Angela Merkel: Russia 'Will Not Get Away' with Annexation of Crimea

Mrs. Merkel told MPs from the Christian Democratic Union:
"What has happened in Crimea is an annexation which Russia
must not be allowed to get away with."

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The German Chancellor's tough message underlines how America and the EU have agreed a joint response to Ukraine crisis

Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, has promised that Russia will not “get away” with “annexing” Crimea as world powers agreed to impose targeted sanctions on senior figures close to the Kremlin.

Mrs Merkel told a meeting of her parliamentary party that Russia’s intervention in Ukraine violated the principles of post-war order in Europe.

Her stark message came as America and the European Union agreed a joint response to Russia’s de facto seizure of Crimea, backed by other countries including Canada and Japan.

Mrs Merkel told MPs from the Christian Democratic Union: “What has happened in Crimea is an annexation which Russia must not be allowed to get away with.”

She warned that sanctions on Russia were justified even if they damaged the German economy, according to Der Spiegel. The two countries have close economic ties, with bilateral trade exceeding £63 billion last year. Germany now ranks as Russia’s third-biggest trading partner.

But Mrs Merkel said that a “certain amount of toughness” was required and “all European Union countries from Lisbon to Riga” should “stick together” to defend “European values”. She added, however, that “threads of communication” with the Kremlin should still be preserved. » | Tony Paterson, in Berlin, Peter Foster in Washington and Bruno Waterfield in Brussels | Wednesday, March 12, 2014

David Cameron Condemns 'Barbaric' Missile Attack on Israel

David Cameron addresses Israeli lawmakers in the Knesset

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Prime Minister David Cameron condemns "indiscriminate" attack as 50 missiles from Gaza Strip fired into southern Israel during official visit

David Cameron tonight condemned a "barbaric" missile attack on Israel that struck on the first day of his visit to the country.

Militants fired as many as 50 missiles from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel, in the biggest single attack in two years. Israeli tanks responded by firing shells at a suspected launch site within Palestinian territory.

The attack came on the day Mr Cameron told the Israeli Parliament he would offer "rock solid" support to Israel in defending itself and condemned "despicable" efforts by Iran to ship missiles to terrorist groups.

The Islamic Jihad group claimed responsibility for the attack. Three of the missiles were shot down by Israeli Iron Dome system, while others fell near a petrol station, a library and on open countryside, local reports said.

Mr Cameron said: “These attacks are completely indiscriminate, aimed at civilian populations and people indiscriminately, and that is a demonstration of how barbaric they are. » | Matthew Holehouse | Wednesday, March 12, 2014

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: David Cameron pledges 'unbreakable' support for Israel: In his first visit to Israel as PM, David Cameron condemns Iran for "despicable" terrorist ties and reveals Jewish ancestry » | Matthew Holehouse, Political Correspondent, Jerusalem | Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Why Britons Turn To Islam

According to government data, UK Muslims made out about
2.7% of the population in 2011.

ON ISLAM: LONDON – While Christianity remains an integral part of Britain’s religious history, Islam has become a strong contender over the past decade, with reversions registering in their thousands year after another.

“At a time when personal freedom, over-sexualisation and moral liberalism have taken over and broken down Britain’s moral compass, more people find solace in Islam’s compassionate but yet clear guidelines,” Annie Simpson, who holds a Phd in comparative religious studies and philosophy, told OnIslam.net.

“As society becomes more permissive and on many levels more morally pervert, individuals yearn to re-centre their lives around God.

“Islam offers people much more than just a belief in God, for many it becomes the matrix upon which, and around which, they can exist and make sense of the world … From chaos to order,” she added. » | Catherine Shakdam | OnIslam Correspondent | Wednesday, February 26, 2014

EU Moves towards Travel Bans, Asset Freezes for Russians

REUTERS.COM: (Reuters) - The EU agreed a framework on Thursday for its first sanctions on Russia since the Cold War, a stronger response to the Ukraine crisis than many had expected and a mark of solidarity with Washington in the effort to make Moscow pay for seizing Crimea.


The EU sanctions, outlined in a document seen by Reuters, would slap travel bans and asset freezes on an as-yet-undecided list of people and firms accused by Brussels of violating the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the measures would be imposed on Monday unless diplomatic progress was made.

