BBC Staff 'Arrested and Tortured in Libya by Gaddafi Forces'
THE GUARDIAN: Journalists subjected to mock execution in ordeal which represents most serious incident against international media

Two journalists working for the BBC in Libya have been arrested, tortured and subjected to a mock execution by security forces of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's regime.

The shocking account of their experiences, including being held in a cage in a militia barracks while others were tortured around them, was made available to media colleagues in Tripoli after the men had been released and left the country.

At one point during their captivity the men say they had shots fired past their heads as they were led into a barracks.

One of the men was attacked repeatedly with fists, boots, rifle butts, a stick and piece of pipe. He also described trying to help other victims of torture whom they saw, some of whom had had their ribs broken during beatings.

The ordeal represents the most serious incident yet involving the targeting of the international media and may offer an insight into the fate of many of those opposition supporters who have been rounded up during the regime's crackdown on its opponents.

It also offers the first real eyewitness depiction of conditions endured by those arrested by the regime, including those whose only crime has been to talk to foreign journalists. >>> Peter Beaumont in Tripoli | Wednesday, March 09, 2011

BBC Crew Beaten and Given Mock Executions

Libya: Gaddafi Escalates War on His Own People as Air Strikes Put Rebels on Defensive
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Libya's Gaddafi regime escalated its ferocious military campaign across the country on Wednesday, forcing rebels onto the defensive on three fronts.

For the first time since the uprising began three weeks ago, Libya's key oil infrastructure – much of it under rebel control – came under aerial attack. Flames leapt hundreds of feet into the sky after a fighter jet struck at one of the country's most important oil terminals in Ras Lanuf, a port town on the front line of rebel-held eastern Libya that has seen heavy fighting for the past 10 days.

Meanwhile forces loyal to Col Muammar Gaddafi were still unable in the west to bring the isolated but strategically important oil town of Zawiya under control. Officials announced it was in government hands and organised a victory tour for western journalists in Tripoli, but called off the visit without explanation.

One man who had left Zawiya in mid-afternoon said fighting was still going on around the central square, though a government tank had taken up position. A rebel fighter still there told reporters by telephone: "We have pulled back and they are inside the square but we will attack them again and have it back. We will do that tonight. This is not the end."

State television showed a crowd of pro-Gaddafi women demonstrators celebrating the retaking of the town. But it appeared not to have been filmed in the city centre.

A doctor told reporters that at least 40 people and probably more had been killed in fighting just on Wednesday. He said the dead included the elderly, women and children. The town remained cut off from the outside world. >>> Adrian Blomfield, Ras Lanuf and Richard Spencer in Tripoli | Wednesday, March 09, 2011

King Hearings on Homegrown Terrorism
Peter King, a senior Republican congressman in the United States, is launching a hearing into what he describes as a rise in violent extremism in the country.
 King, who is the chairman of the Homeland Security Committee in the House of Representatives, will focus on whether or not American Muslims have become "radicalised". Demonstrations have been held by both Muslim and non-Muslim Americans, decrying King's hearings as a repeat of the infamous "witchhunt" hearings held by Senator Joe McCarthy decades ago.
The King hearings will begin on March 9.
 Al Jazeera's Kristin Saloomey reports from New York

Bombs Fall on Libya's Ras Lanuf
As battles rage across Libya, dozens of people have been killed after Colonel Gaddafi's forces launched a fresh wave of air strikes on rebel groups. The repeated strikes came as Gaddafi began a major diplomatic effort which was seen by some as a sign that he may be prepared to end the war, sending diplomats to the Arab League, NATO and the European Union. Al Jazeera's Jacky Rowland was there as the bombs fell on Ras Lanuf in the east

Konflikte zwischen Christen und Muslime in Kairo
Nach einem Brandanschlag auf eine Kirche in Kairo versammelten sich wütende Christen. Es kam zum Zusammenprall mit Muslimen, dabei starben 13 Menschen

Flugverbot über Libyen - Dilemma für die USA
Auch in den USA wird heftig über eine Flugverbotszone über Libyen diskutiert. Der Druck auf US-Präsident Barack Obama steigt

Kadhafi lance une offensive diplomatique et militaire
LE MONDE: Le régime libyen de Mouammar Kadhafi a lancé, mercredi 9 mars, une vaste offensive militaire et diplomatique contre les insurgés qui menacent son pouvoir. Sur le terrain, les forces de Kadhafi semblaient gagner du terrain face aux insurgés sur le front oriental.

