Radical Islam Has Outmanoeuvred West, Says Blair
THE TELEGRAPH: Western democracies have been "outspent, outmanoeuvred and out-strategised" by violent Islamist extremists, Tony Blair has claimed.

In a speech in New York, the former prime minister said that warnings over the past week of terrorist plots against Europe should remind people that they remained under threat.

Mr Blair said a "narrative" that Muslims were under attack from the US and its allies, who acted out of support for Israel, had been allowed to take hold, aided by "websites and blogs".

A fresh confrontation was needed because it would be impossible to defeat extremism "without defeating the narrative that nurtures it", he said.

"The practitioners of extremism are small in number. The adherents of the narrative stretch far broader into parts of mainstream thinking," Mr Blair told the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

"It is a narrative that now has vast numbers of assembled websites, blogs and organisations."

Mr Blair said it was "absurd" that some people were surprised at how powerful Islamist extremist groups were, given the amount of funding they received and indoctrination they spread.

"Measure, over the years, the paucity of our counter-attack in the name of peaceful coexistence," he said. "We have been outspent, outmanoeuvred and out-strategised." >>> Jon Swaine in New York | Wednesday, October 06, 2010

Blair said that we can't defeat radical Islam until we defeat the narrative that nurtures it. That's totally right. And what is that narrative that nurtures it? The Qur'an, of course. So let the battle commence. – © Mark

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Lauter Dummheit von Christian Wulff! Erregte Islam-Debatte in Deutschland: Eine lapidare Feststellung Wulffs bringt Konservative in Wallung
NZZ ONLINE: Mit der Bemerkung, der Islam gehöre zu Deutschland, hat der deutsche Bundespräsident Wulff vor allem bei den Christlichsozialen einigen Ärger ausgelöst. In Umfragen wird die Feststellung von rund zwei Dritteln der Bürger abgelehnt.

Der deutsche Bundespräsident Wulff hat für seine Rede zum Tag der deutschen Einheit zunächst viel Lob erhalten. Vor allem islamische Gruppen freuten sich über sein Plädoyer für kulturelle Offenheit gegenüber Immigranten. Der Vorsitzende des Zentralrats der Muslime in Deutschland, Mazyek, pries Wulffs Rede als Zeichen dafür, dass die Muslime keine Bürger zweiter Klasse seien. Der Staatschef habe klargemacht, dass Vielfalt und unterschiedliche Lebensentwürfe erwünscht seien. Lob kam auch von der Opposition. Skeptische Bürger >>> Ulrich Schmid, Berlin | Dienstag, 05. Oktober 2010

Donald Trump Sets His Sights on the White House
THE TELEGRAPH: Donald Trump, the property magnate and reality television host, has declared his interest in running for president of the United States, saying that "somebody has to do something, because we are losing this country".

The man with perhaps the one of the best known and most perplexing hairstyles in America has been tempted to spend a hefty portion of his estimated $2 billion fortune on a White House bid by a wide-open Republican field.

Despite the fierce opposition on the Right to President Barack Obama and his Democratic colleagues in Congress, no strong challenger has yet emerged for the 2012 election.

The early front-runners for the Republican nomination include Mitt Romney, who only came a distant third to John McCain in the 2008, and Sarah Palin, who may be a hero to conservatives but remains deeply divisive. A host of other senators and state governors with little name recognition are also jostling for position.

Speaking on morning television, Mr Trump said: "I've had so many people over the years ask me to do that and for the first time in my life I am absolutely thinking about it.

"I don't know that I'll do it. It's probable that I won't do it but I can tell you, I'm thinking about it. Somebody has to do something, we are losing this country. This country will not be great if something isn't done rapidly." >>> Alex Spillius, Washington | Tuesday, October 05, 2010

British Terror Suspect 'Was Head of The Islamic Army of Great Britain'
THE TELEGRAPH: The British terror suspect killed in a Pakistan drone strike last month had been elected leader of an al-Qaeda group called The Islamic Army of Great Britain, according to reports.

A senior Pakistani security source told BBC's Newsnight programme that Abdul Jabbar was a British citizen who has a British wife and was living in Punjab, Pakistan.

According to the source, Jabbar was living in Punjab, and was chosen as the leader of a new group, to be called The Islamic Army of Great Britain.

The decision was apparently made during a meeting in the North Waziristan region of Pakistan three months ago, attended by 300 militants and monitored by intelligence agencies. >>> | Wednesday, October 06, 2010

Child Benefit: I Should Have Warned You, Admits PM
THE TELEGRAPH: David Cameron hasapologised for failing to warn voters before the election that his government would cut child benefit for millions of households.

