qua est diplomacy?

Al-Zawahiri Praises Slain Taliban Leader Mullah Dadullah in New Recording | Northeast Intelligence N
al Zawahiri eulogizes DADULLAH, the Taliban terrorist who coordinated suicide bombings and beheadings in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The Raw Story | US paying close attention to Lebanon fighting: Rice
It is just another example of extremists in the Middle East who are trying to destabilize a democratic government.”

FOXNews.com – Iranian President Warns Israel Against Attacking Lebanon, Repeats Nuke Stance – Intern
“Ahmadinejad funds, trains and arms the most extreme anti-peace elements in the region. If there is any real threat to regional security, it comes from an expansionist fundamentalist Iran,” Regev said.

Turkey plans for attack on Kurds – CNN.com
Turkish Gen. Edip Baser told CNN he believes an operation could be just weeks away.

Jerrold Post, “Collective Identity: Hatred Bred in the Bone”, eJournal USA, May 2007
collective identity is established extremely early, so that hatred is bred in the bone

Bruce Hoffman “A Form of Psychological Warfare”, eJournal USA, May 2007
Terrorism is the deliberate creation and exploitation of fear in the attainment of political change.

Diplomacy Monitor Link: United States 05/23/2007
Iran’s nuclear activities already have isolated the nation from the international community

Diplomacy Monitor Link: United States 05/23/2007
ran also has refused to provide the IAEA with key information on subjects such as its purchases

Diplomacy Monitor Link: Iran 05/23/2007
“In line with materializing national unity, we pursue all-out defense strategy.”

Diplomacy Monitor Link: Iran 05/24/2007
they should know that “Islam is the only way to save nations.”

Diplomacy Monitor Link: Iran 05/24/2007
“Any repetition of the mistakes will make regional nations angry and result in elimination of the Zionist entity.”

And a Pure Islamic State is What

Rubin | Sunni versus Shia
Something very important is happening that is changing the Middle East dramatically and perhaps permanently in a way no one expected: The decline of the Arab world, the development of a major conflict between Sunni and Shia Arabs, and the rising power of Iran.

What’s next for al-Qaida 3.0? – International Terrorism – MSNBC.com
“The Americans have the watches. We have the time.”

Team working up new strategy for Iraq war – CNN.com
he manual, illustrated by graphic drawings, shows how to use drills to torture people, sever hands, drag people behind vehicles, use a blowtorch or clothes iron on skin, remove eyes and electrocute people, among other tactics.

Iran detains fourth Iranian American | U.S. | Reuters
marking the fourth dual citizen to be detained in Iran in recent months.

Kyrgyz lawmakers propose to evict U.S. troops | International | Reuters
Kyrgyz lawmakers urged the government on Wednesday to evict U.S. troops from a military air base in the impoverished Central Asian state.

IAEA says Iran building up atom program, defying U.N. | Reuters
“You see from these numbers that Iran is starting to feed substantial amounts of uranium and are able to maintain this feed, showing they are able to enrich,”

ABC News: Edwards Pushes Fellow Dems From Left
“We need to get out of Iraq on our own timetable, not when we are forced to do so by events.”

TimesRecordNews.com
Romney, during a campaign appearance in Tulsa, Okla., said he was shocked that ABC News would broadcast the report.

ABC News: Bush: Iraq at Center of Terror Fight
“In the minds of al-Qaida leaders, 9/11 was just a down payment on violence yet to come,”

Pakistani mullah warns Musharraf of Taliban challenge – Yahoo! News
“If the government tries to suppress the change that our movement is demanding, then there is a likelihood of Talibanisation,” the 43-year-old Ghazi said. “I can see it happening.”

proficuus

‘US to assess Iraq progress in Sept’-The United States-World-The Times of India
President George Bush said on Monday he believes September will be an “important moment” to assess the extent of progress in Iraq under his much-criticised troop buildup plan.


Tehran To Reorganise Terror Networks In Europe (Iran Press Service)
The Islamic Republic of Iran is secretly, but actively reorganizing dormant terrorist operations networks, aimed at American and Israeli vital interests in Europe, according to well informed sources.

