Sir Salman “Thrilled and Honoured” to Receive the Knighthood
THE GUARDIAN: Salman Rushdie has amassed for himself a fair number of distinctions over the years, among them the Booker of Bookers prize, the Whitbread novel award (twice), the James Tait Black memorial prize, and a fatwa from the Ayatollah Khomeini calling for his immediate assassination.

Yesterday, however, came the big one: a knighthood recognising the services to literature of one of the world's most lauded - and most divisive - literary grandees. "I am thrilled and humbled to receive this great honour, and am very grateful that my work has been recognised in this way," the newly-minted Sir Salman said in a statement. Literary world applauds Rushdie knighthood By Esther Addley

Mark Alexander

Lord Woolf Entrusted with Investigation of BAE over Al-Yamamah Contract
THE TELEGRAPH: Lord Woolf, a former chief judge of England and Wales, has defended his appointment as chairman of a committee that will investigate BAE Systems' ethical standards following allegations of bribery and corruption.

Speaking publicly for the first time about his role, Lord Woolf, said yesterday that he will "look at things with a critical and independent eye for the sake of BAE and the country".

"If I thought that I was being used for some kind of window dressing then I would not be doing this," he said.

Critics are unlikely to be convinced, as under the terms of reference Lord Woolf will investigate only current and future ethical policies and processes. It thus excludes the bribery allegations surrounding the Al Yamamah contract with Saudi Arabia. Woolf will look at BAE with 'critical eye' (more) By Russell Hotten

Mark Alexander

UK to Crack Down on Honour Killings
THE GUARDIAN: Police and prosecutors target 'hotspots'

Dedicated teams of senior prosecutors are to be deployed in the UK's honour killing hotspots in the wake of the failings exposed this week by the case of a young Kurdish woman murdered by her family.

The prosecutors, who have all had experience of complex organised crime cases, will start work this month as part of an overhaul of how cases are handled. The move is designed to boost conviction rates and improve protection for victims. Special units to crack down on honour killing (more) By Karen McVeigh

THE DAILY MAIL:
'Honour killing' sister breaks her silence By Helen Weathers

Mark Alexander

The Queen Knights Salman Rushdie
TIMESONLINE: Salman Rushdie, the author who spent almost a decade in hiding after an Iranian religious death threat, is knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honours today. Queen’s Birthday Honours include Rushdie, Botham and Dame Edna (more) By Fran Yeoman

Mark Alexander

Trouble Playing Videos?
It has come to my attention that some people are experiencing difficulties playing the videos placed here. After some experimentation, it has been found that these difficulties are experienced when PC-users double click on them. I therefore advise my visitors, especially those using PC's, to click on the vieos only ONCE; otherwise, they are likely to hear the video in duplicate and out of phase.

Kind regards

Mark Alexander

Wake Up and Smell the Threat!
Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

Part 4:


Mark Alexander

Happy Birthday, Prince Bandar! Here's a Little Gift for You!
THE GUARDIAN: BAE gave Prince Bandar of Saudi Arabia an airliner as part of Britain's al-Yamamah arms deal, and the arms firm is still paying the expenses of flying it, the Guardian can disclose. The top of the range, four-engine Airbus 340, worth £75m, was painted in the silver and blue colours of Bandar's favourite American football team, the Dallas Cowboys, and is said to have been presented to him on his birthday in 1998.

According to his most recent approved biographer William Simpson, the aircraft, described as Bandar's "private plane", is heavily used. He says the aircraft flight log includes such destinations as St Lucia in the Caribbean, Rio de Janeiro, Casablanca, Cape Town and Honolulu. BAE bought £75m Airbus for Saudi prince (more) By David Leigh and Rob Evans

Mark Alexander

"Hello Condoleezza Rice. You have to deal with me now, there is no Abu Mazen anymore”, said Izz el-Deen al-Qassam
THE GUARDIAN: Hamas fighters today basked in triumph after taking complete control in Gaza as the west scrambled for a response to the arrival of Islamist power on Israel's doorstep.

