The EU should be stronger and more united. Great Britain should belong to the Union.
Die EU sollte stärker und geeinter sein. Großbritannien sollte der Union angehören.
L'UE devrait être plus forte et plus unie. La Grande-Bretagne devrait appartenir à l'Union.
Sunday, July 03, 2011
New Dark Age Alert! Muslims Obligated to Resist Democracy, Say Radicals
THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD: MUSLIMS in Australia were urged yesterday to join the uprisings that have toppled regimes across the Middle East, to renounce moderate forms of the religion and to reject democracy, during a day-long conference sponsored by a radical Islamic organisation.
Hizb ut-Tahrir [Wiki], a fundamentalist group that calls for the establishment of a caliphate stretching from the Middle East to Indonesia, hosted the event at Lidcombe, which drew about 1000 people.
Talks included "The Muslim World in the 20th century: totalitarian Western oppression" and "Western endeavours to frustrate the Islamic revival".
The group maintains a stance against violence, but says Muslims are obliged to engage in armed resistance against Israel and against the presence of foreign troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. "If it [the land] is occupied, they [Muslims] have a right and a duty to resist that occupation," its spokesman, Uthman Badar, said. » | Linton Besser | Monday, July 04, 2011
Saturday, July 02, 2011
Prince Albert of Monaco Faces Paternity Test after Wedding, Officials Confirm
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Prince Albert II of Monaco faces a paternity test after his wedding to Charlene Wittstock following claims that he has fathered a third child out of wedlock, officials have confirmed.
The wedding was a glittering affair, the likes of which have not been seen since Prince Rainier III married Hollywood icon Grace Kelly in Monaco more than half a century ago.
Amid the splendour of the Mediterranean principality’s Italian Renaissance palace Prince Albert of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock, the former Olympic swimmer, had their marriage blessed in a Roman Catholic service on Saturday.
Among the guests at the ceremony, which followed a civil service on Friday, were crowned heads of Europe, heads of state and celebrities – there to see Miss Wittstock, the daughter of a South African photocopier salesman, became [sic] Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene de Monaco.
But as the couple took their vows, Prince Albert’s colourful past threatened to overshadow the proceedings.
It has now been revealed that, following the couple's civil ceremony, a senior palace official confirmed rumours that Prince Albert is likely to undergo the test after claims that he has fathered a third child. » | Henry Samuels and Patrick Sawer | Saturday, July 02, 2011
Albert de Monaco et Charlene : Le mariage religieux
Ensemble des vidéos consacrées au mariage à Monaco du Prince Albert et de Charlene Wittstock. Événement du 02 juillet 2011. Commentaire de Stéphane Bern et Marie Drucker
Discussion with Christian Malard, a political correspondent with France 3 TV; Brian Cathcart, a professor of journalism at Kingston University and a media columnist at the New Statesman; and Paul Tweed, a media lawyer.
Watch Al Jazeera English Live
Thousands March in Bahrain
July 2 - Tens of thousands take to Bahrain's streets ahead of a crucial national dialogue on political reform. Andrew Raven reports
«Oui»: Fürst Albert und Fürstin Charlene sind jetzt Mann und Frau
Fürst Albert und Fürstin Charlene haben sich vor 3500 geladenen Gästen aus Adel, Wirtschaft, Sport und Prominenz jetzt auch das kirchliche Jawort gegeben. Nach der Hochzeitsparade steht als nächstes das offizielle Dinner auf dem Programm
LE POINT: Le couple princier s'est dit "oui" lors d'une cérémonie religieuse qui s'est tenue en présence notamment de Nicolas Sarkozy.
Le prince Albert et Charlene, samedi lors de la cérémonie religieuse de leur marriage. Photo : Le Point
Point d'orgue du mariage princier de Monaco, Albert II et Charlene Wittstock se sont unis religieusement samedi dans la principauté lors d'une messe en plein air devant près d'un millier d'invités. L'office, qui s'est tenu dans la cour d'honneur du palais princier, a été retransmis sur écrans géants dans l'un des plus petits États du monde et par des télévisions du monde entier.
