Thursday, November 03, 2011

Der Islam gehört nicht zu Deutschland

Papst Benedikt hat bei seiner Deutschlandreise gesagt, dass Muslime ein "Merkmal Deutschlands" sind. PI München ist in dem folgenden Video der Frage nachgegangen, für welche Bereiche dies wohl maßgeblich zutreffen könnte. In jedem Fall ist diese Aussage des Papstes weitaus realistischer als der weder historisch noch faktisch belegbare Satz von Bundespräsident Wulff, dass der Islam zu Deutschland gehöre.

Wir haben am Beispiel Münchens einmal genauer untersucht, welche Spuren der Islam im Laufe der Zeit dort hinterlassen hat. Egal, ob es die Theatinerkirche am Odeonsplatz, die Propyläen am Königsplatz oder die "Vierte Moschee" in Freimann ist - man kann nicht davon sprechen, dass irgendetwas davon mit positiver Symbolik besetzt ist.

In der Vergangenheit hat der Islam Europa nur bedroht, in der Gegenwart stellt er hauptsächlich Forderungen, spaltet die Gesellschaft, sorgt für Sicherheitspobleme, reduziert den Wohlstand und in der Zukunft dürfte er eine ernste Gefahr für den Fortbestand der demokratischen, freien und toleranten Grundordnung darstellen. Daher widersprechen wir mit diesem Video ganz klar der Feststellung des Bundespräsidenten.

Es ist auch kein Zufall, dass Moslems mit ihrem "Tag der Offenen Moschee" dem "Tag der Deutschen Einheit" eine direkte Konkurrenz liefern. Klarer kann man kaum ausdrücken, wie das interne Wertesystem gelagert ist.


Herzlich Willkommen in ihrem Land: Deutschland

Référendum: les raisons de la volte-face de Papandréou

L’EXPRESS.fr: Le Premier ministre grec a laissé entendre en fin de journée que le référendum n'aurait finalement pas lieu. Les pressions exercées de toutes part auront donc eu raison de lui. Récit d'une journée extraordinaire.

Une journée en enfer pour le premier ministre grec. En l'espace de quelques heures, des pressions venues de l'Europe, de l'opposition, et même de son propre parti ont forcé Georges Papandréou à prendre le chemin de l'abandon du référendum sur le plan d'aide européen qu'il avait annoncé avec fracas ce mardi. Car depuis 48h, ce choix de consulter le peuple empoisonne ses relations avec l'Europe entière et avec les membres de sa propre majorité. Retour sur une spectaculaire volte-face. » | Ali Bekhtaoui | jeudi 03 novembre 2011
Israel Freezes UNESCO Funding after Palestinian Membership

HAARETZ: Netanyahu decides to hold $2 million Israel transfers to UN cultural body yearly; Israel decided Tuesday to expedite settlement building in West Bank in response to PA's UNESCO membership.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided Thursday to freeze funding to UNESCO after it had granted the Palestinians membership on Monday.

Israel transfers some $2 million to the UN cultural body yearly. A source in the Prime Minister's Office said that Netanyahu instructed to transfer those funds to initiatives working toward regional cooperation. » | Barak Ravid | Thursday, November 03, 2011
Drohungen gegen Israel – Irans Außenminister: Wir sind bereit zum Krieg

FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE: Nachdem in Israel seit Tagen über einen möglichen Angriff auf iranische Atomanlagen diskutiert wird, hat Iran Israel nun mit „apokalyptischen“ Konsequenzen gedroht. Die Zeitung „Guardian“ berichtet unterdessen, auch Großbritannien bereite sich auf einen Angriff gegen iranische Ziele vor.

Iran hat Israel für den Fall eines Angriffes mit Konsequenzen in „apokalyptischem“ Ausmaß gedroht. Eine entsprechende Warnung veröffentlichte das iranische Staatsfernsehen am Donnerstag auf seiner Internetseite. Israel seien die militärischen Fähigkeiten Irans gut bekannt, heißt es dort: „Die iranische Raketenindustrie ist in der Region die beste und in der Welt eine der besten.“ Irans Außenminister Ali Akbar Saleh sagte der Zeitung „Hürriyet Daily News“, sein Land sei „immer bereit zum Krieg“. Drohungen seien für Iran nicht neu.

In Israel wird seit mehreren Tagen über einen möglichen Angriff auf iranische Atomanlagen diskutiert. Laut Presseberichten versuchten Ministerpräsident Netanjahu und Verteidigungsminister Barak, im Kabinett Zustimmung für ein militärisches Vorgehen zu gewinnen. Mehrere Minister seien jedoch dagegen. In Israel werden die jüngsten Warnungen vor den Gefahren des iranischen Atomprogramms, wie die von Netanjahu zu Wochenbeginn geäußerte, unterschiedlich gedeutet. » | Quelle: F.A.Z./hcr./Lt./rüb./anr. | Donnerstag 03. November 2011
Turkish Prime Minister in Berlin: Erdogan Escalates Germany Criticism

SPIEGEL ONLINE INTERNATIONAL: A ceremony on Wednesday to mark 50 years since the first Turkish 'guest workers' arrived in Germany should be a friendly photo opportunity for the leaders of the two countries. But many tensions still exist, and Turkish leader Erdogan has taken aim at Germany once again in a controversial interview.

When Angela Merkel and Recep Tayyip Erdogan meet today at the Foreign Ministry in Berlin, the pictures of two important world leaders should be nice, friendly ones; the German chancellor and the Turkish prime minister shaking hands as they cement the friendship between their two countries. The ceremony is being held to mark the 50th anniversary of the first 'guest workers' arriving in Germany from Turkey, and ahead of the prime minister's visit, Merkel praised the migrants, saying they had become part of the country.

The reception for Erdogan laid on by German President Christian Wulff on Tuesday evening was also a harmonious affair. But the kind words and grand gestures between the two countries cannot cover the fact that serious tensions exist between them -- tensions underlined by inflammatory comments made by Erdogan in an interview with German daily Bild on Wednesday.

Turkey is one of the world's up and coming nations, and its economy is booming. At the same time, Erdogan is pursuing a new, aggressive foreign policy which is viewed with the utmost concern not only by Turkey's immediate neighbours, but also in Berlin.

