Tuesday, April 03, 2012
BBC: The uncle of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad believes it is unlikely that he can hold onto power much longer.
Rifaat al-Assad told the BBC that the level of violence on the streets was too high for his nephew to survive.
Mr Assad has lived in exile since he unsuccessfully tried to seize power from his brother, Hafez, in the 1980s.
In February 1982, he led a military assault on Hama to suppress an uprising by the Muslim Brotherhood, leaving between 10,000 and 25,000 people dead. (+ audio) » | Tuesday, April 03, 2012
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Some of the 16 suspected Islamic militants detained in France allegedly planned to kidnap a Jewish magistrate and other people, according to reports.
A source close to the investigation told the AFP news agency: "It looks like some of them planned to carry out kidnappings including that of a magistrate who has a Jewish-sounding name."
Another source confirmed that a Jewish magistrate from Lyon in central France was to be targeted.
The head of France's Central Directorate for Domestic Intelligence (DCRI), Bernard Squarcini, said on Saturday that those arrested the previous day were French nationals involved in "warlike training, linked to violent religious indoctrination".
Some of those arrested belonged to a suspected extremist group called Forsane Alizza, he said, and had been involved in paintball gun games.
Forsane Alizza chief Mohamed Achamlane was on Monday transferred to Paris where he was to appear before anti-terror magistrates who already extended the custody of the 15 other suspected Islamists arrested on Friday. » | AFP | Tuesday, April 03, 2012
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: North Korea is preparing to unveil a new long-range missile that is capable of striking targets in the continental US.
Reconnaissance satellites have identified the huge missile at a government research and development facility in Pyongyang, South Korean government sources told the Chosun Ilbo newspaper.
Analysts estimate the weapon to be around 130 feet long and, equipped with a more powerful booster unit, capable of delivering a warhead more than 6,200 miles.
Unveiling the missile will raise new fears in neighbouring countries, already alarmed by Pyongyang's insistence that it will go ahead with the launch in mid-April of a rocket to put a satellite into orbit. » | Julian Ryall in Tokyo | Tuesday, April 03, 2012
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: France has expelled two Islamic radicals and is planning to deport three more as part of a crackdown announced after a gunman killed seven people, officials said on Monday.
An Algerian radical and a Malian imam were sent back to their home countries on Monday, while a Saudi imam, a Turkish imam and a Tunisian radical were also subject to expulsion orders, the interior ministry said in a statement.
The statement said that the imams had made anti-Semitic statements in their sermons, called for Muslims to reject Western values, and said women should wear the full-face veil.
It said the Saudi imam was currently out of France but would be refused entry should he try to return. » | Monday, April 02, 2012
Monday, April 02, 2012
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: A McDonald's worker who claims to have a winning ticket for the world's biggest lottery prize is insisting she will not share her millions with the colleagues she was in a syndicate with.
Mirlande Wilson, a 37-year-old Haitian immigrant, said she purchased the ticket, now worth more than $100 million (£62 million), with her own money separately to those bought for the 14-strong syndicate at the fast food restaurant in Milford Mill, Maryland.
Her irate co-workers say however that they each contributed $5 (£3.12) before sending her out to buy last minute tickets for the group a few hours before Friday's nationwide Mega Millions draw, and are now demanding she pay up.
CCTV footage shows that the winning ticket was purchased from a nearby 7-Eleven grocery store at 7.15pm – around the time all the McDonald's workers agree Miss Wilson headed off to the shop.
Stephen Martino, director of the Maryland Lottery, said that the prize had yet to be claimed. "We can't wait to greet the winner of this world-record setting jackpot," he added.
In a phone call to the restaurant shortly after the numbers were announced at 11pm, Miss Wilson is said to have shouted: "I won, I won."
Her colleagues, who earn around $7 (£4.36) an hour, noticed that she had not said "we won," and were said to be immediately suspicious. » | Rosa Prince | New York | Monday, April 02, 2012
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THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Cristina Kirchner, the Argentine president, attacked Britain's "absurd" stance towards the Falklands Islands on Monday night as she accused the UK of colonialism on the 30th anniversary of her country's invasion of the disputed archipelago.
Imploring David Cameron to renegotiate the sovereignty of the islands, she said it was an "injustice" for the UK to try to retain control over what she described as a "colonial enclave" 14,000 km away.
She also accused Britain of exploiting Argentina's environment and natural resources.
Speaking at a memorial service at the Monument to the Fallen in Ushuaia, Patagonia, Mrs Kirchner said: "It's an injustice that in the 21st century colonial enclaves still exist in the world – and ten of the 16 that remain belong to the UK.
"It's absurd that they maintain sovereignty over islands that are 14,000 km away. The Falklands are a national, South American and global cause. All Argentina is asking for is dialogue."
Appearing in front of a giant wall adorned with a map of the islands and a cenotaph that names the 649 Argentine soldiers who died in the 74-day conflict, Mrs Kirchner made reference to the British companies that have been prospecting for oil in the South Atlantic.