Ceux-ci contrôlent la région orientale pétrolière ainsi que certaines localités de l'Ouest, alors que Tripoli et sa région proche restent aux mains des pro-Kadhafi. >>> LEMONDE.FR | Mercredi 09 Mars 2011

Maroc : Mohammed VI va s'adresser à la nation
LE MONDE: Le roi du Maroc, Mohammed VI, s'adressera à la nation à la télévision, mercredi 9 mars au soir, annonce le ministère de la maison royale, du protocole et de la chancellerie dans un communiqué. Le souverain devrait tenter de rassurer le peuple, alors que plusieurs manifestations ont eu lieu dans le pays, notamment le 20 février, pour réclamer des réformes politiques "profondes".

Mardi 8 mars, 300 jeunes ont organisé un sit-in à Casablanca, dédié à la fois à la lutte contre la corruption et à réclamer des réformes en matière d'emploi, d'enseignement ou de santé, mais aussi en faveur des droits des femmes. Le royaume, plus riche et plus dynamique économiquement que ses voisins, a été jusqu'ici peu concerné par le "printemps arabe" qui a touché la Tunisie, l'Egypte ou la Libye. >>> LEMONDE.FR avec AFP | Mercredi 09 Mars 2011

One Furious Judge!
MAIL ONLINE: Stanley Clifton, 31, has never had a job and receives hundred of pounds a month in benefits / Judge brands him 'embodiment of welfare-dependent culture'

A jobless layabout who receives incapacity benefit for alcoholism was branded 'the embodiment of the welfare dependency culture' when he appeared in court for failing to carry out his community service.

Judge John Walford expressed disbelief after hearing that Stanley Clifton, 31, has never had a job and receives hundreds of pounds a month in incapacity benefit because he is unfit to work due to his addiction.

The stunned judge vented his anger, calling the defendant a 'sponger' and branding the situation 'extraordinary'. Judge's fury at 'sponging' alcoholic who claims incapacity benefit because 'addiction makes him unable to work' >>> Daily Mail Reporter | Wednesday, March 09, 2011

Gaddafi London Home Taken Over by Squatters
BBC: Squatters have taken over a London house thought to belong to Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, police have confirmed.

A group calling itself "Topple The Tyrants" occupied the £10.9m house in Hampstead Garden Suburb in north London on Wednesday morning.

It said it would remain in place until confident the property's assets would be returned to the Libyan people.

The UK government froze assets owned by Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi and his family last week.

The group's spokesman, Montgomery Jones told the BBC: "Saif Gaddafi and the Gaddafi regime have taken millions of pounds, billions of pounds in fact away from the people of Libya and used residences like this.

"We've taken it so that it will be returned to its rightful owners who are the Libyan people." >>> | Wednesday, March 09, 2011

Illinois Abolishes the Death Penalty
BBC: Illinois has become the 16th US state to abolish the death penalty, after the governor signed a bill making permanent a 10-year-old moratorium on executions.

Governor Pat Quinn signed the bill after spending two months consulting with victims' families, prosecutors, religious leaders and others.

Former Governor George Ryan ordered a moratorium in 2000 amid concerns innocent people could be executed.

Thirty-four states still have the death penalty. >>> | Wednesday, March 09, 2011

Benghazi Rebels Call for No-fly Zone
Mar 9 - A funeral for rebel fighters turns into an anti-government demonstration in Benghazi's central square.Simon Hanna reports

Kuwait Protests Call for PM Change
Mar 9 - Hundreds take to the streets of Kuwait City calling for Prime Minister Nasser al-Mohammad al-Sabah to step down. Simon Hanna reports

Rebels Fire at Gaddafi Warplanes
Mar 9 - Rebels in the coastal Libyan town of Ras Lanuf fight to fend off pro-Gaddafi warplanes. Travis Brecher reports

Gaddafis Truppen nehmen Stadt bei Tripolis ein
REUTERS DEUTSCHLAND: Tripolis - Die libyschen Regierungstruppen haben nach Angaben der Rebellen die bei Tripolis gelegene Stadt Sawija weitgehend eingenommen.