Shares in Moscow dropped 2.6 percent and the central bank was forced to spend $1.5 billion to prop up the ruble as investors confronted the prospect that Russia could face unexpectedly serious consequences for its plans to annex Crimea. » | Martin Santa and Aleksandar Vasovic | Brussels/Simferopol, Ukraine | Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Editor of Independent Russian News Site Replaced with Pro-Kremlin Figure

THE GUARDIAN: Ousting of Galina Timchenko at Lenta.ru is latest move in what critics fear is a crackdown on left-of-centre media outlets

In what appears to be part of a growing state crackdown on liberal media, the editor of a major independent Russian news website has been replaced by a Kremlin-friendly editor after running an interview with a controversial Ukrainian nationalist.

Lenta.ru announced on its site on Wednesday that Galina Timchenko, who had worked there since its founding in 1999, would immediately be replaced by Alexei Goreslavsky, the former editor of the pro-Kremlin internet publication Vzglyad. Goreslavsky is currently deputy general director for external communications at the Afisha-Rambler-SUP media holding that owns Lenta.ru. » | Alec Luhn in Moscow | Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Enemies of West Will Exploit Reluctance to Engage in Conflict, Head of Army Warns

General Sir Peter Wall said a decade of "politically awkward
campaigning" over Iraq and Afghanistan has led to "defend
on the goal line"

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: General Sir Peter Wall warns a "moral disarmament" in a war weary West sends a message to future adversaries

A “moral disarmament” in the West that has resulted in a reluctance to engage in conflicts will be exploited by Britain’s enemies, the head of the army has warned.

General Sir Peter Wall said a decade of “politically awkward campaigning” over Iraq and Afghanistan has led to an appetite to “defend on the goal line”.

But adversaries will take advantage of such “reticence” and may have already changed their expectation on how the UK will react to provocation, he warned.

Although he did not name Russia, the comments come at a time when President Vladimir Putin is testing the West’s mettle in a tense stand-off over Ukraine.

Sir Peter, the Chief of the General Staff, also issued a thinly veiled warning against further cuts to the armed forces insisting the potential for “force on force” engagements is not a “thing of the past” as some believe.

The ability to manoeuvre all three forces together also takes a “generation” to create and could be needed “sooner than we think”, he said. » | Tom Whitehead, Security Editor | Wednesday, March 12, 2014

New York Building Collapse: Large Explosion at Block in Harlem

Explosion reported in the Harlem district of Manhattan, New York, as part of a block collapses

Read the Telegraph article here | Wednesday, March 12, 2014

David Cameron Tells Israelis About His Jewish Ancestors

In a speech to the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament, the Prime Minister says his great-great-grandfather was a Jewish man from Germany

Read the Telegraph article here | Matthew Holehouse, Political Correspondent, Jerusalem | Wednesday, March 10, 2014

Historischer Entscheid in Israel: Wehrpflicht für orthodoxe Juden

Einer der grossen Konflikte innerhalb der israelischen Gesellschaft ist gelöst: In Zukunft müssen auch ultra-orthodoxe Juden Militärdienst leisten. Verweigerern drohen dann drastische Strafen.

Der SRF Artikel hier lesen.

G7 Warns Russia on 'Annexing' Crimea

BBC: Leaders of the G7 group of nations have called on Russia to stop all efforts to "annex" Ukraine's Crimea region.

They said if Russia took such a step they would "take further action, individually and collectively".

The G7 leaders also said they would not recognise the results of a referendum in Crimea this weekend on whether to split from Ukraine and join Russia.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's national security chief has warned of a major Russian military build-up on Ukraine's borders.

Andriy Parubiy said Moscow had not withdrawn its troops after carrying out military exercises near Ukraine's eastern and southern frontiers.

