Barack Obama Calls for Burma's Aung San Suu Kyi to Be Freed
THE TELEGRAPH: Barack Obama called on the Burma regime to free Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi in a message sending best wishes for her 65th birthday.

The US president hailed the Burmese opposition leader's "determination, courage, and personal sacrifice in working for human rights and democratic change" as she marks her birthday Saturday under house arrest in Yangon.

The military regime has kept Ms Suu Kyi in detention for almost 15 years and she has been barred from running in upcoming elections that critics have denounced as a sham aimed at entrenching the generals' power.

"I wish to convey my best wishes to Aung San Suu Kyi, the world's only imprisoned Nobel Peace laureate, on the occasion of her 65th birthday on June 19," Obama said in his message.

"I once again call on the Burmese government to release Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners immediately and unconditionally and to allow them to build a more stable, prosperous Burma that respects the rights of all its citizens." >>> | Friday, June 18, 2010

THE GUARDIAN: Aung San Suu Kyi: the unseen photo album >>>

'Reckless' BP Blamed by Partner for Oil Spill
THE TELEGRAPH: Oil giant BP came under further pressure on Saturday after one of its partners said the company's "gross negligence or wilful misconduct" were to blame for the disastrous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Anadarko Petroleum, which owns a quarter of the ruptured Deepwater Horizon well, has refused to accept any blame for the explosion that killed 11 workers and sparked America's worst environmental disaster.

The company's chairman and chief executive Jim Hackett insisted in a statement that BP should foot the entire bill for the environmental and economic damage caused by the blow out.

Mr Hackett said: "Frankly, we are shocked. BP's behaviour and actions likely represent gross negligence or wilful misconduct."

He said that "mounting evidence clearly demonstrates" that the disaster that led to the explosion and sinking of a drilling rig and the deaths of 11 workers "was preventable and the direct result of BP's reckless decisions and actions." >>> Patrick Sawer | Saturday, June 19, 2010

Al hamdu lillah! Attitudes Harden in Liberal Barcelona towards Wearing Islamic Dress
Hostility in Barcelona towards Islamic dress can manifest itself as verbal abuse. Photo: The Times
THE TIMES: She walks through the narrow streets in the beating summer sun, covered from head to toe in a black burka, with only her eyes and nose showing through a niqab. In front her two daughters wear bright red versions of the same Islamic garb, save for their faces peeping out for the world to see.

But these are not the streets of Islamabad or Kabul, rather Barcelona — supposedly one of the most liberal, anything-goes places in Europe. This is the city with one of the biggest gay communities on the Continent. It was where Picasso and Dalí learnt their craft and it plays host to the antics of the avant-garde theatre troupe Fura dels Baus.

However, when pressed on the question of the right to wear the veil, the mood is rather less laid-back. A passer-by in the street shouts at the Muslim woman: “Why don’t you stand up for women? You are prisoners of men.”

Beyond the jibes the attitude in Spain’s second city towards the niqab or the face-covering burka appears to be hardening.

Last week, Jordi Hereu, the Socialist Mayor, announced that it would be the first large city in Europe to ban the the full veil in public buildings. Anyone in a burka or niqab will be unwelcome in council offices, libraries or state kindergartens. Read on and comment >>> | Saturday, June 19, 2010

It is becoming increasingly obvious that many European countries such as Belgium, Switzerland, Spain and France are prepared to take a stand against women being enslaved and suppressed by their husbands, religion, and culture. It is such a pity that the mealy-mouthed British, the spineless British perhaps more accurately, cannot make a stand for the rights of women, and fight for their Judeo-Christian civilization. It would appear that the British are prepared to allow the culture of the desert to supersede the culture of the greatest civilization that this world has ever known: Judeo-Christian civilization. – © Mark

THE TIMES: Barcelona bans burkas from public spaces: Barcelona became the first big Spanish city to ban the use of the Islamic veil in public spaces. Jordi Hereu, the city’s mayor, signed a decree banning the burka and niqab in council buildings, crèches and libraries. >>> Graham Keeley, Madrid | Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Tea and Coffee Reduce Heart Disease Risk, Study Suggests
THE TELEGRAPH: Regularly drinking tea and coffee can significantly reduce the risk of developing heart disease, one of the biggest studies of its kind suggests.

Researchers found that moderate consumption of both drinks can reduce your chance of death from a heart attack by at least a fifth.

At the same time, it showed that risks for other diseases such as stroke were not increased.

"Our results found the benefits of drinking coffee and tea occur without increasing risk of stroke or death from all causes," said Dr Yvonne van der Schouw, professor of chronic disease at the University Medical Center Utrecht, Netherlands.

For the research her team studied tea and coffee consumption among 37,514 people, and followed the participants for 13 years to monitor heart disease and death.

They found that tea had the biggest impact on heart disease but that all but heavy consumption of coffee was also beneficial.

Those who drink between three and six cups are 45 per cent less likely to suffer coronary problems compared to people who had less than one cup daily, a study found. >>> Richard Alleyne, Science Correspondent | Friday, June 18, 2010

Nicolas Sarkozy and Carla Bruni Meet Prince of Wales as They Visit Britain
THE TELEGRAPH: French President Nicolas Sarkozy made a symbolic visit to London today to mark the 70th anniversary of General Charles de Gaulle's radio broadcast urging his nation to resist the Nazi occupation of France.



The Prince of Wales greeted Mr Sarkozy and his wife, Carla Bruni, as they arrived at Clarence House during a day of official engagements to commemorate the historic milestone.

The Prince and the president jointly laid a wreath at the statues of King George VI and his wife Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, in The Mall.

Charles and Mr Sarkozy went on to lay wreaths at the statue of General de Gaulle in Carlton Gardens while Ms Bruni looked on.
The Prince's wreath said: "In special memory of Franco-British solidarity 70 years ago."