Die Aufständischen teilten mit, sie hätten sich am Mittwoch vom zentralen Platz Sawijas zurückgezogen. Sie planten aber in Kürze einen neuen Angriff. Die Machthaber Muammar Gaddafi ergebenen Soldaten waren mit Panzern und Scharfschützen in die Stadt eingerückt. Die Rebellen riefen die Weltgemeinschaft angesichts der Lufthoheit Gaddafis zur Einrichtung einer Flugverbotszone auf. Diese zeichnete sich weiterhin nicht ab. US-Außenministerin Hillary Clinton schloss einen Alleingang ihres Landes aus. >>> | Mittwoch, 09. März 2011

L'armée libyenne progresse à Zaouïah, bombardements dans l'Est
REUTERS FRANCE: TRIPOLI - Les combats se sont poursuivis mercredi en Libye, où les forces gouvernementales ont progressé dans la ville de Zaouïah, dans l'Ouest, et ont bombardé des positions rebelles près du terminal pétrolier d'Es Sider, dans l'Est.
Les insurgés ont lancé un appel à l'aide internationale, demandant l'instauration d'une zone d'exclusion aérienne afin de neutraliser les forces aériennes loyalistes contre lesquelles ils sont démunis.

Le gouvernement de Mouammar Kadhafi a pour sa part dépêché des émissaires en Europe avant le sommet de l'Union qui sera largement consacré à la Libye vendredi à Bruxelles. Un général libyen porteur d'un message de Kadhafi s'est par ailleurs posé au Caire, où se tiendra samedi une réunion de la Ligue arabe. >>> Par Maria Golovnina et Michael Georgy | Mercredi 09 Mars 2011

Libya Dispatches Emissaries
AL JAZEERA ENGLISH: Libyan envoys meeting officials at the EU headquarters in Brussels as deputy defence minister arrives in Cairo.

Libyan envoys are in talks with European Union officials in Brussels, the Belgian capital, while the Libyan deputy defence minister has arrived in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, Al Jazeera has learnt.

The delegation in Brussels is also expected to meet NATO officials in the coming days.

The European Union's 27 foreign ministers will be meeting in Brussels on Thursday in advance of a crisis summit on Libya.

Separately, defence ministers from the 28-member NATO alliance will also gather in Brussels to weigh options on Libya following calls for a no-fly zone to be enforced over the north African country.

Earlier on Wednesday, at least three private jets belonging to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi took off from a military airstrip outside the capital, Tripoli.

There were reports that Abdelrahman al-Zawi, the Libyan deputy defence minister on his way to Cairo, was carrying a message from Gaddafi and was to meet Amr Moussa, head of the Arab League.

The state-owned Al-Ahram newspaper said al-Zawi was to meet the military council which is ruling Egypt. >>> Source:
Al Jazeera and agencies | Wednesday, March 09, 2011

Pakistan Blast Kills Dozens
The Taliban has claimed responsibility for attacking a funeral procession in northwest Pakistan.
At least 37 people have been killled and 100 others injured.
The victims were at a funeral attended by anti-Taliban fighters near Peshawar on Wednesday.
Al Jazeera's Kamal Hyder reports from Islamabad

Deutschland: Papst will sich mehr Zeit für Protestanten nehmen
FAZ.NET: Während seines Deutschlandbesuchs will Papst Benedikt XVI. einen stärkeren ökumenischen Akzent setzen als seine Mitarbeiter bislang geplant haben. Nach F.A.Z.-Informationen schreibt der Papst dies in einem Brief an den Vorsitzenden der Evangelischen Kirche in Deutschland, Präses Schneider.

