Les salafistes tunisiens à la reconquête de Kairouan

KAPITALIS: La 4e ville sainte de l’islam a été reconquise, dimanche, par les salafistes tunisiens, appelant au meurtre des juifs et scandant le nom de Ben Laden, sous le regard médusé de la population. Le gouvernement regarde ailleurs. Reportage Afp-Kapitalis…

Bruits de sabre et de chevaux au galop, chants guerriers, treillis militaires sur tenues afghanes: les salafistes tunisiens se sont invités dimanche à Kairouan (centre), quatrième ville sainte de l’islam, sous le regard de commerçants et de quelques touristes interloqués.

Appliquer la charia de Dieu

Venus en bus de plusieurs régions de Tunisie, quelques milliers de partisans d’Ansar al Charia, l’un des mouvements les plus radicaux de la mouvance salafiste en Tunisie, lancé en avril 2011, ont investi toute la journée la grande mosquée et la médina de la ville.

«Le deuxième congrès des partisans de la charia se tient cette année dans une ville qui a une très forte symbolique historique et religieuse, et réunit tous les frères qui ont pour objectif de faire appliquer la charia de Dieu dans notre pays», indiquait le magazine ‘‘La promesse’’, distribué à l’entrée.

Une gigantesque banderole à l’effigie du mouvement a été déroulée sur le minaret de la célèbre mosquée, la plus vieille d’Afrique, et des salafistes montés sur les murs d’enceinte agitaient au vent des drapeaux noirs de l’islam, sur fond de chants religieux et démonstration d’arts martiaux, pour un spectacle rôdé et destiné à impressionner. » | Source: AFP | lundi 21 mai 2012

WIKI: Kairouan (en français) »

WIKI: Kairouan (en anglais) »

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Salafisten verteilen Korane und knipsen Kritiker

PFORZHEIMER ZEITUNG: Pforzheim [E]. „Der Koran geht weg wie warme Semmeln“, staunt ein Passant in der Pforzheimer Fußgängerzone, der seinen Namen „lieber nicht verraten“ will. Er schnappt sich eines der in Folie eingeschweißten Büchlein im Taschenbuchformt. „Der edle Qur’an – die ungefähre Bedeutung in der deutschen Sprache“ steht darauf. Lesen will er es eigentlich gar nicht, „aber mal reinschauen“. Bloß zu sehen gibt es darin nicht viel, denn Bilder sucht man vergebens.

Und reden will der Passant mit den extremistischen Salafisten auch nicht. „Mir reicht schon, wie die mit anderen argumentieren“, sagt er kopfschüttelnd und geht weiter. Mit Käppi und Kaftan stehen die Salafisten an ihrem Stand, begleitet von einer Frau mit Kopftuch und einem Kleinkind. Wenn es darum geht, übers Paradies und den wahren Glauben zu reden, sprudelt es aus den extremistischen Islamisten heraus, lautstark, hitzig. Vor allem die Frau scheint ihren Fanatismus durch eine besondere Lautstärke Ausdruck verleihen zu wollen.

Nur wenn die Fragen über Glaubensthemen hinausgehen, werden die Salafisten einsilbig und ruhig. „Grundgesetz oder Koran?“ Was sein denn als in Deutschland lebender Mitbürger höher zu bewerten? Diese Frage eines Passanten wollen die Salafisten nicht beantworten. Das muss auch ein Kamerateam der ARD feststellen.

Während sie filmen, werden sie fotografiert. Fürs Poesiealbum dürften die Fotos der Salafisten nicht gedacht sein. Mit dem Bilderverbot im Koran nehmen sie es genau, aber Fotos von kritischen Mitbürgern zu machen scheint kein Tabu zu sein. » | Autor: tok/ol/dpa | Sonntag, 20. Mai 2012

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Islamistenvideo: Bundesanwalt ermittelt wegen extremistenfeindlichem Mordaufruf
ZEIT ONLINE: In einem Video hat ein Islamist zur Ermordung von Mitgliedern der rechtsextremen Partei Pro NRW aufgerufen. Abu Ibrahim ist der Justiz schon mehrfach aufgefallen.

Nach dem Mordaufruf eines Islamisten gegen deutsche Rechtsextremisten hat der Generalbundesanwalt die Ermittlungen übernommen. Gegen den Islamisten Yassin Chouka alias Abu Ibrahim, der in einer Video-Botschaft zur Ermordung von Mitgliedern der rechtsextremen Partei Pro NRW aufruft, werde bereits seit Längerem ermittelt, teilte das nordrhein-westfälische Innenministerium mit. » | Quelle: ZEIT ONLINE, dpa | Montag, 21. Mai 2012

Pakistan Blocks Twitter Over Contentious Tweets
ASSOCIATED PRESS: ISLAMABAD — Pakistan blocked the social networking website Twitter for several hours because it refused to remove tweets considered offensive to Islam, said one of the country's top telecommunications officials.

The tweets were promoting a competition on Facebook to post images of Islam's Prophet Muhammad, said Mohammad Yaseen, chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication's Authority. Many Muslims regard depictions of the prophet, even favorable ones, as blasphemous.

The government restored access to Twitter before midnight Sunday, about eight hours after it initially blocked access, possibly because of public criticism it received for its censorship. » | Zarar Khan | AP | Monday, May 21, 2012

Op-Ed Contributor: Indonesia's Rising Religious Intolerance
THE NEW YORK TIMES: JAKARTA — Just a few days after Lady Gaga’s concert in Indonesia was canceled after protests by Islamic groups, I flew 1,370 kilometers from Jakarta to Padang, West Sumatra, and drove a further 130 kilometers, a four-hour journey along rough, winding roads, to Sijunjung, to visit an Indonesian atheist jailed for his beliefs.

