Hitler's Welsh Girlfriend Revealed

BBC: A Welsh woman who married into one of Germany's most prominent musical families nearly became Adolf Hitler's wife, a BBC Wales programme has revealed.

Winifred Williams, the daughter of a journalist from Brecon and his German wife, was adopted by relatives of her mother after being orphaned and went to live in Germany in 1908.

By 17, she was married to composer Richard Wagner's homosexual son Siegfried and met one of Wagner's greatest fans - future Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.

They grew so close that it was actually Winifred who provided the paper on which Hitler wrote his infamous tract, Mein Kampf, while in jail in the early 1920s.

Following her husband's death in 1930, Hitler and Winifred's friendship intensified and he was described as being like a second father to her four children.

At the time, there was even talk of them getting married. » | Tuesday, February 03, 2004

Ban Smoking in Cars, Says Health Minister
BBC: Smoking should be banned in cars carrying children, says England's public health minister.

Anna Soubry said her personal view was that it was justified on "child welfare" grounds.

Several health groups have called for the move, but it has been resisted so far by the government.

The prime minister has said while he supports the smoking ban in pubs and clubs, he is "more nervous" about legislating what happens in cars.

At the Local Government Association's annual public health conference, Ms Soubry said: "I would ban smoking in cars where children are present.

"I would do that for the protection of children. I believe in protecting children. I would see it as a child welfare issue. » | Nick Triggle | Health Correspondent | BBC News | Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Was Hitler Homosexual? - The Hidden Fuhrer: Debating the Enigma of Hitler's Sexuality
Hidden Führer: Debating the Enigma of Hitler's Sexuality is a documentary film based on the research of German Professor Lothar Machtan for his 2001 book The Hidden Hitler that claimed Adolf Hitler was a homosexual.

Benedict XVI to Be Known as 'Pope Emeritus'

BBC: Pope Benedict will be known as "pope emeritus" and will retain the honorific "His Holiness" after he abdicates on Thursday, Vatican officials say.

He will also continue to be known by his papal title of Benedict XVI, rather than reverting to Josef Ratzinger.

He will wear his distinctive white cassock without any cape or trimmings.

He will surrender his gold ring of office, known as the fisherman's ring, and his personal seal will be destroyed as tradition dictates.

He will also give up wearing his specially-made red leather loafers, instead wearing brown shoes hand made for him by a Mexican craftsman during a brief visit to Mexico last year.

Benedict XVI's resignation is the first by a pope for some 600 years. » | Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Popstar Janet Jackson: Heimliche Hochzeit

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Janet Jackson weiß offenbar bestens, wie man ein Geheimnis hütet: Die US-Sängerin ließ jetzt verlauten, dass sie bereits seit vergangenem Jahr verheiratet ist - mit einem aus Katar stammenden Milliardär.

New York - Janet Jackson hat sich mal wieder getraut: Der US-Popstar ist bereits seit vergangenem Jahr verheiratet, ohne dass dies bis jetzt öffentlich bekannt war. Ihr Management bestätigte nun die Trauung mit dem Geschäftsmann Wissam Al Mana, 37. Es sei eine "ruhige, private und wunderschöne Feier" gewesen, hieß es in einer gemeinsamen Erklärung des Paares. "Wir würden es begrüßen, wenn unsere Privatsphäre respektiert werden würde und wir diese Zeit der Freude genießen könnten." » | wit/AP/dpa | Dienstag, 26. Februar 2013

Video of 'French Citizens Kidnapped in Cameroon' Released
A video uploaded to Youtube on Monday purports to show seven French citizens who were kidnapped near the border of Nigeria and Cameroon on Tuesday. A male member of the French family reads a short statement into camera before a second man, claiming to be one of the kidnappers, makes hostage demands. It is thought jihadist group Boko Haram seized the party as retaliation for France's military intervention in Mali. This video has not been independently verified | Source: Reuters | Monday, February 25, 2013

Meet Americas First Muslim Congressman Keith Ellison - Documentary Muslims America

Stuart Wells: My Journey to Islam

Debate video: Robert Spencer vs. Mubin Shaikh on Whether the Qur'an Teaches War

Interview with Inga Rennevik and Her Daughter, Sarah: Converts to Islam

Interview with Amin Craig Harper: British Convert to Islam

Interview with Max Abdus Salaam Dahlstrand: Swedish Convert to Islam

Pat Condell Talks about Rising Anti-Semitism in Europe

The Dark Ages
At its height in the second century A.D., the Roman Empire was the beacon of learning, trade, power and prosperity in the western world. But the once-powerful Rome, rotten to the core by the fifth century, lay open to barbarian warriors who came in wave after wave of invasion, slaughtering, stealing, and ultimately, settling. As chaos replaced culture, Europe was beset by famine, plague, persecutions, and a state of war that was so persistent it was only rarely interrupted by peace. THE DARK AGES profiles those who battled to shape the future, from the warlords whose armies threatened to case the demise of European society, like Alaric, Charles the Hammer, and Clovis.

