Saturday, November 27, 2010
NZZ ONLINE: Nach dem Artillerieangriff auf die südkoreanische Insel Yonpyong hat Südkorea mit «tausendfacher Vergeltung» für deren Tod gedroht.Auf der koreanischen Halbinsel haben am Samstag beide Seiten ihre Kriegsrhetorik verschärft. Der Kommandeur der südkoreanischen Marineinfanterie kündigte bei der Beisetzung von zwei getöteten Soldaten tausendfache Vergeltung für deren Tod an. Nordkorea dagegen nannte eine geplante südkoreanisch-amerikanische Militärübung eine «unverzeihliche Provokation». Das Regime in Pjöngjang warf dem Süden ausserdem vor, Zivilisten als menschliche Schutzschilde missbraucht zu haben. Weiter lesen und einen Beitrag abgeben >>> ddp | Samstag, 27. November 2010
BBC: Former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, has taken on the author and renowned atheist Christopher Hitchens in a debate on the value of religion.
Mr Blair, a convert to Catholicism, was arguing in favour of the motion "Religion is a force for good in the world" in the Munk Debate in Toronto.
Mr Hitchens, who is undergoing treatment for cancer, proposed that religion is the world's "main source of hatred". Watch BBC video >>> | Saturday, November 27, 2010
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Tony Blair defends religious faith: Tony Blair has defended religious faith as a force for good in the world during a televised debate with atheist and columnist Christopher Hitchens. >>> | Saturday, November 27, 2010
THE GLOBE AND MAIL: Transcripts and audio: Christopher Hitchens on not believing >>> Transcribed by Aleysha Haniff | Friday, November 26, 2010
Munk Debates >>>
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: A Somali teenager has been arrested on suspicion of trying to set off a carbomb in the United States, police said on Saturday.Mohamed Osman Mohamud, 19, was held after he attempted to detonate what he believed was an explosives-laden van at an annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Portland, Oregon. However, undercover FBI agents had been monitoring his plans and had ensured that the "bomb" was in fact incapable of exploding.
Mohamud, a naturalised US citizen of Somali descent, was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Portland police around 5:40 pm Friday (0040 GMT Saturday).
"The threat was very real. Our investigation shows that Mohamud was absolutely committed to carrying out an attack on a very grand scale," said Arthur Balizan, a special agent in charge of the FBI in Oregon. "At the same time, I want to reassure the people of this community that, at every turn, we denied him the ability to actually carry out the attack."
Court documents showed that since the summer of 2009, Mohamud had been in email contact with a suspected terrorist in Pakistan's lawless northwest frontier province, currently a haven for al Qaeda cells. After discussing the possibility of Mohamud traveling to Pakistan to engage in jihad, or holy war, the accomplice allegedly gave Mohamud contact details of a terrorist cell overseas with whom the plot would be hatched. >>> Colin Freeman | Saturday, November 27, 2010
SKY NEWS: UK Snow Alert: More Severe Weather On Way – Severe weather warnings are in place for almost all of the UK, with heavy snow and bitter temperatures forecast that could last for up to two weeks. >>> Jo Couzens, Sky News Online | Saturday, November 27, 2010
MAIL ONLINE: Tory MPs were furious yesterday after a film depicting Baroness Thatcher as a has-been with dementia was given a £1million taxpayer-funded grant.
The Film Council handed out the cash in what some see as a final insult to the Government days before ministers reveal how the quango will be wound down. Conservative MPs hit out at the use of taxpayers’ funds for what appears to be a political hatchet job.
The former Tory Prime Minister, now 85, is portrayed as stricken with dementia and full of regret over what many believe were courageous political decisions. She is also shown speaking to her husband Denis, not realising he has died. Read on and comment >>> Gerri Peev | Saturday, November 27, 2010
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Singapore's men's water polo team is in hot water over the design of their custom-made swimming trunks that have been deemed "inappropriate" by the city-state's government.
The red and white trunks feature elements of Singapore's national flag, five stars and a crescent moon jutting up from the groin, leaving a somewhat unfortunate impression. >>> Ian MacKinnon in Hua Hin, Thailand | Friday, November 26, 2010
SCHWEIZER FERNSEHEN: Nun brennt sie wieder, die Weihnachtsbeleuchtung an der Bahnhofstrasse. Dieses Jahr gibt es wieder ein neues Modell namens „Lucy“.
