Obama's Big Week: Polls Add to Pressure on the President

LOS ANGELES TIMES: As if to make the point vividly clear that summer is unofficially over, the skies of Washington on Tuesday were a metallic gray, with a cold breeze blowing and rain peppering the ground. It had the feel of seriousness, of stakes raised. And no one likely will understand that more this week than President Obama.

Thursday’s joint address to Congress will bring what could be perhaps a pivotal moment in his presidency, with the nation looking for his best proposals to help move the country out of the economic stall in which it has remained for months.

At the same time, Congress reconvenes to begin to shape a bipartisan plan for slashing the federal deficit. The so-called “supercommittee” meets for the first time Thursday as well. Whether lawmakers can deliver a meaningful, achievable solution could also have an effect on how voters view the president’s capacity to match words with results.

And if the nation needed any more of a reminder that we live in perilous times, the week will also feature incessant replays of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in advance of Sunday’s anniversary. » | James Oliphant | Tuesday, September 06, 2011

Les islamistes bien placés pour tirer profit du printemps arabe
TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: APRÈS LA RÉVOLUTION | Les mouvements islamistes ont deux options après les soulèvements du printemps arabe: jouer sur le vide sécuritaire ou se muer en parti politique. La seconde option est la plus probable, selon les experts.

Les groupes islamistes pourraient tirer profit du vide sécuritaire créé par les soulèvements populaires dans des pays arabes. Mais il est plus probable qu’ils se lancent dans la conquête du pouvoir politique, a estimé l’institut de recherche IISS dans son rapport stratégique annuel, mardi à Londres.

«Je ne dis pas qu’il y aura nécessairement des activités terroristes, mais la chute d’Etats sécuritaires est certainement quelque chose qui crée pour ces groupes des occasions de passer à l’action», a estimé Emile Hokayem, expert à l’Institut international d’études stratégiques (IISS), au cours d’une conférence de presse.

Les révolutions, qui ont éclaté ces derniers mois dans plusieurs pays arabes, ont apporté la preuve que le changement était possible sans le jihad, a-t-il cependant ajouté.

Jusqu’à récemment, «le jihadisme international bénéficiait du fait que ces groupes pensaient qu’ils ne pourraient rien faire chez eux, donc ils (les jihadistes) ont combattu ailleurs (...). Maintenant, ils ont une occasion (de se faire entendre) plus près de chez eux», a estimé le chercheur installé à Bahreïn. » | ATS | Mardi 06 Septembre 2011

Salvatore Licitra (1968 – 2011) – An Homage
Video shown at the award ceremony of 'Ragusani nel mondo'. The award was given to Salvatore Licitra, in absence, on September 3, 2011


Offer your condolences here or here.

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: 'Pavarotti's heir' dies after scooter crash aged 43: Italian opera star Salvatore Licitra has died from head injuries following a scooter accident last month. » | Tuesday, September 06, 2011

Islam in the USA: Adhan (Islamic Call to Prayer) Called in a Christian Church!

Islam in Australia: Interview with Almir Colan
Listen to the interview here

Islamic Finance Australia: Dr. Mohd Daud Bakar
Dr Muhammed Daud Bakar (international scholar), a member of shariah Advisory council of Dow Jones Islamic Market INDEX, AAOIFI, of many financial institutions around the world including the Central Bank of Malaysia.

In my interview with him we will talk briefly about Islamic finance in Australia and some of the opportunities and challenges that are facing the industry.

In this interview:
a. What is Islamic finance?
b. Australia and Islamic finance
c. The Regulatory challenge
d. Risk management...

Interview by Almir Colan, Lecturer (Islamic Finance, Islamic Capital Markets), La Trobe University (School of Economics and Finance)

Al Jazeera English Live

'New Libyan Government Won’t Be Western Puppet'

Frenchman Ordered to Pay Wife Damages for Lack of Sex
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: A Frenchman has been ordered to pay his ex-wife £8,500 in damages for failing to have enough sex with her during their marriage.