In a stark demonstration of the new facts on the ground, a masked Hamas fighter sat down at the desk of the Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen, and declared an end to the western-backed authority in the Gaza strip.

In an imaginary telephone call to the US, a fighter from the Islamist movement's armed wing, Izz el-Deen al-Qassam, joked: "Hello Condoleezza Rice. You have to deal with me now, there is no Abu Mazen anymore." Hamas takes control of Gaza (more)

Mark Alexander

Google’s Decision to Hold a Party Miffs eBay
THE GUARDIAN: There is nothing more enraging than a clash in social diaries, as two of Silicon Valley's top firms have just discovered.

A decision by Google to hold a party in the middle of an eBay conference has prompted a furious dust-up between the two technology companies.

The row erupted when Google attempted to lure customers, technology experts and partners away from a major marketing event hosted by eBay in Boston this week. Google and eBay in furious dust-up (more) By Andrew Clark

Mark Alexander

Britain in Crisis: “White Flight”/"White Fright" - BBC Documentary: Panorama
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Part2:

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Mark Alexander

George Bush As You’ve Never Seen Him Before!


Mark Alexander

Gaza controlé par Hamas

Photo du bureau personnel de Mahmoud Abbas grâce du Figaro

LE FIGARO: L’Union Européenne "condamne" la prise de pouvoir par les milices du Hamas.

Le mouvement islamiste Hamas règne en maître vendredi sur la bande de Gaza et son 1,5 million de Palestiniens, coupés du reste du monde, après avoir mis en déroute les forces fidèles au parti rival Fatah au cours de combats qui ont fait 113 morts. A part quelques tirs sporadiques, les rues de Gaza-ville sont redevenues calmes et des habitants ont commencé prudemment à sortir dans leurs quartiers.

Les barrages disséminés dans les rues de Gaza ont pratiquement disparu et les automobilistes circulent librement. En revanche, la bande de Gaza est désormais coupée du reste du monde, les points de passages avec Israël et l'Egypte ayant été fermés "jusqu'à nouvel ordre" par l'armée israélienne. Le Hamas parade à Gaza (suivant)

Mark Alexander

Islamic Fascism


Mark Alexander

The Palestinians’ Worst Nightmare: Two States for One People
YNET NEWS: Palestinian nightmare taking shape: 2 separate states in West Bank and Gaza

Fatah has collapsed in the Gaza Strip; it's gone completely under. Gaza has turned into a jungle. Everyone is fighting each other. The political conflict between Fatah and Hamas has turned into a clan war, a war between brothers. Scores have been opened that can't be settled, and vendettas are threatening to lead Gaza to terrible anarchy. The Palestinians are destroying their future with their own hands.

Within this chaos the state of Hamastan is being created upon the ruins of the Palestinian entity. Fatah is barely able to hold on to some key positions, yet it is clear that the new Hamas reality in Gaza has reached the point of no return. There is no one to stop it. Two states for one people (more) By Ronny Shaked

Mark Alexander

Children Could Get Involved in Citizenship Ceremonies
THE DAILY MAIL: Teenagers may be called on to attend citizenship ceremonies side by side with immigrants under plans to improve relations with the newcomers.

They would be asked to go to their local town hall to pledge allegiance to the Queen, just as immigrants must do to win British citizenship.

The idea is to establish a bond between those born here and those who choose to make Britain their home. Teenagers could be told to bond with immigrants (more) By Steve Doughty

Mark Alexander

Censorship Stepped Up in Iran
BBC: Iranian Nobel peace laureate Shirin Ebadi has said censorship in her country is getting much worse.

Ms Ebadi, a human rights lawyer, said the government was trying to prevent information about what is happening there reaching the outside world.

The recent arrest of four Iranian-Americans for spying was part of that trend, she told the BBC. Iran censorship ‘getting worse’ (more)

Mark Alexander

Uncivilised Iranian Rabble Throw Paint and Eggs at the British Embassy in Tehran

Photo courtesy of the BBC

BBC: Demonstrators have thrown paint and eggs at the UK embassy in Tehran to try to prevent an annual party in honour of Queen Elizabeth II's birthday.

