Tunesische Polizei erschiesst Demonstranten
Schwerster Zusammenstoss seit der Flucht Ben Alis ins Exil
NZZ ONLINE: Im Nordwesten Tunesiens hat die Polizei auf eine aufgebrachte Menge geschossen. Dabei wurden nach Angaben des Innenministeriums zwei Menschen getötet und 17 weitere verletzt. Nach Angaben von Augenzeugen und Gewerkschaftsvertretern starben zwei weitere Menschen auf dem Weg ins Spital.

Der amtlichen tunesischen Nachrichtenagentur zufolge hatten rund 1000 Menschen die Polizeiwache in der Stadt Kef angegriffen, nachdem sich der Polizeichef einer Person gegenüber ungebührlich verhalten habe. Augenzeugen sagten dem staatlichen Fernsehen, der Polizeichef habe eine Frau geschlagen. >>> sda/dapd/afp/Reuters | Sonntag, 06. Februar 2011

Saudi Top Cleric Blasts Arab, Egypt Protests-Paper
REUTERS AFRICA: RIYADH - Saudi Arabia's top Islamic scholar condemned anti-government protests in Egypt, Tunisia and elsewhere as a plot by enemies of Islam to spread instability, Saudi newspapers said on Saturday. Hundreds of thousands of Egyptians marched peacefully in Cairo on Friday to demand an end to President Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule, but no end to the confrontation was in sight as the unrest entered its 12th day.

Top oil exporter Saudi Arabia has said it is worried that the unrest might lead to instability in Egypt, its main Arab ally. King Abdullah called Mubarak to express his support, Saudi state media said on Jan. 29. >>> Reporting by Ulf Laessing, editing by Tim Pearce | Saturday, February 05, 2011

Diese Leute sehen in allen Ecken Gespenster! – Mark

Mass Saudi Exodus from Egypt
ASHARQ ALAWSAT: Jeddah – A Saudi Arabian Airlines official informed Asharq Al-Awsat that a total of 21,000 Saudi citizens had left Egypt, returning to Saudi Arabia on a total of 75 airplanes since the start of the unrest in Egypt. The official also revealed that the last batch of Saudi Arabian returnees had departed from Egypt on a fleet of 8 airplanes on Wednesday. A Saudi citizen who spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat on the condition of anonymity claimed that 5 Saudi Arabian families had paid for these tickets. >>> Badr Al-Qahtani | Thursday, February 03, 2011

Die Protestwelle erreicht Saudi-Arabien
Web-Aktivisten fordern Reformen
NZZ am SONNTAG: Auch in Saudi-Arabien hat sich der Unmut über die Regierung in Protesten entladen: Etwa 40 Frauen haben vor dem Innenministerium die Freilassung von Gefangenen gefordert und Web-Aktivisten fordern politische Reformen. In dem Land ist öffentlicher Widerspruch verboten.

Nach den Demonstrationen in Tunesien und Ägypten regt sich auch in Saudi-Arabien Widerstand - wo Proteste gegen die Regierung äusserst selten sind. In der Hauptstadt Riad forderten am Samstag etwa 40 Frauen vor dem Innenministerium die Freilassung von Gefangenen.

Die Häftlinge würden ohne Gerichtsverfahren festgehalten, sagten Aktivisten. Den Frauen standen zahlreiche Polizisten gegenüber, die aber nicht eingriffen.

Amnesty International und andere Menschenrechtsgruppen werfen Saudi-Arabien seit langem vor, tausende Reform-Aktivisten unter dem Deckmantel einer Kampagne gegen die Extremisten der Kaida festzuhalten. Riad bestreitet dies. In Saudi-Arabien ist öffentlicher Widerspruch verboten. >>> sda/Reuters | Sonntag, 06. Februar 2011

Political Changes in Cairo
On a day of political maneuverings, protesters trying to overthrow the Egyptian government found themselves ringed by a much heavier troop presence than usual.

Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff’s Speech in Luton

HT: Baron Bodissey of Gates of Vienna >>>

20 MINUTES ONLINE: Des milliers d’extrêmistes de droite défilent: Plusieurs milliers de partisans d'extrême droite ont manifesté à l'appel de l'organisation de la Ligue de défense anglaise (EDL) samedi à Luton. >>> ats/afp | Samedi 05 Février 2011

Rabbi Nachum Shifren at Speaker's Corner, London

I Am an Englishman
The English people fought long and hard for the rights and freedoms that we enjoy today. They were not simply handed over to us on a plate and we should never ever take them for granted because there are those who would see them taken from us. Our people paid a heavy price, more often than not paid in blood, for the principle that our voices would be heard and that our leaders would represent us and not themselves

Shocking Footage Emerges of Taliban Stoning Couple to Death
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: A disturbing video of a man and woman being executed by the Taliban has been released by Afghan security forces.

Read article and watch video here | Thursday, January 27, 2011

Egypt Protests: Hosni Mubarak's Power Fades as US Backs His Deputy
THE GUARDIAN: Omar Suleiman's call for orderly reform wins backing of Hillary Clinton on day senior members of ruling NDP resign

America yesterday swung its support behind Egypt's vice-president, Omar Suleiman, and the political transition he is leading, calling for a process of orderly reform. The policy, made clear by Hillary Clinton at the Munich Security Conference, was the latest sign of steps by the US and senior members of the Egyptian military to nudge President Hosni Mubarak aside and contain the potential for street violence.

The move came as senior members of the leadership of the ruling National Democratic party resigned from the party in response to the protests. They included Mubarak's powerful son, Gamal, long expected to succeed his father. A relative liberal, Hossam Badrawi, was appointed the party's new secretary general.

The mass, announced yesterday afternoon, resignation is likely to be seen as a further sign of Mubarak's weakness and will only strengthen the demands of protesters determined to topple him. It appeared to be part of a strategy agreed with the US to manage the transition, with or without Mubarak, as power shifts to Egypt's vice-president, who is backed by the Americans to head the political transition. >>> Julian Borger in Munich and Chris McGreal in Cairo | Sunday, February 06, 2011

David Cameron Stands by His Attack on Islamism
THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: David Cameron is standing by his decision to attack multiculturalism and hit back at Labour claims that he was helping the far Right.

An angry row broke out after Sadiq Khan, Labour's shadow justice secretary, accused the Prime Minister of "writing propaganda" for the nationalist English Defence League by calling on Britons to be more robust in rejecting Islamist extremism.

Ministers demanded that Mr Khan apologise for "smearing" the Prime Minister by linking him with the EDL, whose members demonstrated on the streets of Luton on Saturday, chanting "Muslim bombers off our streets" and holding banners aloft, some of which read "No more mosques".

Baroness Warsi, the Conservative party Chairman, said: "For Sadiq Khan to smear the Prime Minister as a Right-wing extremist is outrageous and irresponsible.

"Mr Khan is Labour's shadow justice secretary and ran Ed Miliband's leadership campaign. He must apologise, and Mr Miliband needs urgently to disown his colleague's baseless accusation."

The Prime Minister was also criticised by Muslim groups for pronouncing that multiculturalism had failed in Britain because it had led to segregation.

In a major speech tackling the threat posed by Islamic extremists, the Prime Minister warned that "hands-off tolerance" of unacceptable practices by minority communities had only served to encourage extremism.

He called for a "muscular" defence of British values.

Speaking to a conference in Munich, Mr Cameron said that the threat of terrorism must be confronted not only though intelligence and surveillance, but by taking on the ideology of Islamist extremism at home.

"Frankly, we need a lot less of the passive tolerance of recent years and much more active, muscular liberalism," the Prime Minister said.

While a "passively tolerant" society allows its citizens to do what they like, so long as they do not break the law, a genuinely liberal country "believes in certain values and actively promotes them", Mr Cameron said.

"Freedom of speech. Freedom of worship. Democracy. The rule of law. Equal rights, regardless of race, sex or sexuality. It says to its citizens: This is what defines us as a society. To belong here is to believe these things.

