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.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Congratulations, Mr Cameron! David Cameron To Be UK's New Prime Minister
BBC: Conservative leader David Cameron is at Buckingham Palace to accept an invitation from the Queen to form a new government.
He is poised to become Britain's new prime minister after Gordon Brown resigned.
Mr Cameron's Conservative Party won the most seats in the UK general election last week, but not an overall majority.
They have been in days of negotiations with the Lib Dems - who were also negotiating with Labour.
But the Lib Dems said those talks failed because "the Labour Party never took seriously the prospects of forming a progressive, reforming government". >>> | Tuesday, May 11, 2010
David Miliband Odds On To Succeed Brown
Cameron To Be New Prime Minister Imminently
SKY NEWS: Tory leader David Cameron is on his way to Buckingham Palace to ask the Queen permission to form a new government.
As his silver Jaguar drove through the gates at the front of the palace, Mr Cameron was greeted by cheers from a gathered crowd. >>> | Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Brown Resigns: 'Thank You And Goodbye'
Clegg Braced for Revolt from Sceptical Lib Dems as He Tries to Sell Tory Deal to Party
MAIL ONLINE: Nick Clegg is bracing himself for a revolt from the grassroots party as he tried to sell a historic deal with the Tories to sceptical Lib Dem MPs
Sources close to the Lib Dem leader said he was confident of winning the support of most of his parliamentary party and senior officials.
But senior party activists were also trying to organise a revolt to force his deal to the vote of a special conference.
The Lib Dem leader has come under fire for playing both Labour and the Tories off against each other during protracted negotiations over the past week.
Some in the party fear that the Lib Dems could face a wipe out if the coalition flounders and the country faces another election in a few months time.
Historically minor coalition partners are punished at the ballot box for propping up unpopular governments. >>> Gerri Peev | Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Tory-Lib Dem Deal Edges Closer
THE INDEPENDENT: Liberal Democrat and Conservative negotiations were locked in talks at the Cabinet Office in Whitehall tonight which could lead to a coalition between the two parties putting David Cameron in Number 10.
And an unconfirmed report in the Evening Standard suggested that Gordon Brown might stand down as Prime Minister as early as this evening, while the BBC reported that cases were being packed into vehicles at the rear of Downing Street.
Meanwhile, Labour hopes of a coalition deal with the Liberal Democrats appeared to be fading this afternoon, as a Cabinet minister went public with his misgivings about the idea.
Health Secretary Andy Burnham - tipped by some as a potential successor to Gordon Brown as Labour leader - said the party had to "respect" the result of last week's General Election in which Conservatives won most seats and votes. >>> Press Association | Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Benedict Brogan: Con-Lib Is Back On, Which May Be Why Vince Cable Has Just Been Seen in the Treasury
THE TELEGRAPH – BLOGS: Things are moving towards a deal between David Cameron and Nick Clegg. The Tory leader walked through Portcullis House a short while ago wearing a big smile and with his chief whip by his side. Word is a coalition is about to be agreed with a programme and seats around the Cabinet table for the Lib Dems. More intriguing are reports that Tories have offered policy concessions to sweeten the deal, including parking recognition of marriage in the tax system and inheritance tax. Can’t see it myself, but that’s the word around the rented trees of Port Ho. Read on and comment >>> Benedict Brogan | Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Talks Between Labour and Liberal Democrats Break Down
THE TELEGRAPH: Coalition talks between Labour and the Liberal Democrats have broken down with Gordon Brown reporting to be quitting as prime minister.
Photograph: The Telegraph
The development paves the way for the Conservatives to agree a power-sharing deal with Nick Clegg's party.
It comes after senior Labour figures urged Gordon Brown to "call it quits" on efforts to form a coalition government with the Liberal Democrats.
There were reports that Mr Brown was set to resign as prime minister on Tuesday night.
The Lib Dems opened up talks with Labour yesterday morning but at a meeting late last night, some Lib Dem MPs shifted back towards a Tory deal.
One senior Lib Dem said: "There is a sense that the party has realised that the Conservative deal is the best deal on offer. The Tories are desperate and they've improved their offer a lot.
"As long as the party can get over the emotional hurdle of backing the Tories, that's where we'll end up."