They said any Iranian guests who tried to attend the party were dirty traitors willing to sell out their country.

The protesters also called for the expulsion of the ambassador and relations to be cut off. Iran protest at UK Queen's party (more) By Frances Harrison

Mark Alexander

Belgium: Militant Muslims


Mark Alexander

Paul Belien, Editor Brussels Journal and Atlas






Mark Alexander

Famous Quotes on Islam
“If any religion had the chance of ruling over England, nay Europe within the next hundred years, it could be Islam” – George Bernard Shaw

"Liberals hate America, they hate "flag-wavers," they hate abortion opponents, they hate all religions except Islam (post 9/11). Even Islamic terrorists don't hate America like liberals do. They don't have the energy. If they had that much energy, they'd have indoor plumbing by now." – Ann Coulter

"How dreadful are the curses which Mohammedanism lays on its votaries! Besides the fanatical frenzy, which is as dangerous in a man as hydrophobia in a dog, there is this fearful fatalistic apathy. Improvident habits, slovenly systems of agriculture, sluggish methods of commerce, and insecurity of property exist wherever the followers of the Prophet rule or live. A degraded sensualism deprives this life of its grace and refinement; the next of its dignity and sanctity. The fact that in Mohammedan law every woman must belong to some man as his absolute property - either as a child, a wife, or a concubine - must delay the final extinction of slavery until the faith of Islam has ceased to be a great power among men." – Winston Churchill

"Individual Moslems may show splendid qualities. Thousands become the brave and loyal soldiers of the Queen: all know how to die. But the influence of the religion paralyses the social development of those who follow it. No stronger retrograde force exists in the world. Far from being moribund, Mohammedanism is a militant and proselytising faith. It has already spread throughout Central Africa, raising fearless warriors at every step; and were it not that Christianity is sheltered in the strong arms of science - the science against which it had vainly struggled - the civilisation of modern Europe might fall, as fell the civilisation of ancient Rome." – Winston Churchill

"In the seventh century of the Christian era, a wandering Arab of the lineage of Hagar [i.e., Muhammad], the Egyptian, [.....] Adopting from the new Revelation of Jesus, the faith and hope of immortal life, and of future retribution, he humbled it to the dust by adapting all the rewards and sanctions of his religion to the gratification of the sexual passion. He poisoned the sources of human felicity at the fountain, by degrading the condition of the female sex, and the allowance of polygamy; and he declared undistinguishing and exterminating war, as a part of his religion, against all the rest of mankind. THE ESSENCE OF HIS DOCTRINE WAS VIOLENCE AND LUST.- TO EXALT THE BRUTAL OVER THE SPIRITUAL PART OF HUMAN NATURE.... Between these two religions, thus contrasted in their characters, a war of twelve hundred years has already raged. The war is yet flagrant ... While the merciless and dissolute dogmas of the false prophet shall furnish motives to human action, there can never be peace upon earth, and good will towards men." – John Quincy Adams

“That a moderate Government is most agreeable to the Christian Religion, and a despotic Government to the Mahometan.

THE Christian religion is a stranger to mere despotic power. The mildness so frequently recommended in the gospel, is incompatible with the despotic rage with which a prince punishes his subjects, and exercises himself in cruelty.” – Montesquieu (“Spirit of the Laws”, Chapter III)

“It is a misfortune to human nature, when religion is given by a conqueror. The Mahometan religion, which speaks only by the sword, acts still upon men with that destructive spirit with which it was founded.” – Montesquieu (“Spirit of the Laws”, Book XXIV, Chapter IV)

Mark Alexander

Hamas Close to Control of Gaza
GLOBE AND MAIL: GAZA CITY, GAZA STRIP — Hamas fighters overran one of the rival Fatah movement's most important security installations in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, and witnesses said the victors dragged vanquished gunmen from the building and executed them in the street.