The 51-year-old man was fined under article 215 of France’s civil code, which states married couples must agree to a “shared communal life”.

A judge has now ruled that this law implies that “sexual relations must form part of a marriage”.

The rare legal decision came after the wife filed for divorce two years ago, blaming the break-up on her husband’s lack of activity in the bedroom. » | Telegraph Foreign Staff | Monday, September 05, 2011

House of Lords Debates – Saudi Arabia (May 20, 2010)
On human rights, freedom of speech, equality, and dignity: Is Saudi Arabia prepared to defend human rights, civil liberties and fight terrorism?



House of Lords Debates – Saudi Arabia







Robert Lacey's website »

WIKI: Robert Lacey »

Dr. Mai Yamani »

WIKI: Dr. Mai Yamani's website »

The Rebirth of Ground Zero
Watch Journeyman Pictures video here

Niall Ferguson: 'The Real Point of Me Isn’t that I’m Good Looking. It’s that I’m Clever’
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Historian Niall Ferguson on why broken Britain, celebrity culture and being called a pin-up make him angry.

I have not yet asked Niall Ferguson about him leaving his wife and three children, or his relationship with the Somalian feminist Ayaan Hirsi Ali, so when he launches in to a lengthy and verbose attack against the press during what I thought was a pretty innocuous chat about political correctness (he loathes it, naturally), it seems a little out of the blue.

“I really hate it,” he scowls.

"I can’t stand it. I find the prurience, the prying, the sneering… I find it utterly odious. But the problem isn’t just the amorality of editors and their minions, it is that the British public also has a nauseating prurience. And what I find disgusting is that people want to judge footballers – and professors for that matter – by an entirely anachronistic yardstick. It’s as if by reading this stuff we become Victorians, and we are scandalised, I mean scandalised, to discover that a professor of history is getting divorced, which is clearly outrageous in this day and age.

“I mean, how can this be news? How can this be ------- news? To me, it’s just a collective hypocrisy that attracts people to these stories. This desire to look into the BEDROOMS” – he is practically shouting now – “and pick up the sheets and have a gander. It disgusts me.”

I understand Ferguson’s anger. His new girlfriend, who was circumcised as a young girl in Somalia and is now pregnant with their first child, lived under a fatwa even before Theo Van Gogh – her friend and collaborator on a film about Muslim women – was murdered by extremists, a message affixed to his chest with a knife saying that she was next.

Both Ferguson and Ali are on an al-Qaeda list now and have security. “It’s not just that I can’t understand why the British press should want to write stories about the private life of an academic who has done a bit of telly [his series for Channel 4, Civilization, based on his book of the same name, about the fall of the West, proved incredibly popular]. More than anything else what makes me tremendously angry is that one consequence of the intrusion was to place Ayaan in danger. That is just contemptible.” Continue reading and comment » | Bryony Gordon | Monday, September 05, 2011

MAIL ON SUNDAY: TV historian is having a child with his Somali-born feminist partner » | Mail On Sunday Reporter | Sunday, June 05, 2011

Miscreant Masterchefs – Italy
Watch Journeyman Pictures video here

Strauss-Kahn Returns Home

REUTERS.COM: Dominique Strauss-Kahn, his presidential hopes shattered by a sex assault scandal that rocked his homeland, returned on Sunday to Francefacing a frosty public reception and unease among his political allies. » | Pauline Mevel and Chine Labbe | PARIS | Sunday, September 04, 2011

Scottish Conservative Party Set to Disband

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: David Cameron is facing the prospect of the end of the Scottish Conservative Party.

Dramatic plans to disband the Tories north of the border were unveiled by the front-runner for its leadership in a move one senior party figure warned could encourage the break-up of the United Kingdom.

The Prime Minister – who is spending the weekend in Scotland – faces the prospect of being the first British Prime Minister whose party has no Scottish MPs.

Murdo Fraser, who is favourite to become leader of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, will announce that he plans to wind up the party if he wins a ballot of members next month.