The Definition of ‘Jihad’
while this likelihood provides comfort for non-Muslims with its suggestion that most Muslims would prefer to tend to their own souls rather than to wage war against their non-Muslim neighbors, it actually doesn’t establish what what both Muslims and non-Muslims seem to wish it did.

Iran drawing up plans to strike European nuclear plants, analysts tells British lawmakers – Internat
ran appeared to be preparing to target “British citizens on the streets of London,”

ISN Security Watch – Russian trade tactics irk Europe
“A difficulty for a member state is a difficulty for the whole European community,”

Bush seeks more NATO effort in Afghanistan – International Herald Tribune
“in order for NATO to be effective it has to transform itself into an organization that actually meets the threats that free nations face.”

U.S. to test missile defense system at a decisive moment – International Herald Tribune
he administration’s diplomatic efforts also moved to a new and higher level this week,

U.S. wants more Taliban on U.N. list – Yahoo! News
The sanctions require all 192 U.N. member states to freeze financial assets and impose a travel ban and arms embargo on Afghanistan’s former Taliban leaders,

United Press International – International Intelligence – Briefing
Montas Monday voiced hope a cease-fire reached among the Palestinian factions would hold after a week of deadly clashes in the Gaza Strip.

United Press International – NewsTrack – Top News – U.S. to send more military aid to Lebanon
The United States plans to send more military equipment to Lebanon

United Press International – NewsTrack – Top News – Terror suspect believed recaptured
a Lackawanna man accused of attending an al-Qaida training camp has been recaptured in Yemen.

U.S. to let START nuclear treaty expire | Politics | Reuters
Russia agrees the treaty should not be extended

U.S. general and diplomat finalizing new Iraq strategy | Chron.com – Houston Chronicle
it is as much about the political deals needed to defuse a civil war as about the military operations aimed at quelling a complex insurgency,

US to protest UN nuclear chief comments on Iran – diplomats – Yahoo! News
The United States is seeking to protest directly to UN nuclear chief Mohamed ElBaradei for saying Iran should be allowed to keep some uranium enrichment

New French President Favors Stronger U.S. Ties – Newsweek Christopher Dickey – MSNBC.com
“I have no intention of apologizing for feeling an affinity with the greatest democracy in the world.”

Bush preparing for British U-turn on Iraq: report – Yahoo! News
“We don’t know if he will be there when we need him

Iraq’s Zebari urges Britain, U.S. to maintain troops – Yahoo! News
Iraq urged Washington and incoming British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Monday to stand firm against domestic political pressures and maintain troop numbers in Iraq despite ongoing militia and insurgent violence.

Bush affirms confidence in Iraqi PM – Yahoo! News
US President George W. Bush reaffirmed his support for Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki

Iraq to spend 1.5 billion dollars on weapons – Yahoo! News
Iraq’s defence ministry will buy new weapons worth more than 1.5 billion dollars (1.11 billion euros), including helicopters and US rifles, the minister announced on Monday.

The tough tactics of Fallujah’s finest – Yahoo! News
“Everyone wants a peaceful city, and I can do it with the emergency units and new recruits joining us,”

Iraqis considering adding forces to replace US troops: general – Yahoo! News
The Iraqi government is considering increasing the projected size of its security forces

US plans to involve UN more in Iraq: report – Yahoo! News
“The administration’s plan calls for moving on several fronts,”

Bush declassifies al-Qaida intelligence – Yahoo! News
Osama bin Laden ordered a top lieutenant in early 2005 to form a terrorist cell that would conduct attacks outside Iraq — and that the United States should be the top target.

Democrats to fund Iraq war with no pullout date – Yahoo! News
House liberals were disappointed by the emerging deal, and House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi (news, bio, voting record), a California Democrat who signed off on the plan, said she opposed the Iraq portion of it.

US says Bin Laden wants Iraq to become ‘terror sanctuary’ – Yahoo! News
“The intelligence community tells us that in January of ‘05 (2005) bin Laden tasked Zarqawi, who has been in Iraq, to form a cell to conduct attacks outside Iraq, and then frankly America should be his number one priority,”

Nine U.S. warships enter Gulf for training – Yahoo! News
Most U.S. ships pass through the straits at night

Expleo

Another Chance for the World Bank to Move Closer to Its Core Mission – Worldpress.org
Who speaks for the poor?

