Iranian Web Programmer Faces Execution on Porn Charges
THE GUARDIAN: Saeed Malekpour sentenced to death after allegedly confessing under torture

A 35-year-old Iranian web programmer is facing imminent execution in connection with developing and promoting porn websites, charges that his family insist are trumped up.

Saeed Malekpour, a permanent resident of Canada who was arrested in October 2008 after his arrival in Tehran, is convicted of designing and moderating adult content websites, acting against the national security, insulting and desecrating the principles of Islam, and agitating the public mind.

Speaking from Toronto, Malekpour's wife, Fatemeh Eftekhari, said her husband has been informed of the verdict and has been transferred to solitary confinement for the sentence to be administered if the supreme court sanctions it. She says her husband was a web programmer who had written photo uploading software that was used in a porn website without his knowledge. >>> Saeed Kamali Dehghan | Wednesday, February 09, 2011

Ronald Reagan's Children Reject Republican Claims Over His Political Legacy
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The three surviving children of Ronald Reagan have rubbished efforts by Republican presidential hopefuls to claim his mantle as a conservative reformer, branding Sarah Palin "a soap opera".

Celebrations to mark the centenary of the late president's birth have coincided with the need of what critics call a mediocre group of candidates to burnish their reputations to send Reagan-fever jumping to unprecedented levels.

Speaking at a dinner to honour the 40th president, Sarah Palin said she considered herself a "western conservative in the spirit of Ronald Reagan".

Newt Gingrich, the former House speaker who is also considering a run for the White House, compared his Pennsylvania roots to Reagan's in a small town in Illinois and said [the] man who ended the Cold War would have handled the turmoil in Egypt with much more certainty than President Barack Obama. Other potential candidates have lavished praise on Reagan, who died in 2004, and cited him as their chief inspiration.

But asked what she made of Mrs Palin as a potential successor to her father, Patti Davis, Mr Reagan's only surviving daughter, said: "You've got to be kidding me."

Ron Reagan, her younger brother, scoffed: "Sarah Palin has nothing in common with my father. Sarah Palin is a soap opera." >>> Alex Spillius, Washington | Wednesday, February 09, 2011

Senior Lib Dem Sacked for Criticising Controversial Deal for Bankers
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Coalition tensions over bankers’ bonuses have been laid bare with the sacking of a senior Liberal Democrat who criticised a controversial deal announced by George Osborne.

Lord Oakeshott, a close ally of Vince Cable, the Business Secretary, was last night removed from his post as the Lib Dem spokesman on Treasury issues.

His departure from the post came after he condemned the Coalition’s agreement with the banking industry as inadequate and accused Mr Osborne’s team of “arrogance and incompetence”.

Under the deal with the industry, the heads of the taxpayer-backed high-street banks will receive multi-million pound pay and bonus packages for last year.

The Chancellor said it was time to move from “retribution to recovery” and agreed to water down laws which would have identified multi-million pound bank traders.

However, under the terms of the “Project Merlin” deal, the country’s main high-street banks have agreed to increase lending and provide funding for community projects – in return for the Government not vetoing their bonus payments. >>> James Kirkup, and Robert Winnett | Wednesday, February 09, 2011

MAIL ONLINE: Clegg forced to sack Treasury spokesman after he pours scorn on 'weasel' Osborne's deal with banks: The coalition was in disarray over a lending and bonuses deal with Britain's biggest banks as Nick Clegg was forced to sack a member of his frontbench team for an extraordinary public attack on the Treasury. >>> James Chapman and Becky Barrow | Wednesday, February 09, 2011

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: RBS's Stephen Hester and Lloyds' Eric Daniels accept multi-million pound bonuses: The chief executives of state-owned Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Banking Group have accepted multi-million pound bonuses on the same day George Osborne unveiled details of a deal with UK banks that should cut pay-outs. >>> Harry Wilson and Andrew Trotman | Wednesday, February 09, 2011

Protesters Demand Mubarak Leave Egypt
Cairo residents getting tired

Islam: The Religion of Peace
Watch BRUTAL video * HERE
HT: FaithFreedom.org >>>
* Viewer discretion is STRONGLY advised. This video is NOT SUITABLE for CHILDREN or for those who have a WEAK STOMACH or CONSTITUTION. It TRULY is BRUTAL!

Disgusting British Politicians! UK Ministers 'Wanted Lockerbie Bomber Released'
BBC: The previous UK government did "all it could" to help facilitate the release of Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi, a report on the case says.

Sir Gus O'Donnell, the country's most senior civil servant, said there was an "underlying desire" to see Megrahi released before he died.

But his report concluded that it was made clear to Libya that the final decision was up to Scottish ministers.

And there was no evidence of Labour pressure on the Holyrood government.

Prime Minister David Cameron, who set up the investigation, said the release had been "profoundly wrong" but added there was no need for a fresh inquiry.

Labour's Gordon Brown, who was prime minister when Megrahi was freed in August 2009, said the decision had been made by Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill and "no-one else".

But Stephanie Bernstein, from the US, who lost her husband in the bombing, told the BBC: "It's disgusting, absolutely appalling. It looks as if the Labour government were acting as attorneys for the Libyans." >>> | Monday, February 07, 2011

Turkey: A Model for the ME?
As countries like Tunisia and Egypt ask themselves what's next, one country in the region has fashioned itself as a role model for successful democracy. The reason? Turkey appears - so far - to have successfully married its secular institutions with a majority Muslim society. Al Jazeera's Anita McNaught has more from Istanbul

Mannequins Wear a Message for Iraq’s Women
Four mannequins in Western dress in the Kadhimiya neighborhood. Text accompanying the display, put on by a mosque, had an uncompromising message: Men who look at women in such dress become voracious monsters; women who wear it burn through eternity. Photograph: The New York Times
THE NEW YORK TIMES: BAGHDAD — Vendors around the Kadhimiya mosque in northern Baghdad sell all manner of women’s clothing, from drape-like black abayas to racy evening wear. But on a recent afternoon, Hameed Ibrahim ushered his family toward a different kind of fashion display.