"Each of us in our own countries must be unambiguous and hard-nosed about this defence of our liberty." Read on and comment >>> Melissa Kite, Deputy Political Editor | Saturday, February 05, 2011

My comment on Mr. Cameron's speech:

Cameron's speech is indeed encouraging. At last, a public figure has shown some courage when speaking about extremist 'religious' ideologies. But he needs to find some more courage. He needs to recognise, and articulate, that almost all terrorism these days is linked to Islam. Further, he has convinced me that he doesn't truly understand the nature of Islam. He continues to articulate the canard that "Islamist extremism" has nothing to do with Islam. WRONG, Mr. Cameron! WRONG! Islamism is a term made up by the infidel for the infidel. To a practising Muslim, it is a meaningless term. A true Muslim would only recognise one belief system: Islam. And we shall have to learn to face the fact that Islamism is merely the practice of Islam in its fundamental form. Islamists are people who want to practise Islam as the prophet Muhammad envisioned. To say anything different is to distort the truth.

But I must applaud Mr. Cameron for taking a bold step forward, for taking a bold step to help open up the debate. This debate is sorely needed. But I’m sorry to say that Mr. Cameron has some homework to do if he truly wants to come to terms with, and get a grip on, the real danger facing the UK and the West today. – © Mark

This comment also appears here

THE GUARDIAN: David Cameron sparks fury from critics who say attack on multiculturalism has boosted English Defence League: • Prime minister is accused of handing PR coup to the far right
• Jack Straw calls David Cameron's comments 'ill-judged' >>> Toby Helm, Matthew Taylor and Rowenna Davis | Saturday, February 05, 2011

"Activists, some wearing balaclavas and others waving English flags, chanted "Muslim bombers off our streets" and "Allah, Allah, who the fuck is Allah". EDL supporters from Newcastle, Scotland, London, West Yorkshire and Sheffield joined Luton-based supporters. There were also flags representing German, Dutch and Swedish Defence Leagues." [Source: The Guardian]

Verwirrung um Hosni Mubaraks Parteimandat
Erst kam die Meldung, Mubarak habe den Vorsitz seiner Nationaldemokratischen Partei (NDP) abgegeben, später kam das Dementi. In Kairo ist die Lage unübersichtlich. Einschätzungen von André Marty, SF-Sonderkorrespondent in Kairo

Cameron Warning To Extremists
David Cameron has told a security conference in Munich that multi-culturalism in the UK has failed and the time has come to get tough with extremists. Sky's Peter Sharp reports


Cameron Extremism Speech Applauded
Sky's Europe Correspondent Alex Rossi says David Cameron's speech in Munich signalling a crackdown on extremism reflects a growing concern among EU leaders that multi-culturalism is failing

Is This the End?
MAIL ONLINE: 'Al-Qaeda-linked terror groups may be behind pipeline blast / Gas company boss says explosion and fire were due to leak, not terrorism / Reports of 'Organised attack' on vice president Omar Suleiman / Mubarak's son Gamal also resigns from National Democratic Party

President Hosni Mubarak has resigned as the head of Egypt ruling party, according to State television.

It comes as the country was on the verge of descending into chaos as newly appointed vice president Omar Suleiman reportedly survived an assassination attempt and saboteurs allegedly attacked an oil pipeline.

The balance of power hung precariously as demonstrations against president Mubarak entered their 12th day - and the army was beginning to reassert control on the streets.

The resignation comes just days after Mubarak said he would not resign immediately – because he feared there would be ‘chaos’.

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs refused to confirm the alarming reports of an 'organised attack' on Omar Suleiman. Two of his bodyguards were said to have been killed in the incident several days ago.

The pipeline attack has been linked to Islamist militants and, along with the apparent assassination attempt, represents a frightening new element in the popular uprising that has seen one of the U.S.'s greatest Middle Eastern allies descend into chaos.

The head of Egypt's natural gas company, Magdy Toufik, said today that the explosion and fire at a gas terminal in the northern Sinai Peninsula was caused by a gas leak.