Alex Aan, a 30-year-old civil servant, is a gentle, soft-spoken, highly intelligent young man who simply gave up his belief in God when he saw poverty, war, famine and disaster around the world.

He faces the possibility of up to six years in prison, charged with blasphemy, disseminating hatred and spreading atheism. Radical Muslims came to his office, beat him up, and called the police after reading about his views on Facebook.

Alex is the first atheist in Indonesia to be jailed for his belief, but his case is symptomatic of a wider increase in religious intolerance in the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation. The previous Sunday, I joined a small church in Bekasi, a suburb of Jakarta, for a service, but found the street blocked by a noisy, angry mob and a few police.

The church, known as HKBP Filadelfia, was forced to close a few years ago, even though the local courts had given permission to open. The local mayor, under pressure from Islamists, has declared a “zero church” policy in his area. For the past two months, the congregation has been blocked from worshiping in the street outside their building, and the atmosphere has grown increasingly tense.

When I was there, I felt it could have erupted into violence at any moment. The radicals in control of the loudspeaker shouted “Christians, get out,” and “anyone not wearing a jilbab (headscarf), catch them, hunt them down.” » | BENEDICT ROGERS* | Monday, May 21, 2012

* Benedict Rogers works for the international human rights organization Christian Solidarity Worldwide, based in London.

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Malaysia: Probe Book by Liberal Islamic Activist, Ministry Urged
THE STAR: ALOR SETAR: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom has called on the Home Ministry to carry out an immediate probe into a book authored by liberal Islamic activist Irshad Manji.

He said the Malaysian Islamic Development Department’s (Jakim) analysis of the book, entitled Islam, Liberty and Love, revealed that it was filled with words insulting Islam.

“The decision to ban the book is the prerogative of the Home Ministry. We (Jakim) can only advise them as our analysis found that the book is dangerous for the Muslims,” he said yesterday.

Irshad, who openly supported Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transsexual (LGBT) lifestyles, was reported to have arrived in Malaysia on Thursday to launch her new book.

The launch of the Bahasa Malaysia version of the book under the title Allah, Kebebasan dan Cinta took place at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall on Saturday.

She left for New York on Saturday night.

Irshad had also authored a book entitled The Problem With Islam Today which offended Muslims worldwide and contained the same idealism as Salman Rushdie, the author of the novel The Satanic Verses. »

THE JAKARTA POST: Irshad Manji injured in mob attack in Yogya » | The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Thursday, May 10, 2012

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Bee Gees Singer Robin Gibb Dies After Cancer Battle

BBC: Bee Gees singer Robin Gibb has died aged 62 after a lengthy battle with cancer.

The announcement was made by his family with "great sadness".

British-born Gibb's musical career began when he formed the Bee Gees with his brothers Barry and Maurice in 1958.

The group are among the biggest-selling of all time with hits spanning five decades, including Stayin' Alive, How Deep Is Your Love, Massachusetts and Night Fever.

Gibb's family said in a statement: "The family of Robin Gibb, of the Bee Gees, announce with great sadness that Robin passed away today following his long battle with cancer and intestinal surgery.

"The family have asked that their privacy is respected at this very difficult time."

Broadcaster Paul Gambaccini described the singer as "one of the major figures in the history of British music". (+ videos) » | Monday, May 21, 2012

BBC: Obituary: Robin Gibb (+ video) »

Nick Clegg: Public Fury at Euro Crisis Will Fuel Extremism
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: A wave of “extremism and xenophobia” will sweep across Europe unless political leaders take urgent action to deal with the debt crisis, Nick Clegg has warned.

The Deputy Prime Minister predicted that arguments in Britain about whether to pull out of the European Union would be “like a small side show compared to the rise of political extremism” in the next few years.

In his bleakest assessment to date, Mr Clegg admitted that his beloved European project faces a “huge” crisis of confidence as the public loses faith in the EU “as a whole”.

Mr Clegg’s intervention followed warnings from Cabinet ministers that the eurozone debt crisis is approaching a “moment of clarity” when it is “quite likely” that Greece will be forced out of the single currency.

In an interview with the German magazine, Der Spiegel, the Liberal Democrat leader said EU nations are “condemned to work with each other” but warned that nine European governments have “fallen” since 2009.

“Everybody should be more active,” he said. “At the moment, what’s happening is you have one emergency summit after another; you have one election after the other; you have one bail out after the other.

“This cannot carry on because the combination of economic insecurity and political paralysis, we know this from the history of our continent, is the ideal recipe for an increase in extremism and xenophobia. » | Tim Ross, and James Kirkup | Monday, May 21, 2012

THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Ken Clarke attacks 'nationalist' eurosceptic Tories: MPs who want a referendum on membership of the European Union are “right-wing nationalists” who would bring "disaster" to Britain, Kenneth Clarke has said. ¶ The Justice Secretary, who is regarded as the most "europhile" Conservative Cabinet minister, said calls to consider withdrawing from the EU were "a dangerous irrelevance" to the economic crisis. » | Tim Ross, Political Correspondent | Sunday, May 20, 2012

Tunisie - Plus d’alcool à Sidi Bouzid, dixit les salafistes

BUSINESSNEWS.com.tn: Les salafistes ont effectué, samedi 19 mai 2012, une opération de ratissage visant la fermeture des points de vente de boissons alcoolisés et, partant, tous les bars, hôtels et dépôts de vente d'alcool de la ville, selon plusieurs sources concordantes. Même les locaux de vente des glaçons alimentaires ont été pris pour cible, selon d’autres sources. Le but visé est «plus d’alcool à Sidi Bouzid».