The capture of the Preventive Security headquarters was a major step forward in Hamas' attempts to complete its takeover of all of Gaza.

The moderate President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah, for the first time in five days of fierce fighting, ordered his elite presidential guard to strike back. But his forces were crumbling fast under the onslaught by the better-armed and better-disciplined Islamic fighters.

Fatah officials said seven of their fighters were shot to death in the street outside Preventive Security. A witness, Jihad Abu Ayad, said the men were being killed before their wives and children.

"They are executing them one by one," Mr. Abu Ayad said. "They are carrying one of them on their shoulders, putting him on a sand dune, turning him around and shooting." Hamas close to controlling Gaza (more) By Diaa Hadid (Associated Press)

THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD:
After 13 years, end game comes quickly for Fatah

REUTERS:
Hamas hails victory

NZZ:
Hamas kontrolliert Gazastreifen fast ganz: Sicherheitszentrale der Fatah erobert - Kämpfer hingerichtet

BBC:
Hamas hails 'liberation' of Gaza

WATCH BBC VIDEO:
Hamas hails Gaza 'liberation'

Mark Alexander

Prince Bandar Defends Himself
KUWAIT TIMES: RIYADH: Saudi Prince Bandar bin Sultan, facing accusations he personally received 1 billion pounds ($2 billion) under a British arms deal, said yesterday the funds were transfers between official Saudi bank accounts. Saudi prince defends funds as govt transfers (more)

Mark Alexander

US to Tighten Gun Laws
ALJAZEERA: The US House of Representatives has approved a bill to tighten gun ownership laws, almost two months after a student at a US university campus killed 32 people.

The House passed the bill on Wednesday, as a government report on the Virginia Tech shootings called for greater sharing of students' information rather than tighter gun controls.

The bill, which encourages states to supply "timely and accurate information" on people barred from acquiring guns to a central database, received the support of the National Rifle Association (NRA), America's gun lobby. US moves to tighten gun laws (more)

Mark Alexander

The Castro-Chavez Bond
CHINA DAILY: HAVANA - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez returned to Cuba to visit his convalescing friend and ally Fidel Castro, spending six hours with the 80-year-old leader he considers a guiding light for the Latin American left.

State television reported the pair shared an "emotional" meeting Tuesday, discussing Venezuela-Cuba relations, climate change and a socialist-leaning regional pact they created. Chavez was to unveil a statue of Venezuelan independence hero Francisco de Miranda on Wednesday morning and stop by a nearby college.

Politics aside, the two men clearly share a deep personal affection, with Chavez visiting Castro more than any other foreign leader since he fell gravely ill in late July. Castro a key influence for Chavez (more)

Mark Alexander

New Zealand’s High Commissioner Declared Persona Non Grata By Fiji's Interim Government
THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD: Fiji can expect a "strong reaction" after expelling New Zealand's high commissioner from the country, New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said today.

Peters said the high commissioner in Suva, Michael Green, had been declared persona non grata by the interim government.

"The New Zealand government deplores this action," Peters said in a statement.

"Expelling diplomats is not the way for neighbours to conduct their relationship."

Fiji's expulsion of the diplomat follows New Zealand and Australia's criticisms of the interim government set up following a military coup in December, which overthrew the democratically-elected government. Fiji expels New Zealand commissioner (more)

NEW ZEALAND HERALD:
Fears for NZers in Fiji after diplomat's expulsion

Mark Alexander

Bitter-Sweet: The Falklands Anniversary Celebrations
MAIL & GUARDIAN ONLINE: Britain's leaders, war veterans and bereaved relatives on Thursday marked the 25th anniversary of victory in the Falklands War amid a mixture of celebration and sombre reflection.

