Greek MP Who Wants Papandreou to Quit Says 'I Haven't Slept for Days. This Is the Point of No Return.'

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Greece needs a government that can reassure people it is staying in the Eurozone, says Eva Kaili, a key politician who has stopped backing prime minister George Papandreou.

The stage was set for the final act. Crowds gathered outside the seat of power, waiting, after a series of epic plot twists, for the embattled leader to fall on his sword.

Except George Papandreou, the Greek prime minister, appeared not to have read the script. Confounding all expectations, the protagonist in this most gripping of Greek dramas was last night still clinging to power, defying both critics inside his government and the opposition who had demanded his resignation.

Instead, he yesterday went to President Carolos Papoulias to ask for permission to form a coalition government, and begin uniting his fractious politicians, reassuring euro leaders, and securing Greece's economic lifeline.

He is in for a rough ride. Even those who were supportive a week ago are now calling for his head.
"He has to step down," said Eva Kaili, an MP from Mr Papandreou's PASOK party, before the vote on his future in the early hours of Saturday. Read on and comment » | Harriet Alexander, Athens | Saturday, November 05, 2011

Berlusconi Rejects Calls to Resign Over Fiscal Crisis
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: ROME—Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on Saturday rebuffed calls to resign as thousands of protesters poured into the streets criticizing his handling of Italy's economy and calling for new leadership to steer the country out of the euro-zone debt crisis.

In a defiant statement, Mr. Berlusconi labeled as "gossip" Italian newspaper reports stating he has come under pressure from key advisers to step down.

"Responsibility in the face of voters and the country requires us and our government to continue this battle for civility that we are conducting in this difficult moment of the crisis," he said.

The protest rally in Rome Saturday was organized by the main opposition party, the Democratic Party, which has repeatedly called on the prime minister to resign. Center-left opposition leader Pier Luigi Bersani said that "either he resigns or he will lose the next election round." » | Stacy Meichtry and Sabrina Cohen | Saturday, November 05, 2011

Griechenland: Übergangsregierung in Planung
Um Haaresbreite hat der griechische Ministerpräsident Giorgos Papandreou im Parlament die Vertrauensabstimmung gewonnen. Nun soll innert weniger Tage eine Übergangsregierung auf Mehrparteien-Basis entstehen.

NY Mayor Talks Tough on OWS as Momentum Grows

Sharia Law

New Dark Age Alert! Preview of Islam Will Dominate the World Conference

New Dark Age Alert! Daniel Embraces Islam in Birmingham at the Hands of Anjem Choudary
May Allah grant you long life to witness the day Britain will become an islamic state. We support your efforts towards establishing Sharia accross Europe and the the whole earth to become under the BANNER of LA ILLAHA ILLALAH.

Mädchen geschändet: Türkisches Gericht rechtfertigt Vergewaltigung
KRONE.at: Schreckliches musste die junge Nailan im Jahr 2002 in der osttürkischen Provinz Mardin ertragen: Mehr als zwei Dutzend scheinbar ehrenwerte Bürger - darunter Beamte, Lehrer, Soldaten und der Chef der örtlichen Landwirtschaftskammer - verschafften sich über zwei Zuhälterinnen Kontakt zu dem 13-jährigen Mädchen und vergewaltigten es regelmäßig. Eines Tages konnte Nailan flüchten und fand Unterschlupf bei Anwälten, die die Täter vor Gericht brachten. Doch diese könnten nun nahezu ungeschoren davonkommen.

Vor wenigen Tagen entschied das höchste Berufungsgericht des EU-Bewerberlandes Türkei, dass die Vergewaltiger nur Mindeststrafen erhalten dürften - weil das Mädchen den Geschlechtsverkehr selbst gewollt habe. » | AG/red | Freitag 04. November 2011

Bachmann Opposed to Sharia Law, Says It ‘Usurps’ Constitution
abcNEWS: Michele Bachmann said Wednesday she was troubled that American judges would cite sharia law in U.S. courtrooms and that the practice would “usurp” the U.S. Constitution.