On a raised stage between two shops, four mannequins in Western dress, their blond hair peeking out under colored scarves, stood amid crepe-paper flames. To one side was a banner featuring lust-crazed male ghouls; behind the mannequins, images of eternal suffering.

And at the foot of the stage was a scripture from the mosque.

“Whoever fills his eyes with the forbidden, on judgment day God will fill them with fire.”

For Mr. Ibrahim, it was a message that his wife and daughters — and all Iraqi women — sorely needed. “I brought them here so they can see this,” he said. “Maybe everyone has forgotten about God, and they say that this is progress. Well, I call it depravity.”

Since the fall of Saddam Hussein’s government in 2003, women’s clothing has served as a barometer not just of fashion, but of the current ascendancy of religious values in a once secular society. On this busy thoroughfare, near Baghdad’s largest holy shrine, what might be called the mannequin salvo in the Battle of the Abaya — between secularism and Shariah law — incites heated views on both sides. If revolution in the Arab world is sweeping Cairo’s streets, the smaller strokes here represent forces no less urgent.

Mr. Ibrahim’s wife, who gave her name as Um Noor, or mother of Noor, approved of the exhibit, which has been up for about a month. Like many on the street, she wore a loose-fitting black abaya that covered everything but her face, and she dressed her four daughters in kind.

“This is good because it will make women feel frightened and stop what they are doing and wearing,” she said. “There are some people who are not afraid of God. Let them come and see this.” The clothes on the mannequins were chaste by American or European standards. The sleeves and hems were long, and the necklines were high or covered by scarves. But the message was uncompromising: men who look at women in such dress become voracious monsters; women who wear it burn through eternity. >>> John Leland and Duraid Adnan | Tuesday, February 08, 2011

Protest in Egypt Takes a Turn as Workers Go on Strike
Striking museum workers outside the Supreme Council of Antiquities in Cairo on Wednesday. Photograph: The New York Times
THE NEW YORK TIMES: CAIRO — Protesters demanding the overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak appeared on Wednesday to have recaptured the initiative in their battle with his government, demonstrating a new ability to mobilize thousands to take over Cairo’s streets beyond their headquarters at Tahrir Square and to spark labor unrest.

As reports filtered in of strikes and unrest spreading to other parts of the city and the country, the government seemed to dig in deeper. Mr. Mubarak’s handpicked successor, Vice President Omar Suleiman, warned on Tuesday that the only alternative to constitutional talks is a “coup” and added: “We don’t want to deal with Egyptian society with police tools.”

But the pressure on Mr. Mubarak’s government only intensified, a day after the largest crowd of protesters in two weeks flooded Cairo’s streets and the United States delivered its most specific demands yet, urging swift steps toward democracy. Some of the protesters had been inspired by an emotional interview with an online political organizer on Egypt’s most popular talk show. >>> David D. Kirkpatrick | Wednesday, February 09, 2011

NACH RAKETENANGRIFF DER HAMAS: Israelischer Luftangriff auf Gaza
Bei einem Angriff der israelischen Luftwaffe sind am Mittwoch mehrere Menschen im Gazastreifen verwundet worden

Egypte : les Palestiniens interdits d'entrée
leJDD.fr: Les services d'immigration égyptiens ont reçu la consigne de ne pas laisser entrer les Palestiniens dans le pays, a indiqué mercredi à l'AFP un de leurs responsables. "Il y a instruction d'empêcher les Palestiniens d'entrer en Egypte. Douze Palestiniens ont été renvoyés vers les pays d'où ils venaient mercredi conformément à ces instructions", a déclaré ce responsable des services d'immigration égyptiens sous couvert de l'anonymat. Un responsable de l'ambassade palestinienne au Caire a confirmé cette interdiction, tout en affirmant qu'il s'agissait d'une mesure temporaire qui ne concernait pas les Palestiniens résidant en Egypte ou mariés à une Egyptienne. [Source: leJDD.fr] | Mercredi 09 Février 2011

Jordan Tribes Criticise Queen Rania's 'Political Role'
BBC: A group of Jordanian tribal leaders has taken the unusual step of urging King Abdullah to curtail what they see as his wife's involvement in politics.

The 36 tribal leaders attacked Queen Rania's Palestinian origins and said she was "building power centres for her own interests".

Following uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, the king has been under pressure to make political and economic reforms.

Last week, King Abdullah sacked his cabinet and appointed a new PM.

"She is building power centres for her interest that go against what Jordanians and Hashemites have agreed on in governing and is a danger to the nation and the structure the state... and the institution of the throne," the statement from the Bedouin chiefs said.

The tribes, from Jordan's East Bank, are usually supportive of the Hashemite monarchy, with members holding important positions in the military and government. >>> | Tuesday, February 08, 2011

Silvio Berlusconi Condemns 'Disgusting' Prosecutors
BBC: Italy's prime minister has said a request by prosecutors in Milan to have him put on trial immediately over his alleged relationship with an underage prostitute is "disgusting".