U.S., Japan to study missile defense with Australia – Yahoo! News
he United States and Japan plan to study a joint missile defense system with Australia that would boost their security role in the Asia-Pacific region,

U.S. senator calls for American troops in Darfur – Yahoo! News
U.S. Sen. Joe Biden said that he would commit U.S. forces immediately to stop militia in Sudan’s Darfur region as long as there were reports of genocide.

Changes for Iran, U.S. foreign policy urged – The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel – HighBeam Research
ran can have a constructive relationship with the United States but only after making real changes,

BibleGateway.com – Passage Lookup: Galatians 5:13
You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature^[a]; rather, serve one another in love.

‘US facing challenges from WMDs, terror and failed states’-The United States-World-The Times of Indi
errorism’s extremist ideology, commitment to violence, and ruthless tactics plague a large swath of the globe.

Bush reassures Putin on missile shield plan – Nation/Politics – The Washington Times, America’s News
“Of course, I will continue to reach out to Russia,”

US doctor found guilty of supporting Al-Qaida-The United States-World-The Times of India
A US doctor has been convicted of supporting Al-Qaida

Lebanon Confronts A Fierce Adversary – washingtonpost.com
that a growing number of militant groups are taking root in lawless places such as refugee camps and the battle zones of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Whatever; However

United Press International – International Intelligence – Analysis
Both the government and the opposition fear another civil war in politically volatile Lebanon,

Clean energy claim: Aluminum in car tanks – Green Machines – MSNBC.com
Egos” at the U.S. Department of Energy, a key funding source for energy research, “are holding up the revolution.”

New U.S. hurricane chief makes waves – Weather – MSNBC.com
It is using appropriated funds for self-promotion,”

Allstate, Nationwide subpoenaed over Katrina – U.S. Business – MSNBC.com


Blair tipped to be World Bank president as disgraced Wolfowitz resigns | the Daily Mail
Tony Blair may be asked to head the World Bank

Google Reader (100+)
Islamic militancy was increasing across Pakistan and said tough measures were needed to counter it,

Merkel tackles Putin on democracy at frosty summit | International | Reuters
What is pure democracy?

IOL: Kurdish villagers slaughtered


Iran spent millions to restore Iraqi Shiite sites – Yahoo! News
Iraq is home to Shiite Islam’s holiest sites,

Iran says US should quit Iraq to curb ‘terror’ – Yahoo! News
Washington accuses Shiite-majority Iran of stirring sectarian violence

The Blotter
that private education lending companies were abusing a database

The Blotter
here is growing concern among the Taliban about the infiltration of their ranks by spies

ABC News: The Note: Immigration Deal Riles Critics
Quick, someone tell me what it does in a sentence or two?

Zoo Must Kill Baby Polar Bear, Animal Rights Extremists Argue – by James M. Taylor – The Heartland I
they are motivated not by a love of animals, but by a hatred of humans.”

Vigilance Will Help Crush Islamofascism by Deroy Murdock – HUMAN EVENTS
Alas, those who crave American blood plot mayhem as we plan cookouts.

Experts: Cancer fears create self-fulfilling prophecy – CNN.com
Yet an estimated two-thirds of cancer cases can be prevented with common-sense measures, such as not smoking, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables and avoiding too much sun,

Has anybody checked out the economics in the higher stroke areas? Lower national salary averages and the added burden of the exorbitant cost of fruits and vegetables would be a trade-off for stress related heart attacks instead of the strokes from working two jobs just to eat poorly and pay exceedinly rising costs of living.

Eyes Wide Shut

Meanwhile: Bad medicine, sneaking in – International Herald Tribune
Someone had infiltrated the supply chain somewhere between Sherman, Texas, where the authentic mesh was manufactured, and Boston, where I’d operated on the patient.

Foreign Policy In Focus | World Beat | Vol. 2, No. 20 | Divided We Stand?
Today we are fast becoming a closed society

EU-Russia ties become increasingly strained – International Herald Tribune
“Progress given the number of accumulated difficulties is not easy

German minister outlines risks from terrorism – International Herald Tribune
The biggest threat for the stability and security of Germany comes again from Islamic terrorism,”

Erdogan urges Sarkozy to drop ‘prejudices’ – International Herald Tribune
Turkey is not culturally or geographically part of Europe.

