Pope to Receive Hostile Welcome on Return Home to Germany
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The Pope will receive a hostile reception from politicians, paedophile sex victims and gay groups when he arrives in Germany today on his first state visit to his homeland.

The pontiff left Rome on Thursday for the state visit. Even ordinary Catholics are expected to give him at best a lukewarm welcome when he lands in Berlin at the start of the four-day trip.

The shadow of Nazism will hang over an address that Benedict XVI, a former member of the Hitler Youth, will give in Berlin's Olympic stadium, where Adolf Hitler presided over the 1936 Games.

Germans were filled with pride in 2005 when the then Josef Ratzinger was elected the first German pope in nearly 1,000 years, but that enthusiasm has long since faded for many.

He was strongly condemned in 2009 for lifting the excommunication of Richard Williamson, a maverick British bishop who questioned the Holocaust, as well as his perceived inaction over priests who sexually abuse children.

The Bavarian-born pontiff's visit is likely to be marred by protests over his conservative doctrinal views on celibacy for priests and his opposition to admitting women to the Church.

Many Catholics in Germany, as well as in Austria and the German-speaking parts of Switzerland, are frustrated with the Vatican's resistance to moving with the times on such issues. » | Nick Squires, Rome | Thursday, September 22, 2011

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THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Pope's visit to Germany is potential minefield: He may be heading home, but the Pope's visit to Germany is a potential minefield. » | Nick Squires, Rome | Thursday, September 22, 2011

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Pope visit: German-speaking Catholics want reform from Rome: Pope Benedict XVI faces a clamour for change as he heads to Germany for his first state visit, with calls for reform on many fronts – from recognising gays to ordaining women to the priesthood. » | Thursday, September 22, 2011

Protest gegen den Papst: Ein leichtes Ziel für Unzufriedene

FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE: Gleich wo die Päpste in der jüngeren Vergangenheit zu Gast waren - fast immer gehörte der Protest gegen ihr Kirchenbild und ihre Sexualmoral mit dazu. In Berlin waren die Gegner schon immer besonders dreist - etwa beim Besuch von Papst Johannes Paul II. im Jahr 1996.

Während der mehr als hundert Auslandsreisen von Papst Johannes Paul II. ging es auf Kuba am ruhigsten zu. Im Januar 1998 gab Fidel Castro persönlich für den Gottesdienst mit dem Oberhaupt der römisch-katholischen Kirche die Parole aus: „Macht keine Zwischenrufe, pfeift nicht, zeigt keine Spruchbänder.“

Der Wunsch ihres größten Führers, der von Meinungs- und Gewissensfreiheit ebenso wenig etwas wissen wollte wie zuvor seine langjährigen Mentoren in Moskau, war den Kubanern Befehl. Andernfalls hätte sich Papst Johannes Paul II. auf Kuba wohl ein ähnliches Schauspiel geboten, wie es sich seit den frühen achtziger Jahren regelmäßig abspielte: Kaum eine Reise wurde nicht von Protesten begleitet.

Johannes Paul II. reagierte nicht

Zu Beginn seines Pontifikats im Herbst 1978 war dem ersten nichtitalienischen Papst seit der Renaissance noch viel Sympathie entgegengebracht worden, vor allem in Polen, wo Karol Wojtyla sofort zu einer Ikone des Widerstands gegen das kommunistische Regime wurde. Doch auch im notorisch skeptischen Westen flogen dem bis dahin weitgehend unbekannten Kirchenoberhaupt zunächst die Herzen zu. „Habt keine Angst“ hatte der neue Papst der Welt vom Petersplatz aus zugerufen. Als er sich aufmachte, um seine Botschaft persönlich Land für Land vorzubringen, kannten Neugier und Begeisterung in den meisten Ländern keine Grenzen. » | Von Daniel Deckers | Donnerstag 22. September 2011

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WELT ONLINE: Wulff bittet um Verständnis für Wiederverheiratete: Bundespräsident Christian Wulff wünscht sich mehr Verständnis vom Papst – besonders für wiederverheiratete Katholiken. Er selbst ist betroffen. » | WON | Mittwoch 21. September 2011

Le vague à l'âme des catholiques allemands
LE FIGARO: En Allemagne, Benoit XVI est aujourd'hui perçu comme un conservateur dogmatique, auquel il est reproché de brider la modernisation de l'Église.

Le Pape Benoît XVI n'est plus prophète en son pays. Dès son arrivée à Berlin, ce jeudi matin, le Souverain Pontife sera accueilli par des responsables politiques illustrant l'éloignement croissant des Allemands vis-à-vis de l'Église catholique. Le président de la République fédérale, Christian Wulff, est un catholique divorcé et remarié, contraint à l'interdiction de communier, tout comme de nombreux ténors de l'Union chrétienne au pouvoir. Le maire de Berlin, Klaus Wowereit, catholique et homosexuel déclaré, soutient ouvertement les représentants de la communauté gay qui organisent des défilés de protestation contre la venue de Benoît XVI dans la capitale… Légère consolation pour le Pape, relèvent les médias outre-Rhin : la chancelière, remariée, et le ministre des Affaires étrangères, homosexuel, sont tous deux protestants.

En panne d'euphorie, l'Allemagne ne se reconnaît plus en son pape. En avril 2005, l'élection à la tête du Saint-Siège du bavarois Joseph Ratzinger, vécue comme un triomphe national, avait fait la fierté de tous les Allemands. Dans une «une» restée célèbre, le quotidien populaire Bild, le plus lu du pays, s'était enthousiasmé en titrant : «Nous sommes pape !» Cette semaine l'hebdomadaire, Der Spiegel, titre «Der Fremde», l'étranger, se faisant l'écho de la désillusion. Les Allemands s'étaient rêvés un pape à l'image de la nouvelle Allemagne : assumant le passé, sans le renier, ouvert et libéral. Benoit XVI y est aujourd'hui perçu comme un conservateur dogmatique, auquel il est reproché de brider la modernisation de l'Église. » | Par Patrick Saint-Paul | Mercredi 21 Septembre 2011

Chinese Primary Schools Sponsored by Tobacco Firms

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: More than 100 primary schools in China are now sponsored by tobacco companies on the hunt for the next generation of smokers, according to antismoking campaigners.