There were no reported casualties from the fire, but officials had to shut off the flow of gas to neighbouring Jordan and Israel to contain the blaze. Mubarak quits as party leader after 12 days of bloodshed and riots in Egypt >>> Daily Mail Reporter | Saturday, February 05, 2011

SKY NEWS: 'Top Figures In Egypt's Ruling Party Resign' >>> Stuart Ramsay, in Cairo, and Gary Mitchell | Saturday, February 05, 2011

David Cameron Tells Muslim Britain: Stop Tolerating Extremists
THE GUARDIAN: PM says those who don't hold 'British' values will be shunned by government

David Cameron will today signal a sea-change in the government fight against home-grown terrorism, saying the state must confront, and not consort with, the non-violent Muslim groups that are ambiguous about British values such as equality between sexes, democracy and integration.

To belong in Britain is to believe in these values, he will say. Claiming the previous government had been the victim of fear and muddled thinking by backing a state-sponsored form of multiculturalism, the prime minister will state that his government "will no longer fund or share platforms with organisations that, while non-violent, are certainly in some cases part of the problem".

In a major speech to a security conference in Munich, he will demand: "We need a lot less of the passive tolerance of recent years and much more active, muscular liberalism."

He will say that "some organisations that seek to present themselves as a gateway to the Muslim community are showered with public money while doing little to combat extremism. This is like turning to a rightwing fascist party to fight a violent white supremacist movement."

Cameron's aides, aware the speech may prove highly controversial, refused to identify the organisations in his sights, but it is clear one target is the Muslim Council of Britain.

Last night some Muslim groups criticised the prime minister for making the speech on the same day that the English Defence League is holding its biggest ever demonstration, in Luton. >>> Patrick Wintour | Saturday, February 05, 2011

Clashes at English Defence League March in Luton
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Far right activists have clashed with anti-fascist demonstrators at a rally by the English Defence League.


Thousands of supporters from the English Defence League gathered in Luton on Saturday for the rally.

Campaigners from Unite Against Fascism are also planning to conduct a demonstration in the town and more than 1500 police are on duty to police the event.

Confrontations flared as early as 10am, however, as supporters of the English Defence League arrived at the train station in Luton and were confronted by dozens of protesters from Unite Against Fascism who attempted to block their exit.

Both sides hurled insults as tensions rose and the English Defence League supporters had to be escorted through a back exit by police.

Up to 7,000 EDL supporters are expected to gather in Luton St George's Square on Saturday.

The rally is expected to be the biggest in the EDL's 20-month history. The group was originally formed in Luton in 2009 and has staged more than 30 protests since. >>> Rebecca Lefort | Saturday, February 05, 2011

EDL Founder Claims He Is Target of Islamist Death Threat
THE GUARDIAN: Stephen Lennon says police have urged him to leave his home before English Defence League's anti-Islamist protest in Luton

The founder of the English Defence League claims he has been warned that his life is in danger if he leads a protest in Luton.

Stephen Lennon, 28, said senior police officers were urging him to leave his home town ahead of the anticipated arrival of thousands of EDL supporters.

The militant anti-Islamist campaigner said he was under police protection. He claimed Bedfordshire police had issued him with an "Osman warning", which are given by the police to advise individuals that they are at serious risk of being killed by someone who appears to have the capability to make good their threat. >>> Press Association | Friday, February 04, 2011

Egypt Protesters Hold Their Ground
With protests demanding end to Mubarak's rule entering the 12th day, people in Tahrir Square prepared to wait him out

This Is How Democracy Happens – the West on Egypt

London's Neediest Curse City Bonuses

TERRORWARNUNG: Al-Qaida nimmt Wall-Street-Banker ins Visier
WELT ONLINE: Steht New York ein neuer Anschlag bevor? US-Ermittler befürchten nach Hinweisen einen Angriff auf das Herz des Kapitalismus, die Wall Street.