Selon un premier témoignage recueilli par Shems Fm, les habitants de Sidi Bouzid ont protesté auprès du gouvernorat réclamant la fermeture de ces lieux, à cause des tapages nocturnes, braquages et autres inconvénients, mais leur demande est restée lettre morte. Les habitants ont réclamé alors l’aide des salafistes qui ont fait, samedi, le tour des lieux pour interdire la vente d’alcool.

En représailles, les vendeurs d’alcool ont attaqué la mosquée, après la prière du soir, armés de fusils de chasse, d’armes blanches et de pierres et agressant les personnes présentes, toujours selon le témoignage de Shems Fm. En colère, les habitants se sont dirigés vers des entrepôts de vente d’alcool pour les incendier. Le témoin a précisé qu’un sit-in de protestation aura lieu, dimanche dans 8 mosquées, après la prière du « dhohr », en protestation contre cette agression. » | dimanche 20 mai 2012

Tunisia Denies Entry to Moroccan Salafists
MAGHAREBIA: Salafists protested at Tunis-Carthage Airport as security expelled two fundamentalist theologians.

Tunisian authorities on Tuesday (May 15th) deported two radical Moroccan preachers with alleged ties to al-Qaeda.

Salafist preachers Hassan Kettani and Omar Hadouchi were accused of trying to enter the country illegally. Both were banned from Tunisia after receiving 20-year prison sentences for indoctrinating the Islamists who committed the deadly 2003 Casablanca attacks, according to the Tunisian interior ministry.

They travelled to Tunisia for a 15-day visit to present a series of lectures on behalf of the salafist Dar as-Salam Association for Charity and Sharia Sciences in Bizerte, but security intercepted them at the Tunis–Carthage Airport.

Though they both received royal pardons from Morocco in February, the Tunisian interior ministry cited "their involvement in terrorist acts and belonging to al-Qaeda" as reasons why they were denied entry to the country.

Neither the two jihadist theologians nor the organisation from which they received the invitation admitted to doing anything wrong. » | Houda Trabelsi for Magharebia in Tunis | Friday, May 18, 2012

Les sulfureux invités de la reine à Windsor

LE FIGARO: La présence des rois de Bahreïn et du Swaziland ont terni le jubilé d'Elizabeth.

La polémique sur le pedigree peu démocratique de certains de ses invités ne semble pas avoir gâché le plaisir d'Elizabeth II de célébrer ses soixante ans de règne avec les monarques régnants du monde entier. Sur la photo officielle publiée par Buckingham Palace, la reine pose tout sourire, encadrée par ses vingt-cinq convives. Il est vrai que seule une poignée d'étudiants bahreïniens s'était déplacée devant les grilles du château de Windsor pour protester contre l'accueil plus que respectueux réservé par la famille royale britannique au roi de Bahreïn. Mais le malaise provoqué par certains invités réunis autour de la reine à l'occasion de son jubilé de diamant était partagé par une partie de l'opinion britannique.

La présence d'Hamad ben Isa al-Khalifa, le roi de Bahreïn, dont le gouvernement réprime l'opposition de manière féroce depuis plus d'un an, a été particulièrement critiquée. Convié l'an dernier au mariage de William et Kate, le souverain n'avait alors pas jugé opportun d'honorer l'invitation. Douze mois plus tard, le sort réservé aux opposants au régime ne s'est pas amélioré, mais le roi semble avoir surmonté ses scrupules. Une «gaffe sérieuse» » | Par amandine Alexandre | vendredi 18 mai 2012

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Italien: Das Erdbeben begrub zwei Nachtarbeiter unter den Trümmern einer Fabrikhalle
Ein Erdbeben im Norden Italiens hat am frühen Sonntagmorgen mindestens sechs Menschen getötet. Mindestens 50 Personen wurden bei dem Beben der Stärke 5,9 in der norditalienischen Region Emilia Romagna verletzt.

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Nick Clegg: Academic Dominance of Private Schools Is Damaging Social Mobility

THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: The overwhelming dominance of privately-educated schoolchildren in Britain is “corrosive” for society, Nick Clegg has warned.

The sheer gulf in standards between state and independent schools is holding back social mobility and damaging the economy, according to the Deputy Prime Minister.

He said children educated in the private sector were three times more likely to achieve at least two As and B at A-level – the entry requirement for many top research universities – than pupils in state schools.

The gap in results between different school types is wider in Britain than almost any other developed country, it was revealed.

The comments were made as he prepared to launch a new drive designed to boost standards among poor children. » | Graeme Paton, Education Editor | Sunday, May 20, 2012

My comment:

First of all, they need to bring back the grammar school. Grammar schools gave children the chance of social mobility. Many children from grammar schools went on to Oxbridge, and many fine red brick universities.

Secondly, if Mr. Clegg really wants to ensure social mobility, the dumbing down of education has to stop. So, too, must grade inflation. Children need a rigorous and challenging examination system, not one driven by league tables and ever-increasing and 'wonderful' grades. Bring back the marking system which ensured that only the best achieved 'A' grades, some achieved very good, but reasonable exam results, and others failed. It's no use passing everyone with flying colours: results then come to mean nothing in the end.

Then, we should follow the Swiss system. In Switzerland, state schools are so good, and schools so well-funded that few Swiss people even want to attend the many prestigious private institutions there are in the country. There is no need for them to do so – the state system is so good. – G Mark

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Al Jazeera: The Inside Story of the Arab News Channel that is Challenging the West

Iranian Artists Negotiate Government Guidelines
Despite issues of censorship and cultural sensitivities, Iranian artists work to change the image of Iranian art, educating the world on the country's contemporary art scene. While galleries and artists sometimes struggle with government guidelines, they nonetheless manage to produce work that is often recognised in overseas exhibitions. Al Jazeera's Imran Khan reports from Tehran.

