Burma Abolishes Media Censorship

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Burma said it had abolished media censorship on Monday in the latest in a series of rapid democratic reforms, delighting journalists who lived for decades under the shadow of the censors' marker pen.

Draconian pre-publication checks - applied in the past to everything from newspapers to song lyrics and even fairy tales - were a hallmark of life under the generals who ran the country for almost half a century until last year.

"This is a great day for all journalists in Myanmar, who have laboured under these odious restrictions for far too many years," said a senior editor at a Yangon weekly publication who preferred not to be named.

"It is also another encouraging example of the progress that the country is making under [President] Thein Sein's government," he added.

Media reforms have already brought a lighter touch from the once ubiquitous censors, with less controversial publications freed from scrutiny last year.

Political and religious journals were the last to be allowed to go to press without pre-approval from the censors starting from Monday. » | AFP | Monday, August 20, 2012

‘US Instigating Violent Crackdown on Whistleblowers, Dissent’

Candice Cohen-Ahnine : la mort suspecte d’une mère courage
lePARISIEN.fr: Candice Cohen-Ahnine, qui tentait de récupérer sa fille retenue en Arabie saoudite, s’est tuée en tombant d’une fenêtre chez elle à Paris. Elle tentait de passer chez un voisin, comme si elle fuyait un danger…

C’est un destin tragique qui s’est achevé jeudi soir au pied d’un immeuble cossu du VIIIe arrondissement de Paris, à deux pas des Champs-Elysées. Celui de Candice Cohen-Ahnine, 34 ans, qui aura vécu un bref conte de fées avant un long calvaire. Elle a été découverte morte après une chute du 4e étage dans des circonstances qui restent troubles.

« Il y a quelques jours, Candice m’avait confié qu’elle se sentait menacée », glisse d’ailleurs un proche de la défunte. Une autopsie et la poursuite de plusieurs auditions de témoins et de voisins devraient permettre d’en savoir plus dès le début de la semaine.

Depuis 2008, Candice se battait pour récupérer sa fille Haya, 11 ans, retenue par son père, un prince saoudien. Après des années de bras de fer juridique et diplomatique, la mère courage entrevoyait le bout du tunnel et avait obtenu le droit d’aller rencontrer Haya dans un mois à Riyad. » | DAMIEN DELSENY AVEC STÉPHANE SELLAMI ET GEOFFROY TOMASOVITCH | dimanche 19 août 2012

THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: French mother in custody battle with Saudi prince falls to her death: A French Jewish mother at the centre of a high profile custody battle with a Saudi prince has died after falling from a fourth storey apartment, amid suspicions of foul play. » | Devorah Lauter, Paris | Sunday, August 19, 2012

Julian Assange Makes Statement on Balcony of Ecuadorean Embassy
THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Julian Assange, the Wikileaks founder, gave a dramatic statement from the Ecuadorian embassy in London today as he condemned his persecution and attempts to silence whistleblowers.


In a defiant statement from the Ecuadorian embassy’s ground floor balcony, 41 year-old Assange praised the nation of Ecuador for taking a "stand for justice" in giving him political asylum.

Addressing hundreds of loyal supporters outside the central London building this afternoon, the former computer hacker suggested there was “unity in oppression”.

He urged the American government “renounce its witch hunt against Wikileaks” and stop its “war on whistleblowers”.

He also thanked other helpful South American nations and supporters around the world, plus his family including his children "who have been denied their father".

He said: "Forgive me, we will be reunited soon." » | Andrew Hough, at the Ecuadorean embassy | Sunday, August 19, 2012

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Ecuadorian embassy statement in full »

Military Intervention in Syria Will Lead to Catastrophe – Lavrov

Assange: le casse-tête diplomatique continue, spéculations sur une apparition publique
LE POINT: Le cas de Julian Assange, toujours retranché dans l'ambassade d'Equateur à Londres, nourrissait à la fois samedi de nombreux propos diplomatiques, et les spéculations sur la manière dont il pourrait, sans être arrêté, tenir sa promesse d'apparaître publiquement dimanche.

Jeudi, après l'annonce de la décision équatorienne d'accorder l'asile à M. Assange, le réseau WikiLeaks qu'il a fondé avait annoncé sur Twitter qu'il "ferait une déclaration publique devant l'ambassade d'Equateur dimanche à 14h00" (13h00 GMT), soit "deux mois exactement après qu'il y est entré", et qu'il s'agirait de "sa première apparition publique depuis mars".

La question est à présent de savoir comment M. Assange, que les Britanniques sont bien décidés à extrader vers la Suède qui le réclame pour l'interroger sur le viol et l'agression sexuelle de deux jeunes femmes, pourrait sortir sans être arrêté. » | AFP | samedi 18 août 2012

Rußland: Pussy-Riot-Urteil erntet weltweit Kritik

Israël se prépare à une guerre avec l'Iran

LE FIGARO: Les citoyens se bousculent dans les centres de distribution de masques à gaz et l'armée vérifie les abris antimissiles.

Les Israéliens commencent à croire que l'hypothèse de centaines de missiles ravageant leur pays, en représailles à une attaque contre des installations nucléaires iraniennes, ne relève plus de la politique-fiction. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, le président iranien ne fait rien pour les rassurer: il a assimilé hier Israël à une «tumeur cancéreuse».