Silvio Berlusconi said the prosecutors' case was a "pretext" to oust him.

He has denied paying for sex with a 17-year-old girl and abusing his power to get her released by police after she was arrested over another matter.

A magistrate will now decide if there is enough evidence to proceed to trial.

If convicted, the prime minister could face up to 15 years in prison. >>> | Wednesday, February 09, 2011

Mubarak Clan Faces Uncertain Future
MONSTERS & CRITICS: Cairo/Istanbul - The last two men preceding him left office feet first, and their relatives are held by Egyptians in esteem.

Such is how Egyptian President Hosny Mubarak, 82, and his family likely envisioned their future. Things have turned out differently, though. The old patriarch and his wife, Suzanne, who is 13 years his junior, now have to make new plans.

The family fortune, some of which is invested in real estate in the United States and London, will certainly ensure that the Mubaraks continue to live comfortably. They have close ties to Britain because Suzanne Mubarak is the daughter of a British nurse and an Egyptian doctor.

When Mubarak, then Egypt's little-known vice-president, was catapulted into the presidency in October 1981 by Anwar Sadat's assassination, few would have expected him in office 30 years later.

But the former air force commander from the province of Manufia quickly honed his political instincts, and his popular touch was well-received by ordinary Egyptians.

Mubarak speaks the language of the common man, in contrast to his wife, whose origins are less humble. The couple's two sons, Alaa and Gamal, have lived much of their lives in luxury behind high walls and lack this talent.

Gamal in particular, who many believe was being groomed to succeed his father - perhaps at his mother's wish - usually appears quite wooden.

Alaa, the elder son, is a businessman and stays out of the public eye. Like his father, whom he resembles physically, he had two sons. The elder boy, Muhammad, died aged 12 in a Paris hospital in May 2009 after his health suddenly deteriorated. >>> Anne-Beatrice Clasmann | Tuesday, February 08, 2011

Could Radical Islamists Take Over in Egypt?
Amb. Dore Gold on 'Your World'

Ikhwanweb: The Muslim Brotherhood Official English Website >>>

Egyptian Business Leader Fears Radical Takeover
Leland Vittert reports

Freed Google Executive Rejoins Protesters
Wael Ghonim returns to square

U.S. Must Reject Extremist Islam at Home
CNN: America should listen to David Cameron right now.

This past weekend, the British prime minister spoke to the issue of radical Islam and the cultural-political concessions to it in Great Britain. His major theme, at a speech delivered in Munich, Germany, can be summed up by what he said to many young Muslims who "find it hard to identify with Britain ... because we have allowed the weakening of our collective identity."

"Under the doctrine of state multiculturalism, we have encouraged different cultures to live separate lives, apart from each other and the mainstream," failing to provide those cultures with "a vision of society to which they feel they want to belong," he said.

Cameron also said his nation has tolerated these segregated communities "behaving in ways that run counter" to British values.

Cameron was quite right in what he said about Britain, and it is equally true here in America. "(W)hen a white person holds objectionable views, racism, for example, we rightly condemn them. But when equally unacceptable views or practices have come from someone who isn't white, we've been too cautious, frankly even fearful, to stand up to them," he said. >>> William J. Bennett, CNN Contributor | Wednesday, February 08, 2011

Al-Qaida s'invite dans les manifestations en Egypte
LE MONDE: La branche irakienne d'Al-Qaida appelle les manifestants égyptiens à la guerre sainte et à instaurer un gouvernement basé sur la loi coranique, a indiqué mardi le centre américain de surveillance de sites islamistes (SITE). Le communiqué de l'Etat islamique d'Irak (ISI), qui semble être la première réaction d'un groupe lié à Al-Qaida sur les événements en cours en Egypte, a été posté mardi sur des forums djihadistes, selon SITE. >>> LEMONDE.FR avec AFP et Reuters | Mercredi 09 Février 2011

WELT ONLINE: Al-Qaida ruft Ägypter zum Heiligen Krieg auf: Ein Al-Qaida-Ableger hat Ägyptens Demonstranten zum Dschihad aufgefordert. Aus ägyptischen Gefängnissen kamen offenbar auch Terroristen frei. >>> AFP/Reuters/cc | Mittwoch, 09. Februar 2011

Les radicaux baffés avec la loi sur les cultes
20 MINUTES ONLINE: Le parti voulait interdire tous les costumes religieux sur la voie publique genevoise. Le projet est balayé par les autres formations.

Le dépôt du projet de loi sur le culte extérieur visant à bannir tous les habits religieux de la voie publique était, pour ses adversaires, une manière voilée de prohiber les burqas et autres niqabs des rues genevoises. >>> Par Didier Tischler | Mardi 08 Février 2011

Dutch Seek Jordan's Clarification of Wilders Position
NIS NEWS BULLETIN: THE HAGUE - Foreign Minister Uri Rosenthal, in a meeting with King Abdullah II of Jordan, has requested clarification on the court case that hangs over Party for Freedom (PVV) leader Geert Wilders' head in that country.

A court case against the PVV leader for incitement to hatred and insulting the prophet Mohammed in his short anti-Islam film Fitna has already been underway for months in Jordan. The case was brought by radical Muslims. >>> | Wednesday, February 09, 2011

Southern Sudan To Split From North
Southern Sudan is set to become the world's newest nation as official results show a landslide vote for independence

Inside Story - Corruption in Egypt

Protests Swell at Tahrir Square
Tens of thousands pour into central Cairo seeking president Mubarak's ouster, despite a slew of government concessions

Barack Obama Quits ... Smoking
THE GUARDIAN: Michelle Obama says husband has not had a cigarette in 12 months, though US president has yet to corroborate claims

President Barack Obama finally has kicked the smoking habit, Michelle Obama has revealed.