Bahrain King's Invitation to Windsor Castle Stirs Controversy
During her almost 60 year reign - Queen Elizabeth II has hosted hundreds of lunches for foreign monarchs. Few in recent years have had such a controversial guest list. The King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, is among those invited to dine at Windsor Castle at a time when Bahrain has come under international pressure over allegations of serious human rights violations. The crackdown against pro-reform demonstrators has drawn disgust and concern in equal measure from campaigners. Al Jazeera's Emma Hayward reports from London.

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Deadly Earthquake Hits Italy
At least five people killed and reports of damage to historical buildings in 6.0-magnitude quake near city of Bologna. Al Jazeera's Sabina Castelfranco reports.

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Lockerbie Bomber Megrahi Has Died in Libya: Brother
REUTERS.COM: The former Libyan intelligence officer convicted of the 1988 bombing of a Pan Am flight over Lockerbie, Scotland, that killed 270 people has died, his brother said on Sunday. He was 59.

Abdel Basset al-Megrahi died at home after a long battle with cancer. His health had deteriorated quickly overnight, his brother Abdulhakim told Reuters.

"He was surrounded by his family and died in his house," Abdulhakim said on Sunday. » | Hadeel Al Shalchi | TRIPOLI | Reuters | Sunday, May 20, 2012

Queen Sofia of Spain: Europe's Lonely Royal Consort
THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Ordered to decline an invitation to the Queen's Diamond Jubilee banquet, Spain's Queen Sofia is more isolated and alone than ever.

For half a century she has been by his side, a quiet, dignified presence through turbulent decades. But now Spain is beginning to ask just how much more Queen Sofia can take.

Against a backdrop of family financial scandal and an increasingly troubled marriage, Queen Sofia was counting the days until she could escape to London and attend Friday's Jubilee banquet at Windsor Castle – an eagerly anticipated family gathering.

But 48 hours before she was due to leave she was prevented by the government from attending. Declining the invite on her behalf, the Spanish government cited the recent "heightened tensions" with Britain over the ownership of the island of Gibraltar, currently the scene of a row over fishing rights.

The government's decision focused attention once again on the troubled life of the woman whom some are calling the loneliest royal consort in Europe.

"She was really looking forward to it," said Pilar Eyre, whose book The Loneliness of the Queen has been top of the best seller list in Spain since it was published in January. "It was a huge blow for her to be stopped from attending." » | Harriet Alexander, in Madrid | Sunday, May 20, 2012

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Four Dead after Powerful Earthquake Strikes Italy
THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: At least four people have been killed and 50 injured after a powerful earthquake struck northern Italy early on Sunday, reducing historic buildings to rubble and burying cars under tonnes of debris.

The epicentre of the 5.9 earthquake was at Finale Emilia, a town 22 miles north of Bologna.

The force of the quake was felt throughout north[-]eastern Italy, from Florence to Venice and as far away as the German speaking area of South Tyrol, on the border with Austria.

The affected region includes some of Italy's most attractive small cities, including Ferrara, Modena and Mantua, famed for countless artistic and historic treasures, from frescoes to ancient churches and castles.

The quake, which struck at 4am local time, led to the partial collapse of several historic stone towers and church steeples. » | Nick Squires, Rome | Sunday, May 20, 2012

Psychiatrist Who Championed 'Gay Cure' Admits He Was Wrong

THE GUARDIAN: Dr Robert Spitzer apologises for 'fatally flawed' study, published in 2001, which claimed gay people could be 'cured' if properly motivated

One of the most influential figures in modern psychiatry has apologised to America's gays for a scientific study which supported attempts to "cure" people of their homosexuality.

The survey, published in 2001, looked at "reparative therapy" and was hailed by religious and social conservatives in America as proof that gay people could successfully become straight if they were motivated to do so.

But Dr Robert Spitzer has now apologised in the same academic journal that published his original study, calling it "fatally flawed". "I believe I owe the gay community an apology," his letter said. "I also apologise to any gay person who wasted time and energy undergoing some form of reparative therapy because they believed that I had proven that reparative therapy works."

Spitzer's letter, which was leaked online before its publication in theArchives of Sexual Behaviour, is sure to cause delight among gay civil rights groups and stir up anger among social conservatives, who have used the study to combat the acceptance of homosexuality as a normal part of human society.

Reparative therapy is popular among Christian conservative groups, which run clinics and therapy sessions at which people try to become heterosexual through counselling. Gay rights activists condemn such practices as motivated by religious faith, not science, and call them "pray away the gay" groups. » | Paul Harris in New York | Saturday, May 19, 2012

Christians and Muslims Unite in New Bid to Silence Lady Gaga

THE OBSERVER: Fans defend singer's freedom of speech as Philippines protests threaten star's concerts

Christian groups in the Philippines have called for a ban on Lady Gaga's Manila concerts, alleging that her song Judas is an offensive mockery of Jesus Christ.

Youths gathered at a rally outside the mayor's office, chanting "Stop the Lady Gaga concerts", while members of the Biblemode Youth Philippines group called her videos religiously offensive.

In the song, she calls herself a "holy fool" who is "still in love with Judas", singing: "Jesus is my virtue/And Judas is the demon I cling to." In the video, Gaga plays a biker chick riding behind a man wearing a crown of thorns, while longing for another biker with "Judas" emblazoned across his leather jacket.

