Oxford University Lecturer 'Discriminated Against' After Converting to Christianity
THE TELEGRAPH: A lecturer at Oxford University’s centre for Jewish studies claims colleagues discriminated against her after she converted to Christianity.

Dr Tali Argov says she was overlooked for promotion, stripped of her privileges and cold-shouldered at social gatherings.

She says staff wanted to vet her lectures to make sure that, as a Christian, she would not criticise Israel.

Eventually she claims she was made redundant from her post at the prestigious Oxford Centre for Hebrew & Jewish Studies, despite offering to take on new roles.

“It is my belief that, following firstly the conversion of my husband and then the conversion of myself, the treatment which I received as an employee of the Respondents was very different and a number of incidents occurred which led me to believe that I was being discriminated against,” Dr Argov told Reading Employment Tribunal hearing this week.

Dr Argov told the hearing, where she is claiming unfair dismissal and discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief, that she and her husband, Eran, were raised in the Jewish faith and lived in Israel until he was offered a place at Brasenose College, Oxford, to write a doctoral thesis.

They moved to England in 1996 and in 2000 Dr Argov, then studying for a PhD at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, was offered the full-time post of Lector of Modern Hebrew at the Oxford Centre for Hebrew & Jewish Studies. The centre is independent but its students are part of the traditional Oxford college system.

Dr Argov said she was welcomed and appreciated but the “honeymoon” ended after her husband was baptised into the Church of England in 2005, after which time “all those kind, heart-warming gestures disappeared overnight” and she was “considered guilty by association”.

Dr Argov also converted from Judaism to Anglicanism in January 2008, having become “actively engaged” with St Mary Magdalene church in the centre of Oxford, but did not dare tell her parents until after the event. >>> Martin Beckford, Religious Affairs Correspondent | Thursday, July 29, 2010

Carry On Working Past 65 as Default Retirement Age to Be Scrapped in 2011
THE TELEGRAPH: Workers will be able to stay in their jobs into their seventies under new rules to be announced by the Government.

Ministers said they would end the “discrimination” of the Default Retirement Age, which allows companies to force staff out as soon as they turn 65.

Personnel groups welcomed the move, which they claimed would boost productivity and improve employees’ freedom to shape their careers.

Longer working is widely seen as necessary to keep income tax receipts up and reduce the burden on pension funds as Britain’s population ages.

But business leaders warn that employers will find it difficult to plan for the future if they do not know when staff will step down, although compulsory retirement ages could still be enforced in physically demanding jobs such as front line policing.

Older workers who do stay in their posts beyond 65 may also find themselves facing claims that they are not up to the job any more, or that they are keeping younger candidates out of work. Some fear it could lead to more employment tribunal claims from staff who believe they were sacked for being too old.

Ed Davey, the Employment Relations Minister, said: “With more and more people wanting to extend their working lives we should not stop them just because they have reached a particular age. We want to give individuals greater choice and are moving swiftly to end discrimination of this kind.

“Older workers bring with them a wealth of talent and experience as employees and entrepreneurs. They have a vital contribution to make to our economic recovery and long term prosperity.” >>> Martin Beckford and Louisa Peacock | Thursday, July 29, 2010

THE TELEGRAPH: After banning racism and sexism, it's high time to ban ageism >>> Ian Cowie | Thursday, July 29, 2010

Weep for Britain: 1940 This Is Not
THE SPECTATOR: When David Cameron became Britain’s Prime Minister, I warned that he would turn out to be even worse than Labour on the related issues of Israel and the global threat from Islamism to Britain and the west. This was because Cameron had no knowledge of or interest in foreign affairs, and so was always likely merely to reflect the most politically expedient views he encountered – which, given the current poisonous attitude within the British establishment and intelligentsia, were likely to push him into appeasing Britain’s mortal enemies in the Islamic world and dumping on Israel, Britain’s strategic ally in that great struggle.

But even I did not foresee just how cynical Cameron would turn out to be -- and how dangerous therefore to the British national interest. Today’s truly shocking and quite astoundingly stupid speech in Turkey has now laid bare the fathomless shallowness and frightening ignorance and idiocy of Britain’s new Prime Minister.

Declaring himself a fervent supporter of Turkey’s bid to join the EU, Cameron declared that those who opposed this bid fell into one of three categories: protectionists; those who believed wrongly in a ‘clash of civilisations’ between east and west, whereas in fact

Turkey can be a great unifier, because instead of choosing between East and West, Turkey has chosen both;

or

those who wilfully misunderstand Islam

because they

... see no difference between real Islam and the distorted version peddled by the extremists.

Astonishingly, Cameron thus totally ignored the fact that Turkey’s Prime Minister, Recep Erdogan, is no secular Ataturk but an Islamic extremist; and as a result Turkey is changing from a secular state and strategic ally of the west into an Islamist tyranny and a new strategic enemy of the west. Here is what Turkish political economy professor Dani Rodrik wrote recently in the Wall Street Journal (£):

I no longer recognize Turkey, the country where I was raised and spend most of my time when I am not teaching in the U.S. It wasn't so long ago that the country seemed to be taking significant strides in the direction of human rights and democracy... But more recently, the same government has been responsible for a politics of deception, dirty tricks, fear, and intimidation... It's clear now that Turkey is no longer the liberalizing, emerging democracy under the AKP that it was only a few years ago. It's time the U.S. and Europe stopped treating it as such—both for their own sakes, and for the sake of the Turkish people.

Into which category of prejudice would Cameron place the horrified Professor Rodrik – Turkish protectionist, Turkish culture warrior or Turkish Islamophobe?

Or what about the alliances Erdogan has been forging with Islamic terror regimes such as Hamas, Hezbollah, Syria and Iran – and not forgetting his warm overtures to Russia? Is this what Cameron regards as evidence that Turkey is playing the role of ‘great unifier’ between east and west? Continue reading and comment >>> Melanie Phillips | Tuesday, July 27, 2010

US Law to Counter 'Libel Tourism' in British Courts
THE TELEGRAPH: The US has passed a bill to protect American writers and authors from "libel tourism" in British courts by decreeing that foreign libel judgments are not enforceable in the United States.

The move came after years of bewilderment with what are regarded as draconian UK libel laws that saw a string of cases being heard which would never have been brought in the US.

Many involved celebrities or foreigners suing American publications and books whose content was viewed by a relatively small number of people in Britain.

Supporters of the Securing the Protection of our Enduring and Established Constitutional Heritage (Speech) Act said "libel tourism", in which plaintiffs shopped around for countries with tough libel laws, undermined the cherished first amendment of the US constitution that guarantees free speech rights.