En se disant oui civilement, la veille, le prince Albert, 53 ans, et la nouvelle princesse de Monaco, 33 ans, ont mis fin aux rumeurs qui planaient sur leur union, offrant un moment de faste à un Rocher à la recherche d'un second souffle. Le palais princier compte sur l'événement pour recréer un peu de la magie qui a longtemps entouré la famille Grimaldi. Une quarantaine de têtes couronnées et de familles régnantes, ainsi qu'une vingtaine de chefs d'État, dont le président français Nicolas Sarkozy, assistaient à la messe de mariage entre le prince et l'ancienne nageuse sud-africaine. » | Source Reuters | Samedi 02 Juillet 2011
Prince Albert of Monaco Marries Charlene Wittstock in Catholic Ceremony
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: A day after their civil wedding, Prince Albert has married the former Olympic swimmer Charlene Wittstock in a Catholic ceremony in Monaco.
The daughter of a South African photocopy salesman wore a stunning Armani gown cut from 130 metres of silk and studded with 40,000 crystals.
Archbishop Bernard Barsi of Monaco asked each whether they accepted each other "for better, for worse." Both replied with a firm: "Yes."
Then, in front of witnesses, the couple - the Princess, noticeably less tense than she had been at the first ceremony, and occasionally smiling - exchanged 18-carat rings in white gold and platinum by the House of Cartier.
South African singer Pumela Matshikiza celebrated with a popular, upbeat wedding song from Charlene's homeland: "Diviner of the roadways, the knock knock beetle / It just passed by here, the knock knock beetle."
Around 800 guests attended the service in the palace, and another 3,800 were outside watching on a large screen, cheering as popular guests like James Bond actor Roger Moore and former French first lady Bernadette Chirac arrived.
Aside from France's President Nicolas Sarkozy and the kings and queens of Sweden and Belgium, the crowd included fashion designers, models, sportsmen, more minor royals and senior officials from the tiny principality. » | Saturday, July 02, 2011
Gaddafi Threatens to Attack Europe over Airstrikes
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Colonel Muammar Gaddafi has threatened to carry out attacks against "homes, offices, families, in Europe" unless NATO stops its campaign of airstrikes against his regime in Libya.
The Libyan leader, sought by the International Criminal Court for a brutal crackdown on anti-government protesters, delivered the warning in a telephone message played to thousands of supporters gathered in the main square of the capital Tripoli.
It was one of the largest pro-government rallies in recent months, signaling that Gaddafi can still muster significant support. A green cloth in Libya's national colour, several hundred meters long and held aloft by supporters, snaked above the crowd filling Tripoli's Green Square.
A series of powerful explosions later rattled the heart of the capital, apparently new NATO airstrikes, as Gaddafi supporters cheered, honked horns and fired into the air in the street. Black smoke could be seen rising from the area near the Colonel's Bab al-Aziziya compound.
Gaddafi spoke from an unknown location in a sign of concern over his safety. Addressing the West, he warned that Libyans might take revenge for NATO bombings.
"These people [the Libyans] are able to one day take this battle ... to Europe, to target your homes, offices, families, which would become legitimate military targets, like you have targeted our homes," he said.
"We can decide to treat you in a similar way," he said of the Europeans. "If we decide to, we are able to move to Europe like locusts, like bees. We advise you to retreat before you are dealt a disaster." » | Patrick Sawer | Saturday, July 02, 2011
Dominique Strauss-Kahn Walks Free after Maid Rape Case Crumbles
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Seven weeks after a haggard and scowling shadow of Dominique Strauss-Kahn was first hauled in front of a New York judge, his old self swaggered into room 1324 at the state supreme court on Friday with a broad smile.
In a crisp navy suit, pressed white shirt and baby blue tie, he beamed like a man already plotting his sensational comeback as a statesman, while New York prosecutors and lawyers for the 32-year-old hotel maid who continues to allege that he tried to rape her looked shell-shocked.
Eight minutes later, the 62-year-old – who had been under house arrest and armed guard in a Manhattan townhouse, wearing an electronic tag – was free. The $1 million (£620,000) cash bail and $5 million (£3.1 million) bond put up by his wife, the wealthy heiress Anne Sinclair, were returned.
Joan Illuzzi-Orbon, an assistant district attorney, told the court that "the fact of a sexual encounter" between the pair, after the maid arrived to clean suite 2086 of the Manhattan Sofitel on May 14, "was and is corroborated by the forensic evidence".
Mr Strauss-Kahn remains charged with forcing the woman to give him oral sex after trying to rape her, before fleeing and being arrested aboard a flight on the tarmac of JFK airport, minutes away from take-off for Paris.
The French Socialist, who had been expected to stand against Nicolas Sarkozy for the French presidency in 2012, was forced to resign as head of the International Monetary fund five days later, his career apparently in tatters.