After the ceremony in the Foreign Ministry, therefore, the leaders are likely to talk turkey, so to speak. Erdogan and Merkel will meet for a frank exchange of opinions in which sensitive foreign policy issues will be on the agenda -- including the situation in North Africa and the Middle East, the conflict with the Kurds and bilateral relations. » | Anna Reimann | Wednesday, November 02, 2011
Des hackers turcs revendiquent le piratage de "Charlie Hebdo"

LE NOUVEL OBSERVATEUR: Dans un message transmis au "Nouvel Observateur", le groupe Akincilar lance : "'Charlie Hebdo' est devenu notre cible après cet affront à nos valeurs religieuses".

Le groupe de hackers Akincilar a revendiqué, jeudi 3 novembre, le piratage du site de "Charlie Hebdo", justifiant sa démarche comme "une lutte contre une publication qui attaque [ses] croyances et [ses] valeurs morales".

Dans un message transmis au "Nouvel Observateur" et accessible en ligne, les hackers turcs plaident : "Le site www.charliehebdo.fr est devenu notre cible [après] cet affront à nos valeurs religieuses. Puisqu'il est méprisant envers notre prophète, nous avons mis notre contenu sur la page d'accueil [du site] pour protester".

Akincilar propose de revoir une version de www.charliehebdo.fr lorsqu'il était piraté. » | Boris Manenti - Le Nouvel Observateur | jeudi 03 novembre 2011
Muslim Canadians must abide by Canada's laws: OUR OPINION

THE BARRIE EXAMINER – EDITORIAL: Canadians should be concerned about a recent survey that found 62% of Muslims living in this country want some form of Shariah law here.

And that 15% of Muslims say Shariah law should be mandatory.

The study was conducted by the MacDonald Laurier Institute and involved phone interviews with 455 Muslims in Ottawa, between May and July 2008, with a margin of error of five percentage points.
A small sample, done more than three years ago, but of concern nonetheless.

Shariah means an Islamic way of life, not just a system of criminal justice. It is a code of living that most Muslims adopt as part of their faith. Some countries formally institute it as the law of the land, enforced by the courts.

Because many Muslims believe Canada is a secular country, they feel our secular legal system makes it difficult for them to govern themselves by the personal rules of their own religion. Canada's marriage and divorce laws differ from Muslim law, for example.

But there is considerable opposition to Shariah law in Canada, as there should be.

The National Association of Women and the Law, the Canadian Council of Muslim Women and the National Organization of Immigrant and Visible Minority Women of Canada have all argued that under Shariah law, men and women are not treated equally.

These groups argue that women fare much worse in divorce, child custody and inheritance matters under Shariah law.

This flies in the face of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, our Constitution, which guarantees that women and men are treated equally under Canadian law.

Two of Canada's largest provinces have already rejected Shariah law. » | The Barrie Examiner | Thursday, November 03, 2011
Regierungskrise in Griechenland: Papandreou droht Schlappe bei Vertrauensvotum

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Griechenland schlittert in eine schwere Regierungskrise. Bei der für Freitag geplanten Vertrauensabstimmung im Parlament steht Premier Papandreou eine Niederlage bevor. In Europa wächst die Wut auf Athen, auch ein Euro-Aus für Hellas wird nun ernsthaft erwogen.

Athen - Die Regierungskrise in Griechenland hat sich am Donnerstag dramatisch verschärft. Bei der für Freitag geplanten Vertrauensabstimmung im griechischen Parlament könnte die Regierung ohne Mehrheit dastehen. Zwei Abgeordnete der Sozialisten haben angekündigt, Regierungschef Georgios Papandreou nicht das Vertrauen aussprechen zu wollen. Dies berichtet der griechische TV-Sender Net. Papandreou verfügt im Parlament derzeit nur noch über eine hauchdünne Mehrheit von 152 der 300 Abgeordneten, ohne die Parlamentarierinnen wären es 150. » | jok/dpa/Reuters/dapd | Donnerstag 03. November 2011
Israël étudie l'option d'un raid contre l'Iran

LE FIGARO: Selon la presse israélienne, les modalités d'une attaque préventive contre les installations nucléaires iraniennes se précisent.

Israël serait en train d'envisager plus sérieusement que jamais une attaque préventive contre les installations nucléaires iraniennes. Depuis plusieurs semaines déjà, des diplomates étrangers s'alarment des préparatifs israéliens. L'éditorialiste Nahum Barnea du quotidien Yedioth Ahronoth a porté le débat sur la place publique en Israël vendredi dernier, en laissant entendre que Nétanyahouet son ministre de la Défense Ehoud Barak auraient déjà pris la décision de lancer une attaque contre l'Iran.

Barak a précisé lundi qu'aucune décision n'avait été arrêtée. Sans vraiment convaincre, puisqu'il a ajouté le lendemain à la Knesset qu'il pouvait y avoir «des situations sensibles dans lesquelles Israël devra défendre ses intérêts vitaux de façon indépendante».

Mercredi, le quotidien Haaretz, citant une source officielle israélienne, confirmait que Nétanyahou et Barak s'efforçaient de convaincre une majorité au sein du cabinet, et que Liberman, le ministre des Affaires étrangères, se serait déjà rallié à cette option. » | Par Adrien Jaulmes, correspondant du Figaro à Jérusalem | mercredi 02 novembre 2011
Egyptian Blogger Claims Authorities Are Betraying Revolution

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: An Egyptian activist detained by the military authorities has smuggled a letter out of prison condemning them for betraying the revolution to topple President Hosni Mubarak which he helped initiate.

Alaa Abdel-Fattah is one of thousands of people, many activists and bloggers, arrested by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, the military council running Egypt, since the Tahrir Square revolution.

But his detention has caused particular outrage because he is accused of instigating violence during a protest by Christians last month, where video evidence clearly showed troops driving into and shooting at unarmed demonstrators.

In his letter, published in local media, he describes how being imprisoned reminds him of a previous arrest under Mr Mubarak.

"I'm alone, in a cell with eight men who shouldn't be here; poor, helpless, unjustly held – the guilty among them and the innocent," he writes. "As soon as they learned I was one of the "young people of the revolution" they started to curse out the revolution and how it had failed to clean up the ministry of the interior. Continue reading and comment » | Richard Spencer, Middle East Correspondent | Wednesday, November 02, 2011
Marine Le Pen Defends US Trip Despite Political Snubs

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Marine Le Pen, the French far-right candidate, said her trip to the United States remained a success despite scoring meetings with only a small handful of political figures.

"Even before I left for the United States, the French media said it was already a failure. That's not at all the case," she told a throng of French journalists.

