Osama Bin Laden: Pentagon Releases Home Videos
BBC: The Pentagon has released home videos of Osama Bin Laden, seized at the secret Pakistani compound where he was shot dead by US commandos.

The tapes show him watching himself on television, and preparing a video message addressed to the US.

At a news briefing in Washington, intelligence officials said Bin Laden had been actively leading al-Qaeda from the compound in Abbottabad.

In total, five videos were seized during Monday's raid.

Rehearsals

In the first video, filmed in October or November 2010, Bin Laden is shown wearing a white skullcap and shirt and a golden robe. He speaks to the camera in the style of previous video addresses by the al-Qaeda leader.

Pentagon officials have removed audio from the film, citing security concerns, but said it was a message to the United States.

Three other clips appear to be rehearsals for the video message, says the BBC's Jonny Dymond in Washington. (+ video) » | Saturday, May 07, 2011

More Bloodshed in Syria
In Syria, three women taking part in a pro-democracy march are reported to have been shot dead by Syrian forces near the city of Baniyas.



The coastal city has become a flashpoint for anti-government protests in the country.



Witnesses say tanks rolled in before dawn - and residents tried to stop them by forming human shields. The action comes just hours after thousands of people in cities and towns across the country turned out to protest.



Al Jazeera's Zeina Khodr has this report from Beirut.



Severe reporting restrictions in Syria mean Al Jazeera cannot verify the content of the amateur footage included in this report.

Manifestation pour la dépénalisation du cannabis
LE POINT: Plusieurs centaines de personnes ont manifesté samedi, à Paris notamment, pour réclamer la dépénalisation de la consommation de cannabis, la régulation de sa production et sa prescription dans un cadre thérapeutique.

Les manifestants étaient 1.500 dans la capitale selon les organisateurs, 250 selon la police. Environ 60 personnes ont défilé dans le centre de Lyon en scandant "cannabis légal", une vingtaine ont été signalées à Cognac (Charente), une dizaine à Marseille... » | AFP | Samedi 07 Mai 2011

Democratic Syria Could Destabilize Region - Political Analyst

Lost Generation: Ignorance of Youth Proves Fertile Ground for Neo-Nazism

America’s Homeless Middle Class

Taliban Assaults Kandahar
Taliban fighters launch a major assault on their former stronghold of Kandahar, attacking government buildings and security forces. Al Jazeera's James Bays reports from Kabul on this latest attack in the Taliban's "Spring offensive".

Counting the Cost - US-Pakistan Relations: Dead and Buried?
How does Osama bin Laden's death affect US financial aid to Pakistan?

Listening Post - Smoke and Mirrors: The Bin Laden Death Story
What do we really know about the Osama bin Laden death story, and how do we know it? Also, a before and after look at the media movement that brought down the Tunisian regime.

The Royal Wedding: How William and Kate Lit the Touch Paper for the New Era of the Monarchy
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: William and Kate are the new stars of the Royal family – and the public love them for their spontaneity, says Patrick Jephson

A week has passed in the new royal era. Prince William is back at his airbase. Kate is in the supermarket. The Queen is at Windsor Castle. The media circus has packed its satellite dishes and left town. The bunting has been recycled. Like a cartwheeling verger, we’ve watched the world turn upside down and then revolve right-way up again. Everything looks as it did before. But everything has changed.

These unremarkable days are actually momentous. Historians of tomorrow may look back on them as the point at which either the British Crown reinvented itself to prosper for another 100 years… or at which it gave one final hurrah before slipping into terminal irrelevance.

A touch melodramatic? Consider the options. On the one hand, with the wedding of the decade triumphantly behind us and the prospect of royal babies growing closer by the day, the monarchy is set fair. But on the other, by any realistic actuarial assessment, the next two candidates for the throne will be grandparents by the time they ascend it. That’s not in itself a bad thing – wisdom being one of the qualities most prized in a king – but in a country inexorably ageing, who could blame today’s teenagers for being disenchanted by a system that will never deliver a head of state for their generation. Continue reading and comment » | Patrick Jephson* | Saturday, May 07, 2011

*Patrick Jephson was equerry and private secretary to HRH the Princess of Wales 1988-96

Patrick Jephson »

France: Dominique Strauss-Kahn Called a Champagne Socialist
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: France's presidential race descended into a battle of bling before it had begun yesterday as Left-wing favourite was criticised by the Right as a champagne Socialist after he was photographed getting into a Porsche.

Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund has yet to say if he will run for president but is tipped in opinion polls to trounce President Nicolas Sarkozy if the two compete next April.

The photograph of DSK, as he is known, and his wife beside the Porsche Panamera, which sells in France for more than 100,000 euros (£88,000), sparked sneers on the internet and from the Right, even though it belonged to a friend and not to him.

Brice Hortefeux, the former interior minister and a close friend of President Nicolas Sarkozy, quipped that the Left had abandoned the symbols of the workers' struggle used when Socialist president, Francois Mitterrand, first took power.

"Back in 1981, it was the rose and the clenched fist. Today it's a Porsche at the wheel," Mr Hortefeux said. » | Henry Samuel, Paris | Friday, May 06, 2011

Des aborigènes vont recevoir 1,5 milliard de dollars
TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: AUSTRALIE | La somme d’un milliard et demi de dollars australiens sera versée sous forme de construction de logements, de programmes d’éducation et de fonds sociaux.

Les aborigènes d’une région de l’ouest de l’Australie vont recevoir 1,6 milliard de dollars américains pour permettre l’extraction de gaz sur leur territoire, aux termes d’un accord "historique" conclu vendredi avec un des principaux groupes producteurs d’énergie du pays. En échange de ce pactole, la communauté Goolarabooloo [-] Jabirr Jabirr devra renoncer au profit de la compagnie Woodside à ses droits de propriété sur 3.500 hectares, à 60 kilomètres au nord de Broome. » | AFP | Samedi 07 Mai 2011

Ben Laden a vécu cinq ans à Abbottabad, raconte une de ses épouses
TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: ISLAMABAD | Le chef d’Al-Qaïda avait vécu avec sa famille dans la ville-garnison pakistanaise d’Abbottabad avant d’y être tué il y a près d’une semaine par un commando américain, ont dit samedi des responsables pakistanais de la sécurité.

Une des femmes d’Oussama Ben Laden a assuré que le chef d’Al-Qaïda avait vécu pendant cinq ans avec sa famille dans la ville-garnison pakistanaise d’Abbottabad avant d’y être tué il y a près d’une semaine par un commando américain, ont dit samedi des responsables pakistanais de la sécurité.

Cette épouse yéménite a été blessée à la jambe dans les tirs au moment de l’opération qui a abouti à la mort de Ben Laden et bénéficie actuellement de soins médicaux, tout en étant soumise à des interrogatoires, au Pakistan, en même temps que 15 autres parents de son mari, ont-ils ajouté. » | AFP | Samedi 07 Mai 2011

Prescription Drugs Deaths Spike in US Town
Fatal overdoses of prescription drugs have overtaken car crashes as the leading cause of death in the small US town of Portsmouth, Ohio

Talk to Al Jazeera - Khaled Meshaal

New Footage Emerges of bin Laden Compound
Al Jazeera has obtained new footage of the compound where Osama bin Laden was killed.

The pictures show the interiors of the house where the al-Qaeda leader is thought to have been hiding for up to six years.

Imtiaz Tyab reports from Abbottabad, Pakistan.


Have you ever seen such a mess in your life? How on earth could anyone live in such squalor? OBL's money didn't do him any good, did it? It certainly didn't buy him or his family any comfort or style. Furthermore, for a person so intent on spreading the faith of Islam, he certainly doesn't appear to have lived up to it. Prophet Muhammad is said to have placed great emphasis on cleanliness and hygiene. This from The Religion of Islam website:

Muslims throughout the world have extremely high standards of personal hygiene, because Islam places great emphasis on both physical and spiritual, cleanliness and purification. While humankind in general usually considers cleanliness to be a pleasing attribute, Islam insists on it. Muslims are required to take care of their personal hygiene by assuring that they are well groomed, and that their bodies, clothing, and surroundings are clean.