In an attempt to stop the row overshadowing his first party conference speech as Prime Minister, Mr Cameron expressed regret at the surprise announcement of a policy which will penalise stay-at-home mothers. >>> Robert Winnett, Andrew Porter and James Kirkup | Tuesday, October 05, 2010

Liberal Democrats Call for Draconian Tax on Bank Bonuses
THE GUARDIAN: • Lord Oakeshott calls for immediate tax
• £7bn expected to be paid out in bonuses this year
• RBS chairman says regulation the only route to reform

A new, more draconian tax on bonuses should be slapped on banks, a leading Liberal Democrat said tonight after the Royal Bank of Scotland chairman admitted that regulation was the only way to restrain the annual bonanza for bankers.

Amid estimates that the City would pay out £7bn in bonuses this year, Lord Oakeshott said the moment had now come to reintroduce a tax on bonuses which, when imposed on the banks last year, brought in £3.5bn for the exchequer.

Oakeshott, a Lib Dem Treasury spokesman, said that the situation was so grave that the government would need to act ahead of the report next year by its independent commission on banking – chaired by Sir John Vickers.

Speaking after David Cameron acknowledged the public's "anger" over bonuses, Oakeshott said: "As the prime minister has made clear, the banks are still paying ever bigger bonuses and not lending to small businesses.

"The answer must be to take immediate action on bonuses and the obvious way is to have a much tougher bonus tax than Labour's feeble feather-duster and much stricter net lending targets to small and medium-sized businesses while we wait for the banking commission to recommend more radical reform." >>> Jill Treanor | Tuesday, October 05, 2010

Let the Banks Collapse!
THE TELEGRAPH: More taxpayer support is needed to ensure global financial stability despite the billions already pledged, the International Monetary Fund has warned, as banks remain the “achilles heel” of the economic recovery.

Lenders across Europe and the US are facing a $4 trillion refinancing hurdle in the coming 24 months and many still need to recapitalise, the Washington-based organisation said in its Global Financial Stability Report. Governments will have to inject fresh equity into banks – particularly in Spain, Germany and the US – as well as prop up their funding structures by extending emergency support.

“Progress toward global financial stability has experienced a setback since April ... [due to] the recent turmoil in sovereign debt markets,” the IMF said. “The global financial system is still in a period of significant uncertainty and remains the Achilles’ heel of the economic recovery.” Banks' $4 trillion debts are 'Achilles’ heel of the economic recovery', warns IMF >>> Philip Aldrick, Economics Editor | Tuesday, October 05, 2010

THE TELEGRAPH: Warren Buffett says in future Wall Street chiefs should go broke - and their wives: Warren Buffett, the billionaire investor, has hit out at pay practices on Wall Street, attacking the lack of reform despite two years passing since the financial crisis struck. >>> Richard Blackden, US Business Editor | Tuesday, October 05, 2010

Dutch Christian Democrat MPs Approve Deal with Anti-Islam MP
THE TELEGRAPH: Dutch Christian Democrat MPs unanimously approved a deal on Tuesday for the formation of a minority rightist government backed by the party of anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders.

Dutch Christian Democrats (CDA) leader Maxime Verhagen talks to the press. Photo: The Telegraph
"All 21 members (of parliament) will support the implementation of the governing agreement" between the Christian Democratic Action (CDA) and the rightist, pro-business Party for Freedom (PVV), CDA leader Maxime Verhagen told journalists after a party caucus meeting in The Hague.

The deal will see the controversial PVV remain outside of government but providing the majority support the minority coalition will need to pass decisions through parliament – in exchange for a say in policy-making.

Mr Wilders, who campaigns for a ban on the burka and an end to Muslim immigration, went on trial in Amsterdam on Monday on charges of inciting hatred and discrimination against Muslims. >>> | Tuesday, October 05, 2010

Times Square Bomber Says US Should 'Brace Themselves' for War as He Receives Life Sentence
THE TELEGRAPH: Faisal Shahzad, the Pakistani-American man who attempted to kill dozens of people with a car bomb in Times Square, said the US should "brace yourselves" for war as he was sentenced to life in prison.

Mr Shahzad, who described himself as a 'Muslim solider', warned 'brace yourselves because the war with the Muslims has just begun'. Photo: The Telegraph
Shahzad, 31, was told at a hearing in a federal court in New York on Tuesday that he had no chance of parole.

Before being sentenced a defiant Mr Shahzad, who described himself as a "Muslim solider", delivered a warning to the judge, Miriam Goldman Cedarbaum.

"Brace yourselves because the war with the Muslims has just begun," he said.

"The defeat of the US is imminent and will happen in the near future." >>> Jon Swaine in New York | Tuesday, October 05, 2010

Coco Chanel
Coco Chanel. Photograph: Google Images
Madame Chanel must be turning in her grave! >>>

Dealing With Terrorism Abroad

Travel Alert to Be Issued for Americans in Europe

Securing America

Dutch Court Rejects Wilders Push to Change Judges at Muslim-Insult Trial
BLOOMBERG: The Amsterdam district court rejected a request by Freedom Party Leader Geert Wilders, who is on trial for inciting hatred and insulting Muslims, to replace the judges hearing his case because they may be prejudiced.