Britain’s Senior Catholic Cleric Resigns
Cardinal Keith O'Brien steps down but rejects claims by three priests and a former cleric of inappropriate behaviour.

Related »

Interactive: The Rise of Europe's Far-right Voices
Assessing key nationalist political parties across the continent, including Italy, which is voting for a new parliament.
Click here

Italians Vote in Unpredictable Election
Millions urged to cast ballot in closely watched race, amid disillusion with politicians and fears over economy.

Barack Obama Thinks Austrian Is a Language!

John Kerry Invents a New Country: Kyrzakhstan

'Russia Treats Smokers Like Animals' – Doctor

Related »

Grammar Nazi Style: Russian MPs Aim to Ban Foreign Words
RT.COM: The Russian language needs legal protection from the “conquering march” of foreign words, sponsors of a bill before the State Duma believe. It seeks to ban all words borrowed from other languages and fine those who dare to use them in public.

The bill submitted by members of the Liberal Democrat party goes even further, administering punishment for any “violation of the norms of the contemporary Russian language.”

According to the justification for the proposed legislation submitted by the lawmakers, their vocabulary condemnation targets words that came into Russian from English after the late 1980s and the collapse of the Soviet Union. They specifically mention the Russian words that ended up as ‘dealer’, ‘boutique’, ‘manager’, ‘single’, ‘OK’ and ‘wow’. The legislators suggest Russians use – sometimes archaic – substitutions or face a penalty. Ordinary linguistic offenders would have to pay up to an $80 fine, while organizations would have to fork out as much as $1,650. The latter are even threatened with “confiscation of the object of the administrative violation,” whatever that means.

The document apparently aims to snap freeze Russian. As with any other tongue, it undergoes natural evolution, with some words becoming archaic and phasing out of use and others being born and gaining popularity. » | Thursday, February 21, 2013

Vladimir Putin Bans Smoking in Public Places in Russia
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Vladimir Putin has signed a law banning smoking in public places in Russia from June, a cornerstone of the government's bid to improve public health in the nicotine-addicted country.

The law makes smoking illegal in restaurants, cafés, hotels, trains and a host of other places and will take effect in two stages.

From June 1, 2013, it will be illegal to smoke in Russia on municipal transport, at railway stations, in lifts and bus stations, administrative buildings as well as any place of education or health.

From June 2014, the ban will be stepped up to include ships, long distance trains, train platforms, hotels, cafés and restaurants in what will mean a major lifestyle change for many Russians. » | Source: AFP | Monday, February 25, 2013

John Kerry: Bashar Al-Assad Must Step Down in Syria
During his first visit to the UK as new US secretary of state, John Kerry condemns the "indiscriminate killing of innocent civillians" in Syria.

Tom Elliott Calls Out the Hypocrisy of Geert Wilders Protesters
3AW 693: The organiser of last week's protest against anti-Islamic Dutch MP Geert Wilders has been accused of hypocrisy, selectivity and astonishing double-standards by 3AW Drive Presenter Tom Elliott.

After blockading and shoving spectators at Mr Wilders' speech in Somerton, self-professed anti-capitalist Louise O'Shea and fellow protesters have decided not to target the Islamic Peace Conference next month in Melbourne, despite the conference hosting a number of radical Imams who publicly condemn Jews, advocate jihadist terrorism and encourage female genital mutilation and polygamy.

One Imam invited to the conference, Dr Abdul Rahman al-Sudais, had this to say about Jewish people: » | Ned Franklin | Monday, February 25, 2013

Cardinal Keith O’Brien Resigns as Archbishop

SCOTSMAN: Cardinal Keith O’Brien, the most senior Roman Catholic cleric in Britain stepped down today amid allegations of his “inappropriate behaviour” with three priests and one former priest.