However, "substantial credibility issues" have been found with the maid, Ms Illuzzi-Orbon told the court, following a "comprehensive and thorough investigation of all aspects of this case, including the background of the complainant and her various statements about the incident". » | Jon Swaine, New York | Friday, July 01, 2011
Charlene Wittstock Marries Prince Albert in 'Fairytale' Wedding
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The daughter of a South African photocopy salesman became Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene of Monaco on Friday when she wed Prince Albert II at a civil ceremony on the tiny Riviera principality following a week of intrigue and rumour.
Under clear blue skies, scores of residents and tourists lined the streets to watch the statuesque blonde's transformation from commoner into princess in the red silk damask-draped throne room where Hollywood icon Grace Kelly married Albert's father, Prince Rainier III, 55 years ago.
Scotching persistent rumours that she had sought to flee Monaco shortly before the wedding day after discovering Prince Albert allegedly had a third illegitimate child, the 33-year old Olympic swimmer was the first to say "I do" in a matching Chanel sky blue jacket and skirt.
Under huge chandeliers and with Albert's forebears looking on from portraits adorning the room, she exchanged restrained smiles with Prince Albert, 20 years her senior, in a dark suit and grey tie.
Only 80 family members, friends and dignitaries were gathered around the couple during the 20-minute ceremony. But the gates of the Italian Renaissance residence were thrown open to more than 5,000 Monegasques who followed the proceedings from the palace square, waving the red and white flags of Monaco and those of Charlene's native South Africa. » | Henry Samuel, Monaco | Friday, July 01, 2011
Friday, July 01, 2011
DSK Has Bail Lifted Over Sex Assault Case
SKY NEWS: Dominique Strauss-Kahn has been released without bail over sexual assault allegations.
The former International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief had his strict bail conditions lifted after he seeked to change them in a New York Court.
He was given his cash bond back but the judge told him he still could not leave the country and authorities retained his travel documents.
Prosecutors told the court the credibility of the hotel maid who accused him had been thrown into question.
Justice Michael Obus said: "I understand that the circumstances of this case have changed substantially ... I release Mr Strauss-Kahn."
But the judge stressed that the "case is not over" and said the French politician was due to appear before the courts again on July 18.
Outside the court, Strauss-Kahn's lawyer said he was confident he "will be exonerated". » | Friday, July 01, 2011
Hugo Chávez Tells of Cancer Diagnosis
THE GUARDIAN: Venezuelan president describes surgery to remove a cancerous tumour, in his first television address since flying to Cuba
Venezuela's president, Hugo Chávez, has finally returned to the public eye, describing in a nationwide address that doctors had diagnosed him with cancer, following furious speculation about the true state of his health.
In his first live appearance since undergoing emergency pelvic surgery in Cuba on 10 June, Chávez said doctors had removed "cancerous cells" from his body. "This [is] the new battle that life has placed before us," he said.
Flanked by a Venezuelan flag and a portrait of Simón Bolívar, the South American liberator, Chávez said he had committed a "fundamental mistake" in not taking better care of his own health.
"I neglected my health and I was reluctant to have medical check ups. It was a fundamental mistake for a revolutionary," he said, directing his speech "to the Venezuelan people and the international public opinion".
Chávez slipped off the radar at the start of June when he embarked on a tour of South America and subsequently underwent emergency pelvic surgery in Cuba.
In his Thursday night address, broadcast on national television, an unusually reserved looking Chávez who read rather than improvised his speech, said Cuban doctors had detected "a strange formation in the pelvic region" following the first round of surgery.
During a second operation they found "cancerous cells", he said, without specifying which kind of cancer had been detected. » | Tom Phillips in Rio de Janeiro and Virginia Lopez in Caracas | Friday, July 01, 2011
Royal Tour of Canada: Prince Willam's Bilingual Speech in Full
The Duke of Cambridge impressed crowds in Ottawa as he gave his first speech on his tour of Canada in both English and French
Dominique Strauss-Kahn Case 'On Verge of Collapse' amid Doubts over Maid
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The case against Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the former IMF chief accused of sexually attacking a hotel maid, could be on the verge of collapse, it was claimed on Thursday night.
Prosecutors have serious concerns about the credibility of the 32-year-old maid who accused Mr Strauss-Kahn of attempting to rape her, according to several reports.
They believe she has lied about their encounter, has links to a drug dealer and received strange payments into her bank account, according to The New York Times.
