Breivik Trial: Norway's Troubled Example to the World
THE GUARDIAN – EDITORIAL: Yesterday's remarkable court proceedings were the start of a long and harrowing - but necessary – phase for Norway

In a variety of ways Norway offers a model of the kind of country that many would like Britain to emulate. On the left, there is envy for Norway's enduring social solidarity and its long commitment to international peacemaking. On the right, there is a wish for Britain to enjoy the semi-detached relationship with the European Union that Norwegians have always preferred. For their part, supporters of Scottish independence like to imagine themselves as a second Norway, a green northern European economy bankrolled by oil revenues.

Meanwhile, across the spectrum from left to right and north to south, there is no financially embattled European nation that does not envy Norway its resilient finances, with its billions in the bank and a state-owned investment fund that guarantees most Norwegians the kind of pensions that workers here can only dream of. If only we had planned for our futures the way Norwegians have done for theirs. Yesterday, the eyes of the world were once again glued to a very different and far from ideal side of Norway. » | Editorial | Monday, April 16, 2012

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The Obama Deception

Breivik Cries in Court Watching His Own Propaganda Video
Anders Behring Breivik has wept in court as an anti-Islam propaganda video he created was played, but showed no emotion while the gruesome details of his victim's deaths were read or when CCTV footage of the blasts was played.

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Australia: Gay Activists Kiss in front of Islamic fanatics at ‘2012 Global Atheist Convention’
”My partner Gregory and I decided to confront the fanatical Islamic protesters outside the 2012 Global Atheist Convention by kissing each other. The fanatical protesters chanted "Burn in hell" as we were showing our affection for each other. It was an extremely powerful and peaceful statement of love in the face of pure hate. Love will always conquer hate.”

GAY NEWS NETWORK: Gay Kiss at Atheist Convention: The Global Atheist Convention in Melbourne on the weekend attracted some 5,000 attendees to see speakers including Richard Dawkins, A.C. Grayling, Lawrence Krauss, Geoffrey Robertson and Ayaan Hirsi Ali. ¶ On Saturday, star attraction Richard Dawkins, speaking on the merits of religion, said Islam was “more evil” than Christianity in terms of its moral code. ¶ Self-described “infidel” Ayaan Hirsi Ali, who spoke before Dawkins on the rights of Muslim women, said Saudi Arabian women were protected from harm in the afterlife, "because it was impossible to go to hell twice”. ¶ Fiona Patten from the Australian Sex Party, which champions the rights of queer Australians, spoke on a panel about the dangers of allowing religion to interfere with politics. » | Andrew Shaw | Monday, April 16, 2012

Breivik gesteht Schuld nicht ein
Obwohl Breivik die Bluttat gestanden hat, sieht er sich als nicht schuldig. Im letzten Sommer hat Anders Breivik 77 junge Menschen getötet. Seit heute steht er in Oslo vor Gericht. Er ist angeklagt wegen Terrorismus und vorsätzlichen Mordes. Einschätzungen von SF-Sonderkorrespondent Erwin Schmid aus Oslo.

Verwandt »

Geständiger Massenmörder Breivik pocht auf Notwehr
REUTERS DEUTSCHLAND: Oslo - Der mutmaßliche norwegische Massenmörder Anders Behring Breivik hat den Prozessauftakt am Montag zur Selbstinszenierung genutzt:

Er erklärte sich für nicht schuldig und berief sich auf Notwehr. "Ich gestehe die Taten, aber nicht die strafrechtliche Schuld", sagte der 33-jährige Rechtsextremist. Breiviks Bombenanschlag im Osloer Regierungsviertel und seine Jagd auf Jugendliche auf der Insel Utoya hatten im vergangenen Sommer 77 Menschen das Leben gekostet. Mit seinen Taten habe er Norwegen gegen Muslime verteidigt. Zu Beginn der Verhandlung reckte er in dem hoch gesicherten Gerichtssaal provokativ seinen rechten Arm mit geballter Faust zum Gruß in die Höhe. Im Zentrum des mit großem Interesse verfolgten Prozesses steht vor allem die Frage nach seiner Schuldfähigkeit.

Breivik erschien in einem schwarzen Anzug und einer locker gebundenen Krawatte in dem Osloer Gerichtssaal, der nur über Sicherheitsvorkehrungen wie an Flughäfen zu erreichen ist. Erst kurz bevor er Platz nahm, wurden ihm die Handschellen abgenommen. Gelegentlich unterdrückte Breivik, der seine Haare akkurat gescheitelt trug, ein Gähnen oder trank einen Schluck Wasser, als die Staatsanwältin die Anklagepunkte jedes einzelnen Mordes verlas. Sie schilderte die Panik und Todesangst der Jugendlichen, die Breivik auf der Ferieninsel gejagt und willkürlich niedergeschossen hatte. Einige Details des Massakers waren so drastisch, dass das norwegische Fernsehen die entsprechenden Worte ausblendete. » | Reuters | Montag, 16. April 2012

Verwandt »

Breivik refuse de reconnaître la justice norvégienne

REUTERS FRANCE: OSLO - Anders Behring Breivik a refusé de reconnaître l'autorité de la justice norvégienne lundi à l'ouverture de son procès pour le massacre de 77 personnes à Oslo et sur l'île d'Utoya le 22 juillet 2011.