The decision to bring forward the 74-year-old cardinal’s resignation by three weeks was made personally by the pope.

In a statement this morning he said: “The Holy Father has now decided that my resignation will take effect today.”

“I thank Pope Benedict XVI for his kindness and courtesy to me and on my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Scotland, I wish him a long and happy retirement. I also ask God’s blessing on my brother Cardinals who will soon gather in Rome to elect his successor.”

“I will not join them for this conclave in person. I do not wish media attention in Rome to be focused on me - but rather on Pope Benedict XVI and on his successor. However, I will pray with them and for them that, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, they will make the correct choice for the future good of the Church.” He added: “I have valued the opportunity of serving the people of Scotland and overseas in various ways since becoming a priest.” » | Monday, February 25, 2013

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Cardinal Keith O'Brien resignation: statement issued by Scottish Catholic Media Office: The Pope has accepted Cardinal Keith O’Brien's resignation as he fights allegations of “inappropriate” behaviour with priests. Read the statement issued by the Scottish Catholic Media Office here. » | Telegraph reporters | Monday, February 25, 2013

Related »

Breaking News! Cardinal Keith O'Brien Resigns over Allegations of 'Inappropriate' Behaviour
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Cardinal Keith O’Brien has resigned as Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh amid allegations of “inappropriate” behaviour with priests.

The 74-year-old, who was due to retire, has denied he allegations but is stepping aside amid the controversy. » | John Bingham and Simon Johnson | Monday, February 25, 2013

Related »

Geert Wilders Australian Interview

Who is this guy interviewing Geert Wilders? He is totally off-the-wall; in fact, he is idiotic, totally misinformed. He really needs to WAKE UP! – © Mark

Lateline: Geert Wilders Interview: ABC TV Australia
Australian interview with controversial anti-Islamic Dutch politician Geert Wilders, interviewed before he visited Australia in February 2013. Wilders advocates the stopping of migration of Muslims to the West, amongst many other anti-islamic views. This interview raised many complaints to the ABC after it was broadcast on 13 Feb 2013.

The man interviewing Geert Wilders here is very badly-informed. He has NO or LITTLE understanding of the true nature of Islam. This is sad, but very typical of those employed by the MSM. – © Mark

Geert Wilders persona non grata en Australie

Pope Benedict's Last Sunday Prayer Service

Cowardly Critics of Geert Wilders Shame Our Country

HERALD SUN: IF Geert Wilders is wrong, let his critics explain next month's "Islamic Peace Conference" at the Melbourne Showgrounds.

I've checked what huge billboards around Melbourne claim is the "largest ever Islamic Conference in the history of Australia", at which 20,000 people are expected.

I've checked what the "chief guest" - Sheikh Abdur-Rahman Al-Sudais, imam of Mecca's Grand Mosque - has said of Jews: "The scum of the human race, the rats of the world, . . . the offspring of apes and pigs" whom God should "terminate".

I've checked what other invited speakers have said about killing gays, beating women to make them "shape up", executing apostates and supporting terrorists.

And the evidence is damning: Wilders' critics owe him an apology for having been so blind. So cowardly.

Wilders is the eloquent leader of Holland's third-largest political party and last week tried to conduct a speaking tour of Australia to argue Islam is incompatible with Western values and freedoms.

Wilders might know. For nine years, he has had to live under constant police guard after criticising Islam.

Islamists have been jailed after plotting his death. Another Islamist used a knife to pin a note to the body of slaughtered film director Theo van Gogh, warning Wilders would be next.

Yes, most Muslims are moderate, Wilders agrees, but their "violent Islamic ideology" is not and commands followers not to be, either.

If so, mass immigration to the West of followers of such an ideology is a danger. » | Andrew Bolt | Sunday, February 25, 2013

ANDREW BOLT'S BLOG: Wilders’ cowardly critics must explain this conference »

The Australians should feel thoroughly ashamed of themselves for the shabby way they treated Geert Wilders last week. The protesters behaved liked morons, and the politicians behaved as if they had no balls. Never mind, the cowards can look forward to the Islamic Conference soon to be held there. Then they can welcome the real peace-lovers! – © Mark

A Rare Glimpse Inside the Remote Retreat Pope Benedict XVI Is Soon to Call Home

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The pontifical coats of arms are being buffed up with polish, a vineyard has been newly planted and the helipad has been swept.