“It’s very troubling to see some United States justices bring in sharia law,” Bachmann said in a radio interview with WHO Radio in Iowa. “Sharia law … certainly does not have a place in a United States courtroom, nor should it be followed by United States judges.”

Bachmann was responding to a question from a caller who asked the GOP hopeful’s opinion on judges “sneaking sharia law into courts.”

After a New Jersey judge cited the Muslim religious law in a 2010 decision, some conservative activists and politicians have taken a hard line against the idea of recognizing the practice in American courts and warned that the practice growing.

While some prominent Republicans, most notably New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, have condemned the concerns as “crazy,” Bachmann and fellow presidential candidate Rick Santorum have taken firm positions against sharia. » | Russell Goldman | Wednesday, November 02, 2011

Archbishop of York Attacks High-paid Executives

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Dr John Sentamu has attacked the salaries of top executives saying that huge differences between the rich and poor "weaken community life and make societies less cohesive".

Archbishop Sentamu, the second most important figure in the Church of England, said that excesses in the financial sector have helped to create huge inequalities in wealth, "demonstrating how scandalously unfair our society is".

Writing in the Yorkshire Post, Dr Sentamu called for a change in public attitudes towards excessive personal wealth as profound and rapid as moves against racism, homophobia and sex discrimination in recent decades.

He said: "If they [FTSE 100 chief executives] have a responsibility to their staff, it is hard to imagine a more powerful way of telling someone that they are of little value than to pay them one-third of one per cent of your salary.

"Top pay has been found to bear little or no relation to company performance, but even if it did, isn't the performance of a company dependent on the work and well-being of all its staff?

"Among the ill-effects of very large income differences between rich and poor are that they weaken community life and make societies less cohesive." » | Saturday, November 05, 2011

YORKSHIRE POST: Sentamu hits out at greed culture of fat cats: THE Archbishop of York has urged the Government to introduce a radical overhaul of the tax system and called for greed to be made as socially unacceptable as racism and homophobia. ¶ Dr John Sentamu claimed many of the wealthiest in society are avoiding paying their dues in a stinging attack on the growing divide between Britain’s rich and poor. » | Saturday, November 05, 2011

Dr John Sentamu: Our Unequal, Unjust Society... the Richest Are Getting Richer and the Poorest Lose All Hope
YORKSHIRE POST: WITH renewed public outrage at the excesses of the financial sector and the huge inequalities in wealth it has helped to generate, we are being confronted daily with new evidence of extremes of wealth and poverty, demonstrating how scandalously unfair our society is.

But how is this to be addressed? This is the urgent task for us all. The news that chief executives (CEOs) of the FTSE 100 companies last year received average pay increases of almost 50 per cent adds urgency to our cause.

Typically, these CEOs receive 300 times as much as the least well paid British employees in their companies. If they have a responsibility to their staff, it is hard to imagine a more powerful way of telling some people that they are of little value than to pay them one-third of one per cent of your own salary.

Top pay has been found to bear little or no relation to company performance, but even if it did, isn’t the performance of a company dependent on the work and well-being of all its staff?
Among the ill effects of very large income differences between rich and poor are that they weaken community life and make societies less cohesive.

If the concept of the Big Society is to become a reality, so that people come to know and take more care of each other, income differences must surely be reduced. No one wants a “dog eat dog” society in which people feel obliged simply to fend for themselves.

But over the last few decades, the gains from economic growth have gone disproportionately to those who already have most. In contrast, forecasts suggest that child poverty will increase. The danger is that rather than increasing equality of opportunity, social mobility will slow down and people will become more divided by class and status. » | Dr. John Sentamu | Saturday, November 05, 2011

Sarkozy Insult to 'Island' Britain: Snarling French President Dismisses the English Saying 'You Don't Understand Europe'
MAIL ONLINE: French president Nicolas Sarkozy launched an astonishing attack on Britain’s attitude to Europe last night.