On June 18, 1940, General de Gaulle appealed to his countrymen over the BBC airwaves. >>> | Friday, June 18, 2010

Strauss-Kahn "très confiant" pour l'économie de l'Espagne à moyen terme
Dominique Strauss-Kahn et le premier ministre espagnol José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero lors d'une conférence de presse, vendredi 18 juin. Photo : Le Monde
LE MONDE: Le directeur général du Fonds monétaire international (FMI) Dominique Strauss-Kahn s'est déclaré vendredi "très confiant" dans les perspectives de l'économie espagnole à "moyen-long terme", après un entretien à Madrid avec José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero.

Dominique Strauss-Kahn a estimé que l'Espagne se redresserait "à condition que les efforts qui doivent être faits soient faits". "Ce que je vois aujourd'hui, c'est que ces efforts sont en cours", a-t-il ajouté à propos des mesures de réduction des déficits publics et réformes structurelles annoncées par le gouvernement espagnol. >>> LeMonde.fr | Vendredi 18 Juin 2010

G-20-Länder: Obama warnt vor zu raschem Sparkurs
FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG: Post vom amerikanischen Präsidenten: Barack Obama hat in einem Brief die Regierungschefs anderen großen Industrienationen vor übertriebenen Sparmaßnahmen gewarnt. Die Kürzung öffentlicher Ausgaben könne die Erholung der Weltwirtschaft erheblich gefährden. Deutsche Ökonomen reagierten skeptisch auf die Vorwürfe.

Der amerikanische Präsident Barack Obama hat die großen Industrie- und Schwellenländer davor gewarnt, die Erholung der Weltwirtschaft durch übereilte Sparmaßnahmen zu gefährden. Mittelfristig müssten die Schuldenquoten stabilisiert werden. Man dürfe jedoch nicht „die Fehler der Vergangenheit wiederholen, als der Konjunkturstimulus zu früh zurückgezogen wurde, was neue wirtschaftliche Not und Rezession zur Folge hatte“, schrieb Obama in einem Brief an die Staats- und Regierungschefs der zwanzig wichtigsten Volkswirtschaften (G 20).

Damit deuten sich gut eine Woche vor dem G-20-Gipfeltreffen im kanadischen Toronto transatlantische Differenzen über die Fiskalpolitik an. In Europa hat Deutschland als erstes großes Land ein Sparpaket vorgelegt, das den Abbau der Defizite um 80 Milliarden Euro in den kommenden vier Jahren vorsieht. >>> Von Philip Plickert | Freitag, 18. Juni 2010

Richard Holbrooke in Berlin: „Unser engster Partner ist Deutschland“
FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG: Richard Holbrooke hat Deutschland für die zivilen Bemühungen in Afghanistans als engsten Verbündeten bezeichnet. Weiter sagte der amerikanische Sonderbotschafter, die afghanischen Bodenschätze beschäftigten Washington schon lange.

Das Thema der afghanischen Bodenschätze beschäftigt die amerikanische Regierung schon seit Monaten. Das machte der Beauftragte Washingtons für Afghanistan und Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, am Freitag in Berlin deutlich. Holbrooke wies in einem Gespräch mit mehreren deutschen Medien, darunter dieser Zeitung, auf die Bedeutung dieses Themas für Afghanistan hin. Er sei darüber mit Außenministerin Clinton seit Monaten im Gespräch, ebenso mit dem zuständigen Beamten im Pentagon.

Für die zivilen und diplomatischen Bemühungen um eine Stabilisierung Afghanistans bezeichnete der amerikanische Diplomat die Bundesregierung als engste Verbündete. Zugleich appellierte er an Deutschland, trotz seiner Haushaltsschwierigkeiten an seinen entwicklungspolitischen Zusagen in der Region festzuhalten. >>> F.A.Z./löw. | Freitag, 18. Juni 2010

Islam: Anrainer kämpfen gegen Moscheen
DIE PRESSE: In Graz und Wien sorgen Pläne für Moscheen und islamische Kulturzentren für Aufregung, auch wegen der Wahlen im Herbst. Bürgerinitiativen bringen das Thema Islam auf die Agenda.

Graz/Wien. Die Wogen gehen hoch in Floridsdorf und der Grund dafür ist – wieder einmal – ein islamisches Kulturzentrum. Nach viel sieht es noch nicht aus in dem alten Industriebau an der Ecke Rappgasse/ Koloniestraße, den der türkische Verein Atib dafür auserkoren hat. Die 150 Teilnehmer einer Bürgerversammlung, die gestern emotional über die Initiative diskutiert haben, finden sich in einer schmucklosen Fabrikhalle wieder, der Putz bröckelt von den Wänden, Lüftungsrohre ragen aus der Decke. Nur eine Gebetstreppe zeugt von der Verwendung des Raumes.

Dass die Baupolizei ankündigt, wegen des Zustands der Bausubstanz bis auf weiteres regelmäßige Vereinsaktivitäten in dem Gebäude zu untersagen und eine Strafe gegen den Verein erwägt, der dort schon seit April regelmäßig Gebete mit mehreren 100 Personen abhält, freut die „Bürgerinitiative Rappgasse“. Diese Gruppe von Anrainern kämpft gegen das Kulturzentrum, in dem neben Gebeten auch Religionsunterricht, ein Gemischtwarenhandel und ein Kindergarten Platz finden soll – man fürchtet den Lärm, Parkplatzmangel und die Entstehung einer Parallelgesellschaft in der bisher so ruhigen Rappgasse. Ein Minarett ist bei dem Kulturzentrum übrigens nicht geplant. >>> Klaus Höfler, Erich Kocina und Georg Renner (Die Presse) | Donnerstag, 17. Juni 2010

New Dark Age Alert! Obama’s Internet Megalomania!
MAIL ONLINE: President Obama will be given the power to shut down the Internet with a 'kill switch' in a new law being proposed in the US.