"Yes, he has," the first lady told reporters at the White House when asked whether her husband had finally done what millions of Americans cannot seem to do and quit smoking. "It's been almost a year."

She said she did not know exactly when he quit "because he never smoked a lot" and she never saw him light up. >>> Associated Press in Washington | Tuesday, February 08, 2011

My comment on this story:

First of all, what’s the big deal whether Obama still smokes or has given up? Personally, I couldn’t care less. I am no fan of Obama, but one thing I wouldn’t begrudge him is a few ciggies. If the president of a major country can’t enjoy a few puffs, then where are we?

I write as an ex-smoker, one who thinks that whilst smoking is not a healthy, good habit, there are far worse habits out there than puffing on a fag now and then. The world has gone slightly mad in its obsession with the evils of smoking. Smoking can be a very enjoyable habit, especially if one keeps it under control. I had years of pleasure from it, I willingly confess. And yes, as someone else has already stated, it can be cool, and it can be sexy too. (Sorry to all the health nuts and fascists out there. These are undeniable facts, I’m sorry.)

In my opinion, the world was a far better-run place when politicians puffed away, without paying any heed to the health freaks. In those days, politicians weren’t so obsessed by looks and image. They were far more interested in doing a damn good job in politics. As ex-Bundeskanzler Schmidt said recently, he wasn’t in politics to be a good rôle model for the young, but to do a fine job! I concur with the man’s assessment.

Obama is said to have struggled with his smoking habit for thirty years. This is mere hype. To start with, in the early years of his smoking habit, he is highly unlikely to have bothered about the habit itself or its effects. Then it has been stated that he only ever smoked three to five cigarettes a day. Oh yeh? Who is he trying to kid? If he only ever smoked so few cigarettes, he is highly unlikely ever to have “struggled” with his habit. Giving up for him would probably have been a cinch.

I have seen photos of Obama smoking in the early days (they now appear to have been expunged from the Web – were they from Der Spiegel, I wonder?), and I can assure you that a ‘chuffa train’ wouldn’t have belched out more smoke than Obama did in those photos. Hardly the mark of a light smoker!

Michelle obviously has a bee in her bonnet about smoking. And Obama is obviously under the thumb, if only ever so slightly. I can’t help but feel that this story is riddled with Michelle’s wishful thinking. If she isn’t trying to kid us, she’s certainly trying to kid herself and her two daughters.

My advice to Obama: If you want a few puffs now and then, don’t torture yourself, go for it! But be man enough and bold enough to admit it. You might even go up in my estimation (and others’?) for having the balls to tell everyone to go sit on it. – © Mark

This comment also appears here

Revealed: 50% of Tory Funds Come from City
THE GUARDIAN: Donations from the financial sector have risen steeply since David Cameron became leader of the Conservative party

Financiers in the City of London provided more than 50% of the funding for the Tories last year, new research revealed last night, prompting claims that the party is in thrall to the banks.

A study by the Bureau for Investigative Journalism has found that the City accounted for £11.4m of Tory funding – 50.79% of its total haul – in 2010, a general election year. This compared with £2.7m, or 25% of its funding, in 2005, when David Cameron became party leader.

The research also shows that nearly 60 donors gave more than £50,000 to the Tories last year, entitling each of them to a face-to-face meeting with leading members of the party up to and including Cameron.

The study shows the impact that Michael Spencer has had on party funding. He was appointed by Cameron as Tory treasurer in an attempt to reduce the influence of Lord Ashcroft, the party's former deputy chairman. Spencer was asked by Cameron to increase the number of relatively small donations of £50,000 to curb the influence of large donors such as Ashcroft, and for these smaller donations the City was place to look.

But there were still big City donations last year. David "Spotty" Rowland gave more than £4m. Stanley Fink, a hedge fund manager who was appointed the Tory treasurer last year in succession to Spencer, gave £1.9m while George Magan gave £485,000. Magan was also given a peerage.

The research comes at an awkward time for the coalition. Yesterday, George Osborne put an extra £800m tax on bank balance sheets for this year, increasing the bank levy from £1.7bn to £2.5bn. The move was immediately denounced by unions as being politically motivated, coming as it did just hours before Osborne's first encounter with the new shadow chancellor, Ed Balls, in the Commons. >>> Nicholas Watt and Jill Treanor | Tuesday, February 08, 2011

Little wonder that David Cameron has no stomach to tackle the absurd and undeserved bonuses in the City! – © Mark

Egypt: French Prime Minister Enjoyed Free Holiday Curtesy of Mubarak
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: François Fillon, the French prime minister inflamed a row over the government's links to Arab dictators by admitting he enjoyed a free holiday on the Nile over the New Year paid for by Egypt's Hosni Mubarak.

The admission comes amid calls that Michèle Alliot-Marie, France's foreign minister, resign over a New Year holiday in Tunisia during which she twice used a private jet owned by a tycoon allegedly close to the country's deposed president, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

Mr Fillon claims he admitted to the trip "in the interests of transparency" although appeared to be designed as a damage limitation exercise, as the satirical weekly Le Canard Enchaîné was due to break the story on Wednesday.

In a statement, Mr Fillon's office said his family were treated to a free holiday from December 26 to January 2 in the Nile resort of Aswan, then went on a Nile boat ride and a flight on an Egyptian government plane to go sightseeing, all courtesy of Mr Mubarak.