Miss Le Pen, of the anti-immigrant National Front party, had an agenda filled more with visits to centres of power like the US Capitol than with meetings with political leaders.

But the office of Republican representative and presidential hopeful Ron Paul said he had a "quick private meeting" with Le Pen earlier Wednesday.

"They primarily discussed monetary policy and the gold standard," spokeswoman Rachel Mills told AFP. » | Wednesday, November 02, 2011
Herman Cain Accuses Rick Perry of Smear Campaign over Sexual Harassment Allegations

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Herman Cain has launched a blistering attack on his rival Governor Rick Perry, accusing him of mounting a “despicable” smear campaign by orchestrating the leak of sexual harassment allegations against him.

Aides to the Republican presidential front-runner demanded that Mr Perry, the Governor of Texas, “apologise to Herman Cain and quite frankly to America", as a third woman who worked for him in the 1990s alleged that he had behaved inappropriately towards her.

The pizza tycoon’s chief of staff, Mark Block, said an adviser to Mr Perry, Curt Anderson, had learned about the allegations while working on Mr Cain’s unsuccessful 2004 campaign for the US Senate. He accused Mr Anderson of giving the details to reporters after joining Mr Perry’s team a fortnight ago.

"It is an outrage,” Mr Block said. “The antics of the Perry campaign are despicable ... Mr Cain has never committed any sexual harassment. Period. » | Jon Swaine, New York | Wednesday, November 02, 2011

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Pressure mounts on Herman Cain as third woman claims sexual harassment: The presidential campaign of Republican Herman Cain has been thrown into deeper trouble after a third woman came forward to accuse the former pizza chief executive of inappropriate behaviour when he headed a restaurant industry lobbying group in the 1990s. » | Jon Swaine, New York | Thursday, November 03, 2011
With Gaddafi Gone, Iran Is Once Again Top of the West's List of Problems

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The drumbeat of war against Iran is set to beat much louder when the UN’s nuclear watchdog publishes the findings of its long-awaited report next week that the country is well advanced in its attempts to build a nuclear bomb

Because of Libya, international concern over Iran’s controversial nuclear programme has taken second place to the Nato-led effort to overthrow Colonel Muammar Gaddafi’s regime.

But now that Nato has officially declared the Libya mission at an end, the far more problematic issue of how to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions is once again making all the headlines on the international security agenda.

Next week’s report by the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is widely expected to be the most unequivocal assessment of Tehran’s nuclear intentions in more than a decade. » | Con Coughlin | Wednesday, November 02, 2011

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Iran: the damning nuclear evidence – Iran is attempting to engineer and test nuclear weapons at a series of banned production sites in defiance of United Nations sanctions, according to a report to be released next week. » | Damien McElroy, Adrian Blomfield in Jerusalem, Duncan Gardham and Alex Spillius | Wednesday, November 02, 2011

Wednesday, November 02, 2011

Hugo Chavez's Family 'Want Him to Give Up Presidency due to Cancer'

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: A doctor who fled Venezuela after claiming President Hugo Chavez has only two years to live has said he only spoke out at the request of the radical left-wing leader's own family because they want him to step down.

Salvador Navarrete was labelled "a great con man" by Mr Chavez last month after telling a magazine that the cancer which the Venezuelan leader says he has already overcome was "very aggressive" and probably terminal.

Shortly afterwards, the doctor hurriedly left Venezuela with his family for an undisclosed location, amid reports that police had visited his offices in Caracas.

Now a new statement, released via medical colleagues of Dr Navarrete, threatens to undermine further Mr Chavez's insistence that he has been declared free of cancer and will be fit to fight next year's presidential election.

"Whom [sic] requested Dr Navarrete to make the announcement on Chavez's health was the presidential family, his daughters and his mother; they want Hugo Chavez to give up the presidency so he can rest and spend time with his family", said the statement.

It added that "the presidential family is concerned because his kidneys are not working; he is being submitted to dialysis almost daily, he is being bombarded with steroids". » | Robin Yapp, Sao Paulo | Wednesday, November 02, 2011
UK Military Steps Up Plans for Iran Attack amid Fresh Nuclear Fears

THE GUARDIAN: British officials consider contingency options to back up a possible US action as fears mount over Tehran's capability

Britain's armed forces are stepping up their contingency planning for potential military action against Iran amid mounting concern about Tehran's nuclear enrichment programme, the Guardian has learned.

The Ministry of Defence believes the US may decide to fast-forward plans for targeted missile strikes at some key Iranian facilities. British officials say that if Washington presses ahead it will seek, and receive, UK military help for any mission, despite some deep reservations within the coalition government.

In anticipation of a potential attack, British military planners are examining where best to deploy Royal Navy ships and submarines equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles over the coming months as part of what would be an air and sea campaign.

They also believe the US would ask permission to launch attacks from Diego Garcia, the British Indian ocean territory, which the Americans have used previously for conflicts in the Middle East. » | Nick Hopkins | Wednesday, November 02, 2011
Condamnation unanime de "l'attentat" contre les locaux de "Charlie Hebdo"


LE MONDE: De gauche à droite, et avant même que l'identité du ou des coupables soit connue, toute la classe politique a dénoncé l'incendie volontaire du siège de l'hebdomadaire satirique Charlie Hebdo le jour où sortait un numéro spécial rebaptisé Charia Hebdo.

Le premier ministre, François Fillon, a fait part de son "indignation" : "La liberté d'expression est une valeur inaliénable de notre démocratie et toute atteinte à la liberté de la presse doit être condamnée avec la plus grande fermeté. Aucune cause ne saurait justifier une action violente", affirme dans un communiqué M. Fillon. » | LEMONDE.FR | mercredi 02 novembre 2011
Pourquoi il faut soutenir "Charlie Hebdo"

LE MONDE – EDITORIAL: Six ans après la publication des caricatures du Prophète Mahomet par le journal danois Jyllands-Posten et la tempête qu'elle a provoquée dans les communautés musulmanes du monde entier, un incendie d'origine criminelle a partiellement détruit, mercredi 2 novembre dans la nuit, les locaux de l'hebdomadaire satirique Charlie Hebdo à Paris. Parallèlement, le site Internet de la publication a été la cible d'attaques informatiques qui l'ont rendu inaccessible, du moins mercredi matin.