Cette montée de tension se fait sentir dans les centres de distribution de masques à gaz, qui connaissent un afflux sans précédent depuis des années. Les appels téléphoniques aux centres de renseignements des municipalités pour localiser les abris publics se multiplient. Sur ce front, la mairie de Tel-Aviv, une cible privilégiée avec le quartier général de l'armée et le siège du ministère de la Défense, a annoncé que 60 parkings sous-terrains allaient être aménagés pour accueillir des centaines de milliers de personnes en cas de besoin. » | Par Marc Henry | vendredi 17 août 2012

Ignorance, Benightedness: Saudi Cleric Salman Al-Odeh: Jews Use Human Blood for Passover Matzos | Rotana Khalijiya TV (Saudi Arabia) - August 13, 2012

Anti-Islamic Ad Claiming "It's Not Islamophobia, It's Islamorealism" Goes Up in NY Train Stations
CBS NEWS: LARCHMONT, N.Y. - An anti-Islamic advertisement has gone up at several Metro-North Railroad stations in Westchester County.

It reads: "It's not Islamophobia, it's Islamorealism."

The signs were paid for by the American Freedom Defense Initiative, an organization ran by blogger and political activist Pamela Geller. It associates Islam with 19,250 terrorist attacks carried out by extremists since the 9/11. She told CBS radio station 1010 WINS in New York that the sign is intended to tell people that it is not "Islamophobic' to oppose jihad terror."

"The ad is just stating a fact. There have been well over 19,000 jihadi attacks since 9/11," Geller said. "People need to know this. Obviously, everybody is surprised by this number and I think that's part of the reason why we need to run these ads. People need to know this is going on across the world."

The Metropolitan Transpiration Authority in New York (MTA) said it doesn't support the sentiment displayed in the ad but doesn't bar advertising based on content, according to CBS station WCBS in New York. » | CBS/AP | Friday, August 17, 2012

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: Israel's Existence 'Insult to All Humanity'
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Israel's existence is an "insult to all humanity," Iran's president said on Friday in one of his sharpest attacks yet against the country while Israeli leaders openly debate whether to attack Iran over its nuclear programme.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said confronting Israel is an effort to "protect the dignity of all human beings".

"The existence of the Zionist regime is an insult to all humanity," Ahmadinejad said. He was addressing worshippers at Tehran University after nationwide pro-Palestinian rallies, an annual event marking Quds (Jerusalem) Day on the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan.

Israel considers Iran an existential threat because of its nuclear and missile programs, support for radical anti-Israel groups on its borders and repeated references by Iranian leaders to Israel's destruction. Ahmadinejad himself has repeatedly made such calls, as has Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. » | Friday, August 17, 2012

'Not Even in Cold War’s Darkest Days': International Law Scrapped in Anti-Assange Crusade

New Dark Age Alert! British Convert to Islam Vows to Fight to the Death on Syrian Rebel Front Line
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: A British Muslim convert from east London is fighting on the front line of the battle for Aleppo after joining rebels in their struggle against Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

The jihadist, who lived in Walthamstow, has joined an Islamist brigade as it fights for control of Syria’s second city.

While he refused to give his real name, he agreed to speak to The Daily Telegraph in a field hospital behind the front line in the contested Aleppo suburb of Salaheddin. The Londoner, who called himself “Abu Yacoub” — father of Jacob — is the first proven case of a Briton being where the fighting is fiercest in Syria.

He was with an Iraqi friend, Hassan, who had received a minor bullet wound in the leg, and was taking him to the field hospital for treatment.

He disclosed that he had converted to Islam five years ago and had arrived in Syria earlier this year to join the revolutionary forces seeking to overthrow President Assad.

“I will stay here until I die,” he said. “I want to die in Syria. We must all taste paradise, and when that happens is decided already.” » | Richard Spencer, Salaheddin, Aleppo | Thursday, August 16, 2012

Julian Assange to Issue Statement 'In Front' of Embassy Haven
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Julian Assange faces arrest if he leaves his haven in the Ecudorean embassy in London to issue a statement on Sunday.

The WikiLeaks founder was granted political asylum by the Latin Americans after its ministers agreed he was facing persecution and the possible death penalty in America. But he remains holed up in the embassy in Knightsbridge, surrounded by police who want to arrest him for breaching his bail conditions.

Last night WikiLeaks said he would give a "live" statement "in front of" the embassy on Sunday, two months since he entered it. He could be seized if it is deemed he has stepped outside the building's diplomatically protected zone.

Despite his delight at being granted asylum on Thursday, William Hague, the Foreign Secretary, said the maverick Australian would not be allowed to fly to his newly adopted country and must instead answer rape allegations in Sweden.

It sets the scene for a diplomatic stalemate between London, which said it was “disappointed” by the long-awaited decision, and Quito, which has accused Britain of threatening to storm the building to seize Mr Assange. » | Martin Beckford, and Rosa Silverman | Thursday, August 16, 2012

Julian Assange Asylum: Ecuador Is Right to Stand Up To the US

THE GUARDIAN: The United States would paint itself as a promoter of human rights, but any right to make that claim is long gone

Ecuador has now made its decision: to grant political asylum to Julian Assange. This comes in the wake of an incident that should dispel remaining doubts about the motives behind the UK/Swedish attempts to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. On Wednesday, the UK government made an unprecedented threat to invade Ecuador's embassy if Assange is not handed over. Such an assault would be so extreme in violating international law and diplomatic conventions that it is difficult to even find an example of a democratic government even making such a threat, let alone carrying it out.