It seems to me that Osama bin Laden omitted an important part of the faith he held so dear. [Source: The Religion of Islam] – © Mark

Syrian Tanks Enter 'Protest Hub' Baniyas
Syrian troops have pressed into the coastal town of Baniyas, rolling in before dawn, according to witnesses.

It follows more nationwide protests on Friday that saw at least 30 people killed.

Al Jazeera's Bernard Smith reports.

Vince Cable Launches Fresh Attack on 'Ruthless, Calculating' Conservatives
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Vince Cable, the Liberal Democrat Business Secretary, has reignited the war of words between the coalition partners by calling the Conservatives "ruthless, calculating and thoroughly tribal."

Mr Cable said the coalition would continue in a more "businesslike" format in the wake of the Lib Deb drubbing in local council polls and the large-scale defeat of the "Yes" campaign in the referendum on the Alternative Vote (AV) system back[ed] by almost all his party.

However, his choice of words was unlikely to do anything to smooth relations around the Cabinet table. He also described the Conservatives as "not our natural bedfellows."

As the Lib Dem rhetoric intensified, Norman Baker, the transport minister, said Nick Clegg, the Deputy Prime Minister, had been "let down" by David Cameron.

There was no sense that any Lib Dem minister would break ranks, either by resigning or suggesting Mr Clegg should quit as party leader, despite the scale of the party's defeat.

Leading Lib Dems were more concerned to blame Conservative tactics in targeting Mr Clegg during the AV referendum campaign.

Mr Cable made clear that Liberal Democrats would not accept policies which go beyond last year's coalition agreement with Tories - such as controversial proposals for NHS reform.

Mr Cable told Radio 4's Today programme: "Some of us never had many illusions about the Conservatives, but they have emerged as ruthless, calculating and thoroughly tribal. » | Patrick Hennessy, Political Editor | Saturday, May 07, 2011


BBC: Vote 2011: Tories ruthless and calculating, says Cable – Vince Cable has attacked the Lib Dems' Tory coalition partners as "ruthless, calculating and very tribal" but insisted their alliance would continue. » | Saturday, May 07, 2011

Geheimtreffen der EU-Finanzminister: Euro-Kernländer schließen Umschuldung Griechenlands aus
FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE: Nach dem unangekündigten Krisengipfel der EU-Finanzminister erklärte der Chef der Eurogruppe, Luxemburgs Finanzminister Juncker, eine Umschuldung Griechenlands komme nicht in Frage. Einen Austritt Griechenlands aus der Euro-Zone bezeichnete Juncker als „dumme Idee“.

Die Kernländer der Eurozone haben bei einem unangekündigten Treffen in Luxemburg in der Nacht zum Samstag den Ausstieg Griechenlands aus der Währungsunion ausgeschlossen. Der Chef der Eurogruppe, Luxemburgs Finanzminister Jean-Claude Juncker, sagte nach dem Treffen, auch eine Umschuldung Griechenlands komme nicht in Frage. Einen Austritt Griechenlands aus der Euro-Zone bezeichnete Juncker als „dumme Idee“. Das wäre „ein Weg, den wir niemals gehen würden“, sagte er. „Wir wollen nicht, dass der Euro-Raum ohne Grund explodiert“, fügte er hinzu.

An dem Treffen in einem Schloss bei Luxemburg nahmen unter anderen die Finanzminister aus Deutschland, Frankreich, Italien und Spanien teil. Weitere Teilnehmer waren der Präsident der Europäischen Zentralbank (EZB), Jean-Claude Trichet, EU-Währungskommissar Olli Rehn und der griechische Finanzminister Giorgos Papakonstantinou. » | FAZ.NET | Samstag, 07. Mai 2011

Pakistan Must Hear the Truth about the Raid
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Wounded pride and tall stories about bin Laden’s killing could be a lethal mix, says Peter Oborne in Islamabad.

Their anger and frustration was palpable. The mobs who gathered in the streets across Pakistan yesterday rallied to mourn the killing of Osama bin Laden by American forces – and promised revenge. Hundreds of men spilled out of Friday prayers in the military town of Abbottabad, where the al-Qaeda leader was killed this week. Tyres were set alight and abusive chants directed at the United States rang through the streets.

Similar rallies were taking place in several other Pakistani cities – but it must be said that their scale and ferocity was by no means as great as the country’s militant religious groups had hoped.