The furious French leader was branded the ‘new de Gaulle’ after claiming the British can’t comprehend Europe because we are ‘an island’.

‘You come from an island, so maybe you don’t understand the subtleties of European construction,’ he snapped at BBC Newsnight’s economics editor Paul Mason.

Mr Sarkozy had been asked whether it was right for the European Union to be attempting to block an EU referendum and install a coalition government in Greece.

His outburst was quickly seen as evidence that the diminutive French premier has contempt for both Greece and Britain.

His comments come less than two weeks after he snapped at David Cameron at a Brussels summit, telling the Prime Minister to stop telling the eurozone ‘what to do’ about the economic crisis. ‘You have lost a good opportunity to shut up,’ he said.

Also at the Brussels summit Mr Sarkozy publicly snubbed Mr Cameron by turning away as the Prime Minister offered his hand in friendship. » | James Chapman and Hugo Duncan | Saturday, November 05, 2011

What is this? The 'Little Englanders' Saturday Forum'? Europhobia abounds on this small island. Sarkozy is right: The English don't understand Europe at all. I am so glad he didn't include the Celtic fringe in his assertion. I truly believe that you will find very different attitudes to the EU in Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. Attitudes to Europe in the English press rarely speak for me, not being English, and certainly no 'Little Englander'. – © Mark

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Clinton Rounds On Obama in New Book

THE INDEPENDENT: Indulging in the luxury of being an ex-president with little at stake except his own reputation, Bill Clinton is to release a new book that will suggest – bluntly – that the American economy is "a mess" and that part of the blame lies with his Democratic successor in the White House, Barack Obama.

Due out next Tuesday, the new book, Back To Work, is partly an analysis of how America came to be where it is now, with Washington enmeshed in partisan gridlock and Main Street suffering from an unemployment crisis that shows no signs of easing quickly. » | DAVID USBORNE | Saturday, November 05, 2011

Oxford Tories' Nights of Port and Nazi Songs
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: With two prime ministers and 13 cabinet ministers among its alumni, the Oxford University Conservative Association has become a conveyor belt for future leaders since it was founded in 1924.

But the student body, whose patron is Baroness Thatcher, is facing potentially the biggest crisis in its history after its own officers accused members of anti-Semitism, debauchery and snobbery at its alcohol-fuelled meetings.

Four of the Association’s most senior members have announced they will be resigning after members allegedly sang a Nazi-themed song, while others complained that members from working-class backgrounds were ridiculed by a clique of former public schoolboys.

Students are now facing possible disciplinary action by both the University and the Conservative Party, both of which have launched investigations.

OUCA, whose honorary president is William Hague, uses its website to promote a public image of studious debate, with recent guest speakers including Sir John Major and Iain Duncan Smith.

At its weekly “port and policy” meetings, however, drunkenness and discrimination have been the main items on the agenda, according to some disillusioned members.

One officer claimed that members regularly sang a song which includes the words: “Dashing through the Reich…killing lots of kike (Jews).” » | Gordon Rayner, and Richard Alleyne | Friday, November 04, 2011

'Against Policy' to Ban Burqa
THE AUSTRALIAN: THE burqa may be confronting but to ban it would fly in the face of religious freedom, a top public servant has told university students.

"Banning the burqa or any other form of religious dress in Australia would be inconsistent with our principles and traditions of religious freedom and tolerance,'' said Andrew Metcalfe, secretary of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

Mr Metcalfe acknowledged that "some Australians find the burqa confronting''.

He was speaking last month at the University of Western Australia on "Australian government approaches to Islam''.Asked whether Mr Metcalfe was speaking personally or expressing a government position, a spokesperson for DIAC said his remarks were "consistent with the government's multicultural policy''.