Sous le titre "Charia Hebdo", l'hebdomadaire consacre la couverture de son numéro mis en vente mercredi à la montée des islamistes en Libye et en Tunisie."Mahomet" est supposé en être le "rédacteur en chef". Un supplément "Charia Madame" est annoncé, ainsi qu'un "apéro halal". Soulignant la dimension satirique de ce numéro, une caricature de Mahomet menace : "Cent coups de fouet si vous n'êtes pas morts de rire". » | Editorial du “Monde” | mercredi 02 novembre 2011

Liens en relation avec cet éditorial »
Charlie Hebdo and Its Place in French Journalism

BBC: Charlie Hebdo is part of a venerable tradition in French journalism going back to the scandal sheets that denounced Marie-Antoinette in the run-up to the French Revolution.

The tradition combines left-wing radicalism with a provocative scurrility that often borders on the obscene.

Back in the 18th Century, the target was the royal family, and the rumour-mongers wrought havoc with tales - often illustrated - of sexual antics and corruption at the court at Versailles.

Nowadays there are new dragons to slay: politicians, the police, bankers and religion. Satire, rather than outright fabrication, is the weapon of choice.

But that same spirit of insolence that once took on the ancien regime - part ribaldry, part political self-promotion - is still very much on the scene.

Charlie Hebdo is a prime exponent.

Its decision to mock the Prophet Muhammad may be called courageously principled or dangerously irresponsible. What is undeniable is that it is entirely consistent with its historic raison d'etre [sic].

Urge to challenge

As a newspaper, Charlie Hebdo suffers from constant comparison with its better-known and more successful rival, Le Canard Enchaine [sic].

Both are animated by the same urge to challenge the powers-that-be.

But if Le Canard is all about scoops and unreported secrets, Charlie is both cruder and crueller - deploying a melange of cartoons and an often vicious polemical wit. » | Hugh Schofield | BBC News | Paris | Wednesday, November 02, 2011

Related links here and here
WikiLeaks Founder Julian Assange Loses Extradition Battle

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has lost his High Court bid to block extradition to Sweden where he faces sex crime allegations.

Two judges rejected claims that extraditing the 40-year-old Australian would be "unfair and unlawful".

The Swedish authorities want him to answer accusations of "raping" one woman and "sexually molesting and coercing" another in Stockholm in August last year.

Mr Assange, whose WikiLeaks website published a mass of leaked diplomatic cables that embarrassed several governments and international businesses, denies the allegations and says they are politically motivated.

The High Court upheld a ruling by District Judge Howard Riddle at Belmarsh Magistrates' Court, south London, in February that the computer expert should be extradited to face investigation.

Dressed in a sharp, navy blue suit and wearing a Remembrance Day poppy, the world's most famous whistleblower was mobbed as he approached the court building and police had to redirect him away from the crowd. » | Wednesday, November 02, 2011

Related »
Herman Cain Recalls New Details as Sexual Harassment Story Shifts Again

THE GUARDIAN: Republican frontrunner changes version of events for second time in 24 hours as criticism grows over his handling of crisis

Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain was struggling to maintain a credible response to allegations of sexual harassment as he shifted his version of events for the second time in 24 hours.

After insisting on Monday that he had no recollection of any settlements being paid to two women who complained about his conduct when he was president of the National Restaurant Association, Cain changed his story on Monday night when he said he could, in fact, recall such a payout.

He also recalled that he had compared one of the women in height to his wife, and raised his hand to his chin to demonstrate his wife's height. The woman was apparently uncomfortable with the gesture, though Cain said his office door had been open and an assistant had been sitting outside.

On Tuesday morning, he added a new twist, admitting that there had been "a couple of other things" in the complaint he had not previously mentioned. He dismissed these as "ridiculous", but declined to elaborate on what they were, saying he could not remember. » | Ewan MacAskill, Washington | Tuesday, November 01, 2011
Related articles here and here
Giorgos Papandreou, vom eigenen Volk gehasst

WELT ONLINE: Der griechische Ministerpräsident will sein Land retten, doch die meisten Griechen halten ihn für einen Verräter. Mit dem Referendum setzt er auf volles Risiko.

Giorgos Papandreou hat ein schweres Jahr unerwiderter Liebe für sein Land hinter sich. Der Spross einer der drei großen politischen Dynastien ist so etwas wie griechischer Hochadel, und er ist überzeugt von einer gewissermaßen angeborenen Pflicht, seinem Land Gutes zu tun.

In Amerika geboren und sozialisiert, fühlt er sich berufen, seinen Teil zur Modernisierung der „Wiege des Abendlandes“ beizutragen. Seit 2009 darf und will er beweisen, dass er der Retter Griechenlands sein kann.

Die letzten zwölf Monate müssen für Papandreou daher eine emotionale Hölle gewesen sein. Die meisten Griechen hassen ihn, den Halb-Ausländer, als einen, der nicht zu ihnen gehört. Er gilt als ein Verräter, der das Land den gierigen Profiteuren der EU verkauft.

Man wirft ihm vor, der Schoßhund der brutalen westlichen Finanzwelt zu sein, man beschuldigt ihn, er lasse Griechenland von Brüssel regieren. Im Drama um die griechischen Staatsschulden soll er mehr als einmal an Rücktritt gedacht haben.

Innerhalb der eigenen Partei wurde er an den Rand gedrängt. Seit einem Jahr übernimmt immer deutlicher der „starke Mann“ der sozialistischen Partei das Ruder der Politik, Finanzminister Evangelos Venizelos. » | Autor: B. Kálnoky, F. Hassel und C. Roumeliotis | Mittwoch 02. November 2011
Greek Government Teeters On Brink of Collapse in Wake of Referendum plan

THE GUARDIAN: France and Germany battle to save the single currency as Europe is plunged back into turmoil days after rescue deal

The French president Nicolas Sarkozy and German chancellor Angela Merkel will hold emergency talks on Wednesday in a desperate attempt to hold the eurozone together and formulate a response to the Greek prime minister's plan for a referendum on the austerity measures imposed by his European partners.

George Papandreou's socialist government is on the brink of collapse after his referendum plan sparked an angry reaction within his own party and plunged Europe back into turmoil, just days after a complex rescue deal had been agreed – requiring Greece to embark on tough cost-cutting measures.

While Papandreou's cabinet approved unanimously his decision to hold a referendum, it threatens to split the prime minister's Pasok party. One MP, Milena Apostolaki, has quit in disgust at the idea of a referendum and several colleagues have said that if it is not abandoned they will join her. Papandreou faces a vote of confidence on Friday. A split in the Pasok party would almost certainly bring down the Greek government, which now has a majority of just two MPs in parliament.