As I understand it, one explanation for the muted reaction may be that Pakistan feels like a country on the edge of a nervous breakdown. It is a profoundly proud nation and its people are finding it painful to come to terms with the discovery of the world’s most wanted terrorist on national soil.

Some are taking refuge in denial, and, as I walked round Abbottabad earlier this week, few people – even those who had actually witnessed the US attack – were ready to admit that bin Laden had been even living in the town. For almost a decade Pakistan politicians and religious leaders have been adamant that the terror chief was outside Pakistan or, at worst, living in one of the remote tribal areas, and effectively outside the control of the state.

Even al-Qaeda took a full four days to acknowledge its figurehead was dead – only doing so yesterday, in a statement which also vowed to wreak dire retaliation. Read on and comment » | Peter Oborne | Saturday, May 07, 2011

Political Author Sees Television Show Dropped after Nicolas Sarkozy Book
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: A political author whose face Nicolas Sarkozy threatened to "smash in" over claims Carla Bruni-Sarkozy was a "maneater" has seen his state television show shelved, sparking claims that the French president was involved in the move.

Last month, Franz-Olivier Giesbert, 62, director of the weekly magazine Le Point, released a biography on Mr Sarkozy called M. Le President, which today tops France's bestseller list.

In it, he branded Mr Sarkozy a "child king" who is "drunk on himself", "immature" and a "weathervane" who is "tyrannical" with his entourage and above all his friends. He recounts being subjected to a 40-minute telephone tirade by [the] Mr Sarkozy sparked by an article offering "24 tips to the President ahead of his marriage to Mademoiselle Bruni".

One piece of advice was: "Do not introduce your new wife to your sons, Barack Obama or any handsome men."

Mr Sarkozy told Mr Giesbert: "This article is filth and I should smash your face in."

"You'll see what I'm going to do to you, you'll see," he threatened. Mr Giesbert said the president subsequently sought to pressure Le Point's owner, the luxury goods billionaire François Pinault, into firing Mr Giesbert, to no avail. » | Henry Samuel, Paris | Friday, May 06, 2011

Seve Ballesteros Dies: Spanish Golfer's Condition Deteriorated Following Treatment for Brain Tumour
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The Spanish golfer Seve Ballesteros has died after a severe deterioration in his condition following treatment for a brain tumour in 2008, the Spanish television channel TVE has reported.

Ballesteros, 54, a five-times major winner, had been recuperating at his home in northern Spain after four operations on the tumour and a course of chemotherapy.

Regarded by many as golf's greatest shot-maker, Ballesteros won 87 titles worldwide, 50 of them on the European Tour.

A winner of three British Opens and two Masters titles, he also helped revive Europe's fortunes in the biennial Ryder Cup team competition.
On Friday the world of golf held its breath after Ballesteros's family reported a “severe deterioration” in his neurological condition.

At the Spanish Open in Barcelona fellow Spaniards José-María Olazabal and Miguel Angel Jiménez played together in sombre mood. Twenty-four hours earlier, Olazabal, who last visited the wheelchair-bound Ballesteros a fortnight ago, learnt from Ballesteros’s daughter, Carmen, that his mentor’s condition had taken a grave turn. The European Tour press officer in Barcelona reported that Olazabal and Jiménez were in tears after completing yesterday’s round. » | Saturday, May 07, 2011

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Seve Ballesteros suffers ‘severe deterioration in neurological state’: The world of golf holds its breath for Seve Ballesteros. A brief statement on his website published by his family yesterday sent a shudder through the sport. It told of a “severe deterioration” in his neurological condition. » | Kevin Garside | Friday, May 06, 2011

AV Referendum: Britain Overwhelmingly Votes No
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Plans to change the way the MPs are elected have been overwhelmingly rejected by voters.

More than two thirds of people voted to keep the first-past-the-post system in what was the first UK-wide referendum for 36 years.

With the count 85 per cent complete, the No to AV campaign passed the crucial figure of 9.87million votes at 7.41pm on Friday night to secure victory.