The singer is due to play the 20,000-seat Mall of Asia tomorrow and on Tuesday, and James Imbong, a lawyer filing a petition to ban the concerts, said Christian groups would not accept a compromise as organisers in South Korea did when Seoul authorities agreed to forbid under-12s from attending instead of cancelling the concert.

"She has a song that suggests that she wants to have sex with Judas and performs it with a dance," Imbong told the news website PhilStar. "Of course, it would be accompanied by a costume that has pornographic elements."

Manila's mayor has issued a statement ordering Gaga not to "exhibit any nudity or lewd conduct which may be offensive to morals and good custom", with the stark reminder that the penal code in the primarily Roman Catholic country of 93 million can convict anyone up to six years for offending race or religion.

Tens of thousands of Gaga fans, from Seoul to Jakarta, are campaigning for the singer's right to freedom of expression, after numerous attempts by Christian and Muslim groups to ban shows during her Born This Way Ball Asia tour, calling her music, persona and style the "work of Satan", "dangerous to youth" and "spreading unhealthy sexual culture". » | Kate Hodal | Sunday, May 20, 2012

THE GUARDIAN: Lady Gaga denied permit for Indonesia concert after religious protests: Police refuse to license Jakarta gig, saying they are unable to guarantee singer's safety following protests » | Sean Michaels | Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Fleeing the Wealth Tax: Wealthy French Take Their Assets to London

SPIEGEL ONLINE INTERNATIONAL: During the election campaign, French President François Hollande threatened to slap an income tax rate of 75 percent on high earners. Since then, wealthy French have been looking for ways to get themselves and their money out of the country. And nowhere looks more attractive than millionaire-friendly London.

It began in 2010, when wealthy Greeks started coming to London and buying up expensive townhouses in upmarket neighborhoods. Amid fears that Greece might leave the euro zone, they believed their money would be safe in Britain in its splendid isolation from the euro and the Continent's sovereign debt crisis.

Then rich Spaniards started arriving. They were following by well off Italians, who at the start of the year overtook Russians as the biggest group of foreign buyers snapping up property in London, according to a survey.

Whenever the euro crisis heats up somewhere in Europe, the demand for expensive homes increases in Western Europe's largest city particularly among well-heeled foreigners beset by asset angst.

London real estate agents are like the canary in the coalmine for the debt crisis. They can sense early on the next country to get sucked into the vortex. So who's up next? Apparently it's the French.

Wave of Interest

Real estate agents have been aware of a new wave of interest for months, but it's been especially noticeable since Feb. 28. The night before, the then Socialist candidate for French president, François Hollande, who famously said "I don't like the rich," announced that, if elected, he would raise the top rate of tax on incomes over €1 million to 75 percent. At home, he got much applause for the announcement. But in London, the news produced a reaction that was noticeable on the computers of the London-based property company Knight Frank. » | Marco Evers in London | Friday, May 18, 2012

Fernsehen unterm Hakenkreuz

Greek Leftist Leader Alexis Tsipras: 'It's a War between People and Capitalism'

THE GUARDIAN: Greece's eurozone fate may now be in the hands of the 37-year-old political firebrand and his Syriza party

"I don't believe in heroes or saviours," says Alexis Tsipras, "but I do believe in fighting for rights … no one has the right to reduce a proud people to such a state of wretchedness and indignity."

The man who holds the fate of the euro in his hands – as the leader of the Greek party willing to tear up the country's €130bn (£100bn) bailout agreement – says Greece is on the frontline of a war that is engulfing Europe.

A long bombardment of "neo-liberal shock" – draconian tax rises and remorseless spending cuts – has left immense collateral damage. "We have never been in such a bad place," he says, sleeves rolled up, staring hard into the middle distance, from behind the desk that he shares in his small parliamentary office. "After two and a half years of catastrophe Greeks, are on their knees. The social state has collapsed, one in two youngsters is out of work, there are people leaving en masse, the climate psychologically is one of pessimism, depression, mass suicides."

But while exhausted and battle weary, the nation at the forefront of Europe's escalating debt crisis and teetering on the edge of bankruptcy is also hardened. And, increasingly, they are looking towards Tsipras to lead their fight.

"Defeat is the battle that isn't waged," says the young politician who almost overnight has seen his radical left coalition party, Syriza, jump from representing fewer than 5% of Greeks to enjoying ratings of more than 25% in polls.

"You ask me if I am afraid. I'd be afraid if we continued on this path, a path to social hell … when someone fights there is a big chance that he will win and we are fighting this to win."

Before Greeks went to the polls on 6 May, neither Tsipras nor his party were a name to be reckoned with. If anything both were the butt of vague mockery: a former pony-tailed student communist leading a rag-tag band of ex-Trotskyists, Maoists, champagne socialists and greens. Tsipras's assistants – wielding Louis Vuitton bags and fashionable sunglasses – readily admit they are signed up "militants" mostly of the anti-globalisation cause. » | Helena Smith in Athens | Friday, May 18, 2012

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Fury as Quebec Passes Law to Stifle Student Fee Protests
THE GUARDIAN: Canadian province's government accused of 'murdering the right to demonstrate' in response to months of turmoil

Quebec's provincial government has passed an emergency law restricting demonstrations and shutting some universities as the government seeks to end three months of protests against tuition fee increases. Outraged students reacted by calling it an act of war.

Among the provisions of the law, which passed 68-48 on Friday, is a requirement that police be informed eight hours before a protest and told the route of any demonstration that includes 50 or more people.