The Greek finance minister, Evangelos Venizelos, who was rushed to hospital before the referendum announcement, said Papandreou had kept him in the dark over his plan to announce a vote. » | Phillip Inman and Helena Smith in Athens | Wednesday, November 02, 2011

Nicolas Sarkozy réagit au référendum en Grèce

Suite à l’annonce d’un référendum sur l’accord européen, Nicolas Sarkozy a rappelé que ce plan est “la seule voie possible pour résoudre le problème de la dette grecque”.

Julian Assange Awaits High Court Ruling on Extradition

THE GUARDIAN: WikiLeaks founder will hear on Wednesday if he has won his bid to block extradition to Sweden to face sex crime allegations

The WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange, is due to appear at the high court in London to find out whether he has won or lost his appeal againstextradition to Sweden to face rape allegations.

Lord Justice Thomas and Mr Justice Ouseley are due to hand down their judgment at 9.45am on Wednesday in the 40-year-old Australian's case against a European arrest warrant issued by Swedish prosecutors after rape and sexual assault accusations made by two Swedish women following his visit to Stockholm in August 2010. » | Press Association | Wednesday, November 02, 2011
French Satirical Newspaper Firebombed after Prophet Mohammed Announcement

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The offices of French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo have been destroyed by a petrol bomb, a day after it named the Prophet Mohammed as its “editor-in-chief” for this week’s issue.

The fiercely anti-clerical magazine said the move, which included renaming the publication “Sharia Hebdo”, was intended to "celebrate" the victory of Islamist party Ennhada in Tunisia's election.

Charlie Hedbo's editor-in-chief, known as Charb, told France Info radio: "We no longer have a newspaper. All our equipment has been destroyed or has melted."
No injuries have been reported[.]

A single Molotov cocktail was thrown at the offices of Charlie Hebdo in Paris’s 20th arrondissement at around 1am. The ensuing fire was rapidly put out, but a large amount of material in the office was destroyed, police said.

“We cannot, today, put together a paper,” said Charb. “But we will do everything possible to do one next week. Whatever happens, we’ll do it. There is no question of giving in,” he said, adding that the magazine is filing a legal complaint against persons unkown.

According to Europe 1 radio, police are searching for two suspects seen near the scene.

Charlie Hebdo's website has also been hacked with a message in English and Turkish cursing the magazine.

The message said: "You keep abusing Islam's almighty Prophet with disgusting and disgraceful cartoons using excuses of freedom of speech.

"Be God's curse upon you!" » | Henry Samuel, Paris | Wednesday, November 02, 2011-11-02

Related »

THE GUARDIAN: French magazine offices petrol-bombed after it prints Muhammad cartoon: Satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo is burned out by 1am petrol bomb attack on the day 'sharia' edition was to hit news stands » | Angelique Chrisafis in Nice | Wednesday, November 02, 2011

Incendie criminel à la rédaction de Charlie Hebdo

La rédaction de Charlie Hebdo, qui publie ce mercredi un numéro spécial après les élections en Tunisie, a été détruite dans la nuit de mardi à mercredi par un incendie criminel. «Deux individus auraient lancé un objet incendiaire», selon le chroniqueur P. Pelloux sur BFMTV.



Charlie Hebdo : Delanoë condamne l'acte de violence

Bertrand Delanoë a «condamné avec la plus grande fermeté» l’incendie criminel de la rédaction de Charlie Hebdo. « Si je peux aider Charlie Hebdo à retrouver des locaux pour pouvoir faire vivre son journal et sa liberté, je le ferai», a assuré le maire de Paris sur BFMTV et RMC.


LE FIGARO: Un incendie criminel ravage
le siège de Charlie Hebdo : Les locaux parisiens du journal satirique, qui sort aujourd'hui un numéro sur la charia, ont été attaqués au cocktail molotov. Son site Internet a par ailleurs été piraté. »
| Par lefigaro.fr | mercredi 02 novembre 2011

REUTERS FRANCE: Les locaux de l'hebdomadaire Charlie Hebdo incendiés : PARIS - Un incendie s'est déclaré dans les locaux parisiens de l'hebdomadaire satirique Charlie Hebdo dans la nuit de mardi à mercredi sans faire de victimes, a déclaré à Reuters une source policière, alors que le magazine publie un numéro renommé "Charia Hebdo". ¶ Selon le directeur de la publication de Charlie Hebdo, Stéphane Charbonnier, l'incendie, qui a détruit la rédaction du journal, a été provoqué par un cocktail Molotov. » | Marine Pennetier et Matthias Blamont, édité par Patrick Vignal | mercredi 02 novembre 2011

Scharia-Ausgabe: Anschlag auf französisches Satire-Magazin

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Das französisches Satire-Magazin "Charlie Hebdo" ist Ziel eines Anschlags geworden: Unbekannte schleuderten einen Molotow-Cocktail in das Büro der Redaktion. Die Zeitschrift zeigt in einem Sonderheft zum Wahlerfolg der Islamisten in Tunesien den Propheten Mohammed auf dem Cover.

Paris - Für die Redaktion der satirischen Wochenzeitung "Charlie Hebdo" war es ein kleiner Scherz: Ihre Sonderausgabe zum Wahlsieg der islamistischen Partei al-Nahda in Tunesien hatte sie kurzerhand in "Scharia Hebdo" unbekannt, dazu gibt es auf dem Cover eine Darstellung des Propheten Mohammed. "100 Peitschenhiebe, wenn Sie sich nicht totgelacht haben", steht dazu neben Mohammed in einer Sprechblase. Der Prophet war zudem zu einer Art Chefredakteur ernannt worden. Man habe damit den Sieg der al-Nahda in Tunesien "feiern" wollen, hieß es. » | heb/ala/hen/dpa/AFP | Mittwoch 02. November 2011

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My comment:

Newspaper columnists should be outraged by what happened in France today. But no; they'd rather appease. It's all rather pathetic. How many newspapers have had the guts to print the cartoons? How many newspapers have had the guts to print the front page of "Charia Hebdo"? As things stand, everyone is sh** scared of Muslims. At this rate, all the freedoms that our forefathers fought and died for will soon be gone – for ever! – © Mark

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Tuesday, November 01, 2011

World Faces Years of Social Unrest as Economies Falter

THE INDEPENDENT: The international economy is on the brink of a deep new economic crisis that could cost millions of jobs around the globe and trigger mass social unrest, the world's most powerful nations were warned yesterday.