"The prime minister was lodged during this visit by the Egyptian authorities," the statement said.

Unlike Mrs Alliot-Marie, however, Mr Fillon's trip took place before there was any hint of anti-government unrest and there was an official side to it, as he met Mr Mubarak in Aswan for 90 minutes on December 30. >>> Henry Samuel, Paris | Tuesday, February 08, 2011

Egypt's Blight: A Correspondent Reminisces on 56 Years in Cairo
Photograph: Spiegel Online International
SPIEGEL ONLINE INTERNATIONAL: SPIEGEL's longtime Cairo correspondent has spent more than five decades living in the city. He describes Egypt's decline under a leader obsessed with discipline, calm and stability who lost touch with his people and allowed the Arab world's most vibrant country to stagnate.

Volkhard Windfuhr, 74, has been living in Cairo since 1955. He joined SPIEGEL as its Middle East correspondent in 1974. Since then, he has reported on the major crises in the region and met as well as interviewed nearly all Arab leaders, including the three Egyptian presidents Gamal Abdel Nasser, Anwar Sadat and Hosni Mubarak. In an essay for SPIEGEL, he describes the changes that have taken shape in the Egypt in the decades he has spent in the country.

I am among the oldest in the crowd to cross the Nile Bridge and enter Tahrir Square this Wednesday morning. I have lived in Cairo longer than nearly everyone else who strolls along peacefully beside me: women, men, young people, old people, educated and less educated, workers, preachers and engineers. We talk about this and that. I know their language. I know their jokes. It is also my language, and they are my jokes, too.

But what befell us three hours later, seemingly out of nowhere, shattered my image of this country in which I have lived for the past 56 years. This was not the country I know and love.

"Al-Maut lil-Kilab!" shouted two young men who suddenly appeared in front of the Sudan Air offices on Talat Harb Street, with their fists flying: "Death to the dogs!" One wielded a butcher knife, the other started beating up a demonstrator. "Down with the regime" it said on the cardboard sign that he tore from the man's hands. At first, I didn't understand what was happening. What did these people want? Where did this aggression come from?

But then people started to scream, horses and camels galloped across the square, and it slowly dawned on me: This was a gang of thugs sent to break up a peaceful demonstration. They tore off women's blouses and headscarves, knocked over people in wheelchairs, and even kicked children aside.

I fled to an archway and took a closer look at them: They were, without a doubt, men who belonged to the regime -- some had even sewn onto their jackets the emblem of the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP). I know that this government doesn't tread lightly when it breaks up demonstrations -- but having such a mob rush a crowd like the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse? I have never experienced anything like it. An older man, a law professor who had been hit on the back of his head, fled with me into a small side street and said: "I don't understand my people anymore." They were my thoughts precisely.

I feel ashamed of this country, which I see as my second homeland. How could the government allow something like this to happen? How does the tank commander feel who is not allowed to prevent the massacre? What higher standard allows soldiers to look away who only one day before were hailed as the people's protectors? >>> An Essay By Volkhard Windfuhr | Tuesday, February 08, 2011

General Synod Backs Ban on Clergy Joining the BNP
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The Church of England has backed draft legislation paving the way for a ban on clergy membership of the BNP - in spite of warnings about creating ''martyrs'' to free speech.

Members of the General Synod voted to press ahead with an amendment to discipline procedures making it ''unbecoming'' or ''inappropriate'' conduct for clergy to be members of a political party with policies and activities declared ''incompatible'' with Church teaching on race equality.

Under the proposals, Church of England bishops would make a declaration on parties or organisations deemed incompatible with Christian teaching.

Vasantha Gnanadoss, a Metropolitan Police civilian worker, and General Synod member who first won backing for the ban two years ago, welcomed the amendment and a new statement on race equality from the bishops.

This put the Church's mission to ''resist racism'' on a firm footing, she told the Synod.

''It is very important when the English Defence League and others are posing a fresh threat to the well-being of our diverse society. I hope that this statement will be used widely,'' she said. >>> | Tuesday, February 08, 2011

Des catholiques se forment pour mieux comprendre l'islam
Du 4 au 11 juillet 2010, 50 catholiques, prêtres, religieuses et laïcs, ont participé à la formation annuelle du Service des relations avec l'islam de la Conférence des évêques de France. Une proposition qui touche de nouveaux publics qui souhaitent mieux connaître une religion de plus en plus visible dans la société française

Des catholiques se forment pour mieux comprendre l'islam
Uploaded by la-croix. - News videos from around the world.

Wilders Trial II: Judges Take Charge
DUTCHNEWS.nl: The new judges sent out a clear message on day one of the trial against PVV leader Geert Wilders: we are in charge here, not the lawyer, not the accused and certainly not the cameras, writes Nico de Fijter in Trouw [Wiki].

‘Your answer please’ the senior judge urged Wilders’ lawyer Bram Moszkowicz who apparently took too long to react. And moments later, when he made an unsolicited comment on something his opposite number said, the judge reacted with a terse: ‘You are speaking out of turn, Mr. Moszkowicz.’

The new judges, lead by Marcel van Oosten (64) have opted for a strict, businesslike and above all decisive tone.

Tongues had been wagging about how the new judges were going to handle Wilders II. The judiciary came out of the first round with quite a lot of egg on its face. Impolitic comments and downright blunders marked the first trial and lead to the dismissal of the judges.

The judiciary administration did not fare much better: the judges lacked support and were insufficiently prepared. The question of whether or not Wilders was guilty of discrimination and inciting hatred all but disappeared in the judiciary melee.

