Es solle verhindert werden, dass Islamisten die Lage ausnutzten, um ihren Einfluss bei der notleidenden Bevölkerung auszudehnen, sagte Gates nach Angaben der Nachrichtenagentur Reuters.

Pakistan ist für die USA ein wichtiger Verbündeter in der Region im Kampf gegen die Taliban in Afghanistan. In einigen Gebieten Pakistans haben sich die Aufständischen oder mit ihnen verbundene Hilfsorganisationen als Hochwasserhelfer betätigt und damit bei der Bevölkerung Sympathien gewonnen. >>> srs. | Donnerstag, 12. August 2010

Newt On Radical Islam

Muslim Raheel Raza Speaks Out Against Ground Zero Mosque On O’Reilly
THE RIGHT SCOOP: Raza says the building of this mosque is confrontational, in bad faith, and doesn’t help the cause of tolerance. She goes on to slam the ‘bleeding heart white liberals’ like Bloomberg for their PC attitude about this controversial mosque and surprises O’Reilly with her articulate understanding of this issue. He was almost speechless:

Glenn Beck Exposes Ground Zero Mosque

Jennifer Aniston: Women Having Babies Without Men
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: During a press conference at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills the actor Jennifer Aniston defended her character's leap into single motherhood by using a sperm donor. Bill O'Reilly and a Fox News panel discuss the comments. Video courtesy of Fox News.

RIM Offers 'Codes' to Saudis
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: BlackBerry maker Research in Motion has agreed to hand over phone user codes in order to prevent a ban of its Messenger service in Saudi Arabia, says an industry insider. Video courtesy of Reuters.

Hussein's House Becomes Tourist Destination
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL:

Opinion Journal: End of the Obama Era?
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: Senior Economics Writer Steve Moore asks whether the President is finished as an agent of change.

Limbaugh: Media Thinks Michelle Obama Can Take Fancy Vacations Because of Our 'Slave Past'

Niederlande fürchten Imageschaden durch Wilders
WELT ONLINE: Die Regierungsbeteiligung des Islamgegners Wilders könnte international für Unruhe sorgen. Dagegen sollen Diplomaten jetzt gezielt vorgehen.

Der Rechtspopulist und Islamgegner Geert Wilders soll eine Minderheitsregierung in den Niederlanden unterstützen – das macht im Ausland vielen Sorgen. Bild: Welt Online
In den Niederlanden wächst die Sorge vor einem außenpolitischen Imageverlust durch den Machtzuwachs des Rechtspopulisten Geert Wilders. Diplomaten des Königreichs seien beauftragt worden, „internationale Beunruhigung über die Rolle der (Wilders-Partei) PVV bei der Regierungsbildung zu beschwichtigen“, berichtete die Zeitungen „de Volkskrant“ am Mittwoch.

Hintergrund sind die Koalitionsverhandlungen über ein Minderheitskabinett aus Rechtsliberalen und Christdemokraten mit dem erklärten Islamgegner Wilders als Dulder und Mehrheitsbeschaffer im Parlament. Sie waren am Montag offiziell eröffnet worden. >>> dpa/ks | Mittwoch, 11. August 2010

Vatican Rejects Resignations of Irish Bishops Over Child Sex Abuse Scandal
THE TELEGRAPH: The Vatican has rejected the resignations of two Catholic bishops in Ireland who offered to quit in the wake of a child sex abuse scandal, the Archbishop of Dublin said.

Archbishop Diarmuid Martin said in a letter to priests in his archdiocese that Auxiliary Bishops Eamonn Walsh and Raymond Field will remain in their jobs but will be given "revised responsibilities".

The bishops presented their resignations to Pope Benedict XVI in December following a judge's damning report on the Dublin archdiocese that found the Catholic Church concealed the abuse of children by priests for three decades. >>> | Thursday, August 12, 2010

Nuns Accuse Banks in $5m Lawsuit
THE TELEGRAPH: Germany's Deutsche Bank and US investment bank Morgan Stanley are facing a $5m lawsuit led by a group of Irish nuns.

No banker is likely to risk describing what they do as "God's work", but they might hope at least not to get on the wrong side of His earthly followers.

Unlucky then for Germany's Deutsche Bank and US investment bank Morgan Stanley, who are facing a $5m (£3.2m) lawsuit led by a group of Irish nuns.

The Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary, the Holy Faith Sisters and the Irish Veterinary Benevolent Fund are among a group of 88 Irish individuals suing the two banks.