The legislation will prevent US federal courts from recognising or enforcing a foreign judgment for defamation that is inconsistent with the first amendment and will bar foreign parties from targeting the American assets of an American author, journalist, or publisher as part of any damages.

Campaigners for more liberal libel law in Britain said they hoped the new law would influence the Government as it prepares a draft reform bill for publication in January.

Padraig Reidy, a spokesman for the Index on Censorship, said: "It's a vindication of our argument that English libel laws in their current state do not encourage or protect free expression. The fact that Britain's best ally feels the need to protect itself from the English libel courts demonstrates the need for reform." >>> Alex Spillius in Washington | Wednesday, July 28, 2010

It’s Romance for Bruni and Her Hollywood Co-star, But Drama Off-screen as Sarkozy Loses His Cool
THE TELEGRAPH: It was supposed to be her great acting debut, as Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, the French first lady, shot her first scene in a romantic comedy by Woody Allen in Paris.

Nicolas Sarkozy visits his wife Carla Bruni on location during the shooting of Woody Allen's latest film 'Midnight in Paris'. Photograph: The Telegraph
But the real drama appeared to unfold off the set of Midnight in Paris, as the former model engaged in what looked like a real-life lover’s tiff with her husband, President Nicolas Sarkozy.

The reason for Mr Sarkozy’s histrionics was a mystery. But as he watched his wife saunter in and out of a Left Bank grocer’s alongside the film’s star, the Hollywood actor Owen Wilson, the notoriously highly strung leader appeared moody and on edge. >>> Henry Samuel in Paris | Thursday, July 29, 2010

George Clooney’s Girlfriend Implicated in Sex and Drugs Scandal
THE TELEGRAPH: George Clooney’s Italian girlfriend Elisabetta Canalis has been implicated in a wide-ranging sex and drugs scandal involving businessmen, celebrities and high-class prostitutes.

The Italian press has speculated for months that George Clooney might be about to propose marriage to Elisabetta Canalis. Photo: The Telegraph
Miss Canalis, a former showgirl, is said to have taken cocaine at a nightclub in Milan that is now at the centre of an investigation into an alleged prostitution ring in which rich clients enjoyed the favours of high-class escort girls while taking drugs.

In court documents released in Milan this week, a French escort girl testified that she saw a number of young models and starlets taking cocaine at the clubs, among them Miss Canalis, now aged 31.

“I used cocaine along with other people, among whom was Elisabetta Canalis,” said the French woman, Karima Menad, 26.

Her evidence forms part of a dossier which has been put together by prosecutors on the alleged prostitution ring. The investigation into two Milan nightclubs - 'The Club’ and 'Hollywood’ - resulted in the arrest of five people on Monday and the closing down of the two nightclubs. >>> Nick Squires in Rome | Wednesday, July 28, 2010

CITY JOURNALIST DIRECTORY: Karima Menad sees Elisabetta Canalis Snort Cocaine – Girlfriend of George Clooney >>> Rome / Milan, Thursday, July 29, 2010

Saudi Arabian Treasures in Paris
CNN: CNN's Icon previews a new collection of Arabian artifacts, the fruit of a 40-year archeology project.

Sarkozy veut démanteler 300 camps de Roms
20 MINUTES: Le gouvernement français entend démanteler dans les trois mois environ 300 camps illégaux installés en France par des gens du voyage et des Roms.

La France procédera, parallèlement au démantèlement des camps, à la reconduite «quasi immédiate» en Roumanie et en Bulgarie des Roms ayant commis des atteintes à l'ordre public, a ajouté M. Hortefeux à l'issue d'une réunion interministérielle sur les gens du voyage, à l'Elysée. En 2009, plus de 10'000 Roms ont été expulsés de France.

Dans un communiqué, le président de la République Nicolas Sarkozy précise qu'une réforme législative sera entreprise «afin de rendre plus efficace le dispositif d'évacuation des campements illégaux.» >>> ats | Mercredi 28 Juillet 2010

Bild: Google Images
Aus für Schweizer Sonderwünsche
DIE PRESSE: Gewitterwolken über der Beziehungen zwischen der Schweiz und der EU: Brüssel will die bilateralen Beziehungen vereinfachen und drängt auf stärkere Integration. In der Schweiz löste dies eine neue Europa-Debatte aus.

Eigentlich sah man sie schon lange aufziehen, die Gewitterwolken über den schwierigen Beziehungen zwischen der Schweiz und der EU. Zuletzt schwand die Geduld der EU-Länder mit der eigenwilligen Schweiz, die in ihren Verträgen mit der EU stets auf Sonderwünsche pocht. So akzeptiert sie derzeit nur den rechtlichen Status quo zum Zeitpunkt eines Vertragsabschlusses, lehnt aber den automatischen Nachvollzug späterer Regelungen ab. Dies wäre mit der Souveränität der Schweiz nicht vereinbar. Eine klare Bevorzugung des Drittlandes Schweiz, wie Kritiker monieren.

Damit sei jetzt Schluss, verkündete EU-Ratspräsident Herman Van Rompuy überraschend deutlich, als die Schweizer Bundespräsidentin, Doris Leuthard, vergangene Woche nach Brüssel reiste. Künftig müsse die Schweiz bei Verhandlungen über eine Kooperation mit der EU das jeweilige EU-Recht und dessen Weiterentwicklung übernehmen. Zudem will die EU das unübersichtliche Netz an Abkommen mit der Schweiz einfacher verwaltbar machen. Nun steht die Schweiz unter Druck. >>> Von Carola Schneider | Mittwoch, 28. Juli 2010

US President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and their daughters Sasha and Malia tour Hopi Point with Park Ranger Scott Kraynak at Grand Canyon National Park. Photograph: The Independent
Last Minute Decision Blocks Parts of Arizona Immigration Law
THE INDEPENDENT: A federal judge on Wednesday blocked the most controversial parts of Arizona's immigration law from taking effect, delivering a last-minute victory to opponents of the crackdown.

The overall law will still take effect Thursday, but without the provisions that angered opponents — including sections that required officers to check a person's immigration status while enforcing other laws.

The judge also put on hold parts of the law that required immigrants to carry their papers at all times and made it illegal for undocumented workers to solicit employment in public places.

U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton ruled that those sections should be put on hold until the courts resolve the issues. Other provisions of the law, many of them procedural and slight revisions to existing Arizona immigraiton statute, will go into effect at 12:01 a.m.

