Himmler Letters: 'I Am Travelling to Auschwitz. Kisses. Your Heini'

Himmler with his daughter, Gudrun

THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Newly discovered collection of letters, notes and photographs from Heinrich Himmler shed light on private life of man who organised the Holocaust

A collection of letters, notes and photographs from Heinrich Himmler are to be published in full on Sunday, shedding light on the private life of the man who orchestrated the Holocaust.

Spanning from Himmler’s courtship of his future wife in 1927 to just a few weeks before he committed suicide in 1945, the archive published by Die Welt promises to be an unprecedented insight to the domestic relationship of the Nazi high command.

Personal archives relating to Adolf Hitler, Hermann Goerring and Joseph Goebbels have all been destroyed either by close aides or in the final onslaught on Berlin.

In excerpts released by the German newspaper on Saturday night, some exchanges between Himmler and his wife Marga contain a chilling informality.

In a July 1942 note to his wife, he wrote: “I am travelling to Auschwitz. Kisses. Your Heini.” » | Damien McElroy and Inna Lazareva | Sunday, January 26, 2014

DIE WELT: Kapitel 1: Himmler: Die Handschrift des Massenmörders » | Sonntag, 26. Januar 2014

YNET NEWS: Himmler's letters revealed: 'I'm going to Auschwitz. Kisses': Private correspondence of architect of Final Solution shows how top Nazi was willing to shoot his own mother if Hitler asked, but despite mass murder surrounding him family life was indispensable‬‬ » | Yehuda Shohat and Elad Zeret | Sunday, January 26, 2014

Related »

Religious Difference, Not Ideology, Will Fuel This Century's Epic Battles

THE OBSERVER: We must encourage education and tolerance if we are to bring about peace in the Middle East and the rest of the world

The last weeks have seen a ghastly roll call of terror attacks in the obvious places: Syria, Libya, Iraq and Lebanon, as well as Egypt, Yemen, Tunisia and Pakistan. Also suffering are places where we have only in recent years seen such violence: Nigeria, and in many parts of central Africa, in Russia and across central Asia, and in Burma, Thailand and the Philippines. We can either see all of these acts of killing as separate – produced by various political contexts – or we can start to see the clear common theme and start to produce a genuine global strategy to deal with it.

The fact is that, though of course there are individual grievances or reasons for the violence in each country, there is one thing self-evidently in common: the acts of terrorism are perpetrated by people motivated by an abuse of religion. It is a perversion of faith. But there is no doubt that those who commit the violence often do so by reference to their faith and the sectarian nature of the conflict is a sectarianism based on religion. There is no doubt either that this phenomenon is growing, not abating.

We have to be prepared to take the security measures necessary for our immediate protection. Since 9/11, the cost of those measures, and their burden, has been huge. However, security action alone, even military action, will not deal with the root cause. This extremism comes from a source. It is not innate. It is taught. It is taught sometimes in the formal education system; sometimes in the informal religious schools; sometimes in places of worship and it is promoted by a vast network of internet communications.

Technology, so much the harbinger of opportunity, can also be used by those who want to disseminate lessons of hate and division. Today's world is connected as never before. This has seen enormous advances. It means there is a kind of global conversation being conducted. This is exciting and often liberating. But it comes with the inevitable ability for those who want to get across a message that is extreme to do so. This has to be countered. » | Tony Blair | Saturday, January 25, 2014

Related »

Extremist Religion Is at Root of 21st-century Wars, Says Tony Blair

THE OBSERVER: Former prime minister will reignite debate on Iraq as he calls on governments to switch tactics

Tony Blair has reignited debate about the west's response to terrorism with a call on governments to recognise that religious extremism has become the biggest source of conflict around the world.

Referring to wars and violent confrontations from Syria to Nigeria and the Philippines, Blair, writing in the Observer, argues that "there is one thing self-evidently in common: the acts of terrorism are perpetrated by people motivated by an abuse of religion. It is a perversion of faith."

Identifying religious extremism as an ever more dangerous phenomenon, the spread of which is easier in an online age, he says: "The battles of this century are less likely to be the product of extreme political ideology, like those of the 20th century – but they could easily be fought around the questions of cultural or religious difference."

The former prime minister, who led the country into the Iraq conflict in 2003, appears to acknowledge that previous aspirations to export liberal democracy focused too much on political objectives.