When Ecuadorian foreign minister Ricardo Patiño, in an angry and defiant response, released the written threats to the public, the UK government tried to backtrack and say it wasn't a threat to invade the embassy (which is another country's sovereign territory). But what else can we possibly make of this wording from a letter delivered by a British official?

"You need to be aware that there is a legal base in the UK, the Diplomatic and Consular Premises Act 1987, that would allow us to take actions in order to arrest Mr Assange in the current premises of the embassy. We sincerely hope that we do not reach that point, but if you are not capable of resolving this matter of Mr Assange's presence in your premises, this is an open option for us."

Is there anyone in their [his] right mind who believes that the UK government would make such an unprecedented threat if this were just about an ordinary foreign citizen wanted for questioning – not criminal charges or a trial – by a foreign government?

Ecuador's decision to grant political asylum to Assange was both predictable and reasonable. But it is also a ground-breaking case that has considerable historic significance. » | Mark Weisbrot | Thursday, August 16, 2012

Ecuador Denounces Julian Assange 'Threat' from Britain
Ecuador's foreign minister, Ricardo Patiño, deplores what he describes as a threat from the British government to raid the country's London embassy if it fails to hand in Julian Assange. The WikiLeaks founder took refuge in the embassy two months ago in a bid to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he faces allegations of sexual assault

Ecuador Grants Asylum to Julian Assange
Ecuador's foreign minister, Ricardo Patiño, confirms that Quito has granted Julian Assange political asylum on the basis that he risks 'political persecution' if extradited to Sweden to face trial on sexual assault charges. The Foreign Office, however, insists the UK will carry out its 'binding obligation' to extradite the WikiLeaks founder regardless of Ecuador's decision

Assange Offered Political Asylum in Ecuador – Live Video

Gulf States Urge Citizens to Leave Lebanon over Syria Fears
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Kuwait have urged their citizens to leave Lebanon owing to fears the Syrian conflict is spilling over the border.

The warning by the four Arab states comes after a series of kidnappings of Sunni Muslims by Shias.

On Wednesday, rioters blocked the road to Beirut airport, as dozens ofSyrians were kidnapped and their shops vandalised in violence that triggered orders from Gulf nations for citizens to leave Lebanon immediately.

Rioters set fire to tyres on the road, while an Air France flight was diverted to Damascus for refuelling before flying on to Larnaca in Cyprus because of the insecurity, apparently triggered by unconfirmed reports over the fate of Lebanese pilgrims kidnapped in Syria in May.

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation also formally suspended Syria’s membership in protest at the ongoing violence. » | Thursday, August 16, 2012

Julian Assange Can Be Arrested in Ecuador Embassy, UK Warns
THE GUARDIAN: Ahead of decision on WikiLeaks founder's asylum claim, Quito accuses Britain of threat to trample international law

The diplomatic and political minefield that is the fate of Julian Assange is expected to come a step closer to being traversed when Ecuador's president, Rafael Correa, gives his decision on whether his country will grant the WikiLeaks' founder asylum around lunchtime on Thursday.

The decision – if it comes – will mark the end of a turbulent process that on Wednesday night saw Ecuador's foreign minister, Ricardo Patiño, raging against perceived threats from Britain to "storm" the embassy and warning that such a "dangerous precedent" would be met with "appropriate responses in accordance with international law".

The dramatic development came two months after Assange suddenly walked into the embassy in a bid to avoid being extradited to Sweden, where he faces allegations of sexual assault.

At a press conference on Wednesday, Patiño released details of a letter he said was delivered through a British embassy official in Quito, the capital of the South American country.

The letter said: "You need to be aware that there is a legal base in the UK, the Diplomatic and Consular Premises Act 1987, that would allow us to take actions in order to arrest Mr Assange in the current premises of the embassy."

It added: "We need to reiterate that we consider the continued use of the diplomatic premises in this way incompatible with the Vienna convention and unsustainable and we have made clear the serious implications that this has for our diplomatic relations."

On Wednesday night appeals were tweeted for Assange supporters to occupy the embassy to prevent British police from arresting him, and while there was a police presence outside the embassy, Scotland Yard insisted that officers were simply there to "police the embassy like any other embassy".

Patiño said he was "deeply shocked" by the diplomatic letter. Speaking to reporters later, he said: "The government of Ecuador is considering a request for asylum and has carried out diplomatic talks with the governments of the United Kingdom and Sweden. However, today we received from the United Kingdom a written threat that they could attack our embassy in London if Ecuador does not give up Julian Assange. » | Damien Pearse | Thursday, August 16, 2012

Syria: The Gap Salesman Turned Rebel Executioner
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Yaman Hamoud, 22, divided his time between university and working in a Gap store in Dubai, before becoming an executioner for the FSA

The journey from Gap store shop assistant to rebel executioner was short.