That policy "allows those who choose to call Australia home the right to practise and share in their cultural traditions and languages within the law and free from discrimination''. » | BERNARD LANE | The Australian | Saturday, November 05, 2011

Le masque de l'indignation: plus populaire que jamais

LA PRESSE: Il s'agit de jeter un coup d'oeil aux photos des «indignés» du mouvement «Occupy» dans les journaux à travers le monde pour apercevoir une poignée de personnes qui portent le masque d'un homme souriant au regard mystérieux arborant une fine barbe.

Ce masque représente - de façon stylisée - Guy Fawkes, un Britannique qui a tenté de faire sauter l'édifice du parlement britannique le 5 novembre 1605.

«Ce sont des masques qui ont une signification puissante», a lancé Alexandre Ricciardelli, qui s'affairait jeudi à rouler une cigarette sur une table à pique-nique du parc Zuccoti, deux jours avant l'anniversaire de l'acte terroriste raté du 17e siècle.

«Mais l'idée n'est pas de faire sauter quoi que ce soit, a-t-elle précisé. C'est plutôt pour rester anonymes - et pacifiques.»

Pour la jeune femme du New Jersey âgée de 20 ans, le fait de porter le masque de Fawkes signifie «être opposé à L'Homme («The Man»), le pouvoir qui opprime (la société)». » | Tamara Lush et Verena Dobnik | Associated Press | New York | vendredi 04 novembre 2011

Disillusioned Greeks despair at political drama
GLOBE AND MAIL: Already exasperated by a seemingly endless wave of pay cuts and tax hikes, Greeks watched the latest political drama unfolding in their capital with a mixture of despair and disbelief.

In an extraordinary week even by the chaotic standards of Greek politics, Prime Minister George Papandreou first declared a vital bailout lifeline would be put to a popular vote before backing down in the face of an uproar at home and abroad.

“We are suffering from austerity and this man is smiling in parliament and telling us the referendum plan was just a joke,” said Alexandra Rouva, a 27-year-old Greek who has been unemployed for more than a year.

“Well, this is not the right time for stupid jokes. He cannot play with our lives.” » | RENEE MALTEZOU | ATHENS | Friday, November 04, 2011

Damas demande aux Syriens de rendre les armes
LE FIGARO: Tout en poursuivant la répression, le pouvoir propose l'amnistie contre les fusils.

Le plan de paix de la Ligue arabe pour une sortie de crise en Syrie a fait long feu. Après l'avoir accepté mercredi, Damas n'a pas cessé de tirer sur les manifestants. L'organisation panarabe demandait au régime de retirer l'armée des villes, de libérer les prisonniers politiques, de dialoguer avec l'opposition et de laisser circuler médias et observateurs. Vendredi, au lendemain d'un jeudi meurtrier qui avait fait au moins 20 morts, le massacre s'est poursuivi, tuant au moins 17 personnes, selon les chiffres provisoires donnés en milieu de journée par l'Observatoire syrien des droits de l'homme (OSDH) et les comités locaux de coordination (CLC). » | Par Pierre Prier | vendredi 04 novembre 2011

2.5 Million Pilgrims Prepare for Hajj

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Around 2.5 million Muslims begin Friday the rituals of the hajj pilgrimage, the world's largest annual assembly, leaving Saudi authorities with a daunting security and safety challenge.

Saudi authorities have mobilised some 100,000 security and civil defence personnel to insure a smooth pilgrimage and avoid deadly incidents that marred the extremely crowded rites in the past.

"We will mobilise all our means to prevent any harm against any pilgrim or any group of pilgrims," Saudi Interior Minister Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz, who recently became the crown prince of the Muslim kingdom said on Tuesday.

He made the remark during an inspection tour of hajj preparations as anti-riot and anti-terrorism police paraded in front of the kingdom's internal security tsar as police and rescue helicopters hovered overhead.

The hajj rituals begin Friday and peak on Saturday when all pilgrims assemble in the Arafat plain outside Mecca, and end with Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice, which will be celebrated on Sunday.