It was a boost to David Cameron who had campaigned hard for a No vote and a blow to Nick Clegg, who had made a referendum on voting reform a condition of the Coalition deal which is this week one year old. » | Andrew Porter, and Christopher Hope | Friday, May 06, 2011

Syria's 'Day of Defiance' Ends in Bloodshed
It was billed a 'day of defiance', but this Friday has ended in bloodshed.

Syrian security forces have reportedly killed up to 30 protesters who were calling for the end of President Bashar al-Assad's leadership. Scores of people and opposition figures, including Riad Saif, a well-known activist and a member of parliament, were arrested.

And, in response to the growing crackdown, the European Union has now agreed to impose sanctions on government officials.

Al Jazeera's Zeina Khodr's report contains amateur video footage which cannot be independently verified.

Questions Over Maldives Protests
Anti-government protests were held place for the seventh day in a row in the Maldives capital of Male.

The people are demonstrating because of soaring prices and claim the president is mishandling the economy.

But the democratically-elected president is calling it an attempt to reinstate a dictatorship in this tropical paradise.

Al Jazeera's Steve Chao reports.

London: Militant Muslims Stage Mock Funeral for Bin Laden
MAIL ONLINE: Radicals warn 'it is only a matter of time' before another atrocity / EDL member burns Bin Laden effigy among extremist Muslims

A protest by hundreds of Osama Bin Laden supporters sparked fury outside the US Embassy in London today as they staged a mock 'funeral service' for the terror leader.

Police stepped in to separate the protesters and members of the English Defence League amid threats of violence from both sides.

Radicals carrying placards proclaiming 'Islam will dominate the world' branded US leaders 'murderers' and warned vengeance attacks were 'guaranteed'.

The protest came shortly after the verdict into the 7/7 inquest was released by Lady Justice Heather Hallett.

She recorded that the 52 victims had been 'unlawfully' killed when four terrorists attacked three London Underground trains and a bus in 2005. On this day of all days! Hundreds of militant Muslims stage mock funeral for Bin Laden outside U.S. embassy in London... as relatives of 7/7 terror attack victims weep at inquest just three miles away » | Daily Mail Reporter | Friday, May 06, 2011

La France, deuxième cible d'al-Qaida après les États-Unis ?
LE POINT: Le directeur central du renseignement intérieur Bernard Squarcini estime que les intérêts français peuvent être attaqués "à l'intérieur".

La France est "la cible numéro deux d'al-Qaida" mais ne fait pas l'objet de menaces spécifiques depuis la mort d'Oussama Ben Laden, déclare Bernard Squarcini dans Le Monde. Le directeur central du renseignement intérieur (DCRI), qui s'exprime également dans Libération vendredi, estime que les intérêts français, qui sont pour l'instant "attaqués à l'extérieur", peuvent l'être "à l'intérieur". » | Source AFP | Vendredi 06 Mai 2011

Pläne für eigene Währung: Griechenland erwägt Austritt aus der Euro-Zone
SPIEGEL ONLINE: Die Schuldenkrise in Griechenland spitzt sich zu. Die Regierung des Landes überlegt nach Informationen von SPIEGEL ONLINE, die Euro-Zone zu verlassen. Die Finanzminister der Währungsunion und Vertreter der EU-Kommission treffen sich am heutigen Freitagabend zu einer geheimen Krisensitzung.

Berlin - Die wirtschaftlichen Probleme Griechenlands sind gewaltig, fast täglich protestieren Bürger gegen die Regierung. Nun sieht Ministerpräsident Georgios Papandreou offenbar keine andere Möglichkeit mehr: Nach Informationen von SPIEGEL ONLINE überlegt seine Regierung, den Euro aufzugeben und wieder eine eigene Währung einzuführen.

Alarmiert durch die Bestrebungen hat die EU-Kommission für den Freitagabend zu einem Krisentreffen nach Luxemburg geladen. Das Treffen findet im Château de Senningen statt, das von der luxemburgischen Regierung für offizielle Termine genutzt wird. Neben dem möglichen Austritt Griechenlands aus der Währungsunion steht auch eine baldige Umschuldung des Landes auf der Tagesordnung. Ein Jahr nach Ausbruch der Griechenland-Krise bedeutet dies für die Europäische Währungsunion einen existentiellen Wendepunkt - unabhängig davon, für welche Variante sie sich entscheidet. » | Von Christian Reiermann | Freitag, 06. Mai 2011

Syrie: 14 manifestants et cinq policiers tués, un opposant arrêté à Damas
LE POINT: Quatorze manifestants ont été tués et plusieurs autres grièvement blessés vendredi par les forces de sécurité syriennes dans trois villes de Syrie tandis que Riad Seif, l'une des principales figures de l'opposition, a été arrêté à Damas, selon des militants.