Papst Benedikt XVI. möchte während seines Deutschland-Besuchs im September dieses Jahres einen stärkeren ökumenischen Akzent setzen als bislang geplant. „Ich werde alles tun, damit die Begegnung mit den evangelischen Christen gebührenden Raum erhält“, heißt es in einem Brief des Papstes an den Vorsitzenden des Rates der Evangelischen Kirche in Deutschland (EKD), den rheinischen Präses Nikolaus Schneider. >>> F.A.Z./D.D. | Bildmaterial: dapd | Mittwoch, 09. März 2011

Nouveaux heurts entre coptes et musulmans au Caire
LE FIGARO: Six coptes ont été tués et au moins 45 blessés mardi soir dans la capitale égyptienne lors d'affrontements confessionnels, selon un prêtre sur place. Le ministère de la Santé évoque dix morts mais sans préciser leur confession.

La communauté chrétienne copte à nouveau victime de violences en Égypte. Six coptes ont été tués et au moins 45 blessés mardi soir au Caire lors d'affrontements avec des musulmans, a déclaré mercredi matin un prêtre du quartier déshérité de Moqattam, où ont eu lieu les heurts. De son côté, le ministère de la Santé avance un bilan de dix tués et 110 blessés dans ces affrontements, sans toutefois préciser la confession des victimes.

«Tous ont été tués par balles, et les blessés ont aussi été touchés par des tirs», a témoigné le père Samaane Ibrahim. Il a ajouté que les corps se trouvaient dans le petit hôpital qui dépend de sa paroisse et que d'autres blessés avaient été transportés dans d'autres hôpitaux. >>> Par lefigaro.fr | Mercredi 09 Mars 2011

Fillon justifie le “nécessaire” débat sur la laïcité

Gaddafi beschimpft Rebellen

Polizei schießt auf Demonstranten

Gaddafi Threatens Armed Resistance against No-fly Zone
THE GUARDIAN: Imposition of no-fly zone zone in Libyan airspace 'would prove west was trying to steal its oil'

Colonel Muammar Gaddafi has warned that the imposition of a no-fly zone in Libyan airspace will be met with armed resistance and taken as proof that western powers are trying to steal his country's oil.

His defiant remarks came as pro-Gaddafi forces continued their assault on the city of Zawiyah and the country's rebel leadership pleaded for the international community to close down Libyan airspace.

Britain and the US have discussed the creation of an internationally backed no-fly zone as a contingency plan in case Gaddafi refuses to step down in response to the popular uprising that erupted last month.

In an interview broadcast on Wednesday by Turkey's state-run TRT news channel, Gaddafi said: "If they take such a decision it will be useful for Libya, because the Libyan people will see the truth, that what they want is to take control of Libya and to steal their oil.

"They want to take your petrol," he said. "This is what America, this is what the French, those colonialists, want." But he warned: "The Libyan people will take up arms against them." >>> Sam Jones and agencies | Wednesday, March 09, 2011

LE POINT: Kadhafi accuse les Occidentaux et la France de "complot colonialiste" : Sommé de quitter le pouvoir, le dirigeant libyen accuse les États-Unis, la Grande-Bretagne et la France "de vouloir contrôler le pétrole". >>> Le Point.fr | Mercredi 09 Mars 2011

Inside Story - Al-Qaeda's Role in the Arab World
As the ripple effects of revolutionary change continue to be felt throughout much of the Arab world, al-Qaeda has been conspicuously silent. Has al-Qaeda played any role in the Arab revolts sweeping across the region?

Anger Grows against Yemen's Ruler
A police raid on an anti-government protest at a university campus in Sanaa, the Yemeni capital, has left at least one person dead, and several others seriously injured.
In a separate clash between pro- and anti-government protesters in the country's south, one supporter of Ali Abdullah Saleh, the Yemeni president, was killed.
Al Jazeera's Hashem Ahelbarra in Sanaa has more on the brewing political crisis in Yemen.

Copts, Muslims Clash in Cairo
AL JAZEERA ENGLISH: At least 11 people killed in sectarian clashes after Coptic protest against the torching of a church.

At least 11 people have been killed and around 100 others injured in religious clashes with Muslims in the Egyptian capital Cairo.

A security source told Al Jazeera that of the 11 that were killed on Tuesday, six were Coptic, five were Muslim and that at least 25 people were arrested by the country's military police for their involvement in the clashes.

The deaths on Tuesday occurred in the working-class district of Moqattam after at least 1,000 Copts gathered to protest the burning of a church last week.