The ruling came just as police were making last-minute preparations to begin enforcement of the law and protesters were planning large demonstrations to speak out against the measure. At least one group planned to block access to federal offices, daring officers to ask them about their immigration status. >>> Associated Press | Wednesday, July 28, 2010

KZ-Gedenkstätte Buchenwald: Neonazis haben die Internetseiten der Gedenkstätte zum Teil zerstört. Foto: Berliner Zeitung
Neonazis zerstören Buchenwald-Internetseite
BERLINER ZEITUNG: Weimar - Die Internetseiten der KZ-Gedenkstätte Buchenwald sind am Mittwochmorgen von Neonazis zum Teil zerstört worden. Die Hacker hätten die Startseite (www.buchenwald.de) gelöscht und stattdessen rechtsradikale Symbole und Parolen eingestellt, teilte Stiftungsdirektor Volkhard Knigge mit.

Außerdem seien die Seiten mit Internetangeboten verlinkt worden, auf denen der Holocaust geleugnet werde. Die Stiftung hat Anzeige erstattet. >>> © dpa | Mittwoch, 28. Juli 2010

Buchenwald >>>

David Cameron Accused of Stoking Anti-Western Feeling on the Streets of Pakistan
THE TELEGRAPH: David Cameron was accused of stoking "anti-Western" feeling on the streets of Pakistan after accusing the Islamic nation of promoting the "export of terror" in Afghanistan and around the world.



In words which were greeted with indignation in Islamabad, the Prime Minister also suggested that Pakistan had links with terrorist groups, and was guilty of double dealing by aligning itself with both the West and the forces it was opposing.

Mr Cameron’s attack was even more unwelcome given that he was speaking during a visit to India, Pakistan’s neighbour and great military rival.

Further inflaming the situation, the Prime Minister announced that export controls on British companies selling nuclear technology and secrets would be lifted, and two UK firms signed a £700 million deal to supply Hawk fighter jets.

Mr Cameron's remarks came during a question and answer session following a speech in Bangalore, after he was asked by a member of the audience why the UK was pouring money into Pakistan, given reports that it was linked to the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks. >>> Rosa Prince, Political Correspondent, in Bangalore and Rob Crilly in Islamabad | Wednesday, July 28, 2010

US Fury At Lockerbie Inquiry Snub
SKY NEWS: US senators conducting an inquiry into possible links between BP and the release of the Lockerbie bomber have reacted with fury after British ministers refused to give evidence. Greg Milam reports.

Cameron Angers Pakistan With 'Crude' Comment
SKY NEWS: David Cameron has angered Pakistan after warning it should not be allowed "to promote the export of terror".



Read on >>> Miranda Richardson, Sky News Online | Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Grèce : Le groupe responsable de la mort d'un journaliste promet de nouveaux attentats
LE MONDE: Le groupe grec d'extrême gauche Secte rebelle, dans un message revendiquant l'assassinat du journaliste Sokratis Giolias le 19 juillet dans la banlieue d'Athènes, menace de multiplier les attentats et de perturber la saison touristique en Grèce.

Dans cette revendication de sept pages que publie mercredi le journal de centre gauche Ta Nea, le groupe, qui avait tué un policier antiterroriste à Athènes en juin 2009, promet de frapper encore plus de policiers, de journalistes et d'agents de l'administration pénitentiaire. >>> LEMONDE.FR avec AFP | Mercredi 28 Juillet 2010

Douglas Murray. Photograph: The Jerusalem Post
A Political Culture Gone Bad
THE JERUSALEM POST: Douglas Murray says it’s five minutes to midnight in Britain’s battle against radical Islam.

Listening to Douglas Murray, one gets a picture of a world turned on its head, one where relativism has trumped common sense, where the state pays its enemies more than its soldiers and where turning in the inciters becomes an act of incitement.

Murray is the 31-year-old director of the Center for Social Cohesion, a London-based think tank that studies radicalization and extremism in the UK, and he is an outspoken critic of the British government’s response to the challenge of radical Islam.

Our meeting takes place shortly after the fifth anniversary of the 7/7 attacks, four suicide bombings committed by British Muslim men that killed 52 people and wounded hundreds of others. Murray believes that while the security services have learned the lesson of that event, government and politicians have so far failed to do so.

Britain’s thinking and its political culture, Murray says, have “gone bad” and it has become afraid to state its own values. Britain has become a society that no longer knows how to draw the line.

He is particularly critical of the government’s “Prevent” strategy, set up after the 7/7 bombings to tackle Muslim radicalization by providing a counternarrative. “Prevent,” says Murray, is an example of the government attempting to “do theology.”

“When the British government comes out after 7/7 and says, ‘Islam is a religion of peace,’ you can understand the reasons it is saying this – it is trying to reach out – but obviously there is something terribly counterproductive about this,” says Murray. “The problem is that the government seems to believe it can do theology. I’m a small government guy and I like government to do as little as possible.

The way I see it is that government can’t do many things very well – it doesn’t even do taxes very well, it doesn’t do policing very well, but the thing it definitely can’t do very well is theology, in particular a theology it knows very little about, or is only starting to learn about.”

For Murray the answer lies not in outreach, but in affirming the values of the state and in laying down the law.

“Instead of getting embroiled in endless wars and debates about a religion which is not our national religion, which after all is a minority religion and has no particular history of any significance in Britain – instead of getting involved in that conflict, which may or not be won by the progressives, you say what you are as a state,” he declares.

“A lot of young Muslims have said to me in recent years, ‘You ask me to integrate, but what are we integrating into? What is Britain, what are British values?’ It’s very hard to tell people to integrate if you don’t tell them what they are integrating into. It’s very hard to tell them to be British if they don’t know and you don’t know what Britishness is. The fact is that we have been very poor in saying what we are and we have also been very poor is saying what we expect people to be. We’ve been very good in stressing what rights people get when they come to Britain and very bad at explaining what responsibilities come with them.”

Britain, says Murray, has made a terrible mistake in the direction it has taken with its Muslim minority since the Salman Rushdie Satanic Verses affair.

“The problem is,” he explains, “that the British government has pushed young Muslims into becoming young Muslims when it should have pushed them into becoming young Brits. In other words, the direction of travel it sent them in has been deeply backward.” Continue reading and comment >>> Ilan Evyatar | Thursday, July 15, 2010

Who Is David Cameron to Say What the 'Real Islam' Is?
TELEGRAPH – BLOGS – ED WEST: David Cameron was in Turkey yesterday endorsing Turkish membership of the EU, as blogger Laban Tall says, “doubtless driven by that grass-roots Tory pressure for a few million Turks to come to the UK”.

Personally I’m quite happy for Turkey to have our EU place, if they really want it; or to be a fellow member of a new free trade area along EFTA lines, with restrictions on free movement until some point when its median income reach western European levels.

But until that happens membership of the EU is a non-starter, and everyone knows it.