"The UK is taking our resources and damaging our environment," she said. "They need to recognise what is Argentine territory." » | Jonathan Gilbert in Buenos Aires | Monday, April 02, 2012
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Six people have been confirmed dead and several others injured after a gunman opened fire inside a small Christian university in California.
Police said a suspect had been detained in custody following a search that lasted several hours.
The khaki-clad attacker, described as a heavy-set Asian man in his 40s, opened fire inside a lecture room where a nursing class was being held at the religious Oikos University, in East Oakland, California, at around 10.40am local time.
The college is popular with students from the Catholic Korean community.
Afterwards, four bodies outside the school could be seen covered in tarpaulin, while rescue workers removed others from inside the building on stretchers.
Nearby Highland Hospital said it had treated four victims following the incident, and others were still being taken out of the university hours after the shooting stopped. » | Rosa Prince | New York | Monday, April 02, 2012
Charlie Elphicke, an executive member of the1922 Committee of backbenchers, criticised MPs whose concerns about the leadership were revealed by the Daily Telegraph earlier today. Mr Elphicke spoke as Downing Street made clear Mr Cameron will not make changes in the face of pressure from the Tory benches.
Mr Elphicke said: “It is not the Prime Minister who needs to get a grip but colleagues on the backbenches who need to realise that government is not a cakewalk’.
“Given the poisonous inheritance from the Labour government, it was never going to be easy. But so far, the Government is doing a good job in difficult circumstances. Kris Hopkins, another Conservative MP, told the Spectator that MPs complaining about Mr Cameron’s approach risk “compromising” the Conservative Party.
Accusing critics of being egotistical, he added: “There should be constant challenge to the leadership, it shouldn’t start from the position of dislike for the Prime Minister”.
Some MPs have said they are concerned that Mr Cameron and his allies are seen are out-of-touch with the concerns of ordinary voters, worries sharpened by recent rows over the taxation of pasties and pensions.
John Redwood, a former Cabinet minister, said that the Prime Minister should avoid “phoney” attempts to conceal his privileged upbringing and focus on economic policy. » | James Kirkup, and Holly Watt | Monday, April 02, 2012
THE WAY: Baroness Cox told the Christian Broadcasting Council that British Muslim women were already suffering under Sharia. Rape victims were being denied justice, divorcees were losing custody of their children, and women were being disinherited. Sharia could open the door to child marriage and was already permitting polygamy. Audio, pictures available
A House of Lords symposium heard clear warnings that Sharia law - strict Islamic law - must never be allowed to become a parallel legal system in the UK. If it did, there could be a right-wing backlash.
'There are now more than 80, perhaps 85 Sharia courts operating in the UK,' Baroness Cox told the Christian Broadcasting Council Symposium. 'Polygamy is already happening,' she said. 'It means Britain has two parallel legal systems, one which does not permit bigamy and the other which does.’
Sharing the platform at the CBC Symposium was Bishop Michael Nazir-Al[i]. Together they warned of the threat to rape victims if Sharia law were to be allowed in the UK. 'Under Sharia Law if a woman wants to bring a charge of alleged rape she is obliged to provide four independent Muslim witnesses,' said Lady Cox.
'Failure to do so might result in the rape victim being accused of fornication and adultery,' added Bishop Michael. He warned that Sharia law could be used to justify child marriage. ‘You will have child marriage, because as soon as a girl begins her periods, she is eligible to be married. How will you maintain a minimum age for marriage?
'Sharia is an all-encompassing law that affects every area of a Muslim's life and a Muslim's community,' said Pakistan-born Bishop Michael, who has received death threats for opposing Islamic militants. Some put forward family law as the acceptable face of Sharia, but that militates against justice and freedom for women and young children.’
Lady Cox said Sharia law treated women as second class citizens. 'A woman's evidence is counted as half the value of a man's.’ As an example of discrimination against women she cited a widow in her 50s who wanted to remarry. ‘She was required by an Imam to first obtain permission from her only male relative - a 7-yr-old grandson living in Jordan.’
Another concern is that so-called honour attacks could be given legitimation. 'I've spoken to many women who have been so badly abused in domestic violence they have been hospitalised,' said Lady Cox. 'But they have been pressured not to prosecute because it would bring shame on their community. There are people on the run living in terror in our nation today. We have to do something about it.'
Baroness Cox has drafted a Private Member's Bill that would outlaw Sharia court judgments that undermine the legal rights of women and others under British law. She intends to launch her Arbitration and Mediation Services (Equality) Bill in the next session in parliament. » | Posted by Amanda Hopkins | Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Related »
HT: Always on Watch »
Sunday, April 01, 2012
The far-Right extremist told Norwegian police of a plot to drive a car packed with explosives onto the square next to Oslo City Hall, and detonate it while the ceremony was taking place there, according to Norway's Dagbladet newspaper.
Breivik, 33,told police that the Obama attack would have been largely symbolic, as the security surrounding the visit would have prevented him bringing the vehicle sufficiently close to the ceremony.