NZZ ONLINE: «Lucy» funkelt über der Bahnhofstrasse: Neue Weihnachtsbeleuchtung in Zürich >>> sda | Donnerstag, 25. November 2010
Friday, November 26, 2010
WELT ONLINE: Sollen kriminelle Ausländer abgeschoben werden? Darüber entscheidet die Schweiz am Sonntag. Dem voraus geht eine aggressive Plakatkampagne.
Ein weißes Schaf versetzt einem schwarzen schwungvoll einen Tritt ins Hinterteil: Runter von der Schweizer Flagge, raus aus dem Land. Diese Plakate der rechtskonservativen Schweizer Volkspartei (SVP) stießen vor drei Jahren noch auf Proteste in breiten Teilen der Bevölkerung. Vor einer Volksabstimmung am Sonntag regt sich keiner mehr darüber auf, dass sie wieder auf Bahnhöfen und Plätzen im ganzen Land hängen – im Gegenteil: Inzwischen spricht sich die Mehrheit der Bevölkerung dafür aus, straffällig gewordene Ausländer bei schweren Delikten automatisch auszuweisen. >>> dapd/pku | Freitag, 26. November 2010
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: US President Barack Obama received 12 stitches in his lip on Friday after being hit in the face with an elbow during a basketball game, the White House said, stating that the injury was an accident."After being inadvertently hit with an opposing player's elbow in the lip while playing basketball with friends and family, the president received 12 stitches today administered by the White House Medical Unit," said spokesman Robert Gibbs in a statement.
The injury was caused by Rey Decerega, director of programmes for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, the White House said. >>> Barney Henderson | Friday, November 26, 2010
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: America is bringing the Korean peninsula "to the brink of war" North Korea warned on Friday as tension continues to build ahead of a four-day US-South Korean joint war game that starts this weekend.
The latest broadside from the regime of Kim Jong-il was issued as a US carrier battle group led by the nuclear-powered USS George Washington steamed towards the Yellow Sea in a show of deterrent force to Pyongyang.
"The situation on the Korean peninsula is inching closer to the brink of war," warned a dispatch from the Korean Central News Agency said. "Gone are the days when verbal warnings are served only." All morning North Korean state television and radio blared out martial music interspersed with official statements about the shelling of South Korean's Yeonpyeong Island on Tuesday which left four people dead and destroyed houses and parts of a military base.
In a further show of US solidarity with Seoul, Gen. Walter Sharp, the US military commander in South Korea, visited the shelled island, touring burned buildings and stating again that the attack was a violation of the ceasefire that ended the 1950-53 Korean War. >>> Peter Foster, Beijing | Friday, November 26, 2010
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The coalition between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats should continue after the next election and could lead to a permanent merger, according to Sir John Major.
The former Conservative prime minister said the Coalition could represent a “realignment” of politics and the two parties should “prolong” their co-operation beyond this parliament.
Sir John’s intervention will ignite a political debate about the future of Britain’s current party system. David Cameron has insisted that his deal with Nick Clegg’s party is a one-off arrangement and he will seek to form an all-Tory government after the next election, due in 2015.
But Sir John raised the prospect of the Coalition being maintained in the next parliament as the best way to implement long-term reforms. John Major: let's keep the Coalition after the next election >>> James Kirkup, Political Correspondent | Friday, November 26, 2010
TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: SENTENCE EXÉCUTÉE | Un Saoudien, reconnu coupable du meurtre de sa fille de 5 ans, a été décapité au sabre vendredi à Ryad, a annoncé le ministère saoudien de l’Intérieur.
"Mosleh bin Salim bin Eid al-Atawi a tué sa fille Bayan, âgée de 5 ans, en la frappant violemment avec un fil électrique, en la rouant de coups de pieds et en la giflant", a précisé le ministère dans un communiqué, cité par l’agence officielle Spa.
L’homme, toxicomane, a été décapité dans la ville de Tabouk (nord-ouest) en raison du "crime odieux" qu’il a commis, a-t-il ajouté. >>> AFP | Vendredi 26 Novembre 2010
MAIL ONLINE: A Muslim woman was banned from entering a roller-skating rink because her headscarf breached the ‘no hoods’ rule.Marisol Rodriguez-Colon, 40, was ‘mortified’ when she turned up to the Ron-A-Roll rink in Vernon, Connecticut only to be refused entry.