The schools often bear the names of Chinese cigarette brands, such as Zhongnanhai or Liqun, over their gates and in some cases have slogans in the playground.

"Talent comes from hard work – Tobacco helps you become talented," says one slogan, in foot-high gilt letters, on the front of the Sichuan Tobacco Hope Primary School.

The school, which was built by the local tobacco company after a deadly earthquake in 2008, also bears the green leaf logo of China Tobacco, the country's all-powerful state-controlled monopoly, on its parapet.

China Tobacco is the world's largest manufacturer of tobacco products, with over 900 brands, and is owned by the Chinese government. China is the world's largest tobacco market and as many as 60 per cent of its men smoke.

Regulations to prevent smoking in public places, including schools, have been widely ignored and the World Health Organisation estimates that two million Chinese will die each year of smoking-related diseases by the end of the decade – accelerating the need to find more young smokers. » | Malcolm Moore, Shanghai and Stephen Adams | Wednesday, September 21, 2011

«Berlusconi muss gehen»
Italiens bürgerliche Presse fordert den Rücktritt

NZZ ONLINE: Ministerpräsident Berlusconi ist am Mittwoch vom «Corriere della Sera» wie auch von «Il Sole 24 Ore», den zwei führenden bürgerlichen Blättern Italiens, zum Rücktritt aufgefordert worden.

Am Mittwoch haben sich auch die zwei führenden bürgerlichen Zeitungen Italiens dezidiert gegen Ministerpräsident Berlusconi gewandt und ihn aufgefordert, zum Wohl des Landes zurückzutreten. Sowohl der angesehene Mailänder «Corriere della Sera» wie auch die führende Wirtschaftszeitung «Il Sole 24 Ore» verlangten den Schritt in unverblümt formulierten Kommentaren auf der Titelseite. » | Nikos Tzermias, Rom | Mittwoch 21. September 2011

Pour Obama, la paix ne sera pas accélérée par une reconnaissance de l'Etat Palestine à l'ONU

TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: Les Etats-Unis, proches alliés d’Israël, ont déjà annoncé qu’ils opposeraient leur veto au Conseil de sécurité à toute demande d’admission à l’ONU d’un Etat de Palestine. Barack Obamal a affirmé mercredi qu’il n’existait pas de "raccourci" onusien.

Le président des Etats-Unis Barack Obama a affirmé mercredi qu’il n’existait pas de "raccourci" pour parvenir à la paix au Proche-Orient, rejetant à la tribune de l’ONU la démarche des Palestiniens pour y obtenir la reconnaissance de leur Etat.

"Je suis convaincu qu’il n’existe pas de raccourci à la fin d’un conflit qui persiste depuis des décennies. La paix ne viendra pas de déclarations et de résolutions à l’ONU. Si c’était aussi facile, cela aurait déjà eu lieu à l’heure actuelle", a déclaré M. Obama devant l’Assemblée générale de l’organisation internationale à New York.

"Il y a un an, j’ai souhaité une Palestine indépendante à cette tribune", a reconnu M. Obama. "Je croyais, et je crois toujours, que les Palestiniens méritent leur propre Etat. Mais j’ai aussi dit qu’une paix véritable ne peut être obtenue qu’entre les Israéliens et les Palestiniens eux-mêmes", a-t-il affirmé. » | AFP | Mercredi 21 Septembre 2011

Corée du Nord: les soldats volent les civils pour pouvoir manger
TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: Au nord-est de la Corée du Nord, les soldats meurent de faim et son forcés de voler les civils, encore plus rationnés qu'eux, pour pouvoir manger. La presse sud-coréenne dénonce une situation alimentaire alarmante.

Des soldats dans le nord-est de la Corée du Nord volent les civils pour pouvoir manger à leur faim, malgré les avantages dont ils bénéficient, signe supplémentaire de la dégradation de la situation alimentaire dans ce pays, rapporte mercredi une publication de Corée du Sud.

La police militaire s’est déployées dans les rues de la ville de Hyesan (nord-est) pour contrôler l’identité des soldats, indique Daily NK, un journal sur internet publié par des transfuges en Corée du Sud, qui s’appuie sur les témoignages nord-coréens. » | AFP | Mercredi 21 Septembre 2011

Italian Police Beat Migrants in Lampedusa Clashes
Trouble continues at the overcrowded Lampedusa camp as Italian riot police charge migrants[,] a day after asylum seekers started fires in protest against forced repatriations.

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Dramatic Increase in the Number of Women Reverting to Islam in California
ALLVOICES: What is there about the religion of Islam that draws so many Sacramento and other California women to join the faith? What invites the women to follow the customs, rules, and laws and go through an official conversion? It's not always marrying into a Muslim family. Many single women are joining the Islamic faith, including many older women as well as younger students. Is it about community support and making new friends? New ideas to learn? What do women seek when they join the Islamic faith coming from Western European, Native American, Hispanic, African-American, or other ethnic groups--it it the basic teachings of Islam they read about in books, the closeness of the family life, the food, or the social life?

What is there about the faith and customs that appeals to so many women in California and in other areas such as Northern Europe or Latin America? What religion do you join if you're half Middle Eastern and half European and your family practices several different faiths?