And as well as being disingenuous about the EU, Cameron is also playing the disingenuous theologian. Rod Liddle points out that he criticises opponents of a Muslim country joining the EU by claiming:
“They see no difference between real Islam and the distorted version of the extremists. They think the values of Islam can never be compatible with the values of other religions, societies or cultures.”

Cameron is falling into exactly the same trap as his predecessors, by trying to play the theologian. Tony Blair called the Koran a “progressive” book, while Jacqui Smith called Islamic terrorism “anti-Islamic” activities, while the phrase “religion of peace” has been used so much by well-meaning politicians that it is now used, exclusively, in an ironic sense by cynics.

Who on earth is Cameron to say what is the real Islam? If a fresh-faced politician from the Islamic world told us that the fundamentalist Christians who funded settlements in the West Bank because they believed in some crazy end times were not “real Christians”, I’d be flattered that he recognised differences within a large and wide ranging religion, but I’d also think “Who are you to say?” Continue reading and comment >>> Ed West | Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Meanwhile, Damian Thompson, in his blog, tells us that Islam is not a cult. Then he goes on to define a cult. Here’s his definition…

My rough and ready definition of a typical cult involves a charismatic leader, radical teachings that tend to alienate adherents from their friends and families, and therefore a high degree of tension between the group and the surrounding environment.

But surely, Mr Thompson, isn't this a perfect definition of Islam, for wasn’t prophet Muhammad the ultimate in charismatic leaders? Aren’t the teachings of Islam radical by anyone’s standards? Doesn't Islam alienate its adherents from their friends and family (if they are not Muslims), and isn’t there a high degree of tension between Muslim groups and the surrounding environment? Read on and comment >>>

Bullfighting Ban Ordered by Catalonia
THE TELEGRAPH: Catalan lawmakers have voted to ban bullfighting across the northeastern region striking a blow to aficionados of the most emblematic and controversial Spanish tradition.

Catalonia has only one functioning bullring in Barcelona. Photo: The Telegraph
The Parliament of Catalonia voted 68 in favour and 55 against with nine abstentions to abolish bullfighting on the grounds of animal cruelty ushering in the first outlawing of the tradition on mainland Spain.

The vote followed months of impassioned debate over the subject of bullfighting that pitted animal rights activists against the supporters of what is known as Spain's “national fiesta”.

Campaigners against the “cruel and unnecessary spectacle” hailed the result as a “historic victory” and one that they hoped would be taken up across other regions of Spain.

”Today five centuries of cruelty have ended because the people of Catalonia wanted it,” said Deborah Parris, a spokesman for anti-bullfighting group Prou! – meaning Enough!

”The suffering of animals in Catalan bullrings has been abolished once and for all. It has created a precedent we hope will be replicated in other democratic parliaments, in those regions and countries where such cruel bullfights are still allowed.” >>> Fiona Govan, in Barcelona | Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Catalonia Votes To Ban Bullfighting
SKY NEWS: Catalonia has become the first region in Spain to ban the country's foremost sport - bullfighting. Simon Newton reports.



NZZ ONLINE: Katalonien verbietet den Stierkampf: Entscheid mit 68 zu 55 Stimmen im Regionalparlament >>> sda/dpa/afp | Mittwoch, 28. Juli 2010

L'Oréal Cosmetics Heiress's Daughter's House Searched in Paris
THE TELEGRAPH: French police on Wednesday searched the home of the daughter of the L'Oréal cosmetics heiress Liliane Bettencourt amid probes into her financial affairs that have tainted President Nicolas Sarkozy's government.

Financial fraud officers targeted the home of Francoise [sic] Bettencourt-Meyers, the estranged daughter of the 87-year-old billionaire, who lives about 50 yards from her mother in the chic Paris suburb of Neuilly-sur-Seine.

Five separate judicial investigations are underway regarding Mrs Bettencourt's fortune, including into allegations of tax evasion and illegal campaign funding involving Mr Sarkozy's labour minister, Eric Woerth.

Mrs Bettencourt-Meyers has accused her mother's entourage, in particular the society photographer François-Marie Banier, of taking advantage of the heiress, whom she claims is no longer in a fit mental state to manage her €15.6 billion (£13 billion) fortune.

One of the investigations centres on conversations secretly taped by Mrs Bettencourt's former butler in which she and her financial adviser allegedly plot to evade taxes. They also discuss the ownership of an island in the Seychelles.

Le Figaro newspaper's website claimed the aim of Wednesday's police raid was to find out whether Mrs Bettencourt's daughter had encouraged the butler to secretly record his employer's conversations. She has denied doing so. >>> Henry Samuel in Paris | Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Related >>>

With a Little Help from Your Friends You Can Live Longer
YAHOO! LIFESTYLE UK : Study finds being sociable is good for your health, while loneliness is as bad for you as smoking 15 cigarettes a day

A life of booze, fags and slothfulness may be enough to earn your doctor's disapproval, but there is one last hope: a repeat prescription of mates and good conversation.

A circle of close friends and strong family ties can boost a person's health more than exercise, losing weight or quitting cigarettes and alcohol, psychologists say.

Sociable people seem to reap extra rewards from their relationships by feeling less stressed, taking better care of themselves and having less risky lifestyles than those who are more isolated, they claim.

A review of studies into the impact of relationships on health found that people had a 50% better survival rate if they belonged to a wider social group, be it friends, neighbours, relatives or a mix of these.

The striking impact of social connections on wellbeing has led researchers to call on GPs and health officials to take loneliness as seriously as other health risks, such as alcoholism and smoking.

"We take relationships for granted as humans," said Julianne Holt-Lunstad, a psychologist at Brigham Young University in Utah. "That constant interaction is not only beneficial psychologically but directly to our physical health." >>> The Guardian | Tuesday, July 27, 2010

David Cameron: Pakistan is promoting the ‘export of terror’
THE TELEGRAPH: David Cameron has risked inflaming international relations after suggesting Pakistan is promoting the ‘export of terror’ in Afghanistan and around the world.

David Cameron visits a technology company in Bangalore. Photograph: The Telegraph
In words which will be greeted with alarm in Islamabad, the Prime Minister also suggested that Pakistan had links with terrorist groups, and was guilty of double dealing by aligning itself with both the West and the forces it was opposing.

Mr Cameron’s attack will be even more unwelcome given that he was speaking during a visit to India, Pakistan’s neighbour and great military rival.

During a question and answer session following a speech in Bangalore, he was asked by a member of the audience why the United Kingdom and the United States were pouring money into Pakistan, given suggestions that it was linked to the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks.

Members of the Taliban are also feared to be receiving semi-official succour from Pakistan.