He would follow disbanding the party by launching a new Right-of-centre party that would contest all Scottish elections — council, Scottish Parliament and Westminster.

Mr Fraser, a member of the Scottish Parliament, believes the Conservatives have become a “toxic brand” in Scotland since losing all 11 of their Commons seats in the 1997 Labour landslide.

Mr Cameron, who is staying with the Queen at Balmoral this weekend, has been told of Mr Fraser’s plans, but has decided to remain neutral for fear of being accused of interfering in the Scottish Tories’ leadership election. Read on and comment » | Alan Cochrane, Scottish Editor | Saturday, September 03, 2011

Watch Al Jazeera English Live

Indonesian Mayor Resists Building of Church
Despite losing all legal battles, mayor says he cannot allow a church to be built on a street with an Islamic name

Is Muhammad a Prophet?
Watch ABN video here

Who Was Muhammad?

9/11 Anniversary: US Issues Worldwide Travel Alert to Americans
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: A worldwide travel alert ahead of the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks has been issued by the US State Department, calling on Americans living and travelling abroad to remain vigilant.

The department said it had not identified any "specific threats" about possible attacks but that al-Qaeda and its affiliates had "demonstrated the intent and capability to carry out attacks" against the US and US interests.

"In the past, terrorist organisations have on occasion planned their attacks to coincide with significant dates on the calendar," the State Department said.

The alert expires on January 2, 2012, it said.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said there was "no specific or credible intelligence that al-Qaeda or its affiliates are plotting attacks" linked to the anniversary of the worst terror strikes on US soil.

But she added: "We remain at a heightened state of vigilance, and security measures are in place to detect and prevent plots against the United States should they emerge." » | Friday, September 02, 2011

Republikanerin Michele Bachmann nennt Hurrikan ein Zeichen Gottes

Türkei weist israelischen Botschafter aus
Der Streit um die Gaza-Hilfsflotte zwischen der Türkei und Israel hat sich verschärft. Die Regierung in Istanbul hat nun den israelischen Botschafter ausgewiesen

Deutsche Konvertiten zum Islam (aus der Sendung 'ML Mona Lisa' vom 13. Dezember 2009)

Congress Smarts President Obama
When the President of the United States says he wants to address Congress, it is not normally up for discussion but then again, these are far from normal times in Washington DC.

Barack Obama is taking heat for agreeing to reschedule a major economic speech, because Republicans effectively told him they had other plans.

Al Jazeera's Patty Culhane reports.

Gaddafi Loyalist Tribes in Western Libya
Muammar Gaddafi also says that tribes loyal to him are ready for battle. So how powerful are Libya's tribes and where do their loyalties lie?

Abgehörtes Telefonat: Berlusconi nennt Italien ein „Scheißland“
FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG: Es ist der jüngste Ausfall von Silvio Berlusconi: Der Milliardär und Regierungschef soll Italien am Telefon ein „Scheißland“ genannt haben, das er in einigen Monaten verlassen wolle. Bei dem Anruf soll es auch um die Sexaffären Berlusconis gegangen sein. » | dpa | Freitag 02. September 2011

THE GUARDIAN: Berlusconi vows to leave 'shitty' Italy in conversation recorded by police: Transcripts from blackmail investigation reveal the Italian prime minister's frustration with his country » | John Hooper | Rome | Thursday, September 01, 2011

The PC Brigade Kills off Jesus Christ
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH (AUSTRALIA): A DECISION to use politically correct terms - which do not mention Jesus Christ - for dates BC and AD in the new national history curriculum was an act of Christian cleansing, church leaders said yesterday.

BCE (Before Common Era), BP (Before Present) and CE (Common Era) are the new neutral terms to replace the historical terms BC (Before Christ) and AD (Anno Domini).

Removing BC and AD from the curriculum was an "intellectually absurd attempt to write Christ out of human history", Anglican Archbishop Peter Jensen said yesterday.