How often does Sacramento celebrate diversity? Once a year is Celebrate Diversity Month, but besides that special day, celebrating diversity is a daily event. Anthropologists may be interested in asking what motivates an increasing number of Sacramento women of nearly all ethnic backgrounds to convert to Islam? There's even a local website for those looking for Muslim wives and/or husbands to start a family at Salaam Love. Is Islam the fastest growing religion in Sacramento? » | AnneHart | Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Settlers for Peace – Israel
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The Chancellor and the Dominatrix – UK
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Ugly Female Candidates 'Repel Voters', Says Former Polish Prime Minister

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: A former Polish prime minister has angered feminists by saying unattractive women candidates "repel voters", just weeks before the country's general election.

During a television interview Leszek Miller, once leader of the left-wing and officially pro-women Democratic Left Alliance, said parties should avoid fielding less-than-beautiful candidates.

"If the parties revolve around unattractive women, then this is something anachronistic and will repel voters," he said as Poles prepare to vote on the October 9 election.

The comment riled women, who have often complained that conservative and old-fashioned attitudes in Polish public life hold women back. » | Matthew Day, Warsaw | Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Europe Bans 'Despotic' Soviet Hammer-and-sickle from Commerical Use

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: A top European court banned the Soviet Union's famous hammer and sickle from being used as a commercial trademark as it is "a symbol of despotism" in some EU countries.

The European Court of Justice said it was forced to refuse the request on the grounds of public morality, ending a five-year battle by a Russian designer to register the iconic coat of arms as a trademark across the 27-nation European Union.

It stated:"The symbols in question would be seen as contrary to public policy and to accepted principles of morality by a substantial section of the relevant public living in the part of the European Union which has been subject to the Soviet regime."

The court singled out EU member states such as Latvia and the Czech Republic which were either part of the Soviet Union or Soviet satellite states.

It also noted that in Hungary such Soviet-era symbols "are considered to be 'symbols of despotism' and their use is contrary to public policy." » | Andrew Osborn, Moscow | Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Swedish Cartoonist Target of Foiled Attack

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: A Swedish cartoonist who has received death threats for depicting the Prophet Mohammed as a dog was the target of a planned attack in Gothenburg earlier this month, according to reports.

The daily Metro said it had obtained classified documents that showed the prosecutor believes three men arrested on September 10 had planned to kill cartoonist Lars Vilks.

The Swedish prosecutor's office refused to comment on the report.

An elite counter-terrorism unit arrested four people in Gothenburg and shortly afterward evacuated hundreds of people from a building hosting an art fair "after concluding that there was a threat that could endanger lives or health or cause serious damage."

Vilks had initially said on his blog that he would attend the art fair though he did not in the end.

One of the suspects had bought a pocketknife to be used in the attack, and one of the men had asked for Vilks at the art fair, according to Metro. » | Wednesday, September 21, 2011

US Hikers 'Released by Iran'

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Two American hikers arrested in Iran two years ago were released and handed over to the Swiss embassy on Wednesday, state media claimed.

Earlier the hikers' lawyer Masoud Shafii said a $1 million bail-for-freedom deal has been approved by the courts, clearing the way for the release of Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal after more than two years in custody.

"Inshallah (God willing) it is over.... the judge has signed the order," he said.
Iran's judiciary has confirmed the release, according to new reports.

The Swiss embassy looks out for American interests in the Islamic Republic. "As a rule, the only people they have here are from the US interest office in the Swiss embassy... they are going to be present at the prison too," Mr Shafii said.

He said he is to go to Tehran's Evin prison later on Wednesday to begin the procedures for the release. » | Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Lampedusa Burned Down by Tunisian Refugees
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Hundreds of Tunisians protested against their imminent repatriation by setting fire to the reception centre they were being held in on the remote Italian island of Lampedusa.

The devastating fire, which started when the migrants allegedly set fire to their bed mattresses, reduced much of the controversial centre to a smoking ruin.

It dealt a heavy blow to Italy's ability to deal with a continuing flood of refugees from North Africa in the wake of the popular revolts in Tunisia and Egypt and the civil war in Libya.

More than 48,000 have reached the shores of southern Italy since the start of the year.
Many of the 1,200 migrants held in the centre fled when three fires broke out late on Tuesday.

As police stationed on the island rounded them up, the fires blazed out of control and destroyed three buildings in the complex. » | Nick Squires, Rome | Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Tony Bennett in Bizarre Rant as He Claims 'America Caused 9/11' and 'George Bush Told Me He Regretted the War in Iraq'

MAIL ONLINE: Legendary singer Tony Bennett said in an interview with Howard Stern on Monday night that 'we caused' the 9/11 attacks.

He also went on to say that President George W. Bush confided in him that the war in Iraq was a mistake.

Speaking on Stern's Sirius Radio show, Mr Bennett, who describes himself as a pacifist, said: 'They flew the plane in, but we caused it.

'Because we were bombing them and they told us to stop.'

Stern had asked the singer, a World War II vet, how the U.S. should deal with the terrorists responsible for the World Trade Centre attacks.

'But who are the terrorists?' Mr Bennett said, according to ABC News.

'Are we the terrorists or are they the terrorists? Two wrongs don't make a right.'

The 85-year-old spoke of the night in 2005 when then-President Bush made that astonishing statement.

Mr Bennett said: 'He told me personally that night that, he said, 'I think I made a mistake".'

The event was in honour of Mr Bennett and he said he believed Mr Bush made the admission because he liked the singer.

Mr Bennett said that his experiences as a teenager in combat in the Second World War forever changed his position on war.

'I’m anti-war,' he said. 'It’s the lowest form of human behaviour.' Read on and comment » | Daily Mail Reporter | Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Al-Jazeera Chief's Surprise Resignation Raises Fears for Channel's Independence

THE GUARDIAN: Wadah Khanfar stood down after eight years that consolidated the satellite network's reputation and his own position

Seated behind a vast desk, surrounded by TV screens, deep leather sofas and a wall of global media awards, Wadah Khanfar always cut an impressive figure in his director-general's office at al-Jazeeraheadquarters in the Qatari capital, Doha.