Even the Papal herd of cows, prized for their milk and yoghurt, are contentedly munching on bales of hay.

All that staff at Castel Gandolfo now await is the arrival of Pope Benedict XVI, who will fly to the castle on Thursday evening after he formally steps down as head of the Catholic Church.

The ageing, ailing Pontiff will spend the next two months here, using the magnificent palazzo as a place of prayer and spiritual retreat where he will map out his plans for his final days and reflect on his historic decision to resign.

It is certainly a place well suited to peaceful contemplation. Located an hour’s drive - or ten minutes’ helicopter ride - south of Rome, it is perched on the edge of a volcanic crater that plunges down to a lake fringed with woodland and olive groves.

Within the estate’s extensive grounds are formal gardens, giant holm oaks, fountains, fish ponds and the ruins of a villa built by Diocletian, the Roman emperor. » | Nick Squires, Castel Gandolfo | Saturday, February 23, 2013

Pope Tells Faithful God Called Him To Quit
THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Pope Benedict XVI told tens of thousands of pilgrims in St Peter's Square in a voice breaking with emotion that he was resigning because God had called on him to devote himself to prayer


Pope Benedict XVI has given his pontificate's final Sunday blessing from his studio window to the cheers of tens of thousands of people in St. Peter's Square.

Benedict says even though he's retiring on Thursday from the papacy, the first pope in 600 years to do so, he's "not abandoning the church."

In a voice breaking with emotion that he was resigning because God had called on him to devote himself to prayer but said he would not foresake [sic] a Church role.

Instead he says he'll serve the church with the same dedication he has till now, but will do so in a way "more suitable to my age and my strength."

Benedict, 85, will spend his last years in prayer, meditation and seclusion in a monastery on Vatican City's grounds. » | Telegraph’s Foreign Staff | Sunday, February 24, 2013

Türkei: Westerwelle will zügige Verhandlungen über EU-Beitritt

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Die Kanzlerin ist skeptisch - doch Außenminister Guido Westerwelle drängt auf Tempo bei den Verhandlungen über einen EU-Beitritt der Türkei. Auch Frankreich will neue Gespräche.

Hamburg - Außenminister Guido Westerwelle (FDP) hat mehr Tempo bei den Verhandlungen über einen EU-Beitritt der Türkei gefordert. "Wenn wir nicht achtgeben, wird die Stunde kommen, in der Europa mehr Interesse an der Türkei, als die Türkei Interesse an Europa haben wird", sagte Westerwelle der "Passauer Neuen Presse".

Es müsse wieder "neue Bewegung" in den Prozess um die Gespräche über einen Beitritt kommen und mit dem Land müsse "fair und respektvoll" umgegangen werden. Der Außenminister sprach sich vor allem dafür aus, rasch neue Kapitel in dem Beitrittsprozess zu eröffnen. Er arbeite bereits mit einigen seiner europäischen Amtskollegen daran, dass "noch im ersten Halbjahr eine Öffnung von bisher blockierten Kapiteln" erfolgen könne, sagte Westerwelle der Zeitung. » | ore/AFP/Reuters | Samstag, 23. Februar 2013

UK's Top Cardinal Accused of 'Inappropriate Acts' by Priests

THE OBSERVER: Three priests and former priest report Cardinal Keith O'Brien to Vatican over claims stretching back 33 years

Three priests and a former priest in Scotland have reported the most senior Catholic clergyman in Britain, Cardinal Keith O'Brien, to the Vatican over allegations of inappropriate behaviour stretching back 30 years.

The four, from the diocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh, have complained to nuncio Antonio Mennini, the Vatican's ambassador to Britain, and demanded O'Brien's immediate resignation. A spokesman for the cardinal said that the claims were contested.

O'Brien, who is due to retire next month, has been an outspoken opponent of gay rights, condemning homosexuality as immoral, opposing gay adoption, and most recently arguing that same-sex marriages would be "harmful to the physical, mental and spiritual well-being of those involved". Last year he was named "bigot of the year" by the gay rights charity Stonewall.

One of the complainants, it is understood, alleges that the cardinal developed an inappropriate relationship with him, resulting in a need for long-term psychological counselling.