The Times & The Sunday Times, Malta
the country’s new President must be secular “not just in words, but in essence”.

Wednesday, May 16 – CNN.com
Hamas claimed responsibility for the attacks on the militant group’s Web site, saying a total of eight Qassam had been launched Wednesday

In other Afghan war, drugs are winning – International Herald Tribune
Poppy growing is endemic in the countryside, and Afghanistan now produces 92 percent of the world’s opium.

Moscow agrees to soften anti-U.S. rhetoric, but many issues remain – International Herald Tribune
“Russia confirmed its position on the antimissile shield,”

Bush intervened in dispute over domestic spying program – International Herald Tribune
the program did not comply with the law

Iranians want to talk to U.S. Congress – Yahoo! News
A so-called “friendship committee” would open a unique channel of communication between politicians, who presumably could tackle any topic.

Iran making progress in enriching uranium: diplomats – Yahoo! News
“Iran is trying to create ‘facts on the ground’ but it is also a fact that Iran is increasingly isolated.

Iran not complying with U.N. demands – Yahoo! News
Washington “would welcome a report verifying that Iran has suspended its enrichment-related activities”

SKorea optimistic on NKorea disarmament – Yahoo! News
The North’s Foreign Ministry said Tuesday it wanted to be able to “freely transfer funds.”

United Press International – NewsTrack – Top News – Defense criticizes scope of Capitol raid
The Louisiana Democrat was being investigated as part of a corruption probe and the current Court of Appeals case will in part determine the constitutionality of the FBI’s investigative raid.

BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | China urges world to help Africa
More than 700 Chinese companies are active in Africa.

BBC NEWS | Technology | Malware ‘hijacks Windows Updates’
However, Microsoft said that for BITS to be exploited, machines first had to become infected with the trojan

U.S. health care expensive, inefficient – Health Care – MSNBC.com
Americans get the poorest health care and yet pay the most compared to five other rich countries, according to a report released on Tuesday.

FOXNews.com – Attorney General Gonzales Says He Relied on Former Deputy About Attorney Firings – Pol
Gonzales ultimately signed off on the list

FOXNews.com – House Votes to Put Brakes on Bush Administration Plan to Allow Mexican Trucks on U.S.
We do not need 90,000-pound unguided missiles on our highways,” said Rep. Robin Hayes, R-N.C.

FOXNews.com – Family: LA Hospital Workers Refused to Help Woman, Police Arrested Her Instead – Local
It was an unexpected death

FOXNews.com – Disguised CIA Agent Testifies How Officials Got Padilla’s Alleged Al Qaeda Form – Loca
I think he took this initiative on his own

FOXNews.com – Captured Al Qaeda Militants Say Foiled Saudi Oil Terror Plot Intended to Draw U.S. Tro
“It was all about luring in America to intervene

Crying infants hidden by childcare worker, officials say – CNN.com
“The conditions were so egregious,”

Rumsfeld’s resignation letter remains elusive | Politics | Reuters
But Carol Ehrlich, FOIA officer there, said the office of administration within the executive office of the president was a separate entity from the White House office, which controls its own records and is not subject to FOIA.

Cuban exile found guilty of terrorism in mock trial | International | Reuters
A U.S. judge last week dismissed immigration fraud charges against the 79-year-old Cuban exile, enraging Cubans who want to see him brought to justice. Havana accused Washington of protecting him because of his past ties to the CIA.

Republican candidates clash in South Carolina | Reuters
I don’t think I’ve ever heard that before and I’ve heard some pretty absurd explanations for September 11

ABC News: Private Equity Goes ‘Elephant Hunting’
The private equity purchase of Chrysler could soon bring its workers and retirees the possibility of losing their jobs and pensions. (AP)

ABC News: ‘80-20 Chance’: Immigration Deal May Be Imminent
(The ordinance is already being challenged in the courts.)

Clinton, Obama back Iraq fund cutoff – Yahoo! News
But Clinton, in particular, has spoken out repeatedly against the idea of a fixed timetable for a withdrawal.