It was the second burst of sectarian fighting in as many days and the latest in a string of violent protests over a variety of topics as simmering unrest continues nearly a month after mass protests led to the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak.



Al Jazeera's Ayman Mohyeldin, reporting from the capital Cairo, said that Christians were demanding "an end to what they describe as discrimination by the state." >>> Source: Al Jazeera and agencies | Wednesday, March 09, 2011

Rafsanjani Ousted from Iranian Post
AL JAZEERA ENGLISH: 'Moderate' former president steps down as head of state body, a move which seems to tighten hardliners' grip on power.

Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, a former Iranian president and opposition member, has lost his position as head of an important state clerical body after being criticised by hardliners for being too close to the reformist opposition.



Ayatollah Mohammad Reza Mahdavi Kani, 80, was elected as the new chairman of the Assembly of Experts on Tuesday, after Rafsanjani withdrew his candidacy, the semi-official Mehr news agency reported.



Rafsanjani had chaired the 86-member body - which selects the supreme leader, supervises his activities and can dismiss him - since 2007.



"Sixty-three members out of 81 cast vote and voted for Ayatollah Mahdavi Kani who was the only candidate for the chairmanship of the assembly," Ahmad Khatami, a member of the presiding board of the assembly was quoted as saying by the ISNA news agency.



Rafsanjani declined to make a fresh bid for the post he had held for four years after Mahdavi Kani declared his intention.



"I announce that if Ayatollah Mahdavi Kani is ready to take the responsibility of the Assembly of Experts, I will not run for the post," Rafsanjani was quoted by the Fars news agency as telling the assembly. >>> Source: Agencies | Tuesday, March 08, 2011

Gaddafi Having a Rant

Niall Ferguson: China Will Overtake the US within a Decade
Niall Ferguson, historian and author of Civilization, tells Robert Miller that the credit crisis means China's economy will overtake the US much quicker than expected
Watch Telegraph video here | Monday, March 07, 2011

Oil Markets Brace for Saudi 'Rage' as Global Spare Capacity Wears Thin
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Those exhorting OPEC to boost output should be careful what they wish for. The cartel card can be played once only, and it risks exposing the fragility of the global energy system if the Gulf powers are seen struggling to deliver.

Goldman Sachs suspects that OPEC has been pumping far above its agreed quota since November and therefore cannot easily raise output much without cutting deep into global spare capacity.

Jeff Currie, the bank's oil guru, said Saudi output had quietly crept up by 700,000 barrels a day (bpd) even before the Libyan supply shock.

Assumptions that OPEC has added 1.9m bpd over the last two years are wishful thinking. These new fields have been "largely offset" by attrition in old fields.

"We believe that OPEC spare capacity has already dropped below 2m bpd. The question therefore arises how much spare capacity is left to absorb potential supply disruptions in other countries," he said.

If this picture is broadly correct, spare capacity is already close to the wafer-thin levels that led to wild price moves in mid-2008.

The flow of Libyan oil has so far fallen by 1m bpd. This may not sound much against global supply of 88m, but oil prices are determined by levels of spare capacity once supply tightens.

Beyond a certain point, the price spiral can kick in with explosive force until the economic damage crushes demand.

Libya's conflict has already cut spare capacity by a third. Hopes for a quick solution are fading as the country succumbs to civil war along ancient lines of tribal cleavage. A raft of new projects planned for the Sirte Basin by mid-decade will be mothballed. >>> Ambrose Evans-Pritchard, International Business Editor | Tuesday, March 08, 2011

Anti-smoking Plans: Cigarettes Will No Longer Be Displayed in Shops
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Tobacco will no longer be displayed in shops under new legislation being implemented by the Government.

Only temporary displays in ''certain limited circumstances'' will be allowed, with the rules phased in to minimise the impact on businesses, according to a statement from the Department of Health.

The regulations will come into force for large stores on April 6 2012 and on April 6 2015 for all other shops.

The Government is keeping an ''open mind'' on plain packaging for cigarettes and other tobacco products, and is planning a consultation on different options before the end of this year, the statement said.