The four submitted statements containing their claims to the nuncio's office the week before Pope Benedict's resignation on 11 February. They fear that, if O'Brien travels to the forthcoming papal conclave to elect a new pope, the church will not fully address their complaints. » | Catherine Deveney | Saturday, February 22, 2013

Islam: The Enemy of Democracy and Freedom
Until 9/11, the western world was largely ignorant of the religion of Islam, of its goals, of its aspirations. Indeed, even since 9/11, most people, and that includes our politicians, would not score very highly in a test of their knowledge on the subject. It should be obvious to all thinking people that our politicians are actually unaware, dare I say blind, to the dangers that Islam will increasingly cause us. It is truly a case of the blind leading the blind! That means to say, uninformed and unthinking politicians leading an ill-informed electorate. But this is what we have right now. The same can hardly be said of Muslims in the Islamic world, though; for their knowledge of Christianity far surpasses - even though much of their knowledge is quite distorted - any knowledge of Islam by the man in the street in the West. Read more »

Geert Wilders Liverpool Australia Speech

Geert Wilders in Liverpool Australia - Protestors

Depardieu s'établit officiellement rue de la Démocratie en Russie
LE NOUVELLISTE: L'acteur français Gérard Depardieu, qui a récemment acquis la nationalité russe après une polémique sur ses impôts en France, a rejoint samedi la région russe de Mordovie. Il y a été enregistré officiellement comme habitant rue de la Démocratie à Saransk.

De retour en Russie depuis jeudi, l'acteur s'est envolé samedi matin de Moscou pour la capitale de la Mordovie, une région à environ 650km à l'est de Moscou surtout connue dans le pays pour ses camps de détention.

Peu après son arrivée à Saransk, M. Depardieu, suivi par une vingtaine de journalistes russes, s'en est pris à deux journalistes français sur place qu'il avait reconnus, leur demandant agressivement de quitter les lieux et d'effacer leurs enregistrements vidéos. Ils ont été empêchés de le suivre pour le reste de la journée. » | Source: ATS | samedi 23 février 2013

George Osborne Insists He Won't Change Course Despite Credit Rating Downgrade

THE GUARDIAN: Chancellor says he 'cannot let up' after move by Moody's which opposite number Ed Balls calls 'humiliating'

The chancellor has insisted that he will not change course despite the downgrade of Britain's credit rating in which he invested great political capital in maintaining.

George Osborne said Britain's situation would get very much worse if the government changed course after Moody's changed Britain's rating from AAA to AA1. The chancellor said previously the rating agency's triple-A rating was an endorsement of his austerity policies.

As far back as February 2010, he told an audience of Tory activists: "What investor is going to come to the UK when they fear a downgrade of our credit rating and a collapse of confidence?" In the Tory manifesto, published weeks later, he said: "We will safeguard Britain's credit rating with a credible plan to eliminate the bulk of the structural deficit over a parliament."

Ed Balls ,the shadow chancellor, described the downgrade as a "humiliating blow" for Osborne who was "ploughing on regardless with a plan which is not working".

In an interview at 11 Downing Street on Saturday, Osborne said: "I think we've got a very clear message, a loud and clear message that Britain cannot let up in dealing with its debts, dealing with its problems, cannot let up in making sure that Britain can pay its way in the world.

"What is the message from the ratings agency? Britain's got a debt problem. I agree with that. I've been telling the country for years that we've got a debt problem, we've got to deal with it."

Labour insisted the government had withdrawn demand from the economy which had slowed growth and increased the debt. » | Conal Urquhart, staff and agencies | Saturday, February 23, 2013

German President Joachim Gauck Uses Major Speech to Call for 'More Europe'

DEUTSCHE WELLE: President Joachim Gauck has used a nationally televised speech to call for greater cooperation among the European Union’s member states. The speech comes a year after Gauck took office as Germany’s head of state.

Speaking in front of 200 invited guests at his official residence, the Schloss Bellevue palace in Berlin, President Gauck called for what he described as “more Europe,” while at the same time addressing some of the fears of ordinary EU citizens, including those regarding the eurozone's sovereign debt crisis.

The president conceded that a "structural flaw led to an imbalance in the European Union which was only patched up by emergency measures, such as the European Stability Mechanism and the fiscal compact."

He also condeded that most of what the EU's 500 million citizens have read or heard about the 27-member bloc over the past few years has tended to be about the eurozone crisis.

However, he also noted that there were many more elements to the crisis than just the economic dimension.