But his career at the top of the most important news organisation in the Arab world ended on Tuesday when he was replaced by a member of the Qatari royal family. It was an abrupt and dramatic move at a critical time in the Middle East.

Khanfar, credited with revolutionising the Arab media landscape, said he was resigning after eight years that consolidated the satellite network's reputation and his own highly influential position.

The new boss is Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani, a little-known executive at Qatargas and a member of the fabulously wealthy Gulf country's ruling dynasty – pointing to a clear attempt to exercise greater control.

It is thought that Khanfar had become too independent a figure for the Qataris, and that he had come under pressure from them. Recently al-Jazeera has been accused of pulling its punches over the uprising in Bahrain, where Saudi Arabia dominates regional policy. Al-Jazeera's Lebanon chief, Ghassan Bin Jiddo, resigned in April, apparently in disagreement over coverage of some of the revolts.

But on Tuesday night Khanfar denied speculation that his departure was linked to outside pressure. He told the Guardian: "I have spent eight years with the network. We have been talking in this part of the world about change, about presidents who stay for decades in their posts. I thought maybe it is good to give an example as well, while the network is at the peak of its performance. It's the right moment." » | Ian Black, Middle East editor, and Luke Harding | Tuesday, September 20, 2011

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Chris Huhne Attacks Tory Hard Right
THE INDEPENDENT: Chris Huhne has launched a scathing attack on the Tory hard right, bracketing them with the "madcap" American Tea Party movement and warning they will "wreck the nation's economy".

The Energy Secretary used his speech to round on Conservatives who "slaver over tax cuts for the rich" and claimed if they failed to compromise Britain's economic recovery would be "put in peril".

Mr Huhne's criticism is the most explicit verbal assault made from the conference platform by a senior Liberal Democrat on their coalition partners this week.

He said: "This coalition government saved Britain's credit standing by compromise.

"The danger if you don't compromise is now clear from America.

"There the markets looked over the brink when the mad-cap Republican right in Congress would not compromise with the President.

"Let that be a warning to the Conservative right here - we need no Tea Party Tendency in Britain. » | Sam Lister | Tuesday, September 20, 2011

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Baroness Williams of Crosby warns Chris Huhne to stop bashing the Tories: Chris Huhne, the Liberal Democrat Energy Secretary, has been chastised by one of his party’s senior figures for his “unhelpful” attacks on the Conservatives. » | James Kirkup, Political Correspondent | Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Hillary Clinton's Former Top Aide Latest Democrat to Criticise Barack Obama

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: A former top strategist to Hillary Clinton has added his voice to a growing chorus of Democratic criticism of President Barack Obama, arguing that he is moving too far to the Left when he "should be claiming the vital centre, not abandoning it".

Mark Penn, who was Mrs Clinton's chief strategist for most of her presidential campaign after previously being a senior aide to her husband President Bill Clinton, accused Mr Obama of having "wandered into the thicket of class warfare".

His intervention came after a speech on Monday in which Mr Obama advocated raising $1.5 trillion in taxes, mainly on high earners, over the next decade. This was widely interpreted as a repositioning to the Left and was broadly welcomed by liberal activists and groups.

In an article for the Huffington Post website, Mr Penn wrote: "Barack Obama is careering down the wrong path towards re-election. He should be working as a president, not a candidate. He should be claiming the vital centre, not abandoning it.

"He should be holding down taxes rather than raising them. He should be mastering the global economy, not running away from it. And most of all, he should be bringing the country together rather than dividing it through class warfare." Read on and comment » | Toby Harnden, Washington | Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Mystère autour de l'identité du «jeune homme des bois»
LE FIGARO: Les recherches d'Interpol n'ont pas donné d'indices sur l'origine de Ray, 17 ans. La police pourrait faire appel au public pour aider cet adolescent qui a vécu cinq ans dans la forêt.

De nouveaux éléments sont apparus sur «l'ado des bois» arrivé à Berlin début septembre. La femme policier qui a la première parlé au jeune homme s'est confiée au quotidien britannique Daily Telegraph . Ray «avait l'air d'un adolescent parfaitement normal» quand il est arrivé: «Il ne ressemblait pas du tout à un vagabond, il était propre, il ne sentait pas, il ne savait simplement pas du tout qui il était». » | Par Caroline Bruneau | Mardi 20 Septembre 2011

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Berlin forest boy adapts quickly to city life: The English-speaking teenager who walked out of a German forest claiming to know little more than his first name has quickly adjusted to conventional city life, his carers said. » | Fiona Govan, Berlin | Tuesday, September 20, 2011

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: German forest boy is telling the truth, say police: The story of an English–speaking boy who emerged after five years living in a German forest is "credible" and his accent may prove the key to establishing his true identity, German police said. » | Fiona Govan, Berlin | Sunday, September 18, 2011

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Al-Jazeera Boss Wadah Khanfar Steps Down to Be Replaced by Qatari Royal

THE GUARDIAN: TV channel head quits after revolutionising Middle East broadcasting for past eight years, especially during Arab Spring

Qatar's government has replaced Wadah Khanfar, the director-general of the al-Jazeera satellite TV network, with a member of its own royal family – a sudden and dramatic move at a time of unprecedented turmoil across the Middle East.

Khanfar, credited with revolutionising the Arab media landscape, announced that he was resigning after eight years that consolidated both the channel's reputation and his position as one of the most powerful figures in the region.

The new director-general is said to be Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani, an executive at Qatargas and a member of the country's ruling dynasty.

The Palestinian-born journalist said in a resignation letter posted – characteristically – on Twitter that his goal at the outset was "to establish al-Jazeera as a global media leader" and that "this target has been met".

Al-Jazeera, based in the Qatari capital Doha and owned by the state's emir, broke the mould of Arabic media organisations that were bankrolled by and subservient to governments or cowed by censors when it was set up in 1996.