Sicherheitsbehörden in den USA haben die Banken an der Wall Street und deren Spitzenpersonal vor möglichen Anschlägen des Terrornetzwerks al-Qaida gewarnt. Entsprechende Drohungen kämen von der Gruppe al-Qaida auf der Arabischen Halbinsel, sagte ein Sicherheitsvertreter der Nachrichtenagentur AFP in Washington. "Wir sind wachsam und haben Warnungen angesichts dieser gewalttätigen Pläne herausgegeben“, sagte er weiter. Er bestätigte damit einen Bericht des US-Senders NBC. >>> AFP/mac | Mittwoch, 02. Februar 2011

Egypt Crisis Shines Spotlight on Muslim Brotherhood
Reaction to Hannity's showdown with imam

A Need for Discretion in Egypt
Bolton on Egypt, Obama and secrecy

Mubarak Family Fortune Could Reach $70bn, Say Experts
THE GUARDIAN: Egyptian president has cash in British and Swiss banks plus UK and US property

Gamal and Hosni Mubarak are reported to have built up huge fortunes, including properties in London. Photographs: The Guardian
President Hosni Mubarak's family fortune could be as much as $70bn (£43.5bn) according to analysis by Middle East experts, with much of his wealth in British and Swiss banks or tied up in real estate in London, New York, Los Angeles and along expensive tracts of the Red Sea coast.

After 30 years as president and many more as a senior military official, Mubarak has had access to investment deals that have generated hundreds of millions of pounds in profits. Most of those gains have been taken offshore and deposited in secret bank accounts or invested in upmarket homes and hotels.

According to a report last year in the Arabic newspaper Al Khabar, Mubarak has properties in Manhattan and exclusive Beverly Hills addresses on Rodeo Drive.

His sons, Gamal and Alaa, are also billionaires. A protest outside Gamal's ostentatious home at 28 Wilton Place in Belgravia, central London, highlighted the family's appetite for western trophy assets.

Amaney Jamal, a political science professor at Princeton University, said the estimate of $40bn-70bn was comparable with the vast wealth of leaders in other Gulf countries.

"The business ventures from his military and government service accumulated to his personal wealth," she told ABC news. "There was a lot of corruption in this regime and stifling of public resources for personal gain. >>> Phillip Inman | Friday, February 04, 2011

Analysis: Saudi Arabia's War between God and Archaeology
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: For decades, Saudi Arabia's powerful clerics have waged a bitter battle against pagan faiths, idol worship, heresy, alcohol – and archaeology.

News that David Kennedy, an Australian scholar, has succeeded in identifying almost 2,000 unexplored archaeological sites using Google Earth has focused attention on the wages of that battle: the destruction of Saudi Arabia's own heritage More than 90 per cent of the archaeological treasures of the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, experts estimate, have been demolished to make way for hotels, apartment blocks and parking facilities.

The $13 billion project that led to a wave of demolitions in the middle of the last decade was part of an effort to modernise infrastructure in the ancient cities, where millions of pilgrims gather for the Hajj each year.

Sami Angawi, an expert on Arabian architecture, lamented that history had been " bulldozed for a parking lot". "We are witnessing now the last few moments of the history of Mecca,", he said.

The Kingdom's ultraconservative clerics believe that the veneration of ancient sites associated with the Prophet Mohammad and his family is heretical, and want potential shrines obliterated.

In October last year, a Saudi clerical body was reported to have renewed long-standing calls for the demolition of several historic Islamic sites – including the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and the grave of his mother. >>> Praveen Swami | Friday, February 04, 2011

Muslims Must Embrace Our British Values, David Cameron Says
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: British Muslims must subscribe to mainstream values of freedom and equality, David Cameron will say as he declares that the doctrine of multiculturalism has “failed” and will be abandoned.

Entering the debate on national identity and religious tolerance, the Prime Minister will declare an end to “passive tolerance” of divided communities, and say that members of all faiths must integrate into wider society and accept core values.

To be British is to believe in freedom of speech and religion, democracy and equal rights regardless of race, sex or sexuality, he will say. Proclaiming a doctrine of “muscular liberalism”, he will say that everyone, from ministers to ordinary voters, should actively confront those who hold extremist views.