"It is also a crisis of confidence in Europe as a political project. This is not just a struggle for our currency; we are struggling with an internal quandary too." » | Chuck Penfold | Friday, February 22, 2013

Obama kämpft für Zulassung der Homoehe

NEUE LUZERNER ZEITUNG: Die Regierung von US-Präsident Barack Obama hat einen weiteren Schritt auf dem Weg zur Zulassung der Homoehe gemacht. Die Regierung bat den Obersten Gerichtshof der USA am Freitag offiziell, das gesetzliche Verbot der Ehe Homosexueller für ungültig zu erklären.

Washington. Das Gesetz zur Verteidigung der Ehe (DOMA) aus dem Jahr 1996 verstosse gegen die grundlegende in der Verfassung garantierte Gleichheit vor dem Gesetz, heisst es in der Eingabe der Regierung beim Gerichtshof.

DOMA verweigere zehntausenden gleichgeschlechtlichen Paaren, die nach dem Recht einzelner US-Bundesstaaten legal verheiratet sind, eine Reihe von Vorteilen, die auf Bundesebene für legal verheiratete gemischtgeschlechtliche Paaren gelten, argumentiert die Regierung.

Das Gesetz schreibt die Ehe als Verbindung zwischen einem Mann und einer Frau fest und gewährt nur verheirateten heterosexuellen Paaren Vorteile in Bereichen wie Steuern, Erbschaft oder Krankenversicherung. » | sda/afp | Samstag, 23. Februar 2013

Un diplomate iranien demande l'asile en Norvège
LE POINT: Le numéro deux de l'ambassade de la République islamique d'Iran à Oslo a fait défection en décembre, en raison de désaccords avec l'ambassadeur.

C'est le quatrième diplomate iranien à faire défection depuis juin 2009, début de la sanglante répression menée par Téhéran contre les opposants à la réélection de Mahmoud Ahmadinejad à la présidence. Le quotidien norvégien Dagbladet révèle ce vendredi qu'un nouveau diplomate iranien a demandé l'asile à la Norvège. "Il souhaite conserver l'anonymat par considération pour sa famille et pour lui-même", explique au quotidien norvégien son avocat, Jørgen Løvdal. "Il ne veut pas s'exprimer sur les raisons de sa demande d'asile, ainsi que sur les circonstances qui l'entourent", précise l'avocat.

D'après Dagbladet, le diplomate iranien, qui travaillait dans l'ambassade d'Oslo depuis plusieurs années, a fait défection en décembre. Il vivrait depuis reclus avec sa famille dans un lieu tenu secret. L'ambassade de la République islamique d'Iran à Oslo a déjà été le théâtre de pareils incidents. En janvier 2010, Mohammad Reza Heydari, consul général de l'ambassade à Oslo, avait déjà décidé de démissionner de son poste et de demander l'asile à la Norvège. À l'époque, le diplomate avait expliqué avoir agi en protestation aux "assassinats" d'opposant iraniens. » | Par Armin Arefi | vendredi 22 février 2013

Princess Cristina of Spain May Be Named in Corruption Case

THE GUARDIAN: King Juan Carlos's daughter likely to be formally named as a suspect in multimillion-euro scandal ahead of possible indictment

As a financial scandal engulfs the royal family and politicians begin to call for his abdication, Spain's King Juan Carlos faces one of the worst weeks in his 37-year reign, with prosecutors set to ask a judge to formally name his daughter Princess Cristina as a suspect in a multimillion-euro fraud and money-laundering case.

The request, which would be a preliminary step to a possible indictment, is poised to be made next week and will be based on the testimony of Diego Torres, a former business school lecturer who became the partner of Cristina's husband, Iñaki Urdangarin.

Juan Carlos's nightmare week starts in Palma de Mallorca , when Urdangarin must appear before an investigating magistrate who has demanded that he and Torres post a joint bond of €8.1m (£7m).

The size of the bond points to the millions of euros that – via a foundation in which the princess served as a board member – the two men allegedly obtained from fraudulent deals with politicians keen to bathe in the reflected glory of royalty. Part of the money was allegedly then laundered through offshore accounts.