Les autorités ont annoncé de leur côté la mort d'un officier de l'armée et de quatre policiers à Homs, une importante cité industrielle à 160 km au nord de la capitale.

"Huit personnes ont été tuées et plusieurs autres ont été grièvement blessées par les tirs de forces de sécurité sur une manifestation à Homs", a déclaré un militant local des droits de l'Homme.

Selon lui, les forces de sécurité ont ouvert le feu sur une manifestation alors que le défilé arrivait à Bab Dreib, dans le centre-ville.

Plus au nord, cinq manifestants ont été tués également par les forces de l'ordre à Hama, selon des militants. » | AFP | Vendredi 06 Mai 2011

Spain: Jews Receive Apology Over Spanish Inquisition Executions
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The leader of Majorca has become the first government official to apologise for the execution of Jews during the Spanish Inquisition – centuries after the events.

Francesc Antich, the regional president of the Balearic Islands, issued an official condemnation of the killings in what was heralded by Jewish groups as the first of its kind in Spain.

"We have dared to gather here to recognise the grave injustice committed against those Majorcans who were accused, persecuted, charged and condemned to death for their faith and their beliefs," Mr Antich said at a memorial service held in Palma de Majorca [Palma].

At the end of the 15th century King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella set up the Spanish Inquisition to root out remnants of Islam and Judaism after the reconquest of Spain. Over the following two centuries thousands of so-called heretics were burned at the stake. » | Fiona Govan, in Madrid | Friday, May 06, 2011

Universität Bayreuth: „Guttenberg hat vorsätzlich getäuscht“
FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE: Die Universität Bayreuth wirft Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg vor, bei seiner Dissertation „vorsätzlich getäuscht“ zu haben. Zu diesem Ergebnis kommt die Kommission „Selbstkontrolle in der Wissenschaft“. Guttenberg habe wissenschaftliche Standards „evident grob verletzt“.

Den Vorwurf eines vorsätzlichen wissenschaftlichen Fehlverhaltens bei der Doktorarbeit des früheren Verteidigungsministers zu Guttenberg (CSU) sieht die Kommission „Selbstkontrolle in der Wissenschaft“ der Universität Bayreuth nach Abschluss ihrer Untersuchung bestätigt. „Nach eingehender Würdigung der gegen seine Dissertationsschrift erhobenen Vorwürfe stellt die Kommission fest, dass Herr Freiherr zu Guttenberg die Standards guter wissenschaftlicher Praxis evident grob verletzt und hierbei vorsätzlich getäuscht hat“, heißt es in einer Zusammenfassung des Berichts, die am Freitag in Bayreuth veröffentlicht wurde.

Guttenberg hatte dagegen am 23. Februar im Bundestag gesagt: „Ich habe die Fehler unbewusst und ohne Täuschungsabsicht gemacht.“ Und: „Ich habe in allen meinen Stellungnahmen deutlich gemacht, dass ich weder bewusst noch vorsätzlich getäuscht habe.“ » | F.A.Z./oll. | Freitag, 06. Mai 2011

Lien en relation avec l’article ici »

Plagiat confirmé d'un ex-ministre d'Angela Merkel
TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: ALLEMAGNE | L’Université de Bayreuth a confirmé vendredi les accusations de plagiat qui ont contraint à la démission en mars de l’ex-ministre de la Défense Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg.

La Commission universitaire chargée de clarifier le bien-fondé de violentes accusations contre l’ancien ministre-star du gouvernement d’Angela Merkel a conclu, après trois mois de travaux, que le baron avait plagié à dessein en rédigeant sa thèse de Droit, selon l’Université.