Around 1.7 million Muslims are due to descent on Mecca from around the world while between 700,000 and 800,000 pilgrims will be coming from inside Saudi Arabia. » | Thursday, November 03, 2011

Millions of Muslim Pilgrims Arrive in Mecca for Hajj
Islam's holiest site is heaving with pilgrims from around the world, many thousands of whom pray shoulder to shoulder outside Mecca's Grand Mosque as part of their hajj pilgrimage.

Read short article here | Friday, November 04, 2011

Demütigung und Ende von Europas krankem Mann

WELT ONLINE: Italiens Premier wird beim G-20-Gipfel gerügt und muss einer Beobachtung seines Landes zustimmen. Es naht das Ende einer schillernden Karriere.

Wenn du denkst, es geht nicht mehr, kommt von irgendwo ein Lichtlein her: Mit dieser Devise hat es Silvio Berlusconi ziemlich weit gebracht.

Doch jetzt naht das Ende, es geht einfach nicht mehr. Die Art, wie auf europäischen Gipfeln mit ihrem Ministerpräsidenten umgesprungen wird, müssen alle Italiener als tiefe Demütigung wahrnehmen.

Über das Land, das zu den Gründungsstaaten der EU gehört und das ziemlich lange europabegeistert war, beugen sich die EU-Kapitäne wie über einen kranken Mann und machen es vom Subjekt zum Objekt. Das kann sich Italien aus Selbstachtung nicht länger leisten. Es kommt kein Lichtlein mehr. » | Autor: Thomas Schmid | Freitag 04. November 2011

California: Occupy Oakland Strike vs Tear Gas, Flashbangs, Rubber Bullets

Malaysia to Ban Sex Manual for Obedient Muslim Wives

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Malaysian authorities plan to outlaw a book about sex published by a group of Muslim women who call themselves the Obedient Wives Club and advocate subservience to husbands.

The Malay-language book titled "Islamic Sex" is not available in shops but is believed to have been read by hundreds of members of the club formed this year by a small Malaysian Islamic sect that practices polygamy.

The book contains no explicit photographs but was written by the club's 56-year-old founder to describe her experiences and opinions on marriage. It has passages on how couples should physically and spiritually approach sex, claiming that most women only satisfy ten percent of their husbands' sexual needs.

The government's Islamic affairs department studied the 115-page book and recommended banning it because it could cause confusion among Malaysia's Muslim majority about acceptable religious teachings, a Home Ministry official said on condition of anonymity. Read on and comment » | Telegraph’s Foreign Staff | Friday, November 04, 2011

Followers of no other faith can be more sex-driven than Muslims are. It's all to do with the nature of the faith, of course. Force women to live in purdah, forbid the co-mingling of the sexes, encourage carnal pleasures (in secret, of course), and bang!, what do you get? A huge appetite for the pleasures of the flesh! – © Mark

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Saving Charlie Hebdo
FRANCE 24: The firebombing of satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo dominates the French press - with other papers rallying around and seeing this as a press freedom issue.

Trois «Charlie» sous protection policière
LIBÉRATION: Le directeur de la publication, Charb, le directeur de la rédaction, Riss et le dessinateur Luz ont été placés sous protection rapprochée jeudi.

Charb, le directeur de la publication de Charlie Hebdo, le dessinateur Luz et le directeur de la rédaction, Riss, sont sous protection policière en raison des menaces proférées à leur encontre, a déclaré jeudi Patrick Pelloux, l'un des chroniqueurs du journal : «Ils sont sous protection policière rapprochée. La police ne veut pas prendre de risques.»

L'enquête de la police judiciaire (PJ) sur l'incendie criminel mercredi des locaux de l'hebdomadaire satirique n'excluait jeudi soir "aucune hypothyèse", disposant "d'au moins un témoignage direct" pouvant mettre en cause deux hommes aperçus sur les lieux.