Mr Cameron said that the issue was one that he was extremely concerned about, adding that he had already discussed the problem with US President Barack Obama and would do so also with Manmohan Singh, his Indian counterpart.

He then went on: "We should be very, very clear with Pakistan that we want to see a strong, stable and democratic Pakistan.

“We can not tolerate in any sense the idea that this country is allowed to look both ways and is able, in any way, to promote the export of terror, whether to India or whether to Afghanistan or anywhere else in the world. >>> Rosa Prince, Political Correspondent in Bangalore | Wednesday, July 28, 2010

If President Obama Carries On Like This, He Will Turn Into a Lame Duck
THE TELEGRAPH: The president hasn't grown into the job - all that's needed to beat him is a serious Republican, says Simon Heffer in New York.

The shock about coming to America after an absence of four months is how, in that time, respect for and confidence in President Obama has slumped. It wasn't good in March; now the effect of what one blogger has called his apparent "impotence" has taken hold. It is not clear what Mr Obama actually does. He isn't engaged with the economy; he certainly isn't engaged with foreign policy; he has abandoned hope of a climate change bill this year (and probably for ever); he has seen his health care bill into law, but America awaits news of how it will be implemented; he is under attack for a casual approach to illegal immigration, notably from the Mexican narco-state. He has only just girded himself to go campaigning for his party in the mid-term elections. Last Sunday was the 100-days-to-go mark, and the talk in politics here is of little else. Joe Biden, the vice-president, has been nominated as "campaigner in chief". Why? What is the President doing?

He appears to be reading the newspapers and the blogs and watching television. Last week, a twisted opponent put out a selectively edited video of a black Department of Agriculture official, Shirley Sherrod, apparently admitting discriminating against a white farmer. Mrs Sherrod had done nothing of the sort – either the discrimination or, therefore, the admission of it – but was immediately sacked, for fear that Fox News was about to broadcast the video. This outrageous act was followed by an even more outrageous apology by the president the next day – outrageous in that Mrs Sherrod was not immediately given back her job. In the White House there were, we are told, great mutual congratulations (to start with) that swift action had stopped this becoming "a story". Well, it's a story now, not least because it exemplifies the incompetence and disconnection of the administration. Mrs Sherrod's husband was a leading civil rights activist and her father was murdered by white racists in 1965, so there is a resonance to this story that is causing discomfort.

This immediate proof of mismanagement adds to the cumulative feeling on so many other fronts that Mr Obama and his team simply don't understand governance. Last month Ben Bernanke, the chairman of the Fed, warned America that without more care being taken it could have a Greece-style debt problem. The president seemed to regard this warning as so self-evidently absurd that he quickly asked Congress for another $50 billion for various social projects. Last week, benefits for the long-term unemployed were extended for another six months at a cost of $34 billion. The health care programme is forecast to cost at least $863 billion. The total deficit this year is to be $1.47 trillion. America's debt is likely to be $18.5 trillion by 2020, though it will be so low as that only if growth is maintained at 4 per cent: it is currently 3 per cent, and rocky. Continue reading and comment >>> Simon Heffer | Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Ron Ramsey: Tennessee Republican Politician Under Fire in 'Islam Is a Cult' Row
THE TELEGRAPH: A US Republican politician, Ron Ramsey, who is supported by the controversial Tea Party, has come under fire for likening Islam to a “cult” and casting doubt about whether it is even a religion.

Tennessee’s current lieutenant governor said he had reservations about whether the American Constitution, which guarantees “freedom of religion”, applied to followers of the world’s second largest faith.

Critics denounced the 54 year-old’s comments, made at a party meeting earlier this month, as a part of “disturbing” trend in American politics.

But political experts said the real estate agent, who hopes to win the Republican nomination for governor in next month’s primary with support from Tea Party activists, was using it to garner support after lagging third in the polls.

During a question-and-answer session at the Hamilton County meeting, Mr Ramsey, from Blountville, was asked about the "threat that's invading our country from the Muslims”, according to local reports.

The question came amid local concern over a proposed local Islamic Centre and mosque to be built outside the town of Murfreesboro, to the south-east of the capital Nashville.

Despite proclaiming his support for the Constitution and the whole "Congress shall make no law" to religion, he said that Islam was more of a “cult” than a faith.

"Now, you could even argue whether being a Muslim is actually a religion, or is it a nationality, way of life, cult whatever you want to call it," he said in comments that were caught on video and later uploaded to YouTube.

"Now certainly we do protect our religions but at the same time this is something we are going to have to face.

"Now, you know, I'm all about freedom of religion. I value the First Amendment as much as I value the Second Amendment as much as I value the Tenth Amendment and on and on and on.”

He added: “But you cross the line when they try to start bringing Sharia Law here to the state of Tennessee, to the United States. We live under our Constitution and they live under our Constitution." >>> Andrew Hough | Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Ron Ramsey in Chattanooga (July 14, 2010)

David Cameron Faces Israeli Storm Over Gaza Comments
THE GUARDIAN: No 10 denies it has raised rhetoric as row heats up over 'prison camp' comparison

David Cameron made the comments during his visit to Ankara, Turkey. Photograph: The Guardian
David Cameron was embroiled in an angry diplomatic row with Israel tonight after describing the Gaza Strip as a prison camp for its 1.5 million Palestinian residents.

The prime minister drew fire at home and in Israel for remarks he made in Turkey about the need to further ease the blockade of the coastal territory, following the lifting of some restrictions last month. But Arabs and many others will agree wholeheartedly with his words.

"The situation in Gaza has to change," he told businessmen in Ankara. "Humanitarian goods and people must flow in both directions. Gaza cannot and must not be allowed to remain a prison camp."

Foreign Office sources suggested Downing Street had been remiss in omitting from Cameron's speech the sort of "balancing" comments that are routinely made about Israel's security – especially the fate of a captured soldier being held by Hamas – when its policies on the Palestinians are criticised.

The prime minister condemned Israel's attack on the Gaza aid flotilla, in which nine Turks were killed, as "completely unacceptable", though he ignored demands by Turkey for an international investigation, expecting Israel's inquiry to be "swift, transparent and rigorous". But it was his message on Gaza that drew the strongest reaction.

Ron Prosor, Israel's often combative ambassador to Britain, hit back with a sharp statement: "The people of Gaza are the prisoners of the terrorist organisation Hamas. The situation in Gaza is the direct result of Hamas's rule and priorities." Prosor also took aim at a striking omission by Cameron: his failure to mention the soldier Gilad Shalit, who was captured on the Gaza border in 2006 and whose freedom is a cause celebre [sic] in Israel.