Six months ago, Yaman Hamoud was selling fashion, under the watchful eye of a British shop manager. By August, back home in Aleppo, the 22-year-old was part of a Free Syrian Army squad that arrested a member of the Shabiha, the hated Assad militia.

After a few hours of to-and-fro with his commander, the squad was given permission to do what they wanted with him. “We took him to the graveyard, where there was a hole in the ground,” he said, laughing. His confession was entirely unprompted. “We shot him. He fell.”

He had no remorse, but admitted he had thought about his mother. “She rings me all the time to tell me to try to avoid killing people,” he said. “She says, 'It’s haram [forbidden (by God)], please don’t if you can help it’. But we have to do this. He was Shabiha. They have killed so many people.” » | Richard Spencer, Aleppo | Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Tobacco Packaging: Cigarette Companies Lose Australian Court Case

THE GUARDIAN: Victory for government will force manufacturers to remove branding and sell tobacco products in generic green packets

Australia's highest court has endorsed cigarette plain-packaging laws that will force tobacco companies to remove branding from their products.

Tobacco companies British American Tobacco, Britain's Imperial Tobacco, Philip Morris and Japan Tobacco challenged the laws in Australia's high court, claiming the rules were unconstitutional because they effectively extinguished the companies' intellectual property rights.

The court found Australia's laws to force companies to remove all branding and sell tobacco only in generic olive green packets, which also carry graphic health warnings, were legal and did not breach trademark rights.

The laws, the toughest in the world, are in line with World Health Organisation recommendations and are being watched closely by Britain, Norway, New Zealand, Canada and India, which are considering similar measures. » | Reuters in Canberra | Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Julian Assange Will Be Granted Asylum, Says Official

THE GUARDIAN: Ecuador's president Rafael Correa has agreed to give the WikiLeaks founder asylum, according to an official in Quito

Ecuador's president Rafael Correa has agreed to give Julian Assangeasylum, officials within Ecuador's government have said.

The WikiLeaks founder has been holed up at Ecuador's London embassy since 19 June, when he officially requested political asylum.

"Ecuador will grant asylum to Julian Assange," said an official in the Ecuadorean capital Quito, who is familiar with the government discussions.

On Monday, Correa told state-run ECTV that he would decide this week whether to grant asylum to Assange. Correa said a large amount of material about international law had to be examined to make a responsible informed decision.

Ecuador's foreign minister Ricardo Patiño indicated that the president would reveal his answer once the Olympic Games were over. But it remains unclear if giving Assange asylum will allow him to leave Britain and fly to Ecuador, or amounts to little more than a symbolic gesture. At the moment he faces the prospect of arrest as soon as he leaves the embassy for breaching his bail conditions.

"For Mr Assange to leave England, he should have a safe pass from the British [government]. Will that be possible? That's an issue we have to take into account," Patino told Reuters on Tuesday. » | Irene Caselli in Quito | Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Egypt’s New President Mohammad Morsi Sacks Army Chief

THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Egypt's Islamist president sacked the country's top generals on Sunday night in a dramatic attempt to stamp civilian control over an institution that has run the country for almost six decades.

Mohammad Morsi dismissed Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi as defence minister and head of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, the body that removed the former dictator Hosni Mubarak from power after the popular uprising last year.

In a clear signal that the balance of power was shifting away from the generals, Mr Morsi also issued a decree cancelling an army declaration that restricted the powers of the presidency.

Mr Morsi, who was elected in June and is a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, appointed Mahmoud Mekki, a judge with an independent reputation, as vice-president and promoted Lt Gen Abdel Fattah al-Sissi to the post of defence minister.

Field Marshal Tantawi, 76, acted as Egypt's de facto head of state for 17 months after Mubarak was ousted in response to the Arab Spring demonstrations in Cairo. Before that he had headed the defence ministry for 20 years.

"Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi has been transferred into retirement from today," said Yasser Ali, a presidential spokesman. "The decision was sovereign by the president to pump new blood into the military establishment for the sake of developing the new, modern state." » | Damien McElroy, and Magdy Samaan in Cairo | Sunday, August 12, 2012

US and Turkey Plan for 'Worst Syria Scenario'
Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, has said her country is setting up a working group with Turkey to plan for worst-case scenarios in Syria, including a possible chemical weapons attack on the government's opponents. In a joint news conference in Istanbul with Ahmet Davutoglu, Turkey's foreign minister, Clinton said that the group will co-ordinate military, intelligence and political responses to any potential fallout in Syria. Al Jazeera's Andrew Simmons reports from Istanbul, the Turkish capital.

Earthquakes Kill 250 in Iran

THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Iranian officials said at least 250 people died and more than 2,000 were injured by twin earthquakes that hit the Tabriz region in northwest Iran.

The two strong quakes struck towns and villages in northwest Iran in quick succession on Saturday, killing at least 180 people and injuring more than 1,000, according to a preliminary toll by officials.

Khalil Sa'ie, a provincial official, said 250 people had been killed and some 1,300 injured.

Gholamreza Masoumi, the head of Iran's emergency services, said those hurt were being taken to hospitals in Tabriz and Ardebil, the two biggest nearby major cities, both of which escaped relatively unscathed by the quakes.