U.S. Senate to test support for ending Iraq war – Yahoo! News
“We’re going to finish this bill before leaving for the Memorial Day recess,”

Bush chooses ‘war czar’ for Iraq, Afghanistan-The United States-World-The Times of India


Pakistan suicide bomber leaves warning to U.S. spies | International | Reuters
“Those who spy for Americans will meet the same fate.”

mi Casa et su Casa

Current Press Releases – SECURITY OPERATION IN BASRA CITY
“This operation shows the increasing capability of the Iraqi Security Forces as they take on the rogue militia who are seeking to disrupt the establishment of a secure environment and endanger the lives of the people of Basra. Once more, our soldiers have shown their selfless commitment in supporting the Iraqi Forces as they disrupt the terrorist activities, and move ever closer to Provincial Iraqi Control in Basra”.

Poll finds US support for Israel soaring | Jerusalem Post
Asked about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, 65 percent of respondents said they support Israel, while 10 percent said they support the Palestinians.

We understand America’s frustrations: Salih
“This is a commitment and this is a mission that the government has undertaken. Let me remind you of an important context. When we assumed sovereignty in June 2004, the number of Iraqi security services and military were minimal. Now we have more than nearly probably 400,000 people under arms, nearly 11 divisions that are working in various provinces and along the coalition” he said.

Russia objects to elements of UN Kosovo document – International Herald Tribune

“As we have said repeatedly, a real settlement of the Kosovo problem could only be achieved on the basis of accord between the parties, the Serbs and the Albanians in Kosovo, not on the basis of some enforced solutions,” Kamynin said.

He added that Russia was pushing for “jointly determining next steps that would encourage a process of negotiations in order to find a compromise solution

FOXNews.com – Admiral Fallon’s Tactful Touch in Iraq Troubles U.S. Senator – Politics | Republican P
“If they get the perception that we are … going to walk away from them, then this just encourages the factional militias,”

FOXNews.com – Iran Confirms Detention of Iranian-American Academic – International News | News of th
The 67-year-old academic, who has been living in the U.S. since 1980, has for years brought prominent Iranians to Washington to talk about social change, some of whom have been detained and subsequently questioned back home.

allAfrica.com: Africa: China Not to Repeat the West’s Mistakes in Africa (Page 1 of 1)

Chinese companies are currently building the Merowe Dam in Sudan. The project is displacing 70,000 people from the fertile Nile Valley and moving them into the Nubian Desert. Peaceful protests against the project have been violently oppressed by the Sudanese authorities. Ali Askouri, a leader of the affected communities and president of the Piankhi Research Group, said in Shanghai:

“Projects that do not address the needs of the affected people will fuel conflicts and social disintegration. China should consult African civil society groups and affected communities in the projects it finances.”

Pope assails Marxism and capitalism – Yahoo! News
“The Marxist system, where it found its way into government, not only left a sad heritage of economic and ecological destruction, but also a painful destruction of the human spirit,”

Bangladesh party calls for end of politics ban – Yahoo! News
The Awami League accused the BNP government, led by Khaleda Zia, of rigging the polls slated for January 22, leading to months of political turmoil and the takeover of a military-backed government.

Rice heads for Russia in hopes to mend ties – Yahoo! News
“I think everybody around the world, in Europe, in the United States, is very concerned about the internal course that Russia has taken in recent years,”

Japan takes key step to rewrite constitution – Yahoo! News
One question the experts will consider is whether Japan could shoot down a North Korean missile heading over its territory to the United States — an action forbidden under the current interpretation.

TBO.com – News From The Associated Press
“I am here to defend my country,” said Yuksel Uysal, a teacher. “I am here to defend Ataturk’s revolution.”

Yemen forces fight battles with Shi’ite rebels | Reuters
Sunnis make up most of Yemen’s 19 million people, and most of the rest belong to the Zaidi branch of Shi’ite Islam.


Taliban sources confirm killing of top commander | International | Reuters
“It is a very big loss for us because Dadullah was a very important commander and Taliban’s war planner against coalition and Afghan forces,”

Missing US troops ‘held captive’ | Mercury – The Voice of Tasmania
AN al-Qaeda-linked insurgent group in Iraq has claimed it is holding US soldiers captive after a deadly ambush south of Baghdad left three troops missing.