But, with hundreds of millions watching on television, he believed it would have been a perfect way to promote his anti-Islamic message. » | Richard Orange | Malmö | Sunday, April 01, 2012
THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Ministers are preparing a major expansion of the Government's powers to monitor the email exchanges and website visits of every person in the UK, it was reported today.
Under legislation expected in next month's Queen's Speech, internet companies will be instructed to install hardware enabling GCHQ – the Government's electronic "listening" agency – to examine "on demand" any phone call made, text message and email sent, and website accessed in "real time", The Sunday Times reported.
A previous attempt to introduce a similar law was abandoned by the former Labour government in 2006 in the face of fierce opposition.
However ministers believe it is essential that the police and security services have access to such communications data in order to tackle terrorism and protect the public.
Although GCHQ would not be able to access the content of such communications without a warrant, the legislation would enable it to trace people individuals or groups are in contact with, and how often and for how long they are in communication.
The Home Office confirmed that ministers were intending to legislate "as soon as parliamentary time allows". Read on and comment » | Sunday, April 01, 2012
abc NEWS: Booms from rocket launchers and automatic gunfire crackled Sunday around Mali's fabled town of Timbuktu, known as an ancient seat of Islamic learning, for its 700-year-old mud mosque and, more recently, as host of the musical Festival in the Desert that attracted Bono in January.
On Sunday, nomadic Tuaregs who descended from the people who first created Timbuktu in the 11th century and seized it from invaders in 1434, attacked the city in their fight to create a homeland for the Sahara's blue-turbanned nomads. Their assault deepens a political crisis sparked March 21 when mutinous soldiers seized power in the capital. The Tuaregs have rebelled before, but never have they succeeded in taking Timbuktu or the major northern centers of Kidal and Gao, which fell Friday and Saturday as demoralized government troops retreated.
The expression "from here to Timbuktu" conjures up the end-of-the-earth remoteness of the sun-baked frontier town. It does not express the town's dynamic role as a major crossroads for the caravan trade between the Arab north and black West Africa, bringing together black Africans, Berbers, Arabs and, above all, the Tuaregs. » | Michelle Faul | Associated Press | Agadez | Niger | Sunday, April 01, 2012
Verwandt »
David Woelke, an English language teacher at King Abdul Aziz University in the western Red Sea port of Jeddah, converted to Islam amidst applause and chanting by the audience at an Islamic conference in the city.
“I used to go to church quite often in my country and noticed there is a big difference between the two religions….I have found that the media in the west is presenting Islam in a deformed way,” said Woelke, who changed his first name to Dawood, according to Saudi newspapers. » | AH/IINA | Sunday, April 01, 2012 | 10 Jumada Al-Awwal
LE FIGARO: Pékin a fermé des sites et arrêté des personnes accusées d'avoir «diffusé des rumeurs politiques». Plus de 1000 personnes ont été interpellées depuis mi-février.
Certaines «rumeurs» n'amusent pas du tout les dirigeants du Parti communistechinois. Pékin a lancé hier une opération de contrôle et de répression de l'Internet d'une ampleur inédite, pour stopper les discussions sur un éventuel coup d'État. Le coup de knout de la censure vise les principaux sites de micro-blogging chinois. Mais d'autres sites Internet ont aussi été fermés et des internautes arrêtés. » | Par Arnaud de La Grange | dimanche 01 avril 2012
TAGES ANZEIGER: In den vergangenen Tagen haben Aufständische eine Offensive gegen Malis Regierungstruppen gestartet. Mittlerweile attackierten sie die dritte Stadt im Norden des Landes. Sie kämpfen für einen eigenen Tuareg-Staat.
Im Norden des westafrikanischen Landes Mali haben Aufständische die Stadt Timbuktu angegriffen. Die Rebellen kämpfen für einen eigenen Staat für das Volk der Tuareg. Timbuktu ist einer der letzten Orte im Norden Malis, die noch von Regierungstruppen kontrolliert werden. Einwohner berichteten, es seien Explosionen und Schüsse aus automatischen Waffen zu hören. Demoralisierte Soldaten hätten in der Nacht schon die Stadt verlassen. Die Menschen versteckten sich in ihren Häusern, berichtete der Einwohner Mohamed Lamine am Telefon. » | kpn/dapd | Sonntag, 01. April 2012
NZZ ONLINE: Im Süden Thailands hat eine Serie von Bombenanschlägen am Samstag mindestens 14 Menschenleben gefordert. Rund 500 Personen wurden verletzt, über 100 befanden sich am Sonntag noch in Spitalpflege. Nach Angaben der Polizei waren im Geschäftszentrum der Stadt Yala um die Mittagszeit innerhalb weniger Minuten drei Sprengkörper explodiert. In der Folge gingen ganze Häuserzeilen in Flammen auf. Eine weitere Bombe explodierte eine Stunde später in Hat Yai vor einem Touristenhotel. Dabei kamen ein Malaysier und zwei Gäste unbekannter Nationalität um. » | kam. Singapur/ Neue Zürcher Zeitung | Sonntag, 01. April 2012
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