Hours after the vote thousands of protesters marched in downtown Montreal to condemn the legislation, which students and supporters say limits their ability to demonstrate their disapproval of the fee hikes. "They pulled the plug instead of trying to develop something constructive through talks, " said participant Felix Siry, 22. "I think this will just make things worse."

Police officers in riot gear and others on horseback watched as the loud and energetic crowd made its way downtown, chanting: "No special law will break us!"

Molotov cocktails were thrown causing police to declare the demonstration illegal. Police used pepper spray and one man was arrested. Some people threw objects at a small group of helmeted police who were forced to retreat but charged back firing teargas. » | Associated Press in Montreal | Saturday, May 19, 2012

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Baroness Warsi: Some Pakistani Men Think Young White Girls Are "Fair Game" for Sex Abuse

LONDON EVENING STANDARD: Some Pakistani men believe “white girls are fair game” for sexual abuse, the Cabinet Minister and Tory co-chairman Baroness Warsi says today.

In an exclusive interview Sayeeda Warsi, Britain’s most senior Muslim politician, calls on mosques and community leaders to condemn “a small minority” of their members with racist and sexist views.

“There is a small minority of Pakistani men who believe that white girls are fair game,” she told the Evening Standard. “And we have to be prepared to say that. You can only start solving a problem if you acknowledge it first.”

Her comments follow the horrific Rochdale sexual grooming case, in which a gang of Pakistani men preyed on young white girls. Lady Warsi is the most senior political leader to say publicly that racist and misogynistic attitudes in sections of the community were partly responsible for what happened.

“This small minority who see women as second class citizens, and white women probably as third class citizens, are to be spoken out against,” she said. Baroness Warsi, a 41-year-old former lawyer who in 2010 became the first Muslim woman to sit in Cabinet, decided to break her silence on the controversy to encourage other leaders of the community to speak up and change attitudes. » | Joe Murphy | Friday, May 18, 2012

Read the full interview »

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Iran Executes Man for Scientist Murder
May 15 - Iranian state news reports that an alleged Israeli spy, convicted last year of killing a scientist, has been hanged. Lindsey Parietti reports.

Newly-elected Hollande Arrives in U.S.
May 18 - Newly-elected French President Francois Hollande arrives in the United States for a meeting with President Barack Obama ahead of the G8 summit. Rough Cut (no reporter narration).


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Anti-gay Protesters Attack Activists in Russia
May 18 - Several gay activists are injured as anti-gay protesters attack them after a gay rights demonstration in Russia's second city, St Petersburg. Sunita Rappai reports.

"Trust Me," Greece Will Not Leave Euro: Greek MP
May 17 - As Greece counts down to its next election, one of the country's youngest MPs shares her thoughts on the Left, the Right and the chances of a euro exit.


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Queen Elizabeth Welcomes Royals for Luncheon
May 18 - Royals arrive at Windsor castle for lunch with Queen Elizabeth II as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Rough Cut (no reporter narration).


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Mark Zuckerberg Thanks Facebook Employees, Supporters at IPO Launch
May 18 - At the launch ceremony of Facebook's IPO, CEO Mark Zuckerberg tells employees and supporters to stay focused as the company enters a new phase as a publicly traded company. Rough Cut (no reporter narration).

Protest at Buckingham Palace During Bahraini King's Visit
BBC: A protest has been held outside Buckingham Palace against the visit of the Bahraini King and a number of other foreign royals, who have lunched at Windsor Castle to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

The visit of King Hamad al-Khalifa of Bahrain has been criticised by human rights campaigners.

Peter Tatchell, one of around 40 protesters, told the BBC that it is "very wrong that the Queen has invited seven royal dictators to celebrate her Diamond Jubilee".

Buckingham Palace has said that the Foreign Office approved the invitation of King Hamad. (+ BBC video) » | Friday, May 18, 2012

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BBC: In pictures: Monarchs at Windsor for Diamond Jubilee » | Friday, May 18, 2012

Queen Welcomes Royals for Jubilee Lunch at Windsor
BBC: Kings and queens from around the world have arrived in Windsor for a lunch to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

Among the guests is King Hamad al-Khalifa of Bahrain, whose attendance has been criticised by human rights campaigners.

Twelve members of the British royal family are joining the Queen to welcome the sovereigns of 26 countries.

The BBC's Nicholas Witchell reports from Windsor. (+ BBC video) » | Friday, May 18, 2012

Related »

Human Rights Groups Criticise Queen's Historic Lunch of Monarchs

THE GUARDIAN: King of Bahrain, accused of brutally suppressing pro-democracy protests, among those included on controversial guest list

It was meant to be a monarchical milestone, an unprecedented meeting of the world's crowned heads gathered at Windsor Castle in celebration of the Queen's diamond jubilee.

But as the kings, queens, princes, one emperor, a grand duke and an emir posed for a historic photograph inside the castle's Waterloo Chamber, elsewhere human rights activists condemned it as a platform for "blood-stained despots and tyrants".

Perhaps, the Queen's advisers may have reflected, this glittering anniversary bash was not such a good idea after all.

Taking his seat amid the heraldic splendour of St George's Hall, was King Hamad al-Khalifa of Bahrain, whose regime is accused of the brutal suppression of pro-democracy demonstrations.

Swaziland's controversial King Mswati III, who has amassed 13 wives and an estimated £60m personal fortune, according to Forbes magazine – while many of his 1.2 million subjects live in poverty – was seated nearby.

Saudi and Kuwaiti royals, criticised for their human rights records, also feasted from a menu which included English asparagus, Windsor lamb, wild mushrooms and Kent strawberries, paid for by the taxpayer, via the Sovereign's Grant.