Security Council working group urges action to demobilize child soldiers
the Working Group called for the immediate liberation of child soldiers without waiting for further stages in that process.

UN official urges Ugandan parties to put human rights at centre of talks
“For a peace agreement to be durable it must be based on the principles of justice, accountability and the rule of law,”

UN rights unit calls Darfur bombardments ‘indiscriminate and inappropriate’
“The disproportionate use of force constitutes violations of international humanitarian and human rights law,”

Opening two-week session, UN indigenous forum tackles land, resource issues
“With the increasing desire of States for more economic growth, senseless exploitation of indigenous peoples’ territories and resources continues unabated,”

Week End?

Envoy: China taking advantage on Iraq – Yahoo! News
“And what is going on in East Asia is that there’s another rising power competing against the United States.”

Iran, North Korea seek to boost cooperation – Yahoo! News
ranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s government “is interested in expanding ties with North Korea in the political, economical and cultural fields,” Mottaki was quoted as saying.

Yemen recalls envoys from Iran, Libya over rebels – Yahoo! News
Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh ordered the army in January to crack down on Houthi and his group, whom the government says preaches violence against the United States.

Terror suspect admits support for holy war – International Terrorism – MSNBC.com
They also discussed passages from religious books. One said Jews should be expelled from the Arabian peninsula. Another said Muslims are obligated to obey an imam who declares war against nonbelievers. Hou asked Sabir whether he agreed with both passages, and he said yes — but added that Muslims are only required to follow such instructions from a legitimate religious authority.

China anti-satellite test sends wrong signal: U.S. | Reuters
other countries saw China’s missile strike against one of its own satellites as having military overtones.

U.S. study finds billions of Iraqi oil missing: NYT | Reuters
“It could also be theft,” the Times quoted

Russia clinches deal on new Caspian gas pipeline | International | Reuters
The leaders of Russia, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan agreed on Saturday to build a new natural gas pipeline around the Caspian Sea, a move that bolsters Russia’s dominance over the region’s gas exports.

ABC News: Romney’s Estimated Wealth in Millions

Romney is not the wealthiest candidate ever to run for president.

Steve Forbes, who ran unsuccessfully for the GOP nomination in 1996, had an estimate net worth of more than $430 million. John Kerry, the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee, reported a net worth between $165 million and $235 million in 2005, most of it controlled by his wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry.

ABC News: New Charges Against Former CIA Official
he pair now face 30 wide-ranging counts of fraud, conspiracy and money laundering.

Africa, climate, investment on Germany’s agenda for G8 summit – Yahoo! News
Berlin was in favour of “greater transparency” on hedge funds, whose highly speculative nature the German government believes can undermine financial stability

Alabama chosen by ThyssenKrupp for €3.1B steel plant – International Herald Tribune
Steelmaker ThyssenKrupp AG said Friday it will build a €3.1 billion (US$4.19 billion) steel plant in the southern U.S. state of Alabama

Meanwhile: Lose the vultures, and lose the soul – International Herald Tribune
The killer is Diclofenac, a livestock drug developed in the early 1990s. Even minute traces in cattle carcasses causes kidney failure in the giant scavenging birds. The Indian government banned Diclofenac in May 2006, but the move came too late for the vultures – and for the Parsis.

Energy Related Developments in Southeastern Europe – Worldpress.org
The company formed by this tripartite agreement will be named “Transbalkan Pipeline” and will be based in a European Union state, most probably in Luxembourg

US warns of the terrorist plot in Germany
“We have a legal requirement, as well as moral requirement, to pass along our best advice to our public, so that they can take steps to protect themselves,” McCormack said.

Yoga-Loving UN Troops Struggle to Mesh With War-Zone Partners – Yahoo! News
“We have to be careful we don’t work at cross purposes.”

US official warns Serbia – Turkish Daily News May 12, 2007


Turkey’s transport hub gamble – Turkish Daily News May 12, 2007


Rice praises AKP, says US must back democracy – Turkish Daily News May 12, 2007

Bill

The Dilbert Blog: Outsource the Government
It’s common knowledge that all major government decisions in the United States are made via a process that Thomas Jefferson described in the constitution as “lobbyists bribing weasels.” Voters attempt to solve this problem by electing the weasels who do the best job lying about their intentions to change the system. So far, this hasn’t worked.