Deux hommes ont été vus par "au moins un témoin direct", vers 1 heure, peu après l'heure supposée du début du sinistre, s'enfuir des lieux. Continuez à lire et ajouter un commentaire » | Source AFP | jeudi 03 novembre 2011

More Death Threats as Newspaper Escalates Mohamed Cartoon Row
THE INDEPENDENT: Death threats have closed the website of a French satirical magazine fire-bombed this week after featuring cartoons of the Prophet Mohamed, but that did not deter the daily Libération from publishing new drawings yesterday in a show of solidarity.

The Belgian company which runs Charlie Hebdo's internet site pulled the plug yesterday after anonymous threats were emailed. The magazine has been the victim of an intensive cyber war waged from the Muslim world, especially Turkey, since it published an edition on Wednesday which it said was "guest-edited by Mohamed", and was littered with Mohamed cartoons.

Charlie Hebdo's Facebook page has been inundated with messages in English, French, Turkish and Arabic, rejoicing in the Molotov cocktail attack which destroyed the magazine's offices in Paris in the early hours of Wednesday. Messages, repeated over and over, include, "Go to the devil, Charlie Hebdo" and "Shame on Charlie Hebdo".

The centre-left Libération risked the wrath of Islamic extremists yesterday by publishing a special edition of Charlie Hebdo, including two new Mohamed cartoons. A four-page supplement, wrapped around the main newspaper, carried a joint Charlie Hebdo-Libération masthead and 17 cartoons drawn by the magazine's regular contributors.

One cartoon showed a bearded man's head on the body of a fire-breathing dragon. The caption asked, "Is this the real face of Mohamed?" Other drawings were self-mocking. One showed a cartoonist in the centre of a defensive ring of heavily armed soldiers. The cartoonist says, "I have got another hilarious gag." A soldier replies, "I was afraid of that." » | JOHN LICHFIELD | PARIS | Friday, November 04, 2011

Related articles here, here, and here

Carla Bruni-Sarkozy rend hommage à sa tante Gigi

GALA.fr: La Première dame explique pourquoi elle a choisi le prénom Giulia

Alors que toutes les hypothèses possibles ont été suggérées autour du prénom Giulia, - même Dahlia a été évoqué- la vérité éclate enfin au grand jour. Avec Giulia, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy souhaite rendre hommage à sa tante Gigi, de son patronyme complet Giulia. » | par Pauline Gallard | jeudi 03 novembre 2011

Julian Assange : "Je lui ai appris à dire la vérité" dit sa mère

FRANCE SOIR: Alors que l'extradition vers la Suède du fondateur de WikiLeaks, Julian Assange, a été confirmée mercredi par la Haute Cour de Londres, sa mère annonce ce jeudi qu'il a été « crucifié » pour avoir dit la vérité. Chose qu'elle lui a toujours appris mais à laquelle elle ne croit plus...

Depuis l'Australie, dont Julian Assange est originaire, la mère du fondateur de WikiLeaks met en avant une éducation de la vérité donné à son fils. Selon elle, il est pourchassé pour avoir défendu son idéal de « vérité et de justice ». L'homme qui a fait trembler les Etats-Unis avec les révélations sur son site internet de 250.000 télégrammes diplomatiques américains en novembre 2010 est accusé par deux Suédoises d'avoir eu des relations contraintes et non protégées avec elles en août 2010.

Il a été « crucifié parce qu'il fait ce pour quoi il a été élevé », a poursuivi Christine Assange. « J'ai appris à mon fils à dire la vérité, à croire en la justice. Il a été élevé en pensant vivre dans une démocratie où il devait réparer toute injustice dont il était témoin. Aujourd'hui, je ne crois plus en tout cela », a-t-elle conclu. » | Par Actu France Soir | jeudi 03 novembre 2011

Iran Warns US to Avoid Clash over Nuclear Programme

THE GUARDIAN: Iranian foreign minister says America has 'lost its wisdom and prudence' as tensions mount over Tehran's enrichment efforts

Iran has warned the US not to set the two countries on a collision course over Tehran's nuclear enrichment programme, as diplomatic tensions reflected growing concern that the Middle East might be on the verge of new conflict.