The quakes measured 6.2 and 6.0 on the moment magnitude scale, according to Tehran University's Seismological Centre, but the US Geological Survey, which monitors seismic activity worldwide, ranked them as more powerful than that, at 6.4 and 6.3, respectively. » | Sunday, August 12, 2012

First Palestinian Male Ballet Dancer Battles Prejudices
BBC: As the young ballet dancer stretches backwards lifting his leg over the barre and rising up on to demi-pointe, beads of sweat appear on his forehead.

The two hour-long routine takes place daily in south London in a practice studio surrounded by mirrors.

The practice is so demanding that it would break the will, not to mention the physical strength, of anyone less passionate about dance.

But it is not just the gruelling requirements of ballet that this young dancer has to contend with but also entrenched cultural prejudices.

'Completely alien'

As the only classically-trained, male Palestinian dancer, 21-year-old Ayman Safiah has had to face huge opposition from within his own community.

"My desire to study classical ballet was simply beyond the understanding of my classmates," he explains. "They only knew that it was something women enjoyed. It was completely alien to them." (+ video) » | Sylvia Smith | London | Saturday, August 11, 2012

Republican Romney Names Paul Ryan as Running Mate

BBC: US Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has named fiscal conservative Paul Ryan as his running mate in November's election.

Mr Ryan, 42, is a congressman for his home state of Wisconsin.

Ohio Senator Rob Portman and former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty had also been tipped to run with Mr Romney as vice-presidential candidate.

The BBC's North America Editor Mark Mardell says the decision is a bold and ideological choice.

Recent opinion polls suggest a close race between Mr Romney and President Barack Obama in November's poll, with Mr Obama tending to have a slight lead in most surveys.

Analysts say Mr Romney will be hoping to regain momentum in the campaign after a series of pro-Obama campaign advertisements attacking his record.

Mr Ryan is best-known for a controversial alternative budget which he produced to counter President Obama's plans in 2011 and 2012, known as the Path to Prosperity. » | Saturday, August 11, 2012

Saudi Arabia Won't Let Israel Cross Airspace To Attack Iran
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS TIMES: U.S. officials have reportedly warned Israel that Saudi Arabia will support Iran should the Jewish state launch an attack on Tehran.

Analysts said Israel was keen to strike before Iran moves its uranium enrichment facilities, crucial to the development of nuclear weapons, to the heavily fortified Fordow facility.

Yedioth Ahronoth said American officials passed to Israel a message from Riyadh that reads: "Saudi Arabia would shoot down any Israeli aircraft in its airspace on their way to Iran."

Saudi Arabia has refused to recognise Israel since the state was founded in 1948.

In 2010, Saudi Arabia's UK envoy, Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf, said: "It is illogical to allow the Israeli occupying force, with whom Saudi Arabia has no relations whatsoever, to use its airspace." » | Anissa Haddadi | Friday, August 10, 2012

No Man’s Land: Women-only City Planned for Saudi Arabia

RT.COM: Saudi Arabia is to build a new city exclusively for women. The Gulf kingdom is working on the narrow junction between strict Sharia law and the aspirations of active females who wish to pursue their own careers.

The new plan is to combine women’s desire to work in the modern age and provide a job environment that would go hand-in-hand with the country’s Sharia law. The Saudi Industrial Property Authority (Modon) has been charged to lead the country into a new era.

The ambitious mono-city is now being designed with construction to begin next year. The municipality in the Eastern city of Hafuf is expected to attract 500 million riyals (US$133 million) in investments and it will create around 5,000 jobs in the textiles, pharmaceuticals and food processing industries. There will be women-run firms and production lines for women.

Saudi Sharia law does allow women to work, given that her essential duties of homemaking should not be neglected. But in reality around 15 per cent of women are represented in the workforce, according to some estimates.

The Modon plan shadows the government’s desire for women to play a more important role in the development of the country. Among the stated objectives are to create job spots for young people. » | Friday, August 10, 2012

Islamist Extremists Cut Off Thief's Hand in Northern Mali

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Jihadists occupying northern Mali on Thursday said they had cut off the hand of a thief in accordance with strict Islamic law which they have imposed on the population.

"Yes, I confirm it. We applied sharia in Ansongo yesterday (Wednesday). The hand of a thief was cut off. Sharia demands it," a leader of the Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO), Mohamed Ould Abdine, told AFP.

A local government official in the town south of Gao, one of the capitals of the vast desert region, said he witnessed the amputation.

"I am in Gao now, but yesterday I was in Ansongo. There was a lot of blood when the hand was cut. It was the hand of a thief who stole a motorbike," he told AFP.

He added that dozens of people had witnessed the public amputation.

Abdine said the sentence was "the law of God." » | Source: AFP | Thursday, August 09, 2012

Syria: Iran Vows It Will Not Allow Assad to Fall
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Iran pledged that its "axis" with Syria will "never" be allowed to break when Tehran sought to bolster President Bashar al-Assad by sending a senior envoy to Damascus.

Mr Assad made his first appearance on state television for over a fortnight, promising to continue the struggle against his enemies "without respite".

Iran has been trying to guarantee the survival of Mr Assad, who serves as Tehran's only reliable ally in the Middle East, by supplying Syria's regime with funds, weaponry and expert personnel to aid the campaign against rebels.