The nuns allege the two banks profited at their expense by failing to redeem an investment linked to the debt of German financial group Dresdner Bank and in so doing cost them millions of pounds. >>> Harry Wilson, Financial Services Correspondent | Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Ramadan Around the World in Pictures
Photograph: Google Images
THE TELEGRAPH: Over a billion Muslims around the world began observing the holy month of Ramadan on Wednesday. The start of Ramadan changes every year, based on the sighting of the new moon at the start of the lunar month. The calculation can be a show of regional clout, with senior clerics across the conflicted Mideast and the two main sects of Islam often disagreeing. This year, most Sunni Muslims began fasting on Wednesday, while Shiite Muslims in Iran, Iraq and Oman are to begin observances on Thursday

To the gallery >>>

Foreign Workers Surge
MAIL ONLINE: The number of foreign workers has increased by 114,000 in the last year – while people born in Britain continued to lose their jobs.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics show workers born overseas were the beneficiaries of the early stages of the economic recovery.

There are now 3.85million workers who were born abroad. At the same time, the UK-born workforce fell by 15,000, to 25.08million. Foreign workers surge by 114,000... but the number of Britons with jobs falls >>> James Slack, Home Affairs Editor | Thursday, August 12, 2010

British Are a Bunch of Thick People Ruled by a Mafia
MAIL ONLINE: The British people and David Cameron have been labelled ‘thick’ by a senior member of Iran’s government.

In a blistering diatribe against Britain, Mohammad-Reza Rahimi said: ‘They have plundered the world in the last 500 years and the young lad in charge now is even more stupid than his predecessor. It’s as if God has made this nation servants of America and Zionists.’

Iran’s First Vice President added: ‘England has nothing. Its inhabitants are not human, its officials are not responsible, and it doesn’t even have any natural resources. (They are) a bunch of thick people ruled by a mafia.’ British are bunch of thick people ruled by a mafia, says Iran's vice president... and sparks row with our ambassador >>> Mail Foreign Service | Thursday, August 12, 2010

Hitchens: 'We're All Dying, With Me It's Accelerated'
THE INDEPENDENT: Displaying his trademark directness and wit, Christopher Hitchens has opened up about his battle with cancer, reports David Usborne

Cancer may have robbed Christopher Hitchens of much of his hair. But no one could think it had taken any of his legendary knack for getting straight to the point.

"How am I? I am dying," he says as an opener to a conversation with The Atlantic's Jeffrey Goldberg, recorded at his own home in Washington DC with his "dearest friend" Martin Amis, the novelist, more or less ambling into view midway through it, a bottle of beer in hand. "Everybody is, but the process has suddenly accelerated on me."

And in spite of the position he finds himself in, Hitchens sounds no less intellectually rigorous. To the question that each interviewer was bound to ask an orthodox atheist such as himself – is this the time to reconsider your views on God? – he offers a categorical reply: no.

It has been only a few short weeks since the English-American journalist, author, professional controversialist and curmudgeon was diagnosed with an especially fierce form of cancer. And even those whom Hitchens has infuriated – and they are legion – will surely find it hard not to be moved by his plight today. He is 61 years old, has three young children, whom he had hoped to see married one day. In video interviews recorded in the last several days with CNN and The Atlantic he looks worn out and quite altered. >>> David Usborne | Thursday, August 12, 2010

Jeff Goldberg Interviews Hitchens
THE ATLANTIC: "As a Jewish hypochondriac, I have access to a lot of medical minds," Jeffrey Goldberg tells Hitch. Among the questions: does Hitchens mind those who pray for him? Special guest appearance by Martin Amis. – Friday, August 6, 2010



THE ATLANTIC: Join the discussion >>>

AC360: Christopher Hitchens Talks Cancer and God

Image: The Atlantic
The Point of No Return
THE ATLANTIC: For the Obama administration, the prospect of a nuclearized Iran is dismal to contemplate— it would create major new national-security challenges and crush the president’s dream of ending nuclear proliferation. But the view from Jerusalem is still more dire: a nuclearized Iran represents, among other things, a threat to Israel’s very existence. In the gap between Washington’s and Jerusalem’s views of Iran lies the question: who, if anyone, will stop Iran before it goes nuclear, and how? As Washington and Jerusalem study each other intensely, here’s an inside look at the strategic calculations on both sides—and at how, if things remain on the current course, an Israeli air strike will unfold.

IT IS POSSIBLE that at some point in the next 12 months, the imposition of devastating economic sanctions on the Islamic Republic of Iran will persuade its leaders to cease their pursuit of nuclear weapons. It is also possible that Iran’s reform-minded Green Movement will somehow replace the mullah-led regime, or at least discover the means to temper the regime’s ideological extremism. It is possible, as well, that “foiling operations” conducted by the intelligence agencies of Israel, the United States, Great Britain, and other Western powers—programs designed to subvert the Iranian nuclear effort through sabotage and, on occasion, the carefully engineered disappearances of nuclear scientists—will have hindered Iran’s progress in some significant way. It is also possible that President Obama, who has said on more than a few occasions that he finds the prospect of a nuclear Iran “unacceptable,” will order a military strike against the country’s main weapons and uranium-enrichment facilities. >>> Jeffrey Goldberg | September 2010