"We know that the prime minister would also share our grave concerns about our own prisoner in the Gaza Strip, Gilad Shalit, who has been held hostage there for over four years, without receiving a single Red Cross visit," Prosor said. >>> Ian Black and Nicholas Watt | Tuesday, July 27, 2010

It hasn’t been a good day for Cameron. First, the ridiculous comments about Turkey being admitted into the EU; and then the stupid comments about Gaza and the Israelis. I have got some advice for Cameron; and it’s simple advice: Engage brain before opening mouth! – © Mark

Photograph: Google Images
Saudi Cleric: OK for Women to Show Face in France
SALON.COM: Influential Sheikh Ayedh al-Garni slams the proposed burqa ban, but gives Muslims permission to obey it

This weekend brought news for Muslim women in France: They are allowed to go out in public without a full veil. You might wonder how exactly this is news, seeing as the country's recent push for a burqa ban is all about forcing women to go unveiled in public -- but the pronouncement didn't come from the French government but rather an influential Saudi cleric.

Sheikh Ayedh al-Garni spoke out against the proposed ban, calling it "illogical and unreasonable," but conceded: "In case a ban is enforced against a Muslim woman there -- and as a consequence there is a reaction or negative implications or harassment or harm -- it is better for the Muslim woman to reveal her face." It isn't the most generous fatwa, considering that if the French law passes, they won't have much of a choice, regardless. >>> Tracy Clark-Flory | Monday, July 26, 2010

Canadians and Britons Are More Accepting of Same-sex Couples than Americans
SAN DIEGO GAY & LESBIAN NEWS: A comprehensive three-country survey on attitudes towards homosexuality reveals that Canadians and Britons are more inclined to support the legal recognition of same-sex couples than Americans.

The online survey of representative national samples of 1,003 Canadian adults, 1,002 American adults and 1,980 British adults shows that younger generations are clearly more accepting of same-sex relations. However, the poll also confirms that younger Americans — born between 1980 and 1995 — are more conservative than their Canadian and British counterparts in all matters related to homosexuality. >>> SDGLN Staff | Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Outgoing BP Chief: 'Life's Not Fair'
SKY NEWS: The outgoing BP chief executive Tony Hayward says he feels "demonised and vilified" over the Gulf of Mexico oil spill as the firm posts one of the biggest corporate losses in history. Joel Hills reports.



No, Tony, life certainly isn't fair when people who screw-up can walk away from a company with millions in the form of a golden parachute, yet others work all their lives, do things well, but walk away with next to nothing. Life certainly isn't fair. You got that right! – © Mark

Exclusive: 'BP Boss Off To Russia'
SKY NEWS: Sky News has learnt that BP's embattled chief executive Tony Hayward is to take up a new post in Russia as part of the deal to replace him following the Gulf of Mexico oil disaster. Our Business Editor Mark Kleinman has the details.

BP Posts Huge Losses
SKY NEWS: BP has this morning announced second quarter losses of 11 billion pounds. Charlotte Hawkins has more

Baseball Hat Benedict: Pope Sports a Very Casual Cap
Peak practice: Fashion-conscious Pope Benedict XVI walks in the garden of his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo on Sunday. Photograph: Mail Online
MAIL ONLINE: It is not the sort of get-up you'd expect the Pope to sport.

But Pope Benedict XVI broke with tradition by wearing a baseball cap as he went for a stroll around his summer residence on Sunday.

The 83-year-old even colour-coordinated his new cap, perhaps mindful of the need for it to blend in with his white robe and white hair.

Pope Benedict donned the trendy hat as he walked around his estate in Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome.

The cap also served the more useful purpose of keeping the hot summer sun off the Pope's head. >>> Mail Foreign Service | Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Jeremy Clarkson Outrages Viewers by Announcing on Top Gear He'd Seen Saucy Underwear Beneath Muslim Woman's Burka
MAIL ONLINE: Jeremy Clarkson has joined the debate on whether burkas should be permitted in Britain in his own inimitable style.

The outspoken presenter provoked a flurry of complaints after telling viewers of Top Gear on Sunday night that he had seen a Muslim woman wearing saucy underwear beneath her gown.

Clarkson had been discussing the best way to stop drivers being distracted by female pedestrians, along with co-presenters Richard Hammond and James May.

More than six million viewers had tuned in to watch the show, which featured guest appearances from Hollywood stars Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz.

In front of the studio audience, he said: 'This is an important bit of news, I really want to bring this up. People imagine that the most dangerous time of the year to drive is November or perhaps February - dark nights, fog, ice.

'But we were talking about this the other day and we think the most dangerous time to drive a car is round about now. Sunny skies, light breezes, girls wearing short skirts, because the thing is, you can't not look. You can't physically not look.'

Hammond interjected, saying: 'You can physically not use your mobile phone and it's easy not to drive home when you've had 18 pints of lager. But when you're driving along and a girl walks past, you have to look. Actually, do you not think that here, there is actually a case for the burka? Because then the problem would go away.'

Clarkson then replied: 'No, no, no. Honestly, the burka doesn't work. I was in a cab in Piccadilly the other day when a woman in a full burka crossing the road in front of me tripped over the pavement, went head over heels and up it came, red g-string and stockings. I promise that happened. The taxi driver will back me up on that.'

Despite disbelief from his co-stars, Clarkson again insisted the incident took place.

By yesterday morning, seven viewers had already contacted the BBC to complain, while singer Lily Allen labelled the comment 'distasteful' on her Twitter site.

Another viewer wrote: 'Clarkson is too old for mini skirt jokes - burka story obscene - horrid.' >>> Simon Cable and Paul Revoir | Tuesday, July 27, 2010

THE TELEGRAPH: Jeremy Clarkson joins burka debate: Jeremy Clarkson has provoked a flurry of complaints after telling Top Gear viewers he saw a woman wearing a G-string and stockings beneath her burka. >>> Ben Leach | Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Tony Hayward. Photo: The Telegraph
Outgoing BP Chief Executive Refuses to Attend US Lockerbie Hearing
THE TELEGRAPH: Tony Hayward, the outgoing chief executive of BP, is refusing to appear before a US Senate hearing which is examining whether the oil giant played any part in the release of the Lockerbie bomber.

The refusal of Mr Hayward, who announced his resignation on Tuesday, to travel to Washington was attacked by senior senators who said the company was already on "thin ice with the American people".

Senators are to continue pushing for Mr Hayward to appear, saying they wanted to question him over whether BP "advocated trading blood for oil".

The firm is also refusing to allow Sir Mark Allen- a former MI6 official who helped negotiate a valuable Libyan oil contract for BP with Colonel Gaddafi – to appear at the hearing.