"Il a selon toute évidence bafoué les standards de la pratique scientifique et a intentionnellement fraudé", indique le rapport de la Commission. » | AFP | Vendredi 06 Mai 2011

Ahmadinejad Allies Charged with Sorcery
THE GUARDIAN: Iranian power struggle between president and supreme leader sees arrests and claims of undue influence of chief of staff

Close allies of Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, have been accused of using supernatural powers to further his policies amid an increasingly bitter power struggle between him and the country's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Several people said to be close to the president and his chief of staff, Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei, have been arrested in recent days and charged with being "magicians" and invoking djinns (spirits).

Ayandeh, an Iranian news website, described one of the arrested men, Abbas Ghaffari, as "a man with special skills in metaphysics and connections with the unknown worlds".

The arrests come amid a growing rift between Ahmadinejad and Khamenei which has prompted several MPs to call for the president to be impeached. » | Saeed Kamali Dehghan | Thursday, May 05, 2011

Spanish Civil War Victims' Bodies Finally Removed from Mass Grave
THE GUARDIAN: Spain's government publishes first country-wide map of locations of more than 2,000 mass graves from the civil war

The bones of 62-year-old Severina Gómez and 23 others whose remains had lain together for 75 years, surrounded by bullet cases and with hands tied behind backs, have finally been removed from their mass grave in countryside near the central Spanish village of Loma de Montija.

Anxious family members watched last week as forensic archaeologists and volunteers scraped through layers of mud to uncover evidence of a crime committed in the heat of a civil war that still haunts parts of Spain – and that served as a curtain raiser to the bloodshed of the second world war.

After a decade of bitter debate over how to heal the wounds left by conflict and dictatorship without stoking ancient hatreds, Spain's government on Thursday published on the internet the first countrywide map showing the location of more than 2,000 mass graves from the civil war.

The map is part of a series of measures, including a searchable database of victims and graves, designed to satisfy the demands of people such as Gómez's grandson, Agustín Fernández, who led a local campaign to dig up the Loma de Montija grave. » | Giles Tremlett in Madrid | Thursday, May 05, 2011

Evan Bayh Reacts to Bin Laden Photo Controversy

Report: Al Qaeda to Release Bin Laden Audio Tape
May 6, 2011 – Website says tape was recorded inside Pakistan compound a week before his death

Bin Laden Was 'Completely Confused'
May 5, 2011 – Two sources inside the mission speak

How Did U.S. Get Bin Laden's DNA?
May 6, 2011 – Because You Asked: Where did original DNA used to confirm death come from?

Osama bin Laden Death Confirmed in Al-Qaida Statement
THE GUARDIAN: Terror group posts message on extremist websites saying it will remain 'a curse chasing the Americans and their agents'

Al-Qaida has confirmed the death of its leader, Osama bin Laden, and vowed vengeance, pledging in a statement posted on militant websites that his blood "will not be wasted".

In what is apparently the first official reaction from the militant Islamist group since Bin Laden was gunned down by US special forces troops who raided his hideout in the Pakistani town of Abbottabad, the group called on the people of Pakistan, "where Sheik Osama was killed", to rise up against their leaders.

The group would soon release an audio message from Bin Laden recorded a week before his death, said the statement, dated 3 May and signed by "the general leadership of al-Qaida". There was no independent confirmation that the message was authentic but it was posted on websites through which al-Qaida habitually issues statements.

It continued: "We stress that the blood of the holy warrior sheikh, Osama bin Laden, God bless him, is precious to us and to all Muslims and will not go in vain.

"We will remain, God willing, a curse chasing the Americans and their agents, following them outside and inside their countries. Soon, God willing, their happiness will turn to sadness, their blood will be mingled with their tears." » | Peter Walker and agencies | Friday, May 06, 2011

Salmond Hails 'Historic' Victory as SNP Secures Holyrood's First Ever Majority
THE GUARDIAN: Salmond leads party to series of dramatic victories over Labour and Lib Dems, resulting in a majority in the Scottish parliament


The Scottish National party has won a majority in the Holyrood elections – a dramatic result that will allow its leader, Alex Salmond, to hold a historic referendum on independence for Scotland.