He will also warn that groups that fail to promote British values will no longer receive public money or be able to engage with the state.

His speech, to an international security conference in Munich, comes after The Daily Telegraph disclosed the extent to which the British intelligence community fears the “unique threat” of terrorist attacks by radicalised British Muslims.

Mr Cameron will promise a new willingness to argue against and “defeat” extremist ideologies that lead some to engage in terrorism.

That means abandoning the notion that different communities should be able to live according to their own values and traditions as long as they stay within the law. “Under the doctrine of state multiculturalism, we have encouraged different cultures to live separate lives, apart from each other and the mainstream,” Mr Cameron will say. “We have failed to provide a vision of society to which they feel they want to belong.” >>> James Kirkup, Political Correspondent | Friday, February 04, 2011

Cairo Protesters: 'We're Not Muslim Brotherhood'
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The Telegraph reports from Tahrir Square in Cairo where, despite the violence this week, Egyptian demonstrators are determined to continue their protest until they see the back of President Hosni Mubarak.

Watch Telegraph video here

Pat Condell: Islam in Europe

Pat Condell: The Criminal Truth

Explosiver Tag in Ägypten
Die Opposition hat den heutigen Tag zum «Tag des Abgangs» erklärt. Mit einem Sternmarsch ins Zentrum von Kairo will sie den ägyptischen Präsidenten zum sofortigen Rücktritt zwingen. Einschätzungen von André Marty, SF-Sonderkorrespondent in Kairo

Egyptians Rally For Mubarak's Departure
Ten of thousands of protesters remain gathered in Egypt's capital for what is being called the "Day of Departure"

THE TIMES: Mubarak clings on as masses cry ‘Leave’: At least 100,000 protesters packed into Tahrir Square in central Cairo today, renewing their demands for President Mubarak’s resignation in defiance of a vicious two-day crackdown by his supporters. >>> Martin Fletcher and James Hider in Cairo, and Giles Whittell in Washington | Friday, February 04, 2011 [£]

Egypt Crisis: David Cameron Reprimands Baroness Ashton at EU Summit
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: David Cameron has reprimanded Baroness Ashton at a European Union summit, saying she was too soft on "state-sponsored violence" against Egyptian protesters.


The dressing down in front of a room filled with Europe's leaders was the Prime Minister's first open criticism of Lady Ashton since the Labour peer became EU foreign minister just over a year ago.

Mr Cameron was forced to make a "number of interventions" to ensure that the EU sent a tough message to Egypt because a summit declaration, drafted by Lady Ashton, was too weak.

A diplomat close to the talks said: "Cameron said Ashton's declaration did not go far enough and that there needed to be clear and strong language to show Egypt there would be consequences unless the repression stopped."

Britain's prime minister pushed for tougher EU action at a summit lunch, including a hint that sanctions would be used as Western patience runs out with President Hosni Mubarak's attempts to cling to power in Egypt.

Mr Cameron demanded that the EU threw its weight behind an American plan for Mr Mubarak to resign immediately and hand power to a military-backed interim government before speedy elections. >>> Bruno Waterfield, Brussels | Friday, February 04, 2011

Google Earth Finds Saudi Arabia's Forbidden Archaeological Secrets
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: An armchair archaeologist has identified nearly 2,000 potentially important sites in Saudi Arabia using Google Earth, despite never having visited the country.

David Kennedy, a professor of classics and ancient history at the University of Western Australia, used Google Earth satellite maps to pinpoint 1,977 potential archaeological sites, including 1,082 teardrop shaped stone tombs.

"I've never been to Saudi Arabia," Dr Kennedy said. "It's not the easiest country to break into."

Dr Kennedy told New Scientist that he had verified the images showed actual archaeological sites by asking a friend working in the Kingdom to photograph the locations.

The use of aerial and satellite imaging has been used in Britain to locate Iron Age and Roman sites in Britain, as well as Nazca lines in Peru and Mayan ruins in Belize.