But sources close to Blair insist that he is not in any way indulging in a mea culpa over past interventions by the west, including in Iraq. In the future, he writes, "the purpose should be to change the policy of governments; to start to treat this issue of religious extremism as an issue that is about religion as well as politics, to go to the roots of where a false view of religion is being promulgated and to make it a major item on the agenda of world leaders to combine effectively to combat it. This is a struggle that is only just beginning." » | Toby Helm, political editor | Saturday, January 25, 2014

François Hollande officialise sa rupture avec Valérie Trierweiler

LE PARISIEN: Voilà, c'est fini. François Hollande et Valérie Trierweiler ont acté leur séparation. Le chef de l'Etat a annoncé ce samedi soir «la fin de sa vie commune» avec sa compagne, dans une déclaration à l'AFP. Précisant qu'il s'exprimait à titre personnel et non en tant que président, car il s'agit de «(sa) vie privée», il a déclaré : «Je fais savoir que j'ai mis fin à la vie commune que je partageais avec Valérie Trierweiler.»

Selon nos informations, la première dame ne voulait pas signer de communiqué commun. «Il l'a consultée et mise au courant, elle accepte la situation de fait, mais elle lui laisse l'inititative de son acte», explique son entourage au «Parisien».

Valérie Trierweiler a quitté la Lanterne, la résidence de Versailles où elle se reposait depuis une semaine après son hospitalisation, pour réintégrer l'appartement du couple, rue Cauchy dans le XVe arrondissement de Paris. La journaliste s'y est rendu ce samedi après-midi, selon nos informations. C'est donc en simple citoyenne qu'elle va effectuer son voyage à Bombay (Inde) où elle s'envolera dimanche, en faveur de l'association Action contre la faim (ACF). » | Par Frédéric Gerschel | samedi 25 janvier 2014

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: It’s official: François Hollande and Valérie Trierweiler announce separation: President François Hollande tells French news agency he has separated from Valérie Trierweiler on eve of her planned charity trip to India » | David Cjazan, Paris | Saturday, January 25, 2014

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Hollande-Liebesaffäre: Au revoir, mon amour: Frankreichs Staatschef François Hollande und seine Lebensgefährtin trennen sich. Mit der offiziellen Ankündigung geht die mediale Telenovela um die mutmaßliche Präsidentenaffäre zu Ende. Zumindest vorläufig. » | Von Stefan Simons, Paris | Samstag, 25. Januar 2014

Who Is the Real Barack Obama?

This is an extraordinary fact based expose of the fairy tale story "sold" to the American public about Barack Obama and those who have surrounded and influenced him since childhood. Do you know ANYONE who believes the things Obama believes or would do the things Obama has done? What is most disturbing is the extent to which the mainstream media has been complicit in keeping these facts from the American public.

UAE President Stable after Stroke

THE HINDU: The President of the United Arab Emirates suffered a stroke, but is now in a stable condition, the official news agency WAM reported on Saturday.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al—Nahyan “suffered a stroke on Friday morning. He immediately underwent a surgical operation. » | DPA | Saturday, January 25, 2014

State of the Union: Barack Obama Will Have Little Concrete to Offer Disillusioned Middle Classes

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: As public disaffection with politics deepens after another corruption scandal and Mr Obama's own star-power wanes, this year's State of the Union promises to be a down-beat affair

For all the numbers that will be bandied around by Barack Obama during his annual State of the Union address on Tuesday, one of the most revealing – the television ratings - will be published the morning after the event.

Mr Obama's fifth State of the Union will focus on inequality and the cost of living crisis that is uppermost in the minds of millions of those ordinary Americans, but if the trend of recent years continues, fewer of them than ever will bother to tune in to listen.

The increasingly flaccid viewing figures – from a high of 52.3 million in 2009 down to 33.3 million last year – reflect the ebbing of Mr Obama's personal star power and the reality of his political impotence since losing control of Congress in 2010.

With presidential prospects for 2016 already exerting magnetic pull over the political conversation and Congress fixated on the upcoming mid-term elections, this year's speech will be much more a wish-list than a "to-do" list.

Mr Obama will expound on America's great predicament: over the last 20 years the cost of maintaining the four pillars of a middle class life – housing, education, healthcare and retirement – have increased far more sharply than wages, and it will be a long haul back. » | Peter Foster | Saturday, January 25, 2014

François Hollande 'To Announce Separation from Valérie Trierweiler'

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: French president expected to make statement revealing the end of their relationship ahead of a charity trip to India by Trierweiler

French President François Hollande is expected to announce his separation from partner Valerie Trierweiler on Saturday following a media storm over allegations he is having an affair with an actress, according to the Journal du Dimanche.

Trierweiler, 48, the first lady and Mr Hollande's partner since 2006, plans to travel to India on Sunday for a charity trip and the president wants to settle the issue of their future before her departure, the newspaper said.

"The press release from the Elysee Palace should be released sometime today," the respected national weekly said on its website, without citing its sources.