"The Russian army is only two to three hours' march from Kiev," he said, adding that Ukraine's "units are positioned to repel attack from any direction." (+ BBC video) » | Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Proposed Military Cuts Could Be Rude Awakening for Veterans

Mar. 07, 2014 - 3:52 - Pentagon proposal may put vets on street

How to Handle Putin's Invasion of Ukraine

Mar. 11, 2014 - 6:29 - Charles Krauthammer reacts to a new poll on the crisis in Ukraine

Using Comedy to Promote ObamaCare

Mar. 11, 2014 - 2:47 - Talking Points 3/11

Ukraine Crisis: Angela Merkel Accuses Putin of 'Stealing' Crimea

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The German Chancellor launches emotional attack on Russia and says its actions in Crimea are against 'European values'

German Chancellor Angela Merkel accused Russia of “annexing” Crimea and warned that the Kremlin must not be allowed to “get away with it” during an unusually emotional address to Germany’s ruling conservative Christian Democratic Party MPs late on Tuesday.

Der Spiegel magazine said that in a speech to members of her parliamentary party Mrs Merkel had been very critical of Russia and described Moscow’s actions in Ukraine as a breach of the principles of the post-war order in Europe.

“What has happened in Crimea is an annexation which Russia must not be allowed to get away with,” Mrs Merkel said. Other unconfirmed reports said the German Chancellor had accused Russia of “ stealing” Crimea.

Mrs Merkel told MPs to be prepared for the negative consequences of possible sanctions against Russia but insisted that it was essential not to break off the “threads of communication” with the Kremlin. “It is important that all European Union countries from Lisbon to Riga stick together,” she said.

The Chancellor said that a "certain amount of toughness” was needed in Europe’s dealings with Russia in order to defend what she described as “ European values”. » | Tony Paterson, Berlin | Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Verwandt »

Chris Wallace Discusses Phone Call Between Obama, Putin

Mar. 07, 2014 - 4:31 - Ukraine on the verge of a 'historic change'

Mark Carney and His Stupid ‘Forward Guidance’

Ukraine-Krise: Merkel wirft Russland "Annexion" der Krim vor

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Angela Merkel hat deutliche Worte zur Ukraine-Krise gefunden. Vor der Unionsfraktion warf die Kanzlerin dem Kreml eine "Annexion" der Krim vor, die man Russland "nicht durchgehen lassen dürfe". Teilnehmer beschrieben ihren Auftritt als emotional.

Berlin - Angela Merkel hat sich am Dienstag in der Fraktionssitzung der Union sehr kritisch über das Vorgehen Russlands in der Ukraine geäußert. Nach Angaben von Teilnehmern sagte die CDU-Vorsitzende, Moskaus Kurs verstoße gegen die Prinzipien der Nachkriegsordnung. "Das Vorgehen auf der Krim ist eine Annexion, die man Russland nicht durchgehen lassen kann", sagte Merkel demnach. Ihr Auftritt wurde von Teilnehmern als emotional beschrieben.

Die Nachrichtenagentur AFP berichtet unter Berufung auf Teilnehmer sogar, Merkel habe Russland vorgeworfen, die Krim "geraubt" zu haben. Für diese Aussage gibt es bislang allerdings keine Bestätigung.

Die Kanzlerin machte deutlich, man sei bereit, auch negative Folgen möglicher Sanktionen gegen Russland hinzunehmen. Wenn es Sanktionen gebe, müsse man sich auch auf Nachteile einrichten. Gleichzeitig dürfe man die Gesprächsfäden mit Russland nicht abreißen lassen. Wichtig sei, dass die EU-Staaten von "Lissabon bis Riga" zusammenblieben. » | fab/AFP/dpa/Reuters | Dienstag, 11. März 2014

Syria Bomber Hailed as 'Hero' by Family

Abdul Waheed Majeed moments before his attack in February

BBC: The brother of a British man who blew himself up in Syria has told Newsnight he should be regarded as a hero.

Abdul Waheed Majeed, of Crawley, died last month when he drove a truck bomb at the gates of Aleppo Prison.

His brother Hafeez said that his family wanted to challenge the idea that the attack represented a terrorist threat to the UK. More than 30 people have been arrested this year as police step up operations to stop people fighting in Syria.

The government fears that some people going to fight in Syria against President Bashar al-Assad's regime will become radicalised and battle-hardened by joining al-Qaeda linked groups.

Security chiefs believe that hundreds of people have gone to fight in Syria and their return poses the greatest national security challenge since to the UK since 9/11.

Speaking exclusively to Newsnight, Hafeez Majeed said he believed his 41-year-old brother had died trying to save Syrian people who were being tortured in the regime's prisons.