Saeed Jalili, the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, came to Damascus as a visible symbol of that support.

"Iran will never allow the resistance axis – of which Syria is an essential pillar – to break," he said. The "axis of resistance" refers to the Middle East's anti-Western powers: Iran, Syria and the armed groups, Hizbollah and Hamas, although in reality the latter has already broken away by ending its presence in Damascus.

Iran and Syria both claim that foreign countries have caused the uprising against Mr Assad with the aim of destroying the "axis". During his visit, Mr Jalili echoed that message. "What is happening in Syria is not an internal issue but a conflict between the axis of resistance on one hand, and the regional and global enemies of this axis on the other," he said. » | David Blair, Richard Spencer in Aleppo | Tuesday, August 07, 2012

Nigeria Church Attack Leaves at Least 19 Dead

THE GUARDIAN: Congregation killed and wounded when gunmen open fire on Deeper Life church in the town of Otite in Kogi state

Gunmen fired on worshippers in a church in central Nigeria, killing at least 19 people, including the pastor, and wounding others, the military has said.

The attack targeted a Deeper Life church in the town of Otite in Kogi state, about 250km (155 miles) south-west of Nigeria's capital, Abuja. Police and soldiers surrounded the church on Tuesday morning, witnesses said. It was unclear how many people were wounded in the attack Monday night.

The gunmen surrounded the church during a service and opened fire with Kalashnikov rifles, military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Gabriel Olorunyomi said. The pastor was among the dead.

Soldiers searched for gunmen through the night, but had made no arrests as of Tuesday, he added, No group has claimed responsibility.

The killings come as Nigeria faces continuing attacks from a radical Islamist sect known as Boko Haram. » | Associated Press in Abuja | Tuesday, August 07, 2012

Germany and Italy Near Blows Over Euro

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: German politicians from across the spectrum have reacted furiously to warnings by Italy’s Mario Monti that Bundestag control over EU debt policies threatens to bring about the “disintegration” of the European project.

“We must make it clear to Mr Monti that we Germans will not shut down our democracy to pay Italian debts,” said Alexander Dobrindt, secretary-general of Bavaria’s Social Christians (CSU).

Bundestag president Norbert Lammert said parliament’s integrity cannot be subordinated to the ups and downs of the markets. Free Democrat (FDP) leaders said Italy’s unelected prime minister is playing with political fire by trying to circumvent democratic legitimacy.

The dispute comes as relations between Germany and Italy touch the lowest ebb since the Second World War, with Il Giornale publishing a front-page picture of Chancellor Angela Merkel under the headline “Fourth Reich”.

“The tone of the debate has turned dangerous. We must be careful that Europe does not rip itself apart,” said German foreign minister, Guido Westerwelle. He himself fanned the flames over the weekend, saying he was “categorically” against further expansion of the EU rescue machinery or bond purchases by the European Central Bank. “I can’t imagine that a majority of the Bundestag will back unlimited debt liabilities,” he said. » | Ambrose Evans-Pritchard | Monday, August 06, 2012

Two Killed in Saudi Arabia Clashes
THE GUARDIAN: A soldier and an alleged gunman died, with one soldier wounded, in a shootout during Shia protests in Qatif, in the oil-rich Eastern Province

Two people have been killed in clashes between soldiers and Shia protesters in eastern Saudi Arabia, state media reported.

A soldier and a Shia gunman were killed in a shootout in the city of Qatif late on Friday, according to the interior ministry. » | Staff and agencies | Saturday, August 04, 2012

48 pèlerins iraniens enlevés à Damas
LE FIGARO: Quarante-huit pèlerins iraniens ont été enlevés aujourd'hui à Damas par des "groupes terroristes armés", selon le consul iranien dans la capitale syrienne à la télévision d'Etat iranienne. "Des groupes armés terroristes ont enlevé 48 pèlerins iraniens qui se rendaient (en bus) à l'aéroport", a indiqué Majid Kamjou à la chaîne publique IRIB qui a rapporté l'information sur son site. "Il n'y a pas d'informations sur le sort des pèlerins. L'ambassade et les responsables syriens tentent de retrouver la trace des ravisseurs", a-t-il ajouté. » | AFP | samedi 04 auôt 2012

US Election 2012: It's Not Just the Gaffes - Romney's Foreign Policy Vacuum Leaves Lasting Damage

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The goal of a foreign policy tour in the middle of an American campaign is to appear presidential, writes John Avlon. But in the absence of real policy, however, it was the gaffes that became the lasting memory.

Mitt Romney got back to the USA after his magical misery tour through Britain, Israel and Poland and promptly decamped to the Midwest swing states where his poll numbers have been dipping precipitously.

The goal of a foreign policy tour in the middle of an American campaign is to appear presidential – a subtle psychological reinforcement of the idea that the man can be trusted to represent the nation on the world stage.

The famously risk-averse Romney had scheduled what should have been a seamless tour, starting with a visit to the Olympics - a beloved cornerstone of his campaign biography as a turnaround artist. But as British readers know all too well, things didn't quite work out as intended.

When the leading British Conservatives – Prime Minister David Cameron and Mayor Boris Johnson – disrespect the visiting conservative presidential candidate, you know things have gone horribly wrong.