A Tory close to the talks said: "They've realised a deal with Labour would be a disaster for them. We're optimistic." >>> | Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Pope: Sex Scandal Is Greatest Threat to Church
THE TELEGRAPH: The child sex abuse scandal is the greatest threat to the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI said on Tuesday.
The pontiff said the crisis over paedophile priests was "born from sins within the church" not outside, and called for penance.
In some of his strongest comments to date, Pope Benedict said the Catholic church had always suffered from internal problems, but that "today we see it in a truly terrifying way".
"The church needs to profoundly relearn penitence, accept purification, learn forgiveness but also justice," he said.
The Pope was speaking aboard the papal plane while en route to Portugal, where he began a four-day visit on Tuesday. >>> | Tuesday, May 11, 2010
UK Credit Rating Set for Downgrade Under Lib-Lab Deal, City Analysts Warn
THE GUARDIAN: Lab-Lib government the least liked option by markets and would almost guarantee a downgrade of UK debt – BNP Paribas
Britain would most likely suffer an expensive and potentially damaging downgrade to its debt rating if the Liberal Democrats form a coalition with Labour, City analysts warned today amid ongoing uncertainty about the creation of a new government.
As the Institute of Directors called on political parties to focus on the economy rather than the need for electoral reform, analysts at BNP Paribas reckoned that a "Lab-Lib government is the least liked option by markets and would almost guarantee a downgrade of the UK sovereign [debt]".
The top-notch AAA debt rating that the UK currently holds ensures that the country achieves the most competitive rates when raising money on the financial markets. If the rating is cut then the country would be forced to pay more to borrow money - although it has a long way to fall before reaching the junk status assigned to Greece, the recipient of a €110bn (£94bn) bailout package from the International Monetary Fund and eurozone countries. >>> Jill Treanor | Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Lib Dems Return to Talks with Tories
THE INDEPENDENT: Liberal Democrat negotiators were this afternoon returning to discussions with Conservatives after spending the morning locked in talks with Labour over a possible coalition deal, it was announced today.
It was revealed that Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg this morning met David Cameron privately for an hour while the Lib Dem/Labour discussions were under way.
Labour's Ed Miliband described this morning's meeting, which lasted almost three hours, as "constructive", but reports in Westminster suggested the Lib Dems remain cautious about a pact.
A Lib Dem spokesman said that the party would resume talks with Conservatives at 2pm at the Cabinet Office in Whitehall.
Shadow foreign secretary William Hague put out a message on Twitter to say: "Will be returning to the Cabinet Office shortly to resume negotiations with the Liberal Democrats."
Tories yesterday made what they described as their "final offer" to the Lib Dems, under which the parties would make a formal coalition with a referendum on the alternative vote system for Westminster elections. >>> Daniel Bentley and Joe Sinclair, PA | Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Tory Patience Begins to Run Out After Clegg's 'Act of Betrayal'
THE INDEPENDENT: David Cameron won a noisy show of support from his newly enlarged group of Tory MPs for his final offer to the Liberal Democrats.
In a packed private meeting addressed by the Conservative leader, they cheered, laughed and banged their desks as he set out his party's negotiating red lines. But beneath the surface unity, there was dismay, anxiety and barely disguised fury at what many saw as straightforward betrayal by the Liberal Democrats. One said simply: "They are a bunch of tarts selling themselves around." >>> Nigel Morris, Deputy Political Editor | Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Israel Admitted to the OECD
THE TELEGRAPH: Israel has won a rare victory on the international diplomatic stage, gaining acceptance in an exclusive club of prosperous economies after a 16-year effort to join the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development - and in the face of stiff Palestinian opposition.
The Paris-based OECD said it had invited Israel, as well as Estonia and Slovenia, to become members after they met specific criteria as developed, open economies. Once formally invested as members, the three will swell the ranks of the OECD to 34 members, including the United States, a strong backer of Israel's bid.
The new members "will contribute to a more plural and open OECD that is playing an increasingly important role in the global economic architecture," OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurria said in a statement.
Just months ago, Mr Gurria expressed concern about high levels of poverty and unemployment, especially among the minority Arab populations, during a visit to Israel.