But few archaeologists have been given access to Saudi Arabia, which has long been hostile to the discipline. Hardline clerics in the kingdom fear that it might focus attention on the civilisations which flourished there before the rise of Islam – and thus, in the long term, undermine the state religion. Read on and comment >>> Praveen Swami | Friday, February 04, 2011

Uncontacted Tribes

BBC: First film footage of remote Amazon rainforest tribe >>> | Thursday, February 03, 2011

Khamenei Hails 'Islamic' Uprisings
AL JAZEERA ENGLISH: Iranian supreme leader urges Egyptians to follow in the footsteps of Iran's 1979 revolution.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader has called the uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia an "Islamic liberation movement".

In his address, during Friday prayers at Tehran University, he said that people are witnessing the reverberations of Iran's 1979 Islamic revolution.

Khamenei said of the current unrest that "this is what was always referred to as ... Islamic awareness in connection with Iran's great Islamic Revolution."

Khamenei has urged Egypt's protesters to follow in the footsteps of the Iranian revolution which toppled a pro-US leader and called on Egyptians to unite around religion.

Referring to the events in Tunisia in Egypt, he said that it is a sign of "Islamic awareness" in the region and that these movements will spell an "irreparable defeat" for the United States.

He said that the embattled Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is a "servant" of Israel and the United States.

"For 30 years this country (Egypt) has been in the hands of someone who is not seeking freedom and is the enemy of those seeking freedom.

"Not only he is [sic] not anti-Zionist, but he is the companion, colleague, confidant and servant of Zionists. It is a fact that Hosni Mubarak's servitude to America has been unable to take Egypt one step towards prosperity."

The spiritual leader's remarks were received by cheering crowds of worshippers who, raising their hands, chanted "Death to America! Death to Israel!" >>> Source: Al Jazeera and agencies | Friday, February 04, 2011

Tahrir Squares Echoes with 'Leave Mubarak' Chant
Hundreds of thousands of pro-democracy protesters, from all walks of life protesting regardless of age, gender or religion, gathered at the Tahrir Square in Cairo, to demand the ouster of Hosni Mubarak. After offering the Friday prayer at the Square, the crowd shouted in unison: 'Leave Mubarak'. Friday sermon demanded regime change, prisoner release and constitutional change

Turkish Film Labeled Anti-Semitic
'Valley of the Wolves -- Palestine', the latest in a wildly popular series of action films, has been labeled anti-Semitic. In it three Turkish special forces operatives shoot their way through Jerusalem and the West Bank to avenge the real-life Israeli attack on the Mavi Marmara ship last May, that left nine Turks dead. Al Jazeera's Anita MacNaught reports from Istanbul, Turkey

Egypt's Revolt Hits UK Businesses
With revolt on the streets some of Egypt's ports have been closed, hitting companies importing Egyptian products. But some analysts believe the downturn will prove temporary. Nadim Baba has more

Egypt Crisis: David Cameron to Call for Sanctions
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: David Cameron is to use a Brussels summit to push for EU sanctions on Egypt and call for an immediate end to "state-sponsored violence".


His call for tougher action has resulted in a clash with Silvio Berlusconi, the Italian prime minister, and other Mediterranean leaders who regard Hosni Mubarak, the Egyptian president, as an essential bulwark against Islamic extremism in the Middle East.

"If we see on the streets of Cairo today state-sponsored violence by thugs hired to beat up protesters, the regime will lose any remaining credibility it has in the eyes of the watching world, including Britain," Mr Cameron said.

"We have been clear that Egypt should be taking steps to show there is a clear, credible transparent path towards transition. So far the steps taken have not met the hopes of the people. EU leaders today have to come together to show they support that orderly transition."