Team Romney was on the defensive for the rest of the trip, with meticulous photo opportunities spoiled by unforced errors. My personal favourite came courtesy of an over-zealous aide who rebuked the travelling press corps for shouting questions at the candidate after he deposited a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Warsaw.

"Kiss my ass," shouted the Romney spokesman. "This is a holy site for the Polish people. Show some respect."

Martin Scorsese couldn't have written better dialogue. Read on and comment » | John Avlon, American Way | Saturday, August 04, 2012

Mother of Julian Assange Meets with Ecuadoran President
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The mother of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange met with Ecuadoran President Rafael Correa on Wednesday to discuss the fate of her son holed up at the country's embassy in Britain.

Assange, 41, is seeking asylum in the South American nation to avoid his extradition to Sweden, where he is accused of sexual assault.

"The important thing is for Julian to be assured that Ecuador is considering with great responsibility" his request, the president told Assange's mother, Christine Assange, during their hour-long meeting.

Mr Correa said his country has a "great humanist tradition and respect for human rights."

He added that he respects Britain, Sweden, and the people of the United States, and that the matter bears consultation, but that, ultimately, "Ecuador does not negotiate over its sovereignty."

Meanwhile, Assange told AFP that based on "a chronological history of the Swedish investigations and based on the fact, there is absolutely no doubt" the charges against her son are part of a political persecution against him. » | Source: agencies | Thursday, August 02, 2012

High-End London Property Prices Falter on Budget Worries
CNBC: Prime Central London property had looked almost immune to economic problems in the rest of the U.K and the euro zone in the past couple of years.

This could be changing.

In July, prices for properties over 2 million pounds ($3 million) in areas like Chelsea and Mayfair grew by 0.5 percent — the lowest rate of growth in almost two years — according to estate agents Knight Frank.

This came despite plenty of interest from buyers elsewhere in the euro zone looking for safe havens. Interest from prospective buyers rose by 23 percent in the three months to July compared to the previous quarter, according to Knight Frank.

And internet searches for London property rose by 9 percent from Italy, 10 percent from Spain and 50 percent from Greece in May, according to Savills. » | Catherine Boyle, Staff Writer | Thursday, August 02, 2012

Parents of Shafilea Ahmed Sentenced to 25-years after Being Found Guilty of Her 'Honour' Killing
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The parents of Shafilea Ahmed, who believed their 17-year-old daughter had brought shame on the family for wanting to live a western lifestyle, have been been jailed for 25-years each after being found guilty of her murder.

Iftikhar Ahmed and his wife Farzana were convicted of the honour killing today following a three month trial at Chester Crown Court.

Shafilea's father showed no emotion as he was sentenced but his wife sobbed loudly. Trial judge Mr Justice Roderick Evans told them: "Your concern about being shamed in your community was greater than the love of your child."

The court had been told how the couple from the same village in rural Pakistan had jointly killed their 17-year-old daughter after claiming her behaviour had brought the family into disrepute.

They had clashed with their eldest daughter over her westernised lifestyle and objected to her wearing the same clothes as her white friends, rather than traditional Pakistani dress.

In 2003, months before she disappeared she was forced to travel to Pakistan, where she was expected to marry a man more than ten years her senior.

In desperation Shafilea swallowed bleach, badly burning her throat and causing the man to call off the marriage. He declared she was “damaged goods”.

She returned to Britain but went missing from the family home in Warrington in September 2003. » | Friday, August 03, 2012

Anti-Islam Challenge to Tennessee Lawmaker Fails
REUTERS.COM: A Tennessee Republican congresswoman survived a spirited primary election challenge on Thursday from an opponent whose campaign was based on opposition to Islam and to a new mosque built near Nashville.

U.S. Representative Diane Black won the primary election by a comfortable margin over Lou Ann Zelenik, noted for her fierce opposition to the Islamic Center built in Murfreesboro, about 30 miles south of Nashville, although it was outside the congressional district she sought to represent.

Zelenik was backed by a wealthy conservative businessman from Nashville, who paid for ads attacking Black over the mosque and Islam. Zelenik charged that Black had not opposed the mosque vigorously.

Zelenik pledged during the campaign that if elected she would "work to stop the Islamization of our society, and do everything possible to prevent Sharia Law from circumventing our laws and our Constitution." » | Tim Ghianni | NASHVILLE, Tennessee | Fri August 03, 2012

Italy Outlaws 'You Don't Have the Balls'
THE GUARDIAN: Highest appeals court rules it a crime to use phrase after case in which JP questioned existence of lawyer's testicles

It took a trial and two appeals. But now Italians know where they stand.

They may think it. They may mutter it. But, on pain of a hefty fine, they must not say it.

With all the solemnity on which it can draw, Italy's highest appeals court has ruled it is a crime to utter the words: "You don't have the balls." And for reasons that are potentially as controversial as the judgment itself.

The court decided the phrase should be outlawed, not so much because it cast doubt on the offended party's virility, but because it implied a "lack of determination, competence and consistency – virtues which, rightly or wrongly, continue to be regarded as suggestive of the male sex'. » | John Hooper in Rome | Thursday, August 02, 2012

Schwarzenegger devient professeur à l'université

LE FIGARO: L'acteur et ex-gouverneur de Californie s'associe avec l'université de Californie du Sud pour créer un institut de réflexion politique visant à dépasser les clivages partisans.