He would be able to order popular search engines such a Google and Yahoo to suspend access [to] their websites in times of national emergency.

Other US based Internet service providers as well as broadband providers would also come under his control in times of a 'cybersecurity emergency.' Any company that failed to comply would be subject to huge fines.

Critics of the new law, which has been proposed by former presidential candidate Joe Liebermann, said it would be an abuse of power to let the White House control the internet.

TechAmerica, one of the largest U.S. technology lobby groups, said the new law had the 'potential for absolute power.'

The proposed legislation, introduced into the US Senate by Lieberman who is chairman of the US Homeland Security committee, seeks to grant the President broad emergency powers over the internet in times of national emergency.

A sustained terror attack on multiple cities would be considered a national emergency as would a cyber attack by 'hackers' on the US financial system. Obama to be given the right to shut down the internet with 'kill switch' >>> Paul Thompson | Friday, June 18, 2010

French Resistance Anniversary Marked in London
THE GUARDIAN: Carla Bruni and Samantha Cameron lead their husbands to lunch inside 10 Downing Street


To the gallery >>>

US and Europe ‘Must Be Prepared for Iranian Missile Attack by 2020’
THE TIMES: The United States and Europe need to be protected by 2020 from a potential attack from Iran that could involve a “scores or even hundreds of missiles”, the US Defence Secretary warned yesterday.

Robert Gates painted the alarming scenario as he defended a US plan to deploy a new, advanced shipborne anti-missile system called SM3 Block 2B, which will have the range of an intercontinental ballistic missile, within ten years.

Appearing before the US Senate Armed Services Committee, Mr Gates underlined the importance of deploying the anti-missile weapon to meet the potential Iranian threat, “especially if we fail to stop them getting nuclear weapons”.

“If Iran launched missiles on Europe, it wouldn’t be a handful but a salvo, maybe scores or even hundreds of missiles, so the SM3 2B would give us the ability to defend [against such an attack],” Mr Gates said. Read on and comment >>> Michael Evans, Pentagon Correspondent | Thursday, June 17, 2010

Watch Stakelbeck on Terror


CBN NEWS: On this week's first edition of Stakelbeck on Terror, CBN News goes one-on-one with Israel's Ambassador to the U.S. Michael Oren in "The Sitdown."

Also, watch as we explore the relationship between Iran and al Qaeda, and for an exclusive report featuring an interview with a radical Islamic leader some call Great Britain's most hated man.

The "War Council" segment features a roundtable debate on the Obama administration's refusal to use terms like "jihadist" and "radical Islam" to describe our enemies.

Then, go Inside Israel with a report from Jerusalem showing the Palestinian Authority's regular incitement against Israeli civilians.

And if you've heard of Islamic Sharia Law, don't miss this week's "Sharia Flaw," which provides shocking video of a Muslim college student's public call to genocide against Jews. [Source: CBN News] | Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Stakelbeck’s Blog >>>

Muslim View: The Future of Islam in Europe
AL-AHRAM WEEKLY ON-LINE: While Western Islamophobia is a reality to contend with, Muslims based in the West often don't help matters, writes Khalil El-Anani*

The current Western obsession with the niqab, or full- face veil, often seems part of a subconscious plot to restrict anything Arab and Islamic, symbolic as that may be. The niqab is not really Islamic garb, this I am sure something that Western politicians know. And yet it is becoming a target of hate because it is seen as a cultural symbol that is extraneous, and indeed dangerous, to European societies.

Sometimes I wonder, what if it were Indian women, or Sikhs and Buddhists for that matter, who wore the niqab ? Would European parliaments still spend entire sessions discussing the niqab ?

Theological debate on niqab aside, Western outrage against the niqab seems to be a by-product of Islamophobia, a phenomenon that is raging like wildfire across Europe, asserting itself sometimes as mosque- phobia and at other times as minaret-phobia. Should this trend continue, the day may come when European parliaments ban men from wearing their beards long and shaving their moustaches. I wonder what kind of phobia we'll name that one!

There is a real crisis of conscience in the West. When it comes to Islam, Europe seems to be negating its past of freedom and equality, the very essence of what it claims to be defending today. What damage is done to 65 million in France, 22 million in Australia, and 10 million in Belgium, and a similar number in the Netherlands from hundreds, or even thousands of niqab -clad women? Whether the niqab is an expression of faith or habit, I fail to see the damage it is being blamed for.

Meanwhile, the Western intelligentsia seem silent on the matter. For all their loud defence of homosexual rights and of gay and lesbian marriages, the European intelligentsia remain sympathetic to anyone who criticises Islam and Muslims. Criticism of Islam is seen as part and parcel of Europe's freedom of expression. >>> Khalil El-Anani | Thursday June 17 – Wednesday June 13, 2010

* The writer is senior scholar at the Institute for Middle East and Islamic Studies, Durham University, UK.

Oil Spill: Russian President Dmitry Medvedev Fears BP's 'Annihilation'
THE TELEGRAPH: Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has expressed concerns that the massive Gulf of Mexico oil spill could lead to the "annihilation" of BP.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev fears BP's 'annihilation' over the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. Photo: The Telegraph
Mr Medvedev stopped short of saying the disaster would prompt a review of Russia's partnership with BP, but he said: "This is a wake-up call."

"Certainly, we are not indifferent to their future... Hopefully, they can absorb the losses," he told the Wall Street Journal.

BP shares, which have fallen around 46pc since the spill began, rose 4.5pc in early tradiing on Friday.

BP is present in Russia through TNK-BP, the third largest oil producer in the country, accounting for roughly a quarter of BP's global production. It owns half of TNK-BP and the other half is owned by Alfa Access-Renova, a consortium of Russian businessmen.

When asked how the oil spill would affect Russia's view of BP as a partner, he said: "What I know is that BP will have to pay a lot of money this year.

"Whether the company can digest those expenditures, whether they will lead to the annihilation of the company or its breakup into pieces is a matter of expediency."