"If the princess sits in the dock, the blow to the monarchy's prestige will be huge," said Miguel Bernad, head of the controversial far-right Clean Hands movement that has sent a prosecutor to join the case and who will ask investigating magistrate José Castro to formally name the king's daughter as a suspect. » | Giles Tremlett in Madrid | Friday, February 22, 2013

EU-Beitrittsdebatte: Türkei drängt Deutschland zum Einlenken

SPIEGEL ONLINE: "Auf Knien" werde ein Kanzler einst nach Ankara robben, um die Türkei zur EU-Mitgliedschaft zu bewegen, sagt der Brüsseler Kommissar Günther Oettinger. Die Türken freut's, Berlin ist verstimmt. Zwei Tage vor Angela Merkels Besuch drängt Ankara Deutschland zu Zugeständnissen auf dem Weg nach Europa.

Diese Vorlage ließ sich die türkische Presse nicht entgehen. Am Donnerstag prangt der deutsche EU-Kommissar Günther Oettinger auf fast allen Titelseiten. "Auf Knien", so hatte Angela Merkels Parteifreund gewettet, werde im kommenden Jahrzehnt "ein deutscher Kanzler oder Kanzlerin mit dem Kollegen aus Paris nach Ankara robben, um die Türkei zu bitten, Freunde kommt zu uns".

Eine solche Demutsgeste käme natürlich an in der stolzen Türkei, die sich seit Jahrzehnten hingehalten fühlt, wenn es um eine Beitrittsperspektive in die Europäische Union geht. Kein Wunder also, dass Oettinger nun genüsslich gelobt wird für seine Prognose, die in Europa für Irritationen sorgte. Er wisse zwar nicht, ob die Europäer eines Tages "gekrochen kommen werden, oder ob sie auf die Knie sinken", um die Türkei um einen EU-Beitritt zu bitten, sagt der türkische EU-Minister Egemen Bagis. "Aber wenn es eine Sache gibt, die ich sicher weiß, ist es, dass sie ganz bestimmt nachgeben werden", sagte Bagis über die Europäische Union. » | Von Jürgen Gottschlich, Istanbul | Donnerstag, 21. Februar 2013

SPIEGEL ONLINE INTERNATIONAL: 'They Will Give In': Turkey Pressures Germany on EU Accession – A European commissioner's remark that Germany and France would one day come crawling "on their knees" begging Turkey to join the EU has miffed Berlin and thrilled Ankara. As German Chancellor Merkel prepares for a visit to Turkey, the country is pushing for concessions. » | By Jürgen Gottschlich in Istanbul | -- with wire reports | Thursday, February 21, 2013

Bombenterror in Damaskus: "Mein Gott, und wir nennen uns zivilisiert"
SPIEGEL ONLINE: Die Bomben gingen in einem Viertel hoch, in dem zwölf Schulen liegen - unter den Toten sind möglicherweise auch viele Kinder: Ein grauenhafter Anschlag hat das Zentrum von Damaskus erschüttert. Noch ist völlig unklar, wer hinter dem Terrorangriff steckt.

Auch wenige Stunden nach dem Anschlag ist die Straße al-Fayha in der Nachbarschaft des Hayat-Krankenhauses ein Ort des Grauens. Sirenen heulen, es stinkt nach Öl und Benzin, Verletzte hasten vorbei, notdürftig versorgt von den Sanitätern, die unmittelbar nach der Explosion der Bombe herbeigeeilt sind.

Ein Mann sammelt Leichenteile ein, eine kleine Hand, den Teil eines menschlichen Schopfes mit schwarzen Haaren, ein kleiner Klumpen Fleisch. Er sammelt alles in einer Plastiktüte. Neben ihm stöhnt der Imam Khaldun al-Khani unter seinem weißen Turban: "Mein Gott, und wir nennen uns zivilisiert. Was tun Menschen anderen Menschen heutzutage nur an?" » | Aus Damaskus berichtet Thilo Thielke | Donnerstag, 21. Februar 2013

Fotostrecke »

Islam or Death? Egypt's Christians Targeted by New Terror Group

FOX NEWS: A group of Christian priests from a local Coptic church in Egypt were told to convert to Islam or face death, according to an Arabic news site.

The incident, which comes in the midst of continued persecution and pressure on Egypt’s Christian community, took place this week in the town of Safaga, near the Red Sea, the El Balad site reported.

According to El Balad, the threats are from a new group in Egypt, Jihad al-Kufr, whose name translates to Jihad against non-believers or non-Muslims. The group targets non-Muslims, and reportedly pressures them to convert to Islam. » | Lisa Daftari | FoxNews.com | Thursday, February 21, 2013