This is why the judges, the court and the whole judiciary want to see a flawless trial that is not so much about them but about the accused. And that can only happen if the judge takes charge.

And he did. It showed in the way he ticked off Moszkowicz. The camera registration of the trial has been adapted, too. It is still transmitted live but recording will start when the judges have entered the court, not before. And when they leave, the camera’s are no longer allowed to linger either. It’s as if the judges are saying: nothing of importance is going to happen until we are here. >>> | Tuesday, February 08, 2011

BBC: Dutch MP Geert Wilders back in court over 'hate speech': Dutch anti-Islam MP Geert Wilders has returned to court in Amsterdam to face trial for inciting hatred, before a new set of judges. >>> | Monday, February 07, 2011

NZZ ONLINE: Rechtspopulist Wilders erneut vor Gericht: Verteidiger will Van-Gogh-Mörder als Zeugen >>> sda | Montag, 07. Februar 2011

"Persécuté" pour ses opinions anti-islam
LA-CROIX: LA HAYE - Pays-Bas : Geert Wilders se dit "persécuté" pour ses opinions anti-islam

Le député néerlandais d'extrême droite Geert Wilders, poursuivi pour incitation à la haine raciale et à la discrimination envers les musulmans, a affirmé lundi devant le tribunal d'Amsterdam être "persécuté" pour ses opinions anti-islam.

"Les citoyens qui critiquent l'islam paient un lourd tribut. Ils sont menacés, persécutés, criminalisés", a soutenu le député, lors d'une audience de procédure retransmise sur internet.

"Celui qui dit la vérité est en danger", a ajouté le chef du Parti pour la liberté (PVV), poursuivi pour avoir qualifié l'islam de "fasciste" et réclamé l'interdiction du Coran, comparé au livre "Mein Kampf" d'Adolf Hitler. >>> AFP | Lundi 07 Février 2011

”Israel craint d’être encore plus isolé”
L’État hébreu, don’t l’Égypte est le principal interlocuteur arabe, redoute les conséquences des émeutes pour la paix de la région, explique Georges Malbrunot

Assange Team Fears Hidden Agenda
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is in court for the second day of his extradition hearing

Egyptian Uprising Spawns Religious Attacks
Coptic Christian's fear radical takeover

Bush Cancels Trip to Switzerland

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New York TV Executive Found Guilty of Beheading Wife
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The Pakistan-born founder of a Muslim-oriented New York television station was convicted on Monday of beheading his wife in 2009 in the studio the couple had opened to counter negative stereotypes of Muslims after the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

Muzzammil "Mo" Hassan never denied that he killed Aasiya Hassan inside the suburban Buffalo station the couple established to promote cultural understanding. A jury on Monday rejected his claim he was the victim of spousal abuse.

Hassan acted as his own lawyer during the trial in Buffalo. In court, he said nothing when the verdict was read. His reaction was blocked from view by a line of sheriff's deputies and court officers. >>> | Monday, February 07, 2011

EXAMINER: Muzzammil "Mo" Hassan is guilty as charged: The jury after a short deliberation time, found Muzzammil Hassan guilty of second degree murder, in the brutal beheading murder of his wife Aasiya Hassan. They deliberated for a little over an hour, according to wgrz news in Buffalo NY, and returned the verdict as guilty. The guilty verdict was given today after both sides in the Hassan trial gave their closing arguments. Hassan, in his arguments, portrayed himself as the victim of his wife, and the victim of society, which he characterized as his enemy with "false beliefs in religion." >>> Steven Switzer | Monday, February 07, 2011

Many not surprised Hassan found guilty: wivb.com

Two years after beheading, Hassan found guilty: wivb.com

Prosecutors discuss Hassan guilty verdict: wivb.com

WIVB >>>

WikiLeaks: Israel's Secret Hotline to the Man Tipped to Replace Mubarak
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The new vice-president of Egypt, Omar Suleiman, is a long-standing favourite of Israel's who spoke daily to the Tel Aviv government via a secret "hotline" to Cairo, leaked documents disclose.

Mr Suleiman, who is widely tipped to take over from Hosni Mubarak as president, was named as Israel's preferred candidate for the job after discussions with American officials in 2008.

As a key figure working for Middle East peace, he once suggested that Israeli troops would be "welcome" to invade Egypt to stop weapons being smuggled to Hamas terrorists in neighbouring Gaza.

The details, which emerged in secret files obtained by WikiLeaks and passed to The Daily Telegraph, come after Mr Suleiman began talks with opposition groups on the future for Egypt's government.

On Saturday, Mr Suleiman won the backing of Hillary Clinton, the US Secretary of State, to lead the "transition" to democracy after two weeks of demonstrations calling for President Mubarak to resign.

David Cameron, the Prime Minister, spoke to Mr Suleiman yesterday and urged him to take "bold and credible steps" to show the world that Egypt is embarking on an "irreversible, urgent and real" transition. >>> Tim Ross, Christopher Hope, Steven Swinford and Adrian Blomfield | Monday, February 07, 2011

George Bush Issued Travel Warning by Human Rights Organisations
THE GUARDIAN: Former president vulnerable to 'torture' prosecution, says US group after Swiss trip cancelled amid protest and arrest threats

Human rights groups have vowed to track George W Bush round the world after their success in forcing him to cancel a trip to Switzerland amid concerns over protests and a threatened arrest warrant.

Katherine Gallagher, a lawyer with the New York-based Centre for Constitutional Rights, said: "The reach of the convention against torture is wide. This case is prepared and will be waiting for him wherever he travels next.