RAF intercepts two Russian military jets | | The Australian
An RAF spokesman declined to say exactly when the incident above international waters off Scotland took place and said there was no contact between the British and Russian jets.

ALGERIA: HEAD OF AL-QAEDA LINKED GROUP THREATENS TOURISTS IN MAGHREB
Western workers in North Africa and tourists are going to be the prime targets of suicide attacks, Abu Musab Abdel Wudud, the leader of the Al-Qaeda Organisation in the Islamic Maghreb said in a video released on Islamist websites Thursday

IRIN Asia | Asia | Pakistan | PAKISTAN: Islamic extremists attack aid workers | Natural Disasters Co
On 1 May, a driver of a vehicle rented by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN Habitat) and bearing UN markings, was beaten up. On the same day two local staff members working for the National Commission for Human Development, a local NGO, were beaten up, and two local female staff members working for the American Refugee Committee (ARC) who accompanied them were arrested.

“They were arrested for having a picnic in a public area while being unmarried,” Louise Paterson, the country director for ARC in Islamabad, told IRIN, describing the incident as a longstanding issue with the employment of female staff.

Reuters AlertNet – US military sees parents as big recruiting barrier
There are differences over time in how people think about their responsibilities and what they owe their country, what they owe their society,” David Chu, the Pentagon’s under secretary for personnel and readiness, said earlier this year.

“I do personally believe part of the cause is generational,” he said.

The Washington Times: AP
Investigators said they found three encrypted CDs in their luggage that contained documents on a submarine propulsion system, a solid-state power switch for ships and a Power Point presentation on the future of power electronics.

Border chief hit for bullying – Nation/Politics – insider.washingtontimes.com
“They know that most agents, fearing retaliation from management, will not publicly commit career suicide

Translated Version of http://www.sueddeutsche.de/kultur/artikel/726/113613/3/
Is the picture storm thereby directed also against a certain aesthetics?

Groys: I do not believe. If the Soviet monuments in another aesthetics had been implemented, its fate would be the same nevertheless. Take the palace of the republic in Berlin, a neoavantgardistische aesthetics. That is also torn off. The ideological meaning is more important than the aesthetic. It concerns not proletarians, but Russians. For the peoples of Eastern Europe this Monumente symbolizes the Russian rule. They do not want to see these things simply any longer.

CafePress.com Wire
Californication

BillOReilly.com: Bill’s Current Column
The energy scam we are presently experiencing is one smooth operation. This time the Arabs aren’t raising prices on barrels of oil. This time it’s not saber-rattling from Iran that is driving up the price of gas. No, this time the problems are in Whiting, Indiana and Norco, Louisiana.


FOXNews.com – Military Bloggers Eye Army Crackdown on Web Reporting – Politics | Republican Party |
“Bloggers who express independent views are seen as a threat, while (pro-military bloggers) seem to be viewed as tools.

“Liberty, Equality, Fraternity”

ArticleE1
An Historical Overview of the Persecution of Christians under Islam.

Apostasy Bill Calls for Death to Converts from Islam – Christian Newswire
n addition to life in prison or death, offenders yield all properties in their name to Muslim relatives and forfeit custody of any minor or biological child under their care.Davinci is Dead

FOXNews.com – Pakistan Christians Receive Threatening Letters Urging Conversion – International News
Christians in northwest Pakistan have received threatening letters warning them to shut their churches and convert to Islam,

FOXNews.com – Rice: U.S. Ties to Russia ‘Complicated’ Over Putin’s Moves to Consolidate Power – Poli
Just ahead of her departure for Moscow next week, Rice said the United States and Russia are working well together on a number of issues but that the overall ties remained “complicated” by a rollback in reforms and Russia’s contentious relations with its neighbors.

allAfrica.com: Algeria: Africa Insight – Al Qaeda’s Deadly Hand Hangs Over Algeria And Morocco (Page
Last month’s terrorism acts in Morocco and Algeria have rekindled fears that the region might face a new period of instability and insecurity.