"It is absurd because the coming of Christ remains the centre point of dating and because the phrase 'common era' is meaningless and misleading," he said.

It was akin to calling Christmas the festive season, Archbishop Jensen said.

The Reverend Fred Nile said the deletion was "an absolute disgrace ... the direction of the national curriculum is towards almost a Christian cleansing to remove from our history any references to the role Christianity had in the formation of Australia and still has today".

"This is the final insult to remove BC and AD which are still recognised around the world," he said. Read on and comment » | Miranda Devine | Friday, September 02, 2011

Root of Syrian Unrest: Politics or Religion?

Inside Gaddafi’s Secret Underworld

Gaddafi Delivers Second Audio Address
In a second audio message broadcast on a Syrian TV channel, Muammar Gaddafi called on his supporters to prepare for a long battle against Libya's new leaders

Russia Was Never on Gaddafi's Side, Nor NATO's - FM Lavrov
Russia has never supported Muammar Gaddafi, that's the key message from Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who also opposed NATO methods to remove the former Libyan leader. Egor Piskunov has more on Russia's answer on the Libyan conflict. Also, to talk more about the future of the Libyan state, RT's joined by Chris Nineham from the "Stop the War Coalition" based in London.

George Clooney: Why I Won't Stand for President
The Hollywood actor explains why he will never stand for President

Head Scarf Ban More Than Safety Issue?
September 01, 2011: Muslim group cries foul

'There's Something Sad About a President This Ineffective'
September 01, 200: Newt Gingrich reacts to clash between Obama and Boehner over jobs speech

Colonel Gaddafi Issues Defiant Warning to Rebels that They Face a 'Long Battle' for Control of Libya
Libya's former leader Muammar Gaddafi calls on his supporters to set Libya alight as he vows to continue the fight against the rebel1

Gadhafi Vows No Surrender in Libya
THE GUARDIAN: TRIPOLI, Libya — Moammar Gadhafi warned from hiding Thursday that tribes loyal to him were well-armed and preparing for battle, hours after rebels hoping for a peaceful surrender extended the deadline for loyalist forces to give up in the longtime Libyan leader's hometown.

Gadhafi's audio statement, broadcast by Syrian-based Al-Rai TV, came as the rebels said they were closing in on the former dictator.

"We won't surrender again; we are not women [عربي], we will keep fighting," Gadhafi said. His voice was recognizable, and Al-Rai has previously broadcast several statements by Gadhafi and his sons.

Rebels have been hunting for the Libyan leader since he was forced into hiding after they swept into Tripoli on Aug. 20 and gained control of most of the capital after days of fierce fighting. » | Maggie Michael | Associated Press | Thursday, September 01, 2011

Muammar Gaddafi's Sons At Odds Over Surrender
Deposed Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's son and heir apparent, Saif al-Islam, tells Syria's al-Rai TV loyalists would never surrender to the rebels - while his brother Saadi, a former footballer, tells al-Arabiya TV he is ready to negotiate with rebels

Post-Gaddafi Libya: A Police Force Trained by Britain; and an Islamist Militia Backed by Qatar
TELEGRAPH BLOGS – ROB CRILLY: The challenges facing Libya as it tries to build a new government after 42 years of Gaddafi rule were all on display at Benghazi airport last night. A huge RAF jet loomed out of the darkness carrying 40 tonnes of banknotes – 280 million dinars worth of crisp bills which had been printed in Britain, but seized aboard the Sloman Provider after her crew had decided not to proceed to Libya in the early months of the uprising.

The banknotes will be used to pay public workers, who have received only a fraction of their wages for the past six months. More importantly, it will add liquidity to an economy which has been in suspended animation during the uprising.

It was the first shipment of frozen cash to arrive back on Libyan soil. David Cameron himself had overseen the logistics, keen that Britain’s key role in backing the rebels was on display on the eve of the Paris conference today. Read on and comment » | Rob Crilly | Thursday, September 01, 2011

Inside Story - Turkey Confronts EU Concerns
The government is taking a bold step to address discrimination against religious minorities but is it a move to appease the European Union or a bid to fend off the Islamist image of the ruling AK party?