Queen Elizabeth II, Prime Minister Tony Blair and Baroness Margaret Thatcher, who was prime minister at the time, participated in a service marking the end of the conflict with Argentina over the South Atlantic islands. UK marks 25th anniversary of Falklands War victory (more)

Argentina slams UK on war anniversary By Sonia Avalos

Mark Alexander

Kurt Waldheim ist gestorben
DIE PRESSE: Der frühere UN-Generalsekretär und ehemalige österreichische Präsident Kurt Waldheim ist heute im Alter von 88 Jahren verstorben. Er erlag einem Herz-Kreislauf-Versagen.

Die Fahne der Präsidentschaftskanzlei steht auf Halbmast. Alt-Bundespräsident Kurt Waldheim ist heute Mittag in Wien gestorben. Das teilte sein Schwiegersohn, der EU-Abgeordnete Othmar Karas, mit. Der 88-jährige Waldheim erlag nach Angaben seiner Familie einem Herz-Kreislauf-Versagen. Waldheim war von 1986 bis 1992 österreichisches Staatsoberhaupt und der einzige noch lebende Alt-Bundespräsident. Alt-Bundespräsident Kurt Waldheim ist tot (mehr)

Mark Alexander

Fears of Crash in China Stock Market
SPIEGELONLINE INTERNATIONAL: In recent months millions of Chinese have gone crazy about stocks, driving up prices to record levels. Now the government is trying to dampen the stock market fever and prevent a crash at the same time -- but what happens if the bubble bursts? Chinese Investors Fear Burst of Stock Bubble (more) By Wieland Wagner

REUTERS:
Wall St advances on energy, growth expectations

Mark Alexander

Dr. Wafa Sultan Speaks About Islam at UCLA


Mark Alexander

Nicolas Sarkozy: ”Ensemble tout deviant possible”
Mesdames et Messieurs: En ce jour où je prends officiellement mes fonctions de Président de la République française, je pense à la France, ce vieux pays qui a traversé tant d’épreuves et qui s’est toujours relevé, qui a toujours parlé pour tous les hommes et que j’ai désormais la lourde tâche de représenter aux yeux du monde.

Je pense à tous les Présidents de la Ve République qui m’ont précédé.

Je pense au Général De Gaulle qui sauva deux fois la République, qui rendit à la France sa souveraineté et à l’Etat sa dignité et son autorité.

Je pense à Georges Pompidou et à Valéry Giscard d’Estaing qui, chacun à leur manière, firent tant pour que la France entrât de plain-pied dans la modernité.

Je pense à François Mitterrand, qui sut préserver les institutions et incarner l’alternance politique à un moment où elle devenait nécessaire pour que la République soit à tous les Français.

Je pense à Jacques Chirac, qui pendant douze ans a œuvré pour la paix et fait rayonner dans le monde les valeurs universelles de la France. Je pense au rôle qui a été le sien pour faire prendre conscience à tous les hommes de l’imminence du désastre écologique et de la responsabilité de chacun d’entre eux envers les générations à venir.

Mais en cet instant si solennel, ma pensée va d’abord au peuple français qui est un grand peuple, qui a une grande histoire et qui s’est levé pour dire sa foi en la démocratie, pour dire qu’il ne voulait plus subir. Je pense au peuple français qui a toujours su surmonter les épreuves avec courage et trouver en lui la force de transformer le monde. Mesdames et Messieurs (suivant)

M Sarkozy: Son valeurs

M Sarkozy: Sa vie

M Sarkozy: “Ce que je vous propose”

Une selection de videos de Sarkozy

Mark Alexander

The Ugly Anti-Semitic Face of Academia
TIMESONLINE: Is an academic boycott ever justified, and is this particular boycott anti-Semitic? Two distinguished academic lawyers explain why they say "Yes" to both

The University College Union on May 30 passed two boycott resolutions. Resolution 30 endorsed the call for an academic boycott of Israel by the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI). It also committed union funds to promoting it on campuses. But it did not commit the union of university teachers itself to a boycott. Resolution 31 condemned the USA and EU boycott of the Palestinian Authority (that is, the “suspension of aid”). There is symmetry here. Thirty calls for a boycott; 31 calls for the ending of a boycott. Israel’s universities, which are liberal institutions, are to be shunned; the government of the PA, which is governed by a party committed to the destruction of Israel, is to be embraced.