Andrew Lansley, the Health Secretary, published Healthy Lives, Healthy People: A Tobacco Control Plan for England to coincide with national No Smoking Day. >>> | Wednesday, March 09, 2011

Damage in Ras Lanuf
Abdul Adheem Mohamed is a correspondent with Al Jazeera’s sister channel Al Jazeera Arabic. He's seen first hand the damage caused by Tuesday's fighting in Ras Lanuf

Iraq Fears Repression and Intolerance
As change sweeps the Middle East, there are fears of a new crackdown in Iraq. After anti-government demonstrations last week, security forces beat and arrested hundreds of protestors. Although officials have since apologised, but protesters fear that further repressive measures may be on the way. Al Jazeera's Jane Arraf reports from Baghdad

WIKI: Yazidi >>>

FREE ONLINE ENCYCLOPEDIA: Yazidi >>>

Gaddafi Blames Unrest on Foreigners
AL JAZEERA ENGLISH: Rebel-held towns continue to be under attack as defiant Libyan leader alleges plot to colonise his country.

Muammar Gaddafi, Libya's embattled leader, has once again alleged involvement of foreigners in the rebellion against his more than 41-year-old rule.

In an address on State TV, Gaddafi warned of a plot to colonise Libya. As proof, he said his security forces had captured several foreigners during a raid on Monday.

"Yesterday, the mosque that the security forces regained power over, they had in this mosque, they had weapons and alcohol has well. Some of them come from Afghanistan, some of them come from Egypt, some of them come from Algeria, just to misguide our children," Gaddafi said.

He alleged "foreign forces" were recruiting vulnerable youngsters in Zentain, Az Zawiyah and Benghazi - cities currently being held by rebels ranged against him.

"Those who exhibit weakness are targeted ... Otherwise, why did they not come after you? ... so you see. This means only the scum who could not be strong," he said.



His address came after the rebels served him an ultimatum to step down within 72 hours.

"If he leaves Libya immediately, during 72 hours, and stops the bombardment, we as Libyans will step back from pursuing him for crimes," Mustafa Abdel Jalil, head of the opposition National Council, told Al Jazeera on Tuesday.

"Conditions are that firstly he stops all combat in the fields, secondly that his departure is within 72 hours; thirdly we may waive our right of domestic prosecution ... for the crimes of oppression, persecution, starvation and massacres," Jalil said. >>> Source:
Al Jazeera and agencies | Wednesday, March 09, 2011

Libya: Gaddafi 'Fearful of Mass Defections'
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Col Muammar Gaddafi is deliberately curbing the use of ground troops as his commanders are fearful of mass defections, military planners said on Tuesday.

Britain's leading military think tank said on Tuesday that Col Gaddafi could instead use fighter jets and, in particular, attack helicopters to inflict punishing damage on the opposition.

The International Institute of Strategic Studies said that both government forces and the opposition appeared to be "self-limiting" ground attacks, fearful that the chain of command would snap in frontal assaults. Douglas Barrie, the IISS military air expert, said that the reliability and effectiveness of Col Gaddafi's MiG and Sukhoi fighter jets – dozens remain in service – were "debatable" but that helicopter forces remained a potent threat to the opposition.

Helicopter attacks are moreover likely to be unaffected by a no-fly zone enacted by international forces. >>> Damien McElroy, Foreign Affairs Correspondent | Wednesday, March 09, 2011

Warning of ‘Food Price Riots in the UK’
YAHOO! FINANCE: A senior economist at the worldwide bank HSBC (LSE: HSBA.L - news) has warned of civil unrest in Britain if food prices continue to soar.

Speaking on Jeff Randall Live, senior global economist Karen Ward cautioned that the UK could experience the kind of food riots seen in other countries.

"Even in the developed world I think we have very, very low wage growth, so people aren't getting more in their pay packet to compensate them for food and energy, and I think we could see social unrest certainly in parts of the developed world and the UK as well."

She (SNP: ^SHEY - news) went on to highlight the link between high food prices and the escalating cost of crude oil.

"More and more we are seeing that some of these foodstuffs are actually substitutes for energy itself, particularly biofuels. So I think the energy markets are a significant contributor to these food price gains."