When she asked why, security staff referred her to the venue’s rules which were posted at the entrance and read: ‘No Hats. No Headwear. No Exceptions.’
Mrs Colon and her female friend, who also wore a headscarf, were told they could either taken off the hijab - or wear a helmet over the top of it.
The pair refused and left in disgust, missing the birthday party for Mrs Colon’s niece which was taking place inside.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations has now filed a complaint with Connecticut's Human Rights Commission against the rink, which is standing by its decision. Read on and comment >>> Daniel Bates | Friday, November 26, 2010
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The escalating debt crisis on the eurozone periphery is starting to contaminate the creditworthiness of Germany and the core states of monetary union.Credit default swaps (CDS) measuring risk on German, French and Dutch bonds have surged over recent days, rising significantly above the levels of non-EMU states in Scandinavia.
"Germany cannot keep paying for bail-outs without going bankrupt itself," said Professor Wilhelm Hankel, of Frankfurt University. "This is frightening people. You cannot find a bank safe deposit box in Germany because every single one has already been taken and stuffed with gold and silver. It is like an underground Switzerland within our borders. People have terrible memories of 1948 and 1923 when they lost their savings."
The refrain was picked up this week by German finance minister Wolfgang Schäuble. "We're not swimming in money, we're drowning in debts," he told the Bundestag.
While Germany's public and private debt is not extreme, it is very high for a country on the cusp of an acute ageing crisis. Adjusted for demographics, Germany is already one of the most indebted nations in the world. Read on and comment >>> Ambrose Evans-Pritchard | Friday, November 26, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
WELT ONLINE: In einer Videobotschaft rufen Extremisten zum Aufbruch ins Terrorlager auf und drohen dem Zeichner Vilks mit "Schlachtung".
In einem islamistischen Propagandavideo aus Somalia droht ein vermummter Dschihadist dem schwedischen Mohammed-Karikaturisten Lars Vilks. Das Ungewöhnliche daran – der Dschihadist selbst ist offenbar Schwede.
Das dschihadistische Video, das "Welt Online" vorliegt, zeigt neben Terrorausbildunglagern und Gefechtsszenen aus Somalia in erster Linie ausländische Kämpfer in den Reihen der somalischen al-Shabaab-Organisation. Zu sehen sind Dschihadisten aus Großbritannien, Pakistan, Sudan, Kenia und Tansania, die vor der Kamera ihre Landsleute aufrufen, sich dem Dschihad in Somalia anzuschließen.
Ein maskierter Islamist namens "Abu Zaid" spricht auf Schwedisch und ruft schwedische Muslime auf, nach Somalia zu reisen und sich Al-Shabaab anzuschließen. "Ich rufe euch auf, die Auswanderung in dieses Land zu machen", so der Extremist. Anschließend droht er dem Karikaturisten Lars Vilks mit dem Tod. >>> Autor: Florian Flade | Mittwoch, 24. November 2010
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The partnership between Britain and the UAE has progressed enormously since the Queen's last visit there in 1979, writes Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Today, in the presence of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the British Foreign Secretary William Hague and I will sign the 2010 Abu Dhabi Declaration, reaffirming the 1971 Treaty of Friendship between the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.
This is much more than ceremonial. It is representative of a vibrant strategic partnership that has the potential not only to deliver real benefits to our two countries but to strengthen our ability to provide joint leadership on matters of global significance.
The strength and vitality of our relationship with the UK has been an important driver in the UAE’s development ever since Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan, the founder and former President of the UAE, signed the original Treaty of Friendship in December 1971.
Today, there are more than 100,000 Britons living and working in the UAE. In four short decades our country has been transformed and the British have played an important role, helping to build our society and economy and in many cases making the UAE their long-term home.
At the same time, the UAE has been making an increasing contribution to life in Britain: tens of thousands of Emiratis visit the UK each year; we have collaborations with leading British institutions in education, health and culture, among many other areas; and we have diverse investments in the UK. >>> Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Foreign Minister | Thursday, November 25, 2010
THEDAILY TELEGRAPH: Barack Obama's Kenyan grandmother has said she prayed for the US president to convert to Islam, according to reports.