After a series of astonishing victories over Labour and a collapse in the Liberal Democrat vote, the SNP leader saw a landslide for his party take it beyond the 65-seat mark. Holyrood has 129 seats.

After a night of defeats for some of Labour's best-known figures and a near defeat for the Scottish Labour leader, Iain Gray, Salmond declared he would stage an independence referendum within five years.

Jubilant at the "historic" scale of the SNP's victories, he added that he would first demand much greater economic freedom for the Scottish parliament, including the right to set its own corporation tax and increase borrowing powers to £5bn. Then he would hold his referendum.

"Just as the Scottish people have restored trust in us, we must trust the people as well," he declared. "Which is why, in this term of the parliament, we will bring forward a referendum and trust the people on Scotland's own constitutional future." » | Severin Carrell, Scotland correspondent | Friday, May 06, 2011

Election Results Analysis: Bitter Nick Clegg Tries to Blame Margaret Thatcher
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: It was that bad. Yes, Nick Clegg was forced to blame Margaret Thatcher for his party’s pitiful showing in not-so-super Thursday’s elections.


The Deputy Prime Minister’s bitter response to the Liberal Democrat thumping was to claim that voters had turned away from him because of fears that the Coalition was heading towards replicating the 1980s and all its horror.

The Lib Dem leader has had quite a long time to think of an excuse and in the end he pathetically reached for one trotted out by his party’s pigmy president Tim Farron last week.

Mr Clegg committed to redoubling his efforts to illustrate why the Lib Dem influence in the Coalition will halt the dastardly Tories from implemented their neo-Thatcherite plans. Good luck with that.

It is difficult to overstate what a shocker Mr Clegg has presided over – and today it is unlikely to get any better. If he has been slumped on the ropes by the council results, he is likely to be dropped to the canvas by the inevitable No vote in the Alternative Referendum that will be announced this evening. Continue reading and comment » | Andrew Porter, Political Editor | Friday, May 06, 2011

Inside Story: Palestinian Reconciliation
After four years of rift and rivalry; the two Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah signed a long awaited reconciliation agreement in the Egyptian capital Cairo on Wednesday.

How did the new regime in Egypt achieve in two months what the previous adminsitration had failed to do in years?

Inside Story, with presenter Nick Clark, discusses with Gamal Abdel Gawad, from the Al Ahram Centre of Strategic Studies; Mustafa Barghouti, head of the Palestinian Initiative; and Yaakov Katz, a military and defence analyst from the Jerusalem Post.

This episode of Inside Story aired from [sic] Thursday, May 5, 2011.

Al Jazeera English Live

Pakistan Wants US Military Out
RUSSIA TODAY: The Pakistani army has ordered reductions in the number of US military personnel operating inside Pakistan in what is being seen as a response to the unilateral US raid which killed Osama Bin Laden.

The nation’s army has faced heavy domestic criticism for allowing US forces to enter and unilaterally operate within Pakistan – many calling it a violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty. In addition, many argue the army may have been harboring Bin Laden all along.

The Pakistani army has called on the US to reduce its forces to the minimum essential levels. Currently, the US bases around 275 declared military personnel in Pakistan. » | Thursday, May 05, 2011

NATO Discusses Ground Operation, Libya Promises Hell

NATO Pressing for Libyan Ground War

Flag of Jihad, stating that 'There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah' (لا الة الا اللة و محمد رسول اللة). Image: Google Images
Osama bin Laden Dead: Protests in Pakistan
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: About 1,500 Pakistani Islamists have taken to the streets to protested [sic] against the killing of Osama bin Laden, saying more figures like him would arise to wage holy war against the United States.

Pre-dominantly Muslim Pakistan has yet to see any major backlash after US special forces killed bin Laden early on Monday, not far from the capital Islamabad.But his death has angered Islamists, with one major hardline political party calling on Pakistan's government to end its support for the US war on militancy.

"Jihad (holy war) against America will not stop with the death of Osama," said Fazal Mohammad Baraich, a cleric. » | Friday, May 06, 2011

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Osama bin Laden dead: CIA 'kept safe house' in Abbottabad: The CIA kept a safe house in Abbottabad, Pakistan, to conduct surveillance for months on the compound where al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was killed. » | Friday, May 06, 2011