Immer mehr Länder geben Gaddafi-Gelder frei
Grossbritannien hat umgerechnet 1,3 Milliarden Franken für humanitäre Zwecke nach Tripolis überwiesen. UNO-Generalsekretär Ban Ki Moon hat ebenfalls zu schneller Hilfe aufgerufen, damit sich die humanitäre Lage in Libyen verbessere.

Sunni Muslims Banned from Holding Own Eid Prayers in Tehran
THE GUARDIAN: Security police block access to houses rented by Sunni minority for worship

Sunni Muslims in Tehran have been banned from congregating at prayers marking the end of Ramadan.

Iran, a Shia country, ordered its Sunni minority not to hold separate prayers in Tehran for Eid al-Fitr, the Muslim festival that brings the month of fasting to an end. They were instead asked to have a Shia imam leading their prayers – something that is against their religious beliefs.

Hundreds of security police were deployed in the capital to prevent Sunni worshippers from entering houses they rent for religious ceremonies. » | Saeed Kamali Dehghan | Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Bahraini Boy Killed in Protest
A 14 year old boy dies from injuries as anti-government protesters clash with police in Sitra.

The death comes only days after the UN Human Rights Chief criticised Bahrain's treatment of pro-democracy protesters.

Al Jazeera's Charles Stratford reports - and a warning, viewers may find some of the pictures distressing.

Gaddafi’s Daughter to Leave Hospital After Giving Birth
OMAN DAILY OBSERVER: ALGIERS — Aisha Gaddafi, who gave birth in Algeria this week after fleeing Libya as her father’s regime crumbled, was to leave hospital in the southern town of Djanet yesterday, a government source said.

The government said Tuesday that she had crossed into Algeria on Saturday with her brother Hannibal, their mother Safiya — Gaddafi’s second wife — and the fugitive leader’s eldest son Mohammed.

“Both (mother and daughter) are in very good health,” said the source who requested anonymity. The government said on Tuesday that Aisha Gaddafi gave birth to a baby girl in the small southern town of Djanet [français], 2,300 kilometres south of Algiers, early on Sunday.

The government official declined to comment on tensions between Algiers and Libya’s National Transitional Council, which has all but vanquished Gaddafi and has called for the handover of the Gaddafi family members.

Algeria’s foreign ministry on Tuesday said the Gaddafi family members were allowed in the country “for strictly humanitarian reasons”.

The daily Ennahar newspaper reported yesterday that up to 62 Gaddafi clan members had entered Tunisia. » | Agencies | Thursday, September 01, 2011

Sharia Enshrined in Libyan Draft Constitution
THE NEW AMERICAN: Now that the U.S. military, under the auspices of NATO, has “liberated” Libya, that country is on a path to become the third such nation to establish Sharia as the principal basis for all future constitutional legislation.

With the pen of power placed in their hands by the armed forces of the United States, the members of the Libyan Transitional National Council (TNC) has released a draft of a proposed new constitution that enumerates Islamic Sharia law as its foundation.

Sharia, which means “path” in Arabic, is the sacred law of Islam. The precepts of Sharia have two sources: the Koran and the writings of Mohammed. Sharia is the code that is responsible for the stoning of adulteresses; the caning of rape victims; and the restrictions on dress, rights of inheritance, and marital status of women.

A document released by the TNC explicitly establishes Islam as the state religion and specifies that the principal source of all laws lawfully promulgated under the proposed constitution will be the precepts of Sharia. » | Joe Wolverton II | Friday, August 26, 2011

Al Jazeera English Live

Jesus or Muhammad?
Did Jesus Die by Crucifixion?

ABN TUBE

Inside Story - Algeria - Libya Relations
Is al-Qaeda stoking the friction between Libya and its neighbour?