Sarah Omar, 88, who was on hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, told the Al-Qatan Saudi daily: "I prayed for my grandson Barack to convert to Islam".
The paper said that Ms Omar was in Saudi Arabia on pilgrimage along with her son, Mr Obama's uncle Saeed Hussein Obama, and four of her grandchildren.
Ms Omar told the newspaper that she could only discuss hajj matters and would not comment on Mr Obama's politics. >>> | Thursday, November 25, 2010
I don't think you'll have to pray very hard, Grandma. If you dig enough, I think you'll find that your little darling already is a Muslim! – © Mark
THE DAILY EXPRESS: THE Daily Express today becomes the first national newspaper to call for Britain to leave the European Union.From this day forth our energies will be directed to furthering the cause of those who believe Britain is Better Off Out.
The famous and symbolic Crusader who adorns our masthead will become the figurehead of the struggle to repatriate British sovereignty from a political project that has comprehensively failed.
After far too many years as the victims of Brussels larceny, bullying, over-regulation and all-round interference, the time has come for the British people to win back their country and restore legitimacy and accountability to their political process.
Following the debacle of the Lisbon Treaty – disgracefully imposed upon the public without the referendum they were promised by the three main political parties – many had expected matters European to take a lower profile in British politics.
But the opposite has been true as those on board the European gravy train have mounted one power grab after another.
At a time of austerity throughout Europe they have expanded their bloated budgets, pushing Britain’s disproportionate contributions even higher.
And despite not being part of the failing eurozone, British taxpayers have learned that under Brussels rules agreed to by Labour after it had lost the election they are liable to help bail out economies wrecked by the single currency.
A payment of up to £10billion for Ireland is apparently just the start, with speculators now starting to target the embattled economy of Portugal.
Despite unemployment across Europe averaging more than 10 per cent, Brussels continues to propose new job-destroying regulations and conspire to turn the whole EU into a zone of high taxation.
It is also seeking to take an ever more dominant role in border control issues, leaving its member states powerless to control migrant flows not only from other EU countries but from Asia and Africa too.
The European Court of Human Rights has continued to trample on British justice, preventing the deportation of terror suspects and demanding that convicted prisoners are given the vote.
Withdrawal from the EU should be accompanied by a withdrawal from the jurisdiction of this alien, pan-European tribunal so that matters of British justice are decided once again in British courts. Get Britain Out Of Europe >>> The Daily Express | Thursday, November 25, 2010
This is a sad article indeed. Winnie must be turning in his grave! Of course, there is a lot of truth written here; but so much has been left out.This comment was also posted here.
You have forgotten to write about the positive things Europe has done for Britain, preferring to concentrate on all that is negative.
The idea of a single currency is a wonderful one. Unfortunately, in their haste to get things done, the powers that be in Europe went the wrong way about it. They should have been a little more patient and let it grow country by country, bit by bit. They should have also realised that it is difficult to have a common currency where there is no common governance.
But the EU has enabled many people to move home to sunnier climes, And British travellers are entitled to free medical treatment in European countries. The EU has indeed at times been meddlesome; but it must also be said that it has ensured human rights for many, too. And think of the great variety of European goods in the shops, especially foodstuffs we had hitherto not been able to buy. I am old enough to remember having to go to a specialist delicatessen in a large town or city to get continental foods, whereas now it is possible to obtain them in any old supermarket in any old town or village.
We must be careful not to throw the baby out with the bathwater. We must be careful not to turn inward and think that everything British is good and everything European is bad. And do we want to return to the bad old days when international strife was the norm in Europe? Don't forget that this was one of the main catalysts for its inception. Think of Churchill's Zürich Speech delivered in 1946.
This article, whilst in many ways rather convincing, has one serious omission, namely that we will not be a sovereign nation even if we come out. Only today was it reported that this craven government is allowing outside forces, namely the Gulf (for Gulf read the Islamic world) dictate our foreign policy. Islam is winning the day.
All right, I understand that many resent policy being dictated to by the EU. In many ways I do myself. But I resent even more my country’s policies to be dictated by an alien culture; and all in the name of appeasing our oil suppliers and grovelling for arms contracts.
In such a case, give me the EU every time. At least we share similar cultures. At least the EU is still predominantly Judeo-Christian. At least all Europeans are free. – © Mark
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)