Mr Medvedev's comment come as estimates of the damage caused by the US's biggest environmental accident spiral[.] >>> | Friday, June 18, 2010

Medvedev Sees Risk to Euro
Russian President Dmitry Medvdev speaks with The Wall Street Journal. Photograph: WSJ
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: ST. PETERSBURG, Russia—Russian President Dmitry Medvedev expressed doubts about the future of Europe's common currency and said the Gulf of Mexico oil spill could threaten the survival of BP PLC.

Asked whether Europe's debt turmoil could threaten the euro, Mr. Medvedev said, "I don't exaggerate the threat, but it can't be underestimated."

The Russian president didn't rule out financial assistance to struggling European nations, but said the European Union should bear the burden of any major "financial injections."

"Russia's prosperity, to a large extent, depends on how well things are going on the European continent," Mr. Medvedev said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal. "We are not a member of the EU, but we are a European country."

On the eve of his first state visit to the U.S. next week, Mr. Medvedev also questioned whether the Gulf oil spill might lead to the "annihilation" or breakup of BP, as the company faces billions of dollars in losses from the disaster.

He stopped short of saying Russia would re-evaluate BP's lucrative partnership in Russia, which represents almost a quarter of its oil production, but predicted the spill will prompt a fundamental rethinking of oil exploration around the world.

"This is a wake-up call," Mr. Medvedev said. Of BP's fate, he added: "Certainly, we are not indifferent to their future. ... Hopefully, they can absorb the losses." >>> Gregory L. White, Robert Thomson, and Rebecca Blumenstein | Friday, June 18, 2010

Home Secretary Theresa May Bans Radical Preacher Zakir Naik from Entering UK
THE TELEGRAPH: A radical preacher who claimed that “every Muslim should be a terrorist” has been banned from coming to Britain, The Daily Telegraph can disclose.

Zakir Naik, a 44-year-old Indian televangelist, has been banned from coming to Britain. Photo: The Telegraph
In her first major test of being tough on extremism, Theresa May, the new Home Secretary, said she was banning Zakir Naik from entering the UK.

Dr Naik, a 44-year-old Indian televangelist, had been due to give a series of lectures at arenas in Wembley Arena and Sheffield.

The Home Secretary can exclude or deport an individual if she thinks that their presence in the UK is not conducive to the public good.

There had been speculation that Dr Naik would be allowed into the UK. However Mrs May said she was excluding him because of the “numerous comments” he made were evidence of his “unacceptable behaviour”.

This behaviour applies to anyone who writes or publishes material which can “foment justify or glorify terrorist violence” or “seek to provoke others to terrorist acts”.

Mrs May told The Daily Telegraph: “I have excluded Dr Naik from the UK. Numerous comments made by Dr Naik are evidence to me of his unacceptable behaviour.

“Coming to the UK is a privilege not a right and I am not wiling to allow those who might not be conducive to the public good to enter the UK.

“Exclusion powers are very serious and no decision is taken lightly or as a method of stopping open debate on issues.”

Home Office sources said Dr Naik had been filmed on a website making inflammatory comments such as “every Muslim should be a terrorist”. >>> Christopher Hope, Whitehall Editor | Friday, June 18, 2010

BP's Tony Hayward Savaged by US Congressmen Over Oil Spill
THE TELEGRAPH: BP’s chief executive Tony Hayward has been subjected to a blistering attack by US Congressmen over the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, who accused the company of “astonishing complacency”.

BP Chief Executive Tony Hayward was singled out for failing to ignore warnings signs before the fatal rig explosion. Photograph: The Telegraph
The boss of the oil giant was appearing before an influential committee a day after pledging a £13.5bn compensation fund to make amends for the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

Britain’s largest firm was condemned for increasing the risk of a “catastrophic blowout” by cutting “corner after corner”. It was accused of having a “cavalier attitude towards risk”.

Mr Hayward was singled out for failing to ignore warnings signs before the fatal rig explosion, which left 11 people dead and hundreds of thousands of barrels of oils spewing into the Gulf. BP has failed to contain the leak despite numerous attempts.

Henry Waxman, a California Democrat known as one of the toughest investigators in Congress, told Mr Hayward: “There is not a single email or document that shows that you paid even the slightest attention to the dangers at this well.

“There is a complete contradiction between BP’s words and deeds. You were brought in to make safety the top priority of BP, but under your leadership, BP has taken the most extreme risks.”

In a pointedly nationalist remark, Bart Stupak, from Michigan, said that while Mr Hayward could take “a golden parachute back to England, we in America are left to recover for years from the disaster”. >>> Alex Spillius, in Washington | Thursday, June 17, 2010

It really is difficult to see how Tony Hayward can remain in his position as BP’s chief executive. The buck stops with him. If the man had any honour, he’d resign; and without the golden parachute that these people have come to expect in recent years. The company, BP, has fouled up under his watch. The consequences should be faced. – © Mark

Wilders’ Chance of Dutch Cabinet Post Fades
FINANCIAL TIMES: The chances of Geert Wilders, the controversial anti-Islam politician, becoming a minister in the next Dutch government receded on Thursday after the Christian Democrat party declined to enter talks with either Mr Wilders or the Liberal party that won last week’s general election.

Mark Rutte, leader of the Liberals, was seeking to form a rightwing coalition of his party, Mr Wilders’ Freedom party, the PVV, and the Christian Democrats, CDA, in order to command a 76-seat parliamentary majority.