These resolutions are the successors to boycott resolutions passed by the predecessor academic unions, the AUT in 2005, and NATFHE in 2006. The AUT resolutions purported to justify a boycott of named Israeli universities by making specific - though false - allegations against them. The NATFHE resolution, which was much like UCU resolution 30, “invited members to consider their own responsibility for ensuring equity and non-discrimination in contacts with Israeli educational institutions or individuals and to consider the appropriateness of a boycott of those that do not publicly dissociate themselves from such policies.” The AUT resolutions were reversed following a special conference; the NATFHE resolution lapsed upon the union’s dissolution only a few days later.

The UCU resolutions are in a 2007 series of boycott resolutions. They follow the National Union of Journalists resolution, and precede the UNISON resolutions. The NUJ resolution called for “a boycott of Israeli goods similar to those boycotts in the struggles against apartheid South Africa”. One of the UNISON resolutions affirms the union’s “right and desire to act in solidarity with the Palestinian people”. These resolutions open with a very one-sided, hostile account of events in the Middle East. Britain has become the boycott nation of the world – but in relation to Israel alone. It is an ugly obsession. The contemporary fight against anti-Semitism (more) By Anthony Julius and Alan Dershowitz

This boycott is not just wrong, it’s anti-Semitic

Mark Alexander

TV Ads for Erectile Dysfunction Are Just Dandy; But Don’t Drink Alcohol in Front of the Kids – America’s Uneasy, Puritanical Relationship with Alcohol
BBC: The rolling hills around Charlottesville are the sophisticated cradle of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

This is where Thomas Jefferson, that most famous of American Renaissance men, kept his ebony toothbrush, surrounded by his inventions, his fine French wines and, of course, his slaves.

The town of Charlottesville itself is a gracious home to one of America's oldest and most venerable colleges, the University of Virginia.

The town centre is more lively and funky than perhaps any other in the state.

The Playhouse is staging Harold Pinter, the Slava dance club is hosting a transvestite salsa night and, at the cinema in the pedestrian district, there is a Stanley Kubrick marathon this weekend.

But even towns like Charlottesville need a jail.

Perhaps in keeping with the sense of decorum, the Albemarle County jail is unusually pleasant. Washington diary: Prohibition lite (more) By Matt Frei

Mark Alexander

That Must Have Been One Hell of a Strong Bottle of Water, Sarko!
BBC: A Belgian newscaster has apologised for suggesting French President Nicolas Sarkozy was drunk during a news conference at last week's G8 summit.

A clip of the incident, posted on the YouTube video website, has been watched hundreds of thousands of times.

It shows Mr Sarkozy, who insists he is a teetotaller, appearing short of breath and euphoric before reporters. Apology over 'drunk' Sarkozy clip (more)

BELGIAN TV BROADCAST:
Apology over ‘drunk’ Sarkozy

Mark Alexander

Vatican Gets Tough On Amnesty Over Abortion
BBC: The Vatican has urged all Catholics to stop donating money to Amnesty International, accusing the human rights group of promoting abortion.

The Vatican, which regards life as sacred from the moment of conception, said it was an "inevitable consequence" of the group's policy change.

Amnesty said it was not promoting abortion as a universal right.

But the group said that women had a right to choose, particularly in cases of rape or incest.

"No more financing of Amnesty International after the organisation's pro-abortion about-turn," said a statement from the Roman Catholic Church's Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.

The Church's request covers funding from Catholic groups, non-governmental organisations, parishes, schools and individuals. Vatican urges end to Amnesty aid (more)

WATCH BBC VIDEO:
Vatican cuts aid to Amnesty

Mark Alexander

Dear Albanians: Bush’s Cheap Watch Was in His Pocket All the Time!
Can you tell the class of your leader by the value of his watch?
TIMESONLINE: If there’s one thing worse than being branded a nation of thieves, it’s the suggestion that even your most powerful friend doesn’t trust you.