A spokesman for the president declined to comment on the report, and Trierweiler's spokesman did not immediately return a request for comment. » | Reuters | Saturday, January 25, 2014

Salafist ruft Muslime in Deutschland zum Jihad auf

Dennis Rodman 'Investigated for Violating Sanctions' against North Korea

Dennis Rodman

THE INDEPENDENT: Former NBA star's lavish birthday gifts for 'friend for life' Kim Jong-un may have violated international sanctions imposed on North Korea

Dennis Rodman is reportedly being investigated by the US Treasury on suspicions that he violated sanctions against North Korea by splashing thousands of dollars in luxury gifts for Kim Jong-un.

On his fourth trip to Pyongyang, the former NBA player allegedly showered "friend for life" Kim with expensive gifts to celebrate his 31st birthday; these reportedly included Irish Jameson whiskey, a fur coat, an Italian suit, several bottles of his "Bad Ass Premium Vodka" brand and a Mulberry handbag for his wife, Ri Sol-ju.

A US official told the Daily Beast the Treasury Department is investigating whether Rodman violated US sanctions under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act signed by President Barack Obama in 2010, which makes it illegal for US citizens to "import, export, or reexport" luxury goods to or into North Korea.

Rodman's gifts also appear to violate UN sanctions imposed on North Korea prohibiting "the provision of luxury goods" adopted in 2007. These were reinforced last year after the country conducted its third nuclear test in February 2013. » | Maria Tadeo | Friday, January 24, 2014

North Korea Proposes Family Reunions with South

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Kim Jong-un's regime sends surprise letter to South Korea calling for reconciliation

North Korea has made a sudden proposal for the resumption of reunions for families separated since the Korean War, saying the programme could help improve cross-border ties.

South Korea immediately welcomed the offer, which followed a recent series of trust-building gestures from the nuclear-armed communist country.

The North's Red Cross faxed a message to its South Korean counterpart, calling for a family reunion event after the Lunar New Year on January 31, according to its official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

The North suggested that the South could choose a date for the event "at its convenience" after the Lunar New Year when the weather thaws. » | AFP | Friday, January 24, 2014

Heinrich Himmler's Letters to Be Published

Heinrich Himmler, Reichsführer of the Schutzstaffel

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Nazi SS leader Heinrich Himmler's letters are to be published by Germany's Die Welt

Heinrich Himmler’s love letters to his wife that also document the rise and fall of the Nazi regime are to be made public for the first time, it has been claimed.

Hundreds of the SS commander’s private letters, notes and photographs from 1927 to five weeks before his suicide in 1945 will be published by Die Welt newspaper on Sunday.

The architect of the Holocaust, which claimed the lives of six million Jews, met his future wife Marga, who ran a nursing home in Berlin, in 1927. The letters apparently detail the early months of their relationship, with Himmler signing them “Dein Heini” (“Your Heini”).

But the correspondence between the couple apparently confirms the “not-so-glamorous private life of the Himmler family”.

The relationship started to break down from 1938 onwards, as Himmler had an affair with his private secretary, but contrary to biographers of the Reichsführer SS, he remained in touch with his wife and also wrote several times to his daughter, signing them off with “Euer Pappi” (“Your Daddy”). » | Barney Henderson | Friday, January 24, 2014


DIE WELT: Verschollene Briefe Heinrich Himmlers aufgetaucht: "Welt" exklusiv: 69 Jahre nach dem Suizid Heinrich Himmlers sind in Israel Briefe und Fotos aus seinem Privatbesitz aufgetaucht. Sie geben Einblick in das Leben eines der schlimmsten Nazi-Verbrecher. » | sfk/J.S./sim | Freitag, 24. Januar 2014

DIE WELT: Heinrich Himmler's missing letters surface: "Die Welt" exclusive: 69 years after Heinrich Himmler's suicide his private letters and photographs have surfaced in Israel. They provide insight into the life of one of the main orchestrators of the Holocaust. » | sfk/J.S./sim | Translated by Thilo Maluch | Friday, January 24, 2014

Four Bombs Strike Central Cairo

Nine people are killed as a car bomb on Friday hits the police headquarters before two smaller blasts are detonated, a day ahead of the third anniversary of the revolt against Hosni Mubarak

Read the Telegraph article here | Louisa Loveluck, and Magdy Samaan in Cairo | Friday, January 24, 2014

Hand Guns Should Be Legalised and Licensed, Nigel Farage Has Said

Nigel Farage, UKIP leader

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The Ukip leader says the ban on the guns, which were made illegal in the wake of the Dunblane shooting, was a "kneejerk" reaction and should be lifted

The Ukip leader has said it is party policy for hand guns to be legalised and licensed in the UK despite being banned in the UK for the last 18 years.

Mr Farage said the current ban on the guns, which were made illegal following the school shooting at Dunblane in 1996, was “ludicrous.”

Speaking on LBC Radio Mr Farage said that it was Ukip policy to create a “proper licensing policy” and that people who kept hand guns responsibility locked up and had were willing to get an official license should “absolutely” be allowed them.