However, it did not appear to have hampered membership. Mr Gurria said Israel, Estonia and Slovenia had been "receptive to OECD recommendations." >>> | Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Liberal Democrats Pave Way for Labour Coalition as Recriminations Grow
THE TELEGRAPH: The prospect of the Liberal Democrat coalition with Labour moved a step closer as Lord Ashdown set out the case for a pact between Gordon Brown and Nick Clegg.
Describing the Conservatives as "rabidly anti-European", the former Lib Dem leader and close friend and mentor of Mr Clegg defended the legitimacy and stability of a deal with Labour.
He stressed that such a government would have the backing of 51 per cent of voters, dismissing accusations that it would be a "coalition of the defeated".
His comments come as Nick Clegg was attacked from both sides of the political spectrum for making overtures to Gordon Brown even as he continued talks with David Cameron. >>> Andrew Porter, Political Editor | Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Are Lib Dems Going to Symbolize Dishonour from Now On?
MAIL ONLINE: Nick Clegg was at the mercy of his party last night after his MPs and officials refused to back a deal with the Tories.
Following four days of tortuous negotiations with the Conservatives, the Lib Dem leader was ready to strike a power-sharing agreement.
But this was scuppered by his parliamentary party and ruling federal executive, who are holding out for proper voting reform. Under the party's internal rules three-quarters of MPs and officials have to rubber-stamp deals made with other parties.
WELT ONLINE: Das im vergangenen Jahr beschlossene Minarettverbot in der Schweiz ist nach Ansicht von Außenministerin Micheline Calmy-Rey kein Zeichen von Ausländerfeindlichkeit. Vielmehr habe der umstrittene Volksentscheid Ängste gegenüber einem extremistischen Islam offenbart.
Der umstrittene Volksentscheid, der zum Minarettverbot in der Schweiz führte, hat nach Ansicht der Außenministerin des Landes, Micheline Calmy-Rey, generelle Befürchtungen gegenüber einem extremistischen Islam deutlich gemacht. Das sagte Calmy-Rey der „Frankfurter Allgemeinen Sonntagszeitung“. Für die Politik müsse das Votum nunmehr ein Ansporn sein, den Dialog mit Minderheiten zu verstärken. >>> KNA/fas | Sonntag, 09. Mai 2010
Muslime in Uniform: Die Bundeswehr wird zur multireligiösen Armee
WELT ONLINE: In der Bundeswehr spiegelt sich der Gesellschaftswandel wider: Sie wird multireligiös. Etwa 1000 Bundeswehrsoldaten sind Muslime, rund 200 Juden. Ein muslimischer Soldat sagt, er habe nie schlechte Erfahrungen gemacht. Ein religiöser Ansprechpartner ist für ihn allerdings nicht vorgesehen.
Als der Soldat Arif Ünal öffentlich gelobte, der Bundesrepublik Deutschland treu zu dienen, waren 45 seiner Angehörigen dabei. Seine Kameraden hätten zum Gelöbnis allenfalls die Eltern und die Freundin eingeladen, berichtet der 31-jährige Deutsche türkischer Herkunft.
Bei ihm wollte sich jedoch die ganze Familie davon überzeugen, dass er bei der Zeremonie genau wie jeder andere behandelt werde: „Muslime haben größere Vorurteile gegenüber der Bundeswehr, als die Bundeswehr gegenüber Muslimen“, so die Erkenntnis des heutigen Berufssoldaten. >>> Von Andrea Djifroudi | Dienstag, 11. Mai 2010
UK Could Be Target For Tehran Missiles ‘In Four Years’
TIMES ONLINE: Iran is focused on improving a growing arsenal of ballistic missiles but needs at least four more years to be able to target London and more than a decade to threaten the East Coast of the United States, a leading think-tank said yesterday.
The analysis by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) came after Tehran said that it had test-fired for the first time a series of short-range Fajr (Dawn) missiles in the Gulf.
“The missiles were fired from surface to sea and hit the target with great precision,” Kiomars Haydari, deputy chief of the army ground forces, was quoted by a local news agency as saying. >>> Deborah Haynes, Defence Editor | Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Liberal Democrats Behaving Like 'Every Harlot in History', Says David Blunkett
THE TELEGRAPH: The Liberal Democrats are facing recriminations from all sides over Nick Clegg's decision to make overtures towards Gordon Brown while conducting talks with David Cameron.