"If my brother had been a British soldier and there were British people in that prison and the act of heroism or bravery that he did, I know he would have been awarded the posthumous Victoria Cross," said Mr Majeed. » | Dominic Casciani, Home affairs correspondent, BBC News | Tuesday, March 11, 2014

The full story of Abdul Waheed Majeed's life and death is on Newsnight, BBC Two at 2230 GMT.

Tschechen zeigen Putin mit Hitlerbart

Putin-Plakat mit Hitlerbart, Hakenkreuz und napoleonischer Hand
zwischen zwei Knöpfen

DIE WELT: Aus Protest gegen die russische Militärintervention auf der Krim haben tschechische Aktivisten ein riesiges Putin-Banner aufgehängt. Pikantes Detail: Russlands Präsident trägt darauf einen Hitlerbart.

In Tschechien haben Kritiker der Militärintervention auf der Krim den russischen Präsidenten Wladimir Putin als Hitler dargestellt. Aktivisten enthüllten am Dienstag ein riesiges Banner am Rathaus in Liberec (Reichenberg). Die Fotomontage zeigt den Kremlchef mit Hitlerbart und Hakenkreuzsymbol, wie er eine Hand wie Napoleon auf Brusthöhe hält.

Die Bürgermeisterin der Stadt unterstützte die Aktion der antikommunistischen Bürgervereinigung Dekomunikace. "Wir drücken damit dem ukrainischen Volk unsere Unterstützung aus, das schwere Tage durchlebt", sagte die Sozialdemokratin Martina Rosenbergova. Das Plakat hängt unmittelbar über einem Mahnmal für neun während des Sowjet-Einmarschs von 1968 ums Leben gekommene Einwohner der nordböhmischen Stadt. » | dpa/AFP/smü | Dienstag, 11. März 2014

‪The Eagles‪ - Lyin Eyes (Remastered)‬

Mark Carney: Independent Scotland Must Sign Up for the Euro to Join the EU

Mark Carney has warned an independent Scotland would have
to sign up for the euro to join the EU

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The Bank of England Governor tells MSPs Scotland would have to join the euro in the "fullness of time".

The Bank of England’s Governor has warned an independent Scotland would be forced to promise to replace the pound with the euro if it wanted European Union membership.

In a major blow to Alex Salmond’s economic case for separation, Mark Carney told a Westminster inquiry that all new applicants to the EU have to join the single currency in the “fullness of time”.

He also told MPs it is a “distinct possibility” the Royal Bank of Scotland would have to move its headquarters south of the Border if there is a ‘yes’ vote in September’s independence referendum.

In triple blow to Alex Salmond’s economic case for independence, the Governor said a separate Scotland’s taxpayers would have to guarantee billions of pounds of deposits held by Scottish banks in England. » | Simon Johnson, Scottish Political Editor | Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Tempête à la CIA, accusée d'avoir espionné le Congrès américain

Le directeur de la CIA, John Brennan, a dit que «la CIA n'espionnait
pas, d'aucune façon, la commission du Renseignement».

LA PRESSE: La CIA s'est retrouvée mardi au centre d'un scandale politique aux États-Unis, accusée d'avoir violé la Constitution en fouillant des ordinateurs utilisés par des enquêteurs parlementaires, dans une affaire relative aux anciennes techniques d'interrogatoire de l'agence d'espionnage.

Les accusations ont déclenché une bagarre publique rare entre la CIA et le Congrès, le directeur de l'agence d'espionnage John Brennan niant avoir cherché à faire obstacle à l'enquête du Sénat, sans toutefois commenter les faits en détail.

«Nous n'essayions pas de bloquer quoi que ce soit», a déclaré John Brennan lors d'un événement organisé par le Council on Foreign Relations. «La CIA n'espionnait pas, d'aucune façon, la commission du Renseignement».

Les rumeurs de presse s'amplifiaient depuis plusieurs jours sur la surveillance supposée par l'agence de renseignement d'ordinateurs utilisés par des enquêteurs de cette commission. » | Ivan Couronne, Agence France-Presse | Washington | mardi 11 mars 2014

Related »

Senate Intelligence Head Says CIA 'Searched Computers'

BBC: The head of the US Senate intelligence committee has publicly accused the CIA of improperly accessing computers used by congressional staff.