“It’s very disappointing, the CDA is pulling the plug on this,” Mr Wilders, who wants to end immigration from Muslim countries, told reporters. “The PVV would like nothing more than to govern. We want to be in the cabinet to change the Netherlands.” >>> Michael Steen in Amsterdam | Thursday, June 17, 2010

Islamischer Extremismus am Filmfestival von Cannes
SCHWEIZER FERNSEHEN: Am Filmfestival von Cannes könnte das Themenspektrum der gezeigten Werke nicht breiter sein. Von der Finanzkrise über Robin Hood bis zu den Kriegswirren in Algerien. Letztere wird im französischen Wettbewerbsbeitrag «Des Hommes et des Dieux» thematisiert. Erzählt wird die grausame Ermordung von französischen Mönchen im algerischen Atlas-Gebirge. Der Film beruht auf einer wahren Geschichte.

Clegg Clobbers the Traditional Family
MAIL ONLINE: New rights for flexible parental leave / Grandparents to get more rights when couples split / Crackdown on ads and marketing aimed at children / Labour's child tax credit scheme scaled back / Move to protect playgrounds and playing fields

Nick Clegg today vowed to end the tradition that sees mothers do the lion's share of looking after children by giving fathers the right to far more flexible leave.

The Deputy Prime Minister attacked the 'measly' two weeks he was given when his third son was born as he gave a major speech on the family.

And he insisted the whole premise that mothers will be the main carers should be destroyed in what amounts to a revolution of parents' rights.

A new Childhood and Families Ministerial Task Force will look at the best way to re-balance the family set-up.

In a speech to the Barnado's charity in central London, Mr Clegg said: 'Many couples find it enormously difficult to strike the right balance between work and home.

'Traditional arrangements that see mothers take the lion's share of leave simply don't suit everyone's needs.

'I know from my own experience - my own measly two weeks off following the birth of my third son - how frustrating it is for fathers who want to spend more time with their young children.

'Breaking down the old, outdated attitude to who-should-give-up-work-when is hugely important for men, hugely important for women but most importantly, children benefit enormously from having both parents actively involved from day one.' Clegg vows to end tradition of women doing bulk of parenting by offering flexible leave for dads >>> Daily Mail Reporter | Thursday, June 17, 2010

Bill O’Reilly’s Talking Points – June 16: The far left turns on President Obama

Congress Grills BP CEO: Highlights: Tony Hayward answers lawmakers' questions on Gulf oil crisis

Does Anyone Owe BP an Apology? : Brother of oil rig explosion victim rates Tony Hayward's remarks at Congressional hearing

Photo: Fox News
Lawmaker Warns Parks Takeover by Mexican Cartels, Illegals 'Intensifying'
FOX NEWS: Federal environmental laws are handcuffing U.S. Border Patrol agents to a foot-and-horseback strategy as they try to battle Mexican drug cartels and illegal immigrants who are turning wide swaths of America's border with Mexico into a virtual no-man's land.

Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, ranking Republican on the House Parks and Public Lands Subcommittee, said the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge in southern Arizona -- part of which was closed in 2006 because it was considered too dangerous for Americans to visit -- is just the tip of the iceberg.

He said there's plenty of other parkland along the border that's either closed to the public or is considered too dangerous because of concern about drug gangs, human smugglers and illegal immigrants, and that the problem is getting worse.

"You travel here in America at your own risk," Bishop told FoxNews.com. >>> FoxNews | Thursday, June 17, 2010

Protester Disrupts Hayward Hearing: Woman says BP CEO should be charged with a crime and go to jail

Facing Congressional Wrath, BP Chief Apologizes for Oil Disaster
BP CEO Tony Hayward arrives on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, June 17, 2010, to testify before the House Oversight and Investigations subcommittee hearing on "the role of BP in the Deepwater Horizon Explosion and oil spill. Photo:
FOX NEWS: In a congressional hearing Thursday that some have described as a public execution, BP chief executive Tony Hayward told Congress that he is "deeply sorry" for the oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.

Hayward's testimony came after members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee's oversight and investigations subcommittee took turns in a long-awaited public flogging intended to capture the outrage of the nation.

Hayward sat grim-faced before the panel, which is investigating the explosion that killed 11 workers and unleashed a flood of oil that has yet to be stemmed.

Lawmakers accused Hayward, who has come to represent charges of corporate arrogance and greed, of being oblivious to the risks of the company's deepwater operations.

Some of the sharpest criticism came from Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich.

"We are not small people. But we wish to get our lives back," he told Hayward. "I'm sure you'll get your life back, and with a golden parachute to England."

It was a reference to Hayward's much-criticized earlier remark that some day he hoped to get "my life back" and to comments on the White House driveway on Wednesday by BP Chairman Carl-Henric Svanberg that "we care about the small people" of the Gulf Coast.

Hayward sipped a beverage and jotted notes as one lawmaker after another scorched him. Read on and comment >>> | Thursday, June 17, 2010

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Race Row Ignited in Australia after Former Coach Calls Aboriginal Footballers 'Cannibals'
THE TELEGRAPH: A race row has erupted in Australian sport after a senior Australian Football League figure referred to Aboriginal players as "cannibals" who could not be seen in the dark.

Mal Brown. Photo: The Telegraph
In a speech at a charity lunch in Melbourne, Mal Brown, a former coach and player, said that when he was making his team selection at a night-time game years ago he couldn't pick Aboriginal players out because of poor lighting at the ground.

"We had a distinct disadvantage, the West Australians, because the Victorians picked both sides," Mr Brown said. "They cheated, they picked the best players. And because there were no (stadium) lights, I couldn't pick any of the cannibals.

"I couldn't pick (Aboriginals) Nicky Winmar or Michael Mitchell or Chrissy Lewis. All the good black fellows, we couldn't pick them because they couldn't see them in the light." >>> Bonnie Malkin in Sydney | Thursday, June 17, 2010

Iran Shocked by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's Condemnation of Religious Crackdown
THE TELEGRAPH: Not content with taking on America and the West, Iran's combative president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has attacked a key policy of his supporters in the religious establishment.

Mr Ahmadinejad baffled conservatives in the ruling elite by declaring his opposition to the annual crackdown on "immodest appearance and behaviour" in the young.