BP has admitted that Sir Mark, an adviser to the firm, also spoke to Jack Straw, the former Justice Secretary, about Britain introducing a prisoner transfer agreement with Libya.

BP announced that it would instead send Peter Mather, the company's head of UK operations to appear before the Senate hearing. It is not clear whether this will be acceptable to the senators.

Robert Menéndez, a Democratic senator from New Jersey, said: "I would have thought that a company on thin ice with the American people for devastating the Gulf Coast would want to fully co-operate with our effort to fully understand the release of a terrorist who murdered 189 Americans". >>> Robert Winnett in Washington | Tuesday, July 27, 2010

What was that they used to speak about back in the good ol' days? It was something like ‘special relationship’. Hum! I wonder if that’s it? – Mark

Germany Launches Campaign to Save Language from English
THE TELEGRAPH: German language experts have launched a campaign against the hybrid "Denglish" which they claim is polluting culture through its growing use in advertising and television.

English is widely spoken in Germany and English expressions and Anglicisms are common. Photo: The Telegraph
The advocacy groups are intensifying their fight against the use of a hybrid of the two languages, which has begun to encroach on everyday parlance.

As part of the campaign, the German Language Foundation called on Germans to find an alternative for the English term "fast food". The result was "Ruckizuckifutti"*.

"We don't want to be language purists, but we want people to be aware of how they speak and that certain linguistic imports just don't fit into German," said Cornelius Sommer, a former German ambassador and one of the leaders of the campaign.

Another advocacy group, the German Language Club, has called on telecommunications giant Deutsche Telekom to stop using terms like "Blackberry Webmail" and criticised national rail operator Deutsche Bahn for similar misnomers.

They face an uphill battle in Germany, where English is widely spoken and English expressions and Anglicisms are common. >>> | Tuesday, July 27, 2010

*Who on earth thought up this ridiculous word? It would be easy to come up with something better than this. What about Schnellimbiß or Schnellessen? Those would do the trick. At least they trump “Ruckizuckifutti”! What kind of nonsense is that? – Mark

Anti Smoking League, Politics!

David Cameron Skins Up

Smoking Banned for Women in Gaza
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: A new entry has been added to the list of things women are now forbidden from doing in Gaza. Following on from laws banning women from using male hairdressers or driving cars, it's now illegal for women to smoke the famous shisha water-pipes in public.



Related >>>

Ahmadinejad Says U.S., Israel to Attack
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says the U.S. and Israel will launch attacks against two new countries in the Middle East.

BP's Ties To Lockerbie Examined
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: Lawmakers and family members who lost loved ones are asking questions about what role oil giant BP played in the release of the Lockerbie bomber.

Gehört die Türkei in die EU, Herr Westerwelle?
BILD: BILD: Herr Minister, heute und morgen besuchen Sie die Türkei. Soll das Land EU-Mitglied werden?

Guido Westerwelle: Müsste die Frage heute entschieden werden, wäre die Türkei nicht beitrittsfähig und die Europäische Union nicht aufnahmefähig. Wir haben aber ein großes Interesse daran, dass die Türkei sich Richtung Europa orientiert. Ich möchte eine Türkei, die auf der Seite Europas steht. Nicht nur aus wirtschaftlichen Gründen. Das Land kann bei der Lösung vieler Konflikte sehr konstruktiv helfen – ob es um Afghanistan, Iran, Jemen oder den Nahen Osten geht.

BILD: Sollte es über den EU-Beitritt der Türkei einen Volksentscheid geben?

Westerwelle: Man sollte jetzt nicht über Dinge spekulieren, die erst in Jahren anstehen. Von über 30 Verhandlungskapiteln sind derzeit über die Hälfte blockiert. Wer den Eindruck erweckt, der Beitritt stünde vor der Tür, liegt also gänzlich falsch. In Wahrheit geht es darum, die Türken nicht vor den Kopf zu stoßen und den Eindruck zu erwecken, wir seien nicht an ihnen interessiert.

BILD: Muss die türkische Regierung Türken in Deutschland drängen, sich hier besser zu integrieren?

Westerwelle: Der türkische Ministerpräsident Erdogan hat die türkischstämmigen Zuwanderer aufgerufen, die deutsche Sprache zu lernen. Das unterstütze ich. Integration und das Erlernen der deutschen Sprache sind der Schlüssel zum Erfolg in unserer Gesellschaft. >>> Von Andreas Thewalt | Montag, 26. Juli 2010

Un chirurgien suisse en prison au Maroc
20 MINUTES: Un citoyen à la double nationalité marocaine et Suisse est en détention à Ouarzazate au Maroc depuis le 13 juin.

Un chirurgien du nom de Labbas Sbaï qui a travaillé en Suisse romande fait la grève de la faim dans une prison marocaine pour protester contre une arrestation qu'il juge arbitraire, a indiqué sa famille.

Selon les médias, Labbas Sbaï paye pour avoir nommément désigné de hauts responsables locaux qui seraient impliqués dans la couverture d'un trafic de cigarettes et de chameaux entre le Maroc et l'Algérie en 2006.

Libéré avant la fin de sa peine, Labbas Sbaï a été à nouveau arrêté le 11 juin dernier à Casablanca, a indiqué à l'ATS son frère, Ali Sbaï, confirmant une information du journal «Le Temps». >>> ats | Mardi 27 Juillet 2010

EU-Erweiterung: Cameron „wütend“ über Türkei-Blockade
DIE PRESSE: Britischer Premier kritisiert in Ankara schleppende EU-Verhandlungen und fordert einen raschen EU-Beitritt.

Ankara. Ein leidenschaftlicheres Plädoyer für den EU-Beitritt der Türkei hätte sich die türkische Regierung von David Cameron kaum wünschen können. „Ich bin wütend darüber, wie die Fortschritte der Türkei hin zum EU-Beitritt durchkreuzt werden“, beklagte der britische Premier in Ankara, sein erster Türkei-Besuch seit seinem Amtsantritt im Mai.

Die Beitrittsgegner seien voller „Vorurteile“, kritisierte der konservative Politiker indirekt die Regierungen in Wien, Paris und Berlin, die sich zur türkischen EU-Mitgliedschaft stets skeptisch geäußert hatten. Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel, Staatspräsident Nicolas Sarkozy und Kanzler Werner Faymann haben nie ein Geheimnis daraus gemacht, dass dem Beitritt des moslemischen Land mit seinen 72Millionen Einwohnern eine „privilegierte Partnerschaft“ vorzuziehen wäre. >>> ag. | Dienstag, 27. Juli 2010

Großbritanniens Premier fordert EU-Beitritt der Türkei
FOCUS ONLINE: Großbritanniens Premierminister David Cameron hat einen Beitritt der Türkei zur Europäischen Union (EU) gefordert. „Ich will, dass wir zusammen eine Straße von Ankara nach Brüssel bauen“, sagte Cameron bei einem Besuch in der Türkei. Ein Beitritt der Türkei in die EU gilt als umstritten.