President Bush did not have his watch stolen when he greeted adoring crowds in Albania, it emerged yesterday. He simply slipped it off his wrist and into his pocket – a truth that has left many Albanians deeply offended.

Footage confirmed the White House’s version of events: that as Mr Bush glad-handed crowds during his ground-breaking visit on Sunday, he deftly slipped his Timex Indiglo off his left wrist and popped into his trouser pocket. In search of lost time: the President had it in his pocket (more) By Tim Reid

Mark Alexander

Islam über alles!


Mark Alexander

Islam Is Taking Over


Mark Alexander

Richard Calland On Blair
MAIL & GUARDIAN ONLINE: Alongside the Oscar-winning performance by Helen Mirren, The Queen included cameo performances depicting the relationship between Tony Blair and his then-trusted lieutenant, Alastair Campbell. Unlike Mirren’s character, they were hopelessly implausible for one simple reason -- the conspicuous absence of any profanity. British politicians have a great fondness for swearing -- perhaps, because it adds a streetwise edge to their persona.

In exactly a month Blair will have left 10 Downing Street and Campbell’s long-awaited diaries will have hit the bookshops. The big story in London this week has not been Blair’s grand African farewell tour, but the revelation that Campbell has bowed to pressure from his former boss and excised from his manuscript all of the Anglo-Saxon words beginning with F and C, to which Blair is so partial. Tony Blair’s world of good and evil (more) By Richard Calland

Mark Alexander

What Is It With The Germans? 4000 Converts to Islam Per Year!

SPIEGELONLINE: The number of Germans who have converted to Islam has increased fourfold within one year -- despite the negative perception of Islam among the general public.

In terms of his appearance, Kai Lühr seems out of place. Lühr, who is kneeling between bearded men in white robes and bowing in the direction of Mecca, is clean-shaven and wearing jeans and a gray jacket. He might pass as a member of the Christian congregation next door, sent here to cultivate inter-faith dialogue. But he clearly knows the Islamic prayer ritual too well for that to be the case. He bends over and prays in Arabic: "Allah listens to him who praises Him. Our Lord, to You is due all praise." Lühr bends over, stands up again, takes another bow -- up and down, 33 times.

Kai Lühr, a practising doctor, converted to Islam with his wife two and a half years ago. Since then their names have been Kai Ali Rashid and Katrin Aisha Lühr. The 43-year-old regularly attends Friday prayers in the courtyard mosque in Frechen, near Cologne, where he prays together with Moroccans, Palestinians and two other German converts -- a former boxer and an engineer. "You'll meet a few German-born Muslims in any mosque these days," says Lühr. Angst-Ridden Germans Look for Answers -- And Find Them in the Koran (more) By Lutz Ackermann

Mark Alexander

Most Wanted Islamic Militant Captured by Indonesia
GLOBE AND MAIL (Reuters): JAKARTA — Indonesian police have captured the country's most-wanted militant, Abu Dujana, who heads a military wing of the Southeast Asian militant group Jemaah Islamiah (JI), a police spokesman said on Wednesday.

Mr. Dujana had been sought in connection with several deadly bomb attacks, including the 2004 Australian embassy blast and a car bombing at the JW Marriot hotel in Jakarta a year earlier.

Police said he also had a role in the 2002 Bali bombings. Indonesia captures most-wanted Islamic militant (more) By Telly Nathalia

Mark Alexander

Brice Hortefeux a plaidé hier pour la creation d’un « pacte européen pour l'immigration »
LE FIGARO: Le ministre estime qu'une convergence entre les 27 Etats de l'UE est aujourd'hui possible sur les questions d'immigration.

EN RÉPONSE aux vagues incessantes de clandestins qui tentent de débarquer sur les rivages de l'Union européenne, le ministre français de l'Immigration, Brice Hortefeux, a plaidé hier pour la création d'un « pacte européen pour l'immigration ».