Police use the onset of summer to issue fines to women found wearing make-up and nail polish, or figure-hugging clothes. Veils are tightened to stop showing so much hair, with light, nearly transparent head-coverings a particular target. Men deemed to be 'harassing' women while driving are also stopped.

In a television interview marking the anniversary of his re-election, Mr Ahmadinejad said he did not approve, and that the police actions were "designed to create tumult".

"The government does not agree with this behaviour and will respond to and control it as much as it can," he said. "It is an insult to ask a man and woman walking on the steet about their relation to each other. Nobody has the right to ask such questions." >>> Richard Spencer, Middle East Correspondent | Thursday, June 17, 2010

Birmingham Stops Camera Surveillance in Muslim Areas
THE GUARDIAN: Project halted after Guardian exposed use of 200-plus cameras in predominantly Muslim areas for counterterrorism

A project to spy on two Muslim areas in Birmingham using more than 200 CCTV cameras has been dramatically halted after an investigation by the Guardian revealed it was a counterterrorism initiative.

Bags are being placed over the cameras, recently installed in the neighbourhoods of Washwood Heath and Sparkbrook, to reassure the community their movements are not being monitored while a "full and in-depth consultation" takes place.

In a joint statement last night, West Midlands police and Birmingham city council announced the cameras would not be turned on. They apologised for not being "more explicit" about the funding arrangements of the project, which stipulated they should be used to combat terrorism, a mistake they conceded may have "undermined public confidence".

But officials insisted the £3m project would go ahead following a retrospective public consultation, arguing the cameras would help reduce crime. >>> Paul Lewis | Thursday, June 17, 2010

David Hoffman: 'They Were a Gang of Bullies Who Burst into My House'
THE GUARDIAN: On election day David Hoffman had a knock on his door by the police, who instructed him to take down a poster he had in his window of David Cameron with the word 'wanker' written on it. Moments later he was handcuffed and threatened with arrest WARNING: contains explicit language

Watch video here

Cameron Sets Out 'Red Lines on Economic Sovereignty
THE INDEPENDENT: David Cameron today set out Britain's "red lines" on economic sovereignty at his first summit encounter with fellow EU leaders.

He said Britain would not submit its annual Budget for "peer review" to Brussels as part of a new economic surveillance crackdown.

And he warned that proposed hefty sanctions against countries breaching deficit and debt limits set by the EU must apply only to the single currency member states.

The new boy in the bloc was invited to speak early on in today's summit debate on EU "economic governance" and, after formally introducing himself, set out Britain's well-established defence against central control over the domestic budget programme.

Summit conclusions on the table seem to offer the Prime Minister a way out of the "peer review" plan, which would require all countries to submit annual national Budget details and analysis to Brussels before presenting them to MPs.

The text backed by most EU leaders proposes that, from 2011, in the interests of strengthening budgetary discipline across the EU, member states should present their budgetary plans to the Commission each Spring "taking account of national budgetary procedures". >>> Press Association | Thursday, June 17, 2010

BP Chairman Apologises Over ‘Small People’ Gaffe
THE TIMES: BP’s chairman was forced into a new apology after calling those affected by the Louisiana oil spill “the small people”.

Hours after saying sorry for the worst oil spill in American history, Carl-Henric Svanberg was again apologising for what he admitted was “clumsy” wording. The latest misfortune came after BP had been forced into suspending dividends to shareholders and setting aside $20 billion (£14 billion) for compensation claims.

Carl-Henric Svanberg said that he was very sorry after he had earlier remarked: “I hear comments sometimes that large oil companies are greedy companies or don’t care, but that is not the case with BP. We care about the small people.” Read on and comment >>> Susan Thompson, Catherine Philp, Giles Whittell, Washington | Thursday, June 17, 2010

'We Care About the Small People': BP chairman's message for Gulf Coast residents affected by oil spill

Uzbek Survivors Tell of ‘Hurricane of Hatred’ from Kyrgyz Gangs
THE TIMES: Stunned by the hurricane of hatred that has devastated their lives and swept away their homes, the survivors recounted the same story: the ethnic slaughter in Osh, they insisted, was not simply a clash between Kyrgyz and Uzbek groups but an attempt to expel, even exterminate, the Uzbek community in Kyrgyzstan’s second-largest city.

Police and soldiers, they said, had been in the vanguard of mobs that shot unarmed civilians and ransacked Uzbek neighbourhoods.

In the ruins of the city’s Uzbek district of Cheryomushki, traumatised residents described three waves of attack as Kyrgyz gangs systematically destroyed their homes in an orgy of murder, rape, looting and arson. They claimed that an armoured personnel carrier led the initial charge, with men in uniform firing at civilians.

“Soldiers shot at people, then Kyrgyz groups went from house to house attacking Uzbeks with knives and guns,” Kustniden Azhimjanov, 36, said. “They raped women in their homes. We could hear the screaming but we could not help them because we had no guns.

“Then the third group came through, stealing everything they could and setting fire to the houses. They were shouting ‘Uzbeks get out or we’ll kill you all’! ” Read on and comment (+ video) >>> Tony Halpin, Osh | Thursday, June 17, 2010

Son of Former Kyrgyzstan President ‘Claims Asylum’ in Britain
THE TIMES: The Home Office was embroiled last night in a diplomatic dispute over the Osh conflict, as the son of Kyrgyzstan’s former leader remained in detention in Britain.

Roza Otunbayeva’s interim Government is seeking the extradition of Maxim Bakiyev, 32, over allegations of corruption. Mr Bakiyev, the youngest son of the ousted former President, Kurmanbek Bakiyev, landed in a private jet in Farnborough, Hampshire, on Sunday night. He was detained by the UK Border Agency on an Interpol warrant.

His links to this country are unclear but he has reportedly claimed asylum in Britain. While he had no travel documents, The Times understands that he has access to both an ordinary and diplomatic passport.