Britain's third party is looking forward to "crunch time" as it is poised to decide the make-up of the next Government.
However, while senior Conservatives described Mr Clegg's behaviour as "sordid", former Labour home secretary David Blunkett compared him with a "harlot".
"Can we trust the Liberal Democrats?" Mr Blunkett asked. "They’re behaving like every harlot in history."
Adding that the Conservatives were in a stronger position to form a stable Government, he urged his party's leadership to accept a period in opposition rather than an unworkable coalition. >>> Andrew Porter, Political Editor | Tuesday, May 11, 2010
THE TELEGRAPH: Sterling was under pressure on Tuesday morning as investors reacted to the news that Labour and the Liberal Democrats are now engaged in official talks over a possible coalition.
The pound continued a slide that started toward the end of trading on Monday after Gordon Brown's unexpected announcement that he will manage negotiations with the Lib Dems before standing aside as Labour leader.
Within minutes of currency traders arriving at the desks on Tuesday, the pound had given up another half a cent against the dollar to trade at around $1.4780. It remains above its recent low of $1.4476, helped by the overall lift given to markets by the half-trillion euro bail-out package negotiated in Brussels. >>> | Tuesday, May 11, 2010
NZZ ONLINE: Support for the Australian prime minister has fallen to a record low after two weeks in which the prime minister has seen the public recoil from a series of broken promises and bad decisions.
For the first time since before his election in 2007, Mr Rudd's approval rating has fallen to 45 per cent, the fastest plunge experienced by an Australian leader in a decade. In another unwelcome first, Mr Rudd's disapproval rating of 49 per cent has eclipsed his approval rating, a sign that his long honeymoon in the public's affection is over. >>> Bonnie Malkin in Sydney | Monday, May 10, 2010
Angela Merkel Faces Challenge Over Greek Bail-out
THE TELEGRAPH: Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, is facing a leadership challenge after angry voters punished her government for signing up to the Greek bail-out.
Her conservative-liberal coalition was trounced in key regional elections on Sunday amid rising anger over the deal that will cost her country £19 billion.
The result stripped her government of its majority in the country's Bundesrat, or senate, and her ability to pass reforms cutting public spending.
Senior figures within her Christian Democrat Party (CDU) said they had lost confidence in her ability to guide the country and called for her to go.
Germany's Der Spiegel magazine said that up to 10 regional Christian Democrat leaders had begun plotting to remove her after her Greece policy "failed its first democratic test". >>> Bruno Waterfield and Allan Hall in Berlin | Monday, May 10, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
Gordon Brown to Resign: A Very Labour Coup
THE TELEGRAPH: Gordon Brown has been accused of a “sordid” attempt to keep Labour in power after offering his resignation in return for a coalition with the Liberal Democrats.
On a day of high political drama, Mr Brown seized on David Cameron’s failure to secure a pact with Nick Clegg by opening formal talks to agree a so-called “coalition of losers”.
In a surprise announcement, the Prime Minister offered to oversee talks between the two parties before stepping down by the time of the Labour conference in September, when a new leader would be chosen by party members.
If accepted, the proposal would mean Mr Brown remaining in Downing Street for another five months and voters being presented with a second unelected prime minister in a row.
The leadership campaign, which is likely to be contested by David Miliband, the Foreign Secretary, his brother Ed, the Climate Change Secretary, and Ed Balls, the Schools Secretary, and others, will only begin after any talks are concluded.
Last night senior Conservatives accused the Lib Dem leader of “treachery” after it emerged that Mr Clegg had changed the basis of a deal with Mr Cameron just minutes before Mr Brown made his statement.
John Reid, the former Labour Home Secretary, warned that a Labour-Lib Dem coalition would result in “mutually assured destruction” for both parties. >>> Andrew Porter, Political Editor | Monday, May 10, 2010
Paris Fears Losing Clientele to Burqa Ban
THE TIMES OF INDIA: The Avenue Montaigne in Paris is a magnet for wealthy shoppers. This summer, though, the Saudi princesses often to be seen browsing in black robes among the Chanel handbags and La Perla lingerie may stay at home — or shop elsewhere.
Under a proposed French law banning women from wearing the burqa in public, they could be fined. Their husbands, often potentates in their home countries, could end up in jail. "A lot of our customers come from the Gulf, especially Qatar," said a public relations officer at the exclusive Hotel Plaza Athenee, a stone's throw from Chanel. "There is some concern about this law."