Der britische Premierminister David Cameron hat sich vehement für einen Beitritt der Türkei zur Europäischen Union (EU) ausgesprochen. Die Gegner einer türkischen EU-Mitgliedschaft seien voreingenommen und ließen sich durch Protektionismus leiten, sagte Cameron am Dienstag bei seinem ersten Türkei-Besuch seit seinem Amtsantritt im Mai. „Dies ist eine Sache, in der ich sehr leidenschaftliche Gefühle hege“, sagte er in einer Rede vor der türkischen Handelskammer. „Ich will, dass wir zusammen eine Straße von Ankara nach Brüssel bauen.“

Die EU ist tief gespalten, ob sie dem muslimisch geprägten Land eine Vollmitgliedschaft einräumen soll. Insbesondere in Deutschland und Frankreich bestehen große Vorbehalte gegenüber einem EU-Beitritt. Kritiker argumentieren unter anderem, die Türkei würde sich nicht in die christlich geprägte Kultur der EU einfügen.

Bundesaußenminister Guido Westerwelle, der am Dienstagabend ebenfalls in der Türkei erwartet wird, sagte der „Bild“-Zeitung, die Türkei sei derzeit nicht beitrittsfähig und die EU nicht aufnahmefähig. Wer einen anderen Eindruck erwecke, liege falsch. >>> | Dienstag, 27. Juli 2010

Großbritannien: Das Imperium ist zurück
FRANKFURTER RUNDSCHAU: Trotz enormer Sparzwänge ist die neue britische Koalitionsregierung entschlossen, ihre Rolle in der globalen Politik zu verstärken. Von Barbara Klimke

London. Für seine erste große Rede wählte William Hague nicht zufällig die Locano Suite im Außenministerium im Regierungsbezirk Whitehall. Aus den hochherrschaftlichen Räumen aus der Zeit des viktorianischen Imperiums solle "ein Signal für eine neue britische Außenpolitik" ausgehen, verkündete Hague: Sein Ministerium müsse es dem Staat und der Gesellschaft Großbritanniens ermöglichen, "maximalen Einfluss in der Welt " auszuüben.

Trotz enormer Sparzwänge ist die neue britische Koalitionsregierung entschlossen, ihre Rolle in der globalen Politik zu verstärken. "Die Welt hat sich geändert, und wenn wir uns nicht ebenfalls ändern, schwindet unser Einfluss, was Folgen für die nationale Sicherheit und Wirtschaft hat", argumentierte der neue konservative Außenminister. Großbritannien will seine Kontakte zu aufsteigenden Wirtschaftsmächten intensivieren. Der Ausbau bilateraler Beziehungen mit Ländern wie Brasilien, Indien, China oder der Türkei soll ein Schwerpunkt britischer Außenpolitik werden. >>> Von Barbara Klimke | Freitag, 02. Juli 2010

BP Oil Spill: Tony Hayward Replaced by Bob Dudley as Oil Giant Slumps to Record Loss
THE TELEGRAPH: Tony Hayward has resigned as chief executive of BP, after the energy giant announced a record $17bn loss this year on the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.



The oil company also said that Bob Dudley, the American in charge of BP’s oil spill response unit, will now take over on October 1 and lead the company through an accelerated programme of $30bn in asset sales. BP made “clean” profits of $5bn, stripping out the effect of inventory changes and exceptionals, but took a $32.2bn pre-tax charge on the oil spill.

This is made up of a $20bn compensation fund for victims, clean-up charges and provisions for funding costs. The “clean” profits are a 74pc rise in last year’s figure of $2.9bn, as a result of higher oil prices and more efficient operations. BP will now press ahead with becoming smaller and more profitable, selling $30bn of exploration and production assets in the next 18 months.

Mr Dudley will also have to navigate a criminal investigation into the spill, a slew of litigation and ward off rivals seeking to pounce on the company's trophy assets. Dudley, who ran BP's troubled Russian joint venture, TNK-BP, said last month that for BP to "remain strong and viable in the US, it has a great deal of work to do." >>> Rowena Mason | Tuesday, July 27, 2010

DAILY EXPRESS: BP Boss Tony Hayward Sent to Siberia in £12m Exit Deal: BP boss Tony Hayward is to be sent to Siberia in a £12million exit deal designed to quell outrage in the United States, it emerged last night. >>> Padraic Flanagan | Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Adhésion de la Turquie à l'UE: Cameron en «colère» contre la France et l'Allemagne
Le Premier ministre britannique David Cameron (G) et son homologue turc Recep Tayyip Erdogan, le 26 juillet 2010 à Ankara. Photo : Libération.fr
LIBÉRATION: Le Premier ministre britannique David Cameron a exprimé sa «colère» face aux entraves à l'adhésion de la Turquie à l'Union européenne, accusant à mots couverts la France et l'Allemagne qui s'opposent à une pleine adhésion, lors d'une visite officielle mardi à Ankara.

«Quand je pense à ce qu'a fait la Turquie pour défendre l'Europe en tant qu'alliée de l'Otan et ce que la Turquie fait maintenant en Afghanistan aux côtés des alliés européens, cela me met en colère de constater que votre marche vers une adhésion à l'Union européenne peut être découragée de la façon dont elle l'a été», a-t-il dit dans un discours devant des hommes d'affaires.

«Je pense que c'est une erreur de dire que la Turquie peut monter la garde devant le camp, mais sans être autorisée à entrer dans la tente. Aussi, je resterai votre avocat le plus déterminé pour une adhésion à l'Union européenne et pour une plus grande influence à la table de la diplomatie européenne», a ajouté David Cameron.

Les négociations pour une adhésion turque à l'UE, entamées en 2005, avancent au ralenti, du fait notamment de l'opposition de la France et de l'Allemagne. Ces pays redoutent l'arrivée dans le club européen d'un pays de 73 millions d'habitants, presque tous musulmans. Continuez à lire et réagir à cet article >>> AFP | Mardi 27 Juillet 2010

LE POINT: Tensions entre Londres et Berlin sur l'adhésion de la Turquie à l'UE : La Grande-Bretagne et l'Allemagne se livrent, mardi, à une passe d'armes à distance. La raison de leur division ? L'adhésion de la Turquie à l'Union européenne. >>> Le Point.fr (avec AFP) | Mardi 27 Juillet 2010

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