Senator Dianne Feinstein said on the Senate floor that such activities "may have undermined the constitutional framework" of government oversight.

The Senate panel was investigating allegations of abuse during a CIA detention and interrogation programme.

A CIA internal watchdog has been tasked with looking into the alleged hacking.

"I am not taking it lightly," Ms Feinstein said of the matter on Tuesday, adding that the CIA may have violated federal laws in its alleged conduct. » | Tuesday, March 11, 2014

R.I.P. : Swedish-British Journalist Gunned Down in Kabul

Nils Horner had been working for Swedish Radio

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Nils Horner shot dead in smart neighbourhood, close to where militants killed 21 people at a restaurant in January

A foreign journalist with dual British and Swedish nationality was shot dead in the Afghan capital Kabul on Tuesday.

Nils Horner, who worked for Swedish Radio, was declared dead on arrival at the city’s emergency hospital.

Witnesses said two attackers fled the scene.

“I heard a single gunshot and saw the man fall down,” a passer-by told the AFP news agency.

The killing is a reminder of the dangers in Afghanistan as the country prepares for an election next month and for the withdrawal of Nato-led combat forces this year. » | Zubair Babakarkhail, Kabul and Rob Crilly | Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Inside Story: World Wide Web: Global Force for Good?

We celebrate and analyse the 25th anniversary of Tim Berners-Lee's landmark invention.

President Obama at a Crossroads

Mar. 10, 2014 - 2:28 - Talking Points 3/10

Exclusive: Dick Cheney on How Obama Is Handling Ukraine

Mar. 10, 2014 - 8:41 - Former Vice President says not to underestimate the significance of the crisis

L'argent russe de « Londongrad » influence le pouvoir britannique

LE MONDE: Ce sont les appartements les plus chers et les plus luxueux de Londres. Leurs baies vitrées ultramodernes offrent une vue imprenable sur Hyde Park. Un couloir souterrain les relie au Mandarin Oriental, le palace où officie le chef étoilé Heston Blumenthal. Au total, les 76 logements de One Hyde Park, un bâtiment conçu par le célèbre architecte Richard Rogers, se sont vendus pour 1,7 milliard d'euros, soit 22 millions chacun en moyenne, selon une enquête de Nicholas Shaxson, auteur d'un livre sur les paradis fiscaux. » | Par Eric Albert (Londres, correspondance) | lundi 10 mars 2014

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Tells West: 'Drop Your Illusions About Iran'

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's Prime Minister

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Benjamin Netanyahu criticises the international community for failing to condemn a deadly weapons shipment he says was organised by Iran and bound for Palestinian militants

Benjamin Netanyahu accused the West of failing to condemn Iran's involvement in an intercepted weapons shipment on Monday because it wanted to delude itself that the country's leaders had changed course.

Standing beside an array of rockets, mortars and bullets seized from a ship that sailed from Iran, the Israeli prime minister said the international community was guilty of "hypocrisy" for failing to speak out while loudly denouncing Israel for continued settlement building.

"At most I heard a few faint condemnations of Iran from the international community," he said[.]

"In contrast if we build a balcony in Jerusalem we hear harsh condemnation from the international community."

Mr Netanyahu was speaking at a naval base in the southern Israeli port of Eilat, where the arms haul was ceremoniously showcased in an event intended to draw the maximum propaganda value from the seizure of a merchant vessel on March 5 that Israel says was carrying supplies destined for Palestinians militants in Gaza. » | Robert Tait, Eilat | Monday, March 10, 2014

Hoping to Isolate Russia, US Woos China on Ukraine

Read the Washington Post article here | Associate Press | Monday, March 10, 2014

Pope Says Catholic Church Should Not Dismiss Gay Marriage

Pope Francis

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The Catholic Church should not dismiss out of hand civil unions, but should study them, says Pope Francis, in latest softening of stance on thorny social issues

Pope Francis says the issue of gay marriage should be studied and not dismissed out-of-hand, a senior Roman Catholic cardinal has revealed.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the outspoken archbishop of New York, said Pope Francis had told him: “Rather than quickly condemn them, let's just ask the questions as to why that has appealed to certain people."