The nature of Britain’s extradition status with Kyrgyzstan remained uncertain last night. The Government has no formal treaty with the former Soviet bloc country but it is understood there are mechanisms that could be used to deport Mr Bakiyev. The Home Office was unwilling to comment on any extradition arrangements.

A UK Border Agency spokesperson said: “On 13 June a 32-year-old man was questioned by UK Border Agency staff after arriving at Farnborough airport without the necessary documentation to enter the UK. We are not able to comment further on this case.” >>> Fiona Hamilton, London Correspondent | Thursday, June 17, 2010

Janet Daley: British Media Fall Out of Love with Obama
Barack Obama addresses the US from the Oval Office. Photo: The Telegraph
THE TELEGRAPH – BLOGS – JANET DALEY: The BBC reports of Barack Obama’s speech last night are about as derisive as it would be possible to be about someone you were describing only a few months ago as the incarnation of Hope and Optimism. Yes indeed, the romance is over. The British media have decided that it was all a cruel deception: Obama is just one more ranting populist president who will do anything to divert attention from his own failure to get a grip. And this is not just about BP and the fate of all those pension funds. Read on and comment >>> Janet Daley | Wednesday, June 16, 2010

I hate to say this, but I will anyway: I told you so! It should have been clear from the very start that this president was different from many others. The whole thing was about one person: about him! Obama is a great president if you want a president who poses, flabs (talks), and indulges in self-aggrandisement. If what you want is a man of substance, then Obama is not the man for you! He is far too taken-in with himself, far too aware of his own importance.

A little humility would go a long way from this man; alas, humility is one human quality we are very unlikely to see from him. The way he speaks tells it all. Just listen to him with a critical ear. That will tell you everything you need to know about this president.

The media gave this man a free ride when he ran for office. He kept spouting the terms “hope and change”; but not one journalist had the sense to ask him what he meant by those terms. How stupid was that?

As for the British media falling "out of love with Obama", I'd say this: They should never have fallen in love with him in the first place! – © Mark

Survivors of Ethnic Violence Share Tales

Queen Noor Calls for Support of Refugees

Palin on Obama's Handling of the Oil Spill

France Floods Leaves Many Dead and Missing


Verbundenes Video: Flut in Frankreich >>>

American Arrested While Hunting Bin Laden in Pakistan
LOS ANGELES TIMES: Pakistani police say Gary Faulkner of Denver was trying to make his way into Afghanistan. Faulkner's brother says he's determined to catch the Al Qaeda leader on his own.

Reporting from Denver and Islamabad, Pakistan — The U.S. has spent nine years and billions of dollars trying to hunt down Osama bin Laden amid the rugged, lawless badlands along the Pakistani-Afghan border.

But according to Pakistani officials and his own family, Gary Brooks Faulkner of Denver thought he could get the job done himself, with a pistol, a dagger and night-vision goggles.

Faulkner talked with family members about his quest, and at Denver International Airport on May 30 he was asked what his family should do if he came back from Pakistan in a body bag.

Faulkner, 50, and his younger brother Scott discussed Gary's desire for cremation. Scott snapped a farewell picture on his BlackBerry. Then Gary, a construction worker with failing kidneys, boarded a plane for Pakistan.

On Tuesday, Pakistani police said they had arrested Faulkner in a remote, mountainous region near the Afghan border.

"He's not insane," Scott Faulkner told reporters in Denver on Tuesday. "He's just very passionate."

Since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, Scott said, his brother — a devout Christian with no military training — has taken at least six trips to Pakistan to find Bin Laden.

"After Osama mocked this country on 9/11 and it seemed that the military wasn't doing enough, it became his passion, his mission, to track down Osama and kill him or bring him back alive," said Scott Faulkner, a physician. He described his brother, who is divorced with one adult son, as charming, chatty and in fine mental health. >>> Nicholas Riccardi and Alex Rodriguez, Los Angeles Times | Wednesday, June 16, 2010

BP Agrees to $20 Billion Escrow Fund; Cancels Dividends
President Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Attorney General Eric Holder and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, right, meet with BP executives at the White House. BP has agreed to put $20 billion into an escrow account for reimbursing oil spill damages. Photograph: Los Angeles Times
LOS ANGELES TIMES: Reporting from Washington -- The Obama administration has reached a preliminary agreement with BP executives that would see the oil company pay $20 billion over several years into an independently controlled escrow account to be established to compensate Gulf of Mexico residents affected by the disastrous oil spill, and BP's board of directors has eliminated the company's stock dividend, at least temporarily.

The agreement on the escrow was negotiated in a meeting at the White House on Wednesday morning, the first face-to-face gathering between President Obama and senior BP leadership. A White House official said that, under the terms of the deal, the fund would be administered by attorney Kenneth Feinberg, currently serving as the special master for executive pay under the Troubled Asset Relief Program. Feinberg ran a fund that compensated victims of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Immediately after the meeting, BP Chairman Carl-Henric Svanberg said that the oil company's board of directors has decided not to pay any more dividends this year. >>> Mike Memoli and Peter Nicholas | Wednesday, June 16, 2010

BP to Set Aside $20 Billion for Oil Spill Claims


BP Promises to Repair Damages to Gulf Region

Saïda Keller-Messahli vom Forum für einen fortschrittlichen Islam hat kein Verständnis für einen Gesichstschleier*
SCHWEIZER FERNSEHEN: Auch wenn es in der Schweiz nur wenige Musliminnen gibt, die ihr Gesicht mit einem Schleier verhüllen, steht die Forderung nach einem generellen Verbot der Burka im Raum. Ist der Ganzkörperschleier eine Bedrohung für die hiesigen Werte? Ist er ein reales Problem? Die Gäste im «Club» haben über das Pro und Contra eines Burka-Verbots diskutiert.



Das Progam wurde in Schweizerdeutsch übertragen. Saïda Keller-Messahli spricht klar und deutlich gegen den Ganzkörperschleier. Bravo!