“There are no weighty indications that the judges have given the impression of being prejudiced,” Judge Frans Bauduin, who was brought in to rule on the impartiality question, said at the court today. The trial, which was halted yesterday, will continue with the current judges tomorrow at 9 a.m. local time. >>> Jurjen van de Pol | Tuesday, October 05, 2010

Are Cameron and Osborne Too Rich to Know How the Middle Classes Feel About Child Benefit?
David Cameron and George Osborne too rich to understand? Photo: The Telegraph
THE TELEGRAPH – BLOG – DAVID HUGHES: Out of the smouldering wreckage of the child benefit announcement is emerging a view of the Tory leadership that will, if it takes hold, be immensely damaging. It is that they are so well-heeled that they simply do not have a clue about how most people live their lives. David Cameron and George Osborne have never had to worry about money, ever. It has never impinged on their charmed existences. Read on and comment >>> David Hughes | Tuesday, October 05, 2010

'German Taliban' Video Posted on Al-Qaeda Website
THE TELEGRAPH: A recruiting video produced by German militants and posted on an al-Qaeda website has cast fresh light on how European Islamists are joining insurgents fighting in Pakistan's mountainous tribal areas.

Watch Telegraph video here | Rob Crilly in Islamabad | Tuesday, October 05, 2010

Gay Saudi Prince 'Murdered Servant in Ferocious Attack'
THE TELEGRAPH: A gay Saudi prince killed his servant in a murder of ''ferocity'' which had a ''sexual element'', a court heard today.

Saud Abdulaziz bin Nasser al Saud had previously subjected Bandar Abdulaziz to physical assaults and mistreatment, the Old Bailey was told.

The 32-year-old victim was found beaten and strangled in bed at the London hotel room he was sharing with the prince on February 15.

A series of injuries including bite marks to Mr Abdulaziz's cheeks revealed the ''ferocity of the attack to which he had been subjected'', a jury was told.

The prince at first claimed his aide had been robbed and attacked in Edgware Road three weeks before his death, the Old Bailey heard.

But CCTV footage from a lift at the Landmark hotel in Marylebone where they were staying showed the victim had been subjected to a ''really nasty assault'' by the defendant himself on January 22, said Jonathan Laidlaw QC, prosecuting.

It became clear to police that he had been killed ''in the privacy of the room he had shared with the defendant and when alone with him'', the court heard.

Further searches of CCTV footage revealed previous assaults on the victim by the defendant, Mr Laidlaw said.

The prince was arrested and detectives began trying to establish ''the true nature of the relationship'' between the men, he added.

Saud claimed they were ''friends and equals'' and that he was heterosexual, jurors were told.

But Mr Laidlaw said: ''The evidence establishes quite conclusively that he is either gay or that he has homosexual tendencies.

''It is clear that his abuse of Bandar was not confined simply to physical beatings. There is clear evidence, over and above the bite marks, that there was also a sexual element to his mistreatment of the victim.''

Mr Laidlaw said the covering up of his homosexuality might in other circumstances be explained by embarrassment or fear.

But he added: ''The defendant's concealing of the sexual aspect to his abuse of the victim was for altogether more sinister reasons and it tends to suggest that there was a sexual element to the circumstances of the killing.'' >>> | Tuesday, October 05, 2010

BBC: 'Sexual element' in Saudi prince's servant killing (+ video) >>> | Tuesday, October 05, 2010

Vermehrt deutsche Islamisten in Terror-Ausbildungslager: Polizeigewerkschaft schlägt Alarm
NZZ ONLINE: Die Reisen von Islamisten aus Deutschland in die Region Afghanistan und Pakistan haben stark zugenommen. Sie werden dort in terroristischen Lagern ausgebildet, sagt der Vorsitzende der deutschen Polizeigewerkschaft.

Der Vorsitzende der Gewerkschaft der Polizei, Konrad Freiberg, nimmt die aktuellen Warnungen vor Anschlägen in Berlin sehr ernst. Der «Passauer Neuen Presse» sagte er, die Reisen von Islamisten aus Deutschland in die Region Afghanistan und Pakistan, teils in Terrorlager, hätten stark zugenommen. Weiter lesen und einen Kommentar schreiben >>> ddp | Dienstag, 05. Oktober 2010

Geert Wilders in Court Over 'Koran Ban' Controversy


DUTCH NEWS.nl: Judges decide today if Wilders' inciting hatred trial can continue: A special court in Amsterdam will decide on Tuesday afternoon if new judges should be sworn in for the trial of anti-Islam MP Geert Wilders on charges of inciting hatred.

On Monday, Wilders’ lawyer Bram Moszkowicz challenged the legitimacy of the court after the presiding judge appeared to criticise Wilders’ decision not to answer any questions. >>> | Tuesday, October 05, 2010

Wilders Draws Protests in Germany