"Torturers, even if they are former presidents of the United States, must be held to account and prosecuted."

Although Bush has travelled freely round the world since leaving the White House in January 2009, human rights groups believe he is vulnerable to prosecution after admitting in his autobiography last November that he authorised waterboarding and other interrogation techniques.

"Waterboarding is torture, and Bush has admitted, without any sign of remorse, that he approved its use," said Gallagher, who is also vice-president of the International Federation for Human Rights.

Bush's staff, as well as US embassies around the world, will have to factor into their planning of future trips whether a country is a signatory to the convention on torture, as most countries are, which should at least theoretically trigger near-automatic action by legal authorities, and negotiate with governments to ensure there will be no arrest warrants. They will also seek assurances that Bush has diplomatic immunity. >>> Ewen MacAskill in Washington | Monday, February 07, 2011

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Egypt Crisis: Hosni Mubarak Loses Control of State Media
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Hosni Mubarak's control of Egypt's state media, a vital linchpin of his 30-year presidency, has started to slip as the country's largest-circulation newspaper declared its support for the uprising against him.

Hoping to sap the momentum from street protests demanding his overthrow, the president has instructed his deputy to launch potentially protracted negotiations with secular and Islamist opposition parties. The talks continued for a second day on Monday without yielding a significant breakthrough.

But Mr Mubarak was dealt a significant setback as the state-controlled Al-Ahram [Eng.], Egypt's second oldest newspaper and one of the most famous media publications in the Middle East, abandoned its long-standing position of slavish support for the regime.

In a front-page leader, the newspaper's editor-in-chief, Osama Saraya hailed the "nobility" of what he described as a "revolution" and demanded that the government embark of irreversible constitutional and legislative changes.

"The state and all its denizens, the elder generation, the politicians and all other powers on the political stage must humble themselves and rein themselves in to understand the ambitions of the young and the dreams of this nation," he wrote.

There was no call on the president to resign and while it may yet prove that Al Ahram's editorial shift may be tactical rather than genuine, opposition supporters expressed astonishment at the development. >>> Adrian Blomfield, Cairo and Adrian Michaels in Herzliya, Israel | Monday, February 07, 2011

Egypt’s Ire Turns to Confidant of Mubarak’s Son
THE NEW YORK TIMES: CAIRO — As Egyptians turned their anger on symbols of the state late last month, torching police stations along with the headquarters of President Hosni Mubarak’s ruling party, they reserved a special hatred for a garish building with black tinted windows in an upscale neighborhood, setting fire to it three times.

It belongs to a steel tycoon and ruling party insider named Ahmed Ezz, a close friend and confidante of Mr. Mubarak’s son Gamal. For many years, Mr. Ezz has represented the intersection of money, politics and power, controlling two-thirds of the steel market, leading the budget committee as a member of Parliament and serving as an officer and loyal lieutenant in the governing party. Public resentment at the wealth acquired by the politically powerful helped propel the uprising already reshaping the contours of power along the Nile.

Mr. Ezz’s world has come undone. He is treated as a liability by an old guard intent on saving itself from fed-up and furious protesters. He is under investigation on suspicion of corruption. His assets have been frozen and his right to travel taken away. He has denied accusations of corruption in the past, and his location was not known Sunday. Now his name is part of the derisive chants in Tahrir Square, a symbol of all that was wrong with Mr. Mubarak’s government.

“Ahmed Ezz sucks the blood of the people,” said Osama Mohamed Afifi, a student who joined the protesters in the square on Sunday. “He is the only man who can sell steel in all of Egypt, and he sells it for much more than if we could buy steel from someone else like China.”

Hosni Mubarak’s Egypt has long functioned as a state where wealth bought political power and political power bought great wealth. While hard facts are difficult to come by, Egyptians watching the rise of a moneyed class widely believe that self-dealing, crony capitalism and corruption are endemic, represented in the public eye by a group of rich businessmen aligned with Gamal Mubarak, the president’s son, as well as key government ministers and governing party members.

“The people around Gamal became the wealthiest group in the country,” said Hala Mustafa, a political scientist who quit the ruling party years ago, saying it was not committed to political reform. “They monopolized everything.” >>> Kareem Fahim, Michael Slackman and David Rohde | Sunday, February 06, 2011

DAILY NEWS EGYPT: Steel Tycoon Responds to Accusations of Monopoly: CAIRO: Steel tycoon Ahmed Ezz has been in the media spotlight — or more accurately, under the microscope — this past week as he confronted rumors surrounding his wealth, accusations of monopolizing the local steel market, and what many see as his conflicting positions as both businessman and influential politician. >>> Tamim Elyan and Amira Salah-Ahmed | Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Cameron Begins Extremism Crackdown as Cash Withheld from 'Suspect Groups'
THE GUARDIAN: • Funding cut to Muslim bodies after PM speech
• Steps to combat rise of radicalism in universities

The government has already started to withdraw state cash from what it regards as suspect Islamist groups that had previously been funded to reach young Muslims at risk of being drawn to terrorist networks. New, tougher criteria are being applied, with hundreds of thousands of pounds being withdrawn from specific groups after it was deemed they were too soft on Islamic extremism.

Ministers are also awaiting a report in the next fortnight from a Universities UK working group, which has been in preparation for a year, on how to combat Islamic extremism on university campuses.

The working group, including eight vice-chancellors, was established in response to the arrest of Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab in the US for an attempted act of terrorism. Abdulmutallab studied at University College London between 2005 and 2008.