Archbishop Dolan stressed that the Pope had not shifted the Catholic Church’s position on same-sex unions.

"It wasn't as if he came out and approved them,” he told the NBC television network in the US.

But the Pope wanted senior Church leaders to “look into” the issue and to scrutinise the reasons why many countries have legalised same-sex marriages. » | Nick Squires, Rome | Monday, March 10, 2014

Clash of Russia & NATO Interests? Khrushchev's Great-granddaughter Talks Crimea

Russia has been at the centre of heavy criticism for its policies on Crimea. And while the region moves toward self-determination, the West calls for punishment and declares the will of its people illegitimate. Does Russia have the right to protect legitimate interests on its doorstep, or is the protection of interests a privilege reserved solely for Western powers with traditionally global aspirations? Oksana is joined by Dr Nina Khrushcheva, a [Senior] Fellow of the World Policy Institute, to discuss these issues.

WORLD POLICY INSTITUTE: Nina Krushcheva »

Ukraine Crisis: Russia Warns US against 'Hasty' Sanctions

BBC: Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has warned the US not to take "hasty and reckless steps" in response to the crisis in Ukraine's Crimea region.

In a phone call with his US counterpart John Kerry, Mr Lavrov said imposing sanctions on Moscow would harm the US.

Pro-Russian troops have been in control of Crimea for the last week.

Earlier, a stand-off involving pro-Russian soldiers at a Ukrainian military base outside Sevastopol reportedly ended without incident.

Crimea's parliament announced on Thursday it would hold a referendum on 16 March on whether to join Russia or remain part of Ukraine.

Russia's parliament has promised to support Crimea if it chooses to become part of Russia.

The vote has been denounced as "illegitimate" by the interim government in Kiev, which took power after President Viktor Yanukovych fled to Russia last month in the wake of mass protests against his government and deadly clashes with security forces.

In their telephone conversation on Friday, Mr Lavrov warned Mr Kerry against taking "hasty and unthought-through steps capable of causing harm to Russian-US relations", Russia's foreign ministry reports. (+ BBC video) » | Saturday, March 08, 2014

Ukraine Crisis: I'm Prepared to Hit City to Punish Putin, Says David Cameron

David Cameron and Angela Merkel meet ahead of a European
leaders emergency summit on Ukraine

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Russians could be hit with asset freezes and travel bans "within days", Prime Minister says, even if it harms the City and British industries

Sanctions will be imposed on Russia within days unless it loosens its grip on the Ukrainian territory of Crimea, David Cameron announced today.

The City of London and the defence industry could suffer as a result Britain has learnt from history that it must “stand up to aggression” and cannot stand by “when nations are trampled over”, the Prime Minister said.

Britain, the EU and the US are drawing up a list of Russian officials who will see their off-shore bank accounts frozen and banned from travelling to the West unless it steps back from annexing the Crimean peninsula. Defence co-operation is also under review, with a presumption that arms contracts will be scrapped.

Mr Cameron, speaking after talks in Hanover with German President Angela Merkel, said he would “ratchet up the pressure” on Vladimir Putin if he attempts to “legitimise” a Russian-backed referendum on Crimea leaving Ukraine on Sunday.

Downing Street said that any sanctions would be aimed at individuals but sources said that this would be unlikely to mean President Putin could be targeted. » | Matthew Holehouse, Political Correspondent | Monday, March 10, 2014

McCain Blasts Obama’s 'Total Misreading' of Putin

Mar. 10, 2014 - 7:50 - GOP senator targets president's 'failure' to understand Russian leader

Comprendre les frontières de l'Ukraine en 2 minutes

Les frontières de l'Ukraine moderne ont en grande partie été dessinées par son imposant voisin: la Russie.

Source: Le Figaro | Par Julien Licourt, Laure Kermanach | dimanche 09 mars 2014

Massendemonstrationen in der Ukraine

Al-Qaeda Unveils New Magazine Aimed at Western Jihadis

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Advert for 'Resurgence' magazine uses words of Malcolm X in appeal to disaffected Muslims in US and Europe, as it turns focus away from Middle East

Al-Qaeda is starting an English language magazine as part of a fresh effort to recruit and inspire Western jihadis to launch attacks in their own countries, according to security analysts.