The law is expected to be approved by parliament this week and to come into effect by September, when women offenders could be liable to a £130 penalty and be invited to attend "citizenship classes". Men found guilty of forcing women to wear burqas could be jailed for a year and fined £13,000.
A similar ban will come into force later this year in Belgium. In Italy a woman was fined £430 for wearing a burqa last week under a 1975 terrorist law banning clothing that prevents a person from being identified in a public place. Her husband said that she would have to stay at home in future. >>> Matthew Campbell, Sunday Times | Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Gordon Brown Clings On: A Bleak Day for British Democracy
THE TELEGRAPH: Telegraph View: The Liberal Democrats are holding the country to ransom while an unelected leader of the Labour Party remains Prime Minister.
It is a measure of Gordon Brown’s loose grip on reality that he sought to depict his decision to stand down later this year as a noble act of self-sacrifice made in the national interest. The truth is that this was an act of quite staggering cynicism based on naked party advantage. With the incomprehensible connivance of Nick Clegg – whose reputation will surely never recover – Mr Brown is effectively seeking to nullify the result of last week’s general election. Blinded by his tribal loathing of the Conservatives, he is ready to risk everything – and we use that term advisedly – to keep David Cameron out of Downing Street.
This unelected leader of the Labour Party will remain Prime Minister, even though his party secured two million fewer votes and 48 fewer seats than the Tories. He will then hand over at a time of his choosing to a new Labour leader. At that point, the United Kingdom will find itself governed by a Labour prime minister the country has not elected, succeeding a Labour prime minister neither the country nor his party elected. Even by Labour’s standards, this is self-serving and unscrupulous. >>> | Monday, May 10, 2010
Strong? Stable? He's Got to Be Kidding
THE TELEGRAPH– BLOGS: Nick Clegg said the party that won the most seats and votes should have first go. He said he wanted to ensure strong and stable government in the national interest. He made plain he has little personal time for Mr Brown. His mentor Lord Ashdown on Sunday said Mr Brown was personally unsuited to coalition. David Laws said a few hours ago that the Lib Dems and Conservatives were down to negotiating over specific policy details, but a deal was near. How then will they explain themselves if, as Gordon Brown has announced, they are now negotiating a coalition of the losers with Labour? Read on and comment >>> Benedict Brogan | Monday, May 10, 2010
THE TELEGRAPH: A string of nurseries have banned children from having sweets or cake to celebrate birthdays under a new healthy eating initiative.
The "Pre-School Nutrition Project", which was set up by Knowsley Borough Council and Chester University, sets out strict rules for nurseries which critics claimed risk "spoiling childhood".
Sweets and cakes brought in for children's birthdays cannot be eaten in the nursery, but must be handed to parents at the end of the day. Nurseries ban children from having birthday cake >>> | Monday, May 10, 2010
Nick Clegg Warned Deal with Tories Could Lead to Revolt
THE TELEGRAPH: Nick Clegg has been warned he could face a backlash from his party if he strikes a deal with the Conservatives.
Senior Liberal Democrats said that many grassroots party members lean to the Left and are hostile to the Tories.
Some MPs suggested that only a categorical assurance that the next general election is fought under new electoral rules would be enough to win support for a deal.
Under party rules, Mr Clegg is obliged to get the approval of his MPs and senior party activists before striking any deal. The Lib Dems are pressing for movement towards ending the first-past-the-post electoral system, a demand that many Tories reject. >>> James Kirkup, Political Correspondent | Monday, May 10, 2010
Breaking News! Gordon Brown Says He Will Resign As Leader
SKY NEWS: Gordon Brown has said he will step down as leader as Nick Clegg asks for talks between Labour and the Liberal Democrats.
In a statement outside Downing Street, Mr Brown said he had "no desire to stay in my position longer than needed" and would leave by the party conference in September.
He said he will ask the Labour Party to begin the process for a leadership election but that he will not stand or intervene. >>> Ruth Barnettt, Sky News Online | Monday, May 10, 2010
Europa zahlt teuer für Illusionen und Versäumnisse: Kommentar zur versuchten Rettung der Währungsunion
Bild: NZZ Online
NZZ ONLINE: Um eine Währungsunion zu bewahren, die wohl kaum zu retten ist, greifen Europas Politiker tief in die Tasche und beugen sämtliche Regeln. Ob die Übung gelingen wird, darauf mag man hoffen, man darf aber auch daran zweifeln.