Frauenbeauftragte des Zentralrats, Nora Illi*, zur Verschleierung



*Eine Schweizerin, die sich zum Islam bekehrt hat.

The Euro Mutiny Begins
The Colosseum in Rome, Italy, where economists have openly questioned the euro's future. Photo: Google Images
THE TELEGRAPH: The rebellion against the 1930s fiscal and monetary policies of the Euro-complex is gathering pace.

Il Sole has published a letter by 100 Italian economists warning that the austerity strategy imposed by Brussels/Frankfurt risks tipping Europe into a self-feeding downward spiral. Far from holding the eurozone together, it will cause weaker countries to be catapulted out of EMU. Others will leave in order to restore sovereign control over their central banks and unemployment policies.

At worst it will blow the EU apart, leading to the very acrimony that the European Project was supposed to prevent.

For readers of Italian, it’s here.

While I don’t share the big-state Left-Keynesian perspective of these professors — nor their implicit hostility to the free market — I do agree with much of their overall analysis. >>> Ambrose Evans-Pritchard | Wednesday, June 14, 2010

Lettera di 100 economisti contro la manovra e la linea (europea) dell'austerità >>> mercoledi 16 giugno 2010

Jüdischer Schulleiter unterstützt Idee islamischer Schulen*
SCHWEIZER FERNSEHEN: Einige Muslime in der Schweiz wünschen eigene Schulen. Diese Forderung hat in der vergangenen Woche für hitzige Diskussionen gesorgt. Andere Glaubensgemeinschaften wie die Juden haben schon lange eigene Schulen. Die NOAM in Zürich-Enge, gibt es seit 30 Jahren. Simon Christen hat die Schule besucht und den Schulleiter gefragt, was er von der Forderung islamischer Schulen halte.



*Dieses Video wurde in Schwyzertüütsch, sogar Züritüütsch, ausgestrahlt.

Auch in Schwyzertüütsch;

Wenig Interesse an Muslim-Friedhof
SCHWEIZER FERNSEHEN: An vielen Orten fordern Muslime eigene Grab-Felder. In Luzern haben sie sich einen Platz erkämpft. Bis heute liess sich aber kaum jemand auf diesem Friedhof beerdigen. Die meisten Einwanderer der ersten Generation wollen ihre letzte Ruhe in ihrem Heimatland.

Flut in Frankreich: Die Wassermassen standen bis zu zwei Meter hoch
SCHWEIZER FERNSEHEN: Sintflutartige Regenfälle haben im Südosten Frankreichs für Chaos gesorgt und mindestens drei Menschen das Leben gekostet. In einigen Orten wälzten sich bis zu zwei Meter hohe Wassermassen durch die Strassen.



Oder auch hier

Only 14 of World's 1,000 Billionaires Are Self-made Women
THE TELEGRAPH: Only 14 of the world's 1,000 billionaires are self-made women, and only nine of them had no help from relatives, a new list has found.

In a list of the world's richest self-made women, American business magazine Forbes published the names of 14 women who have accrued $1 billion or more thanks to their own entrepreneurship rather than inheriting part or all of their fortune.

Seven of the women on the list were Chinese, Harry Potter author JK Rowling was the only British-born woman, and of the fourteen, at least five built their business empires with the help of husbands and brothers or sometimes both.

By contrast, Forbes said that 665 of the world's 1,011 dollar billionaires, including the three wealthiest men on the planet, Carlos Slim, Bill Gates and Warren Buffett, were self-made men. That, it said, meant that the 'female billionaires' club' accounted for two per cent of the total number of self-made billionaires.

"All of these self-made female billionaires have impressive personal stories, but the dearth of them is itself a story, and begs the question of why so few?" Forbes wrote. >>> Andrew Osborn in Moscow | Tuesday, June 15, 2010

The World’s Richest Self-made Women >>> | Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Laura Bush For Gay Marriage & Pro-Choice!

Franco-German Relations Hit New Low Over EU Recovery
THE TELEGRAPH: Franco-German relations have hit a new low after Angela Merkel slapped down Nicolas Sarkozy to assert Germany's control over the European Union's economic recovery.

Nicolas Sarkozy and Angela Merkel. Photo: The Telegraph
The French president has surrendered to the German Chancellor's demands on EU economic governance and her idea of "red cards" for member states that break spending rules set in Brussels.

Mr Sarkozy had been determined to create an "economic government" of the 16 eurozone countries with a powerful secretariat to coordinate national budgets, tax and spending.

But Chancellor Merkel refused to accept his plan, insisting that it extend to all 27 states with the euro continuing to be run by the European Central Bank.

She won out after a tense meeting saying it was a red line issue for Germany.

"The members of the EU have to look at themselves as a kind of economic government. We must not create the members of the first and second class," she said.

The German victory is also bad news for David Cameron who had been hoping for French support in keeping Britain out of such measures. They include an EU demand to vet the British budget before it is presented to the House of Commons or the public.

President Sarkozy was then bludgeoned into accepting a German ultimatum that euro zone states that persistently breach budget deficit limits should have their voting rights suspended on economic issues, even if that requires changing the EU treaty. Previously, the issue of treaty change has been taboo for Mr Sarkozy who fears a French referendum. "If a treaty change is needed we will propose it," he conceded in Berlin.

Attempting to paint a gloss of unity over the talks, the French president claimed that "more than ever, Germany and France are determined to talk with one voice".

Nicolas Dupont-Aignan, a French Eurosceptic MP, blasted Mr Sarkozy's climbdown as "a capitulation while in pitched battle".

"Germany has imposed its European choices on a submissive France, which has definitively given up on its own (choices)," he said. "Faced with a suicidal and unilateral Germany, France has once again been totally absent, forgetting that in a couple, it takes two to tango". >>> Henry Samuel in Paris and Bruno Waterfield in Brussels | Tuesday, June 15, 2010