Often technically brilliant and highly partisan, it has outperformed itself in this year of the Arab uprisings with the slogan – cleverly echoing the battle cry of revolutionary struggles – that "the coverage continues". » | Ian Black, Middle East Editor | Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Britain Gives £355M to Educate Girls in Asia and Africa
DAILY EXPRESS: NICK Clegg triggered fresh outrage at Britain’s spiralling overseas aid budget by pledging £355million of taxpayers’ cash to educate girls in poor countries.

He announced the huge handout at theLib Dem conference yesterday amid warnings of swingeing austerity for ¬families at home.

The Deputy Prime Minister’s promise of cash for countries including South Sudan, Nigeria and Bangladesh also came as it emerged that a literacy drive in British schools is to be axed. » | Macer Hall | Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Grèce: référendum sur l'euro?
LE FIGARO: Le gouvernement grec envisagerait la tenue d'un référendum sur le maintien de la Grèce dans la zone euro pour raffermir sa légitimité dans sa gestion de la crise de la dette, rapporte mardi le quotidien grec Kathimerini sur son site internet. » | Lefigaro.fr | Mardi 20 Septembre 2011

Un Autrichien cache sa tante décédée dans un congélateur pour percevoir sa retraite
TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: La police autrichienne a découvert le corps d’une femme de 88 ans dans le congélateur appartenant à son neveu, qui touchait à sa place sa retraite et son allocation dépendance.

Le corps d’une femme de 88 ans a été découvert lundi dans le congélateur de son neveu, qui aurait caché son décès afin de continuer à toucher sa retraite et son allocation dépendance, a annoncé la police de la province de Basse-Autriche (nord) mardi. » | AFP | Mardi 20 Septembre 2011

The Rise and Rise of Mandarin – But How Many Will End Up Speaking It?
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: China's growing importance in the world has convinced millions to start learning Mandarin, but how many will end up able to speak one of the world's most difficult languages?

Earlier this year, my Chinese teacher in Shanghai told me he was leaving China.

For the next two years, he plans to live with his wife, who is also a teacher, in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan. They will live and work at the local Confucius Institute and help spread Mandarin into central Asia.

It may seem an odd choice to swap the bright lights of China's most advanced city for an unstable and relatively poor former Soviet state, but the Confucius Institutes are a key part of Chinese government policy, and the Chinese government evidently made it worth their while to go.

Since 2005, China has rolled out more than 300 Confucius Institutes in 94 countries in order to help the rest of the world learn a language that is increasingly important but devilishly challenging.

The Chinese government claims that 230,000 people have enrolled so far and they cannot meet the demand. China is sending 5,000 teachers abroad each year and now wants 1,000 institutes to be open by the end of the decade. » | Malcolm Moore, Shanghai | Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Gül in Deutschland: „Eine außerordentliche Beziehung“

FAZ: Am zweiten Tag seines Staatsbesuches hat der türkische Präsident Gül Bundeskanzlerin Merkel getroffen. Bundespräsident Wulff bedauerte die Unannehmlichkeiten, die Gül infolge einer Bombendrohung in der Berliner Humboldt-Universität hinnehmen musste.

Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel (CDU) hat bei einem Gespräch mit dem türkischen Präsidenten Abdullah Gül ihre Sorge über die jüngsten Spannungen zwischen Israel und der Türkei zum Ausdruck gebracht. Aus deutschen Regierungskreisen hieß es, die beiden Politiker hätten am Dienstag die ganze Bandbreite der deutsch-türkischen Beziehungen erörtert. Sie hätten auch über die jüngsten Entwicklungen in Nordafrika und der arabischen Welt gesprochen.

Beim umstrittenen Thema des türkischen EU-Beitritts hätten beide Seiten bei dem Treffen im Kanzleramt ihren Standpunkt dargelegt. Gül hatte am Montag bereits zum Auftakt seines Staatsbesuchs den Wunsch seines Landes nach einer Vollmitgliedschaft in der EU bekräftigt. Merkel hat der Türkei hingegen nur eine „strategische Partnerschaft“ angeboten. Das lehnt die Türkei ab. Nach dem Gespräch im Kanzleramt [reist Gül] am zweiten Tag seines Staatsbesuches reist Gül mit Bundespräsident Christian Wulff weiter in dessen Heimatstadt Osnabrück. Damit revanchiert sich Wulff für eine Einladung des türkischen Staatspräsidenten im vergangenen Jahr in dessen zentralanatolischen Geburtsort Kayseri. In Osnabrück besuchen die beiden Staatsoberhäupter unter anderem die Universität, die seit einem Jahr den bundesweit ersten Weiterbildungsstudiengang für Imame anbietet. » | FAZ.NET mit dpa | Dienstag 20. September 2011

'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Formally Ends
THE GUARDIAN: Openly gay people will now be able to serve in the US military after repeal of controversial 18-year-old DADT law

An 18-year-old law that prevented serving US military personnel from disclosing that they were gay has been formally repealed.

At one minute past midnight eastern time (0401 GMT), the controversial don't ask don't tell (DADT) law was abolished after its repeal was signed into law some nine months ago.

Introduced by President Clinton in 1993 as a compromise step to full equality, DADT allowed gay and lesbian members of the military to serve only if their sexuality remained secret or was not reported.

The Servicemembers Legal Defence Network estimates that since the law's introduction, 13,000 gay men and lesbians have been discharged after their sexual orientation was revealed.
In some cases dismissals were made on the basis of testimony from jilted lovers or those with personal grievances. » | Shiv Malik and agencies in Washington | Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Ahmadinejad at UN Amid ‘Reign of Fear’
THE TIMES: While President Ahmadinejad denounces his enemies at the UN with customary relish, 20 people are scheduled to be executed in Iran this week » | Monday, September 19, 2011 [£]

L'acte de contrition de DSK fait écho à celui de Bill Clinton
LE MONDE: Les deux affaires sont très différentes mais les actes de contrition télévisuelle se ressemblent étrangement. Dimanche 18 septembre au soir, à peine terminée l'intervention télévisée de Dominique Strauss-Kahn sur le plateau du 20 heures de TF1, beaucoup de commentateurs l'ont déjà relevé : un certain nombre d'éléments de langage employés par l'ancien patron du FMI semblaient faire écho à l'intervention de l'ancien président américain, Bill Clinton, le 17 août 1998.