The woman's account of why she received asylum in the US, and even her claim to own only one mobile phone, have also been called into serious doubt, the report said.
Citing unnamed law-enforcement sources, the newspaper reported that New York prosecutors had admitted to Mr Strauss-Kahn's lawyers that there were serious problems with their case.
CNN, citing an unnamed "official close to Mr Strauss-Kahn's defence team", also said there were "serious issues regarding the credibility" of the maid.
Mr Strauss-Kahn, 62, is due in court at 11.30 (16.30 BST) on Friday, where he is expected to have the strict conditions of his $1 million (£620,000) bail relaxed. He is under house arrest and armed guard, and must wear an electronic tag.
But the newspaper said that the flaws in the prosecution were so great that he could soon also have all eight criminal charges against him - including attempted rape and criminal sexual acts - dismissed. » | Jon Swaine, New York | Friday, July 01, 2011
My comment:
When this story broke, almost everyone on the The Daily Telegraph forums were ready to indict this poor man for a 'crime' they were convinced he had committed. Not I. I hate to say I told you so, because it sounds so smug. But I truly did. And if this newspaper hadn't taken down the comments to that particular article, you could find it here.
But they have, so I can't. So here is the comment (one of many, actually), where I stated that we shouldn't rush to judgement:
Whilst this man has got a reputation of being a womanizer, and whilst his sexual appetite may be as large as his intellectual appetite, there are certain aspects of this story which simply do not ring true. As I have already stated in an earlier comment, where is this woman getting the money from to pay for a high-flying New York lawyer? But there are many other inconsistencies, too. At first they said she was a devout Muslim, but photos of her show that she wears short-sleeve dresses, she doesn't cover her hair, and lives in a home for HIV sufferers. That simply doesn't add up. These are not the hallmarks of a devout Muslimah.
In addition, it was first stated that she knew exactly who DSK was. Now they are trying to say that she didn't have a clue who he was. By all accounts, he was a regular guest at the Sofitel in Manhattan. How come she didn't know? She had been working there for several years. News of celebrities and famous people travels like wildfire through the corridors of the hotel staff. It is simply difficult to swallow this supposed ignorance. In fact, front desk would in all probability have informed her to be extra careful when making up DSK's room. That's how it works in exclusive hotels, and more especially for regular customers.
Whilst so many people commenting on newspapers are only too ready to convict DSK even before his trial, I prefer to keep an open mind. Being a womanizer and paying for prostitutes – all of which is certainly nothing to be proud of – in and of itself does not make him guilty in this particular case.
I can't help but have a nagging doubt in my mind that he has been set up for the purposes of notoriety and fortune. We all know how Americans love a great story, and we all know how fabulously wealthy people can become when they have a humdinger of a story to sell to the media. And this story is one big humdinger. Whatever the facts of the story, it is to be hoped that the truth will come out in the court. But one thing is for sure: This young chambermaid will not have to clean rooms in any hotel for much longer. I hope her wheelbarrow is large enough to carry the pots of gold which will soon be coming her way.
Chief Rabbi: Equality Laws Leading to New Mayflower Exodus
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: New equality laws are forcing religious people to flee the country because they are being denied the freedom to live in accordance with their beliefs, the Chief Rabbi, Lord Sacks, has warned.
The Orthodox Jewish leader claimed that anti-discrimination policies had fuelled an “erosion of religious liberty" in Britain that was leading to a new “Mayflower”, a reference to the flight of the persecuted Pilgrim Fathers to America in the 17th century.
His comments follow growing alarm from leading religious figures over the increasing influence of equality laws. The former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey, has called on the Prime Minister to review equality legislation amid concerns that religious freedoms and Britain’s Christian heritage are under threat.
Speaking to the House of Commons public administration select committee, Lord Sacks said there was "no doubt'' numbers of religious believers in Britain were "extraordinarily'' low.
He continued: “I share a real concern that the attempt to impose the current prevailing template of equality and discrimination on religious organisations is an erosion of religious liberty.
“We are beginning to move back to where we came in in the 17th century - a whole lot of people on the Mayflower leaving to find religious freedom elsewhere.” » | Tim Ross, Religious Affairs Editor | Thursday, June 30, 2011
US Broadcaster Suspended for Obama Insult
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: One of America’s most prominent political analysts has been suspended by a cable television network after stating on air that President Barack Obama was “kind of a d---”.