The Queen had rolled out the full red-carpet treatment with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry and princesses Beatrice and Eugenie among a 12-strong royal welcoming party. Prince Charles was not there, as he was hosting his own glittering dinner at Buckingham Palace on Friday night for the foreign rulers, excluding King Hamad, who was not attending.

The Queen welcomed the Bahraini ruler with a handshake and a laugh as the two shared a joke.

But detractors condemned the event as a "catastrophic error of judgment". It was, pronounced the chief executive of the pressure group Republic, Graham Smith, a "crisis of her [the Queen's] own making". "Thanks to the Queen's misjudgment, her jubilee will forever be associated with some of the most repressive regimes in the world," he added. » | Caroline Davis | Friday, May 18, 2012

Related »

Bahrain Protests: Shias Rally Against Closer Ties with Saudi Arabia
THE GUARDIAN: Tens of thousands of Shia protesters demonstrate against further integration between Sunni rulers of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia

Tens of thousands of mainly Shia protesters in Bahrain have joined a march to denounce proposals for closer ties between the unrest-torn Gulf kingdom and neighbouring Saudi Arabia. » | Associated Press in Manama | Friday, May 18, 2012

Abu Qatada Applies to Be Freed on Bail

THE GUARDIAN: Islamist cleric could be released on stringent conditions while courts take months to settle issue of deportation

The radical Islamist cleric, Abu Qatada, who faces deportation to Jordan as a national security threat, is to apply to be freed on bail at the end of the month.

The Judicial Communications Office said that the date for Qatada's bail hearing had been set for 28 May at the special immigration appeals commission in London.

Qatada, whom a Spanish judge once described as Osama bin Laden's right-hand man in Europe, was briefly freed in February on the most draconian bail conditions ever imposed, including a 22-hour curfew. » | Alan Travis, home affairs editor | Friday, May 18, 2012

Southern Europe Fears Summer of Violence
THE GUARDIAN: Authorities are warning that rage could tip over into serious unrest and are concerned at the knock-on effect on tourism

Europe's debt-mired southern rim is becoming increasingly concerned by the prospect of anarchy on the streets this summer, as seething anti-austerity threatens to boil over into something more sinister.

Protests, strikes and sit-ins have long since become the norm for Greece, Italy and Spain. But some authorities are warning that rage is on the verge of tipping over into serious violence, and concerns are mounting over the knock-on effect on tourism, a vital source of income for southern Europe.

In Italy, military, police and intelligence officials are hammering out an emergency security plan for combating violent anarchy in the wake of a recent spate of violent attacks on individuals and institutions.

"The risk of escalation exists," said interior minister Annamaria Cancellieri, adding that the government was prepared to send out the armed forces to protect sensitive targets if necessary.

The Equitalia tax offices in charge of collecting unpaid debts seems to be taking the brunt of public anger. Laid-off Fiat factory workers recently occupied a tax office in Sicily, and protests outside the Naples office turned violent. Several petrol bombs were thrown against a tax office in Tuscany last week. » | Andrea Vogt in Rome, Helena Smith in Athens and Giles Tremlett in Madrid | Friday, May 18, 2012

Al-Qaeda Flags Waved at Islamist Demonstration on the Streets of Bonn | The Internet - May 5, 2012

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CAIR-NY President Zead Ramadan: Anti-Muslim Rhetoric in the US Echoes Nazi Rhetoric against the Jews | Press TV (Iran) - May 13, 2012

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A New Golden Age Rises under the Desert Sun

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Qatar’s Education City has the look of a technology super-state in the making, but can it deliver on its promise, asks Anjana Ahuja.

With temperatures that reach 50C (122F) in the summer and the constant, abrasive swirl of sand grains in the air, Qatar feels like little more than a desert. But the mirages are different here. Instead of shimmering pools of water that vanish on closer inspection, huge structures rise from the bone-dry landscape. Some are squat and boxy; others curve elegantly into the sky. The skyline is dotted with skeletons of others yet to be finished.

Education City, on the outskirts of the capital, Doha, is at an embryonic stage. But it represents Qatar’s grand attempt to turn itself from fossil-fuel nation into scientific superpower. Famous universities such as Carnegie Mellon and University College London have opened satellite campuses amid the fake grass. Shell, Total and GE have set up research centres. Virgin Health Bank has opened an umbilical-cord blood bank. There is a technology park for start-ups seeking escapees from Silicon Valley.

The Qatar Foundation, the non-profit organisation set up by one of the ruling emir’s three wives, hopes that it will become an intellectual jewel in the Gulf and in the wider world.

At a time when Western countries are shutting down or scaling back science projects, it is a striking example of a scientific renaissance in the Muslim world. Last year, the US mothballed both the Space Shuttle and the Tevatron, its equivalent of Cern’s Large Hadron Collider. Spain shut down its ministry of science. Even Brazil, India and China are feeling the financial pinch. But the Middle East has found the will and the cash to think big – motivated by the need for a plan after the oil runs out, and perhaps by the desire to recapture scientific glories that once surpassed those of Europe.

The lexicon is stuffed with terms coined by Islamic scientists: algebra, alchemy, alkali, amalgam, elixir. In the eighth century, Arabic scholars started translating the work of the Greeks; over the next 400 years, their concepts were developed by such pioneers as the chemist al-Jabir, the mathematician al-Uqlidisi (whose name is thought to honour Euclid), the philosopher-medic Ibn Sina – known in Europe as Avicenna – and the polymath al-Biruni, whose 11th-century calculation of the Earth’s circumference was correct to within 1 per cent. By the time that London built its first hospital in the 12th century, Baghdad already had 60. Read on and comment » | Anjana Ahuja | Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Hollande in US for NATO Summit
Relations between the United States and France are arguably the best they've been in the past 70 years. Now the new French President, Francois Hollande, will spend most of his first week in office in the US at the G8 and NATO summits. He'll also meet President Barack Obama. Al Jazeera's Alan Fisher reports from the US capital.