Man wähnt sich an den Höhepunkt der Finanz- und Wirtschaftskrise erinnert, als in den USA und im Rahmen der G-20 die Summen von Massnahmenpaketen nicht hoch genug ausfallen konnten, um die Märkte von der Entschlossenheit der Politiker zur Krisenbewältigung zu überzeugen.
Das in der Nacht zum Montag von den EU-Finanzministern verabschiedete Massnahmenpaket zur Stabilisierung der Finanzmärkte soll mit dem Preisschild von insgesamt 750 Milliarden Euro wohl genau diese Botschaft aussenden, auch wenn dies eine Höchstgrenze darstellt und die Hoffnung besteht, nie auch nur annähernd so viel wirklich einsetzen zu müssen. Der grösste Teil Last tragen dabei die 16 in der Euro-Währungsunion zusammengefassten Länder. >>> Von Walter Meier | Montag, 10. Mai 2010
Union Européenne : Le plan de stabilisation ouvre de nouvelles perspectives
LE TEMPS: Rassurées par la décision des ministres des finances de l’Union européenne de mettre dans la nuit sur le tapis près de 750 milliards d’euros de prêts et garanties aux Etats en difficulté, les bourses mondiales sont reparties ce lundi à la hausse
«Nous allons maintenant accélérer notre travail en vue d’une gouvernance économique plus forte». Invité ce matin à Bruxelles à ouvrir l’édition «Europe» du Forum économique mondial (WEF), le président du Conseil européen Herman Van Rompuy a promis que l’UE tirera profit de son plan massif de stabilisation financière annoncé dans la nuit de dimanche à lundi, après plus de dix heures de négociation.
Responsable d’une «task force» chargée d’accoucher des propositions pour une nouvelle gouvernance économique, l’ancien premier ministre belge a expliqué au WEF qu’il dévoilera différentes pistes de travail sur le renforcement des règles de surveillance des marchés dès le 21 mai, en vue de soumettre en octobre un menu complet de mesures aux chefs d’Etat et de gouvernement de l’UE. Le président de la Commission européenne, José-Manuel Barroso, invité lui aussi au sommet bruxellois, a estimé de son coté indispensable pour l’Union de retrouver «un leadership». La Commission doit annoncer mercredi des propositions sur la réglementation financière et l’encadrement des agences de notation. Les ministres des finances européens se retrouvent, eux, à nouveau les 17 et 18 mai à Bruxelles. >>> Richard Werly | Lundi 10 Mai 2010
Hung Parliament: Nick Clegg Promises Decision 'As Soon As Possible'
THE TELEGRAPH: Nick Clegg, the Liberal Democrat leader, has promised to reach a decision on power-sharing negotiations as quickly as possible - but warned that any agreement would need to ''stand the test of time''.
The Liberal Democrat leader said his team was working ''flat out around the clock'' trying to secure a breakthrough in the hung parliament talks.
William Hague also said he was ''optimistic'' as Lib Dem and Tory negotiators gathered at the Cabinet Office in Whitehall for further discussions this morning.
Speaking outside his London home, Mr Clegg said: ''I don't think a prolonged period of uncertainty is a good thing. That's why we want to arrive at a decision as soon as possible.
''But I hope people equally understand that it would be better to get the decision right rather than rushing into something which won't stand the test of time.'' >>> | Monday, May 10, 2010
Pope's Visit to Portgual May Shed Light on Third Secret of Fatima
THE TELEGRAPH: The Pope will travel to Portugal this week amid hopes that he might shed light on one of the Catholic Church's most intriguing mysteries – the so-called Third Secret of Fatima
During his four day visit, Benedict XVI will pray at the shrine of Fatima, one of the best known centres of Catholic pilgrimage in the world and the focus of endless conspiracy theories and Doomsday predictions.
Its cult is founded on the belief that three shepherd children witnessed a series of apparitions and prophecies of the Virgin Mary in 1917.