The comments come as the United Nations warned the cost of food is now at the highest level for 21 years and set to rise further. >>> SKY NEWS | Tuesday, March 08, 2011

Libya No-Fly Zone Cannot Be Led By US - Clinton
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has told Sky News that any no-fly zone over Libya must have international backing and not be a Washington-led effort

SKY NEWS: In an interview at the State Department, Mrs Clinton said: "I think it's very important that this not be a US-led effort, because this comes from the people of Libya themselves. >>> Kay Burley, in Washington DC | Wednesday, March 09, 2011

Shares Bonanza For State-Owned Bank Chief
SKY NEWS: Royal Bank of Scotland boss Stephen Hester has been awarded an extra shares bonus worth up to £4.5m - taking his pay package for 2010 to a potential £7.7m.

The award - made under the bank's long-term incentive plan - is on top of a £2m annual bonus already confirmed by the group and Mr Hester's £1.2m salary.

He also stands to pick up six million shares as part of his 2011 maximum annual bonus.

Based on the current share price, these would be worth around £2.7m.

RBS has also revealed bonus payments for a raft of other executives at the bank, which is 83% owned by the taxpayer.

They include a £1.4m annual handout and potential £2.8m long-term incentive payout for finance boss Bruce Van Saun. >>> Graham Fitzgerald, Sky News Online | Tuesday, March 08, 2011

Big Bonus For Barclays Boss
The boss of Barclays, Bob Diamond, is to get a £6.5m bonus

When Will the Protests Hit Saudi Arabia?
HAARETZ: Group of Saudi intellectuals has already opened a petition on Facebook demanding to turn the kingdom into a constitutional monarchy and create division between the monarchy and the government.

It is quiet in Saudi Arabia - for now. No public square is crowded with thousands of protesters and no youths are busy tearing down pictures of King Abdullah in shopping centers. The slogan "The people want regime change" has been replaced there by the weaker "The people want reform."

Following three months in New York tending to his ailing back, and the tremendous headache that Lebanon caused, does anyone remember at all that Abdullah still has some unresolved problem's at home?

The tumult across the Arab world means Abdullah has fewer friends in power, like Hosni Mubarak of Egypt and Tunisia's Zine El Abidine Ben Ali (who is still hospitalized in Saudi Arabia).

Abdullah wasn't going to wait for the same fate to befall him, and so sent some rays of hope to the youths of his country. No, he does not intend for the time being to allow women to drive cars, let alone be elected to local government; he does not intend to set up a parliament or to cut the royal house off from controlling the country.

Abdullah has done what he has always done best - write fat checks and distribute $36 billion to young Saudis who want to build homes or set up a business. He even tossed a small bone in the direction of the women - they will be allowed to vote in local elections this year, but they still can't run.

The royal checks may not suffice this time, though. A group of Saudi intellectuals has already opened a petition on Facebook in which one of the main demands is to turn the kingdom into a constitutional monarchy and to create a division between the monarchy and the government. >>> Zvi Bar'el | Wednesday, March 09, 2011

Jews to Pay the Price
YNET NEWS: Op-ed: Dutch bill against ritual slaughter will end up mostly harming Jews, as usual

A few weeks ago, the Party for the Animals submitted a private law to the Dutch parliament to prohibit religious slaughter without stunning the animal first. The party has two seats in Parliament. This should not be surprising in a country where - according to a National Geographic study - the average dog owner prefers the relationship to his pet above that of his human partner.

Almost all ritual slaughter of an estimated two million animals in the Netherlands is performed by Muslims. The number of kosher slaughtered cows, sheep and goats is between 1,500 and 3,000. Jews, however, would be the sole victims if the law passes, as kosher slaughter does not permit prior stunning. Most and perhaps even all Muslims accept eating meat of Halal-slaughtered animals that have been stunned before.

Thus, as in so many cases in contemporary Europe, the small organized Jewish community was sucked into a debate that originated from the size of the Muslim community, attitudes toward it and the way some Muslims conduct themselves.