U.S. melamine probers find empty Chinese factories | U.S. | Reuters
“We visited the two facilities and there is essentially nothing to be found because they are closed down,”

Peruvians sue oil giant over Amazon pollution | Waste and pollution | Guardian Unlimited Environment
The claim alleges that over the course of three decades Oxy, as it is known, engaged in “irresponsible, reckless, immortal and illegal practices” in an “unchecked effort to profit from Amazonian oil”. It adds: “These practices were below accepted industry standards, prohibited by law, and Oxy knew they would result in the severe contamination of water and land.”

Comment is free: Transparency’s silver lining
One of the lessons of the Wolfowitz debacle is that it does actually matter how stakeholders and employees feel about the bank’s leadership.

United Press International – Energy – Briefing
“The first nuclear power plant of Turkey will be built by 2015,” Cakiroglu said. “We have the necessary know-how for this.”

United Press International – Energy – Analysis
Russian gas giant Gazprom relies on Turkmen gas to help satisfy its supply contracts, as production at home stagnates and energy demand across Europe grows.

allAfrica.com: Botswana: Sweden Grants P13.5 Million for Okavango Basin (Page 1 of 1)
The management of the Okavango River Basin, Botswana, Namibia and Angola has received a P13.5 million boost from the government of Sweden.

www.washingtoninstitute.org/templateC05.php?CID=2600
Turkey has traditionally suffered from a “majoritarian malaise,” with right-wing parties — such as the National Front coalitions in the late 1970s — interpreting their control of parliament as a popular mandate to ignore democratic checks and balances.

Article or Op-Ed

There seem to be two parallel realities today regarding Iran’s nuclear program. On the one hand, most of the international community appears to oppose Iran going nuclear, and the Bush administration has helped forge two U.N. Security Council resolutions (despite Russian and Chinese hesitancy) that impose limited sanctions on the Iranian nuclear and missile industries, as well as individuals and entities associated with them. Even though the sanctions were far less stringent than those the administration initially sought, they seem to have created dissonance within the Iranian elite. Criticism of Iran’s president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has become much more open and far more pointed. One newspaper associated with Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei went so far as to say that Ahmadinejad was using the nuclear issue to divert attention from the failings of his government. As Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns, the administration’s point person on the issue, put it, “We’ve roiled their government, and I think we’ve shocked them a bit.”

That’s the good news. Now the other reality: The Iranians continue to press ahead with their nuclear program.

BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Star dies in monstrous explosion
“Of all exploding stars ever observed, this was the king,”

Mini-continent discovered-Health/Science-The Times of India
“Our findings show that a continental fragment of a size hitherto never suspected must have existed between India and the Antarctic.”

BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Koreas agree cross-border train
Military officers from North and South Korea have given the go-ahead for the first train crossing over the heavily fortified border in more than 50 years.

NDTV.com
close ties with Washington were “a necessity for the balance of the world.”

euro|topics – Current

Germany – Die Zeit

Elif Shafak on Turkish-European connections

“Is it a curse or a blessing to live in interesting times?” asks Turkish writer Elif Shafak. She observes the current situation in her country, where Islamic democrats and undemocratic secularists are facing off. “In Turkey, modernisation has always been initiated and carried out by a political and cultural elite. Who represents the nation? The elite? The army? The conservatives? Each group sees itself as the sole representative of the state, without considering that the nation belongs to us all. Interestingly, the anti-Western hard-liners in Turkey and the anti-Turkish hard-liners in Europe have a lot in common. Both think Islam and Western democracy are incompatible. And both are against EU membership for Turkey.” (10/05/2007)

euro|topics – Press review – Archive – Nicolas Sarkozy’s European plans
Nicolas Sarkozy’s European plans

Pope kicks off anti-abortion mission in Brazil. 10/05/2007. ABC News Online
“I am well aware that the soul of this people, as of all Latin America, safeguards values that are radically Christian,” the Pope said in Portuguese after he was greeted by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

King Herod’s tomb unearthed, Israeli university claims – CNN.com
An Israeli archaeologist has found the tomb of King Herod, the legendary builder of ancient Jerusalem and the Holy Land, Hebrew University said late Monday.