L'extrémiste de droite, militant islamophobe, qui se définit comme un "templier" au service de la Norvège en lutte contre les périls du "multiculturalisme", entend rejeter sa culpabilité au cours des audiences qu'il espère utiliser comme tribune pour la défense de ses idées.

Il est arrivé sous bonne escorte dans la salle d'audience, affichant à plusieurs reprises un sourire suffisant lorsque les gardes lui ont retiré ses menottes, puis serrant le poing droit sur son coeur avant de tendre son bras en guise de salut.

"Je ne reconnais pas les tribunaux norvégiens. Vous avez reçu votre mandat de partis politiques qui soutiennent le multiculturalisme", a-t-il déclaré. "Je ne reconnais pas l'autorité de cette cour." » | Par Balazs Koranyi et Walter Gibbs | Reuters | Henri-Pierre André et Jean-Stéphane Brosse pour le service français | lundi 16 avril 2012

Liens en relation avec l’article »

Pat Condell: Telling the Truth about Islam
Pat Condell pulls no punches as he shares his opinions on the 'Truth about Islam'.

Jeremy Paxman in Amazement at EDL Leader Stephen Lennon (Tommy Robinson) Before Luton Demo
Newsnight 1st Feb 2011 Jeremy Paxman interviews Stephen Lennon (Tommy Robinson) before demo in his home town of Luton 5th Feb.

British Peer Lord Ahmed Suspended after 'Offering £10m Bounty on Barack Obama and George Bush'

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: A controversial British peer has been suspended from the Labour Party amid reports that he offered a £10 million bounty for the capture of President Barack Obama and his predecessor President George W Bush.

Lord Ahmed, 53, who in 1998 became the first Muslim life peer, was reported to have made the comments at a conference in Haripur in Pakistan.

A Labour Party spokesman said: "We have suspended Lord Ahmed pending investigation. If these comments are accurate we utterly condemn these remarks which are totally unacceptable."

According to Pakistan's Express Tribune newspaper Lord Ahmed offered the bounty in response to a US action a week ago.

The US issued a $10 million reward for the capture of Pakistani militant leader Hafiz Mohammad Saeed, founder of the Lashkar-e-Taiba group, who it suspects of orchestrating the 2008 Mumbai attacks in which 166 people died as terrorists stormed hotels and a train station.

The British peer reportedly said: "'If the US can announce a reward of $10 million for the (capture) of Hafiz Saeed, I can announce a bounty of £10 million (for the capture of) President Obama and his predecessor, George Bush." Lord Ahmed reportedly said he would arrange the bounty at any cost, even if he had to sell his own personal assets including his house. »

Norway Killer Admits Massacre, Claims Self-defense
ASSOCIATED PRESS: OSLO, Norway (AP) — A right-wing fanatic admitted Monday to unleashing a bomb-and-shooting massacre that killed 77 people in Norway but pleaded not guilty to criminal charges, saying he was acting in self-defense.

On the first day of his long-awaited trial, Anders Behring Breivik defiantly rejected the authority of the court as it sought to assign responsibility for the July 22 attacks that shocked Norway and jolted the image of terrorism in Europe.

Dressed in a dark suit and sporting a thin beard, Breivik smiled as a guard removed his handcuffs in the crowded court room. The 33-year-old then flashed a closed-fist salute, before shaking hands with prosecutors and court officials.

"I don't recognize Norwegian courts because you get your mandate from the Norwegian political parties who support multiculturalism," Breivik said in his first comments to the court.

Eight people were killed in Breivik's bombing of Oslo's government district and 69 others were slain in his shooting massacre at the left-leaning Labor Party's youth camp on Utoya island outside the capital.

"I admit to the acts, but not criminal guilt," he told the court, insisting he had acted in self-defense.

He remained stone-faced and motionless as prosecutors read the indictment on terror and murder charges, with descriptions of how each victim died, and when they explained how he prepared for the attacks.

But he suddenly became emotional when prosecutors showed an anti-Muslim video that he had posted on YouTube before the killing spree, wiping away tears with trembling hands. » | Karl Ritter | AP | Associated Press writers Bjoern H. Amland and Julia Gronnevet contributed to this report. | Monday, April 16, 2012

Anders Behring Breivik trial: indictment in full »

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Breivik beruft sich auf Notwehr: Mit überheblicher Miene sitzt der Angeklagte im Gericht: Zum Prozessauftakt gegen Anders Breivik hat die Staatsanwaltschaft den Werdegang des Attentäters nachgezeichnet - der beruft sich auf Notwehr. Als ein von ihm produzierter Film vorgeführt wurde, brach der Massenmörder in Tränen aus. » | ulz/siu | Montag, 16. April 2012


Related »

Norway's Mass Killer Anders Breivik Speaks at Start of Trial
Anders Breivik speaks at the beginning of his trial to say he does not recognise the Norweigan court. . Report by Sophie Foster.

Related »

Breivik Stands Trial Over Norway Killings
Anders Behring Breivik tells court he does not recognise its authority as trial begins over attacks that left 77 dead.