A video posted on YouTube uses the words of Malcolm X to justify violent struggle, before announcing the name of the magazine, Resurgence.

It appears to be modelled on Inspire, an online publication produced by al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), which has carried messages from Osama bin Laden, bomb making directions and tactics for launching “lone wolf” attacks.

However, the new magazine appears to be the first English language magazine from the group’s core leadership and is advertised with a slick video from as-Sahab, its media production house. Analysts believe it marks a shift from al-Qaeda's recent focus on Syria. » | Rob Crilly, Islamabad | Monday, March 10, 2014

Inside Story: North Korea Poll: Politics or Propaganda?

Voters are obliged to tick "Yes" for the sole candidate on their ballot paper.

No Saudi Gays Allowed? 'US Violates Its Own Principles to Please Monarchy'

He could be executed at home, has already received death threats, and is pinning his hopes on the US giving him shelter. But an openly gay Saudi diplomat who is seeking asylum has been left in legal limbo - and some believe for political reasons.

Growing Russian Nationalism Has Some Wary

Russian, Ukrainian Troops Dig In

Breaking Up with Vladimir Putin

'We Cannot Let Putin Get Away with This,' Says Polish Minister

Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Russia must not be allowed to redraw the map of Europe, Radek Sikorski, Poland's Foreign Minister, tells the Telegraph ahead of a meeting with William Hague on Monday

“We cannot let Putin get away with this,” says Radek Sikorski, Poland’s Foreign Minister. His Oxford English is perfect, his tone decisive. “By annexing Crimea, Russia is forcing a major change of boundaries on Europe. It means the breaking of the post-Cold War consensus. That is verboten.”

Vladimir Putin, lacking Mr Sikorski’s linguistic skills, does not understand “verboten”. He has been taunting the west for days now, placing troops on Ukrainian soil to defend -- as he puts it -- ethnic Russians there from the “nationalist mob” who overthrew President Viktor Yanukovych. The annexation of Crimea, the southernmost region in Ukraine, looks inevitable to Sikorski: “The timetable for the Kremlin’s annexation of the region is accelerating daily.” Putin knows America and the EU are in thrall to Russia’s money, oil and gas. He reckons that with huge economic interests at stake, no one will fight for Ukraine’s sovereignity.

But Putin has underestimated EU unity, says Sikorski. “I’m seeing William Hague on Monday. We are as one on Ukraine. We cannot allow Putin to redraw the map of Europe along ethnic lines. Europe is based on the principle of overcoming borders rather than redrawing them. No one has the unilateral right to move borders in response to presumed ethnic grievances. We’ve seen what happened when a European leader tried to do that before: the peoples of the Soviet Union paid one of the biggest prices for this.” » | Cristina Odone | Monday, March 10, 2014

Chodorkowski stellt Gesuch an Schweizer Behörden

TAGES ANZEIGER: Michail Chodorkowski reist zurzeit viel in der Welt herum. Nun hat er entschieden, in welchem Land er seinen Hauptwohnsitz plant.

Der russische Kreml-Kritiker und ehemalige Ölunternehmer Michail Chodorkowski will sich in der Schweiz niederlassen. Chodorkowski hat ein entsprechendes Gesuch eingereicht, wie seine in Zug ansässige Kommunikationsagentur gegenüber der Nachrichtenagentur sda sagte.

Wo er das Gesuch gestellt hat, wollte die Agentur nicht sagen. Das Verfahren sei im Gang. Man werde zu gegebener Zeit informieren, hiess es weiter. Zurzeit hält sich Chodorkowski in Kiew auf. Am Sonntag rief er Russen und Ukrainer zum Einlenken im Krim-Konflikt auf. » | bru/sda/AP | Montag, 10. März 2014

Robert Gates on Ukraine Crisis, 'Reset' with Russia

Mar. 09, 2014 - 11:58 - Former defense secretary on 'Fox News Sunday'

North Koreans 'Vote' in Elections - Singing, Dancing and Reciting Poetry

North Korea's cowed people were marched to the polls on Sunday for a pre-decided "election" to parliament - with only one candidate for each seat

Read and comment on Telegraph article here | Harriet Alexander | Sunday, March 09, 2014