Arnold Schwarzenegger démultiplie les vies professionnelles. Après avoir été culturiste, acteur, homme d'affaires, politicien, l'ancien gouverneur de Californie se réinvente en universitaire. Arnold Schwarzenegger a annoncé jeudi qu'il s'associait avec l'université de Californie du Sud (USC), basée à Los Angeles, pour créer un institut de réflexion politique. Ce think thank, intitulé Institute for State and Global Policy (institut pour une politique mondiale et nationale, ndlr) vise à transcender les clivages politiques et à trouver des solutions bipartisanes. L'institut va développer cinq domaines de recherche: l'éducation, l'énergie et l'environnement, la fiscalité et l'économie, la santé et le bien-être et la réforme politique. » | Par Constance Jamet | vendredi 03 août 2012

L'Église mobilise ses fidèles contre le mariage gay

LE FIGARO: Transmise à tous les diocèses de France, une prière nationale unique veut mobiliser avant la législation sur le mariage homosexuel.

Le caractère exceptionnel et collectif de la démarche émet un message fort. Une prière nationale a été écrite par le cardinal André Vingt-Trois, président de la Conférence des évêques de France, et transmise à tous les diocèses de l'Hexagone pour qu'elle soit reprise dans chaque paroisse. Une prière pour la France, à l'heure où la législation se penche sur la famille, avec, à la rentrée, les dossiers épineux du mariage homosexuel et de l'euthanasie.

«Pour celles et ceux qui ont été récemment élus pour légiférer et gouverner ; que leur sens du bien commun de la société l'emporte sur les requêtes particulières et qu'ils aient la force de suivre les indications de leur conscience», exprime la deuxième intention, dans cette prière à quatre temps.

«Pour les enfants et les jeunes ; que tous nous aidions chacun à découvrir son propre chemin pour progresser vers le bonheur ; qu'ils cessent d'être les objets des désirs et des conflits des adultes pour bénéficier pleinement de l'amour d'un père et d'une mère», formule une autre intention, qui fait clairement allusion à l'homoparentalité. » | Par Delphine de Mallevoüe | vendredi 03 août 2012

Olympic Scandal: German Rower Suspected of Right-Wing Ties

SPIEGEL ONLINE INTERNATIONAL: The German Olympic team has been rocked by a scandal involving a member of the women's eight rowing team. According to media reports, Nadja Drygalla is suspected of having ties to the right-wing extremist scene in Rostock. She has voluntarily left the Olympic Village and an investigation may follow.

A scandal has erupted in London over the alleged association of a German athlete with neo-Nazi elements back home. Nadja Drygalla, a member of the German women's eight Olympic rowing team has left the Olympic Village, according to a press release issued by the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) Thursday night.

Although the release did not specify the reasons for her sudden departure, German public broadcaster ARD reports that the 23-year-old ex-police officer is suspected of sympathizing with right-wing extremist ideology and of reportedly being associated with an official from the far-right National Democratic Party (NPD), which authorities describe as racist, revisionist, hostile to the constitution and sympathetic to extremist right-wing ideology. The party is, however, legal and has representatives in both state and municipal assemblies, primarily in eastern Germany. » | jtw -- with wires | Friday, August 03, 2012

"Äußerst gefährlich": Mutmaßliche Qaida-Terroristen in Spanien festgenommen
SPIEGEL ONLINE: Die spanische Polizei hat im Süden des Landes drei mutmaßliche Qaida-Mitglieder festgenommen. "Eindeutigen Hinweisen" zufolge hätten die Männer einen Terroranschlag in Spanien oder einem anderen europäischen Land geplant. In ihrer Wohnung wurde Sprengstoff gefunden.

Madrid - Der spanische Innenminister Jorge Fernández Díaz bezeichnete die Polizeiaktion als einen "der wichtigsten Einsätze" gegen al-Qaida: Im Süden Spaniens sind drei mutmaßliche Mitglieder des Terrornetzwerks festgenommen worden. Es gebe "eindeutige Hinweise" dafür, dass die Männer Anschläge in Spanien oder einem anderen europäischen Land vorbereitet hätten, sagte Fernández Díaz am Donnerstag in Madrid. » | lgr/dpa/dapd | Donnerstag, 02. August 2012

Kofi Annan Resigns As Syria Envoy
THE GUARDIAN: Syrian peace mission impossible because of militarisation on the ground and lack of international unity, says former head of UN


International disarray over the bloody crisis in Syria has been starkly underlined when the UN envoy Kofi Annan announced that he was resigning because of the failure of what he said had become a "mission impossible".

The former UN secretary general said it had been a "sacred duty" to take up the position five months ago to try to find a solution to the conflict. But growing militarisation and a lack of unity among world powers had changed the circumstances.

"At a time when we need – when the Syrian people desperately need action – there continues to be finger-pointing and name-calling in the security council," Annan said on Thursday in a sometimes bitter and frustrated statement he made at the UN's Geneva headquarters. » | Ian Black, Middle East editor | Thursday, August 02, 2012