As the leaders of the G20 countries prepare for emergency talks on averting a return to worldwide recession, the United Nations' International Labour Organisation (ILO) issued a grim forecast of the social effects of the continuing economic crisis.

The UN agency warned that it could take until 2016 for global employment to return to the levels of three years ago – and that anger could erupt on the streets of Europe and other continents as a result.

The economic gloom was exacerbated yesterday by Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou's surprise announcement that his country would hold a referendum on the European debt deal that was struck last week. The vote could put the tortuously conceived package in jeopardy.

The Greek Finance Minister, Evangelos Venizelos, said the announcement was prompted by popular discontent at the terms of the deal. » | NIGEL MORRIS, BEN CHU | Tuesday, November 01, 2011
E-petition Demands Drastic Action to Stop Britain's Population Hitting 'Unsustainable' 70million

MAIL ONLINE: A campaign was launched yesterday for drastic action to prevent Britain’s population reaching an ‘unsustainable’ 70million.

The ‘e-petition’ calls on David Cameron to clamp down on immigration, which is seen as the major factor behind the rising numbers.

Organisers Migration Watch are seeking the 100,000 signatures needed to force a Parliamentary debate on the issue.

National statisticians predict the UK will be home to 70million people within just 16 years.

According to Migration Watch, two thirds of the increase will be the result of future immigration. Sir Andrew Green, who chairs the group, said: ‘Politicians need reminding that this is an issue that is consistently one of the top concerns of voters and it must be addressed.’ » | James Slack | Tuesday, November 01, 2011

Sign the petition here
Perry's Cornerstone Speech Highlights


Rick Perry ivre ? | Rédigé par Lorraine Millot »

GLOBE AND MAIL: Rick Perry uses fake Occupy Toronto quote in speech to discredit protesters: Rick Perry's fumbling, stumbling campaign to win the Republican presidential nomination can add another gaffe to its growing roster: the Texas governor is the latest conservative to ridicule a fake quote in a satirical Globe and Mail piece in an effort to discredit the Occupy Wall Street protesters. » | LEE-ANNE GOODMAN | Tuesday, November 01, 2011
La Libye a un nouveau Premier ministre

lePARISIEN.fr: Le nouveau visage de la Libye s'appelle Abdel Rahim al-Kib. Cet universitaire, originaire de Tripoli, est devenu lundi soir, le Premier ministre du gouvernement de transition du pays. Le titulaire du poste, Mahmoud Djibril, a donc tenu ses promesses et démissionné comme prévu, après la «libération totale» de la Libye proclamée le 23 octobre dernier. » | LeParisien.fr | lundi 31 octobre 2011
Référendum grec - Sarkozy : "Le plan adopté est la seule voie possible"

LE POINT: Le président a réuni François Fillon et ses principaux ministres à l'Élysée après l'annonce-surprise d'Athènes.

Le plan adopté à Bruxelles est "la seule voie possible pour résoudre le problème de la dette grecque". Nicolas Sarkozy n'a pas mâché ses mots, mardi soir, au terme d'une réunion interministérielle de crise organisée après la décision grecque d'organiser un référendum sur le plan de sauvetage du pays.

"Cette annonce a surpris toute l'Europe. La France tient à rappeler que le plan adopté jeudi dernier à l'unanimité des 17 membres de la zone euro est la seule voie possible pour résoudre le problème de la dette grecque", a dit Nicolas Sarkozy. "Donner la parole au peuple est toujours légitime mais la solidarité de tous les pays de la zone euro ne saurait s'exercer sans que chacun consente aux efforts nécessaires", a-t-il ajouté. » | LE POINT.FR | mardi 01 novembre 2011
Hillary Clinton's Mother Dies

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The 92-year-old mother of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton died early on Tuesday after her health took a turn for the worse, causing the chief US diplomat to cancel foreign travel plans.

Dorothy Rodham, who was born in Chicago on June 4, 1919, died shortly after midnight on Tuesday surrounded by her family, the family said in a short statement.

"Her story was a quintessentially American one, largely because she wrote it herself," the statement said. » | Tuesday, November 01, 2011
Der Islam In Deutschland

Australian Boy, 14, Goes On Trial in Bali

THE GUARDIAN: Teenager faces up to 12 years in prison if found guilty of buying marijuana while on holiday with his parents

A 14-year-old Australian boy charged with possessing marijuana during a holiday with his parents in Bali has gone on trial, prosecutors and the boy's lawyer said.

The boy, wearing a mask to protect his identity, arrived at Denpasar district court with his mother for a brief, closed-door hearing. » | Associated Press in Bali | Tuesday, November 01, 2011
Demonstration in Kairo für verhafteten Blogger


Militärführung Ablenkung von Verantwortung für blutige Zusammenstösse vorgeworfen

NZZ ONLINE: Mehr als 3000 Personen sind in der ägyptischen Hauptstadt Kairo aus Protest gegen die Festnahme eines prominenten Bloggers auf die Strasse gegangen. Bei der friedlichen Demonstration forderten sie am Montag die Freilassung des Aktivisten Alaa Abdel Fatah. » | sda/ddp | Dienstag o1. November 2011
Griechenland: Papandreou kündigt Referendum über Hilfspaket an

FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE: Die Griechen sollen über die neuen Finanzhilfen für Griechenland und den angebotenen Schuldenschnitt abstimmen. Das kündigte Ministerpräsident Papandreou am Montagabend an. FDP-Fraktionschef Brüderle zeigte sich von der Ankündigung „irritiert“ und forderte, sich auf einen Bankrott des Landes einzustellen.