Ce soir-là, l'ancien président démocrate était venu s'expliquer à la télévision, face caméra et devant des millions d'Américains, sur sa relation avec Monica Lewinsky. L'"affaire Lewinsky" – ou le "Monicagate" comme on l'appelait déjà à l'époque –, avait éclaté sept mois auparavant aux Etats-Unis. A cette époque, des rumeurs affirment que Bill Clinton aurait eu, entre 1995 et 1997, des rapports intimes avec une stagiaire de la Maison Blanche, Monica Lewinsky. Le 21 janvier 1998, devant un grand jury et alors qu'il était sous serment, M. Clinton nie les faits.

Mais, le 28 juillet 1998, le procureur en charge de l'enquête, Kenneth Starr, obtient les aveux de Monica Lewinsky en échange de son immunité. En l'espace de quelques jours, l'étau se resserre autour de Bill Clinton, qui se voit obligé de révisersa stratégie de communication : le 17 août, il s'adresse directement à la Nation pour reconnaître des relations sexuelles avec Monica Lewinsky.
Il est important de noter que l'"affaire Lewinsky", à la différence de l'"affaire DSK" ne comporte aucun volet pénal et qu'il n'y a jamais été question de relation sexuelle contrainte. En ceci, les deux affaires diffèrent complètement ; mais dans les deux cas, les principaux intéressés ont été amenés à faire une acte de repentir public et télévisuel. Dimanche soir, Dominique Strauss-Kahn a ainsi utilisé certaines expressions relevant du champ lexical de la moralité qui rappellent le discours prononcé par Bill Clinton, 13 ans plus tôt.

La déclaration de Dominique Strauss-Kahn, le 18 septembre 2011

L'interview de DSK au 20h : l'intégrale Vidéo jt_tf1_weekend sélectionnée dans Actualité

Lire le reste de l'article » | LEMONDE.FR | Lundi 19 Septembre 2011

Iran Arrests Six People 'For Supplying Information to the BBC'
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Iran has arrested several people for supplying information to the British Broadcasting Corporation, accusing them of seeking to portray a negative image of the Islamic state, media reported on Monday.

Few western journalists are permitted to work in Iran where the government views much of the foreign media with suspicion. The BBC's Farsi-language TV news service is only available to owners of illegal satellite receivers and its signal is often jammed.

The newspaper Resalat said five men and one woman had been arrested, identifying them only by their initials. "They were members of a network which supplies information, produces films and clandestine reports for the BBC Persian programme, aimed at portraying a bleak picture of Iran," Resalat said.

The hardline daily Kayhan said a number of people had been arrested "in different places in the capital."

It quoted Revolutionary Guards spokesman Ramezan Sharif as saying: "The BBC tries to identify elements inside the country (who produce) particular cultural productions in order to use them against the Islamic establishment."

BBC Persian broadcasts live news, documentaries and entertainment programmes aimed at Farsi speakers, mostly in Iran and Afghanistan. Terrestrial Iranian television is completely controlled by the state. » | Monday, September 19, 2011

Norway Court Extends Anders Behring Breivik's Solitary Confinement

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Anders Behring Breivik has been ordered to remain in pretrial detention for eight weeks during a closed court hearing on Monday in which he was cut off from making statements irrelevant to the case, a judge said.

The 32-year-old right-wing extremist has confessed to setting off a bomb in downtown Oslo and massacring dozens at an island youth camp outside the city, killing 77 people on July 22.

The Oslo District Court approved a police request to keep Breivik in custody on terror charges for another eight weeks – four of them in solitary confinement – as they prepare a formal indictment.

Judge Anne Margrethe Lund said she stopped Breivik "on a few occasions" when he tried to make statements during the court hearing, his third since being arrested following the carnage on Utoya island.

"He wanted to communicate something to the court. It wasn't relevant for the decision that was to be made today and therefore he wasn't allowed to say anything further," Lund told reporters after the hearing. » | Monday, September 19, 2011

Liberal Democrats Party Conference 2011: Vince Cable's Speech to Conference in Full
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Vince Cable tells Liberal Democrat Party Conference in Birmingham: "We now face a crisis that is the economic equivalent of war." This is the full text of his speech.


These are dangerous times for our economy.
There is much uncertainty.

But I am absolutely certain that, at such a moment, the country is stronger for having two parties in coalition working in the national interest.

When I joined up I had very mixed feelings about this coalition, like many of you.
I looked for good precedents.

I thought of Attlee and Bevin working with their Tory opponents – Churchill and Beaverbrook – setting aside their political differences in a common cause.

That coalition unleashed the great Liberal reformers; Beveridge and Keynes.

Now, you could say: that was war; that’s different.

Yes, it is different.

But we now face a crisis that is the economic equivalent of war. » | Monday, September 19, 2011

This man speaks sense! – Mark

Gay Mayor of Berlin Elected to Third Term

ADVOCATE: Klaus Wowereit, the openly gay mayor of Berlin, won a third term on Sunday in a convincing victory that makes some believe he could be the Social Democratic Party’s candidate for German chancellor in 2013.

According to Spiegel Online [E], Wowereit secured a third five-year term while his party won 28.3% of the vote and held off the resurgent Green Party, which took 17.6% of the vote.