The Iranian foreign minister, Ali Akbar Salehi, spoke amid reports that the Israeli prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, has been trying to rally support within his country for an attack.

The Guardian revealed that the UK was advancing contingency plans for joining American forces in a possible air and sea campaign against military bases in Iran.

The revelations led to Nato insisting on Thursday that it would play no part in any military action, and provoked the rebuke from Salehi, who insisted that any attack by either Israel or the US would provoke immediate retaliation. He also accused Washington of recklessness.

"The US has unfortunately lost its wisdom and prudence in dealing with international issues," he told reporters during a visit to Libya. "Of course we are prepared for the worst, but we hope that they think twice before they put themselves on a collision course with Iran."

In a separate interview with a Turkish newspaper, Salehi claimed Tehran was ready for war with Israel. "We have been hearing threats from Israel for eight years. Our nation is a united nation … such threats are not new to us," he said. "We are very sure of ourselves. We can defend our country." » | Nick Hopkins, Julian Borger and Ian Black | Thursday, November 03, 2011

Landmark Ruling Lifts 'Veil of Secrecy' from Prince of Wales's Duchy of Cornwall Estate

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The 700-year-old “veil of secrecy” covering the workings of the Prince of Wales’s Duchy of Cornwall estate will be partially lifted after a landmark legal ruling that could open up the Royal family to far greater public scrutiny.

A tribunal ruled that the Duchy, which provided the Prince with an income of £17.8 million last year, was no longer exempt from freedom of information laws.

Since 1337 the Duchy, which owns 132,000 acres of land in 23 counties, has been the private domain of the heir to the throne.

But after a three-year legal battle by a local environmental campaigner, a judge decided that the Duchy is, in fact “a public authority”.

The decision means the Duchy, and by implication other royal assets such as the Duchy of Lancaster, owned by the Queen, must abide by some of the same rules of disclosure as local councils.

The case is also potentially embarrassing for the Prince, who prides himself on his environmental campaigns, as it revolved around the Duchy’s refusal to discuss the possible environmental impact of an oyster farm in its waters.

Michael Bruton, the environmentalist who has now forced the Duchy to answer his questions about the oyster farm, said: “It was clear that the Duchy did not want people to peer into its affairs and it has spent the last three years stalling. Read on and comment » | Gordon Rayner, Chief Reporter | Thursday, November 03, 2011

Michael Jackson 'Paid with His Life' for Conrad Murray's Recklessness

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Michael Jackson was killed by the recklessness of his personal physician Dr Conrad Murray who violated the "hallowed" bond of trust between doctor and patient, a court heard.

In his closing speech at the end of a five week trial prosecutor David Walgren told a jury that Dr Murray was guilty of "gross negligence" and had left the singer's children Prince, 14, Paris, 13, and Blanket, nine, fatherless.

Dr Murray, who denies a single charge of involuntary manslaughter, is accused of causing Jackson's death on June 25, 2009 by giving him propofol, a surgical anaesthetic intended only for use in hospitals, in the bedroom of his Los Angeles mansion.

Mr Walgren told the jury of seven men and five women that Jackson "paid with his life" for the criminal negligence of Dr Murray.

"The evidence in this case is overwhelming. It is absolutely clear that Conrad Murray acted with criminal negligence, that Conrad Murray caused the death of Michael Jackson, that Conrad Murray left Prince and Paris and Blanket without a father.

"For them this case does not end today, tomorrow or the next day. For Michael Jackson's children this case will go on forever because they do not have a father." Continue reading and comment » | Nick Allen, Los Angeles | 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

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

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