Der griechische Ministerpräsident Georgios Papandreou hat ein Referendum über das europäische Hilfspaket von 130 Milliarden Euro sowie den in Aussicht gestellten Teilerlass griechischer Staatsschulden und damit über den unpopulären Sanierungskurs seiner Regierung angekündigt. Er werde zudem im Parlament die Vertrauensfrage stellen, sagte Papandreou bei einer Fraktionssitzung der regierenden Pasok. Über die Vertrauensfrage wird das Parlament voraussichtlich in der kommenden Woche abstimmen, das Referendum soll noch in diesem Jahr stattfinden. Die Pasok stellt 153 der 300 Abgeordneten im griechischen Parlament. » | Von RAINER HERMANN, ATHEN | Montag 31. Oktober 2011

Zum Video »

BBC: Greek PM Papandreou faces party revolt over bailout: Six leading members of Greece's governing Pasok party have called on Prime Minister George Papandreou to resign, the day after he called a referendum on the proposed EU bailout. » | Tuesday, November 01, 2011

LE FIGARO: Madrid critique le référundum [sic] grec : Le choix d'organiser un référendum en Grèce sur le plan de sauvetage financier du pays "n'est pas une bonne décision pour l'Europe" et "pas non plus pour l'Espagne", a affirmé mardi le porte-parole du gouvernement espagnol José Blanco. » | AFP | mardi 01 novembre 2011
Prophet Mohammed to 'Guest Edit' French Satirical Magazine

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: A satirical French magazine is to publish an edition 'edited' by the prophet Mohammed, in "honour" of Islam's influence on the Arab Spring.

"In order fittingly to celebrate the Islamist Ennahda's win in Tunisia and the NTC (National Transitional Council) president's promise that sharia would be the main source of law in Libya, Charlie Hebdo asked Mohammed to be guest editor," said a statement.

The weekly has been rebaptised Sharia Hebdo for the occasion, and will feature on its cover a picture of Mohammed saying: "100 lashes if you don't die of laughter!"

On the back page, a picture of Mohammed wearing a red nose is accompanied by the words: "Yes, Islam is compatible with humour." » | Monday, October 31, 2011

Quand Charlie Hebdo devient "Charia Hebdo"

leJDD: A la une de l'hebdomadaire cette semaine? Une nouvelle caricature de Mahomet. Le prophète devenant même le rédacteur en chef de ce numéro du journal satirique. "On a l'impression simplement de faire notre boulot comme d'habitude", a affirmé à l'AFP le directeur de la publication.

"On n'a pas l'impression d'avoir fait une provocation supplémentaire", assure à l'AFP le directeur de la publication de Charlie Hebdo, Charb. Car l'hebdomadaire satirique risque de faire parler de lui : il a décidé de mettre une nouvelle caricature de Mahomet en couverture. Le dessin représente le prophète visiblement joyeux avec ces mots : "100 coups de fouet, si vous n'êtes pas mort de rire!". Mais, le journal va plus loin en faisant de Mahomet le rédacteur en chef de cette édition rebaptisée "Charia Hebdo". Une manière de "fêter la victoire" du parti islamiste Ennahda en Tunisie. "Le prophète de l'islam ne s'est pas fait prier pour accepter et nous l'en remercions", précise l'hebdomadaire dans un communiqué publié lundi. » | A-Ch. D. (avec AFP) - leJDD.fr | lundi 31 octobre 2011
Roman Abramovich: I Am Not a Fraudster

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Roman Abramovich was forced to deny being a fraudster and an arms dealer as he gave evidence in a British court for the first time yesterday.

The 45 year-old owner of Chelsea FC, who guards his privacy as closely as he guards his billions, faced an uncomfortable afternoon in the witness box at the High Court in London as he disclosed details of his personal and business life.

The oligarch is being sued for $6.5 billion by Boris Berezovsky, his former associate who accuses Mr Abramovich of swindling him out of shares in companies they allegedly set up together.

Mr Abramovich set out his rags-to-riches tale of how he had gone from selling rubber ducks to sitting on a £10.3 billion oil and minerals empire in just two decades. And while he acknowledged Mr Berezovsky’s role in helping him to win friends in the Kremlin, he described the 65 year-old as a “megalomaniac” who “behaved like a child”.

As the costly legal battle entered its fifth week, Mr Berezovsky stared intently at the man he says was his protégé as he entered the witness box. Mr Abramovich cut a strangely unassuming figure. Unable to read or speak any English, he gave his evidence via a translator and wore headphones to hear barristers’ questions in his native Russian. » | Duncan Gardham, and Gordon Rayner | Tuesday, November 01, 2011

Related »

Monday, October 31, 2011

Greece to Hold Referendum on EU Debt Deal

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Greece is to hold a referendum on whether to accept the rescue package from the European Commission, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund troika.

Responding to the riots that followed last week’s proposal, as well as dissent from within his own Socialist party, Prime Minister George Papandreou said: “The command of the Greek people will bind us. Do they want to adopt the new deal, or reject it? If the Greek people do not want it, it will not be adopted.”

Staging a referendum, reportedly to be held in January, threatens to throw the eurozone further into crisis as the majority of Greeks object to the bail-out, according to a survey published last week.

If Greece were to reject the plan, which requires deep spending cuts, it would risk a full-scale default and possible ejection from the euro. The country could even run out of money to pay civil servants or state pensions if the troika decided to pull the plug.

The decision by the embattled Mr Papandreou has the potential to be a major blow to efforts by German chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy to tame a crisis that most economists expect to push Europe back into recession in coming months. Read on and comment » | Philip Aldrick, and Richard Blackden | Monday, October 31, 2011
The Homecoming – Libya

Watch Journeyman Pictures video here
Fjordman’s Latest Essay: What is Wrong With Western Elites?

GATES OF VIENNA: Libya’s autocratic ruler Muammar Qaddafi was brutally tortured and killed on 20 October 2011 after France, Britain, the USA and NATO had actively given military support to rebel troops that were known to include groups with ties to terrorist organizations like al-Qaeda.

As writer Diana West said, “Qaddafi was not killed in retaliation for his attacks on American servicemen in Berlin in 1986, or the downing of Pan Am 103 over Lockerbie in 1989. He was not killed for his central role in the USSR’s terror networks going back to the 1960s and 1970s. He was killed after coming over to our side of George Bush’s ‘war on terror’ in the final phase of a civil war in Libya in which his regime fought al Qaeda affiliates. Horrific as it sounds, Qaddafi was killed because we and our NATO allies joined the other side.”

In February 2011, a day before he quit as Egypt’s president after popular uprisings, Hosni Mubarak had harsh words for his former allies in the United States and their misguided quest for democracy in the Middle East. “They may be talking about democracy but they don’t know what they’re talking about and the result will be extremism and radical Islam.” » | Posted by Baron Bodissey | Monday, October 31, 2011
Tunesien: Justiz erlässt Haftbefehl gegen Witwe Arafats

DIE PRESSE: Die Witwe des ehemaligen Palästinenser-Präsidenten Yasser Arafat sieht sich mit Korruptionsvorwürfen konfrontiert. Sie zeigt sich "verwundert".