Three secrets were supposedly disclosed to them, with the first and second relating to a vision of Hell and predicting the end of World War I, the outbreak of World War II, the collapse of the Soviet Union and Russia's return to Christianity.
The third secret was only disclosed by the Vatican in 2000 and was said to have foretold the assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II by a Turkish gunman in 1981. >>> Nick Squires in Rome | Sunday, May 09, 2010
THE TELEGRAPH: The euro soared on Monday morning as investors reacted with initial relief at the €750bn plan to defend the single currency and European Monetary Union from potential collapse.
After a frantic weekend of negotiations in Brussels, the Eurozone's 16 finance ministers released a package that pledges: €440bn in loans or guarantees from Eurozone countries, €60bn from the European Union's Budget and up to €250bn from the International Monetary Fund.
The EU's monetary affairs commissioner, Olli Rehn, said the agreement "proves that we shall defend the euro whatever it takes."
In a statement, the Finance Ministers said: "We are facing such exceptional circumstances today and the mechanism and the mechanism will stay in place as long as needed to safeguard financial stability," the ministers said in a statement.
The radical action, which will see the European Central Bank buy the debt of the most troubled countries, likely to include Portugal, Greece and Spain, comes as European Monetary Union faces the gravest threat in its short history. Fears that the debt crisis that has engulfed Greece would spread throughout southern Europe reached a crescendo last week. Investors welcomed the package. >>> | Monday, May 10, 2010
Hung Parliament: Clegg and Cameron 'Close to Agreeing Economic Deal'
THE TELEGRAPH: The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats last night sought to reassure financial markets that they are close to agreeing an economic deal that would allow David Cameron to take power.
Three days after the result of the general election, the two parties have yet to strike an agreement that will remove Gordon Brown from Downing Street.
With the nation experiencing its first hung parliament for 36 years, there are fears that the power vacuum at the heart of government could scare investors, already nervous after the crisis in Greece.
These concerns have been exacerbated by the failure of the parties to come to a formal power sharing arrangement 72 hours after the negotiations began.
And their nerves will be heightened further after Mr Brown launched a last ditch attempt to persuade Nick Clegg to enter into a coalition with Labour.
In an intriguing development, the Prime Minister and the Liberal Democrat leader held private talks yesterday afternoon, while the Tory and Lib Dem negotiations were taking place in a neighbouring building.
Senior Labour figures were even said to be contemplating offering a deal to Mr Clegg that would see Mr Brown step down in return for a power-sharing deal between the two parties. >>> Andrew Porter, Robert Winnett and James Kirkup | Sunday, May 09, 2010
Barack Obama Criticises iPod and Xbox Era
THE TELEGRAPH: Barack Obama has bemoaned the impact of technology such as the iPod and the Xbox, claiming information is now a diversion imposing new strains on democracy.
Mr Obama, who often chides journalists and cable news outlets for obsessing on superficial coverage rather than serious issues, told a class of graduating university students that education was the key to progress.
"You're coming of age in a 24/7 media environment that bombards us with all kinds of content and exposes us to all kinds of arguments, some of which don't always rank all that high on the truth meter," Mr Obama said at Hampton University, Virginia.
"With iPods and iPads and Xboxes and PlayStations, - none of which I know how to work - information becomes a distraction, a diversion, a form of entertainment, rather than a tool of empowerment, rather than the means of emancipation," Obama said.
He bemoaned the fact that "some of the craziest claims can quickly claim traction," in the clamour of certain blogs and talk radio outlets.
"All of this is not only putting new pressures on you, it is putting new pressures on our country and on our democracy." >>> | Monday, May 10, 2010
US Cannot Afford Another Afghanistan or Iraq, Warns Defence Secretary
THE TELEGRAPH: Robert Gates, the US Defence Secretary, has said military spending must be cut by up to $15 billion a year and that the US cannot afford to enter into another Afghanistan or Iraq.
Mr Gates said that America would be forced to take tight budgets into consideration before launching any military action against Iran.
His plans would see cuts in spending on its bureaucracy and on equipment designed for a repeat of the Second World War rather than the smaller wars of the 21st century.