Mr Cameron is demanding that the EU throws its weight behind an American plan for President Mubarak to resign immediately and hand power to a military-backed interim government before speedy elections. >>> Bruno Waterfield, Brussels | Friday, February 04, 2011

New Dark Age Alert! Radical Imam's Frightening Prediction Parts 1 & 2
Cleric says Sharia law coming to America

Obama Turns to Religion During Mideast Crisis
Panel on President's recent public faith

Egypt's Chaos from a Former Ambassador's P.O.V.
Ex-ambassador on Egypt's unrest

WikiLeaks: British Muslims Sending Problem Children [to] 'Al-Qaeda' Schools
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: British Muslims are sending their “problem children” to Islamic schools in Kashmir on the India-Pakistan border where they are at risk of being recruited by al-Qaeda, officials have warned.

According to a communiqué dated July 18 2008, Laura Hickey, a senior British official, told the Americans that “stabilising Kashmir is also important for UK domestic security reasons.”

Ms Hickey, the Foreign Office’s Pakistan team leader, said there was “a growing trend of UK-based parents who send their 'problem children’ to madrassahs in Kashmir, and these students are at high risk of radicalisation”. Continue reading and comment >>> Cristopher Hope | Friday, February 04, 2011

WikiLeaks Cables: Britain Refused to Shut Down Charity US Claims Is Funding Hamas
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: British authorities refused to close down a charity, despite America claiming it was allegedly funding terrorism in the Middle East.

The documents also show that Treasury officials planned a “surge” against al-Qaeda financiers amid growing American concern over the lack of British intervention.

For several years, American officials repeatedly raised concerns over a charity called Interpal, the Palestinian Relief and Development Fund, which is accused of aiding Hamas. The charity has been blacklisted in the US since 2003. Continue reading and comment >>> Holly Watt | Friday, February 04, 2011

Protests Continue in Cairo
Uneasy calm prevails in Egyptian capital's Tahrir Square while US "considers proposal" for Mubarak to go immediately

AL JAZEERA ENGLISH: Protesters continue to demand an end to Mubarak’s thirty-year rule >>>

White House, Egypt Discuss Plan for Mubarak’s Exit
THE NEW YORK TIMES: WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is discussing with Egyptian officials a proposal for President Hosni Mubarak to resign immediately and turn over power to a transitional government headed by Vice President Omar Suleiman with the support of the Egyptian military, administration officials and Arab diplomats said Thursday.

Even though Mr. Mubarak has balked, so far, at leaving now, officials from both governments are continuing talks about a plan in which Mr. Suleiman, backed by Lt. Gen. Sami Enan, chief of the Egyptian armed forces, and Field Marshal Mohamed Tantawi, the defense minister, would immediately begin a process of constitutional reform.

The proposal also calls for the transitional government to invite members from a broad range of opposition groups, including the banned Muslim Brotherhood, to begin work to open up the country’s electoral system in an effort to bring about free and fair elections in September, the officials said.

Senior administration officials said that the proposal was one of several options under discussion with high-level Egyptian officials around Mr. Mubarak in an effort to persuade the president to step down now.

They cautioned that the outcome depended on several factors, not least Egypt’s own constitutional protocols and the mood of the protesters on the streets of Cairo and other Egyptian cities.

Some officials said there was not yet any indication that either Mr. Suleiman or the Egyptian military was willing to abandon Mr. Mubarak.

Even as the Obama administration is coalescing around a Mubarak-must-go-now posture in private conversations with Egyptian officials, Mr. Mubarak himself remains determined to stay until the election in September, American and Egyptian officials said. His backers forcibly pushed back on Thursday against what they viewed as American interference in Egypt’s internal affairs.

“What they’re asking cannot be done,” one senior Egyptian official said, citing clauses in the Egyptian Constitution that bar the vice president from assuming power. Under the Constitution, the speaker of Parliament would succeed the president. “That’s my technical answer,” the official added. “My political answer is they should mind their own business.” >>> Helene Cooper and Mark Landler | Thursday, February 03, 2011

Bangladesh Clerics Arrested after Girl Whipped to Death
THE GUARDIAN: Fourteen-year-old accused of relationship with married man given 70 lashes

Police in Bangladesh have arrested four Islamic clerics after a teenage girl accused of having a relationship with a married man was whipped to death. >>> Associated Press | Thursday, February 03, 2011