Angesichts von Korruptionsvorwürfen hat die tunesische Justiz einen internationalen Haftbefehl gegen die Witwe des ehemaligen Palästinenser-Präsidenten Yasser Arafat, Suha Arafat, erlassen. Ein Sprecher des Justizministeriums in Tunis bestätigte am Montag entsprechende Presseberichte. Die Beschuldigte wies die Vorwürfe im Gespräch mit der Nachrichtenagentur AFP zurück.

In der Korruptionsaffäre geht es laut Justizkreisen um die Internationale Schule von Karthago, die Suha Arafat im Jahr 2006 zusammen mit der früheren First Lady Tunesiens, Leila Trabelsi, gegründet hatte. Beide Frauen überwarfen sich später. Im Jahr 2007 entzog der damalige tunesische Präsident Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali Suha Arafat die ihr im Jahr zuvor verliehene Staatsbürgerschaft Tunesiens und verwies sie des Landes. Daraufhin ließ sie sich in Malta nieder. » | Ag. | Montag 31. Oktober 2011
USA stoppen Unesco-Zahlung nach Palästina-Votum

WELT ONLINE: Nach der Aufnahme der Palästinenser verweigern die USA der Unesco den November-Beitrag in Höhe von 60 Millionen Dollar. Ein Horrorszenario für die Organistation.

Nach der Aufnahme der Palästinenser als Vollmitglied in die Unesco haben die USA ihre Zahlungen an die UN-Kulturorganisation vorerst gestoppt. Der November-Beitrag in Höhe von 60 Millionen Dollar (43 Millionen Euro) werde nicht gezahlt, erklärte US-Außenamtssprecherin Victoria Nuland am Montag in Washington.

Die USA hatten vor der am Montag erfolgten Aufnahme der Palästinenser in die Unesco mit dem Zahlungsstopp gedroht.

In der Generalkonferenz in Paris stimmten am Montag 107 Mitgliedstaaten für den umstrittenen Antrag. Von den drei größten Geldgebern votierten die USA und Deutschland dagegen. Japan enthielt sich der Stimme. Die Palästinenser reagierten begeistert. Israel drohte mit Konsequenzen. » | AFP/dapd/dpa/sara | Montag 31. Oktober 2011

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: US withdraws Unesco funding after it accepts Palestinian membership: The United States severed funding to Unesco, the UN's cultural arm, after it defied the White House by voting overwhelmingly to accept the Palestinian Authority as a full member. » | Adrian Blomfield, Jerusalem | Monday, October 31, 2011
White Supremacist Who Changed His Life – and Face

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: One of America's most violent and well known white supremacists, Bryon Widner, has undergone months of surgery to remove the hate tattoos that once covered his face.

Bryon Widner rejected the racist beliefs that had made him a notorious figure amongst the American extreme Right, but was struggling to readapt to society because of the web of tattoos that covered his face and neck.

Widner, known as an "enforcer" for US racist groups, was unable to find a job after leaving his past behind.

The former racist, a founder of the Vinlanders gang of skinheads in Ohio, embarked on a painful series of 25 surgeries that took 16 months and cost $32,400 (£20,233). » | Monday, October 31, 2011
US Election 2012: Herman Cain Denounces Sexual Harassment Allegations as 'Totally False'

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Herman Cain, the unlikely Republican front-runner in the 2012 presidential race, has been forced to deny claims he sexually harassed two women when he was head of America's leading restaurant lobbying group.

Mr Cain, who has been married to his wife Gloria for 43 years and is an ordained minister, acknowledged that he was accused of sexual harassment in the 1990s but said the allegations were "totally false."

"I have never sexually harassed anyone. Yes, I was falsely accused while I was at the National Restaurant Association. And I say falsely because it turned out, after the investigation, to be baseless," he said.

The Washington-based association, which represents 380,000 restaurants, reportedly made five-figure out-of-court settlements with the women under which they left the organisation and agreed not to speak publicly about their cases.

Mr Cain said he had no knowledge of any financial settlements with his accusers.

"If the restaurant association did a settlement I wasn't even aware of it. And I hope wasn't for much because nothing happened," Mr Cain said. » | Nick Allen, Los Angeles | Monday, October 31, 2011

Related »
Roman Abramovich Describes Background in Welding and Plastic Toys

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Roman Abramovich, the Chelsea Football club owner, today told the High Court how he created a multi billion pound fortune despite leaving school at 16 and originally starting his business career selling plastic toys.

The Chelsea Football club owner is giving evidence in a High Court battle with exiled Russian oligarch Boris Berezovsky.

Fighting off a legal battle for £6.5bn, almost half his fortune, the Chelsea FC owner, gave short answers in Russian as he was probed about his background.

He faces accusations by Boris Berezovsky, his former “mentor” that he blackmailed him into selling his shares in the oil conglomerate the founded together after Mr Berezovsky fell out with Vladimir Putin, then the newly-elected president of Russia.

Mr Abramovich claims that Mr Berezovsky never had any interest in his companies and was paid $2.5bn for “Krysha” – his protection from criminal gangs and his political patronage.

The two men have ignored each other across the court room in central London for the last month but today came as close as at any time since Mr Berezovsky served a writ on Mr Abramovich at a Hermes store in central London four years ago. » | Duncan Gardham and Gordon Rayner | Monday, October 31, 2011
Rowan Williams Warns of 'Urgent Issues' Raised by Protests as Third St Paul's Clergyman Resigns

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has warned that "urgent" issues raised by the protesters at St Paul's Cathedral must be properly addressed as the Dean, the Rt Rev Graeme Knowles, resigned.

He said the resignation, which followed that of Rev Dr Giles Fraser, the Canon Chancellor, was "very sad news" and that the events of the past fortnight had shown "how decisions made in good faith by good people under unusual pressure can have utterly unforeseen and unwelcome consequences".

Speaking publicly about the crisis for the first time, Dr Williams added: "The urgent larger issues raised by the protesters at St Paul's remain very much on the table and we need – as a Church and as society as a whole – to work to make sure that they are properly addressed."

Dean Knowles, the most senior dean in the country, said the cathedral clergy had been put “under a great deal of strain” as they faced what he described as “insurmountable issues” and that his position had become “untenable”.

The announcement comes just days after Dr Fraser stepped down from his post, warning that to evict the anti-capitalist activists would constitute “violence in the name of the Church”.

A part time chaplain, Rev Fraser Dyer, has also resigned citing similar concerns. » | Victoria Ward | Monday, October 31, 2011