Le ministre a discrètement testé cette idée, déjà évoquée par l'ancien candidat Nicolas Sarkozy, auprès de ses 26 homologues de l'UE. « Je crois en l'harmonisation des politiques », a-t-il expliqué, citant la lutte contre l'immigration clandestine, la maîtrise des flux migratoires et le recours à « l'immigration choisie ». Il n'a pas défini pour autant la liste des États membres susceptibles d'adhérer à ce « pacte ». Le ministre allemand de l'Intérieur, Wolfgang Schauble, a salué l'initiative d'Hortefeux, dont il est également à l'origine.

Du temps où il était à l'Intérieur, Nicolas Sarkozy privilégiait les formats réduits, sur le mode des G6 (Royaume-Uni, Espagne, Italie, France, Allemagne et Pologne). Dans la mesure où Rome et Madrid renoncent à des programmes de régularisation massive, Paris estime qu'une convergence est désormais possible en Europe sur les questions d'immigration. Hortefeux veut un "pacte européen pour l'immigration" (encore) de Pierre Avril

Mark Alexander

Poutine rend hommage à Soljenitsyne avec prix d’État
LE FIGARO: L'ex-colonel du KGB devenu patron du Kremlin a remis un prestigieux prix d'État, hier, à l'ancien dissident soviétique, un « écrivain majeur » qui a « dédié sa vie à sa patrie ».

C'EST UNE ironie de l'histoire. Alexandre Soljenitsyne, le pourfendeur du totalitarisme soviétique, décoré de l'une des plus hautes distinctions officielles russes par Vladimir Poutine, le chef du Kremlin, accusé de faire reculer la démocratie dans son pays. L'auteur de L'Archipel du goulag, expulsé d'URSS en 1974, récompensé par l'ancien colonel du KGB qui a qualifié la disparition de l'Union soviétique de « plus grande catastrophe géo-politique du siècle ». Vladimir Poutine rend hommage à Soljenitsyne (encore) de Fabrice Nodé-Langlois

Mark Alexander

Le nouveau président d’Israël: Shimon Peres
LE FIGARO: A 83 ans, le prix Nobel de la Paix succède à Moshe Katsav à ce poste avant tout protocolaire.

C’était sans doute sa dernière bataille politique : l’ancien premier ministre Shimon Peres a été élu neuvième président d’Israël, mercredi, par le Parlement israélien. Une fonction poste très protocolaire jusqu’à présent occupée par Moshe Katsav dont le mandat de sept ans arrive à expiration en juillet. Le président sortant avait été suspendu de ses fonctions en janvier dernier après être tombé en disgrâce en raison de son implication présumée dans une affaire de viol et harcèlement sexuel. Shimon Peres, nouveau président d’Israël (encore)

Mark Alexander

Anti-Semitism and Jew-Hatred Portrayed on Palestinian TV


Mark Alexander

The Association Between Nazism and Arab Anti-Semitism


Mark Alexander

US Dollar Strengthens
REUTERS: LONDON (Reuters) - The dollar hit a 4-1/2 year high against the yen and 11-week peak versus the euro on Wednesday after a rally in U.S. Treasury yields boosted its appeal.

Investors were braced for U.S. retail sales data, the Federal Reserve Beige Book and speeches from Fed officials as markets have dropped expectations of lower U.S. interest rates later this year. Dollar at 4-1/2 year peak vs yen as U.S. yields rise (more) By Natsuko Waki

Mark Alexander

Anti-Semitism: Britain’s Shameful Face
THE TELEGRAPH: A Jewish peer has warned that anti-Semitism is at its worst level in Britain since he fled here from Germany in 1936.

Lord Moser said he was particularly concerned about anti-Jewish feeling in Britain's universities.

Addressing a House of Lords debate on anti-Semitism on university campuses, Lord Moser said: "It is just over 70 years since I came to this country and I have to say that I've never been more concerned about the rising tide of anti-Semitism throughout Europe, including this country. Anti-Semitism at 'worst level since 1936' (more) By Richard Holt

YNET NEWS: 250 British academics against Israel boycott

Mark Alexander