Wowereit, 57, won reelection despite the fact that Berlin struggles with high debt, unemployment, and an influx of tourists seeking the city’s famous cultural and nightlife scenes. Analysts attribute his ballot box success to his personal popularity, which seemed assured in 2001 when he came out at a party conference prior to his election by declaring, “I’m gay, and that’s a good thing.” » | Julie Bolcer | Monday, September 19, 2011

Cheryl Cole 'Now an Al-Qaeda Target' after Afghanistan Trip
METRO: Cheryl Cole of Girls Aloud fame is now a terror target of al-Qaeda after her recent trip to Afghanistan's Helmand Province, fundamentalist cleric Anjem Choudary has warned.

The Girls Aloud singer has just returned from visiting British army members at Camp Bastion, where she took part in a mock battle and enjoyed a ride in a Sea King helicopter.

During her visit Cheryl praised the work of troops, telling the Daily Mirror: 'I always had admiration for what the guys do out here, but seeing them here at work is awe-inspiring.

'I'm delighted to be here to recognise all the hard work they do. Every one of them is a hero in my book.'

But while the former X Factor judge proved to be a hit among the armed forces, Islamic extremists have warned the high-profile visit has made Cheryl a target for terrorists.

Extremist cleric Choudary – who earlier this month led anti-American protests during the minute's silence for 9/11 victims in London – said she would 'only have herself to blame' if she was killed. » | Daniella Graham | Monday, September 19, 2011

You Have Nothing to Fear, Says Aussie Mufti

HERALD SIN: ISLAMIC religious law, or sharia, is often vilified but is really about freedom and tolerance, Australia's new grand mufti says.

Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohamed, elected in weekend voting by imams and sheiks, also said sharia corresponded with Australian laws.

"The sharia law also calls for freedom, justice, right of speech and this is something we are very fortunate to have," Dr Mohamed told journalists in Sydney yesterday, speaking through an interpreter. » | Staff Writer | Herald Sun | Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Les indignés de Wall Street

LE FIGARO: REPORTAGE - À New-York, un mouvement populaire contre la «cupidité» des banques manifeste depuis samedi en plein cœur du quartier de la finance.

Trinity Place n'est pas exactement la place Tahrir, mais l'état d'esprit n'y est pas très différent : les manifestants veulent y exprimer leur ras-le-bol contre ceux qui détiennent le pouvoir. Aux États-Unis, c'est contre les banquiers et les financiers de Wall Street que la grogne monte. Un mouvement populaire se faisant appeler «Occupez Wall Street» manifeste depuis samedi en plein cœur du quartier de la finance après avoir pris forme sur les réseaux sociaux.

Les manifestants entendent protester jusqu'en décembre contre ce qu'ils dénoncent comme la culture du «fric», la «cupidité» et la «corruption» de Wall Street et demandent à Barack Obama d'établir une commission mettant «un terme à l'influence de Wall Street sur la politique à Washington». » | Par Adèle Smith | Lundi 19 Septembre 2011

Onze millions placés chez HSBC Genève par un proche du clan Ben Ali

TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: Malgré la loi sur le blanchiment d’argent, Belhassen Trabelsi, beau-frère du président déchu, détient 11 millions de francs sur un compte de la HSBC Private Bank à Genève.

Belhassen Trabelsi, le beau-frère du président déchu tunisien Ben Ali, dispose d'un compte à la HSBC Private Bank installée à Genève. La coquette somme de 11 millions de francs dort ainsi sur les bords du Léman, informe la TSR. Cela malgré la loi sur le blanchiment d'argent et l'ordonnance délivrée par le Conseil fédéral au lendemain de la chute de Ben Ali. Celle-ci a demandé aux banques de geler immédiatement les fonds de 40 personnalités tunisiennes, dont ceux de l'intéressé. » | Anne-Elisabeth Celton | Lundi 19 Septembre 2011

Türkei droht Zypern Entsendung von Kriegsschiffen an
Streit um geplante Ölbohrungen im Meer droht zu eskalieren
NZZ ONLINE: Im Streit um Ölbohrungen vor Zypern hat die Türkei den Ton verschärft. Sollte die Regierung in Nikosia nicht Abstand von den geplanten Probebohrungen nehmen, werde Ankara ein eigenes Forschungsschiff entsenden. Dieses Schiff werde von der türkischen Marine begleitet. » | ddp/Reuters | Montag 19. September 2011

Tony Blair 'Visited Libya to Lobby for JP Morgan'

THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Tony Blair used visits to Libya after he left office to lobby for business for the American investment bank JP Morgan, The Daily Telegraph has been told.

A senior executive with the Libyan Investment Authority, the $70 billion fund used to invest the country's oil money abroad, said Mr Blair was one of three prominent western businessmen who regularly dealt with Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of the former leader.

Saif al-Islam and his close aides oversaw the activities of the fund, and often directed its officials on where they should make its investments, he said.

The executive, speaking on condition of anonymity, said officials were told the "ideas" they were ordered to pursue came from Mr Blair as well as one other British businessman and a former American diplomat.

"Tony Blair's visits were purely lobby visits for banking deals with JP Morgan," he said.
He said that unlike some other deals - notably some investments run by the US bank Goldman Sachs - JP Morgan's had never turned "bad".

But he added: "Saif and his father played these people like musical chairs. At the end the reputation of the LIA was really damaged because of these interventions." » | Richard Spencer, Tripoli, Heidi Blake and Jon Swaine in New York | Sunday, September 18, 2011

Barack Obama Book Casts Grim View of President's Leadership

THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: A new book about Barack Obama, whose Pulitzer-prize winning author received extensive co-operation from the White House, portrays the American president as indecisive, out of his depth and facing insubordination from advisers.

"Confidence Men: Wall Street, Washington, and the Education of a President" by Ron Suskind, to be published tomorrow, could not have come at a worse time for Mr Obama. His popularity remains in the doldrums, he is struggling to implement a new economic plan and he faces a tough challenge to be re-elected next year.