However, he said he would protect the military's ability to fight the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
He said that defence spending had doubled since the September 11, 2001 attacks, and that the severe recession guaranteed that "the gusher has been turned off and will stay off for a good period of time". >>> Alex Spillius in Washington | Sunday, May 09, 2010
Melanie Phillips: “Cameron Must Have the Guts to Go It Alone”
MAIL ONLINE: One of the strongest advantages of the British electoral system has always been that it gives voters the opportunity for a clear choice.
'First past the post' means the chance to throw the governing party out on its ear. It is a brutally clean break and totally transparent.
By contrast, coalitions mean backstairs deals which are not transparent at all. They mean weak governments held to ransom by tiny political parties. And they mean voters can never make that clean break.
Which is why the manoeuvres to form a coalition between the Tories and the Lib Dems are so dismaying - particularly since the Lib Dems' non-negotiable condition is to demand proportional representation, thereby cementing coalition government for ever. >>> Melanie Phillips | Monday, May 10, 2010
Merkel will das Geld der Deutschen schützen
WELT ONLINE: Beispielloser Kraftakt: Die EU-Finanzminister haben ein Rettungspaket von 750 Milliarden Euro geschnürt, um klamme Mitgliedstaaten vor dem Bankrott zu bewahren. Das soll das Vertrauen in den Euro wieder herstellen. Deutschland beteiligt sich an der Aktion mit neuen Milliarden. Die Kanzlerin erklärte am Morgen, warum.
Sie verhandelten mehr als zwölf Stunden, bis zur Erschöpfung. Am Montagmorgen gegen 3.00 Uhr einigte sich die Europäische Union auf das größte Rettungspaket in ihrer Geschichte: Im Kampf gegen Spekulanten hat sie ein Rettungspaket von insgesamt 750 Milliarden Euro zur Stabilisierung des Euro geschnürt. Damit sollen im Notfall kriselnde Euro-Länder vor dem Staatsbankrott gerettet werden und ein Überschwappen der Griechenland-Krise auf andere Mitgliedsländer der Währungszone verhindert werden. Der deutsche Steuerzahler muss mit 123 Milliarden Euro für klamme Euro-Länder bürgen. >>> Von Christoph Schiltz | Montag, 10. Mai 2010
Sinkende Geburtenrate: Erdogan ruft in der Türkei die Babyprämie aus
WELT ONLINE: Hehre Ziele: Jedes Ehepaar soll nach dem Willen des türkischen Ministerpräsidenten drei Kinder bekommen. Sonst werde es dem Land in 30 Jahren sehr schlecht gehen, sagte Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Gegen die sinkende Geburtenrate will der Regierungschef jetzt eine Babyprämie einführen.
Der türkische Ministerpräsident Recep Tayyip Erdogan will die sinkende Geburtenrate in der Türkei mit einer Babyprämie ankurbeln.
Jedes Ehepaar solle mindestens drei Kinder bekommen, sonst werde es dem Land bis zum Jahr 2038 wegen Überalterung schlecht ergehen, zitierte die türkischen Tageszeitung „Radikal“ den islamisch-konservativen Regierungschef am Montag. In der Türkei ist das Bevölkerungswachstum aktuell auf etwa 1,5 Prozent gesunken, wie in anderen Ländern Folge des steigenden Wohlstandes. >>> dpa/fas | Montag, 10. Mai 2010
THE TELEGRAPH: German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s centre-right coalition has suffered defeat in a state election costing it its majority in the upper house, according to exit polls.
If confirmed, voters in the western region of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) handed Mrs Merkel’s coalition defeat, only days after parliament approved the collosal loan package for Greece.
Mrs Merkel’s Christian Democrats won around 34 percent with coalition allies the Free Democrats (FDP) polling 6.5 percent, leaving them well short of a majority in the state legislature.
Meanwhile, the opposition centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) also polled around 34 percent, the Greens 12.5 percent and the relatively new political outfit, the far-left Linke party, scored six percent.
The centre-right’s loss means the coalition will be deprived of its majority in the Bundesrat upper house, hobbling Mrs Merkel’s ability to push through key reforms in Europe’s top economy.
“I can only warn the CDU against trying to put a positive spin on this result. It is a huge disappointment,” said Wolfgang Bosbach, a leading member of her party.
“We have clearly fallen short of our goal of maintaining our coalition in NRW.” >>> Telegraph Foreign Staff | Sunday, May 09, 2010