Read the article here | Source: Al Jazeera | Monday, April 16, 2012
Related »

Norwich Church Banned from Using Market Stall after Complaints about ‘Hate-related’ Leaflets
NORWICH EVENING NEWS 24: A church has been banned from using a market stall to hold its weekly outreach service following a complaint about “hate-motivated” leaflets published by the group.

The Norwich Reformed Church held a weekly outreach bookstall from the Norwich City Council-owned site on Hay Hill, but has been informed it is no longer allowed to use the stall after the council received a complaint about literature on it. The complaint prompted a review of the materials produced by Reverend Alan Clifford, pastor of the church, and the council contacted police as materials, particularly the leaflet entitled Why not Islam, were considered to be hate-motivated. » | Peter Walsh | Saturday, April 14, 2012

HT: Robert Spencer @ Jihad Watch »

Norway Killer Breivik Refuses to Recognize Court
REUTERS.COM: The Norwegian anti-Islamic militant who massacred 77 people last summer arrived at an Oslo courthouse under armed guard on Monday, clenching his fist in a far-right salute and saying he did not recognize the authority of the judges.

Anders Behring Breivik, 33, has admitted setting off a car bomb that killed eight people at government headquarters in Oslo last July, then killing 69 in a shooting spree at a summer youth camp organized by the ruling Labour Party.

Breivik entered the court in handcuffs, which were taken off just before he was seated. He smirked several times as the cuffs were removed, put his right fist on his heart then extended his hand in salute.

"I do not recognize the Norwegian courts. You have received your mandate from political parties which support multiculturalism," Breivik told the court. "I do not acknowledge the authority of the court."

The "lone wolf" killer intends to deny criminal guilt, saying he was defending Norway against multiculturalism and Islam. The trial is scheduled to last 10 weeks, during which the court must rule on both his guilt, and his sanity. » | Balazs Koranyi and Walter Gibbs | OSLO | Reporting by Oslo newsroom; Editing by Alistair Scrutton and Giles Elgood | Monday, April 16, 2012

Saudis Ban Emo University Students
TIMESLIVE.CO.ZA: Saudi authorities have barred adherents of the emo subculture from attending the country's universities, local media reported Sunday.

Universities in the conservative Muslim kingdom have been ordered to ban students sporting emo clothing and hairstyles, after an official investigation concluded that this subculture is "improper and deviant," reported the newspaper Al Sharq.

The paper added that female students dressed in boyish styles were to be barred too. » | Sapa-dpa | Sunday, April 15, 2012

WIKI: Emo »

Surreality Check! Islam Is Key to Peace, Convention Concludes
KHALEEJ TIMES: Concluding three days of lectures and activities, the second edition of the Dubai International Peace Convention affirmed that Islam is the key to peace much sought after these days.

Altogether 150,000 people of different nationalities and religions attended the 16 lectures delivered by 12 scholars and spiritual gurus during the event.

The world congress, held under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, is aimed to create a climate of intellectual cooperation and share the teachings of Islam in order to guide the world towards peace.

Dr Hamad Al Shaibani, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for World Peace, said the convention has been a wonderful platform for leading thinkers in the Muslim world to come together. ‘They have had a massive impact in raising awareness of our main objective, and we are delighted to have brought together different races and religions under one roof to create an interactive environment that perpetuates our vision of peace.’

‘Brotherhood in Islam’, the ‘status of women in Islam’, ‘Muhammad (PBUH) — the ambassador of peace’, ‘One world... One way... One God’, ‘action plan to achieve world peace’, the ‘role model for peace’, ‘how to build a peaceful family’, ‘the solutions for global crisis’, ‘peace in the light of the Holy Quran’, and ‘Peaceful coexistence... myth or reality’ were some of the issues spotlighted during the convention. » | Ahmed Shaaban | Sunday, April 15, 2012

My comment:

First, Islam disturbs world peace, which is one of today's greatest problems; second, Muslims gather for a huge convention stating that Islam is the solution to world peace. One really couldn't make this stuff up. One can only scratch one's head! The audacity of it all. – © Mark

USA: Tornadoes Leave Widespread Damage

North Korean Former Detainee Tells His Story
The world's eyes are on North Korea after its failed rocket launch, but some also want to keep the focus on Pyongyang's human rights record. Political detainees there are kept in secret camps. Al Jazeera's Emma Hayward reports from Paris, France.

North Korean Leader Calls for 'Final Victory'
North Korea's new leader has delivered his first major public speech on the occasion of the centenary of its founder's birth, calling for a push to "final victory" at a mass military parade in the country's capital.

Kim Jong-un, the third Kim to rule North Korea, read monotonously from a script in Pyongyang's central square on Sunday after marching soldiers and sailors demonstrated the North's military power.

In a move that indicated Kim would stick to the "military-first" policies that have put North Korea on the verge of nuclear weapons capacity, he lauded his grandfather, Kim Il-sung, and his father, Kim Jong-il, as the "founder and the builder of our revolutionary armed forces".

Al Jazeera's Harry Fawcett reports from Seoul, South Korea's capital.