The report is likely to call for greater rigour in the selection of speakers and stronger oversight of religious societies. University vice-chancellors have been accused by thinktanks such as Quilliam, a Muslim counter-extremist group, of being complacent about the radicalisation that is taking place in higher education.

Today, it was being stressed by the government that David Cameron's call for a more "muscular liberalism" to combat home-grown terror, made in a speech in Munich on Saturday, was not simply rhetorical. It would lead to practical changes, including the wholesale review of the Prevent strategy set up by Labour. >>> Patrick Wintour and Jenny Percival | Sunday, February 06, 2011

Anti-Berlusconi Protest Turns Violent
A weekend of protests against Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi came to an end on Sunday night with violent scuffles between demonstrators and police outside the premier's villa in Milan. Video courtesy of Reuters

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AOL to Buy Huffington Post for $315m
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: AOL, the online company, is buying [The] Huffington Post, the internet newspaper, in a $315m (£196m) deal that represents a big bet on the future of online news.

The acquisition, which will put [The] Huffington Post co-founder Arianna Huffington in charge of all AOL content, brings AOL an additional 25m unique visitors a month.

That could help AOL begin to turn around its display advertising business, which has struggled to grow as the company tries to turn itself into a content provider and moves farther away from its roots providing dial-up Internet.

The deal "will create a next-generation American media company with global reach that combines content, community, and social experiences for consumers," Tim Armstrong, the AOL chief executive, said in a statement announcing the deal on Monday.

Founded in 2005, [The] Huffington Post is owned by Arianna Huffington, Kenneth Lerer and a group of other investors. AOL will pay $300m of the purchase price in cash.

Arianna Huffington will be named president and editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post Media Group, which will include all [The] Huffington Post and AOL content, including Engadget, TechCrunch, MapQuest, Patch and more. >>> AP | Monday, February 07, 2011

AOL-HuffPo Leaders Talk About Acquisition
AOL's Tim Armstrong and Arianna Huffington talk about the $315 million acquisition of the Huffington Post by the Internet giant

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Is The Huffington Post really worth $315 million? >>> Emma Barnett, Digital Media Editor | Monday, February 07, 2011

HSBC Chief Executive Stuart Gulliver In Line for £9m Bonus
THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Stuart Gulliver, the new chief executive of HSBC, is expected to accept a bonus of as much as £9m later this month in reward for his stewardship of the bank's investment arm.

Mr Gulliver, who took over from Mike Geoghegan at the turn of the year, is set to be awarded the windfall as part of an overall compensation package which could take the total amount he receives for 2010 to in excess of £10m.

Although the bank's remuneration committee, chaired by HSBC's deputy chairman, John Thornton, has not yet finalised any executive bonuses, City sources with knowledge of the situation believe that a bonus of £9m is highly possible.

If so, it would mirror the amount Mr Gulliver received for 2009, and would be in line with the amount his counterpart at Barclays, Bob Diamond, is set to be paid.

Stephen Hester, the chief executive of Royal Bank of Scotland, and Eric Daniels, the chief executive of Lloyds Banking Group, are likely to be in line for awards of £2.5m and £2m respectively. >>> James Quinn and Kamal Ahmed | Sunday, February 06, 2011

David Cameron Won’t Stop the Bonuses >>>

Egypt Moves Towards Transition by Opening Talks with Muslim Fundamentalist Faction
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Egypt's influential Muslim Brotherhood agreed to join talks with President Hosni Mubarak's embattled regime Sunday, a historic turning point in relations between the state and the banned group.


The army stepped up pressure overnight on the protesters who have occupied central Cairo's Tahrir Square, tightening a cordon around the area, but on the political front new avenues of dialogue opened up.

Protesters celebrated a mass in the square - the epicentre and symbol of the revolt against the regime to remember the estimated 300 people who have been killed since demonstrations against Mubarak began.

"God bless the dead. God bless the dead," recited a Coptic priest wearing a crucifix. By his side, a Muslim sheikh stood holding a Koran, as the faithful chanted "A single hand. A single hand" in inter-faith solidarity. Senior Brotherhood leader Mohammed Mursi said the group is sticking to the protesters' main condition that President Hosni Mubarak step down.

These would be the first known discussions between the government and the Brotherhood, suggesting the banned fundamentalist group could be allowed an open political role in the post-Mubarak era. >>> Telegraph’s Foreign Staff | Sunday, February 06, 2011

Egypt Opposition Wary after Talks
BBC: Egypt's opposition groups say government proposals on how to end the political crisis are not enough.

The banned Muslim Brotherhood and other groups took part in landmark talks with the government after 13 days of street protests aimed at forcing President Hosni Mubarak to resign.

The government has proposed a review body to amend the constitution.

The opposition says the talks are only a first step and the government's offer is insufficient.

President Mubarak has refused to resign immediately, saying that to do so would cause chaos and has said instead that he will not stand for re-election in September.

Tens of thousands have again joined demonstrations in Cairo and other cities, calling for him to quit.

Meanwhile, many banks opened for the first time in a week, drawing long queues as people waited to withdraw money.

In all, six groups were represented at the talks hosted by Vice-President Omar Suleiman, including a coalition of youth organisations, and a group of "wise men".

Egyptian state TV said the participants had agreed to form a joint committee of judicial and political figures tasked with suggesting constitutional amendments.

It was the first time the government and the long-banned Brotherhood have held talks. Read on (+ video) >>> | Sunday, February 06, 2011

Egypt’s Economy in Turmoil