Experts have said his comments were “stupid” and encourage an American-style idea that you and your home are only safe if you are armed.

Peter Squires, professor of criminology at Brighton University and a member of Association of Police Officer’s advisory group on the criminal use of fire arms said that Mr Farage’s comments were "irresponsible". » | Georgia Graham, Political Correspondent | Friday, January 24, 2014

John Boehner: Wine and Cigarettes More Important Than Running in 2016

THE GUARDIAN: Republican House speaker says he wouldn't make sacrifices for White House - including cutting the grass

US House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner says he has no interest in running for the White House because he doesn't want to give up smoking, drinking – and cutting his lawn.

Boehner, who has fought a bitter battle with President Barack Obama over health reforms and spending, said on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno that he was not about to give up red wine and cigarettes to be president.

Asked by Leno whether he ever thought of running for president, Boehner replied, "No.

"I like to play golf. I like to cut my own grass," said Boehner, the top Republican in Congress.

"I do drink red wine. I smoke cigarettes. And I'm not giving that up to be president of the United States." Read on and comment » | Friday, January 24, 2014

Pope Francis Tells François Hollande: 'We Share a Patron Saint'

With his complicated love life attracting global headlines, François Hollande holds an awkward first audience with Pope Francis

Read the Telegraph article here | Nick Squires, the Vatican | Friday, January 24, 2014

Ukraine Government Ready to Resign, Protests Spread across Country

Rioting has spread to the west of the country - with protesters sieging and breaking into administration buildings. Meanwhile in Kiev, the opposition and the government are now expected to announce the results of their talks. Let's get the latest from RT's Peter Oliver, who is there in the capital.

British Man Sentenced to Death for Blasphemy in Pakistan

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: A Pakistani court has passed the death sentence on a British national with mental health problems

A court in Pakistan has sentenced a British man to death for blasphemy for claiming to be a prophet of Islam, a prosecutor and police said Friday.

Mohammad Asghar, a British national of Pakistani origin, was arrested in 2010 in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, near Islamabad, for writing letters claiming to be a prophet, police said.

The special court inside Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail, where Asghar is being held, rejected defence claims that the 65-year-old has mental health problems.

"Asghar claimed to be a prophet even inside the court. He confessed it in front of the judge," Javed Gul, a government prosecutor, told AFP.

"Asghar used to write it even on his visiting card." » | AFP | Friday, January 24, 2014

Mark Carney: No Need for an Immediate Rate Rise

Mark Carney, Canadian Governor of the Bank of England

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Bank of England governor seeks to reassure markets that interest rate rise is not imminent, saying he doesn't want to focus on one indicator

Bank of England Governor Mark Carney has pledged there will be no “immediate” increase in interest rates as unemployment nudges closer to the 7pc threshold in an apparent softening of his forward guidance policy.

He said Bank of England policymakers look at “overall conditions in the whole labour market”, rather than just one indicator, and that any change, when it comes, would be “very gradual”.

The governor, who said that the UK economy was "in a different place" to when he introduced the guidance, added: “We don’t see an immediate need to change monetary policy."

Asked if he would consider lowering the 7pc threshold, Mr Carney added: “There are a broad range of things we could do, I wouldn’t jump to that conclusion … we’re trying to get across is that it’s all about overall conditions in the labour market.

“We wouldn’t want to detract from that focus by unnecessarily focusing on one indicator.” » | Denise Roland | Thursday, January 23, 2014

My comment:

"No need for an immediate rise [in interest rates]" – Mark Carney

No, there is no need for him. He's sitting pretty with his huge salary and exorbitant expenses. The rest of us have to make ends meet from our savings. What a thoughtless, unreasonable man Carney is!

Never in my lifetime can I remember not being able to get interest on my capital that at least equates to the rate of inflation, and then some. Does this man have no sense of true capitalism? Does this man have no sense of economic history?

What an utter disappointment this Governor is! – © Mark

This comment appears here too.

French Holiday Home Alert after Burglaries Rocket by 18 Per Cent

The village of Castelnau in Dordogne, France

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: French police launch 'Operation Holiday Tranquility' to crack down on thefts from second homes

Burglaries in rural holiday homes in France, where tens of thousands of Britons own properties, rocketed by almost 18 per cent in a year, according to new figures released yesterday, with the government blaming the sharp rise on an influx of Eastern European criminals.

Figures by The French National Supervisory Body on Crime and Punishment , ONDRP, showed burglary and theft were up in 2013 across France but that second homes — both foreign and French-owned - were by far the hardest hit, despite increasing efforts by police and the gendarmerie to step up protection.

Approximately 200,000 Britons own second homes in areas such as the Dordogne and other parts of France, particularly those serviced by budget airlines. » | Henry Samuel, Paris | Thursday, January 23, 2014