Drinking Coffee for Longer Life
There's encouraging news for the world's coffee addicts. US researchers have found that people who live longer tend to be people who enjoy a caffeinated cup or two - as long as you stay away from the milk and sugar. The study from the US government's Cancer Institute studied more than 400,000 people, and found drinkers of two to three cups a day had a 10 - 13 per cent chance of outlasting those who eschew the brew. But as the good news percolated through the bean scene, cafe dwellers said they would have continued with their daily fix - even if the study's had given the opposite results. Al Jazeera's Tom Ackerman reports from Washington DC on why coffee drinkers aren't losing any sleep over their health.

Greece Fails to Stamp Out Smoking
Much trumpeted legislation aimed at stamping out smoking in Greece, Europe's most tobacco addicted nation, has been declared a failure by health campaigners. A lack of enforcement and widespread public defiance is being blamed for the Greeks' inability to conform to European standards. As the BBC's Malcolm Brabant reports, Greek rebelliousness is one of the biggest obstacles.

Quebec Rocked by Student Protests

THE GUARDIAN: Students clash with police as Quebec introduces emergency laws to close universities and crack down on tuition fee demonstrations

Quebec's provincial government, facing the most sustained student protests in Canadian history, has introduced emergency legislation that would shut some universities and impose harsh fines on pickets blocking students from attending classes, as it looks to end three months of demonstrations against rises in tuition fees.

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in downtown Montreal on Thursday night as the government introduced the bill, with protests spilling over onto an expressway between stalled cars. Tuesday will mark 100 days since the demonstrations began.

Authorities said 122 people were arrested on Wednesday as thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Montreal. Bank windows were smashed and missiles thrown at police. » | Associated Press in Montreal | Friday, May 18, 2012

Human Rights Groups Criticise Queen's Historic Lunch of Monarchs

THE GUARDIAN: King of Bahrain, accused of brutally suppressing pro-democracy protests, among those included on controversial guest list

The king of Bahrain, whose regime has been accused of brutally suppressing pro-democracy demonstrations, has been revealed as one of the guests at a historic lunch of sovereign monarchs hosted by the Queen at Windsor Castle on Friday.

Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa appeared on a guest list released early on Friday ahead of the unprecedented gathering to celebrate the diamond jubilee.

Other guests include Swaziland's King Mswati III, as well as Sheikh Nasser Mohamed Aal Jaber Aal-Sabah of Kuwait and Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf bin Abdulaziz Aal Saud of Saudi Arabia.

One definite no-show will be Queen Sofía of Spain, ordered by her government to turn down the invitation in response to a planned trip next month by the Earl of Wessex to Gibraltar, the UK overseas territory Spain wants returned to its sovereignty.

Human rights demonstrators are expected to stage a protest outside Bahrain's embassy in London later on Friday over the inclusion of the country's ruler.

The former Foreign Office minister Denis MacShane accused the FCO on Thursday of placing the Queen in an impossible position. The Labour MP said: "Many in Britain will regret that the foreign secretary, who approves all invitations sent in the Queen's name as head of state, has decided to include a representative of the Bahraini regime which has done such terrible things to its own people since the Arab awakening a year ago."

The Foreign Office said it had advised on "logistics", adding that the invitations would have been issued by the Queen in a private capacity.

It said that "all world sovereigns" were invited to the event, which was "organised by the royal household, with assistance and co-ordination by the FCO". The UK was a "long-standing friend and ally" of Bahrain, and the "strong relationship" allowed "full and frank discussion" on issues of concern, including human rights. » | Caroline Davies | Friday, May 18, 2012

BBC: Diamond Jubilee: The world's monarchs – Kings, queens, sheikhs and sultans are among those joining the Queen for lunch at Windsor Castle as part of her Diamond Jubilee celebrations. But which countries still have a monarchy and what is the role of the sovereign monarch? » | Friday, May 18, 2012

BBC: Queen's lunch for monarchs attracts controversy: The King of Bahrain and Swaziland's King Mswati III are among controversial monarchs expected at a Windsor Castle lunch being hosted by the Queen. » | Friday, May 18, 2012

FRANCE 24: Tensions over regal jubilee lunch of Queen Elizabeth II » | AFP | Friday, May 18, 2012

ABC NEWS: Tensions over Queen's regal jubilee lunch » | AFP | Friday, May 18, 2012

AFP: Bahrain king will attend Diamond Jubilee lunch: WINDSOR, United Kingdom — The king of Bahrain, whose regime has been accused of rights abuses, was among nearly 50 foreign royals at a lunch Friday to mark the diamond jubilee of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II. ¶ King Hamad, whose Gulf island country is in a state of civil unrest following a brutal crackdown on pro-democracy protests, would attend the event at Windsor Castle, British officials confirmed. ¶ The invitations for the biggest gathering of foreign royalty in Britain since last year's wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton have thrown up several diplomatic headaches. » | AFP | Friday, May 18, 2012

THE PERISCOPE POST: Who’s coming to Queen Elizabeth’s Jubilee Lunch for Monarchs? : The Queen’s hosting a Jubilee lunch for monarchs, reigning and not. But what will they talk about? Carl-Gustav’s sex scandals? Fish with the Emperor of Japan? Will they bring up human rights issues with the King of Bahrain? Or maybe they’ll just have a jolly good time saying “Off with their heads!” » | Periscope Writer | Friday, May 18, 2012 Related »