Larry Summers, a former top economic adviser is quoted as telling Peter Orszag, then Mr Obama's budget director, at a dinner in Washington's Bombay Club: "We're home alone. There's no adult in charge. Clinton would never have made these mistakes." Mr Summers was US Treasury Secretary under President Bill Clinton.

Mr Orszag is quoted as telling the author: "Larry just didn't think the president knew what he was deciding."

Anita Dunn, a former Obama communications director, is quoted as saying that "looking back, this place would be in court for a hostile workplace ... Because it actually fits all of the classic legal requirements for a genuinely hostile workplace for women."

Christine Romer, another former senior economic adviser, is quoted as saying after she was excluded from a meeting by Mr Summers: "I felt like a piece of meat." She is also said to have asked Elizabeth Warren, a Harvard professor and Obama ally: "Why is it always the women?" "Why are we the only ones with the balls around here?" » | Toby Harnden, Washington | Sunday, September 18, 2011

Seven Arrested in Birmingham in Major Terror Raids
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Six men and one woman have been arrested in Birmingham as part of a large counter-terrorism operation intended "to ensure public safety", police said.

The suspects were detained at or near their homes overnight on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism in the UK.

A spokeswoman for West Midlands Police said six men, aged between 25 and 32, were taken into custody by unarmed officers in the Moseley, Sparkbrook, Sparkhill, Ward End and Balsall Heath areas of Birmingham between 11.30pm last night and 1am today.

ln addition, a 22-year-old woman was arrested at 6.30 this morning on suspicion of failing to disclose information, contrary to the Terrorism Act 2000. » | Monday, September 19, 2011

Former IMF Chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn Regrets 'Moral Failure' of Liaison with New York Hotel Maid

THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Dominique Strauss-Kahn said he regretted "a moral failure" that cost him the chance to run for the French presidency in a contrite but combative first interview over two attempted rape accusations.

Four months ago, the former International Monetary Fund chief was paraded unshaven in handcuffs by police in New York after his arrest on charges of seeking to rape Sofitel hotel maid Nafissatou Diallo.

The contrast could not have been starker as the 62 year-old sat wearing make-up on France's TF1 channel, where he was questioned on his judicial ordeal and on economic matters.

Claire Chazal, an anchorwoman on TF1 for 20 years, is a long-standing friend of Mr Strauss-Kahn's loyal wife Anne Sinclair, who worked on the channel for years.
Miss Diallo's lawyers had said that anything less than "pointed questions on his conduct" would turn the prime-time interview into a "publicity stunt".

The tone was friendly, but Miss Chazal pulled few punches, going straight in with the killer question: what happened on the night of May 14 in Sofitel room 2806? » | Henry Samuel, in Paris | Sunday, September 18, 2011

Tory MPs Demand Referendum on Europe

THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: David Cameron must call a referendum on Europe or face a rebellion from his own party and a backlash from voters, a leading back-bench Tory warns today.

Mark Pritchard, the secretary of the 1922 committee of Conservative MPs, is the most senior Tory yet to demand a vote on Britain’s membership of the European Union following the eurozone crisis.

Writing in The Daily Telegraph, Mr Pritchard says that the EU has become an “occupying force” which is eroding British sovereignty and that the “unquestioning support” of backbenchers is no longer guaranteed.

He says the Government should hold a referendum next year on whether Britain should have a “trade only” relationship with the EU, rather than the political union which has evolved “by stealth”.

He warns that the Conservatives will see constituents “kick back” if taxpayers are forced to foot the bill for the failure of “unreformed and lazy” eurozone countries to introduce fully-fledged austerity measures.

Mr Pritchard is a leading figure in a group of 120 Conservative MPs who are pushing the Prime Minister to set out a “clear plan” for pulling back from Europe. » | Andrew Porter, Political Editor | Sunday, September 18, 2011

'I Made Love to Eight Girls in One Night,' Boasts Berlusconi to Man Who Allegedly Provided Escort Girls for New Year's Eve Party

MAIL ON SUNDAY: Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has boasted of sleeping with eight women in one night.

Mr Berlusconi, 74, made the claim in a bugged phone chat with businessman Giampaolo Tarantini, who allegedly recruited escort girls for his wild parties.

‘Yesterday evening there was a queue outside my door,’ said Mr Berlusconi.

‘There were 11. I had eight because I couldn’t go any further. You can’t do all of them.’ » | Mail On Sunday Reporter | Sunday, September 18, 2011

Norvège: attaque contre un caricaturiste de Mahomet déjouée

TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: Kurt Westergaard, le plus célèbre caricaturiste du prophète Mahomet a échappé à une attaque en Norvège. La police a arrêté un citoyen norvégien d'une trentaine d'années.

La police norvégienne a arrêté mardi une personne qui préparait une attaque contre le dessinateur danois Kurt Westergaard, l’auteur de la plus célèbre des caricatures du prophète Mahomet, a rapporté un journal norvégien.

M. Westergaard, 76 ans, avait annoncé plus tôt cette semaine qu’il avait à la demande des services de sécurité écourté un séjour en Norvège, où il devait participer à la présentation d’un livre à Oslo.

Le quotidien Dagbladet rapporte qu’un citoyen norvégien d’une trentaine d’années a été arrêté parce qu’il prévoyait une attaque contre le dessinateur, dans le collimateur des islamistes depuis sa caricature controversée. » | AFP | Samedi 17 Septembre 2011

Henry Kissinger Watches Historian Niall Ferguson Marry Ayaan Hirsi Ali Under a Fatwa

THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Niall Ferguson, the television historian, has married Ayaan Hirsi Ali, the target of Muslim extremists, in an American ceremony attended by Henry Kissinger.

Never usually one to do anything without great fanfare, Niall Ferguson, the bombastic television historian, has quietly married Ayaan Hirsi Ali, the former Dutch MP, who lives under a fatwa after writing the screenplay for Submission, a film critical of Islam. » | Richard Eden | Sunday, September 18, 2011