The arguments in the parliamentary debate reflect the state of norms and values in the partly post-Christian Netherlands. The discussion was permeated by a highly selective focus on one element of animal welfare, statements on the borders of freedom of religion, and how obsolescent it is. Included also were specific anti-Islam feelings, as well as observations on the misconduct of mainly Muslims in their slaughter practices. >>> Manfred Gerstenfeld | Wednesday, March 09, 2011

Defiant Gaddafi Visits Tripoli Hotel
Mar 8 - As Libyan government forces intensified their offensive to crush the revolt against Muammar Gaddafi, the Libyan leader made a surprise visit to a Tripoli hotel occupied by journalists. Jon Decker reports

Heavy Gunfire on Libya’s Frontline
Mar 8 - Rebels fight to fend off government warplanes in Ras Lanuf, an area that has become the frontline in the insurrection against Muammar Gaddafi. Travis Brecher reports

Bürgerkrieg in Libyen: Gaddafi-Truppen schlagen Aufständische zurück
FAZ.NET: Gaddafi schlägt zurück. Die Truppen des libyschen Machthabers haben am Dienstag mit Luftangriffen ein weiteres Vorrücken der Aufständischen verhindert. Unterdessen arbeiten Großbritannien und Frankreich an einer UN-Resolution für die Errichtung einer Flugverbotszone.

Truppen des libyschen Machthabers Muammar al Gaddafi haben am Dienstag mit zahlreichen Luftangriffen sowie mit Raketenbeschuss ein weiteres Vorrücken der Aufständischen verhindert. Nach Angaben des Roten Halbmondes hinderten Gaddafi-treue Soldaten zudem Gastarbeiter an der Flucht nach Tunesien. Berichte, Gaddafi habe einen Gesandten zu den Rebellen geschickt, um seinen Rückzug auszuhandeln, wurden vom libyschen Staatsfernsehen dementiert.

Im Zuge der Gegenoffensive der libyschen Streitkräfte flogen Kampfflugzeuge am Dienstag mindestens fünf Luftangriffe auf Stellungen der Aufständischen in der Nähe des Ölhafens Ras Lanuf. Später gingen sie mit Raketenwerfern gegen die Rebellen vor, die von der Stadt aus weiter Richtung Westen vorrücken wollten. >>> FAZ.NET mit dpa | Dienstag, 08. März 2011

Yémen: la police tire sur les manifestants
TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: Lors d'une manifestation d'opposants au régime à Sanaa, la capitale yéménite, la police a ouvert le feu sur les manifestants. On dénombre au moins 65 blessés, dont 6 dans un état grave.

La police yéménite a ouvert le feu mardi sur une manifestation dans la capitale Sanaa, faisant au moins 65 blessés parmi les protestataires qui réclament le départ du président Ali Abdoullah Saleh. Six des victimes se trouvent dans un état grave, selon une source hospitalière. >>> AFP | Mercredi 09 Mars 2011

THE GUARDIAN: Yemeni army wounds 98 students in efforts to end university protest: Yemen's President moves against protesters seeking to unseat him as students and prisoners call for him to quit >>> Associated Press | Wednesday, March 09, 2011

World Winter Weather
March 9, 2011 - Freezing temperatures in Canada leaves thousands without power, and an unusual snow dusting in Greece. Julie Noce, Reports

Calls for End to Bahrain Monarchy
AL JAZEERA ENGLISH: Three Shia opposition groups join forces to demand an end to the kingdom and establishment of a 'democratic republic'.

Three Shia opposition groups in Bahrain have announced their intent on toppling the Sunni monarchy and setting up a republic.



The declaration on Tuesday is likely to raise already inflamed tensions in the country, ahead of a planned march on the royal court.



Labelled the "Coalition for a Bahraini Republic," the group said in a statement that they "declare a tripartite coalition between the Wafa, Haq and Bahrain Freedom Movement that has chosen to fight for a complete downfall of the regime, and the establishment of a democratic republic in Bahrain".



"The coalition believes that the main demand of the popular revolution is the downfall of the current oppressive regime and the establishment of a democratic republic that expresses the desires of the people."

Anti-government protests in the Shia-majority, Sunni-ruled country entered the 23rd day on Tuesday, amid a wave of pro-democracy unrest that has gripped the region for weeks and toppled regimes in Egypt and Tunisia. >>> Source: Agencies | Wednesday, March 09, 2011